Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 761: The War of Destruction

“We’ve gone over 32%!”

“We’re already over 35%!”

“Even more viewers are tuning in to our broadcast!”

“PD Kim?”

Despite the loud shouts of the clamoring employees, PD Kim Daeguk remained motionless, his gaze blank as he continued to stare at the screen. He was also mesmerized by the scene presented in front of him.

Thwaaaaaaaaack—

Along with that loud sound, the face of Athenae’s absolute existence was forced to turn to one side. There might be more complex reasoning for the drastic increase in their viewership ratings. However, one thing was for sure. Most of the players that had given up on playing and abandoned Athenae after suffering from the Great Luvien Empire were now tuning in to the broadcast after hearing the news.

The Luvien Empire, an empire that had appeared and opened the second era of Athenae, had imposed huge taxes on several hunting grounds, hidden dungeons, and even players. Of course, those taxes would be nothing as long as they became a citizen of the Luvien Empire. However, some of the players still felt like the empire had violated their freedom. For these people, seeing Nerva being slapped on the cheek like that was a very refreshing sight.

“Our viewership rating has exceeded 40%…!”

The viewership rating that Minhyuk and Kang Taehoon had discussed over their negotiations had been met.

***

Brod, who was once one of the two suns, had also led a knight order that was strong enough to fight against the Swords of the Gods. Back then, Brod was competing fairly with Nerva for the position of the Battle God’s Sword. However, the only one that was playing fair was Brod.

].

Nerva had poisoned the food of the Red Sword Knights, an act that resulted in the death of many. As for those that survived, they were forced to hide in the shadows.

Although he was not aware of it, Brod’s anger toward Nerva had reached great heights when the latter forced his dearly beloved Red Sword Knights to their death. After all, the person that he once believed to be his friend took away the lives of the people that were precious to him, all because of his greed and self-interest.

Then, that very same friend, Nerva Sephiroth, suddenly appeared in front of his eyes.

In the form of the Destruction General, Brod slapped Nerva across the face, forcing Nerva’s face to the side, rendering shocked and unable to come back to his senses.

Even the commentators could hardly believe their eyes.

[A surprising thing had just happened right in front of our very eyes.]

[The being called the Destruction General just slapped Nerva’s face.]

[I believe we’re seeing something that I personally never thought possible during my broadcasting career here in Athenae.]

Nevertheless, everyone thought that it was just that. They all thought that the Destruction General was lucky enough to slap Nerva. The NPCs and rankers on the scene grew tense. They were all worried that Nerva’s wrath would also have an impact on them.

Just like they expected, Nerva was feeling boundless anger from what just happened to him.

“Bastaaaaaaaaaaard!!!” Nerva shouted, his eyes growing wide while the veins on his neck popped out and his face turned red from fury. He quickly planned on making this bastard feel the worst pain imaginable in this world. “Bastard, how dare you…”

Thwaaack—

However, the Destruction General just slapped him once again. The slap was so strong that Nerva staggered backward. He tried to get back to his senses as quickly as possible but it was to no avail. It was obviously just a slap in the face. However, Nerva felt as if someone had hit him in the face with a crowbar.

Baaaaaaaaaaang—

The divinity that exploded from his body made the ground around him rise to great heights and turn into a wave.

[Nerva’s Wrath.]

[Athenae’s absolute existence, Nerva, is furious.]

[Your HP is dropping continuously!]

[You will be helpless in front of this strong force!]

Thwaaaack—

The Destruction General slapped Nerva once again. Nerva was shocked and terrified of the force that was used to slap him. He could not even react at all. The Destruction General just stood close to Nerva and slapped him several times.

Thwaaaack—!

Thwaaaaaaaaaack—!

Thwaaaack—!

Nerva’s lips burst and blood began to drip down his chin.

“Your Majesty…!”

“Your Majesty Nervaaaaaaaa!!!”

“Your Majestyyyyyy!!!”

Nerva’s faithful and loyal subjects tried to run to where he was.

They were actually in a situation where Nerva had already summoned all of the Battle God’s Warriors, and it made Minhyuk also summon all of his Knights of Destruction.

Flaaaaash—

Flaaaaaaash—

Flaaaaaaaaash—

Along with a swirl of black streams of energy, someone that looked like the Spear God, the Evil God and the God of Snakes appeared. Not only that, someone like Brod and someone like the Sword of the God Luo, who carry a deep anger and resentment toward Nerva, also appeared.

Luo, the person that carried the power of the God of Assassins, was once Nerva’s subordinate. There was only one reason why Luo was angry at Nerva. However, just when Luo was about to dash forward and join Brod, Destruction Monarch Minhyuk raised his arm and stopped him.

