Chapter 1366

Chapter 1366

The crowd of people gathered in Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room was much larger than usual.

The Story Team’s leader spoke bitterly. “Since we’ve already reached this point, we would have to build a new story in case Gabriel takes over Athenae’s position.”

Silence enveloped the entire room. A new episode was about to begin, and it would develop as it went, because Athenae had the highest degree of freedom.

It was as Gabriel thought. The Land of the Gods was currently in a precarious state. The God of Will had become The Persistent and left his position. God of Death Louis, although mostly unrelated to the matters of the Land of the Gods, became the Master of Life and Death and left his position, too. Guardian God Obren had also walked the path of the Evil God and left his position.

‘It must be because Minhyuk became the Battle God that she was able to see a loophole that she could exploit.’

It would be a lie if they said that Minhyuk being a foreigner did not play a part in this. Regardless, this did not happen just because the Land of the Gods was in an unstable state.

‘Archangel Gabriel, the commander of the archangels, has the highest and greatest ambition out of all of them.’

Humans believed that angels were noble and sacred beings who represented goodness. However, the “good” that they represented was only a role that appeared because it contrasted with the evil. The realm of Heaven was closer to darkness than the Demon World. This much was true.

Department Head Kim Dae-Il asked, “There wouldn’t be any problems if God of Origin Athenae dies, no?”

Supercomputer Athenae was present with them in the conference room. The massive screen in front of them flashed Supercomputer Athenae’s answer.

[There wouldn’t be any significant problems.]

[The only thing that will happen will be the deletion of Athenae’s data.]

Weren’t Supercomputer Athenae and God of Origin Athenae the same existence? In actuality, they were the same existence, yet also performed different functions.

[There are hundreds of millions of packets of data in me. I have complete understanding and control of this data and everything inside the virtual reality game called Athenae.]

The supercomputer played the role of observing, controlling, and leading the world with God of Origin Athenae, at the core of it all.

[Only one thing will change. God of Origin Athenae’s data will be deleted, and the Land of the Gods will disappear.]

[Once that happens, Gabriel and Heaven will be the ones leading the world of Athenae.]

A bitter taste lingered in President Kang Taehoon’s mouth. “As expected, you’re perfect.”

From the very beginning, Athenae was made to last forever. They had also made sure that the game would not suffer any huge problems in the event of Athenae’s death inside the world of Athenae.

This was also the reason why Kang Taehoon felt bitter. He was the one who decided on the name of the virtual reality game. This was a name that was conceived from the very beginning, when he first started creating the supercomputer and the virtual reality game.

–

Athenae. This game’s name will be Athenae.

No one in the world was unaware of the fact that the virtual reality game Athenae originated from the God of Origin Athenae. Yet right now, she might be deleted. However, as always, the operators and management could not intervene. They could not and could never interfere. All they could do was ask...

“Athenae. What is the probability of Gabriel taking over the Land of the Gods? Show us the percentage.”

[The probability of Gabriel taking over the Land of the Gods and killing Athenae is...]

Everyone focused on the screen in front of them. Then, the supercomputer gave them a very unexpected answer.

[...it cannot be determined through percentage.]

“...!”

“...!”

Supercomputer Athenae was a super artificial intelligence. Her analysis, based on hundreds of millions of data packets, had always been 99% accurate. Nonetheless, even Supercomputer Athenae had frequently encountered situations where her calculations and analysis were overturned entirely. So, she continued to learn and analyze, just like a normal person. This was only possible because Athenae was a supercomputer.

Kang Taehoon smiled faintly. Then, he asked, “Then, is it possible? Can Athenae survive, and the Land of the Gods be protected?”

Supercomputer Athenae’s answer to that question was...

[There is nothing impossible in this world.]

***

[From now on, you are my friend. I swear this on my name as Zeus!]

Garden Manager Loyna looked speechless at Zeus, who was staring passionately at Minhyuk. Loyna had witnessed everything from the beginning to the end.

‘Lord Minhyuk has truly worked hard...’

Loyna thought, a faint smile on her face.

She was wearing a white dress, a stark contrast to her usual straw hat, boots, and flowery loose pants. Anyone who saw her beauty would feel as if their breath had been taken away.

Right now, Loyna was holding a box tied with a red ribbon.

‘Mother...’

Loyna looked up at the sky above her.

Athenae had expelled Loyna from her church when she became the Absolute Saintess. She had driven Loyna out coldly and harshly, and she eventually developed a deep-seated resentment toward her mother.

Still, as time passed by, Loyna realized the reason why Athenae let her go. Because of that, she was sure of one thing.

‘Mother will welcome me as always.’

Loyna mustered up her courage. She wanted to hug her and be held in her arms. She wanted to do something that she could not dare to do because she was nothing but one of the creations born from her hands. There was also a small box containing the potatoes that Loyna liked. They were crops that Loyna grew and nurtured herself.

