The Return of the Wicked Player
Chapter 04 —
Seoul, Jongno District – Headquarters of the Korea Players Association.
“What?! An Abyss-type Gate appeared?”
Vice President Min Seong-gyu shouted so loudly it felt like the room shook.
Only three minutes ago, a Gate had appeared right in the middle of the Blood Demon Memorial Hall.
He quickly checked the photo his staff had sent him.
In the picture, a giant whirlpool of thick, black smoke was spinning.
‘This is just like the one from 20 years ago…!’
The Cradle of the Abyssal Lord.
The Gate that caused tens of thousands of casualties.
The worst, most difficult Gate ever recorded.
Even the Gate Break phenomenon—the sudden bursting open of the Gate without warning and spewing out monsters—was the same.
“But it’s been quiet until now… why all of a sudden?”
After the guild Seven Stars had cleared it 20 years ago, not a single Abyss-type Gate had appeared.
Not once in twenty years.
That was natural, since they had publicly declared that the Abyssal Lord had been slain.
Everyone thought everything connected to the Abyss had been rooted out.
– We don’t know the cause yet. We’ve already contacted Gate specialists, and they’re investigating immediately.
His staff reported through the phone.
A disaster of unknown origin had come again.
Min Seong-gyu rubbed his face with his hand in frustration.
“Evacuate the citizens immediately. Deploy all forces at maximum capacity. Secretary Kim, contact the Chairman right now. Tell him we have an emergency report!”
“Yes, Vice President.”
This wasn’t just a national crisis—it was global.
And this time, it could become an even bigger catastrophe than 20 years ago.
Because this time—
‘…Baek Kang-hyuk isn’t here.’
The Guardian of Humanity, Baek Kang-hyuk.
He had been the key hero who cleared the last Abyssal Gate.
He gave his life to save the world.
Many still mourned and admired him to this day.
Of course.
‘No one has that kind of power anymore.’
There wasn’t a single player as strong as Kang-hyuk, willing to sacrifice everything for humanity.
Which meant there was no one capable of clearing this Abyss-type Gate.
“…This is a disaster.”
A sense of doom pressed on him—this time, Earth might really face its end.
As Vice President, he would do everything in his power to stop it.
But he couldn’t guarantee success.
‘…If only Kang-hyuk were still alive.’
The hero who always found a way, no matter the danger.
His closest friend.
The Blood Demon, Baek Kang-hyuk.
When Kang-hyuk died, Min Seong-gyu had grieved more than anyone.
‘That guy… he would’ve figured out a way, somehow.’
He always did.
But the dead don’t return.
Holding onto useless hope was meaningless.
“No one is allowed to enter the Gate. Keep strict watch until I report to the Chairman. I’ll head over right after.”
Just as he was about to hang up—
– Vice President! T-terrible news!
His staff shouted frantically over the line.
“What is it? Were there casualties?”
– No, thankfully no casualties. But… it seems someone already entered the Gate.
“What?!”
Min Seong-gyu’s face turned pale.
Someone entered a Gate that could be a disaster—without headquarters approval?
“Which guild’s raid team is it? Did you confirm their ID?”
– N-no, sir. According to witnesses… it was just one person who went in, alone…
“…Alone?!”
His head spun.
The Abyss-type Gate had nearly overwhelmed the Seven Stars, the strongest raid team at the time.
And someone went in alone? As soon as it appeared?
‘They must be insane…!’
Whoever entered, the Gate wouldn’t open for anyone else until they either died or cleared it.
But clearing it solo was impossible for anyone but the top world-rankers.
If it was just some ordinary person who wandered in…
“…I’m heading there now. Lock down the perimeter and gather more witness testimony!”
This was an accident.
A huge accident.
With a heavy sense of dread, Min Seong-gyu rushed toward the Memorial Hall.
Inside the Gate.
[The subordinates, overwhelmed by immense Sin, bow down in reverence!]
Baek Kang-hyuk reread the message several times before he understood it.
“…So, you guys are scared of me, huh?”
999,999,999.
That overwhelming Sin value.
It seemed that was why the skeletons had all fallen to their knees.
He approached one skeleton and pressed his sword against it.
Clack, scrape—
But they didn’t move.
