Chapter 67

“What crazy commission…?”

I felt disillusioned as the commission fee was more than the money I earned from working tirelessly for two months without sleep. However, this also proved how large the sponsorship amount was. The direct amount of money received by me alone was 240 million won. It made me incredibly happy yet bewildered at the same time.

“No, does it make sense? I’m not even a celebrity, and people sponsored 300 million won for just one novel… Moreover, to a rookie whose sales barely reached three digits?”

It seemed utterly unexpected. Even for the wealthy, amounts reaching billions aren’t taken lightly.

‘I don’t know what is going on but I can start my plan now.’

I installed a stock program and bought 10 shares of Nemesis before using up all the remaining money. I purchased class summon cards, pet summon cards, and diamond packages galore. After exhausting the package, I used the diamonds to buy dozens of items from the exchange. Then…

“Login.”

In Ardenia, I took out everything.

Collection completed!

Giant’s Strength (Power Gauntlet Lv. +7, Great Shield Lv. +7, Hard Steel Armor Lv. +9): Strength +3

Sword Master’s Legacy (Katana Lv. +7, Mithril Blade, Speed Boots): Strength +1

Blood King’s Proof (Blood Sword Lv. +9, Blood Armor Lv. +7, Blood Jade Lv. +7): Strength +2, Health +1…and 23 others.

The concept of collections was simple. When obtaining classes, gatekeepers, pets, etc., they were registered as collectibles and provided stats. In fact, a significant portion of my current stats had increased due to these collections.

‘However, I haven’t even started with the equipment collection.’

Combined, the class, gatekeeper, and pet collections didn’t amount to half of the equipment collection’s potential. Investing in the equipment collection could yield significantly more stats! But who better than me to understand this?

“I didn’t want to resort to spending money, but…”

For classes, pets, and gatekeepers, simply acquiring them automatically registered them in the collection system via “[In-app Purchases].” However, the equipment collection functioned differently.

To “consume equipment” meant to destroy perfectly good gear! Even worse, any decent collection required level-9 enhanced items. Normal-rank equipment acquired artifact-grade special effects when enhanced to level 9, but he couldn’t bring himself to ruin them until now.

However, things had changed thanks to the support from his mysterious sponsor.

“Phew…I’ve completed all the collections I could.”

He filled every possible slot using level-10 enhanced items. Additionally, whenever strength or vitality allowed him to complete lower-level collections, he did so. He even managed to fill two slots requiring level-9 enhanced items!

But that wasn’t all.

Shing.

He unsheathed his sword:

[Kaichu (Rare) +9]

He stored Valhalla (Hero) +6 in the inventory and equipped this new weapon instead. Although Valhalla was undoubtedly a good weapon, its overall performance suffered due to having the Hit stat attached.

In Revenge, Hit was crucial as it could mean life or death, but not so much in Ardenia. Moreover, Kaichu’s unique special effect, activated at +9 enhancement, compensated for its lower stats compared to other rare-grade weapons, making it more suitable for jae-yeon.

[Unstoppable Force (Advanced) (Passive)]

Additional damage is dealt based on your final strength value during regular attacks.

Ping!

Next, he put on the rest of his gear, starting with the helmet that covered him from head to toe.

[Earth Drake Helmet (Hero) +4]. [Earth Drake Chestplate (Hero) +4]. [Earth Drake Bottoms (Hero) +4]. [Earth Drake Gauntlets (Hero) +4]. [Earth Drake Boots (Hero) +4].

The set effect was activated accordingly:

[Earth Drake’s Monstrous Strength (Hero)]

A buff of 30% pure strength applied.

I didn’t upgrade them to Lv. 9 because I aimed for the set effect. Even if I had a lot of money, it wasn’t infinite.

[Equatorial Dokkaebi Earrings (Rare) +9], [Azure Dokkaebi Earrings (Rare) +9], [Dokkaebi King’s Necklace (Hero) +6], [Cold Guardian Ring (Rare) +9], [Ogre’s Ring (Rare) +9].

These accessories were always out of reach due to their price.

[Bracelet of Valor (Hero) +9], [Giant’s Bracelet (Rare) +9]. [Belt of Struggle (Hero) +9].

Finally, I succeeded in strengthening accessories to +9.

“Wow… this is really amazing. Is this the taste of capitalism…?”

I was standing quietly but my body seemed to boil over. The strange power enveloping my entire body felt strong enough to throw buildings. There was even a climax.

-Crackling! Crackling! Crackle!

An aura rose behind me. It existed behind me, providing savage stats and powerful buffs. Ruler of Thunder Mountain (Gatekeeper) – Awakened Thunderbird (Legendary), Lv. 30.

