986——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I went to the Prophet.

Whoosh!

“Prophet, let’s make a deal!”

[……]

I saw the Prophet emerge from the darkness of the towering building with his signature slow movements. I spoke to him.

“As you can see, I am a Reborn Person. You have marked me with a symbol before.”

I thought it best to clarify, as trying to deceive the Prophet might leave a worse impression. The Prophet silently observed me, and only then did it seem he recognized the symbol, responding with mild interest.

[Oh… I see…]

“I want to know two things. One is about the magic of Obsidian, and the other I will ask after you explain that.”

[Go ahead and ask first. I’ll assess the value of your question and measure the price you owe… ]

“I want to know how to solve the problem of the potential decrease in Absolute Realm when using Obsidian magic.”

[What do you mean…?]

“Meaning…”

I explained to the Prophet what I had discussed with the Sword Demon. I couldn’t shake off a hint of anxiety as I spoke.

‘The Prophet is an alien… he probably knows nothing about martial arts or the Absolute Realm. Can he even understand?’

After I finished, the Prophet pondered for a moment and then spoke.

[So… it’s beneficial to transfer your martial arts experience through memory. However, you’re weaker than an expert who achieved the Absolute Realm through personal effort… You came here because you want to understand the limits of Obsidian magic, right?]

“Yes.”

[Hmm… It seems you’ve misunderstood that magic… Despite using it for so long, you can’t handle it properly. You really lack talent…]

“What?”

[If you honed it a bit, you would have realized it by now…]

The Prophet muttered dejectedly.

[Transmitting memories isn’t limited to one method… it means the enchanter can transfer memories in the way they want… The issue lies in how you convey the memories, not with the magic itself.]

What does that mean?

When I made a perplexed expression, the Prophet spoke again.

[I’ll try inserting my memory into you…]

“… Uh, no, that’s okay.”

[It won’t harm you. Experiencing it firsthand will give you an understanding of what it feels like.]

Whoosh!

As he finished speaking, I realized that the Prophet’s tentacle was already touching my forehead. I couldn’t even tell when he made contact, which sent a chill down my spine. Just like that, I was aware that I had been touched by the Prophet.

‘What… what’s happening?! This isn’t speed… I didn’t even feel time stop, what the…’

Is this the magic of the Tao King, a being comparable to the Old Ruler?!

While I was still in shock, memories suddenly flooded into my mind.

——————————————————————————==

The day came for me to meet the leader of the Galactic Tribe Alliance, and I attended the meeting as a representative of my clan. The leader droned on about why the Great Race should assist in defeating the Old Ruler, but it all felt entirely meaningless to me. Once you know the Truth, everything seems trivial, and from our perspective, merely observing is the best strategy.

“Please be sure to come again, Tao King.”

The leader revealed that they had set up a system to monitor the hyperdimensional life forms coexisting on Earth, keeping tabs on them since thousands of years ago. He was trying hard not to upset me.

‘Heh heh heh.’

Such pointless actions… the fools! Do you really think you can grasp even a hint of the Law of Cause and Effect? As long as the Outer Gods exist, you’re merely pawns in a huge game. Well, you might be better off than us? Not knowing might be better for you. We can only find comfort in knowing that we alone are entitled to watch the final victor. All I can do is hope the Great Return comes swiftly.

——————————————————————————==

The Tao King boldly appeared at the meeting place where the high-ranking officials of the Galactic Tribe Alliance gathered, the fortress of Parulram near the red giant. The leader and chairperson, Kalbiog, passionately insisted on the necessity of uniting technology against the Old Ruler. The Tao King replied.

“So, you’re begging like a beggar to share the technologies residing in the Tower of Muwang?”

“Tao King! That’s harsh.”

The Tao King said, visibly annoyed.

“You must have requested the technology for the Spirit Particle Barrier. Now you should easily handle chaos below 0.9 Rotal, right?”

Kalbiog appealed, rolling two of the four eyes that were part of his two heads.

“If a powerful entity among the Old Ruler steps forward, it’s beyond our capacity. Our civilizations are still on the brink of destruction due to the evil Gods of Chaos. Great Race, please help us.”

