1186——————==

Soul of the Evil God

A dream?!

It’s a dream…?!

I shouted in horror.

“No way!! It can’t be a dream!! All of that was a dream… how could a dream feel this real…?”

“Just like the Land and Earth Diagram.”

Zhuge Sa coldly interrupted my words.

“The only reason you can deny that dream as a dream is because you believe there is a separate [reality]. Besides that, you cannot distinguish it with any of your senses. Furthermore, considering that what happened in the dream is completely reflected in reality, you can’t just call it [fake]. You have no choice but to be deceived.”

“……”

“Then how do you think you would be deceived while traveling in a [dream]?”

“How do you mean….”

“Because you experienced a sensation so real in the Land and Earth Diagram that you didn’t recognize it as a dream was because it was an entirely different ultra-ancient time and space. Of course, you’ll think it’s strange since it’s prehistoric before human civilization began, right? But if you overlay a temporal and spatial background identical to the current reality on your dream, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”

“…Huh….”

“That’s exactly where you are now. You were already in the dream.”

As I listened to Zhuge Sa, my mouth fell open without my knowing.

‘Th-That’s true.’

In the Land and Earth Diagram, I had a definite consciousness that I entered the [scroll] internally, allowing me to distinguish the dream world. However, if I entered a dream with the same space-time as reality without that process, it meant I wouldn’t notice at all.

“Moreover, since you frequently experience [death], you wouldn’t be able to realize that a [dream] has started due to the excuse of turning the [cycle]…. You’re just too accustomed to it.”

“……”

Zhuge Sa glanced at Hang-a and continued.

“That guy also told you when he gave you a [clue]. In the [knot], there is no such thing as ‘if,’ and that you were destined to move this way….”

“That’s right.”

“When I heard that, I found it really strange. Because you had already received authentication from Eungui.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The hexagram of No No. Don’t you remember?”

“Ah!”

As I grasped something from Zhuge Sa’s words and my face went stiff, he smiled coldly.

“It’s the final hexagram for diviners, rendering divination meaningless, indicating absolute neutrality and absolute chaos. That means no being can read or judge your fate, Baek Woong.”

“…B-but according to Hang-a…”

“Contradiction. It doesn’t add up. The final hexagram speaks of absolute fate’s chaos, yet how can everything be predetermined in the [knot]? It doesn’t make sense. Even if Hang-a is some mystical being, there’s no way to directly contradict the final hexagram from Eungui, one of the universe’s greatest diviners.”

“That’s true….”

“Of course, the fate within the [knot] has to be predetermined. It’s a [dream], right? If someone who makes you dream colludes with someone and hunts you, they would obviously steer you in a certain direction, wouldn’t they? That’s where I realized—Hang-a is the one making you dream.”

“……!!”

Only then did I understand Zhuge Sa’s words and felt a shiver.

Every word from Hang-a, which I had brushed off without thought, was cunningly mixed with truth and lies, and while I disliked and doubted her, I couldn’t question this [reality] or the proposition that [I must not die].

‘Was Hang-a just hoping that I would hate and doubt her? So I couldn’t doubt the very [situation] itself…!!’

The more I focused on Hang-a, the harder it became to look at anything else. In reality, I had thought about when and how to dismiss her, but never once did I doubt the proposition of death itself.

All of her seemingly minor words, actions—every single one was Hang-a’s scheme!

And Zhuge Sa had quickly seen through the scheme’s true and false nature, devised the best countermeasures, and sprang into action!

If it weren’t for Zhuge Sa, I would have continued to struggle in the swamp!

While I was dazed, Zhuge Sa snapped his fingers. He was now holding a cold iced tea.

Gulp.

As Zhuge Sa leisurely sipped his iced tea, I was left dumbfounded.

“…Hey. I wanted to ask how you could do that? How did you summon this chair and the iced tea… Is it magic?”

