Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1196

Chapter 1196

Minhyuk looked at the white spear Hephaestus held out to him, which became the Battle God’s Guardian Spear. He did not want anything from Hephaestus.

Of course, if he could bring him to the Beyond the Heavens Empire, he would most definitely create various items and artifacts for the empire. However, as his friend, Minhyuk would never force Hephaestus to do anything. There was only one thing that Minhyuk wanted his help with. And that was for Hephaestus to help him find a way to save Herakel.

Minhyuk’s mouth dropped open after he was presented with something that was far too much. He stuttered, “I... Th-this... This spear...”

But Hephaestus spoke over him. “No. You’re the only one who can take this.”

What did the words “Guardian Spear” mean?

“This spear is made to protect something or someone.”

Otherwise, this spear would have no use.

“As your friend, I made this spear to protect you.”

Minhyuk saw the firm determination and the unyielding spirit in Hephaestus’ eyes. When Hephaestus saw the hesitation in Minhyuk’s eyes, he grabbed the spear and said, “Then, should I break it? If you don’t need this spear, it has nothing to protect. That means that it’s useless.”

A small chuckle bubbled out of Minhyuk’s throat when he realized that Hephaestus had made a small joke. Now, he was also capable of playing jokes on others.

“Thanks.”

Minhyuk accepted the Guardian Spear that Hephaestus gave him. Hephaestus immediately winked at him and pointed at the spear. He was telling Minhyuk to check the spear. And, of course, Minhyuk checked it right away.

(Battle God’s Guardian Spear)

Rank: Gaia’s God

Requirements: First Seal: Level 700; Second Seal: Level 800; Third Seal: Level 1,000.

Durability: ∞ / ∞

Attack Power: 1,660

Special Abilities:

•All Special Abilities will be available to you just by possessing the spear.

•Transparent Mode is available for use.

•All of your stats will increase by 4%.

•All your physical and magical attack power will increase by 5%.

•Passive Skill: Spear that Guards the Battle God.

•Passive Skill: God of Lightning.

•Active Skill: Exploding Lightning.

Description: This masterpiece was created by the God of Blacksmiths, Hephaestus, to protect someone.

Minhyuk immediately realized that the Battle God’s Guardian Spear did not follow the equipment concept. In other words, it did not need to be equipped for use.

‘This works a lot better for me.’

In the first place, Minhyuk’s primary weapon was not a spear but a sword. Even if the Battle God’s Guardian Spear were an excellent artifact, it would backfire on him if he could not get used to using the weapon. When Minhyuk released his hold on the Battle God’s Guardian Spear, the spear floated and revolved around Minhyuk. It moved as if it had an ego of its own.

Minhyuk checked the passive skill: Spear that Guards the Battle God.

‘A spear made of lightning with an additional 400% damage will strike down those recognized as an enemy.’

There was no mention of several attacks per second, which may have been why it was the best.

‘It’s just like I’m swinging my sword.’

The Battle God’s Guardian Spear, without any cooldown time, restriction, or limits, would continue to attack those deemed Minhyuk’s enemy. That was not all. Even the active skill that was attached to the artifact was highly appealing.

‘All enemies within a forty-meter radius will be put in a two-second stunned state.’

Skills with AOE stun effects were scarce. In fact, Minhyuk did not have any skill with an AOE stun effect right now.

Then, there was the other passive skill, the God of Lightning.

‘It has a 1.3% chance of being activated when launching an attack. Upon activation, movement speed will be tripled while attack speed will be doubled for three seconds.’

Minhyuk was in awe. His AGI was already very high; it was almost impossible for players around 100~200 levels lower than him to follow his movements. Already in a state where his speed was considered monstrous, he could even experience a 3x increase in movement speed and a 2x increase in attack speed.

‘If this skill activates in a dangerous situation, then...’

It would create a higher synergistic effect. Then, another set of notifications rang.

[Hephaestus, the craftsman who created the Battle God’s Guardian Spear, has made it so that you can use all of the spear's power once for two minutes.]

[However, you cannot check the information or the effects of the completely unsealed Battle God’s Guardian Spear.]

[Once activated, all Battle God’s Guardian Spear’s special abilities will be in effect.]

In the case of sealed artifacts, the user could not know how much better the artifact would become until the seal was lifted.

‘If that’s the case, then I will have to estimate how much better it will become upon unsealing through the damage it will inflict once activated.’

Although only the first seal of the Battle God’s Guardian Spear has been released, its abilities were already considered cheat-like. Everyone who saw it would think the same thing.

‘According to the Greco-Roman mythology, Hephaestus created a lightning bolt for Zeus. This lightning bolt was the main reason he was hailed as the Greatest God.’

Perhaps this spear was that lightning bolt. If Zeus had held it, all the seals would have been released. It was already crazy in this state, so how strong would it be if all of its power was available for use?

“Do you like it, my friend?”

“I like it so much that I want to dance around with it.”

Hephaestus was highly pleased. The efforts that he had made were not a waste at all. He knew that this artifact would take care of Minhyuk in his stead.

Meanwhile, this was the notification that rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[The Gods of Olympus will now treat you with hostility.]

