novelraw Chapter 86 : Champion of the Abyss
Chapter 86 : Champion of the Abyss
Chapter 86: Champion of the Abyss
Riley.
She was the one who had first informed them about the temporary shelter…
‘The woman I thought was affiliated with the Requiem Cult.’
“Hm. You weren’t affected by the formation. For someone who came running into the dining car begging to be saved, aren’t you a bit too capable?”
Kang Yohan shot back sharply.
“I made some preparations in my own way. I already knew what those bastards were trying to do. More importantly… I’m the one who’s surprised. Those old geezers were monsters even we feared greatly, yet you handled them so easily.”
With that one remark, he figured out her identity.
If she wasn’t from the Requiem Cult or the martial world, then—
“The Hestia Empire… was it?”
The main stage of the third episode where numerous factions gathered.
Riley belonged to that battlefield.
But something felt off.
“I’ve already accepted a request from Mary, so why did you lure us into a place where the martial world had set a trap?”
If it was a test, he had already proven himself more than enough through Gluttony.
Even if they were masters who handled internal energy, it wouldn’t make much difference.
“First, let me tell you one thing—Mary is dead.”
“What!?”
No. Just a few days ago, he had met her at Running Rabbit and chatted with her while she smiled.
…Dead?
It didn’t feel real, as if he were watching a different story unfolding beyond a screen.
“The Running Rabbit itself has been completely devastated. It was the work of those New Cult bastards.”
“……!”
That was quite a shock.
To think the Heavenly Demon Cult had infiltrated that place.
‘So that’s why Ma Hakso and Lee Ak said earlier that someone of high rank had taken an interest in me and wouldn’t kill me.’
Only now did their actions begin to make sense.
At the same time—
An ominous feeling began to press down on his heart.
Originally, the New Cult wouldn’t act so aggressively at this point in time.
Their internal reorganization hadn’t been fully completed yet.
Although most orthodox factions had been annihilated, a few surviving rising talents and reclusive masters were still resisting.
From the New Cult’s perspective, dealing with them should have been the priority.
Yet, for them to be this bold…
It meant they must have found a reason to do so.
One possibility immediately came to mind.
Trait [Royal Blood]
A unique trait passed down only to the direct imperial lineage of the Hestia Empire.
If, by any chance, the Heavenly Demon were to obtain it, he would achieve something far beyond imagination.
‘He must think even ascension is within reach.’
This had escalated far beyond expectations.
If the Heavenly Demon had truly foreseen that and dispatched his subordinates, then this episode would reek of bloodshed.
“You should’ve told us in advance. Things would’ve gone much smoother. I need to know why you hid the information.”
“The reason I didn’t tell you beforehand and guided you here is because of my ability. It’s called ‘Bounty Hunter.’ I can place a bounty on a target, and if I keep the target secret, the reward doubles.”
“So you did it out of goodwill, to give us more reward?”
“That’s right.”
“Not because you wanted to test our judgment and response when unexpected situations arise?”
“……Well. That too, partly.”
Damn it. The Empire’s side isn’t easy either.
Calling it a “double reward event” sounded nice, but if they had failed to notice and died, she would’ve simply said it couldn’t be helped.
“So, what’s the result?”
“I’ll say you’re incredibly lucky. Even I’ve never seen something like this before.”
Riley tossed over a scroll.
Black parchment with a red seal.
At a glance, it looked anything but ordinary.
[You have acquired the high-grade magic ‘Inferno Scroll’.]
Scrolls were single-use consumable items in which magicians sealed spells.
Though their one-time use was a drawback, the story completely changed when the term ‘high-grade’ was attached.
‘This is insane….’
Kang Yohan swallowed dryly.
7th-circle fire magic.
Typically, anything from the 7th circle onward was categorized as ‘high-grade’ magic.
It possessed power on a completely different level compared to the lowest-tier 1–2 circle or low-tier 3–4 circle magic.
‘Even masters who could wield sword aura would be finished if they took a proper hit from high-grade magic.’
He had just obtained an incredible weapon.
“The Empire’s request is still valid. If you capture and deal with the one who killed Mary, I’ll give you even greater rewards.”
“I was planning to take revenge anyway.”
