Chapter 360
Chapter 360
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 360
Chapter Title: Meeting with Gale (2)
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[You have acquired the Essence of Madness.]
“……What the hell is this?”
Pffft!
Power surged into Rokan's arm, which had been nearly exhausted.
With a swing that came down oh-so-naturally, the ferocious monster instantly calmed. It fell silent just like that.
His original strength had returned.
No, it might just be that it felt that way after being drained, but it had actually grown even stronger than before.
“Heh heh heh, come on!”
Rokan was so surprised himself that he glanced at his battle axe and the enemy, but clearing this place took priority.
He bared his madness once more and began massacring them.
[Essence of Madness][Legend]
A stone made of a special mineral that absorbs grudges and madness. When held, it absorbs the user's madness to grow.
-All stats +127
-All Berserker-class skill effects amplified by 50%
-Stats increase proportionally upon achieving 100+ consecutive kills
-Upon death, a portion of increased stats is lost
-???
The Essence of Madness he checked a moment later had astonishing effects.
He didn't know its limits, but it was a growth-type item that developed by absorbing the user's madness.
It was impressive enough to boost all stats, and it was already granting over 100 bonus points per stat.
10,000 monsters and 127 stats. Not exactly proportional, but hey, it was something.
Plus, it took effect just by holding it—no need to occupy an equipment slot.
And then there was that final special option marked with a question mark. He didn't know what it was, but it felt like it wouldn't harm him.
He couldn't guarantee it, but call it the instinct of an old gamer.
In that sense, the Essence of Madness was an absolute jackpot item.
On top of that, it boosted his Berserker skills perfectly tailored to him, granting an enormous power-up out of nowhere.
And.
“I think I get it now.”
In his trance-like state, after swinging his battle axe thousands, tens of thousands of times, he had a realization.
A strike with no excess motion.
He used to curse knights for their flashy sword dances to deceive foes as pointless showboating, but maybe he had been adding a bit of flair or putting in unnecessary force himself.
Once he realized that, he could use his power far more efficiently.
Kyuuut!
“Huh?”
As he mulled over and savored the epiphany, a change came over Kai, who had been circling the skies.
Level 400.
Kai had somehow reached level 400.
‘This feels kinda unfair.’
Even accounting for splitting EXP from 10,000 monsters and facing level 400+ foes head-on, Kai had leveled up far faster and easier than Rokan.
Plus, no advancement quests or anything—it hit 400 right away.
Of course, as a summon and trusted companion, Kai growing stronger was a good thing, but Rokan couldn't shake the unfair feeling.
[Elemental Big Bird Kai][Lv 400]
Rokan eyed the unchanged appearance of level 400 Kai with a subtle gaze, let out a deep sigh, and called the bird to finally escape the godforsaken Black Mountain.
‘Wonder if this guy can create skills too?’
It'd be nice if a skill tree popped up, letting him pick whatever he wanted, but sadly, The Lord didn't allow that.
Besides, creation skills—a Grand Master's privilege—meant crafting entirely new skills, so it was pointless anyway.
Thus, skill acquisition and creation were entirely up to the summon itself.
‘Wait a sec?’
Something occurred to Rokan then.
Others might not manage it, but maybe he could. Or Kai.
A possibility flashed in his mind, but he tabled it for now.
Time to meet Gale.
Whoooosh.
After shaking off the skill aftereffects, Rokan dashed straight back to the Savage Village and stood before Gale's altar.
The quest was already complete.
He didn't know what would activate the altar, but with countless Savage Warriors watching, he ascended to the top.
[Gale (God of Massacre) manifestation begins.]
And sure enough, Gale's manifestation was automatic.
The moment Rokan thought of meeting Gale, the altar activated on its own.
Jet-black energy surged up, shooting into the sky.
“Hey there.”
As the black energy subsided, it coalesced into a form.
A familiar sight to Rokan. Gale manifested on the ground in the same form as the statue in the Savage Warriors' village.
“Took you long enough.”
The scolding right off the bat was annoying, but Rokan couldn't treat him lightly.
Even smiling, he was terrifying.
When was the last time he'd felt this?
An inexplicable fear that even Unyielding Will couldn't overcome made him want to run, but he dug his toes in and endured.
