RKP 321-330

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Rosaria lowered her gaze.


Even so, she couldn't stop the goosebumps from rising on her skin.


[What are you afraid of, my child?]


Lilith lifted Rosaria's chin.


Two pairs of crimson eyes met.


Lilith's crimson eyes were smiling, while Rosaria's crimson eyes were shaking violently.


[It seems you've realized what this mistress is about to say.]


Rosaria nodded with a trembling body.


She was a higher being, but Rosaria had watched Lilith from her side for longer than anyone else.


When Lilith had intercourse with Igmun, when she spoke with the Archdukes.


Lilith had never kept Rosaria far away.


Because she had herself.


For her, who possessed the power of mind control, discerning the wavering hearts of others was nothing.


Discarding those who showed signs of betrayal was not difficult.


[Tell me. What does this mistress desire?]


Lilith's crimson eyes gleamed, and Rosaria's mind went blank.


It was the process of brainwashing, a form of mind control.


[Intruder… human… male… desire….]


Drip.


Tears of blood flowed from Rosaria's eyes.


It was a cruel power for a higher being to endure.


Even so, Lilith didn't stop the brainwashing.


[Can you do it?]


[I… can… do it….]


Drip, drip.


Blood flowed from Rosaria's nose.


Even so, Lilith wasn't satisfied.


[Can you risk your life for this mistress?]


[I will… risk my life….]


Gulp.


A handful of blood flowed from Rosaria's mouth after she finished answering.


Swish. Swish.


Lilith's tentacles wiped Rosaria's mouth.


Her gaze was as if she were looking at a very beloved child.


[Beloved child, Rosaria. Do not disappoint this mistress.]


Rosaria nodded with a painful expression.


Only then did a satisfied smile leak from Lilith's lips.


And then.


Whoosh.


Crimson magic surged from Lilith's body.


The surging magic flowed through her tentacles and was absorbed by Rosaria.


Crack. Crack.


Small horns sprouted on Rosaria's forehead, and ten tentacles grew from her back.


[Now you resemble this mistress's confidante. That power will grow stronger and make you the greatest warrior of the succubus race.]


Lilith stroked Rosaria's cheek, who had regained her focus.


She was a higher succubus who had managed to stay alive by her side for a long time.


And now, she had become a supreme being by accepting her power.


She might not be able to defeat that absurd fellow whose power didn't even work on her.


[Humans are terrible creatures.]


Lilith smiled bitterly.


The man who was chasing Baal.


She already knew quite a bit about him.


He was a human from another dimension who had crossed a gate and gained the power to threaten an Archduke.


Someone who knew the forces of the Abyss well was backing him.


The most important thing was that he didn't have any significant power yet.


[It's a matter of time.]


The Abyss was a world of the survival of the fittest.


Now, those who were watching wouldn't move rashly.


But if the man's actions continued, useful forces would gather around him one by one.


She needed to cut off the bud before that happened.


No matter where that mysterious power came from.


[In the end, isn't he just a pathetic human?]


The humans that Lilith knew were weak to affection and emotional.


Therefore.


[The boundary of the domain. Go through the gate prepared there to Earth. Bring back anything that could be his weakness from there. You should be able to cross the gate.]


To the indifferent command.


Rosaria could only nod.


Lilith's response wasn't limited to Rosaria.


She summoned Igmun's vampires and his succubus subordinates, as well as some of the sea demon tribes under her control.


She strengthened the boundary of the domain to prevent the same sloppy intrusions as before.


Whether he sneaked in or tore through with force.


If he ended up setting foot in the domain, he wouldn't be able to escape Lilith's surveillance.


She also caught the demons in the area and absorbed their essence to use her full power.


For now, that was enough.


She summoned Igmun.


[My Queen.]


Igmun, who had fully recovered from his injuries and gained even more power than before, bowed deeply.


[I will entrust you with guarding this mistress.]


[I will not make the same mistakes as before.]


[Satisfactory. Come here.]


Lilith's tentacles wrapped around Igmun's body.


As always.


The bodies of the two demons mingled, and intense intercourse ensued.


Every time he mingled with her, an Archduke, he felt immense power filling him.


And.


At the end of the intercourse, she gave a new command.


[Follow Rosaria. He will definitely appear.]


[……?]


Igmun looked puzzled.


[No one knows the scent of males better than a succubus. More than that.]


Lilith grabbed Igmun by the hair.


[Attack this mistress with all your might.]


Lilith, who stuck out her tongue, smiled bitterly.


She had noticed that Igmun was holding back due to the aftereffects of his injuries.


Igmun's body flinched for a moment.


[I… obey….]


In the intercourse between the Archduke and the supreme being.


The castle was filled with loud groans.


[To entrust such a big task to a newly ascended supreme being. I can't understand the Queen's thoughts.]


Igmun, who was following Rosaria, muttered to himself.


The human who attacked the castle would approach Rosaria, so he should follow her?


He was one of the strongest among the supreme beings, and Rosaria had become a supreme being by accepting the Queen's power, but.


The human had invaded the castles of two Archdukes alone.


Igmun, who had been trampled by him and tasted the degradation of his existence, knew best that he couldn't be his opponent.


Then, Rosaria arrived at the gate installed at the boundary of the domain.


It was the 'dimensional gate' that Lilith and the other Archdukes had been working on for a long time.


He had heard that it could move to other dimensions besides the Abyss.


The problem was that the gate didn't accept beings above the higher being level.


Rosaria was no exception.


It might have been possible in the past.


But now she was a supreme being by accepting the Queen's power.


Lilith couldn't be unaware of that fact.


Igmun's head was filled with questions as he quietly watched Rosaria.


That thought changed only when she reached close to the gate.


Igmun checked for signs.


The man he was looking for was sitting there, where the supreme beings of the succubus race and other races should have been guarding.


[I see a familiar face.]


The man asked with crimson eyes shining.


His eyes accurately saw the location of Rosaria and Igmun, who was following behind her.


[……!!]


Before Igmun could decide what to do, Rosaria muttered as if she was possessed.


[Human… desire… Earth… weakness….]


The man watched her silently.


[Mind control, huh.]


At the same time as the man stood up, tentacles sprouted from Rosaria's back.


Combining the succubus race's body with the sea demon race's body.


As a result, it had transcended the succubus race's body, which was insignificant except for its mind control ability.


But in the man's eyes, it just looked like she had been forcibly modified.


[Pitiful.]


That was all he said.


The man once again drew out his ferocious power, making Lilith's arrangements pale in comparison.


Crack.


Rosaria's tentacles were torn off in his maw.


Pazzzzz.


Crimson magic surged from Rosaria's crimson eyes, and mind control was used.


The man's body flinched for a moment, but that was it.


Thud.


Soon, Rosaria's crimson eyes were crushed by the man.


Super regeneration manifested.


But the man just trampled Rosaria over and over again.


[Where is the lustful male in that form?]


The Queen was mistaken.


Igmun judged.


The Queen's handmaiden.


He didn't care if Rosaria died.


But it would be difficult for Igmun to return without any results.


He couldn't handle the man, but he needed to get Rosaria out of there.


Igmun's figure quickly went behind the man.


The moment his blood-soaked claws were about to pierce the man's body.


[You moved later than I thought?]


[……!!]


As if he had been waiting for Igmun to come forward.


The man said without looking back.


Clang.


The man turned his body, grabbed Igmun's claws, and twisted.


With just that.


Crack.


The claws that could pierce even the scales of the dragon elder were broken in vain.


At that time.


Thud.


One of Rosaria's tentacles, which had been pulled out by Igmun's intrusion, pierced the man's chest.


An opening was created.


[You!!]


Igmun shouted and swung another hand at the man.


Thud.


Igmun's claws pierced through Rosaria's tentacles.


Tzzzzzz.


Blood-soaked magic gushed out, and 'absorption' began.


A huge amount of magic flowed through the claws, through the arm, and into the body.


Igmun's body trembled at the unbelievable amount of magic.


He had only absorbed it for a moment.


But he had experienced pleasure beyond intercourse with Lilith.


[Did you get enough of the taste of blood?]


[……!!]


When he belatedly came to his senses, the man was smiling.


Only then did Igmun realize that the man had deliberately allowed the opening.


The words he spat out next were even more shocking.


[Are you thinking of becoming an Archduke?]


[……!!]


[To fill the vacant position, I need a few more guys like you.]


Igmun instinctively backed away.


Whoosh.


Dark crimson magic surged from the man's body.


The magic became the form of chains and grabbed Rosaria's body.


Crimson magic scattered from her body.


Under the influence of Lilith's brainwashing, she was constantly using mind control.


[You're still weak.]


Crack.


A dark crimson maw swallowed the tentacles that were stuck in the man's body.


[I ended up making you worse than dead with unnecessary sympathy.]


The man clicked his tongue and said.


After that, it didn't take long for Rosaria, who was bound by chains, to stop resisting, and Igmun could only watch the overwhelming sight silently.


[Kill… him….]


Igmun, who was bound by chains, spat out blood and said.


Likewise, Rosaria was next to him in the same state.


[The gate to Earth. You've made something very interesting. What do you think happened to the other guys who were here?]


The man asked as he looked around.


[……!!]


Igmun's crimson eyes shook as he finally understood the situation.


The numerous supreme beings and higher beings that were here.


The reason they had disappeared without a trace was because they had been eaten by that strange maw the man controlled.


[If you want, I can kill you. It's not difficult to deal with one of you.]


[…….]


[But isn't it a shame?]


[What… are you saying….]


[I heard that you demons consider becoming an Archduke to be the ultimate goal.]


[…Are you saying to betray the Queen?]


[I'm making a suggestion. Lilith is wrong. Stagnant water rots.]


[…….]


Igmun was silent.


He didn't give a definite answer.


But the man seemed satisfied enough with that.


[I'll let you go. Think about it carefully.]


Swish. Swish.


The chains that were restraining Igmun disappeared.


[…What are you going to do with Rosaria?]


[So that's Rosaria's name.]


The man looked at her for a moment, who was so broken that she couldn't even manifest super regeneration.


And.


[Unlike you, she's not fit to be an Archduke. It seems that saving her once had a different meaning to Lilith.]


[Then?]


[I'll have to kill her. Anything else to say?]


[I didn't… accept the offer.]


With those words, Igmun quickly disappeared.


How much time had passed?


[I saved one guy.]


The man's muttered words of satisfaction were heard only by.


Rosaria.


322


It was when Igmun had completely disappeared from the man's sight.


Swish. Swish.


The chains binding Rozaria loosened.


As the chains completely unraveled, Rozaria's super-speed regeneration manifested.


Crack. Crack.


Her limbs were instantly regenerated under the man's permission.


After a brief silence.


Only when Igmun's presence could no longer be felt did the man look at Rozaria.


[There are no prying eyes now.]


[......]


Rozaria showed no reaction to the man's words.


[How long are you going to pretend to be brainwashed?]


[......]


After Rozaria remained silent for a while.


[Why... did you... spare me?]


She raised her head and met the man's eyes.


They were not the eyes that seemed to have lost reason just a moment ago to cast mind control.


From the moment the first mind control attack failed, the man had already entered his mental world.


Lilith's brainwashing had been broken with absurd ease.


She was startled by that unbelievable power.


But Rozaria had been acting to avoid being detected by Igmun.


Lilith, the Succubus and Queen of the Demonic Sea.


She had lived for so long that rumors circulated that she was once in love with Baal, the first Archduke.


She had never considered that she would trust a mere maidservant.


Nor did she think that Igmun was following her.


As a result, Queen Lilith's plan failed.


The power of mind control that had strengthened Rozaria did not reach the man.


The gate to Earth that she had been plotting with other Archdukes was not crossed.


And even her close aide, Igmun, seemed to have been won over by the man.


What was incomprehensible was the man's attitude.


Why.


[Why didn't you kill me?]


Both when she first saw him in Lilith's castle and at this very moment.


The man had the power to easily tear apart even superior beings, yet he deliberately controlled his strength.


[I just happened to be looking for a guide who knew the innermost depths well.]


The man said so as if it were nothing.


He spared a superior being, a top-tier being, for something so trivial?


[How can you... trust me...?]


[The mental world doesn't lie, they say.]


With that, the man pointed to his crimson eyes.


The two eyes that had been crimson just a moment ago had turned blue.


Rozaria's body twitched slightly.


Just by facing them, she felt a tremendous power.


A power like Lilith's mind control.


[The answer?]


The man asked once again, enjoying her surprised expression.


[I... do not betray my race.]


Rozaria said through gritted teeth.


She had failed in the mission given by Lilith.


She was not a treasured member of Lilith's household like Igmun.


How she came back alive.


Why she couldn't cross the gate.


Whether she had an affair with the man.


Lilith would find all sorts of reasons to rummage through her mind and invade her mental world.


It was obvious that returning now would result in torture worse than death from Lilith.


Then the man spoke again.


[What is a race?]


[What...?]


[What is the ruler of a race?]


The man continued with fundamental questions.


[I don't care whether you live or die.]


The man frowned.


[But I find it disgusting to see you give up without doing anything.]


[What do you know...!!]


It was the moment Rozaria, overwhelmed, tried to shout.


The man raised his hand and stopped the outburst she was about to make.


[There was a fellow named Behemoth in the past.]


The man began as if telling an old tale.


As if he didn't care whether she listened or not.


He brought up an ancient story that Rozaria would not know.


It was about the origin of the demons and things that could be called myths.


Why the Abyss was created, and what a race is.


The man's story raised many questions for her.


And not long after.


Rozaria came to be called a traitor to the Succubus race.


The king, having gained a capable guide, gradually subdued the Succubus race.


By the time they reached Lilith's castle, a considerable number of top-tier beings had already died.


Even if Lilith managed to deal with the man, it would be difficult for her to enjoy her former power.


Led by Igmun, some of the top-tier beings gathered at the castle.


Lilith must have been thinking of exhausting the man's power even a little.


But that was a miscalculation.


Igmun, who was responsible for guarding the castle's boundaries, willingly opened the way.


And when the man confronted Lilith and came out again.


Igmun knelt.


[My king.]


The man nodded, and Igmun swore allegiance.


[You are the new Archduke.]


Lilith, the Succubus and Queen of the Demonic Sea.


It was the moment when an existence that had reigned as Archduke for a long time fell, and a new Archduke was born.


An existence that creates and eliminates the Archdukes who rule the Abyss.


Rozaria could finally realize what kind of being she had come to be with.


And that was.


The beginning of a long journey.


Taehyun opened his eyes.


His head throbbed, and his heart pounded.


It must have been because he had just witnessed the living history of the Abyss.


Rozaria was in front of him.


Not the listless succubus from his memories, nor the forlorn succubus who had told the man to take her life.


She, who had finished her journey with the king.


Had become a complete queen and stood proudly before Taehyun.


[Did you enjoy the time travel?]


Rozaria asked with a smile.


