Chapter 148: The King Of Shadows

It was a dimly lit cavern.

Numerous individuals had gathered in the cavern, clad in white uniforms, their faces filled with pride.

And the further back one went, the more their expressions faded. There were those with expressionless faces, as if their expressions had vanished like dolls.

They were the Magic Soldiers.

They were the soldiers of the empire, despised and feared by those who live in this world.

The Nazi Empire had risen, kidnapping all the Jews around them and forcibly transforming them into Magic Soldiers, incapable of even thinking for themselves.

At the very front of the Magic Soldiers.

There were beings in white outfits with medals imbued with sinister powers.

Schutzstaffel.

Commonly known as the SS.

The prime executioners of the Nazi Empire, intent on drowning the world in darkness.

“What’s this, why has everyone gathered today?”

“Didn’t you see the schedule? Today also serves as a funeral.”

“A funeral? Oh, could it be for that Grey guy?”

“Yes. He died in the line of duty.”

Someone mocked Grey’s death as a conservative warmonger, while others mourned him.

“But it’s strange. Grey knew his place. Though he was at the bottom of the Schutzstaffel, he wouldn’t have taken on a mission he was likely to fail.”

“What was the mission?”

“An assassination mission. To kill a student opposing the Nazi Empire.”

“Grey lost to a mere student?”

The Schutzstaffel buzzed with laughter.

Their laughter deepened. Who were they? A monster group that had turned the entire world into ‘enemies’ and survived as one-man armies. Only the deputy and chief had the highest rank, but most of them possessed significant combat power.

Their number was a mere handful even within the empire.

Being the lowest rank in this group of about 15 members and losing to a mere student? That was a disgrace.

“Quiet, everyone. The Governor-General, the incarnation of the Black Sun, is arriving.”

At someone’s word, the Schutzstaffel instantly fell silent.

The incarnation of the Black Sun.

A being that commanded their utmost reverence.

The most glorious being who led them and altered the ‘history’ that nearly resulted in defeat during World War II.

The supreme leader of the Nazi Empire, who became the embodiment of the Black Sun and transcended the limits of life.

The Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler.

The incarnation of evil who, despite facing the world as an enemy, sustained the Nazi Empire and cast the nations of Europe into a chasm of despair.

He appeared.

Hooooong…

His mere presence elevated the temperature around him. An extraterrestrial being that incinerated everything to ashes. A scene that naturally inspired awe.

The Magic Soldiers stirred.

The overwhelming magical energy swirling around him infused them with strength. His presence alone could alter the course of the war.

Hitler moved.

A golden eagle was engraved.

Below it, a swastika pattern.

From his elevated seat, he raised his arm into the air.

“Heil Hitler!”

Following his lead, the Schutzstaffel saluted. Their salute seemed to embody a kind of madness. Pleased with their salute, Hitler sat down.

-Let’s begin the meeting. Start with the status of the Hundred Temple.

“Yes! The Hundred Temple is currently suppressing our comrades in America. It is presumed that their goal is to expel all Mines from the country of America.”

-Is there no way to conceal them?

“…Yes, there is none. The Hundred Temple has summoned false gods to hunt our comrades directly.”

-Those indolent false gods have made their move… It will indeed be challenging for our comrades to endure. We have no choice then. Guide them to the empire.

“Yes!”

-What’s the next issue?

“Due to the recent Hundred Temple incident, the false gods have issued warnings to other countries. They stated that any country providing aid to the great Nazi Empire would be considered an enemy.”

-Those bastards again… As the incarnation of the Black Sun, I declare this: inform the countries severing ties with us that they will be the first to feel our wrath. Between the distant United States and our empire nearby… There’s only one logical choice.

Time passed. Adolf, as the leader of the Nazi Empire, meticulously adjusted the nation’s course.

-Who are our main adversaries now?

“Main adversaries, sir?”

-Yes. Excluding the Hundred Temple and the transcendents, who are the new threats to us?

Upon Adolf’s inquiry, a man stood and initiated a video.

A hologram materialized, showcasing a video of a man donning a mask, suspended in the air.

“The first is an individual in Korea controlling divine gold, commonly referred to as the man with the mask.”

The masked man was seen enveloping his hand in golden flames.

Even through the video, the power was palpable. He wielded a mystical force that could be deemed a natural adversary to them. Furthermore, the nature of the flames posed a particular danger to the Magic Soldiers.

“We have yet to gather extensive information, but this man with the mask has been eliminating numerous Mines in Seoul, Korea. European mafia groups that had bribed the Korean Association were eradicated by him, and most of the Triads that arrived after the gangsters and China were decimated have been annihilated by this individual.”

The video transitioned.

It depicted the masked man, with golden flames encircling a cracked mask, executing two high-ranking Mines.

“As demonstrated, this entity wields the most perilous power against Mines. It’s classified as an S-class threat, slightly below the prophesied entity that could herald the extinction of all Mines.”

“An entity that dispatched merely two high-rankers is deemed an S-class threat?”

