The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 117: Status Check (4)

What balance? Gi-Gyu asked.

-Life and Death have reached a balance inside you. In the past, Lucifer, that bitchy wench, said the stronger I am, the greater my effect will be on you.

Gi-Gyu nodded, remembering the conversation with Soo-Jung. Since Lou was the darkness itself and stronger than El, the light, Gi-Gyu could lean toward the dark side.

-But this problem has been solved. I dont know what you did to fix this gap, but I know it couldnt have been easy.

Lou sounded a little proud as he continued,

-Anyway, since there is no longer a power gap between Life and Death, there is now a balance inside you. But you must remember that this balance is still not perfect. In a way, your current state might be even worse than befor

Before Gi-Gyu could respond, El suddenly yelled, having realized something.

I get it now! You are standing at the borderline between the two, Master! Because youre standing right in the middle, youve balanced it out for now, but

Gi-Gyu still couldnt understand their conversation. He became especially concerned when he saw Els eyes waver worriedly. El?

If anything goes wrong, no one knows which side you would end up on. Once that happens, youll have no control over your personality and natur

Before El could finish her sentence, Lou added,

-You might become someone completely different.

Haa Gi-Gyu sighed. His confusion was growing by the minute. It seemed that he was becoming an even more complicated existence.

-Lets just check one thing.

When Lou suggested, Gi-Gyu asked, Check what?

-Im still concerned about where that Life piece settled down. Try activating your evil eye again.

Gi-Gyu did so without any objection. Lou and El were the experts in this field, so they were the only experts who could figure out what was going on inside him.

Ugh, Gi-Gyu groaned when he activated his evil eye. It was the same pain he felt before, but he didnt faint this time. Slowly, one of his eyes changed color, but something was different.

-I knew it.

Lou murmured, and El agreed as she stated, Both of your eyes have completely different colors. One of them is carrying the evil eyes power, and..

-I have no idea what the hell is going on in the other eye.

One of Gi-Gyus eyes turned violet as expected, but the other eye turned gray.

***

Gi-Gyu spent another day inside his gate. After checking on the gates changes, he met with Rogers.

Rogers. I heard you wanted to speak to me, Gi-Gyu said calmly. Rogers Han was kneeling before him with his head touching the ground. Rogers was no longer the powerful player he once was; he was now akin to the Gi-Gyu of the Maze of Heryond.

P-please, I beg of you Trembling, Rogers replied, Please give me a chance

Rogers had to plead for so long just to get this meeting, so he now begged even more desperately, believing this was his last chance.

What chance are you asking for? Gi-Gyus voice was cold. Rogers was starved, denied sleep, and whatnot. He could guess how much pain and suffering a weakened Rogers must have endured while building the pyramid.

However, he still clearly remembered how Rogers tortured him and how Rogers behaved and spoke to him. He thought enough time had passed for him to forget the matter, but when he faced Rogers again, the memory came back rushing.

Gi-Gyu smirked, thinking, Have I always been such an unforgiving man?

Gi-Gyus hands trembled slightly as he tried to control his rage. The problem was that Rogers mistook Gi-Gyus smile as a sign of forgiveness.

Rogers thought in excitement, This is my chance!

The neck stabbing and all that pyramid work had made Rogers voice terribly hoarse. Sounding like one of the undead monsters, Rogers begged, Ironshield! Your goal is to kill Ironshield, isnt it? I will help. I will help you with everything I have got!

Rogers no longer resented Gi-Gyu. Actually, he did, but Gi-Gyu was no longer on the top of his I wanna drink their blood listIronshield was. His former guild master used him by giving him Nine, so he believed his current unfortunate state was all because of Ironshield.

I want revenge. Rogers thought with a shiver. He wanted to rip Ironshield into a million pieces. Feeling Rogers desperate need to kill Ironshield, Gi-Gyu thought, I guess Hart did very well.

An insidious idea Gi-Gyu and Hart came up with was why Rogers felt so strongly about Ironshield. When he first captured Rogers, physical torture didnt seem all that appealing. So, he came up with a better way to make Rogers suffer, and the idea involved Hart, who could use black magic.

