The Grand Duelist

Chapter 129: A Cruel Step to Ascension[Finale] 4in1

"Alice... you really are still alive..."

The tone that Krid used to say these words made Joseph furrow his eyebrows.

Why does Senior sound like he's regretting something when he realized that Alice was really alive? Shouldn't he be happy that she's alive instead of feeling regret? What is going on?

But Joseph suppressed his suspicions as Alice ran towards the direction of the Treasure Hall's room. When Alice pushed the doors open, several system notifications appeared right in front of Joseph.

But before he could even read those system notifications...

"T-T-The King?!"

He was incredibly horrified to find the King of the Kingdom of Nether, lying on the ground beside Krid with a Rapier piercing through his back.

"He's dead?!"

The bandits exclaimed what Joseph wanted to scream.

Alice abruptly stopped on her tracks. She turned to look at Krid in astonishment.

Krid revealed a bitter smile and explained.

"Yes... I killed him... I killed this brother of mine with my own hands."

Krid's tone was indifferent but his sorrow was vividly depicted by the light within his eyes.

"W-W-What happened?" Alice stuttered as she barely squeezed these words out of her throat.

Joseph glanced at the lifeless body of Oliver Oligarch, the King of the Kingdom of Nether. Judging from the fact that the crimson color of blood had already turned brownish.

It was clear that it had been a while when he died.

But that wasn't the problem here, the question was that why did Krid decide to kill the King of the Kingdom of Nether?

Why did he decide to kill his sworn brother?

"Seeing that you are alive, it seems like everything really was just a huge misunderstanding. But I already know that when I felt the aura of the Grandeur and Beauty once again. I was just in denial that it was the truth." Krid spoke in cryptic words that further deepened the shock of the two.

But Joseph recognized the words, Grandeur, and Beauty. Since he was the one wielding it. He was the first one to reply and ask, "Feel the aura of the Grandeur and Beauty? What is going on here, Senior? What do you mean?"

Krid stared at Joseph and a light smile escaped on his lips. Although it didn't erase the exhaustion on his face, the smile at least made the bandits think that he wasn't as scary as they had expected. Some of the bandits relaxed when they saw the smile on Krid's face.

But their minds quickly changed when they hear Krid say...

"You guys have no business to listen in our conversation here. Go back inside the Treasure Hall and focus on plundering the wealth of the Kingdom. Isn't that the reason why you all dared to infiltrate the Kingdom of Nether?" H

is words sounded cold and directly assaulted the hearts of the bandits, causing them to flee in fear.

"Grandpa... You didn't have to be that harsh to them. Even though they are bandits, they are also trying their best to change, you know?" Alice couldn't help but comment. She puffed her cheeks and pouted.

Krid glanced at her and said, "Them changing their ways does not invalidate the fact that they are one of the scums of society!"

Joseph furrowed his eyebrows when he heard Krid's harsh evaluation on the bandits.

What he said wasn't completely wrong, but he felt angry on the bandits' sake due to the fact that Krid doesn't seem like he planned on looking at those bandits who were struggling to change for the better in a new light.

But since Krid was a Legendary Blacksmith.

Joseph swallowed his words. He couldn't risk offending this grandpa on steroids.

The surroundings became silent...

Then, it was shattered by Krid who heaved a deep and resounding sigh.

"Sigh..." Krid raised his head and stared at his granddaughter and Joseph.

"It's good that the two of you are finally here... Joseph, thank you for keeping her safe." Krid, the dignified one and only Legendary Blacksmith of the world of Victory bowed his head towards the direction of Joseph.

[An overwhelmingly strong presence is paying his respects to you!]

[Dignity + 500]

Joseph merely glanced at the system notifications before he spoke up: "s-Senior, you don't have to do that for me... I just did what I must do, ever since we had that agreement. I was already committed to saving Alice..."

"I was only doing the call of my duty, you do not have to bow your head to me."

"Hehehe... You really are as polite as ever..." Krid smiled, afterwards. He made a sidelong glance at Alice before turning to look at Joseph once again and saying, "What do you think about Alice? Given that the two of you stayed together for at least several weeks, I think that you should have a pretty good understanding of her now, right?"

