Chapter 187

Chapter 187
## Chapter 187: Sentinel of the Onyx Sphere

The Korean Alliance.

Within his private office situated in the center of Seoul, Park Tae-woo took a tense breath, his throat tight.

A fair-haired foreigner had materialized without warning.

From the moment he learned the stranger’s identity, his composure had begun to fracture.

‘Hudson. The proprietor of the Hudson Merchant Company and the primary confidant of the Five Lords! The individual who essentially governs Labyrinth City… he’s a Player!’

Labyrinth City was a metropolis of beasts under the sovereign aegis of the White King.

While the Five Lords held the title of ruler, the day-to-day administration was handled by the human, Hudson.

That reality alone had catapulted Hudson to legendary status across Pangeniar.

Monsters from the northern reaches, who harbored a visceral loathing for humanity, were living in harmony with one!

‘It should be an impossibility. Particularly the creatures of Cramdel—their hatred for humans is unparalleled.’

Yet, the inconceivable had become fact.

Naturally, this revelation sparked a massive sensation.

However, no one suspected his status as a “Player.”

A name identical to his existed within the Hall of Fame, but its rank was so mediocre that everyone dismissed it as a mere namesake—a different individual entirely.

‘A solitary powerhouse with ties even to the northern beasts. He is a truly formidable figure.’

Hudson was undeniably a hidden master concealing his true self.

And his reach likely extended beyond the Five Lords into the north as well.

After all, he was accumulating tens of billions in gold by distributing commodities from Labyrinth City.

This represented a staggering level of influence.

‘Why would a person of his caliber seek an audience with me?’

Hudson’s stature eclipsed his own.

He understood the need for extreme vigilance.

Appearing in the flesh was tantamount to admitting he was a Player.

He struggled to comprehend why Hudson had chosen to discard his long-held anonymity before him.

‘That visage… there is no mistake, it is Hudson of Pangeniar. It aligns perfectly with the data from the intelligence wing.’

There was no deception.

He had utilized the Fragment of the Broken Golden Rule to assume the form of “Hudson.”

Though his terrestrial appearance remained a mystery, it was a flawless match for the intelligence photographs.

“Perhaps we should sit and converse rather than remain standing? Would you prefer tea? Or coffee?”

Park Tae-woo exerted every ounce of will to steady his nerves before speaking.

Though rattled, he remained the premier Player of Korea.

This was his domain—he had to project an aura of composure.

Hudson reclined into a luxurious armchair, a faint smile on his lips.

“A simple glass of heated water will suffice.”

Park Tae-woo signaled his assistant to provide the warm water alongside a cup of green tea for himself, then inquired deliberately,

“…Might I inquire as to what brings Hudson here to meet me?”

He took a measured sip of his tea.

His guest was Hudson—a merchant by profession, but a titan with deep connections to northern monsters. There had to be a monumental motive behind this visit.

Hudson gave a slow nod.

“Park Tae-woo, I have come to offer Korea a city within Pangeniar.”

“…Pfft?!?!”

Park Tae-woo involuntarily sprayed his green tea across the room.

He sat motionless for a heartbeat.

Was his mind playing tricks? Had he misheard the words?

‘What? Offering us a city?’

What sort of sudden madness was this?

Metropolises in Pangeniar were not trifles to be handed out!

Regardless of Korea’s efforts, a city in Pangeniar was a prize that had always remained out of their reach.

Hudson’s smile remained, validating that he had heard correctly.

“To be clear, it is not Labyrinth City.”

“Hold on. Then which… which city are you referring to?”

“The Ruined City, Rundlela.”

“…!!!”

Park Tae-woo’s gaze intensified.

Unbelievable!

That was one of the hallmark territories previously held by the Master.

Since the Master’s demise, it had been the subject of ceaseless speculation and rumors.

“But Rundlela has no named heir… is that not correct?”

The Master had not bothered to designate even a single successor.

Rundlela was a vacant throne.

It was a city where the first to initiate a conflict and seize control would be recognized as the owner.

“My superior possesses the mandate to govern it.”

