전생검신 Volume 88, Chapter 04

“Transferring my body?!”

I was taken aback by such an unexpected statement. I blinked in confusion and asked, “What do you mean?”

[Isn’t it simple? To use the Divine Skill in a state unified with the Qi Spirit, you need your whole body intact. However, before transcending the Great Cycle, your very existence won’t be present in the future world. So, doesn’t it make the most sense to transfer your body from this past era to thousands of years into the future?]

“……!!”

[Think about it. Time inevitably flows from the past to the future, whether it’s thousands or millions of years. If these two timelines really connect, then transferring your body should be possible. And if you transfer your body, you could use the Thunder God Sword Name against Ananda.]

Could it really work that way?

I pondered Aji Dahaka’s words. They weren’t exactly wrong.

‘… Right. I was criticized for not using Qi in my battle against Ananda.’

Ananda emphasized how strange it was that I, even though I possessed a mechanical body, couldn’t utilize Qi when the Divine Realm should allow it. Despite being an enemy of life and death, I couldn’t help but feel a certain truth in Ananda’s words, recalling our conversation.

[Then why don’t you use the Soul of the Evil God against me?]

[Didn’t I tell you? It’s based on the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique which draws power from the Dantian, but at the moment, I have no Dantian…]

[The Nine Chambers of Thunder harnesses lightning itself as a spirit. Then does the lightning essence also require internal power and intent to manifest?]

I was left contemplating Ananda’s provocative words.

Is essence required for the Thunder Soul itself?

If I can once again use Qi and the Soul of the Evil God with a mechanical body, I would assure myself of victory over Ananda. That was the conclusion I drew after that duel. I had resolved to find a way to use the Soul of the Evil God one day, and now Aji Dahaka had provided an unexpected solution.

I just need to transfer my body!

This method wasn’t wrong; transferring my current body would allow me to use both Divine Skills and the Soul of the Evil God in the next fight against Ananda.

‘But…’

Still hesitating, I said to Aji Dahaka, “… If I do that… then the challenge of using the Soul of the Evil God with a mechanical body would become non-existent.”

[Indeed. That would mean you’re skipping over a significant challenge as a martial artist.]

“Still, you’re suggesting I should transfer my body to thousands of years in the future?”

[That’s right.]

“Why?”

At my question, Aji Dahaka glanced out the window and replied, [Because you lack talent…]

“……!!”

[Does that sound harsh? However, you must face reality. I initially thought that your great wisdom allowed you to understand the Thunder God Sword Name in battle with me, but the truth is, it was the culmination of hundreds of years of patient effort, an inevitability. You are quite far from those who suddenly strengthen during real combat. It’s because you lack talent.]

“Hmm….”

[You’re not a genius; you’re a master. And being a master doesn’t change the fact that born talent doesn’t increase, which you know better than anyone.]

That’s true.

Becoming a master means refining skills through long practice and efforts, which may appear like catching up to a genius, but in reality, being a genius refers to someone who can pioneer realms that did not exist before. Having innate talent remaining unchanged while merely keeping pace with others only serves to make one miserable. And I had repeatedly reflected on the fact that I was not one to realize things in real battle throughout my life.

Aji Dahaka pressed on, [In your battle with Ananda, if your own honor was the only stake, I wouldn’t suggest such a method. But now, it’s not just about you; your most precious comrade, Mangnyang, is at risk.]

“……”

[You are not the type to throw away comrades and obsess over personal ambitions. You tend to bear regret throughout your life with a tendency to repeat actions hundreds or thousands of times. Therefore, I suggest you take an easier route to achieve your goal.]

Aji Dahaka’s statement reminded me of a grave truth.

‘Right… Mangnyang’s life hangs in the balance in the fight against Ananda. Right now, Mangnyang is under a curse that prevents recovery imposed by Ananda’s beads, and if I can’t win in three years’ time, Mangnyang will cease to exist.’

