《Return of the Shattered Constellation》
Chapter 1: Underworld, Invitation (1)
Chapter 1: Underworld, Invitation (1)
[The jury vote regarding the Divine Trial of Divine Twilight has begun!]
People always looked for gods in times of need.
It didnt matter whether the god was the Great Jade Emperor or Buddha. The list went onOdin, Shiva, Ahura Mazda, Ah, or even the ancestral god of ones family. The god they usually believed in woulde to mind first. They would pray for help attaining the things they wished for.
However, if that god ended up in a crisis Who would they look for then?
[Compiling the votes.]
[Compiling the votes.]
[Comption isplete. The result will soon be announced.]
[The result of the vote]
* * *
The rushing waves crashed roughly against the rocks. Divine Twilight gradually dispersed the fog in his mind while listening to the sound.
Where am I?
The unfamiliar scene before him made him squint. A gloomy gray sky, a river that flowed with ck water, a dark beach, and an almost-copsed ferry sliphe had never seen his surroundings before in his entire life.
Huh? I died, didnt I?
In truth, the word annihted would be more urate. After all, the concept of death only applied to mortals.
My divine ss, essence, faith, and rank Theyve all been downgraded by force. My divinity has been severed, and my divine power has disappeared too. But Why havent I gone mad?
He had been trying to open his system window for some time.
[Unable to open system window.]
[Unable to open system window.]
[The system connection is unstable in this world. Please contact an administrator for more details.]
Or
[ess permission denied.]
Only such messages popped up.
Ever since that day, he had been unable to open the screen that had once apanied him everywhere he went. It was a bit frustrating.
Just as he was wondering about his next move, however
[Someone is approaching.]
Swish, swoosh!
Out of nowhere, a boat appeared in the midst of the river and floated toward him.
Rattle!
The boat smoothly docked at the ferry slip. On it, there was a boatman wearing a straw hat and a middle-aged man wearing a fancy ceremonial suit.
Divine Twilight Are you Lee Chang-Sun? the middle-aged man called out.
At that moment, the eyes of Divine Twilight widened a bit.
Lee Chang-Sun was his real name, which he had long since buried deep in his heart.
Father, Lee Jo-Myung. Mother, So Yu-Ha. Born on December 25th, 2001, in the Republic of Korea, on Earth. Your name means a bright and generous person.
The middle-aged man continued to read out the things listed in his notepad, and Divine Twilightno, Chang-Sunfelt his mind starting to nk out.
In 2027, you ended up on the Arcadia for an unknown reason, and became a star after a series of tribtions Ironically, despite your name, you killed hundreds of deities in that conflict. Just reading about it gives me goosebumps, fiend, the middle-aged man said, shaking his head. However, there was no sign of terror on his face.
Then, you got caught and were put on trial. Based on the records, I should be looking at the right person. Are you not going to answer? The middle-aged man paused, taking an unnecessarily deep breath in the middle of his sentence.
Whoosh!
Chang-Sun abruptly sank into a low crouch, then in the blink of an eye, chopped at the mans throat with his hand.
[Initiating attack.]
It was clear that the man would lose his head if he did nothing. However, he quickly drew his sword and deflected Chang-Sun''s attack to one side.
sh!
[Due to your revoked status, this skill is currently unusable.]
[Substituting with skilled hand-to-handbat.]
However, Chang-Sun did not stop attacking. Like snakes darting forth to snatch prey, his hands continued unleashing a coordinated flurry of attacks.
Bam, bam, bam!
Each of his blows was powerful enough to mutte part of the mans body.
After blocking Chang-Suns attacks consecutively for some time, the man broke out into a cold sweat, leaping backward andnding on the surface of the river far away from Chang-Sun.
Bang!
The mansnding sent a spray of water high into the air. He looked perplexed, shaking his head in astonishment as he eximed, Huh? What the! Has your divine essence really been taken away? How can your attacks be this powerful even under the restraint of Divine Steel?
Chang-Sun was known as a fiend among the deities of Arcadia, but the man had taken this mission too casually. Now, he was regretting it.
Meanwhile, Chang-Suns face crumpled. The moment he took a few steps to attack the man, a restraining device made of steel chains had appeared to subdue him.
ng, clunk!
He was well aware of what they were.
[Currently under a restriction. Unable to move without permission.]
Divine Steel shackles.
They were a restraining device capable of turning even a deity with supreme authority into a being less powerful than a mere mortal the moment it touched them.
They were also the device Chang-Sun had worn during his divine trial. He had assumed the device was gone because he couldnt see it anymore. However, it seemed he had been wearing it the whole time; it had just been invisible to the naked eye.
Due to the restriction, Chang-Sun could no longer move. The only choice he had left was to re at the suspicious people in front of him, asking, Who are you?
The man heaved a sigh of relief, then slowly bowed. He said, much more politely than before, Sigh, if I knew things would turn out this way, I would have started with the self-introduction. I apologize. I am Yool, the top-rank reaper of the Underworld.
Chang-Sun squinted heavily and asked, Underworld? Is this thend of the dead, then?
Correct. You are looking at the River Styx, and this man is Charon the Boatman.
Pulling his hat over his eyes, the boatman nodded.
I heard that a deity who underwent a divine trial couldnt avoid being annihted. What am I doing in thend of the dead? Chang-Sun asked.
Well, it is because you are under our jurisdiction, Yool replied.
Jurisdiction? Chang-Sun repeated.
Yes. It is a bit of aplicated story We can talk about the details while we walk. There is a man who brought you to this ce by invitation, Yool exined, smiling slightly.
* * *
You see, Arcadia is totally different from Earth, the world you originally resided in.
Swish!
Every time Charon rowed with all his might, the boat slid quickly down the River Styx.
Chang-Sun listened to Yool, watching the water ripple gently across the bow of the boat as it moved through the water. It was hard to see through the opaque waters of the Styx. He asked, Is it rted to the jurisdiction thing you talked about?
Of course it is. People live and die ording to the death listslists in which peoples lifespans and fates are written down. However, who could have known? The death lists can only be used in the ces where they were written, Yool responded.
At some point, one of them managed to escape, vanishing without a trace.
A beam of light shone before Chang-Suns eyes, surrounded by the ripples of distorted space.
Ever since that day, the system window had filled one of his eyes.
If a single list goes missing, it causes a lot of trouble We put in a lot of effort to find it. As it turns out, it ended up in a very strange ce, Yool exined.
Was that Arcadia? Chang-Sun asked.
Yes. It drove me crazy. I assumed the owner of that list would just live longer than an average human, but no one could ever have guessed you would be a deity like that! Yool replied, bitterness evident on his face as he continued, On top of that, you made too much of a mess thereTo hush things up and bring you back, we had to pay a hefty price.
Memories of the many twists and turns of fortune he had endured coursed through Chang-Suns mind.
Earth...
He had left his hometown so many centuries in the past that he could barely remember it. To be honest, he had remembered the name Lee Chang-Sun only after Yool said it to him. That alone showed how little longing he had left for the life he had lived on Earth.
Thus, he only became more curious about why they were looking for him. Though he wasnt sure what kind of price they had paid, one thing was for sureif they had revived him, there had to be something they wanted from him.
He asked, Why did you go through all the trouble of bringing me here? It would have been better to let me be annihted over there than to im me like this.
Yool shrugged and replied, Who knows? I was just following orders.
Then whos your boss, the one who made this decision? Chang-Sun asked.
Thanatos, Yool replied in a solemn tone. He is the head of Tartarus and Erebus. Some people refer to him as the King of Underworld.
Chang-Sun nodded.
If Thanatos oversaw the four phases of human life, he had to be in a pretty high-ranking position. He no doubt had a lot of power.
We have arrived, Yool said.
Before anyone knew it, the boat had arrived at a ferry slip next to the river mouth. It was much bigger than the one they had departed from. Souls were lined up on it, leading all the way inside a grand pce.
It would take at least 49 days if we headed that way. Follow me. We are going to take a different path, Yool said.
Chang-Sun followed after Yool and quickly bypassed the line.
The reapers in charge of the line saluted Yool simultaneously.
* * *
After they passed the crowd, Yool used a skill Chang-Sun recognized as Space Folding. Many ces flickered into view and disappeared.
[This is the Burning Hell.]
[This is the Freezing Hell.]
...
[You have safely passed all of the Ten Hells in thend of the dead.]
A pit of fire with souls trapped inside appeared, followed by a forest densely filled with frozen trees.
Most of the souls trapped in the hells were ordinary, but there were some celestial beings among them as well.
What is that? Chang-Sun asked.
Oh, right. You were a fighting deity before you became a fiend. That must be why you are interested, Yool replied.
It just caught my eye, Chang-Sun said.
They are the fallen stars, Yool said.
Fallen stars? Upon hearing the unfamiliar phrase, Chang-Sun tilted his head sideways in confusion.
Star usually referred to beings who shone brilliantly, and thus decorated the sky beautifully. s, they were very prideful. If they fell, they would generally choose annihtion rather than to remain in such a pitiful state.
Judging the sins of the dead is not Tartaruss only job, Yool exined.
Then? Chang-Sun asked.
We also seal demonic and evil deities who push the world into a crisis in the abyss, Yool continued.
Chang-Suns eyes widened a bit. He asked, Why haven''t I heard about that before?
Thats understandable. It would ruin Heaven''s image, so why would they bber about it? Yool replied.
Hmm Chang-Sun mused.
Those people were sentenced tobor, either because their sins were considered light offenses or because they were almost finished serving their sentences. Of course, thatbor would not be easy either, Yool exined.
On some level, Chang-Sun could grasp why Heaven stayed vignt against the Underworld and tried to not talk about it. He could also guess what kind of deal the Underworld had made with Arcadia.
Right this way, Yool said as they finally arrived at their destination after their long walk.
Before them stood a towering castle that soared endlessly into the distance. They passed through its dark red gate, then crossed the main road where several officials busily came and went. In the innermost area, they reached the castles entrance.
I, the top-rank reaper Yool, have brought Divine Twilight safely to this ce as you have ordered, sir.
Enter.
A deep, resonant voice rang out as the front gate opened, and a strong wind blew. Chang-Suns expression stiffened reflexively as the wind swept over him.
[Immense energy overwhelms you!]
Whoosh!
Chang-Sun had heard stories about the King of the Underworld, but it was beyond his wildest expectations. Wasnt the King of the Underworld one of the highest-rank stars?
The darkness writhed, looking almost as if it wanted to devour him.
[The eyes in the darkness are observing you.]
Death was a power feared by all living beings, even deities. Just then, it had bared its brutal fangs.
Even if he were to fight after regaining his status, Chang-Sun wouldnt be able to guarantee the oue.
That was why
Badump!
Badump!
I think this will be fun.
Chang-Sun could feel his heart beating for the first time since he entered the Underworld.
Chapter 2: Underworld, Invitation (2)
Chapter 2: Underworld, Invitation (2)
Within the castle, Chang-Sun saw a wise-looking man sitting on a grand throne.
Ever since I received the report, the thought of what an absurd being you might be came to my mind. However, I suppose I underestimated your absurdity, said the man.
He was Thanatos, the King of the Underworld.
As Chang-Sun revealed his desire to fight, Thanatos looked at him unhappily. Thanatos divine ss was so high that he couldpel most deities to kneel, and yet the man whose deity status had been revoked was still standing upright.
