전생검신 Chapter 94, Episode 12

The word popped into my head because of the memory of meeting the previous Reborn Person.

I dug deeper into my memory to recall the situation back then.

‘It was back when I went to ask the Prophet about the obsidian that the Guardian of the Moon Sovereign possessed.’

At that time, I had asked the Prophet two questions.

The first was about the issue of reduced potential in the Absolute Realm when using obsidian for memory transfer, and the second was the true identity of the obsidian held by the Guardian of the Moon Sovereign!

The Prophet back then had told me that the first question was wrong, claiming there was nothing unusual about the sorcery of the obsidian while providing examples.

‘There are two methods of transmitting the same memory… the first-person perspective and the third-person perspective, I had seen both formats of memory.’

Then, the Prophet showed me memories from each perspective and explained.

[You’ve only been embedding information into the obsidian from a first-person perspective… those who observe… will learn about your life as if reading a lengthy epic or novel… and that’s the problem.]

[The advantage of the first person is… it allows for an intuitive understanding of your life’s memories, but as you mentioned, the influence of your subjectivity on the recipient is significant… if I hadn’t taught you the royal-exclusive memory transmission technique, which has robust safeguards, it would have been extremely risky to transmit memories in your way… ultimately, your potential in the Absolute Realm is diminished by transmitting memories in the first person…]

[What I recommend is to transmit your memories in the third-person perspective… using this method, you won’t have to worry about those issues when transferring memories… I’ll teach you this method. Generally, you’d grasp its application without needing to be taught, but…]

[That said… do you think it’s impossible to have an omniscient perspective on ‘memory’…?]

I concentrated on recalling every word the Prophet had shared back then. Then, I thought.

“Omniscience. Isn’t that what the third person is all about?”

While pondering the nature of ‘Qi,’ I became fixated on the word “omniscient,” and the idea of third-person memory transfer struck me.

When I think about it, the third person must be an omniscient viewpoint. The first person recounts the story from my direct experiences, but the third person can describe the same situation differently from anywhere at any time.

I sank deeper into thought.

‘In the end, memory is defined by “myself.” Since all past memories have been transmitted only in the first-person format, I’d never considered other methods.

More importantly, the Prophet mentioned that transmitting memories in the third person results in a loss of both quantity and quality compared to the first person, so from my standpoint of wanting to bolster my memories through my companions, it was unnecessary to risk losing out on the third-person memory transmission. In fact, the strategists of that time advised me against considering third-person memory transmission, so I had forgotten about it all this while.

But thinking back…

‘A being capable of taking a third-person view in reality. Such a being could be referred to as an omniscient god…’

It couldn’t be any other way. The ability to possess an unlimited array of indifferent perspectives beyond “my” viewpoint! That’s precisely the meaning of the third person.

So, how could the Prophet’s race engage in third-person memory transmission?

I recalled the answer I had received back then.

[The reason our race can perform third-person memory transmission is because of the [Void Record].]

[What do you think the record of the universe means…? Do you really think beings like us can define the boundary between life and non-life, existence and non-existence… that great being…]

Al Karda, an external envoy and advanced scribe serving the Void Record.

It made sense that the Prophet’s race, serving the all-knowing Void Record and Akashic Records, was granted the ability to transmit memories in the third person.

While I was mulling over this fact, I said, “What happens if I look at my own memories from a third-person perspective?”

That’s right.

This was the notion that suddenly deepened my thoughts!

In the current body of this ‘Master’, I couldn’t discover my name no matter what. The external world maintained strict confidentiality, and I had sealed my memories so thoroughly it was hard to find any traces. As a self with a first-person view, I had locked away its discovery tight enough to the point where I couldn’t know even if I wanted to.

But what about a third person?

If I looked at the memory of ‘Master’ from an omniscient perspective, what would occur?

Of course, I’d see things that I couldn’t have perceived as a first person!

‘Maybe… this could lead to a clue to learn [Master’s Name]!’

No, it must be.

This aligned perfectly with the clue that the spear had provided.

I was overjoyed, clenching my fists.

“Yay!”

Here I was, just agonizing over my martial arts training, and unexpectedly, the key to this trial had unraveled!

This is what happens when you use your brain, huh?

‘Alright! Then, I should attempt the third-person memory transfer… ah.’

Oh right, I was studying the nature of Qi, wasn’t I?

‘The strange characteristic of Qi that reacts only to recognition and not reality… thinking an omniscient perspective is required to explain Qi somehow led me this far.’

I scratched my head. It’s like falling backward into a surprising discovery, yet I still hadn’t resolved the nature of Qi itself.

“… Martial arts are profound. I can’t believe I don’t understand Qi well after attaining the divine realm and practicing martial arts for hundreds of years.”

I sighed and chuckled at my own absurdity.

