전생검신 90권 20화

It wasn’t as if it was the size of a giant body hundreds of times larger than the continent, but it was definitely the dragon form I remembered. Plus, the immense divine power it emitted was exactly as I knew Fuxi’s qualities—so how could I possibly mistake it?

I even let out a low groan when I spotted something next to Fuxi that looked like an otherworldly being.

“Nüwa…”

That’s right.

The powerful divine beings standing next to the egg—those were the Three Sovereigns I recognized: Fuxi and his sister Nüwa.

I didn’t really understand why they appeared in this sacred space, but one thing I was certain of:

‘This is bad…’

No matter how you look at it, I was in serious trouble. I mentally weighed my chances against those two Sovereigns, but it was utterly absurd. Honestly, even defeating Fuxi from the Takrok Era one-on-one seemed nearly impossible for me, and now, before me stood a resurrected Fuxi with his full power and Pangu’s axe in hand. If I couldn’t defeat Fuxi alone, how could I possibly handle a joint attack with Nüwa? My odds of winning against the two of them were less than one in a million.

But surprisingly, the Three Sovereigns in front of me didn’t seem ready to attack. On the contrary, they felt like they were just guarding the egg and had no intention of leaving.

Instead, Fuxi spoke in a calm voice.

[Baek Woong, I hold no personal grudge against you. It’s just that as a Reborn Person, I have no choice but to oppose you.]

“Is that all you have to say?”

As soon as I heard that, anger surged within me, and I gritted my teeth.

“I never thought you would betray me…!! No matter how much of a Reborn Person I am… this is not how it should be!!”

Fuxi, who had helped and trusted me so much, suddenly turning against me like this?

[…….]

After a moment of silence, Fuxi spoke again.

[You must know… that in the primordial era, Nüwa and I aided our parent Pangu in battling the forces of [Coming Chaos] for over countless years.]

Since it seemed Fuxi wanted to say something, I collected my emotions and replied calmly.

“I was told that by you directly in the Takrok Era.”

[Is that so? Then let’s get straight to the point. I have confirmed that [Coming Chaos] is not an eternal being, and I have been researching ways to strike at its weakness. While trying to resurrect our parent Pangu along with Tsukuyomi, I came to an unexpected realization.]

“What did you realize?”

[Its weakness is not the weakness of the Outer God…but rather the weakness of the strongest mask of [Coming Chaos]. While I could defeat the strongest mask by striking at that weakness, I couldn’t take down the main body… I had been thinking about it all wrong. Without Tsukuyomi, I wouldn’t have realized that.]

“……!!”

What? So does this mean I truly need to think of [Coming Chaos] and Nyarlathotep as separate entities?

‘And Tsukuyomi knew this fact as a Reborn Person…?’

Just as I was stunned by this unexpected truth, Fuxi spoke in a slightly melancholic voice.

[At that time, I was shocked beyond measure… And unless you’re a Reborn Person, you cannot inflict any harm on the Outer God, no matter how much power any being gathers in this current world.]

Upon saying this, Fuxi looked at me with a sympathetic gaze.

[If you cannot transcend [Cycle], then everything in this world is meaningless… So you must find a way to transcend that cycle, no matter what.]

“……”

I realized the meaning behind Fuxi’s words and glared at him.

“In the end… you also… are after my Heavenly Secret, aren’t you? You want to become a Reborn Person, don’t you?”

[That’s right. I joined forces with Tsukuyomi for that purpose.]

“……Fuxi. Although it’s a bit ironic for me, who is using Rebirth Abilities, to say this, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it feels like this book is playing with me. There’s a good chance I could end up the most unfortunate by using this… Are you saying you want to take it from me…!!”

Even the celestial ancient god known as the Sovereign couldn’t resist the desire to obtain Rebirth Abilities!

As I squeezed out those words, Fuxi replied.

[You won’t know unless you try. Haven’t you also sworn an oath to endlessly repeat your trials to save the world? I too will sacrifice everything.]

“……!!”

[I won’t ask for your understanding. If, as you say, the Heavenly Secret itself is unhappiness, then I will willingly carry that unhappiness to save this world from the chaotic destiny…]

“Fuxi…”

I felt a deep ache in my heart.

