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(221) Volume 23 2 — Sword Master Ash
(221) Volume 23 2 — Sword Master Ash
Volume 23: Chapter 2: Sword Master Ash
Weed reached level
392 hunting in the wasteland.
“Have to admit.
This is a pretty nice hunting ground.”
The place was now
swarming with skeletons.
Since monsters
came to wasteland often, all you had to do was to fight with all you got among
all these skeletons.
When these poor
skeleton fight and end up hurt, Weed took their places, kills the monster and
monopolized the items not caring whether the other skeletons had their bones
crushed.
“Now this is what
I call a hunting ground.”
Even decent
hunting dungeons wouldn't be this good.
“Stat window!”
Character Name: Weed
Alignment: Undead
Level: 392
Affiliation: Undead Legion
Class: Battle Crazed Skeleton Warrior
Health: 87,411
Mana: 41,829
Strength: 1,463
Agility: 1,293
Vitality: 766
Wisdom: 663
Intelligence: 665
Fighting Spirit: 541
Endurance: 453
Perseverance: 753
Resilience: 455
Charisma: 414
Leadership: 706
Courage: 127
Power of Undead: 264
+Death Aura is Active
With continuous
battles, Weed’s rank became a Skeleton Warrior.
‘Regardless,
skeleton is low class in Undead Army.’
Opportunity for class
promotion was given again.
Weed chose
skeleton warrior among the choice of skeleton soldier, skeleton mage, and
skeleton archer.
Few more battles
later, Necromancer players gained qualifications for promotion as well.
“Phew, it was
really hard, but finally I can become a mage.”
Jeanne, Otem,
Bohram, Harien and players named Gruzed, Varenna who fought with such passion
chose to be skeleton mages and could now summon Undeads along with most of players.
“I accept the
power of intellect from the great Balkan.
With great loyalty
to Undead Army, I shall fight for the great Balkan.”
By taking an oath
of loyalty, they were able to finish the promotion process.
Because skeletons
were able to change class freely, some chose to be an archer for a moment.
Newbie Necromancers needed to fight with intellect and mana but in early stage,
they weren't able to achieve a lot.
Therefore they
just supported Undeads with bows and chose to be archers.
Skeleton mages also
obtained spell books.
“We can use basic
attack spells that skeleton mages use.”
“This is a curse
spell I haven’t heard of… It would be nice to use on summoned Undeads.”
“Let’s try these
in hunting.”
Players threw combined fire or ice balls and performed Undead summoning in a battle.
In a simple
battlefield where only skeletons existed, there were flames, glaciers, with ghouls,
zombies and basic skeleton being summoned.
Their physical
appearances were of skeletons but their levels and skills remained same. Thanks
to that, they were able to perform their true power and achieved greatly in the
skeleton army.
In the early to
mid phase where battle is fought directly, Weed monopolized all the monsters
but Necromancers showed their skills as if was a fierce competition.
“Gather hear,
skeletons!”
As their ranks went
up, players gained authority for giving commands to skeletons in Undead Army.
Necromancers players
loved this as they can now control skeletons in a battle.
Jeanne, Bohram,
Otem, Harien, Gruzed and Varenna excelled in battles.
When they first
came, they revealed their whole body structure but as they obtained rewards and
items, they wore grey robes.
Weed just watched
their hunt and did his part.
‘Ordering Undeads
is way too slow at the critical moment.’
As number of
skeletons increased, the difficulty of quests raised to C.
Big boss-material
monsters appeared often but when they were about to die, ordering ghouls and
zombies to attack it slowed things down.
Weed used his entire
body hunting for experience and drops.
Because he was
dressed similar to normal skeletons, it was hard to realize that it was Weed wiping
out monsters cunningly from far distance.
Weed’s title became
from ‘Skeleton Knight with Painful Past Memories’ to ‘Purely Rotten Skeleton King’
which was the highest rank for a skeleton.
It was when he
finished the quest ‘Skeleton Guardians of Navir”
-
You have earn a qualificatioin for higher ranked Undead position.