“Let him be. He’s the only one that’s more furious at Nerva than you.”

“…”

For a moment, Luo felt like he could see Brod’s expression through his mask. There was both fury and sorrow flashing on his face. At that moment, Luo knew what he should do instead.

Stab— Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—

Luo also received the correction effect and buff effect of the Destruction Monarch. He moved swiftly and swept away those that tried to approach the Destruction General. This was the best he could do for Brod, the one that was most furious with Nerva.

Of course, Minhyuk thought the same. However, there was just one thing that he was worried about.

‘What if Brod gets too angry and reveals his identity…?’

The Land of Destruction was an event and death was not true death. Even though it was necessary to do this, Nerva Sephiroth, who suffered from great disgrace and shame, would definitely rally his entire force and move to destroy the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom if he knew the truth.

Thankfully, Brod was not a fool blinded by his anger.

Thwaaaaaaack—

“This is for the ones that died an unjust death because of you.”

Thwaaaaaaaaack—

“This is for the ones that had been deprived of a lot of things because of you.”

Thwaaaaaaaaack—

“This is for the ones that are suffering as they lived their daily lives because of you.”

Every word that Brod said was for him and the Red Sword Knights. Eventually, Nerva’s body lost strength. This was the greatest humiliation that he has ever felt as the greatest emperor in existence.

Nerva Sephiroth knew that he could no longer allow this man to cause him any more disgrace. So, he used all of the divinity in his body and ignited a fire that engulfed his body.

Cracklee—

The burning Nerva Sephiroth glared sharply at the Destruction General. In his final moment, he realized who was standing in front of him.

“…”

Nerva was once Brod’s closest friend. However, Nerva had always been jealous and envious of the man.

‘I wasn’t the sun that shone brightly by his side.’

Compared to Brod, Nerva was nothing but a shabby and dim existence. His greed made him furious.

“Brother.”

“…Do not call me brother with that filthy mouth of yours.”

The Destruction General’s rage boiled over.

Before he disappeared from the blazing flames of his divinity, Nerva said, “Try to bring down my empire with that king that you believe in.”

“I will bring it down even if you don’t say anything.”

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

Brod and Minhyuk both understood the meaning of Nerva’s words. Nerva would not do anything about what happened here. The greatest and absolute existence in Athenae had been slapped in front of everyone. But he actually promised he would not do anything about it.

On the other hand, Nerva knew that in the long time that passed ever since that day, Brod had been suffering. He had to be living with a broken heart, his rage and resentment eating up his very existence every single day. Nerva fully understood that. So, as the sinner that brought that pain to Brod, he promised not to do anything about this transgression.

Swoooooooooosh—

[The Battle God’s Warriors’ Commander has died!]

[Warning!]

[Warning!]

[Please eliminate the Destruction Monarch and the Destruction Army!]

Both the players and NPCs started to realize that this situation was turning into something that was far beyond an event.

At that moment, Minhyuk heard Mandala say, “Your Majesty, it’s completed.”

Minhyuk hurriedly pulled back as he looked at the parchment that Mandala made.

(Parchment that Drives Away Evil)

Grade: Legendary

Special Effects:

?It can awaken those that have been brainwashed by black magic, curses and all other evil powers and return themselves to their original self.

?It will take more than ten minutes for the purification to finish. The parchment user cannot move during that time period.

After confirming the details, Minhyuk immediately ordered, “Everyone, protect me.”

Riiiiip—

A bright light enveloped the body of the Destruction Monarch the moment Minhyuk tore the parchment apart. At the same time, the Destruction Monarch’s Army and the Knights of Destruction surrounded Minhyuk and began to protect him.

After losing their commander, the Battle God’s Warriors realized that this was their only opportunity. So, they unleashed a fierce barrage of their attacks.

Then, at that moment, a very frustrating notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[The Destruction Monarch only has twelve hours left to live.]

“…”

Minhyuk already knew that the Land of Destruction could not be maintained for a long time. And the same was true for the body of the Destruction Monarch Farrow. Although Farrow would not be killed by the others, he still would not be able to escape his inevitable death.

‘I have obviously been far too reckless.’

Minhyuk admitted this fact. He willingly twisted the framework of the event after thinking through the perspective of the Battle God. However, he also knew that it was the NPCs that gave the rewards in Athenae. So, he was convinced that he would be able to win over the Battle God.

However, something far more unexpected and extraordinary happened.

[The Evil Incarnate is furious!]

[The Evil Incarnate is enraged!]

[Evil Incarnate.]

[He is a being that exists everywhere and nowhere.]

[He is furious at the being that went against his will.]

