The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor - Chapter 31-5-6

Chapter 31-5-6

Chapter 5) Dark Gamer’s Fate

Aren Castle of the Haven Empire .

A vast amount of construction work was being done on the grounds of Emperor’s Palace . Bardray had decided to build a luxurious palace instead of granaries .

“Gather the artists and architects . ”

In the meantime, the Hermes Guild had been stingy towards the arts .

After Weed had started sculpting, many sculptors had been strategically raised in the guild . However the sculptures they produced were just like the ancient art excavated . The support for painters and sculptors disappeared and the artists increasingly left the Haven Kingdom .

But their presence was necessary for the Emperor’s Palace .

“The Imperial Palace will compulsorily raise the residents’ loyalty so we can increase taxes by 2% . ”

“Send all the soldiers that surrendered in the war to the mines . ”

Lafaye had a leadership meeting to discuss various ideas intended to squeeze the inhabitants of the Empire .

A war victory commemoration tax .

Imperial Palace construction tax .

Special tax for the maintenance of facilities for Aren Castle .

Tax for the military marching through the city .

Special tax for territory expansion .

If Weed heard this then he would be beating his knees with admiration .

“Quite a few dwarves live in the Lasalle Kingdom . We should catch them and make them work as slaves . ”

“There are riots in some of the occupied areas . Suppressing it won’t be a problem but security will lower and the Embinyu Church will spread . ”

The Haven Empire had received damage and the Embinyu Church was spreading like wildfire . But the top level leaders in the Hermes Guild wasn’t worried about that .

The people converted to the Embinyu Church were poor and the Hermes Guild was confident they could defeat them if the Embinyu Church declared war . Of course, new taxes would be necessary for a war with the Embinyu Church .

The Hermes Guild intended to completely conquer the continent so they needed to maintain a strict military .

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“Those bad guys . ”

Weed instinctively cursed after hearing that the Hermes Guild intended to stop the war . He instantly sensed something strange .

“They have an ulterior motive . Anyway, they are bad guys so there is no way to believe them . ”

One philosopher’s theory was that human nature was fundamentally evil!

Weed continued to grow while fighting with Bahamorg and Seo-yoon . He made luxurious dishes from ingredients obtained in dungeons and his cooking skill finally reached advanced .

He could now be called a cook . It was possible for him to live even if he only toasted bread in some cities . All the work in the early stages was now worth it . But Weed still had misgivings about his future .

“I don’t have a full pension or one of the 4 major insurances . If I quit my job then I won’t get a severance pay . ”

He was earning money now but the future was unknown . He wasn’t insecure like many other freelancers .

There was a post written on the Dark Gamers bulletin board that had the viewpoint echo with him .

Title: I will try to get married .

I have been associated with a woman I love for 3 years .

Yesterday I greeted my father in law . And now I’m crying . My girlfriend is fine but the one I can’t bear is myself . I want to share a short story between my father in law and I .

“Yes, you are doing something now . ”

“Yes, fathers in law . Do you know something call Royal Road?”

“I know it! Every day the newspaper and television is talking about the hottest company called the Unicorn Corporation . Don’t they earn enormous profit every year? I can’t imagine the welfare benefits received by the employees of Unicorn Corporation . My Hyo-sun has met a man like that . ”

“No . I’m not an employee but someone who finds items in Royal Road and sell them for money . ”

“… . . Yes, have you gathered a little money?”

“A little . ”

“How much?”

“If I dispose of the equipment I’m currently wearing then I can get enough for a house deposit . That’s because the price for this set has been recently rising in the auction . ”

“……”

“……”

“You won’t bring Hyo-sun any suffering?”

“Yes . I will eagerly enter the Royal Road capsule for 18 hours every day . ”

“……”

I didn’t go beyond high school . Do you know this sorrow?

He couldn’t help empathizing with the Dark Gamer’s story . It was a service industry but it was too early to reveal it to the world . There was no job stability, fixed income or welfare benefits .

Furthermore, the Hermes Guild’s expansion was a huge threat . There were other users that felt burdened by the Hermes Guild but the pressure towards Weed as King of the Arpen Kingdom was larger .

Even if Weed became the Master Sculptor first, it wouldn’t be significant if Bardray and the Hermes Guild unified the Central Continent . The troops of the Haven Empire would come to the north for the Arpen Kingdom . The buildings that Weed had invested large amounts of money in would be taken over by the Hermes Guild .

Weed had to put that to one side in his mind .

“The resentment would be enough to make me go to hospital . ”

If he became the first class master then there would be a lot of attention from the broadcasting stations . Weed wasn’t in a situation where he could worry about that .

“Arpen Kingdom is my rice bowl . ”

Weed had an attachment to his particular rice bowl . He couldn’t let some neighbourhood dogs eat his rice bowl!

“I need to find a way to protect my rice bowl . ”

He needed to protect the Arpen Kingdom from every type of threat .

“I need to ask Teacher-nim and the Sa-hyungs . ”

Originally he wanted to give the difficult tasks to people he was close to . They would do it if he offered them cooked meat and alcohol . But no matter how strong the Geomchis were, they would be limited in large scale wars with intense magic attacks . They were lacking a lot .

