Chapter 492. Toward the End (5)

–If that is your will, then so be it.

La Bella declared. At the same time, all the gods surrounding Chi-Woo straightened their posture and tilted their chins, as if looking up in reverence at the sky.

—The one who looks up at the sky.

Then La Bella continued.

—The one who desires to rise to the high heavens and make the sky your dwelling place, thus becoming the heavens itself. The great, high king who has declared to place the universe under his feet.

The one who looks up at the sky, the one who rises to the heavens, the one who will make the vast, endless space his home and become the heavens itself—the king of kings who would look down on the universe, the Heavenly King.

—I, La Bella, the daughter of justice and the protector of balance, support him and am in awe of his challenge. May blessings and fortune be with him every step of the way on the path he walks, and…

La Bella lifted her slanted scale.

—As of this time, I recognize the promotion of user Choi Chi-Woo to Grand Master tier and grant him transcendence. Also—

Then she tilted the balance scale to one side and began to gradually tilt the other. When the scale was finally leveled out and in perfect balance, La Bella exclaimed like a declaration.

—I grant him the Challenger tier…and at the same time, declare him Heavenly King Chi-Woo!

* * *

1. Name & Rank: Choi Chi-Woo (EX)

2. Sex & Age: Male & 23

3. Height & Weight: 180.5cm & 73.5kg

4. Denomination: ‘The Goddess of Scales’ and ‘Guardian of Balance’, La Bella

5. Tier: Challenger

6. Class: Heavenly King Chi-Woo

7. Heavenly Title: Three Lines

8. Disposition: Neutral

Chi-Woo called up his user information immediately after returning to his original world. He nodded in appreciation as he read the message printed in the air. He liked his class the most. Previously, all the class names that he had received were listed out, but after reaching the highest level, it became very neat, as if the previous levels were nowhere good enough for Challenger.

Of course, he couldn’t omit the special privileges he gained from passing Grand Master, which was transcendence. His assistant, Mimi, had told him that S-rank meant transcendence. As she stated, Chi-Woo was granted the right to transcend one of his physical and basic abilities.

[Strength A+++]

[Durability A+++]

[Agility A+++]

[Stamina A+++]

[Mental Fortitude A]

[Exorcism S]

Chi-Woo chose to transcend exorcism among his physical abilities because of the ‘Shared Growth’ ability that had derived from the Core of Balance. Shared Growth was a rare ability that allowed his other abilities to gradually catch up to the highest ranking ability in their respective categories. Of course, just because a certain ability was ranked S did not mean that the rest would all become S. Some transcendent abilities, such as non-standard ones, were excluded, and the other abilities couldn’t exceed the rank of the ability they followed. Moreover, even if an ability could be influenced, if it was of a completely different type, its growth would be limited.

Thus, Chi-Woo chose exorcism mana because mana affected all physical abilities in general except mental fortitude. This could be seen by the fact that strength, durability, agility, and stamina had all been upgraded to A+++ rank instantly. As time went by, they would gradually follow exorcism and get closer to S rank.

‘This is good.’ Chi-Woo felt an endless amount of exorcism mana overflowing inside him like the vast sea and couldn’t hide his amazement. If he had fought Bael with this user information during the great war, he could have completely overpowered her; perhaps he could have killed her in one blow. For the Abyss King…he wasn’t too sure, since it was a battle where physical prowess alone could not guarantee victory. Anyway, he chose the basic ability to raise following the same reasoning.

1. [Martial Arts S] – the fundamental principle of martial arts. Although streams of water flow in different ways, they all end up in the same place. A type of combat philosophy that only those who learned the way of one can pursue. If the user builds up overall experience and knowledge, he can perform martial arts that surpasses a master’s level. As a result of reaching the origin, it has deepened even further. If the user makes up his mind, he can exercise martial arts transcending the limits of human beings.

Chi-Hyun had told him that basic ability was like a foundation among one’s user information. Thus, Chi-Woo chose to raise the rank of Martial Arts, which supported the building at the bottom. In this way, Shared Growth would affect the widest possible range and influence the rest of his abilities. Chi-Woo exhaled deeply. He had finally reached Challenger tier and had been granted strength appropriate to it. What was the first thing he needed to do? Chi-Woo grinned.

* * *

Chi-Hyun, who was busy working at the official residence without a break as always, suddenly heard an alarm ring inside his head. It was from Chi-Woo. Surprisingly, his brother had called him instead of sending a message for some reason. Was there an emergency? Chi-Hyun turned over a document and pressed the call button. “Yeah, what’s going on…”

—Yo, Mr. Choi.

