Chapter 1414: Side Story 23
Chapter 1414 - Side Story 23
[The Class Quest: Hit the God of Fists Three Times has been created.]
Although the God of Fists lagged behind the other gods who chose the chairmen and presidents as their descendants, he was still considered one of the best among the close-combat class gods.
The God of Fists was not the type of person who wore weapons like gauntlets. He was just a monster on the battlefield, one that could engage in battle and win against enemies with his bare fist alone. Battle God Belson once said, ‘Never go in a one-on-one battle against the God of Fists.’ His words were proof of how dangerous and difficult an opponent the God of Fists was.
The gods were not like the old chairmen and presidents who skipped their class change quests with their glib tongue and took on their positions. They were genuine monsters.
‘Alright. Let’s give them missions that they can never complete.’
The mission that the God of Fists chose to give was for his successor to strike him three times.
“I want to have an outstanding descendant.”
“Want?” Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han asked. “I want you to become more outstanding than me and show the other gods the true value of the God of Fists.”
“Waaaant?”
“Please…”
‘Ha!’ the God of Fists barked a silent laugh to himself. ‘Right. This old fogey. Do you think that you can hit me three times?’
“If you can successfully hit me three times, I will give you the power of the Three Palms.”
The Three Palms was an impressive skill. Although it was not a force that represented the God of Fists, it was still a remarkable power. And for a complete novice, this strength was far beyond common sense.
“Well then, let’s begin. All you have to do is hit me.”
[Your spar with the God of Fists has started.]
[Your level and the God of Fists’ level will be set at Level 1.]
[Your stats and the God of Fists’ stats will be the same.]
“It won’t be easy.”
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han’s fists flew from all directions. The God of Fists, who was dodging leisurely, laughed and said, “No one has ever hit me once…”
Thump!
“...?”
Two tracks of blood fell from the God of Fists’ nose after he got hit straight on the face.
‘What? I was clearly able to dodge his blows?’
[You have been hit a total of one time.]
‘Did I let my guard down?’
“Hoho. You have never been hit?”
After vowing to himself that he would never let his guard down again, the God of Fists watched Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han’s movements cautiously and chased after him. He stretched his arm and moved in with a punch, all the while tilting his head lightly to avoid the blow coming his way. Suddenly, instead of a punch, Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han opened his fist and sent a fistful of sand flying toward the God of Fists’ face.
“Kghhk! You coward…!”
Thump!
[You have been hit a total of two times.]
The God of Fists tried to open his eyes and escape, but it did not work. Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han raised his fist and hit him in the back of the head with all his might.
Bang!
[You have been hit a total of three times.]
The God of Fists’ expression grew blank. How many seconds had passed by since they started the spar?
‘Ah! It has only been five seconds.’
“Coward? There’s no such thing as cowardly when it comes to a fight. After all, you will die if you lose in a fight.”
That was correct. Many people had forgotten the true nature of a fight. And the thought of fighting against a god had made this thought even more transparent.
‘All we need to know is that if we lose in a fight on the battlefield, then we will also lose our lives.’
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han was a former member of North Korea’s Special Operations Forces. His specialty was assassination.
“Hiiiik! This is unacceptable!” The God of Fists shouted.
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han just laughed and said, “Is that so? Then, do you want to do it again?”
“Alright. Let’s do it again.”
“However, we have to raise the stakes, no? This time, we will put the condition of the quest on me winning the spar.”
Gulp!
The God of Fists realized that the old man in front of him was truly crazy. He had set it so that the old man only needed to hit him three times, but he even proposed that he would defeat him.
“Then, I’ll put forward my God of Fists’ secret skill.”
[The Class Quest: Win Against the God of Fists has been created.]
The two charged forward, their fists colliding with each other.
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han’s fist slammed into the face of the God of Fists.
The God of Fists’ fist struck Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han’s sides.
They continued to exchange blows, their battle looking quite similar to a fight between two of the most elite soldiers of the special operation forces out to kill each other.
Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han was in a very slight advantage. His fists, which were swung for the sake of survival, did not move honestly. He used every trick in the book to disturb the mindset of the God of Fists.
[The God of Fists has hit Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han a total of 105 times.]
[Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han has hit the God of Fists a total of 106 times.]
Although it appeared to be a very close and even fight, Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han’s tricks allowed him to land one more hit on the God of Fists.
[According to the promise that you have made, you have to teach Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han your secret skill.]
The God of Fists fell on the ground, his breathing ragged and short.
‘A man of this caliber might just be able to go beyond even the most outstanding of the God of Fists.’
At the same time, the God of Fists fell into a panic. Did that mean that he lost to an old man when he was at his best?
‘Did this old man hide his power…?’
As the thought flashed in the God of Fists’ head, shame washed over him. This defeat left him in so much disgrace as a god that he could not even raise his head.
At that moment, Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han said, “Let’s go. Let’s drink some makgeolli.”
Just like that, the two of them went to drink some makgeolli.
