Chapter 331: Taming Master (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 331: Taming Master (2)
The center of the island.
Inside a cave filled with stalactites, Exencion and Hyacinth could be seen.
"They're making their way inside so smoothly. Completely oblivious to the fact that this is a trap."
Hyacinth's lips curled into a subtle, twisted smile as she stared at the massive crystal ball in the center.
The more their opponent fell for the illusion, the greater their despair would be in the end.
She was dying to see Jinhyuk and the rest of the humans' faces contort in agony as soon as possible.
"How should we kill them to make it the most thrilling? Watching them struggle desperately to save each other, only to die helpless in the end—that's always the best, isn't it? No, maybe it's better to slowly torture them to death, starting from their fingertips?"
At the thought of finally being able to kill Alice for good this time, Hyacinth felt a thrill of anticipation course through her entire body.
However,
"Everything is going far too smoothly," Exencion muttered, looking displeased.
While drawing Jinhyuk and Alice deeper in was exactly what they wanted, the problem was their speed.
"Come on, if things are going well, that's a good thing. Why are you getting anxious over nothing?"
"The divine beast Seuilia and the Water Dragon Clan should have held him back much longer than this. I intended to buy time until the manifestation of Shub-Niggurath just in case, but at this rate, the very foundation of our plan risks being shaken."
Even if they failed, as long as they held out until Shub-Niggurath manifested, there would be no variables.
Designing a foolproof, multi-layered trap was the original plan.
"Surely you don't mean he's rushing because he calculated all of that? Now that really is paranoia."
"Perhaps. Maybe I am being overly cautious. But remember this clearly: two heads of our families have already lost their lives by underestimating that human."
"……."
At Exencion's words, Hyacinth shut her mouth.
He was right.
Both Amuram, who led the Decasus family, and Abigail, who led the Revisita family, had faced Jinhyuk with plans they were absolutely certain would succeed.
Yet, both had failed.
Only the ashes of the two vanished families lingered in the empty spaces they left behind.
"Don't compare me to those fools. Our family is on a completely different level to begin with. Besides, this time, even you—the one who crushed Alice—are here. The forces we've prepared are enough to wage war against the deities themselves."
It was just as Hyacinth clenched her fist.
Step.
"My, it seems the great family heads are filled with worry."
A new figure appeared inside the cave.
An old man draped in a black robe.
It was none other than Nietzsche, the leader of the Demonic Human Association.
"You... aren't you that demonic human or whatever?"
"We told you to keep watch outside. Have you already forgotten your place? If it weren't for Hastings's request, we wouldn't even be working with you..."
Exencion and Hyacinth frowned.
Since they were only cooperating with the demonic humans out of necessity, they disliked even sharing the same space with him.
However,
"Please, do not look upon me with such distaste. Surely, I wouldn't have come here if I didn't possess the qualifications to stand before you?"
At Nietzsche's subsequent words...
"Currently, the deities in the upper floors are moving to find the crowns. As you know, the crowns are core relics that maintain the balance of the Tower. Naturally, you vampires must also require one of them, yes? Specifically, the 'unique crown' that serves as your symbol."
"……!?"
"……!!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
To think the name of the treasure all vampires most desperately sought would be uttered here.
The 'Crown of Pure Blood'.
Known as the holy grail containing the 'Blood of the Beginning', it was the purest and most beautiful of the seven crowns.
"How do you... know of that...?"
"A mere human knows things they shouldn't."
The expressions of the two family heads did a complete 180.
A chilling, murderous intent radiated from their cold faces.
"Ugh..."
Melena, standing behind Nietzsche, trembled like a leaf, unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure.
"Hehe. This old man has absolutely no intention of touching the vampire families' sore spot. However, wouldn't you also need some help to obtain the Crown of Pure Blood?"
"Help? What kind of help could a creature like you possibly offer?"
"To you, we humans may seem like nothing more than insects... but even insects have their own strengths. Just as we know of the crown's existence and its name."
The speed of information gathering.
If there was one thing the demonic humans held over the residents, it was their terrifyingly relentless pursuit of information regarding the Tower.
By any means necessary.
"……Speak. How did you get your hands on such information? Did you hear it from those guys in the Demon World?"
"My, surely you don't expect me to reveal our secrets so easily?"
However,
Swoosh...
A dark purple sphere floated up beside Nietzsche.
[Summoning the forgotten elemental spirit beast 'Blackness'!]
Earth, fire, wind, water, light.
It was common knowledge that a spirit beast must belong to one of the five elements.
Yet, the spirit beast appearing before them now was a new kind of spirit that belonged to none of them.
An alien mana of the dark attribute.
"You... just what is your identity?"
Even Exencion was genuinely shocked this time.
First, knowing about the crown.
And now, he had never imagined he would encounter the sixth spirit beast, which had vanished from the Tower tens of thousands of years ago.
"If you sever ties with Hastings, who only cares about the 50th Floor, and strike a deal with me instead, I will ensure that even the deities of the upper floors won't dare lay a finger on you. And, of course, that includes putting the crown in your hands."
Nietzsche was beginning to reshape the board.
* * *
With the support of the spirit beasts, Jinhyuk traversed the interior of the island via the shortest route.
