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Yang In-Sik was a man that had done anything and everything when he was young. In fact, he had committed many dirty offences that were often only talked about in the secrecy of one’s home.
He had started a business with the money that he saved up. At first, business was sluggish. However, because of his efforts to make connections and the countless expedient means that he resorted to, his business finally began to grow at a rapid pace.
As time went by, Yang In-Sik became arrogant. After all, people would become insignificant in front of ‘money’. But now…
“I’m telling you this because you look to be my dad’s age.”
A young man, who seemed to have just turned twenty, washed his hands under the sink before pulling out some disposable tissues and wiping them dry.
“You’re quite the big asshole for your age, you f*cking bastard.”
“…!”
Yang In-Sik’s expression turned red from anger. It could be attributed to the fact that he had drank a bit today but his temper flared easily. However, it was also true that he could not take the insult lying down, especially since he was someone that had done things on the other side of the law before.
To be exact, Yang In-Sik was someone that was involved with the mafia. Just like that, he revealed the true nature that he hid behind the title of a representative.
“Hey, you rascal. Do you think a kid like you can just say anything that you want, huh?”
“What are you going to do to me, you grown up bastard?”
“…”
‘What kind of bastard is this?’
Yang In-Sik wondered how a brat like that could talk like that in front of his towering figure that stood at 190 centimeters.
“This bastard…!” Yang In-Sik shouted as he charged at the young man.
However, In-Sik’s secretary’s eyes were shaking, ‘That person… Don’t tell me…!’
Yang In-Sik thought that he would be able to grab the young man by the collar. However, contrary to his thoughts, a wall greeted his face. The young man easily evaded Yang In-Sik’s charge and even pushed him to the wall. Yang In-Sik turned around from the wall and tried to swing his fist at the young man. But the young man was faster, sending a chop at Yang In-Sik’s neck with the side of his hand.
“Keheoook!” Yang In-Sik, who was known for his huge build, grabbed his neck and collapsed on the ground. An ugly grin settled around on Yang In-Sik’s face as he hacked on the ground and struggled to say, “Crazy bastard. You dare to assault someone in broad daylight like this? You’re going to be f*cked. Secretary Lee, call the police.”
“…That.”
But Secretary Lee hesitated.
Meanwhile, Yang In-Sik’s anger flared up again, “Whose son are you, huh?! How dare you beat people up!”
“Do you really treat those children like your daughter? You’re really going to act like that?”
Yang In-Sik was very agitated, “I give them money to make our corporation’s image better. Rascal, you should know that there’s nothing free in this world. And in this dark and scary world, the rich are the kings and gods. You’ll regret doing that to me once the police come.”
“Ah… so the rich are the kings and gods?”
“That’s right, you moth*rf*cker.”
“That… Sir.”
“Secretary Lee! What are you doing?! Why haven’t you called them yet?!” Yang In-Sik roared. He was very confident as he continued, “Do you know how many police officers are acquainted with me? And do you know how many doctors I have as friends? Those doctors will willingly give me a longer medical certificate, while those cops will make sure to put you behind bars. F*cker! The scariest thing in this world is money. Ha! Bastard! Secretary Lee! Hurry up and call them!”
Simply put, Yang In-Sik was sure that the bastard in front of him would be f*cked. However…
“The person that overpowered and hit the CEO just now is…”
“That person? What person? That’s a f*cking rascal!!!”
“The person that you’re calling a f*cking rascal is Ilhwa Group’s Young Master Minhyuk.”
“Ilhwa Group’s young master… huh?”
Yang In-Sik was someone with a very brash and stubborn personality and always opted to deal with matters using his fist. That was why he did not watch TV nor surf the internet. As for Joy Co. Ltd.’s Athenae? He did not play that either.
However, he knew that Ilhwa Group’s chairman was named Kang Minhoo. Not too long ago, his company was having talks with Ilhwa Group, where they were going to be commissioned to deliver parts for the bigger company. If this deal fell through, then his company would definitely be hit hard.
“Then, I should also make a call. Should I call the president?”
“…”
The class and level of the person in front of him was completely different. After all, Yang In-Sik could only call for a few cops and some people from the underworld.
“The rich are the kings and gods, huh?”
