Academy’s Weapon Replicator

Chapter 146 Hell

Frontier ran for a while.

I found out that the cave was deeper than I thought. We were already so deep that we couldn’t even see the entrance. Although no outside light came in, torches were installed at certain distances on the cave walls. It was installed by Hector and his escort knights.

‘I met Elodie near the entrance to the cave, and Levette and Hector were lying next to her.’

Considering the situation, it is natural to assume that Elodie knocked out Levette and Hector, who came out to greet Frondier.

In other words, Elodie did not see the inside of the cave.

‘The reason Elodie stopped me wasn’t because she looked inside the cave. Nevertheless, I decided I was dangerous.’

How to know what’s inside a cave without seeing it.

‘What information did you hear from any of the five gods?’

Most likely it is Rudra. He even said that he was closest to Elodie. Of course, I couldn’t be sure, but whoever it was, it was probably a good thing. Anyway, Elodie believed what he said.

‘It means that the place I’m heading to now is a place the gods already know.’

As Frontier came this far, he felt something guiding him.

In the past, as Pascal, the imperial knight, said, a certain wind is blowing towards him. Is that what is commonly called fate here, and what kind of ordeal has come upon Frondier, who does not believe in fate?

In other words, even before Elodie stopped him, Frondier already knew that he was going where he should not go.

Even though I knew that, I couldn’t stop. Because Ajie’s death ruined the brakes. He had to somehow salvage the situation and turn it around.

How long did it run?

Frondier slowed down his steps when he heard an unfamiliar sound of rippling.

‘Sound of water?’

I can hear the sound of water flowing somewhere. Although you can’t see it, the water flows as if through a narrow water vein.

Drip, drip, the sound of water drops could be heard inside the cave where Frondier was walking.

As they went a little further, the cave became wider, and Frondier could see the epicenter of the sound of flowing water.

‘… … It’s Sam.’

Water flows from a lower position than where he is standing. The water flowed in one direction, as if all the springs flowing within the cave gathered here.

Frondier naturally led his feet in the direction of the water. The spring became deeper and deeper to the point where it could be called a river, and the path Frondier walked on gradually became wider so he could walk comfortably. In other words, the entire cave was expanding.

‘There are traces of maintenance remaining. So much time has passed that it’s almost gone.’

The road he is walking on is the same as the river. There are traces of human footsteps.

Tuk.

As I was walking and looking around, my foot caught something on the floor. Frontier looked down.

‘… … bone.’

A bone lies in front of your feet. Frondier did not know what kind of animal bone it was because he had no knowledge.

I had a premonition.

Frondier created a wisp and sent it first, scanning the ground beneath his feet.

‘Skull.’

And soon they discovered a human skull.

I hoped not, but when that happens, the wrong side always wins.

Frondier’s eyes frowned at this disgusting rule.

‘It’s not just one or two people. ‘What happened here?’

It is difficult to tell how many people died based on the bones. Even if several are found, it is impossible to know whether they are one person or multiple people.

But the skull is different. Frondier had already seen more skulls than he could count on his fingers, and the number was increasing in the direction he went. Now it can be seen only through torches hung sparsely. The only consolation is that there is no smell.

Excited.

At that time, Frondier’s eyes twitched at the strange sensation.

It is a function of the sixth sense. However, it was different from usual.

My sixth sense for the supernatural discovered something in this place.

And his sixth sense also pointed to the direction Frondier was heading, beyond.

Excited, Excited.

Everything Frontier has leads him in the same direction. Feeling a strange sense of displeasure, Frondier advanced.

Soon, Frondier entered the noticeably wider cave.

“… … what is this.”

There is a pillar inside it.

The river that flowed next to the Frondier went around the pillar, and there was no other way for it to flow, as if this was its final destination.

Frondier saw the pillar. His sixth sense is directed towards this pillar.

By lightly extending my hand, I was able to understand more clearly what my sixth sense was conveying.

‘Something is being sucked into this pillar.’

What is this pillar? What are you sucking up?

Something his sixth sense senses, but his eyes or other senses cannot.

As a test, Frontier fired Eclexis towards the pillar.

“her.”

His ecclexis was gone. No, I was sucked in.

