Chapter 79

Chapter 79
## Chapter 79: The Sixteenth Artifact of Legend

The birth of a fresh Unique-ranked piece of gear required a foundational ‘blueprint.’

However, the notification currently flashing before the world declared that a ‘new Unique-grade equipment’ had been brought into existence.

To put it plainly, it was the sixteenth Unique item ever crafted by a player.

Until this moment, the history of the game recorded only fifteen such items birthed by players. Eight of those masterpieces were the work of Phantom alone. Yet, that tally had remained frozen for more than a year.

During those twelve months, not a single original Unique weapon or utility item had surfaced. While some had attempted to forge replicas of the items Wilhelm left behind after his passing, those were merely shadows, not new creations.

The arrival of this World Announcement signaled the end of that year-long drought.

‘Someone… has finally surged ahead…’

Gracia’s jaw tightened until her teeth let out a sharp grinding sound.

That announcement was supposed to belong to her. She was meant to be the protagonist of that global message.

The Soul of the Hydragon.

If she had managed to secure that single component, the sixteenth slot in history would have been hers for the taking.

‘My progress stalled just because that wretched soul eluded me.’

It was a solitary Hydragon’s Soul, nothing more. To claim it, she had slaughtered over a thousand of the beasts. she had scoured every corner of the world, leaving no stone unturned in her desperation. She had even traveled back to Earth, combing through Korea in search of it.

Despite her obsession, it remained out of reach. Every other ingredient sat ready in her inventory, but without that central soul, the forge remained cold. Seeing the World Announcement now, her blood began to simmer with pure indignation.

《Commencing reinforcement attempt.》

《The inherent worth of the Unique-grade equipment has increased.》

《Commencing reinforcement attempt.》

《The inherent worth of the Unique-grade equipment has increased.》

《Commencing reinforcement attempt.》

《The inherent worth of the Unique-grade equipment has increased.》

…

The shock didn’t end with the item’s creation. The world watched in disbelief as consecutive announcements detailed the item’s rising value through successful reinforcements.

‘What kind of insanity is this?’

No sane person attempted to reinforce Unique-grade gear. To risk items that were already masterpieces—equipment that was essentially perfect—on a gamble that could end in total destruction was the height of madness. Even the legendary Wilhelm had never dared such a reckless feat.

Some lunatic was currently defying all logic. And even more infuriatingly, that lunatic was succeeding over and over again.

《A ‘Radiant Unique-grade equipment’ has been forged!》

“……”

The ‘Radiant’ designation had finally appeared.

This wasn’t a result of standard enhancement. Normal progression would have yielded a title like ‘Ultimate’ or ‘Annihilation.’ For the ‘Radiant’ prefix to manifest, they must have utilized a highly specialized, high-risk reinforcement method.

Such equipment existed only in rare myths—items that only revealed their true potential when branded with a specific prefix. Those items required precise conditions to maximize their utility, and until now, not a single Unique-grade item had ever achieved such a state.

But a ‘Radiant’ prefix…!

Gracia’s eyes flickered with a mixture of shock and unease.

“Just what… what on earth did they create?”

—

While many players placed their bets on MintChocoDelicious’s sudden gamble, a wave of cynicism washed through the community.

-Is the retreat coming soon?

-Even Gracia and the Empire turned tail at Phase 4.

-The MintChoco squad is just trolling, they won’t make it.

The logic was simple: if the might of the Empire and the skill of Gracia resulted in failure, how could MintChocoDelicious possibly succeed? They were a reclusive player, a ghost who rarely stepped into the light. With no public records and few documented feats, people doubted they could stand alongside the legends of the Hall of Fame.

Yet, every skeptic was met by a loyal defender.

-They’re just low-key, MintChoco’s talent is the real deal.

-Didn’t MintChoco pull off a win right after Gracia choked once before?

-True. They took down the Lion Heart King’s trial solo.

-Let’s be real, Gracia did the heavy lifting and MintChoco just swept in for the win lol.

-Then maybe they’ll ‘sweep in’ and win this time too?

