Chapter 113
The Underworld (2)
{Free your body from the material constraints imposed upon it.}
In a strange expanse…
not outer space, but a vast domain not governed by familiar laws. A wide place, filled with something resembling wind, yet not real wind—rather, invisible currents moving without sound.
Arthur's soul floated there, transparent, shimmering in multiple hues, as if it were a reflection of his restless consciousness. His eyes were tightly shut, just as Kim Dokja had instructed.
{Ooooh… how interesting.}
{An incarnation wandering through the world of constellations.}
{This is truly something new.}
The great voices echoed in Arthur's ears—deep voices carrying an indescribable weight.
'What is this? Are these the Olympus constellations? What are they saying?'
Arthur continued to float in his transparent form, unable to understand, unable even to see who was speaking. Everything around him was vague, distorted, without clear features.
—
Inside a stone cave, dimly lit…
Arthur slowly opened his eyes, awakening from a heavy slumber.
The first thing he saw was the system window glowing faintly before him.
{You have entered the Underworld as a soul belonging to the living.}
{The judges of the Underworld have noticed your presence.}
Arthur exhaled quietly, then sat up, examining his surroundings.
'So I'm near the Underworld… according to Kim Dokja's explanation, I should be close to the River… the Acheron River? Or something like that…'
Before he could stand, he noticed movement around him.
Men and women… of various ages.
Pale faces, exhausted bodies, working relentlessly to build something massive.
"…A robot?"
Arthur looked in astonishment at the enormous structure under construction.
'Is this really a robot? Where am I? The Underworld or an otaku amusement park?'
He let out an irritated breath, then summoned the scenario window.
{Hidden Scenario: A Stroll in the Underworld}
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: AA
Clear Conditions:
Avoid the eyes of the judges
Return safely to the surface
Time Limit: 12 hours
Reward: 10,000 coins
Failure: You will become a resident of the Underworld}
'A tight scenario… just as the Constellation of Wine and Ecstasy said.
But why am I not at the Acheron River? Why am I here? Did something go wrong?'
Some of the workers noticed him.
One of the men approached, his expression harsh.
"Hey, you little bastard, why aren't you working?"
"Maybe a newcomer or something like that."
"Oooh… this will be fun."
Arthur sighed slowly.
He raised his hand and placed it on the man's neck, intending to snap it in an instant…
Then he remembered.
"Do not kill anyone in the Underworld.
If you do, they will notice you immediately."
Kim Dokja's warning echoed clearly in his mind.
Arthur smiled faintly, lowered his hand, then delivered a light strike to the man's head.
The man collapsed unconscious, motionless.
"Oooh… you're interesting."
The voice came from behind.
Arthur turned.
A young man—eighteen, perhaps slightly older.
Silver hair… completely silver, just like Arthur's.
The moment people heard his voice, they fled in terror.
"Damn it! It's that crazy weirdo! Run!"
'Weirdo? Who is this?'
"Who are you?"
The young man spoke while staring at Arthur, as if looking at something rare.
"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Kim Namwoon."
"Kim? Are you related to Kim Dokja or something?"
"Kim Dokja? Kim Dokja… oh! I remember.
How do you know that bastard?"
"He's my friend. And who are you?"
"I'm the one Kim Dokja killed."
"Oh… tough luck, kid."
Kim Namwoon chuckled lightly.
"You're really interesting. Don't you think I might kill you because you're that bastard's friend?"
Arthur smiled calmly, a cold look in his eyes.
"If you can, then do it.
I'll rip your head off your body and shove it up your ass, you arrogant little brat."
The two smiled… the smiles of devils.
"Where are we?"
"In the Underworld. What a stupid question."
"I mean… where in the Underworld?"
"Hmm… I think they call it Tartarus Prison… or something like that."
The moment Arthur heard the name, he slapped his forehead, looking at the giant dark hound lurking in the place.
'Damn you, Dokja… and your stupid plans and wonderful explanations.'
He sighed deeply.
"Tell me… have you seen a beautiful girl here?
White hair, tied in a ponytail… very beautiful."
Kim Namwoon's expression froze.
He placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, and sorrow appeared clearly on his face.
"Ah… don't tell me you died trying to save your lover or something like that.
How tragic."
"You stupid bastard, tell me… have you seen her or not?"
Kim Namwoon mocked his seriousness.
"No. I haven't seen her."
Then he burst into laughter.
Damn… didn't Shin Yoosung's soul come here?
She's from another world, but…
maybe she's still at the Acheron River.
I have to find her no matter what.
"By the way… what are you all doing here?"
Kim Namwoon smiled proudly and raised his finger, pointing at a massive black giant.
"Do you see that god-like thing that looks like a Gundam?
We're working on it right now.
And you'll help too."
