Chapter 42

Episode 42

“Hmm….”

Namgung slowly opened his eyes.

The moment I passed through the door, I felt a weight as if I was being sucked deep into the ocean floor. When

I

looked back, the door was gone and only the solid stone wall remained.

‘Is it true… there is no exit?’

Namgung turned his head and looked at the single path of the cave, thinking that he had no choice but to move forward from now on.

“I’ll call you As from now on. Are you fine?”

He said as he looked at the spirit of Asterion who came through the door with him.

He nodded instead of answering.

Unlike when he was the master of the labyrinth, he no longer said anything now that he had signed a contract with Namgung and became a soul knight.

‘No, it’s probably correct to say you can’t.’

Namgung knew very well that the reason was because his level of necromancy was low.

“Would it have been different if you had been able to wear Hades’ helmet?”

Namgung said, recalling the number 8 legendary grade Noble Phantasm [Hades’ Helmet] that he obtained from Yor in the free quest before the carnival began.

“Well, that doesn’t mean that not everyone who died exists in the underworld. Well… it’s a terrible place even for the dead.”

Namgung tested the helmet on As just in case.

But the pitch didn’t react at all.

Cuung –

As slowly lowered his head as if he was apologizing.

“I never meant to criticize you. You had hoped to get out of the labyrinth. “Because hope is for those who desire life.”

Namgung lightly tapped his shoulder.

“You are not dead.”

As he said that, one person came to mind.

A knight who hunted 666,666 high-level demons with him in his previous life.

Crrrrrrr….

The sound of the wind that came at that moment was like the cry I heard in my past life when I was saying goodbye after completing the quest.

The only being from the underworld that he knows.

‘The fact that Asu can’t use this helmet means that there is another owner who must use it.’

Namgoong strengthened his resolve as he remembered his last colleague from his previous life.

“And me too.”

You can never die.

Namgung passed by As and walked slowly.

It was then.

[Stop.]

Namgung hurriedly turned his head at the sudden voice. But the voice did not simply come from outside.

[Who are you and who did you come in here?]

Namgung frowned slightly at the sound echoing directly from his head.

‘If there is a being that can send thoughts, it would be at least a high-level demon, a spirit king, or a dragon.’

It was strange.

Such beings exist at least after the 13th gate of hell opens.

No matter how much he changed the future, it was only possible after at least a few years had passed.

‘There’s no way we’ve already encountered them…’

It was difficult for Namgung to guess who the being inside was.

“….”

Namgung was doubtful whether this black ticket he had was really the reward for the labyrinth.

Of course, like at the Ghoul King’s gravesite, the dungeon’s rewards could be different from the previous life.

However, the reward of this labyrinth feels strange and unknown.

He thought that if he knew the identity of the being who was talking to him now, he would be able to know for sure what that strange feeling was.

“I really wonder who it is. I got this from the Minotaur’s Migong.”

He took out the ticket and waved it in the air.

“I don’t know what this is. “It’s just that it forced me to come here.”

Namgung looked around.

“All I know is that this is Orchid’s nest. “Are you the one who is talking to me now?”

[Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk… Am I Ran?]

Goosebumps –

Namgung felt his skin tremble without realizing it at the answer he heard at that moment.

[It seems like you came here without really knowing anything.]

‘The name of the quest was definitely Ran’s Nest. But Ran is not the one who gives the answer based on the mood.’

There was only one possibility.

‘A predator that killed the orchid and took over this nest.’

Slurp –

Namgung slowly drew out his sword and held it.

[Have you noticed it yet? He’s like a hunting dog. I see that you can smell well.]

“I am the revealer of the seven serpents. He is chosen by his status. “I don’t know what your identity is, but you probably aren’t someone with a status higher than your status.” He

walked

into the cave.

“If you are thinking of harming me, you should keep in mind that it is like showing your teeth to a person.”

[Speaking of status… they’re talking as if they’re special to their chess game. It’s cute. Cute.]

‘Aren’t you afraid of status?’

What kind of attitude is this?

The highest beings in this world right now were clearly the eight Aspects.

