Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1198

Chapter 1198 Nôv(el)B\\jnn

It was widely known that the giants possessed a total HP of around three times that of an ordinary god. This was quite a fantastic advantage for the giants, mainly because they lacked skills or special powers.

Alas, one of those giants’ heads exploded when a lightning bolt fell from the sky. The giant, whose head had exploded, was still rolling on the ground, its body burning from the lightning and its arms flailing around.

Minhyuk, who was being controlled by AI, was extremely shocked. He thought, ‘Brod has to use at least twenty strikes of Death Wolf before he could deal such damage.’

The final seal of the spear would only be released when Minhyuk reached Level 1,000. On top of that, the spear was an artifact that did not need to be equipped. Perhaps it could be considered following the concept of an auxiliary weapon that protected Minhyuk.

The effects, however, were beyond anyone’s imagination.

[Lightning Spear.]

Bang– Bang, bang–! Bang, bang, bang–!

In just a second, dozens of lightning bolts fell from the sky and struck the area around Minhyuk. And with every lightning bolt, a giant would burst and explode. Nevertheless, the fact that the giants have ridiculous regenerative abilities remained. Even the giant, whose head had been cut off by Grandpa Ben earlier, had already stuck its head back and recovered.

People said giants could immediately go to war with Olympus if they banded together because they were almost immortal. However, no notifications stating that Minhyuk had hunted a giant rang even after the lightning bolts fell and attacked them.

At this moment, Minhyuk had become lightning himself.

[God of Lightning.]

The God of Lightning was a skill that could increase one’s movement and attack speed to an unimaginable degree. It was a skill available to Minhyuk even though he had only released the first seal.

Minhyuk, who activated the skill, felt everything turn into a blur as his body moved swiftly.

Crackle, crackle, crackle–!

A flash of lightning would appear whenever Minhyuk moved. At the same time, fifteen or so giants were cut a dozen times. What was shocking was that the injuries, which were spurting blood, were not regenerating.

Nonetheless, Minhyuk was feeling anxious.

‘The Battle God’s Guardian Spear is amazing.’

It was just like Hephaestus said. The spear possessed powers that not only would help him protect Herakel but could also do more. Unfortunately, the opponent was just too bad. No matter how many times he cut them or blew their heads up, the giants still would not die.

Not long after, the giants gathered around Minhyuk, who was holding the spear in his hands.

Crackle, crackle, crackle–!

Minhyuk threw the spear toward the giants, who had been gathered together by the electric current discharged by the lightning.

[Lightning Annihilation.]

Crackle, crackle, crackle–!

The Lightning Annihilation shot toward the gathered giants and exploded, leaving an aftermath similar to a nuclear explosion.

Minhyuk, watching the scene, thought, ‘The additional damage is more than 14,000%. The radius of effect is at least sixty meters.’

There was also the stunned state inflicted upon the use of the skill. He estimated it to be around six seconds or so. After observing the skill, Minhyuk judged that the power of the skill was on par or perhaps even more incredible than his own Calamity.

Yet even after the baptism of such a destructive skill, the giants, whose entire bodies had exploded and ripped apart, continued to crawl toward the pieces of their bodies. They quickly recovered and regenerated their injuries.

Minhyuk, who was still under the AI's control, felt a great sense of energy. Flashes of lightning appeared as he jumped into the middle of the giants and cut them down, but it was useless. As the seconds ticked by, the situation gradually deteriorated.

Thud–!

THUD–!

Gigantic iron gates suddenly fell from the sky and blocked the entire battlefield.

[Return Scrolls and Teleport Magic will now be controlled and restricted.]

Minhyuk realized that they were now trapped. They were now in a situation where he, his vassals, and even Herakel would die under the hands of the giants, even if they had completed the support pole. Perhaps they had been too arrogant.

‘The giants are the apex predator of the Gaia Continent.’

The beings in the Gaia Continent were of a much higher level than those from the other continents. It seemed like Minhyuk was too stupid to believe that the strongmen and powerhouses of the other continent could make a breakthrough.

Minhyuk saw Hephaestus working hard to complete the support pole. He also saw his vassals, who believed in the two of them, supporting the sky and protecting Herakel. Regardless, the man was still turning into a stone. It was as if their struggle was useless.

Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt—

[The Battle God’s Guardian Spear has returned to its sealed state.]

[Using the Battle God’s Guardian Spear has significantly strained your body.]

[All of your stats have temporarily decreased by 25%. All of your skill levels have temporarily decreased by 2.]

Minhyuk staggered. The sudden turn of events was completely unexpected, even for Hephaestus.

