The Player Who Can't Level Up

-I don’t.

Lou’s answer was, unfortunately, simple.

-But—

Before Gi-Gyu could comment, Lou continued,

-I think I planned something just in case. I will explain what I mean later.

Lou never made empty promises, so Gi-Gyu was confident he did plan a way to help their situation.

“All right,” Gi-Gyu replied, nodded, and turned around to look at Boris’ empty cocoon.

“What a giant cocoon,” Gi-Gyu murmured, watching the mostly intact shell.

-I think we forced Botis to leave this cocoon when we went berserk. After all, this shell shouldn’t remain like this.

“Will it explode?”

-Hmm… I can’t be certain. If we leave it here like this, it might explode in time.

Lou explained. Once this gate merged with Brunheart’s gate, the cocoon would also be transferred. It would be a ticking time bomb if it could still explode. So what would be the best way to get rid of this cocoon?

Or…

Narrowing his eyes, Gi-Gyu asked, “Is there a way to use this cocoon, Lou?”

This cocoon was dangerous to even several high rankers. If Gi-Gyu could find a way to use it, it would help him greatly in the future. The old-fashioned nuclear bombs didn’t threaten the highest-level players much. Gi-Gyu believed that this cocoon could come in handy later by becoming what a nuclear bomb was to non-players.

-Hmm…

Lou thought for a moment before answering.

-No, there isn’t. Except for Botis, no one can figure out how to use this cocoon. This cocoon is a weapon exclusive to Botis.

“I guess if there isn’t a way, I have no choice,” murmured Gi-Gyu, disappointed. Now, he had to figure out how to destroy this cocoon safely.

Suddenly, Lou stated,

-But as I said earlier, I deduced a way to find out Andras’s plan.

“Huh?” Gi-Gyu was confused by Lou's abrupt change of subject.

-I planned on hearing it from Botis, so this is perfect. We’ll both listen together.

“What?” Gi-Gyu asked in surprise.

[Botis has been successfully egofied.]

Gi-Gyu grinned, realizing Lou’s plan.

***

Gi-Gyu wasn’t transferred to the reward chamber like the other players. When he touched the cocoon, the exceptional gate and Brunheart’s gate began to merge instead. He wondered if the gate was his reward since he was syncing with it.

“I can never understand the system,” muttered Gi-Gyu. The system sometimes made decisions based on real-time events as if it was a living creature. No one knew who made this system and why; Gi-Gyu had been pondering these questions for a while.

Old Man Hwang approached Gi-Gyu quietly. As he stared at the constantly changing and merging gate, Old Man Hwang asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“Hello, Sir.”

“You have gone through so much, Young Man. I can’t believe you did it,” murmured Old Man Hwang. Because he knew much about the demons, the elderly man was very impressed with what Gi-Gyu had achieved. “I still can’t believe you obtained Botis’ territory… He’s supposedly as powerful as a high-level demon lord. My goodness!”

Gi-Gyu turned toward Old Man Hwang and gave him a bitter smile. As the blacksmith said, he did obtain Botis’ territory, but he didn’t do it alone. He took huge risks by letting Lou, the creature of pure evil, descend into his body.

-Don’t speak about me like that. It’s annoying!

If Lou had a face, Gi-Gyu imagined it having a frown right now. Grinning, Gi-Gyu turned around again.

Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.

The entire gate was vibrating and changing. Before the merge, Brunheart’s gate included the sky islands and the undead lands. But now, he could also see the entrances to the underground dungeons.

Old Man Hwang continued with mirth in his eyes, “I’m so looking forward to this. The underground dungeons… I must say that this has a special meaning to me.”

“Of course, Sir.” When Gi-Gyu faced him, Old Man Hwang smiled and stated, “You can tell me anything. After all, I exist only for you.”

“I have to do a lot in the future. I’m hoping you’ll stay by my side until everything is done,” Gi-Gyu asked solemnly.

