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n#72. The Power of Frost

nThe Black Merchant looked at Kim Jin-Woo with dry eyes as if he were searching for something. However, when Kim Jin-Woo’s expression didn’t change at all, his eyes suddenly snapped back to life as he said, “I thought this was an unconventional proposal in its own way, but it seems you aren’t surprised at all.

nKim Jin-Woo wasn’t shaken at all by the Black Merchant’s brazen attitude. He replied, “Is there anything to be surprised about? As you said, you did your job delivering the goods, and I too ended up receiving the goods you’ve given to me. After that, whatever happens is up to me, isn’t it?”

nIn the past, he would have been busy trying to read between the lines of the Black Merchant’s words, but now, he naturally returned the Black Merchant’s words as they were.

n“Ah, looks like you’ve got me this time around.” The Black Merchant trembled slightly, as if he had completely surrendered.

n“Get to the point. A mere gift can’t be the reason why the Black Merchant finally shows himself after a whole year’s absence,” Kim Jin-Woo said.

n“I handed you a Count’s Seal, but to call that a mere gift… Seems like things have changed since we last met,” the Black Merchant remarked.

nSensing that the Black Merchant would beat about the bush for the entire day if he left things as is, Kim Jin-Woo stared down at the Black Merchant once more, urging him to move on.

n“Understood. I’ll get to the point.” In the end, the Black Merchant was finally unable to resist, and he brought up the main purpose of his visit. “We, the Black Merchants, have broken our long silence to congratulate the rebirth of a Grand Labyrinth.”

nAs expected, the Black Merchants already knew that Kim Jin-Woo had ascended to the title of Highlord. Since even the 11th Floor Counts seemed to know of that fact, it would have been absurd that the Black Merchants, who were second to none in terms of intelligence gathering in the Underworld, wouldn’t know as well.

nKim Jin-Woo had already anticipated that, and accepted the Black Merchant’s expression of respect indifferently out of mere courtesy.

nThe Black Merchant, who had dragged out his congratulatory message with a playful tone, quickly wrapped up his speech when he noticed Kim Jin-Woo’s bored expression. “I pay my infinite homage to the Highlord, master of all, and wish for the path of the new Lord’s future to reach its fullest glory.”

n“Thanks,” Kim Jin-Woo said simply.

nKim Jin-Woo’s response was so blunt that the Black Merchant sighed once again with a drained look. “Urgh. With such indifference from the Lord, my efforts and devotion to the Lord seem to have all been in vain.”

nThe Black Merchant clarified that the Count’s Seal had been assigned to Kim Jin-Woo from the beginning. However, when he had suddenly ascended to the title of Highlord, there was a lot of internal discussion on whether it should still be delivered.

nKim Jin-Woo wasn’t sure if that was the whole truth, but since the amount of help he had received from the Black Merchant thus far wasn’t insignificant, he decided to play along. “I see. I’ll answer you then.”

nThe Black Merchant smiled brightly after hearing his response.

n“So…” The Black Merchant’s eyes shone brightly once again, and he rubbed his hands. “Can you tell us what name has been given to you, Milord?”

n“I’m not going to reveal it. Wait and see, and you’ll find out in due time.” Kim Jin-Woo shook his head resolutely, avoiding mentioning his true name.

nHowever, the Black Merchant remained persistent. It seemed the purpose of his visit was to find out Kim Jin-Woo’s true name.

n“Then how about this?” The Black Merchant pretended to look around and sighed. “If Milord tells me your name, I’ll give you information of equal value.”

nKim Jin-Woo didn’t answer. But the Black Merchant quickly continued, as if he didn’t need permission. “My Lord isn’t the only newly born Highlord.”

n***

nThe Black Merchant had left. But the conversation Kim Jin-Woo had with him kept replaying in his mind.

n“There are as many Highlord titles as the Underworld is wide.”

nThe Black Merchant had seemed almost intent on filling him with surprise, as he had revealed more surprising facts one after another.

n“The most recent war wasn’t entirely unrelated to Milord.”

n“What do you mean?”

n“Remember what the Underworld was like when Milord’s Grand Labyrinth was born. And now, the hint ends here. Now it’s Milord’s turn to answer.”

n“‘Greed’. That’s my name.”

nHad Kim Jin-Woo been swept up by emotions? The Black Merchant had somehow been surprised when he heard the name ‘Greed’. However, Kim Jin-Woo had been too immersed in the topic to pay close attention to the Black Merchant’s reaction.

n“Mmm.” His thoughts continued to grow deeper and deeper. It seemed there was another secret behind the birth of the Moai, which Kim Jin-Woo had assumed to be just another catastrophe caused by human greed.

n“No way…” Kim Jin-Woo remembered the moment when the Grand Labyrinth was born, and countless beings who had lost their labyrinths had come to the Grand Labyrinth in search of answers.

nWhat would have happened if he hadn’t dealt with the mob, and in what form would they, who had lost their sources of life in the form of the Labyrinth Cores, have continued to wander the Underworld?

nHis expression hardened as he imagined thousands of beings being engulfed by the evil of the Underworld and turning into Moai. If it had been the birth of a Grand Labyrinth that had made them into Moai, there had to be a terrifying monster beyond the passageway the Moai had initially come from that was the source of them all.

nIt was almost like a delusion. However, Kim Jin-Woo couldn’t shake off that delusion, because he remembered the will of Ustus, a fragment of the One-Eyed Lord.

