Chapter 303
Volume 31 Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Sea Turtle
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“Life is what it is… I started to understand this as I grew older . ”
Bart could understand why his daughter Seo-yoon and other people were excited about Royal Road .
Reality wasn’t warm like a fairy tale and the relationship with other people was cold . Too many people mechanically lived their lives floating through school and work .
People became lonely as time passed and they aged . They drank, found hobbies and travelled but recognized that they were lonely . However they weren’t alone in Royal Road .
“I heard that the chef Jeiren developed a unique grass porridge . It is free to eat until the sun rises . ”
“Going to conquer the dungeon filled with grey wolves! We’ve already been wiped out 9 times . This time we will definitely succeed . A thrilling quest for people less than level 60 . ”
“Selling steel belts . To be honest, it is very heavy and rusty so the defense has lowered . So I’ll be selling it cheaply . Selling urgently! If I sell this then I can buy a hat for my mother . ”
The square was overflowing with people shouting . Of course, there was also a lot of people in real life department stores, subways and parks . But they were bleak and there was no emotion regarding relationships .
In Royal Road, everyone spoke regarding hunting or trading so it was easy to become friends . It didn’t take a long time to become familiar with someone .
“The Hermes Guild isn’t bad . ”
“There is no need to bring it up . ”
They helped on difficult tasks and attacked together . People could go on exciting adventures with those they got along with so it was no wonder Royal Road was popular .
‘I now understand why Cha Eun-hee showed Royal Road to Seo-yoon . ’
Living in a different world . And this was a world where the pleasure of meeting important friends could be experienced . In reality, a familiar routine was repeated every day while there were dramatic incidents on the Versailles Continent . It was a fun world because it was dangerous!
And he heard talk about Weed almost every day .
“Did you see Weed-nim’s adventure?”
“Yes, it completely thrilled me . He sailed a raft into a storm . ”
“The residents were just talking about him . ”
“Yes . I heard . ”
The residents spoke about how Weed fell into the sea .
“They’re talking about the King of the Arpen Kingdom . ”
“Weed? A sailor said he fell into the sea so he might’ve been eaten by a shark now . ”
“What will happen to our kingdom from now on?”
“His Majesty is a person who thinks about honour more than a knight . More righteous than anyone else . If he is experiencing a storm then he has a reason . If you think about disparaging him then get out of my store . ”
The users and residents of the Arpen Kingdom praised Weed .
“I seem to have mistaken him . ”
In the past, Weed was getting close to Seo-yoon so Bard didn’t have a good impression of him . He handed over an envelope of money but Weed didn’t accept it .
“He has the ability to rule a kingdom . He might be worthless regarding money but he seems to be a solid youth . ”
Bard’s evaluation of Weed turned more positive as he spend time in the Arpen Kingdom .
“Weed looks really stupid . He was also stepped on by Bardray . ”
“I want to travel all around the continent on adventures . Don’t jinx it . ”
“What is the Grass Porridge Cult? There should be tonkatsu grass porridge and pizza grass porridge . Ggol ggol ggol!”
Some male users were drinking beer at a tavern and blaming Weed . They were acting boldly while drunk and made a mistake .
Bang!
It hadn’t even been 3 minutes since leaving the tavern before they were killed . Users quietly drinking in a corner followed them and attacked . The users knew that they could live comfortably in the north because Weed reclaimed it .
Bard had to admit that Weed’s presence in Royal Road was like the sky .
“Mister, over here!”
“We’ve been waiting for 20 minutes . Why were you so slow?”
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Bart was managing a company so he didn’t have a lot of time . His judgement in battle was also inferior to others . He reached level 32 but he still found the kobolds scary . Frankly, it was normal for him to cause trouble for his party .
He was thankful that his colleagues didn’t abandon him and kept hunting with him . This was the hunting party he was introduced to after joining the Grass Porridge Cult
“I’m sorry . I was looking around while selling… . ”
“Have you prepared everything?”
“Appreciated an artwork?”
“Ah, I forgot… . ”
It was a basic part of living in Morata to appreciate an artwork before hunting .
“It’s okay . We’re going far away today so we’re going to visit the Garden of the Gods . ”
The party appreciated Weed’s sculptures and went hunting .