'Damn… what is this?
Is Hades building some kind of catastrophe?
While the other Olympus constellations play and mess around…
Hades works.'
As Arthur stared at the dark giant…
He felt a hand grab him forcefully.
"What are you doing?!"
"Damn it! Are you blind?
Look… the overseers.
Come with me and work quietly, or they'll catch us."
Arthur looked.
Bodies of skin stretched over bone.
Empty eyes.
A black, split mouth.
They wore black cloth covering their entire bodies.
In their hands were massive scythes… each one carrying one.
They swept the area with cold gazes.
Arthur moved behind Kim Namwoon in silence.
Kim Namwoon picked up a hammer and began pretending to work.
Meanwhile, Arthur kept watching the overseers cautiously…
One of them climbed onto a stone altar in the center.
{Inform all slaves on the first floor.}
{An inspection will be conducted without prior notice.}
{There is an illegal intruder within the Underworld.}
{Reports indicate that a living soul has crossed into this place.}
{If the Great Death learns of this, the consequences will not fall upon the intruder alone… but upon you as well.}
{We are searching for the filthy intruder.}
The cold voice spread through the area like a whip, piercing minds before ears.
Kim Namwoon sighed mockingly as he continued working without concern.
"That idiot… even if a living person came here, why would he hide in Tartarus, for heaven's sake?
Doesn't he know it's pure hell?
Isn't that right, brother?"
"…Brother?"
"Yes, that's right."
But Kim Namwoon's expression suddenly changed.
He stopped working and slowly turned, staring at Arthur with a strange, sharp gaze, as if trying to pierce through him.
"Tell me… by any chance,
are they looking for you?"
"Yes."
Arthur did not hesitate.
He did not evade.
He did not lie.
He answered immediately.
Kim Namwoon threw the hammer from his hand, grabbed Arthur's shoulders tightly, his eyes gleaming with madness.
"Hahahahaha!
So you really are a living person?
Are you telling me you're actually alive? No lies?"
"Damn it… lower your voice, kid.
Yes, I'm alive."
'What now?
Kim Dokja didn't tell me anything about this situation.
Do I fight? Or stay silent?
If I stay like this, the judges will find me sooner or later…
and this is just a waste of time.
Damn.'
Arthur sighed slowly, then looked at himself.
His clothes were torn, worn out, no different from the other slaves.
A faint smile appeared… cold.
Then he stood up.
The overseers noticed his movement immediately.
{You…}
Arthur raised his head and looked at them with a sharp gaze full of contempt, as if they were ants beneath his feet.
"I'm the one you're looking for, you bastards.
Now… take me to Hades."
In a fraction of a second, one of the overseers disappeared.
Then appeared directly behind Arthur.
A skeletal hand extended to grab his neck.
Arthur bent down at lightning speed, raised his leg, and kicked the first overseer forcefully as their bodies collided.
At the same moment, the second overseer moved.
He raised his scythe, targeting Arthur's head.
Arthur raised his hand quickly and stopped the scythe with immense force.
At that moment…
a cold, lethal energy began to seep into his body.
He didn't notice…
a skeletal hand was gripping his leg from behind.
'Damn… I need to move—'
But it was too late.
The cold spread through his body, paralyzing his muscles, freezing his breath.
Within moments, Arthur froze completely.
A massive block of ice.
{The intruder has been eliminated.}
Life vanished from his eyes.
His consciousness was trapped within the freezing ice.
'Where am I?
Did I really die at the hands of these skeletal bastards?
Damn…'
Arthur sank into a silent, endless darkness.
He kept falling… deeper… deeper…
And in the heart of that darkness—
Two silver points ignited fiercely.
'No.
I will not die.
This is not my place.'
"I will not die!"
Arthur screamed with all his will.
His voice pierced through the frozen ice.
The ice began to tremble violently.
The overseers stopped and slowly turned.
Before the first could react—
The ice shattered with a thunderous explosion.
From within, Arthur burst forth like a silver meteor, his eyes blazing with terrifying power.
He raised his right hand and struck with unbelievable force.
The overseer's body shook, then was sent flying high into the air.
The overseer raised his scythe and swung it toward Arthur.
"That won't happen again."
Arthur dodged the scythe, then raised his hand and brought it down with overwhelming force.
His hand collided with the overseer's scythe with tremendous impact.
Silence fell for a few seconds.
Then—
A cracking sound.
Everyone thought it was Arthur's hand that had broken.
But the truth was far worse.
The scythe… was the one that shattered.
Arthur bent down quickly, picked up the sharp blade, and approached the overseer.
He swung it—
and pierced through his head with decisive force.
Arthur raised his head, his voice dripping with killing intent.
"Go… and tell the King of the Underworld.
The King of Death… has arrived."
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