Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Named Creator
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Numerous lines of text swirled chaotically before his eyes.
Park Chan-woo, who had been reading through them line by line, furrowed his brow.
'...They didn't go bankrupt.'
He had bridged a difference that would shock the world. Hunting a Death Knight at minimum level 41 while he was at minus 96—that was leaping across an entirely different dimension of gap.
As a result, over a hundred people received a Gold Box (★★) as a reward, while Park Chan-woo, who had actually taken down the Death Knight, was granted a whopping Platinum Box (★★★) and Latent Ability Grant Scroll.
All the rewards were overwhelming.
Especially what he had obtained—treasures of a supreme caliber that could be called heavenly transcendence.
'Any average Creator would have gone bankrupt three times over.'
Yet they hadn't gone bankrupt.
That meant they possessed a substantial amount of Coins.
At this point in time, only a tiny fraction of Creators held that much Coin.
The one who created this "targeted Abyss" was no ordinary Creator.
'Unless it's a Named Creator...'
That made it even harder to understand.
There were hierarchies and ranks among Creators, but at present, most of those intervening with humanity were from the lower tiers.
For example, the highest echelon consisted of the beings known as the "Great Nine Lords."
True to their name, there were only nine such exalted existences across the entire Abyss.
All Creators and demons revered them, unable to even meet their gaze—monstrous entities of cosmic scale that even the "Twelve Sovereigns" wouldn't dare confront lightly.
Beneath them were the 72 Demon Gods.
They weren't on the level of the Great Nine Lords, but their influence over the Abyss was in fact greater in practical terms. The 72 Demon Gods were the true masters and managers of the Abyss.
Below them came the 108 Demon Kings, who commanded smaller domains but wielded powers of unparalleled potency.
These three classes were classified as the "pinnacle" or "Named" within the Abyss, but they paid little attention to humanity.
Only the Creators below them played games with humans—the frailest of the 13 races, ranked at the very bottom.
It would take at least a few more years before these beings might deign to glance their way.
In other words...
'Is it really a Named Creator?'
The host who orchestrated this targeted Abyss against Kim Byung-han might be a Named Creator.
As evidence, even after the messages appeared, they made no "deal" with Park Chan-woo.
No requests to exchange rewards or reduce them—nothing at all.
Despite the clear blow they had suffered.
Named Creators possessed immense pride befitting their station and would never stoop to bargaining with humans.
And if...
If the opponent truly was a Named Creator.
If they belonged to the Great Nine Lords, 72 Demon Gods, or 108 Demon Kings...
—The Queen has commanded it. Wipe out every human here. Especially make sure to utterly eradicate that one.
The Death Knight's words suddenly resurfaced in his mind.
How many Named Creators could be called "Queen"?
You could count them on one hand, and each one sent shivers down the spine.
Therefore...
'...This is big trouble.'
...He absolutely could not make an enemy of them.
At this stage, clashing with them would be tantamount to suicide.
Because ordinary Creators couldn't ignore a request from a Named Creator.
Navigating the Abyss from here on would be fraught with immense difficulties.
Or he might face endless "targeting."
Just like the malice directed at Kim Byung-han and the betrayal orchestrated among his allies.
A Creator could very well uncover Park Chan-woo's weaknesses too.
Of course, he wasn't afraid of being targeted. But the real issue was that it would slow his growth and risk defeat in the "Racial War."
How could he break through this situation?
For a moment, the answer seemed clear.
Park Chan-woo looked up at the moon and spoke.
"Andariel staked his life on the 'Abyss Oath' with me. And he died honorably. For a demon, death means perfection, an absolute end. But Andariel did not meet a true end."
This was the conclusion he had reached upon arriving here.
The owner of this "Ring of the Dead's Oath," Andariel, shared a special bond with the Creator.
Thus, they harbored excessive hatred toward Kim Byung-han for stealing the ring.
The root of it all was this ring.
Park Chan-woo slowly held the "Ring of the Dead's Oath" up toward the sky.
"Because Andariel's 'essence' lingers within the ring. For a demon, there can be no greater dishonor. I fully understand your rage."
Upon death, one should vanish.
Evaporate without leaving a single speck of dust.
Yet the ring remained.
Due to the power imprinted by the "Creator of the Invisible Hand," who had formed an avatar contract with Kim Byung-han.
Perhaps the Creator was furious about that fact.
Believing that a demon dear to them had met a dishonorable end.
