Piaro
"This is really amazing~," Gilgamesh said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he finished practicing Pagma's Swordsmanship. The skill was unlike anything he had ever experienced. Most classes had passive skills like Weapons Mastery or Armor Mastery, which increased the performance of weapons and armor. In his case, it was Sword Mastery, a skill that boosted his attack power and attack speed when using sword-type weapons.
Pagma's Swordsmanship increased his attack power and chances of a critical hit when deactivated. This had a similar effect to Weapon Mastery.
'It is also has the performance of Intermediate Weapons Mastery. The effect disappears when the skill is activated, but that isn't a huge problem. When activated, five active skills are generated.'
But there was some problem.
"This skill consumes too much mana..." Gilgamesh sighed, running a hand through his hair.
He could now understand why Grid had struggled with the mana requirements when he first acquired Pagma's Swordsmanship. Currently, Gilgamesh had around 800 mana, a figure he had achieved by steadily increasing his Intelligence through crafting. He had never invested stat points in Intelligence, focusing instead on balancing Strength and Agility to find the golden ratio for combat.
"And it's hard..." he muttered, thinking about the complexities of stat distribution. The golden ratio—the ideal balance of stats—changed as a player leveled up. What worked for someone with stats in the hundreds wouldn't work for someone with stats in the thousands. For now, he needed to adapt.
Anyway, the bottom line was that he couldn't freely use all the available skills at the moment.
Wave. Restraint. Link. Kill. Transcend.
The five sword techniques of Pagma's Swordsmanship were incredible, but they came with a hefty mana cost. Wave required 350 mana, Restraint 300, Link 350, Kill 1,200, and Transcend a staggering 1,800. To use these skills freely, he would need to invest heavily in Intelligence.
"I guess I'll be holed up in the smithy for a while," Gilgamesh said with a wry smile. There was no way around it—he needed more mana.
That's right. It didn't matter how much Gilgamesh complained. He had no choice but to invest his points into intelligence. It was in order to use the sword skills.
"Distribute 50 points in Intelligence, 45 in Strength, and 45 in Agility," he commanded.
"Status window."
===========================
Name: Gilgamesh
Level: 70
Class: Pagma's Successor
Title:
- One Who Became a Legend
- Bane of Yatan Church
- Sword Saint Candidate - Stage 2 (Transcendent)
- First Epic Item Maker
- First Unique Item Maker
_________________________________
Health: 7,070
Mana: 954
_________________________________
Strength: 405
Stamina: 545
Agility: 405
Intelligence: 318
Dexterity: 649
Indomitable: 122
Persistence: 146
Composure: 119
Dignity: 119
Stat points: 0
===========================
When Gilgamesh had entered Kaesan Canyon the day before, he was only level 56. After hunting countless monsters, he had skyrocketed to level 70. The experience gains from the canyon's high-level monsters were immense, and he had taken full advantage of it.
"Hunting! Level up! Increase Intelligence by raising my level!" Gilgamesh declared, his voice filled with determination. "At the minimum, I need enough mana to use Kill!"
Kill, a skill that dealt 1500% of his attack power to a single target, required 1,200 mana. To use it without hesitation, he would need at least 400 points in Intelligence. For now, he would continue hunting in Kaesan Canyon, a place teeming with monsters level 150 and above.
'That's right. I became addicted to Satisfy through this taste,' Gilgamesh thought, recalling the thrill of his first battle against a Cave Rat. The feeling of growing stronger, the satisfaction of seeing his inventory fill with gold and loot—it was intoxicating.
But his thoughts were interrupted by a loud roar.
"Kuwaaah!"
A massive spray of water erupted from the base of the waterfall, and suddenly, Gilgamesh found himself surrounded by six mermen. With gills on their necks, scaly lower bodies, and grotesque features, they were a terrifying sight.
"... The fish are shaking."
These creatures were far from the beautiful mermaids of fairy tales, Satisfy's mermen were very ugly. With gills on their necks, scaly lower bodies, and grotesque features, they were a terrifying sight.
"Are you going to dry out on land and choke to death?"
The mermen, monsters known for their ferocity, brandished their tridents and glared at him. One of them stepped forward, his voice gurgling as he spoke. "Don't worry about that and give me your heart!"
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow. "No, thank you. It's for my future wives." Yes, wives—plural.
The mermen adjusted to the natural environment without much difficulty. Therefore, they were distributed throughout the continent. But the mermen living in Kesan Canyon were the most notorious. The mermen of Kesan Canyon had a level of 175, known to be one of the highest levels among the mermen on the continent.
