Chapter 162
Chapter 162
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Hahoe Mask Rise (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Transcendent Realm was a state that transcended human limits, and as such, it possessed such immense dignity that manipulating it at another's whim was nearly impossible.
A spirit that had perfected itself and broken free from its mold held strong resistance to all external interference, while a lofty and pure soul rejected any artificial changes.
Even a corpse that had already died maintained its homeostasis under the influence of lingering thoughts, so recycling such a body required not just skill but extensive preparations and tremendous effort.
💥 AGONIZING SCREAM 💥 "Kurrrraaaagh—!" Of course, to the Immortal King—who could even corrupt dragons into undead—it was merely a bit more labor-intensive.
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Hoo— So this one was a lackey of the Reverse Heaven Society." Hans murmured softly in fresh surprise as he gazed down at the writhing mass of abyss in the shape of a human, its head gripped in his hand.
Woooong—!
The magic circles densely packed inside the barrier where the battle had taken place, and the countless undead used as sacrifices.
The result of pouring the abyss into the Heavenly Death Demon Lord's spirit and flesh to their very limits using all that.
'A guy who was already connected to them even before heading to that other world.'
And not just any connection—he had erased all traces of his past life before being sent here, then carried out an Awakening terrorism attack on orders from above and bolted.
As far back as two years ago.
'A guy who's lived nearly twenty years in another dimension alone...'
Naturally, the moment he returned, he tried to make contact with the Reverse Heaven Society, but they had completely gone underground in Korea because of Hans, so there was no way he could reach them.
After that, he'd rampaged relying solely on his own power, ending up like this.
'Strange. If it were after reaching his current realm, maybe, but back then he was just an ordinary person. What made them recruit him? Pure coincidence?'
The grace period after Awakening was a mere twenty-four hours.
It was hard to believe they'd convinced him in that short time, which implied contact had been made much earlier...
'Guys this cautious wouldn't recklessly target just anyone like that. If they had, their existence would have been exposed long ago.'
But it was too distant a memory, and forcibly shaking his spirit and flesh with the abyss—a poison worse than radiation—meant no further information could be extracted from the Heavenly Death Demon Lord.
Having decided to order an investigation from his subordinates on this matter, he inwardly sighed at the sudden pang of regret.
'...Unlike in Auterica, information sources here are so limited. It's frustrating.'
In modern Earth, an information age, the only channels he could currently access were the Blood Alliance led by Heterosis.
They had grown into a fairly large force by now, but there was no escaping their limitation as a shadowy organization that couldn't operate openly.
'Hmm, it would be great if I could get surface-world info separately from the Blood Alliance.'
Just like Heinrich had done in Auterica, knowing the movements and information of mainstream forces would be immensely helpful in many ways.
However, on Earth—with its thorough systems and infrastructure—using similar methods was next to impossible.
'Proving identity is one thing, but building trust afterward is even harder. It would take too much time.'
He might manage somewhat with help from Kang Taesan, who had joined the Ability Management Bureau, but the guy was still just a low-level employee, and Hans didn't want to drag him into this.
'Someone connected to mainstream forces, with enough history to build trust, and qualified to access high-quality info... Where's that easy to find...? Hm?'
At that moment, a certain figure flashed through his mind.
'Definitely linked to the Ability Management Bureau, and if they can assist with investigations, they must have decent credibility.'
It hadn't been long since Hans had stolen the third Fragment of the Immortal King from the grand temple and returned to Earth.
There was a fairly skilled black mage whose eyes he had met through the curse he left on the criminals.
'With that level of skill, they must have connections to higher-ups. Maybe even acquaintances in the Guardians.'
No matter how he thought about it, no one else fit the bill so perfectly.
And the fact that it was a black mage—one easy for Hans to handle—went beyond mere connection; it was fate.
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Kehheheh, what an excellent talent. Now then— shall we see where you are at the moment?" Today's Entity Projection duration had ended, so he couldn't head there immediately, but to at least pinpoint the location, he promptly activated Eye of the Abyss.
Shaaa—
Darkness filled Hans's eye sockets, devouring all light around him.
Korea had a small landmass relative to its population, and for a black mage whose soul had been observed... unless they had some special unique skill...
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "There you are." There was no escaping his gaze.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Streetlights flickered on here and there, and people who had been out began heading home one by one in the late hour.
An Seongjin, a black mage affiliated with the Ability Management Bureau, stepped out of his parked car and entered the restaurant, where cleanup was in full swing.
"We're closed for the day... Oh my, Seongjin! You're so busy with work—why come again?"
"Nah, it's fine. I only handle cases related to my specialty, so I'm not that swamped. Especially lately, with security improving, incidents are down."
He naturally pitched in with the cleaning as he responded cheerfully.
Of course, while incidents had decreased, that didn't mean he wasn't busy—it was a lie.
Among those committing crimes big and small, the proportion of black magic power users was extremely high, and conversely, cooperative and capable black mages like him were rare, so it was unavoidable.
'But that doesn't mean I have to sacrifice my daily life for it. This peace I barely regained, this family I reunited with after so long.'
He had struggled desperately in a mad world where half the continent's population worshipped black magic power, finally managing to return.
His return had been delayed because he'd had no choice but to strengthen himself to survive that extreme environment, making this hard-won daily life all the more precious.
