Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: You're Special
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A man who had suddenly become Adora's closest confidant.
He dressed like an untouchable mage, but in reality, he was no different from a beggar.
All he did was lounge around and sleep.
In short, he was freeloading off Adora.
She performed all the feats, while that mage took all the holy relics.
It was a situation that couldn't help but breed envy among those struggling to obtain even one relic.
But if they changed their perspective, this could be a golden opportunity.
'Does having a dark-affinity class make you Adora's closest ally?'
'Hidden piece. The secret condition to become Adora's confidant!'
'It's clear! Adora's building a death legion to climb the tower together!'
That's what they thought.
Ability didn't matter.
Joining Adora was the key to monopolizing the rewards.
Look at that mage.
Wasn't he enjoying all sorts of perks just because he joined first?
Adora was definitely forming a legion.
And the proof?
Kruk.
Kieeeek!
...She was still surrounded by hundreds of revived monsters.
An untouchable undead legion.
Gulp!
The three approaching men swallowed hard.
The monsters that had massacred challengers until now guarded Adora's side.
Drooling, letting out eerie cries, they seemed ready to lunge at any moment, tearing limbs and devouring heads.
Their legs trembled.
It would be a lie to say they weren't scared.
But they couldn't show it.
'If we turn our backs, we'll really get eaten.'
'We have to join Adora's legion.'
'If we endure, we've made it in life.'
It was a trial.
The undeniable condition to become Adora's closest confidant.
Adora wanted a legion unafraid of death.
Once joined, the Witch of Death would personally train her soldiers.
All they had to do was catch the dripping honey in that process.
A sweet future was guaranteed.
With massive coins and all sorts of rewards, they could reach the pinnacle and dominate Korea.
Ever since the Abyss emerged, everyone had come to know it naturally.
The world of the survival of the fittest had arrived.
Those with the power to defy the Abyss would stand at the top of the pyramid!
To some, the Abyss was terror.
To others, it was opportunity.
"......"
Adora gazed at them indifferently.
The three men had entered the realm of death seeking that chance.
Recklessly, eyes gleaming.
Under her gaze, they poured out fervent pleas, spittle flying.
"Order us to do anything."
"I want to stand by your side, Adora."
"I won't stand idle. I'll always be on my feet running!"
As time passed, the three grew convinced.
She hadn't killed them yet—that had to mean acceptance.
Adora was just testing their resolve.
Of course, she'd prefer passionate runners over lazy freeloaders like that one.
They relentlessly sniped Park Chan-woo while showcasing their own boldness.
Then.
Adora extended her hand.
"......!!"
The three shuddered briefly in unison.
Adora's outstretched hand.
Didn't it mean "let's do this"?
A sign of acceptance into the death legion.
Aah.
Just as they thought.
Pink futures bloomed in their minds.
Now they just had to receive Adora's gifts.
Open wide, and she'd feed them.
Rapid growth was assured.
Imagining themselves living lavishly outside the tower brought smiles to their faces.
This single act of courage had set them up for a life turnaround.
The three eyed each other.
The question was who would grab that hand first.
'First come, first served.'
'The honey's limited. First to eat wins.'
'These bastards aren't yielding!'
But fair competition was the last thing on their minds.
Rock-paper-scissors here would look ridiculous.
...First grab wins.
"Me first...!"
"Hup!!"
They reached out simultaneously.
The bald mine grabbed Adora's hand first.
The bald man curled one corner of his mouth in a sneer at the remaining two.
'Too slow.'
Actions over words.
Move before thinking.
That was his way of surviving the Abyss.
This time too.
While the other two hesitated, he reached first.
Thus earning the glory of first grasp.
The man bowed to Adora.
"Thank you. I'll serve faithfully... Huh?!"
In an instant.
Brrrr!
The bald man convulsed wildly.
Foam bubbled from his mouth, eyes rolling back white in delirium.
After flopping like a fresh-caught fish for about three seconds, he slumped lifelessly.
"Wha...?"
"He... he's dead?"
The remaining two were dumbfounded.
A handshake usually meant positivity.
