Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: The Impostor Among Angels
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After wrapping up our conversation, Goti departed.
We began our search for Ji-gun based on the information he'd handed over.
"So, that pig Ji-gun is after Metatron. That's the gist, right?"
I ground out my spent cigarette on the ground and replied to Jeongwoo.
"Yeah. He said he's gunning for Metatron's weapon—one he's always wanted to try out."
"Hah... damn. That guy's been obsessed with weird shit since way back."
"That's why he stuck with us. Once he latches onto a weak point, he hammers it relentlessly."
"...Hmm. So what's our move from here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Finding Ji-gun. The guy's a master of disguise."
Jeongwoo's words rang true.
Hunting for the disguise expert among ourselves would take ages. And from what Goti said, he was hiding out among the angels.
Thousands of them swarmed around the cathedral alone. Moving through official channels would eat up who-knows-how-much time.
"...What if we flip the script?"
"Huh?"
"His goal's Metatron's weapon anyway, right? So we guard Metatron's front first."
"...Will the storylines sync up?"
"Of course. Round 11 onward is an open world between nations."
"Fair enough... I don't mind. But guarding Metatron—won't that screw our mission?"
Waiting for him in front of Metatron.
It was a surefire way to spot Ji-gun. But it came with a massive snag. Just camping out would derail the storyline big time.
We had to fail the mission to spark the rift between Michael and Metatron, giving them reason to clash.
Blowing the reward just to nab one guy? No way.
"...You're right."
"Hah! I just wanna smash through this mission and hit the next round already."
"I'd love that too, but you know it'd be huge if we snag Ji-gun. He'd be a massive asset."
A massive one.
I wanted to hand him the opening salvo against both demon and angel armies.
The guy's better at tactics than I am.
"...Hold up?!"
I slowly raised my left hand to my chin. Flashes of ideas raced through my mind, one freezing solid right before my eyes.
"Ma Jeongwoo! You're a goddamn genius."
"...Huh?"
"What'd you say earlier?"
"You're right."
"No, after that."
"Let's hurry and wrap the mission, then move to the next round?"
I grabbed Jeongwoo's shoulders and shook them.
"That's it! How'd I miss that?"
"...?"
"If we force-end the mission, Ji-gun'll have no choice but to show himself."
"...Yeah?"
"Think about it. He's after Metatron's weapon, but we block the path? He'll have to pop out."
Jeongwoo twitched his eyebrows slowly, then snapped his fingers.
"Ah...! We sabotage him so he can't reach his goal. Got it."
"Exactly."
Kim Yeonhee, who'd been listening in, jumped into the conversation.
"Um, sorry, but what's this Metatron weapon? I've been dying to ask—don't get mad."
Jeongwoo glanced at Kim Yeonhee and walked off. He wasn't even hiding his dislike anymore.
"Metatron's weapon. A spear."
"...A spear?"
"Yeah, spear. Know what hunters love most?"
"Hunters... bow? Axe?"
Even from the flow of convo, spear's obvious, but Kim Yeonhee's one of a kind.
"Spear."
"Spear? Outta nowhere?"
Kim Yeonhee only knew assassin classes inside out—clueless on other jobs.
I skipped more explanation and shut it down.
* * * * *
"Is this the place with Lucifer's traces?"
The heavenly army and us gathered at a cave midway through the Forgotten Valley.
"Yeah."
At my answer, Michael and Uriel entered the cave. They spotted the magic circle on the ground and asked me about it.
"It's real. How'd you find this spot?"
"Salamander, the fire spirit, helped out."
"Salamander? You hang with spirits too?"
"Well... you could say that."
Not a lie.
"The more I learn, the more impressive you get."
"Thanks if it's praise."
"...I'll take a look around."
Michael swept his palm over the circle and began reading the runes one by one.
[Sudden quest activated!]
[While 'Archangel Michael' deciphers the magic circle, defend the Forgotten Valley alongside 'Uriel.']
"...Huh?"
It wasn't just me—the rest of the group tilted their heads too.
Defend the Forgotten Valley out of nowhere? From what?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground shook.
We rushed outside to see massive crocs and elephants—Beelzebub's old minions—marching into the Forgotten Valley.
We'd faced two before.
Now, over a dozen barreled toward us.
"Hmm... Jeongwoo."
"Yeah?"
"No way blocking those is the quest, right?"
"Seems like it, but isn't it too easy?"
Same thought here.