Meanwhile, the giants once again scrambled to stand up and go into battle. Some of them even ran toward the vassals who were helping Herakel support the sky. They raised their clubs and began to beat the defenseless vassals. And the vassals? They could only endure and hold on. Why? Because they knew that letting go would mean that Herakel would turn into stone faster.

Minhyuk tried to attack the giants with his skills. Alas, there was no way that his attacks, much lower than usual, could inflict enough damage.

“Kghhk!” Hephaestus groaned. Just like the others, the giants were also giving him a beating.

Even though Hephaestus was sent flying by the giant’s club, he still ran and grabbed his tools. He only needed to finish the last part of the support pole, and everything would be done.

Ultimately, the vassals failed to endure the non-stop clubbing they were receiving. They began to collapse one after another. The giants gathered the collapsed vassals. It seemed like they were preparing to execute them with how they had gathered them together.

Minhyuk, fighting with the giants in close combat, was also dragged toward his vassals. He hurriedly turned to look at Herakel. The hardening process has already reached Herakel’s neck.

Clang–!

Clang–!

Clang–!

The sound of Hephaestus’ hammer rang loudly on the battlefield.

‘Even if the support pole is completed...’

Minhyuk realized how dark and dire their situation was. He was frustrated, thinking, ‘I should never have brought my vassals here.’

He did not know that the giants were not almost immortals but complete immortals. He was also unaware that Hera was waiting here with the giants.

Thud–!

“Ugh!”

When one of the giants tried to swing its club at Minhyuk, Brod jumped up to protect him.

Hera, who was standing in front of them, sneered. “You’re much more boring than I expected.”

Clang–!

Hera did not even show any interest in the sound of the hammering of the support pole ringing on the battlefield. After all, the situation would not change even if the support pole was completed. On top of that, Herakel had already turned into stone up to his nose.

Hera turned around without any hesitation. At the same time, the giants increased their efforts to hit Minhyuk and his vassals. However, even if they were being beaten black and blue, not a single groan escaped the mouths of all of the people gathered together.

Minhyuk’s palms clenched into a fist. At that moment, Minhyuk caught sight of Conir. Conir was still crying, wanting to save Herakel even if he was on the brink of death. People possessed this strange intuition. Right now, Minhyuk could tell Conir would die if that giant swung its club three times at the boy.

Minhyuk crawled toward Conir.

The club hit Conir once, then twice.

Thud–!

Thud–!

Conir was still crying out for Herakel. Minhyuk stretched his hand toward Conir in despair when the third strike was about to fall.

Clang–!

[The Support Pole that Supports the World has been completed.]

The support pole, which looked like huge steel bars, was finally completed by Hephaestus, who was beaten black and blue. The pole shot out and supported the sky.

However, Conir came first for Minhyuk. Minhyuk’s expression grew ugly as he watched the club slowly fall on Conir’s head.

Crack– Crack, crack, crack–!

The sound of stone breaking rang in Minhyuk’s ears. Then, he saw Herakel grab one of the gigantic clubs in one hand. Herakel looked at Minhyuk, Conir, and the vassals.

[Herakel has completed all of the Twelve Tasks.]

[Herakel’s power had been sealed while doing the Twelve Tasks.]

When the quest first appeared, it explained: ‘You can obtain a complete Herakel.’

[The Gaia Continent is based on the Greco-Roman Mythology.]

[The power of Herakel, who has completed all Twelve Tasks, has been wholly unsealed.]

Minhyuk knew the Greco-Roman Mythology well. He thought, ‘He beat all the giants with a club...’

[The Greatest Hero in the Gaia Continent has been born.]

[Herakel has been given the right to sit on the empty throne of the Twelve Gods of Olympus.]

Minhyuk saw Herakel’s short blonde hair grow until it reached the length of a regular bob cut. At the same time, a blinding golden light appeared and bathed Herakel’s entire body.

Crack–!

Herakel was well-known for being the strongest god. The club, held tightly in his hands, broke from his grip alone. Still, Herakel did not stop. He raised his fist and punched the giant about to hit Conir with its club.

BOOM–!

The giant vomited a huge mouthful of blood as every single bone in its body shattered from Herakel’s punch.

Conir, beaten black and blue, pulled the cloth-covered item on his back and handed it to Herakel. The item was the club that Herakel often carried. Herakel smiled faintly as he accepted the club.

Crack, crack, crack–!

Then, Herakel began to beat up the giants. The giants could not even react. One swing of his club sent them flying away. Five giants jumped at Herakel, who did not even evade. He just swung his club and left the giants with shattered bones. It did not matter how fast their regenerative abilities were; they were useless when compared to the speed of Herakel’s club.

Minhyuk was surprised. ‘It’s just a basic attack...?!’

