Chapter 277

Chapter 277
## Chapter 277

—

Caw—!

“Are you suggesting you intend to transform into a crow?”

“Hahaha! My sides! I can’t breathe!”

The God of Ill-Omen and the God of Calamity erupted in boisterous laughter. Throughout their existence, they had encountered countless souls hungering for their dark gifts, but this was the very first time a creature had offered to become a crow of its own volition.

“Is the task perhaps too demanding? Is it a feat beyond the reach of the so-called supreme Gods of the Crows?”

I threw the words out with a mask of sincere regret. These two deities had been locked in conflict for an eternity. If their struggle truly stemmed from a desire to prove their superiority, I calculated they would be unable to ignore the bait of being called the ‘greatest God.’

—It is a fact that I am the supreme God.

—It is a fact that I am the supreme God.

—Stop mimicking me.

—Stop mimicking me.

—You piece of filth!

—You piece of filth!

Predictably, they both shouted in unison. After a lengthy bout of petty squabbling—

*Shuuuuuung.*

Suddenly, two glowing orbs manifested in the air before me. One was a sphere of absolute darkness, the other a bead of blood-red light. I recognized them instantly.

‘Cores.’

These functioned like the essence of monsters. They were presenting me with a choice: consume the core and undergo a metamorphosis. These two entities were clearly aware of my Hidden Trait, ‘Gluttony.’

However, these existed on an entirely different plane than the ‘Corpse Crow Core’ I had integrated into myself before. These two spheres were not the hearts of some common breed.

—If you seek to master my arts, join the Clan of Ill-Omen.

—If you seek to master my arts, join the Clan of Calamity.

They were cores belonging to the Clan of Ill-Omen and the Clan of Calamity. These were elite, high-tier races that made Corpse Crows look like insects. They were inviting me to join the ranks of the administrator clans that oversaw the tower’s functions.

Naturally, if I grew in power, I would command a ‘military force’ that far surpassed the capabilities of a standard administrator. For instance—

‘I have already felt the weight of the Terrible Ill-Omen.’

I recalled the power of that nightmare form that had once pushed Baal to the edge of the grave. Even though I was only borrowing that strength temporarily back then, it was world-shaking; I couldn’t fathom the heights I would reach if I actually mastered those techniques properly.

Then there was the War God Karas, a member of the Clan of Calamity. I remembered challenging him in the guise of Randolph and suffering a loss. While I was significantly more powerful now, I still couldn’t be certain of a win against such a foe.

—Why do you hesitate? The energy of Ill-Omen blankets the entire world.

—Pure folly. It is the power of Calamity that makes the foundations of the world shake.

I had to pick one. I could not have both. Ill-Omen or Calamity. The moment of decision had arrived.

“I will…”

—

Immediately following the appearance of the global alert.

Oliver abandoned his entire itinerary and ‘Logged In’ without delay. Materializing in Pangaea as ‘Hudson,’ he raced toward the Labyrinth City.

“As you have likely realized, the situation is spiraling out of control.”

A massive contingent of Randolph’s loyalists had already assembled within the Labyrinth City walls. Hudson scanned the crowd.

Isabella von Dercian, Serengeti, Saintess Seya, Isaac, Balte, Isera, Lucaria, and even the elven maiden Auriel. It was a gathering of power sufficient to topple a sovereign nation. Yet, every face was pale and rigid with tension.

Hudson inhaled deeply before speaking.

“The ‘Randolph’ currently situated on the peak of the ‘Tower of the War God’ is indeed the man we serve.”

The ruler of this Labyrinth City, the Lord Randolph whom they followed with unwavering devotion, was on the 30th floor of the Tower of the War God. Isabella, however, found the news impossible to process.

“But… Randolph-nim was traveling to the Balan Kingdom by my side.”

“He must have been pulled away by force due to his position as the Champion.”

“But why is Randolph-nim designated as a target for ‘Subjugation’ instead of a ‘Challenge’?”

