Chapter 1410: Side Story 19
Chapter 1410 - Side Story 19
Bella was antsy and restless. She could not forget the upright and righteous gaze of the old man, whose warm hands had wrapped around hers.
“They cannot do it. How can foreigners who have just come over to this place be able to bring down the lord of the territory?”
Regardless, it was an impossible task for them to accomplish.
When they saw them charge out like that earlier, many of the people grew excited. They all looked at them with anticipation, thinking, ‘Maybe this time…’
Regardless, when they disappeared, their rationality returned. With their heated thoughts cooling down, they reflected on their situation and realized that it was an impossible task to complete.
“It might not be too late yet. Let’s go and stop them before they reach the lord’s castle and lodge complaints!”
Bella nodded in agreement to the words of one of the citizens.
Just like that, they all rushed toward the lord’s castle. ***
Minhyuk loved the chairmen and presidents. Of course, his love and care for them was not because they were the leaders of the business community. It was an entirely separate matter.
Companies, enterprises, and businesses were naturally in competition with one another. However, the competitive structure that they followed could be said to have been done in good faith. In other words, they were competing fairly and above board.
During the first year when Minhyuk contracted eating addiction, the chairmen and presidents who were close to his father, Kang Minhoo, had all moved and gone all over the world to try and find a cure for his disease.
That was not all. Minhyuk’s eating addiction was revealed when he was twenty-one years old. However, many people were already aware of this fact long before it was revealed. Despite many people knowing, there were no rumors about it. The Ilhwa Group, along with these chairmen and presidents, prevented any information about him from leaking out. That was right, these very same grandpas who started Athenae just recently.
Anyone with common sense would wonder why they decided to hide the information and prevent it from spreading. After all, if Ilhwa Group fell, then their companies would soar. Yet none of them did that. The reason was simple. It was because they loved and cherished Minhyuk. They wanted to see Minhyuk, who was still very young at the time, become the successor to the Ilhwa Group one day. Despite their unusual and strange manner of speaking, they were excellent and kind adults.
Back then, Minhyuk made a promise to himself.
‘When my eating addiction is cured and there comes a day when the chairmen and presidents decide to play this game, I will make sure to help them both materially and spiritually.’
He wanted to repay the kindness he had received from them. The memory was still vivid to Minhyuk. He could remember Grandpa Min-Tae holding his hand as he cried in his blanket in the hospital room.
–Minhyuk, are you scared?
–I’m so scared, Grandpa. Whenever I think that I might die tomorrow, tears will come to me.
His kind grandpa gently patted the blanket.
–Hoho. Right. I understand. But Minhyuk, don’t you know?
His grandfather spoke in a kind and gentle voice.
–Me, Chun-Sik, Tae-Soo, Minhoo, and even that guy whom we always tease as a traitor every day.
–All of us will do our best to try to save you.
–So, Minhyuk. Just trust us. Who do you think we are?
At that moment, Minhyuk learned that strength came from power and authority. He knew who these people were. They were the people who had won and stood at the pinnacle of South Korea’s business and political scene. The strongest and greatest of the country. This fact drove out the fear that had almost consumed him.
Grandpa Min-Tae was the one who stepped forward and took the lead in comforting the scared Minhyuk. Under his guidance, Minhyuk slowly shed the shackles of fear that gripped him.
***
“G-grandpa…?”
Right now, Grandpa Min-Tae’s head just burst in front of Minhyuk. Furthermore, the greedy and vicious lord of the territory who did that to him was laughing maniacally.
The person that he killed was Minhyuk’s benefactor, the person who protected him. And now, it seemed like it was Minhyuk’s turn to protect him.
“GRANDPAAAAAA!!!”
“Your… Your Majesty Minhyuk’s… G… Grandfather…?” Vermont staggered back. “Th… this person?”
Who was Minhyuk? He was the foreigners’ Supreme, praised by foreigners and NPCs alike. He was the master and owner of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, an empire strong enough to devour the Luvien Empire. Not only that, he also became the Master of the Western Continents.
