The Beyond the Heavens Empire had been preparing for a long time, way before Helenia summoned her fragments.

Helenia had placed way too many restrictions in this place. The biggest concern would be the restriction of Minhyuk’s buffed dishes. With Minhyuk’s buffed dishes, he could allow Level 600 players to display power rivaling a Level 700 one. However, no buff could take effect inside Beauden Fortress because Helenia had restricted it.

Then, there was Bichor’s bomb. Bichor had mentioned the possibility that Helenia’s magic could stop his bomb from exploding. Thankfully, he was able to think about it before and hurriedly changed it so that they could still detonate the bomb. Of course, he also did not forget to add a new power to the bomb that they would install in the fortress. After that, he handed the operating switch to Minhyuk.

“A switch?”

Most of Bichor’s bombs were made so that they would explode with just a thought from him. This was probably the first time that Bichor made one with a switch. He said, “Even if Helenia’s magic could stop the bombs, you would be able to trigger one of the bombs that we have planted with this switch. As long as that bomb could go off, then the rest would soon follow. In the end, Helenia would not be able to stop it.

“But there’s a catch. This bomb is created so that Helenia’s magic would not reach it. A strong force protects it. Because of that, you have to get close to it for the switch to work. And if you put a barrier around you before pressing the switch, the barrier would affect the switch, and it would not work.”

“We have to get close to the bomb?”

Bichor nodded. “You have to be within the bomb’s five-meter radius. Also, the bomb would explode the moment you pressed the switch.”

Minhyuk understood what Bichor was trying to say. But just in case, he still confirmed it. “What you’re saying is that whoever presses the switch has to receive the brunt of the damage?”

Bichor nodded once again. After receiving confirmation, Minhyuk thought that he should be the one to press the switch. He would not be making any sacrifices. After all, he had the skill Absolute Invincibility. If he pushed the switch and used the skill immediately, the problem would end there.

“Ali, please use Mass Teleport and take all of the surviving members of our guild away when the time to detonate the bomb comes.”

“I understand. But… what if Helenia’s magic also restricts our magic?”

“...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless. He looked at the rankers of the Beyond the Heavens Empire and the players from whom he had requested support. Minhyuk did not know what to say to these people. In the end, they had to detonate the bomb somehow.

Of course, if they could kill her, then they did not need to resort to detonating the bomb. However, there were far too many variables, and the situation they were about to face was too unpredictable. If things went south, then they might just have to press the switch with all of the players still present inside the fortress.

At that moment, Alexander said, “Don’t hesitate to press the switch when it comes down to it. It would be better than having Helenia descend in ten months.”

Even the God of Animals, the God of Siege Weapons, and the God of Fetters, the people whom Minhyuk asked to support them, seemed to agree with Alexander’s words.

“It’s already a pleasure to share such a glorious and monumental event with the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

“Even if we get forced to log out because of the bomb, our losses would still be negligible. You don’t have to worry; we still have more to gain.”

In fact, even if they were forced to log out, the benefits they would receive would be a whole lot more than their losses. After all, they literally helped block Helenia’s Fragments and stop her complete descent.

After their discussion, Minhyuk moved to prepare some more.

But the notification rang in everyone’s ears. The expression on everyone’s faces grew ugly. The notifications came a few days earlier than they had expected. The enemies would soon arrive here. Everyone quickly gathered briefly for one last meeting before the impending battle.

“No matter what happens, you must stop the fragments from reaching Helenia.”

Everyone looked tense.

“You have to remember that no Brod or Ben will come to protect us.”

The Beyond the Heavens Empire always received the help of many NPCs. This was a fact. Because of them, they could hunt boss mobs that they would usually have difficulty dealing with. But that was not the case today.

Khan rolled his wrists and said, “I have been waiting for this moment.”

Whenever Beyond the Heavens Empire was mentioned, everyone would only talk about their NPCs. They often said that Beyond the Heavens Empire only reached this point because of their NPCs. But that was only half correct.

They could show the world that their empire’s high-rankers were as strong as their NPCs.

At that moment, Minhyuk received a whisper.

Carron believed that this moment should be known to all. And, of course, Minhyuk agreed with that idea.

In just a blink, Minhyuk and the other players finished their preparations and lay in wait.

***

Athenae players worldwide wailed and lamented when they heard that Helenia was summoning her fragments back to her arms.

They could not even hunt half of Helenia’s Fragments.

A heavy lump unknowingly settled in their chests as frustration and bitterness rose.

Meanwhile, the broadcasting stations hurriedly chased the fragments that moved through the magic circles Helenia had triggered earlier. While many chose to sigh in resignation at the sight of the thousands of fragments charging toward Helenia, some still chose to fight.

The fork and knife symbol crossed together rose above the fortress as the Beyond the Heavens’ high rankers, who had hidden themselves among the trees and the rocks, appeared.

