Chapter 667: Bridle

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Nabiryeong was walking in a corridor lit by hazy lights.

Strangely enough, no footsteps were heard even though she was walking on hardwood.

Instead, her long mesh cape sometimes made a faint sound.

Soon, Nabiryeong stopped in front of a huge door.

Beyond the door is the person that Nabiryeong serves.

While waiting for the door to open, Nabiryeong calmed her agitated mind.

‘This time is a complete defeat for that person. They put in so much effort, but it failed beautifully. I wonder how they will react.’

More than anyone Nabiryeong knew, they were good at being heartless and hiding their emotions.

Even Nabiryeong, who can read anyone in a snap, couldn’t easily see through the person’s mind.

The only emotion that Nabiryeong could read was hatred toward the Heavenly God that had accumulated for a long time.

Cheonshin’s name always made their long fingers tremble slightly with anger.

But today, they might show their feelings for other reasons.

‘Will they show anger? Humiliation? Would they be ashamed?’

Nabiryeong collected information about what happened in Eungwang High before coming here.

As the situation hadn’t been completely settled yet, information was spreading in a sporadic manner, but it had always been Nabiryeong’s specialty to get what she needed amidst the confusion.

She had already grasped the full extent of that person’s failed plan.

Nabiryeong was caught by her old lover, Yoon, and even though his return was later than scheduled, she felt so good that she didn’t care.

‘He was worried that I was hurt by TL Park. He’s a really good human, but he’d be better off if he was a little corrupted…’

Creek…!

The sound of the door opening interrupted Nabiryeong’s thoughts.

On the other side of the darkness where nothing was visible even in the eyes of the night-eyed butterfly, that person was waiting.

The butterfly that usually accompanies Nabiryeong went to the person.

Soon after, Nabiryeong lowered herself to show respect.

“I have returned from my mission.”

“Report.”

Nabiryeong was deeply disappointed when she heard their voice.

There was no sign of agitation.

Nabiryeong hid her disappointment and calmly reported on her work and achievements in the association.

“Well done.”

That person rarely praises anyone for their work.

Normally, Nabiryeong would’ve accepted the words with humility while unable to hide her joy, but after some calculation, she decided to hesitate.

Seeing Nabiryeong silent, that person spoke first.

“You don’t seem happy. Do you know what happened in Eungwang High?”

“Yes.”

The events in Eungwang High were being reported on extensively, so it would be odd if Nabiryeong said she didn’t.

As if to test Nabiryeong, that person asked another question.

“Do you know what happened to Uma?”

That reminded Nabiryeong of the moment when she melted Uma’s hands.

She had been giving Uma numerous gifts over a long period of time.

When Uma was still wary of her, he would break the gift, throw it away, or disassemble it to examine the contents, but he didn’t find anything particularly strange.

It was after he completely trusted her that Nabiryeong gifted an object that could interfere with Uma.

The gift was the ring that melted his hand.

‘They ordered Uma to bring the treasure of the Tiger Clan. In the course of fulfilling his mission, Uma tried to use the treasure himself and then… he got caught by me.’

Nabiryeong gave Uma the ring, saying that she wanted him to feel her presence even when they were away.

Uma would’ve been in the hands of the Tiger Clan by now, but she didn’t know what they would’ve done with him.

She guessed that they’d inflict pain without killing him, but she was uncertain.

She played a role in the capture of Uma, but Nabiryeong was able to proudly tell the truth.

The person who was observing her from beyond the darkness continued.

“He’s not coming back. There is no rescue plan.”

“…We were trying to figure it out.”

At his words, Nabiryeong bowed her head and gave a look of deep sadness and resignation.

Apart from the mention of Uma, as if Nabiryeong’s loyalty was well conveyed, that person didn’t mention him again.

“I lost, I failed, but I gained some things.”

At their words, Nabiryeong swallowed a smile.

Two of the heads of the 12-point alliance he took over, one of the Eight Real Bears, and several of the royal lineages who followed them.

All that was in exchange for the little information that Nabiryeong brought.

Nabiryeong thought that the drowsy voice was bluffing.

“As in our contract, we will receive a price from those who fail.”

The man’s words were very strange.

What contract, and how can he get a price from those who failed and are already in the hands of the Tiger Clan?

Nabiryeong’s questions were resolved soon enough.

“Now that I can control the Demon Race, I can summon those who are in the Demon World.”

