전생검신 92권 17화

Lye and Yeol.

These two will definitely become a great force. They could essentially be seen as the strongest power besides Jeon Wook in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, and they themselves were embodiments of powerful demons.

Kuuuu

I couldn’t help but be surprised by the magical power emanating from them.

‘It seems they brought their full power with them… Even though the White Lotus Sect offered sacrifices, is it really possible to summon them without significant loss of strength?’

Summoning may seem like a convenient method at first, but the reality is that due to the law of cause and effect, summoned beings usually come in much weaker than their original forms. The higher the rank of the divine entity being summoned, the greater the cost and preparation required. That’s why demon sorcerers spare no effort to achieve a perfect summon.

However, even if the White Lotus Sect’s followers threw their wealth into the flames for the offerings, it would still fall short compared to a human sacrifice’s value. So ideally, it would be lucky if I could bring even half the demon’s power, but to think they could be summoned so perfectly like this!?

While I was puzzled, Zhuge Sa suddenly spoke into my mind.

[There’s no need to be surprised. Jeon Wook has been keeping an eye on our situation and decided to intervene at the cost of his own safety.]

[Jeon Wook?]

[Yes. Most likely, he contributed to the summoning by using up some of his own law of cause and effect, making up for the lack of offerings. He must have debated whether to help us while watching the fight.]

[…!]

[Of course, there’s no reason to be grateful for Jeon Wook’s actions. The fact that he showed up like this means that even if I hadn’t survived, he would have intervened in this decisive battle in some way… ]

[Hmm. I see… ]

Understanding what Zhuge Sa was trying to convey, I let out a deep sigh.

‘So, Jeon Wook’s intervention was all but inevitable, whether or not I managed to save Zhuge Sa.’

Meaning that Jeon Wook would help me only for his own gain, so I didn’t need to feel any sense of loyalty or gratitude. However, despite understanding Zhuge Sa’s intent, a bitter smile crept across my face.

‘…But even if I know it in my mind, it’s still true that I owe him.’

No matter how utilitarian the relationship was, there was no denying that among the Three Sovereigns, only Jeon Wook was willing to risk himself to assist me this far. Jeogok had outright betrayed us, and the other Three Sovereigns were merely watching from a distance, making it hard not to feel more favor towards Jeon Wook.

While Zhuge Sa and I were having this mental conversation, Lye suddenly transformed, surrounded by a black glow.

Kugugugugu!

Lye had swiftly changed into a more formidable black armor and wielded a massive black flame whip in one hand. It was a familiar sight reminiscent of what I had seen in the ancient times, and I felt a sense of welcome. Fully prepared for battle, Lye proclaimed.

[As of now, I have been granted full authority over the operations by my lord.]

“Oh really?”

That probably meant Jeon Wook wouldn’t directly communicate with us anymore.

Lye took a moment to scrutinize me, then his eyes lit up with interest.

[You’ve developed quite a bit since the last time I saw you when you were just some nobody. But what happened to that powerful dark spirit?]

“…Huh?”

I was a bit flustered by Lye’s words until I realized who he was referring to.

‘He’s talking about Heuk Woong!’

Now that I think of it, during my 29th life, I led the Ark into Jeon Wook’s Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace and almost ended up dead at the hands of Lye, only to be saved by Heuk Woong! If Heuk Woong hadn’t awakened back then, I would have met a certain demise right there and my 30th life would have begun immediately.

Recalling that memory, I replied to Lye.

“Heuk Woong isn’t summoned right now.”

[Why not?]

“I really don’t know.”

That’s the truth. If I could, I would want to summon Heuk Woong for this trial right now, but he hadn’t responded at all despite my calls. It would have been so much easier if Heuk Woong were here, but since he wasn’t, I felt quite regretful. If I could’ve called him into the battle from the start, facing the demon generals would have been a piece of cake.

‘…This is strange. Heuk Woong is technically my dark spirit, so he should be summonable…’

Could it be that the Outer God Al Karda is unable to allow Heuk Woong to participate in this reincarnation play?

Why…?

As I pondered, Lye chuckled.

[I wanted to get revenge on that guy, so I’m disappointed. Last time, I let my guard down, but if we fight again, I can win this time.]

“…”

[Then, allow me to convey your command. The consensus among the Three Sovereigns has gathered, and our goal is to inflict maximum damage on the evil deity. Do you understand?]

“Consensus?”

I was puzzled, so I looked over at Zhuge Sa, who calmly explained.

“You mentioned that we didn’t want to recklessly involve Lye and Yeol because we didn’t want to escalate the war with the Evil God. Now that we’re willing to escalate, it seems that the Three Sovereigns have decided whether or not to fight the Evil God.”

