전생검신 Vol. 95, Chapter 9

The first time I heard the rumors of Niratsa Dag was during my 28th life when I met ‘Dracula’ again in the Great Bear Empire. Initially, Dracula was a dragon sealed in the perilous lands of the Arasa Empire, but after breaking free from his seal, we crossed paths once more. It was said that he could become a dragon despite being human because he had become an apostle of the old ruler, Niratsa Dag.

Moreover, through the [Blessing of the Three-Headed Dragon], Niratsa Dag had once lent me magical power for my battle against Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, who held powers close to that of an outer god. I could indirectly feel his immense strength as Niratsa Dag managed to hold his ground even against such a formidable emperor.

The familiar sensation of magical power I felt earlier… it was a memory of Niratsa Dag’s power manifesting before me back then.

However, in my previous divine summoning state, I couldn’t directly see his true essence. Now, seeing Niratsa Dag so vividly was just astonishing. Who would have thought this being could be so colossal and powerful?

‘…….’

Is this thing really a monster…?

I was shaken by the overwhelmingly powerful magical energy radiating from Niratsa Dag. Even though I had just encountered Ranimolthus, who might be one of the top rulers in the universe, it was evident Niratsa Dag stood on an entirely different level.

I was completely overwhelmed.

With my current abilities, there wasn’t even a glimmer of hope to face Niratsa Dag’s true form…!

Feeling that the author had reached a level transcending even the highest divine status as a divine being, I instinctively knew engaging in a battle here would be a suicide mission. To that being, my existence was likely just one of many seen over countless ages.

In that moment, a memory popped into my head of something Al Karda said a long time ago.

[Even excluding those outer gods, beings like Nyarlathotep or the evil gods are indeed mercilessly strong. There might be other entities lurking somewhere in the universe that can be compared to them that I may not even know about.]

[They exist.]

[…….]

Could it be… the being standing before me, Niratsa Dag, is one of those “comparable entities”?

Come to think of it, when a divine being is in a divine summoning state, they are inherently weaker than their true form, yet Niratsa Dag managed to fight against a complete emperor at that stage…

Ah, wait. If Niratsa Dag is such a tremendous existence, then why hasn’t he revealed himself throughout the history of the universe…?

As I grew anxious, not wanting to entertain dreadful thoughts, I suddenly heard Niratsa Dag speak.

[It’s always an unpleasant occurrence.]

‘Huh?’

[The moment the Void Record is observed, all beings and dimensions are reduced to mere words on the pages. This has been happening for an eternity, and yet the scribes of the Void Record can never see it positively.]

‘……!’

Niratsa Dag’s words seemed heavy with meaning. I pondered over them deeply before asking.

‘Are you implying you’re aware of the Void Record?’

[…….]

Niratsa Dag didn’t respond to my inquiry. Instead, the folds around his dragon-like eyes seemed to shift, and his gaze pierced through me like a sharp blade.

Zing!

‘Ugh!’

The sheer presence of Niratsa Dag sent my entire body into paralysis. It didn’t seem like he was even using any powers—his mere existence felt suffocating. As I froze in place, Niratsa Dag fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.

[So, you have met me before. Are you a reborn person?]

‘……!’

How did he know?!

Even though this was our first encounter in this life, the fact that he recognized me at a glance was astonishing. Stunned, I simply replied.

‘Yes, that’s correct.’

Based on my experiences, questioning how a being of such high status knew me seemed pointless. It was better to accept that he just knew. After all, a high divine status diminishes the likelihood of impossibilities; I had long accepted that.

Then Niratsa Dag spoke again, as if in slight disbelief.

[…… No?]

‘Huh? Everything you said is correct, but…’

[You are not… moving according to the records of the Void Record, are you? Why is that?]

‘……?’

What? You’re saying I’m not following the Void Record’s records?

What does that mean?

I was bewildered as I turned to Niratsa Dag.

‘Isn’t it said that the Void Record contains everything of the present, past, and future? So isn’t it natural that my movements would be recorded there too?’

[Are you asserting that you acknowledge yourself as a puppet of destiny…?]

‘……Ah… well…’

I was at a loss for words due to Niratsa Dag’s pointed statement. I was merely stating what was common knowledge, so when he put it that way, I realized he was right. If everything of the current, past, and future was indeed recorded without a doubt, then by the very existence of the Void Record, I couldn’t escape the actions that would fall within those records.

I had never thought in such terms, and as I pondered this, Niratsa Dag interjected.

[You naive fool… you seem to be blissfully unaware of the true structure of the world even while engaging with outer gods.]

‘Are you saying you know the true structure of the world, Niratsa Dag?’

[…….]

