1012——————==

Soul of the Evil God (사신지혼)

The end of this world.

And a happy ending.

‘What’s the difference, seriously?’

Is this crazy cat playing word games?

So what do you expect me to do about it?

But then I realized there was a “guest” here, and it felt more like a choice than a question, which really got my gears turning. I hesitated and then spoke to Master Mangnyang.

“Why should I answer that? Why are you forcing me for an answer…”

It’s hard not to let my tongue twist when I know one wrong word and I could end up dead at Master Mangnyang’s hands. Just being in this mess is annoying.

It was a kind of whining, but surprisingly, Master Mangnyang answered me properly.

[Because only you are qualified to give that answer.]

“What? Just me? Why?”

[The law of cause and effect of the end is currently focused on you. The concentrated cause and effect could either open the future of this world depending on your choice, or the opposite. Even the [Revelation] could change depending on your choice.]

“……!!”

[It’s a situation caused by the Evil God.]

What the?!

I have some kind of cause and effect?!

Before I even realized it, it had turned into something tremendous, and while I was still dazed, Master Mangnyang continued.

[However, there was a conflict of opinions among those who read the cause and effect, about whether to leave your choice unattended. So we decided to hear your opinion.]

“Conflict of opinions? Who was involved in the disagreement?”

[……]

Master Mangnyang didn’t answer. But I felt like I knew.

‘Guest’

It had to be that mysterious ruler, sitting quietly in the darkness since earlier, keeping a close watch on us. But since Master Mangnyang didn’t say anything, I couldn’t be sure.

‘Hmm… I don’t think I’m at such a disadvantage here.’

I felt certain that if I played it cool for a moment, Master Mangnyang wouldn’t just up and kill me. With a little more composure, I responded calmly.

“Then… can you tell me what happens if I choose [The End of This World] versus [A Happy Ending]? I need to know the results to make a choice, right? You can’t expect me to choose without knowing anything!”

[Fair point.]

With that, Master Mangnyang began to explain slowly.

[If you choose the end of this world, the [End] and [Revelation] will come at their set times. However, on mankind’s side, there will be one calamity and one blessing added.]

“One calamity and one blessing?”

[The calamity is that the arrival of [aliens] will be accelerated. The hidden ancient races and the underlings of the [Old Ruler] will show up much sooner than before and will be free to act. The dimension doors sealed across the world will open simultaneously. Additionally, the physical disasters from other realms that had been blocked by the divine power’s blessing will also gradually reveal themselves.]

I gasped in horror.

“What is that supposed to mean?! Are you telling me to just die?!”

There was no way to stop that!

Even just one alien race would be impossible to fend off; it would mean dozens of evil embodiments and apostles popping up across the globe, and vile outsiders like the Sea God Clan would be rampant everywhere! No matter how strong the forces of the Great Bear Empire or the Illuminati might be, they wouldn’t be able to handle it!

[And the blessing means I will stand by your side.]

“Huh?”

What did I just hear?

Master Mangnyang blinked and said,

[I will become the god of humanity. Until the end arrives.]

“……!!”

[While I won’t be able to use my full power, I will be ten times freer in giving blessings and support. My [Apostle] will also soon appear. Humanity will endure until the end with my help.]

“Wow… that sounds good.”

I responded with a trembling voice, but inside my heart raced.

Master Mangnyang would be on our side!

I had never imagined such a thing before. What if the guy who had always made excuses due to lack of power embraced it and became a solid ally? Considering the abilities of the Blessing of the Sky, it seemed more than enough to deal with the previously mentioned [calamity].

‘Should I just go with this…?’

As I envisioned a hopeful future, I suddenly had a nagging feeling and spoke up.

“Hey, you did say that you couldn’t help me because you were using all your power to seal the [Worst Demon of All Time]. If you step forward like that, how will you seal it?”

[I won’t seal it. Instead, that ‘guest’ will take over the chaos seal and guard it until the end. That has been agreed upon.]

“…Can that even happen? It must be an immense seal!”

