Chapter 17
Honestly, it was a rare opportunity.
The [Invisible Hand Creator]’s obsession with collecting went beyond imagination, and it was almost unheard of for them to give up after being robbed like this.
Framing Kim Byung-han so that the opposing creator would ‘snipe’ him meant that at the very least, the [Invisible Hand Creator] had given up ownership of the ring.
That meant only one obstacle remained.
‘The creator who gave the [Oath of the Dead Ring] to Andariel and helped her act in the Night of the Abyss as a [Game Master]. That should be the same being who opened this [Sniping Abyss].’
The one who opened the [Sniping Abyss].
Who could it be?
The [Oath of the Dead Ring] stolen by Kim Byung-han had been worn by the [Game Master] Andariel to seal her [Existence].
But it was highly likely that the ring itself didn’t belong to Andariel, that demon.
The very existence of a high-ranking demon in the ‘First Night of the Abyss’ was ironic to begin with.
The [Abyss War] had just started.
Creators needed [Coins] to create an [Abyss], and naturally, stronger Abysses consumed more Coins.
Even a creator wouldn’t have enough Coins at this stage, so they wouldn’t risk placing a high-ranking demon inside an Abyss.
Even the [Master of the Moon] who opened the [Night of the Abyss] wouldn’t be an exception.
From the start, when appointing a [Game Master], a high-ranking demon would’ve been ruled out.
Yet, there was a creator who forced the high-ranking demon Andariel into the [Night of the Abyss], making her lower her [Existence] herself.
Park Chan-woo was certain that this was the very being who opened the [Sniping Abyss].
‘The owner of this Abyss. To truly own the ring without worry, I need to bankrupt the creator who targeted Kim Byung-han.’
That was the only way to take the ring.
[Existence]—a presence, or perhaps a soul.
The [Oath of the Dead Ring] sealed Andariel’s [Existence] in its entirety.
The fact that Kim Byung-han was caught as soon as he stole it meant the ring’s creator was already keeping an eye on it.
And considering they even launched a [snipe], it was unlikely they’d give up just because Park Chan-woo took it.
They’d most likely keep harassing him.
So, if he wanted to keep the ring intact, he needed to make sure that this creator was bankrupted in this [Sniping Abyss].
“W-What do you mean, I was framed?”
When Kim Byung-han asked, Park Chan-woo shrugged.
“The being you contracted with dumped all the blame on you. That’s what I mean.”
“Th-Then what should I do? If I throw away the ring, will it all end?”
Kim Byung-han looked as if he would burst into tears at any moment.
It’d be nice if it ended that way.
“It won’t end.”
“W-What…?”
“Even if you throw it away, even if you pass it on to someone else, the one who created this Abyss will still make sure you die.”
He answered truthfully.
Because this [Sniping Abyss] clearly showed signs of [malice] directed at Kim Byung-han.
‘It’s structured solely to destroy Kim Byung-han.’
The organization Kim Byung-han had devoted half his life to.
The moment he reported to its very core, the [snipe] began.
Only people from the same building, with the same company were summoned into the Abyss, and they were instructed to kill Kim Byung-han themselves.
That wasn’t all.
When the sun was up, the Abyss reflected Kim Byung-han’s surroundings; when the moon rose, ghostly bats followed him, wearing him down to the extreme.
Yet the blades were only placed in the hands of humans.
It was a betrayal by those he trusted.
It also meant to have him tremble and despair in the face of betrayal and die.
So, if that wasn’t [malice], then what was?
Therefore, even if he discarded the ring, Kim Byung-han couldn’t survive.
…Unless Park Chan-woo gave him a [Coin].
“Ah… Aaah…!”
Kim Byung-han despaired.
Tears and snot flowed relentlessly as he clenched his fists and pounded the ground.
He wanted to scream in protest, but he couldn’t control the boiling emotions, so no words came out.
“P-Please save me…! You can save me, can’t you?”
Eventually, Kim Byung-han reached out and grabbed Park Chan-woo’s pant leg.
Park Chan-woo spoke coldly.
“Why should I risk danger to save the likes of you?”
“I’ll give you the ring! Whatever I have… everything… cough!”
Coughing up blood, he sobbed.
Even then, his trembling hands didn’t forget to hold out the ring.
Left alone, he would die before long.
It was impossible to survive here alone.
“Fine. I’ll save you.”
“…!”
“But.”
Park Chan-woo leaned down.
Then he whispered into Kim Byung-han’s ear.
“You’ll have to do me a favor next time. No matter what.”
“I-I understand. Kuhuk!”
Kim Byung-han gasped for breath.
A pale face, darkened skin beneath dead eyes.
This was enough.
‘[Invisible Hand Creator]. When he aims for the [Drop of God] in the Species War half a year from now, I’ll snatch it first.’
