Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 622: Defensive War (Part 2)

The God-rank artifact Great Sovereign’s Sword could exert a much stronger power than Minhyuk’s Continent Destroyer Sword, especially when a great monarch and sovereign was wielding it.

The ‘Sovereign’s Majesty’ was an active skill attached to the Great Sovereign’s Sword. The effects of this skill would be maximized the more enemies stood in front of the great sovereign. It was a skill that was similar to Minhyuk’s ‘Earth King’s Authority: Worship’, with certain differences.

For one, the more enemies there were, the more the Sovereign’s Majesty would be recognized, which would force all of those against the skill user to kneel. It was also a skill that could give the enemies an abnormal state upon witnessing the monarch’s majesty in front of them.

[The Great Sovereign will bring punishment upon you!]

[You will not be able to come back to your senses under the majesty of the Great Sovereign!]

[All of your stats will decrease by 20%. Your physical and magical defenses will decrease by 30%!]

The entire world cheered.

[Ellie refused to take the position of the Sword God and chose to become the emperor of the people, by the people, and for the people!]

[The great Luvien Imperial Army is kneeling in front of her majesty!]

The commentators could not hide their excitement. However, the commanding officers of the Luvien Empire thought that it was just one sword that was in Ellie’s hand. It was merely a sword. Besides, what could she do after refusing the position of the Sword God? All they could tell from this was that Ellie was a fool.

But then, something very unexpected happened. The space in the skies above them was torn apart, as a staircase made of clouds appeared and a man slowly descended. This great man’s name was Nerva Sephiroth.

Nerva Sephiroth could no longer sit and wait to know what was going on with this war. Of course, it had to be known that it was not his main body that appeared on the battlefield. He was actually using the power ‘Remote Monarch’. Nerva Sephiroth would not be able to use any of his powers here. However, his body would still be safe even if he died here.

As he appeared on the battlefield, Nerva Sephiroth could not help but sigh, ‘How did this happen…’

He could not believe what was in front of him. What kind of existences were dragons? Dragons were the greatest beings on earth. They were arrogant and majestic beings. And these very same dragons were roaring in the skies above, ready to fight for Ellie. However, the fact that Ellie refused to become the Sword God would be the most decisive reason for Eivelis Empire’s downfall today.

Nerva Sephiroth sat on his ‘throne’ in the skies as he pondered over everything. Then, he declared, “Those that would retreat will be met with death. Show them the greatness and majesty of the great Luvien Empire.”

With Nerva Sephiroth’s words, the strong men among the 1.5-million troops began to step forward. They were people that even a child from any nation would stop crying at the mere mention of their names.

There were also many players among them. Players could only receive quest rewards if they were a citizen of Asgan Continent, or a part of the Luvien Empire. However, players from the other parts of the world could obtain ‘EXP’, ‘honor’, and ‘gold’, simply by participating in the war. On top of that, there were many players that wanted to see the downfall of the Asgan Continent.

There were quite a few global top rankers that had stepped forward this time. These rankers were able to break away from the ‘Sovereign’s Majesty’ faster than the rest of the troops. Because of that, they were able to charge towards Ellie. However, the hundreds of dragons, the ordinary soldiers of the Luvien Empire, Minhyuk, and the Eivelis Imperial Army did not move. Just like that, a hundred strong men and rankers charged towards Ellie.

Nerva Sephiroth jeered, ‘A trivial emperor like you will not be able to change anything just by having a different sword.’

It was similar to everyone’s circumstances during birth. Just like how Ellie and Nerva Sephiroth were both emperors, but Nerva was the one that inherited the powers of the Battle God. That was the difference between them. If Nerva used his real ‘power’ here, then Ellie would be helpless against him. It had to be known that Nerva Sephiroth was a warrior first, before an emperor. However, he was currently under restriction of the world and was not allowed to meddle in this story.