No matter how much he threatened or prodded them, they stayed bowed, frozen in place.
Like subjects showing loyalty to their king.
‘This is insane.’
What was this Sin, really? To have such ridiculous effects?
He didn’t know yet.
But one thing was clear—
‘This means I can walk straight to that fortress without trouble.’
All the undead on the bridge were bowing to him.
Getting Heaven’s Punishment was unfortunate, but…
‘If I can obtain Authority, I can offset it.’
Which meant—
“First, I’ll grab that Golden Crown.”
It wasn’t over until it was over.
He had to complete the quest to truly become the master of Authority.
Like Moses parting the Red Sea, Kang-hyuk walked through the bowing corpses toward the fortress.
[Remaining Time – 27:58]
He didn’t know what awaited inside.
But whatever it was—
‘I’ll devour it whole.’
Inside the fortress audience chamber.
An undead knight stood guard before a black throne.
Roderick Darkfell.
A name personally bestowed by the previous lord.
‘So… it’s been 300 years.’
It had been a long time since his master fell into eternal slumber.
Roderick and all the subordinates had been asleep in the Abyss ever since.
The lord’s last command echoed in his mind:
“When a successor to my throne appears, you too shall awaken.”
Today, after 300 years, a successor had finally come.
Roderick’s duty was clear.
“Block the one who opens the Gate of Origin. Never bow to anyone weaker than you.”
That was the command passed down.
And Roderick had an especially important role—
To guard the Golden Crown, the final key to ascending the throne.
‘Even a demon royal would struggle to surpass me!’
Among the subordinates, none could match his swordsmanship.
He had once risen to Captain of the Guard.
A knight of unmatched strength and loyalty.
‘How strong will this successor be, I wonder?’
He was excited.
Would they rival the lords who could shatter mountains with a gesture?
Or those who commanded the Abyss to sweep away millions?
This successor must surely be another of that caliber.
‘If I can cross blades with such a strong one, even once… I’ll die without regret.’
Just then—
Boom!
The audience chamber doors slammed open.
“Ohh, already here!”
Barely ten minutes since he awakened, yet the countless undead above the cliffs had already been defeated?
‘Just how powerful is this one!’
Roderick’s eyes burned with anticipation.
The successor walked in and spoke—
“Why are you hiding in a corner? You’re hard to find.”
“…!”
Roderick froze.
No, more than that—he was disappointed.
The successor he had waited 300 years for…
“…A human?”
A frail, weak-looking human.
Not a demon. Not a dragon. Not a transcendent.
Just… human.
‘And I’m supposed to serve that?’
Unacceptable.
He hadn’t slept for 300 years to end up as a guard for some pathetic human.
“Human. How could someone like you possibly open the Gate of Origin?”
His cold voice echoed in the hall.
But then—
Clink.
The human tossed something onto the floor.
A glowing black orb.
Roderick’s eyes widened.
‘That’s… my lord’s magic essence?!’
The human smirked.
“The Abyssal Lord’s avatar—I killed it.”
“What… my lord’s avatar? You?!”
“Yeah. The one with the horns. Beat him, and he told me to become the new Lord.”
The description matched. The late lord had said, “Whoever slays my avatar will be my successor.”
‘…Could it be luck?’
Maybe he just delivered the final blow after others weakened it.
Or maybe… this human had hidden depths.
Because—
‘This pressure I feel…’
Since the human entered, an unknown force weighed heavily in the air.
Was it just because Roderick had only just awakened after centuries?
No matter. The truth would be revealed in battle.
“Show me your strength, human. You cannot have the crown unless you defeat me!”
He drew his sword.
The human pulled out a rusty blade.
“…So you’re the type who only understands through fighting.”
The human smirked, raised his sword, and charged.
And thus, the clash began.
(The chapter continues with the duel: Kang-hyuk’s superior skill and overwhelming Sin crush Roderick, proving him unworthy to resist. Kang-hyuk kills him, takes the Golden Crown, and clears the quest. Then, a new message appears—he has achieved the unique title: “Chosen by the Primordial Abyss.”)
Would you like me to also summarize the duel scene in smooth detail (step by step combat, Kang-hyuk’s taunts, Roderick’s realization about Sin, and the final kill), or keep it exactly as written with every strike?