At the same time, however, Thanatos was also satisfied with his decision to choose the man before him for the job he had in mind.
Have you ever thought of where you might have ended up after you died, if you had kept living on Earth instead of ending up in Arcadia? he asked, seemingly at random.
Chang-Sun had wanted to ask about Thanatos purpose for bringing him here first, but he just shrugged, thinking there had to be a reason. He simply replied, Not really. I havent thought of it.
You would have gone to hell, Thanatos said simply.
Why? Chang-Sun asked.
Thanatos adjusted his sses, picking up the report about Chang-Sun on his desk. He began, You were an active professional gamer in 2024.
And? Chang-Sun replied.
On June 21, you cursed very badly. While ying the game with a five-member party, you used all the curse words in the world and raged against your colleague for trolling. Those words hurt your colleagues heart very deeply, Thanatos exined.
... Chang-Sun remained silent.
Yool, what kind of punishment would he have received then? Thanatos asked.
Yool stood upright beside them as he answered in a disciplined tone, Sir, he would receive the punishment of having his tongue plucked out for fifteen days, and having his soul scorched in the Condemning Hell.
Exactly so, Thanatos said.
Chang-Sun was so dumbfounded that he was speechless, but Thanatos continued, paying no heed to him, On April 9th, 2020, your friend was heartbroken from his breakup, so he asked you for a drink. However, you ignored him while ying a game, didnt you? That alone was enough to send you to the Scorning Hell.
...
On November 10th, 2018, you skipped your lesson and went to a PC bang[1]. Then you lied to your parents. In September of 2017, you stepped on several ants while you were going to school. Oh no! Those were poor creatures who were bringing food to their fellows. How sad. Thats murder, so unfortunately, you would have had to spend four days in the Serpent Hell.
...
In April of 2009, you were nine years old. You identally peed while you slept, but then you yed innocent by framing your dog. Theres nothing worse than framing, tsk! That would have added ten more days in the Condemning Hell.
Each time Thanatos listed his sins one by one, Chang-Suns expression contorted in a strange way.
In contrast, the corners of Thanatos lips lifted upward as if he were having an excessive amount of fun. He continued, On top of that, you even failed to date any women in your twenty-six years on EarthThat would have meant six days in the Pitch-ck Hell. Tsk tsk, whatever shall we do?
...What on earth are you trying to pull? Chang-Sun finally snapped in annoyance. If not for the Divine Steel shackles on his hands and feet, he would have punched Thanatos for saying such ridiculous things with a straight face.
Thanatos crossed his legs,ying down the report in his hands. He said, I was just joking. You may have had too much of a desire to win, but you lived a pretty ordinary life on Earth. However, you became a totally different person after you ended up in Arcadia.
After reading Chang-Suns report for the first time, Thanatos evaluation had been very simple.
He fought like a rabid dog.
In his seven years as a professional gamer, there had been several instances of Chang-Sun being severely criticized for the way his obsessive desire to win affected matches. However, the real problem was that his obsession with winning had taken a turn for the worse in Arcadia.
When Chang-Sun first ended up in Arcadia, he had arrived on a battlefield in the midst of a battle fought by many soldiers. Until then, he had been an ordinary young man who was just a fanatical gamer; he had never even had a single Taekwondo lesson in his neighborhood. However, he had wished to survive, and thus picked up a spear from the ground.
He had fought and won, and in doing so, realized his talent.
The more he fought, the stronger he had be. The more tribtions he went through, the more powerful he had grown. The electrifying thrill and joy he got in the process had driven him to the battlefield again and again.
That was probably when Chang-Sun had begun to treat everything in the world like a game. He had only focused on leveling up, and considered all the abilities he received to be just like skills in a game. That process had continued until it eventually culminated in a war against several deities.
At present, he seemed very cool-headed, but there was nothing cool orposed inside him
No, he was a fiend. A monster, battle-crazed and warlike.
So, what do you want to talk about? And whats your reason for reviving me? Chang-Sun growled. He was not going to let it slide if Thanatos continued with his needless thering.
I want you to do a job for me, Thanatos said.
...A job? Chang-Sun asked.
Yes. There are some deities who are trying to manipte humans, breaking the Oath in the process. I would like you to go to the Saha World[2] and seal them on my behalf, Thanatos exined.
At that moment, Chang-Suns eyes sparkled. He asked, Are you going to reincarnate me?
To be urate, Ill be returning you to the ce where you originally belonged, Thanatos said as he lightly snapped his fingers.
Flick!
The scenery around them changed, revealing the image of a universe filled with multiple clusters of stars. Beneath his feet, Chang-Sun could see Earth, the blue he had long since left. He stared at it, mesmerized.
Watching Chang-Suns reaction, Thanatos burst intoughter. He said, Your eyes are gonna pop out if you continue. I thought your emotions had all dried up by now, but I guess that wasnt really the case, huh?
Chang-Sun had growled like a wolf after enduring Thanatos energy, but at that moment, he was like a docilemb as he replied, No matter what happens Its my hometown.
In truth, even Chang-Sun was surprised with himself. He had truly believed he had forgotten everything about Earth. However, when he saw it with his own eyes, old memories reappeared one by one from the deepest depths of his mind. Then, an unfamiliar emotion spread throughout the corners of his heartit was nostalgia.
Youre going to freak out when you watch whats about to happen, Thanatos said.
What? Chang-Sun eximed.
Earth suddenly began growingrger. The continent of Eurasia came into view, before the disy zoomed in on the Korean Penins. It zoomed in further on South Korea, and then to Seoul, then to Songpa-gu and Jamsil. Afterward, it kept going, focusing on the Jamsil station intersection that held the Lotte World Tower.
And there was Chang-Sun, walking along the crosswalk between Exit Six and Seven in the middle of the night.
...! Chang-Sun eximed wordlessly. For a moment, he felt as if he were suffocating.
After his retirement as a professional gamer, he had suffered from lethargy because he couldnt feel the excitement and energy from the matches anymore. Due to that, he was utterly dejected and always drunk, seldom leaving the house.
That day had been just like any other. The alcohol in his house had happened to run out, so he had dropped by the convenience store.
However, while returning to his home, he had gotten caught up in a Dungeon Break[3]. He had never been sure whether he had just missed the street sign because he waspletely wasted, or if he had just been so unlucky as to have gotten caught up in a Random Break. The only clear memory in his mind was of finding himself standing in the midst of a battlefield in Arcadia by the time he came back to his senses.
However
The frozen scene being shown on Earth was from right before all those things had happened. Right before the Dungeon Break had urred.
Ill be sending you here, Thanatos said.
Naturally, Chang-Suns gaze was fixed on Thanatos.
Like I told you, focus on sealing some deities on my behalf. Thats the punishment Ill be sentencing you to, Thanatos said.
...Why are you giving me this chance? Chang-Sun asked.
If there was one thing Chang-Sun had learned after ending up in Arcadia, it was the fact that every act of goodwill had a price. Anyone who granted a favor no doubt nned to receive ten times its cost in return.
One corner of Thanatos mouth turned up. He replied, Because youre the perfect man to hunt those things.
Those things? Chang-Sun asked.
Im talking about deities from the Otherworld. Starting from the deities in Arcadia, such as Ahura Mazda, Dava, Chen There are a lot of them, Thanatos said.
Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes and asked, Did they do something?
The Dungeon Break you experienced, why do you think that urred out of nowhere? Thanatos asked.
Chang-Suns eyes shone. He replied, Breaking the Oath So thats what you meant. Does that mean they covet Earth?
Yes. They havent revealed their intentions, but theyre approaching Earth in secret, Thanatos answered.
Every deity craved faith, as it was the source of their power. The best way to gain faith happened to entail conquerings that had civilizations on them.
Why isn''t the Underworld doing anything about it? Chang-Sun asked.
Theyre using the loopholes of the Oath too well. We dont have sufficient justification to intervene. But Thanatos paused, his lips curling into a cold smile as he continued, It would be a whole different story if a human dealt with those kinds of beings. The Oath doesnt say anything about that Besides, you know them pretty well.
As Thanatos said those final words, the same sort of cold smile spread across Chang-Suns face. He replied, So are you telling me Im your hound? Are you going to throw me away after you finish hunting?[4]
No, this is just abor sentence. After the work is done, Ill free you from your chains and give you a new life, Thanatos said.
...Hm, Chang-Sun mused.
If you dont like the term sentence, we can call it a deal. How does that sound? Isnt it a good deal for you, too? Thanatos asked.
Chang-Sun quietly nodded. As Thanatos said, it was definitely not a bad deal for him. In truth, he still had unresolved grudges against the deities of the Otherworld. Besides that, he was not the sort of pushover who would leave those deities alone after finding out they were the entire reason he had been dragged into the Otherworld.
After being stripped of his deity status, he had lost his power, but he had still earned it once. He was confident he could regain it. Above all, however, it seemed that some part of him wished to get his ordinary life back.
However, Chang-Sun did not hastily answer in the affirmative. There was no trust between him and Thanatos, so he would not be so gullible as to believe everything that had been said.
Of course, Im not asking you to seal all of them alone without any backup. Without that, youll just fade away from running out of power like thest time. So, Ill give you a gift, Thanatos said.
What would that be? Chang-Sun asked.
Authority, Thanatos said, the smile remaining on his face.
? Chang-Sun briefly fell silent in shock. Shortly after, his expression conveyed how ludicrous he thought the idea was as he asked, Is it okay for you to give away things like that? It sounds as if it goes against thews of the Underworld.
Laws of the Underworld Well, all the borders of life and death are under my supervision. I could say its an imperial gift to an agent of mine. Anyway, are you willing to do this? Thanatos asked.
If youre even giving me that I have no reason to decline, Chang-Sun said with a nod, grinning widely. He knew that if Thanatos truly kept the promise, he could grow much stronger than before. He had run into limitations as a former mortal, but Thanatos was offering to lift those limitations.
Okay. Then the deal is sealed, Thanatos said with a satisfied smile before turning around. Behind him were various reapers and agents standing in a row, including Yool. He continued, Now, well begin the reincarnation, no, regression. Everyone, get ready to open the Door of Reincarnation!
1. These are a specific kind of inte cafe popr in Korea, where people can y games on high-specputers. ?
2. A Buddhist term that refers to the mundane world we live in. ?
3. A term used in Korean webnovels as part of the popr dungeon genre. It refers to a phenomenon where monsters or other magical phenomena break out from a Dungeon (here referring to an otherworldly realm) into the real world through the formation of a Gate. So in this case, Chang-Sun was transported through the Gate that formed. The term Random Break will be exined in the
Chapter 3: Star, Regress (1)
Chapter 3: Star, Regress (1)
Do not forget this. You will be regressing as a human, not a deity, so you will have no power or divinity. It will be a whole new start for you, Yool warned Chang-Sun.
Ill keep that in mind, Chang-Sun replied.
Additionally, your soul is still bound by Divine Steel shackles. Although their functions are inactive right now, they will be activated again if they sense any suspicious activity from you. So, be careful, Yool added.
When will you stop exining things? My ears are going to hurt, Chang-Sun grumbled.
...Then, let us go now, Yool responded.
Lets meet again if we have a chance[1], Chang-Sun said.
You must always remember that you are an agent empowered by the King of the Underworld, Yool concluded.
Just like that, Chang-Suns previous life began again.