This happened because Minhyuk took away Hephaestus, who they wanted to use and treat like a dog for the rest of his life.

Anyway, there was still one thing that Minhyuk wanted to ask Hephaestus. He said, “Hephaestus, do you know about Herakel?”

A strange glint appeared in Hephaestus’ eyes. Hephaestus did not have any friends. Of course, in a way, Herakel was like a friend to Hephaestus. He was also someone Hephaestus considered a business partner of some sort. Either way, Herakel was the only person who smiled, greeted, and talked with Hephaestus openly.

Minhyuk quickly explained the story to Hephaestus.

“Hera wants to drive Herakel to his death.”

Hephaestus pondered deeply. He said, “Someone has to support the sky. However, no man can support the sky except Atlas and Herakel.”

Minhyuk’s expression grew ugly. Did that mean that Herakel could only support the sky forever until he turned to stone and died? Thankfully, Minhyuk’s fantastic friend, Hephaestus, was able to come up with an answer.

“Maybe we just need to set up some support poles?”

“Support pole?”

“Something that can support the sky like Herakel and Atlas. Of course, I will make the support poles myself.”

A strange expression flashed on Minhyuk’s face briefly. At the same time, a whisper arrived.

[Alex: I found Herakel’s location.]

Minhyuk turned to Hephaestus and said, “Hephaestus, please help me protect the people precious to me.”

If Hephaestus left this place, his abilities would drop by 15%. Furthermore, he would probably be stripped of his status as a true god of Olympus.

Even so, Hephaestus did not hesitate to answer, “Of course.”

At this moment, Hephaestus was finally wholly freed from the shackles of Olympus that had trapped him in this place.

***

The fact that Hera was building an army using her dungeon as a front had already been discovered. Just a few hours after that discovery, the Gods of Olympus were presented with something that made them even angrier.

Hephaestus had declared that he would no longer make any weapons or artifacts for Olympus. He also chose to hand over the completed Olympus Guardian Spear to someone else. Because of this, Zeus decided to release Hera temporarily. He even agreed to help her run amok.

Hera summoned the Giants. Like the Good Giant Perrin, the giants she summoned were huge and tough. Just ninety giants alone were enough to go to war against Olympus. Regardless, because they were all equipped with a certain necklace, it was now possible for the gods of Olympus to control them.

“Poor Herakel, Zeus even gave him a chance.”

After all, Herakel was still one of Zeus’ children.

“If you pledge your loyalty to me and abandon him, then I will spare your life. I will even talk personally to Atlas so that he can support the sky in your stead.”

Olympus’ purpose was to create a crack in the strong bond between Herakel and Minhyuk. It was an immature and childish revenge against someone who had taken the Olympus’ Guardian Spear from them.

Herakel said, “I’d rather turn into stone.”

He remained steadfast in his choice. This was something that Hera had expected.

[The Gods of Olympus make the sky heavier.]

[The heavy weight of the sky presses down on you even further.]

“...”

Herakel almost groaned under the pressure from the immense weight of the sky he was supporting. At the same time, he realized, ‘I will not be able to hold on much longer if I have to support this weight.’

The reason Herakel had to support the sky was to atone for his sin and ensure that his wife and three children would no longer suffer in hell. The heavier the sky grew, the heavier the pressure on Herakel. This unbearable weight would then push him to make a choice: surrender or turn into stone. He would only be able to support the sky's weight if he turned into stone.

[The sky is starting to grow heavier.]

Hera giggled at Herakel. “You will be released from your misery if you just say one thing. Just pledge to serve Zeus.”

Herakel did not like that one bit. He knew that pledging to serve Zeus would mean abandoning Minhyuk.

“By any chance, are you under the illusion that he will come here? You better scrap that thought.” Hera smiled faintly. “Zeus has placed a restriction in this place.”

In the end, the man was a foreigner.

“Whether they are foreigners or guardians, as long as they are from another continent, they will be placed under our restrictions the moment they step inside the Gaia Continent.”

It was only natural.

“As for the restriction placed here, well, if he dares to enter this place and dies, then as a foreigner, he will be subjected to ten times the pain that an ordinary foreigner has to suffer.”

That was not all.

“And you must know, he’s the Battle God.”

Hera cackled. She had already suffered from Minhyuk’s Immortal Knight Order. However, there were no less than ninety giants present in this place. These giants would tear them apart all at once.

She held out the bead that she was holding in her hands. “This is an item that Zeus gave me.”

“...”

Herakel knew what that item was. That fist-size bead, which seemed to hold the entire universe, could inflict pain and leave anyone who dared to enter a designated area burning in flames. The deeper they went inside, the more painful the fire covering their bodies would become.

Then, they saw that Minhyuk was coming.

“So, he came.” Hera squinted. She was confident that Herakel would eventually fall into Zeus’ hands.

Things weren’t going in the direction that she wanted them to go, but she was still very relieved that she would be able to make that damned Battle God eat shit. Besides, she would be delighted to see Herakel in disappointment. After all, the man he served would give up and go back after being informed that he would suffer ten times the risk if he entered this place.

