Strongest Man
The Summoning Palace Part 2
’’What is a grasshopper?’
The man's guess is right. However, there was no such simple way that would appear in the Blanche square. What actually appeared was a man-eating grasshopper, standing on top of an adult male. There were a bunch of them numbering in the hundreds.
”Now! Fucking humans! The weapons will start to appear. Choose one! Fight ... or run! If you don't do .. kekeke! You can let yourself be eaten! ’
The homunculi began to dance as they mocked them. The crowd still stood frozen in uncertainty, but Sungchul was different. With heartless eyes, he patiently waited for the arrival of the weapon. A worn blade suddenly appeared in the air.
[Blade of Beginnings]
Grade: General – Lowest Grade
Grade: Blade
Effect: None
Note: Use and opponent. Die. Or Kill.
” It's been a long time since I used a knife. ’’
He's only used his hammer long enough now. This did not mean he could not use a knife. The mastery level of Sungchul with the blade was at Master rank. It was far from being Grand Master rank which was ‘the greatest’, but it wouldn't be wrong to say he was the most powerful human swordsman.
Sungchul hid amidst the rumbling crowd and observed the transparent creatures meandering above their heads. They were transparent, but their red eyes were clearly a summoner. Most people would not be able to see it under an invisibility spell, but such an illusion spell was only a salon trick for Sungchul.
“That must be the eyes of the Observer. Have they started filtering people? ‘
Sungchul could see a large observation tower above the walls surrounding the square. The bastards who hold power in this part of the world are sitting in that tower. They keep an eye on the Observer to look for seedlings or ‘’ special talents that they can develop. But at this point, it was too early for them to say so they mostly only saw people who had relationships with the higher-ups.
As if beckoning, the Observer's eyes focused on those special people. It is a kind of privilege given to them.
‘The Observer's eyes are all enchanted with the spell of a low-level repellent. I think it can avoid trash monsters like man-eating locusts. ‘
Some Observer Eyes were held over men and women who stood out from the rest. These spies belonged to slave traders. Most likely, they will appear at a critical moment, trying to enforce a brutal contract on them that will put their lives as collateral.
’’ Now, now! Fucking humans! The game will start! ’
The homunculus with the red hat jumped onto the human. There was one person who walked into the homunculus.
”Hei! What are you this? Huh?”
It was a relatively muscular man in his mid-20s who also looked very agile. He must have used his fists a little in the old world, but this was the Otherworld, the old way of thinking did not apply here.
’’Cast man? You have something you want to say to me? ’
The homunculus with the red hat staggered and asked. The man, who seemed to be full of energy, suddenly booted the Homunculus. However, the kick that carried all his weight was easily grabbed by the hand like a baby Homunculus.
’’Uh …? Huh?!”
The man's eyes only briefly reflected on the horror flowing within him before the surrounding homunculi gathered like vultures and each happily held a branch. The man tried hard to swing his sword, but it didn't work.
’’ H-hey! Release me! Filth!”
’’Relucid humans, struggling without knowing your place! Time for lesson ~! ’’
Red Hat smiled brightly as she spoke.
’’ This place is OUR playground! Break our rules, and this is what happened! ’
The homunculi sneered while tearing the man's limbs apart.
’’ KYAAAAAA! ’’
The man's limbs were torn apart, accompanied by sickening screams. A woman's shrill scream followed soon after, leaving everyone in silent horror. The homunculi was immersed in human terror and spoke arrogantly, ’’ From now on. You should all listen to what we have to say to you. Run to that door with all your strength! Or Mister Mantis will make delicious food out of you! ’
The seal around the plaza fell. The locusts starving locusts suddenly perked up. Humans finally understood the fate that awaited them. The cry of despair, followed by chaos. A large group of 2,500 people all shot towards the door. Everyone pushed and pushed until the weakest was trampled to death. Sungchul calmly passed through the chaos and headed towards the front of the crowd. These were all familiar sights to him.
The repertoire of the Homunculus had not changed in the slightest. There would still be unwanted surprises waiting for them at the exit.
