* * *

[Can you hear me?]

"I can hear you now."

[Good.]

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Of course. I am a manifestation of the Holy See. I easily understand the language of the lower species."

"....Uncle?"

When Yoon Sae-ah tilted her head next to him, Sung JiHan pointed to the black sun with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Well, it might be difficult to understand, but this was the one talking."

"Oh... really? Um, is there something wrong with your condition? Should I figure out who I am?"

"Don't worry, it's not something like amnesia or hallucination."

"Well, if that's the case with you, then it must be something like that. Then, if there's anything, let me know. I'll be outside!"

As Yoon Sae-ah left the room, the voice flowed from the black sun again.

[I have a question.]

"What question?"

[The promotion battle. The players behind you died. The main body is curious about it.]

He couldn't help but be curious about how they were killed when they were tied up.

Everything is a question.

"I have a question too. If you promise to solve my question, I'll tell you."

[Alright.]

Upon hearing the confirmation from the Holy See, Sung JiHan opened his mouth.

"I had already cut off the blood vessels of their hearts."

[The heart....]

"Yes. I had only connected them with the force."

If he succeeded in provoking the Shadow Queen, he didn't know what kind of attack he would receive from her.

In preparation for any possible situation, Sung JiHan had implanted devices in the four players he had kept alive.

By cutting off the blood vessels of their hearts and only connecting them with the force, even if they were unable to use the force, the connected blood vessels would be severed and they would die instantly, so he could secure first place.

"Did they really die just from that?"

"Yes."

[...They were not even a lower species, but the lowest species.]

The tone of the dry voice became even colder.

[Even if they were an Irregular, to be the lowest species.]

"The lowest?"

[A decision has been made. The main body has decided not to support you.]

Was it because they judged that the human race itself was useless?

The black sun pronounced the verdict with an oppressive attitude.

However, Sung JiHan remained calm.

"Well, that's up to you."

[...?]

The support of the Holy See.

Certainly, there are gains to be had from there, but there are also significant losses.

"There's no need for me to cling to this side."

Moreover, once the tutorial period is over, the Holy See, who will rush to support Sung JiHan, will be overflowing.

He only had to wait a few more months, so there was no reason to rush to gain the power of the Holy See.

"And now, that's not my goal."

A wandering god.

Sung JiHan needed information from the same Holy See about the strange behavior of the former Holy See, who was completely different from his previous life.

Sung JiHan spoke in a low voice.

"Let's forget about that. Can you solve my question?"

[Alright. The connection with the main body will soon be severed, so ask quickly.]

"It's nothing special. Tell me what you know about the 'Wandering God'."

[....]

At Sung JiHan's question, the Shadow Queen's voice momentarily stopped.

"Do you know anything?"

[Wandering... God of War.]

"Why is that?"

[Are you a god? Not just a body?]

"Yes. I am a god."

[Among the owners of the stars, there may be many bodies, but there is only one god. Is it really accurate to say that you are a god in your language?]

The calm voice became urgent, urging Sung JiHan for an answer.

"It's true."

[...The main body is confused. It keeps asking if it mistook the body.]

"I am a god. So answer what you know."

[The main body urgently questions you. Is there a power that surpasses your league level and is related to being a god?]

"I asked the question."

At those words, a black energy burst out from Sung JiHan's left arm where the black sun resided.

The energy, appearing hazy like smoke, soon gathered into one place.

It shrank to the size of Sung JiHan's palm and took on a single form.

"A Dark Elf?"

"It's Ariel."

A transparent figure, a small Dark Elf floating in the air.

Unlike other elves who had prominent facial features and gave off a beautiful impression, she had a dense and cute feeling.

With an expressionless face and black eyes without whites, she gave off a creepy vibe.

"Only the main body can answer about the existence of a god. That's why the main body is trying to connect with you again..."

"But?"

"I need GP. Around 10 million."

"..."

With those words, a system message appeared.

"Do you want to support 'Shadow of the Sun - Ariel' with 10 million GP?"

10 million GP.

Equivalent to 100 billion Korean won.

This time, he would have earned around 10 million GP by ranking first.

To spend that money to hear about the identity of the wandering god?

"That's not possible."

This GP had a specific purpose.

"It's fine. Just tell me after the tutorial ends."

"...Wait. 10 million GP doesn't just end with the connection."

"Then?"

"When the connection is made, the Seat of Shadows, 'Shadow Queen,' will personally sponsor you. The Seat of Shadows has chosen you."

Oh. Look at this.

Sung JiHan smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth.

Just a moment ago, it seemed like she lost interest in him, but now that the story of the wandering god came up, her attitude changed 180 degrees.

"Chosen? I make the choices."

Then you should change your attitude here too.

The one who's being chased is not me, but you.

"What?"

"If you want to become my Seat, present an interesting condition from your side."

"Are you serious? The lowest-ranked race?"

"And 10 million GP is not much for the Seat. Don't ask for a measly silver, invest from your side."

"...In the tutorial world, external interference is not allowed."

"But you came to me even though this is a tutorial world."

"This is only in special cases..."

"Without saying no."

Arielle blinked her eyes at Sung JiHan's firm words.

"Is it really true?"

"Yes."

"Really, really? You'll regret it?"

"I won't say it twice."

"...I understand. Then, farewell."

Ariel, who had been floating in the air, nodded and began to disperse her body.

Soon, she turned into a black energy and was absorbed into the pattern.

At that moment,

Flash-!

A bright white light flashed from Ariel, who was disappearing.

"...The original form?"

Ariel seemed greatly surprised.

"Active cooperation? From the lowest race? The original form, really?"