* * *
[Sessfully passed through the Door of Reincarnation!]
[essing a new server. Downloading necessary data for smooth operation.]
[Updating the system. Please wait for a moment.]
...
[Your current status is Administrator.]
...
It was dizzying.
That was the first thought that entered Chang-Suns mind after he passed through the Door of Reincarnation. He had been told that, since he would be entering apletely different world and timeline altogether, the pressure on his degraded soul would be immense.
Indeed, it truly was.
[This is Earth.]
Paah!
As soon as Chang-Sun came to, he opened his eyes without dy.
[Achievement unlocked!]
A regressor with the memory of a previous life.
Reward: Intact memory. All stats +5.
Marveling at the fact that even such a thing could be an achievement, Chang-Sun moved the information window aside and quickly observed his surroundings.
W-Whats going on?!
A Gate suddenly appearing? Ive never heard of such a thing!
Why isnt the Council helping us?!
Murmur murmur.
Chang-Sun was in a wide open forest. In the midst of an empty clearing, several people stood, perplexed. Every one of them had ck hair and eyes, which would have been a rare sight in Arcadia. Even thenguage they used was familiarit was Korean.
Ive returned for real, Chang-Sun thought. For the briefest of moments, he was overwhelmed with emotion.
Soon, however, his gaze turned sharp. Technically, this ce wasnt Earth. It was a Dungeon that had broken out on Earth.
On April 6th, 2027, an Instance Dungeon had appeared in Jamsil Station Intersection.
First, I believe I need to ask for your understanding in one matter.
Understanding?
Youre going to wake up on Earth, but its not really Earth. Its not really easy to open a conduit to a world without being detected by anyone.
Then where will I wake up?
Thats
Before Chang-Sun went through the Door of Reincarnation, Thanatos had given him several precautions about things he had to keep in mind.
One of them had been about the location Chang-Sun would appear in when he regressed.
A Dungeon is a fragment of a shattered world Thanatos said he would use it as a bypass, Chang-Sun thought.
Thanatos had also asked for Chang-Suns understanding about the dy before he could meet his family, but Chang-Sun actually preferred the idea of appearing in the Dungeon. It wouldnt be easy to find a way to train his alcohol-wasted body if he went back home directly, so Thanatos had saved him a little bit of trouble.
Of course, the civilians who had gone out to a high street to spend their Friyay[2], wouldnt be so happy to be swallowed up in a Dungeon.
Sh-Shit! Let me go!
Oh my god! What am I going to do?!
Some faint-hearted people even copsed on the floor and burst into tears.
A Random Break, otherwise known as an Unpredictable Gate, was a Dungeon Break that happened with no forewarning or telltale signs, and had a one-in-a-million chance of urring. It would close only after inflicting dreadful damage on those unlucky people who got caught up in it. An outbreak in a big city like Seoul would have a bigger aftermath than usual because of how many people it dragged in.
However, as always, the Dungeon was apathetic toward the stories of those who had been pulled into it.
[Wee to the Instance Dungeon The Forest of Firewielders.]
[Current number of participants: 431 people.]
Crackle!
For a split second, the message window that had appeared over peoples heads made an unusual noise.
[An error has urred!]
[Found an omitted participant.]
[Counting again.]
[Current number of participants: 432 people.]
The ordinary civilians, whose faces had already turned paper-white, they could not afford to think too deeply about an error that had only appeared for a brief moment.
[Evaluating the strength of the participants in the Dungeon. Assigning a quest at the appropriate difficulty.]
[Commencing the Dungeon Quest!]
[Quest theme: Pioneer.]
[Eliminate the monsters that roam in The Forest of Firewielders, then climb up to the top of the hill that lies beyond the forest.]
[The forest is divided into five sectors. Different monsters reside in each sector. Be aware that the methods required to pioneer each sector will also be different.]
[To execute the quest, every participant has been granted ess to the , , and .]
[Instructions are clearly provided below, so please refer to the documentation.]
[Best wishes to all participants.]
[The first sector has been opened.]
As soon as the messages stopped popping up, Chang-Sun sprang forward.
H-Hey, that man!
Hey, its dangerous!
The other people present were taken aback and tried to stop him, but Chang-Sun had already entered the danger zone.
Is Is he a yer?
Isnt he too ordinary to be a yer?
No matter how low the rank of a yer was, their presence was different from that of an ordinary civilian. As they could not sense anything different about Chang-Sun, the ordinary civilians could not help but be concerned about him.
But Doesnt he look familiar?
I think I saw him on TV.
Just then, some people who frequently watched professional gaming broadcasts remembered Chang-Sun and were surprised.
No way, is he the Tyrant?
* * *
My body is really a mess, Chang-Sun said, frowning deeply as he ran.
The muddy ground that sank beneath his feet was a problem in its own right. However, he had a bigger problemafter running for only a short time, he was already out of breath.
First, he needed to urately understand his condition. He called out, Open system window.
[Unable to open the system window.]
[No ess to the system. Qualifications have been revoked.]
...
[The system has been partially updated.]
[Opening the system window with Administrator status.]
[Lee Chang-Sun]
Divine Name: Divine Twilight?
Title: ??? (Error)
Faction: ??? (Error)
Strength: ??? (Unknown)
Agility: ??? (Unknown)
Stamina: ??? (Unknown)
Divinity: ??? (Unknown)
Acquired Skills
??? Lv.??? (Illegible)
??? Lv.??? (Illegible)
??? Lv.??? (Illegible)
...
Acquired Authorities
??? Lv.??? (Illegible)
...
Special note: A considerable amount of information is illegible and cannot be essed.
Additional Stats: 5
The position of Administrator was simr to that of the Underworld Reapers. Although Chang-Sun had been given abor sentence, the Underworld had granted him some power to carry out his mission more smoothly on Earth. Due to that, he was able to check his status window. However, the contents left him dumbfounded.
As expected, its an absolute mess, he grumbled.
As Chang-Sun had been a deity before regressing into mortal form, it was no wonder that the status window failed to properly reflect his current status. Fortunately, his divine name remained, but he felt as if even that could go away at any moment.
Though Where is the thing the King of the Underworld was going to give me?
Chang-Sun squinted. Even after scanning through the status window multiple times, he was unable to find Thanatos gift. Wondering if he had gotten ripped off, he frowned.
[Renewing the window based on updated data.]
[Lee Chang-Sun]
Divine Name: Divine Twilight (Unusable)
Title: None
Faction: Underworld
Level: 0
Strength: 1
Agility: 3
Stamina: 2
Mana: 0
Acquired Skills
D
Acquired Authorities
Soul Exploitation Lv.1 (New!)
Execution Sword Lv.1 (New!)
Special Note: Upon the confirmation of degraded status, all previous information has been reset. Please check the newly granted authorities.
Additional stat points: 5
...Fortunately, I havent been ripped off,
Chang-Sun thought. He quickly tapped on Thanatos gift with his index finger.
[Soul Exploitation]
A privilege that can only be used by the emissary recognized by the King of the Underworld.
The soul of a being killed by the emissary can be locked in storage and burned in the fires of Purgatory, after which the emissary can extract its karma.
Skill Level: 1
Type: Authority.
Effects: Wound treatment, body strengthening.
[Execution Sword]
A privilege that can only be used by the emissary recognized by the King of the Underworld.
The emissary will be able to substitute for the King of the Underworld in the execution of Divine Punishment, limited to the sinners who have broken the Oath. After being put through a Trial, the sinner will be sealed proportional to the gravity of the offense. As a reward, the emissary will be granted the opportunity to extract a portion of the sinners Authorities.
Skill Level: 1
Type: Authority.
Effects: Execution of divine punishment, punishing evil, extracting authorities.
It wouldnt have been easy for the King of Underworld to give me these skills. He must be really mad at the deities of the Otherworld, Chang-Sun thought.
Both of the Authorities granted by Thanatos were undoubtedly magnificent..
First, there was [Soul Exploitation].
The King of the Underworlds mighty reputation was rooted in his dominion over souls. However, [Soul Exploitation] granted part of the Kings power to Chang-Sun and even enabled him to gain karma from burnt souls. After killing monsters, he would be able to gain not only their experience points, but also their souls, which could be converted into even more experience. Thus, his progress would undoubtedly be efficient.
If a soul has a high status in life, that means more karma for me. If I have to, I should be able to use that in ce of a healing potion.
While wandering across the battlefield in the past, Chang-Sun had sometimes been surrounded by many enemies. At those times, he had feared nothing more than exhaustion and the umtion of injuries from Rolling-Wheelbat[3]. However, the proper usage of [Soul Exploitation] would be helpful in preventing those two dangers.
It was a perfect Authority for Chang-Sun, who was more at home on the battlefield than his own house.
Ill be able to use it to torture enemies, too.
If he had to interrogate an enemy, there would be no need to waste time, and there would be a lower probability of failure than by using normal means. All he had to do was kill the person, summon their soul using [Soul Exploitation], and constantly inflict pain on them until they answered.
So this will see the most use from now on. [Execution Sword], though... That will be hard to use for the time being.
Based on its strength alone, [Execution Sword] was a few levels above [Soul Exploitation]. Not only was it capable of sealing a deitys status, it was also capable of seizing their Authorities. As Authorities represented a deitys power, its potential was almost inconceivable. In theory, Chang-Sun could seize innumerable Authorities, bing omniscient and omnipotent.
It seemed that Thanatos had granted Chang-Sun such an absurd ability after carefully considering what he would need to continuously deal with deities from the Otherworld.
The problem was that the conditions to use [Execution Sword] were highly restrictive.
I have to prove that the subject is definitely a sinner who broke the Oath. Even if I do, they might counterattack right away if I fail to take them out.
Deities were prideful beings, the stars that shone brilliantly in the sky above. To extinguish their light, Chang-Sun had to shine just as brilliantly.
So, I wont use it for now.
Fortunately, Chang-Sun had a secret method that would let him use [Execution Sword] against Celestials such as deities and stars even without his divinity. That method was only possible because he was none other than Divine Twilight.
Until then
After shutting down the screen window, Chang-Sun looked directly ahead at the Dungeon.
Ill get stronger, as quickly as possible.
At that moment, his eyes gleamed.
[A ck Mamba has found you!]
Hiss!
Amid the thick branches above his head, a snake as wide as a human arm opened its mouth wide and pounced onto Chang-Sun.
And
Without a hint of nervousness, Chang-Sun grabbed an item from his inventory and quickly brandished it. Luckily, as a novice, there was only one item in his inventory.
[Pulled out a Beginners Rusty Dagger!]
[Initiating attack.]
The rusty dagger in Chang-Suns hand pierced deeply into the snakes jaws and tore its body apart easily, and all it took was one neat strike.
sh!
The snake was cut in two, spraying a fountain of blood and other fluids into the air.
Ding!
Ding!
[Sessfully killed the ck Mamba in a single strike!]
[It was undoubtedly a clean attack.]
[As a reward, the skill Lesser Dagger Proficiency has been created.]
...
[Level up!]
[Strength increased by 2.]
[Agility increased by 1.]
System messages continuously popped up. However, only at the end did the message Chang-Sun had been waiting for appear.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt shows interest in you!]
...Ill be a rookie theyll drool over.
Chang-Sun smiled coldly, thinking of the deities who would be watching him outside the Dungeon.
