007CCG Chapter 1230
“We can go and find Vegni’s Forest again,” Minhyuk exclaimed.
Angara looked at him in disbelief.
‘So, this is how to win her over and make her into my knight.’
With delight coloring his voice, Minhyuk asked her, “Would it be fine to restore the Vegni Forest in the Land of the Gods once we find it?”
Angara’s expression turned dark. The Land of the Gods had used and taken full advantage of her and the creatures of the forest. Even if Minhyuk could find the forest, as long as it was in the Land of the Gods, Angara would not wish to stay there.
“Then, how about coming to the Beyond the Heavens Empire? No one will use you there.”
However, Angara remained suspicious. Would she and the forest indeed be safe? It was only natural. After all, she had already been deceived once.“Can you promise you will never use and take advantage of us?”
It did not matter to Minhyuk if Angara chose not to live for the sake of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The fact that the Beyond the Heavens Empire had recruited an existence like her boosted their power and prestige.
When Minhyuk nodded in agreement, Angara said, “Then, I’ll go to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”
***
The powers left behind by the fairies, the graphans, and the purgaens to protect Angara—the very same powers that were being trampled on by the monsters—began to change at the appearance of the green and thriving forest made by Angara herself.
[The God of the Forest has been activated.]
The fairies’ lights, which had been slowly growing dim, glowed brightly once again. They looked just like small fireflies but with huge light bulbs instead. The black currents of energy that the graphans released grew large enough to cover the entire forest while the purgaens’ drooping fur turned into large, sharp spears that could pierce through anything.
The Forest God Angara, who could temporarily create her forest, was an omnipotent being inside the forest. The branches and stems from the trees she had made shot out from the ground and turned into sharp spears piercing through the monsters. ṛΑ₦òËS̈
[Any being pierced through the Branch Spears will fall into a three-second stunned state.]
Clad was left dumbfounded. ‘Angara became that man’s vassal?’ He could not understand it at all.
He had tried to coax and bring her to his side for a long time but failed every single time. Somehow, this man could bring her to his side completely on his own and in less than a day to boot.
Angara lifted her fingers and pointed them at the monsters. At the same time, the fairies’ lights floating in the sky shot forward and pierced through the monsters’ bodies.
Slash, slash, slash–!
The fairies’ lights, which had grown incomparably stronger than before, left the monsters in constant shock.
Meanwhile, the black currents of energy that had formed the barrier surrounding the forest turned into small round shields. These shields then lowered themselves in front of every single one of the Heavenly Army troops.
The spears from the purgaens’ fur floated above the Heavenly Army troops. They stood tall and showed off their majesty like an entire cavalry division.
[The Forest God’s Affection.]
As mentioned, Angara was an omnipotent and absolute being inside the forest. As long as she was inside, no one could mess with her. She loved and protected the forest and was capable of giving this love to its creatures.
[You have received the affection of the Forest God.]
[All of your attack power will increase by 26%.]
[All of your defensive power will increase by 17%.]
[The Forest God is protecting you.]
On the other hand, she could also inflict damage and punishment upon her enemies.
[You have received the judgment of the Forest God.]@@novelbin@@
[All of your attack power will be reduced by 23%.]
[All of your defensive power will be reduced by 24%.]
[The Forest God is trying to drive you out of the forest.]
‘How can she have this power…’
‘This is amazing.’
Everyone was shocked. Of course, Minhyuk had the same reaction.
‘It shouldn’t be like this before.’
Somehow, her power seemed to be around 30% better. Perhaps this was the Last Light of the Setting Sun.
Knowing that something special would happen two hours later, Angara had decided to let herself burn the brightest.[The Forest God’s Restriction.]
[No one can use their power inside the forest unless they receive permission from the Forest God.]
All of the Heavenly Army troops\' weapons floating in the air landed back in their hands. Although Ferrod could not see whatever was in front of him, now that his weapon was back in his hand, he knew what he had to do.
“Open the path for the Battle God! Let him reach the enemy commander!!!”
The enemies had grown 25% weaker while they became 25% stronger. It was not just that. They also felt highly motivated after recalling the promise the Battle God had given them earlier.
[The allies’ morale has increased by 20%.]
The fairies’ lights illuminated and paved the path for them. The vines and stems stretched out from the ground following Angara’s power and tied the monsters’ necks, ankles, wrists, and legs so they would not move recklessly.
The small boat continued to sail and make its way through the heavy storm!
Lied shouted, “Let us show our loyalty!!!”
Just like how he tried to protect them.
“Let us show our valor!!!”
Just like how he kept his words and promises.
“Let us show the power of the mighty elites of the Heavenly Army!!!”
Just like how they vowed to protect his back from this point on.
The 50,000 Heavenly Army troops charged forward and fought against the monsters that seemed to number a million, with Minhyuk running behind them. He stabbed the ground underneath his feet with the two swords in his hands.
Ring!
[Sudden Quest: Battle God’s Qualifications.]
Rank: SSS
Requirements: Next Battle God.
