Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: The Serpent Crawling in the Millennia-Old Abyss - Imugi (3)
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Of course, there was no way a solution to a sudden variable would just pop up out of nowhere. Especially when it involved blocking a disaster that was impossible to confront in the first place.
Tower of Gold
Equivalent Exchange.
Noon Eye.
Fortune.
Even rummaging through my authorities yielded no clear answer. In that situation, only one thing caught my eye.
A power I'd obtained but never once used. It felt tainted, and I didn't even know the proper way to activate it anyway. That neglected ability suddenly stood out.
Equivalent Exchange - Sub-ability - Sacrifice Descent
A fragment of authority from Azazel that Equivalent Exchange had absorbed after I killed him, creating this ability. Since I had no idea what it did or how to use it, I'd just left it alone.
The system window only gave a brief description—no usage instructions—which made it even easier to ignore.
How the hell was I supposed to use an ability with info that vague? It was absurd. But for some reason, this power drew me in.
'How does it even activate?'
One question led to another, but I set it aside for now and checked everything else—skills, runes, Tower of Gold. Nothing offered a way to turn this situation around, only minor help at best.
'I wasted my regression on that.'
Damn it. That demon bastard cost me a truly crucial chance. Cursing under my breath, my eyes were drawn—as if by some pull—to a single name.
-Purified Pure ???'s Soul.
Coincidence? No. This wasn't coincidence. It was destiny, weaving my possessions together to break through this crisis.
Who? None other than Fortune, rising as if it had been waiting for this exact moment.
Destiny. Guidance. Causality. Call it what you want—it didn't matter. I pulled out that soul I'd forgotten about in my inventory.
The soul I'd left embedded in my territory manifested in the real world. It was still mysterious, beautiful, and exuded overwhelming power.
Just a soul, yet it commanded reverence. At the same time, I felt a profound malice.
"Finally calling me, Contractor."
The moment she appeared, the ability I'd never used before shone brightly.
A pair of scales materialized. And I realized—this was like the descent I'd performed once before in the black mage's lab. A miracle enabled by the system under quest influence.
Now I could recreate it. I hurriedly explained the situation to her.
And asked.
"Could you help just one more time? Please. I want to save that man."
The fallen angel laughed at my words. Mockery? Or just amusement?
I couldn't tell. Something in between. Instinct told me she was a demon. A fallen angel who'd plummeted from heavenly ranks to the depths of the demonic realm.
Even as a memory-lost soul, she wasn't exactly benevolent.
"And me! I want to live too!"
At my final words, she smiled as if I'd given the right answer and nodded.
"If that's what the contractor wants, of course I'll help. You're my only hope for resurrection—can't have you dying on me."
She licked her lips seductively. A chill ran through my body. She was so different now.
Had seeing Azazel jogged more memories? This seemed like her true nature.
Whatever. As long as she could get me out of this mess. Her gaze shifted from my face to the spear in my hand.
"Impressive, though. That cursed spear still exists. And in your hands, no less. That must be how you survived that damned Azazel."
No killing intent, but her soul clearly held enmity toward Azazel.
More memories would clarify it. But that wasn't urgent now. My eyes turned elsewhere.
It was appearing. A massive serpent flying through the sky toward us. Its presence alone began crushing the air from afar.
"Don't retreat! Don't fear! We will win! We'll go home alive!"
Even Dangun Cheonje's shout couldn't bolster morale against such overwhelming dignity. Pillars of fire erupted, lightning bolts of flame crashed down, and fiery storms raged...
?"Since when does the Imugi have fire attributes?"
This actually eased my worries. For the record, I was completely immune to fire. Unless it was primal-level fire damage, nothing mythic or below could scratch me.
That said, I had no intention of tanking those pillars, storms, or bolts. Immunity only nullified fire damage—physical force and other effects still hurt.
Still, it was a ridiculously overpowered ability.
"Perfect. Fire immunity makes carving up that serpent even easier."
True to a fallen angel. Her words were chilling. I instinctively stepped back from her and checked the ability.