1. This is amon tendency in Korean culture. Koreans say things like Lets meet again in the future instead of saying goodbye, whether the promise will be fulfilled or not, because a simple goodbye is seen as too in. ?
2. The Korean word is ??, which is a ng term that has roughly the same connotation as Friyay in English; that is, spending time off at the end of the work week. ?
3. This is a kind of battle that appears in Korean and Chinese wuxia novels. When one strong enemy fights against an army, the army takes turns attacking the strong enemy to drain the opponents stamina. It got its name because they take turns endlessly, like a rolling wheel. ?
Chapter 4: Star, Regress (2)
Chapter 4: Star, Regress (2)
Although Dungeons were catastrophic disasters to humans, they were alsonds of opportunity.
It was not so different for Celestials, either. They tested human potential through the Quests given by Dungeons. Then, they picked out priests or clerics who would spread their gospel as the asion demanded. From time to time, they were even able to select an apostle to execute their will directly. Thus, many people in need of Celestials entered Dungeons, only to die beneath their apathetic gazes.
As Celestials were beings that arrogantly watched over worlds and universes, most mere mortals'' performances were insufficient to pique their interest. Only a small minority of people who were born with luck and fortune could meet that standard. However, there was also another way to attract their attention.
Show overwhelming talent from the beginning.
Chang-Sun was sure that was how he looked to the Celestials who were watching him with interested gazes. They could never have imagined that the Divine Twilight who had threatened their very lives would appear before them as a drunk. Although deities could see a soul''s traits and characteristics, rather than mere appearance that was easy to change, the current Chang-Sun would still lookpletely different from ''Divine Twilight''.
Chang-Sun stood still and stared silently at the message filling his sight.
''A Good Season to Hunt'', huh?
She was not so bad, considering she was the first deity to show interest in him.
No, technically it''s a jackpot.
Her real name was Pabilsag[1]. She was known to utilize various tools such as a sword, a spear, a bow, and her fists while hunting. She was famous for being a warring deity, as well.
The reason Chang-Sun considered her a jackpot was because her mother was Tiamat, the ''Primordial Evil Dragon''. Why would such a great figure show interest in Chang-Sun from the beginning?
''She must have liked my dagger skill quite a lot.''
Daggers were the most basic weapon when it came to hunting. For the time being, the deity had probably approached Chang-Sun purely for entertainment. As she was temperamental, she would tire of him quickly if he failed to meet her expectations. Of course, Chang-Sun was sure that would not happen to him.
[The Celestial ''A Good Season to Hunt'' is curious about your hunting skill.]
''Ill meet your expectations.''
From that moment forward, Chang-Sun would be a perfect jester for the Celestials.
* * *
''This forest has too much poisonous air overall. Most of the monsters in it are probably toxic as well. Then Shall I go with n C?''''
Chang-Sun had several detailed basic ns of action after falling into an Instance Sungeon, depending on its type and difficulty.
In this Dungeon, he was going to be a serpent hunterDa hunter who specialized in snakes.
HisssD
Hiss! Hissss!
The deeper Chang-Sun went into the forest, the more ck Mambas fell from the branches. The situation was so dire that ordinary people would panic. For Chang-Sun, however, the snakes were just experience points wrapped up in pretty little packages.
sh, shD
[Lesser Dagger Proficiency]
Enables beginners to freely control daggers.
Skill Level: 1
Type: Passive. Basic.
Effect: Acquire proficiency.
Chang-Sun was undoubtedly using a basic skill that was given to novices who had just entered a Dungeon. On top of that, the weapon in his hands was so rusty that some would wonder if it was even capable of cutting anything; it was a dagger of very poor quality, meant for beginners.
Despite that, every time he shed with the dagger, the mutted carcasses of ck Mambas rained down from above.
[Sessfully eliminated a ''ck Mamba'' using the Skill Lesser Dagger Proficiency.]
[Earned experience points!]
[Sessfully eliminated a ''ck Mamba'' using the Skill Lesser Dagger Proficiency.]
[Earned experience points!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
Levels and stats steadily piled up.
[Your senses are bing heightened!]
[You have entered a battle frenzy, focusing all your energy on your weapon!]
[The ''ck Mambas'' that dominated the first sector of the ''Forest of Firewielders'' are being eliminated at lightning speed!]
[The ''ck Mambas'' have developed an instinctive sense of their natural enemy.]
[You have sessfully made the ''ck Mambas'' live in fear!]
[''Title: ck Mamba Butcherer'' has been created!]
[ck Mamba Butcherer]
A title given to a hunter who has killed over 100 ck Mambas.
Type: Title.
Effect: Strength +5. Causes fear in serpent-type creatures.
''Yes, this is it.
Kill, kill, and kill again.
sh, sh, and sh again.
Although it was difficult to catch his breath, Chang-Sun shivered with excitement at the freedom he had not felt for a long while.
This thrill, this ecstasy Such feelings could not be felt outside the battlefield.
When he first arrived in Arcadia, this sensation had terrified him; on the other hand, it had also made every experience incredibly fun.
After I was put on trial and all my abilities were restrained, even my freedom was taken away.
They had locked him up just because he was a war-loving fanatic. They had suppressed him, saying he would harm the world.
However, Chang-Sun knew all those reasons were just cowardly excuses for the Celestials. Even though he had had no intention of doing so, they had been afraid that a wastrel of mortal birth would stand above them.
And so
Ill make their fearse true.
Swoosh, shD
Pah, pah!
[The Skill Lesser Dagger Proficiency has reached its maximum level. A higher-level skill has been created.]
[The Skill Intermediate Dagger Proficiency has been created!]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt marvels at your supreme knife fighting skills!]
Dont get so shocked so soon.
Chang-Sun did not stop there.
[Your stamina is depleted!]
[You have fallen into the Exhausted state. Please locate a secure area and take a rest.]
[The Authority: Soul Exploitation has been activated!]
[You have lit the fire in the Purgatory Brazier, sessfully acquiring the ashes of a ck Mamba.]
[5% of your stamina has been regained.]
[Your Exhausted state has been canceled.]
As expected of an alcoholics feeble body, Chang-Suns stamina drained out very quickly. Each time it did, Chang-Sun unsparingly used the gift Thanatos had thrown at him. ck haze billowed from the carcasses of several ck Mambas, and Chang-Sun absorbed every trace of it. Simultaneously, his fatigue vanished as if it had been washed away.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt tilts her head in confusion, because she is unable to find out the category of your talent.]
A Good Season to Hunt continued to respond with confusion each time Chang-Sun repeated the process. No one would think that a novice who had freshly entered a Dungeon had received the King of the Underworlds blessing; she seemed to assume Chang-Suns ability was a or of the source that yers acquired when they first awakened.
On the surface, it resembles something from the Energy Drain category. From another perspective, though, it would seem to have Darkness or Death-like traits.
By human standards, Celestials looked omnipotent. However, the reality of the situation was different, and Chang-Sun was very well aware of that fact.
The restrictions imposed by causality are too immense. Its difficult for Celestials to take a close look at yers data, unless theyre Zodiacs or part of the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions.
Of course, a way to sneak a peek at yer data did exist. If Celestials paid a sufficient price or put up with the side-effects in the society they were affiliated with, it would be possible.
Going through all that to read a novices data, though? Thats insane.
Despite that, Chang-Sun did not worry about any such attempts being made on him. The protection cast on him by the Underworld was just that solid.
Otherwise, my divine name would have been caught already
shD
Squirt!
Just then, a ck Mambas head flew into the air once again. It was the veryst one. Blood gushed across the ground; it was green due to being mixed with strong acid.
PzzzD
ck haze once again billowed up from of the carcasses, indicating that [Soul Exploitation] had been activated.
[Sessfully killed thest ck Mamba.]
[Level up!]
[Achievement unlocked!]
A Serpent Hunter Who Has Caught 444 ck Mambas.
Reward: Strength +5. Effect: Lesser Toxin Resistance.
Ding!
Ding!
Listening to the ever-pleasant notification sounds, Chang-Sun expanded his status window.
Open system window.
[Lee Chang-Sun]
Divine Name: Divine Twilight (Unusable)
Title: ck Mamba Butcherer
Faction: Underworld
Level: 6
Strength: 14.2 (+10)
Agility: 16.2 (+10)
Stamina: 13.9 (+10)
Mana: 0 (+10)
Acquired Skills:
Intermediate Dagger Proficiency Lv. 3
Acquired Effects:
Lesser Toxin Resistance Lv.1 (New!)
Acquired Authorities:
Soul Exploitation Lv.1
Execution Sword Lv.1
Special note: One deity is currently curious about you. You may win the deitys favor if you disy an even greater performance.
Additional Stats: 35
Levels, stats, skills Everything is constantly rising. Pabilsags level of interest went up from Interested to Curious. Very good.
Chang-Sun had saved up the additional five stat points that were given every time he leveled up. He had nned to use them to resolve unexpected situations.
And yet, the thing that caught his eye the most was the Magic stat. Previously, the stat had been listed as zero, but by unlocking an achievement, he had received an extra five points.
With magic, Ill be able to start using skills to their full potential. That, and being able to imbue a weapon with magic will make a big difference.
Until then, he had overtaxed his body to purify it from the stench of alcohol, but now, he could use magic. Thus, it no longer seemed necessary to do so himself anymore. Additionally, it seemed possible for him to level up at a faster rate.
I took out the ck Mambas. Now, the next ones are the Red Mambas and the Bloody Mamba, right?
ck Mambas carried deadly poison that could end a humans life with just one bite in under five minutes. However, Red Mambas had even stronger poison than ck Mambas. Just smelling it was enough to be poisoned by it.
Although theyre at a low level, I have poison resistance and magic. That should make it easier to endure.
That was the reason Chang-Sun had checked the status window without obstinately marching further in.
No matter what happens, I have to catch the Bloody Mamba.
The Bloody Mamba was ssified as a boss monster that ruled over Mamba-type monsters. It was ridiculous for a novice who was not even at level 10 to go after it; and yet, Chang-Sun nned to catch it via solo raiding[2].
It was a very good opportunity to attract the attention of deities. He also needed the carcass, which could be used as an ingredient in various artifacts.
Above all else, however
The Bloody Mambas Poisonous Fang Its essential for taking a shortcut to achieve the [Impervious Body].
Though Divine Twilight had been outnumbered in the war, the reason he had lost was that curses and poison had incapacitated him, rendering him helpless.
Gaias Curse I need the Poisonous Fang to beat it.
After organizing his thoughts, Chang-Sun was about to move to the next sector. However
Thwack!
BzzzD
Huh?
[The durability of the Beginners Rusty Dagger'' has reached zero. It has been destroyed!]
The dagger in Chang-Suns hand crumbled, scattering into a cloud of dust.
Well, it was amazing that this dagger could hold out for so long
In truth, he was lucky that the dagger had not broken apart during the battle.
Chang-Sun was about to open his inventory and search for any dropped items he could use as a substitute when suddenly, he sensed something fall from the sky. He raised his head.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt sends you a gift for amusing her!]
What?
Whirl! Pa!
A dagger with a slightly curved de fell right at Chang-Suns feet. The de alone was 18 inches[3] long. From the look of its sturdy material and handle, it was definitely not a weapon meant for a beginner.
The moment he saw the seal in the center of the de, Chang-Suns eyes shone keenly.
The seal of Taotie? That means this weapon came from Tiamat. Why is she suddenly giving me this as a present?
