novelVol. 1 - Ep. 25
| ← Ch.024 | Ch.026 → |
As long as Ereka reigns as a queen, even the lowest level people would be fine.
He had a good fight.
When he first summoned to Valhalla, he had set up his goal to become an Arc Master. And on his way to come here, he learned and heard a lot of this world. He had learned a lot about Ereka as well.
And he had protected her, so he could be proud of his fight in his first kingdom
The only regret was the level up.
After their victory, Valkyrie brought the goblet of glory with God's nectar.
Ereka became level 7 and Rittier became level 6. Jenna stayed in level 5 with a slight difference but could expect the next time.
And Valkyrie granted three goblets to Sungjin.
Yeah, we all were happy when it happened,
"Three? Wow. Sungjin oppa are you going to become level 3 right away?"
"Haha. I've never seen anything like this before."
"But we have never seen an achievement Sungjin's before neither. A level 0 defeated a level 8. He totally deserves."
Sungjin drank the nectar with all three of them being happy for Sungjin.
"Finally, Sungjin's class will be revealed."
"Sungjin oppa would be a unique class?"
"Humm. He refused the offer from the king of hell, maybe he is one of six classes we have..."
"Even if he is in a regular class, Sungjin must be dominantly strong."
Sungjin was also curious about what his class would be like.
Probably a worrier or a knight. But whatever it is, doesn't really matter
But once he got a level, he would be one step closer to becoming an Arc Master
But...
[System Error.
Name: Cha Sungjin
Class: Undefined
Without class information, the level cannot be granted.
Without class information, skills cannot be granted.
Without class information, status adjustment cannot be granted. ]
Valkyrie repeated the same words over and over again.
"Class undefined... I've never seen anything like this before."
"Sungjin oppa what should we do?"
"Is it because I didn't complete the ritual... Sungjin can't upgrade his level although he leveled up..."
Ereka was blaming herself again but Sungjin stopped her with his cool smile.
"It's ok. Without a level, it is easier. I don't need it."
"But... without a level, there will be no reward for your achievements..."
"Haha. Don't even think about it. A level with your sacrifice is..."
Sungjin lightly tapped her shoulder and continued.
"I don't need it."
"Ok..."
"And Valkyrie changed the phrase. Now she tried to give me the level but she can't? And the class also became undefined from unclassified."
Sungjin's instinct was telling him that there must be another way.
"I will find the way in time so don't worry about it."
"Yes. Sungjin."
So, even after his victory, he is still a level 0.
Well, it's not that I want a level, but I can fight without a level anyways.
I have my brain and body that I've been training.
I have no time to beg God to give me a level. I will find my own path.
And I've got more than just a level.
He concentrated on his arm for a second. A crest came up with light that represented the southern land of the kingdom.
At the same time, a mechanical voice reported him.
[Status report of your land.
Population: 10, 250, 000
Area: 120, 000 km2
GBP: 25. 204 trillion Dilent
Tax rate... ]
That was the information on his land, the southern part of the kingdom of Sevrantina, It was telling him he became a ruler of a kingdom
It was difficult to compare dilent and currencies on the Earth, but it was more than enough to have more wealth compare to any owner of big corporations on the Earth.
Although he let Ereka rule the kingdom, he still owned the kingdom and was a king.
And unlike a president or an owner of a big corporation, a king owned power and wealth of the next level.
For example, a corporation owner had approximately 1 trillion won, it was less than 20 trillion won even if the family wealth combined.
That sounds like a huge amount of money, but the state budget of the Korean government in 2014 was 350 trillion, government-owned companies excluded.
That was how your budget looked like when you rule a country.
But the president could stay only a few years, while the king rules for a lifetime.
It was beyond the imagination of people living in modern society.
It was the greatest success. What he gained was good enough to live a comfortable life, but he didn't have any intention to stop here. His kingdom was a starting point for his next steps.
Who and where the next fight will be, and who will be next to me. I can't wait!
His heart pounded.
