SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 46

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 46: The Demon King’s Name (3)

──────

Fear.

A feeling more human than any other.

“Eek...”

The face of the fallen Constellation was colored with such an emotion.

Uncertainty about the unknown future. The fear of possibly dying right there.

‘It’ was afraid of me. As I took another step forward, it groaned in terror. But a mere groan could not stop someone's footsteps.

“I’m really glad you’ve become human.”

I said.

“If you had remained a monster, killing you wouldn’t have made you eligible for [Ghoul Summoning], right? Or now it’s [Ghoul Reincarnation]. Whatever the skill name is…”

“Aaaaaa!”

Stagger.

It made a final attempt in its fear. The Demon King's red sword, now too heavy to be properly wielded. In a desperate effort, it grasped the great sword. Its arms, weakened to the extreme, lifted the red sword, swinging it wildly at me.

"Hmm."

Of course, such a reckless attack wouldn’t affect me. I easily dodged it. Once, twice, thrice, the fallen Constellation shook as it swung its sword.

The Guardian Spirit muttered.

-It’s hopeless.

He frowned.

-Even the stance is sloppy. Not properly grounded. Swinging a sword without even looking ahead. No confidence in the sword path, huh? What do you plan to do after swinging it? What’s your goal?

The Sword Emperor grumbled.

-Tsk. Typical of a swordsman who relies only on skills and aura. No, not even a swordsman.

After remaining silent since clearing the 19th floor, the ‘farce’ unfolding before the Sword Emperor seemed to deeply displease him.

-Look at that. A zombie. Look at that. That's why I always stress the basics. At the very last moment, all a human can rely on are their own hands and feet.

The Sword Emperor continued.

-Show it how it ends.

I did.

With a single swing of my sword, I shattered another. Chaang! The clashing of blades echoed fiercely. The fallen Constellation, in apparent shock, widened its eyes.

"Ah,"

One stroke, two pieces.

Before my eyes, the red greatsword split in two.

"Aah, uh... Aaah..."

Along with the shattered sword, the fallen Constellation’s last impulse to resist broke as well. Thud. The fragile creature sank onto the road, crushing the acacia petals beneath its small rear.

‘Is this the end of the Demon King?’

I calmly looked down at it, collapsed on the ground.

‘The Harvester of Death...’

Suddenly, I remembered what the tower had said when it bestowed my title on me. Respect to the king who harvests death. That was what the tower had proclaimed. Somehow, it seemed to fit the present situation, leaving me with a strange feeling.

‘Right. It's not wrong.’

I slowly applied force to the sword handle.

Just as I was about to strike down and claim the neck of the fallen Demon King.

-Wait, Zombie? Hold on for a moment.

"......"

-It’s rude to interrupt while you’re posing so dramatically, but I had to say something. Actually, I'm not sorry. Just bored. Anyway, don’t kill it yet, just wait.

As always, the Sword Emperor did ‘Sword Emperor’ things.

“Ah, geez. Why?”

I snapped back, irritation bubbling up. Since I didn't bring the Sword Saint or the Witch to the 20th floor, there was no hunter to misunderstand my talking to myself.

-It seems like you’re taking it for granted.

“What do you mean?”

-So, it’s not a monster anymore, that’s clear. But does that make it human? I mean, does it get treated the same as a human like you, Zombie?

Maybe it just became a regular NPC?

“So what if...”

-Does an NPC still count as a target for [Ghoul Reincarnation]?

I paused.

“Uh... maybe?”

-You are such a fucking pushover that you have not killed a single NPC yet. We know monsters are not covered by [Ghoul Reincarnation], but we still do not know whether NPCs are.

"......"

-What if you impulsively go ahead with it, and then it turns out [Sorry! NPCs aren’t eligible for the skill!]? What will you do then? Will you be responsible for the awkward atmosphere?

“No, but...”

-Hey, Kim Zombie. Wake up! I've experienced it, and the tower is extremely ruthless in this aspect.

Damn it.

Still fearful of death, the fallen throne was cautiously watching me.

Eyes filled with the terror of death.

As I cursed and rechecked the skill card.

