Chapter 16

The Game Difficulty
Is
Crazy

Chapter 4

The unique latent abilities that exist in Grey Eden can be broadly divided into three types.

First is the Player-Unique Latent Ability.

As the words suggest, this refers to a high-performance unique latent ability that the protagonist character chosen by the player is born with.

Second is the Common Latent Ability.

These are latent abilities that players can obtain later while playing the game, but they are also commonly possessed by NPCs or monsters, making them rather ordinary abilities.

And lastly, the third.

“Boss Monster–Unique Latent Ability.”

A unique latent ability that players can never have, possessed only by boss monsters.

The unique latent ability Glen had just obtained, “The Ringless Knight,” belonged to this third category.

“This is kind of unexpected?”

Glen showed an interested expression.

Looking only at the result, he had once again obtained a unique latent ability close to hitting the jackpot.

“No, it’s an insane jackpot ability.”

The Ringless Knight was a latent ability possessed by Gerbein, a boss monster that appeared in the late stages of the game.

Gerbein, the Ringless Knight.

A human who was never able to form even a single ring until his death, spending his entire life honing only swordsmanship.

In the world of Grey Eden, where the number of rings represented both power and level, he was a being who defeated countless strong opponents using nothing but swordsmanship alone.

“When I first met that guy, the scene where ten 6-star holy knights were sprawled beneath him was truly unforgettable.”

Blood splattered across pure white armor.

And standing proudly atop it all was Gerbein in a black cloak.

Just recalling that image sent a chill down Glen’s spine.

That was how captivating a boss monster Gerbein was.

“And now that strong and fascinating boss monster’s latent ability is my power.”

The corner of Glen’s mouth lifted slightly.

Of course, just because he obtained the Ringless Knight did not mean Glen could immediately defeat a 6-star holy knight.

The Ringless Knight’s ability was limited to breaking through the limits of swordsmanship and allowing one to cut formless power with a sword.

“Even with this latent ability, it’s meaningless if I don’t become stronger myself.”

In other words, the Ringless Knight was a latent ability meant to shine in the later stages.

Still, because of the swordsmanship he had already accumulated, he would be able to show some noticeable results.

For example, he could now pierce through Holy Armor without needing to rely on the opponent’s carelessness like before.

“Even if Robert challenges me to a rematch, I don’t need to worry about losing anymore.”

That said, if he defeated a fully cautious Robert, it would attract more attention than necessary.

So even if he could deal with him easily, there was no need to fight.

“I’m already busy growing stronger. There’s no reason to deal with someone like that.”

Glen shrugged his shoulders,

Then let out a deep sigh of relief.

He had worried about getting some useless trait, so he was genuinely glad the result was satisfying.

“Looking at this alone, the Lunatic elements don’t seem so bad—my ass! I’ll never go through that hell just to get a skill again.”

Glen’s expression darkened.

Even now, just thinking about the insane thing he did four days before sparring with Robert made his stomach churn.

“The funny part is that I actually went crazy and enjoyed it halfway through training.”

Endurance is bitter, but its fruit is sweet?

Glen shook his head.

“The fruit may be sweet, but the endurance before it is way too bitter.”

He hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with Lunatic elements for a long while.

* * * *

The next day at noon.

After finishing lunch, Glen was having tea time with Tris.

Of course, he had already completed his basic training in the morning.

“I really thought my heart was going to drop yesterday.”

Tris rubbed her chest.

Glen smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry for making you worry, noona.”

“Seriously. If you had a secret move like that, couldn’t you have told your sister beforehand?”

Tris pouted her lips, looking hurt.

Glen could only smile awkwardly.

“I kept it secret to draw out Sir Robert’s carelessness.”

“Well, if you put it that way, I have nothing to say.”

Tris also knew that Robert’s carelessness had been the biggest factor deciding the outcome of yesterday’s spar.

A brief silence followed, and Tris slowly opened her mouth.

“Hey, Glen… that power that pierced through Holy Armor. You can’t tell your sister about it, can you?”

Her eyes were lowered.

It seemed she felt hurt and resentful that Glen never told her anything.

“Well… considering how much she’s been used in various ways without hearing anything, it’s understandable.”

Whether it was making the Growth Elixir or preparing the materials for the Inglusio magic circle, Tris had fulfilled all his requests without complaint.

She could have pressed him for answers at least once.

But even so, Glen could not tell Tris the truth.

All the abilities he used to pierce Robert’s Holy Armor were obtained through the privilege of being a player.

He couldn’t explain the player system, and even if he did, it would only cause confusion.

So no matter how much she trusted him, there was little Glen could say.

“Yes. Other than saying the god helped me, there’s no way I can explain it.”

Just like the fanatic executioner Glen of the past, using the god’s name was the best option.

Glen gave a bitter smile.

At that moment, a strange light appeared in Tris’s calm eyes.

“I thought so… but I guess it’s really true.”

“What do you mean?”

“Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately. Watching everything that’s happened to you, I made some guesses. And just now! Your sister has become certain.”

“Huh? What are you talking about…?”

Tris stood up from her chair and leaned forward.

Her face came so close their noses could touch.

Her ash-gray eyes, the same as his, were filled with conviction.

“The god’s voice whispering in your ear. That’s God’s Touch, right?”

“What? God’s… what?”

Glen looked dumbfounded.

Why was God’s Touch suddenly coming up now?

