전생검신 83권 12화

When the Avatar of Jeon Wook spoke, my eyebrows twitched.

‘A feast?’

Feast means rich folks partying it up. And if it’s a feast thrown by the Emperor, the attendees would surely be the most powerful divine beings from above and below. I still couldn’t grasp Jeon Wook’s intentions, so I replied to him.

“Which feast are you talking about, Jeon Wook?”

In response to my question, Jeon Wook glanced at the King of Hell beside him and said,

[It’s a feast inviting powerful beings from the Great Realm, including you. Of course, I’ve also come to convey the Emperor’s invitation to the Wheel King.]

“……”

[Answer me right now. Will you attend?]

Unlike his usual tyrannical demeanor, Jeon Wook seemed to be providing me a choice this time. I couldn’t help but think there’s got to be another reason behind this change in his behavior. After contemplating, I spoke up.

“Can I know why the Emperor is throwing this feast? Without any information, my power feels too weak, and I’m quite scared.”

At my words, Jeon Wook let out what seemed like a light scoff.

[Hmph… Nice excuse. Want to know the reason for the feast?]

“Yes.”

[Listen carefully. The Emperor intends to decide the fate of the girl during this feast.]

“……!!”

Startled, I wasn’t the only one. The King of Hell and Princess Yonggil also reacted dramatically to Jeon Wook’s statement. And no wonder, as what Jeon Wook just said held immense significance.

The girl!

With the unprecedented avatar abilities of the girl at stake, the world trembled while Shennong was gearing up for war against the Emperor. Naturally, I thought the Emperor would go to any lengths to protect the girl, but who would have guessed he’d break the preconditions first?

I couldn’t believe it and opened my mouth.

“Are you saying that deciding the girl’s fate means you might consider handing her over to other forces depending on the conditions?”

[I can’t arbitrarily interpret the Emperor’s will. However.]

Jeon Wook folded his arms and continued.

[Even if the Emperor chooses war, we are more than willing to fight. Not a single one of us has even considered losing to your kind! You must understand that the Emperor has revealed uncommon intentions.]

“……”

What should I do… Should I attend this feast?

Without my strategist by my side, I had no clue how to navigate this situation. Accepting outright seemed risky, given the Emperor’s extraordinary scheming skills, but declining felt like wasting a golden opportunity.

‘Judging by Jeon Wook’s attitude, this is definitely not just a casual probe. Refusing might mean a high chance of not being able to attend the feast.’

While I was hesitating, Jeon Wook suddenly looked over at Heuk Woong beside me and said with a curious tone.

[Oh, by the way, how did you make that one? Doesn’t he share my divine power?]

“……”

Oh no!! I hope Heuk Woong’s existence doesn’t provoke Jeon Wook…!!

Internally flustered, I quickly composed myself and replied.

“I hold the power of the Creator God and wished to create a spirit resembling your greatness, inspired by your distinguished reputation that’s known across the world.”

[My reputation is high, you say?]

Hmm… I think I’ve just added more to the pile of lies I have to keep track of……!!

“Tch. Since it’s come this far, I might as well commit to it!”

Recalling my past flattery towards Jeon Wook, I put on a wide smile and bowed my head.

“Hehe. Honestly, isn’t Jeogok and Shao Hao much less impressive than you, Jeon Wook? Jeogok is just a huge white lump, and Shao Hao is nothing but a destruction-oriented dimwit! Compared to your prowess, they look pitiful!”

[Hmmm.]

“If you put your mind to it, you could easily defeat Shennong. I merely aimed to create a spirit that reflects your legacy left here on Earth. Haha.”

Jeon Wook’s Avatar seemed to regard me for a moment with a strange look. Then he abruptly said,

[Hearing your words, it feels like I’ve witnessed our true form fighting first-hand…?]

“Ah, well…”

I realized too late that over-describing Jeogok and Shao Hao had probably been a weird move for Jeon Wook. As I broke out in a slight cold sweat, Jeon Wook chuckled.

[Hehehe… You seem to be quite the interesting fellow the Emperor has taken notice of.]

“……Huh?”

[The Emperor mentioned that you, Baek Woong, are not an ordinary person and wishes to invite you for certain. Now that I’ve seen you for myself, I understand why.]

“……”

[Don’t worry, attend the feast. The Emperor is not a petty person who would use underhanded tactics at a feast he arranged himself.]

To that, I couldn’t help but silently agree. While the Emperor certainly concocted schemes, he was a major evil figure with a big picture in mind, and I knew he wouldn’t betray his own reputation or principles for his goals.

After a brief pause, I spoke up.

“Alright. I will attend.”

[Good.]

