Level -99 Archmage

Chapter 17. The King of Thorn Hell (Level 84)

It was honestly a rare opportunity. The creator of “The Invisible Hand” had an obsession with collecting it that went beyond imagination, and once something was stolen, they almost never gave up on retrieving it. The fact that they framed Kim Byung-han and manipulated another creator into “sniping” him meant that, at the very least, “The Invisible Hand’s Creator” had given up ownership of this ring. If so, there was only one remaining obstacle.

“The one who gave the ‘The Ring of Oath of Dead’ to Andariel and enabled him to act in the Abyss of Night as a Game Master. The same existence that opened this Sniping Abyss.”

The one who opened this Sniping Abyss. Who could it be? “The Ring of Oath of Dead” that Kim Byung-han had stolen was something that the Game Master Andariel had been wearing to seal their own power. However, it was highly likely that the ring itself did not originally belong to Andariel, a demon. The mere fact that a high-ranking demon existed

in the “First Night Abyss” was an irony in itself. The Abyss War had just begun. Creators also needed “Coins” to construct an Abyss, and the creation of a powerful Abyss naturally required even more Coins. Even for a creator, it was inevitable that they would lack Coins at this stage, so forcing a high-ranking demon into an Abyss was an excessive gamble. Even the “Master of the Moon,” the one who opened the “Abyss of Night” would be no exception. From the start, it was unlikely that a high-ranking demon was ever considered as the Game Master. And yet, there existed a creator who forcibly inserted the high-ranking demon Andariel into the Abyss of Night, even making them lower their own rank in the process. Park Chanwoo was convinced that this creator was the very same entity who had opened this “Sniping Abyss.”

“The owner of this Abyss. To secure the ring with peace of mind, I must drive the creator who targeted Kim Byung-han into bankruptcy.”

That was the only way to claim the ring.

Rank is akin to existence, or even a soul of a being “The Ring of Oath of Dead” sealed Andariel’s rank completely. The fact that Kim Byung-han was discovered immediately after stealing it meant that the creator who owned the ring was still keeping an eye on it. Since they even went as far as orchestrating a sniping attack, they were unlikely to give up if Park Chanwoo took possession of it. There was a high chance they would continue their harassment. Thus, in order to truly own the ring, it was necessary to completely bankrupt the creator of this “Sniping Abyss.”

“W-What do you mean, it passed the blame onto me?”

When Kim Byung-han asked, Park Chanwoo shrugged.

“It means the entity you made a contract with has put all the blame onto you.”

“T-Then what should I do? If I get rid of this ring, will it all be over?”

Kim Byung-han’s expression looked as if he was about to cry at any moment. If only discarding the ring would resolve everything.

“It won’t end.”

“W-What…?”

“Even if you throw away the ring, even if you pass it on to someone else,

the one who created this Abyss will still hunt you down no matter what.”

He answered honestly. Because this Sniping Abyss reeked of pure malice toward Kim Byung-han.

‘The entire structure was designed solely for his destruction.’

Kim Byung-han, who had been loyal to his organization for half his life.

The moment he walked into the heart of that organization for work, the sniping had begun. Only those in the same building, his coworkers, were summoned into the Abyss. And those who knew him were specifically ordered to kill him. That wasn’t all. During the day, the Abyss reflected his surroundings, and at night, spectral bats followed him relentlessly, exhausting him to the limit. Yet, the weapons were given only to the humans. Betrayal by those he trusted. The intent was for him to tremble in despair and perish in the agony of that betrayal. If that wasn’t malice, then what was? Therefore, even if he discarded the ring, Kim Byung-han wouldn’t survive. Unless Park Chanwoo gave him Coins.

“A-Ahh…!”

Kim Byung-han collapsed in despair. Tears and snot streamed down his face as he clenched his fists and pounded the ground in frustration. He wanted to plead his injustice, but his boiling emotions overwhelmed him, leaving him speechless.

“P-Please save me…!

You—You’re the only one who can save me!”

In the end, Kim Byung-han clutched at Park Chanwoo’s pant leg. Park Chanwoo spoke with cold eyes.

“Why should I risk my life to save someone like you?”

“I-I’ll give you this ring!

Anything I have… everything…!”

“Cough!”

He coughed up blood as he sobbed. Even so, with trembling hands,

he did not forget to offer the ring. If he were to be left alone, he wouldn’t last much longer. Survival here on his own was impossible.

“Very well. I’ll save you.”

“…!”

“But.”

Park Chanwoo leaned forward. Then, he whispered into Kim Byung-han’s ear.

“You must grant me a favor in the future.”

“I-I understand…! Ugh…!”

Kim Byung-han gasped for breath. His face was pale, his eyes hollowed with darkness. That was enough.