‘These old men are His Majesty’s grandfathers?’
Vermont immediately kowtowed. “Your… Your Majesty! It’s a misunderstanding! These old men insulted me first!”
Anyone who insulted and showed contempt for the lord could be sentenced to the death penalty. He had to make the most of this and find a way to survive. However, it was pretty foolish. After all, what kind of an existence was an emperor? An emperor was someone who could easily erase an entire territory from existence with just a few words.
“There have been rumors and talks about Territory Lord Vermont filling his stomach by raising taxes as he pleased. It has been said that he did it without reporting to the imperial palace.”
A bright light flashed. When the light faded away, Prime Minister Haze could be seen standing right next to Minhyuk. The prime minister investigated quickly. She said, “It’s true.”
“Heed my orders. He will be stripped of his position as the lord of the territory. The three generations of his family, who have filled their stomachs alongside him, will be executed. Furthermore, all of his assets, including his properties, will be confiscated. The confiscated assets will be liquidated and returned to the people of the territory. A new lord will be appointed to set things right. Also…”
Swoosh!
“You will be executed.”
Vermont could not believe what was happening in front of him. Was this man telling him that he was going to die just because he stepped on one of the old men here and trampled on him?
As for Minhyuk, he did not hesitate at all.
Fwoosh!
He quietly sheathed his sword back into its scabbard after taking Vermont’s head. Then, he slowly approached the place where his Grandpa Min-Tae had disappeared.
‘It’s as if he’s still here.’
Overcome by sadness, Minhyuk began to cry. “G… Grandpa… Grandpaaaaaa!!!”
ILoveGrandmaChunja appeared with a flash of light among the crowd that had gathered.
[Your level is below Level 10.]
[Anyone with a level below Level 10 will be revived in the village right away.]
Min-Tae was deeply moved when he saw Minhyuk grieve his death! Even his group of old friends surrounded the young man.
Since they had just started the game, the old men were unfamiliar with the concept of revival and resurrection in the game called Athenae. They did not know that they would be revived after their character died.
“Sniff, sniff. This old bastard. In the end, he’s the one who went away first…”
“He told us every day that he missed Grandma Chun-Ja. But now, he left us first…”
The group of grandfathers looked up at the sky.
“May you rest in peace up there…”
Because the chairmen and presidents all had little time left to spend with the younger generation, they grew even more emotional at the death of one of their friends.
“Heuk, heuk, heuk. Min-Tae, you bastard!”
“How can you go just like that?!”
Min-Tae’s heart throbbed painfully.
‘As expected, they’re the only ones who think of me and care about me. Thank you, you bastards. Because of you, I’m not lonely in my last years…’
“Min-Tae, I’m going to be honest with you. I can only bring myself to say this now that you have left…” Chairman 6, Tae-Soo, flashed a watery smile at the sky. “Remember that time when you were twenty? When you were in a coma for three days after being hit by a baseball from somewhere…? When you woke up, I cursed whoever it was with you, right? That was actually me.”
‘...You f*cker.’
Chairman 1 also stared at the sky and said, “Min-Tae… there was a time when you called me for help when you were on the verge of being bankrupt… Back then, I told you that I did not have the money. But… I actually had some. I was just afraid that you would run away with it…”
‘This bastard…?’
Even Traitor said, “Hey, punk. You heard a lot of stories about Chun-Ja’s ex-boyfriend before you went out with her, right? That ex-boyfriend was me.”
“...?”
The chairmen and presidents, who were confessing their sins, paused and stared at Traitor. Traitor coughed awkwardly, his expression flustered.
“Min-Tae, if you are listening in heaven. Please…”
“Shit! You f*ckers!” Min-Tae flew in, kicking Traitor directly in the face.
“Keheok!”
“Ohhh! Min-Tae!”
Minhyuk also woke up from the pain and sadness. He blurted out, “Ah! That’s right. Novices can come back to life right away!”
“Urk! Min… Min-Tae. I’m going to go to heaven at this rate!”
