The Double-Edged Emperor Slayer

Once the lead boxes were opened one by one, the sword finally revealed itself. The shape of the sword itself was ordinary. It didn't have two blades, nor was the edge serrated like a saw. Instead, its color was bizarre. A sword ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠humming and radiating a strange green and blue light!

"Cough, cough..."

"Keheheh."

The goblins' complexions instantly turned pale. Startled, Tae-hyun asked, "I-I mean, if just standing next to it deals damage, shouldn't you guys back away?"

"We must... present... the sword... *cough, wheeze*."

The rest of his companions had already realized they were taking damage and had retreated dozens of paces. They had become incredibly quick-witted when it came to things like this!

"I'll take it, so please step back."

"Kehek, kehek."

Tae-hyun was genuinely worried they might cough up blood and drop dead. He reached out his hand to pick up the Emperor Slayer.

...I have a resurrection skill.

Tae-hyun picked up the sword. Instantly, a cascade of message windows popped up with a resounding chime.

"What?!"

Tae-hyun was horrified. He was taking massive, rapid damage—more than any player in Pangaea Online 2 had ever managed to inflict on him.

"..."

Its physical and magic attacks were only 1, but... it was a crazy sword that dealt 1% to 10% of the target's total HP with every single strike! It was obvious why it was named the Emperor Slayer. In theory, as long as the opponent couldn't heal, hitting them ten times would kill absolutely anyone.

The problem was...

The Demonic Sword, Emperor Slayer drains the wielder's life. 1% in the first second, 2% in the second second, 3% in the third second...

Question: If a person's total HP is reduced by 1% in the first second, 2% in the second, and 3% in the third, when will they die? (5 points)

...They die in 14 seconds!

What kind of garbage sword kills its wielder after holding it for just 13 or 14 seconds?

The only viable way to use this is to equip it for 4 to 5 seconds, swap it out, then equip it again for another 4 to 5 seconds...

Against a boss monster formidable enough to warrant drawing this demonic sword, landing a single hit in just one second was unrealistic. He needed at least 4 to 5 seconds to swap weapons, get into stance, strike, and pull back.

Wait, is that actually doable?

Surprisingly, it seemed feasible. Of course, it would look incredibly chaotic to anyone watching, but if swapping weapons could bypass such a terrifying penalty while retaining that brutal offensive power...

Tae-hyun put the demonic sword back into his inventory and drew it again to see if the stacking penalty reset.

"..."

Tae-hyun hurriedly shoved the demonic sword back into his inventory. It seemed the weapon-swapping trick wouldn't work. Once used, the curse wouldn't disappear until he rested or the battle ended.

Then the only way to use this sword is...

Are you saying that just because you're not the one dying?

This wasn't Dragon Ball! How could he suggest dying and resurrecting so casually?

Yet, as annoying as Carbanog was, it was actually a realistic method. Currently, Tae-hyun had at least three lives thanks to his Undying and Resurrection skills. He had been hoarding his survival skills like a squirrel hiding acorns because he had so many enemies, but using just one wouldn't hurt.

"Thank you, goblins. I will never forget your sacrifice and hard work."

"If Your Majesty uses that sword to slay the Emperor, there could be no greater honor!" the goblins shouted in deep emotion.

Of course, to Tae-hyun, this was a hundred times more pressure than he wanted. Are you telling me to go raid the Emperor right now?

"Y-yes. I'll do my best."

"Let's kill the Emperor! Kill the Emperor!"

"Behead the Emperor and hang his head on a spear!"

"If not the Emperor, then at least a king's head!"

"..."

Watching the goblins shout such treasonous slogans right in front of their own king, the rest of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠party was utterly speechless. Are these guys going to cause a massive disaster sooner or later?

The sky! Since ancient times, humanity has always yearned for the heavens. Why else would wingless humans build all sorts of contraptions just to take flight? It was no different in Pangaea Online. Once players reached a certain level, they sought flying mounts rather than ordinary ground ones. In truth, given the abundance of flying monsters in Pangaea Online, flying mounts weren't actually that practical. In high-difficulty regions, traveling on foot was far safer. Yet, people still wanted to fly. Simply because they loved the feeling of flight! And among them, a few explorer players continuously searched the skies instead of the earth.

