Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 20
>Chapter Title: Throne of Time Attack
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ding-.
[Rewards are distributed.]
[As the number one in contributions, you have obtained the Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Leather Shirt, Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Epaulet, and Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Greatsword.]
[You have acquired the title 'Throne of Time Attack.']
[Throne of Time Attack]
-Rank: Hero
-Description: A title bestowed upon the one who claimed first place in the time limit.
-Effects
Renewal: Each time you renew your ranking, all stats increase proportionally to your achievement.
Acceleration: Time attacks are always a game of hunter and hunted. The throne's master must move even faster.
-All speeds +10%
[All stats +5 applied from current renewal]
‘Hero rank……!’
A full-fledged Hero-rank title.
On top of that, it was a growth-type title that could steadily improve, just like the first Slayer title.
Considering how growth-type titles were valued higher than regular ones, this was an enormous deal.
The renewal difficulty was pretty high, though……
‘Lucky I got it early.’
For Do-hyun, who had endless opportunities to attempt time limits, this was a huge advantage.
Even without renewals, the acceleration effect was excellent.
‘All speeds 10%…….’
Just thinking about how much he'd felt the 5% from the Blood Oath Necklace made this more than enough.
Especially since "all speeds" included casting speed.
Options that boosted casting speed were rare, which made this even more valuable.
He didn't have any magic yet, but it was highly likely he'd need it later.
Especially with his cheat-like unique ability, Adventurer.
‘And it applies to buff activation speeds too.’
It was satisfying in every way.
“Wow, Hero rank!?”
“Uwah…… Casting options are seriously rare.”
“Huh…….”
The party members had also gotten the title, and they were all dumbfounded.
Yubin Kkung's face was the brightest among them.
For an aspiring mage like her, 10% casting speed was like rain in a drought.
In the future, when she'd be juggling over a dozen spells, she could squeeze in one or two extra nukes in the same time as others, or reliably deal damage to a status-afflicted boss with her CC.
“Can I really have something like this……?”
“Hero-rank title in a beginner city…… This is insane.”
Yubin Kkung and Migandakdae's gazes turned to Do-hyun, their admiration turning to awe.
Their eyes met naturally, and they bowed their heads.
“Thank you so much. We couldn't have gotten rewards like this without you, Kaiser.”
“I didn't do anything…… I feel like I shouldn't even accept this. Thank you so much, bro. I'll never forget this favor.”
Their words rang with sincerity.
Their unwavering eyes and trembling voices revealed the depth of their gratitude.
They'd never have gotten this title without Do-hyun.
Best Shield was no different……
“Ah…….”
For some reason, his pupils were shaking.
When their eyes met, he flinched, then started glancing around cautiously.
He looked just like a kid who'd done something wrong, avoiding his parents' eyes after stubbing his own toe.
‘What’s up? Did he do something wrong to me?’
Come to think of it, he seemed like he was about to ask something earlier……
Even accounting for that, if anyone had messed up, it was Do-hyun with his sudden outburst. His head tilted in confusion, but luckily, he soon found out why.
“Um…… Kaiser.”
“Yes.”
“Could you…… check the registered name on the rankings?”
As Best Shield said, he opened the system window, and there it was.
[Current Record Rankings]
-1st: Best Shield's party [29:58]
-2nd: ???'s party [35:11]
-3rd: Exterminate's party [39:12]
-4th: Arthur's party [41:07]
…….
-10th: Slayer's party [46:35]
The name registered as 'Best Shield's party.'
“I should've changed the party name beforehand…… It got registered under my name. I don't know how to make this up to you…….”
“Ah.”
Best Shield bowed repeatedly, his back bending nearly 90 degrees.
If left like this, he'd probably kowtow.
It might seem excessive, but Best Shield's reaction was understandable.
‘Getting your name on the top ranking is a massive privilege.’
Even if it was just a beginner city dungeon, it was still number one on the rankings.
Higher than even Exterminate.
This wasn't just symbolic.
He'd likely get recognized for the achievement, pushed by major guilds, and talked about by countless players.
Whether that was good or bad was another story, but it meant his gaming life from here on would change.
He might even get a shot at one of the Top 10 Guilds.
“I'm sorry. I unintentionally caused you harm. Whether it's money or anything else, I'll compensate however I can.”
It was natural for Best Shield to feel this guilty after stealing the spotlight like a jerk.
Yubin Kkung and Migandakdae, realizing the situation late, also looked like criminals.
The group fidgeted, not knowing what to do.
Do-hyun didn't mind their behavior at all.
‘He could've just let it slide.’