"That man..."


[Yes. He was the king.]


"......"


Taehyun swallowed his silence.


King.


He was definitely different from when Taehyun first saw him.


If anything, he was closer to the king in Noname's memories.


'Judging by the timing... does that overlap with the time when he completely crossed over from Earth to the Abyss?'


[Have your questions been resolved?]


Taehyun nodded.


Why the other Archdukes despised her so much.


Why she swore allegiance to the king so fiercely.


The questions that had been constantly incomprehensible were resolved by the memories from just now.


The reason she didn't show him more memories.


'It must be because she thought this was enough to resolve the current questions.'


It was still the journey before Rozaria became an Archduke.


Just showing such a 모습 to a contractor would have made her feel miserable.


[You must be disappointed in me.]


Taehyun could understand what Rozaria meant.


The reason she was not recognized by the Archdukes was because she had risen to the position of Archduke through the king's power with the status of a superior being.


That was why the proud Archdukes did not recognize her, and now that Taehyun had the power of a top-tier being in his hands, it would not be strange if he did not recognize her either.


Although Rozaria herself did not think much of it.


"Of course not. This has allowed us to trust each other a little more."


[Hmm?]


Rozaria tilted her head as if surprised.


"Did you really think that I would see you differently for something so trivial? I would be disappointed if that were the case."


[......]


Rozaria's expression seemed to stiffen slightly.


'Rozaria has a cute side.'


Rather, it was Taehyun who had risen from a porter in his past life to his current position.


'What is that petty lineage?'


What matters is the present that has been built upon the past.


Both Rozaria and Taehyun.


Have stood in their current positions after overcoming the hardships of the past.


It was only natural that trust would deepen just from that.


[Indeed. I have seen people correctly.]


Hahahaha.


Suddenly, Rozaria began to laugh as if satisfied.


Taehyun quietly watched her.


The reason for the tears in her eyes would not be just from laughing.


It was long after that she stopped laughing.


[Contractor. Now it is your turn to keep your promise.]


At the word promise, Taehyun recalled the beginning of this matter.


[I can guess by what means you tricked Typhon.]


Flitch.


His body reacted without him realizing it.


Rozaria quietly continued.


[But prioritize your relationship with me over that guy. Can you promise me that much?]


"Yes. We have a history, after all."


Taehyun replied with an awkward smile.


It seemed he would have to avoid Typhon for the time being.


Her tentacles twitched as if satisfied with Taehyun's answer.


[So, where is the next destination?]


The crimson eyes that asked that question sparkled.


She was looking forward to it.


The next move of the contractor who was breaking the brutal balance that even she could not, that the Archdukes had maintained.


Taehyun fell into thought for a moment.


There was only one reason for taking such unconventional steps recently.


'To lead Rozaria's faction to victory in the territory war.'


That meant that, no matter the method, he would form at least a minimal alliance with other Archdukes.


That was why he thought he could find the reason why the king had chosen him as the key.


And a clue to meeting the king in the upcoming racial war.


But his thoughts changed through the memories from just now.


'The territory war is not just about expanding power.'


The king in Rozaria's memories had power that surpassed even the Archdukes even in the early days of his activities in the Abyss.


The king in Noname's memories was already strong enough to have all the Archdukes at his feet.


'Yet he could not end the racial war and had to choose me as the key.'


Although the Archdukes' territory war is ostensibly a power struggle.


At least the quest that was given to Taehyun, the key, could not be just for that reason.


'A more fundamental reason.'


That is.


'The Oath of Summons.'


'Accepting the magic of the Archdukes through the Oath of Summons.'


Only then did the path to take seem a little clearer.


[It seems you have realized something.]


Rozaria said, looking at Taehyun who was lost in thought.


"Yes. Thanks to you."


Taehyun coldly assessed the situation.


Among the Archdukes, he had formed the Oath of Summons with Rozaria, Typhon, and Hazard.


The remaining Archdukes were Igmun, Orgal, Beelzebub, Jormungandr, and Lucifer.


There was no knowing what other Archduke-level demons there might be.


Top-tier beings clearly possessed monstrous power.


But the history of the Abyss seemed to be older than Taehyun had thought.


'It will be difficult to meet Orgal.'


He had already been defeated by Taehyun and Rozaria, so the situation was not conducive to dialogue.


Typhon was attacking Orgal's castle, so recklessly provoking them could lose everything he had built up so far.


'There is also a limit to using Hazard for the time being.'


He had formed the Oath of Summons with her, but she did not seem likely to provide assistance for the time being.


She was a person who moved thoroughly for the sake of her clan, so it would be better to call her when a more appropriate bait was prepared.


There was a high possibility that she would leak the rumor that she had formed the Oath of Summons to other Archdukes.


'If we 추측 her actions based on her personality...'


She would try to move the other Archdukes who were 관조 and create a favorable situation for the Dragon race.


[Your thoughts are getting long.]


Around that time, Taehyun's thoughts had reached Lucifer, the only Archduke he had not met, who had contracted with Cody Cruz.


"Rozaria. What kind of guy is Lucifer?"


Rozaria chuckled as if she had not expected him to ask so directly.


They had already shared some secrets.


She did not hide information as she had before.


[A fallen archangel from the Upper Realm.]


He possessed the power of regeneration.


[He is an existence that has risen to the seat of Archduke even after falling from the Upper Realm.]


"That means..."


[Yes. If he regains his original power, he will undoubtedly be the strongest among the Archdukes.]


Episode 323


"...!!"


Rosaria's words made Taehyun unable to hide his surprise.


The Archdukes Taehyun had met were all extraordinary monsters.


Even so, even if they hadn't used their true power.


If he had to pick the best, he would have thought it was Hazad.


The versatility of the authority called "Haki" and the dragon race's unique resilience.


The magical power constantly pouring out from the Dragon Heart.


Above all, even though it was only a fragment.


The aura of the Demon Dragon King that overwhelmed authority.


Even in Asisat Avi's body, such power was manifested.


If Hazad had properly used that power in his true form?


'I wouldn't be here right now.'


Rosaria, who had received Taehyun's memories, couldn't possibly not know that fact.


[You look quite surprised.]


"Hazad seemed to be using the power of the Upper Realm King."


[Demon Dragon King Baal. All the Archdukes know that she uses some of that power.]


Rosaria said it as if it were nothing.


Taehyun was surprised once again.


[And yet Lucifer is the strongest?]


As if anticipating Taehyun's reaction, Rosaria chuckled.


[Didn't I say, 'If he regains his original power'?]


"......"


[Recovering lost power is not easy. Especially not for a 'guy from the Upper Realm'.]


Rosaria emphasized the word "Upper Realm."


This wasn't as surprising.


He had expected that Lucifer was originally a celestial being from the Upper Realm.


[From my perspective, if Typhon were to regain his original power, he would be similar to the current Lucifer.]


"I see."


On par with the Giant King who had regained his original power.


That alone was a considerable burden.


But compared to the title of the strongest among the Archdukes, it felt lighter.


"I thought all the Archdukes thought they were the best. I guess they're more humble than I thought."


[I can't deny it. But sometimes there are things that can't be solved with arrogance alone.]


She herself was evaluated as the weakest of the Archdukes in terms of objective power.


But if she had to face other Archdukes, she wouldn't back down.


That was probably the weight of someone bearing a single race on their shoulders.


"Then I'll have to use that in reverse."


Taehyun said, rearranging the puzzles that came to mind.


[Hmm~ It hasn't been long since you met Hazad. Are you planning something again?]


By now, rumors would be spreading throughout the Lower Realm that Hazad had made a summoning pact with Taehyun.


Who cares?


"The Archdukes' arrogance and conceit. That's the only loophole I, a human, can exploit."


Rosaria laughed at Taehyun's confidence.


[Hmph~ Which one is next?]


She wouldn't be surprised by any answer she heard.


Thinking that, she asked.


But at Taehyun's answer.


[Are you... in your right mind?!]


This time, even she couldn't help but shout.


Immediately after talking with Rosaria.


Taehyun returned to Earth in preparation for his future plans.


That's because he had used up all the potions and scrolls he had packed in his Infinite Backpack.


He had the skill 'Energy Drain'.


But sufficient potions and available skill cooldowns were essential for players preparing for the next exploration.


The gate designated somewhere in Seoul, South Korea, from Rosaria's castle.


Taehyun crossed that unstable passage.


Crackle. Crackle.


As soon as he set foot on the ground, the parts of his body that had burst began to regenerate at super-speed.


It was the result of the Abyss's laws working while passing through the gate.


'Even if I lower my magic power to the lowest level, it's still like this. I need to find another way soon.'


At the current rate of growth, Taehyun would inevitably face restrictions on his actions, like the Archdukes.


Jormungandr's authority, 'Rampage'.


'I need to get that power as soon as possible.'


Thinking about this and that, the first place he visited was Alchemist.


As always.


From the entrance, one could feel the busyness of Alchemist.


That's when Taehyun identified himself and was quietly guided to the VVIP room.


"Taehyun-nim!!"


A man with a haggard look.


Guild Master Seo Sangik rushed into the room.


On his face, along with joy, there was a hint of smugness.


"Have you been well?"


"Thanks to you, I've been busy as hell. I guess that's what it means to be well."


"Is there a reason you're welcoming me so enthusiastically?"


Leaving aside the human relationship.


Today, Seo Sangik was particularly excited.


"Ah, I made a simple bet."


"A bet...?"


"It's nothing much... it was about who Kim Taehyun player would visit first when he returned."


"......"


Seo Sangik looked embarrassed at Taehyun's reaction.


He also realized that he was being immature for his age.


"In this harsh world, there's nothing wrong with having some wholesome entertainment..."


Listening to the explanation, the list of betting participants was impressive.


The four guild masters Seo Sangik, Kwak Siyang, Kwon Kanghyuk, and Yoo Ayoung, as well as the association's Ji Jinhee, Go Taewook, Park Sungjin, and Im Ayoung seemed to have participated.


Especially Yoo Ayoung was said to have been confident.


"Of course, I bet on Guild Master Yoo Ayoung..."


He muttered with a regretful expression.


No one bet on Guild Master Seo Sangik, so no one ended up winning.


'Come to think of it, there were some strange rumors going around.'


Taehyun naturally recalled the contents of Secretary Yoon Miso's report.


'They say Knight Walker's Yoo Ayoung Guild Master has already crossed the line.'


'They say half-sister Im Ayoung Player was furious and requested a duel.'


'They say Japan's saintess was smitten with Kim Taehyun.'


All were unfounded rumors, but the most shocking thing was.


'Kim Taehyun likes men, so women don't catch his eye.'


Of course, the eyes of the world don't matter to Taehyun, who has already become the best player in name and reality.


That's why he wasn't taking any action against the overheating rumors.


Someone was enjoying those rumors, though.


"How is the Gray Plague going?"


When Taehyun returned to the main topic, Seo Sangik also returned to his original face.


"Currently, we are supplying the cure by setting up Alchemist branches in various countries around the world. In about a month. The Gray Plague will disappear from the world."


Already, the quest in the status window had reached 99%.


Seo Sangik's words wouldn't be wrong.


"That's a relief."


"It's all thanks to Kim Taehyun player."


Seo Sangik bowed politely.


"Then I should ask you for one more favor."


"Of course, I should grant the VVIP's request. Just tell me."


Taehyun took out the Infinite Backpack from his belt.


And he put his hand inside and pulled out a scale.


It was damaged, but it was sparkling and belonged to the Gold Clan.


Seo Sangik's eyes widened as he saw the scales coming out of Taehyun's hand.


"I would like to ask you to make an item with this."


Seo Sangik's face, which had been gaping open, froze for a moment.


"W, what kind of item...!!"


Taehyun mentioned the Infinite Backpack, armor, belt, and weapons of the design he had in mind.


They were things that could be fully utilized with skills or magic power.


He realized the importance of equipment while wandering around the deepest depths.


It was better to minimize the use of magic power.


Seo Sangik, who had written down all of Taehyun's requirements, grabbed Taehyun's hands tightly.


And suddenly bowed his head deeply.


"Thank you for visiting our Alchemist!!"


He looked like a salesman, not a renowned experimenter and capable guild master.


"I was hoping you could make a generous thirteen sets, is that possible?"


Seo Sangik's face, which had been grinning, darkened at Taehyun's question.


"At least two sets are possible... but thirteen sets would be difficult. If you use damaged scales, the quality of the product may decrease..."


"Ah, you don't have to worry about the amount of scales."


"......?"


Taehyun once again put his hand into the Infinite Backpack and took out the scales one by one.


Following the Gold Clan's scales.


The Silver, Black, White, and Green Clan's scales taken out of the Infinite Backpack filled the VVIP room.


Each time he took out a scale from the five dragon clans, Seo Sangik's shock reached its peak.


By the time he took out the last scale, he looked like he was about to faint.


"Taehyun-nim!! Please be careful on your way!!"


Uncharacteristically of the head of a guild representing South Korea and making a name for itself in the world.


Seo Sangik bowed his head deeply once again.


Taehyun laughed at the excessive courtesy.


It wasn't a joke, tears were flowing from Seo Sangik's eyes.


That was because, not just as a guild master running a production guild.


But as a researcher, he was in the joy of obtaining the best material.


'Guild Master Seo Sangik is also handling the pureblood dragon's Red Eye for the first time.'


When Taehyun handed over the Red Eye and asked about an item that could be processed together with emotions, Seo Sangik screamed.


No wonder.


Unlike the previous scales, the Red Eye of Bordeaux still felt a great power vividly.


At that time.


The surrounding murmurs grew louder.


He had heard the news that the elusive Taehyun had visited Alchemist.


But Guild Master Seo Sangik was so low-profile, so interest was focused.


'Well, I can trust him.'


Seo Sangik had never disappointed Taehyun.


He had the expectation that he would produce good results.


He didn't doubt that he would fail.


'I've booked plenty of potions and scrolls.'


Taehyun used stealth.


Swish.


He had finished his work at Alchemist, so it was time to look at the status window next.


"What in the world... what have you been doing and wandering around...?"


Kim Jongho asked in a trembling voice, looking at Taehyun's status window.


How long had it been since he had touched the status window?


There had been significant changes in physical stats, the number of skills, and yoma power.


As if enjoying such a reaction, Taehyun smiled contentedly.


'It's worth being surprised.'


He met Jormungandr, met Typhon, and met Hazad.


Having met three Archdukes in a short period of time, Taehyun had to grow to survive.


"Hmm... give me a little time."


Kim Jongho had his disciples prepare something.


Then he recovered his fatigue and magic power with a potion.


Just looking at Taehyun's status window consumed a lot of mental energy.


In the meantime, they briefly shared stories about how the world was turning.


It seemed that the number of SS-rank Awakeners had been increasing recently.


"But you're the first to have an Awakening rank of SSS."


"Is that so."


