Chapter 187: Star, Execution Sword (3)

Chapter 187: Star, Execution Sword (3)

“I get everything else. I have to make a new <Myth>, build an incomparably higher Class than before, regain <Radiant Light>, and...” Chang-Sun trailed off.

While formulating a plan in the Underworld, a question crossed Chang-Sun’s mind.

“... become the <Radiant Light’s Face>.” Chang-Sun reluctantly finished speaking.

“Yeah, is there something wrong?” Thanatos tilted his head in confusion.

“Yes. As a matter of fact, it’s really a big problem. I get that I have to hunt down the damn <Horoscope> and <Purple Astrology> Celestials once I have returned to Earth, but how am I supposed to capture them?” Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes.

He wouldn’t wonder if he had regained his divine class, but no matter how many achievements Chang-Sun made, mortals couldn’t seal the Celestials. It was wrong to think a human could go up against a Celestial in the first place, so Chang-Sun was bound to have such a question. However, Thanatos just smiled enigmatically.

“Have you forgotten about the title you’ll be given?” Thanatos replied to Chang-Sun's question with another question.

“Reaper...? Is it related to that?” Chang-Sun slightly frowned.

“Of course it is. You’re a special-rank reaper, which means you’re considered the highest-ranking person in the <Underworld> after me. Do you know what a special-rank reaper can do?” Thanatos asked.

“What is it?” Chang-Sun said.

“You can deliver punishments.” Thanatos grinned.

“...?” Chang-Sun tilted his head in confusion.

“Once an executioner has proceeded with a trial, no one can interfere in the process, not even me or a Celestial. That law is absolute.”

Thanatos’s explanation was simple. A totally different <Regulation> applied to special-rank reapers who had received the [Execution Sword] from the King of the Underworld himself. A <Regulation> was an absolute agreement that the <Supreme Light> and <Dull Darkness> made after they fought for quite some time.

No <Great Star> could ever break it, and whether or not one was in <Heaven> or the <Underworld> didn’t matter before it. After all, the <Underworld> had the absolute right to judge and punish criminals from <Heaven>. While the [Execution Sword] was active, nobody could interfere or take a peek at the trial.

Of course, depending on how it was used, the <Underworld> could exploit it. That was why its user had to fulfill several conditions because they could utilize it. However, Thanatos had promised Chang-Sun that Thanatos would endure the possible rebounds of the ability and that Chang-Sun would only have to fulfill one requirement to activate [Execution Sword]—owning ‘land.’

* * *

[The Channeling of the Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ has been temporarily disconnected.]

[The Channeling of the Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ has been temporarily disconnected.]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ put up fierce resistance to avoid getting blocked, but his attempt has been nullified.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ tries to take a peek beyond the lowering curtain of the world but fails.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Taurus’ is greatly baffled by the fact that his Authority has been nullified.]

...

[All the connections to the outside world have been blocked!]

[The ‘Destruction-Calling Fire Giant’s Heart’ and your ‘Ferocious Heart’ are synchronizing!]

[The ‘Rhaegaren’ has been privatized.]

[Bestowing your energy.]

[Beginning to materialize.]

[Your mind palace has been created!]

...

[Your power as the special-rank reaper has been applied, adding the property of the <Underworld> to your mind palace!]

Xue Yong had been to this chaotic, noisy, and malodorous mind palace that was full of burning smells several times. In fact, he had gone through hell in this place.

『You should have died, so why am I in your divine ground!!!』

<Divine Ground ― Twilight-Setting Battlefield.>

Divine grounds were made based on their owning Celestial’s <Myth>. During Chang-Sun’s stay in Arcadia, he never left the battlefields, eventually turning them into his home—the only place where he could rest. That was why numerous Celestials had been reluctant to start a fight with the ‘Divine Twilight.’

It wasn’t about whether or not they could win against him. Rather, they simply knew that they would be greatly injured if they happened to be on the wrong side of the battlefield when the ‘Divine Twilight’ showed up. In fact, Xue Yong had almost been killed by the ‘Divine Twilight’ several times on the battlefields, so he couldn’t help but become uncharacteristically furious. From what he knew, the ‘Divine Twilight’ died after going through the <Divine Trial>.

“Why shouldn’t I be here?” Chang-Sun replied, slowly walking out from the spatial gap.

Behind him, a navy-blue fire stood in the form of a Giant. It was as if it was protecting Chang-Sun.

[The Effect of the Authority ‘Execution Sword’ has been activated, revealing the hidden Class of the Player ‘Lee Chang-Sun’!]

[The slumbering Myth is awakening.]

[The broken Faith is awakening.]

[The revoked Divine Essence is awakening.]

...

Woosh!

Combining the ability of the [Execution Sword] and Chang-Sun’s mind palace created this temporary divine ground. As a result...

[The hidden Divine Name ‘Divine Twilight’ has been partially revealed!]

Chang-Sun could currently use a part of the power he had as the ‘Divine Twilight.’ After peeking at the true identity of Chang-Sun’s soul, Xue Yong unwittingly backed away.

『Y-you definitely...』

“I ‘was’ dead,” Chang-Sun replied.

The power of the ‘wheel’ that Thanatos and the <Underworld> members had rewound only applied to the plane that had Earth in it, which meant the ‘wheels’ of the <Horoscope> and <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials just kept rolling normally.

Thanatos apologized to Chang-Sun about it because Chang-Sun could have gotten revenge much easier. However, Chang-Sun was actually grateful. If all the ‘wheels’ had been rewound and his enemies didn’t remember him, he wouldn’t be happy or find it fun to get revenge. Chang-Sun would just be taking out his anger on people who hadn’t even committed their sins yet, so it would no longer be an act of revenge in the first place. However, with his enemies still remembering who he was, he could now punish them properly and make them realize who they had messed with and what they had done.

Xue Yong immediately felt terrified when Chang-Sun revealed his Class and real identity. This was going to be his Divine Punishment.

“But I resurrected, and I am now standing before you. You’re the first one I’ll be sealing, but... you don’t have to worry. Your colleagues will soon join you.” Chang-Sun faintly smiled.

This place would become an execution site.

[Execution Sword]

A privilege that only the emissary recognized by the King of the Underworld can use. The emissary can act as a substitute for the King of the Underworld in the execution of Divine Punishment on the sinners who have broken the ‘Oath.’ After being put through a ‘Trial,’ the sinner will be sealed according to the gravity of their offense. As a reward, the emissary will then be granted the opportunity to extract a portion of the sinners’ Authorities.

· Skill Level: 1

· Type: Authority.

· Effects: Execution of Divine Punishment, Evil Punishment, Authority Extraction.

『Stop spouting nonsense!』

Trying to escape from the fear that Chang-Sun had put him in, Xue Yong fiercely shook his head.

Rumble―!

Kyaaaak!

When the giant centipede advanced, the ground turned upside down, creating a violent tsunami. Chang-Sun swiftly counterattacked.

Paah―!

[The Divine Trial has begun!]

1. The raw was 인두겁. The literal meaning is a human mask or a shell of a human, but this phrase isn’t really used literally. Rather, it’s often used metaphorically to criticize one’s cruelty. For example, ‘How can you do that when you’re wearing the shell of a human?’ It’s not exactly related to the actual mythology. ☜