Everyone knew Best Shield was the party leader from the start.
They hadn't expected to take first, and time limit rankings auto-registered under the party leader's name, so there was no malice.
He couldn't have hidden his character ranking either, and as Best Shield, he had no choice.
He could've played dumb and no one would blame him, but going this far showed his character.
“It's fine.”
“……Pardon?”
Do-hyun wasn't cruel enough to torment someone like that.
If there'd been intent to deceive him, that would've been different.
He always repaid grudges tenfold—that was Kaiser's creed.
But Best Shield showed no such intent and owned up with an apology first.
“These things happen. I didn't expect first place either. Everyone knew you were the party leader.”
“Ah…….”
Best Shield's mouth hung open at Do-hyun's nonchalant response.
He clearly hadn't expected this.
‘Well, having my name up there isn't a big deal anyway.’
Truth be told, Do-hyun didn't care at all.
Spotlight?
All it brought was hassle.
And unavoidable attention would come eventually as he played on.
‘The rewards are what matter.’
The protagonist spot was nothing compared to the number one contribution rewards.
The name might be Best Shield's as party leader, but the top rewards based on contributions came to Do-hyun.
[Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Leather Shirt]
[Rank: Rare]
[Description: A shirt made from the Variant Goblin Warrior's leather.
Having slain countless warriors, the Variant Goblin Warrior took on a faint red hue. This shirt was crafted from only the reddened leather after removing the tainted skin.]
[Level Restriction: 12]
[Equip Restriction: None]
[Physical Defense: 70]
[Magic Resistance: 55]
-Agility +1
-Sense +2
[Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Epaulet]
[Rank: Rare]
[Description: An epaulet worn by the Variant Goblin Warrior.
Only great goblins who earned the warrior title wear these—light, tough, and highly resistant to magic.]
[Level Restriction: 12]
[Equip Restriction: None]
[Physical Defense: 46]
[Magic Resistance: 51]
-Strength +2
-Stamina +2
[Variant Goblin Warrior's Red Greatsword]
[Rank: Rare+]
[Description: The Variant Goblin Warrior's beloved sword.
Only one warrior per tribe can wield it, and it's said to have absorbed so much blood it glows red.]
[Level Restriction: 12]
[Equip Restriction: Swordsman classes]
[Physical Attack: 108~131]
[Durability: 100/100]
[Special Option: Attack power +1 per enemy killed. Stacks up to 12 times; resets if no kill within 10 minutes.]
The so-called Warrior Set.
Rare to Rare+ rank—the best items available in this bracket.
They boasted high attack and defense fittingly, plus solid stat boosts that made them pleasing just to look at.
‘The greatsword is especially juicy.’
Was Rare+ just different?
Unlike standard Rares, it had a hefty special option that he loved.
Perfect for mob clearing, and the performance was solid too.
But the most satisfying option was something else.
[Warrior Set Options]
-3-Set: Intimidation effect against Goblin types. +7% damage vs. Goblins, all stats +2
Set options.
Special perks usually on raid gear that shone when worn as a full set.
And such items had high drop rates.
The Warrior Set was the same.
‘Nice…… Yeah, that's right. Graduation gear for a beginner city should be this good.’
The Warrior Set was the pinnacle "graduation gear" from here—the best set obtainable.
As expected from its infamous difficulty, it was packed with premium options.
The extra damage and all-stats +2 went without saying……
‘Status ailment options are precious.’
Even limited to Goblins, it was valuable.
Item-based status ailments (not skills) were highly prized, especially Intimidation, a solid debuff.
‘This should carry me to the next city no problem.’
No, it was beyond worry-free—nothing better.
Compared to the single pieces the others got, this truly treated the top contributor right.
He couldn't feel bad if he tried.
“Everyone makes mistakes. I'm fine, so let's head out.”
“……Are you really okay with this?”
“Yes. You two don't need to feel bad either.”
“But still…….”
Do-hyun brushed it off casually and turned away, having no more to hear.
To take the warp that appeared after clearing the dungeon.
‘Ah, wanna finish the quest and equip this stuff already.’
Still level 10, he couldn't equip the rewards yet.
It was driving him nuts.
He wasn't Kim Cheom-ji—why get items and not try them on?
He wanted to complete the quest ASAP.
From Do-hyun's perspective, their drawn-out apologies were more annoying, so he'd glossed over it……
‘Ahh…….’
Best Shield wasn't taking it so lightly.
Staring blankly at Do-hyun's back, he looked moved, even inspired.
‘His caliber is on another level.’
Best Shield's eyes sparkled.