Chapter 1027

Minhyuk was stunned by the notification he heard after he completely suppressed Beradon’s The Depriver.

[You have leveled up.]

Minhyuk’s level was currently at Level 656. He had reached the point where his EXP gauge would barely increase, even after completing several quests or hunting boss monsters. If he were to be honest, his growth, which depended on his level, was left stagnant.

‘With my leveling up, the easiest way for a player to grow, reaching a point of stagnation, the gap between me and the players will be narrowed quickly.’

Indeed. Players who have not yet reached Level 650 would be able to close the gap since they could level up quickly. That just went to show how different the amount of EXP needed to increase one’s level was for players who had not exceeded Level 650 and those who had exceeded the said level.

But now? When the notification “...has given you slight recognition.” instead of the usual “...favor has increased.” rang, Minhyuk’s level increased by one.

‘He is The Teacher.’

Beradon was even close to becoming one of the Eight Pillars.

‘It seems like I have met a far greater man than I have imagined.’

At this point, Minhyuk realized that Beradon had the power to help him go past his stagnant state and grow further. He also learned that the growth that he might experience might just be infinite.

Meanwhile, Beradon looked embarrassed as he stared at Minhyuk. He thought,

‘I wanted to know if he would still want to learn from me once he had lost everything that he had. That was why I used The Depriver on him.’

This was the first time that Beradon had experienced something like this. To think someone was able to neutralize and even wholly suppress The Depriver. The problem was Beradon had already vowed never to accept any more disciples.

‘I feel like my mind could be changed...’

But for some reason, his interest was piqued.

‘He has strength and power hiding behind his kindness and courteousness.’

Even so, that would not change the fact that the young man had destroyed his garden. So, Beradon, with a curt expression, said, “You neutralized my power, yes. But I still don’t like you.”

“...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless. The system notification told him that Beradon had recognized him a bit, but his expression was completely different.

“Be honest. It’s because of the garden, right?”

“What nonsense are you on about? I’m not such a petty person! I wouldn’t hold a grudge against you just because of my garden. And even if I am, do you have the right to say anything to me?”

That was true. Minhyuk would have nothing to say to salvage the situation. After all, Minhyuk had ravaged Beradon's garden and was left with nothing to eat for the day.

‘Ho?’

Beradon might have grown a little fond of the young man before him and felt there was a chance he might change his mind. Nevertheless, his desire to not accept any more disciples remained the same. And at the right moment, Beradon thought of a trick to drive the young man away.

“Well, if you go all the way to the east of this mountain and dig some of the things raised under the protection of the Lord of the Mountains, then I will give you a small lesson.”

Ring!

[

Quest

: The Thing Protected by the Lord of the Mountains.]

Rank

: SSS

Requirements

: The one who received Beradon’s offer.

Rewards

: Beradon’s small lesson.

Penalty for Failure

: Unable to receive teachings from Beradon.

Description

: Beradon is starving. If you can obtain some of the things raised under the protection of the Lord of the Mountains and hand them over to him, then you will at least receive a small lesson from him.

“Alright. Since I’ve eaten all of the things from your garden, I’ll get them for you and make you a meal. If you are satisfied after eating the meal I have served you, then I hope you can give me due recognition.”

“Recognition? It’s not that easy for someone to receive my recognition.”

Before heading out, Minhyuk was curious about one thing. So, he asked, “Grandpa, I heard you have two extraordinary disciples. If I get what you wanted me to get, can you tell me who they are?”

Of course, Minhyuk would gain nothing even if he knew who they were. He was just curious about these two extraordinary disciples, whom Beradon personally nurtured.

“Alright,” Beradon agreed, nodding his head despite the apparent reluctance in his voice.

Minhyuk bowed as he headed east of the mountains.

‘My two extraordinary disciples...’

Beradon smiled bitterly. He did not know which book it was written on for the young man to learn about this fact.

Usually, legends would be weaved with false stories. To some extent, it could be said to be true. But at the same time, it could also be said to be untrue.

‘I have had three extraordinary disciples.’

The remaining one remained unknown to the world. Of course, even if the young man could obtain the ingredients, he only planned to tell him about the two. At that moment, he thought of another one of his disciples.

