Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 1200

The members of the Eight Pillars were not chosen by strength but by their abilities and influence. Often, they possessed enough power to protect themselves. Of course, this strength was based on their standards. Most candidates who could be hailed as one of the Eight Pillars fit the word “strong” perfectly.

Among those who had become a member of the Eight Pillars, one was said to be unrivaled when it came to strength. This man was said to be at least on par with Evil God Obren, perhaps even more. This man was none other than Weapon Master Fabro. Fabro was a master of all weapons in the world. He could freely handle and use any kind of weapon.

The one who inherited his power was Player Alexander, who was the first to obtain the Eight Pillar Class. He had become even stronger than he was in the past. Regardless, Alexander was nothing more than a next-generation Eight Pillar, just like Minhyuk.

Standing before Alexander was a turtle the size of two fists, side by side, with a fierce expression. This turtle was no ordinary turtle. He once served Fabro as his aide and confidant and symbolized his strength.

The turtle’s name was Rosgol. He was also one of the candidates to become a Pillar. However, he had witnessed Fabro’s power and realized he could not dare to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with such a man. So, Rosgol chose to be his close aide and confidant.

At that moment, Fabro was in a deep slumber.

“I just don’t understand.”

Rosgol first met Alexander when he overcame Fabro’s trial and obtained the Eight Pillar Class. However, he was disappointed and not satisfied with Alexander.

Alexander was strong, but he was also a foreigner. Yes, Rosgol was dissatisfied with Alexander because he was a foreigner. After all, a foreigner did not live in this place. They were people who had never truly fought or experienced an actual life-or-death battle. Even so, Rosgol still could not help but be shocked by how talented Alexander was and how excellent his skills and abilities were in dealing with all kinds of weapons.

There was one thing that Rosgol could not understand.

“How come you have not become a Pillar Candidate?”

Captain Evaluator Ruba had visited Alexander. This alone meant that Alexander had enough talents and qualifications to become one of the Pillar Candidates. Alas, Alexander himself declined the offer to become a Pillar Candidate.

–I still don’t have the qualifications to become one.

Alexander had to fulfill two conditions before becoming the Weapon Master. The first condition was to become one of the Eight Pillars, and the second was to kill Weapon Master Fabro's Clone. Only by fulfilling those conditions would Alexander be able to make full use of the powers of the Weapon Master. Yet, Alexander said he was still not good enough and gave up on becoming one of the Pillar Candidates.

Seeing Rosgol’s expression, Alexander could only say, “I told you this before. I am not the Supreme.”

It was that story again. Rosgol was rendered speechless when Alexander mentioned the man named Minhyuk. Alexander said he could not surpass that man.

Even though Rosgol had been urging him to become one, Alexander was fully aware of his capabilities.

‘Even if I become one of the Pillar Candidates, there’s no way I will be able to become one of the Pillars.’

For Alexander, it was better to build up his strength and power than to take on a challenge recklessly he was sure would not complete.

“Alexander. We won’t know when Fabro's Clone will go berserk.”

Fabro's Clone only had 80% of Fabro’s power. Nevertheless, it was still beyond anyone’s imagination.

“He might go berserk at any moment. You must know that his clone is the crystallization of Fabro’s greed.”

Was Fabro, one of the Eight Pillars, a good and kind man? The answer to that question was no. Fabro was someone who was intoxicated with power. He was someone that even the other Pillars were afraid of.

The path that Fabro had chosen was no different from what others had taken. Unfortunately, the path he had taken, the path of the strong, had produced a completely different result from what he expected. There was constant fighting, looting, and a never-ending greed. Ultimately, Fabro was recorded as one of the Eight Pillars' most evil and vicious members.

Fabro wanted to stop. However, the Ego Sword that he possessed wished him to become stronger. Eventually, Fabro decided to seal the Ego Sword. The problem was it had already eaten a portion of Fabro’s soul. It was something that could not be easily sealed.

Ultimately, Fabro had to turn his sword into his clone. He even sealed himself together during the process.

“You must become a Pillar as quickly as possible, Alexander.”