Swaaah
The mermen hissed in anger, their webbed hands tightening around their tridents. They moved across the water with incredible speed, their scaly tails propelling them like surfboards on waves. Gilgamesh stood his ground, waiting for the right moment. Just before a trident was going to hit my body, "Pagma's Swordsmanship, Restraint!"
At that moment, Gilgamesh's body began to move with an otherworldly grace. The blue light radiating from True Blightfang shimmered in the moonlight as he danced through the air. Then!
"...!!"
The mermen's rush stopped like it was originally a lie. The mermen acted restless and struggled to get away from him.
Gilgamesh moved fast and attacked the immobilized mermen. His sword sliced through their upper body.
[You have dealt 3,250 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 3,302 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 3,136 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 3,112 damage to the target.]
Mermen had excellent defense on their lower bodies which were covered in scales, but their human upper bodies were weaker. Therefore, attacks on the upper body were very painful. And not only that...
[The True Blightfang has found the enemy's weakness. The enemy has been paralyzed.]
[The True Blightfang has found the enemy's weakness. The enemy has been paralyzed.]
[The enemy has been poisoned!]
"Kiyyaakkk!!"
Thanks for the option from True Blightfang, the mermen cannot move further. The mermen writhed in agony, unable to move or fight back. Gilgamesh swapped True Blightfang for his Black Greatsword, the massive blade gleaming as he unleashed a flurry of attacks.
"Kryyaaaaaak!"
'Okay! Good!'
The mermen's screams echoed through the canyon as Gilgamesh's greatsword struck with devastating force. Gilgamesh felt bliss as he watched the mermen suffering every time he wielded his greatsword. It was because he felt stronger.
[The Tectonic Cleave of Black Greatsword has been activated!]
Two of the six mermen were killed instantly when the Tectonic Cleave effect activated, the ground erupting beneath them.
The remaining mermen retreated, their eyes filled with fear and rage. They moved a certain distance away and glared at him wildly. He soon followed and attacked one of them relentlessly.
Bam bam bam!
"Kiik!"
The merman were monsters famous for having a strong camaraderie. The mermen didn't know what to do as Gilgamesh stuck to their companion like a leech and stabbed. They wanted to help but were afraid they would end up being stabbed. Indeed, they were stupid bastards.
The merman received his sword with no mercy and eventually died. The watching mermen shed tears of blood and started a violent onslaught.
[You have suffered 2,127 damage.]
[You have suffered 2,0967 damage.]
The mermen's counterattacks were powerful, and Gilgamesh lost more than half his health in just two hits. But he didn't falter. With a fierce grin, he activated another skill.
"Pagma's Swordsmanship, Wave!"
His body moved like the waterfall behind him, calm at first but quickly building into a raging torrent. Waves of energy shot out in every direction, striking the mermen with overwhelming force.
Pepepepeng!
"Kryaaaaak!"
The three mermen were hit simultaneously and screamed in pain. They tried to counterattack but due to the influence of Wave, their movement speed and attack speed were slowed by almost two times. It wasn't difficult to deal the final blow.
In the end, all six mermen died and Gilgamesh confirmed the money, items, and experience that dropped.
[Your level has risen.]
"Invest 10 points in intelligence."
[You have invested 10 points in intelligence. Is this correct?]
"Yes."
After 10 points in intelligence, his mana rose to exactly 984. There was still a long way to go, but he was proud of his progress. Gilgamesh can't wait for the day he can spam his skills without worry.
As Gilgamesh imagined it and prepared to leave, a man appeared before him. The figure was unassuming at first glance—a scraggly beard, tattered clothing, and a demeanor that screamed "beggar." But Gilgamesh knew better.
'Piaro!!' Gilgamesh thought, surprised.
Gilgamesh didn't expect to meet Piaro at this time. But when he thought about it further, he realized that the time Piaro was branded as a traitor was when players began to come to this world, and he has been in hiding since then. So naturally he will meet him just like in canon.
While Gilgamesh was thinking, Piaro called out. "There is no need to be on guard. I have a favor to ask of you."
"...Yes?" Gilgamesh hesitated, unsure what to say.
"I-"
But before Piaro could continue, the ground beneath them trembled. A deafening roar echoed from the waterfall as massive bubbles of foam erupted from its depths. Emerging from the churning waters were eleven mermen, their scales glistening with malice and their eyes burning with rage.
"Who...? Someone murdered our kin!"
"I will kill you... Kill him and chew up his heart!"
