Return to the previous state.
Further, reduction to nothingness.
This is denial and rejection.
Swoosh!
The light of the Honghwa Sword, Eun-ha's myth, traces its trajectory.
The trajectory, without the slightest delay, cuts through the creature's spear shaft, breaks the armor that no one had been able to break until now, tears through the flesh, severs bones, splits organs, and slices the creature.
Along that trajectory, blood gushes and dazzling light leaks out.
Splash! Hiss!
Whoosh!
The light began to erode the creature's body, starting from the wound.
Wherever the light seeps in, it annihilates.
All elements constituting the creature, including the blood gushing outwards, are reduced to mana particles.
Thus, it is denied and rejected.
Kuooo!
The creature desperately struggled to drive out the light and avoid annihilation.
But Eun-ha and the conquest team representatives wouldn't leave it alone.
Eun-ha swung the Honghwa Sword again, and the conquest team representatives, sensing that the creature's end was near, thrust their white silver equipment with all their might.
Whoosh!
Eun-ha's myth, which denies all existence and ideas, and the light of <White Silver> blend without conflict.
A rainbow light based on white silver bursts from the creature and further erodes the world.
The vision is dyed with light.
Amidst this...
'We've won.'
Eun-ha raised the corners of his mouth.
* * *
The vision returned to normal.
When the conquest team regained consciousness, they found themselves standing in a pure white world devoid of anything.
"..."
The enormous presence that had seemed to press down on the world and oppress the conquest team was no longer felt.
It meant that the boss monster of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, the creature, had finally met its demise.
Nevertheless, the conquest team hadn't completely let their guard down yet.
They were still tense.
Just then.
Hah... Congratulations, conquerors. You've won.
The dungeon guide, which hadn't shown itself since entering the 10th floor, the deepest part, appeared.
Descending feebly from mid-air to meet the conquest team at eye level, it couldn't hide its disappointment.
But contrary to its feelings, the conquest team, having finally confirmed their successful conquest, could rejoice with ease.
"We did it! We did it! We really did it! We actually did it, damn..."
"Ah... It's finally over, finally... Sob..."
"Cough! Kuk... I thought I was fine, but I'm not... Hey, someone..."
"We need to go back... I have something to tell Bonita..."
"Ah. God, thank you. Really, really thank you..."
"We survived... We're alive. Sob..."
"That bastard should take care of his own body..."
"..."
Some shouted cheers at the top of their lungs, some sat down as tension left their bodies, some belatedly complained of pain from injuries as excitement faded, some called out the names of loved ones, some prayed to non-existent gods, some sighed in relief and sobbed at the fact that they had survived, and some chewed on their resentment, missing fallen comrades.
In this way, the conquest team was each immersed in their own reflections.
It was then that the dungeon guide abruptly intervened, breaking the atmosphere.
I understand you're happy and sad, but let's stop there. We can't keep spending time here.
"..."
Please, everyone look up.
The conquest team, turning their gaze to the dungeon guide, soon looked up.
"Wow..."
"..."
From above.
A radiance emitting a soft yet iridescent light to prevent eye strain was descending.
The conquest team, taking in the sight of this radiance, couldn't help but be entranced.
Some unconsciously let out exclamations of admiration.
The first to conquer the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, the one who contributed the most among them, will be given a special privilege from the dungeon.
The radiance approaches the conquest team.
Soon, it descends to a height where they could jump up and grab it, or reach out and touch it.
Eventually, the radiance...
Top conqueror, Noh Eun-ha.
It settled on Eun-ha's outstretched hand among the conquest team.
You can use the dungeon's privilege to fulfill any one wish. However, it's limited to the amount of mana currently possessed by the dungeon. Of course, you can't ask to increase the number of wishes in violation of the dungeon's rules. And you can't cram two or more wishes into one either.
"..."
And the wish will only be fulfilled exactly as the top conqueror desires. It means it won't be fulfilled beyond what you wish for. So think carefully about what wish to make and speak.
The dungeon guide explained.
Eun-ha, looking at the radiance shining in his hand, gave a bitter smile.
'I expected this to some extent... But it still feels good.'
In fact, he had already heard the result from future Yu-seong earlier.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Soon, turning his eyes away from the radiance, he looked for the conquest team representatives.
They were just approaching.
"As expected, it's Player Noh Eun-ha. If possible, I would have liked the glory of top conqueror to be given to Italy, but I have to acknowledge Player Noh Eun-ha. Congratulations on becoming the top conqueror in this conquest following the <Dungeon of the Abyss>."
"Congratulations, Eun-ha. I knew it would be you."
"..."
Albert, the Italian conquest team representative, Ezekiel, the American conquest team representative, and other representatives who had become close during the conquest each offered their congratulations.
Eun-ha humbly expressed his gratitude.
"It's thanks to everyone's hard work. I couldn't have done it alone. Thank you."
"We're grateful that you say so."
The representatives responded happily.
They burst into chuckles.
On the other hand, they cautioned Eun-ha.
"I believe Player Noh Eun-ha remembers well the matters agreed upon in advance among the conquering countries. Regardless of who becomes the top conqueror, what wish should be made..."
"Yes, I know. Don't worry."
Eun-ha was well aware of Albert's and other representatives' concerns.
If he were to make a selfish wish out of self-interest, it would cause discord within the conquest team, and further, the discord would spread to the conquering countries, causing great harm to them.
Eun-ha nodded to reassure them and then walked towards the dungeon guide.
"I'll make my wish."
He spread his outstretched hands, presenting the radiance to the dungeon guide.
Eun-ha spoke sincerely.