Even the upper-class demons, Spirit Kings and Dragons, who could be said to be the highest-ranking races, were nothing compared to their status.

‘What on earth is it?’

Namgung was puzzled, but at the same time he was curious about who was here now.

* * * [

Open Ran’s nest? Haha really… who would do such a shameless thing? Without my permission.]

A voice as sharp as snake teeth was heard in a space that was like a void where nothing existed.

[calm down. You would know. The game has already turned out differently than we thought. We all know that the time axis is distorted.]

Tung –

At that moment, a place became bright as if a light was shooting from the ceiling.

[okay. Until 25 years after Carnival began. From that time on, we know that our memories have changed.]

Tung –

Another light came on.

[Someone went back in time. We were left with a vague memory, as if we had woken up from a dream.]

Tung-

The light continued to come on.

[That’s not fair. In that case, we should act differently from our initial plan.]

[Fair? To be honest, I am against it. Even if there are returnees, that is just the arrangement of the carnival. He survived and is ready to enjoy this festival again.]

It wasn’t Yor.

On the contrary, Yor slightly squinted one eye and looked at the shadow as he heard those words defending the returner.

[why? Is there something undesirable about it?]

[Don’t be fooled.]

[I’m not trying to deny the existence of returnees. It is simply to give a fair opportunity to the few remaining Revelators.]

[Yes. If there is someone who knows the future… it would be enough to create a future that he or she does not know about.]

[For example, what will happen 30 years after the start of the carnival.]

Kwaang–!!

At that moment, a loud sound of hitting the table was heard.

There were shadows sitting where the lights were turned on, but each one had a different appearance.

[That’s funny. The festival has begun. Now, it is against the rules for the Aspects to intervene like this.]

[It is up to each person to choose their words.]

[Don’t get angry. That’s not like you. Yor.]

[Don’t call my name carelessly. This is a shadow corridor with faces hidden so that all Aspects can converse without restrictions. If you want to disappear, just keep trying.]

[Giggles – You? me? Anyway, we all know who is who, so it’s not the same thing.]

Along with a strange laugh, the face of the shadow that had spoken a moment ago showed a strange smile.

[Now, don’t be too disappointed. It is true that your Revelator stands out from other Revelators of other statures. It may be a misunderstanding, but…]

[It may not be a misunderstanding.]

[Because that guy has intentions more unknown than seven snakes.]

[Yes. Who knows if he might be harboring a returner.]

Grrrr…!!

At that moment, the shadow cleared and Yor’s face appeared.

[You guys really have long tongues.]

He looked around with a stern expression.

[Aren’t you the one who warned me about the Shadow Corridor a little while ago? A person like that shows his face.]

[Shut up. The coffin of the sun and the moon… no. Durga.]

Yor said, shooting one of the shadows.

[Are you doing this to the subject of the regression arrangement you created? a fair crack of the whip? You are talking nonsense. Don’t we know your dark insides?]

[….]

[You say it’s an arrangement for humans, but in reality, you’re hoping that your revealer will return to that arrangement. To come back and have everything monopolized.]

Yor snorted.

[But what? I don’t think the Revelator you chose is the one. That’s probably why I’m feeling impatient. Who has the status of a regressor as a revealer?]

Boom!

Yor struck the table, and the shadow covering Durga’s face disappeared.

[That’s what I think is my revealer. [You bastard.]

He frowned.

[What?]

[The guy who was supposed to be for humans first pulled out a plan that would take place 30 years in the future to find returnees? The second door has just opened. Do you think you can survive in a place like that!]

[Really. Because we didn’t break the rules.]

[50 years of Carnival. All we have to do is decide what happens in the meantime. The order does not matter.]

[Why are you making such a fuss? That’s not like you.]

[Could it be… Your revealer is really a returner?]

Yor

stood up, clenching his fist with the hand that hit the desk.

[Hu…]

He sighed softly.

[okay. do whatever you want. Because I don’t know either. Whether my revelator is a returner or not. Still, to open the place where that bastard is… no matter how much I’m on fire.]

It was a laugh.

