Chapter 201: Chapter 200

Rumble!

At the edge of the vast universe. A fierce battle was raging across the cosmos against the endless enemies pouring out from the melting dimensional walls. And in the midst of that battlefield...

"Smirk."

"...To think my son would declare himself the successor of the Dragon King." The man cloaked in black energy, the Shadow Monarch Sung Jinwoo, chuckled as he gazed towards Earth.

Truly, raising a child was an endless series of unpredictable events. Who could have imagined...? That the son of the Shadow Monarch would one day declare himself the successor of the Monarch of Destruction. Undoubtedly, none of the great beings here had ever envisioned such a future. That's how much of a risky gamble and uncertainty Suho's decision was. However...

[Are you sure this is alright?]

[The Monarch of Destruction is not someone you can trust.]

[In the first place, awakening the Monarchs born from the primordial darkness is an ominous sign.]

[In the worst-case scenario, you're raising an enemy from within during the war.]

Sung Jinwoo simply shrugged at the concerned words of the Rulers.

"Well, what can I do? It's a decision my son made on his own, so I have no choice but to support him as a father." Sung Jinwoo decided to put all the worries aside and simply respect his son's choice.

"Of course, there are still other factors, but I have to act like a father for once." Besides, when he thought about it carefully, it wasn't a bad choice.

"...No, it could actually be beneficial if things go well." The Rulers also agreed with Sung Jinwoo to some extent.

[That's true.]

[The more people inherit the power of the deceased Monarchs, the greater our forces will become.]

[Even though the Monarchs were born from the primordial darkness, they're still on our side when it comes to fighting the enemies from the outer universe.]

[Of course, their fundamental nature of desiring destruction won't change much, but if your son can control that instinct...]

"Enough chatter."

"They're coming again." Sung Jinwoo's eyes burned coldly as he spotted another rift opening up ahead.

[Everyone, prepare for battle!]

[A new gate has appeared!]

[All forces, attack!]

At the Rulers' command, the Army of the sky charged. Brilliant wings unfolded. The powers of Radiance and the Outer Gods clashed. And in the center of it all Sung Jinwoo bared his teeth fiercely and unleashed his Monarch's Domain.

"Arise, all of you."

Whoosh!

[Legion Commander Beru! Our troops will take the vanguard this time!]

[No! Legion Commander Igris! Follow me!]

At the king's command, the soldiers of death, who were recovering from their wounds with black steam billowing from their bodies, rushed into battle.

[Bring it on!]

[The Monarch's blessing is with us!]

As long as the Shadow's blessing was with them, they were an immortal army that could be injured but never killed.

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!]

In the vast universe, the immortal army roared like thunder on the Shadow Monarch's deep and wide shadow. In the midst of that war, Sung Jinwoo turned his gaze and muttered towards his son, who was fighting alone in the distance.

'Suho. My son.'

'I respect your decision. But since you chose to become the Dragon King's successor...'

'Become stronger.'

'You must become stronger.'

'The Dragon King's Trial.'

It wasn't just a simple quest. It was a mutual agreement made possible because Antares' desire and Sung Suho's goal happened to align. At the same time, it was a dangerous deal where the balance could be broken in an instant if their interests ever conflicted.

'So, Suho. If you fail the Dragon King's Trial, he will eventually try to devour you.' Sung Jinwoo gritted his teeth and worried about his son's future while blessing him.

'...Therefore.'

'Become stronger, Suho.'

'Become strong and devour the Dragon instead.'

'To survive, you must become the hunter, not the prey.'

'Because you are a Hunter.'

* * *

[Skill: 'Monarch's Domain' activated.]

Whoosh!

On the Monarch's Domain Suho unleashed, the Shadow Soldiers roared in unison and leaped forward.

"Kyaaagh!"

Slash! Slash!

Only the blood and screams of magical beasts were left in their wake.

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

Suho was obsessed with leveling up, entering dungeons recklessly. The Dragon King's first trial, reaching level 99, was both easy and difficult. As his level went up, the amount of experience required naturally increased as well, slowing down his progress. That meant he had to seek out even more dangerous and powerful magical beasts to increase his leveling speed. But that wasn't easy...

"Dogyoon, where's the next dungeon?"

"Sorry, Boss! That's all for today. I'll make a reservation for the next dungeon as soon as possible."

At some point, it became natural for Lim Dogyoon to speak to Suho with utmost respect, regardless of the age difference. It couldn't be helped. He was the only 'ordinary human' who witnessed Suho's monstrous strength and speed as he cleared dungeons from start to finish...

]

Beyond awe, what he felt was reverence! Not only were Suho's Shadow Soldiers good at hunting, they were also quick at mining and dismantling magical beast carcasses. Sometimes, the shadow of a magical beast Suho had just killed would rise and dismantle its own body, offering it to Suho. It was a good thing the magical beasts were grotesque monsters. If they were human, it would have been a terrifying and horrendous sight. Lim Dogyoon, who witnessed all of this firsthand, could no longer simply see Suho as a close younger brother like before. Then what was the nature of the emotion he felt towards Suho?

