Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Ancient Being
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There were twenty shelters in the Second Night.
Park Chan-woo had no intention of destroying them all at first.
That would draw too much attention.
The fugitives, the pursuers, and even the other Creators like Aheta would obviously try to figure out who was behind it.
But after the "Uninvited Guest" appeared and he became convinced that numerous high-ranking Creators were taking an interest in the Second Night, he changed his mind.
He made up his resolve.
To monopolize them all.
To achieve overwhelming contribution and etch humanity's dignity into their very eyes!
Thanks to that, the 10x reward from the Masterpiece Map doubled once more, effectively granting a staggering 20x reward.
That alone was astonishing enough.
However...
"...Legendary Quest?"
The most shocking part was the phrase "Legendary Quest" at the end of the message.
It had never appeared before—not even in his previous regression, where he'd only heard rumors of it a few times.
"I didn't expect this to show up so soon."
His heart began to race.
His excitement surged.
Creators hid various quests within the Abysses they designed.
These were classified as "Secret Quests," "Hidden Quests," "Masterpiece Quests," and so on—things ordinary participants couldn't even detect.
They often left personal Easter Eggs known only to themselves under the name "Hidden Pieces."
But a "Legendary Quest" was different.
This wasn't a quest prepared by Aheta, the Lord of the Moon.
"It's a quest in the same vein as an Easter Egg."
"Easter Egg" was one of the few keywords that permeated the Abyss.
It referred to "mysteries"—impossible feats beyond all theory and common sense, things no one could achieve.
Even the Creators didn't know what Easter Eggs truly were.
Not even the Great Nine Lords.
Park Chan-woo believed they were traces secretly left by the original god who birthed the Abyss.
And a "Legendary Quest" shared a similar context.
"A quest tied to the core narrative of the Abyss—that's a Legendary Quest."
It was like an epic saga.
A story threading through the entire Abyss.
A quest linked to hidden narratives even the Creators didn't fully grasp.
Unlike Easter Eggs, though, Legendary Quests were announced to all participants the moment they appeared.
Behold.
Someone is challenging a legend!
Join their footsteps!
Soon, the details emerged.
Ancient Being's Legacy
《This 'Second Night Abyss' was originally the territory of another ancient being.》
《The hidden twenty 'shelters' served as seals weakening that being's power.》
《You who undoes all seals alone!》
《The 'Challenger's Key' shall be granted to you.》
《Seek the traces left by the 'Ancient Being' and open the door.》
《However, to open the door, you require one more 'kin'.》
《The location is marked on the 'Masterpiece Map'.》
《...The remaining time of the 'Second Night' has been extended by 24 hours.》
《However, should the 'Legendary Quest' challenger die or fail, the 'Night Abyss' ends immediately.》
《If the challenger succeeds, all participants receive the title 'Witness to Legend'.》
At the same time...
Before the eyes of everyone participating in the Second Night Abyss...
But the content left everyone tilting their heads in confusion.
"Legendary Quest?"
"What's that?"
"Who's doing it?"
They had no idea who was challenging it or what the challenge even was.
And that wasn't all.
The follow-up messages were pure shock and terror.
"24 hours added...?"
"What? So it won't end until tomorrow?"
"What the hell is going on?"
It was utter chaos.
No one could make sense of it.
The Night Abyss was supposed to run only at night, as the name implied.
No one had imagined it suddenly extending by a full day.
This made a mockery of the "Night Abyss" name.
After a long moment of stunned silence, everyone noticed the last part of the message and tilted their heads again.
"Wait. It gives a title?"
"What's a title?"
"Crazy! Titles are insanely hard to get...!"
"If they succeed, everyone gets one!"
"Whew!"
Those who knew the value of titles couldn't help but get excited.
A title was an epithet that amplified abilities—one of the most powerful ways to grow stronger.
Most titles boosted stats that couldn't be enhanced by gear or items, making them priceless treasures worth acquiring at any cost.
Attribute immunities, special effects, mental enhancements, and more!
The benefits were endless, but titles were reserved for the elite few.
They were that rare.
"...What a fuss."
Han Shin muttered as he stared at the message, his face tinged with annoyance.
Behind him stood an army of five hundred doppelgangers.
Anyone could see he was the protagonist of this Second Night Abyss.
No one dared challenge him.
Han Shin was the king of the Second Night.
...But for someone to steal the spotlight from the king? Absurd.
Especially over something impossible to succeed at.
"A Legendary Quest is still beyond humanity's reach."
Thanks to his contract with Aheta, the Lord of the Moon, Han Shin had deeply analyzed the Abyss system.
Of course, he knew about Legendary Quests.
But humanity, not yet touching the Abyss's core, couldn't possibly complete one.
"Legendary Quests only appear in Abysses owned by named Creators."
Demon Kings, Demon Gods, and the Great Nine Lords!
They were the monsters ruling the Abyss's heart.
This Night Abyss must have coincidentally triggered one because it belonged to Aheta.
...He was a little curious, though.
Who could it be?
Who had activated a Legendary Quest before him?
"Mage."