Niratsa Dag blinked and continued.

[Just because everything is recorded in the Void Record, it does not mean that its existence can control everyone’s free will… Omniscience can be all-knowing, but the reverse does not necessarily hold true… Hence, those bound to pure chaos—those loyal to the ‘Father’—are able to escape some of the Void Record’s influence.]

‘…….’

[Although I thought you would be a being bound to the Void Record, you are actually closer to pure chaos…?]

I mulled over Niratsa Dag’s words to grasp what he meant.

Then I spoke.

‘Actually, I’m performing a reincarnation play, and I’ve come to this time and space to obtain Chi You’s body.’

Everything clicked into place.

Niratsa Dag, who despises the Void Record and knows a lot about it.

I wasn’t sure if this being bore goodwill towards me, but it seemed that explaining my situation and seeking assistance might be the quickest route. So, I recounted my current predicament to Niratsa Dag, and after listening intently for a while, he suddenly said.

[What good is it for me to hear that from you…?]

‘Huh?’

[Are you seeking my ‘wisdom’ so you can receive guidance on your path?]

‘If… if you could provide that, I would be grateful. If you require a payment, I will do my best…’

As I spoke carefully, I sensed a hint of amusement from Niratsa Dag.

[Hehe… you’re truly foolish… Why do you think you’re in a position to seek wisdom here?]

‘Huh? Without wisdom, I wouldn’t be able to survive in this reincarnation play…’

[You don’t seem that clever… actually, you appear quite simple-minded.]

‘…….’

Ugh… he just bluntly called me dumb…

I lost count of how many times I’ve heard that in my life.

[However, even if it were the wisest person in all of humanity doing reincarnation play, the situation wouldn’t change much from your current predicament. Do you know why?]

‘Why is that?’

[Those bound to the Void Record and those holding it are beings that handle omniscience… Throwing out pathetic wisdom against those who already have a record of all existence is merely entertaining at best. As long as you attempt to match them with wisdom and intelligence… you’ll only end up falling into your own trap.]

I could feel Niratsa Dag’s piercing gaze fixated on me.

[If I were to help you obtain Chi You’s body using my ‘little wisdom’… it wouldn’t matter how ingenious and profound that ‘little wisdom’ was… would it influence the plots of those higher beings observing from beyond the world?]

‘……!’

[As long as you seek a ‘wise’ method… you will never achieve good results against Al Karda. He is an outer god who can calculate any tricks you may employ, even from a lower dimensional cycle.]

I felt my head spinning from Niratsa Dag’s words. He was elaborating on a viewpoint I had never considered throughout my time in reincarnation play.

Handling an upper scribe of the Void Record and outer gods.

Previously, I had approached facing what was simply an “incredibly powerful being,” but only now, it all clicked together.

Unlike the other higher divine beings I had faced thus far, here was one who could not be countered with “wisdom” itself!

Even if I weren’t doing this solo and had wise strategists alongside me, it would be pointless against Al Karda.

Because the records—encapsulating the maximum outcomes expected from wisdom—were already directly exceeding what the Void Record held, and Al Karda was a being capable of freely accessing that record. Though in the short term I might gain ground due to clever strategies from my advisors, ultimately, Al Karda would commend me while manipulating my progress to his delight.

Niratsa Dag had just highlighted that fact.

Once I realized I had been toyed with, my whole body felt drained of color.

Gaining more understanding of Al Karda’s essence was fortunate, but…

‘Ha… but… if that’s the case.’

I became anxious, unsure of what to do, and barely managed to speak.

‘Are you saying that from the moment I started reincarnation play, my chances of winning never existed?’

Are you saying that, no matter if I were a super Go master or not, the conclusion remains the same?

[…….]

Niratsa Dag blinked slowly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. After a moment, he replied with a hint of derision.

[You’re seriously stating the most obvious things… Who could possibly win at Go against outer gods? Let alone against the upper scribes of the Void Record; even other outer gods would find that challenging.]

‘Ugh…’

[Hmm… are you truly seeking my advice…? Yet my mind is quite unwilling to comply.]

‘Huh?’

[I simply brought you here to discipline a thunder-thundering fool rampaging in my domain. The fact that it relates to the outer god and the Void Record is truly something I want to avoid. The moment I get caught up with them, the scribes of the Void Record will surely become bothersome… Do you really think I have the loyalty to offer you advice in this tangled situation?]

…….

Well, if you put it that way, I can’t argue!

But it was true that Niratsa Dag really had no obligation to help me based on his words. Just the fact that he didn’t attack or harass me upon catching me and chose to communicate politely only made me think of him as an incredibly dignified deity. Normally, an [Old Ruler] wouldn’t act that civil.

