Subscriber of the Gods Chapter 416 - To the Subterranean World

Ethan received the genuine Prophet’s Flame from Prometheus.

The Prophet’s Flame had two primary abilities.

Dispelling darkness

Revealing truth

In addition to these two abilities, it possessed various other powers.

‘For example, using it by wrapping it around my hand.’

The Prophet’s Flame doesn’t actually burn anything. Therefore, while it can’t be used for flame-attribute attacks, it can be utilized by wrapping it around hands or weapons.

‘It’s a kind of divine power.’

The sacred flame serves to remove debuffs.

‘It can be used in various ways.’

This would be perfect to highlight when making short videos and writing purchase reviews.

The next morning.

Having obtained the power to dispel darkness, Ethan headed towards the entrance of the subterranean world with Sigma.

Located quite deep within Tartaros, this place was currently being used as Tartaros’ warehouse, according to Sigma.

“We’ve made it look as ordinary as possible. If it didn’t look ordinary, our brothers would certainly dig into it, given their nature.”

That’s why they deliberately made it look like the most ordinary place in Tartaros.

Tartaros is overflowing with warehouses.

Only a very small number of dwarves don’t have their own warehouses. Usually, it’s the dwarves who have jobs that take them outside of Tartaros.

Except for those dwarves, everyone else had a warehouse, so there were many such old warehouses in Tartaros.

“To hide a tree, hide it in a forest, right?”

“That’s an elven expression! Yes, that’s exactly it.”

As they arrived at the old warehouse, a dwarf who had been waiting greeted them. It seemed to be the guide dwarf that Sigma had mentioned he would assign.

“I’m Sandar. Master Ethan Whiskers.”

“He’s my disciple.”

“Disciple? Didn’t you say he was a guide?”

‘I didn’t expect him to send Sandar.’

Sandar was the dwarf who would open up Tartaros in the future and make it economically prosperous.

In other words, he was the future Great Hammer.

‘Sending Sandar to the potentially lethal subterranean world means…’

“It means you want me to come back alive, doesn’t it?”

“Sandar is an excellent dwarf. Although it would only be known through a vote, he’s certainly the material to become the next Great Hammer and lead Tartaros. But I didn’t assign Sandar just so you’d come back alive.”

Sigma said.

“Sandar has experience. He discovered the entrance to the subterranean world hidden under this old warehouse when he was very young.”

“It’s an embarrassing story.”

Sandar bowed his head deeply as he spoke.

“I thought I had found a secret place, but it turned out I had entered a truly forbidden area.”

“It’s amazing you’re still alive! Maybe the subterranean world wanted Sandar to grow up.”

Sigma said with a laugh.

“Fortunately, you’re still alive despite entering the subterranean world dozens of times. Did you say you went as far as the entrance of that dark subterranean world?”

“Yes, I didn’t know anything back then. Thanks to that, I can guide you to the entrance part relying on that sense. Going further in would be impossible, but I’ll use my knowledge and sense of the subterranean world for Master Ethan Whiskers. If my knowledge can be of help, that’s enough for me.”

“If you frequently entered and exited the subterranean world…”

The subterranean world is a place even deeper than Tartaros.

Dense darkness.

Along with that, it’s a place filled with miasma, so if you enter carelessly, you’ll be infected by the miasma and die a slow, painful death.

“Yes, I was born with some resistance to miasma. As you can see, I’m quite sturdy. Maybe because my skin is thick, I was fine even when I went in there.”

Indeed, Sandar’s appearance had some outstanding features compared to other dwarves.

‘Well, that’s secondary, he must have been born with resistance like that.’

He probably felt a little pain at first. Then he quickly got used to it.

“I’ll be fine going in, but Master Ethan Whiskers, it might be a bit hard for you to endure the miasma.”

“Yes. So shouldn’t we make some preparations before going in?”

Sandar bowed his head to Ethan.

“These are miasma-resistant equipment I made. It’s a helmet that covers your mouth and nose. It might be a bit uncomfortable to breathe, but it’s essential in the subterranean world.”

In Sandar’s hand was a rather simple helmet.

At a glance, you could tell it was imbued with various magic, its craftsmanship was quite impressive.

“With this equipment, you can completely block the miasma of the subterranean world. It’s equipment I made using my own experiences.”

“Wear this when you go. You probably have potions or herbs prepared personally, but that won’t be enough. Maybe even with this equipment, you won’t be able to endure for long. Sandar only went to the entrance. As you go deeper inside, the miasma will get stronger.”

Sigma sighed deeply.

“It’s alright.”

“You don’t need to think of it as a debt. Sandar is giving this to you for free. So take it.”

“No, I’m not refusing to accept it because I think of it as a debt.”

Ethan said firmly.

“Miasma doesn’t affect me.”

“Miasma doesn’t affect you?”

“Yes, I’m immune to all miasma. So it’s fine.”

He clearly said immune, not resistant.

Sandar and Sigma were silent for a moment.

“Let’s go, Sandar.”

***

“Are you really sure you don’t need it?”

The entrance to the subterranean world opened.

As the cold miasma-filled wind spread around, Sigma frowned.

A thick rope was tied around Sandar’s waist, connected to the entrance linking the subterranean world and Tartaros.

If they were to get trapped in the darkness of the subterranean world and unable to distinguish where they were, they planned to use this rope to escape.

However, Ethan shook his head.

