novelraw Chapter 155 : Good at Anger Management (2)
Chapter 155 : Good at Anger Management (2)
Good at Anger Management (2)
Advance purchase schedule announced.
With the advertiser stepping in, Lee Gyeongbok couldn't help but add a few words.
"As I said, the game itself is really fun, so advance purchase won't be a bad deal. Plus, you get bonuses for reserving, don't you?"
― Ah, lol, the bonus is a must if you're pre-ordering!
― For real, lol. The purchase is a given, but if there's no bonus, it's better to just buy it on release day.
― What will they give us this time?
― Normally, figures or artbooks are standard, aren't they?
― They often include exclusive weapon skins or outfits as well.
― Will there be DLC? If so, a season pass might be thrown in too.
At the mention of bonuses, the viewers recalled examples from other games. But considering most viewers of the broadcast were Purple's fans...
― They're not giving out any Purple-related merch?
― Ah, lol, add Physical Mode too!
― If you give Physique to a Trooper, their sense will just go to hell!
― Lol, bunglante confirmed, right?
― But honestly, shouldn't they make at least one for us?
― For real, lol, this is a world premiere – it deserves recognition.
― It's not just a reveal; you even spotted bugs for them, lol.
The chat filled up with requests for bonuses connected to that topic.
Lee Gyeongbok was pleased by the chat, but decided to shift the topic soon after.
'The voice pack isn't set in stone yet.'
Carelessly hinting it might happen would only raise false hopes. And when expectations are high, disappointment follows—they didn't need to take that risk.
"All right, I think we've had enough of a break. We can't not hear the next part, right? Let's get back to it."
― Ah, lol, the story is irresistible.
― What's this theory that Demonheart's origin is Durante?
― Purple Focus ON!
The viewers quickly turned their attention back. Lee Gyeongbok resumed the cutscene right away.
Durante's eyes, which had widened, turned sharp.
"You're saying I handed over the Demonheart?"
His expression was filled with displeasure, his glance layered with distrust. There was never any evidence that Ajax's words were true.
"Something doesn't add up. Are you really Lord Durante?"
This time, ajax's brow furrowed. He, too, showed emotions similar to Durante's.
At the same time, Lee Gyeongbok sensed a shift in divine energy.
'He's turning hostile.'
A pleasant chill switched to a creepy premonition. The hostility was clear.
Durante let out a faint smile.
"That makes things easier. If what you say is true, it's a simple tale."
He put away his weapon and held out his hand.
"I do not kill humans. If the Demonheart was mine, return it."
At this demand, ajax inhaled sharply. Then, a burst of laughter followed.
'... It's a boss fight.'
Lee Gyeongbok was sure.
As Ajax's laughter grew louder, the malice he radiated intensified.
― The way he's laughing is kind of scary, damn...
-???: Hey, hey, is this guy about to go full Joker?
-???: Durante, you really won't listen to my words?
― Is this Durei? lol
― No way he's just going to hand it over, right?
The viewers quickly got the picture. Ajax's laughter was tinged with both rage and madness.
Suddenly, with a snap, the laughter stopped.
"I don't know what happened, what exactly took place with you..."
Ajax's eyes widened, his words pausing for a moment. The corners of his tightly clenched mouth trembled, then a voice, as if a beast were growling, emerged.
"It was you—you said you'd give me power, make me a hero."
Ajax grabbed the shield slung on his back. At the same time, from a conduit connected to the arena, demon blood gushed out.
Soon after, with a bang, all the arena doors shut.
― Look at this atmosphere;;;
― The boss battle stage appears, lol.
― He's human, right? Right?
― Obvious at a glance—already completely corrupted, lol.
Following that, a heavy thud rang out. The shield planted in the ground was so big it covered Ajax's burly frame, and its surface seemed to absorb all light, jet black.
"I am a hero."
As Ajax spoke, the screen zoomed in, as if getting pulled into the shield.
The scene transitioned.
On the black shield background, starlight was embroidered, and beneath it, an encampment stood atop a desolate land.
