Bentino’s Wall was a skill that Valentino acquired when he reached Level 600. It was named after Bentino, the greatest God of Shields. The power of this skill depended on the skill user since it gave an additional 8,000% defensive power to one’s defensive power.

For players, there was a vast difference between the defensive power that ten players could express and the defensive power that a hundred players could express. Of course, this included all of the things that boosted one’s defensive power, like armor, skills, accessories, and stats.

And Valentino? He had a total defensive power 1.7 times higher than the total defensive power of the player standing second in the tanker rankings.

Bentino’s Wall stretched out, creating a shield akin to a long stretch of walls. However, even though Valentino was able to display such a vast and wide stretch of wall, he still doubted if he could stop the thousands of magic attacks that the God of Magic unleashed along with the tens of thousands of arrows shot by the Divine Army and the Breaths of the bone dragons.

But, of course, Valentino was not alone. There were still those who supported him from behind.

Golden Mage Ali was one. He stepped forward and unfolded his fair and slim fingers. Then, he pointed his fingers, now covered with a bright golden light, toward the magic about to rain down on them.

“Dispel.”

It was as if a wave had appeared and swept the magic away. In an instant, a third of the magic sent by the God of Magic disappeared into nothingness.

At the same time, tens of thousands of skeletons appeared in the air as Death, the God of Death, slammed his staff on the ground. The summoned skeletons immediately gathered together until they formed another huge wall.

The remaining magic slammed on the bone wall and pounded it until it destroyed the skeletons of the bone wall, turning them into ashes.

The attacks continued until they slammed into Bentino’s Wall, which everyone believed in.

The first to make contact with Bentino’s Wall was the magic attacks. The bombardment of magic slammed into the walls constantly and was immediately followed by a shower of arrows and Breaths.

Valentino, who held on and endured the attack with sweat dripping down and covering his entire body, roared, “Uwooooooooooh!!!”

Even though Bentino’s Wall was about to collapse, it continued to hold on and stop the gods’ attacks.

“This is crazy…”

“Valentino! You’re so cool!”

“You’re the best, Valentino!!!”

The players burst into cheers.

When the vibrations crawling up his arms disappeared, Valentino realized that his Bentino’s Wall could defend against the gods' attack.

His credibility rating soared.

Valentino felt his heart thump like crazy. For the first time, he had done something against that man, Nerva. Despite that, the rewards that he received were sweet. There was also an unfamiliar sense of excitement thrumming in his veins from when he walked in the opposite direction from those fleeing. He was in awe of himself that he’d been able to stop the attack from the gods.

He looked back at Minhyuk. Valentino knew that he would not only be removed from the Swords of the Gods and stripped of his status as the Count but also executed once he returned to the Luvien Empire. But if he joined Minhyuk and the Beyond the Heavens Empire that he had created, then perhaps his situation would be different. Perhaps his second life would finally begin!

So, Valentino looked at Minhyuk and said, “Please allow me to join the Beyond the Heavens—”

“Are you done talking bullshit?”

“...”

Valentino secretly glanced back at Nerva.

***

“Are you done talking bullshit?” Minhyuk growled, confused by Valentino’s unexpected words.

Minhyuk wouldn’t accept someone who had spoken ill of Ali just a few moments prior. Weren’t they supposed to accept the strong? No. The Beyond the Heavens Empire chose people based on their personality and attitude, especially if the person in question was someone like Valentino, who stood at the top.

Seeing Valentino’s ugly expression, Minhyuk said, “Things have already reached this point. I think it would be better if you helped me out here. After all, you have already fallen out with Nerva, no?”

That was right. Valentino could already tell his fate by the notifications alone.

Valentino agreed with Minhyuk’s words. Things had already developed to this point.

Valentino was a tanker. And what is a tanker’s main task? It was to protect and guard his allies. If, during this trial where his qualifications were being tested, he chose to stay by Nerva’s side and protect him as his subordinate and not as a god, Valentino would not be able to avoid a negative rating.

