Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Base Defense (2)

Everything became quiet .

It wasn’t that the people had become silent but that Rainkar was blocking the sound waves using intangible energy .

"I always expected you to do something like this when you grew some more but that day came earlier than I thought . I’m glad that my eyes weren’t wrong about you . ”

Rainkar’s voice was heard in Kang-jun’s ear . Kang-jun replied,

"I didn’t know creating a base was such a good thing . I’m glad I can help the Defense Army . ”

Rainkar smiled .

"The power of the Second Demon King’s army won’t suddenly deteriorate just because of the base . It has only become somewhat favourable to us and disadvantageous for the Second Demon King . It is a war that can be reversed at any time . ”

He continued speaking,

"However, we can continue to take the lead in the war if we are vigilant . If such a status is maintained, the Second Demon King won’t be able to do much except resign . ”

"I hope that day will come soon . ”

Rainkar gave a strange smile at Kang-jun’s words .

"Do you really think so?”

“Huh?”

Rainkar laughed like he knew what Kang-jun was thinking .

"Think about it carefully . Do you really want the Second Demon King to withdraw so early?”

“ . . . . . . ”

Kang-jun was silent for a moment and Rainkar opened up again,

"Two mindsets are existing at the same time . One is the hope that the Second Demon King will withdraw while the other is the hope that he will stay . Am I wrong?"

"I admit it . ”

Kang-jun sighed quietly .

If the Second Demon King hadn’t appeared, Kang-jun might be in a very difficult situation due to Yoo Seung-hwan and the other sovereigns .

Maybe he would have already been defeated . Even if he survived, it wouldn’t have been possible to become a powerful force like he was now .

It was a lucky chance for Kang-jun but not for the other sovereigns .

If the situation persisted, Kang-jun would keep growing quickly and the gap with the other sovereigns would become endless . After the red moon was over, he would be able to wipe out all enemy sovereigns with his overwhelming combat power .

So, for Kang-jun, he hoped that the Second Demon King would keep this up as long as possible .

Rainkar said,

"However, you don’t have to feel sorry . After the Second Demon King is gone, a similar pirata will target this place . ”

"Pirata?”

“It means predator . Once you become a sovereign, the war with the predators will last forever . You will have to protect yourself against them . ”

Pirata – this was a new story .

As Kang-jun stared in surprise, Rainkar spoke with an intense expression,

"So, you have to be strong . It isn’t simply to survive as a sovereign but to become someone who can chase after the Second Demon King . ”

"I want to become like that . ”

Kang-jun was very eager . Rainkar smiled .

"If you become a transcendent, you will be free of all confines . ”

“Transcendent? What is that?”

"It is literally a transcendent being . I haven’t reached that stage yet . Strictly speaking, I am at the stage right before that . ”

"So, if you are at the stage right before that, then you have almost the same ability as a transcendent . ”

“Nonsense! The difference between a transcendent being and a non-transcendent being is literally like the gap between heaven and earth . If I was transcendent, the Second Demon King wouldn’t even dare go near this Hwanmong . ”

It was the ultimate place that couldn’t even be reached by the strongest person in Hwanmong!

Kang-jun had only hoped to become as strong as Rainkar but he hadn’t expected such an amazing place .

He then asked suddenly,

"When you become a transcendent, you are free of all confines . What does that mean?”

"It means you will no longer be caught by the rules of Hwanmong . ”

"The rules of Hwanmong?”

"For example, you don’t have to depend on things like missions . If you are defeated, you don’t have to go to hell . Additionally, you can strip the other sovereigns of their confines using your strength . It is even possible to pull out sovereigns who are struggling in hell . That is what transcendence is . ”

“I see!”

Rainkar’s eyes shone intensely .

"The reason I am telling you this is that I no longer want you to be bound by such narrow constraints . Although your body is bound by the rules of Hwanmong, you can free your mind first . ”

“What does that mean?"

"Don’t be so obsessed with the fight between sovereigns . Right now, you have widened the gap with the sovereigns . Fighting them will be a one-sided massacre, not a war . ”

His words weren’t wrong . Kang-jun had been thinking that recently as well .

He had no thought about attacking enemy sovereigns . There were few sovereigns on this planet who would be able to oppose Kang-jun .

He was the first ranked sovereign in Earth Hwanmong .

Furthermore, there were no sovereigns stupid enough to challenge Kang-jun after he became a commander and received wings . Only Andras and the other army commanders had a slight possibility .

"Your purpose can’t just be to gain a fortune . Even if you obtain all the wealth on Earth, it is nothing compared to being a transcendent . ”

Rainkar continued,

"Strength? All the beings on Earth Hwanmong, including me, won’t be a match against a transcendent . So, I am telling you to have a larger goal . ”

"If a transcendent is such an enormous being, how can I reach that point?”

Rainkar smiled .

"It is said that you can become a transcendent through two ways . One is the wings . ”

“Wings?”

