<h4>Chapter 621: Defensive War (Part 2)</h4>
Ellie and Minhyuk were extremely close. Ellie could risk her life to fight for Minhyuk, while Minhyuk would do the same. However, in the face of a ‘war’, the two of them had to be careful.
Minhyuk could not just fight for Ellie with everything that he got against Luvien Empire’s invasion. This was because…
<i>‘If I get too involved, the people will not recognize Noona and Eivelis Empire, even if they win.’</i>
That was right. Minhyuk was sure that words like that would continue to be heard over and over again. It was also for this reason that Minhyuk decided to hide the members of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom under the name of ‘Dark Breaker Team’, before sending them out as support.
Of course, Minhyuk had thought of a way to help Ellie. He recalled a conversation that he had in the past with her.
<i>‘This sword has been passed down for 500 years and is a symbol of the Eivelis Empire’s emperor.’</i>
<i>‘Wow. Then, that must be a very great and notable sword, right?’</i>
<i>‘A notable sword? No. This sword has lost most of its power. The only reason I’m still carrying this sword is to honor the previous emperors and my useless pride, you know?’</i>
Based on the conversation that they had, Minhyuk could tell that Ellie was carrying, and using, a sword that would break at any moment. That was when he figured out a way to help her.
“I will make a wish.”
The moment Minhyuk came back to the Abyss with Bichor, he cleared three of the gates as fast as he could, with an attackpletion rate of at least 80%. ording to their proposals, the Gods of the Abyss would have to grant one of Minhyuk’s wishes to the best of their abilities if he could clear three consecutive gates with an 80% attackpletion rate or more.
“I want to borrow the powers of the God of cksmiths Hepas, to make a weapon.”
<i>[The Gods of the Abyss has fulfilled Minhyuk’s wish after he achieved at least 80% of the attackpletion rate in three consecutive gates!]</i>
<i>[You have inherited the power of the God of cksmiths Hepas.]</i>
<i>[You can temporarily use the God of cksmiths’ skills!]</i>
<i>[You can temporarily use the God of cksmiths’ repair skills!]</i>
<i>[You can temporarily use the God of cksmiths’ recreation skills!]</i>
<i>[Hepas has borrowed your body and will now make a weapon for you!]</i>
ording to the legends of the God of cksmiths Hepas, he was someone that had created more than twenty six God-rank weapons in the past. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that all of the God-rank weapons that currently existed on all of the continents were born under Hepas’ hands. Indeed, the only person that could turn Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword into a new one was Hepas, and only Hepas.
Minhyuk was actually looking forward to this. He obviously already owned a ridiculously overpowered God-rank weapon, in the form of the ‘Continent Destroyer Sword’. However, there was a high chance that the sword, reborn from ‘Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword’ under the God of cksmiths Hepas’ hands, could produce more power than his own sword.
<i>‘What kind of weapon do you want? What materials do you have with you?’?</i>God of cksmiths Hepas had asked.
Minhyuk had told Hepas about ‘Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword’ in answer to his questions. Minhyuk had then taken out Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword and disassembled it. To be exact, it was Hepas that disassembled the sword.
<i>‘So, this is a sword that I had created.’</i>
Minhyuk smiled lightly at Hepas’ words.
Indeed, it was a sword that Hepas originally created under fierce pressure and coercion from the Gods. That was why Minhyuk thought that it would be much easier for Hepas to produce a new weapon with this.
<i>‘It’s impossible.’</i>
“…Howe?”
However, the bolt out of the blue had brought a confused and doubtful look on Minhyuk’s face.
<i>‘This sword was made with the coercion and oppression from the other Gods. That’s why I made it impossible to repair this sword. The materials that I used were mainly materials that are very hard to melt again. It’s impossible with my current level of recreation.’</i>
It was impossible even with God’s level of recreation? No. Nothing was impossible.
“Then, what if your recreation skill level increased?”
<i>‘It might be possible. However, it’s not like I can increase my recreation skill here…’</i>
“Let’s have a meal first.”
<i>‘…???’</i>
It was only after a while did the God of cksmiths realize what Minhyuk’s words meant. When Hepas finally thought about it, he realized that the man in front of him was the sessor of the Food God.
Hepas was currently inside Minhyuk’s body to help him create a weapon. Because of that, Minhyuk only needed to eat a dish to temporarily increase his recreation skill. Simply put, it has be a coboration between the Food God and the God of cksmiths.
Minhyuk made some spicy stir-fried pork and steamed eggs.
