Chapter 287

Chapter 287

There was a mysterious person following Grid’s party. He had long arms, thick lips, and impressive skin that was as black as charcoal. His name was Kasim. The last descendant of the Nero people destroyed by the Saharan Empire, and the ultimate assassin with the title of ‘King of Shadows.’

“Hrmm.”

Kasim had observed Grid from before he became a duke. He always maintained a distance of 5m from Grid. Recently, he had to increase the distance to 7m thanks to the skills of the young assassin called Faker, but it wasn’t a huge hindrance. There was still a large difference between Kasim and Faker’s skills.

“Vampire city...”

Kasim found out the destination of Grid’s party.

Vampires. A branch of the demonkin, they lived in the human world rather than in hell. Their strength was overwhelming. It was natural since they were designed to hunt humans. Entering their lair was an act of suicide.

'In particular, the problem is the True Blood clan. Duke Grid can deal with a viscount but...’

He wasn’t a match for earls yet. Kasim was sure of this because he had a firm grasp of Grid and the Overgeared members’ power.

'If they meet an earl, they will all be wiped out.’

Should he stop it? No, that wasn’t necessary. Based on Kasim’s observations, Grid and his companions were all immortal cursed existences(users). The cost of death for them wasn’t big.

‘Sometimes defeat is a good medicine.’

Wasn’t that right? Doran. They had fought thousands of times and a defeat in one spar didn’t always mean victory in the next.

“...I miss you.”

Doran. A friend who grew up together under the same mentor. Why did Grid have the ring Doran inherited from their mentor? Kasim questioned. He was following Grid to figure out why. It didn’t take long to figure out why. All his questions were answered after finding out that Grid was Irene’s husband.

Nevertheless, the reason he stayed with Grid was because he saw the possibility of Grid growing to rival the Saharan Empire. The Saharan Empire! They persecuted the innocent minorities and wiped them out if they refused to submit.

Kasim had a huge grudge against the empire. He wanted to watch Grid one day destroy the empire.

Suruk.

Kasim disappeared. He would stay by Irene’s side until Grid came back. Nothing should grab Grid’s ankle while he was growing. Kasim planned to thoroughly protect Irene, who Grid loved.

Piaro was working in the fields, Asmophel training soldiers, and Kasim was hiding in the city. Now Reidan was much safer than when Kraugel had been here. It was an impregnable fortress unless a dragon or great demon attacked.

Administrator Rabbit could develop the city with confidence.

‘In a few months, we can finally escape from a the deficit. I have to slowly raise the labor costs to increase the efficiency of the workers. Is it enough if I raise it by 0.1%?’

Grid was unaware of this, but there were many positive people around him. All of this was created by Grid’s changes and growth, so he should be proud.

***

[The giant worm has been destroyed.]

[2,330,900 experience has been acquired.]

[The desert toad has been destroyed.]

[2,607,400 experience has been acquired.]

‘It is great.’

They headed to the vampire cities. Grid’s group slayed desert creatures as they moved forward. Peak Sword marvelled from among them.

‘These monsters give too much experience. I can’t adapt.’

The desert monsters gave at least 20% more experience than the monsters on the top floor of Cork Dungeon. However, it didn’t take long to hunt them. This was absurd. It was the reason why the Overgeared members monopolized the top rankings after Grid was appointed as lord of Reidan.

‘The vampires will give a lot more experience than the desert monsters. Maybe I might achieve level 307 in this expedition.’

Peak Sword didn’t think that entering the top 10 was a dream. On the other hand, Grid was full of complaints.

'The experience is too low.’

Most users raised their levels by hunting or quests, but Grid was a special case who raised it through raids. So it was natural for him to complain.

Considering that the knights and elders of the Rebecca Church gave tens of millions of experience, and Pascal gave 700 million experience, the two million of the desert monsters was terrible.

‘When can I reach level 300?’

Pagma's Successor didn’t have the concept of second or third class advancements. But at level 300, his stats went through the third awakening like any other user. Since Grid had unusually high stats, he would be dramatically strengthened the moment he reached level 300.

He dreamed of that day, but Grid was currently only level 296. His experience gauge wasn’t even half full yet. He was sighing when he suddenly recalled the Reputation Store. He broke through 30,000 reputation after obtaining the ‘Sealed Ability’ hidden piece and was able to use the Reputation Store.

He had looked at it the other day.

'There is a potion that gives an experience buff.’ What if he took that potion after entering a vampire city? ‘I can level up!’

Grid opened the Reputation Store.

“Reputation Store!”

Ttiring~

[This is a special service for the best in Satisfy!]

Immediately after this phrase, a golden carriage only visible to Grids eyes fell from the sky. It was very similar to the golden carriage that occasionally came to front line troops that had no PX (Post exchange).

