전생검신 Volume 95, Chapter 13

The outcome has already been decided.

If an Outer God has been summoned – it’s only natural that no matter how strong the Thunder Soul is, it can’t handle it.

But rather than feeling relieved by that ‘obvious’ outcome, I found myself just blankly staring ahead.

Why…?

Why is such a being popping up right now?

This situation was so outrageous that I couldn’t even follow my thoughts.

My muddled and chaotic mind was just banging against my neurons irregularly, and coherent thoughts were nowhere to be found. It felt like I was already captured by a madness that I could only describe as insanity.

[Uooooh.]

In the next moment, the Thunder Soul summoned a Light Spear in one hand. The radiant light in that spear felt like overwhelming power, and the Thunder Soul swung it fiercely, charging at the Outer God.

Flash…!

The flash split heaven and earth. However, amidst the cracking of the world, the Outer God didn’t move at all and didn’t seem to even consider blocking or dodging.

Thud!

Sounds of something heavy being knocked away!

That sound didn’t come from the Outer God’s body. It was as if the Thunder Soul’s body had been cleanly sliced in half by the Light Spear’s attack.

There was no need to question ‘why’ this had happened. After all, succeeding in landing a hit on an Outer God was already an unrealistic feat, making such a magical result almost inevitable.

Snap.

From the split body of the Thunder Soul, chaotic bursts of Thunder erupted like a fountain. The lightning gushed out endlessly, and the Thunder Soul seemed to be flailing about, trying to gather itself. Watching the Thunder Soul’s actions, I felt a moment of awe.

‘The Thunder Soul… is it really going to confront the Outer God?’

It must be feeling the devastating power gap clearly, yet it’s still taking the initiative!

No doubts about it, the Thunder Soul’s fighting spirit was something extraordinary. While I blankly observed the battle unfolding before me, the Outer God’s voice resonated in my head.

[You are lacking.]

…?

I unknowingly shifted my gaze towards the Outer God. It seemed to be looking back at me, and from its gaze, I felt that its words were indeed directed at me.

Lacking?

Could it be…?

Tsutsutsutsu

‘…!’

I realized the Outer God, the very embodiment of Dark Heaven Village, was gradually blurring, and at that moment, I finally understood what its words meant.

Lacking means offerings!

If I didn’t offer more, it wouldn’t fight for me against the Thunder Soul anymore!

‘Kuh… Ugh!’

In that moment, I realized how reckless a challenge I had taken on, and felt my heart fill with despair.

The higher name is the Outer God of Dark Heaven Village, and while summoning such a god is all fine and dandy, the price for summoning it is truly astronomical!

I had already sacrificed more than half of the powers I possessed as offerings and had even involved Heuk Woong with my [name] as an offering. Even after such a price, the Outer God was merely absorbing the Thunder Soul’s single strike. Considering the insane strength and fighting spirit of the Thunder Soul charging at the Outer God, it was somewhat understandable, but even so, it felt excessive.

Has there ever existed a divine status that demanded such an enormous price for summoning?!

Could I have ever imagined that the cost would be this high for a brief summoning!

I glanced at the Thunder Soul in the distance.

It seemed to have sustained quite considerable injury, but it didn’t look like a fatal one! What a monstrous creature!

The fact that the Thunder Soul possessed enough strength to survive a counterattack from the Outer God was truly terrifying.

The Thunder Soul, though it may not be as strong as the Outer God, still possessed an incredible level of power that would place it among the best in the universe. Considering that I had already sacrificed many powers and weakened my divine power significantly, even if I were to match up against the Thunder Soul now, the chances of me winning were slim.

…But… if I sacrifice more powers…

I figured I might have to go through at least a hundred more reincarnations to regain this level of strength.

I had just barely placed the Three Sovereigns within reach… and I was simply thrilled thinking about the monumental achievements that strength could bring in reality…

Am I really supposed to pay such sacrifices for just this moment of clash…?

It was at that moment of concern.

“Baek Woong. Offer your name.”

‘Miho!’

