CH 178

The first-generation player ‘Iron Mask’ Grizman Adelie used to be a demonic being, but he had turned over a new leaf and became a Duke-Class high ranker. His story was so popular that Grizman became the most famous French Player right after the ‘Immortal Overlord’ Jacque Valentine, so Chang-Sun was well aware of Grizman—no, it was impossible for Chang-Sun not to know about him. Before Chang-Sun headed to France, Executive Director Oh told him to be careful around Grizman the most.

“Be wary of Grizman the most when you get to France.” Executive Director Oh narrowed his eyes. 

“Can I ask why?” Chang-Sun politely asked. 

“He knows the characteristics of demonic beings the best and has destroyed countless demonic beings and thrill-killer Clans. I heard he’s going to join the Dungeon expedition, so it’s safe to assume that he could notice something. Above all…” Executive Director Oh trailed off. 

“…?” Chang-Sun tilted his head in confusion. 

“To be honest, I have met him several times, but the man was impossible to read. He gave off the same vibe as our Clan leader. Anyway, be careful.” Executive Director Oh shrugged. 

Describing Grizman as being similar to Sword Sky Tiger Munseong was enough to know what kind of impression he had left on Executive Director Oh, but when Chang-Sun arrived in France, he didn’t really do much around him. It seemed Grizman volunteered on this expedition only because the French government asked him to, seeing as how he was obviously an outsider among the French Players.

Hence, Chang-Sun never expected Grizman to be the one who entered the ‘Rhaegaren’ before he did. Moreover, Grizman’s aura was definitely not a human’s. He was at least a demigod or had the divine rank of a low-ranking deity, which meant he had already completed the .

‘That divine name is…!’ Chang-Sun clenched his teeth, spreading the Jigwi’s wings just in case.

[The Title ‘Jigwi Demon Incarnation’ has been applied, igniting the intense Retribution Fire!]

The fire around Chang-Sun could make others think that he could be more accurately described as the Gigantic Jigwi Incarnation or Jigwi Giant Deity rather than Jigwi Demon Incarnation. Regardless, Grizman just bafflingly scratched the back of his head as if he didn’t expect this to happen. It seemed as if his whole personality changed because of his mask, considering he behaved totally differently compared to his past calm self.

“Ah, what should I do? The Dungeon isn’t cleared yet, so I don’t want people to find out about my identity…” Grizman tilted his head, still wearing his iron mask.

At that moment, navy-blue fires ignited in Grizman’s eyes, which had big bags under them, making Chang-Sun tense up again. The fire resembled Inferno Sights.

‘No, they aren’t Inferno Sights. I can’t detect any from them. Maybe it’s something similar…’ Chang-Sun thought.

Although Grizman wasn’t using Inferno Sights, he was utilizing a similar technique, which showed how skilled he was. There was a chance he’d try silencing Chang-Sun for good to protect his secret.

‘He has already proved himself by overpowering the gatekeeper, though.’ Chang-Sun slightly shrugged.

At that moment… he heard a voice.

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『No, I can’t let you do that.』

Pzzz―!

[The destroyed stronghold is being restored.]

[The stronghold is preparing for your battle against the thirty-first gatekeeper.]

The strong wind blew in the stronghold, restoring everything to its original state, including the damaged floor and walls. The corpse of the Giant that Grizman was sitting on disappeared as well.

“Tsk!” Grizman discontentedly clicked his tongue and stood up, and the Giant Warrior carrying a longbow, which was as big as a person, on his shoulder appeared from close by.

『Contender Simon Magus, you have successfully passed the thirty-first trial. Get to the thirty-second gate now.』

Squeak―!

As soon as the Giant warrior finished speaking, the gate to the thirty-second stronghold opened up. Chang-Sun couldn’t read Grizman, whom the Giant warrior called Simon Magus, but he could tell that Grizman was frowning. For a very short moment, Grizman seemed to be wondering what to do with Chang-Sun, who had seen his secret identity.

『Are you not going to leave? If you want, I’d be glad to banish you from this land. You can just come back later,』 the Giant warrior concisely said, leaving Grizman no other choice but to turn away. The wind, which was made out of demonic energy and was blowing around him, also disappeared.

“Let’s talk details later. We have a lot to catch up on,” Grizman told Chang-Sun as he irritatedly glared at the Giant warrior. He then walked through the wide-opened gate.

Despite having been beaten to death by Grizman, the Giant warrior still acted smug around him. It annoyed Grizman, but the warrior naturally didn’t seem to care one bit.

[The Contender ‘Simon Magus’ has passed the thirty-first gate!]

Staring at Grizman’s back, Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes. ‘Simon Magus.’

Simon Magus was technically a demigod with the divine name of ‘First Samaritan Mage.’ Chang-Sun had already heard about their kind from Thanatos.