“You don’t mean… the Five Lords ended the Master’s life?”

“Indeed.”

He was blunt and direct.

The Five Lords was the one who had neutralized the Master.

By eliminating the city’s sovereign, one earns the prerogative to claim it.

There was no requirement for a total war.

One merely had to reach the urban core as the rightful claimant or their representative.

A designated heir would normally provide an obstacle—but Rundlela lacked one.

‘Rundlela is teeming with unexplored archaeological sites. If we could secure it, the strength of Korea’s military would at least triple.’

Merely possessing a base of operations was a gargantuan advantage.

Sovereigns of a city could unlock unique missions, liquidate ruins for wealth, and collect taxes in gold to procure elite armaments.

And that was merely the surface.

Members of the Alliance could utilize city amenities at reduced rates, forge alliances with religious orders by providing sanctuary, and participate in high-level commerce between cities or nations.

Even the recruitment of mercenaries and paladins for high-tier dungeon expeditions would become a reality.

The potential for a city ruler was limitless.

Gaining power in Pangeniar equated to gaining power in the physical world.

‘At the very least, Korea will no longer be sidelined as we were before.’

During the demonic incursion, Korea had been left without assistance.

Dark Star and the Global Alliance had focused their efforts on prioritizing Japan’s safety.

Japanese Players possessed three sovereign cities in Pangeniar—it was only natural.

‘Can I trust this?’

…But the proposal was almost too fantastical to credit.

Surrendering a city.

The Five Lords slaying the Master.

“I can sense your doubt.”

“To be honest, yes. Is there any evidence?”

“By this hour, the formal announcement should have reached every city. You may verify it yourself.”

A formal announcement had been issued?

Park Tae-woo’s pulse quickened.

However, he could not enter the game world with Hudson sitting right there.

Furthermore, “city proclamations” were only accessible to “city rulers.”

It was at that moment.

Thud!

“It is—it is a crisis! A formal proclamation has arrived from the Ruined City Rundlela… Ah!”

A man charged into the room shouting, then stopped abruptly when he saw Hudson.

Park Tae-woo’s expression turned stern.

“…What is the content of the notice?”

“Th-they report from the New York Hera Guild that Rundlela has just been declared the domain of the Five Lords. Proclamations were sent to every major city…!”

“…Understood. You are excused.”

“Yes, sir!”

Thud!

As the door was pulled shut, Park Tae-woo’s face grew more somber.

Hudson’s claims appeared to be verified.

And Hudson was present here acting on the instructions of the Five Lords.

…The monstrous Five Lords.

The northern beast who kept a human companion at his side.

No one had witnessed his actual shape, but he was the individual who had conquered the Abyss Labyrinth alone when all others failed!

Furthermore, he was the only one among the Lords who held a personal vow of protection from the White King.

And that entity had sought him out.

For what purpose?

“It is a compelling offer, but currently we must focus on repelling the demons that are invading our borders.”

Compelling was an understatement.

He would risk his very existence for such a prize.

Even if it required serving a monster.

But Korea required an immediate defense.

This land was on the verge of turning into a charnel house.

Survival was uncertain, the outcome impossible to foresee.

Hudson merely shrugged at the hesitation.

“There is no cause for concern. Events will not unfold as the demons intend.”

“…What are you implying?”

“You shall see shortly. Furthermore, what the Five Lords requires of you is the preservation of the leyline—which means protecting Korea in any case.”

“…? That makes even less sense. You mean the objective is tied to this incursion?”

“To be exact, it concerns the Dragon God.”

“…???”

“Dark Star, sir. Park Tae-woo has departed from Korea along with his inner circle.”

Shortly before the demon host struck.

Dark Star, who had reached Korea ahead of the rest, tilted his head in confusion.

“He fled in terror? After making such a spectacle about holding the line here?”

It was staggering.

They had pleaded and protested to make Korea the starting point, and now their leader is the first to retreat.

‘Zero sense of duty?’

To think the champion of Korea was such a cowardly soul.

Dark Star clicked his tongue in disdain.

But it was irrelevant.