While Zhuge Sa’s words sounded directed at Lye, he was primarily clarifying the situation for me. Hearing Zhuge Sa’s explanation, Lye nodded and said,

[That’s right. Depending on the situation, additional reinforcements might be available, so don’t worry and just fight bravely.]

“Oh, that’s exciting.”

[Now then, tell me how we’ll assault the top level.]

“I understand.”

As Zhuge Sa explained the operation to Lye and Yeol, they responded as if they fully understood.

[It’s a common trap of demon arts.]

[It doesn’t concern us, but can you really withstand the guardians of the magic circle?]

Yeol’s concern felt a bit dismissive, but objectively speaking, it was a valid worry. Lye and Yeol were powerful demons surpassing the Sea God themselves, so they were indeed far stronger than any Apostle in the arena without needing to draw power from me.

No, even if I had full divine power, the odds were uncertain against the two giving it their all!

Yet, the reality was my Apostles, while awakened, still risked being annihilated by a genuine higher-level [Old Ruler].

‘Just seeing the magic from the [One Who Turns the Stars] firsthand…my Apostles are severely underpowered against such an extreme powerhouse.’

No matter how I thought about it, we were drastically underprepared for this operation. Even pouring everything I had built up over 30 rounds in would be barely enough; how futilely reckless had I been during that 29th attempt? Either way, I needed to consider how to bolster my Apostles further, prepare, and gear up.

Thinking for a moment, I declared.

“We’ll make it work somehow. Just you two—stay until the end and fight.”

[Kukuku. Are you afraid we might run away? You’ve gotten cocky since I last saw you.]

“…”

[You little brat. Do you even know my true name? I was the one who once made the divine realm tremble in the ancient times… ]

“Are you Zhu Rong, one of the three warriors of the Giant Race?”

I interrupted Lye in disdain. Lye, or rather Zhu Rong, seemed to frown at my words.

[You know that? How do you know this?]

“It’s not a big secret in the divine realm, is it? Everyone knows that Zhu Rong moved to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace.”

[True, but it’s not a trivial secret that just anyone can know.]

Having had this sort of experience before, I brushed it off nonchalantly.

“Don’t nitpick. That isn’t what’s important right now.”

[Hmmm…]

Zhu Rong looked at me suspiciously, but I didn’t pay it any mind. I knew from experience that I didn’t need to panic over just a little suspicion.

‘Instead, could this be an opportunity?’

Realizing it was a great opportunity, I casually asked him.

“By the way, I heard there was a warrior named Yu Mang among the three great warriors of the Giant Race. He must have been at the same level as you, right? Where did he go after the grand war?”

Yu Mang, whom I’d encountered during the Takrok War. I wondered what he was up to at this point in the Great Ming Empire. Why hadn’t I heard anything about such a powerful being since we were getting close to the 30th round? Zhu Rong, being another of the three great warriors, likely had some insight about Yu Mang’s whereabouts.

[……!]

Mentioning Yu Mang visibly startled Zhu Rong. He looked quite uncomfortable and replied sharply.

[Yu Mang clung to Chi You and tarnished the honor of the Giant Race until he was sealed! Don’t speak of that filthy being!]

“…?!”

What…?

I widened my eyes at the unexpected news about Yu Mang. I couldn’t help but ask back.

“You’re saying he sided with Chi You and got sealed…?! Is that true?!”

[Why would I lie to you? You’re the one wasting time on things that shouldn’t concern you!]

“…”

[I’m done talking. Prepare to advance immediately.]

Zhu Rong cut off the conversation angrily, but I didn’t have time to feel offended. What I had just learned about Yu Mang was unexpected!

‘No way… he was under the influence of Chi You?’

Then it means Yu Mang…

While I was lost in thought, Zhuge Sa spoke.

“Baek Woong. As Zhu Rong said, if we waste much more time the dimension door will close, so let’s move quickly.”

“Ah… got it.”

Swish…!

As we all crossed through the dimension door, I thought.

‘Without a doubt.’

If Zhu Rong is correct, it confirms one thing.

‘Yu Mang is right there.’

I seemed to have unexpectedly gathered valuable information. I now had an inkling of where Yu Mang was at that very moment while I was back in the barn in my past life.

Pa-at

In the next moment, we stood in an open space about one hundred and fifty feet wide. And as the [One Who Turns the Stars] had explained, there was a magic circle drawn across the entire area, with altar sets placed at the six sides.

As I surveyed the surroundings, Yeol stated.

[I can’t sense any enemies. So it seems that after igniting the magic on the hexagonal altars, the enemies will appear.]

“That’s surprising. I thought we would be thrown into a battle as soon as we arrived since the [One Who Turns the Stars] warned us about tons of summons…”

[Even the Evil Gods can’t summon such powerful demons too easily due to the law of cause and effect. On the contrary, by igniting the six core altars with our power, we’re effectively challenging them.]