‘The most outstanding, the most evil, and the kindest.’

Then, Beradon burst into a fit of laughter.

“He will not be able to get anything from the Lord of the Mountains.”

Beradon giggled as if he found it pleasant.

***

Minhyuk continued to walk east and trek the mountains, finally seeing a vast expanse of stunningly beautiful grassland. The place was located so high up in the mountains that one could feel like they could touch the sky.

And in this vast and neverending grassland, Minhyuk saw what he needed to obtain. They were growing beautifully under the sun.

‘Ho. There are a variety of vegetables and herbs here. I can see aster, spinach, bean sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, and many more.’

The sight alone was enough to make Minhyuk’s mouth water. Minhyuk took one cautious step toward the ingredients.

‘The Lord of the Mountains.’

Minhyuk thought that Beradon was underestimating him. He started thinking about how he was much stronger than what Beradon believed him to be.

Thud, thud, thud–!

The ground suddenly shook as heavy thuds rang out. Minhyuk, who recognized the sound, immediately turned toward the direction where it came from.

BANG–!

“Keuhaack?!”

Minhyuk was sent flying away. At the same time, an unbearable pain washed over him. It felt like all of the bones in his body had been broken. A part of the solid and sturdy Transcendental’s Armor had also been left dented.

[Your HP has fallen below 87%.]

Minhyuk was shocked.

‘What the hell is this...?’

A simple collision brought him tremendous damage?

Minhyuk hurriedly rolled on the ground to offset the impact of the collision. Then, he stood up to identify what hit him.

‘A cow?’

It was a gigantic cow. And it even had a horn growing out of its forehead!

[Lord of the Mountains. Level 786.]

[If you kill the Lord of the Mountains, the ingredients they own and protect will wither.]

Minhyuk, who would initially start to drool the moment he sees a cow like this, has never seen one with such a high level before. And from what it looked like, it seemed like the Lord of the Mountains was not something he could eat.

In a way, the Lord of the Mountains was just a cow. But its eyes flashed as it glared a warning at Minhyuk.

‘Get out of here.’

The sight of the cow digging the ground with its hind legs looked frightening. But Minhyuk needed the things that it grew and protected over there.

“Can’t you just let me get some of your things over there?”

The Lord of the Mountains immediately charged at Minhyuk when it heard what he said. After accelerating instantly, its speed seemed to be hundreds of kilometers per hour. Minhyuk did not even have the time to react. One blink, and the gigantic cow was already right in front of him.

Minhyuk hurriedly cast Intangible Sword.

Slash, slash, slash–!

The Intangible Sword slashed and cut all over the body of the Lord of the Mountains. But from what it looked like, the gigantic cow did not receive much damage.

‘It can resist the Intangible Sword, an attack that ignores all defenses?’

The meaning of those words was simple. The Lord of the Mountains possessed a ridiculously high HP volume to the point that the damage of the Intangible Sword could be neglected.

‘Isn’t this guy at a level that is much higher than a boss-rank monster?’

Minhyuk felt he understood what the Lord of the Mountains was like. It was a Named Monster, but it did not have many special attributes.

‘In exchange, it possesses an incredibly high HP, defensive, and attack power.’

Simply put, the Lord of the Mountains was quite similar to Herakel.

“Like the Wind.”

Minhyuk thought he could use the gap created by the Intangible Sword to escape it.

Thud–!

But then, the Lord of the Mountains twisted its body slightly and stabbed Minhyuk with the horn on its forehead.

“Ugh!”

Minhyuk, sent flying once again, thought,

‘I have two options.’

The first option was triggering Absolute Defense. Then, he would get as many ingredients as he could in the seven seconds and run away. The problem was that it was a hazardous method, and he wouldn’t be able to get that many ingredients.

‘And it would be a problem if it follows me.’

‘I need to overpower the Lord of the Mountains.’

The Lord of the Mountain looked like it could destroy a mountain with its body alone. And its level was also high. It was an opponent that was strong enough to force Minhyuk to log out.

Flash–

Minhyuk hurriedly used Sword of Frenzy and sent it again toward the charging cow.

Ting–

“...?”

Minhyuk was speechless by the Lord of the Mountains’ ridiculously high HP and overpowered defensive power.

