Chapter 87

"Indeed...! I was sure of it when I saw the name. I was certain it would be you."

The Fourth King nodded.

At that moment.

"The owner of the Abyss Labyrinth is Orzulic?"

"Huh. How long has it been since you became Orzulic...?"

"If this is the case, the rumors will disappear."

"Those who coveted the position of Orzulic won't even dare to whisper."

"Is he not stronger than the White King?"

It felt like I was on display.

This place is the entrance to Kramdel.

A place where countless monsters come and go.

I already stand out, and the words he spoke have only increased the misunderstanding about me.

"Was that what you were curious about, caw?"

The Fourth King shook his head.

"Not exactly... but more importantly, I sense a different and ominous aura from you. Could this aura be... the Fourth Evil 'Baal'?"

The option of the Baal Helmet continues to apply unless another helmet is worn.

Still, it was unexpected. I didn't think he would notice.

Since I've come this far, there's no need to hide it.

"Yes, caw."

The Fourth King spoke with a tone of genuine surprise.

"Huh. You've even gained the power of the Fourth Evil Baal? Then the increase in your crows must be due to Baal's power, I see."

Caw! Caw!

Numerous corpse crows flying above my head.

But they are not ordinary corpse crows.

They have been enhanced by the Baal Helmet and have reached ultimate enhancement.

As a result, the higher-level corpse crows began to mimic the skills I use.

When I used 'Summon Higher-Level Corpse Crows (2Lv)', the 11 summoned higher-level corpse crows used 'Summon Ordinary Corpse Crows (10Lv)'.

As a result, 110 corpse crows were flying in the sky without any additional consumption of mana.

This is the power of ultimate enhancement, I thought.

"Fourth Evil Baal?"

"That legendary Fourth Evil?"

"Wow!"

The surrounding commotion grew even louder.

It seemed that the Fourth Evil was a legend even to the monsters.

Just like the Sword Saint of the Reformed Kingdom, the Fourth Evil is a legend and a myth to them.

In any case.

I have a rough idea.

Why the Fourth King was waiting for me.

"Fourth King, caw. I don't have the body of the Sword Saint Ralil, caw."

From the start, mentioning 'Sword Saint Ralil' clearly indicated that he was waiting to ask if I had Ralil's body.

He couldn't bring himself to ask directly, so he circled around the topic.

As expected.

The Fourth King's shoulders slightly relaxed.

"Hmm, is that so?"

"It's just not now, caw. If I search the labyrinth, I might find it, caw."

The labyrinth is not yet fully explored.

Just like how relics continue to be discovered in the ancient city, I also need to spend time examining the labyrinth.

The Fourth King spoke with a hint of hope in his voice.

"Does that mean...?"

"Let's talk on the way, caw."

"Good idea! This is an emergency call, so we shouldn't waste any more time."

I was excited.

It seems the Fourth King had a great interest in Ralil's body.

Could he have challenged the labyrinth to obtain Ralil's body?

Well, it turned out well.

I can get help from the Fourth King using Ralil's body as an excuse.

Of course, if I find it, I will give it to him without hesitation.

It's not bad to owe the Fourth King a favor.

"By the way, do you know why the emergency call was made, caw?"

We talked as we walked.

It's better to know in advance.

The Fourth King stroked his chin.

"I don't know the details. Only that there are two items on the agenda. One of them is probably about your city."

"I didn't expect the White King to be interested in the labyrinth, caw."

"It's not for the reason you think. Just... hmm..."

"..."

"Hmm, no. It's not related to you."

"Then I'm even more curious, caw."

"Hmm. Now that you're Orzulic, you should know."

The Fourth King, after a moment of thought, continued.

"A few years ago, we were defeated by a human, which was embarrassing. At that time, the White King also lost one of his fangs."

Suddenly, the story of Wilhelm began.

No one other than Wilhelm defeated the Four Orzulics and took the White King's fang.

As I listened intently, the Fourth King shrugged.

"The Third Orzulic Gonggi said the fang is in the Abyss Labyrinth. We all dismissed it as nonsense, but it might be related."

"I see, caw."

"Are you not curious? About the human who defeated us all?"

"Not really, caw."

"Indeed, you are not ordinary."

There's no need for me to be curious about my own story.

The Fourth King was surprised by my attitude.

However, it was unexpected that the White King is still looking for his fang.

'The White King's fang is still in the Golden Rule Shop.'

It can be bought with a thousand time fragments.

I don't know if investing that much value will yield something from the White King, but if he is desperately looking for it, it's worth considering.

While chatting, we arrived at the White King's Hall.

*

The air was suffocating.

I stood in the same spot with all the Orzulics.

The Great Earth Dragon, the Fourth King, Gonggi, and Medusa.

All of them are called the apex monsters!

'Still as intimidating as ever.'

I'm tense, but not intimidated.

