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From the far side of the air.
As the masters of the underworld appeared one by one, the silence was broken.
[We have called you two.]
A man appeared in the air where nothing was seen.
The blindfolded man’s hand had a newly removed bident.
It was the property of Hades, a pitchfork that can make one invisible.
[You have to use that whenever you show great power. How troublesome.]
Orcus, a muscular man with a beard, said so.
Dispater, a god whose name itself symbolizes the underworld, nodded in agreement.
It was the first time in a long time that the three famous gods representing Rome and Greece gathered together, so Pluto stared long over his eye patch.
[This is one of the symbols of my feats, and it amplifies my power. It took such trouble to call them in.]
[You presided at the last meeting. Do you really need that much strength?]
There was no representative at the gathering of the masters of the underworld.
It was to respect one another, not putting anyone above them all.
However, for the convenience of meeting, presiding officers were randomly elected to give them some authority.
Each presiding officer is selected by throwing a 100-sided die, and Pluto is then selected.
[Don’t forget that this is not Hwangcheon. I was allowed to use force because I was the presiding officer. We shared a heavy oath not to get involved with this world.]
[That’s right. No matter how confused and messed up the world is, the order of life and death must be kept.]
King Yeomra, the representative of Shiwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld), listened to Pluto.
Compared to the other nine kings, Yeomra had the highest reputation.
The masters of the underworld nodded as they observed his divinity from under his shady crown.
Slip…
As the time for the talks approached, the seats in the air were filled.
The talks were not held often, but the seats were likely to be filled.
[It’s Odin and Dagda. Those two haven’t been present since the collisions.]
[Only Hellheim was there last time.]
[Their territory is not limited to death, so it can’t be helped.]
The purpose of this meeting is to receive a report from the watchman who protects the bridle of reincarnation.
Those who are related to death but do not directly govern an underworld were usually absent and only briefed afterward.
It takes a lot of strength and time to reach the bridle through the underworld.
[It’s the first time we’ve gathered a lot of us since the collision.]
Pluto looked around and was quietly relieved.
At the end of his gaze was a person dressed in bronze armor that Hoplite soldiers would wear.
Flapping the black wings on his head, Thanatos spoke.
[Death and our power are at stake. We have no choice but to come.]
***
‘But why am I called in too?’
I thought the superior beings would only call the watchman, but he said that they called both of us.
I had no reason to refuse.
“Where should we go?”
“It’s a call from heaven, so we have to go to the sky. Ah, in the bridle of reincarnation, the concepts of earth and sky are ambiguous. We have to go upward based on the ground where we’re standing.”
Maybe it’s because the landscape changes every time, the concept of space is also different.
Anyway, it was clear that we couldn’t just walk.
“Do we have to fly?”
“I can’t waste the benefactor’s power. I promised Hwangho-nim. I’ll call the stairs!”
The watchman was continuously nice to me as he called me a benefactor.
He seemed to be more motivated because of the talk with Hwang Jiho.
I said I was doing okay, but the watchman wasn’t the type to be stopped easily.
“It’s okay, this is nothing.”
The watchman responded with a smile and clapped once.
Clap!
A powerful energy wave broke out.
It was stronger than the force that offset the shockwave.
Even with that level of strength, the watchman smiled as if it didn’t take much strength.
Kugugu…
Energy waves emanated from the ground.
A huge cylinder rose with light from the shaking earth.
By the time the light subsided, the cylinder had turned into a huge spiral staircase.
I looked at the majesty of the transparent stairs that led to the sky.
“Come, let’s go.”
We climbed the stairs, and I was surprised to see his solidity and strength.
I can’t believe he can handle this much power freely and leisurely.
“Huh? No, no. You’re more awesome, benefactor! I was in a special position so I was shared some power…”
When I briefly complimented him, the watchman walked ahead, embarrassed.
The more we climbed, the closer we got to the sky.
Looking down was dizzying.
I wasn’t afraid because I could fly using my light skill, but I subconsciously became careful with my steps.
“Did you take care of the incense burner well?”
The watchman spoke to me as if he was worried that I’d fall behind.
It was the Tiger Clan’s treasure, so of course I did.