There were some global rankers that were very familiar with taking the lead for the Luvien Empire. Their reason for taking the vanguard?

‘If we show our good side to Nerva Sephiroth, then we might be able to find a new path for ourselves.’

‘Perhaps we can also become a noble in the Luvien Empire.’

Becoming a noble of the Luvien Empire, the empire that would lead Athenae’s second era, would be worth an astronomical amount. In other words, they would be rich. Yes. They were rankers that were blinded by greed.

Among these rankers standing in the vanguard was Korea’s number one tanker in the Tanker Rankings, Golden Shield Valdar. Golden Shield Valdar was a strong player with a very scandalous personality. He was originally a member of one of the guilds, but he left his guild to participate in this war and flatter his way up in the Luvien Empire. It could be said that Golden Shield Valdar’s shield could easily block a dragon’s breath. And…

“God of Shields.”

…he had a skill that could easily multiply his defensive power by several times. On top of that, Valdar was very confident with this skill, especially after he had increased God of Shields’ level just recently. As the level of the skill increased, more special effects were attached to it. If he defended against an enemy’s attack, the shield’s durability would not decrease and even his enemy’s weapon would be forced to stick on his shield.

In other words, Valdar would be able to fluster Ellie the moment her sword got stuck on his shield.

Of course, Ellie slashed towards Valdar’s shield first.

“The moment my shield holds on to Ellie’s sword, go in all at once…!”

But the moment the sword struck the middle of Valdar’s square shield…

Crack—

Stab—

“Keheooook?!”

Valdar was horrified. Ellie’s sword pierced through the center of Valdar’s square shield and stabbed through his chest. However, the most surprising part was…

[Your HP has dropped below 80%.]

“…?”

‘What kind of bullshit is this?!’

Ellie did not even trigger her skill. She just stabbed Valdar with her sword that had an effect which released black energy in her surroundings. Yet, Korea’s number one tanker ranker Valdar’s HP was reduced by 20%. Valdar’s HP was three times higher than most ordinary warriors, knights, or any other close combat classes. Even his shield was pierced through.

“What kind of…”

Then, at that moment…

Shwaaaaaaaaa—

Ellie cut through Valdar with her sword, as a pleasant notification rang in her ears.

[Critical Strike x4!]

On the other hand, a notification that made Valdar lose all hope rang in his ears.

[Your HP has reached zero.]

[You have been forced to log out.]

[You, someone that has gone to Luvien’s Empire’s side, died without much contribution.]

[You are a disgrace to the Luvien Empire!]

[You will receive harsh criticisms from the citizens of the Luvien Empire!]

[Twice the normal penalty for forced logout will be applied!]

That was right. Since these players dared to betray their own continent, the Asgan Continent, they were bound to suffer penalties that were more severe.

Slash—

Ellie used another basic attack to cut down another one of the players.

Among these troops was a young swordswoman that had made a name for herself in the Luvien Empire, Guinness. Guinness did not even have the chance to cross swords with Ellie, dying easily after getting stabbed in her abdomen.

Baaaaaaaaang—

Ellie threw a spear master, who was hailed as his own kingdom’s ‘best’, high into the sky. The spear master died high up in the skies, his hands losing its grip on the spear in his hands.

It was a short display of overwhelming strength. But in that time, 100 strong NPCs and players died under Ellie’s hands. How long did it take?

One of the players muttered, “Two minutes…”

Neva Sephiroth, who sat on his throne, felt his hands get soaked with cold sweat.

Then, Ellie pointed her sword at him and said, “Hey, Nerva.”

“…???”

Nerva Sephiroth could not help but feel flustered. No matter how much of an enemy they were, it was too much to say ‘Hey, Nerva’ to another emperor, right? However, the grace and elegance that was overflowing from her body made even her vulgar tone of speech somehow beautiful.

“Are you ready to get beaten up?”

Fury colored Nerva’s face. How dare a mere emperor like her try to fight against someone like him, someone that had inherited the power of the Battle God?!