When Loyna became the Absolute Saintess, she had lost most of her powers as Athenae’s saintess. However, the power that allowed her to enter and roam the Land of the Gods remained.

Thud!

Loyna, who was just about to execute her plans, turned around to see the commotion. There, she saw Minhyuk lying unconscious on the ground. Loyna was sure that he was just pretending to faint.

[My friend? My friend! MY FRIEEEEEEEND!!!]

Loyna shook her head as she watched Zeus scream while hugging Minhyuk.

***

Heaven and the Land of the Gods had always maintained a friendly relationship. It was completely unlike their relationship with the Demon World and Hell. So, it was only natural for the Absolute Gods and the archangels to gather together every half a year for a meeting. Because of this, it was not that difficult for Gabriel and the other archangels to enter the Land of the Gods.

Gabriel, who was sharpening her blade under the mask of an alliance, already knew the Land of the Gods and their entire system. Even if things went wrong, she knew that they would have enough leeway to create a breakthrough. After all, they had Divine Transcendental Anas on their side.

‘I have been waiting for this day.’

They were already done with all of the preparations. Once they broke the Land of the Gods’ barrier, the entire army of the realm of Heaven would march in.

Gabriel entered the conference room. “I don’t see the Battle God.”

The man who cut off Gabriel’s arm, Minhyuk, was nowhere in sight.

Battle God’s Aide Belson said, “The Battle God had told us that he wouldn’t be able to attend because he had something very important to do.”

They would never be able to imagine that the crucial thing that the Battle God needed to do was to treat Zeus’s hair loss.

“Isn’t it much better if he’s not in that position?” Gabriel shook her head.

Athenae was also not in her seat. The meeting began. Unlike in the past, there were many empty seats in this meeting. The God of Cooking and the God of Judgment talked while the archangels listened. Everything seemed similar to the past; the Absolute Gods would speak while the archangels would just accept anything and everything.

‘It all ends now.’

Their true nature, which was hidden behind the mask in the name of alliance and cooperation, was now revealed to the world.

Rumble!

The entire Land of the Gods shook and trembled.

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[The barrier protecting the Land of the Gods has started to break.]

[The barrier’s durability has dropped below 60%.]

[The barrier’s durability has dropped below 55%.]

“What?”

“Who dares?!”

The Absolute Gods jumped to their feet.

“How can the barrier protecting the Land of the Gods deteriorate so quickly...”

Gabriel sat calmly in her seat, a broad smile on her face. “That’s because we’re going all out to destroy that barrier.”

Since they were fully prepared, it was not that difficult for them to break down the barrier protecting the Land of the Gods. On top of that, Divine Transcendental Anas was among those who were breaking down the barrier.

At this moment, the Absolute Gods realized that the archangels caused everything that was happening.

Belson laughed incredulously. “Do you not know who I am?”

A blinding light flashed right in front of Gabriel and the other archangels. They immediately took out their weapons, their spears, their swords, and their bows.

“We know.”

Cold sweat dripped down Gabriel’s back. Aide Belson was the reason why Gabriel could not fight against the Land of the Gods. He was so powerful when he was still the Battle God that they could not and would not be able to win against him, even if all of the archangels worked together to deal with him.

However, that was when he was the Battle God. Now that he had stepped down from the position of the Battle God, he was much weaker than he was before.

[The barrier is collapsing!]

Rumble!

Another tremor shook the Land of the Gods as the Heavens’ troops invaded.

“I never liked you.” Gabriel pointed her sword at Belson. “You have always talked down to me.”

As the light disappeared, Belson’s appearance changed. Gone were the white clothes, replaced with a silver full-plate armor and a heavy sword hanging at his waist.

Bang!

Gabriel and Belson’s swords clashed.

Just like that, a fierce battle started.

***

Athenae saw how the Land of the Gods’ system collapsed rapidly.

Heaven, a realm that possessed a more special and amazing power than the Land of the Gods, had come fully prepared and was using that power to cripple and neutralize their entire army quickly. Of course, that did not mean that the Land of the Gods was a pushover that they could easily deal with.

Athenae heard footsteps approaching her.

Thud, thud, thud!

[Athenae’s First Barrier has been destroyed!]

It was none other than Divine Transcendental Anas. He had rushed straight to Athenae’s audience hall the moment the barrier was destroyed. He also made quick work of the barrier that Athenae and the Absolute Gods had created.

Athenae smiled bitterly. Although she was the creator of all things, she was not as strong as everyone imagined her to be. She was nothing but the creator who made this world. Regardless, it was enough to make her the object of worship for everyone.

‘What a relief.’

Fortunately, Beanie did not come to visit her today to play.

[Athenae’s Second Barrier has been destroyed!]

[Athenae’s Third Barrier...]

[A powerful force has hit the final barrier.]