The Divine Being Miho stepped forward as she spoke. Then she held my hand tightly and said,

“Just being able to meet you in this virtual space again brings me joy… It would be better for me to perish than for you to lose everything.”

‘…….’

I couldn’t respond to Miho’s words.

I wasn’t a fool; I knew the truth. If I offered Miho or any other [names] for the Outer God now, they would be lost forever. And if they perished this time, it would surely be an eternal destruction. Understanding Miho’s feelings made my chest ache.

How long do I have to continue like this…?

I had been striving to grow stronger… but what did I actually want strength for?

Hadn’t I truly forgotten what was important while being intoxicated by this divine power?

…….

How pathetic I am.

‘No. I won’t sacrifice you.’

When I firmly stated this, Miho flinched and looked shocked.

“What? No way….”

‘Outer God… Dark Heaven Village!’

With resolve, I shouted.

‘I, Baek Woong… will first sacrifice my commercial power! And… if you need something at this moment to ensure the Thunder Soul’s victory, let me know now!’

I will no longer be dragged along ambiguously.

Even if I lose something significantly, I will decisively find conclusion this time!

Kugugugu

As soon as I finished speaking, dark, storm-like energy flowed, creating a sphere that seemed to trap just me and the Outer God. Within this sphere, the presence of other [names] had vanished, so I was left alone facing the Outer God.

Kuruuru

I felt anxious again facing the Outer God. A moment later, the Outer God’s intention resonated within me.

[Offer death and the ability to create.]

‘…!’

As I realized the price that the Outer God, Dark Heaven Village, desired, my teeth clenched.

‘Death’ represents the power of the Wheel King!

‘Creation’ signifies the Trimurti!

To offer both means I would lose all my most powerful abilities. If I give those up, my divine power would plummet dramatically—perhaps only amounting to a mere 30% of the power I had in my prime during the 30th cycle.

Moreover, losing something as potent as the Trimurti would mean that when I returned to reality, there would be no way to defeat Fuxi, who is at the height of power.

However, I had already made up my mind, so I gazed into the context of the Outer God and said,

‘I will accept. But you must answer one question!’

[Speak.]

‘Outer God…the embodiment of Dark Heaven Village… why are you occupying my arm as a [name]?!’

The Outer God’s eyes, shining like obsidian, sparkled darkly as it spoke a moment later.

[Reach the Jade Throne.]

‘… What?’

[Those who see the conclusion will be born.]

Tsutsutsutsu…!

Next moment, I felt my existence shrinking in that dark, fog-like space. No, it wasn’t that I was shrinking; rather, the space was expanding infinitely, and simultaneously, the Outer God’s form was also growing without restriction! That infinite body swelled to a size beyond imagination, becoming unrecognizable in an instant. I then found myself dwelling within the body of the Outer God, overlooking some ‘world’ in the void of the cosmos.

Is that… Dark Heaven Village…?

The very body that is the world of Dark Heaven Village began to stir slowly, as if it were awakening. A moment later, from an indeterminate high dimension, a single incantation echoed.

[And there was divine creation.]

Flash –

[Kraaoooh!]

In the next moment, the entire body of the Thunder Soul was torn to shreds. Its scream was far greater than the one it emitted when counterattacked—it was as if it literally exploded into hundreds of pieces! Amidst that destruction, the epicenter of the light that shone with a luminous silver was something I couldn’t identify.

It was merely void.

An absolute void that couldn’t even be defined by any kind of ‘power’ I had ever experienced!

That void, completely empty, seemed to have a property that could not be resisted even by the tremendous might of the Thunder Soul.

‘This, is the Outer God…’

While I had felt the greatness of the Outer God while observing Al Karda, it was evident that this Outer God of Dark Heaven Village was not just as powerful, but perhaps even stronger. No, the being that embodies a dimension called Dark Heaven Village was something entirely out of the ordinary.

As I stood there, dazed, the presence of the Outer God gradually faded, and I heard its final words.

[This is a share….]

Swish

And with those words, the Outer God vanished, as if having completed its task.

‘…….’

