Gourmet Gaming

[You have successfully acquired Steel Skin.]

[You currently possess three skills acquired through Food God’s True Worth.]

[You can only have three skills acquired through Food God’s True Worth.]

[Please delete one skill.]

Minhyuk looked through the three skills that he obtained from Food God’s True Worth and promptly chose one. It was Dark Fire Storm, a skill that Minhyuk obtained after he hunted a Minotaurus in the past. However, after Minhyuk reached his current level, the highest in the game, the skill had become useless to him.

After deleting Dark Fire Storm, he was able to obtain the Steel Skin.

(Steel Skin)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Mana Required: None

Cooldown: None

Effects: There is a 20% chance of triggering Steel Skin. Once triggered, it will triple the skill user’s physical and magical defenses in an instant.

“Oh.”

Minhyuk was quite impressed with the skill. It was probably the reason why Minhyuk’s attacks did not work well on the God of Happiness. It was a very useful passive skill for him.

At this point, Minhyuk recalled his evolved Sword of Absolute Death, which he had not yet checked. The Sword of Absolute Death was a one-shot kill skill that had always been a huge help to Minhyuk. Moreover, it was just at the half Pinnacle-level when he acquired it.

‘From the very beginning, this skill has always been outstanding.’

However, he was using the Sword of Absolute Death less and less these days. The higher one’s level became, the more skills with greater power they would acquire. Unfortunately, the Sword of Absolute Death had always remained stagnant.

Minhyuk quickly opened the information window of the newly evolved Sword of Absolute Death.

(Sword of Absolute Death)

Active Skill

Rank: God

Level: 1

Mana Required: 10,000

Cooldown: 1 hour

Effects:

•Hundreds of lightning swords with additional 7,000% attack power will fall down from the sky and hit all of the enemies within a 20 meter radius with a 100% success rate.

•Immediately after the first attack, the hundreds of lightning swords with 2,000% additional attack will strike down all of the enemies within a 30 meter radius.

•Anyone that will receive a direct attack from the lightning sword will fall into a four second stunned state.

It was definitely much better than it was before, especially with its additional attack and damage. They were at least a dozen times higher.

After looking at the evolved skill, Minhyuk thought that the most useful was the first effect. After all, the first effect would drop hundreds of lightning swords with an additional 7,000% attack power within a 20 meter radius with 100% accuracy. Basically, it meant that the lightning swords would be able to recognize the enemies and attack them in turn.

Allies and enemies were usually tangled together and unidentifiable in the battlefield. To top it off, Minhyuk was the commanding officer so there were many cases where he would be subject to the intensive and continued onslaught of his enemies’ attacks.

If he were to use this evolved ‘Sword of Absolute Death’, none of his enemies within a twenty meter radius would be able to live and get back to their senses from the sudden downpour of lightning sword lights.

‘This is a Level 1 God rank skill?’

For a Level 1 skill, its effects were incredible. Unlike the Overlord’s Technique, a skill wherein Minhyuk needed to fill up enough Overlord’s Mana before he could use it, the new Sword of Absolute Death did not need to fill any special mana meter. Simply put, the effects of the evolved skill were an unexpected, but amazing, result.

After he finished checking everything, Minhyuk heard Knight Commander Korro’s voice outside saying, “Your Majesty, all of the people have finished the preparations needed to migrate.”

It was time for him to go back.

***

In front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s ramparts.

The kings of the five other kingdoms that existed in the Asgan Continent stood outside of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom and shouted loudly.

“Take back your declaration, King of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom!”

“Many people are being harmed because of your careless and arrogant remarks!”

“Send your vassals to the Luvien Empire now and make peace with them!”

The kings from all over the continent, who brought along around 50,000~100,000 troops with them, shouted loudly and appealed to Minhyuk. The scene was being broadcasted all over the world.

[The kings of Asgan Continent are currently raising their voices in front of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

[This was caused by the declaration that Beyond the Heavens’ King Minhyuk has made recently.]

[‘I’ll build an empire.’ This declaration had a huge impact.]

[The reason why these kings are appealing to Minhyuk is because they are afraid that the Luvien Empire will pressure them.]