In Ardenia, I recovered Soul Crystals from those who lost their equipment due to failed enforcements and used them to strengthen the gatekeeper up to level 30.

And here was the result:

[Awakened Sun Thunderbird (Legendary)]

The ruler of Thunder Mountain, born from concentrated lightning energy.

The defeated and nearly extinct Sun Thunderbirds underwent rebirth by consuming countless bolts of lightning, transforming them into entirely new beings.

Level 5: Health +35

Level 10: Mana +35; Lightning Attribute Power +100

Level 15: Strength +35

Level 20: Stamina +35; Agility +35; Lightning Attribute Power +100

Level 25: Magic Resistance +35

Level 30: Mana +35; Mana Recovery +35; Recovery +35; Great Thunderbolt

Honestly, I wasn’t particularly fond of the special effects. Since it wasn’t water attribute, the lightning attribute power wasn’t very useful in my current situation.

However, these insane stat increases made up for it. Despite being spread across various stats instead of focusing on one specific attribute, the overall increase was substantial enough to satisfy me completely. As expected from a legendary gatekeeper at the highest tier, her stats far surpassed those of hero-class gatekeepers.

And here were the results after adding all those values:

ID: Han Jae-yeon

Class: Sword King (Hero)

Title: Novice Adventurer (General)

Level: 43

Strength: 190 (+361)

Stamina: 75 (+155)

Health: 90 (+224)

Agility: 52 (+215)

Mana: 1 (+110)

Magic Power: 1 (+60)

Magic Resistance: 1 (+50)

Recovery: 100 (+50)

Mana Recovery: 21 (+46)

Luck: 10

Free Stats: 0

Condition: Normal

”…Excellent.”

My strength surpassed 550 points now, and with the full buff from the Grandmaster’s Roar, it would exceed 650 points.

To put this insane level of power into perspective, I could potentially compete against a gigas in arm wrestling.

And most likely…I’d win.

It was beyond human and even surpassing machine-like strength. Additionally, my other stats were no longer negligible, making me incredibly formidable. With these physical abilities alone, I might be able to overpower Completed Beings now.

Yes, it’s possible. In fact…it should be quite effortless.

There is no reason for further hesitation.

“It’s time to move out.”

The season of war had arrived.

“Get out of my way immediately! Do you know who I am?!” Near the entrance to the castle, a group was causing quite a commotion. It consisted of knights clad in full armor and nobles dressed in expensive attire.

Regardless of which territory they visited, these people were typically greeted with open arms by the feudal lords themselves, but the soldiers blocking their path looked unimpressed.

“I know exactly who you are, Sir Knight Dalton of the Blue Knights family. You should stop before you embarrass yourself further.”

“You! You insolent cur! How dare you insult me, you—?!”

Clang!

Finally, swords were drawn. Of course, it wasn’t a wise decision, and Dalton instantly regretted his actions.

Crap! This damn temper of mine…!

Dalton had always lived life as he pleased, but now neither the circumstances nor the location were suitable for such behavior.

The Starting Kingdom was completely free from the influence of Chrome, and during his several-day stay there, Dalton had witnessed military might beyond anything he could have imagined back home. If they killed this soldier here, it would be akin to dropping themselves right in the middle of enemy territory.

But I can’t just sheathe my sword now.

To draw one’s blade due to impatience only to sheepishly return it to its scabbard would tarnish a knight’s honor.

There was but one way out for him.

“Apologize immediately! If you kneel before me and beg forgiveness, I may consider pardoning you!”

If the soldier submitted and pleaded with him, Dalton could save face by sheathing his weapon without issue. In fact, it would make him appear merciful.

However, the young woman representing the soldiers didn’t react as he expected. Instead of cowering and begging for forgiveness, she grinned maliciously at him.

“Yes…I’ve been wanting to cross swords with you, knight. These numbskulls clearly aren’t on par with Stonestone.”

“What—what?! Y-you…just said what?” Dalton stammered.

Dalton’s mistake was obvious even to the envoys from Chrome Kingdom who had witnessed this exchange, not to mention those from the other three kingdoms watching from afar. They were all stunned by her audacity.

They knew Dalton had erred, but they never imagined that one of these low-ranking soldiers—a woman no less—would have the gall to challenge him after his display of discipline.

The reactions of Dalton’s own soldiers behind him were equally surprising.

“Ohhh! Lieutenant, show them what you’re made of!”

“I heard you just hit level thirty-five!”

“You rock! You’re so pretty and amazing, Lieutenant!”

Dalton grimaced at their cheers.

What is with these Starting bastards? Are they all crazy?

