Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1132

Chapter 1132

Brelin cried.

The young boy had assumed hundreds of possibilities. He thought that maybe Rundalk had intentionally given away his left arm for Rughamon to shatter.

Black mages were vicious and brutal and had always loved to see humans fall into despair. Thinking that perhaps Rundalk would end up killing the children with his own hands, he ended up giving up his left arm.

At the last second, he was able to exert a considerable boost in strength and even attacked the barrier to save everyone, even in the situation that he was in. He even broke his remaining arm to protect the young Brelin.

“Ah– waaaaaaaaah…”

Unlike other children, Brelin did not shed a single tear when he saw the absurd results of the competition. But at this moment, he was wailing loudly at the sight of Rundalk, who was forced to succumb to mental control once again.

Just when Rundalk was about to use his teeth to bite the Brelin to death, debris from the broken wall flew and hit him in the back of the head.

Thud–!

Rundalk fainted. And Brelin? He continued to weep as he held Rundalk’s bleeding hands. Meanwhile, Minhyuk, who had knocked out Rundalk, had a hideous expression.

The sobbing Brelin caught everything in his eyes. Rundalk had told him that Minhyuk would not care about the deals and transactions in front of him if it meant that he would save just one of his people from being treated unjustly.

The first proof of this was the Battle God’s Voice.

The second proof was that the emperor rushed to save a hundred or so civilians.

At this moment, Rughamon realized that the strong and outstanding men of the Luvien Empire, who were all waiting for an opportunity to enter, would soon rush in now that the barrier had been broken. He grew agitated and anxious. He tried to release a current of black energy to cover his body.

Then, Minhyuk said, “It’s too late, you f*cking bastard.”

The black energy about to cover his entire body and seep into his skin suddenly dispersed.

[Except for the Return Scroll and Teleport, everything else will be restricted.]

Brelin saw the figure of one of Beyond the Heavens’ heroes standing right next to Minhyuk. With her snake-like eyes, Elizabeth was as beautiful as a doll as she stood next to her emperor.

When he saw this, Brelin realized that another proof was being presented here and now. And this proof was…

“Kill them. Tear those bastards to pieces. Show them what happens if they dare to touch a Beyond the Heavens Empire citizen. This is an imperial order!”

…the people who suddenly appeared next to Minhyuk.

Brelin, who could not believe the scene before him, felt his heart thump wildly.

The first pillar that supported the Beyond the Heavens Empire said, “I have received Your Majesty’s orders.”

Brod was Brelin’s hero. He was the commander-in-chief who led tens of millions of troops and was a figure that was on par with Nerva, the former emperor of the Luvien Empire.

Brod ran past Minhyuk. Then, he leaped and struck Agintomachia. The dirty insect screamed as it got sent flying away.

Then, another person appeared right behind Minhyuk. In a flash, this person appeared before Brelin and blocked him from harm. He stabbed his spear on the ground and said, “You must have been scared.”

“...”

“You don’t have to worry anymore. This grandpa will not move a single step away from here.”

This old man has killed gods just to save His Majesty Minhyuk. Fury was blazing on Grandpa Ben’s face as his black hair fluttered with the wind.

The heroes of the Beyond the Heavens Empire appeared one after another.

Sword God Conir, the man wielding the noblest and most incredible sword and a talent acknowledged by the world, appeared before Brelin. Brelin had only seen Conir and his many joyful and playful expressions.

“One second.”

This time, he was more furious than anybody else present.

“That’s the time it will take me to rip you apart!”

Shwaaaaaaa–!

The invisible yet most powerful sword, the Heart Sword, shot out and tore apart one of Agintomachia’s legs. Despite the green blood spurting out of the enemy’s body, the furious Conir did not stop swinging his sword.

“A-aaaah…”

This was the third proof. At this moment, Brelin realized that Minhyuk had gathered the greatest and strongest men of the Beyond the Heavens Empire so that he could save the few hundreds of his people and mere children.

What was even more surprising was the fact that this was not the Beyond the Heavens Empire. This was the Luvien Empire’s territory. It seemed like regardless of when and where, Minhyuk would always respond strongly so that he could protect his people.

Rughamon tried to escape by using Teleport, but he failed to do so and is now left flustered by the scene in front of him.

[Agintomachia. Level 879]

Agintomachia was none other than the god of the Black Magic Realm, yet he was rendered helpless by the vassals of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. He could not even resist and could only die.

Brelin watched as Minhyuk walked toward Rughamon. He laid witness to the fourth proof.

The furious Minhyuk gritted his teeth and growled, “I had been waiting outside. You have crossed the line. Soldiers were taught never to kill civilians, women, and children even in war, but you… You tried to harm the precious children of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

The terrified Rughamon unleashed hundreds of black magic at Minhyuk. A blue barrier appeared around Minhyuk and blocked all of his attacks.