[That person has that much capability.]

“Who the hell is that guy?”

[Until they introduce themselves, I can’t tell you.]

I glanced at the ‘guest’ again.

‘Guest’ slightly nodded and seemed to smile faintly. That sight irritated me, and I shouted.

“Hey! Speak up! Why are you saying nothing? Are you ignoring me?!”

……

But there was no answer. It was as if my words went unheard, sitting there like a statue. Since Master Mangnyang wasn’t forcing them to respond either, I begrudgingly broke the awkward silence.

“…Um, alright. Then what happens after the end?”

[I don’t know.]

“Right… of course… wait, you don’t know?!”

I accidentally voiced my thoughts and was taken aback.

‘I thought for sure you’d have a plan!’

Then Master Mangnyang said,

[That choice is an adventure for me too. I’m putting my existence on the line in this final fight, rejecting the scheduled end. Thus, the outcomes and causes after my involvement cannot be observed.]

“Damn it… so that’s why you called it the ‘end’?”

[Exactly.]

I understood what Master Mangnyang meant. Even he couldn’t figure out a way to deal with the world’s end and the nightmare of the [Father]’s descent. It was a gamble where he staked everything to protect humanity!

That was precisely the earlier choice of [The End of This World].

If I chose this, humanity would gain an ultra-powerful ally in Master Mangnyang, but we would start an endless battle against countless aliens and demons pouring in. Worse yet, even Master Mangnyang couldn’t guarantee the result.

I decided to ask just in case.

“Can’t your Blessing of the Sky erase the [End]?”

[No.]

“What the heck, isn’t that supposed to be some super powerful ability?! Still no?”

[When true destruction approaches, an equal power to mine will appear at the climax. If they reject my authority, there’s nothing I can do.]

“……”

It feels like even Master Mangnyang has limits…

I smacked my lips and said,

“I get it. Now, what’s the latter choice, [A Happy Ending]?”

[I will transfer the authority of Ascension to that ‘guest’. If that happens, the ‘guest’ will postpone the [End] and [Revelation] for ten thousand years, completely blocking all the invasions of the [Old Ruler] and aliens. Humanity will enjoy highly privileged treatment in the universe and will even gain powers comparable to the Giant Race. The underworld and reincarnation will also stabilize, allowing you and your companions to escape the fear of the end.]

“What?! You can delay it? No way!”

That was supposed to be something only the Three Sovereigns could do, especially Fuxi!

But now, with the Three Sovereigns falling apart due to the curse of the Evil God, nobody could delay the end. Naturally, when I looked at the ‘guest’ with suspicion, Master Mangnyang yawned and said,

[Of course, even that guy right now wouldn’t have that power. It’s impossible. But if authority of Ascension is transferred and elevated, then it will be possible.]

“What does that even mean?”

[Right now, I can’t tell you. Only those who qualify to challenge for Ascension can know its nature.]

I was irritated and shouted.

“…You’re really hiding stuff. You hide everything and just expect me to choose? You think I’ll just sit back and let you control the narrative?”

[Indeed.]

“But don’t you realize? According to your logic, choosing the latter would be the right choice. You’re the one losing out here, not me! I won’t be at a loss!”

I aimed for Master Mangnyang to be flustered with my jab, but he simply replied apathetically.

[This was suggested with that in mind. This place is for you to freely choose.]

“You mean you wouldn’t care about losing your authority?”

[I will simply fulfill my obligations. Whatever the outcome, I will go along with it.]

“……”

I crossed my arms and thought deeply.

‘No matter how I look at it, choosing [A Happy Ending] seems right…’

If I chose that, humanity would definitely be saved. I had reservations about the ‘guest’ gaining the authority of Ascension, but honestly, what does that have to do with me? If Master Mangnyang bore the loss, everyone else would have a happy ending.

Wait, does that mean it’s a happy ending for everyone except Master Mangnyang?

While I ruminated over it, suddenly I felt there was something off.

‘Hmm… if I choose [A Happy Ending], what will happen to me?’

