전생검신 89권 18화

I couldn’t believe Dongfang Sak’s words at all. So how old is he exactly?

[Right now, Dongfang Sak is 78,923 years old in human terms. Does that answer your question?]

Considering that the Takrok Era was tens of thousands of years ago…

…

I started to think that Dongfang Sak’s claim about the Three Thousand Cycles might not be a complete lie. I shook my head and said,

[So, no matter what, the conclusion is that you’ve crossed over to reality, right?]

“That’s what’s important.”

Dongfang Sak, who seemed to rise from the round table, propped her scythe on her shoulder and said,

“Alright, enough chit-chat. Shall we get moving?”

[Huh? Where are we going?]

“To the place where the being you summoned is.”

[… Do you know who I summoned?]

When I looked at Dongfang Sak with skepticism, she casually replied,

“What do you think living for three thousand cycles means? I found out everything before you showed up.”

[……]

I had no words when she brought up the three thousand cycles. Even a single cycle, which is sixty years, is considered a normal human lifetime, and I could only imagine how Dongfang Sak managed to live for three thousand times that.

“Wanna bet? If I guess who you summoned, you owe me a wish.”

[…… Fine.]

Even though I couldn’t believe her, Dongfang Sak’s confidence sparked my curiosity.

Does she really know which companion I called?

Step by step, along with Dongfang Sak and the Zodiac members, I started walking in the strange space without saying a word. With a kaleidoscopic universe beneath us, it felt like walking through the Milky Way, and I wasn’t flustered since I had experienced something similar before. While walking behind Dongfang Sak, I asked,

[What kind of sorcery is this?]

Dongfang Sak raised her scythe and replied,

“It’s not sorcery but rather the power of this scythe, Hauteclere. It opens a wormhole, shortening the distance between spaces thousands of times.”

[…… Wormhole?]

I was a bit surprised by her words.

[That sounds like something from future scientific knowledge…]

No matter how many years Dongfang Sak had lived through, how does she know about future scientific information?

She started laughing as if she found it ridiculous.

“Haha. Did you think technology only developed on Earth? Out there, civilizations are thousands of years ahead. Wormholes aren’t that surprising of a theory.”

[……]

“Hmm. I was actually wanting to brag about this famous sword, Hauteclere, but it’s lost its charm. I obtained it from the dungeon of an Ancient God!”

Dongfang Sak complained.

‘Huh?’

In that moment, an important realization flashed through my mind.

[Speaking of which, you were supposed to teach me the [Technique to Avoid Death], right?!]

That’s right.

I had promised to learn that technique in exchange for helping Dongfang Sak! I had completely forgotten about it.

‘There was an opportunity to learn it before, but I was too shocked by Dongfang Sak’s overwhelming power, and it slipped by… I thought it wasn’t as important since it didn’t directly boost my strength in any way… But it would still be good to learn.’

As I was lost in thought, Dongfang Sak grinned and said,

“Shall I teach you right now? It’s not difficult.”

[What? Teach me!]

“Watch closely…”

Dongfang Sak raised her hand and stretched it into the empty air, saying,

“If you’re dazing out, the fate of [Death] will flow towards me through a long path… And then you cut that path before it reaches me.”

Whoosh.

“Just like this.”

Dongfang Sak waved her hand.

[……]

When I stared blankly at her, she said,

“So, what do you think? With this, you could escape even the reaper’s pursuit.”

[Hey, you crazy lunatic!! What do you mean by ‘what do you think!!’ What kind of technique is that?!]

“Why?”

I raised my voice in disbelief.

[How am I supposed to learn if you speak only in riddles?! What the heck is the fate of [Death] and what’s this path supposed to be?! Is this really a technique that anyone can use?!]

Dongfang Sak responded like she expected this reaction, her expression completely unfazed.

“Do you think I’m just speaking nonsense? But out of a thousand people I teach, about five can actually learn it.”

[What?!]

“Even those without natural talent can learn this. Want me to show you once?”

With that, Dongfang Sak gestured and floated her scythe into the air.

‘Qi Sword Technique!’

When Dongfang Sak demonstrated the Hand’s Control Sword Technique of Qi Sword, I was utterly amazed. The last time I saw her skills at Takrok Village, she was nothing more than a trainee who had practiced for only a few years. Now, she was wielding the Qi Sword with incredible finesse!