"Ahhh, f**k." Gilgamesh cursed. 'They are too many.' Some of his skills are still in cooldown while his stamina and mana have been depleted when using Restraint and Wave. He could only face five of them in his current state, six if he really tried.
"Hey, can you take half of them?" Gilgamesh asked, glancing at Piaro.
"Sure," Piaro replied with a small nod, his hand already reaching for the hilt of his sword. The blade gleamed as it was drawn, its edge radiating a faint, ominous light.
"It's them! They must be the ones who killed our kin!"
The mermen charged, their weapons aimed with deadly precision. But before they could close the distance, Piaro moved. His sword flashed like lightning, cutting through the air with a precision that defied belief.
"I don't like fish."
Sasak!Sasasasak!
As expected from the former captain of the Red Knight, the strongest knight division in the west continent, his skill is out of this world. The mermen who rushed toward him coughed up blood simultaneously and disappeared into grey light.
Not wanting to be outdone, Gilgamesh focused on his own opponents, his blade dancing as he parried and struck with calculated precision. It wasn't as fast or as elegant as Piaro's technique, but it got the job done.
When the last merman fell, Gilgamesh wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Piaro. "Not bad," the older man commented, his tone casual but his eyes sharp watching from the sidelines as Gilgamesh put his last mermen into grey light. When Gilgamesh was about to greet him, Piaro shook his head. "There is no need for any pretenses. I don't want to talk to you for too long, so I will cut to the chase. Help me."
There was a familiar sound and the quest notification window popped up.
===========================
[The True Traitor of the Red Knights]
Difficulty: S
The Red Knights were once the strongest knight division on the continent. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the Saharan Empire could now exist because of the Red Knights.
Asmophel, the vice-captain of the Red Knights, had a secret rendezvous with the Empress. Then he framed Piaro, who knew the truth.
Due to Asmophel skillfully borrowing the power of the Empress, Piaro and his men were framed as traitors to the Emperor and were forced to flee.
Piaro couldn't forgive Asmophel or the imperial family, who drove the lives of his comrades to the brink of ruin.
But it was impossible for Piaro to move directly due to the trackers scattered throughout the continent, who were released by Asmophel.
In the end, Piaro was forced to give up on revenge himself and needed to entrust it to an agent.
Quest Clear Conditions: Punish Asmophel.
Quest Clear Reward: Title 'Agent of Revenge.'
* Agent of Revenge: The 'Cruelty' stat will be opened.
Attack Power +100. Skill 'Murderous Impulse' will be generated..
Quest Failure: Level -4.
===========================
Gilgamesh read through the quest details carefully. The rewards were tempting, but the risks were even greater. He shook his head. "I don't have the time or ability to help you."
[The quest was refused.]
Piaro clicked his tongue, his expression darkening. "You don't like the reward?"
"No, it's not about the reward. I genuinely don't have the time or ability." Gilgamesh's voice was firm.
Even the level of ordinary Black Knight is too much for Gilgamesh right now, and he needs to hunt down Red Knight, who is magnitude stronger than Black Knight. He was strong. However, it wasn't enough to face the vice-captain of the once strongest knight division on the continent.
Piaro's eyes narrowed. "I've met people like you before. You're holding out, hoping for a bigger reward by taking advantage of my desperation."
"That's not it," Gilgamesh insisted. "I'm not trying to manipulate you. I just can't do it."
Piaro's jaw tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like he might lash out. But then he sighed and reached for his sword. "Fine. I'll add this to the reward."
===========================
[Piaro has changed the quest reward.]
Quest Clear Reward: Title 'Agent of Revenge' Piaro's longsword.
* Agent of Revenge: The 'Cruelty' stat will be opened.
Attack Power +100.
Skill 'Murderous Impulse' will be generated.
* Piaro's longsword.
Rating: Unique
Durability: 110/213
Attack Power: 387
Accuracy: +10%
The skill 'Hatred' will be generated.
* Stamina -100.
It is somewhat damaged, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a great sword. But it is cursed because it contains Piaro's strong grudge. There is some risk involved in using it.
User Restriction: Level 190 or higher. More than 900 strength.
More than 300 agility. Advanced Sword Mastery.
===========================
"I truly don't have the ability to carry out your request."
[The quest was refused.]
Piaro's lips curled into a bitter smile. "I see. You're either very honest or very foolish." He turned to leave, his shoulders heavy with disappointment.
Gilgamesh then called out. "I can't do it right now, but... I don't know about the future."
Piaro paused, his back still turned. The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but firm. "If you change your mind, come find me. I won't force you. This is just my hope."
With that, Piaro walked away, his figure growing smaller until it disappeared into the horizon.