Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Legend of the Gale (2)
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Master Level!
Rokan had finally gathered five hundred Master Insignias and completed the job change quest. The grandly named 'Legend of the Gale'.
However, the 'Searching for Traces of the Gale' quest he'd been wary about still had two question marks remaining.
"It doesn't seem to be this one."
It was too coincidental to call it mere chance, but what could he do? The quest window wasn't reacting.
After catching his breath for a moment, Rokan returned to Taimura in high spirits. The job change had happened automatically the instant he'd collected all five hundred Master Insignias, but a new skillbook was waiting for him.
The massive stat increase upon reaching Master Level was impressive, but the true power of Master Level lay in the skills.
"You... really did it?"
"Yes... I suppose."
But before he could even mention purchasing the skillbook, the Berserker Guild Master—who had given him the Master Level quest—opened his mouth with trembling eyes.
Then, with a face overcome by emotion, he muttered as if on the verge of tears.
"To think I'd live to see someone accomplish the same feats as that lord..."
"...That lord?"
Rokan's ears perked up at the quiet voice.
'Does this guy know something?'
"Yes. The one called the Gale. I've only heard the tales passed down through generations, but his exploits are exactly what we Berserkers should aspire to..."
"Details! Please tell me everything!"
Rokan grew excited at this rare lead and practically grabbed the man by the collar, urging him on.
"Ahem, alright. Every Berserker wants to hear about him... But there's one condition. You must promise never to tell this story to anyone else."
"Of course. But why...?"
"Because... there are those who find this tale uncomfortable."
"..."
Uncomfortable with stories of the Gale? What on earth had he done? Rokan could guess a few things. If it involved the dark secrets of various races, it was plenty reason enough.
But since he had no intention of blabbing about it anyway, he vowed solemnly and pressed for the story.
"Where to begin... Ah, yes. That works. He was human, yet not human."
What kind of riddle was this from the start?
As Rokan shot him an expectant look, the Berserker Guild Master lowered his voice and continued slyly.
"To be precise, he was a half-blood. Human and Titan."
"Titan? You mean the Titans I know? But those are legends..."
"Yes. A legendary race now all but forgotten. But it's a historical fact. It was possible only because his era was so very, very long ago."
Nod.
No arguments there if it was from ancient times.
Rokan settled in to listen intently, and the Berserker Guild Master continued, looking satisfied.
"That's why he was said to possess the power of a Titan—rivaling even dragons—alongside human potential. The Titan blood didn't fully inherit their abilities, but human potential filled the gap. In the end, that potential's power is said to have surpassed even Titan strength."
"Potential... you mean...?"
"You seem to have experienced a bit of it yourself."
Rokan's guess proved correct. Completing the training ground and advanced training ground—the triggers for the 'Searching for Traces of the Gale' quest—were exactly that.
Even he, a pure human, had grown that strong. How much stronger must a Titan descendant have been?
Of course, he might not have awakened the blood in his veins back then, but it was compelling enough to make Rokan nod.
"And then?"
"And then what?"
"...There must be more to the story."
"Ah, you're an impatient one. After enduring trials and achieving feats, he grew so strong no one could match him. His power was too immense for anyone to withstand! Not even the trolls, orcs, undead, or half-elves strutting around now—pureblood High Elves and Death Lords couldn't stand against him. And that was without awakening his divine blood to swell his body and unleash Berserk; even hordes charging him would be shredded. Yes, he was a Berserker. Whether from the start or changed later, we don't know, but with Berserk, no one could even flee, so he must have been one. Rumors say he never changed jobs from Berserker, but that's hard to believe."
'As expected, a Berserker.'
Rokan had anticipated it. Half-Titan was a twist, but the mad feats he'd glimpsed through quests were impossible without Berserker.
The idea that he, like Rokan, had stuck solely to Berserker felt oddly satisfying.
"Anyway, he didn't wield his strength recklessly, but other races feared him and wouldn't leave him be. They slandered and attacked him endlessly, even framing their own raids to draw his iron fist. Some races bet everything and clashed head-on, only to lose it all and see their civilizations regress massively."
'This is...'
Rokan recalled the initial warning. That was why the story couldn't be spread.
He could guess which races had lost their civilizations but held his tongue, immersed in the tale.
"What folly. He ruled but had no desire to conquer. After crushing countless challenges, he vanished without a trace. No one could find him. The only guess is he left seeking a new worthy foe. Otherwise, he wouldn't have disappeared. After he vanished, the races that reclaimed the continent made open tales taboo, but his followers still seek his traces. If... you learn anything, tell me."
"Understood..."
As he absorbed the full story, something caught Rokan's eye.