Ellie took an elegant step forward, her fiery red hair fluttering behind her while her sword shone brightly under the glare of the sun. Ellie’s dark eyes glared in front of her, as she started to run towards Nerva.

“Make that impertinent and rude b*tch kneel in front of me!!!”

At Nerva’s orders, the 1.5 million Luvien Imperial troops began to charge towards Ellie. Even though Ellie was still running, the dragons and the Eivelis Imperial Army still did not move. Nerva thought that they were all foolish and arrogant.

‘How dare this lowly emperor…’

Did she think that she would be able to reach Nerva with the 1.5 million troops that were standing in between them? But she was not alone. The man standing on Dragon Elder Velach’s back suddenly tore a parchment.

This parchment was something that Minhyuk had received each time he cleared a God’s trial in the Abyss. The power that each of this parchment possessed was equivalent to the one that Minhyuk had shown when he wielded the Swords of the Gods of the Abyss before.

The parchment that Minhyuk just tore was none other than the Parchment of the God of Life. And the moment it got torn apart, a man appeared next to the running Ellie. The man was the very same man that risked his life just a few hours ago for Ellie. He was Luvarc, the son of a poor farmer who became the Knight Commander of the Phoenix Knights, the Eivelis Empire’s Imperial Knights.

Then, another knight appeared on Ellie’s left side. Not long after, all of the troops of the Eivelis Imperial Army that died a few hours prior appeared, charging towards their enemies once again.

“Uwooooooooooo!!!”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“For Eivelis Empireeeeee!!!”

“For Her Majesty Ellieeeeeee!!!”

The number of Eivelis Empire’s troops that have been revived reached around 700,000. Ellie, who was running at the vanguard, looked at Minhyuk with a small smile on her face.

Minhyuk smiled at her and said, “Noona, run.”

Then, he tore another parchment. At the same time…

[You have eaten Spam and Warm Rice.]

[Legendary Grade.]

[All of your stats will increase by 22%.]

[All of your skills’ level will increase by +1.]

[Your physical attack and skill attack will increase by 7%.]

[You can increase one of your skill’s level by +4. The chosen skill can only be used once.]

[The buff duration is three days.]

Just like when the Food God’s Sword was wielded, Minhyuk was able to make a food even though he did not cook it, and Ellie was able to eat it without really having to eat it.

Ellie knew this dish very well. It was the dish that Minhyuk cooked for her the first time they met. Ellie knew that the child trusted her completely and that the child would come for her sake no matter what.

At the same time, Ellie’s sword flew to the skies. The effects of the dish that she consumed had mentioned that she could increase one of her skills’ level by +4. The skill that she chose to increase was none other than the Torrential Sword.

What were the original effects of the Great Sovereign’s Sword’s Torrential Sword?

[More than 10,000 swords would appear and create a torrential downpour, dealing 4,000% damage, while ignoring the enemies’ defenses!]

Right now, the skill’s level was temporarily increased by +4.

[More than 100,000 swords would appear and create a torrential downpour, dealing 7,000% damage while ignoring the enemies’ defenses!]

[Dozens of violent and powerful swords will follow your orders!]

Rumbleeee!!!

The skies above them roared. And the sword that rose high up in the skies fell on the head of the knight that blocked Ellie’s path.

Stab—

Then, the knight turned into black ash that disappeared into nothingness.

Shwaaaaaaa—

Then, hundreds of thousands of swords rained down and covered the ground. Amidst this torrential rain of swords, dozens of swords flew forward, following the movements of Ellie’s arms.

‘Sword Manipulation.’

Sword Manipulation was something that could only be used by those that had reached the highest level of swordsmanship. And the dozens of swords that pierced through Ellie’s enemies amidst the torrential rain of blades was a higher level version of that.

