Chapter 970  

After Ralsden turned blind, no one recognized his hard work, effort, and patience anymore. But Minhyuk, who stood at the highest position in Athenae, said, “Because you tried and worked hard.”

When he heard those words, tears started to flow down Ralsden’s cheeks. He had been enduring and holding on by mulling over the quotes those famous people had left behind.

He felt pleased and grateful because the person in front of him differed from the others, who told him to give up and no longer try. After all, he could no longer see. Ralsden bit his lips tightly.

“Forever...” He wiped his tears and continued, “...I will forever do my best in Athenae for you and the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s sake.”

Minhyuk knew that the vow that Ralsden, who had a firm belief and strong will that far surpassed others, would never be broken.

‘It’s because you’re just like me,’ Minhyuk thought.

There was something he wanted to do for Ralsden. Why?

‘Because you have probably tried and worked harder than anybody else.’

This act was purely because he wanted to help. This was not done to help enhance his empire’s power, nor because he wanted to profit off Ralsden. Minhyuk was doing this purely of his own accord. He only used his funds, the same funds he had earned and saved in Athenae.

“We’re already looking for a cornea donor match for you at Seoul Hospital. I believe things are moving smoothly and quickly, so we will hear from them soon.”

“...!”

Seoul Hospital was hailed as one of the best hospitals in South Korea and was an affiliate of Ilhwa Group.

“This is just because I like you as a person. It’s not because I want to receive something from you.” Ralsden collapsed when he heard Minhyuk’s words. He vowed to do everything for Minhyuk and the Beyond the Heavens Empire. But now, he changed his mind.

“Even if I have to die, I will do so as long as it is for your sake...!”

If he were asked to die, then he would die. If he were asked to live, then he would live. If anyone dared to touch this man in front of him, then he would be the one to kill that person personally. This was the vow that One-man Corps Ralsden, who would surprise the world one year later, had made.

***

When Ralsden’s cries finally subsided, Minhyuk thought, ‘He worked hard enough to have power comparable to Level 150 even though he was only at Level 50 to the point that he became the God of Hard Work and Labor.’

Perhaps they had helped him awaken much earlier. But it was primarily thanks to his efforts.

Minhyuk was curious about what Ralsden had obtained after he was given a new class and direction for growth.

“By any chance, have you received special privileges by becoming the God of Hard Work and Labor?”

Minhyuk had now become Ralsden’s master. So, this question did not offend him at all. He replied quickly and without hesitation, “A five-times basic DEX effect has been applied to me.”

“...?”

“It also said that my DEX Acquisition Rate has increased five times.”

“...?”

“Ah! There’s also a special skill. It’s a passive skill called ‘The One who Receives Rewards,’” Ralsden said as he checked the skill carefully.

Then, he began to relay the information. “Whenever I do hard work and labor, my yield and acquisition rate will increase by 0.5x. It also says that monsters hunted by the God of Hard Work and Labor will have a 0.3x increase in artifact drop rate and EXP acquisition rate.”

“...?” Minhyuk, in awe, asked, “By any chance, does it say that the skill is at Level 1?”

“Yes. Ah. Every time the level increases, everything related to hard work and labor would increase by 0.2x.”

Minhyuk was now indeed left in shock. ‘I feel a bit jealous...?’

This meant that if the skill The One who Receives reached Level 9, then all of the rewards Ralsden would receive through hard work and labor would double.

‘The more shocking part is that there are skills that can go beyond Level 9.’

What if the skill evolved after reaching that point?

‘Isn’t this cheat-like?’

To put the skill in a more straightforward perspective, imagine Minhyuk harvesting one potato, but he could obtain two. That was how the skill was.

Then, Minhyuk suddenly thought, ‘If I had that skill, then I would probably be able to double the number of dishes I want to obtain.’

Perhaps it would also answer his recent Food God’s Quest.

[Class Quest: The World of Hybrids]

Rank: Class

Requirements: Level 650

Rewards: Creation of skill related to the Food God (upon completing all quests.), ??? Penalty for Failure: Unable to unseal the final power of the Food God.

Description: Travel to the world that only existed in rumors, a world where hybrids, who were called half-beings, live.

According to the reward, he could have the right to create a skill related to the Food God. The word “create” meant that he had to make one. In other words, Minhyuk would have to create a new Food God skill.

‘Most of the Food God’s skills are related to buffs or for the sake of just eating.’

Of course, Minhyuk always wanted to find a way to help him eat more delicious dishes and give him happiness and satisfaction. He continued to ponder over the matter as he looked at Ralsden.

‘I can work as a farmer, sow seeds, and cultivate the field. But what if the yield becomes better?’ Minhyuk shook his head at the thought. ‘That’s Rumble’s role.’

