[Translator - Pr?ks]

    [Proofreader - Pr?ks]

    Chapter 52

    3.

    ‘This isn''t just a drop in difficulty...''

    Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong scratched his head irritably as he watched Seonghyun''s screen.

    At the same time, he was looking at the data on the flame, Azlaphame, and information on the Overlord''s second class advancement.

    One of the rewards for the second class advancement was a skill to control a Demon Knight.

    And the second class advancement quest itself was also of that nature.

    However, since he had already subdued a Demon Knight...

    It wasn''t just that the difficulty had plummeted; he had already completed the quest itself.

    What should they do about this?

    Naturally, there wasn''t much Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong could do at the moment.

    Giving a new quest through program manipulation was also the role of Azlaphame, the class advancement NPC, so...

    All he could do now was watch.

    How many options could Azlaphame give?

    ''The Overlord is different from other classes.''

    For other classes, the second class advancement was like a new advancement, becoming a higher-ranking class.

    Normal rank classes would become Rare rank classes, and Rare rank classes would become Epic rank classes.

    However, Almighty classes didn''t choose a new class; they chose a new specialization.

    And the Overlord was a class that was different even among the Almighty classes.

    The fact that it was given a skill to control a Demon Knight in its second class advancement was proof of that.

    Its performance was already top-notch, so there was no need to choose a new specialization.

    It had already become the king of all Black Mages through its class advancement alone.

    That''s why even Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong couldn''t predict what the reward would be changed to.

    "Sigh..."

    "Senior??? Then what will it be changed to?"

    "I don''t know."

    "Huh? Then, since he''s practically already completed the original quest, he''ll get something even better???"

    "Huh?"

    At Associate Oh Jinhyeok''s sudden interjection, Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong stood up from his seat.

    That made sense.

    That was the basic principle of Eternal World.

    Thorough rewards were given according to one''s achievements.

    It was the most important principle in Eternal World, set by Park Won, who claimed that there was nothing more enjoyable in a game than this.

    In other words, the more difficult it was, the better the reward.

    So, what about Seonghyun, who had practically already completed his second class advancement?

    Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong, his face pale and aghast, looked at the options within Azlaphame.

    He found an option that had suddenly appeared.

    『Helena''s Garden』

    "Ah. Ah."

    That wasn''t supposed to appear yet.

    Helena''s Garden was an important place for Overlords.

    To obtain it at the second class advancement?

    ''Isn''t that a place that only opens after completing the class-exclusive quest after the second class advancement?!''

    He had to check if it was an error.

    If it was an error, he had to stop it.

    However, the great AI, Immortal, indicated that this was not an error.

    In other words, Seonghyun entering Helena''s Garden now was legitimate.

    He had subjugated a Demon Knight.

    He was being given a commensurate reward.

    Wasn''t that the principle of Eternal World?

    There was no way to stop it anymore.

    ''Ah, no, wait?''

    Was there really a need to stop it?

    Helena''s Garden, in other words, was a place that only opened after the second class advancement.

    If Seonghyun entered that place now...?

    Could he really pass?

    With the Blood-Red Demon Knight, Balthar, it might be possible.

    However, the trial to enter Helena''s Garden had to be undertaken by the individual alone.

    In Seonghyun''s current state, could he really clear it alone?

    ''Hmm.''

    He didn''t know.

    He really didn''t know.

    Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong quickly racked his brain, but...

    He couldn''t make a judgment.

    Even if that unknown power Seonghyun had used so far came into play, he still didn''t know.

    That''s how difficult Helena''s Garden was.

    Because of that, Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong could feel a little relieved.

    As Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong calmed himself and looked at the screen...

    - I-I will guide you to the garden.

    Finally, Azlaphame''s words could be heard, and Associate Oh Jinhyeok, who was watching together, looked up at Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong with sparkling eyes.

    And as if in admiration...

    "Whoa! Senior!!! How did you know!? You''re really amazing!!!"

    Looking at Associate Oh Jinhyeok, Assistant Manager Lee Wonsong seriously thought.

    At the reproachful voice, implying that Balthar should have stopped him, Balthar laughed heartily.

    -Ehahahahahahaha!!! Are you worried that the Lord who subjugated me will fail the trial?

    -Eh? W-well, yes...