“Keep in mind that there are quite a lot of demigods on Earth who are directly or indirectly involved with or . Be careful,” Thanatos warned Chang-Sun. 

“What brought them there?” Chang-Sun grumbled. 

“The same reason Celestials from other realms want Earth. That planet is much more valuable than you think.” Thanatos smiled. 

‘I knew I would run into them someday, but I never expected the encounter to turn out like this. Why is he even here?’ Chang-Sun groaned.

Simon Magus was on the list of demigods that Thanatos had given to Chang-Sun. Also known as Simon of Gitta, he was the first mage that reestablished gnosticism[1]. Despite being born as a mortal, Simon became immortal through sheer talent. He also earned his divine name, becoming the ancestor of demonic beings and leaving many exceptional myths behind. However, he vanished at some point, making it hard to track him down. It turned out he was hiding as Grizman Adelie all along.

‘Is he also going for the ‘Rhaegaren’?’ Chang-Sun wondered.

It was a logical assumption. The ‘Rhaegaren’ was where every supreme legacy of was stored, so Grizman was bound to covet it. Even if his goal wasn’t the ‘Rhaegaren,’ he was still a nerve-wracking problem for Chang-Sun.

‘I’m already putting everything into the battles against the Giants…!’ Chang-Sun gritted his teeth, but he had to focus on fighting the Giant warriors right now.

『You must be the guy Gustaf and Hoterus praised until their voices became hoarse. I’ve already heard a lot about your bravery.』

The Giant warrior unloaded the longbow on his shoulder and grabbed it with his left hand.

『But passing this thirty-first gate won’t be easy. I already acted pathetic, but you’ll be in big trouble if you think I tried my best in that battle.』

Chang-Sun nodded. He then pulled out the [White Magpie Bow] and a bunch of weapons from the [King’s Treasury] that he could use as arrows. The Giant warrior opened one of his eyes a bit in surprise and soon smiled.

『I’ve never seen an archer who uses swords and spears as ammunition. This is going to be an interesting fight.』

The Giant warrior tightly pulled the bowstring, nocking an arrow of light.

『Let’s begin.』

Ping―!

Swoosh!

* * *

[The Skill ‘Bow Mastery’ has reached its maximum level. You have acquired the new Trait ‘Arrow Rain.’]

[You have acquired ‘Scar,’ the archery of .]

[The Effect of the Trait ‘Close-Combat Expert’ has been enhanced.]

…

[You have entered the thirty-second gate.]

‘Come to think of it, isn’t Simon Magus’ most famous myth about the magic battle he had with Peter the Apostle?’ Chang-Sun wondered.

The that made Simon a demigod was the magic battle he had with Peter, the oldest of the Twelve Apostles. The details of the differed per religion, but the main points remained the same. Simon had gained enough sagacity to found a church, but Peter the Apostle cursed him, causing him to fall. Having received an Authority related to immortality prior to the incident, Simon fled and successfully resurrected. During the process, he started to use black magic and become a demonic being.

‘If this Peter is really that Peter…’ Chang-Sun quietly fidgeted with the golden key that was tucked under his top.

Even though he didn’t know the exact story behind this [Peter’s Key], if this key was really named after Peter the Apostle, who was related to Simon Magus, then Chang-Sun couldn’t take his encounter with Grizman lightly. Having such thoughts, Chang-Sun entered the next stronghold.

“Hey, hold on a minute.” Grizman, who was leaning against the wall near the gate, stopped Chang-Sun. Still wearing his iron mask, his eyes still held the blue fires that resembled Inferno Sights.

No, Grizman’s eyes were blazing up with so much madness that it was hard to think of them as human eyes. The story about Grizman turning over a new leaf dozens of years ago was nonsense. Chang-Sun was sure that everyone in the world was being fooled right now, seeing as how he had never seen a demonic being greater than Grizman. In terms of demonic energy alone, Sword Sky Tiger Munseong wouldn’t be able to beat him.

‘Grizman seems to gain power through human sacrifice or burnt offering… he’s too evil.’ Chang-Sun analyzed.

That had to be how Grizman regained the power he had lost due to Peter the Apostle, considering his demonic energy was so thick that it reeked. If Minerva saw him, she would have become furious and asked Chang-Sun to kill him. Already expecting Grizman to be waiting for him, Chang-Sun had already drawn up his mana, his Retribution Fire blazing up as if it would burst any minute.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ grumbles that you attract all sorts of weirdos.]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ glares at the demigod who reeks of demonic energy more than himself.]

“Do you have something to say?” Chang-Sun asked.

“There is, but before we get to it… can you please put that fucking fire out first? It seems so hellbent on devouring me, but I’ve already had enough with fire because of that damn Surtr,” Grizman grumbled.

“How can I trust you?” Chang-Sun shrugged.

