There Are Too Many Villains in the World
There are too many villains in this world. Why are they so infuriating?
'Because they usually have some kind of ability.'
Without ability, they'd just be ordinary thugs with rotten personalities. But because they possess exceptional abilities, no one dares touch them. That's why they strut around even more arrogantly.
'Jeong Hyo-won was one of them.'
Among countless players, that bastard was in a league of his own. How unique? In two years, he'd rise to the ranks of a Ranker. The world would even hail him as a hero.
But 'he betrayed us not long after.'
Does power corrupt human nature? Or was Jeong Hyo-won just born rotten to the core?
Soon after becoming a Ranker, Jeong Hyo-won joined the Legion of Pandemonium. The atrocities he committed after turning his back on humanity were beyond counting.
That's why he's scum.
'Gotta nip it in the bud.'
That was the reason I'd suddenly shown up at this abandoned house—and why, right now, facing this off-spec existence, I was on high alert.
'Are you prepared, mortal?'
Ray Aquinas, the Crimson Lotus Spirit King.
A year from now, Jeong Hyo-won's life would change dramatically after a chance encounter with Ray Aquinas.
'And now, I've hijacked that encounter.'
If not for Jeong Hyo-won's interview in that magazine featuring the world's top 100 Rankers, this meeting never would have happened.
Throw Eye - First Form has activated!
You strongly perceive the existence of the target in your sight!
Classification: Spirit
History: Crimson Lotus Spirit King ruling the southernmost land of the Spirit Realm, 'Land of Blazing Flames.' It is his creed to impose trials on those who invade his domain.
Skills: Feather Bloom, Wings of Infernal Flames, Summoning - [Lava Giant], Polymorph
Emotion: Mild Anger / Interest
Weakness: Right Wing
Tension rippled through my body, and Throw Eye activated automatically.
But there was one difference from the 'Emperor Centipede' fight.
'It shows "weakness" instead of core location.'
Pretty much the same thing, but maybe the info window changes slightly based on classification?
No. Focus. No distractions. The guy in front of me wasn't some pushover I could afford to underestimate.
Ray Aquinas spoke.
'Intended or not, you've dared enter a divine domain. You must pay the price.'
Damn. The true words from an off-spec existence were overwhelming just to hear.
It hadn't been this bad even during my one-on-one with War Incarnate.
"Wh-what the hell is going on…?"
Yoo Soo-yeon's face, which had been rambling about ghosts moments ago, was drenched in cold sweat.
I'd come prepared, knowing what to expect. She hadn't.
The confusion and pain must be excruciating for her.
But still, "St-stay behind me…."
Even looking like she might collapse any second, Yoo Soo-yeon stepped in front of me to protect me.
Man.
'She's gruff, but damn reliable.'
I couldn't help chuckling despite the agony.
I patted her shoulder, which was blocking my view.
"Secretary. I appreciate it, but I'll handle this."
"Handle it? How…?"
"That's why I came here with a plan, right?"
"……."
"So step back. Acting hostile will just complicate things. I'll take care of it, so don't do anything."
Yoo Soo-yeon hesitated, then nodded and obeyed.
Right. Acting hostile would complicate things.
In other words….
'No need to be hostile at all.'
If it were a bloodbath, I wouldn't have let her get involved.
She could just watch safely from behind.
Everything matched what I knew so far.
'Just like Jeong Hyo-won's interview.'
-On a dare with a friend, I entered the abandoned house…. Embarrassing, but I was so scared I accidentally released mana.
-Then something amazing happened. A hidden dungeon opened out of nowhere, and a massive phoenix-like being appeared before me. It felt like a dream, an overwhelming ecstasy like stepping into a myth….
Honest to a fault.
Except for one tiny difference.
I wasn't feeling that ecstasy right now.
'Ray Aquinas descended to Earth two years from now.'
Two years later. When the gates to Pandemonium opened and the Legion assaulted.
Humanity alone couldn't repel them.
Then lifelines dropped from the sky.
The four Spirit Kings, whom we'd only known through indirect system messages, descended to Earth.