Rewards: Proof of your worth and qualifications.
Penalty for Failure: You will become a Battle God that everyone dislikes and does not trust.
Description: Clad is someone who fought for the position of the Battle God. He, who has fled into the Abyss, is someone you must eliminate someday to prove your worth and become the full-pledged Battle God. Get rid of Clad right now to receive the recognition and become the true Battle God.
Minhyuk released a shaky breath.
‘He’s someone I’m bound to eliminate at some point.’
Minhyuk would receive a quest later on to deal with Clad. But now, he was being tasked to do what he had to do in the future. It would be a lie if Minhyuk said that he was not afraid. After all, quests given to the players were based on the player’s growth level. This was something that the system had set and determined. A quest that should be given in the future meant that it was a difficult quest that he could not complete with his current self yet.
Minhyuk wondered if he was truly worthy of the name Battle God. Was he strong enough to carry this title?
However, the slight shiver that ran down his spine was not only because of fear. It was also because of the thrill and excitement. If he could kill Clad here, it would prove that Minhyuk qualified to become the Battle God.
Minhyuk glanced at Angara. She was giving her all in killing all of the monsters around her. This meant that this would solely be a fight between Minhyuk and Clad.
“Come,” Clad smirked. “I am the one who challenged the true Battle God. I will show you that the position you want to stand on is not something a greenhorn like you can dream of.”
The reason why Clad did not become the Battle God was not because he was weak. He had failed to become the Battle God because of his arrogance. Moreover, he had also treated his subordinates with reckless abandon and resorted to unscrupulous means. He had the right to look down on someone who was only next in line to become the Battle God.
The word “Crazy” appeared on the blades of Minhyuk’s sword. With every swing of his sword, an explosion would erupt. Not only that, he also released countless sharp blades that tore apart the monsters and left the surroundings in dire straits.
Bang, bang, bang!
Minhyuk, who was moving swiftly, summoned the Ego Chain Sickle.
Clank, clank, clank–!
The Ego Chain Sickle danced around and cut down everything in its path. Then, Minhyuk grabbed its chains and used them to fly to the sky. After reaching a certain point, he let go.
“Like the Wind.”
Minhyuk swung his sword as he moved through the air.
‘Intangible Sword’
Hundreds of invisible swords charged at Clad, who pulled the monsters around him while creating a massive shield in front of him to protect himself. Nonetheless, the most incredible charm of the Intangible Sword was that it could pierce through all of the opponent’s defenses.
Drip–!
Blood dripped down Clad’s cheeks. Clad saw the monsters being torn and ripped apart by the invisible blades from which he had just escaped. When he looked to the side, he saw his large monster corps falling at the hands of Angara, the Seventh Monster God who had now become the vassal of the next generation Battle God.
‘Anyway, this is the end.’
Clad knew that he would not be able to go any further, especially by himself.
He yelled, “Cut me down! If you can cut me down then I will acknowledge you!”
If Minhyuk could cut him down, Clad would accept and acknowledge him. But if Minhyuk could not, Clad would condemn and completely trample on him.
Minhyuk appeared behind the crumbling monsters, his voice echoing in Clad’s ears, “Black Dragon Armor.”
With two swords, Minhyuk clashed fiercely with Clad and his extremely outstanding swordsmanship.
Clang–! Clang, clang–! Clang, clang, clang–!
The two cut down each other. However, despite the shabby and worn-out appearance of Clad’s armor and sword, they did not lose their hardness.
Amidst their intense sword clashes, Clad found himself smiling. In another life, this man could have been his successor.
“Let me teach you.” He smirked.
One of the reasons why Clad became the Battle God’s candidate was his ability to reinforce and strengthen his allies. Another reason was that he had created the world’s greatest and most outstanding swordsmanship.
Alas, no one had mastered the final chapter of Clad’s swordsmanship. Of course, if he had shown this to the Sword God, then the story might have been different. But the Sword God was a Continental God and had nothing to do with the Land of the Gods.
The first chapter of Clad’s swordsmanship unfolded on the battlefield.
“Follow me, rookie,” Clad said, his words mocking.
This was the power that the Heavenly Commanders had learned directly from Clad. This power took a hundred swings of their swords before they could understand.
The first move was a stab that moved like a flying hawk.
[Clad’s Swordsmanship Training has begun.]
[Clad demonstrates his swordsmanship.]
[With every successful demonstration of his swordsmanship, Clad will grow weaker.]
[However, you will not be able to attack him if you fail to understand his swordsmanship.]
Clad had brought everyone down to their knees in a 1v1 battle by using this swordsmanship training skill. Even the current Battle God failed to win against him with this skill.
As Clad moved to stab, Minhyuk saw hundreds of dots in front of him.
‘It’s telling me I don’t need to stab all those dots.’
[Please stab the same red spots that Clad has stabbed.]
What Minhyuk needed to do was to accurately read the path of his sword and perform those movements perfectly on his own. When Minhyuk raised his sword, it accidentally grazed one of the red dots on the sword\'s path earlier.
