CH 305

[There was a darkness deeper than even the deepest parts of the Deep Floors. This endless pit, which could not even be contained in the Underworld, was called the ‘Abyss’.]

[There was only darkness to be found in the pit, and it was a world dominated by a cold so bitter that not even creatures with the thickest hides could survive in it.]

[The harsh environment was unsuitable for any living being, and the inhabitants of the Abyss had to warm themselves by feasting on the blood of their own people, consuming the flesh of their own kind to fill their hungry stomachs. These beings were looked down on by the entirety of the Underworld, and were known to everyone as the ‘Reapers’.]

[The Underworld Serpent, Jörmungandr, was the ruler and savior of that Abyss. Only Jörmungandr could face the Underworld Lords, who had built themselves high walls to protect themselves, and fill the hungry stomachs of the wretched prisoners.]

[But not even Jörmungandr was able to stop the vicious cycle of cannibalism of his own kind.]

[Jörmungandr was determined to end the tragedy of his people, and waged war against the Underworld. That war was the ancient ‘Twilight’.]

[But Twilight was defeated. Jörmungandr also suffered heavy wounds in his fight against the Ancient Lords. He regretted the plight of those who had followed him through the Abyss and were eventually driven out. He came to hate the arrogant and greedy Ancient Lords, who monopolized the entire Underworld and refused to make the slightest concession for him and his people.]

[The hatred buried deep in his bones finally turned him into a completely different being.]

[Jörmungandr’s True Name would never be used again, and his new name would be ‘Night’.]

[Night received the terrible curse of insatiable thirst and hunger as punishment for invading the Underworld. The inhabitants of the Abyss were also cursed and unable to rest in peace.]

The Truth Kim Jin-Woo had seen through the Throne of Truth emerged as system messages.

[For the inhabitants of the Abyss who were defeated during the Twilight, a future more terrible than the war itself awaited them. Their mad ruler began to devour his own people without end.]

[This tragedy lasted for a long time. Eventually, Night’s tragedy ended with the destruction of its own body. But the curse of the Ancient Lords placed upon it made it incapable of even dying.]

[Night became a complete monster, filled with hatred of the world outside the Abyss, and finally lost all of its own identity. However, it still longed for the liberation of its people, and thus decided to make use of the Highlords’ own plan against them.]

[The plan was not difficult, because the memories of the Wandering Lord that Night had swallowed during Twilight now belonged to it. Night waited for its time to strike, and after a long time, it finally got its chance.]

[The moment was when it discovered ‘Kim Jin-Woo’, the Underworld being who had inherited the power of the Earth Dragon Lord.]

[Night decided to make use of the predestined Highlord. The Earth Dragon’s power was perfect for hiding its power and his clan from the other Lords. However, its clan’s power was too ferocious and powerful to be disguised as that of an Underworld being. Thus, it sealed most of that power.]

[In exchange for hiding their identity, the clan lost most of its power, and its succession was lost with time.]

[Now that a long time has passed, with a convergence of coincidence and inevitability, the forgotten history of the clan has once again reemerged.]

Until then, the Nagas had been half-immersed in calming their confused minds, but they suddenly began to tremble violently. Their eyes turned white, and their blue and red scales lost their colors.

[The Nagas remember the history of the lost clan.]

[Due to remembering their history, the Nagas have been able to regain their sealed power.]

[The Nagas have begun the process of molting.]

[When their molting process is complete, the true power of the Nagas will be released.]

[23 minutes, 58 seconds until the molting is complete.]

As soon as the messages stopped appearing, all the Nagas who had gathered to welcome the return of their master fell into a deep sleep.

“Move all the Nagas into the Grand Labyrinth,” Kim Jin-Woo ordered. He gently embraced Dominique, as if he had anticipated the sudden change in the Nagas, before continuing, “This isn’t a very good place for them to rest.”

The One-Eyed Lord, who had played the biggest role in destroying the hopes and desires of the dwellers of the Abyss and in defeating Jörmungandr, was the nemesis of the Nagas. Kim Jin-Woo didn’t find it tasteful for them to regain their true form in their nemesis’ castle.

While the Einherjar and the Under-Elves rushed out to relocate the Nagas, Angela followed Kim Jin-Woo and remarked, “How amazing. When it comes to the Underworld, there’s truly no such thing as a coincidence, is there?” As she glanced at the unconscious Dominique, she explained what had happened to Catherine.

“Is that so? So that’s what happened,” Kim Jin-Woo replied. Had he expected that as well? He still seemed completely unshaken.

Angela continued, “But she said something strange. She said this was all predestined from the beginning.” She sounded puzzled, adding that it sounded as if the other Highlords didn’t really matter.

“It has nothing to do with you. Unlike the other Highlords who were awakened through their respective fragments, you were properly awakened through the memories of the True Blood Lord,” Kim Jin-Woo replied.

It seemed Angela had been worried about whether she might face the same miserable future Catherine faced, but she seemed rather relieved by his answer.

Meanwhile, Kim Jin-Woo, having reached the Grand Labyrinth, gently put Dominique down. He said, “Don’t seek me out until they wake up.”

Angela looked rather dissatisfied because she still had much she wanted to hear from her master, but she didn’t speak out against Kim Jin-Woo’s order. Perhaps it was because her master’s expression looked more sunken than ever before.

No one could fault Kim Jin-Woo for feeling that way, however. At that moment, his head felt as if it were about to explode.

