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The Mountain Ore was a dilemma that would not leave the Transcendentals forever. Although they could seal it using a sealing stone, it would be broken in fifty years. Once the sealing stone was broken, the Mountain Ore would appear again.

‘Back then, we had no idea what to do about the Mountain Ore.’

And once the Mountain Ore escaped its seal, it would cause continuous earthquakes.

Bender turned to look at Minhyuk, hesitating whether to say that he would use it to make soybean paste, and said, “I don’t know why you’re asking about it, but the Mountain Ore is a hazardous item. If you take it back to your empire, your empire will most definitely collapse in a single day.”

“If only we had his Transcendental Grinder.”

“Stop that, Nekk. You sound like you’re cursing him for sacrificing himself for our sake.”

“I’m sorry.”

‘...?’

As Minhyuk continued to listen to their conversation, he realized, ‘They also want to grind the Mountain Ore.’

This was a good sign. Besides, who was Minhyuk? His glib tongue could sway anyone to his side, right?

“The Mountain Ore can cause earthquakes! If I use the power in that ore, then I will be able to strengthen the Beyond the Heavens Empire!”

The Transcendentals frowned when they heard Minhyuk’s words. They knew it was an item they could not easily hand over. Then, they saw Minhyuk laugh.

“However, seeing that you’re all very concerned and worried about this item coming out to the world, I know that I should not covet it just to satisfy my greed,” Minhyuk said, looking up at the sky with a bitter look. He sighed deeply as he closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly, a conflicted expression flashing.

“No, that’s not it, Minhyuk. Just let go of your greed and help the Transcendentals live more comfortably. No, that’s not it, either. Either way, there shouldn’t be any crazy lunatic wanting to grind something like that in the world, right?”

But Minhyuk’s face remained conflicted. Then, as if he had finally decided, he opened his mouth and spoke tremblingly, “I—I have the Transcendental’s Grinder.”

“What?!”

“Did you just say you have the Transcendental’s Grinder with you?!”

“Are you telling the truth?!”

The impact of his words was huge. This was mainly because the Transcendentals badly needed the Transcendental’s Grinder. On the day their leader died, the Transcendental’s Grinder also disappeared. They firmly believed that the blacksmiths who participated in its production ran away with it and disappeared from existence.

“How in the world did it get in your hands?!”

Minhyuk promptly told them about the Sun’s Salt.

–The Transcendental’s Grinder appeared after I ate the salt. It must have been hidden inside it.

–Even until the moment that they had died, they still tried their best to hide the Transcendental’s Grinder.

After hearing this part of Minhyuk’s story, the Transcendentals all made eye contact and nodded. Then, Bender said, “Okay. We will listen to your request. However, we have conditions. You can only take the Mountain Ore after it has been ground with the Transcendental’s Grinder.”

“...” Minhyuk nodded in agreement. “I understand.”

Unbeknownst to them, he was jumping in happiness deep inside.

‘Delicious doenjang jjigae, here I come. Hihi.’

Meanwhile, completely unaware of the truth, the Transcendentals immediately comforted him.

“I’m sorry. You probably came here to find it.”

“We also don’t feel comfortable grinding it.”

Minhyuk’s lips twitched as he tried to form a smile. Then, he said, “It’s alright. It’s all for your sake, so there’s no helping it.”

“You’re very kind and understanding.”

“You are truly qualified to become the ruler of an empire.”

[Transcendental Bender’s favor has increased!]

[Your sword’s attack power has increased by 0.2%!]

[Transcendental Nekk’s favor has increased.]

[Your DEX has increased by 0.3%.]

[Transcendental Bernie’s favor has increased.]

[Your Total MP Volume has increased by 0.4%.]

[Transcendental Cochnus’ favor has increased.]

[Your DEX has increased by 0.2%.]

[Transcendental...]

As expected of Minhyuk, he got the most benefits from a few simple words.

“But we’ll only give you everything that we have promised after you have done what you promised us.”

“I understand. On another note, is it possible for me to bring the vassals from my empire?”

“Here. Use this to bring them here,” Bender said as he handed Minhyuk a flute.

The flute that Bender handed to Minhyuk was none other than the ‘Transcendental’s Summoning Flute.’ Minhyuk could bring any of his vassals or summons into the fortress with this flute.

The Transcendentals all looked at Minhyuk in anticipation.

‘This is something we haven’t accomplished even after trying for thousands of years.’

‘Is he going to bring in amazing people to help him do this?’

‘I wonder what they look like?’

Then, Minhyuk gave it his all in playing the flute. freewe bnovel.com

Diriririri~

[The Transcendental’s Flute can summon any of your vassals or summons and bring them into the Fortress of the Transcendental’s Fantasy!]

A bright light flashed in front of the Transcendentals. When the light faded away, they were greeted by the sight of those that Minhyuk had summoned.

