Chapter 319

Arsha spread her worker bees all over the globe as Suho commanded. However, even during that busy time, her main body was leisurely strolling through the shadow dungeon. Relaxing and even humming a song. She was practically imprisoned, unable to leave this place, but that didn't make her feel any discomfort. First and foremost, the queen wasn't a being that busily flew around outside like the worker bees. Therefore, the shadow dungeon, where no one could hope to intrude without Suho's permission, was more comfortable than any other place, safer than the outside world where unknown dangers might lurk. Because of that, Arsha was unconcernedly wandering around, unbothered by the ominous atmosphere outside.

[Hmm…?] She suddenly looked up.

A giant pyramid. The Iron Body training ground, where Ammut resided, filled her vision. Arsha thought they had become quite close recently. Although she didn't know what the always blunt Crocodile's opinion was, she was sure one could call them 'best friends.' And now that they were practically colleagues serving the same master, wouldn't it be better to get along…?

Even though they were different races, Arsha thought she had a lot in common with Ammut. Look at that pyramid. Wasn't that great and strong creature, also living in that huge 'beehive'? At this point, wasn't Ammut also a kind of queen bee? He was also reigning, using the bandaged mummies like worker bees. Of course, Arsha kept this thought to herself, she knew Ammut would be furious if he heard it. She knew him that well. But… At the same time, she had slightly, no, a very dangerous thought.

'It might be a little cool to see Ammut angry.' Why did she feel a slight thrill imagining the strongest person here getting angry?

'Perhaps it's because we're in similar situations.' Arsha chuckled as she looked at the giant pyramid where Ammut was trapped.

Then her gaze shifted upwards to the black ray that was always emanating vertically from the top of the pyramid. A black beam that pierced through the shadow world and soared endlessly into the universe. According to Ammut, that strange dark column appeared the day the Shadow Monarch's 'illusion' manifested before him. From that moment on, the pyramid, and even Ammut himself began to grow.

[…What is that pillar?]

Recently, all of Arsha's thoughts had been focused on that thing. But no matter how curious she was, she didn't dare approach it. Her Instincts told her to be wary because it was created by the Shadow Monarch. She didn't want to risk getting into trouble by going near it for no reason. Arsha, who liked that this world was safer than the outside, had no intention of taking risks because of unnecessary curiosity. Moreover, she was busy trying to gain Suho's favor, and recently, even that dangerous 'dragon' hatched from its egg and roamed around this place.

"Beep?" Speak of the devil!

[Eek!]

Chomp! 

Ragnar, the red lizard, who came waddling towards Arsha, suddenly opened his mouth wide and his long tongue shot out like a whip, wrapped around Arsha's body, and swallowed her whole.

Gulp!

[…Please!] 

She was eaten… Again. Fortunately, her main body escaped and reappeared at a distance. She shuddered at the sight of Ragnar looking at her with a harmless expression and smacking his lips. It was then.

Whoosh—!

Ragnar's goofy expression suddenly became stern, and he smiled meaningfully at Arsha.

[Are you curious about that pillar?]

Shiver—!

The Dragon King Antares possessed the small and cute Ragnar's body. Arsha's eyes widened in fear, and she backed away.

[Ah, don't be scared. Ragnar won't grow from eating a few more bugs like you.] 

'Those damn insects.' Antares just clicked his tongue at Arsha's pathetic appearance. But then he smiled meaningfully again, pointed at the black pillar she was just looking at, and asked,

[Answer my question. Are you curious about that pillar?]

[I… am not curious.]

[Lies are bad. They make me want to kill...]

[I-I'm curious!]

[Good. Good... That's how you should answer me.]

Arsha couldn't help but tell the truth as soon as she saw Antares' eyes gleaming with madness. She had no choice. Since ancient times… No, since the beginning of time, the dragon race had been the natural enemy of insects. There was no need to even mention the Dragon King, the Monarch of Destruction, Antares, right before her eyes. The dragons were those who devoured insects like snacks from the moment they were born. They were a vicious race that instinctively sucked all nearby bugs in as naturally as breathing air, even though insects couldn't even begin to fill their bottomless stomachs. So, for Arsha, Antares' presence was, in some ways, even more terrifying than Suho's.

[Isn't it strange that you're afraid of that black pillar yet can't take your eyes off it?]

[…Yes, it is.] Arsha confessed honestly as Antares saw through her heart.

The dragon's smile deepened. [If you're curious why, you can just go up there and see for yourself.]

[…I'm scared.]

[It's natural to feel fear. That pillar is… 'His' doing.] Antares clicked his tongue in displeasure as he thought of Sung Jinwoo. But what he really disliked were the numerous magical circles embedded in that pillar.

[Tsk. For the Shadow Monarch to imitate the magic of the demonic spirit shamans.]

'This is why we lost the war…' Antares didn't like the guy, even in retrospect.

The shadow power.

The fraudulent authority over death and the ability to command the dead! The King of the Dead, the first Shadow Monarch 'Ashborn', used that power to gather the enemies he defeated and gradually grew the 'Immortal Army'. He was a powerful being who could face several Monarchs alone with just that power alone.

