전생검신 96권 20화

I thought I’d adapted quite a lot by now…

But no matter how I think about it, the situation unfolding before my eyes is something I can never get used to easily.

Could it really be true that the Outer God Pangu could tear through the world of reincarnation in an instant and even attack Al Karda?!

I was flabbergasted as I spoke.

“Isn’t this a bit too sudden…?”

In response to my words, Pangu, without even looking my way, spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“What else did you think I’d do in this situation if it wasn’t sudden?”

“Huh?”

“That Al Karda’s specialty is treating the world like a ‘bookshelf’. Did you really think I was going to take you on an adventure based on the contents of that book? To Al Karda, this is probably just like reading a single line of text.”

“……”

“Those who have entered a lower [Cycle] are no different from bugs in the eyes of higher beings, unless they exit into a higher cycle. If possible, the best choice would be to destroy the reincarnation itself.”

Though his tone was rough, Pangu’s words were undoubtedly correct. Maybe that’s why I didn’t know how to respond and just stood dazed for a moment.

‘He’s right… but…’

But I couldn’t simply let Pangu’s words pass without fully grasping the gravity of the situation.

What on earth does Pangu truly want?

As I pondered this, Al Karda spoke.

“Pangu, despite being an Outer God, you’re crossing a tremendously dangerous bridge.”

There was a bittersweet tone to his words. What could Al Karda be intending with such statements?

Pangu replied unyieldingly, his expression unchanged.

“I’ve endured plenty of calamities brought on by the Coming Chaos. If I’m deciding the outcome, you, as the one responsible, must know all too well that it’s a matter of the world’s fate.”

“……”

“That’s just how Nature operates.”

It seemed Al Karda sighed at Pangu’s words.

“Phew. We may seem like beings beyond the law of cause and effect, but that’s not so. Every action you’ve taken might simply be a meaningless struggle.”

“Even the threats from the prophets are getting tiresome. Do you know why I don’t trust your words?”

“Why is that?”

“Because you never predicted that I’d break free from the seal. Isn’t that right?”

At this, Al Karda nodded.

“I didn’t predict that.”

“Of course.”

The tense dialogue between the two Outer Gods was astonishing to me, the onlooker.

“……?!”

Is… is this for real? Al Karda didn’t foresee Pangu’s resurrection?

‘Something utterly ridiculous is happening beyond my understanding right now…!’

I sensed that they were discussing something significant. This was because I understood the meaning behind Al Karda’s words.

Al Karda is the upper-level librarian of the Void Record and an Outer God.

I’ve experienced far too deeply during the reincarnation process that he is nearly omniscient when it comes to mortals. He was aware of all my past experiences, read my thoughts, and predicted what would happen next. No, Al Karda, sitting in the library reading the world like a book, looked almost like an absolute deity observing everything.

But even such an Al Karda couldn’t predict that Pangu would rise again from the very bookshelf he had placed him on.

This suggested that there are limits to Al Karda’s abilities.

And I realized those limits from Pangu’s next statement.

“Even if you’re an Outer God, you can’t read the laws of cause and effect of another Outer God. Many of us, including you, are moving behind the scenes as a natural order from the primordial era. Therefore, I will never acknowledge that you foresee everything through the Void Record. The books you can read are utterly correct only under the premise that they don’t involve another Outer God.”

“……”

“You’re just a fanatic deceiving yourself by thinking an omniscient being can defeat an omnipotent one. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made the reckless decision to send the Reborn Person to the dimension I reside in.”

Pangu’s words felt like a sharp critique for some reason. Rarely had anyone addressed Al Karda that way. Yet, a moment’s thought revealed that Pangu’s words rang true.

‘It makes sense…’

Al Karda had sent my reincarnation to the dimension where Pangu existed without even predicting it, which was a risky move! If the Outer God were to be released, Al Karda’s plans would surely be thrown into disarray; this situation was proof of that. Outer God Pangu, upon his release, obliterated Al Karda’s reincarnation in an instant – talk about chaos!

