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Pat.

In Go, it means the situation where white and black stones can endlessly alternate capturing each other’s stones. Of course, if that happens, the game of Go would never conclude, which is why a rule exists stating that if a Pat occurs, the opponent cannot immediately capture the other’s stones.

“The usual approach in a Pat is to attack a spot the opponent cannot refuse.”

If the need to block that inevitable spot outweighs the gains from the Pat, then blocking takes precedence.

Only after blocking does one resume advancing the Pat.

So far, a Pat had yet to present itself in this game of Go. There simply wasn’t a situation for it. However, I had been keeping an eye on a location all this time and had deliberately set up a Pat challenge there.

“Will it work?”

Did Al Karda know this backstory or not?

He silently stared at the Pat I had laid down before him. Then, slowly, he began to speak.

“It’s a Pat that cannot be refused.”

“That’s correct.”

If this Pat wasn’t accepted, the stones on top would separate, leaving their fate uncertain. Not to mention, Al Karda’s previous advantage with over twenty houses would be mine in an instant. Therefore, the Pat I had set up was an inevitable move for him.

“But you know the reason I haven’t played here until now.”

“……”

I had no choice but to remain silent.

“Damn it… he really plays better than me…”

Indeed.

I was essentially accepting an indirect loss. Theoretically, if the Pat worked, it might become a comeback strategy, but in practice, a Pat was mostly used to tidy up an almost finished game. Because no matter what, if the opponent accepts the Pat, they can just tolerate a minor loss at an appropriate spot and move on from there.

“Typically, a Pat is used to gain minor advantages while tidying up a finished game…”

Pats rarely play a significant role in Go.

This meant—if there is no immediate need to play at that spot, then playing there means that at some point, either I or my opponent will play there! So, in a game where each player must take their turns one by one, losing my precious turn to play there could be like taking a hit. Either way, that spot would eventually be played by either me or Al Karda in the later stages. So why not place stones at a more crucial spot instead?

Al Karda fixated on me for a moment before stating.

“It’s true that this is an inevitable and important move for me. But do you have all the moves calculated? Are you sure about whose Pat stones are plentiful, yours or mine?”

“…….”

“It can’t be that, yet you still played here. Have you already given up on the game?”

Al Karda’s words made me grit my teeth.

“Regardless, a Pat results in a stalemate where we alternate turns. It’s a hostile engagement where we can’t discuss the benefits and drawbacks for either side.”

“Ho-ho.”

Al Karda found my reply amusing.

“Yes… that interpretation is indeed possible. You intend to reduce the number of disadvantageous missions assigned to you as much as possible during this session by proceeding with a Pat?”

Al Karda hit the nail on the head.

If it’s “disadvantageous,” then due to the unique characteristic of the reincarnation play reflecting the board’s situation, I would undoubtedly face demanding missions. However, a Pat is a stalemate where one side can’t be decisively favored! It can be interpreted as “equal,” making it difficult for Al Karda to assign me harsh tasks.

With a determined expression, I glared at Al Karda.

“Earlier, you stated that the rules of Go apply even in outer realms. Therefore, maintaining the rule of equality during the execution of the Pat should be upheld as well.”

After all, if there’s no room for a comeback, the only option is to stir the pot.

And there’s a world of difference between struggling in an unfavorable position and pretending to be “equal.”

The reason I insisted on the Pat was precisely that.

“Interesting.”

Al Karda snickered before adding.

“Alright… then let me show you my interpretation.”

“What interpretation?”

“A Pat is set in an area that cannot be refused by the opponent, exchanging moves to tidy up the board.”

Clink.

Al Karda, who had been gently toying with the Go stones in the bowl, slowly made a move.

Clack.

“Aah…!”

As soon as I saw that move, I instinctively realized that the Pat of the reincarnation play was not going to be easy. I hadn’t expected Al Karda to place there, and if I didn’t block that location, I would lose my corner territory. Realizing I hadn’t considered that position proved Al Karda’s superior skill.

“You want me to feel just how agonizing this move is that you cannot refuse, huh?”

Just as Al Karda’s words finished, I was whisked away to another dimension.

*

“Huh?”

W-What’s going on?

