Tzedakah Guild

Tttangg! Tttangg! Tttangg!!

A triumphant chime echoed through the forge as the final strike of Gilgamesh's hammer rang out, signaling the completion of his latest masterpiece of today.

[A Unique rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +12, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +300.]

"Good!" Gilgamesh exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face as he admired the gleaming armor before him.

[Insane Black Armor]

Rating: Unique

Durability: 548/548

Defense: 637

Movement Speed: -6%

* Reduces the damage received by 50% if your health is above 70%.

* Increase all defense by 15%.

*The lower the wearer's health, the more likely the wearer will fall into the 'Frenzy' state. In 'Frenzy' state, your damage will increase proportionally to how much of your health has been lost.

An armor built by a craftsman with great skill and potential but lacking reputation.

This armor was made with insane dragon ore, making it very durable, promising to protect its wearer.

User Restriction: Level 240 or higher. More than 500 strength. Advanced Heavy Armor Mastery level 2 or higher.

Thanks to its material, the armor was predominantly dark like deep charcoal, its chest plate was broad and imposing, with sharp edgings that suggest both strength and menace. With spiked shoulder guards protruding outward to give an aggressive look.

Kaela raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and admiration. "You improved the performance of the armor despite using the exact same blueprint?" 

The armor Gilgamesh had crafted was based on her own design, yet he had managed to elevate it to new heights. The design originally can only up to Epic rating, but thanks to Gilgamesh, it broke the limitation and managed to become Unique rating.

"I took your blueprint and made a few adjustments based on what I've learned from my previous creations. It's all about understanding the materials and how they interact with each other."

"Excellent," Kaela said, her smile widening as she inspected the armor closely. "Your skill is raising day by day."

Her praise was genuine, and she felt a swell of pride for him. Although his talent had already surpassed hers, she didn't feel resentment or jealousy. Instead, she was filled with gratitude, knowing that his achievements only meant there were greater heights for her to aspire to. Gilgamesh had opened the door to possibilities she had never imagined.

"...and where do you want to go?" Kaela asked, her gaze fixed on Gilgamesh, who was just donning his newly crafted armor. The dark, gleaming plates hugged his form perfectly, reflecting the fading light of the setting sun.

"Huh? I want to test it, of course!" Gilgamesh replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Now?" Kaela raised an eyebrow, glancing outside to see the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape.

"Yeah, I'll be quick!" he insisted. He flexed his arms, feeling the weight and balance of the armor, a grin spreading across his face as he imagined the thrill of battle.

Sigh

Kaela sighed, a mix of exasperation and fondness in her expression. "Alright, but don't be late. I'll make dinner for both of us," she said, dismissing him with a wave of her hand, though her heart warmed at the thought of sharing a meal together.

Swoooshhhh~

But before she could even finish her sentence, Gilgamesh had already dashed out the door, his excitement propelling him forward like a bolt of lightning. Kaela's forehead twitched, a bemused smile creeping onto her lips.

***

Gilgamesh ventured into one of the most challenging hunting grounds near Bairan, a place notorious for its ferocious inhabitants, particularly the formidable Onix Bear and its underlings.

They have high attack power and somewhat moderate defense, perfect for testing his new armor.

However, as he arrived at the designated area, his excitement quickly turned to confusion. He scanned the surroundings, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "Wait, did someone already raid it?" he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with disappointment.

The hunting ground was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual sounds of battle or the growls of the Onix Bear. Gilgamesh had expected to find at least a few of the lesser creatures lurking about, but there was nothing.

Onix Bear was not an easy opponent by any means, especially their boss, a level 280 monster. Even Gilgamesh, with his legendary skills as a blacksmith and warrior, had to prepare himself mentally for such a confrontation.

Gilgamesh decided to explore further. As he moved cautiously through the underbrush, he suddenly heard the unmistakable sounds of battle—clashing weapons, roars of fury, and the shouts of persons not far from where he stood.

Curiosity piqued, he darted across the ground toward the source of the commotion.

What he found was a chaotic scene: a blonde-haired man clad in martial arts clothing was locked in an intense struggle against the Onix Bear boss. The beast towered over him, its massive claws swiping with deadly precision, sending him flying.

"Regas!" a voice shouted from the sidelines, filled with urgency and frustration.

"Stupid fool! I told you not to charge at the enemy alone!" another voice echoed, a beautiful red-haired woman with a bow drawn taut, her eyes blazing with anger as she fired arrows at the beast.

Gilgamesh then notices the blonde-haired man companion, his eyes began to widen as he recognized the group.

"Tzedakah Guild!"

Tzedakah Guild, they are the original guild that Grid belonged to. They are small guilds consisting of a small group of elite members.

His gaze was drawn to the red-haired woman leading the charge, Jishuka. She was striking, with tanned skin that glowed in the fading light and a curvy, sensual figure that commanded attention. Her sharp eyes were focused and fierce, and her full lips were set in a determined line as she fired arrows with precision.

'Damn, she is beautiful,' Gilgamesh thought, momentarily distracted by her presence. But just as quickly, he felt a sharp sting as he slapped himself across the face.

Slap!

"Focus! You bastard!" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. This was not the time to get sidetracked by his admiration for her looks.

'Anyway, should I help them?' he pondered, weighing his options. Joining the Tzedakah Guild earlier than the canon timeline could be advantageous. He calculated that there would be no significant changes to the future, and aligning himself with such a skilled group could only bolster his own reputation and abilities.

He had to make a quick decision as he watched Vantner skid across the ground, the bald warrior struggling to regain his footing after a brutal clash with the boss monster.

'Ah f**k it.'