“…”
Yang In-Sik was rendered mute. Ilhwa Group was the company that stood at the peak of South Korea’s business industry. If they followed Yang In-Sik’s logic, then Minhyuk was not only the king, but also the god, and the progenitor. With just one of his phone calls…
“Uncle Munsoo. Do you know Green and Healthy Co. Ltd.’s CEO Yang In-Sik?” Minhyuk asked. After listening to the other end of the line, he continued, “Please reconsider that contract and put it under evaluation again. After personally checking out his personality, there’s a high chance that this CEO will cause a commotion and create a social stir.”
“…”
That was right. One phone call from Minhyuk and he could easily knock down everything that a person had built. He was a god in this world.
And Yang In-Sik? He was very angry.
“H, how… You bastard! Everything’s different because it’s you? Why?! Is Ilhwa Group different from us, huh?!”
“Yes. We’re different.”
Indeed. Ilhwa Group was very different from them. Ilhwa Group never called for the ones that they sponsored during Sponsor’s Party Day. Even most of the donations that they made were done silently. They did not intend to make a lot of splash on TV. This was Chairman Kang Minhoo’s principle, a principle that his son, Kang Minhyuk, had learnt and continued to uphold. That was why he could say those words.
“I’ll say this again for you.”
“…”
“Grow up. Do things that are appropriate for your age.”
“…”
Yang In-Sik could not say anything.
And Chae-Min, who listened to everything, had one thought flashing through her head, ‘What if they stop my sponsorship…?’
That was when she heard the voice of the young man as he left the restroom, “You don’t have to feel uncomfortable anymore.” and finally disappeared from her sight.
***
Kim Ji-Hyeon, who listened to Chae-Min’s story, could not help but wipe away a stray tear that dripped down her cheek. On the other hand, Jung Jong-Seok was left in a daze, his mouth hanging open.
“After that, I received a call from them. Ilhwa Group will sponsor me until I finish university. However, there were some conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes. They required me to study hard, go to a good university, and apply to work for Ilhwa Group later.”
“Is there anything else aside from that?”
“There’s nothing else. On top of that, oppa always comes personally to give that box once a month.”
“…”
“…”
Jung Jong-Seok was once again taken aback. Who could have imagined this? A reporter stalked a celebrity to uncover corruption and scandals, only to witness them doing a good deed? After ending the talk with Chae-Min, Jong-Seok turned to look at Ji-Hyeon.
“Senior, where should we go next?”
“Let’s go back.”
After returning back to their company, Jung Jong-Seok began to write his article.
[Minhyuk, the Food God and the heir to Ilhwa Group, and his silent and invisible good deeds.]
This was the title of the article that he was writing. Once this article got published and got shared by those that they had sponsored, the Food God’s image would receive a huge boost. However, after Jung Jong-Seok finished writing the article, all he did was save it. He did not publish it.
Jong-Seok smiled bitterly as he entered an internet cafe. After a while, these words popped up on the monitor in front of him.
[Reporter Passion has joined the Food God’s fan cafe ‘Eat ‘till you Die’.]
Only then did a small, yet genuine, smile appear on his face.
On this day, the number of Minhyuk’s fans had increased once again.
***
Valen was the instructor at a novice village, the Isbin Village, and had lived as the Sword God in the past. He was the very first person that Minhyuk had met when he opened his eyes in Athenae. Valen had lived as a loner back then. However, Minhyuk broke through his walls and made a meal for him. In return, he gave his sword to Minhyuk. Valen was one of the many people that truly cared for and loved Minhyuk.
Because of that, Minhyuk immediately went back to the Abyss and continued challenging it right after getting back from his day off in reality.
“I will challenge the twelfth gate.”
“Fufufufufu. Your Majesty, I know how you’re feeling. But, shouldn’t you take a bit of rest before you continue the challenge?” Bichor asked, worry evident on his face.
Why was Bichor worried? Because Minhyuk did not stop after challenging three gates in a row and was still continuing his challenge. Even if Athenae was a game, there was still a chance that Minhyuk would suffer mental exhaustion. A normal person would have already collapsed from exhaustion at the rate that Minhyuk was going through these gates. Even so…
“He must be waiting for me.”
‘Fufu. Is that so? Your Majesty, I really like the way you carry yourself. Fufu,’ Bichor thought, a bitter smile flashing on his bichon’s face.
Bichor had heard about what kind of person Valen was. And he was aware that Minhyuk was the kind of king that cherished his people dearly. He was someone that cared a lot about the people that had shown him kindness and grace, and those that stayed with him.
“Cough…”
[You have cleared the Twelfth Gate. Your rewards for successful completion will now be distributed.]