“Shut up! Get lost!”
Then, a notification rang.
[ILoveGrandmaChunja has PKed SKrIndependence.]
“...?”
Traitor turned into ashes that were scattered by the wind.
Chairman 6 Tae-Soo looked around and smiled. “Hoho. His… His death is well-deserved. Then~”
“Good job killing him. Anyway, he’s bound to die soon.”
“Tae-Soo, you punk! You said that you nursed me for three days and three nights! Ah, now that I think about it, I’m getting mad! You even cried when I woke up!”
Chairman 6 Tae-Soo shut his mouth.
“You must have been crying back then because I did not croak and even came back to life, no?!”
“Hoho. It’s all in the past…” Chairman 6 Tae-Soo looked up at the sky. “Urk!”
Chairman 6 Tae-Soo flew away with a punch from Min-Tae. After beating around the chairmen and presidents who confessed their sins to him, Min-Tae finally approached Minhyuk. He said, “Hoho. Thank you, my baby.”
It seemed like Minhyuk finally made up for his rudeness during the Goblin Defense Battle.
“Ex… Excuse me!”
At that moment, Bella and the group of people from the territory that had gathered earlier finally arrived. They were not yet aware of the current situation.
“To rush at the lord…”
Min-Tae grinned widely. “I have slain the lord for you.”
Indeed. In a way, the quest could be considered done regardless of the method that he used.
“I was killed once but…”
Bella’s eyes turned red. She understood it completely when she saw the awkward smile on Min-Tae’s face.
“B… Because of me…?”
Min-Tae raised his index finger to her lips and shushed her again. “Shh. Don’t cry, my oriole. Now, you don’t have to worry. The vicious lord is gone…”
Moved, Bella rushed into Min-Tae’s arms. Min-Tae raised his hand and wiped Bella’s fine lines and cheek.
‘This is making me sick…’
‘Goodness. Chun-Ja. Look at your husband.’
‘Look at this old friend. He’s too sly.’
Even though they thought differently, the chairmen and presidents still smiled at him. After all, Chun-Ja had left the world for fifty years. During that time, Min-Tae had remained alone. They were sure that Chun-Ja would understand him.
Their brave actions deeply moved Bella. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Wh… What’s your name?”
“...”
ILoveGrandmaChunja…
GrandmaChunja…
Chunja…
Min-Tae could not bring himself to say his character's name. Anyway, the two of them would fall in love…
“I have to go now. My husband is waiting for me.”
“...?”
Min-Tae was flustered and embarrassed.
“Your… Your husband is a.. aliv… no, is still here?”
“Yes.”
“How old is your husband?”
“He’s ninety-nine this year.”
“...”
Min-Tae finally realized that he had made a fool of himself. Indeed. Bella never asked him to drive the lord of the territory out. Min-Tae was the only one who made a promise and acted on it. Bella only thought that they jumped in to save them from being persecuted by the lord.
‘That old bastard has lived a long life, huh?’
However, Min-Tae picked himself up. He realized that he would eventually get his chance.
‘I thought I could live a happy life with Bella, but…’
It seemed like he had to go around and have fun with his smelly old friends again. A bitter taste lingered in Min-Tae’s mouth.
Nonetheless, Bella’s scene would not end just like that.
‘What kind of reward will they get?’
Minhyuk was also quite surprised when he heard the whole story. The Beyond the Heavens Empire was filled with the top 1% of the talents. Even so, these strongmen and powerhouses weren’t able to get SSS-ranked quests when they were still Level 1.
‘From what I know, no one has even gotten an S-ranked quest at that level. What more if it’s an SSS-ranked quest?’
After all, who would even give a Level 1 player a quest like that?
‘Who gave them the quest? No. I think it’s more like the grandpas made them give it to them, right?’
Most of the quests in Desden Territory were related to the evil and vicious lord of the territory. These quests came from those who found it hard to live under the suppression and persecution of the lord or those who were preparing to rebel against him.
This group of old men had shouted at all of these people and said, ‘We’re going to drive out that evil lord!’
