《Inheriting the Throne of the Underworld》 Chapter 0 - Prologue [Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 0 - Prologue The Underworld has crumbled. It happened exactly 50 years after the dawn of the Hunter era. Even Yeomra, the god of death, ultimately fell at the hands of humans. It was the twilight of the world beyond. S~?a??h the N?v?lFir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. The fiery cauldrons of Hell cooled down, and the 1*Samdocheon River, tended by Jijang Bosal, dried up. In the 2*Seocheon Flower Field, where once bloomed a profusion of colorful blossoms¡ª only withered petals were now scattered like ashes. The three-day funeral was not long. It was but a fleeting moment to commemorate the long ages of mythology. White smoke listlessly rose from the burnt-out incense. I wept constantly, mourning my second father, who had vanished like smoke. It wasn''t just the grief of losing Yeomra, whom I had regarded as my father. It was the suffocating sense of loss that threatened to consume me. The end of the Underworld signified the end of good and evil. Now, the wicked would not be judged even in death. The poor and virtuous would not find happiness even in the Underworld. The mythology was over now. A world had arrived where even death was unfair. Those who seized power would enjoy eternal life, while those who were oppressed would vanish without reincarnating. The loss of mythology would erase the traces of good and perpetuate the atrocities of evil. [ Request for Underworld Mythology Restoration Approved. ] Yes. [ In accordance with the Cosmic Order Preservation Council''s policy, the Underworld Mythology Restoration Project will commence. ] [ Restore your mythology! ] If I, a lowly 3*Chasa, don''t inherit the throne of the Underworld¡­ [Translator - Hestia] [Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 1 - The Hunter-Turned-Chasa [Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 1 - The Hunter-Turned-Chasa "Reincarnate before it''s too late, Jeyeon." On the day Yeomra''s three-day funeral ended, my older brother, Gangrim, who was the chief mourner, said this to me. Reincarnate? I took a sip of alcohol and replied. "Brother, if I reincarnate now, I''ll become a mosquito." It had been 49 years since I ended my life and became a low-ranking Chasa. I didn''t have enough seniority to be reborn as a human, let alone a dog or pig. Hearing this, my brother chuckled and retorted. "I''ll just make you human." His tone was light, but his words carried the divine authority to decide reincarnation¡ª the finality of death. With Yeomra gone, he, as the Head Chasa, became the supreme god the underworld. Well, it didn''t really matter anymore since there were only two of us left, but still, even reincarnation was now his prerogative. He spoke of it as a matter of course. "You''ll do well even if you become human again." Human, huh? I didn''t answer. It was because the time 49 years ago, when I was still human, felt as vivid as yesterday. Lee Jeyeon. A low-ranking Chasa belonging to the *Speech Hell department. 21 + 49 years, which would be 70 in human years (rare age). I''m the only Chasa in the underworld who has experienced the Hunter era. I''m also the last generation to have lived through both the Hunter and non-Hunter eras. Born 70 years ago as the son of a small business owner, I had a relatively comfortable childhood. But unfortunately, in the year I turned twenty, dungeons started appearing all over the world. Dungeons. Strange spaces where reality and the bizarre intertwined. Unheard-of monsters emerged, and soon after, Awakened beings called Hunters rose to power, slaying those monsters. The Hunter era began without warning. The year that followed¡ª until a new order based on the System was established, was pure chaos. Governments were overthrown, and laws and institutions became practically obsolete. I lost my parents during that time. My father was killed by a Hunter he had hired as a bodyguard. Soon after, my mother passed away, poisoned by a monster''s venom. My four younger siblings and I became orphans. Our vast fortune vanished into thin air during the chaos. At the age of twenty, I had to work odd jobs to feed my siblings. For me, a young master raised in comfort, it was a truly devastating time. Then, at twenty-one, unexpectedly, I Awakened as a Hunter. Although I was the lowest rank, I was overjoyed. A way to provide for my siblings had opened up. For the first time since my parents'' deaths, I felt hope. I felt happiness. My siblings were proud of me too. But my lack of knowledge about the world proved to be my downfall. Eager and hopeful, I went on my first mission, only to be tricked by a broker. The team I had joined, thinking it was an exploration party, turned out to be sacrificial lambs for a ritual. That''s how I ended up in that dungeon. Twenty-nine Hunters were eaten alive by monsters. They said the real dungeon would only open after sacrificing thirty Awakened beings. So. Just before I became the final sacrifice, I took my own life. ''If I die first, they won''t be able to open the dungeon.'' At that time, I thought it was the only way to get revenge. But I was wrong. Just within two days, thirty more Hunters were sacrificed. Whether it was thirty or sixty, lives were cheap during those chaotic times. But because I had committed suicide, I ended up paying the price in the underworld. For the crime of endangering others by taking my own life, I became a Chasa. Looking down at me from the throne, King Yeomra said¡ª ¡ªTsk Tsk, such a young one. You''ll have to toil for a thousand years as a Chasa before you can be reincarnated as a human again. I didn''t care. I had already lost all attachment to human life. And so, I became a low-ranking Chasa, reluctantly anticipating my next life. But the first souls I was tasked with guiding were children. My younger siblings, who had starved to death shortly after my passing. Those poor things, who had waited for me, starving, until they died. "...Brother, I hate the living world." I muttered after a long silence. Even after half a century, the Hunter era held no good memories for me. And now, to become human again? Damn it, I''d rather be a mosquito. "..." Gangrim stared down at me with his characteristically cold eyes. "...It''s not that you dislike it." He raised his cup and spoke. "Or is that you¡¯re afraid of it?" His low voice pierced me, just like his gaze. "You chose death because you were afraid of life. That fear hasn''t gone anywhere." His words brought back a memory from 49 years ago, when he had come for me with a rope. ¡ªWill you be tied up and dragged away, or will you follow me on your own accord? He had asked me then. ¡ªSomeone who ran from life because it was too heavy, would they meekly accept death? As if he knew I would try escaping. But like all sinners bound by the rope, I knew I couldn''t escape him. He was like the stern visage of a god. "...What will you do, brother?" I changed the subject. Because, just as he said, I was still afraid of life. "..." His piercing gaze held me captive. With a gaze that could see through a human, he gave a small smile, as if to say he would let me off the hook for changing the subject. "I must capture the sinners." He replied. "I will bind those who murdered the King with my rope and drag them back." Even after becoming the person with the highest authority in the underworld, he intended to remain a Chasa. "..." They had killed Yeomra, the ruler of Hell. Yet, I clearly understood what it meant for him to go after them. s?a??h th? ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Are you afraid of life, or are you afraid of death? His question weighed heavily because he truly feared neither life nor death. That''s why he chose revenge without hesitation, even at the brink of death. Unlike humans, he knew that the end of a god truly meant the end. That was Gangrim, the Chasa. "Come visit me before the 49th day, brother." After a long pause, I finally managed a response that wasn''t really a response. "You should say goodbye before you go. I won''t reincarnate until then either." He finished his drink without a word. But he must have understood. Forty-nine days held a special significance in the underworld. "Whether you come or not," I continued. "...On the 49th day, I''ll offer you a drink." A brief silence. He emptied his cup and set it down with a thud. "Don''t be ridiculous." His lips were smiling, but his eyes remained cold. They continued to pierce through me. "If you''re still here when I return, I''ll personally bind you with the rope and throw you out the Reincarnation Gate." It was the same look he had given me when he asked if I would be dragged away or go willingly. "Live, Jeyeon." He, who had ushered countless souls to their deaths with those eyes, now commanded a single life. "Death is not the end. That is the myth of this land. So, facing life once more¡ª that is your final task in this underworld." Even as he gave this order with unwavering resolve, his outstretched hand gently grazed my hair. The touch of death on my forehead was as cold as ever. But I understood why the stoic Gangrim reached out now, and for a moment, I wished that rough, calloused hand would linger longer. *** Forty-eight days had passed. I was still tidying up the desolate underworld. I scrubbed the extinguished cauldrons of the Hwatang Hell, sharpened the moss-covered blades of the Dosan Hell, and buried the snakes of the Doksa Hell who starved to death from the lack of prey. [TL/N: Hwatang Hell- Cauldron of Boiling Oil Hell, Doksa Hell- Hell of Knife Mountains, Dosan Hell- Hell of Poisonous Snakes] Forty-eight days of tidying up the vast underworld, all alone. The once magnificent underworld, with its dazzling array of hells, was now just somewhat presentable. ...As if it exuded the melancholy of an abandoned amusement park. "..." It was time for the Reincarnation Gate. Standing in front of it with a bucket of rags, I was suddenly filled with remorse. Forty-nine years ago, when I brought my siblings¡ª filled with grief. Here... Unexpectedly, *Jijang Bosal greeted us. With a benevolent face, he carried the youngest on his back and gave snacks to the hungry children. Then, he whispered to me, who was standing at a distance. ¡ªYour parents have already been reincarnated. ¡ªGood relationships are not severed... you will meet again as a happy family, in due time. I do not condone suicide. It was only natural, since I became a Chasa for the sin of suicide. However, for some in this world, life only found solace in death. Whether it was suicide, illness, starvation, or any other tragic end¡ª there were lives that yearned for the injustice they suffered in the living world to be resolved in the underworld. They believed in a fair and just afterlife. That''s probably why faith in the underworld persisted for thousands of years. But now, even that faith has ended. Yeomra, the punisher of sinners, was killed by a Hunter, and Jijang Bosal, the caretaker of pitiful souls, had vanished. Perhaps people no longer believed in punishment or salvation. As I cleaned the Reincarnation Gate, I thought about these things. Tomorrow was the day Gangrim was supposed to return. He had ordered me to reincarnate, but I would wait just one more day for him. Even if I were to be bound by his rope and cast away, it didn''t matter. All memories would fade upon reincarnation anyway. But if he didn''t return, I would just build a tomb for Gangrim here. Even if¡­ I were to eventually forget about that too. And then, I would reincarnate. My brother was right. The cycle of life and death is inescapable; just as life inevitably ends, death inevitably comes, regardless of our desires. After death comes another life. That was the mythology of this land. So, as a Chasa of the underworld, I had to follow it. ...But I didn''t want to be human. I''d rather just become a mosquito, as the rules dictated. I''d become a mosquito and suck the blood of Hunters. I''d only bite them at night, disturbing their precious sleep. I''d lay lots of eggs too, to annoy them for generations to come. As I diligently cleaned the Reincarnation Gate, plotting my bloody revenge¡ª something happened. "...?" Rumble. I heard a collapsing sound, and then¡ª with a crack, the air split open. A siren blared, and a pitch-black sphere of unknown origin appeared. [ ---Bzzzt---Converting to Earth format---Bzzzt--- ] The sphere, emitting strange noises¡ª stretched and expanded in mid-air like rubber clay, eventually transforming into a familiar shape. It looked like a massive bulldozer, the size of a house. "What the hell is that?!" The sudden appearance of the bulldozer jolted me out of my gloom, and I shouted. This crazy bulldozer was about to demolish King Yeomra''s tomb right in front of me! "What the hell! what is that thing?!" I threw down my mop and ran towards the bulldozer. The burial mound I had meticulously cleaned was about to be crushed. This was insane! Who demolishes someone''s grave with a bulldozer?! Infuriated by this unprecedented act, I stood in front of the bulldozer. But then. [ Cosmic Official Duty Vehicle ] The sign on the bulldozer left me speechless. It was an absurd sign that read, "Cosmic Official Duty Vehicle." "Excuse me, sir, you can''t stand there!" Then, from inside the bulldozer, a giant man wearing a matching outfit labeled [Cosmic Official Duty] popped his head out. He was wearing dark sunglasses, like a gangster. "Sir, you saw the official notice, didn''t you?" Official notice? "It says the demolition of the Underworld starts today, so you need to vacate the premises!" Demolition? Vacate? What the hell is this?! I stared at the giant man, wondering what nonsense he was spouting. He opened the door and let out a heavy sigh. Wait a minute. That sigh sounded familiar. It was like the sigh I made when I encountered a stubborn soul who refused to go to the underworld. ...It was a strange realization that this guy was indeed a real official. Suddenly, the giant man held out a document. [ Cosmic Order Preservation Council ] Recipient: Planet Earth Underworld Subject: Request for Demolition of Hell and Planet Earth Underworld Facilities 1. In accordance with Article 292 of the Cosmic Order Preservation Act, we request the voluntary demolition of underworld facilities that are no longer functioning. 2. If not demolished within the specified period, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council may directly initiate demolition work. 3. The demolished underworld facilities will be compensated at a fair price in accordance with Article 182 of the Cosmic Order Preservation Act. End. "..." My hands trembled as I held the document. These guys were completely insane. Who were they to demolish the underworld? Compensation, my ass! How could they put a price on 20,000 years of mythology? "What nonsense is this?! This land is not yours!" I fumed and lunged at the bulldozer. "Argh, seriously! This is why I quit being a public servant!" The giant man, not to be outdone, opened the door and stepped out. It was a spectacle that revealed the frustration of someone burdened with authority, whether it was cosmic order or something else. And then. Just as the 49-year veteran underworld official and the cosmic whatever official were about to clash... BOOM! This time, there was an explosion, and... "Underworld! Is it true that you guys are finished?!" A woman appeared. Her long hair flowed behind her, she wore a traditional Korean jeogori top, and her red skirt fluttered above her knees. "...!" A damp, chilling miasma spread around her, drawing my eyes to her. Her black sleeves with a greenish tint and her red skirt fluttered wildly. Her elegantly curved body strangely evoked images of decaying corpses and blood. The eerie dissonance of such a gruesome image being beautiful made me instantly recognize her. "...Hogu Byeolseong?" Hogu Byeolseong. The goddess of smallpox, who had vanished long ago. Humans, out of fear, used to call her "Mama" as a term of respect. The goddess of pestilence, who had driven tens of thousands to their deaths throughout history, arrived in the land of death, cloaked in a sinister miasma. "...And who might you be?" Hogu Byeolseong frowned as our eyes met. "A Chasa? I haven''t seen you before." Her dark green eyes, different from Gangrim''s piercing gaze yet clearly divine, glared at me. I finally came to my senses. This was a god, after all. A truly ancient god, unlike a fake one like me. I had to show some respect. "I am Lee Jeyeon, the youngest Chasa of the Speech Hell department, Mama. I''ve been in the underworld for 49 years." "49 years?" Hogu Byeolseong''s eyes widened at my words. "You really were a little sprout! Have you even grown any hair on your grave yet?" "..." I swallowed the words, "It''s grass, not hair." No need to provoke her further, considering her already menacing aura. "Forget that, where''s your dad?" She immediately asked