전생검신 90권 02화

Kugugugu…!!

Once I finished yelling, vibrations started echoing all around. It felt like a colossal heartbeat thumping repeatedly, almost like a drum. At the same time, Dongfang Sak next to me went stiff and started trembling.

“Cough…!! Incredible… magical power…!!”

Woooow!!

It seemed like Dongfang Sak was using all her Qi to hold it together. Unlike before, she was now sweating like crazy, and I couldn’t help but ask.

[What’s up with you?]

“Ah… you can’t feel it?”

Dongfang Sak even started using her blessing to defend herself with sorcery, gritting her teeth as she said,

“There’s enough magical power just outside the Abyssal Demon Palace to destroy this solar system!!”

[……!!]

“Ugh, it’s still… being summoned…”

As Dongfang Sak muttered, she looked like she was about to collapse from the strain. She had summoned all the symbols of ancient gods and was barely managing to hold on.

I felt bewildered at the scene.

‘Huh? Magical power? I don’t feel a thing…’

Why was Dongfang Sak reacting while I was just chilling?

Figuring something out, I suddenly shouted into the void.

[… Tezcatlipoca!! Are you seriously just protecting me from the magical power?]

In response to my shout, Tezcatlipoca’s divine voice echoed back.

[That is correct.]

[Hey, dude!! I asked you to protect my companions too!]

I was flabbergasted. It turned out I was the only one being shielded inside the Abyssal Demon Palace while everyone else, including Dongfang Sak, was totally exposed to the magical power from outside! If it kept up like this, all the people supporting Dongfang Sak would be toast. Tezcatlipoca replied casually.

[Just letting the bugs into my dimension is already an honor… and you want protection from the magical power? Are you treating ants by the road like they’re precious?]

[Cut the bug talk already! Dongfang Sak is a useful ally!]

[Understood…]

Woowong

Then, a peculiar spirit barrier formed around Dongfang Sak, and her complexion noticeably improved. However, she still looked like she was drained and would take time to recover. I couldn’t help but comment.

[Someone like Dongfang Sak shouldn’t be passing out in front of a typical Old Ruler; what on earth is happening?]

[Ha ha ha.]

[Why are you laughing?]

When I spoke gruffly, Tezcatlipoca, who had been cackling, responded mockingly.

[Are you pretending not to know what you did? More than 50 entities have already been summoned; do you want to see for yourself?]

[What…?]

Huhwoong

Before I could respond, the dark energy enveloping us dissipated like a curtain being drawn, revealing the surrounding scene. As I looked outside, I was shocked.

Kugugugu!!

Woah!!

Dimensions were breaking apart without pause! Time and space were literally shattering, and distortions were happening, with beings emerging from beyond the distortion, all bearing unfathomable appearances. There must have been a reason they were messing with the fabric of reality, considering each one had magical power surpassing that of a demon king; their mere existence was warping time and space, and everything that looked like air was breaking apart.

Kikigigi

Eventually, the vast space began to lose stability due to the enormous distortions, constantly creating and dividing something. I realized it was turning into a void dimension.

‘Is this what happens when the density of magical power gets too high…!!’

Then, I had no choice but to clench my fists while witnessing the numerous entities slowly revealing themselves.

With their combined magical power overwhelming Dongfang Sak, how could she stay unscathed?

Tezcatlipoca was right; the count of entities had already surpassed 50, and even now, several more were being summoned with every breath. Each one of those entities would surely be able to declare themselves as an Old Ruler!

Meanwhile, Tezcatlipoca and the Heavenly Mysterious Woman were engaged in fierce competition but halted their battle due to this sudden shift in situation. However, the fact that the Heavenly Mysterious Woman was now quite tattered while Tezcatlipoca appeared fine clearly indicated their respective strengths.

[……]

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman looked displeased with the current circumstances but opted to observe, knowing that butting in when the enemy was uncertain could lead to a significant downfall.

[Hehe.]

Tezcatlipoca seemed to enjoy the chaos resulting from me and just watched the spectacle.

A moment later, one of the entities with glinting eyes spoke up.

[Chairman…? I can’t believe it!!]

The one who yelled was a massive dog-like being with three heads and a body like a dragon made of oil, blazing with a green hue. This oily dragon belched green flames from its entire body.

[I told you… the chairman has already disappeared with the funds… we need to join forces to respond!!]

