Chapter 436
‘Kukukuku!’
The sand parted left and right as the water from the oasis was absorbed into the ground.
At the same time, powerful magic began to gather.
It was a phenomenon that occurred when a divine being was about to manifest.
Thor and Loki readied their stances.
Baldur and Heimdall also kept their eyes fixed ahead, their expressions tense.
It was then that a sound, like the howling of a beast, echoed.
“Krurrr…!”
‘Swaaah!’
The sand merged into one and soon transformed into the shape of a black jackal.
Anubis.
One of the higher deities of Egypt had revealed his form.
“Damn white mutts. Do you think this is your living room, swarming in like this?”
Anubis growled.
“What did you say…?”
Thor’s forehead bulged with a prominent vein, but before he could step forward, Loki took the lead.
“We apologize for intruding into your domain without notice. We had no choice but to commit this discourtesy as this was the only way to meet you.”
“And who exactly told you that nonsense?”
“Would the name Kang Jinhyuk answer your question?”
“What? That guy told you about this place? And to meet me?”
Anubis exclaimed in surprise.
Even for him, the mention of Jinhyuk carried weight.
“Yes. He also asked me to convey this message: ‘If the balance of the Demon Realm collapses due to the Apocalypse, the Olympus, which has allied with it, will also face a time of upheaval.’”
The conversation took a serious turn.
Anubis clutched his throbbing head.
“…So it really was that crazy bastard who unleashed the Kraken. Damn it. But still, what does that have to do with you coming to meet me?”
“The reason we’re here should be obvious, shouldn’t it? An alliance. Specifically, a tripartite alliance between Ragnarok, Egypt, and Veteran Corporation.”
“…”
The depth of the discussion grew.
What had initially seemed like a simple attempt to drive away unwelcome intruders had now evolved into a matter that could upend the balance at the highest levels.
“You must be joking. You want me to join hands with some humans and defeated remnants who’ve lost their stronghold? I admit I find Kang Jinhyuk intriguing, but that’s as a player. Entering a partnership as equals is an entirely different matter.”
Anubis scoffed.
But Loki remained unperturbed, as though he had anticipated such a reaction. He reached into his robe and pulled out an object.
“If we were only here to ask for a one-sided alliance, we wouldn’t have come this far.”
“This is…”
Anubis’ pupils rapidly dilated.
‘Fwoosh!’
Black and white flames flickered and burned.
‘Eternal Campfire.’
A sacred relic capable of incubating the eggs of ancient species.
It was created using the ashes from Yggdrasil’s roots, which had absorbed the waters of the Sun Well before being destroyed. The complex and esoteric method of combining it with other materials resulted in a success rate of less than 0.01%.
“So… that’s how it was. That guy must’ve tipped you off.”
A player whose abilities defied human comprehension.
From the first moment Anubis met Kang Jinhyuk, it had been an endless series of surprises and shocks.
Jinhyuk’s sheer determination had even changed the way Anubis perceived him.
If Jinhyuk was involved, then it wasn’t far-fetched that he had obtained the Eternal Campfire from Ragnarok.
‘Rejecting this won’t be easy.’
For Egypt, which possessed numerous ancient eggs, the campfire was an irresistible lure.
Moreover… combining the intelligence of Veteran Corporation, the Eternal Campfire of Ragnarok, and Egypt’s ancient deities could create an unexpectedly advantageous scenario.
“Indeed, I can’t let their power expand unchecked. Otherwise, we might be next.”
Anubis glanced at the now-ruined oasis, distorted grotesquely by the rampaging of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Attempting to peacefully guard their own territory had led to the current disaster.
“Fine. I’ll speak to the other deities as well.”
Anubis nodded.
—
Meanwhile, on Paradise Island, the games were in full swing.
In the ‘‘Blindfolded Watermelon Smashing’’ event, Chun Yoosung and Wolyoung stood out.
The two swordsmen, spouting nonsense about using their mind’s eye, swung their swords wildly.
“Kyahhh!”
“Not there!”
“I almost died—seriously!”
The spirit creatures ran about in panic.
With blindfolded maniacs flailing their swords, it was no wonder they were terrified.
Between Chun Yoosung and Wolyoung, a battle of pride over whose swordsmanship was more advanced had already begun. The game had devolved into something far from lighthearted fun.
‘Kwakwakwak!’
‘Soul-Chasing Sword Dance.’
‘Shadow Blade Technique.’
Two techniques clashed in straight and diagonal slashes.
Sword marks crisscrossed the sandy beach, while watermelon halves and red juice scattered everywhere.
Even Teresa had been acting oddly earlier. Everyone seemed to have lost their composure.
The only relief was that these two weren’t the only ones driven by their competitive spirits.
“How dare you argue about being the strongest in front of me? I’ll smash all these watermelons!”
[Alice activates Lv?? ‘Blood Spear’!]
The space warped, and countless spears materialized in mid-air.
In this game, only hitting watermelons counted for points, so precision was key.
But Alice’s spears had no such finesse.
Destroying everything in sight was the hallmark of the Blood Spear.
“No, don’t!”
Chun Yoosung shouted in panic, but Alice had already pointed her finger forward.
‘Papapapap!’
The scores of the ‘Justice Enforcement’ team, which had been in the lead by a small margin, plummeted into the negatives.
[Forgive and Forget (98 points) vs. Justice Enforcement (-146 points)]
The second round ended.
Since the opposing team had won the first round, the scores were now tied.
With 1:1, the decisive factor would be the final event: ‘Capture the Flag on the Deserted Island.’