“Berus. Show them.”

Berus seemed to smirk at Dongfang Sak’s words.

“I have no choice.”

Zoom!

Thwack!

Dongfang Sak’s sword sliced through the air, easily piercing through Berus’s chest. I was taken aback.

[Hey, what the hell are you doing?!]

Why is she suddenly attacking a fellow comrade?!

Yet, to my astonishment, Berus waved his hand through the air. At the same time, the sword suddenly retracted from his chest, and he stood unharmed as if he had no wounds.

[……?!]

What the heck just happened?!

He was hit directly by the Qi Sword but came out totally fine?!

Dumbfounded, I watched as Dongfang Sak said,

“Both Berus and Dr. Faust are using the techniques I taught them effectively.”

[… Can they really use the technique?!]

Swish.

Dongfang Sak gracefully retrieved the scythe she had projected, the Hauteclere, without a sound and answered,

“Hm. Back in the day, I didn’t name techniques, but this one for avoiding death is called Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri (乾坤坎離).”

[Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri?]

“Yeah. I received that name from a renowned Taoist master while traveling East. It’s somehow related to the Eight Trigrams’ energy, I think. And I’ve refined this technique over many years…”

Continuing her explanation, Dongfang Sak added,

“The technique of Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri is to channel the forces of the universe to change your very fate. The success rate relies on how inevitable your existence is.”

[What do you mean? Inevitable?]

“Literally… If I were to disappear, those whose destinies would significantly impact the universe have a lower chance of succeeding with Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri. In contrast, those whose existence doesn’t matter one way or the other have a much higher chance of success.”

[……?!]

“Do you get what I’m saying?”

Dongfang Sak chuckled and pointed her finger at me.

“A being with a significant presence like you has a low chance of succeeding with Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri, Baek Woong, you remarkable guy.”

What!!

I was taken aback by the unexpected principle of Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri.

The more someone is an inevitable being that significantly affects the fate of the universe, the lower their chance of success with Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri—that meant this was a technique I, as a Reborn Person, would never be able to use…

After understanding the principle of the technique, I stared at Dongfang Sak in shock.

[Wait a second, then the reason ordinary humans fail in performing Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri must be… …]

“In the past, they weren’t that significant yet they ended up performing Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri, living long and accumulating power. Eventually, their significance naturally grew stronger, and the universe no longer overlooks their death.”

[……]

“This truth was proven by me while teaching numerous disciples, so arguing about it is pointless.”

I glanced back and forth at Berus and Dr. Faust. Then I protested.

[You mean those guys aren’t significant beings? Berus is the strongest Zodiac member, and Dr. Faust is an amazing scientist! They can’t possibly not be significant beings!]

“Significance doesn’t refer to their worth in the human world. It’s about the fate of the Great Universe.”

Dongfang Sak leaned back, relaxing in her chair and said,

“Despite soaring high in the human world, Berus and Faust seemingly make no impact on the fate of the universe, as determined by its cosmic forces. It’s completely different from our human understanding, and we can’t even comprehend that standard.”

[……!!]

“Conversely, there were cases where a worthless village idiot failed at Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri. We don’t grasp the situation, but it must have been a case where their continued existence could drastically alter the fate of the universe.”

[What kind of madness is this…]

In that moment, I was utterly speechless. If that was true, just casting the technique was nearly akin to gambling.

In fact, for me, learning this technique might be even more harmful!

Flap.

Dongfang Sak pulled out a luxurious peacock feather fan from her robe, flapping it gracefully. She spoke in a charming tone.

“Since you’re the successor of the Wheel King, it’s not futile to die anyway, so why bother learning Gun-Gon-Gam-Ri? Just let go of such useless techniques.”

[Hmm…]

“Anyway, let’s keep going.”

How long did we walk? After about 4 li, Berus stepped ahead and created a massive door in midair. The door led into some sort of mysterious structure, and we could enter it.

“We’re here.”

Once I stepped into the structure, I looked around and realized this place felt familiar, and I soon figured out where it was.

[This is… Fire Spirit’s sealed place?]

The navel of the world!

The giant rock located on the southern continent!

Dongfang Sak responded,

“Right? There’s probably no other place besides Uluru.”