"Nameless Creator. Great Lord of the Abyss! If you wish, I shall hand over the ring. I ask for no reward in return."
Aha!
Park Chan-woo shuddered inwardly.
The Creator's voice pierced through the messages.
A voice laden with the dignity and majesty of a queen.
This confirmed the opponent was a Named Creator.
One who had reached a considerable height!
A monster beyond comparison to any Creator currently invading Earth.
Park Chan-woo suppressed his emotions as best he could and replied.
"Do I seem like the type who does this expecting repayment?"
As if offended.
Mingling in a hint of anger.
Park Chan-woo gave his all to the performance.
"I too wish for Andariel, who staked the 'Abyss Oath' against me, to rest eternally. I acted of my own accord for the honor of that worthy adversary. I desire nothing."
In truth, Andariel hadn't been worthy.
He had failed because he abused his authority after receiving a tip.
Had he followed the rules and not allowed Park Chan-woo—who hadn't formed a proper party—into the game, Andariel wouldn't have died.
But if the Creator and Andariel were that close, they would naturally desire an "honorable" end for him. And if the one who slew him praised him and elevated his honor, wouldn't that be great solace?
Ruuuumble!
A "gate" opened in midair.
From within, a "hand" emerged.
Park Chan-woo unhesitatingly placed the ring on the approaching palm.
'It would run out of magic power after two more uses anyway.'
He had consumed a significant amount battling the Death Knight.
Two more uses, and the magic power would deplete, rendering it useless.
His own level wouldn't be exposed.
The ring's level had readjusted itself automatically.
At the same time, the Creator's voice echoed across the entire world.
The Abyss ended, and as soon as he returned to reality...
"Huff! Huff! Haaaah!"
Park Chan-woo gasped for the breath he'd been holding.
Cold sweat poured down his back.
His heart pounded as if it might burst, threatening to leap from his chest.
His face was deathly pale, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
The being that had appeared through the door.
From the moment he faced that outstretched hand, the tension he'd barely suppressed exploded.
'Definitely a Named one.'
Even in that fleeting instant, its presence was overwhelming.
A few more seconds, and his heart might have actually burst—no exaggeration.
Park Chan-woo hurried home.
The moment he arrived, he collapsed onto the floor.
'I hoped it wasn't, but it's a Demon God.'
Staring at the ceiling, he replayed what had just happened.
He still couldn't believe it.
A Named Creator.
Most likely one of the 108 Demon Kings.
Higher-ranked Creators had no need to bother with humans.
Even when he reached level 99, the Demon Gods viewed Earth and humanity as insignificant. Mere toys they could erase at whim—nothing more, nothing less.
To Park Chan-woo, they did feel like toys.
From Demon God rank upward, the sheer volume of Coins they held was on another level.
'...I nearly didn't live to see tomorrow's sun.'
Demon Gods were the de facto rulers of the Abyss.
Vast domains beyond measure, countless demons and legions under their command, powers so wondrous they defied comprehension—that defined a Demon God.
Eradicating a single human would be trivial if they willed it.
Most Creators in the Abyss couldn't defy a Demon God's word. Doing so would mean the annihilation of everything tied to them.
The owner of that hand was one such being.
A being firmly seated in the Demon God's throne.
Recalling its name, Park Chan-woo bit his lip once more.
'Lamenting Gremory!'
The only one among the Demon Gods called Queen—known as Lamenting Gremory.
Had he not unleashed his full acting prowess, there truly would have been no tomorrow.
Moreover, she took only the ring and left the rewards intact.
'Aid from a Demon God. Can't even imagine what form it will take.'
But looking at it another way, no greater gain existed.
With just one ring, he had indebted a Demon God to him.
For such a being to personally mention "aid," its scale would be anything but small.
Unlike lesser demons, they never spoke empty words.
Shwaaaa!
Park Chan-woo took a cold shower.
The chilling touch of Lamenting Gremory's hand still lingered, so he scrubbed and rubbed furiously.
Afterward, emerging into his room, he pulled three rewards from his inventory.
'2-star Gold Box, 3-star Platinum Box, and Latent Ability Grant Scroll.'
He'd obtained a 3-star Platinum Box after turning back time, but the Latent Ability Grant Scroll was a first.
If Lamenting Gremory had taken it, he would have regretted it deeply.
In some ways, it was far rarer than a 3-star Platinum Box.
Gulp!
'...I never thought I'd get this already.'