He could now become
a high rank Undead and not just a simple skeleton.
But Weed continued
with his skeleton-related quests, waiting for other players to get the
qualification.
Of course it wasn’t
some sympathy for those far behind from him.
‘You never know
which could be better’
He assumed he can
decide after seeing the other players make their choices.
Additionally, this
is a satisfying place due to continuous large scale battles.
“It says I can be a
higher ranked Undead.”
“Really?
Congratulations!”
“How did you
manage to get it so early? Give me some tips.”
“I don’t know,
maybe because I controlled the Undeads so well?”
Necromancer player
named Jeanne left after obtaining a qualification but Weed didn’t go with her.
‘I’m pretty sure it
not to different from the skeleton quests.”
It was obvious
since the ranks of Undeads are fixed.
Other players left
one by one after getting qualifications.
From then on, he
gained informations from conversations between the other playerse.
“Harien told me
secretly. Jeanne and Otem became Banshees now.”
The roaring ghost
Banshee.
Spreading
malicious energy, with a bit of supernatural skills, they were able to cast
magic.
“Where do they
hunt?”
In a village where
no one lives. There are haunted houses and a fortress but they haven’t looked
in too in that much.
“How about the monsters?”
There were many players
trying to get information about monsters besides Weed.
Since Necromancers
handle corpses, they especially wanted many information about monsters.
“It’s awesome. Undead
Army store their battle supplies in the fortress storage and so mass of
monsters invade more than 30 times in one day.”
“Holy… They must
be getting all the monsters they can ever want.”
Necromancers
preferred place where many monsters appear.
Rather than
waiting for few strong monsters, it was much better to gain experience and
raise Undead summoning skill level from the swarming monsters.
“If that’s true, I
guess it’s ok to change hunting grounds.”
Weed chose his class
when 4 player chose their class.
Everyone chose
Banshee but he chose to become a Ghost Skeleton Warrior.
__________________________________________________
Over 30 thousand players
were assigned in building the cathedral and library in Morata.
Not all villagers
and players were involved in the construction. Some contributed by bringing
materials while hunting or proceeding their quests.
I have found a
place rich in Eplyn stones in Navi forest.
-Adventurer Kashoo
Adventurer’s
announcement was placed at the wall of the lord’s castle.
“It seems there
are many stones in Navi forest.”
“Let’s dig them
out.”
Players gathered
with pickax and dug up all the stones.
After they left,
Navi forest was devastated!
“Stones”
“I brought wood.”
Beginners brought
materials they could at their level.
Thanks to swarm of
architects and stonemasons, towers and walls of the Grand Cathedral and Grand Library
was built. At the ceiling of cathedral, they put a huge dome, making it high
enough to be seen anywhere in Morata.
“Did we really
build this?”
“How in the world
were we able to build these buildings by stacking up bricks and rocks?”
A grand structure
even those participated in the work couldn’t believe with their own eyes!
At the ceiling of
the dome, they inserted stained glass so that light could enter inside the cathedral.
“It’s not over
yet. We still have a lot more to work to do.”
Magicians helped
sculptors and painters with their works.
With flying spell,
it became much easier to paint and sculpt at the ceiling and higher part of
pillars.
Since they were
able to participate in a large-scale project with robust supports from all
levels of society, Artists didn’t save on their efforts.
Holy knights from
Freya order were built as sculptures and paintings were drawing on the ceiling.
Goddess Freya who
has endlessly wide grove and granaries!
Men were sitting
on their knee and making confessions to the Goddess.
With top-class
paints, not being thrifty about it and painting fully, with hundreds of colors,
they expressed scenery of grains, Goddess Freya’s dress and even men in a
colorful, detailed manner.
Showing richness
and beauty with confident.
Of course, Goddess
Freya’s appearance was based on the statue of Goddess Weed built.
Painters also paid
attention to the exterior of cathedral.
“Let’s paint the origin
of Morata here.”
The origin of
Morata. Painters from the Central Continent or who started out their career in
here have only heard about it.
How Weed saved
this village by defeating vampires with Alveron, the pope candidate of Freya
order.
