Chapter 1316

Tae-Sung was shocked to see that new servers were added to the login screen.

Aside from the existing current server, which was the one Tae-Sung had been playing on, which was named "Fantasy," two additional servers were added.

These two new servers were Murim, which was based on the Eastern world, and Urban, which was based on modern world settings. He recalled that BNW would be getting a new server soon, but he had never imagined that two new servers would be released at the same time.

What was even more surprising was the fact that he could play in all three servers.

The new servers, Murim and Urban, weren't truly open yet. The beehive had only just made the announcement, released trailers, made press releases, and released the official launch date.

In fact, there were still one hundred days left before the servers were opened officially, but for some reason, Tae-Sung could already create characters in them.

“Hmm... I wonder if I can log in to them?” he wondered.

The thought of becoming the first gamer in the world to play the new servers crossed his mind.

How was this possible? Because he was a major shareholder and executive of the developer and distributor of BNW, Hive Games Entertainment.

“I’m not really comfortable with this, though... They didn’t have to give me this special treatment,” he grumbled.

Most people would kill for the honor of becoming the first gamer to access the server, but Tae-Sung was not exactly happy with the special privilege the beehive had given to him.

Why? It was all because he already knew that moving from one server to another was possible. Back then, he had witnessed Deus fish up a mythical beast from another world with his own eyes, so he had long known there were hidden worlds in this universe.

Moreover, Deus had explicitly told him that he could travel to another world in order to awaken the memories of Carell, which would be locked within his reincarnation.

In other words, the benefits of the Super Account, which was the privilege to explore the other worlds, were completely useless to Tae-Sung.

However, moving to another serve while keeping his current stats and skills was a whole different conversation. While it would be best if he maintained them even after moving servers, he was skeptical whether that would be allowed.

If his current character, Siegfried von Proa, were allowed to move to the other servers with his stats and skills intact, then the power balance of that world would be destroyed.

Why? Well, the other worlds weren't necessarily stronger than the Fantasy server.

Just because it was a new server did not mean that everyone would start strong or that someone like Siegfried would suddenly become weak. Siegfried von Proa was strong enough to stand at the pinnacle of all three servers, so it did not make sense for him to be weaker than the inhabitants of the new servers.

To sum it up, Tae-Sung could theoretically destroy the new servers' balance if he could move there as Siegfried von Proa.

“Well, it’s not that important anyway. Besides, starting again from Level 1 could be fun, too.”

With that thought in mind, Tae-Sung selected the Fantasy server and clicked on his character, Siegfried von Proa.

He could have created a new character in either or both of the new servers and explored around for a bit, but he refrained from doing so.

He was currently in the middle of clearing the Void dungeon, where the fate of the world—the Fantasy server—was on the line. Yes, he was curious and interested to see what the other servers had in store, but he saw no reason to rush and access them right now.

He was the current ruler and savior of the continent, so he felt that it was his duty to give his all to the Fantasy server. He couldn’t afford to get distracted by the other servers right now, as his server was his utmost priority.

“I can always check it out later. But this comes first.”

Right now, Tae-Sung did not have the luxury to think about playing on another server.

***

The Void was a place that tested not only a character’s stats and abilities but also the gamer’s inherent skill.

From the sixth to the ninth stage, Siegfried and the others were subjected to relentless trials that forced them to surpass their own limits.

Some stages tested their combat prowess, some tested their ability to cook up strategies, and some just pushed their natural limits as human beings.

During that journey, countless people died.

“They’re all dead...”

After clearing the ninth stage, Siegfried couldn’t help but be surprised.

Not even a hundred remained out of the millions of Adventurers who had participated in the raid. Millions of gamers were killed, and now, fewer than a hundred were left to continue the raid.

“We’re not done yet.”

Siegfried estimated that the Void consisted of thirteen stages, judging by how it was a thirteen-star dungeon. If his guess was correct, then it meant they only had four stages left.

‘Three stages left and then we'll face the Creator.’

Since only four stages were left, he couldn’t even imagine just how powerful their enemies would be.

[Alert: Prepare yourselves!]

[Alert: The tenth stage will begin in 10 seconds!]

[Alert: 10! 9! 8! 7...!]

[Alert: 3! 2! 1...!]

[Alert: The tenth stage shall now begin!]

[Void: Meltdown]

As soon as the notification popped up in front of their eyes, they were transported to a dark cave.

Splash! Splash!

Water filled the cave floor up to their ankles.

‘What is it this time?’ Siegfried wondered, gripping the Annihilation’s Grasp while anxiously scanning his surroundings.

“It has been a while, Siegfried von Proa.”

Someone stepped out from the darkness and greeted Siegfried as though they were acquaintances.

“Y-You!” Siegfried immediately recognized them and shouted.

The being who emerged from the darkness was neither male nor female, and this being with an androgynous appearance had once attempted to destroy the world.

“Acheron!”

The one who had reached the pinnacle of alchemy and the first Executor of Destiny, the Immortal Alchemist, Acheron.

“You still haven’t given up? It seems you’ve struggled to hold on until this long,” Acheron said without much emotion.

“I already told you, didn’t I? I’m going to crush your kind dozens of times if I have to,” Siegfried growled in response.

“I see... You still insist on your futile struggle...”

“That’s what you think.”

