1208——————==

Soul of the Evil God

So, is making a deal with this guy the key to turning things around?

Who the heck is this guy anyway?

While I was feeling confused, my opponent spoke.

“Hehe… He. Whatever. The end is near… So just enjoy. C’mon…”

Whoosh

The pitch-black monster snapped its head around and clumsily walked along the city walls. It felt so random that I tilted my head, and Sagong Lin said,

[No! We can’t lose their interest. Keep the conversation going!]

It’s absurd.

We need to negotiate, but I’m just supposed to spark their interest without knowing who they really are?

I want to ask Sagong Lin for more details, but it seems there’s no time. Under normal circumstances, getting a conversation to go well in this situation would be impossible.

“Damn it. I guess I’ll just give it a shot!”

But I decided to grit my teeth and try.

I can’t give up like this!

“Hey!! Wait a sec!”

When I called out, the pitch-black monster stopped walking along the wall and glanced my way. Then, with a surly tone, it said,

“What… do… you… want?”

“Right! A deal!!”

“A deal…??”

The pitch-black monster’s eyes gleamed a bit at the word “deal,” but soon it lost interest again and turned away.

“It’s all over soon… What fun could you possibly offer now…? I have things to do, so scram…”

Ugh.

It felt like it had something important to do. No, it was more like it genuinely thought I couldn’t entertain it, so I was just a nuisance to it. Once I sensed its inner thoughts, I realized I had to grab its attention with my next words.

What is it? What could catch that brat’s interest?

Should I just reveal I’m a Reborn Person?

‘…Nah, I don’t know. That brat probably wouldn’t care!’

Just thinking about how every supreme being in the world went crazy when I mentioned being a Reborn Person feels ridiculous. The Three Sovereigns and even the Old Rulers were all interested, so why does this monster seem like it wouldn’t be?

What exactly is this dude?

What makes it so special compared to other Great Beings?

But my gut feeling told me to hold off on that choice.

If I don’t say I’m a Reborn Person, what could pique its interest?

‘A singularity? Pangu? Emperor? Ugh…’

While I was pondering, something suddenly popped into my head, and I shouted,

“What do you think qualifies someone to wish to [Father]?!”

“……”

Stop!

The pitch-black monster suddenly looked shocked, its pale features showing surprise. It rushed over to me and said,

“What? What~? You know… that…??”

Whoa, it worked?!

It felt like I just went through a needle’s eye!

‘It’s just the riddle Dharma tossed at me from outer space…’

But even though I don’t know the answer, I’m deciding to bluff.

“Yeah!! But you have to agree to my deal if you want the answer!”

“Oh… Oh… A deal… Hmm… That’s intriguing… You don’t seem like a simple one… Hehe…”

The pitch-black monster chuckled weirdly. It continued speaking after a moment.

“Let’s… make a deal…”

“Sounds good.”

Whatever is happening, I feel like a deal is about to go down!

I thought to myself, talking to Sagong Lin.

‘Sagong Lin, I managed to break the ice. What should I do now?’

[Great, as expected of your instincts… ]

Sagong Lin said with apparent admiration.

[From now on, just say what I tell you to that being.]

‘Got it.’

After a moment, I started speaking according to what Sagong Lin was dictating.

“Your mask is trying to ascend, but he hasn’t overcome his law of cause and effect. He’s deceived himself through shortcuts and thus doesn’t have the qualifications to challenge you. I came to ask whether you’re willing to face your end in this state.”

“……”

“……”

Hmm… I said what Sagong Lin told me, but what does it mean…?

As I pondered, the pitch-black monster suddenly started to emit a blue light from its entire body.

Flicker!!

Blue flames erupted, and suddenly the pitch-black monster transformed into an incredibly handsome young man. It was unrealistically alluring with an outfit contrasting black and white. The pitch-black monster, now a handsome youth, spoke in a completely profound tone unlike before.

