CH 554

The topic of conversations all over the world revolved around how the Food God knocked down Akhan. Many people were shocked and amazed by the fact that the Food God was able to obtain the title of being the first player ever to create an ‘Absolute God’s Secret’ during his time of crisis.

[No other player would be able to hold a candle to the Food God now. He’s the only king in Athenae and is an absolute existence that holds plenty of cards in his hands.]

[No one can hold a candle to the Food God? That’s quite an assumption. Let’s all keep in mind that the Food God is, after all, also a player. Just one wrong move and he could be wrenched out of the game rankings.]

[The fact that the Food God is amazing can never be denied. However, I’m sure that it’s only because he obtained the title of becoming the very first player that created an Absolute God’s Secret, right? Didn’t the whole world witness it though? Besides, the Food God’s Absolute God’s Secret was sealed. Right? That was Athenae’s way to maintain balance.]

[That’s right. You can’t call the Food God the best of the best with just one Absolute God’s Secret. Besides, he still lost the Absolute God’s Secret that he created right away, right?]

[The Food God’s Absolute God’s Secret has been sealed. If a player with an unsealed Absolute God’s Secret appeared in front of him then, I believe the Food God has no choice but to admit defeat.]

[The Food God… Haha… His Absolute God’s Secret got taken away as soon as he created it. So pitiful.]

Plenty of people were showing their interest in the Absolute God’s Secret that Minhyuk had created. Some even wondered if the Food God would be able to dominate the world once the servers have integrated with this Absolute God’s Secret. But in the end, Food God Minhyuk’s Absolute God’s Secret was sealed away.

[Rankers from all over the world are now gearing up to gain more power and build their own kingdoms. Their first target will definitely be the Food God’s Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. Will they be able to hold on to their kingdom?]

Many of them believed that the Food God would collapse once the continents integrated.

***

Joy Co. Ltd.’s Headquarters.

Tens of thousands of calls poured down on them each and every single day after Akhan revealed to the public that he was one of Athenae’s early developers. President Kang Taehoon immediately announced that the only thing that was similar to the Athenae that Akhan helped develop and the Athenae of today were their main frames. As for the rest of the game? Of course, they were completely different.

However, Kang Taehoon’s words could not calm the public’s seething anger. Rumors about Joy Co. Ltd. using Akhan to create issues and attract players even started to circulate.

President Kang Taehoon looked out of the windows of the conference room. It seemed like he was deep in thought while each of the heads of Joy Co. Ltd.’s departments all tried to suggest a solution from behind him. Some of their suggestions were borderline absurd but Park Minggyu’s proposal topped the cake. It was very groundbreaking, “We have to cover up an issue with a newer issue. It has to have a huge impact that the entire world would be covered with articles about it.”

“At the level of that issue, only an issue at the scale of Athenae: World War would work, right?”

“We can’t just suddenly hold an Athenae: World War.”

President Kang Taehoon looked at Team Leader Park Minggyu, his head still deep in his thoughts, ‘Cover up an issue with another issue. What is the best way for us to go about with this method?’

Then, it came to him.

“How about holding a new event with double the EXP acquisition and drop rate when hunting during the continent integration event ‘The Stars’ Path’?”

“…That’s quite an impressive idea but the problem is that the event should have an equal, or even bigger impact than Athenae: World War.”

President Kang Taehoon hurriedly sat down with a wide smile on his face, “Everyone, hear me out. The Stars’ Path is unimaginably wide. It’s around a few continents combined together, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Right.”

That was also why Joy Co. Ltd. had to create many NPCs and build many dungeons and hunting grounds inside the Stars’ Path.

“Then, why don’t we hold a ‘Battle of the Thrones’ at the same time as the servers’ integration?”

“A Battle of the Thrones?”

“Battle of the Thrones?”

Everyone present in the room waited for Kang Taehoon’s explanation, their eyes stained with curiosity. What did President Kang Taehoon mean when he said Battle of the Thrones?

“How many kingdoms will be established in Athenae a month from now?”

“A safe estimate would be around three kingdoms.”