I took it in front of the head of the clan and headed to the underworld, but…
‘Hwang Jiho didn’t ask about it.’
Rather than asking where their clan’s treasure was, Hwang Jiho asked about my safety.
Hwang Jiho’s words urging me to return quickly and safely while in his Hwang Yuho alter ego kept ringing in my head.
“Yeah, I won’t have to worry knowing that you’re taking good care of it.”
The watchman strode up the stairs and continued to speak with one breath.
Thanks to him, the scenery under my feet and Hwang Jiho’s words began to fade in my mind.
“The person who presided over the last meeting was Pluto-nim. I don’t know who it will be this time though.”
“The presiding officer of the meeting?”
“Yeah, they always pick randomly.”
Well, there will be more than a few gods related to death, and someone has to take the lead.
Soon, we reached the end of the stairs.
“We’re here.”
At the end of the stairs was a huge door, inscribed with a finely twisted string.
It was in the shape of a bridle.
“Hello! I am here in response to your call!”
The watchman spoke loudly at the door, then it began to open slowly.
Beyond the open door was a circular conference hall that could accommodate hundreds of people.
The entire hall was not visible from where I stood, but everyone within sight was blindfolded.
‘They’re all superior beings.’
I knew of it, but I felt nervous because the room was filled with extraordinary spirit.
I could see the watchman’s shoulders shaking as I was looking forward.
‘Is he nervous? No, it feels like he’s enduring the pressure.’
The watchman must’ve experienced meetings like this several times, but the atmosphere was somewhat strange.
The person standing in the center of the hall spoke with dignity.
[Come closer, but do not cross that line.]
The black hair, bident, and authority made me sure that he was Pluto.
I admired the godly voice that could’ve made my ears go numb.
‘Is that the line?’
The line Pluto pointed to was drawn about ten steps from the door.
Looking closely, it seemed to be a boundary.
Well, who would dare to cross the realm of gods?
One, two, three steps.
When we took about five steps…
“Euhk…”
The watchman stumbled and fell.
I hurriedly helped him, but the watchman couldn’t get up.
He only had to take a rough breath.
[If it’s painful, you may stay there.]
“I am sorry…”
[There is nothing to apologize for. The deity gathered here is not something ordinary humans can endure. It’s been a while since we’ve had this number, and we’ve never asked you to come this close.]
The watchman apologized repeatedly without raising his head.
He seemed to be weighed down by their divine spirit and pressure.
Then, Pluto asked me.
[Do you not feel anything?]
It wasn’t that I didn’t feel anything.
I can feel their enormous power, but not to the point where I can’t breathe or walk.
It was the same feeling when I met the superior beings before.
I’ve never met this many at once, but I don’t feel much difference.
‘Would it be rude to be honest? No, I shouldn’t lie.’
In the myths, the ones who lie to gods were the most miserable.
I decided to answer right away.
“I am okay.”
Pluto paused when he heard my answer.
The other superior beings seemed to be thinking of something too.
[Is that so? Then come closer.]
I walked forward as Pluto said, leaving the kneeling watchman behind.
I stopped one step behind the line and greeted them.
“Hello.”
Pluto’s mouth went up slightly as I greeted them politely.
[Just as I heard, you are a polite human. It’s not bad seeing you this close. I heard you are an intelligent child, so there seems to be no need to introduce myself.]
I wonder what rumors circulate among the superior beings.
Pluto said the words and turned halfway to the conference room.
[My role is over now that the guest has arrived. Let us pick the presiding officer for this meeting. Let’s spin the needle now that everyone is together.]
Pluto floated a black needle in the air.
A needle appears one by one in front of the superior beings, and the one whose needle points in the same direction is chosen.
The superior beings began to talk.
[Do we have to be the presiding officer to talk to the guest?]
[I want to play that role this time.]
[I don’t want to do it considering the scale of this meeting, but I want to do it.]
[You didn’t touch the needle, did you?]
Pluto raised his hand.
[I swear on the Styx River.]
Breaking an oath on the Styx River means losing one’s voice for a year and the qualification to attend this meeting for nine years.
With the mention of the river, the superior beings were convinced.
[Let us choose now then.]
At the end of Pluto’s words, the black needle spun round and round.
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