전생검신 87권 08화

Sssss

I was floating through the dark-filled universe, pondering.

‘Is this the ‘sea’ where the Evil God dwells?’

Honestly, I never thought I’d see another sea like this in the universe, so I was quite shocked back then. But now that I’m seeing it again, I suppose it’s not surprising at all. That’s because I had more important matters at hand than to marvel at each little thing.

I turned to Heuk Woong, who was trailing beside me.

“Heuk Woong.”

[Speak, Master.]

“I’ve actually been in this situation before.”

[……? What do you mean?]

I paused for a moment and recounted my experiences to Heuk Woong. He seemed taken aback, then replied after a while.

[I can’t comprehend it at all. Then what in the world does this world mean to you? A time line so confusing.]

“I don’t know either. But Master Mangnyang said I need to return to this point in time to acquire something called ‘acting’.”

[What’s this ‘acting’?]

I explained ‘acting’ to Heuk Woong. After a bit of contemplation, he spoke again.

[Each time Master returns to the past of the [Great Cycle] using Master Mangnyang’s abilities, doesn’t that mean you’re moving further back in time?]

“I think that’s the case.”

[Then if you keep repeating this act, it means you’ll eventually return to a point before you came back to the [Great Cycle], right?]

“……?!”

Huh? I hadn’t thought about that!

Noticing my surprise, Heuk Woong continued.

[Last time, when you obtained the mask of ‘The One Who Turns the Stars’ and returned to the original world’s timeline, you ended up at that Mirror of Clarity, right? Therefore, what you should initially do is change the past, and then head to that Mirror and fall asleep.]

“Hm…… Is that really how it’s supposed to work?”

[Yes. What will happen next is uncertain, but one thing is clear. No matter how the conversation with the Evil God turns out, you must successfully escape to that Mirror once again.]

“I suppose so. Thanks, Heuk Woong.”

[What’s there to thank? I am your shadow… I will remain loyal to you until my end.]

After saying that, Heuk Woong added,

[I hope your actions can change the future this time…].

While Heuk Woong and I were chatting, I again looked around at the scenery.

The sea of dark heavens!

The bizarre view I had seen before was laid out before me. Even the giant stars seemed like mere floating objects in this vast, maddening sea! Last time, the oppressive feeling of this sea had overwhelmed me, but this time, I felt my heart settle down.

Swish

I created and donned a robe made of divine energy to protect myself in this extreme world.

‘There’s no need to jump in like last time.’

Before long, I heard an intense heavenly message.

[I was originally hiding the light of the Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor since it was obstructed from maintaining space, but your divine power interfered, forcing me to reveal the stance of the constellation.]

Kugugug

Upon seeing the divine being emerging from the darkness, I whispered.

“Is that you, [The One Who Turns the Stars]?”

[Indeed, you’ve recognized my identity. Truly an extraordinary divine being.]

“……”

I was half expecting it, but the words from [The One Who Turns the Stars] were strikingly similar to what I had heard the last time we met. The rule I had repeatedly felt—that in reincarnations, when faced with the same situation, the opponent says the same words—applied to that guy too. I found a strange sense of relief in that realization and chuckled softly.

“Did I come here to politely request you let me leave?”

[You’re quick to get to the point. Furthermore… ]

“I have to agree that I won’t visit again.”

[Hehe. Can you read my mind? If you do that, I would be grateful.]

Normally, I would agree with [The One Who Turns the Stars]’s words. However, I figured agreeing would merely confirm what the Evil God thought of me breaking the tripartite agreement, and I knew that if they wanted to, they could end me whenever to create the same situation again. There was no way I could act freely outside with such a potential threat hanging over me.

‘I can’t avoid difficult challenges.’

I felt that instinctively. Clenching my fist, I said to [The One Who Turns the Stars].

“I know the protective ritual of Le Rue is happening here. Whether I agree to your promise or not, it won’t be long until the Evil God appears before me. Isn’t that right?”

[……!!]

[The One Who Turns the Stars] flinched at my words, but then smiled.

[You knew that much, and yet you didn’t escape? Do you really think you can confront my master with your strength?]

“Well, is there any reason to confront?”

[……?]

“I’ve come to have a dialogue.”

[…… Nonsense. My lord has no reason to talk to an intruder like you.]

“You’ll find out by watching.”

Kugugug…….

As [The One Who Turns the Stars] and I were talking, suddenly the gigantic sea began to tremble. And along with that quaking, I saw the constellation of the Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor being pulled into the dark heavens as if something was devouring it.

Finally, emerging from beyond the dim dark heavens was the Evil God.

Clunk!!

As soon as I laid eyes on that sight, I felt my heart sink once more. I frowned.

‘Damn it……!! I thought I’d get used to it, but…… that guy’s presence is still too overwhelming!!’

No matter how many times I rewind time, it seems like it wouldn’t change, would it? The absolute pressure emanating from the Evil God was on another level, perhaps even surpassing that of Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, who had reached the brink of annihilation. It was hard to comprehend how a being that wasn’t even a divine being could have this level of power.

Moments later, the ocean beneath me began to resonate and bubble. As the boiling chaos of the dark heated up, I noticed a magnificent red giant star rising at its center.

‘The light is coming from the red supergiant soon!!’

Having foreseen this, I hastily created a barrier with divine energy for protection.

