Chapter 1353

Chapter 1353

There had never been a case where someone was born as a Pillar. Only someone whose abilities were recognized by Chaos or someone who broke through their limits and obtained enough Pillar-level qualifications could become one. Once they became Pillars, they would often receive new powers or a boost in their existing skills.

“The God of Will... no. The Persistent knew about this.”

“Are you talking about the fact that most of his powers would be strengthened instead of obtaining new powers?” Haze asked, a look of interest on her face.

Minhyuk had just returned to the Beyond the Heavens Empire after finishing up all that he needed to do in the Land of the Gods. The thing that he was looking forward to the most was the power that The Persistent Beladon would give him.

“Your Majesty, in our case, the God of Will’s power will truly shine the brightest. It was an excellent choice.”

“I didn’t make the choice. The Persistent was the one who made the choice for me.”

Haze did not say it. However, she knew it well.

‘That’s just how confident The Persistent was.’

The Persistent was very confident that he would be able to give Minhyuk a very good power!

[The Persistent has gifted you the Passive Skill: Diligence’s Merit.]

“It’s here!” Minhyuk shouted, his heart thumping wildly with excitement as he checked the skill’s details right away.

(

Diligence’s Merit

)

Passive Skill

Rank

: Pillar

Mana Required

: None

Cooldown

: None

Effects

:

•Upon completing a quest or hunting a monster, all of your quest rewards and EXP rewards will increase by 40%.

•Your chances of getting stats when repeating something will increase by four times.

•When skills related to will, effort, and hard work are activated, the skill’s effects will be 50% better.

Description

: This is one of the skills that represents The Persistent. It is a skill that he has possessed since he was an Absolute God.

“Woah...”

Minhyuk could not help but be in awe of the skill. That was how amazing it was.

As Minhyuk’s stats and level increased, his stat acquisition rate when repeating something has dropped significantly. It had become nearly twenty times more difficult to get new stats from doing something repetitive than when he had started the game.

However, Minhyuk could not give it up. Why? Because the stats acquired through repetitive actions were just far too sweet. Besides, he had been able to gain a high amount of stats through repetitive actions because of his very unconventional and unusual hard work and effort.

That was why he found the part of the skill that increased his stat acquisition rate when repeating something to be truly shocking.

‘It’s really amazing.’

It was probably the reason why such a skill was at the Pillar grade.

“Your Majesty, I’ve been wondering about something for a long time now. Can I ask you something?”

Minhyuk looked at Haze and the solemn expression on her face.

“I know that Your Majesty’s goal is to cure your eating addiction ultimately.”

That was the reason why Minhyuk started playing this game. Haze agonized over her thoughts before uttering, “Then, do you have an ultimate goal in Athenae?”

The truth was, for those suffering from rare diseases, they often did not have any greater purpose than to find a cure. Nonetheless, Haze was very curious. She wondered whether Minhyuk had an ultimate goal in Athenae other than the one that he had set for himself.

“Of course, I have, Haze,” Minhyuk said as he stared out the window.

He stared silently at a distance for a very long time, a bitter smile curling at the corners of his lips. The question was, would he be able to do it? Or was it even possible?

“My goal is to become the true master of the entire Western Continents.”

Haze’s lips twitched until they curved into a smile. “It wouldn’t be easy.”

Regardless, the smile on her face grew wider despite the words that came out of her mouth. After all, that was also her dream.

“None of the things that we have done or accomplished have been easy.”

From establishing the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to the founding of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. From being the Food God, to climbing the throne of the Battle God, and finally becoming the Pillar of the Gourmands. The path that Minhyuk had taken had always been difficult, filled with obstacles that were nearly impossible to climb over.

“Can I take your declaration of becoming the true master of the Western Continents to encompass absorbing the Luvien Empire?”

Minhyuk nodded.

Luvien now belonged to Brod. However, he could not give it to Minhyuk just because he wanted to. First off, the Beyond the Heavens Empire was smaller than the Luvien Empire. Second, the Luvien Empire was still teeming with people who were hostile to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“What do we need to do?”

“Our Beyond the Heavens Empire’s national power is already at 68% of the Luvien Empire’s own. We have to raise it to at least 90%.”

“Then?”

“We need to get most of the people of the Luvien Empire to recognize and acknowledge our Beyond the Heavens Empire. So even if Brod hands over the Luvien Empire to us, there won’t be much chaos and controversy.”

Minhyuk rubbed his chin in thought. The two empires had already absorbed quite a lot of nations. Since that was the case, they had to expand their national power through migrants. But even that was not easy.

‘If they could migrate, then they would have already migrated.’

The only option left was to convince the other empires and kingdoms to come under their rule. Then, which empire should they talk to first?

Haze and Minhyuk spoke at the same time. “The Ardo Empire.”

