These days, Haze could be seen with a perpetual look of concern.

Haze was left pondering about the report that Amacar had sent him.

“Compared to their growth and potential, the empire's soldiers and knights cannot display much power individually. And while they possess incredible strength, they are severely lacking in skills compared to other imperial knights and soldiers.”

The Beyond the Heavens Empire was established from the rapid growth of a small kingdom. The main contributors to this were Minhyuk’s vassals. It was also thanks to them that the knights and soldiers could grow significantly.

The problem was that the only growth they experienced was in what the players called ‘stats’ and ‘levels.’ As for their ‘skills’ and ‘proficiency,’ they weren’t up to par. Why did something like this happen when Spear God Ben, Brod, Sword of the God Luo, and the others were here?

Of course, the commander’s power and strength were vital. However, in an army, what mattered the most was ‘balance.’ Most imperial armies were divided into several corps, like the First Corps, Second Corps, Third Corps, Fourth Corps, etc. Take, for example, the First Corps. It would also have several divisions, companies, and battalions inside it.

These companies would produce outstanding individuals who might not be as good or strong as the company's army commander. In other words, they were company commander-level individuals.

Yes, the vassals of the Beyond the Heavens Empire were known to be the strongest. However, they needed more time to train each company. They required 'company commander-level' individuals before they could divide their army into corps, divisions, and companies.

At that moment, the door of her office opened. The one who entered was none other than Ben.

“Hoho. What’s got you so serious today?”

“Ah. Grandpa, you’re here?” Haze said as she looked up at Ben. The older man’s entrance had stirred her up from her thoughts. “You said that you were going out to get some ingredients for coffee, right?”

“That’s right.”

Ben was Minhyuk’s strongest vassal. However, the older man also wanted to make Minhyuk the most delicious cup of coffee. Because of that, he reached a fantastic level as a barista.

Ben thought excitedly. However, he was not excited because he would reach a new level. What excited him was the thought of serving his emperor the first cup of coffee he would make on that level.

“What has got you so deep in your thoughts this time?”

“That…” Haze told Spear God Ben the report that Amacar had given her.

“That’s true. However, it’s not that easy for us. The Beyond the Heavens’ Imperial Army now has over a million troops. We must divide them by at least 50,000 troops per division, and we need people to manage and lead them once we go to war.”

Haze looked down at the report in her hands. “But the spear masters, in particular, seem to grow both in their skills and proficiency as well as their strength. As expected of Grandpa, you’re amazing.”

Yes, only the spear masters showed such balanced growth. And, of course, Ben told her the answer, “Hoho. It’s because many of the spear masters who trusted and followed me back when I was still one of the Pinnacle Strong Men had followed me in the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

“Ah!” Haze recalled that Spear God Ben was once one of the Pinnacle Strong Men.

“The Pinnacle Strong Men are the strongest men on the continent. However, they do not belong to any empire or kingdom. And to protect and defend themselves from the kingdoms and empires, they would receive disciples with outstanding abilities and train them well.”

Ben chuckled. “That’s right. I’m very grateful that they still chose to come back to me even after I left the Pinnacle Strong Men and wandered around the seas for a very long time.”

An idea flashed in Haze’s head when she heard Ben’s words. “Ah. By any chance, do you know anything about where we can find Pinnacle Strong Man Farraden?”

They clashed with the Pinnacle Strong Men in the Continental Cloud when they were still the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. Amoure and Loki, the first and second Pinnacle Strong Men, died in the encounter. Because of that, the surviving Pinnacle Strong Men had to find a new leader who would command and lead them. They chose Farraden, who was ranked 6th at the time.

The Pinnacle Strong Men were not necessarily bad people. Most moved for the ‘money,’ but some chose not to. And Farraden was one of the latter. And with Farraden leading the Pinnacle Strong Men, they had walked a completely different path from the past.

Haze believed it would greatly benefit the Beyond the Heavens Empire if they could bring the Pinnacle Strong Men to their side. However, Ben’s expression turned dark when Farraden’s name was mentioned.

“I don’t have contact with any of them.”

“How come?” Haze asked cautiously.

However, Ben just laughed hollowly. “Haze. Before I met His Majesty, I was a horrible person.”

“...”

At this moment, Haze realized she had touched on a sensitive and sore spot for Ben. She had breached a topic that should never have been discussed.“It wasn’t until the death of my son that I realized how stupid and foolish I was.”

Why was Ben called Ghost Spear Ben? Was it because he swung his spear in a ghost-like manner? Well, it was true to some extent. However, it was mostly because he had killed many of the strong men of the continent and was considered an ‘evil spirit.’

Ben, the eighth member of the Pinnacle Strong Men back then, wanted to climb higher. Because of his greed, he had killed many good men. The deeper Haze delved into Spear God Ben’s past, the more she wondered if he was indeed the same person as the person he was in the past.

There were two turning points in Ben’s life. The first was the death of his son, and the second was his meeting with Minhyuk.

“Alright. I’ll be back,” Ben bid his goodbye and stepped out of the office after a very bitter and sad conversation.

When he came out of the door, he could not help but stare at the sky outside the window. It had been quite a long time since he heard that familiar name.

Ben thought, a bitter smile on his face.

Ben sighed lightly.

***

The Pinnacle Strong Men were the eight strongest men that reigned over the continent. After Amoure’s death, they chose Farraden as their new leader and took a different path from the past.

The only reason the Pinnacle Strong Men were able to change was that they had quite a lot of new people sitting on their throne. After all, most of their members had died during the battle in the Continent Cloud in the past.