I sensed that Fuxi, unlike Tsukuyomi, truly intended to create a world where Order could triumph and goodness prevails, aiming for my Heavenly Secret and Rebirth Abilities. If Fuxi had even the slightest bit of selfishness, I would have noticed long ago, but this was a choice made for his own grand purpose.

‘Fuxi has also realized just how dangerous the Heavenly Secret is. Yet he is willing to bear that to eliminate [Coming Chaos] and guide the world toward a good flow…’

Fuxi was practically an embodiment of absolute goodness. Throughout history, he had lived as a powerful ancient god in the prehistoric era, saving countless weak races from chaos, which had enabled humans to survive by bestowing upon them techniques and treasures. Moreover, if it weren’t for Fuxi establishing the Celestial Realm, humans would still be living miserable lives, devoured by chaotic demon beasts.

His words resonated differently from those of past adversaries I’d faced. His good deeds alone had supported the weight of his words.

At the same time, I felt my resolve wavering.

‘…Yeah… If anyone could do it, maybe it’s Fuxi? Maybe I don’t have to keep pushing this insane adventure… Just ask them to save the world while living a normal and happy life…’

With Fuxi’s almost divine power, it wouldn’t be long before the fangs of the Outer God could reach there. And Fuxi held no personal grudges against me, so he would readily grant a request to make me happy. Plus, he would surely rescue the fates of my companions too.

“……”

Whether Fuxi had read my thoughts or not, he spoke slowly.

[I swear on my divinity that I will save you and all your companions. I consider you a victim who has been dragged into this against your will. And if you grant me the Rebirth Ability, you will be worthy of being called the savior of the world and my benefactor.]

“Fuxi… are you serious?”

[Absolutely serious. I called you here to persuade you.]

“……”

I looked at the enormous egg between Fuxi and Nüwa.

Then I spoke clearly to Fuxi.

“Pangu hasn’t been resurrected yet, has he? How could you have immediately killed Golden Moon and brought me here?”

[…… It seems the Fighting Spirit is still alive.]

Fuxi chuckled as if he had realized something.

[To grasp the situation and dig for information means you’re not giving up on this game.]

…It truly was Fuxi.

He saw through my act of pretending to be naive, instantly discerning my true intentions.

I replied curtly.

“If it were back in the day, I might have just handed over the Rebirth Ability to you. But now, I can’t fall for a few tempting words… My oath is not something to be taken lightly.”

[An oath, you say? What kind of oath?]

“At the very least, I will become the Sword God! There’s no way I would give up that easily!”

Of course, I would also become the Martial God, so there’s no way I’d give up now!

And beyond that, I’d faced countless struggles alongside my companions, making significant vows along the way…

As if he could sense my determination, Fuxi stared at me with an expression of sheer surprise. After a long moment, he burst out laughing.

[Hahaha… The Sword God? I finally realize why I showed you so much favor in the Takrok Era and during your past life! You’re truly an interesting man.]

“Aren’t you going to answer my question at all?”

As I pressed for an answer, Fuxi began to lose his laughter.

[Haha… You’re right. As you said, Pangu has not yet been resurrected. He’s probably only 20% revived at most. However, I borrowed that little bit of power to bring you here using the Law of Cause and Effect.]

I see.

I still didn’t understand fully, so I asked.

“Why did you kill Golden Moon?”

[Well, I didn’t particularly request that from our parent. But that must have been Pangu’s own will. Perhaps he found Golden Moon to be a very bothersome presence….]

“Hmph.”

[And it seems you were connected to Golden Moon’s soul. That’s probably why when I brought you here, he was already dead. But after a short wait, I saw him come back to life and wake up. Neither I nor Nüwa cast any resurrection command on you.]

“…….”

[So, you caught on.]

I realized what Fuxi was implying, and struggled to respond.

Only one truth could explain the current situation.

The reason the two Sovereigns were before me yet not making a move.

The reason they weren’t rushing.

No, the reason they didn’t need to rush…….

“The Outer God Pangu is… still not resurrected, yet blocking my past life…”

Upon my words, Fuxi smiled broadly.

