Chapter 95
Chapter 95: Collection (4)
What is Enhancement?
For Erik, it was something that could evoke nostalgia from his days as Park Ji-hun.
'This much should be sufficient.'
Additionally, during his time as Park Ji-hun, he had set two essential rules for enhancement.
These were absolute enough to be called a law or ordinance.
'Audience and applause.'
While satisfying the instinctive human desire for recognition,
Enhancement was an event that showed just how remarkable the item he had obtained truly was.
Thus, Saint Erik summoned all the people gathered in the Demon Realm.
"Are you all prepared to witness a holy ceremony?"
With radiant holiness, Erik rose high into the sky.
Below him, all the Paladins of the Religious Order assembled.
For those who didn't know what item enhancement was, it might have been confusing.
"Waaaaaahhhhh!!!"
But the devout believers of the Religious Order instead filled themselves with anticipation for the Saint's ceremony.
It was a festival atmosphere.
Having grasped victory in the war against the Black Mage Group,
It felt like a celebration.
Ahhhhh!
The choir sang blessing songs in that atmosphere.
As refined melodies blended in, the mood heightened further.
In the heated energy, Erik descended to the ground.
He gazed at the Pope and bowed his head respectfully.
"Your Holiness, I ask for your assistance."
"......Very well."
The Pope walked forward steadily toward the center of the Demon Realm.
The Pope, who had grown larger than Erik,
His presence was truly overwhelming.
Thud, thud!
With those heavy footsteps, thousands of believers and Possessors, as well as captured Black Mages, all directed their attention to one point.
The Pope's footsteps stopped.
Everyone's focus converged to one place.
"Jang Du-sik, may the Father's grace and mercy descend upon you."
At that center stood Jang Du-sik.
With a crude iron sword cradled in his arms, Jang Du-sik sat in formal seiza, eyes closed.
"......May I entrust this body to that holy grace with sincerity and a pure heart."
A holy prayer began to be recited.
And intense divine light began pouring down over Jang Du-sik's head.
Receiving an overwhelming amount of blessing, Jang Du-sik worried.
'What kind of crazy thing is this!'
No matter how much Jang Du-sik could handle it, enhancing an item in front of thousands of believers was daunting.
However, he had to see this through as well.
'Since even sister Rife came...'
Riferoze's eyes sparkled.
He didn't know what she heard from Erik...
If this fails, it's at minimum a near-death experience.
Jang Du-sik composed himself.
"—Jang Du-sik, may you have no fear as you undertake the work of enhancement."
Just then, the Pope's prayer ended.
Super-concentrated divine power like the great sea enveloped Jang Du-sik's entire body.
His short-cropped hair gleamed brilliantly.
Ssrrk.
The Pope removed his hand from Jang Du-sik's head.
"Begin."
With those words, Jang Du-sik pushed the [1st Tier Enhancement Ticket] into the Sword of Creation.
Ssshhhhhhh!
The [Item Enhancement Ticket] melted into the Sword of Creation and disappeared.
A silvery ripple undulated across the blade.
It was a successful enhancement effect.
A phenomenon he had witnessed once in the Labyrinth.
'Momentum.'
Following Erik's advice, Jang Du-sik moved his hands without hesitation.
Srrrk! Srrrk!
The 1st Tier Enhancement Tickets vanished in an instant.
"Crazy."
At that sight, Erik swallowed involuntarily.
His trapezius muscles twitched and his eyes widened as if they might burst.
To Erik's eyes, it was crystal clear.
[Successfully enhanced the Sword of Creation.]
[Sword of Creation +2 Enhancement]
[Successfully enhanced the Sword of Creation.]
[Sword of Creation +3 Enhancement]
.
.
.
[Successfully enhanced the Sword of Creation.]
[Sword of Creation +10 Enhancement]
Non-stop 10 enhancement.
He accomplished it all at once.
'A 9-consecutive enhancement?'
He had never even seen this in the game.
Just as he was amazed, white hair swept past Erik's eyes.
"Huh!"