Hera was not yet finished. She did something far more excessive.

“I will hit you until the words, ‘I will serve Zeus,’ comes out of your mouth.”

Hera brought out the Whip of Anguished Screams. This whip was a torture device. It could amplify the pain that the opponent would feel to the max. She would use this on Herakel until he declared that he would serve Zeus.

Not only would Herakel witness the man that he trusted the most leave him behind, but he would also be able to suffer from deep and constant pain.

Thwack–!

A deep and burning pain, one that he had never felt before in his life, spread in Herakel’s body the moment the whip made contact with his flesh. Although the pain should have been unbearable and should have ripped a scream out of his mouth, Herakel remained silent and endured.

At that moment, Hera took out a crystal ball. The crystal ball displayed Minhyuk’s figure. They saw Minhyuk summoning his vassals using the invitation tickets he received from Olympus. Then, not long after, he and his vassals seemed to have finally heard that they would receive a tenfold penalty. They seemed to have also listened to the fact that they would be engulfed in flames and feel unbearable pain the moment they entered the place where Herakel was being kept.

However, the Minhyuk inside the crystal ball spoke out.

[Is there someone here who wants to run away?]

[None!]

[Let’s go.] Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“...?!”

Hera was flustered when she saw Minhyuk declare something like that so easily. Even the reaction of Minhyuk’s vassals left her stunned.

Immediately after that, blazing flames burned to life and covered the bodies of Minhyuk and his vassals. Groans escaped their mouths from the fire that was hotter than hellfire, licked their flesh, and devoured their bodies.

For some reason, every single one of them continued to head deeper despite their suffering.

The flustered Hera felt a sense of urgency. She began to whip Herakel more intensely and faster than before. She even urged the giants to join in. They grabbed their clubs and began to beat Herakel.

Hera cried out, “Quick, say it! Say that you will serve Zeus! Abandon that bastard!”

Herakel was being tormented by unbearable pain. He felt like his entire body was being torn and ripped apart. Even so, he remained silent. At this point, the giants were already hitting Herakel’s head with their clubs.

Bang–!

Bang, bang–!

Bang–!

Herakel’s consciousness blurred as blood dripped down his forehead. Even in such a state, he continued to support the sky.

‘I’m sorry, everyone...’

An illusion appeared in his eyes. The illusion showed the images of his wife and children, the very same people who he killed with his own hands. They stood before Herakel with faint smiles, their figures scattered with the wind.

Then, another illusion appeared in front of him. This time, it showed the image of a boy. Suddenly, Herakel recalled the conversation that he had with the boy in the past.

–Herakel! Conir loves Herakel so much!

The boy smiled brightly as he declared how much he liked Herakel. The Herakel of the past laughed happily beside the boy. Then, the boy said...

–Herakel. Master Sword God told Conir something. Master said that Conir has the purest heart. He noted that Conir might be able to reach the highest level of the Heart Sword when Conir tries to protect someone.

Herakel was in awe.

–Wow. Conir’s amazing! Then, Conir, are you saying that you’ll protect me?!

–That’s right! Conir will protect Herakel wherever you are!

At the same time, Herakel grew curious about what kind of swordsmanship Conir was talking about.

–That swordsmanship... what kind of swordsmanship is it?!

In response to Herakel’s question, Conir said...

–That swordsmanship...

Herakel looked at the illusion of the boy, Conir. Just like before, the illusion scattered with the wind. Then, he caught sight of the figures of Minhyuk and the vassals burning and collapsing through Hera’s crystal ball.

Back then, Herakel had promised to protect the boy if he was in danger. And, of course, Conir pledged the same thing to him. Conir, engulfed with blazing flames, stood tall among the fallen vassals with an invisible sword.

[Crackle–!]

The flames that devoured the boy’s body grew more significant. Nonetheless, Conir had a slight smile on his face.

[Conir promised... Wherever... Herakel... is... Conir... will protect... him...!]

Herakel murmured, “How far... is the... distance from... this place from that place...?”

Hera smirked, “There is a thirty-kilometer distance between us.”

Herakel slowly nodded. He squinted his eyes and called out, “Conir...” as he stared at the face of the young boy being displayed in the crystal ball.

Then, shocking notifications rang all over the Gaia Continent and the other continents.

[The Greatest Sword God has completed the Final Chapter of the Heart Sword!]

Piiiiiiing–!

Hera and the giants, who had surrounded Herakel, heard an unidentified sword cry. It was the final chapter of the Heart Sword.

“...cut them all down.” Herakel smiled.

At that moment, Hera saw the bead in her hand—the very same bead that had brought flames that devoured Minhyuk and his vassals—split in half.

“Ah...” Hera let out a scream as her left arm fell to the ground.

Spurt–!

Her vision quickly turned hazy from the pain. Despite that, she still looked around. And what greeted her was the scene of blood spurting out of the bodies of all ninety giants she summoned.

[Ten Thousand Li Sword.]

The Heart Sword’s Final Chapter: Ten Thousand Li Sword was a sword that could cut down all enemies even if they were thirty kilometers from the swordsman.