전생검신 83권 09화

No matter how I looked at it, the figure standing in front of me was just my companion Mangnyang, looking as normal as ever. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t Mangnyang but perhaps Master Mangnyang. It was strange to think that until now, I had only seen the master in the form of a black cat.

Curse this uncanny feeling, I finally spoke up.

“Isn’t it… not Mangnyang, but Master Mangnyang?”

The figure responded, showing no change in expression.

“That’s correct.”

As expected.

It looked different, but it was still the very essence of Master Mangnyang.

‘What the heck is going on?’

I got it right, but I still didn’t understand. Was this another instinct of a Reborn Person? How do I distinguish between Mangnyang and Master Mangnyang? There must be some cause-and-effect relationship, but I had no clue how to figure it out.

Shaking my head to dispel the mounting headache, the Mangnyang form of Master Mangnyang spoke.

“What is the reason you are turning [The Great Cycle]?”

Does Master Mangnyang know something? No, they’re a Divine Being capable of pulling me into this dreamlike space at the very boundary of life and death, so there’s no way they wouldn’t know the reasons behind it. I had no choice but to look at Master Mangnyang and say.

“I didn’t turn it because I wanted to. I was just trying to survive in the outer universe when the Cheon Woo-jin insisted I had no choice but to turn [The Great Cycle].”

“……”

“And can I ask a question? I think I just died, so what’s the reason for bringing me here?”

When I asked Master Mangnyang, they gazed at me for a moment before replying.

“You might soon connect the present and the future. The cause derived from that choice pointed out your trace in the past of [The Great Cycle], allowing your existence to be summoned in this [dream].”

“……? What do you mean…?”

When their words got too complicated and left me confused, Master Mangnyang slowly continued.

“The cause you piled up in the past of [The Great Cycle] has flooded over, becoming detectable in the future. Every action you took in the past has continuously derived repercussions for the future, and now they’ve started to break down the possibility of existence in reality.”

“The possibility of existence breaking down…?”

As I pondered over Master Mangnyang’s words and barely understood them, I shouted.

“Wait, wait! Are you saying we can’t return to the reality where my companions exist?!”

“If there’s nowhere to come back to, then that will be the case.”

“……!!”

Master Mangnyang spoke in the same cold manner as when they took the form of a cat.

“It could be said that there’s nothing to be hit upon. You’ve already derived countless causes, and with that, you’ve changed a lot of the past’s history. If the changed history continues to erase the intersections with future reality, then ultimately, reality will lose the law of cause and effect and vanish.”

“Damn it…”

I could feel the dire situation I dreaded was becoming real, and I clenched my teeth.

Changing the past would mean the future’s reality would vanish!

I had somewhat considered it as I felt reassured since Cheon Woo-jin and Mephisto seemed fine with it, but it didn’t help when Master Mangnyang appeared to tell me otherwise; my mind felt like it was going haywire. Then a thought crossed my mind, and I asked Master Mangnyang.

“Dr. Faust mentioned he could connect us to the future using computational abilities and the Heavenly Secret’s powers. Was that just a lie?”

“That’s not a lie. It is true that one can find and reach one of the infinite possibilities of the future. However, every action you take continues to derive causes, continuously lowering that possibility.”

“Ugh…”

“And what you should worry about isn’t the destruction of reality.”

“What?”

Master Mangnyang gazed at me with an unreadable expression.

“The point at which you start a new reincarnation may be fixed to that past.”

“……?!”

Wha-what did you say?!

This was so unexpected that I widened my eyes in shock, and Master Mangnyang’s words continued.

“It could even be more advantageous for you to achieve ultimate victory. Depending on how you think about it.”

“Are you out of your mind?! Don’t say something absurd! That should never happen!!”

Are you saying that all my past companions, including Mangnyang, will continue to perish, severing all ties?! That absolutely can’t be allowed! I shouted in anger when Master Mangnyang spoke.

“Then answer me right here.”

“What do you want me to answer?”

“Do you desire happiness, or the truth?”

“……?”

What does that question even mean?

Since Master Mangnyang was still a mystery, hearing that question left me a bit flustered. However, I had been in conversations like this with them before, so I took a moment to gather my thoughts and replied carefully. After a while, I answered their question.

“What does the latter mean? Does knowing the truth mean I wouldn’t be happy anymore?”

“That depends on how you think about it.”

“Damn! Why are you still speaking in such vague terms…?”

“No matter which you choose, you will need determination. According to that determination, I can assist you.”

“……”

After some thought, I finally spoke.

“Of course, I desire happiness.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Somehow I ended up like this, but I originally wanted to be happy. I don’t know what the truth is, but if it’s something I can’t handle, then I have no intention of looking at it forcefully. Is that sufficient?!!”

As I shouted in frustration, Master Mangnyang stared at me intently.

“Is that your choice?”

Whoosh

Suddenly, Master Mangnyang transformed back into the usual black cat, uttering the words.

“Baek Woong. If so, kill the Wheel King.”

What an unexpected request!

“……!!”

“To restore reality, that’s where it must start.”

“Do I… really have to kill him?”

