Chapter 275

Korea’s newest transcendent, a sixteen-year-old boy...

People from all over the world had watched the live footage, but from the start, they’d felt as if they were witnessing a hidden-camera prank.

Even knowing Jae-Hyeok was the son of the Yaksha, they couldn’t believe it. That was until the moment Qilin’s head left his neck. Then they had no choice but to believe.

“Thunder... god?”

Those had been Qilin’s final words. And those two words had stirred a storm of debate. There had never been a player called a god before, and the Thunder God gave the impression of being a superior version of Thunder Emperor.

“Isn’t it an insult to the Thunder Emperor’s pride?”

“Based on his personality, he must’ve already lost his mind. Maybe he’s already flown to Korea.”

“Well, doesn’t he have a deep connection with Kang Jae-Hyeok? The Thunder Emperor personally lent a hand during Kang Jae-Hyeok’s candidate exam.”

“When was that?”

“A month ago.”

“Why even bother with his candidate designation if he was already on the edge of transcendence?

“That’s just it. Although he was impressive a month ago, Kang Jae-Hyeok’s abilities had been far from what he showcased in his battle with Qilin.”

“Aish... It’s only been a month, and Kang Jae-Hyeok actually went from National Treasure candidate to National Treasure? Does Korea think we’d believe that? Are they so desperate to curry prestige?”

The more news about Jae-Hyeok spread, the more negative the opinions. Most people took it as nothing more than Korean propaganda. However...

“Still... I think he deserves the nickname Thunder God. Even if his growth isn’t as absurd as Korea claims, a sixteen-year-old transcendent is still... insane, right?”

Few people denied Jae-Hyeok’s skills. After all, he’d beheaded Qilin, China’s top powerhouse, live on air.

What’s more, they’d witnessed Jae-Hyeok absorbing tribulation lightning and firing a lightning bolt from his palm. It was as if he’d stepped straight out of a Greek myth. His affinity with the lightning attribute seemed even deeper than the Thunder Emperor’s.

***

In the heart of Austria, the vassals of the Baus family scoffed as they spoke over the radio.

“

Hmph

. Only in the eyes of the ignorant masses is that brat worthy of a god title.”

Even as they spoke, the vassals’ hands didn’t cease; they were busy pushing wheelbarrows and laying brick, tiredly rebuilding the mansion that Dae-Seong had destroyed.

Their family head and future family head suffered successive humiliations at the hands of the Kang family. Naturally, their mouths were full of curses for the Kang family’s young heir. They refused to acknowledge anything about Jae-Hyeok as worthy of respect.

As for his recent “achievements” against China?

Korea must have exaggerated.

Only one person thought differently.

Blind fools.

Wilhelm strode past the bickering “construction crew” with calm indifference. However, his inner thoughts spoke a different story.

This is an unprecedented growth rate. Three weeks ago, I could’ve crushed that boy with a single finger. Yet now, that little brat has already joined the ranks of transcendents... Just what opportunities has he had to grow so much? Not even the main character of a third-rate movie is this lucky.

That’s right.

The idea of Jae-Hyeok’s growth being a result of innate skill had never crossed Wilhelm’s mind. He thought Jae-Hyeok’s current level was a result of many chance encounters and great opportunities.

In particular, Wilhelm paid special attention to Kang Jae-Hyeok’s death knight.

Night-black armor and wreathed in purple mana... Theodore.

Theodore was infamous among the senior and high-level players. During the past battle for Lion’s Castle, it had killed tides of players.

This kid actually got his hands on Theodore!

Theodore was either feared or hated by those who’d participated in the battle for Lion’s Castle. But Wilhelm was different. Rather than fear, he felt admiration—admiration and desire.

He was a necromancer after all. In Wilhelm’s eyes, Theodore wasn’t a monster but a masterwork.

A Named death knight... I simply must have it.

Ordinarily, death knights lacked intelligence. Yet Named monsters were anomalies in that they all possessed high intelligence regardless of race. As a result, Theodore, being a Named death knight, was a special, possessing both the intelligence of a Named monster and the immortal fortitude of a death knight. Such a perfect undead couldn’t be achieved through artificial means.

Only he could appreciate the miracle that was Theodore, Wilhelm was sure.

In order to get his hands on it as soon as possible, he’d even granted his stupid son’s request to attend Lion’s Castle.

As for Do-Jin?

The boy had a body perfectly suited to becoming an undead, just like his parents, but Wilhelm wasn’t interested.

All he’d cared about at the time was having his son probe the island for Theodore’s whereabouts. He’d hoped that Loren might somehow develop a connection between himself and Theodore. But instead...

“Kid... you think you can steal my things and get away with it?”

The thought of Theodore abandoning its ferocious nature to become Jae-Hyeok’s loyal lapdog caused Wilhelm’s anger to spike, and his aura erupted.

