Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Opening the Aok Space Prison (1)

In this situation, he would never select, ‘No . ’

There was just one thing to watch out for .

He couldn’t tell what was inside . What if a horrible creature came running out? He may be attacked as soon as he opened the door .

However, he couldn’t not open the door .

Kang-jun nodded cautiously and prepared for battle .

‘Yes! Open it . ’

[The Aok Key has been used once . ]

[The Aok has been opened . ]

Kang-jun was moved to an unknown space .

[You have become the master of this Aok . ]

[You may release any prisoners here or leave them locked up . ]

[The prisoner or prisoners in the Aok can’t attack the master of the Aok . ]

‘The Aok’s master?’

He only opened it with a key, yet he had become the master of the space prison .

Furthermore, the prisoner or prisoners couldn’t attack the master of the Aok, so he was safe .

'So, this is an Aok?’

He saw an unfamiliar space the moment the Aok was opened .

It was an enclosed stone chamber without any bars .

There were only small light fixtures attached to both sides of the wall in order to illuminate the interior .

‘If I was trapped here, I would starve to death . ’

There was no food or water to drink and even air didn’t flow in here .

A human absolutely couldn’t survive in this space .

However, there were so many bizarre beings in Hwanmong that there might be some capable of surviving here .

‘Is there really nobody?’

He looked but the room was empty .

No, there was something . Unlike the other parts of the room, there was one corner which contained a thick darkness .

‘Perhaps?’

Kang-jun was suspicious of the dark spot .

As he approached, it flinched .

Surprisingly, it was a shadow . The shadow took the form of a human man and gazed at Kang-jun . It was obvious that he was nervous and anxious .

"Who is the one that entered this humble and solitary place of despair . . . ?”

It was an evil voice that sounded like it came from hell . Just listening to it gave Kang-jun an eerie feeling .

However, Kang-jun stared at the shadow with detachment and said,

"I am the master of this Aok . I can release you or keep you locked up . ”

The shadow flinched at Kang-jun’s words, then bowed .

"This lowly prisoner looks forward to seeing Aok Master . ”

"Who are you?"

"I am a demon called Sud . ”

Demon? He had a bizarre form for a demon .

“A demon . However, why are you trapped in here?”

"A long time ago, the lord I served was defeated by the Second Demon King Colladikus . The demons, including myself, were imprisoned in the Aok . ”

He was one of the Second Demon King’s captives .

“My lord was the demon Merik . At that time, he was slain by the Second Demon King . But, who are you?”

“I am Sovereign Lucan, a commander of the Earth Hwanmong Defense Army . ”

Sud looked surprised .

"Then, what is your relationship with the Second Demon King Colladikus?”

"I don't have any affiliation with him . I suppose it is more of a hostile relationship . ”

Sud nodded with a bemused expression .

"I have a rough idea . The Second Demon King invaded Earth Hwanmong and you are facing him as a sovereign . Then by chance, you came across an Aok and came in using an Aok Key . ”

“Yes, you understand . "

It was good that Kang-jun didn’t need to explain it . Sud grabbed Kang-jun’s foot with both hands and begged .

"Aok Master! If you let me out of this desperate place, I will devote myself to you forever . ”

However, Kang-jun looked down at Sud with a frown .

‘I can’t just accept . ’

If it was someone great, he would release them with certain conditions .

However, the presence that Sud gave off was less than a slime . He had virtually no combat power .

It would be useless to take this shadow into his household .

However, he still needed to ask . Sud might be like Kajel who had become stronger after eating the Essence of Darkness .

"Right now, your combat power is less than one of my subordinates from Earth . Can you eat something like the Essence of Darkness to regain your original ability?”

Sud bowed and replied,

"I'm sorry but my combat power can’t increase any more . ”

Kang-jun was dumbfounded . If this was true, Sud had no value as a household member .

"I don’t need incompetent people . If you don’t prove your value to me, I will close the door again . ”

Sud’s body trembled and he said,

"I am a demon with a non-combat ability . I don’t have any combat power but I know alchemy . ”

"Alchemy?"

"I can’t show you because I don’t have any ingredients . However, I am sure that I can make what you need . For example, I can make potions . ”

Potions usually came pouring in when he killed monsters . Still, an alchemist could make potions in bulk, so he would be useful .

Kang-jun looked at Sud with a slightly more interested expression .

"So, you can make health potions or black magic energy potions?”

"Yes, that’s right . If you have ingredients, I can show you right now . ”

"What ingredients are needed?”

"One bottle of any potion and an essence . It doesn’t matter what type . ”

Kang-jun looked at his inventory .

“I have a potion and essence . ”

Usually his inventory only contained moonstones and potions, but luckily an Essence of Darkness had dropped .

Kang-jun handed an advanced health potion and one Essence of Darkness to Sud .

Sud took them and placed them on the floor .

First, he grabbed the Essence of Darkness and chanted a spell .

Sususu .

The Essence of Darkness turned into powder . Sud added the powder to the health potion and chanted a spell again .

