CH 577

The NPCs in the virtual reality game were artificial intelligences created by Supercomputer Athenae and the company’s production team. In fact, most people think that they were just simple artificial intelligence, while some think and treat these artificial intelligences as if they were people too.

But no matter their stance, one incident had greatly changed their views on NPCs. It was none other than the incident that happened during a live broadcast, where Ghost Spear Ben charged through tens of thousands of enemy troops just to save Luna and Haze. Many people were also impressed when Minhyuk honored Ghost Spear Ben, instead of rejoicing and enjoying their victory after the war with Lumae Kingdom, the Warrior’s Nation, and the dragons. In the end, Ghost Spear Ben still died.

However, no one could deny that it was a glorious death.

After witnessing Ben’s death, some felt bitter while some lost sleep. They went through the same grief as if they had lost someone very, very precious to them. Some with stronger emotions and sympathy even ended up crying while they watched the broadcast.

And now, a shocking notification rang in the entire world.

[The new legend of the king and his retainer has now begun.]

Many of the viewers from all over the world trembled, their hearts thumping loudly in their chests.

The one that returned to protect his king.

The one that remembered and waited for his retainer.

The retainer supported his king with a gentle smile on his face. While the king looked at him and smiled brightly, his expression filled with his overwhelming faith in his retainer.

‘I also want to have a king and a retainer like that.’

A new dream unfolded for many of those that watched the scene. And Minhyuk and Ben? Both men were very delighted. For Minhyuk, Ben was like a grandfather, an old friend, and a reliable comrade in the battlefield. For Ben, Minhyuk was like his son, a childish and innocent king, a true and genuine saint, and a person that he had to protect. The two of them smiled at each other. Minhyuk looked quite haggard now, but no one would say that he looked terrible like that. In fact, the scene was beautiful and cool, to the point that the kings had forgotten what they intended to do and stopped attacking them.

Ben, who supported Minhyuk’s trembling arm that was slung over his shoulder, said, “Your Majesty, please hold on tight,” as he immediately used ‘Ghost Steps’. In just a blink, the two people disappeared in front of the kings.

“Over there!!!”

The two of them appeared in the skies above them. Ben used his Ghost Steps one after the other, blinking away from the crowd of enemies and heading toward the other side of the bridge. The image of the retainer supporting his king as they escaped was both a beautiful and spectacular sight!

However, for some, this sight invoked something completely different.

“Aaaaaaaah…! A beautiful love story between the king and his retainer! I’m overflowing with inspiration! An old man! A muscular, sweaty old man, and a young king!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The dry well of inspiration finally filled up and overflowed again after a long time for the Best Selling Author Aruvel. Leaving that behind, Minhyuk and Ben were able to safely arrive inside the gates. Meanwhile, the kings and the enemy troops were charging fiercely on the bridge as they tried to catch up to them.

Fwiiiiiiiish—

Minhyuk hurriedly took out a chocobar and ate it with relish. Thanks to his ‘Absorption Conversion’ skill, he was able to recover around 32% of his HP. However, his body was still weak and shaking.

The kings had received tremendous damage from the Overlord’s Technique earlier, but all of them still believed that it would not be too hard to deal with Minhyuk, before and now. As long as they used more of their skills, then Minhyuk would finally die.

Thump—

But then, Spear God Ben stood beside Minhyuk. The spear tied with a red cloth finally returned to ‘him’. After receiving his spear, Spear God Ben slammed it on the ground.

Clank—

The kings believed that it would be easy to kill Minhyuk. However, Spear God Ben, who was standing next to him, was a problem. And…

‘For some reason, it’s making me feel like I’m facing a huge mountain.’

‘They’re just two people but why am I feeling scared?’

The kings felt a huge pressure on them just from the two men alone, who were standing with their backs toward the castle covered with thick steel armor. When the kings were just thirty meters away from them…

Rumbleeeeeee—

The steel armor slowly unfurled, the huge gates opening with a loud rumble. As if on cue, the members of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, who had recovered from their injuries, began to step out from deep inside the castle.

Beyond the Heavens’ Vice Guild Master Genie.

Master of the Fist Khan and Master of Kicks Ares.

Divine Beast Master Kaistra and self-proclaimed Fire Fist Ace.

The tall, gigantic Elpis and Kimaris.

Sword Saint Conir and Bestselling Author Aruvel.

Informant Abel and Moon Assassin Lucia.

Knight of Agony Alicia, and Great Pirate Gorfido with his Ten Thousand Chain in one hand and Ten Thousand Sword in the other.