Han Shin turned his head.
His gaze fell on a vast scorched expanse of earth.
A shelter had been there.
Someone had attacked it.
And vaporized it in a single blow.
Judging by the sheer power and traces, it had to be the mage.
The problem was, this wasn't the first time.
"A skilled mage is targeting and destroying only the shelters."
But mages were an avoided class.
Full of restrictions, frail, limited gear options—few chose that path.
Was there really a human mage capable of such spells?
Destroying a fugitive's shelter pointed to a pursuer—a human.
Thud.
At that moment, footsteps approached, and Han Shin spoke.
"You're a step late, Lee Hyuk-soo."
"......"
The newcomer was Lee Hyuk-soo.
He approached fearlessly despite seeing the five hundred doppelgangers.
Han Shin had sensed it back in the Water God Abyss—this guy wasn't right in the head.
But he acknowledged it.
Lee Hyuk-soo was the "King of the First Night."
He had the skills and talent.
Han Shin would love to have him by his side.
"Who do you think did it?"
"...Who knows."
Lee Hyuk-soo eyed the scorched ground with an inscrutable gaze.
Then Han Shin said,
"Powerful lightning magic. Same as the spell from the one who killed the Water God before us."
"Not sure."
Lee Hyuk-soo played dumb.
In truth, he'd known the moment he saw it.
"The Prophet. It's his magic. He's here."
The magic that had destroyed the shelter.
The devastating lightning that one-shot the Water God and evaporated the entire lake.
Han Shin's observation was sharp, but Lee Hyuk-soo had no intention of telling him.
For some reason, Han Shin rubbed him the wrong way.
Plus, Han Shin had gathered "Fugitive Symbols" to build his doppelganger army.
"Not killing the doppelgangers means he stood by while others died."
Five hundred of them.
Could he have amassed such a force without any sacrifices?
Doppelgangers needed their originals to die to maintain human form.
So, at least five hundred humans had died for those five hundred doppelgangers to exist.
Even if Han Shin hadn't killed them himself, indirect murder was likely.
"Han Shin's like an incarnation."
He wasn't certain Han Shin was one yet.
But he was hiding something massive.
Unpleasant, uncomfortable, irrational.
Every action felt hypocritical.
Hearing Lee Hyuk-soo's response, Han Shin tilted his head.
"Really? Did I see wrong?"
"...Could be that 'Uninvited Guest' guy."
"Ah, right. Him too."
Han Shin stroked his chin.
It wasn't impossible.
For a fleeting moment, Han Shin's eyes sharpened as he asked,
"No second thoughts about joining me now?"
"No."
Instant refusal.
Even firmer than before.
Han Shin smirked.
"Even if I said I'd kill you for refusing?"
He was smiling, but the killing intent was real.
If he couldn't have him, destroy him.
That seemed to be the vibe.
Lee Hyuk-soo met Han Shin's eyes head-on.
Five hundred doppelgangers and Han Shin.
Even one-on-one, victory wasn't guaranteed—fighting meant certain defeat.
But.
Shing!
Lee Hyuk-soo gripped the Greatsword of the Lion King.
That was his answer to Han Shin's question.
No running.
He'd fight with everything he had.
"...Tch. Shame."
Seeing Lee Hyuk-soo's resolve, Han Shin clicked his tongue.
Seemed he couldn't recruit him right now.
But killing such talent here would be a waste.
What to do?
Take time and lure him slowly?
Time was on his side anyway.
The world and its laws were all his allies.
Han Shin shrugged.
"Just kidding. No need for us to fight here. Instead, here's some advice."
His smile vanished.
The killing intent did too.
He looked at Lee Hyuk-soo with utterly cold eyes.
"Point your sword at me once more, and your head rolls."
With that, Han Shin turned and left with his prisoners.
Once Han Shin was out of sight...
"......"
Lee Hyuk-soo slowly lowered his sword.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heart pounded wildly.
...This feeling was new.
Despite facing many monsters, he'd never felt this tense.
"He's hiding his power."
He was certain.
Han Shin hadn't revealed his true strength.
Gathering those five hundred doppelgangers was just a pastime for him.
A real fight? No chance of winning.
Not yet.
Not for now.
Was he too worked up?
His body felt frozen, rooted in place.
Lee Hyuk-soo stood there for a long while.
"Hey."
Thud.
...Until someone tapped his shoulder.
He hadn't sensed a thing, so he scowled and turned.
And then.
"...!!!"
He leaped back, grabbing the Greatsword of the Lion King again.
Lee Hyuk-soo, who hadn't flinched against Han Shin, shouted in shock.
"You're...!"
"Long time no see, Lee Hyuk-soo."
A familiar face.
It was none other than the Prophet.
His appearance had changed slightly, but no doubt about it.
But on his chest was the "X" symbol of a fugitive.
Lee Hyuk-soo's eyes darkened instantly.
His expression turned ice-cold.
He aimed his blade at the Prophet.
This wasn't the Prophet.
This was.
"...Doppelganger."
A fugitive doppelganger wearing the Prophet's face.