Level -99 Archmage - Chapter 114

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 114. King of Avatars
Demon King!
A word used to describe transcendent monsters that stand out even among the countless lords of the Abyss.
There were exactly 108 Demon Kings, and above them existed only 72 Demon Gods and 9 Great Lords.
Yet this did not mean a Demon King was weaker than a Demon God.
The Great Nine Lords existed on a different plane of reality, but they took little interest in worldly affairs—thus, in practical terms, a Demon King could reasonably be considered among the most powerful monsters in the Abyss.
This was because the criteria for selecting a Demon King differed from that of a Demon God.
A Demon King was judged solely by the lord’s own martial prowess.
A Demon God was also evaluated by their overall influence upon the Abyss.
Due to this standard, there existed Demon Kings who were actually stronger than certain Demon Gods.
Demon Kings who could not become Demon Gods due to limited territory, few demons under their command, or failure to establish a proper Creative Abyss.
Naturally, in the Abyss, the status of “Demon King” was terror and dread incarnate.
And if, by some miracle, the “nameless man” were an avatar contracted with a Demon King…….
―Don’t all Demon Kings ignore anyone outside the Twelve Races?
―If true, there’s a strong chance this “Earth 666” Abyss is a Demon King’s creation.
―A Demon King posting trivial interest threads on the Community?
―Demon Kings aren’t exactly known for being normal.
―Though, to be fair, some of them do have their quirks.
Heated debate erupted across the Creator Community.
Earth 666 Abyss!
The central question was: which Demon King had created that Abyss?
If a being powerful enough to be a Demon King had opened a Creative Abyss on Earth, then “Earth 666” was their territory.
For creators, this was an unprecedented development.
A newly formed dimension that had only recently touched the Abyss—and now a Demon King had set foot there!
―Where did all those guys who were going to burn down Earth 666 Abyss go?
―Didn’t they say they’d flay the skin and dunk the limbs in boiling lava? I’d cheer them on.
―Either way, Earth 666 won’t be easy to touch.
―Ah, if there’s even a chance it’s a Demon King’s work…….
It’s untouchable.
No matter how much attention they drew or even if they opened tournaments, the lords could not deeply involve themselves with “Earth 666.”
Most creators using the Community were merely ordinary lords.
In no way comparable to a Demon King.
…and not just the Community.
Most creators with interest in Earth could be considered ordinary in their power.
Even if humans had accomplished the incomprehensible—conquered “Pride” itself and utterly defeated Aheta.
Lords of Demon King rank and above paid little attention to Earth.
They didn’t even recognize life forms outside the Twelve Races as living beings.
Occasionally, when an inter-racial war broke out, they might glance at it once.
―This proves it.
―That humanity might be incorporated as the “thirteenth” race?
―Even if that’s not the case, this inter-racial war should be quite entertaining.
―But what if the “Earth 666” Abyss wasn’t created by a Demon King?
―Then how do you explain the power of that human avatar?
―If he’s not contracted with a Demon King, that level of strength is impossible for current humanity.
Counter-arguments arose.
Yet if the “nameless man,” champion of the Colosseum, wasn’t a Demon King’s contractor, there was no way to explain the power he possessed.
Likely, this “Earth 666” Abyss had been created by a Demon King, who then installed his own contractor as champion—like a trophy on display.
Whatever the intention, it was far from ordinary.
―…If we defeat him, do we defeat a Demon King?
―……Oho.
Naturally, many creators felt the desire to challenge him.
An ordinary creator defeating a Demon King.
How thrilling that would be.
There was no need to step forward personally.
All that was needed was an avatar!
As long as it remained hidden, even a Demon King could not know the identity of a creator who had contracted an avatar.
So then.
―I should craft a stronger avatar.
―Perhaps it’s time to create an Abyss on Earth for myself.
―The time of waiting has ended.
―Earth is a land of gold.
―Especially there, the region where ‘Earth 666’ was created—isn’t it extraordinarily fascinating?
―Certainly, the average Level is higher compared to other regions.
―We’ll need to move quickly if we’re to claim it first.
The single fact that Earth, humanity, had moved a Demon King was enough to set every Creator ablaze with ambition.
* * *
Two weeks had passed since the Second Night ended.
The world was gradually finding its footing.
Of course, compared to before, it had reached the level of a seismic upheaval, but there was no widespread chaos.
It was evidence that people were slowly adapting.
And among all nations, it was naturally ‘South Korea’ that had undergone the most dramatic transformation.
“Where is Yi Hyeok-soo?”
“Our hero! Please let us meet our hero!”
Countless people had traveled far and wide hoping to meet ‘the hero Yi Hyeok-soo’.
Beyond that, there were no small number of those who had slipped into South Korea to investigate the Abysses appearing there or to study Korean Awakened Ones.
Among them were many who sought to lure ‘the hero Yi Hyeok-soo’ to their own nations.
“Yi Hyeok-soo is humanity’s hope.”
“It would be an honor if he would stand with the United States.”
“We will accommodate any terms!”
Yi Hyeok-soo had rescued over 800,000 people, making him a savior.
That number barely scratched the surface—among them were powerhouses classified as ‘Awakened Ones’ in abundance.
Had those people been lost, humanity would have lacked the very strength to oppose the Abyss.
Therefore, Yi Hyeok-soo was a righteous man, a hero, and to some, a god.
There was even a possibility that the nation possessing Yi Hyeok-soo would lead humanity’s future.
