Chapter 1328

Chapter 1328

Thirty minutes before Minhyuk summoned Philip.

Minhyuk felt his heart thump as he approached the assembly place with Ruba, who was unknowingly wheedled into something by his gift of gab.

Ruba looked at him and jeered, “In the first place, it’s not a place that you deserve to sit in.”

Ruba had learned that Guardian God Obren had once again climbed to his position as the Pillar and became Evil God Obren again. Hephaestus, a blacksmith from the Gaia Continent who had moved to the Beyond the Heavens Empire, had also become a Pillar. And there was another newly crowned Pillar, the Pillar of Life and Death.

Ruba had awakened in the middle of it all, so he did not have as much information as he wanted. He had to gather information about them himself, especially about Obren.

‘Why is The Maker staying in the Beyond the Heavens Empire? He’s a god of the Gaia Continent.’

He did not know the exact situation of the other pillars.

‘The Master of Life and Death. He’s amazing. From what I know, he was originally the God of Death.’

The one Ruba was most curious about was the Master of Life and Death. Ruba heard he was the only one among the Gods of Death who had broken the stereotype and chosen a different path. How did he know about that? It was because he had heard bits and pieces of information from the discussion between Athenae and Chaos. Athenae and Chaos had praised the man extensively, saying that he was the one who broke the wall that limited the God of Death.

‘I heard he has started interacting with the Land of the Gods.’

None of the Gods of Death had ever interacted with the Land of the Gods before. But he was told that the Master of Life and Death had personally gone to the Land of the Gods to forge relationships and gain friendships along the way.

He had also heard that the once desolate Hell was overflowing with trees and flowers. What was surprising was that the beings living in Hell grew stronger as more trees and flowers bloomed in their land.

‘He’s an amazing person! Ah. That’s what a Pillar should be!’

“I’m hungryyyy.”

Ruba glared at Minhyuk, his eyes filled with contempt, as he watched the man rub his stomach to relieve his tension and nervousness.

When they arrived at the assembly, Ruba saw the Master of Life and Death. He could not even make eye contact with the man because he was overflowing with charisma. With one glance, all of the hair on Ruba’s body stood straight up.

The Master of Life and Death was sitting gracefully with his legs crossed on his chair. His hair was also tied up tightly in a ponytail.

‘Bastard Minhyuk must already be peeing in his pants, right?’

Ruba thought, laughing to himself as he imagined the scene.

Not long after, the gaze of the Pillar of Life and Death turned to them. Ruba almost peed from the majesty and pressure that weighed down upon him. Just then...

“Hi.”

“...?”

The Pillar of Life and Death awkwardly raised his hand and greeted Minhyuk. Minhyuk also awkwardly raised his hand to wave back.

“Hi.”

“...?”

“Your seat is over here. Come, sit.”

“Yeah. Thanks. How have you been?”

“Hmm. I’ve been well. How about you?”

“I’ve also been well.”

Then... an awkward silence.

“...?”

‘What’s this? They look like they’re close, but they’re so awkward. What’s the relationship between them?’

Ruba rubbed his eyes, unable to believe that the two were close despite looking every bit of close. Nonetheless, the gaze filled with affection that the Pillar of Life and Death had as he looked at Minhyuk was unmistakable.

Minhyuk had grown stiff. Louis gently placed his hand on his shoulders. The other Pillars just smiled bitterly when they saw how nervous Minhyuk was.

Finally, Athenae walked in.

[God of Origin Athenae has appeared!]

A bright light flashed in the room. When the light disappeared, Athenae appeared with a bright and kind smile.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk’s gaze was fixed on Athenae’s hands. He could see a plump and thick belly rising and falling in sleep.

“Oink...”

Then, the little figure scratched his belly.

“...Why did Beans appear here?”

***

Beanie had realized the secret(?) of his birth and found out that his mother was Athenae! Because of that, Beanie had been visiting Athenae in the Land of the Gods daily, using the pretext of delivering food.

Athenae initially felt troubled when the baby piggy kept visiting her, even though she did not order any delivery. The piggy cried out,

‘I miss you, Mom. Oink!’

with tears in his eyes.

But with every passing day, her feelings began to change.

Athenae was an omnipotent being. However, as an almighty being, she was born with a fate that did not allow her to fit in with the rest of the world. Because of that, she was left lonely and alone in this world.

No one could approach her easily. Even if someone did, they would always bow and kowtow to her. She had lived a life like that since the origin of this world. However, the baby piggy visiting her every day was different. He chatted with her freely and without any prejudice.