As I heard a completely different voice coming from my mouth, I panicked for a moment. Furthermore, the place I stood was somewhere completely unfamiliar to my memory, leaving me utterly confused.

I looked down at my hands and legs. They weren’t mine at all, but rather the limbs of a completely different person.

“What’s this?”

Not my body?

Then whose body is this?

Just then, a perplexed voice came from the side.

“…What’s wrong with you? Why did you suddenly stop talking?”

“Huh?”

“…?”

The other person seemed startled by my change in speech. And when I noticed their voice and appearance, I was genuinely taken aback.

“J-Jongri Kwon?!”

No doubt about it!

It was Jongri Kwon, a member of the Eight Immortals of China, someone I had crossed paths with before!

Jongri Kwon looked confused as I reacted in surprise.

“So I’m Jongri Kwon, but why the surprise? What’s going on?”

“No….”

“What do you think this place is? It’s only natural for me to be here where the Eight Immortals have gathered. Get a grip!”

I quickly glanced at the scene before me. Upon closer inspection, this small underground chamber had a large table set up and within its dimness sat seven figures of Immortals. Each one of them was visibly holding a precious artifact, leaving no doubt they were the Eight Immortals of China.

Then, one of the Immortals seated across sighed deeply and said,

“Don’t criticize so much. We’re going to do the impossible together, aren’t we?”

“Umm… did this guy go temporarily insane because of the overly difficult task?”

“… He hasn’t even officially ascended and is still maintaining a human body. It’s understandable if he is somewhat disoriented.”

“……”

In response to Jongri Kwon’s words, he wore a distinctly unhappy expression and spoke.

“Today is the day of the decisive battle… and you realize that our fates rely on the strongest among us, don’t you? Besides, I don’t think this guy is that weak.”

“……?”

“Isn’t it true? He possesses the strongest artifact, the Fire Dragon Sword.”

It was Jongri Kwon grumbling something.

“What? The Fire Dragon Sword?”

At that moment, I cast a side glance at the sword strapped to my back. As soon as the handle of the Fire Dragon Sword caught my eye, I felt a spark of hope and quickly asked Jongri Kwon.

“Jongri Kwon, why are we gathered here?”

“… Are you really out of it? Why the heck would you ask that?”

Jongri Kwon, who was utterly flabbergasted, regained his composure after a moment and said,

“Today is the day we fight the Dragon of the Apocalypse! Why on earth are you asking that?”

“Uh…”

At that moment, I felt a sinking suspicion.

No matter what, if my guess about the current situation proved correct, it would be nothing short of absurdity.

As I pondered, I asked Jongri Kwon.

“… Is my name Yeodong-bin?”

Upon hearing this, not just Jongri Kwon, but all the Immortals present appeared utterly taken aback.

“Y-You’re really losing it!”

“This can’t be happening!”

“Yeodong-bin going insane?!”

“……”

There was no choice but for me to quickly regain control of the situation. I hastily laughed heartily and said,

“Hahaha! You all seem too tense, so I just thought I’d crack a joke! Don’t you think my seniors are too stiff?”

Then, Immortal Nam Chaehwa looked even more alarmed.

“Y-Yeodong-bin joking? This is unbelievable! You must be a monster disguised as Yeodong-bin!”

Then, Nam Chaehwa began to use sorcery, causing flower buds to bloom all around. And suddenly, countless petals swirled around the blooming flowers, feeling impossible to escape.

“Ugh!”

Wait, come on, even if you’re suspicious, an attack out of nowhere?!

As I internally grumbled, I attempted to draw the Fire Dragon Sword.

“Huh?! It won’t come out!”

Strangely, the Fire Dragon Sword wouldn’t budge an inch. While originally I had intended to thwart Nam Chaehwa’s sorcery with swordplay, I quickly sensed there was no choice but to dodge the incoming attack without my sword and immediately unleashed martial arts.

“Three Treasure Technique!”

Swiftly, I evaded Nam Chaehwa’s attack with three quick steps and then pounced toward the goddess, snatching the divine treasure from her hand using the Technique of All Things. Realizing she had lost her artifact, Nam Chaehwa belatedly screeched.

“N-No!”

As I tossed Nam Chaehwa’s treasure back to her, I stated casually,

“Why the antics between companions?”

