Chapter 603: Hyunsoo vs. Valhalla

[Your Cut Them in Two was extraordinary.]

[It cut down everything within a 3 km radius and dealt an astonishing 3,200% additional damage.]

[It was a mythic strike that even gods rarely witness.]

[That is why those who witnessed its divine authority raised objections.]

[The god good at making things objected that the reward was insufficient, because a man with the inborn nature of a blacksmith had created, even if only once, a mythic attack no human could possibly perform.]

[The god who loves fighting was awestruck that a power even he could not wield had manifested at a human’s fingertips, and objected that the reward was insufficient.]

[The God of Death looked into the true nature of the battle and objected that the reward was insufficient, having learned that 47,000 people could have been killed in an instant had it been a real battle.]

[Many other undisclosed gods also objected to the system that the reward was insufficient.]

The detailed notifications that arrived a beat late made it seem as though even Ares sometimes needed the opinions of other gods before making a decision.

Then again.

If everything unfolded solely according to Ares’s will, the game called Ares might become a duller world than anyone expected.

[The system accepts all objections from the gods. It searches for a new reward.]

[The reward is amplified even further.]

[Cut Them in Two evolves.]

[All gods watch as Cut Them in Two evolves.]

Why were they watching?

It felt as if they were pressuring the system to give him a fair, proper reward.

Cut Them in Two was a power imbued in the Twin Dragon Sword, and Hyunsoo’s signature ability.

He could find himself in the worst possible situation at any time—facing 100,000 enemies, or even 200,000.

In that case, a one-stage evolution of Cut Them in Two was certainly better than any of the rewards mentioned earlier.

Of course, the system had also offered 2 Skill Points.

But raising a skill level with Skill Points and evolving an artifact skill were completely different concepts.

Just considering that one normally had to reach skill level 9 before evolving a skill by another grade showed how incredible evolution was.

Could it become twice as good?

Just as anticipation filled him—

Ding!

[It evolves into the Mythic grade.]

“What...?”

Hyunsoo’s eyes widened.

The original Cut Them in Two was already a top-tier Legendary power.

The reason it had displayed Transcendent-grade force was because of the greatsword.

A greatsword’s destructive power and long reach were reflected in the skill itself.

Yet the Twin Dragon Sword was not Mythic, while Cut Them in Two alone was now listed as Mythic.

That was astonishing.

Then—

[Its name changes to Blazing Cut Them in Two.]

The name of Cut Them in Two had been decided.

Honestly, it was lame.

If he shouted, “Blazing Cut Them in Two!” in front of the public, it was obvious how people would look at him.

The media around the world would probably run stories about Hyunsoo’s embarrassing teenage-hero phase, while viewers everywhere shook their heads.

Yet for some reason...

[The god good at making things is pleased.]

[The god who loves fighting nods.]

[The God of Death strokes their chin.]

Despite the painfully dramatic name, the gods who had raised objections did not react to it lightly.

[The activation phrase remains unchanged.]

And he did not even have to say the activation phrase aloud.

Hyunsoo thought it over.

The original Cut Them in Two could strike all enemies within a maximum radius of 500 m with up to 1,100% additional damage.

How much power would this new Cut Them in Two have?

Hyunsoo checked immediately.

(Blazing Cut Them in Two.)

Active Skill.

Grade: Mythic.

MP Cost: 25,000

Cooldown: 1 hour.

Effects:

·Can strike all enemies within a 1.4 km radius with Cut Them in Two, dealing 1,100% additional attack power.

·Flames erupt from areas cut by Cut Them in Two, dealing 200% damage per second. They will not be easily extinguished.

·100% hit rate. Targets cannot dodge!

Hyunsoo stared at it in admiration.

This is insane...

It could not even be compared to +5 all stats, 2 Skill Points, or +3% to all attack power.

The radius has nearly tripled. And it inflicts continuous burn damage?

Unfortunately, the additional damage had not increased.

But the tremendous expansion of the skill’s radius would let him cut down far more enemies.

And in the first place, it was difficult to endure even a single strike from Hyunsoo’s Cut Them in Two.

