Yong library
# Player with Maxed-Out Talent 89
Temporarily, I formed a party with the members of the Taeguk Shield guild. All the preparations were complete.
It would be nearly impossible for us to catch those ‘Orc-Slopes’ without sustaining any damage with our current strength.
Moreover, the situation involved not being able to easily kill Kim Taecheon who was among them, since he was still a human. I did not understand the exact reason, but if we made a move, Kim Taecheon, who seemed to be waiting without attacking anyone, would surely act as well. Otherwise, it would be a fight with much higher losses than gains.
‘However.’
Things are different for me now. I pulled out an item.
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[High Orc’s Spellbook]
This scroll contains the abilities of a special lineage of High Orcs, the apex predators over the Orc kind. The item exhibits exceptional power against the Orc-kind and allows you to choose and use one of four abilities.
Number of uses: 1
Target: Orc-kind
1) Spell of Herculean Strength
2) Spell of Illusion
3) Spell of Enchantment
4) Spell of Submission
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I could pick one of these four spells to use. The High Orc’s Spellbook. An item secretly gifted to me by the ‘Whispering Demon’, who had seemingly anticipated this situation.
‘Just from this, it’s evident that the Whispering Demon holds greater power and authority than the Lord of the Field.’
Only messages to five people can be sent at a time, yet the guardians who continue sending me notifications. The item passed on to me by the ‘Whispering Demon’ drew this picture.
The spell I focused on was the ‘Spell of Submission’.
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[Spell of Submission]
Utilize the powerful authority of the High Orc to force all Orcs of a lower grade into submission.
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Based on this item, I drew the picture. Now it’s time to complete it.
[Using the High Orc’s Spellbook.]
[Will you use the Spell of Submission?]
I raised the scroll. The guardians might not know, but they would be watching over me. I said it out loud on purpose, albeit very quietly, but it would still be broadcasted to the guardians.
“Spell of Submission.”
Simultaneously, a powerful gravitational wave was generated. It was invisible to others, but with my ‘Observer’s Eye’, I could see how the spell was forming. The unseen multitude of ‘vertical lines’ compressed the bodies of the Orc-Slopes.
Thud!
One of the Orc-Slopes knelt down.
Kweek?
A sound reminiscent of a lost puppy escaped the Orc-Slope’s lips.
‘Some are resisting, I see.’
While some creatures made throaty rumbling sounds and resisted the ‘Spell of Submission’, it appeared to be due to their hybrid nature—being not pure Orc, but a mix of Orc and Lycanslope.
‘Nevertheless.’
I was certain.
‘None of them can escape the influence of the High Orc’s Spellbook.’
At best, they could only resist. But even that resistance wouldn’t last long. Maybe if it were an Orc warrior or a hybrid with a Lycanslope. Ordinary Orcs and Lycanslope hybrids. Those around level 30 or so would never be free from this ‘forced submission’.
‘With the Observer’s Eye… I can see it.’
Numerous black lines falling vertically. What should I call this phenomenon visible only to my eye? Gravitational waves? No, it didn’t feel quite the same.
‘Let’s interpret it as a gravitational wave containing some kind of powerful force that causes submission.’
I couldn’t fully interpret its essence. In the meantime, the members of the ‘Taeguk Shield’ guild started moving. They began wildly attacking the kneeling or fallen Orc-Slopes.
‘The spell has absolutely caught them.’
Now Taeguk Shield can finish it up. Meanwhile, I kept both ‘Observer’s Eye’ and ‘Observer’s Territory’ open.
[The ‘Nameless Observer’ respects your conduct.]
[The ‘Whispering Demon’ feels a bit disappointed.]
It seems the Whispering Demon had different expectations. Perhaps it wanted me to directly slaughter all the monsters or cause some kind of mayhem.
[You have gained experience.]
[You have gained experience.]
Experience gathered even while I stood still. I’m currently in the dreaded level 30 zone. Though I haven’t leveled up, I still accumulated a substantial amount of experience.
