“Me?”
─You.
[Hahaha]
[Ah, since you defeated the Archlord, you should be the Archlord now.]
[Suddenly?]
[Was it really a level-up challenge?]
[Since the Archlord is dead, someone has to be the new Archlord…]
[Become the master of Jeokmu-hyang.]
[Hahaha]
Suddenly being told to become the Sovereign of Jeokmuhyang.
Of course, since the Sovereign of Jeokmuhyang has disappeared, someone has to take their place, but it didn’t necessarily have to be me.
‘Not all the practitioners are dead.’
“Suddenly?”
─It’s not really sudden. You’ve dealt with the Sovereign of Jeokmuhyang who crossed the line, so you have ample qualifications to succeed them.
“Aren’t there many others who can succeed? I believe the Dragon King who was just here is also an Axis of Transition Device practitioner.”
─You think someone as minor as an Axis can take over? You should know better than anyone.
“I’m just an Avatar Phase…”
─Not really. An Avatar Phase practitioner couldn’t possibly defeat a Display Case practitioner.
“……”
Gyeoryu passed by me with a smirk.
With each of her steps, the chaotic Cosmic Spirit returned.
─Think positively. Being an Archlord isn’t that hard. As long as you maintain the system of Jeokmuhyang, it won’t matter.
“What happens if I don’t?”
─Is it even an option not to?
Kugugugu…!
!
…!
!!
The entirety of Jeokmu-hyang trembles.
Gyeoryu just walks, but everyone in Jeokmu-hyang is rolling on the ground simply because she exists in this land.
Even practitioners who claim to soar high are not comparable to Junseon’s “Rank.”
So far, she had been controlling her presence, but just now, she revealed it “a little more.”
Gyeoryu glanced at me and chuckled.
─I expected this, but… it’s surprising. Are you really unfazed?
“Is this a threat?”
─More than a threat, hmm… yes. Let’s call it responsibility.
“Responsibility?”
─You killed the Sovereign of Jeokmuhyang Jeokho, leaving the Archlord position empty. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for that?
[?]
[Gyeoryu is awesome!]
[But weren’t you going to kill him anyway?]
[Hahaha]
“Take responsibility, Lily!”
[Haha, take responsibility for completing the level-up challenge.]
[Something seems suspicious though.]
Responsibility.
It’s true that with the Sovereign of Jeokmuhyang gone, someone needs to fill the position.
There are many Axis of Transition Device practitioners within Jeokmu-hyang, but even that might not be enough to take the Archlord position.
In fact, with many similar-level Axis practitioners around, there might be a war for the Archlord position unless someone overwhelmingly strong emerges.
It’s not that I don’t understand, but it felt a bit odd to demand responsibility after saying they intended to punish Jeokho from the start.
It’s not that I won’t go, but since I was originally planning to punish Jeokho, questioning my responsibility felt a bit off.
“There’s no helping it.”
Of course, just because I don’t understand doesn’t mean I can do anything about Gyeoryu right now.
At the point where Infinite Completion has run dry, I couldn’t refuse Gyeoryu’s intention.
If my opponent tried to kill me or proposed something ridiculous, I would do my best to resist, but it’s not that serious.
“Can I attach a few conditions instead?”
─Conditions?
“First, looking at the God’s tattoo, it seems there’s no time limit… am I right?”
The mark Gyeoryu carved into my shoulder was the emblem of Lord Jeokmu-hyang.
It seemed to grant authority over Jeokmu-hyang, but aside from the communication and space travel functions, there wasn’t anything particularly special. The issue was the time limit.
This emblem didn’t have any expiration date at all.
[What, was I a permanent slave?]
[ㄷㄷㄷㄷ]
[Lily almost became a slave]
[Let’s just kill it]
[No, permanent tattoo? LOL]
[Do they pay a salary?]
[If only Lily had no penalties]
[Seriously LOL]
Gyeoryu nodded as if it were obvious.
─Why would you need a time limit? The Archlord position is coveted by everyone.
“I need it. I can’t commit to this forever, right?”
─I can’t understand, but… if that’s the case, I will recognize it if you bring a successor.
“A successor?”
─Yeah. Bring someone new who can follow in your footsteps. Of course, they must have the strength and rank suitable for the Archlord.
That much isn’t bad.
After all, when I left the former kingdom, I also entrusted it to a worthy successor.
When a leader disappears, the group inevitably crumbles.
“Next… you are the Master of Marriage Device, Gyeoryu.”
─That’s right.
“Then you must know how to ascend in the Marriage Device.”
Gyeoryu is the only Master of Marriage Device in Jangmugye.
I visited Red Thunder God’s Gate and Uncheong Blue Gate to request books on the subject, but all I could obtain were details limited to the Display Case.
And even then, those were only basic information at the start of the Display Case.
Therefore, I was planning to look for books in Lord Jeokmu-hyang’s palace, but with the answer right in front of me, there was no reason to search elsewhere.