Yet the bald man crossed the Jordan the moment he grabbed it.
And moreover.
Crack!
Craaaack!
His limbs twisted as he revived as an undead.
He'd joined the legion, sure—but as a dead undead soldier? What use was that?
Swish.
Adora extended her hand again.
Grab that hand, and die.
Die and become undead.
The two men's thoughts froze.
Undead had surrounded them by now.
No escape, no way to avoid grabbing.
"......"
Adora watched them impassively, hand outstretched.
Grab it, or become undead fodder.
Those were their only choices.
Park Chan-woo watched the three brave men's challenge quietly.
'Courage is admirable.'
Adora was pouring her heart into mastering her own death.
That was why the realm of death had weakened.
The reason dark, shadow-affinity class holders could approach her.
And Park Chan-woo hadn't blocked their approach.
'All three are incarnations.'
He was certain they were incarnations.
At this point, only incarnations could have dark-affinity classes.
They'd contracted with creators for those classes.
Classes tied to demon lord creators? Obvious.
Incarnations were future cancer lumps.
No shred of pity.
Of course, some might claim they became incarnations lightly at a creator's urging—but the process wasn't "light."
In the incarnation contract, they had to see the harmful-to-humanity clauses with their own eyes.
They'd acknowledged and signed anyway.
Only those ready to backstab anytime could become incarnations.
Thus, the three were reborn as undead.
'Too bad Han Shin didn't bite.'
Han Shin had stirred the atmosphere to make the three challenge.
But he hadn't approached Adora himself.
Park Chan-woo had hoped he'd take the bait, but he was cautious as expected.
He briefly considered asking Adora to kill Han Shin, then dismissed it.
'If I tell Adora to kill Han Shin, Moon Lord Aheta will notice somehow.'
The presumed contracted creator for Han Shin.
Moon Lord Aheta was a monster above most named creators.
Her presence rivaled top-hierarchy demon gods.
If Adora suddenly killed Han Shin, Aheta would suspect—and soon notice Park Chan-woo's existence.
What followed was predictable.
Death via infinite sniper Abyss, second night kill attempt, or siccing other Abyss lords.
Eliminate Han Shin after bankrupting Aheta.
'Anyway.'
Park Chan-woo looked at Adora.
She hadn't just killed them—offered handshakes, then turned them undead.
Perhaps testing if her death control worked properly on the fainting ones.
Or.
'Does she want to reconcile with Kankun?'
Maybe offer Kankun a handshake too?
Park Chan-woo stroked his chin.
He'd first thought it was love.
Adora missing Kankun.
But seeing it, it wasn't that simple.
More complex, intricate.
He'd never seen a witch with emotions this deep.
"......"
Adora stared at her own hand for a moment.
Still expressionless, eyes unreadable.
"......What's your name?"
Then she turned and asked Park Chan-woo.
Curiosity.
Adora had never felt curiosity toward him before.
But after grasping others' hands, she knew for sure.
Park Chan-woo was special.
Special meant distinct.
Yet she knew nothing about him.
Soon, Park Chan-woo spoke.
"Park Chan-woo."
"Park Chan-woo... So that's your name."
Adora savored the name.
First time asking anyone's name directly.
First time bothering to remember one.
Because.
Nothing remained after death.
As one who wielded death, no need to ask the living's names.
However.
This man, Park Chan-woo, was different.
"Park Chan-woo. Will you grasp my hand again?"
As if gaining some realization.
Adora said.
Park Chan-woo gladly took her hand.
"Mm...!"
Hairs stood on end across his body.
Inner mana flared again.
But.
Park Chan-woo's mind stayed clear.
Unlike before, no fainting.
Ripples stirred in Adora's eyes.
Finally, she could control death to some degree.
And she sensed the decisive reason why.
Adora didn't release the hand.
As a result.
'Kuh!'
Park Chan-woo fainted after all.
Because she'd held on for over 30 seconds.
Long durations still too much.
Then, Adora gently laid the fainted Park Chan-woo on the muscle spider's back.
Gazing at him with strange eyes, she murmured.
"You're... special."