Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 24
>Chapter Title: Backstab and the City of Raven
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After a minor hiccup passed, the next day arrived.
[Retina scan recognized.]
[ID card confirmed.]
[ID card verified.]
[Synchronization complete.]
[Would you like to log into God of Savior?]
"Yeah. Hurry up."
Do-hyun, staring at the familiar message, looked utterly impatient to anyone watching.
And he had every reason to be.
'I need to check it right now.'
He could finally resolve the worry that had plagued him all night.
He wanted to see the skill as soon as possible, even if just a second sooner.
Unaware or uncaring of Do-hyun's urgency, the system responded leisurely, its voice calm and measured.
[Welcome to the Paradise of Adventure.]
[We hope you enjoy your journey.]
With those words, his vision flickered, and he clenched his fist at the sight that unfolded.
He had exited Kalde's house to draw the skill, so instead of the city's beautiful vistas, he faced a dingy back alley—but that didn't matter.
"Skill window."
All he could think about was checking the skill.
Ding-.
[You have an unconfirmed skill.]
[Would you like to confirm it?]
As if sharing Do-hyun's thoughts for once, the system prompted him eagerly.
He accepted without hesitation, and the skill window appeared.
The moment he saw its color, his eyes widened, and the trembling stopped.
"Ah...."
The answer to the worry that had kept him up all night was not gold, but yellow.
'No wonder it looked a bit pale....'
Still, objectively speaking, yellow was excellent.
A Heroic-grade skill, no less.
Back in Delrock, his highest skill had been Heroic-grade, and he'd only just obtained one this soon—how could he not be thrilled?
But.
'I thought we'd finally get a Legendary one.'
Like waiting a day for a lottery ticket where one number was hidden, only to draw second prize.
Worse, that one number had seemed to match the jackpot from a vague memory, but it didn't.
The hope of obtaining his first Legendary skill ever bred equal disappointment.
Still, he bounced back quickly.
'I've been getting too lucky lately.'
When had he ever had such good fortune? All this freeloading had made him complacent.
Legendary draws were notoriously rare from the start.
What were the odds of pulling one from just ten tickets?
In a world where people couldn't even get Rare from their first random draw ticket, Heroic was something to be grateful for.
No, more than grateful—he should be bowing in thanks.
'Right, Heroic is insane for my current level.'
Snapping out of it, he grew curious about what exactly he'd gotten.
His first Heroic skill in God of Savior, after all.
[Held Skills]
-Charging Slash
-Backstab
'Huh? Backstab?'
Do-hyun paused as he scanned the list.
If his memory served right, this was definitely....
His thoughts trailed off as he immediately pulled up the skill info.
[Backstab]
-Grade: Heroic
-Restriction: Assassin class only
-Description: Assassination is all about seizing the enemy's back.
Seize the enemy's back to disrupt them and deal greater damage.
-Effect: Instantly move behind a target within range.
The target is marked for a duration. You can use it once more before the mark expires.
On reuse, you warp behind the marked target again, delivering a lethal strike proportional to accumulated damage.
-Cooldown: 50 seconds
'As expected...!'
Do-hyun clenched his fist tight upon confirming it.
Backstab.
The assassins' signature skill—and the reason ranged dealers despised them.
No matter how much distance you created, this skill chased twice over, with psychological warfare to boot. Absurd.
Give up fleeing for a trade, and one combo lands a ballooned critical hit. Run blindly, and it pursues relentlessly. No wonder assassins were hated.
Assassins were PvP specialists, after all, with infuriating skill kits.
Even Do-hyun found them annoying flies in PvP.
'But now it's mine?'
There was a saying in Delrock: If any non-assassin melee class had Backstab, it'd be the most broken skill ever.
They dominated PvP like thugs but sucked in raids worse than assassins—hence the phrase.
So when Do-hyun checked the Adventurer's unique abilities, Backstab was top of his wishlist.
It was essential for assassins, but high-grade, so it rarely dropped. He'd hoped for it eventually, but not like this.
'And I got it this quick.'
Charging Slash followed by Backstab.
Most ranged dealers wouldn't breathe in his presence now.
A few more skills, and he'd craft a flawless all-time great dealer for PvP and PvE alike.
Combining the best skills from every class.
That was the true power of the Adventurer.
'Damn... lucky it's my class.'
He meant it sincerely.
If someone else had this, he'd have spammed balance complaints hundreds of times.
And what? Disappointed it's not Legendary?
'I was arrogant, oh Apostle of Kashiar....'
He scolded his past impudent self as if denying ever having such irreverent thoughts.
Kashiar would've clicked his tongue, but Do-hyun was just thrilled.
That blissful reflection over, he moved on.
"Equip items."
Before logging out, he'd equipped the Warrior Set and activated the customization system.
It showed a full-body mirror.
"Oh, not bad."
His reflection looked worlds different.
Same leather material, but Rare-grade was another level: the top gleamed blood-red and sturdy, with black-tinged pauldrons for flair.
His necklace matched the red, and the Goblin Belt's near-black complemented it perfectly.
Click.
Topped with the massive red greatsword in both hands.
A red-and-black giant wielding a sword his size oozed danger.
No one would mistake him for mob fodder now.
[Warrior Set applied.]
[Warrior Set Options]
-3-piece: Intimidate effect vs. Goblin types. +7% damage vs. Goblins, +2 all stats.
No one would call a Warrior Set Arde grad mob fodder.
And that wasn't all.
[Equipping Silver Ring Crafted by Kalde.]
