Chapter 338

CHAPTER 338

SIDE STORY 11

At the entrance to the Mezpol City Labyrinth.

It was already dusk, but the gate attendant was still at his post.

They should be coming out by now… why aren’t they?

The party led by Bong Juhyeok had defeated the ruins guardian on the 125th floor of the labyrinth.
Just what kind of relic had he obtained?

The value of relics that appeared in labyrinths varied wildly.
It was pure luck of the draw.
Sometimes it was just an ordinary treasure; other times, it was a divine object imbued with the authority of a god.

It was partly personal curiosity, but this was also an opportunity for him.
Information about relics was extremely valuable.
He could even sell it for money.

If I can just find out…

At that moment!

Whoosh!

Five humans and five beastmen appeared within the magic circle.
It was Bong Juhyeok’s party.

“Oh my! You’ve returned! I’m terribly sorry—I failed to recognize you earlier. To think you were such incredible people!”

The labyrinth gate attendant bent deeply at the waist and scurried forward in a most servile manner to greet them.

“Hehehe, there’s something I wanted to ask. Um, well, about the relic you obtained in the labyrinth—”

But then—

“Out of the way!!!”

Thud!

“Kegh!”

Whoosh!

The gate attendant was sent flying.

“Is he dead?”
“He’s not dead. Just got shoved a little.”
“We’re in a hurry—why are you blocking the way?”
“Kyaaah!”

“Huff! Huff! Huff!”

Juhyeok ran at full speed, clutching the Drop of Creation tightly in both hands.

Strangely, the relic wouldn’t go into his inventory.
It couldn’t be stored in the worker’s subspace either.
The only option was to carry it out by hand.

Let’s hurry and get it out.
What if it evaporates?

Through the gates of Mezpol.
Toward the grassland base of the Rabong Trading Company.

“Young master, you’ve returned?”

Gyeon Dallae, head of the labor broker office, greeted Juhyeok.

“Ah! Manager Fairy, I actually have something to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”

“The workers and the contracted guardians who went into the labyrinth—have they all returned?”
“Yes. Since overtime is prohibited, they’ve all come back and are resting. All duties are finished for now.”

Good. Everyone’s back.

“What about Rajiks, the dimensional farmhand?”
“Our farmhand is still working overtime. He’s delivering materials for the construction of the main headquarters building.”
“Tell him to stop work, and gather all the summoned beings.”
“I shall obey your order.”

This is urgent—really urgent.
What if the Drop of Creation disappears?

“Everyone’s here, right?”

All summoned beings assembled.

“We’re going to make a brief trip to the White Tower. Everyone has to enter together, so get ready.”

Before leaving—

“Mr. Rajiks, redeploy the giants and combat-splinter golems around the headquarters.”
“Hwoeeng!”
“Dr. El, instruct AI Wiz to put the base into automatic defense mode.”
“Yes.”

Calling Chairman Enix of the Meno Council—

“Please wait just a bit. I’ll be right back.”
“Hua, yes.”

After finishing all checks—

“Entering the White Tower!”

Spot!

Juhyeok returned inside the White Tower, with all the summoned beings in tow.

Then he shared what had happened in the labyrinth, including what they planned to do with the Drop of Creation.
Next stop: the main base, Earth.

“But, you know, Summoner Bong.”
“Yes?”

Kossak spoke up cautiously.

“That Drop of Creation—wouldn’t it be better if you just drank it yourself instead of giving it to Whitey?”

Hmm.
That’s a bit…

At that, Gyeon Dallae spoke.

“This one is opposed.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
“If this relic is imbued with divinity or godhood, it might have a harmful effect on the young master.”

The Mad Monk nodded as well.

“This old man agrees with the fairy princess. Didn’t we all experience what happened when the Summoner consumed the Heavenly Peach?”

Right.
That did happen.

“You nearly cast off all worldly shackles and ascended.”
“There was even partial soul detachment.”
“Just thinking about it still makes me dizzy.”
“The Drop of Creation could pose a similar risk.”

Kossak seemed convinced.

“So it turns out it’s dangerous. Then toss it to Whitey.”

Okay.
Let’s hand it over.

“Exiting to the main base—Earth.”

Spot!

Terra City on Earth, the main base.
The place where the god Whitey Gabba resided.

Juhyeok appeared in the ruined center of Terra City.

It didn’t disappear, did it?

