Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Chapter 156: The River of the Underworld (3)
Translation: godtl
The River of the Underworld.
Given the sheer variety of maps that appeared in the Galaxy Arena, there were many infamous ones.
The River of the Underworld, which manifested in various forms, was no exception.
And all versions of this map shared one common trait.
Namely—
"Don't stare too long. You'll die."
That was the effect—no, the lethality—of the river's waters.
"For someone like you who just hit Platinum, even a single drop would mean instant death."
"Oppa, I already figured that out from watching earlier!"
The girl who had been peering into the river pouted.
"I was just curious, that's all. I wondered if this was the kind of river we'd cross if we died for real."
"Well..."
The man she called Oppa gave her a look of understanding.
In the distant past—
From the primitive era to the present day, one mystery had remained unsolved.
Wasn't the concept of the afterlife something even modern science couldn't explain?
"Everyone thinks like that when they get matched here for the first time."
As humans, it was only natural to be curious about what lay beyond death.
And this unknown entity called the Galaxy Arena, which had suddenly appeared on Earth—
It had endlessly poured forth and materialized things that should only exist in fantasy.
The afterlife was no exception.
"There's Death Energy, Necromancy, and even related items and monsters."
Necromancers—
Or in other words, those who wielded the power of the undead.
From them to the countless death-related artifacts—
The Galaxy Arena had realized far more than humanity had ever imagined about death.
This River of the Underworld map was no different.
"Still, little sis. Don't think too deeply about it."
The man sighed briefly before continuing.
"I get how you feel, but you're not the only one who's wondered. The afterlife has been a persistent question since the First Generation."
"And yet, nothing's been solved?"
"Of course not. Even if you try to uncover something, brushing against the river means instant death. And once the Arena ends, you're forcibly recalled."
It was as if the Galaxy Arena itself had drawn a line—
"Don't even dream of pursuing anything beyond the objectives we've set for you."
In truth, from the First Generation until now—
Whenever a map related to the underworld appeared, countless players had tried to investigate.
Yet none had ever overcome the system's barriers.
Among them were even those specialized in death.
"Top-tier Necromancers tried to uncover the secrets of the afterlife—and they all failed. So stop with the pointless thoughts and focus on the Arena."
The man waved his hand dismissively.
Just then—
"Now that we've passed the entrance, the real battle should—"
"Kik! You're absolutely right."
Should it be called flippant?
A light, high-pitched voice cut off the man's words.
Without even bothering to look—
Swish!
The man drew the sword at his waist and immediately slashed toward the direction of the voice.
A viscous heat haze.
A remarkably high-level Sword Energy bloomed from his blade.
By the time his slash was complete—
Shiiing!
A clean, crescent-shaped Sword Energy tore through the air.
At the very least, a mid-tier Platinum—
No, likely an upper-tier combatant's Sword Energy was flying forth, yet—
"Kyahaht!"
The one who let out a short, high laugh merely flicked her wrist.
"Bone Shield."
With her words—
Thud-thud!
Fragments of bone, appearing from nowhere, clumped together before her.
Like puzzle pieces snapping into place—
They rapidly filled the gaps, forming a shield.
Crraack!
The Sword Energy crashed into the bone barrier.
"Oho."
A slightly high-pitched exclamation followed.
"You. You're not half bad, huh?"
The bone shield, now half-split by the Sword Energy.
The gray-haired woman grinned at the sight.
"You'll make excellent material."
In response—
"Y-You...!"
The man who had unleashed the Sword Energy paled.
The reason was simple.
"A flippant voice, ashen hair, and if she's black..."
If his memory served him right—
That woman wasn't just a Platinum player—she was infamous worldwide.
Of course—
"Death Lady Malina?"
"Oh my. You know me?"
In the worst possible way.
"...How many people wouldn't recognize you?"
Was it the tension?
The man's Sword Energy grew even thicker.
Then—
Beep.
A short whistling sound cuts through the air.
The black woman called Malina wiggles her fingers, her face still twisted in that eerie grin.
