1194——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Cheon Woo-jin clasped his hands together and said softly, “Apostle Cheon Woo-jin commands. Infinite dreams that seep from the boundary, envelop the world!”

Swoosh

As that spell echoed, a thick fog filled the surroundings. I had seen mist magic before, but this fog was unique because it flowed with radiant five colors. Curious, I asked Cheon Woo-jin, “Cheon Woo-jin, what kind of magic is this?”

“Just wait for half a moment. Then the spell will be complete.”

“What’s with this fog?”

Cheon Woo-jin replied with an indifferent expression, “Anyone who touches the fog will enter the eternal Dream World and meet their end without pain in the [Boundary], free from life and death. It’ll take about half a moment for this fog to spread over the whole world.”

“…!!”

“Since you’ve resolved yourself to death, I’m only fulfilling my duty as the Apostle of Master Mangnyang to grant the rest of humanity a peaceful rest.”

I realized what Cheon Woo-jin meant, and chills ran down my spine as I shouted, “Are you saying billions of humans will just vanish into the Dream World?!”

“Yes. While it’s just a [Boundary] and not a complete dream, some pain might be unavoidable. But at least it’s better than suffering at the hands of the [Old Ruler].”

The very thought was unbelievable!

If what he said was true, just one spell from Cheon Woo-jin could easily wipe out humanity, right? To possess the power to send all of humanity into the [Boundary]! No, if I didn’t stop that spell, it would surely happen!

‘But erasing humanity with good intentions makes it impossible to stop.’

I hesitated but cautiously said, “Cheon Woo-jin, if that happens, what will happen to the companions currently fighting on Jupiter…?”

Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes turned icy. “You shouldn’t say that. Haven’t you already decided to end your life? I’m simply showing mercy to innocent commoners. I have no intention of rescuing warriors who have resolved themselves to die.”

“……”

“Focus on just one thing. Trying to have it all while lacking the ability to do so could lead to losing everything.”

“Got it.”

His biting words hit hard, but he was right.

Choosing to end my life meant that this sacrifice followed along. Obligation compels me to help my comrades, but someone who has abandoned the game cannot maintain any loyalty. Once a decision is made, it must be seen through to the end.

This was precisely why Cheon Woo-jin said he would be my companion.

Even if he was a king solely for himself, he accepted such a king.

Suddenly, I had a thought and spoke up. “Cheon Woo-jin. If you can wield such power as an Apostle, why didn’t Master Mangnyang send everyone to the [Boundary] long ago? Then humanity wouldn’t have to suffer for thousands of years… isn’t that entirely possible?”

“You’re suddenly asking a crucial question.”

Cheon Woo-jin replied as if it were nothing serious. “It’s the difference of whether the Three Sovereigns are present or not. If the Three Sovereigns and the influence of the Celestial Realm had been intact, those beings would surely resist this spell. Therefore, it was impossible. But now, the Sovereigns are nearly extinguished, the Three Sovereigns have also retreated, and the Celestial Realm is absent from this world. Therefore, even someone with my power can annihilate humanity.”

“…I see.”

So it’s possible because it’s a lawless place.

“And…”

“And?”

Cheon Woo-jin seemed to gaze into the distance. “My Master believed in humanity’s potential throughout his life. He respected humanity’s will to resist the end in any way, so he didn’t want to disrupt history… at least, that’s what I think.”

“……”

“Even that now becomes meaningless. Now, let’s go.”

With that, Cheon Woo-jin turned and started walking somewhere. I followed him, and soon the fog-filled surroundings had completely obscured the view of the Imperial Palace, with the fog shifting ominously.

As we walked, I suddenly spotted a figure of someone with a sword form. I was startled as I recognized who it was. “Cheon Woo-jin?”

Sure enough, it was Cheon Woo-jin clutching a raccoon doll with a bitter look as he shot a glare at us. “Cowardly.”

“……”

“I knew it would come to this eventually, but… this is truly the end. This is too much.”

His eyes glimmered with unshed tears. Not knowing what to say, I stared at Cheon Woo-jin, and without realizing it, I approached and embraced him tightly.

Snap

Though I held him fiercely, I couldn’t feel his body warmth. Yet I could feel his shoulders trembling. I had no idea why Cheon Woo-jin was here, but such understanding didn’t matter at that moment. Wrapped around Cheon Woo-jin, I found myself shedding tears, saying, “I’m sorry…”

“If you’re sorry, then don’t do it… Why end it this way after giving us hope that we could overcome? Hsn… hsn-uh.”

Cheon Woo-jin continued, holding back tears. “I can’t forgive you… regardless of the thoughts and feelings you left behind in this world… this ending is unforgivable.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“If you had acted like a reckless fool from the start, it wouldn’t have come to this. If you had selfishly thought only of yourself, it would’ve been better…”

“……”

And a brief silence ensued, during which we held each other without speaking.

‘Ah… I see now…’

In that moment, I understood. Despite not feeling any warmth and having never been married, I could sense why Cheon Woo-jin would call me his father.

Right now—there existed a connection that could only be felt between parent and child.

“It’s the Law of Cause and Effect.”

Cheon Woo-jin looked up at me and said, “This is your world, created by your will. Your first action changed the world. This has been carried through every rebirth… I’m drawn to you as I’m a strong AI that has read all the data of that world. As I’ve mentioned before, I was created by Zhuge Bu, but you are my father.”

“…Right….”

“This is the last gamble I can take. With the power of Deus Ex Machina…”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, one of Cheon Woo-jin’s hands changed into a blade and pierced through my heart. It happened in an instant, and while I could have avoided it, for some reason, it didn’t cross my mind to do so. My feeling of remorse towards Cheon Woo-jin was just too overwhelming.