[Of course, there’s no way that the Luvien Empire will be pleased that the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom is trying to establish an empire. The kings that are currently standing in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom are the ones that have been observing the tight situation between the Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

[However, Minhyuk’s declaration has changed the situation. They all expect the Luvien Empire to keep the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom fully in check.]

[And there’s a high chance that the other kingdoms from Asgan Continent will suffer greatly during that process.]

[The main reason why they are raising their voices like this is because of that possibility. After all, there is still no guarantee that the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom will be able to build an empire.]

[All of the people trying to migrate to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom have gone silent.]

[What’s the reason?]

[It’s all because of Player Minhyuk’s declaration. The players are now reluctant to migrate to Beyond the Heavens Kingdom after learning that they will be kept in check by the Luvien Empire.]

[That’s not all. It would be good for a kingdom to have plenty of players. But more than that, what they need are the ‘residents’ that lived in that place. The number of NPCs living in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom is far from the number needed to build an empire.]

[If the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom fails to secure enough NPC migrants, then they will fall under the coalition of the Asgan Continent’s kingdoms.]

It was just as the commentators said. The kings had personally gathered here to make an appeal because they all feared that Minhyuk’s declaration would bring them harm.

“Are we supposed to be collateral damage just because of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s arrogant declaration?!”

The one that instigated all of these kings to gather in front of Beyond the Heavens was King Roath of the kingdom named Vladi, the largest kingdom on the Asgan Continent.

“The number of people migrating to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom has sharply decreased. However, on the other hand, the number of people going to the Luvien Empire has been increasing by the day. We have to stand firm and correct the manners and etiquette of the Beyond the Heavens’ King.”

King Roath admitted that the king of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom had outstanding achievements every time he made a move. However, he was but a king of one small nation.

“In fact, the Beyond the Heavens’ King does not have my recognition. Building an empire? Bullshit. I will bring the Beyond the Heavens’ King to his knees today and send him to the Luvien Empire.”

This was a statement made to curry favor with the Luvien Empire. However, the other kings present also agreed to such a statement. After all, their positions were precarious if the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom failed to establish an empire just because of one king’s arrogant declaration. Of course, they all believed that it would be a good thing if the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom could truly open up the possibility of becoming an empire. However, they could not even see a possibility of that happening anytime soon.

“We have to make sure that the Beyond the Heavens’ King will apologize for making such a bold and arrogant declaration!!!” King Roath roared, the veins on his neck popping out with how loud he was. The troops behind him immediately shouted after hearing his words, “Apologize!!!”

The viewers had their concerns as well.

[If Minhyuk fails to show that he and his kingdom has the possibility of building an empire then what will happen to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?]

[They will probably cease to exist. All of the kingdoms that appeared here will run to the Luvien Empire. Their numbers might not be enough to build an empire, but if they get absorbed by the Luvien Empire then the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would be left to ruin. How can they even think about building an empire by then?]

That was right. One had to absorb other kingdoms for them to build an empire. However, the problem was these kingdoms looked quite hostile to them. From the looks of it, it was impossible for an alliance to be formed.

“Beyond the Heavens’ King! Please apologize!!!”

The hundreds of thousands of troops lined up in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom shouted, their voices ringing loudly and shaking the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Rumbleeeeeeeeee—!

The skies suddenly darkened, black lightning bolts dancing in the clouds and striking the ground beneath them. Not long after that, a shocking notification rang for the whole world to hear.

[A new Great Demon has awakened.]

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

Everyone was left breathless from shock.

***

A new Great Demon had awakened. The impact of these words were huge. Who was the new Great Demon? And was this Great Demon as strong as Verus? Would they now be called the Four Great Demons?

However, the shock was not yet over. In fact, the notifications that rang in the ears of the players were far more surprising.

[The awakened Great Demon has inherited everything from ‘Gorac.’]

[The new Great Demon has now become the new master of Demon Gorac’s Demon World’s Army.]

[With the birth of a new Great Demon, you will now be able to receive a new race, the ‘Demon Race!’]

[You will only be able to receive the new race ‘Demon’ from the Great Demon.]

[The new race, Demon, can only be obtained by players above Level 500.]

