Chapter 138
―Believe in me!
―Only I can save the world!
―Follow me! Unbelievers shall be devoured by the Abyss!
There were countless forms of “justice” in the world.
Especially in the end times of Earth, it overflowed with those proclaiming their own righteousness.
Of course, true justice had long since died.
Among the many hypocrites, there were a few Park Chan-woo would never forget.
The Fallen Saint, Yoo Jin-seo, was one of them.
‘To those who have tasted despair, few roles are as alluring as that of a saint.’
Those who had fallen to the bottom craved faith.
When they felt trapped in hopelessness, they began to believe in anyone or anything, clutching even the most rotten rope.
It was only natural that they’d be drawn to a mysterious and sacred being like a saint.
‘I, too, once believed Yoo Jin-seo was a saint.’
Even Park Chan-woo had been deceived by her for a time.
At least in the beginning, she had acted in a manner worthy of the title.
But when he later realized that everything had been born of “charm,” he could only be appalled.
‘Yoo Jin-seo bewitched the entire world—the entirety of humankind.’
A nine-tailed fox could enchant everything it saw or touched.
There was no limit to its targets, and the duration was infinite.
The bewitched could never even realize it.
They believed, naturally and effortlessly.
And as time passed, the influence of the charm grew stronger.
Ordinary mental magic that forcibly altered awareness had clear ranks and limits.
But such common sense did not apply to Yoo Jin-seo.
She had no limits.
Only after Park Chan-woo reached level 90 and cleared the trial known as “Final Limit Break” had he finally been able to realize it.
…There was no need to describe how overwhelming the charm of a nine-tailed fox was.
‘The Fox Den is an Abyss that fell from another dimension.’
People didn’t know.
That a Creator’s Abyss could fall into this world from another.
It wasn’t a common occurrence, after all.
So no one suspected it.
Only after countless failed attempts did he begin to feel something was off.
This was nothing like the Abysses that currently existed on Earth.
A “Cross-Dimensional Abyss” wasn’t designed for humanity—it wasn’t made for this world at all.
And the reason such Abysses fell to Earth was clear.
‘…They fall from worlds that have perished.’
A world had been destroyed.
When a world met its end, the Abysses within it scattered across existence.
Humanity called this phenomenon a “Black Star.”
Normally, Park Chan-woo would have cleared the “Large-Scale Sniper Abyss” first before entering.
But now—
‘The Creators have lost interest in Han Min-oh.’
That bought him time.
It wasn’t a bad idea to conquer it from the start.
He slowly turned his gaze.
A vast open field.
And before it, a pure white temple.
“Wh-where are we?”
“I swear that star fell right on top of me…”
“I thought I was dead!”
“Did we… get pulled into an Abyss?”
Around a hundred people looked around in confusion.
Unlike Park Chan-woo, they hadn’t entered voluntarily—they’d been swallowed by the Black Star that fell from the sky.
They were simply people unlucky enough to be in its vicinity.
Poof!
At that moment—
Smoke billowed, and a small fox appeared.
“Hello, everyone! I’m Hoya, here to help you with your trials!”
The fox floated in the air, introducing itself brightly.
Hoya—
The so-called guide of the trial. Or rather, the one who would hinder them.
“Trial? What nonsense! We didn’t even want to be here!”
A man shouted in rage.
He was already furious that the star had fallen on him—and now he’d been forcibly dragged into an Abyss.
And with the fox’s cute appearance, he must’ve thought it was harmless.
“So you wish to reject the challenge and leave the Abyss?”
Hoya asked calmly.
The man nodded vigorously.
“Yeah! I’ve had enough of this crap. Just let me out!”
“Understood.”
“…Wait, really?”
“Yes!”
“Thanks—”
Pop!
“Kyaaaah!”
“M-my head!”
The man’s head burst like a firecracker.
The surreal sight left everyone frozen in horror.
Hoya smiled sweetly.
“I’ve granted his wish—he’s been let out!”
The only way to leave this Abyss… was death.
That was what the fox had just demonstrated.
“Now, everyone, pay attention! It’s time to explain the trial. And if you keep making noise… it won’t be fun.”
Snap!
As if on cue, silence fell.
No one dared risk ending up like the man before them.
Terrified, they could only listen as Hoya continued.
“This world is ruled by the Demon Tribe! Together, we must defeat the demon lord, Aurum! Eek, so scary!”