<i>‘…I’m getting hungry,’</i> Hepas said, an unknown feeling of emptiness hitting him after seeing Minhyuk eat.
And after eating everything…
<i>[You have eaten Spicy Stir-Fried Pork.]</i>
<i>[You can increase a chosen skill’s level by +2.]</i>
<i>[The buff will remain for two days.]</i>
Depending on the ingredients used on the dish, one could choose a skill and increase that chosen skill’s level. And the ingredients that Minhyuk used were the ingredients that he got when he cleared Arlene’s Abyss Gate.
“Is it possible now?”
<i>‘It’s possible.’</i>
For a moment, Hepas wondered what kind of guy Minhyuk was. But he shook the thought away and immediately began to take apart Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword. As he took apart and melted the sword, he asked, <i>‘What weapon should I remake it into?’</i>
“A sword.”
<i>‘There will be one requirement.’</i>
“What do you mean by requirement?”
Minhyuk could not help but think that Ruven’s Unrepaired Sword was much moreplicated than what he initially thought.
<i>‘I made this sword for Ruven against my will. During the production of this sword, my negative feelings and thoughts were embedded deep in this sword. That’s why if I remake this into a sword, the newly created sword will not be able to exert its full power unless the person that will wield it is ‘recognized’ by this sword. And even if that person ispletely recognized by the sword, they will not be able to properly use its power.’</i>
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Minhyuk said, smiling lightly as he started to make the sword with Hepas.
Minhyuk was currently feeling so excited. In fact, Minhyuk knew that he had not done much for his Ellie noona. Instead, he had been the one that was always receiving a lot of help from her.
<i>aaaaaaang— ng— aaaaaang—</i>
A delighted smile appeared on Minhyuk’s face, as the sound of the bellows continuously being pumped spread in the area as his powerful hammering rang loudly.
<i>‘Manning the bellows requires a very high DEX. Even if you have inherited my skills, you will probably not have an easy…’?</i>Hepas trailed off, amazed with how refined Minhyuk’s movements were when he manned the bellows.
Minhyuk, who was manning the bellows, had an extremely high DEX. It was to the point that it could be described as beyond someone’s imagination. Just like that, Minhyuk continued to hammer and work on the weapon that he was making.
<i>‘That’s quite an impressive concentration,’?</i>Hepas mumbled unknowingly.
In fact, the slightest distraction when making a weapon would result in ws. But Minhyuk was so focused that he did not even hear Hepas’ murmurs. When the sword was finallypleted, both Minhyuk and Hepas were delighted.
<i>‘This sword will either be a Normal-rank sword or a God-rank sword, depending on who uses it.’</i>
Minhyuk agreed with Hepas’ words. However, Minhyuk still had one more favor to ask of him.
“Since it’s going to be for her, it would be nice to add some cool and chic effect on the sword.”
<i>‘Effect?’</i>
“Yes. For my noona.”
Minhyuk recalled the battle with Marquess Leona. Back then, Ellie demonstrated a very unexpected facet of herself.
“She likes getting everyone’s attention.”
“…???”
The fact that Ellie, like Gremory and the rest, was an attention seeker was undeniable. Just like that, the effect that Minhyuk wanted to include on the newly born God-rank sword was added.
***
<i>Shwaaaaaaa—!</i>
Ellie, who was still kneeling, groaned from the powerful force that flowed through her palms the moment she grabbed the sword that flew toward her. It was like the sword was struggling so that it would not belong to anybody. However, not long after, that powerful force began to recognize Ellie, epting herpletely. At that moment, she felt like she was hallucinating and hearing things.
<i>‘You deserve my recognition.’</i>
<i>Hoooo—</i>
Ellie breathed out lightly, the power fluctuating in her body slowly getting mixed together and healing all of her injuriespletely. Immediately after…
<i>sh, sh, sh, sh, sh—</i>
A red energy burst out from Ellie’s sword and devoured 200,000 of the enemy troops in an instant, shaking the heavens and earth. At that moment, all 200,000 enemy troops disappeared without a trace.
Meanwhile, Ellie received a new set of notifications.
<i>[You will now be able to walk the path of one of the Continental Gods: Sword God.]</i>
<i>[The previous Sword God Valen has recognized you!]</i>
<i>[If you choose to ascend and be the Sword God, you will be able to obtain divinity!]</i>
<i>[All of your skills and stats will dramatically increase once you ascend and be the Sword God!]</i>
Since a long time ago, only people that transcended the limits of a human being would be able to ascend and be a Continental God. At this very moment, that great title would also belong to Ellie.