Yor actually seemed to be enjoying this situation, as if it was going as expected.

[Are you guys confident enough to handle it?]

[To scare you? Do not be ridiculous. What’s the problem? He is sealed, and it is also a gateway that must be passed over time anyway.]

[Dur… No, what the observer of the sun and moon said is correct. And it is also the surest way to identify a returner.]

[Because he lives on time.]

The rest of the voices countered his words by saying they had been waiting.

[If my Revelator returns from there alive… then one of your Revelators will be suspected.] Sёarᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He spoke to the other Aspects.

[You can look forward to it. I will decide which test to take at that time. See you next time.]

[….]

[….]

At Yor’s words, the seven remaining shadows did not say anything.

Thump-thump-thump-

Instead of answering, the lights started turning off one by one.

When all the shadows disappeared, Yor let out a soft sigh.

‘…is this what happened?’

He messed up his hair with a nervous expression and muttered in a low voice.

[It was expected that the Aspects would test you… but I guess you went too far. No wonder I chose this place.]

Just right!

When he snapped his fingers, the space distorted and Namgung’s figure was visible in the cave.

[Don’t die.]

Yor thought, looking at Namgung with his chin resting.

[As long as you come back alive, I will definitely receive compensation for this incident.]

* * *

“…It’s different from what I thought.”

Upon reaching the end of the cave, Namgung found something chained to numerous pillars.

[Cluck… It’s not that big of a deal.]

It was difficult to explain what was in front of me.

In some ways it looked like a snake, and in other ways it looked like a lion. And when you turn your head, it looks like a giant, and in some ways it looks like a human.

[A revelation of status? Surprisingly. I didn’t expect you to come to me so quickly.]

“I received a quest.”

I know that this description makes no sense.

But that was the only way I could explain it. Because it really looked that way in Namgung’s eyes.

“Challenge Ran’s Nest. But no matter how I look at it, you don’t seem to be Ran… What is your identity?”

[It looks like you really haven’t heard anything from Sang-sang. How many doors have been opened?]

“This is the second time.”

[…What?]

At that moment, the shape of something stirred.

Namgung couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but he could fully feel the guy’s emotions.

[Second time?]

It was an embarrassment.

“okay. “I got a ticket to come here as a reward from the labyrinth dungeon created after closing the Serpent’s door.”

[That doesn’t make sense. Are you saying that you came here just after the second door? What are the Aspects thinking?]

Ssssssssssssssssssssssssss–!!

At that moment, black smoke poured out toward Namgung.

[Or are you… hiding something?]

Red eyes flashed in the smoke.

“I think it’s the same for everyone. I must have said it. “I received a quest.”

Namgung looked into the eerie eyes and spoke in a low voice.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a plot of Sang Sang or because I’m great. “The important thing is that the content of the quest didn’t say whether I should kill you or save you.”

There was no wavering in his voice.

[Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk… It sounds like you are saying you can kill me. Even though I only finished the second door. Is there any part of you that believes it?]

“Well. That’s something no one knows. “If you tell me what you’re hiding, I can also tell you what I believe.”

[Confidence is worth it.]

Namgung looked at the smoke that enveloped his body and slowly exhaled.

The smoke was giving off a terrible chill.

I feel like my heart will freeze if I don’t breathe.

[Ran is not the name of a monster.]

Smoke told him.

“then?”

[It’s the name of a superior.]

“….”

Namgung’s face hardened slightly at those words.

“So this is the realm of phase… Then what about you? “Who are you in the Realm of Aspects?”

Sssssssssssssssss–!

At that moment, the shape of the smoke changed.

It was in the form of a four-legged beast, but it was difficult to express what it resembled.

[Of course, he must be the one who took over the realm of the Aspect.]

The snout was long and protruding, and with a sound like a crack, the snout split in four directions, like flower petals splitting.

“…Where is Ran?”

[Guess where.]

He opened his huge mouth in front of Namgung and said.

[Where is that guy?]

Namgung smiled coldly as he looked at the mouth of the guy that looked as if it was going to devour him at any moment.

“What a fun kid.”