Hoya trembled dramatically at the name Aurum.
An act.
Park Chan-woo raised his hand.
“‘Aurum’—isn’t that a demon?”
“Eh… ah, yes! But the Demon Tribe is different from demons! Though… hmm?”
The fox tilted its head, confused.
‘Was he always here?’
It hadn’t noticed his presence before.
But it shrugged it off quickly.
Probably just overlooked him while explaining.
‘Good.’
Of course, it was intentional.
Park Chan-woo had deliberately released [Nonexistence].
Now, everyone—including Hoya—could perceive him.
That was necessary. He’d need Hoya’s cooperation to get through this trial.
“Anyway, five trials await you, brave challengers! But before we begin, everyone must first enter the temple!”
The crowd hesitated, but one by one began stepping inside.
Park Chan-woo followed quietly.
Once everyone was inside—
“Do you see that radiant sword embedded in the black stone?”
At the center of the temple stood a sword gleaming atop a massive stone.
‘The Holy Sword of Protection.’
The sacred blade that guarded the temple.
Like the legend of King Arthur, only one who drew the sword from the stone could claim it—and gain an advantage in the Fox Den’s trials.
‘The Holy Sword bearers join forces to slay the demon. That’s the premise of this Abyss.’
Of course, there wasn’t just one sword.
There were ten temples in total—each holding its own Holy Sword.
The Fallen Saint Yoo Jin-seo had once led the challengers as one such sword’s wielder.
A flawless, saintly figure—beyond suspicion.
But one needed to remember why this Abyss was called “Fox Den.”
‘Most Holy Sword bearers are foxes.’
People thought the name came from the fox-like guides such as Hoya—but they were wrong.
The true foxes were already among the challengers.
Disguised as humans, leading them all toward ruin.
As a result, the demon Aurum could never be defeated.
Most challengers perished before even reaching it.
The Fox Den’s trials were cruel beyond measure.
A hell crafted solely for death—pretending to offer hope.
That was the Fox Den.
Hoya announced cheerfully,
“We must find the sword’s true owner! Please, step forward one by one and try pulling it out!”
No one moved.
A “holy sword” could be anything—no one knew what trap might trigger.
So the fox elaborated.
“Don’t worry! Failing won’t hurt you! And whoever pulls the sword gains great power to defeat Aurum—their survival rate skyrockets!”
“Ah…!”
“Move!”
“Let me try first!”
In an instant, the crowd surged toward the black stone.
Just pulling it out could make them stronger—everyone understood that becoming the sword’s master meant survival.
But—
“It won’t budge!”
“Damn it! Come out already!”
The sword didn’t move an inch.
Naturally.
The bearer of the Holy Sword had already been chosen.
‘Only a fox can draw it.’
Whoever pulled the sword… was a fox.
‘They’ll probably go last.’
Just like in every story, the “protagonist” appears last—stealing the spotlight.
“How unfortunate! Could the sword’s master not be here? Only two challengers remain!”
Hoya’s voice dripped with false concern.
Everyone else had tried and failed. Only two were left.
Of course, one was Park Chan-woo. The other—a fox.
He turned his gaze.
‘There you are.’
The fox appeared as a strikingly handsome man—broad-shouldered, sharp-featured, radiating confidence.
An irresistible charm, impossible to ignore.
A fox’s trait.
They could take the form most alluring to their prey.
“……”
The fox met his gaze.
Its eyes said, ‘Go ahead. Try.’
As if certain he couldn’t do it.
Amusement flickered across its face.
Park Chan-woo nodded and calmly stepped toward the stone.
“Alright! This time, you’ll definitely succeed! Pull with all your might!”
Hoya cheered, dancing in the air—mockery hiding beneath its playful tone.
‘Despair! Give up, foolish mortals!’
Hoya barely held back its laughter.
It was always entertaining to watch these hopeless beings struggle.
This Abyss was preordained from start to finish.
Everything—every false hope, every failure—was by design.
The challengers’ despair was inevitable.
“Hm.”
Park Chan-woo placed his hand on the hilt.
“Come on, you can do it!”
Hoya twirled happily, grinning wide.
He tightened his grip—slowly, deliberately.
Then—
Schring!
“…Eh?”
“…???”
(T/N: Lol, his Eternal Sword trait works here)