Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 153
>Chapter Title: Frostflow
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>Briefly startled by the unexpected skill name.
Do-hyun immediately checked the skill information.
[Frostflow]
>-Rank: Heroic
>-Restriction: Ice-attribute mage class
>-Description: They say that a master of freezing can make even the surrounding air currents freeze.
Their surroundings are cold and chilling, and also beautiful. But do not be deceived by it. If you linger too long, enchanted by the beauty, you will freeze solid....
-Effect: Lowers the temperature of the air currents within a certain range around the caster.
Enemies nearby feel the cold, and the longer they stay, the worse their status ailments become.
Additionally, attacking frozen enemies while Frostflow is active deals bonus damage.
>-Cooldown: 40 seconds after deactivation.
'Jackpot. Didn't expect a magic skill to come up.'
Maybe because the previous one was a thief skill.
He was incredibly grateful that a magic skill had appeared.
The performance was on another level compared to Igniting Fuse. It was a cheat skill that applied crowd control to multiple enemies around him just by activating it.
To fully freeze them required keeping them in range for a long time, so it essentially just applied slows—but that alone was more than enough.
'It lets me seize the advantageous position.
A slow is tricky enough on its own, so at least against melee combat players, he could gain the upper hand.
It was a tremendous effect even against ranged opponents, slowing their movements.
And when facing multiple monsters, it made things much easier.
The reason multiples are tough is the lack of time to think, and once you're overwhelmed, there's no coming back.
'In that regard, no skill beats Frostflow.'
Slowing enemies gave him more time to think, increasing the odds of making better judgments.
This wasn't just Do-hyun's opinion.
'The strongest freezer, Lepias.'
Lepias, the strongest ice mage who became the direct disciple of the Empire's Blue Mage Tower Lord despite being a player.
Frostflow was the skill she favored and made famous.
Everyone who'd fought her agreed they never wanted to face her again, and one of the reasons they gave was Frostflow.
They said it turned a already tricky ice mage into something that made you curse in frustration.
'Well, yeah. In fights with mages, distance control is key.'
You finally close the gap, only for yourself to slow down while the mage speeds up. It'd drive you mad.
Of course, that didn't make ice magic overpowered.
Ice spells had many tricky skills, but their raw power wasn't that high.
But for Do-hyun?
'That's not the case for me.'
Do-hyun's lips curved into a smirk.
He was the sole all-master of God Ose. He could just take ice magic's strengths and combine them with other powerful skills.
That thought sparked his interest in Lepias.
She reigned in the top ranks using only ice skills.
'Not one of the Top 10 Guilds, but her fame doesn't bow to them.'
The Top 10 Guilds dominated as the strongest, but there were individual players on par with them in combat prowess.
For example, the Empire's Seven Strong, or disciples of high-ranking NPCs on that level.
Like the Blue Mage Tower Lord's direct disciple, Lepias.
'I want to fight her if I get the chance.'
Lepias wasn't from Delrock.
It was true that Delrock rankers were performing well in God Ose too, but with a billion players, not all rankers were from Delrock.
Some were even more skilled than Delrock veterans.
That was why, no matter how impressive his massacre feats were, he wasn't called the number one player.
'I wonder how they'd fare. Those guys.'
Do-hyun's time in Delrock couldn't be called peaceful.
It had been a constant string of battles against countless powerful foes.
That stopped after he partied with comrades in the late game and once the game went to shit.
Maybe that's why the existence of new powerhouses stirred his competitive spirit.
'Not something to think about now.'
Do-hyun was still a rookie who hadn't even reached the Empire.
No matter how hot a topic Kaiser was with his string of achievements, he'd only just graduated from Sargis.
To them, he was just a mildly noteworthy existence.
Swoosh.
Do-hyun smirked and closed the skill window.
He looked forward to that moment, but it was far off for now.
Right now, he needed to focus on growing as fast as possible.
'Anyway, got a great skill.'
And growth wasn't just for Do-hyun.
[Guardian 'Jihad Black' has reached level 20.]
[Would you like to use the Random Guardian Skill Draw Ticket?]
Catching the lawless one and clearing the quest hadn't just leveled Do-hyun.
Jihad and Charlie had surged in levels too.
[Jihad Black: LV 21]
>[Charlie: LV 17]
Maybe because they got high experience relative to their low levels?
It was surprising how fast Charlie was catching up to Jihad, but that wasn't important now.
'One more to go.'
Jihad breaking level 20 meant he could draw a skill.
Two card grinds in this prime spot—an absolute golden opportunity!
-Now it's over... no, his nostrils are twitching again. Let's wait.
>-Hmm! You always have such sharp instincts. I aspire to be like you.
>-Lizaliza!
>-No. Don't copy Eliza.
Seeing Do-hyun unable to hide his excitement, the guys who'd started to stand sat back down.
They said that, but Jihad's eyes sparkled oddly—he was inwardly anticipating what skill would come up.
