Chapter 1347

Chapter 1347

[You have acquired Hermes’ Eleven Divine Parchments.]

Minhyuk placed his hand on his left chest after the realization that he had made a different choice than usual had sunk in.

Of course, the items that impressed him the most in Zeus’ Treasure House were the exquisite ingredients. In fact, he knew what items would benefit him and his path, but he was just not as impressed as when looking at the cooking ingredients.

This time, there was something different. Before he made his choice, he looked at Kronos’ Hanwoo Set. Unlike in the past, he did not feel this crazy craving taking over him. Why did he think he should choose an ingredient or dish if that were the case? After a brief thought, he concluded that it was a habit.

‘Well, the results are not yet in. And I can’t say for sure if I’m really completely cured of eating addiction. So, calling this a habit might not necessarily be true either.’

Minhyuk had heard from chain smokers that the most terrifying reason why they could not give up their cigarettes was that it had already become their habit to look for one. Looking for it when they woke up, finished eating, and before going to bed had already become a habit they could not easily break.

Because of that, Minhyuk thought that his body’s reaction might be because he had developed a habit. After all, Minhyuk had lived with this crazy obsession and craving food for over five years.

Then, he reached out and picked up the parchments. A small smile curled at the corners of his mouth as he thought,

‘Whether it’s a habit or it’s because of my eating addiction...’

He had made a huge step today. For the first time since he had played Athenae, he finally accomplished something he had never done before. His mind told him that his best choice was Hermes’ Eleven Divine Parchments, and he successfully chose it.

‘One step at a time. I just have to keep going like this.’

There was no need to be in a hurry. Besides, it was not too bad to take it slow and enjoy the scenery now that the changes had started to appear.

[You have left Zeus’ Treasure House.]

***

Not long after Minhyuk returned to the Beyond the Heavens Empire, a notification rang in his ear.

[In two weeks, you will be able to acquire one of the Absolute Gods’ skills as a reward for being the Battle God.]

The Battle God was the only one who could rule over and rally all gods, including the Absolute Gods, in the Land of the Gods. As such, he had a lot of work to deal with. The intensity of the Battle God’s work was much higher than that of any other Absolute God in existence. Because of that, the Battle God was given special privilege. Every five years, he could gain the skill of one of the Absolute Gods.

‘From what I know, the skill was usually weaker than the God-ranks skills of ordinary gods. However, there have been cases where it reached the Absolute God-rank or the Origin God-rank.’

From what Minhyuk had gathered, most of the skills received by the Battle God were of the lowest rank. This was mainly because the skill bestowed every five years was just a formal custom where they repaid the Battle God’s hard work and effort.

“What skill should I get?”

“It would be nice if it’s a power that can help the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

That was the answer that he needed. The Absolute Gods had quite a few AOE skills. Even if the skill was weaker than the God-rank skills of ordinary gods, it could still exert tremendous effects if applied to the entire empire.

“I’ll go to the Land of the Gods and think about it slowly. I’m leaving, Haze,” Minhyuk said, standing up after receiving a message from Belson that a meeting to discuss a new petition would be held soon. Minhyuk disappeared in a flash of light.

***

Many factions vied for the position of the Battle God in the Land of the Gods. Why were there so many factions? The reason was simple: The Battle God was the monarch who ruled the entire Land of the Gods.

The Battle God could issue orders and command the Absolute Gods and all the gods in the Land of the Gods during emergencies. They also had the right to immediately dispose of those who went against their orders. That was how strong the Battle God's power and authority over the Land of the Gods were.

Before the former Battle God Belson ascended to the throne, two factions went toe to toe against each other. They were none other than Clad’s faction and Raker’s faction.

Clad’s faction naturally disappeared once he fled after being defeated by Belson in a power struggle. As for Raker, he realized something after watching the two Battle God candidates fight against each other.

‘I will never be able to win against them.’

Belson was considered the most powerful Battle God of all time, and his power, which could crush many of the previous generations' Battle Gods, was a testament to that fact. His silver armor and sharp sword had become symbols that showcased his greatness and power.

Of course, Clad was also a very formidable character.

‘He had the power to nurture and promote the growth of soldiers and create the best of the best.’