A share…

I could vaguely gather what those words meant, so I clenched my fist tight.

It seemed I had simply accumulated more tasks at hand.

Kugugugu…

A moment later, the red gem in the center of the Trimurti began to glow. The red light gradually encompassed the [names] and the shattered Thunder Soul. As I was engulfed in this light, I heard a clear voice resonating with determination.

[For heaven’s sake! I can’t accept this! If I had accumulated more power, I could have won!]

A furious and deeply aggrieved voice.

Recognizing that the owner of this voice was the Thunder Soul, I was utterly dumbfounded as I responded.

‘Is that you… Thunder Soul?’

[I won’t allow it!]

That unmistakable Thunder Soul shimmered and quaked, exploding with outrage.

[For you to be my creator, and for that battle with the Outer God just a moment ago! If I were to attain all possible avenues of evolution, there would be no one capable of challenging me in heaven or on earth!]

‘…….’

I was flabbergasted.

Could it be possible to think like this after being obliterated by a single spell from an Outer God!

The sheer arrogance and narcissism put him at the pinnacle of the universe!

I found the situation so ridiculous that I couldn’t even speak, leading me to mock the Thunder Soul.

‘Who can’t flap their mouth after losing, huh?’

[Wha… what did you say!]

‘You lost. I defeated you at the cost of everything.’

I grinned as I continued.

‘Defeated little brat.’

This battle had made me lose a lot.

I wouldn’t be able to release my anger unless I mocked it somehow.

[……!]

Just when the Thunder Soul was about to blather again, the last light of the Trimurti enveloped the world.

Shuuwuuuu…

‘…… Hmm.’

As I exited the realm of the Trimurti, I was once more floating in the cosmos in my spirit form. The Thunder Soul’s body lay in ruins as if it had lost control completely.

After a moment, I came to realize my condition and let out a hollow laugh.

‘Ha ha… damn it.’

My divine power had decreased to less than 20% of its original strength.

The main source of my divine power, the [Command of Saitan], had survived, binding the remaining divine power, but I had lost a significant amount of truly powerful abilities.

With this alone, I might still be considered a demon king known in the world, but I had fallen short of being able to face those who stood as Old Rulers. It felt as though I had suddenly lost the majority of my power.

The sense of loss was quite overwhelming enough for me to realize how reliant I had been on divine power.

‘…… Hmm?’

But at the same time, I sensed an entirely new power residing within my spirit form, and I was taken aback.

Snap!

A mass of astounding power was rotating near my heart!

Having never felt this power before, I discerned what it might be.

‘Did I obtain the true power of the Thunder Soul?’

That Thunder Soul’s power was indeed formidable.

…But to gain the Thunder Soul at the cost of nearly all my divine power was ultimately a loss, wasn’t it?

Moreover, right now, I had no clue how to utilize this Thunder Soul.

Considering all that I was capable of with the Trimurti and divine powers, the feeling of having my divine omnipotence stripped away in an instant was quite staggering. Would I need to run around gathering divine power like a madman once again from the next reincarnation onward?

‘Haah… what am I supposed to do?’

Sighing, I muttered with my arms crossed.

‘Should I try absorbing stars again? But what on earth am I supposed to gain from this…’

As I was struck by the notion that I had suffered too many losses, I fell into thought.

Boom!

‘Huh…?’

At that moment, I suddenly felt my entire field of vision shift completely as if the dark starry universe I had been gazing at was transforming into a different form.

The universe wasn’t black.

It felt as though stars and materials in a black and white world were made of white lines. And the universe appeared like a colorless, bubbling sea, making me feel as though I was submerged in that sea.

‘…….’

I was breathing chaos.

That was the only way to describe it.

I felt as though I was naturally inhaling the essence of chaos, something far more fundamental than the material filling the universe.

Woong…

Accompanied by the bizarre sensation of the changing world, I sensed the pulsing of the Thunder Soul within my heart resonate intensely. As I perceived the Thunder Soul’s rhythm growing stronger, I realized what was happening.