His hands, gently cupped together.
Within them, the Drop of Creation quietly asserted its presence.

Thank goodness.
It’s still here.

Suddenly!

Wheeeeeeng!

Tiny angels flew down from the sky, circling Juhyeok.
There was also a full-grown angel, indistinguishable from a human in appearance.

[Hero.]

“Ah! Whitey Gabba—no, Lord God. Are you still here? You didn’t return to the Heavenly Realm, did you?”

[Yes, He is here. And He cannot return to the Heavenly Realm.]

“Huh?”

It was a relief that He was here, but why couldn’t He return?

[Because He lacks the power to do so. He is not yet whole.]

Oh dear.

[Under normal circumstances, He would not be able to remain here.]

Why?

[When a god descends into the lower world, it causes immense side effects.]

I know that.
That’s why even the King of the Underworld doesn’t descend lightly.

[Merely existing in the human realm distorts natural laws. The land may split apart, magnetic storms may arise in the atmosphere, or life itself may become unsustainable.]

Yet Whitey Gabba was here—in the human realm.
And it was okay.

Because the world He ruled had been destroyed, His godhood damaged by long sealing, and He had even given a fragment of His divinity to Juhyeok.
He had become so weak that calling Him a god was almost embarrassing.

Phew…

I feel so sorry I could cry.

I hope this helps.

Anyway, where is He?
I need to deliver this quickly.

Just then—

Wiiiiing!

A tiny Whitey flew toward Juhyeok, scattering warm light.

[[Juhyeok-nim, what brings you here today? Is your journey going smoothly?]]

“Haha, yes. I’m enjoying it to the fullest. I just stopped by briefly on some business.”

[[I see. I’m relieved the White Tower system connected smoothly to the other dimension, Kalzenia.]]

“Thanks to you.”

[[I’m truly glad I could be of help. Hmm, but…?]]

Whitey Gabba paused for a moment.

[[…Juhyeok-nim? What is that you’re holding in your hands?]]

“Oh! This? I brought it back from a popular tourist spot in Kalzenia.”

Let me show you.
To be honest, I’m not even sure what it is yet.

It felt similar to a fragment of godhood, but I couldn’t judge whether it was of equal value.

But Whitey Gabba would know.
Even if He’s fallen on hard times now, He was once a chief god.

Juhyeok spread his cupped hands wide.

“Ta-da!”

[『…Ah!』]

Whitey Gabba gasped in shock.

“They called it the Drop of Creation.”

[[Where did you get this?]]

“In a labyrinth in Kalzenia.”

[[A labyrinth…]]

Juhyeok explained how he had obtained the Drop of Creation.
After he finished—

[[I cannot understand it. How could such an item exist in the human realm?]]

“Is it that strange?”

[[Very strange. It is a relic containing godhood. And yet the chief god of Kalzenia left it unattended.]]

Now that he mentioned it…
It really was odd.

Didn’t the god Kar want it?
He’d swallowed a fragment of godhood without hesitation.

[[The more I think about it, the more suspicious that dimension becomes. Even the fact that it accepts travelers so readily.]]

Juhyeok agreed.

In nature, introducing an invasive species disrupts the ecosystem.

Normally, outsiders—travelers from other dimensions—should be blocked.
Yet Kalzenia welcomed them freely, registered them in the system, and even allowed them to take top-grade magic crystals.

[[It’s very likely that the labyrinth has slipped out of the control of Kalzenia’s chief god, Kar. This is only speculation, of course.]]

It made sense.
Even gods had their limits—especially when it came to strange labyrinths.

What was its true nature?
Would he find out someday?
Well, even if he didn’t, it wasn’t a problem.

“Anyway, will this Drop of Creation help you, Whitey Gabba?”

[[Of course. It will greatly help restore my lost godhood… Ah! W-wait a moment.]]
“Yes?”

[『…Did you bring this for me?』]

“Yes. It’s a gift. I couldn’t come back empty-handed after a trip.”

[[With what thought process would you give away such a precious relic? You should consume it yourself, Juhyeok-nim.]]

“Eh, if I eat it, I might get indigestion.”

[[Ah…]]

“Here.”

Juhyeok held out the Drop of Creation.

“Go on. Eat it.”

Before it gets cold.
Chew thoroughly.

Then—

Slither.

The Drop of Creation seeped into Whitey Gabba.

Fwaaaaaaah!