***
God of Archery Lied was one of the Battle God’s Five Generals. He was considered one of the top ten strongmen and powerhouses in the Land of the Gods, except for the Absolute Gods. And the mission that he gave…
[Class Quest: Hunt 50 Fleeting Sparrows.]
Fleeting Sparrows were different from ordinary sparrows. For one, their size was half that of an ordinary sparrow. There was also their flight speed and rapid movements, which were twice as fast as an ordinary one. Unlike ordinary sparrows, Fleeting Sparrows fly in flocks of 300~500 sparrows.
The mission this time was to hunt fifty of such sparrows in two minutes. Of course, although it might sound easy, it was challenging. Lied could do it, though that was because he was the God of Archery.
‘I was hoping that he wouldn’t be able to do it.’
The God of Archery gave a difficult mission. He had the same idea as the other gods. If he would give a special reason other than that, then…
‘No. What do you mean by Flaming Arrow? What the hell is that?’
Wasn’t it too embarrassing to have a successor with such a name? Alas…
“Sixty-two.
“Sixty-three.
“Sixty-five.
“Sixty-eight.
“Seventy.”
Flaming Arrow not only completed the mission perfectly, but he even went a step beyond that.
“Hoho. It’s over. Can you give me Raesta’s Bow now? Its name rings nicely. I think it matches my name, Flaming Arrow.”
Lied’s hands shook as he handed over Raesta’s Bow. He thought, ‘The bow that the First Generation God of Archery used has a name that matches nicely with the name Flaming Arrow…?’ and ended up holding tightly onto the bow. He seemed to have no intention of letting the bow get taken away.
“Hey, let go.” Flaming Arrow, who successfully snatched the bow, grinned as he looked at the reluctant Lied, who honestly contemplated snatching it back.
At that moment, the old man named Flaming Arrow said, “Hoho. Then, how about we make a bet? I’ll stake the Raesta’s Bow, while you stake your special power, how about that?”
“What kind of bet?”
“Let’s compete. Let’s see who will hunt more sparrows between the two of us.”
The God of Archery Lied readily accepted the bet.
Ten minutes later, the God of Archery Lied could only give a ridiculous snort.
‘It’s a draw?’
Just like the others, he wanted to have the most outstanding successor. Alas, that did not change the fact that he hunted the same number of sparrows as Flaming Arrow. It was pretty embarrassing if he were to be honest.
Flaming Arrow said, “Let’s go and drink some makgeolli too.”
‘Too?’
The God of Archery stared at him in confusion.
***
In a makgeolli pub located in a territory.
God of Marksmen Verakhan stared at the glass of makgeolli that he was rubbing with his hands, his face contorted in bitter disappointment.
Chairman 6 Tae-Soo and the other chairmen and presidents were all successful people. They were proficient in handling and dealing with others.
Tae-Soo said, “I won because I was very lucky today. Come, let’s drink. Drinking will make you feel better.”
This was the first time for Verakhan, a god, to see this drink called makgeolli. As he gulped down the contents of his glass, he said, “It has a nice flavor. It doesn’t taste like alcohol.”
“Hoho. I know, right? That’s the charm of makgeolli. This is why you can get more drunk if you drink this~”
“Alright. Let’s have another glass!”
Verakhan gulped down one glass after another. It did not take too long for his face to turn red from intoxication.
‘I can’t believe I lost to a human… and to an old man no less.’
At this moment, Tae-Soo, a master of speech, said, “Can I say something? From what I saw, the results this time are all because you relied too much on your skills and stats. Don’t you think so too?”
He consoled Verakhan with a chuckle.
“If you try it a few more times, you will also be able to wipe out an entire orc village? Aren’t you the greatest god of your time?”
How many times did he need to practice without relying on his skills and stats for him to wipe out an entire orc village in one go? Could he even do something that even the first-generation God of Marksmen was unable to do? Was he the type of person who would love to hear such empty praises?!
‘What do you think I am?!’
Twitch, twitch!
“Is it really as you said?”
“Ah! Of couuuuurse~ I was truly lucky today! That’s why I was able to wipe them out completely. How can I keep up with a god?!”
“No. Haa~ Anyway, no matter how you say it, I still lost~”
“Then, just win next time! Ah. To be honest with you, today’s the luckiest day of my life!”
Twitch, twitch!
“Alright. Here, have another glass. You know, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not really that good at using guns. Can you teach me how to shoot well? Ah! You’re the god of all marksmen, right?”
Twitch, twitch!
The corners of Verakhan’s lips continued to twitch. He tried so hard to tamp them down, though in the end, he burst out laughing.
“Hmph… Pfft… Ah. Ahem! Ahem! Ah. Well. Since my successor wants me to teach him how to shoot, I have to agree! Of course, I’ll teach you! I will risk my life to make you the greatest God of Marksmen in history!”
[The God of Marksmen has made an oath.]
[He will teach you everything that he knows to the best of his abilities.]
[The God of Marksmen's favor has reached MAX level.]
Clang~
The door to the bar opened, and Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han and the God of Fists entered.
“Yo. You’re here?”