Then Al Karda spoke.

“The chance of you being released with a Reborn Person is astronomically slim. If it were even possible, I thought it would simply be the will of the omniscient one.”

Pangu smirked at Al Karda’s statement.

“Haha! Do you think your lord, the omniscient one, has put you in such danger? Do you believe that this is the trial you’ve been given?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re a hopeless fanatic, aren’t you?”

In the next moment, a chilling remark left Pangu’s lips.

“Very well. I shall become the true trial for you.”

Zzzzt!

The atmosphere in the room shifted. A cold energy began to fill the library, like an ominous wind gusting through. Books began to fall from the shelves, making a racket. The floorboards creaked, as if they might collapse at any moment.

Pangu was up to something.

Seemingly sensing this, Al Karda’s expression soured, and he spoke in a slightly growling voice.

“Stop it… Pangu.”

“Try to stop me with your own strength. Though, I’m sure you’re already doing that.”

“Do you truly have no fear of consequences after behaving like this?”

“I’ve suffered endless agony within the seal anyway. It’s too late to be asking such questions now.”

Kaboom!

With a loud crash, the whole library shook. Moments later, something unbelievable occurred.

Shh shh

Footsteps echoed softly from within the darkness of the library. I sensed that the owners of those footsteps had reached a level of stealth so high that it seemed intentional to make a sound. Soon after, I realized the reason behind my strange feeling.

Incredible experts!

Just from their footsteps, I could gauge their immense skill in martial arts.

There were two figures.

Moments later, one of them emerged from both sides, surrounding Al Karda.

“So it’s Pangu? I’ve been wandering for far too long, chasing the traces of a [Dream]. Who would have thought you’d end up summoning me?”

He appeared to be a black-haired youth in his twenties, with an ordinary look.

I didn’t recognize this face.

He seemed skilled in hand-to-hand combat but was strangely wearing a small dagger on his waist. Although this dagger seemed to be his main weapon, I couldn’t gauge what martial arts techniques he employed because he radiated neither qi nor intent—he was an enigma.

‘Completely empty…!’

That state is different from what’s called a Natural Body. A martial artist’s Natural Body appears unassuming at a glance but always carries a minimal amount of energy to prepare for combat. However, this individual didn’t even possess the energy that any living creature ought to have – he felt like part of the air.

Upon the youth’s words, Pangu replied.

“True Martial Emperor. The day has come to fulfill our contract.”

“You mean to fight against an Outer God.”

“Exactly.”

“Today, I shall be obliterated.”

Their exchange seemed somewhat underwhelming, yet I was secretly astonished.

‘True Martial Emperor…?!’

No doubt about it.

That title refers to the martial god worshiped by the Daoists! I didn’t know when he had been worshiped, but he was a divine being said to aid Daoist practitioners in defeating evil spirits, renowned among the Wudang Sect. However, they had always been mere legends, hardly ever seen in the Celestial Realm throughout my reincarnations.

And the fact that the True Martial Emperor was actually real and on familiar terms with Pangu?!

Then, another old man dressed in blue emerged from the other side and spoke.

“True Martial Emperor, are you not aware that there are things scarier than obliteration? After all, we will inevitably be reborn once again after endless cycles of time.”

Upon hearing the blue-clad old man’s words, the True Martial Emperor glanced at the dagger at his waist and sighed.

“Ha… The cosmos. Obliteration isn’t frightening. What’s truly terrifying is what you just spoke of – the unending cycle of everything repeating.”

The cosmos? That must be a name like the hexagram of the Six Harmonies!

The name of the blue-robed old man also intrigued me. Could one use such a term as a personal name? It was too primitive to be considered a nickname and didn’t seem to denote a martial arts level either.

My thoughts were about to be clarified a bit, thanks to Al Karda’s words.

“O beings who reside solely within the Divine Realm’s White Seat, you may now be cosmic entities, yet how do you intend to atone for the sin of invading the Void Record?”

……!

In an instant, I recognized the identities of the two figures who had appeared in the room.