Bang–!

The Lord of the Mountains chased right behind Minhyuk after slamming into his body.

[The Lord of the Mountains is going berserk!]

[The Lord of the Mountains’ speed has increased significantly.]

The cow, which was already incredibly fast, had grown even faster. After sending Minhyuk flying into the sky, it immediately charged toward him and sent him flying even further. Of course, the damage that Minhyuk had received was less since the impact that he received was less because his body was zipping through the air. But his HP had already fallen so low.

[Your HP has fallen below 44%.]

[Your HP has fallen by a considerable amount in such a short period. Your body is in shock.]

[Your bones are fractured. Your movements will be restricted.]

Minhyuk, who was reduced to such a ragged state, considered another option. How about triggering Calamity?

‘If I use Calamity, then the Lord of the Mountains will die.’

If the Lord of the Mountains died, then the ingredients would wither. This meant that he would receive a penalty for failing the quest. In other words, he would gain little from this option.

Then, how about using another skill?

‘No. I would be beaten before having time to cast my skills.’

There was one choice that Minhyuk could make in this situation.

“Summon Hanwoo.”

Thud–!

“MOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

It was to summon an existence that was in a similar form to the Lord of the Mountains.

The equally gigantic Hanwoo stopped the charging Lord of the Mountains. The skill “Hanwoo’s Charge” could help him control his size. If he grew as huge as possible, he could cover a wider area. But that was not the only thing. Hanwoo’s Charge could also be used at that size.

“Hanwoo’s Charge.”

Hanwoo, who had become as massive as the Lord of the Mountains, charged toward the opponent.

“Viel’s Puppet Doll. Ego Chain Sickles.”

Minhyuk then summoned the two to try and subdue the gigantic cow.

Bang–!

The Lord of the Mountains collided with Hanwoo. The force of the collision did not push back Hanwoo. He even started to push the Lord of the Mountains back slowly.

Then, Viel’s Puppet Doll and the Ego Chain Sickle moved. Viel’s Puppet Doll moved to attack the back of the Lord of the Mountain while the Ego Chain Sickle moved to strike the back of its neck.

“MOOOOOOO!!!”

Hanwoo roared wildly. The roar stopped Minhyuk, Viel’s Puppet Doll, and the Ego Chain Sickle. It was as if the roar told them they should not interfere in his battle.

Thud–!

And finally, the Lord of the Mountains staggered from being pushed back. The Lord of the Mountains tried its hardest to fight back, but in the end, it collapsed. Hanwoo snorted and returned to his original form, the Bull Demon King.

Minhyuk, who watched everything on the sidelines, saw the gasping Bull Demon King reach out a hand toward the Lord of the Mountains.

“It was a good match.”

‘What the hell is going on...?’

But something far more shocking happened in front of Minhyuk. The Lord of the Mountains, trying hard to catch its breath, started to turn red. Even the ferocious horn as sharp as a trident on its forehead had turned red. Then, with a flash of light, the Lord of the Mountains changed forms and became human.

The Lord of the Mountains was the same as Hanwoo, who could change into human form whenever he wanted. But what was more shocking was that the Lord of the Mountains was a woman.

“This is the first time I have met someone of the same race. It’s an honor to meet such a beauty,” the Bull Demon King, Hanwoo, said.

This was the first time that Minhyuk had seen Hanwoo act like this. Then, he saw the Lord of the Mountains’ cheeks grow even redder after hearing Hanwoo’s experienced and practiced words.

“I’m also very honored to meet you. How about we turn back into cows together, graze, and eat hay over there?”

“

Fufu.

Why don’t we have a cup(?) of water by the beautiful river beside it? I think that would be perfect.”

“Uhm... Ex– Excuse me...”

The two cows, going to walk somewhere, turned to look back at Minhyuk when they heard his cautious call.

“Can I take those?”

“Who is that human?”

“He’s my master.”

“You can take them.”

“Ah. Yes...”

Minhyuk readily(?) accepted the words and harvested all the ingredients he could see. When he saw Hanwoo and the Lord of the Mountains walking somewhere together, he felt happy yet uncomfortable at the fact that things were quickly resolved.

That was right. He felt happy yet uncomfortable.

‘Why...?’