Half a year from now the first [Massive Abyss] would open.
A game known as the [Species War], in which 120 million people from humanity’s past were sacrificed.
That day, humanity and the [Twelve Species] would meet for the first time and compete, with rewards and punishments based on their rankings.
Even against the weakest of the [Twelve Species], humanity couldn’t avoid finishing last in the first [Species War].
And in the midst of that, the [Invisible Hand Creator] and his [Incarnations] successfully stole the [Drop of God] from the moderator.
Park Chan-woo intended to take it for himself this time.
‘…In this upcoming [Species War], I must at least place in the top 8.’
Only those ranked 8th or higher received no punishment.
As long as they reached the top 8, humanity could avoid a catastrophe that would essentially reset them.
The problem was that Park Chan-woo alone wasn’t enough to make it happen.
It was a battle watched by all of humanity and the [Twelve Species].
The strongest humans would face off against the weakest warriors of the [Twelve Species].
To climb into the top 8, either Park Chan-woo had to become a wall too high to climb, or he had to rapidly raise geniuses like [Sword King Lee Hyuk-soo].
‘I’ve got my hands full already.’
[Lv. -96]
Raising others was a luxury—Park Chan-woo could barely manage his own growth.
He had to monopolize it completely.
One had to strengthen oneself first before looking after others.
Just like how leisure came from wealth, the ability to look after others only became possible once Park Chan-woo himself had grown strong.
Park Chan-woo snatched the ring from Kim Byung-han.
At the same time—
《Due to a special authority, the [Oath of the Dead Ring] has been transferred.》
《The ring’s level is adjusting to match the new user.》
‘…So it really does adjust like this.’
But that was fine.
The ring was never about its level to begin with.
Name: [Oath of the Dead Ring]
Level: -96
Grade: [Ancient]
Description:
(1) A ring containing the oath of a long-dead Hollow King who once split the continent. It is said that due to this oath, the ring can contain an entire existence. However, once the stored being’s mana is completely depleted, the ring’s durability will decrease by 1.
(2) Currently contains the mana of the [High-Ranking Demon Andariel].
(3) Only those who have made an [Oath] with the being within may use the ring.
Equip Slot: Ring
Defense: 15
Durability: 1
Unique Options:
(1) [Andariel’s Spirit] (Lv. 84, 178 Mana)
(2) [Queen of the Thorn Hell] (Lv. 84, [Ancient])
“…!”
Park Chan-woo silently cheered.
Just as expected.
Jackpot.
No—beyond a jackpot, it was a super jackpot.
‘So she was a demon with king-class hierarchy.’
[Queen of the Thorn Hell]!
That wasn’t just a modifier for Andariel—it was the source magic she had sealed away.
But why was a being called a king playing the fool in the [Night of the Abyss]?
* * *
《Rules have changed.》
《Eliminate the “two humans” pursued by the [Ghost Bats].》
《Time limit shortened.》
《If not killed within 2 hours, a [Death Knight] will be summoned.》
A rule change.
‘They’re pushing it.’
Modifying the rules of an already-created Abyss was an extreme move.
It could only be done by spending additional [Coins].
That much attachment to the ring meant they couldn’t let it go.
Honestly, it was puzzling.
Was the [Oath of the Dead Ring] really worth enough to pour in extra [Coins]?
‘Fine. I’ll bankrupt you.’
Even better.
Just 2 hours from now, the [Death Knight] would appear.
If Park Chan-woo took that thing down, the owner of this Abyss would naturally go bankrupt.
Ssshhhhhik!
Thunk!
It was then.
An arrow came flying from afar.
Shhhit!
Thankfully, [Radiant Anubis] sensed it first and blocked it with his body.
“That bastard’s not a demon—he’s human!”
“Kill them both!”
“Hurry! We’re running out of time!”
People began to appear, one by one.
There were more than a hundred.
Even with Anubis present, it was too much for Park Chan-woo to handle alone.
‘To use the [Oath of the Dead Ring], you need to form an oath with the being inside.’
In other words, only those who had made an [Oath] with Andariel could use the ring.
That meant only Andariel herself or someone extremely important to her could wield it.
But even that was fine.
Park Chan-woo had already made a powerful [Oath] with Andariel.
‘The Oath of the Abyss. There’s no oath more binding than that.’
What is an [Oath]?
A vow and a promise.
Through the [Oath of the Abyss], Park Chan-woo and Andariel had pledged upon their hearts.
Though Andariel had perished as a result, an oath was still an oath.
Looking at the people desperately charging at him, Park Chan-woo spoke.
“Protect us—[Queen of the Thorn Hell].”
《[Queen of the Thorn Hell (Lv. 84)] is manifesting.》