“And a year later?”

“Around eight, give or take.”

“There are countless forces and groups that are consolidating their power and preparing to establish their own kingdoms. Besides, the players are all curious about how kingdom warfare between players of each country would go.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“That’s right, each country will participate in the Battle of the Thrones. Each country can only select one ‘king’ who will become the central figure of a kingdom established inside the Stars’ Path.”

“So, what you mean is that each of the countries that will participate in this, will be able to establish a kingdom inside the Stars’ Path, and these kingdoms will fight against each other?”

“That’s right. If Athenae: World War is a competition where they had to use individual players with special abilities and skills to fight against each other, then the Battle of the Thrones would use millions of people. Just because a few of the country’s players are strong does not mean that they would be able to win.”

“There’s no guarantee that Beyond the Heavens Kingdom will be able to cinch the victory.”

“That’s only natural. The Battle of the Thrones is a battle between kingdoms. You can’t change the tide of war just because of one outstanding individual.”

“However, I believe there will still be a problem,” Team Leader Park Minggyu interjected calmly, “All of the kingdoms will most definitely form an alliance to attack the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

Almost everyone present in the room groaned at Minggyu’s wake up call. Unfortunately, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom might very well become a victim in the ‘Battle of the Thrones’. But…

“Then, what if the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom win the Battle of the Thrones?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

It was like a punch in the gut for everyone present. What would happen if they won? The Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would definitely grow more extraordinary. As the very first nation and kingdom built by a player in Athenae, Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would probably be in a position where they could hold out and endure against wars like that.

“You might have already guessed this, but the people will definitely turn their attention to Beyond the Heavens Kingdom the moment the continents have finished integration. But, if the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom wins against an alliance of kingdoms, they will be able to show the world that ‘You can’t even win against us when you’re all allied?’. So, it’s not necessarily a crisis for them, you know?”

”If several countries form an alliance to attack the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, then we can give Beyond the Heavens Kingdom some advantage by giving ‘penalties’ to the allied forces. That way, we can adjust everything and achieve a balance to some extent.”

Snap—

President Kang Taehoon snapped his fingers. Just like he expected, Team Leader Park Minggyu came in clutch. That was how they continued their meeting, completing the outline of the Battle of the Thrones. The only thing left was…

“What else should we do?” President Kang Taehoon looked at the people around the table and continued, “Production Team, start preparing a more detailed outline for the Battle of the Thrones. Planning Team, come up with a story that will go along with it. Customer Center Team, prepare an announcement for the upcoming Battle of the Thrones.”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Everyone immediately went outside to fulfill their duties. Before Team Leader Park Minggyu stepped out of the room, he said, “We’ll have to monitor the players that are most likely going to cause an unexpected commotion before the Battle of Thrones, right?”

“You got it right.”

Joy Co. Ltd. began preparing for the biggest event since Athenae opened.

***

Minhyuk had now grown to hate the Absolute Gods. He was absolutely sick of them. They were the ones that decided to interfere with him because of their inferiority complex back when he was tasked to build a building in honor of King Valex.

However, the interference this time could be said to be worse than what they did back then. After all, they sealed Minhyuk’s newly created Absolute God’s Secret Skill Lightning, the skill that he created by using his three God SP points, right? That was why Minhyuk was furious.

‘Let’s turn this crisis into an opportunity.’

Minhyuk thought that perhaps this was a good thing. He knew that the many nations would aim for the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom once the continents have integrated. In fact, there were many forces that were still thinking about how they could tear up and divide the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom for themselves. And the announcement that Minhyuk could not use his Absolute God’s Secret was like the final nail in the coffin, especially for those that thought of taking over Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

However, little did they know, Minhyuk had also received a very shocking quest reward when he killed and punished all of the fourteen elders and Akhan.

‘I can get any ability, artifact, artifact material, ingredient or hidden and secret quests where I can get outstanding rewards that I want.’

In fact, Minhyuk was very grateful. Somehow, without meaning to, they had done him a service. It was like helping him to hide the power that he gained from other’s prying eyes. Besides he wanted to show them, as if the Absolute Gods were watching him, how wrong they were to stop him.