He'd been using Legion Control very effectively, so everyone was eager for this one.
'Here goes!'
Matching their expectations, Do-hyun tore open the draw ticket without hesitation.
Flash-!
Seven cards floated up.
"......!"
Do-hyun's eyes widened, and he reached out without a second thought.
Of course.
Between the four silver cards and two shit-tier brown ones filling the sides, one card stood out glaringly.
It was glowing yellow.
[Acquired Heroic Skill 'Legion Leader Creation.']
[Legion Leader Creation]
>-Rank: Heroic
>-Restriction: Necromancer class
>-Description: A commander leads the legion. And a legion needs a legion leader.
Create a legion leader to complete your magnificent legion!
>-Effect: Can create undead of a higher class than regular undead, suitable as legion leader material.
Cannot turn vessels of a higher class than the caster into undead.
>-Cooldown: 60 seconds
Unable to hold back at the skill info shining with brilliant light, Do-hyun shouted.
"Jackpot!"
-Wh-what!? Did something good come up, master??
>-......You?
Jihad sprang to his feet, forgetting to play it cool.
Charlie and Eliza's eyes chilled at his overexcited display, but he didn't notice.
He was too busy feeling the new power surging inside him from acquiring the skill.
-Ah.... This is......! This is Zeke?
It was a sensation he'd never felt before.
The texture was different, but the shock was akin to when he'd gained Corpse Detonation.
And rightly so.
If Volk's flower was detonation, Zeke's flower was Legion Leader Creation.
Moreover, a Zeke's legion leader wasn't just a figurehead captain.
'Depending on which undead you make the legion leader, the legion's characteristics change.'
Appointing a loyal type as legion leader turns the legion more obedient and disciplined.
Appointing a cunning one makes the legion more underhanded.
'And that's not all.'
Not just the legion's personality—their stats and traits take on the legion leader's influence, up to the limits of their racial potential.
A true representative of the legion. That was the legion leader.
That's why Zekes were considered the most unique and varied class across all jobs.
It depended on how powerful a vessel they chose as legion leader.
And what personality and traits that undead had—their strength and features varied wildly.
No wonder they said a Zeke without Legion Leader Creation wasn't a real Zeke.
'Who'd have thought this would come up. It was a must-have skill....... This is the legendary hotspot......?'
In that sense, the first legion leader was crucial.
Most commander necromancers didn't grow enough to form a second legion until at least level 50.
The first legion leader practically defined that Zeke's identity.
'With Jihad, I could pull it forward, but...... no harm in being cautious.'
-Master.
Jihad nodded, thinking the same.
The first time matters most.
As Jihad, he wanted to deliberate carefully and pick one that fit perfectly.
'I'll scout in Pratel.'
Just as he tried to postpone this glorious moment.
[The Eye of Truth activates.]
"Huh?"
The Eye of Truth triggered out of nowhere.
Startled, he urgently scanned the surroundings, but saw nothing.
The only change from before was that Jay Ruddel's speech had ended, and the cheers were dying down.
'No way?'
Checking his body just in case yielded nothing.
Then, on a whim, he opened his inventory.
"Huh?"
Do-hyun couldn't help voicing his confusion.
A black substance occupying one inventory slot.
No—the substance that should have been black was glowing red.
'Why this?'
Utterly baffling, but his curiosity-driven hand was already moving.
He carefully took it out, and a message appeared.
[Hidden condition fulfilled.]
[The Soul of Pain reacts to Guardian 'Jihad Black.']
'Condition? Reaction?'
This phrase only appeared in one case.
When you unlocked a hidden piece.
He'd seen it countless times in God Ose—no mistaking it.
"Jihad! Use Legion Leader Creation! Hurry!"
-Wh-what? Uh, got it!
At Do-hyun's excited shout, the dazed Jihad hurriedly gathered mana.
He extended his hand, and black mana flowed out.
The creeping black mana seeped into the Soul of Pain as if following a set path.
Gulp.
After a moment, once all the mana had soaked in.
Ding-
A cheerful alert rang.
Do-hyun checked it, and his eyes chilled.
[The vessel's class is too high.]
[Cannot use as legion leader vessel.]
"Ah......"
-Ah......
The vessel's class was too high—failure.
Well, if his guess was right, the Soul of Pain was surely that lawless king 'Pain's' soul.
Turning such a being into undead wouldn't be easy.
Otherwise, Zeke would be the top class.
'But at least I know it can be a host......'
Impossible now, but someday he could try.
Later, Zekes could acquire special materials for higher undead.
Regretful, but as he moved to store the Soul of Pain for later.
Ding-
Another alert.
'Huh? At this timing?'
Do-hyun glanced over casually, then his eyes bulged.
[Guardian 'Jihad Black's class is high.]
[Confirmed that the guardian's master is the owner of the 'Soul of Pain.']
[Temporarily lowers Pain's class by two steps.]
[Condition fulfilled.]
"Holy shit."