CH 190

[The power of the Highlords, who once ruled the Underworld, was split into the Noble’s Seals and scattered.]

[The Baron's Seals are the smallest and most insignificant among the scattered fragments, but when gathered together, you can feel that they are quite powerful.]

[Would you like to combine the Baron’s Seals?]

“Yes.” Kim Jin-Woo sat on his throne and nodded. At that moment, the Baron’s Seals were engulfed in light.

[The new Seals have become one with the others.]

[The Ancient Power Fragments within the Noble’s Seals have been completely absorbed.]

[Your body has become stronger.]

[Your senses have sharpened. You can see and hear farther than before.]

[Your mental fortitude has been further strengthened. The encroachment of the Grand Labyrinth cannot be completely prevented, but you are now able to withstand it to some extent.]

Contrary to his expectations, there were no huge developments that could be noticed immediately. But more than anything else, the fact that he was now able to withstand the Grand Labyrinth’s malice to some extent was encouraging.

[More than ten Seals have been combined to create a new Seal.]

[Do you want to create your own unique seal?]

It was an unprecedented question, but it was to be expected, considering that he himself still didn’t know much about the Ancient Powers and the Highlord. Without hesitation, he replied that he would create the Seal. As soon as he finished speaking, the combined Seals began to shine again.

[The Seal of Greed has been created.]

[The Seal of Greed is a new source of power that has never existed, and will never be created again, in the Underworld.]

[The Seal of Greed is the key that opens and closes the Grand Labyrinth, and is the foundation of the new Highlord's power.]

A bizarre yet eerie pattern was engraved on the Seal. It resembled a snake curled up in a circle, biting its own tail with its open jaws[1].

[The conditions for the birth of a new Lord—a Grand Labyrinth and a unique Seal—have been satisfied.]

[The new Lord will be given a new name. However, you have already inherited the name of the One-Eyed Lord.]

[The Mysteries of the Underworld will not allow a single Highlord to inherit more than one name.]

[Originally, you would have had to choose one of the two names; but as it happens, the name that has been given to you describes one who does not give up on anything, and who constantly wants, desires, and covets everything. Even the Mysteries of the Underworld are unable to block your longing.]

[Your true name is Greed, a tyrant who steals, robs, and devours until the end of the world.]

[There is no other name that is more suitable for you, one who covets everything without limit, and who will never be satisfied even if you take everything from your enemies.]

The moment Kim Jin-Woo heard his newly appointed name, ‘Greed’, his heart started jumping as if it were going to explode. He had to do his best not to lose consciousness, just like when he had heard the true name of the One-Eyed Lord, Botan.

[The source of the newly-born Lord is empty.]

[In order to fill the source, you must collect more fragments and make them your own.]

[Your Baron’s Seal no longer offers much power for you. You will require a shard equivalent to a Count’s Seal or higher in order to acquire the strength worthy of your ‘Greed’ name.]

Kim Jin-Woo felt as if he would lose his consciousness from the dizziness, and the inexorable energy flowing through his veins made it seem as if his body would explode at any moment.

“Kurgh.” A subtle groan escaped him, and his body slowly tilted from atop the throne.

[The Power of Greed—Gluttony—has been acquired.]

[Enemies defeated by you will be robbed of all life force, and even lose the source of their existence.]

The last message caught his attention through his blurred gaze.

[The news that the Lord of Greed has been born is spreading all over the world. This wonderful news may reach the deepest depths of the Underworld.]

“Fuck…” He struggled to spit out that single word in response to the unwelcome message, before finally losing consciousness.

***

When Kim Jin-Woo finally regained consciousness, the first thing that greeted him was the malice of the Grand Labyrinth. Resisting its eerie waves that only sought to amplify all negative emotions, he blinked in a daze.

Fortunately, there had been no disturbances as time passed. He was still sitting alone on the throne, and the Grand Labyrinth was silent.

“Mm…”

As time passed and he regained his senses, the malice of the Grand Labyrinth disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place. Perhaps it had been eroding him after he lost consciousness, but when he woke up, it had swiftly retreated. It couldn't have been more fortunate that he had gained some resistance while absorbing the Baron's Seal.

“Phew.” Kim Jin-Woo rubbed his head and let out a long sigh as he struggled to understand the changes his body had gone through. He had earned the name of ‘Lord of Greed’, but there weren’t any dramatic changes visible. But that didn’t mean that there weren’t any changes at all.

“‘Lord of Greed’, huh…” he muttered. It was similar to the name of the very same Grand Labyrinth that had swallowed up thousands of mobs. He couldn’t understand why the name ‘greed’ kept sticking with him.

“Not bad.” Nevertheless, despite not knowing the reason why, Kim Jin-Woo was rather fond of his new name. Thinking that there was no better name for him considering the path he had to take in the future, he smiled and cackled to himself.

However, the name ‘Greed’ wasn’t just appropriate for him; it was just as suitable for the Grand Labyrinth that he ruled.

Goaaaaaar.

The wind blew.

“No way,” Kim Jin-Woo said. There was nothing special about the sound coming through the window, but from within the Grand Labyrinth, he could feel the sense of possessiveness that drifted along with it. He remarked, “You bastard, you want my Seal, don’t you?”