Quests were generally divided according to level. And quests related to the lord of the territory ranged from quests that Level 1 players could do to quests that Level 450 players could do.
So, when the people heard their declaration, they might have given them a heavy mission.
Then, Bella said, “You’re the heroes of our Desden Territory!”
Ring!
[You have obtained the Title: Desden Territory’s Hero.]
[You can purchase any item in Desden Territory with a 20% discount.]
[Your favorability with all of the people previously bullied by the lord of Desden Territory has increased.]
“Please receive this. This is to show our appreciation to you.”
Min-Tae had taken the lead in solving the quest, but it was a quest that he took on with the other chairmen and presidents. So, it was not just him who received the rewards.
[You have gained 15,465,316 EXP.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
For Level 1 players, the total amount of EXP they needed to level up was still very, very low. They could level up just by killing one rabbit.
“Eyy! Why is it so loud?!”
The chairmen and presidents frowned at the deafening sound of the notifications in their ears.
“What’s this? My level is now at Level 79?”
“Hing? It seems like it's the same for me?”
“Ah! What’s this?! Is it this easy to level up in this game?”
“Ah. Is that so~?”
Minhyuk was shocked. ‘They got close to Level 80 in one go?’
Easy? No. That was a challenging feat. There had never been someone who was able to shoot from Level 1 to Level 79 in one go.
[You have gained seven platinum.]
“Seven platinum? Money?! Oh! It’s money!”
The chairmen and presidents loved money. Of course, was there anyone in this world who did not like money?
According to statistics, the average asset that a Level 300 player possessed was approximately five platinum. Yet the chairmen and presidents all obtained seven platinum without much effort.
The people standing behind Bella stepped forward. One of them held out a rifle to Chairman 6 Tae-Soo, Godly Marksman, and said, “This is the rifle that my grandfather used in the past.” It was well-cared for and well-maintained.
[You have acquired the Storm Piercing Rifle.]
“Epic? What’s an epic?”
[You have acquired the Master of Destruction’s Gauntlet.]
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han also received a pair of gauntlets.
“Unique?”
[You have acquired the Phoenix Tail’s Bow.]
A red bow worthy of its name was also placed in the hands of Flaming Arrow.
The artifacts that the chairmen and presidents received were at least Rare-ranked artifacts.
‘Wow… this is amazing.’
It was worth noting that the chairmen and presidents had only been playing for a day. Yet they were able to achieve this much. Minhyuk had never seen anyone grow this much in just a single day. Even the artifacts that they received were quite rare and unusual.
‘If they get a class here, then it can be considered to be a perfect ending, right…?’
“But Minhyuk…”
“Yes?”
“Ah! There’s this strange punk who keeps on saying weird things in my ears! What was that punk’s name again? God of Tomfoolery?”
“Wait. Someone is bothering you, grandpa?!”
“Minhyuk, me too.”
“Ah, me too?”
“So, I told them that if they have anything to say, they should come to me instead!”
“Hey, hey. Min-Tae. Those punks are actually coming?!”
“They’re coming? That’s right! If they want to ask us something, then they should personally come to visit us!”
“Yeah! Yeah! That’s right!”
Tae-Soo said, “That… Uhm, Minhyuk. I heard that you’re the owner of the West or something?”
“...?”
Why did it sound like Minhyuk’s Grandpa Tae-Soo was calling him like he was the owner of a bar called West’s Night? Nonetheless, Minhyuk was a child who knew how to adjust well and get along with the adults around him.
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
“Please say something to these punks when they come. These grandpas of yours have no power here.”
“I understand.”
“Alright. Go. We’ll call you right away if they come.”
“Okay! Grandpas! Make sure to send me a whisper if you need something!” Minhyuk said, handing over the parchment that could summon him right away.
“Just go!”
Then, Minhyuk disappeared.
[The God of Archery says that he is coming personally to meet you.]
“This f*cker! You bastard! Then come! Come quickly! Huh?!”
The chairmen and presidents laughed.