Boom.

“......”

“......”

Wilhelm’s vassals covered their heads. The large sections of the newly built lavish inner walls were blown apart—the cream-colored cement between the polished marble slabs never had the chance to dry.

In an instant, the work of hundreds of undead and dozens of vassals was gone like the wind...

“Shit! Useless things! What are you doing that you can’t even build a proper building?”

Wilhelm shouted before spinning on his heels and leaving in a huff.

The vassals shared blank looks.

Should we... just quit?

***

Meanwhile, in America...

“It is so amazing that I can’t believe it...”

As the world’s strongest nation, its people had always remained steady no matter the noise in the international community. However, this time, the entire country was shaken.

Kang Jae-Hyeok’s transcendence and defeat of Qilin were extremely shocking—so much so that even the United States, a country filled with candidates for the world’s strongest, was at a loss.

“At this point, he is an unmatched talent.”

“That’s going too far. He can’t compare to Kraugel, the original Sword Saint.”

“Of course, he falls short of that legendary figure... fine, you’re right. But among those born in the past hundred years, it’s safe to say that he is the best.”

“That’s true. He’s clearly greater than the Yaksha.”

The Yaksha...

He’d been the strongest player in Asia, a man who’d made even the US nervous. After all, even the Thunder Emperor, one of their strongest, had been no match for him.

In fact, many in the United States had quietly celebrated when the news arrived that China and Japan had cooperated to defeat the Yaksha. Just when it seemed like Asia might rise to rival the United States, it had sabotaged its own final hope.

At the time, it’d felt like Heaven itself had personally intervened, blessing the US with an eternal, unrivaled reign.

Now, it seemed like they were mistaken.

This time, the rising powerhouse that appeared was more freakish than the Yaksha by several fold. And as if by some trick of fate, this powerhouse was none other than the Yaksha’s son.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok... Thunder God...”

It was a nickname that truly fit. But of all things, it was a nickname that implied superiority to their own Thunder Emperor.

How would the Thunder Emperor react if he heard it?

Most likely, he’d throw a fit in the United States before rushing over to Korea and repeating the same antics in front of the Kang family’s estate.

The Yaksha had handed the Thunder Emperor his only defeat, and now his son was threatening the Thunder Emperor’s reputation, so it was natural for the Thunder Emperor to feel sensitive. But with his personality, there was a real possibility the Thunder Emperor would turn this matter into an international headache for both Korea and the United States.

Things will become messy if he antagonizes Korea.

Assassinating Kang Jae-Hyeok right now was an easy task for the United States. Jae-Hyeok’s power was impressive, without question, but the United States was not short of people who were stronger.

Of course, there was no need for hostile measures. The US and Korea were not hostile. And most importantly, it was actually in the United States’ best interest for Jae-Hyeok to live. They had learned a powerful lesson with the Yaksha; it was better for Jae-Hyeok to thrive, such that he could keep the increasingly powerful China and Japan in check.

Therefore, the situation would get worse in many ways if the Thunder Emperor became agitated and attacked Jae-Hyeok.

“I don’t think you need to worry. After all, didn’t the Thunder Emperor personally assist Jae-Hyeok during his candidate exam?”

“He wasn’t protecting Jae-Hyeok; he was protecting the Kang family. In specific, it was probably the Yaksha’s honor that concerned him.”

“Indeed. He probably couldn’t tolerate anyone humiliating the only man who defeated him.”

“Besides, the Thunder Emperor is so unruly that it is impossible to predict his actions. It is best to call him and warn him.”

The US Association’s management came to a decision.

However, when they attempted to get the Thunder Emperor on the phone, the secretary’s reply caused their faces to twist.

“What? He’s already left the country?”

“S-so suddenly? To where?”

“Korea...”

“This is crazy!”

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The Association’s president felt like his feet were on fire and shot up.

“Send people to Korea immediately! We must protect Kang Jae-Hyeok!”

***

At the same time, in Japan.

“......”

The man dubbed Japan’s “strongest swordsmen” secretly departed home. He boarded a boat prepared by his closest subordinates and crossed the sea.

His destination?

Korea.

“In this world, it’s eat or be eaten.”

Yamamoto mumbled while gazing into the night.

Eight years ago, he was the one who’d harmed the Yaksha alongside China’s Qilin.

He was different from Qilin, whose combat instincts had dulled after years of seclusion. Yamamoto had continued to train relentlessly and trusted his intuition.

I can’t give him more time than this.

Now was his best chance to kill Kang Jae-Hyeok. From here on out, the more he delayed, the more likely it was he would be eaten instead.

The Yaksha’s son... I believe that you are ready to start getting revenge.

In the dead of night, Ymamoto’s boat was like the ferry to the underworld, coming to take the boy who’d just grown wings.