CH 441

The paper bills, which not only filled the altar but also the entire ceremonial room, evaporated in an instant. It was because of the ritual ‘Mammonism.’ All the abundant bills vanished without a trace.

In fact, Seong-Il was not perturbed by the burning of the amount of money he would probably never see again. It was the money he earned to perform the ritual anyway. However, what filled him with dread was the noise that echoed throughout the room. Each and every bill emitted a medley of laughter and tears as if they were releasing the pent-up joys and sorrows of humanity, including his laughter.

The Demon King Doom Kaos was indeed special, and it seemed to be worth spending that much money on the ritual. Doom Kaos possessed an uncanny understanding of what humanity cherished the most. While other monster corps were required to offer their lives as a condition for wishes, humans were expected to offer money. Seong-Il found that deeply repugnant.

He didn’t mind the toil he endured to earn that money, nor did he care about being penniless again. However, as the bills dissipated and the room resounded with a chorus of laughter and sorrows, he felt that this was the worst hell ever.

The battlefield, where bodies were flying around, seemed more serene in comparison. There were only screams and cries there, not manic laughter that chilled Seong-Il’s spine.

“Fuck… I thought I was losing my mind. So much damn absurd noise.”

Seong-Il deliberately raised his voice, but Osiris didn’t even spare him a glance. Although they couldn’t communicate due to the language barrier, Seong-Il still desired to be friends with him. He wasn’t fluent in English, but he could understand it.

However, Osiris promptly left once the ritual concluded. Seong-Il gazed at his back and rose from his seat as well.

That guy seems to be the true Demon King. He only regained his composure… but he still sends shivers down my spine. Fine. You are dark as hell and arrogant as fuck.

There were primarily three reasons why Seong-Il wanted to interact with Osiris.

First, when Mary ascended to the throne, only he and Osiris would remain among the priests in outer space. There would be occasions when they would need to prepare for rituals upon Odin’s urgent orders, and Osiris would inevitably be his sole companion during those moments. Therefore, he wished to establish a connection beforehand to avoid future awkwardness.

Secondly, Osiris bore the largest share among the numerous unfavorable rumors circulating in outer space. It was said that he commanded the dead and had Draculas as his subordinates.

However, it was not mere gossip because that was why he could defend the western front with a small number of Awakened who used to be in his group in the Stage of Advent.

If Osiris truly led a malevolent entity within his corps, then it was Seong-Il’s responsibility to keep a vigilant eye, hopefully in the vicinity, using friendship. Seong-Il had to check if Osiris was plotting something against Odin or not. Even if Osiris was loyal now, there could be a possibility in the future.

Upon reflection, the power that Osiris possessed was far from insignificant. His capability as both an Awakened and a leader of the Corps of Darkness that defended the entire western front was indeed unbelievable.

Seong-Il believed such power was enough to wage a war against humanity. Of course, no one would even have imagined doing so, but he couldn’t forget the incident that occurred at the Stage of Advent.

Odin had disappeared at one point, and it was only in the Final Stage, after ten years or so, that Seong-Il met him again. During the time Odin was absent, the Stage of Advent had become a world of ignoble beings. Seong-Il wanted to smash their heads multiple times, but he needed their cooperation to complete the stage. He had to soothe, berate, and lead them somehow.

He had such a headache for years with Lee Tae-Han. Seong-Il never wanted to consider such a case, but both the mainland and outer space were moving within the order set by Odin. So, if Odin were to suddenly disappear one day, the biggest threat to humanity would be…

Not the transcendent beings or anything like that, but it would perhaps be Osiris.

It is terrifying to even think about it. Let’s not even imagine that.

Seong-Il frowned, remembering Osiris’s cold gaze.

Nah. no one knows what others think other than Mary noona. I should prevent this before it actually happens.

It was at that moment when Osiris disappeared outside the secret passage entrance.

***

Seong-Il lost track of Osiris halfway as Osiris turned into a pool of blood on the ground, seeping into the wall and vanishing. Seong-Il swept the wall with his fingers where Osiris had seeped into. However, it was spotless, without a trace of blood. The spot where the pool of blood had formed at first was now clean.

My attacks won’t work if he is like this.

There was only one thing he could understand from witnessing Osiris’s bizarre skill. Like Mary noona, he was also wary of the eyes of the association’s employees! Well, it was obvious as such a tycoon with enough money to control the world didn’t show any regret about the mainland. He considered people on Earth as different species and didn’t intend to return there.

Seong-Il shook his head, then headed towards Lee Tae-Han’s office. He encountered employees on the way there and shared countless greetings with them.

Whether they had heard rumors about him or they couldn’t ignore Korea’s influence within the association, the foreigners even said ‘hi’ in Korean with a stuttering pronunciation. That started to ease the serious look on Seong-Il’s face.

However, when he got close to Lee Tae-Han’s office…

Huh? Did Osiris get here first?

