Chapter 285
Chapter 285
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 285
>Chapter Title: Audience with the Ghost King
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Seolhong, Jinryeo, and Chiwoo spoke in trembling voices.
“Did he just say Dooeokshini…?”
“D-Dooeokshini?”
Soon, Kang Seol replied.
“Why are you chasing us?”
A choice appeared before Kang Seol.
[Unidentified black ghosts are targeting the cargo wagon you’re riding in. Unfortunately, your wagon doesn’t seem capable of shaking them off. What will you do?]
1. Declare that you have no relation whatsoever to the wagon’s owner.
2. Strike first, as they don’t seem likely to listen calmly.
3. Offer to hand over the wagon in exchange for your lives.
4. Throw the items from the wagon one by one.
…
The black group, presumed to be the Black Slash Corps, pressed Gurr right up against the wagon.
“Human! Do not test us!”
“…Human?”
“Stop the wagon! If you don’t, we’ll take it as defying the Ghost King’s will!”
Kang Seol furrowed his brow.
‘They even know we’re humans… If they knew from the start… even if we shake them off, they’ll pursue us.’
The next encounter would involve stronger foes and a larger force chasing Kang Seol’s group.
And that would likely lead to a very unfortunate end.
After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Seolhong and said,
“Seolhong, stop the wagon.”
Nod…
Seolhong, who trusted whatever Kang Seol said, had no reason to object.
Thud thud thud…
Thud thud…
The Black Slash Corps leader sighed as he saw the wagon slowing.
“Wise decision.”
Kang Seol slowed Gurr while lost in thought.
Especially about the Ghost King.
The Ghost King Dooeokshini wasn’t the strongest in the Ghost Realm. The Ghost Realm was a vast world, just like Pandea.
The land ruled by Ghost King Dooeokshini was merely the territory closest to the Human Realm among them—an extremely small portion compared to the Ghost Realm’s entirety.
Like the tip of an iceberg.
Even so, that domain alone surpassed the Khan Empire in sheer territorial size, and the Ghost King Dooeokshini who ruled it was no ordinary being.
‘Dooeokshini…’
The Ghost King who ruled the Ghost Realm.
No one in Khan would be unaware of his name.
He was one of the three Ghost Generals who had ravaged the Human Realm under Hwagmu’s command.
Kang Seol knew vaguely of this matter but didn’t explain it to his companions. They’d hear the full story directly from the Ghost King anyway.
The puppy—no, wolf—Chiwoo, cradled in Seolhong’s arms, spoke up.
“So, after Udakshini and Grsondae, we’re going to meet Dooeokshini too? Did you all plan this without telling me?”
- Welcome to the 3 Generals Family Trip Package lol
- This has gotta be a hidden camera prank lololol
- It’s ridiculous lol
“We’ll probably meet him soon.”
At Kang Seol’s response, Jinryeo muttered to herself.
“Karuna, mind taking companions as payment too? I’ll bet everything right now if you’ll just send us out of the Ghost Realm…”
It was no wonder the group was flustered.
Dooeokshini was known as the strongest of the three Ghost Generals, a being who had reached the realm of the unfathomable. Strangely, beyond that, most information about him had been lost, leaving little known.
‘And this is the Ghost Realm too.’
A place no different from the ghosts’ home turf.
Ghosts grew stronger in the Ghost Realm.
Even ghosts who could barely muster legendary-level power in the Human Realm often displayed transcendent might upon entering the Ghost Realm.
All because the land overflowed with ghostly energy.
Had they faced Udakshini and Grsondae in the Ghost Realm, it might not have ended in Kang Seol’s victory.
In any case.
‘That’s that… but why does the Ghost King want to meet us?’
The most suspicious reason was to punish the humans who had intruded into the Ghost Realm without permission.
And if not that…
‘Is it about the Yaksha?’
The Yaksha matter, simply put, was like opening a feast for the ghosts. Humans to sate their hunger, ripe for devouring freely in the Human Realm.
However.
‘From the Ghost King’s perspective, it might be different.’
He’d have to meet him directly to confirm the Ghost King’s thoughts on the Yaksha.
After stopping the wagon, they accepted the Black Slash Corps’ offer to escort them to the Ghost King, so Kang Seol’s group proceeded straight to the capital without needing to dismount.
Except for brief stops for meals, they raced across the wasteland nonstop.
The edge of the city began to come into view.
The city’s dazzling lights spilled out into the wasteland.
“Where are we now?”
Kang Seol asked the Black Slash Corps leader.
Instead of answering, the leader pulled out a map from his bosom, marked it, and handed it over.