One thing left: place the price on the scale.
"What does it demand as payment?"
Equivalent Exchange usually wanted tangible goods. What would it ask for this time?
This was a descent-enabling power. A year cooldown, sure, but with runes, once a month—broken as hell.
'If the price fits, it could be a trump card after Longinus.'
My face twisted, hope fading. One soul? Was it telling me to offer a human sacrifice?
"Fuck. This is pissing me off."
No wonder curses spilled from my mouth. A soul? Where was I supposed to get one right now?
And how could I even possess souls? Offering a soul to summon a purified one—what kind of law was that?
Equivalent Exchange's law. Equal value.
Couldn't sacrifice her to summon her. Damn situation. As I brooded seriously,
Fortune seemed to mock my pathetic dilemma, pointing to one of the rewards from battling that demon.
I'd gotten two big rewards then. First, the artificial dungeon clear reward. Second, from slaying the incompletely descended Deriax.
Fortune's hint was the first one.
Demon - Deriax Fragment [Unique - F]
It was a soul shard. The piece I'd torn from him after landing a massive blow! It wasn't originally that big, but his reckless incomplete descent let me rip out half his soul!
Slightly different from Azazel reviving via fragment, but this definitely held Deriax's soul essence.
And sure enough, Equivalent Exchange messaged that half a demon soul would suffice as payment.
Not just 10 minutes—it was a full 10 minutes. I didn't know her full power, but her expression said she had no intention of losing to that Imugi.
"Sorry, but I can't wield Longinus. You fire it, then I descend. As a holy relic, it'll turn hostile to me instantly if I'm just a soul."
I nodded. Preparations complete. One minute left.
Everyone tensed. Some sensed death and prayed, others steeled their resolve, some eyed escape amid the killing intent, and others planned to lead them forward.
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts, I raised my spear. The Imugi's colossal body filled my vision.
"Longinus."
Activation rate stabilized, ready to launch. Two buffs applied, six wings unfurled, boosting my stats further.
-KRAAAAAAAARRRGH!!!
The roar slammed into our position. Weak hunters couldn't endure the presence, vomiting blood and collapsing.
Just a roar. And 10% of the hunters were out. Lucky they didn't die, I guess?
System messages popped up, delivering final notice to everyone here.
Disaster-Class Monster Raid - Imugi
Rank: Ancient
Grade: B-
Description: The disaster-class monster Imugi entrenched in Dimension - Earth has begun its move. Unite your strength to slay it before the catastrophe ends everything!
Objective: Defeat the Serpent Crawling in the Millennia-Old Abyss - Imugi (0/1)
Success: Rewards distributed by contribution
Failure: Death. Republic of Korea destroyed
It had begun. But this wasn't the end. Beneath the sky-flying Imugi, an uncountable wave of massive monsters surged like tides.
I took a deep breath, eyes gleaming. Body tensed, power gathered in my arms.
"Hunters! Advance! Victory is ours! Don't give up! Hold on! Just hold until I kill that monster! Don't die on me! I'll bring you victory! Trust me! Trust Dangun Cheonje and push beyond your limits—hold!"
Lies. All lies. But as king, as vanguard marching into despair, he delivered the perfect rallying cry.
"That hope. I'll make it real."
The moment Longinus in my hand wailed, begging to fly!
I hurled the spear without hesitation.
KABOOOOOM!!!
With a deafening roar, Longinus exploded the ground behind me and shot forward.
Like a meteor rising not from sky to earth, but earth to sky. Longinus flew straight at the massive evil.
【What is this!!!】
It twisted in shock, but the spear pierced its body precisely.
A momentary silence.
Then came the massive boom—and the Imugi's lower body, tail included, a full third of it, blown away.
First strike wins. The real fight starts now. No need to hold this spot. Ignoring eyes on me, I soared into the sky.
Asymmetrical wings—four and two—flapped, carrying me aloft.
'Hide my identity.'
"If that's what the contractor wants."
Earth's sky. The fallen angel had descended.