The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Ping!

Davey's energy bolt, which would’ve dealt damage exceeding two million, failed to inflict any significant damage against the monster's bolstered defenses. It barely even managed to score twenty thousand. The size of the repulsive and defensive creature had grown even more massive following its second roar, eventually acquiring the towering presence of a building reaching dozens of meters high.

[Stop attacking!! That’s Malicious Spirit Goumda! It has a trait that allows it to absorb the damage it takes and get stronger! That's how it's designed!"]

Davey saw several players broadcasting this message to him via chat.

"Wow... This is gonna be tough, huh?"

Even Illyna seemed to think it was too much to handle, her expression turning nauseous.

"I think I see why Neltarid asked for your help."

"Step back a little."

Davey pushed Illyna to the side and looked up at the colossal monster that was gazed down at him with its looming height.

"I keep promises, no matter what."

Declaring so, Davey consumed a small percentage of the jewel's durability. At that moment, as his soul and body began to synchronize, immense power surged from within him, repelling the oppressive energy of Malicious Spirit Goumda. And the sight of Davey gradually gathering his increasing power caused Malicious Spirit Goumda to falter.

Davey was not familiar with all the information about the Twelve Malicious Spirits. If it was any other game, it would have its own logic and principles. However, it was clear to him that the monsters and bosses that existed in Alf Online were not mere pieces of created data but were entities made by Neltarid.

However, they were not amicable toward their creator, and this was what set them apart from Neltarid’s other creations. So instead of having positive feelings, they only held abject animosity and overwhelming hatred toward their god.

Perhaps it was because he was a saint that he was able to sense it. And while he couldn’t really be sure of the reason why he could feel it, he still felt it unmistakably. Not that it was any of his concern, of course.

Once the synchronization was complete, a whirlwind of mana began to swirl within him.

Just then, Malicious Spirit Goumda let out a low wail and approached slowly.

Davey, who was hunkering down, took a step forward as well.

Cling!

The creature aimed its spear, which was made of thunderous, blood-red light, straight at Davey, who shattered space itself with just one punch in the air.

Crash!

At the same, Davey drew forth a sharp mithril dagger from the resulting rift.

"All I've got is this."

It would be rendered useless after one usage but, at least, it would be sufficient to deal with this monster. But in the case where it would not be enough, he had his high level of power that would prove his superiority over the monster.

[ROAR!]

Then, as the monster roared and lunged its giant spear toward Davey, he crouched slightly, closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them slowly, spreading black mist throughout his body.

Shh...

And with that, he vanished without a trace. This seemed to baffle Malicious Spirit Goumda who began to look around in confusion. But Davey was simply nowhere to be found. This immensely frustrated the monster, and so sparks began emanating from its body, eager to erase the entire area.

And in the instant Malicious Spirit Goumda commenced its devastating attack...

"Do you know the difference between a game and reality?"

Striking a transforming foe was possible. There was nothing easier than stabbing a mage in the back of the head while they prepared their magic. And for this very reason, sorcerers devoted their lives to making their incantations simpler and more efficient.

Thwump!

A chilling sound reverberated, and blood-red sword auras that were like needles spanning dozens of meters appeared behind the monster's neck.

Slash!

Once more, a ghastly sound was heard, and multiple vital spots on the creature erupted with crimson traces.

And then...

Swish!

After several targeted attacks at its vital points, Davey emerged, half-shrouded in black mist, with the mithril dagger pointed at Malicious Spirit Goumda's throat.

"This is going to sting."

Thwump!

Before the creature had a chance to react, Davey pierced its neck, making sure the blade ripped through its artery before pulling his dagger free.

Woosh!!!

A booming sound of a colossal impact resonated in all directions.

[9999999]

Yet again, an overwhelming firepower number burst forth in the sky.

[Damage cap again...]

[To deal max damage against a boss... I did not know it was possible.]

[Not just a boss... I haven't seen max damage on normal mobs before either.]

[Isn't there an extremely powerful assassin among the rankers? Walnut Snack. Even she could not do it, right?]

[Wow, but the combat effects are seriously visually appealing. Even if people complain about game balance or the game being broken, these visuals make you keep playing.]

[Isn't that an assassin skill? Maybe it's a teaser for a new assassin skill?]

[To the moon with assassin!!]

Ignoring the players who were leisurely chatting without knowing the truth, Davey watched the collapsing Malicious Spirit Goumda, whose eyes were filled with despair as it gradually lost its life with every second that went by.