One day, she realized she had started looking forward to the baby piggy’s visits. If the baby piggy did not come, she would worry about him and wonder if something had happened to him that day.

Although Athenae appeared standoffish and grumpy, she had already opened her heart to Beanie and tried to take care of this baby piggy, who considered her his mother.

Athenae smiled softly as she carefully stroked Beanie’s head. The sleeping Beanie, still sleeping and blowing snot bubbles, slowly opened his eyes.

“Oink. Oiiiink. Oink!

(Master! Hello. Oink!)

” Beanie oinked, waving his paw proudly and arrogantly as he sat on one of the chairs in the assembly hall.

[Hello, everyone.]

Then, the assembly finally began.

Almost all of the meeting's content was what Ruba had mentioned to him earlier. Each of the Pillars also began to discuss how they would use their power to help balance the world in the future.

‘Is the first assembly held just for us to get to know each other?’

Minhyuk thought, feeling as if this was truly the case.

After all of these discussions were over, the topic about the Creator Ruba had mentioned earlier was finally discussed.

[If we can’t persuade him, we cannot promote anyone with the qualifications to become a Pillar to the position of the Pillar for the time being.]

There was emphasis on the words

for the time being.

‘Although she said it was only for now, we don’t know how many years that would take.’

It was rare for someone with the same talent as the Creator to appear in this world. No. No one else in this world had that talent except for him. As such, it might be possible that they might not be able to promote any other Pillar forever.

[We need to find a new candidate.]

‘A new candidate.’

Obren spoke up. He seemed to be the only one in this assembly who did not feel nervous. He said...

[I believe you should know that finding a candidate who can fit the bill is impossible, right? No person can rival the Creator. If we appoint someone new to fill in the gap left behind by the Creator, then the Pillar Disaster they will create will probably not be qualified to be called with that name.

It was a fact. This meant the new pillars could only obtain weakened versions of the Pillar Disasters. And of course, Athenae was aware of this too. There was only one answer to this problem.

[We have to persuade Philip no matter what.]

Hephaestus had only been listening on the side. However, he suddenly raised his voice, “How come he refused to continue creating the Pillar Disasters after doing his duties silently for thousands of years? Lady Athenae, please tell us the truth.”

Minhyuk knew the reason, but the others did not. And just as Hephaestus said, it was very strange. How could someone working diligently and silently for thousands of years suddenly stop working? If they thought for a bit, then they would easily understand. Philip had been oppressed and exploited.

Athenae began to speak. She told the story about a lowly and impudent man trapped by Chaos in a different and lonely world.

Hephaestus had lived the life of the oppressed. This story raised his hackles. So, he said, “You want us to persuade him after knowing that? After knowing you have kept him confined and trapped in solitude for thousands of years?”

Hephaestus was no longer the flinching coward with hunched shoulders. He was now someone who stood tall and proud. Besides, everyone sitting in this hall was equal in position and power.

“This man has been locked up for thousands of years! He had only just regained his freedom!” Hephaestus growled, his words directed at the invisible Chaos.

[Please calm down.]

Athenae’s soft voice echoed. Thankfully, this calmed the raging Hephaestus.

Then, Obren muttered under his breath.

[If someone can persuade him, we must reward them appropriately.]

Obren glanced at Minhyuk.

‘As expected of Obren. He’s clever.’

Athenae nodded in agreement.

[I have met with Chaos. After our discussion, we will grant one thing that the person who achieves this wants. Of course, it should be within our means.]

“...?!”

[...?!]

Athenae and Chaos would do one thing for that person within their means?! This meant they would give it even if it were a ridiculous request. The reward was very sweet, but also showed the task's difficulty.

“Can this even be done?”

Hephaestus was the Maker. And he was able to rise to the position of the Pillar largely thanks to Minhyuk. Although Hephaestus was still lacking as a Pillar, no other blacksmith could rival him in Athenae. Nevertheless, he was still struggling to create the greatest weapon.

His power, the Custom Production, was a Pillar Disaster that bloomed once he stepped into the realm of the Pillars. It was not a power that someone created. It was a power that was made because he overcame his limits.

“Then, can you improve the power of my Custom Production?”

The Custom Production was a Pillar Disaster. However, even with this power used for Minhyuk, it was still not easy for him to make the greatest weapon.

Athenae spoke.

[We can only increase your ability by two realms. However, this can only be used to make one artifact.]

Increasing the realm of Custom Production by two? This meant that the Custom Production’s level would rise by two. Hephaestus looked surprised when he realized the reward was much bigger and grander than he thought.