Chang-Sun knew all too well that there was no such thing as a free lunch, especially when the favor came from the daughter of the Primordial Evil Dragon.
Sure enough, it was as he expected.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt offers you a bet using the gift as a wager!]
[A Good Season to Hunt will kill you for the sin of wasting her time if you lose the bet.]
1. Pabilsag is a Mesopotamian god who is normally male, but in this novel, she is female. ?
2. A gaming term that refers to fighting raid bosses, bosses that are designed forrge parties to fight, as a solo yer. This is very difficult and only possible in some games. ?
3. Approximately 46 centimeters ?
Chapter 5: Star, Regress (3)
Chapter 5: Star, Regress (3)
Shes putting death on the table from the start, huh.''
Dumbstruck, Chang-Sun snorted. This was why he hated Celestials. They believed they were the only noble beings in existence, and anyone else was nothing but a source of entertainment. If their interest faded even slightly, they discarded that entertainment on the spot.
However, Chang-Sun thought it was better this way. If he yed along, he could take so much from them. Besides, a de marked with the Seal of Taotie would help him out greatly if he could get his hands on it.
Thus, he replied, Youre on. What do you want me to do?
[You have epted the bet.]
[The Celestial ''A Good Season to Hunt'' bursts intoughter. She seems to find your bravado pleasant.]
[A Sudden Quest (The Hunters Verification) has been created!]
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Safe Zone Chang-Sun had left
Everyone, gather around here first! a man in a military uniform called out.
When they heard his shout, the others present looked at him.
What?
Does he seriously want to y boss right now?
Facing the murmuring crowd, the soldier pulled out his credentials from an inner pocket and continued, I''m Second Lieutenant Park Hae-Seong, a C-Rank yer in the Awakened troop of the Military Security Support Command. Please follow my instructions ording to the official manual for emergencies.
Decades had passed since Dungeons began to break out, and there had been multiple incidents of civilians getting entangled in Random Breaks that urred across the globe without any warning signs. Thus, countries had written up manuals regarding states of emergency and distributed them.
The first code of conduct was to follow a yer''s instructions in the Dungeon if there was one. Normally, if yerspleted their official registration, they were then required byw toplete a training course in leading people in situations such as this.
As the yer present was also a soldier, those present could not help but trust him even more.
Just as Second Lieutenant Park Hae-Seong instructed, the others divided up into groups. Each of them pulled out a basic weapon from their inventories, then prepared for a monster waveing from the forest.
Were lucky to have a yer among us. If he hadnt been here, well!
Still, we don''t know what''s going to happen. Let''s stay sharp.
Of course. Do you think hell be okay, though?"
Who?
The guy who sprang forward right into the forest as soon as the quest message popped up.
Ah!
After their emotional turmoil subsided, people began to worry about Chang-Sun.
He seemed weak and didn''t look so good. I hope nothing bad happens to him.
You''re right. Was he in need of money or something?
There were a lot of moths who aimed for quick bundles of cash, thinking Dungeons werends of opportunity rather than disaster. They were primarily low-ie people who had trouble making a living.
At that moment, a young man in his twenties abruptly cut in on their conversation, saying, No way. That guy probably has more money than you.
Huh? How do you know?
Hes the Tyrant, leader of STband, the man answered.
Oh, that''s where I saw him!
He spent so much time fighting with his colleagues for not listening to him. Still, thanks to his pretty face, he did a bunch ofmercials. Enough to buy a 330 square meter apartment in Jamsil, some say. Actually, his parents families are both rich, so he was born rich. Im telling you, he was born with a gold spoon.
Wait, why would that kind of guy run into the forest out of the blue?
The young man shrugged as if to say Who knows?
After his retirement, I heard he became an alcoholic. There were reports of dissent among the team. Well, who knows? Maybe he left to kill himself because he felt toozy to live.
Dude, stop. Whats wrong with you? Are you still drunk?
What did I do?
At some point, the young man''s speech had be full of contempt and mockery. His friend, who had gotten swept into the Dungeon along with him, tried to calm him down. For some reason, however, the young man seemed quite irate. He sounded as if he really wanted Chang-Sun tomit suicide.
The other peoples expressions subtly changed. Some did not hesitate to reveal their unease. Using the excuse of needing the bathroom or taking a break, they tried to head toward another area.
Just then, however
Ding!
[All ''ck Mambas'' in the Dungeon have been eliminated!]
...?
...?
...?
Those present simultaneously tilted their heads sideways. All the participants were gathered in the Safe Zone, so how had the monsters been eliminated?
[All ''White Worms'''' have been eliminated!]
[All ''Blue Crows'''' have been eliminated!]
[The ''Red Mambas'' are being eliminated rapidly!]
[The yer ''Lee Chang-Sun'' is dominating!]
...!
...!
...!
The shocked people were unable to look away from the messages that continuously popped up. The young man, who had spent quite a bit of time speaking ill of Chang-Sun, had an especially difficult time looking away.
* * *
[The Hunters Verification]
Type: Sudden.
Exnation: A Good Season to Hunt'' has been feeling limited in the growth of her power. To build up Faith, she has shown an avid interest in raising apostles and priests.
However, most promising candidates currently have their own guardians, leaving her no choice but to monitor novices. Just now, she found you.
''A Good Season to Hunt'' considers you, someone with elegant moves and exceptional hunting skills, a suitable candidate to be her apostle. Still, she cannot hastily select you as an apostle candidate, so she wishes to verify your qualifications.
Starting now, kill a Bloody Mamba within 24 hours using the weapon you have temporarily been given.
Requirements: D
If you fail: Death.
If you seed:
1. You will be gifted Tiamat''s Snaggletooth.
2. You will be selected as an apostle candidate.
So thats what happened.
After scrolling through the quest window, Chang-Sunughed dryly. No wonder the deity had begun showing an avid interest in him. She was not simply interested in his potential as a hunter; rather, she also had some problems of her own.
Come to think of it, there was a severe dispute between Tiamat and Bel-Marduk recently. Is this rted to that too?
Bel-Marduk was considered one of the highest-rank stars. He was the Taurus, one of the Zodiacs.
Chang-Sun wondered whether the deity was in need of more faith to enter a war with Bel-Marduk. If his assumption was correct, he could drain a lot from this deity.
The higher I go with my betting, the better.
Examining the dagger with the seal of Taotie, he read through its description.
[Tiamats Snaggletooth]
This dagger is made from the tooth of the Primordial Evil Dragon. Her child never stayed at home, so she had no choice but to pull out her tooth and forge it into a dagger.
It contains an autonomous ego.
Type: Dagger. Relic.
Damage: Unmeasurable.
Effect: Unknown.
*You have currently borrowed'' the relic from its original owner.
*Requirements have not been met. Unable to use the relics ability.
*Requirements have not been met. Unable to inspect the details of the relic.
Most of the weapons functions were locked, so it was simply a high-quality dagger at the moment. Still, it was enough.
As someone who had handled and seized various relics, Chang-Sun instantly realized that it was not so ordinary.
Hm Persistent Bleeding and Evil Devourer? On top of that, theyre upgradeable. Not bad.
Persistent Bleeding would wear out an opponents stamina more and more with each hit. Evil Devourer would absorb the opponents curses and grudges. The more malicious the opponent was, the more damage they would receive.
Chang-Sun wished to have the item. However, it would undoubtedly be a verymon item by Pabilsags standards.
If Im going to receive a gift, I should aim for a bigger and fancier one.
Thus, he spoke, pretending to gaze at the air where Pabilsag would be. Would you care to add one more thing to this wager, perhaps?
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt tilts her head in confusion.]
Thirty minutes, Chang-Sun continued.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt tilts her head even more, unable to understand what you mean.]
Starting now, I will eliminate the Bloody Mamba within thirty minutes. In that case, Ill have been able to entertain you even more. So in return, I want to receive a bigger reward.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt has her eyes wide open in shock upon hearing such an unexpected suggestion.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt bursts intoughter, saying your suggestion is incredibly funny.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt epts your proposal! The deity bares her fangs and warns that if you fail, you will never have a peaceful afterlife.]
Thank you, Chang-Sun said, a corner of his mouth twisting into a smile. He thought to himself that his smile was likely not so different from Pabilsags own.
However, the meanings behind those smiles were entirely different.
* * *
That was how Chang-Suns massacre began.
It was undoubtedly difficult to reach the sector where the boss monster, the Bloody Mamba, resided. Apart from the Red Mambas, he had to face White Worms that leaped out of the ground unpredictably, and Blue Crows that swooped suddenly from the sky.
sh, sh-
sh!
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Strength increased by 3.]
[Stamina increased by 2.]
...
[News of the wager between you and A Good Season to Hunt has spread rapidly throughout Heaven!!]
[Some deities have begun to watch your performance with skeptical gazes.]
[Some deities have begun to show interest in your practical martial arts skills.]
The Celestials Chang-Sun knew of were all scoundrels. They were always curious and nosy beings, as they were unable to handle their eternal lifespans. That was why Chang-Sun had been certain that the bet between him and Pabilsag would spread almost instantly.
While he had primarily raised the stakes to turn Pabilsag into a sugar-deity, he had also done so with a greater purpose in mind: To cement his image as a super rookie, one worth being noticed by the Celestials, by creating a massive spectacle.
Just as Pabilsag had casually thrown him [Tiamats Snaggletooth], Celestials had a tendency to act on impulse. Thus, the more sugar-deities Chang-Sun could have, the better.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt is quite taken aback by the unexpectedly high number of viewers online.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt has strongly warned the other Celestials who have shown interest in you!]
Of course, Pabilsag nned to have Chang-Sun all to herself, and seemed quite unhappy to see the crowd grow in size.
I wonder if Ive gotten some extra deities from this. I hope I hooked a good one, Chang-Sun thought.
[Level up!]
[Achieved Level 10. Sessfully graduated from being a novice.]
[Achievement Unlocked!]
A Person of Talent Who Has Broken Through in the Shortest Time.
Reward: All stats +5. Secret ss opened.
Chang-Suns eyes shone dangerously.
Secret ss. Just as he had expected, the word he wanted popped up.
In his previous life, he had received the ordinary Spearman ss and had only leveled up with great difficulty. He could never be satisfied with a mediocre ss.
If I got Dragon Lord or King of Darkness, those would be the best options. Thats very unlikely, though. Well, if Im going down this route. Berserker would be the best.
The biggest disadvantage of the Berserker ss was that its ability to explosively boost ones damage output came at the cost of ones sanity. However, Chang-Sun was not too worried about that, as he had nned a countermeasure for such problems.
Above all else, the reason he wanted to choose Berserker as his first ss was that it was the earliest starting point to reach the final ss he nned to acquire.
Aside from that, the Berserker ss is essential for killing the Bloody Mamba.
The Bloody Mamba was a monster that could not be easily killed even by a group of yers at Level 20.
Chang-Sun, who was only Level 10, had made the bet because he had something up his sleeve.
[From the two-digit levels, selecting a ss will enable faster growth andbine suitable skill trees.]
[Reviewing the list of suitable sses by considering the yers achievements and records.]
[Revealing the results.]
[ss Selection]
1. Swordsman
2. Spearman
3. Brawler
...
17. Dragons Child (Secret!)
18. Wanderer of Darkness (Secret!)
...
