Chapter 50

"Then, is the nameless throne the Great Celestial Being?"

I found it a bit strange.

The owner of the Ginkgo is Shakyamuni. However, it didn't seem like Shakyamuni would transform the Ginkgo into a strand of hair.

If it was to guide my choice by transforming it into a strand of hair, the possibility of it being the Great Celestial Being seemed higher.

Anyway.

"I will use it well."

I intended to use the skills I had taken from Ahram with the Ginkgo without hesitation.

For that, there was something I had to do first.

<'Ginkgo' has stolen one of the unique skills of 'Ahram' which is sealed.>

Skill theft!

At that moment, Ahram was shocked and writhed as if his soul was being torn out.

- Y, You thief... Gaaaaah!

The gift of the White King <Volume 2 End>

Unique skill.

Not a regular skill, but a skill that each entity has built up and created uniquely.

The pinnacle of abilities, imbued with the entity's life and experiences.

Naturally, it is more powerful than ordinary skills.

Therefore, it is a unique and non-repeating 'power'.

The Ginkgo steals such 'unique skills' from sealed targets.

- No, no...!

Ahram screamed.

Soon, three bubbles, as if his soul was being sucked out, rose from Ahram's body.

Those three must all be Ahram's 'unique skills'.

- Rather, kill me, kill me...!

It was pitiful.

Not once, but twice.

Even after becoming stronger by swallowing a star, he was defeated.

If he had died in defeat, it would be one thing, but he was about to be sealed alive and have his unique abilities taken away.

What could be more humiliating than this?

"The Swamp of the Dead, the Sword of the Dead, the King of the Dead."

I called out the names of the unique skills in order.

I was trying to gauge Ahram's reaction by calling out the names that appeared in the bubbles.

- 'The Sword of the Dead' must not...!

Ahram spoke hastily.

The Sword of the Dead. It must be the massive greatsword he used.

But I could tell that his reaction was fake without even thinking about it.

Because he reacted even more strongly when I called out something else.

'Really, he can't act at all.'

He seems to want to get that sword somehow, but it's a pity.

It was foolish to expect me to fall for such a poor act.

After all, when would Ahram have had the chance to act?

He has been ruling like a real king, claiming to be the gatekeeper of hell. He would have no experience in pretending to someone.

- Ah, no! Please stop!

I reached out without hesitation.

<'The King of the Dead (10Lv)' unique skill has been stolen.>

I felt a new skill being engraved as the bubble flowed in.

I immediately checked the skill.

【The King of the Dead (10Lv)】

- Unique skill of the King of the Dead, Ahram

- Attracts and dominates the dead

- Can implant dominated dead into other bodies

- Gains additional stats when dominating a dead entity rated as a raid boss or higher

The explanation itself was not difficult.

It was a skill that could dominate the dead and use them like subordinates.

'It complements the Master of Corpse Art.'

This skill could perfectly complement the 'Master of Corpse Art' skill that this body, the Corpse Crow, possesses.

'Corpse art cannot move freely.'

Corpse art is about 'creation'.

It is all about stacking, connecting, and assembling.

To move it, I could only summon other Corpse Crows to move it so far.

I made golems and attached multiple Corpse Crows to fight, but there were limits.

However, 'The King of the Dead' can implant the dominated dead into the art I create.

This means it can move freely.

'That's why Andasar's head was there.'

Now it makes a little more sense.

Why Andasar's head was there.

Due to this skill, he naturally arrived there.

Then, he was dominated by Ahram and began his 'madness'.

'When dominating a dead entity rated as a raid boss or higher, additional stats are gained.'

Not only that, but there are additional stats based on the rank of the dead.

Fortunately, Andasar's head was also there.

Turning my head, I saw Andasar's head in the corner.

Along with it, the body of the Dullahan holding the head came into view.

"Open your eyes."

As soon as I spoke, Andasar's eyes snapped open.

Since she had already been dominated by this skill once, it wasn't difficult to dominate her again.

<'The King of the Dead' skill has successfully dominated 'Andasar'.>

<'Andasar' is a 'Super Elite Raid Boss (9Lv)' dead entity.>

<'Andasar' has been dominated, permanently increasing your power by 3.>

My power increased by 3.

However, there was something strange about the wording.

'Could it be?'

I quickly checked my status window.

<Stats>

Level: 6

Strength: 82 (72+10) Health: 82 (72+10) Agility: 82 (72+10)

Intelligence: 82 (72+10) Power: 85 (75+10)

Seeing this, my pupils slightly wavered.

'It increases pure stats?'

It adds to the pure stats, not just a bonus.

For example, if the additional stats are lost or not equipped, they return to 0.

But if the pure stats increase, it means it is permanently applied.

Even if the skill is lost.

'It breaks the level limit and increases the stats. Indeed, it is worthy of being called a unique skill.'

There is a set limit for each level.

Usually, the limit is 10 stats per level.

In my case, it's 12, but I can't increase it further without leveling up.

However, the 'King of the Dead' skill has the function of raising this limit.

Even if the King of the Dead skill is lost, it remains permanently, making it the top-tier ability among all the rewards I have received so far.

- D, Damn... Gaaaaah!

Perhaps the pain of losing his power is unbearable.

Ahram writhed in agony.

The Ginkgo was automatically causing Ahram pain.

"Think good thoughts, speak good words, caw. Then the pain will go away, caw."

There is no automatic correction mechanism.

The Ginkgo causes pain when the sealed target has bad intentions.

Moreover, Ahram, who had his skill stolen, became even smaller.

From the size of a child, he is now the size of two adult fists.