Fear? Terror?

No way.

'Jackpot.' Lim Dogyoon thought to himself.

'This is a job for life!'

The work was comfortable, his life wasn't in danger, and the pay was amazing! For an E-rank Hunter like him, Woojin Guild was a stable workplace he wanted to dedicate his entire life to... As long as President Sung Suho was around!

"Boss! I've booked a dungeon! It might be a bit dangerous since the Black Tortoise Guild failed to clear it twice...!"

"Even better. Let's go right away." The more dangerous the dungeon, the better!

Lim Dogyoon followed Suho, who was stepping forward with shining eyes, full of confidence. But then...

"...Hmm?"

"Ouch?!" As Suho suddenly stopped walking, Lim Dogyoon, who bumped into his sturdy back, clutched his nose and looked up at him.

"Boss, what's wrong?"

"..." Suho stood still with a thoughtful expression. And after staring into the air for a moment, he spoke.

"...Dogyoon, let's cancel that dungeon."

"Huh? Yes, sir. But why...?"

"Something came up."

Whoosh! As soon as he finished speaking, Suho vanished from the spot.

"...Huh?" Lim Dogyoon looked around with a bewildered expression, but his boss was nowhere to be found.

"Boss...?"

"Then... Should I get off work?"

* * *

Rio Singh flew to India at Suho's request and immediately headed to the Asura Guild without taking a break.

"I need to see the Guild Master right now! I've brought an incredible business deal!"

Siddharth Bachchan. Rio Singh's purpose in meeting the Guild Master of the Asura Guild and the most famous S-rank Hunter in India, was none other than the business deal Suho had proposed. Spring water of the Echo Forest. The right to trade for the Scavenger Guild's detoxification potion, the hottest item in the Hunter industry these days! Having secured that incredible deal himself, Rio Singh's future seemed bright.

'This time, I'll definitely get promoted! Even if I demand the highest reward possible for an A-rank Hunter, the Guild Master will definitely accept it!' With his heart pounding with excitement, Rio Singh flung open the door to the guild office...

"...Huh?"

Shiver. He instinctively stopped in his tracks, sensing an eerie atmosphere in the guild.

'What's this?' At first, he tried to dismiss it as his imagination. It was natural to feel unfamiliar since he was visiting after a long time abroad. Besides, the guild staff he saw here and there were doing their office work as usual. But...

'What is this feeling? Something seems different.' Rio Singh couldn't shake off the ominous feeling as he walked towards the Guild Master's office. Observing the people around him, he discovered something strange.

'They have no expressions.' No matter how busy they were with work, there wasn't a single spark of life in the staff's eyes.

'And no one is acknowledging me first.' Even though he had been on a business trip abroad, many staff members knew his face. At least one of them should have recognized him and greeted him, but no one approached or spoke to him.

"...It's Rio Singh. I'm here to see the Guild Master."

"Ah, I see." When he spoke first like this, they responded expressionlessly. But their reactions were all lifeless, as if their souls had been sucked out.

"I tried calling the Guild Master's office before coming here, but he didn't answer, maybe because he was busy. Is he not in the guild right now?"

"That's right, he's not here."

"Where is he? Is he on a dungeon raid?"

"Yes."

"...Is that all you're going to tell me?"

"Yes."

"...?" Rio Singh tilted his head, puzzled by the continued curt responses. Why were they acting like this? Had something bad happened to the guild recently...?

In the end, he had no choice but to return empty-handed. And then, he suddenly noticed something strange: 'What are those necklaces?'

It wasn't anything special, but now that he looked, all the staff members were wearing the same necklace. It had a large blue gem, and everyone, regardless of gender, was wearing it.

"What's that necklace?"

"Ah! This necklace?"

"This necklace?"

'Huh?' When Rio Singh grabbed someone and asked about the necklace, everyone nearby suddenly turned their heads and looked at him. With bright smiles on their faces.

"This necklace is a kind of employee ID, recently made, to show that we belong to the Asura Guild."

"Would you like one?"

"I'll give you one!"

"No, I will...!"

"Uh?" As necklaces were suddenly offered to him from all directions, Rio Singh inevitably ended up wearing one...

The moment he put it on.

"Rio Singh, the Guild Master is calling for you."

"So suddenly? You said he was in a dungeon."

"Yes. To meet him, you have to enter the dungeon."

"Well, alright. I've brought a gift for the Guild Master." Rio Singh nodded, fiddling with the detoxification potion Suho had given him. It was a sample for the business deal, and he was told to make sure Siddharth Bachchan personally tried it.

"But could it be? Did a dungeon recently appear that requires the Guild Master to personally enter?" At Rio Singh's question, the staff member returned to their expressionless demeanor and answered.

"Yes. The Guild Master is currently raiding the Dragonian dungeon."

"Dragonian?"