Strike 115

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Duke Luckburg.

The letter he sent through Luke contained many stories unfolding at the border.

From showing off the power by gathering the nobles under the blue sky to the small wars that were fought regularly.

At the end of the letter, it was written:

“I want them to feel the way I felt when I met you at the royal court.”

Hyun-soo was puzzled.

Why was he, who had been demoted, suddenly supporting Barad?

Luke explained it to him.

“The intention of my father and His Majesty was the same: to protect the small kingdom of Goyard. However, their methods were different. That’s what led to those events.”

Luke looked at Hyun-soo with admiration.

“After hearing that you were serving under the king, he made a decision and was demoted. But in the Arham domain, my father came to understand His Majesty’s will.”

Hyun-soo wore a surprised expression.

Was it really just because of him that all this happened?

“My father dreams of a Goyard kingdom where the sword and the blacksmith’s power coexist.”

Hyun-soo immediately sent a reply.

If Duke Luckburg wanted an overwhelming appearance like before, how should it be made?

Fortunately, Nel was nearby the border.

[Nel: The nobles from the Praham kingdom keep showing up, and the morale of the Goyard kingdom is decreasing. A third knight has just fallen.]

While listening to her report, Hyun-soo quickly rode towards the border.

Upon reaching the border, Nel said,

[Nel: Although it’s not a real war, breaking the enemy’s morale will greatly help in gaining territory and titles.]

And Hyun-soo knew how to break the enemy’s morale.

[Hyun-soo: What level is the descendant of Spear Heaven?]

[Nel: 340. Unfortunately, it seems difficult to defeat the descendant of Spear Heaven. He is now armed with unique artifacts. Even his spear is the closest to legendary.]

Hyun-soo’s current level was only 258.

The level difference was over 80.

Then, something crossed Hyun-soo’s mind.

[Hyun-soo: Let’s try it, I have a way. Guild members, what are you doing now?]

After outlining his plan, Hyun-soo stood by Barad’s side.

He gave a small smile at the surprised expression on Barad’s face.

“Let’s go.”

[The morale of our allies greatly increases.]

[Your actions have reconnected the long-severed ties between Barad and the eight most noble families of the kingdom.]

[A new story begins.]

Ding!

[Sudden Quest: The Last Knight]

Rank: S

Restriction: The person who triggered the new episode

Reward: Kingdom contribution, Spear Heaven’s heart.

Penalty if failed: Decreased intimacy with Barad, Spear Heaven.

Description: Completely overturn the tide of the small war by winning against the descendant of Spear Heaven.

And Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.

It was good for Hyun-soo, who was going to fight the descendant of Spear Heaven anyway, that the quest notification popped up.

But what he didn’t understand was this:

‘Spear Heaven’s heart?’

For now, Hyun-soo faced the descendant of Spear Heaven and said,

“The Last Knight. I am Viscount  Hyun-soo.”

***

Special User Management Team.

Lee Se-jin, along with Kim Tae-seok and Lee Ji-hee, were present.

Tae-seok tapped on the keyboard.

Comprehensive data metrics of Hyun-soo and the descendant of Spear Heaven appeared on the monitor screen.

[Descendant of Spear Heaven: 14,100.]

[Hyun-soo: 11,711.]

These data metrics are similar to an NPC’s level.

An NPC’s level is a comprehensive data of the power of skills, physical attack and defense power, and the artifacts worn.

“He can’t win.”

Kim Tae-seok said with a voice full of certainty.

Lee Ji-hee also nodded her head this time.

“The difference is 2,300. Moreover, the descendant of Spear Heaven is a person of great skill.”

The only thing not represented by this data is skill.

The problem is that Hyun-soo’s swordsmanship and combat abilities are only slightly above average.

But the descendant of Spear Heaven is the best spearman personally selected by Spear Heaven.

Yes, the data clearly shows it.

Hyun-soo will lose.

“It seems there is no suitable method.”

Divine Emergency Creation.

Hyun-soo has that special power. In addition, he also has the power called “Counter.”

The problem is that both Counter and Emergency Creation have a casting time.

An average of 7 seconds. Even at its fastest, it’s 2 seconds.

The problem is, in that short time, the descendant of Spear Heaven would already have his spear through Hyun-soo’s neck.

