Chapter 2
Chapter 2 . The end of The Absolute, But…
‘Fine . Since it has already bee like this, maybe it is a good thing . ’
For what reason?
Kang Chul-In flashed a faint smile .
‘I focused too heavily on military power . My neglect on economic strength was detrimental . My lack of trips to the library and closeness to books… I’m a Grand Sovereign . I did not have time to focus on foreign and diplomatic policies, as well as, military tactics and strategies alone . With the progress of war, slow and immobile, I neglected collecting intelligence and diplomacy . If I could not maintain good relations, I should have at least had good, solid information and intelligence . Then, I would not have been caught off guard like this . ’
In the face of destruction, the mind of Kang Chul-In was ruthlessly calm and quiet .
If his enemies had known the current state of Kang Chul-In, they would have thought he had given up, or that he had nothing left but regret . Like this, Kang Chul-In was calm .
“Master! You need to give a countermeasure to go against the enemies…” Alfred pleaded with Kang Chul-In, as if frustrated by his state . It was understandable, considering the threat impending on the headquarters .
“Alfred . ”
“Yes, Master . ”
“Do not act rashly and do not tremble with fear . Maintain your dignity . We have not lost yet . ”
“Sir…?”
The vampire butler Alfred was taken aback by Kang Chul-In’s calm posure, but worked to regather his nerves and posure soon after . As a NPC unit, Alfred could not know the internal workings of Kang Chul-In .
“Call the five Great Generals in right away, and send all troops out of Valhalla to meet the enemy as soon as they return . ”
“Master…! That, that cannot happen! Do you not think encouraging a siege would be better? A big bloodbath would put Valhalla at a great disadvantage…!”
It was true .
Numerically inferior . Even with a 1% chance of getting out of this situation, it would be better to encourage a siege .
“No . It would only drag on the battle longer, without changing the oute . We will square off with our enemies instead of cowardly holding out of battle . ”
“Master…!”
“Do not worry . ”
“…!”
“We will lose today, but not next time . ”
It really did not make any sense .
It was obvious that today’s defeat would lead to obliteration and destruction, but Kang Chul-In remained calm and posed .
“Lucy, Bella!”
When Kang Chul-In called their names, two Dark Elf Guards Lucy and Bellatrix, who had been hiding in the darkness behind the throne, showed themselves .
“Yes, Master . ”
“Did you call for us . ”
Lucy and Bella who were the same NPC Unit as Alfred were both guards who specialized in magic and martial arts . They were stronger than most mid-level Sovereigns .
“My sword and armor . ”
As soon as his word fell, Lucy and Bella brought forth the epic items Fragarach, the Great Sword, and ‘Vali’s Burning Vengeance Armor Set’ in front of him . These items had made Kang Chul-In the Grand Sovereign of War, the Hunter of Sovereigns .
‘Alex Rothschild, and Lee Gong-Myung . ’
He calmed his thoughts thinking of his enemies while he dressed for war with the help of Bella and Lucy .
He shuddered in anger as he thought of the two who had brought upon his destruction . He had been the most viable candidate for the unification of Pangaea . And it was his no longer .
He had stepped on them countless of times, and they had e alive like cockroaches, repeatedly . It would have been more accurate to describe them as zombies and not Grand Sovereigns . He was regretful to have left them alone instead of killing them or subjugating them under him, but since things have e to this point, he would have them feel the full wrath of the Grand Sovereign Kang Chul-In and Valhalla, in this great slalom .
***
Boom! Boom!
Cyamodus, the giant tortoise, breathing fire and lava moved towards the Grand Sovereign Kang Chul-In’s headquarters . There were almost 15,000 troops total when one bined the allied troops of Baldur and Gullveig, as well as two thousand troops tailing the headquarters .
“Master . ”
Lee Gong-Myung, the pinnacle and mastermind behind Cyamodus, turned towards his leader, Alex Rothschild .
“Are you really going to fight head-to-head with Kang Chul-In?”
Alex Rothschild had already put on a full plate of armor, scattered with white and gold . Like a Grand Sovereign, all his items were also Epic Items .
“He will not just stand and watch, that’s for sure . ”
“But my Lord, Kang Chul-In is strong . One-on-one, no, with even many, you know it is difficult to win against him . Kang Chul-In is in reality, Pangea’s strongest—your life may even be in danger . ”
“That’s why I am going against him with others . A bined attack with other Grand Sovereigns, there is plenty of prospects for victory . We also have overwhelming numbers of troops . ”
“But…”
“Debt . ”
Lee Gong-Myung spoke no further as soon as Alex Rothschild uttered that word .