"Moreover, judging from the parentheses, it seems that even the system is having trouble figuring out how to measure it."


"That's what I came to ask."


"You have too much faith in this old man."


"Who else would I ask for this favor if not you, Elder."


Kim Jongho laughed heartily.


He didn't seem to dislike Taehyun's flattery.


"Recently, many non-Awakeners are Awakening as SS."


"The grade of appearing monsters is also increasing, so that's good."


"Do you know anything about this?"


Kim Jongho cautiously asked for Taehyun's opinion.


He was a player with a chosen status window who explored the deepest depths.


He wondered if Taehyun might know something.


"The update of humanity that the United States was controlling. It seems to be due to the influence of that seal being released."


"Hmm. I see."


That was something Kim Jongho had been thinking about to some extent.


Of course, there remains the fundamental question of why the God met Taehyun, who had regressed, and disappeared.


The reason why the update of humanity has been delayed will disappear.


But even if they are in a mutually helpful relationship, there would be no need to tell him that far.


"Anyway, they all see you as a role model."


"People are obsessed with titles."


World Player Ranking No. 1.


Just like he had done to Cody Cruise in the past.


Even now, countless Awakeners and non-Awakeners were interested in Taehyun's every move.


Taehyun was still bearing that weight without difficulty.


"Every time I see you, I can't help but think that you are not like your age."


"I hear that often."


Just because your body is younger doesn't mean your mind gets younger.


Of course, it's hard to say that your thoughts have not become younger as you form new relationships.


"As I get older, recovery is slow even with potions."


Kim Jongho poured the remaining tea into his mouth.


"There's no need to overdo it. There's plenty of time."


"That's a relief then. How is the changed status window?"


Kim Jongho asked while pouring a new cup of tea.


"It's definitely easier to understand than before. As expected of Elder Master."


"You can skip the obvious compliments."


What Kim Jongho wanted to know was the newly added function.


It was about the quest system.


Taehyun knew what it meant.


"Quest System. About that, I have discovered a few laws."


324


Kim Jong-ho reacted to Tae-hyun's words.


Back when Tae-hyun first came to see him.


He had many thoughts while examining the status window.


'Can an individual awaken so many different skills?'


'Can an individual possess such immense magical power?'


'Can a human have such a status window?'


'The strongest player using the power of a monster, huh.'


'Can we really define Kim Tae-hyun as human?'


Though he didn't show it.


Kim Jong-ho even imagined for a brief moment that Tae-hyun might be a polymorphed monster.


Even so, the reason he trusted him and agreed to upgrade the status window was because of the sincerity Tae-hyun showed.


He prided himself on being adept at understanding people, having dealt with various types of individuals for a long time.


The man named Kim Tae-hyun, as he understood him, was someone who would gamble his life.


But not someone who would gain profit with his silver tongue.


He said he would handle Tae-hyun's status window and declared he would support the Player Association, always keeping his boundaries.


Above all, what he paid attention to, besides the simplification work, was incorporating a new system called 'Quests'.


Even the status windows of most multi-skill awakeners were no different from toys to Kim Jong-ho.


But Tae-hyun's status window was more complex and unstable than he had imagined.


Instability in a status window poses a critical threat to a player.


That's why he decided to use his masterpiece, the Quest system.


Even though it was incomplete.


He was sure that if the system integrated well into the status window, it would definitely help with the variables Tae-hyun would face.


And now.


Tae-hyun was saying he would share the law he had discovered.


Just like Seo Sang-ik.


Kim Jong-ho also shed the title of head of Doje Yanghaeng and transformed into the face of a researcher.


"Hoo. What kind?"


Tae-hyun, noticing the change in Kim Jong-ho's eyes, opened his mouth.


He was the best in New Korea when it came to status window systems.


Knowing even one more detail would be beneficial to Tae-hyun as well.


"That thing called a quest. It only appears when I'm in a situation that I can reasonably accept."


"A situation you can accept? Tell me more about that."


To him, with the eyes of a researcher, Tae-hyun roughly told the moments when quests had appeared so far.


With growth as bait.


When there was even a slight chance of completing the quest.


The status window generated a quest.


Also, except for the Race War, Territory War, and Gray Plague, everything so far had been short-term quests.


It was something that could not be achieved unless it was at that moment.


And if that moment was missed, the clue to growth was likely to be missed.


'There is no growth without risking your life.'


It was a value that Tae-hyun had since his previous life.


The status window read Tae-hyun's mind like a ghost and proposed a quest.


It was no wonder Kim Jong-ho said that Tae-hyun's status window was a living, breathing entity.


"Hmm..."


Kim Jong-ho's expression turned serious after hearing all the past situations.


No, it would be more accurate to say it was an unexpected part.


A status window that adjusts to not show a quest if there is no minimum probability of success.


Even though one has to risk their life.


It was definitely a part that he hadn't considered when he first put in the quest system.


'That's for sure. This man's status window is not a simple system.'


The fact that he was half in doubt when he upgraded the status window before.


Became certain with Tae-hyun's words just now.


"It seems I've met the best of all 귀인 (gwi-in, benefactor)."


Tae-hyun looked at him as if asking what he was suddenly talking about.


"For now, it seems like it's good to use the quest system a little more. No, rather, it's already settled down better than I thought, so there's no need to touch it separately."


"I agree."


Kim Jong-ho's words continued.


Because Tae-hyun's status window is special, it seems like he can apply most new technologies.


But if he adds this and that, it might be cumbersome for Tae-hyun, who is performing high-speed battles.


"So today, I'll just back up the status window."


Tae-hyun asked why he was backing it up.


It is a task that those who handle the status window occasionally do for tuning or skill enhancement procedures.


But it's not something that applies to Tae-hyun right now.


The answer was quite a sight.


"You go in and out of the deepest depths like it's your own home. You never know what might happen to a person's life."


"......"


Kim Jong-ho, belatedly realizing what he had said, continued.


"Your status window is special, so it will be difficult to manage if problems arise later. It shows such differences even in the short term... It would be better to back it up periodically. Of course, I'll also experiment with this and that when you're not around."


'I think the last part is the key.'


But Tae-hyun told him to do so because it wasn't a bad intention.


The time it took for Tae-hyun to recover his 심력 (sim-lyeok, mental strength) and for Kim Jong-ho to back up Tae-hyun's status window was three hours.


It didn't seem polite to leave Kim Jong-ho, who was exhausted, so he waited for him to recover with a potion.


In the meantime, they talked about the skill 'Devil Gate' that was not activated.


"Bang No-ya. The face he made when he said he was afraid you would come again is vivid."


Unexpectedly, Kim Jong-ho already knew Bang Chae-soo through Ji Jin-hee's introduction.


His laughter was quite compatible.


With saying that he was thinking of visiting him once anyway.


Tae-hyun came out of Doje Yanghaeng.


New Korea Player Association. Association President's office.


Two men were discussing the issue there.


"The Gray Plague is also coming to an end."


"It took longer than I thought. Even so, we would have suffered for several more years if it weren't for Tae-hyun."


Go Tae-wook said as if he didn't even want to think about it.


Because the Mins were rampant believing in the Gray Plague, each country's player association was always on standby.


Association President Ji Jin-hee and Association President Delegate Go Tae-wook were particularly afflicted.


The end of such a Gray Plague was now approaching.


The ground hardened after the rain is even stronger.


New Korea has done what even the United States, China, and Russia, who called themselves great powers, have not done.


As a result, the status of the New Korea Player Association was higher than ever, and the world's attention was focused on it.


"Even if China comes out like this now, they will eventually try to join P20 somehow."


P20 (Player20).


That was a transnational player organization that was being prepared as the need for close information sharing between countries emerged during the Gray Plague.


Different from the association, different from the guild.


'The existing World Player Association, which involves the political interests of the United States and China, is not enough.'


Under that judgment, Ji Jin-hee was preparing an organization.


20 countries selected to avoid gaps in information, and currently, more than 10 countries are waiting to join.


If it is successfully established.


'It is not unreasonable to become a transnational organization that goes beyond the World Player Association.'


Because of this, Ji Jin-hee and Go Tae-wook, as well as the executives of the association, were spending busy days meeting with domestic and foreign politicians.


"What did Player Park Sung-jin say?"


Ji Jin-hee asked, recalling that Park Sung-jin had been delegated all the authority of the association president and had gone to Taiwan.


"He thinks the World Player Association has abandoned his country. He is active in joining and participating in P20, but he is negative about China's joining."


"Even if we accept their demands now, we will lack the justification to prevent China's joining in the long term."


"That's right. Geographical conditions are really holding many people back."


Go Tae-wook said with regret.


There is a saying that New Koreans say.


That all sides are enemies.


Although North Korea, the main enemy, has disappeared due to unification.


Japan and China, who once coveted this land in the past, are still objects to be wary of.


Other countries were no exception.


"Try to coax them well by sharing the information you learned from Chairman Lee Jung-soo."


Lee Jung-soo, who was imprisoned, blew the whistle on the fact that the Chinese government, the Player Association, and the Taesan Group had colluded with a significant number of Mins.


The Taiwanese side would be cooperative for the time being with the gift of Chairman Lee Jung-soo.


"I will convey that."


Ji Jin-hee's face frowned as he looked at the next report.


Because of the spies from the association that Yoo Ah-young and Go Tae-wook had secretly found.


The number was as high as one hundred.


"Was there this many..."


Among them, twenty were attached to Japan. Fifty were attached to China.


All of these were people who had been quietly hiding until now, but were identified due to a series of recent incidents.


"The evidence is clear. Will you announce it?"


It was asking if they would spare their lives instead of ruling by law.


Ji Jin-hee shook his head.


"They are people who sold the country. They would have taken action at the risk of their lives."


"I will handle it quietly."


Several other issues were also discussed.


The recent quiet trends of the Mins and the rapidly expanding Taesan Group in China.


In particular, Lee Jung-jae's Taesan Guild, which began to be listed in the world guild rankings, stood out.


"The whereabouts of Min Ji-hong and Kasim Zolt have not yet been identified... but according to Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young's report, the probability that both are alive is over 80%."


"Hmm."


Ji Jin-hee's expression became bitter.


Because of his own position of having to wish for the death of his adopted son, Min Ji-hong.


Go Tae-wook changed the subject.


"Coincidentally, in addition to Tae-hyun, who provided the information... the whereabouts of Cody Cruz and Asisat Ebi are also unclear."


"The other two may have entered the deepest depths as well."


The two once again recalled Tae-hyun.


"Come to think of it, you bet on Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young, didn't you? You're not confident in your relationship with Tae-hyun."


Ji Jin-hee laughed and joked.


"I don't have the confidence to bet on myself like Association President."


"Hehe. Just watch. Tae-hyun will come to me first."


Ji Jin-hee said with confidence.


That's when.


"I'm sorry to have done this."


"……!!"


"……!!"


The two were surprised for a moment.


Swish.


Tae-hyun, who had deactivated stealth, appeared in front of the two.


"Tae-hyun!"


"Tae-hyun!"


Ji Jin-hee and Go Tae-wook stood up and shouted.


Tae-hyun looked at them.


"Unfortunately, Guild Leader Seo Sang-ik was the priority."


He smiled awkwardly.


Tae-hyun sat opposite Go Tae-wook.


To the two of them, anytime.


He had received permission to visit without revealing his identity.


In a world where Tae-hyun's actions were being watched, he thought it was unnecessary to have his movements tracked.


Of course, it was also a measure that was possible because there was trust beyond friendship.


Therefore, despite suddenly appearing.


Far from being in a bad mood.


The faces of the two men were full of joy.


"You're the only one who can go in and out of the deepest depths in such good condition."


"Hahaha. You don't leave this old man's heart alone."


Starting with greetings, Tae-hyun roughly told the two people about what had happened in the abyss in response to their continuous questions.


The gist was that a territory war between archdukes had occurred in the deepest depths, and that an SSS-class monster might appear on Earth due to its influence.


As the power of the players has increased.


The grade of monsters to be dealt with has also been greatly upgraded.


The two were serious for a moment.


"Guild Leader Seo Sang-ik and Master Kim Jong-ho, huh."


"We were the third priority."


Go Tae-wook chuckled, and Ji Jin-hee sulked, unable to hide his disappointment.


"Then is Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young the fourth priority?"


In response to Go Tae-wook's question, Tae-hyun mentioned Bang Chae-soo's name.


"Let's meet Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young slowly."


"Hmm."


"Hmm."


Regardless of the reactions of the two.


'To survive the next archduke I meet.'


It was a priority to refine his skills.


325


From morning, high-ranking Chinese officials visited the Shanghai branch of the Taesan Guild.


This was due to a sudden summons from Lee Jung-jae, the world's youngest Guild Master and the elected 2nd Guild Master of the Taesan Guild.


The conference room was spacious enough to comfortably seat thirty people, all of whom held significant positions.


However, having been summoned since morning, their expressions were not pleasant.


Lee Jung-jae, the person who convened the meeting and the youngest among those gathered in the conference room, appeared last.


Sitting down, Lee Jung-jae opened his mouth.


"I apologize for this sudden summons."


Contrary to his words, his voice was laced with arrogance.


This did not sit well with some of the top executives.


Lee Jung-jae was just a team leader until recently.


Even with an SS-rank player license acquired in China.


He would not have obtained the position at his age without the influence of his father, the owner of the Taesan Guild.


Moreover, his current position was one he forcibly seized after his father was imprisoned in Shinhanguk as a criminal.


About half of the thirty executives believed that Lee Jung-jae was not qualified to summon them as he pleased.


Some of them came to this meeting to reprimand him for such behavior.


Lee Jung-jae scanned the faces of the executives.


Suddenly, the corner of his mouth twisted into a bitter smile.


"It seems many of you have something to say to me. Shall we hear your thoughts before proceeding with the meeting?"


Lee Jung-jae's words served as a trigger.


"New Guild Master Lee Jung-jae. Do you know what time it is?!"


A middle-aged man, the head of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Player Association, spoke.


He particularly emphasized the word "new."


"Six o'clock, isn't it?"


"Ha…."


"Are you trying to tame us now?"


The one who spoke was the Director of Public Relations for the Shanghai branch.


He found it difficult to understand why the Taesan Guild, based in Beijing, was meddling in Shanghai.


"Tame? That's going too far."


Lee Jung-jae said in a blunt tone.


As the branch head and the director of public relations stepped forward, others saw an opportunity and joined in.


"In the first place, for a mere Guild Master to summon us… Is he out of his mind?"


"What on earth is he relying on to act like this?"


"Has he already forgotten what happened to his father?"


"To seize the Guild Master position by flaunting his status as the group's heir, and then to act so shamelessly."


"He's probably just intoxicated with honor because he's still young."


Their whispering voices were all translated by the earring Lee Jung-jae was wearing.


Smirk.


Even with such offensive words being exchanged, Lee Jung-jae remained unperturbed.


He had expected this anyway.