Having absorbed it, Whitey Gabba shone like a small sun and rose into the sky above Terra City.

The angels flew with Him, circling the radiant god and offering praises.

“Whoa!”

A powerful wave of divine energy spread across all of Terra City—brighter than before He had given away the fragment of godhood.

After a while, Whitey Gabba slowly descended with the angels.

[[Thank you. I am now even more indebted to you.]]

Oh, come on—we’re practically family!

“By the way, if I bring things like the Primordial Flame, the Breath of Light, or Dust of Origin, would those also help restore your godhood?”

[[They would help, but you really don’t need to—]]

No, it’s fine.
I’ll give it a shot.

Who do you think I am?
God-Maker Bong Juhyeok.
A human who raises gods.

Juhyeok smiled with satisfaction.
Before him stood Whitey Gabba, radiating holy light.

And then—?

[[I know this is shameless, but I have a request for you, Juhyeok-nim.]]

“What is it?”

Not enough?
Do you want me to get more?

[[Would you consider accepting more summoned beings?]]

“Oh!”

The more, the better.
I won’t refuse.

“From another world of souls, perhaps?”

[[No, not them.]]

Then?

[[With the complete conquest of the Black Tower, all contracted souls have already been liberated.]]

Ah, I see.

[[There are other beings. A total of 116,524 individuals.]]

“Huh?!”

A hundred and ten thousand?
Good grief.
Where did that many souls even come from…?

[[When I was released from my seal, even my corrupted children regained their souls and wills.]]

Right, that had happened.

[[However, because my authority is still weak, there are children who have not been freed from corruption. Small ones, unworthy of the rank of angels.]]

Small ones.
Don’t tell me—minor corrupted angels?

[[Yes, that is correct. Children who failed to escape corruption, and were destined to be erased…]]

Tsk.
Poor things.

[[If you accept them, their souls will be spared from annihilation. They will no longer fall under my dominion, but will instead belong to you, Juhyeok-nim.]]

He was asking me to accept fallen angels as summoned beings.

[[Once they become summoned beings, the principle of absolute obedience will apply unconditionally.]]

But the number is enormous.
Who knows what would happen if I brought them all into the White Tower?

[[Do not worry. You do not need to bring them to the White Tower. They will remain here, on Earth—the main base.]]

“Then how would I summon them?”

[[Thanks to the Drop of Creation, my power has increased slightly. As a result, Earth—the main base—can now be considered another White Tower, one where the White Tower system is applied.]]

“Ah!”

[[If you summon them from a world spatially connected to the White Tower, they will be able to appear by your side at any time.]]

Convenient summoning.
Coincidentally, the maximum number of simultaneous summons was unlimited.

What should I do?

Juhyeok pondered deeply.
These were minor corrupted angels that could even gnaw away at giants.
And there were over a hundred thousand of them.

They’re basically no different from the Monkey King’s golden clone army.

His deliberation ended.
He would accept them.

Otherwise, they were destined for annihilation.
Anything was better than that.

And besides—this was a reward.
Whitey’s repayment for the Drop of Creation.

Anyone with half a brain would recognize that.
Refusing would be ridiculous.

“Yes. Please register them in the catalog.”

[[Thank you once again for accepting my children.]]

Then—

Ding!

[[116,524 minor corrupted angels have been registered in the catalog.]]

Thus, Bong Juhyeok became a summoner capable of calling forth an army of one hundred thousand.

The Kalzenia labyrinth will be a one-click clear too.

His chest swelled with pride.
Now, let’s return to Kalzenia.
The beastfolk would be waiting.

The defeat of the 125th-floor ruins guardian spread throughout Mezpol.

The party responsible: Bong Juhyeok’s group.
But who exactly was Bong Juhyeok?

It didn’t take long to find out.
The name Bong Juhyeok was registered at city hall.

He was the founder of the Rabong Trading Company.
That very Rabong Trading Company, rumored to be owned by a dimensional traveler.

How outrageous.
Coming to another world and stirring up chaos everywhere?
What is the Grand Temple even doing?

But more than anything, people were curious about one thing.

What exactly was the 125th relic that Bong Juhyeok had obtained?
What on earth was it?

Everyone wanted to know.
Even the Grand Temple sent priests to ask him to disclose the nature of the relic.

Of course, Juhyeok refused.

Do I look like a sucker?
Why would I tell you?

