Chapter 443

─The third update is about enhancing unique traits. Everyone gets one unique ability at the start, but it hasn’t been that noticeable, right?

─That’s right. The unique traits are mainly supplementary, so they aren’t as important compared to jobs or skills.

─However, this update will significantly boost the basic performance of those unique traits and introduce new ones. Plus, since the New Continent has expanded, it’s only natural that Hidden Jobs have increased as well, right?

[Oh]

[Ooooooh]

[Please, Hidden]

[Give me a Hidden Job ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[For real, seeing the Rankers with Hidden Jobs makes me feel so insecure ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Info: All Hidden Jobs consist of absolutely insane quests]

[I really want a Hidden Job]

[Lily’s Hidden Quest starts with defeating 3000 monsters ㅋㅋㅋ There’s no way most people can do that]

─I think users will really want Hidden Jobs.

─Of course, it’s a job that only one person can advance to in Deoen. Its performance is relatively better than regular jobs, so I think there are plenty of reasons for many people to prefer it.

─But you shouldn’t think Hidden Jobs should be prioritized too much! Nearly half of the Rankers are just regular jobs, and they perform just as well as Hidden ones. For example, Sword Saint and Lord Leo are in the top spots.

“But both of them have Hidden Jobs.”

“That’s true.”

Each has a job as a Swordsman and Spirit Sorcerer, but the Sword Saint has a Hidden Weapon, and Leo has the Nymph, which allows them to surpass the usual user framework.

“But the Sword Saint lost that Hidden Sword, so now it’s like he has no Hidden Job at all.”

“Umm… Then does that mean the Sword Saint can’t compete with Lord Leo anymore?”

“That’s also uncertain.”

While it’s true that Hidden Jobs have better basic performance and efficiency than regular jobs, ultimately, it’s the person who wields them.

No matter how good a weapon you give a young child, they won’t even be able to utilize a fraction of it.

If a Swordsman with a stick fights against a regular person wrapped up in Hidden Jobs and items, the Swordsman will definitely win.

“Is it just a matter of the pilot’s skill?”

“If the difference isn’t completely absurd, it’s not 100%. Of course, Lord Leo has talent too, so you never know.”

In the end, you have to face off to know for sure.

By the way, Celestials and Demon Races are guaranteed ‘talent’ from birth, so even a young child is excluded from that.

─Most importantly, with the addition of the 4th tier this time, regular jobs will become incredibly strong, rivaling Hidden Jobs. Regular job users also have plenty of room to grow strong!

─So in the end, Hidden Jobs only represent job diversity. It’s not a completely overwhelming difference!

What’s going on?

─You could say that. There are various updates we are unaware of. What’s the subtitle of this update?

“Hidden Truth!”

─That’s right. The Great Cataclysm update’s hidden truth. That’s why there are many updates we haven’t received yet. You can discover these through your future adventures and growth!

─We’re looking forward to it too, aren’t we?

─Absolutely! What kind of craziness will unfold in this large-scale update that returns after a year! With excitement brewing, here’s the final reveal!

Ta-da!

The display screen splits in half.

Thick darkness oozes out between the split, revealing the silhouette of a demon with two horns.

The very presence of the demon sends chills down everyone’s spine.

As they all gulp nervously and silence envelops the stadium, the anchor grabs the microphone and lets out a “Wow!” At that moment, an enormous cheer erupts in the stadium.

The demon still lurks in the hidden darkness, glaring at us.

─2023! The flower and highlight of the Great Cataclysm update! Behold, the attack of the new World Boss!

[Wow!!!]

[Absolutely insane, lol]

[Finally, after 4 years, a demon appears, lol]

[‘Devil’ of Angels]

[Man, it took forever]

[Is he finally living up to his name?]

[So cool]

[? I caught a demon before Lily]

[Legendary]

[Wow]

[Does the demon not appear in the World Tree?]

[No, no, that’s in the dungeon]

[Isn’t this the first real appearance?]

[If we catch that, can we unlock a hidden class?]

[Hidden Job: Demon, lol]

[Looks cooler than the Kraken]

‘Demon…’

Strength-wise, it’s an Intermediate Demon.

At my current level, I can restrain it, but killing it is out of the question.

Considering I have to face the Kraken, it’s a pretty troublesome opponent, but the fate of that demon depends on the Empire.

Duke Huangyeol likely has sufficient power to hold it back.