That the old men would try to wield their vested interests.


"What do you think I am?"


"The Guild Master of the Taesan Guild, aren't you?"


"The youngest Guild Master, who got there by seizing the position."


The answers were laced with sarcasm.


It was true.


Lee Jung-jae had been just a team leader but was appointed as the Guild Master after Lee Jung-soo's imprisonment.


As a result, the former Guild Master, a Chinese SS-rank player, had to step down as the Deputy Guild Master.


But they overlooked one thing.


Lee Jung-jae was able to become the Guild Master not because he flaunted his position as the heir of the Taesan Group, but because of…


"It was my power."


"……?"


"What did you say just now?"


"I defeated the former Guild Master with my power and took this position."


They were briefly bewildered by Lee Jung-jae's sudden change in tone.


"Watch your words!!"


"Did you not learn any manners from Chairman Lee Jung-soo?!"


"You are the ones who should watch your words."


Lee Jung-jae nodded at his subordinates.


Then.


Click. Click.


They locked the double doors of the conference room.


"What is the meaning of this!!"


"Are you daring to intimidate us with force!!"


"This is madness!!"


As if unconcerned by their growls.


Kwaaa.


Purple mana erupted from Lee Jung-jae's body.


The air became heavy just from the release of mana.


"From now on, listen to me carefully."


Lee Jung-jae scanned his surroundings with bloodshot eyes.


"First. I am not just a Guild Master, but the rightful heir of the Great Taesan Group. Since my father is absent, it is only natural that I have the command of the group."


Such an absurdity.


Someone was about to say something but soon closed their mouth under his ferocious gaze.


"Second. From now on, the Shanghai branch of the Taesan Guild will be used as an organization to handle information from various countries. I would appreciate your voluntary cooperation."


By that time, the executives' faces were turning purple from the mana Lee Jung-jae was emitting.


They coughed and clutched at their necks here and there.


"The chairman… also… has permitted all of this."


"Keuk… Keuk…."


"The mana…."


"Save… me…."


"You're trying to kill us…."


"Please…."


"We were… Keuk… wrong…."


Lee Jung-jae slowly scanned the faces of those suffering from his mana.


His expression was utterly satisfied.


"It seems you understand well."


Only then was the ferocious mana withdrawn.


The executives collapsed on the table or slid off their chairs.


"Now then. Let's begin the real meeting. I have to return to Beijing, you see."


At Lee Jung-jae's words.


No one in the conference room dared to open their mouths rashly.


Hoo.


Lee Jung-jae, left alone in the conference room, exhaled cigarette smoke.


He had started smoking after coming to China and becoming a player.


"Bunch of worms."


Lee Jung-jae muttered.


He was referring to the executives who had filled the conference room just moments ago.


His eyes were filled with contempt.


If this were Shinhanguk, he wouldn't have stopped at just threatening them.


But even though he had naturalized, this was a foreign country.


To run a business, he needed ties with the chairman and the president of the Player Association.


He was already in the same boat as them, but he didn't know what kind of connections those guys had.


'I need time.'


Time to completely make the Taesan Group, without Lee Jung-soo, his own.


Time to fully digest the newly acquired power.


Fortunately, Lee Jung-jae's skills were not bad.


In Shinhanguk, he was overshadowed by Taehyun, but he was also raised as the heir of a group.


"China is nice because it's so convenient."


How vast the land was.


How many people there were.


Even if a few people went missing, it wouldn't be a big deal.


Even if they were brothers in the Taesan Group's succession race.


The high-rise buildings of Shanghai visible through the window caught his eye.


The reason he came all the way to Shanghai, leaving behind the headquarters building in Beijing, was simple.


Independence from China and the Party.


He realized that power was the priority if he didn't want to walk the same path as his father, Lee Jung-soo, who was more of a businessman than a warrior.


Fortunately, Lee Jung-jae had potential that could not be compared to Lee Jung-soo.


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


The chair he was leaning on melted just from a moment of excitement.


"It's truly an amazingly poisonous mana."


Lee Jung-jae assessed the new power he had obtained.


Such power just from the mana leaking out, which he couldn't control properly yet.


He envisioned the future.


As the Taesan Guild's success rate for requests increased rapidly.


His reputation would increase.


The number of enemies he purged would increase, and his notoriety would also increase.


But.


"I'll be in trouble if I don't have that much notoriety."


He had already done the demonization experiment.


He had already colluded with a demon.


He had crossed an irreversible river to become a righteous player.


The only path Lee Jung-jae could take now was hegemony.


An overwhelming hegemony that clears away all obstacles.


"With this power, I can do it."


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


His mana, reacting to his excited body, began to melt not only the chair but also the nearby furniture one by one.


His head ached.


In such cases, he sometimes lost consciousness.


'Damn it.'


Lee Jung-jae took out a syringe from his pocket.


It was diluted demon blood used in the demonization experiment.


Poook.


He shoved the syringe directly into the bulging blood vessel.


The process he was experiencing now was a kind of side effect.


The shady specialist he secretly hired had said.


It was a side effect of accepting Kasim Zolt's mana, but the person who controlled the mana had died, and the controller had disappeared.


Sometimes he lost consciousness.


Each time he woke up, it was easier to control the mana in his body.


Gradually, the swollen blood vessels subsided.


Hoo.


Lee Jung-jae, taking a deep breath, checked his status window.


The corners of his mouth turned up on their own.


His awakening rank, which had been S just a few months ago, had changed to SS.


And that's not all.


Below the S-rank skills 'Heart of Flame' and 'Heart of the Lord'.


SS-rank skills 'Dystopia', 'Demonization', and 'Devil Gate' had been added.


Two S-rank skills and three SS-rank skills.


Who in the world would have such power?


Shadow, Blackhole, Kasim Zolt, who were considered the most powerful demons.


Cody Cruz, who was considered the best player in the world, Kim Tae….


He shuddered.


Suddenly, Lee Jung-jae's body began to tremble slightly.


Kim Taehyun.


It was because the face of that damned guy came to mind.


At the same time.


'Did that guy also have such power?'


He belatedly remembered that the guy had several skills.


Lee Jung-jae's eyes turned back to the status window.


Among his skills, 'Heart of the Lord' cannot be used since he was defeated by Kim Taehyun.


Similarly, 'Devil Gate', which was clearly Kasim Zolt's, also showed that it could not be used.


Lee Jung-jae's eyes flashed.


"That bastard…."


Things he had thought were accidents had been pieced together like puzzles in his head.


He wanted to find the guy right away, ask him, and trample him.


But Kim Taehyun was no longer someone he could easily meet.


His body trembled with resentment.


On the one hand, a bitter smile hung on his lips.


Until recently, he had been trapped in feelings of self-loathing and inferiority.


Not anymore.


Capital called Taesan Group.


Connections called Chinese Player Association.


Organizations in the shadows and in the light called Taesan Guild and Harsultan.


And even the power with unlimited potential.


He had everything that guy lacked.


"Enjoy it to the fullest, Kim Taehyun."


Because he will soon be dragged down from the top.


Lee Jung-jae envisioned a future that he would be happy just thinking about and inserted another syringe.


"Japan is also amazing. To suffer that much damage and still lay the groundwork to rise again."


"Why?"


"Take a look at this."


Jung Han-soo handed over a report that had come in.


Yoo Ah-young quickly scanned the report.


It stated that the Saintess had been issued an SS-rank player license, and that the government was investing a huge amount of capital to add one more by next year.


"Pitiful. The guys who used to act like they were a great power."


It wasn't wrong.


It was difficult for Japan to check China now.


China also suffered considerable damage to its image, but.


The growth infrastructure was on a different level.


"But it would be troublesome if there was no breakwater called Japan. Well, it seems China thinks of us as a breakwater."


Jung Han-soo mentioned the P20 that the association was promoting.


In this regard, China had proposed signing a large contract with Night Walker on the condition of cutting off relations with Japan.


Recently, demonstrations declaring independence have been taking place in Hong Kong every day.


If the United States and Japan were to pressure China in the current situation, it would not be easy for China, whose status has fallen, to cope.


Therefore, they are thinking of recruiting Night Walker, an information guild that exerts influence in Shinhanguk, and using it as a breakwater.


"What do you think, Deputy Guild Master? What situation can we benefit the most from?"


"Are you talking about Night Walker, or Shinhanguk?"


"Hehe~ You know my answer, right?"


Jung Han-soo sighed at the Guild Master's innocent answer.


"In the short term, it's about holding hands with China, but in the long term, it's about playing hard to get."


"Then, do that."


"Understood."


"By the way, why isn't that Taehyun guy coming? He said he arrived in Shinhanguk."


She had already received information that Taehyun had met Kim Jong-ho, Ji Jin-hee, and Go Tae-wook.


It was a pity that she wasn't the first priority, but she was sure she would be next.


"You seem happy."


Yoo Ah-young laughed meaningfully.


"Do you like Kim Taehyun that much?"


"It's not that I like him. It's what the world wants."


At the ridiculous sound.


'She's definitely gotten weirder.'


Jung Han-soo was questioning the sanity of his superior.


Below the nameplate, the title of S-rank player was attached, and the position of skill fusion expert was also engraved.


It seemed that Ji Jin-hee had put in efforts to utilize Bang Chae-soo more actively.


What changed wasn't just the entrance.


The number of laboratory rooms, which used to be one, had increased to five.


It wasn't difficult to guess that the internal laboratory had been expanded to at least five times its previous size.


In fact, a quarter of the floor was given to Bang Chae-soo's laboratory.


This was a part that showed how highly Ji Jin-hee valued Bang Chae-soo's ability.


No, Kim Jong-ho, who was praised as a master in the industry, was on good terms with him.


'It would be strange not to recognize his skills.'


Taehyun came here because he thought he was the best skill fusion expert in Shinhanguk.


'He must have reached his skills from his past life by now.'


If Bang Chae-soo, whose skills and mana proficiency had increased, could solve his problems.


It would be a lie if he said he wasn't looking forward to it.


Knock. Knock.


Taehyun knocked lightly.


As if he had been waiting, the door opened and Bang Chae-soo, whose complexion had improved, came out.


He greeted Taehyun, holding both of his hands.


"Player Kim Taehyun!! I received your message in advance."


"I'm coming straight from the Association President's office anyway."


Taehyun said that Go Tae-wook had said he would contact him.


Bang Chae-soo shook his head.


"It's not that, but I received a call from that picky old man, Kim Jong-ho."


Kim Jong-ho, who already knew about Taehyun's problems, seemed to have told Bang Chae-soo about the general situation.


"I've canceled all my reservations this week for you."


"There's no need to go that far…."


"No. To touch the skills of a player like you, I need to take care of my health first."


Bang Chae-soo's expression looked serious, and I couldn't help but laugh.


"Then we can talk quickly."


"Come in. I wanted to show you the new workroom anyway."


Bang Chae-soo, who was excited like a child, walked ahead and talked about the utilization of space and equipment.


The space to work on Taehyun's skills was the innermost, and the laboratory was long enough to take 10 more minutes to come out.


It was a bonus that there were equipment that I had never seen before installed everywhere.


I realized again how much effort Ji Jin-hee was putting into strengthening the association's players.


"It's quite long?"


"It's all thanks to you."


"It's all thanks to the old man."


Until he arrived at the space, Bang Chae-soo repeated what Kim Jong-ho had told him.


"You can't even guess how much you've grown just by looking at the momentum that's revealed on the outside."


"Is it that much?"


"I'm embarrassed to boast in front of you, but my skills have improved quite a bit. I got a lot of advice from Kim Jong-ho, that old man."


"The Association President must have been happy that the two masters met."


"It's hard to say that there was no such reason for the expansion of this laboratory."


While the two were talking.


He had already arrived at the expanded laboratory to work on Taehyun's skills.


"Wow."


An exclamation came out of Taehyun's mouth.


It's not just the expansion of size.


Ten small gates, five medium gates, and one large gate were scattered and installed.


And that's not all.


Mana amplification stones of different sizes were combined with some kind of device and placed in various places.


At a glance, I could see that the device was used differently depending on the awakener.


Bang Chae-soo laughed and explained.


"I heard that it was specially made by Alchemist. I heard that they will sell it to some countries in the future by order."


"Still, you won't be able to get the same efficiency as the old man."


"I'm even scared every time you say that now. How much more are you going to make me suffer…."


Unlike the words, Bang Chae-soo didn't seem to hate it.


Taehyun wasn't joking either.


If Bang Chae-soo, a craftsman, was provided with such excellent equipment, I was sure that I would be able to find a clue about 'Devil Gate'.


"Are you managing this large place alone?"


"Of course not. Before you came, Director Go Tae-wook took action."


As expected, I thought it was thorough.


Bang Chae-soo's explanation of the equipment continued.


There was nothing special.


It's just that the number of equipment that opens mana, intervenes with Bang Chae-soo's skills, and assists has increased.


"One thing to keep in mind is that everything that happens here is recorded."


Saying that, Bang Chae-soo turned on the monitor.


In the recorded video, a man and Bang Chae-soo appeared.


Kieeeing.


In the video, Bang Chae-soo's skill was activated along with the sound.


At the same time, a faint mana rose from the man's body.


"This person was a non-awakener, but he became a C-rank awakener right after."


Taehyun's eyes flashed.


"If the reason you came to me is to forcibly activate your skills, you can do it with the equipment here somehow."


I could feel confidence in Bang Chae-soo's eyes as he said that.


'He's grown after all.'


Taehyun could see that he had come to the right place.


"Sit over here."


Bang Chae-soo looked at Taehyun and pointed to the machine connected to the mana amplification stone and the large gate.


When I sat down, Bang Chae-soo activated another system.


Jiiiing-


Along with the mechanical sound, a barrier was created between each sector of the laboratory.


"What is this?"


"It's a 10-layer barrier. The association took care of it because they don't know what kind of skills you will awaken."


"The barrier thickness is considerable."


"I heard it's because of you."


I heard that a lot of Onsaemi-ro's proud barriers were broken.


So he told me that he made it with Taehyun in mind from the design stage.


In fact, the ten barriers were meant to prepare for Taehyun's rampage.


It was not a bad preparation for Taehyun either.


Bang Chae-soo, who convinced me of the existence of the barrier, continued.


"I guess that in your case, various skills are interfering with the manifestation of other skills."


"You mean…."


"First, I'm going to draw out a considerable amount of mana from you with the large gate. Then, I'm going to pour the mana stored in the mana amplification stone into your body."


"What do I need to prepare?"


"Even if mana penetrates, don't refuse, no matter how long it takes."


In other words, it meant that he had to control the skills so that they would not run wild, almost to the point of sealing them.


Taehyun, who nodded, consciously lowered his mana to the lowest.


Besides 'Predation' preventing the invading mana, I focused on preventing the skills from reacting to the sudden mana.


"I'll start now."


