Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 1230

Chapter 1230

Minhyuk heard another set of notifications after Angara promised that she would help him protect the Heavenly Army troops and the Battle God’s Five Generals. Surprised, he immediately told her about it.

“We can go and find Vegni’s Forest again,” Minhyuk exclaimed.

Angara looked at him in disbelief.

‘So, this is how to win her over and make her into my knight.’

With delight coloring his voice, Minhyuk asked her, “Would it be fine to restore the Vegni Forest in the Land of the Gods once we find it?”

Angara’s expression turned dark. The Land of the Gods had used and taken full advantage of her and the creatures of the forest. Even if Minhyuk could find the forest, as long as it was in the Land of the Gods, Angara would not wish to stay there.

“Then, how about coming to the Beyond the Heavens Empire? No one will use you there.”

However, Angara remained suspicious. Would she and the forest indeed be safe? It was only natural. After all, she had already been deceived once.

“Can you promise you will never use and take advantage of us?”

It did not matter to Minhyuk if Angara chose not to live for the sake of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The fact that the Beyond the Heavens Empire had recruited an existence like her boosted their power and prestige.

When Minhyuk nodded in agreement, Angara said, “Then, I’ll go to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

***

The powers left behind by the fairies, the graphans, and the purgaens to protect Angara—the very same powers that were being trampled on by the monsters—began to change at the appearance of the green and thriving forest made by Angara herself.

[The God of the Forest has been activated.]

The fairies’ lights, which had been slowly growing dim, glowed brightly once again. They looked just like small fireflies but with huge light bulbs instead. The black currents of energy that the graphans released grew large enough to cover the entire forest while the purgaens’ drooping fur turned into large, sharp spears that could pierce through anything.

The Forest God Angara, who could temporarily create her forest, was an omnipotent being inside the forest. The branches and stems from the trees she had made shot out from the ground and turned into sharp spears piercing through the monsters. ṛΑ₦òbËS̈

[Any being pierced through the Branch Spears will fall into a three-second stunned state.]

Clad was left dumbfounded. ‘Angara became that man’s vassal?’ He could not understand it at all.

He had tried to coax and bring her to his side for a long time but failed every single time. Somehow, this man could bring her to his side completely on his own and in less than a day to boot.

Angara lifted her fingers and pointed them at the monsters. At the same time, the fairies’ lights floating in the sky shot forward and pierced through the monsters’ bodies.

Slash, slash, slash–!

The fairies’ lights, which had grown incomparably stronger than before, left the monsters in constant shock.

Meanwhile, the black currents of energy that had formed the barrier surrounding the forest turned into small round shields. These shields then lowered themselves in front of every single one of the Heavenly Army troops.

The spears from the purgaens’ fur floated above the Heavenly Army troops. They stood tall and showed off their majesty like an entire cavalry division.

[The Forest God’s Affection.]

As mentioned, Angara was an omnipotent and absolute being inside the forest. As long as she was inside, no one could mess with her. She loved and protected the forest and was capable of giving this love to its creatures.

[You have received the affection of the Forest God.]

[All of your attack power will increase by 26%.]

[All of your defensive power will increase by 17%.]

[The Forest God is protecting you.]

On the other hand, she could also inflict damage and punishment upon her enemies.

[You have received the judgment of the Forest God.]

[All of your attack power will be reduced by 23%.]

[All of your defensive power will be reduced by 24%.]

[The Forest God is trying to drive you out of the forest.]

‘How can she have this power...’

‘This is amazing.’

Everyone was shocked. Of course, Minhyuk had the same reaction.

‘It shouldn’t be like this before.’

Somehow, her power seemed to be around 30% better. Perhaps this was the Last Light of the Setting Sun. Knowing that something special would happen two hours later, Angara had decided to let herself burn the brightest.

[The Forest God’s Restriction.]

[No one can use their power inside the forest unless they receive permission from the Forest God.]

All of the Heavenly Army troops' weapons floating in the air landed back in their hands. Although Ferrod could not see whatever was in front of him, now that his weapon was back in his hand, he knew what he had to do.

“Open the path for the Battle God! Let him reach the enemy commander!!!”

The enemies had grown 25% weaker while they became 25% stronger. It was not just that. They also felt highly motivated after recalling the promise the Battle God had given them earlier.

[The allies’ morale has increased by 20%.]

The fairies’ lights illuminated and paved the path for them. The vines and stems stretched out from the ground following Angara’s power and tied the monsters’ necks, ankles, wrists, and legs so they would not move recklessly.

The small boat continued to sail and make its way through the heavy storm!

Lied shouted, “Let us show our loyalty!!!”

Just like how he tried to protect them.

“Let us show our valor!!!”

Just like how he kept his words and promises.

“Let us show the power of the mighty elites of the Heavenly Army!!!”

Just like how they vowed to protect his back from this point on.