In truth, Yi Hyeok-soo was a hidden card—a talent of national significance.
“……I will decline all offers.”
But Yi Hyeok-soo rejected every proposal.
No matter how attractive the terms they presented, he remained unmoved.
Instead, he busied himself traversing the Abyss to evade them.
‘I must grow stronger.’
He was not yet a true savior.
Far from saving others, he had done nothing but be saved, time and again.
He was still little more than a worn garment bearing the burden that the Prophets had placed upon him.
If only to keep that burden from fading, if only to avoid disappointing the Prophets, Yi Hyeok-soo desperately wanted to grow stronger.
‘The Abysses have multiplied explosively in recent days.’
Yi Hyeok-soo traveled the Abyss without rest.
Yet what struck him as odd was that the number of Abysses, which had remained relatively stable for some time, had now begun to surge dramatically.
And only in ‘South Korea’.
Upon investigation, other nations were experiencing a steady decline in Abyss frequency.
South Korea, meanwhile, had seen Abyss appearances skyrocket in mere days.
The one fortunate aspect was that these were not Abysses that appeared without warning.
‘Abysses in Dungeon form—designated zones where you enter to delve. Perfect for growth.’
They seemed designed with ‘growth’ as their central purpose.
They were distinctly different from the Abysses that had manifested until now.
If the earlier Abysses had been intended to ridicule and slaughter humans, these recent ones seemed almost crafted around ‘human development’.
Why?
Why had this type of Abyss suddenly proliferated?
‘…Could it be connected to the recent movements of the Avatars?’
Avatars were humanity’s enemies.
Yet alongside the explosion of Abysses, Avatars too were multiplying explosively.
There were not a few Avatars openly attacking Yi Hyeok-soo.
The unease gnawed at him.
Could they be trying to cultivate the Avatars?
‘Avatars can only exist if their nature is inherently evil. What are they trying to accomplish by raising monsters without moral restraint, beings with no hesitation toward murder?’
One could not simply become an Avatar.
Even Creators conducted contracts only with humans of evil disposition.
Though there were rare exceptions, any person of sound mind would naturally refuse.
Yet the number of Avatars was growing.
They were even appearing in droves within the Dungeon-form Abysses.
The people did not yet know, but Yi Hyeok-soo could be certain of it.
The Creators are pouring all their effort into nurturing their Avatars, it seems.
If it’s connected to the “massive Abyss” that’s about to unfold… we’ll need to stop it before it happens.
Yi Hyeok-soo observed the movements of the Avatars.
He traced their routes and tailed them.
‘Some of them are moving with organization.’
There were even Avatars who had formed groups and moved together in packs.
This phenomenon was unprecedented.
Avatars are extremely reluctant to reveal their true nature.
Naturally, they cannot unite.
Yet they had banded together.
‘They’ve mastered the strategy for clearing this Abyss from the start. That means they’re contractors of the Creator who built it.’
The vanguard—those clearing the Abyss and repeating it, growing rapidly.
Those moving without hesitation as if they know the strategy already—they must be the Avatars.
“Well, I suppose this is enough.”
“Should we head out now?”
“The ‘Champion’ is ours.”
Champion?
A code word?
He couldn’t tell yet.
Yi Hyeok-soo followed them silently and discreetly.
The moment they exited the Abyss, they boarded separate vehicles and headed somewhere.
‘…Bukhansan Mountain.’
It was Bukhansan Mountain, unmistakably.
Everyone was making their way to the summit.
He could sense a considerable number of people in the vicinity.
‘…They’re all Avatars.’
Damn.
Over a hundred Avatars—at least that many—had flocked to Bukhansan Mountain.
The reason he was certain they were Avatars was simple: every familiar Avatar he’d encountered was here on this mountain.
There was no way villains would gather in one place by pure coincidence.
There was something on this mountain.
Should he kill them all?
‘The numbers are too great.’
Yi Hyeok-soo shook his head.
They were Avatars.
Far stronger than ordinary people.
He couldn’t possibly handle over a hundred Avatars alone.
‘I need to alert the Abyss Safety Bureau…’
It was then.
“Yi Hyeok-soo! It’s Yi Hyeok-soo!”
“Oh! Yi Hyeok-soo!”
“Why is humanity’s savior here?”
…He’d been spotted.
Yi Hyeok-soo braced himself as calmly as he could.
If combat erupted, he’d cut down the three in front and escape.
Before more of them could swarm him.
“Yi Hyeok-soo is an Avatar too?”
“Ha-ha! No wonder—you’re one of us after all?”
“Yi Hyeok-soo’s an Avatar! The world truly is ending!”
But their reaction was odd.
There was a familiarity in their tone.
An attitude as if meeting a long-lost comrade.
That wasn’t all.
“Balzac! Yi Hyeok-soo has arrived!”
“This will be a great asset to our strength!”
“Now we might actually have a real chance!”
Balzac?
He turned his head toward the piercing gaze.
There, in the distance, stood someone.
A man who had been watching this place from the very beginning.
Faster than the others, Yi Hyeok-soo had already sensed his presence.
The moment Yi Hyeok-soo laid eyes on the man, his brow furrowed.
‘……An ominous gaze.’
The two pupils of the man called Balzac were black as pitch.
A creature that could scarcely be called human—something altogether otherworldly.
And in that same instant, Yi Hyeok-soo understood.
He was an Avatar.
……The king of all Avatars.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————