They had to pay the price for making it impossible to drink that delicious Old Fashioned anymore.
The problem was…
The Requiem Cult.
They had overcome the martial world’s scheme for now, but they had spent quite a bit of time.
By now, there must have been significant casualties in the panic room underground.
It was safe to assume the bastards had gathered a considerable amount of resources for the auction.
Kang Yohan checked the remaining time.
[Time remaining until the auction: 0H : 19M : 57S]
[Once the time limit expires, the location of the auction house will be revealed.]
It was about time to move.
But right then—
Bzzz!
A vibration came from his inner pocket.
A call.
The caller was…
‘Jaehwan?’
Kang Yohan immediately answered.
“What is it, Jaehwan?”
“H-hyung!”
Lee Jaehwan’s voice was trembling violently.
Even when he had been chased by Gluttony in O-World, he hadn’t been this shaken.
“Run away right now. You have to get off that ship immediately!”
“Calm down. Speak slowly. Why are you suddenly telling me to run from the ship?”
“The ninety-eighth Abyss… The revelation said… the one who collects bodies is heading your way! I don’t fully understand what it means, but it’s definitely not good. A-after receiving this revelation, I… I can’t… breathe properly…”
“……!!”
The moment those words ended, Kang Yohan’s expression hardened.
Champion of the Abyss.
The hundred transcendents who could influence the episode itself.
Being ranked ninety-eighth meant—
He was ranked 98th among them.
“Mr. Yohan? Are you okay?”
“Why do you look like you just ate shit right after a big victory? What’s wrong? Who was on the phone?”
Scarlett de Juliard and Park Yeri tilted their heads.
“I think we need to change the plan.”
Plans A and B were completely discarded.
Changwol.
A monster who, at the very least, had reached the 11th Star of the month…
…was now coming here.
＊＊＊
At the same time.
Europe’s major guilds, Arcane Guild and Mage Union, urgently formed a strike team.
A large number of monsters had appeared on the Sky Ocean Cruise, and casualties among civilians and Hunters were increasing exponentially.
Immediately after receiving the distress signal, a massive rescue fleet cut across the sea.
Rumble!
A fleet consisting of one 6,000-ton vessel and five 3,000-ton vessels rapidly closed the distance to the target.
“There should be quite a few mid-tier guilds on that cruise, yet they couldn’t handle it and requested help….”
“It seems the monsters are stronger than expected. Right before communication was cut off, the situation looked quite urgent.”
“In that sense, it’s truly fortunate that Mage Union’s magician, Ashvalt, is with us.”
The Hunters looked toward a man in his 30s wearing a blue robe.
Former S-rank.
And now, after the Apocalypse, a powerhouse who had reached the 3rd Star of the 2nd Moon.
A magic-type Hunter who monopolized countless skill books and elixirs under the guild’s full support—Ashvalt was regarded as one of humanity’s treasures.
His combat experience accumulated up to S-rank and his potential were unmatched.
Reaching an even higher Star rank was only a matter of time.
“…….”
Receiving those gazes, Ashvalt clicked his tongue inwardly.
Tch.
A rescue mission when he was already busy growing.
If it weren’t for the guild master’s orders, he wouldn’t have even glanced at it.
But—
He had received plenty so far, and there was still more to gain in the future.
So he had no choice but to play along.
Since there was still quite some time before reaching the destination, he planned to study his grimoire.
Right then—
Creak—!
The steel framework of the rescue ship began to let out a grotesque scream.
It wasn’t due to waves or wind.
This wasn’t an ordinary ship—it was a special vessel engraved with magic and spells.
“A monster? Could it be the ones that attacked the cruise?”
“All units, battle positions!”
The Hunters immediately prepared for combat.
Sea-type monsters were indeed troublesome, but with the strike team present here, even large-scale threats could be handled.
But then—
“What…?”
“Up there… is that a person?”
Those who stepped outside muttered while staring into the air.
The thing shaking the ship wasn’t a monster.
A massive bird made of bones.
And standing atop it was a boy with curly green hair and green eyes.
Stitched marks across his face.
A white eyepatch covering one eye.
His androgynous appearance blurred the line between male and female.