The Ardo Empire was once home to Hound Amacar. It was the most powerful empire in the Western Continents before the Luvien Empire arrived. Of course, that was not the case right now. It was also one of the few empires that did not hold any bad feelings or hostility toward the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“Emperor Consteinus has changed a lot.”

After being pushed back by the Luvien Empire, Emperor Consteinus had chosen to resort to aggressive propaganda and harsh politics. To keep up with the Luvien Empire’s pace, Emperor Consteinus had made countless irrational choices, including increasing his people’s taxes by a few tens of percent, and had almost tried to walk the path of the tyrant.

However, after interacting with Minhyuk and the incident with Amacar, Consteinus realized many things. In the end, he gave up the tyrant’s path and chose to focus on one thing.

“Can we even convince someone who only seeks peace for his empire and the comfort of his people easily?”

“It won’t be easy.”

Perhaps Consteinus would think that the peace that he had gained for his empire would be shattered if they got involved with others. Of course, Minhyuk could also force them to submit to him.

‘I can force them to submit to me by starting a war.’

Weak nations were bound to be devoured by powerhouses. It was only a natural course of things.

‘Still, that doesn’t fit the path that I am pursuing.’

If he did that, then he would be no different from the Luvien Empire of the past.

“For now, I think it’s best that I go meet with Emperor Consteinus.”

“You’re moving quite quickly.”

It had only been ten minutes since they started this conversation, yet Minhyuk was already going to make a move.

Minhyuk chuckled. “Yes, it has only been ten minutes since we started this conversation. However, this goal had been set way back when we were still the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

“Are you going alone?”

“I think that’s the better option for now.”

If Minhyuk brought a lot of people with him for no reason at all, then the Ardo Empire might look at them with hostility.

Just like that, Minhyuk set off for the Ardo Empire.

***

The Ardo Empire’s national power was getting weaker by the day. The primary and most significant reason was the rapid growth of the Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire, along with their continuous absorption of the nations surrounding them.

The second reason was the absence of Amacar, the man who had single-handedly turned the Ardo Empire into the powerhouse that it was today. Amacar possessed special powers that allowed him to help soldiers grow. But after a bet between the Ardo Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire, Amacar became a vassal of the latter. Amacar was still in frequent contact with the people of the Ardo Empire. Of course, this was all with Minhyuk’s explicit approval.

There were many other reasons for their weakening national power. Regardless, the Ardo Empire did not welcome Minhyuk.

“It seems like the Beyond the Heavens Empire is not satisfied with taking Duke Amacar. Now, they’re trying to take the entire Ardo Empire.”

Why did the players choose not to migrate despite knowing that they would live a better life if they went to the Luvien Empire or the Beyond the Heavens Empire? It was because of their love and affection for the empire to which they belonged.

As mentioned before, the Ardo Empire was once the most powerful empire in Athenae. In the early days of the game, no place could rival the Ardo Empire. As a result, most players chose to start and belong to the Ardo Empire.

The foreigners naturally integrated themselves into Athenae and had adapted to life in this place. Quite a few of the foreigners were given titles of nobility, with a few becoming not only barons but also dukes.

Duke Arland was one of them. He was both a player and a duke of the Ardo Empire. Additionally, Arland was the first player to have ever received a ducal title. Not only was he a powerhouse in the US Server, the server where the Ardo Empire was located, but he was also a powerhouse who ranked 30th globally.

Arland’s class was the First Duke, which allowed him to wield whatever weapon he wanted and become the best at it. If he chose a sword, then he would become a swordmaster. If he chose a spear, then he would become a spearmaster. Arland had chosen a sword and had become a swordmaster. This choice had helped him to soar far and high in his path.

“We have to protect His Majesty.”

The strongest players of the Ardo Empire nodded in agreement. Most of these players were high rankers who ranked in the top 500 of the global rankings. The reason for wanting to protect the Ardo Empire was simple.

“How dare he insult Emperor Consteinus...!”

“He has taken too much by using the name of the Supreme!”

Minhyuk was famous for being a good and kind monarch. However, that was only the case for the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

The reason why the Beyond the Heavens Empire was able to grow rapidly was that it had absorbed the other nations around it. In fact, many of the nations that had once allied with the Ardo Empire chose to leave them to hold hands and pledge allegiance to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Minhyuk did everything that he could do for the Beyond the Heavens Empire. However, that brought enormous damage to the Ardo Empire. Because of that, they viewed Minhyuk badly. This was only natural. After all, it was impossible to please every single person in the world.

Of course, Duke Arland was no fool.

“There’s no way that we can beat the Supreme. I’m thinking of provoking him and suggesting a bet. If we can last five minutes against him, then he has to walk away from this place without taking anything.”

“Ohhhh! That’s a good idea.”

“Minhyuk, you bastard! Today, you will face defeat!”

They all reacted enthusiastically to the suggestion. Not long after, they received a report from the soldiers.