Kieeeing-


As he said, the gate was activated and began to draw out Taehyun's mana in lumps.


Then, Bang Chae-soo's skill, enhanced with a mana amplification stone, wrapped around his body.


I could feel the old mana scanning every part of my body.


I didn't push it away.


I thoroughly controlled the skills so that they could not show their heads.


I could feel sweat dripping down my whole body.


How many hours had passed?


Tiriring.


[The skill Devil Gate(SSS) has been activated. Searching for location.]


'That's it!!'


Before Taehyun could be happy.


[The skill Devil Gate(SSS) has been enhanced. Mana consumption is accelerating.]


'What?'


[The location of the skill Devil Gate(SSS) has been identified. The gate is activated.]


It was an event that happened before Taehyun could react.


Not the installed gate.


Hwaaaak.


A huge gate was created in the air.


"Heot…!!"


With Bang Chae-soo's surprised breath as the last.


The area was quickly swallowed up by the expanding gate.


An intangible energy pressed down on Taehyun's entire body.


It was neither mana nor energy.


It was a familiar feeling.


Slightly, though.


The law of the abyss was applied.


'The 'Devil Gate' used by Kasim Zolt searches for and opens a certain location in the abyss. It was to bring in marked monsters.'


Thinking that, I opened my eyes.


As expected.


What unfolded before my eyes was not a laboratory, but an abyss with a red sky.


I guessed that it was somewhere in the deepest part.


'It's embarrassing.'


The Devil Gate manifested from Taehyun reverse-summoned the two to the deepest part.


And even to a place I've never seen before.


"Where is this… where is it…."


Bang Chae-soo, who opened his eyes belatedly, alternately looked at Taehyun, who was sparking, and the scenery of the deepest part.


The deepest part has different levels of monsters living there, but.


Its own air also becomes thin.


Unless you have the body of an S-rank player, it was impossible to last for a long time.


As expected.


Bang Chae-soo was frowning, as if he was having trouble breathing, even though he was embarrassed.


"I can't… breathe…."


"Has this happened before?"


"I didn't…!!"


Bang Chae-soo's face was filled with unfairness and pain as he said that.


"Then I don't know how to accept the current situation."


Saying that, Taehyun checked his mana.


It was less than 50% due to the influence of being drawn out by the gate a while ago.


"Where… where on earth… is this…?"


Bang Chae-soo looked around and asked as if squeezing it out.


"Abyss. An area located in the deepest part of it."


"What…?"


"Welcome to the deepest part."


Bang Chae-soo's face was dyed with astonishment.


Taehyun explained the situation.


'Devil Gate' is a skill that summons monsters in the deep or deepest part.


Something seems to have gone wrong when I forcibly activated the skill.


Judging by the location, it seems to be a place that Kasim Zolt has marked.


Bang Chae-soo accepted it calmly, while complaining about why he got caught up in this.


Anyway, he is also a craftsman.


"Then… what should I do now?"


"Since the skill was activated strangely, we have to go back. It's not a place where I can protect the old man alone and last."


Fortunately, the law of the abyss was activated weakly because all the skills were forcibly sealed.


If not, the whole body would have exploded to the point where I would have had to use hypersonic regeneration.


In particular, the influence of sealing 'Predation' and 'Heart of the Superior Species' was great.


That's because those two skills are the power that is most involved in Taehyun's demonization than any other skill.


'I think I know how to ignore the law of the abyss.'


Of course, the authority that Jormungandr uses.


It would be great if I could use the rampage properly.


At that moment, Taehyun's body flinched.


"What's wrong?"


Taehyun checked the status window without answering.


"What the hell."


A curse word came out on its own.


All the skills in the status window were sealed.


'Apostle of the Gate' is the same.


"Are you, are you okay? D, is there a way to get back?"


Bang Chae-soo asked, feeling that something was wrong.


His voice and face were filled with desperation and pain as he asked that.


The current environment is too harsh for Bang Chae-soo, who is not a trained player.


Taehyun took out a potion that he used in case of emergency from his belt.


Top-grade healing potion.


There was nothing to heal, but it would be a first aid.


"Old man, first of all, with this…."


Before Taehyun could finish speaking.


Thud.


Bang Chae-soo lost consciousness and collapsed.


Taehyun hurriedly poured the potion into Bang Chae-soo's mouth.


Far away.


There was someone watching the two of them.


Episode 326


Jin-hee was so glad to see Tae-hyun after a long time that he had no intention of letting him go.


If Go Tae-wook hadn't interrupted their conversation, saying he had many matters to resolve, he would have been held captive until tonight.


"I'll contact the elder separately," Go Tae-wook said, knowing that Tae-hyun was going to see Bang Chae-soo.


He wanted to ensure that the same situation as with Im Ah-young didn't occur again, and to provide convenience from within the association.


"Thank you," Tae-hyun said with a bow, then headed straight for Bang Chae-soo's lab.


Even though Go Tae-wook said he would make arrangements, Tae-hyun was prepared to simply greet him and make an appointment for another day if there was already a reservation, just like before.


If not, he intended to deal with the problem related to the 'Devil Gate' skill today.


It took 20 minutes to walk from the association president's office to the lab.


Tae-hyun murmured with admiration in front of the room with the nameplate "Bang Chae-soo."


"Old man, you've got quite the knack for this."


The location hadn't changed from before, but the entrance was definitely different.


Below the nameplate was the title of an S-rank player, and the position of skill fusion expert was also engraved.


It seemed Jin-hee had put in the effort to utilize Bang Chae-soo more actively.


It wasn't just the entrance that had changed.


The number of labs had increased from one to five.


It was easy to guess that the internal lab had expanded to at least five times its previous size.


In effect, a quarter of the entire floor had been given to Bang Chae-soo's lab.


This showed how highly Jin-hee valued Bang Chae-soo's abilities.


No, considering that Kim Jong-ho, who was praised as a master in the industry, was close to him...


'It would be strange not to acknowledge his skills.'


Tae-hyun had come here because he thought of him as the best skill fusion expert in Shinhan Korea.


'By now, he must have reached the level of his past life.'


Tae-hyun wondered if Bang Chae-soo, with his increased skill and mana proficiency, could solve his problems.


He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited.


Knock, knock.


Tae-hyun knocked lightly.


As if he had been waiting, the door opened, and Bang Chae-soo, looking radiant, came out.


He took Tae-hyun's hands and greeted him.


"Player Kim Tae-hyun!! I received your message in advance."


"I'm coming straight from the association president's office," Tae-hyun said, mentioning that Go Tae-wook had said he would make arrangements.


Bang Chae-soo shook his head.


"Not that, but I received a call from that picky old man, Kim Jong-ho."


Kim Jong-ho, already aware of Tae-hyun's problem, seemed to have told Bang Chae-soo the general situation.


"I've canceled all appointments this week for you."


"There was no need to go that far..."


"No, to handle a player of your caliber's skills, I need to manage my physical condition first."


Bang Chae-soo's expression seemed serious, which made Tae-hyun laugh.


"Then things will be quicker."


"Come in. I wanted to show you the new workspace anyway."


Bang Chae-soo, excited like a child, walked ahead, talking about the utilization of space and equipment.


The space for working on Tae-hyun's skills was at the very end; the lab was so long that it took another 10 minutes to reach.


Additionally, there were pieces of equipment installed everywhere that Tae-hyun had never seen before.


It made him realize how much effort Jin-hee was putting into enhancing the players of the association.


"It's quite long, isn't it?"


"It's all thanks to you."


"It's all thanks to what you've accomplished, Elder."


Until they arrived at the space, Bang Chae-soo repeated what Kim Jong-ho had told him.


"Just by looking at your outward demeanor, I can't even fathom how much you've grown."


"Is it that much?"


"I'm embarrassed to boast in front of you, but my skills have also developed quite a bit. I've gained a lot of advice from hanging out with that old man, Kim Jong-ho."


"Now that the two masters have met, the association president must be pleased."


"It's hard to say that wasn't a reason for this lab expansion."


While the two were talking, they arrived at the expanded lab where Tae-hyun's skills would be worked on.


"Wow."


Tae-hyun couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.


It wasn't just the size that had been expanded.


Ten small gates, five medium gates, and one large gate were scattered and installed.


And that wasn't all.


Mana amplification stones of various sizes were combined with some kind of device and placed in various locations.


At a glance, Tae-hyun could tell that the device was used differently depending on the Awakened.


Bang Chae-soo chuckled and explained.


"I heard it was specially made by Alchemist. They'll be selling it to a few other countries as a custom order, too."


"But I doubt they'll be able to achieve the same efficiency as you, Elder."


"Now, every time you say something like that, it even scares me. How much harder are you going to make things for me..."


Contrary to his words, Bang Chae-soo didn't seem to dislike it.


Tae-hyun wasn't joking either.


If a craftsman like Bang Chae-soo was provided with such excellent equipment, Tae-hyun was certain that he could find a clue to the 'Devil Gate.'


"Are you managing this vast place alone?"


"Of course not. Before you came, Director Go Tae-wook took measures."


Tae-hyun thought that he was truly thorough.


Bang Chae-soo continued to explain the equipment.


There was nothing particularly special.


It was just that mana was released, Bang Chae-soo's skills were involved, and the number of assisting devices had increased.


"One thing you should keep in mind... everything that happens here is recorded," Bang Chae-soo said, turning on a monitor.


In the recording, a man and Bang Chae-soo appeared.


Kieeeing.


In the video, Bang Chae-soo's skill activated with a sound.


At the same time, a faint mana rose from the man's body.


"This person was a non-Awakened... but immediately after, he became a C-rank Awakened."


Tae-hyun's eyes gleamed.


"If the reason you came to me is just to forcibly activate a skill, then I can do something with the equipment here."


There was confidence in Bang Chae-soo's eyes as he said that.


'He has grown, indeed.'


Tae-hyun knew that he had come to the right place.


"Please sit here."


Bang Chae-soo pointed at the machine that connected the mana amplification stone and the large gate, looking at Tae-hyun.


When Tae-hyun sat down, Bang Chae-soo activated another system.


Ziiiing-


A barrier wall was created between each sector of the lab, accompanied by a mechanical sound.


"What is this?"


"It's a tenfold barrier wall. The association is being cautious because we don't know what kind of skill you'll awaken."


"The thickness of the barrier wall is considerable."


"I heard it was because of you."


Apparently, many of the barrier walls that Onsaemi-ro boasted about had been broken.


So he was told that it was made with Tae-hyun in mind from the design stage.


In effect, the ten barrier walls were meant to prepare for Tae-hyun's rampage.


It was a good preparation for Tae-hyun as well.


Bang Chae-soo, having convinced him of the existence of the barrier wall, continued.


"I guess that, in your case, various skills are interfering and preventing the manifestation of other skills."


"Are you saying..."


"First, I'll extract a considerable amount of your mana with the large gate. Then, I'll flow the mana stored in the mana amplification stone into your body."


"What should I prepare?"


"Even if mana penetrates, no matter how long it takes, do not reject it."


In other words, he meant that he had to control the skills as if he were sealing them so that they wouldn't run wild.


Tae-hyun nodded and consciously lowered his mana to the lowest level.


Besides preventing 'Devour' from blocking the invading mana, he focused on preventing the skills from reacting to the sudden influx of mana.


"Let's start."


Kieeeing-


As he said, the gate was activated and began to extract a large amount of Tae-hyun's mana.


Following that, Bang Chae-soo's skills, enhanced with the mana amplification stone, enveloped his body.


He could feel the seasoned mana scanning every part of his body.


He didn't push it away.


He thoroughly controlled his skills so that they wouldn't raise their heads.


He could feel sweat streaming down his entire body.


How many hours had passed like that?


Tting.


[Skill Devil Gate (SSS) has been activated. Searching for location.]


'Yes!!'


Tae-hyun's joy was short-lived.


[Skill Devil Gate (SSS) has been enhanced. Mana consumption is accelerating.]


'What?'


[The location of skill Devil Gate (SSS) has been identified. Gate is being activated.]


Before Tae-hyun could react, it had already happened.


Not the installed gate.


Hwaaaaak.


A huge gate was created in the air.


"Huh...!!"


With the sound of Bang Chae-soo's surprised gasp as the last thing he heard, the area was swallowed up by the rapidly expanding gate.


An intangible force pressed down on Tae-hyun's entire body.


It wasn't mana, nor was it fighting spirit.


It was a familiar feeling.


Slightly.


The laws of the Abyss were being applied.


'The 'Devil Gate' that Kasim Zolt uses searches for a certain location in the Abyss and opens it. It's to bring in the marked monsters.'


Thinking that, he opened his eyes.


Sure enough.


Before him was not the lab, but the Abyss with its red sky.


He guessed that it was somewhere in the deepest part.


'This is embarrassing.'


The Devil Gate that manifested from Tae-hyun had reverse-summoned the two of them to the deepest part.


Moreover, to a location he had never seen before.


"Where... Where on earth is this..."


Bang Chae-soo, who opened his eyes belatedly, alternated between looking at Tae-hyun, who was sparking, and the scene of the deepest part.


The deepest part not only had different levels of monsters living there.


The air itself was also thin.


Unless one possessed the body of an S-rank player, it was impossible to endure for a long time.


Sure enough.


Bang Chae-soo, while flustered, was distorting his face, as if it were hard to breathe.


"I can't... I can't breathe..."


"Has this ever happened before?"


"Never...!!"


Bang Chae-soo's face was full of unfairness and pain as he said that.


"Then I don't know how to accept the current situation."


Saying that, Tae-hyun checked his mana.


Due to the influence of the gate that had extracted it a little while ago, less than 50 remained.


"Where on earth... Where on earth is this...?"


Bang Chae-soo asked, squeezing out the words while looking around.


"The Abyss. The area located in the deepest part of it."


"What...?"


"Welcome to the deepest part."


Bang Chae-soo's face was filled with horror.


Tae-hyun explained the situation.


'Devil Gate' is a skill that summons monsters in the deep or deepest part.


It seemed that something had gone wrong while forcibly activating the skill.


Judging from the location, it seemed to be a place that Kasim Zolt had marked.


Bang Chae-soo accepted it calmly, even while resenting why he had been caught up in such a thing.


In any case, he was also a craftsman.


"Then... What should we do now?"


"Since the skill was activated strangely, we should go back. It's not a place where I can endure while protecting the Elder, let alone if I was alone."


Fortunately, thanks to all the skills being forcibly sealed, the laws of the Abyss were only being applied weakly.


If not, his entire body would have exploded to the point where he would have had to use Super High-Speed Regeneration.


In particular, the influence of sealing 'Devour' and 'Heart of a Superior Species' was significant.


Those two skills are the powers that are most greatly involved in Tae-hyun's demonization than any other skill.


'I think I know how to ignore the laws of the Abyss.'


Of course, it's the authority that Jormungandr uses.


It would be even better if he could properly use Rampage.