[Ghoul Reincarnation]

Rank: SSS

Effect: You summon those you've personally killed. The deceased do not inherit their abilities from life. However, if you wish, they can inherit their memories and appearances from when they were alive. If you do not wish it, they will only be summoned as monsters.

*However, you can only summon once a week.

-Look at that. It says you summon ‘those’ you’ve directly killed.

The Sword Emperor pointed at the card.

-How do you know if this ‘those’ includes NPCs? Huh? Are you sure?

“Yes, NPCs are people. People.”

-Oh. That’s what you think, Mr. Kim Zombie.

The Sword Emperor spoke with a stern and solemn expression.

-Negotiate with the tower before chopping off that thing’s head.

“Negotiate with the tower...”

-Why? What’s wrong with that? You did well by yourself earlier. You’ve already done it once, can’t you do it twice?

“Hmm...”

That was true.

Feeling slightly sheepish, I looked up at the sky.

“Excuse me, Tower…?”

[The tower listens to your words.]

Thankfully, I wasn’t ignored this time.

Maybe it’s because I was given the ‘temporary apostle's authority’ earlier. At least for now, it seemed I could communicate freely with the tower.

“I have a question.”

-Come on. You were all informal with the tower earlier, now suddenly looking for polite language? Funny guy.

“That’s because I got emotional and slipped into informal speech earlier... Ah, forget it. Just be quiet!”

Even as we bickered, the tower diligently responded.

[The tower pays close attention to what your question is.]

“Let's see. Uh. So, does the Ghoul Reincarnation skill recognize NPCs as targets if they are killed? Or does it only count hunters like me?”

An unexpected answer came back.

[Requesting confirmation from Zuraqua.]
[Unable to confirm.]

[Your question is beyond the tower's authority.]

“Huh?”

But that wasn’t the end.

Then came a response that exceeded my expectations.

[Verifying the authority of the questioner.]

[Cleared. The King of Death currently holds the status of a temporary apostle.]

[The tower acknowledges the King of Death's question as a subject of discussion.]

And then.

[The tower requests a vote from the Six Pillars of All Lives.]

A blinding white light enveloped my vision.

ㆍ

'Huh?'

A moment passed, and when I blinked, I found myself in a secluded place. It wasn’t unfamiliar. It was more disconcerting because it was familiar.

The Netherworld. My dark hell.

The starting point I return to every time I die.

Put another way, it was a place I had no reason to visit unless I died.

‘Why here?’

Just then, a voice brought my consciousness back to reality.

[Confirming participants.]

Not just the voice.

[The 6th Pillar, ‘Staff of Time Immemorial,’ has joined.]

[The 5th Pillar, ‘The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages,’ has joined.]

[The 4th Pillar, ‘The Moon Contemplating Blindness,’ has joined.]

[The 3rd Pillar, ‘Legislator of the Beginning,’ has joined.]

[The 2nd Pillar, ‘The God Who Dances in Emptiness,’ has joined.]

"......"

No matter where I looked, only endless darkness unfolded, and nothing was visible to my eyes. However, I could feel it.

Their presence.

[Confirmed the presence of the Six Pillars of All Lives.]

[The tower shares the query raised by the temporary apostle, the King of Death.]

Their presence was felt from all directions.

Not just an indication of presence, but an overwhelming existence.

[Sharing complete.]

Voices flowed in a space wriggling with gazes.

[The majority vote meeting on the agenda begins.]

[Does the skill 'Ghoul Reincarnation' include NPCs as targets?]

[If you agree that NPCs are included, please vote in favor.]

[If you disagree that NPCs are included, please vote against.]

In low voices.

Beings without form spoke.

-Gesh... la... ZaquA cho... Deo...

An incomprehensible language.

-Sato, yovela? Weloyo-na Sh...! Deo phenta...

-kunto, nyola Gesh-ve-Nail na? Nai-Gesh-Nail na?

It was like a language made of shadows.

Invisible snakes filled the space. From the left and right, above and below, no, right in front of me, they hissed. Sssk... Sssk... Their voices were the tongues of snakes. The tongues were red and long, slipping into my ears and touching a corner of my brain. They licked it.