Under normal circumstances, he should have been fielding ‘challenges’ from those ascending the tower in his role as ‘Champion.’ Instead, he was being marked for ‘Subjugation.’ It was a mirror of the past when the Abyss Labyrinth emerged and they were tasked with the subjugation of the ‘Hexagonal Hero Riley.’

That had been a world-shaking event involving Gracia, the Empire’s legions, and even one of the Four Major Powers, the Demon King—yet they had all failed. In the end, only Randolph had succeeded in that hunt. Now, they were left searching for a reason why the roles had been reversed and he was the one being hunted.

“…Typically, a ‘Subjugation’ notice issued to the public applies to ‘beings who stand in the way.'”

“What does that imply? Speak plainly.”

At Serengeti’s prompt, Hudson shared his deduction.

“The Hexagonal Hero of the Old Empire, Riley, whom we fought in the Abyss Labyrinth, and Lord Solvaren on the base floor of the Tower of Cracks. Both were ‘Subjugation Targets’ broadcast to everyone.”

These were targets recognized not just by Players, but by every inhabitant of Pangaea. Players received ‘Notices,’ while the locals learned through other phenomena. This time was no different. Randolph’s subjugation was being heralded to every soul on the continent.

“And?”

“What connects them?”

Hudson laid out his theory in detail.

“Riley was an obstacle preventing the Abyss Labyrinth from merging with our world. Lord Solvaren was a barrier to the ‘limits’ imposed on the races. But there was more to it.”

“……?”

“They were entities who, if left unstopped, would have brought ruin to the entire continent the moment they lost control.”

The Supreme Dragon Riley was in a state of frenzy. And Solvaren? Having slept for ages, he had stirred within the Tower of Cracks. Had they failed to conquer that first floor, he would have fully ‘resurrected’ and potentially begun a campaign to conquer the land. That was the account Hudson had received from Randolph.

Serengeti pressed him.

“So you are suggesting Randolph-nim is on the verge of a rampage?”

“Perhaps… the exact trigger is unknown, but considering the reward for his subjugation is ‘Five Stars,’ this is clearly a crisis of unprecedented scale.”

“Five Stars? Can that be right?”

“Yes. It appears to refer to the very Stars that Randolph-nim holds.”

The Stars. This meant the Fragment of Destruction and the four Fragments of the Goddess. The notice implied that ownership of every Star, including the ‘Holy Star’ on the Island of God, would be up for grabs.

“Don’t the Stars… usually disperse across the land when a holder perishes?”

Serengeti voiced the common knowledge of the world. However, Hudson cleared his throat awkwardly.

“That is… To be precise, it’s a bit of a stretch to call Randolph-nim a true possessor.”

“Why a stretch?”

“Because he has not undergone ‘Transcendence’ by absorbing the Stars.”

He carried them, but he was not their master in the ultimate sense. Only those who achieved transcendence through the Stars were true possessors; Randolph merely held them in his keeping.

“……He hasn’t transcended? Even with that level of power?”

Serengeti stared, eyes wide with shock. Randolph was already more formidable than most Transcendents. Yet, he was technically still a non-transcended being because he hadn’t hit Level 10. Even with the level caps raised by the Tower of Cracks, the requirement for transcendence remained at Level 10.

“Regardless, this is a hunt that offers five Stars as a prize. A massive tide of people from every race will undoubtedly swarm the Tower of the War God.”

“We need to start the climb.”

“Indeed. Furthermore… if past ‘Subjugations’ are any indication, there will be mechanisms designed to ‘weaken’ Randolph-nim. Our mission is to destroy those ‘devices.'”

When they hunted Riley, the ‘Golden Ticket’ had sapped his strength. Solvaren had been debuffed through a points system. There would surely be a similar handicap placed on Randolph. Hudson had zero interest in the hunt itself.

‘By any means necessary, we must shield Randolph-nim.’

