Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Dragon's Hourglass
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All the archangels gathered in the corridor fell silent at my proposal.
They looked like they couldn't believe it.
With Lucifer and Gabriel sealed together, being told we could extract just one of them—it was no wonder they were shocked.
Especially since a mere human knew a secret even the great demons and archangels didn't.
Metatron asked me cautiously.
"Is it truly possible to pull Gabriel out alone from there?"
"Yes. If you entrust it to me, I'll locate where Lucifer is sealed and rescue Gabriel."
"……For now, let's hear what this method is. If it seems sound, we'll proceed as you suggest."
[Dragon's Hourglass]
One of the ancient sealing tools made by angels and humans borrowing the power of dragons.
Originally created to seal Beelzebub during the God-Demon War, it became a device whose target changed due to Lucifer's birth.
I replied to Metatron with a confident expression.
"The hourglass is divided into two chambers."
"Indeed, split into upper and lower sections."
"There are currently two sealed targets inside the hourglass."
"……"
"From outside the hourglass, we reseal them into separate spaces using holy power, block the center, and shatter one side to free the other."
"……"
Michael, who had been listening, chimed in.
"Is that even possible? The Dragon's Hourglass was designed by God Himself—it won't be easy to break."
"It's possible. Of course, it'll require the help of the 'Opener.'"
"The 'Opener'……"
All the angels' gazes turned to me.
That's right—the 'Opener' here referred to me.
Michael glanced at Metatron before continuing.
"'Opener'—you mean yourself?"
"Yes."
"So you're saying you can destroy the hourglass?"
"Yes."
"……How?"
I gathered aura in my fist and showed it to them. Unlike the auras of Hell or Heaven, it was the wave-like aura only players could wield.
Since 'Opener' referred to all players, the form alone conveyed its meaning.
The necromancer's black aura rippled.
Metatron, eyeing my aura, said.
"It's certainly different from ours."
"As you all know, this is the power God Himself granted to the Openers."
"……"
"To resolve the conflict between Heaven and the Underworld."
"Why do you know that? Even an 'Opener' wouldn't have heard God's words di—"
I raised my hand to cut him off.
"I know everything. What every person here is thinking, what goals they're pursuing."
Metatron jumped in surprise at my answer. Most looked skeptical.
"……You know our goals?"
"Of course. You plan to turn Hell into a holy place like this one."
"That's true, but……"
"Wait, it feels like the conversation's veering off. Shall we wrap up Gabriel's matter first?"
"……"
A few archangels cleared their throats awkwardly. They seemed to be giving me looks, but I pressed on without hesitation.
"Metatron, will you head to Hell right now to rescue Gabriel? Or stay here and devise a more cautious plan?"
It was a question hard to answer lightly.
Normally, he would be the one asking me that—as a player. I turned it back on him to gauge the better path.
"This isn't for me to decide alone. Wait a moment."
Metatron rose from his golden chair. The archangels followed suit, lifting from their seats.
He raised his hand like he was taking an oath and said.
"As the human who spoke of the 'Opener' just now proposed: those who think we should rescue Gabriel immediately, raise your hand. Those who believe we need another plan, keep it down."
An authoritative tone.
The style of those in high positions.
The angels began raising hands one by one. Half raised theirs, half kept them down.
Of the thirty-one archangels excluding Gabriel, thirty voted.
The result was exactly 15:15.
Opinions split perfectly in half.
Metatron looked troubled. In that case, as chairman, the decision fell to him.
"……"
Michael spoke to him.
"Metatron, we must go now. There might not be another chance later."
"What do you mean?"
"Before coming here, I heard from Beelzebub—Lucifer's seal will break soon."
"……Is that true?"
"Yes. For some reason, it seems Beelzebub and Lucifer have joined forces."
At Michael's final words, Metatron flared his wings wide.
It seemed an involuntary reaction from losing emotional control. He slowly folded them back and asked Michael.
"Beelzebub and Lucifer have joined forces?"
"Yes."
Two great demons—the pinnacle ones—allying posed a massive threat to Heaven. The archangels who heard it buzzed loudly.
The opinions of all attending archangels shifted at once. Unanimously, they decided to head to Hell soon.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Then this meeting ends here. Good work, everyone."