Thwip. Thwip. Thwip.
As if they had eyes of their own.
Bone shields rise to block her flank.
"Kik! Not bad at all? Heard you just hit Platinum this season......"
Malina taps the two arrows embedded in the bone shield with a playful tok tok.
"Fancy you knowing cute little ambushes like this."
"Cute my ass! Next time, your head's flying off!"
The man's sister nocks another arrow, but that's all she manages.
"Kik! Getting all worked up~ Cool your jets~."
Malina waves her hand in mocking dismissal.
"No!"
The man, spotting the magic circle forming at her fingertips, desperately swings his sword toward his sister.
But alas.
Splash—
The rising waters of the underworld crash over the sister before she can react.
Without even a scream.
Thud.
She collapses onto the ferry, her body turning ashen.
"You—!"
The man, having barely blocked the dark waters with his Sword Energy, grits his teeth.
"Malina! You damned criminal bitch!"
He channels Aura into his blade at maximum output and leaps straight at Malina.
Only after committing to the attack does he realize—
'Shit!'
—that Malina isn't standing on the same ferry as him, but on some white, bone-like structure.
And then.
Clatter.
The signature move no Necromancer would be caught without.
A horde of Skeletons—hollow eye sockets gleaming with eerie light—spreads out behind her.
'I'm screwed!'
Despair washes over the man's face as he brings his sword down.
Malina, perhaps noticing this, grins.
"What loving siblings. Big brother getting all worked up over little sister's death?"
Her grin is the same, but unlike before, her expression now carries clear discomfort as she tilts her head.
Whizz—
Thunk!
Dozens of arrows, spears, and axes rain down from behind her.
"Guh—!"
The man, mid-swing, is shredded to pieces before crashing at Malina's feet.
Clatter.
Skeletons swarm in, restraining his limbs as he falls.
"Tsk... If only our dear little brother could learn from this..."
Malina crouches before the man, running her fingers through his hair.
"That brat wouldn't even get angry. He'd just toss me into that river and tell me to savor death firsthand."
The tenderness in her touch gradually gives way to irritation.
She yanks his hair up, forcing his dying eyes to meet hers.
"So... I'll take you instead. Good brother."
Sssss—
A sinister energy seeps from her clenched fingers.
Perhaps it's flooding his mind.
"Ggghhh—!!"
The dying man's eyes roll back as his entire body convulses violently.
Then.
"Animate Dead."
A voice—utterly inhuman, something dead—spills from his lips.
Malina rises in sync with his movements.
"Heeey! A Ghoul? Quality materials really do make the difference."
Like something had been hollowed out.
She embraces the now-expressionless, limp man with delight.
Then.
"Well then, good brother? Shall we fetch your sister too?"
She commands the Ghoulified man.
Without a shred of hesitation.
Thud.
He presents his sister's ashen corpse before Malina.
The resurrected sister sheds all flesh and muscle, rising as nothing but pure bone.
"Sorry, good brother. I'd love to raise your sister as a Ghoul too, but..."
Malina sighs, staring at the Ghoul standing blankly before her.
"She's weaker than you. The resource cost would be too high. You know how it is—resource management is life for a Necromancer."
Giggling, she gives the Ghoul's shoulder a light tap.
"But don't worry~ I'll make you plenty of other friends. No need to sulk—go wait over there."
At her words.
The Ghoul man staggers toward one side of the bone ferry.
There.
"Grrr......"
"Uuu......"
Like him.
Nearly a dozen corpses—still bearing their pre-death appearances—prowl restlessly.
"Kikiki! Perfect map, perfect matchmaking. Ah! I'm so~ happy!"
Malina cheers brightly, surveying her Undead entourage.
Her eyes sparkled as she drew forth Death Energy throughout her entire body.
"I think this much power should be enough. Time to settle in and get serious—or rather—"
To be precise—
"Wh-what is that...?"
She had been about to draw more.
At the very end of the entrance, where the true beginning of the River Styx lay—
Whoooosh!
—until a massive cruise ship appeared before her.
