Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 154
>Chapter Title: A Second Life
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Do-hyun blinked. He could hardly believe his eyes.
‘Is this really possible?’
It was like a single ray of light piercing through to Do-hyun, who had given up on it as impossible.
Even weakened by two whole levels, ‘Pain’ was still a hidden field boss.
Not just any field boss, but the king of an entire race dwelling in the underworld, a being that had once devoured a whole nation.
‘Can I really turn a monster like this into an undead?’
This went beyond merely possessing Pain’s soul.
Without reaching max level and performing ‘that’ ritual, no ordinary player could ever use it as a host, no matter if they lowered its rank by two or even three levels, without special materials.
Even with special materials, they couldn’t be sure they could pull it off.
The issue was that Jihard himself possessed an overwhelmingly high rank.
‘Does this guy really have something special going on?’
Thinking back, he had remained composed even before the Dark King’s will, unlike Charlie.
He was clearly far more impressive than Do-hyun had realized.
-So what’s the deal? It’s still sucking up my mana?? Can you make it a Legion Leader or what, Master? Huh?
“…….”
Watching the ugly goblin stamping his feet excitedly like a child, Do-hyun struggled to wrap his head around it, even seeing it right in front of him.
But this time, even Do-hyun was no different.
“Yeah, so hurry up and try creating the Legion Leader.”
-Wow! For real? Got it, just hold on a sec!
Do-hyun was just as thrilled and eager.
No, if anything, his excitement matched Jihard’s or even surpassed it.
Having faced him directly, he knew exactly how powerful the Outlaw King was. How could he not be excited at the prospect of bringing such a formidable foe under his command?
-Then I’m doing it?
“Yeah, quick.”
-Hnng!
Urged on by the innocent Jihard, he activated the skill without further hesitation.
----!
Black light exploded from Pain’s soul as it absorbed the mana.
Black could be dazzling too.
That thought crossed his mind just then.
A cheerful alert rang in his ears, and beyond the black light, a silhouette emerged.
Clack…… clack…….
The chilling sound of bones clattering.
A tall frame over 190cm, draped in his signature black robe.
[The Outlaw King slumbering in Pain’s soul, ‘Pain’, awakens.]
[The vessel’s high rank preserves its will.]
[Convince the vessel within 20 minutes.]
[Failure to convince in time will prevent Legion Leader creation, and Pain’s soul will vanish.]
It was the moment the Outlaw King, Pain, awoke.
-Ah……
As the black aura cleared, the figure they faced was the same as before.
A lich-like appearance, crimson eyes burning with agony.
And that signature eerie aura.
Exactly as he had looked at the end.
The only difference was the absence of that spine-chilling desperation, reaching out even as he died.
-……What…… happened…… I don’t…… know…… I…… was…… definitely…… dead……
He simply voiced his confusion about the situation.
Jihard nodded in empathy.
-Yeah. I know that feeling all too well.
-Oh, you get it too! That thrill of reuniting with your lord—indescribable. I’d love to feel it again sometime.
-……Can it.
-Liza?
Ignoring their banter, Do-hyun stared straight at ‘Pain’.
Pain’s expression soured slightly at the eye contact, but he soon accepted the situation with a sigh.
-So…… that’s…… it. You…… called…… me.
-No! I did!
-……Gob…… lin?
Pain tilted his head at Jihard.
He didn’t say it, but his face screamed it.
‘You?’
-T-This little……!
“Yeah. We called you. You’re going to become a Legion Leader.”
Jihard bristled, but Do-hyun cut in.
Perhaps pleased by the ‘we’, Jihard pouted but stayed quiet.
Pain said nothing, just stared.
“Got a problem with that?”
-……Wouldn’t you, Master? He pulled out the key right in front of him, did the mocking ceremony, and killed him. If it were me, I’d be itching for round two the second I got the chance……. Ack!
-Could you maybe read the room a bit? That lump on your head’s never gonna go away at this rate.
-Liza Liza……
Charlie and Eliza shook their heads as they lightly flicked Jihard’s noggin, right on cue.
Infuriating as it was, Jihard wasn’t wrong.
Even Do-hyun would hate it in his shoes.
Toyed with right before victory, killed mockingly, and now told to lead undead?
‘No greater insult comes to mind, even for me.’
It was awkward.
He’d assumed the skill would make him a Legion Leader instantly, not that he’d have to convince him.
Then again, a penalty like this made sense for a being who could never normally become a mere Legion Leader.
A trial like this kept things balanced.
‘Doesn’t make it any less of a headache for me.’
He put on a bold front, but his mind was racing.
As he racked his brain for a solution—
-……No…… real…… complaints……
Against expectations, Pain shook his head.
-You and I…… fought…… staking our…… beliefs…… from our…… own…… perspectives.
He continued softly, meeting Do-hyun’s gaze.
-It was just…… that I…… was…… weaker…… than you. You…… brilliantly…… protected…… your people. I…… failed…… to protect…… mine……
“…….”