Chi-Hyun’s hand, which was flipping over another document, paused.

—I’m Choi Chi-Woo from the Seven Stars. Have you been doing well?

Besides what he was saying, Chi-Woo’s face looked very arrogant as he leaned back into his chair. If Chi-Hyun wasn’t mistaken, Chi-Woo was even crossing his legs with his feet on his desk. He looked extremely haughty.

—Hoho. Did a cat get your tongue? How come you’re not saying anything?

Chi-Hyun stared at Chi-Woo with an impassive expression.

—I called to tell you that this great brother of yours has just reached Challenger tier.

When Chi-Hyun did not respond, Chi-Woo cracked his neck from side to side.

—I’ll tell you once more in case you couldn’t hear it.

On top of that, he tilted his chin and opened his eyes wide.

—Chal. Len. Ger.

—I’ve surpassed you and reached Challenger tier.

Although Chi-Woo couldn’t see it because it was outside the frame, Noel could clearly see all of Chi-Hyun, and unlike his calm expression, Chi-Hyun’s hand was shaking like crazy as he held the documents. Noel shut her eyes tightly.

“Noel,” sure enough, Chi-Hyun opened his mouth to say, “Drag that bastard in front of me right now.”

“How am I supposed to drag Young Master here…” Noel grumbled quietly in a timid voice.

—Hoho, calm down, Mr. Choi. Didn’t I just tell you that I reached Challenger tier…?

Chi-Woo, who had been talking while putting on airs, suddenly flinched. Chi-Hyun had disappeared from the screen in the blink of an eye, and Chi-Woo was stunned to see Chi-Hyun appear in front of him without any sound or warning. He blinked quickly for a moment.

“Ha~ Seriously~” Shockingly, Chi-Woo slightly narrowed one eye and snorted. “Do you still think I’m the old me who used to…”

“…Well, that’s right. It was about time for you to get punched.” Chi-Hyun warmed up his hands and took a step forward. Soon after—

Squeeeaaaaaaal!

What sounded like the scream of a pig getting its head cut off rang through Seven Stars. If there was one thing Chi-Woo was mistaken about, it was the fact that while he was at Challenger tier, he had not succeeded in completing the challenge yet. Thus, he was no different from Grand Master right now.

“Yeah, you’re having it easy these days, right?”

“Wait—!”

“It doesn’t hurt much after acting so cheeky, does it?”

“I’m sor—!”

Wallie simply watched as Chi-Woo got beat up. Even though they were friends, Wallie thought Chi-Woo deserved to get hit this time.

* * *

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The fact that Chi-Woo succeeded in being promoted to Challenger tier soon spread to every corner of Shalyh. Everyone genuinely congratulated him and felt happy for him. Considering that a war against the Sernitas was on the horizon, everyone was sincerely happy that the hero leading Liber’s salvation had gotten stronger.

“Congratulations on your success in being promoted to Challenger tier! Sir!” Teresa, who had been summoned today, bent 120 degrees as soon as she saw Chi-Woo.

“Congratulations, sir.”

“Congrats, boss.”

Du Eun-Hyang and Umaru, who had come along as well, paid their respect. Chi-Woo sighed. He was scared to meet people these days because everyone he met congratulated him. He had gotten sick and tired of hearing congratulations.

“Thanks. But I didn’t call all of you to receive congratulations.”

Teresa’s ears perked at these words. As soon as Teresa heard of Chi-Woo’s promotion, she sent all kinds of flowers and gifts—an accessory for Evelyn, snacks for Wallie, and even a sincere letter full of praises for Chi-Woo from beginning to end. And the next day, she went to see him and congratulated him in person. Since she kissed ass to the point that her mouth smelled like ass, it was hardly likely that he had called them here alone to receive congratulations again. Then…

“That means…” Teresa’s eyes glistened with hope. When Chi-Woo beckoned them to sit down first, she immediately complied.

“I heard so many congratulations these days that I feel almost apologetic.” When Du Eun-Hyang and Umaru also sat down, Chi-Woo continued, “So I wanted to congratulate someone else instead.”

Rather than receiving congratulations, he wanted to give his congratulations. And something one of the three would receive congratulations for—there was only one possibility. Teresa and Du Eun-Hyang straightened their backs.

