Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

Chapter 144




Gideon felt a sense of loss mixed with an inexplicable joy when the girl, Baek Eun Ha, took the Seal of the Underworld from him.

‘…Does this really exist? This level above me.’

In Gideon’s era, there was no one who could truly stand in his way.

Not just other necromancers, but everyone in the entire world.

Gideon was unparalleled, standing above all. Yet absurdly, it was precisely because of this that he clung to one last remnant of attachment.

‘Is the realm I achieved truly the end?’

Gideon now faintly understood that no matter how much time passed, he could not gain any strength beyond this point.

If this was truly the highest place, he was ready to return to the earth without a second thought.

The problem was, there was no way to confirm that.

‘If only there were one person, just one person, who was my equal…’

If that were the case, he could have been certain. Whether this was the final step given to humanity, or if he simply did not have the right to ascend to the next.

And to confirm this, Gideon sealed his soul with a special magic, waiting for some descendant to invite him into a new era.

‘I had originally transferred that responsibility to a few…’

Now that he had finally set foot in a distant foreign land, it was clear that they had abandoned that responsibility for some reason.

However, Gideon was certain.

All of this was merely a process to meet Baek Eun Ha here and now.

“What a truly beautiful Death Energy.”

But as Gideon’s lips moved, he corrected himself.

“No, it would be more accurate to consider it something entirely different now.”

Indeed, the energy flowing from the Underworld door that Baek Eun Ha had summoned was already on a completely different path than Death Energy.

Such energy continued to increase, soon filling the land of Philociam that Gideon had summoned.

At that exact moment, Baek Eun Ha, who had been silently standing, spoke again.

“This place feels a bit too cramped.”

Immediately, with just a gesture of her hand, the space created by Gideon’s stone was shattered into pieces.

To be precise, it included not just the space of the stone, but even the dungeon beyond it.

As the confined space shattered, the door to the Underworld accelerated the spread of that energy, and Gideon soon felt himself settling into a much wider expanse as he quickly realized what it was.

‘Is this Earth?’

The refreshing air that stood in contrast to the dungeon, and the countless presences of life that could be felt from a distance.

Certainly, it was a remarkably splendid planet.

“…So, what do you intend to show me?”

“Something like this.”

Whoosh.

Grumble.

Screech.

Finally, the door to the Underworld began to open, and with it, the surrounding land started to change its nature once more.

Dark blue mist flowed across the ground, with a steady current that undulated in all directions like a river.

Additionally, the sky changed color, slowly tinting the surroundings with a glowing darkness.

Facing this sight, Gideon was convinced.

He had never seen the real thing in his life, but without a doubt, this was the Underworld.

The homeland of the dead, the land of lost souls.

The mythical sight was unfolding before Gideon’s eyes.

At the same time, entities possessing unfathomable power began to manifest from that door.

Something between a middle-aged man and an old man, completely dyed in the colors of the night sky.

He was seated on something that looked like a ferry and held a long oar as if he were its master.

The size was truly enormous, surpassing that of ordinary giants.

“If you happen to die and go to the afterlife, you’ll surely board this boat as well.”

It was a truly grand and solemn statement. Despite the situation, Gideon let out a chuckle without realizing it.

“Well, it might be sooner than later.”

As Baek Eun Ha spoke, something emerged from behind Charon, gazing quietly at Gideon with three gigantic heads tilted.

Gideon immediately recognized what it was.

It was none other than Cerberus, the guardian of the Underworld and the hellhound.

Gideon was indeed an absolute being, but before them, he felt as insignificant as a pebble on the roadside.

While it wasn’t quite that extreme, their majesty was overwhelming enough to consume his thoughts.

As Gideon stood rigidly paralyzed, Baek Eun Ha simply offered a quiet remark.

“So, is there really any need to continue?”

“…How amusing.”

That reply was not aimed at Baek Eun Ha, but rather a self-deprecating remark directed at himself.

‘The long-held questions were finally resolved.’

The realm that Gideon reached was not the complete end, for there existed a place higher than this, and one who had truly set foot there stood right before him.

However, contrary to his previous expectation that he would be satisfied and resigned at this realization, Gideon felt another emotion taking hold inside him.

“I want to step on that staircase as well.”

And he finally understood. It was not that he wanted to confirm his own realm, but that he had always hoped for something greater above.

Thus, the only response he could utter was one.

“Until the very end, I ask for your favor.”

Kneeling on one knee, with his fist resting on the designated spot while he slightly bowed his head.

That was, to Gideon’s knowledge, the ultimate expression of reverence.

#
To be honest, the outcome was all too predictable and obvious.

‘Surely they knew on that side as well.’

Gideon’s subordinates struggled, but they couldn’t withstand my undead and the entities enhanced by the Seal of the Underworld.

And eventually, having exhausted all their strength, the outcome of the battle was decided.

“T-this… This can’t be happening…”

From afar, Heimbel kept repeating himself with a dazed expression as he observed Gideon’s condition and my power.

Considering he had returned to Earth faster than me, he probably never imagined my realm would reach such heights.

Which is why he was so sure and confident in his stance.

‘…Well, to be frank, my backup was beyond expectations.’

Gideon truly displayed strength and prowess beyond what I’d thought.

But thanks to that, I was now fully convinced.

There would never be another necromancer who achieved a higher realm than me, past or future.

“…This should suffice. It was worth watching.”

Normally, I would have just beheaded him without a second thought, but this time I too waited for his words.

I was surprised by his skills, and it was my way of showing respect.

To that, Gideon, appearing relieved as if shedding all burdens, finally spoke his last words to me.

“I have a request.”

“…What is it?”

“From now on, I’d like you to look after her in my stead.”

Gideon pointed with his finger at the silver-haired girl who had just fought between Hans and Cerberus.

Her eyes were covered with cloth, rendering her identity unknown, but frankly, I was intrigued.

“She’s not a complete undead, is she?”

“Your words are correct.”

From what I could tell, the girl was a long-lived species, and surely a rather special kind.

“I had made a promise, but ultimately, I couldn’t fulfill it.”

“I’d prefer not to take on a troublesome task.”

“No, it’s likely you could fulfill it naturally. Just by keeping her company will suffice; do you understand?”

Having said that much, it felt awkward to refuse, so I nodded.

Having transferred the contract with her to me, Gideon slowly surveyed the scenery of the Earth while softly closing his eyes.

“It’s a pity, but I have no regrets.”

At that moment, his body began to dissolve like dust.

Having already exhausted his lifespan, with the will holding it together gone, he was finally returning to where he belonged.

“…As promised, I’ll take good care of her.”

“What’s so important that you’re being so careful?”

“She is my master.”

No, is this guy really insane?

As I looked at him with disbelief, Gideon chuckled in response.

Then suddenly, his expression stiffened, as if he was about to say something.

“Recall… Landa.”

“Ugh, what now?”

“The Underworld you summoned—I definitely visited that place before…”

Indeed, I was curious about that part. According to the legends Henesia told me, there was indeed a part where Gideon supposedly met the king of hell and bid farewell to his lover.

Glancing at his state, it made sense. Gideon hadn’t drawn out all the power of the seal, so he might have lost memories of that place due to the influence.

‘But wait, is there a way to directly go to the Underworld?’

That was something I didn’t know either. I had concentrated, but Gideon’s form had nearly vanished completely.

“In the past, I went there to find the soul of my deceased lover.”

Finally, he left behind just one last word and concealed his shape.

“…But, the king of the Underworld from the old tales no longer existed there.”


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