“Interesting. I’ve never been compelled to say ‘interesting’ in eons. At least not in this universe. Hehe…”

“Anyways, what do you think?!”

I shouted in frustration, and the young man resumed pondering, resting his chin on his hand.

“I normally don’t care about qualifications. Whoever challenges ascension, if they’re interesting, what do I care about limitations? Mentioning qualifications is probably the thought of that human soul within you…?”

“……!!”

“That’s a bit unpleasant.”

This guy just figured out Sagong Lin!

As I hesitated, the handsome youth leaned over the railing of the city walls, looking down at Luoyang’s scenery while speaking.

“But since it looks like fun, let’s consider that pesky thing called ‘qualifications.’ Hehe.”

“Are you accepting my deal?”

“Yes. But there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

The handsome youth gazed with piercing eyes at the darkening Luoyang sky.

“I want to enjoy the end, and I don’t want to waste too much energy fighting that nuisance. No doubt he’s an annoying guy. But even so, if you ask, he’ll probably listen.”

“What are you saying?”

“You go to that fellow and request a ceasefire for me.”

The handsome youth crossed his arms and continued.

“The deadline is until you test ‘qualifications.’ Just saying that should be enough for him to understand. After all, he’s been eavesdropping on our conversation.”

“……?”

“Now go.”

Boom!

With that, the handsome youth disappeared.

“Hey!!”

I panicked and hurriedly approached any pitch-black monster inside Luoyang. I grabbed one by the shoulder, shaking it.

“You have to tell me where to go!!”

Suddenly, a blinding white light burst from the monster’s eyes, and it pushed me away.

Boom!!

“……!!”

“Go… to the third eye of eternal vision…”

The pitch-black monster said that and turned away as if losing interest. However, I was shocked that I had just been pushed away by a mere mundane monster, despite still feeling the effects of Great Destruction!

What?! I’m still in the midst of Great Destruction, and I just got shoved down by one of the hundreds of ordinary creatures scattered across Luoyang?! I didn’t feel any magical power from that pitch-black monster?! How is this happening…?

While I was blankly standing there, Sagong Lin said,

[Baek Woong, hurry.]

“Got it.”

I soared through the sky, hastily searching for this so-called third eye. Soon, I spotted three eyes floating in Luoyang’s sky, with the middle one shining bright red like fresh blood.

Boom –

As I approached the eyes, light erupted, and my body was transported somewhere.

[You’ve arrived…]

When I regained my senses, I found myself on a woodland path.

‘Is this the Dream World…?’

But this path looked somewhat different from the usual scenery. It was painted in blood-red flames, burning homes all around. In the midst of this fiery street, a black cat was visible, facing me with a glow.

The cat, Master Mangnyang, spoke.

[Sagong Lin, you’ve acted rashly.]

[I’m sorry, Master….]

Sagong Lin’s spirit suddenly appeared, kneeling before Master Mangnyang. She was in tears as she spoke.

[But… I’m so frustrated…. Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin, Sword Demon, Asura, Zhuge Sa, Miho… Everyone has fought for hundreds of years with everything they had but couldn’t even leave a scratch on the Emperor… In the end, I betrayed them all….]

[……]

[I know I can’t atone for this sin…. But… I want to strike the Emperor with a blow of despair….]

Master Mangnyang’s stern words continued.

[And you know this means I must give up everything. Time to suppress everyone’s eternal hell will decrease significantly.]

[……]

[The karma that destroys this world… Can you bear it? Not a chance.]

Sagong Lin couldn’t say a word.

I watched dumbfounded, unable to understand what the two were saying, when Master Mangnyang glanced at me and said,

[Baek Woong, you’ve been saddled with the burden of karma due to Sagong Lin’s scheme. If you wish, you can cancel it right now…. Will you do so?]

“Wait, I don’t even understand what you’re saying. What’s with this karma talk, and how does a ceasefire come into play all of a sudden…?”

Master Mangnyang stared at me intensely and said.

