Chapter 168: Sky Above The Sky
Lanuvel, who was Level 200, suddenly grew to Level 2,000. The level at which a parrot evolved into an ammonite! Her skills used to be only in the General Area, but now she possessed several Transcendental Realm Skills like they were nothing.
However, Lanuvel wasn't the only one who changed. The knights of the royal palace around her also lightly exceeded Level 1,000. They held no Transcendental Realm Skills, but they weren't like the combination of weak and pushy knights in the past.
▷ Race: Human
▷ Level: 1258
▷ Job: Knight (Loyalty → Indomitable↑)
▷ Skills: Sharpness MAX Swordsmanship MAX Stamina MAX Five senses SSS Resistance SSS…
▷ Status: Alert
They were now like the last fortress protecting the royal palace. After all, in the past, they were only idiots with a strong sense of pride that were actually weaker than named monsters.
…Wait. Did the monsters get stronger too? Even if you want to level up, if you don't have a place to receive experience points, you won't grow enough. Unless Fantasy God set it up like this "You're level 500 from today, and the next you will be level 600."
"Dear Hero, who knows Lanuvel's name? Have you come to your senses?"
"I'm Kang Han-soo."
Don't tilt your head and act cute while calling my name.
"Yes! Hero!"
"…"
"Are you confused because you were suddenly summoned without notice? This is Fantasy. It is a different dimension from the world where you were born and raised. It would be unreasonable to ask for your understanding right away. I'll explain it step by step from now on."
However, the content was slightly different.
1) The Five Great Disasters are about to awaken.
2) The crisis of humankind has arrived.
3) The prophesized hero was summoned.
4) Please save this world!
Was it because of the mission I received at the start of the 11th playthrough? Since the Demon King Pedonar had been resurrected, there was no story of stopping him, and instead, there were Five Great Disasters.
So Lanuvel's explanation was much longer as the enemies that must be defeated increased from one to five.
"Lanuvel will summarize and explain the enemies you will have to defeat in the future! The disaster of the Eastern Continent is the Cursed King Malfart. If you get cursed by him, you'll get blisters all over your body and suffer terrible pain. Frost Queen Elsh is the Disaster of the Northern Continent. It is said that her ice freezes even the heart.
"The Flame King Phoenix is the disaster of the Southern Continent. His hands are always burning with flames, so you will get burned if you get too close to him. And then Wraith King of the Western Continent, Shakespeare. He's a villain who raises the dead. Finally, the catastrophe of the Central Continent, the Dragon King Noebius. It is said that this dragon's venom is more terrible than the previous Four Great Disasters combined."
I listened silently without interrupting her explanation. This was to check if the setting was different from the Five Great Disasters in the elementary education curriculum. However, from my experience of defeating everything in the 1st playthrough, nothing seemed to have changed.
However…
"Where is the Dragon King?"
"As Lanuvel explained earlier, you may not know, the dragon is now being stopped using a holy artifact in the neighboring country, the Holy Empire. However, as the power of the relic has been weakening recently, this evil dragon is about to awaken."
"I see."
At the end of the twilight period, Noebius, the Dragon King, would die naturally within two years, even if left alone. However, in the secondary education curriculum, they extended his period of grace by freezing him. They used their brains well, huh? It was unlikely to fail the mission due to Noebius dying naturally during the adventure.
"Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lanuvel, an archaeologist who received a prophecy and summoned you during a trip to chase an ancient legend. Lanuvel means truth in the ancient language."
"Are you stupid? I know your old-fashioned name. Why would you introduce yourself again?"
"Boo…"
Lanuvel pouted her lips and pretended to be cute again. I, already on the verge of rage, succeeded in ignoring her. The 11th playthrough. I think I will be able to face my sworn enemy with a smile now. But Lanuvel…
"Hero, his Majesty is waiting."
The royal palace knight who was waiting nearby urged me to move. Nothing seemed to have changed so far, except the target of subjugation.
"Okay. Let's go."
*
Since there were no disturbances, there was no surprise in encountering the Sword King Alex in the royal palace hall. I also learned a lot in the 10th playthrough, after all. I remembered the contents of the strategy book explained by hero Luke well. Even if I entered the secondary education center, my purpose was no different from my elementary education center days.
No screwing around and then graduating quickly. We will proceed as smoothly as possible and return to Earth.
…With my child. I should also visit the Sword Princess in the North Continent to ensure that the admission counselor kept his promise. I didn't have time to hang out with the Dumpling King.