[Correct answer.]

Damn it!!

Hearing the truth that Pangu was blocking my past life from Fuxi made my mind feel hazy.

‘If the Outer God is blocking my past life, what should I do?’

My head felt like it was empty. This trial was on a completely different level, and as I stood there in a daze, Fuxi spoke.

[May I suggest a few solutions?]

“……”

[First, defeat both of us and destroy Pangu’s egg before the Outer God Pangu is resurrected. Second, wait for the Outer God Pangu to resurrect and then defeat him. Finally, I could suddenly change my mind and cancel Pangu’s summoning.]

“…Are you kidding? None of those have any chance.”

The first option might have the slightest chance, but the real problem was whether I could even defeat Fuxi and Nüwa.

Fuxi chuckled softly.

[Hmm, so realizing there’s no chance is also a form of knowledge, isn’t it?]

“If you’re overwhelmingly in control, couldn’t you just attack and eliminate me right now? Why are you just sitting back?”

I shouted angrily, and unexpectedly, Fuxi responded.

[No. From my standpoint, this is the best course of action. I won’t attempt to strike first or seal you. Nüwa beside me feels the same. Of course, if you choose to challenge us, we’ll gladly engage in battle.]

“……?!”

[You’re puzzled as to why I’m not taking advantage. The truth is, I learned about your movements and past through Tsukuyomi, and I concluded how to most easily handle you, the Reborn Person.]

I felt my breath catch at Fuxi’s following words.

[Those who tried to pressure or seal you have invariably faced backlash or undergone unexpected variables that turned the situation around. It’s as if a stream of unknown destiny blocks any attempts to seal you. I dislike those variables, so I believe it’s more important to prevent giving you a chance by making the first move.]

“That… means…”

[You are free to do as you please, whether that’s attacking us or escaping.]

“…….”

I felt a sheer sense of futility wash over me.

‘You’re just going to sit there…? Despite having such an advantage?’

Right now, Fuxi’s divine power was visible to the naked eye; it was incredibly potent. Though his body had shrunk, the power radiating from him was literally on the apex of strength, and even ten of me wouldn’t stand a chance against it. It felt reminiscent of when Gong Sun Xuanwen was in his prime; it appeared he gained another boost after acquiring Pangu’s axe.

Yet, he won’t even attack and is just going to observe?

But I realized that this was Fuxi’s more terrifying strategy and an attack in itself.

‘Blocking variables… In the end… if time keeps passing like this, I will lose!’

Even if I fled now, Pangu would be resurrected. Fuxi seemed certain of that. Once that happened, I would be doomed to meet my end at the hands of the resurrected Outer God Pangu. In a sense, if I couldn’t conclude this here, it would be over regardless, so I had to risk everything, but against Fuxi and Nüwa in this current situation, my odds stood at a flat zero.

Rumble!!

Moreover, while Fuxi didn’t initiate an attack, he had already summoned Pangu’s axe, shimmering with a golden light, around him. It seemed the axe was ramping up Fuxi’s divine power rather than the other way around. For anyone like me, the normal choice would be to retreat rather than risk facing such a foe.

“Ugh… Ugh! The length of the short can only be determined through combat!!”

But there was no other way! I had to attempt to fight somehow!

‘First, the Triad Mask…’

Clenching my teeth, I decided to fuse the Triad Mask into the Trimurti, the most potent combination I knew, from the very beginning to battle Fuxi. But the moment I activated Trimurti, I suddenly realized the Triad’s mask technique had been undone.

Crash!!

“……?!”

A sudden, intense headache struck, and I could see the triad mask breaking in my mind’s eye. It was the first time my power’s manifestation had failed in such a manner. I was flustered when Fuxi spoke.

[It looks like you tried to use the Mask Ability, but I guess you didn’t know where you were.]

“Wh-What do you mean? Where is this?”

[You must’ve sensed that all your chaotic powers have been sealed since earlier…]

With each of Fuxi’s words, I could feel my chances plummeting even further.

[This is the Divine Seat of Pangu… the cradle where we were born in the primordial era! In this place, all powers of chaos are sealed, so you won’t be able to use the Mask Ability that could have been your trump card.]