Level 0 Master

As long as Ereka reigns as a queen, even the lowest levels will be fine.

He had a good fight.

When he was first summoned to Valhalla, he had to set up his goal to become an Arc Master. And on his way to here, he learned and heard a lot about this world. He had learned a lot about Ereka as well.

He had protected her so he could be proud of his first fight in this kingdom.

His only regret was about leveling up.

After their victory, the Valkyrie brought the Goblet of Glory with God's nectar as promised.

Ereka became level 7, and Rittier became level 6. Jenna stayed at level 5 with a slight difference but could expect to level up next time.

The Valkyrie granted three goblets to Sungjin.

Everyone was so happy then.

"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 like Sungjin's before either. A level 0 defeating a level 8. He totally deserves it."

Sungjin drank the nectar with the three's cheer, and his own expectations.

"Finally, Sungjin's class will be revealed."

"Sungjin Oppa will be a unique class, right?"

"Hmm. He refused the offer from the king of hell, so 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.

Probably a warrior or a knight. But whatever it is, it doesn't really matter.

Once he leveled up, 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.]

The 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's leveled up..."

Ereka was blaming herself again, but Sungjin stopped her with his cool smile.

"It's okay. Without a level, it's easier. I don't need it."

"But… Without a level, there will be no rewards for your achievements..."

"Haha. Don't think up something weird. A level gained through your sacrifice," Sungjin lightly tapped her shoulder and continued, "I don't need it."

"Okay..."

"And the Valkyrie's words are changing. Currently, she's saying that she can't give me a level, isn't she? And that the class became undefined rather than unclassified."

Sungjin's instinct was telling him that there was another way.

"I will find a way with time, so don't worry about it."

"Yes, Sungjin."

So, even after his victory, he was still level 0.

Well, although it's honestly disappointing I didn't gain a level, I can fight without a level anyways.

He had his brain and trained body.

He found the time begging god for a level to be worthless. He planned to build his own path.

Besides, he had earned more than a level.

He concentrated on his arm for a second. A crest emerged, illuminated, 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 that he had become the ruler of a kingdom.

Although it was difficult to compare the dilent of this world's currency to the currencies on earth, it was more than enough to mock the owners of the largest corporations on earth.

He had let Ereka rule the kingdom, but he still owned the land and was a king in name. And unlike a president or an owner of a big corporation, a king had power and wealth.

For example, a corporation owner would have approximately 1 trillion won, and it would be less than 20 trillion won even with the family's wealth combined. That sounded like a huge amount of money, but the state budget of the Korean government in 2014 was 350 trillion won, government-owned companies excluded.

That was how the budget looked like when you ruled a country. But the president could only stay for a few years, while a king ruled for a lifetime.

This was beyond the imagination of people living in a modern society. It was the greatest success. What he gained was good enough to live a comfortable life, but he didn't have any intentions to stop here. His kingdom was a starting point for his next steps.

I wonder who I'll be fighting against next, and who will be with me... I can't wait!

His heart pounded.

Ereka silently watched him from a hidden side.

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 need to have courage.

Ereka approached him slowly.

"Sungjin."

"Ah? Did you come out for fresh air as well?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations on your coronation. Should I call you Queen from now on?"

"Oh, no. Call me Ereka. Just like you used to," Ereka strongly refused.

She was going to live as a queen. She was going to protect her kingdom as a queen. Therefore, she was queen before everyone.

But…

She wished to remain as Ereka for Sungjin.

She wanted to be just a girl in front of the man she loved.

"Haha, okay. I'll do that."

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."

"Okay, talk."

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?"

"Hm?"

"Please, become a king and take over the kingdom. I will support you behind the scenes."

"I've had enough rewards. Taking over the kingdom is a bit much."

"It's not a reward."

She shook her head.

"Sungjin, I..."

Ereka breathed in and out a few more times.

"I love you."

She said it, finally. It wasn't easy. People said that a girl saying "I love you" was 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 her the next time he was with her, but she was not sure about that. An unknown instinct made Ereka anxious.

"Ah? Ah. Uh."

Sungjin's eyes widened briefly.

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.

She thought of this so many times, and the answer was always the same—she wanted him next to her.

She wanted to be with him, always.

It was natural that Ereka wanted to marry a guy like him, and moreover, he was a better ruler than she was.

When the Blood Ruler attacked us, there was no one who would fight against her. So I decided to lead kingdom as a ruler… but...