Suddenly, Tae-hyun's body flinched.


"What's wrong?"


Tae-hyun checked the status window without answering.


"This is insane."


A curse word came out involuntarily.


All the skills in the status window were sealed.


'Apostle of the Gate' was the same.


"Are, are you okay? Is, is there a way back?"


Bang Chae-soo asked, feeling that something was wrong.


His voice and face were full of desperation and suffering as he asked that.


The current environment was too harsh for Bang Chae-soo, who was not a trained player.


Tae-hyun took out a potion from his belt that he used in emergencies.


The highest grade healing potion.


It wouldn't be a cure, but it would be enough for first aid.


"Elder, first of all, take this..."


Before Tae-hyun could finish speaking.


Thud.


Bang Chae-soo lost consciousness and collapsed.


Tae-hyun hurriedly poured the potion into Bang Chae-soo's mouth.


Far away.


There was someone watching the two of them.


Episode 327


Deepest Layer. A Hidden Castle Somewhere.


In that place, a massive demon-shaped monster was eating something.


It was a human, now a cold corpse.


There were over a dozen such corpses, of all races.


Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.


The sound, like a beast tearing at flesh, echoed through the castle.


Where the demon had eaten the humans, only bone fragments remained.


Every bit of flesh had been stripped, and the blood had been sucked dry, leaving only bones.


The demon finished its meal and opened its mouth.


[You are to be disposed of.]


[……!!]


At those words, a higher-ranking demon of the same form looked at the Great Demon with an expression of bewilderment.


[No nutritional value. If there's no nutritional value, there should at least be a large number. Surely you didn't think this would satisfy my hunger.]


The Great Demon chuckled.


But to the one listening, it was the most chilling voice imaginable.


The higher-ranking demon knelt and bowed its head.


[P-Please, spare me. Gorfer, please… Give me just one more chance…]


[Too late. I'd rather look for another one.]


Great Demon Gorfer.


He smiled slyly and reached out his hand.


His fingernails were momentarily stained with purple mana.


Sizzle. Sizzle.


The liquefied mana melted the floor.


Thud.


Crunch.


Gorfer's fingernails pierced the higher-ranking demon's mana stone.


The higher-ranking demon's body trembled and then went limp.


It died instantly, its life taken by the fingernails that pierced the mana stone.


Gorfer began to tear apart the body of the demon that had been his subordinate until just moments ago.


Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.


The higher-ranking demon's strong flesh couldn't resist Gorfer's touch and was torn away with almost absurd ease.


[Now my hunger is somewhat appeased.]


Gorfer, having finished his meal, expressed a slight satisfaction.


[Tsk, Lord Beelzebub is too much. How long must I remain stuck in this place?]


Gorfer clicked his tongue, thinking of his master.


Beelzebub's top subordinate, the Great Demon Gorfer.


He was the master of the 66th Star, one of Beelzebub's hidden domains.


The symbolic number 66 was assigned because Beelzebub was secretly nurturing forces to gain an advantage in future domain wars.


However, the top-ranking Gorfer, loyalty to Beelzebub aside, couldn't bear to spend his days in this stifling place.


He was a natural glutton and wanted to devour the flesh of various demons.


His great power as a Great Demon made him yearn to dominate other demons.


For a moment.


He even considered defying the Demon King's orders.


It was around that time that Kashim Zold, Beelzebub's contractor, stepped into the hidden domain.


He had stumbled upon the existence of the 66th Star and, unable to resist his curiosity, had entered and been discovered.


From Gorfer's perspective, he was a troublesome individual to deal with.


The existence of the 66th Star was not supposed to be easily revealed, but he couldn't eliminate the evidence because he was his master's contractor.


He pondered for three days and nights.


Even as he tore apart the demons he had captured in front of Kashim Zold.


Then Kashim Zold came up with a plan.


"I will offer humans to Lord Gorfer."


It was a bold proposal from a human who had watched Gorfer's eating habits for three days and nights, offering his own kind to save himself.


A worm who would offer his own kind to survive.


Gorfer scoffed.


But Kashim Zold's proposal wasn't one-sided.


"In return, please tell me the coordinates of this place. Great Demon Gorfer."


Kashim Zold even prostrated himself, making a polite request.


He said that he wanted to use his subordinates from his own domain.


Gorfer couldn't help but laugh again.


[Insolent.]


He cut off his arms and legs as an example, but he didn't yield his assertion.


He could see why the Demon King had made him a contractor.


The human called Kashim Zold had already obtained a body that transcended that of a mere human worm, and its nature was too well suited to that of a demon.


Gorfer didn't hesitate for long.


If he hadn't made the offer first, he might have gone on a rampage soon enough.


Gorfer gave Kashim Zold the coordinates of the 66th Star and made a pact with him.


Kashim Zold babbled something about his skills being enhanced, something Gorfer didn't understand.


[Show your sincerity.]


Despite Gorfer's threat, Kashim Zold continued to offer humans relentlessly.


Men and women, old and young, awakened and non-awakened, players and corrupted ones.


The countless humans kidnapped by the corrupted in Harsultan became Gorfer's food.


Gorfer was pleased that he could satisfy his hunger, and Kashim Zold was satisfied that he could control many higher-ranking demons through the 'Devil Gate.'


Their relationship began to crack not long ago.


Even after Gorfer had consumed a considerable number of higher-ranking demons.


The number of humans Kashim Zold offered had decreased significantly.


Gorfer was furious and urged him on.


He threatened to break the pact if this happened again, putting pressure on him.


After that, Gorfer's uneasy feelings subsided as he sent humans to the castle a few more times.


But recently, humans had stopped being sent again.


Kashim Zold.


That damned worm.


He wouldn't let him get away with it if he showed up again.


Crunch.


Just as Gorfer was about to call for his next meal, feeling hungry again.


He sensed an alien presence in his senses.


It was definitely human, but the faint trace of mana was definitely his own.


Gorfer was convinced that Kashim Zold had arrived.


But for some reason, it wasn't near the castle, and there were only two presences.


He could ask the reason.


The Great Demon spread his wings.


He left the castle and floated his massive body in the air.


Towards the boundary between his domain, the 66th Star, and the deepest layer.


'This is bad.'


Taehyun thought as he watched Bang Chaesu's condition.


It was a top-grade healing potion worth a fortune.


But for Bang Chaesu, who didn't have a trained, strong body, it only had the effect of simple first aid.


'I have to activate the Apostle of the Gate somehow.'


Probably, the time given to Bang Chaesu was about an hour.


If he couldn't get out of the deepest layer within that time, Bang Chaesu would face death.


The absurd situation made him clench his fists involuntarily.


'Calm down, Kim Taehyun. There must be a reason why the skill is sealed.'


Thinking that, he looked at the status window again.


Not only 'Devour,' but also 'Apocalypse,' 'Memorize,' 'Apostle of the Gate,' 'Heart of the Higher-Ranking,' 'Eye of the Higher-Ranking,' 'Ataraxia,' 'Blood Frenzy,' 'Dragon's Fury,' 'Beast Transformation,' 'Demon's Saliva,' 'Elemental of Origin.'


None of the skills could be used.


The summoning skills were no different.


It was because the mana in his body, excessively suppressed to activate the skills, was mixed up.


Taehyun belatedly realized his mistake.


He had risked his life trying to get his hands on the 'Devil Gate' used by Kashim Zold.


If it was his own life, he wouldn't have cared much.


'But the elder has different circumstances.'


In his past life, he had become a recognized master in the world, beyond just Shin Korea.


He strengthened countless awakened beings, marking a turning point in strengthening humanity's power, and as a result, many people were saved from the corrupted and monsters.


It was a life too precious to lose just to activate one skill.


Taehyun once again explored solutions to the current situation.


'Mana is needed. Strong mana to release the tangled mana in my body…'


In the deepest layer, the only ones who could handle mana would be the highest-ranking demons.


Could he face a highest-ranking demon with only simple physical abilities without any skills?


'First, find a higher-ranking demon as a priority…'


That's when Taehyun thought.


Flap.


Just as he thought he heard the sound of flapping wings from somewhere.


Thud.


"……!!"


A huge monster fell in front of Taehyun.


It was the master of the 66th Star, the Great Demon Gorfer.


[You're not that human. What are you?]


Disappointed that it wasn't Kashim Zold, Gorfer growled as he asked.


Even that alone was enough to feel a significant presence.


'A highest-ranking demon…!!'


He could easily deduce that it wasn't just an ordinary highest-ranking demon, but one that had deeply inherited the Great Duke's mana.


[Didn't I ask? Kashim Zold. Where is that worm?]


Gorfer looked around.


But there were no more presences detected.


That meant that one of the two in front of him had entered this place through the spell he had cast on Kashim Zold.


Could it be.


[You. Did you kill that worm?]


"……."


Taehyun was silent.


Gorfer took that silence as affirmation.


Tremble.


Gorfer's huge body shook.


Mana was boiling.


He didn't know how they had dealt with that tenacious creature.


It was because the steadily supplied food had disappeared.


In an instant, the surrounding poison became stronger.


"Cough… hack…."


Black blood flowed from Bang Chaesu's mouth.


His complexion had turned purple.


'Poisoning…!! I have to get away from him.'


Just as Taehyun, in desperation, was about to carry Bang Chaesu and flee.


Ting.


[Quest 'Gorfer's Spell' has been generated.]


'What?'


[Success Reward - Skill Devil Gate (SSS) Activated.]


Taehyun's body flinched at the unexpected quest.


Gorfer.


The quest that had just appeared confirmed that the being in front of him was a highest-ranking demon who had deeply inherited Beelzebub's mana.


'This is difficult.'


Normally, he would have attacked Gorfer without thinking about the consequences.


But now Taehyun's power was not complete.


Moreover, due to the poison just now, Bang Chaesu's life was running towards its end.


30 minutes. No, 20 minutes?


If Gorfer continued to emit mana like this, he wouldn't last even 10 minutes.


[Unbelievable. To think that someone like that would be killed by a human. Hey, how did you get in here?]


Stomp.


Gorfer took a step towards Taehyun as he asked.


"Cough… hack…."


Even that alone made Bang Chaesu's groans rougher.


There was no more room for choice.


Clench.


Taehyun clenched his fist.


And.


"I'm a Grim Reaper."


Shin Korean Ancient Martial Arts, First Form, Explosive Power.


Bang.


Taehyun's fist struck Gorfer's face.


Ting.


[Quest 'Gorfer's Spell' has been accepted.]


[Progress - 0.1%]


A message appeared that the quest had been accepted.


But that was it.


"……."


[…….]


For a moment, Taehyun and Gorfer looked at each other.


Gorfer was the first to speak.


[Are you perhaps attacking me?]


"It's a misunderstanding."


Contrary to the answer.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts, Second Form, Inch Power. Third Form, Span Power. Fourth Form, Circular Power. Fifth Form, Penetrating Power.


Taehyun's attacks continued.


Despite pouring out attacks, his expression was not good.


The quest's progress was increasing by 0.1% each time.


It was because he could feel the gap between himself, unable to use mana, and Gorfer through the sensation in his fist.


'Damn it.'


Taehyun belatedly distanced himself from him.


It was because the attacks weren't working, so he was trying to keep him away from Bang Chaesu as much as possible.


[Is that all?]


Gorfer said, waving his hand.


Even though he dodged quickly.


Fwoosh.


Drip.


A straight gash appeared across his chest.


[There's no way he could have been caught by such a trick.]


Drip.


[Show me your full power. Worm.]


The saliva flowing from Gorfer's mouth.


Was contrasted with the blood flowing from Taehyun's wound.


328


Contrary to the title of "bug."


Drip.


Purple saliva dripped from Gorfer's mouth.


Sizzle, sizzle.


The ground melted as if it were meat grilling on a griddle.


This was due to the venomous magic mixed in the bodily fluids.


An Archduke came to mind.


'Beelzebub.'


The Demon King with the power of poison.


He immediately realized that the highest-ranking monster in front of him was related to that being.


'Did Beelzebub's territory have a place like this?'


He had once grasped the general area to obtain that being's magic.


He had heard from the Incubus Clan about some of the higher and highest-ranking beings to be careful of.


However, he had never heard of a territory or monster like this.


'Well, it's hard to say that the Incubus Clan's information is absolute, but.'


Because they possessed the power to glimpse into the memories of others, they were quite useful for gathering information.


But that was only limited to monsters of S rank or so.


There were limitations to obtaining information from monsters of SS rank or higher.


Taehyun concluded on his own that the being in front of him was Beelzebub's highest-ranking minion, one that the Incubus Clan had failed to grasp.


There was no other way to do it.


'In my current state, I'd be seriously injured if I were hit directly by an attack like that.'


It would be difficult to counter that level of toxicity without 'Demon's Saliva.'


He couldn't use ultra-fast regeneration without 'Blood Frenzy,' so he had to be careful with his attacks.


Meanwhile, he had to separate the monster from Bang Chaesu as much as possible and find a way to use 'Apostle of the Gate.'


Just as Taehyun was racking his brains.


[I will ask one last time. Kasim Jort. What did you do with that bug bastard?]


"Why are you asking about that guy?"


Taehyun said, slowly backing away.


He made it seem to Gorfer as if he was backing away in fear.


He had taken about five steps when.


[A bug only answers. Questions are not permitted to this Gorfer.]


Swaeak.


The monster's claws stretched out.


He avoided the attack aimed at his neck with split-second timing.


Sizzle.


"……!!"


His neck stung, even though he hadn't been scratched; it seemed like he had deeply inherited Beelzebub's power.


It was a pressure he hadn't felt when he was covered in 'Demon's Saliva.'


Taehyun took another two steps back, and the process of Gorfer's awl-like claws aiming for his neck was repeated.


[A nimble bug.]


"I'm confident in my evasion."


It would have been better if 'Eyes of the Superior Species' had been activated.


But he didn't bother to say such a thing out loud.


Gorfer burst into a kikikik laugh at the retort.


Taehyun was only the third human to maintain such an attitude in front of him.


The first was in the distant past.


It was 'something' he couldn't remember, and the second was Kasim Jort.


Those guys always gave him more satisfaction than he had expected.


[Human. To see you struggling to live as a bug. A truly amusing species.]


Gorfer judged Taehyun's actions that way.


Even at the mockery, Taehyun didn't change his expression and steadily backed away.


'Just a little further away.'


If that happened, he was thinking of somehow suppressing the monster with the two ancient martial arts.


The possibility was extremely slim, though.


That too was a plan that was not allowed.


[How many humans do you think I've eaten?]


"……?"


[Do you think there wouldn't have been a guy like you among them?]


As Gorfer said that, his red eyes turned toward Bang Chaesu.


"……!!"


Heuk.


At the same time as Gorfer's lips curled up.


Kwaang.


Taehyun put strength in his legs and leaped out.


Third Form of New Korean Ancient Martial Arts: Vajra.