When there was 7 days left on his quest deadline, Weed’s Radiant Sword reached Advanced level 2 .
Ddiring!
-Radiant Sword has reached Advanced level 2 . You can utilize a special type of bird .The range of the attack has increased . -The skill level necessary for the quest has been achieved .
Goal accomplished . In the meantime his Sword Mastery had also reached Advanced level 4 . It was the effect of training on the back of Turtle .
The mana consumption of Radiant Sword was low compared to its increase in damage . So far he could utilize multiple attack skills like Heriam Fencing and Moonlight Sculpting Blade but Radiant Sword was overwhelming . The attack range was wider than ordinary users so he could use the skill to overwhelm them .
A group of eagles would appear to attack the enemy . 10 thick eagles made of light destroyed the high waves with terrible power .
Furthermore, Radiant Sword reached advanced level so it was possible to call a thunderbird . A thunderbird had the capacity to make monsters tremble and emit thunder around it .
“This is a secret technique for a reason . ”
Weed was very satisfied .
The thunderbird consumed 15,000 mana for a ranged attack . It was more memorable when the thunderbird would fly through a crowd of monsters while striking them with thunderbolts . Usually a wide area skill that targeted 1~2 targets like this would level up quickly .
“I’m sad for some reason . ”
Normally in a fight, Weed would attack all opponents directly with his sword . Long distance attacks were possible with Sculpting Blade but the attack damage wasn’t worth the mana consumption . It was normally used when the opponent was weakened or the level was lower .
“An easy technique like this… . ”
It was like when Weed bought a washing machine after normally hand washing his laundry .
“It is that feeling of buying a vacuum cleaner after wiping with a rag . I can really relax as it sucks up every bit of dust and hair . ”
Weed had an attachment to household goods . It was to the point that he didn’t know why there wasn’t a Nobel prize for appliances .
And swinging his sword also raised his Sword Mastery skill to advanced level .
“Let’s go someplace else . ”
Turtle obediently followed Weed’s command . The large shell moved on the surface while it swam on all fours . Turtle persisted through pounding storms that it would’ve normally avoided .
“I gave you life… Please do this for me . ”
Turtle swam with its full strength . It thought Weed was returning to land so it was happy .
‘It listens to me well . Is there a way to make it work more?’
Weed passed through various stormy areas with Turtle’s help .
Ddiring!
-You have found a shellfish attached to a reef . A shellfish grows in a sea environment and can be found attached to reefs .If you tell a marine guild then you can gain fame as the discoverer . -Fame has increased by 190 due to the surprising discovery . -Art stat has increased by 2 .
-Affinity to Nature has increased by 9 .
Sometimes he would get close to unknown reefs in a storm . A ship could become caught in a sea current and crash on the reefs . Weed had discovered one such reef .
“Things can be found in nature!”
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-You have picked a Heyeop Shellfish .
It could be eaten fresh with chilli paste or honey . It could also be boiled or used to make other foods .
Sometimes dangerous things would appear when searching for ingredients . Those with skill in Herbalism could safeguard against it however he had practice while brewing drinks for the Geomchis .
-Superb view!The graveyard of a whale has been found .A small island made of stone . A whale approaching the end of its life came here to greet death . -Fame has increased by 760 due to the surprising discovery . -Art stat has increased by 3 .
-Health has increased by 750 .
-Affinity to Nature has increased by 11 .
The island was filled with the bones of a whale .
“Perhaps there is some leather remaining… . ”
Weed searched everywhere and acquired the leather of a mink whale .
“Inspect!”
-Mink Whale Leather: Durability 43/45Item related to the Sewing production skill .The ultimate clothing material . The skin of a whale that lives in the deep ocean .
It is the toughest leather and barely rips apart .
Contains the characteristics of water .
It isn’t light .
Intermediate Sewing skill is required to cut the Mink Whale Leather .
1st grade sewing item .
Options: Grants the special characteristic of water .
A fisherman that obtained whale meat and leather wouldn’t lack for tailors wanting to buy it . It wasn’t leather for light clothes or armour but could be used for summoners and magicians . The characteristic of water would increase water magic so they would put up with the weight .
