Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Wager for Heavenly Energy
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As soon as Brainwash activated, the Guardian of Darkness's pupils began to tremble.
Just that one use was enough to shake the guardian's mind.
The level gap between Jeong Hoon and it was a whopping 69 levels.
Even so, there was no issue activating Brainwash.
Brainwash is a skill that dominates the mind.
Even if the Guardian of Darkness was level 170, not all its stats were close to 170.
For players like Jeong Hoon, auto-balancing ensured all stats rose evenly, but for monsters, stats were randomly assigned, and their average became the level.
That was why the Guardian of Darkness's mental strength wasn't particularly high.
That was the reason Brainwash had succeeded so flawlessly.
W-What did you just!
The creature struggled with a strained expression.
Step aside. Dont get in my way.
At those added words, the guardian's face twisted in fury.
But after a brief moment, its crumpled features smoothed out as if nothing had happened.
Brainwash had taken perfect hold.
Understood.
The Guardian of Darkness obediently stepped to the side.
W-What.
Isaac, his vision blocked and relying on sound to grasp the situation, shuddered once.
It had backed off just like that from a single command?
Was that even possible?
Alright, lets go.
Are we really just leaving like this?
Isaac asked cautiously, glancing around.
Yes. Its safe to go.
Then hold on just a moment Ugh.
The Guardian of Darkness was out of the way, but Isaac couldnt move.
His body was wrecked from the recent battle with it.
Ill heal you. Come on, get up.
Jeong Hoon cast Basic Healing on Isaac.
Isaacs battered body began recovering at a rapid pace.
Of course, it wasnt a perfect recovery, but it was more than enough to stand and walk.
You are you a priest?
Isaac asked in astonishment.
Hed assumed this outsider was a Martial Artist based on his aura.
No. Not a priest.
Not a priest? Then how can you use holy power?
Ill explain later. For now, hurry.
There was no time.
Any delay, and the Final Round would force-end.
Jeong Hoon half-shoved Isaac into the portal.
His body was sucked inside.
You have completed the final task.
Current survivors: 4
Final Round ends.
Bonus points awarded to users who completed all tasks.
You completed all tasks first. Additional bonus points awarded.
Got it.
Jeong Hoons lips curved into a faint smile.
All event participants were transported to the settlement area.
Every user was gathered there, while those eliminated before entering the Final Colosseum had already left.
Ha
The difficulty was insane.
With the event over, tension eased, and users vented while reminiscing about the rounds.
Debuffs like Blind, monsters at twice their levelit was impossible to even attempt tasks, just scramble to survive.
Luck had played a huge role, beyond job or skill.
Still, I think I lasted pretty long
You too? I held out quite a while myself.
Some users instinctively knew theyd survived long.
The Final Round had ended shortly after their elimination.
That meant theyd been close to the last survivor.
Ranking the results.
Round task performance, bonus points, and all play elements applied.
An NPC, Lingling, appeared in the center.
Talk to me one by one to check your rank. Oh, and if you dont like the result, you dont have to claim it.
Ranks werent publicly announced.
Users had to check personally and claim rewards.
A few approached Lingling first.
Phew.
But they left without claiming.
Theyd already completed Rare-grade job changesno point taking another Rare one.
Theyd likely retry for Epic-grade, unwilling to waste time so far.
Some within top 20 had gotten Epic-grade changes.
Nice!
Now I can finally head to the next village.
Epic job changers left with satisfied faces.
A stark contrast to those skipping rewards.
Ah, fuck
This is bullshit.
Ha This isnt right. 23rd place, missed Epic
Top rankers shed bloody tears, especially 21st placers wailing outright.
Aaagh! Why am I the only one getting screwed!
Failing Epic by one rankthe frustration was indescribable.
Heh, this is why I hate dealing with idiots.
Someone sneered at the scene.
A level 89 Epic-grade Holy Knight named Soul Guard.
User nickname: Handsomez.
Like priests, warriors who forwent mana for holy power could advance to Holy Knight.