The issue is…

“What if the Empire betrays us?”

That’s the possibility of betrayal from the Empire.

Of course, the Empire and I were never truly a team, so it can’t really be called betrayal, but Duke Huangyeol could use the demon to put me in a tight spot.

For now, it shows no signs of that, but if it thinks it could gain something, it would surely act.

“Then, well… I have to make them pay the price.”

No second chances for the Celestial Race.

─With the appearance of the demon, it seems two additional World Bosses will also make their appearance in Deoen. One demon is terrifying enough, but there are two more… This is going to be quite challenging!

Sugah is said to reveal himself as Deoen. One demon is terrifying enough, but there are two more… This is going to be extremely difficult, isn’t it?

─It’s not called the Great Cataclysm for nothing. But if it’s the heroes, I believe they can handle it just fine! First, if you look here, the second boss to appear is the Kraken…

■

23:55.

Just 5 minutes left until 2023.

The official broadcast’s showcase has ended, and now we’re just waiting for the New Year countdown.

In just 5 minutes, the new year will start, and the Great Cataclysm update will come to us.

As I silently stare at the screen, the White Autumn, who was bringing over some food, asks me.

“Are you nervous?”

“Just a little.”

I am nervous.

How will they appear, and how will they move?

Will all three of them move at once?

If one moves alone, who will go first?

If no one moves first, should we strike first instead?

Countless worries fill my mind.

It was the same in the past.

Whenever a monster showed up, I would come up with dozens or even hundreds of scenarios and conclusions regarding how to deal with it.

Since I not only had to think about taking it down but also about the aftermath, I had to think really complicatedly.

Yet, the difference from then is that back then it was war, but now it’s a game.

“…But it’s a much better situation now. There’s no need to worry too much.”

“What do you think we’ll get if we catch the Kraken?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A Kraken drop, right?”

“Maybe we’ll get a title?”

“Hidden class! What about something like Octopus Tamer?”

Everyone is excitedly downing kimchi stew and joking around.

And then.

[1 minute!!!!!]

[60 seconds left haha]

[One minute until world destruction haha]

[59]

23:59:00

The blue number 60 appeared in the sky of the Stadium and ignited, changing to 59.

Then it ignited again, 58.

People started shouting as the numbers decreased, and Lily’s Group beside me shouted along.

It was a time everyone was cheering and waiting.

I quietly surrendered myself to the cheers around me.

Soon.

[30]

[29]

[2929292929]

[282622110]

[Wow, I’m so nervous]

[Everyone had a rough year, let’s not meet again]

[Lily, turn on the broadcast! Lily, turn on the broadcast! Lily, turn on the broadcast!]

[987654321]

[26]

─Alright, shall we all countdown together?

─10!

“9!”

“3!!! Oh, boss, join in too!”

“2!!!!! Oh, they’re really doing it!”

“1.”

‘0.’

2023.01.01

00:00:01

The world was engulfed in darkness.

■

[Great Cataclysm update is uploading…]

[Due to the update, various special species are added.]

[Connections with other dimensions are tightening. More job changes are now possible.]

[‘Altar’ door has opened.]

[World Quest, ‘Truth of Light and Darkness’ has been given.]

[Stability for fusion has been increased. Overzealous fusion may cause side effects.]

[New continents have been discovered.]

[Some stats have been enhanced…]

.

.

.

[Three disasters are occurring.]

《óctĭpes – Disaster of Sea awakens.》

《vácŭum – Disaster of Gongam stirs.》

《scórpĭo – Disaster of Gold Sand waits for the chance.》

[World Quest, ‘World Heading Towards Destruction’ has been given.]

[User group buff, ‘Destroyer of Destruction (150 days)’ has been granted.]

[Guild group buff, ‘Challenger Alliance (150 days)’ has been given.]

[If the Sea Disaster is not quelled in 150 days, the entire continent will be submerged.]

[If the Gongam Disaster is not quelled in 150 days, the world will be separated by darkness.]

[If the Gold Sand Disaster is not quelled in 150 days, the entire continent will undergo desertification.]

[Wishing you good luck.]

Booooooom~

The sound of a ship’s horn resonates.

With the trumpet of doom ringing out, the world’s sky is dyed in darkness, and the dreadful waves of the sea rise over that sea level.

Strange monsters, never seen before, emerge above the continent’s desert.

War has begun.

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