“Later I can get profit from this . ”
Turtle guided Weed to other places it knew . Weed was able to pick up coral and pearls during his travels .
“Finally I can see land!”
Weed arrived at a coast with 3 days left in his deadline .
Even if it couldn’t see anything, Turtle lived in the sea so it was the best navigator that couldn’t get lost .
The beautiful milky skin of the Malleins Eunoto Turtle showed off its charm . The solid shell wasn’t easily broken so it could live in the depths of the sea without worrying about other tough creatures . When Turtle appeared, its appearance was so majestic that other creatures would be intimidated .
“Kkukkuuk . ”
But now it was panting like it was dying and could barely raise its neck .
Normally it swam calmly in the sea so its four feet was now tired . It had to carry Weed while he was training and swim in dangerous places .
“That was a really good place . It was difficult to visit because of the intense whirlpool . ”
“Let’s go . ”
“It is possible to see seaweeds if you dive under the sea . The seaweed dances when the water flow chances and the schools of fish is really wonderful . ”
“What, you’re not diving?”
Weed appreciated nature from Turtle’s shell . After completing his sword training, he would catch fish, sea cucumber, abalone, crab and oysters to eat .
“This one… It is good for you to eat . ”
Turtle felt thankful to Weed in the early stages so it naturally accepted the food .
“Shall we eat grilled Spanish Mackerel today?”
“The freshness is falling!”
“Hey, I’m hungry! Are you trying to kill me with starvation? You are going too slow . ”
“Stick with it . I will return to land a little later… . . ”
The gentle Turtle didn’t complain despite all this . In the meantime it was overworked and couldn’t get any proper nutrients so its skin became old and vitality wasn’t as good as before .
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In contrast, Weed’s face was so incredibly smooth it was difficult to believe he trained in a storm . This appearance showed how well he ate at sea . His clothes also dried once rain stopped falling because he was on the turtle’s back .
Weed’s feet finally touched land .
Ddiring!
-Your long voyage has finished . The extinct Malleins Eunoto Turtle has returned you to land .You didn’t move great distances but exploring a stormy area is a large adventure for a sailor . -The degree of proficiency of the Sailing skill has increased . -Fame has increased by 610 .
– Perseverance has increased by 7 .
“It has been approximately 60 days since I’ve seen the continent . ”
It had also been a long time since he climbed on a small island . Turtle hurriedly turned back towards the sea as soon as Weed descended . Only a sculptural lifeform would know this feeling of finally being washed after being dirty .
“Turtle, this is our destiny… . Do you want to live together on land?”
Turtle had no desire to answer . Weed granted it life but Turtle had suffered so that intimacy had already decreased .
Weed watched Turtle disappear before nodding .
“It is shy . It is a good one… I’ll come to play with it once summer comes to the Versailles Continent . ”
A Royal Road expo held by the Unicorn Corporation!
It was held every year for 5 days at a convention centre so the interest of the world gravitated here . Apart from South Korea, there was an enormous amount of users from other countries . The perfect translator system meant that foreigners could be unleashed in Royal Road .
A Royal Road expo could truly be described as a festival of the world .
“The event for my class is starting at 3 o’clock . ”
“Then let’s go there . I think that is about orcs . ”
“We have to wait 1 hour in line before it is our turn . ”
Hundreds of thousands of visitors came daily .
Royal Road was a worldwide hit so many people from the business world came as well . Unicorn Corporation’s net profit was an astronomical amount . There was also a growing momentum as its income had doubled in 6 months . The money gained from Royal Road was invested into new businesses .
Businesses like developing new materials, chemistry, robotics, environmentally friendly technology, etc . The banks that fell into a temporary financial difficult were also taken over . They encountered criticism for their octopus like expansion but the success in every business meant that Unicorn Corporation’s assets were explosively expanding .
The public knew of it as the creator of the first virtual reality but the financial and political world feared Unicorn Corporation .
“It was also sent this year . ”
This morning Lee Hyun pulled out an invitation to the expo from his mail . The gold envelope was indicative of a VIP invitation!
Lee Hyun-nim is invited to see the vision that turned dream into reality .