A meaningful smile surfaced on Krid's lips and he dropped another bombshell.

"Do you like her?"

Joseph jolted in shock, he couldn't suppress the trembling of his body when he heard Krid's words.

But it wasn't because of fear nor terror.

It was because of nervousness.

He felt like Krid's words were full of traps wherein if he committed a single mistake, he could potentially lose everything in a single move.

But...

Joseph wasn't the type of person to hesitate anymore. If Krid asked this question when he first met Joseph. The Joseph back then would've hesitated and directly lied just so he could escape the consequences of telling the truth.

But why must he lie about something like this?

Joseph had already decided that he would never hesitate anymore so he could live his life to the fullest without any regrets.

He raised his head and directly stared at Krid, a determined look could be seen on her face as he firmly replied.

"I like her, Senior!"

His words resounded like the booms of thunder and Alice who was already embarrassed and angry by her grandfather's antics was even more embarrassed when she heard Joseph's confession.

But when she heard that Joseph really did like her...

Her anger towards her grandfather disappeared, replaced by gratefulness as she hung her head low in shame.

Although she was happy.

She was still an inexperienced young woman.

Suddenly receiving a confession out of nowhere.

Especially from someone whom she felt the same. It was impossible for her to keep her wits as she stood there, rooted, unable to move, and not knowing what she should do.

Joseph furtively glanced at Alice and when he saw the furious blush on her face that spread towards her neck.

Joseph finally awakened from his reverie.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! Wasn't that a confession? Holy shit! Did I actually confess to Alice in front of her grandfather? What the fuck did I just do?! That was my first confession! Will my first confession lead to my death instead of happiness? Damn it! I was too hasty to prove myself to Senior!

Joseph maintained a cool and determined facade but he was already trembling inside.

Alice who stood slightly behind him lightly chuckled when she saw the cold sweat that drenched Joseph's tunic.

"Really..."

She stared at Joseph's back.

"Pretending to be such a tough charlatan when you're actually more of a scaredy-cat than me."

"You really are such an..."

Alice wanted to continue her words with the word, "idiot" but she realized that she wasn't actually mad at Joseph for pretending to be tough.

In fact, she felt happy and grateful for his actions.

It was because even though she refused to admit to it.

She knew how proud she was.

If Joseph didn't confess his feelings for her at this moment. Their courtship would've probably lasted an eternity. It was difficult for her to expect that Joseph would confess first since he was also quite proud, but if you wanted Alice to confess first.

It was impossible!

That was how prideful she was as a young woman!

This was the reason why she was so grateful to her grandfather.

She turned to look at her grandfather, Krid.

The look of joy and gratefulness was evident in her eyes.

Joseph remained frozen, he was too afraid to move nor move his gaze away from Krid. He was afraid that Krid may notice his fears if he dared to turn his gaze away from the old man's eyes.

But contrary to his expectations.

Instead of getting mad, Krid laughed out loud...

His exhaustion seemed to have disappeared at this moment as he said with a smile.

"I see... So you like her." He made a meaningful glance at Alice before saying, "From the looks of it, you also captured the proud heart of this granddaughter of mine."

"W-What are you saying... Grandpa!" Alice retorted, but Krid didn't mind what she was saying.

Joseph surreptitiously glanced at Alice and the embarrassment finally sunk to him when he saw the crimson blush on Alice's cheeks.

"Since it looks like both of your feelings are mutual. Can I ask you for a favor, Joseph?" Krid's expression suddenly turned serious.

Joseph's embarrassment swiftly disappeared.

A stern look appeared on his face as he stared at Krid's eyes and slowly nodded his head.

"Thanks..." A genial smile spread on Krid's lips, "You don't have to be so nervous. My request is not that outrageous. I just want you to promise that from now on, I hope you can stay by my granddaughter's side..."

"I want you to stay with Alice and protect her."

"Can you afford this small favor of mine?"

Joseph gulped a mouthful of saliva.

But his mindset didn't allow for any hesitation so he quickly replied with his honest feelings.

