Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Shadows in Motion
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“…….”
Go Yohan was staring at the longsword floating before his eyes.
Cursed objects possessed all sorts of wildly different abilities.
Some, like the demonic seeds called beast cores, granted power to the wearer by embedding fragments of demons or magical beasts, gradually transforming them.
Others lent strength without cost, only to summon a demon that would hijack and reshape the body.
There were those that turned the wearer into a sacrifice, blanketed the surrounding land in demonic energy, or inflicted curses, among countless other effects.
The abilities of cursed objects were far too varied.
“This one…”
While some cursed objects were born from demons’ bodies or consciousnesses,
“Was… made… on Earth…”
Others were born from someone’s hands.
Hell’s smiths.
“About… three… months… ago.”
They had once been called witches or ghouls, but in Travania, they had a different name.
“…Dvergr.”
Fallen dwarves, the Dvergr.
Originally a term just for fallen dwarves, it had later come to encompass all who forged cursed objects.
“Where’d Goldian get it?”
“The black market…”
“When?”
“A few… days… ago…”
And that wasn’t all.
“New types of demonic seeds… have been found too.”
Demonic seeds was the collective term for magical beast seeds and demon seeds.
Known as Demonic Stones, they granted users power beyond any elixir, but came with curses and shackles in tow.
Once conditions were met or the seed sprouted, they transformed humans into magical beasts or demons.
“Mostly on monsters. And… presumed usable… on objects too…”
On top of that, sightings of all sorts of different cursed objects were noticeably increasing.
“You’ve done well. Dig deeper.”
“Heh heh. That’s my role…”
Kang Yunbae—Gluttony—nodded happily.
As one consumed by endless passion for exploration and gluttony, he would tackle the task with glee.
“Get some sleep too.”
“…I don’t need to.”
His excessive focus was concerning, but Kang Yunbae wasn’t wrong.
It was ridiculous to impose human needs on apostles who had transcended humanity.
“Sleep anyway.”
“…Got it, Captain.”
With that, Go Yohan and Lee Jaekyung left the lab.
“It’s not just the cursed objects.”
Lee Jaekyung said.
“Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, South America, and so on. New factions have appeared or begun moving.”
New factions and movements.
“And the timing…?”
“After the press conference.”
Lee Jaekyung nodded at Go Yohan’s words.
“Korea, up north, and next door too.”
He meant North Korea and China.
“It could be coincidence…”
“It’s no coincidence.”
Go Yohan stated firmly in response to Lee Jaekyung.
“That day, I warned everyone.”
That the demons’ invasion had begun.
And also.
“Just as I hoped.”
A warning to the hidden demons and their worshippers.
Having judged they could no longer cower, it was only natural they’d move.
And that was exactly what Go Yohan wanted.
“We’re about to get busy.”
Lee Jaekyung smiled at Go Yohan’s words.
“That’s what I was hoping for too.”
The time to rampage was near.
*
*
*
A hologram flickered to life above the black round table.
It was merely a silhouette, not fully revealed.
“…How long has it been?”
One of them spoke.
“Four years.”
Another replied.
“Any tracking?”
“It’s not magic. Not even ‘he’ controls every third-country comms network.”
“…Relief or horror?”
“Which forces us to meet like this, in this outdated fashion.”
“Amusing.”
“Cliché, yet refreshing.”
There were six in total.
They shuddered, recalling the recent events.
“I didn’t believe it.”
“‘He’ for real.”
Even now, Go Yohan’s press conference video was skyrocketing in views without end.
Some said if Go Yohan had uploaded it to his own channel, it wouldn’t just have been blocked—it might’ve shattered multiple records.
“…Michael.”
The heavy name dropped, and the silhouettes shuddered again.
They’d never imagined hearing that name of terror and awe here again.
Such an oracle had come.
“We heard the oracle that the Knight of Terror and Illusion would be here.”
Such an oracle.
That was why they’d watched silently.
But they hadn’t been certain.
“…….”
“…….”
“We hoped it was a mistake.”
Because the method was too different.
In the past, Michael—once called the Knight of Terror and Illusion—had been a despairingly powerful human.
Worshippers and beasts they’d painstakingly raised were swept away in droves, and those they’d laboriously corrupted left not even ashes.