n“I have one last present for you. The Usurper won’t be able to follow you for the moment, so please strengthen your troops. I wish you all the best.”

nKim Jin-Woo hadn’t put too much thought into those words at that time. He had thought that it was just information meant to shake and confuse the Deep Floor Counts, forcing them to question the information they had.

nNo matter how hard the Deep Floor Counts tried to conceal every bit of information, it would have been impossible to conceal it all when not even the scattered fragments were able to completely blindside the feared Usurper. But as the Usurper’s gaze had yet to reach the 9th Floor, it was more convincing to think that something more important had gotten his attention.

n“Damn fragments. How much has this blown out of proportion?” Kim Jin-Woo muttered. As much as Ustus had openly talked about reuniting the shattered Underworld into one, perhaps it was the fragments of the Ancient Lord that were behind all of this.

nHe let out a long sigh at the unsolvable situation. But no matter how much he thought about it, he realized he couldn’t waste more time trying to think of a solution to a problem he had no answer to, and thus, he turned his attention to more immediate tasks at hand.

nThe Count’s Seal, which was different from the other Noble’s Seals he had come across thus far, was in his hand.

nWith a sigh, he headed to the master room. No matter the circumstances of the Underworld, what was important now was to build up his strength.

n***

nKim Jin-Woo sat on his throne and immediately absorbed the Count’s Seal.

nThe power of the Highlords, who once ruled the Underworld, was split and scattered to become the Noble’s Seals.

nThe Count’s Seal is a true Noble’s Seal that is incomparably stronger than the seals of other, lesser Nobles.

nDo you accept the Count’s Seal into the Seal of Greed?

n“I accept.” With Kim Jin-Woo’s short answer, the Count’s Seal that he had been gripping tightly melted away without a trace, being absorbed by the Seal of Greed.

nThe Count’s Seal has been completely absorbed by the Seal of Greed.

nUnlike the Seals of the lesser Nobles, the properties of Seals belonging to Counts and above are predetermined.

nThe property of the absorbed Seal is ‘Frost on the Surface of an Unwavering Lake—Frost (氷寒)’.

nThe properties of the newly absorbed Seal are perfectly suited to the noblest of Nagas—Lord of Nagas and Nagaraja (Dragon King).

nAccording to the unique properties of the Seal, your breath is infused with the chill of frost.

nThe elemental ability, ‘Breath of Frost’, has been combined with the Nagaraja’s power to become a new ability.

nThe fact that the Seal’s properties were fixed was something not even Kim Jin-Woo had been aware of. If it hadn’t matched well with the Nagas, it could have been a disaster. Fortunately, what had been contained in the Seal was cold, frosty air that matched the nature of the Nagas, who preferred cold and wet places.

nIt was almost as if this relationship had been predetermined, but it was fortunate that the benefits were greater than any losses.

nYou have acquired a unique ability, ‘Frost Battlefield’. Once a day, you can create a battlefield just for you and the Nagas. The Nagas on the Frost Battlefield will become much more valiant.

nThe cold attribute has been added to the Nagas’ attacks. Enemies that have allowed the Nagas to strike them will withdraw from a chill that seeps deep into their bones, preventing them from exerting their power.

nThe Naga Sorcerers’ spells have become more powerful. Their spells will now freeze even the souls of their enemies.

nThe healing magic of the Naga Priests has reached a point where even a dismembered body can be completely restored.

nThere was no time to rejoice at the fact that he had acquired a new ability, as messages kept appearing one after another.

nYou, who have absorbed the Count’s Seal, have become more powerful.

nYou have obtained the ability ‘Frost Armor’. You can temporarily increase your defense by enclosing yourself in cold armor. Frost Armor regenerates constantly as long as your energy remains.

nYou have obtained the ability ‘Frost Blade’. A blade made of the coldest and sharpest frost is now available. Even if the blade of the Frost Blade is broken, it will grow back immediately.

nCongratulations. You have now become even more suitable to be the Naga King. With the addition of your frost abilities, you are now the Naga King in the eyes of all.

nThe Nagas’ loyalty to you has become deeper and stronger. Their loyalty has gone beyond the limits, to the point of fanaticism.

nThe Nagas will now be unyielding against any psychological pressure, and will fully obey your orders.

nThe power of the Count’s Seal was greater than Kim Jin-Woo had expected. Reading all the messages that had appeared, Kim Jin-Woo smiled with satisfaction.

nThe Frost attribute has been added to the Seal of Greed.

nA considerable amount of energy has been accumulated in the empty power source. The accumulated energy can be used to raise the rank of the Seal or to utilize unique powers.

nAlthough the Count’s Seal has great power, it is somewhat insufficient to improve the Seal of Greed.

nAt least one additional Count’s Seal is required to improve the Seal of Greed’s rank.

nThe power source has been charged to 63%.

nThe Seal’s light disappeared, and in its place, a chilling aura pierced into Kim Jin-Woo’s flesh.

n“Mm.” The vitality and energy overflowing through his body was a new experience for Kim Jin-Woo. He exclaimed in admiration as he witnessed crystals of cold air forming at his fingertips before quickly fading away.

nHowever, he quickly started to freeze from the cold that didn’t dissipate no matter how much he waited. He remarked, “Looks like I’ve taken in more than I can handle for the moment.”

nThere was a bigger problem than that, however. It was that winter had come to the Grand Labyrinth.

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