'I need to make him submit and extract some information.'

No matter how powerful Ahram is, that pain looks severe.

He will submit eventually, and then I need to extract information about the demon world and the Demon King.

Not only the skill, but Ahram is useful in many ways.

Most importantly.

'Ahram is also a dead entity.'

Ahram is also a dead entity.

Even if it's difficult now, I can dominate him if he submits or if I grow stronger.

"Who... are you?"

Suddenly, a faint voice came out.

Andasar.

She, placed in the Dullahan's hand, spoke to me.

"Do you know Priest Andrew, caw?"

"That is... who?"

She has even forgotten her biological father, Priest Andrew.

Dead.

Lost.

I had hoped, but it seems all her memories have completely vanished.

"Do you remember when you were Eldritch, caw?"

"......I don't know. Apart from my name, Andasar, and that you are my new master, I remember nothing."

Her white hair and red eyes.

Although her body and head are separate, Andasar is Andasar.

When she became the core of the hybrid, she was pure madness, but it seems her sanity has returned since I dominated her.

The problem is her memory.

'Perhaps it's for the best.'

But, perhaps it's fortunate that she doesn't remember.

She became Eldritch due to the cursed black magic book, became a Dullahan by the Demon King, and became the core of a giant hybrid by the King of the Dead.

'...What a tumultuous life.'

Thinking about it again, such memories are only harmful.

It's a billion times better to just forget.

Priest Andrew will weep, but what can be done?

A new, good memory is better than a terrible nightmare for both of us.

If it's discovered that I have a daughter who is a Dullahan, I'll be excommunicated from the Goddess Church, but... that's not my concern.

"Oju-ryuk, can I come in?"

"Come in, caw."

Soon, the Demon King appeared.

This place is his castle, so he must have been curious about what I was doing.

The Demon King was greatly surprised to see Andasar and Ahram.

"Hmm, impressive. You've completely subjugated both of them?"

"One is being tamed, caw."

- Gaaaaah!

It's obvious who is being tamed.

"Huh. Not only sealing the gatekeeper of the demon world, but taming him as well... You always exceed my expectations."

"What do you want, caw?"

"The White King has decided on a reward for you after much deliberation."

The Demon King's tone towards me changed strangely.

At first, it was just out of curiosity, but now it seems he acknowledges me.

"I'm curious, caw."

"A territory. I will give you a city of your choice. All the main forces have their own cities. By the way, Kramdel is jointly owned."

"Which city, caw?"

"Which city do you want?"

Wait.

...Which city do you want?

I felt strange here.

They didn't list the cities they dominate, but simply asked, 'which city do you want?'

The intention behind this was strange.

"......? Any city will do, caw?"

"Ah, there are exceptions. The cities in the southern continent guarded by the Black King and the cities owned by the 'Arkon Empire' are excluded."

"Choose one from all the cities except those two, caw?"

"Exactly."

Crazy.

Only then did I understand the Demon King's words.

'Even if I have to conquer and take it, I will give it to you.'

Just, crazy.

There is no more radical offer than this.

If there is a city I want, they will take it and give it to me.

Of course, it's just 'giving it to me,' not 'protecting and managing it.'

That is, after handing it over, I have to handle it myself.

But this is a crazy deal.

Is there a city that the White King and the Four Great Forces can't conquer?

'No.'

There is no city they can't take if they decide to.

The City of Gold, Arcana?

The Garden of Knights? The Ruined City?

The major cities of various kingdoms?

They can't be stopped.

The only place that can defend against their invasion, except for the 'Arkon' Empire, the only empire on the continent, is the Arkon Empire.

And the Arkon Empire is the only place that hasn't been touched by players yet.

If my prediction is correct, the ultimate goal of all players and factions is to 'take over' the Arkon.

'I need to be more cautious than ever.'

This... This can't be decided right away.

I need to carefully assess the situation on the continent and choose a place that will benefit me the most.

A reward I hadn't even considered.

It even exceeded my expectations.

"Hmm, you could have any city, but wouldn't it be less troublesome with the name of the Four Great Forces and the White King?"

The Demon King added.

If they conquer it, it becomes my city at that moment.

They will announce it under their name.

Is there a force that would oppose the White King and the Four Great Forces?

There isn't.

So there will be no 'trouble.'

"Do I have to choose now, caw?"

"The White King is not very patient."

The Demon King urged for an answer.

As if he knew what the Star Guardians were offering me.

'They are listening to this conversation.'

I was certain.

Although the Demon King was sent, I was certain the White King was listening to this conversation.

'They are wary of me.'

The White King is wary of me choosing the position of a Star Guardian instead of an Oju-ryuk.

It's clearly an incredible reward, but if they are wary of me, it's better to be cautious.

It's not just the wariness that comes from having one more Star Guardian.

'The White King sees me... as a threat.'

The welcoming ceremony

They see me as a threat to themselves.

This is not just a simple wariness.

'They see me as an equal.'

Equal. They judge me as a weight that cannot be easily ignored.

So they are forcing me to choose.

Will I be their enemy or their ally?

"Do you need to think about it? The reward the Star Guardians offer is just a 'title,' right?"

...Indeed, they knew.

They knew but still tried.

The Star Guardians promised to give me a 'title' if I officially become a Star Guardian.

It may seem insignificant, but that 'title' increases my stats.

Like the Giant of Evil's Bane.

A title that has been elevated by the recognition of all the Star Guardians. It will bring mystique and unique honor.

So that 'title' is not insignificant at all.

'Rather, it's enormous.'

The Star Guardians officially name and recognize me.

They might even easily give me clues to other stars.