Chapter 329

Chapter 329
## Chapter 329: ‘I’ll show you what it means to be ‘outside the standard’.’

—

“This is fundamentally impossible.”

He squinted, rubbing his eyes and staring once more, yet the sight remained incomprehensible.

The task of measuring and totaling the **Evil Attribute** was a trial set by the **Forgotten God**, and by all logic, it was a rigged test. As the **Druid Albino** had pointed out, possessing purely virtuous energy was a nearly unattainable feat. Power, by its very nature, was a tool of subjection; the greater the strength, the more it gravitated toward an **Evil Attribute**. Not even a dedicated priest of the light could escape this reality. Every soul harbored a degree of darkness—it might hover near zero, but it could never truly vanish.

This metric existed independently of one’s **Honor**.

> “Being a person of high **Honor** does not equate to lacking an evil alignment.”

For instance, a high **Honor** score might compensate for past sins, or the use of an **Indulgence** might decrease a record of wicked deeds. However, one’s fundamental alignment and attribute were distinct constants that could not be simply deleted.

A score of 100 in good alignment did not cancel out a 100 in evil alignment. It merely meant that both light and shadow were equally present within that individual. Balance could be maintained by raising both, but they never merged. Furthermore, a high **Honor** rating usually signaled that the person was exceptionally powerful.

Since the **Evil Alignment** was calculated based on a combination of class, techniques, gear, hidden mysteries, innate talents, and even the artifacts one carried, it was inevitable that the combat strength used to earn **Honor** was tied to these darker variables. Thus, in every living being, light and shadow were intertwined.

This was the core difference: while **Honor** and crimes might offset each other, good and evil alignments remained on separate ledgers. They had to be tallied individually. Not even a deity could bypass this fundamental law.

‘…The combined total should have reached far beyond 500.’

By the laws of existence—rules that even gods were bound to—every soul carried an **Evil Alignment**. The **Forgotten God** observed the group before it; their collective darkness was quite substantial. The total was 925, averaging over 70 per person. This was a figure that surpassed even the typical baseline for **Demons**, the so-called **Masters of Evil**. It was, paradoxically, a testament to their overwhelming might.

…Except for one individual.

There was one man whom the **Forgotten God** could not fathom, even with its divine perception.

‘An evil alignment that isn’t zero… but negative?’

It was a paradox. A value could approach zero, but reaching it was impossible for any being that wasn’t a literal newborn. For it to drop into the negatives was a violation of reality itself. Yet, there he stood. Before the **Forgotten God**, a man was registering an **Evil Alignment** that defied every law of the universe. The number was so staggering that it was beyond acceptance.

**【-2,000】**

…What kind of entity was this?

To have a darkness rating of two thousand would have been shocking enough, but for that value to be a negative number was madness.

‘Could it have been purged?’

It looked as though the value had been violently ripped out and erased. But such a thing was deemed impossible. Even if one stripped away their power, equipment, and soul, the value should only rest at zero.

So what was this?

The **Forgotten God**’s authority was absolute, especially within the confines of the **World Tree**. It could not be a mistake.

— N-no…!

It wasn’t a hallucination or a lapse in judgment. It was the cold, hard truth. Realizing its inevitable downfall, the **Forgotten God** let out a piercing wail. It had been defeated in a game where the rules ensured its victory. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a total erasure of its terms.

— What are you? How can you stand beyond the reach of the **Truth**?

The **Truth** was the primordial law governing all things since the dawn of time. Every creature was a subject of the **Truth**, unable to resist or ignore its weight. Yet, there existed anomalies—entities commonly labeled as **outside the standard**. These anomalies were usually destined to be corrected or consumed by the **Truth** eventually.

And yet… this man was undeniably **outside the standard**. He existed and thrived beyond the boundaries of the law, even though the **Truth**, which allowed no deviations, should have struck him down long ago. Since the beginning of the world, there had been only one other exception.

— Another like him has surfaced…!

The god’s voice was thick with a mixture of jealousy and bitter resentment. But that “other one” remained a phantom, a shadow operating from the corners of existence. This man, however, was different. How could he walk so boldly into the **Primordial World**?

The **Forgotten God**’s train of thought was cut short. A loss here meant more than just a failed trial.

— I-I cannot fade like this! Not when I could return to those glorious days…!

The dark, misty form began to collapse in on itself, shrinking rapidly and losing its grip on the world. The screams faded into a hollow whisper until silence took over.

