Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Chapter 160: Tartarus (3)
Translation: godtl
"Nyx...?"
Si-mun tilted his head at the unfamiliar name.
And for good reason.
In his past life on Earth—
Though it had ultimately met its demise, most survivors up to that point had been Players.
Consequently, numerous Constellations had revealed themselves.
Just among the active Rankers alone, more than half had Backing Constellations.
Naturally, Si-mun was familiar with Constellations of all ranks and varieties.
Yet—
'This is a name I've never heard even once.'
Among all those countless Constellations, the name "Nyx" was entirely new to him.
His confusion didn't last long.
'Considering the earlier conversation with Black Goat too... She must be a Constellation who hasn't participated in the Galaxy Arena.'
After all, even the Constellation Black Goat hadn't spared a glance at the Galaxy Arena—
Not until he took notice of "him" and forged the Obsidian Tablet.
Had Nyx sensed his thoughts?
"Hehe. My name must be unfamiliar to you."
Nyx approached with a gentle smile.
"I understand. We don't participate in the Galaxy Arena, after all."
Then, as if extending a hand crafted by a master artisan—
"Si-mun. If you don't mind, could you hand me the Mark of Death for a moment?"
She reached out with a beauty that defied description.
Si-mun studied that hand briefly before responding.
"Of course."
Without hesitation, he passed her the Mark of Death he'd been holding.
Nyx's pupils dilated slightly.
"You're giving it to me just like that? This is an incredibly valuable item, you know."
"I may not know its exact worth, but I doubt any trouble will come from handing it to you."
"Why not? I could have ill intentions."
"If you did, you would've taken the Mark of Death from the start. You clearly have more than enough power to do so."
He wasn't wrong.
She stood on equal footing with the untamed Black Goat.
She was a being even Zeus—king of Olympus and a high-ranking Constellation—treated with caution.
Beyond that, she wielded the ability to manipulate their system despite not even participating in the Galaxy Arena.
Unlike the enigmatic title "Goddess of Night" suggested—
This goddess named Nyx undoubtedly possessed power beyond imagination.
For such a being to resort to stealing an item?
Who could possibly stop her?
'Not even the Galaxy Arena could do anything about it, probably.'
Wasn't that why the system was merely bombarding her with messages and warnings?
Demanding his immediate return, no less.
From Si-mun's perspective—
Oppa's right.
A cheerful voice chimed in.
It was the Philosopher's Stone.
The Goddess of Night Nyx is a Protogenoi. Even high-ranking Constellations don't dare treat her lightly.
'A Protogenoi? What's that?'
How to put it... Simply put, think of her as a primordial being.
'Primordial... I get the gist.'
Primordial.
In human terms, it wasn't a particularly weighty concept.
But on the level of gods, its significance transformed entirely.
'So she's the highest authority? In matters related to night.'
Well... Close, but not quite. The night you know and her domain are completely different concepts.
'I think I understand what you mean.'
Si-mun gave a slight nod at the Philosopher's Stone's words.
Just look at the realm surrounding them.
A universe that seemed like an extension of the night sky—
No, a vast cosmos that appeared to gather every galaxy in existence.
Given how she'd manipulated the system itself to summon him here, this was undoubtedly Nyx's domain.
Which meant—
'She's a being powerful enough to encompass this entire universe.'
A scale truly beyond imagination.
Conversely, only at this level of power—
'Could she stand equal to Black Goat and dismiss Zeus and the Galaxy Arena so casually.'
Then—
Click.
As if time had frozen—
Another wave of déjà vu washed over Si-mun.
By the time he noticed it—
"Hehe. I was worried you'd be too stunned to speak..."
The vast, radiant universe had vanished without a trace.
Only the darkness from when he first entered Tartarus remained.
Whether standing or floating—
In an ambiguous state of motion—
"But hearing that bold voice of yours, it seems that's not the case?"
Nyx appeared before Si-mun in the blink of an eye.
Si-mun didn't question the sudden shift in surroundings.
He'd already realized the reason.
"You moved us to another space."