“Oh, foolish lord of ours. I wish you’d at least grasp one for every one I explain… snicker.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled as his shoulders shook.

“Hang-a said you can’t use divine power or energy here. That’s true. Because this is a dream.”

“……?”

“Since it’s a dream, anything can come out if you just imagine it. Isn’t that how dreams work?”

Oh.

Before I knew it, Zhuge Sa had summoned a giant cigarette and was holding it between his fingers. I panicked and said.

“No way! If even intent isn’t working, how is that possible… I can’t do that!”

“There’s just – one precondition.”

“Precondition?”

“You have to recognize that this is a [dream].”

“…….”

“In the path of reincarnation or whatever, regardless, you’ve been perceiving this as [reality] due to Hang-a’s nonsense. That’s not how it works. The ones who casually enjoy the dream become the most powerful in this space.”

I hesitated, trying to think of this as a dream as Zhuge Sa suggested. Then I tried to summon my companions, but still, nothing appeared. I shouted at Zhuge Sa.

“It doesn’t work!”

“Oh, foolish lord of ours. If it were that easy, would Hang-a be able to deceive you? [Recognition] must be a genuine belief from deep within your heart, breaking down those locks. Even if you think it’s a dream in your head, Baek Woong, you still can’t truly feel that this is a dream. You’re still carrying on about the Wheel King’s powers.”

“……”

“Well, you probably can’t change that right now. There are still some things left to say, so just listen quietly.”

“Got it….”

I had no choice but to flop back down into the chair at Zhuge Sa’s words.

Zhuge Sa wore a serious expression as he looked at Hang-a.

“While constructing this hypothesis, one question emerged. Does Hang-a move out of the intent of the [Heavenly Secret] itself…? This was truly important. If the Heavenly Secret itself is antagonistic to Baek Woong, the situation could spiral out of control.”

Hang-a remained expressionless and silent. Meanwhile, Zhuge Sa continued speaking.

“However, that suspicion was soon resolved. Because I remembered the situation when Hang-a awakened after receiving a name from Baek Woong.”

“What situation are you talking about?”

“The book welcomed Baek Woong’s call. I remember it well because I shared his attention through the Soul Exchange Technique. Those are not words directed at an enemy.”

“……”

“From this point, it enters the domain of irrational speculation, but I believe that the Heavenly Secret itself harbors no particular feelings towards Baek Woong. It’s more of a neutral entity providing the functions that Baek Woong desires.”

“Is there evidence?”

“When Hang-a received her name, a being of the ritual wept tears of blood in agony. From my perspective as the Demon King, it appeared to be a summoning.”

Summoning?

As I listened, my eyes went wide as I exclaimed to Zhuge Sa.

“Summoning?”

“Yeah. It seems other guys, not familiar with the demon path, couldn’t think it through, but that was a classic appearance after performing a proper offering ceremony, summoning another being in exchange for the offering. So the Heavenly Secret consumed the being of the ritual and in return granted Hang-a. Do you understand what this means?”

“…I don’t know.”

“No matter how malevolent a demon-like being is, if an offering is made properly, the summoner must provide a sufficient payment. That’s the law of the universe. But if the being is antagonistic from the start, it will never accept the offering. Because if it messes around or causes trouble in exchange for the offering, it itself suffers damage, so that method can’t be used.”

Zhuge Sa smiled slyly.

“The mere fact that the summoning ritual was established means that Hang-a is provided as a [gain] for you. The Heavenly Secret, at least at this point, can’t be called your enemy, Baek Woong. Just my speculation, but it might be that the chaotic talent you awakened in the Land and Earth Diagram had influenced the Heavenly Secret.”

“Chaotic talent…? Ah!”

Now that I think about it!

Thanks to the help from the Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun, I was able to ascend to the altar unlocking the chaotic talent, and I heard from their mouths that I was granted summoning abilities! As I racked my brain, Zhuge Sa said.

