Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 78

Thunderfall.

This was a divine punishment that greeted players as soon as they reached level 151.

Dozens of lightning strikes fell with a might that transcended the stats of the target, making it incredibly difficult to withstand.

This was why the vast majority of players stopped growing at level 150.

However, those dreaming of becoming a National Treasure were different.

There existed individuals who threw themselves into the Thunderfall to break the S-rank barrier.

The Honest Merchant was one of them. For eight years, he had been fully immersed in preparations to battle the Thunderfall.

He actively collected information and items related to Thunderfall through the community.

The problem was that his points were nearing depletion.

Everything related to Thunderfall, from information to items, was incredibly expensive, and the vast wealth he accumulated through raiding gates was proving insufficient.

“I need to find them,” he thought.

The Honest Merchant began to ask around for players resistant to certain status ailments.

He intended to overcome his financial troubles by disposing of his “cursed items” that were gathering dust.

Of course, this was not easy.

Players typically hid their weapons unless they were fools; no one willingly advertised their resistance to status ailments.

He traveled from auction to auction and chatroom to chatroom, observing people, yet achieved no considerable success.

Then he met someone.

After years of searching, he finally encountered the man standing before him.

“This person is likely a National Treasure,” he guessed.

To become a National Treasure, one had to overcome Thunderfall, which came every ten levels from level 151, at least six times.

Those who exceeded level 200 were akin to omnipotent transcendents.

It made sense that this person would be resistant to certain status ailments and display arrogance.

The Honest Merchant felt an intense desire to establish a good relationship as the man in front of him continued to pressure and disdain him.

“I hope he chooses number 2.”

The Honest Merchant laid out five gauntlets on the table, praying earnestly.

The gauntlet he referred to as “number 2” was called “Heavy Moon”.

It inflicted slowness on its wearer unconditionally and had a common chance of petrifying them. In short, it was a useless item.

Yet, it was part of a set. One of four items the hidden boss of an S-rank gate dropped upon his death.

“Back then, I thought I’d be a billionaire,” he reminisced. “But damn it.”

When appraised, all four items had flaws.

The helmet, armor, gloves, and boots—all inflicted slowness and petrification on the wearer.

Equipping the set effectively turned one into a turtle.

Only shady laboratories in Russia or the Middle East or eccentric antique collectors showed interest in such trash.

If the man before him could resist slowness and petrification, he could lure him with the Heavy Moon and sell off three burdensome items.

“There was a paralysis curse in the White Serpent Bracelet. Maybe even petrification… Huh?”

His heart pounding with excitement, the Honest Merchant’s eyes widened.

“This seems pretty good.”

“What?”

Jaehyuk had chosen the white gloves—those were the 〈Trace of Thunderfall〉.

〈Trace of Thunderfall〉

Rank: Legendary

* Increases attack speed by 20%.

* Increases affinity and resistance to lightning attributes by 10%.

Among legendary grade gloves, it was an item worth noting.

Gloves that increased one of the player’s most vital stats—attack speed—by 20% were hard to come by.

More importantly, it increased resistance to lightning attributes.

While affinity would be useless without lightning attribute skills, resistance was extremely versatile.

Moreover, resistance to lightning attributes meant a National Treasure-level player would reduce the power of Thunderfall, something they’d fight their whole lives, by a significant 10%.

“But that item…”

The Honest Merchant swallowed dryly and reconfirmed the information about the white gloves.

〈Trace of Thunderfall〉

Belonged to someone who endured 19 strikes of Thunderfall, but burned to death on the 20th strike.

Trace of Thunderfall had been preserved.

* Grants the wearer the “Remnants of Thunderfall”.

* When using skills, there’s a very high chance the trace of Thunderfall will become excited and cause convulsions.

These gloves were not a practical item. When worn by an S-rank player like himself, he had foamed at the mouth, convulsing almost to death.

The Remnants of Thunderfall was a curse that channeled lightning through the wearer’s body, a clear superior to the abnormal status of getting electrocuted.

The power it contained could not be managed with a mere 10% increase in lightning resistance.

Moreover, there was another real problem.

When Trace of Thunderfall convulsed, artificial Thunderfall descended from the sky.

It wasn’t quite on the level of real Thunderfall, but it was sufficiently fast and strong.

Each time skills were used, this unexpected Thunderfall pushed the wearer into crisis easily.

“The Remnants of Thunderfall is a different dimension of abnormal status. Even if you’re resistant to getting electrocuted, handling the Remnants of Thunderfall is a separate matter,” the Honest Merchant explained honestly.