Anyway, Valentino was already doomed to die once he returned. So, why did he have to suck up to Nerva? He thought it would be better for him to keep his pride and become the true God of Shields.

Valentino quickly looked back.

“Valentino! You’re amazing!!!”

“It’s all thanks to you!”

The other players were giving him a thumbs up.

Nerva, who saw the scene, took this as an opportunity and said, “Did you see that? You can also face the gods. And do not forget, I am with you.”

The morale of the allied players slowly rose once again. Because of that, abnormal status and stat decrease also disappeared. Then, Nerva quickly used this moment to trigger the ability that he possessed as an emperor.

“If we join forces, we can stop the gods.”

Nerva was also working under the same conditions as Minhyuk. As the Battle God’s Sword, he would only receive the Battle God's recognition if he could properly lead his allies. He could also use this opportunity to deprive Minhyuk of his position as the Battle God’s Descendant and take the seat for himself.

That was right. After all, it wasn’t necessary for both Nerva and Minhyuk to survive; just one was enough.

“Crazy…”

“We can receive such buff effects just by fighting with him?”

“We can do it. We can stop them!”

Hope bloomed on the faces of the players.

Nerva drew his sword.

No one here did not know who Nerva was. He was the emperor of the strongest and greatest empire, the Luvien Empire, which was his advantage. Also, Nerva had the highest level among the NPCs known to all players.

“Please give us your orders!!!”“Your Majesty! Please allow me to be a part of your empire’s Sword of the Gods!”

As expected of the players. They were all greedy beings. And, of course, Nerva, who was smiling kindly at them, knew this. He chose to use his smarts and exploit the greed that was almost overflowing from these players.

“Of course. This emperor has already considered creating the Swords of the Gods’ Third Knight Order. Those who can stop the gods' attacks better than anybody else, those who move without fear, and those who can establish themselves as gods in this place will all be qualified to be members of the knight order.”

Those words boosted the morale of the players.

“Your Majesty! I will risk my life to protect you!”

They began to talk nonsense as they gathered around Nerva, treating him as their main axis and center of command. Valentino turned around after watching them and looked at Minhyuk. He had already taken his path. He could no longer go back to Nerva’s side.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk received a notification that only he could see.

Nerva had boosted the morale of the other players and given them a buff, which was why Minhyuk’s credibility rating had dropped significantly.

At that moment, some of the players approached Minhyuk.

“We wish to fight by your side, Minhyuk.”

“We don’t want to become the Luvien Empire’s dogs.”

Only three players approached Minhyuk. Of course, the most important thing for them was their survival. The players would always choose the path where their survival was guaranteed and where they could obtain a power that would allow them to exert a stronger power as gods.

Minhyuk looked at the three players and asked, “What are your classes?”

“I’m Bedman, the God of Fetters. I can restrict and bind everyone. Fufu.”

Minhyuk turned silent when he saw the man lick his lips. He hurriedly turned to look at the next person. “You?”

“I’m the God of Animals. I can transform into any animal. My character name is Bahalt.”

Minhyuk nodded as he turned to the last person with a hammer hanging on his waist. The man reminded him of Hyemin’sDaddy.

“My name is Alvarr. I am the God of Siege Weapons. I can summon any siege weapons and use them to strike my enemies.”

Minhyuk nodded as he looked at the three. That was when he realized, “You three are friends.”

“That’s right.”

The three conveniently left out how they became friends.

“The empire that we used to play in the past lost to the Luvien Empire.”Minhyuk nodded.

Meanwhile, Valentino, who saw them like that, thought,

Even though they were God-class players, none had heard about these three. Of course, they were here because they had met the requirements and had the qualifications to stand here. Even so, there was a high chance that they were gods without influence.

“Is there a way?” Valentino asked.

He knew he and Nerva had already turned their backs against each other. Since that was the case, Valentino wanted to become the God of Shields and make the emperor eat shit. However, looking at their current manpower, it seemed like this would be very difficult.