30. Rune Master (Secret!)
Considering that the first ss selection provided five sses on average, and even geniuses were offered ten sses at most, the number of sses avable was ridiculous. On top of that, secret ssesa single one of which would be considered a jackpotfilled half of the list. It was truly absurd.
After spending quite some time scanning through the list, Chang-Sun wavered for the first time.
Berserker isnt there.
He had six minutes left.
Chapter 6: Star, Regress (4)
Chapter 6: Star, Regress (4)
Chang-Sun could not help butugh dryly at the situation.
''The only reason I suggested a bet was to get the Berserker ss, but theres no Berserker on the list? What the?!''
Chang-Sun had no idea where he had made a mistake. Considering his attack-focused fighting style and the achievement he had gained from quickly eliminating monsters, he had really thought the Berserker ss would be guaranteed.
However, he could not lose his focus just because something unexpected hade up. Even now, the time he had left was decreasing quickly.
[00:05:56:21]
[00:05:56:20]
[The Celestial ''A Good Season to Hunt'' has posed a question as to how you will finish the bet within the remaining time.]
[Three Celestials who have not revealed their names are curious about your future decisions.]
I have no choice then.
Scrolling down the list quickly, Chang-Sun took a look at thest choice.
Among these sses, this is the one that can disy the greatest destructive power.
30. Rune Master (Secret!)
It was clear that Pabilsag and the other three deities who were now watching Chang-Sun would all tilt their heads in confusion.
It was true that Rune Master was a secret ss; however, it was more of a supporter-type ss, not an attacker.
[Rune Master]
The way Rune Masters passed down their knowledge was a mystery. In the present, very few people were knowledgeable about ancient rune magic. However, Chang-Sun would be the exception with this ss.
[Choose ''Rune Master'' as your first ss? Y/N]
In truth, although Chang-Sun was about to choose Rune Master, even he was having a hard time grasping why it had shown up on the screen. The ss selection was decided based on achievements and records, but he had only shown mundane fighting prowess.
However, no matter what the reason was, all that mattered was that he could be powerful as a Berserker if he could utilize runes well. Rune Master was more than sufficient to reach the final ss he aimed to achieve.
Drawing runes will be pretty tricky but this might be better. In terms of pure destructive power, this ss has the upper hand.
Apart from that, it was cumbersome to keep the Berserkers increasingly out-of-control sanity in check for each battle.
I can work with theck of damage.
As soon as Chang-Sun collected his thoughts, his finger headed directly toward the Y button. A continuous stream of messages popped up in his vision.
Ding!
Ding!
[You have chosen Rune Master as your first ss!]
[ss Upgrade: Rune Master!]
[Agility increased by 5.]
[Magic increased by 5.]
[New stat Intelligence has been added.]
[New stat Willpower has been added.]
[The ss Skill Poor-Level Rune Creation has been created.]
[The ss Skill Poor-Level Rune Engraving has been created.]
The Intelligence stat improved ones cognitive and memorization abilities, making it easier to think strategically. Meanwhile, the Willpower stat improved mental strength and heightened ones concentration. It was a must-have stat for Chang-Sun to create and utilize runes on the battlefield. Both stats had appeared because Rune Master was considered a wizard-type ss.
Afterward
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt is astounded by your choice!]
[A Celestial who has not revealed their name giggles emptily.]
[A Celestial who has not revealed their name is doubtful.]
Without exception, the deities who had been watching Chang-Sun found his choice iprehensible. Rune creation was not an easy skill to master, and was definitely not suitable for use by a beginner in an actual fight. Moreover, Chang-Sun did not own a tool to create runes with, or a wand to cast spells using them. Thus, the deities confusion was understandable.
Regardless of their reactions, however, Chang-Sun paid no mind to them and quickly inspected his ss skills.
[Poor-Level Rune Creation]
You can create runes. Higher skill levels represent deeper understanding of runes, heightening their sess rate and decreasing their production time.
Skill Level: 1
Type: ss. Active. Manufacturing.
Effect: Rune crafting.
[Poor-Level Rune Engraving]
You can enchant a designated target with a pre-crafted rune. Higher skill levels will allow the enchantment of more kinds of targets, from objects to people.
Skill Level: 1
Type: ss, Active, Buff.
Effect: Rune enchantment.
As expected, I got these two this time, so its fine.
Roughly four minutes remained. Chang-Sun activated one of his new skills without dy.
[The Skill Poor-Level Rune Creation has been activated.]
[Distributed 30 additional stats to Intelligence. 030]
[Distributed 25 additional stats to Willpower. 0 25]
[The increased stats have increased your chances of sess!]
Cerulean energy formed at the end of Chang-Suns left hand, which meant the skill had been activated. Then, he cut his left hand deeply with [Tiamat''s Snaggletooth].
Paaah!
Blood sprayed forcefully out of the wound. In spite of the terrible pain, however, Chang-Sun did not even blink once. He drew a long line on the surface of [Tiamat''s Snaggletooth] with his heavily bleeding palm. leaving a scarlet mark on the weapons ck de. As blue energy seeped into the de, [Tiamat''s Snaggletooth] trembled slightly.
Chang-Sun thought I never thought that skill the old man forced me to learn would be this useful.
[Tiamat''s Snaggletooth has been converted into a temporary wand!]
As soon as Chang-Sun finished reading the messages, he began to draw runes on the des surface rapidly. His still-dripping blood served as the paint, and his index and middle finger as the brush. Not a hint of hesitation held him back as he drew the same rune over and over. Each stroke was extremely sharp and decisive, without a single hint of neatness or refinement.
[The Skill Poor-Level Rune Engraving has been activated!]
[An Explosion Rune has been engraved!]
[An Explosion Rune has been engraved!]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt, having read your thoughts, scoffs.]
Pabilsag finally understood what Chang-Sun was aiming for.
Most of a practitioners mana was contained in blood, thus making it the most efficient medium for releasing mana from ones body. Using that, Chang-Sun did not need to prepare tools for rune creation, and could simply turn [Tiamats Snaggletooth] into a wand. Now, he was even imbuing it with runes. Nomon sense could describe what was happening.
[Tiamats Snaggletooth] was a relic Pabilsag had received from her mother; thus, even if most of its options were locked, it would be better than anymon wand.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt wonders how a novice like you knows about runes.]
Done.
When Chang-Sun finished drawing the fifth rune, which was thest one he needed, [Tiamats Snaggletooth] jolted violently as if it were about to explode.
[Due to your exceptional concentration and willpower, rune creation and engraving has not failed even once!]
[Due to your exceptional concentration and willpower, rune creation and engraving has not failed even once!]
[The skill level has been increased!]
[As an additional reward, the effects of Explosion Rune 5 have beenpounded!]
[Your mana supply is exhausted.]
[You have fallen into the Hunger state.]
WhooshD
Stab, stab, stab!
Forcing himself to remain conscious, Chang-Sun used [Tiamats Snaggletooth] to draw several diagonal lines in midair.
[00:03:21:05]
[00:03:21:04]
About three minutes remained. However, that was more than enough to wipe out the forest before Chang-Sun and kill the Bloody Mamba.
Thud!
RumbleD!
* * *
ording to the official government manual, civilians were supposed to divide themselves into groups ording to the each of them received if they were entangled in a Random Break.
Shieldbearers would join a Shieldbearer group, Spearmen would join a Spearman group, and Supporters would join a Supporter. Each of the groups would have a unique formation, and they were to be led by a yer or a soldier.
By that standard, Second Lieutenant Park Hae-Seong was the perfect man to handle the current situation, as he was both a soldier and a yer.
Again?! Hae-Seong thought, having trouble focusing on leading people.
For some time, explosions had begun ringing out through the forest. Thetest one was significantly louder than any Hae-Seong had heard before. Naturally, the civilians also looked in its direction, where smoke and fire rose above the trees as the ground rumbled.
W-What is this?!
The monsters arent rushing in, are they?
Whats going to happen?!
What on earth is going on?!
They had already been on edge due to the messages rted to Chang-Sun. They had no idea what was going on inside the forest. The Tyrant they knew was just a normal professional gamer; it was hard to believe that he was disying such an exceptional level of performance.
Of course, some yers did flourish, developing entirely new talents upon awakening. Thus, in theory, Chang-Suns achievements were usible. However, what happened afterward was the problem.
Monsters were never to be taken lightly. Apart from their extraordinary power and ferocity, they were much smarter than most animals. If they were present inrge groups, the danger they posed only grew.
What if a wrong move in the monsters habitat triggered a monster wave, sending it over to the Safe Zone? That was the worst-case scenario. Thus, the best option would be for someone to go into the forest and get a grasp on the situation.
The problem was that no one dared to leave the Safe Zone. To civilians, Dungeons were a hellish ce where anything could happen. Park Hae-Sung, who happened to be the only yer among them, had a duty to protect and lead them as a soldier. However, he was also unable to exit the area.
In the end, they were dependent on the messages that popped up in their vision for information, and could only make assumptions. The government-mandated formations were for such asions, to allow civilians to prepare for the worst. Their weapon-holding hands were all sweaty as they hoped nothing more would happen.
However
Ding!
[The yer Lee Chang-Sun has begun the boss raid!]
[Boss: Bloody Mamba.]
W-What?
The boss raid? Already?
Damn! That bastard will kill us all, Im sure of it!
The group could not help but curse at the newly-appearing messages. No matter how confident Chang-Sun was, how could he even consider messing with a boss monster?!
Due to the extreme threat it posed, the Bloody Mamba was one of the most famous massive monsters, and even civilians were familiar with it. It was a demonic monster that could fell an ox in an instant with a single drop of its venom. If it escaped its dwelling, the damage it caused would be worse than an ordinary monster wave.
Son of a bitch! He did this kind of thing in games, and now hes doing it again here! Jeon Choong-Jae, the young man who had spoken ill of Chang-Sun, hissed through gritted teeth.
As far as Choong-Jae knew, Chang-Sun was just an alcoholic; he had no idea how Chang-Sun had awakened his talent as a yer. Regardless of the answer, however, Chang-Sun had run amok and caused trouble for many people.
The civilians all looked at Hae-Seong, seeing him as theirst hope.
Hey, soldier guy! Do something!
Right! Were all gonna die if we dont do something!
Hae-Seong called out, Everyone, just remember what I told you. Calm down and maintain your positions.
But! someone protested.
Maintain your position. If our formations copse even a little, everyone will die, Hae-Seong instructed them. He knew that if he showed how nervous he was, things would take a turn for the worse. Thus, he could not waver even in the face of opposition.
In the end, although the civilians were all nervous and on edge, they maintained their positions.
Damn. Out of all the Dungeons it could have been, why did I have to get entangled in an Unpredictable Gate?! Hae-Seong thought. With great difficulty, he swallowed those words back down despite wanting to say them out loud.
Unlike the others, however, he felt a faint glimmer of hope. Amid the ck smoke, he saw a golden light shining. He thought If thats the skill effect that shows up when someone scores a critical hit, we definitely have a chance of winning!
The golden skill effect only appeared after satisfying extremely tricky conditions. Among those were decisive blows that reduced a monsters HP considerably, disys of perfect control, and wless execution of a skill. Thus, if a yer could trigger even one or two of them, that was sufficient for them to be evaluated as having great control.
Some of the yers who were associated with godlike control were Dr. Frost, who could bombard vast areas if his magic spells were not dispelled perfectly, or Killer Queen, who could terrorize targets with a unique assassination technique called One Flower in the Midst.