[The Land of Destruction is actually the Land of the Evil Incarnate!]

Immediately after, a bleak and gloomy voice rang all over the place. It sounded like it was Satan's voice inside a girl’s body.

[I am the one that is the most hideous.]

[The one that reeks the most.]

[The most terrifying.]

[The greatest.]

[The one that dared to go against my will.]

[Ke… kekekekekekekeke… kihihihihihihihihi… Kihehehehehehehehehehe!]

A strange and gruesome laughter rang loudly and engulfed the entire Land of Destruction.

Joy Co. Ltd.

President Kang Taehoon’s jaw dropped at the sudden turn of events. “Did the Evil Incarnate react to Player Minhyuk’s erratic and out-of-the-box behavior?”

That was right. In the original story, the Battle God’s Army would eventually kill the Destruction Monarch. This was the story that the Evil Incarnate wanted to see. If that happened, then the Evil Incarnate would be the one laughing at everyone. However, things were not going as planned right now.

[The Evil Incarnate has started his descent!]

The one that existed everywhere and nowhere shot into the body of the Destruction General.

Crack, crack, crack— Swoosh— Fwiiiish—

Of course, Brod’s body would be the biggest and greatest prey that the Evil Incarnate could have in this situation. Thankfully, even if Brod died here, he would not really die a real death.

[The Destruction General is resisting the Evil Incarnate!]

[The Destruction General is trying to drive away the Evil Incarnate!]

“Keuaaaaaaaaaack!” Brod’s eyes made contact with Minhyuk as he screamed. Brod seemed to be trying his best to not lose his consciousness for Minhyuk’s sake. But the Evil Incarnate was far too strong. He was able to dominate Brod’s body in the end.

Minhyuk’s face turned ugly. Perhaps the power of the Evil Incarnate was to take over and use the body of another. However, there were not many clues to confirm this matter. All Minhyuk could do was stare and gulp dryly.

The Evil Incarnate took over the body of the Destruction General and laughed maniacally.

[Kahahahahaha!]

[He’s going to die.]

[Your older brother Farrow will die in a sea of despair.]

[Everyone here will die.]

The Evil Incarnate was originally one of the Absolute Gods. However, he had been exiled by the other Absolute Gods and concealed from others. He had long been hiding in the darkness, and bringing evil and despair to many.

Brod’s body, which had been taken over by the Evil Incarnate, changed shape. What appeared next was an extremely dark-skinned man with a face that had no other shape or feature except a wide mouth filled with sharp piranha-like teeth and a very long tongue.

The Evil Incarnate licked his face with his long tongue.

[Evil Incarnate. Level 921.]

There was probably only one reason why the Evil Incarnate still lived in this world. Perhaps it was because he could live and appear anywhere and everywhere.

The Evil Incarnate whispered with his Satanic and girl-like voice…

[Die, Farrow.]

Then, the same terrifying voice rang in the ears of everyone present.

[The Evil Incarnate’s Whisper.]

[Your HP has started to drop at a rapid pace after hearing the whispers of the Evil Incarnate.]

“Aaaaaaaaaack!”

“Keuaaaaaaaaack!”

“Keheoooook!”

“Urrrrrrk…!”

The people, regardless if they were enemies or allies, started to fall one after another. It was nothing but a mere whisper. However, the scene in front of Minhyuk clearly showed how terrifying the opponent was.

‘Almost 30% of all the people present have died.’

At that moment, Minhyuk realized that perhaps Destruction Monarch Farrow would die soon.

At the same time.

The man, who turned a blind eye to his older brother Farrow’s plight in the heavy suffocating weight of the name ‘Battle God’, grabbed his sword and put on his cape.

He stared at the white armor hanging on his wall. This was the armor that could only be worn by those recognized by the Battle God and had the power to temporarily allow one to become a ‘God’s Knight’ once worn. He also packed the white armor.

Then, the Greatest God spoke.

[Child. You should not go there.]

The god of the strongest and most powerful army, the Battle God, had temporarily lost some of his power in an attempt to restrict Farrow. Because of that, he did not have the power to lead his entire army as of the moment.

Even so, the Battle God still wore his golden helmet and said, “I have to go, Mother.”

[…]

“That child has made me realize what I needed to do now.”

Athenae knew that the child that Belson was referring to was none other than the Lowest God Minhyuk. Who were the gods? The greatest? Did being the greatest mean that they should not have any emotion? No. Athenae was fully aware how much the Battle God loved and missed his older brother Farrow.

At this moment, the greatest Absolute God began to move.

Athenae’s voice resonated from behind the disappearing Battle God.

[The one that made him move.]

[…was the Lowest God.]