Could I really weigh the will of martial arts against Mangnyang’s life?

Aji Dahaka didn’t see it that way.

When I found myself at a loss for words, Aji Dahaka spoke again.

[If what you say holds, then the existence of Master Mangnyang continuing the legacy means, to me, it signifies one thing.]

“What do you mean?”

[That is… to ensure the achievements of this Takrok Era are carried over to your era. While Master Mangnyang leaves what to inherit to your discretion, transferring your body should be prioritized.]

“Hmm!”

Is that really the case?

As I nodded, Aji Dahaka looked at me with a mysterious expression and said, [Ask your strategist about it as well. I’m simply judging by my logic.]

“I was already planning to. But thanks for the input.”

[Heh… There’s actually a way for you to not delay the challenge of using the Soul of the Evil God with a mechanical body.]

“Huh? What’s that?”

[That is…]

As I heard Aji Dahaka’s ‘method,’ I grimaced.

“You’re crazy!!”

[Why? It’s not an incorrect statement.]

“No, damn… it’s not wrong, but… do you really think I’m going to use such a foolish method?!”

[What reason do you have not to? It may be tedious, but it’s definitely not impossible.]

“……”

[So, are you still shackled by the temporal perceptions of ‘human’?… Do as you wish.]

Aji Dahaka, who seemed to find it amusing, stood up.

[I’ll take my leave now. I need to engage in martial arts training as inspiration has struck me.]

“…Then let’s meet next time.”

[When returning, just infuse that demon artifact with mana or divine power. The coordinates will be auto-remembered.]

“Got it.”

Crack!

I infused the stone-like demon artifact with divine power and returned. Then I met Lee Hwan-woong and recounted the conversation I had with Aji Dahaka.

Lee Hwan-woong listened quietly and then spoke up.

“Transferring your body is certainly necessary. However, I think you have many more things to prioritize over your body transfer.”

“What? There are things that need to be prioritized over transferring my body into the future?!”

“Yeah. It seems like you’re unaware, but the situation is quite complicated, and transferring your body alone won’t change much. There’s a hell of a lot you have to do…”

Lee Hwan-woong sighed after saying that.

“Sigh… hold on a moment. First, let me break down what needs to be done during this Takrok Era. Listen and think after.”

“……”

I had a bad feeling, and based on my expression, Lee Hwan-woong laughed bitterly.

“Wow, that’s quite a sour expression.”

“It already sounds too complicated and annoying…”

“Complicated it is. But that’s your own doing, so deal with it! Just listen.”

Lee Hwan-woong started ticking off with his fingers.

“First of all, Yuso and the girl duo’s situation. Yuso is currently missing, and the girl is sheltered in Takrok Village, right? You’re still completely clueless about where Yuso has gone, what kind of conspiracy she’s planning, and you have no idea how her ‘Infinite Power’ actually works. You need to find this out.”

“Hmm.”

“Secondly, the Three Sovereigns situation. You rescued the girl from the hands of the Sovereigns, and as a result, you likely remain under their watch. Moreover, you can’t fully trust the Three Sovereigns either. The girl even mentioned that Fuxi isn’t on your side, which means you’ve got no one to rely on. Plus, Fuxi, who obtained Pangu’s axe, has become a formidable existence, making her a key target.”

“Hmm.”

“Thirdly, the powers of commerce and investors. Once you return to the future world, how do you plan to deal with them regarding dividends?”

“Hmm. I don’t want to give them anything… They’ll probably figure it out on their own.”

“Fourth is Indra. You need to talk to the Four Great Spirit Deities’ Vajra and deal with that risk factor. If the time comes when you need the Four Great Spirit Deities, you might not be able to use them properly.”

“……”

“Huh? What’s going on…?”

“Fifth, the Three Great Gods of Tianzhu. You pledged to protect the Three Great Gods to Brahma and got entangled in all sorts of ways, right? Carrying on your connection with them from this era to the future would be a significant help. You should also pay a visit to the great city of Kalpa.”

