Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Valhalla's Gaze
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7th floor, Murim base.
The base, a three-story grand hall, had Uncheon-geuk bandaged up as he gazed at the distant scenery outside.
"The wound is quite deep."
After applying medicine to the injury and changing the bandages, the elderly man offered a bowl of nourishing herbal tonic.
Uncheon-geuk took the bowl and gulped down the tonic. He wiped the residue from his mouth and asked,
"How long will it take?"
"For full recovery, you'll need at least a fortnight of rest."
A fortnight.
Considering the depth of the wound, it was astonishingly short. Without the tower's mystery, it wouldn't have been a mere fortnight—he'd have needed half a year of recuperation. Uncheon-geuk's injury was that severe.
Recalling the battle, Uncheon-geuk frowned.
Hwang Gyu-seong.
Each of his punches evoked the specter of death with their intensity.
If even one had struck a vital point, he wouldn't be recovering like this.
"Can't you shorten it further?"
"Impossible."
"...I suppose. If the Divine Physician says so."
Divine Physician.
He was one of the two physicians representing the Murim world, alongside the Demon Physician.
If he said a fortnight, it was a fortnight. There was no way to cut it shorter.
"It's not just the external wound—the demonic energy that infiltrated your body has ravaged your meridians and organs. Treating the external injury hastily now would only poison you further."
"I get it. Spare me the nagging."
"My lord, you must treasure your body more."
"This time, it was unavoidable. You know that better than anyone, old man."
He hadn't expected capturing Hwang Gyu-seong to be easy.
Even setting aside the variable of demonic energy, Hwang was a player who had written countless legends.
"I'm saying focus on recovery."
"I suppose I should."
"Is there some urgent matter?"
"No, just..."
Far off in the distance.
Gazing at the inn where Unhyang was staying, Uncheon-geuk grinned.
"Missing my daughter. We didn't even properly greet each other."
"That girl would want to run away."
"I know. You're probably the second person who knows her best, after me. But what can be done? That's her fate."
Rustle—
Saying that, Uncheon-geuk picked up his clothes from the side and dressed.
"Treatment's done. Step aside. Time's up."
"You still have medicine to take..."
"Leave it."
Swish—
At that moment, a faint presence entered the space where the two men were.
"Be late again, and you're dead."
Chill—
The Divine Physician's eyes widened as he turned. Just as he tried to identify the presence.
"Don't turn around. You'll still die."
"...Who is it?"
"Someone you shouldn't be curious about."
The Divine Physician didn't foolishly risk his life out of curiosity.
Though devoted to medicine, he too was a player who had climbed to the 7th floor.
Step, step, step—
To avoid looking back, he bent at the waist, closed his eyes, and backed away.
As the Divine Physician retreated.
Swipe—
Uncheon-geuk rose despite his injuries and knelt on one knee.
"It's been a while."
Soon, he uttered the other's name, one too grave to speak lightly.
"...Heavenly Demon."
Horses with wings trod the skies, while sun and moon hung together.
Clouds bore patterns from red to purple, split like rainbows, vivid and multicolored.
A world like yet unlike humanity's—a true realm of gods.
Asgard. Within it, Valhalla, the world of gods alone.
Su-hyuk followed Brunhilde, taking in the sights.
Beautiful and mysterious. Asgard was an unknown realm whispered about among players but never revealed.
As such.
Unhyang had changed the stream title to match viewer interest.
Concise and straightforward.
Stimulating titles pulled aggro, but here, no need for exaggeration.
The situation itself was plenty stimulating for viewers.
The chat overflowed with Valhalla talk. Mention of Thor had everyone buzzing with excitement.
It was natural to wonder what had happened for him to suddenly meet Thor.
Su-hyuk pondered briefly, then adjusted his mic so Brunhilde wouldn't hear and replied.
"You'll see when you watch."
Not surprising they were upset. No immediate answers meant frustration.
But despite the fiery chat, Su-hyuk's choice was right.
Building curiosity and anticipation was a streamer's duty.
He stayed true to it.
"It's quite different, right?"
Perhaps noticing Su-hyuk's silence, Brunhilde, leading with Tyr, spoke up. Tyr remained mute—whether from lack of words or his taciturn nature.
Su-hyuk readjusted his mic.
"Yes. Very different."
"Asgard has no day or night. Valhalla especially always has the same sun and moon."
She looked up at the familiar sky, just as Su-hyuk did, and continued.
"A magical sky. Literally."
"Literally?"
"Yes. That sky is made by magic."
Su-hyuk's view of the world shifted.
All this was artificial?
Hard to imagine. What magic could create such a thing?
'Just over one wall...'
Midgard and Valhalla, separated by the colossal wall of Rasderih.
Even now, turning his gaze, he saw it—the boundary gods had built.
How much blood and despair to cross it? Su-hyuk knew from the 6th floor trial.
Midgard's dwellers dreamed of Valhalla, believing it flowed with beauty, happiness, honor, pride.
But.
'Hmm.'
Thor, maddened and devoured by Mjolnir, came to mind.
'...Is it really?'
Step—
Suddenly, Tyr halted.
"This makes the second human to enter Valhalla."
Tyr mentioned humans again.
He disliked them. Exceptionally accepting Su-hyuk didn't mean approval.
"The stares won't be kind. Overcoming that is on you."
"No prejudice here."
"Shut it, you."
Unlike expected, Brunhilde was bright and smiling. Tyr clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Ignore this fool. He's utterly frivolous."
"Got it."
"Gods are gathered over there now."
The direction they walked led to a massive temple.
"Quite a crowd just to see you."
"What do you want to hear from me?"
"What do you seek here? Not to live among gods, surely."
What Su-hyuk wanted in Valhalla.
Initially, the other half of thunder. But he'd obtained it too soon.
Still, matters remained.
"The human who came here before me."
Tyr's eyes wavered.
"I'll chase that human's traces."
Shing—
In a blink, Tyr's drawn sword pressed Su-hyuk's throat.
Not lethal—he could react, but didn't.
He knew the man who'd lost an arm to a human would rage. Now was the time to accept it fully.
"You... connected to that bastard?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"Curious."
Su-hyuk's gaze went to Tyr's severed stump.
"How formidable must he be to do this to you."
"That's all?"
"I need power..."
Slice—
His throat nicked, skin parting.
"...If possible, I'll follow his tracks."
"You finally say it."
Drip—
Seeing the blood hit the ground, Su-hyuk thought: At least not dead.
"Even knowing how wrong that choice was, you repeat it. Fine. Do as you please."
Whirl—
With that, Tyr turned sharply. Su-hyuk sighed, watching him stride past roughly.
'Is this permission...?'
"What does that even mean?"
Brunhilde looked baffled. She likely didn't know Su-hyuk had the thunder.
"You'll find out soon."
Thankfully, she didn't press.
Probably trusting Tyr, the great god, more than Su-hyuk.
They hurried to the temple. Doors taller than several men swung open automatically.
Creeeak—
Rumble—
The vast interior lay before them.
The high throne ahead was empty. Amid chairs with gaps sat dozens of gods, arms crossed.
Valhalla's gods.
Not all, but as Tyr said, many awaited to gawk at Su-hyuk.
Tingle, tingle—
Their hostility prickled his skin. Dozens glaring in unison evoked a scene.
'Similar to then.'
Step—
In the silence, no word spoken.
'Those watching eyes...'
Layer 2, Lightning Trial.
The cutscene after felling the Giant King's eyes from the clouds.
Those eyes overlapped with the gods' here.
'You were there too.'
Layer 2's main scenario, 'Lightning'.
From then to now, all trials connected as one.