Now, however, golden skill effects were being triggered constantly! So many of them filled the air they began to eclipse the ck smoke and scarlet fire.
What on earth is happening there?!
How could Chang-Sun continuouslynd critical hits against the boss monster of a two-star Dungeon, and during a solo raid, no less? Hae-Seong was certain that even yers who had levels in the thirties would struggle to aplish such a feat. Now, however, it was being done by a mere novice. Such an event would undoubtedly go down in history if it were revealed to the world.
Perhaps, Hae-Seong thought, he was witnessing the birth of a new member of the Ten Overlords!
ThudD!
Just then, something extremelyrge fell to the ground, and the continuous explosions faded like a mirage. Afterward, a new message from the Dungeon appeared in the eyes of the novices.
[The first boss monster, the Bloody Mamba, has been sessfully hunted!]
Huh?! Hae-Seong gulped inadvertently.
[The first sector of the Dungeon Quest: Pioneer has been sessfully conquered.]
[Compiling a temporary ranking.]
Without giving anyone a moment to speak, the messages quickly continued.
[Dungeon Ranking]
Maximum Points: 5,000 Points
First ce: Lee Chang-Sun (4,999 Points)
Second ce: Park Hae-Seong (1 Point)
Third ce: None
[Different rewards will be given out based on performance.]
[Different rewards will be given out based on rank.]
Chapter 7: Star, Regress (5)
Chapter 7: Star, Regress (5)
Shortly afterward, Chang-Sun reappeared in the Safe Zone.
Thud!
Chang-Sun nonchntly threw something that was draped over his shoulder onto the ground.
...!
!
!
Gulp!
Including Park Hae-Seong, all those present gulped as they saw the Bloody Mambas eight-meter-long carcass, lying dead with its tongue out. They had remained skeptical until the end, but the messages had proven to be true regardless. No one had any idea what kind of stunt Chang-Sun had pulled, but one thing was for sure: It was absurd to think this was the work of a novice.
Monster
That was the only word that entered their minds.
In the face of the intimidating air Chang-Sun gave off, Second Lieutenant Hae-Seong gulped dryly once again realizing it. From the looks of it, Chang-Sun seemed to have returned to the Safe Zone without going on another raid because he was nning on taking a break
I assume youre a yer. Is that right? Chang-Sun asked.
Y-Yes. I am, Hae-Seong replied. Inwardly, however, he thought What kind of person''s eyes are!
He was certain he had to be stronger than Chang-Sun, at least level-wise. However, it was strangely difficult to meet Chang-Sun''s gaze, even though he had already encountered numerous ster[1] experts as a summa cumude in the military academy.
He did not know how to exin it Perhaps it was that Chang-Sun looked like a very hungry and annoyed beast. Merely standing face to face with him was enough to sense a ferocity sharp enough that it almost seemed as if it could tear bodies apart.
For now, Ive wiped out most of the small fries, so there wont be many monstersing down here. Still, there might be some that try, so I hope youll take care of them on my behalf.
Hae-Seong knew that Chang-Sun was not really asking, but rather ordering. That probably meant he was going to rest somewhere else because he was fatigued. However, Hae-Seong thought that could be for the best. Even he, a yer, had felt unsettled while having a conversation with Chang-Sun. Surely it would be even worse for civilians.
Some peoples faces had already turned pale, and they stayed far away from Chang-Sun. A few even looked away, hoping to avoid making eye contact with him.
Someone offered, If youre nning on resting, Ill make room over!
No need. Everyone seems uneasy around me, so Ill find my own ce, Chang-Sun replied, then left the Safe Zone after slinging the bloody mamba carcass over his shoulder.
Hae-Seong and the civilians finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew!
Is he really the Tyrant? Are you sure you didn''t mistake him for somebody else who looks like him?
Yeah. He really seems like a totally different person Hes not a demon, is he?
Come on, man! Out of all the questions, you had to ask that one! Besides, if he were a demonic being, wouldnt we all be dead already? He would have already finished us off.
I I guess so? Ha Hahaha! I guess I must have been worried over nothing.
Like a ripple in a pond, theirints spread far, but as a result, no one witnessed the sight of Jeon Choong-Jae ring at Chang-Sun''s back as he left.
* * *
[A momentary break will be provided before the second sector opens.]
[01:00:00]
[00:59:59:99]
...
Demonic being Well, I suppose it isnt too weird to be called that, Chang-Sun remarked with an empty chuckle as he left the Safe Zone, heading toward the forest on the other side of the first sector.
Perhaps because of how much experience he had umted, his senses were keen enough for him to overhear their conversation. Naturally, if they realized that fact, they would freak out.
This will be fine, Chang-Sun remarked as he sat down in a moderate-sized clearing amid the trees. Then, he slit his left index finger with [Tiamats Snaggletooth] and scribbled a new rune on a nearby boulder.
[Obstruction Rune has been engraved!]
[Skill Level increased!]
[The Skill Poor-Level Rune Creation has reached its maximum level. A higher-level skill has been created.]
[The Skill Low-Level Rune Creation has been created!]
The Obstruction Rune could not regenerate Chang-Suns stamina or make fatigue disappear, but it could serve to hide him from monsters. Thus, it was the perfect rune to use if he wanted to take a short break.
I have to organize my rewards first, he thought.
[Two rewards for your achievements (Performance Ranking) and three rewards (The Hunters Verification) are on hold.]
Receive achievement rewards.
[The Performance reward has been granted. Choose one from the following selection.]
[1. Skill]
[2. Effect]
[3. Item]
[4. Merit]
Several choices appeared, but there was no need for Chang-Sun to give it much thought. He already had his choice in mind.
[Category No. 4 Merit has been chosen as a reward.]
[10,000 Karma has been umted!]
[The Performance reward has been granted. Choose one from the following selection.]
...
[5,000 Karma has been umted!]
[Currently owned Merit: 15,000 Karma.]
Well, the rewards given at lower levels only have cool names, but theyre mostly superficial. unnecessary. [Tiamats Snaggletooth] should be enough for now, and if I really need something, making it on my own will be more efficient, Chang-Sun thought.
On the other hand, Merit, which would be converted into a currency called Karma, was different.
When the shop is unlocked, nothing will be more useful than this.
The Saha World and the Otherworld had something inmon: The rich guy would win in the end. Merit was none other than the primary means of making that happen.
That was why Chang-Sun nned to focus on umting Merit for a while, to the fullest extent possible. In the shop, he would be able to buy and trade many things, such as skills, items, and blessings. Even divinities could appear in it from time to time.
The next thing he did was to check his status. Open system window.
[Lee Chang-Sun]
Divine Name: Divine Twilight (Unusable)
Title: Natural Enemy of Serpents (New!)
Faction: Underworld
ss: Rune Master
Level: 15
Strength: 36.5 (+25)
Agility: 32.7 (+20)
Stamina: 29.9 (+20)
Magic: 10 (+20)
Intelligence: 33 (+20)
Willpower: 28.2 (+20)
Acquired Skills.
Intermediate Dagger Proficiency Lv.5
Poor-Level Rune Engraving Lv.9
Low-Level Rune Creation Lv.1 (New!)
Serpent Eyes Lv.1 (New!)
Acquired Effects
Lesser Toxin Resistance Lv.5
Acquired Authorities
Soul Exploitation Lv.1
Execution Sword Lv.1
Special note: Several deities have shown deep interest and admiration for the achievements you have aplished.
Additional Stats: 50
Not too bad, Chang-Sun thought.
In truth, although Chang-Sun saw his current status as merely alright, the reality was that it was far more than that. Who would believe that this was the status window of a yer who had just received his first ss? Even Chang-Sun, who had already gone down a simr road in Arcadia, smiled faintly as he read the window.
Catching the Bloody Mamba in a solo raid definitely contributed the most toward making this happen.
The achievement he had been awarded raised his Strength and Agility tremendously, making it possible to raise the relevant skills to Level 5. He decided to keep the additional stats in reserve, as they would be useful in the future.
Apart from that, the extra rewards were also useful.
The title Natural Enemy of Serpents had been granted by killing the Bloody Mamba on a solo raid. Equipping the title was enough to cause fear not only in snakes, but also in all reptile-type monsters, and it granted an additional 10 points to all stats. The titles effects were extremely potent. The new skill [Serpent Eyes] was of a simr caliber. It would allow Chang-Sun to easily identify an opponents weak spot and would be immensely useful to him.
Those two rewards alone would already grant him an enormous advantage.
On top of all that, my strength and agility stats are so high that Pabilsag will drool over them.
Chang-Sun turned his gaze toward the messages that had been ringing continuously, as if begging for his attention.
[The first of three rewards from clearing the quest, [Tiamats Snaggletooth], now belongs to you indefinitely.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt has expressed a strong desire to have you!]
Despite bestowing a relic she treasured immensely on Chang-Sun. Pabilsag was not unhappy. Instead, she had revealed a firm desire to make him her apostle, one way or another. That was how much Chang-Sun meant to her.
[Some deities have begun to show clear interest in you after finding out the results of the wager.]
[Some stars have begun to take interest in you.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt once again issues a strong warning. Anybody who attempts to steal her ything will taste a dragons wrath!]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt asks what you want as additional rewards for the wager.]
The entire time, Pabilsag had not forgotten about their wager. She went as far as to open up her personal treasury, telling Chang-Sun to take whatever he wished.
[The second reward has been granted.]
[The dragons treasury has been opened!]
[Reward List:]
1. Anatizan Gold.
2. Blue Sky Grail.
3. Universal Stone.
As Chang-Sun reached the end of the list, he repeatedly clicked his tongue
She has all sorts of things. Not only does she have the [Blue Sky Grail], which can turn any alcohol into an elixir, she also has the [Universal Stone] that can grant its bearer more mana just by carrying it around?
As Pabilsag was a daughter of Tiamat, Chang-Sun had assumed that she would own all sorts of treasures and riches. Still, the actual list surpassed his wildest expectations. It exceeded all the wealth Chang-Sun himself had acquired in his Divine Twilight years. It was indeed a dragons treasury.
However, what surprised Chang-Sun the most was Pabilsags magnanimity. Although he had been aiming for such a result from the start, he had never expected her to be so generous.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt says you can request anything without reservations.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt affirms that even a million gold coins will not be a waste if she can win you over.]
[Several deities are bbergasted by the offer given by A Good Season to Hunt.]
[Several stars have revealed their interest in the treasury of A Good Season to Hunt.]
Chang-Sun got the impression that many Celestials were watching him and Pabilsag at that moment.
That gives me even more of a reason not to be content with this.
Reaching out with one hand, Chang-Sun closed the list.
[The treasury list has been closed.]
[You have not chosen any rewards!]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt frowns noticeably, asking about the intent behind your choice.]
[Some deities have revealed their suspicion of your unfathomable mind.]
If I choose a reward from the list, Ill be under Pabilsags control forever.
It was a given that Chang-Sun had nned to attract the attention of deities and stars, but he had no intention of bing someones apostle. Bing an apostle meant mortgaging ones soul. In the long run, it would close many options off.
After all, I didnt see anything that was truly valuable.
He had had enough of mortgaging his life in Arcadia. Still, it would be unwise to incur resentment from a deity. He needed to entice Pabilsag as best he could.