― What is this?
― Feels like they're going to explain why Ajax became the Lord of Wrath.
― Yep, looks like a backstory sequence, like Midas.
Just as the viewers guessed, ajax's form appeared on screen. Unlike before, he wore a gentle smile.
"Damn it! Ajax, I swear my neck is still attached because of you today!"
"As long as you're with Ajax in this war, nothing to worry about."
"How do you get so strong anyway?"
"Oh! Ajax, is there anything you need!?"
Soldiers passing by welcomed him. Thanks to his innate strength, he was revered as a war hero.
But it was only ever "like" a war hero.
"Sir Achilles...!"
"Oh, divine hero descended from the gods!"
"I heard he took out dozens of men alone?"
"And returned without a scratch!"
The real god-blessed hero was someone else. Ajax, like the other soldiers, kneeled and paid respects to him.
But unlike the others, his gaze toward Achilles didn't hold reverence.
-???: Why are your eyes like that?
― Ajax is fuming with jealousy, isn't he?
― This is just like snipers watching Godple.
― Lol, ajax was a wren all along.
One day, as the war dragged on,
Ajax noticed that the soldiers he always saw, those who greeted him warmly, were nowhere to be found at camp.
After asking around, he discovered the reason.
"Achilles!"
With bloodshot eyes, he stormed into the tent, shouting.
The guards, startled, tried to stop him, but he was so strong they couldn't restrain him.
Only when they drew weapons—
"That's enough."
Achilles raised a hand to stop them. Ajax, eyes red and wild, spoke up.
"How—how did this happen?! You're a hero, aren't you? You could've protected them!"
Achilles closed his eyes.
Breathing deep, he shook his head.
"Ajax, every victory has its sacrifices. I truly regret it as well."
Everyone wore somber faces. They understood Achilles' decision.
Everyone except Ajax.
"And you still call yourself a hero?!"
Ajax lunged at Achilles with a roar. But even with his might, he was no match for someone blessed by a god.
"Leave. This is no longer a place for you."
Defeated, ajax was exiled from the battlefield. The other soldiers showered him with scornful glances as he was dragged away.
"Damn, all brawn and nothing else."
"What vermin."
"Be thankful for Lord Achilles' mercy."
No one remained by his side. Left on the desolate field, he managed to stand, limping.
But even that didn't last long.
"If only—I too, had the blessing of the gods...!"
Dropping to his knees, ajax poured out his grief.
His tightly clenched lips split, blood seeping out, and his bloodshot eyes grew red as the vessels burst.
"O gods! Sing of the wrath of Ajax!"
The sky turned dark.
Even the moonlight vanished behind clouds, vision swallowed by darkness. Alone in the night, ajax howled.
And when even the howling stopped and silence fell, ajax slowly raised his head.
"Y-you are..."
Someone appeared before him. But since it was off-screen, it was impossible to tell who.
― Who could it be?
― Isn't it a devil?
― Probably the same devil Midas made a pact with, lol.
Guesses filled the chat for a moment.
The scene changed again.
"H-how could Lord Achilles...!"
"This is impossible!"
"It's over... it's all over now!"
The screen zoomed in on the horrified expressions of the soldiers. With the death of hero Achilles, their morale plummeted and the soldiers began to retreat.
The enemy seized the opportunity and began massacring the fleeing forces.
In the chaos, someone moved toward the battlefield.
"What the..."
An enemy, after slashing down a soldier, turned at the sudden looming shadow above him. A massive shield came crashing down.
"Don't run."
A growling voice, and the figure behind the shield was revealed. Ajax was grinning wildly, eyes rolling.
"Hero Ajax has returned."
Then came a massive shift in the battlefield. From corpses scattered everywhere, a smoky haze rose and gathered onto his shield.
"W-what is this?!"
"Ahhhhhh!"
Shrieks burst forth. The vapors that passed through his shield took shape as wrathful specters, swiftly spreading in every direction.
The specters surged into the bodies of fleeing allies, taking them over. In seconds, they turned and charged straight at the enemy.
