Chapter 575
The intruder’s footsteps carried no mana.
Like a shadow.
The hooded figure slipped into the Veteran Corporation’s camp without a sound.
Crackle… crackle….
The sound of burning firewood rang louder than usual.
The intruder carefully scanned the surroundings, searching for something.
But then—
“Everyone’s asleep, so if you’ve got business, speak with me.”
Leaning against a tree, Chun Yoosung opened his mouth.
The hooded figure froze.
“…You must be Chun Yoosung.”
“You know me?”
“Of course. You’re one of the Veteran Corporation’s core fighters—the one who defeated Dionysus single-handedly.”
Among the higher divinities, none could be ignorant of his name.
The reputation of the Veteran Corporation’s members spread daily.
Shing!
Chun Yoosung half-drew his sword.
Cold sword-light shimmered beneath the moon.
He was about to activate [Song of the Sword].
“I only came to talk! Where is Player Kang Jinhyuk?”
“Before you start looking for someone, shouldn’t you reveal your own identity? No matter. I’ll capture you first, then ask.”
Boom!
Chun Yoosung kicked off.
The distance closed instantly.
His blade swept in deadly arcs.
Not meant to kill, but each strike was aimed to strip away mobility.
“Kh!”
The hooded figure bit her lip.
If she played carelessly, she’d be cut down.
‘I’ll have to fight in earnest… even if I only came to speak.’
First calm him, then negotiate.
Her decision made, she acted quickly.
Crackle!
Black sparks danced at her fingertips.
A baleful aura spread, and the campfire’s flames shuddered violently.
“At last, your true colors show.”
Chun Yoosung gripped his sword with both hands, unleashing his mana.
[Dance of the Soul-Chasing Sword, Form Ten…]
His blade began to sing.
And in answer, alien mist coiled around the intruder.
[Skill ‘Waves of the Deep Night’ is—]
But before their clash—
“You’re too noisy. Can’t sleep. I told you to keep watch, and this is what you’re doing in the middle of the night?”
Jinhyuk appeared, scratching his head.
He let out a theatrical yawn for good measure.
Beside him stood Teresa and Andrea in their nightclothes, rubbing their sleepy eyes.
“Mmm…”
“What’s going on?”
Still drowsy.
“An intruder came. I was about to subdue them.”
Subdue, he said…
But from the look of it, it was more like he meant to cut her to pieces.
He was the type to kill first and shrug it off later.
Better not to say that out loud.
‘He hasn’t had his fill of blood yet.’
Best to avoid provoking Chun Yoosung—for everyone’s safety.
“Good work. I’ll take it from here. Seems this one wants me.”
“Tch.”
Chun Yoosung reluctantly sheathed his sword.
A sigh of relief escaped from beneath the hood.
Then, with gratitude toward Jinhyuk—
“It’s the first time we’ve met in person.”
Shhhk….
The hood fell back, revealing a strikingly beautiful woman.
“My name is Persephone.”
“…What?”
“No way.”
“Persephone? One of Olympus’ chief gods!”
Their pupils shook violently.
They had expected someone formidable, but never a chief deity.
And Persephone, of all people.
“You aren’t surprised.”
Persephone fixed her eyes on Jinhyuk.
He alone remained unmoved.
“You must have overheard what I said to Zeus earlier. I figured you’d come.”
Persephone’s arrival was already foreseen.
And so was her question.
“Then, is it true? That Lord Zeus… killed my husband?”
It was inevitable she would ask.
Ahem.
Jinhyuk cleared his throat first.
Then he poured feeling into his words.
“It’s true. I fought Lord Hades, yes. But we both intended to end it in a draw, respecting each other’s strength. We sought a new agreement instead of needless bloodshed.”
He wore an expression of grief.
As if choking back the pain of tearing open his own guts.
The visage of a grieving friend before the bereaved.
“In his final moments, Lord Hades was filled with rage, vowing vengeance. But gravely wounded, he asked me instead. To strike his brother in his stead.”
Honk!
He pulled out a handkerchief, even blew his nose.
Wiped away nonexistent tears.
It was working.
Years of cons had sharpened his acting to perfection.
“I see… So it truly was Zeus….”
Persephone murmured, repeating Jinhyuk’s words.
Now.
“Which brings me to a request.”
“A request?”
“Yes.”
Jinhyuk drew out a pomegranate and offered it.
“Slip this to another chief god. Zeus would be best, but Hera or Hermes will do.”