《With a final tally of **-1,075**, the **Knight Order of the Golden Rule** has triumphed over the **Forgotten God**!》

《**Wondrous Feat (3)** – ‘Victory in a Confrontation with a Forgotten God’ has been achieved!》

《**Wondrous Feat (4)** – ‘An Irrefutable, Overwhelming Victory’ has been achieved!》

《**Wondrous Feat (5)** – ‘Acquisition of a Forgotten God’s Symbol’ has been achieved!》

《The current total of **Wondrous Feats** completed across all participating orders is 6.》

《Feats already claimed cannot be earned by other knight orders.》

《You have obtained 3 additional **Souls of the Forgotten Knight**.》

《You have obtained the **Symbol of the Forgotten God**.》

….

….

The notifications confirmed that three **Wondrous Feats** had been cleared in a single stroke. That brought my total to five. Although another order had apparently managed to clear one, their pace didn’t even come close to ours.

*CRACKLE!*

A bolt of energy struck the ground in front of me, leaving behind a small, charred trinket shaped like a storm cloud.

‘This must be the **Symbol of God**.’

I reached out and picked it up.

《You are in possession of an **Inactive Symbol**.》

《You may resurrect the **Forgotten God** by applying 5 **Sanctification** to this **Inactive Symbol**.》

《Upon resurrection, your **Holy Alignment** will increase by 200, and the symbol will be fully powered.》

《An active symbol, if planted in the earth, will grow into a **World Tree**.》

《If returned to the corresponding **Site of the Forgotten God**, the deity will regain its identity, and life associated with the **God Who Reclaimed Its Name** will begin to manifest across the globe.》

《Restoring the god’s name grants you immense favor. You may commune with the **God Who Reclaimed Its Name** and assume the title of **Pope**.》

《Alternatively, you may apply **Sanctification** to an existing **Activated Symbol** to immediately become a **Pope** capable of divine communication.》

《Warning: Low affinity with the deity may result in the **Curse of God**. Proceed with extreme caution.》

The influx of data regarding the symbol was staggering. One detail in particular caught my eye.

‘…Planting an active symbol creates a **World Tree**?’

This implied that every **World Tree** was essentially a god in biological form. The deity was the symbol, and when infused with divinity, it transformed into the tree. By extension, the **World Tree of Honor** was also once a specific god.

‘So, the **Forgotten Gods** are simply deities who have been stripped of their identities.’

Looking at the cloud-shaped trinket, I realized this entity had once been a named god. I could either turn it into a new **World Tree** or find its original sanctuary to restore it.

‘…I have zero desire to help this thing get its name back.’

The entity had been petty and delusional, convinced its cruelty was a form of mercy. I wouldn’t lift a finger to restore it. Turning it into a stationary resource—a “Golden Rule shuttle”—seemed like a much better plan. Or perhaps it had other functions.

‘A **Symbol of God** has to be more versatile than just that.’

I knew they were required to unlock “sealed zones” within this dungeon, and there were likely countless other applications I had yet to uncover. I tucked the symbol into my pocket.

‘Now, for the rest…’

There was still the matter of the **Soul of the Forgotten Knight**. I had five in total now. I needed to use them to bolster the strength of the knight order. Each soul carried a specific name, and I was curious to see the results of the empowerment.

I looked up to see shimmering orbs of light floating around me—the **Souls of the Forgotten Knight**. They began to whisper, their voices a confused jumble of echoes.

「It’s so heavy…」

「I just want to fade away.」

「…What was my name?」

「Where have I gone?」

「…」

The souls were fractured, their minds seemingly broken. Only one, a soul named **Banyan**, remained quiet. Well, quiet in speech, at least.

“Why is this light spinning around me like that?” **Serengeti** asked, sounding flustered.

The soul was orbiting her at a frantic pace, its silence speaking volumes about its intent. It was an odd sight.

“That is the soul of **Banyan**,” I said.

“Pardon? **Banyan**… you said?”

“Does that name mean something to you?”

“…It’s the name of a man who served in the **Knights of the Round Table**. It might be a coincidence, but…”

I played the part of the uninformed observer, and **Serengeti** followed suit. I couldn’t let the others know that I was actually **Randolph** and **Wilhelm**.

“In that case, I’ll entrust this soul to you.”

“…I—I understand,” she replied, her voice trembling with tension.

I grabbed the soul of **Banyan** and pressed it toward **Serengeti**.