‘Experts of the Divine Realm… the Martial God Council!’

They were beings who existed only as concepts in the earthly dimensional realm! Al Karda evidently separated them from other concepts for some reason. More than that, I had never even heard their names throughout my reincarnations.

At that, the blue-robed old man replied in a senile voice.

“O Great Being, Outer God, this world itself is the greatest sin… It’s not as if the combat between evils would drastically change by including an insignificant character like me.”

“Then vanish.”

Whoosh!

In the next moment, Al Karda’s command swept through the room. The very essence of obliteration resided in his command, and it seemed anyone could vanish in an instant; but then something unexpected happened – I widened my eyes.

The Three Talents Formation!

Boom!

What a simple cause-and-effect situation. With Pangu at the center, the two Divine Realm’s White Seat figures formed a triangle surrounding Al Karda, thus manifesting the formation’s shape. As Pangu and his companions locked in the Three Talents Formation, Al Karda’s command suddenly faded with a heavy sound in the air.

“…!”

Are you telling me that these three were able to withstand the power of an Outer God?!

Having known Al Karda’s strength, I couldn’t believe what had just happened.

No… could it be that the Three Talents Formation is really…?

I remembered having seen something similar once before, so I gulped.

No matter how much of an Outer God Pangu was, for him to exert such immense power had me awestruck!

Then Outer God Pangu stood at the apex of the formation and said.

“If we continue this fight, the True Martial Emperor and the Cosmos will be obliterated for eternity, and your battle with me will carry on endlessly. If that happens, the Void Record will also start to be suffocated by an energy of separation.”

“……”

“Is it better for the Void Record to be destroyed or for the reincarnation to be concluded?”

Pangu’s ultimatum felt more like a threat!

For some reason, Al Karda had no choice but to respond as if he was cornered.

“End the reincarnation.”

“Well thought out.”

“However, your personal will matters.”

Al Karda’s gaze suddenly fell upon me.

“Baek Woong. Do you wish to end this reincarnation forever?”

“……”

What could possibly be the intention behind this question?

Truth be told, I had not wanted to be dragged into this reincarnation, so Al Karda’s question felt utterly ridiculous. I had wanted to escape Al Karda’s manipulations, and although Pangu’s actions seemed intense, they ended up solving all my dilemmas.

Yet, Al Karda’s next words left me no choice but to think hard.

“I must warn you – if this is how you end the reincarnation, it would simply result in bringing forth another gigantic calamity.”

I flinched.

“What… are you saying? Is this a threat?”

“It’s not a threat. I didn’t intend for it to be so, yet if it continues down this path, that’s the way it will be. And it’s something Pangu desires too.”

“……?”

Pangu wants a calamity to arise? What on earth does that mean?

I quickly turned to look at Pangu, but he remained silent, saying nothing. By that reaction, I instinctively sensed that Al Karda’s words held some truth.

“What kind of calamity?”

“Now that Pangu has his restrictions in place, I can’t say.”

“Uh…”

Thinking back, Pangu had his hands stretched forward since earlier. He was undoubtedly employing some kind of spell to restrict our conversation about cause and effect.

So, outer gods can do that.

From observing Pangu’s reactions, I concluded that Al Karda’s claims seemed plausible. Pangu was certainly plotting something under the guise of ending the reincarnation!

‘Damn it…’

With things turning this way, I couldn’t blindly trust Pangu either!

I was caught in the middle of two tigers, both ready to devour me!

After contemplating for a moment, a thought flashed through my mind.

[Let me repeat this… if you find something strange in that room… you’ll understand exactly what you need to do right away… because… that ‘strange thing’ itself will be the basis.]

……!

At that moment, I hit upon a clever idea. I quickly glanced around, found something, and as soon as I confirmed it with my eyes, I spoke.

“O Great Outer God Al Karda, I have another thought.”

“What is it?”

“I differ from both of you. I don’t want the complete cessation of the reincarnation, nor do I want to continue it.”

“Then what do you want?”

I spoke firmly.