This pillar is absorbing the Eclexis. Slowly, but clearly, to the extent that even Frontier’s sixth sense can tell only after reaching this distance.

“What is this pillar?”

[That is not a pillar.]

A voice that answers Frontier’s self-talk.

For a moment, I thought Elodie had arrived.

But it was a man’s voice.

And it was a voice Frontier knew.

[It’s been a while, Frontier. Is this the second time we meet face to face?]

When he looked at that face, Frondier’s eyes were filled with murder.

“You guy. “How are you here?”

Frontier takes a fighting stance towards the man standing behind him.

Black angel wings, a gentlemanly yet rude smile.

Satan.

He is standing in front of Frontier.

‘Did someone summon you like in the imperial palace? No, that can’t be.’

[Don’t be too nervous.]

Satan interrupted Frondier’s thoughts and spoke. He spoke lighter than when we first met. It was like dealing with a friend. That makes Frontier even more displeased.

[Because it is in this place that you can meet me.]

“This place?”

[okay. What you mentioned ‘pillar’ a moment ago.]

Satan pointed with his finger to the pillar that Frontier had seen.

[That’s not a pillar, it’s a tree.]

tree?

Then Frondier took a closer look at the pillar again.

It has no branches or roots, just extending straight from the floor to the ceiling of the cave.

However, if you look closely, the texture of the pillar was not simply smooth, but had a unique texture.

So is this really a tree?

[It’s called Yggdrasil.]

“what?”

Yggdrasil. It is the world tree that appears in Norse mythology.

All nine worlds in Norse mythology hang like fruit on Yggdrasil. And through Yggdrasil, you can go in and out of these nine worlds.

[Yggdrasil exists in all worlds in this way.]

According to Satan, it appears that Yggdrasil is not just limited to Norse mythology.

[So, in this space, we can meet and talk even if we are in different worlds. Although it cannot touch the body.]

Hiss!

Immediately after Satan finished speaking, Frondier shot the black sky and pierced Satan’s body.

However, Heukcheon returned to its original place without any results, and Satan remained there unharmed.

“… … Right.”

[haha. I like the habit of checking for yourself. Or did you just want to attack me?]

Of course it goes both ways.

[It went well. If it weren’t for a place like this, I probably wouldn’t be able to talk to you in my life.]

That’s right.

The moment Frontier meets Satan, he will try to kill him.

“Conversation. “Do you want to talk to me?”

[of course. You probably need it too?]

Satan held out his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

[You want to save Atjie.]

“… … How do you know that?”

In the demon world, the one who left the gate open was Palma. If the Palind Continent were an empire, Satan would not be able to observe it.

But Satan just smiles.

[That’s not important. What is important to you now is the method.]

When Satan said that, someone else appeared from behind the pillar.

[Was this your plan, Satan?]

It wasn’t just one person.

Three women appeared side by side, behind a pillar.

It was their first time seeing Frontier, but Satan welcomed them with a happy face.

[Oh, Moirai. It’s surprising that all three of you came to visit.]

A sly Satan. Three women frowning at him.

Moirai, the three goddesses of fate.

They glanced at Frontier, but then turned back to Satan.

The left of the three women spoke.

[Send this foolish thing here to remove a thorn in the eyes of both the devil and god. Is this the negotiation you made?]

[If you are a god, you can handle at least one frontier, right?]

Satan said that and winked at Frondier. As if he was giving Frontier a very good offer.

The middle of the three women spoke.

[So, was Thanatos’ failure to kill Ajie something to be expected?]

[It was half and half. If you killed it, just as you killed it. If you failed, then as you failed. Because Frontier’s path is set.]

Satan spoke calmly in front of Frontier.

At that, a fire rose in Frondier’s eyes.

“… … “You, Satan, did you instigate Ajie’s death?”

[Frondier, you’re saying that’s not important?]

Satan shook his head. As if it was no big deal.

[It’s a method, a method. He says he will teach you how to save Atjie from now on.]

If Ajie is revived, there will be no problem. Satan was speaking with that meaning in mind.

Satan saw the three women.

[Therefore, from now on, I am going to teach Frondier how to do it. Please grant permission.]

The right of the three women spoke.

[…] … joy. You don’t need our permission.]

[Of course, yes.]

Satan smiled darkly and nodded.

