Episode 378
Episode 378
Lee Han gritted his teeth at the despicable enemy's proposal.
"Such vile bastards. You're telling me to get hit by the trap up there first."
-There's no trap up there.
"Excuse me?"
-I said there's no trap up there. This upper area isn't a prison, why would there be traps?
"...?"
Lee Han became thoroughly confused.
"Then why are you telling me to come out? Is this some trick to prevent me from using magic?"
-They're not that kind of bastards.
"Then what is it?"
-...I don't know.
The Undead Mage honestly admitted it.
This was the first time he'd seen the Berserkers in this prison behaving so obediently.
Lee Han cautiously peeked his head out.
The watching Undead Berserkers mechanically gestured for him to come out.
'This is way too blatant for a trap.'
Feeling uneasy about just walking out, Lee Han waved his hand.
It was a signal to step back.
Amazingly, the Undead Berserkers actually stepped back.
"...?!"
-They're retreating?!
Both the Undead Mage and Lee Han were shocked.
Were these really the same group as those insane Berserkers who had charged at them earlier?
"I'll go check it out."
Ogoldos said while leaning on his staff.
Ever since falling here, he'd been nothing but a burden holding back his junior, and it weighed heavily on his conscience.
If he could at least do this much...
"Huh? No need. Let's spread some mist and all approach together."
"......"
Ogoldos felt his resolve crumbling into nothingness.
They approached cautiously, but the Undead Berserkers truly didn't charge.
They just stood there dumbly watching as Lee Han's group climbed up to the ceiling.
-Entangle and become legs... I truly never thought they'd let you go up.
"Maybe we need magic to climb up?"
-The magic barriers are already down. Normally, the ceiling would be impossible to breach.
The Undead Mage said while climbing up the bone-made slope.
The underground prison that held prisoners was protected by powerful mana. Under normal circumstances, no amount of effort could break through.
While the earlier explosion was impressive, if the underground prison had been functioning normally, the ceiling would have remained intact.
The Undead Mage now had no choice but to admit that Lee Han had been right.
Something had happened to the palace's master!
-This is truly astonishing. To think something happened to the King.
"......"
Lee Han broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing this, Ogoldos grew concerned internally.
'Is he really okay? Did he overuse his mana after all? If I ask, will it just seem like I'm making unnecessary comments?'
"Ahem... So you're still loyal to the King? From what I saw, he seemed to have quite a few... personality issues."
Though he was trying to sow discord, the Undead Mage didn't seem to notice Lee Han's ulterior motive and answered readily.
-Kings are naturally tyrannical.
"Is... is that so?"
'If he's so tyrannical that he imprisons people when bored, shouldn't someone have cut his head off?'
-Of course, whether one resents the King or not is a separate matter. I resent him for ignoring my counsel, but I remain loyal because he is my King. Naturally, the strong have the right to rule.
"...Wait, then what happens if he becomes weak?"
-Then he must die. A weakened king is unworthy of being king.
A sound of agreement came from behind.
Lee Han's group turned their heads. The group of Undead Berserkers following them had stopped and were nodding in agreement.
Ogoldos made a choking sound.
-When did those bastards... just how... what...?
"They don't seem to be trying to attack us now. Am I right?"
-That appears to be the case. Don't provoke them.
Contrary to the Undead Mage's words, the Berserkers continued following them quietly.
When Lee Han's group stopped, they stopped. When Lee Han's group started walking, they started walking.
Fear tends to fade with repetition.
Lee Han began growing curious about what other behaviors might work on these Undead Berserkers.
"Could you perhaps pick up some bone fragments for me?"
-I told you not to provoke them...
The Undead Mage nearly shouted, but surprisingly, the Berserkers obediently picked up the bone fragments.
-!
"Oh..."
-This... We need to test this.
The Undead Mage's eyes also changed. The mage then spoke to Ogoldos.
-You try asking too.
"...Please pick up some bone fragments for me."
At Ogoldos' request, the Berserkers just stood there blankly.
Their gaze seemed to say, Who do you think you are to give us orders? Ogoldos shot an awkward glare at the Undead Mage.
-This is...
"What is it?"
Lee Han was counting on the Undead Mage's wisdom.
-It seems they've accepted you as one of their own.
"......"
For a moment, Lee Han thought he had misheard.
He had expected something like passing a test, proving himself in battle, or even being left alone due to his overwhelming mana.
Out of all possible explanations, why did it have to be being accepted as one of them?
"Does that even make sense?"
-Those things are just a bunch of battle-crazed maniacs who banded together, so it's not entirely unreasonable...
"Since when do I love fighting?"
-Maybe they misunderstood that you were the one who caused the Undead Explosion earlier?
Lee Han protested angrily.
"It was this mage here who did it!"
But the Undead Berserkers just stared blankly, as if they had no idea what he was talking about.
The Undead Mage spoke as if telling him to give up.
-If they were the type to listen, we wouldn't have struggled this much. They don't understand words.
"What kind of..."
Lee Han, now inexplicably part of their group, looked at the Berserkers with a complicated expression.
-This isn't urgent right now, so let's keep moving. Honestly, being treated as one of them isn't a bad thing, is it? If not, we'd have had to fight to the death back there.
"If it's not a bad thing, then you should become one of them, Mage. Go ahead and try talking to them."
At Lee Han's sharp retort, the Undead Mage flinched slightly and backed off.
-I told you, they don't understand words...
