Chapter 44_ God Hand (5)

"There's only several months left. Father, the pillar of Eternal will disappear."

This was how long King Wiesbaden of the Eternal KIngdom had left to live. The 1st Prince, Ren's, face darkened. However he wasn't mourning about his father's death.

"The fear felt by the golems deeply affected the roots in the kingdom. I don't have time to waste because of my father's state."

The golem invasion of Reinhardt. Ren still remembered the words of Duke Greed.

"I, Greed, swear eternal loyalty to Your Majesty and his highness, Lexus."

He swore allegiance to King Wiesbaden and Lexus, not the entire royal family. This was like a declaration of war towards the 1st prince, so Ren was afraid.

"Duke Greed and his subordinates, if it weren't for them, Reinhardt would have disappeared but their strength is too frightening."

1st Prince Ren was well aware of how strong Greed and his subordinates were. It was natural, since he'd witnessed their actions in the Reinhardt golem invasion. Nevertheless, the reason he was hostile to Greed was firstly, it was obvious that Ren would be eaten up if he stayed still.

But now, there's a bigger problem for him. It was because the lazy prince had returned from his journey as a monster. Ren knew about Lexus' peerless and heaven defying talent since he was little but it was out of his expectation to witness the growth of Lexus.

Seeing that he had become a Sword Saint, a variable that he didn't liked, put a great problem for him to become the king who will succeed King Wiesbaden.

For Lexus to become a Sword Saint which even many Great Swordsmen couldn't achieve no matter how hard they tried, how plenty the effort they spent, it just secured Lexus' position to become the rightful king of the kingdom in the eyes of everyone and he was not blind to not acknowledge this fact.

"What should I do?"

Looking at the bright stars in the dark endless sky, with expression devoid with hope and happiness, Ren questioned himself as he was slowly swallowed by despair.

•~×~•

In a private room arranged by Lexus, he was facing Greed and all the members of the Overgeared Guild. Directly facing Greed, Lexus casually said something.

"Man, you surely had grown stronger unlike our first encounter. If you had this strength on our first meeting, I would surely lose."

As Lexus smiled, the contents of the notification window were updated.

[Lexus is satisfied with you performance.]

"I guess I'll pass a skill on you for a job well done of becoming stronger."

His explanation followed. Knowledge and wisdom in an incomprehensible language were forced into Greed's mind, making the flow of energy in his body smoother than before.

[The skill, 'Bloody Berserker' has been acquired as compensation for the spar.]

[Bloody Berserker - Lv.1]

Rating: Unique

[A skill that is created by Lexus with the outmost perfection and had been passed to you.

* Allows the caster to sense or accurately detect all...]

"...??"

A series of incomprehensible things happened. Greed was astonished as he read the skill description. A unique skill that increases attack power based on the missing health percentage. Since he possess a high amount of attack damage, this skill greatly synergized well with his items and sword dances. Redirecting his gaze to the players around, Lexus asked something that just came into mind.

"Well you might know this already but Duke Greed happens to be my first knight."

Hearing Lexus, the members finally understands the relationship of their guild master to Lexus. The Summon Knight skill is no longer a foreign concept to them as some of them here were knights of Greed.

"Should I consider you guys as my subordinates too? Well it's okay to reject it though. Just like I'm not forcing Duke Greed to do anything for me, there will be no restrictions for you guys as well."

Lexus joked for a bit. However, as he is a legendary Sword Saint in their eyes, his words were not something they could take lightly. Those words were seen by them as opportunity. Despite Greed's blue greatsword that cut down the best rankers like cream cheese, he didn't just overwhelm Greed but pushed him to the point of death.

"This, this... I received great insight for witnessing the saint of the sword. Look forward to the future of the dark shadow Lauel, the black dragon sealed inside me is raging."

Satisfy implemented a system of complete freedom. It had more than two billion users. The two billion people could freely select or pioneer more than 10,000 classes, and there were 10,000 common classes.

Each common class had a top 10 rankings. It seemed like the same IDs every time. This meant that the top 10 of each class was widening the gap with those ranked below 11th, and it was virtually impossible for new figures to enter the top 10 rankings.

But before, there was a major upheaval in the rankings of 16 major classes. The Tzedakah Guild moved from L.T.S to Satisfy and entered the top 10 of each ranking in just four months. It had a large impact on users and the Tzedakah Guild made a spectacular debut in Satisfy, gaining the media's attention.

Then after that...

The rankings became stuck again for a while. After the Tzedakah Guild appeared, the top rankers stayed the same for more than half a year.

It was around a month ago. Just like when the Tzedakah Guild appeared in the past, a major upheaval once again appeared in the rankings. 10 new figures appeared in the rankings of 10 major classes like comets. Those 10 people were called the '10 Rookies' and received people's praise and expectations.

Lauel was one of the 10 Rookies.

However he was sick of the title of rookie. He wanted to quickly jump to the top of the rankers. But he started too late. When he was level 1, the top rankers were already level 180. Talent alone couldn't cover that gap. In order to catch up with them…

No matter how much money he had, he couldn't buy the strongest items. In Satisfy, Greed was the only one who could create the most powerful items. Thus, his power was necessary in order for Lauel to become a top ranked player.