And up in the skies flew the four legendary dragons and Dragon Monarch Black Dragon.

As well as the 10,000 surviving Korean rankers.

‘All of them were on the brink of death just a few moments ago…’

Alexander could not understand what was happening. These people had obviously lost their will to fight and were already on the brink of death before. But now, their eyes were glinting sharply, and a strange sense of confidence was oozing from their bodies. More than 10,000 dishes appeared together with the Food God; each and every single one of those dishes were supposed to have buff effects. But that was something impossible. So, all of the kings denied it. Just like how Twilight Chef Black had denied it earlier, they were also denying it. After all, it just did not make sense.

Alexander remained at the vanguard as they charged forward, inching ever so closely to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. On the other side, Minhyuk grabbed the hilt of his sword with both of his hands and slowly moved forward, his speed gradually increasing until he was at a full run.

“Let’s go!!!”

“Uwooooooooo!!!”

“Woooooaaaaaaah!!!”

Minhyuk was at the forefront with Spear God Ben following right behind him, as a new word appeared right on the blade of his sword.

“Gather.”

This was the Absolute God’s Secret: Lightning’s active skill that combined all of the advantages of Explosion, Destruction and Crazy!

[Gather.]

[The skill will be triggered with a 100% chance of gaining an additional 4,000% attack.]

[You have a 40% chance of triggering four to eight times of bloody lightning rain with 2,000% attack that will indiscriminately attack anyone within a 30 meter radius of your target.]

[There’s a 10% chance of the bloody lightning rain exploding with an additional 2,000% attack.]

[The skill will last for four minutes.]

At that moment, a bright golden aura appeared and covered not only Minhyuk’s sword, but also his body. Of course, Minhyuk did not cast Gather alone, he also used another buff skill. This buff skill was none other than ‘Ellie’s Swordsmanship’.

Minhyuk jumped up in the skies, causing the kings to be in a momentary daze after seeing his fluttering red cape and gold aura. But Alexander was different. As the one in the vanguard, he immediately raised his sword to block whatever attack was coming his way. At the same time, Minhyuk fell, unleashing a catastrophe not on Alexander, but on the rankers that were running beside him.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaang—

The moment Minhyuk landed, a disaster in the form of a sword attack with 100% probability of hitting with a 4,000% attack swept away his enemies.

“Keuaaaaaaaaaack!”

It was immediately followed by lightning strikes that covered an entire thirty meter radius and indiscriminately attacked everyone within range, causing 2,000% damage.

Rumble—

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Just one swing of Minhyuk’s sword and the impact was already enough to sweep away the kings. On top of that, Minhyuk also had a 40% chance of triggering the lightning strikes four to eight times in a row.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Rumbleeeeee—

“Keuaaaaaaack!”

“Keheoooook!”

“Aaaaaaack!”

In just an instant, the kings that ran with Alexander were all forced to take a step back, their bodies staggering from the impact of the attack. As for those that were not kings? The ordinary rankers died without leaving a trace.

“…What the hell? How far have you gone?!!!”

“Minhyuuuuuk!”

Alexander and Kentaro were both furious after witnessing how Minhyuk could overturn the heavens and the earth and make the ground cry and shake with just one swing of his sword. Feelings of shock and anger flowed through their veins, together with a hint of pure admiration.

The moment Minhyuk passed by them, a rain of lightning bolts fell down from the skies.

Rumbleeeee—

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!

Rumbleeee—

Minhyuk decided to deal with the rankers and not the kings. This was because Gather mode would be able to display its effects best when fighting against a huge number of people.

Rumbleeee—

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Hundreds of rankers died with every swing of Minhyuk’s sword. On top of that…

‘Like the Wind.’

Minhyuk used his skills expertly, as he weaved through the large army and dug through their gaps. On top of that, Minhyuk could swing his sword more than five times in a few seconds. In that short amount of time, more than 500 rankers turned into ashes and disappeared.

‘Minhyuk is definitely strong. But I can deal with the people in front of me. Some of the kings should go and stop the rankers, while the other kings should go and keep Minhyuk in check.’

This was what Alexander decided, and the same was true for the others. But just when Alexander was about to step forward to restrain Minhyuk…

Baaaaaaaaaaang—

A Shadowless Spear fell down from the skies and attacked Alexander, forcing a groan out of his mouth, “Ughhh!”

The one that attacked Alexander was none other than Spear God Ben.

“Your opponent will be me, boy.”

“…Your power has weakened.”