for my father... the deceased King Yeomra. It seemed she had come to the underworld with some knowledge of it. A moment later, I reassessed the situation. Hogu Byeolseong didn''t seem to have any ill will towards the underworld. ...So, if she did have a problem, it was likely with this damn official who was trying to demolish the underworld and Yeomra''s tomb. "...He''s here." I quickly pointed to the bulldozer and King Yeomra''s tomb. "As you can see, I''m desperately trying to protect it." It felt like I was tattling, but before I could feel embarrassed, Hogu Byeolseong raised her voice first. "What the hell is this!" Grasping the situation, she glared at the official. "Is that really the old man''s grave?!" Her long hair whipped around fiercely. The demonic aura instantly ignited the surroundings like wildfire. "Damn it, what kind of bastard is this?!" Her rage, though its cause was unknown, strangely reassured me. [Translator - Hestia] [Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 2 - In the Land of Death [Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 2 - In the Land of Death Hogu Byeolseong. The goddess of smallpox, once called "Mama." Humans, bowing their heads and praying, could only hope for mercy from this terrible goddess of pestilence. The most famous myth about her is the Ferryman Myth. One day, Hogu Byeolseong, wanting to cross a river, called for a ferryman. But the ferryman, seeing only her beautiful appearance, made an absurd proposition. He dared to ask the goddess, "If you spend a night with me, I''ll ferry you across for free." Enraged, Hogu Byeolseong immediately cut off the ferryman''s head and threw it into the river. Still not satisfied, she went to the ferryman''s house and killed his three sons as well. She wiped out his entire lineage. Gangrim, my mentor, had said this about her: ¡ªIf we are the inevitable deaths that cannot be avoided, then pestilence is the disease that makes even the occasional avoidable death a misery. Indeed. It wasn''t just the ferryman. She was also infamous for the story of Kim Jangja''s son, whom she cursed with a plague for slighting her. When Kim Jangja sensed trouble and left his son at a temple, Hogu Byeolseong tricked the child by mimicking his mother''s voice. Then, she cursed the innocent child¡ª making him suffer from all sorts of diseases until he eventually died. It was only after Kim Jangja, having lost his son, pleaded desperately that she revived the child. In the end, her mercy depended solely on her whims. Sometimes, a lingering illness that wouldn''t heal was more agonizing than death itself. ...But. For some reason, this eerie goddess had now appeared as a formidable ally. "Hey, you bastard! You have the nerve to wear a human face and do this?! Demolishing someone''s grave?!" "No, no, ma''am, that''s not it!" Hogu Byeolseong grabbed the official by the collar and shook him. The official was much larger than her, so the sight of him being shaken like a shrimp was comical. "Ma''am, please, this is... ugh...!" The helplessly shaking official gasped for air. His face had turned purple, perhaps due to the miasma surrounding him. Did they say that evil spirits unconsciously emit miasma? I remembered Gangrim, who always became extremely displeased whenever I mentioned her. He said that even the evil spirits themselves sometimes couldn''t control the power of pestilence. That''s why, in the past, whenever a plague broke out, there were always one or two Chasa who collapsed from overwork. It was even said that the ones who welcomed the advent of vaccines the most were the Chasa, who often died alongside humans during epidemics. ...While telling me this, Gangrim repeatedly emphasized that I should never associate with evil spirits. And now, I was face-to-face with one. "No, ma''am, please let go of me! Ugh!" "Let go? What then?! Are you going to remove that dung-cart?!" "Ugh, no, I can''t... ugh!" "Then just die!" I observed Hogu Byeolseong as she shook the official. The damp miasma that emanated from her with every raised voice seemed to be her affection for my father, the deceased Yeomra. Realizing this, instead of the initial eerie tension, I felt a sense of curiosity. Why had the goddess of pestilence, who was said to have disappeared long ago, come all the way to the underworld¡ª and why was she so enraged by Yeomra''s death, as if it were her own? [ Bzzzt¡­ ] But then. [ ---Bzzzt---Converting to Earth format---Bzzzt--- ] Another pitch-black sphere appeared in the air. It was identical to the sphere that had transformed into the bulldozer. "...!" This time, instead of a bulldozer¡ª a giant woman, seemingly over 2 meters tall, emerged. She wore black sunglasses, her short hair slicked back, and a suit that barely covered her muscular physique... uh... could she also be an official? "Director!" The official, who had been caught by the collar, called out to her as if she were his savior. Even though he was quite large himself, he looked almost diminutive compared to the woman who had just appeared. ...Wait, was she really an official? With Hogu Byeolseong still alive, this woman could also be a god or something, right? "Hmm." The director surveyed the surroundings with an air of authority and then walked towards me. "I am Jo Okhui, Director of the Earth Bureau. It''s an Earth-style name." She introduced herself. ...Earth Bureau Director? "I''ll get straight to the point, sir." She had approached me before I even knew it. I wasn''t exactly small myself, but her physique seemed twice as big as mine¡ª making her presence quite intimidating. "With the absorption of Daebyeolwang''s divinity into Chaos, all his authority has been merged into the Cosmic Order Preservation Council. While the authority of Daebyeolwang and the Ten Kings of Hell are usually independent, due to the current absence of the Ten Kings, the supreme decision-making power over Hell now rests with me¡ª Jo Okhui, the acting Director of the Earth Bureau, representing the Cosmic Order Preservation Council. As of today, I am suspending all functions of Hell and disbanding it. Therefore, any actions you take from now on will be considered obstruction of cosmic official duties." A long and detailed explanation followed. But the first part was so shocking that the rest of her words didn''t register. "Daebyeolwang... what?" Daebyeolwang. He was the eldest son of the Heavenly King, a god who had supported the underworld for ages. s?a??h th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. The decline of this land had begun with the disappearance of Daebyeolwang, the very essence of the underworld''s energy. Even after the advent of the Hunter era, the underworld had remained stable for a while. However, with Daebyeolwang''s disappearance and the erosion of his power, "destined death" the underworld quickly collapsed. Because the Book of Life and Death, which recorded the destined deaths, had completely ceased to function. "...You didn''t know." The director responded to my question. Her tone was so businesslike and expressionless that it felt like I was talking to a machine. "Sir, Daebyeolwang failed the pilot program for the Universal Mythology Integration Pilot Project." Her next words were shocking. "To be honest, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council was largely at fault." *** The Universal Mythology Integration Pilot Project. To summarize, it went like this: Fifty years ago, in Earth time, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council¡ª which manages the laws of the entire universe, decided to consolidate all the myths scattered throughout the cosmos. The reason being¡ª that the laws of each world were different, causing chaos. However, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council couldn''t just blindly implement the policy. Budget was an issue, and since it was an unprecedented endeavor, they couldn''t predict what would happen in the process of integrating all the myths. Therefore, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council decided to select one planet as a pilot zone. "Earth was a suitable planet in many ways," The Director explained. "It had accumulated quite a lot of myths, and the size of the planet was also appropriate." It was a somewhat understandable reason. "The level of civilization was also primitive. The most appealing factor was that they had no contact with other planets. It''s not easy to interfere with just one planet when it''s tied to the galactic