The debate over MintChocoDelicious’s true power raged on. However, as the minutes turned into hours, no message of retreat appeared—a stark contrast to the previous challengers.

-It’s been over 2 hours… they’re still in there?

-Probably kicked the bucket by now.

-Check the status, it still says ‘Challenging.’

-Where are you seeing that? I don’t see it.

-I just exited the labyrinth. You can see the real-time status from the inside.

-Wait, they’ve actually been fighting for over 2 hours?

-That Radiant Unique… did MintChoco make it?

-Damn… if they did, they might actually have a chance.

The community stared at their screens. This was a nightmare that had sent Gracia and the Empire running for their lives. To engage it solo for two hours was a feat in itself. If MintChocoDelicious was indeed the creator of that Radiant Unique item, the impossible might be within reach.

The world waited, caught between hope and disbelief.

-…Over 12 hours?

-The corrosion level is hitting 14%.

-Are they seriously still in the fight?

Hours bled into more hours, but the expected notifications of failure or advancement never came. Meanwhile, the world’s stability continued to decay. The corrosion rate climbed steadily.

At 14% and rising, it was projected to hit 20% in less than a week.

-Start preparing for the second invasion.

-We need to spread the word.

-Invasion in 6 days? That’s a guaranteed leak.

-The Demon King is probably sweating bullets because he can’t prepare in time lol.

-Why don’t we just launch a preemptive strike on the Demon Realm?

-The Great Expedition was a disaster. Who’s going to lead a second one? Maybe if the Empire steps up.

-Only Wilhelm could rally a force like that. No one else has the pull.

-Is the Knight King a joke to you? Ten thousand knights gathered from across the continent just because he asked. And even then, they failed in the Demon Realm.

-Go ahead and go yourself. I’m staying far away from that place. Never again.

-Suicide mission, plain and simple. I’d rather take my chances with a truck to another world.

-MintChoco is going to win.

-MintChoco, please win. I’m running out of hype, I’m just living on pure faith now.

The forums were a chaotic sea of posts. Thousands of messages scrolled by as the raid reached unprecedented lengths.

-24 hours have passed…

-The corrosion finally broke 14%.

-What the hell is happening in that room?

-Seriously, what is going on?

-Can someone give us an update? I’m losing my mind here.

The desperation for information was palpable, but the inner sanctum of the boss room was a black box. The only way to know the truth was to be a challenger facing Sword Saint Riley.

Then, a few more hours ticked away.

-Ah…

-Ah….

-It’s over.

-They’re gone.

-MintChoco finally retreated.

The news hit like a physical weight. MintChocoDelicious, after a grueling battle lasting nearly thirty hours, had finally withdrawn.

-We’re doomed!

-But they must have shaved off a decent chunk of HP, right?

-Is Gracia going back in?

-Who knows?

-If MintChoco couldn’t do it with a Radiant Unique, then it’s over for everyone.

-Prepare yourselves. Protect your families.

-There aren’t many Fragments left.

-Everyone wasted them in the labyrinth.

-Are you overreacting? I still have a 10-minute Fragment.

-I’m completely tapped out.

-Looks like most of us are in the same boat.

-Why didn’t anyone warn us? They said corrosion would accelerate if Riley wasn’t cleared!

-First day in Pangeniar?

-Can someone tell me how to reach the underground labyrinth to find the Death King…

-Seriously, that’s the only card left to play.

The players had abandoned all hope of defeating Sword Saint Riley. Their final, desperate plan was to plead with the Death King to enter the labyrinth and finish the job. It was a pathetic sight—praying to one monster to slay another.

But even that yielded nothing. No response came from the shadows. The community had exhausted their ‘Fragments of the Broken Golden Rule.’ With the second invasion looming in six days, the number of players capable of descending into the depths had dwindled to almost nothing. Even the greatest heroes had limits to the territory they could protect. The grim reality set in: Earthlings were going to die in droves.

-I’m going in. Does anyone have the Death King’s coordinates?

-Are you nuts? You think the Death King is going to listen to you?

-One touch from that guy means death. Have you forgotten who we’re talking about?

-He was last spotted at 645.1594 about 16 hours ago.

