Chapter 1380

Chapter 1380

A heavy silence hung over the Ilhwa Group’s executive conference room.

‘What should I do about this, Minhyuk?’

Kang Minhoo thought as he made eye contact with each and every single one of the executives leading Ilhwa Group.

All of them avoided Kang Minhoo’s gaze.

At that moment, the vice president said, “We have judged that the best path forward is to hire professional managers.”

Everyone would grow old. The same was true for Kang Minhoo. As he grew old, he would eventually step down from his position as the chairman of Ilhwa Group. They did not know when. Perhaps he would step down in ten years, or maybe twenty years? It could even happen in five years. Because of that, Ilhwa Group needed someone to replace him and fill his position.

“Chairman. No one in this room does not care for Minhyuk.”

This was the truth. Every single person present had always made sure to pack a birthday present for Minhyuk every year. They would even ask the chairman personally to give it to the young boy. Yes, they were all good and kind people. But they were also the executives and managers leading this company.

“Unless we know that Minhyuk’s eating addiction is completely cured, we cannot leave the future of Ilhwa Group to him.”

A bitter taste lingered in Kang Minhoo’s mouth.

The American Medical Association had sent a test report that showed that Minhyuk’s eating addiction was almost cured. The keyword was

almost.

It was nearly cured, but not yet completely cured.

‘If, for some reason, he relapses again then...’

It was for this very reason that Kang Minhoo decided not to share the information with the world. Only he, Minhyuk, and the few people who lived together with them were aware of the fact that he was almost cured. He had no intention of revealing that information right now. After all, if Minhyuk’s illness relapsed again, then he would just go back on his word, and they would lose trust in him.

“Chairman, you have to make a decision soon. We’re running out of time.”

They were all urging Kang Minhoo to make a choice. Why?

‘Minhyuk has not taken any classes tailored for successors and heirs.’

The thing that they were worried about the most was Ilhwa Group’s future. They could not wait around for someone without any promise of a cure. Besides, even if Minhyuk took the classes tailored specifically for successors and followed the step-by-step process to lead the company now, it might still be difficult for him to lead and own the company in the future.

Kang Minhoo stood up and stared out of the window. Today was one of those days when he had the urge to smoke. Unfortunately, he had already long quit smoking. He had been watching the Pillar Great War before they entered the conference room.

“Why are you here when everyone’s busy watching the Pillar Great War?”

A small chuckle broke the tension that hung in the air.

“Yes, I know. Haha.”

“Well, Chairman... you’re here too, no?”

Kang Minhoo smiled lightly and said, “Do you think Minhyuk will be able to win the Pillar Great War?”

“...”

“...”’

Everyone grew silent at his question.

Kang Minhoo was one of the few people who knew about Minhyuk entering the Abyss’s Bonus Hunting Grounds. Unlike him, the executives weren’t informed of this. So, in their eyes, Minhyuk couldn't win. Kang Minhoo also thought the same thing. But he had seen a glimmer of hope and a small possibility of this happening.

“It seems like you all think that it’s impossible, huh?”

“

Ahem.

”

“It’s because the others are all NPCs.”

“They are almighty and omnipotent beings in the world of Athenae. It doesn’t matter how strong Minhyuk is; it will still be very difficult for him to win against them.”

Their answer remained the same. It was impossible. Perhaps they were also giving the same answer to the result of Minhyuk’s treatment. Perhaps they believed that a complete cure was also impossible.

A week ago, researchers and doctors from the American Medical Association had visited the Kang household to conduct tests and assess Minhyuk’s eating addiction. They had gone back immediately after collecting samples and data to do hundreds of tests. They were just waiting for the results, which would probably come in the next few days.

Of course, even if they had already conducted the tests, Kang Minhoo still did not want to share this news with them. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to say it at all.

“If he does the impossible, then will you give me some more time?”

The vice president grew silent for a while. Then, he nodded. “Alright.”

Chairman Kang Minhoo chuckled lightly. He looked at the vice president before staring at the other executives.

“My son is a child who has always achieved the impossible.”

Whether it was in Athenae or with his eating addiction, Minhyuk would and could achieve the impossible.

***

[Evil God Obren’s Elapsed Time.]

[2 minutes 38 seconds.]

The camera captured Obren’s figure as he crossed the bridge and reflected it on the screens of all of the viewers in the world. The viewers could not believe what they had seen.

[The... the Level 800 monsters jumped off the bridge on their own because of fear?]

[How can this be...? I’m so shocked that I can’t even think further.]

And the moment Obren stepped out of the bridge...

[One of the powerful beings in Hell’s Abyss will be randomly summoned.]

Obren looked up at the twenty-meter-tall being that appeared in front of him. The being only had one eye and was covered by tens of thousands of blades.

[Blade Monarch. Level 1,328.]