[… Correct.]

“Aha, just as I expected. I was slightly uncertain because Master Mangnyang has a way of making things sound confusing.”

[What? You weren’t sure?]

“Would you have been sure? You would know.”

Suddenly, Dongfang Sak pointed her peacock feather fan at me.

“The meaning of summoning ‘that being’ into this world.”

[……]

“You’re quite insane after all. It was such a mad choice that you lacked confidence.”

It felt like Dongfang Sak’s words were mocking, but it was also a plain fact. I scratched my head awkwardly and said,

[Well, I thought it was worth a shot.]

“True… But do you have a way to control that being?”

[I’ll have to try.]

“Hmm. Either way, I also have to come help you and put my life on the line today.”

[Don’t push yourself.]

“Whew, I came here out of necessity anyway.”

As she said something vague, Dongfang Sak gazed at Uluru and then said,

“We probably won’t have much to do separately. It’s already begun.”

I had no need to inquire about what had begun.

Ooooooo…

The sky began to darken slowly. Gradually, the moon revealed itself amid the deepening night sky, and I couldn’t help but let out a murmur of awe.

[Total lunar eclipse… Hmm…]

I couldn’t believe the weather would change and a lunar eclipse would occur without any sorcery or magic being cast!

As I was watching the shocking scene, Dongfang Sak whispered,

“According to Master Mangnyang’s prophecy, offerings must be made at the highest point of the [Navel of the World] during the time of the lunar eclipse for the god to resurrect. I heard this from your companions.”

[That’s right.]

“But you already resurrected it by making offerings in a different manner during the Takrok Era… So all other prerequisites have vanished, leaving only the time of the lunar eclipse left… Master Mangnyang described this as the restoration of causality.”

[Is that so…?]

“Alright, Baek Woong.”

Dongfang Sak exclaimed with a hint of madness in her laughter,

“Your companion… an ancient god, is about to resurrect!!”

Crash!!

Shortly after, alongside the lunar eclipse, a storm began to rage across heaven and earth. The enormous Uluru erupted with a fiery crimson energy, crafting a pillar of flames reaching into the sky, and as that vast pillar spread out, a thunderous roar followed.

Boom!!

Simultaneously, an overwhelming divine power surged!

[……!!]

I stumbled back from the mounting pressure. And as the pressure began to crush my steel-like body, I could truly feel how formidable that power was.

‘Wow… I didn’t realize how powerful it was while possessing divine power myself… But this much pressure is terrifying in a mortal’s body?’

I never thought a mere presence would crush me like this, but it was undeniable at this point.

I took the stance for the Immortal Trimurti and cast the defensive technique.

Black Dragon Armor…!!

Clank!

Casting the defense I knew for sure, the protective power of the Black Dragon enveloped my body. Instantly, the pressure greatly eased, and I found it bearable. I glanced around, noticing Berus, King Arthur, and Dr. Faust had all entered the protective barrier Berus had conjured to avoid the pressure of divine energy.

‘Huh?’

However, Dongfang Sak was the only one standing there without casting any defensive technique, unaffected by the divine power. Even so, a strange emblem began to appear on Dongfang Sak’s forehead. Furthermore, her eyes were completely shining silver.

As if surrounding Dongfang Sak was a bizarre energy that blocked everything else, I suddenly realized what that meant.

[……]

No way… is she…?!

Without a moment to spare, a bolt of lightning struck the air, revealing the massive form of a serpent that cast a shadow for a brief moment. I gazed up at the shadow, and from within it, I heard a divine voice.

[You have changed quite a bit. However, the essence of your soul is something I can’t forget…]

[……]

[Did you really think I would not cross the [Cycle] once again…?]

Moments later, the colossal serpent of the celestial realm spoke to me,

[What is the reason you summoned me in this era… Baek Woong…?]

I chuckled and replied,

[The end is drawing near, and I plan to overturn everything.]

[…… Hoho.]

[You will help me, right?]

[Hahaha!! That’s not a bad idea.]

The colossal serpent deity seemed to be chuckling for a moment.

[Very well… I, Tezcatlipoca… shall adapt to this new playground!]

That’s right.

The ally I summoned was none other than Tezcatlipoca!

The ancient Demon God summoned beyond the [Great Cycle].