Swoosh…

Jeon Wook’s Avatar began to fade away. When his figure entirely transformed into smoke and vanished from the hall, I heard one last whisper from him.

[I’ll be watching to see whose side you take during the feast…]

I felt a sensation that my actions were drawing attention from the rulers of Heaven and Earth. With a complicated mix of emotions, I frowned.

‘Not good that the Emperor is watching me…’

But is it wrong to wish for no attention, even when something significant happens? Yet receiving the Emperor’s attention now felt like I would have to contend with his ability to calculate cause and effect. I instinctively felt that if I got caught up in his foresight abilities like before, there would be no way out.

Then, Princess Yonggil, who had been observing the situation spoke up.

“Baek Woong, what’s your answer to our proposal?”

Sighing, I replied.

“I refuse.”

“Why? If the Wheel King intends to keep you trapped here forever, do you have any way to oppose him?”

“The Wheel King has yet to conduct anything that defies reason. It was I who attempted to transcend death and come back to life. I wish to talk more with the Wheel King.”

“……Understood. I’ll relay that to my Master.”

Whoosh!

Upon hearing my refusal, Princess Yonggil vanished right there. And as if watching everything unfold, the King of Hell spoke.

“Surprisingly, you didn’t heed Princess Yonggil’s proposal.”

“Did you think I would escape with Fuxi’s help?”

“I thought that was only natural, seeing as there’s a massive power disparity between you and your lord. Besides, your lord has never promised to save you even once.”

“……”

“What do you see in your lord?”

I looked at the sky for a moment in response to the King of Hell’s words. Then I murmured.

“I’d venture to say it’s the opposite…”

That’s just how I feel.

After my reply, the King of Hell nodded as if understanding.

“Then continue operating the Judgment Wheel.”

“Understood.”

Swoosh!

Thereafter, I kept working the Judgment Wheel, standing before the numerous souls who had come forth to be judged. As I spun the Wheel, I came to realize something.

The Six Realms.

By turning the Judgment Wheel, I could select one of the Six Realms and determine the fate of the souls.

For the human realm, I could reincarnate them. Choosing the Hell Realm would confine them in the Underworld, and depending on the gravity of their sins, they might be sent to even harsher areas of hell.

The puzzling part was the remaining four realms; I sensed something very strange about the Underworld.

‘Even if I choose the Animal Path, the soul doesn’t simply reincarnate as a beast…!!’

In fact, if I chose the Animal Path, it felt more like they were completely transported to another world rather than reincarnating as beasts. The same went for the Hungry Ghost Path, where souls selected for it seemed to entirely lose their forms and get turned into a mush.

However, the most suspicious were the Asura and Heaven Paths. If souls chose either, they would literally be obliterated on the spot!

After hundreds of turns of the Judgment Wheel, I finally couldn’t suppress this unease and asked the King of Hell.

“King of Hell!! Why do souls that go to the Asura and Heaven Paths vanish?”

“So you finally ask that.”

The King of Hell remained silent for a moment before answering.

“They have not been obliterated. Instead, the worlds symbolizing Asura and Heaven currently lie under the power of the Wheel King, and thus, the Wheel King has taken it upon himself to guard them.”

“……?! What does that mean? If that’s the case, wouldn’t it make more sense to set it up as the Four Realms instead of the Six?”

“That’s not something I can explain. You’ll need to ask the Wheel King directly.”

“Ugh.”

I groaned and said to the King of Hell.

“Isn’t it about time? I’ve turned the Judgment Wheel quite a lot. Please allow me to meet the Wheel King.”

“Very well.”

Zoom!

After a moment, I was on the carriage summoned by the King of Hell, headed for the Wheel King’s palace. When I arrived at the palace and headed to the Wheel King’s chamber, the Wheel King spoke to me, sitting on his throne as if he had been waiting.

“Did you find turning the Judgment Wheel enjoyable?”

I flinched because the appearance of the Wheel King was vastly different from the ‘me’ I had known.

“That form is…!!”

With a casual tone, the Wheel King replied,

“I’ve discovered an amusing facet within your memories. I became intrigued since you are one of the few who still doesn’t know your true identity.”

“……”

“However, I can’t replicate this being’s face… Why do you not know what this being looks like?”

Feeling a sense of bitterness, I retorted,

“Because I’ve never seen under the person’s hat.”

That’s right. The Wheel King was appearing in the guise of the Hat Warrior, a figure I had seen numerous times before!

Since I didn’t have particularly good memories of that guy, merely seeing him brought about a slight feeling of discomfort. The Wheel King, as if sensing my discomfort, was examining his own form.

Then he said,

“What did you feel while turning the Judgment Wheel?”

“I was simply told to turn it, so I did. What am I supposed to feel…?”