《Empowering the Knight Order with the **Soul of the Forgotten Knight (Banyan)**.》

《The Knight Order’s **Dignity** increases by 5.》

《Higher **Dignity** grants additional bonuses to all members.》

* **Dignity 10:** All Stats +1
* **Dignity 20:** All Stats +2
* **Dignity 50:** Proficiency Efficiency +50%
* **Dignity 100:** XP Gain Rate +50%
* **Dignity 200:** All Stats +5
* **Dignity 300:** Total Penetration +10%
* **Dignity 400:** Level Cap +1
* **Dignity 500:** Acquisition of Divinity

《**Dignity** effects remain active outside the dungeon.》

《Bonuses are doubled for the **Most Brilliant Knight Order**.》

《The **Soul of Banyan** is granted to **Serengeti**, and his name is restored.》

《**Serengeti** may use a **Fragment of the Golden Rule** to access **Banyan**’s past skills and memories.》

**Serengeti**’s frame shook slightly. She blinked, and a single tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. She looked at me, her eyes wide with realization.

“It isn’t just… **Banyan**. Every member of the **Knights of the Round Table**, with the exception of **Sir Wilhelm**, is trapped here.”

Damn. The worst-case scenario was true. Just as she said—and just as I had feared—they were all present in this place.

“…How did they end up here?”

It didn’t make sense. Why would the **Knights of the Round Table** be in a place like this? **Serengeti** took a shaky breath.

“The **Forgotten Gods** act as magnets for the **Souls of the Forgotten**. The deities residing here have been forcibly pulling in the spirits of knights who have been erased from history.”

“So the entire **Knights of the Round Table** was forgotten as a collective?”

“…It seems they chose to be forgotten.”

“Why would they do that?”

“Because their true nature… would have brought ruin to **Sir Wilhelm**…”

I felt a surge of frustration. What? Noticing my reaction, **Serengeti** squeezed her eyes shut.

“The members of the **Knights of the Round Table**, excluding myself and **Sir Wilhelm**, were all…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence, but I already knew the truth. I whispered it under my breath. The real identity of those knights.

“…They were the ones who committed the **Taboo**.”

They were beings who, by the laws of the world, should never have been born.

‘I won’t let it end this way.’

A **Taboo** is a line that should never be crossed, a law that must remain inviolate. My knights were largely made up of those who had been forced across that line. They despised their own names so much they preferred to be called by numbers. I had ranked them simply by their martial prowess. It was easier for them, and it suited my needs at the time.

But to think they sought to be erased even in death was a heavy realization. However, the **Taboo** they carried wasn’t a choice they made.

‘They were experiments, bred and modified within the **Evil God Churches**.’

These were the cults devoted to the four great pillars of darkness: **Balakkas**, **Angra Mainyu**, **Gath**, and **Diablo**. They operated in the deepest shadows, conducting horrific rituals to bring their dark gods into the physical realm. Most of my knights started as the subjects of these atrocities.

‘The mining city where **Isaac** was found, the desert horrors **Isabella** faced in **Kramdel**… I’ve seen it all across a thousand lives.’

Through countless **Survival Runs**, I had unmasked them. I had raided their laboratories during my time as **Wilhelm** and rescued eleven survivors. These children of the **Taboo**, born from twisted sorcery and forbidden breeding, became the core of the **Knights of the Round Table**.

‘I thought they were just unique NPCs at first.’

But as we fought the cults, they grew with a terrifying, explosive speed. I was almost envious of their raw potential and their innate stats. They were unshakably loyal, executing every command without a hint of fear, even when death was certain. I knew that if I molded them into a proper order, they would become the strongest force on the continent.

Bringing in the pure and noble **Serengeti** as the thirteenth member was a strategic move. She was the “face” of the order—a shield of perceived righteousness to hide the dark origins of the others. If the world had known they were products of the **Evil God Churches**, we would have been hunted down.

…But they all fell during the **Great Expedition**.

‘The **Third Lord, Mammon**, master of spirits, and the **Seventh Lord, Basara**, the peak of nothingness. It took everything to bring them down.’

The **Lords of Hell** were gods within their own domains. Even dealing with **Ahhlam** and **Isera** had been a nightmare. But from the **Third Lord** onward, the difficulty became surreal. The **Knights of the Round Table** were decimated fighting **Mammon** and **Basara**. Without their ultimate sacrifice, I never would have stood before the **Demon King**.

‘And yet… they wanted to be forgotten?’

My chest tightened. These knights, who had been victims of circumstance, chose to be erased because they feared their reputations would tarnish **Wilhelm**’s legacy. They wandered as nameless ghosts until the **Forgotten Gods** lured them here.

To be forgotten is to lose your very self. It is to wander in the void, unheard and uncalled, until you vanish entirely. These were men of supreme honor who believed they were devoid of it.

“There’s more,” **Serengeti** added. “It seems the **Souls of the Forgotten Knights** are linked to the **Evil Gods**.”

“In what way?”

She swallowed hard. “The warriors and orders who perished fighting the **Evil Gods** throughout history were often systematically ‘forgotten.’ It seems they were all channeled here.”