Ereka looked at Sungjin from a corner.
Sungjin...
She needed to bring out all her courage to tell him what she had in mind.
If she couldn't tell him because of her shyness and fear, she knew she would be regretting it for the rest of her life.
I will tell him.
Ereka approached him slowly.
"Sungjin."
"Ah? Did you come out for fresh air as well?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations on your coronation. Should I call you the queen from now on?"
"Oh no. Call me Ereka. Just like you used to."
Ereka strongly refused to change how he called her.
I will live as a queen. I will protect my kingdom as a queen.
And I will be the queen for everyone.
But...
I want to stay being Ereka for Sungjin.
She wanted to be just a girl in front of the man she loved.
"Haha, ok. I will keep that in mind."
Sungjin laughed and Ereka held his sleeve with all the courage she had.
"Actually... I didn't come out for fresh air, I came out to talk to you."
"Tell me."
Sungjin was listening. Ereka breathed in and out a few more times. She needed more courage than ever.
"Will you... will you... marry me, and become the king of our kingdom?"
"Huh?"
"Become a king and take over the kingdom. I will support you behind the scene."
"I had enough reward. Take over the kingdom is a bit much."
"It's not a reward."
She shook her head.
"Sungjin..."
Ereka breathed in and out a few more times.
"I love you."
She said it, finally. It was not easy. People said a girl saying I love you were not appropriate but she did it. She was scared that he would leave if she didn't tell him now, so she said it.
Her maids told her that Sungjin wanted to have the next time with her, but she was not sure about that. Ereka was anxious.
"Ah? Ha. Humm."
Sungjin's eyes showed his surprise and then came back to normal.
Ereka waited for his answer in silence.
She would be really happy if he said yes.
She was ready to give up everything to support him with everything.
She thought of this so many times.
The answer was always the same.
She wanted him next to her.
She wanted to be with him for always.
It was natural that Ereka wanted to marry a guy like that.
And moreover, he was a better king than she was.
When the blood ruler attacked us, there was no one who would fight against her. So I decided to take the kingdom as a king... but...
She tried to find the best way to protect the people. But she didn't have the power to defeat enemies and charisma to overpower the aristocrats.
Without Sungjin, the kingdom must have fallen.
I will let him take the kingdom he saved and support him behind.
Sungjin looked at her and smiled gently.
"Thank you. Really, thank you. I am so happy that a girl like you loves me."
With his sincere appreciation, Ereka's hand shivered.
"I will take your mind."
Sungjin whispered with Ereka in his arms.
He was really happy.
A beautiful, graceful and strong Ereka.
Beloved queen of the kingdom.
He was overwhelmed by her love.
Behind his promise to protect her, he imagined having her as well.
"But I'm really sorry, I can't accept your offer."
He had to reject although he knew that will hurt Ereka.
"I will become an Arc Master. I will keep fighting without an end. And those fights would be a tough and challenging one, nothing to compare to those on the earth."
Fierce and cool fights.
But that also meant he would need to fight against strong and evil enemies worst than Riad.
"I can't put you in that kind of danger."
She is so lovely.
So I wouldn't love her.
I wouldn't follow my desire, but let her be happy.
My mom loved my father anyways, but I don't want her to suffer.
"You should take care of everyone in peace as a queen. And you have to be happy as well."
"Sungjin..."
Ereka tried not to try. She had already known he wouldn't answer that he loved her too.
So, I wouldn't cry.
She didn't want to hurt Sungjin, who was trying to take care of her.
She was happy that he refused but was grateful for her love.
"We are walking a different path. Please understand me."
"Sure. I know Sungjin has to be an Arc Master. So I understand."
I will not cry, I will not make it difficult for him. I will just wish him to get what he is trying to have.
Ereka wiped her tears and stood strong out of Sungjin's arms. Her body language was saying that he didn't have to try to protect her in his arms anymore.
"That was my confession a girl, so now I should talk to you as queen."
"Sure."