She tried to find the best way to protect the people, but she didn't have the power to defeat her enemies or the charisma to overpower the aristocrats.

Without Sungjin, the kingdom would have fallen.

It was a country he saved. She will be held by him, and support him from the shadows.

Sungjin looked at her and smiled gently.

"Thank you. Really, thank you. I am so happy that a girl like you love me."

With his sincere appreciation, Ereka's hand shivered.

"I'll receive your feelings gratefully."

Sungjin whispered with Ereka in his arms.

He was truly happy.

To be loved by a beautiful, graceful and strong Ereka, the beloved queen of the kingdom, made him feel overwhelmed.

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 her although he knew that it would hurt Ereka.

"I'm going to become an Arc Master. I will keep fighting without end, and those fights will be tough and challenging. They'll be nothing compared to those on Earth."

Fierce and awesome fights. But that also meant that he would need to fight against strong and evil enemies even worse than Riad.

"I can't put you in that kind of danger."

She was truly lovely.

So he wasn't going to love her.

Instead of having her like his greed dictated, he was going to protect her happiness. His mother and father would have rejoiced, but he wasn't going to put her through hardships.

"You should take care of everyone as a queen, and you have to be happy as well."

"Sungjin..."

Ereka tried not to try. She had already instinctively known he wouldn't say that he loved her too.

So I won't cry.

She didn't want to hurt Sungjin, who was trying to take care of her.

But she was happy he received her feelings with such gratefulness despite his refusal.

"We are walking a different path. Please understand."

"Sure. I know you have to become an Arc Master. So I understand."

She was never going to cry, she was not going to make it difficult for him, she was going to pray for his safety as he walked his chosen path. Ereka wiped away her tears and stood strong after leaving 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 he respected her and listened to her.

"First, I have a question. Once, you told me you didn't decide on how to become an Arc Master yet."

"Yeah."

"Then, have you decided now?"

"Yes."

Now he had an answer.

"I will work to get the title of Arc Master, and..."

Sungjin made a tight fist.

"On my way, I will protect people who need protection and defeat those who abuse others."

That was the path that Sungjin decided to take to become an Arc Master.

"It seemed like this place isn't the only place that suffered from war and tyranny. I found many countries all around Valhalla are suffering too."

On the outside, it was a great world where heroes fought on the battlefield, but behind the scenes, they were also using their power to abuse the people known as "extras."

In Valhalla, power was distributed to the heroes, but only a few of them believed that they needed to protect the weak with their power. The majority of the heroes believed in their divine birth privilege.

So he planned to become an Arc Master.

He wanted to become an Arc Master because he enjoyed the process and the fight itself against strong enemies. But that didn't mean doing everything for victory could be justified.

Allying with anyone to abuse others 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 becoming an Arc Master.

"And when I become an Arc Master and have the power to reorganize this world..."

And when he reached the end… Then…

"I will set up a new rule that everyone has the divine right to pursue life, freedom, and happiness."

He was going to make sure dead women would not fill the bathtub with blood.

He was going to make so no children had to end up in pieces.

He felt misery and anger when the Ministry of Gender Equality abused its power. So he empathized with the people who were abused, and he was impressed by Ereka who was fighting against it.

All those experiences had drawn him to his own conclusion.

I will become an Arc Master to protect everyone's rights.

That was why he had to refuse Ereka's offer.

If it was just to conquer the world, it would have been easier. For heroes, it didn't really matter who the king was. But limiting their right to use extras as they wished was a serious matter, and the heroes would strongly resist.

He couldn't get Ereka into that.

"Everyone's… Right..." Ereka murmured with surprise.

She wanted to practice a Merciful Rulership and protect the people, but she had never thought of everyone having equal divine rights.

There was an absolute difference between the abilities of heroes and extras.

"What… Is that called?"

"Natural human rights."

In a world where the Merciful Rulership of a princess clashed with the Divine Birth Privilege, that was why Sungjin wanted to be an Arc Master.

I will grant natural human rights as the god of the new world.

This was common sense on earth, but it was a revolution in Valhalla.

"Natural human rights. That is the ideology that you pursue?"

Ereka's question of his 'ideology" made Sungjin smile.

"No, just my preference."

His preference was about pursuing an awesome victory.

"What you wanted to keep was your preference, even when you faced death in front of the Blood Ruler and refused the offer from the king of hell?"

"Yeah, preference. Because when I don't want to do something, I really don't want to do it."

Following the rules for a fair match was obvious, but Sungjin never accepted the rule in which the strong can abuse the weak.