Hwakak!

Then the health potion shone brightly .

"It’s done . You can look at it now . ”

Sud extended the potion to Kang-jun .

[Advanced Regeneration Medicine of Darkness]

-Restores 500 health points .

-Agility will increase by three for 30 seconds after drinking it .

‘Oh!’

Kang-jun was amazed . The potion that Sud created had the best recovery effect that he had seen .

An advanced recovery potion restored 300 health points .

This one restored a huge 500 points .

Furthermore, there was an additional effect .

Although it was only for 30 seconds, his agility still rose by three!

"This is quite usable . ”

Kang-jun made a satisfied expression and Sud looked relieved .

"I can make many things as long as I have the ingredients . Particularly, if you give me your shadow then I will always make things that you need by your side . ”

"My shadow?”

"Yes, I will become your shadow . While you are fighting our enemies, I can pick up a variety of rare herbs, ores, essences and other materials . There are many things in niche dimensions . ”

He could collect rare herbs .

If so, it was worth accepting him as a subordinate .

“Okay . Then will you join my household?”

Kang-jun smiled and reached out his hand . Sud trembled as he grabbed it .

"Of course, Lord . ”

[The demon Sud has joined your household . ]

[Sud will become your faithful subordinate in the world of Hwanmong . ]

Sud’s bod was sucked into Kang-jun’s shadow .

[The demon Sud has been connected to your shadow . ]

[Sud’s alchemy space belongs to you . ]

[Sud's 100 inventory spaces have been added . ]

‘100 inventory spaces?’

Kang-jun was surprised . Currently, the Ghoul Lord’s Heavy Armour gave him 30 spaces .

Now that he had Sud, that increased by 100 spaces .

(Lord, you can use my inventory freely . Just leave it half empty so I have room to place the ingredients that I pick up . )

There was a sound from his shadow . It was a type of telepathy .

“Okay . I’ll remember that . ”

Kang-jun stepped out of the Aok with a smile .

The Aok disappeared and Kang-jun stood in the forest where he had fought the ratian lord .

‘Shall I go back now?’

Kang-jun was about to fly off .

(Lord, wait a minute . )

Sud hurriedly exclaimed .

[Sud has acquired one Essence of Darkness from the surroundings . ]

Sud had found an Essence of Darkness in the area . Kang-jun smiled .

This was quite useful .

"Is there anything else?”

(Nothing, Lord . )

“Okay, then I will return . ”

Kang-jun flew upwards and soared towards the Defense Army’s safe zone .

Once he returned to the magic circle, a woman in a robe approached Kang-jun .

"Commander Lucan! You have returned safely from the Bloody Battlefield . Will you return to headquarters now?”

"I will go there . ”

Kang-jun nodded and the woman reached out her hands .

"Thank you for the trouble . As soon as you return, you will be rewarded for your achievements on the battlefield . ”

Kang-jun was surrounded by a bright light .

[You have accumulated 642 achievement points on the Bloody Battlefield . ]

[Now, you will be rewarded for your achievements . ]

[You have gained two levels . ]

[Your charisma has risen by one . ]

‘Oh! Level up!'

He was level 47 .

Furthermore, his charisma had also risen by one .

Lv . 47 (Exp 00 . 00%)

[War] Intermediate

Health: 3110/3110 .

Black Magic Energy: 2780/2780

Strength: 51 (+5)

Agility: 52 (+5)

Intelligence: 48

Good Luck: 9

Charisma: 17 (+4)

Unlike before, there was a periodic evaluation . Once he returned to headquarters from the battlefield, he was immediately compensated for the achievements accumulated on that day .

‘It is a jackpot . ’

He could see why Rainkar recommended the Bloody Battlefield .

It was dangerous but the fastest method of growth!

Those words were true .

[Hayun’s abilities have risen . ]

[Keirun’s abilities have risen . ]

······

[Melinad’s abilities have risen . ]

[Sud’s abilities have risen . ]

The capabilities of his household members rose once again .

Sud, who he just gained, was also included .

Then a message appeared .

[Sud's alchemy space has been enlarged . ]

[Sud's inventory has increased to 120 spaces . ]

‘His rise in abilities increased the inventory spaces?’

His growth pattern was different from the others .

It was quite good for Kang-jun .

[The door to Hwanmong is closed . ]

After returning to headquarters, Kang-jun received the message that his time in Hwanmong was over and woke up .

The next day, 8 o’clock .

Once Kang-jun had returned home after a hard day’s work, Lawyer Han Yeon-soo came to see him .

“Hoho! Did I come too late?”

“No . By the way, have you eaten?”

Kang-jun asked politely . Han Yeon-soo smiled .

“No . I wanted to handle this first . ”

She brought two boxes .

"What is that?”

"I brought two boxes, so that I wouldn’t come here empty-handed . ”

"I see . ”

Kang-jun didn’t refuse it and guided her to the couch .

“Did something happen?

"Please check this first . The sovereigns contacted us in order to send you money . ”

A total of 3 . 06 billion won was deposited .