"...?"

"Just disappear. Can't you? Don't want to... because of an order?"

Ariel repeated to herself.

Her disappearing presence was becoming clear again.

Not only that, but it had also grown to about twice the size of a palm, which was originally the size of her body.

"I will follow the order."

Ariel, who had fully regained her form, had a displeased expression.

"What's going on?"

"The original form told me to cooperate with you."

"The Sung JiHan?"

Sung JiHan recalled information about the original form.

They were extremely arrogant and looked down on humans, the owners of the stars.

Especially Earth, which was not strange to be demoted from the Space League - Bronze, so the original forms were focused on exploiting the players.

To think that such beings would care about human convenience?

It was the first one-sided favor Sung JiHan had experienced since becoming a wandering god.

"Was the original form that influential to be considered a Sung JiHan?"

Well, anyway, there was no need to refuse if they were willing to cooperate.

"But the original forms have eyes."

"...My owner is the lowest race."

"Stop complaining and tell me your usefulness."

Then, a message appeared in front of Sung JiHan.

[The avatar of the original form 'Shadow Queen', 'Ariel', grants the stat 'Shadow Sword Shadow' to you.]

[There is not much space left in the status window. Will you accept the Shadow Sword stat?]

[If you accept the Shadow Sword, you will no longer be able to add new stats.]

Most of the ability space in the status window shown by the system message was filled with power and force.

Power was a three-line stat that replaced the existing strength, agility, and stamina stats, and force was also a three-line stat that combined magic power and divine power.

There were only two lines left for stats.

But if Sung JiHan accepted the Shadow Sword, it seemed that the Shadow Sword stat would be a two-line stat.

"If there was no status window expansion function in the achievement store, I would have thought about it."

As long as he paid only one achievement point, it was possible to expand the status window, so there was no problem in accepting the Shadow Sword.

Therefore, Sung JiHan decided to accept the stat.

[Shadow Sword Shadow stat has been created.]

"Good. Shadow Sword... What ability is this?"

"It is the ability to control shadows and transform them into swords."

A simple yet ambiguous answer.

But as soon as Sung JiHan heard those words, he knew what ability it was.

During the promotion battle, everyone's shadows transformed into swords and stabbed their backs.

So, Shadow Sword, the shadow of a sword.

"And it can even enhance the SS-grade sword, Eclipse."

"Are you talking about the sword that cut off my arm?"

"That's right."

The dark sword that Sung JiHan had cut off his arm with during the TOP 100 promotion battle.

It had a soaring momentum and seemed quite useful.

"I haven't had a usable weapon until now. This is good."

Until now, I've been using the Phoenix Feather to its fullest potential, but it's only effective when fired. Compared to the Eclipse, which boasts an SS grade, it is definitely a different weapon.

"Is it possible to enhance the Eclipse? Does that mean there is room for growth beyond the SS grade?" Ariel nodded her head as if it were obvious.

"It is possible to go up to EX grade."

"Oh."

To surpass SSS and reach a transcendent grade.

The 'Achievement Points Store Exchange Ticket' that Sung JiHan received upon his regression was also not EX grade.

The growth potential was greater than expected.

"So, from now on, focus on investing in the Sword Aura stat."

"Well, I have the ability to raise it first."

"Now stop showing off, lowest-ranked species."

The special stat granted by the Holy See, Sword Aura.

Is there anything more important than the lowest-ranked species theme that they are still clinging to?

Ariel looked at Sung JiHan, who reacted with a sullen expression, and spoke as if she pitied him.

"Sword Aura is a rare stat. The lowest-ranked species probably don't know what rare means. It is on a different level than normal abilities."

"I know that. But what if there are unique stats?"

"...U, ni, que?"

"Yes. Two unique stats, and now one more rare."

"Two of them?"

Ariel made a dumbfounded expression for the first time.

Unique stats?

And the lowest-ranked species, even the Bronze, have them?

"Yes. So, the rare stat is pushed down in priority."

"...That's ridiculous!"

Ariel's pupils trembled uncontrollably at the unbelievable answer.

At that moment.

Crack!

"Uncle. A guest has arrived! Uh...that, isn't that the Dark Elf from the stadium?"

"Yes. It was on my arm."

"Wow. That's amazing! Uncle, is it a summoned creature?"

Upon Yoon Sae-ah's words, Ariel snapped out of her daze and became agitated.

"Lowest-ranked species. I am not a summoned creature!"

"Wow, you can speak our language too!"

"The language of the lowest-ranked species is easy to use."

"Really? But why do you call us the lowest-ranked species?"

"Because you are weak."

Sung JiHan, who had been observing their conversation, interjected at an appropriate time.

"Sae-ah, you said a guest has arrived?"

"Oh! Right. Uncle, you should go out quickly. It seems like someone from the BattleNet Management Office has come."

"If it's a guest from the management office, it must be Manager Park Yoon-sik."

"Yes. But...not only Manager Park, but also Director Kook is here."

"The Director?"

Sung JiHan's eyes narrowed.

The BattleNet Management Office Director, who hadn't come to Sword Palace since the departure of the Sword King.

Did watching the promotion match change his mind?

"Alright. I'll go out. Ariel, stay here for a moment."

"...No. Your Sword Aura stat is too low, so it's not possible to manifest for a long time. I'll go back in with my arm."

Sssss-

The black aura surrounding Ariel dissipated like smoke and was sucked back into Sung JiHan's arm.

If it weren't for the sudden guest, he would have tested Sword Aura in various ways.

"For now, I should greet the guest."

"Let's go, Sae-ah."

"Yes, Uncle."

Sung JiHan left his room.

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