“But despite that, Hang-a forcibly compelled the [knot] contrary to your will… That probably means that the Heavenly Secret moves of its own accord. Communication fails.”

“Hmm.”

“I don’t know how it’s possible for Hang-a to have received a name yet still betray you. This remains a mystery.”

Zhuge Sa’s words were heard by Hang-a, who finally opened her mouth.

“Impressive. I never expected you’d deduce this far from a tiny clue.”

“Heh heh… If you have something to say, say it. I have an idea of what tricks you might pull.”

“Of course.”

Hang-a paused for a moment, then suddenly turned to me and said.

“Baek Woong, do you know the reason Master Mangnyang betrayed you?”

“……”

What…?

I felt as if I had been slapped in the face as my mind blanked out. Literally, I was so out of it that even if someone stabbed me with a knife, I wouldn’t have noticed.

“Regardless of how foolish you are, you must have caught on that someone pushed the power of the Wheel King onto you—that was Master Mangnyang, intertwined with my plan.”

What is she saying?

Mangnyang… betrayed… me…?

Zhuge Sa’s voice echoed in my ears like a distant memory.

“As expected, it’s coming out. I can see the intent clearly. Is this how you’re going for one final reversal?”

However, while Zhuge Sa spoke like that, he didn’t particularly stop Hang-a.

I knew what that attitude meant.

Zhuge Sa was – now testing my qualifications as a king once more.

“Baek Woong. Listen carefully.”

Hang-a smiled brightly and gazed into my eyes.

“Master Mangnyang and I are not comrades. But the one who joined hands with me extended a hand to Mangnyang for a very long time…. Yes…. For a very long time. During the hundreds of years you were gone, Master Mangnyang, having acquired the Emperor’s artifact, came to hear [his voice].”

“……”

“It wasn’t overt. However, Mangnyang’s spirit has been shaken constantly.”

I didn’t want to hear this.

But Hang-a’s words continued to pour forth, regardless of my will.

“The reason for that turmoil was not due to a shortage of loyalty and righteousness towards you. In fact, it was the opposite.”

“Stop with the nonsense.”

“Baek Woong. Do you still think you need to pursue the True Martial Home?”

“Stop it!!”

Swish!!

I unconsciously swung my sword at Hang-a. But she vanished from the spot I swung at like an apparition and reappeared on the opposite side. Slowly walking back, she conjured a chair like Zhuge Sa and sat down, saying.

“I know. Master Mangnyang made two proposals in your dream. What did you say then?”

“I don’t remember! Damn it!”

“You didn’t choose between [the end of this world] and [a happy ending]. That means you rejected the method for humankind, 10 billion of whom could enjoy happiness for 10,000 years by postponing the end.”

“……”

“Why did you refuse? If you truly cared about saving this world, did the future of 10 billion humans not matter to you? They aren’t reincarnators, likely feeling that their own life is the most important, and now you’re trampling their survival for your ideals. In a situation where only you, the reincarnator, can decide the matter of survival.”

“What are you trying to say?”

I saw Hang-a’s eyes twist and smile like moonlight. Beautiful, but at the same time eerie and unsettling.

“Is it really important for those pesky humans whether the [Old Ruler] is dismissed or not? Isn’t it more important to just avoid the end and live happily until they die? For humans who could gladly become a demon if it meant happiness, isn’t it too lofty a standard you’ve set?”

“I get it. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll commit suicide right now.”

Swish.

I pressed the blade to my neck.

No matter how foolish I was, I understood what was crucial now.

The act of committing suicide.

Ending my 28th life and starting my 29th—

Even with that alone, I could crush Hang-a and [someone]’s plan.

Knowing that, Zhuge Sa had remained so relaxed until now. Once he fully explained Hang-a’s plan, it was practically a win.

As expected, upon seeing my actions, Hang-a flinched and slowly continued speaking.