As the Fourth King reacted, they must know that I have become the owner of the labyrinth.

Their gazes have definitely changed.

From looking at me as if I were just some nobody to looking at me as if I have something significant.

"Everyone is here."

The White King appeared.

Still wearing the white tiger mask.

"You must be curious about the reason for the emergency call of all Orzulics. Let's get straight to the point."

The White King made eye contact with each of the Orzulics.

Finally, he looked at me.

With an unreadable expression, he said,

"The first reason is the Abyss Labyrinth. Orzulic Randolph, have you truly become the owner of the labyrinth?"

Under everyone's gaze, I nodded.

"Yes, caw."

"Taking the labyrinth before the Fourth King, impressive."

"What do you need in the labyrinth, caw?"

"Indeed. I plan to declare the Orzulic city of the labyrinth in the name of the White King. I want to connect Kramdel and the warp and make an official declaration."

"..."

"..."

"White King. An official declaration? You have never done this except for Kramdel, right?"

While everyone was surprised, the Great Earth Dragon spoke.

The only city the White King officially declared is Kramdel.

That's why no one dares to touch Kramdel, which leads to the north.

The Great Earth Dragon's question made the White King sigh.

"The second reason for gathering you all is the suspicious movements of the Southern Black King."

"Black King...?"

"Is he trying to leave the south?"

The Black King.

If the White King is the absolute ruler of the north, the Black King is the absolute ruler of the south.

When Gonggi and the Great Earth Dragon asked in shock, the White King confirmed.

"The guy is moving aggressively, expanding his influence confidently. I have a bad feeling about it."

The White King's 'intuition' is 100% accurate.

If his intuition is bad, it means something truly ominous is happening.

"If he targets me, he will attack the Orzulics first. And since this is the land of the Reformed Kingdom, the Arhon Empire will also have their eyes on the labyrinth. If I make an official statement in my name, neither of them will easily touch the Orzulics or the labyrinth."

... I only planned to connect the warp.

An official declaration by the White King. I didn't expect this at all.

If it's possible, the labyrinth will truly become a safe zone.

While crazy, fearless individuals will always exist, at least major forces won't be able to launch a full-scale invasion.

A clear deterrent.

Nothing could be more reassuring.

It felt like the warmth of a mother's embrace.

"The final reason for the emergency call is to select someone from among you to uncover the Black King's intentions."

There were supposed to be two items on the agenda?

In other words, to infiltrate the south.

To secretly uncover the Black King's intentions in his territory.

It will be a perilous adventure, that's for sure.

"Is there anyone willing to volunteer?"

The White King scanned the Orzulics.

But it's not something anyone can easily volunteer for.

The Black King is different from the White King and the Four Orzulics.

He is not at all gentle.

A madman who brutally kills anything he dislikes. That's the Black King.

Eventually, the White King's gaze stopped on me.

... And his eyes didn't move.

'Wait a minute.'

Could this be a silent pressure to send me?

I'll protect you, and in return, you go and come back?

No, no.

Perhaps he wants me to clash with the Black King.

Maybe everything he said so far was just bait for this final move.

'... Should I give it a try?'

Mother's embrace, my ass.

So, I didn't avert my gaze.

I had no intention of being played by the White King's obvious intentions.

Caw! Caw!

The corpse crows began to caw more aggressively.

I slowly raised my hand.

They must know what this gesture means.

"Hmm."

"What are you doing, Orzulic!"

Everyone gasped, and the Great Earth Dragon shouted.

Of course.

This is a threat to destroy his mystery.

Not only that.

"White King. If you don't want to die, don't play any tricks, caw."

Bluffing.

A technique of making a strong bet with a weaker hand.

A form of intimidation.

It's the same as my current situation.

If even one of the Four Orzulics attacks, I'm dead.

If I bluff without any basis, I'm bound to fail.

But what if I have a basis?

'The situation is much different from when I achieved the Mystery Crown.'

The countless words I heard while passing through the entrance.

Didn't I hear the rumors about me with my own ears?

It's impossible for the Four Orzulics or the White King to not know those rumors.

Moreover,

'The Fourth King has done his homework.'

He must have properly set the stage with the Abyss Labyrinth and the Sword Saint Ralil.

The White King, who called me 'impressive,' must have talked about it endlessly.

When I surpassed the Mystery Crown and sealed the Dead King Ahram, there was no way to predict my actual power.

But through this incident, they must have been able to gauge the level of my power.

I'm sure they were quite surprised.

... To have broken through the labyrinth faster than the Fourth King and killed the Sword Saint Ralil!

'The Sword Saint Ralil was a being comparable to the Fourth Evil.'

The Fourth Evil, a legend and a myth to them.

The Sword Saint Ralil left a significant mark on the Fourth Evil.

So, my minimum power must be enough to threaten the Fourth Evil.

At least, that's what they likely think.

Of course, this