Chapter 68

'That person...?'

It was when he entered to board the private jet.

A man caught Gracia's eye.

An elderly British gentleman.

Though old, there was no mistaking him.

'Melson! Why is he in Korea?'

Melson.

A legendary figure who had reached the pinnacle in a specific field.

He had heard rumors that Melson was appointed as a member of the British royal family after retiring, but no news had been heard since then.

Such a person had come to Korea.

And he was with a man.

'...A guest of the royal family?'

Even so.

Could it be that Melson, a person who wouldn't even escort the President of Korea, came to Korea just to pick up this man?

It was incomprehensible.

Who could he be?

Melson was a person who wouldn't even give a glance to Gracia, who was known as the world's star and the strongest man on Earth.

Yet, he was smiling kindly at this man.

'...Who is he?'

It was a mystery.

*

"Master Oliver, are you going to meet your girlfriend today? You're all dressed up~"

In front of the vanity.

Oliver shook his head with a stiff expression in response to the old woman's words.

Then, looking at the full-length mirror in front of him, he opened his mouth.

"It's not that. Rather... Do I look healthy?"

"Of course~ You look very healthy. No one would think you're sick if you went outside?"

A well-fitted suit.

The old woman tied his tie and checked Oliver's face again.

She had covered his pale face with makeup.

To make it look as if blood was flowing and he looked healthy.

'He's being silly in his old age. Why are my eyes watering?'

The old woman carefully wiped away her tears.

It had been nearly five years since Oliver had met anyone.

For five years, Oliver had not taken a single step out of this castle.

Oliver, who had no interest in anything and showed no interest in anyone, was now getting dressed up to meet someone.

And he had been preparing enthusiastically for half a day without rest.

He probably wouldn't have prepared this much even if he were going to meet his girlfriend.

"Do I really look healthy?"

This was already the umpteenth time he had asked.

Each time, the old woman smiled brightly and nodded.

"Of course? I did it, but it's really perfect."

"Then... it's fine. Let's go up now."

Oliver climbed the stairs, tense.

As he headed to the rooftop, the rough sea came into view.

"There's still a while until the expected arrival time. Will you be okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. The outside air feels good."

"It's cold. Should I get something for you to wear?"

"No, I'm really fine."

Oliver kept looking up at the sky.

Because the plan was to cross the sea by plane and arrive here by helicopter.

Oliver's appearance was almost reverent.

Facing the sun, Oliver was making silent preparations.

The old woman, who had watched Oliver for a long time, shivered at his attitude.

'He's preparing to face the world.'

She realized that Oliver was finally ready to hatch from his shell.

And that he was preparing to face the world.

For a full two hours.

Oliver waited for the helicopter without moving, despite his ailing body.

When the helicopter finally appeared on the horizon at sunset.

"..."

Oliver clenched his fist with all his strength.

What should he say?

What should he say to welcome him...

"Hello, I'm Hudson."

No, Oliver.

What should I call him?

Phantom? Randolph? Or Park Hyun-myeong?

"We have arrived, Master."

[The Abyssal Labyrinth] The best start

He quietly looked at the outside of the helicopter.

The endless sea. A small island in the distance.

'It's like a cartoon.'

A castle standing alone in the middle of the island.

It looks like a castle from a cartoon or a movie.

It was his first time in England, and it was also his first time seeing such a castle.

Ah, was it also his first time being in the air for 25 hours?

It was a day full of first-time experiences.

'Is Hudson here?'

This island, this castle, the helicopter, and the private jet.

No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem like an ordinary person.

He had thought Hudson was just a clever gambler from the Golden City of Arcana.

"We have arrived."

Melson, who was piloting the helicopter, spoke.

The helicopter landed quietly on the top of the castle.

After a moment, the helicopter door opened, and I slowly descended to the ground.

"Hello."

A single, muscular man greeted me.

I carefully observed the man.

He was about 185 cm tall.

Wavy golden hair and blue eyes.

Although slender, he was quite impressive.

This man was Oliver. The real face of Hudson.

"I am Hud... Oliver."

"I'm Park Hyun-myeong."

We shook hands.

His hand was sweating profusely, and his smile was awkward.

Completely different from the confident Hudson I saw in Pangea.

He was trying to look composed, but...

"Excuse me for a moment."

Suddenly, Oliver raised his hand.

A faint golden light appeared at his fingertips.

A fragment of the Broken Golden Rule.

When he placed the golden light on my head, I felt a slight clarity of mind.

"Can you understand me?"

"...Does it have a translation function?"

I was slightly surprised.

I had no idea the fragment of the Golden Rule had such a function.

It would be nice if it told me what other functions it had, but what more could I ask for?

This was the game from the beginning.

Oliver smiled slightly.

"Yes, the fragment of the Golden Rule has an automatic translation function."

Automatic translation.

There might be other functions as well.

When I looked at the old woman, Oliver quickly spoke.

"Ah. You can trust them all. They are like my heart."

"They look trustworthy."