Riferoze didn't see it, but she felt it.
"Can a sacred relic truly become even stronger?"
She walked toward the Sword of Creation as if entranced.
"Indeed, the being called by God must be a Possessor."
Her fanaticism was proven.
There must be a reason why Possessors came.
When they fulfilled their duties, true peace would come to this world.
"How can the relic be."
Riferoze reached her hand toward the Sword of Creation.
Tuk!
However, Erik caught her slender wrist.
And he said,
"Master, that's inappropriate."
"......What are you saying right now—."
Riferoze tried to bristle, but Erik quickly changed the subject.
"And the being called by God is not a Possessor."
"Then what do you mean?"
"It's Du-sik."
"Hmm. Now that I think about it, that makes sense."
Erik gently led Riferoze away from Jang Du-sik to a distant location.
'If an enhancement failure appeared...'
Continental Online wasn't such a malicious game that items would be destroyed.
However, the cost of failure was a reduction in enhancement level.
Item enhancement tickets were not common in reality.
So caution was necessary.
"Still, it's frustrating not being allowed to even touch it."
"Now it's time for the 2nd Tier Enhancement. Once the Sword of Creation grows larger, you can touch it all you want."
Once the commotion settled, Jang Du-sik pulled out a yellow ticket.
And he pushed it into the Sword of Creation without hesitation.
"Huh..."
The high-ranking members of the Religious Order watching this were equally amazed.
'How is this even possible?'
Holy War Knight Commander Julius.
He was dumbfounded by the ridiculous ceremony the Saint was holding.
However, the result was nothing short of astonishment itself.
"Your Holiness, does this even make sense?"
"......Father also seems bewildered."
Even the Pope himself couldn't find words for this phenomenon, nor could God Astia.
"How is the sacred relic!"
The sacred relic of the Religious Order, the 'Sword of Creation'.
Once it had disappeared, but it had somehow returned to the hands of the Saint.
"And that too, the Sword of Creation."
The sacred relic said to have opened the Labyrinth.
Moreover, it was known to be a personal weapon once wielded directly by God.
It was becoming stronger.
And in real-time at that.
"Does this mean it continues to grow stronger?"
Srrrk! Srrrk!
Every time the short-cropped bundle of hair pushed in a ticket, light flashed from the sacred relic.
"Jang Du-sik......the Possessors that the Saint carries around aren't even."
Enhancing a sacred relic using a non-Possessor's item.
"That one too is a being upon whom God's will has descended. Julius, empty your mind."
Even the Pope had nothing to say.
【Accept the world's changes.】
Father's will was such.
The changes brought about by Possessors had now become something to be accepted.
"Just as Possessors are mixing in with us, we must also become accustomed to their belongings."
"If such tremendous things are possible, shouldn't the Religious Order at the dimension level pursue Possessors."
Julius found himself wondering if he should immediately go Possessor hunting.
He wanted to discuss this with the Pope.
However, he couldn't continue speaking at the phenomenon that followed.
Kugugungg!
A vibration erupted from the Sword of Creation stuck between the legs of cross-legged Jang Du-sik.
It was the moment the yellow ticket was pushed in for the tenth time.
Kung! Kung! Kuung!
Waves radiated outward from Jang Du-sik as the center.
The Religious Order's dignitaries held their breath at that phenomenon.
The holy power of God shook all directions.
"Ahhh, Father."
That power was.
The true divine power of Astia felt in the sanctuary of the Religious Order.
"Uhhhh!"
Meanwhile, the Possessors, who had been holding their breath cautiously, finally opened their mouths.
"W-what is that!"
[Sword of Creation +11 Enhancement]
[Sword of Creation +12 Enhancement]
[Sword of Creation +13 Enhancement]
.
.
[Sword of Creation +20 Enhancement]
"The probability is......successfully clearing a 1% chance all at once?"
Though they were hiding themselves among the clergy, once they opened their mouths, all the stories they had been holding back poured out.
"It's crazy, it's insane."
"Hey, Chang-ho. Isn't that probability manipulation?"