Lee Se-jin stroked his chin and said,

“It will be a pity for Hyun-soo as a player.”

The reward mentioned, Spear Heaven’s heart.

Hyun-soo didn’t know, but it was content created by Barad through the assassin Brock’s influence on Ben.

Winning this duel would not only increase Hyun-soo’s contribution in the Goyard kingdom but also open up many possibilities for rewards.

“Praham Kingdom is a nation of blacksmiths, so there are really a lot of materials. What do you guys think is the material that Hyun-soo as a player needs the most?”

Lee Ji-hee and Kim Tae-seok.

Both of them said at the same time,

“Minor World Tree.”

“Minor World Tree.”

“It seems we all have the same thought.”

Yes, the Minor World Tree.

What would it be used for?

It can be used for making bows and spear shafts.

And this Minor World Tree is the finest material yet to be obtained by players for making bows and spears.

Gaining Ben’s heart opens up endless possibilities.

Not just the Minor World Tree.

Lee Se-jin also had something he couldn’t understand.

‘Why did the sudden quest appear?’

The comprehensive data they saw clearly states that Hyun-soo will lose.

The skill gap is too wide to close.

But a sudden quest is different from a normal quest.

A normal quest gives the possibility that it can be gradually resolved later, giving hope.

However, a sudden quest is triggered if there’s even a 1% possibility right now.

‘What could that possibility be?’

In the end, the Special User Management Team and Blue Corp are human.

The supercomputer Ares always watches billions of users and remembers the data it has made.

Then.

Zzzing-

Lee Se-jin felt the vibration of his phone.

His phone was special.

Special events that might happen in Ares often appear as messages.

[Wolf’s egg absorbs nutrition rate through the duel between user Hyun-soo and the descendant of Spear Heaven.]

The current nutrition rate created by user Hyun-soo is 31%.

Even this is enough for a sub-boss level wolf to be born.

‘Certainly, it would be something that could increase the nutrient ratio of the wolf’s egg.’

The more spectacularly he won, the higher the nutrient ratio Hyun-soo would gain.

‘How much would it increase if we win?’

Lee Se-jin watched the screen intently.

***

The descendant of Spear Heaven, Frak, frowned upon meeting the person who introduced himself as Viscount  Hyun-soo.

Glancing to the side, he could see Spear Heaven’s lip movements.

‘It’s the current blacksmith Hyun.’

Through the name Hyun-soo and stories, Spear Heaven also recognized him as the protagonist of the rumors.

He reminisced about the spear he received as a gift from Spear Heaven.

(Ouroboros Spear)

Grade: Unique

Durability: 7,000/7,000

Attack Power: 451

Restriction: 300~450, Spearman

Special Abilities:

·Spear attack power increased by 23%.

·Spear mastery level increased by 5.

·Passive skill Fearless Snake.

·Passive skill Snake’s Spear.

·Active skill Snake Explosion.

·Active skill Snake Festival.

·Ouroboros ego imbued.

·Snake appearance effect.

Description: A masterpiece created by an outstanding blacksmith of the Praham Kingdom, closest to legend. It exhibits the actual power of legends when it hasn’t met its match.

The spear bestowed by the king was exceptional.

‘Do you issue a challenge with such a spear in hand?’

Was this meant for him, who possessed this amazing spear?

At this moment, Frak believed himself to be invincible.

And then Hyun said,

“You are wearing some great stuff, aren’t you?”

Frak misunderstood,

Thinking it was a sarcastic remark about winning through the power of artifacts.

Frak loudly said,

“An artifact is also a nation’s power, and if a knight possesses it, it’s his power, isn’t it! How can you speak ill of wearing good artifacts!?”

Laughter spread from the Praham Kingdom camp.

And the Goyard Kingdom camp agreed as well.

Frak looked at his spear with affection.

Chiieee-

The shape of a snake flickering and disappearing.

The offspring of Ouroboros imbued in this spear was special.

It never trembles in fear even when meeting a worthy opponent.

Moreover, as long as it does not encounter a superior artifact, it grows infinitely stronger under the passive skill ‘Fearless Snake,’ unleashing the power of legend.

And now, the snake.

[The Ouroboros Spear shows its ferocity as it hasn’t found its match.]

[It exerts greater power than usual.]

It displayed its usual arrogance.