“I won’t run away.”

“There are things in this world that don’t go as planned.”

Ethan nodded at Sigma’s words.

‘I know that better than anyone.’

That’s why Ethan had already made various preparations.

“I’ve made my own preparations. Don’t worry too much. There are two things you need to do, Great Hammer.”

Ethan said, looking at Sigma.

“One is to build the temple of the Moonforce Order right away. If possible, I’d like you to create two separate spaces inside the temple where statues can be placed. I believe in two gods, and I want to see if they can get along well with this opportunity.”

“…You believe in two gods? W-well, I understand.”

“And secondly, you need to tell the craftsmen of Tartaros something in advance.”

“Tell them what?”

“That new materials from the subterranean world are waiting.”

Sigma was taken aback by this bold declaration.

Wasn’t he saying he would conquer the subterranean world, a place where even speaking its name was taboo?

“I’ll be back before it’s too late.”

***

The subterranean world.

It was truly a place so dark that you couldn’t see an inch in front of you.

Whoosh-.

Perhaps because it had been a long time since he had come down to the subterranean world, Sandar was quite tense.

“Are you alright?”

Before entering, Ethan had clearly said he was immune to miasma, but the miasma of the subterranean world is distinctly different from other miasma.

In response to Sandar’s question, Ethan took a deep breath.

“It’s refreshing.”

As expected, even the miasma of the subterranean world couldn’t harm Ethan.

‘It’s thanks to Dongui Bogam. Extinction is also playing a part.’

-Extinction is pushing away the miasma.

The Extinction growing inside Ethan’s body was also effective.

‘Does it mean it wants to kill me itself?’

It was truly ironic.

“Then I’ll prepare to depart.”

Sandar took out a lantern from his chest.

“Here, ordinary flames can’t exert their power. Of course, we’ll be using the flame from the Great Forge, not ordinary fire. The flame of the Great Forge is quite special.”

Inside Sandar’s lantern burned the flame from the Great Forge, the largest forge in Tartaros.

That’s why it could somewhat illuminate the surroundings without being consumed by the darkness of the subterranean world.

“You won’t be able to see well, but if we go straight this way, we’ll reach the entrance. This is the boundary between the entrance to the subterranean world and Tartaros.”

Sandar led the way, relying on the light of the lantern. Ethan slowly followed behind.

“If you look here, you can see some carvings remaining? It seems that in the past, the subterranean world was quite developed, as there are still ruins-like structures remaining. Considering they’re still clearly visible after so much time has passed, I think our ancestors must have made them.”

He must have come and gone frequently, as Sandar found his way well even with just the weak light of the lantern.

How long had they walked following the lantern light? Soon, Sandar and Ethan arrived in front of a massive structure.

They couldn’t tell how big it actually was. They could only guess based on the shadows created by the lantern light.

“Everything changes from inside this structure. So I decided to think of this as a door. A door leading to the entrance of the subterranean world. Actually, I’ve only gone inside this once. But… I came out right away.”

Suddenly, Sandar stopped walking, perhaps feeling fear from past memories.

“Sandar, you can wait here. You’ve fulfilled your role just by escorting me to this door.”

Sandar’s expression wasn’t good.

It was due to the pressure from the different dimension of miasma and darkness blowing from inside this subterranean world.

“No, I’ll go with you. I have my own measures.”

Saying this, Sandar fingered the emergency escape rope tied around his waist.

“Then let’s go in.”

“…Aren’t you afraid, Master Ethan Whiskers?”

“I am afraid. Entering such a dangerous place is always frightening.”

Ethan said.

“That’s why we must go even more.”

As they took one step inside the door, as Sandar had said, the density of the air changed.

Powerful miasma, spreading coldness, and an even more vast darkness.

The lantern Sandar had brought was no longer of help.

“Huuuu.”

Ethan took a deep breath and exhaled.

There was a much more intense coldness in Ethan’s breath than in the air, causing Sandar to shiver for a moment.

“You must follow exactly behind me. You absolutely must not fall behind.”

“What!?”

“We’re surrounded.”

Ethan could feel it.

“They seem to know I’ve come. They’re coming.”

Crunch crunch-.

The sound of something being gnawed was heard.

At first, it was a small sound, but soon it grew louder, and then crunching sounds were heard from all directions.

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch-.

Suddenly, Sandar’s expression hardened. He finally remembered. Common sense doesn’t apply in the subterranean world.

If there’s any pattern, it’s the subterranean world luring you in, his master had clearly said.

He had believed in his abilities because he had always been able to return from this terrifying subterranean world. But at this moment, he was feeling an immense sense of helplessness.

Crunch crunch-.

Slap-.

Ethan slapped Sandar’s cheek hard.

“Let’s go.”

Ethan ran forward with the signal.

And immediately drew his Frost Sword.

Crunch-! Crunch-!

The monsters weren’t afraid of the attack at all.

It was as if they thought Ethan’s attacks wouldn’t reach them.

-The effect of infallibility is working.

Shaaaa-.

The power of the Frost Sword began to flow out. At the same time, another energy mixed into the Frost Sword.

‘Souls are mixed in.’

Hup.

The energy of Bihyeongrang was imbued in Ethan’s breath.

Ethan Swordsmanship First Form

Frost Thunder

“Did you think it wouldn’t hit?”

“Kee, keeek!?”

Ethan’s sword cleanly split the monsters in half.