Raker was both in shock and awe of the Battle God’s Swordsmanship he had created. After watching the battle between a dragon and a tiger, Raker entered the prison of his own accord. He accepted several criminal charges and ran to prison to hide.

Raker waited for the world to change. On the day he exited the Gods’ Prison, Raker thought,

‘It seems like Belson is still the Battle God.’

If so, he intended to take on several more criminal charges, lock himself up in prison, and devote himself to training. But when he stepped out, the people of his faction said, “The Battle God has changed.”

“...?!”

The fact that the Battle God had changed was astounding. One of the rules that the Land of the Gods had set stated that those who had given up their thrones as gods would not be able to be reinstated.

Raiker had heard a lot from the members of his faction. Simply put, the previous generation Battle God had chosen to step down to give way to the candidate he had also chosen. The people of the Land of the Gods did not understand why Battle God Belson had decided to withdraw from his position. Because of that, rumors began to circulate. And one of them was...

–

He was disillusioned by the position of the Battle God and chose to step down on his own.

It was half correct. Belson, the previous generation Battle God, had felt and learned a lot while watching Minhyuk. He had chosen him because he thought a gentle and flexible Battle God was best suited to bring about changes that could improve the world. Regardless, the others did not know that. They all believed that Minhyuk was nothing but a puppet.

“Is that true? Does Belson really serve as the Battle God’s aide? Is he the one who makes the order, and that guy named Minhyuk is the only one who gives it out?”

“Yes.”

That might be what it seemed like on the surface. And this was how the people of the Land of the Gods saw the situation.

Raker snorted. “What a sly bastard.”

Although he had stepped down from power, he chose to help a puppet ascend to the throne and manipulate him from behind. In other words, Belson still held the power in his hands. However, this gave Raker a chance.

Raker was not as strong as Belson and had no powers to help develop an army like Clad. But his faction was strong and influential because he was good at strategies and highly resourceful.

After several days of preparation, Raker sent a petition to the Absolute Gods.

‘First... I will gradually chip away and devour the power and influence of the Battle God and replace those on his side with people from my faction.’

Raker knew that he could not become the Battle God right away, so he set this plan in motion.

Belson, the aide to the Battle God, was the first to check the list of items he had proposed in the petition. Belson said, “...I will set up a meeting to discuss this petition.”

Almost 95% of the petitions were deemed ridiculous and rejected by Aide Belson. Belson's agreement to hold a meeting to discuss the petition meant that he judged that this petition submitted by Raker was something that he could not dismiss completely.

That was how the meeting with the Absolute Gods, with Raker’s presence, began.

Raker saw Minhyuk enter the conference room with Belson right behind him. He thought,

‘Is that guy the puppet?’

Raker was told that the young man was only twenty-two years old and a foreigner. He had also heard that this young man was the Pillar of the Gourmands and the monarch ruling over a human empire. Considering the Battle God, who had created enormous achievements, the young man’s position and status seemed relatively insignificant.

‘Pillar of the Gourmands?’

Raker had also cleverly included the Pillar of the Gourmands in the petition that he had submitted. And because the meeting was rushed, Minhyuk and the other Absolute Gods did not have the time to hear the exact contents of the petition.

Belson stepped forward and said, “This meeting is held to discuss the qualifications of the God of Will and the God of Cooking.”

“...?!”

The opening remarks of the meeting shocked all of the Absolute Gods. Belson glanced at Raker, signaling him to explain why the meeting was held.

Raker said, “The Absolute Gods are gods who help govern the humans living in the Land of the Gods. They are the gods judged to be superior to all the other gods and are viewed and followed as the idols of all gods and humans in this land.”

That was the reason why they were the Absolute Gods.

“As you can see, the positions of the God of Death and the Guardian God have been left vacant after they had been promoted to Pillars. And that vacancy had led to countless doubts and distrust among the people. And the ones who had solidified their doubts and distrusts are the God of Will and the God of Cooking.”

The words were so sudden that both the God of Cooking and the God of Will could not figure out how to react and could only stare with a flustered look. And Raker? He just looked at them with a sly smile on his face.

Raker intended to push out the God of Cooking and the God of Will and take over their positions. Then, with his plan set in motion, he would devour all of the Absolute Gods’ positions and replace them one by one with people from his faction.

God of Cooking Arlene was flustered but could not bring herself to say anything. For some reason, it made sense.