Taehyun's body became as hard as if he had used a skill.


The moment Gorfer's venomous claws aimed at Bang Chaesu, Taehyun blocked them.


Scrrt.


Thud.


An arm, cut off despite the strengthening, fell to the floor.


Sizzle.


Poisonous energy seeped in without any time for blood to flow from the severed surface.


Instead of bleeding, poisoning was devouring his body.


[Finally caught the rat.]


Gush.


Black blood spurted from Taehyun's mouth.


The venomous magic had seeped into the already battered and mixed magic.


Meanwhile, Gorfer had walked right up to Taehyun.


Thwack.


Another of Gorfer's claws was embedded in Taehyun's chest.


Sizzzle.


With a groan at the penetrating poison, Taehyun's body involuntarily twitched.


He grabbed the awl-like thorns with his hand.


His hand burned as if he had grabbed fire.


His skin was dyed purple.


Even so, Taehyun didn't let go of his hand.


Rather.


Crackle. Crackle.


He put strength in his legs and slowly pushed Gorfer away.


It was out of a desire to keep him as far away from Bang Chaesu as possible.


Gorfer didn't resist.


Had Taehyun moved ten steps?


[I can't understand.]


Gorfer tilted his head.


[How could a weakling like you have really killed that bug?]


He knew that the bug meant Kasim Jort.


'Hiss.'


Without answering, he took another step.


He had to save even the strength to speak now.


Gorfer looked back and forth between Taehyun and Bang Chaesu in silence.


Bang Chaesu was nothing more than an ordinary lump of meat, and even Taehyun in front of him couldn't be called a delicacy.


Thinking that these guys had interfered with his meal suddenly made him furious.


Even if he had to press for the whereabouts of Kasim Jort.


First, he had to devour one of these two to satiate his hunger.


One of the two.


Gorfer's contemplation didn't last long.


His other hand aimed at Bang Chaesu.


It was the moment he was about to skewer him like a skewer and bring him over.


Thwack.


[……?]


Taehyun pulled out the claw that had been embedded in his chest.


And.


Fourth Form of New Korean Ancient Martial Arts: Bagua.


He opened his palm and lashed out at Gorfer's chest.


Crack.


Although magic didn't swirl in his hand, the skilled attack reached Gorfer's lower abdomen.


He couldn't even coat his one arm with magic.


Unable to exert its power, Gorfer's internal organs did not become concussed.


'How am I supposed to fight in this state?'


Gush.


Taehyun spat out blood once again.


Even so.


[Progress Rate - 1.9%]


[Progress Rate - 2%]


The rising percentage of the quest came into view.


'The status window is fine, huh?'


At the absurd situation, a laugh naturally escaped him.


Gorfer's red eyes, looking at Taehyun, wriggled.


He could cut off that neck at any time if he wanted.


He could melt that body with poison at any time if he wanted.


He could take that bug's life at any time if he wanted.


But why.


He shouldn't be unaware of that fact either.


Why.


[Are you laughing?]


It was an instinctive question.


Then, the face of a man came to mind.


[Could it be.]


A human he had forgotten over a long time.


No, a human whose memory had been forcibly forgotten.


The figure of a man was superimposed on Taehyun's face.


From Gorfer's mouth.


King.


His name flowed out.


The many monsters of the Abyss.


Among them, the Demon race accounted for a considerable number, not inferior to the Beast race.


Gorfer was one of the extremely few among those Demons.


A Great Demon from birth.


If the pure-blooded Dragon race had Dragon Heart, a symbol of infinite magic, Great Demons had huge horns and tails.


They possessed a strong body symbolizing the highest species, and had their own special powers that could be called authority.


Gorfer's authority was 'Desire.'


Regardless of the species, Gorfer incited the desire of existence with magic.


He reigned in the deepest part as a Great Demon.


Until Diablo and Beelzebub, the two Great Demons chosen by Baal, rose to the position of Archduke.


Although they had power like authority.


There was definitely a difference in class even among Great Demons.


Gorfer challenged the two Archdukes and lost.


Diablo was the first to choose Gorfer.


Diablo promised Gorfer the same treatment as an Archduke and took him as his subordinate.


Desire burns even more intensely after being broken once.


Gorfer filled his desire for gluttony at Diablo's side.


It was a satisfying life in itself.


The unstable balance maintained by the Archdukes.


Until the existence called the King of the Lower World appeared after a long time.


[That guy… could it be….]


Gorfer mentioned the King of the Lower World while looking at Taehyun.


Taehyun watched Gorfer's movements, which had changed without any answer.


Even though the opponent was clearly showing panic.


It was because there was no attack method to speak of.


Gorfer's panic continued.


[Why… the memory….]


For some reason, it was a memory that had been blurry until just now.


Even though he had experienced a humiliation that he could never forget.


He couldn't believe that he had forgotten about it as if someone had deliberately erased his memory.


Diablo was defeated, and what was the reason he, who had entered under Beelzebub, had been sent here?


That reason was now.


It clearly came to mind.


Revenge.


It was for Beelzebub to lead the subsequent territory war to victory and challenge the king once again.


Crack.


Gorfer gritted his teeth.


Why had this unforgettable memory become blurred?


[Damn King.]


Damn Abyss laws.


The king had imposed sanctions in this way before.


He had blown away the memories of the race war immediately afterward, regardless of whether they were lower or higher species.


The memory was only recalled through some kind of method.


This time, that method was Taehyun.


Before the King of the Lower World was called a complete king.


A number of Archdukes set a trap and cornered him.


It was a fight they couldn't lose.


The king lost an arm and was so exhausted that he couldn't even use ultra-fast regeneration.


But even so.


The king laughed.


And the Archdukes were defeated.


The figure of Taehyun in front of Gorfer's eyes was exactly like that time.


[Thanks to you.]


A terrible memory came to mind.


[How should I repay this?]


As the humiliation of the forgotten past came to mind, his body began to heave.


Desire.


Revenge beyond hunger.


The desire for revenge ignited the magic stone.


The poison emanating from his body intensified.


As Taehyun had expected, it was the power he had been granted as a minion of Beelzebub.


Watching Gorfer like that, Taehyun let out a hollow laugh.


"Hope is fading more and more."


[Hope. A word that demons don't like.]


Gorfer's venomous claws blew away even Taehyun's remaining arm.


'Crazy bastard.'


He had just laughed at this absurd situation.


But he got excited on his own and blew away Taehyun's remaining arm.


It was a situation that happened before he could use any means.


He looked at the status window.


The skill was still unusable.


The poison that had penetrated with the monster's claws was gradually making his body heavy.


At this rate, it was only a matter of time before his legs were blown away.


'But the fact that the quest has come to mind means….'


It meant that there was a way to overcome the current situation.


'Think, Kim Taehyun.'


The method to achieve the quest in the current situation.


That method was the only way to save Bang Chaesu.


Gush.


He spat out black blood once again.


The venomous magic was stirring up his insides, which were already in disarray.


If this continued, Taehyun's already complicated magic would be covered in purple magic.


Anyway, it seemed like he was a minion of Beelzebub.


When he thought that.


'……!!'


One path appeared in Taehyun's mind.


Around that time, the Great Demon was contemplating Taehyun's disposal.


[No, no. To equate you with the king… hunger must have made me lose my mind for a moment.]


Gorfer shook his head, muttering to himself.


"Kasim Jort acted like that too and died."


[Kikikik.]


Thwack.


[Who told you to open your mouth?]


Sizzle.


"Cough…."


Taehyun let out a groan like a metallic sound.


It was a pain different from before.


[Bug. Human. I like you. I will make you a new species of this Gorfer.]


"A minion of Beelzebub would…."


[It's different from the power of the master. My authority is desire. You have no right to refuse.]


Puhwaak.


Purple magic intensified from Gorfer's body.


Along with the poison, the monster's inherent magic was injected into Taehyun's body.


Pus flowed from his whole body.


At the same time, the progress rate of the quest was seen to be rising rapidly.


It was when the progress rate stopped at 50%.


Ting.


[The cooldown of skill Demon's Saliva (SSS) has been解除released.]


[Skill Demon's Saliva (SSS) can be used.]


Gush.


Taehyun spat out blood once again.


He raised his head.


Before he knew it, both of his eyes had turned red.


Sizzle. Sizzle.


Belatedly, purple magic rose from his body.


"Good magic. Gorfer."


Chapter 329


The phenomenon that occurs when Awakened ones use skills excessively or fail to control them.


Mana backflow.


The phenomenon that all Awakened ones are wary of manifested sometimes as rampage, sometimes as sealing.


During the repeated progress and failure of research.


Those who had reached the limit of mana control learned how to freely manipulate rampage and sealing.


They used this to forcibly rampage mana to maximize skill efficiency, or forcibly seal mana to avoid detection.


The method chosen to activate the skill 'Devil Gate' was the latter.


Rampage and sealing.


Easy control for Taehyun now.


But even he didn't know one thing.


'Devil Gate' is not Kasim Zort's pure skill.


It was reinforced with the Archdemon Gorper's magic and the power of desire.


That's why all of Taehyun's skills were sealed as a price for forcibly activating the skill.


[What is it.]


Gorper flinched at the energy emanating from Taehyun's body.


Purple mana symbolizing Beelzebub's power.


It can be recognized at a glance.


That's not mana leaking out after being consumed by his attack.


It's emitting the Duke, Beelzebub's mana, on its own.


Just like Kasim Zort, the contractor of Duke Beelzebub and Archdemon Gorper.


He couldn't help but ask.


[What is it. That power.]


Taehyun took a deep breath at Gorper's question.


Purple and black blood was spat out.


"Thank you. I lived thanks to you."


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


Taehyun greeted the purple mana rising in his body as he said that.


Poisonous mana was mixing with Gorper's mana from within.


Thanks to that, the dried-up mana was gradually recovering.


Only 'Devil's Saliva' had its cooldown reset, which was like a seal.


But if he could control the internal mana like this, he would be able to use other skills as well.


'It will take quite some time to use them all.'


If he could somehow use the 'Superior Species' Heart', resetting the cooldown of other skills would be a matter of time.


Tting.


[Skill Devil's Saliva (SSS) has been enhanced. Mana consumption is accelerated.]


Chiiiiiiiiik.


Poisonous mana boiled inside the body as if it was rampaging.


It was instantly burning a small spark like a wildfire.


The effect was not light.


As if a painful tooth was pulled out, Gorper's fingernails embedded in the body melted away.


[…….]


Gorper watched the scene silently as if he couldn't believe it.


It's different from before.


He had an unknown reason for panic.


And the current Taehyun was not a clumsy player enough to miss such an opportunity.


One revolution.


Two revolutions.


Three revolutions.


When the purple mana that stirred inside the body passed three times.


"……!!"


He felt other types of mana that had been sealed were wriggling.


The first to react was Igmun's bloody mana.


Tting.


[Skill Blood Rampage (SSS) cooldown has been released.]


[Skill Blood Rampage (SSS) can be used.]


There was no need to check all the messages that appeared.


Taehyun awakened the bloody mana.


Tting.


[Skill Blood Rampage (SSS) has been activated.]


Bloody mana rose above the purple mana.


[A great power awakens. Strength increases. Strength becomes 400.]


[A great power awakens. Stamina increases. Stamina becomes 410.]


[A great power awakens. Speed increases. Speed becomes 400.]


[A great power awakens. Mana increases. Mana becomes 570.]


Kwaddeuk. Kwaddeudeuk.


The severed arms regenerated at ultra-high speed.


They were red arms that seemed to belong to a vampire.


All stats 400.


Not a bad number even though he couldn't overlap skills.


In particular, the mana stat increased significantly, and the speed at which mana rotated in the body became even faster.


Around that time.


[That's Igmun's mana….]


Gorper, who had barely sorted out the confusion in his head, asked that.


[What kind of guy are you.]


Not only is he using the mana of his lord, Beelzebub, but he is also using the power of the Duke, Igmun.


Taehyun focused on the rotation of mana without answering.


Normally, he would have taunted him to provoke him somehow.


Provocation was a basic virtue before facing the highest species.


But.


'Not now.'


His mana was enough to ignite a handful of embers in the sealed mana.


Now was the time to use all the mana to reset the cooldown of 'Gate Apostle' for Bang Chaesu's safety.


[If you don't answer, I'll deal with that old bug first.]


Gorper took a hostage.


Unlike ordinary top species, he devoured many humans.


Sometimes he played with them before eating them, sometimes he talked with them before eating them, and sometimes he used them as limbs before eating them.


So he knew how to handle humans well.


Taehyun silently focused on mana detection.


Gorper's eyes flashed.


[I see. You're not in a normal state.]


'……!!'


The corners of Gorper's lips twitched.


[Then the story changes.]


His huge wings fluttered.


Hwoong.


A hand the size of a head reached out for his neck.


Shinhan Ancient Martial Arts First Style Taebaek.


Kwajik.


Taehyun knocked away Gorper's hand.


He didn't receive the buffs of 'Beast Transformation' and 'Apocalypse'.


'Devil's Saliva' and 'Blood Rampage' unfolded a different aspect from before.


Gorper also seemed quite surprised at Taehyun's appearance of knocking away his hand.


At that time.


Tting.


[Skill Energy Drain (SSS) cooldown has been released.]


[Skill Energy Drain (SSS) can be used.]


Taehyun frowned.


It wasn't the 'Gate Apostle' he was waiting for.


[Don't refuse. Doesn't it bring back bad memories?]


Gorper waved his hand again.


He couldn't have his arms and legs cut off uselessly like before.


'The stats are still not enough to properly engage in close combat.'


It was only possible to avoid fatal wounds and create distance with ancient martial arts.


He glanced at Bang Chaesu.


His whole body was dyed purple to the point where he couldn't even groan anymore.


'I need more mana.'


Kwaaaaa.


Taehyun pulled up mana.


Not the original crimson mana.


Beelzebub's purple mana and Igmun's bloody mana mixed and overflowed.


[Hoo.]


Gorper had an expression as if he was seeing something rare.


Taehyun straightened his posture.


If he wanted to hit 'Energy Drain' in the current situation where skill use was limited.


'I have to dig into his arms.'


There was no need to worry.


Taking risks was a familiar thing.


Shinhan Ancient Martial Arts Third Style Geumgang.


He trained his body.


He rushed into his arms.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts First Style Palm Strike.


He threw a fist.


Gorper smiled and snapped his fingers.


His poisonous claws and Taehyun's poisonous fist collided, causing a loud noise.


Jureureuk.


Taehyun was pushed back.


He changed direction without resting.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts Second Style Inch Strike.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts Third Style Elbow Strike.


Kwaang. Kwaang.


The two attacks, the principle of ascent, quickly knocked away two of Gorper's claws.


Advance one step again.


Shinhan Ancient Martial Arts Second Style Sangyeong.


Two thorns aiming for a vital point melted away.


