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[You have hunted Helenia’s First Fragment.]

[Your EXP acquisition and item drop rate will double.]

[You have obtained 1005 platinum.]

[You have gained 120,001,000 EXP.]

[You have obtained six Helenia’s Fragment Tokens.]

[You have obtained 479 Helenia’s Dungeon Monster Tokens.]

These were the spoils that Minhyuk had obtained after hunting Helenia’s Fragment and the Venomous Anacondas. The rewards might seem shabby compared to the artifacts, monster parts, and parchments that would often drop when hunting ordinary monsters and boss mobs. But that was not the case at all.

When the quest notification rang out, a world message stating, “Helenia’s Fragments’ Episode has started.” also rang in everyone’s ears. This was the information they could view after the world message rang.

[If you can hunt Helenia’s Fragment and her dungeon monsters, you can obtain fragment tokens and dungeon monster tokens!]

[You can use both tokens to exchange for various items in the Heroes’ Tree placed in each kingdom and empire!]

Simply put, the Heroes’ Tree was a store where they could exchange items for their tokens. And from what Minhyuk had guessed, he could exchange many items the more fragment tokens he had on hand.

The following notifications also rang for Minhyuk:

[Fragments Hunted by the Beyond the Heavens Empire: 1]

[Fragments Hunted by the Luvien Empire: 0]

When he heard the notification about his Class Inheritance Quest after hunting Helenia’s Fragment, Minhyuk realized, ‘This will decide who will have the upper hand between Nerva and me.’

If Minhyuk were the true Battle God and inherited his throne, he would grow rapidly. Although it might take a long time, he could bring the Beyond the Heavens Empire to higher heights and turn it into an empire that could rival the Luvien Empire.

It would also solve his problem with Minhyuk's Religion, which worshipped the Food God, and its lack of followers. If he could successfully take the Battle God’s position, then he would be able to boost his own religion once he built the Battle God’s religion. Minhyuk could not build the Battle God’s Religion because he was still not yet the true Battle God.

“Thank you,” Richard greeted Minhyuk. Despite having high casualties among their group, he was relieved to see that the pillars of the Maserrati Kingdom remained alive.

“I obtained 1,005 platinum, six fragment tokens, and around 470 dungeon monster tokens. Do you want them back?”

Of course, Minhyuk hunted Helenia’s Fragment all at once by using his Supreme Overlord’s Technique. However, unbeknownst to the members of the Maserrati Guild, the Supreme Overlord’s Technique’s flames might be able to melt the Venomous Anacondas. Still, it could not do the same to Helenia’s Fragment.

It was often obvious whenever a mob’s HP had dropped below 10%. When Minhyuk made a move to hunt Helenia’s Fragment, the gigantic snake was already glowing. Therefore, he thought giving back some to them was only fitting.

“No, it’s fine. We have already gained a lot. Besides, if it wasn’t for you, Minhyuk, then...” Richard trailed off; the thought alone made him feel dizzy. “Thank you for your kindness.”

At this moment, Richard felt like the Maserrati Kingdom had grown infinitely shabby.

‘How far will you continue to go?’

Richard wondered what Minhyuk had done to cause him to grow so much that he could no longer reach him.

Minhyuk replied, “I have shown kindness to the powerful kingdom of Maserrati. It seems like I will be rewarded greatly for this kindness.”

Minhyuk did not act arrogantly. He even praised the Maserrati Kingdom. And this praise was by no means an exaggeration. Minhyuk understood the current situation. One look and he could tell that all of the dungeon monsters had rushed out of the dungeon. In a situation like that, it did not matter whether those who faced them were a small kingdom or a thousand of an empire’s elites; they would still be wiped out. And there was also the Level 700 Helenia’s Fragments. Most players would find it very difficult to handle a boss mob at that level.

“I will make sure to repay you someday,” Richard replied.

A faint smile appeared on Minhyuk’s face when he heard that. Richard, who possessed the unique power called Absolute Monarch’s Stigma, would greatly help him.

With the situation finally settling down, Richard and Minhyuk finally calmed down.

“Everything’s a mess.”

“Yep.”

The two looked at their guild chatting windows, which had been turned upside down by the sudden events.

[Vice Guild Master Genie: There are more than 60 Helenia’s Dungeons that have currently appeared all over the world. Every single one of the dungeons has a timer.]

[Locke: It seems like Helenia’s Fragment and the dungeon monsters all charged out of the dungeon when the five-minute timer went off. The level of Helenia’s Fragment is around Level 660, while the mobs are around Level 590. Don’t you think the level is a bit too high?]