“Pause!”

“……”

“Isn’t this just a game? A game is something that can be stopped and resumed whenever you want.”

From behind, Pangu spoke.

“Al Karda surely has the ability to pause the game, so this is a foolish move. It would be better to end it now.”

“Perhaps that would work for an Outer God. But wouldn’t Pangu defend against such a thing?”

“Haha… you really are cunning.”

Pangu seemed to understand my intentions and chuckled. While Pangu agreed to my side contract, Al Karda now realized that there would be no way to stop this from happening.

And then Al Karda stared at me and said,

“I know your scheme. But is there any guarantee your thought is truly correct?”

“……”

“Niratsa Dag may have just been toying with you.”

That’s just it… Al Karda is reading my mind and has already figured out what tricks I’m planning.

And he’s trying to shake my confidence in it.

‘But I can’t back down now.’

Determined not to be swayed by Al Karda’s words, I slowly made my way forward.

Shh…

I stopped right in front of the Go board by the window.

I stared at it for a while before speaking to Al Karda.

“Al Karda, this Go board doesn’t belong to the reincarnation you and I share. And it’s also an unfinished game.”

“What are you getting at?”

I grinned as I replied.

“I don’t know who you played Go with… but visible here are signs that show this was a game abandoned midway. If there’s a precedent, then my Go game with you can also be postponed until mutual consent, correct?”

“……”

“If such a cause and effect exists, then it can surely be interpreted that way.”

According to Niratsa Dag, the answer was indeed in this room where the reincarnation was being played. And if there was evidence that someone had abandoned their game with Al Karda, this could serve as a justification for arguing that I could take a break from the reincarnation.

‘Originally, I intended to use this as a last resort if Chi You’s reincarnation wasn’t going well…’

But I figured this wouldn’t be a bad usage either.

Upon my statement, Al Karda fell silent for a moment before he spoke.

“If we weren’t in this situation, and you had claimed that with no backup, do you think I would have accepted it?”

“……!”

I was taken aback. Indeed, Al Karda was pointing out the crucial flaw in the plan I had been considering until now.

While I had justification, it was just that – minimal justification.

If Al Karda simply declared that he didn’t want to, it would be a flimsy argument subject to dismissal. I was merely fortunate that it was me he was facing and that it was this situation.

Seeing me panic, Al Karda continued to speak with an emotionless gaze.

“Thanks to the promise, I’m trapped in the laws of cause and effect. A feeble promise can be easily ignored by violence. Consider yourself fortunate that it’s me and under these circumstances.”

“……”

“I’ll accept your proposal. The reincarnation will temporarily be paused. It cannot be resumed without mutual agreement.”

“Promise me one more thing as well. Promise you won’t recklessly abduct and threaten me.”

“I won’t.”

Al Karda’s acceptance came far more smoothly than I had anticipated. I felt a strange emotion at the change in his demeanor.

What was Al Karda trying to achieve here?

In the end, even though this reincarnation was messed up, it wasn’t as if I gained nothing from my experiences. On the contrary, I’d say I had made some gains. I had no idea what scheme Al Karda was concocting by investing so much effort into this reincarnation.

“……”

That’s why I couldn’t help but ask Al Karda.

“… Al Karda! Why… did you want me to do this reincarnation?”

“You dragged Pangu here and forcibly interrupted the game. Is there anyone as rude as you?”

“……”

“If you had any sense of propriety, you’d have no reason to expect an answer from me.”

His words felt somewhat cold, but I sensed that this opportunity was fleeting. I had a deep intuition that this might be my only chance to gain this information right here, right now.

So, desperately, I pressed on.

“Still, please! After dying hundreds or thousands of times, if I keep wondering about this, what should I do?”

“That’s a decent question.”

Somehow, it seemed my words pleased Al Karda. He fell silent for a moment, then answered me.

“True to what Pangu said, I have accessed the Void Record, gaining knowledge of most of the universe, but I can’t comprehend all matters pertaining to Outer Gods. As a result, I wander in this swamp of ignorance at times. So how can I overcome this ignorance?”

