“D-Damn it. Let me go! It’s not over yet!”
“Sorry, but it’s all over now.”
Viscount Jaden was being dragged along by Dylan, who had him by the collar. The once splendid armor Jaden wore was now shattered and broken, reduced to mere scraps. His limbs hung limply, possibly broken, and he continued to babble incessantly.
‘Should I shut him up for good?’
Dylan clenched and unclenched his itching left hand, barely resisting the temptation. Viscount Jaden’s final charge had achieved nothing. It was far too obvious, and the count’s strongest knights were already waiting for him.
While the heads of the various knight orders and the best power armor users held off the remaining power armor users, Dylan faced Jaden. Viscount Jaden’s skill level was at Expert high rank.
With the tattoos of the empire’s runes, he could temporarily boost himself to a near Master level. But it was ineffective against Dylan.
Thud! Crash!
People didn’t call Dylan “the body blessed by the gods” for nothing.
Having learned the 『Zeinak’s Martial Arts (A+)』 from Raul, Dylan’s body was practically a combat weapon.
Jaden’s mana blade couldn’t penetrate Dylan’s fists. In fact, the absurd sight of the mana blade shattering against Dylan’s punches occurred. The great swordsmanship of House Ashton was similar to spear techniques, suited for mid-range combat.
Although slightly slower than a typical sword, it had superior range and destructive power. However, it was not ideal for close combat, and in extreme close quarters, martial arts were necessary. In this regard, Dylan, equipped with excellent martial arts, was a nemesis to Jaden, who had mastered the house’s swordsmanship.
‘As expected, I wasn’t wrong!’
Raul watched the duel with a satisfied smile. Just as Raul had judged, his elder brother Dylan was more suited for martial arts than swordsmanship. Once he had started learning advanced martial arts, Dylan, who had been stuck at the entry level of high rank, swiftly reached the peak and mastered it within just three months.
And now, the result was evident to all on the battlefield.
Thud! Thwack! Crash!
Dylan systematically broke through Jaden’s defenses, finally disabling his power armor and shattering his great sword with aura-infused punches. Ultimately, with his armor turned to rags and his limbs broken, Viscount Jaden was captured by Dylan, marking the end of the short yet intense civil war within the count’s house.
Shink.
In front of all, Count Melvin beheaded Viscount Jaden. Jaden, with a look of unjust disbelief, tried to say something, but he was executed without being given a chance. It was the count’s decision to swiftly end the unnecessary fraternal tragedy.
For a while, a bloody purge swept through the count’s territory. All of Jaden’s co-conspirators were executed without exception, and the lords who had sided with him were stripped of their titles and exiled from the domain.
Those loyal to the count were appointed in their place, and the territory was reorganized with the count’s house at its center. As the saying goes, “the ground hardens after the rain,” House Ashton, now unshaken and solidified, would steadfastly navigate through the turbulent times ahead.
***
Raul also received rewards. Count Melvin generously gave Raul 50 of the 100 power armors seized in the final battle. Additionally, Raul’s entire territory, including Calix Castle, was recognized as an independent domain, establishing a cooperative relationship with the count’s house rather than a subordinate one.
Moreover, Raul received 500,000 gold as a reward from the confiscated assets of the rebels. With this, the First Knights secured roughly 180 power armors. From the original 60, they obtained 10 from raiding the Imperial Hound’s hideout, 60 during the territorial battle, and 50 from the final confrontation.
‘Once all repairs are complete, we could possibly form two knight orders entirely of armor users.’
With such strength, no force short of a prestigious family would dare challenge Raul’s territory. While this was already a sufficient gain, Raul received yet another reward.
Karma Quest 『Baron Alliance Encirclement』 has been completed. Check your rewards.
Alternate Scenario 『Betrayer’s End』 has been completed. Check your rewards.
Completion of 『Betrayer’s End』 has opened a new hidden scenario 『New Heir of House Ashton』.
Upon seeing the system messages, Raul scoffed.
‘Not doing that, Count!’
The system kept presenting strange scenarios, but Raul had no interest in them. Having secured an independent territory, why would he engage in a succession dispute?
The affairs of the count’s house were now beyond his concern. Raul dismissed the system messages and checked the rewards for the completed quests.
‘Oh, I received two titles?’
『Title – Specialist in Territorial Warfare』
Grade: B+
Effect: +20% morale for all troops when commanding territorial warfare, +5% personal combat power in territorial warfare.
It was evidently a reward for his role in territorial battles. While it was uncertain how often he would engage in territorial warfare in the future, it seemed quite useful.
『Title – Punisher’s Mace』
Grade: A+
Effect: +10% combat power against traitors, betrayers, and the corrupt, +10% additional combat power when aiding someone.
Although the title appeared advantageous, its conditions were somewhat restrictive. The lack of clear targets was a bit disappointing, but it wasn’t bad.
In fact, if the conditions were met, it could be incredibly effective.
‘Passive buffs are always welcome.’
The actual noticeable increase in combat effectiveness was uncertain, but considering how difficult it becomes to increase proficiency as skill levels rise….
Among the rewards, aside from the titles, the most eye-catching were two small pills in his hand.
『Absolute Stat Boost Pill』
Grade: S
Effect: Instantly increases the selected stat by (+1) permanently upon consumption. The stat increase effect continues to grow based on the user’s absolute stats.
Example: If a stat is 70, it increases to 71. If the stat later reaches 80, it increases to 81.
