Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Thunder Tribulation
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Thunder Tribulation.
It was the divine punishment that struck the instant a player reached level 151.
Dozens of lightning bolts fell with power that transcended the target's stats, making it nearly impossible to endure.
That was why the vast majority of players halted their growth at level 150.
But those who dreamed of becoming National Treasures were different.
There were people who threw themselves into the Thunder Tribulation to shatter the wall of S-Rank.
The conscientious merchant was one of them.
Already eight years.
He had devoted himself entirely to preparing to battle the Thunder Tribulation.
He actively scoured the community, collecting as much information and items related to the Thunder Tribulation as possible.
The problem was that his points were on the verge of running dry.
Thunder Tribulation-related information and items were exorbitantly expensive from start to finish, leaving even the vast fortune he'd amassed from raiding Gates woefully insufficient.
'I need to find it.'
The conscientious merchant began searching for players resistant to specific status ailments.
His plan was to sell off the accumulating "cursed items" to overcome his financial woes.
Of course, it wasn't easy.
Unless they were fools, players generally kept their weapons hidden.
No one went out of their way to advertise their resistance to status ailments.
He personally visited countless auctions, roamed chat rooms, and observed people, but achieved no notable results.
That was when he met him.
The man before his eyes.
It was a breakthrough after long years.
'Probably a National Treasure from somewhere.'
To become a National Treasure, one had to survive the Thunder Tribulations that came every ten levels starting from 151—at least six times.
Those over level 200 were transcendent beings bordering on omnipotence.
Resistance to specific status ailments, arrogance—it all made sense.
The merchant felt a strong desire to build a good relationship, especially as the man pressured and belittled him.
'Please pick number 2.'
The conscientious merchant laid out five gauntlets on the table and offered a fervent prayer.
The gauntlet he referred to as "number 2."
It bore the name [Heavy Star] and unconditionally slowed the wearer while petrifying them with average probability.
It was an utterly useless item.
Yet it was part of a set.
One of the four items dropped by the hidden boss of an S-Rank Gate.
'Things were good up until then.'
He thought he'd become a billionaire.
But damn it.
Upon appraisal, all four items had flaws.
The helmet, armor, gloves, and boots—all four pieces inflicted slow and petrification on the wearer.
Wearing the set turned you into a turtle.
Only shady labs in Russia and the Middle East, or eccentric antique collectors, would show interest in such trash.
What if the man before him resisted slow and petrification?
He could use Heavy Star as bait to offload the three pieces of junk.
'The curse on the White Snake Bracelet included paralysis. With luck, petrification too... Huh?'
Was his heart pounding too loudly from surging anticipation?
As he suppressed his breathing in worry, the merchant's eyes widened.
"This one's decent enough."
'What?'
Jae-hyeok had chosen the white gloves.
[Trace of Thunder Tribulation].
[Trace of Thunder Tribulation]
Rank: Legendary
*Attack speed +20%.
*Lightning affinity and resistance each +10%.
It was an item worthy of top ranking among Legendary-grade gloves.
Gloves that boosted attack speed—one of the most crucial player stats—by 20% were exceedingly rare.
But more importantly, it increased lightning resistance.
Affinity strengthened lightning attribute attack power, making it useless without lightning skills, whereas resistance had excellent versatility.
Lightning resistance, no less.
For a National Treasure-level player, it meant reducing the power of the Thunder Tribulations they'd battle lifelong by 10%.
'But that's...'
The merchant swallowed dryly and double-checked the white gloves' info.
[Trace of Thunder Tribulation]
A relic from someone who endured 19 Thunder Tribulations but burned to death in the 20th.
The traces of Thunder Tribulation were preserved.
*Grants wearer 'Remnants of Thunder Tribulation.'
*Upon skill use, very high probability that the traces of Thunder Tribulation excite and convulse.
Those gloves were no good.
When he, an S-Rank player, tried them on, he foamed at the mouth and convulsed immediately.
If his passive skill hadn't activated, he really would have died.
Remnants of Thunder Tribulation.
It was a curse that coursed lightning through the wearer's body.
A clear upgrade over the status ailment electrocution.
No way it could be endured for a mere 10% lightning resistance.
And the real problem was elsewhere.
What happened when the traces convulsed.
An artificial Thunder Tribulation struck from the sky.
Not on par with the real thing, but fast and powerful enough.