“…”

[They’ve put a lot of effort into setting up such elaborate altars, so I can’t even guess how powerful a demon will emerge… Are you ready?]

At Yeol’s question, I nodded.

“Let’s begin.”

Whether we wanted to or not, we had no choice but to face the challenge ahead.

Ta-da

We scattered and headed for the hexagons in the spacious area. Since we had two more team members, we assigned one hexagon each to Zhu Rong and Yeol, while the other four were assigned to my Apostles, leaving me to wait in the center according to Zhuge Sa’s plan.

Flare…

As my companions lit the candles, a black light began to flow into the crystals placed on the altars. With each core ignited, liquid darkness, resembling blood, started to flow along the lines of the magic circle, making the sigils clearer, which was typical of a demon technique’s ritual.

Wooooooo…!

Shortly after, the magical energy gathered in the center, and a fierce wind began to swirl violently. I held my ground steady, gripping my sword tightly amidst the oncoming gusts of power.

‘No matter who emerges… I will hit them hard and rescue Seo Mun-hye!’

As I was thinking this, the dark winds finally settled, revealing something bizarre that had been summoned.

Kuru-rururur!

“Seo Mun-hye!”

The moment I laid my eyes on that grotesque creature formed from a mass of cell-like periphery, I had to call out her name. Seo Mun-hye was pressed against that monstrosity, seemingly absorbed into it! The creature was a horrifying mass of tentacles, indescribable, and radiated a potent malaise.

And instead of Seo Mun-hye, who seemed unresponsive, another entity summoned beside that grotesque figure spoke up.

[Under the eternal stars, beyond infinite time and space, we have now come face to face.]

Kugung!

As those words reached my ears, I felt my heart sink and my whole body was overwhelmed as though it were being crushed. I realized what this oppressive force was and shuddered as the blood seemed to drain from my face.

‘Magical power… it’s so strong, it’s off the charts.’

I had seen all kinds of the so-called [Old Rulers], but this one felt entirely on another level. This sense reminded me of facing one of the Three Sovereigns, making my limbs tremble in disbelief.

No way…

Is this thing one of the evil deity’s minions?

An entity that could easily rival the Three Sovereigns?

Zzzzzzz…

An indescribable being. It resembled a goat but, upon closer examination, looked like a lizard, and its limbs were a horrific inhuman form that couldn’t even be compared to any terrestrial creature. Simply gazing at it would drive one insane, revealing the nature of this being’s terrifying power as its divine energy rippled through the air, increasing the pressure exponentially.

Kugung!

The constellations twisted. Soon after, a vision distorted the sky into a swirling darkness while, for a brief moment, it felt like celestial clusters shone behind that being.

The creature finally revealed its name.

[Zhu Rue’s Three Seats, Contractor of the Outer God, and the Rebel Demon King Yaldabaoth. I am here to judge you in the name of the Great Being.]

Eugh…

‘Kuh…’

Even I felt dizzy as a result. The overwhelming power continued to raise the intensity of the pressure, causing an ache deep in my core, as if it were being stabbed by a needle.

[Huuuh.]

I heard Musashi’s scream. I quickly looked over, only to find that Musashi had lost his human form and was spiraling into a monstrous shape, gradually dissipating. Madness was consuming his mind as the now monstrous Musashi went crazy.

‘To have such dominance that it could drive an apostle of a demon king’s caliber to madness in an instant!’

This was a whole different level compared to making an ordinary mortal insane! Musashi, with his current formidable power, should have been able to withstand being considered a prominent being among demons, yet even he was faltering against the overwhelming presence of the one summoned in the center.

[Ugh.]

[What… is this…?]

It wasn’t only Musashi succumbing; Wu Lian, Asura, and Zhuge Sa also writhed in agony, unable to withstand the madness. Zhuge Sa seemed to be holding stronger than the rest, given that he had always existed at the fringes of madness.

Zhuge Sa spat out madness itself.

“Ahahaha! I see… the levels are just too different…!”

The disparity in levels.

It was a common expression for immortals, but what Zhuge Sa meant was infinitely deeper. What had emerged was closer to an invincible entity, one that could hardly be met with even a fighting chance!

Zhu Rong and Yeol’s reactions were also uneasy.

[…!]

[So that’s why my lord instructed me to risk my life.]

They seemed a bit shaken, yet they maintained their fighting spirit. That was understandable, considering they were powerful demons with an immense experience of facing transcendent beings from ancient times. However, while they exuded calmness from experience, their expressions still radiated genuine unease, making it apparent that we were objectively at a severe disadvantage.

Indeed.

‘That being’ was not one that could simply be defeated by numbers alone.