economy." ...Well, wait, that''s a bit sad from an Earthling''s perspective. "Moreover, Earth had a history of constantly fighting over which god to believe in. We expected the inhabitants to actively participate in this project." "..." At this point, I suddenly remembered a book I had read a long time ago. ¡ªDo you see this pale blue dot? Please stop fighting over this tiny speck of dust. Something like that. Ah, so that''s why you guys shouldn''t have been fighting so much, humans. "So the opening of the dungeons was because of that." I sighed and replied. "Yes, in order to integrate myths, they first had to become reality." The Director continued. "But then a problem arose." It was time to explain the mistake she mentioned earlier. "Originally, we expected this project to go like this: When myths become reality, gods would lend their powers to humans, and humans would become agents of the said gods." Ah, so that''s what Awakened beings were. I got the gist of it. "But when the agents became the gods'' proxies, they started fighting other mythical monsters. Then they started fighting amongst themselves. In short, it became a proxy war for the gods." By this point, I could guess what their mistake was. "But then the agents started killing the gods themselves." ...Yeah, that''s why our underworld was destroyed too. "It was our fault for not properly assessing the aggressiveness of the inhabitants." "..." Ah, if only the Hunters could hear this. Their boldness in destroying even the underworld in just 50 years was enough to make even the cosmic order lament. "Well, this is about the extent of the information allowed for this coordinate..." ...Coordinate? "Actually, humans killing gods isn''t that big of a problem." What? Not a problem? I frowned. I''d been thinking about this for a while now, but this person... something about her was off-putting. She spoke politely, but listening to her made me feel like a speck of cosmic dust. "The real problem is that the souls who have lost their place due to the collapse of the underworld are accumulating as cosmic sediment." Regardless of my feelings, the Director continued her explanation. "Planets with accumulated cosmic sediment are usually classified as abomination planets." So, because the Hunters destroyed the underworld, the entire Earth has now become a dumping ground for unwanted souls. "Planets with accumulated cosmic sediment are usually demolished within a hundred years for environmental cleanup." ...And it seemed Earth was going to disappear within a century because it was an eyesore. "However, since planetary demolition tends to cause resentment, it was decided to temporarily restore the underworld." This seemed to be the main point. "Unfortunately, you are the only remaining survivor of the Korean underworld." The Director said, pushing up her sunglasses. "In other words, you have become the designated survivor of the underworld." As I heard those words, a cold sensation pierced my heart. An ominous premonition, as if the scenario I had tried to avoid was about to become a reality. "Designated survivor of the underworld?" I reacted a beat late, and the Director nodded. "Yes. According to the Korean underworld Law, if the Ten Kings of Hell fail to complete their term, their authority is transferred to their direct subordinate Chasa." She wasn''t wrong. Even though they were called kings, the official title of the Ten Kings of Hell was "Judge." Of course, their average term was 14,782 years, and none of the ten had ever retired before passing away. Yes, it wasn''t unheard of for a Chasa to inherit the throne... "Um... that..." I couldn''t help but feel a surge of emotion. "There was... Gangrim, the Chasa..." Chasa were indeed the successors to the Kings of Hell. ...That''s why Gangrim¡ª before he left, had offered to reincarnate me as a human, using his authority as the highest power in the underworld. "No." The Director said. "Currently, the only confirmed survivor of the Korean Underworld is you." Why? Suddenly, it wasn''t the Director''s voice that echoed in my ears, but my brother''s voice from the day he left the underworld. ¡ªLive, Jeyeon. As I absent mindedly pondered his words. I paradoxically felt the reality of his absence. Because I felt it, all those memories resurfaced. His voice urging me to live. And even the brief, awkward touch of his hand against my hair. Yes, I truly am alone now. "...I was just going to reincarnate." I managed to say, squeezing out the words. Honestly, I just wanted to be reborn. As a mosquito or anything else, if I could just be born again... I could forget the parting, the sorrow, everything. "In that case, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council will temporarily manage the underworld." "..." With mixed feelings, I looked around the underworld. The Reincarnation Gate I had diligently cleaned. The hells where the prisoners had escaped. The tomb of my father, Yeomra, devoid of even a single blade of grass. And finally, the bulldozer that was about to demolish the underworld. "Then why are you demolishing it?" I suddenly felt concerned. If the Cosmic Order Preservation Council was going to manage the underworld anyway, couldn''t they just leave it as it is? "Because no one believes in it anymore." Her words made my lips move involuntarily. After swallowing my words a few times, I realized I wanted to refute her. "The myth of reward and punishment has become meaningless, so we''re just leaving the basics. Death itself." Right. It was a reality I thought I had already accepted. But hearing it from someone else... "...Then." A spark reignited within my chest. A spark I had tried to suppress, but couldn''t extinguish. A spark that still urged me to act. "Then if I¡­ if I become the supreme god of the underworld." The lingering attachment to the world beyond, which I thought had faded, had resurfaced. "Could I... restore the myth of reward and punishment?" The solace that even if the world of the living was unjust, at least the world of the dead was fair. "..." The Director looked at me with indifferent eyes for a moment. "Yes." She replied matter-of-factly. "You''re quite behind, but well, if you were to manifest the myth yourself, it might be possible." An indifferent answer, offering no positive encouragement¡ª just stating that it wasn''t a zero possibility. But even that meaningless sliver of possibility turned my suppressed longing into a burning desire. I didn''t want to give up on this world after all. "I''ll do it." ¡ªYou chose death because you were afraid of life. That fear hasn''t gone anywhere. He wasn''t wrong. But perhaps, I was even more afraid of losing death itself. Of having to live again. Of having to reclaim a death that was fairer than life. If both required a fierce struggle¡­ Then, at least I alone would choose a just and fair death. "I will do it¡­ Become The King of the Underworld." And so, I made my decision. Instead of being dragged along by life, I would stand on my own two feet in this land of death once more. [Translator - Hestia [Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 3 - The Inheritor of Mythology (1) [Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 3 - The Inheritor of Mythology (1) "I will do it¡­ Become The King of the Underworld." Perhaps it was a rash decision, fueled by youthful impulsiveness. But I knew clearly which path would leave me with no regrets. Even if choosing the other path meant forgetting those regrets, my heart ultimately desired this one. Sometimes, there are moments when one must choose the right path over the easy one. For me, now was that moment. "Hey, are you sure about this?" Hogu Byeolseong, who had been listening quietly, interjected with a low voice. "The god of reward and punishment. It''s not something a little sprout like you can achieve just by sitting on their butt." With the eyes of a god looking down on a human, she abruptly assessed my resolve. "Your father kept sending the same fools to Hell because he couldn''t achieve that." From the perspective of a god, she questioned the weight of destiny. "They''re born, live foolishly, and only receive punishment in death. They''re reborn, live foolishly again, and die again to receive the same punishment. He watched over those idiots for a whole 20,000 years." "..." I understood what she meant. I thought about the countless sinners who had been dragged to this land. Even if I ascended to Yeomra''s throne, their procession would never end. Because punishment