Swipe…
Kang Seol checked the map of the Ghost King’s territory and asked,
“We’ve reached the marked position?”
“That’s right.”
“Then…”
It was close.
They had essentially just arrived at the Ghost King’s capital.
“You got lucky. The Ghost King ordered us to meet you there.”
“Hmm…”
Dooeokshini had anticipated their path and sent the Black Slash Corps to greet them.
‘So escape was impossible from the start?’
In the Ghost Realm, they might truly be in the palm of the Ghost King’s hand. Still, thanks to this, they’d saved time.
Time they might have wasted fleeing along the road.
“It’s the Black Slash Corps!”
“The Black Slash Corps is back!”
“Open the gates!”
Rumble rumble rumble…
The grand castle gates opened.
Joyful City.
The capital of the Ghost Realm ruled by Dooeokshini.
The Black Slash Corps leader glanced back from atop Gurr and said,
“Welcome to the Ghost Realm, humans.”
Thud thud thud thud thud…
[Rest point changed to Joyful City.]
[Point transfer. Rolling travel luck die.]
[Travel luck die lands on 5.]
[Excellent fortune.]
[Adventures conducted near Joyful City will proceed smoothly.]
[Adventures near Joyful City will proceed at easy difficulty.]
[The probability of selected adventures near Joyful City being forcibly replaced by random events is somewhat low.]
[If a random event occurs, luck will apply.]
[Good fortune for adventuring nearby.]
Along with the point change message, others appeared.
[Designated a rest point in another world for the first time.]
[Achieved first clear ‘Point, How Far Have You Gone?’]
[Obtained first clear title 「Remote Explorer」.]
[Designated a rest point in the Ghost Realm for the first time.]
[Achieved first clear ‘Too Early to Come’.]
[Obtained first clear title 「Vanguard」.]
Remote Explorer and Vanguard titles.
Titles obtained immediately upon designating Joyful City, one of the Ghost Realm’s cities, as a rest point.
Surprisingly, both were first clear titles.
[First Clear Title: Remote Explorer]
Related Achievement: Point, How Far Have You Gone? (Adventure: Ghost King’s Land)
Special Ability: If travel luck die rolls 5 or higher, the resulting effects are enhanced.
[Special Title: Vanguard]
Related Achievement: Too Early to Come (Adventure: Ghost King’s Land)
Special Ability: When entering a new point for the first time, partially learn the language of the area around the point.
‘…Oh.’
Truly first clear titles.
Remote Explorer amplified gains when profiting, and Vanguard could avert potential troubles outright.
‘Not directly related to stats, which is a shame… but the achievements themselves are decent, so nothing to be done. …Huh?’
The messages weren’t over.
[Staying in the Ghost Realm.]
[Related title: Ghost Gate Guest is deleted, Charm stat increased by 20.]
[Ghost affinity applied due to Charm influence.]
The Charm stat from Songjo and the Ghost Gate Guest title from the southern ghost gate merged. Syntactically similar, so probably no major difference.
“New prisoners?”
“They keep getting caught left and right.”
The ghosts of Joyful City glanced sidelong at Kang Seol’s group and muttered.
‘…Prisoners?’
The wagon headed to Joyful City’s center with the Black Slash Corps.
* * *
“This way.”
Entering the royal palace at Joyful City’s heart, where the Ghost King resided, Kang Seol’s group followed a seductive ghost’s guidance.
‘At least they’re treating us like guests. Only…’
The overwhelming ghostly energy emanating from everywhere made the group feel slightly dizzy.
Kang Seol, holder of the ‘Sleep Paralysis Victim’ title, could withstand it to some degree and felt no effect.
“W-Wow, it’s so grand… Isn’t it bigger than the Dragon Palace?”
Jinryeo exclaimed in awe.
Huff huff…
“Yeah… Feels like we wandered into the wrong place…”
The guiding ghost spoke.
“I can only go this far. Proceed from here on foot. Oh… and.”
The woman looked down at Chiwoo.
“What animal is this furry thing?”
“……”
Chiwoo, faced with this every time, spoke in resignation.
“A… wolf.”
“I see. How cute… It even talks—a real spirit beast. I like cute things. So, here’s some advice.”
“……Advice?”
“Never defy the Ghost King.”
With that, the ghost vanished.
Chiwoo made a dissatisfied face and waddled ahead, shaking his hips.
“Why’d she only guide us this far? The path stretches straight ahead.”
The group followed Chiwoo’s confident stride.