Old Man Hwang burst into laughter and replied, “Well, you don’t have to ask such a thing—” However, when he noticed Gi-Gyu’s solemn expression, his laughter came to a halt.

Realizing there was more Gi-Gyu wanted to say, Old Man Hwang offered, “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

Gi-Gyu nodded and replied, “This recent gate incident was Andras’ doing. I still don’t know what his plan is, but…”

“You believe it has something to do with Paimon’s inheritance,” Old Man Hwang guessed.

“Yes.”

Until now, Andras had done nothing but stay in hiding and increase his power. To open this many gates, someone like Andras must have a lot of help and a solid goal.

Gi-Gyu explained, “I also believe Andras decided to do this now because he gained something from Paimon’s inheritance. I still don’t know the details of his plan, but I think learning more about Andras himself is the key.”

“So…” Old Man Hwang, seemingly having read Gi-Gyu’s mind, closed his eyes before murmuring, “You want to wake up my son.”

Old Man Hwang’s son, Hwang Chae-Il, was the flame giant and Andras’s partner. He was egofied by Gi-Gyu and was awaiting resurrection. Until now, Gi-Gyu didn't try it because Old Man Hwang was against the idea.

His face tense, Gi-Gyu whispered, “Yes. And I need Min-Su’s help.”

Gi-Gyu bowed before adding, “And I would like your permission as well.”

Hwang Chae-Il, who had gone mad, had killed his father and tried to sacrifice his son. However, in his dying moments, he realized his mistake and died regretting his decisions.

***

Gi-Gyu needed to leave the gate as quickly as possible. They had only closed one unratable exceptional gate; he had no idea what was going on with the rest.

-You need to get your body to normal first. If you stay the way you are, you might explode, or…

Lou continued in a playful voice,

-Go mad. There are many other possibilities, but these two are the most likely ones.

“I can’t believe how cheerful you sounded just now,” Gi-Gyu grumbled, but he had to agree with Lou since he could feel his body’s precarious state. If he returned to the world like this, he wouldn’t be of much help to anyone. In a worse-case situation, he might end up causing even more danger to others.

-Don’t be impatient. Nothing will change even if you stroll outside.

When Lou warned him, Gi-Gyu nodded slowly.

-Lou’s right, Master!

Brunheart chimed in with his usual sharp, girly voice. It had been a long time since she last commented.[1]

-I kept quiet for a long time because I couldn’t be helpful to you, Master. But I have no choice but to say something now!

Before Gi-Gyu could say anything, Brunheart quickly continued.

-Do you have any idea how shocked I was? That darkness… When you accepted Lou into your body, I…

Brunheart began to sob as she murmured,

-I felt the kind of fear that’s even worse than death. It felt like I was being eaten alive. The other Egos haven’t said anything yet, but they all probably felt the same way! I’m telling you that you gotta be nice to the other Egos!

Gi-Gyu smiled bitterly at Brunheart’s words. “Yes, you’re right. But…”

Gi-Gyu looked down at his chest to face Brunheart. He knew he must have looked ridiculous staring at his own chest, but there was no other way. Gi-Gyu continued, “You have no idea how much you have helped me. Maintaining and growing this gate… It is all thanks to you. That is something not even Lou or El can do, so be proud of yourself.”

-M-Master…!

Brunheart sounded touched. Worried she might never stop crying, Gi-Gyu quickly changed the subject. “Mr. Hwang, the gate manager, will stabilize the newly merged gate. Until then…”

Gi-Gyu had to meet with his Egos and hear what happened when he went berserk. And after that, he needed to wake up El.

“And lastly…”

Botis had become his Ego, which meant he could control it. Gi-Gyu considered asking Old Man Hwang for a body to house Botis’ Ego, but Lou suggested something different.

-It would be a waste to place Botis in an average item. He’s a pretty powerful demon, after all.

So, Gi-Gyu decided to delay dealing with Botis for now.

Flap.