Sungjin was emotional that she had to move on so quickly, but respected her and listened to her.
"First, I have a question. Once, you told me you didn't decide how to become an Arc Master yet."
"Yeah."
"Can you tell me, how you decided now?"
"Sure."
Now he could answer that.
"I will work to get the title of Arc Master. And."
Sungjin gripped a fist.
"On my way, I will protect people who need protection and defeat those who abuse people."
That was the path Sungjin decided to take to become an Arc Master.
"It was not just here but many countries all around Valhalla are suffering from similar war and tyranny."
On the front, it was a great world where heroes fight with their still on the battlefield but behind the scene, they were also using their power to abuse the people called extras.
In Valhalla, power was distributed to few heroes while only a few of them believed that they need to protect the weak with their power. The majority of heroes believed in divine birth privilege.
So I will become an Arc Master.
He wanted to become an Arc Master because he enjoyed the process and the fight itself of fighting against strong enemies.
But that didn't mean doing everything for the victory could be justified.
Ally with anyone to abuse everyone was not the way.
It was the opposite.
"I will share my victory with people like you while defeating people like Riad."
That was what he had to do on his way to become an Arc Master
"And when I become an Arc Master and have the power to reorganize this world..."
At the final point... then...
"I will set up a new rule that everyone has the divine right to pursue life, freedom, and happiness."
I will make sure there will be no woman dead to fill a bathtub with blood.
I will make sure there will be no child who dies miserably into pieces.
He felt misery and anger when the Ministry of Gender Equality abused its power.
So he empathized with people who were abused more than his experience. And impressed by Ereka who was fighting against it.
And all those experiences had drawn him into his own conclusion.
I will become an Arc Master to protect everyone's rights.
That's why he had to refuse Ereka's offer.
If it was just to conquer the world, it should have been easier. For heroes, it didn't really matter who was the king.
But limiting their right to use extras as they wish to was a serious matter, heroes would strongly resist.
He couldn't get Ereka into that.
"Everyone... right..."
Ereka murmured with surprise.
She wanted to practice merciful rulership and protect the people. But she never had thought of everyone had equal divine rights.
There was an absolute difference between the abilities of heroes and extras.
"What... is that?"
"Natural Human Rights."
In the world where Merciful Rulership of princess clashed with Divine Birth Privilege, that was what Sungjin wanted to achieve as an Arc Master.
I will grant natural human rights as God of the new world. It was a common sense on the Earth, but a revolution in Valhalla.
"Natural Human Rights. That is the ideology that you pursue?"
Ereka's question of ideology made Sungjin smile.
"No, just my taste."
His taste pursuing the cool victory.
"What you wanted to keep was your taste even when you faced your death by the blood ruler and refused the offer from the king of hell?"
"Yeah taste. Because when I don't want to I really don't want to."
Follow the rule for a fair match. But never accept the rule where the strong can abuse the weak.
"Ok. I got it."
Ereka held her hands together and looked up to Sungjin.
He is saying it was just his taste, but he would save this world.
He was not a person who would be done with saving just her and her kingdom.
He would be done neither even if he unified all kingdoms
He was someone to become a new God, saving people on the way.
Her heart pounded.
He was the man she loved.
It was more than just love but also respect.
I will not hold you back.
Because this was the guy who will change this world.
He was the guy who would open a brand new world beyond her imagination.
I wouldn't hold him in the name of love.
I will not tie him down, because I love him.
I will just respect and support him.
"But to become an Arc Master, you will have to fight numerous fights that you can't fight by yourself. You will need a trusted team."
"Yeah, you are right."
"Let me do it with you."
"No, as I told you."
"That I should be the queen of this kingdom?"
"Correct."
I knew that's what you would say.
Ereka smiled. If she said she wanted to help him, Sungjin would stop her to protect her. So she told her differently.
"But Sungjin. That's why I want to go through your path with you. Putting my emotion apart, considering my situation as a queen, I have only a few supporting people while heroes are complaining behind my back. If not a revolt, other countries would try to attack us anytime."
