Chapter 32

The Game Difficulty
Is Crazy

There were as many as three thousand skills in existence in Grey Eden, ranging from unique skills of playable characters to unique skills of specific monsters.

And the one who knew all of those skills—their descriptions and even their stories—was Seong Yohwan.

Yet even within the deeply accumulated, almost rotten memories of Seong Yohwan, there was no skill called Gray Ring.

‘What on earth is it?’

Since it said it was something he needed the most right now, it probably wasn’t bad.

He immediately called up the skill information window.

And then Glen’s eyes widened.

《Gray Ring》

《Grade》 : ???

《Mastery》 : 1/12

: For a short time, all Holy and Demonic Rings possessed by the user change into a single color, gray. The user can convert the ‘Gray Ring’ into either Holy or Demonic attributes and use it. After activation, as a penalty, all rings are disabled.

• Duration: 5 minutes / Penalty: 24 hours

: As mastery increases, the skill duration increases and the penalty is reduced.

“Huh…….”

Glen let out a hollow breath.

Thinking he might have misunderstood something, he read it two or three more times.

Then, the words that broke the silence were—

“This is crazy.”

A bright expression spread across Glen’s face.

At the same time, the corners of his mouth curled upward.

That was how shocking the effect of the skill, Gray Ring, was.

‘A skill that merges both Holy Rings and Demonic Rings and lets you use them together!’

Inside Glen’s heart, Holy Power and Demonic Energy coexisted.

Because of that, Glen could refine Holy Power to form Holy Rings, or refine Demonic Energy to form Demonic Rings.

But those were separate growth paths.

Just because Glen currently had two Holy Rings did not mean he could treat Demonic Energy the same way as Holy Power.

Like raising two different characters, he had to grow Holy Power and Demonic Energy separately.

‘But not anymore.’

He could use refined Holy Power as Demonic Rings.

And if he formed Demonic Rings, he could add them to his Holy Rings and use them together.

Right now, the number of rings he had was two Holy Rings.

But soon, he would form one Holy Ring and one Demonic Ring more, making a total of four.

In other words, even by simple calculation, Glen would gain 4-star Holy Power and Demonic Energy.

‘4-star Holy Power and Demonic Energy…….’

Because of that, during the five minutes when Gray Ring was active, Glen could use skills from a realm beyond his normal level.

With 4-star Holy Power, he could use the well-known Holy Armor.

And with 4-star Demonic Energy, he could use Demonic Veil, which concealed his presence and demonic energy for a certain time.

Of course, the short duration and long penalty were clear drawbacks, so it was hard to call it the ultimate broken skill.

But that, too, would be solved as the skill’s mastery increased.

‘So this is a Lunatic reward.’

Glen’s eyes shone with happiness.

At moments like this—when receiving rewards—it felt like all the suffering he had endured was completely repaid.

‘Alright, that’s enough being moved. Let’s focus on what needs to be done again.’

Refreshing his mood, Glen removed the Demonic Energy-sealing cuffs from his wrists and placed them on the floor.

Then he sat down on the floor and closed his eyes.

Because of the fight with the Leader, he had lost consciousness for a full five days.

Perhaps because that time felt so precious, he didn’t want to waste even a single minute.

Even if everything went smoothly.

“Huu…….”

He slowly let out his breath.

Then he focused on the Holy Power gathered in his heart.

The Holy Power filling the left side of his heart began to glow and gather into a single point.

‘First, the third Holy Ring.’

Then, after that, the first Demonic Ring.

Today, Glen would form two new rings in one go.

Though he still had no clear clue about Sacred-Demonic Power, he could feel that he was unknowingly getting closer to it.

Glen was not the only one who had gained achievements.

Clang—!
Claaang—

As usual, the trainee knights were sparring, trading blows with their swords.

They, too, had made small progress during the abandoned village mission.

All sixteen of them had formed their second Holy Ring.

Most of them were seventeen, and at most nineteen years old.

Considering that ordinary trainee knights usually reached 2-star when they were around twenty and received their formal knighthood, this was extremely unusual.

That was how much the experience in the abandoned village had accelerated their growth.

“Do you think…… we might actually be geniuses?”

“Why are you suddenly saying that, Cheryl?”

Ost shot Cheryl a cold look.