He gave strength to the foot that stepped forward.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts Fourth Style Seonkyung.


Kwaang.


He knocked away three thorns that were coming again.


His fist felt numb.


Chinese Ancient Martial Arts Fifth Style Penetrating Strike.


He knocked away five thorns with his fist.


Shinhan Ancient Martial Arts Fifth Style Goryeo.


He kicked away three thorns with his foot.


Before he knew it, the distance to Gorper had completely narrowed.


Shinhan Ancient Martial Arts Fourth Style Palgwae.


Kwaddeudeuk.


Chiiiik.


A palm containing poisonous mana touched Gorper's lower abdomen.


[You have interesting skills. But just with that.]


Kwajik.


Gorper's hand grabbed Taehyun's arm.


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


The purple mana spewed from both arms began to compete.


[Did you think you could reach this Gorper?]


The moment Gorper's red eyes, laughing frivolously, met Taehyun's.


Pu Pu Pu Puk.


Five awls were embedded in Taehyun's limbs.


It was Gorper's fingernails that had regenerated at ultra-high speed.


[Kill Kill Kill Kill.]


Gorper burst into frivolous laughter and injected mana into Taehyun's body.


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


In the tug-of-war of purple mana, Taehyun's began to be pushed back.


Gorper's laughter grew louder at the prey's struggle.


At that time.


Ggwak.


Taehyun's other hand grabbed Gorper's fingernails embedded in his body.


Tting.


[Skill Energy Drain (SSS) has been activated. Target is specified.]


[Skill Energy Drain (SSS) has been enhanced. Mana consumption is accelerated.]


Pajeujeujeu.


Lower abdomen and fingernails.


Two hands that touched Gorper's body began to suck mana.


[This power. It resembles Igmun's power.]


Gorper said that and increased the mana he was injecting.


He knows that the human in front of him is not in a normal body condition.


Even so, he is gradually regaining his strength while fighting against him.


He doesn't know where the end of that power is.


He has figured out that he can kill Kasim Zort or something like that many times.


He is good enough to be a new contractor.


[What is your desire? I, Gorper, will grant it.]


Gorper's hand grabbed Taehyun's head.


If he wanted to, he could twist his neck and kill him.


Even so, Taehyun only concentrated on absorbing mana.


He didn't show any reaction.


Pajeujeujeujeu.


The mana that was showing the bottom was quickly filling up.


'Devil's Saliva', 'Blood Rampage', 'Energy Drain'.


As the three skills were strengthened to the limit, mana scattered.


Gorper also increased mana to cast a spell.


Taehyun concentrated on the mana in his body to not miss that power.


Pajijik. Pajik.


He felt a new skill awakening in the huge rotation of mana.


Tting.


[Skill Gate Apostle (SSS) cooldown has been released.]


[Skill Gate Apostle (SSS) can be used.]


"……!!"


Taehyun's eyes widened.


There was no time to hesitate.


He used all the mana to activate the new skill.


Tting.


[Skill Gate Apostle (SSS) has been activated.]


He turned his head and looked at Bang Chaesu.


Bang Chaesu's body, which was already half dead, was recognized.


[Target has been specified.]


He recalled the coordinates of the Player Association.


[Location has been specified.]


Kwaaaaaaa.


The suddenly created gate swallowed Bang Chaesu's body.


Gorper didn't miss the gap.


Seogeok. Seogeok.


Tuk. Tuk.


Like tearing off the limbs of a bug, Taehyun's arms were easily cut off.


Chiiiik. Chiiiik.


The speed of ultra-high-speed regeneration had slowed down significantly due to Gorper's mana that had already consumed the body.


[Your desire was salvation.]


Kilk Kilk.


Gorper laughed and picked up Taehyun's head.


He is mocking him.


A stupid human who missed a golden opportunity to harm himself to save another human.


Gorper's mana consumed more than half of Taehyun's body.


Then Taehyun's mouth opened.


"Are you really a vassal of Beelzebub?"


Gorper's red eyes glistened.


[I'm not just an ordinary vassal. In the demon race, if you say Gorper of Desire….]


"There's no reason to make a pact with someone like you, not even Beelzebub."


The moment he said that.


Tting.


[Skill Superior Species' Heart (SSS) cooldown has been released.]


[Skill Superior Species' Heart (SSS) can be used.]


One minute felt like ten hours.


The order was somewhat changed.


It was a skill he had been waiting for for a long time.


Tting.


[Skill Superior Species' Heart (SSS) has been activated.]


Kiiiiing.


In Taehyun's body.


Another heart was created.


330


Skill 'Heart of a Superior Species'.


It's not a skill that uses the magic of the Archdukes, nor is it a direct attack skill.


But for Taehyun, it was the most important power other than 'Devour'.


Kiiiiiing.


The mana stone created inside his body accelerated.


At the same time, the internal mana, which had been in chaos, began to align as if it had found its way.


'Got it.'


The corners of Taehyun's lips lifted.


It will take quite some time to align because the chaos was so severe.


Since 'Heart of a Superior Species' has been activated, it was only a matter of time before the cooldown of other skills would be reset.


More than anything.


Ting.


[The efficiency of the skill Devil's Saliva (SSS) is increased.]


[The efficiency of the skill Blood Frenzy (SSS) is increased.]


[The efficiency of the skill Energy Drain (SSS) is increased.]


[The efficiency of the skill Apostle of the Gate (SSS) is increased.]


The four skills being activated received new buffs.


It's not just a normal enhancement.


Increasing efficiency means raising proficiency, which is an invaluable benefit for Taehyun right now.


To the extent that the ultra-fast regeneration, which had been hampered by Gorper's magic, started again.


Kuddeudeuk.


Once again, the arm of the vampire monster grew back.


Kwaduk.


Taehyun grabbed Gorper's arm, which had been holding his head with both hands.


Ten red claws dug into the thick arm.


Pazzzzzz.


Chiiiik. Chiiiiik.


'Energy Drain', enhanced to its limit, weakened the guy's magic, and 'Devil's Saliva' melted the crude arm as it was.


Thud.


Gorper watched Taehyun melt his arm and escape.


[Unbelievable.]


It was the reaction that the highest species and Archdukes that Taehyun had faced so far had shown.


Gorper was no different.


Even though the memory the King had erased had returned, causing a brief panic.


The magic he was spewing out now was by no means light.


Even if he was using Belzebub's magic.


He even used Igmoon's power to absorb his magic.


Gorper's red eyes flashed.


The two magic powers circulating through Taehyun's body caught his eye.


Among them, the mana stone, which was comparable to that of the highest species, caught his eye.


It was a heart that hadn't been there just a moment ago.


[To use the same power as us. What a truly interesting bug.]


Just before sending Bang Chaesu, he thought he was an extremely 'human' bug.


The virtues of bugs who risk their lives for others while sacrificing their own bodies.


Humanity.


Watching those guys betray that virtue in the face of death was also a great pleasure.


But now that he saw it.


Wasn't he a guy who resembled them as much as Kasim Zolt?


He could guess why he hadn't used that power from the beginning.


[He must have fallen for my spell.]


He didn't know how he got Kasim Zolt's skill.


He didn't know how he activated that power.


His own spell that was embedded in the process must have been activated.


[He must have lost a considerable amount of power.]


The situation was organized in Gorper's head.


The guy in front of him was not in a normal physical condition the moment he met him.


He bought time with that body, and accepted the magic of the Great Demon to partially release the restrictions of the spell.


He provoked him with that bug-like body and drew out his power.


It was an act that even the highest species could not do carelessly.


[I don't know who's behind him, but he's definitely a crazy guy!!]


Gorper burst into laughter after a long time.


Because of the joy that such delicious prey had been discovered by him.


On the other hand, Taehyun's face was nonchalant.


'The magic is more severely twisted than I thought.'


The quest's progress rate was stuck at 55 percent, and several more skills needed to be unlocked to subdue Gorper.


'I wonder if the old man arrived safely.'


He recalled his face, which had turned purple from poison.


His existence, which used 'Fragments of the World', was worth more than SS rank.


In the end, that body was that of an untrained old man.


If he didn't get emergency treatment quickly, it would be dangerous.


Fortunately, he wouldn't be restricted by the Abyss because he wasn't even at the level of an SS-rank player.


He had no choice but to think that he would be safely found and moved.


Suddenly, Gorper's magic soared.


[I have to repay you for making me happy.]


Chiiiik. Chiik.


Puhwaaaak.


The poison spewed from his body thickly stained the area.


[Let me formally introduce myself. I am Gorper, the highest-ranking member who was granted the 66th castle by Belzebub, and the Great Demon of Desire from ancient times.]


Gorper looked at Taehyun with glittering eyes.


It was the expression of a predator who had found delicious prey.


'Predator.'


Even though it was not a good situation, he couldn't help but laugh.


Now that Bang Chaesu had also been sent to Earth, there was nothing to hold back.


"I'm a contractor of Rosaria. You don't need to know my name."


Taehyun answered curtly.


Since he had decided to complete the quest anyway.


It was to draw more information from him.


[So it was you!!]


Gorper, who was moved, poured out this and that by himself.


Rosaria's contractor had succeeded in evading Orgal's pursuit.


A mere bug had invaded Igmoon's territory and survived.


[At first, it was a rumor that was hard to accept even as a joke.]


A human like a bug succeeded in escaping in front of an Archduke.


Moreover, a contractor of Rosaria, who was considered the weakest of the Archdukes?


Gorper thought that rumors were circulating while he was in the hidden area.


Meanwhile, Taehyun's expression was strange as he listened to Gorper's words.


'This guy seems to be way behind on information.'


Otherwise, it was hard to understand why the highest-ranking member didn't know that his lord's castle had been half-destroyed by Taehyun.


It was also new that he called himself a Great Demon, unlike other highest-ranking members.


'He's worth knowing.'


It was the moment Taehyun thought so.


Ting.


[The cooldown of the skill Apocalypse (SSS) has been reset.]


[The skill Apocalypse (SSS) can be used.]


The seal of another skill that he had been waiting for was released.


[Hoo. The magic has become even stronger.]


Gorper's red eyes narrowed.


It was still not comparable to his own magic.


But it was amazing to see him release the risk even after being cursed.


[Show me. What kind of trick are you going to play this time.]


"The owner wants it."


Ting.


[The skill Apocalypse (SSS) has been activated. Target is specified.]


"I have to listen."


Kugugugung.


Darkness fell on the area.


Gravity was pressing down, and unknown chains were groping Gorper's body like the tongue of a viper.


There were a few more things working besides this.


But it wasn't something that an existence like Gorper would care much about.


[Hmm.]


Gorper brought his hand, which he didn't know when he had regenerated, to his chin.


His head tilted.


It was a pretty plausible trick.


But.


[It's impossible to escape from the Archduke with this much.]


He gave a cold evaluation.


Kasim Zolt's death had created a problem in satisfying his hunger, and the memories of the past that the King had erased came back.


But now.


Gorper's interest had completely shifted to Taehyun.


Kasim Zolt, whatever.


The memories that the King had erased, whatever.


He didn't care about it right now.


He was just focusing on toying with the delicious prey in front of him.


[Isn't there more.]


Gorper said, scanning Taehyun's body.


'He's a monster.'


He didn't think he could do anything with 'Apocalypse'.


He's also stronger than I thought.


His magic resistance was high.


'Why wasn't this guy known?'


He had talked to Erebus about the highest species several times.


It was rare for a named entity in the deepest part to be unknown.


Even Erebus was rarely unknown among the highest species.


As is usually the case when groups gather.


The ranking of monsters was also a major concern in the Abyss.


The ranks of the Archdukes are determined, and the ranks of their members are determined.


Currently, there are about 200 highest species identified.


They all had their own rankings.


'Erebus said that in the past, he was around the top 30.'


That was also when Typhon was sealed and his powers were weakened.


Now, he could definitely be in the top 10.


But Gorper was being called the Great Demon, but it was the first time he'd heard the name.


I can say for sure.


'He's not an ordinary highest species.'


He's not showing his full strength for some unknown reason right now.


But even if Taehyun was in normal condition, he would have had to fight to the death with him.


Such a guy said with his own mouth that he was a member of Belzebub, and that he was the owner of the castle.


No, in the first place.


'Was there a 66th castle?'


Belzebub boasts a vast territory among the Archdukes, including Diablo's territory in the past.


But in Taehyun's memory, there was no such thing as the 66th castle.


[Why are you thinking so much? I asked if there was more.]


He asked, laughing kikikik.


A new desire was blooming in his body because he was thinking of toying with and violating him.


Taehyun checked his magic.


Magic consumption was still high because he was using a lot of skills.


But just by activating 'Apocalypse', his stats had increased once again.


The chains that brushed against him from time to time were absorbing his magic.


Gorper would laugh at that amount of magic.


But for Taehyun, that alone was enough to maintain the skill.


'I'll test him a little more.'


Other skills haven't returned yet.


But since the cooldown of 'Apocalypse' had been reset, it wasn't difficult to use its lower skills.


[If you have nothing more to show...]


Before Gorper, who had approached Taehyun, could finish his words.


"Kneel. Gorper."


Ting.


[The skill Knight King's Majesty (SSS) has been activated. Target is specified.]


[The skill Monarch's Majesty (SSS) has been activated. Target is specified.]


Kugugung. Kugugugung.


Two huge forces pressed down on Gorper.


Even so.


[Majesty. The power of the Dragon race.]


There was no wavering on the Great Demon's face.


A load was applied to Gorper's body.


Dragon race are considered the strongest creatures in the Abyss.


But that's only true among similar level monsters.


For the Great Demon, the Dragon race's toughness was like easily torn paper.


That's why he knew.


The power that Taehyun was emitting now was Majesty.


And that among them, they were of the Gold and Black tribes.


[What the hell are you?]


It was a question that contained a lot.


Kasim Zolt, the lord's contractor, could not properly handle the power of poison.


He only exerted the power that could be called the highest species with the help of Gorper's power.


But how could Rosaria's mere contractor use such diverse powers?


What had happened in the meantime?


Gorper himself was not aware of it, but he had spent a long time in the 66th castle with his memories not intact.


It was natural that he, who had not risen to the rank of Archduke, could not hear the word 'key', or did not recognize it even if he heard it.


Belzebub also knew that fact.


[How long has it been since I was played by the King's trickery?]


He raised his power.


A multitude of Majesties were shaken off in an instant.


Taehyun strengthened his skill while preventing it from being released.


[He's Rosaria's contractor, but he's also imitating Hazar's power quite well. The idea of kneeling the Great Demon is also amazing, but...]


Before Gorper could finish his words.


Ting.


[The cooldown of the skill Dragon's Wrath (SSS) has been reset.]


[The skill Dragon's Wrath (SSS) can be used.]


"Your words are too long. Great Demon."


Ting.


[The skill Dragon's Wrath (SSS) has been activated. Target is specified.]


A new Majesty erupted.

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