전생검신 90권 01화

What on earth is happening right now?

I could tell that an event was unfolding that my mind couldn’t comprehend. I sensed that countless incidents were merging at this very moment, but my brain simply wasn’t equipped to untangle that complex mess in one go. But even if I sought the advice of strategists, I knew this wasn’t an issue they could easily solve either.

‘This is… no… Let’s not think any more about it!’

I decided to shift my focus. If I couldn’t grasp it through thought, indulging in more worries would simply be a luxury.

Therefore, the only thing I should think about now is escaping from this place!

I declared to Tezcatlipoca.

[I’m going to die.]

Dying here and starting my next reincarnation is the safest and best method!

Swoo—

At my words, Tezcatlipoca glanced down at me and said,

[You’re giving up a bit too quickly. You know what’s happening and you’re ready to tie things up?]

[…..]

[If you end things not knowing anything, what’s to stop the same thing from happening in your next life?]

His words struck a chord. Whether or not I knew why the Three Sovereigns suddenly conspired right in front of me was a matter of heaven and earth. If I understood the cause, then I could avoid the same fate in the next life.

But I calmly replied,

[… If the Three Sovereigns are truly united, then I could get sealed away for eternity trying to find out the truth. I can’t risk that in this situation where I can barely use my powers.]

Having seen the might of the Three Sovereigns, I knew that each one was an absolute being that couldn’t be underestimated. Individually, I might be able to handle them, but if they came at me together, I had no way to withstand it. That would be outright recklessness.

[Heh heh. You’re being too calm. Should I say something too?]

[What?]

Tezcatlipoca’s next words really caught me off guard.

[Trust me.]

[……!!]

[Even if all the Three Sovereigns come at you, I’ll make a space for you to escape. I can’t allow this game to end when I haven’t even put on a show yet.]

His meaning was clear.

Even if it meant fighting all the Three Sovereigns, he’d give me a chance to continue living this life! So his unexpected suggestion not to give up on life was truly shocking.

I never expected the Demon God of the Ages to say something like this first?!

I found myself flabbergasted and stammered,

[Don’t… Don’t say such nonsense. How strong could the Three Sovereigns be when they gather together… ?]

[I know very well. I’ve clashed with them a few times in the Primordial Age.]

[You know, but why… ?]

[Because I know.]

Just then, Tezcatlipoca’s eyes began to emit a dark light.

[[Having surpassed the Cycle], I can handle this country with ease!!]

[……!!]

I could see his massive form writhing.

[Now, decide. Will you trust me and continue your life? Or will you give up everything and die?]

[……]

Tezcatlipoca’s overwhelming confidence left me speechless. And I realized this was essentially a gamble. If I could escape this place alive as he said, I would get tremendous benefits, but conversely, if I got caught and sealed, I could be subjected to tortures beyond human imagination.

Facing the encirclement crafted by the Three Sovereigns personally meant that. It would surely be incomparable to suffering for about 50 years under Chi You’s grip.

What’s the right choice here?

After a moment’s hesitation, I clenched my fist.

[… I will trust you, Tezcatlipoca…]

I steeled my resolve and shouted,

[Save me… and my companions!!]

Here, I’m betting on Tezcatlipoca!

Though he’s a troublesome connection, I’ve known him for a long time too!!

[Ha ha ha… Very well said!!]

Tezcatlipoca burst into a brilliant light. Then he spread his wings wide and let out a divine declaration.

[I am the Black Sun God, Tezcatlipoca!! Bring it on, you bunch of punks!!]

The song of the Black Sun God!

Kuwaaah—

In the next moment, hundreds of Dark Suns that burnt the Demon King Yamata no Orochi to ash in an instant were summoned into the hall. The instant those dark suns appeared, the five divine statuses already summoned gazed over in surprise, and one of them spoke up.

[How reckless.]

It was Yeol, the Gatekeeper of the Five Demon Gate and the 3rd-ranking member of the Jeon Wook Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace. His power was on par with Zhu Rong, the 2nd-ranking figure in the current Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, and he didn’t seem intimidated by Tezcatlipoca’s Dark Suns.

Clad in traditional official attire, Yeol crossed his arms and looked up at Tezcatlipoca.

[It’s true you are a powerful being, but… You didn’t even notice who’s being summoned right now?]

What? What’s he talking about?

I stared at Yeol in confusion, not understanding his words, and Tezcatlipoca responded joyously as if he already knew.

[If ‘that’ one is truly summoned, even I couldn’t handle it. But before that, what if I wipe you all out?]

[How arrogant…!! Don’t provoke the great ones!]

Yeol uttered that as if offended and began to form a mudra.

Ten Thousand Ghosts Heaven Formation!