Anyone who survived it would be proof of genuine strength.

And those survivors would keep taking damage as their wounds burned until the flames finally went out.

That was not all.

The burns on the wounds will probably inflict status ailments too.

Against the Parion Empire Army.

Or in any future crisis.

Hyunsoo had acquired a foundation that would allow him to take another step forward.

And then—

“Your Majesty, thank you!”

“It is an honor to serve Your Majesty!”

“We will raise the intensity of our training and support Your Majesty without fail!”

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers shouted fervently, grateful to Hyunsoo for helping them grow.

“I’m proud of you, Hyunsoo.”

“Now get some rest.”

“You are building this country.”

The guild members, too, watched the nation that had grown because of Hyunsoo with warm smiles.

But they did not know.

Fourteen stats.

That was the number of stats Hyunsoo had gained through fighting them.

And Blazing Cut Them in Two.

He would never have obtained it without them.

That was right.

The nation of Hyun was walking the most ideal path—one where Hyunsoo and his people grew together.

Finally, Hyunsoo decided to log out before he had another fainting spell.

[You have logged out.]

As his body dissolved into light, a faint smile rested on Hyunsoo’s lips.

Meanwhile.

Nell had been watching Hyunsoo and his people grow together with satisfaction.

Then reality hit.

“Oh, dear...”

“I think my bones are broken...”

“Priest! Please call a priest...”

“I think my armor and sword need repairs too...”

“His Majesty did this to us, so the nation will take care of it for free, right?”

“Of course. Surely they would not leave us like this without healing us or repairing our equipment?”

180,000 injured soldiers looked at Nell with sparkling eyes.

To heal them, she would have to request priests from the Ares Church.

And to repair their weapons and armor, hundreds of blacksmiths would have to work without sleep for a month.

Considering labor and material costs, it would require at least several billion won.

Nell asked Resil,

“Where did His Majesty Hyunsoo go? Did he have another fainting spell?”

“...He logged out.”

“...”

Nell finally understood why Hyunsoo had chosen to log out before collapsing again.

He had run away.

*****

Two days in real time.

That was how long Hyunsoo had spent finishing the Verd Territory Battle and the training with 500,000 soldiers.

During that time, the World Championship’s Throne Match had continued.

Hyunsoo had also fought his third match within those two days.

How had Hyunsoo managed to fight a third Throne Match while so busy?

After Lorander and Musashi, his next match was against an assassin named Redeng.

Redeng.

Unlike ordinary assassins, he could activate various buff effects that strengthened him.

During the first and second rounds of the Throne Match, Redeng had forced two contestants to log out through his exceptional skill.

As a new rookie, he had drawn attention as one of the World Championship’s rising powerhouses.

And before the match began—

HUFF, HUFF, HUFF!

Hyunsoo arrived right on time after spending the day in the Verd Territory Battle.

Redeng found the sight ridiculous.

“Even with ample preparation, it would not be enough...! I will defeat you and claim the name of the strongest!!”

Three buffs stacked one after another, surrounding him in multicolored light.

The sight was dazzling enough to be beautiful.

Hyunsoo had rushed to the arena, logged in, and put on an expression that said, Whew, I made it.

Then Redeng erupted with immense power and launched himself forward.

“Link. Gathering.”

SHWAAAAACK!

Redeng, who had leaped high into the air to drive down a massive ultimate skill, was dragged in.

“Cut Them in Two.”

SHRRRRRIP!

Because an assassin’s fatal weakness was low HP and defense—

Ten seconds after the match began, Redeng was forced to log out.

Crying, he left after saying he would claim the title of strongest next time.

And Hyunsoo?

One minute after the match began, he vanished again to return to the Verd Territory Battle.

-What did I just watch?

-There was someone here, and now there wasn’t...?

The public, which had criticized and mocked Hyunsoo for rushing in at the last second, seemed to buffer for a moment.

Those who had yelled that he was arrogant and disrespecting the match kept their mouths shut.

-Overwhelming...

Only once the buffering ended did people begin to feel even greater anticipation before his overwhelming strength.

