Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Revival of the Ancient Emperor (3)
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‘Yeah. This guy's a madman too.’
Of course, that explained why he was trying to revive the ancient emperor and his army to lead a resurgence of the human race.
No matter how deficient and weak the human race was compared to others, it was still a bitterly poignant reality.
‘Until the secret of Master Level is revealed, that is... It's inevitable.’
It wasn't just NPCs—the players were in the same boat.
Rokan hadn't felt the limitations of the human race much because of his overwhelmingly dominant feats, but purely in terms of racial traits, humans were the weakest among all races. To the point of being unbalanced.
In fact, many human players who underestimated that gap had hit their limits, deleted their characters, and started over with other races. Those who grudgingly kept playing out of regret for their sunk time investment were feeling the difference with every fiber of their being.
But that was because they didn't truly understand the human race's strengths.
‘Only two are immediately verifiable, after all.’
The two obvious strengths were 'training' and 'weakness' itself.
As Rokan had done, the first was that training grounds could compensate for some of the stat deficiencies compared to other races.
Master this properly, and even without advanced training grounds, most racial stat gaps could be bridged—but surprisingly, many knew this yet couldn't follow through. They just couldn't endure the tedious repetition.
The second was their weakness itself.
Being weak meant that any achievements would be recognized as greater feats.
In short, it was far easier to acquire high-grade titles.
What other races took for granted became praiseworthy for humans. Learn a few tricks, and you could sweep up several Magic-grade titles.
With proper training and titles, you might still have slight shortcomings, but you wouldn't need to cower before other races.
‘But the key is potential.’
If that was all, though, even Rokan might have hesitated to choose human again.
But one final strength made him pick human once more.
It was that the human race's core concept was 'potential.'
The previous two strengths stemmed from that potential, and the third was what truly blossomed it.
[Human Race Quest 'Revival of the Ancient Emperor' has entered its final stage. Success in the experiment will revive the ancient emperor.]
[Time remaining until research completion: 239 hours 59 minutes]
‘Ten days... No way I'll hit Master Level by then. Guess I'll have to do it in real time after all.’
At that moment, an alert announced that the human race quest 'Revival of the Ancient Emperor' was reaching its conclusion.
The experiment would obviously succeed, meaning the ancient emperor and his Red Crusaders would revive in ten days.
Rokan wanted to reach Master Level somehow in the meantime, but at under level 290, it was impossible. In the end, he'd have to level up quickly after their revival and hit Master Level under pressure.
‘Without completing that, catching the ancient emperor would be a pipe dream.’
The sole reason Rokan was so desperate for Master Level was to acquire a Master Skill. To complete 'that' thing he'd wielded like a trademark in his previous life.
And thanks to Rokan, the human race's 'potential' had been revealed.
‘Maybe mix in something different this time.’
The principle was the same—combine various skills to create a new one—but Master Skills allowed combining skills from classes beyond your own.
Limits applied, though. Other races had restrictions on class types and numbers combinable.
Except humans.
Beings of boundless potential, capable of anything.
Only humans could combine skills from every class, with no limit on the number at once.
Like with combo skills, more didn't always mean stronger, but done right, humans could craft Master Skills more powerful than any other race.
That was why the human race's resurgence came late—after this secret was exposed.
Rokan and other human Master Level players had dominated the top ranks, revealing the truth.
And unlike his previous life, Rokan planned to mix in some fresh skills.
His old combo was already perfected enough to earn him the title King of Violence, but now he'd incorporate insights from his second playthrough.
Because his past power hadn't reached the King of Genesis.
Rokan had preempted many titles the Genesis King should have claimed, but he wasn't letting his guard down.
His opponent was the King of Genesis. Who knew what titles he'd snatched in compensation.
‘In that case... for now...’
Tweet.
Stepping back from the emperor, Rokan pondered his next plans, then glanced at his left shoulder.
Kai, tilting his head curiously.
Rokan planned to max his level over the next ten days while also leveling Kai. Mounting him might be a stretch, but he at least shouldn't hinder in battle.
“Log out.”
Having mapped out his leveling route and ten-day plan, Rokan logged out leisurely for once.
Once the ancient emperor revived, there'd be no time for logout amid the chaos—so he was resting and optimizing his condition in advance.
“...Huh?”
Back in reality, as he manipulated the TV and directed his AI assistant Ryeng to gather info, Rokan's eyes caught his smartphone.
More precisely, a text from his mother after a very long time.
[What were you thinking? Dad found out you took a leave of absence. He was about to rush right over, but I stopped him. Come home this weekend no matter what. Actually, since you're on leave, if you're not working part-time, come down any weekday and apologize properly.]