Nishida Ryo's tactless question remained.
However, this time the reaction was different.
"Erik...Sir, did something."
Kang Pung-ho nodded as if he saw the logic.
"He's using Du-sik to manipulate probability. Could it be something like a world change?"
Park Chang-ho offered a reasonable conjecture.
The Possessors chattering like that had no choice but to finally close their mouths.
Kuung!
Along with intense vibrations, a heavy and dominant aura swirled all around.
[Sword of Creation +20 Enhancement]
A single sword surrounded by a veil of light stood at that center,
And Erik approached it with unhesitating steps.
Suk!
Erik lifted the sword.
Then the shape of the sword began gradually transforming.
A smile hung at the corner of his mouth, and his hand holding the sword was filled with strength.
Kuung! Kung!
The Sword of Creation held in Erik's hand.
Scattering golden divinity, its form continued to change.
Erik's gaze became distant.
'It's been a long time since I felt like this.'
Erik was thrilled.
Memories of the past came flooding back.
Reminiscences of enhancing items with 100 guild members swept through his mind.
Also, a concern he had felt inadvertently surfaced.
'There's a possibility that the guild master or guild members may have been possessed.'
Over 500,000 Possessors.
It was a proven fact that the longer a user spent time on the game, the higher the possession probability.
So it was highly likely that his guild members from his time as Park Ji-hun had also been possessed.
'I don't want to, but......'
Recalling the guild master brought complicated feelings.
But that doesn't mean he hoped they were dead.
Living an Earth life and then falling into this savage world was quite difficult.
In reality, the number of Possessors was decreasing rapidly, but.
'Earthtown.'
The city of Possessors being built in the 5th District of the Imperial Capital would protect their lives.
If the Imperial Army advanced while absorbing Possessors from other nations as well......
He might meet some familiar faces.
When his thoughts reached this point.
Kiiing!
With a sharp resonance, the sword's form was completed.
[Sword of Creation +20 Enhancement]
[Special Effect 1: Attack Count +1]
[Special Effect 2: Attack Count +1]
'Am I seeing this in reality?'
The sword, which originally had a crude and thin iron sword form, had transformed into a magnificent greatsword with a gilded hilt.
The form was satisfactory.
But the additional options attached were a bit strange.
'Attack Count +1 appears twice?'
The [Special Option] added every 10 enhancement levels.
[Attack Count +1] was a setting that counted a character's attack as two strikes.
Since two of these were attached, theoretically it meant that swinging the sword once would have the effect of striking three times.
"Ho, so that shabby sword can grow this much?"
Riferoze approached with a whoosh and exclaimed with admiration while lifting her own sword.
"Let me see its performance—."
Hwuung!
Kang!
Erik blocked Riferoze's sword with the [Sword of Creation].
It was a single movement.
But there were three impact sounds.
'This works.'
A smile played at the corners of Erik's mouth.
And at the same time.
"How—how is such an impossible phenomenon possible!"
Riferoze exclaimed in astonishment, staring at the [Sword of Creation].
Erik offered her the sword's hilt and asked.
"Would you like to try it?"
***
An enhancement carried out in front of thousands of spectators.
As a result, they achieved the remarkable feat of raising it to 20 enhancement in one go.
Thanks to capturing Riferoze's interest thoroughly, they succeeded in sending her away at a distance all at once.
"What on earth have you done?"
Erik sought out Ruelle, who often lingered nearby.
Ruelle's teal eyes trembled.
Looking thoroughly frightened.
"Did she, did she really go far away?"
"Master went to carve a path through the Demon Realm with His Holiness."
"Suddenly?"
"Well, it's like this."
Erik provided a brief explanation.
How he handed the Sword of Creation to Riferoze and requested that she carve a path.
"She just agreed to that?"
"I explained it appropriately."
For the Imperial Army to head toward the Solar Holy Nation, they needed a path through the Demon Realm.
People without divine power, and specifically an entire army needed to pass.
A very wide area purification was necessary.
"Imperial Army? Ho, so you've achieved quite a high position in the Empire?"
