Manager Kim Dae-Il was one of the pioneer members of Joy Co. Ltd., who made Athenae what it was. He was one of the few people who could insist on and push his opinion regarding Athenae to his boss, President Kang Taehoon. He often clashed and argued with the man. But Dae-Il knew that President Kang Taehoon was also just a human being. There were also times when he agreed with the man’s opinion.

Although Dae-Il often argued with the president, this did not mean he hated him. For the first time in a long while, Manager Kim Dae-Il felt warmth gushing in his chest.

“He’s cool. He deserves it. We have to acknowledge that fact.”

“That’s the only thing we can do for Player Minhyuk.”

The remodeled armor set appeared on the monitor in front of them while Player Minhyuk, who had worked hard for fifteen days, continued to play on the side. Manager Kim Dae-Il, who clamored for a quick patch because of a suspected balance break, could no longer insist on it.

Many were already aware of how hardworking Player Minhyuk was. However, his effort and willingness to work were so great that everyone here could only stare at the screen in admiration.

At this moment, Manager Kim Dae-Il realized that they genuinely could not put a heavier restriction on Player Minhyuk’s artifacts. Even so, they still had a huge problem to deal with.

“When it comes to high rankers, especially in Player Minhyuk’s case, everything becomes a big deal. Even a haircut that chops off two centimeters of their hair could also become a huge issue when it comes to them.”

This was the truth. So, if the armor set that Player Minhyuk was wearing changed, then players and netizens would continuously talk about his armor and artifacts. And it would grow worse once Minhyuk displayed a fantastic performance using that armor.

“Because of that, the other players will point fingers again. They will criticize both Player Minhyuk and us for another balance break because Player Minhyuk obtained a set of outstanding armor.”

Manager Kim Dae-Il had now switched positions. He now wanted to protect Minhyuk from malicious comments. That was why he brought these words to the table.

“Once he displayed the amazing power of his armor, the malicious rumors about Ilhwa Group and Joy Co. Ltd. striking a deal to give him artifacts would spread once again—and they would definitely spread fiercer than ever.”

Everyone should put their heads together and think of a way to deal with this matter.

Then, President Kang Taehoon said, “Is anyone here unhappy about Player Minhyuk obtaining that artifact?”

Kang Taehoon looked at the people, who had been shouting with veins popping on their necks just an hour earlier. These people immediately shut their mouths, which prompted a small smile on his face.

After watching the video, most people here thought it was only ‘reasonable.’ In fact, some even thought Minhyuk was ‘qualified’ to receive better rewards for his work.

“Let’s make a Ztube video after discussing this with Player Minhyuk.”

“...!”

Manager Kim Dae-Il’s eyes grew wide. Even the other executives looked at Kang Taehoon in shock.

“If we’re doing it like that, let’s use the title ‘The Burden an Emperor Carries.’ Then, edit a shortened version of Minhyuk swinging the pickaxe for fifteen days and add it to the video.”

Kim Dae-Il was in awe.

“The emperor standing at the highest position… and why the emperor has reached that point…”

The executives looked at President Kang Taehoon in awe, who devised such a plan quickly.

Then, Manager Kim Dae-Il said, “The impact this video will bring will be huge.”

***

Minhyuk stayed by Nekk’s side for a few days.

This was Minhyuk’s honest impression of the man.

He had also cooked several dishes using unique God-grade ingredients accompanied by danger. He had cooked in blistering heat and had been stabbed by hundreds of blades while cooking. However, he could only endure because he was taking advantage of a loophole of some sort. Yes, Minhyuk was mainly able to endure because he was a ‘player.’ Minhyuk felt strange, but there was not much pain during the process. But Nekk’s situation was different. He knew that Nekk must be feeling intense pain right here and now.

One day, two days, three days, four days had passed. But Nekk, whose sweat covered his entire body, continued to swing the hammer in his hands—the fifth day, sixth, seventh, then eighth day passed. From how Nekk’s muscles spasmed and strained, anyone could see that he was nearing his limit.

Not long after, a huge pillar of blazing flame, a testament to Nekk's passion, effort, and tenacity, shot to the sky before retreating and seeping into the artifacts he was working on. When the flames gradually disappeared, a set of armor appeared, reflecting the color of the black flames that had erupted earlier.

Minhyuk smiled when he saw the armor set that Nekk created.

Not long after, the Forge’s Hellfire disappeared into nothingness—it was as if it had never appeared in the first place. Once the flames completely disappeared, Nekk beckoned Minhyuk. Minhyuk entered the smithy and looked at the newly born silver armor set.