Hundreds of billions of ghosts!

Swoosh—

Yeol’s entire body glowed with divine power, and a gigantic formation filled the heavens. Beneath this formation filled with indecipherable archaic characters, something astounding unfolded a moment later.

Kyaaah!!

Kkaahk!!

Numbers that were literally beyond counting, an incomprehensible number of foolish ghosts! Each of those ghosts wasn’t a divine status, but they seemed to at least be powerful youkai, and their numbers clearly surpassed the range of millions and billions. Seeing those ghosts pouring down like a cascade, I felt dizzy.

‘No way…’

Yeol had such a technique too?

Yeol shouted.

[I, Yeol, acting in the authority of Jeon Wook, summon all the ghosts of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, easily exceeding billions!! I’ll crush that sun to snuff it out!]

Fwahaah!

Moments later, the multitude of ghosts pouring down crashed against the Black Sun, dissipating infinitely, but the numbers were staggering. Perhaps because of that, the gigantic Dark Sun began to noticeably shrink, just as Yeol predicted, its immense scale appearing to be ‘snuffed out.’

A technique that burns the essence of ghosts to diminish divine power—

I never expected that a mere quantity of ghosts could counter a sun capable of slaying a Demon King!

‘Indeed, Yeol is also one of the highest divine statuses in the universe… a true object of cosmic terror!!’

Mortal beings are considered legendary sorcerers for summoning just a hundred of those ghosts, but Yeol’s might was on an entirely different level. With such overwhelming divine strength, he could crush not just mere humans but even Great Immortals might seem like bugs!! If Yeol were to declare himself an [Old Ruler] independently, nobody could refute that fact.

And I realized this was truly an advanced divine battle like no other.

Tezcatlipoca watched the scene, gazing in quiet contemplation before bursting into laughter.

[Ha ha! You think that’s enough to extinguish my sun?]

[What…? Huh!!]

A moment later, Yeol appeared to be very surprised, and astonishing events followed.

Creak…

Creeeak!!

The Dark Sun of Tezcatlipoca, which seemed to shrink considerably, suddenly rebounded back to its original size and began to grow again. It charged towards the incoming tide of ghosts, consuming them with even greater ferocity and continuing to grow larger. Tezcatlipoca was clearly gaining momentum, and moments later, Yeol hastily withdrew his clasped hands.

[Hrk!!]

Fwooosh—

Dark flames gathered on Yeol’s palm, scorching his divine body. The technique backfired, hitting Yeol himself. And that proved that summoning all Ten Thousand Ghosts of the Palace posed no threat to Tezcatlipoca at all.

As Yeol found himself at a disadvantage, three divine statuses rose simultaneously and shouted out.

[Take this!]

[Are you really still thinking you can mess around?]

[Your foolishness will be your undoing…!!]

Green light shot forth from Gu Mang’s hands as he directly attacked Tezcatlipoca, while Time God Yeol charged at him with his iron flail. Meanwhile, Shabi God began to chant an unknown godly curse and attacked Tezcatlipoca. In an instant, the hall transformed into a battlefield beset by storms of tremendous divine power.

Tezcatlipoca floated in mid-air as if enjoying himself, exclaiming.

[Ha ha… Even you three formidable divine statuses of the Three Sovereigns… I anticipated losing a wing or two in this preliminary skirmish.]

He then broke into a wild laugh.

[But now, this feels like pinching a baby’s wrist!!]

Boom!

At that moment, among the numerous Dark Suns summoned by Tezcatlipoca, about ten suddenly vanished, morphing into dark light that flew towards the back of Time God Yeol, who was charging recklessly. Yeol seemed to realize it and hurriedly attempted to halt the [Small Cycle].

Time Stop!

‘The author specializes in time-based divine powers!’

With the manifestation of Time God Yeol’s technique, all divine statuses briefly halted. Such a feat wouldn’t typically happen without extraordinary skill, and it was possible due to the innate capacity of the divine status specialized in time.

Chiki-chi—

The light shot forth from the Dark Suns seemed to slow as it was shot towards the ten Time Gods manipulating the [Small Cycle]. The possessed were relieved to have dodged the surprise attack, but in the next moment, that light shot through the hearts of the ten Time Gods like an arrow.

Thwack!

[……!!]

The Time Gods widened their eyes in disbelief, clearly astonished, but that expression was fleeting; suddenly, the Dark Suns pierced with fiery blasts consumed each of their bodies entirely.

Fwoooosh—

That was the last breath of the ten Time Gods. As the powerful divine status evaporated in an instant, the remaining two appeared startled, but Tezcatlipoca didn’t allow them any respite and continued to pursue his advantage.

Gulp

[Delicious!]

