Chapter 333

[Something is wrong!]

The Apostle of Conquest couldn't help but be bewildered by the situation being shared from all directions. His butterflies were by no means weak. They were feeding on the nutrients of Elvenwood, provided by the Apostle of Paradise, for a long time. While the power possessed by each individual varied greatly, proportional to the mana accumulated during their pupal stage, they were all clones sharing the same consciousness as himself. No matter how young a butterfly was, it shared the main body's knowledge and experience, making them fundamentally the same beings from birth. The whole is one, and one is the whole. An entire army sharing the same consciousness. That was the true nature of the Apostle of Conquest… As a result he found this situation even more incomprehensible. To be overwhelmed by mere humans, even if they weren't facing the main body? Awakened individuals possessed only trivial levels of power…

[Report to the main body!]

[This city is strange…!]

[Everyone lying in the capsules possesses mana!]

[And all of them…!]

[Are not ordinary Awakened ones!]

[They are… proficient… in combat!]

[They even lack fear…!]

The bewilderment of the butterflies spread across various locations was being directly shared with the Apostle of Conquest's main body. As well as the words and actions of the humans they were fighting, along with their unusual combat prowess.

– Hah. Where do you think you're going, bug…?

– Of all people, you came to me, the Flame Sorcerer Sung Jinwoo 2718? 

– Flame Arrow!

– Mana Net!

– Yeah! Perfect timing, I just learned a new skill.

– Ice Spear!

– Woah, what's this? A dungeon break? Would've been big trouble if it happened before clearing the tutorial.

– Thank goodness I applied for the beta test.

– Compared to the Tower of Trials, this single insect is nothing!

– Oh dear, sweetie, were you scared? This dad is Sung Jinwoo 4196; what's there to be afraid of with a bug like this? Just stick close behind Dad!

Boom!

Fwoosh— Pop! Bang!

[…]

Something was seriously wrong, countless butterflies scattered across various locations were dying helplessly. Their wings burned by fire magic. Their torsos pierced by ice. The humans didn't freeze up despite the butterflies' swift attacks and killing intent, skillfully twisting their bodies to counterattack. The impressive exploits of numerous individuals were happening throughout the city.

[Could Yuri Orlov have deceived me?]

Doubt began to sprout in the Apostle of Conquest. Yuri Orlov had clearly stated that many humans in this city were merely lying still in capsules, playing games, making it an easy hunting ground. Yet, the reality was entirely different. Were all those supposedly incapacitated humans actually Awakened individuals, skilled warriors equipped with various classes and skills, and possessing tremendous combat experience?

[Possibility of a trap?]

[Unlikely.]

[Yuri Orlov has no reason to betray me!]

The butterflies scattered everywhere exchanged opinions disjointedly. But the conclusion was singular.

[That human gains nothing by deceiving me!]

[Then what is this situation?]

Another strange thing was the expressions on the faces of the humans introducing themselves everywhere as the 'nth Sung Jinwoo'. They visibly radiated pride in that name, much like himself when the great Itarim chose him to receive the title 'Apostle of Conquest'.

[Just what… is the name 'Sung Jinwoo'…!]

[Sung Jinwoo…?]

To the Apostle of Conquest, who had just emerged into the world after a long wait, the names of humans were still unfamiliar. But the immediate problem was that those 'Sung Jinwoos,' armed with diverse classes and skills, were diminishing his forces even at this very moment.

[The 'Sung Jinwoos' are more skilled in combat than the Hunters outside the buildings!]

[They're like berserkers with no fear!]

[There is no hesitation in their attacks!]

[It would be more efficient to fight the Hunters outside the buildings!]

[These ones… are ominous!]

An instinctive foreboding arose, a fundamental disquiet emanating from those 'Sung Jinwoos' that transcended mere skills or combat prowess. The reason for this unsettling feeling was relayed to the main body, akin to a final testament, at the precise moment countless butterflies were destroyed by their hands.

[These ones are like…!]