"Okay. I got it."

Ereka held her hands together and looked at Sungjin with Shining eyes.

He is saying this was all due to his preference, but he's going to save this world.

He was not a person who would be okay with just saving her and her kingdom.

He wasn't going to stop at uniting all the kingdoms and constructing an empire.

He was someone sent to become a new god, saving people on the way.

Her heart pounded.

This was the man she loved. It was more than just love but also respect.

I will not hold you back.

He was the person who would change this world. He was the guy who would open a brand new world beyond her imagination.

She wasn't going to hold him back, because of love.

She wasn't going to tie him to herself, because of love.

She was going to serve 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've said before..."

"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 and try to protect her. So she told him something different.

"But Sungjin, that's why I want to go down your path with you. Putting my emotions aside and considering my situation as a queen, I don't have much political support while the heroes are complaining behind my back. Even if a revolt doesn't happen, then the other countries will try to attack us at any time."

"If you need me for that, ask me anytime."

Sungjin's promise made Ereka smile.

"Thank you. But as a ruler, I can't keep depending on outside forces. I should fight with you and upgrade my level through achievements to protect the kingdom."

Sungjin understood this logic right away.

She's not wrong.

In this world, all the power was given to heroes. The people, the extras, were nothing more than moral support. To have power, upgrading her level through 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 about that.

"Moreover, don't you need a team? I will be a great help."

"Huh. Well. Truly, without your help, I couldn't have defeated the Blood Ruler. I really appreciated your help."

Sungjin sighed briefly.

She was a weak girl that he wanted to protect, but she was also a strong queen that the people were depending on.

"Okay. I thought wrong. Please join me."

"Thank you, Sungjin."

They shook hands.

"Good to be working with you."

"I appreciate it. I..." Ereka looked down. "I will be your shield."

Taking on the danger that came to Sungjin to let him achieve his dreams.

That was her dream.

But that does not mean I've given up my love, Sungjin.

She smiled.

I won't keep him next to me.

I will be next to him.

I will be your shield.

And...

I will be your bride.

It was okay if she wasn't accepted. So she was going to work hard until he did.

She would serve beside him, rule in his stead, and slowly gain his heart.

Once she gave up love to be a ruler, but now, she decided to love him as a ruler 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.

So she was going to keep loving him.

"But Sungjin. Now that you own a kingdom, you're keeping me as the queen, so how should I address you?"

"Hmm. It's enough if you just call me by my name."

His answer made Ereka's heart pound.

Friendly… Just by name… I'm happy...

"But you will need a title on official documents, especially when you gain more kingdoms."

"You are right. Okay. Since I want to become an Arc Master, I will use "Master" as my title."

"Master. I see. I will let everyone know."

Level 0 Master.

That was how the name came to be. A name that would spread all around the world.

"But I will keep calling 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 path to becoming an Arc Master while Queen Ereka declared that she would be his ally on this journey.

"Whaaaaa! So we can stay with Sungjin Oppa! Oh my god! This is great!"

Shaking her knife tail, Jenna jumped around.

"What a great judgment. With this, our security will be stabilised," Rittier praised.

This old man, he doesn't know what's more important.

Jenna swung her tail around.

"Let's go on a picnic and have dinner together! Let's go have fun!"

She strongly clenched her fist.

And I will make you his wife. I will do my best. Trust me, my princess! No, My Queen!

That was what she promised herself without knowing what went on in their conversation just moments ago. Even if she had known, she would have moved to change his mind.

Ereka smiled as well. Another picnic, another dinner, those small things made her so happy. And… slowly Sungjin might change his mind and tell her to stay with him...

If so, she would explode in happiness.

I need to work hard to make it come true.

The queen was able to dream as a girl again. The boy had protected her dream and gave it back to her.

On the terrace, Sungjin's eyes gazed beyond the horizon. There, was the heart of the world, a place full of awakened heroes like Raid. Beyond the center was the sacred territory where two Kaisers, the strongest in history who defeated all the awakened heroes, had challenged and failed to enter.

And then, there was the Arc Master.

Let's deal with them one by one.

What kind of enemy would he face on the next battlefield?

What kind of treasure would he gain?

What kind of person would join my team?

Whoever and whatever the future brought him, he planned to achieve victory and give hope to the weak.

He would collect those victories to write a beautiful legend, ultimately changing the rules of this world.

His heart pounded.

He was more excited about this than the world championship back on the earth.

<The end of Level 0 Master Vol.1>