in this land was only meted out after life ended, and even after receiving that punishment, humans forgot everything. They forgot and repeated their mistakes. "...I know." So, I answered. "Because I know, I want the myths of this land to continue." If even the world beyond disappeared, how could those foolish lives be held accountable? "..." Hogu Byeolseong said no more. She simply continued to look down at me with unreadable eyes. The capricious eyes of the plague goddess¡ª difficult for a mere 49-year-old Chasa to comprehend. "Hmm, well." It was the Director who spoke again. "Alright, sir." She observed me for a moment and then nodded in a businesslike manner. "Here are the documents for the transfer of the underworld''s mythology." She handed me a stack of unidentified papers. "Please sign here." I quickly skimmed through and signed them. Then, she solemnly declared. "Very well. As of this moment, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council guarantees Lee Jeyeon''s right to participate in the Universal Mythology Integration Pilot Project as the supreme god of the underworld." Although it sounded a bit ridiculous as I listened to her. I had braced myself and accepted it, but... well. It wasn''t like I was shooting down the sun or fighting monsters. Was this really mythology? But just then. [ (!) An incomplete ''Rumor (L)'' has been generated based on your Karma. ] A pop-up window appeared unexpectedly. [ ''A new king has been born.'' ] - Classification: Incomplete Rumor (L) - Content: They say a new king has appeared in the world beyond (...) - Effect: (!) This Rumor currently has no effect. - Karma Points needed for completion: (0/100) "Since you''ve participated in the Universal Mythology Integration Pilot Project, if you nurture this ''Rumor'' into the sole ''Myth'' of the Korean Underworld, you''ll achieve an initial victory." The Director''s explanation continued. Nurturing a Rumor. As a Hunter-turned-Chasa, I had a rough understanding of it. In this era, Hunters occasionally obtain something called a "Rumor" with a low probability. A Rumor is a visualization of a Hunter''s achievements¡ª systematized and made visible. For example, if you hunt a lot of goblins, you might obtain a Rumor like "Goblin Hunter," which increases your stats against goblins. In short, just as your reputation grows when you achieve something, if your achievements¡ª like conquering dungeons and defeating other Hunters¡ª are recorded as Rumors, you gain permanent power accordingly. In that sense, Rumors are similar to skills. However, while "skills" are innate and granted based on an Awakened''s characteristics, "Rumors" are acquired through achievements and can evolve into more powerful forms. The important factor here is the grade of the Rumor. Most Rumors are Normal (N) grade and cannot evolve. However, Rumors with Unique (U) or Epic (E) grades can transform into more powerful Heroic Tales (U) or Epic Tales (E). Therefore, Hunters possessing Heroic Tales or Epic Tales were rare, but rumors persisted of the existence of Legendary (L) grade Rumors, capable of evolving beyond even Epic Tales into full-fledged Legends. And what I had in my hands right now was the rumored Legendary grade Rumor. Moreover, the pinnacle of a Rumor wasn''t just a Legend. "The final form of a ''Rumor'' is a ''Myth,'' isn''t it?" A new kind of myth, different from existing ones, that could exert a real effect based on someone''s achievements. The true goal of this project was to nurture Rumors into Heroic Tales, Epic Tales, Legends, and ultimately, Myths. "Yes, but there are only nine Legends so far, let alone Myths. It seems the project hasn''t exactly gone as we intended." ...I see. So, while the underworld was closed, a few ''Legends'' did emerge. It dawned on me how little I knew about the living world. After Daebyeolwang''s disappearance 20 years ago, Yeomra had completely forbidden travel to the living world. Well, 20 years is enough time for the world to change twice over. If I went out there, I''d have to start by understanding the current situation. "First, you need to turn that Rumor into a Legend, sir." A more detailed explanation followed. "If your Legend surpasses the other nine Legends and becomes the sole Legend of the Korean underworld, it will automatically ascend to become the Myth of the Korean underworld." "Yes, I understand." It wasn''t that bad, after all. My Rumor was Legendary (L), capable of growing into a Legend. Even Unique (U) Rumors that became Heroic Tales or Epic (E) Rumors that became Epic Tales were rare. To have a Rumor that could be nurtured into a true ''Myth'' would undoubtedly be a great source of power. "Yes, it seems to be working." The Director nodded. "Now then." She suddenly pushed up her sunglasses. "Prepare to pay your taxes." ...Huh? "You''ve officially become a participant in the Universal Mythology Integration Pilot Project, so you need to pay the participation fee." What?! "Considering your circumstances, we''ll give you a grace period of three weeks." "Hold on, taxes? Out of the blue?" I interrupted, dumbfounded. The Director sighed. "Sir, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council just recognized your divine authority." Then, she declared boldly. s?a??h th? ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. "Rights come with responsibilities. Even on a primitive planet like Earth, you should know that!" Hey, who are you to lecture me?! "But you haven''t done anything for me! Why should I pay taxes?!" I retorted indignantly, and the Director puffed out her chest with a stern expression. "If you live in a country, you pay taxes to the country! If you live in the universe, you pay taxes to the universe!" Wow, that''s really annoying. "So, how much is the tax?" I had to give in, even though it was frustrating. I was a minor god who had lived for 70 years without even knowing about cosmic officials. What could I¡ª a weakling, do against aliens who suddenly invaded Earth one day? "Please wait a moment." The Director pulled out a calculator from somewhere. "Hmm, based on the Karma accumulated in the underworld''s mythology..." She tapped on the calculator and said. "It''s 100 million Cosmic Credits." "100 million?!" I shrieked at the outrageous amount. "100 million won in three weeks?!" I was stunned, but after a moment''s thought, I calmed down. 100 million was indeed a lot of money. But Hunters often earned hundreds of millions at a time, didn''t they? If I could develop my Rumor, I could somehow manage 100 million... No, honestly, 100 million would be a piece of cake... "No, sir. It''s 100 million Cosmic Credits." The Director corrected me. "Cosmic Credits?" "It''s the new common currency on Earth, adopted by the Cosmic Order Preservation Council." What a lousy name! "It varies depending on the exchange rate, but currently, it''s about a hundred times the Korean won." "A hundred times?" Wait, then 100 million Cosmic Credits converted to won would be... "10 billion?!" I screamed again at the shocking amount. "How am I supposed to make 10 billion won in three weeks?!" I protested, feeling like this was truly unfair. "That''s your problem, sir." The Director added shamelessly. "If you fail to pay the taxes within the deadline, the Cosmic Order Preservation Council will revoke your status as the supreme god, and the underworld will become the property of the Cosmic Order Preservation Council. We are informing you of this in advance." "You cosmic swindlers!!!" I finally exploded. "You never intended to hand over the underworld to me from the beginning!" Now I understood why the bulldozer had come first. They were so eager to start the demolition because they never planned to give me the underworld in the first place! They could just take it away under the pretense of taxes! It was a forced merger from the start! "Just wait, you cosmic bandits!" *** A short while later. I came to the living world to earn 10 billion won. It was my first time in the living world in 20 long years since the underworld closed, but the situation wasn''t exactly conducive to reminiscing. [ Lee Jeyeon (Yeomra) ] * Authority - Reward, Punishment, Death, Underworld * Skills - [L] Book of Life and Death, [L] Dosan Hell (Inactive), [L] Hwatang Hell (Inactive), [L] Hanbing Hell (Inactive) * HP 9/9 * Strength 9/9 * Magic Power 10/10 * ... My status window, which I hadn''t opened in 49 years, was in the worst possible state. "Not a single stat above 10!" Having an average stat