[You have failed.]
Shwaaa–!
A cut appeared on Minhyuk’s body when he failed. Minhyuk responded with a swing of his sword but was unable to cut Clad.
“Wahahahahahahaha! Come on, cut me down!” Clad roared in excitement.
Minhyuk tried again.
[You have failed.]
Stab–!
[You have failed.]
Fwoosh–!
[You have failed.]
Minhyuk’s body was constantly being cut down while his attacks continued to fail. Clad continued to widen the distance between them as he demonstrated several chapters of his swordsmanship.
The first dealt with stabbing, the second with cutting, and the third with applying the previous chapters. Although they were all simple movements, they were very difficult to master.
The most challenging part was that Minhyuk had to accurately cut down a few dozen red dots out of the hundreds that were present. Even so, Minhyuk continued even if he had been turned into a mess by the countless movements and chapters that Clad had demonstrated.
“Swinging the sword is easy. However, an attack can change even with a slight movement change. This makes it difficult to master the sword. However, with understanding and refinement, it will become easier.”
Clad wanted to create the strongest and most outstanding army in the world. Alas, not a single one of the Heavenly Commanders understood his swordsmanship.
“Ah. So, it’s like this.”
Minhyuk checked all of the chapters. Although he knew the damage inflicted on him would become greater with every failure, he still experimented with the first chapter.
Would it be considered a failure if he hit a dot wrong? He wanted to know if he had to copy every single one of Clad’s actions. That was why he kept on failing.
But now, he was ready to do it.
[You have successfully demonstrated the first chapter.]
With Minhyuk’s first success, Clad started to weaken.
“Transcendence,” Minhyuk uttered as he swung his sword and cut down Clad as a black energy current shot out of his body.
[You have successfully demonstrated the second chapter.]
[You have successfully demonstrated the third chapter.]
[You have successfully demonstrated the fourth chapter.]
[You have successfully demonstrated the fifth chapter.]
Clad’s breathing stagnated as the strength slowly left his body. He could not believe it. Minhyuk was moving the same way that he did earlier. Of course, there was something that Clad did not know.
‘I am a player. And thanks to that, I can see those red dots.’
If he were an NPC, he might have to find the correct answer by swinging in empty air, without the guidance of those red dots. However, even though Minhyuk had received such a privilege, the achievement he was making right now was something that no ordinary player could achieve.
[...sixth…]
[...seventh…]
Clad trembled. He could only stare blankly at Minhyuk, unable to continue his attacks and demonstrations.
[You have successfully demonstrated the eighth chapter.]
There was not a single mistake.
[You have completely understood and demonstrated every chapter of Clad’s Swordsmanship.]
[Please demonstrate all of the chapters in reverse.]
This time, Minhyuk had to do it in reverse.
The reason why one had to master Clad’s Swordsmanship until the final chapter was because the shabby stabbing, cutting, and swinging would only become a swordsmanship that no one could deal with if it were demonstrated in reverse.
[The opponent’s understanding of your swordsmanship has reached 94%.]
[Clad’s Swordsmanship Training is completed.]
[You will grow weak depending on the opponent’s understanding of your swordsmanship. You have grown 84% weaker.]
Meanwhile, Clad, who had seen Minhyuk demonstrate his entire swordsmanship, laughed.
“Transcendental’s Spear,” Minhyuk called out.
A spear made of light appeared in the air and shot toward him. However, Clad did not resist.
Shwaaaa–!
He even greeted the spear made of light with open arms as it pierced through his heart. The attack made him stumble. When he felt Minhyuk approach him to cut his head, he raised his hand and grabbed the man’s shoulder.
Was Clad evil? After losing the power struggle against the current Battle God, he fled to the Abyss to live and survive. In the end, he turned his back on the Land of the Gods and tried to obtain the Battle God\'s throne by using the monsters of the Abyss.
If someone heard his story, they might think he was a villain. Regardless, Clad had the same dream that the current Battle God had. He just wanted to create an army that would never lose against anyone. He just wanted to make an army that would not be afraid even if they were facing enemies that were stronger than them. Even if he could not do that, he hoped his successors would be able to.
Ultimately, he and the Battle God had the same goal—to protect the Land of the Gods.
Clad tightened his grip on Minhyuk’s shoulders and said, “I acknowledge you.”
[You have acquired Clad’s Authority: Army Swordsmanship Creation.]
“May you become a monarch that surpasses me.”
[You have acquired Clad’s Authority: Army Defense Technique Creation.]
“It’s a pity I cannot be with you or stay by your side. You, who will become a monarch who will walk a better path than me, the current Battle God or the previous Battle Gods.”
The dying Clad slowly knelt on both knees. He, who wanted to protect the Land of the Gods, had become a villain who mocked and threatened the same beings he swore to protect. This very same person went down on his knees and paid courtesy and respect to the Battle God in front of him.
With a hoarse voice, the dying Clad said, “Great Monarch Minhyuk, I will remember you forever.”
Finally, Clad released his final breath.