___

"Who...?" Jishuka asked cautiously, her sharp eyes narrowing as she assessed the mysterious figure that had suddenly appeared before them. She didn't let her guard down, instinctively readying her bow, the tension in the air palpable.

"Jishuka!"

The worried shouts of her guildmates broke her focus on Gilgamesh, and she turned just in time to see the Onix Bear charging toward her, its massive maw raised high, ready to crush her beneath its weight.

"Watch out!" Regas shouted, his voice filled with urgency as he lunged forward, but he was too far away to intervene in time.

In that split second, Gilgamesh sprang into action. He dashed forward, positioning himself between Jishuka and the Onix Bear.

"Pagma's Swordsmanship, Restraint!"

Everyone's eyes, including Jishuka's, focused on him as he began to dance with a 3-meter-long greatsword in his hand. The blade glimmered in the fading light, and with each movement, it seemed to sing through the air, a mesmerizing display of skill and precision.

"..."

His expression was determined, a fierce concentration etched on his face as he executed the rare, highly skilled sword dance. The fluidity of his movements was captivating, each step calculated and deliberate, as if he were weaving a spell with the sword.

"Isn't this crazy?" one of the Tzedakah Guild members muttered, confusion etched across his features.

"What is this? Why is he suddenly dancing in this situation?" another member exclaimed, bewildered by Gilgamesh's unexpected behavior.

Gilgamesh's odd behavior that couldn't be understood by ordinary people's common sense! The Tzedakah members, who were positioned further away, exchanged glances of disbelief, unsure of what to make of the spectacle unfolding before them. But Jishuka, who was in close proximity to Gilgamesh, felt it.

'I can't move!!?' Her heart started beating faster and she felt an intense pressure coming from Gilgamesh.

At the same the Onix Bear stopped in its track, feeling the same thing as Jishuka. The massive creature hesitated, its instincts screaming at it to flee, but it was too late.

"Kill!"

Puook!

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

The Onix Bear, a formidable boss monster known for its high attack power and resilience, was not prepared for the sheer force of Gilgamesh's blow. Unlike the Guardian of the Forest, which boasted overwhelming defense, the Onix Bear's defenses were not as formidable. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Tzedakah Guild, the monster's health bar had already been reduced to around 60%. With Gilgamesh's critical hit, the health gauge plummeted further, nearing half of its maximum health.

And not only that...

[Paretic Blade's option effect is activated, causing the skill '5 Joint Attacks' to be generated.]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 231,768 damage to the target.]

The Onix Bear couldn't even let out a scream as its massive body disintegrated into grey light.

[You have defeated boss Onix Bear.]

[Onix Bear fur has been acquired.]

[Onix claws have been acquired.]

[13,883,966 experiences have been acquired.]

[Your level has risen.]

"No way!" one of the Tzedakah Guild members exclaimed, disbelief etched across his face.

"D-did you see that?!" another shouted, his eyes wide with astonishment. The sudden turn of events had left them all in shock. Just moments ago, they had felt cornered, facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, and now the monster had vanished in an instant.

Jishuka stood frozen, her mouth agape as she struggled to find the appropriate words to express her astonishment. The sight of Gilgamesh, clad in his dark armor, had transformed the tide of battle in a way she had never anticipated.

But unlike the rest of her guild, Gilgamesh's expression was grim. He had expected a fierce battle, a chance to test the limits of his new armor against a powerful foe. Instead, the Onix Bear had fallen with a single blow, leaving him with no opportunity to gauge the armor's capabilities in combat.

With a disappointed sigh, he turned his gaze toward Jishuka. "You okay?"

"....W-what? O-oh yeah, of C-course, I'm fine.... ermm... Thank you..." Jishuka stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. Unsure of what to say to him, she decided to express her gratitude first.

Who is he? Where does he come from? What is his level? How can he one-shot the boss monster? She had a myriad of questions swirling in her mind, but she held them back, not wanting to overwhelm him.

"By the way, sorry for the kill steal. If you don't mind, I can give you the monster drop." Gilgamesh offered.

"No, no. You can keep it. We will never defeat the monster anyway if not for you."

"Well, if you insist..."

While Gilgamesh and Jishuka are talking. Her guild members steadily came closer and joined in.

"Ohh!! You are really something! How is your attack power so high? Are you perhaps a high ranker like us?" Regas, the martial artist, asked excitedly.

Vantner, the bald guardian knight, chimed in, crossing his arms with a smirk. "High ranker? More like a high flanker! Did you see how he just swooped in and stole our glory? I mean, I was ready to take that bear down myself!"

Pon, the spear-wielding member of the guild, rolled his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh please, Vantner. You were about to get flattened like a pancake! If it weren't for him, you'd be a bear's dinner right now."

Vantner shot back, "At least I was trying! Unlike you, hiding behind me like a coward!"

Pon laughed, shaking his head. "Hiding? I was providing tactical support! You just happened to be in the way!"

Crossing veins appeared on her forehead. She then slapped both of them on the back of their head. "Alright, you two, enough of that!"

""We're sorry!!"" they both exclaimed in unison, rubbing the spots where she had struck them.

Gilgamesh chuckled, watching their playful interaction. The camaraderie among the guild members was evident, and it warmed his heart to see them so comfortable with each other.

"Sorry about that..." Jishuka said, returning her attention to Gilgamesh, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She didn't have a crush on him per se; she was just embarrassed by her guild members' antics.

"Nah, don't be. I have a good laugh."

Vantner nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, you really did save our skins back there. We owe you one."

Gilgamesh smiled, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. "I'll hold you to that."

"Hey, how can you be so strong?!!" Regas stormed in, his eyes shining like bright stars, filled with admiration and curiosity.

"Me?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across his face.

"I'm just Overgeared"