I felt an instinctive need to negotiate, and in a hurry, I said to Niratsa Dag.

‘If you help me, I’ll give you anything you want! Please tell me first!’

It was essential to identify what my counterpart desired. I spoke with determination, but Niratsa Dag still seemed rather indifferent.

[What good would receiving something from you do? After all, you’re just mid-reincarnation, so would your ownership even bear meaning?]

‘Ugh… um…’

[That’s not entertaining… I thought you’d be something impressive, but your best move is begging? Can’t you produce something fun enough to capture my interest?]

…….

Fun…?

I realized Niratsa Dag leaned towards amusing things rather than tools to enhance his power or abilities, and my ears perked up. For some reason, unlike other deities, he seemed to put more emphasis on entertainment. After mulling it over, I suddenly had a great idea.

‘Niratsa Dag, would you like to have Chi You’s body?’

Upon hearing that, Niratsa Dag responded as if he were taken aback.

[Chi You’s body? What are you implying?]

‘As you mentioned, I’m only here temporarily in this time and space for my reincarnation play. Even if I were to gain Chi You’s body, right after completing my mission, I’d only return to the Grand Match with Al Karda, so that body holds no significant meaning for me. So…’

[Are you saying you will grant me ownership of Chi You’s body after your mission ends?]

I nodded.

‘It holds no value or purpose for me. I know Chi You doesn’t exist in this period yet, but he will become the most fearsome demon that causes terror across all dimensions later. Wouldn’t it be “fun” to wield the body of that demon…?’

Given my current position, this seemed like the best course of action.

Offering something to a being who seeks “entertainment” while ensuring I don’t lose out seemed to be my only option.

[…….]

Niratsa Dag fell silent for a prolonged moment after my words.

Then he suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

[Hehe… you’re quite the clever little rascal. It’s an amusing proposal indeed.]

‘So you’re considering it?’

[No, I will firmly reject your proposal.]

‘…….’

W-What?! You made it sound like you were going to give it some thought, but you reject it?!

I panicked and spoke to Niratsa Dag.

‘Why… why not? If we’re talking Chi You’s body, it has the power to destroy the world as pieces even if it eventually gets sealed away…’

[You’re truly foolish. What I desire is fun; I don’t want to deal with troublesome matters. If the reason you came to this world is because of Chi You, then Chi You’s body is the primary focus of observation for those outer gods. If I were to acquire that, while I might be the strongest within this [cycle], I’d ultimately be entwined with the Void Record and would become quite a nuisance, wouldn’t I?]

‘……!’

[Sure, Chi You’s body holds immense value, but I don’t seek such power, so I’ll decline.]

Suddenly sensing something odd, I turned to Niratsa Dag and asked.

[You don’t desire power? At your level, couldn’t you aim for ascension in the future? Why do you lack ambition?]

Niratsa Dag is not someone lesser than the Emperor, Fuxi, or the Wheel King. He’s undoubtedly one of the top beings in the entire universe, so I had just assumed he’d have the ambition to become an outer god. Yet, he seemed to be devoid of any such ambition, merely desiring fun, which felt strange.

Niratsa Dag, seeming tired of the conversation, said.

[Are outer gods all omniscient?]

‘Huh? They, well, almost are, right?’

In that instant, Niratsa Dag’s gaze locked onto the front.

It was as if he sensed someone from beyond this space was observing him.

[“Almost” is the problem. Those beings might be even more subordinate to fate than we are. Is it truly the case that an audience beyond the stage is happier than the clown acting on it?]

‘……?’

[I… am far older than you might think. The ambition to become an outer god no longer holds any meaning for me, remember that.]

Niratsa Dag was saying something quite thought-provoking. For some reason, he exuded an aura of annoyance and meaninglessness towards everything. This was a character I had scarcely encountered in deities. Fuxi, the Emperor, the Wheel King—all had a fervor to achieve something, yet why did this one lack such desires?

After some time, Niratsa Dag continued.

[However, I’ll commend you for showing genuine intention in offering something precious like Chi You’s body to me. Therefore, I’ll share a piece of advice fitting for your situation.]

I was astonished by Niratsa Dag’s words. He went from seeming disinterested to offering advice?

He seemed to be the most unpredictable divine being I’d met thus far.

But regardless, any benefit is a gain, so I focused and said.

‘Please, go ahead!’

[Very well… there’s one strategy most suitable for your current situation.]

‘What is it?’

What followed from Niratsa Dag left me in utter chaos.

[Just give up on Al Karda’s mission entirely, recognize defeat in your reincarnation play, and toss the stones. That would benefit your future.]