[I am battling the Coming Chaos. And should you accept their ceasefire, I will immediately lose. It’s the conclusion of the Thousand One Hand.]

“……!!”

[In transcendent time and space, we would fight millions of times, but it would reflect immediately in reality. I’ve been keeping it at bay, with the slightest hope for a final victory, but accepting the ceasefire means I will lose all chances to turn the tide.]

What?!

So, the thing I just negotiated was the Coming Chaos?!

I shouted urgently.

“I cancel it!! If that monster wins, it’s all over!”

[No…. Think it over a bit more.]

“What?”

[All I can do is extend the end for as long as possible… I can’t seem to stop the Coming Chaos from resurrecting.]

Flicker

While Master Mangnyang gazed at the massive flames burning down the little cabin, he continued speaking.

[Even if I perish, it doesn’t mean the end has come. The final revelation will still remain.]

“……”

[Instead of bringing about the world’s quicker demise, you can choose to strike the Emperor… After all, the karma of the end has always rested with you, so you possess the right to decide.]

An unexpected choice!

I was taken aback for a moment before speaking to Master Mangnyang.

“…Could you just kill me instead? I think you can cross over beyond the Emperor’s powers and really end me.”

[That’s a great idea. But….]

Just then, a cheerful voice chimed in.

“I can’t allow that.”

Out of nowhere, someone appeared on the dream path. It was the handsome youth who just revealed himself to me moments ago. The youth made eye contact with Master Mangnyang and sat down, grinning at him.

“You already know, but Baek Woong wouldn’t. I was watching all along because I liked the Emperor’s plan, and I also granted Baek Woong’s request not to kill so rashly.”

“……!!”

“When you waste your energy fighting Master Mangnyang like that, I can trap all of you at once.”

I grit my teeth at the youth’s words.

“…You’re the Coming Chaos…!!”

“Hehe, absolutely not.”

“I knew it!! You crafty bastard… huh?”

A sudden reply left me wide-eyed, and the handsome youth chuckled.

“I’m not the original; I’m merely a Mask. I never claimed to be the original from the start, did I?”

“……?!”

“Ha ha. It seems you really don’t grasp the situation.”

Smoothly speaking, the handsome youth continued.

“Even if Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen pierced through the battle ground, he merely broke the external barrier. The original’s sealed inner barriers remain intact. However, with the restraints lifted, the Coming Chaos can summon an infinite number of beings like me.”

“What…!!”

I was so bewildered that I could hardly ask.

“What the heck?! You say you’re a Mask, but how would you test the Emperor?”

“Well, that’s a bothersome question. But since I’m one of the wisest in the world, I’ll indulge you.”

The youth said.

“I’m one of the two masks favored by the Coming Chaos. But due to the restrictions set by the Demon Emperor, the Coming Chaos had us sealed. The external barrier was protecting us.”

“What….”

So the external barrier was only sealing two masks?!

I was learning this for the first time!

“Putting it simply, I’m the strongest Mask in the universe. If that’s confusing…”

Step

“My name is Nyarlathotep.”

The handsome youth introduced himself, striding forward. And he smiled.

“Understand that I’m the strongest Mask and the true avatar of the Coming Chaos.”

“…….”

“Now, anyway, that’s not so important.”

Totally indifferent to the subject, Nyarlathotep said.

“If it’s really bothersome, I’ll swear not to do anything for a day during the ceasefire. How does that sound?”

[…….]

“I need time to verify ‘that fellow’ too.”

Master Mangnyang turned his gaze towards me, saying,

[I’ll leave the decision to Baek Woong.]

“Alright, haha.”

In an instant, the attention of two transcendent beings abruptly shifted to me.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Let’s go with the ceasefire.”

I can’t give this up.

‘Sorry. Master Mangnyang…’

I feel like I might have completely lost my mind.

Ever since that moment where I witnessed my comrades’ deaths, madness has been raging vividly within me.

I will go all the way.

Emperor, you shall definitely meet your end.