As the meeting concluded, the angels hurried into action. Michael led me and the other players out of the corridor and said.
"You all return to Mechania. When the time comes, we'll go to Hell together."
I stepped forward as representative.
"When will that be?"
This was uncharted story progression for me too—I had to ask.
"In human time, soonest a day, latest two days."
"A day or two……Understood."
"Raphael will guide you to Mechania."
Raphael flew over to us with a bright smile.
"Everyone, from now on, stick with me."
* * * * *
Following Raphael's guidance, we moved to the gate hub near the corridor.
Gates of various colors lined up in a row.
"You all know how to use gates, right? Once you go through, there's no returning here—so be careful."
This was a place prepared to travel to everywhere players had progressed stories from Round 1 to Round 15.
<Gateway>
You could go freely, but return only via Mechania.
[Gate Selection Screen]
-▶Round 1- 'The Fall Begins' Select
-▶Round 2- 'Gray City' Select
-▶Round 3-'Ruined Village' Select
.
.
.
.
-▶Round 10- 'Sacred Corridor' Select
[System Message]
[All players who have reached Round 10 may now use the 'Heaven Gate.']
Whooooom—.
A massive roar like a jet engine echoed. It was the noise from multiple gates activating at once.
Players stood before the gateway with satisfied expressions. Now they could move to safe zones even if problems arose.
Wang Cheonma approached me and bowed his head slightly.
"Thanks to you, we made it this far. We weren't on good terms, but truly grateful."
I grimaced in response.
"Forget it. Our paths end here. Let's not cross again."
"……Got it. Then—"
Wang Cheonma entered the Round 3 gate. He wasn't jumping straight to Round 11, it seemed.
The next rounds weren't international servers anyway, so no chance of running into them.
Unless we met in specific areas….
Ma Jeongwoo asked me.
"What now? Straight to Round 11? Or restock in the village first?"
"Let's head to the village first and regroup. Everyone looks beat and needs rest."
"Yeah? My legs are shaking too. Not keen on Hell right away."
Ma Jeongwoo gathered our group one by one. Other Korean players wanted to join, but we refused outright.
Not dead weight exactly, but their skills fell short for keeping up long-term.
Teaming with them would mean getting dragged down at crucial moments.
This game's nature led to many cases where saving one sacrificed the many.
Friendship, love, bonds.
Words with no place on the battlefield. Emotions all humans have, but unnecessary here.
Of course, Kim Yeonhee was underqualified too, but…
With the Jo Younggi situation…
"Alright, everyone to the Ruined Village."
I stood before the third gate.
Michael, Ma Jeongwoo, Yoo Sora, and Kim Yeonhee lined up behind me.
I stepped slowly into the gate. Not as good as Heaven, but far better than Hell's air welcomed me.
-▶Round 3 selected.
[Moving to Round 3.]
* * * * *
Arriving in Round 3, a slightly changed landscape greeted us.
The sky was a deeper ochre than before clearing Round 7.
I knew.
Not all players saw the same screen.
Only those who'd been to Heaven could perceive this sky's color.
I looked up and took a deep breath. Murky compared to Heaven, but worlds better than Hell.
'This is more like it……'
Only then was it livable.
Back in the village, we headed to our base—Jang Yu's mansion from Round 3's boss.
[Welcome back to the mansion.]
[Please rest comfortably during your stay.]
Yoo Sora clapped her hands and announced loudly.
"I'll wake everyone in seven hours. Rest well until then!"
Everyone dispersed to their rooms. Having cleared the dreaded Round 7, Rounds up to 15 should be manageable now.
I shed my armor and lay comfortably on the bed. Didn't want to do a thing. Hadn't noticed until entering the mansion, but every joint ached.
Pushed too hard, huh.
Even VR games prompted breaks after three hours.
How many hours had we gone without rest?
Michael's heals worked on monster wounds or HP, not fatigue like this. Shame.
"Hoo."
Guess I'll sleep, wake, then wash. To keep up ahead, rest fully when resting.
Eyes closed, and sleep took me instantly.
But,
The dream felt vividly real. A somewhat ominous figure from before me—one I'd forgotten about for a while.
'……Trouble.'
The child's shadow said to me.
"Bro, hand over the USB."
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