"Welcome to my land! Hero!"
"Thank you for the hospitality, Your Majesty."
I greeted by showing a thorough nobility etiquette as I glanced around. King, princes, princesses, queen, nobles, wizards…
Like Lanuvel and the royal palace knights, their average abilities were high though I found something peculiar.
▷ Race: Human
▷ Level: 164
▷ Job: Queen (Affection→ Devilshness↑)
▷Skills: Charm SSS Social SS Devilshness SS Elegance S Radiant S Attention S Song S Eternal Youth A Embroidery A Fascination A High-Pitch Voice A Command A Enemy Tracking B Resistance B Immunity B Sewing B Bath B Health B Body Shape B Energy B Etiquette B Faith C Diplomacy C Conspiracy C Revision C Love C Intelligence C Rest C Medication C Pregnancy C Deep Sleep C Mental C Reading C Physical Strength D Gardening D Jealousy D Composing D Corruption D Bluff D Childbirth D Evaluation D Fabrication D Fighting D Lyrics D Patience D Performance D Dagger D Cooking D Constipation D Obscene D Dark Energy E…
▷ Status: Estrus, Turbulence
The queen's level and skills had risen significantly overall. But only one. Only the skill dark energy didn't rise at all. Although it could be increased by consuming herbs or meat related to it scattered in nature, most cases were due to demons or higher demon followers infusing others with it. That was why I guess it was unaffected.
Here was the question.
"What happened to the Demon King?"
The Demon King Pedonar ruled the Southern part of the Central Continent. During the festival, he ran around pretending to be my father-in-law. He caused me plenty of trouble, and he played a role in laying the groundwork for a new technique. So, I wanted to surprise Demon King B, who didn't know anything, by introducing him to the new technique…
"The Demon King? If it's about Pedonar, I didn't hear that he was resurrected.
"…Is that so?"
Then whom was that dark energy received from? It would be from the demons, but they were also ruled by their superiors. If it was going to be like that, it was normal for the Demon King to finally come out. But the Demon King didn't exist now.
Then who the hell…
"Hero. Now you may not be good enough, but please defeat the Five Great Disasters and save humanity by improving your abilities."
"Abilities, huh…"
If I'm not good enough right now, how much more are you talking about?
▷ Race: Natural Spirit
▷ Level: 14047
▷ Job: Hero (Experience 500%)
▷ Skills: Gifted ZZ Divinity Z Dark Energy Z Fabrication MAX Speculation MAX Five Senses MAX Swordsmanship MAX Madness MAX Flight MAX Indomitable MAX Harassment MAX Boxing MAX Sword Play MAX Massacre MAX Judgment MAX Immortality MAX Fighting MAX Physical Skills MAX External Youth MAX External Life MAX Nature MAX Navigation MAX Harmony MAX Stamina MAX Negotiation MAX Enemy Tracing MAX Oblivion MAX Recovery MAX Patience MAX Vitality MAX Instigation MAX Evil Spirit MAX Spirit MAX Blessing MAX Annihilation MAX Chaos MAX Destruction MAX Immunity MAX Strength MAX Muscular Strength MAX Agility MAX Resistance MAX Energy MAX Regeneration MAX Immunity MAX Coolness MAX Iron Wall MAX Excellent MAX Intelligence MAX Taunt MAX Vitality MAX Perspective MAX Trading MAX Earthquake MAX Intimidation MAX Typhoon MAX Flood MAX Composure MAX Mining MAX Farming MAX Cooking MAX Smelting MAX Gathering MAX Fishing MAX Swimming MAX Breeding MAX Sympathy MAX Communication MAX Murder MAX…
Even though the Black Box wasn't activated, all of the existing skills were open. So it was a bit funny because it seemed like the faculty staff who might have been watching the game from afar were claiming that this was a review rather than a regression. In terms of skills alone, I was far more disadvantaged than Lanuvel.
But the level. My level was high enough to sweep a hundred Lanuvels away lightly. The higher the level of skill, the higher the efficiency. My F-Class skills were comparable to others' S-Class skills. The experience gained by killing three middle school students was that much. My level had been even higher before, too. After all, it declined after returning the souls of the three middle school students to the admission counselor to ensure a profitable deal.
Still, the fact that the skill was a deformed ability that couldn't keep up with the level didn't change.
"It doesn't matter."
I muttered as I left the audience. My ultimate goal was to be completely freed from these abilities. The Demon King bragged, "Don't worry about it disappearing!" but that was the story for when I became the Demon King's son-in-law.