If Alexander became a Pillar, he would naturally be able to obtain Fabro’s first level of power.

“Only by obtaining that power will you be able to kill the clone and become a complete Pillar.”

It was easy to say, though it was not easy to do. It was not as if Alexander was ignoring Rosgol’s concerns. He was very much aware of it.

“It’s been 2,000 years already, no?” Alexander looked at the bloody red sword stuck on the ground, standing proudly in the distance. That bloody red sword was Fabro's Clone.

“Don’t think of it so lightly, Alexander. That sword…”

“I know. The sword is just like Fabro and can handle any kind of weapon in the world. It’s also a crazy sword that thinks that it's the best. This is the 370th time that I have heard this story.”

Rosgol shook his head. “If that sword awakens and you’re not a Pillar, then…”

“I’ve heard that story about 460 times already. We don’t know what that sword, which thinks it's the best, will do. Still, Rosgol… it’s been 2,000 years.”

Alexander thought that perhaps that sword would never awaken.

‘And just because I’m the only one supposed to break it does not mean I can.’

On top of that, the fact that it had not yet awakened after 2,000 years meant that Alexander would still have quite a few years to prepare. Perhaps he would be strong enough to do it by then.

At that moment, there was a surge of murderous intent.

“...!”

“...!”

The heads of the two men whipped toward the direction. That was when they saw the sword, which had been stuck in the ground, slowly float in the air.

Alexander’s face immediately grew ugly.

[Fabro's Clone has awakened to the world.]

[Warning!]

[Warning!]

[Danger.]

Ring!

[The Class Quest: Sealed Fabro's Clone has been created.]

Alexander hurriedly checked the quest window that popped out in front of him. The content of the quest was straightforward. He just needed to kill Fabro's Clone. But Alexander knew it was impossible for him at the moment.

Fabro's Clone, which was floating in the air, slowly spoke.

[Are you saying that the Master of All Weapons is afraid of one being?]

“...?!”

At this moment, the thought that the clone was already awake even before this passed through Alexander’s mind.

[That won’t do. Of course, that won’t do.]

Goosebumps rose all over Alexander’s body.

“Don’t tell me…”

[Should I kill him?]

“What bullshit…”

[Should I kill everyone in that empire?]

“Wait…!”

Alas, Alexander was too late. Fabro’s Clone had already floated too high, and it could no longer hear them. Alexander and Rosgol were left frozen.

Ping–!

As for the clone that was in the form of a sword? It had already disappeared from their sight.

***

Hephaestus went to where he knew the old man was with his crutches. Hephaestus believed one thing.

‘I have to make a shocking and amazing artifact for that old man to capture his heart!’

Among the people that Hephaestus knew, the old man was the scariest. He still could not forget the words that the old man said before.

–I have learned how to kill since I was born.

After leaving those words, the old man began to deal with the giants.

Hephaestus, who still flinched and cowered at the memory, finally reached the old man's location. The moment he stepped toward him, he was met with his straightforward gaze.

At this moment, Hephaestus thought, ‘I have to fawn over people like this. I have to bow down as low as possible, too.’

Otherwise, someone like him would live a tough time for the rest of his life. Contrary to Hephaestus’ expectations, there was a gentle, kind smile on the old man’s face.

The old man beckoned at him and said, “Would you like to have a cup of coffee?”

Hephaestus looked at the old man’s warm and gentle smile with confusion.

‘Why is he suddenly offering me a cup of coffee?’

Until now, Hephaestus, who had been locked inside his smithy for days on end, had only been given water or food after making good artifacts. He was only given something in exchange with another. Somehow, the old man did not demand anything and offered him a cup of coffee.

“Old man, let me take care of your spear…”

“It’s fine.”

“Eh?”

Hephaestus believed the old man would want to wear better artifacts and use more outstanding weapons. So, he tried to exchange such artifacts for this cup of coffee he had been given. Hephaestus thought that this was nothing but a simple business transaction.

The old man said, “You look like you have many concerns and fear. Just sit down and relax in this place.”

