Chapter 96

Kneel before the Great Khan.

Park Chan-woo tilted his head as he read the message.

It felt oddly hostile toward the one who had released all the seals.

Creeeeak!

When the door opened, an endless staircase revealed itself.

Without hesitation, Park Chan-woo stepped inside.

The moment he crossed the threshold—

Ding!

[‘Legendary Quest: The Path to Legend’ has been completed!]

[‘Great Conqueror Khan’ awakens and declares the ‘Second Night’ as his territory.]

[A new legend is born!]

[To the one who has brought legend—your feat shall be remembered forever.]

[All participants receive the title ‘Witness of Legend.’]

[The first ‘Legendary Quest’ has been cleared.]

[The first to pass all of ‘Khan’s Trials.’]

[Acquired the Master Title: ‘Legend.’]

[Calculating total contribution points.]

[‘Conqueror Khan’ recalls the process of the trial and observes closely.]

[‘Conqueror Khan’ is impressed!]

[You have earned 150,000,000 contribution points.]

With the final seal undone, the curtain closed on the Legendary Quest.

The title: just two characters—[Legend].

And alongside it, 150 million contribution points.

‘Conqueror Khan… more generous than expected.’

He hadn’t imagined that Khan himself would assess and reward contribution points.

It was likely related to his declaration of the ‘Second Night’ as his domain.

‘…Legend.’

Yet more than the points, it was the acquired [Title] that occupied his thoughts.

A [Master Title]—and not just any, but one called [Legend].

He had seen many titles before, but none as striking as this one.

As he focused on the title, related details surfaced.

[Legend (Master Title): Attack Power +200, Total Penetration +5%]

A brief, concise explanation.

Park Chan-woo’s pupils trembled slightly as he read it.

A single title increasing attack power by 200?

But what truly shocked him was the option that followed.

‘[Total Penetration]!’

…An effect that could never be ignored.

An option unavailable through any equipment or tool—obtainable only via a title.

Something everyone dreamed of but only a rare few were chosen to possess.

Its broken power needed no explanation.

No matter how high the enemy’s defense, 5% would be [penetrated].

As time went on, more monsters with absurdly high defense would appear, and those without this option would never be able to defeat them.

Likewise, it was extremely effective against shield warriors who maxed out their defense.

At least 5% of all attacks would always land.

No matter how high your defense, you couldn’t avoid damage from someone with [Total Penetration].

‘It’s an option that becomes more important over time.’

There were limits to increasing attack power alone.

To survive the endgame Abyss, one needed to raise critical chance, magic grades, defense ignore—all in balance.

‘In the past, I barely managed around 20%.’

When he ascended the Water Dragon God Palace, his [Total Penetration] was only around 20%.

Now he could start with 5%.

And since [Total Penetration] could only be increased through [Titles]…

More importantly, gaining 5% from just one title—this was a first for him.

‘This is insane.’

Completely insane.

With smart use, it could help conquer even those Abysses previously deemed impossible.

Just having that potential raised his growth ceiling drastically.

A faint smile played on Park Chan-woo’s lips.

“You’re quite intriguing, challenger.”

It was then.

From atop the endless stairs—

A warrior sat on a throne, looking down at him.

A man with a billowing white beard and a massive trident in hand.

[Great Conqueror Khan]!

“Releasing the first seal in Ahheta’s Abyss was impressive enough, but the way you handled my trial… admirable. I commend you.”

“Thanks.”

Park Chan-woo shrugged casually.

The Legendary Quest was over.

If someone was offering praise, there was no reason to reject it.

Khan stroked his beard.

“To summon the [Reaper of Oaths] and defeat Gatekeeper Ajos… I never imagined such a method. And that appearance now… you are clearly an irregular being.”

“I heard the [Great Conqueror Khan] respects irregularities.”

“Indeed. You’re quite right. Battlefields are full of irregularities. Only those who can accept them can command the battlefield.”

“I agree.”

Park Chan-woo nodded.

He was more open-minded than expected.

Even after Park Chan-woo had killed his three guardian warriors and stolen Ajos, Khan remained composed.

A true conqueror who had survived countless battlefields.

Then Khan spoke again.

“Ajos, have you truly left my side?”

His gaze turned to the shadow that was Ajos.

Ajos didn’t reply.

He simply stood silently beside Park Chan-woo.

Khan chuckled softly.

“…The palace entrance will feel a bit empty for a while.”

It was an acknowledgment that Ajos was now entirely beyond his reach.

Ajos would no longer obey his orders.

He now followed only Park Chan-woo.

“Are you planning to go to war with Ahheta?”

Park Chan-woo voiced the question he had been wondering about.