Oooooo

With those words, a sinister wave began to flow out. It wasn’t direct divine speech, but it seemed to possess a coordinating resonance, hinting that there were others sympathetic to the oily dragon’s shouts. The number must have been over a dozen, a considerable portion of the summoned Old Rulers.

Then, one of them stepped forward and said,

[Listen up. The chairman definitely called us here. Just look at this.]

[King of Hell!]

The body referred to as the King of Hell appeared as a giant dog with three heads. Somehow, I felt like I had seen this creature being summoned by Dharma from the outer universe before.

Chwaat

As this ruler, renowned throughout the galaxy, opened its mouth, a shining, round essence surged forth, jingling like coins.

[The token of our contract, the coin, responded. Everyone knows that no one but the chairman can make the coin shine!]

At that, the oily dragon sneered in displeasure.

[Someone must have eliminated the chairman and taken his power to mock us!]

Simultaneously, the oily dragon shot an intense glare toward Tezcatlipoca and pointed.

[Tezcatlipoca… is it you? Did you summon us all to trick us!!]

The oily dragon and Tezcatlipoca seemed to be well-acquainted, openly calling out their divine names. Of course, Tezcatlipoca’s real name was entirely different and unpronounceable for humans, but I could distinctly interpret who was being referred to as I possessed the Heavenly Secret.

Tezcatlipoca shrugged, playing coy.

[Well? I have no idea what you’re talking about. By the way, are you even representative of the group?]

The oily dragon shouted with malicious green energy spewing from it.

[That’s right… I am… a top-tier member of the Diamond level, and I have registered numerous members!! At least 30 of them were convinced by me!]

[Hmm…? You’re saying you’re the representative…?]

[That’s right…]

Before the self-proclaimed Diamond level member could confidently respond, one of the other Old Rulers nearby interrupted.

[You look ridiculous saying anything like that. What makes you think you’re a representative of investors?]

[Raounkang!!]

The being called Raounkang had a massive body with two heads. One head was that of a dragon while the other was a tiger. Raounkang, the Old Ruler with three pairs of wings and tiger-like limbs, sneered and continued speaking.

[Being stuck in the Rygonat Nebula, watching the situation on Earth… you’ve been squeezing treasures and cause-and-effect from everyone under the excuse of pursuing profit for the shareholders, haven’t you? Someone told me!]

[…….!!]

[If the chairman has returned, shouldn’t all those treasures be returned as well? So you’re denying the chairman’s existence?]

At Raounkang’s accusation, the oily dragon seemed taken aback. As he hesitated for a moment, another Old Ruler nearby stood up to support him.

[This guy isn’t capable of that! I know.]

[And who might you be?]

[I am Relkorvhaus!!]

Originally a being with tentacles larger than planets, Relkorvhaus appeared here as a smaller form, completely in tentacle shape, for a moment. Its six eyes rolled around as Relkorvhaus spoke.

[Oh, Raounkang, the one chasing after bloodline! Do you really think the chairman would call us now? What’s the point in calling us when he would just squeeze our money out again?]

Raounkang replied bluntly.

[Why would we need to think about that? Most of us, including myself, only care about taking our dividends!! As long as the chairman is here and we can receive dividends, that’s the end of it; why twist words?]

[……!!]

Relkorvhaus seemed at a loss for words, rolling its eyes. Seeing the sudden intensity in the resonating voices of the Old Rulers, it felt like the shareholders were loudly grumbling together.

Just then, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, observing from a distance, interrupted.

[Everyone, could you please step out of here for a moment? Right now, my duel with Tezcatlipoca…]

Kwahh!!

Kraakk!!

In that moment, all the Old Rulers that had already been summoned—over 100 of them—projected an overwhelming killing intent toward the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. The distant shareholders still summoning from somewhere were also glaring at her in confusion.

Then, to voice the collective opinion, a pure white-haired avatar resembling a beautiful maiden spoke bluntly.

[You should know better. Both you and I are ancient deities since creation, and with that age, why are you so stubborn?]

[Rainbow Snake…]

[Get it? Be quiet.]

[Yes…]

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman responded with reluctance and fell silent. Even for her, if hundreds of Old Rulers collectively exerted pressure, she had no choice but to hold back.

Tezcatlipoca seemed to find pleasure in the sight of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

[Feeling anxious? Before the Three Sovereigns are summoned, these guys’ magical powers are throwing off the summoning ceremony, making progress impossible.]

[……!!]

[Hehe.]