“We are a joint rescue team dispatched by the European Union. Identify your affiliation and status. Otherwise, you will be deemed hostile and eliminated.”
The magical energy emitted by over a hundred Hunters blanketed the sea.
Rumble!
Ordinarily, just facing such a force would make one’s legs tremble.
The boy slowly scanned the ship.
Then, as if disappointed, he shook his head.
“It’s not you.”
“What? Not us? What do you mean by—”
Before the sentence could even finish—
Kiiiiiing!
With a sharp ringing—
The 3,000-ton rescue ship at the very front split in half.
KABOOOM!
A massive explosion followed, and the ship was engulfed in crimson Karma Flame.
“B-Black Swan has sunk! All life signals have been lost!”
“That’s impossible… how did he destroy such a large ship…?”
Everyone froze at the absurd sight.
They couldn’t even comprehend what had struck them.
A calamity beyond perception.
Watching the ship slowly sink felt unreal.
At that moment—
“So it wasn’t a complete waste of a trip. I don’t know which organization you criminal belong to, but you’ve chosen the wrong place to target, brat.”
Ashvalt appeared at the stern of the ship, holding his grimoire open.
Woooong!
Brilliant magic circles manifested one after another.
[Mid-tier Skill ‘Storm Breaker’ is activated!]
[Low-tier Skill ‘Flame Flower’ is activated!]
[…activated!]
Various scrolls and magical tools also emitted mystical energy.
Multi-casting.
A domain permitted only to those with both talent and skill.
“Ooooh!”
“It’s Hunter Ashvalt!”
“The elemental mage who received the Knight’s Token!”
Cheers erupted among the Hunters.
His feat of single-handedly annihilating an orc tribe in the first episode was still widely talked about.
“I already have enough mage hearts… and yours isn’t even worth collecting. It’s cheap.”
The boy responded indifferently as he looked at Ashvalt blocking his path.
At the same time—
[Top-tier Skill ‘Hellfire Storm’ is activated!]
A ‘domain casting’ triggered only when hundreds of multi-casts were achieved.
Fwoooosh!
Azure-colored hellfire filled the sky endlessly.
“Grrr…!”
“KROOOOAR!”
BOOOOOOM!
A storm raged across the sea, and gigantic ancient creatures dozens of meters long began to rampage.
Insect-like beings with human faces, long limbs, and wings.
Crustaceans with lava flowing from their claws.
Serpents with dozens of mouths protruding from their backs.
A realm of absolute chaos had descended.
＊＊＊
Rank 98.
Alias: ‘Collector.’
A being infamous for absorbing bodies and organs with outstanding potential.
Even gods and heroes from various myths had been reduced to his flesh and bones.
Naturally, if one fell into the hands of such a collector of bodies, there was no future left.
‘This is the worst.’
How were they supposed to face someone who could single-handedly wipe out the Hestia Empire?
He didn’t know why the creature had taken interest in this ship, but as Lee Jaehwan said—if they hesitated, it would be a total annihilation ending.
Sss…
Kang Yohan swallowed dryly and forced his mind to cool down.
Even with an uncontrollable variable appearing, the instincts of a veteran who had repeated countless cycles stirred, seeking the optimal outcome.
Right then—
Ding!
[The onboard auction will now begin!]
[Location: 1st Floor ‘Main Concert Hall’]
The die had already been cast.
“Everyone, we’re heading to the first floor.”
They weren’t fully prepared yet, but given the situation, they had no choice but to act accordingly.
“Take care of the request. We’ll move separately on our end. Let’s meet at the Empire once everything’s done.”
Riley left to regroup with her companions.
“Mr. Yohan.”
“No time to rest even after a big fight.”
Kang Yohan headed down the stairs with Scarlett de Juliard and Park Yeri.
On the way, he wrote a sentence on a golden sheet of paper.
This would become their hidden card at the auction.
And then—
They arrived at the 1st floor main concert hall.
The Requiem Cult, having secured a massive amount of resources from the panic room, had already arrived.
The first person that caught his eye—
Cain Belmaier.
As expected, that bastard was here too.
Even in such a tight situation, he ended up facing an enemy he least wanted to meet.
And beside him—
‘Kim Geunsik?’
No—what the hell was that guy doing here?