Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 151
>Chapter Title: Unbelievable Score
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>[Your score has been measured taking into account the number of achievements, the weight of those achievements, and how much recognition they have received.]
>[You have renewed your S-rank with 6,014 points.]
>[The maximum rank for the Third Trial is S-rank, so you cannot be assigned a higher rank, but you will receive enhanced rewards in consideration of your overwhelming score.]
>[You have recorded 1st place in the rankings with an unbelievable score.]
>[You have achieved an unbelievable feat, activating the title 'Unbelievable Score.']
>[All stats increase by +5.]
>[The effect of the Throne of Time Attack activates. All stats increase by +5.]
>[The rankings for the Third Trial have changed.]
>[S-rank rewards will be given.]
>[You have obtained the Stone of Inheritance (Permanent), Hero's Cape, and 34,153G as rewards.]
>[It will be recorded in the Book of Adventures.]
A barrage of messages flooded in.
Do-hyun stuck out his tongue at the dizzying message bomb that made his head spin just looking at it.
'This one's no joke either.'
He had roughly expected it, but experiencing it again was just as astonishing.
Especially since the score was higher than anticipated.
'6,014 points... That's nearly 1,500 more?'
He thought it would be lower than Brion's, where he had earned the envy of all the NPCs, but it ended up even higher.
It seemed killing the lawless leader had been counted as a greater achievement than expected.
'Well... That guy really was ridiculous.'
Even thinking back, he was a spine-chilling monster.
And that wasn't all. He caught what they said not to, and he was the first to meet the lord.
Perhaps the achievements from progressing the main quest had influenced it too.
Hell, he'd stirred up so much it was hard to even grasp.
[Hero's Cape]
[Grade: Hero]
[Description: A cape that is like a symbol of heroes.
It was worn by a hero who once saved a city and possesses the power to deflect magic.]
[Level Restriction: 49]
[Equip Restriction: None.]
[Defense: 50]
[Magic Resistance: 70]
[Durability: 60/60]
[Magic Resistance: Magic Resistance increases by an additional 100.]
[Magic Reflection: You can deflect magic of Rare grade or lower with the cape. (Cooldown 20 seconds)]
'Nice...'
That explained the excellent rewards.
Not only was it a hard-to-get Hero-grade accessory, but its options were especially useful for fighting mages.
For Do-hyun, who focused on close range, it was perfect.
But this was just the appetizer. The main event was separate.
[Stone of Inheritance (Permanent)]
[Grade: Legend]
[Description: A rare stone said to have existed since ancient times.
It contains the power of inheritance, and among them, there are extremely rare stones that can be recharged with that power.]
[Inheritance: You can inherit the options of an existing item onto another item. (Discharges after 3 uses)]
-Recharging after discharge requires special materials.
'This is the real jackpot.'
Do-hyun swallowed hard upon confirming the main reward.
A Legend-grade item!
It was his third Legend item.
'Inheritance, huh...'
It was an option worthy of its Legend grade.
He'd never seen a stone like this before.
Back in the Demlock days, there was an NPC that transferred high-grade materials for a one-time transfer, but nothing permanent like this.
'If something like this existed, I would've gotten it by any means necessary.'
For him with his desperately bad luck, it would've been a ray of light.
And as far as Do-hyun knew, no one in God of Oslo had heard of such a stone either.
It was probably certain.
Given the nature of inheritance, it couldn't stay hidden. At the very least, it hadn't reached the hands of any famous players.
'This must be the enhanced reward.'
Do-hyun's lips curved up in satisfaction at the excellent reward.
'Three chances... I need to use them wisely.'
It could be revived with special materials, but those conditions wouldn't be easy.
They'd probably require absurd requirements.
Deciding to use it slowly later, Do-hyun equipped the cape.
[You have equipped the Hero's Cape.]
[You can now use the special options.]
When he checked the customization mirror, a slightly changed appearance greeted him compared to before.
It was like wearing a hood inside his armor.
A hat somewhere between white and ivory hung behind his neck, with a cape of the same color fluttering below it.
'The design's solid.'
His somewhat plain design now felt richer.
Satisfied, Do-hyun's gaze suddenly turned to one item in his inventory.
[Soul of Pain]
[Grade: ??]
