Chapter 221
Chapter 221
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 221
>Chapter Title: The Great Lion King's Trial
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
The trial whose name alone was grandiose had an equally grandiose backstory.
The Lion King, Laoed Belnuros—the most valiant king since the founding of the empire and the strongest knight in his lifetime.
'It's a trial he made himself, after all.'
As both king and knight, he always stood at the forefront, leading the charge ahead of everyone else, and amassed countless achievements.
His accomplishments were so numerous that no one could even begin to count them—a truly valiant king.
But public opinion differed slightly.
"The Lion King considered himself not a king, but a single knight," said Abir.
"......"
"That's right. There was no knight as valiant as he was. He shone more as a knight than as a king."
As Abir said, his achievements as a knight far outnumbered those as a king.
"That's why he was called a tyrant at times, but he was also the one who had the greatest influence in creating the current empire and the Knight Citadel."
It wasn't for nothing that he was praised as the exemplar for countless knights.
Among them, the Knight Citadel especially could be said to have fully inherited the Lion King's spirit.
Heroes live on in legend even after death, or so they say.
Over 200 years had passed since the Lion King's death, yet his name still wielded great influence in the empire.
And the greatest share of that influence came from the Lion King's trial.
-Knight, prove your qualities.
-I, Lion King Laoed Belnuros, shall test your qualities.
-Those who pass my trial shall obtain treasures befitting their qualities.
Worried about the qualities of the empire's knights, the Lion King had staked everything he had before his death to create this legacy.
With the aid of the era's greatest mage tower lords, he built the Lion King's Tower.
To pass on everything he had enjoyed in life to his descendants who proved their qualities by climbing that tower, he embedded his "spirit" within it.
"There are rumors that at the moment of his death, the Lion King attained enlightenment on the boundary between life and death and ascended to the supreme realm. The treasures he left behind are still active in the hands of those who have proven their qualities."
"Yes, I'm aware."
Do-hyun nodded at Abir's words.
How could he not know?
It was common knowledge now that famous players like the Empress and Extermination had climbed the Lion King's Tower, passed the trial, and were using those treasures.
'In particular, the divine weapon Extermination obtained has become his trademark.'
But the hottest figure wasn't some random user like Extermination or the Empress.
'The Sword of the Seven Strongholds.'
In an empire where only one emperor could exist under the sun, this arrogant man dared to claim the title of Sword Emperor.
The empire's seven representative powerhouses and the strongest swordsman admired by all swordsmen.
Sword Emperor Garfield Drew.
He had climbed the Lion King's Tower and recorded overwhelming results that no one could rival.
One might think, "So what if an NPC climbed a tower?" But this was a topic that any gamer couldn't help but be drawn to.
'The Lion King's trial isn't just about passing it.'
Passing it was difficult in itself, but the trial rewarded differently based on a knight's qualities.
The Lion King's Tower was infused with the "Lion King's spirit," which sought to test those qualities.
Thus, it tested pure strength, outstanding spirit, and future potential.
Depending on how satisfied the spirit was with the process and achievements, one of the five steles embedded in each Knight Citadel and the tower would react, emitting its characteristic light...
'Only red light means a true pass.'
Green, yellow, silver, gold, and red.
Among them, the only one to emit the endgame red light was Sword Emperor Garfield.
Or at least, he had been the only one.
Until Extermination and the Empress proudly completed the tower's trial and produced red light.
Even after that, a few high rankers managed red light, but that was it.
'A hidden event that only appears for those who ace every trial. Sword Emperor was the first and last to clear even that.'
No one had surpassed him.
In the end, information about the rewards Sword Emperor obtained remained a mystery even now, over a year and eight months since God of the Lost debuted.
And that fact tickled gamers' hearts.
-Sword Emperor's reward surpasses legendary grade.
-No way. The theory that his swordsmanship is actually the Lion King's secret technique is more likely.
-Surprisingly simple: gives +200 to all stats? That's why he's insanely strong.
