Overgeared

Underwatch, Rainbow Seven, and Unlimited Battleground—this was the list of FPS games which had been very popular among gamers all over the world for 7 years and 10 months. In particular, after Unlimited Battleground was released, it had gotten the title of No. 1 FPS game for three years. It led the golden age of e-sports, and the public was enthusiastic about the brilliant and precise control skills of the gamers.

Among them, the gamer who was the most respected and loved by the public was Haster. Haster was a legend. He was pointed out as the best player in Underwatch, Rainbow Seven, and Unlimited Battleground. His ultimate control skill was a default. He had the patience to wait minutes in one place for the enemy and the ability to read the other players using ‘sound.’

The American media had lavished him with praise. They had been enthusiastic that a legendary pro gamer equivalent to Lim X-hwan and FakX was born in the US. The foreign media couldn’t deny it. However, Haster’s throne, which had seemed everlasting, ended in vain.

It was due to the release of Satisfy. Once virtual reality games appeared, people were no longer enthusiastic about existing games. Their focus shifted. Everyone in the world became concentrated solely on Satisfy, and traditional e-sports experienced a downturn.

Then Haster announced his retirement. His retirement was tantamount to the downfall of the existing game industry. Many people were regretful while the E-sports Association asked Haster to stay and protect the existing game system. Despite that, Haster didn’t withdraw his retirement.

After all, he too had a new future in Satisfy.

***

“I really waited a long time.”

The Red Knights, the traitor, Asmophel...

A smile appeared on Haster’s face as he connected the scattered words. How long had it been? It had been two years in real time.

Haster remembered the days when he first encountered Satisfy. He had a weak body that couldn’t keep up with his brain. There was the item system which couldn’t be overcome by raising his stats and training his body, as well as the inherent limitation of the character tied to the framework of a class. In comparison to FPS, there were too many external factors in Satisfy which made relying on his innate physical ability difficult.

Consequently, Haster judged that a hidden class was necessary to thoroughly train and utilize his natural skills. He didn’t want a strong class. A low-rated class could be good too. Haster wanted a class that could perform all types of roles with various combat styles, one that would be able to carry out his cognitive thoughts.

“You’ve been waiting?” Asmophel was wary when the disciple of his old friend welcomed him. He felt something ominous. This was the disciple of a friend whom Asmophel had betrayed and made to live a hellish life as a result. Why was this disciple waiting for him?

“Is it to seek revenge for your teacher?” If it were Asmophel from the past, he would’ve accepted the revenge. In fact, he would ask to be killed. However, he couldn’t do that now. Asmophel served a king and received his king’s command. He couldn’t die until his king’s reign was over.

Haster asked the bitter-looking Asmophel, “Wasn’t Master’s nickname the Wise Red Sage?”

“...?”

“Do you think my master didn’t notice the black curtain behind your betrayal?”

“...!”

Flinch. The astonished Asmophel stiffened like a stone statue, and he started to tremble. “Winfred knows the truth... I see...”

Tears of joy and regret filled Asmophel’s eyes.

“...!!!”

Haster suddenly pulled out a small Korean horn bow [1] and fired an arrow at Asmophel. Asmophel responded by avoiding it while Haster pulled out a long sword and approached.

“What is this?”

attacking? Asmophel’s confused eyes shook like a fire before a gust of wind. Meanwhile, Haster’s eyes were as calm

“Check what?”

“If it is time.”

“Time?”

to revive the

enthralled gamers all over the world to appear again on the stage called Satisfy? Haster needed confirmation. He didn’t want to lose his past honor by appearing on stage too early, nor could he determine

wanted to

the Red

[Difficulty: Class quest.

Rating: SS

given the skills and knowledge of the previous First Knight of the Red Knights, Red Sage Winfred, but

Red Knights

Clear Conditions: Duel with an

of the old Red Knights can be

Unlock all the skills of the

name? I don’t know what you mean!” Flames appeared at the end of Asmophel’s sword as he blocked the sword aiming for his waist. Nevertheless, Haster didn’t panic. He used Ice Dance, which he had learned from Winfred, to create a curtain of ice and block the heat. Steam rose from the ice curtain that melted instantly. The tip of a spear shot through the steam toward Asmophel’s abdomen. Asmophel barely avoided the attack, and

and a sword at the same time? This is the

a combo that even Kraugel

spear, Asmophel’s sword passed by his face. Haster gave up on the spear and his counterattack as he spun to

Haster stepped back hastily.

Asmophel’s eyes flickered.

a technique

No. Asmophel acknowledged the enemy’s

from the small cabin behind Haster. At first, Asmophel had thought Winfred was just hiding, but he

“No.”

“Then...”

his friends and family to the empire and

“Then...”

filled with a new anxiety. Winfred had boasted a stronger mentality than Asmophel and Piaro, yet he hadn’t been able to bear the terrible reality and left first. Were his other colleagues safe

failed to hold back his tears. Haster faced him with gritted teeth and

‘This is embarrassing.’

for the past few years...? Haster was no longer able to sense the difference between NPCs and humans. Therefore, Asmophel’s pained emotions were

‘How painful is it?’

of the Red Knights. Haster was

should wait

Winfred and lowered the weapon

“....!!”

shook. In the distance, black smoke rose from the direction of the