"Y-Y-Yes..."

Joseph wanted to reply in a dignified manner, but the voice that came out of his throat was so small that it sounded more like a mosquito's droning.

But Krid was a Legendary Blacksmith whose physique was far stronger than the average human, and Alice was also the same for she was a Sword Adept. In short, it wasn't that hard for them to listen to what Joseph had said, and when the two heard his reply...

Krid's smile deepened, while Alice looked even more embarrassed. Her entire body was fidgeting as she stood there, it was clear that she was moved by Joseph's words due to the tears that welled in her eyes but she just didn't know what to do.

In the end, she did nothing other than stare at the ground, she didn't even dare to raise her head, afraid that her eyes may meet Joseph's gaze and he'd notice how incredibly moved and embarrassed she was.

If that happened, she reckoned that Joseph would tease her about it for at least several weeks!

"I see... Both of you, come here..."

Krid gestured for them to follow and they soon arrived at the table standing near the golden throne of the King inside the Palace Hall.

On the table laid a work of art, a masterpiece, a weapon that would probably be never made again by the hands of a mortal. It was a weapon that transcended the limitations of the Laws of Causality itself.

It was a weapon that shouldn't really exist within the Mortal Realm, but here it was.

On top of a wooden table, casually sitting there as if it wasn't a living violation of the Laws that the Gods imposed on the mortals.

[ You are in the presence of the first Mythical Weapon in existence! ]

[ + 125 Strength + 150 Stamina + 450 Divinity ]

"T-T-This..."

Joseph uttered in shock.

Thud!

A dull thud rang out behind him and he found Alice kneeling on one knee.

"This is the weapon that will accompany you in your domination of the world. This is the weapon that will prove to everyone that you are indeed... The Sun that Overlooks Everything..."

Joseph stared at the Rapier on the table.

The Rapier had a blade that was as thin as a cicada's wing, and the silvery-white sheen that it emanated made it look incomparably gorgeous and beautiful. However, that wasn't the most astonishing trait of the Rapier.

It was because of the fact that the Rapier itself seemed to be constantly blinking from Joseph's eyes.

Its length was also unique to the eyes, but the real beauty of the weapon wasn't just depicted on its blade.

It could also be seen underneath it.

The handguard of the weapon that consisted of a Crossbar and Knuckle Bar, supported by a delicate, yet incredibly strong Sweepings made the weapon look delightful to the eyes.

But even though the weapon looked similar to the Rapier of Grandeur and Beauty.

Joseph could feel that there was something strange to it.

It was because while he was staring at the weapon.

He could feel the weapon staring at him.

Joseph subconsciously stretched his hand out and when he did.

Several system notifications appeared in front of him.

[ You are currently in possession of a Mythical Rank Weapon! As the first owner of a Mythical Rank Weapon, you now have the qualifications to be within the top ten of the Universal Rankings! Do you want to be in the Rankings? ]

[Yes/No/I'll decide later.]

[Your Class-Specific Quest, The Grand Duelist's Vestige IV has been updated to The Grand Duelist's Vestige Finale]

Joseph was about to open the system notifications that said something about his Class-Specific Quest but he felt that it was quite inappropriate for him to open it when Senior Krid was still in front of him.

He felt that it was far important for him to interact with Krid. He dispersed those system notifications and planned on taking a look at them later.

Joseph stared at the Rapier in front of him. His eyes were attracted to its beauty.

Although the silvery runic designs on the blade and its hilt made it look incredibly feminine and fragile.

Joseph knew that from the fact alone that it was Mythical Ranked...

It definitely possessed firepower that surpassed anything that everyone had ever seen.

"What do you think?" Krid asked with a smile.

Joseph turned to look at Krid and exclaimed, "It feels too good, Senior! It feels too good to hold this weapon!"

"Hahaha... Good to hear that." Krid lightly chuckled at Joseph's antics.

Joseph felt incredibly excited holding the Rapier in his hands. Finally, after struggling in the underground prison, escaping from the hands of the Kingdom as a wanted man, and suffering that sorrow in the place perpetually hidden from the sun.

Joseph finally attained his goal.