Hundreds of skeletons appeared in the sky above them and attacked Minhyuk. Yet they did not even block his path. Minhyuk swung his sword and destroyed the hundreds of skeletons as he continued to walk to where Rughamon was.

“For the sin of trying to harm the precious people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, I, the Beyond the Heavens’ emperor, will bestow a punishment upon you.”

Slash–!

He grabbed Rughamon by the neck. At the same time, a considerable force erupted in his palms.

[Black Mage Rughamon. Level 864.]

Rughamon was higher than Minhyuk in terms of level. Regardless, the strong powerhouses of the Beyond the Heavens Empire had already gathered in this small, enclosed venue.

“Uweeeeck! Kueeeeck!”

Minhyuk punched Rughamon in the pit of his stomach. Then, he threw him in the air. Even though he was sent flying in the air, Rughamon could still move and send an enormous amount of black mana toward Minhyuk.

In the case of black mages, they could exert their most extraordinary power through mind control magic. If Rughamon could control Minhyuk, then he would be able to kill everyone here. In the first place, if he could control him, then none of these people would be able to harm him.

Because of that, Rughamon released his control on others. He wanted to ensure he had a good shot at this victory. Alas, Minhyuk was the owner of an invincible body. He also possessed an absolute power that allowed him to resist most of the mind-control magic.

Only then did Rughamon realize that he and Minhyuk were a bad matchup. If that was the case, then who should he control? Should he focus on Brod?

Dozens of streams of black energy made from black mana began to spread all over the place.

[The system is being controlled.]

[Inside this venue, black mana and black magic will not be able to control the minds of everyone present.]

Minhyuk was no fool. There was a reason why he brought Elizabeth to the venue first. He had listened to the reports by the security guards stationed at the venue and had already prepared everything he could use against black magic.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. According to this, he would obtain victory even if he fought a hundred battles against his enemy as long as he had studied his opponent well.

Fwoosh–

Minhyuk fired an Intangible Sword at Rughamon. In response, Rughamon tried to stack dozens of black shields to defend himself, but the Intangible Sword was a power that could ignore all defenses. It pierced through his shields and stabbed straight through his body.

“Keuaaaaaaaack!” Rughamon shrieked.

Minhyuk did not show any mercy. He swung his sword and cut his arm off.

Thump–

With the loss of his arm, Rughamon’s string of reason finally snapped.

“Keuaaaaaack! You damn…!”

“Shut your trap.” Minhyuk punched Rughamon in the mouth and forced him to shut up. Then, he began to slash and hack at the black mage’s body.

Despite the blood spurting out of his body, Rughamon still cackled. “Kghhk! Don’t you know? Keufufufufu! If you kill me right here and now, all of the black mages following me will become your enemies.”

Minhyuk’s brows furrowed at the threat. But then, Elpis arrived and made a report. He said, “Your Majesty, the Beyond the Heavens Empire, and the Luvien Empire have joined together to find and attack the hideouts of the black mages following him. According to their report, they can wipe them out in an hour.”

Minhyuk’s mouth curled up.

Was Rughamon an idiot? He should remember that it was not just the Beyond the Heavens Empire that he dared to touch. There was also the Luvien Empire. And the Luvien Empire was an empire that would always pay back whatever it received tenfold.

The moment they heard the report that a person believed to be a black mage had attacked the venue for the World Cutie Competition, Minhyuk and Emperor Cardin both issued an order.

“Right now, most of your followers have already died.”

“...!”

Rughamon’s face grew ugly. Tears almost dripped down his chin from the fear and terror that gripped his entire being.

“Please, spare…!”

Stab–!

Minhyuk did not even listen. He just stabbed his heart without any hesitation or mercy. When Rughamon died, a cloud of black mana surged out of his body. The black mana tried to escape, but as mentioned before, Minhyuk had already made preparations.

“Elizabeth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Under the power of Elizabeth, the woman who could control the system, the black cloud of energy gathered in front of Minhyuk once again. This shaking black cloud of energy was Rughamon.

[N-no! Please!!!]

“Didn’t I tell you?” Minhyuk sneered. He looked just like an evil and vicious ghost right at this moment. “If you touch my people, then you will be executed right away.”

Slash–!

The sword in Minhyuk’s hands killed Rughamon twice. When the black cloud of energy dissipated, a notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[You have hunted Rughamon.]

After that, he turned toward Agintomachia. He watched as the vassals of the Beyond the Heavens Empire forced the gigantic god into gray ashes.

The people of the Luvien Empire, who rushed in right behind them, were frozen stiff after watching what the heroes of the Beyond the Heavens Empire and their emperor had done.

‘No matter what, it wouldn’t be this easy, right…?’