'Bingo!'
[Searching for Traces of the Gale][Quest]
You have found traces of the Gale that once scourged the world long ago. Follow the remaining traces to inherit the Gale's legacy.
-Completed Advanced Training Ground (Complete)
-First to Pass Undersea Tunnel (Complete)
-Kill 5 Class Masters in Class Expert State (Complete)
-Obtain Sealed Gale Battle Axe (Complete)
-Hear about the Legend of the Gale (Complete)
-
One more slot in the 'Searching for Traces of the Gale'—previously unknown completion conditions—had filled.
Only one remained.
What would happen once it was done?
Of course, that last one wouldn't be easy, but anticipation was real.
"Now, show me the skillbook."
Steel yourself, Rokan returned to reality. He hadn't forgotten his purpose here.
Enhance existing skills. Learn new ones.
"Alright. Reinforce all existing skills? Proficiency... sufficient."
"All of them. And one set of the new skills each."
Rokan wasn't one to skimp on skillbook investments. He took the basic enhancements first, then accepted the new skillbooks.
[Aura][Lv -]
Concentrates mana into the weapon upon use, dramatically increasing attack power.
-Mana cost: 4 per second
[Body at the Limit][Lv -]
A body trained to its extremes fully absorbs mana power.
-Stamina +30%
-Endurance +30%
-Passive effect
[Madness Contagion][Lv -]
Spreads madness, granting allies a strengthening effect and enemies a fear effect.
-Ally effect: Combat power +20%
-Enemy effect: Combat power -10%
-Ineffective against stronger foes
-Passive effect
[Mark of Madness][Lv -]
Imprints the mark of madness to amplify its power and reduce aftereffects.
-Berserk: Combat power +10%
-Berserk aftereffects: -10 minutes
-Requires 1 imprint slot
-Passive effect
[Inexhaustible Stamina][Lv -]
A warrior steeped in madness never tires in battle.
-No stamina consumption during combat
-Passive effect
[Explosive Power][Lv -]
Uncontrollable power infuses every attack, destroying not just the target but surroundings.
-80% of attack power as damage to surrounding strike range
-Passive effect
[Cleaving Strike][Lv -]
Delivers a powerful blow that rends flesh and shatters bone.
-Attack power 300%
[Bone Crusher][Lv -]
Destroys anything blocking the attack.
-Attack power +100%
-Strength +100
-Armor-piercing damage
-Greatly reduces target's durability
[Rampaging Chariot][Lv -]
Charges like an unstoppable chariot, crushing and destroying enemies.
-Charge speed +400%
-Defense +200% during charge
-Attack power increases with distance traveled
[Time of Madness][Lv -]
Moves against the limits of time for 30 seconds.
-Attack speed and movement speed +200% for 30 seconds
[Roar of Madness][Lv -]
Unleashes a roar blending madness and aura, plunging enemies into terror.
-Greatly reduces all stats if target is lower level
-Guaranteed stun if significantly lower level
-Reduced or no effect if higher level
-Greatly weakens negative effects on user
Eleven new skills total. Five were passives, and one even occupied an imprint slot rather than being a skill.
Some overlapped with existing skills, which could be debatable, but Rokan grinned widely. Among the newly learned or enhanced skills were ones matching his created or combined skills.
He'd designed them with that in mind, so it was inevitable—but it opened new possibilities.
"Now I can finally fight properly."
New created skills and combined skills.
He could overwrite overlapping created and combined skills with these new ones.
Until now, he'd relied more on control than skills to crush foes, but skills were the surest way to boost combat power.
Master Level skills had no levels—they were complete as is.
Filling slots with truly efficient skills would boost combat power by at least 10% per skill.
Yet Rokan didn't create or combine skills right there. He could churn them out like before, but Master Level brought new privileges.
"Whew, time to do some legwork."
After pondering briefly, Rokan bought a few more skillbooks and kicked open the Berserker Guild doors.
"H-Hey, wait! Pick your Master item first!"
"Oh, right. Hm, this'll do."
Snatching a random item from the hurriedly clinging Guild Master's arms, Rokan stepped out with eager strides.
He'd chosen pants. The Master Level reward item had excellent effects, but with his weapon and chestplate already top-tier, this was easiest.
Thus, bursting from the Berserker Guild, Rokan ransacked nearly every job guild in Taimura. Pouring gold freely, he bought not just needed skillbooks but any that seemed worth experimenting with.
Beyond Master Skill's unlimited mixing of non-job class skills, combined skills could now incorporate up to three from other jobs.
For Rokan—who'd stuck to Berserker and suffered skill shortages—this was a golden opportunity.
With his immense capital, Rokan seized it fully.