Is this strange phenomenon due to the Thunder Soul?!

Tsutsutsutsu

As the breaths of chaos continued alongside the universe, I could feel the power of chaos surging within me. It felt as if the boundary between the universe and me had vanished, granting me an unprecedented sense of liberation!

‘Everything… is different!’

No matter how powerful my divine power had previously been, I was still bound by the physical body and soul of a human. But now I could sense that my spirit was transcending that limit naturally.

Kugugugu…!

Just some time later, I realized that without doing anything, the chaotic power was accumulating within my body to an immense extent. At that peak moment of building power, the Thunder Soul spun around, absorbing all that strength.

Swish

The chaotic power absorbed by the Thunder Soul wasn’t gone. It was simply being stored as if the Thunder Soul was compressing it to its limits. As I grasped this, a terrifying thought struck me.

‘Could it be…?’

The reason the Thunder Soul possessed such immense power…

After accepting the core of that celestial force, had the awakened Thunder Soul been silently compressing its strength all along?

As my journey extended further, the Thunder Soul’s potential exploded exponentially – and it was possible that what I had just witnessed was a result of that tremendous power!

And if that hypothesis was true, it simply explained my current state.

The Thunder Soul had been quietly performing [power] compression, and now I could take control of it actively!

Out of curiosity, I attempted to manage the power accumulating throughout my body according to the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.

However, after just a few circuits through the process of the Nine Chambers of Thunder, I realized it was futile.

‘I’m already in direct contact with the essence of the universe; there’s no need to go through the Nine Chambers of Thunder process….’

Sure, to manipulate power intricately, I would need the Nine Chambers of Thunder, but when it comes to just the phase of laying the groundwork, I didn’t require any Internal Energy Cultivation Techniques. The boundary with the sea had disappeared since I was simply submerged, so was there any reason to scoop and pour it out?

The endurance and power of my very soul were rising continuously…!

Woong

And as the power amplified through compression, I could sense the astronomical distances of geography manifesting in the form of white lines before my consciousness. The vast distances exceeding tens of trillions of kilometers in the Great Bear Empire felt like nothing more than peering at the neighborhood map with brilliance, as stars and their movements emerged clearly before my recognition.

While waiting for this power to build up, I found myself staring blankly at my hands.

Then, slowly, I brought my spirit hands together and muttered.

[Trimurti…]

Ding!

Right then, it felt as if a clear ringing sound reminiscent of a bell shattered my mind, and my cognitive ability explosively heightened, allowing me to instantly realize I was gazing at the galaxy. Along with that sight, I became aware of the direction of the [power] flowing through the entire galaxy, and I noticed the faint waves emanating from that direction, unfurling like a piece of art.

Shuuuuu

Feeling the energy of those waves gradually being absorbed like white smoke, I finally came to a realization.

‘The divine power of Trimurti has vanished, but… the divine techniques remain!’

With the divine power of Brahma gone, the convenience of the red gem naturally assembling the three powers would be lost when using the Trimurti.

However, the technique of Trimurti had already been acquired through countless trials, allowing me to keep employing skills to mix divine power and ‘strength’ instinctively! Of course, since I lacked the red gem, its stability and outcomes were bound to be severely inferior, so I’m not sure if I could truly call it the real Trimurti…

‘But that’s not what’s important… the true ability of the Thunder Soul is…!’

The real significance was that I had come to realize the essence of the power possessed by the Thunder Soul.

‘…….’

With that thought in mind, I began to expand my awareness further into the vast realm I was perceiving.

And amidst the incredibly rapid expansion of that recognition, I became aware of a thin membrane protecting a certain area.

I reached out my mind towards that thin membrane.

Crack!

In that instant, the membrane shattered, allowing me to enter inside.

As I broke through that thin membrane, I felt the intricate entanglement of frequencies and the instantaneous sensation of dispersing that entanglement as I momentarily shuddered.

‘Waves.’

Reaching a domain where one could manipulate the waves of quantum particles existing throughout the universe using Thought Power.

That was the true ability of the Thunder Soul.

“`

 

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