Overgeared

The Sword Grave was an open plains area with 4,179 swords stabbed into the ground. Of these swords, 3,580 were insignificant while 599 were significant. The 599 swords rotated to the left or right, changing the orientation and slope of the plains depending on how they were turned. Think of it as a lock with tens of thousands of patterns. As the puzzle progressed, the plains turned into a hill which was the appropriate form for a so-called ‘grave.’

“Dammit. The pattern has changed again.”

They turned the 423rd sword to the left, and the positions of the 1st–422nd swords were reset. The hill, which had emerged, sank again and became a plains. Skunk clapped and tried to reassure his colleagues, “Let’s take a break before trying again. Don’t be nervous because there are only a few more left.”

“Okay~ Let’s log out and eat.”

The Skunk Expedition Group had been investigating the Sword Grave for one year and four months. They had been trying to find the location of the Sword Grave for a year, then they spent four months figuring out the pattern of opening the grave. Despite having repeated the same thing thousands of times, made mistakes, and failed, the Skunk Expedition Group was still full of motivation.

Digging up hidden histories and mysteries was the ultimate fun that they pursued. Yes, concepts such as level and rankings were stories they had no interest in.

“Isn’t it a bit strange?” Someone questioned Skunk as he sat in the barracks and looked at the pattern of the swords. She was the second person in charge of the Skunk Expedition Group and 9th ranked explorer, Dog Woman. “This place is associated with Pagma. It is a place that Pagma's Descendant should’ve visited.”

There was no one in the world who didn’t know who Pagma's Descendant was. It was Grid.

“Can Grid solve this complex pattern? It took us a few months with 80 experts like us. It is strange no matter how I think about it. The Sword Grave was originally a trial for an individual, but the difficulty is too high.”

Grid didn’t have any skills related to exploration. Could he alone grasp the tens of thousands of patterns and reveal the secret of the grave? It was physically impossible.

“Of course, Grid is a king and can mobilize many people... But what if Pagma’s Descendant is someone other than Grid? What is they weren’t a king? Does it make sense that Pagma’s Descendant would have to solve this problem alone?”

“What do you want to say?” The curious Skunk turned his gaze toward Dog Woman.

Dog Woman looked anxious. “There must be an easier way to open the grave. We are currently using the hardest way.”

“Hrmm.” It was a plausible argument. In fact, Skunk had the same thought as Dog Woman, but he had realized it too late. Skunk shook his head. “It is too late even if your thoughts are true. We have already figured out some rules of the pattern and the key up to the 422nd sword. We can’t waste time and manpower searching for a new method.”

There wasn’t long to go. The Skunk Expedition Group was expected to open the grave within the next two months. It was extremely inefficient to find a new method and study it. Additionally, it would adversely affect the morale of the members. Dog Woman nodded. “I know. I’m not telling you to come up with a new way. I’m just saying that it would be better to explore in more diverse ways when exploring new places in the future.”

“I’ll do that. We will think of this exploration as a study.”

“Yes. By the way, I’m really looking forward to seeing what is hidden inside the grave. If there are any items or quests related to Pagma's Descendant, we may be able to sell them to Grid at a high price...”

“The negotiations should be leisurely. After all, Grid is the one in a disadvantageous position.”

A few months or a few years later, Grid would also find this place. Then he would be nervous when he saw the empty tomb. Once his nervousness reached the peak, it would be the most appropriate timing for trading. Skunk believed that the treasures inside the Sword Grave already belonged to him.

***

the horse

deal with. Pon had never dealt with them one-on-one. He had been hunting in places away from the stairs so that

bastard, did he

Regas. Based on Regas’ nature of pursuing a difficult fight

‘He is the enemy!’

of the straight passage, Pon realized he could no longer escape. The moment the

them with a

Pon stupid enough to dig his own grave? As the white horse reached the end of the passage, it faced

stabbed its sword. However, Pon had predicted this situation and responded calmly. He twisted his waist to avoid the blade and wielded his spear. The body of the war god follower was hit hard in the chest, and it flew through

left, Pon swung the spear, and the follower flew through the air—these three scenes unfolded at the same time, giving the illusion that time had stopped. Then the war god follower rolled along the ground. The white horse entered the passage to the left and started to run

Pon managed to slip away. At this point, he just needed to open the distance as much as

“Aaaaaaack!”

the dark passage, and a new

war god follower was chasing Regas, who

my way!” Pon freaked out and shouted curses. However, it didn’t discourage Regas. After all, his head would

rescue. He felt hopeful that after combining strength with Pon, they could fight against the war god followers. Then

going to pull yourself together?” Pon’s voice entered his ears and woke up Regas’

the feature of the kick. Regas didn’t keep fighting. Instead, he climbed behind Pon on the white horse and shouted, “Pon, what are you going? You should’ve used

want to be hit.” Pon found it troublesome to explain that his pushing skill was on cooldown. He barely contained his boiling killing

Kuaaaaaaah-!

“....!?”

front of them, blocking the way. The startled

“Ouch...”

arm has

last for maybe 20 seconds. Regas grabbed his left arm and looked around. He was surrounded by three war god followers. “What a

to Regas with a shocked expression, “It wasn't your work? I

impossible. I couldn’t beat them, so

did this? Is this

why. It would seem less unfair if there was someone to curse. The war god followers no

“Battle gear... mountain... where...”

“...Battle gear... mountain... where...”

and Regas

you should wait for an answer

Put down your blades until

war god moved their

“Way of the Tyrant.”

loud it gave the illusion of water buffalos charging forth. Pon, Regas, and the followers turned their heads

“1,000 Ton Sword!”