As far as I am aware, the more Merit one umtes, the better, because it is useful in the reward system. I want to do that instead.
[The reward you have not received has been substituted with Merit.]
[1,000,000 Karma has been umted!]
[Currently owned Merit: 1,015,000.]
Maybe its because I had a bet with a deity, but Ive received a lot.
Chang-Sun already owning over a million Karma was as ridiculous as the stats he had.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt has a disapproving expression.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt rmends at least taking the remaining reward of bing an apostle candidate.]
Again, I apologize. I wish to experience more rather than making a hasty decision. I also have no ns to end my journey as an apostle candidate.
[You have also rejected the third reward (Bing an apostle candidate).]
[The reward you have not received has been substituted with Merit.]
[1,000,000 Karma has been umted!]
[Currently owned Merit: 2,015,000.]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt is furious at you for mocking her!]
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt growls ferociously, warning you that you will regret this in the future!]
It felt as if the air itself had begun trembling, and Chang-Sun could feel the deitys wrath physically.
However, that did not mean he had to keep his head down. After all, Celestials were bound by thew of causality, limiting their ability to freely interfere in the Saha World. Even if they wished to get in Chang-Suns way in the future, they were bound to run into limitations.
Besides
Ding! DingD
Messages continued to ring incessantly.
[Some deities have begun to watch the interesting spectacle unfold while eating popcorn,menting that A Good Season to Hunt ended up behaving in an unsightly manner.]
[Some deities have begun paying attention to your ambition that is not content with bing a mere apostle candidate.]
[Some deities who previously gave up on you have once again begun to show their interest and attention.]
It was inevitable that demonstrating excellent value would eventually lead to deities siding with Chang-Sun. Eventually, they would be enough to protect him from Pabilsags attempts to pressure him. Even if that did not turn out to be the case, if he understood the situation correctly, she would never stop wanting him.
Tiamat and her children are never satisfied until they get their hands on something theyve begun to desire. Besides, if Pabilsag really needs fighting power for a battle against Bel-Marduk, shell be in dire need of as many talented people as possible.
[The Celestial A Good Season to Hunt watches you for a moment with zing eyes, then rapidly looks away.]
With that, Pabilsag would most likely stop expressing her will openly for a while. However, Chang-Sun was fairly sure that she was going to keep watching him.
From beginning to end, everything has been going smoothly ording to n. Its actually starting to be concerning I think this will be enough to get me to the next stage, though. I wonder how much time is left until the next sector opens?
[00:51:49:33]
Roughly fifty minutes remained.
It should be enough to make the necessary preparations.
With [Tiamats Snaggletooth], which remained sharp even after enduring so many Explosion Runes, Chang-Sun dismembered the Bloody Mambas corpse. He did not show the slightest hint of hesitation as he gutted it to remove its organs, separated its skin from its flesh, and drained its blood.
Normally, not a single thing should go to waste with a boss monster like this.
[Acquired Bloody Mambas Blood!]
[Acquired Bloody Mambas Tendon 5!]
[Acquired Bloody Mambas Eyeballs 2!]
[Some deities have be curious about your next move.]
[Along with the rumors pertaining to the wager, the news of you refusing the offer to be an apostle of A Good Season to Hunt is slowly spreading through Heaven!]
[The deities who have grown curious about you are connecting to Dungeon Channel KR-9721 one after another.]
[The current number of viewers is ??. ]
[The current number of deities showing deep interest in you is ??.]
* * *
[00:25:11:98]
People always became preupied with safety in the face of a crisis. On the other hand, if someone turned that crisis into an opportunity and soared high into the sky, it would form two things in the minds of the hopeful: The question of Wouldnt I be able to do that too?, and confirmation bias.
That was the case for Jeon Choong-Jae, who blurted out all of a sudden on his break, ...Wouldnt I be able to do that too?
In response, his friend Kim Hyeong-Won asked, Do what?
Be a yer, Choong-Jae answered.
Hey, are you nuts? Youre gonna do what now? Hyeong-Won asked.
If a drunk can do it, why cant I? Choong-Jae answered the question with another question.
Hyeong-Won facepalmed without realizing it. Choong-Jae had been talking trash about Chang-Sun a while back, and it seemed he had be delusional in the end.
He was well aware of Choong-Jaes long-held jealousy toward Lee Chang-Sun. How could he not be? Chang-Sun had stomped on the opportunity Choong-Jae had desperately desired ever since he was a child. Later, Chang-Sun had be a piece of trash who looked at Choong-Jae with scorn.
Choong-Jaes wounded heart from that time was not to be taken lightly. That was why he had been quite appalled after finding out that Chang-Sun was with him when he first got entangled in the Random Break. Out of all the ways he could form an ill-fated rtionship, he just had to have met Chang-Sun in a Dungeon.
Although everything turned out this way because we found Lee Chang-Sun exiting the convenience store with alcohol and followed him afterward
Thus, Hyeong-Won had been worried that Choong-Jae would say something ridiculous to Chang-Sun when he showed up in the Safe Zone with the Bloody Mambas body. Luckily, Choong-Jae had held his burning resentment in rather than trying to pick a fight.
That had convinced Hyeong-Won that Choong-Jae had at least a bit of sense. However, it seemed he had been mistaken. Still, how could Choong-Jae even think of bing a yer? Hyeong-Won had always thought of yers as mad moths caught up in get-rich-quick fever, so he wanted to stop his friend from running headfirst into danger.
However, Choong-Jae continued, No. I think I can do it. I didnt realize it earlier, but I think I might have a . I think I acquired it here.
If Choong-Jae would not listen even after so much in the way of exnations and reasoning, even someone as gentle as Hyeong-Won was bound to get angry. He eximed, Hey, cut it
Choong-Jae cut him off, saying, Im not talking nonsense. I see it now.
Hyeong-Won asked, What do you see?
Choong-Jae replied, A gods message.
Wha Hyeong-Won began to yell, but he fell silent, his eyes widening in shock as Choong-Jae shared the message he had been looking at.
[The Celestial Twilight-Piercing Owl has revealed a deep interest in the talent of yer Jeon Choong-Jae!]
...!
Hyeong-Won was taken aback. He was well aware of the deity known as Twilight-Piercing Owl.
In fact, it was impossible for him not to be aware of her identity. Based on her number of followers alone, Twilight-Piercing Owl was one of the most highly venerated deities among all the ns in the world. She was a goddess of justice and war; naturally, that made her one of the most notable deities in the world of yers, where power was prized above all else.
However, as she did not have an apostle, the deity was also known as the epitome of pride Why was she showing interest in Choong-Jae? Such a story could never be overlooked. If news were to leak out, it would cause an uproar across the world.
Hyeong-Won began to ask Choong-Jae for details on how such a thing had happened. Have you ever taken the tests for awakening
Suddenly, however
Fumfumfum!
The sky rumbled, and a public message appeared above the Safe Zone.
[An administrator has appeared!]
1. The original word in Korean was ???, which trantes to countless stars twinkling in the night sky, but metaphorically refers to a gathering of people with high status, power, or honor. Ster coincidentally has a simr connotation in English. ?
Chapter 8: Star, Tutorial (1)
Chapter 8: Star, Tutorial (1)
Administrator?
What? Why is it appearing now?
Jeong Choong-Jae and Kim Hyeong-Won both looked up at the same time. So did the other civilians, who had previously believed that they could rx for the remaining time, and Park Hae-Seong, who had been trying to anticipate what the quest in the second sector would be.
As the title implied, an Administrator was a being that managed Dungeons. Still, they were rarely seen, as each Administrator oversaw multiple Dungeons. Unlike deities or stars, they were beings who always gave people trials and tribtions, which meant even high rankers or apostles would avoid meeting Administrators. Why would such a being show up without warning?
Most people took a step back, their expressions filled with fear. However, Hae-Seong stepped forward to take charge as their leader.
Tap!
A pir of light descended from the sky. When it disappeared, it revealed a rabbit-man wearing a tuxedo, standing quietly in ce. He had a monocle over one eye and a pocket-watch in one hand, reminiscent of the White Rabbit from .
Oh my! I unintentionally disrupted your rest, didnt I? the Administrator began, greeting those present with exaggerated elegance. It is so good to meet you all for the first time. I, Herald, am an Administrator responsible for the KR channel.
Im Park Hae-Seong. Im currently in charge of the safety zone, Hae-Seong replied.
Oh. I assume you are the famous yer Park Hae-Seong, Herald said.
Do you know me? Hae-Seong asked.
Of course I do. You are the sole survivor of the Den of the Evil Dragon, no? The is also keeping a close eye on you, Mr. Park Hae-Seong. It would be impossible for me not to know you, Herald replied.
The name Den of the Evil Dragon left a faint frown on Hae-Seongs face, but he quickly hid his feelings and cautiously asked, Thank you, but what brings you here?
A matter hase up, for which I have to ask for your understanding, Herald answered.
By understanding, you mean Hae-Seong trailed off, his expression stiffening as he felt an ominous sense of foreboding.
In truth, unlike the , my main principles are non-intervention and freedom. I tried to not interfere with all of you However, as you may know, it is difficult to act on ones own beliefs inside an organization, is it not? Herald remarked, before calmly continuing, The transmission rate in this channel abruptly rose tenfold, making my bosses quite irritated Thus, I am sorry, but it seems the difficulty level needs to be adjusted.
Wha! Hae-Seong began to splutter in protest, but Herald lightly flicked his fingers.
Flick!
[Reflecting the currently recorded achievements, the difficulty level has been revised significantly.]
[The Safe Zone has disappeared.]
[The monsters aggression has been increased.]
[The monsters damage and defense has been increased.]
...
The Safe Zones dividing line that had previously surrounded the civilians disappeared. At the same time, the concentration of mana in the air became so high that it was difficult to breathe. However, that was not what truly filled the civilians with horror.
Dozens of eyes that resembled will-o-the-wisps began to appear throughout the forest surrounding the Safe Zone.
KrrrD
W-What the?!
Why all of a sudden?!
The civilians could not help but be petrified with fear; for them, this was no different from their survival rate being lowered abruptly for no reason.
Its just like back then! Hae-Seong thought desperately, biting down hard on his lower lip. He had experienced something simr before.
News of a super-talented novices appearance had attracted a lot of attention from the Celestials, and an Administrator had suddenly showed up. In an instant, a quest that had been about to end changedpletely. Because of that, the evil dragon they hadid to rest with much difficulty went on a rampage, killing countless colleagues of his The man once called the Hope of Korea had also vanished vainly in its wake.
After bing the sole survivor, the only thing Hae-Seong had seen was a message casually thrown out by the watching Celestials.
[Disappointing.]
Later, Hae-Seong had found out that whenever a notable person of rare talent showed up, Celestials would raise the difficulty level of a quest significantly to gauge the persons potential for bing an apostle. They did not care one bit about the people who would be sacrificed in the process. The term they used seemed to be The Filtering.
All those who had the absolute power needed to be called high rankers had all gone through The Filtering, one after another. Hae-Seong had never imagined that the same thing would happen here!
Do they consider Lee Chang-Sun to have that much talent?
While Second Lieutenant Park Hae-Seong was screaming silently, the Dungeon underwent the final stage of its transformation.
Thump!
[As the difficulty level rises, the remaining time has reached zero.]
[Free will has been granted to the monsters.]
[Currently, they are in the Hungry state. Survive the hungry predators attack.]
[The