“How foolish...” Acheron said with a sigh. Then, he said, “Why can’t you understand? Why can’t you let go of your attachment? The end has already been predetermined, and delaying it can only go so far—”

“Shut the fuck up, motherfucker.”

Before Siegfried could even say anything, Cheon Woo-Jin appeared out of nowhere and charged at Acheron. The one who held the greatest hatred toward Acheron was none other than Cheon Woo-Jin.

Acheron had once infiltrated deep into the Guardians using a false identity, and he massacred every single NPC in the base before escaping.

Thus, it was only natural for Cheon Woo-Jin to absolutely loathe Acheron. If put into comparison with Siegfried, it was akin to Acheron murdering Brunhilde and Verdandi.

“Hey!”

Siegfried tried to stop Cheon Woo-Jin, but he was already too late.

“Argh...!”

In an instant, Acheron grabbed Cheon Woo-Jin by his neck.

“Meeting might be a chance, but parting is inevitable.”

“Argh!”

“I merely brought the inevitable a bit sooner.”

Sizzle...

Just then, Cheon Woo-Jin started melting.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone froze in shock.

“O-Oh my god...” Siegfried was horrified after seeing Cheon Woo-Jin dissolve as if he were a wax figure put under intense heat. This was the price Cheon Woo-Jin had to pay for losing his composure inside the Void.

“Foolish beings... I shall return you to the state of nothingness,” Acheron said, his body glowing emerald green.

Before those words could finish echoing out of his mouth...

“Huh?”

“Wh-Whoa!”

“What’s going on—?”

“Eeeeh?!”

Everyone, except Siegfried, began melting away just like Cheon Woo-Jin.

***

Acheron reappeared as the boss of Void: Meltdown, and he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt why he was called the "Immortal Alchemist." His alchemy required no casting, had no cooldown, and would activate instantly.

The moment he willed it, his alchemy would activate immediately.

Wooong!

Siegfried hurriedly tried to use the Wave of Oppression to dispel whatever Acheron was doing, but he was unable to do so. Alchemy that had reached the ultimate realm was nearly omnipotent.

By simply willing it, Acheron could alter the structure of matter in the blink of an eye.

“Owner punk.”

Hamchi transformed into his true form and placed a hand on Siegfried’s shoulder.

“H-Hamchi!” Siegfried screamed. He was horrified to see Hamchi melting away.

“Don’t worry. I’m a spirit, so even if I die, I’ll just be summoned back to the Spirit Realm.”

“...!”

“But you must clear this so we can meet again. I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

“Hamchi! Hey! You little punk!”

“I know you can do it.”

With those words, Hamchi dissolved completely. From the moment Siegfried was reborn as the Debuff Master until now, Hamchi had been his closest friend and companion.

Badump!

Siegfried’s heart dropped at the sight of his closest friend suddenly melting away.

He knew this was not goodbye and that Hamchi was not dead. Just as Hamchi had said, they would be reunited afterward if Siegfried successfully cleared the Void.

Still, watching his partner melt away made his heart collapse.

Now, everyone who had entered the Void was gone.

He was the only one left.

The tenth stage truly lived up to its reputation, as even those who had overcome countless hardships and reached this far were wiped out in an instant.

‘But why only me...?’ Siegfried wondered.

He couldn’t understand why he was spared and did not melt away like the others.

However, he soon realized why.

Wooong!

The armor he was wearing, the Siegfried’s Will Armor Set, was shining faintly, seemingly resisting Acheron’s alchemy. Forged by Yong Seol-Hwa, the most powerful armor set in existence possessed a special effect that protected its wearer even from ultimate alchemy.

“You just made a huge mistake, you fucking shithead,” Siegfried growled.

His rage after losing all of his comrades was immeasurable.

Woooong!

He unleashed his Primordial Force, which erupted like a raging volcano.

“You’re going to pay for what you did—”

“I have no intentions of fighting you, Siegfried von Proa,” Acheron said.

Then, his body started fading away, just like when a gamer had logged out of the game.

“I already knew I can’t kill you using alchemy.”

“Where the hell are you going?! Come back here!”

“I merely wanted to observe. I could fight you, yes... but I’m more curious whether you can maintain your conviction even after facing the father of all things.”

“What...?”

“Will you still refuse to accept the fate of this world even after facing the Creator?”

“This bastard is spouting bullshit again. Do you want me to rip you a new one?”

“Will you not give up then either? Will your conviction change the fate of this world yet again? I want to witness that, which is why I refuse to fight you. I hope you will reach the Creator without obstruction.”

“May fortune smile upon you, Siegfried von Proa.”

[Alert: Congratulations!]

[Alert: You have cleared the tenth stage!]

[Alert: Prepare yourselves!]

[Alert: The eleventh stage will begin in 10 seconds!]

[Alert: 10! 9! 8! 7...!]

Perhaps because the tenth stage had ended too easily, the Void did not even give him any time to rest.

“I will be watching,” Acheron said. Then, he added, “However, I think you will finally accept how foolish you are...”

With those words, he disappeared.

Ding!

[Alert: 3! 2! 1...!]

[Alert: The eleventh stage shall now begin!]

Siegfried opened his eyes and found himself in the Celestial Realm.

“Y-You are...!”

He appeared...