The first one they saw was a human stretched out and sleeping comfortably. He looked like a human, but countless roots were growing all over his body. This was none other than the Great Spirit of Earth, Rend.

Then, the white and fluffy wolf pup was curled up right on top of Rend’s belly. The wolf pup raised its cute paws and rubbed its face as it yawned and rumbled.

“...”

“...”

The Transcendentals looked confused. However, the confusion continued. A presence caught the attention of everyone present. This being was curled up like a shrimp and lying snuggly on Rend’s arm.

“Oink- oink, oink– oiiiiiink...”

His snout and mouth twitched occasionally as if he was eating something in his sleep. He even scratched his butt, his face contorting into what seemed like pain. It seemed like his stomach was feeling a tad bit uncomfortable.

Poot–!!!

After releasing a loud and resounding fart, the guy chuckled in his sleep.

“Oiink... (He...)”

The Transcendentals were all left speechless.

‘Are these guys the ones that will turn the fortress’ barren land into fertile land...?’

‘We’re doomed. We’re all going to die here of hunger.’

***

Minhyuk brought along the talents that would pioneer the lands inside the Fortress of the Transcendental’s Fantasy with him. He toured the barren lands that they would turn into fertile lands with them.

‘They are all very reliable comrades.’

Rumble, the Spirit of Life, possessed the skill called ‘Seed Creation.’ This skill would benefit them, especially since the fortress would always reject seeds from the outside world. Not only that, this skill also allowed Rumble to create a variety of seeds, including sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, green onions, watermelons, and many more. Rumble could create seeds that would produce whatever it was that he wanted. So, if Rumble wanted it, he could make meat grow from the seed he created.

Scratch, scratch–

Then, there was the Great Spirit of the Earth Rend. Although he looked a bit stupid scratching the back of his head like that, he was most definitely the Great Spirit of the Earth.

‘There’s no way that Rend, someone with the power to rule and govern the earth, would not be able to turn a barren land into a fertile one.’

(Pickaxe that Can Make Any Land Fertile)

Rank: God

Requirements: Level 500 or higher. The one that received the approval of the Great Spirit of Earth.

Durability: ∞ / ∞

Attack Power: 650

Special Abilities:

•The DEX stat will triple.

•Crop yield will increase by 60%.

•Vitality will increase by 30%.

•Active Skill: Cry, Pickaxe.

•Active Skill: Unconditional Harvest

•Active Skill: The One that Rules the Earth

•Passive Skill: Barren Land into Fertile Land

•Passive Skill: Swift Pickaxing

•Passive Skill: Crops with Good Flavor and Abilities

Description: This is the pickaxe owned by the Great Spirit of the Earth Rend. This pickaxe can turn any barren land into fertile land and allow seeds to grow even in the driest and most barren land.

But the most important part was this: Minhyuk was confident about turning any barren land into a fertile one because he had this God-rank pickaxe, which Rend once owned.

After clicking on the detailed explanation of the barren land, he could see the words ‘Land Recovery Rate’ among them. The land recovery rate was a stat that only existed in barren lands where no crops could ever grow. Only if they could bring the land recovery rate to 100% would they be able to transform the barren land into fertile land.

Minhyuk stood before a patch of barren land and swung the Pickaxe that Can Make Any Land Fertile with all his might.

Thuuuuuud–

[Recovery has increased by 0.3%.]

“...”

A small smile appeared on Minhyuk’s face, which also promptly disappeared.

[Recovery has returned to 0%.]

[The soil that made up the lands of the Fortress of the Transcendental’s Fantasy is an ancient cursed soil!]

[No one has successfully turned these lands into fertile lands!]

“...?”

Simply put, even if Minhyuk used the Pickaxe that Can Make Any Land Fertile and recovered some of the land, it would still return to its original state. But who was Minhyuk? He was someone that would never give up. He quickly struck the ground in front of him in quick succession.

[Recovery has increased by 0.3%.]

[Recovery has increased by 0.3%.]

[Recovery has returned to 0%.]

[Recovery has increased by 0.3%.]

[Recovery has returned to 0%.]

[Recovery...]

[...returned...]

Then, Minhyuk’s pinnacle passive skill, which he created by combining Divine Will and Lightning, was triggered.

[Striking Will.]

[One strike becomes fourteen!]

[Your DEX will increase by 20%. All of your stats will increase by 6%!]

[The effect will last for seven seconds.]

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud–!

[Recovery has increased by 1.3%.]

[Recovery has returned to 0.4%.]

“Rend! Come and help me!”

Rend was the Great Spirit of the Earth. Even if he used an ordinary pickaxe, he could still turn any barren land into fertile land.

Thud, thud, thud, thud–!

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud–!