[Hrk…!!]

Seeing Tezcatlipoca munch the green divine light beam of Gu Mang, Gu Mang seemed to flounder in disbelief. It was evidently a powerful divine strike, yet Tezcatlipoca had easily nullified it. Simultaneously, he chuckled disparagingly.

[Now, it’s my turn!]

Bam!

A thick, dark mist erupted from Tezcatlipoca’s mouth, fanning out in a conical wave. Gu Mang tried to avoid the black mist, but was too close, and it latched onto his limbs. With that dark energy clinging to him, Gu Mang exhibited an odd reaction.

Grrr… Gaaahh….

Amidst his anguished cries, Gu Mang struggled briefly before suddenly going still. I thought Gu Mang had kicked the bucket, but the next startling event unfolded.

Bam!!

Gu Mang’s head exploded, and instead of it, a snakehead sprouted from his neck! And from that head, I understood what had happened by its delightful words.

[Delicious!]

… Wait, did he just devour Gu Mang instantly?!

[Ughhh.]

As I was internally stunned, the Shabi God, who had been trying to cast a curse, seemed to hesitate in executing his technique. Maybe he realized that it would be pointless?

After hesitating greatly, he spoke up.

[Gu, Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens… It is your turn!]

[……]

The Shabi God and Yeol, unable to dare to challenge Tezcatlipoca, timidly huddled beside the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. This was a clear indication that they sensed if they recklessly tried again, they’d be instantly slain.

Thus, the only one capable of contesting with him here was indeed the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

Of course, that was to be expected.

I immediately understood what was really happening by observing the scene unfolding.

‘Tezcatlipoca had obtained a level of power far beyond what I had faced during our last encounter…!!’

The recently departed ten gods and Gu Mang, despite being upper-tier divine statuses, couldn’t even withstand basic offense or defense and perished at once. Tezcatlipoca’s divine strength had ascended to an entirely different realm.

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman stared at Tezcatlipoca in quiet contemplation before finally speaking.

[Great Ancient God… You weren’t originally this strong… But now, you’re as formidable as the Emperor or Fuxi.]

[Heavenly Mysterious Woman. Are you planning to oppose me? If you withdraw now, I won’t kill you based on your position.]

Tezcatlipoca spoke as if extending a favor. However, he wasn’t genuinely making a concession; Gu Myeong was clearly a rather annoying foe to him. I knew exactly why Tezcatlipoca was talking like that.

‘Though she’s ended up here, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is fundamentally different from the other four beings.’

Should she be freed from her seal, she could very well be equivalent to each of the Three Sovereigns!

Being the Mother of Earth, she herself was not to be taken lightly.

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman gazed with calm eyes at Tezcatlipoca and spoke.

[Why resist us… Now that the heir of order has finally found their place… You’ve been given an opportunity to correct the false history created by Nyarlathotep and the Emperor and build a true world of order… Do you wish to be toyed with by the chaotic Outer Gods until the end?]

Tezcatlipoca sneered at the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s profoundly significant words.

[In any case, the conclusion you desire is no different than the demise of another world… And as long as you aim for Baek Woong, you are my enemy!!]

[Is that so… In that case, it seems I must show you what it really means for the heir of order to find their place!]

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman resolutely declared, fluttering her winged garment and ascending into the air with a white glow. I could feel her divine power surging rapidly, and moments later, an immense force like what had shown during the Trial of the Sun blossomed forth from her.

Kugugugu—

In response to that momentum, Tezcatlipoca appeared less confident and seemed to shrink back slightly. He muttered in disbelief.

[You, who were constrained by the Law of Cause and Effect, can unleash such power… Have you truly broken that seal?]

[Indeed…]

[That’s impossible. It was a chain forged from the very beginning, and no one could break it!]

[……]

[……I see. So that’s why you aimed to oppose the Reborn Person.]

As if realizing something, Tezcatlipoca began to draw upon his full strength.

[But even so, I am still stronger!!]

Fwoosh—

Tezcatlipoca summoned two dark suns resembling crescent moons in the sky. These two suns bore an immense power that was totally different from what he had summoned until now. Tezcatlipoca positioned those two Dark Suns beside him and, moments later, unleashed his authority.

Dark Royal Magic Palace!

A massive dark light began to envelop the entire world like a veil, and the Heavenly Mysterious Woman uttered thoughtfully.

[Could there really be such a powerful variable… Is it truly correct to follow omniscience?]

Boom—

In the next moment, I realized my body had been transported to an entirely different realm. Upon regaining my senses, it felt like I was in another dimension altogether. Surrounding me were completely unconscious Zodiac members and the only one still standing was Dongfang Sak.

‘What on earth is going on?’

