Chapter 1389

Chapter 1389

Joy Co. Ltd.

The advertisement and all related preparations were completed. Right now, President Kang Taehoon was staring at the monitor that was displaying the busy and somewhat chaotic Luvien Empire.

“The scenario’s just perfect.”

He looked at the man who appeared on the monitor. It was none other than Luvien Empire’s Duke Rasdin.

Duke Laghman was in charge of the Imperial Guards, Duke Vakkaman was in charge of most of the empire’s affairs, including external affairs and diplomatic exchanges, and Duke Rasdin was in charge of the Luvien Empire’s army. He was the Luvien Empire’s Commander-in-Chief. And he had been eyeing the emperor’s throne ever since Emperor Cardin sat in that position.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Duke Rasdin had found out that the Luvien Empire’s movements were quite unusual recently. Because of that, he sold his soul to the Demon God.”

The Demon God was the idol and icon of the 72 Devils and the entire demon race. Chaos had offered the position of a Pillar to the Demon God. But the Demon God found it extremely distasteful. After all, he truly hated intervening with the affairs of the human race. What he liked was to play around and deal with the humans.

In fact, buying Duke Rasdin’s soul was a good example of this. The Demon God did not have a shred of interest in the trivial Luvien Empire that Duke Rasdin wanted to offer to him once he succeeded in his rebellion. The only reason why the Demon God bought the soul of such a greedy human like Rasdin was purely to entertain himself and stave off his boredom.

“Even if Brod and the Swords of the Gods worked together, they would still have a hard time dealing with Rasdin now that he had awakened with the power of the Demon God and the army that had turned into members of the demon race deep inside the Luvien Empire.”

That was when Minhyuk would appear. Of course, Rasdin’s awakening and rebellion were not a story that Joy Co. Ltd. created. It just happened because of Athenae’s high degree of freedom. What they were doing right now was just inserting an advertisement and following along with the story.

“If we do it like this, then won’t people say that Athenae should be called Minhyuk’s Game?”

“Well, it’s true that this advertisement is for Minhyuk.”

Kang Taehoon was an old-fashioned man. He would never allow any relationship, whether familial, based on religion, or academic, to affect him or his business. In fact, he did not create this advertisement for Minhyuk solely because of the friendship they had forged over the years.

“He’s

the

young man who has been completely cured of eating addiction because of our game. And because of him, Athenae has and is still receiving plenty of attention from the world.”

Many people from all over the world played the game Athenae. However, the truth was that many still lacked the leisure or time to play games. But if it were a game that could cure eating addiction, the story would be different.

The moment the Ilhwa Group released an official statement, it created a ripple that spread all over the world and had an impact much stronger and more significant than any other event that had occurred in Athenae. The topic immediately topped the rankings on portal sites worldwide.

As a result of this incident, many people became aware of the man named Minhyuk, and even those who weren’t familiar with the virtual reality game Athenae became interested in him. Due to Minhyuk’s outstanding appearance, he received more attention. It was evident from the growth in Minhyuk’s fan cafe’s membership over the past few days.

“If an advertisement centered on Minhyuk is released at this time, then many people will be drawn to our Joy Co. Ltd.”

That was right.

“Besides, today is the day that Athenae will experience a major change, no?”

Team Leader Park shook his head. “You keep on talking, but all you want to say is that you want to make Minhyuk look good.”

“

Ahem,

” Kang Taehoon coughed, a flash of embarrassment on his face when he heard the joking tone in Team Leader Park’s voice. Meanwhile, Team Leader Park also reflected on President Kang Taehoon’s words. Indeed. Today was the day that the game Athenae would face massive changes.

***

Brod, Duke Vakkaman, and Duke Laghman were busy preparing to make Minhyuk the emperor of the Luvien Empire. The three wanted to purge all those who opposed the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

At that moment, Duke Rasdin gathered his army. Regardless, most of the soldiers did not want to follow his orders. It was because these people believed that the valid owner and master of the empire was Emperor Brod.

Alas, a variable appeared. Duke Rasdin stood in the middle of the capital’s plaza and sent a vast amount of demonic energy into the sky, which slowly spread and covered the entire Luvien Empire.

[Those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will fall into a brainwashed state.]

[Those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will forget all their fears and will only move by their instinct and bloodlust.]

[All of the attack power of those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will increase by 20%.]

[All of the defensive power of those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will increase by 20%.]

[Those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will fulfill every order that their master has given.]

[A considerable amount of demonic energy has appeared and is beginning to spread all over the capital of the Luvien Empire.]

[There are six hours left before everyone in the capital is corrupted by the demonic energy.]

[There are three days left before the entire Luvien Empire is devoured by demonic energy.]

[Those who have been corrupted with demonic energy will turn into members of the demon race.]

