Level -99 Archmage

Chapter 19. Named Creator

A flood of words filled his vision. As Park Chan-woo read through them one by one, he furrowed his brows.

‘…It didn’t go bankrupt.’

He had overcome a gap so massive that it would shock the world. A level -96 had managed to hunt a Death Knight of at least level 41, an achievement that defied all conventional limits. As a result, over a hundred individuals received a Gold Box (★★) as a reward, while Park Chan-woo, who had actually slain the Death Knight, was granted a Platinum Box (★★★) and a Potential Ability Granting Scroll. The rewards were overwhelming. What he obtained was nothing short of supreme treasures, truly worthy of being called “beyond the heavens”.

‘Any ordinary creator would have gone bankrupt at least three times over.’

And yet, this one had not. That meant they possessed a considerable amount of coins. At this point in time, very few creators could afford to hold such a vast amount of coins. This suggested that the creator behind this Sniping Abyss was far from ordinary.

‘If not a named creator…’

That made it even harder to understand. There was indeed a hierarchy among creators, with ranks assigned accordingly. Most of the creators currently interfering with humanity were of the lower ranks. At the pinnacle stood the Nine Great Lords, a group so powerful that there were only nine of them across the entire Abyss. They were beings so revered that neither other creators nor demons dared to meet their gaze.

Even the Twelve Race Overlords hesitated to confront them. And below them were the Seventy-Two Demon Gods. While not as exalted as the Nine Great Lords, their influence over the Abyss was arguably even greater. They were the true rulers and administrators of the Abyss. Beneath them were the One Hundred and Eight Demon Kings, beings whose domains were smaller but who each possessed overwhelming power. These three ranks were considered the apex, or named, figures of the Abyss. However, they had little interest in humanity. Among the thirteen races, humans were considered the weakest, the lowest of the low. The only ones who played these “games” with humanity were the lower-tier creators. It would take years before the named ones would even glance in their direction. Which meant…

‘Is it truly a named creator?’

The host of this Abyss, the one targeting Kim Byung-han, could very well be a named creator. The proof was in the silence. Despite the notification appearing, there had been no attempt to negotiate with Park Chan-woo. No requests to exchange rewards or reduce the compensation, nothing at all. Even though it must have been a significant loss. Named creators were incredibly proud, and they never negotiated with humans. And if…

If the opponent truly was a named creator—

If they were one of the Nine Great Lords, the Seventy-Two Demon Gods, or the One Hundred and Eight Demon Kings—

The Death Knight’s words resurfaced in his mind.

“Her Majesty has given an order: wipe out every human in this place. Especially you, you must be totally annihilated.”

How many named creators could be referred to as “Her Majesty”? You could count them on one hand. And each one was an existence that inspired sheer terror. Which meant…

‘…This is bad.’

They must never be made into an enemy. To stand against such an entity at this point would be suicidal. A regular creator could never defy the will of a named creator. Navigating the Abyss from this point on would become nearly impossible. Or worse, he could face relentless sniping. Just as Kim Byung-han had been targeted, manipulated into betraying his allies. The creator could easily discover Park Chan-woo’s weaknesses and exploit them. Of course, being targeted wasn’t what he feared. But it would slow down his growth, and that could lead to defeat in the Racial War. How could he turn this situation around?

He had a vague idea. Looking up at the moon, Park Chan-woo spoke.

“Andariel and I swore a ‘Covenant of the Abyss’ with our very lives. And he died honorably. For a demon, death is absolute. The end. But Andariel did not meet a true end.”

Everything led to one conclusion. The owner of this Ring of Oath of Dead, Andariel, had a special connection with the creator. Which meant, They harbored extreme hatred for Kim Byung-han, who had stolen the ring. Ultimately, everything stemmed from this ring. Park Chan-woo slowly raised the Ring of Oath of Dead toward the sky.

“Andariel’s ‘existence’ remains in this ring. To a demon, nothing is more disgraceful than this. I fully understand your fury.”

When a demon died, they vanished completely. Not even a speck of dust remained. And yet, the ring persisted. All because of the power engraved by the Invisible Hand’s Creator, who had made a pact with Kim Byung-han. And that, more than anything, seemed to have enraged the creator. Because they believed that their beloved demon had suffered a dishonorable death.

“O unknown creator! O sovereign of the Great Abyss! If you wish, I shall return the ring. I ask for no reward in return.”

【…What do you desire, human?】

Ah!

A shiver ran down Park Chan-woo’s spine.

The creator’s voice pierced through the message system and reached him directly. A voice brimming with authority and grandeur, just like a queen. This could only mean one thing, His opponent was a named creator. And one of considerable stature at that! Among the creators who had invaded Earth, none could compare to this one. Suppressing his emotions, Park Chan-woo spoke.