He said to Frondier:

[Frondier, Ajie’s soul is now heading to Tartarus.]

“Tartarus?”

It is the hell of Greek mythology. When gods who commit mortal sins or humans who rebel are killed, they flow to this place.

[It’s Thanatos’ ability. His ecclexis. When a target is hit, their soul and body are forcibly separated and they travel to Tartarus. It is an ability worthy of Thanatos, the god of death.]

When Frondeer saw Atjie, he looked positively dead, even though he couldn’t touch it. Is it because the soul escaped?

Satan continued speaking.

[In fact, at that point, it’s no different from already being dead. Because it’s the ability for that. However, as you know, Eclexis does not have the ability to give ‘death’ itself. No matter how close Thanatos is to him.]

Yes. Frontier knew that too.

So, upon seeing Ajie’s body, he realized that Thanatos had somehow tried to kill Ajie through battle.

In the end, he came this far knowing that his ecclexis is different from pure death.

[It’s over once Ajie’s soul arrives in Tartarus. I have to finish my work before then.]

“What should I do?”

In response to Frontier’s question, Satan grinned and pointed down with his finger.

At the place he pointed to, there is a river flowing around Yggdrasil.

[drink.]

“… … what?”

[You probably have some guesses as well. The only way for you to save Ajie now is to cross the world. But that is impossible with the human body.]

“… … Then, the water in this river… … .”

[Yes, if you drink it you will die.]

Satan said as if it were obvious.

[When you die, your soul will travel on Yggdrasil. There, we capture the soul of Azie, who is heading to Tartarus.]

“What should I do if I catch him?”

[How do I do it? We have to return it to the human world. Ajie’s body and soul were separated, but he did not die. This is the weakness of Thanatos’ power. The cause and effect of death are reversed. First, you have the ‘result’ that your body and soul are separated, and only after entering Tartarus do you face the ‘process’ of complete death. So, if you skip that process, you can come back to life.]

Frondier’s eyes widened at Satan’s words.

To what extent can we believe what Satan says? It depends on Frontier’s mind.

But even if you 100% believe this story now, the problem remains.

“… … “If I do that and bring Ajie back, I will.”

[You are following nature.]

According to nature.

That is, death.

[I told you. If you drink this water you will die. This is not a gimmick like the power of Thanatos. Asking me to bring you back to life after you die, isn’t that foolish?]

In other words, instead of getting a chance to save Ajie, Frondier is guaranteed to die.

“This was a negotiation.”

[okay. A demon and a god who have a common enemy called Frontier. The two joined hands for the first time to kill a human being. Congratulations, Frontier. You are probably the only person in the long history who did something like that.]

Clap, clap, clap.

Satan’s applause rang out dryly.

In this plan, Satan tricked Moirai into using Thanatos to separate Ajie’s soul.

This is a strategy that can only be used to kill Frontier.

It cannot be used against ordinary humans.

‘Giving up your life in exchange for a chance to save others. ‘It’s not something an ordinary person would choose.’

Satan has been watching Frontier since his plans were foiled in the imperial palace.

Not only that day, Satan’s plans were foiled every time Frontier came forward.

At first, I thought it was because of Frontier’s strength outside of its specifications.

Afterwards, I attributed it to the strength of my colleagues around me.

And now.

Finally, Satan knew.

‘Frondier doesn’t care for his own life. ‘More than the devil.’

Frontier has always exceeded Satan’s expectations.

The reason is that Frontier does not think like an ordinary human.

‘It’s a little different from ‘courage’, which is overcoming the fear of death. There was no such sublimity in Frontier.’

I have seen many heroes with courage. They also surprise Satan, but Frondier is different.

‘Frondier doesn’t think about death.’

Although it is a sensation that even Satan cannot understand, Frondier does not consider death.

It’s not just death. Frontier acts like a person half a step away from any fear or pain.

I don’t know how that is possible. However, if you know that the way you think is like that, you can use it even if you don’t understand it.

Satan said one more thing.

[Well, you might become a god just in case, so why not walk there?]

Humans can be elevated to gods if they achieve great achievements and are praised by people.

The name ‘Zodiac’, which originally consisted of 12 people in the empire, was created with such a wish in mind.

But it is a very slim probability.