“Do you think doing that will really stop me?” Minhyuk said, quickly choosing the reward that he wanted, “I want a reward that will unseal my Absolute God’s Secret.”

Right away, the notifications rang.

Ring—

[Tracking how to unseal the Absolute God’s Secret: Lightning.]

[Tracking… 6%… 14%… 22%… 39%… Ring!]

[Tracking has been successful!]

The tracking was successful and it brought a smile to Minhyuk's lips. It was very important for him to know that there was a way to unseal it. Then, the notifications rang again.

[Hidden Quest: Ingredients for Arlene.]

Rank: ???

Requirements: ???

Rewards: ???

Penalty for Failure: ???

Description: Meet Arlene in Cairon Continent’s Abyss Village and fetch the ingredients that she requires.

‘Cairon Continent’s Abyss Village…’

Minhyuk had little to no information about Abyss Village. Because of that, he decided to consult with Haze or Aruvel, the Great Sage and the best selling erotica author. So, he stood up and moved.

***

Abyss Village had a hidden meaning. The word Abyss meant a deep and bottomless pit. But the Abyss that existed in Athenae was different. After all, it was a world that was different from the world that everyone knew.

The name ‘Abyss’ was given to Abyss Village because it was a village located close to the gates that connected to another world. There were even stories about how one would be able to see the ‘World of the Gods’ if they passed through the gates of the Abyss. Some say that they would lay witness to the world of the Great Demons while some say that they would be able to see the world where all the previous generations’ Legendaries were living. There were so many stories about Abyss that the truth about it had never been confirmed.

The cranky old lady Arlene clicked her tongue, “Damn bastards! You want to make another ridiculous trial like before?!”

Arlene cursed as she looked up at the skies. Arlene was the crankiest and most ill-tempered person in the entire Abyss Village.

“But he just would not stand down!”

For once, Arlene thought that she should try and help to keep him from collapsing just like ‘that person’ did in the past. But there was a problem. The ingredient that she needed could only be found in the Abyss.

Arlene watched the sunset for a long time before sighing and trying to walk back to her shabby cabin. But then, she saw a young man walking with his back towards the sunset. For a moment, Arlene was left in a daze, unable to take her eyes off of the man’s gorgeous looks.

“Huh?”

Why was the man walking while gnawing on a piece of chicken leg? That was not all.

Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp—

“Kyaa~ The scenery is so good!”

The man gulped down the contents of an entire can of coke in one go and smiled pleasantly. Arlene felt quite a familiar feeling bubble up in her chest, the same feelings that she felt in the past.

‘He’s just like you.’

Finally, the man appeared in front of Arlene.

“Hello, grandma!” The young man hurriedly put his chicken and coke down as he bowed and greeted Arlene politely. Arlene looked at the young man’s face for a very long time, making the man turn embarrassed as he continued to open his mouth, “My name is Minhyuk.”

***

Special Players Management Team.

Today, as usual, Lee Minhwa was digging into her cup noodles, her late-night snack, while watching the monitor. She blew on her cup and took a sip of the warm soup.

“Kggghk~ I’m alive again~”

Lee Minhwa looked very happy, as if she had everything in the world. But the events that unfolded on the monitor in front of her caused her mouth to drop wide open. A bright red light flashed as phrases started to appear on the screen.

“Team, Team Leader!!! Team Leader!!!” Lee Minhwa shouted, her voice very haggard and urgent.

Team Leader Park Minggyu hurriedly rushed to check what was happening on her monitor. But the words that appeared on the screen also brought a huge shock to Minggyu, “What…?”

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And the words that appeared on the monitor…

[Player Minhyuk has made contact with one of the Absolute Gods.]

[She was the master of the previous Food God.]

[She once bewitched all of the gods with her dishes.]

[She is currently in disguise and living in Abyss Village.]

[She is one of the Absolute Gods living under the name ‘Arlene’.]

[She is the God of Cooking.]