Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: The Mountain of Practitioners (1)
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Master of the Colossal Evils!
Even among the Great Lords, he was known as the one closest to the archetype of pure evil.
He was the master of all evils and the ruler of myriad demons.
With the largest number of kin under his command, he had been one of the key figures leading the 'Great War' in the past.
Why had the Dragon of Despair, Arcana, sought out the Master of the Colossal Evils among the Ten Lords?
Because he was the most crucial key to ending the 'Great War'.
In the past, when the 'Great War' broke out...
All races and demons slaughtered each other in hatred.
There was only one cause for the war's outbreak.
To determine the true master of the Abyss!
And it was said that the Master of the Colossal Evils was the one who ignited that war.
'A being like the focal point for all demons.'
Of course, he hadn't started the war alone.
He had merely conveyed the consensus of all the 'Great Lords'.
Being their representative meant his influence over the demons was immense.
Even the Demon Kings and Demon Gods had to bow their heads and follow him.
However, the Great Lords themselves did not rush into the war.
If the progenitors joined alongside their kin, it could upset the balance of the entire Abyss.
'The Master of the Colossal Evils bestowed his authority upon his kin.'
Thus, they fought through proxies.
The Master of the Colossal Evils created his kin through his own authority.
Just receiving that authority turned mere demons into powerhouses on par with lesser Demon Kings.
This was the terrifying aspect of the 'Master of the Colossal Evils'.
But... why.
Why had his wings sprouted from Yuan-shin's back?
"...Ataraxia. It seems you've left out some crucial details in your explanation to me."
"...".
At Drakan's question, Ataraxia sealed her lips.
There was no way she could reveal that Arcana had gone to the Master of the Colossal Evils and become a 'True Dragon'.
It was a disgrace to the clan and a stain on Arcana's honor.
From Drakan's perspective, who was unaware of this, it was only natural that he couldn't comprehend the current situation.
"Those wings are unmistakably the mark of the 'Master of the Colossal Evils'. They're the insignia that appears when he bestows his authority upon his kin, so why...".
Could it be that the leader who guided the clan of Despair was a mere limb serving the Master of the Colossal Evils?
There could be no greater shame for dragons.
He had crossed the line—and crossed it boldly.
No matter Sepiro's involvement, they couldn't suppress their instinctive revulsion.
If the other clans found out, they would be utterly disowned.
Ataraxia, aware of this, hardened her expression gravely.
"Drakan."
"...Do you have more to say to me?"
More to say?
Honestly, Ataraxia was just as flustered.
Wings that absolutely should not have emerged had done so.
But if they stayed silent like this, rumors were bound to spread.
"You're an accomplice."
"...What?"
Drakan bristled.
It was absurd.
Accomplice. Meaning they had committed the crime together.
Ataraxia went even further.
"Your entire Sloth Clan is complicit."
Drakan's eyes went wide in bewilderment.
"What are you even...".
"It was your clan that revealed the method to create the Yuan-shin, shaped its appearance, and triggered its 'fission'. Everything is tied to you."
"You mad bastard...?"
"The Great One said we created it together. You're already knee-deep in a swamp you can't escape."
"Ah...!"
This couldn't be.
Was this all part of a grand scheme to frame them as true accomplices?
They had been so moved by that single word—"us"—that they kept repeating it to themselves.
Of course, if the Master of the Colossal Evils was involved, even the mighty Sepiro would face problems.
No matter that he was the Dragon God, the 'Primordial Dragons' wouldn't stay silent.
They were the grand elders of dragonkind.
Leaders who had guided dragons longer than Sepiro himself.
Even Sepiro couldn't ignore their words outright.
After all, they had raised and taught him.
They must have wanted to cover this up as much as possible.
'So that's why Sepiro took an interest—in those wings!'
He hadn't understood why Sepiro was obsessed with creating the giant god.
Now it made sense.
A dragon that had received the authority of one of the nine Great Lords, the true leaders of the demons.
He must have wanted to see what changes it would undergo upon revival as a Yuan-shin.
What the hell are those wings?
...Setting aside the dragons' misunderstandings, Park Chan-woo was a bit flustered too.
He hadn't noticed.
Even after scouring all of Arcana's memories, there was nothing related to those wings.
One would think he'd have caught it if it stemmed from the authority of the 'Master of the Colossal Evils', as the saying goes.
Park Chan-woo stroked his chin.
Arcana must have personally sealed those memories.
The memories seen through the spirit magic Elision concerned the essence of the curse.
If Arcana herself didn't wish it, they couldn't be viewed.
Yet the emergence of those wings now meant even that part had been overcome by Arcana's soul.
Kuuaaaaaaaa-!
