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.