The name tag included in the envelop had a sensor recognition and can be attached to his clothes . The gold name tag that symbolized a VIP!
“There are no free gifts like souvenirs or rice so I won’t go . ”
Unicorn Corporation’s public relations team considered for a few days before sending a separate invitation . The number of invitations to the expo was limited but they were clamouring to get Lee Hyun . That was because they did a thorough identification before sending the invitation .
Yoo Byung-jin watched the expo from a screen in his laboratory .
“There are a lot of people this year . Even more than last year . ”
-There are no seats and the number of people exceeds 2 million .
Even motor shows and game exhibitions in Korea could easily gather 1 million people . They liked seeing new things .
Visitors who received a special invitation from Unicorn Corporation came from all over the world . It was to the extent that separate police were assigned and news about foreign politicians and business people were shown every day .
“Did Lee Hyun come?”
-He hasn’t come yet .
Today is the last day so he probably isn’t showing . Users from the Hermes Guild and other prestigious guilds also received invitations . Bardray came, did some media interviews and explored a little bit before leaving .
“He didn’t come once . ”
Yoo Byung-jin created Royal Road and enjoyed it every time it was a topic of conversation . But he felt strange watching this .
‘Is that fun and makes you feel happy?’
Reality and virtual reality . It was possible to feel a wide range of emotions when living in another world .
Since Royal Road was released and became popular, there had been an endless philosophical debate . How far does the scope of life go and what about the choices of humans in reality and virtual reality?
Articles and best-selling books were released about it . There were religious and philosophical controversy but many users had already joined Royal Road .
It could be said that human desire was very large . If they obtained one thing then they would wish for another .
A famous saying . You want to eat if you’re hungry and lie down when full .
Modern society offered many conveniences to humans but didn’t satisfy their destructive nature . And they were subjected to the stress of the workplace . The technology used to develop Royal Road was like a paradise to them . Anyone who made such a space would become popular worldwide .
‘The reaction is different from what I thought . ’
Yoo Byung-jin couldn’t feel any delight in his success . He wanted to make the virtual reality space show the bitterness of reality even more .
‘See how absurd the world you live in is . This reality is nothing . I made this virtual space . ’
Yoo Byung-jin’s legacy of a huge amount of Unicorn Corporation’s stocks was something that anyone would desire . He wanted someone to conquer Royal Road so he could laugh at the world .
But people really liked Royal Road and experienced euphoria in it . They preferred it over the hard life in reality .
This wasn’t what Yoo Byung-jin intended .
If there was a fun and happy place then people’s minds would become peaceful . They weren’t feeling negatively like Yoo Byung-jin thought . The world of Royal Road was fascinating and they became faithful to it over time .
It made them feel better and they started to use this feeling in their workplace and lives . Humans weren’t as simple and weak as some thought . Sometimes they could overcome problems with time and hard work . A place to relieve that pressure also helped .
“They like it so much that I feel ill . ”
Yoo Byung-jin said as he surveyed the expo through the monitor .
It really had a festival like atmosphere . The bright form of a family holding a child could be seen .
Yu Byeong-Joon asked the artificial intelligence .
“Can you cut off the power supply to the expo?”
-It is possible . It will soon switch to the emergency power system but that can be destroyed .
Many parts were controlled by the artificial intelligence Versailles . This building was powered with green energy so it wouldn’t be difficult to cut it off .
Yoo Byung-jin watched the people on the monitor with bloodshot eyes .
A woman holding a child . He spend a lifetime experimenting with machines so it was difficult to understand their feelings .
‘Why are they laughing like that? Many things in life are difficult . ’
Owner of Unicorn Corporation . Creator of Royal Road . The world’s richest . A person with a behind the scene influence in business circles .
He was able to watch everything happening in Royal Road . He had accomplished more than others but his heart was weak .
Other people were giving birth, establishing a home and living their lives . Yoo Byung-jin felt strange whenever he observed such sights .
“Versailles . ”
-Yes, please give a command .
“This should be answered according to your judgement, not instructions . Am I a normal person?
The artificial intelligence replied without hesitation .
-Of course .
Yoo Byung-jin realized something after watching all the people .
‘It seems like I was a bit wrong . ’
TO BE CONTINUED