“……”

“If I truly intended to kill you, it would’ve been easy. I’m no monster.”

However, at that moment, Immortal Lee Cheol-goei, who had been watching the exchange intently, chimed in.

“That’s a lie.”

“What?”

“You’re not Yeodong-bin. Although you don’t seem like a monster, the techniques you are using differ from Yeodong-bin’s martial arts!”

“……!”

Damn it! So, deceiving them all was unreasonable after all?

“No… wait, why on earth am I doing this?!”

I immediately found myself in a perplexing situation, frowning.

Then, a strange message appeared before me.

[Defeat the Dragon of the Apocalypse while disguised as Yeodong-bin. If you fail to defeat it within the time limit, the altered history of a thousand years ago will reflect in reality.]

…What the hell?!

Realizing my assumptions were correct, despair washed over me.

Yes.

For some reason, I had been transported back to a time before Yeodong-bin completely ascended, on the day he was to battle the Dragon of the Apocalypse! Moreover, glancing at the Fire Dragon Sword on my back confirmed I was undoubtedly in Yeodong-bin’s body.

Despite the dire situation, it seemed the difficulty level of this mission was somewhat lower.

Better than nothing.

With relief, I called out to the Immortals.

“I am Yeodong-bin, yet not Yeodong-bin!”

Since this was the case, I would boldly carry on!

My words made Jongri Kwon raise his eyebrows.

“What are you babbling about?”

“I am Yeodong-bin’s… Heart Demon!”

“……?”

All the Immortals, dumbfounded, seemed perplexed. I took advantage of the fact that, aside from Yeodong-bin, none of the others possessed substantial martial arts knowledge and broke into a grin.

“You all know that Yeodong-bin is born of the Sword Demon’s essence! Even while honing swords from Immortal techniques, his nasty and despicable temperament never died, eventually leading to a dual personality! Thus, the only remaining personality became me, Heart Demon Yeodong-bin!”

“……?!”

“Didn’t Yeodong-bin warn you not to provoke his temper? Yet you all continued!”

Then Immortal Han Sang-ja, seemingly shocked, replied.

“Oh… you’re referring to the time we tested some mental techniques while he was asleep and ticked him off? I’m sorry!”

… So, there was really someone like that?

I shook my head in disbelief but nodded in agreement.

“But don’t worry! Though Yeodong-bin is a tempter who usually loses his temper, I am the opposite—merciful! I’ll slam that stupid dragon flat without hesitation, so rest easy.”

“…….?”

Jongri Kwon sighed.

“Either way, there’s no other option. Even if it’s this strange Yeodong-bin, without help, defeating the Dragon of the Apocalypse will be impossible. Please, we need your assistance.”

“Understood. Just trust me!”

“Phew… what kind of world is this? Yeodong-bin going mad on this day of battle…”

After a moment, the Immortals started utilizing their techniques one by one and began to exit. I followed along behind them, confidently grinning.

“Heh… what a windfall!”

The Dragon of the Apocalypse must surely be a powerful upper-tier demon, equivalent to the Old Ruler.

This bulky creature had proven challenging for Yeodong-bin, known for never easily slaying such foes, believed to have sealed it in a manner akin to a miracle.

However, if I just imbue it with divine power and deliver a single blow like the Trimurti, it would likely collapse!

“Alright, let’s rush and take down the dragon in one fell swoop!”

I thought Al Karda had surprisingly bestowed some recognition as I prepared to use divine power to teleport.

…..

“……?”

Huh?

Why isn’t the divine power surging?

I tilted my head, promptly attempting to cast the Trimurti, only to find that unsuccessful as well.

When I attempted to summon the Four Great Spirit Deities, nothing happened.

“Uhh…?”

What’s going on? Why all of a sudden…?

While I was bewildered, another message materialized before me, waking me from my confusion.

[You have temporarily sealed all divine powers in return for defeating the Three Sovereigns Jeon Wook with everything on the line. Additionally, summoning all divine techniques and the pact of [Name] is denied. Right now, you are not Baek Woong but Yeodong-bin.]

“W-What?! No way…!”

As the message appeared again, my vision turned dark.

[Defeat the Dragon of the Apocalypse without relying on divine power.]

 

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