Many who saw this scene felt their hearts thump like crazy. This was the thought that was running through everyone’s heads. But when everyone was wallowing in despair, these people stood up and found a way to stage a fight for the last time and stop the fragments.

Joy Co. Ltd.’s President Kang Taehoon also watched the scene with his sweaty hands. This was a method that they could not even think of. Perhaps even if they had thought of this, they would not have been able to try it. However, there was one thing that Joy Co. Ltd. could give to these brave challengers.

The names of the people who chose to stand at the last frontline resonated loudly worldwide. Many who heard their names felt something in their chests.

A gust of wind blew their way.

“Destroy them,” Minhyuk said as he stood tall at the walls of the fortress.No matter how many players achieved Level 600, the mobs they would have to deal with were at least at Level 600. Even Helenia’s Fragments’ average level was at Level 600. The worst part? As the boss-level beings, they were far too strong and were too much for the players to handle. However, the brave heroes did not back down.

Khan was the first to make a move. He jumped down from a tree and unleashed the pinnacle skill he had obtained after reaching Level 600 upon the frantically running fragments.

“Giant’s Onslaught.”

Hundreds of fists the size of a boulder appeared around Khan. Then, the fists rained down upon the fragments as if on cue.

The fists punched and struck the running fragments like there was no tomorrow.

“Kihyeeeeeeck!”

“Keuhaaaaaack!”

“Graaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Kiyaaaaaaack!”

However, their defensive power and HP were extremely high, making hunting a boss mob difficult.

At that moment, another person appeared. He leaped to the sky and joined the fray. This man was someone who stayed caught up to Khan. He was also ranked first in the global fighter rankings. He and Khan were called “The Dragon and the Tiger.” This man was none other than Ares.

Ares shot toward the ground, the powerful force surrounding his feet creating waves that made the air vibrate.

He landed gobsmack in the middle of the charging fragments in a blink.

Ares landed one powerful attack, which caused an explosion that broke the balance of hundreds of the charging fragments. But even if they tripped and fell, they did not slow down.

At that moment, a woman appeared just ahead of the frantically running fragments. The woman’s silver hair fluttered behind her as a red stream of energy surged from the blade of her greatsword. The beads wrapped around her sword's hilt also began to glow with an eerie red light.

Ascar. She was one of the Absolute Demigod class players and was hailed as the best dealer among the Athenae players.

“Blood Explosion.”

She raised her greatsword and pointed it at the fragments.

A vast and powerful explosion erupted and devoured the fragments coming her way. But the fragments remained unfazed. They did not even slow down and continued on their way. They did not even avoid the woman who blocked their path.

Ascar gripped the hilt of her greatsword, pointing at the fragments, and said, “Slaughterer’s Reckless Strike.”

The fragments running at the vanguard were slashed and cut down by her attack.

“Keuhaaaaaack!”

Finally, the first fragment fell. But, of course, her attack was not yet over. Just like a spider web, her reckless strikes wreaked havoc and continued to spread. The problem was that the attack’s damage would primarily focus on the first target. The damage would continue to decrease as time passed by.

The viewers watched in admiration. No one dared to say that . After all, a few kingdoms struggled to hunt even just one of those fragments.

And they were just getting started, too. Another man jumped out. This man’s name was Alexander, and everyone hailed him as Athenae’s greatest ranker alongside Minhyuk.

“Weapon Explosion.”

Hundreds of weapons appeared around Alexander, shooting toward the fragments and exploding simultaneously.

***

Haze did not stop researching. She had been looking through the ancient books to learn more about Helenia. This was because she found something disturbing during the meeting that they held among the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“There was a set of footprints…” Haze mumbled as she pondered over the words over and over again.

The fact that there was a set of footprints meant that someone visited the place first. It also meant that whoever that was would be aiding Helenia. However, she could not figure it out, no matter what she did. She searched the ancient textbooks for clues regarding this mysterious helper.

Haze opened another book and focused her attention on its contents. Helenia’s Fragments also existed in the past, which was the gist of the book's contents. As she read the information, Haze increased her pace. Then, she stopped.

“...Helenia’s Fragments might seem like her power created them, but this is not the case.”

Haze’s pupils constricted.

“Helenia’s Fragments were beings that her disciple, Arumbe, had created for her.”

A disciple. Helenia had a disciple. As she continued to read aloud, her voice started to shake and tremble.

“If a fragment of Helenia truly existed, then it would be none other than her disciple, ‘Arumbe.’”

Haze immediately jumped when she finally turned over the last page. The owner of the set of footprints was the actual fragment, “Arumbe.”

***

Someone knocked on the doors leading to Nerva Sephiroth’s room. A man immediately came in when Nerva acquiesced and allowed them to enter. It was Duke Vlad.

. ]a group of people that will take the vanguard position and carry out their mission even at the risk of death. A group willing to take on a suicidal mission. ☜