Yes. Herakel’s attacks were basic attacks. There wasn’t any skill or abilities used. Just like that, the Level 900 giants were swept away with Herakel’s club and bare fist.

Herakel’s club, which temporarily grew in size, hit the twenty or so giants.

BANG–!

Brod, who saw the indifferent and nonchalant Herakel dealing with the giants, threw a rope at the man on instinct. Herakel grabbed the rope and kicked the ground as he shot forward.

Boom–!

Herakel, who left behind a cracked ground, quickly tied up all the giants.

Everything happened in just under a minute. All of the giants, whose bones were shattered into pieces, were tied tightly with the rope in Herakel’s hands. The best part? The rope was made with materials that made it so that no one could untie them once they had been tied.

After dealing with the giants, Herakel looked back at Minhyuk, Conir, and the rest of the vassals of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Minhyuk looked happy. They were able to save Herakel.

‘And now, our Beyond the Heavens Empire...’

They also obtained a wholly awakened Herakel, and the notifications that rang in his ears were a testament to that fact.

[You have completed the Hidden Quest: Save Herakel.]

plete Herakel... vassal...]

Goosebumps rose all over Minhyuk’s body.

[Warning!]

[Warning!]

[If you accept a complete Herakel as your vassal, Hera’s brainwashing will once again take effect and leave him berserk.]

[Please be careful when receiving your rewards.]

Minhyuk’s face grew ugly.

Meanwhile, Hera was cackling loudly. “Fu-fufufu! Keuhahaahahahahaha!”

Hera was also shocked by the sudden turn of events, so shocked that she could not utter a word. But she had been prepared for situations like this, which was why she had brainwashed Herakel.

Minhyuk would never be able to obtain a complete Herakel. If a complete yet berserk Herakel went on a rampage, he would not be able to imagine what would happen to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“You will never be able to accept that Mad Dog.”

It was as Hera said. Even if Minhyuk wanted to accept him, he could not accept Herakel. Even if Conir loved him dearly, they were in a situation where they had to stay away from him.

Herakel looked silently at the vassals for a very long time. Then, he said, “I was pleased during my stay there.”

Herakel sounded as if he was saying goodbye.

***

Herakel was proud and arrogant. He wanted to become the strongest god in the world, and perhaps he could achieve that wish today. However, he seemed to realize he would not be happy even if his wish came true today.

On the other hand, he lived a very happy life in the Beyond the Heavens Empire. Even if he was Herakel, the man with an intellectual disability, it could be considered the happiest time of his life.

Supercomputer Athenae calculated and declared that Minhyuk had a 0% chance of obtaining a complete Herakel, which remained the same.

“I want to continue living a happy life from now on.”

Herakel had killed his wife and children. He had done a lot of things that crossed the line.

[Herakel abandons the title of the Greatest Hero.]

Thus, he made the best choice that he could.

[Herakel refuses the throne of the Twelve Gods of Olympus.]

He took one step after another until he stood face to face with Minhyuk. Then, he knelt and said, “Your Majesty, it is my pleasure to serve you.”

[Herakel. Level 1,448.]

The strongest and greatest hero was speaking in front of Minhyuk right now. Perhaps Herakel could even be considered the strongest and most brilliant god in the entire Gaia Continent.

“I also want to protect you forever.”

He made a vow.

“I will give my life to protect Your Majesty and the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

His consciousness gradually grew vague and blurred.

[You have chosen to throw away everything related to Gaia Continent’s Herakel.]

It wasn’t the real him. But it was the him that could laugh happily.

[You have started to revert to your state before you awakened.]

[You have started to seal yourself.]

The one who turned Herakel back into a child and left him with an intellectual disability was Hera. But now, Herakel walked back toward this version of himself of his own volition. And there was only one reason why.

“I want to remain by your side.”

Through his gradually blurring vision, Herakel saw Minhyuk smiling faintly. The man said something as he reached his hand out to him. Herakel also gave his answer as he slowly held his emperor’s hand. Then, Herakel slowly closed his eyes.

The situation remained consistent with Joy Co. Ltd.'s predictions. Yes, Minhyuk did not obtain a complete Herakel.

Blink–!

Herakel’s eyes snapped open. Then, he said, “He- Herakel! Why is Herakel here?!”

This was the conversation that Minhyuk had with Herakel earlier.

–Are you sure it’s okay with you?

Minhyuk asked as he reached a hand out to Herakel, who answered.

–It’s okay. Because I can be the happiest Herakel when I’m with you.

At the same time, these notifications rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[Herakel swears his eternal loyalty to you.]

[You have accepted Herakel as your vassal once again.]

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM