전생검신 96권 14화

Thump.

Thump.

I could feel something in my hand holding the [Coordinates of Order], like my heart was racing. Feeling that ominous beat made me wonder.

Well, at least I succeeded in sealing off the Lawless Infinite Realm.

But could I really win against Fuxi right now?

I knew I had become a powerful being by gathering the waves of the stars, but my opponent was literally the creator of martial arts, the heir of Pangu, and one of the Three Sovereigns—Fuxi.

I felt the immense power of Fuxi when he confronted me after obtaining Pangu’s axe. I thought I could hold my own against the Three Sovereigns, but against Fuxi, I felt like I had no chance at all.

…… Wait a minute. Pangu’s axe?

At that moment, I realized something significant.

That’s right, Fuxi in front of me doesn’t have [Pangu’s Axe]!

The overwhelmingly powerful Fuxi, who could be the strongest in the entire universe, became that way because I sent [The Great Cycle] back to the past of the Takrok Era, allowing him to obtain Pangu’s axe! But the Fuxi before my eyes still didn’t possess Pangu’s axe!

This feels doable, doesn’t it?

Moreover, Fuxi hadn’t completely lifted the restrictions of the Law of Cause and Effect, so he couldn’t fully unleash his true power, and I had this significant artifact called [Coordinates of Order] in my hands!

As I cautiously calculated the odds and raised my battle intent, Fuxi suddenly spoke.

[Looks like you’re holding the Coordinates of Order but have no idea how to use it.]

‘Huh?!’

What was that supposed to mean?

While I pondered the meaning of that, Solomon warned me.

[Baek Woong! You need to either drop or seal that Coordinates of Order right now!]

‘What?’

[That artifact has gained a spirit. We don’t know what might happen……!]

Thump! Thump!

‘……!’

The heartbeat of the Blood Script echoed even more intensely. At the same time, I sensed that an unpredictable and powerful force was about to awaken right here, and its magnitude was beyond imagination.

The power from beyond!

It was then that I finally understood the situation. Luckily, I had stolen the [Coordinates of Order] from the altar and nullified Fuxi’s abilities, but this artifact was a sentient being trying to summon something into this place. And that summoning had nothing to do with my will and was sure to bring me great misfortune.

But if I just discarded it, there’s no doubt Fuxi would snatch it back and use the Lawless Infinite Realm again. How should I handle this [Coordinates of Order]?

I asked inwardly.

‘Solomon! Can you seal this with your command?’

Solomon replied in a pale voice.

[It’s… it’s impossible! This thing is far beyond my capabilities…… It’s too high-level an artifact! I can’t manage it, but maybe you……]

‘Ugh.’

Damn! Seeing the heartbeat of the Blood Script grow stronger really hammers in that I’ve got no time left……!

Throwing it away using space theft would be pointless. With Fuxi’s power, he would find it no matter where I tossed it on the opposite side of the Earth. And there’s no way I have a method to seal this ancient artifact separately.

Suddenly pressed for time, I panicked for a moment but then had a crazy thought.

‘This is… paper.’

[Paper? I don’t know what the material is, but I suppose you could classify it like that. Why do you ask……?]

‘…….’

[Tearing it might be impossible. Unless the being connected to this artifact permits it, there can’t be any physical damage.]

I already knew that without Solomon having to warn me. If it’s an artifact from ancient times, they definitely have that kind of ridiculous property. I figured there was going to be no point in straining myself trying to tear it; it would just be a waste of time.

In the next moment, I resolutely lit up my eyes.

‘I’m going to eat it!’

[Huh?!]

Chomp chomp!

I immediately took the [Coordinates of Order] and chomped it down. It didn’t chew easily, but somehow I pushed it down my throat, and even though it was a spirit, it oddly felt like it was going past my throat. I felt a slight blockage in my throat, but I forced myself to swallow, and moments later, the [Coordinates of Order] disappeared into my stomach.

[…….]

[…….]

Both Solomon inside me and Fuxi on the other side looked completely dumbfounded.

For the first time, Fuxi, who hadn’t shown much emotion, seemed slightly flustered.

[You… you’re eating that? Have you lost your mind……?]

I felt an urge to burp because my stomach felt so bloated, even though I was a spirit. But I managed to hold it in and replied to Fuxi.

‘It tastes like paper!’

[…….]

Fuxi, for some reason, looked frozen for a long time before shaking his head in disbelief.

[I don’t know either. What’s going to happen from now on…….]

‘What do you mean?’

[The Coordinates of Order, you don’t know what it is, do you? It’s a map symbolizing the Doctrine of the Mean and essentially a key that leads back to my father Pangu… You’ve essentially swallowed a [Gate].]

Fuxi gazed at me with a look that seemed almost pitiful.

[Goodbye.]

‘……?!’

Huh?!

Why is he saying goodbye in the middle of a fight?!

What does that mean for what the [Coordinates of Order] is?!

As I struggled to process Fuxi’s explanation, Solomon, who seemed way too flabbergasted, yelled out crazily.

[Spit it out quickly! At this rate, you’ll be annihilated! Something’s seriously off here!]

‘What’s going on? Can I not digest it?’

[What you’ve swallowed is akin to a [Gate] through which Pangu can enter this world! So at this rate, Pangu could swallow you whole and come into the world!]

‘……?’