Since Minhyuk had Rumble, the Spirit of Life, and the one who possessed the skill to increase the crop yield, this was an effect that could be considered unnecessary for Minhyuk. So, he tried to think a bit differently.

‘Every time I finish eating delicious dishes, I feel it’s a pity.’

God-grade ingredients were very delicious. Minhyuk felt it was a pity that so many God-grade ingredients would be gone after one single dish. After all, once they had disappeared, one could never obtain something like that again. Simply put, he would not be able to eat it again.

‘And it’s even more painful because I already know what they tasted like.’ This thought had constantly plagued Minhyuk’s mind. And, of course, he also thought, ‘I want to get my hands on them again.’

However, there was no such method in Athenae up until a minute ago.

‘Creating skills related to the Food God means that I can also make skills related to cooking and ingredients, no?’ a sparkle appeared in Minhyuk’s eyes. ‘What if I could extract some of the God-grade ingredients I have obtained and turn them into seeds?’

And what if God-grade ingredients would grow again once he planted and cultivated that seed?

“...!”

A glint appeared in Minhyuk’s eyes.

‘That would be crazy.’

Minhyuk’s heart started to throb from the excitement.

‘An ability that will help me grow God-grade ingredients!’

No, it did not have to be limited to God-grade ingredients. It could include medicines and elixirs that could permanently increase stats.

If Minhyuk could complete his quest and create a skill like this, then it would not necessarily be a dream.

‘A field of God-grade ingredients!’

It has been a long time since Minhyuk felt this excited.

And finally, Minhyuk’s long-awaited whisper came in.

[Abel: I found a hint about the World of Hybrids.]

Minhyuk, who had received Abel’s whisper, immediately told Ralsden to show off the new abilities that he received as the new Descendant of the God of Hard Work and Labor before leaving.

***

Minhyuk sat in front of Abel. Abel immediately relayed the information he had obtained the moment he appeared.

“According to the information I have gathered, the World of Hybrids has existed for a long time. Based on the records, the highest number of hybrids living there were half-human, half-elves. But it was not only them. There were a variety of hybrids among them, too. There were special ones among them like half-human, half-god and half-human, half-transcendentals.”

Abel admitted that he was not sure about the following information either.

“I think their world used to have exchanges with the human world. But I have now confirmed that our connection with them no longer existed.”

Abel’s face was wry when he looked up at Minhyuk. He said, “It seems like you expected this much, huh?”

As Abel had guessed, most things he had said were what Minhyuk had already expected. The fact that Abel could only obtain this much information meant that the World of Hybrids was still hidden under a thick veil.

When it came to worlds like this, it usually gave plenty of exceptional rewards. But it also meant that it was a very dangerous world.

“It’s a world where half-human, half-gods and half-human, half-transcendentals lived. Although their exact numbers were not confirmed, it proved that it is a perilous place.”

Even if they were only half-god, they would still be beings that possessed divine power. And the same would be true for half-transcendentals with the power of the transcendentals.

“Don’t worry,” Abel said when he saw Minhyuk shaking his head. Then, he continued to explain, “I found a way to get there. Have you heard about Continental Master Aesden?”

“Of course, I have heard about him.” Continental Master Aesden was one of the Continental Mages and was known to be someone capable of sending anyone anywhere on the continent.

“From what I had gathered, he’s a very stubborn, picky, and greedy old man.”

Aesden not only could send anyone anywhere on the continent, but he could also send them to various hidden quests and new hunting grounds. Of course, this would only be for those who had received the opportunity or those who had received Aesden’s recognition and permission.

“I don’t think that picky and stubborn old man would send you to the World of Hybrids. Especially since no one had ever been sent there before.”

This was Abel’s most significant concern. However, Minhyuk paid no heed and immediately stood up from his seat. Since there was a way for him to reach the World of Hybrids, Minhyuk could take one step closer to his dreams of creating a field brimming with God-grade ingredients.

“Thanks, Abel! I’ll buy you a meal later!” Minhyuk greeted him with the most common Korean greeting and hurriedly left.

Meanwhile, the words that Abel wanted to tell him got stuck in his throat. He could not say it to his face and could only murmur sadly, “You said you’d buy me a meal, but you ended up eating my share, too...”

***

Many had said that Continental Master Aesden was Athenae’s chosen guide. Just like what was mentioned before, Aesden could guide players to hidden quests or any other places they wanted to go, even to another world. Even the locations of new and undiscovered dungeons. There was no place in this world that he did not know of.

