Chapter 184: Star, Laevateinn (9)

Chapter 184: Star, Laevateinn (9)

Woosh!

~

As the world around him changed, Chang-Sun felt the same way he did when Mephistopheles kidnapped him.

~

[You have entered the Instance Dungeon ‘Laevateinn.’]

[The memory of the Instance Dungeon ‘Laevateinn’ is playing.]

[The space of the Instance Dungeon ‘Laevateinn’ is being structured.]

...

[The ‘Destruction-Calling Fire Giant’ is looking over you!]

~

A fiery throne as enormous as the ‘Laevateinn,’ which Chang-Sun had seen outside the Dungeon, appeared before Chang-Sun. Although the fire engulfing it made it difficult to look at its entirety, he thought it likely used to be Surtr’s. After all, it exuded an immensely pressuring aura that standing in front of it made Chang-Sun instinctively feel as if he should bow.

『You.』

From the sky, a man’s voice loudly echoed. He spoke in a language that Chang-Sun didn’t know, but he could still understand the man thanks to [Giant’s Talents].

『Are you worthy of that throne?』

The man sounded as if he was trying to test Chang-Sun. Hence, instead of answering him, Chang-Sun walked toward the throne.

Tap, tap.

As if he was doing exactly what the man wanted him to do, the man grew silent when Chang-Sun started walking. The throne’s fire rose up and turned into a wall to block his path when he got closer to it, but he just passed through the wall without hesitation. The flames then scattered as a result, and Chang-Sun absorbed them. It wasn’t just the wall of fire. All the flames enveloping the throne twirled around him and gradually became one with him.

Not long after, Chang-Sun stood in front of the throne, which was too big for him to sit on.

『That throne belonged to Bestla. Passed down to the Giant Kings for generations, it was eventually handed to me, Surtr. 』

The name Bestla caught Chang-Sun’s attention.

『I’ll ask you again. Are you worthy of the throne?』

Chang-Sun felt as if Surtr was desperately worried about his plane and fellow Giants, who were about to meet <Extinction> back then. In hopes of aiding in the Fire Giants’ revival, he left a fragment of himself using his last energy reserves before he died, and even though he had to wait for a very long time, it was that fragment that was talking to Chang-Sun right now.

However, Chang-Sun belligerently answered, “Why do I have to prove myself to you?”

Chang-Sun could have been acknowledged as Surtr’s heir if he gave the answer that Surtr’s fragment wanted, but he had no intention of doing that. After all, that would completely trap him in <Muspelheim>. Chang-Sun loathed having limitations, which was also why he refused to learn about what Sinmara had seen. If he could tolerate such things, then the ‘Divine Twilight’ wouldn’t have become a fiend in the first place.

What Chang-Sun needed was Surtr’s power, so he didn’t care about the rest. <Muspelheim>? The Giant King’s duties? Why should Chang-Sun care? Chang-Sun had only been polite because he respected the gatekeepers’ honor and resolve. Even in death, they stayed loyal to Surtr, making them worthy of respect. However, that didn’t mean Chang-Sun had to be swayed by Surtr.

~

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ clenches her fists, yelling that you are so cool that you should definitely become her apostle.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ shakes his head in disbelief, telling you that you’re crazy to abandon such a good seat.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Big Sick Bug’ scowls at you, thinking you are a mortal who does not know his place.]

...

[The Celestial ‘Taurus’ quietly strokes his chin.]

...

~

『But didn’t you wish to become the Giant King?』

Surtr’s fragment was clearly bewildered, but Chang-Sun just calmly answered, “I have work to do, so I don’t want to be shackled down in a plane that is long gone.”

『You are ignoring your duty yet you want the rights? That is quite irresponsible of you, Surtr’s fragment discontentedly said.

“Is that a problem?” Chang-Sun shamelessly replied. When he did, he felt as if the fragment was chuckling.

『Yes, a king does not know shame. They only follow their desire. It seems you will become a tyrant if you become a king.』

The word tyrant, which was also Chang-Sun’s nickname, echoed in his ears.