“If I collect the sculptural lifeforms races then I can make them work . ”

He intended to overcome the situation with exploitation .

Weed wanted to win but he couldn’t face the Hermes Guild at this moment . It would take a considerable amount of time to meet the sculptural lifeforms and to build intimacy and achievements .

If they weren’t a race related to battle then they wouldn’t be useful . They would be useful to the growth of the Arpen Kingdom in the long run but there was a threat in the short term .

“I need to train the army to protect the kingdom . But they are fighting monsters at this level… Even if I invest time and money, it won’t be enough to thwart the Haven Empire . ”

He couldn’t find a way to deal with the Haven Empire despite thinking of several possibilities . That’s because conquering the cities already developed in the Central Continent was faster than gradually developing one .

“When looking at it calmly, I’m not better than them in any areas . My kingdom’s population and development can’t compare to them, let alone my military . If a war spreads then I won’t win . ”

When considering the future, it was a reasonable judgement to give up on the Arpen Kingdom now . There was no other forces on the Central Continent that could keep up with the Hermes Guild . The population and military power was so large then it would be hard for the 5 large guilds to oppose them .

“I need to make something to win… . . ”

Weed looked back at the things he had .

He had the abilities of Bingryong, Yellowy, Phoenix and the other sculptural lifeforms from the Jigolaths . They would have amazing power if they continued growing for 2~3 years but that didn’t mean the war would be won . The problem wouldn’t be resolved even if Goldman offered bribery .

“There is still a chance to do something with sculpting . I haven’t created my own skills . And there is the final secret sculpting technique from the legend . ”

After learning Sculptural Life Bestowal, Sculpture Transformation, Sculpting Blade, Disaster Sculpting and Elemental Creation then Weed could learn the final secret sculpting technique .

He dreamt many times about an extravagant skill while sleeping at night .

“Perhaps the last secret technique can make a sculpture that will curse a target or… Something that can express the beauty of a sculpture… Or something that can raise the abilities of my sculptural lifeforms . ”

He had a variety of concerns and expectations . He couldn’t guess what the sculpting technique could possibly be despite looking at the past . The secret sculpting technique could make his fighting abilities rise but it might not . Anyway, the situation on the continent was unstable so Weed had to make a decision .

“I just need to raise my skill proficiency and the Class Master Quest will be over . I don’t know whether to learn the skill or create sculptures to complete the quest . If I challenge the last secret technique then… . . ”

If he found the last sculpture then Weed could challenge the secret technique .

“If I learn the last secret technique later then it might be too late . ”

He decided to hope on finding the last sculpture . The future could change depending on what type of technique would emerge .

“If a skill that transcends imagination emerges then I can fight the Hermes Guild . Maybe other people will fight against them as well . And if the skill isn’t that much… . . ”

It was the final secret sculpting technique .

“I’ll kneel down and surrender right away . ”

Weed decided not to postpone the final secret sculpting technique . He would continue raising his skill proficiency while hunting but acquiring the final secret technique was the priority .

“I don’t know how difficult it will be so I need to adapt to the situation . ”

He was betting the game on the final secret technique . Weed decided to challenge it despite the uneasy situation on the continent .

“Someday I might regret this decision . ”

His fate was to repeatedly go on large adventures despite his desire to live a long life .

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Weed had made a large number of sculptures on the continent . They were sold to people or pieces carved on walls and rocks .

“This is… A piece of work . ”

It was of a birdman with its tail split in two! Weed discovered a sculpture he left behind while travelling .

“It is a good sculpture . The skill is worth being called an excellent sculptor . ”

He thought of something before talking again .

“We’ll meet again . ”

It wasn’t just the birdman .

In the meantime he had carved many great sculptures . He had spread his mark throughout the continent .

Other than those carved in rocks and trees, a significant amount had been spread through sales . The sculptures were continuously traded between users and scattered everywhere . If there weren’t any special options then they would give it to the residents to increase intimacy . Some also lost sculptures if they died in a dungeon hunt and they would be left there .

Such sculptures were marks of Weed .

“My skills are still lacking . ”

“I’ve managed to obtain a piece from Weed . ”

Some sculptural lifeforms in distant places found works made from Weed . These sculptural lifeforms decided to retire after the Arpen Empire collapsed . They would rather live with each other than humans .

And quite a few sculptural lifeforms had become extinct . The remaining lifeforms either became angry monsters or hid themselves . Some would remain sleeping unless a sculptor woke them up directly .

Even if Weed explored many places on the continent, the sculptural lifeforms were hidden in deep places . He didn’t even find any sculptural lifeforms deep in the Jigolaths volcanoes .

“A sculptor came here not long ago . ”

“What is this? I want to meet the sculptor . ”

“He also gave me life . ”

The 8th generation head of the Sculptor’s Guild had created a magnum opus . It had lived a quiet life at the tower in the Jigolaths until granted life by Weed . The sculptural lifeforms would talk about Weed whenever they encountered others . Many of Weed’s sculptures were scattered across the whole continent .