“No….”

“Sixth, acquiring the power of Yin on the sun from the Realm of the Sun. Only then will you find the Dharma technique of the Non-Birth Mother located near the sun and moon realms. Bear in mind that it doesn’t necessarily need to be done in this life but should be a goal to achieve one day.”

“……”

“Seventh, the People of Takrok Village. You can make use of these folks, so let’s discuss what to do with them later.”

“Wait a minute…”

There’s an awful lot to do!

As I was secretly astonished, Lee Hwan-woong continued.

“Eighth, resurrect the benevolent god Quetzalcoatl at the Navel of the Sun God in the future. I think it doesn’t matter if you resurrect the evil god Tezcatlipoca, but you want to resurrect the benevolent god, right? Weren’t you here in Lemuria to find a way for that?”

“I didn’t forget!”

“This is actually the first thing you should do. Do you remember the last time you requested the power of the Lemuria Codex to release the seal on the Navel of the Sun God from the Dark Sun, who is the master of the Twelve Palaces? Did you know it hasn’t even been 13 days since then?”

“……!!”

Oh, that’s right!!

I had made that request!

I had so much on my plate that I totally spaced it!

As I panicked, Lee Hwan-woong chuckled.

“Honestly… what were you planning to do if I wasn’t around? You can’t just keep piling on tasks without a plan.”

“Uh… anyway… I guess it would be the top priority to resolve the Navel of the Sun God first?”

“What’s ‘resolved?’ What about the Shim Su-ryeok, whom you stored in the Heavenly Secret training world? Are you planning to avoid seeing those people?”

“……”

“And there’s a ton of other stuff I haven’t even mentioned yet. You’re in a mess with no clear understanding of what you’ve gotten into…”

Sigh…

I couldn’t argue with that…

I fell silent as if I had swallowed a bee when Lee Hwan-woong spoke up.

“Don’t worry. If you tackle them one by one in order, things won’t get more complicated.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. To put it like a game, you are essentially tackling one main quest while simultaneously accepting hundreds of side quests. But, if we break it down, not all those side quests are a must-do in this lifetime. Many can be continued in the next life, right?”

“Hmm.”

“So focus on what you ‘must’ do in the least complicated manner. You’ve probably been doing that instinctively up till now, and if I’m by your side to help, it shouldn’t be that hard…”

Lee Hwan-woong pointed at me with his finger.

“I’ll ask you this. What do you think is the first thing you need to transfer from Master Mangnyang’s legacy to the future?”

I’m not an idiot and instantly figured out that ‘my own body’ was definitely not the right answer. After thinking for a moment, I finally said, “I don’t know!”

I genuinely had no clue. What are you asking me?

It’s all so confusing that I can’t comprehend anything!

As I replied with some frustration, Lee Hwan-woong grinned.

“It’s the [Power of Commerce].”

“What?”

“I mentioned it earlier. You need to organize things around what you must do. Therefore, the highest priority is clearly the dividend issues with the corporation.”

“…Can’t I just avoid giving it?”

Lee Hwan-woong shook his head disapprovingly.

“No way. Do you really think you can ignore hundreds of [Old Rulers] protesting in front of Master Mangnyang? If you didn’t have Master Mangnyang as your backer, a disaster would have occurred a long time ago. The whole reason Master Mangnyang proposed that you exchange the [Great Cycle] was that they were pressuring for dividends.”

That’s a valid point. But feeling wronged, I snapped at Lee Hwan-woong.

“Hey!! It was all your suggestion that got this ball rolling! I never intended to deceive anyone!”

“Haha. Chill out. If my plan goes as intended, the coins made from your [Power of Commerce] should multiply due to interest and ultimately support your future. But somewhere along the way, things got complicated, and it turned into this whole dividend crisis.”

“…I have no idea.”