Raker continued, with facts that he had researched himself.

“Why is there a need for the God of Will in a world where things cannot be done simply with will and effort? As for the God of Cooking, what influence can she have on the world when the Pillar of the Gourmands, a Pillar supporting the world, already exists? The position of the God of Cooking has weakened with the birth of the Pillar of the Gourmands. No. It was already in a very precarious situation long before that.”

The God of Cooking could not govern or make laws and regulations like the God of Judgment. She also could not lead an army like the Battle God. Once the Land of the Gods was in danger, she would find it difficult to help and support the soldiers.

“In the case of the Pillar of the Gourmands, he can help the troops with the excellent buff effects of the dishes that he creates. But the God of Cooking? Most of the dishes that she has made have a completely different power.”

The God of Cooking’s power was focused on giving permanent boosts. However, the number of dishes that she can produce is limited. No matter how outstanding the dish was, her qualifications as one of the Absolute Gods had to be questioned if it could not impact the world.

“The same goes for the God of Will. Isn’t it funny that a God of Will exists when things cannot be done or achieved simply with will and effort alone?”

The Absolute Gods’ mouth turned shut. Of course, the other Absolute Gods also had great affection for each other. Alas, in this place, they could not express their affection for each other. This was a place where they held meetings that would decide the course of action that would be taken to create a better Land of the Gods.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

The Absolute Gods remained silent. The God of Cooking trembled in her seat. And the God of Will? He looked at her silently and thought,

‘There’s no need for both of us to step down.’

The God of Will decided to step down on his own. If he did that, he thought that perhaps Raker, aiming for their position, would take a step back. He was sure Raker knew that taking down the Absolute Gods simultaneously was difficult.

If the God of Will were to be honest, he was doubting himself. He had been watching countless people every day. He had seen those who worked hard and continued to move forward with firm will and determination to achieve their dreams. And he had given them his blessings and power.

Not long ago, the knight who had grown with will and effort alone since he was a child had died. He had died in the hands of a genius. The genius was born with his talents, and the battle ended with his unanimous win. A crazy genius decapitated the knight who had worked hard crazily over the years.

Unfortunately, this was a common occurrence. Because of that, the God of Will had always questioned himself. However, he could not relinquish his position as an Absolute God. Why? Because he knew the end that awaited the Absolute Gods.

Take the Battle God, for example. Once the one acting as the Battle God stepped down from their position, they would immediately be punished for the things that they had done during their term and driven to a faraway and desolate place. Those who had lost such a fierce political battle would end up dying alone and bitter.

The God of Will smiled wryly. He raised his hand and tried to place a hand on the shoulder of the shaking and terrified God of Cooking. At the same time, he thought,

‘Yes. Maybe a god like me is not necessary in this world.’

That was why the God of Will had decided to withdraw from his position. In exchange, he wants to ask them to protect the poor and pitiful God of Cooking.

“I...”

“Both petitions are rejected.”

The man who had been listening silently finally spoke up. This man was none other than the Battle God.

The God of Will looked back at Minhyuk in surprise. He could not understand why he decisively rejected the petition. After all, Raker’s words were very realistic. The world truly worked even without any firm will, determination, and hard work.

Nonetheless, Battle God Minhyuk thought differently. He said, “Humans can live because they have will, effort, and hard work. This is a basic foundation that every human has. They will work hard and at the end of the day, they will pray,

‘God. Please don’t let all my hard work and effort be left in vain.’

Your words are no different from taking their god away from them.”

The God of Will had always doubted himself. He kept asking himself,

‘Can I really stay in this position?’

“If no god listens to their pleas, the world will be in a disaster. And if the God of Will, one of the symbols of the Absolute Gods, disappears, the humans will soon think that they do not need any firm will, determination, and effort in their lives.

“The God of Will’s position is sitting precariously at the edge. He’s the god farthest away from the rest of the people here.”

The God of Will listened to Minhyuk’s words, his heart pounding wildly.

“Regardless, he’s also the god closest to humans, especially when they are trying their hardest and showing their firm will and determination. That’s why I think very highly of him.”

The God of Will palms clenched into fists. After listening to Minhyuk’s words, he addressed the silent conference room. He said, “I have no intention of stepping down from this position.”