NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 30
Chapter 30: The Power of Decay (1)
[Author: This is really a bug.]
As soon as Yeonwol’s King Kalgalquir video was uploaded, dozens of posts with similar titles appeared on the official Elthera Online community, Edit.
The video revealed Yeonwol’s damage output, which was absolutely nonsensical.
[User17: Another hack accusation? Not a bug. He used the hidden skill, Explosive Strength. Analysis shows it’s a buff skill that temporarily increases strength by around 100.]
└[User79: Those self-buff skills are standard for combat classes; Explosive Strength just has a slightly better effect.]
└[User134: Even accounting for the buff, the damage is absurd. Didn’t you see the HP drop?]
In the video, Yeonwol was equipped with the Aturin set, restricted to level 50.
The Blue Sea Blade was something he had been using since level 1, but the rest of his gear made it hard to believe he had surpassed level 100.
Yet most people believed Yeonwol had long surpassed level 100. His equipment might not have been upgraded due to just reaching the level, but his combat power was absurdly overwhelming.
In reality, Yeonwol in the video was only level 80, but his stats were so overpowering that no one could guess correctly.
They were only left in shock.
[User71: A newbie who was fighting Mad Wolves until recently is now level 100?]
No matter how hard one grinds, growth at such a pace was impossible.
Some speculated his actual level was around 80 and that he had obtained stats to compensate for it, but such theories were dismissed as nonsense.
His stats couldn’t be explained without having reached level 100 and completing the second class advancement.
It was true that one could gain stats gradually through various achievements and quests, but such accumulation only became apparent after surpassing level 200.
A user around level 100 possessing stats equivalent to level 120 or higher? It didn’t make any sense.
[Author: I’ve thoroughly analyzed Yeonwol’s video damage.]
└[User3: Oh, it’s that guy who organizes damage and DPS coefficients for rankers.]
A well-known damage researcher appeared. He was famous for videos detailing which skills and buffs yielded the most powerful results or logically explaining rankers’ insane damage.
[To conclude, it seems like a bug.]
Even this researcher couldn’t understand Yeonwol’s illogical damage.
[Ah, I’m not accusing him of hacking again. It seems like there’s a system-level bug. I analyzed the skill’s damage coefficients, and it doesn’t make sense for shield-piercing damage to also fully apply to HP.]
└[User41: Exactly; even if shield-piercing damage shows those numbers, that should apply only to shields. The HP should take normal damage.]
Once again, the bug theory surrounding Yeonwol set the community ablaze. But unlike last time, where Yeonwol was carelessly criticized, only a few trolls were fanning the flames.
Many had seen how recklessly bashing Yeonwol previously had plummeted others’ reputations.
[Author: Even if it wasn’t last time, this really feels like a bug.]
Despite the cautious atmosphere, the abnormality of Yeonwol’s damage forced such opinions to surface.
At that moment, an Eltuber decided to experiment and bought a Shield Piercing Potion, heading to a hunting ground.
[Testing Yeonwol’s seemingly buggy damage under the same conditions!]
Since Kalgalquir was under the control of the Red Berserker Guild, the Eltuber sought another monster with a shield to recreate similar conditions.
And then, an astonishing discovery was made.
-Wow, if even 1 point of shield remains, all the damage applies to HP as if fully affected by the shield-piercing effect!
The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views.
It revealed that Yeonwol’s gameplay wasn’t a bug but an excellent exploitation of the game’s system.
[User32: Who even is Yeonwol to figure this out??]
[User91: Seriously, how did he discover this?]
After that, Shield Piercing Potion-related videos flooded Eltube.
One video of Yeonwol’s had suddenly taken over Eltube’s trends, inspiring countless imitators.
But after widespread use, one fact became clear.
“Damn it! The shield recovers too quickly to time it right!”
It turned out to be much harder than expected.
If all the shield wasn’t depleted and some time passed without taking damage, the shield would begin to regenerate. Depending on mastery, the time before regeneration varied. In Kalgalquir’s case, it was between 3 to 7 seconds.
During that 3-to-7-second window, if the player failed to attack precisely as the shield regenerated, the gauge could refill by more than half in an instant!
The shield’s recovery would start slowly, but if delayed even by a second, the regeneration speed accelerated rapidly.
In short, the key to this technique was to “catch the shield’s regeneration and attack quickly and accurately.”
But how easy could that be?
The monster wouldn’t stand still while the shield recovered. Furthermore, strong damage required skill use, and most skills had startup delays, making precise timing difficult without preparation.
Landing an attack during the shield-piercing window was challenging. Yeonwol’s combination of overlapping skills was virtually impossible for the average player to replicate.
Eventually, most ordinary players decided it was better to fight normally.
Waiting awkwardly for shield recovery while saving skills often led to failures and having to attack even more.