He had finally acquired his Mythical Ranked, Class-Specific Weapon!

But Joseph suddenly felt that there was something strange.

Why do I feel like I haven't ascended yet?

Joseph opened up his Player Profile and saw that he was still a Pre-Mature Grand Duelist.

What's going on? Shouldn't I be a True Mythical Class player now? Why haven't I ascended yet?

At first, Joseph thought that the P.H Works probably intervened but it didn't make sense for them to withhold the rewards that Joseph deserved after his struggles.

"You already felt it right?" Krid turned to look at Joseph.

"Y-Y-Yeah... There's something strange..." Joseph replied, his tone full of doubt.

Alice rushed towards them and she stared at the Mythical Ranked Weapon. Except for the fact that her eyes felt like they were about to bleed when she stared directly at the weapon. She couldn't see anything strange to it so she turned to look at Krid in doubt.

"Indeed... That Mythical Ranked Weapon is indeed a Mythical Ranked Weapon but it lacks a single, yet important ingredient..."

"For something to transcend the limitations of the Laws of Causality. And for you to transcend that same limitation, there needs to be a sacrifice. A sacrifice so cruel, yet something that I am willing to make..." Krid swept his gaze at the two before his gaze landed on Alice.

"G-Grandpa... What are you talking abo-..." Alice wasn't able to complete her sentence.

It was because she saw her grandpa move in front of Joseph before stabbing himself with the Rapier that Joseph held in his hands.

Guah!

A mouthful of blood escaped Krid's mouth.

"Grandpa!!!" Alice's face instantly paled as she rushed towards her grandpa's side.

Joseph was frozen stiff due to what happened and he wasn't able to respond.

"Grandpa!!!" Alice hurriedly assisted Krid, and at this point. Joseph finally awakened from his reverie as he let go of the Rapier and moved towards Krid's side.

"I-It's fine... Ever since I... Ever since I decided to ask for this brat's help... I was already prepared to sacrifice myself for his ascension..."

"No... Grandpa... Why... Why did you do this? S-S-Sacrifice? To hell with that!" Tears streamed down Alice's cheeks, "Is there really no other way other than this? Must you really sacrifice yourself for Joseph's sake...?"

Joseph gulped a mouthful of saliva as he suppressed the sourness that suddenly assaulted his nose and eyes. He held back his tears as he kneeled down.

He didn't ask any more questions to Krid for the system notification that appeared right in front of him, informed him of the truth of what Krid had done.

[Quest Clear Conditions: Kill a Non-Player Legend.]

The cruel quest clear conditions of the last stage of the Class-Specific Quest made it obvious that it was impossible for Joseph to ascend to the ranks of Myth if he didn't kill a Legend.

And in the current epoch, there was no other non-player Legend apart from Krid!

But...

"P.H Works... Must this really be a necessary step? Why... Why did you design the quest this way? Why... Why is the final step for my ascension, so incredibly cruel after all the things that I have to endure just to get to this step?"

"Why?!"

"Answer me, why?!"

Joseph roared towards the skies. Tears streamed down his cheeks as his chest violently heaved.

But there was nothing that he could do anymore...

Krid was already on the brink of death.

"B-B-Brat... You must... honor... what you said... you must take care of... Alice... I have wronged her for far too long... I took her childhood life away from her just so I could have her learn the art of blacksmithing..."

"I am guilty of that sin and there is nothing that can absolve me for what I have done..."

"You... You must not let my sacrifice be in vain... Promise me..."

"Promise me that..."

"Promise me that you'll make her the happiest woman in this world..."

"So that... So that she'll... So that she'll forget the pain of losing me..."

"I don't want her to suffer... even when I'm already gone..."

"Please... promise me..."

Joseph choked, he couldn't suppress the sourness in his throat anymore as he let out a cry. But when he quickly suppressed his tears and assumed a tough facade. 

He saw that Krid was staring at him with expectations...

Holding Alice's trembling hand on his left hand, and Krid's hand on his right hand.

Joseph stared at the old man and declared.

"Y-Yes... I promise... I will protect her... with my life... I will make her the happiest woman in the world!"

