Chapter 232 – The Marksman 1 (1/2)

“Good work. I’ll leave it to your clan to dispose of this monster’s body.”

Woohyuk praised the surviving members of the Amaterasu clansmen and gave them a reward, the body of the sea monster.

Even the leftovers of elite monsters possessed high value as alchemy and production material.

At Woohyuk’s benevolent treatment, Ryosuke bowed down to his waist with a surprised expression.

“T-Thank you! How can we ever repay this grace…”

“Keep an eye on the island until I return. That’s your only job.”

Of course, it would be foolish to blindly believe in Ryosuke without taking any action.

Before leaving, Woohyuk summoned Ryosuke and made him sign a master-slave contract.

“Eh, were you a d-demon? I hadn’t felt any demonic energy…”

“My situation is a little bit peculiar.”

In his previous life, Woohyuk was an archangel, and in the present life, he was a human. After being called into this world, he succeeded the position of a former Demon Lord.

If one thought about this progression with some common sense, his image and reputation seemed to be getting worse and worse.

However, Woohyuk didn’t care about this perception.

‘Whatever others choose to call me, I’m just me.’

A being who keeps moving forward with his own subjectivity.

In this turbulent world, he thought this approach was enough.

Before long, he arrived with his party at the ruins of Einherjar…

“In the past, there was one king who conquered vast territories. Do you know what he did when he visited a small village and saw a carriage tangled in rope?” Woohyuk summoned Verserios and asked Helena a question.

She tilted her head in confusion at his sudden, outrageous words and looked at him.

“Well, what did he do?”

“He pulled out a sword and cut the rope. He didn’t consider untying the knot.”

Sometimes, there were situations that required bold decisions.

Those bold decisions could be counterproductive in the end, but it was an easier decision at the moment.

‘It’s probably impossible for Helena to lift the gods’ complex security barriers.’

If so, destroying it with demon power would be enough.

As Woohyuk swung Verserios in the air,

Ji-Ji-Ji-Ji-Ji-Ji!

A spark flashed momentarily on the steep rock wall, and the main landscape began to crumble.

It was a form of stealth magic.

In addition, there were two layers of exclusion magic that blocked the access of unauthorized intruders into the ruins.

“Keuk!”

When the exclusion magic was triggered and the shockwave emanated out, Woohyuk clenched his jaw.

If he was a normal human being, he wouldn’t be able to bear the damage and would have instantly perished.

Chwa-Ah!

With Verserios, he destroyed the double barrier. Between the cracks, a ruin that was carved into the rock wall appeared.

“So, that’s where the dimensional transmission device that leads to heaven is,” Helena remarked.

“Do you want to go? To the upper level where the gods stay…” Woohyuk replied.

“Not really. I’m fairly certain I won’t be welcomed.”

It was rare for even holy disciples to be given preferential treatment by the gods.

As Helena followed Woohyuk feet into the ruins, she asked aloud,

“But where is the guardian who maintains this place? The gods wouldn’t have left such an important base unattended with only a double barrier magic spell.”

“There certainly is a guardian. However, it’s more like a ghost that can’t sleep,” replied Woohyuk.

The ghost Woohyuk referred to was Einherjar.

As soon as he finished speaking, a dry man’s voice echoed in the passage,

“Amazing. Did you know of my existence from the beginning?”

It was the voice of one of the many heroes recorded in this world’s history.

However, even among these heroes, this man was very special.

Without him, the Holy Aperia Empire would have collapsed during the Demon War.

“Of course, Reinhardt. You’re a proud paladin who existed in unfortunate times.”

“…”

Step. Step.

Reinhardt silently walked toward Woohyuk.

He was not a mere mirage, but a ghost that possessed a corporeal body.

However, his lifeless body carried a cold energy.

“I will set you free from the bondage that lasted for past thousands of years. I apply for a prestigious one-on-one duel.”

“… What’s your name? I’ll refuse the duel unless you reveal how I arrived in this predicament,” Reinhardt said, raising his shield instead of his long sword.

His actions represented a willingness to defend to the end.

Woohyuk spoke with an expression of expectation,

“I am Chun Woohyuk. I learned about this in the past when restoring the Nag Hammad Chronicles. You met me then.”

“No matter how much I think about it, what you’re saying is a lie. Even though the gods have turned me into this state, the memories of my past have not been touched.”

“What you’re saying is true. However, my words are absolutely true. After I defeated you in the past, I met the Goddesses of Fate and returned to the past,” Woohyuk said. He went on to briefly explain the past to Reinhardt.

Reinhardt was silent for a moment before speaking,

“There’s no way for you to prove that. Thus, I will ask… Why did you visit this place without the Nag Hammadi Chronicles?”

“Many things have changed from the past. The existing plan I had has been derailed, and I don’t have much time to spare.”

“… Such a troublesome man. What’s your purpose for doing such unreasonable things?”

“I will radically change this world. I will prevent an exclusive transcendental person, like the Creator, from ever controlling the system again.”

That was the ultimate goal of the Odyssey Plan.

After hearing Woohyuk’s words, Reinhardt looked puzzled.

‘You’re an amazing human in many ways,’ Reinhardt thought.

A long time ago, his friend had said something similar.

He was Roland of the Trinity Knights.