’’ Kwuuuuh! ’’
A hand shot out from the exit followed by a creature shaped like a human. It was a ghost, a zombie-like creature that sought human flesh but maintained its consciousness. But their hunger still overwhelms their sense of reason.
The starving ghost became frenzied as it looked at the living and fresh humans. They catch those who are the most athletic, who are in front of the crowd and start eating them alive. At the traumatic scene that happened before them, the people in front came to a halt. However, the herd of 2000 did not stop with them. The people behind kept pushing, while the people in front kept shouting, ” Don't push! Don't push! ’
Those who were facing ghosts held the crowd back with their strength, but in the end, they were slowly pushed forward little by little, until they were also captured by the ghosts.
’’ KYAAAA! ’’
”Very hungry…! HUNGRY!”
Accompanied by the screams of their victims, the ghosts begin to feast. Not only that, there are other predators that are stronger, even scarier, hunting those left behind.
’’D-honey!’ ’
A middle-aged man weakly tried to defend his wife with his sword, but a novice was no match for a man-eating grasshopper.
Clangs!
Mantis ‘front legs smash knives and snatch desperate victims.
The interest! The interest!
The homunculus smiled satisfied with the music it was chewing on meat and bones.
’That's why you have to run faster! You slowpokes, lazing about leads to this! Hhey! ’’
It was a scene comparable to hell, but all of this failed to affect Sungchul. To him, there was a greater purpose to achieve, and that was to read the inscription that was at the front gate.
’’ ... Death will set you free. ’’
[You are the owner of keen observation. You have carefully observed the inscription written on the front gate, and completed the Observant (General)]
Gifts – Intuition +1
The first search is complete. But it is far from over.
[Oh Ho! What a nice guy! You have completed Samaria (Regular) by helping 3 fallen people.]
Gift – Apple x2
[Even in the bleakest moments, you are truly romantic who still stares excitedly at the two months! Romance (General) has been completed.]
Reward – Token Palace x1
Even in the process of escaping, he was able to complete some trivial quests. Things like apples were obtained in Sungchul's spare time, but the Palace Token was the most important item in the Palace Quest. Through a number of Palace Tokens, classes could be selected. One had to hastily gather if they wanted to take one of the hidden classes, but Sungchul only wanted the general magician class. He could easily collect 9 out of 10 tokens with a slight problem. Trying harder would only attract the attention of large guilds and sects.
‘I guess I should get about 15 tokens to be safe. After all, I finally had to open my status screen, now that I had managed to gain intuition. ‘
In this brief moment, A ghoul rushed towards Sungchul. He reflexively rubbed the ghost skull with the back of his sword. However, he had forgotten to control his strength. The ghost skull had managed to pierce through the reinforced floor.
”Cotting.”
He tried to hold back, but it was still too strong. That can't be avoided. His physical strength had surpassed that of a superhuman and could be ranked in the realm of divinity.
‘There must be a need for me to hide my strength. With lots. ‘
Thankfully, his actions were completely unnoticed, no one noticed him. It was only natural, this was an arena of survival where preserving one's life was quite difficult, without having to worry about what others were doing.
It slowly began to look. The homunculi waved the blood-stained cloth while shouting at the people. Those who finished felt as if they were both physically and mentally suffocated. Sungchul gently muttered ‘screen status’ under his breath. Overall, the status of a newcomer would be pitifully overwhelming. It would not be rare to be filled with some statistics and nothing else. This is not the case of Sungchul. The status screen opens up like a legendary epic.
