The rumour that the Golden Wise King had sent his provocation to Sungjin rapidly spread through the continent.

  Although it had already been predicted, heroes were surprised at the rapid progress of events.

  “As expected, the Golden Wise King must think of the young lion as a mere kitten.”


  “He must be this bold because he has the confidence.”


  “But…… the young lion has beaten several opponents who had an absolute advantage over him.”


  “But the Wise King’s power made a ravine in the capital……”


  “So who should we ultimately bet against?”


  The Golden Wise King was the traditional strongest of the continent.

  But whether Sungjin would win or lose was uncertain until the fight.

  These kinds of stories passed among the people every time they met.

  But these predictions and worries were not only among the heroes.

  But the extras showed no interest in the past wars because it didn’t matter who won.

  Their lives weren’t going to get better, as the heroes always exploited them no matter the ruler.

  But now it was different.

  Lute, who was studying to become a healer to fix his mother, set down his book to think.

  Will I be able to keep studying?

  He was young, but he knew the current affairs.

  If Sungjin won, he could keep studying. If the Golden Wise King won, he wouldn’t be able to.

  It was a miracle in and of itself for an extra like him to be able to study. This miracle was only made possible under Sungjin’s rule.

  Master Sungjin, please win.

  The young boy prayed with all his hope.

  His dreams and countless of other extras’ dreams rested on Sungjin’s victory.

  Suppressing their anxiousness, they prayed for Sungjin.

  On the other hand, extras under Kapitle’s rule found a little hope in the upcoming battle.

  Farmer Nick looked at the crops he had grown.

  The golden crop was called “agritian,” which apparently had a sweet flavour when cooked. It was a valuable crop……

  Or so they said.

  Nick had only heard of its flavour. He had never tasted it.

  Because he had never tasted the crop he had grown.

  The rice he gathered was always shipped to the capital without a grain left behind.

  Nick looked at the rice stalk in his arms without a single grain left in it and hung his head.

  It was said to be nutritious……

  But all they received was the red grain Ret, which was without flavour or nutrition. It was always delivered mixed with sand, and they only received half of what they should receive.

  It was just enough to not starve them.

  Just enough to make them capable of working.

  He wished they could try that rice to their fill.

  But it was hopeless.

  He would never be able to eat that.

  Until he died.

  He turned to go home.

  Suddenly, the overseer grabbed him.

  “You.”


  “Lord? What is it?”


  “Do you think I’m blind?”


  And he beat Nickto to the ground without an explanation.

  As he did, a small bag fell out of Nick’s arms.

  “To think you would try to steal the crops for the capital!”


  The small bag was something Nick had tried to steal.

  “I’m sorry, my lord.”


  “Shut up, you bastard.”


  The overseer kicked Nick without restraint.

  “Lord, please…… Just once, please let me go.” Nick begged with tears. “I have a child back home who’s two this year. He’s fallen sick from starvation so…… please, forgive……”


  The grain was not for him to eat.

  He had stolen it for his child who was thin but his belly was bloated.

  He had stolen it, hoping his child would survive after eating it.

  At the story of the two year old, the overseer Nuiber felt a little empathy.

  He had a two year old child at home, too.

  All fathers felt the same.

  To feed their child at the risk of their own starvation.

  “It wasn’t for me. My child is dying…… Please…… Forgive……”


  Nick begged once more, grabbing onto Nuiber’s leg.

  And Nuiber……

  Began kicking at Nick again.

  “Don’t start with those excuses! The rules are the rules!”


  Nuiber suppressed his weakened heart.

  If I overlook this, others might, too.

  If he didn’t control the situation, his reputation would be at risk. If his reputation broke, his salary would decrease, and he might even be fired……

  Then his child would starve.

  He couldn’t let it go.

  I need to protect my son.

  Nuiber beat up Nick even more and then glared at the others.

  “If you guys try to steal the grain, you will end up like him.”


  The surrounding farmer didn’t say a thing.

  After the overseer left, the farmers dispersed and Nick slowly stood up.

  His entire body was covered in bloody bruises from the boot of the overseer, but a smile hung on his face.

  I did it.

  He felt his trousers.

  There was one more bag in them.

  The only bag the overseer saw was the one he had hid in his shirt.

  He had managed to steal another.

  Hold on, my son.

  I’m going.

  If he gave his child the nutritious food, she would be able to live. He was sure.

  He ran home.

  He didn’t know whether anyone else had noticed.

  “Andrea, dad brought you something.”


  He shook the bag before the child.

  He gathered the sleeping child with a bright smile.

  Crash.

  And fell on the floor.

  The child’s body……

  Had already turned cold.

  “Andrea…… Wake up…… Wake up……”


  Despite his tears, the child didn’t cry.

  “Andrea……”


  Nick’s despair rang through the house.

  This damned world……

  When would they ever be able to eat their fill?

  That capital who took everything from them. Let them be ruined.

  Nick held the child in hatred and despair.

  He would never be able to see his child again.

  He would have to live out the rest of his life alone……

  But that turned out to be wrong.

  Because he didn’t wake up the next day, either.

  The cause was a burst artery in his brain due to impact.

  Nuiber confirmed his death.

  “Kuk. To think he’d die.”


  Nuiber panicked for a moment before turning around.

  “Well, whatever. There’s plenty of other people to fill his position.”


  There was nothing for him to be blamed for as long as he reported that he had done it as a warning.

  The nation’s production didn’t stop because of a death of one extra.