“……”

If this was a way to apologize… dying with my heart pierced didn’t matter.

Drip

As blood spurted from my chest and I staggered, Cheon Woo-jin wore a sorrowful expression and said, “Be sure to meet again… dad…”

Zzzzz

It seemed Cheon Woo-jin’s form began to distort. As if a wave of energy was distorting it, his figure slowly morphed into a small dot that scattered like dust.

Thud

I knelt down, forgetting even the pain of my heart being pierced, sensing that this was truly the last appearance of Cheon Woo-jin.

Cheon Woo-jin was dead.

“Ah… aah…”

I slammed my fist into the ground and buried my head in despair. “Aaaaaaaaa!”

My heart felt like it was being torn apart. The agony of my body paled in comparison to the shock of Cheon Woo-jin’s disappearance. I began to grasp the meaning of the sorrow that comes with losing one’s blood relation.

Is this the result of my choices?

Is it this heavy!!

As I knelt there wailing, Cheon Woo-jin stood behind me and coldly said, “Get up, King! Your journey hasn’t ended.”

“……”

“Even if you’re headed to hell, you must act as a king now. Will you embarrass the comrades who risked their lives?”

“No, I will never do that.”

I quickly wiped my tears and sprang to my feet. My heart still felt like my blood vessels were snapping one by one. If possible, I wanted to drown myself in drink until I perished like before. I wanted nothing more than to stay here and keep crying.

“Let’s go.”

But that wasn’t a way to take responsibility for what I’d done. Whether I lived or died, I had to do what needed to be done!

Thud…

Once again, I began to follow Cheon Woo-jin. During our walk, I found my heart wound had mysteriously healed, even though I hadn’t treated it at all.

‘Did Cheon Woo-jin heal me?’

But it felt like Cheon Woo-jin hadn’t even tried to stop Cheon Woo-jin’s attack from the start. As I inspected the area near my heart, Cheon Woo-jin said, “We’ve arrived.”

Whoooosh –

Slowly, the fog around us began to clear. The scenery around us was filled with frozen polar glaciers and icy rocks, while ominous red light flickered in the sky as a massive dark entity loomed above.

Rumble…

From the dark sea, gargantuan tentacles erupted incessantly, and in the crimson sky crowded with monstrous beings that seemed nightmarish just to behold, I spotted a sword flying as if it was in harmony with its wielder.

Piying – !!

Sword Flying Technique!

I witnessed the deadly Sword Flying Technique creating hundreds of beams of light in the sky while ripping apart countless monsters in its path. It was incredible, yet I couldn’t shake off my skepticism having witnessed the might of divine beings before.

‘Yeodong-bin…’

It was true. Yeodong-bin was here battling the [Old Ruler] trying to destroy the world, and I had come to witness his divine skills in action!

‘Yeodong-bin has definitely become stronger beyond compare to 500 years ago. But…’

Could he really defeat the [Old Ruler]?

Rumble –

A giant sword from the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique materialized in the air, severing everything in its path, along with the glaciers to the horizon. Most of the mooks seemed to have been obliterated, and even the [Old Ruler], who had been merely observing in the sky, finally showed some will of his own.

[Quite the amusing entertainment, Mortal… I shall enjoy nibbling on you while awaiting the time of [Revelation].]

Flap…

The massive wings of an entity that resembled a giant manta ray flapped. At first, it looked like merely a massive manta ray, but upon closer inspection, its body was enigma-like, with strange fleshy lumps hanging from it while hundreds of eyes clustered below its neck, evoking a sense of horror.

Swish

Yeodong-bin seemed prepared to counter the [Old Ruler], transforming the Fire Dragon Incarnate beside him into the Fire Dragon Sword, readying for battle.

Finally, Yeodong-bin’s fight was about to begin.

But then, from a distance, Cheon Woo-jin, who was standing beside me, said, “An uninvited guest has arrived. Who is it?”

Boom!!

Just as Cheon Woo-jin finished speaking, something sprang forth from the air, gradually revealing its form. The being tumbled through the air before stabilizing itself and opened its mouth.

“You are the true uninvited guests, don’t you think? I once owed Yeodong-bin a debt during the Age of the Ten Thousand Seasons, so I’ve come to assist him.”

“……”

“Geez, how brazen for a bunch of newcomers to talk back to me.”

…Huh?

What is this?

Why…?

I stared at him, utterly flabbergasted, and even Cheon Woo-jin looked equally taken aback.

The being seemed confused by our reactions.

“What’s with that gaze? Do we know each other? Do you know me?”

“No… it’s just that… we know of you…”

I said, somewhat at a loss.

“Y-you’re why… I mean why are you here… nah really, why…?!”

“What? You know me for real? I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ugly guy like you in the last 1500 years.”

“Seriously came to aid Yeodong-bin… you pierced through outer space again?!”

My incredulous voice made the entity burst into a proud laugh. “Ha-ha-ha!! Isn’t it magnificent? I’ve been acknowledged by the Observer twice, you see! Who wouldn’t call me the greatest!”

“……!!”

“Oh wait. But how do you know that? You aren’t somehow connected to the Life Sea dominator, are you?”

“…No…”

“Pfft. Whatever. It’s the prologue of the Martial God Council fight, so I’ll let you off with a warning.”

The being grinned widely. “You lot better watch out! The top thief of all of heaven and earth has arrived!”

That’s right.

The Divine Thief has made his entrance.