However, it was said that Aesden had the power to see through people’s inner thoughts. Because of this, even the kings and emperors had to be courteous to him even though he charged more than ten times the price of a typical warp. To be exact, the price that he set would be entirely up to him.

The Warp Tower’s tower master, Aesden, once again looked at the long line of people before their gates.

“I found a hint about the Heavenly Archer. It is said that the Heavenly Archer is slumbering in a tomb hidden deep below the ground. Do you know where it is?” One of the players asked when he finally got his turn.

Aesden, a gray-haired old man, narrowed his eyes as he stroked his long beard. Then, he said, “I know everything.”

“Is that true?!”

The man had spent hundreds of days trying to find information about the Heavenly Archer. However, he failed to find anything useful. But Aesden knew about the Heavenly Archer.

“How much is it? If your information is true, I will give you everything that I have,” the man asked.

Aesden said, “Well, you only need to play a million platinum.”

“I see. A million gold, huh? It’s much cheaper than I have heard... huh- what?”

A million platinum was enough to fund a kingdom for an entire year. Wasn’t it too expensive to pay just to get one hint about a legendary class?

“What...”

“Fufu. Someone who lacks the qualifications dares to ask me about the Heavenly Master. Shouldn’t you pay a huge price for that if you really want to know?”

The man’s face turned red. The man was already over Level 400 and could handle the bow better than anybody else. What did this old man mean by his lacking qualifications?

Seeing the man’s face flush with anger, Aesden said, “If you’re not convinced, put your hand on this crystal ball.”

The red-faced man hurriedly placed his hand on the crystal ball. Not long after, Aesden closed his eyes to observe and examine the man. When Aesden opened his eyes, he said, “That’s right. Yes. That price is quite ridiculous.”

“Haha. As expected. Then...”

“Ten million platinum. You bastard should give me ten million platinum.”

That was how much he lacked the qualifications for the class. The player’s already red face turned a deeper shade of red from anger.

“You f*cking bastard! You’re just an NPC bastard. What do you know...?!”

The player spent more than a year trying to obtain this class. The problem was that he still could not get the class even though he had received the skills. It was only by luck that he could find a clue about it.

Now that the thing he had worked so hard on seemed to disappear and turn into nothing in front of his eyes, the player could not hold back his anger. However, Aesden was no ordinary NPC.

“Take this bastard and lock him up in jail for a year.”

“Yes, sir!”

The mages immediately dragged the player away. Being locked up in jail was the most terrible punishment that a player could receive.

As shocking as it might sound, one must know that Aesden would never bow down and remain arrogant even if a king came before him. That was just how powerful and influential he was. If there were a God of Spatial Transfer, that would be Aesden.

They had only heard rumors about him, but when they saw this unfold, the arrogant, high-ranking nobles immediately behaved and lined up politely.

Aesden, who saw them, found it funny. ‘Fufu. These f*cking bastards.’

Perhaps Aesden’s existence was the most necessary in the entire world of Athenae. His existence served as a reminder to those following false and far-fetched dreams.

Then, Aesden saw a man dressed shabbily standing in front of him. The man’s mouth was covered in oil as if he had just finished eating something.

“Tsk, tsk,” Aesden clicked his tongue as he looked at the man arrogantly.

Then, the man, who spoke in a small voice that no one else could hear, said, “Do you know the way to the World of Hybrids?”

“...!” Aesden’s eyes grew wide when he heard that. “Did you say the World of Hybrids?”

This was the first time he had heard someone ask him about this since he had sat in this position. This was because there was far too little information about that world. It was to the point that Aesden had to wonder where this man got the information from. However, even if the emperor came, Aesden could not open a path for them to the World of Hybrids.

‘If humans go to that world, a war will surely take place and ravage both worlds.’

So, Aesden said, “I know about it. Let’s see. How about paying a hundred million platinum?”

“A– A hundred million?!”

“Did he just say a hundred million platinum?!”

“Hoho... whatever that guy wants, it must have been extremely ridiculous.”

“Maybe he wants to go to the Land of the Gods? Hohoho!”

“Bastard! This guy. Know your place!”

The nobles at the back clicked their tongues and shouted. However, the man was completely different from the player before.

“That price is probably right. After all, this is a new world. However, I don’t have that much money on hand. Is there something else that I can do?”

Aesden looked at the man in interest. ‘He is still this calm even after hearing such a ridiculous amount of money?’

The person in front of Aesden might have a much more extensive background than what he looked like. However, even if that was the case, Aesden could still not allow anyone to go there.

“Please put your hand on this crystal ball.”

Aesden closed his eyes when the man placed his hand on the crystal ball and began looking through his being.

Crack, crack, crack, crack–

Cracks began to appear all over the crystal ball.