“Think about it. How many people our age in the Papal Holy State have formed a second Holy Ring?”

“If you actually look, there’d be quite a few.”

“Do you really have to kill the mood? Let me at least feel like a genius.”

“If you look at that, those words will go right back in.”

Ost pointed toward the sparring grounds.

Cheryl followed his gaze and turned his head.

Clang—
Kang—!

Sword strikes flew endlessly.

At the center were Triss and the trainee knight Tasha.

“Us, geniuses?”

“Let’s compromise and say we’re just talented.”

“Compromise my ass.”

Ost snorted.

Soon, the two of them stared blankly at the sparring.

“Hey, Cheryl.”

“What.”

“Doesn’t it look like Young Master Glen sparring with the Lady?”

Cheryl pressed his lips together.

It really did look that way.

Tasha, who stood out even among the trainee knights.

Watching her now felt just like seeing Glen when he first joined the Grand Training Hall.

“Must be nice. Having talent.”

Cheryl spoke with a flat expression.

At that moment, someone gently placed a hand on his shoulder from behind.

“In Tasha’s case, it’s effort.”

“What are you talking about? If everyone trains the same and there’s still a difference, that’s talent—”

Cheryl turned his head, and his eyes widened.

“…right?”

“Young Master Glen?!”

Ost, standing beside him, also widened his eyes in shock.

Glen smiled softly, his eyes curving.

“Hey. Long time no see. Have you all been well?”

“Young Master!”

The trainee knights who had been watching the sparring instantly surrounded Glen.

“We heard you woke up, but is it really okay for you to be out already?”

“They said you fought a mutant alone underground in the abandoned village! What was it like?”

“Young Master! Look at this! I formed my second Holy Ring!”

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Glen looked bewildered.

The trainees had grown friendlier toward him due to frequent missions lately, but he hadn’t expected this much.

“What’s with everyone? First of all, nothing hurts. The mutant was insanely tough. And congratulations on your second ring, Claire.”

He answered everything at once and gently pushed the trainees aside.

Just then, Triss, who had finished her sparring, sent him a warm look.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“I’m much better than before. It’s all thanks to your care, Sister.”

“That’s a relief. You have no idea how relieved I was when you opened your eyes.”

“And you almost hugged me to death right there.”

“Haha…….”

Triss laughed awkwardly.

Then she lowered her gaze to Glen’s chest, and soon smiled gently.

—Because of this battle, it seems you’ve opened your eyes to a new realm.

The faint Holy Power drifting from him.

Proof of the third Holy Ring.

“So this is what you meant by a new realm back then?”

“Yes. That’s right, Sister.”

Of course, what Triss noticed was only the third Holy Ring.

In reality, the achievements Glen had gained this time were far greater.

“You formed your third Holy Ring in just two months.”

‘See? I told you he’s a genius.’

Triss, the eldest daughter of the Wordsworth family.

She had been called a genius for forming her third Holy Ring at seventeen.

And today, her younger brother formed that same third ring at the same age she once had.

All while hiding an unfathomable power behind it.

‘My belief wasn’t wrong. A disgrace to the family? What nonsense.’

Triss’s face brightened.

It was simply astonishing that a person could change this much in just two months.

“There are still two months left in the year. Don’t tell me you’re going to form a fourth ring before then, Glen?”

Triss asked with a teasing smile.

Glen answered with a similar expression.

“If I just follow where God leads me, won’t that happen?”

“That actually sounds scary.”

Triss laughed bitterly.

Then Glen walked toward the center of the Grand Training Hall.

A sword in his right hand.

“The sparring’s over, right, Tasha?”

“Yes. I’m finished.”

Tasha gave a light bow and stepped out of the sparring ground.

“Are you sure, Glen?”

“Yes. My condition is at its best.”

While he was unconscious, a priest had performed healing miracles on him, so his condition was truly at its peak.

“And I’m curious how much my achievements will work against you, Sister. My blood is boiling.”

“Ha ha. If you keep pushing yourself like that, I won’t go easy on you.”

“That’s exactly what I want, Sister.”

The siblings smiled at each other.

Then they took their stances.

“So then, how should we discipline a trainee who was late for training?”

Dense Holy Power spread out around Triss.

A strange light flickered in Glen’s eyes.