Brod was flustered. However, it was not because he was afraid of Duke Rasdin.

‘The demonic energy will corrupt everything. At the end of it all, those who will be corrupted will still be the soldiers and the citizens of the Luvien Empire.’

The worst part was that the demonic energy in the sky started spreading like poisonous gas and began to brainwash the people. Fortunately, the imperial palace had been prepared and had a plan in place in case something like this happened. As a result, the demonic energy was unable to infiltrate the palace.

“Your Majesty, those who have been brainwashed have started to surround the imperial palace.”

“Currently, we can still respond and stop them without killing them. Regardless, if more people come to attack the palace, then we will have no choice but to start killing our people.”

It was both terrifying and terrible to be forced to kill the people and the soldiers of the Luvien Empire. Unfortunately, with the incredible speed of the demonic energy’s corruption, the number of people flocking to the palace was bound to increase rapidly. In other words, the rate at which they could kill those who had been brainwashed would be slower than the rate at which the demonic energy could corrupt the people’s minds.

“Is there a way to solve this matter?”

“The only way is to kill Duke Rasdin. But that does not seem easy to achieve. Right now, the Swords of the Gods have already engaged him in a fierce battle. However, they have found out that Duke Rasdin currently possesses a terrifying regenerative ability.”

“How does it compare to others?”

“We can say that his current regenerative abilities far surpass those of Immortal Sorceress Helenia’s own.”

Brod rushed to the imperial palace’s walls. The entire palace was already surrounded by the troops that had been corrupted by demonic energy and brainwashed. In the distance, he could see the Swords of the Gods fighting a fierce battle against Duke Rasdin. In that one glance, he was able to confirm that Duke Rasdin’s regenerative abilities were truly beyond imagination.

“If it’s like this, then we should not give him time to regenerate, but...”

Even Brod was not confident that he would be able to kill Duke Rasdin with his Animal Farm easily. From what he had observed, they had to cut him down and kill him within ten seconds.

“Your Majesty, I believe you have to make a decision now. If we delay any further, then they will be able to push into the palace.”

Brod could not bring himself to give the order to kill his people and his soldiers.

“Let’s kill Duke Rasdin.”

Brod took Vakkaman and Laghman out of the palace.

***

Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room.

Department Head Kim Dae-Il stared at the screen with a serious expression on his face. The scene that was being displayed on the screen was the disaster unfolding in the Luvien Empire. As for the comment section, it was bustling.

[Emperor Brod, Duke Laghman, Duke Vakkaman, Nerva, and Cardin have joined forces and are currently fighting a fierce battle with Duke Rasdin.]

[This won’t be an easy fight. Duke Rasdin has sold his soul to the Demon God. His level has reached the early Level 1,300s.]

[If Duke Rasdin’s regenerative abilities were comparable to ordinary Named Monsters, then it would have been easy for them to subdue him earlier.]

[Duke Rasdin can easily recover all of his HP and his injuries in just ten seconds. Dealing with someone like that is no easy task.]

[There’s also the Swords of the Gods. We can see them fighting off the demonified citizens that are rushing to them.]

[Brod has activated his Animal Farm!]

[Duke Rasdin barely escaped death! And now, he has recovered all of his HP and his injuries again.]

[Duke Rasdin’s power has started to encroach and corrupt Duke Vakkaman, Duke Laghman, Cardin, and even Nerva.]

[It looks like it’s taking a long time because they’re powerful, but the fact remains the same. It’s obvious that Emperor Brod will be left alone. He is in a crisis.]

Department Head Kim Dae-Il looked very serious. He said, “The Luvien Empire is currently being corrupted by demonic energy. How can we even advertise...?”

Given the current situation, it was more than enough to say that they were in a very tricky situation.

But President Kang Taehoon just looked at Team Leader Park and said, “Things are going smoothly.”

Where was it going smoothly? Kim Dae-Il just could not understand the two. Even if Minhyuk came here, there was no way that he could kill Duke Rasdin in just ten seconds.

“Is he going to bring in a huge army?”

There was a high probability of that happening. However, that meant they would have to kill a large number of people from the Luvien Empire. If that happened, then that would go against Minhyuk’s goal of becoming the Luvien Empire’s emperor.

“He’s coming as scheduled. If she’s with him, then they’re more than enough.”

Department Head Kim Dae-Il stared at the two in confusion. Who was the ‘

she’

that they were talking about?

“The moment Minhyuk appears, the time in Athenae will be temporarily suspended. All of the players will watch the advertisement together.”

Then, Kang Taehoon did not elaborate further.

Kim Dae-Il caught sight of Brod on the screen. His entire body was covered with varying degrees of injuries, and he was already starting to get exhausted. At the same time, the demonic energy finally corrupted those who were fighting Duke Rasdin. The corrupted were now slowly approaching Brod.