"There are only four of us in this castle. The security is tight, and this island doesn't even exist on the map, nor can it be confirmed by satellite, so you can rest assured."

An island not on the map?

A place that can't be confirmed by satellite?

A question suddenly came to mind.

"How do you get supplies like food?"

"Melson brings them once a week. Anyway... After a long journey, you must be tired, so I'll show you to your room first."

It seems he brings supplies by helicopter.

Then Oliver led the way.

The old woman and Melson looked at him with a strange expression.

It felt like watching a bird leave its cage.

'There seems to be a story behind this.'

I shrugged.

There seems to be a story, but it's none of my business.

Besides, I don't get deeply involved in other people's family affairs.

Unless they bring it up first, there's no need for me to ask.

*

After unpacking, we sat at the table for dinner.

Starting with roasted turkey, grilled vegetables, steak, lasagna, and wine to go with it.

Watching Oliver sit quietly and eat with grace, I felt like I was in a different world.

'Is he really a noble?'

It's not just his attitude.

The paintings, photos, and objects hanging around the castle were all extraordinary.

"May I ask where the two of you met?"

Melson, dressed as a butler, asked from the side.

I had felt from the beginning that he didn't know anything about Oliver and me.

For a moment, Oliver's eyes showed confusion.

It was ambiguous to define where they had met.

...Should he say at the casino?

It would be funny to say they made a deal to get the Fairy Queen's Tears.

I spoke as if it was nothing.

"We met in a game."

"Ah! You're game friends!"

Hearing it this way made it feel trivial.

But it wasn't a lie.

Melson laughed heartily.

"I've heard that making friends through games is not unusual these days."

"...Melson. I want to focus on my meal."

"Yes, Master."

Melson nodded willingly.

From his earlier behavior, it seemed he knew Oliver was a 'Dimension Warrior,' but he didn't seem to know the full details.

While cutting the steak, I slowly looked at Oliver.

'Sure enough, I can see it.'

Just like I could see Hudson's status window, I could see Oliver's status window.

<<Oliver (Hudson) / Male / 29 years old / Neutral>>

Special: Bastard

Special: Heart disease (worsening), liver and pancreas abnormalities, diabetes, 18 other complications.

There were no stats, but the special conditions were clear.

A bastard.

Although the class system still exists to some extent in the UK, he seemed to be of true noble blood.

Moreover, his physical condition was so poor that it wouldn't be surprising if he died soon.

I also understood the gap between Hudson and Oliver.

'The reason for his obsession with Pangea was because of his real body.'

It wasn't just because he fell in love with Serengeti.

With a body like this, it was natural to be obsessed with something outside of reality.

Pangea must have been a great escape for Oliver.

A utopia where he could live a completely different life as Hudson, his second identity.

'In this state, even an elixir wouldn't work.'

Even the highest-grade elixir wouldn't heal his internal organs. While it's not completely ineffective, it wouldn't be very useful in his condition.

Of course, there is a way to fix it.

'If a saint... '

If a saint blessed him, there would be a chance of recovery.

However, it's impossible to bring a saint to Earth, and the saint with enough holy power to do so died in the Great Expedition.

...Saint Seo-ah.

She could fix it.

"Does the food not suit your taste?"

"No. It's delicious."

I shook my head, trying not to show my concern.

I had already assessed his condition, so there was no point in hiding it.

But there was nothing I could do for him right now.

I had a blessing skill, but 'Blessing of the Star' only removes curses, not heals the body.

The best thing I could do for Oliver was...

'Not to show it.'

To treat him normally.

*

After dinner, Oliver led me to the basement of the castle.

In the basement was a huge circular door. After a few authentications, a sterile laboratory-like place was revealed.

Looking at the huge circular tank in the center, I asked.

"What is that?"

"It's a state-of-the-art life support system. It has a backup power supply, so it can last for at least half a year even if the castle's power goes out."

There was a reason Oliver was confident he could help.

This place was not just a castle but a fortress.

A state-of-the-art fortress fortified like a bomb shelter.

And all of this was built for one person, Oliver.

"Amazing. But why are there two?"

"One is mine, and the other is for Mr. Park Hyun-myeong."

Indeed. If there was only one, it would have been awkward. The reason for the life support system being here was to extend Oliver's life.

In any case, the preparations were perfect.

With such facilities, it seemed we could survive until the labyrinth was completely cleared.

Honestly, it exceeded my expectations.

How many people would prepare to this extent before entering the labyrinth?

"Please take care of me while the labyrinth is in progress."

"Yes! Please trust me."

Finally, Oliver smiled confidently, his tension easing.

*

Oliver couldn't control his trembling heart.

Phantom. He was standing in front of him.

Although his appearance was completely different from his impression in Pangea, the atmosphere was similar.

'The rumors were true.'

The rumor that Phantom was likely Korean.

It was true.

But no one had actually met Phantom except for the rumors.

There were people who claimed to have met him, but they were all lies.

'I'm the first.'

The first person to meet Phantom.

How could he not be excited?

Phantom was a legend, a myth.