Even Luvien Empire’s Emperor Cardin, who was also present, was shocked. ‘How strong have you become?’

Minhyuk left the shocked men from the Luvien Empire as they moved stiffly to bring down Duke Vakkaman, who had been pinned to the walls.

Brelin watched the heroes of the Beyond the Heavens Empire wrap up the situation quickly. However, the murderous intent seeping from their bodies was still far too much for the young Brelin to handle. He could only groan from the overwhelming pressure.

After sorting everything out, Minhyuk approached Brelin. Brelin could not help but feel fear. Any child who had witnessed such overwhelming killing intent and had seen such an evil expression would unknowingly feel fear.

But unlike his earlier expression, Minhyuk smiled warmly and gently at the young Brelin.

“I’m sorry I was late,” Minhyuk said, enveloping Brelin in a gentle and comforting hug.

Brelin thought, ‘I think the greatest blessing in my life is being born into this empire.’

Now that Rughamon and Agintomachia were dead, the black magic applied to Rundalk was lifted. Just in time, he woke up.

“Ugh. Why does the back of my head hurt so much?” Rundalk said, confusion evident as he woke up.

“...”

Brelin, who had seen him wake up, immediately hugged him. Rundalk, whose arms were broken, could only smile softly at the young boy.

“Right. Did you see it?” Rundalk asked. It seemed that he understood the situation just as quickly as he opened his eyes.

Brelin nodded vigorously in answer.

At that moment, the man, who had already pulled himself together, approached Rundalk and slowly went down on his knees. He said, “Vallad Family’s Vakkaman greets you, sir.”

Rundalk scoffed when he realized that the man was one of his descendants. “No wonder you’re so rude.”

“...”

Brelin was surprised to see one of the dukes of the Great Luvien Empire kneeling in front of their director. Now that Rundalk has recognized Vakkaman as one of his descendants, he realizes that the situation will finally be sorted out. They will also be able to determine the true winner of this competition.

There was one problem.

“Your Majesty, no matter how dire the situation is… you cut your enemy’s arm and even stabbed him in the heart in front of all the children…”

“...”

An awkward look flashed on Minhyuk’s face. He had lost his temper at the time and could not hold back.

The vassals scolded Minhyuk for his reckless behavior. The scene looked quite ridiculous, but seeing the awkward and funny expressions on the human emperor’s face made Brelin laugh.

“It’s fine.”

“...?”

“He’s just angry because he wanted to protect us.”

“...?”

Everyone looked at Brelin in surprise. Although the child was just nine years old, he was very mature and stable. A proud glint appeared in Brelin’s eyes when he saw their reactions.

Minhyuk even said, “When I killed Rughamon, I obtained this item called ‘Black Magic’s Memories.’ It can be used right away. Let’s use this to erase the children’s memories during the competition.”

Minhyuk felt very sorry for the children. But if they did not do this, then this event would leave a long-lasting trauma to every single child present in this venue.

The trauma was not necessarily because they had witnessed the cruelty that Minhyuk was capable of. The shock of meeting Rughamon and Agintomachia was enough to haunt them for the rest of their lives.

The Beyond the Heavens Empire gathered all the children after receiving the agreement from the teachers and directors from the other kingdoms and empires. But Brelin did not follow them. He was the only one who did not go where the children had gathered. He just stood there and calmly dusted off his Obren bag before putting it back on.

“Brelin?”

Everyone, including Minhyuk, Brod, Rundalk, and the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, looked at Brelin in confusion. With a ‘heave-ho!’, Brelin wore his Obren bag properly and looked at them with a small smile.

“I want to remember this moment.” He made eye contact with every single person present. “I want to remember how Sir Rundalk protected us, how His Majesty Minhyuk came running to save us, and how the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire grew angry because we were treated unjustly.”

They all smiled softly at Brelin. Minhyuk respected the child’s choice. The other children’s memories had been erased, but for Brelin, this memory would forever be imprinted on his head. He would forever know what kind of place the Beyond the Heavens Empire indeed was. Perhaps this moment would help him become a commander, an emperor, or even another Supreme in the future.

On the other hand, Emperor Cardin watched the scene with envy. He unknowingly smiled as he looked at the mature child.

Just then, Minhyuk, smiling gently at Brelin, approached him and said, “Well then, shall we go back to our discussion about the Briah’s River?”

“...”

Emperor Cardin understood what he wanted to say. Simply put, the one guilty of corruption was Duke Vakkaman, a vassal of the Luvien Empire. Then, there was the fact that the one who broke the barrier from within the venue and protected everyone was someone from the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“You’re going to give it to me, right?”

‘Give it to you? You punk!’

Although Minhyuk was not holding a knife…

Glance–

No. He was a robber with a knife in his hands.