“Well, this is how it came to be, but…” Chi-Woo smacked his lips. “Frankly, I would be lying if I said I was particularly impressed by any of you.”

The two women flinched.

“Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand your circumstances. You three came as part of the very last wave of recruits.” The situation could be easily understood in gaming terms. The level of a player who played since open beta and a player who started about five years later was bound to be different. It couldn’t be helped, but they couldn’t complain about it either since it wasn’t as if anyone had threatened them to come this late with a knife. If they were displeased with their circumstances, they should have entered Liber earlier.

“I also gave you a chance…” Once during the Balim expedition and once during the war against the Abyss. There were two chances in total. If one of them had defeated one of the Seven Chasms alone like Flora, Chi-Woo wouldn’t have hesitated to pick them. However, none of the three had stood out particularly or played a prominent role. No matter how favorably he judged them, their performance didn’t surpass ‘not bad’, and that wouldn’t be enough for a star—or normally, this would have been the case.

“Anyway, there’s one spot left.” If the Sernitas were sorted out, they would have no enemy left on Liber. Since Liber had been greatly devastated by the frequent wars so far, the reconstruction process would take a long time, but that was up to the Liber natives. The Celestial Realm heroes had to leave Liber and return to the Celestial Realm once the Sernitas were dealt with.

“It won’t be easy,” Chi-Woo continued. “Since the war is expected to be difficult, it’s only right we should try to strengthen our power as much as possible.” And this was the reason he called for a temporary sixth team before it was too late, and he needed to choose a team leader among these three. In the past, he would have added a few words in consideration of those who were not chosen. However, Chi-Woo had no intention of doing so this time because he now knew that he didn’t have to ask for their understanding. He revealed his decision right away without dragging it on any further.

“As of this time, Seven Stars’ sixth team will be promoted from a temporary team to a formal team.”

Teresa and Du Eun-hyang, who were already nervous, stiffened.

“The team leader who will lead the sixth team from now on will be…”

Gulp, there was the sound of someone gulping. Chi-Woo turned to one of them. “El Lache Teresa.”

Joy and sorrow were exchanged between Teresa and Du Eun-Hyang.

Chi-Woo finished, “I appoint you the sixth team leader of Seven Stars and the Seventh Star.”

Teresa could not contain her joy and shook vigorously. “Thank you, sir!” She bowed 150 degrees while kneeling down.

“Don’t be too happy about it,” Chi-Woo said in a flat tone. “Rather than acknowledging you, I simply trusted the eye of someone who looked at you favorably and recommended you.”

“Oh my! Who was that amazing person with such a good eye…?”

“…There’s a person like that.” Chi-Woo couldn’t say that it was Grumpy Chi-Woo, who loved her in another worldline.

Teresa, who had no idea what Chi-Woo’s actual reasoning was, shouted ‘yes!’ inside her mind and thought that all that sucking up to Evelyn had given her an edge.

“Considering the situation, I don’t expect a great deal.” Chi-Woo smirked at Teresa, who was already shaking her shoulders up and down. “You just have to support the other teams and hold back the enemy by clinging to their ankles and stalling them. That’s all you need to do.”

“Sir, I’ll follow your orders,” Teresa declared resolutely and raised her head. “I’ll hold them back by hanging on to their pants and stall them even if I have to give up my life!”

Chi-Woo glanced around after hearing her pledge. Since Umaru hadn’t been interested in the team leader position anyway, it didn’t matter to him who the leader was. Du Eun-Hyang was surprisingly calm; he couldn’t see any change to her expression.

Of course, it would be a lie if Du Eun-Hyang said she wasn’t disappointed. A part of her wanted to shoot to her feet and argue about his decision, but for some reason, this feeling completely disappeared like melting snow when she saw Chi-Woo sitting across from her with a subtle glow of flowing light. Her body and mind didn’t want to go against his decision and instead tried to follow it instinctively, making justifications for him that she hadn’t been good enough, and that he had his reasons for choosing Teresa instead.

Thus, Du Eun-Hyang said, “I acknowledge Teresa as team leader. Sir, I humbly accept your decision.” Moreover, she was able to easily speak in a more lighthearted mood than she thought. “Congratulations, Teresa.”

“Thanks~!” Teresa jumped up and turned around, winking. “From now on, you can just trust and follow me!”

“…”

Of course, seeing Teresa soundlessly mouth ‘Ohlalalalala~!’ with her back to Chi-Woo, Du Eun-Hyang still felt a pique of annoyance.