Chapter 90

Chapter 90
## Chapter 90: Glutton’s Shadow and Diverging Paths

They had identified a warp gate linked to the Labyrinth City, planning a rapid conquest.

However, the White King blocked their path.

He had made a formal proclamation to every city.

Anyone who laid a finger on it would see their world consumed by a sea of fire.

The man was an unparalleled lunatic, yet his status as the White King gave his threats absolute weight.

Only the White King could make such a bold decree.

“Curse it all. To think those lands were under the White King’s protection.”

The Master clicked his tongue in frustration.

The obstacle wasn’t Phantom Randolph, but one of the White King’s Five Pillar Forces.

While it could be a mere overlap in names, the situation felt increasingly oppressive.

“Is it possible Phantom shifted his shape or took on a new form?”

“That seems highly unlikely, wouldn’t you agree? Not unless he swapped his very species.”

The White King was not the type to be deceived by a simple change in physical appearance, even if one turned into a monster.

It was common knowledge that the White King possessed the gift of foresight.

A literal seer who could gaze into the distant future would never mistake the identity of a human.

The same applied to Medusa.

Consequently, a simple disguise wouldn’t be enough to secure a position among the Five Pillar Forces.

“So we are truly looking at a coincidence? Just a shared name?”

“That is my conclusion.”

“Does any technique or magical object exist that can fundamentally alter a person’s species?”

“Not even the most advanced transformation elixirs can change a biological species, so the answer is no.”

“What about a hidden trait?”

A hidden trait.

Among the rare ones documented thus far, one specifically concerned species.

The man who remembered it spoke up.

“Are you talking about Glutton?”

“Precisely. Glutton seems like the only thing that could make such a change viable.”

“But Glutton was dismissed as the most worthless hidden trait. While it provides monster-like qualities, the accompanying toxins and mental decay make it fatal for the user to endure…”

“But we are talking about Phantom. If it’s him, he might have found a way.”

“Not even the physical vessel of a Transcendent could survive it—how could Phantom possibly manage?”

Glutton was a hidden trait known for triggering physical mutations and bestowing monster attributes.

However, the drawbacks were so catastrophic that harnessing its true potential was deemed impossible.

In short, it was labeled a “trash hidden trait.”

The absolute worst among all unique characteristics.

The man continued,

“Furthermore, even Glutton cannot fully rewrite a species. It merely adds a few monstrous features.”

“…True. That was the consensus.”

The Master gave a slow nod.

Was it really just a fluke of naming?

They had run the numbers and scenarios hundreds of times.

There was no reason to doubt their findings.

Glutton was, without question, a garbage trait.

The Master massaged his temples.

“That wench Kim Hana is already causing me enough of a migraine.”

“Should we issue a formal threat?”

“No. Drop it. Since the assassination squad requires a total rebuild, we have to keep this whole affair quiet for now.”

The entire hit squad had pursued Randolph only to be swallowed by the dark void.

It was a devastating setback.

They were still reeling from the impact.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to the Master, and he spoke again.

“The ‘special auction’ in the Empire—is everything moving forward as planned?”

“Yes. There are no complications.”

“We have to get this right. It’s the only path to recovering our lost capital.”

To balance the books after their recent failures, a stellar performance at the special auction was mandatory.

The Empire’s special auction, an annual event, was restricted to those holding direct invitations—a luxury even many city lords couldn’t claim.

The elite gathered there to spend staggering fortunes.

It operated on a scale entirely separate from standard player auctions.

If they played their cards right, they could even establish ties with Empire nobles.

It was a high-stakes event they had to gamble everything on.

“What’s our projected gold reserve before the bidding starts?”

“Roughly 100 million gold.”

“Push that number to 200 million. Liquidate all the relics’ artifacts if you have to.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“This is our debut invitation from the Empire. I have to demonstrate my value beyond any doubt.”

Among the known players, he was the pioneer.

The very first to be invited to the Empire’s prestigious special auction.

He needed to leave a lasting mark.

‘This is the golden ticket. If I can secure alliances with Empire nobles, my ascent will be unstoppable.’

Success meant erasing every loss and reaching heights previously considered fantasies.

He refused to let this slip through his fingers.

The Master squeezed his hand into a tight fist.

* “…”

Hudson was dazed.

His vision was effectively blinded by the shimmer of gold.