-Gesh... Mula-Gagamia... cho Gretehen Weloyo...

-Nail.

Dizziness overwhelmed me.

I should have been nothing but disembodied consciousness, yet nausea rose in me. I wanted to vomit. Anything would do. I wanted to spit out whatever I could. Grease was seeping into my stomach... no, into my brain.

The sensation of being licked to the core of my soul by tongues.

-Layo na.

Suddenly, all voices ceased.

-Gesh. Nail. Nai-Gesh-Nail.

-......

-Deo zakun.

Silence.

A profound silence descended upon the void. No entity spoke. The voices that had flowed into my ears, licking and consuming my brain fluid, also stopped. I finally felt like I was able to breathe.

‘They are not from the Tower!’

I gathered my thoughts with difficulty.

‘Entities from the Tower translate all languages... But these beings are different. They reside outside the Tower. Entities far beyond the likes of the Demon King of the Autumn Rain!’

Perhaps they were the architects of this Tower, lurking in an unimaginable realm.

After a brief silence,

[The vote on the query will proceed.]

A familiar voice echoed, bringing me comfort as if I had returned home.

[The 6th Pillar ‘Staff of Time Immemorial’ casts a dissenting vote.]

[The 5th Pillar ‘The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages’ casts an affirmative vote.]

[The 4th Pillar ‘The Moon Contemplating Blindness’ casts an affirmative vote.]

[The 3rd Pillar ‘Legislator of the Beginning’ casts a dissenting vote.]

[The 2nd Pillar ‘The God Who Dances in Emptiness’ abstains.]

Two votes in favor.

Two against.

One abstention.

"......"

I paused, perplexed.

I still did not know who these beings were or where they came from. But one thing was clear: they had the authority to decide matters concerning my skill, [Ghoul Reincarnation]. Yet their vote had produced neither approval nor rejection.

Why?

What do they expect from me?

‘Wait a minute.’

A realization struck me.

I looked around the formless space.

‘One more entity hasn’t voted yet.’

Right.

When I was summoned here, it was explicitly stated:

「The Tower requests a majority decision meeting with the Six Pillars of All Lives.」

Was it not the same before the serpentine voices hissed?

「Confirming participants.」

「Confirmed the presence of the Six Pillars of All Lives.」

‘Yes. It was mentioned there are six!’

The Tower assured that six entities were present in this space. However, the current voting tally was odd. Two affirmative votes, two negatives, and one abstention. That's only five.

Where did the sixth vote go?

And…

-......"

Who is this remaining entity that silences everyone?

'......'

The one who doesn't need to be summoned here.

Already present, not needing to arrive.

Always here, knowing everything.

The master of the Tower.

‘I believe...’

I looked straight into the dark space.

There was a heavy presence lurking there.

‘I think an affirmative vote is the right choice.’

I spoke as calmly as I could, sharing my thoughts.

‘If NPCs are not included in the skill, how did the Demon King summon countless monsters? The humans of the empire and the citizens of the kingdom that she slaughtered were all NPCs, weren't they?’

The presences quietly observed me.

‘Of course, I understand your concerns. You worry I might recklessly kill NPCs and then summon them as minions... But I’ve shown enough of who I am.’

In the dark space.

I looked in the direction of each presence.

And said,

‘I am not that kind of person.’

-......

‘And I won’t live like that in the future.’

It’s always the same.

No matter how mighty the being I face, my options are limited. There are only two options:

Fight them or persuade them.

‘The Demon King could summon NPCs as minions, why can’t I? That’s unfair.’

-Not bad.

Suddenly, something spoke.

The voice.

As if whispering right in my ear, yet also seemingly far away. It sent shivers down my spine. Every syllable sent a current down my spine.

-But it's troublesome.

The voice chuckled.

-King of Death. Speak from your heart, not your head.

'......'

I paused for a moment.

And I spoke the words I needed to say.

"This Demon King is my prey."

I said what I could.

“---It’s mine so keep your hands off.”

The voice burst into laughter.

[The 1st Pillar.]