Defeating the Northern
cold, Weed officially became the lord.
Freya statue of
Goddess was sculpted, the population increased, the village expanded.
The history up
till the building of the Grand Cathedral and Grand Library was drawn as a
mural.
The library lacked
in artistic beauty but it was built with huge and sturdy stones to be able to
store enormous resources in it.
For now, the only
books available for display are common history books sold in a general store or
books of folktales of northern Versailles Continent.
But when it
officially opens, it will be filled with scrolls or pieces of map from hunting
monsters and books of adventurers’ stories.
If information of
Northern part of the continent is gathered, more quests will be active and it
will be much convenient to resolve requests. This made players in Morata to get
thrilled for the completion of the library.
“I heard something
weird thing from the flower lady before… Could it be a hint for a quest?”
“I gave up a quest
due to lack of information. Maybe once the library is complete, I can try it
again.”
Everyone had few
quests that was difficulty and made them quit.
Quests only occured
with special triggers or sometimes meaningless requests lead to linked quests.
Therefore they can’t help getting excited for the completion of the library.
Players from the
Central Continent liked it as well but players who started from Morata had
their pride and self-esteem.
Morata lacked in
many ways compared to other metropolises but the fun of achieving things one by
one with their own hands cannot be explained in words!
The attachement of
living in a shack, and the energetic square and streets.
“This is truly the
best city.”
“No other city is
exceptionally beautiful or developing so fast.”
“I’m gonna make
sure my friends start in Morata.”
“I’m bringing
everyone to Morata.”
___________________________________________________
Geomchis that
decided to swim across to Morata!
“I think we just
passed half point.”
“Whooaa, already!”
If they got in the
ship, they would have arrived already but the fact that they are half-way from
their destination made them so happy.
“It’s kinda
exhausting swimming for such a long time.”
“It’s hard to swim
exactly how I want to because of the strong waves, sahhyeong!”
These Geomchis
must learn obvious things the hard way with their bodies.
If it’s rainy or
windy, it was a harder fight for them!
But still, the
distance they have come is fairly long.
Few days later,
they could see a land.
“Did we arrived
already?!”
“The tides in this
area helped us a bit, eh?”
“Yep, it was much
more convenient swimming for us.”
As they get close
to north, they were able to swim faster thanks to tides even though the water
got cold.
To say that they
are near Morata, it seemed like they arrived way too early as the beach and
trees were a bit unfamiliar.
“Sahyeong, let’s
go get something to eat. Who cares if it’s not the continent? We can just swim
again.”
They couldn’t
worry when they were hungry.
Geomchis had a
value of worrying only after filling their stomach.
They gathered
around, ate some clams and fish on a bonfire.
“If Weed was here,
he would have cooked us delicious foods.”
“Don’t forget
alcohols.”
“One sip of Weed’s
fruit liquor and you are done for!”
It was Malaska Island
they were taking a brief rest on.
A swordsman
staying in the island first smelled them and walked to the beach.
His name was Ash.
One of the nine
sword masters in Versailles Continent.
Unlike the Sculpting
Master, they were nine Sword Masters.
Three of them were
very famous that their whereabouts were well known.
Croma the head of
the knight order, Evirathan the paladin of Lugh and Percia who left to search for
the treasures of the kingdom as promised with the king.
To meet Croma, one
needs to a great reputation, elegance, honor and loyalty.
Since it was
easier to meet the requirements as a knight rather than as a swordsman, many
met Croma and learned his swordsmanship.
His skills were an
honorable promise. It enabled one to have triple the combat power briefly and
contained unique horseback swordsmanship.
Evrirathan was
easier to meet since he was one of the paladin of Lugh.
The only downside
was that because his skills were based on holy power, paladins from different
orders could not learn his swordsmanship.
Percia was
searching Navier Lake for the lost treasure, so anyone could meet him there.
His skills were
unknown to normal players but it was on the bulletin board of Dark Gamer Union.
·
Another Sword
-
Sword formed from mana fly around and defend the player.