“Reborn person Baek Woong. You’ve become a being who can disregard the deaths of 10 billion, haven’t you? You’re no longer even human…. And Mangnyang has rejected your path.”

“……”

“He rejected the path of the non-human.”

I hesitated, stopping myself from driving the knife further into my throat. I couldn’t ignore Hang-a’s words.

“What do you mean? Mangnyang wouldn’t do that.”

“Why do you think he wouldn’t?”

“I gave Mangnyang obsidian. And I accepted all my past memories, saying I would join him in the True Martial Home’s journey. That was 500 years ago. Mangnyang decided to follow my path based on his beliefs!”

Hang-a shrugged at my outburst.

“Could it really be like that? Just now, Zhuge Sa mentioned a good point…. For your companions, this life is their reality, and they can’t easily urge you to commit suicide.”

I sneered at Hang-a, breathing contempt.

“Is that all you have? My companion Mangnyang isn’t such a narrow-minded human. He is a true honorable person who views his own life as insignificant! He wouldn’t betray me out of concern for his own life! Never!”

“…….”

“I would stake my life on it!”

As I confidently claimed, Hang-a nodded.

“You know well. It’s precisely because Mangnyang is a true honorable person. That’s why he betrayed you.”

I flinched in surprise.

“…What?”

Hang-a paused for a moment before saying.

“What is righteousness? In a ceaseless cosmic struggle, can we definitively conclude that witnessing a pure world where the [Old Ruler] is gone is justice? That’s a definition only for you, the reincarnator.”

Following Hang-a’s words, I felt shocked.

“If Mangnyang’s definition is saving the pitiable 10 billion humans before his eyes and making them happy, can we say his definition is wrong? Isn’t it intrinsic duty (義) to save those who would face a gruesome fate at the end?”

“……”

“If you were to ask ordinary humans, 10 out of 10 would say Mangnyang is right. How many would dare align with true aspirations for the True Martial Home at the cost of suffering through the end?”

“Wha-What….”

“Do you still not realize? For Mangnyang, this life’s reality is his life. And while he values his life, in the weight of 10 billion lives…. He possessed a conscience that cannot turn a blind eye to that.”

Hang-a softly smiled, pointing at me with her finger.

“In this age, the maniac is you, Baek Woong. Can you blame the strategist for betraying a mad lord?”

This…what.

No.

Don’t say such absurd things.

The True Martial Home is truly the right path. Doesn’t she realize that compromising only means a mere self-soothing exercise? In the end, the erratic moods of the [Old Rulers] won’t change the disastrous outcome.

I couldn’t trust that ‘guest’s’ promise at all. No matter what, if they hand me options only to change their minds and mess with me later, what then? It’s simply changing how they play with their toys.

Mangnyang wouldn’t be unaware of that… Why would Mangnyang…

“I…”

Words wouldn’t come out.

Normally, I’d immediately refute it, but I couldn’t speak because I couldn’t believe the reality that Mangnyang, no one else but him, had turned his back on me. Beyond just using logic, the heavy truth kept me quiet.

As I wore a blank expression, Hang-a slowly began to speak.

“But if you die like this, you won’t be able to confirm Mangnyang’s true intentions. Isn’t that right?”

“……!!”

“What I’m saying is merely speculative.”

“What do you mean…?”

Feeling as though my eyes had been opened wide, I raised my face, and Hang-a smiled brightly, more than ever.

“You lost. Accept your defeat.”

“……”

“But don’t give up. Just try once more.”

Suddenly, what is she saying…

I strained to open my mouth.

“…What do you mean?”

“Try the [knot] just one more time.”

I felt the intensity in her eyes as if she were a predator eyeing its prey.

“You’ve already won. So why not have another talk with Mangnyang…?”

“……”

“You probably want to hear the reason for his betrayal.”

In that moment, her words struck me like lightning.

“From Mangnyang’s own mouth.”

This was Hang-a’s final scheme to trap me in the [knot].