-Nah? They say just getting it splits the earth in half?
-This is Avtrtel, you idiot.
An unknown reward.
But undoubtedly something amazing—the supreme treasure left by the Lion King, who may have reached the ultimate realm!
Not a hidden piece, yet feeling like one, it stimulated players' imaginations.
Countless people challenged it, but naturally, no one broke Sword Emperor's record.
'It's intriguing, but aiming for that would be overreaching.'
Most opinions were that the balance wasn't designed for clearing now anyway.
In a situation where the consensus was that only someone of Sword Emperor caliber could do it, even Do-hyun—who went crazy for rewards—had no intention of getting greedy.
Do-hyun's goal was to pass all the trials and produce red light.
'Those who pass the Lion King's trial gain the right to meet the emperor.'
It functioned like a letter of recommendation.
No, in Do-hyun's current situation, it was even more valuable for piquing the emperor's curiosity.
"You're actually going to do it now...? No backing out, huh."
"Tell me about it. Most people would call you an idiot for trying now... How does he move without any regrets?"
"Like celebrity, like fan... I get why Kaiserism has no regrets."
He spoke as if he wasn't being greedy, but to the watching trainees, this was just another mad attempt.
No user had passed all the trials in the past six months.
Even over a year and eight months, you could count them on one hand.
"The frontrunners might not have known, and they had to build their factions... But now that everything's known, why bother?"
"And he's challenging without even hitting max level."
"Well... the trials adjust to your level anyway, whether 100 or 71. Still, usually people transcend their traits first. This is kinda iffy."
"It's exciting, though. Wonder what score Kaiser gets? Red light?"
"Nah, that's gotta be tough, right? Even Top 10 Guild Masters couldn't clear some. He's barely beaten Berze so far—must be brutal?"
"Yeah... fair point."
But above all, the reason they focused on Kaiser's moves was something else.
"The chance to take the Great Lion King's trial comes only once. It may be a land of opportunity, or it may become a cold grave. Do you still wish to proceed?"
The opportunity to take the Great Lion King's trial was given only once.
Unless you deleted your character, just once.
Even faced with a choice that demanded careful thought, Do-hyun answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Holding back now was pointless anyway.
If he skipped this precious one-time chance out of regret, the only way to get a recommendation would be the official route.
Better to use that valuable chance now than waste six months on the main quest.
He could hit max level first, but who knew how long that would take.
"Good grief... Not a shred of fear."
Abir clicked his tongue with a displeased expression.
The fearless demeanor might seem valiant, but not in Abir's eyes.
That's not valor.
'To the immortal apostles, it's just an opportunity. The Lion King surely didn't expect this kind of spirit... How much true conviction can those who treat death lightly show him?'
It was just the look of someone with no reason to fear.
Every apostle who came to take the Lion King's trial had that same face. And they all met miserable ends.
So Abir was certain.
'This guy's no different.'
He had gotten excited because the guy seemed famous among apostles.
Clicking his tongue at his misplaced expectations, Abir guided Do-hyun.
"Here it is."
The place he guided him to wasn't the tower, but a single stele.
One of the steles preserved in each Knight Citadel—this was the entrance to the Lion King's Tower.
At the same time, the special stele that would emit light based on performance.
Words were inscribed on the stele.
-Those who take my trial, Laoed Belnuros, shall prove your qualities at the boundary between life and death, where you confront your limits.
A single sentence.
'Ugh, why phrase it so ominously?'
'Risa Risa.'
'A peculiar stele. It feels like it contains countless spells.'
The intimidating inscription made Girard and Eliza freak out, while Charlie eyed it with interest.
As he approached while listening to them, a message appeared.
[Would you like to enter the Lion King's Tower?]
[Lion King's Tower]
-Grade: ??
-Type: Trial
-Description: A legacy created by Lion King Laoed Belnuros before his death, containing everything he had.
It is said to house many of the Lion King's legacies.