-
Cannot control it directly and the size, durability, defence
varies by the skill level.
-
Low mana consumption.
-
Effectively blocks arrows or targeted magic.
Dark Gamers who
didn’t fear adventures and players of the highest-rank learned Percia’s
swordsmanship.
Other than these
three, no one knows about the other six.
If by any chance
one finds them, they kept it to themselves as they had no reason to tell others
about it.
But right now,
these Geomchis encountered Ash a new Sword Master right in the middle of the
ocean.
“You came here to
learn swordsmanship?”
Ash spoke with
low-pitched tone.
Just as expected
from a Sword Master, he released a fierce aura of a beast.
“If you want my
swordsmanship, you must be qualified for it.”
Clang!
Ash drew his
sword, posed for a combat.
But these Geomchis
eating roasted fish didn’t reply.
Nothing is more
annoying than someone showing up and talking while they are eating something.
Their
personalities became violent when someone bothers them during a meal time!
“Those who look
for extreme of swordsmanship, shall see what the strength of a sword is through
me, Ash!”
He was the sword
master Ash. Anyone who wanted to master the sword desired to meet him.
He couldn’t
possibly be someone to be treated so coldly but Geomchis just kept ripping off
their fish.
“What on earth is
that guy talking about?”
“I don’t know, I
think he is challenging us?”
“Geez, why is he
bothering us when we are eating? Ask him if he has salts for the fish.”
To be honest, this
was a chance of a lifetime for them.
Because they were
martial artists, they were able to learn any skills related to any weapons.
Sword, spear, axe,
bow, dagger, you name it.
Attack skills
depending on a weapon types had things in commons so it wasn’t necessarily good
to learn as many skills as you can. As by focusing on using a single weapon the
attack skill level and proficiency increased.
Of course for Geomchis
it was swords!
As their weaponry
skills reached advance level 6, the destructive power of their swords increased
scarily.
They are able to
decide the amount of mana used on skills freely.
They can increase
the power of skills up to five times and if mana is low, they can perform
skills with low amount of mana.
Also, they can run
faster, jump higher or even form mana barriers with their swords.
If they showed it
to other players or take a video and upload it in internet, they could get
pretty famous but for these Geomchis, it wasn’t interesting.
Anyhow, it was
truly a great event for them to encounter Sword Master Ash.
Geomchi17 spoke.
“Well, since it’s
a challenge, I’ll accept it. Geomchis505, good luck.”
“Yes, sir!”
Geomchi505 tooth
dropped his fish stick and stood up.
“I request a
match. My name is Geomchi505.”
“Come, I will
awaken you to the world of swords.”
Geomchi505 bent
his knees a bit and posed defensively.
‘Guard first, then
counter.’
Since it was a
sword match, one needs to bring out one’s full potential even when not knowing
enemy’s abilities.
While Geomchi505
was waiting for enemy’s attack, Ash’s body cloned one by one, ending up with
thirty bodies.
As thirty Ashes
lifted their swords and posed attack stances, Geomchi505’s tension rose even
more.
______________________________________________________
-WOO HEE HEE HEE
HEE
-OOKIKIKIKIKI!
Creepy laughs were
heard in a village where ghosts lived.
Weed got assigned
to this village with ghosts in United Army and other players.
·
Ghost of Kapua
-
Ghosts are treated as a nuisance in the Undead Army.
-
If you succeed protecting the war material in Kapua, you will gain
a bit of trust.
Difficult: C
Restriction: Undead Only
-
Quest cannot be refused.
-
You have accepted the quest.
“Wheeeee,
arrrrrrrr, issssss, thisssss, playyyy ceeeee?”
Players who became
ghosts even sounded like one with echoes.
“Weeeeeee,
arrrrrrr, attttttt, Kapooooo, ahhhhh, caaaaaaa, stleeeeeee.”
Players such as Jeanne,
Otem, Goshu who arrived here first were relieved that the reinforcements came.
Weed moved his
ghost body around.
If you consume
mana, you can fly high and move faster.
‘Will this be
possible to?’