Moreover, if you are a person like Frondier who is far from being praised, the probability approaches zero.

‘Even if I don’t have to say this, Frontier will choose death anyway.’

But more definitely.

A human called Frontier does not want someone important to him to get hurt, even if there is a 1% chance.

Even if 99.9% of the time you die, you won’t care.

“… … .”

Frontier knows what Satan wants.

That you are predicting his actions.

However, just as Satan predicted, Frontier has no choice but to move now.

‘If you drink this water.’

Die.

However, there is a very slim probability that he will be upgraded to god.

Neither one is good for Frontier. The act of giving up his life for the one chance to save Atjie.

… … however.

Ajie is not his real brother.

It’s a game character.

Should you give up your life just for the sake of your character?

I don’t like dog deaths.

I don’t want to die.

It’s just a game.

It’s just a character in the game.

There will be different strategies in this game.

Sigh?

With that thought in his head, Frondier knelt down on one knee in front of the river.

The three women opened their eyes slightly and looked at that figure.

‘What Satan said was true. Frontier is not normal.’

When I first heard of Satan’s plan, I thought it would not succeed.

There are often people who give up their lives to save someone else.

No human being would die for the faint chance of saving one or not.

So I assumed it would fail, but I just followed because there was no harm. It is the wish of many gods and the Moirai themselves that Frontier dies.

I can’t believe you can kill Frontier so easily.

A slap?

Frondier’s hand went into the water.

‘town!’

I felt it then. The smell of death filled the water. I just put my hand in it, but it feels like my whole body is rotting.

Death is not mixed in the water, but death is imitating water.

‘Right. I’m definitely going to die.’

Frondier put both hands together and filled the water.

After drinking this water, he enters Yggdrasil and heads to Tartarus to save Atzie’s soul.

Next.

… … Let’s think about it later.

We must save Atjie.

When I slowly raised both hands with such a simple thought.

[ah… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .]

… … greatly.

I heard the sound of my body losing strength.

[Oh, can you hear me?]

It was neither Satan nor Moirai.

Someone who did not show himself was conveying only his voice.

But it’s definitely a voice I’ve heard before somewhere.

“who… … ?”

[good. Can you hear me? I was confused because it had been so long since I did it.]

Then his voice continued to speak leisurely.

[Hey, Frontier. That won’t work. You shouldn’t be fooled by such obvious lies. This is so disappointing. I didn’t teach you that way.]

A slightly longer speech was heard.

That relaxed voice that seems to know Frontier.

A shameless tone that seems to get on people’s nerves.

Frondier blinked, then widened his eyes.

“… … hemp cloth,”

[Belphegor!]

As if Satan knew right away, his relaxed expression changed.

[How can you! Yggdrasil in Nastrond must have been burned! It will take a few hundred years for it to grow again… … !]

[Oh yeah. As you said, it burned brightly and only ashes remained. Anyway, I’m being needlessly thorough. Don’t you know that it’s a hassle?]

Belphegor yawned between his words. That alone was enough to put Satan in a bad mood.

[So I used a different method instead of Yggdrasil. Well, to be honest, I was planning to use this method from the beginning.]

[what… … ?]

[I drew a magic circle. A very good one. With this, we can contact Frondier when he comes to Yggdrasil.]

Satan’s eyes narrowed at Belphegor’s words.

Frondier could hardly understand Belphegor’s words.

Satan said in a confused voice.

[No, no way! However, that magic circle would not be a sustainable type. It would be impossible if Frontier did not know in advance! Because it won’t last a few minutes after chanting!]

[Haha, you’re saying something strange. Satan. If Frontier doesn’t know in advance, just repeat the chant until he comes.]

Belphegor said as if stating the obvious.

Satan’s mouth opened.

[The chant is repeated infinitely until Frontier comes here… … ?]

[Satan, don’t you know who I am?]

There is laughter in Belphegor’s voice.

[Even though I came down to the position of the Seven Deadly Sins, I am Belphegor, the devil of sloth.]

At that moment, Satan saw Belphegor.

Not only that, the three goddesses Moira and Frondier also had the same appearance.

That is clearly nothing more than an illusion.

Belphegor is sitting on a chair, one leg crossed, tilted as if he will fall asleep at any moment.

[This body enjoys laziness.]