“I refuse. You already possess more than enough power for your survival and have hyperlight spaceships. You’re even blowing up planets to mine for resources. You’re no longer the weak ones we need to care for.”

“… If that’s the case, feel free to contact us if you change your mind at any time. We’ve been monitoring the hyperdimensional life forms on Earth since 8,000 years ago. We’ll be ready to serve you whenever you wish.”

“……”

“Please be sure to come again, Tao King.”

Whoosh

Once the meeting ended, the Tao King left. Kalbiog and the executives of the Galactic Tribe Alliance then deliberated whether to save the mortals on Earth and concluded to make contact with the outstanding human Demon Sorcerer, Dr. Faust.

——————————————————————————==

“…….?!”

What the hell is this?!

I felt confused as I caught two contrasting memories in an instant. The feelings from the first and second memories were entirely opposite. Yet they were clearly memories from the same moment, and the characters were identical. While I was stunned, the Prophet spoke.

[That’s my memory from when I attended the Galactic Tribe Alliance before. Do you notice any differences between the two… ]

“What difference is there?”

[The first is first-person… my thoughts, feelings, and experiences are conveyed directly… You could say it has a focus on the enchanter… However, the second is third-person… like information observed from the outside as if a third party was watching… conveyed through the Obsidian…]

“……!!”

[Until now, you’ve only recorded information in first-person into the Obsidian… The observer would… learn about your life as if reading a long epic or novel… and that’s the problem.]

“Why is that a problem?”

The Prophet swayed his tentacles for a moment and then said.

[The advantage of first-person is… you can intuitively grasp your life’s memories, but as you mentioned, the subjective influence it imposes on the other party is quite large… The memory transfer technique I imparted to you was specifically for nobility, so it has protective measures in place… Normally, conveying memories your way is dangerous… Ultimately, the potential of the Absolute Realm decreases because you’re transmitting memories in first-person… ]

“……”

[What I recommend is transferring memories in third-person… That way, you won’t have to worry about such concerns during the transfer… I’ll teach you that method. Although you’ll realize it just by using that magic, I must say… ]

“Wait a minute.”

[Is there a problem…?]

“There’s something odd.”

I crossed my arms and pondered. After sorting my thoughts, I questioned the Prophet.

“Based on the description from earlier with the third-person perspective, there were many pieces of information you couldn’t possibly know. It was as if explaining from an omniscient view, detailing trivial info about the characters despite that being information you weren’t aware of at that moment?”

[Right…]

“Isn’t memory limited to what you see and hear? How can it be transmitted that way? This isn’t a matter of perspective!”

[Exactly… That’s an excellent question…]

The Prophet wiggled his tentacles as he continued speaking.

[So… let me ask… do you think an omniscient perspective on ‘memory’ is impossible…?]

“Of course! Then that would make it a god!”

[[Old Ruler] is a god…]

That made me shout angrily.

“No! They are just ridiculously powerful monsters! They surely have their limits! While they might not seem different from gods, they are not absolute gods!”

[… You seem quite firm in your belief… Could it be that you’re still in the early stages…?]

The Prophet muttered something incomprehensible.

[The reason our race can transfer third-person memories with our magic is precisely because of the Void Record.]

“Void Record…?”

[You must have heard about the Void Record a few times… the record of the universe… the greatest wisdom… Thanks to that existence, transferring memories in third-person is entirely feasible.]

“What does that have to do with anything?”

[What do you think the record of the universe signifies…? Do you honestly think we can define the border between life and non-life, existence and non-existence… with our kind…? That great existence…]

“……?”

[Heh, it’s not particularly relevant… Understanding won’t do you any good… Just focus on your practical use for now…]

“… Got it.”

[Transmitting memories in third-person won’t cost you anything… You’re merely too foolish to apply it even after I’ve taught you…]

“……”

You’d better just insult me.

I grumbled internally, but since I was getting a benefit, I kept my mouth shut.

Whoosh!

