Chapter 95 : Base Defense (2)
Everything became quiet.
It wasn’t that the people had become silent but that Rainkar was blocking the sound waves using intangible energy.
"I always expected you to do something like this when you grew some more but that day came earlier than I thought. I’m glad that my eyes weren’t wrong about you.”
Rainkar’s voice was heard in Kang-jun’s ear. Kang-jun replied,
"I didn’t know creating a base was such a good thing. I’m glad I can help the Defense Army.”
Rainkar smiled.
"The power of the Second Demon King’s army won’t suddenly deteriorate just because of the base. It has only become somewhat favourable to us and disadvantageous for the Second Demon King. It is a war that can be reversed at any time.”
He continued speaking,
"However, we can continue to take the lead in the war if we are vigilant. If such a status is maintained, the Second Demon King won’t be able to do much except resign.”
"I hope that day will come soon.”
Rainkar gave a strange smile at Kang-jun’s words.
"Do you really think so?”
“Huh?”
Rainkar laughed like he knew what Kang-jun was thinking.
"Think about it carefully. Do you really want the Second Demon King to withdraw so early?”
“......”
Kang-jun was silent for a moment and Rainkar opened up again,
"Two mindsets are existing at the same time. One is the hope that the Second Demon King will withdraw while the other is the hope that he will stay. Am I wrong?"
"I admit it.”
Kang-jun sighed quietly.
If the Second Demon King hadn’t appeared, Kang-jun might be in a very difficult situation due to Yoo Seung-hwan and the other sovereigns.
Maybe he would have already been defeated. Even if he survived, it wouldn’t have been possible to become a powerful force like he was now.
It was a lucky chance for Kang-jun but not for the other sovereigns.
If the situation persisted, Kang-jun would keep growing quickly and the gap with the other sovereigns would become endless. After the red moon was over, he would be able to wipe out all enemy sovereigns with his overwhelming combat power.
So, for Kang-jun, he hoped that the Second Demon King would keep this up as long as possible.
Rainkar said,
"However, you don’t have to feel sorry. After the Second Demon King is gone, a similar pirata will target this place.”
"Pirata?”
“It means predator. Once you become a sovereign, the war with the predators will last forever. You will have to protect yourself against them.”
Pirata - this was a new story.
As Kang-jun stared in surprise, Rainkar spoke with an intense expression,
"So, you have to be strong. It isn’t simply to survive as a sovereign but to become someone who can chase after the Second Demon King.”
"I want to become like that.”
Kang-jun was very eager. Rainkar smiled.
"If you become a transcendent, you will be free of all confines.”
“Transcendent? What is that?”
"It is literally a transcendent being. I haven’t reached that stage yet. Strictly speaking, I am at the stage right before that.”
"So, if you are at the stage right before that, then you have almost the same ability as a transcendent.”
“Nonsense! The difference between a transcendent being and a non-transcendent being is literally like the gap between heaven and earth. If I was transcendent, the Second Demon King wouldn’t even dare go near this Hwanmong.”
It was the ultimate place that couldn’t even be reached by the strongest person in Hwanmong!
Kang-jun had only hoped to become as strong as Rainkar but he hadn’t expected such an amazing place.
He then asked suddenly,
"When you become a transcendent, you are free of all confines. What does that mean?”
"It means you will no longer be caught by the rules of Hwanmong.”
"The rules of Hwanmong?”
"For example, you don’t have to depend on things like missions. If you are defeated, you don’t have to go to hell. Additionally, you can strip the other sovereigns of their confines using your strength. It is even possible to pull out sovereigns who are struggling in hell. That is what transcendence is.”
“I see!”
Rainkar’s eyes shone intensely.
"The reason I am telling you this is that I no longer want you to be bound by such narrow constraints. Although your body is bound by the rules of Hwanmong, you can free your mind first.”
“What does that mean?"
"Don’t be so obsessed with the fight between sovereigns. Right now, you have widened the gap with the sovereigns. Fighting them will be a one-sided massacre, not a war.”
His words weren’t wrong. Kang-jun had been thinking that recently as well.
He had no thought about attacking enemy sovereigns. There were few sovereigns on this planet who would be able to oppose Kang-jun.
He was the first ranked sovereign in Earth Hwanmong.
Furthermore, there were no sovereigns stupid enough to challenge Kang-jun after he became a commander and received wings. Only Andras and the other army commanders had a slight possibility.
"Your purpose can’t just be to gain a fortune. Even if you obtain all the wealth on Earth, it is nothing compared to being a transcendent.”
Rainkar continued,
"Strength? All the beings on Earth Hwanmong, including me, won’t be a match against a transcendent. So, I am telling you to have a larger goal.”
"If a transcendent is such an enormous being, how can I reach that point?”
Rainkar smiled.
"It is said that you can become a transcendent through two ways. One is the wings.”
“Wings?”
"That is because the wings contain the will of a transcendent. Therefore, strengthening your wings will allow you to realise the will of a transcendent and you can become one.”