The idea of Randolph being a rampaging disaster that would end the world? Impossible. Even if it were the truth, Hudson didn’t care. As long as he could safeguard Randolph and Serengeti, Hudson was perfectly fine with the rest of the world burning. And that resolve—

“Very well. Count me in.”

“……I will defend him. No matter the cost.”

“Mmm, it seems I can’t let you have all the fun.”

—was shared by every person in the room. Randolph was their lord and their savior. Anyone who drew a blade against him was the real enemy to be subjugated. Since he had always been their shield, it was finally time for them to be his.

—

—Did you catch the alert?

—What does it even mean to subjugate Randolph?

—Are they talking about the Randolph of the Five Major Powers?

—Look at the statue at the Tower of the War God entrance. They’re definitely talking about Phantom Randolph.

Player Talk was in a state of absolute frenzy over the sudden ‘Notice.’ Every conversation revolved around ‘Randolph.’

—Wow, this is insane. He actually got five Stars?

—Does that make him a 5-star Transcendent?

—That’s actually terrifying…

—Long live the Phantom God!

—Did he get flagged for subjugation because his growth was too broken?

—Unlikely. Isn’t he in the middle of a Main Quest?

—Wait, it’s about time for Main Quest 12, right? What was that one about?

—I think it was subjugation-themed… but we know almost nothing about anything past Quest 11.

—Wait, so the quest content is him becoming the target?

—It looks like he’s doing something outside the standard Main Quest line.

The players were baffled by Randolph’s sudden status as a world boss. The general consensus, however, was that Randolph had likely triggered this himself. Most believed it was a calculated step toward ‘Completing a Myth’ rather than a standard quest.

—Isn’t it too risky though?

—He’s probably confident. Who can even touch a 5-star Transcendent?

—Phantom God! Phantom God!

—To take down a 5-star Transcendent, you’d need someone on the level of Lyca.

—The Empire’s Greatest Sword?

—Wait, wasn’t Lyca holding some kind of tournament at the Tower of the War God?

—Heol, what happens to the tournament now?

—Is Lyca going to join the hunt?

—You think it’s just Lyca? Every hidden monster in the game is probably coming out for this. ㅋㅋㅋ

—What has Gracia been up to lately?

—True. He vanished after the Hero Alliance got wrecked.

—You don’t think Gracia is at the Tower too, do you?

Gracia had once been the pinnacle of humanity. But after the Alliance fell, he had become a ghost. At that very moment:

—Gracia is currently at the Tower of the War God.

—What? Are you serious?

—He was spotted climbing with Union, the Mage of the Golden Rule.

—So that’s where they’ve been…

—Union? Isn’t that the guy from the Isera invasion?

—That’s the one.

—Wow, those two are teaming up? That’s a weird duo.

—The Orcs are moving in massive numbers too.

—Dark Elves are swarming the area.

—Lord-class monsters are suddenly hitting the tower, I can’t even get near the entrance.

—This is madness, pure madness…

—Is Randolph actually going to die?

—No way.

—Are you seriously doubting the Phantom God, the Only God?

It was total pandemonium. A situation without precedent. Then, another system message flashed before everyone’s eyes.

《Union, the Mage of the Golden Rule, challenges ‘Champion Randolph.’》

《Phase 1, ‘Baal of the Four Perils’ manifests.》

The players were stunned by the revelation.

—Baal?

—Why is Baal there…?

—There were rumors that Randolph of the Five Major Powers controlled Baal…

—Wait, so Phantom Randolph and Randolph of the Five Major Powers are the same person?

—What the hell is actually happening right now?

—

It was a sensation I had felt before. However, this was fundamentally different.

—Ho-oh.

—This is… more than I imagined.

As they looked at my new form, the God of Ill-Omen and the God of Calamity let out gasps of awe. My metamorphosis was surpassing their wildest expectations. I extended my arms, now coated in thick black plumage, and let out a piercing cry that echoed through the world.

“Caw—!”