For a moment, there was a flash of light, and I finally understood how to transmit memories in third-person. It was indeed an application of the technique the Prophet previously taught me, and I realized it was a method I could figure out on my own if I delved deeper into it. It seemed I had become so accustomed to the first-person perspective that I hadn’t considered looking for another way.

The Prophet continued.

[However… there are several downsides to transmitting memories in third-person.]

“What are the downsides?”

[Since the experience transmitted will be less than first-person, the recipient will only feel like they’ve memorized it from a book… thus they won’t genuinely gain any experience.]

“So the inheritance of experiences will drop compared to first-person, huh?”

[Exactly… to a greater extent than you think. Also, to speak of the downsides from your perspective as a Reborn Person… when transmitting in first-person, the other person is significantly influenced by your emotions and beliefs… in third-person, they won’t show any changes at all.]

“……? Why is that a downside?”

[Heh heh… When you experience it yourself, you’ll understand why.]

“Hmm. Got it.”

I decided to feel satisfied with the newfound technique from the Prophet. Then I brought up my second request.

“Now, for the next topic… tell me what kind of legacy is behind this Obsidian.”

Swish

I presented the Obsidian I obtained after catching the Guardian of the Moon Sovereign to the Prophet. He took the Obsidian and examined it from various angles, and then, to my surprise, he expressed amazement.

[Oh… where did you get this?]

“I caught the Guardian of the Moon Sovereign and obtained it. I don’t understand why it came from the avatar of the Old Ruler, so I came to ask you.”

[Hmm…]

The Prophet pondered for a moment before speaking.

[This… might be tricky for you to use… it’s not a particularly good item, so if you give it to me, I’ll take responsibility for disposing of it…]

“……”

What the hell is he talking about?

I frowned and replied.

“I asked for an appraisal. Just tell me what kind of item it is first.”

[Appraisal… appraisal, you say… then you’ll need to pay the price.]

“Alright. How about this?”

I offered up the Black and White Lotus technique. The Prophet then looked at me incredulously.

[Are you kidding…? If you don’t intend to trade seriously, then get out.]

As he turned away, I anxiously called out.

“No, I’m not joking… Just let me know what you want in terms of compensation?”

[Hmm… for now, let’s see what you bring… ]

“Alright then.”

I started laying out my treasures: a gold bar from the Ruins of Xuyou, a spirit rice I retrieved from the same ruins, Yodo Muramasa, and a fake triad relic. As the Prophet looked them over, he muttered doubtfully.

[They have some value… but… it feels like you’re offering me things that aren’t really necessary for you…]

I felt a pang of realization but continued to argue.

“Isn’t the appraisal way too expensive?! Isn’t this enough…?”

[No… not enough… show me more than this… ]

“……”

Ugh… there’s no helping it.

I wanted to save my treasures as much as possible since I was still at the beginning of rebirth, but I had no choice.

Reluctantly, I added Twin Broadswords, the Azure Dragon Halberd, the unfinished Philosopher’s Stone from the Imperial Palace, the Sacred Lotus of the White Lotus Sect, and the forbidden tome of the Divine Thief to the pile. The Prophet stared at them and then said, impassively.

[Hmm… a bit more.]

“Hey!! That’s a bit much, isn’t it?! Can’t a regular be given a discount?!”

[This is what I can offer at this price… If you don’t like it, then get out.]

“Ugh!!”

I finally shed tears of blood and contributed the Human Face Pillar’s Inner Dan plus a fragment of the Ten Commandments Tablet.

[Still not enough…]

“……”

[Anything else…?]

“Just give me a sec.”

In desperation, I rushed to Mount Ye and fetched enough Divine Blood to weigh as much as a rock. I even produced a statue of Jeon Wook. I hadn’t absorbed Spirit Power, but it seemed that if I didn’t do this, I would have to sacrifice the treasures I genuinely needed.

I ended up giving away everything except the essentials. Even so, each item had its own worth, so I felt quite regretful. At that point, the Prophet spoke.

[Alright… Then I will appraise it… I’ll let you know the identity and value of this Obsidian… ]

“Tell me quickly!”

What followed from the Prophet surprised me.

[This Obsidian… is not Obsidian at all. This is a Divine Body.]