It was understandable .
Since the start of Ragnarok seven years ago, Alex Rothschild had always been entrapped in Kang Chul-In’s plots, struggling to survive . He lost two subordinates he had treasured as if they were his brothers, and his headquarters Cyamodus, was stomped to nothing, not once but four times .
If Cyamodus had not been a mobile fortress, Alex Rothschild would have been crushed at the hands of Kang Chul-In long ago .
“I need to avenge their deaths, and I need to repay him for the humiliation that he gave me in the past . If not today, I will never be able to pay off this debt . Maybe if it was another day, I would have avoided this, but not today . ”
He stated this so firmly, that it was obvious his mind was made . No matter what Lee Gong-Myung said, he would not be able to convince him otherwise . Therefore, Lee Gong-Myung did not question his liege further .
“It would have been nice if we could break him with Cyamodus alone… it’s too bad that it had to be this way . ” Alex Rothschild stated regretfully .
“It’s an overused phrase, but ‘The last one standing is the victor’ . Kang Chul-In was too strong . He would not bend against the wind, even if it means he would break… his fatal flaw is that he was not rounded but rigid . ”
“True… if he had been more cautious, this day would have not e . ”
“Yes . And that is one of the reasons why I chose you, my liege, and not Kang Chul-In . ”
As the two conversed, Valhalla’s troops slowly showed itself from afar .
“It cannot be…!”
Lee Gong-Myung exclaimed, seeing what lay ahead of him .
“My liege! Look over there! It is a giant slalom! He has given up siege warfare and he has chosen a face to face confrontation…!”
Kang Chul-In’s choice was a stupid one, but it did succeed in bringing an element of surprise .
“It cannot be…!”
Alex Rothschild also could not hide his surprise .
“Gong-Myung, is this maybe a trap? Even if Kang Chul-In is reckless, a confrontation…!”
He had suffered immensely due to Kang Chul-In until now—it was natural for him to be taken aback in Kang Chul-In’s choice of confrontation in threats of plete obliteration .
“No, it is not . ”
Lee Gong-Myung had different ideas .
“It is his pride . ”
“Pride?”
“I am sure of it . ”
Lee Gong-Myung was sure .
“According to the intel that just arrived, Hecate’s headquarters has already been destroyed by the Gullveig Union . Aleister, who is part of the Ishtar Coaltion, is over there . ”
Lee Gong-Myung’s finger pointed at the Grand Sovereign Aleister, who was sitting atop the giant undead monster, Bone Dragon .
“He has already judged that there is no hope and he will go out with a bang . It is not Kang Chul-In’s style to drag on a fight that will lead to nothing . ”
“Oh…!”
“To go out with a bang, instead of holding out… isn’t that just the embodiment of Kang Chul-In’s personality? He means that he will not plead for his life, nor would he seek to save himself . This is who he is . ”
It was Lee Gong-Myung, indeed .
He had seen through Kang Chul-In’s intentions and he had assured the Grand Sovereign while sitting… . It was obvious as to why Kang Chul-In had regretted not having Lee Gong-Myung himself .
“My liege, order for attack in full force . As long as Kang Chul-In has chosen a slalom, it is impossible to absorb Valhalla’s military force . There is no other way than to pletely destroy it . ”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, my liege . ”
“I will do so . ”
Alex Rothschild nodded at Lee Gong-Myung’s counsel .
***
The great slalom that was thought to end easily lasted for three long days and nights . To that extent, Valhalla had great military power, and Kang Chul-In also displayed great skill—withstanding the bined efforts of the Grand Sovereigns on the allied side .
But the limit was three days .
But he was outnumbered . In the face of overwhelming numbers, there was no victory .
Ultimately, the five proud Grand Generals of Valhalla fell one by one, and Kang Chul-In was pushed all the way to his throne inside Valhalla headquarters . As predicted by both sides, Kang Chul-In had lost .
“Hey, you came?”
Kang Chul-In, who sat alone in his throne, greeted the Grand Sovereigns on the allied side .
“…”
“…”
Taken aback, the allied Grand Sovereigns were at a loss for words .
In that moment, the roles had reversed, and it looked as if the defeated Kang Chul-In was the victor, and the victorious allied Grand Sovereigns had lost . Like this, Kang Chul-In remained proud and held his head high .
The face of Kang Chul-In, sitting on his throne alone, was not that of a loser . Rather, the wry smirk spread across his face looked as if he was looking down at the allied Grand Sovereigns .