[This is insane…… How could such an artifact exist on Earth that could sway the balance of the universe……?]

Huh?

Could that be a thing……?

While I was still bewildered, it happened.

Boom!

‘Graaah!’

I suddenly felt a large, white arm rising out from my throat. It looked at least ten times thicker than my mouth and was packed with bulging muscles, and if I weren’t a spirit, my jaw would’ve broken wide open by now.

What the heck is this?!

In a panic, I thrashed about, and Fuxi, who had been watching, said with a twinge of sympathy.

[Hmm. I’ve seen all kinds of things throughout my long life, but this is a first. Who would’ve thought someone would swallow the Coordinates of Order… No, if you’re a god, you should sense the power of Pangu hidden in the Coordinates and feel fear, but have you totally lost your wits?]

‘……!’

[Regardless of how strong you are, you won’t overcome the brought-on chaos caused by the Law of Cause and Effect, so while my imprisoned father can’t break free just like that…… anyway, thanks to you, Pangu’s revival has become a likelihood. Truly, thank you.]

From Fuxi’s refined tone, I realized I had truly stepped on a bomb.

Now I get it.

I had essentially swallowed the summoning circle that calls forth the physical form of the Outer God Pangu.

It seemed Fuxi thought the battle was over, and with good reason. Now, through my body, Pangu would either be revived or gain the necessary conditions for his revival.

Can I… spit it out?!

I can’t give up yet!

I was flabbergasted, but mustering all my strength I grabbed hold of that gigantic arm that pierced through my throat. Then, with every ounce of power, I tried to shove that arm back into my body.

Grrr…

‘Urghh… ggrrrgh…!’

As I began to exert every bit of my strength, I could feel that enormous white arm slowly get pushed back inside!

Yes… Good! For now, let’s get this arm back inside!

Then, Fuxi seemed genuinely amazed.

[You’re managing to contain Pangu’s power? What exactly are you? That’s an absurd show of strength……]

It seemed that shoving that arm back in was an act beyond the realms of common sense.

Heh… but I can handle this much! If I give it a bit more power, I think I can fit it all in!

But just as I was thinking that, Fuxi suddenly transformed into a humanoid shape.

Swish

And as a breathtakingly handsome young man walked towards me, he suddenly chuckled.

“Don’t take it too hard; we’re still fighting.”

‘……?’

“It’s been a while since I got to try my hand personally.”

Oh… No way!?

But as if my ominous thoughts were confirmed, as soon as Fuxi finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed Pangu’s forearm. And then, he pulled on it forcefully.

“Ugh!”

Rrriip

Pangu’s arm was being pulled out even more forcefully!

‘Kyahhhh!’

What the heck is this!

With Fuxi adding his strength to that already burdensome Pangu’s arm, I couldn’t possibly push it into my stomach any longer! I really didn’t expect Fuxi to corner me with such a simple method. I squirmed while emitting a mental wave and screamed.

“Just use martial arts instead! Where’s the wisdom in Taeryong Fuxi using such a brutish method!”

Fuxi smiled brightly.

“Ha ha. We’re in the middle of a fight, so what’s smart or stupid? If I can eliminate you quickly, then that’s the most reasonable method.”

‘……!’

“Ugh!”

Rrrrip

Before I knew it, Pangu’s forearm was exposed up to his shoulder, and I instantly knew I was completely losing in this struggle of strength. Although Fuxi has taken a humanoid form, he was still summoning the power of his original self, making his power cosmic-level. I didn’t expect to be defeated in such a simple-minded way, and I felt completely floored.

Solomon screamed desperately.

[This… this can’t be happening! To die for such a ridiculous reason?! No, as the Demiurge, there must be a way out……!]

‘…….’

I’m… I’m sorry…….

‘I’ve died enough times to know… but you really get a feeling when you’re about to die…’

But I couldn’t bring myself to tell Solomon that. I felt too guilty that my mistake was leading to my death.

Fuxi’s foot connected with my stomach. Like he was firmly anchoring himself, he locked his foot against my belly and seemed to beam even brighter as he flexed his arm.

“Ugh!”

Boom

In that instant, my spirit exploded, and I felt a massive presence rising and consuming my entire being. With that presence, it felt like I was falling into the abyss of consciousness.

[Ugh! We haven’t even truly begun yet and already… Noo……!]

Solomon’s screams faded away.

And thus, my consciousness was cut off.

*

……

Where… where am I?

When I regained consciousness, I realized I was lying in an unknown white space.

And looking down at my body, surprisingly, I realized it was my original body, not a spirit.

“Huh?”

What’s this? Did this reincarnation end with my death?

Am I back in Al Karda’s study?

But this doesn’t look like a study; it’s a proper white space……

As I was bewildered, a voice suddenly emerged.

“There are things even the high-level librarian of the Void Record cannot foresee.”

I reflexively turned to the direction of the voice.

Standing there was a phantom without eyes, nose, or mouth. However, despite the absence of a mouth, the being’s words were clearly audible as if they were being spoken right next to me.

“When directly violating the taboos of the Outer Gods, such beings cannot intervene.”

“Who are you…?”

I had no clue about what this mysterious being was.

The entity had no eyes, but I felt as if it was staring right at me. After a brief moment, it spoke.

“I am the one who has waited for you a very long time.”