A Schutzstaffel member, Philipp, expressed his skepticism.

Despite standing before their esteemed incarnation of the Black Sun, the assigned threat level appeared excessively high.

Risk Level S.

Denoted a being capable of inflicting substantial harm upon the Nazi Empire single-handedly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Yes. This entity is still considered high-rank, but its power comes from an ‘unknown’ source we are unaware of. Initially, it showed mid-rank power in Korea but suddenly exhibited high-rank power. Maybe it’s a type that can increase power instantaneously by consuming life.”

“…If that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”

Philipp stepped back.

Then he continued with the presentation.

“And I will talk about another S-class threat, Veritas.”

No other comments came out this time.

Even these ruthless killing machines, unaware of the ways of the world, knew about the person called Veritas.

Some had learned of him accidentally while destroying the internet network of the Nazi Empire.

“Veritas is like the man with the mask, a being that appeared out of nowhere from the sky. Gender, age, height, everything is unclear, but every time we investigate him, the Electronic Witch intervenes, so we believe he is one of the Electronic Witch’s comrades.”

-A comrade of the Electronic Witch…

“Yes. And the influence of Veritas holds immense power over the world’s situation. To exaggerate a bit, some opinions say he alone is on par with the false gods-created vaccine war.”

-Did the intelligence department make that judgment?

“Yes. Because simply put, Veritas alone has elevated the ranks of alchemists by one.”

-…

Adolf Hitler fell silent.

He remembered a being that had previously devastated much of the Nazi Empire.

The greatest and most glorious being in human history.

He had made sacrifices and elevated the ranks of Korean heroes by one step.

And Korea, based on that ranking, became the background for creating a group of heroes that divided the world with the United States.

-Increase the threat level of Veritas. To SS class.

“Understood.”

The intelligence officer, Fabian, momentarily recalled the individuals in SS class. The Overlord, Emperor, Celestial… Those who stood alone and blocked the influence of the Nazi Empire.

“What will be the treatment for Veritas?”

-Negotiation. If not, then unconditional death.

“Understood.”

Fabian moved on to the next agenda.

It was the biggest issue that had brought the Nazi Empire together today.

“Do you see this woman in the video?”

As the hologram in the air changed, it displayed a video.

It was Sung Han-byul, holding a golden scripture.

“In this Hundred Temple incident, to drive out the false gods, our comrades made many sacrifices. However, we gained nothing. Our comrades only died in vast numbers.”

Fabian focused on the woman.

“There have been reports that this woman is related to the prophesied entity known to exterminate Mines merely by existing. If the Hundred Temple had initially wiped out the Mines in one fell swoop, the damage we would have suffered would have been immense, but they did not.”

Because they ‘concealed’ information.

At Fabian’s words, Hitler stood up.

-The Black Sun has spoken. There exists a power to expel Mines, akin to starlight. While not the prophesied entity the Seven Evils claimed, the individual in this video is related. Find this woman.

“Heil Hitler!!”

The Nazi Empire.

A monster that had risen, casting Europe into fear and causing chaos worldwide.

The pursuit in the morning ended in an instant. It was laughable that a Mine thought it could escape on a Morning Car.

Seolhwa Ryeon easily killed the Mine and then looked at me.

“You seem familiar with motorcycles.”

“…Yes.”

I felt a bit prickled at Seolhwa Ryeon’s words. In my past life, I had a driver’s license, but not now.

Well, I think I shouldn’t get caught.

‘Maybe I should get a driver’s license.’

Driving was a hassle.

Still, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to have it. Riding a motorcycle this time also gave me a talent.

[You have acquired the talent, Riding(D).]

Riding(D)

:You receive a skill correction for vehicles. ---

Being D-grade, it’s not very useful.

“But, have you studied for the test?”

“…Study for the test?”

Seolhwa Ryeon displayed a rare expression of confusion.

The ruthless killing machine and head of the assassin family, though theoretically weak, compensated with her practical skills. However, she had to conceal her identity, which meant her demonstrated power was limited.

I recalled Seolhwa Ryeon’s ranking was around the 300th place.

‘It’s about time to head to school.’

Today being Friday, only two days remained.

I glanced at Seolhwa Ryeon. It was time to get moving if I wanted to complete the Frozen World and the King of Shadows.

‘Maybe it’s time for a dungeon.’

I stood up and faced Seolhwa Ryeon.

“Do you have time tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Yes, I exist tomorrow.”

“Then dress appropriately and come out. Let’s meet here at 10 AM.”

“Yes, understood… Huh?”

Seolhwa Ryeon exhibited a rare expression of confusion.

She appeared to be blushing, possibly from embarrassment.

‘Well, Seolhwa Ryeon’s attire is somewhat embarrassing.’

She favored riding suits or form-fitting clothes for their camouflage and the freedom of movement they offer, essentials for an assassin.

“If it’s uncomfortable, there’s another option…”

“No. I will be here tomorrow morning!”

Seolhwa Ryeon was unusually enthusiastic.

It was a unique kind of enthusiasm, so I awkwardly nodded.