Soon, the final barrier was breached. Divine Transcendental Anas and the angels he was leading appeared in the hall. Around three hundred angels entered Athenae’s audience hall. However, their numbers did not matter. Every single one of them was Heaven’s best of the best. They possessed power that could rival the top three hundred gods in the Land of the Gods.

Shwaaaa–!

[Athenae’s Barrier.]

[The absolute barrier protects the God of Origin.]

Athenae stared nonchalantly at Anas as a blue barrier appeared around her.

Bang!

Anas raised his sword and hit the barrier a dozen times. However, not a single scratch was left behind. Athenae’s Barrier was stronger and better than any other absolute barrier in existence. Nonetheless, at the end of it all, the barrier would eventually be broken.

Anas pulled out a parchment.

[Parchment Neutralizing Absolute Powers.]

Heaven’s archangels had created this parchment a very long time ago. It was proof of how much they had been looking forward to this day.

Barriers might look the same, but they were different from each other. Most of the barriers that foreigners could create could only be maintained for thirty minutes or less. But Athenae’s Barrier was different. It was infinite. It just went to show how noble, holy, and great the barrier was.

Rip!

Unfortunately, even such a barrier was powerless in front of a single parchment. The tip of Anas’ sword touched the barrier.

Sizzle!

Athenae was left shocked when she saw the barrier created around her slowly begin to melt down.

“I wonder how the God of Origin feels now that she’s on the brink of death? In the end, will she be like the rest of the world? Will she drown in her fear?”

No. Athenae was not afraid. It was natural for someone who had already accepted her fate long ago. The world needed to usher in the new era, and her death would only be a part of it.

The barrier surrounding Athenae had completely melted away. No matter how she tried, she found it impossible to restrain Anas.

“It’s useless,” Athenae muttered as she watched Anas swing the sword in his hands.

But that was not the case for someone else.

BOOM!

A black spear shot up and forced Anas’ sword upward. At the same time, a woman wearing a black dress appeared and said, “Mother! Please dodge!”

It was none other than Absolute Saintess Loyna. Athenae’s pupils shook when she saw her appear.

Although Athenae felt calm and had already accepted her death, that was not the case for Loyna. To Athenae, the death of her beloved daughter was something that she would never be able to accept. Athenae trembled. She was trembling in fear. It was fear that was brought upon by the thought of losing her daughter.

As an Absolute Saintess, Loyna had the power to create the Absolute Saintess’ Barrier. She tried to use her holy power to make a barrier that would protect them, but Anas was faster. He had already grabbed her by the neck and lifted her to her toes before she could even create a barrier.

“Keheok! Keok!”

Anas grinned. “The Absolute Saintess. Hmmm. You’re quite strong.”

Alas, no matter how strong a being was, if they were held by the neck like that, then the story would be different. Anas had the power to control everything that he touched. That was not all. Not only could he absorb divine power, but he could also absorb holy power. Anas slowly absorbed Absolute Saintess Loyna’s sacred power.

As Loyna’s holy power was drained, the closer she got to her death.

“Stop...” Athenae pleaded.

Anas did not listen. He even tightened his grip on Loyna’s neck.

Tears slowly welled up in Loyna’s eyes as she opened her mouth and stuttered, “I will... never... let those who... want to harm... my mother... go...!”

“Ha-hahahahahaha! Athenae! You have a very good daughter here!” Anas cackled, his power running wildly and restraining Athenae.

“Loyna...!” Athenae cried out in despair.

Unfortunately for them, Anas was rotten to the core. He was someone who enjoyed someone else’s despair. And because it was Athenae, he enjoyed it even more.

“Watch closely. Watch how your daughter dies.”

Anas’ grip tightened even more.

“Keuheok!” Loyna sputtered.

Anas mocked her. “How?! How would you do that, huh?! You won’t let me go?! Now, now. It’s not just Athenae, it’s the entire Land of the Gods. Can you even save the children of this land? No, can you even save your mother?”

Swoosh!

Anas picked up his sword. He intended to stab Loyna in the stomach. He would pull the sword out as hard as he could and make sure to drag her intestines out and show them to Athenae.

Strangely, there was a grin on Loyna’s face. She struggled through the hand gripping her throat and cried out, “CONIR!!!”

Ping!

The cry of a sword resonated all over the Land of the Gods. Everyone, including the archangels in the conference room and the angels of Heaven’s army marching in the Land of the Gods, heard the clear and bright sound of the sword.

Loyna cried out once more. “CUT THEM ALL DOWN!!!”

[Ten Thousand Li Sword.]

Spurt!

Blood spurted out of Anas’ body.

“Keuhack!!!”

The attack forced him to let go of Loyna. When he looked back, he saw that the three hundred elite angel troops that went with him were also bleeding. That was not the end. Anas looked at the world beyond the broken walls of Athenae’s audience hall. The sight that greeted him was all of the angels spurting out blood after being cut down by a single blade.