This grand scheme isn’t only the ones who swore allegiance to him.

It also included the Demon Race who were tied up in a trading relationship.

He has shared a contract with them although they are not subject to his orders.

‘I can’t believe he’s made such an intricate plan yet still thought about the possibility of failure…!’

That person didn’t reveal everything he planned.

Nabiryeong desperately guessed the clue from his brief remarks.

Those who failed to hold Hwangho even after obtaining the bands left by Cheongho.

The Demon Race who failed to assassinate descendants and destroy the terrestrial lines in Eungwang High.

Among them, those who were not caught by the Tiger Clan will be that person’s new pawns.

As a debtor who is obliged to pay the price, not as an equivalent.

‘It’s not just that. Now that the Demon Race is in his hands, those who were sent to the demon world will return.’

That person will order to bring back their men who are loyal enough to jump into the demon world and who are strong enough to survive without guidance.

Nabiryeong felt foolish that she thought they would feel agitated.

“There’s something you have to do until the new year comes, Nabiryeong.”

After a short reflection, Nabiryeong prepared to fight again.

“Command me.”

***

Afterlife, the next world, the underworld.

Gods and concepts of death are as diverse as the kinds of words that refer to the afterlife.

The underworld also exists in many forms as various mythological systems coexist in this world due to worldly collisions.

The place where I arrived is the famous world beyond the ground that appeared in Mesopotamian mythology.

The appearance of the underworld was directly described when the goddess Ishtar descended here.

There were several theories as to why Ishtar headed to the underworld.

One was that after Gugalanna was overthrown by Gilgamesh, Ishtar went down to dominate the underworld in his name.

It felt similar since I fought Gugalanna’s power before coming here.

‘I’m not here for those reasons though.’

Fwaaa!

At that moment, a gentle light came out from the horns of blue and gold in my hand.

Gugalanna’s power seemed to be reacting here.

I looked around and saw a huge door.

‘Is this the first of the seven?’

Ishtar is said to have passed through seven gates leading to the underworld, giving up her powerful armor and jewelry one by one.

I was convinced that it was this door, but something was on my mind.

‘Why isn’t there a gatekeeper?’

There was a gatekeeper who blocked Ishtar from the myths.

I don’t intend to open the door without permission just because there’s no gatekeeper, but I can’t just stay here like this.

Still, as long as I have this horn in my hands, someone will come to pick me up soon.

I decided to wait and see.

‘Ok Toyeon must’ve met Eunho by now.’

I kept wondering about the world as I was alone in the cold world of death.

The Silver Hero asked to make Ok Toyeon and Eunho meet, but I don’t know if my plan worked accordingly.

I predicted that if I headed to the underworld, the tigers would contact Ok Toyeon.

I adjusted the scheduled messages to after the Tiger Clan would contact her.

Other tigers do not get along well with Ok Toyeon, so it won’t be easy to dig up information.

That’s why it’s highly likely that it’s Eunho who will initiate meeting the rabbit.

Though it’s possible that Hwang Jiho will face Ok Toyeon without making her meet Eunho, I can’t guarantee it.

‘I wonder if the messages arrived well to the others. Is everyone getting ready for the Christmas party?’

I contacted all the good people.

I had no choice since I thought they wouldn’t enjoy Christmas if I left without a word.

Perhaps they’d still notice my absence, but I couldn’t help it.

‘In any case, the second message should arrive without a problem.’

I still have a lot of work to do, so I plan to go back as soon as possible.

However, I’m not someone who can guarantee the future.

My family left me without a message.

I don’t think it’s because they have nothing to say to me.

As my mind was getting hazy with such thoughts, my eyes were glued to the door.

‘Could my family be beyond that door?’

Is there any possibility that this world and my world’s underworld are connected?

But even if it is, I hope my family is not here.

It’s cold and dark here, and my siblings don’t like the dark.

I remember how my siblings would come to my room and ask to sleep beside me.

Those nights are when I lose sleep because the lights are always on.

Lost in my old thoughts, the door of the underworld began to open slowly.

Gukukuku…

I saw a lamp through the opening door.

I could see someone whose face was completely covered.

They were also covering their body with great care, and it seems to be to suppress the divinity emanating from their whole body.

[Welcome. A living human being.]

The voice seemed to belong to a superior being.

Even without introductions, I knew who it was.

The Goddess of the Underworld, Ereshkigal, appeared.

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