“...Ugh.”
Young-min's face twisted instantly. He'd secretly filed for leave knowing his dad would explode if he learned he was gaming instead of studying, but how had he found out?
No, how didn't matter anymore. The real issue was persuading his famously unreasonable father.
If Dad learned about the leave and full-time gaming, it'd be either a broken leg or smashed game capsule—or both.
‘In my previous life, it was after my grades tanked, not the leave, but he cut off all support and contact anyway, saying to cut ties.’
Young-min's head already throbbed.
He replied 'Got it' to Mom, but it was Thursday—only two days till the weekend. How to sway Dad?
No, he wasn't even hoping to sway him—just survive and return unscathed.
* * *
“Whew.”
Young-min wore a deeply tense expression. Even as Rokan, he'd rarely looked this grave—it was unnerving to behold, and this moment was just as terrifying and anxious.
“Dad.”
“Sit.”
Entering, he faced Dad's rigidly stern face. Mom fidgeted beside him, glancing between them.
‘Ugh...’
In-game, he was a fearless lone wolf, unrivaled under heaven, but reality was different—especially against Dad. With that stubborn, irascible face etched in obstinacy beyond mere pigheadedness, tension was inevitable.
“I called the school. They said you took a leave.”
“...Yes.”
No point lying when they knew. Young-min gauged their moods, then answered calmly.
“Why?”
A fastball straight down the middle. No anger in the tone, but his response would dictate the fallout. Honesty would ignite fury.
Young-min still shuddered recalling elementary school, when Dad had paddled his young butt fifty times with a baseball bat for misbehavior.
Composing himself, wondering if his in-game personality mirrored Dad's, Young-min slowly spoke.
“I... did some work.”
“Work? You got a job?”
'Game' might've launched something at his face, but 'work' softened the reaction slightly. Claiming an internship—even without a job—could lead to follow-ups but ease things.
But Young-min had no such intent.
It was inevitable eventually, but wasting time coming home was too precious. He needed to end it here and now.
“Where'd you work? Speak up!”
“Look at this, please.”
Hardening his expression, Rokan answered with action. Ignoring Dad already fuming impatiently, he handed a small rectangular object to his anxious mother.
“What's this? Oh my!”
Mom took it with a question mark, then startled. She just blinked between Young-min and it.
“What is it... Where'd you get this?”
Dad snatched it— a bankbook. One Rokan had opened yesterday for today, steaming fresh. Inside, eight zeros after a 1.
100 million won!
Cash from selling gold, hastily prepared. A huge sum, but trivial gold for current Rokan.
But his parents' faces soured.
A college kid with a 100-million-won bankbook? Hard to believe it was legit.
Mom looked worried; Dad, confused and angry.
“Don't worry. I earned it through my efforts. It's a gift—use it freely. Pay off the remaining mortgage too.”
Game money cashing wasn't fully legal, so he treaded carefully, but it wasn't a big issue.
Item and gold cashing was commonplace in The Lord.
“You think that makes sense...”
Swish.
As Dad eyed him disbelievingly, Young-min preempted with another bankbook.
Another 100 million won. This one his to keep.
“This is mine. Even giving that away, I have plenty—use it without worry.”
He could've pulled 1-2 billion more, but stuck to 100 million knowing Dad's personality. More in his account after gifting might inwardly offend him.
“This... Tell me, what exactly have you been doing?”
Dad finally acknowledged it, though suspicion of illegality lingered.
“I earned all that from gaming.”
“Gaming?”
Earning from games wasn't alien to them. Young-min had sold items and accounts as a middle/high schooler.
But the scale was different now—they couldn't quite grasp it.
“It's called The Lord... Super popular with young people lately. Money from selling items in it. Still early days, so I'll earn more ahead. Planning to make it my career. So... I'm thinking of dropping out.”
“...”
Even with dropout mentioned, Dad stayed silent, deep in thought for ages.
Young-min grew antsy too.
Mom held back, fearing backlash. Finally, Dad spoke.
“Fine. You gamed daily, but looks like you've got talent for it. Not just anyone earns this much. Dunno how long the game's hot, but if you've found your calling, pursue it.”
“...!”
The power of 100 million? Extremely positive—beyond expectations. Young-min's face lit up.
“But don't quit school. World's unpredictable. Won't you be ashamed before your kids later? And I'll hold this money without spending—tell me if you need it.”
“...Thank you, Dad.”
Young-min bowed brightly, sincerely grateful for permission.
Now, the final obstacle was gone.