He had just offended Jaehyuk, and he calculated that at times like this, maintaining honesty would prevent future trouble.

Jaehyuk, reading his sincerity, responded coldly.

“Do you think you have the right to judge me?”

“…”

“The fact that I chose this item should be a massive hint for you. Make sure that the item you wish to sell me is of high quality.”

Jaehyuk donned the gloves in front of him. Despite the white gloves bathed in a subtle golden glow leaking the remnants of Thunderfall, Jaehyuk remained unscathed.

“…”

The Honest Merchant’s aggressive approach had paid off. The initiative had fully transferred to Jaehyuk. The Honest Merchant’s posture sank lower.

“Since you have seen through my intentions, I will be honest. I planned to determine the curse you resist based on your choice of item—and decide which item to sell based on that knowledge. However, seeing you suppress the Remnants of Thunderfall is leading me to think it’s all pointless.”

Crash!

The Honest Merchant poured out new items onto the table. There were over 20, and some appeared to be of legendary grade.

“If you find an item you desire here, feel free to take it. It’s, of course, free of charge.”

“…?”

Jaehyuk almost broke his arrogant stance.

“Why the sudden generosity?”

The Honest Merchant, who whined for days on end to earn points, was suddenly offering items for free? Even Jaehyuk did not expect this turn of events.

Struggling to hide his surprise, the Honest Merchant asked him directly.

“Are you the Thunder Emperor?”

“…?”

“The one who can easily suppress the Remnants of Thunderfall, to my knowledge, is only the Thunder Emperor on this world.”

Thud!

The Honest Merchant went as far as to kneel. By now, Jaehyuk’s body flinched slightly.

As an S-rank player, the Honest Merchant detected this reaction sharply.

“Seeing your reaction, it seems I’ve hit the mark.”

Boom!

He bowed his head so deeply that his forehead nearly touched the floor.

“Having realized your identity, I certainly have no intention of hiding my own. With utmost respect, I greet you formally, Thunder Emperor. I am Blake Bausus!”

‘Blake Bausus? The Gate Hunter…!’

Jaehyuk knew the name well. He was the notable talent who shattered records even in resource-rich America. Frequently mentioned in “Player Manager”.

Could he truly be that famed figure? Would such a person pretend to be a merchant?

‘Crazy…’

Jaehyuk’s doubts dissolved quickly. Blake Bausus removed his mask, revealing a face of a stately middle-aged man.

“You likely already realized, Thunder Emperor. This humble being is preparing for the Thunderfall.”

Having unveiled his identity, Blake Bausus pleaded with honesty and sincerity.

“Even a small piece of advice would suffice. Please… help me overcome Thunderfall!”

“……”

First, let’s gather the items, Jaehyuk reasoned. He temporarily set aside his thoughts and surveyed the items scattered on the table before picking a few worthy pieces.

Help him overcome Thunderfall? Me?

‘Does he misunderstand me as the Thunder Emperor? This guy must know the weight the name Thunder Emperor carries.’

The Thunder Emperor was a being of a different dimension among National Treasures.

If Blake was really mistaking Jaehyuk for the Thunder Emperor based on merely withstanding Thunderfall’s remnants, it seemed more like a side effect of too much wishful thinking.

‘… Or is that not the case?’

Jaehyuk wondered.

As he dealt with Blake, he constantly tried to emulate his father. Thinking it natural to be mistaken for a colossal figure like the Thunder Emperor.

‘Father.’

I once again realize your greatness.

Feeling moved, Jaehyuk turned his gaze to Blake Bausus.

He couldn’t assist him.

Pretending to be the Thunder Emperor and giving false advice could lead him to his death.

Initially thinking that it was best to sever the bond after acquiring the items as compensation for keeping his secret, Jaehyuk realized, ‘But upon further thought…’

I, too, have experience defeating Thunderfall.

‘And I acquired the Trace of Thunderfall.’

Perhaps, he could genuinely help him? He felt a stirring ambition—if Blake overcame Thunderfall with his help, he’d earn a transcendent powerhouse as an ally.

After pondering for quite some time, Jaehyuk spoke slowly.

“… Wait for my contact. But bear in mind that I am not the Thunder Emperor.”

“Yes…! I will remember, Your Majesty, the Thunder Emperor!!”

Not the Thunder Emperor. While Jaehyuk furrowed his brows, Blake didn’t notice. He was too busy shedding tears of gratitude.