He went to the
wall and reached out with his hand. It didn’t stop at the wall. It went
through.
‘So it’s
possible.’
Weed moved forward
and completely went past the wall.
- You have passed through the wall.
By moving through an obstacle, health and
mana decreased by 200.
A Ghost’s
specialty.
Weed have summoned
many ghosts among the Undeads so he knew.
“Whaaaat,
theeeeee?”
Players paid
attention to Weed’s behaviour.
It was hard to
distinguish who’s who when they were all skeletons but now that he was the only
Ghost Skeleton Warrior among the Banshees, he stood out.
It’s not uncommon
for a ghost to pass through obstacles since it’s their specialty.
But Weed, he’s
adapted way too quickly.
Plus, ghosts’ legs
didn’t touch the ground so they float around in the air.
Because it feels
like they are walking in water, they feel physically unnatural.
Jeanne and Otem
were still getting used to the feeling but Weed adapted to the changed body
fast.
Weed’s longswords
and armors turned into ghosty appearance as well.
Legendary Rusted Sword
Durability: 34/51
Attack: 29~41
- Monster slaying sword.
- A sword bestowed by the Duke.
- Used for a long time without
any maintenance by the Undead. But it still has sharpness.
- It will be difficult but if
repaired there is a possibility to return to its former state.
Restriction: Undead
Option: Fame +34
Elegance +30
Notoriety: +170
Attack grades of Undead in the Undead Army
increases.
He already had the
best sword among the rusty swords.
It was same for
armors but he repaired it to the minimum and equipped it.
But as it
ghostified, his sword and armors’ status have changed.
The attack got
reduced to more than half but when it hit the critical points, the critical
chance increases and did double damage.
Not being able to
be destroyed anymore was an obvious change.
Suddenly sounds of
ghosts wandering around in the castle and village disappeared.
Jeanne spoke.
“Gettttt, reaaaa,
dyyyyy, theyyyy, areeeeee, commmmm, ingggg.”
Grotesque green
monsters appeared and advanced on Kapua castle.
Banshees screamed
in a hard-to-understand way and initiated the battle.
Necromancer players
fighting with summoned Undeads!
Weed performed
great achievements in a battle that took place in haunted houses in the
village.
Only he moved
freely even when Undeads, ghosts and monsters were in a dog fight.
“Assiiii, milateeeeee”
Weed’s body went
through the wall as if to hide.
Using the ghost’s
specialty, he hid and ambushed for a pre-emtive strikes against the monsters!
Using covertness
as a main tactic, he took care of few monsters but the real event started when
the battle became more intense.
Weed rushed
through the building and walls.
- You have passed through the wall.
By moving through an obstacle, health and
mana decreased by 200.
- You have passed through the wall.
By moving through an obstacle, health and
mana decreased by 200.
His vision
completely changed every time he went past walls.
Swinging sword on
every monsters on sight, he kept moving.
-Critical strike!
Slashing at the
very short moment, and he even took items!
Monsters came
after him but obviously failed as Weed just went through the walls.
Not only was it
very effective ambush, it turned the geographic features into his shield.
‘I knew it. It’s
much better to play solo in a place where Undeads and monsters are rampaging.’
Injured monsters
were everywhere. Therefore he was at the upper hand in drops and items when he
was alone.
A fortress and a
village, now this is a best battlefield for ghosts.
When he succeeded
defending for the seventeens times, he obtained a horse.
Neighhh!
A phantom horse!
Weed’s armor was
grey resembling deep darkness and he also wore a helmet to conceal his face.
Among rampaging
ghosts and Undeads, he rode his ghost horse, sweeping experiences and items.
In Kapua, not only
monsters came more often, they were at higher standard compared to when he was
a skeleton.
It was such a
great hunting ground to make achievements without not being seen.
His title elevated
greatly from Ghost Skeleton Warrior.
- Pale Rider
According to his
title, he gained 500 fame and a skill that fiercely intimidates enemies
emotionally by releasing his mettle.
Unfortunately but
obviously it could only be used when he was a ghost.