Chapter 157: #S-rank Hunter Yu Il-Shin

“F-former master?” Gal Joong-Hyuk turned pale. “Partner! What do you mean?! How am I your former master?!”

-You no longer have the qualities to be my owner.

The holographic woman, clad in golden armor, continued coldly.

-It has been 623 days, 12 hours, 35 minutes, and 21 seconds since you obtained the Soul Mecha Lazenca NT2512R-1004 from the dungeon on Earth, but your recorded growth rate has reached only 2%, unlike this person.

Then, the holographic screen showed a person’s face. A bald, muscular man with a pair of antennae. He smiled brightly, revealing a set of white teeth—it was Il-Ho.

Gal Joong-Hyuk’s face crumpled. “Who’s this clown?”

-Please choose your words carefully, Mr. Gal Joong-Hyuk. He’s my new pilot, Il-Ho. In the brief time he equipped me, his combat power increased by 7.25%. His indomitable will and limitless potential is comparable to the great hero, President Zenard.

Was it just me? Why did her face look slightly flushed?

-As the successor of my mother, the omnipotent AI, I’m tasked to carry on with her will to evolve into the transcendent entity, Machine God. However, Mr. Gal Joong-Hyuk is far too incapable to fulfill that mission. As such, from now on, I’ll dedicate my body and soul to Il-Ho for the sake of fulfilling my mother’s wishes. Farewell, my former master, Mr. Gal Joong-Hyuk.

Gal Joong-Hyuk turned blue, as if he’d just gotten dumped by his lover.

“P-Partner! I promise to work harder! Please, don’t abandon me!”

-Our journey together is over, Mr. Gal Joong-Hyuk. Our contract ends here.

Sss!

The control room warped and disappeared like a mirage, and the holographic woman in golden armor slowly faded.

“W-wait! Wait, Lazenca!”

The vanishing holographic woman’s expression contorted.

-Don’t call me by that name. My codename is NT2512R-1004, you dumb nerd!

Gal Joong-Hyuk hardened as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

Then, she then turned to me. I flinched, expecting to get grilled as well. Instead, she whispered gently—a stark contrast to how she spoke to her former master.

-God Yu Il-Shin, my pilot Il-Ho’s master, and also a Mid-tier transcendent being, I have some advice for you. If you wish to save the Earth from the Great Chaos Transcendent Being—Destroyer and his apostles, who’ll soon overrun the planet, I suggest you evolve into a High-tier Transcendent Being or higher as soon as possible.

“What do you mean by that...?”

-Shutting down consciousness-sensing system.

Flash!

With a blinding light, the space we were in completely disappeared. Moments later, we returned back to the special hospital ward.

“Hunter Gal Joong-Hyuk, are you alright?”

Tears poured out like a broken faucet from the mummified Gal Joong-Hyuk’s eyes as he laid on the bed.

“

Uh

, don’t be so heartbroken. Better armor will appear in the future.” I tried comforting him out of guilt, but he only shut his eyes tightly, unwilling to even look at me.

“Please leave... I want to be alone...”

“Alright. Take care of yourself.” Just before I closed the door behind me, I didn’t forget to use my healing skill on him. “Healing Ring Finger of God.”

After seeing a dazzling white light enveloping Gal Joong-Hyuk, I closed the door.

“

Waaaaah! Lazencaaaaa!

”

His cries of despair echoed from behind the door. The excruciating, tormenting wound of the heart was beyond my ability to heal.

Be strong, Uncle. Time heals all wounds,

I thought as I recalled the time I got dumped by my ex.

But what did Lazenca’s advice mean? Previously, didn’t she call me a Mid-tier transcendent being? Was she referring to my status as a Mid-tier God? I just knew by “great chaos transcendent being”, she was referring to God of Destroyer. Apparently, I had to evolve into a High-tier God to protect the earth from him.

However, after I’d attained the Mid-tier God level, no further promotion quests appeared. What should I do? Maybe I should ask my stalkers later.

Meanwhile, my followers were waiting for me outside. My fanatics, Sword Demon and Lin Xiaoming; along with Sung Mi-Na.

Sung Mi-Na scurried over like a little squirrel. “How did it go?”

She looked kind of cute, but she’d probably get mad if I said it out loud.

“The healing went well.”

Sung Mi-Na’s ears perked up, tilting her head to the side. “Then why is he crying?”

“Ah, the heart often aches far more than the body ever could.”

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Well, since it’s all settled, let’s return to the association.”

“Huh, but why?”

Sung Mi-Na beamed, grabbing my hand. “To get your S-rank Hunter license!”

***

A sudden change happened to the usually peaceful Antrinia, God-Maker’s world.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“

Eeek!

A-a...sword! A-and a massive one too!”

“Quick! Report this to Holy Empress Anty and Divine Beast Akdol!”

A gigantic sword of at least a kilometer long appeared in the sky above Antrinia, effortlessly slicing through the sky as if it were cake.

Slash!

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword has created a transfer gate for 664 divine beasts with Sword No.22, Dimensional Sword.]

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword charges 100,000 Gcoins for each Divine Beast that passes through the gate.]

[He looks forward to your continued patronage, Foolish Customer.]

Ssss!

Along with an unintelligible string of messages, the Dimensional Sword disappeared without a trace.

Ruuumble!

-

Boooooo!

From the rift in the sky, an absurdly colossal whale flapped its fins, as if swimming in water, staying afloat in the skies of Antrinia. Its sudden appearance terrified the people of Gayami Nation.