The makeshift tent fluttered inside the gate. The construction project was still ongoing, but a building for his creatures was ready. However, there was one who insisted on staying in a tent.

“Hal.” When Gi-Gyu entered the tent, Hal greeted, shocked and contrite, “Grandmaster! You shouldn’t have come to this shabby place. I should have been there to serve you.”

Gi-Gyu raised his hand for Hal to stop. Honestly, nothing ever really was Hal’s fault, but he was somehow always the one apologizing. Being the most loyal knight, he would have visited Gi-Gyu after recovering. Sadly, he had lost his ability to move after what Gi-Gyu did to him. Actually, what Gi-Gyu did when Lou entered his body.

Gi-Gyu apologized, “I’m sorry, Hal.”

Still recovering from the wound, Hal continued to bow while struggling to sit up.

“How do you feel?” asked Gi-Gyu.

“It’s nothing Grandmaster should worry about. I will get better as quickly as possible and get ready for the next battle.”

“All right, I understand. For now, just focus on getting healed.”

When Gi-Gyu said that, Hal couldn’t hide how touched he felt. He bowed and murmured, “Oh, Grandmaster…”

Gi-Gyu felt sympathetic and frustrated at the same time. Hal was in this condition because of him, yet Hal was as loyal as ever. Just where did this undying loyalty come from? Was it because he first brought Hal to life and then strengthened him with Death? Or was it simply because they were synced to each other?

-Don’t overthink it. These creatures will be loyal to you for eternity. Unlike me, they won’t betray you, so you should be pleased.

Lou stated bluntly to console Gi-Gyu and also criticized himself in the process.

Gi-Gyu asked Hal, “Can we chat for a moment?”

“Of course!” Hal roared before groaning. The shout probably tore open a few wounds.

‘This is so tricky.’ Gi-Gyu shook his head before sitting down. Just then, he heard a familiar voice from outside the tent.

“Grandmaster, your loyal Assistant Gate Manager Hart has arrived per your request.”

Another quickly followed Hart’s voice.

“Undead idiot! I was going to greet the grandmaster first! Grandmaster! Your faithful servant Hamiel has arrived per your request.”

When Gi-Gyu heard Hart and Hamiel bickering outside, he rubbed his forehead and said, “You can both come in.”

The lich and the angel walked in, but they never stopped arguing.

“I was the one who was more helpful to the grandmaster during this battle, you insect!”

“Nonsense! All you did was wave your fingers, you skeleton!”

Frustrated, Hal roared, “Please don’t forget that you’re in the presence of the Grandmaster!”

Hart and Hamiel jolted before bowing. Hart murmured, “Please forgive me, Grandmaster.”

“I have sinned, Grandmaster. Please punish me,” Hamiel whispered.

“Haa…” Gi-Gyu sighed deeply. These creatures always looked so grateful to him, even though he put them in danger and even caused them harm. He thought he should thank them, but when he saw the lich and the angel arguing, he could help but smile. Many thoughts crossed Gi-Gyu’s mind before he murmured, “I want to hear about what happened when I lost my consciousness and went berserk.”

The atmosphere inside the tent changed suddenly. Cold silence and burning tension filled the space. Suddenly, Gi-Gyu realized what Hamiel and Hart were really doing. They were acting nonchalant despite being terrified of him. They were bickering and arguing to hide their fear.

“Haa…” Gi-Gyu sighed again. How could an undead and an angel be this thoughtful?

‘And I can’t believe they are so fearful of what they saw,’ Gi-Gyu thought in concern. He could tell that this was going to be an uncomfortable conversation.

Hart stepped forward slowly and kneeled before Gi-Gyu. Bowing deeply, he replied, “I will tell you, Grandmaster.”

Still looking down, Hart continued, “What I saw was the return of the king.”

Suddenly, Hart’s voice returned to that of an ominous lich.

1. Brunheart is a girl, so we’re changing the pronouns. ☜