“You're a 'god'—does that mean you're above Majesty Master?”
“Impatient, huh? Fine, I'll answer. Yeah. You gain divine status only after obtaining complete divinity.”
Rokan had asked point-blank, but Gale answered with a laugh.
Casual attitude, like it was no big deal. But something felt off.
“You can just tell me that easily? Revealing your world…….”
According to Matulda's explanation, even talking about one's divinity like this was a huge risk.
“What, you think I'll get screwed just for spilling this?”
Gale's face twisted in irritation. He'd graciously explained, only to get lip.
“So what if you know? Gonna invade or something? Tell 'em to bring it. I'll smash 'em all.”
Classic Gale arrogance.
Knowing it was confidence, not arrogance, Rokan shut his mouth.
“What do you get from divine status? I get you're stronger, but does divinity just get beefier?”
“Heh heh heh, you can do a lot. But it's no fun. Not many opponents.”
At that level, worthy foes would be rare. Combat-limited, sure, but Rokan's face soured a bit.
So level 500 was max? No room to expand?
A 'god' with no higher realms? What happens at max level? Like Gale said, no fights, so lifestyle content? Or wait for other players and start wars? Hate that idea.
Still distant for others, but for Rokan at 450 eyeing Majesty Master, it was a serious concern.
‘Eh, they'll patch it.’
The answer was clear: up to the devs. He'd enjoy until then.
Plenty of untried stuff left.
“Anything else? No? I'm out.”
“Hm. Can you tell me about your world? Growth methods or…….”
“What's with the hemming and hawing? Not complicated. Pushed 'em to the brink, only the strong survived. Survivors got stronger, threw tougher foes at 'em. If they all die, oh well. But survivors come out way stronger. Tsk, guys from other divinity worlds lack real venom.”
He tossed out more casual gems—valuable intel.
Rokan realized the mad method this guy chose.
‘Like a defense game? Or hero training?’
He hadn't developed his world evenly. Just brutalized them until a few dominated with overwhelming power.
Civilization? Population for divinity boosts? Irrelevant. He based his divinity on the power and faith of elite few.
Trained by Gale himself, their combat prowess was guaranteed. They'd hold against bigger worlds too.
Devouring other divinities to bulk up and ascend to godhood.
‘Figures this guy's no SimCity pro.’
Gale was cut from the same cloth as Rokan. His approach helped Rokan sort his thoughts.
Clear roadmap now for growing his world post-450 and divine status.
“Boring guy. That all? You've been hounding me forever, snag some item, and now you're over it?”
Heh.
Gale looked amused too, but Rokan hadn't come just for Q&A.
Seeing Gale raring to go, Rokan grinned back.
“First…… let's throw down.”
What more needed saying between lunatics? Gale eagerly accepted the not-quite-taunt.
“Colosseum.”
He invoked his divinity, creating a new space for just the two.
[You have entered Divine Space: Colosseum.]
[No death penalties apply here.]
[Immediate revival upon death here.]
[All skill cooldowns and aftereffects reset upon death.]
[Escape conditions: Victory or 100 deaths.]
The space's rules.
No penalties, instant revives, but escape required 100 wins or 100 deaths.
‘Not defeat, death…… Same diff anyway.’
No way this guy accepts surrender, so loss equaled death. Brutal wording, though.
Rokan loved it more for that.
How far could he push against Gale, God of Massacre?
“……You’re fighting like that?”
Heart pounding with anticipation over fear, Rokan stepped forward—then frowned at Gale's getup.
Underwear and battle axe only.
What kinda ridiculous look was this?
“What, should I go full plate against you? Or you worried about me? Heh.”
A bit miffed at the jab to his pride, but the foe was a 'god'.
Two tiers above him.
Demanding equal footing was arrogance, overconfidence. Rokan gritted his teeth, pouring more power into his battle axe.
He readied for battle.
“Relax, no divinity. Fair now, right?”
Gale even swore off divinity.
Still a tier gap, racial differences—his physical specs topped Rokan's. But Rokan refused to lose. No thought of defeat.
Black Mountain stroke of fate? Gale's intent or not, god or whatever—if fighting, he'd kill. Rokan raised his battle axe with murderous resolve.