In just an instant, almost 80,000 of the Luvien Imperial Army had been swept away. With Ellie creating a gap in their ranks, her comrades were able to charge forward and open a path for her.

Ellie cut down one of the enemy soldiers, using his shoulder as a springboard to leap up to the skies. Her destination? The place where Nerva was sitting proudly and arrogantly on his throne.

Nerva felt cold sweat drip down his back. He was a great emperor, and someone that inherited the power of the Battle God. He was the creme de la creme, and the one that would devour the entire world in the future. But this very same Nerva was…

Gulp—

…gulping dryly from nervousness. At that moment, tens of thousands of soldiers and knights leapt forward and charged towards Ellie. Seeing that, Nerva Sephiroth felt delighted. The reason why his army existed was so they could protect him. These soldiers would not let Ellie reach him easily. But then…

Rumbleeeeeee—

Rumbleeeeee—

A huge meteor started to fall from the skies. It seemed like the dragons were finally making their move. Ellie flew forward, the meteors decorating the scenery behind her. However, the meteors descended faster than she, or her enemies, could fly.

Baaaaaaang—

The highest tiered magic, Meteor, fell down from the skies and devoured the soldiers that leapt to stop Ellie’s advance!

Leaving the Meteors behind her, Ellie once again moved to approach Nerva. This time, tens of thousands of arrows were fired towards her, and her alone.

Ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping—

Nerva cackled in delight at the sight of tens of thousands of arrows covering the skies, “Keuhahahahahahahahahaha! This is a place that an uncivilized mongrel like you can never reach…!”

However, Nerva’s voice soon trailed off. A man appeared in front of Ellie. The man’s face looked completely different from the face that Ellie was used to, but those eyes and that soft smile caused Ellie to be sure that the man in front of him was her younger brother, Minhyuk.

Minhyuk grabbed a hold of Ellie, flying to the skies with his cape carrying the symbol of the Eivelis Empire fluttering behind him. Immediately after that, he took an artifact out.

‘A frying pan…?’?Nerva thought, confusion evident on his face.

Minhyuk had not used his frying pan for a very long time. This was because using his frying pan with his current level in the game would be less useful than his other artifacts. However, at this moment, his frying pan was the best artifact, and the most suitable weapon to use. Besides, this would be the last time that he would use this frying pan in front of Nerva Sephiroth.

“Frying Pan Gigantification.”

Shwaaaaaaaaaaa—

The frying pan grew, creating a huge shadow that covered the ground beneath them.

“Heuuuuuuuup!” Minhyuk groaned as he turned around and rotated Hepas’ Legendary Frying Pan, which immediately collided with the tens of thousands of arrows that were aiming for Ellie.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—

The veins on Minhyuk’s forearms bulged at the pressure.

“Euaaaaaaaaack!”

“Keuaaaaaaaaaaack!”

The archers on the ground shrieked and screamed from the damage that they received from the frying pan’s damage reflection. Ellie smiled softly at Minhyuk, who looked back at her.

Minhyuk was Ellie’s beloved younger brother, her friend, a child that sometimes commanded respect from the people around him, and a man that sometimes acted more childish than a child. The child in front of her reached his hand out to her. It was with his help that allowed her to protect Eivelis Empire.

Grab—

Ellie held the big and warm hand that reached out to her.

“Noona.”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.”

“That should be my line.”

The two looked at each other with bright smiles on their faces. Then, Minhyuk gathered the strength in his arms as he…

“Go and take him down.”

Boooooom—

…threw Ellie forward with all his might. Ellie shot through the air, toward Nerva Sephiroth like a bullet. For the first time, Nerva Sephiroth got up from his seat in a startle. With fear evident in his gaze, he looked at the ‘measly’ emperor of the empire that was supposed to fall and collapse today.

Staaaaaaab—

Ellie stabbed Nerva’s heart with her sword.

Slash—

She looked at this great and aloof being and spat coldly, “Get lost, you f*cking bastard.”