― What the heck;;;
― He just turned them all into berserkers.
― Damn, this is crazy!
With attacks that left defense behind and a flood of ghostly energy, the tides of battle flipped in an instant.
But the casualties on Ajax's side weren't small either. The berserker allies possessed by specters didn't stop at any wound.
"What on earth is this...!"
"At this rate, we'll all die!"
"O, gods..."
Among the remaining sane soldiers, someone stepped forward, dodging the surging specters and rushing toward Ajax.
"Argh!"
Focused on the specters, ajax failed to block the blade that struck from behind.
He turned and looked at the owner of the blade.
"... Odysseus? Why...?"
Odysseus answered by twisting his sword. The wound deepened and Ajax collapsed.
"I am... a hero..."
"Shut up, you devil."
Odysseus looked coldly at him.
"To commit such atrocities...! You'll rot in hell forever."
As Ajax's vision faded, the screen started to fade to black.
― Achilles and Odysseus?
― Isn't this a Troy War motif adaptation?
― Oh! Ajax is Aias!
― This guy was totally insane, damn.
The blackened screen receded to the shield and, soon after, returned to the arena.
Blood flowed toward him through the conduit, and the black specters swirled, forming armor upon him.
"Heroes are born through war."
Horns and spikes sprouted, making him look the very image of a devil. Ajax slowly lifted his head, glaring down at Durante.
"Endless war—this is the cradle of eternal heroes. And I am that hero."
He growled, pushing his shield forward.
"The Demonheart—I can never hand it over."
Seeing what Ajax had become, durante let out a stifled laugh.
"Beatrice was right. You really are like a devil dressed as a man."
His face grew grim as he gripped his greatsword.
"Looks like I'll need to revise my code."
― So even the Saint's words were foreshadowing, huh!
― Lol, there's nothing in this story that doesn't become important!
-???: I only kill devils (+ devilish humans).
― For real, ajax wasn't a hero—just a war-crazed maniac.
― Midas comparison looking wild.
― True penitent, light-das.ㅠ
As the cutscene ended, the viewers reacted immediately.
Regaining control, Lee Gyeongbok moved quickly.
"First, I'm going to see what kind of gimmick this is."
He closed the distance to Ajax in an instant and swung his greatsword—not a sharp slash, just for testing.
Ajax blocked it with his massive shield.
A metallic clang rang out, followed by a chilling wail from the shield.
― What's with the scream;;;
― That's what they showed in the cutscene!
― What's with grabbing the blade, what the...
― Specters are popping out!
― Looks like it inflicts status effects?
Hands of specters reached out from the shield's surface, entwining around the blade. From other parts, specters poured out and charged Lee Gyeongbok.
"So this is how it's going to be."
Of course, this counterattack was useless against Lee Gyeongbok.
He smoothly pulled out the blade, turning the surging specters into gold with a beam of light. The reclaimed greatsword shattered the now-golden specters.
And that wasn't all.
'If you reference the cutscene...'
Aiming for an opening, Lee Gyeongbok's sword flashed in. At the moment Ajax moved his shield, the attack redirected.
A deep stab sent dark red blood spraying.
― Lol, faked him out! Gotcha!
― The level of Unique Sword, lol.
― He's using a greatsword, where's all that speed come from?
― Can't even compare to Ajax, who's got nothing but specters, lol.
The viewers expressed admiration. But Lee Gyeongbok smiled for another reason.
'Is the threat growing stronger?'
The moment he caused injury, the level of threat perceived by his divine energy spiked. As if to prove him right, ajax counterattacked.
Naturally, Lee Gyeongbok wasn't careless enough to let such attacks land.
But even the viewers noticed that Ajax's speed and ferocity had suddenly changed.
-?????
― Is the game lagging?
― No, no, he suddenly got faster.
― Even the number of specters increased?
Further exchanges followed.
Even though Lee Gyeongbok's assaults landed one-sidedly, the viewers couldn't relax.
― Feels like he gets stronger when damaged?
