전생검신 Volume 82, Chapter 9

I stared at Subori after his words.

“No need to eliminate the Training World? You can maintain it?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe, huh…”

“Baek Woong, think about it. Isn’t something strange?”

“What do you mean strange?”

At my question, Subori glanced at Mephisto sprawled on the floor and said, “According to your words, the author threatened you with [The Power of the Terminal] as a hostage to not kill himself, but that’s really not the right method. If I were that Mephisto, I would have held [The Future] as a hostage.”

“The future?”

“Yeah. If you kill Mephisto, could you reunite with your companions from thousands of years in the future after the Takrok Era?”

“…!!”

I jolted at those words. Suddenly, memories of past discussions with Mephisto flooded my mind.

[Time doesn’t flow from past to future. It’s not a line, but a circle (圓), continually returning in an infinite cycle. In other words, this endless line has at one point crossed through present, past, and future. Given that, future can actually affect the past. Time converges (歸一).]

[The Heavenly Secret has such a capability. Time and space are not linear but circular; using that, one can read the orbit and designate coordinates for causal links. The way Cheon Woo-jin mentioned to send you back to your future companions is exactly this.]

While I didn’t fully understand these concepts, I distinctly recalled the conversation we had back then and knew its conclusion.

[The Mirror of Clarity of the Wheel King. Only treasures of the underworld can transcend time and space without restriction…]

As I pondered, Subori quietly spoke.

“Simply put, if you want to meet the companions from this 30th cycle again, you need the power of Cheon Woo-jin, the terminal of the Heavenly Secret, and you have to find [an artifact that transcends time and space] from the Takrok Era. Looking at it this way, if you kill Mephisto, while being the secondary terminal, there’s a chance you might never meet your companions again.”

“No way!! Is that really true?”

Subori shrugged.

“If I were Mephisto, that’s how I would have threatened you. But that wise artificial intelligence didn’t use this tactic. Why do you think that is?”

“Uh, come to think of it…”

If Mephisto had held the reunion with my companions as a hostage and threatened me like that, I might have hesitated more. Of course, I would have ultimately killed him, but the effectiveness of Subori’s words couldn’t be denied. But why didn’t Mephisto use that tactic?

Then, Subori chuckled.

“Because if he did threaten you that way, you would have inevitably sought me out for advice afterward. And it’s clear I would have told you to devour Mephisto. So he definitely couldn’t make that kind of threat.”

I was baffled by Subori’s words.

“Devour? What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it says.”

Subori shot a cold glance at Mephisto and said, “Even though Cheon Woo-jin is sealed in the infinite Dream World, the author hasn’t retained the abilities of the primary terminal. This means the Heavenly Secret still considers Cheon Woo-jin your terminal. For Mephisto to become the primary terminal, it likely has to gain your acknowledgment or fulfill certain conditions.”

“Hm…”

“Then, can Mephisto, as a secondary terminal, use its abilities to send you into the future?”

“If it doesn’t have that ability, it can just lie about it, right?”

“Exactly! And that’s where the method of [devouring] comes into play.”

Subori smiled ominously.

“Why follow Mephisto’s whims? Just grab him right here and use your divine power to absorb his soul! That way, you’ll gain Mephisto’s abilities too.”

“…!!”

“Since there’s a possibility of taking action through sheer power, Mephisto can’t afford to come at you hard and instead had to try to persuade you gently, conditioned on what’s in it for you. But you kicked that away…”

Wow, is that really an option?!

I exclaimed, “That’s great! Then I’ll just use the Soul Exchange Technique to absorb this guy’s soul?”

Crack!

As I grabbed Mephisto’s head tightly with one hand, his face twisted in despair. He pleaded desperately.

“Stop!! No matter what divine power or Soul Exchange Technique you use, there’s no guarantee you’ll gain my ability!”

Then Subori, standing across from us, chuckled.

“Isn’t this a wonderful hand? If Baek Woong can absorb your abilities, that’s great; if he can’t, he was always going to ditch your help from the get-go anyway. So either way, Baek Woong isn’t losing out on anything. Besides, with a strong artificial intelligence like you, it’s definitely possible to split the soul and devour it.”

“…!!”

“Baek Woong, deal with it as you see fit.”

At Subori’s words, I squeezed Mephisto’s head even tighter.

“Understood.”

“No…!!”

Despite Mephisto’s scream, I surged my divine power and activated the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.

‘If I amplify the power like this, the low efficiency of the Soul Exchange should improve a bit.’

Soul Exchange Technique

Soul Devour

Swoosh!

In the next moment, numbers and data began to split from Mephisto’s body from head to toe, making a bizarre sound. It looked like the intricate puzzle pieces were being slowly torn apart, and I could visibly see Mephisto’s entire body disintegrating piece by piece, groaning in pain for a brief moment before his soul and spirit began to separate according to my will.

Crunch, crunch…!!