“I don’t know.”

Al Karda’s gaze flicked to the Go board by the window.

“The reincarnation over there was the game of Go I played with someone, suggesting they could help me overcome this ignorance.”

“……!”

What’s that supposed to mean?!

According to his words, could it be that whoever he played Go with could help even an Outer God overcome an impossibility? I couldn’t even begin to fathom how extraordinary someone must be to say that!

“Whom… who is it?”

“That’s something you don’t need to know right now.”

“……”

“You needn’t worry about it. Eventually, you may discover the answer, whether you wish to or not.”

Al Karda’s ominous words had him walking toward the window and pulling out a pipe.

“Now go.”

With that one line, he started smoking silently.

Slowly, wisps of smoke began to rise from his pipe.

He truly seemed disinterested in everything now. Even though we were in the same space, I felt that he had become completely indifferent to everything in this library. It felt apparent that even if I kept talking, he wouldn’t respond.

Eventually, Pangu broke the silence, speaking to me.

“You’re indeed a free spirit.”

“… As I said earlier, I don’t trust either you or Al Karda.”

“I don’t mind. Eventually, everything will unfold according to my wish.”

Pangu spoke with immense confidence. It was certain he believed that everything was unfolding precisely as he intended. As I glanced at Pangu, he turned to the two Divine Realm’s White Seat figures.

“Now go back.”

The True Martial Emperor replied curtly.

“How generous of you, as if this isn’t a matter of contract that means you’ll call on us whenever it’s convenient for you.”

“That falls under the obligations of the contract you signed.”

“Phew…”

The True Martial Emperor shook his head. He opened his eyes slightly, looking at Pangu.

“I still can’t fathom why the Martial God allowed you, Pangu.”

……!

I couldn’t help but jump at the True Martial Emperor’s statement.

‘So… it’s true!’

It was uncertain whether the True Martial Emperor or the Cosmos truly followed Pangu, but they were undeniably bound by some agreement. Moreover, the fact that Pangu could wield the power of several warriors as if they were his subordinates was made crystal clear by the words of the True Martial Emperor!

But more than that, why was he speaking so informally?

Was he perhaps not afraid of that Outer God?

Pangu unceremoniously replied.

“If you’re disgruntled, feel free to dissolve the contract.”

“Ha! I’ll certainly contemplate doing so when the time comes.”

“Even so, doesn’t it strike you as a stroke of luck that I’ve now spoken to you?”

“That could be true.”

The True Martial Emperor, hands clasped behind his back, began slowly departing into the shadows.

“Ah.”

He froze suddenly, saying something cryptic.

“Kid, you had great potential while fighting against the Great Dragon. Let’s meet again when we cross paths through the Martial Soul’s abyss…”

Swish

And with that, his manifestation vanished without a trace from the library. Upon a closer look, I realized that the presence of the Cosmos had also dissipated without my knowledge.

But I was momentarily in shock, triggered by the True Martial Emperor’s last brief words.

“……!”

Could it be… that the existence who appeared in my conscious realm and fought me in my own form was…?

While I was astonished, Pangu prompted.

“Snap out of it. Get ready.”

A pale energy began to flicker from Pangu’s hand.

“You’ll be returning to your original world soon, but I won’t be beside you.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Why aren’t you coming with me?”

I sensed something odd in Pangu’s words.

After he’d shattered my reincarnation, shouldn’t he accompany me to the real world? My thoughts had been filled with the prospect of receiving his help, and it felt like a betrayal to have him reject me again. Pangu clarified,

“If you had made a real contract with me, that could have been possible. However, because this is just a subsidiary contract, my binding still isn’t completely released. Thus, it’s impossible for you to go straight into the world of reincarnation. This also means that my true self will remain sealed in your world.”

“No…! You should have told me this beforehand…”

“Either way, I know that discussing this wouldn’t significantly alter your decision-making.”

Pangu replied rather nonchalantly. I stared at him in disbelief and said,

“If I go back like this, I’ll probably face my doom…!”