Grid was convinced that the inventor of this system was someone who served in the military.

[Introducing the luxurious goods to our guest!]

[Sweet Candy]

A little candy bar!

A candy with natural sweetness is the best!

There are no chemicals added!

Effects: When the sweet candy is in your mouth, all stats will rise by 30% for 5 minutes.

* This item can only be purchased five times per account.

Price: 20,000 reputation.

It started with the limited-edition products that offered the best performance to...

[Good-looking Sunglasses]

The large frame is the highlight of the square sunglasses!

It is big enough to cover half the face, so it will help someone ugly look handsome!

Effect: Look handsome.

* The charm stat isn’t created or increased. It is a simple accessory with no special function other than a visual effect.

Price: 5,000 reputation.

...Items that had no practical use.

The golden carriage. No, the Reputation Store had around 30 products displayed. There were event-limited products that were occasionally released. In any case, Grid only needed one item right now.

‘Where is the experience potion? Ah, found it!’

Grid’s gaze fixed on a specific produce.

[Draw! Draw! Draw everything!]

A random drawing machine.

At the price of 999 reputation, you can get a variety of items randomly.

* Limited edition items aren’t included.

* There is a certain chance of gaining an experience buff potion.

Price: 999 reputation.

'This is great!'

Satisfy didn’t have a maximum level, so experience buffs could exponentially increase the gap between users. The experience buff potions common in ordinary games couldn’t be found in Satisfy.

But the Reputation Store was a special place. Only a few users could gather such great achievements, so it needed to be attractive to them. That attraction was the experience buff potion.

Grid went over there in a flash.

‘The cost is cheap. Why is it 999 reputation instead of 1,000?’

There were many 20,000 products in the world valued at 29,990 won. This was a marketing technique to deceive people.

‘It is an opportunity to get a buff potion for a low price!’

999 reputation. Considering that he got 150 reputation when making a unique item and 500 reputation from a legendary item, it wasn’t a cheap price. However, Grid judged that it was worthwhile to try and used 999 reputation on the drawing machine.

[Draw! Draw! You have drawn a product.]

Chwaruruk!

The goods in the machine started spinning. Then after a while.

Rattle!

An item popped out.

[Congratulations! Pretty Hairpin has been acquired!]

[Pretty Hairpin]

A colourful and pretty hairpin.

If you gift it to a woman, she will be delighted.

Weight: 0.1

“...?”

It was the result of losing his mind at the thought of a experience buff potion. Grid temporarily forgot about the odds of a game like this.

"Dammit!"

The blue hairpin was really pretty. It would surely have a great effect with Irene’s silver hair. However, it wasn’t worth wasting 999 reputation on. Grid cursed and tried to throw the hairpin away, but eventually put it in his inventory. It would be a gift for Irene.

He pictured Irene and his anger calmed.

"Yes, it is hard for things to happen the first time.”

The second time. He would try a second draw. Grid bought another spin.

[Congratulations! You have acquired the world’s most delicious skewer.]

[World’s Most Delicious Skewer]

It is a skewer of a hell dog’s hind legs aged for 100 days, then roasted with a secret sauce.

It is the supreme taste that gourmet raiders enjoy.

"It's just dog meat!"

[This! You have failed! Unfortunately, please look for the next opportunity.]

“There is even a failure?”

Prior to the release of virtual reality games. Grid hadn’t experienced the mobile games that most people in the world played. He only played MMORPGs that he could enjoy on his PC. He didn’t know the fear of drawing games, and was confused.

“Dammit! Bullshit!”

Grid’s anger aimed at innocent creatures. On the way to the vampire city, Grid killed more monsters than anyone else. Even Pon and Regas were surprised at his speedy hunting.

“Grid is really motivated.”

“He is in a high position, so he feels a strong sense of responsibility.”

“Grid has matured even more after the guild merger. Truly wonderful.”

Bias was scary. Filled with misunderstandings, Grid’s party finally arrived at a vampire city.

Chapter 288

The 13th vampire city.

Pon and Regas had already explored this place, so they opened their mouths prior to entering.

"Once we enter here, we have to go down a 12m high cliff. There is no danger when climbing down the cliff, but there is a risk of falling down because it’s dark and steep. The people with less than 400 agility should move carefully.”

"There aren’t any lights and it is dark, so you won’t be able to see anything for around two minutes. Your vision won’t be perfect after two minutes pass. The darkness places a limit on our mobility, so it will be difficult for us to exert 100% of our power. Ah, Jishuka and Faker have their passive skills Hawk Eyes and Assassin’s Eyes.”

Vantner expressed his doubts.

"Why can’t we light torches if it is dark? Why are we trying to stay in the dark? Are we cavemen?”

“The vampires pay attention to fire. You will be isolated as soon as you turn on the torch.”

"Ah, that's right. I heard that before.”