***

Brod was forced to be on the defensive. Now, Duke Laghman and Duke Vakkaman’s eyes had turned black. Not only that, but their skin was also slowly turning black, as if they were finally transforming into members of the demon race. In the end, they still could not hold out against Duke Rasdin, despite joining forces.

‘Of all times, why now...’

Brod’s mind seemed to have gone blank. He was finally going to reclaim his position as the Battle God, the role he had wanted from the very beginning. However, that was not all; even Minhyuk’s wish to become the master of the entire Western Continent was also within his reach. However, a variable suddenly appeared that threw the entire plan into chaos.

Swoosh!

At that moment, Brod’s arm was cut so deeply that he could no longer hold his sword. Brod cradled his arm as he looked around. Many people in the Luvien Empire had been corrupted by demonic energy. With the rate things were going, the Luvien Empire would be turned into a den of demons.

‘This...’

Thud!

Duke Vakkaman’s sword pierced through Brod in his abdomen. Immediately after that, demonic energy erupted from within Duke Rasdin and turned into a sphere. This was the same power that had eaten away and corrupted the dukes. Once that power devoured Brod, he would also be demonified. By then, he would also be forced to point his sword at Minhyuk.

The sphere of demonic energy slowly approached Brod. As it approached, it began to shrink in size as it seeped into his skin. Brod felt his vision grow black. Even his consciousness started to grow blurry.

“Hihihihihihihihing!”

A horse’s loud neigh rang in Brod’s ears and woke him up from his trance. When he came to, he saw that the sphere of demonic energy that had been slowly seeping into him had disappeared into nothingness.

Ring!

[The advertisement video is now starting.]

[The advertisement video will play for all of the players.]

***

The advertisement video appeared in front of all the players and began playing. Words began to appear one after another on the black screen floating before their eyes.

[Asgan Continent. Year 623. Demonic energy erupted in the Luvien Empire. The demonic energy spread, corrupting and brainwashing everyone. At the center of it all was Duke Rasdin...]

[To kill Duke Rasdin, whose regenerative abilities have witnessed a significant boost, Emperor Brod...]

[Except for Emperor Brod, everyone has been brainwashed...]

Many of the players had seen this scene with their own eyes.

[When Emperor Brod was about to be corrupted with demonic energy...]

[The loud neigh of a horse echoed in the chaotic capital of the Luvien Empire.]

The black screen slowly scattered to show the scene of Brod turning his head to look in the direction from which the sound came. Then, a small smile appeared on Brod’s face.

“YOUR MAJESTYYYY!!!”

[For a moment, Brod forgot who he was and what position he had.]

[He just cried out and called out to him just like he did in the past when he was still serving him.]

[As the demonic energy corrupted the millions of troops, darkness settled down upon the entire empire. From the gates of the Luvien Empire to the entrance of the imperial palace was covered with darkness.]

Clack, clack, clack!

[As the world slowly fell into darkness, a bright and blinding light suddenly flashed from somewhere.]

Two white horses appeared atop a hill in the distance. Riding on top of one of the horses was a man.

[The man who guided the brightest light ran forward.]

[And the one carrying the brightest light? She ran right next to the man.]

[The name of the man running at the lead is none other than Minhyuk.]

[The one carrying the blinding light is none other than Absolute Saintess Loyna.]

Clack, clack, clack!

The two riding atop their white horses charged at full speed and rushed into the entrance of the Luvien Empire that was shrouded in darkness. The moment the brainwashed and corrupted people tried to stretch their weapons toward the two...

Swoosh!

An even brighter light burst out from Loyna’s hands.

[The brightest and most brilliant Saintess’ Light washed away the demonic energy.]

With a wave of her finger, the eyes of all of the people who had been corrupted by demonic energy slowly returned to their original colors. Just like Moses’ miracle, the millions of corrupted troops opened up a path and allowed them passage.

Clack! Clack!

Loyna stopped in one place. From there, she shot an overwhelming and blinding amount of holy power to the sky.

[The man ran through the darkness and past the millions of the corrupted.]

[Finally cleansed, they opened up a path and got out of the way of the man riding on his white horse.]

[The man who guided the brightest light...]

Meanwhile, Duke Rasdin, who had completely turned into a demon, flew into the sky. At that moment, Minhyuk stood on his horse.

[And the man who wants to become the Master of the West is none other than...]

[Minhyuk.]

Minhyuk quickly followed after Duke Rasdin, flames wrapped around the blades of his swords. As for Loyna, the divine power emanating from her fingertips made the fire burn even brighter.

[Before the evil covered the world in darkness, the flames of good burned from the tip of the sword in his hands and lit the entire world up.]