Brainwashing and hypnotism played a significant part in Rogers torture. Of course, he resented his old guild master, but not to this extent. Hart increased Rogers hatred toward Ironshield by a hundredfold using magic and psychology.

Gi-Gyu asked coldly, You want to help? You no longer have any power as a player. Youre basically a non-player, so how could you help me?

I can level up again quickly! Ive already climbed the Tower once! I can do it again, and it will be much quicker this time. I will become strong fast an Rogers explained hurriedly, but Gi-Gyu cut him off, No.

Gi-Gyu shook his head firmly and continued, The abilities you lost to Nine arent something you can get back. You probably cant even level up now. Even if you could, you can not become as strong as before.

When Rogers got Nine, he thought it was a holy sword. Ironshield fooled him into taking this sneaky sword, but Nine could only absorb Rogers power because Rogers had given his permission.

Rogers didnt know, but Gi-Gyu could see very clearly. When Nine took away Rogers power, it broke his shell. It wasnt damaged enough to kill Rogers, but the life he had left wasnt much of a life either. There was no way for Rogers to recover from this.

T-this cant be Rogers moaned helplessly.

Gi-Gyu continued, Ironshield had always considered you disposable. Even if you survive and return to him now, the Iron Guild wouldnt accept you. You cant convince your old friends to revolt against him either, if thats your plan.

After making clear how worthless Rogers was, Gi-Gyu even said, Youre nothing now. Youre useless.

Ackkk! Ackk! Rogers buried his head in the ground and began to scream. The howls were so gruesome that Gi-Gyu couldnt even tell if Rogers was screaming or crying. Gi-Gyu remained quiet and waited patiently.

But I! Suddenly, Rogers jerked his head back up and looked at Gi-Gyu as if he had remembered something. The tears, snot, and dirt made his already horrendously bony face even more ghastly.

But

I can see the fire still burning in his eyes. Gi-Gyu noted that Rogers eyes were burning with something strong.

Rogers continued, I know all the corrupt things Ironshield has done till now! Every illegal and unethical deed! If these things are revealed to the public, it will damage his perfect reputation! Please! Let me at least do that to him!

It was Rogers last desperate attempt at his revenge.

Disregarding his desperation, Gi-Gyu asked bluntly, How can I trust you?

...

Hatred was a strong emotion, but it wasnt enough for Gi-Gyu to trust his prisoner. He could ask Rogers to tell him all about Ironshields corrupt ways and then expose Ironshield himself. However, who do you think the public would believe: An up-and-coming ranker badmouthing Ironshield or the head of Iron Guilds Korean branch?

So, everything came back to trust, or the lack of thereof. Gi-Gyu had brainwashed Rogers, but it wasnt a perfect process. If Gi-Gyu allowed Rogers to leave the gate, there was no way of knowing what he might do. He was currently living a life worse than death, so he had nothing to lose or fear. Consequently, Gi-Gyu couldnt force Rogers to obey him outside the gate. A players contract was the best binding contract in the player world, but the worst punishment for breaking this contract was death. It could exercise no power over Rogers.

Realizing what Gi-Gyu was thinking, Rogers stammered, I-I will do anything He was beginning to lose hope, and the belief that he could never convince Gi-Gyu was also slowly settling in.

The fire in his eyes is dying. Gi-Gyu could see Rogers losing all hope. Are you willing to do anything?

Of course! Rogers answered immediately.

I value your determination. When Gi-Gyu commented, Rogers replied, Thank yo

Slice.

Before Rogers could even blink, Lou beheaded him.

u Rogers finished the last word as his head rolled on the ground until it hit Gi-Gyus foot.

***

Finally, Gi-Gyu set out to leave the gate. Save for the time he spent in that exceptional gate after Els death, he had spent most of his time in Brunhearts gate. When he tried to leave, he was met with a little problem.

Our knights order must serve you, Grandmaster! Hal roared in determination.

I will protect you even outside the gate, Grandmaster! Hamiel begged.