“You cannot believe your defeat?”
Alex Rothschild, the rival of Kang Chul-In, finally spoke .
“Because, I stepped on you, after being stepped on countless of times?”
It seemed as if Alex Rothchild was overe with resentment .
Indeed, who knew he would deliver his enemy Kang Chul-In to the clutches of death . It was a new feeling .
Kang Chul-In sneered .
“…!”
“Why, were you disappointed at my reaction? I guess… you would have been satisfied if I had cried and cowered like yourselves, you losers . ”
In that moment, Alex Rothschild almost lunged at Kang Chul-In .
How could he push his buttons so?
His cheeky mocking of the victors was enough to drive anyone crazy .
“You have really lost your mind . ”
The Grand Sovereign necromancer Aleister, who had remained quiet, spoke . He had raised the visor in his skull armor, exposing his crude, vulgar face .
“You would have never guessed, huh? But what can you do? You lost . That is what you get, for being a cocky and arrogant…”
Aleister smirked at Kang Chul-In .
And in response…
“Shut your mouth . ”
“…!”
It was a menacing statement, enough to send chills down the spine of even the icy, Grand Sovereign Aleister .
“Shut up before I break that skull of yours . I do not wish to speak to a little traitor like you . ”
“…!”
Disgusted, Kang Chul-In turned his head away from the necromancer Grand Sovereign, towards Alex Rothschild .
“Hey, Rothschild . ” He pointed at Alex Rothschild with the end of his chin .
“You work hard to act like you work for a just and great cause, to act nice and good . ”
“What are you saying?”
Alex Rothschild answered .
“What am I saying? Well, if you are going to play dumb, I’ll kindly tell you . You want Pangaea all for yourself, but to pretend you don’t, doesn’t that just keep you up at night?”
“No way . I am different from you . ”
“Ha . Different . I can recognize my own kind . You are the same as me . Except you pretend to be on the side of the angels, instead of being honest like me . You took everything you could and benefited all you could, and now you are pretending you did not?”
“Evil only recognizes evil… Kang Chul-In, you, are just that . ”
“Is that so? It seems like you are going to kill that traitor first as soon as I’m gone . ”
And in that statement, the traitor Aleister shivered .
“Coward . ” Kang Chul-In sneered at Aleister, and continued .
“Well, whatever happens, all will be after I die anyways so it is business among yourselves . Now, end it . ”
And Kang Chul-In put down his Fragarach and opened his arms wide .
“What are you scheming, Kang Chul-In?”
Rothschild asked, his guard up .
“What scheme, you idiot . End it . You don’t understand?”
“Are you just going to die?”
“Well then? I don’t want to cry and run away like someon,e after a little attack on their headquarters, nor do I want to e back to life like a cockroach either… not my style…”
It was a direct hit at Rothschild, and the veins in his temples bulged .
The angry Rothschild’s sword gave off a glint as it penetrated Kang Chul-In’s heart in an instant .
“It is my victory… . ! Kang Chul-In!”
“Yes, enjoy it . Enjoy it all you want . ” Kang Chul-In laughed .
“Today will be the first and last day that you will be victorious against…”
“Shut up!”
Rothschild’s sword gave off another glimmer .
And Kang Chul-In’s head fell and rolled on the ground .
Dead .
The Kang Chul-In had died .
“It is my victory… My victory, Kang Chul-In!”
Alex Rothschild announced his victory with red, bloodshot eyes .
And that face, was to be feared .
The face of the man, who had defeated the enemy he had despised and feared, was like the devil . However, the menacing face of the man soon disappeared, and was replaced with joy and acplishment .
“You all worked hard . ”
Rothschild spoke, looking around at the faces of the Grand Sovereigns as well as Aleister .
“And now, this head will be…”
As Rothschild was about to suggest hanging the head for all to see and celebrate their victory, he suddenly stopped .
Crack!
The ground began to shake .
It did not seem like a good thing .
The vibrations that they felt beneath their feet and the noise that grew louder and closer was ominous and strange . It was as if… a big explosion was going to happen .
“No way…!”
Rothschild yelled .
“Suicidal explosion!?”
“We need to get out of here right now!”
“Kang Chul-In, you despicable, crude jerk!”
And just when everyone had processed the situation, a fiery storm overcame them with a loud bang . It was, until the end, a despicable and crude tactic .
***
“Stupid, foolish, idiots . ”
Kang Chul-In smirked and mumbled .
Chapter 2 pleted .
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