“I want to know the personality of the sculptor . ”

“I didn’t meet him for a long time but he seemed stingy . ”

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Bardray made time for hunting even when the wall was ongoing . He could hunt more efficiently with the support of the guild and he missed the Haven Empire’s victory celebration banquet to go hunting .

“The attack skills are fairly good . ”

Bardray was currently at a place with many monsters . They were mole like monsters with thorns on their body that would pop up from the ground of the dungeon .

Monsters up to level 500! Their health was high and the skin as hard as steel so he suffered damage from the thorns every time they popped up . Bardray utilized the one point attack Weed showed while hunting with the Royal Guards .

“He is becoming increasingly stronger . ”

“As expected from the Bardray-nim . ”

The one point attack method surpassed the high defense of the monsters . Bardray was very successful in using in using this new attack method . He was astounded by the destructive force of the one point attack .

Bardray spent a lot of time hunting with others and didn’t even take a break to wait for the monsters .

If it was Weed then he would carve sculptures and recover health while waiting for monsters to appear . But Bardray didn’t know any art or sculpting skills and could only grow in battle .

Instead he slept in the middle of every hunt . Sleep would make health and vitality recover faster than usual . Even though the battle might last longer, sleeping in the middle of every hunt actually reduced the time required for him to sleep .

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“They’re all collapsed . ”

Bardray stood alone at the base of a mountain .

They continued pushing to unify the empire and the Haven Empire fell to pieces . Bardray couldn’t match up to Weed’s glory . He could hardly imitate Weed’s command style and combat method .

“Huhuhu, I’m relieved . This is something that I’ve been pushing towards . ”

Bardray felt a light feeling . For a long time he had been faithful to the Hermes Guild and everything ended up in the hands of the greedy guild .

That was the regret . A man needed to have a goal to challenge . And that dream was broken so now his shoulders felt lighter .

He could start from the ground up again .

“I have to adventure and do requests . ”

Bardray wanted to travel the continent and quietly enjoy his life . He could fully enjoy the taste of the Versailles Continent after disbanding the Hermes Guild .

There was a person slowly walking towards Bardray .

Weed the God of War . Currently he had tremendous power and appeared as the new ruler of the Versailles Continent . The Death Knight Van Hawk and Vampire Lord Torido that he often saw in Weed’s vicinity were there as well .

“Where will you go?”

Weed said in a low, threatening voice . The atmosphere made him feel like an existence impossible to despise .

“I will now live quietly . I admit my defeat . ”

Bardray confessed with a clean spirit . No matter how much effort he made, it was impossible to catch up with Weed . The Hermes Guild had been crushed so they weren’t even opponents any more .

Weed shook his head .

“I can’t let you go . ”

“Then……”

Bardray already had those expectations . He had the ability to take control of the continent . Weed and his colleagues wouldn’t let him get that chance .

‘That chance can occur again . And if I raise the power… . . ’

Ambition kindled inside him . But Weed trampled on his imagination .

“The equipment you’re wearing is pretty good . ”

“Then… . . ”

“I will snatch it after I kill you . ”

Sururung .

Weed drew his sword .

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“Heeok . ”

Bardray opened his eyes . The bodies of the Royal Guards were resting in front of him .

‘It was a dream . ’

Bardray arranged his spirit while breathing deeply . Even if they were the Royal Guards that he spent a lot of time with, he didn’t want to tell them his nightmare . He always needed to look strong in front of them .

It wasn’t just today but he had similar dreams many times .

‘Haven’t I dreamt of defeating him since my time in Continent of Magic?”

It had affected him psychologically . Weed hadn’t even remembered him . But he couldn’t think about the past right now .

‘My competitors in Royal Road… . . ’

There was the Roam Guild, Lion Star Guild and Black Sword Mercenaries . They were weaker than the Hermes Guild in every area .

Bardray felt like he could win even if he fought with their leaders personally . Bardray’s level, combat skills and tricks were much stronger than them . If the continent occupation plan went as planned then he would meet them .

There wasn’t much time left .

‘Weed is incomprehensible… . . ’

Weed was always mysterious to him .

He never heard that name in the early days of Royal Road . Yet he was suddenly chased by a brilliant figure at a scary speed . Weed had completed impossible quests without the support of any other forces . He had the qualities of a great adventurer but the Bardray ruled the Hermes Guild so there was no need for him to worry .

There was a considerable amount of lords on the continent with no room for Weed . However he had managed to set up a kingdom in the north where hardly anyone lived .

His combat abilities also couldn’t be ignored . His level was low in the early days but Weed was able to compete with him in the Melbourne Mine .

Weed was definitely different from other people . Just like a weed, he seemed to become more terrifying over time .

He was a target that Bardray had to win over!

‘Obviously I will meet him again . ’

Bardray was waiting for that moment . He had used the one point attack method Weed utilized in order to complement his weak point .

‘Maybe that dream… . . ’

Bardray decided to accept this minor fear . The path to conquer the Versailles Continent is fun . So far it was progressing as planned .

‘I will thoroughly stomp on him when I meet him next time . I won’t let him run amok… . . ’

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