-8 hours ago he was at 599.1432.

-Anything more recent?

-He seems to be circling the 660.1744 area.

-He’s clearly patrolling. There must be something there.

-Fine. If there’s nothing newer, I’m heading to those coordinates.

-Good luck, man.

-Are you for real?

-Playing the hero again, I see.

-Bullshit lol, you’re just going to get trolled!

-Wait… what? No way…

-Huh?

-Huh?

-Huuuuuh?

-???

-WHAT???

-Is this real?

-Did I just see that right?

-WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK???!

-There’s no way!

-They didn’t retreat?

-That has to be a mistake!

-What just happened in that labyrinth?

-Is this happening?

-Woah…

-?????????????????

-Wait…

-For real?

-Randolph?

-Randolph has appeared!!!!!!!!!

—

After concluding the synthesis of my Radiant Unique-grade equipment, I stood before the Door of the Golden Rule. I stepped through, ready to face Sword Saint Riley.

The moment I laid eyes on his form, I understood. I couldn’t help but nod to myself.

‘I see why everyone ran.’

To call this creature human was a delusion. He possessed a colossal frame draped in thick, shimmering scales. Reptilian eyes of pure gold gazed down at me with cold authority.

《Commencing Phase 4 Challenge: ‘Supreme Dragon Riley’.》

The legends had it all wrong. Sword Saint Riley hadn’t been the dragonslayer—he was the Supreme Dragon himself.

Radiant Throne of Light

《Hidden Piece Triggered! Access granted via ‘Door of the Golden Rule’.》

《By the authority of the Golden Rule, all ‘Sword Saint’s Intimidations’ are inverted.》

《All attributes increased by 5.》

《Field of vision expanded.》

《Health regeneration significantly boosted.》

《Thermal regulation significantly improved.》

《Magic resistance enhanced.》

《Immunity to curses (with added action conditions) granted while within the zone.》

…

《The soul of ‘Sword Saint Riley,’ long lost to the abyss, returns to its vessel.》

The Golden Rule’s Door was the ultimate hidden piece. Inserting the golden ticket into the vending machine didn’t just refresh the shop’s inventory; stepping through that door fundamentally rewrote the rules of the encounter. It was a mechanism that transformed the boss’s debuffs into my own buffs.

《Contact made with the eyes of ‘Supreme Dragon Riley’.》

《The authority ‘Inflict 10 Random Action Conditions’ within the Supreme Dragon’s gaze is neutralized by the Golden Rule.》

The most lethal part of his kit—the forced action conditions—was rendered useless.

The dragon was a magnificent sight, its scales a complex tapestry of white and black. Ancient lore claimed Riley had beheaded the Supreme Dragon, but history was a lie. Riley and the dragon were one and the same.

I calmed my pulse and locked eyes with the beast once more.

【Lv.??】

His level was obscured by question marks, but I knew it was at least a double-digit figure—higher than 10.

‘The Door of the Golden Rule can only be opened by the one who offered the ticket.’

I had been tempted to bring others, but the door was strictly for a solo entrant. I had to choose: take the standard path with a team or venture through the Golden Rule alone. I had bet on the latter, and seeing the buffs now, I knew I was right.

Furthermore…

‘He isn’t at full strength. The previous challengers left their mark.’

On closer inspection, the Supreme Dragon was riddled with injuries. Three heavy harpoons were buried deep in its flank, and the skin was marred by jagged tears. These weren’t the wounds of a small army, but the precise work of a single combatant.

These were the scars left by MintChocoDelicious, the one who had lasted the longest. Perhaps that was why the dragon was being so cautious, measuring me up just as I was analyzing him.

‘Wait…’

Something small on the ground caught the light. It was a tattered piece of parchment—a portrait. It was a depiction of a man who was likely the human Sword Saint Riley. It looked new, likely brought in by a recent challenger.

It wasn’t Gracia; she had fled too quickly. And it didn’t seem like MintChocoDelicious’s style, given they were focused on the mechanical progression of the fight.

Could the Silver Fox Mask have brought it? Perhaps in a desperate attempt to show Riley his own face and pull him back from the brink of madness.