One could become a transcendent through strengthening the wings? That was unexpected.
"Then you’ll be strengthening your wings.”
Rainkar laughed bitterly.
"No, raising the stage of the wings is never an easy task. Everyone knows that and has given up.”
Rainkar’s expression indicated that he had a lot of experience in failing to strengthen his wings.
"So, I tried a different approach. I can reach the level of a transcendent by continuously raising the level of my physical power and magic and exceeding the limits.”
“I see.”
Due to his endless efforts, Rainkar was on the verge of becoming a transcendent.
Rainkar then continued,
"Additionally, this isn’t certain, but it is said that a sovereign who completes all 100 missions can become a transcendent.”
Kang-jun’s eyes lit up. If that was true, then there was value in completing all 100 missions.
At that moment, Rainkar abruptly turned his head and smiled.
"The Second Demon King seems to be coming, so I have to go out.”
"Thank you for tonight’s teachings."
"Don’t thank me. I just wanted to make it a little easier on my mind.”
"What do you mean?"
"After this war, I will leave Earth Hwanmong. I will go out to the wider world to compete with stronger people. That way, I think I can become a transcendent.”
“......!”
Kang-jun was surprised. If Rainkar left, who would defend Earth Hwanmong if someone like the Second Demon King appeared again?
"So, I want you to grow quickly. One day, you will fill my vacant seat.”
Kang-jun tried to refute this but Rainkar was already heading away.
"I won’t say goodbye when I leave. If you don’t see me one day, remember my words from today.”
At the end of his words, the intangible energy blocking the sound waves disappeared.
Kwarurung!Kwa kwang!
"Kuaaaak!"
“Aaack!”
In the meantime, there was an uproar.
There was a large scale battle between the defense forces who wanted to protect Lucan’s base and the Second Demon King’s forces who wanted to destroy it.
“Kukakakaka! Lucan! This novice sovereign wants to get into an accident. Where are you? I have to kill you.”
The Second Demon King Colladikus’ voice rang through the sky.
However, Rainkar was blocking Colladikus’ path.
"Before that, you should try to kill me first.”
Colladikus’ eyes were filled with rage.
"Ugh! Rainkar! You again? You infernal bastard!”
"I’m really sick of you, Colladikus.”
“Rainkar! I will surely kill you today.”
Soon, a battle began to take place between Rainkar and Colladikus in the sky above the base.
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!Woorururu!
Around the base, the 1st commander, Binhaim, and the other troops were fighting the enemies.
Both sides were similar but the defenders had the advantage of being able to cure their wounds using the red gem in the middle of the base.
Thus, the Second Demon King’s troops started to be pushed to the limit over time.
Kang-jun also fought the enemies without any distractions.
He didn’t know how many enemies he had cut down.
He wielded his sword in a trance.
There were many enemies but it wasn’t dangerous since he wasn’t fighting alone.
Before he knew it, the base defense had come to an end.
In the end, the Second Demon King and his forces retreated.
The defenders pretended to chase for a while before returning to the base.
The light coming from the red gem in the centre of the base became more intense.
Binhaim smiled.
"Everybody went through a lot of trouble. It seems that Lucan’s base has become firmly established.”
"Hahaha! The day when the Second Demon King will leave will soon come.”
There was a joyous atmosphere of victory around the defenders.
It was at that moment...
A blue haired youth appeared at the portal in the centre of the base.
It was none other than his military adviser, Keirun.
“Lord!”
“Oh! Keirun? What is going on?”
It was the first time Keirun had appeared on the battlefield, so Kang-jun was surprised.
Keirun grinned.
“Lord, congratulations on making a base on the Bloody Battlefield. This base has become a safe zone for the Defense Army.”
He continued speaking,
"However, it is also true that this is Lord’s base. So, will you allow me to build a warehouse at this base?”
"A base warehouse?”
"Yes, Lord. If you have a warehouse, you can collect a portion of the node income from all battles in the area around your base as tax.”
“Tax? Is that possible?”
Kang-jun thought it was outrageous. However, Binhaim heard those words and nodded.
“His words aren’t wrong. Although this base will be used as a base for the Defense Army, it still belongs to Lucan. If you want to collect taxes, everyone will agree.”
“Oh! Indeed."
Kang-jun’s heart leapt. Keirun grinned and said,
"Considering today’s troubles, I am thinking that the tax rate should be 20%.”
Binhaim and the other commanders nodded readily.
“That is a moderate tax rate. Any more than that will affect the morale of your allies.”
Kang-jun laughed and nodded.
“Then it is decided.”
This allowed Kang-jun to gain 20% of all nodes dropped in the area around Lucan’s base.
After a while, Keirun and the other commanders disappeared through the portal.
‘Shall I open the boxes?’
Kang-jun decided to open the two boxes in his inventory before returning.
If he was lucky, he might get a heart to make Heksia join his household.