-What do you think? This is the hoard this great one collected over an entire age!

Greed stood before Hudson, chest out and hands on his hips, boasting proudly.

It was a literal mountain of gold coins and shimmering gems.

“S-So, you’re saying Randolph is the owner of all this now?”

-…Correct. It all belongs to him.

Greed’s posture quickly deflated, his shoulders dropping.

He had spent a lifetime amassing this wealth, only to lose every bit of it to Randolph in a series of bets.

Hudson’s head was swimming.

The hoard included ancient coins from the Old Empire and artifacts tied to its history.

“That’s at least 1 billion gold…”

His brain began to work overtime.

Selling everything in this room would bring in a minimum of 1 billion gold.

With the right buyers, perhaps over 1.3 billion.

The real challenge was finding a way to move that much volume.

-But it’s alright! I shall gather more. We have an agreement—20% of any riches I uncover here in the labyrinth belong to me. And this place is overflowing with buried treasure…

Greed spoke with a voice full of forced optimism, though it was laced with melancholy.

Bound to the Abyssal Labyrinth by birth, Greed was unable to depart.

In exchange for serving as the labyrinth’s sentry, he had made a deal with Randolph to keep 20% of whatever he personally excavated.

‘Only 20%?’

Hudson folded his arms, letting out a low grunt.

Doing the heavy lifting of guarding the place and finding the loot, yet only getting a fifth.

Still, Hudson kept his thoughts to himself.

The immediate task was the liquidation of these assets.

‘I need to make a trip to the Golden City Arcana.’

Outside of the Empire itself, Arcana was the only place capable of handling such a massive influx of wealth.

By playing the city council and the local tycoons against each other, they could absorb the entire stock.

Hudson felt a surge of determination.

‘My contacts in Arcana are still active. It’s time to take back the casino, clean the funds, and recruit the top warp engineers to expand the labyrinth’s network…

There was so much to accomplish.

All of it had been placed in his hands by Randolph.

Yet, he didn’t feel weighed down by the responsibility.

He felt honored.

‘I’ll transform this labyrinth into the world’s premier city. A titan of a metropolis that no one can threaten. And then, I’ll finally tell Serengeti how I feel.’

His pulse quickened.

He was done with hesitating.

The moment Serengeti opened her eyes, he would make his confession.

That meant he had to settle all his business before that day came.

Primary objective: liquidate the hoard and put the capital to work.

‘The chance to show Randolph exactly what I’m capable of.’

He couldn’t let down the man who had placed such absolute trust in him.

This time, he would be a true asset!

A sharp focus sparked in Hudson’s eyes.

* Following Randolph’s departure for the Practitioner’s Mountain.

Isabella also finished her final arrangements to set out.

-Randolph. Grant me leave to travel to the desert city Paysalmer by myself.

-Now that the Queen has fallen, I am the sole rightful heir to that throne.

The Snake Princess. She used to loathe that title, but she had grown past the shame.

The desert queen was gone.

The former master of the desert city Paysalmer.

Now, Isabella was the only one with the bloodline to claim it.

If she could secure the throne of Paysalmer, it could serve as the third major connection for the labyrinth’s warp network.

‘This has to be my destiny.’

Taken as a child and forced into the role of the Snake Princess.

Meeting Randolph and being there to see the desert queen’s end.

Remaining idle would mean a lifetime of standing still.

It was time to take a step forward.

She would become the sovereign of Paysalmer.

She knew the path would be fraught with difficulty.

-I will return.

With that, Isabella began her journey toward the sands.

* “Hah! Huff!”

Isaac let out a sharp cry as he bolted upright in bed.

He grabbed his throat, letting out a heavy breath of relief.

His skin was slick with a cold sweat.

“Another hellish dream.”

Recently, Isaac had been plagued by the same recurring nightmare.

He was being hunted by an unseen force.

It always ended the same way: with his head being sliced off.

The visions had started the moment he left Cramdel.

“Is someone actually tailing me?”

Randolph had told him otherwise, but Isaac couldn’t shake the dread.

Even though his name was cleared and he could walk the city freely, he found himself hesitant to leave his quarters.

He was currently staying at the Wyzer Marquis estate until the Labyrinth City stabilized, but the walls felt like they were closing in.

“I’m going crazy just sitting here.”