Whoosh… Whoosh…
As they advanced, eerie flames lit up on both sides. Like will-o’-the-wisps, the fires blazed fiercely atop concave torches.
“S-Spooky…”
Jinryeo gripped Seolhong’s hand tightly.
In the Human Realm, Jinryeo was taller than Seolhong, but here it was reversed—no awkward sight.
Step…
Step…
Even after walking a bit, the flames didn’t follow. Kang Seol sensed from this that their host would appear soon.
“Stop there.”
As expected.
Sssssssss…
“Eek…”
Jinryeo clung tightly to Seolhong.
Fearsome-looking ghosts lined up on both sides.
Twelve in total.
Their auras reached Kang Seol’s heart.
‘All of them are powerhouses.’
Gulp…
Jinryeo swallowed.
The most vicious-looking among them spoke.
“Well, well… Humans stepping into the Ghost King’s castle.”
“Heh heh… Not even trembling before the 12 Ghost Souls.”
Only Jinryeo was shivering among the group. She was an easy read.
It was natural for Jinryeo to be scared.
All 12 Ghost Souls were transcendent-level powerhouses at minimum.
The pressure they exuded wasn’t something to brush off lightly.
Sssssssss…
The fear was brief; a mystical aura briefly filled the chamber, sweeping away the foul ghostly energy from the 12 Ghost Souls.
“Enough games.”
“…Yes.”
The voice that rang out was utterly horrifying.
A voice that embodied terror itself.
He was the ghost.
Kang Seol gazed at the curtain-draped front. The voice came from there.
Soon, the silhouette of a fiendish monstrosity emerged beyond the curtain. The presence it exuded dwarfed its massive frame.
Splat…
Jinryeo flattened herself prone.
But the others didn’t prostrate.
One of the 12 Ghost Souls took issue with it.
“Kneel at once…”
“Leave it.”
“But…”
“Don’t make me say it twice.”
“…Yes.”
That overwhelming presence was surely the Ghost King.
Kang Seol scanned the 12 Ghost Souls one by one.
‘Those whose names were taken…’
They had all lost their names to the Ghost King.
Dooeokshini had devoured every one, replacing them with titles like 1st Soul, 2nd Soul, and so on.
The Ghost King, shrouded by the curtain.
“Come forward, humans.”
“……”
Jamad conveyed the meaning directly.
- Incredible powerhouse. Avoid fighting.
Kang Seol nodded.
Fighting a ghost in the Ghost Realm was folly itself, let alone one like the Ghost King.
‘Fortunately, doesn’t seem hostile…’
Dooeokshini spoke.
“I’ve been waiting.”
“For me?”
“I’ve been watching you. For quite some time now.”
Kang Seol shot a suspicious glance at the claim that Dooeokshini had been watching him.
“I caught your scent from afar.”
The shadow of a finger pointing to its nose appeared beyond the curtain.
“What scent?”
The reply from beyond the curtain was this.
“An intriguing future, a hero overcoming trials, and…”
Creeeak…
The shadow’s mouth gaped wide.
Vicious fangs were felt even in shadow.
“The Yaksha’s scent…”
“……”
“I can’t even guess what relation you have to it… but one thing’s clear: you carry that beast’s scent.”
The sudden mention of the Yaksha.
And nailing it as connected to Kang Seol sent the 12 Ghost Souls into frenzy.
“Yaksha? That thing deserves death!”
“I’ll squeeze out his guts and serve them on a platter right now!”
Dooeokshini laughed.
“Kekekeke… Cut the chatter. What’ll squeezing guts accomplish?”
“But…”
The vicious atmosphere chilled like ice water poured over it at Dooeokshini’s continued words.
“Quiet.”
“……”
The chamber fell mouse-silent once more.
“Fascinating, truly fascinating… Up close, another scent wafts from you.”
Snnniff…
Snnniff…
Dooeokshini inhaled deeply.
Kang Seol felt its gaze upon him now.
“Udakshini and Grsondae. You killed them?”
The 12 Ghost Souls’ expressions stiffened at those words.
Dark faces lightened slightly, pale ones grew whiter.
But none voiced it.
Dooeokshini ruled here.
“How… Even if Udakshini awoke from his seal, Grsondae was long ago… Wait… Aha… So that’s how.”
Dooeokshini’s gaze shifted elsewhere.
To Seolhong and Chiwoo.
“Ugh…”
“Damn…”
Chiwoo and Seolhong couldn’t easily bear that gaze.
“A pounding headache scent clings to you two. A truly foul stench, the kind that causes migraines… This scent is…”
Dooeokshini ground its teeth.
“The stench of monks I despise.”