“This…”
Persephone’s face trembled faintly.
The fruit bound her to the Underworld.
The memory she most wanted to forget.
Losing freedom itself was a nightmare beyond measure.
But—
Zeus had killed her family.
From Zeus and Hermes’ reactions earlier, it was clear Astrapē had slain Hades.
And she had seen the traces herself when recovering his body an hour ago.
Her hesitation was brief.
She tucked the pomegranate into her robes.
“…I’ll do it. But in return, spare the other gods. Promise me that, and I’ll help you.”
“Agreed. I’ve no wish for needless bloodshed.”
And another alliance was forged.
⁕
After Persephone departed, the others stared at Jinhyuk in disbelief.
Not at the lies told so smoothly—
But at how he had foreseen and arranged it all.
Chun Yoosung, in particular, felt more than disbelief.
He felt fear.
‘This isn’t something you can plan on luck.’
Not unless he had known all along.
From the museum, he had felt a strange unease.
At first, he thought Jinhyuk had only reached the 20th floor.
Later, maybe the 30s.
But no—
‘Wrong. Not the 30s. At least the late 30s. Maybe past the mid-40s.’
Could he even know about the Tower’s peak?
When gathering intel, he had seen references to “those beings”—ones never to be named—who ruled beyond the gods of myth.
He hadn’t been able to dig deeper, but they existed.
Chun Yoosung’s heart burned with both jealousy and hunger.
He had to grow stronger.
—
At Olympus, a feast was underway.
Ostensibly to mourn the dead gods and bind the survivors together.
At the head, Zeus drank ambrosia.
“……”
His face showed no feeling.
The deaths of gods meant little to him.
All that mattered was his throne.
Others could replace them in time.
Strength always rose anew.
Then—
“Thank you for holding this feast in memory of my husband and siblings.”
Persephone bowed deeply.
“That cursed man caused much. I, too, grieve my brother.”
“Then we must avenge them, mustn’t we? My husband’s killer.”
“Of course. I’ll see to it that you have first claim when he is captured.”
“Thank you. Then allow me to toast Olympus’ supreme god.”
She poured ambrosia for him and herself.
She drank first.
Zeus drained his cup in one go.
“…Then.”
A thin smile curved her lips.
“I pray my vengeance comes true.”
“…What?”
A chilling malice made Zeus’ eyes snap open.
But only briefly.
He staggered.
Lost balance.
[Absolute Judgment ‘Command of the Underworld’ is activated!]
Kukukuku!
Black cords rose from the earth, binding Zeus.
“You think such tricks can hold me?”
Even absolute judgment couldn’t bind him forever.
A few hours, at best.
“That will be enough.”
“When I return, I’ll burn you to ash—”
But his words cut short.
The view changed.
Olympus vanished.
Only blood and death filled the Underworld.
And at its center stood Jinhyuk, battle-ready.
“So it was you. You got me this time.”
Zeus clicked his tongue.
He had tried to stall for favorable conditions.
Instead, he’d been forced into his foe’s chosen ground.
“You should’ve treated your people better. Use them and discard them, and this is what you get.”
“Hah! Coming from you, of all people. The rumors about you are endless.”
“Ahem! Baseless rumors. Everyone loves me.”
“Then why stand alone? Surely you didn’t come to face me without allies. Are they waiting to ambush me?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
Jinhyuk shrugged, too relaxed.
Shaking him up before the fight.
But—
“You seem calm. Haven’t you heard the news?”
News?
“What news? Did I miss some event?”
“Bwahaha! You don’t even know your most precious one is being hunted? Pitiful.”
Zeus laughed, waving his hand.
[‘Window of Lightning’s Glimpse’ opens!]
Crackle!
Through a window of lightning, a silver-haired figure appeared.
Alice.
Blood magic still rained from her, fed by the Crown of the Pureblood.
But something was wrong.
Kwakakakaka!
Kwoooom!
A horde of enemies surrounded her.
“Damn it! Fall back! Secure an escape!”
Berial commanded desperately, while Alice held the front.
“It’s too many!”
“The assault corps is annihilated. We can’t break through!”
“The defense line… it’s collapsing!”
Berial’s kin screamed, pale with terror.
Demon Kings from all over the realm were launching an all-out attack to claim the crown.
It was a crisis beyond measure.
How long Alice and Berial could hold was uncertain.
“Looks like you’re the one running out of time.”
Zeus leisurely raised Astrapē.