He was angry.
If one were to ask what caused such rage, the answer would be the Abyss that had appeared so abruptly.
The Abyss had emerged, shattering space itself. Since he had expected to encounter it again at any point during the conquest, he was not flustered.
However, what angered him were the fifteen dungeons that still remained.
The memories of the past and the truths that should have comprised them had now been completely torn apart. He was furious because he could no longer see those truths—the memories of the past that someone, whether a god or another entity, had intended to show him.
Or so he thought.
But looking back, that wasn’t quite it.
The anger was directed at himself.
He was angry at the reality where he had no choice but to be swayed, and at himself for conforming to it.
From the pathetic king of Basterion to Len Hank of Tetradia.
Beside them, countless other heroes must have been swallowed by the Abyss, their names not even remembered.
‘Just how many had been sacrificed?’
How many more times would he have to endure this before he could reach the depths of the Abyss?
In the end, what he lacked was power.
If he had the power, this could have been resolved. He wouldn’t have to swallow his resentment while witnessing the miserable ends of heroes whose names weren’t even passed down.
That is, if he could erase the Abyss—the root of all this—from the world.
Though he had endured for the sake of his goals, it seemed he could not help the anger that rose within him.
Heroes like Len Hank, who existed in the past, couldn’t even leave their names behind. No one recognized their spirit, and their noble convictions were cursed and pointed at by others.
Power.
He emphasized it again, but he needed power. An overwhelming power capable of erasing all variables.
In that sense, the fifth evolved top-tier skill, Domain of the Void, was quite satisfying.
[Skill: Domain of the Void]
[A domain that is empty, or can become so. The ruler of such a place.]
[You can exercise creation, compression, expansion, cutting, separation, movement, manipulation, and annihilation regarding all space within the domain.]
[The range of the domain is determined in proportion to the total amount of Magic Power and mental strength invested.]
There were likely few auxiliary skills better than this.
A skill that could involve itself in the creation, compression, expansion, cutting, separation, movement, manipulation, and annihilation of space. Its utility was infinite.
As long as he could manifest the Domain of the Void, he could defend himself by blocking and isolating space itself. Within it, the caster could move freely by traversing through space.
If there was an enemy, he could use compression, cutting, and annihilation.
If confusion was needed, he could use expansion and manipulation.
Truly, all the essence of Spatial Magic was contained within this single skill.
“Magician. Are you thinking of leaving right away again?”
At the sound of Vitalianus’s voice, Hio closed the skill window and turned his head.
They were outside the Gate, having successfully conquered Abyss -54th Floor.
“……I have to.”
The knights were lined up and conducting a head count, while the Bingija were also identifying which of their guild members were missing.
At a glance, the number of knights had decreased since they first entered. They must have died on the Floor of Breakthrough without managing to break through.
They didn’t even know why they died, or why they had no choice but to die. Their bodies couldn’t even be recovered. They would have sunk into the deep Abyssal Depths along with the collapsed floor of the Abyss.
Thus, the expressions of the knights as they checked their numbers were heavy.
“Don’t be like that, and come to the palace with us today.”
On the other hand, a faint joy was reflected in the expressions of the Bingija.
They tried their best to hide it, but how easily could such a thing be concealed?
The fact that one of the conquests ended relatively quickly and smoothly. The fact that they could rest again for a month or two. The fact that they survived this time as well and grew a bit stronger because of it—all these things combined inevitably showed in their expressions.
“You don’t seem to have any peace of mind right now.”
Surely, the number of Bingija had also decreased by a few.
However, their expressions were not those of people who believed their comrades were dead. Unlike the knights, who only had two choices—break through or die—didn’t the Bingija have one more option?
So they knew.
Those who weren’t there had logged out before they could die. They would be alive and well, waiting in the outside world.
“Next time…… I’ll visit next time. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Is that so? Tsk, I’m going to get scolded by His Majesty again for coming back alone.”
Hio tried to force a faint smile at Vitalianus’s joke, but strangely, the corners of his mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
In the end, what he made was a bizarre expression—neither a smile, a cry, nor a serious face.
Vitalianus stared at Hio for a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder.
“If the place you must go is high and far, do not carry the burden alone. One day, you will eventually collapse.”
Vitalianus knew a friend who had carried everything alone. He remembered a friend who stood alone in the middle to wash away the stigma of his fellow countrymen and gain the recognition of the Empire.
He also knew the end—the mind and heart that eventually collapsed, leading him to plunge a sword into his own heart.
“I don’t have the confidence to witness that sight twice.”
Vitalianus spoke with a bitter smile.