The NPCs would also grow just as the players grow. And the Pinnacle Strong Men had now grown stronger. Although they could not stand on par with the Swords of the Gods’ First Order, they could still easily fight against the Swords of the Gods’ Second Order, an order built by players.

But right now, the Pinnacle Strong Men were being pressured and threatened. One of the Stars of the Luvien Empire, Duke Vlad, visited them. He completely overwhelmed the Pinnacle Strong Men and all of their disciples. Then, he declared.

–

Ironically, those who committed those evil deeds from the Pinnacle Strong Men had all died. All those who sat in the position of the Pinnacle Strong Men were fresh and new blood. Yet Duke Vlad still swung his sword against them because Farraden was not stupid. He knew the man did not come to them for such a reason.

–

Farraden knew that Duke Vlad needed something from them. Vlad, who finally sheathed his sword, replied.

–

And finally, he revealed his true

–,

Only after leaving those words did Duke Vlad leave.

Farraden stood at a distant hill and watched an old man and a foreigner walk side by side. At this point, he realized that the Luvien Empire was aware of what happened between him and Ben.

Farraden would kill Ben.

***Special Players Management Team.

Team Leader Park Minggyu was sitting in front of the monitor with a severe expression.

Lee Minhwa went on vacation today. As for the new employee, Lee Tae-Sung, he eventually failed to endure the pressure and intensity of the work and left the company. Of course, they needed someone to sub for Lee Minhwa, and this sub finally arrived.

“Let’s work hard today.”

The sub was none other than Manager Kim Dae-Il. He subbed for Team Leader Park Minggyu when he went on vacation in the past. Back then, he vowed that he would never return, saying, ‘The Special Players Management Team is a team from hell.’

But after learning the truth about the balance break that Minhyuk had caused, Dae-Il said that he wanted to know more about their players and even volunteered to fill in for Lee Minhwa. Simply put, Dae-Il wanted to learn more information from the players to try to change and veer Athenae into the right path.

“What’s got you looking all serious?”

Kim Dae-Il could not help but sigh when he saw the scene on the monitor. “Ah, it’s Ben. Every operator in Joy Co. Ltd. knows that he is a very unlucky and pitiful NPC.”

It was the truth. Ben was originally an NPC that was supposed to die a tragic death.

“He was supposed to wander the Dragon King’s Seas and die under the sword of his closest friend, Farraden, and sink to the depths of the seas. But now he has become the Spear God and started living a new life.”

Manager Kim Dae-Il realized how great the players' power was. However, he was very curious about why Team Leader Park Minggyu was sporting a serious expression.

“What’s going on?”

“I was just thinking about what would happen if Farraden and Ben reunited.”

“What would happen?” Kim Dae-Il looked confused and puzzled. Farraden and the Pinnacle Strong Men were but mere human beings. “They wouldn’t be able to kill Spear God Ben, no?”

“No. They can.”

“What?”

Manager Kim Dae-Il was different from Team Leader Park Minggyu. He did not know much of the details.

“Before joining the Pinnacle Strong Men, their members would be branded with the ‘Pinnacle’s Stigma.’ A punishment will be brought down upon those carrying the stigma if they break the rules of the Pinnacle Strong Men,” Team Leader Park explained, the graveness of the matter evident in his tone. “The stigma’s power is absolute. Even if he became a god, he could not go against it. And one of their rules was ‘Do not belong to an empire.’ But now, Ben has joined the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

“Hmmm…” Kim Dae-Il groaned. On the other hand, he found it amazing. “Did he become Minhyuk’s vassal despite knowing that he would risk his life like that?”

“That’s right. And Player Minhyuk is not even aware of this.”

“Is the reason you’re looking all serious? You’re thinking about what would happen once Ben dies.”

Team Leader Park nodded. “But more than that, I was thinking about a number of possibilities that would happen once Farraden and Ben met and clashed.”

“Then, can you tell me those possibilities?”

Team Leader Park nodded once again. “As you mentioned, one of the possibilities is Spear God Ben’s death. Or maybe a ‘special reward’ will be given because of the deep bond between Player Minhyuk and Ben.”

“A special reward? Ah, that?!” Manager Kim shouted. He seemed to recall what Minggyu was talking about.

“That’s right. It’s a reward that will only be given to one player and one player alone in Athenae.”

That reward was created with a very symbolic meaning.

“This reward will only appear once a tremendously deep bond has been created between an NPC and a player. And right now? The bond between Player Minhyuk and Ben is already close to that level.”

“Then, why did you look so serious?”

From what Manager Kim Dae-Il could gather, the situation did not seem that serious for Minggyu to look that serious.

But then, Team Leader Park said, “I mentioned before that I have been thinking about some possibilities that would happen, right?”

“Right.”

“I believe the story's ending between Spear God Ben and the Pinnacle Strong Men is one of two.”

Team Leader Park turned toward the monitor, the serious expression on his face growing increasingly severe.

“Either the Luvien Empire gets the Pinnacle Strong Men, or the Beyond the Heavens Empire gets the Pinnacle Strong Men.”

“...!”

Manager Kim Dae-Il could not understand how Park Minggyu came to those conclusions.

Then, Team Leader Park said, “Weren’t you aware of why Ben was supposed to die at the hands of Farraden?”

Of course, Dae-Il was aware of the reason why Ben had to die a tragic death. He was also aware of the reason why Farraden hated him.

The serious expression on Team Leader Park’s face as he looked at the two monitors before him turned bitter. One of the monitors showed Ben, while the other monitor showed Farraden.

Minggyu licked his dry lips and said, “It’s because Ben killed Farraden’s daughter.”