‘Yes, this kind of reward is fitting for achieving a scenario overturn!’
For each multiple of ten, the experience needed for growth and the effective gains in stats exponentially increase. However, these pills defy that rule, providing a +1 increase to the stat unconditionally.
In other words, even if Raul reaches the human growth limit of 100 in a stat, these pills would boost it to 101, making them incredibly valuable items.
In his previous life, Raul had only obtained one such item, but now he had two.
‘Well, I didn’t even reach 90 in my past life.’
This time, he wanted to surpass that limit. After setting the pills aside, Raul checked his other rewards. He received several item enhancement tickets, some B-Grade or lower skill book tickets, 150,000 player coins, and a significant amount of experience points.
‘Well, is that it?’
It didn’t quite meet Raul’s expectations. This was likely because he had broken the forced scenario. Nevertheless, having received substantial real-world rewards and successfully overcoming his family’s crisis, he had no complaints.
‘Shall I check my status window after a long time?’
Since realizing that the numbers in the status window were not the ultimate measure of strength, Raul rarely opened it. As one’s level increased, the more important aspect was the feel of the body rather than visible numbers.
However, with a major task completed and preparations for the next phase needed, he was curious to see his progress.
“Status Window Open.”
『Name』: Raul
『Level』: 84->99 (Hardcore Mode)
*Class: Knight (Sword Expert Highest Grade), intermediate Psychokinetic
『Affiliation』: Ashton county, house of Young master Raul, First Knight Order
『Stats』:
『Strength 75->80』
『Agility 79->82』
『Endurance 76->81』
『Intelligence 71->77』
『Willpower 80->83』
『Magic 79->82』
『Spirit 82->85』
『Perception 81->83』
*Unique Traits:
Skill Collector (EX)
Developer’s Analytical Eye (EX)
Psychokinesis Master (S+)
Noble Swordmaster’s Lineage (A)
??? (EX)
“Hoo, I maxed it out.”
At some point, his level had risen to 99. Moreover, his main skills, Infinity Sword (S+) and Psychokinesis (S), had reached Intermediate level 9.
This marked the beginning of the infamous ‘999 Hell’ phase that caused many players to despair.
To reach the next stage, known as Master, you had to surpass level 100 and raise your main skills to Advanced level 1. This process was notoriously difficult. Opening the system messages at the bottom of the status window revealed some noteworthy information.
-Player Raul is the first to reach level 99.
-The special title 『Pioneer』 has been awarded.
-This is the current level cap for players. Until further updates, additional experience points will not be supported by the Connect system.
‘Yeah, I figured this would happen.’
He had hit the game’s level cap, the maximum level. In his past life, he had also been the first to reach level 99 and had seen similar messages.
『Title – Pioneer』
Grade: EX
Effect: Experience points and all skill proficiency +5%
Since it was an expected title, it didn’t evoke much sentiment.
The problem was that if things stayed as they were, he would lose the advantage of having started ahead of others. However, there was an additional message he hadn’t seen before.
-Scanning player for irregularities.
-Confirmed that player Raul is a resident of Connect.
-Special adjustments for residents (NPC) applied.
-Player Raul is now subject to the experience boost system for residents (NPC) until the next update.
A smile crept onto Raul’s lips.
‘Yeah, I figured this would happen.’
Residents included entities like Sword Masters and even higher-level superhumans. Even with a player level cap, as a resident, Raul could continue to grow.
Moreover, the guild members of the First Knight Order, though ordinary NPCs, had advanced leaps and bounds faster than others due to this ‘resident experience boost system.’
‘It might not be as good as the player-exclusive system, but it will be plenty helpful.’
Without this assistance, Raul, like others, would have had to train for decades to reach the Master level through sheer effort.
Though it was unclear when the next update would be, he needed to maintain a lead that other players couldn’t catch up to.
From now on, it was a battle of time and perseverance. The journey from level 99 to 100 was arduous. Raising this single level required more time and effort than all the previous ones combined.
In his past life, it had taken nearly ten years, but this time it wouldn’t take as long.
‘I have the resident experience boost and Master Caldenas’ teachings as my cheat codes.’
And once he reached that level, unlike in his past life, he wouldn’t be dragged along by scenarios. Renewing his determination, Raul successfully concluded his first major goal: overcoming the family crisis.
***
The capital of the Ruben Kingdom, Thurium.
Although the territorial battle and the internal conflict within the count’s house had concluded, not everything was resolved.
The royal family demanded an explanation from Raul for conducting a territorial battle without a royal observer and for rejecting the mediation proposal.
Furthermore, there were critical voices within political circles accusing House Ashton of disregarding the royal family by executing Viscount Jaden and several nobles.
Regardless of the weakening power of the royal family, completely alienating them would be unwise.
Thus, Raul personally ascended to the First Knight Order branch in the capital to gauge the atmosphere and prepare for a visit to the royal palace.
“…Therefore, most royal affairs are currently being decided through the Third Prince, Herdian…”
Kane briefed Raul with information gathered from various spies, causing Raul to furrow his brow in frustration.
‘The Third Prince keeps weighing on my mind.’
The presence of the Third Prince, who seemed both different and unchanged from his past life, was complicating matters in various ways.
In his past life, the Third Prince had a high probability of becoming king, so Raul’s concern continued to grow.
At that moment, a servant entered and announced, “Master, you have a visitor.”
(To be continued)