“Hmm… there is not much I can say to that. What should I do?” Grizman casually scratched his temple. His personality seemed to have really changed when he put on the iron mask, just like Chang-Sun had thought.

However, Chang-Sun knew Grizman was calculative and was faking his every move.

“Then let’s do this. I swear that I’ll do you no harm until we exit this Dungeon in the of Simon Magus… Is that enough?” Grizman asked.

Clink!

At that moment, Chang-Sun could feel an invisible chain linking him and Grizman.

[A ‘Mana Pledge’ has been formed!]

A [Mana Pledge] using a held more meaning than any other pledges. Since it was formed through the system, one could even lose their divine name if they violated the [Mana Pledge], which meant that Grizman couldn’t even prick Chang-Sun with a needle for as long as they were in the ‘Rhaegaren.’

“I’ve also seen how you defeated Adolph. You seem to be hiding your power. If I try to take you out… Well, I don’t think even I will be able to walk out of here unscathed. You may not know this, but I’ve earned grudges from quite many Giants too.” Grizman shrugged.

Since Grizman had offered this much, Chang-Sun couldn’t stay hostile, so he put out his Retribution Fire and crossed his arms. He was still using [Monster Excursion], though.

“So what do you want to talk about?” Chang-Sun asked.

Grizman’s blue eyes quietly gleamed like will o’ wisps. “Your goal is to get to the Heartvault, which is located in the center of the ‘Rhaegaren’ and stores the ‘Laevateinn,’ isn’t it?”

“So? Are you saying you don’t want it?” Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes.

“Yup, my goal isn’t to get the ‘Laevateinn,’” Grizman nodded.

Chang-Sun tilted his head in confusion and disbelief. Even though Grizman was a demigod, it still would have been very difficult for him to pass through Surtr’s blood. Despite so, he claimed to not want the ‘Laevateinn.’

“What I want is a poem made up of fifteen phrases. It’s written on a human parchment and stored in the other room of the Heartvault. ” Grizman shrugged.

Human parchment meant that the paper was made from human skin. Chang-Sun was already feeling ominous.

“A poem?” Chang-Sun repeated

“For the past thousands of years… I’ve been looking all over the world for that treasure.” Grizman seemed to be lost in his memories for a moment.

Chang-Sun’s eyes widened a bit. Simon Magus… He was the demigod who had earned the divine name of ‘First Samaritan Mage,’ so if he wanted something, it definitely wouldn’t be something ordinary.

“Let’s make a deal,” Grizman continued. “You can take the ‘Laevateinn’ or any other treasures inside the Heartvault, I don’t care. Just give me the poem, and I’ll provide all the backup you need.”

“Elaborate.” Chang-Sun gestured at Grizman.

“According to the Dungeon Quest description, the ‘Rhaegaren’ is made up of thirty-six strongholds, but on the corner of the Heartvault, where the treasures of the ‘Rhaegaren’ are stored, is the thirty-seventh room. Even the kings of don’t really know about this room.'' Grizman cleared his throat as if the thought of that place alone made him nervous. “But it seems it won’t be easy for me to get there right now, so I want to work together with you on this matter.”

“Hmm.” Chang-Sun pondered for a moment since he wasn’t aware of the thirty-seventh room’s existence. Even Thanatos didn’t know about it.

The treasures in such a place ought to be splendid, so Chang-Sun really wanted to work together with Grizman on this matter. The problem was that Simon Magus was the one who offered. He was the unreadable black wizard and a demon king-level demigod—no, a demonic deity. Nothing good could come from getting involved with such a person. Chang-Sun was intrigued, however, so he couldn’t help asking, “What exactly is the poem about?”

“What? I can’t tell you that…!” Grizman shouted in disbelief.

“I don’t work together with someone who is hiding something,” Chang-Sun interrupted. He then passed Grizman by without any lingering feelings.

Grizman hurriedly grabbed Chang-Sun’s shoulder, making Chang-Sun look at him. The blue fires in Grizman’s eyes shone as coldly as his sturdy iron mask. “Once you hear what the poem is, then you have to work with me, no matter what. I won’t let you just walk away with all my information when you’ve given me nothing. I’ll kill you even if it costs me my divine name.”

The blazing madness in Grizman’s eyes looked as if it was going to devour Chang-Sun any second. Chang-Sun calmly nodded, making Grizman frown in discontentment, but he soon loosened up.

“Have you ever heard about Bestla, the first and last Giant Deity King?”

Oooong.

The [Peter’s Key] around Chang-Sun’s neck reacted. He had acquired the key in the Dungeon named ‘Bestla’s Tomb.’

1. It’s a collection of religious beliefs that emphasize personal spiritual knowledge above the proto-orthodox teachings, traditions, and authority of religious institutions. In history, Simon Magus was actually one of the leaders of the Samaritan Baptist sect. ☜