Since the fear of the end would be delayed by ten thousand years, my friends like Sagong Lin and Cheon Woo-jin would be able to live comfortably for the rest of their lives, and the Great Bear Empire would manage to enjoy some happiness too. All mankind would be happy, and I could also seek the happiness of being human that I had put off for so long during those ten thousand years.

Getting plastic surgery to become a handsome guy, dating a pretty girl, trying out all sorts of peaceful lives… it would be a lie if I said I hadn’t wished for that. I’ve thought that becoming an expert in my first life and enjoying such a life would be nice. But then I suddenly recalled one name.

Miho.

…What happened to Miho? I still don’t know what happened to her because I haven’t received any details. But whether Miho is dead or alive, I couldn’t feel truly happy just because she’s not here with me now. Furthermore, could my former comrades who died up to now accept such an ending?

What have I accomplished until now?

“……”

No, not really.

Even if I tried to forcibly think of a happy life… it’s impossible.

It had already been decided.

That day… the day I made a vow to kill this world, even if it meant dying again and again.

The day I wished for the destruction of the gods, even down to my soul, I had already gone insane.

There’s no turning back.

At that moment, I grinned an awkward, twisted smile.

“Heh…”

What is happiness?

Is happiness simply the absence of unhappiness?

In this world overflowing with endless misfortune, aren’t we just brainwashing ourselves under the guise of happiness?

If a realization brings happiness, does that mean you weren’t happy until that moment? Where else would such facades exist?

…What a ridiculous notion.

A talentless ugly guy, laden from birth with the elements of unhappiness, can only laugh at the word happiness. Grabbing what little value there is and being unhappy… it’s just an endless cycle.

Still, as long as I can be content, that’s enough, right? Yet, no matter if I’m satisfied or not, somewhere in this world, unhappiness flows like blood, ceaselessly. No matter how many people I save from misfortune, someone else would still fall into it. The root of that unhappiness is the God, and this world driven mad by gods.

‘Happiness… don’t make me laugh.’

So I have no choice but to fight.

I must fight until I die, and even after death.

For just one more moment, to continue living, and hold onto death like a friend.

That’s how I can repay the wishes of my comrades who have died for me up until now!

I feel bad for those living in this era, but I simply couldn’t accept that conclusion. I couldn’t let someone else’s conclusion define my past life. So I tossed aside the idea of happiness and thought about the former conditions.

‘Then the former… [The End of This World]. That means making Master Mangnyang an ally and starting an endless fight.’

I pondered this condition and then said to Master Mangnyang.

“If I choose the former, can you help me find the Fragment of Dharma Technique of the Non-Birth Mother?”

[No.]

“Why? If the restrictions are lifted that much, it should be possible!”

[My powers are bound to the technique and its cause and effect. So I cannot find it with my strength. It’s a restriction that continues from the heavenly realm.]

That was something I’d never heard before. I frowned.

“Geez. What kind of restriction is that… then can you give me the Blessing of the Sky immediately?”

[What would you use it for?]

“I’m trying to use the Blessing of the Sky to…”

[That also uses my strength, so no.]

“……”

I can’t have this and I can’t have that.

In that moment, I realized.

Both of the proposals are garbage.

It’s sheer violence disregarding my position.

The moment I realized that, I knew clearly what action I had to take. Glancing at Master Mangnyang, I firmly stated,

“Then I won’t choose! I won’t gain anything from this! Don’t just move the story along as you please!”

That’s my answer.

Instead of being pushed around, I won’t make a choice!

[Is that so? If you don’t choose, you won’t gain any assistance and it will proceed towards the end as it is. I wonder if you can overcome the end with your own power.]

“……”

[As days go by, the situation will worsen and it will become impossible for me to assist humanity.]

Is that really the case?

If I chose the former, it might be a bit tricky, but I’d have a reliable ally in Master Mangnyang. If I chose the latter, I would avoid the war altogether. In that sense, my choice of [Not Choosing Anything] could be considered the worst.

But I said once more,

“Still not doing it!”