[Description: An unknown substance. It feels like some supernatural phenomenon might occur.]
He had no idea what this was for.
It was the item he got from killing the lawless leader.
With no proper grade or description, he couldn't guess its use.
He could only speculate that since it came from that monster, it must be useful somehow.
It was then.
"Ahh..."
A strange voice came from somewhere.
It wasn't just one voice.
"My goodness... Lord, have you truly recovered...!?"
"Yes. That's right. I actually feel healthier than before, Butler!"
-Incredible, Jay. What kind of miracle is this! I'm not seeing things, am I?
Jay Ruddel and two others pouring out exclamations and shedding tears nonstop.
"Ah."
Come to think of it, he remembered the Shadow King had healed Jay Ruddel before leaving.
Calling him weak and such, yet acting like a tsundere. He couldn't be anything else.
It was impressive at the same time.
'A snap of the fingers for a miracle like this...'
Maybe it wasn't exaggeration when he said lawless scum were nothing.
He couldn't even imagine how strong the ancient kings were.
And the gods who forced those kings, even united with other races, to struggle until Kashyar appeared...
'Ugh, think about it later.'
Do-hyun shook his head, his head starting to ache at how far he had to go.
Now wasn't the time to worry about that.
"Ahh, hero... No, hero who received the oracle of the gods."
Jay Ruddel and the butler, eyes moist with emotion, dropped to their knees and bowed deeply.
It reminded him of the scene in Brion, and sure enough.
Jay Ruddel continued.
"I heard rumors of a hero who received the goddess's oracle in Brion. A true hero of noble character... It was you."
-To think I'd see a hero who received a divine oracle in my lifetime... Ah, not lifetime. I'm a ghost.
"Lord Jin. Please mind your manners now."
It seemed he'd thoroughly misunderstood again.
"Saving Brion and now delivering salvation to Sargis... Ahh, the gods have not abandoned us. They sent a hero to save us."
"We've received far too much grace. How on earth can we repay it..."
"..."
Do-hyun opened and closed his mouth repeatedly before falling silent.
Explaining now was too much hassle.
After witnessing the Shadow King's will and this miracle, what could he even say?
'Actually, I'm a descendant of ancient humanity, the gods are the bad guys. That guy you just saw is hell-bent on killing gods, and I'm his vanguard!'
'...No way I can say that.'
If he did, the Lair Cathedral might turn hostile on the spot instead of Lyre.
Remembering Sir Lebed for a moment, Do-hyun shook his head.
'Just go with apostle of the gods.'
Since it had come to this, playing the hero who received the divine oracle would be easier.
"Yes, that's right. I am the apostle who received the oracle of the gods."
-...Master? Did you eat something bad?
-My lord...?
-L, Lizar?
Jihad and Charlie jumped in surprise at Do-hyun's sudden declaration, staring at him.
Did I hear that wrong?
They tilted their heads this way and that with those eyes, but Do-hyun gritted his teeth and ignored them.
It was a bit cringy to say, but perhaps to them, even that was moving.
"Ooh... As expected!"
"There must be a reason you saved me when I had given up on life. I can't just sit idly by."
-That's right, Jay. Perhaps my meeting the hero was fated too. This must be the gods' will for you to become a fine lord and lead the city!
"Uncle...!"
They ended up hugging each other and making a huge fuss among themselves.
Do-hyun, lacking the confidence to butt in, eventually turned his head away.
Anyway, he'd given them hope for life, so all was good.
It was then.
-Huh?
"...Uncle?"
Jin Ruddel's form visibly faded.
It was the same phenomenon as when the Shadow King vanished earlier.
[The yin energy remaining here is dissipating.]
Because he completed the key to obtain the Fragment of Fate, the yin energy was gone.
Even he, who shouldn't normally be visible, was fading.
-Jay.
Perhaps sensing it was the end.
Jin Ruddel's voice grew heavy for the first time. Looking at the serious-faced Jin Ruddel, Jay Ruddel spoke in a trembling voice.
"...Are you disappearing too, Uncle?"
-I'm not disappearing. I'll always be by your side, Jay. I'm just a ghost, so you won't see me.
"Ah..."
Jay Ruddel let out a sigh of relief, then suddenly grew urgent as a thought struck him.
"B-But then you can't ascend."