In Si-mun's chat window.
Even though Si-mun, the actual subject of the broadcast, wasn't even checking it.
The chat was scrolling nonstop, as if Si-mun's slow mode setting was a joke.
Of course it was.
The massive ship Si-mun had created.
This colossal vessel of death, made from the usual materials of necromancy.
No—this cruise ship of death was an enigma even to active necromancers.
And.
'Kim Si-mun. Just what the hell are you...?'
The wild-eyed man experiencing all of this in real time.
Choi Jin-su, his brow permanently furrowed, stared at Si-mun.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
Si-mun was casually drinking some juice whose origin he didn't even question.
Swoosh.
The ghost who had handed him the juice bowed deeply before vanishing.
Jin-su approached Si-mun with a dazed expression.
"Kim Si-mun."
"Ah! Jin-su. Want some? It's a special juice—tastes like mango or something."
"No, I hate mang—that's not the point!"
As if they were actually on a cruise vacation.
Jin-su nearly got swept up in Si-mun's shamelessly relaxed attitude before catching himself.
He shook his head roughly and snapped,
"You planning to just sit around like this?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Even though Jin-su had been the one to ask.
Si-mun's retort left him speechless, like a bee-stung mute.
The reason was simple.
"You saw what happened back at the entrance. It shrugged off pretty much every attack."
"W-well, yeah, but..."
The entrance of the River Styx.
Before they even stepped into the massive cave assumed to be its gateway.
Si-mun and Jin-uk had endured what could only be described as concentrated fire.
Of course they had.
No matter how vast the River Styx was—enough to evoke images of an ocean—
how could a giant death ship passing through not draw aggro?
'It was unfazed by sword energy, magic, even holy power.'
Especially divine magic, which was particularly potent against undead and demons.
Logically, since this massive ship was also a byproduct of death,
it should've shattered upon taking a direct hit from divine magic.
'But it just melted away like snow.'
Necromancy that nullified divine magic?
Jin-su had never seen anything like it.
And of course, the stunned expressions of the support-class players who'd experienced it firsthand were still burned into his memory.
Meanwhile, Si-mun—the cause of all this chaos—sipped the juice handed to him by a ghost and said,
"Don't worry about pointless things. Have a seat. The chairs are surprisingly comfy."
He pointed to the seat beside him, made of bones and flesh.
"Ha... Every time I get involved with you, I end up like this..."
Jin-su shook his head vigorously before trudging over and plopping down beside Si-mun.
Squish.
"Huh?"
Maybe because it was mixed with flesh?
Just as Si-mun had said, the chair was far more comfortable than it looked, and Jin-su's eyes widened briefly.
"But are you sure it's okay to relax like this?"
His expression quickly turned serious again.
"The unpredictability of the River Styx might not be an issue, but this ship doesn't exactly look invincible."
"True. From here on out, we'll only run into people with real skill."
Si-mun nodded in agreement.
"From what I gathered earlier, there are about two or three players who could threaten this ship. And..."
His voice trailed off.
His gaze shifted forward, toward the ship's bow.
CRRRREAK!
A sound like something being torn apart.
A powerful tremor shook the hull.
Judging by the weight of the impact, they must have collided with something massive.
"Looks like one of them has arrived."
As if signaled by Kim Si-mun's words, something heavy clattered onto the deck in droves.
Pale white bones with ominous glowing eyes.
The corner of Si-mun's lips twitched upward at the sight.
"Of all people, did the most dangerous player have to show up?"
From warriors to archers and even mages.
The number of skeletons boarding the ship gradually increased.
"Grrrrr..."
Unlike the skeletons.
It wasn't until ghouls—still perfectly retaining their pre-death appearances—began climbing aboard that...
"My my~ What a lovely ship we have here?"
The master of these sudden intruders finally revealed herself.
"From Death Energy to materials... Seeing it up close makes it even more impressive! Even my oppa couldn't make something like this!"
"Grrr!"
Choi Jin-su, who had risen from his seat at some point, transformed into a beast resembling a cross between a bear and a wolf.