A strong intuition strikes me.

I feel like whichever I choose, it will go horribly wrong.

Whenever I have this kind of intuition, I have never failed to make the wrong choice!

[Alright then.]

“…Hey, you’re not mad, are you?”

I asked just in case, but Master Mangnyang replied.

[Of course not.]

Is it just me, or does it look like Master Mangnyang seems to be in a good mood?

When Master Mangnyang cast a glance at the ‘guest’ beside him, the ‘guest’ slowly rose from their seat after a moment and murmured something.

You’re such a bother, even though it’s all ready to go. Reborn one…

‘…What?!’

Hu Woong

I flinched and looked at him, but he had already vanished without a trace. As I stared blankly at where he had disappeared, Master Mangnyang spoke.

[Well then, today’s matters are concluded. Please return me to the original state.]

“Wait, hold on.”

[What is it?]

“You still have my obsidian… the one I got from the Guardian of the Moon, right? Can I have it back…”

Master Mangnyang waggled his tail left and right and snapped his fingers on the ground.

[No. I won’t give it back.]

“……”

Very firm!

I had given it as an emotional offering, yet he just made it his own!

I was at a loss for words when I suddenly remembered something.

“Where is Jin So-cheong? The village disappeared, and I left her with you before.”

[I taught her, but there was nothing left to teach her, so I sent her off. She’s probably wandering somewhere in the world right now.]

“…Taught her? Taught her what?”

[Sorcery and shamanism. She wanted to learn, so I taught her.]

“……”

[She’s practicing martial arts on her own.]

What, what did you teach her?

To that genius…?

Even I was stunned by the unexpected turn of events, my mouth gaping as Master Mangnyang’s figure began to fade, and I slowly felt my eyes closing.

[As I previously mentioned, she will find you before your death. Just wait.]

After waking up, I used the National Seal to search for Jin So-cheong. However, out of the 1,749 people sharing her name, even after sorting by age, I couldn’t find Jin So-cheong. The oldest among them was already 129 years old, meaning the real Jin So-cheong was likely far beyond the scope of the National Seal.

If I couldn’t find her with that, she must either be under some special shamanism or seal, or she might have completely left this world for another realm. Either way, it seemed impossible to locate Jin So-cheong now.

“This is unsettling…”

Why would she come to find me before I die?

Is she planning to kill me?

Well, it wouldn’t matter much, but it wouldn’t feel good to die at the hands of a comrade. As I stepped out with a complicated heart, I found Liu Ha sitting on a plush leather chair in the large hall of the palace.

“Urgent news! The first emperor has arrived~!!”

Liu Ha was laughing as if in a good mood, holding a device in one hand while doing something. I scratched my head and said,

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here because the Golden Lamp might be unstable! I’m your auxiliary transportation, Your Majesty! If you want to go anywhere, just say the word!”

“……”

Hmm, that tone feels a bit fancy…

Is that a tone that’s even out there?

As I looked around, I said,

“Aren’t Sagong Lin and Cheon Woo-jin busy right now?”

“Yep! They’re both super busy! But if you want to meet them, it’s always possible for you!”

“…Forget it. I want to explore this country a bit today.”

Liu Ha grinned.

“Am I a tour guide?! Awesome~~”

I paused to think. Since it might be risky to awaken the Seven Luminaries alone right now, that’s not something I should do immediately. Besides, today, Sagong Lin and Cheon Woo-jin will be very busy, so just heading over without an invite wouldn’t be good either. I didn’t want to spend one of my remaining days very hastily, especially since there were still 17 years left.

That meant there was only one place to go.

“I want to visit where the Tactical Forces Agent ranks number one and do Closed Room Training.”

At that, Liu Ha’s face momentarily clouded.

“Ugh— is that the shrine of the giant? Do you really have to go…?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright then~”

Wiying!

Liu Ha fiddled with the app on his device and soon a small transference gate appeared. As Liu Ha stepped inside the gate, he said,

“This is the transference gate to the White Lotus Sect~~!”