Unable to stand the stillness, Isaac headed out.

Maybe a walk through a quiet area would settle his nerves.

He found himself wandering down a secluded woodland trail.

After some time had passed…

“…Quit lurking in the shadows and come out.”

He had been followed since the moment he stepped outside.

The tail was so skilled at first that he thought it was an elite assassin.

Yet, despite having several opportunities to strike, no attack had come.

“You’ve finally caught on.”

A man stepped out from behind a large tree.

He wore a pristine white mantle, and two horns the color of ivory grew from his brow.

Patterns of tattoos were visible on his exposed skin.

Isaac slid a blade from his coat.

“State your name.”

“I am the Star Awakener.”

“…The Star Awakener?”

“You have shown your worth by finding me. Petitioner of the stars, come forward.”

“And why should I believe you’re a Star Awakener?”

Randolph held that title as well.

But the energy coming from this man felt entirely different.

“You’ve spent every night running for your life in your dreams, only to feel the blade take your head, haven’t you?”

“…”

“That is the call from the celestial body that has chosen you. The ‘Star of the Beheaded.'”

“There’s a star with a name that morbid?”

“Oh, most certainly.”

There was a vibe about this Star Awakener that felt a bit like a salesman.

But if his words were true, this was the break Isaac needed.

Every Transcendent he knew possessed terrifying strength.

He didn’t even think he could touch Serengeti.

If he could harness the power of the stars to ascend, he wouldn’t have to live in fear of being hunted.

Randolph, Isabella, and Saintess Sia had all gone their separate ways.

Hudson was buried in financial work and labyrinth management.

Everyone had a purpose.

Everyone except Isaac.

“How long will the trial take?”

“Well, those with talent finish in a month; for the slow, there are no guarantees.”

“Fine. I’ll have it done in two weeks.”

“…I admire your bravado.”

“Lead the way.”

It was a gamble he was willing to take.

Seeing Isaac’s resolve, the Star Awakener gestured for him to follow.

“Follow me then, you who are beckoned by the ‘Star of the Beheaded.'”

—

### God of Proficiency

The warp gates leading to the Practitioner’s Mountain were linked to five specific cities.

These were all independent territories unaffiliated with any major power, serving as the final staging grounds for warriors before they began their ascent.

One of these was the city of mercenaries, Cartel.

“Keep ’em coming! Another round!”

“Aisha, how’s the till looking today?”

“Whoooo-hoo!”

As I arrived in Cartel, I was met with the sight of sweat-grimed mercenaries stumbling through the streets in various states of intoxication.

“Is everyone here a drunkard~?”

Saintess Sia, who had covered her face with a thin veil, mused.

She wasn’t wrong.

‘Something feels wrong.’

The number of mercenaries drinking heavily in the middle of the day was unusual.

While mercenaries were typically associated with ale and vice, the professionals in Cartel were usually quite disciplined about their contracts.

They wouldn’t be this wasted during the day if there was work to be done.

‘I’ll need a guide to reach the Practitioner’s Mountain.’

It was strange, but this was the only place to find a professional tracker.

Leading expeditions to the Practitioner’s Mountain was a primary source of wealth for the Cartel mercenaries.

The path to the entrance changed constantly and was riddled with danger—traversing it without an expert was suicide.

I made my way into the largest mercenary headquarters in the city.

“Welcome! Are you looking for a particular blade for hire?”

A female clerk, known as the centerpiece of the guild, greeted me at the door.

The building’s interior was set up like a tavern, with fighters drinking and playing cards at various tables.

But the vibe was still off.

A guild of this stature usually had arrogant staff, yet they were greeting people at the door?

…Was business that bad?

“I’m in need of a guide.”

“Ah! You’ve come to the right place! Rough seas? Vertical cliffs? Haunted woods full of predators? We can handle it all. Our guild boasts veteran scouts who can lead you to any corner of the map!”

“I need a guide for the Practitioner’s Mountain.”

“…The Practitioner’s Mountain?”

The clerk’s smile vanished instantly.

The mercenaries sitting nearby had the same reaction.

“Is some madman actually trying to climb the Practitioner’s Mountain right now?”

“Tch, I thought we finally had a real job after all this time.”

“Clearly hasn’t heard the news.”

“Damn. Another wasted day.”

Their response was far from normal.