“……”

Thinking it over, Tsukuyomi had resurrected, seeking my memories as a Reborn Person!

I had no clue how I might be returning to my original world, but whether I regained my body or not, it was clear that Tsukuyomi’s power was overwhelmingly superior to my original abilities. Having reincarnated many more times than me, it was only natural that he would far surpass my mere 30 reincarnations.

‘That’s why I reluctantly accepted the reincarnation, believing I had to gather strength here before my return…!’

I was done for!

I cried out in despair.

“I’m going without a plan! Someone take responsibility! If I fight the Reborn Person Tsukuyomi now, I’m bound to lose!”

Upon this outcry, Pangu replied.

“Why worry about such things? There’s a simple solution.”

“A solution?!”

“Of course. That is…”

As Pangu’s next words rolled out, I was left stunned.

“… umm…”

Hold on a second!

That’s a ridiculously irresponsible statement!

“I’m off then. Good luck.”

“Wait, just a minute!”

Divine Realm

Colorless

Impermanence of All Things

Swish!

As I heard the sound of the world tearing, I realized that I was now in a place I was familiar with.

‘Fuxi!’

Before my eyes, the true form of the Three Sovereigns’ Fuxi floated in a setting akin to the heavens. Surrounding him was [Pangu’s Axe], showing that he is indeed the most powerful existence among all the Three Sovereigns.

Even upon another viewing, he exuded overwhelming power. The Fuxi I faced during Chi You’s trial had been strong, but he had not shown such overwhelming force. Surely, Pangu’s Axe had enhanced his true power by several-fold.

… Was I really that foolish? If I had known I would face off with Fuxi like this, I wouldn’t have aided him in fetching that Axe during the Takrok Era…

Plus, with Nüwa beside Fuxi, it was clear to see that the power of this pair of siblings was now the strongest in the universe. In ancient times, they would have faced and defeated even emperors together, making them the ultimate beings today.

‘Whichever way you look at it… I’m back!’

As I gazed at Fuxi with newfound nostalgia, I then turned to confront my enemy standing across from him.

A grotesquely ugly human face!

I could tell from this figure that some unknown, mysterious technique and qi were flowing out as this ugly guy clashed with Fuxi head-on. Fuxi didn’t seem to have any advantage whatsoever, looking cornered instead.

Boom!

Even with Nüwa joining him in battle, Fuxi’s position didn’t seem to shift much. Observing this, it felt as if the power emanating from this ugly human was on par with the Azure Dragon’s!

That horrendously ugly human bellowed.

“Hahahaha! Is this all you’ve got, Fuxi? Where’s that initial confidence of yours?”

That voice wasn’t unfamiliar to me.

[……]

Fuxi labored in silence, fighting valiantly against that hideously ugly man but already appeared to be in the throes of defeat. If Fuxi and Nüwa were struggling this much, just how elevated was the level of that hideous man’s techniques?

However, rather than marveling at the power of that ugly human, I was struck with the realization of something else.

Wait… what…?

What’s happening here?

My shock stemmed from recognizing the identity of the hideous human fighting against Fuxi and Nüwa.

That’s me.

With that abhorrent face, there’s no way I could be mistaken…!

That’s right.

Baek Woong’s body is there.

Actually, to be precise, Yu Soo, or Tsukuyomi, has taken over my body. It seemed this situation had been set up following Tsukuyomi’s failed attempt to snatch off my mask at the end.

‘So… what about me?!’

With the realization dawning upon me, I looked down at my body and began to comprehend the situation.

A translucent and formless spirit.

Once I grasped that I was in the state of a spirit body, the words of Pangu echoed through my mind.

[It’s simple. If you die, you’ll simply reincarnate in the next round.]

Even should Tsukuyomi attempt to prevent my reincarnation after my suicide, the logic held. That assertion wasn’t entirely wrong, so I wouldn’t have vehemently opposed Pangu’s advice.

But…

How do you die in this state while being a spirit body?

“`

 

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