“Because after our corporation took in that lump sum for investment, you, as the chairman, suddenly ran into the Evil God and materialized to the future out of nowhere. It’s as if the head of the asset management firm took the investment and bailed before we could earn money—locking the [past] while the [future] sprang up. Perhaps because I’m not the owner of [Power of Commerce], I couldn’t affect the Law of Cause and Effect.”

“Hmm….”

So that’s what happened!

“In that case, the solution is simple. From now on, just properly manage and grow that investment. If you increase the funds normally, there’s no reason for them to pressure you for dividends, right? Because the principal would have grown much larger.”

“Oh?”

Could that actually work?

I felt intrigued, but my skepticism lingered.

“…Honestly, I still don’t quite get it. How can I possibly grow the investments I received from the [Old Rulers]? You’ve also never thoroughly explained that to me.”

“I didn’t intentionally skip it. You lack knowledge on that front, and since I planned on staying close to assist you, I didn’t want to stress you out. However, with the dividend pressure now, I have no choice but to explain a little more.”

After saying that, Lee Hwan-woong smiled softly.

“Baek Woong. What do you think is the greatest advantage you possess as a Reborn Person?”

“Uh? Isn’t it the ability to reincarnate?”

“No. It’s that you are free from [the End]. For you, the universe’s [End] isn’t a source of fear like it is to other beings; it’s merely synonymous with death. And because you’re that way, there’s something you can do.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s… futures trading. Utilizing the end.”

“Futures? Who am I giving gifts to? I don’t have many treasures left, you know.”

“Ugh… Not that kind of gift.”

“……?”

Futures? What’s that about?

Before I could even begin to grasp it, Lee Hwan-woong chuckled.

“Try activating the gift feature using your [Power of Commerce]. Since it’s now set to the stock market system, it should activate without any cost.”

Whoa

I followed Lee Hwan-woong’s cue and cast [Power of Commerce], envisioning activating the gift function.

“Gift!”

Ding!

A moment later, a screen labeled [Gift] appeared before me, displaying some incomprehensible complex numbers and charts. Lee Hwan-woong looked at it and said, “Great. Now try inputting a derivative based on what I’m about to say.”

“How do I do that?”

Lee Hwan-woong suddenly wore a devilish grin.

“A derivative where everything in existence collapses, and a [Reborn Person] reincarnates to gain the Law of Cause and Effect. Let’s check the multiplier on this one.”

“……?”

What? Isn’t that incredibly obvious? Something I’ve been through before?

I felt entirely baffled but complied with Lee Hwan-woong’s instructions. Soon, the spirit of [Power of Commerce] materialized in front of me and displayed a number.

[The multiplier for this derivative is 1,000,000x.]

“Huh?”

One million times? What the heck is that?

As I stared in confusion, Lee Hwan-woong seemed to have expected this reaction.

“Good. Now add another derivative to it.”

“How?”

“Place a short sale (空賣渡) on the existence of the [Reborn] overcoming the end to link their presence to the next world.”

“Huh….”

What’s a short sale supposed to be?

Though I couldn’t fully grasp it, I tentatively complied with Lee Hwan-woong’s order.

Suddenly, the spirit of [Power of Commerce] turned bright red and yelled.

[…Additional multiplier 100x!! No further multipliers can be confirmed at level 3 for Front Demons.]

“……?”

“Bwahahaha!!”

Ignoring my utter bewilderment, Lee Hwan-woong burst into laughter.

He was genuinely laughing like a madman as he shouted, “This is it… Baek Woong!!”

“Why on earth are you laughing? What’s this multiplier about?”

“I’ll explain it very simply.”

Before I could process what he said next, I was left absolutely stunned.

“According to this derivative, merely witnessing the [End] and then [reincarnating] will multiply everything you’ve borrowed in assets by 1,000,000 and even more by 100—a billion-fold increase. Isn’t that incredible?”