[Current Status of Kim Sungchul, ‘The One Who Crushes’]
[Grambling]
Covenants
(Unknown)
Unshakable
(Immune to Mental Attacks)
Blessings from the God of Chaos
(Bonus 10% for Strength, Flexibility, Vitality)
(+100 Strength)
The Zelot bloodline
(Main Bone for Regeneration when Below 10% Vitality)
Humanitarian Champion
(+ 50 Resolve)
The Rapid - Bow of the High Elf Kingdom
(+ 30 Flexibility)
The Heart of the Ancient Soldier
(+5 Strength, Resolve, Vitality/Resilience) [Curse]
Covenants
(Unknown)
The Final Declaration of the Grand Mage Balzark
(-10 Intuition)
Blessing Blademaster Karakardra
(+ 1 Flexibility, -1 Strength)
Ancient God Champion, Arrak – Garr’s Criticism
(Strength -3)
The Dark Karma Curse of Dragon Groteus
(- 20 Strengths, - 20 Vitality)
Adelwight from the Common Curse of the Haunted Forest
(- 5 Strength, Erectile Dysfunction)
Royal Enemy
(Fraction: Nemesis of the Human Kingdom, Empty Cheque Prize)
Destroyer of Hora Mountain Sect
(Fraction: Nemesis Hora Mountain Sect, Destroyed)
The Destroyer of Mewra Sect
(Fraction: Nemesis Mewra Sect, Destroyed)
The Enemy Witch Coalition
(Fraction: Nemesis Mage Coalition and affiliated guilds)
Steel Fist Curse Head Orc Crimson, Drakuul
(Bag: -30 Orc Favor)
Recorded at Dwarven Log of Villains
(Race: - 200 Dwarf Favor)
Recorded on the Merchant Coalition Blacklist
(Fraction: Trade is not possible with the Merchant coalition and their affiliated factions)
’’ ….. ’’
Too long. It takes a long time to read fully to the classroom screen. This was why he avoided opening the screen of his previous status. There is no need for that either.
Sungchul sorts through the overcrowded words to find what he is really looking for.
‘Power ability, class and soul’ contract
[Class]
First Class – Primordial Warrior (Legendary)
Subclass – High Grade Chefs (Rare)
[Statts]
Power 999+ Dexterity 853
Vitality 801 Magic Power 3
Intuition - 9 Magic Resist 611
Finish 501 Charisma 18
Luck 18
[Soul Contract – 6 Slots]
Soul Harvester
([Legend] Vitality Leech 15%, Vitality returned from fallen enemies)
The Thunder Shield
([Legend] All Magic Damage reduced by 50%/Negate all mental attacks below legend rank)
Eye of Truth
([Legend] Negate all blessings under Epic rank/Identification of all items, consumables, and skill details)
Soul Storage
([Epic] Can store 1500 different items)
Hood of deceiver
([Rare – High Tier] Conceals status window)
– Blank –
With lighter data, Sungchul first looked into the classroom.
‘I think the mage should be placed on the sub class. I haven't really messed it up like some others. ‘
Sungchul then checks the 5th soul contract, the Veil Scammer. A soul contract is, as the name suggests, a covenant in which a god or similar being inserts some of their power into the user's soul. Each of these contracts were extremely difficult to obtain, but they also provided significant strength.
The fraudsters effectively deceive other users. It hides the power of users, but also their names. It was something important for an unreasonable and powerful loner with more enemies than a friend like Sungchul.
“I have to play around a little when I get the chance.”
He ended up checking his stats, or more importantly, his intuition.
‘Intuition is -9. The curse of that old geezer, Balzark, is holding me back now. ‘
The shadow of an old man covered in countless inscriptions, spitting out curses while turning into softened flesh flashed across his mind. Intuition was the core stat for a mage, going along with their magic power. Magic power represents the destructive power of witches and their mana retention, while intuition is related to their understanding of higher level magic. Not understanding how high your magic power is, without adequate intuition, one would never be able to learn a high-level spell. As far as he could remember, the Mage class required at least 10 intuitions.
‘It is very important that/it I increase my intuition, but the limit for general search is 10. I can increase power by 23, but why is there so little room for intuition?’
It had not been planned, but the need for a hidden search arose. However, he did not know the requirements to trigger one of the hidden quests within the Summoning Palace. He only managed to get his hands on the general search log. It's not like there's any other way …
Sungchul is looking for the most relaxed among the survivors. He found one. One with the Observer Eye floating above. In other words, ‘shoes-in’. A way would appear if he followed her. Ways to uncover hidden searches.