It was unknown what drove the creatures made by Neltarid to such ends, but it appeared as though the god had decisively given up on some of his own creations.

Just then... As soon as the creature vanished entirely...

Chime~!

A clear sound rang out, and dozens of items, swathed with light, fell to the ground.

[Insane! Loot drop!]

[Anyone not on death cooldown?!]

[Can't use revival powers here...]

There were so many items glittering brightly, catching the eyes of everybody. These did not seem like items that would have been inside Malicious Spirit Goumda, which Davey had just slain. They were likely due to some quest system.

And among the plethora of drops, Davey picked up a sizable item that rolled to his feet.

[Right! Didn't the Black Wind guild master hire the NPCs?!]

[If the NPC hoards them all, does that mean they will all go to the Black Wind guild master?]

[Insane!]

They were loot from a monster that the whole world had raided together and yet had failed tremendously. This triggered a wave of backlash from the players.

[There's no way they can hoard the items all on their own!]

[We beat it together!]

[If you need it, just tell me. I'll sell them to you at a high price.]

Among the exasperated chatter of the players, carefree comments were left by the giggling guild master of the Black Wind Guild.

Davey paid them no mind, though. He was too busy gathering the shining items that had fallen to the ground, placing them into a large cloth he had taken out from the Pocket Plane.

[Uh?]

With no single item left behind, he then wrapped his loot inside the cloth..

"Is there no more?"

"Yep, none left."

"Then let's go."

There was no point in sticking around once the rewards were secured. And so he summoned the Dimensional Key, opening up a gate so he could go back to Tionis. Holding the cloth full of items in both hands, he walked up to the gate while the satisfied expression on his face never faltered one bit.

[Wait!! Where are you going?!]

As soon as the guild master of the Black Wind Guild realized something was off, he called out for Davey’s attention..

[Hey! I'm your employer! Bring those to me and revive me immediately!]

Despite his demand, Davey simply turned around, looking utterly calm.

[What are you...]

"Let's go, Illyna."

The best answer to a fool's babble was indifference. After all, Davey did not particularly care whether those who crossed over from Tionis were worth dealing with. It was also uncertain whether it was even possible to do so here. So there really was no point in bothering at the moment.

And if Davey's predictions were correct, there was really no harm in leaving the beings of the Earth be, knowing other people would continue striving to protect them.

[Hey! Wait! Stop right there!]

[You're an insane NPC, hoarding the drops!]

As their cries of indignation rang out, Davey completely crossed over through the gate with Illyna.

* * *

Poof!

Davey was not sure about the exact reward Neltarid had intended for him. Nevertheless, having swept up the items dropped by the so-called Malicious Spirit Goumda, there might be something useful among them.

With curiosity on her face, Illyna followed him as he returned to the large underground workshop where Tiara and Edison were shrieking while they worked.

But he didn’t give them an ounce of his attention. He was focused on his own task of shaking the goods he had collected out of the large cloth he used as a bag. Immediately, a cascading flood of radiant items spilled out.

"Oh, this one's a sword. And this looks like a magic stone. That one seems like a heart."

"Davey! It's a gemstone! It's pretty!"

"Take it." Davey coolly handed it over, and Illyna's face brightened.

"Really? For real, you're giving this to me?" She grinned sheepishly, clutching a small magic stone with a flickering fire inside.

The gem's appearance, with a swirling inferno inside a pumpkin-colored stone, was unmistakable. That sought-after item by the dead...

‘Wait a second...’

"Eh, hand that over."

"What? It's so mean to take back what you've already given!"

"Hand it over."

"No way!"

Illyna clutched it dearly, as though it was something precious. This made Davey relent, putting a stop to his attempts at taking it back from her.

“Okay,” Davey said with a nod. “You can have it.”

He did not need it right away.

Worried, Illyna asked Davey, “Really? Because I will really take it.”

“Yeah. You can have it. But try your best not to lose it. Keep it close to you.”

“Hmph. You didn't have to tell me. I was going to do that anyway.”

She seemed to really like the flickering fire inside, judging from the soft and beautiful smile that had formed on her face.

“Nevermind. Give it to me.”

Her smile was instantly replaced with a frown. “Hey!”

“Just bring it to me for now.”

Davey ignored her protests and snatched the gemstone from her grasp. He then compressed and spun an aura blade into a miniscule part of the small gemstone, instantly drilling a hole through it. Then, he hung it on a small mithril chain necklace and gave it back to her.