"Aaaah! Levitate! Levitate!"

Higher and higher! Though most only encountered clouds or flying monsters before plummeting to their deaths, the players never gave up. Instead, it turned into a fierce competition.

—Reached 3,000 meters... New record!

—If he hit 3,000, I'm going to 3,500!

—I'm going to 4,000!!

—Aaargh... I hit 4,500!!

As players leveled up, their gear improved, and various skills and mounts were discovered, ascending higher became easier. The explorer players climbed higher and higher... until one day, beyond the heavens, they discovered a deep blue island.

"Gasp!"

The flying explorer let out a breathless gasp. A vast expanse of land stretching as far as the eye could see. Floating around it were ruined Sky Castles, drifting through the air. He had discovered an uncharted territory unlike anything ever seen in Pangaea Online.

"I-I hit the jackpot...!"

"What does that mean?"

"Isn't that a Korean expression?"

"I don't know, but let's cheer with him!"

The players who reached the Sky Island cheered wildly. And the news immediately spread down to the world below.

Excited by the news, players didn't miss the opportunity to turn it into a business. Starting with airships, various aviation squads were formed to procure flying mounts and transport players upward.

The Central Continent kingdoms, where the majority of players resided! Thanks to their long history and tradition, they were overflowing with various facilities, allowing players of any class to enjoy themselves. Except for the Salz Kingdom, of course.

Thus, the player base's reaction to the new update was split down the middle.

And then, the Power Warrior Guild made its move.

Whether it succeeded or not, the Power Warrior Guild couldn't stand the thought of others succeeding while they sat idle! Besides, renting out airships and mounts brought in a very handsome profit. Time to do business!

The major guilds operating in the Central Continent weren't particularly worried. Although the Sky Island had opened, it would ultimately be a place where only high-level players could thrive, much like the Demon Realm. The vast majority of low-level players preferred places where they could comfortably rest and play. No matter how they looked at it, they would return to the Central Continent!

...However, the number of players whose frustrations had accumulated due to the monster waves and various incidents was staggering. Far more players than the guilds had anticipated began migrating in droves.

"Hmm. Everyone wants to go to the Sky Island. Should we provide some airships? It'd be a good way to level up my Engineering skill."

With goblins, dwarves, and Tae-hyun himself on hand, they could build all kinds of airships if they put their minds to it. Budget airships, high-speed airships, combat airships, and airships exclusive to the Guild Alliance (at five times the price)...

"Uh... but if they all go and play on the Sky Island, won't we lose out?"

If the number of players in their territory decreased, their tax revenue would also drop. Considering that...

Tae-hyun replied nonchalantly, "Our kingdom's tax rate is already at the absolute minimum anyway, so a few people leaving won't affect us much."

"..."

"..."

The party fell into a solemn silence. Tae-hyun had literally dumped all the gold he earned from clearing legendary quests into the territory's operating costs!

"If they want to go, why stop them? Let's provide the airships, and then send the church NPCs over to spread the faith."

"Do you have any plans to go there yourself?"

"Hmm. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I might go if a decent quest or dungeon pops up... but those Ruined Sky Castles look rather peculiar."

They were identical to Sky Castles, but they had been abandoned and turned into ruins. Drifting through the skies of the Sky Island and radiating an eerie aura, the Ruined Sky Castles left a strong impression. Players were already drawing up plans to enter and conquer those fortresses.

"Since it's related to the Ancient Empire, there's bound to be a quest. But rather than rushing in to compete when it's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠crowded, it's better to gather some information first."

Tae-hyun was completely relaxed. Currently, with the league matches and skill grinding, there was no need to rush. Just because everyone was flocking to the Sky Island didn't mean he had to join the chaotic race.

By the way, how will the major guilds react if so many players leave?

They would either have to relocate their bases or try to hold the players back... both of which were difficult choices. Since it had nothing to do with him, Tae-hyun decided to just grab some popcorn and watch the show.

If you don't like it, you guys should run your kingdoms with low taxes too!