“Do you think I’m doing this because I expect a reward?”

As if feeling disappointed. Even mixing in a hint of anger. Park Chan-woo did his best to act.

“I, too, wish for Andariel, with whom I fought under the ‘Abyss Pact,’ to enter eternal rest. I moved of my own accord for the honor of a worthy adversary, so I expect nothing in return.”

In truth, Andariel was not worthy. He failed because he abused his authority after receiving a tip. If Andariel had followed the rules and refused to let Park Chan-woo join the game without forming a proper party, his death would never have occurred. However, if the creator and Andariel were ‘close,’ naturally, they would want Andariel to be ‘honorable.’ Moreover, if the one who killed them praised and elevated his honor, wouldn’t that be a great comfort?

【Give me the ring.】

KUUUUUNG!

A ‘gate’ appeared in midair and opened. From within, a ‘hand’ reached out. Without hesitation, Park Chan-woo placed the ring on the open palm.

‘It would have become useless after two more using it anyways .’

A significant amount of mana had already been consumed during the battle with the Death Knight. Just two more uses, and it would be completely drained, making it worthless.

《You have transferred the ‘Ring of Oath of Dead.’》

《The ring’s level has been readjusted to match the recipient’s level.》

There was no risk of revealing his level. Since the ring adjusted itself automatically. At the same time, the creator’s voice resonated throughout the entire world.

【Oh, the human who understands honor. A day is not far when my aid shall reach you…】

As soon as the Abyss ended and he returned to reality—

“Huff! Huff! Huuuuff!”

Park Chan-woo gasped for the breath he had been holding back. Cold sweat poured down his back. His heart pounded so violently it felt like it would burst out of his chest at any moment. His face was as pale as a sheet, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. The entity that emerged when the gate opened. The moment he faced the one who extended that hand, the tension he had been desperately suppressing exploded.

‘Definitely a Named one.’

Even though it was only for the briefest moment, their sheer presence was overwhelming. If he had stayed even a few seconds longer, his heart might have literally burst. Park Chan-woo quickly headed home. And as soon as he arrived, he collapsed onto the floor.

‘To think… it was actually a Demon God.’

Lying on his back, he stared at the ceiling, replaying the events he had just experienced. It still didn’t feel real.

A Named Creator. Highly likely to be one of the 108 Demon Lords. Anyone ranked above that wouldn’t even bother paying attention to humans. Even when he had reached level 99, the Demon Gods considered Earth and humanity as insignificant. To them, humans were nothing more than toys, things they could destroy at any moment if they so desired. Even Park Chan-woo himself had felt like a mere plaything in their eyes. The number of coins possessed by those at the Demon God level was simply on another scale.

‘…I almost didn’t live to see tomorrow’s sunrise.’

Demon Gods were, in effect, the true rulers of the Abyss. They controlled vast domains, commanded countless demons and legions, and wielded godlike powers of unfathomable might. If they wished, erasing a single human would be trivial. Most creators within the Abyss could not defy a Demon God’s will. Doing so would result in the complete annihilation of everything connected to that creator. And the owner of that hand just now,  A being who had confidently secured their place among the Demon Gods. As the name surfaced in his mind, Park Chan-woo bit his lip once again.

‘Gremory of Lamentation!’

Known as “Lamentation,” the only one among the Demon Gods to be referred to as a queen. Had he not thought quickly and put on such a convincing act, he truly would not have lived to see another day. And yet, she had taken only the ring, leaving the rewards untouched.

‘The aid of a Demon God… I can’t even imagine what that means.’

But in another sense, this was an incredible gain. With just a single ring, he had placed a Demon God in his debt. For a being of that magnitude to directly mention ‘help’, the scale of that aid would undoubtedly be immense. Unlike ordinary demons, Demon Gods did not speak empty words.

Ssshhhhh!

Park Chan-woo took a cold shower. The chilling touch of Gremory of Lamentation’s hand still lingered, so he scrubbed his hands over and over, trying to erase the sensation. Afterward, he stepped out of the bathroom and retrieved three rewards from his inventory.

‘A 2-Star Gold Box, a 3-Star Platinum Box, and a Potential Ability Granting Scroll.’

After traveling back in time, he had obtained a 3-Star Platinum Box before, but this was his first time acquiring a Potential Ability Granting Scroll. If Gremory of Lamentation had taken it, he would have been deeply regretful. In some ways, it was even rarer than a 3-Star Platinum Box.

Gulp!

‘…I never expected to get this so soon.’