As I stood bewildered at the abrupt change in circumstances, Dongfang Sak sighed and said,

“Phew, to think the world would be on the brink of destruction the moment we meet after thousands of years… I can’t adapt to this.”

As Dongfang Sak waved the Otkler, the Zodiac members lying on the ground vanished. It seemed he had sent them into a subspace. As I gazed at Dongfang Sak, he spoke in a slightly somber tone.

“Tezcatlipoca created a dimension within one of those Dark Suns and pushed us inside. He’s doing this to prevent us from dying in the fight against the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.”

[Is that so… ]

He paused in silence before continuing.

“Baek Woong. Before the battle began, I, as a servant of the ancient gods on Earth, requested their participation in this battle.”

[What did they say?]

“Everyone refused. Instead, they advised me to contact you and set up a meeting opportunity.”

[……]

“It’s unavoidable. If the three Sovereigns combined their strength, there isn’t a divine force on Earth that could oppose them. They chose to become subordinate instead.”

Hearing that, I realized just how bleak our situation was. I had thought the ancient gods were on my side, but when the overwhelmingly strongest force, the Three Sovereigns, appeared, they turned their backs on me right away.

[…… So?]

“I don’t want that! The title of servant of the ancient gods was merely temporary, granted for the sake of power.”

Dongfang Sak spoke with determination, gazing at me.

“Tezcatlipoca is likely stronger than the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. But in this state, we can never prevent the complete summoning of the Three Sovereigns. And once they are all summoned, no matter how powerful Tezcatlipoca is, he’ll be annihilated.”

[What should we do?]

Dongfang Sak’s expression darkened like never before.

“Well… I’d like to ask you too… How did those overwhelmingly strong beings manage to trap you in such a scheme together…?”

[……]

“Baek Woong. Do you think you can do it? If you escape now, can you form a force to oppose the Three Sovereigns? If not, then living on like this would be meaningless. It would be better to die.”

I instinctively sensed that Dongfang Sak was trying to decide something with this question.

I felt a cautious choice was necessary and contemplated for quite some time. Then I replied.

[But still, I’ll live. I decided to trust Tezcatlipoca.]

“…Alright. Then I’ll tell you the path you must take.”

[Tell me. What should I do?]

“You must go to the Palace of Limitless Great Heaven. In my opinion, that is the only being who could potentially resist the alliance of the Three Sovereigns.”

The Palace of Limitless Great Heaven?

Kuhng!!

Before I could even ponder that meaning, this realm of darkness trembled violently. With that rumble, Dongfang Sak spoke.

“… But right now, we have no choice but to pray that Tezcatlipoca breaks through this trap and creates an opening. With our current powers, we cannot hope to intrude.”

[……]

Is that really the case?

Must I solely cheer for Tezcatlipoca?

‘No… I have a feeling that if things continue this way, we’ll only see the worst outcomes.’

I thought I needed to help Tezcatlipoca fight against the Heavenly Mysterious Woman by any means possible; hope still lingered if I did. Yet, as Dongfang Sak had said, no matter how I thought about it, any interference from me would just be a nuisance. With the power I possessed now, I could barely take on even Gu Mang and the ten others who had gone down in an instant, let alone contend against a battle of the highest divine status!

‘Ugh… Damn it… I’m thankful Dongfang Sak is here, but if only the other Takrok comrades were with me…’

If they had been there, perhaps a different outcome might have occurred…

…

Wait a second… Dongfang Sak, could it be that…

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind, and I turned toward Dongfang Sak.

[Dongfang Sak. The reason you were chosen as a servant of the ancient gods was because of the Soul of the Evil God, right?]

Surprised by the unexpected question, Dongfang Sak’s eyes widened as he finally nodded.

“Right. Although you only taught me briefly, most of the people from Takrok Village learned the basics of the Soul of the Evil God. And since the Soul of the Evil God is like creating the [vessel] of a god, I’ve been able to absorb a lot of divine power through my long training.”

[So that’s how it is.]

“Why is that?”

[No… The very moment you taught them the Soul of the Evil God was during the time of the [Special Dividend], right? Do you remember?]

“Oh… That’s right. The power I gained back then was incredibly useful.”

[The initial shareholders of ten… is that what we’re talking about.]

“……?”

I smirked slyly.

[And the lineage of the initial shareholders continues… ]

Dongfang Sak looked puzzled, seemingly unaware of my thoughts, but I soon grinned widely and stretched my hand to the sky.

[Members of the entire universe, I, Baek Woong, declare myself as the chairman!]

With my subsequent words, the space created by Tezcatlipoca’s Dark Royal Magic Palace shook wildly.

[Anyone who wants dividends from me, come here right now!!]