― Ajax has totally taken the berserker trait.
― And the number of specters is growing!
― But Godple dodges everything, lol.
Ajax's abilities grew, and so did the specters targeting Lee Gyeongbok.
But there was an even bigger problem.
― He even gets regeneration? What's with that?
― Seriously, habitually overstepping the line!
― Okay, regeneration is fine, but he should reset after healing, seriously...
― Why do the buffs persist?!
Demonic blood running through the arena regenerated Ajax's wounds. Yet, even when healed, ajax didn't revert to his original state.
Viewers were dumbfounded.
― How are you supposed to win against this guy?
― Is it telling us we have to one-shot him?
― Ah, lol, godple could do it, but Devil fandom can't!
― My hype for pre-ordering just died!
― For real, lol, there goes any thought of a pre-order now.
The mood in the chat chilled rapidly—not a situation the developers, Lee Gyeongbok, or viewers themselves wanted.
"It's an interesting enough gimmick."
Lee Gyeongbok had no intention of just watching. He smiled at the chat as question marks popped up.
"Aren't you curious how far the buffs can stack?"
― Eh?
― Seriously, he's thinking about testing at a time like this?
― Idiot! Only the advertiser would know!
― So, capitalism waves are the counter, huh?
The mood began to shift. Instead of replying, Lee Gyeongbok responded with action.
He unleashed a storm of strikes at Ajax, overwhelming even his enhanced state.
― Wow, lol, look at him only slashing parts that aren't damaged.
― Crazy, lol, trying to maximize simultaneous wound regeneration.
― Ajax is being turned into a test subject, lol.
― Reminds me of that past fallen comrade.
-???: What? A new guy has joined!?
― For Godple, regeneration = test subject.
As the wounds stack rapidly, viewers cheer.
* * *
Later, after some time.
Lee Gyeongbok sensed Ajax had reached his strengthening limit.
'He doesn't get any stronger now.'
The threat level detected by his divine energy plateaued. Lee Gyeongbok felt a hint of regret.
'Guess he isn't final boss material after all.'
Raising the viewers' tension was one goal, but he also personally wanted to fight a formidable foe.
But the threat he felt from Ajax was still less than that of Aiden, the Elden Soul.
Of course, the viewers, not knowing this, were still in shock.
― You get this strong with buffs?!
― Seriously, why is he this fast?
― Archetype strong guys used to be slow, right?
― How do you beat him, honestly, damn.
― Devil fandoms can't power him up like this, so why worry?
― For real, lol; you'd just get wiped before that.
Ajax's transformed state was one thing, but the chat fixated on something else even more.
― Hyung? Do you even see what's going on?!
― How is he even moving right now!
― He's wearing a suit made totally of specters, lol.
― Pretty much modern art, at this point.
Eventually, Lee Gyeongbok started to find handling the specters a bother. One by one, they clung to him, until every part of his body except his eyes was covered—he looked like he was clad in armor made of specters.
Yet Lee Gyeongbok showed zero ill effects; he responded flawlessly.
― Is this really a status effect? Maybe it's just for show?
― Oh, I get it! Actually, the specters are Godple's allies!
― He's the real firstborn, just swapped sides at once.
― What's with the rat response?
― Why do they suddenly bring out the rat, lol.
― All right, so who really owns the specters now?
― Ajax must be even madder that the specters are gone.
― Forget Lord of Wrath, he's going to be Lord of Rage Sickness.
-'Wrage' syndrome, lol!
Even in the heat of battle, Lee Gyeongbok checked the chat with ease.
'The tension is just right.'
He smiled inwardly as he deflected an incoming shield.
"Looks like this is full power. I'll finish it now."
With that declaration, the atmosphere in chat shifted once more.
― Going for the clear right now?
― Lol, already figured out the strategy?
― He was toying with him this whole time, huh.
― The professor is submitting his thesis!
― So there was actually a way to win!
― Let's go for a perfect clear!
His actions speak for themselves: Lee Gyeongbok went for the strategy without hesitation.