And who said it ended at the 125th floor?
This was only the beginning.
From now on, all labyrinth relics are mine.

I’ll squeeze every last drop out of this place.
In a way, this too was a form of rampage.

Juhyeok was currently at the headquarters, watching it change.

New buildings rose steadily.
More and more people came to visit the Rabong Trading Company.

Small and medium merchants looking to buy labyrinth by-products.
Adventurers and mercenaries seeking to recruit beastfolk into their parties.

With so many people, trouble naturally followed.

Thud!

“Aaagh!”

Another mercenary was kicked out of the broker office.

Tsk.

He could guess why.
That mercenary must have offended Gyeon Dallae, the head of the labor broker office.

Probably exposed his lowly views toward beastfolk workers.

How many times had this happened already?
At this rate, the stern princess would scare all the customers away.

But that was fine.
Anyone unqualified was rejected without exception.

Still, when do we enter the 126th floor? I need workers worth taking along…

At that moment—

Huh?

A line of people stretched out in front of the broker office.
Among them, one adventurer caught Juhyeok’s eye.

A man with the appearance of an ordinary Westerner.

But his looks weren’t the issue.
The aura coming off him was unusual.

Wooooong.

A vibration came from Juhyeok’s waist.
The Judge’s Hammer.
It was signaling that this person was anything but ordinary.

A memory surfaced.
Carl Maverick, a dimensional traveler from Earth.
Wi Cheonrak, a dimensional traveler from the Murim world.

He feels similar to them.

Could it be—

A dimensional traveler?

The Kalzenia labyrinth was a hotspot for dimensional travelers.
So it wouldn’t be strange at all for one to be here.

As Juhyeok kept staring, the man turned his head as well.
Their eyes met.

…..

Hmm.
Should I ask him directly?
Ask if he’s a dimensional traveler?

So Juhyeok slowly approached.

“Huh?”

The adventurer flinched and stepped backward.

What?
Why are you backing away?

Step—
Juhyeok moved forward one pace.
The adventurer stepped back again.

Step. Approach.
Flinch. Retreat.

Step, flinch.
Step, flinch.

The distance never closed.

Then—

“Excuse me… are you perhaps a dimensional traveler?”

The adventurer, who had been retreating, spoke first.

“Yes… are you as well?”
“That’s right. I’m a dimensional traveler too.”
“Ah!”

Just as he suspected.

But then—

“I’ll take one step forward first. Could you also take one step toward me?”

What’s with him?
Does he think I’ll eat him?

The reason was unclear, but—

“Alright. I’ll move first.”

Step.

As Juhyeok took one step—

Step.

The other man did as well.

Step, step, step, step.
The distance gradually closed.

Then—

“Phew. That’s fine now.”

What is?

“You and I are different people.”

Obviously.
What kind of statement is that?

“Among dimensional travelers, there are quite a few who share the same soul.”

Ah!

“When they get too close, their souls forcibly merge and—boom! They explode.”

What?!

“That happened a few months ago.”

Where?

“In the labyrinth. Two dimensional travelers met by chance, only to realize they shared the same soul. Forced fusion—boom! Massive explosion.”
“……”

I knew identical souls existed.
I’d experienced it myself.

But exploding upon meeting?
Both of them die?

“Hahaha. Anyway, it’s clear that we’re different people.”

The adventurer strode forward.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ralph, a dimensional traveler from Silvaren.”
“I’m Bong—no, Kossak. Nice to meet you as well.”

Bong Juhyeok’s name had become far too famous in Mezpol.
He was at the center of attention and controversy.

So, just in case, the protagonist activated name-hiding mode.

“Did you also come for top-grade magic stones, Traveler Kossak?”
“Uh, yes, something like that.”
“It’s hard to find workers. I wonder if you’ve gathered enough.”
“Who knows.”

Ralph sighed.

“Haah, I’m still a long way off. I never thought buying a single item at the auction house would be this hard.”

So he came to farm top-grade magic stones for an auction bid.

“One million for a single item. One million!”

Mm-hm.

“And even if you list it, it gets sold instantly.”

Yeah.

“I’ll gather a million as fast as possible and buy it outright.”

I know exactly what he’s talking about.

“You mean a tablet or a hologram phone?”
“Oh! Are you after it too, Kossak-nim? Hahaha, looks like I’ve run into a competitor.”

Not a competitor.
I’ve got tons of those.