below 10 meant I was the lowest of the low. "These bastards, they gave me this trash of a body?" I was currently possessing a fake body created by the Cosmic Order Preservation Council. A fake body. Its official name was Semi-Permanent Possession Vessel. It was a biological item created by the Cosmic Order Preservation Council in the image of a human. Just as Hunters raise their stats, gods also become stronger by raising the stats of their fake bodies. It meant that I had to grow using the System''s power, just like a human. However, if the fake body suffered fatal damage and ceased to function, the possessing god would also perish. So, if the body was fatally wounded, the god had to quickly leave it. Unlike humans, gods could exist as spirits. Being able to escape as a spirit before the body died was a privilege, if you could call it that. But giving me such a weak body under these conditions... "They''re basically telling me to die, aren''t they?" Not only did they demand 10 billion won, but they also put me in this fragile body. A weak body was prone to death, and even if I survived as a spirit, I couldn''t earn money in that state. ...In the end, the Cosmic Bandits'' target was clearly the underworld. Either I, the sole heir, would die and they''d reclaim it, or they''d take it away because I couldn''t pay the 10 billion. "Damn it, those dirty bastards." I frowned as I examined my status window. But there was something strange, despite the body being so weak. First of all, I had four Authorities. - Reward - Punishment - Death - Underworld Authorities could grant special abilities on their own¡ª amplify the effects of skills, or even combine with other Authorities to create entirely new effects. Hunters usually obtained one Authority randomly upon Awakening. Gaining additional Authorities was incredibly difficult. As befitting the name ''Authority,'' it required undergoing life-threatening trials. But I had four Authorities. Even though they were all Authorities befitting Yeomra''s name, having four Authorities was still not something just anyone could achieve. "Moreover... all the skills are Legendary (L) grade too." Although they were currently inactive, all the skills named after the Ten Kings of Hell were L grade. Even the ''Book of Life and Death'' skill, which allowed me to read souls, was L grade. With Unique (U) and Epic (E) skills being rare, having all skills at Legendary (L) was definitely extraordinary. "If they really wanted me dead, why would they do this?" Certainly, the body I was possessing was trash. But a Hunter''s abilities weren''t solely determined by their stats. After all, everyone''s stats became the same once they reached the maximum of 100. What mattered in the end was what kind of ''Rumors'' you had, and the power of Rumors depended on your Authorities and skills. So, the fact that I, with an L-grade Rumor, had four Authorities and L-grade skills... meant I had potential far beyond that of other Hunters. "Maybe they really do want me to create a new myth." I thought for a moment, then shook my head. The absurd 10 billion won tax and the trash body were too malicious for that to be true. Then what were they thinking, those guys? "...By the way." After checking my status window, I glanced to the side. "Are you going to keep following me, Mama?" Because Hogu Byeolseong¡ª that capricious pestilence goddess, adding to my already frayed nerves. "Hmm, well." Hogu Byeolseong, meeting my gaze, looked me over. "Hey, you really died young." She said something completely unrelated instead of answering my question. "I didn''t realize it when you were wearing those rags earlier..." "...Rags." She was probably referring to the black robe and *gat, the symbols of Chasa. [TL/N: *a specific type of hat worn by men. It is typically a wide-brimmed, cylindrical hat made of bamboo or horsehair with a bamboo frame] I had changed into modern clothes suitable for the living world when I manifested. Well, I always kept my hair short because topknots were uncomfortable anyway. "Your uniform is ugly." "...Uniform." Where did she even learn those words? They said she disappeared a long time ago. Now that I looked closely, she was wearing black canvas shoes that covered her ankles, along with her ornately embroidered *jeogori and red skirt. [TL/N: *a traditional Korean upper garment that is part of the hanbok, or traditional Korean dress] It seemed she had adapted quite well to the modern era. "Doesn''t Gangrim say anything about your hair?" "Ah." I fidgeted with my hair at her words. It was light-colored for a native Korean, and too short for a topknot... Gangrim had initially scolded me a lot, asking what kind of mess it was and if I had dared to dye my hair as a Chasa. "Anyway, you look different dressed like the kids these days." She muttered to herself, then asked. "Did you at least die after coming of age?" "Well, I lived a bit longer than that, at least." I died at twenty-one, so I had lived a little longer than that. I just gave an awkward laugh. "That''s a bit of a shame. You''re pretty; it would''ve been perfect if you had lived for another two or three years." "..." "Well, I suppose you have a certain boyish charm." "..." "Of course, even the dead would prefer a fresh-faced new Yeomra if they have eyes, right?" "..." Her words made me feel a bit awkward. I cleared my throat and asked her again. "Do you have any business with me?" Not that... her compliment about my looks made me lower my guard or anything. "Business, huh?" Hogu Byeolseong unexpectedly gave me a faint smile. "Well, I suppose you could call it that." For some reason... her face suddenly looked incredibly lonely. [ (!) An incomplete ''Rumor (E)'' has been generated based on your Karma. ] At that moment, a pop-up window appeared out of nowhere. It was a notification for an Epic grade Rumor. "What''s this?" I couldn''t help but be surprised when I checked the new Rumor''s identity. It was a Rumor that absolutely shouldn''t have been possible at this point. [Translator - Hestia [Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 4: The Inheritor of Mythology (2) [Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya] Chapter 4: The Inheritor of Mythology (2) [ ''A 3,000-Year-Old Promise'' ] - Classification: Unfulfilled Rumor (E) - Connection: Hogu Byeolseong, Yeomra - Content: It is said that the Goddess of Plague has come to find the King of the Underworld to fulfill an old promise (...) - Effect: (!) This rumor is a Connection Rumor. It currently has no effect. "A Connection Rumor?" A ¡®Connection Rumor¡¯ is literally a rumor created by a ''connection''. Like ordinary rumors, they can transform into tales of heroism and valor, but the difference lies in their origin from ''connections'' or ''relationships.'' For example, party members who defeated a Goblin Lord might generate a rumor like ''Goblin Lord Joint Attack''. However, Connection Rumors are much harder to obtain than ordinary rumors. As the name implies, it literally requires a connection, a deep bond. Furthermore, the growth conditions for Connection Rumors are invisible. While ordinary rumors grow when you accumulate Karma Points by clearing dungeons or performing similar actions, Connection Rumors grow ''whenever the connection strengthens.'' That''s why they''re usually only seen between family members, old friends, lovers, or party members who''ve shared life-and-death experiences. But this... is happening between Hogu Byeolseong and me, whom I met for the first time today? Why? "Hey, kid." Hogu Byeolseong called out to me. "No, should I really call you Yeomra now?" Her voice was light, but for some reason, it was tinged with emotion. "It''s nothing, it''s just... hearing that the old man died, I can''t help but worry about his descendants." It reminded me of the venom she spewed in front of the Great King''s tomb. Her emotions, once concealed, suddenly felt palpable and heavy. "I owed the old man a favor a long time ago." Damp and deep, something clinging to her like venom. I didn''t ask any further questions. I felt like I already knew. Why she came when she heard the Underworld was destroyed. Why she was angry at the civil servant who tried to demolish the tomb, as if it were her own matter. Why she asked me if I was truly confident in becoming the King. "...Yeomra, that old geezer lived for 20,000 years, he lived long enough." And now, at this moment, just facing her suppressed resentment... it was naturally flowing into me. "Still, I