[User125: Let’s just give up.]
Yeonwol had shared his video hoping all players would utilize the strategy, but most gave up, leaving an unfortunate situation.
However, for skilled players, Shield Piercing Potion videos were perfect for Eltube content.
For days, such videos were continuously uploaded, and the Shield Piercing Potion became immensely popular, with staggering trade volumes.
‘It might be worth stockpiling Shield Piercing Potions as they could trend temporarily.’
Hearing Yeonwol’s advice in advance, Rapion smiled contentedly.
The market had limited supplies of Shield Piercing Potions since they weren’t particularly popular, but thanks to Yeonwol’s timely tip, the Sellatan Guild had made a fortune by bulk purchasing them.
“As expected, listening to Yeonwol is like printing money in your sleep.”
Humming happily, Rapion set aside a share of the profits for Yeonwol.
Calculating money was Rapion’s happiest moment.
* * *
Decay. Alchemically defined, it’s the process of decomposition caused by oxygen, light, heat, and bacteria.
In simple terms, it’s just rotting.
Corpse decay isn’t mere chemical disintegration but classified as autolysis.
The body chemically disintegrates, liquefying or softening tissues, producing decomposition gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which cause a horrendous stench.
“It’s not the best thing to say before entering my daughter’s room, but you might want to hold your nose.”
Duke Dilen offered a mask-like item, but Yeonwol declined.
“It’s fine.”
“…If you change your mind, let me know.”
Many others also initially refused the mask, but most soon asked for one again.
Even after entering Lady Dilen’s room, Yeonwol didn’t react much.
He walked confidently to her bed and lifted the blanket without concern for the stench.
It was rude, but no one stopped him.
‘For a player… he’s quite unusual.’
Several players had visited before, but most fled the moment they entered the room, retching at the sight of the corpse-like Lady’s appearance.
“What do you think? Can you assess her condition?”
“She’s decaying.”
“…I know that much.”
“Then why haven’t you buried her in the earth?”
“Hmm.”
Some physicians had suggested burying her in clay to slow the decay rather than leaving her exposed to the air.
“That’s not possible. Religiously, burying the Lady in the earth signifies true death.”
The priests caring for her protested vehemently.
“Indeed. To bury a decaying body is to signify returning to the earth and entering the embrace of God. If you intend to save Lady Charanelle, that’s not an option.”
They were peculiar priests clad in gray robes.
When Yeonwol stared intently at them, Duke Dilen mistook it for discomfort and introduced them.
“These are priests from the Salemun Church. They’ve performed many miraculous ceremonies and saved numerous patients by divine will. They’re extraordinary individuals.”
“…”
Duke Dilen’s meaning was clear.
‘These individuals are more significant than you, so you should heed their words.’
Yeonwol understood.
Dilen wasn’t being rude.
In fact, his courtesy toward a mere level-50 player reflected his remarkable politeness.
‘Is it because of my reputation?’
A figure like Duke Dilen had no reason to be so respectful.
It seemed Yeonwol’s high fame influenced this interaction.
Regardless, Yeonwol was aware of the dark and dirty truth lurking behind the Salemun Church’s holy facade.
‘They must be exploiting wealthy patients like this to extort exorbitant medical fees.’
Do they really have the ability to treat the Lady?
No, they do not.
If they did, the “Dilen Duchy Tragedy” of the first timeline should never have occurred.
They will fail, and after pocketing their hefty fees, they will flee.
That’s why having a high reputation is convenient.
People pay large sums upfront, unsure whether it will succeed or fail.
“Understood. Religious significance is important. I’ll drop the suggestion of burying her in the earth.”
“Yes, ignorance is not a sin, so I will forgive you.”
The priests of the Salemun Church said this while continuing to care for Lady Charanelle.
Their grimaces at the sight of her rotting body parts betrayed their inability to find a solution.
“Then may I wait until they finish their treatment?”
“Hmm, yes. But I hope your services will not be needed.”
This was not a dismissal of Yeonwol.
Duke Dilen spoke with the hope that the Salemun Church priests would succeed and that Yeonwol would not have to examine her again.
“I hope so too.”
“Very well… I’ll prepare a room for you. Rest comfortably there.”
Yeonwol secluded himself in the room prepared by Duke Dilen and spent several days there.
Of course, he didn’t waste time and used various bones and flesh to practice transmutation, steadily increasing his Spectral Transmutation and Alchemy proficiency.
‘Skill proficiency is just as important as, if not more important than, leveling up.’
Ten days passed this way.
“Y-Your Grace, the Duke!!”
While Duke Dilen was on his way early to check Lady Charanelle’s condition, he was interrupted by his attendants in a panic.
“What’s the matter!”