“Keuhoooooooooooo!” The Blade Monarch roared fiercely.

Then, at that moment, tens of thousands of two-meter-tall one-eyed monsters fell from the sky. Just like the Blade Monarch, these monsters were also covered with countless blades all over their bodies.

“Kyahaaack!”

“Keuhack!”

Alas, just like the monsters before, they all backed off and tried to run away the moment they caught sight of Obren.

Swoosh!

Then, the Blade Monarch stepped forward. When the Blade Monarch’s legs passed by the summoned monsters, their bodies were instantly torn apart. At their monarch’s terrifying threat, the monsters were forced to turn back and rush toward Obren while triggering their special characteristic. The blades embedded all over their bodies dislodged from their flesh and shot straight toward Obren. At the same time, a glint flashed in the eyes of the Blade Monarch.

[Skill Usage has been restricted.]

Thud! Thud, thud, thud! Thud!

The hundreds of blades flew unimpeded, stabbing all over Obren’s body. Blood slowly flowed through the blades and dripped down the ground, soaking it and dyeing it red.

[F... from what we have gathered, the Blade Monarch is ranked around mid to upper rank among the monsters that can be randomly summoned from Hell’s Abyss.]

[Obren... is in danger...]

Blood constantly dripped down Obren’s body.

Drip, drip, drip.

The blood that dripped and soaked the ground suddenly stopped. Both the dripping blood and the blood that dyed the ground red slowly floated in the air. At that moment, a white book appeared in the hands of the Evil God. The blood, as if they had found their target, seeped into the covers and the pages of the book. Then, Obren flipped through the pages of the blood-colored book.

Flap!

At the same time, the blades that stabbed deeply into his flesh flew back to the monsters that sent them and pierced through their bodies.

Flap, flap!

With another flip of a page, the wounds inflicted by the blades healed.

Flap, flap, flap!

Another flip, and hundreds of spears made of blood appeared in the sky above them.

Flap!

Obren held the book in one hand and a spear made of blood in the other.

[Kiiik. You think you’re the only one who can do this?]

Obren kicked the ground and shot forward. The hundreds of spears made of blood immediately followed after him. With just a flick of his fingers, hundreds of monsters below him screamed.

Bang!

Dozens of the Evil God’s Books appeared and eliminated the monsters below him. Then, the flying Obren heard a buzz from behind him.

Swoosh!

When he looked behind him, he saw the Blade Monarch swing its arm. The force alone was so powerful that it could pull out the trees around them, make the ground shake, and destroy everything in its path.

Flap!

With a single turn of a page, black chains shot up from the ground and wrapped around the arm that was swinging toward Obren.

Flap!

He turned another page. This time, hundreds of Obren’s clones appeared, smiling as they surrounded the Blade Monarch. Obren, the main body, raised the spear in his hand and threw it toward the Blade Monarch’s single eye.

“Keuhaaaaaaaaaack!”

Obren frowned when he heard the harsh and grating scream that got ripped out of the mouth of the Blade Monarch.

[Shut up.]

As if on cue, the Blade Monarch’s lips melted until they got sealed off.

“

Hmph! Hmphhhh! Hmph! Hmph!

”

Obren looked at his hundreds of clones for a moment. Then, he gracefully raised his hand and stretched his index finger. At that moment, the hundreds of spears held in the hands of his hundreds of clones shot forward and pierced through the body of the Blade Monarch.

Flap, flap, flap!

Obren flipped the pages of the book in his hands again. This time, it was not just hundreds; thousands of his clones and thousands of spears made of blacklight appeared in the sky.

Flap!

With another flip of the page, the spears made of blacklight grew five meters long.

Flap!

Another flip, and the thousands of spears pierced through the Blade Monarch.

Thud!

Obren looked at the Blade Monarch nonchalantly as he walked past the monster.

Thump!

The Blade Monarch, which had been pierced through by the spears that he created, fell on the ground and turned into ashes that slowly scattered with the wind.

Thud!

Finally, Obren closed the book in his hands.

[...]

[...]

[...]

A thick silence descended upon everyone.

Thud, thud!

Everyone just stared at Obren as he continued to walk forward. None of them could say a word.

‘What did we just see?’

‘What the hell just happened?’

They felt their blood boil as a single thought flashed in their heads. This was Evil God Obren proving why he was Athenae’s strongest.

[Evil God Obren’s Elapsed Time.]

[4 minutes 1 second.]

It just took him one minute and twenty seconds.

Then, everyone watched as a being descended in front of Obren, who was walking with an indifferent and arrogant expression on his face.

[The Pillar of the Battlefield has descended!]

The Pillar of the Battlefield, who fell from the sky above them, was donning a red full-plate armor and a well-maintained sword that seemed like it could cut through anything and everything.

