Translator: HunterW
Editor: RED
Section 3…
It had been a month and a half since we had left here for the enemy’s territory. When we returned, we were welcomed by our comrades like soldiers coming home from a victorious wwar.
“Lee Jiwon! Lee Jiwon!”
“Long live the Empire!”
We had already reported back to base about our victories against Croot and how we had successfully invaded one of their Sections. Well, they would have found out eventually, even if we didn’t tell them, thanks to the leaderboard in the sky.
A few familiar people weaved through the dense crowd to meet us. They were Song Daechul, Aman Sandip, and Shin.
“Good work out there, Jiwon.”
“He’s right. There’s no greater victory than this.”
“It was all thanks to those who have fought by my side.”
“Well, come on then. We can’t leave these heroes out on the streets. We’ve prepared a feast fit for the champions.”
“After you.” I led my soldiers after Song Daechul to Section 3’s Center B, where a massive feast for all the Empire’s guilds was held.
——
One week later…
The feast had come to an end and the soldiers were split evenly between Sections 3, 6, and 7 to prepare for the enemy’s counterattack. In that time, each Section was connected to Section 35.
“We would have been in trouble if we didn’t have the Messenger Guild on our side.”
“Too true.”
The Messenger Guild had truly become an invaluable asset, allowing us easy access between the east and west sides of our territory. Not even Croot would be able to move its forces as easily and quickly as we could.
“Please, you give us too much praise. It’s not like it was free anyway.” The Messenger Guild required many golden rings just to run the Teleporter Zones, and to pay the Warp Mages that ran them. It didn’t matter if it was for the greater good; these Warp Mages had to sacrifice their time and energy and needed to be well-compensated.
“I’ll be returning to Section 35 to meet with my family and take care of some personal issues. Contact me as soon as something happens.”
“Understood. We’ll let you know if we even so much as see a glimpse of the enemy.”
I had an appointment the next day with the Sunbin and Myth Guilds, and promised to meet on a monster field at Section 35.
—
That night…
“Jiwon!”
“Young Master! You’re back!” My mother, grandfather, and members of my clan were waiting outside our home to greet me.
“Hello, everyone.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“We heard a lot about what you and the Commandos accomplished!”
“We’re really proud to be a part of your family, young master!”
I had only been gone a little more than a month, but my family welcomed me as if I had been gone for years and would not leave my side. I didn’t mind or hate it, however. They were all worried for and proud of me. That night, I gathered all three hundred clan members and threw a huge dinner party, paid for out of my own pocket. It was the least I could do after all that I had received from taking over Section 79.
—
Two weeks ago, I had received the message telling me that my contribution points were calculated just when we were about to head for Section 3. The calculation had taken so much longer compared to everyone else’s. I had already lied that I had received 20 million golden rings and 1000 stat points so I quietly confirmed the message to myself. I did hope for something more than just 1000 stat points, though. It’d be embarrassing if I got something less.
==[You have obtained 147,645,974 contribution points.You will receive 20,000,000 golden rings for participating in the full invasion of an enemy’s Section.]==
==[You have obtained the most contribution points out of all of your comrades.
You have gained 11 more levels.
You have received 2,950 Stat points.
You have received 3 skill points.
You have received 4,200,000,000 golden rings.]==
“…” I kept my poker face. I told myself to keep it, no matter what I got. But I couldn’t help myself as the corners of my lips went up to form a dumb grin.
==[You have gained 3 additional levels from Bortega’s Blessing.]==
That message also came up eleven times, meaning I had just gained a total of 44 levels!
—
After dinner, I headed to my room and opened up my Stats Menu while I was laying on my bed.
==[Name: Lee Jiwon
Level: 1101 Death Count: 0
Title: Earth’s First Deva
HP: 17,840,700/17,840,700 MP: 702,800/702,800
Strength: 55,501 + 6,831 Agility: 28,201 Vitality: 29,501
Willpower: 6,968 Intelligence: 6,228
Unassigned Stat Points: 5,510 + 135
Fatigue: 0
Special Effects: Luck Boost (X+1), immune to all Status effects, Dungeon Seeker 14 points
Physical Attack: 223,847 Physical Defense: 64,197
Magical Attack: 20,854 Magical Defense: 42,634]==
The last time I checked my Stats Menu, I was level 973. I had gained 84 levels from the battle against Rocky and his army, and another 44 levels from invading Section 79. That was a total of 128 levels in a matter of a month and half.