"Exactly. To be precise, I should say I severed it. Seems our little brother has grown quite shy when no one's watching."
At Si-mun's answer, Nyx grinned.
"Are you just going to stand there? Not a single word for your sister after all this time?"
Her subtly suggestive gaze lingered on Si-mun's chest.
As if responding to it.
-......Honestly.
The Philosopher's Stone clicked its tongue briefly.
-Since when did you know?
"From the very beginning, of course. What kind of question is that?"
Just like with Black Goat—
Could she also be acquainted with the Goddess Nyx?
-You haven't changed, unnie—still as sly as ever, huh?
"My, my. Hearing that from you of all people stings a little."
-As if you'd care.
The Philosopher's Stone bantered back and forth, exchanging trivial chatter.
"But seeing you like that... Does that mean you failed?"
-Why ask when you already know? Utterly ruined.
Nyx's expression grew noticeably gloomier.
"...Listen. If you want, I could—"
-Ah, no need. Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly comfortable. Actually, I prefer it this way? Becoming one with such an extraordinary being isn't something that happens every day.
The last part sounded oddly out of place, but—
"Alright. As long as you're happy, this unnie doesn't mind anything."
Nyx seemed accustomed to even that.
"Still, now that you're in that state, don't go showing off that face of yours everywhere."
-Ugh! I can handle myself, thank you very much!
Nyx playfully poked the Philosopher's Stone with a smile.
Then—
"Tsk. Here I am, finally reuniting with my little sister, and someone has the audacity to interrupt."
The ever-smiling Nyx's expression hardened for the first time.
As if echoing her emotions—
Krrrrrrrrrr.
The pitch-black space trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
-Unnie. Calm down. They have their own circumstances too, you know. Even Goat unnie is abiding by their rules.
The Philosopher's Stone hastily tried to soothe Nyx.
Fortunately, it seemed to work.
"Sigh... I suppose you're right."
With Nyx's short exhale, the tremors shaking the space vanished.
Then—
"What a shame. A proper reunion will have to wait."
Nyx grinned as she turned her gaze back to Si-mun.
"Lord Si-mun. I apologize for summoning you so abruptly. But I don't regret it, you know? Thanks to you, I got to see these beloved faces again."
With a casual wave of her hand—
-Damn bitch! Where the hell have you been?!
The vast cosmos unfolded before them, and Black Goat's furious voice immediately rang out.
Ignoring it completely, Nyx took a step closer to Si-mun.
As if nothing had happened—
"Thank you for trusting me with the Token of Death. Truthfully, I was internally debating whether I'd have to fight you for it."
Nyx returned to the earlier topic.
"Please don't say such things. You're scaring me."
Si-mun responded with lighthearted humor, fully aware of her intentions.
But only he understood the true meaning behind them.
[Constellation Zeus and Odin are utterly stunned.]
[Constellation Heavenly Demon and Baal express astonishment and intense competitive spirit.]
The Constellations observing the situation each reacted with shock.
Zeus, positioned at the edge of Nyx's domain, seemed particularly startled—
Zzzt!
Even his lightning-shaped beard crackled and bristled.
"Hehe. The only ones who humor my jokes are Shuni and Lord Si-mun."
Nyx swept a mischievous glance over the Constellations' reactions.
Then—
"Since you've gone out of your way to please me, I'd like to return the favor."
Nyx extended the Token of Death once more.
Just as Si-mun reached for it—
[Nyx-nim. This violates the regulations.]
A system window blocked Si-mun's hand.
Nyx's playful eyes turned icy.
"Regulations? Why should I be bound by your regulations?"
[All items distributed in the Galaxy Arena are granted based on causality.]
"What an amusing statement. How curious that those who preach causality refuse to apply the same principle to themselves."
[We dare not presume to understand the exact meaning behind Nyx-nim's words.]
"Ohohoho! Still as sly as ever, aren't you?"
Nyx burst into laughter.
But her eyes—dark as the night sky—were utterly chilling.
"Galaxy Arena's items. Were they all circulated with their original owners' permission?"
