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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: An Invitation
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[ You have entered the center of Niflheim's Underworld! ]
Just as Kang-jun casually swiped away the status window that appeared before him.
A few children ran past him, their faces bright with laughter, as if they were playing a game of tag.
"Hey, stop running!"
"Catch me if you can!"
"You'll be sorry when I catch you!"
Kang-jun stared blankly after the children for a moment before his dazed eyes began to scan his surroundings.
"Well, I'll be..."
Just as he had witnessed from beyond the rift, the place looked like nothing more than an ordinary, peaceful town.
"Fresh fish, just in today!"
"Selling off our finest, well-aged grain wine!"
The first thing he noticed were the market vendors, their booming voices calling out to attract customers.
"Come on, this is the lowest I can go!"
"Don't be so stingy, just a little bit more off, please."
"Alright, fine! Just this once, I'll give it to you for that price!"
Kang-jun then began to meticulously inspect the variety and types of goods the merchants were selling.
There were stalls selling food like grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish, but that wasn't all.
Even the draper's shop, which handled fine silk of vibrant colors, and the general stores selling jewels, flowers, and perfumes were bustling with crowds.
"A peaceful city..."
It wasn't much different from the small cities on the Anux Continent he once ruled.
"And a prosperous one at that, where commerce seems to be thriving."
The fact that people could afford to be interested in things other than their next meal was proof of the area's immense prosperity.
In fact, he couldn't find a single person on the streets who looked shabby or wore ragged clothes.
Standing blankly beside Kang-jun, Jeong Yun-chan nodded and cautiously offered his thoughts.
"I never imagined such a peaceful dimension could exist beyond the 'Wall'..."
To Jeong Yun-chan, who had only ever known a harsh life outside the Wall, the tranquil scenery on the other side seemed quite shocking.
"Believing what you see at face value isn't a particularly good habit."
Just as Jeong Yun-chan asked quizzically, "Sir?"
Thud, thud...
In the distance, armed soldiers began to approach.
"Huh, isn't that the 'Guard'?"
"What are they doing here...?"
"Did someone commit a crime?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd for a moment.
The people on the street quickly cleared a path.
The soldiers stopped directly in front of Kang-jun and Jeong Yun-chan.
"What is it?"
The one who appeared to be the highest-ranking among them dismounted his horse, abruptly knelt on one knee, and spoke respectfully.
"By our master's command, we have come to escort Lord '■■■'. We shall guide you to the citadel immediately."
Listening in silence, Jeong Yun-chan couldn't help but tilt his head slightly.
It was because the guard captain's words contained a short, indecipherable word.
"Master?"
When Kang-jun questioned him, the captain replied respectfully, "Yes," and began to explain.
"Yes, our master, the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld, has ordered us to escort you both with the utmost courtesy."
At the mention of the epithet of the god who ruled this place, Kang-jun's eyes narrowed slightly.
Suddenly, a "Tring!" sound echoed in his ears, and a system message appeared before him.
[ The Authority, 'Myth Transcription,' is activating! ]
[ The Creator God begins transcribing your myth. ]
At the same time, a story—whether a voice or text, he couldn't tell—once again resounded in his ears.
『 The Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld could not hide her astonishment at the power of ■, who had demolished the unbreakable barrier. 』
『 In the end, seeking a path to survival, she invited 'UUU' to her citadel for a direct conversation... 』
『 She resolved not only to invite >»' but also to graciously welcome his companions to her citadel and treat them with the highest honor. 』
『 After a moment's hesitation at the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld's sudden invitation, W»' finally accepted after long deliberation. 』
Once again, the story seemed to be acting as a guide, pointing him in the direction he should take.
'Still, this is rather suspicious.'
Wasn't the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld the very same deity who had shown such intense hostility toward him just a moment ago?
She had hurled all sorts of threats to keep him from setting foot here and had even openly mocked him when he was blocked by the barrier.
And yet...
According to the story, the 'Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld' had invited him to her citadel as part of her plan to find a way to survive.
'Is she trying to surrender?'
Of course, it was possible that she had belatedly decided to change her strategy out of concern for her own safety now that he was right at her doorstep.
However.
Inviting him to seek a path to survival could also mean that she had a rather formidable trap waiting for him.
In any case, from Kang-jun's perspective, it was a decent offer with no good reason to refuse, regardless of her intentions.
He had to face the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld to destroy the Gate anyway.
This would at least save him the trouble of having to search for her himself.
"Lead the way."
After giving the captain a curt reply, Kang-jun turned to Jeong Yun-chan and asked.
"What will you do?"
Just as Jeong Yun-chan was about to answer.
"It could be a trap."
No matter how peaceful it seemed, this was the heart of a Gate, so Jeong Yun-chan had already suspected it might be a trap.
"If you wait here, your comrades will come and rescue you soon enough."
"My comrades...?"
"A retrieval team of Hunters from your country is on its way here with a Return Stone to save you."
At those words, Jeong Yun-chan's eyes widened in shock, and he muttered in a dazed voice.
"A lot of time must have passed outside the Gate, too. Why would they launch such a reckless operation to rescue a straggler whose survival wasn't even certain...?"
Kang-jun replied, "How should I know?" then continued in an indifferent tone.
"In any case, the choice is yours."
Then he added.
"Decide."
He didn't have to follow Kang-jun into what might be a trap; he could escape this place safely without taking such a risk.
However.
Jeong Yun-chan didn't even hesitate before asking cautiously, his voice filled with resolve.
"Are you going to suppress the Gate?"
Kang-jun gave an ambiguous answer.
"Probably."
If the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld were to get on her knees and beg, making him an offer he couldn't refuse, things might be different...
But for the most part, his plan was to kill the Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld and completely annihilate this Ruin-grade Gate.