At that moment, Ruba stepped forward and piped, “I have tried to persuade him, but it’s not easy. The Pillar Evaluators, including me, could not handle him even after we teamed up.”

The strength and power of Captain Evaluator Ruba were well known to all of the Pillars. After all, why would they be able to judge a Pillar if they weren’t strong?

“If you make a mistake, you risk irritating and making him angry. But...”

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

However, there was one reason why Ruba stepped forward. The corners of his eyes were bent into a smile. He stepped forward because he wanted to crush and trample Minhyuk. Why? Because he hated the man.

“...the Pillar of the Gourmands told me he was close to the Creator.”

‘Look at this punk?’

Minhyuk thought, a wry smile on his face.

He purposely came forward to ensure that Minhyuk ate shit.

“If you’re close, then Philip will say,

‘Goodness. My baby!’

and come running to you once you call for him.” Ruba shrugged. “If you’re really that close, he would easily respond to your summons, right?”

Everyone present turned to look at Minhyuk. And Athenae? She seemed very surprised.

[Is this true?]

“That...”

“It’s true. Before we came here, he bragged to me. He looked very confident when he told me that. If you’re that close, he will do it if you ask him for a favor!”

Athenae smiled.

[Then, please do us this favor.]

Athenae was grasping at straws here. She knew this well. Of course, the words that Ruba uttered sounded exaggerated. Regardless, if they could summon Philip here, they could already consider that a success.

“Then, I’ll try it.”

Ruba looked at Minhyuk in confusion.

‘What do you mean you’ll try? Weren’t you just bragging earlier? Do you think you can do it just because you bragged earlier?’

[I will give you the power to summon him.]

Athenae’s power seeped into Minhyuk’s skin. And under everyone’s gaze, Minhyuk said, “Summon Philip.”

A small light flashed. However, it soon faded into nothingness.

[Philip does not respond to the summons.]

“...That’s strange!” Ruba raised his head arrogantly. “The Pillar had told me so earlier!”

Minhyuk was a bit flustered, too. Everything he said earlier was true, so why was he not responding?

‘Maybe...’

Even if they forged a relationship, would distance make him forget about it? Perhaps Philip’s thoughts had changed during the time that they were apart? Perhaps Minhyuk was truly too arrogant earlier...

[Philip is embarrassed.]

“...?”

[Philip has mistaken the summons for Athenae’s summons.]

[Philips uses his power to summon himself forcefully!]

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[The power has forcefully overridden Athenae’s power.]

Athenae’s eyes grew wide while Ruba’s face turned stiff. The God of Origin’s power was forcefully overridden? The power of the being who created the world?

Rip–!

[Someone unknown has entered the assembly hall.]

Only the Pillars could enter the assembly hall, which was protected by a barrier with unimaginable power. However, Philip was able to easily travel through that space and enter the hall.

When Philip appeared, Ruba flinched greatly. He still could not forget how the Creator had beaten him black and blue. And Athenae? She looked startled to see Philip tearing through the space.

Philip ignored everyone else. He looked at one man with a bright smile and said, “Goodness! My baby!!!”

Philip, who looked like he had just been resting, ran barefoot and hugged Minhyuk tightly. He hugged the young man and did not let go for a long time.

Philip had been locked up in an empty world for thousands of years and had only been able to wander it for a few months. He had realized that the sea was beautiful and the sky was so blue. He was also able to see how humans entertained themselves and how nature provided delicious things for him to eat.

He, who had been wandering the world, looked at Minhyuk and said, “How have you been, my dear benefactor?”

He said the word “benefactor.”

“Although I have been wandering the world, I have never forgotten you!”

Minhyuk was someone whom Philip could never forget.

“Why did you call for me? Do you need anything? Just tell me. I’ll do anything you want!”

Philip would give anything to this young man.

Ruba trembled when he saw this scene. He swore to Minhyuk earlier.

–Philip will come when you call for him?! Then, if that day comes, I will slap Chaos on the left cheek and Athenae on the right cheek! Also, you will be my grandfather from that day on! I will even show you some tricks if you want to! No. I will show filial piety and respect you as grandchildren respect their grandfathers!

The worst part? He made the Evaluator’s Oath.

[Please fulfill your oath.]

[Please slap Athenae on the right cheek.]

[Please fulfill your oath.]

[Please slap Athenae on the right cheek.]

[..oath...]

[...Athenae... cheek...]

[...oath...]

[...Athenae... cheek...]

[...cheek...]

[...cheek...]

[...cheek...]

“...”

Ruba gulped dryly as he listened to the non-stop ringing of the oath’s notification.

For some reason, Athenae’s cheeks looked quite shiny today.