["The Galaxy Arena has always valued fairness and proper procedures above all else. Unless it's an unavoidable situation—"]
"Cut the crap."
Nyx sharply cut off the Galaxy Arena's words.
"Can you really say that after seeing this Proof of Death given to Player Kim Si-mun?"
She thrust the Proof of Death toward the system window blocking her way.
[This item was provided as a mission reward by the Constellations of Death—]
"I know the Constellations of Death each bestowed this item as a gesture of goodwill. So what? Did you actually seek permission from its original owner?"
[......]
"Of course not. Because I've never heard Tartarus mention it."
Her lips still curved in a smile.
But as dark shadows gathered around her eyes, her expression grew utterly authoritative and terrifying.
"The fact that the Constellations of Death used this at all wouldn't bother Tartarus. He cherishes his Saints of Death, after all."
[......]
"But if the Galaxy Arena had a hand in this, that changes everything. Shall we ask Tartarus directly?"
As Nyx lightly clicked her tongue,
Whoooom.
A pitch-black darkness coalesced beside her.
The same darkness they had encountered upon first entering Tartarus.
"Let's ask if he was ever notified that his possessions were altered and distributed by the Galaxy Arena's interference."
[......We humbly beg for your leniency.]
The system immediately backed down.
But perhaps that only displeased her further.
"I knew it. You were trying to take advantage of Tartarus's generosity toward the Constellations of Death to slip this under the radar."
Nyx's expression grew even colder.
"How convenient for you. When a Protogenoi's possessions conveniently roll into the Arena on their own. It boosts the Galaxy Arena's prestige while appealing to various Constellations too."
The Galaxy Arena remained silent.
"Planning to stay quiet forever?"
[We never intended to mock the Protogenoi. It's just that the reward was excessively disproportionate to the causality... so we applied some independent adjustments.]
"Some? Ha! This is exactly why you people get cursed at. How dare you call this level of tampering 'some adjustments'?"
Nyx let out a short scoff and shook her head.
"I don't even want to waste more words on you. Move aside. Before I remove you myself."
As if by magic,
Swoosh.
The system window blocking Nyx and Si-mun slid aside.
After giving it one more glare, Nyx turned with her original smile restored.
"Sir Si-mun. You've waited long, haven't you? My apologies. Those things have absolutely no sense of propriety."
She handed over the Proof of Death.
At this, Si-mun thought:
'This... she's just a different flavor of the same thing as Black Goat. No wonder they're friends.'
Swallowing a dry laugh internally, he accepted the Proof of Death Nyx offered.
"Hmm?"
Si-mun tilted his head as he received it.
'This feels different from before?'
Unlike when it had been given to Nyx,
the Proof of Death he now held felt distinctly altered.
Si-mun immediately checked its information window.
[Fragment of Tartarus]
Grade:?
An item gifted to Player Kim Si-mun by the Constellations of Death.
Its true form has been restored by Nyx's power.
Receives maximum favor from the Constellations of Death.
From its new name—Fragment of Tartarus—
to the description stating it granted maximum favor from Death,
the information window was completely different from before.
'So this is why she went ballistic on the Galaxy Arena.'
Si-mun instantly understood why Nyx had been so furious.
Divine beings are particularly possessive of their belongings.
If the description mentioned its "true form being restored,"
'She must have been absolutely livid.'
As if reading his thoughts,
"How fascinating. For a mortal to understand our hearts so well."
Nyx, now considerably softened, took a step closer.
Then—
-You wench!
-L-Lady Nyx!
—she abruptly pulled Si-mun into an embrace.
Before he could react,
"Though... having died twice, can you really be called mortal?"
'...What?'
Her nearly inaudible whisper froze him in place.
"Hehe. Discovering secrets is always thrilling. Let's hope there isn't a third time."
Thus—
-I told you not to touch my baby! Get off him now!
-Ahem! Please maintain some decorum.
—amid protests from other Constellations, she withdrew.
Waving her artistically perfect hand,
"Then, Sir Si-mun, let's meet again among 'us' next time."
Si-mun's vision flickered.