'Ray Aquinas was one of them.'
Not my first time seeing him, so no need for rapture.
Though that transcendent pressure was still there.
'Mortal. I will now impose two trials upon you. No right to choose. Like it or not, you've entered my domain—you must face them.'
Chattering away like a magpie.
I let it flow in one ear and out the other as I fiddled with Igor's Necklace.
'The first is the Trial of the Flesh, the second the Trial of the Mind. For the Trial of the Flesh, you… Are you even listening?'
I knew it all already. Why listen?
"Summon."
As I murmured the command, biting cold gripped my hand. I flashed a deep smile.
'Dullard. You should listen to my explanation now, before it's too late. Otherwise, the first trial alone will claim your pathetic life… Huh?'
Right then, Ray Aquinas shut his beak.
Shock flooded his true words.
'El Quirie's soul… why do you have it?!'
The item I'd pulled from Igor's Necklace.
The 'Mysterious Ice Shard,' worth less than 300,000 won a pop. Junk everywhere.
But who knew?
'How dare you hold my dear friend's soul?!'
That its true nature was a fragment of the soul of the Frost Spirit King, El Quirie.
When Pandemonium opened, Ray Aquinas descended to aid humanity—and wept at the sight of the 'Mysterious Ice Shard.'
'A ridiculous scene.'
A Spirit King hugging worthless junk like a long-lost family member, bawling.
The story went like this.
-El Quirie was my unmatched friend. But in the Spirit Great War, she lost her life to the enemy, her soul shattered.
I spent my life searching the universe for her scattered fragments….
"El Quirie was my unmatched friend. But in the Spirit Great War—."
What the hell? Why's it matching my memory word for word?
Not some game NPC….
Anyway, that ice pebble was the soul fragment Ray Aquinas desperately sought.
I reverently offered the 'Mysterious Ice Shard.'
"In our world, these are extremely common. I don't know about trials—I came here to give this to you."
'Ahh….'
Ray Aquinas gazed at the radiant white light emanating from the shard in my hand, eyes filled with emotion.
◈ The Crimson Lotus Spirit King's favor toward you surges dramatically!
The ice pebble floated from my hand toward Ray Aquinas.
The crushing pressure began to lift.
'Thank you. So… El Quirie's soul fragment was in the human realm. Knowing that is enough.'
"……."
'We spirits value favors above life itself. Mortal, name your desire. As long as it's not excessive, I'll grant it.'
'Perfect.'
Finally, the answer I wanted from that beak.
I spoke with the seriousness of a marriage proposal.
"Grant me the reward for the trials."
'Oh…? Do you even know what the trial reward is?'
"How could a mere mortal know? But a reward from the great Spirit King must be immensely valuable."
'Haha! Sweet talker.'
Scratched the right spot, huh? Where'd that dignity go? Birdbrain's a birdbrain.
Of course, with my regression knowledge, I already knew the trial reward.
That's why I'd come here myself.
'Normally a privilege only for those who pass the trials… but you're an exception. You deserve my Favor.'
Kingly and straightforward.
Then Jeong Hyo-won's smug interview flashed in my mind.
-He presented two trials. The first, the Trial of the Flesh, was fighting ferocious lava giants for days in pitch-black darkness. I hovered between life and death countless times to overcome it.
-The second, the Trial of the Mind… that was pure hell. Enduring cell-melting agony for over five hours. A nightmare I'd never want to relive.
Haha, idiot.
As I inwardly mocked him—
"Ugh!"
A sharp sting on the back of my right hand. Like someone searing my skin with a lighter.
A cry escaped, but I wasn't displeased. The pain was welcome.
'…Got it!'
After the brief burn, I grinned openly at my hand.
On the back of my hand….
'This is the mark symbolizing my Favor, the Crimson Lotus Spirit King's.'
Ray Aquinas's voice echoed as I stared at the intricate red tattoo.
His true words no longer brought pain or pressure. Facing an off-spec existence felt as casual as chatting with anyone.
It had to be.
'Unless you cut off your wrist, you'll bear my Favor for life.'