Seong-Il could feel the waves stirring inside. It was a special wave that only the Awakened in the challenger section could use, which Odin had named ‘telepathy.’ Then, they disappeared like a lie when Seong-Il arrived.

He walked into the room. He couldn’t overhear what kind of conversation was going on due to the characteristics of telepathy.

Nonetheless, Seong-Il could guess the conversation topic because of the transparent expression on Tae-Han’s face. It was a look Seong-Il had not seen in a long time. Lee Tae-Han only showed that expression when he was faced with a serious challenge in the Stage of Advent. Seong-Il had always been the one resolving Lee Tae-Han’s issues, so he knew what was going on.

“...Do you have a problem with Osiris?”

***

One of the lessons Seong-Il gained from the Stage of Advent was that people tended to be intoxicated by the power they acquired. In other words, people often needed a lot of support from people around them to gain power. Once they gained such strength, they tended to take it for granted.

At that point, individuals regarded their own opinions as the epitome of justice and were ensnared in the illusion of being the most influential figure in the world, flattered by the people around them.

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Moreover, Lee Tae-Han was a de facto leader of the World Awakened Association. Odin was the true ‘leader,’ but practically all operations were handled under the control of Lee Tae-Han.

He was also the one who attended all the official events of the association in the world. The power that he was enjoying was definitely on a different scale from what was enjoyed in the Stage of Advent. It was a power that encompassed the whole world, so it was undoubtedly a lot.

Even though Tae-Han is a wise person, no one knows how he might have changed inside. Just as no one knows the thoughts of Osiris.

Seong-Il opened his mouth, feeling the cold air in the room like the gaze of Osiris.

“Hey, I am asking, bro. Do you have a problem with Osiris?”

“Yes,” responded Lee Tae-Han.

Seong-Il asked, “Why?”

“It seems there was a misunderstanding in the message I sent a while ago.”

“What kind of misunderstanding…”

Seong-Il was not in the mood to smile. He raised his Sense and looked around, but he couldn’t feel Osiris’s presence. He continued after checking even the smallest cracks in the walls for any sign of blood seeping in.

Seong-Il stated, “I think there is no one who knows you better than I do.”

“What are you trying to say?” asked Lee Tae-Han.

“You are smart, so you would know what I mean. Do not provoke Osiris.”

“What do you mean? I did not provoke him at all.”

Seong-Il shook his head. “Nothing good will come from provoking him. What was the message that he misunderstood? Let me see that.”

Lee Tae-Han knew he wouldn’t beat Seong-Il’s stubbornness, so he handed him his tablet PC without wasting time.

「 Dear Osiris,

This is Lee Tae-Han. Thanks to your defense of the Land of Whirlpool, the Association was able to concentrate on seizing the central region. We would like to express gratitude towards you for your efforts through this letter. In addition, I am writing this to tell you an important matter about Mana…」

“Osiris has a reason to be upset. Your intentions can be clearly seen. Even without your checks, Osiris has no attachment to the mainland. You must be aware of this.”

Only then a smile appeared on Seong-Il’s face, but it was an uneasy smile.

“You are misunderstanding this as well,” Lee Tae-Han said.

Seong-Il shook his head. “No. I know what you are wary of. Odin once told me that people don't act for simply one reason. Their intentions can actually incredibly complex and calculated.”

“...”

Seong-Il continued, “You wouldn’t have been just checking him, bro. Osiris is not normal these days. He carries scary things like Dracula and zombies.”

“Hyung.”

“Yes?”

“According to recent reports, he is also…controlling ghouls.”

Seong-Il shrugged. “Ghouls? They are really annoying. Anyway, I get what you are thinking. I have plans, so let me just ask you a favor.”

“Yes.”

“Do not stir up trouble by unnecessarily messing with Osiris, who is doing just fine. Let’s just keep doing what we have been doing. If any problem arises, I, Caliber, will handle it.”

Lee Tae-Han fell silent. Since he didn’t lower his head, the deep thought in his eyes was clearly visible. When Seong-Il nodded, Lee Tae-Han finally opened his mouth.

“...What happened to Ms. Mary? Was the ritual successful?”

“I don’t know, man. There is no news of anything yet. But don’t worry. Odin directly ordered this. If he didn’t have confidence, then he wouldn’t have entrusted such a task to Mary noona. She is Mary. Mary, the Bitch.”

Lee Tae-Han grimaced. “But I can’t help but worry, hyung.”

“...Well.”

Right when Seong-Il’s voice was fading, both Seong-Il and Lee Tae-Han’s eyes widened at the same time. Then, they turned their heads and rushed off in the same direction. It was toward the place where Mary noona usually used as a guest room!

When they got there, Osiris had also sensed the strong presence of Mary and arrived. Looking over Osiris’s shoulder at the sight that unfolded, Seong-Il felt more puzzled than happy.

Why are there Guides…

Dozens of Guides were flying around Mary noona.