‘The Creator of The Invisible Hand, Half a year from now, when the ‘Divine Drop’ is targeted in the Racial War, I’ll steal it away.’

Half a year from now. The first “Large-Scale Abyss” would open. A game known as the “Racial War,” where 120 million humans were once sacrificed as offerings, would begin. That day, humanity and 12 other races would meet for the first time and compete against each other. Depending on the rankings, rewards and punishments would be distributed.

In the first Racial War, even against the weakest opponents, humanity had placed dead last. And in the midst of it all, “The Invisible Hand’s Creator” and their avatars had managed to steal the “Divine Drop” from the event’s host. This time, Park Chanwoo intended to take it for himself.

“…In the next Racial War, humanity must at least rank within the top 8.”

From 8th place onward, there would be no punishments. As long as they placed within the top 8, humanity could avoid near-total annihilation. The problem was that Park Chanwoo alone wasn’t strong enough to accomplish that. The battle would unfold before the eyes of all humanity and the 12 races. The strongest among humans would be pitted against the weakest warriors from the other 12 races. To rank within the top 8, Park Chanwoo would either have to become an “undefeatable wall” himself, or rapidly cultivate prodigies like the Sword King, Lee Hyuksoo. There was no other way.

‘I already can’t solve my own problems, let alone others.’

-Level -96.

Park Chan-woo is too busy growing on his own to help others grow. A thorough monopoly. One must first become strong oneself before being able to take care of others. Just as leisure comes from financial stability, being able to look around is only possible when Park Chan-woo himself becomes stronger. Park Chan-woo snatched the ring from Kim Byung-han as if robbing him. At the same time—

『Due to a special authority, ‘Ring of Oath of Dead’ has been transferred.』

『The level of the ring changes to match the transferred user.』

‘…As expected.’

However, it was fine. The ring’s level was never its important feature anyway.

Name: Ring of Oath of Dead

Level: -96

Grade: Ancient

Description:

(1) A ring imbued with the oath of a kind of dead who once divided the continent in ancient times. It is said that the ring can completely contain ‘a single existence’ due to the oath. However, if the contained entity’s mana is entirely depleted, the durability decreases by ‘1’ each time.

(2) Currently contains the mana of ‘High Demon Andariel.’

(3) Only those who have shared an ‘oath’ with the entity contained in the ring can use it.

Equipped Slot: Ring

Defense: 15

Durability: 1

Unique Options:

(1) Andariel’s Soul (Lv. 84, 178 Mana)

(2) King of Thorned Hell (Lv. 84, Ancient)

“……!”

Park Chan-woo inwardly cheered. Just as he had predicted.

Jackpot.

No, beyond a jackpot, this was a super jackpot.

‘So it was a demon with the rank of a king.’

King of Thorned Hell! That was not just a phrase describing Andariel but the very essence of the sealed magic Andariel had locked away. But why would a being called a king be playing the role of a jester in the Abyss of Night?

『The rules are changing.』

『Eliminate both ‘humans’ being pursued by the ‘Ghost Bats.’』

『The time limit has been shortened.』

『If they are not killed within 2 hours, a ‘Death Knight’ will be summoned.』

A rule change.

‘This is too much.’

Altering the rules of an already established Abyss was an extreme move.

It required inserting additional coins. That meant they were highly attached to this ring. Honestly, it was puzzling. Was the ‘Ring of Oath of Dead’ worth investing extra coins in?

‘Fine. I’ll bankrupt you.’

It was actually a good thing. In just 2 hours, a Death Knight would appear. If Park Chan-woo could take it down, the master of this Abyss would naturally go bankrupt.

Shweeeek!

Thud!

At that moment. An arrow flew from afar.

Ssshh!

Fortunately, ‘Radiant Anubis’ sensed it first and blocked it with its body.

“That bastard isn’t a demon, he’s human!”

“Kill them both!”

“Hurry! There’s no time!”

One by one, people began to appear. Their numbers exceeded a hundred. Even with Anubis, facing them alone was too much for Park Chan-woo.

‘To use the Ring of the Oath of the Dead, I need to form an oath with the entity contained within it.’

In other words, only those who have sworn an ‘oath’ with Andariel can use this ring. Either Andariel himself or someone of great importance to him. However, that too was fine. Park Chan-woo had already formed a powerful ‘oath’ with Andariel. ‘The Covenant of the Abyss. There is no greater oath than that. What is an oath? It is a solemn vow and a binding promise. Through the Covenant of the Abyss, Park Chan-woo and Andariel had pledged their hearts. As a result, Andariel had perished, but still, an oath was an oath. Park Chan-woo looked at the charging crowd and spoke.

“Destroying everything, King of Thorned Hell.”

『‘King of Thorned Hell (Lv. 84)’ manifests.』