Hed survived the shadowy Dark Street with overwhelming defense.
Vision blocked, but the round ended while I was alive.
That meant he was first.
First place got a Unique job change chance.
I can become a Royal Guard!
The Unique-grade job for Holy Knights.
Royal Guard.
Now was the time.
Rank: 2nd
Reward: Epic-grade job change
Claiming the reward completes second job change immediately.
But it was 2nd.
Im not first?
Handsomez tilted his head.
Thats weird? I definitely survived to the end?
The other two Epic-grade users felt the same.
Theyd been the three surviving until the rounds end.
Their ranks: also 2nd.
They looked baffled too.
Tasks were impossible.
Theyd focused on survival and cleared successfully.
Why joint 2nd?
Someone completed all the tasks.
Otherwise, no joint 2nds.
Who completed them?
Handsomez scanned around.
No one seemed better than him.
Next.
Lingling called out.
A low-grade Martial Artist waiting behind approached.
Not this guy.
Low-grade Martial Artist.
Entering Final Colosseum meant overcoming job penaltiesimmense talent.
But zero chance of task completion from that distance.
Rare-grade would still be decent.
Unlike his Epic, a basic Martial Artist.
Even last in Final Colosseum, top 200 guaranteed Rare.
Job changes usually triggered overhead light effects.
Rare: blue.
Epic: purple.
Unique: gold.
But no effect on this user.
He left as if done.
What?
Handsomez stared at the Martial Artist in bewilderment.
Not claiming?
Lingling tilted her head.
No, what was that guys rank who just left?
Cant tell you that. Anyway, claim your reward quick.
Yes
Unique in second change was like reaching the stars.
Thats why hed aimed for it here.
Gotta aim for third.
Handsomez finally completed his second job change and left.
Jeong Hoon spoke to Lingling and arrived at a new settlement area.
Rank: 1st
Reward: Unique-grade job change
Cannot claim reward.
Move to another settlement area to claim new reward.
Hed taken 1st, but Jeong Hoon was already Legendary-grade Martial Emperor.
He couldnt claim the announced Unique job change.
Soon, NPC Lingling appeared.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Its fine.
So, shall we talk rewards?
Before the event, Lingling had mentioned replacing 1st place reward with something else.
Time to see what it was.
Yes.
Second job change happens right away. And a portion of Heavenly Energy will be granted.
Heavenly Energy!
Jeong Hoon barely suppressed a grin.
Heavenly Energy was a requirement to advance beyond Legendary.
Legendary jobs needed level 200 for rare chances at tiny amounts.
Now, as a reward.
How much?
Not enough for 100, obviously.
Probably 1-2.
Hmm, about 2, Id say.
Lingling tallied as she spoke.
2.
Indeed tiny.
Unavoidable.
Even Legendary was for the elite few.
Higher grades? Hellish difficulty.
Lets make a bet.
Jeong Hoon suddenly proposed.
Huh? A bet?
Lingling tilted her head.
If I solo clear the real shadowy Dark Street, double the set reward.
From 2 to 4.
Doubling ultra-rare Heavenly Energy.
Hmm? The real shadowy Dark Street? Thats originally level 180.
Event version: Lv.150.
True one: Lv.180 dungeon.
Not just Lv.180insanely tough; even Lv.300 users floundered without experience.
Thats why its a bet. Fail, and I forfeit Heavenly Energy.
Deal. But Ill throw in the Guardian of Darkness you didnt kill as boss. Hows that?
True shadowy Dark Street had no boss.
Vision block meant killing all monsters cleared ita theme dungeon.
Guardian was event task one-off boss.
Fine.
Jeong Hoon hadnt hunted it with Brainwash.
Couldve brute-forced, but time tight, and eyed it for later reward.
Also, mental skills like Brainwash restricted, and debuff unremovable.
Okay.
Shed bitten.
Then make it triple.
Jeong Hoon pushed further.
Too many limits for double.
Deal. Not triplequadruple.
Lingling boldly countered.