"If you need me for that, ask me anytime."
Leaving, but abandoning and forgetting. Sungjin's promise made Ereka smile.
"Thank you. But as a king, I can't keep depending on outer forces. I should be fought with you and upgrade my level through achievements to protect the kingdom."
Sungjin understood the logic right away.
She is right.
In this world, all power was given to heroes. The people, extras support was nothing more than moral support. To have power, upgrading her level by achievements in battles was the best way for Ereka.
But, it must be difficult to be with someone who rejected her... but I'm not in a position to ask.
"Moreover, you need a team. I will be a great help.."
"Huh. Well. Without your help, I couldn't have defeated the blood ruler. I really appreciate your help."
Sungjin sighed briefly..
She was a weak girl that he wanted to protect but was also a strong queen the people were depending on.
"Ok. I was wrong. Please join me."
"Thank you. Sungjin."
They shook their hands.
"Thank you."
"I appreciate it. To what you wish to do. I..."
Ereka looked down.
"I will be your shield."
Taking the danger that comes to Sungjin to support to let him achieve his dreams.
What was her wish?
But that does not mean I gave up my life, Sungjin.
She smiled.
I wouldn't keep him next to me.
I will be next to him.
I will be your shield.
And...
I will be your bride.
It's ok if you can't accept it now. I will make you take me later by trying.
I will stay next to him and support him to get his heart little by little.
Once she gave up love to be the king.
But now she decided to love him as a king and as a girl.
Because he was the savior of her and her kingdom.
He saved her as a princess and as a girl as well.
And he would save this world.
I will keep loving him.
"But Sungjin. Now you own a kingdom, while you kept me as the king. How should I address you?"
"Humm. Just call me by my name like now."
His answer made Ereka's heart pound.
Friendly... just name... I'm happy...
"But you will need a title on official documents, especially when you get more kingdoms."
"You are right. Not a king but own the land. Ok. Since I want to become an Arc Master, I will use the Master as my title."
"Master. I will let everyone know."
Level 0 Master.
The name came out like that.
The name that would be spread all around the world.
"But I will keep call you Sungjin."
"Of course. I will keep calling you Ereka."
A boy and a girl looked at each other and smiled.
* * *
The next day, Sungjin declared that he would pursue his way to become an Arc Master while Queen Ereka declared that she would be his ally to join his path.
"Whaaaaa! So we can stay with Sungjin oppa! Oh my god! That is great!"
Shaking her tail sword, Jenna dancingly jumped.
"Great judgment. Our security will be stabilized by this."
Rittier praised.
This old man, he doesn't know that is not the most important thing at the moment.
Jenna swung her tail sword.
"Let's go on a picnic and have dinner together to have fun!"
But she strongly gripped her fist.
And I will make you his wife. I will do my best. Trust me, my princess! No, my queen!
Without knowing the conversation between Ereka and Sungjin, she promised herself. Even if she knew Sungjin wouldn't change his mind.
Ereka smiled as well. Another picnic, another dinner, those small things would make her so happy. And... slowly Sungjin might change his mind to tell her to stay with him...
It would be an explosion of happiness.
I need to work hard to make it come true.
The queen was able to dream as a girl again.
The boy protected it and gave it back to her.
On the terrace, Sungjin's eyes gazed beyond the horizon.
There was the center, a place full of awakened heroes like Raid.
After the center, there was the scared territory where two Kaisers, the strongest in the history who defeated all the awaken heroes, couldn't pass.
And then, there was the Arc Master.
Let's deal with them one by one.
What kind of enemy I would face on the next battlefield.
What kind of treasure I would get.
What kind of person would join my team?
Whoever and whatever the future will bring me, I will find the victory that can be the hope for the weak.
I will collect those victories to write a beautiful legend to change the rule of the world.
His heart pounded.
He was more excited about this than the world championship on the earth.
<The end of Level 0 Master Vol. 1>
| ← Ch. 024 | Ch. 026 → |