[You have gained 1,000 platinum.]
[You have acquired the God of Beast’s ‘Outstanding Beasts’ Parchment.]
[You have acquired the God of Beast’s ‘Tiger Helmet’.]
Minhyuk had to challenge fifty of God of Beasts’ Ideo’s beasts all by himself to clear the Twelfth Gate. All of God of Beasts’ Ideo’s beasts were at least at Level 450. Taking on one was already very difficult for Minhyuk. Also, ever since he made the sword for Ellie, the attack completion rate of the gates that he challenged had never gone beyond 80% anymore.
‘It’s getting harder and harder.’
That was right. The gates were getting harder and harder. However, Minhyuk believed that there would be better and more special rewards once he broke through them. Even if there were not any special rewards, Minhyuk was also fine with it. After all, there was a chance that Instructor Valen, his teacher, his friend and a father-figure to him, would be waiting for him at the end.
“Fufufufu. Your Highness, this will be the final gate. Would you like to challenge it right away?”
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Once the Abyss Gate had been cleared, all of the challenger’s HP and MP would be recovered. That was why Minhyuk could continuously challenge the gates. But this time…
“I’ll take a break.”
Minhyuk was quite sensible. So far, he had never seen even a glimpse of Instructor Valen in any of the trials that he had taken. Perhaps, the gate that would lead Minhyuk to where he Valen was was the most difficult gate.
Even if Minhyuk met with Instructor Valen, he believed that it would not be the end. Perhaps he would only reunite with Valen once he finished all of the trials in the Abyss. However, the worst case scenario was…
‘What if the Instructor is not in the Abyss’ final gate?’
Minhyuk sincerely hoped that it was not the case. Still, all he could do was wait and rest. When Minhyuk closed his eyes to rest, he felt like he could hear Valen’s voice again.
‘Hoho~ Are you going to strike the scarecrows and eat bread again today?’
‘Of course, Instructor!’
Those were fun times. Minhyuk recalled the bread that he tasted for the very first time and the first friend that he made, and got close to, Instructor Valen. Then, a drop of tear rolled down Minhyuk’s cheek.
‘Please, I hope that I can meet him.’
[You are challenging the final gate!]
Minhyuk wished as he held his sword tightly, before walking toward the end of the Abyss. A huge iron gate appeared in front of him as he continued on his way. Then, the iron gate creaked loudly, opening to reveal a beautiful sword that was shining brightly at the end of the road where the gate was leading to.
“Ah…! Aaaaaah…!” Minhyuk cried out.
That was the sword, the very same sword that shot up to the skies and disappeared to who knew where back then. The same sword that he thought would spell his parting with his instructor. And now, this sword appeared in front of him. Then, at that moment, the sword vibrated fiercely as if it was resonating with his cry.
[The slumbering Sword God is resonating with you.]
[You have triggered a reaction from the slumbering Sword God.]
[The slumbering Sword God is…]
The notifications kept on repeating. It was like the sword was saying hello to Minhyuk. As for the sword in front of Minhyuk…
Shwaaaaa—
A beautiful light flashed as the figure that he admired, loved and missed so much appeared in front of him. Slowly, very slowly, Minhyuk approached the man with a very familiar face.
‘The Instructor that I’ve missed so much.’
“Instructoooooooor!” Minhyuk called out as he dashed with his open arms.
At the same time, in the Special Players Management Team.
Team Leader Park Minggyu and Lee Minhwa were watching Minhyuk on the monitor with a dark expression on their faces.
“The most beautiful gate…”
Lee Minhwa began to gnaw at her lips at Team Leader Park’s murmurs.
“…and the saddest gate.”
***
Minhyuk cried for Valen, his arms open wide in preparation for a hug. He thought that he would feel Valen’s reliable and warm chest in response. However, what greeted Minhyuk was the sharp blade of Valen’s sword. Blood spurted out from Minhyuk’s body as Valen’s sword slashed at him.
Spuuuuuuurt!
“Ins… tructor?”
Then, the notifications rang.
[The Thirteenth Gate’s Trial is now beginning!]
[You have to win against Valen, the one hailed as the Sword God, to clear the Thirteenth Gate’s Trial!]
[If you clear the Thirteenth Gate’s Trial, you might be able to acquire the ‘Sword that Contains the Sword God’s Will’.]
The most beautiful and the saddest gate’s trial had finally begun.