Chapter 52_ Cork Island (5)

[The skill information of 'Transcend' has changed.]

[It isn't an imaginary transcendent being, but a sword dance that fully expresses yourself.]

[The skill information of 'Link' has changed.]

[It isn't a butterfly's wings flapping, but a sword dance that exudes the momentum of an absolute, stretching out like the sun.]

[The skill information of 'Kill' has changed.]

[The sword dance of punishment will be performed.]

[The skill information of 'Wave' has changed.]

[....]

[The skill information of 'Pinnacle' has changed.]

[.....]

[The skill information of 'Restraint' has changed.]

[...]

[The skill information of 'Flower' has changed.]

[...]

[The skill information of 'Drop' has changed.]

[...]

[The skill information of 'Revolve' has changed.]

[...]

Lexus had excluded integrating Madra's Swordsmanship into his arsenal. He planned to do that in the near future, in the moment he acquired the Matchless Swordsmanship or at the very least, that was his plan. However, as Lexus used Solomon to create what he initially wanted to delay for several years, the barrage of notifications didn't end there.

[Swordsmanship and magic have achieved unity!]

[The world calls you a magic swordsman.]

[A new class will be given to you to define you.]

[The fifth class 'Magic Swordsman of the Epics' has been acquired.]

Ttiring~

[Magic Swordsman of the Epics]

Rating: Legendary (Growth)

[A magic swordsman who was born after inheriting Pagma's power, teachings of Madra, the one who became the Saint of the Sword, inherited the magic of Braham, Mumud, and the fire dragons—his epic will begin with a legend and will not just end with a myth.]

[The class effect of Magic Swordsman of the Epics has permanently increased sword energy and mana by 20%.]

[The class effect of Magic Swordsman of the Epics has integrated magic and swordsmanship and permanently reduced the cooldown of all skills by 10%.]

[The class effect of Magic Swordsman of the Epics has permanently increased the strength, agility, stamina and intelligence stat by 100 points.]

[The class effect of Magic Swordsman of the Epics means you will gain two additional stat points with every future level up. The additional stat points will be automatically invested in strength.]

[There will be more beneficial effects if the Magic Swordsman of the Epics class grows to the myth rating.]

[Your status has risen sharply. The maximum speed limitations, vision limitations, and senses limitations will be partially lifted.]

[....]

[...]

•~~~•

A month had passed since then. Lexus had been extremely busy ever since. As of the present moment, he entered the Administrative Bureau and walked into his own office. He sat down comfortably in a soft leather chair as he exhaled deeply while munching on a magical fruit. Undoubtedly, his first plan was immensely successful, which provided a good momentum for the subsequent second and third plans as well.

The second plan he had prepared was the Road Network Construction. It was a massive plan that spanned over several years. The goal was to build a well-connected transport network between the cities, towns, and villages within the Eternal Kingdom. This would lay down the foundations required for swift economic development.

The road to fortune starts with building the road itself. Having come from the modern world, Lexus understood just how important well-paved roads were to the prosperity of a territory. How could a territory prosper if it wasn't even accessible?

Well-paved roads were the prerequisite for efficient military mobilization and commercial activity. In this medieval setting, the roads throughout the kingdom were just plain dirt, with the exception of the wealthy cities and towns. Needless to say, the roads had already fallen into disrepair; there were a few sections that had even effectively been cut off.

However, this was a considerable large project that required a great deal of investment.

There were various types of roads that one could build. The simplest way was actually to just flatten and harden the ground, but this method was unreliable. Grasses would grow on the flattened ground, and it was also vulnerable to erosion. The more reliable method was to build pavements, but the formulation and transportation of the materials all cost a massive amount of money.

The kingdom's funds alone would surely be lacking to cover it all; there were many factors within the kingdom that required a massive amount of money as well.

But… was money really a problem for a legendary blacksmith?

[A unique-rated item was produced, all stats have permanently risen by +12 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +300.]

[An epic-rated item was produced, all stats have permanently risen by +4 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +80.]

[A unique-rated item was produced, all stats have permanently risen by +12 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +300.]

[A rare-rated item was produced, all stats have permanently risen by +2 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +30.]

[….]

Despite being seated in his office, notifications continued to pop up one after another. Outside, some of his clones were wielding hammers and continuously produced numerous items. Although the clones could only copy 30% of his stats and skills, they couldn't replicate his smithing ability to consistently create unique-rated items; however, Lexus remained undeterred.

All epic-rated and below items would be sold to serve as funds. Though the quality may not be much compared to unique-rated items, the quantity could still make up for it. Although he needed to sell a large quantity of items, Lexus was gaining stats in the process, so he didn't really have any problems with it.

Then why were there notifications of unique items being produced? The responsible ones for it were the four golden red hands that could perfectly replicate his skills. Of course, the moment the God Hand doubled, Lexus reshaped the two into a pair of left and right hands. The special thing about them was that every time they doubled, a beneficial notification would take place within his vision.

[A legendary rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +25 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +1,000.]

Yes, every time the God Hands are multiplied, Lexus receives the bonus stats of being able to produce legendary grade items. What makes this great for Lexus is that the new God Hands aren't listed on the 5 legendary item list, but they are still considered as such since Lexus doesn't directly produce them.