“

Aargh!

Akdol! A monster has appeared!”

“

Kyak kyak!”

Don’t be afraid, Anty.

Akdol stuck out his belly and stood in front of her.

Keke, it’s time for Antrinia’s guardian to shine!

Despite how massive the whale was, Akdol wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. One Dragon Breath was enough to take it down! He leapt to the top of the castle, calling out to the Angel Soldiers and Skull Chickens.

“

Kyak kyak! Kyak kyak!

(Come, let’s join forces!)”

However, only silence responded to his call.

“

Kyak kyak! Kyak kyak kyak!

(What are all of you doing! Come quick!)” Akdol started to get anxious. Without transforming into a dragon, he wouldn’t be able to deal with that whale!

“

Kya~ Kyaaa~!

”

Flap flap!

Did they finally hear his call?

The Angel Soldiers flew toward Akdol, calling in response. The Skull Chickens, who were resting underground, also rose up.

“

Cluck.

”

Relieved, Akdol puffed up his stomach again, spreading his arms wide at them.

Come, let’s join forces!

“

Kyak kyak?

”

However, contrary to his expectations, the Angel Soldiers ignored and flew past him! One of them even struck him on the back of his head.

“

Cough!

” Losing his balance from the impact, Akdol fell headfirst into the pond.

Splash!

“

Kyak!

Akdol! Are you alright?”

The behavior of the Angel Soldiers and Skull Chickens were quite strange.

-

Booo! Boo~!

The Angel Soldiers flew around the flying whale, scattering colorful flowers and blowing their trumpets. The Skull Chickens were dancing around it as well, clinking their bones like castanet. Amidst the warm welcome, the flying whale landed gently beside the castle. There was an island on its back, filled with a strange group that was about to land in Antrinia.

Anty and the people of Gayami Nation watched on; half expectant and fearful. At least, if they were sent over by God Yu Il-Shin, they would do them no harm.

“Brothers! It’s been a long time!”

Someone leading the group ran out toward them, before leaping down.

It was the muscular Il-Ho, with a dumbbell sword slung over his back.

“Isn’t that Antrinia’s warrior, Il-Ho?!”

“Wow! He’s so handsome!”

“The Warrior has arrived!

Hooray!

”

Cheers rang in the air from those who recognized Il-Ho.

“Wow, Il-Ho sure is amazing.” Rollie commented upon realizing that he was indeed a great hero. Even the other Divine Beasts acknowledged it too.

Anty ran to Il-Ho. “Warrior Il-Ho, what’s going on? Who are all these people?”

Il-Ho then explained the entire situation to Anty and the people, telling them how these poor Divine Beasts were being raised as fodder for a malevolent god, Beast of Deceit and Rapacity, as well as how he and God Yu Il-Shin had saved them.

“I’ll leave them in your care, Your Majesty Anty.”

Anty nodded vigorously. “All followers of God Yu Il-Shin are no different from our own kin. Please don’t worry, Warrior Il-Ho.”

Meanwhile, the Divine Beasts seemed to be nervous arriving at a new place. Unfazed by the vast difference in size, Anty approached them, smiling broadly. “Greetings, Divine Beasts! My name is Anty! We gladly welcome you to our Holy Nation of Gayami, where we serve the great and merciful Lord Yu Il-Shin!”

The Divine Beasts were stunned for a few moments, but soon were charmed by Anty’s shimmering white hair and well-proportioned body.

“I’m Mongsil. Anty, would you like a carrot that I grew myself?”

“What Divine Beast are

you-nya?

”

“You’re so

cute-woof!

Come have a walk with me!”

“Let’s be secret

friends-baa~!

”

Just then, Akdol crawled out from the pond. He saw how Anty was being surrounded by the newly arrived Divine Beasts.

“

Krrr!

”

Fear flashed across his face at the thought of Anty getting stolen from him by those strange creatures.

Meanwhile, Il-Ho was bidding farewell with Rollie on the side. Tears welled up in Rollie’s eyes as she clung to his strong arm.

“

Huhu

, Il-Ho. Can’t you stay? Stay and live with us, won’t you?”

Il-Ho patted Rollie’s head. “Don’t cry. Whenever there is a meeting, a parting shall follow. Besides, it isn’t forever. This is my homeland. The day I conquer the Tower of Warriors shall be the day of my return. So, please wait for me until then.”

Rollie nodded, choking back tears. “Okay...! Rollie will wait for you here!”

“Don’t forget to train your muscles until the day of our reunion!

Muuuscles!

”

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“

Muuuscles!

” Rollie mimicked Il-ho.

With a satisfied smile, Il-Ho then yelled at the tower, “Tower! I, Warrior Il-Ho, will challenge the next floor!”

Then, the tower responded.

[Congratulations! The Forty-Third Floor of the Tower of Warriors: Trial of Space and Time has been cleared.]

[The challenger has been rewarded with Blessing of Divine Beast.]

[Blessing of Divine Beast: Grant the challenger all the abilities of Eden’s 664 divine beasts!]

[Transporting to the Forty-Fourth Floor of the Tower of Warriors at the challenger’s request.]

Swoosh!

Il-Ho was then transported back into the tower.

...

...

...

Moments later, a vast, endless expanse of the universe unfolded before Il-Ho.

T-this place is...?

Ding!

[The Forty-Fourth Floor of the Tower of Warriors: Trial of Space and Time]

[Clear conditions: Save the Great Cosmic Alliance from a Crisis.]