“What is the goal of the **Forgotten Gods** in collecting these souls?”

One soul for every **Wondrous Feat**. With 370 feats, there were 370 souls to be claimed. The deity from before had even tried to bribe us into handing them over rather than advancing.

“I don’t know the full reason. I’m sorry,” **Serengeti** said, biting her lip.

**Saintess Sea** spoke up from the side. “…The souls of legendary knights, layered in silence for eons. Perhaps they are using them to fuel a ‘resurrection’?”

“You mean reclaiming their original names?” **Albino** asked.

**Saintess Sea** shook her head. “No, I think they are trying to evolve. They want to be reborn as entirely new deities, with fresh identities and new powers.”

“That explains why they’ve become so warped,” I noted.

“It’s likely that the more souls we collect, the more aggressively the **Forgotten Gods** will hunt us.”

The **Forgotten Gods**—were they too once defenders who fell against the **Evil Gods** only to be discarded? I wouldn’t know for sure until we went deeper, but 370 souls of ancient heroes were at stake. The **Knights of the Round Table** were part of that cycle.

‘The entry of the seven knight orders was the catalyst.’

The 91 challengers had stirred the dormant ambition of these fallen deities. This wasn’t just a race against other players anymore. If an order with a massive collection of souls was defeated by a god, or if they surrendered them…

‘Would we have to face a fully restored **Forgotten God**?’

For now, it was just a theory. I didn’t want to panic the group.

“Let’s move out,” I said firmly.

We couldn’t afford to stall. If anything, we had to move faster. I refused to let the **Knights of the Round Table** remain as discarded scraps in this dungeon. I would save every single one of them. **Banyan** was just the beginning.

‘You won’t be forgotten. I won’t allow it.’

The path was clear. I understood now why my identities as **Park Hyunmyeong** and **Randolph** were so distinct, and why my alignments were so polarized. Opening this **Primal Dungeon** at the **World Tree of Honor** was my destiny—the final task left for the one who played as **Wilhelm**.

**Forgotten Gods**? If they tried to block my path, I would tear them apart.

‘Wait for me, everyone.’

I stepped through the portal without hesitation.

—

【Choose your path toward the **Root of the World Tree** from 3 options.】

【1. Normal Room (Low Difficulty)】
【2. Question Mark Room (Random Difficulty)】
【3. Boss Room (High Difficulty/Maximum Feat Potential)】

【The **Boss Room** offers the greatest challenge but allows for the most **Wondrous Feats**. **Forgotten Gods** may appear here to challenge you directly. Victory grants a **Symbol**.】

【A **Map of the Roots** has been provided. Reach the root to progress.】

【The **Question Mark** path may trigger bonus stages. Choosing five specific paths can lead to a **Hidden Room** accessible only via a **Symbol**.】

There was no need to think.

【Entering the **Boss Room**.】

—

【The **Knight Order of the Golden Rule** has entered the Boss Room.】
【Awaiting other knight orders…】
【Awaiting other knight orders…】

【The **Knight Order of Ruin-Demolition** has entered the Boss Room.】

【A confrontation between orders is beginning!】

【Objective: Defeat the opposing captain.】

【Reward/Penalty: The winner takes one random **Soul of the Forgotten Knight** from the loser, along with all **Wondrous Feats** and souls earned within this specific room.】

【Warning: Losing all souls results in becoming ‘Lost’—you will be trapped and forgotten in the dungeon forever.】

【Battlefield: **Field of Stars**】

【Rule: Each ‘star’ is guarded by a monster. Capturing a star grants special buffs.】

【Format: **Brawl**】
【Time Limit: 1 Hour】
【Failure to decide a winner results in both sides losing one soul.】

I had expected a literal boss monster, not a PvP match. It meant the other group was just as confident in their strength as we were. Our opponents were the **Giant of Ruin-Demolition** and the **Star Guardians**.

“The **Star Guardians**…”
“We just have to take down the **Giant of Ruin-Demolition**?”
“That also means we have to keep our own captain safe.”

The team analyzed the rules. The **Giant of Ruin-Demolition** was a terrifying entity—a monster that had once defeated the **King of the Dead Ahhlam** single-handedly.

“I’ll be your shield,” **Hudson** declared.
“Don’t leave my side!” **Serengeti** added.

The two of them crowded around me instantly. It felt a bit like being a chick protected by overbearing mother birds. Their concern for my safety was almost excessive.

‘One hour. I need to end this quickly.’

I adjusted my stance, looking out over the **Field of Stars**.

—

**Would you like me to continue with the battle in the Field of Stars or focus on a different chapter?**