Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

The Grand Commander’s group arrived in front of the empress and the others looking completely bedraggled.

“What happened?” The empress stared at Ludwig.

The Grand Commander’s face was grave as he responded. “Kim Chon-jae was there and he… seems to be much stronger than when we last fought him. If it weren’t for the former abbot’s help, we wouldn’t have made it back here.”

He recounted everything that happened in Rabu.

Everyone felt sorry for the former abbot, but they were also glad to hear that only a part of the Buddhist community had chosen to follow the heretic cult.

“We need to take action now. We cannot let Kim Chon-jae escape!” The empress quickly made her decision.

Although Kim Chon-hae had gotten stronger, they had more people on their side. She didn’t believe that the guy could overpower them all by himself.

The army hastened its pace at the empress’s orders.

During the march, the empress and the Venerables planned how they would eliminate the cult leader.

On the third day, they finally arrived at the mountain ranges of Rabu.

Looking up, they saw a damaged mountain that appeared to have suffered a major disaster.

Just looking at the degree of destruction, they could already imagine the monstrous power of the cult leader. This made their faces turn grim.

“Your Majesty, please give us the order!” The Grand Commander looked at the empress, awaiting her commands.

Everyone turned to the empress, waiting for her decision.

Yskaela lifted her head and squinted her eyes. With her keen perception, she sensed an oppressive aura slowly descending from the mountain.

She raised her hand and muttered. “He’s here!”

Hearing this, everyone was startled. They subconsciously grabbed their weapons while keeping their eyes on the mountaintop.

The atmosphere was tense and everyone’s aura was fluctuating intensely. The tension was palpable.

The next moment, a purple-haired man came into their view, flying above them with his feathered black wings. He had a nonchalant look on his face. It was as if he was completely unafraid of the large army before him.

“Kim Chon-jae!” Yskaela’s face warped with anger as soon as he revealed himself.

So that’s the cult leader…

Alaric stared deeply at the man and quickly used his Appraisal to assess his attributes.

Kim Chon-jae [4-Ringed Beast Soul Grandmaster] EXP: 9997/10000

Potential: L

Integrated Monster Traits: Devil Body (L), Demonic Nature (SSS), Demonic Revival (SSS), Soul Devour (SSS)

Traits: Close Combat (L), Archery (L), Swordsmanship (SSS), Intuition (SSS), Manipulation (SSS), Auto Defense (SS), Elemental Immunity (SS), …

Strength: 1495

Stamina: 1480

Agility: 1499

Vitality: 1500

Endurance: 1500

Mana: 1500

What the hell are these stats?!

Alaric was stupefied. He thought that the Astanian Emperor had the most absurdly high attributes, but it seemed like he was wrong.

The cult leader’s attributes were nearly at the maximum threshold. His traits were also ridiculously powerful.

How can we beat that guy?

It wasn’t just Alaric, Lucas, Dominic, and Leroy who also felt the overwhelming power of Kim Chon-jae. He didn’t even intentionally release his aura, but the energy leaking out of him was already so immense.

“You really came. You even brought some reinforcements with you.” Kim Chon-jae spoke in a calm voice as he looked at the agitated empress.

“However… I’m not alone here.” He added.

As soon as he uttered those words, the ground trembled.

Everyone looked up and saw an army of deranged humanoid monsters rushing down the mountain. They were growling menacingly like starved beasts.

The empress noticed that the humanoid monsters at the forefront were wearing monks’ robes. The monks had already transformed into monsters, but she could recognize the distinctive features of the Buddhist monks.

“You demon! How dare you turn my people into monsters?!”

The empress nearly lost it, but she was held back by the Grand Commander.

“Your Majesty, you must not act recklessly! We need to join hands to take him down!”

Hearing his words, Yskaela swiftly controlled her rampaging emotions.

At this moment, another figure appeared. It was an old priest wearing black robes. He wore a smile as he waved at the empress.

“We meet again, Your Majesty. Do you still remember this old man?” Benedict chuckled.

Seeing him, the empress’s eyes flashed with fury.

This was the man who killed her most trusted subordinates! Just seeing him made her blood boil with rage.

The Grand Commander stepped forward and shouted.

“Benedict, you have sided with the demon worshippers! You will face the wrath of the gods!”

The old priest looked unbothered by his words. He just smiled lightly as if he was amused. “Do you think I still fear those so-called gods? Ludwig, my old friend, do you really believe that they care about the mundane world?”

“The gods have abandoned us! They no longer listen to our prayers so why must we continue to follow them when they have already given up on us?!”

His words reverberated thunderously across the mountain range.

The Grand Commander stared at the old priest with utter disgust. “I thought you were wise. It turns out you are a stupid sack of bones!”

Benedict remained calm in the face of his insults.

“Do you really intend to fight us to your deaths?” He swept his eyes to the Veronican Army.

“Look behind me! They are the precious people of Rabu and the most respected Buddhist monks! Do you have the courage to strike them with your blades? If-”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense! He is trying to weaken our resolve!”

The empress immediately cut him off to stop him from manipulating her soldiers’ morale.

“Steel your hearts my bravest soldiers! We must kill these monsters and destroy the heretic cult to rid our country of evil!” She roared.

“For Veronica! Kill them all!”

“For Veronica! Destroy the heretic cult!”

The Veronican warriors responded to her call, shouting their battle cries with strong emotions.

Most of these warriors had family members who had fallen victim to the cult’s actions. They wanted nothing more than to tear them apart!

“For Veronica!”