Of course, their side had Death, Ali, and Minhyuk. And Valentino was also confident that he could continue to maintain his shield to defend them. As for the other three? Well, Valentino did not know.

Valentino thought,

On the other hand, the other side has powerful and skilled players.

Valentino sighed.

Of course, as the God of Shields, Valentino could steadily increase his credibility rating by protecting his allies. However, he didn’t want Nerva to obtain anything good from this situation.

Then, Minhyuk said, “There is.”

“What is it?”

“Since that side chose to defend, we’ll just attack.”

“...?”

Valentino doubted his ears for a moment. He felt like he had just misheard what Minhyuk said.

Was that even possible? The gods had given them the task of defending against the gods’ attacks. But Minhyuk was telling them that they were going to attack the gods?

Minhyuk said, “Anyway, it wouldn’t matter. This is the Succession Ceremony. So, even if the Divine Army or anyone else dies, they would just be revived and will be able to survive. I plan to have you protect us, and once the other side moves to defend, we will do our best to deal damage to the gods.”

“Do we even have a chance to fight back?”

Were the gods just simple gods? Besides, would the damage they could dish out even put a chip on the gods?

“Don’t forget that I’m the only production-class player here.”

“...!”

Valentino’s eyes grew wide. Indeed, Minhyuk was the only production-class player present in this place. And from what he heard, the effects of the buff that Minhyuk could give to others were far superior to any other buff effects. It was only natural. After all, the effects of a buff created by combining skills, ingredients, and abilities would be vastly different from a mere ordinary buff.

“That’s why you have to give me all of the ingredients in your hands. Ah, it has to be at least epic grade.”

Valentino blinked blankly at Minhyuk, who had already stretched his hand. Valentino was a bit reluctant but knew that what they needed the most right now was Minhyuk’s cooking. So, he handed over all of the God-grade ingredients that he had saved and the legendary-grade and epic-grade ingredients that he had on hand.

Minhyuk remarked, “I don’t think I would need this now, and this one, too. This God-grade ingredient is the only one that looks best.”

Even though Minhyuk said these things, he did not return the ingredients he had obtained.

Valentino thought.

Nevertheless, he was not the only one being treated that way. The others also had some rare and mysterious ingredients on hand. And Minhyuk? He just smiled widely and accepted them.

“Now that everything has been decided, we should do the most important thing,” Minhyuk said.

Then, a man grabbed Valentino’s wrist. The man was none other than Ali.

Valentino began, “About earlier—”

Ali cut him off. “Shut it, or I’ll rip you a new one. I’m not giving you this token because I like you. I’m giving this to you only because we’re fighting together in this place.”

Just like Minhyuk, Ali treated Valentino coldly. He was making it clear that they only formed a brief alliance. Nothing more, nothing less. But even though it was just a brief alliance, he still drew the X symbol on Valentino’s wrist. Of course, Ali didn’t just do it for Valentino; he drew the token on the others too.

Ali did not want to be tagged as narrow-minded and petty. He also did not want to isolate Valentino by not drawing the token on his wrist because of what happened earlier, so he also drew it on Valentino’s wrist.

Inside the succession ceremony’s hall that floated high up to the sky, Ali raised his left arm and shouted, “Frieeeeeeeeeend!!!”

Minhyuk also raised his left arm and shouted, “Frieeeeeeeeend!!!”

“O-ooh. We always wanted to try this too. Frieeeeeeeeeeend!!!”

“Frieeeeeeeeeend!!!”

“Frieeeeeeeeeeeeeeend!!!”Valentino could feel his face heating up as he muttered, “F-f-f-fr-fr-fr—”

Ali, Minhyuk, and the rest of the gods glared at him.

“Frieeeeeeeeeend!!!”

With seven arms raised to the sky, one word resonated loudly throughout the area.

At this moment, Valentino felt like he wanted to go home.