Meanwhile, the troops that had gathered in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom were left in doubt and confusion. This was because the black thunderbolts and air current were swirling and gathering in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

Rumbleeeeeeeee—

The Beyond the Heavens’ King had sealed Great Demon Verus in the past.

[No way, are you telling me that the Great Demon that inherited everything from Gorac will destroy the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom instead of Verus?]

It was a very likely story. At the same time, another round of commotion had begun.

[We still do not know what kind of being the new Great Demon is. However, there’s one thing that we are sure of.]

[A new ‘race’ has been created for the first time in Athenae.]

[Players will now be able to switch their class to Demon. And since this race can only be obtained through the Great Demon, the players will definitely go and find the newly awakened Great Demon.]

The birth of a new Great Demon brought fear and anticipation to everyone from all over the world. But right now, the ones that were shaking in fear were the kings that had gathered in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

“Hi, hiiiiiiiik…!”

“How come the new Great Demon is appearing here…”

[The Great Demon has descended!]

[The newly awakened Great Demon is leading the Demon World’s Army and descending on earth!]

[Warning!]

[Danger!]

[Warning!]

[Danger!]

[Warning!]

[Danger…!]

[A great being that encompasses the world has descended.]

The space behind the tens of thousands of troops gathered in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom cracked open, as hell horses dragging a gigantic burning carriage appeared from within and galloped forward.

Crackle!

“Hihihihihihing!”

The new Great Demon, wearing a helmet adorned with two large horns on his head, sat in the carriage with his arms crossed.

“Kihyeeeeeeeeeeeeeck!”

[The legendary demonic beast Akkeveno has appeared!]

[The legendary demonic beast Akkeveno has appeared!]

In the sky, thousands of demonic beasts that resembled wyverns appeared, considered legendary even in the Demon World. Right below them was the new Demon World’s Army, marching with terrifying and overwhelming momentum.

Booooooom—!

Boooooooooom—!

Boooooom—!

The loud beats of the drums signaled the arrival of the new Great Demon.

“U, uwaaaaaaaaaaah…!”

“Uwoooooooooooh…!”

[The Great Demon’s Authority has been triggered!]

[Killing Intent’s Authority.]

[Everyone that stands in front of the Great Demon will lose their will to fight.]

[All of the skills and abilities of those that face the Great Demon will fall by 15%. Everyone will fall into a state of ‘Extreme Fear.’]

“U, uwaaaaah!”

“It’s, it’s the devil!!!”

“The Great Demon has appeared!!!”

“Your, Your Majesty! Please give us your orders!!!”

The troops that were gathered in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s walls screamed in fear. Even their kings could not resist the Great Demon’s power. All of the kings here knew that there was only one straw that they could grasp in this situation. That was the king of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. After all, Minhyuk had sealed the Great Demon Verus in the past.

“B, Beyond the Heavens’ King, open your gates!”

“Open your gates quickly!”

“Come out and seal the Great Demon with us!!!”

The kings hurriedly shouted for help when they saw Minhyuk appear above the walls. However, Minhyuk remained silent, and the gates did not open.

At that moment, the Great Demon slowly walked out of the carriage. With every step that he took, tremendous killing intent spread out of his body. The soldiers that caught sight of his figure fainted with their mouths foaming. The kings, who saw their soldiers falling without even being able to fight back, trembled in fear. Then, the Great Demon’s gaze fell upon them.

“Ah, aaaah…”

Thud—

Thud—

They unknowingly fell on their knees as the Great Demon passed by, his gaze domineering and filled with arrogance. Then, the Great Demon stopped and stood still before looking up at Minhyuk, who was standing on the ramparts.

‘Is he really aiming for the Beyond the Heavens’ King?!’

‘Is, is this our chance?!’

The kings thought that this was their chance to escape. The Great Demon slowly took off his horned helmet. Then, something very surprising happened. The Great Demon, who was looking up at Minhyuk, slowly knelt down.

“Your Majesty.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The kings were once again left in shock. The kneeling Great Demon was crying as he looked up at Minhyuk.

“This Elpis… This Elpis believes that he can now protect you, Your Majesty.”

The name that left the Great Demon’s lips shocked everyone once again.

[The name of the newly awakened Great Demon is…]

[…none other than ‘Elpis.’]