The huge greatsword slid past the shield as if it had a mind of its own, slicing into Ajax.
A wound appeared instantly, as if out of nowhere, and blood flowed in to heal it.
Lee Gyeongbok was waiting for this.
― A-ha!
― Oh lol, this is it!
― Golden Blood!
― The transfusion just turned into a collection!
― Truly the collection master, amazing!
A beam shot out from Midas's Hand, turning the blood into gold.
Ajax quickly retreated from the gold, and regeneration stopped at once.
― You! Try doing that again! Finish him! (Literal death!)
― Ah, lol, dodging that gold spoon moment.
― You never even donated blood, and you want a transfusion!
― For real, you need a donor card for a discount.
― I thought transfusions were prioritized?
― No, that was fake news.
― Even Purple viewers are informative now!
Lee Gyeongbok dashed toward the staggering Ajax. He swung his shield in desperate resistance, but it was instantly knocked away with a clang.
Body fully exposed, Lee Gyeongbok drove the greatsword into his pulsating heart.
"Guh..."
At that, the specters all vanished at once.
"That's a clear."
With control passing back, Lee Gyeongbok relayed the result.
― Even the Lord of Wrath has perfect anger management before Godple!
― Ajax, without buffs, was a paper tiger, lol.
― He really had all the wren* traits. (*wren: slang for envy/inferiority, from earlier comparison)
― Typical weakling: inferiority complex, no skill, gear carried.
― As expected, a weak man can't outdo an alpha male!
― From now on, you're not Ajax, you're Hajax! (Ha = inferior)
― Hajax, lol!
Praise rained down for the clean finish.
Lee Gyeongbok smiled and focused on the cutscene.
Back in his original form, ajax, blood-soaked, slowly lifted his head.
"Didn't you say I would become a hero...?"
His pupils and jaw trembled as he looked at Durante. Blood seeped into the arena's drain.
"This hell—it punishes evil... I thought I was the punisher..."
Durante said nothing.
Ajax, like Midas before him, crumbled to dust. Amidst that dust, the black Demonheart was revealed.
Durante quietly took the Demonheart in his gauntlet.
"... You're saying I handed this over?"
As with Midas's, the Celestial Cube resonated as Durante frowned at it.
― So what happened during the blackout, lol?
― That's probably the biggest mystery.
― For real, looks like that's for the final boss fight.
― Godple will explain it all!
Soon, after the resonance, the Cube turned into a huge shield, big enough to cover Durante's torso.
― So after Midas's Hand, now Ajax's Shield!
― But what's that shield's ability?
― No clue.
― HOXY, it's not just a regular shield, right?
― At least Midas's Hand is famous, but I have no idea about this, lol.
― Ah, lol, of course he'll explain.
As expected, its use became clear almost instantly.
From the black shield, now turning to dust like Ajax, a single specter jumped out.
Reflexively, durante raised the shield, and a semi-transparent barrier formed, erasing the specter.
― Oh? That's pretty good?
― Like an energy shield?
― High-tech devil, what is this!
― Can't be used offensively?
The chat responded positively, but Lee Gyeongbok was different.
"Hm, it's just what it looks like. It'd be better if it worked for offense too. Defensive items don't come up much for me..."
His slightly regretful review of the shield filled the chat with laughter.
― No, lol, you're the only one who never needs defense!
― For average people, it's a survival item!
― Ah, lol, it blocks all specter possession—why would you need anything more?
― Purple withdrawal buffer ×2! Physical buffer ×2!
― For real, lol, today's 2x event is so worth it!
As the chat turned joyous again, Lee Gyeongbok felt his own satisfaction growing.
Meanwhile, durante's expression in the cutscene remained grave.
"What did he mean by 'hell punishes evil'?"
He mulled over Ajax's last words, then clicked his tongue. But there was no one to answer.
Turning away, his grim face stayed on screen as it slowly faded to black.
― He brought that up again? More foreshadowing?
― So possible, lol.
― At this point, everything feels like a hint.