"Bring back to life all the people who died conquering the dungeon with us until now, except for the criminals."
...Alright. Top conqueror, Noh Eun-ha. I'll accept your wish.
Immediately after, the radiance, having recognized the wish, emitted an iridescent light.
Whoosh!
The radiance, spreading light so bright it dazzled the eyes, left Eun-ha's hands.
Eventually, the radiance that had risen to the sky scattered into particles and fluttered.
Within it, people who had died during the conquest process were descending, enveloped in clusters of white light.
"Ah... Aah...!"
Truly, the wish had been realized.
Witnessing this scene, the conquest team was all overwhelmed with emotion and quickly moved their bodies.
They caught their unconscious comrades from within the clusters of light.
"...They're breathing. They're alive. They're really alive..."
"Thank goodness... Really, thank goodness. Sob..."
"Everyone's condition is fine! They're healthy!"
"Hah... We worked ourselves to death, and this guy is sleeping so well... Hey, was it nice to rest first? If you've slept enough, wake up now. Open your eyes, you fool."
The conquest team, reunited with their deceased comrades, rejoiced even more than when they had conquered the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>.
As their comrades regained consciousness one by one, the joy doubled.
Eun-ha, looking back at them, couldn't help but smile as well.
'Thank goodness, that's great.'
Not long after, the pure white world began to oxidize into particles.
The same was true for the dungeon guide.
Its form was gradually becoming faint.
With this, your wish has been fulfilled. Then we'll take our leave now. I hope we don't meet again next time.
And so.
Reality welcomes the conquest team.
* * *
Several months have passed since the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> began, and the year has changed to Fairy Power Year 25.
Italy, Rome, Quirinal Palace.
As almost always, Big Mama was leisurely resting on the sofa in her office, having entrusted her work to her aides.
Just then, there was a knock.
Knock knock!
"Yes, come in."
Big Mama gave permission.
Shortly after, an aide opened the door and entered.
He approached Big Mama, who was basking in the sunlight looking out the window, not even glancing at him.
"What is it?"
"Well, you see..."
The aide reported.
To summarize the key points briefly...
"The <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> has been conquered? Is that true?"
That's what they say.
Big Mama, upon hearing the news, finally turned her gaze to the aide.
The aide nodded.
"Yes, that's right. According to the communication, Player Albert Valentine himself made contact."
"Is that so. Albert Player... That's really great news."
"Yes, it's a stroke of good fortune for Italy."
Once someone entered a black dungeon, they could never come out until they conquered the dungeon.
So the fact that they were in contact with Albert meant that he had come out, and therefore, the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest team had conquered the dungeon.
In other words, Italy had succeeded in conquering a black dungeon.
As Big Mama, she couldn't help but be pleased.
Moreover, if the top conqueror came from the Italian conquest team, it would be even more desirable, but...
"Who is the top conqueror?"
Unfortunately.
Things didn't go entirely as hoped.
"According to the information we've received, the top conqueror is..."
"..."
"The representative of the Korean conquest team... Player Noh Eun-ha."
The aide answered cautiously.
Naturally, Big Mama's mood couldn't help but sink.
"I see... So it's that person... <Overlord> again this time..."
"Yes... That's how it turned out. It seems <Overlord>'s role was significant enough for other representatives to acknowledge..."
The world's first conqueror of a black dungeon, the top conqueror of the <Dungeon of the Abyss>.
In cultures mainly using Latin-based languages, unfamiliar with Hangul or Chinese characters, he was known as <Overlord>.
Noh Eun-ha.
Surely, he must have faced various checks from other countries' conquest teams during the dungeon conquest process.
Despite that, the fact that he became the top conqueror in the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> as well means...
"He must have been that amazing, truly. Far more than Albert, the other Tredici, and the players put forward by each country's conquest team..."
"..."
<Overlord> Noh Eun-ha.
Big Mama, having directly spoken his name, let out a bitter smile.
The aide watched her expression, feeling somewhat apologetic.
Soon, she asked.
"Were the other Korean players as exceptional as him?"
"...I'm sorry. We haven't been able to ascertain that far, but... Probably not all players in the Korean conquest team were as exceptional as <Overlord>. He must be special."
"He must be special, you say... Well, I suppose that's right. In a way, maybe it's fortunate. If the top conqueror had come from Austria, France, Greece, or other countries we have an awkward relationship with, it might have hurt our pride unnecessarily."
"Yes, that's fortunate in that respect. Perhaps it's better that the honor of top conqueror goes to Korea, which has a friendly relationship with us and is geographically distant. Korea also conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, so the other countries that participated in the conquest probably won't express particular dissatisfaction..."
"But that doesn't mean we're not disappointed that it wasn't us, right?"
"...I'm sorry."
"You may go now. Let me know as soon as any other news comes from the conquest team."
"Yes, understood."
The aide was quick-witted.
To avoid offending Big Mama and falling out of her favor, he answered with his back straight and immediately left the office.
"..."
Left alone in the office, Big Mama quietly searched inside her clothes.
She took out a cigar humidor.
She picked out a cigar and put it in her mouth.
She manifested her internal mana and lit the cigar with a flame she ignited at her fingertip.
"Phew..."
She inhaled deeply and exhaled the smoke.
Big Mama, blankly staring at the scenery outside the window, muttered quietly.
"Noh Eun-ha... I want him..."
At first, it was mere curiosity, but now, she genuinely covets him.
"Although I'm mindful of the Korean government's stance, I wonder if there's a way to entice him."
The end of the cigar burns down.
Big Mama, tapping the ash into the ashtray, calmly fell into thought.