Those who overcome death within their limits and prove their knightly qualities. Thus, those who pass the trial shall claim the Lion King's legacy.
-Entry Limit: 1 person
[Warning! You cannot retry upon entry.]
"I enter."
Do-hyun replied without hesitation.
Flash-
[Entering the Lion King's Tower.]
[The Lion King's spirit welcomes the knight taking the Great Lion King's trial.]
[The Lion King's spirit wishes the knight good luck.]
When he opened his eyes, he saw a massive dome.
A space that felt as large as a school athletic field, if a bit exaggerated.
-Huh? What's this, why's it empty?
-Risa?
The space contained nothing.
Just a vast area, walls enclosing it, and a high ceiling.
He had only a moment to express doubt.
Ding-
A cheerful alert rang out as if on cue, and a message appeared.
[The Lion King's spirit measures you with the trait 'Lion King's Eye.']
[Measurement complete.]
[Trial 1: Limit Trial begins.]
[The Limit Trial consists of 10 stages to measure the knight's limits.]
[Show your qualities at the boundary between life and death within your limits.]
Groooar- Groooar-
Clack- Clack clack-
Skeleton soldiers emerging from the ground.
Made from swordsmen, they gripped longswords and wore light armor, emanating an ominous aura.
"Oh ho, so that's how it is."
Do-hyun grinned as the monsters filled the once-empty space in an instant.
Trial 1: Limit Trial.
A brutal test that sent increasingly stronger monsters without recovery, even after clearing stages.
The infamous marathon of attrition had begun.
-Oh? Undead? Should I summon some too, Master?
"No, can't waste mana this early in stage 1."
-Then...
Do-hyun chuckled at Girard looking up expectantly.
"I'll go stretch my legs."
He judged it best to test their level while warming up alone.
They looked easy, but this was the Limit Trial.
No one had cleared the Lion King's trial in six months.
Especially since those who took it often shuddered at the mention of skeleton soldiers, he needed to check thoroughly before the next stage.
As if understanding, they cheerfully stepped back.
-Sure, got it. We'll hang back—call if you need us.
-Yes! Go get 'em, my lord.
-Risa Risa!
"Alright."
Do-hyun took a few steps forward to loosen up, then suddenly vanished.
Groooar...? Huh?
Ta!
He shot forward in an instant.
Despite the decent distance, he closed in right before them, startling the orc undead in front into retreating—but it was too late.
[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into 'Nightmare Scythe.']
[Using Striking.]
Crunch- Slash-
Do-hyun had stomped the ankle, buckled the knee, and sliced the neck with the massive scythe Cheonbyeon had become.
But then.
Ding-
[Defeated the Great Lion King's skeleton soldier.]
[One-shot kill.]
[The Lion King's spirit is astonished by the unbelievable feat.]
[The tower detects the Lion King's spirit. Reflected in score.]
"......?"
......Why'd it die in one hit?
Do-hyun blanked for a moment, caught off guard while preparing a follow-up.
Thinking something was off, he attacked the nearby skeleton soldiers.
Slash- Crunch-
Crack crack!
[Defeated the Great Lion King's skeleton soldier.]
[Defeated the Great Lion King's skeleton soldier.]
[Defeated the Great Lion King's skeleton soldier.]
[Defeated the Great Lion King's skeleton soldier.]
"......"
They all died in one or two hits.
[Level up.]
Even a level up.
'......Leveled up already?'
Do-hyun was level 73.
Now 74.
He had banked a lot of exp, but leveling from just five kills made no sense.
'......Do these guys give that much exp?'
That was the only explanation.
Some said the exp here wasn't bad even without max level, but not to this extent.
Maybe no other lunatics entered at early 70s?
Whatever. Not important now.
'Die in one or two hits, insane exp, and infinite respawns up to stage 10?'
In other words...
'Whoa, this is a honey hunting ground?'
A trial? Limits? Brutal marathon?
To Do-hyun, it was just an exp event.