The Thunder Tribulations that ambushed every skill use easily plunged the wearer into crisis.
"The Remnants of Thunder Tribulation are on a whole different level from ordinary status ailments. Even if you resist electrocution, handling the Remnants is another matter entirely."
The conscientious merchant explained honestly.
He had just made a bad impression.
He judged that upholding his nickname now would prevent future repercussions.
Jae-hyeok saw through his goodwill but responded coldly.
"Do you think you have the right to judge me?"
"......"
"Picking this item must have given you a big hint. The items you want to sell me can't be of low caliber."
Jae-hyeok demonstratively slipped on the gloves.
Faint golden light suffused the white gloves as they unleashed Remnants of Thunder Tribulation, but Jae-hyeok remained unscathed.
"......"
His strong-arming had paid off.
Control had fully shifted to Jae-hyeok.
The conscientious merchant's posture grew even more deferential.
"Since you've seen through my intentions anyway, I'll be straightforward. I planned to identify the curses you resist based on your choice and decide what to sell accordingly. But seeing you suppress the Remnants of Thunder Tribulation so easily, it all feels pointless."
Crash!
The conscientious merchant dumped new items onto the table.
Over twenty of them, several appearing Legendary-grade.
"If there's anything here you want, take it freely. Of course, it's all on the house."
"......?"
Jae-hyeok's arrogant demeanor nearly crumbled.
'What's with the sudden change?'
The guy who haggled for days over points was now offering items for free?
Even Jae-hyeok hadn't predicted this turn.
As he struggled to hide his fluster, the conscientious merchant cut straight to the point.
"You're the Thunder Sovereign, aren't you?"
"......?"
"As far as I know, you're the only one in the world who could suppress the Remnants of Thunder Tribulation this easily."
Thud!
The conscientious merchant abruptly knelt.
At this point, Jae-hyeok's body twitched slightly.
True to S-Rank form, the merchant keenly caught the reaction.
"Your flustered look confirms I hit the mark."
Thump!
He bowed so deeply his forehead touched the floor.
"I wouldn't dream of hiding my identity after presuming to guess yours. Blake Bossa formally greets the great Thunder Sovereign!"
'Blake Bossa? Gate Hunter...!'
A name Jae-hyeok knew well.
A powerhouse who shattered records even in talent-rich America.
'He's often mentioned in Player Manager too.'
A level 150 player squeezed into tier-1 decks.
Could this really be him?
No way.
Why would a big shot like that pose as a merchant...?
'Crazy.'
Jae-hyeok's doubts vanished quickly.
Blake Bossa had removed his mask.
Contrary to expectations, a dignified middle-aged face appeared.
"You must have realized long ago. This lowly one is preparing for Thunder Tribulation."
With his identity revealed, Blake Bossa pleaded honestly and desperately.
"Even a small piece of advice would suffice. Please... please help me conquer the Thunder Tribulation!"
"......"
First, snag the items.
Jae-hyeok gave up thinking for the moment, scanned the items on the table, and pocketed a few decent ones.
Help him beat Thunder Tribulation?
Me?
'Of all misunderstandings, Thunder Sovereign. This guy knows the weight of that name.'
A figure invariably cited when discussing the world's strongest.
The Thunder Sovereign was a cut above other National Treasures.
Mistaking him for one just because he endured the Remnants seemed like overactive wishful thinking.
'...Or is it?'
Jae-hyeok had been channeling his father the whole time dealing with Blake.
It felt natural to be mistaken for a Thunder Sovereign-level figure.
'Father.'
I feel your greatness anew.
Turning emotional eyes to Blake Bossa, Jae-hyeok faced facts.
He couldn't help him.
Faking advice as the Thunder Sovereign might lead him to death.
Better to take the items as payment for secrecy and cut ties.
'But on second thought.'
I've cleared Thunder Tribulation myself, haven't I?
'And now I have Trace of Thunder Tribulation.'
Maybe I can actually help?
Greed stirred.
If Blake overcame it with my help.
I'd gain a transcendent powerhouse as an ally.
After agonizing for quite a while, Jae-hyeok slowly spoke.
"...Wait for my contact. But remember, I'm not the Thunder Sovereign."
"Yes...! I will, Thunder Sovereign!!"
Not the Thunder Sovereign.
Jae-hyeok frowned, but Blake didn't notice.
He was too busy shedding tears of gratitude.