Gyeoryu had a somewhat displeased expression.
─I know, but… ascending in the Marriage Device is not an easy feat. Besides, you’re still in the Avatar Phase, aren’t you?
“It’s good to know in advance. If you tell me, I’ll take the Archlord position.”
─Hmm… alright. If that’s your wish.
Alright. If that’s your wish.
When Gyeoryu snapped his fingers, a small book appeared.
It was a thin book with a wooden texture, devoid of any title.
The book contained a considerable amount of cosmic spirit; it didn’t seem to be made of ordinary material.
[Oh]
[Are they really just handing this over?]
[Did you do something?]
[So, the eyeball’s for real?]
[Now that I have it, time to bail!]
[So, all I need to do is break the seal, right?]
─Is this really all you wanted? If not, I’ll be on my way.
“Ah, this is just personal curiosity.”
─What is it?
“Why did you give me the power that was in Lord Jeokmu-hyang’s Palace?”
─What?
“I mean that eye. You know, the one that floats around and devours the opponent’s soul just by making eye contact.”
A giant eye was situated just below the top floor of the palace.
It wielded the power of a Master of Marriage Device, and it was quite threatening to me at the moment.
In the end, I managed to neutralize it by expending about 500 infinite completions, but had I been able to handle it properly, it would have resulted in a much fiercer battle.
Hearing my words, Gyeoryu’s expression turned serious.
─I never gave something like that.
“What?”
─An eye that severs souls? Even one with the power of a Master of Marriage Device? What the hell did you face?
“……?”
■
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations! Lord Hyangju!”
The highest level of Lord Jeokmu-hyang’s palace.
Gyeoryu was completely unaware that I fought the eye and quickly left with a serious look on his face, saying he would have to check on things.
Left alone, I reached the restored highest level, nodding at a dozen or so practitioners who had returned, including Hayoung.
They seemed pretty shocked that the palace had been restored, and that I was there, but they weren’t completely oblivious.
When they saw the tattoo on my shoulder, they realized I had inherited Hyangju’s title and immediately bowed.
Especially Hayoung, who was outright kneeling.
[Oh boy]
[What a dramatic shift]
[And they murdered their master, but no one here is plotting revenge, lol]
[So chill]
[Lolololol]
[Bow down]
[So what now?]
“Congratulations on becoming Lord Jeokmu-hyang once again.”
“Thank you, Dragon King.”
“Please, be at ease. I’m just the leader of the Dragon Tribe and the ‘Ascension Lord’ of Jeokmu-hyang. It feels a bit excessive to be called a king.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Just call me Won-gyeom comfortably.”
Dragon King Won-gyeom bowed his head and said so.
Several practitioners introduced themselves with their names and positions, and Hayoung, who had been kneeling, raised her head.
“What about you, Hayoung?”
“I, Hayoung, am assigned as the Practitioner Manager of Lord Jeokmu-hyang. Although my position is not high, I have done my best and will continue to fulfill my duties faithfully.”
“I see. I hope you all remain dedicated to your existing tasks.”
“Understood.”
Yes, I will gladly obey!
At my words, the practitioners shouted in unison.
I don’t know if it’s usually like this, but the discipline was really impressive.
Moreover, thanks to the previous Lord Jeokmu-hyang establishing a ‘system,’ there wasn’t much to interfere with, and there were only a few tasks under Lord Jeokmu-hyang.
“Periodic inspections, capital training, exchanges with other archlords… is that all?”
“That’s right. The official duties of the former Lord Jeokmu-hyang consisted of just that.”
“Hmm…”
[This is easier than I thought?]
[Not much to it, lol]
[Feels like a free lunch]
[What a cushy gig]
“It’s not difficult.”
“Can I say something?”
Won-gyeom asked.
He looked somewhat tense, as if he had prepared himself for something.
“Sure.”
“Lord Hyangju has been recognized by the Master of Jangmugye and has truly become the Lord Jeokmu-hyang. No one in Jangmugye can deny that you are Lord Jeokmu-hyang.”
“That’s right.”
“However… those people might not recognize it.”
“Those people?”
“There are a total of five villages in Jangmugye.”
And in those villages, there are four archlords strong enough to match display case levels.
The ascetics, who couldn’t contain their jealousy over not being able to check the other archlords.
“Are you saying they won’t acknowledge me?”
“Yes. Of course, even if they don’t recognize you, it won’t be a problem for now. The archlords cannot interfere with other villages. But…”
“But?”
“…There’s a meeting scheduled between the archlords soon. As an archlord, you must attend, and they might try to harm you there.”
“……”
Four display case practitioners trying to harm me.
“When is this meeting?”
“I believe it’s in a month. There’s also a high possibility it will happen earlier.”
“A month from now.”
If it’s a month from now…
“That’s plenty of time.”
“Yes?”
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