As for the sword that Ellie held…
<i>[You have received 100% recognition from the Great Sovereign’s Sword!]</i>
<i>[You can wield the power of the Great Sovereign’s Sword!]</i>
<i>(<strong>Great Sovereign’s Sword</strong>)</i>
<i><strong>Rank</strong>: God</i>
<i><strong>Requirements</strong>: Level 500 or higher. Sword Saint or higher.</i>
<i><strong>Durability</strong>: ∞/∞</i>
<i><strong>Attack</strong>: 2,201</i>
<i><strong>Special Effects</strong>:?</i>
<i>?STR, AGI and STM will increase by 44%.</i>
<i>?Passive Skill: Sword Expert Level Mastery will increase to Level 9.</i>
<i>?Cutting Power will increase by 70%, Stabbing Power will increase by 60%.</i>
<i>?Critical Attack Hit Rate will increase by 60%.</i>
<i>?All Swordsmanship Skill Level will increase by +3.</i>
<i>?Active Skill: Torrential Sword</i>
<i>?Passive Skill: 1.8x Unconditional Basic Attack.</i>
<i>?Passive Skill: 4x Critical Hit</i>
<i>?Active Skill: Sovereign’s Majesty.</i>
<i>?Passive Skill: Cool and Chic Effect for Ellie.</i>
<i><strong>Description</strong>: Only those that have been recognized as a true and genuine monarch and sovereign would be able to wield this sword. The one that holds this sword, even if they are the God of Battle, will need the recognition of the sword.</i>
“…?”
Ellie took note of thest effect listed just above the description, <i>‘Cool and Chic Effect for Ellie?’?</i>It was obvious that it was an effect that Minhyuk had specially prepared for her.
The de of the sword was smooth and beautiful. There was even the word ‘Ellie’ engraved on one side of the de. And with that…
<i>[All of the Continental Gods are looking at you with anticipation.]</i>
<i>[All of the Continental Gods are looking forward to the birth of the new Sword God.]</i>
Many of the Gods were watching Ellie with rapt attention.
Above her were hundreds of dragons. And the one that was leading them? He was the one that stood out to Ellie the most. Ellie looked up at the skies for a moment, a bitter smile hanging on her face as she made eye contact with Minhyuk.
Minhyuk could tell what she wanted, even if he did not hear her say it. So, Minhyuk began to tweak the system for his noona that loved attention(?). He used Elizabeth’s power to write a new set of words above Ellie’s head.
***
Ellie, who was forced to her knees, slowly stood up. The entire world watched and followed each and every single one of her moves with bated breaths.
Just now, the unidentified sword that was held tightly in her arms shot out a red energy that swept away and devoured 200,000 enemy troops. Everyone even heard the fact that Ellie was chosen and recognized to be one of the Continental Gods. All of them were very moved and grateful that they were able to witness this historic moment.
Then, a ck energy slowly seeped out from Ellie’s sword and encroached upon the surrounding area. This was none other than the ‘Cool and Chic Effect for Ellie’. This ck energy engulfed the entire 1.5 million Luvien Imperial Army.
The moment Ellie took a step forward, the new words that Minhyuk had written began to appear above her head.
<i>[Sword Emperor Ellie has been chosen to be one of the Continental Gods, the Sword God.]</i>
The 1.5 million enemy troops flinched with every step that Ellie took. Then, Ellie looked back.
<i>[She was an empress before she was a sword master.]</i>
<i>[She loved her people.]</i>
<i>[She treasured and cared for her subordinates.]</i>
<i>[And she…]</i>
“I refuse to be the Sword God.”
<i>[…has turned down the opportunity to be a Sword God for her people and the Eivelis Empire.]</i>
“I am my people’s pir.”
<i>[Of her people.]</i>
“I am my people’s shield.”
<i>[By her people.]</i>
“I am my people’s sword.”
<i>[For her people. She was simply their emperor.]</i>
“That’s why…” Ellie uttered, her gaze cold and frigid as she looked at the Luvien Imperial Army.
<i>[And the Eivelis Empire’s Emperor will write a new chapter today.]</i>
“…kneel.”
<i>[You have triggered the Sovereign’s Majesty!]</i>
<i>Vwooooooong—</i>
<i>Vwooooooong—</i>
<i>Vwooooooong—</i>
<i>Vwooooooong—</i>
In front of the entire world, the 1.5 million Luvien Empire troops were forced to kneel down in front of Ellie.
<i>[This day will be recorded in history as the day the Luvien Empire was defeated by Continental Emperor Ellie.]</i>