"Favor…."
Not equals, but close enough to call intimate.
Spirit King's Mark has been engraved!
A trait has been added to your status!
'Don't forget that the one who loves you most in the world is still Mom,' Sung Hyun-sook reminds you!
Don't worry, Mom. Scoring points with birdbrain doesn't change that….
No time to soothe her weird message.
Rumble—!
The air dominating this vast lava plain shifted ominously. The flames from the crater surged fiercer.
Ray Aquinas's voice regained its chilling authority.
'I can always sense those who bear my Favor. So please, don't disappoint me—even in my absence.'
"…I'll keep that in mind."
Damn right. I knew how Ray Aquinas revoked his Favor upon Jeong Hyo-won's sudden betrayal.
The Spirit Kings aided in the war against the Legion as atonement for creating that traitor.
'Finally, sincere thanks again for bringing my friend's soul.'
With that, my vision shifted.
***
Exiting hidden dungeon, Soul Trial Crossroads.
A flash of light, and suddenly Jae-min and Yoo Soo-yeon were back in the abandoned house basement.
As it all felt like a dream, Jae-min opened his status window to ground himself.
Special Notes
* Spirit King's Favor (Fire) effect active (Immune to all status ailments)
A new line in Special Notes.
And….
'No wonder Jeong Hyo-won flew high!'
That effect made even Jae-min, unfazed by the Spirit King, feel ecstatic.
'Immune to all status ailments!'
If this were a game, it'd get axed in the next patch for being overbalanced.
But this was reality—game-like, but no devs to nerf it.
And that was why….
'I wanna dance for joy, but eyes are watching. Gotta hold back.'
Jae-min's lips nearly touched his ears.
Need a long explanation? Is the value of Spirit King's Favor not obvious?
'Common sense.'
Anyone with sense sees it. Especially Jae-min, fresh off poison hell in the instance dungeon—the bliss and euphoria exploded.
'Thanks, Hyo-won!'
As Jae-min beamed with lifelong gratitude….
"……."
Yoo Soo-yeon, watching, couldn't smile.
Not bad mood—just dumbfounded.
'He survived…. Facing that existence without spilling a drop of blood….'
Not shock at survival itself.
She was stunned by the man before her.
'How did he know the Mysterious Ice Shard could be used like that?'
Not some obscure tip. No one knew.
She'd just learned this dump connected to the Spirit Realm.
Yet Jae-min acted like he knew everything. Prophetic.
Constellation 'Pilgrim of the Righteous Gale' shows deep interest in the man's identity!
Constellation 'Pilgrim of the Righteous Gale' begins speculating: 'Perhaps his sponsoring constellation told him?'
Even her constellation was shocked.
That message was a veiled request: Who sponsors him?
In her recent meeting with Lee Tae-ho, Jae-min had revealed it.
"Central Plains Sword God."
Whispering so excited Jae-min wouldn't hear—
Constellation 'Pilgrim of the Righteous Gale' is puzzled!
'The arrogant Central Plains Sword God ignores other dimensions outside the human realm,' Constellation 'Pilgrim of the Righteous Gale' tilts its head!
More shocking implications.
Central Plains Sword God didn't know either?
Meaning….
'No clue.'
Her head spun.
Constellations didn't know, but Jae-min did….
'Is that even possible?'
Impossible unless a human studied Spirit Realm history.
No research materials on Earth.
"……."
Gulp.
Yoo Soo-yeon knew Jae-min's vast potential. No disagreement with Lee Tae-ho calling him 'the talent the world needs.'
But her gaze held not just favor—awe.
'Faced an off-spec existence without blinking. Casually negotiated, won favor.'
Her? Dizzy at the infernal phoenix. Legs shook despite stepping forward.
Was A-rank her weak? Or Jae-min unnaturally bold?
'Both… but if one, the latter?'
Yeah, latter. Easier on the mind.
"Um…."
Tension easing, Yoo Soo-yeon approached for answers.
Or tried to.
Boom—!!
"……?!"
Before an inexplicable roar engulfed the basement.