Boom boom bam

But knowing it didn’t equal narrowing the gap in power, I felt all my senses getting hit by the cosmic energy beams coming from the red rays. Right beside me, Heuk Woong shouted anxiously.

[Master, are you really okay? Now’s the only chance to escape!!]

“……I’m fine.”

I gritted my teeth and forced a smile.

“Trust me, Heuk Woong!”

Shortly after, from over the horizon, the Evil God raised its true self after sacrificing the red supergiant.

The revealed form of the Evil God spoke to me.

[Have you broken the taboo, reincarnated one?]

Alright, here’s where the real deal begins.

This time, unlike last time, I calmed myself and replied to the Evil God without panic.

“I already broke it a while ago. And I’m going to breach the taboo from this moment on!”

[…….]

At my words, the Evil God momentarily fluttered its wings. After a long silence, it finally spoke.

[You fool…… I see the shadow of one who has fallen from the heavens behind you.]

“…….”

[Speak. What do you wish to achieve by breaking the taboo of the [Great Cycle]……!!]

Just as I thought.

I expected this wouldn’t be any different.

As I tried not to be suppressed by the Evil God’s power, I stated.

“Evil God. You already knew about what I hadn’t said last time. I surely negotiated with you, the Evil God, in the original timeline I lived in, so there’s no way you could know that in the past of the [Great Cycle]. But you spoke like you already knew everything.”

[…….]

“That seemed really odd to me. I didn’t go into detail about it with my advisors, but I’ve had that discomfort from then. No matter how great and strong you are, how could you know what was going to happen in the future of the [Great Cycle]? However, after crossing beyond the [Great Cycle], I think I have an idea.”

I glared at the Evil God with sharp eyes and shouted.

“Evil God…… you too…… you’ve been there yourself, haven’t you? Just like me.”

The Evil God didn’t respond.

Instead, the two divine beings around me showed a reaction.

[Ohh……?]

[The One Who Turns the Stars] reacted in surprise while Heuk Woong, startled, said.

[My, Master!! What do you mean? No matter how Evil God is, could that even be possible?]

“I don’t know if it’s possible or not. But that Evil God clearly said this to me last time.”

Without taking a breath, I continued speaking rapidly.

“When I asked how they knew I broke the taboo of the [Great Cycle], whether they read my memories, he said it was unnecessary since he could cross the infinite cycle!! At that time, I had no idea what that meant, but now I think I know!”

[No way…….]

“Yeah. The ‘infinite cycle’ he mentioned…… is precisely the [Great Cycle].”

I finally voiced the truth I had uncovered after my 30th reincarnation.

“The Evil God’s true power is…… crossing the [Great Cycle] at will!!”

It finally started clicking together.

[As this world’s destiny is the apocalypse, the harbinger of the apocalypse, when it begins, possesses immense powers. This is the true law of cause and effect that the Evil God received from [Father].]

The words of Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen.

[Is that the Evil God’s power?]

[Yes. It’s the ability to dominate the infinite timelines…… an absolute portrait ability revered by countless [Old Rulers]!]

A remark filled with reverence from Cheon Woo-jin.

[I am the king of the believers and the apostle of the savior. Therefore, I can utilize the glorious power of my lord…… using this ability to dominate the galaxy.]

A claim made by Jeon Wook when battling [The One Who Turns the Stars].

All of this pointed to one undeniable fact.

The Evil God in front of me has the ability to traverse the [Great Cycle]!

I trembled and spoke.

“Evil God!! Am I wrong?”

My desperate shout was met with a long silence.

Then, after a moment, the Evil God replied.

[Yes…… it takes this much for you to realize the truth, you fool.]

“……What?”

[What is it like to reach a fragment of the truth…… reincarnated one…… or rather…… can I call you that…… oh, one wearing the mask of a fool?]

Drifting in shock, I realized what that one statement meant.

‘No way…….’

It can’t be!

No way that can be true.

Was the Evil God’s previous pointless actions of breaking the truce agreement to attack me merely an indirect strategy to enlighten me about the fact that he could traverse the [Great Cycle]?!

‘That can’t be…… ah!! No way!!’

If the Evil God could scheme a plan so grand and profound, shouldn’t I acknowledge that I’ve been merely toyed with throughout my journey?!

And after a while, the Evil God continued.

[You fool…… then you must know.]

A ghastly light pierced from the Evil God’s gaze.

[How meaningless it is to defy me…….]

“……!!”

Yes.

Even now, I’m gaining incredible achievements simply by traversing the [Great Cycle] once or twice, while the Evil God can repeat this stunt whenever they please. How much power could that being stack in the future? It suddenly dawned on me why the Evil God could possess infinite strength.

But I resolved not to let that get me down.

“Damn it, what else can I do but die!! And if you’re that kind of being, then something’s off!”

[What is it…….]

“Well, if you’re that kind of existence, why didn’t you dominate the universe sooner? And why didn’t you turn me into a slave when I was weaker and more insignificant than I am now? Am I wrong?”

[…….]

“My guess is…… the Evil God has some major constraints in place!! And you’re trying to use me to lift those constraints! Isn’t that right!!”

The Evil God remained silent for a moment after my shout.

Then, it broke the silence with one reply.

[This struggle is a contest between omniscience and omnipotence.]