The two sat down. Just like Tae-Soo, Pyongyang’s Kim Du-Han spoke to the sullen and sulking God of Fists. He said, “Your punches were cool, you know? It’s like watching a lynx move!”
Twitch, twitch!
“Keuhaahaha! Wait, what’s a lynx?”
“It’s like a god in the world where I live! It’s a being that you cannot defeat with fists alone! Ah! Teach me how to punch like that!”
“Should I~~?”
[The God of Fists has made an oath.]
[He will teach you everything that he knows to the best of his abilities.]
[The God of Fists' favor has reached MAX level.]
Clang~
This time, the ones who entered were Flaming Arrow and the God of Archery.
“Ah~ When you shot those sparrows…”
Twitch, twitch!
“We-Well, I guess I’m kind of amazing.”
“Ah! Let’s drink!”
“Let’s eat until we pass out!”
“Bottoms up! You have to do a bottoms up!”
[The God of Archery has made an oath.]
[He will teach you everything that he knows to the best of his abilities.]
[The God of Archery's favor has reached MAX level.]
Twitch, twitch!
Grin!
Heehee!
Smiles and laughter were plastered on the faces of the gods. That was how slick the chairmen and presidents were with their words.
***
In the office.
Minhyuk stood up from his seat. “Ah. I can’t do this. I’m so worried.”
“Yes? What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the matter between the grandpas and the gods. From what I saw, the gods were determined to make the grandpas pay…”
Haze smiled wryly. “That’s only natural. They are, after all, gods.”
Minhyuk might not realize it, but Haze knew it all too well.
“Your Majesty, you have ruled over the Land of the Gods in the past. That’s why it only looks that way to you. Regardless, these gods stand at the pinnacle of their fields. However, they were tricked by the old men’s tricks and were forced to accept them as their successors without them doing their proposed class change quests. They will definitely be angry. And a god’s wrath is something that no human can bear.”
Minhyuk was left flustered when he heard Haze’s words. It seemed like the problem was far more serious than he had imagined.
“I was too complacent.”
However, it was only natural. He had been their monarch. Because of that, he had never seen their true nature outside of their master and subordinate relationship. Nonetheless, the fact that the gods were the most arrogant and powerful men in Athenae remained. And the thought of such beings being ridiculed by a group of old men who had just started to play the game, and the consequences that it would bring…
However, the chairmen and presidents were people whom Minhyuk cherished and loved.
“The elders who have been accepted as the gods’ successors…” Haze bit her lips and chewed on her words. “I’m sorry to say this, but… I think they will treat them as enemies. The gods will view them as a thorn to their sides and a target of their wrath.”
They would most definitely be in a hurry to get rid of them. Why would they even keep these people as their descendants?
Minhyuk stood up. Just as he was about to move, he said, “Maybe there’s a chance that they will grow close to each other?”
“Your Majesty, if you were in their position, would you be willing to get close to them?”
“No,” Minhyuk answered without any hesitation.
‘Why should I?’ He would definitely think like this. And if he was feeling like that, then there was no way that they would ever be close to each other.
[Minhyuk: Grandpas, where are you?]
Minhyuk, with Haze accompanying him, hurriedly went to see his grandpas to try and mediate.
‘A makgeolli bar? Why are they there?’
Minhyuk tilted his head in confusion. At that moment, the image of the gods and his grandpas grabbing each other by the collar and fighting in the bar flashed in his head. Minhyuk hurriedly opened the door to the bar. And what greeted him was…
Twitch, twitch!
“Wa… Wahahahahahaha! From now on, you’re my hyung-nim!”
“Alright. Shall we do that? Younger brother?”
“Yes! Of course! Hyung-nim!”
God of Marksmen Verakhan and Chairman 6 Park Tae-Soo bumped shoulders as they guffawed.
Swoosh!
“Then, I will treat you as my hyung-nim too!”
“Ah. Okay, okay. That’s good, younger brother. It feels nice to have a god as a younger brother!”
The God of Archery and Flaming Arrow clinked their glasses happily.
“Let’s do that too. The hyung-nim and younger brother thing. Hyung-nim! Wahahahaha!”
“Ah! Sounds good! Younger brother~♥”
“Hyung-nim~♥”
“...?”
Minhyuk was flustered by the sight that greeted him.
‘They and the gods are calling each other hyung-nim and younger brothers…? No. Can they do this?’
At that moment, Chairman 6 Park Tae-Soo turned to Verakhan and asked, “Ah, now that I think about it. My dear younger brother, how old are you this year?”
“Wahahahaha! Hyung-nim! I might look like this, but I’m already a bit old. No. I’m actually really old!!!”
The chairmen and presidents were utterly unaware of the range of the gods’ ages. They also did not know that the beings by their side were immortals.
“Ah! Just tell me! I’m also very old!”
Verakhan said, “I’m 2,641 years old this year, hyung-nim!”
“...”
“...”
“...”
The chairmen and presidents all grew quiet. Chairman 6 Park Tae-Soo was only seventy-three years old this year. At the same time, they all made a vow.
‘We shall never talk about our ages…’
‘Yes, yes. That’s only natural!’