In the meantime, numerous reporters captured Taeguk Shield’s heroic acts.
‘Tomorrow, Taeguk Shield will become heroes.’
They will be praised in articles for subduing the monstrous creatures that even the military and police couldn’t overpower.
‘Kim Taecheon…’
It was strange that he remained still. Was it simply due to the quest? Since he’s not an Orc, he should be free from the influence of the High Orc’s Spellbook. Why is he not moving?
‘Wait.’
Something felt off. The black lines that emerged from the power of the High Orc’s Spellbook.
‘Those lines…’
They were oddly skirting around Kim Taecheon. It seemed like there was a spherical barrier around him.
‘No, that’s not it. It’s not just blocking.’
It was something much more fundamental. The black lines couldn’t even approach; they were dissipating.
‘The scroll containing the High Orc’s power.’ Its effect was active on everyone nearby. Of course, the effect was meant for the ‘Orc kind’, so regular humans would not exhibit any effects, only be subjected to it.
‘It means…’
The black lines applied uniformly to everyone here.
‘But Kim Taecheon was different.’ The power simply couldn’t even reach him.
‘A power higher-tier than that of a High Orc.’
Upon closer inspection, a haze seemed to be rising from Kim Taecheon’s body. It was as if his body was heating up tremendously. Something was odd.
[Your Sensory Eye detects a strange energy.]
And unconsciously, I gasped.
“Urgh!”
I clutched my right eye. A severe pain surged through. Blood stained my palm—it seemed my eye was bleeding.
‘Could it be…?’
I had an idea of what this phenomenon was.
‘Come to think of it.’
I hadn’t received any notifications from the Valiant Lion King, who would surely be aware that I was scheming like this. If so, it would have sent me messages like ‘The Valiant Lion King sneers at you’ or ‘The Valiant Lion King scoffs at your cowardice’.
‘He has no time to focus on me.’
Then the answer was clear. There was only one answer.
‘Descend…?’
Descent.
By definition, it’s when a god comes down from heaven to the human world.
Occasionally, some guardians perform a ‘Descent’. This can place immense strain on the player’s body and cause unpredictable side effects. There have been cases where bodies, unable to withstand the power and strength of the guardians, have exploded.
‘That crazy Valiant…’
Kim Taecheon’s body seemed to be preparing to exercise the power of ‘Descent’. Of course, Kim Taecheon wouldn’t be able to completely handle the Descent.
‘I’m not sure how much power he’d pour into the ‘Descent’.’
I didn’t know much about Descent, even 10 years later. There wasn’t much disclosure about it.
‘In any case, Kim Taecheon would die.’
The Valiant Lion King might be valiant, but surely he isn’t a complete fool. He must be planning to release just the right amount of power for a fierce battle. After a fierce battle—that is, after the Valiant’s desire has been satisfied—Kim Taecheon would die.
‘It might be dangerous for me too.’
I was in a hurry. This wasn’t the time to be observing leisurely.
[Special Skill. Shape-Shifting (移形換位).]
I rapidly closed the distance. Without second thoughts, I grabbed Kim Taecheon from behind, who was still defenseless. There was no time to think; his nape was visible. First, I wrapped my arm around his neck and applied a chokehold with all my might, crouched down, my body pressing down on Kim Taecheon’s neck. To a third party, it might look as if I was clinging onto him like a cicada.
How many seconds had passed? I wasn’t sure. It had been a while since I felt such urgency.
Thump!
Kim Taecheon’s body fell to the ground. The strange sensation that had been ringing around him, detectable through the ‘Observer’s Eye’, disappeared. What should I call it? Maybe referring to it as ‘divine energy’ would be fitting.
[The ‘Nameless Observer’ continues observing.]
[The ‘Pearl of Cheonma Mountain’ admires your quick decision.]
[The ‘Lady of the Scales’ condemns the ‘Valiant Lion King’.]
