Conquering the Academy with Just a Sashimi Knife (Novel) - Chapter 126 - The King of the Dead (5)

Chapter 126 – The King of the Dead (5)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Chapter 126 – The King of the Dead (5)

Boom!

The thick door collapsed with a single sword strike.

A cutting wind blew, and the stacked stones fell like dominoes.

The deathly silence of the dungeon was completely shattered.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The onlookers could only swallow hard. Especially Shail, who was witnessing this for the first time. Her eyes shifted from disbelief to blank astonishment.

Even if it were a dream, it would be believable—an event beyond comprehension. Anyone would simply blink like a fish.

The door that Kang Geom-ma split in two was at least 10 meters in diameter, if not more—it was a gigantic gate.

With a single slash, the locks and the entrance were sliced through like butter.

The impact was more shocking than an earthquake, making Shail feel as if her entire understanding of reality was crumbling.

Ironically, a wave of relief surged from deep within her heart.

In fact, throughout the journey here, Shail had been wavering.

Just today, the situation had been absurd multiple times.

Kang Geom-ma suddenly proposed subjugating an S-rank magical beast.

At first, she thought it was a joke, but upon reflection, the circumstances fit together like clockwork.

All the evidence pointed to his words being true.

Even when she questioned him, Kang Geom-ma simply dodged the answers.

“It’s just your imagination.” “I conducted thorough research.” Etc…

There were so many questions she wanted to ask.

Even though she wanted to push for answers, Shail couldn’t bring herself to do it.

There were reasons why Abel was in the Undead Dungeon, and an even greater fear regarding Kang Geom-ma.

Despite trying to deny it, she trembled whenever she felt his gaze.

Kang Geom-ma was unpredictable, with an unfathomable heart.

Cold and warm at the same time.

Calm yet burning.

That chaotic nature approached Shail like a cosmic horror.

“Huff…”

Kang Geom-ma exhaled deeply and returned Permafrost to its sheath.

He spoke in an indifferent tone, like someone peeling an apple.

“Let’s did a status check before we enter. Oh, and Michelan, you’ve worked hard. You could return now.”

To which Michelan, with a face full of joy, shook his head. Even his lifeless eyes gleamed.

“Oh no. I would stand by your side until the very end, Kang Geom-ma. This heart-pounding sensation—I haven’t felt it in hundreds of years. Even if I die now, I had no regrets.”

“…You had quite the peculiar taste in jokes.”

Amidst the astonishment, the two exchanged trivial chatter.

Shail subtly shifted her gaze toward Abel.

The young lady had a similar expression to Shail’s, though less intense. Beyond surprise, her expression seemed as if she expected it.

Noticing her gaze, Abel also looked at Shail. Then, with an understanding expression, she began to speak.

“Shail, you were incredibly anxious just a moment ago, but your face seemed a little more relaxed now. Had you calmed down after seeing how he wields his sword?”

“…Yes, my lady. Honestly, it’s more than I expected—beyond imagination. Kang Geom-ma was…”

“I know how you feel. From the first time I saw him until now, I had never stopped being surprised.”

Abel gave a bitter smile. She kept her gaze on Kang Geom-ma, her golden eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

“Sometimes, when I look at him, I feel like there’s a wall. One that I simply cannot cross. And no matter how far back I tilt my head, I could’t see the top of that wall.”

“…”

“…But if you look at it from another perspective, that wall isn’t just something I feel. Imagine what it must be like for those who stand against Kang Geom-ma.”

That thought alone was enough in an instant.

The mere idea sent a chill down Shail’s spine. Kang Geom-ma’s swordsmanship naturally made one shrink back.

Abel pressed her lips together for a moment before flashing a wide smile.

“That’s why, Shail, don’t worry too much. Of course, I’m scared too. After all, we’re about to face an S-rank magical beast. But whenever you feel anxious, just remember that sensation—the relief of having Kang Geom-ma as an ally.”

Thinking that way, it seemed like the knots in her heart were unraveling. It was a concept similar to the ‘routines’ athletes perform before every match.

“Yes, my lady.”

Shail nodded, convinced.

Kang Geom-ma assigned roles to Abel and Shail. Then, he coordinated and adjusted the strategy with Michelan, who volunteered as a tactician.

The plan was simple.

Fast and lethal.

Take down the Draugr before it could amass its forces.

Kang Geom-ma would rush forward to strike. The activation time of [Blessing of Painlessness] was ‘50 seconds.’ But with a speed-based strategy, that limit would vanish.

The biggest problem was the subordinates. From the rear, Abel and Shail would suppress their numbers.

Additionally, Michelan, who was not a combatant, would stay alert for any threats that could arise from blind spots, ensuring visibility and also searching for Abel’s parents.

Though Michelan lacked combat abilities, he played a crucial role by allowing the three to focus entirely on the battle.

The most important rule was that at the first sign of Kang Geom-ma’s signal, they were to retreat immediately. This was, in a way, the core of the subjugation plan. Resisting would naturally lead to a beating.

Staying alive meant being able to take the next step. They could not risk their lived for a mere mana stone.

“This was the plan. If anyone had objections, speak now.”

There were no responses, which meant agreement. In reality, the plan had been put together hastily, focusing more on efficiency than structure. However, no one could deny that it was the best option available.

Kang Geom-ma scanned the group and then stood up.

With a firm voice, he said,

“Let’s go.”