This was Minhyuk’s first impression. Minhyuk turned to look at Nekk. When he saw the man nod along, he went ahead and named the armor and the other artifacts that belonged to the set. Only after he finished naming the set would he check the details.

These artifacts contained the power of Transcendental Nekk. Furthermore, none of the players had a transcendental rank artifact yet, so Minhyuk thought it was only right to name this set ‘Transcendental’s Armor Set.’

But there was one thing that caught Minhyuk’s attention.

The Slaughterer’s Armor was also excellent. This meant that this problem could not be easily dealt with.

Of course, it was possible. However, the artifact's ability would also be significantly lowered. Most of the time, low-rank artifacts would be produced using suitable materials. So, blacksmiths could often create artifacts without even touching the restrictions and requirements.

“I know what you’re worried about,” Nekk said, crossing his arms and smiling smugly.

“Alright, I’ll go and check it first.” Minhyuk excitedly checked the artifacts’ details.

The Transcendental’s Armor’s defensive power was slightly lower than that of the Slaughterer’s Armor. However, this armor carried all of the advantages of the Slaughterer’s Armor and the Star’s Armor Set and discarded all unnecessary parts.

Its level requirement had dropped to Level 600. Did that mean that Nekk sacrificed some of the artifact’s performance so he could lower the level requirement and allow him to equip it right away?

Not to mention how heavy the armor set was, the boots, leg gaiters, and armor that comprised it would also restrict the movements of the one who equipped it. Minhyuk had not expected to see any particular changes to the Transcendental’s Armor.

At that moment, Minhyuk saw something that piqued his curiosity.

“Black Dragon Armor?”

“You haven’t checked it yet?”

“Eh?” Minhyuk looked at Nekk in confusion.

“There’s no way that those excellent materials will weaken just by lowering the restrictions and requirements, you know?”

Minhyuk checked the Black Dragon Armor with a curious look on his face.

“Wh- what is this?”

Minhyuk was very shocked.

In other words, the armor was divided into two. It contained both the Transcendental’s Armor and the Black Dragon Armor.

“Come on. Say, ‘Black Dragon Armor.’”

“Black Dragon Armor.”

Black feathers appeared, starting from the back of Minhyuk’s hands, before covering his entire body. The feathers soon changed and turned into hard plate armor that covered everything beneath Minhyuk’s neck. To be honest, Minhyuk found the ‘Black Dragon Armor’, which was completely black, to be very cool.

It looked like he was wearing a completely different set of armor. Of course, it was based on the Transcendental’s Armor, but it was much superior to the main armor. The passive skill ‘The Unapproachable One’ was enough to put the armor on a pedestal. Although the skill only had an 8% chance of being triggered when being attacked by the enemy, it could increase one’s evasion rate by nearly five times.

There was also the active skill ‘Transcendence,’ which allowed the Black Dragon Armor to take a bit and accumulate the damage from the enemies. Once a set amount was absorbed, it would enable the one that equipped the armor to use the buff ability, ‘Transcendence.’

In addition, Black Dragon Armor could increase one’s stats, attack, and defensive power.

Minhyuk realized how amazing the thinking of the blacksmith named Nekk was. After all, who would even think of combining two armors in one, right?!

He quickly checked the information on the boots and leg gaiters. Unfortunately, it seemed like the main focus was on the armor. But it did not matter. The real power of the Transcendental’s Armor lay in the effects when the set was equipped. Minhyuk quickly wore the boots and gaiters.

“Wow…”

Minhyuk was speechless at how crazy the effects of the artifact set were.

One could not equip two armor pieces at once, just like one could not wear two necklaces at once. However, this armor set's artifact effect was extremely overpowered, to the point that one would feel as if they were wearing another set of armor.

Yes. Minhyuk wanted to test this artifact’s cheat-like and overpowered effects.

***

At the same time.

A player, who was carrying a bloodied man behind him, was riding desperately toward the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Carron was a Level 500 player who belonged to the Roarke Kingdom. Although he might be a fairly high-level player among ordinary players, he also had another identity. He was the ‘Godly Editor Jackson,’ who made a name for himself in Ztube.

Although Carron was a player, he loved the Roarke Kingdom deeply. But the kingdom was now on the verge of collapse, so he was running like this for them. And the bloodied man riding behind him? He was none other than the kingdom’s first prince, Beynan.

He had heard plenty of stories from the king of the Roarke Kingdom before.

–

A benevolent ruler; that was who the king he had always served was.

All the kingdoms and empires had turned down the collapsing Roarke Kingdom’s request for help. Carron, who was running toward the first empire built by a player, finally caught sight of the walls of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. They were Roarke Kingdom’s final hope.