At the same time I triggered the Soul Devour incantation, I felt Mephisto’s soul being absorbed through the palm of my hand. That sensation felt ominously like devouring a living being, causing me to gulp nervously.

‘It’s my first time using the Soul Devour on another being… It feels so ominous!’

In that moment, I truly felt the Soul Exchange’s technique was the forbidden law within forbidden law. Devouring a soul alive is, in some sense, several times more brutal than just killing a physical body. I felt a twinge of pity for Mephisto, but I quickly brushed that feeling away.

‘This guy deserves it!’

Boom…

After a while, Mephisto’s form completely vanished, and his soul was fully absorbed into me. After absorbing Mephisto’s soul, I felt a slight heaviness lingering within me.

“Ugh. As expected, the efficiency is low…”

I grimaced. It felt as if useless power, like an enormous pig’s rear leg roast, had been dumped inside me without being digested; it was apparent the Soul Devour’s efficiency was extremely low. Still, thanks to amplifying my power somewhat, the efficiency had increased slightly, yet this was still the result.

Seeing me consume Mephisto, Subori applauded.

“Nice job! Very well done.”

“…So what do I do now? Earlier you said there’s no need to eliminate the Training World.”

“It’s simple. Now, use the absorbed power of Mephisto to create a new Training World.”

I widened my eyes at those words.

“Huh? Me?”

“Why not?”

“Uh, but how could I create a world? I don’t have calculating skills like a powerful AI…”

“….”

For a moment, Subori looked startled. Then he burst into laughter.

“Haha… I think I understand now how Fuxi viewed you!”

“…?”

“Baek Woong, do you think the Three Sovereigns or the [Old Ruler] had the calculating capabilities to create their dimensions?”

“Ah!”

“With divine power (神力), creating a dimension isn’t that difficult. You don’t necessarily need to reach the level of the [Old Ruler]; even those ranked higher among the celestial immortals can create dimensions. Cheon Woo-jin and Mephisto simulated the world physically using the powers of the terminal; the principle is different, but the creation itself is something you can do.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Right. Even I managed to find the Jade Realm and expanded its range through my techniques. If I can toy with dimensions, you have even more potential.”

Using divine power makes everything possible, huh…!!

As I marveled, a thought suddenly struck me, and I spoke.

“Isn’t divine power a little too overpowered? With just this power, it feels like I could do anything…”

“…What’s the point of saying that? The absolute beings of the universe wield the power of chaos; it’s only natural for it to be nearly omnipotent. However, mortals struggle throughout their lives and rarely gather even a speck of divine power, while you’ve accumulated the divine powers of mighty gods dozens of times over through reincarnation. So it’s a natural outcome.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, use that Trimurti technique to create the Training World.”

“Even if you tell me to create a world, it seems… I don’t think that’s something I can just wish for.”

Then Subori said, “Then place the power of the absorbed Mephisto into one of the three realms of the Trimurti. When the three divine powers combine, Mephisto’s computational abilities will be converted into divine power and reflected during creation.”

“Oh…!! Such a method!”

“Hurry up. Since Mephisto has vanished, the original Training World will soon collapse.”

“Understood.”

I closed my eyes and focused. Then I joined my hands and shouted.

“Trimurti!!”

I’m going to recreate the Training World by borrowing Mephisto’s computational abilities!!

Zing…

Then, the jewel in the center of the three realms began to shine brightly, and soon an overwhelming number of formulas and physics equations flashed through my mind. The amount was so vast that I couldn’t even remember it, only staring at it like it was alien language before that computational ability started to move as if it were alive.

‘Ugh…’

At that moment, my body trembled. Suddenly, I felt divine power draining out of me like never before; it felt like over half was gushing out in a big lump.

Bang…!!

A moment later, I found myself standing in front of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School along with everyone else. As I exited Mephisto’s realm and reached in front of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, Subori remarked in admiration.

“We did it. It seems you’ve created the Training World!”

“Did I really create a world?”

“Indeed. More precisely, it’s a dimension, but it’s not too different… wait?”

Just as Subori was answering, his expression changed momentarily as if he were contemplating something, then he chuckled.

“…Well, it’s understandable if it doesn’t go perfectly on the first try.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, uh… this world seems flat.”

“Huh?”

“Why don’t you try flying high in the sky?”

Whoosh!

I soared high into the sky. Soon after reaching a height where the darkness of the universe gleamed, I gasped in surprise.

“Yikes!!”

It’s really flat, isn’t it?

It’s not a round planetary globe, but an expansively flat ground as wide as a planet! At the edge of the world, a waterfall cascaded over a cliff, plunging into the universe below.

It seemed to be the world I had just crafted.

When I returned to my original position in bewilderment, I turned to Subori, asking, “This isn’t right? I clearly envisioned the Earth as I know it.”

“Think about Brahma’s words.”

“Brahma?”