“Wahahahahahahaha! Come on, cut me down!” Clad roared in excitement.

Minhyuk tried again.

[You have failed.]

Stab–!

[You have failed.]

Fwoosh–!

[You have failed.]

Minhyuk’s body was constantly being cut down while his attacks continued to fail. Clad continued to widen the distance between them as he demonstrated several chapters of his swordsmanship.

The first dealt with stabbing, the second with cutting, and the third with applying the previous chapters. Although they were all simple movements, they were very difficult to master.

The most challenging part was that Minhyuk had to accurately cut down a few dozen red dots out of the hundreds that were present. Even so, Minhyuk continued even if he had been turned into a mess by the countless movements and chapters that Clad had demonstrated.

“Swinging the sword is easy. However, an attack can change even with a slight movement change. This makes it difficult to master the sword. However, with understanding and refinement, it will become easier.”

Clad wanted to create the strongest and most outstanding army in the world. Alas, not a single one of the Heavenly Commanders understood his swordsmanship.

“Ah. So, it’s like this.”

Minhyuk checked all of the chapters. Although he knew the damage inflicted on him would become greater with every failure, he still experimented with the first chapter.

Would it be considered a failure if he hit a dot wrong? He wanted to know if he had to copy every single one of Clad’s actions. That was why he kept on failing.

But now, he was ready to do it.

[You have successfully demonstrated the first chapter.]

With Minhyuk’s first success, Clad started to weaken.

“Transcendence,” Minhyuk uttered as he swung his sword and cut down Clad as a black energy current shot out of his body.

[You have successfully demonstrated the second chapter.]

[You have successfully demonstrated the third chapter.]

[You have successfully demonstrated the fourth chapter.]

[You have successfully demonstrated the fifth chapter.]

Clad’s breathing stagnated as the strength slowly left his body. He could not believe it. Minhyuk was moving the same way that he did earlier. Of course, there was something that Clad did not know.

‘I am a player. And thanks to that, I can see those red dots.’

If he were an NPC, he might have to find the correct answer by swinging in empty air, without the guidance of those red dots. However, even though Minhyuk had received such a privilege, the achievement he was making right now was something that no ordinary player could achieve.

[...sixth...]

[...seventh...]

Clad trembled. He could only stare blankly at Minhyuk, unable to continue his attacks and demonstrations.

[You have successfully demonstrated the eighth chapter.]

There was not a single mistake.

[You have completely understood and demonstrated every chapter of Clad’s Swordsmanship.]

[Please demonstrate all of the chapters in reverse.]

This time, Minhyuk had to do it in reverse.

The reason why one had to master Clad’s Swordsmanship until the final chapter was because the shabby stabbing, cutting, and swinging would only become a swordsmanship that no one could deal with if it were demonstrated in reverse.

[The opponent’s understanding of your swordsmanship has reached 94%.]

[Clad’s Swordsmanship Training is completed.]

[You will grow weak depending on the opponent’s understanding of your swordsmanship. You have grown 84% weaker.]

Meanwhile, Clad, who had seen Minhyuk demonstrate his entire swordsmanship, laughed.

“Transcendental’s Spear,” Minhyuk called out.

A spear made of light appeared in the air and shot toward him. However, Clad did not resist.

Shwaaaa–!

He even greeted the spear made of light with open arms as it pierced through his heart. The attack made him stumble. When he felt Minhyuk approach him to cut his head, he raised his hand and grabbed the man’s shoulder.

Was Clad evil? After losing the power struggle against the current Battle God, he fled to the Abyss to live and survive. In the end, he turned his back on the Land of the Gods and tried to obtain the Battle God's throne by using the monsters of the Abyss.

If someone heard his story, they might think he was a villain. Regardless, Clad had the same dream that the current Battle God had. He just wanted to create an army that would never lose against anyone. He just wanted to make an army that would not be afraid even if they were facing enemies that were stronger than them. Even if he could not do that, he hoped his successors would be able to.

Ultimately, he and the Battle God had the same goal—to protect the Land of the Gods.

Clad tightened his grip on Minhyuk’s shoulders and said, “I acknowledge you.”

[You have acquired Clad’s Authority: Army Swordsmanship Creation.]

“May you become a monarch that surpasses me.”

[You have acquired Clad’s Authority: Army Defense Technique Creation.]

“It’s a pity I cannot be with you or stay by your side. You, who will become a monarch who will walk a better path than me, the current Battle God or the previous Battle Gods.”

The dying Clad slowly knelt on both knees. He, who wanted to protect the Land of the Gods, had become a villain who mocked and threatened the same beings he swore to protect. This very same person went down on his knees and paid courtesy and respect to the Battle God in front of him.

With a hoarse voice, the dying Clad said, “Great Monarch Minhyuk, I will remember you forever.”

Finally, Clad released his final breath.