"Here."

"..."

"Put it on and keep it with you."

With a reluctant nod, Illyna moved away with a face that had turned quite scarlet. She then proceeded to examine the necklace with so much care. Davey, on the other hand, turned his attention back to the items he obtained from defeating Malicious Spirit Goumda.

Beep!

The moment his hand touched an item that resembled a giant scale, a status window popped up in front of him.

[Scale of Malicious Spirit Goumda. Very sturdy and possesses self-regenerating power. The material is unique enough that it could potentially be made into an inner armor.]

Narrowing his eyes at the message, he seemed to realize something. And so, Davey turned the rest of the items over to look at each one of them, reading the item descriptions that popped up.

Beep!

[Heart of Goumda. Contains a tremendous power. Seems like it could be used somewhere.]

The descriptions were all vague and ambiguous, so they weren’t entirely helpful. He did learn what the items were though. Like the bone powder of Malicious Spirit Goumda's, a couple of unidentified leg bones, a skin tissue that was sticky but robust, and a few more grotesque skulls that made up most of the assortment.

In a game, a player could try to figure out how to use these things by experimenting, but Davey was living in reality. He was not playing a game. So the question was whether the items could be crafted directly. But if he was to be honest, he was actually skeptical about the efficiency of such an approach.

"Why don't you charm the players over there and have them try making something out of these?"

"Nah. It’s fine. I can’t trust them," Davey replied playfully.

Just then, a silver-haired girl appeared without notice, perching herself on his shoulder and planting a kiss on his cheeks.

"So?” she began to say, looking up at Davey. “Have you been on a date with Illyna while I was away?"

"Are you jealous?"

Davey's retort made her giggle mischievously.

"Jealous? Ha! You might as well consider getting engaged for political reasons, as Prince Sullivan wished."

"Sounds like you're really jealous.”

"Hehe."

The girl fell silent after her chuckle died down. She had once advised Davey to marry Aeria. But regardless if the political engagement was with Illyna or Aeria, it did not make much difference to her.

"The fact that I was your first time does not change."

"Don’t you dare go down that path. Should I make you weep profusely?"

"..." Her face took on a pretty pink hue at the explicit meaning behind his words. It also made her lower her head in embarrassment, shielding her body with her hands as if she was shrouded in shame.

"You're really despicable."

"And what was that about earlier?"

Perserque took off into the air and observed the still-oozing Malicious Spirit Goumda's heart, pretending not to hear Davey’s question by averting their topic of conversation.

"If it's true that you can interfere with Earth through Alf Online..."

"That's true."

"Then in the game's crafting list, there should be some items utilizing these materials."

To know more about the item, including its finer details, would take considerable time. After all, Anabelle and Dirro were products of tireless trial and error. And so perfect and outstanding results would not be expected. Consider the Avengers Squadron golems, who were unlike the stoic Decepticon Fleet. They possessed a higher level of AI but this also made them seem a bit eccentric. Like the creepy female elven golems who deeply enjoyed rocking chairs, or the golems that shifted their shape like jelly and engaged in bizarre antics.

"Neltarid probably anticipated that."

"Do you think he wants me to travel back and forth to that place?"

Perhaps Neltarid was funneling Earth's players in Tionis for that reason—to keep Davey interested in Alf Online and make him go back there regularly. If that was the case, it was quite a successful ploy. Davey wanted to nab a crafting player and figure out the use for this thing right away.

"That's ridiculous."

The Heart of Goumda was not even the main drop item. If there's a Lasting Ember among the plethora of secondary drops, then the monster’s heart must be more than ordinary.

"Neltarid has misjudged. I don't fall for such things so easily."

Even as he said that, Davey was already gathering the materials once more, shoving them back inside the cloth he used as a bag. "Why's the cooldown on the Dimensional Key so long?"

The only reason he wanted to return to Alf Online was to investigate the Malicious Spirit further and, while he was at it, diligently collect as many Metamorphosis stacks as possible.

"Yeah, you're just going to look into it. Investigate its fragment."

As she teased, Davey suddenly grabbed her thigh over his shoulder and strode out.

"Hey!” Illyna stopped admiring the necklace she had received upon noticing that Davey was already leaving with Perserque. She then chased after them, yelling, “Davey! Wait for me!"

Meanwhile, Edison and Tiara remained engrossed in their task.

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