In some alternate realm, it probably manifested as a supreme being ruling over eons—a true demon among demons stood before us. As I was tightening up, I heard Zhu Rong’s voice.

[Get your subordinates back to their senses. If we waste further time, the hexagonal altars will likely continue summoning Lord Rue’s demons.]

“…!”

[Winning against ‘that’ is probably impossible… You need to think of a way quickly!]

Pa-at!

In the next moment, Zhu Rong and Yeol charged at Yaldabaoth simultaneously. The two ranked 2nd and 3rd within the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace launched their joint attack. As they closed in, the sheer power and authority swirling around them was immense, as Zhu Rong’s whip and Yeol’s spells enveloped Yaldabaoth.

Kukwakwak!

[Guuh!]

In an absurd twist, Zhu Rong was sent flying backward at breakneck speed upon being struck by what seemed to be a tail of Yaldabaoth. Though it didn’t appear to cause him serious injury, it was clear from this singular moment just how vast the difference in power was between Zhu Rong and Yaldabaoth.

As the battle kicked off, I quickly shook off my stupor and activated the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, sending a mental call to all.

[Get it together!]

As I shouted, my Apostles began to break free from their madness, regaining awareness. However, none seemed to have rekindled their fighting spirit, appearing more like shells of their former selves. The first to react was Asura, who sat down heavily.

[W-What…? I didn’t expect this. We really have to face that monster…?]

Having faced divine beings multiple times before, he realized the stark gulf between himself and Yaldabaoth. He had comprehended that it was akin to an ant charging at a human. Rather than being annoyed by Asura’s reaction, I empathized.

‘Yaldabaoth truly is on a different tier…’

A top-tier divine power that could contend with domination across the universe! I hadn’t expected a being like this to jump out from the blue in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, leaving me bewildered as well. If we were to charge at him, we would likely suffer deletions one by one, if not more!

But with such thoughts, succumbing to despair wouldn’t solve anything, so I suppressed my weak spirit, declaring.

“We don’t have to engage. Just endure.”

[Baek Woong.]

“…I just have to rescue Seo Mun-hye.”

Clenching my teeth, I brightened my eyes.

‘If I can’t defeat him, I’ll just take Seo Mun-hye away.’

At this point, I had no choice but to stake everything on the Technique of All Things!

“No way!”

…However, just as I was thinking that, Zhuge Sa’s sharp caution blared in my ear.

When I turned to look, Zhuge Sa glared at me fiercely.

“Calm down, Baek Woong!”

“What do you mean by calm?”

“Using the Technique of All Things, you’re trying to skip directly to your goal, right?”

“…”

He really had a knack for reading situations.

It seemed Zhuge Sa had picked up on my intent to utilize the Technique of All Things. But I couldn’t backtrack here, so I shouted.

“Zhuge Sa! Is there another way here? If I charge straight at that beast, I’d probably be gravely injured immediately! Even if we all attack together, we stand no chance!”

As I yelled, Zhuge Sa looked directly at me, maintaining his composed stance.

“Now’s not the time to rush. He harbors some kind of secret!”

“Whatever that secret is, if we steal it, that’s all that matters!”

Zhuge Sa’s following words struck at my core.

“While I might not remember clearly, didn’t you once face a significant setback because the Technique of All Things failed? That left you in an awful position, causing you to seal it for a long time afterward.”

“…!”

At his cold reminder, I couldn’t help but flinch. Seeing my reaction, Zhuge Sa’s gaze sharpened as he solemnly emphasized.

“It seems you’ve started relying on the Technique of All Things again since it worked well recently. But if you try one more time and it fails, you’ll plunge into an inescapable pit of despair that no one can save you from.”

“…Ugh…”

“While ‘that’ is indeed a cheat-level technique, it shouldn’t be overused. You know this better than anyone.”

I realized Zhuge Sa’s words held merit. I couldn’t deny that such psychology existed within me, even if I tried to reject it. I gradually regained my composure and spoke to Zhuge Sa.

“…You’re right. But that being isn’t the Outer God, is it? There shouldn’t be a reason the Technique of All Things wouldn’t work on him either.”

“Indeed, but as you said, the more an entity is removed from the laws of the world and more prepared against you, the harder it is for the Technique of All Things to take effect!”

“That makes sense.”

“It’s as I predicted. If my thoughts are correct, that entity likely won’t be affected by the Technique of All Things at all. No, it’s a being that cannot be defeated through conventional combat.”

I shuddered.

“A secret?”

“Indeed… I once heard this being’s divine name from Simon Magus.”

“What?!”

“If my guess is correct…”

At his unexpected revelation, I widened my eyes and saw Zhuge Sa fixate sharply on Yaldabaoth.

“Yaldabaoth is the one who became the God King Demiurge!”