“Huh? Ahh, Glen. Maybe you haven’t realized it yet. Mm-hmm, that happens. Of course it does.”

Tris nodded repeatedly.

“God’s Touch is literally an ability granted to those favored by the god. You can hear the god’s voice, and your growth surpasses common sense! In other words, it’s exactly like your current state.”

Tris continued explaining rapidly, but Glen wasn’t listening.

“No, I obviously know what God’s Touch does. It’s a broken ability. But the problem is why it suddenly came up… wait.”

A hypothesis flashed through Glen’s mind.

At the same time, Tris finished her explanation and pointed at him with her fork.

“Only two people in the world possess God’s Touch—the Pope and the Saintess. That means, Glen! You can become someone just as great as them!”

“Just as I thought. Noona really believes I’m hearing the god’s voice.”

Abnormal growth beyond common sense.

A god’s voice heard in his ears.

The mysterious power that pierced Robert’s Holy Armor.

Tris had combined all that information and concluded that Glen was a chosen person blessed with God’s Touch.

“She misunderstood it this badly?”

Glen scratched the back of his head with a troubled expression.

He thought about telling her that wasn’t the case, but—

“She looks so confident with those sparkling eyes. How am I supposed to say it?”

If he thought about it, this misunderstanding brought far more benefits than drawbacks.

From now on, no matter what he did, Tris would interpret it not as the reckless madness of a fanatic executioner borrowing the god’s name, but as the true will of the god.

“My little brother received God’s Touch… I knew my faith wasn’t wrong! Mother, are you watching? Our Glen wasn’t wrong!”

With teary eyes, Tris wiped the corners of her eyes.

It seemed like all the emotional pain she had endured while protecting him was finally being comforted.

“Anyway, Glen! From now on, if you need anything, tell your sister. I’ll even bring you a dragon’s tooth if I have to!”

Tris clenched both fists with a determined expression.

Glen shrugged.

“Well… good is good.”

“Yes. I’ll be in your care from now on as well, Tris noona.”

Unintentionally, Tris’s trust in him had grown even deeper.

* * * *

Glen returned to his room completely exhausted.

Calming down the excited Tris had drained all his energy.

After lying face-down on the bed and resting for about ten minutes,

A young man came to visit him.

He was Edgar’s personal servant.

“The eldest young master sent this.”

The promised item had arrived.

The servant handed Glen a box about the size of a palm.

“If Brother Edgar had come himself, I was going to tease him a bit. As expected, he sent a servant.”

Glen let out a disappointed snort.

“Did he say anything?”

“He said he would reclaim it soon.”

“Oh? Did he now?”

Glen scoffed.

It seemed Edgar expected him to accept a rematch.

Unfortunately, that would never happen.

Ever since his days as the Holy Executioner, Glen was famous for never letting go of what he obtained.

“Tell him I’ll be cheering for him.”

“……Yes. Then please rest well.”

After sending the servant away,

Glen opened the box while alone.

“So this is the Shield of Opportunity, Ensir.”

Though called a shield, it was actually a necklace artifact with a shield-shaped pendant.

Of course, the fact that Ensir was an artifact was known only to Glen.

Neither the family head nor Edgar knew—both believed it was merely a symbol given to the next family head.

“To think they were using such a scam-level artifact as nothing more than a symbol… what a waste.”

That was because the ability of this artifact was utterly broken.

Glen checked Ensir’s information.

《Shield of Opportunity, Ensir》
《Grade》: Hero
《Type》: Necklace

《Option》

• One time only. When receiving an attack that would lead to death, the damage from that attack is nullified.
  (Consumed upon activation)

Commonly known as One Coin.

If certain conditions were met and its power unlocked,

Ensir would allow the current Glen to survive even a direct attack from the final boss, Mors.

“It’s single-use, so I have to save it unless it’s truly dangerous—but still.”

It was like gaining one extra life in a world with no respawn.

For Glen, who occasionally had his life threatened due to Lunatic perks, it was truly like rain in a drought.

Glen put Ensir around his neck.

Just knowing he had an extra life made the corners of his mouth lift.

“First the Ringless Knight, and now Ensir. That secures all the rewards this time. Next is…”

Glen opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper filled with writing.

『Demon Race Assault Defense Plan』

It detailed not only territory defense plans such as supplies and troop training, but also Glen’s growth plan in step-by-step detail.

Now that the minor obstacles blocking his path were resolved, it was time to prepare more seriously for the demon race’s assault.

“But it’s hard to execute the territory defense plan right now.”

Preparing war supplies and training troops was not something one person could do alone.

He would need dozens of people under his command.

But Glen was the family’s executioner.

Unfortunately, he currently lacked the power and authority to move people as he wished.

“Then I’ll create them. Power and authority.”

There was no need to overthink it.

The current executioner Glen was the result of his past misdeeds.

If he showed strength, dignity befitting the name Warsworth, and appropriate achievements from now on, people would follow him even without being ordered.

Just like the trainee knights had.

Glen stood up and slowly stretched.

The groundwork to prepare for the demon race.

The authority needed for that groundwork.

Dignity and achievements for that authority.

And pure strength for all of it.

“Then… shall I start preparing?”

The priority remained the same.

Becoming stronger than he is now.

Glen unfolded a map of the territory.

In his clear ash-gray eyes shone the seasoned light unique to a veteran player.

“Alright then. Which one should I start with first?”