Unlike Hart, who focused on protecting the gate, newly named death knight Hal and angel Hamiel insisted on following Gi-Gyu outside the gate.

Are you crazy? Gi-Gyu exclaimed in shock. With his giant wings, anyone could tell that Hamiel was an angel. And there was no mistaking Hal, with his armor and gloomy appearance, for an innocent civilian. If he walked around with these two creatures, he would be the center of attention everywhere he went. He had decided that he would no longer hide his identity, but he certainly didnt want to become the center of everyones attention.

But I must stay by your side, Grandmaster! If I cant! If anything happens to you! When Hal kneeled and bowed deeply, one of the other durahans approached him and raised his halberd to behead Hal.

What the hell are you doing?! Gi-Gyu yelled in confusion as he pushed the durahan away. The durahan with the halberd took an awkward step back before falling.

Hal tried to explain, If I cant be by your side to protect you, death is my only punishment.

Just be quiet already! Gi-Gyu ordered in frustration. The other durahans no longer tried to behead their leader, but Hal still refused to stand up.

Meanwhile, Hamiel begged loudly as well, Grandmaster! I feel the same way! I must be by your side to protect you! Grandmaster!

Gi-Gyus head began to pound as their insistence on accompanying him frustrated him to no end. Hal had become as strong as a ranker thanks to the recent change; Hamiel and the other angels were even more powerful than Hal. They would undoubtedly be a great help to Gi-Gyu, but their appearance was too noticeable.

Old Man Hwang reassured him, Dont worry.

The blacksmith was spending a lot of time inside the gate lately. Even Min-Su entered the gate often nowadays. His eyes glowing at the challenge, Old Man Hwang announced, I will try to find a way.

Gi-Gyu suspected Old Man Hwang had an idea to help this situation. After spending so much time inside the gate, the blacksmith probably found new and different ways to use the gate.

With a sigh of relief, Gi-Gyu ordered, Then Hal and Hamiel, you will stay here until Mr. Hwang can find a way.

But! When Hal and Hamiel tried to protest, Gi-Gyu glared at them and asked, Are you disrespecting Lou and Els ability to protect me?

... Hal and Hamiel became speechless. Hal feared Lou, perhaps because Lou used to be the demon king, while Hamiel and the other angels had great respect for El, probably because she was the Empress of holy swords. Gi-Gyu didnt exactly know what El was, but he was told that she was also the empress of the angels.

In the end, Hal and Hamiel replied, As you wish, Grandmaster.

Haha, they may be very stubborn, but you must be very pleased with their loyalty, Young Man. This world is so different from outside, Old Man Hwang laughed and commented. He said to Hal and Hamiel confidently, Dont worry. I will find a way soon.

Ah, alsoOld Man Hwang turned toward Gi-Gyukeep the details of this gate a secret. Im talking about its abilities and the number of soldiers it holds. Someday, this gate will become your secret weapon.

Of course. Gi-Gyu nodded with a serious look in his eyes. I will see you soon, Sir. And please take good care of everyone inside this gate.

I will.

Hart, you take care of yourself too. When Gi-Gyu said to Hart, the monster nodded quickly.

Then I'll be back soon.

Finally, Gi-Gyu left the gate. When he left the basement and entered the front yard, he saw Bi, in his puppy form, running around, playing. It was snowing, and Bi was having a lot of fun.

Oppa! Yoo-Jung, who came out to feed Bi, spotted Gi-Gyu and yelled.

With a smile, Gi-Gyu greeted her, Hey. Long time no see, Yoo-Jung.

Ugh, dont be so nice. Its creepy. By the way, what brings you here finally?! Ah! I know! I guess youre human after all! When Yoo-Jung exclaimed, Gi-Gyus eyes widened in confusion. Realizing Gi-Gyu had no idea what she was talking about, Yoo-Jung gasped and asked, You didnt know?

Know what?

Unable to hide her shock, Yoo-Jung screamed, Today is Christmas!

...?

She stared at him while he continued to gape. Meanwhile, Bi rushed toward her for food as snow continued to fall.