"Yeah, I've heard people talking about it lately. Some Hahoe Mask guy taking down all the bad ones."
"Ah, ahaha... Y-yeah. Hahoe Mask... pretty amazing."
At the name from his mother's lips, An Seongjin's mouth twitched in a spasm—he hadn't even told his family exactly what he did.
Because the memory of that day still haunted him like a nightmare.
"Ahem— Seongjin's here?"
"Yes, Dad!"
"Since you're here, try some of this. Gotta periodically check quality like this."
His father, who had been in the kitchen, piled food onto the table and forcibly sat him down amid the cleaning.
All freshly cooked the moment he arrived, steam rose invitingly.
"Dad, you didn't have to go all out like this..."
"Hey! It's all for the shop. Cooperate obediently!"
Of course, he knew full well that was just an excuse.
How could he not know it was simply a parent's desire to lay out a hearty meal for their child?
Slurp—
"As expected, Dad's cooking is always the best."
"Of course it is. Who made it?"
"Good grief, you're such a softie today!"
Laughter filled the table surrounded by family, smiles beaming on every face.
The peaceful daily life and harmonious home he had yearned for.
An Seongjin gazed warmly at his family, offering silent thanks to the heavens.
Thanks for letting him live to enjoy this small happiness.
And please, let him keep this daily life from now on...
'......!'
The gods.
Ignored his modest wish.
Chill—
Suddenly, an unforgettable presence began to make itself felt.
Stimulating his senses from very close by.
"Hm? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"Seongjin?"
"...Am I losing my mind? No way. Or maybe something in the food..."
His breathing quickened.
Voices right beside him echoed distantly like a far-off hum.
'No, this isn't the time!'
But as his panicked mind met his parents' worried, fussing faces, it snapped back like dousing with cold water.
Regaining his composure late, his unique skill Extreme Temperament and skills like Clear Mirror Still Water kicked in to help maintain his calm.
"Ah, uh...! Sorry! I just remembered I forgot to submit some approval docs... Ugh, those were due before clocking out today!"
"Eek? You scared me! Where's your head at?"
"Aw, what's done is done. But enough to turn you pale? That important?"
First, defuse the immediate situation.
"Sorry. I'll call the on-duty guy first. Ah! I'll take the food to go and eat at home..."
He reassured the two still watching worriedly and left the restaurant.
'Phew, alright then. Let's go.'
The chilling presence lingered in place, subtly signaling him.
This time, unlike before, An Seongjin calmly stepped forward, organizing his thoughts.
'It's fine. Calling so quietly means no hostility. ...Probably wants something from me.'
He'd panicked earlier from surprise, but this was different from last time when he'd even fainted.
Back then, facing that presence head-on in his vulnerable spirit form had overwhelmed him at once, but now he'd snapped to early and properly activated Extreme Temperament.
That skill—which kept him unshakable as long as the user's firm will held—had been key in freeing him from black magic power's influence.
'Phew, this must be it.'
He finally arrived at the alley near the restaurant where the signal led.
With not a speck of light, it looked like the gates of hell. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward boldly.
Gooooh—
At that instant, the surroundings transformed.
Thick, writhing darkness covered the ground, walls—even the sky.
'...Feels like I really stepped into hell.'
And there, at the center of that space, he finally faced the one who had called him.
A being radiating overwhelming presence, as if death itself had been molded into human form.
'Overwhelming. Can't even gauge the realm at my level. How deep must one's reserves be to unite with death like this? But since he returned, he's not a true undead. Must have some special skill...'
As his head grew muddled, a grim chuckle resonating with mana interrupted his thoughts.
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Kekeke— You knew I was here, yet you came without fleeing. Reckless or brave?" "Wasn't that what you wanted? Besides, I have no confidence I could escape you anyway. ...Hahoe Mask."
An Seongjin took a deep breath, staring at the figure before him.
The air in this death-filled space was anything but healthy, but he needed to steady himself somehow.
'Damn, even without hostility, I'm like this. Ability to dominate lesser black magic power?'
Meeting that gaze shrank the black magic power in his body, while the naturally emanating aura of terror relentlessly gnawed at his mentality.
Without Extreme Temperament, he might have collapsed begging for mercy right there.
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Wise judgment. Worth sparing the effort to call you quietly." He was probably referring to not barging into the restaurant but signaling discreetly instead.
An Seongjin was grateful for that much.
His parents meeting this being might have literally given them heart attacks.
"...So, may I know why you called me? I thought you only targeted heinous criminals."
Realizing his slip midway, An Seongjin hastily added,
"For the record, I'm a black mage, but I've never committed a crime! My unique skill protects me from black magic power's influence..."
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Ah, not here for that. Relax." At Hahoe Mask's nonchalant reassurance, his expression finally eased a bit.
His back was soaked with cold sweat by now, but knowing no harm was coming relaxed him somewhat.
"Then... why me?"
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "I've contributed greatly to this country's security, but work brings annoyances aplenty." A somewhat out-of-left-field response.
Hahoe Mask raised a black-gloved hand, slowly pointing at him.
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "You look quite useful." "Ah? Th-thank..."
⚙ Undead Voice ⚙ "Kehheheh— So become my slave." At those words, An Seongjin's face, which had relaxed too soon, drained of color once more.