[They seem to consider us prey!]

[Prey, not targets…!]

– Maybe hunting outside the game gives some experience points?

– Haha. Am I too addicted to this game?

– Probably not, but just in case, should I catch a few more?

– Woah! There are plenty outside!

Eventually, the 'Sung Jinwoos,' having each defeated a butterfly, began to emerge from the buildings one by one. They started pursuing the vast swarm that had overtaken the city in earnest alongside the ordinary Hunters. But their appearance, contrasted with that of regular Hunters, seemed all the more bizarre to the Apostle of Conquest. Those 'Sung Jinwoos' were…

"Wow, there are so many. It's endless!"

"Power leveling!"

"Yeah! Finally, my first real battle after Awakening!"

"Just what I wanted! I've only been playing solo in the game, I wanted to do some party gameplay!"

…truly enjoying it.

Without a shred of fear, even against the conquering legion that densely covered the sky. As if it all were just a game… merely some enjoyable play. To the Apostle of Conquest's surprise, those humans truly longed for combat.

"Me too, by the way is there any Sung Jinwoo who class-changed into a Healer!"

"That's me!"

"I'm a healer too!"

"Whoa, awesome. Are you for real…? How did you change classes? Is that even possible?"

"Phew, I gritted my teeth and just did it!"

"I bought all the rune stones from the auction house and forced a healer-like class change!"

"Wow, crazy. I was considering it too, but to think it was actually possible!"

"I posted a sweet tech tree guide on the Solo Leveling board! So even though my combat is weak, I have quite a few support skills! For example: Area Buff!"

Flash— Flash!

At that moment. Colorful buffs bloomed from the bodies of numerous individuals. The synergy was truly immense.

"Kyaa! Now it really feels like playing a game! Playing in a party is the best part of gaming!"

[Humans… I see now they are a race mad for combat.]

The Apostle of Conquest let out a hollow laugh, finding the situation absurd. And he reflected…

[I see… I admit it, my information was lacking until now.]

He revised his assessment of this planet's natives, whom he had underestimated…

Just a little.

[But that is all.]

The Apostle of Conquest's main body scoffed and soared upwards again. The true 'Conquest' is more about strategy than combat. This was war. Falling behind in battle or morale didn't matter. Rather, being so engrossed in mere skirmishes that they couldn't even grasp the enemy's objective, such a disorderly mob…

[Hehe. Now is the time.]

As his eyes flashed, all the butterflies simultaneously curved their lips in the same meaningful smile. Without needing a signal, they spread their wings.

[Everyone has gone outside the buildings!]

[In the meantime, we seize the capsules!]

[All units, enter the buildings!]

Those foolish humans knew nothing… Having found the 'main base' of the shadows, conquering that location became a far more important objective for them than the immediate battle.

Flutter! flutter flutter flutter—

Countless butterflies approached the devices vacated by 'Sung Jinwoos' and they discovered the faint 'dimensional cracks' emanating from within the capsules running 'Solo Leveling: Ragnarok'.

[Everyone, enter the capsules!]

[This is the 'Gate' leading to the main base!]

Flash—

At that moment, all the butterflies making contact with the capsules vanished instantly, having traversed into the dimension beyond through the cracks connected to the pyramid's magic circle. Unlike the humans, who crossed over only in spirit leaving their physical bodies behind in the capsules, the butterflies, free from attachments to reality, crossed over entirely with the intent to conquer the world beyond, and so did their main body…

[Khaha! A world without the King shall be conquered by us—!]

Flash—

But it was a mistake.

[…Huh?]

What awaited them on the other side was…

[Oh my. We have guests?]

[…?!]

The Abyss.

The edge of an endless darkness.

[Welcome… For the insects of the outer universe to come visit us directly like this.]

There, existed an 'insect' that seemed to have been waiting for guests. Wearing an utterly elegant and seductive smile.

[You are….]

[Who are you….]

[Where is this…?]