‘This is doable.’

Holy Power 3-star, Demonic Energy 1-star.

And on top of that, unique potential abilities and skills backing him up.

With his current self, he could probably display power surpassing Triss, even if only for a moment.

Of course, he would not use skills that put a burden on his body.

‘But this is enough.’

He simply wanted to know how effective he was against a 5-star holy knight without those near self-destructive skills.

“Huu…….”

Holy Power generated by three rings.

Add to that the swordsmanship reinforced by two overpowered unique potential abilities.

With that, he should get a satisfying result.

Believing that, Glen gripped his sword.

Though the sparring began suddenly, the tension surrounding the Grand Training Hall was heavier than ever.

The sparring with Triss lasted nearly thirty minutes.

And in the end, Glen lost.

‘As expected, it won’t work without skills.’

Wrath of the Overlord and Gray Ring.

Glen had effectively sealed more than half of his combat power during this sparring.

‘If I had used them, I could’ve won.’

Of course, if he had, Glen would have collapsed unconscious again for another five days.

Naturally, Glen wasn’t stupid enough to throw away five days just to win against Triss.

This sparring was only meant to test how effective his 3-star Holy Power was against her.

And the result was extremely satisfying.

“Haah, seriously…… Glen, you.”

Triss’s rough breathing as she looked down at him was proof enough.

During sparring, Triss always matched her Holy Rings to Glen’s level.

At first, she used the same 3-star power as him.

But as the sparring dragged on and she gradually began losing in swordsmanship, Triss activated her fourth Holy Ring.

Not a newly entered 4-star, but a full, nearly 5-star level 4-star.

That was something he couldn’t overcome.

“This makes no sense.”

“And you knocking me flat like this does?”

“Are you comparing us? My little brother who’s only been learning the sword for two months pushing me this far—how could I not get competitive?”

At Triss’s sulky tone, Glen chuckled.

It was an unfamiliar attitude for Triss.

‘It’s not hard to understand.’

She had grown up being called a genius, and now an even greater genius had appeared.

At first, she found it admirable, but now it seemed she was starting to feel a sense of urgency.

And Glen liked that pure competitiveness in Triss.

Taking the hand Triss offered, Glen stood up.

‘Losing is disappointing, but now I can finally see Sister’s realm at the edge of my vision.’

Swordsmanship, skills, combat sense.

In this sparring alone, he hadn’t fallen behind Triss in any of those.

What he lacked was simply the output difference caused by the number of Holy Rings.

If he narrowed that gap, he could eventually force out a victory against Triss.

Of course, to form two more rings, he would need to raise his Holy Power stat by a whopping 24……

“Anyway, good work, Glen. And congratulations on forming your third ring.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

“Good. I’ll work even harder too, so you don’t catch up to me.”

Triss patted his shoulder with a bright smile.

But the atmosphere around her looked strangely bitter.

‘They say she’s been stuck at five Holy Rings for quite a long time.’

Of course, compared to ordinary people, reaching 5-star at the age of twenty-three was already worthy of endless praise and envy.

But for the person aiming beyond that realm, it must be immense pressure.

‘I should help her when I have time.’

With the coming war against the Demonic Race, having even one stronger ally would benefit Glen.

“Alright, morning training ends here. Let’s go eat first. Gather back here on time afterward.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, dismissed.”

“Dismissed!”

The trainee knights shouted back and left the Grand Training Hall in small groups.

“Shall we go too, Glen?”

“Sounds good. I’ve been smelling something nice from the dining hall for a while.”

“Right?”

Just as Glen and Triss were about to head into the mansion, chatting comfortably—

Clop clop—
Clatter—

The sound of many horse hooves came from the direction of the main gate.

“Cavalry?”

A questioning look appeared in Glen’s eyes.

Triss looked the same.

“No one rode out earlier, though.”

Soon, a group of mounted men entered the Grand Training Hall.

When Glen and Triss saw the flag they carried, their eyes widened.

“Uh……?”

“No way, that’s…….”

A pure white flag fluttered.

Upon it was a red cross entwined with a thorned whip.

“The Inquisition?!”

Shock filled Triss’s eyes.

And a sharp glint appeared in Glen’s.

The inquisitors of Istirenne.

They had arrived at Wordsworth.