“They said that Emperor Minhyuk is on his way to the audience hall.”

“Let’s go!”

Arland, together with a dozen players, headed for the audience hall.

***

Minhyuk felt a bitter taste in his mouth when he saw Emperor Consteinus. The two had not met for a long time.

“You don’t look so well.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it. After all, it’s not easy for a mere human to overcome illnesses like this.”

Consteinus, who once had a strong and sturdy build, had now lost all weight. Even his lips were pale and dry.

When Minhyuk heard Consteinus’ words, he realized one thing. He thought,

‘It’s a terminal illness...’

The bitter taste in his mouth intensified.

‘Is this the reason why the Ardo Empire’s getting weaker faster than we have expected? Why did Amacar... Ah.’

Perhaps it was only natural that Amacar remained silent about this matter. After all, there were dozens of kingdoms and several empires that had allied themselves with the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Consteinus said, “Unlike me, you look quite energetic, no? Have you been well?”

Consteinus’ gaze slowly scanned Minhyuk.

“When I first saw you, you were just the king of a small kingdom. Now, you’ve become the master of an empire, and have come to me to ask for my empire.”

Honestly, Consteinus thought that this was something that he could not say no to. This was the best path for them.

“That’s very admirable. It seems like you’re now going to go after your greatest dream, huh?”

Minhyuk nodded slowly.

Of course, even though Consteinus knew that this was the best deal for them, he did not intend to give it to Minhyuk just like that.

At this moment, a commotion broke out outside the hall.

“Hnghh.” Consteinus groaned. He raised his hand and pressed it to his forehead. He looked exhausted and fed up with their antics. However, he also felt pleased.

‘They all know who this man in front of me is, yet they still came running here to protect the empire.’

“What’s the matter?”

“Ah. They’re foreigners like you. They’re cute, you know? Will you listen to their story at least?” Consteinus asked. Only after receiving Minhyuk’s nod did Consteinus wave his hand and allow them to enter.

Arland and the other rankers stormed inside the hall. They showed courtesy to Consteinus before turning to glare at Minhyuk.

“You’re coming to devour our Ardo Empire?!”

“We will never hand over the Ardo Empire to you! You bastard!!!”

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. We will protect you!!!”

“...?”

Consteinus sighed when he saw these people run up to him and surround him as if they were escorting him. Exasperated, he said, “Would I even entertain him in the audience hall if I thought that I would be in danger, huh?”

“...?”

“A-anyway! You don’t have to worry about anything, Your Majesty!”

“Emperor Minhyuk! Fight us!”

“Out of nowhere?”

“If we last five minutes in a fight against you, then you have to go back. But if we can’t then...”

“If you can’t, then...?”

“We won’t provoke you anymore!”

At this moment, Minhyuk completely understood what Consteinus meant when he called them cute.

‘Was this the reason why he asked me to listen to them?’

Either way, it was not a difficult task for Minhyuk.

“Okay.”

[Emperor Minhyuk accepted the bet.]

Arland was confident. After all, he was a player ranked among the top thirty players in the world.

First, he made sure that they would not be able to bring any harm to Emperor Consteinus.

[Swordmaster’s Battlefield.]

[Upon activation of the Swordmaster’s Battlefield, no power will escape the designated area.]

[Inside the Swordmaster’s Battlefield, all of the stats of the swordmaster’s allies will increase by 19%.]

[All of your attack power and defensive power will increase by 18%.]

The entire operation was now in motion. They planned to tie him up and attack him nonstop.

Starting with a skill that could inflict a three-minute stunned state, Arland and the rankers took turns activating skills that could leave enemies in a stunned state.

‘I think we’ll be able to really kill the Supreme, no?’

Rankers all possessed skills that could go beyond common sense. If they could use those skills well, then they might just be able to kill the Supreme.

Arland began to activate his skill. He said, “Swordmaster’s fo...”

“Absolute Defense.”

“...?”

The swordlight created by the Swordmaster’s force did not even reach Minhyuk.

“Absolute Monarch.”

Thud!

Arland fell to his knees.

“Dual Swordsmanship Technique.”

Minhyuk held two swords in his hands.

Bang!

It was just one shot. But it hit one...

Bang!

Two...

Bang!

Three

Bang!

Four...

Bang, bang, bang!

It was just one shot, but everyone’s HP fell below 10%.

Finally, Minhyuk’s sword struck Arland, who collapsed under the force of the Absolute Monarch.

Bang!

“Can’t you try and hold on a bit longer?”

Bang!

[Your HP has dropped below 3%.]

Minhyuk only struck twice, yet this was the result. Shock colored Arland’s eyes.

[You have lost the bet with Emperor Minhyuk.]

Minhyuk looked at each and every single one of them and said, “You said that you would hold on and endure for five minutes, yet you can’t even last five seconds.”

Silence covered the entire audience hall.