[‘The Master of All Lives’ casts an affirmative vote.]

The laughter shattered the darkness like glass.

[The voting is concluded.]

[Three votes in favor, two against, one abstention.]

[The skill ‘Ghoul Reincarnation’ of the King of Death will include NPCs as targets.]

Clang, craack! Craaack!

The laughter shattered the darkness like a pane of glass. New gaps opened in the empty hell, and white light streamed through them.

[The King of Death’s temporary Apostle authority is revoked.]

Enveloped in blinding light, I realized something.

[The meeting is concluded.]

I had successfully convinced the Tower.

[May fortune be with you.]

ㆍ

-Zombie? Hey, Kim Zombie?

Blink.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw acacia petals, the Guardian Spirit, and the fallen Constellation once called the Demon King of Autumn Rain. The acacia petals made no sound, and the fallen Constellation did not dare make one.

Only the Sword Emperor floated about, speaking.

-Why the daze all of a sudden? Didn’t I tell you to ask the Tower?

"......"

-Zombie King, hey! You hearing me?

I felt strange.

It seemed like only a moment had passed, yet at the same time, it felt like an eternity. The memory of what just happened was quickly fading, making it hard to recall exactly what was discussed.

“Sword Emperor…”

-Oh, finally a response. Calling you a zombie so much, you’re starting to act like one.

“Didn’t you hear it? Didn’t you see it?”

-What?

“That thing, the Tower summoned me to the Netherworld, talking about All Lives, some Pillars, and... something like the Tower's master appeared, laughing... You don’t know?”

The Sword Emperor frowned.

Like someone looking at a rabid dog.

In short, it was the expression of someone staring at a lunatic.

-In my whole life, I’ve never felt sorry for anyone, but suddenly I feel sorry for you... I'll ease up on the zombie jokes. Get your head together.

"......"

He didn’t know.

The Sword Emperor, who had conquered the Tower up to the 99th floor and earned the title 'Sword Constellation,' had no idea what I was talking about.

A chill ran down my neck.

‘Who did I just meet?’

The chill wrapped around my neck and spread to my shoulders, eventually reaching my spine.

'What exactly...'

I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly.

‘Calm down, Kim Gong-Ja.’

After swallowing hard, I looked ahead.

My path still lay before me.

‘There’s still much I don’t know.’

The fallen Constellation sat collapsed in the middle of the road.

‘But there are things I do know.’

I slowly raised my sword.

‘Now, I deliver the final blow to my prey.’

Someday, when I reach the 100th floor of the Tower, perhaps I’ll understand more.

The Sword Emperor tilted his head.

-Are you just going to kill it? Without asking the Tower?

“It’s fine.”

I replied.

“I've already received my answer.”

The fallen Constellation reached out.

“Wait...! Spare...!!”

I swung my sword.

This sword was the weapon I received as a reward for laying the tenth floor’s dead to rest. It was the sword that moved the soldiers’ hearts when I first challenged the eleventh stage. Tens of times. Hundreds. Thousands. Whenever I was trapped in the prison of the twelfth stage, this sword had always been in my hand.

A blade that had shared my time and bore witness to it.

With that sword, I cut down the fallen Constellation.

"......!"

There was the faintest scream, and when it ended, the fallen Constellation collapsed.

Blood flowed.

The blood stained another acacia petal. Looking down at the white turning red, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Hundred Ghouls, return to life.”

Squirm!

My shadow stirred.

From the flat shadow, a black hand surged like emerging from a pit in hell. Seemingly reluctant to leave this hell, it resisted. But the struggle was futile.

“Stand up.”

The shadow couldn’t defy my command. It regurgitated a head, then a chest, waist, and legs.

“Th-this... sob, ah... aah...”

The entity, like a newborn fawn, trembled weakly. Despite having a fully grown body, it was merely a newborn life.

And…

"Ester is not a name you can have. It's not yours to take."

Those who bring life into the world always have responsibilities.

The first of those responsibilities is to give a name to the life one has taken responsibility for.

“Preta.”

With long hair flowing, it looked up at me.

“From now on, your name is Preta.”

“……”