Those who linger in the living world for too long cannot reincarnate.
It was an immutable law.
Jin Ruddel had already stayed for years, so time was short.
This was the moment to say goodbye, but Jin Ruddel just chuckled.
-So you have to step up. My wish is for you to become a fine lord.
"...Ah."
-It's rare for the gods' will to align with mine like this.
Grinning, Jin Ruddel placed a hand on Jay Ruddel's head.
Then, looking pleased, he uttered his final words.
-Be sure to become a fine lord. Better than your father.
Perhaps sensing it was time to stop acting spoiled.
Jay Ruddel wiped his tears, his eyes sharpening with resolve.
Nodding with a determined face, he replied.
"...Yeah. I will. Watch over me."
-You rascal, all grown up. Ah, and if you can, say hi to Emily for me. Oh, Isla too? And Shana, Berry... and...
Jin Ruddel trailed off there.
"Uncle..."
Time was up, and he vanished.
-Ah, three more left... Oh well. Sorry, Lina, Gina, Jamie.
"..."
Of course, Do-hyun could still see Jin Ruddel rambling on uselessly.
...But for a moment, he thought that guy was cool.
As Do-hyun shook his head and ignored the wistful Jin Ruddel.
"...Lord. Are you alright?"
The butler asked cautiously, glancing carefully.
Worried the soft-hearted lord might be sad, but contrary to expectations, Jay Ruddel answered briskly.
"Of course. Things are about to get very busy. To help our popular uncle ascend."
Surprised, perhaps.
The butler, eyes wide, soon bowed with a pleased smile.
"Yes. It will be busy. This old butler will serve diligently."
"Thanks, Butler."
"Just give the orders."
"So many, it's hard to choose. You need to watch your health too?"
With that, Jay Ruddel turned.
Though said in jest, he really did have a ton of work ahead.
He had to handle backlog from health issues, deal with corrupt officials, and restore discipline.
But he knew what to do first.
Thud, thud.
Exiting the room, passing the hall, descending to the second-floor terrace, Jay Ruddel's eyes gleamed.
"Prepare yourself, Butler."
"...For what?"
"For the aftermath that's about to hit."
"Aftermath meaning..."
Glancing at the butler who looked at him with wide eyes, Jay Ruddel grinned.
"We need to let everyone know. Who the lord is."
With that, Jay Ruddel opened the terrace door.
Beyond the castle walls, hundreds of thousands of players and residents welcomed him.
* * *
Meanwhile, just a tiny bit before Jay Ruddel stepped out.
The players outside the castle were in chaos.
Murmur, murmur—
"Aw, man! Move aside! I can't breathe!"
"You think you're the only one suffering!? What kind of selfish jerk are you? Just wait patiently!"
"What!? What did you say!"
Tens of thousands, no, perhaps hundreds of thousands—an overwhelming crowd.
Including NPCs, it was an uncountable mass surrounding the castle.
Excluding the early days, it was the first such event in Sargis in over a year.
"Look at this crowd... Damn, can't even move. Should I just log out?"
"No way! What if Kaiser comes out!"
"Who cares about Kaiser when we're about to get crushed and logged out?"
"It matters!"
"...You're such a fanboy."
It was all because of one person: Kaiser.
Everyone was busy complaining, turning the place into a battlefield worse than a sale at a mart.
"Ev-everyone, block the zealots."
"Damn! Can't control them!"
"Knight order! Call more knights now!"
The overwhelmed guards were even calling for the knight order in panic.
Amid the nonstop commotion.
Ding—
A cheerful alert rang in every player's ear at once.
With no quests active, there shouldn't have been any alerts. Unless it was a server-wide message.
"...Huh?"
"No way?"
For a brief moment, silence fell as if the uproar had never happened.
Then, a message window appeared before them.
[The rankings for the Third Trial have changed.]
[Third Trial Rankings]
-1st: Kaiser S-rank [6,014 points]
-2nd: Empress B+ rank [1,021 points]
-3rd: Arthur B+ rank [990 points]
-4th: Annihilator B+ rank [941 points]
-5th: Barion B+ rank [936 points]
...
-9th: Sword Saint B-rank [871 points]
-10th: Heavenly Demon B-rank [859 points]
"...What?"
"Huh?"