Five maids lay collapsed on the floor, and Duke Dilen froze at the sight of their condition.
“What is… this…?”
“The maids who were tending to the Lady… they’ve begun showing the same symptoms. Your Grace…”
The maids’ cheeks and arms were rotting, even though they were still breathing.
“Was it an infectious disease…?”
Duke Dilen was stunned, but this was no time for despair.
The next day, the attendants fell ill, even those who had never been near Lady Charanelle.
The day after, the soldiers’ skin began to rot, followed by the knights the next day.
It was as if the entire mansion’s inhabitants were succumbing to decay to commemorate Lady Charanelle’s final days.
“How could such a thing…”
“…”
Secluded in his office, pale and despairing, Duke Dilen noticed his butler unusually silent.
The butler was drenched in cold sweat.
“You… don’t tell me…”
“…I’m sorry, my lord.”
The butler hesitantly rolled up his sleeve.
From his wrist to his shoulder, the rot had progressed much further than that of the soldiers or attendants.
He had been hiding it all this time to avoid worrying Duke Dilen.
“I… I can’t hold on any longer…”
Thud!
The butler collapsed to the floor after uttering his last words, leaving Duke Dilen drenched in cold sweat as he stood.
‘This… this can’t be happening…’
He rushed to his daughter’s room.
For ten days, the Salemun Church had been conducting rituals in her room, and he wanted to see what progress had been made.
Bang!
Bursting into the room, he found the Salemun priests chanting a strange incantation.
“Pray, O Salemun. Please grant this sinful Lady the chance to repent! Though her body rots due to her defiled and corrupted soul, she will rise again if she truly wishes to atone for her sins!”
Lady Charanelle lay atop a suspicious sacred emblem drawn on the floor, drenched in sweat and writhing in pain.
“What is this… What sins could my daughter have committed to warrant such a vile prayer?”
The high priest leading the ritual stepped forward and spoke.
“According to the Salemun Scriptures, the Lady has committed grave sins. Otherwise, how could her body decay like a corpse while she still lives? We must uncover her sins and guide her to repentance before the decay can be reversed.”
“This is madness! My daughter has never even stepped outside! What sins could she have possibly committed?”
“You may be unaware, but sins are everywhere. Has she ever plucked a flower because it was pretty? Has she ever wasted food by leaving it uneaten because it was too much? Has she ever envied or coveted beautiful clothing? These seemingly trivial sins have accumulated and manifested in her current state.”
Duke Dilen’s rage surged to its peak.
He was about to order the ritual to stop when his daughter’s body suddenly convulsed violently.
“Ahhh…!!”
“W-What!”
The Salemun priests were visibly alarmed.
This ritual was supposed to guide repentance and grant forgiveness, so there was no reason for Lady Charanelle to suffer or have seizures.
“Is she… rejecting the holy power…?”
“Stop! Cease the ritual immediately!”
The priest, who had been prattling beside Duke Dilen, shouted in panic, and the clerics performing the ritual hastily stepped back.
When they approached Lady Charanelle to check her condition, they found her drenched in sweat, and the rot had worsened significantly.
“…Leave. Before I draw my sword.”
Duke Dilen’s voice was ice-cold as he spoke, causing the Salemun priests to collapse in fear.
As a warrior guarding the Watyrion border, Duke Dilen was one of the top ten knights in the kingdom.
If he truly lost his temper, the consequences would be disastrous.
“W-We shall take our leave!”
The Salemun priests fled in haste, leaving Duke Dilen biting his lip in frustration.
What fault did they have?
The blame lay with himself for recklessly accepting anyone claiming they could heal his daughter.
‘What am I supposed to do now…?’
As his despair deepened and his daughter’s condition worsened, the strange curse had now spread to his servants.
There was no more hope.
As Duke Dilen stood in hopelessness, someone approached from behind and placed their hand on Lady Charanelle’s forehead.
“You… what are you…!”
Crackle!
Suddenly, a red spark burst forth.
It was unmistakably a reaction of alchemy.
‘Is he performing transmutation on a living body…?’
Unlike metals or chemicals, organic matter was notoriously difficult to transmute.
Intervening with living cells through alchemy was an exceptionally challenging field.
What, then, was this transmutation reaction occurring before his eyes?
Kneeling and concentrating, Yeonwol opened his eyes and spoke to Duke Dilen after a moment.
“I’ve spent the past ten days researching. There is a way to slow the progression of the decay and gradually reverse it.”
“…Is that true!”
Forgetting his composure, Duke Dilen shouted in astonishment.
Yeonwol’s dark-circled eyes were proof that he had spent the last ten days tirelessly.
“Now that the charlatan priests are gone, may I begin the treatment?”
Duke Dilen nodded with trembling eyes, looking as though he might burst into tears.
“Please… save my daughter.”