***

Walking through the descending passage for 30 minutes, we continued down a staircase whose length was difficult to estimate.

“Ugh.”

The humid air and the stench of dampness clung to my skin and the tip of my nose, making my heart pound and cold sweat emerge.

But the feeling when I first stepped into this hole was truly… Even someone as brave as me felt a chill.

There were no signs of life, no outside light, no human presence—completely cut off from the outside world. Even with flashlights, we could only illuminate the ground directly in front of us.

The slope was steep, so we had to touch the walls while staying tense.

‘This path was more sinister than any boss fight.’

Fortunately, Michelan’s presence was reassuring.

He led the way at the front, cutting through the darkness without needing light.

He didn’t forget to check on us from time to time to ensure we were keeping up.

He was fulfilling his role as a guide perfectly.

‘He definitely exceeded expectations.’

A flawless assistant.

Step.

Michelan’s footsteps halted. He only extended his arm backward, signaling us to wait. Michelan carefully observed his surroundings, then turned his head and spoke in a low voice.

“It seemed we’ve finally arrived.”

His expression was not good. His face began to harden like a statue.

Something was definitely wrong.

His eyes trembled with anxiety.

I asked him.

“What’s the matter, sir?”

“It’s just that… we undead could vaguely sense the spiritual presence of our kind.”

“What did you mean by that?”

“You might have noticed from the inscriptions on the tomb, but it seemed that spirits remain in the dungeon even after their bodies decay. Even if their trapped shells were freed, they likely could never escape this dungeon. Of course, I’m still an undead with my body intact, so I’m not entirely sure…”

In simple terms, it meant that even if the bodies decomposed, the spirits remained. The body might rot away, but the soul could not escape this dungeon.

This place was literally a hell from which one could not escape—even after death.

Who would have imagined that a D-rank dungeon would be such a nightmare?

“On the surface, near the stairs, there weren’t many spirits wandering. In the centuries I’ve spent here, I’ve only seen about ten. I just thought they were ghosts at the time…”

Suddenly, the reason he was bringing this up became clear.

“Were you saying there were more down here?”

At my question, Michelan nodded.

“Yes, that’s correct. That’s also why I’m mentioning this now. The sheer number of spirits—seeing it myself, I’m convinced.”

“How many was ‘sheer’?”

Michelan glanced around once more. His eyebrows arched higher with every glance. After confirming, he spoke in a low voice.

“It seemed they easily exceed a hundred thousand.”

“…!!?”

“That’s just an estimate, but there’s an enormous number of them. Almost enough to form a physical entity.”

At that, everyone stiffened and trembled. More than a hundred thousand souls trapped in this darkness—essentially a nest of ghosts.

It was then.

Khuuu… huuuhuuuwoooosh.

Echoes resounded through the area, creating a dense, grotesque atmosphere. It sounded as if insects were swarming beneath the ground, producing a revolting noise.

“Everyone, draw your weapons!”

I shouted to my companions. Abel and Shail, who had been stunned, immediately moved their hands to their waists.

Flash!

Suddenly, the darkness was flooded with brilliant light. It felt as if midnight had turned into broad daylight in an instant.

“Ugh.”

I grunted as the light ruthlessly assaulted my eyes, making them burn.

However, I did not close them. I squinted as much as possible to maintain my vision.

Through the torrent of light, I forced my gaze forward and was left stunned by what my retinas captured.

“…Insane.”

It was a space at least ten times larger than the previous Minotauros’s chamber. Just the sheer size was astonishing.

I wouldn’t had been surprised if an S-rank magical beast’s lair had been smaller than this.

A massive temple stood before us. In terms of structure, it was a temple, but its scale was simply overwhelming.

It was essentially an underground city—something straight out of conspiracy theories, like a mystical sacred site.

However, the materials that made up this majestic structure were frankly horrifying.

Bones, skulls, decayed flesh. These three elements were the only materials used. Even the ground felt soft, unlike normal pavement.

“Oh, no…”

The three who opened their eyes after me were speechless.

An indescribable emotion coursed through them from head to toe.

They all trembled in horror.

“Look over there.”

Michelan, horrified, trembled as he pointed with a finger. His gaze ended at the highest tower of the temple.

At its peak, there was a throne. A vantage point from which the entire space could be observed.

And on that throne, seated with an air of arrogance, was a figure. It was a considerable distance away.

However, the nature of that entity was evident simply from the aura it emitted.

‘Draugr.’

A golden suit of armor, adorned with all sorts of dazzling jewels, gleamed brilliantly.

A crown rested upon its head, declaring its royalty to all who saw it.

The colors gray and red dominated the space, offering a clear yet unsettling contrast. However, something was bothering me.

‘Wasn’t Draugr supposed to wield a staff?’

Yet, the weapon this figure held was a sword.

As I watched, mesmerized by the peculiarity, the air trembled once more.

Rumble, rumble!

The ground quivered, and the walls seemed to melt.

In the next instant, the Draugr sitting on the throne slowly lifted its head, and its eyes gradually opened.

And at the same time, a voice rang out—not from ahead, but from behind.

“Oh, ah…”

It was a deeply disordered tone. Suddenly, all attention focused on one person. It was Abel.

She trembled as if experiencing a spasm, covering her mouth with both hands. But she could not completely suppress the voice that leaked between her lips.

“…Ah, Dad…?”