[Abel: According to the information I have received and gathered, the timers on each dungeon are set at random. There’s also the number of dungeons. Based on the information, their number will continue multiplying as time passes. We must remember that Helenia’s Fragments’ goal is the complete descent and advent of Helenia. The problem here is what’s needed for her advent.]

Minhyuk immediately focused on the words that Abel, the one with the most excellent information network in the Beyond the Heavens Empire, said.

[Abel: If you look closely at the fragments, you will see a little gem embedded somewhere in their bodies.]

The moment he read that, Minhyuk hurriedly examined Helenia’s Fragment, which was in the form of a snake. Only after looking closely did he see the small red gem, which was only as big as a baby’s nail, at the tip of the snake’s tail.

“A gem...?”

“That gem is the one that was flashing with light earlier,” Rhode piped up after drinking some potions and recovering to some extent. He could tell since he was the one who was fighting closely with Helenia’s Fragment earlier. Then, he said, “But there’s something strange. I’m sure it was bigger than that when I first saw it?”

At the same time, Abel’s message popped up in the guild chatting window once again.

[Abel: It is estimated that the gem will grow bigger as they kill more powerful people. Simply put, Helenia’s Fragments will help Helenia descend to this world by killing more of mankind and giving their power to her.]

Minhyuk’s expression grew solemn. If they allowed Helenia’s dungeons and her fragments to come out and spread into the world, then Athenae would be plunged into chaos. The worst part? The number of dungeons that appeared seemed higher than he expected.

Richard seemed to have received a similar report from his guild as he said, “We will go back for now.”

“I should go too,” Minhyuk agreed as he hurriedly returned to the Beyond the Heavens Empire to devise specific measures against Helenia and her dungeons.

***

The slumbering Nerva was plunged into deep darkness as he fell into a dream.

In his dream, Nerva was leading hundreds of people through training. When he turned, he saw a young Brod running beside him and leading his group.

‘Nerva, can you beat me and take first place today?’

‘Of course! I’ll take first place today!’

Nerva looked happy even though he ran past the finish line simultaneously with the young Brod. The two young men fell to the ground and looked up at the sky as they tried to breathe.

‘Brod.’

Brod turned to Nerva in confusion when he heard Nerva speak.

‘I– If I receive the recognition of the Battle God, I will make sure to create the biggest, the strongest, and the most peaceful empire in the world.’

Back then, the still pure and innocent Nerva harbored such a grand dream.

‘Once I create the greatest empire, I will restore the peace in the war-riddled human world and rule them all.’ Nerva raised his fist to the sky as he continued, ‘I will build an empire where everyone would want to come and join.’

‘An empire that everyone wants to visit and join.’

‘An empire that everyone loves.’

‘An empire that supports peace.’

That was the dream of the young Nerva. But when he turned to his side, he saw Brod with an ugly look on his face.

‘Liar.’

‘...?’

Nerva looked at Brod in doubt. Then, Brod reached both hands and grabbed him by the neck. At the same time, the bloody members of the Red Sword Knights, the same people whom Nerva ordered to kill, appeared and jumped at him.

‘You have become a monster, Nerva.’

‘Uwaaaaaaaaack!’ Nerva shrieked as he broke free from Brod’s hold and ran away from them.

As Nerva ran toward the darkness to escape from them, he caught sight of the dying R?lszd kneeling in front of his figure with a bitter smile on his face.

‘I hope you will be able to smile.’

“Haa... Haa...!” Nerva gasped. He woke up from his drunken slumber amidst countless strewn bottles of alcohol inside the Luvien Imperial Palace. His heart ached. And the only thing that could numb the pain was the numerous bottles of alcohol around, which he promptly picked up and chugged again.

Knock– Knock–

“Your Majesty, this is Duke Vlad,” he announced as he entered the room.

There was no change in his expression, even though the stale and disgusting smell of alcohol flooded his senses the moment he entered. He just reported, “Helenia’s Dungeons have appeared worldwide. This is Your Majesty’s chance to take and inherit the position of the Battle God.”

Nerva, engulfed by guilt, anger, sadness, and several other indescribable emotions, had been in a drunken stupor ever since the day he lost both R?lszd and Don. The Swords of the Gods were left buzzing inside the palace while what happened that day spread throughout the empire.

“Are you talking about this emperor? You’re saying that this emperor will become the Battle God?! Keuhahahahahahaha!” Nerva cackled.