"Good... Good... Good..." A delighted look surfaced on Krid's face.

But he coughed once again and this time, some of his organs accompanied his blood.

"No!!! Grandpa, please... please don't talk anymore... I will... I will save you..."

Alice took several herbs from her pocket and crushed it with her hands.

She sprinkled it on Krid's body, but even the faint glow of Life couldn't extend Krid's life anymore.

The damage that he inflicted on himself with the Mythical Ranked Rapier was so severe to the extent that no amount of herbs nor treasures could possibly extend his life.

Realizing this cold and hard truth...

Another wave of tears streamed down Alice's cheeks as she cried.

She cried like a child.

Joseph gnashed his teeth. He proceeded to apply some basic first aid on Krid's body, but the biggest artery on his body was pierced through by his Rapier.

In other words.

It was impossible to save him.

There was nothing that they could do anymore.

Bang!

Joseph slammed his fists onto the ground.

He felt incredibly powerless once again despite holding the strongest weapon in existence.

"Why... Why..." Joseph could only whisper these words into the air.

"It's fine..." Krid suddenly spoke up.

Alice and Joseph were quick to react as the two of them moved closer to Krid.

"Grandpa! Hang in there! Please!" Alice protested.

Krid sweetly smiled at Alice and said, "Alice... your grandpa stole you of your childhood. Instead of letting you play with your friends and explore the world with them. I turned you into someone that was like a slave. A slave to the anvil and the hammer..."

"I'm sorry, my child..."

"Finding a suitable partner for you before I die is the least that I can do for you... No, it's the least that I can do for myself..."

"Only through this way can I feel that at least, I... did something for your sake, instead of my selfish desires..."

Krid's smile turned incomparably gentle and ethereal.

His body gradually turned faint.

It was as if he was about to turn into a mist that would soon disperse into nothingness.

"No... Grandpa... No! Please! Hold on! You can't die! I can't allow you to die!"

Alice lunged at Krid and held him tightly, she was afraid that if she let go, she would never be able to hold her grandfather anymore.

She had already been separated from her grandfather once, why would she let herself be separated from him once again?

"No... Please... Grandpa... Don't go... Don't... Don't leave me alone!" Alice begged.

The tears and snot that decorated her face made her look incomparably pitiful.

"D-Don't cry like that..."

Krid stretched his already blurry hand and wiped the tears that drenched Alice's face.

"Grandpa..." Alice held the hand that Krid stretched out to her cheeks. Tears continuously fell from her eyes and her voice was already hoarse from the screaming and crying.

"From now on, someone else will take care of you... This brat... even though he's somewhat of a wimp. He is quite reliable and determined. If not for that, how else could he bring you back to me unscathed?" Krid lightly chucked before he suddenly stared at the skies.

"Alice... Can you forgive me for what I have done to you back then?" Krid absentmindedly uttered.

His body was now shining in a brilliant light, an indication that he was truly about to pass away.

"Grandpa... Please... No, don't go... I don't want anyone to take care of me other than you! So, please! Don't go..." Alice violently shook her head and refused to answer Krid's question.

"Child... Will you forgive me?" Krid asked once again.

This time, Alice finally answered with her honest feelings.

"I... I have never blamed you for what you have done to me back then!"

"I see..."

A smile of relief appeared on Krid's face.

Both of Krid's eyes lost all traces of focus at this moment.

His body became still.

Only his throat moved ever so slightly to squeeze out these words that came from his soul...

"Oliver, Mike, Craig... We can finally drink together again..."

"Dear... I'm coming..."

"I'm coming for you... Dear..."

His final words were as weak as a breeze until it completely faded away...

Then, hoarse screams of desperation and grief pierced through the skies.

Afterwards, an incredibly domineering divinity descended out of nowhere and made the entire world tremble...

[The Sun That Overlooks Everything... has emerged!]

[The 72 Demons of Hell are trembling!]

[The Seven Gods and Goddesses are alarmed!]

[The Laws of Causality is overwhelmed!]

[The world has lost one of its pillars!]

[The First Mythical Player has finally ascended!]