[The Pillar of the Battlefield’s understanding and mastery of all of the weapons in existence has reached the MAX level.]

[The Pillar of the Battlefield’s understanding and mastery of all of the skills in existence has reached the MAX level.]

[The Pillar of the Battlefield...]

[The Pillar of the Battlefield...]

[Pillar of the Battlefield. Level 1,641.]

The Pillar of the Battlefield seemed to be an existence that was beyond common sense. Who was he? It was none other than President Kang Taehoon.

Kang Taehoon felt himself shaking and trembling. The man in front of him was the Evil God, who possessed a genius sense that went beyond common sense. He also possessed a strength that completely ignored their data.

‘He’s the true Evil God.’

[Ten minutes.]

Kang Taehoon gulped dryly when he saw the smile on Evil God Obren’s face.

[It will be over in ten minutes.]

If it were anyone else who said those words, he would say that they deserved to be criticized and mocked for their arrogance and conceit, but Kang Taehoon could not bring himself to say it. Because the man in front of him was none other than Evil God Obren.

***

Team Leader Park Minggyu, who was wearing an earpiece and monitoring the event, was in awe.

[Evil God Obren’s Clear Time.]

[11 minutes 59 seconds.]

He was in pure and utter admiration at the ridiculous number that was flashing in front of him.

[Team Leader, ATV Broadcasting Station’s viewership ratings have already exceeded 45%.]

Not long after, President Kang Taehoon stepped out of the capsule.

“I almost wet my pants there...”

President Kang Taehoon had immersed himself in the game and played hundreds of times as the Pillar of the Battlefield to get used to the character. But he could not keep up at all with Evil God Obren’s genius sense. He and the rest of the world felt this lingering afterglow after that fight.

At that moment, Department Head Kim Dae-Il said, “Player Minhyuk is so pitiful. He’s in a situation where Evil God Obren has shown off his power like this. No matter what he shows us later, he won't be able to meet the people’s expectations.”

Team Leader Park smiled wryly. “That’s not necessarily the case.”

Kang Taehoon’s gaze landed on Team Leader Park’s face. He had been busy preparing for the event, so he did not have the time to check the monitor and watch over Minhyuk’s progress.

“But I haven’t heard any notifications?”

“It’s because he’s in the Abyss.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Team Leader Park just smiled. “Wouldn’t it be more fun if you saw it for yourself?”

“Ho? Ah, no. You’re really annoying and frustrating!”

Team Leader Park said, “Department Head, what do you think will happen if Player Minhyuk reaches Level 800?”

‘If Player Minhyuk reaches Level 800?’

Department Head Kim Dae-Il rubbed his chin in thought.

“Once he reaches Level 800, he will be able to unseal the power of the Battle God.”

Nod...

“From what I understand, he will also be able to unseal most of the powers of the Pillar of the Gourmands.”

Nod...

“He will also be able to receive a huge increase in stats and an increase in skill proficiency and level. These are the special privileges and perks for players who achieve Level 800.”

Nod.

“The Supreme Blade’s seal will also be released by then, no?”

The smile on Team Leader Park’s face grew slightly at Kim Dae-Il’s words. “You’re quite well-informed.”

Just in time, cheers rang out from the screen in front of them.

[Player Minhyuk has appeared on the Pillar’s throne! He has appeared just in time for his turn!]

Team Leader Park looked at the screen, the smile on his face growing a bit wider.

***

The viewers screamed.

[Wowwww! It’s Minhyuk!]

[The pride of players! The heart of players! The players’ Supreme! COME ONNNNNN!!!]

[Then, what... what if he can’t break Obren’s record...?]

[...]

[His level has not even increased once in four days...]

[I think he’ll take an hour at least...]

[Even so! Long live Minhyuuuuuuuuk!]

[MINHYUK LET’S FREAKING GOOOOO!!!!]

[LONG LIVE!!!]

The viewers had no expectations for Minhyuk. In their eyes, the fact that Minhyuk could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pillars was already very meaningful.

Minhyuk’s level did not increase. That was what they had seen from the boards when they checked fifteen minutes before the event started. There was nothing for him to do here.

PD Kim Daeguk sighed. He also knew what the people were thinking. Just then, at that moment, he saw one of the employees’ screens. The screen was displaying the official ranking window on Athenae’s official homepage.

‘They must feel the same. They must be refreshing every now and then, wondering if something unexpected would happen.’

PD Kim Daeguk smiled wryly.

[Official Ranking’s Number 1: Minhyuk. Level 790.]

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

PD Kim Daeguk stared at the floating window and pressed F5 to refresh the page.

‘Nothing will change...’

That was when the page refreshed, and PD Kim’s eyes could not help but grow wide.

‘What?’

PD Kim rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“How? What...?”

[Official Ranking’s Number 1: Minhyuk. Level 804.]