An emperor’s downfall could happen in just a blink. How many more people would come and bother him in his dreams once he inherited the Battle God’s throne? And how many more people would come to mock and laugh at him?

“You think that it’s a good thing, huh?!”

“...Your Majesty, the Beyond the Heavens Empire is about to make a move. The dungeons that have appeared worldwide are wreaking havoc and bringing chaos to countless empires and kingdoms. We have to move quickly and destroy Helenia’s Fragments. Please give me the authority to decide on this matter.”

Duke Vlad was fully aware of the situation.

“In the first place, the Beyond the Heavens Empire is no match to us. The difference between our Luvien Empire’s military power and the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s is around fourteen times. I believe there’s no need for Your Majesty to step forward. And with the support of our allies, Your Majesty will be able to inherit the Battle God’s Throne safely.”

This was not an individual competition. The number of Helenia’s Fragments that would determine who would take on the Battle God’s position was not dependent on how many Minhyuk and Nerva hunted on their own. This was a competition and a battle between the two empires.

“Fufufufu. That’s right, that’s right. Ah, I will become the Battle God, huh? Then, so be it!”

Duke Vlad nodded before bowing his head expressionlessly and saying, “I will set out right away.”

“But.” Seeing him turn around and leave, a glint appeared in Nerva’s gloomy eyes. He said, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Duke Vlad turned his head and looked Nerva in the eyes.

Duke Vlad was a talent who had been with the Luvien Empire for a long time. He did not fall from the sky like Duke Ruffiso, but he was strong on his own. However, at some point, Duke Vlad had grown more restrained, and no one could read his thoughts through his face anymore.

“I am just thinking and moving for the sake of the empire. I hope to revitalize our empire and make it grow bigger.”

Not only was Duke Vlad’s influence huge, but he also possessed great power. He did not expect his position in the people's hearts to be higher than Nerva’s just because of the slanderous and fierce rumors spreading about their emperor.

Killing intent flashed in Nerva’s eyes.

‘Even if he’s not in the right state of mind, an emperor is still an emperor, huh?’ Duke Vlad was impressed when his hair stood on end from the immense pressure coming from Nerva’s body in waves.

Nerva’s gaze soon drifted away from him as he tipped the bottle and chugged its contents. “Is that so? Fufufufu. Then, I will thank you for thinking that way!”

Not long after, Duke Vlad stepped out of the room. He chuckled and thought, ‘Please don’t worry. I do not want to take away your throne.’

‘I will help you become the Battle God. I will use you and hold you in the palm of my hands to squeeze you dry of your worth until you die.’

A nasty smile almost ripped Duke Vlad’s face. His smile looked terrifying, like the smile painted with dark red paint on a clown's face.

***

Beyond the Heavens Empire.

A meeting was held to discuss their next steps regarding Helenia’s Fragments.

“Based on our estimates, there will be around 300,000 monsters that will rush out of the dungeons all at once.

“The level of Helenia’s Fragment and the Venomous Anacondas that would appear would be much lower than the one Minhyuk faced earlier. However, even if their level has lowered, 300,000 is a number that could threaten an entire kingdom.

“And if two such dungeons appeared in the same vicinity, then there is only one result... and that is the destruction of whatever is in their path.”

The number of Helenia’s Dungeons that appeared had exceeded the number that the players had estimated. Less than half a day had passed, and there wasn't that many monster rush coming out of the dungeons, but the entire Athenae had entered a state of emergency.

Haze said, “This is an unexpected situation, and it has already alerted the entire world. We can expect that several of the nations allied to us will send requests for support. We must also declare an emergency in our Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

That was right. The entire Athenae was now on the brink of a crisis. While discussing the state of emergency, Minhyuk, who had been pondering about something, took something out. It was none other than several bottles of potion that he had recently purchased from the Infinite Store.

The entire world was in a state of emergency. The fragments, classified as boss-class monsters, would give an unusual amount of EXP. However, this also meant they were at a level where it would take a lot of work for others to handle. Because of this, their allies would most definitely send several requests for support.

Since that was the case, these potions would play a huge role. And the name of these potions?

‘Single Target EXP Increase Potion.’

This potion could help him obtain twenty times more than the usual amount of EXP upon successfully hunting the designated target.

‘One-hour EXP Explosive Increase Potion.’

‘One-week EXP Triple Increase Potion.’

‘One-level Level Up Potion.’

Minhyuk’s father, the Chairman of Ilhwa Group, had often advised.

–Crisis can always be turned into opportunities.

Yes, Minhyuk wanted to turn this crisis into an opportunity.

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