Only after confirming that did Hio’s expression settle correctly. It wasn’t a forced smile, but a natural gloom. A heavy heart stemming from the fact that he had personally annihilated a hero’s miserable end, despite their unyielding spirit.
“……I’ll keep that in mind.”
His expression naturally sank.
“Magician, the number of people who admire and like you is growing. Among them are several who will take responsibility for the future of the Empire.”
Vitalianus turned his head and looked toward one spot.
Between the lined-up knights, a pair of red eyes was staring intently in this direction. Her expression was similar to Hio’s, but filled with a more intense sadness.
“So, you can rest a bit if it’s difficult. The Empire isn’t so weak that it will collapse just because you take a short break.”
Claire’s two eyes sparkled with tears that hadn’t yet dried.
After meeting her gaze for a moment, Hio finally activated a skill.
The gate to the Otherworld opened, and the Sacred Beast of light appeared. Hio climbed onto the Phantom Steed and immediately turned his back.
“I’ll keep that in mind as well.”
It was because the road ahead was far, far too long.
***
[The portal is being activated.]
[Moving to the Ancient City of Tetradia – ‘Wizard’s Tower’.]
The 101st floor of Tetradia’s Wizard’s Tower was the floor where he had first entered the tower and was the most familiar.
The scenery outside viewed from there should have naturally been a familiar one as well. The landscape of Tetradia where only the immediate surroundings were visible due to the light leaking from the Wizard’s Tower.
The massive movements squirming throughout the darkness would be one of the Abyss Monsters, and the darkness beyond would be filled with the energy of the Abyss.
It was a view he had seen every time he came to the Wizard’s Tower. Yet, for some reason, it felt unfamiliar. Perhaps it was because the landscape of Tetradia he saw in the dungeon was so bright and beautiful.
“……Tetradia. And Abellar Pavlenko.”
Tetradia, where the entire city, including the Wizard’s Tower, had moved.
This was the result.
‘Where was this place, and why on earth did they have to come here?’
‘Since they did drive out the Abyss, was the plan a success? Or was it a failure since they all eventually died, magic was lost, and even their names were forgotten?’
His contemplation was short.
“I’ll find out someday.”
As his Circle rises, the floors of the tower are opened. Eventually, wouldn’t he be able to reach the top floor, the floor of the Lord of the Magic Tower? Wouldn’t he also be able to move to the Lobby of Beginnings on the first floor and look around the modern Tetradia?
Therefore, what he had to do now was to keep moving forward. He had to start by completing all the Necromancy he was learning.
– The Sarcophagus of Death! You must learn it before the next conquest. There was no use for it this time, but you never know what will happen next time. You must store as many high-grade materials…… no, bodies as possible.
The Sarcophagus of Death.
It was like a warehouse for storing the undead he had created or contracted. The magic to summon it was the 5th Circle Necromancy, Sarcophagus of Death.
“It’s more of a concept of summoning than spatial utilization.”
– That’s right. That’s why I said it would be better for you to clearly understand that Magic Circle when I summoned Arilleia’s Dragon. Isn’t it much more comfortable?
“Well, it did help a lot.”
The 5th Circle Necromancy, Sarcophagus of Death, was magic closer to summoning than spatial arts.
– It’s not about creating a space to store the undead, but rather temporarily borrowing a domain that originally exists in the Necropolis. That’s why such a complex task is possible.
The Necropolis was a city for the dead.
Even that massive domain of the Necropolis seen on the Conquest Floor was said to be only a tiny part of the whole. Merely borrowing the space and summoning from it required the level of the 5th Circle.
– Let’s engrave the runes related to connection, regeneration, and summoning.
As a result of repeated research and practice for three days and nights, he was able to manifest the Sarcophagus of Death as a complete magic spell.
It was possible because he had already established the theory and studied the summoning patterns.
The Circle Inscription was packed much more densely than before. Among them, the patterns regarding space and summoning were filled with light, and the Magic Power that gathered strength clumped together and moved toward the tip of his staff.
Thus, the Necromancy, Sarcophagus of Death, was completed.
[You have successfully cast the Necromancy – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’.]
[Would you like to register Necromancy – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’ as a skill?]
[Necromancy – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’ is being registered as a skill.]
Darkness spread thickly inside the floor.
Unlike the Abyss, it was a darkness that wasn’t unpleasant. The Deathly Energy that existed like air in the Necropolis settled heavily.
And.
And…….
“……Is that it?”
Nothing happened.
The magic was clearly successful, and a message had even popped up to prove it. Theoretically, something more should have popped out from here.