'Legendary items and skills…'

Laurel still couldn't believe it. The might of the two legends he had witnessed was something beyond his expectations; as he recalled the fight. If it were him who was fighting against Lexus, his control would have been helpless in front of that strength and would have undoubtedly been crushed like a fly.

'The blue shark-shaped greatsword that Greed is using, its performance transcends imagination but the might of the Sword Saint is the same.'

Lauel had now discovered that a legend could not be judged by common sense. While he was thrilled in his own mind, the player who was best known for her proficiency with the bow as an Archer, and for the longest time ranked first in the archer rankings, took a step forward. Watching her, Lexus recognized her identity.

"We will leave that decision to Duke Greed as we are his companions."

She said with a smile. Jishuka's most noticing features are her tanned skin and curvy sensual body. She has sharp eyes, full lips and big chest. Her face was also very small. Her body ratio was like the model of the famous artwork X, which had been lauded as a 'work of art from God.'

Her eyes and lustrous red lips stimulated male instincts. Her bright coppery skin and voluptuous body proved why she was regarded as one of the sexiest beauties in the real world. Lexus observed that Jishuka and her guild members were strong.

He had somewhat flinched due to his super sensitivity, which gave him senses that had transcended the human realm. His level was lower, while their average level was well above 200.

"I agree with her sentiment. Duke Greed is now our leader."

A wild-looking, hairy middle-aged person interrupted with a shout. He was equipped with two shining axes, armor and gorgeous ornaments, looking completely like a high-level user. It was the tank destroyer and the 1st ranked guardian knight, Vantner.

"You're strong and a prince too. I'm in."

A blond haired man with his upper body revealed appeared and intervened. The First place in the martial artist rankings, Regas. He was good looking, slim, and had ideal muscles. Due to the nature of his class, he was popular with women because he didn't wear any top.

"Me too. I have no objection."

A black man with the ID 'Toban' also voiced out his opinion. The first ranked paladin and the former chief of staff of the former Tzedakah Guild.

One by one, each member of the guild also agreed and followed the others. Lexus noticed that Greed had turned to Lauel, and he knew that Greed was asking Lauel for his opinion; in other words, he would follow Lauel's decision after weighing the pros and cons.

As if receiving their opinions and consent, Greed replied on behalf of his guild members.

"If your highness does not mind, I would like for you to approve them as they are members of the guild I created."

The guild members around also nodded one by one, following Greed's decision. They must have known the benefits of agreeing with Greed.

"Oh, I see. Well accept this gift as a token of my gratitude."

With a smile, Lexus took something from his inventory and handed Greed a book.

"Pardon me but I only have one of these."

[Lightning Swordsman Class Change Book]

Rating: Rare

You can change into a lightning swordsman.

Weight: 100

As soon as Greed shared the item's description to everyone, their eyes widened at the same time. It was because they didn't expect that Lexus would generously hand them a hidden class change book.

Unlike Greed, the only player that has a legendary class at this stage, only few people has hidden classes and the book that Lexus gave was a Rare rated hidden classes and they would've sold for billions gold among the community of players even though its value is not comparable to a legendary class.

Seeing the good benefit of agreeing on Lexus' little joke, none of them had regret but with the exception of two female rookie players who still didn't understands the significance of a hidden class despite having an epic hidden class and a hidden Growth-type class.

It was because they had just started Satisfy at this day and Both Sehee and Yerim got a hidden class at level 1.

Laeul came forward. "Let me explain. The conditions are different for each class change but generally…"

Lexus let them spoke to each other as he just listened to them. Listening to the conversations of the major characters of the novel is a pleasant experience for him. He also witnessed that everyone agreed to let Ibellin use the book. Aside from he had a legendary flamberge named Thorn of Deep Grievance that is created by Greed, he is one of the 'Top 10 Rookies' of the first generation, also 3rd on the swordsman rankings and the only swordsman among the guild members aside from Greed.

Feeling grateful for Lexus' gift, the players opened up to him as they found his casual yet amiable attitude towards them refreshing. Then, all of them chatted like old friends, discussing various topics, making the atmosphere much merrier than before.

•~~~•

After the meeting with Greed and his guild members, Lexus was now in the throne room with King Wiesbaden and his trusted aides. Knowing where this was going, Lexus remained silent as the king spoke.

"Lexus, as you can see...My death is near."

His voice sounded grim and tired as he spoke about his upcoming death. His facial expression was now also deathly pale, indicating that he was nearing the end of his lifespan.

"Lexus you're smart and talented. Even I didn't expect that you'll return as a Sword Saint after your return....Cough! Cough! Cough!"

"Your Majesty!"

As he was speaking, he was interrupted by his cough and Chucksley immediately rushed towards the king.

"I'm fine."

Raising his right arm, King Wiesbaden gestured that he was alright. His gaze was then fixed on Lexus, whose expression appeared troubled.

"I'm sure you are aware that you're still young for this but I trusts you that only you can bring the glory of the kingdom to an unreachable peak that not even me or my ancestors could...."

The King of Wiesbaden said many things, but all of the words he spoke led to a single thing. He wanted to pass the throne and crown to his son, whom he believed had the ability to surpass him and all the other kings of the Eternal Kingdom.

Although no coronation or ceremony would take place for now, as Reinhardt had been destroyed by the golem army, he still made a firm decision to have his son succeed him, regardless of the circumstances.

[You have become a king.]

[The people in Reinhardt and Eternal Kingdom will now serve you!]