One of the reasons why it deserves to be a legendary artifact! With hot flames in the furnace, a godly hand was smelting while the others were hammering out iron plates, daggers, spears, and many other items.

Back in the office, Lexus wondered what he should do next. The crime extermination operation had won the people's hearts, boosting his prestige to even greater heights. The construction of roads was a long-term project, so it would take years before the benefits began to show.

Through his measures, Lexus had won widespread recognition. The commoners, who had never enjoyed the benefits of wise governance under the leadership of previous generations of kings, were extremely grateful to him, causing his popularity to soar swiftly. Unlike King Wiesbaden or the previous kings before him, Lexus didn't care about the political matters as a hindrance to what he wanted.

As a legend, his status alone could suppress the greed of the nobles, making them unable to slyly oppose him through politics. They were aware by instinct that no matter what tricks they used against him, in the face of the absolute power of the Sword Saint, they wouldn't be able to do anything.

Now, all he had to do was wait for the time to pass, as he and Solomon had already taken care of several things.

Considering his stagnant level, Lexus decided to hunt once again. While each level only led to a small increase in stats, there was still a beneficial effect from gaining additional 100 levels.

"Should I go to a dungeon in Cork Island?"

Lexus wondered. It was a place located in the South Sea of the Eternal Kingdom. It would take a week to get to the nearest port and ride a boat there, but he was different. He could use Fly magic and ignore all types of obstacles, allowing him to arrive at Cork Island three times faster than usual.

"Well it's decided then."

•~~~•

Flying in the air with the extreme speed, Lexus reached Cork Island which is the largest of hundreds of islands in the Eternal Kingdom and was abundant in resources. The scenery was beautiful.

"Good city."

It wasn't a small island and the climate was mild, so the city built in the center of the island was very developed. Looking at the direction of the in the north of the city, he murmured.

"Hell Gao..."

He is the demon who ruled this island perfectly. Legend has it that the number of people sacrificed to him was in the thousands... One day, Muller appeared and turned his body to ashes, but Hell Gao still occasionally pops up because his soul can't be sealed.

The demon's black flame is hotter than the jade flames of most demons but Lexus is not worried about that at all. Because of the dragon heart of a fire dragon, he is now immune to all fire type damages.

The 4th floor of Cork Island's dungeon. A hot heat started to slowly fill the room. It was the day that Hell Gao, the master of hellfire, met one of the strongest enemy after the great sword saint Muller.

Kuwooooh!

[Hell Gao, the owner of Hellfire has appeared.]

[Hell Gao's roar has applied fear, chaos and debilitating effects.]

[Hell Gao's fire reduces heat resistance by 50%.]

[Fire pillars have risen to cover you.]

[You have resisted.]

Seeing the appearance of the demon that he intendedly wanted to meet, Lexus smiled. Traveling all the way here would be worth it if he could beat Hell Gao.

"Ridiculous humans! I will burn you to the soul!"

Hell Gao waved his staff while shouting and a heat storm struck. "Become ashes!"

Kuwaaaaaang!

The materials in the area were melted and a hot wind blew over Lexus. With no intention of dodging, he dashed forward and used the momentum of his dash to thrust his red sword in his hand.

Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

It was truly an overwhelming sight. The sword was surrounded by red and black and pierced Hell Gao's heart with a huge momentum.

"Kuheok...!"

Hell Gao's face shrouded in flames was disturbed for a moment. Lexus narrows his eyes. The current him couldn't measure Hell Gao's combat strength.

'That monstrous bastard, he was hit by a critical blow and didn't even lose even a little of his health gauge.'

Hell Gao was a monster that Muller couldn't seal perfectly, and he was very strong. Hellfire's Master Hell Gao was the 9th strongest among the 33 great demons of Hell and had members of the demonkin as subordinates. It wasn't good to associate with him.

"This d*mn human!"

Peeeeeong!

Infuriated of being attacked by a human, Hell Gao released a black fire that burned everything in it's path and headed towards Lexus. Just like before, he didn't bother to dodge. Although Hell Gao's flames were potent and very strong, it wouldn't be able to damage him at all.

Hell Gao's body was covered with black flames, increasing the heat.

Kaang!

Hell Gao's attack power became stronger. Lexus counter attacked but the problem was that Hell Gao was too strong.

"This doesn't even itch!"

Hell Gao ridiculed before launching flames in every direction. It was the inevitable fire AOE magic.

"Likewise."

Lexus replied with a smile towards Hell Gao. Looking at the smile of the human, Hell Gao became even angrier but he dodged his physical attacks like he was dancing but ignored the flames.

Wave.

Then, scorching flames that contained sword energy soared like a raging wave and rushed towards Hell Gao. The wave of fire rapidly reached him.

[You have dealt 105,000 damage to the target.]

Lexus' pupils shrunk seeing the damage. Most of the damage were neutralized by Hell Gao's innate defense.

"Kuaaaaak!"

Blood spurted in every direction like boiling lava. Hell Gao let out a terrible scream of pain. Hell Gao was confused as how can a fire can hurt him when he is the master of hellfire itself.

"You dare...! I will kill you!"

With the new sword dance, the essence of Sword of Ember is unseen by the eyes of anyone else unless Lexus wills it to be seen. His sword is already engulfs with a temperature upwards of 500,000 degrees.