The Throne of Truth had revealed so much. Some of what had been revealed was what he’d wanted to know, such as the tales of the One-Eyed Lord and the truth about the Nagas, but he had also learned truths he hadn’t wanted to hear at all.

Finally, having learned all the truths of the past, present, and future, he realized that the time to make a decision had come.

The solution to preventing the destruction of the world, as well as the key to guaranteeing that destruction, had been given to one man—Kim Jin-Woo himself. Naturally, the future of the Underworld would be completely different depending on the choice he would make. It was heavy and uncomfortable.

In all honesty, Kim Jin-Woo couldn’t give a damn about the world. All he had wanted was his own survival and to take revenge on the Duke who had treated him like an animal. He had never once wished to be given such a grand choice.

But it was already too late to turn things around, and it was because he was well aware of that fact that he was so worried.

Eventually, he made a decision, saying to himself, “Once the Nagas awaken, I’ll head to the Underworld Tree.”

There was one last piece of the puzzle that he had yet to solve. Only when he solved that final piece could he finally put his decision into action.

A day passed. The Nagas, who had fallen into a deep slumber, awakened. Contrary to all expectations, there were no major changes in the awakened Nagas. The only difference was that their previously red and blue scales were now black.

But it was only their outward appearance that had changed minimally. How could these beings only be Hero-grade summons? The presence of the Nagas, which hadn’t stood out much in the past, had completely changed. The cold air around them remained, but the ominous feeling underlying it was unprecedented.

Kim Jin-Woo knew the true nature of that ominous feeling. It was the aura of endless Greed, characterized by unquenchable thirst and hunger, and it was exactly the same as the power of Greed he possessed.

[The Nagas have recovered their sealed powers.]

[The powers instilled within the Nagas are the powers of Greed and Gluttony that all inhabitants of the Abyss possess, which have been forgotten for a long time.]

[The Nagas are already strong enough to have transcended the level of mere summons. However, their present physical form is not representative of their true strength. The more battles they win, the stronger and greedier they will become. Just like you.]

[Having recalled the Abyss where they originate from, the Nagas have recovered their unique ability, ‘Bloodrite’.”]

[The inhabitants of the Abyss, suffering from endless thirst and hunger, used the blood and flesh of their enemies to fuel themselves and increase their strength. It will also be possible for the Nagas to absorb some of their enemies’ power and grow through the carnage.]

[Any Naga who participates in the Bloodrite will temporarily increase their combat power.]

“Master,” Dominique called out.

“Am I still your Master?” Kim Jin-Woo asked.

Now that the Nagas had regained their lost past and powers, they were no longer the subordinates he had treated thus far like an extension of his own limbs. Their true king wasn’t him, but Night, the ruler of the Abyss that resided within him.

“No, let me rephrase that. Is it me, Kim Jin-Woo, or the ‘Night’ inside me that you follow?” he continued. It had turned out that the thought that the Nagas belonged exclusively to him was wrong, but he was still unwavering in his belief.

“The one we serve…” Dominique sounded equally unshaken as she answered his question. She continued, “Is not the pathetic serpent that struggles as it clings onto a broken dream, but the one and only arrogant Tyrant.”

“Is that the Nagas’ decision?” Kim Jin-Woo asked again.

This time, the numerous Nagas answered in unison. “The only King of our clan was, is, and always will be Master.”

A message appeared as the Nagas declared their allegiance

[An amazing thing has happened. Among the inhabitants of the Abyss, the Nagas, who inherited the blood of the Underworld Serpent, have denied their past. They have declared that they will continue to serve you, their clan’s liberator and savior, as their master.]

[Perhaps the corrupted Sea Dragon’s Heart that they consumed not too long ago was the reason for their decision.]

“No, that’s not it.” For the first time ever, Kim Jin-Woo directly refuted the message. He continued, “They aren’t puppets of Night. Nor are they fragments of the Abyss. They’re simply the Nagas, and they’ve chosen me.”

Kim Jin-Woo smiled, as if he had known what would happen from the beginning.

[Perhaps what you are saying makes sense. The Nagas have been separated from the Underworld Serpent for far too long, long enough for them to have a new master.]

[In any case, it is surprising that the Nagas have chosen you. Perhaps the darkness residing within you may feel a little pressured by this incident.]

[It would be best for you to meet the Underworld Tree as soon as possible.]

[Nobody knows what the impatient monster might do next.]

The messages were markedly different from before, sounding as if they were having a conversation.

But Kim Jin-Woo was not at all surprised by such a change. It too was a minor change that had occurred because he had reached the Mysteries of the Underworld through the Throne of Truth. It was nothing surprising to him anymore.

“I sincerely thank you all for your unwavering loyalty,” he said. Without hiding his satisfaction, he continued, “But it seems difficult to show my appreciation with words alone.”

With that said, he led the Nagas somewhere.

“This is…” the Nagas exclaimed.

“You’ll fight for me with the swords and spears you obtain here, but I’m not sure if I can call this a reward,” Kim Jin-Woo explained.

He had led them to the Eternal Treasury, which had recently been relocated. He took out all sorts of treasures from it and handed them out to the Nagas.

“Ohhh!”

Equipment of the highest quality, that not even the grandest of Dukes could lay their hands on, was handed out to the Nagas. They were newly armed with weapons and armor more powerful than ever before.

Armed with the mightiest of weaponry, the Nagas formed the most powerful army in the Underworld.

“We’re heading to the Underworld Tree,” Kim Jin-Woo declared.

In response, the Grand Labyrinth and Valhǫll began bustling with activity.