Chapter 354 (1/2)

“Um...”

I couldn’t help letting out a sound.

Thick black hair and high eyebrows. Sharp and big eyes and a high nose. The man in front of me looked like me when I was younger. I never dreamed I would meet Alexus, the king of Atlan and Weather Chef, who was said to have died in Ragnarok.

“You look really shocked. I was surprised as well. I never imagined that you would be old. If I had lived then I would’ve looked like you? Hahaha!”

“......”

Alexus laughed, but I couldn’t say anything. I never thought that my past self and my present self would meet and talk in this way.

“Don’t look at me like that. I also feel weird because we look the same.”

I heard this and came to my senses. “Cough! Sorry, I never imagined I would see you this way. Please understand.”

“Well, it is like this.’

To be honest, I wasn’t only surprised a little bit. I was extremely surprised. I was so surprised that I didn’t know if I should talk in honorifics. It was the first time we were meeting so it was best to be respectful. Yoo Seonyeong laughed quietly like the meeting between Alexus and I was very interesting.

“What is so good about this?”

[No, it is just that the situation is so funny.]

“Groan.” I sighed deeply.

Then Alexus opened his mouth again, “Pluto, can I wake them up now?”

[Please do so. I gave them a heads-up in advance.]

“Yes, then I’m going.”

Alexus moved and slowly touched the stone statue near the entrance. He had obviously told me not to touch anything. Why was he touching this?

“......!”

Just then, a tremendous gust of ghostly air blew in the black desert and a cold chill spread through the desert. In an instant, black icicles appeared. I blinked as the terrain changed. Suddenly, desperate cries started to be heard from the ground. I turned to the source of the sound and there was an ominous feeling in my heart. “This...”

There were many ghosts rising from the black desert I had come across. The black chill that came from them couldn’t be underestimated. It gave me goosebumps that I had crossed such a place.

[In fact, this place is designated as a forbidden area that no one can enter even in the Underworld. The soul of sinners who have committed great sins are trapped in this black desert. You can think of it as a type of prison.]

“Why put them in this place? Isn’t it dangerous for you?”

[It’s okay. It has been a long time since a warden was sent to manage the sinners.]

[In any case, it is perfect for training. For reference, it is safe to assume that they have almost the same strength as when they were alive. They should be good opponents.]

“No, what are you saying all of a sudden...”

The moment I spoke, I could see a variety of ugly weapons being held in the hands of the ghosts that were gathering like ants. They were all unusual weapons and a momentary but tremendous killing intent poured toward me. Alexus stood next to me and spoke with a casual expression, “The first lesson is to handle all of them with Rising Sun.”

The group of terrible corpses caused the earth to shake as they rushed forward with strange sounds. Only then did I realize that I had come to hell.

“Shit.”

* * *

At the castle of the demon kings, the home of Ashtar and Lucifer...

Ashtar sat at the window and leisurely watched the red moon. He had been guarding this place while Lucifer wandered around. He occasionally heard news that someone was invading and came out to fight. His task was to protect the demon king’s castle against any possible attacks, but it was like torture to Ashtar.

He was called Commitment to Greed and he was always greedy for fights. It made life more enjoyable and gave it meaning. He was always happy where there was blood and the feeling of being alive was overwhelming. The more this happened, the more eager he was for a fight.

[How long do I have to stay like this?]

[Just put up with it a bit longer and you will be contacted. Didn't you feel the earthquake before? It wasn’t an ordinary one. It means that Lucifer will wake up as Gaia said.]

[No, I know that, but when the hell is he coming? Why is Lucifer always going around alone to do something fun? Isn’t that right?]

It happened as Ashtar’s two faces were having a conversation...

[I’m sorry for acting alone. Yes.]

Ashtar was startled by Lucifer’s sudden appearance and almost fell out the window. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to fall but he would undoubtedly be a laughing stock to the demons. If someone laughed then Ashtar would’ve struck them in the neck right away, but anyway.