“That’s a straightforward answer. However, I wished for you to feel the karma.”

“Karma?”

In response to my question, the Wheel King leaned his chin on his hand while resting on the throne.

“Baek Woong. To be honest, it’s not that significant if I lose power to you and get obliterated. After all, you’re a Reborn Person, so even if you are obliterated here, you will simply move on to your next life. Isn’t that right?”

“……That’s correct.”

“However, that doesn’t mean I can regard you as merely a savior and grant you all my power. Your identity is still uncertain to me. I need to verify your true intentions.”

“Uncertain identity? What do you mean?”

“Are you genuinely asking that?”

With the continued words from the Wheel King, I found myself momentarily taken aback.

“You are still uncertain about whether saving the world is right or whether it’s right to destroy it. Because deep within your heart, you think it would be fine for such a world to perish, yet you don’t want to lose the bonds you forged with your companions in this world, creating conflicting and dualistic feelings.”

“……!!”

“That existence once referred to as Cheon Woo-jin told you that as a Reborn Person, you possess answers beyond the conclusion of the Reborn Persons, yet you remain without even a thread to the true end… It’s outright absurd to entrust the fate of the world to such an incomplete being. In fact, your overwhelming power could lead to making it significantly harder to find the true answer.”

“……”

I couldn’t respond to the Wheel King. Because his words reflected my true feelings, which I had kept hidden since starting my 30th life. The tangled threads of my life had made me utterly confused about what I should do, and now I was simply clinging to the singular thought of wanting to meet my companions in Soeul Village again.

The Wheel King gazed at me with serene eyes and said,

“This is why you need karma. I wanted you to discover it by turning the Judgment Wheel.”

“What do you mean?”

“You must be curious about why I possess the souls destined for the Asura and Heaven Paths, right?”

Swoosh!!

After a brief moment, the Wheel King stretched out both hands. On his palms floated white and black orbs of spirit, with the Wheel King looking down at them, he spoke.

“The white orb is for the soul destined for the Heaven Path, and the black orb is for the soul destined for the Asura Path. However, they will not reincarnate, and I will likely keep them until their true obliteration.”

“What, what!! Is this a scam?!”

I exclaimed in shock, and the Wheel King shook his head.

“The Heaven Path is the Pure Land. The Asura Path is this very world. I’ve been waiting to properly provide them with a true Heaven and Asura path.”

“What…?”

“A true Heaven can be referred to as the [end] of the world… you’ve witnessed both extremes, the endings of [Chaos] and [Order].”

The Wheel King’s words continued.

“The end of [Chaos] is that [Throne] you’ve seen… and the end of [Order] is the seal of Pangu you’ve witnessed. Isn’t that so?”

“……!!”

“Someday, I’ve planned to realize my wishes from either side of the extremes and reshape the world according to my intentions. That new world and new fate can be seen as both Heaven and Asura.”

Listening to his words, I stayed vacant for a while before managing to say,

“So, you seek to become an Outer God.”

“Among those who are called gods in this world, none don’t wish for that. The intrinsic desire of existence is to transcend the [Cycle].”

With that, the Wheel King’s words carried on.

“However… Baek Woong, have you never thought it strange?”

“What do you mean?”

I felt the intensity of the Wheel King’s gaze upon me.

“If a Reborn Person becomes an Outer God?”

“…….”

“What would happen if a being like you, who reincarnates, becomes an Outer God?”

What…?

That was something I had never even considered, leaving me utterly flummoxed. It made sense; after all, I had only ever thought about defeating gods and never that I could become one myself. The Wheel King looked at me and said,

“Perhaps that could also be one conclusion. In any case, an Outer God is a being that has transcended the Cycle, so from then on, one could manipulate the world at will, can’t they?”

“Ah, no, that’s… a little…”

Becoming something like those monsters…?!

As I freaked out, the Wheel King said without a hint of emotion,

“You seem to be feeling some resistance. If True Martial Home strives for a complete [destruction], the path to becoming an Outer God would be to [dominate] the world. Dominating the world and wanting to destroy it are two entirely different matters. In fact, to dominate means you could achieve peace without losing your companions.”

“……!!”

Is that even possible?

I was astounded at the presentation of another [path] following the True Martial Home.

‘Could this be the third path Cheon Woo-jin was intending to tell me…?’

While I was lost in thought, the Wheel King said,

“However, I believe there lies a contradiction within that. You may choose this path, yet you must not go to the end.”

“A contradiction? What contradiction…?”

“……”

After a moment of silence, the Wheel King spoke again.

“If you were to become an Outer God who transcends the Cycle, what would become of the karma you’ve accrued during all your reincarnations?”