That anticipation came from the prospect of a match between Hyunsoo and Valhalla.

And as if responding—

THUD! THUD-THUD! THUD-THUD-THUD!!

In Valhalla’s next match, Valhalla forced an opponent to log out in seven seconds, as though answering Hyunsoo.

Each time the two of them fought and displayed their power, the public grew more excited and more eager.

Because the next match was the final.

Hyunsoo vs. Valhalla.

*****

Thank you.

Kabel and Valhalla spoke by phone from time to time.

But that day, Valhalla’s farewell before ending the call left even someone as sharp as Kabel with an inexplicable sense of unease.

What was that?

The feeling was too distinct.

That was why Kabel committed an act no friend should commit.

They began investigating Valhalla’s past.

Orphanage.

Sophia.

Marriage.

Separation.

Reason to live.

As Kabel traced each piece one by one, they came to understand the reason Valhalla lived.

Hyunsoo...

That even the one reason Valhalla had left could disappear.

And Valhalla’s farewell had implied it.

That Valhalla was someone who could let go of the thread of life at any moment.

-Tomorrow!

-The World Championship final begins!

Unaware of any of that, the television buzzed about Hyunsoo vs. Valhalla.

I have to stop this.

Valhalla could not be allowed to win.

And Kabel was someone who could analyze things better than anyone.

The odds were high that Valhalla would win overwhelmingly.

That was why.

[Kabel: Hyunsoo, come to my sanctuary.]

[Hyunsoo: What’s gotten into you? I’m coming right nowww!]

Kabel, who had been training under the Tyrant, summoned Hyunsoo to their domain.

Kabel and Valhalla.

Who was stronger?

Kabel knew the truth.

Valhalla is far above me.

Then between Hyunsoo and themselves, who was stronger?

They would be stronger.

“Awaken.”

Inside their sanctuary—a pitch-black, shadowy castle—Kabel stretched out a hand.

The Tyrant’s Authority, which the Tyrant had enabled them to wield, manifested.

Thousands of slumbering undead werewolves awakened.

The Level 500 undead howling around Kabel clearly demonstrated the power possessed by Ares’s number two.

I’m sorry.

Kabel knew Hyunsoo had dreams as well.

But they could not allow this match to happen.

They intended to overwhelm Hyunsoo with force and make him forfeit.

Then Hyunsoo emerged from the dark forest.

At that moment—

[Tyrant’s Killing Intent manifests.]

That was a mistake.

Kabel realized it.

Because they were determined to overwhelm Hyunsoo by force, they had not restrained the transcendent power obtained from Tyrant Jebar, one of the absolute monarchs.

This power was transcendent.

It crushed its target beneath overwhelming pressure and filled them with despair.

And once despair took hold, every undead raised by the command “Awaken” would attack.

I did not mean to crush him this completely...

But it had already happened.

A tremendous power manifested around Hyunsoo in the distance.

[Tyrant’s Killing Intent manifests.]

[Tyrant’s Killing Intent crushes any target beneath immense killing intent, leaving them unable even to breathe.]

[This is the power of a Transcendent.]

[It inflicts the status ailment Extreme Fear.]

[It inflicts the status ailment Transcendent’s Eyes.]

I’m sorry, Hyunsoo. I’m sorry.

But then—

[Master Blacksmith’s Pride.]

[One who possesses immense Charisma surpassing Legend by one grade suppresses even the power of a Transcendent.]

[The status ailment Extreme Fear dares not oppress him.]

[The status ailment Transcendent’s Eyes dares not observe him.]

Ding!

[This target is unaffected by Tyrant’s Killing Intent.]

[The undead lose their will to fight due to Master Blacksmith’s Pride.]

Kabel froze.

“Kiiing!”

“Kiiing!”

The 5,000 werewolves recoiled in fear, then dropped flat to the ground, making it clear that they had no will to fight.

Werewolves possessed animal instincts.

There was only one reason creatures like them would retreat.

When they judged someone to be stronger than the one they recognized as their master.

Only then did Kabel realize it.

Hyunsoo had already surpassed them long ago.