Not saying they're weak. But against us now? No contest.
Like wasps slaughtering ants.
As Uriel moved to take flight, I threw out a hand to stop her.
"Hold on."
"...Why?"
"I'll handle this."
"You?"
I nodded with a fine smile, then summoned the Bone Dragon.
A fierce wind howled from afar. The dragon's roar echoed through the valley. The giants turned toward the sound.
The Bone Dragon sliced through the air from above, jaws gaping wide.
Crunch!
It chomped and tore the head off a huge croc.
Crack!
-Kieeeek!
Uriel gawked at the Bone Dragon's power, mouth agape.
"W-where'd that thing come from?"
"My subordinate."
"...Your subordinate?"
"Yep."
The crocs and elephants charged the Bone Dragon.
The outcome? Obvious.
One massive tail swipe, and they flew off like balloons.
Boom!
Then the Bone Dragon's slaughter fest kicked off. It ripped, tore, and smashed with overwhelming force.
We watched in awe.
"Incredible..."
Yoo Sora stared, entranced.
This was leagues beyond any strength we'd seen.
Ma Jeongwoo picked his nose as he sidled up, murmuring.
"Guy's useful as hell."
"Size is a bitch—can't fit everywhere—but yeah, top-tier."
"Recallable?"
"Yeah, but needs space cleared first."
Unblockable except by a few skills.
The Bone Dragon was Munchkin-tier in this game—only one available, handpicked by the devs.
'...Still satisfies every time.'
* * * * *
Battle over, Uriel raised her spear overhead, blasting light everywhere.
['Archangel Uriel' blankets the Forgotten Valley in victorious light.]
[Lesser demons can no longer enter from this moment.]
Even though it ended quick, Michael emerged saying he'd wrapped up.
Just a time-waster—or system padding for low-level players to grind.
Michael fixed me with a grim look.
"Kim Cheonjae."
"...Yes?"
"You'll need to head back to the human realm."
I knew, but played dumb.
"Why?"
"Lucifer and his minions seem to have descended to the surface."
Knew that too, but faked surprise. System or not, gotta sell the act.
['Archangel Michael' gauges Kim Cheonjae's reaction and adjusts story pace.]
[Lucifer and his minions' story progression slows.]
'As expected.'
Facial recognition system's on point.
I nodded reluctantly and asked.
"Where on the surface?"
"Near Daekyung City. Hiding in the mountains to dodge human eyes."
"Mountains by Daekyung City..."
"We'll talk with Metatron, then link up with you."
Huh?
I cocked my head.
"Angels coming to the surface too?"
"This time."
"Metatron okay that?"
"...Unclear."
First I'd heard of angels joining the surface war. Where's this headed?
At this point, 'Land of Ruin' storyline aside—this was endgame.
Grab Lucifer, game's done. What more?
Well...
Angels helping? Fine by me. But the order felt off. Angels die first...
"Got it. Go chat with Metatron then. We'll head to the surface... wait, no!"
"...?"
"Michael, Uriel. Could you assemble all heavenly troops still in Hell right now?"
Uriel flew to my side.
"Why the troops?"
"Need to check something—they're key."
"What?"
I scanned the nearby angels, then answered.
"Count the angels here—you'll find one extra. Someone with evil power's hiding among them."
Uriel snorted.
"A user of evil who can masquerade as an angel?"
"Yes. And he's after your leader. Metatron's neck."
"...!!!"
Michael's eyes bulged as he demanded.
"After Metatron? Beelzebub's minion? Or Lucifer's?"
"No. Human."
"Hu...man?"
"Yes."
They looked like they couldn't buy it. I pressed on regardless.
"Can you help?"
Michael shut his eyes, exhaled deep, then replied.
"Sure. You found Lucifer's trace—small favor. Uriel, gather all heavenly troops in Hell here."
I raised a hand.
"No! Assemble them at the cathedral front. Wider space—easier to spot."
* * * * *
Michael and Uriel rounded up every heavenly soldier in Hell. The sky choked with angels—too many to count.
"Check the faces of soldiers to your left and right. Confirm if they're legit."
Angels shared minds, so real or fake? Instant tell.
I exploited that to nail Ji-gun on the spot.
Well, planned to.
Hadn't nabbed him yet...
Angels turned, scanning neighbors.
Our group watched, checking for stragglers.
"One... two... three... four..."
Time dragged. Everyone near giving up.
-Who the hell are you?!
An unknown face emerged.
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