It seems that the ‘Descent’ the Valiant was trying was correct. Judging by our Lady of Justice’s voice of condemnation.
‘He was indeed crazy. Attempting a ‘Descent’ with the body of a beginner player.’
But if we think the opposite,
‘The ‘Valiant Lion King’s body was itching so badly… it means I gave a strong enough stimulus.’
That could also be an interpretation. The thrill and fun I provided was so great that the Valiant rushed in heedlessly. The kind of excitement that would turn the Valiant mad. I was the one who provided that.
‘Good.’
Naturally, this incident will become famous among the guardians, and it will surely work in my favor. Before long, Song Kiyeol, who had finished dealing with the Orc-Slopes, approached me.
“We’re almost done here. But did you just engage in PVP?”
I replied,
“Let’s settle the score next time. I’m a bit busy now. I will answer your questions soon.”
It’s probably at that place I’m thinking of. At the police station.
‘I need to get out of here now.’
In order to completely finish the picture I’ve drawn, it’s better to leave now. The rest will be handled by Taeguk Shield.
“Let’s talk again soon.”
When soon would be, I wasn’t sure. It would be in the very near future. For now, I pretended not to know and continued.
“It’s better for me to leave for the clean-up.”
As if he had been hoping I’d leave, Song Kiyeol nodded.
“Understood. I’ll contact you.”
* * *
I hurriedly left the scene that was on the verge of experiencing a Descent. No matter how I think about it, the Valiant Lion King must be out of his mind, trying to use Descent on something even high-level players struggle with.
I said,
“Let’s call it a day.”
It seems enough has happened for today. Too many things happened at once. My mind and body were exhausted from the continuous use of ‘Sensory Eye’ and ‘Observer’s Eye.’
“Brother… Are you okay?”
“Leader Hyukjin! Is your eye alright? Who did this!”
“Big brother!”
“Bro… Are you okay?”
“Damn it. Just tell me who it was. I’ll set them ablaze.”
After calming the fussing party members, I said. This kind of injury, healing potions will take care of it.
“Take a good rest. I’ll contact you later, so let’s meet then.”
They all seemed tired. Shin Yeonsoo spoke up.
“I had a lot of questions for our leader Hyukjin…”
Shin Yeonsoo’s expression was still one of concern.
“I’ll ask later. Take care, our Hyukjin leader. Don’t get sick and let’s eat together once your eyes get better.”
I was irked by the frequent use of ‘our’, but I didn’t bother to point it out. Masanghyun and Kang Sanggu also left.
Now only me, Sunhwa, and Kwak Taeun remained.
“Sunhwa and I will take a taxi home.”
“Yes, bro. I live this way, too.”
Sunhwa seemed very tired, dozing off while standing. The tension had noticeably eased. Only my sister could possess such a remarkable skill, dozing off while on her feet.
My eye throbbed with the dried blood, but it wasn’t too bothersome. In that state, I glanced sideways at Kwak Taeun.
‘Hmm.’
He definitely had something to say to me, something he was pondering over. I decided to wait. There was no need to rush him.
The taxi arrived. As Sunhwa and I were about to get into the taxi, Kwak Taeun spoke up.
“Brother. I have something to say.”
I apologized to the taxi driver and closed the taxi door again before responding,
“I’ve been waiting.”
“…Huh?”
From the very beginning. When I came down to the first floor and walked. When I walked slowly.
[I’m waiting for something.]
That’s what I said earlier. And it wasn’t about the Orc-Slopes or the plans related to ‘Taeguk Shield’ that I was waiting for. I was waiting for Kwak Taeun to speak up.
“…”
Kwak Taeun blinked, looking at me. Then he asked,
“That was about me?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“Do you already know what I’m going to say?”
Of course. I knew. It was just a matter of whether he would bring it up today or not. I nodded lightly, looking at the surprised Kwak Taeun.
“Should I guess what you want to say?”