『Maybe a king attempting to rise should be a tyrant.』

At that moment, Surtr’s voice quieted down.

~

[The ‘Destruction-Calling Fire Giant’ has acknowledged you!]

[As a reward, you have acquired the ‘Laevateinn.’]

[As a reward, you have acquired ownership of the ‘Rhaegaren’.]

...

[The ‘Rhaegaren’ and ‘King’s Treasury’ have combined.]

...

[You have become the new king of the extinct <Muspelheim>!]

~

In contrast to the petrified Celestials, Chang-Sun was relaxed. Although the sword had certainly pierced through his heart, his and Surtr’s hearts beat even quicker than before.

Badump, badump, badump!

~

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ is reacting!]

~

Pzzzz―!

~

[The Effect of the Trait ‘Close-Combat Master’ has been activated, accessing the ‘Laevateinn.’]

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ and ‘Rhaegaren’ have reached over 120% synchronization! The Effect ‘Bound’ has been activated, attempting to merge the two.]

...

[The heart of the Celestial ‘Destruction-Calling Fire Giant’ wishes to be merged with your ‘Ferocious Heart.’]

~

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ is absorbing the ‘Laevateinn’!]

~

At that moment, an unbelievable miracle began: the [Laevateinn] slowly melted down and was absorbed in Chang-Sun’s heart.

~

“Once you get your hands on the [Laevateinn], put it in your heart,” Thanatos instructed.?

“What do you mean?” Chang-Sun asked.?

“I mean it literally. The [Laevateinn] is Surtr’s relic, but it is also a treasure that only <Muspelheim> kings can carry, so why would such a sword be inside Surtr’s heart?” Thanatos asked.?

“Hmm... because it belongs there?” Chang-Sun assumed.?

“That’s right. The <Muspelheim> kings have always put their crowns in their hearts.” Thanatos nodded.?

“Oh.” Chang-Sun stroked his chin.?

“Hearts are a source of life and honor. To show they have devoted their hearts to their people, the <Muspelheim> kings put their crowns in their hearts. In return, their people don’t hesitate to become their weapons and protect their hearts,” Thanatos explained.?

~

The <Muspelheim> kings devoted their hearts to their warriors and people, and their warriors and people readily became their weapons. That was why the [Laevateinn], the symbol of <Muspelheim>, took the form of a sword. Moreover, it always sparkled inside the kings’ hearts as a medium and as the link between the kings and their people. Hence, Chang-Sun had to swim up Surtr’s main artery and reach his heart to obtain the [Laevateinn].

Since Chang-Sun had become the new <Muspelheim> king, the [Laevateinn] moved to find where it should go now.

Badump, badump, badump―!

~

“The <Muspelheim> kings’ hearts were made of the sheath known as the [Rhaegaren] and the sword [Laevateinn]. Together, they granted the king infinite powers and countless abilities,” Thanatos said.?

~

After Chang-Sun’s [Ferocious Heart] and the ‘Rhaegaren’ merged, the [Laevateinn] settled inside his heart. Just like every <Muspelheim> king had done until now, Surtr’s heart became Chang-Sun’s.

~

[The heart of the Celestial ‘Destruction-Calling Fire Giant’ has merged with the ‘Ferocious Heart.’]

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ has been enhanced.]

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ has been enhanced.]

...

~

[You have acquired the complete ‘Giant King Entitlement’!]

[‘Giant’s Talents’ have been upgraded to ‘Giant King’s Talents.’]

[ ‘Giant’s Courage’ has been upgraded to ‘Giant King’s Courage.’]

...

~

[You have partially fulfilled the objectives of the Scenario Quest (Fable Creation)!]

[You have made your third Great Accomplishment (Giant King Ascension).]

[You have completed the climax of your <Fable>.]

...

~

[Make one more Great Accomplishment to complete the Scenario Quest and acquire your second class.]

~

‘With this...’ Chang-Sun clenched his fists, feeling the power that was endlessly circulating inside him.