Slowly, a soldier’s hand was raised to the sky.

And Frak’s face, who had been sneering at Hyun-soo, stiffened.

“Hoooh…”

Tremendous pressure began to emanate from the stance he took.

***

[Descendant of Spear Heaven Frak Lv.340]

Hyun-soo calmly breathed.

He was aware,

The difference between him and the descendant of Spear Heaven Frak was clear.

But he remembered what he learned from the Sword King Barad.

‘Find a way out in any situation.’

That breakthrough. His own plan was already being realized.

Activating the swordsmanship taught by the Sword King, a mirage briefly dominated the battlefield.

The moment the soldier lowered his hand, the duel began.

Gwaaaang-!

Frak’s spear and Hyun-soo’s sword strike fiercely collided.

Chiii-!

As the spear was blocked, a snake suddenly appearing from the shaft bit Hyun-soo.

Crack-!

[HP drops below 94%.]

It wasn’t just a simple defeat.

As taught by Barad,

And according to Hyun-soo’s growth.

“Snake Festival.”

“Cry of the Sword.”

Both unleashed endless attacks and retreated, unfolding them simultaneously.

Snake Festival, the power of hundreds of snakes becoming spears and moving.

Kukwakwakwakwakwak-!

Hyun-soo was endlessly penetrated.

However, it wasn’t just Hyun-soo.

The descendant of Spear Heaven also suffered massive damage.

[HP falls below 60%.]

[The descendant of Spear Heaven’s HP falls below 80%.]

But the difference in power between Hyun-soo and Spear Heaven was clear.

‘Even if we attack the same number of times…’

Hyun-soo’s HP had dropped significantly more, and the descendant of Spear Heaven had more skills that exerted overwhelming power.

And although there was no Snake Festival, there was a power in the Cry of the Sword.

[All senses of those recognized as enemies within a 20m radius are paralyzed for 3 seconds.]

Frak made a quick decision.

‘It’s over.’

The man named Hyun must have intended to use these 3 seconds of paralysis.

To concentrate all his power into a single, critical strike within those 3 seconds.

However, Frak scattered the strongest power imbued in the Ouroboros Spear.

That was the Snake Explosion.

Chiieee-

Dozens of snakes dispersed from his spear, and at the same time, Frak was paralyzed.

The snakes would explode upon touching an enemy.

One of the snakes that leaped forward exploded first.

Kwaaaang-!

A blast of debris and a cloud of dust filled Spear Heaven’s view.

Watching snakes crawl through the dust, the descendant of Spear Heaven anticipated the imminent series of explosions and then wore a puzzled expression.

‘Hawks? Why are hawks suddenly flying in?’

Two hawks flew into the dust.

Soon, a shocking notification was heard.

[The Ouroboros Spear confronts a legend.]

[The spear is afraid.]

The spear he held.

The spear was feeling fear in response to the artifact worn by the opponent.

But then something even stranger happened.

The snakes crawling into the dust suddenly began to freeze.

Crrrrck-

Even more astonishing was.

[Extreme fear paralyzes the spear’s functions.]

[The Ouroboros Spear temporarily downgrades to below Unique.]

[The Ouroboros Spear temporarily downgrades to below Epic…]

[The Ouroboros Spear temporarily downgrades to below Rare…]

[The Ouroboros Spear refuses to fight against it!]

“Uh…?”

Frak’s mind flashed back to when he had shouted at Hyun-soo.

‘An artifact is also a nation’s power, and if a knight possesses it, it’s his power, isn’t it! How can you speak ill of wearing good artifacts!?’

Soon, Hyun-soo stepped forward through the dust, and Frak stepped back upon seeing the artifact he held.

***

Hyun-soo heard notifications amidst the dust.

[A gift from Lisel has arrived.]

[A gift from Bark has arrived.]

In his right hand, the Dragonlight Sword.

In his left, the Aegis.

Hyun-soo, wearing one legend and a shield closest to another legend, walked out through the dust.

[Ouroboros hides deep within the spear.]

Frak shouted in confusion.

“Come out, come out!”

The snake Ouroboros, stronger than any other snake in the world.

Frak couldn’t understand why it had run away.

Then, Hyun-soo, pointing the Dragonlight Sword at Frak, sneered.

“No snake can unfold its cunning in front of a dragon.”

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