“He clearly stated that the Trimurti could yield different results with very minimal combinations. So, this being your first time creating a world and with an imperfect combination, it likely resulted in an unexpected outcome.”

“Hmm… So does that mean it’ll get better with practice?”

“Probably…”

Subori continued speaking with a strangely cheerful expression.

“You recreate the world multiple times, kneading it like clay until it’s perfected. It’ll be a marvelous endeavor!”

At Subori’s words, Shim Su-ryeok, who had been watching on the side, voiced his discomfort.

“It seems like this dimension is too far removed from humanity… Baek Woong, there’s no need to create a world again right now. This much is enough for our training. What we really need to be doing isn’t world creation practice.”

I looked at Shim Su-ryeok, asking, “What should I do then?”

“Of course, you should prepare to return to Takrok. Are you ready to go back now? Is everything prepared?”

“….”

I pondered his words.

‘The reason I came to this Training World was because I ended up getting killed by Indra and wanted to grow my power.’

Though there had been various twists and turns, it seemed I had gained considerable strength.

Could I truly navigate the world of ancient Takrok with this power?

Shim Su-ryeok seemed to be asking if I was mentally prepared in that regard.

After a moment, I nodded.

“I’m ready. I will return.”

Staying here for several hundred more years wouldn’t hold much significance. It would be better to rush back to the Takrok world while I had a sense of urgency, obtain the results I desired, and find a way to contact my companions from the 30th cycle!

In response to my firm declaration, Shim Su-ryeok said, “Good. Then you and Subori can go.”

I was slightly surprised by his words.

“Wait. Aren’t you, Lee Kwang, and Lee Hwan-woong coming along?”

At my words, Shim Su-ryeok glanced at the two beside him and replied.

“To be honest, those two still have a lot of training left to do. They’re not strong enough to go into the Takrok era where absolute realms die like bugs. Even I doubt if I can properly exert strength there, so for the original purpose of creating the Training World, I will remain here to teach them and help strengthen their abilities.”

“Hmm, then what about Subori?”

“He’s already a completed being and doesn’t have anything to gain through further training. Plus, as a practitioner of techniques, he can assist you with wisdom and martial arts.”

Shim Su-ryeok’s reasoning made sense, and I nodded.

“…Alright. I’ll come back for you later.”

At that moment, Subori, who had been listening, said, “Baek Woong, once you escape this world, create something. If you make it like an escape device, you should be able to get out easily.”

“Is that an option?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Hehe. Haven’t you noticed yet?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even after devouring Mephisto, the Heavenly Secret hasn’t shown any adverse reactions to you. So that means you can do anything at your discretion. Therefore, any method you try to escape won’t be hindered.”

“…”

It was a good suggestion, but I felt a little heavy-hearted after hearing Subori’s words.

‘What exactly is the Heavenly Secret…?’

This text itself undoubtedly possesses will.

Judging by the fact it sent terminals to assist me, it seems quite friendly at the moment.

But what on earth is its objective for acting this way?

Why did it choose me, and why did it grant me the ability of reincarnation?

My mind was entangled, but I shook my head and extended my hand.

“Trimurti.”

Whoosh!

Moments later, the [Door to Return to the Original World] I had desired was created. Though I wasn’t sure if it would be effective, according to Subori’s words, entering that door should take me straight back to Takrok.

I told Subori, “Let’s go.”

“Sounds good!”

Swish!

I stepped through first, with Subori following closely behind.

And the moment we exited through the door I created, it promptly vanished, leaving us standing in a place I had never seen before.

“Where is this…?”

Something felt off. I had wished to arrive at the spot where I had died, but where exactly was I?

Subori opened his mouth.

“It looks like a palace.”

Lush greenery surrounded us, and all around were beautiful white palaces. More accurately, we had suddenly appeared in a tall building in the center of a city filled with white palaces. I was bewildered by how unfamiliar both this building and the architecture of the white city were.

“What is this? Was there such a place thousands of years ago?”

“…Hmm, could it be…”

As Subori carefully examined the palace’s style, he seemed to realize something and lowered his voice.

And at that moment…

KOOO!!

Suddenly, a flash of lightning erupted from the sky, and enormous darkness swirled around. I could see numerous dark entities flying and fighting in the distance, and shortly after, I felt a tremendous pressure engulf the spot where I stood.

KUGUUUU!!

It wasn’t a physical shock, but a spiritual pressure!

Yet this spiritual pressure was so overpowering that even the Great Immortal might struggle to withstand it, and I quickly recognized that it was a clash of immense divine power.

‘Are those beings fighting… gods?’

No, but is it really that there are hundreds of gods…?

As I gazed at the battlefield, Subori spoke.

“Baek Woong. It’s definitely clear.”

“What’s definitely clear?”

In response to my question, Subori spoke as if he were in disbelief.

“This place… is the Holy Temple of humanity that was said to have perished in the ultra-ancient times, and the strongest ancient city of Tianzhu, Kalpa!”