- 'Ultimate Curse': Maximally enhances one curse-type skill.
- 'Heir of Curses': Increases mana by +10 when using curse-type skills (non-stackable).
- 'Reverse Side of Curses': Increases all skill proficiencies by 50%.
- Permanent effect when equipped.
- Bound.
- Equip Restriction (1): Must have the title 'Completer of Mythic' or higher.
- Equip Restriction (2): All stats must be 90 or higher.
- Set Artifact (1/3).
- Performance is enhanced when worn with Baal Armor.
- Performance is enhanced when the Baal Talisman is applied.
Could I have chosen anything else after reading this description?
Each line is a realm of beauty. There's not a single option that can be discarded.
The biggest reason I chose the Baal Helmet is 'Reverse Side of Curses.'
50% increase in proficiency!
"It's not addition, but multiplication. It has synergy with Dexterity."
The hidden characteristic 'Dexterity' doubles the proficiency increase rate.
When combined with the 50% increase from the helmet, it results in a threefold efficiency.
It's a crazy helmet that creates a fantastic synergy with Dexterity.
Considering that Shatiros' Curse was stackable but had no other significant functions, this is a completely different level of artifact.
It was essential for achieving an overwhelming performance in the next main quest.
Moreover, it looks like a 'goat.'
"The Silver Fox Mask said to wear the Golden Goat Mask, but this should be fine."
Whether it's a golden goat or a black goat, they're all goats, aren't they?
This is perfect for heading to the empire where the Cult of Death is located.
The other performances were also excellent.
A set that a curse-type class must obtain at all costs, even risking their life.
It increases mana by 10, which is an impressive value for a single piece of equipment.
Additionally, for a curse-type class, skill proficiency is crucial, and there is no other equipment that increases proficiency by 50% except for unique-grade items.
If I level up, this performance will also be enhanced.
It remains active even when I transform into the King of Crows due to the permanent effect.
Moreover, the King of Crows uses curse-type skills.
Most importantly,
"Baal Armor, Baal Talisman. I have a good idea where both are. The Mountain of Practitioners and the Empire!"
One is in the 'Mountain of Practitioners.'
Why does the Baal Helmet increase proficiency? It subtly hints at a connection to the Mountain of Practitioners.
I have a good idea where the Baal Talisman, which is likely sleeping in the Mountain of Practitioners, is located.
And the Baal Armor is definitely in the Empire.
Coincidentally, both places are where I need to go anyway.
"Collecting the three pieces of the Baal set will result in performance exceeding the unique-grade."
I honestly struggled a lot with the Pureblood Design and the Baal Helmet.
However, even with the design, I can't immediately create it, and the time to gather materials is limited.
There's no guarantee that I'll have such good luck again, and I might not be able to obtain it at all.
In such a gamble, a powerful artifact that can immediately strengthen me is much better.
"Simply, anything named 'Baal' is a cheat."
Of course, the Baal Helmet itself is excellent enough to offset any concerns.
The performance of the remaining Baal pieces will also be enhanced as I collect them.
Considering the extreme leveling, this set is a ray of light for me.
Moreover, when all three pieces are collected, the performance will exceed the unique-grade. Reading the records of Baal, one of the Four Fiends, gives an idea of the status when completed.
The Four Fiends were the biggest headache of the old empire.
The old empire's downfall is said to be a collaboration between the Four Fiends and the destruction, indicating their absolute status.
"The old Four Fiends are like the current Hundred Kings."
The Northern Hundred King and the Southern Black King.
The Four Fiends were notorious, or even more so, than these two.
I smiled slightly and reread the mana option part of the Baal Helmet.
"Conditional mana increase. 10 can surpass the 100 mana threshold."
I didn't choose it just for the proficiency options.
A single piece of equipment that increases mana by 10.
Even with the condition, a 10-point increase in mana can surpass the 100 mana threshold!
"I have no regrets about choosing the Baal Helmet and the Uroboros Mark."
I am very satisfied.
I can give up on the unique-grade design, but I can't give up on the named star.
Especially a named star that has never appeared before.
Uroboros.
Isn't it a name that stimulates a man's sense of adventure?
Rushing water!
"Ugh! Heir?!"
Isaac was shocked again.
It couldn't be helped.
I was suddenly pouring the holy water of the Grail over the head of the Holy Maiden.
"Ugh."
Soon, the Holy Maiden Seoah groaned and opened her eyes.
Even after pouring the holy water, her eyes were still red.
Still, the subtle influence of the curse that remained would have been completely eliminated.
The Holy Maiden Seoah spoke.
"Who are you?"
It's natural that she doesn't recognize me.
"Randolph. The Heir of the Knight King."
But what about Wilhelm?
If she is the real Holy Maiden Seoah, she can't help but react.
"The Heir of the Knight King... What is that?"
...Huh?
The reaction is far from what I expected.
Not that she doesn't know, but what is it?
It's not a fake reaction.
Could the memories related to Wilhelm be completely erased?
I asked, feeling something was off.
"Do you remember who you are?"
"Me?"
The Holy Maiden Seoah blinked.
Then, pointing at herself with her finger.
"I am... who? Ah...! Why is my neck and head so painful?"
She doesn't remember who she is.
But... her neck and head hurt?
I looked at Isabella.
"!!!"
At the same time, Isabella's eyes began to shake as if an earthquake had occurred.
*
After a while of chaos.
I summarized the current situation positively.
Although she has lost her memory, I have obtained a Holy Maiden with her abilities intact.
"Rather than worrying about brainwashing, it's better to have amnesia."
I removed the mysteries and curses hidden by the Demon King, but the last thing is brainwashing.