Alexander smiled silently. He could tell from the blow that Spear God Ben’s power had weakened. Spear God Ben had received the buff effect from the Absolute God grade ‘spicy braised chicken’ that Minhyuk made for him when he first appeared. During the entire duration of the buff, Ben was able to exert a stronger power. However, his stamina was consumed greatly. On the other hand, although the cube steak’s buff effects had significantly lowered his power, his stamina would be able to be maintained longer.

“I may be old but do you really think you can block me?”

“...Urk!”

Alexander’s expression turned ugly. The old man was saying that he would only be able to block him? Alexander was indignant, the old man was an opponent that he should be able to disregard at will. However, he still took a step back and decided to wait for the other kings to join him. After all, the members of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom were no match against the kings. But…

Baaaaaaaaang—

“…???”

Alexander blinked blankly as someone rolled over to him after being sent flying from an attack. It was none other than ‘Infighter Anton’.

“…”

Alexander turned to look at the direction where Anton came from, only to see Khan and Ares cracking and loosening their joints. The people that Anton was trampling on earlier were now looking down at him haughtily.

‘What’s this? Is Anton growing tired…’

But before he could even finish his thoughts, a scream rang loudly somewhere.

“Kyaaaack!”

Alexander hurriedly turned to look at the direction of the sound. What greeted him was the sight of an arrow piercing through Master Archer Miao’s chest. When he followed the direction where the arrow came from, he saw the figure of South Korea’s Master Archer, Root.

Spear God Ben looked at him with a smirk on his face and said, “You know, His Majesty’s dishes are delicious.”

“…!”

Only then did Alexander realize something, ‘No way…!’

Did all of them become stronger? Alexander wanted to deny the truth. That was something impossible! It did not make sense at all. However, the charging Korean rankers were clearly different from before. From what it looked like, they were at least 20% stronger.

Now, the rankers of the great army were being mercilessly slaughtered because they could not handle the 10,000 Korean rankers. Just an additional 20% in power when it came to rankers could bring about such ridiculous results and turn the tide.

Seeing this, Alexander immediately made a decision, “Call half of the troops from the castle right now!”

The things that Alexander thought of, the other kings also thought of. All of them immediately called for their troops.

‘It’s a fight that we will inevitably win but…’ Alexander thought as he bit his lips tightly.

Their enemies were greatly outnumbered. Even if each of them just sent half of their troops over, they would probably reach more than 500,000 in numbers. It was a number that a mere 10,000 could not fight against.

Alexander continued to struggle against Ben. When he got knocked back by one of Ben’s spears, he turned to look back and…

“Crazy…!”

…saw a man standing among the ashes of their tens of thousands of troops. His figure, coupled with his red cape fluttering behind him that bore the symbol of a fork and knife crossed together, looked noble and mighty. Seeing this, Alexander could hardly deny the desire to be by this man’s side that sprouted in his head at this very moment.

***

After wiping out the rest of the troops, Minhyuk immediately turned around to join his army and face the kings.

Baaaaaaaang—

However, one of the rankers, who was still alive after the onslaught of attacks that Minhyuk unleashed, sent a fire-attribute magical attack toward his back.

“Ugh!”

As Minhyuk stumbled, one of the people that saw his predicament rushed forward and helped him up.

“Are you alright?”

“…???”

Minhyuk looked up at the man in confusion. The smile on his face was obviously different from the look that he usually gave Minhyuk. This man’s name was none other than Twilight Chef Black. From what it looked like, Black was just fighting against his opponent with a trident earlier. However, he hurriedly rushed to Minhyuk’s aid, helping him stand up and even patting the dust on Minhyuk’s back and butt.

“You have to be careful,” Twilight Chef Black continued, “Please let me join Beyond the Heavens. Haha!”

Twilight Chef Black had often made trouble for Minhyuk. Even Minhyuk was aware of this fact. So, in response to his words, Minhyuk’s expression turned ugly. It was that expression! The expression that one would make whenever they saw the person that they really hated! Minhyuk’s expression twisted into that expression.

Meanwhile, Black believed that the Beyond the Heavens’ King would definitely accept him. After all, who would turn down the request of a talent like him, right?

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“You’ll accept me, right?”

Minhyuk, whose expression was filled with disgust, replied with a short but firm answer, “It’s on hold.”

Black’s face turned ugly. Who was he? He was one of the top ten chefs in the world!

“Why…? Take me in! Food God!!! Take me…!”

Minhyuk, who turned around, thought, ‘Has he gone nuts…?’

That was right. As someone that was unaware of the bet between Black and Genie, Minhyuk could only think of the man as ‘crazy’.