didn''t know I wouldn''t be able to see him again so suddenly." I silently listened to her words. "...Well, I guess even if I''m lonely, it won''t be as bad as you, the new Yeomra." Trailing off, she gave a somewhat awkward laugh. "Anyway, the old man told me to become a Soul Reaper someday to repay the debt. I kept putting it off because it was annoying, and it''s already been 3,000 years." [TL/N: Chasa ¡ú Soul Reaper] [ Would you like to accept ''Hogu Byeolseong'' as the God of the Underworld? ] [ Yes/No ] The pop-up window appeared once again. "How about it, will you at least make me a Soul Reaper?" A window leading from a past connection to a new one. "Two heads are better than one, and 10 billion divided is still 5 billion." I don''t know the conditions for a Connection Rumor to occur. But I know that sometimes, even with someone you''ve just met, you can feel a strong bond. For example¡­ When you share the same longing for someone who is no longer there. [ ''Hogu Byeolseong'' has become a Soul Reaper of the Underworld. ] Or when you want to confide your deepest sorrow to someone who would understand it best. [ (!) A ''Rumor (E)'' has been completed based on your Karma. ] So this connection belongs to Yeomra, my second father, who is no longer here. [ ''A 3,000-Year-Old Promise'' ] - Classification: Rumor (E) - Connection: Head Soul Reaper Hogu Byeolseong, Yeomra - Content: The Goddess of Plague sought the King of the Underworld to fulfill an old promise. But the King was no longer there, and she fulfilled the promise to his only remaining son. The promise to become the King''s Soul Reaper someday. - Effect: (!) This rumor is a Connection Rumor. When the Soul Reaper carries out the King''s orders, their abilities increase by 30%. ...A 3,000-year-old promise. What could have happened in that distant past? I didn''t ask, and simply accepted her. I''ll find out someday. If the connection I inherited from my father truly becomes my legend. * * * "Wow, this actually works!" Hogu Byeolseong exclaimed as she checked her status window. "It really says Soul Reaper?" Her official title is now Head Soul Reaper. She''s also the new chief Soul Reaper of the Underworld. Well, she''s the only one, but still. Anyway, as the supreme god of the Underworld, I can also see her status window. [ Hogu Byeolseong (Plague Goddess)(Underworld Soul Reaper) ] * Powers ¨C Poison, Plague, Afterlife * Skills ¨C [L]Poison(lv.1), [L]Plague(lv.1) * HP 33/33 * Strength 37/37 * Magic 31/31 * ¡­¡­ "All her skills are Legendary too." Well, Mama Goddess Hogu Byeolseong is the daughter of Dae Byeolsang, the King of the Plague Gods. She was, so to speak, the princess of the Plague Kingdom. In the Korean Peninsula, the only gods greater than her are the Grandmother Samsin or the Siwang, whom I served. [TL/N: Samsin Halmeoni also known as the Grandmother Samsin¡ª the goddess of childbirth and fate. Siwang also called the Ten Kings of the Underworld.] Even my brother Gangrim couldn''t surpass her, they were equals at best. That''s probably why she already had two existing powers. Now that she''s a god of the Underworld, she''s also gained Afterlife. But even if they''re Legendary, her skill levels are still at 1. To raise these levels, we''ll need to add more rumors. Until then, she''ll only be able to exert power equivalent to her Mana. "So, have you decided where to go?" Hogu Byeolseong, who had come to sit beside me, asked. Her once wild, black hair was now neatly tied up with a binyeo hairpin, and upon closer inspection, I noticed streaks of green interwoven throughout. Since we just met today, I don''t know if it''s always been like that or if she dyed it for fashion as she adapted to the modern world. "Not yet. I''m looking for a place that would be good for completing my Rumor." I scrolled through the device as I replied. At the moment, we were alone at a deserted bus stop. Whether intentionally or not, the place where the Space Gang¡ª I mean the Cosmic Order Preservation Council had graciously opened the portal was a completely deserted countryside. However, thanks to the ''Hunter-only terminal'' they handed us, we weren''t completely lost. Simply put, it was a communication device based on a smartphone. It was the first time in almost 50 years that I held a smartphone, but contrary to my expectations, the world hadn''t changed much since the Hunter era, so I could handle it without any difficulty. ...I thought the world had been turned upside down and development had stopped, but maybe even the advancement of civilization was influenced by the Cosmic Order Preservation Council. Well, it''s 2071, so there might be other changes I don''t know about. "As the King of the Underworld, it would be good to start with rumors related to ghosts." I continued speaking as I scrolled down. Incomplete rumors have an unknown potential effect, meaning they have literally infinite possibilities. But on the other hand, it also means that if it manifests into an irrelevant rumor, it''s game over. So, to turn this rumor into the ''Legend of the King of the Underworld'', we needed actions befitting that title. "If we just pretend to be Hunters and take on requests, we can earn money and grow the rumor at the same time." I wasn''t sure if she, who spews venom whenever she gets angry, would accept it, but I repeatedly emphasized that we needed to hide the fact that we were gods. "While we''re working, we have to blend in with humans. There''s no benefit in revealing we''re gods right now. With this body, it might even be dangerous." "Hmm, I roughly understand that. Humans these days are quite irreverent." Unexpectedly, she spoke as if it was no big deal. I don''t know when she returned, but she seemed to have adapted well to the modern world. ...Honestly, she''s much better than my brother Gangrim, who was active until recently. That old-fashioned guy even hated cars in the modern human world. "...Ah." Suddenly, it dawned on me once again that my brother was now truly gone. Now that I was out of the Underworld, the memories that usually surfaced unconsciously only served to remind me of his absence. "What''s wrong? Did you find something?" Hogu Byeolseong, who was watching me, asked. Her question snapped me back to reality. "No, I was just lost in thought for a moment." "You seem relaxed. Not in a hurry, are you?" When I answered awkwardly, she chuckled, crossing her arms. Her playful jab was rather welcome. It helped clear my distracting thoughts. "Sorry. I''ll keep looking." Pushing away the emotions that were clouding my mind like fog, I focused on the smartphone again. As I scrolled down, something immediately caught my eye. "Ah, this looks good. A request to exorcise a Gwibul." It was a notice that perfectly fit our conditions. It was a request to get rid of a Gwibul that appeared in a village. A Gwibul is literally a Buddha statue possessed by a ghost, and it''s very easy to exorcise by simply burning the statue itself. If we take this request, we can relatively easily obtain a rumor related to the underworld. "A Gwibul is ultimately a monster. The place where it appeared is probably a dungeon now." Usually, dungeons that appear in residential areas like this aren''t very dangerous. These dungeons are Normal dungeons without higher ranks like Unique or Epic, and if you''re lucky, you can get about 10 Karma Points. Karma Points are a numerical representation of ''Karma'', which is the system''s standard for evaluating a target. In this case, Karma refers to the influence, or ''karma'', that a target has accumulated throughout their existence. Karma Points, the numerical representation of Karma, have several uses, and one of the most prominent is to upgrade Rumors to higher ranks. "To complete the Incomplete Rumor I have, I need 100 Karma Points. That means we need to clear at least 10 of these dungeons." "Hmm, that''s quite a grind, kid." Hogu Byeolseong suddenly frowned. "I get that upgrading this Rumor thing is good, but at this rate, when will we get stronger and earn 10 billion?" Then she crossed her arms again and asked. "Isn''t there a more reliable way to make money?" Does she have something else in mind? "A god should act like a god and use their divine powers." "Divine powers?" "Yeah, I''ll spread a plague among humans and charge them for the cure." "...!" Ah, I was momentarily tempted. "But I''m now the god of rewarding good and punishing evil... such a heinous method is a bit..." "No, you''re the god of the