"Pant. Pant. Pant."
"He's... too fast."
"Does he have infinite stamina or something? How is he not exhausted after hunting so many monsters?"
The raid team ran with all their might, but they were utterly unable to keep up with Jinhyuk.
Even Yu Yeon-hwa and Lee Tae-min could barely manage to keep him in their sights.
The only one who seemed composed was Cheon Yu-seong.
"We're short on time, so I'm going ahead. Don't push yourselves to keep up and collapse. Secure our rear against any incoming enemies."
"W-we can still keep up. If we want to be of even a little help, we can't give up here..."
"No."
Cheon Yu-seong shook his head.
"Rather than being helpful, you will only be a burden."
Cold, but it was the reality.
There were walls that humans simply could not scale.
Yoo Jin-ah knew this as well, which made her bite her lip.
"……Understood. We'll take care of the rear. Please, go on ahead."
"A wise decision."
Cheon Yu-seong accelerated even further.
How much time had passed?
Before long, a massive gate appeared before the two of them, who had reached the deep interior of the island.
It was easily about 20 meters tall.
Red sparks flickered incessantly across it.
"The mana flowing from inside the gate is unusual. It must be at least a high-grade labyrinth or ruin."
Cheon Yu-seong examined the entrance of the gate.
Decorated with various runes, the gate exuded an eerie sensation he had never experienced before.
"Yu-seong."
"What is it?"
"Sorry, but could you do a quick lap around the gate?"
"You want me to go on reconnaissance all of a sudden? By myself?"
"This gate... it's a type I've cleared once before, but my memory is a bit fuzzy. Take a wide loop around the area and see if you can find any cyan-colored magic stones."
"Damn it... Fine. I'll do it, alright?"
Cheon Yu-seong grumbled as he walked away.
Once he was gone, Jinhyuk, left alone, took a step toward the gate.
[Difficulty: Unmeasurable.]
[The passage leading to '????' is opening.]
[The maximum number of players allowed to enter is 2.]
An unmeasurable difficulty, coupled with the uncertainty of where it led.
That was why Jinhyuk had made up a convenient excuse to send Cheon Yu-seong away.
If he had told him that it was too dangerous for him, let alone the raid team, that guy would have lost his mind.
For a proud fool, it was always better to provide a plausible excuse to step aside rather than telling him the blunt truth.
Wroooooom!
As he stepped inside, his vision was dyed pitch black.
And when he opened his eyes again...
the scenery before him had completely changed.
'Could this be...?'
Jinhyuk's pupils shook violently.
He couldn't help but be shocked.
This temple... was something that should absolutely not exist here.
-This is... my... castle.
Alice, inside 'Braham's Ring', spoke.
At the same time, mana was channeled, and Alice emerged from the ring.
"How nostalgic. I used to live here once..."
The place that marked her beginning as the head of the Ataraxia family.
And at the same time, the final destination that marked her end due to the betrayal of the other family heads.
"Did those vampires play a trick? Recreating the place you used to live in?"
"No. This isn't a fake. It's more accurate to say they connected the space itself."
He didn't know why they were going out of their way to provoke Alice.
But one thing was certain...
whatever they did had definitely worked.
A small spark ignited in Alice's crimson eyes.
Regret and despair...
...and beyond all of that, a deep-seated rage accumulated over eons of time.
Right then.
"Grrr..."
"Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"Growl."
The low growls of a beast echoed from behind Jinhyuk and Alice.
* * *
Saliva dripped from between sharp fangs.
A three-headed black dog glared at the intruders.
It was Cerberus, known as the guardian dog of hell.
But what caught their attention even more was the purple-haired female vampire standing beside Cerberus.
"Hyacinth...!"
Alice bared her fangs.
The family head who had pointed a blade at her.
The opportunity to take revenge on another of the culprits had arrived.
"It's been a while, Ataraxia brat. Or rather, should I call you the former head of the family now?"
"Where is Exencion?"
"Of course, looking for him the moment we meet. It's a bit disappointing that you don't even spare a glance for me."
"Cut the crap and answer my question right now! Where is that bastard?!"
"He's nearby. You don't have to rush so much; you'll see his face soon enough."
Hyacinth smiled brightly.
Then, her gaze shifted to Jinhyuk.
"So you're that human, Kang Jinhyuk? The one who's been throwing a wrench into all of our plans?"
"Wow, I'm honored. To think a family head would remember my name. But seeing as you have that puppy with you... should I interpret that as you joining hands with those idiots from Greece?"
"……You talk too much. Let's end the conversation here. Kill them. All of them."
"Grrr...!"
At Hyacinth's command, flames erupted from Cerberus's muzzles.
Whoosh!
An immense heat surged.
Crimson flames, completely out of control, raged wildly.
[Cerberus activates 'Hell Calamity Fire'!]
Indeed, it was worthy of being called the gatekeeper of the Underworld.
The crow guy they had fought earlier had its own status as a divine beast, but Cerberus possessed a status on a completely different level.
"Let's go, Alice."
"Okay."
Alice nodded.
"Thank you. For being with me at this very moment."
Her sincere words reached him.
At the same time,
[The unique holy spear 'Revelation of Genesis' is unleashed!]
Alice's appearance slowly began to transform.