“Don’t you know about me?”

“I know. I heard you’re the greatest and coolest blacksmith in the world.”

Even though the old man knew who Hephaestus was, he did not show any greed in front of him. It was something that Hephaestus found to be strange. Nevertheless, the cup of coffee that he was given warmed his heart.

When Hephaestus turned around to leave, the old man said, “I hope you can be happy in this place.”

Hephaestus could not understand what the old man meant. However, he chose to leave and find the Sword God boy next. When he went to see the boy, he saw Herakel standing beside him.

“Hey, I…!”

“Hoooo! Herakel, come out! Your benefactor is here!”

“Aaack! Herakel’s benefactor!”

The two looked at Hephaestus with shining eyes. This was the first time that Hephaestus had experienced something like this. The two did not look at him as if he was something dirty or as if he was a monster. They just smiled at him as if they had met a kind and lovely friend.

“Hesto!”

“He… sto?” Hephaestus murmured, his face filled with confusion.

“It’s short for Hephaestus! Eat ramyeon in our store before going!”

“Eat gimbap too, before going!”

The two looked at Hephaestus with happy smiles as they served him with a bowl of ramyeon and a plate of gimbap. Hephaestus, given a meal without even paying, felt another surge of warmth in his chest.

Hephaestus continued walking around with his crutches.

‘This is a strange place.’

“I’ll make you a weapon,” Hephaestus said as he faced the man called the Great Demon.

The man smiled faintly at him before putting a headset over Hephaestus’ ears.

Assa, One~ Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly~~

An unknown melody played in Hephaestus’ ears. After visiting the Great Demon, Hephaestus continued his walk.

This time, he met the wolf-like man. Hephaestus looked at the stable and said, “Do you want me to fix anything for you?”

“It’s fine. More importantly…” The man slung his arm over Hephaestus’ shoulders and said, “Why is a great man like you hunched over like this? Straighten your back. You’re worthy and excellent!”

Hephaestus kept on walking. However, the more Hephaestus walked, the more he could not understand what was happening. No one has called him a monster. There wasn’t even anyone who asked him to make or do something.

“Oh! It’s the new nobleman!”

“Hello!”

As he continued to walk on the streets, the soldiers who passed by him showed him respect, while the people greeted him fondly. Hephaestus felt something that he had never felt before in his life. As that feeling washed over him, his determination solidified.

Hephaestus thought, ‘I will protect you.’

For those who did not judge him, for those who did not call him ugly, for those who did not call him a monster, for those who did not want anything from him, he made a vow.

‘I will give you my life. For you and this empire, I will make the most wonderful and outstanding things.’

At that moment, a series of notifications rang in Hephaestus’ ears.

[You no longer want to create artifacts because you have been repressed, controlled, and forced to submit.]

[Your eyes have been opened anew. You have seen a new path in blacksmithing.]

[You will now create artifacts to protect someone.]

[Your blacksmithing abilities have become 1% better.]

A small smile bloomed on Hephaestus’ face. And as he kept on walking, he caught sight of a man. The two looked at each other silently for a very long time.

***

[Hephaestus’ Heart and Mind has been healed by 4%.]

[Hephaestus’ Heart and Mind has been healed by 2%.]

[Hephaestus’ Heart and Mind has been healed by 5%.]

[Hephaestus’ Heart and Mind has been healed by 4%.]

Minhyuk, who listened to the notifications ringing non-stop in his ears, was very happy to learn that Hephaestus’ heart and mind were healing.

Minhyuk wanted to see the man who was healing, so he went out to find him. When he found Hephaestus, he saw him face to face with a man.

‘Locke?’

That was right. The man standing face to face with Hephaestus was none other than Locke.

Locke and Hephaestus continued to look at each other with an unknown yet complex expression. Not long after, they smiled and laughed. They looked like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long while.

And Hephaestus, his expression screamed, ‘This friend lives like this too, huh…’

[Hephaestus’ Heart and Mind has been healed by 17%.]

‘No. Why is your heart and mind being healed right now?’

For some reason, Locke felt as if he had lost.

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