Yet he had failed.
“Unlike back then, when he was truly alone… it’s different now?”
No matter how superhuman, no matter if their power rivaled gods, one person couldn’t block the world alone.
He had been utterly solitary.
Even when his blood kin later became emperor of a great empire, he remained alone.
He gave no one his side, only multiplying his enemies.
“…….”
That was why they’d thought the movements in this world had nothing to do with ‘him’.
“Kh… huh…”
But he had changed his approach.
A groan escaped involuntarily, goosebumps rising across their skin.
“That’s why.”
The smallest silhouette spoke.
“There are no more options.”
He said.
“You know he has no mercy. He’s revealed himself and spoken—now it truly begins.”
“So?”
A tall silhouette spoke, contrasting the small one.
“We’ve already started moving. There’s only one way.”
“What’s that?”
“Like back then. Focus on the holy knight’s madness. Plus, this world is different from Travania.”
“…….”
“Even better, in fact.”
The small silhouette continued.
“If he’s abandoned being alone, make him alone again. Humans… are always the same, even outside their world, aren’t they?”
The silhouettes nodded.
“…Will you join?”
They weren’t ones to unite their strength normally.
They acted separately for their specialties, great causes, or grand schemes.
But they’d gathered after four years to oppose the great foe named ‘Michael’.
“I’m out. Too soon. Just pointless deaths.”
“…You who sold your soul fears death?”
“Now he can truly ‘kill’ us.”
“I’ll watch too.”
“Cowards.”
But what could be done.
“I…”
It was then.
The particularly tall silhouette spoke.
“I’m in.”
And so, unseen, evil began to stir.
Unaware that this too was what Go Yohan desired.
“He wasted more time than expected in Russia’s black lands. Means he’s not fully ready yet. Our chance might be now.”
They began to move, secretive yet bold.
*
*
*
Korea Player Association, Chairman Gu Seunghun.
He was one of Korea’s legendary players.
A first-generation player, he’d been part of the First Party that cleared Korea’s inaugural gate.
He’d once been Korea’s rank 1 player and the first Korean to make the world rankings.
Even over a decade after retiring.
Whooo.
He was still a formidable player.
Not as strong as in his prime, but unafraid of fieldwork, and though no longer on rankings, his level had grown considerably.
“…So.”
Gu Seunghun slowly opened his mouth.
“We still haven’t grasped the Black Specter’s true nature?”
“…Yes.”
“And the Black Specter might not be as dangerous as thought.”
“…….”
Standing and reporting beside such a Gu Seunghun was Kim Dayeon.
The Association’s Investigation Chief and Go Minji’s friend.
“Four years. We spared no support, even granted autonomy.”
Gu Seunghun’s eyes narrowed.
“And after four years, this is the report you bring?”
“…I’m sorry. But in truth, since the Black Specter appeared, much underground crime has been suppressed, and there’s even some self-correction…”
“Enough, enough.”
Gu Seunghun waved her off, as if unwilling to hear more.
“Stop. I don’t want to hear it.”
“…….”
Kim Dayeon clamped her mouth shut.
Truth be told, she’d agonized over how to submit this report.
‘The Black Specter’s backer… is Go Yohan?’
That Go Yohan.
Her best friend’s little brother, the holy troublemaker.
If that were all, Kim Dayeon would have submitted a proper report to the chairman.
But days ago, the event that rocked Korea and the world had occurred.
-Warning.
Go Yohan’s press conference.
Seeing it had cleared her muddled mind somewhat.
If the incomprehensible movements of the Black Specter had that meaning.
Grip.
They might not be an organization that truly needed extermination.
“I’ve heard enough of that drivel.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Let’s talk frankly.”
Gu Seunghun said.
“What do you think?”
“Pardon?”
“I put you in the youngest-ever Investigation Chief spot because I believed you had the skill and talent for it.”
“…….”
“So no more nonsense. You don’t think I’m that much of an idiot, do you?”
Gu Seunghun said.
“Go Yohan. If you’re hiding him—the one behind the Black Specter—it means you feel something strongly.”
“…….”
“Is it just for your friend Go Minji? Or…”
Gu Seunghun’s eyes gleamed.
“Do you believe that mad press conference too?”