Riferoze showed interest and asked various things, and Erik plainly shared only the facts.
"Still, she probably wouldn't have wanted to carve a path for war, right?"
Even after hearing this explanation, Ruelle was puzzled.
"Apparently she wanted to try using the Sword of Creation, so she readily agreed. And His Holiness the Pope also said he would accompany her."
"Well, she does love swordplay an awful lot."
Once Ruelle accepted this, Erik suddenly brought up the main topic.
"So, what on earth happened that Master has been remembering for 5 years?"
"That's...... Couldn't it be, heard?"
This was the first time seeing Ruelle so frightened.
She knew Riferoze had gone far away, yet she was reluctant to speak.
'Even in that hell created by Lucifer, she was confident...'
It was a moment when Riferoze's stubbornness truly hit home.
To this, Erik carved the air and opened a path to the Divine Edifice.
"Let's go inside. Master won't be able to hear us here."
"Phew, you're right. It would be safe here."
Grasping Erik's hand, Ruelle stepped into the space of the Divine Edifice.
Ssshhhhhhh!
A serene Divine Edifice built above clouds where a cool breeze blew.
Her heart naturally settled.
"So, are you planning to keep it a secret until the end?"
As Erik walked above the clouds and asked, Ruelle shut her mouth tight.
'Such stubbornness......'
Wouldn't it seem odd to press about what she refuses to say?
But curiosity couldn't be helped.
So, to naturally allow her to speak, Erik first brought up his own concerns.
"Ruelle, I have some worries."
"You?"
"......I'm human too, you see."
Ruelle gazed at the Divine Edifice.
"When did you become a god and preach conversion, but now you're human again?"
"Ha."
"Hmph, just kidding. What's wrong?"
"It's, about those Possessors."
Erik opened his heart and brought up his inner thoughts.
But the content was serious.
"These guys, there's something wrong with them."
Erik explained the concept of GP in the Divine Edifice System.
"How much did I contribute in such a grand battlefield......and I only gained 230 GP? Does that make sense?"
"Huh? Didn't it rise over a million?"
"That's a figure that rose thanks to three people—Ruelle, Janson, and Du-sik."
After that, Erik's complaints continued.
Those Possessor guys, I carried them on the bus and leveled them up.
They whined that the prison was uncomfortable, so I arranged them a place to live.
I did everything for them.
And in return, only 230 GP?
"—Does that even make sense? And it only rose after witnessing the 20 enhancement."
"......Kang Ji-na, I didn't think you were like that. Disappointing."
As the saying goes, the arm bends inward.
Ruelle empathized strongly.
"Chang-ho and that Nishida guy, they also messed up as kids."
"Right?"
"I'm not saying this just because it's you, but seriously. You saved kids who were being dragged to the guillotine, and they don't have even a shred of faith? That's what I'm saying."
"Sigh, I'm quite troubled on what to do with these guys."
It was genuine trouble.
Until now, he thought things would change once time passed, but after seeing 230 GP rise from the 20 enhancement, Erik became certain.
"That's, my guess, but—."
As they sat in front of the Divine Edifice and talked cozily, Ruelle carefully grasped Erik's hand.
And carefully opened her mouth.
"Couldn't it be because they lost so badly? The kids are scared. That's why their faith got devoured by fear! What do you think? Makes sense, right?"
"Hmm, but Du-sik and Janson are completely different, aren't they?"
"Ah, that's true........."
The conversation paused briefly.
Then naturally, Ruelle opened her mouth.
"Actually, for me too."
Erik opened his ears wide.
What did the Possessors matter anyway?
This moment was what was important.
That was when.
Jjijiji! Jjik! Jjik!
Suddenly, a roaring sound erupting in empty space.
'Something feels strange......'
Erik looked down below the Divine Edifice.
The empty space before the clouds tore open, and white hair appeared.
Riferoze had intruded suddenly...
"You brats!!!"
She shouted with her face completely contorted.
"I told you to raise them well, and you set up a household here?!"