The two of them began to hit the ground with their pickaxes with all their might. Even Beanie, who looked like he could not bear to watch them do it like this, grabbed a pickaxe and joined them. The three of them hit the ground like crazy for one straight hour.

[The Recovery Rate has been fixed at 0.9%!]

[If you don’t hit the ground with your pickaxe within ten minutes, the Recovery Rate will return to 0%!]

This was the worst of all the trials and gates that required intense labor that Minhyuk had done so far. And to think that Minhyuk had Striking Will with him this time around, too.

“If you take a breather, the recovery rate will return to 0%...”

Minhyuk held his pickaxe and stood there for a long time without doing anything. Seeing him like that, the Transcendentals approached him one after the other.

“Do you understand now? It’s impossible. This is also why we promised to give you such huge rewards,” Nekk said.

Those who hadn’t experienced it would say that turning this barren land into fertile land was easy. Minhyuk firmly believed he could do it since he believed in the name of the Food God, the Pickaxe that Can Make Any Land Fertile, and the Great Spirit of the Earth Rend. However, the Transcendentals knew he would give up from fear once he experienced it, just like they gave up on growing and eating something delicious from these lands.

“You should go back to your land now. Let us meet once you have crossed over the wall,” Nekk said as he turned around to leave. Bender and the other Transcendentals also agreed, although they looked very bitter.

But then Minhyuk said, “If I can do this, will that make me a ‘Transcendental,’ too?”

“...?”

Nekk turned to look at Minhyuk, who was smiling faintly at them.

“If I achieve something you have given up on, then doesn’t that mean I will also become a Transcendental?”

Nekk’s pupils shook and trembled. He could see the willingness and will to do it underneath the small and faint smile on Minhyuk.

What was a Transcendental? The original Transcendentals' strength came from the blood they were born with. But, of course, they also knew the meaning of transcendence.

[A small human and god has reminded you anew of the meaning of transcendence!]

[If he can achieve what you can’t, then you will have to acknowledge his ‘transcendence’ and applaud him for his efforts!]

“I will do it. I will give it my all. That’s why I ask you with all due respect...” Minhyuk turned to look at Nekk and said, “Can you please fix my armor? So that all of my efforts will not be in vain?”

“...”

Nekk felt his heart thump wildly.

[A small human and god is suggesting a deal with you!]

The man in front of Nekk asked him to give it his all in fixing his armor, just like he would give it his all for them. So, Nekk answered, “I promise you. I will make sure to pay back your hard work and effort.”

[Transcendental Nekk puts his name on the line and promises you!]

[He will put everything on the line so your efforts will not be in vain!]

It was quite a strange feeling. One look at the man’s eyes, and he felt he could trust and count on him.

Bender and the other Transcendentals turned to look at Nekk and asked, “Nekk, do you think he will be able to do it?”

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

That was right. All they could do was watch. Nekk watched as Minhyuk and his vassals gathered to eat the dish Minhyuk had prepared. After eating, they all stood up and swung their pickaxes with all their might. He stood there and watched them work.

Day one. The skin on Minhyuk’s palms started to peel off. However, he slapped on a bandage and continued swinging his pickaxe.

Day two. The baby piggy, turning the land with them, fell. He could no longer endure the hard and strenuous labor that they were doing.

Day three. Even the human with roots growing all over his body fell and collapsed.

Just like that, the sun rose and set. The day turned into night, turning into day and night again. However, no matter how many times the days changed, one light did not go out. And that was the light of the will flowing out of Minhyuk’s eyes.

Day four. All of the Transcendentals stood beside Nekk and watched him work.

Day five. Minhyuk almost collapsed from exhaustion. However, he was able to continue standing, staggering on his feet, but still eventually able to overcome his fatigue.

Day six.

Minhyuk might have been exhausted, but his eyes were still filled with vitality.

It was day seven. On this day, Bender told him, “You can stop now. Why are you doing this?”

Minhyuk continued to swing his pickaxe as he answered, “Because I have been there. I was hungry.”

“...”

“I know how terrible it is. I know how it feels to be hungry to the point that one wants to die!”

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud–!

Day eight.

Day nine.

The Transcendentals stood there and pondered deeply about the man’s thinking.

Day eleven.

Day twelve.

Day thirteen.

Moisture slowly started to appear in the once dry and barren land.

Day fourteen.

Day fifteen.

Sprouts started to grow in the land where nothing had ever grown before.

Day sixteen.

Day seventeen.

The man who carried a ‘Transcendental’ Will made the land before them bear fruit.

[A small human and god has reminded you, the ‘Transcendentals,’ anew of the meaning of transcendence and created a new name carrying transcendence in front of you!]

[The Transcendence that he has created is the Effort and Will to Never Back Down or Give Up!]

[His transcendence is so great and noble that no one can overlook and belittle him!]

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