According to his worldview, this was utterly absurd. How dare some lowly female soldier confront a knight? Knights specialized in killing, after all. Even hundreds of regular soldiers would be slaughtered if they faced off against a knight head-on, so how could she possibly think she stood a chance?

But as soon as she drew her sword…

Hwoooom!

…the atmosphere shifted dramatically with the clear sound of metal clashing.

“What kind of…aura ability user? A knight?”

“I’m only a trainee now, but someday I’ll become a knight and stand by Stonestone’s side.” The tall, tanned woman confidently smiled as she pointed her sword at Dalton. “So then, you show me what it takes to be—”

“That is enough.”

The tension in the air dissipated instantly with those calm words, and all eyes turned toward the newcomer.

He had silver hair and stood tall like a model. Despite not wearing even breastplate armor, just his aura alone was sharp enough that no one doubted he was a knight. This was Hundred SilverSword, one of two official knights in their guild and master of the Sentinel class, hailed as a hero.

“At ease!”

The soldiers who had appeared casual and almost mercenary-like earlier now presented their swords to him with perfect precision. Hundred nodded back at them before turning his attention toward the Chrome Kingdom’s delegation, or rather, the elderly man among them staring intently at him.

“I commend your initiative in coming here yourself, but it seems you failed miserably at the task. Of course, someone used to being served hand and foot would struggle adapting to change.”

“You! Hundred, you traitorous bastard! Ignoring our summons and cutting off communication?! Have you lost all loyalty to His Highness?” Count Ilvine SilverSword bellowed at Hundred, whose expression hardened. To anyone watching, he seemed ashamed by the accusation against his knightly honor.

But suddenly, he gripped his sword…

Shing!

Hundred drew his sword.

Roooaaaaaar!

The dragon’s roar made everyone flinch.

“A Heavenly Dragon Sound already at this stage? My sword barely sounds like it’s crying.”

“As expected of Sir Hundred…”

The two knights from Starting had been teaching the candidates the Heavenly Dragon Sword Art, renowned for its audible resonance when unleashing a strike. The fact that Hundred’s blade now emitted a dragon’s cry meant he had surpassed level 5 proficiency.

However, they were unaware that the Heavenly Dragon Sound wasn’t just for show; it signified Hundred’s liberation from a long-standing constraint.

“Ha-ha! This damned curse… I never thought it could be overcome.”

“You…you. You just swore your loyalty to—”

Hundred stared at the trembling Silver Sword with disbelief on his face. To Hundred, Count Illyn had always seemed larger than life. He had yearned for the count’s approval all his life and would do anything if commanded by him. When he was ordered to go to the frontier and keep an eye on the barbarian feudal lord without any complaint, it was because of this immense respect he held for the man.

But upon their reunion after many years…

“Why have you become so small?”

“…You!”

The blood drained from Silver Sword’s face, but Hundred ignored him as he surveyed the Reapers.

“The castle lord has offered to establish embassies for each nation here. These will serve as communication hubs where diplomats and mages can reside together. The rest of you may return to your respective countries.”

The Reapers nodded at this calm proposal. They had expected outright banishment, so these terms were quite favorable. However, not everyone was satisfied with them.

“What happened to Sir Haze? He went to meet the castle lord but hasn’t returned yet! Regardless of whether there’s an agreement or not, detaining Chrome’s finest knight is unacceptable.”

“He wasn’t detained.”

”…?”

Dalton turned towards the unexpected voice. There stood a woman behind Hundred.

Oh, she’s quite…

She was undeniably beautiful despite being unusually tall and having broad shoulders for a woman. Her fiery red hair contrasted with her alabaster skin and porcelain hands, making her look like a goddess.

Even amidst this urgent situation, Dalton tried to maintain his composure.

“Ahem. Lady, I apologize but we were discussing something important—”

“Hey, you dimwit Dalton! Don’t you recognize me?”

“…?” Dalton scrutinized her face carefully.

Indeed, there was something familiar about her features: sharp facial structure, emerald eyes, and that confident smile. Despite feeling like he should know who she was, he couldn’t recall her name.

Who is she? How could I forget such a beauty?

As his gaze slowly moved downward, something caught his attention and jogged his memory. It was unmistakably large—almost as big as her head—and seeing it triggered recognition.

“Haze… Knight Commander Haze?”

“…” The confident smile on Haze’s face twisted into a demonic scowl, revealing the side of her that struck fear into all members of the Royal Knights: the Mad Rose of Starlight.

“You son of a bitch…!”

She delivered a lightning-fast kick to Dalton’s armor.

“And you think only of my chest?!?”