While he laughed, the Rainbow Snake, who had convinced the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, folded her arms and said,

[I agree with Raounkang. We aren’t here because of any grand motive or affiliation, right? This Maiden was summoned upon seeing the coin shine; she just wants to verify if the chairman is present here.]

[That’s right.]

[Correct.]

As the grand consensus began to flow in line with her intentions, the oily dragon and Relkorvhaus seemed dismayed. From their perspective, it seemed undesirable for the chairman to show up.

After a moment, the oily dragon, seemingly plotting, replied smoothly.

[Fine… If the chairman is around, we’ll naturally have to find him… but since nothing but that damned water snake is here, I’m going to claim this is a scam!]

[Hmm.]

The oily dragon shouted with a loud voice.

[The chairman is absent. He’s either dead or gone! As I told you all before, if you give me the membership fees, I’ll find the chairman and get your money back…]

Just then.

Tezcatlipoca, as if he had been waiting, conveyed his divine speech to me.

[Go, Baek Woong.]

Alright…!

Flash!!

In that moment, the space inside the Abyssal Demon Palace was completely unleashed, and my figure appeared in the world.

As I suddenly emerged in the hall, I felt the many Old Rulers simultaneously turn their attention toward me, and I felt prickles all over my body along with quite a lot of pressure making it hard to move.

‘Hmm….!! So this is what it feels like with so many powerhouses gathered…?’

I had been in a place packed with hundreds before, but it was a different kind of feeling entirely. The raw power radiating from the untamed Old Rulers was lethally overwhelming, and the sheer number was no joke. Now I understood why Dongfang Sak had been suffering. Even with Tezcatlipoca shielding me with magical power, this was enough to drive any mere mortal insane and ultimately lead to their corruption and annihilation!

But I could still move, so I gathered my confidence and boomed,

[The chairman, Baek Woong, has arrived!! This is the proof!!]

Swoosh!

I raised the sacred coin above my head triumphantly. Having a body endowed with the divine power from my faith, manifesting even a single coin wasn’t particularly difficult. The moment I lifted the coin, all the Old Rulers rattled their own coins in response.

[……!!]

[Huh!]

[Could it be real!]

Murmurs filled the room…

The majority of the demons seemed greatly startled. Someone among them seemed to say in awe,

[This is incredible! It’s my first time seeing the chairman in person!!]

…Wait, why are you treating me like you know me without even looking at me?

I thought that to myself but didn’t voice it, continuing to shout.

[Thank you to all members for coming!!]

[……]

[……]

However, just as a brief moment of excitement faded, a chilly atmosphere washed over the area. It hit me all at once that the atmosphere was tinged with a distinct type of anger, excitement, and annoyance.

The first to yell was none other than that oily dragon that had been leading the arguments earlier.

[… Chairman!! I thought you were busy hiding somewhere! Well, I’m just glad you’re alive.]

He spoke in a somewhat polite tone, trying to mask his surprise.

Seeing that, I felt like I understood his psychology, grinning as I replied.

[Long time no see, Chulu Dragon.]

Indeed.

This self-proclaimed top-tier Diamond member was none other than Chulu Dragon—

The very Old Ruler who first suggested the pyramid scheme to me!

Chulu hesitated for a moment but then suddenly regained his spirit, stating,

[Great! Then hand over the dividends right now! Then we won’t need to deal with you anymore!]

Murmurs

Murmurs

A large commotion erupted for a moment, then the shareholders all shouted in unison.

[Right!!]

[Hand over the dividends!!]

[7 cents on the principal for 5,000 years!! You haven’t forgotten, right, you rascal!!]

……?

What?

I felt something was off from someone’s shout. Glancing at Chulu, he seemed to awkwardly turn his head away. I immediately caught on.

‘That bastard…’

Originally, I had proposed a basic rate of 5 cents for 5,000 years, but he had pocketed the difference!!

He had embezzled 2 cents from that!

‘Alright. If that’s the case, it’s time to send you spiraling down!’

But I realized that calling him out on it outright might be premature. I had gained quite a bit of experience dealing with negotiations, knowing that pointing out faults without enough context could be pointless, regardless of how wrong the other party was.

So instead, I smiled slyly and exclaimed to the hall.

[Now, now… dear investors, calm down. I’ll explain everything from here on!]

[What do you mean by explain! Just hand over the dividends!]

[Um… are you sure you don’t need an explanation?]

With that continuation, all the demons in the hall instantly froze, looking bewildered.

[Truthfully, I’m also a victim… all the dividends were taken by the Three Sovereigns!!]