"If you would allow me..."
"Hm."
"I would very much like to accompany you."
To that, Kang-jun replied casually.
"Do whatever the hell you want."
Then, he expertly mounted the horse a guard had brought and said in a rather imperious tone.
"Lead on."
Jeong Yun-chan watched Kang-jun's back for a moment before turning to look back the way he had come.
At the rift connected to the world beyond the great Wall.
At the snowy plains stretching above the rift.
At the place where he had trained relentlessly.
He had spent an entire year training in a place where blizzards raged endlessly, surviving on moss that grew inside a cave.
He thought he had achieved something great.
And he did, in fact, attain an awakening.
But the change wasn't as significant as he had hoped.
'To think I wasn't even strong enough to escape this place on my own, let alone suppress this Ruin-grade Gate.'
He was ashamed of his arrogance, of believing he could protect everyone if only he returned to Earth.
'If I run back to Earth like this, nothing will change...'
He would rather help Immortal suppress the Gate, even if it meant his life would end here.
'Even if something happens to me, my comrades can still use the Return Stone to get back...'
He wanted to witness the level Immortal had reached one more time, to internalize even a fraction of it.
If his only goal had been to survive, he never would have become a Hunter in the first place, a path fraught with danger.
He was a man who sought to protect.
He didn't know about others...
But at least, that was the kind of man he was.
Jeong Yun-chan, too, mounted the horse offered by a guard.
Heeigh!
And so, the two of them, guided by the guards, headed toward the 'citadel' perched on a distant hill.
"Ah."
The guard captain suddenly let out a small sound and added, looking at Kang-jun.
"Once you arrive at the citadel and rest for a while, your other companions will arrive shortly."
"Other companions?"
"A few of our members have gone all the way to the other side of the Wall to escort Lord ■■■'s other companions."
***
Arriving at the citadel shortly after, Jeong Yun-chan couldn't help but gasp in awe, "Whoa..."
The castle, which had looked massive even from a distance, boasted an even more overwhelming scale up close.
"Where is she?"
As Kang-jun dismounted, the guard captain answered with a troubled expression.
"My apologies, but you cannot see her right now. Perhaps once the 'evening banquet' begins..."
Kang-jun replied, clearly displeased.
"You want me to wait?"
Just then, a dozen or so maids waiting at the castle gate approached and greeted them in unison.
"O great Lord ■■■..."
The maids were all peerless beauties, dressed in fine silk clothes of rich color and texture.
"Please, calm your anger and soothe your weary body with a warm bath. What do you say?"
"You wash yourself."
"Then you must be hungry. Shall we prepare a meal for you first? We have dishes made with all sorts of rare delicacies..."
Kang-jun slapped away the hand of a maid who tried to straighten his clothes and replied.
"You eat it..."
Then, brushing off his shoulders, he added.
"And if you touch me one more time..."
Gulp.
"You'll be dead."
The terrified maid forced an awkward smile and said in a trembling voice.
"Then, perhaps we could bring you some light refreshments and wine..."
Kang-jun said in an icy tone.
"Enough with the nonsense. Just take us to the waiting area."
And so, the two men followed the maids into the castle and walked down a long corridor.
Jeong Yun-chan, utterly fascinated, was busy looking left and right, letting out a constant stream of quiet exclamations.
Soon.
A maid led them to a long table set up in a spacious banquet hall, bowed her head deeply, and spoke.
"My apologies, but would you please wait here for a moment?"
"For your sake, you'd better not make me wait long."
Having said that, Kang-jun picked up a short knife from the table and added, gently caressing its blade.
"I'm not one to brag, but I'm not a very patient man."
The maid smiled brightly and replied.
"I shall keep you company so you will not be bored while you wait."
Kang-jun asked.
"I heard you were bringing my other companions."
"Yes, your other companions will be arriving soon."
Then, she looked toward the outer windows spaced evenly along the banquet hall wall and said.
"It seems they are arriving just now."
At her words, Jeong Yun-chan's gaze also shifted to the window.
A moment later, his eyes began to tremble violently.
"Oh my god..."
He could see the Hunters of the retrieval team, just like them, being escorted by the guards toward the castle.
Most of them were familiar faces, and some were even close comrades with whom he shared a deep bond.
Just as Jeong Yun-chan, seemingly at a loss for words, stared silently at his old comrades, who looked like tiny dots in the distance.
"Those fruits look quite delectable."
At Kang-jun's sudden remark, Jeong Yun-chan shifted his gaze to the basket on the table, filled with a colorful assortment of fruits.
"They really do."
There were bright red apples, round figs, pomegranates studded with tiny seeds, and more.
As Jeong Yun-chan picked up a piece of fruit, a brief smile touched the maid's lips.
"Put it down."
The maid flinched in surprise at Kang-jun's icy command.
Jeong Yun-chan was surprised as well.
About to take a bite, Jeong Yun-chan put the fruit back down and spoke.
"I apologize. To be honest, I can't even remember the last time I saw proper fruit or food like this..."
Having survived on cave moss and the occasional wild animal, he had been naturally drawn to it.
"Still, we should maintain some decorum, shouldn't we? Let's wait for our comrades to arrive and share it all together."
Then, turning to the maid, he asked in a friendly tone, "Right?" The maid nodded awkwardly and replied evasively.
"You speak wisely."
Then she added.
"You must eat it 'all together'."
Muttering, "All together..." Kang-jun let out a smirk and nodded in agreement.
"That's right, we should all eat together..."
Just then, the tightly closed doors of the banquet hall swung open, and another maid who had been standing there entered and said in a deeply respectful tone.
"O great Lord ■■■, your other companions have also arrived safely within the castle...."
And so, the retrieval team, too, set foot inside the castle, the stronghold of the 'Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld'.