– That’s because there are no undead stored in the sarcophagus yet. If there were something stored, the sarcophagus would pop out; if not, it just ends in this prepared state.
“What if I want to store just a corpse, not an undead?”
– At that time, isn’t there a formula I wrote down separately below? You have to utilize that.
Of course.
Magic couldn’t be that simple. Since it wasn’t a magic meant for pure attack like other elemental magics, he had to carefully adjust the patterns whenever he used it in various ways.
– It might be a bit bothersome, but it’ll be convenient once you get used to it through repeated mastery.
One casting of magic to call forth the basic domain. Then, to store something, he had to awaken another pattern and control the Magic Power. To take out what was stored, he had to create a corresponding formula again.
Then, if he wanted to bring out a massive Undead Legion…….
– ……Well, you’ll manage by diligently taking them out one by one. It might look a bit less cool, but still, think of how useful and efficient this magic is……..
He would have to manifest the magic individually to take them out one by one. It was obvious that as the number of stored items increased, it would become a tedious grind.
“I’ve been tricked.”
He had been tricked. When Furnel first spoke of it, he made it sound as though he could cover the battlefield with undead in an instant.
“I’d rather use elemental magic in that time.”
When would he ever finish repeating the process of taking them out and putting them back in one by one?
Of course, since it was just a matter of putting them in and taking them out, it wasn’t particularly difficult. But wasn’t it bothersome? In that time, it would be better to call Nkingki and fire off elemental magic with infinite Magic Power.
– Hey! What nonsense! There are no results without effort! Why are you trying to take such an easy path? Is this a characteristic of young people these days?
“No matter how you look at it, this is too bothersome. I could prepare hundreds or thousands of strong bodies of Abyss Monsters, and imagine crafting them into undead by putting souls into them. You’re saying I have to take out those thousands of creatures one by one using magic? Forget it, I won’t do it.”
– Such lazy talk……! Silence!
“You keep your silence.”
– ……There’s no other way anyway. To progress further as a Necromancer, the Sarcophagus of Death is a mandatory ma—
– If you’re a Necromancer, you have to use this. No matter how much you grumble, in the end, there’s nothing for it but repeated mastery.
“Isn’t there…… some other way?”
Actually, Hio also knew it was a good magic. An Undead Legion that could number in the hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands. The merit of the magic Sarcophagus of Death, which could store them without limit and call them forth anytime, was certainly outstanding.
However, it was also true that the drawback of having to take out that large number one by one was significant.
– There isn’t. Don’t you know that there is only the right path in magic? There’s nothing good about trying to be clever.
Furnel shook his head firmly.
“Hmm…… I feel like I’m about to think of something……..”
– You’ll think of something, all right. The thought that you should diligently practice magic.
He didn’t know what Furnel was so excited about, but Furnel began to pour out words like a rapid-fire gun, saying how this used to be the basic standard in the old days and how kids these days have no persistence.
Since that sight was so familiar, Hio ignored him and continued his thoughts, and something felt just within his grasp.
For instance, something like the message window that appeared when he cast Domain of the Void…….
“Ah, Skills!”
A thought flashed through his mind. What if he used Sarcophagus of Death as a Skill instead of Magic?
[Skill: Sarcophagus of Death]
[Summons a portion of the domain of the Underworld.]
[You can store undead you have personally crafted, and if it is a high-ranking undead, it will become a satisfactory contract or space.]
‘Wouldn’t he be able to receive the help of the System, just as he did when he cast Domain of the Void?’
With that thought, he canceled the magic and cast Sarcophagus of Death as a Skill.
[Skill – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’ is being activated.]
Once again, Deathly Energy spread across the floor.
Unlike the magic which ended with the settling of Deathly Energy and the spreading of darkness, the effect of the skill created other things.
Dozens of sarcophagi appeared in the air, surrounding Hio, and pitch-black hands were squirming through the gaps.
This much was likely just the effect of the skill. The important part was what came after. Whether or not he could receive the help of the system.
– Tsk tsk…… Growing more clever with tricks like that. Have you still not realized the simple truth that difficulties must follow great abilities? Don’t clos—
In the middle of that experiment.
[Please select the undead to register in Skill – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’.]
[Please select the undead you wish to extract.]
[Undead List registered in Skill – ‘Sarcophagus of Death’
[1st Slot – Empty]
[2nd Slot – Empty]
[3rd Slot – Empty]
[4th Slot – Empty]
The result was a grand success.
It was a very important moment where he discovered he could cover the weaknesses of magic with a skill. Hio did not hide his joy as he conveyed this fact to his mentor.
“It’s damn easy, though?”
Furnel’s mouth pouted out in a huff.