Underworld." Chuckling, she whispered softly. "Think about it, Yeomra. Even if a few people die, they''ll all become our people in the end." "...!" Well, she''s not entirely wrong. If I were a bit more cold-hearted, I might have been swayed. "...But Mama, are your powers strong enough for that?" Not that I''m actually going to do it. She doesn''t have her full power, so it might not be possible. When I asked with that in mind, Hogu Byeolseong shrugged. "Divinity is ultimately about harmonizing the world''s cause and effect. As long as the scales of the universe don''t tip, it''s fine." Whatever the fuck it meant, it sounded like a proper godly answer. "So I did the math." She seriously counted on her fingers, one by one. "First, I''ll give a million people diarrhea. Then, if I charge them ten thousand won each to cure it, that''s exactly 10 billion." [PR/N: That¡¯s Diabolical ????????] Oh my. Mama Goddess, you''re truly a terrifying god. It''s no wonder Gangrim warned about the Plague Gods every quarter. "But hey, are you going to keep calling me Mama?" Hogu Byeolseong suddenly asked. "Technically, you''re the one they should be calling ''Mama'' or¡­ ¡®Papa¡¯ Yeomra. You''re the Great King, after all." It seems she wants to sort out the titles. "Then what should I call you?" When I offered to let her choose whatever she''s comfortable with, Hogu Byeolseong''s eyes sparkled. "You called Gangrim ''hyung'' (older brother), right?" "Yes, I did." Actually, that''s because we were truly brothers. Soul Reapers originally consider Yeomra their true father. So even though we''re not blood-related, the 300 Soul Reapers are all siblings. Of course, we don''t have bodies, so we can''t be blood-related in the first place. "Hmm, I''m only 1,600 years older than Gangrim." Is that so? "Then call me ''noona'' (older sister) too." Hogu Byeolseong patted my shoulder in a friendly manner and chuckled. She said being called "noona" by a kid who''s not even a hundred years old made her feel a thousand years younger. "Then I''ll call you... Oh! How about ''Jeonha''?" She then gave me a new title. "Somehow, ''Yeomra'' still reminds me of the old geezer, so it doesn''t feel right." She added, as if talking to herself. I pretended not to notice the deepening sadness in her eyes and replied. "Okay, Noona. Please call me that." * * * A while later. After getting off the bus, we had to walk for quite a while to reach a mountain village. We decided to exorcise the Gwibul after all, as a biochemical terror attack on a million people was a bit too much, even for her. "Wow, what is all this?" Hogu Byeolseong''s eyes widened at the entrance of the village. "They still have such big Jangseungs these days?" [TL/N: Jangseungs is a totem pole usually made of wood¡ª traditionally placed at the edges of villages to mark village boundaries and frighten away demons.] The Cheonha Daejanggun, grinning with its teeth exposed, and the Jiha Ye Janggun, glaring beside it. [TL/N: Cheonha Daejanggun means "Great General Under Heaven." This inscription commonly appears on one of a pair of carved wooden or stone poles called jangseung that traditionally stand guard at the entrances to villages, temples, or other significant locations. Jiha Ye Janggun means "Female General of the Underworld," is the counterpart to "Cheonha Daejanggun," and is often found inscribed on the other jangseung pole.] The two generals, towering over the visitors, exuded an air of authority befitting the village''s guardian deities. But suddenly, I felt something was off. "There doesn''t seem to be a name for the village, does there?" I was a bit puzzled because only the directions to get here were provided, not a specific address. It seemed this village really didn''t have a name. Considering there wasn''t even a simple signboard despite having Jangseungs. Moreover, even though it was daytime, the entrance was somewhat dim, giving off a vibe that you wouldn''t want to enter unless you had a reason to¡ª like a request. "Yeah, it''s so eerie, it''s like a scene from ''Hometown Legends''." Hogu Byeolseong agreed. ''Hometown Legends'', huh. Maybe she actually came back before I was even born? To know of such an old show. "Hey, why is it like that?!" s?a??h th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, Hogu Byeolseong spewed venom. "Why is the Dangsan Tree so rotten?!" [TL/N: Dangsan Tree is also known as a "Village Guardian Tree."] It was a completely dead, blackened tree. Being a god, she seemed offended by the neglect of the sacred tree. "..." A rotten Dangsan Tree right at the entrance. The 1Obanggi flags hanging from its branches were tattered, unbefitting its status as a guardian tree, and the uncleaned offering table below emitted a foul odor. [TL/N: Obanggi also called "five-color flags," are vibrant and symbolic banners used in Korean shamanism.] The stone tower of the Seonangdang shrine, which must have been carefully built, was also half collapsed. It was definitely strange to leave it unattended like that. [TL/N: Seonangdang shrine is a sacred site in Korean folk religion dedicated to the village guardian deity, Seonangshin.] Hogu Byeolseong, who was looking around, also clicked her tongue¡ª seemingly sharing the same thought as me. "Damn, this place looks cursed even without trying." Well, it was actually cursed. That''s why something like a Gwibul appeared. "Well, let''s go in first. Maybe something big happened that they couldn''t take care of." I calmed down the grumbling Hogu Byeolseong and took a step forward. Feeling the gaze of the towering Jangseungs. But then. [ (!) Beopmeomigryeogtinhehehe ] As soon as we entered, a strange pop-up window appeared. [ (!) Beopmeomigryeogtinhehehe ] [ (!) Beopmeomigryeogtinhehehe ] "Huh? What''s this!" Hogu Byeolseong also reacted, seemingly seeing the same thing. [ (!) Belgyeoegyeogdoomryutgyutgyangbeggyeddaekgigdwitddaryakbandokdingggwiddaebeok ] [ (!) Belgyeoegyeogdoomryutgyutgyangbeggyeddaekgigdwitddaryakbandokdingggwiddaebeok ] [ (!) Belgyeoegyeogdoomryutgyutgyangbeggyeddaekgigdwitddaryakbandokdingggwiddaebeok ] ...... The strange pop-up windows continued endlessly. And then. [ (!) The governing laws of space are changing. ] At some point, a readable window appeared. "What''s this?" As far as I know, there are two things that ''the governing laws of space are changing'' could mean. "...A dungeon?" Yes, a dungeon. A subspace where monsters from myths and legends materialize. "No, is it a ''Field''?" Or a Field created from ''tales of valor'' or ''heroic epics''. "The entire... village?" A chill ran down my spine. A Field refers to a space where the laws have been altered by tales of valor or heroic epics. Awakened individuals could change the laws of a certain space using their own tales of valor or heroic epics. Not only that, but they could also amplify that power by consuming their own ''Karma Points'' or the ''faith'' of those who worship them. If the entire village is a Field, it''s at least a heroic epic... maybe even a legend. "...But there''s no ''Law Guidance''." I calmly assessed the situation. If this village were truly a dungeon or a Field, we would see the set ''laws'' and ''influence''. But there were only strange pop-up windows¡ª no guidance display. Then what''s going on? "Are you the Hunters?!" Just then. Amidst the confusion, about ten young men and women surrounded us. "You''ve come, Hunters!" Calling us Hunters, they must be the clients who requested us to catch the Gwibul. "What the¡­ why are they all dressed like that?" Hogu Byeolseong frowned as she looked at the clients. "Are they all shamans?" They were all dressed in white mourning clothes (sobok). The man in the center was the only one wearing colorful clothes, and his face was painted white, making it obvious that he was a shaman. The fact that they had neglected the Seonangdang shrine despite their attire made me even more suspicious. "Hunters, please help us." The painted-face man spoke. "The Buddha statue we were praying to is acting strange." So far, it was the same as the request we received. But then. The moment I made eye contact with him, I shuddered slightly. [ (!) ''Book of the Dead (L)'' is activated according to your Karma. ] As the Book of the Dead skill activated automatically, the painted-face man''s information appeared in my vision. And the moment I checked that information, I realized why those strange pop-up windows had appeared earlier. Yes, that was the reason. [Translator - Hestia [Proofreader - Kaya]