But Sung Jinwoo, the second Shadow Monarch who inherited his legacy, was different. Was it an approach possible only because he was once a weak human? That guy didn't just use the Shadow Monarch's power to create an army like Ashborn. He mastered the abilities of the soldiers themselves, becoming worthy of being called a 'legion' by himself.

[For someone who didn't need to become any stronger to master such petty tricks. Humans are truly unfathomable.]

[Petty tricks…?]

[Can't you see the magic of the demonic spirits clinging to that pillar?]

[I can see that much. But I can't grasp its true nature…] Arsha answered cautiously so as not to offend Antares. She looked up at the black pillar on top of the pyramid again.

As they say, you see as much as you know. To some, it might just look like a black unfathomable ray rising high into the sky, but if you looked deeper into the abyss it was made of, you could see numerous magic circles intertwined within that darkness. That's why it was even more unsettling.

[I can't even imagine what purpose those densely packed magic circles are serving…]

[Tsk. You insignificant thing. It's absurd and pathetic that you're aiming to be Querehsha's successor.]

[Please… bestow your wisdom upon me, who is infinitely lacking. I will listen attentively.] Arsha completely discarded her pride despite Antares' openly mocking attitude. It was only natural to grovel before the strong. And for the weak, begging the strong for mercy wasn't something to be ashamed of.

[Hmm.]

Antares' expression softened a little, seemingly pleased with that attitude. He stroked his chin, turned his gaze back to the black pillar Sung Jinwoo created and left behind, and spoke,

[Since ancient times, the Demonic Spirits living in the magic world have been a race that crossed dimensions, playing petty tricks and mocking souls.]

The Demonic Spirits.

Shamans who enjoyed collecting numerous souls through dimensional cracks and conducting all sorts of wicked experiments and research. Especially the ability of their king and Monarch, Yogumunt, shone in the chase with the Shadow Monarch. Just the fact that he could escape the Shadow Monarch's sight when necessary and use that to gain a strategic advantage was enough to prove how great Yogumunt's magic was. But… The Shadow Monarch could teleport as well. Crossing dimensions through Gates was something 'He' could easily do.

[That's why we eventually lost. All the Demonic Spirits who followed Yogumunt at that time were completely absorbed into his army. And that's the result…]

The black pillar.

All kinds of magic were offered to Sung Jinwoo by the shamans of the magic world who were reduced to shadow demonic spirits. Among them, there were many spells that could be cast with just a bit of magic power… That pillar was the result of all those combined.

[So, what kind of magic is on that pillar…]

[Heh. Isn't it obvious? He always fights to protect everyone. That's his worst habit.]

War was about defeating the enemy and achieving victory, But Sung Jinwoo, that guy, valued protecting someone more than defeating the enemy, And that's why he was always alone.

[He isn't a king.] A king was a being who reigned. But a king who sacrificed himself to protect others? That kind of guy wasn't a king. At least not in Antares' eyes.

[...That's why I can't acknowledge him. And that pillar… is the insurance he prepared to protect everyone.]

Krrrr—!

Antares gritted his teeth as he glared at the black pillar soaring high into the sky.

[If you truly want to be Querehsha's successor, then risk your life and climb that pillar. If you succeed, you will achieve what you desire, and if you fail…]

Gulp. Arsha swallowed at Antares' words. His mad eyes continued to provoke her. 

[Can you really challenge that path of darkness, risking the annihilation of your soul?]

Annihilation of the soul.

It was a terrifying phrase for Arsha, whose main body always hid and acted from the shadows. It was then…

[If that's the case, I'll try first.]

[Hmm?] Antares turned his head in surprise at the sudden low voice.

There sat Ammut, who had broken through the wall of the pyramid and was listening to their conversation. He looked up at the black pillar.

[I was also curious about that.]

As soon as he finished speaking, before Arsha could make up her mind, Ammut had already gotten up and jumped towards the top of the pyramid. His soul had been strengthened along with the pyramid when Sung Jinwoo's illusion visited. But he had only been staring at that black pillar, not knowing its true nature. A voice suddenly came to mind. The words of Sung Jinwoo's illusion that visited him before.

– Ammut, I've linked your soul trapped here with your real soul in the Sea of The Afterlife. You are just like me now.

– …What does that mean?

– It means you can now become a shadow soldier whenever you want.

[I've been wanting to get out of this place for a long time.] Ammut's lips curled up.

The top of the pyramid. There a black pillar was rising vertically from its pointed center. That black ray of darkness pierced through the dimensional wall and stretched vertically towards the distant universe. He recalled the conversation he had with Sung Jinwoo's illusion when he created that ominous thing.

– What have you done!

– This is a kind of insurance. It has nothing to do with you, so don't worry about it.

[Does it really have nothing to do with me… I'll check that with my own body.] 

Was what Sung Jinwoo said true, or was it a provocation? Ammut reached out his hand towards the black pillar without hesitation.

Flash—!

[W-wait for me!]

Arsha also hurriedly spread her wings and soared at that sight.

Flash—!

Antares, who was leisurely watching the two of them disappear into the darkness from below, chuckled and…

"…Beep?"

Ragnar who returned to his usual foolish expression burst into tears.

Beeeee—!

He was hungry.