-……That’s…… all.
Pain wore a bitter smile as he spoke.
Do-hyun’s face showed surprise at this.
He had every reason to resent him, yet no anger or grudge tainted Pain’s expression or voice.
Just bitterness toward his own weakness and the future ahead.
Impressive in many ways, but that made it all the more problematic.
“So you’re accepting defeat means becoming a Legion Leader?”
-……As a warrior…… I wished…… for a…… sacred…… death……
‘How do I convince a guy like this?’
Breaking the convictions of such warriors was no easy task.
It might require triple entreaties or outright force—and now do it in 20 minutes?
No, not even 20.
[Time Remaining: 00:14:05]
With forced logout in just 14 minutes.
Fail to convince him in 14, and Pain’s soul vanishes—Legion Leader or not, the chance was gone.
‘This is insane.’
Should he have held off on Legion Leader creation?
‘Something to tempt him…… Damn, nothing but the Fragment of Destiny comes to mind.’
But he couldn’t just hand over a Fragment of Destiny.
He needed another way, but he knew so little about Pain. Just that he’d once descended to the living world and nearly devoured a nation.
And vaguely—
From his words and actions in battle, it seemed he was searching for a Fragment of Destiny to protect his kin……
‘Hold on. His kin?’
A flash of insight.
Do-hyun snapped his head up and looked out the window.
Moonlight still bathed the city softly. A sly grin tugged at his lips.
‘This might just work.’
No, it was the only way.
The best option in this situation. Do-hyun turned to Pain.
“Then follow me one last time. I’ve got something to show you.”
-……?
“See it and still hate it, I’ll let it go.”
-……Huh? Master? He’s my Legion Leader—why’re you deciding that on your……
Jihard startled and protested, but his words were quickly drowned out.
-Fine…… But…… you’d better…… keep…… your word……
“Of course. A man doesn’t go back on his word, right?”
-I’ll…… trust…… you……
Ignoring the summoner Jihard entirely, the two chatted away. Jihard clutched his neck.
-Aigoo…… My blood pressure……
-Liza Liza……
With Eliza’s comfort barely steadying him, Jihard opened his eyes to find everyone already turning to leave the castle.
-Ehwoo……
-Liza!
Jihard scurried after them.
Eliza just beamed atop his head.
* * *
A forest under moonlight.
Traces of brutal battle scarred the dense woods, telling tales of the fierce clash here.
The site of Do-hyun’s Outlaw Challenge.
About 100m from there, Do-hyun reappeared.
-……Why…… have we…… come…… here.
With the Guardians and this act’s second lead, ‘Pain’.
Stealth kept them hidden; no one was around.
Thanks to the lord’s speech fiasco—players had logged out or gathered at the castle.
‘Was worried he’d attract attention.’
He’d braced for players spotting them, but Pain seemed invisible to others.
Even following openly stealthed Do-hyun, no one noticed.
The only close call was Jihard’s weird shriek passing through players.
“Wait. You’ll see soon enough. Oh, right on time—there they come.”
Rustling came from the brush, as Do-hyun said.
The Outlaws, symbols of the full moon now.
Ghost soldiers bereft of their king emerged one by one.
-Ah……
-Our…… king……
Blind yet sensing their king, perhaps.
Their steps toward him were sure. Crawling from all sides, they lacked their former menace.
Wounds and dirt covered them, and their numbers were drastically reduced.
-Only…… this…… many…… left……
Just six.
Nearly half had returned to nature’s embrace.
Unable to bear it, Pain’s face twisted in self-reproach.
He couldn’t face them.
He’d vowed to bear all their pain.
To achieve the greater cause bearing their sacrifices—yet lost to a mere human.
What face could he show his soldiers?
Even if they resented him, he had no defense.
Thud.
Then.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
The Outlaws surrounding them knelt on one knee in unison.
-Our…… king…… Do not…… blame…… yourself.
-You are…… our…… savior……
-Endless…… gratitude……
Grateful voices rose from everywhere.
Pain’s face went slack, utterly caught off guard.
Do-hyun smirked at him.
“These are the ones who staked everything on you. Takes more than respect to earn that.”
-Hmm! Feeble hearts clinging to fear can’t command true loyalty. You’re already a fine king.
-……Ah……
Come to think of it.
He’d never truly listened to their voices.
Pain didn’t know their thoughts.
Despite vowing to bear their pain, he’d never pondered why they followed him.
What sort of foolish king was he?
-Our…… king…… Have you…… gained…… a second…… life……?
No reproach in the soldier’s question. No hope or wish.
Just worried eyes.
Even now, they fretted over him.
And he? He’d only thought of accepting death as a warrior.
“Become a Legion Leader, and you get a second life. Sure, as undead, but you’re underworld folk anyway—what’s the difference?”
-…….
“No time like now. Last chance. You really gonna abandon them and embrace death?”
Pain didn’t answer.
He just silently gazed at his soldiers.
About 10 seconds passed.
Finally, the pensive king spoke.