I hesitated at Master Mangnyang’s words. According to the Phoenix’s request, the easiest target to kill among the three heads was none other than the Wheel King, but it seemed that he also had his own circumstances, making me hesitant to go through with it. I was already searching for a third way, so Master Mangnyang’s suggestion felt uncomfortable.

Then Master Mangnyang said,

“I’m not forcing you to choose. I’m simply offering assistance if you wish to return to reality.”

“……Can’t you just send me back to the future reality right now?”

“Even I cannot do that. The only being that can directly connect [The Great Cycle] is but a single existence within the cosmos of Heaven and Earth and all beings.”

Master Mangnyang then leaped onto a large table and continued.

“If we are to fit the piece of history that has been erased in the past, there’s only the Wheel King out of the powerful beings that have perished, such as the Emperor, Fuxi, and the Wheel King. If you want to piece it together with reality, you will have to manipulate the presence of a Divine Being first.”

“Hmm…!!”

So because the Wheel King is believed to have perished in history, that means I have to fit it into the future!

“And one more thing. From now on, it’s best you avoid directly communicating with the Heavenly Secret.”

“……Are you telling me not to use the terminal?”

“That’s something you should figure out for yourself. Even if it’s not a terminal, there will be moments when the Heavenly Secret will try to meddle in your fate.”

As Master Mangnyang’s words continued, I couldn’t help but think deeply.

“Getting more deeply connected with the Heavenly Secret makes it easier to approach the [Truth]. However, in exchange, it will become difficult to pursue anything other than the truth. What you choose is up to you.”

“…….”

To only chase the [Truth] would be a limitation.

So that’s why they asked about happiness and truth…?

While I was pondering, the scenery around me slowly began to fade. It felt as if a hazy fog was dissipating, and a faint scent tingled my nostrils, while Master Mangnyang’s figure started to blur away. As they were vanishing, they left me with one last line.

[Ultimate Absolute Being… I’m curious how much you can withstand that temptation.]

*

Pahat

“Ugh.”

As a splitting headache assaulted me, I sat up in that very spot. Unlike before, I felt like I was in reality, not in an illusion or dream. And I wasn’t in Soeul Village but lying on a strange bed in an ornate palace.

…Palace?

As I looked around, I realized I was lying on a silk bed. It was a bit dim, yet grand and luxurious, and adorable but elegant ornaments were scattered everywhere. While I was pondering where I was, a familiar voice approached.

“You’re awake.”

I turned and saw a figure walking out of the shadows. They quietly said.

“Wheel King.”

That’s right. The one approaching me with my own face was none other than the ruler of the Underworld, the Wheel King!

Recognizing him made me feel a bit relieved, and I let out a sigh.

“Phew… So I really am dead.”

“Indeed. Since you died, you’ve come to the Underworld.”

Just as I expected, huh?

I briefly observed the Wheel King’s demeanor and then spoke up.

“Wheel King, please bring me back to life.”

“…….”

“Somehow, I ended up dead, but it feels like a waste to stay dead…”

At my plea, the Wheel King sat down on a chair next to my bed with an impassive expression.

“You were showing such a splendidly heroic stance while fighting Yuman, and now you want to play it cool?”

“…….”

He saw me fighting Yuman, huh…!!

I felt slightly embarrassed, and my face flushed red, but I forced myself to act nonchalant and said.

“I-I didn’t die strategically. I just thought that was what I had to do…”

“Interesting. So you’re living for those you’ve entrusted your heart to, huh?”

“Something like that.”

The Wheel King looked amused.

“It’s a contradiction. To gain great strength, you must acquire outstanding divine power, yet that path clashes with reaching the peak of martial arts as you wish… Can both achieve the highest realm?”

“I don’t know.”

“As a Reborn Person, you will eventually be able to become the best. But you will have to make a choice.”

“……?”

What does that even mean?

I was bewildered as the Wheel King looked at me with an indifferent expression and said.

“Baek Woong. Get up and follow me.”

Swish

With that, the Wheel King walked toward the door, and I rushed to get up from the bed. As I stood on the floor, I was taken aback.

“Cough?!”

My, my feet are translucent?!

This is definitely a Spirit Body state!

Realizing my physical body had vanished, I hurriedly followed the Wheel King and asked.

“What happened to my body? Last time I came, it was just fine…”

“……”

Creak

The Wheel King opened the door, responding to me.

“Where do you think a dead person would have a body? You are dead.”

“No, it’s not that… Just bring me back to life. That should work.”

“Not possible.”

“What?”

With the Wheel King’s following words, I felt darkness enveloping me.

“I generously saved you before, but reviving the dead is a universal taboo. The more you break the taboo, the more chaotic the entire universe’s law of cause and effect becomes, so I can’t hastily bring you back.”

Clump, clump

The Wheel King continued on, just saying what he wanted to say and walking down the hall.

“……?!”

I panicked and shouted.

“Y-you can easily dismiss it using your powers…”

“Of course, that’s not the only reason. If it were a normal spirit, that amount of cause and effect could be ignored.”

“Then why…?”

The Wheel King turned back to look at me for a moment before speaking.

“Baek Woong, you possess the qualifications and essence of the Wheel King. Since you and that existence overlap, if you revive, the Underworld will tear apart, so I have no choice but to prevent your resurrection from now on.”