The wind blew again. Its high, clear sound whispered to him, as if a lady were throwing a tantrum.

“Hmm,” Kim Jin-Woo mused. Ten of the Seals had combined to form the Seal of Greed, and two remained. And the Grand Labyrinth wanted the two Seals he couldn’t absorb.

Heeeeeeew.

In that brief moment he spent deep in thought, the wind blew again. This time, it was a weak, irregular sound, like the whimper of a child.

“What to do about this…” Kim Jin-Woo said slowly and deliberately as he played with the two seals in his hand. He could almost feel the Grand Labyrinth salivating. “I have no use for these anyway, but it’s also a waste to give it to you.”

The Grand Labyrinth cried out again, like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. Kim Jin-Woo glanced at the altar and smirked. “A dog that attacks without even knowing its owner should starve for three days and nights.”

Kaaaaaaaaaaargh.

Perhaps its patience had run out. The Grand Labyrinth howled fiercely, and its sharp malice rushed toward Kim Jin-Woo.

It would have completely corrupted him in the past, but he was no longer the old labyrinth master the Grand Labyrinth knew. He didn’t even budge, despite his tired, pale face, and remained expressionless.

“You and I…” Before he even finished his sentence, a fearsome energy spread out like a tidal wave and pushed away the Grand Labyrinth’s malice. “Between the two of us…”

Although it didn’t completely push away the energy of the Grand Labyrinth…

“Remember!” Kim Jin-Woo stared at the two blazing Labyrinth Cores that almost seemed to be staring back at him as he shouted loudly, “I am your Master!”

The Seals disappeared within his clenched fists. The Grand Labyrinth screamed. It was almost like a child bursting into tears when things didn’t go its way.

“Until you remember that truth, you’ll never get what you want.”

Keeeeeeeeek!

Kim Jin-Woo laughed, and the Grand Labyrinth wept.

***

In the end, Kim Jin-Woo was unable to completely subdue the Grand Labyrinth. Apparently, even the Baron’s Seal wasn’t worthy enough to bring this terrible monster to its knees.

However, Kim Jin-Woo wasn’t disappointed. At that point, the Grand Labyrinth’s malice that attempted to invade him from time to time was admittedly unpleasant, but he was confident that sooner or later, he would be able to tame it.

“Master!”

Kim Jin-Woo’s deep thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Dominique’s sudden call. She had an unprecedented sense of urgency, unlike her usual calm self.

“What’s the matter!?” Kim Jin-Woo asked.

Dominique bent down in front of him and gasped for breath. “The Nagas… tThe Nagas are back!”

Kim Jin-Woo was left stunned and lost for words upon hearing the unexpected news. Dominique looked at him and exclaimed again, “The Naga Heroes and the Protection Squad have returned!”

As soon as he heard those words, Kim Jin-Woo turned around without even realizing it. He could see the two Labyrinth Cores that seemed to be glowing more brightly than usual.

“Master! There’s no time for this! Please come and see for yourself!” Dominique urged him, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the master room.

Kim Jin-Woo looked back again several times before rushing forward, saying, “You’re right.” When they arrived, he let out a low gasp as he saw the numerous Naga Warriors gathered in the Grand Labyrinth’s square.

“Ha!”

The Nagas greeted him casually, as if nothing had happened.

“All in all, one hundred and twenty-two. Every single one of them has returned,” Dominique reported in a clear voice, having counted the soldiers in the meantime.

“How about the Fighters, Priests, Sorcerers, and Dragon Knights?” Kim Jin-Woo asked.

“They’re… Balzark and Quantus are still looking around the labyrinth, just in case,” Dominique replied.

After a long wait, the two Hero-Grade summons returned from their search expedition, only to report that they weren’t able to find any more Nagas in the vicinity.

“Why did they suddenly return?” Dominique mused. Obviously, the return of the Naga Warriors and the Protection Squad was something to be happy about, but she kept tilting her head with a puzzled expression, suspicious of the Nagas’ sudden reappearance when they hadn’t been looking for the troops anymore in the first place. “Where the hell were they, and why did they only return now…”

“Perhaps…” Instead of answering her question, Kim Jin-Woo said something absurd. “We may be able to find the other Nagas soon.”

“What do you mean…?” Dominique asked, but Kim Jin-Woo didn’t answer.

“Take care of matters here.” With a short response, Kim Jin-Woo turned and headed back toward the master room. Just as they had been when he left the room, the two Labyrinth Cores were glowing brighter than usual.

“Is it you?” He was in a quiet space with no one else in it, but nevertheless, he asked as if he were talking to someone, “I’m asking if you were the one who returned the Naga Warriors, you bastard.”

There was no answer, but Kim Jin-Woo continued talking. “Answer me. Otherwise, you’ll never get what you want.”

Belatedly, the Grand Labyrinth cried out with a ferocious roar.

“As expected, it was you.” The sounds of wind filled the spacious master room, and Kim Jin-Woo looked confident, as if he had heard the answer he was expecting. “So, are you finally ready to make a deal with me?”

The Grand Labyrinth wept once more.

1. This symbol is the Ouroboros. ☜