In fact, it was the perfect scenario.

‘That leyline. It resembles some sort of primordial cathedral.’

A gargantuan temple had abruptly burst forth from the earth.

That was the heart of the leyline.

Entrance was barred, but it was actively draining the strength of the attackers.

‘I should seize control of the leyline. If I cannot, then at least the territory surrounding it.’

What exactly was a leyline?

Documentation was sparse, but legends claimed that legendary figures were born with unusual frequency in their vicinity.

If Korea maintained this pristine leyline, he could assert a claim over the surrounding land.

Park Tae-woo had abandoned his post, after all.

Who else would safeguard this region—this Korea—if not them?

Just as Dark Star began to savor the prospect,

“Spatial rifts are appearing!”

“Demons! The demons are here!”

Zing.

Ziiing!

Countless warp portals fractured the sky, and an endless tide of demons began to pour through.

Isera gave a sharp nod.

A multitude of demons were descending upon the coordinates pinpointed by the leyline.

By opening portals simultaneously for a widespread strike—humans would be unable to intercept them all, regardless of their desperation.

‘Even maintaining portals for Mass Teleport is an exhausting task.’

It was one of the fundamental authorities a Legion Commander should wield.

Mass Teleport!

Triggering pre-set portals demanded immense quantities of mana, meaning it could not be performed frequently.

But once engaged, hundreds of thousands of demons would lay waste to the leyline.

The humans were powerless to halt them.

‘They are even congregating in a single location—perhaps I should be grateful?’

The leyline had drawn the humans together, simplifying the slaughter.

Annihilate them in one stroke, and none would remain to block her path.

Then, it happened.

“L-Legion Commander. There is a complication.”

“A complication? Explain.”

A high-ranking demon hurried toward Isera in a state of agitation.

In response to her question, the demon’s gaze flickered with fear as he answered.

“Th-the portals are beginning to collapse.”

…The warps that had just been established were sealing shut?

Isera, stunned, moved toward the sector where she had initiated the Mass Teleport.

Her brow knit together in frustration.

The massive portal pre-constructed from the demon realm.

The one they had struggled to ignite was now slowly closing.

Demons caught in the middle of the transition paused in bewilderment.

‘…Is someone manually overriding the portals?’

Isera grasped the situation instantly.

An outside force was closing the gateways.

But by what method?

She was aware that the “Orthodox” of the Reaper Church held authority over spatial warps, but this was no ordinary teleportation.

This was a gateway engineered for heavy transit.

How could anyone possibly shut down a source generating hundreds of thousands of rifts at once?

“…”

As the gateway sealed itself entirely, the creases on Isera’s forehead deepened.

It seemed impossible, yet someone had successfully forced it closed.

Instantaneous movement was now off the table.

Which meant…

‘…We will have to traverse the distance by flight.’

They would have to soar across the sky directly toward the leyline.

How much time had passed since the rifts opened and the demonic scourge began?

At a certain point, the gateways started to vanish, and the arrival of new demons slowed to a crawl.

At the same time, a vast number of witnesses saw “it.”

-Kyakyakyakya!

“It” was undeniably a Reaper.

A perfect manifestation of the myth.

Those who caught sight of the Reaper began to whisper.

“What is that thing…?”

“Wait, it looks familiar.”

“Oh. N-no way, that is the Reaper from Jeju Island…!”

“The ‘Guardian of the Black Egg’!!”

The onlookers began to cheer.

Particularly those who had survived the Jeju Island incident—they cried out with fervor.

It was no mystery why: the “Guardian of the Black Egg” had shielded them from Baal within the Abyss and guided their flight to safety.

“Then who is that other individual?”

However, the “Guardian of the Black Egg” was not the only arrival.

A man clad in sorcerous vestments appeared.

He wore a look of arrogant disdain as he rotated his staff, vaporizing demons with bursts of energy.

“Is that man the ‘God of the Black Egg’?”

“No! That is Union! The mage of the Golden Rule who attacked us previously!”

“What? Was Union not allied with the demons?”

“Precisely. Why on earth would Union be assisting us now?”