[Silver Ring Crafted by Kalde]
[Grade: Rare]
[Description: A silver ring handcrafted by Kalde. Common materials, but superior craftsmanship gives it high value.]
[Level Restriction: 12]
[Equip Restriction: None]
[Physical Defense: 57]
[Magic Resistance: 41]
-Sense +1
-Mana +2
-Mana Recovery Speed +6%
A mere 6%, but with mana recovery—an option melee classes lamented due to Sense and Mana stats.
For Do-hyun, though? Perfect.
Sense was always welcome, and Mana would prove useful someday.
[Player: Kaiser]
[Level: 12]
[HP: 1,870 / 2,050]
[MP: 350 / 500]
[Stamina: 190 / 350]
[Class: Last Adventurer [Apostle of Kashiar]]
[Titles (3)]
-From the Start, Max Affinity?
-First Slayer
-Throne of Time Attack
[Stats]
[Strength: 35(+38)] [Agility: 35(+35)]
[Stamina: 5(+35)] [Sense: 22(+35)]
[Mana: 5(+34)]
Remaining Points: 0
'Nice. Perfect.'
Satisfied with his evolved status, Do-hyun turned away.
Arde business was done.
'Time to head out.'
Only the Main Continent awaited.
Standing before the warp point, a message appeared.
[Requirements met.]
[Proceed to the Main Continent?]
[Cannot return to Arde once you go.]
"Yes."
[Warping to the Main Continent's first city, Raven, the Origin City.]
[5.......]
Gazed by enveloping light, Do-hyun suddenly paused at a memory.
'Come to think of it, I left without saying goodbye yesterday.'
Head buried in skill woes, he'd forgotten the Supreme Shield party's farewell.
His first party here, downing the boss together—maybe that's why it nagged.
But he shrugged it off.
'If it's fate, we'll meet again.'
He'd always soloed mostly.
Even his comrades started by chance.
Formed parties by coincidence, paths crossed often, naturally sticking together until they became true allies.
Looking back, their eclectic bunch was a miracle.
So if fated, he'd see Supreme Shield's crew again; otherwise, not meant to be.
Do-hyun shook off the regret.
Instead, anticipation for adventures ahead filled his mind.
'Let's see how well they built it.'
Eyes closed, brimming with excitement.
[2.......]
[1.......]
[Warping to the Main Continent.]
Opening them revealed a new world.
* * *
Arde graduates all step onto the Main Continent brimming with excitement.
Unlike tiny Arde, Avatar Tel's true scale awaited—how could they not?
Nationality irrelevant.
Korea, America, Russia, China, Japan, India, Australia....
Players worldwide gathered with dreams.
Unlike nation-locked Arde servers, all partied here.
That was the Main Continent, starting at Raven.
"Whoa...! Insane."
"This is Main Continent level?"
"Whole other dimension? Crazy, look at the scale."
"So many foreigners. Feels like abroad."
Raven arrivals gaped, pure joy on faces.
Overwhelming scale dwarfing Arde.
Vast sky, colossal central fountain cascading like waterfalls.
Advanced buildings, teeming crowds.
Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop.
"Make way!"
"Raven Knights returning from mission!"
Knights on horseback, banners flying through bustling streets.
A true otherworld scene.
"Hey, out of the way!"
"Grab that guy!"
"Ugh! Why me? I didn't do anything!"
"What? You lowlife who harassed and tried to rape a woman dares...? Lock him up!"
Criminals dragged by guarding soldiers added to the wonder.
Main Continent cities were strict on crime and order, as rumored.
Players awed by the chaotic cityscape.
"This is God of Savior...."
"No wonder they say it starts here."
Adapting through tutorial and Arde hunts felt like frog in a well now.
Do-hyun felt it too.
'Whoa....'
Words failed.
Expectations exceeded beyond measure.
Delrock's quality was high, but this explained the devs' confidence.
-......God of Savior will perfectly fill the void VR leaves in weary players.
'Hate to admit it, but it's true.'
Who'd call this unreal?
Who wouldn't love it?
God of Savior wasn't metaphor—it was another world.
And players were invited.
NPC shouts snapped Do-hyun from stupor.
"Hey, bro! Try Raven's famous Gray Ale before you go! That red outfit suits you perfect!"
"Tsk, booze at midday? Nah, visit my shop. Service galore."
"Red Lobster's for dates! Real men want hot Guinea Pig Soup!"
"Shopping first~ New pretties in stock, handsome~."
Smelling fresh meat, they clamored to lure him.
They knew newbies often toured before hunting.
'I get the hype now.'
People spend fortunes and hours flying for new sights.
Instant access via capsule? Irresistible.
Do-hyun was human, curious too, but....
'That can wait.'
Something else burned hotter.
'Skills first. Test 'em out.'
Like newbies wielding basics in Raven, he itched to try his two new ones.
And the gear.
[Systems unlocked upon Main Continent entry.]
[Beginner benefits end; Arena, Duels, Workshops, etc. now available.]
[Raven, Origin City, heralds the start. Enjoy adventures on the Main Continent stage.]
[Tip. Crime victim? Report to guards immediately!]
That's why he ignored the cheery welcomes and turned.
He needed hunting ASAP.
'Alright, let's go.'
Stretching, he headed out—then paused.
'......Quests first.'
Hunting itch be damned; quests were mandatory.
Double XP? Skip 'em and you're a fool.
Consulting his guide, Do-hyun grabbed suitable quests before exiting the city.