“With this, I could get my base STR to 50k or my VIT or AGI to 30k pretty soon.” My base STR was currently at 42,000 and my base VIT and AGI were at 22,000. I just needed 8,000 more points for any of those three Stats to get the next bonus tier and I could do that any time I wanted to. I had about 11.9 billion golden rings now, even though I had spent nearly 4 billion getting my STR past 40k and upgrading my Harrier’s rank.
A chill ran down my spine. Things were going too well. But I quickly shook it off. I had no reason to be afraid. This was good for me, and I just needed to take advantage of it.
“So tomorrow, I’ll use Death’s Harrier and get as many Stat points as possible. I have to stop by a Store anyway.” I had 12 skill points saved up, and had no intention of saving up any more.
——
The next day, I headed to an area about 150 kilometers away from Section 35.
“This is it. The monsters that spawn here are known as Red-Clawed Mantises and have an average level of 300. A lot of them spawn at a time, so they should be what you’re looking for.”
“Thank you for helping me out like this again.” I had asked the Myth Guild to help me out again like last time and was grateful they were so willing to do so.
“Don’t worry about it. I brought over the same guys as before, since you’ve already worked with them.” Ebonene waved away my thanks, saying that it wasn’t a big of a deal.
“Well, let’s begin right away.”
“Very well.”
“We’re doing the same as last time! Split into two teams of three hundred, Team 1 will be the first to lure the monsters!”
“Yes sir!”
The Myth Guild soldiers quickly moved as ordered, already knowing what to do. Team 1 soon returned with monsters hot on their heels.
“Activate: Death’s Harrier.”
==[Death’s Harrier has been activated.
Your attacks now carry a deathly energy and have a chance to drain your enemies’ Stat points.
Time applied: 24 hours
Cooldown: 30 days.]==
Once Death’s Harrier was activated, I activated Mana Conversion, Warrior’s Brave Spirit, and Howl of the Wolf. What followed was complete annihilation. Just touching the Mantises with my spear was enough to kill them. And so, I swung my spear at the monsters without rest. I needed to get the most out of Death’s Harrier today.
——
The plains where Section 79 once stood…
“Ha…”
“…”
Claudia, thirty of her deity subordinates, and her army of five hundred thousand deva soldiers stood there in stunned silence. There was absolutely nothing waiting for them.
“This really is where Section 79 is supposed to be, right?”
“Yes… ma’am,” Coby replied hesitantly.
“So this is what it means to lose a Section.” Claudia took a moment to stare at the barren grounds before turning to Coby. “Notify the other higher deities. I want to hold a meeting.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Claudia was beyond furious. She wanted to take her entire army and invade the enemy’s territory if she could, but she knew that they would be waiting for her. They would also be stronger after killing a million of her soldiers. Claudia decided then to buy some more time. The longer she waited, the stronger she could become.
——
Red-Clawed Mantis hunting grounds by Section 35…
I was panting lightly. I had not taken a single break for the past 24 hours.
==[Death’s Harrier has now deactivated.
The power of Death’s Harrier will be lowered for weakening Death’s Achilles Tendon three times in a row.
You are unable to use Death’s Harrier for the next 30 days.]==
“That’s it. Good work, everybody!” I called out to the Myth Guild soldiers. “Once again, drinks are on me for helping me out all day! Let’s meet up once we get back to base!”
“Alright!”
“Let’s go!”
I watched as the Myth Guild soldiers cheer and return to Section 35 before checking how many extra Stat points I had. I had 5,510 just the day before… “7,047, eh?” This time, I had gained 1,537 points from Death’s Harrier…
I smiled. I had half-expected to get less than 1,500 points, so I was more than satisfied. I closed my Stats Menu and ran to join the Myth Guild soldiers. I still needed to stop by the Store before I treated them all out.