― There's no telling where the next hint will pop up.
-???: We can't relax for even 1% of the foreshadowing!
― Foreshadowing escape number one, lol.
Focus quickly returned.
The screen swapped to the three hell gates—Limbo.
"You're back."
As before, andro greeted him.
"You collected Ajax's shield too, I see. Congratulations."
Durante, however, wasn't pleased even at the congratulations. If anything, his face grew more tense as he approached Andro.
Ready to chase him down this time. But he had to stop.
"You may need to hurry."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you have a lot of questions. But it seems time is running short."
With a stern look, andro glanced at the last door.
"While you were collecting two Demonhearts, Lord Durante..."
His gaze swung back to Durante.
"Lady Beatrice hasn't returned."
"... Beatrice?"
Durante's eyes widened.
He was visibly shocked by the unexpected name.
Suddenly, there was a swoop—as the camera zoomed in, neon lights lit up in the darkness.
[Mission 5. 'Who Am I?' End]
A message announcing the end of the mission.
"Ah, so Beatrice appeared and now suddenly vanished..."
As Lee Gyeongbok muttered a little praise, the chat exploded.
― So she went to the Realm of Deceit??
― Knew she wasn't the true villain!
― She was actually worried about Durante and followed him!
― Definitely went to devour a domain lord herself, lol.
― Ah, lol, you can't resist hell-noodle (wordplay on rushing in).
― What noodle, lol.
― No sucker didn't stock up on Saint coins.
― Knew this was all just bait.
Viewers expressed relief at the implication Beatrice wasn't the true villain.
― Why did it end right here?!
― Is the older sister safe?!
― No way, she's not in danger now, right?
― Ah, lol, no way they'd actually kill off the heroine.
― Don't twist the cliche just because you can, seriously.
― Bad ending isn't a subversion, you know!
― Is dev company watching? Better fix it fast!
But the anxiety lingered.
The cutscene's ending had intentionally left everyone uneasy.
Viewers wanted to see the next part straight away, but didn't demand the stream continue.
― Ugh... Now we have to wait until tomorrowㅠㅠ
― Crazy how fast time flies!
― Back when you wanted the Earth to spin quickly, it never did!
― We should put up a giant hologram on the moon so Earth can watch Godple's streams.
― NASA: Agree.
― Why is NASA agreeing, lol.
― NASA: Kingdmit! (King-affirm, parody of Korean slang)
― Just saying it in English doesn't change anything!
― As soon as the end sign appears, troopers immediately show Purple withdrawal symptoms.
Everyone accepted that today's stream had been extended.
― At least Godple did two parts for us.
― For real, persuading dev company was a genius move.
― Just light, just god, just perfect!
― I wish I'd forget Korean till after the stream ends, lol.
― Going to rewatch on the dubbed version?
― Are you a genius?
― Maybe I'll just treat it as English study and get premium?
― Godple's voice could actually help, who knows?
Advanced hour meant more gratitude than urging in chat.
Lee Gyeongbok smiled at the viewers' response and clapped lightly.
"All right, games just keep getting more exciting each day. Today, we had a special double event. I hope you all had fun."
― Ah, lol, always fun!
― It's never NOT been fun, so nothing compares.
― For real, lol, there's not enough in the comparison group.
― Ah yes, that's perfection. (nod)
― I miss it alreadyㅠㅠ
― Hyung! I had a blast again today!
-(Perba-con)(PerStamp-con icons)
― Thanks to you, every night is a perfect night, lol.
The viewers' parting was cheerful, not regretful.
Lee Gyeongbok waved with satisfaction.
"Thank you! I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a perfect sleep!"
With a pop, the screen turned black.
― Lol, perfect-sleep!
― Gotta get good sleep so tomorrow's fun too!
― But watching Godple makes you feel so energized, lol.
― For real, end up sleeping later than usual.
― Strangely, even with less sleep, you're not tired!
Though the stream ended, everyone was happy.
― All right, see you all tomorrow!
― Trooper, out!
Because they knew this joyous time would come again.