I had no intention of marrying that cowardly woman. I shudder at her cowardice.
▷ Type: Skill
▷ Name: Gifted
▷ Grade: ZZ (35%)
▷ ZZZ: ???
▷ ZZ: Reconstruct from the source.
▷ Z: Breaking the limit becomes slightly easier.
▷ SSS: Dexterity increases considerably.
▷ SS: Success rate increases considerably.
▷ S: Proficiency increases considerably.
▷ A: Experience increases considerably.
▷ B: Dexterity increases slightly.
▷ C: Success rate increases slightly.
▷ D: Proficiency increases slightly.
▷ E: Experience increases slightly.
▷ F: Seems extraordinary from the first impression.
I glanced pleasantly at the skills that my proficiency was accumulating. A whopping 35% of Gifted ZZ's limit-breaking proficiency…! It was the result of gradually improving the skills while using one that reached MAX level as a sacrifice. These current skills were raised from F-Class to MAX during the festival.
Except for Fabrication. There was only one conclusion to reach. My production and auxiliary skills should be raised. This was because you can't sacrifice duplicate skills. I raised it to 35% with combat skills alone, but now there was no way to raise it further. The remaining breakthroughs were only possible with production and auxiliary-related skills.
I had to raise the skills in this area to MAX level and fill in the remaining 65%.
"Hero, is that something that matters?"
"There is such a thing."
"Please teach this Lanuvel."
"You are persistent. Ah! By any chance, do you know the Sword Princess?"
"What? Yes. I know. She's a famous genius swordsman in the North Continent. The lady's social circles have been talking about how she said she would marry the man who defeated her. She is second place in the companion recruitment rankings! I hope that the Hero's swordsmanship skills have grown enough to defeat the Sword Princess."
"Win in sword fighting, huh?"
There were times when I pierced her with my holy spear, a couple of hundred chained combos.
"You must be confident in your sword. But why are you suddenly asking about the Sword Princess?"
"…Is there anything about her having a baby?"
"B-baby?! The Sword Princess couldn't have had a baby in a situation where no man defeated her. Why? Are you going to propose to her?"
"Well…."
I thought I would know only when I met her and saw the situation. Was she hiding the existence of the child, or was he not yet born? But it was certain that my first destination was the North Continent. While there, let's defeat the Five Great Disasters as I check on the Sword Princess and the child.
▷ The disaster of the North Continent: Subjugation of Frost Queen Elsh (0/1)
She wasn't such a tough opponent if I had enough cold resistance. Getting there was much more cumbersome and difficult. But I had the wings of a righteous hero.
I could also ride on Green Cake's back if it were necessary. What was left?
"Haha! Hero, welcome to the Royal Palace Training Grounds! Looking at your flawless skin like a girl's, it seems you have never been properly trained. But don't worry. The kingdom's best sword will make you a great Hero! And in a short time."
The Sword King Alex. This son of a bitch. Unlike the elementary education curriculum, which was full of consideration, they didn't provide five days of fantasy adaptation this time. As soon as the king's audience was over, the royal palace knights following me led me to the palace training ground.
And I met my swordsmanship teacher. In Luke's strategy book, it was said that if you praise Alex, who was successful as a commoner, your training intensity will become more comfortable. But I didn't feel the need to get along with him. I had no desire to be trained.
I was leaving for the North Continent right away.
"Ha! Alex. If you can, go for it!"
He couldn't beat me even if he were upgraded in the secondary education curriculum like Lanuvel. And today, I would walk out and leave him with a herniated disc. This was the determined future.
"First of all, I have to show the proud Hero our difference in level."
"Level? I'm going to teach you today that there's a sky above the sky, Alex. The cost of education will be a bit expensive."
"If you are the sky, it is too narrow. You have already been cut."
"…What?"
Splash-!
Blood spurted horizontally from my waist. I couldn't believe it either, even when I saw it. I, who was a good and righteous hero, was defeated by Alex, an ignorant savage? But when? How…?
"It's called Heart Sword."
The sword of the heart?
"It's crazy…."
It was widely believed in fantasy academia that overwhelming levels crushed skills. But there were exceptions everywhere.
▷ Race: Human
▷ Level: 2915
▷ Job: Swordsman (Stamina = Swordsmanship↑)
▷Skills: Swordsmanship ZZZ Stamina ZZ Iron Wall Z Resistance Z Indomitable Z…
▷Status: Expecting