I can't remove brainwashing with the mysteries and the Grail I possess.
I shouldn't think that the Demon King simply left behind remnants of enmity and curses and sent the Holy Maiden to the labyrinth.
There's a high possibility that he brainwashed her to perform specific actions under certain conditions.
For example, if she meets the Goddess Cult or Holy Knights, she might join them and attack people.
"If I were the Demon King, I would definitely lay the groundwork related to the Goddess Cult."
The Demon King must have thought what I thought.
"Can we... cross this?"
The Holy Maiden Seoah looked at the red warp in front of her and spoke.
"Yes."
"The warp is used to move between cities on the continent... Huh! The explanation is floating in my mind."
"It's knowledge you already knew."
"Oh, I see. But... it feels ominous. This warp seems different from what I knew."
We are in front of the warp.
To be precise, we are looking at the warp created by 'The Abyss Itself' for the purpose of erosion.
Although the erosion has stopped, the warp that Hell stopped remains.
It's the warp connecting to Earth.
A warp that carries a strong aura, enough for the Holy Maiden to say it feels ominous.
'A warp created solely for erosion.'
It is clearly different from other warps.
It feels similar to the dimensional warp that Ahram set up for the first invasion.
'The probability is fifty-fifty.'
We can either cross or not.
If we can cross, the Holy Maiden can heal Oliver's heart.
Both Hudson in Pangea and Oliver on Earth are important talents.
'I can't run the labyrinth city alone.'
Isabella and Isaac are a bit distant from city management.
If I want to run the labyrinth city in the future, I must have his help.
The only person I can trust to manage the city in my absence.
Hudson is a man who built a casino with his name in the Golden City solely through his talent. He could have easily become a city councilor if his level was just 10.
At least his ability to manage money and grow it is certain. His talent for running the largest casino is also undeniable.
So if we can't cross the warp, I need to find another way.
'Can we cross?'
And what I'm more curious about is whether this body, Randolph, can go to Earth.
As far as I know, no player character has ever directly gone to Earth.
But is it possible with this special warp?
'The warp left by The Abyss Itself. It's worth challenging.'
A warp that triggers 'forced erosion' only once when The Abyss Itself is completed.
I stopped it through Hell before it disappeared.
It's worth challenging.
Kyaa?
"Hell. Activate the warp normally."
Kyaa kyaa kyaa!
Hell circled the warp.
Swish!
The warp started to activate again with a blue light.
However, the warp was shrinking moment by moment.
Since The Abyss Itself has disappeared, it's normal for the warp he created to disappear.
The maintenance time is at most 30 minutes.
If it weren't for Hell, it would have disappeared instantly.
"Go."
I crossed the Abyss's warp with the Holy Maiden.
Author's Note
++04:48 The curse option of the helmet has been removed, and detailed descriptions have been added.
+++ 05:05 The text has been thoroughly revised.
The Summoning of the Hundred King
In the heart of Scotland, Edinburgh.
In front of the warp at the outskirts of Edinburgh.
A place that should be controlled by soldiers only had two people appear.
"Master. It's dangerous."
Melson looked at Oliver with a worried expression.
However, Oliver shook his head stubbornly.
"We agreed to wait."
"Who did you agree to wait for, and when? Could it be that person again?"
That person.
The man in the castle, Park Hyun-myeong.
Melson still couldn't understand.
At first, he thought he was just a game friend.
But now, he was certain that he was not just a game friend.
That's because, once in the life support device, he never woke up for days.
If that were all, it would be one thing, but the problem was the 'data' displayed.
'He has surpassed the realm of humans. All the data displayed.'
Overwhelming vitality and regeneration ability.
His muscles are constantly being consumed and made stronger.
All other values far exceeded the norm.
Data that could not be seen in any living being.
'Like a Dimensional Warrior.'
The only way that could be possible is if he were a Dimensional Warrior who had descended and transformed.
The data I received about a Dimensional Warrior was very similar to Park Hyun-myeong's.
So I thought he was in a descended state, but according to Melson, the time a person can descend is extremely limited.
It's almost impossible to maintain for more than five days.
So, is he showing the abilities of a Dimensional Warrior even without descending?
I want to examine him in detail, but Park Hyun-myeong is Master Oliver's guest.
'Master Oliver is also a Dimensional Warrior.'
Melson knows no secrets.
He knows everything that happens in the castle and in Britain.
He just respects his master and doesn't pretend to know.
The reason for coming to this warp is also in the same vein.
He's just curious.
He has no idea what will appear here.
Crack!
At the same time.
The warp shimmered, and someone appeared.
"Ah...!"
Oliver, who saw it, trembled all over.
As if witnessing something impossible.
Trembling at the miracle before his eyes.
*
《You have been logged out.》
When I opened my eyes, I was in the castle.
I got up from the life support device and looked around.
Then I clicked my tongue.
'I expected as much.'
I challenged it thinking that if I could enter Earth as Randolph, I could save the broken pieces of the Golden Rule.
But I couldn't cross.
I was forcibly logged out, and a severing phenomenon occurred.
'What about the Holy Maiden? Did Seoah Holy Maiden not cross either?'
Seeing that Oliver and Melson were not around, it seemed they had moved to the location of the warp as instructed.
At that moment.
《Erosion is progressing at the specified coordinates.》
《If '???' is not removed within 30 minutes, 'forced erosion' will occur.》
Suddenly, a map unfolded in front of me with the message.
'That location is...!'
A familiar terrain.
...The location of the warp I was trying to cross.
The warp created by The Abyss Itself.
It seems to recognize the Holy Maiden who crossed through the warp as 'erosion.'