“Stupid.”

Pon continued the explanation.

“There is a city half the size of Bairan below the cliff. The average level of the vampire familiars wandering the streets are well below the giant worms. However, combat capabilities depend on the existence, so be vigilant.”

"Familiar? Where are the vampires?”

"The vampires are asleep in buildings scattered throughout the city. Once we enter a building, they will wake up. But there are rare cases of some of them ambushing us.”

“Hrmm... The boss must be sleeping in one of the buildings.”

“It’s a reasonable guess. We can only go through the buildings in order to find the boss.”

"In the process, you should be careful of the True Blood vampires. Sometimes they pop up and they are much stronger than ordinary vampires.”

"How so?"

“It was hard to kill them even if Regas and I joined forces.”

“A field boss?”

“No, not that strong. If we don’t have divine power, we can’t do much damage. However, if all of us join forces, we should be able to easily defeat them.”

Jishuka, Grid, Pon, Regas, Faker and Peak Sword, the most powerful damage dealers were gathered together. It was Pon’s judgment that they could exert attack power that could easily take care of the True Blood vampires.

“Okay. Immediately after entry, please pay attention to the darkness and cliff, and refrain from manifesting as much light as possible. The True Blood vampires... Quickly handle them. This should be enough?”

“Yes.”

Grid did a final check on the status of the party.

Party Name: Pavranium Expedition

Party Leader: Grid (Pagma's Successor. Level 296)

Party Members List:

Pon (Spear Knight. Level 307)

Regas (Asura. Level 307)

Peak Sword (Hidden Sword) Level 306)

Faker (Master of Swiftness. Level 305)

Jishuka (Red Flame Archer) Level 305)

Vantner (Impregnable Fortress. Level 302)

Zednos (Storm Magician. Level 301)

Huroi (Orator. Level 292)

Item Distribution Method: Party Leader Acquisition

Thanks to enough rest, everyone’s health, mana, and stamina were full. The item distribution method was also correct.

“Let’s go.”

Grid didn’t delay any longer. He entered the ant hell.

[You have entered the Vampire’s Underground City (13).]

[The entrance of the dungeon is blocked. Contact with the outside world will be blocked.]

[You can’t escape the dungeon until you have died or kill the dungeon boss.]

‘It is dark.’

It was his first feeling after entering. There was a deep darkness that dominated the whole area. He would be confused if he didn’t listen to Pon and Regas beforehand. It was as the party was trying to adapt to the darkness.

Puduk. Kwaduduk.

“What...?”

They heard the sound of wings flapping, then hundreds of small red lights appeared in the darkness. It was countless bats flocking.

“Crazy! What is this? I didn’t think there would be an attack until we went down the cliff!”

The wrong information could be a big threat on the battlefield. Everyone could understand why Vantner cursed as he quickly set up his shield.

Teteng! Teteteteng!

[Grid’s Shield: Prototype A]

It was a shield based on the Divine Shield, and combined high defense and magical resistance.

He used black iron, which was relatively easy to obtain among the higher ranked minerals. The disadvantage was that it was heavy, but that wasn’t difficult for Vantner, who had abnormally high strength.

The hundreds of bats rammed into the giant black shield and scattered blood.

Kwajik!

There was a creepy sound as small skulls were crushed successively.

“Ugh!”

A groan emerged from Vantner’s mouth. He could block the bats flying in front, but he was bitten by the bats that fled to the left and right.

“Damn! Forcing me to use a skill so early! Guard of Steel!”

[For three minutes, physical defense will increase by 30% and there will be a 50% increase in resistance to stabbing and cutting.]

Tatak! Tak!

Vantner’s defense became firmer. The small but sharp teeth of the bats no longer reached Vantner’s flesh. Jishuka and Faker were the first ones in the party to adapt to the darkness and they started supporting Vantner.

“Dancing Arrows.”

Papat! Pa pa pa pat!

It was a skill associated with Multi-shot. Dozens of arrows were fired at the same time and rotated as they pierced the bats, changing their orbit. The bats were hit by the arrows flying in all directions and fell down the cliff.

Faker’s actions were also great. He threw 20 daggers equipped with an ‘Explosion Rune,’ turning the bats to ashes. By the time the rest of the party adapted to the darkness, most of the bats were already destroyed. Vantner sat down and gasped for breath.

“Pant... Pant, dammit. I almost died as soon as I came in.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think the pattern would’ve changed.”

The monsters in most dungeons had a constant position and behavior pattern. They thought it would be the same here. Vantner could no longer grumble after seeing Pon’s sincere apology. Afterwards, Grid’s group waited until Vantner had recovered his health. Vantner was the party’s only tanker, so his status was important.

"Easy, easy.”

"Yes.”