Khan’s seal was fully broken.

Now free, he had declared the [Second Night] as his domain.

But there was no way Ahheta would just sit and watch.

“This land was originally mine. Now that I’ve returned, Ahheta has no right to claim it.”

“Still, Ahheta won’t stay quiet, will he?”

“Ha! If he’s already turned it into a [Creation Abyss], he can’t intervene directly. Unless he acts himself, this land is as good as mine.”

Khan was confident.

Ahheta wouldn’t be able to interfere.

Khan looked directly at Park Chan-woo and spoke again.

“When the [Second Night] ends, this Abyss will be fully mine. With it as a base, I shall recover my strength and once again begin [Conquest of the Abyss].”

Though unsealed, his power had not yet fully returned.

Still, the conqueror’s ambition remained unchanged.

That was a relief.

Another being unafraid of Ahheta had drawn his sword against the Abyss.

More threats to the Creators wasn’t a bad thing.

If he could get Khan to ally with Adora, it could be a very interesting outcome.

“By the way…”

Suddenly—

Khan tilted his head and continued.

“Why are you still standing on both feet?”

His tone turned chilling.

A wave of cold and killing intent swept forth.

“Kneel.”

Vwoooom—!

Khan’s voice rang throughout the palace.

The mana in his voice vibrated and struck the eardrums, threatening to overwhelm the mind.

An overwhelming presence.

Now he understood why Ahheta had only [sealed] him.

Even without fully recovered strength, this much…

“Ggh…!”

Lee Hyuk-soo let out a short scream.

Overwhelmed by the voice, he struggled desperately not to fall to his knees.

Drip.

A nosebleed trickled down.

The veins in his eyes looked about to burst.

And then, he bit his tongue.

If he didn’t get a grip, he would pass out.

“Huff, huff, huff…!”

He barely endured it, but that one act of resistance left him completely drained.

[Incapacitated].

He couldn’t even lift a finger.

“Well now. I spoke lightly, but didn’t think you’d actually endure it.”

Khan’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Park Chan-woo.

Park Chan-woo stared back at him calmly, seemingly unaffected.

Even with eye contact, there was no reaction.

That was because Ajos stood in front of him, absorbing all of Khan’s pressure.

Of course, even so, it would be impossible to remain completely unaffected by someone of Khan’s level.

There was only one reason why Park Chan-woo remained untouched.

[The effect of the title ‘Nemesis of Creators’ has activated.]

[‘Unyielding Will’ effect triggered against a Creator.]

It was thanks to the title [Nemesis of Creators].

Why had that effect activated now?

Because that title only activated in front of a Creator.

It granted mental protection.

‘Great Conqueror Khan… he’s a Creator.’

Only now did he realize.

That meant the true identity of this [Great Conqueror Khan]—was a Creator.

But how could he be one if he wasn’t a Lord of the Abyss?

‘A conqueror… did he become a Creator by conquering a Creator’s domain?’

A being even Lords of the Abyss feared.

He wasn’t called a conqueror for nothing.

This [Khan’s Palace] also bore many traits similar to a [Creation Abyss].

And more than that—

He had territorialized the [Second Night].

The [Second Night] had already become a Creation Abyss.

Becoming its master meant becoming a [Creator] who owned a [Creation Abyss].

‘He personally assigned contribution points. That was only possible because he became the Creator of the Second Night.’

Ah…

So that’s how it was.

No wonder things felt off.

He didn’t expect Khan to understand and manipulate the contribution system.

“Normally, I wouldn’t let you live, but fine. You fully released my seal—so as a reward, I’ll spare your life. Thanks to you, I feel much more refreshed.”

Khan smiled leisurely.

When the first seal was released, he hadn’t expected much.

The ten trials to release the second seal were meant to test a challenger worthy of reaching [Legend].

Each trial mimicked one of the ten territories Khan had once conquered.

A challenger without qualifications could never open the door even with the key.

But this one forged a path and proved himself.

Thanks to that, Khan was completely unsealed.

If he could recover his power in this domain, he could surely return as the [Conqueror King].

‘…A Creator.’

Park Chan-woo paused to think.

An ancient existence.

Conqueror Khan was completely different from what he had imagined.

His original plan was to resurrect Khan, take the [Second Night] from Ahheta, and strike a blow.

But if [Conqueror Khan] was a Creator, the story changed.

Because then—nothing would change.

Now that he had seen Park Chan-woo, he might turn his eyes to humanity and spawn a [Creation Abyss] on Earth.

He could even attempt to conquer Earth and create a vile Abyss there.

…He would have to revise the plan entirely.

Park Chan-woo spoke coldly.

“Ajos. Kill him.”