Then—
"Wait... that woman?!"
Even the usually unflappable Choi Jin-su suddenly flinched.
"Gray hair, necromancy, Black woman... Don't tell me—Death Lady?!"
"Kek! Recognized me anywhere, huh? Such fame~."
Death Lady Malina.
A Magic Class player classified among the top Platinum ranks.
Yet nearly every player held hostility toward Malina.
Not because she was a necromancer who dealt with death.
"Hard not to recognize you. You're Malik's little sister."
"Well, my brother is kinda famous, I guess."
Death Lord Malik.
Her brother was one of the members of Desperado, the world's strongest villain organization.
And Malina herself was also a designated villain player as one of Desperado's members.
"But can we maybe not use that 'Death Lady' title? Gives me the creeps every time I hear it."
"That's something you should take up with your brother, not us."
A clear feminine voice answered instead of Choi Jin-su.
"The one going around calling himself 'Death Lord' is your brother Malik, after all."
"Ugh! That damn brother of mine, I swear—!"
Malina rubbed her arms where goosebumps had risen.
Then her eyes sparkled as she turned her gaze to Si-mun.
"You're the owner of this ship, aren't you?"
"That's correct."
At Si-mun's affirmation, Malina let out a sharp laugh.
"I won't tell my brother what you just said. So how about handing this ship over to me?"
"Sorry, but that won't be possible. It's not a crafted item, so it can't be traded."
"Then all the more reason to hand it over! It's magic or an artifact, isn't it?"
Malina grinned.
Though her smile didn't reach her eyes, which brimmed with killing intent.
"You. Do you know who I am?"
"Of course. We just discussed it."
"If you know, then hand it over. That way I won't have to go through the trouble of tracking you down after the Arena to kill you and loot it."
Malina discussed real-world murder and robbery as naturally as breathing.
In response, Si-mun let out a soft chuckle.
"Laughing? Are you mocking me right now?"
Malina's smiling face instantly turned icy.
"I know you. The rising star Kim Si-mun, right? Living in Korea."
Considering she was a villain affiliated with Desperado, it was an extremely threatening statement.
"Am I that famous? Even Desperado knows all about me."
Still seated comfortably in his chair,
Si-mun merely smiled languidly.
Apparently finding his demeanor extremely irritating,
"Oh, you're famous alright. Mogadam-nim was practically foaming at the mouth about blowing you to smithereens."
Malina mentioned another Desperado member—
The Bomb Demon Mogadam.
But.
"Ah, tell him to drop by sometime when he's free. I've got some business with him too."
Far from being intimidated,
Si-mun just waved his hand dismissively.
"...You're truly insane, aren't you?"
Malina's expression completely blanked at Si-mun's nonchalant attitude.
"It's too late to beg now. Neither here nor in the real world. Don't even think about dying cleanly."
She glared at Si-mun with piercing intensity, spitting out venomous words with chilling calm.
Then—
"Go. Cut out the Death Energy and bring it to me."
At her command,
Clatter.
"Grrraaah!"
The hundreds of undead that had boarded the ship all charged at once.
"Hrymr."
Si-mun casually raised a hand and glanced behind him.
Then—
"Kekeke. You called, honored guest."
An old man in tattered robes hobbled forward, leaning on his cane.
"We have some unwelcome visitors here."
Si-mun calmly pointed at the charging undead.
"So I see. Even higher-tier creatures dare not set foot here, yet these lowly vermin have infested the ship."
The elderly man called Hrymr looked incredibly aged, yet his presence was anything but frail.
"The master would have my head if he knew of this."
His eyes emitted an extraordinary gleam.
"Tch! Damned vermin. Scram right now!"
With an explosive roar, he struck the floor sharply with his staff.
It should have been nothing more than an old man's ordinary fit of temper—yet—
Crrrrrack.
The hundreds of undead charging toward them crumbled apart helplessly.
"Th-this can't be!!"
Malina's eyes, brimming with murderous intent just moments before, widened as if they might tear at the seams.