"That is because the wings contain the will of a transcendent . Therefore, strengthening your wings will allow you to realise the will of a transcendent and you can become one . ”

One could become a transcendent through strengthening the wings? That was unexpected .

"Then you’ll be strengthening your wings . ”

Rainkar laughed bitterly .

"No, raising the stage of the wings is never an easy task . Everyone knows that and has given up . ”

Rainkar’s expression indicated that he had a lot of experience in failing to strengthen his wings .

"So, I tried a different approach . I can reach the level of a transcendent by continuously raising the level of my physical power and magic and exceeding the limits . ”

“I see . ”

Due to his endless efforts, Rainkar was on the verge of becoming a transcendent .

Rainkar then continued,

"Additionally, this isn’t certain, but it is said that a sovereign who completes all 100 missions can become a transcendent . ”

Kang-jun’s eyes lit up . If that was true, then there was value in completing all 100 missions .

At that moment, Rainkar abruptly turned his head and smiled .

"The Second Demon King seems to be coming, so I have to go out . ”

"Thank you for tonight's teachings . "

"Don’t thank me . I just wanted to make it a little easier on my mind . ”

"What do you mean?"

"After this war, I will leave Earth Hwanmong . I will go out to the wider world to compete with stronger people . That way, I think I can become a transcendent . ”

“ . . . . . . !”

Kang-jun was surprised . If Rainkar left, who would defend Earth Hwanmong if someone like the Second Demon King appeared again?

"So, I want you to grow quickly . One day, you will fill my vacant seat . ”

Kang-jun tried to refute this but Rainkar was already heading away .

"I won’t say goodbye when I leave . If you don’t see me one day, remember my words from today . ”

At the end of his words, the intangible energy blocking the sound waves disappeared .

Kwarurung! Kwa kwang!

"Kuaaaak!"

“Aaack!”

In the meantime, there was an uproar .

There was a large scale battle between the defense forces who wanted to protect Lucan’s base and the Second Demon King’s forces who wanted to destroy it .

“Kukakakaka! Lucan! This novice sovereign wants to get into an accident . Where are you? I have to kill you . ”

The Second Demon King Colladikus’ voice rang through the sky .

However, Rainkar was blocking Colladikus’ path .

"Before that, you should try to kill me first . ”

Colladikus’ eyes were filled with rage .

"Ugh! Rainkar! You again? You infernal bastard!”

"I’m really sick of you, Colladikus . ”

“Rainkar! I will surely kill you today . ”

Soon, a battle began to take place between Rainkar and Colladikus in the sky above the base .

Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Woorururu!

Around the base, the 1st commander, Binhaim, and the other troops were fighting the enemies .

Both sides were similar but the defenders had the advantage of being able to cure their wounds using the red gem in the middle of the base .

Thus, the Second Demon King’s troops started to be pushed to the limit over time .

Kang-jun also fought the enemies without any distractions .

He didn’t know how many enemies he had cut down .

He wielded his sword in a trance .

There were many enemies but it wasn’t dangerous since he wasn’t fighting alone .

Before he knew it, the base defense had come to an end .

In the end, the Second Demon King and his forces retreated .

The defenders pretended to chase for a while before returning to the base .

The light coming from the red gem in the centre of the base became more intense .

Binhaim smiled .

"Everybody went through a lot of trouble . It seems that Lucan’s base has become firmly established . ”

"Hahaha! The day when the Second Demon King will leave will soon come . ”

There was a joyous atmosphere of victory around the defenders .

It was at that moment . . .

A blue haired youth appeared at the portal in the centre of the base .

It was none other than his military adviser, Keirun .

“Lord!”

“Oh! Keirun? What is going on?”

It was the first time Keirun had appeared on the battlefield, so Kang-jun was surprised .

Keirun grinned .

“Lord, congratulations on making a base on the Bloody Battlefield . This base has become a safe zone for the Defense Army . ”

He continued speaking,

"However, it is also true that this is Lord’s base . So, will you allow me to build a warehouse at this base?”

"A base warehouse?”

"Yes, Lord . If you have a warehouse, you can collect a portion of the node income from all battles in the area around your base as tax . ”

“Tax? Is that possible?”

Kang-jun thought it was outrageous . However, Binhaim heard those words and nodded .

“His words aren’t wrong . Although this base will be used as a base for the Defense Army, it still belongs to Lucan . If you want to collect taxes, everyone will agree . ”

“Oh! Indeed . "

Kang-jun’s heart leapt . Keirun grinned and said,

"Considering today’s troubles, I am thinking that the tax rate should be 20% . ”

Binhaim and the other commanders nodded readily .

“That is a moderate tax rate . Any more than that will affect the morale of your allies . ”

Kang-jun laughed and nodded .

“Then it is decided . ”

This allowed Kang-jun to gain 20% of all nodes dropped in the area around Lucan’s base .

After a while, Keirun and the other commanders disappeared through the portal .

‘Shall I open the boxes?’

Kang-jun decided to open the two boxes in his inventory before returning .

If he was lucky, he might get a heart to make Heksia join his household .