    -Hmm, well, I suppose you might think that way, Azlaphame, since you haven''t seen the Lord fight in person.

    At Balthar''s confident voice, Azlaphame gulped, though he had no saliva.

    Did the descendant possess such potential?

    If so, it was a blessing for them.

    Above all, Balthar had seen it with his own eyes.

    ''It was truly an amazing movement.''

    Although it couldn''t be compared to his own, it was the movement of a considerably skilled warrior.

    Had he not seen that battlefield where the sword was wielded freely?

    At first, he had submitted out of fear and coercion, but...

    Not anymore.

    He truly acknowledged Seonghyun''s skills, and now he was even impressed.

    Unlike Helena, who had never moved herself, the way Seonghyun directly participated in battle was truly befitting of a lord.

    Although he currently possessed swordsmanship inferior to his own...

    He even had the potential to perhaps surpass him in the future.

    Thinking this inwardly, Balthar watched Seonghyun, who was proceeding into the garden, with a pleased expression.

    Azlaphame didn''t doubt Balthar''s eyes, but...

    Still anxious, he asked Balthar.

    -H-how is he?

    -Ehahahaha! If you watch, you''ll understand. That not just anyone can be our master. And you will also realize the greatness of the Lord, who inherited Lady Helena''s soul.

    -What???

    Looking at Balthar, who was spouting incomprehensible words, Azlaphame''s curiosity only grew.

    However, that curiosity soon turned into anticipation as he looked at Seonghyun, who was heading towards the garden in the distance.

    What could Balthar have meant?

    5.

    Upon entering the garden...

    Many things that were not visible from the outside came into view.

    The place that had only seemed beautiful was overflowing with dark and sticky energy.

    Although there was no particular reaction yet...

    Tension hung thick in the air, like a situation on the verge of exploding.

    Seonghyun, also sensing this, let out a low groan.

    "Hmm."

    Even so, he wasn''t too worried, nor... was he particularly nervous.

    Seonghyun had various powers at his disposal.

    He lightly drew Apprentice Hero Hindel''s sword from his waist and strolled through the garden again.

    There were no beings that appeared to be enemies or monsters.

    While walking around, thinking that there should be at least one or two in this vast garden...

    He saw a wide lawn spread out at the end of the garden in the distance.

    And something standing on it.

    As Seonghyun strode towards it...

    He could see a strange being.

    "Hmm???"

    Should he call it a shadow?

    Or a shadow-shaped beast?

    He couldn''t be sure, but something that looked like a hazy darkness or a shadow was standing there on two legs.

    However, its appearance was strange, as if a quadrupedal beast was standing upright.

    Seonghyun, wondering if it was an enemy, gripped his sword.

    The creature turned towards Seonghyun.

    Then, dark blue eyes flickered...

    And it tilted its head.

    "What is it???"

    While Seonghyun was expressing his doubts...

    A system message appeared.

    [You have encountered a Remnant of the Past.]

    [You have encountered 『Elder Shapeshifter』, the guardian of Helena''s Garden, the king of all doppelgangers, and Helena''s beloved pet.]

    [『Elder Shapeshifter』 is currently adrift here in a remnant state.]

    [It is extremely weakened.]

    [『Remnant of the Elder Shapeshifter』 considers you an intruder.]

    [The 2nd Class Advancement Trial begins.]

    [Defeat the 『Remnant of the Elder Shapeshifter』.]

    As Seonghyun saw the messages and lowered his sword, setting the mood...

    The Remnant of the Elder Shapeshifter also stretched its body, forming a long, shadow-like shape, and then transformed into an exact replica of Seonghyun.

    Seeing that, Seonghyun could feel it.

    The fact that the Remnant of the Elder Shapeshifter had copied all of his stats and skills.

    In the tense atmosphere, as if a battle was about to break out...

    Something strange caught Seonghyun''s eye.

    A being hiding shyly behind a garden pillar, looking at Seonghyun.

    He could see a teal ghost that looked exactly like the Elder Shapeshifter.

    -Ah, h-hello...!

    Seeing it hide like that, Seonghyun chuckled and loosened up his body.

    It seemed like he could gain quite a lot this time.

    [Translator - Pr?ks]

    [Proofreader - Pr?ks]