Facing that smile, the Apostles of Conquest felt unease and looked at each other. They had entered through different Gates, but they had arrived at the same place. However it was actually better this way. Since so many butterflies had gathered in one place. Even if this was a trap, they just needed to crush it with force and conquer it. They asked the 'insect' before them in unison.

[We ask. Is this the Shadow Monarch's world?]

[Hmph. Thats disappointing. Isn't it good manners to ask who I am before asking where this is?]

[…]

At the slightly hurt tone, the Apostle of Conquest stared intently at the insect before him. Where was this confidence coming from? That insect was waiting for them here, all alone. He wasn't curious about the identity of a mere insect. What mattered was the identity of this place.

[This place.]

[Where is it?]

[We ask.]

In the pitch-black darkness killing intent erupted simultaneously from the bodies of the butterflies gathered in the center. That killing intent resembled the beautiful and radiant glory of the Outer Gods. Its momentum was like the manifestation of their mission to burn away all this darkness and conquer this land for their great god. But even as such murderous energy pressed down on her from all sides, the 'insect' merely shrugged, unfazed.

[You're quite stubborn. Ask the correct question.]

[Where is this place?]

[Again.]

[We asked where.]

[Again.]

As the tedious conversation continued, the killing intent emanating from the butterflies burned ever more brilliantly. But the stronger the light, the deeper the darkness becomes. The fiercer their energy grew, the more profound the darkness surrounding them became.

[Then let me ask something else. If I tear you apart and kill you, will this darkness lift?]

[Oh my, how scary… That might be difficult.]

At their threat, the insect feigned exaggerated fright. But her face, far from fearful, was smiling as if she found their words laughable. At the clear mockery, the Apostle of Conquest frowned.

[…What do you mean?]

[How about this…? Apostle of Conquest… You have a truly wonderful name.]

[You know my name. Who told you?]

[An ant who devoured the brain of someone who died in vain. Isn't this situation amusing…? We are all insects here.]

[…]

For the first time, the Apostle of Conquest narrowed his eyes, wary of the insect in the darkness. Not many knew his name. But that 'someone' must surely be one of the apostles who had already died.

[Who are you?]

[Hehe. You finally asked.]

Finally getting the desired question, the insect smiled refreshingly and introduced herself with an elegant posture.

[My name is Arsha. One who aspires to become the Queen of Insects. To that end, I am the queen of the Void Insects, who built a nest in the World Tree, in the very center of the Sea of the Afterlife.]

[Void Insects? What are those?]

The Apostle of Conquest frowned at the name of a species he had never heard of. And just then, his patience for this meaningless conversation ran out. Jumped forward to tear apart that insect and devour it.

Flutter flutter flutter!

They attacked Arsha all at once. But then…

[Do you know?]

Arsha smiled coquettishly, opening her arms wide. As if welcoming them.

[As insects that have crossed the void, journeyed beyond that distant outer universe. You are sufficiently qualified to become my worker bees.]

At that moment…

Shiver!

The darkness opened its eyes.

[Th-this is…!]

Only then did the Apostle of Conquest realize.

[It wasn't darkness!]

The darkness engulfing them wasn't darkness at all! It was merely the shadow of countless insects densely surrounding the area!

Whoooooooooosh—

[Welcome. My new worker bees.]

Wink.

At Arsha's gesture, the Void Insects, filling their entire vision attacked the butterfly swarm all at once. Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers, the Apostle of Conquest gritted his teeth and commanded his subordinates.

[All units attack! This is a great holy war…!]

Then…

Shiver!

The Apostle of Conquest finally sensed a presence… A presence hidden by the countless Void Insects, unseen until now. There was another insect waiting for them leisurely behind it all.

An ant.

An ant with black steam blazing from its entire body.

As their eyes met, he grinned widely, splitting his mouth.

[Conquest… You say? What you will be doing from now on is not conquest, but survival. Struggle desperately. Vermin of the Outer Gods.]

An antlion pit.

This place was an antlion pit Beru had prepared for the Apostle of Conquest.