"Hah... Fine. So, how much farther do we have left?"
The Undead Mage, having escaped the dungeon and ascended into the inner palace, had one goal.
To check the throne in the deepest part of the palace and see what had happened to the king.
Lee Han didn't strongly oppose it. After all, he also needed to find the others and escape.
If the Undead Mage, who was familiar with the palace's layout, reached the throne room, he could use the palace's power to locate the others scattered throughout.
'There is no king.'
And Lee Han was certain there wouldn't be a king.
...Because he had beaten him up!
-We're almost there. Truly astonishing. I never thought it would be like this... Has the king really left...?
The mage muttered as he tapped the wall with his staff.
Then, the wall opened, revealing a path. The area that had been a path just moments ago vanished underground.
"!"
Lee Han's expression changed.
At some point, the quality of mana in the air had shifted.
Noticing Lee Han's reaction, the Undead Mage spoke.
-Sharp, aren't you? You must be feeling the pressure from the intense mana. Especially since you're still a young mage.
'I don't feel anything.'
Thanks to his overwhelming mana reserves, Lee Han never felt pressured by such things, but he played along.
"Yes."
-It's the mana radiating from the king's chamber. The very force that sustains this palace, its core. When His Majesty sat here, it was so oppressive you could barely breathe.
Creeeak—
The massive stone doors groaned open, revealing a vast audience hall. Seeing that it was empty, the Undead Mage clicked his bones in disappointment.
-Truly unbelievable...
"Disappear."
"!?"
Both the Undead Mage and Lee Han were startled by the voice that echoed from the throne—but Lee Han was the most shocked.
It was the voice of the Ghoul King.
The same king he had defeated before.
'Has he already fully recovered!?'
Lee Han knew the Ghoul King had been driven out of the continent and returned to his original dimension, but he never expected him to have already recovered from that blow.
Lee Han deeply bowed his head. Ogoldos couldn't comprehend and looked puzzled.
-"Is it really Your Majesty?"
Indeed. How dare you enter my audience chamber. Even the most horrific punishment wouldn't be enough, but I'll forgive you just this once. Begone.
"I'll leave."
Lee Han whispered.
Fortunately, it seemed the opponent hadn't recognized Lee Han's true identity.
If he leaves when told he's being forgiven...
But the undead mage responded in a mocking tone.
-"You don't seem to be the King."
What did you say?
-"All of the King's subordinates have vanished, the flames that illuminated the palace have been extinguished, and the walls guarding the prison have disappeared. What kind of king has no subordinates, no palace, and no majesty?"
"Do you really have to provoke him?"
Lee Han tried to persuade the undead mage, but it was utterly pointless.
The beings of the undead dimension followed the logic of power.
It was acceptable for the Ghoul King to be a tyrant because he possessed strength befitting one.
But in his current weakened state, that same logic worked against him.
How dare he, in such a weakened state?
-"It seems you've been gravely injured. I don't know how you ended up in such a state, but..."
If you wish to die, I'll grant you that death.
-"Try me."
Not just the undead mage, but even the berserkers behind him suddenly stepped forward.
There wasn't a trace of loyalty in their eyes. Only a competitive spirit, eager to test just how strong the one above them truly was.
Then the berserkers patted Lee Han's shoulder and pointed at the throne.
"...No, wait. You can't possibly mean..."
Were they suggesting they fight together as a group?
Lee Han agonized over how to convey, 'I'm human, and you're undead.'
Meanwhile, the undead mage launched his attack.
-"Well then, false king! Show us your power once more!"
'Damn it. Why are mages always so different from how they appear?'
Just moments ago, the undead mage had been cold, composed, and rational. But the moment he saw the Ghoul King weakened, he immediately turned aggressive.
It was the logic of power, something only the undead could understand.
The mana within the vast audience chamber began gathering toward the throne. The Ghoul King, having forcibly absorbed the mana inside to restore his strength, let out a growl.
Do you really think I'd lose to a mere mage like you, even if I'm recovering from severe injuries?
Just as the undead mage had guessed, the Ghoul King had been drawing upon all the palace's resources to recover from the grievous wounds he'd suffered on the continent.
From the outer flames to his subordinates.
Having been sealed away for so long, only to be defeated immediately after breaking free, the damage had been severe.
But he never once considered the possibility of losing.
With just the power he'd recovered in this palace, he was confident he could easily deal with these prisoners.
-"Poison..."
As the berserkers charged, the Ghoul King glared at them in irritation.
These prisoners from the underground dungeons just wouldn't die, crawling out to make trouble.
He'd left them alone because he found it amusing how they attacked other prisoners...
Die.
CRACK!
The Ghoul King solidified his flickering form and appeared before one of the berserkers.
Then, he struck with a lethal blow. The berserker's thick torso was pierced clean through.
"...!"
Though the attack sent chills down their spines, neither the undead mage nor the berserkers showed any fear, as if they'd expected it.
"...Spread as mist!"
A vile poison cloud expanded around the throne. The Ghoul King contorted his form, trying to swiftly escape the toxic mist.
The berserkers pursued, raining down attacks. The Ghoul King nimbly morphed his body to evade.
"Burn!"
At that moment, flames came flying toward the Ghoul King. Though small in size, the heat radiating from them was immense. Sensing immediate danger, the Ghoul King recoiled.
You...?
The Ghoul King felt an inexplicable, familiar discomfort rising. The opposing mage had his face concealed behind a bone mask.