Once Vantner recovered, the group started descending the cliff. While everyone was struggling, Grid and Zednos could relax. They were able to use Fly magic. The two people were able to descend comfortably.

Taack!

The two people landed first below the cliff and looked around. It was to prepare for any enemies while the group was descending the cliff. Not surprisingly, there were five large wolves rushing in the distance.

“They are scarily large.”

Their size was much larger than common wolves. It was at the level of a bear. But Grid and Zednos didn’t feel any fear.

[The +9 Failure has been equipped.]

[The attack power of the +9 Failure will increase by 20% in dark places.]

[The +8 Grid’s Boots has been equipped.]

[The defense of the +8 Grid’s Boots will increase by 20% in dark places.]

Grid believed in his items.

'Grid is with me!’

Zednos believed in Grid. The wolves, who wanted to prey on the two people, quickly realized their folly.

Yip! Yelp!

[You have defeated a vampire wolf.]

[490,800 experience has been distributed.]

[You have defeated a vampire wolf.]

[487,210 experience has been distributed.]

[Vampire wolf leather has been acquired.]

[Vampire Wolf Leather]

Very sturdy leather. If it can be tanned well, it will be a suitable material for making armor.

Weight: 15

The experience was quite good considering it was being shared by nine people. Indeed, the vampire cities were good places to level up.

‘There are three tailors in the Silver Knights Guild right?’

Grid could also make leather armor. But several experiments showed that the performance was considerably worse than when he used minerals. From Grid’s perspective, it was more profitable to make things other than leather armor.

“Why don’t we distribute the various materials among the guild members and give them requests? We will sell the items made from these materials and raise the guild’s profits. There will be a separate reward for the makers.”

Grid gave his opinion to the people who descended the cliff. It was rare for Grid to have such a plan. No, it was the first time, so his impressed companions nodded their heads. Pon and Regas were silent for a moment at the sight of Grid’s further growth, but then they expressed their concerns.

“It’s strange. The atmosphere is different from when we came here before.”

"The bats and vampire wolves weren’t here before. The environmental radius of the familiars is much wider than before. The experience given has also increased by 10%.”

Regas was talking when Pon suddenly asked Grid about his quest contents.

“You said that strange energy is coming from the vampire cities?”

“Yes.”

“This is the problem. The strange energy seems to have increased the difficulty of the vampire cities.”

Gulp!

Peak Sword was nervous. He worried about this expedition failing. However, the other Overgeared members were grateful. If the difficulty had gone up...

"There is a higher probability of huge benefits!”

"That's right! Level up speed will be fast!"

"...”

It was difficult for the tense Peak Sword to understand the mindset of the Overgeared members. He was stunned and swept away in their flow. They called the familiars roaming the streets, accumulating experience and items. Then they were soon standing in front of an old-fashioned gothic high-rise building.

“There are around 10 of these buildings?”

They had to search the buildings quickly and thoroughly in order to kill the boss and secure the pavranium. The moment Grid tried to open the huge door of the building.

[The master of the 13th city, Vampire Earl Elfin Stone has appeared.]

[A strong evil influence is making your magic power turbid. All types of spells and skills aren’t available.]

[A vampire’s gaze will subdue lower species. Your body is subjected to a strong oppression.]

The notification windows simultaneously appeared in front of Grid’s party.

Sururuk.

Black smoke appeared over Grid’s head. The blond handsome man who emerged from the smoke was more beautiful than jewelry.

"Humans dare enter my city! Polluting the air!”

Elfin Stone had a story. It was around a month ago. He woke up after a few months of sleeping, only to find his city a wreck. He heard from his subordinates that it was due to two crazy humans. Humans dared invade a vampire’s city with just two of them?

It was ridiculous and reprehensible. The incensed Elfin Stone couldn’t sleep properly for the past two months. He was so angry that he couldn’t sleep well. Today, he got only 18 hours of sleep and went out for a stroll. However, he discovered some humans. It was a great opportunity to get rid of his anger.

"Die so that I can sleep!”

Elfin Stone aimed his strongest skill at the man who seemed to be the strongest among the humans.

[Extreme Blood Transfusion]

It was a terrifying attack and recovery skill that restored his health by taking away large quantities of the target’s health. The disadvantage was that he could only use it once a day, but it was suitable for scaring these trivial beings.

Puhahahak!

The human male was covered by a curtain of blood. He would certainly die! Elfin Stone was certain of it.

"Kukukuk, I will come back in awhile. I will kill another person, and then another one the time after that! This will be repeated again and again. I will show you the extreme taste of fear!”

Suruk!

Elfin Stone turned into smoke and disappeared. At the same time, the blood curtain was lifted. Grid emerged alive from it.

“What the hell is this?”

The mighty passive with a 24 hour cooldown time had been lost. But he lived.

Grid and Elfin Stone, both of them were floored.