A terrifying mana that made flesh crawl.
A massive black pillar erected at the Abyss's center.
And when the pillar vanished, no demons remained.
+ Class Level 48 Reached
Class Up
⏰ Raise Class Level to 50. The direction of your class will be determined by your actions in the interim.
Park Chan-woo whistled inwardly.
He'd thought he wouldn't gain much experience since he hadn't hunted them directly, but a massive amount poured in—enough to level up.
And moreover.
Class change quest!
The opportunity for class advancement had finally arrived.
In the past, Park Chan-woo had undergone three class changes from 'Barbarian Warrior' to become a 'Knight'.
Until Class Level 50, it's basically just the tutorial.
Class changes occurred three times total—at Class Levels 50, 70, and 90—and crossing each threshold brought a tremendous surge in power.
Now he was truly at the starting line.
Even completing the first class change before the 'First Racial War' was considered fast, and here he was with over two months still left, seizing the chance.
The class change phase requires the most careful actions.
A quest starting at Class Level 48.
Upon reaching 50, it would offer choices based on actions in that span.
Select one to advance.
Actions here could lead down entirely different paths.
Not to mention acquiring Helium's territory.
I should feed it to Cygnus.
Territory of the Abyss itself, not some created Abyss.
Cygnus would be immensely pleased.
"...".
By now, the surroundings had fallen silent.
Everyone stared blankly at Arcana.
Unable to tear their eyes from the grand magic's might or those wings.
The completion of the Primal Deity surpassing even the giant god.
But one thing nagged at him.
Park Chan-woo quietly glanced at Drakan.
Drakan met his gaze and bowed his head.
"We saw nothing."
The entire clan had agreed to silence.
And furthermore.
"If you have any other intriguing experiments, call on us anytime."
"I'll keep you entertained."
"Ahh...! We'll be waiting!"
That was enough.
Researching and experimenting alongside Sepiro.
And receiving 'recognition' to boot—there was no reason for the Sloth Clan to refuse.
They would take this secret to their graves, no matter what.
...And so, the test confirming the Primal Deity's power concluded.
Now what remained was...
Time to install the sacred mark.
To sanctify this land so no small fry could invade.
With the sacred mark planted at the land's center, related messages appeared.
He could install it in Korea or on Earth, but that wouldn't solve the root issue.
Prioritizing the sanctification of ‘The Land of Valhalla’ was far more important.
Because...
"Adora."
"You called?"
Adora stood beside the sacred mark as if she'd been waiting.
She had sensed the majestic aura now protecting the entire Land of Valhalla.
It was an exceptionally powerful barrier.
But more importantly, Park Chan-woo had finally sought her out.
It was the first time he'd entered the land recently and done so.
She wondered what reason brought him here.
"Clean up the surrounding Abyss with the golems and the ‘Primal Deity’."
"Invade and conquer?"
"Yes. Feed the conquered lands to ‘Cygnus’."
"How far is ‘surrounding’?"
"As far as you can manage. Ah, it would be great if you could tidy up the ‘Creative Abysses’ around the site of ‘Earth 666 Creative Abyss’ too."
"Understood."
"‘Ataraxia’ will assist you."
Adora nodded.
Subjugating lesser lords nearby was no great feat.
Besides, Earth 666 Abyss was the ‘Colosseum’.
He meant to clear out the other Creative Abysses around their Colosseum.
In other words, forcibly destroy the Creative Abysses in Korea.
Not impossible either.
With Ataraxia, master of pursuit, it was entirely feasible.
"Where will you go?"
"Somewhere I need to visit alone for a bit."
"...Come back safely."
"Take care of Bok-sil too."
"Anubis?"
"Yeah, I need to be apart from it briefly."
"Leave it to me."
She asked no more.
Park Chan-woo handled everything on his own.
No need to worry—he'd return with the best outcome.
A bit disappointing, but honoring his request came first.
Afterward, Park Chan-woo prepared to depart, having tidied the surroundings.
Ziing!
A golden warp gate formed before him.
The Land of the Golden One!
One of the five masters ruling the Tower of the Gods, the ‘Will of Mana’, had acknowledged him and granted qualification to enter the ‘Land of the Golden One’.
He was curious.
What that place was.
But only he could enter alone.
There had to be a reason.
"Can you enter too?"
Park Chan-woo spoke, looking down at his shadow.
Chronos chuckled.
「Heh heh. I am the shadow. The shadow is one with all.」
He shrugged.
If not, it would bounce off on its own.
He cautiously stepped into the golden warp.
At the same time.
"...?"
Hold on.
That name sounded familiar.
The Mountain of Practitioners...
The mountain where ascetic Arhats gather!