The flag was located on an uninhabited island about 2 kilometers away from Paradise Island.
The team that retrieves the flag first will claim final victory.
“How does it look? Not bad, right?”
Jinhyuk carefully examined the distant island and the flow of the waves.
“The waves aren’t rough… but the other team won’t just sit idly by and let it happen.”
Wolyoung glanced toward Chun Yoosung’s side.
Over there, demons with sinister grins were huddled together, crafting their own schemes.
Forgetting all the kindness of being fed, sheltered, and cared for, they had initiated a coup.
Their betrayal would be repaid a thousandfold in blood.
“I’ve got an idea. I’m not sure how well it’ll work, but at the very least, it should create some variables.”
At the very least, they could reach the island first.
After that, things would become overwhelmingly disadvantageous.
“We’ll trust you, Master. Since it’s come to this, I don’t want to lose to Chun Yoosung either. Even if I have to sink their ship, we’ll win no matter what.”
Wolyoung’s eyes burned with determination.
He seemed to be losing his mind as well.
At first, he’d felt like a sharp, abandoned blade. But now…
“Then, let’s begin the final game. Both teams, please prepare.”
Soon, two rafts prepared by Rick set out into the sea.
They were makeshift vessels, crudely crafted from wooden logs, with no means of propulsion other than rowing.
“But we have Undine. And a divine beast who can manipulate the weather is on our side, too.”
Chun Yoosung’s lips curled into a smirk.
The water spirit, Undine, was particularly resentful of Jinhyuk. This poor spirit was more than willing to sacrifice itself for revenge.
One of the Four Divine Beasts, the Azure Dragon, also gripped its orb with a resolute expression.
“Are you both sure about this?”
“Of course not. We’ll probably pay several times over for this later.”
Undine’s face bore the weight of countless years of suffering.
She knew better than anyone how cruel the price of betrayal could be.
And yet…
Even so…
If they could ignite even a small spark of retaliation, if they could heal their wounded hearts just a little…!
They were prepared to take a step into hell itself.
“Hmph! A noble soul like a divine beast must have at least one unyielding conviction they never give up on.”
The Azure Dragon also accepted the future repercussions with calm resolve.
“I won’t forget your sacrifice.”
Chun Yoosung nodded solemnly.
[Undine activates ‘Aqua Blast’!]
[Azure Dragon activates ‘Weather Manipulation’!]
‘Kukukukuku!’
The Justice Enforcement team’s raft surged forward at an incredible speed.
Meanwhile, over Jinhyuk’s raft, dark clouds gathered, and torrential rain began to pour down.
The gap widened in an instant.
“Master!”
“I know!”
The key to this game was who could reach the island first.
To find the hidden flag, securing time was crucial.
Jinhyuk, clutching Goguma, moved to the back of the raft.
“Tweat?”
Goguma tilted its head, confused, as Jinhyuk handed it something.
A magic stone.
Specifically, a custom magic stone drenched in a special red sauce from the Tower of Trials, one so potent that it made Thai chilies seem mild.
The reaction was swift.
Goguma’s black skin turned bright red in an instant.
“Tweattttt!”
Flames erupted from Goguma’s mouth.
‘Kukukukuku!’
A storm even fiercer than Undine’s Aqua Blast erupted.
In the blink of an eye, the raft reversed the tide and surged ahead.
“Damn it! That bastard again…!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Chun Yoosung drew his sword.
“We can’t let them get away!”
“Of course not! I won’t let contractor claim the hat!”
Teresa and Alice also began to channel their magic.
‘Crackle!’
‘Blood Spear,’ ‘Blessing of the Stars,’ and ‘Soul-Chasing Swordshot.’
Three distinct skills were unleashed simultaneously.
Each one carried the determination to sink the raft entirely.
“Master!”
Wolyoung cried out in urgency.
Teresa and Chun Yoosung’s attacks alone were formidable, but with Alice joining in full force, there was no way to deflect or dodge.
“Good, that’s the spirit of my subordinates.”
Jinhyuk chuckled.
Only those consumed by madness could join Veteran Corporation.
If they’d just watched passively, he might’ve been disappointed.
“Master, this isn’t the time to admire them… If those hit us, we’re done for!”
“Don’t worry.”
Jinhyuk reassured Wolyoung, who was pale with fear.
He had a card to endure even the strongest attacks.
“Tweat?”
Goguma, who had been spewing fire moments ago, tilted its head again.
This was the so-called ‘Ancient Shield.’
All incoming attacks from different directions would be funneled and countered through Goguma.
‘Boom!’
Brilliant white flames exploded.
“Tweat!?”
‘Boom!’
A sword aura struck its body.
“Tweattttt!”
‘Boom!’
The final spear, crafted from blood, knocked Goguma unconscious in an instant.
“Tw…Twe…Tweat…”
Smoke rose from Goguma’s charred body.
“I won’t forget your sacrifice.”
Jinhyuk placed a white tissue over Goguma’s eyes.
Exhausted of its limited magic, Goguma was now unable to continue the game.
“They’re coming again!”
Wolyoung shouted.
This time, Chun Yoosung was preparing to leap directly onto their raft.
So, he wanted to settle things face to face, huh?
But Jinhyuk wasn’t worried.
‘Of course, I still have one hidden card left.’
A dependable ally who could step in at any moment.
‘Buzz!’
The subspace inventory opened….
“I’ll stop the enemy. Yes, I can do it. I’ll give it a try. The odds are fifty-fifty.”
Frey appeared, gripping two spears, and collided mid-air with Chun Yoosung.