“Seeing as the [Throne] also contains infinite Qi, it appears Qi exists everywhere in the world…”

I murmured this when I suddenly felt a realization passing through my mind.

“…?”

Hmm…? For some reason, it feels like I’ve said something important…

Is it significant that Qi exists everywhere in the world?

Why’s that?

‘Who knows… Is this insight or a Heart Demon?’

I tilted my head, then shook it a moment later.

“Eh. I’ll think about Qi later. I need to focus on breaking this trial first!”

If I waste any more time, I might exceed the three-day limit.

I must perform the third-person memory transfer right now!

“Trimurti!”

Create the obsidian!

Whooosh

In this training world, I could mine the obsidian myself, but it was a hassle and I lacked time, so I used my divine power to create the obsidian. Moreover, the obsidian created with divine power was unlike anything I usually used, having a colossal size, at least three times bigger than me. Gazing up at the massive obsidian, I muttered.

“The Master has reincarnated over 26,000 times. So, the volume of those memories must be vast… the larger the obsidian, the better.”

Of course, due to the properties of obsidian’s sorcery, even a small fragment can contain memories of hundreds of lifetimes. Still, since larger obsidian can hold more memories due to the law of direct proportion, I made the move to create a massive obsidian, just in case.

Afterwards, I reached my hand towards that obsidian and began to chant a command, when suddenly—

“Oh! The restrictions!”

Wait… had I been under restrictions against using obsidian in this life?! I got so caught up in time travel that I completely slipped my mind, but the limitations hadn’t been lifted!

Will it even activate the sorcery if I use the obsidian here?!

I felt frustrated with the thought of being trapped again, but bit my lip.

“…Who cares! There’s no other way right now!”

Regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, I had no choice but to try!

I channeled my divine power into the obsidian, my eyes shining brightly.

“Prophet… I’m sorry, but your royal family is about to explode again, and you’re already dead, so it’s none of your business!”

It’s your fault for not giving me information and escaping through time!

Pababoom!

Moments later, resonating with my divine power, the obsidian began to vibrate intensely. I slowly felt the sorcery coming to life and began to cast the third-person memory transmission spell that I had learned from the Prophet.

‘It’s working…?!’

I was thrilled to see the spells activating one by one, precisely as per the procedure. This was undoubtedly a phenomenon that occurred when the obsidian’s sorcery was functioning normally.

Could it be that in this spatiotemporal realm, the restrictions aren’t in effect?!

But as I had that thought, a bright light enveloped me and the third-person memory began flowing in.

“Ahhh!”

Baam!

I swiftly began to journey into the Master’s past. I could feel the dry, distinctive feelings of third-person memories imprinting in me differently from the first person.

Splish…

With each step, ripples spread across the surface of memory. As the ripples expanded, I heard a voice that I couldn’t identify rising from amidst them.

[Did… I die and come back? I’ve returned to the past?]

…?

Huh…?

I was momentarily bewildered due to the déjà vu. This wasn’t from a first-person perspective, so I found myself observing this ‘memory’ in a state of being bodyless in some empty space. While I was contemplating this unfamiliar state of memory, a familiar voice echoed once more.

[So… is this from the book… stained with blood?]

[Time to start my life over…! Hahaha! This is excellent.]

[…Starting again? Then it’s the third time… Is there really an unlimited number of returns with this book?]

[To think there really is a god in this world… Unbelievable.]

[Book, let’s make a contract.]

[If the number of reincarnations matters, then use that count.]

As I listened to each of those words, I caught a glimpse of the figure far away.

The face of the being walking atop the surface of memory—

It was undoubtedly the Master’s face.

“…!”

No doubt about it…!

This spoken memory… I’ve heard it before! Not a single word was out of place, exactly the same!

But how could this be…

I thought I was merely perceiving my own memories…

Could it mean that what walked atop the memory’s surface was not me, but rather [Master] himself?

Then I…

‘It was in the third person, and I mistakenly perceived it from my first-person perspective…!’

It overlapped!

The observer and the object of memory’s soul were entirely intertwined!

Thus, while the echoes of that memory reached [Master]’s soul, I mistook them for my own!

As understanding dawned upon me regarding that strange experience, I felt a shiver run through me.

“This is… absurd…”

Could it be…? The reborn person’s identity had been discovered with no end in sight…

While I was astonished, the speed of the memories started to increase rapidly.

Swishhh…!

It sounded like a projector spinning at a horrifying speed. Before I knew it, I was beginning to see how the Reborn Person known as [Master] had lived through its countless lives. Its life was a terrifying expanse, yet I didn’t feel overwhelmed or burdened by the immense knowledge.

‘It’s like skimming the surface of a colossal bookshelf.’

I didn’t know the details, only briefly skimming through what transpired in each lifecycle. I could delve deeper into those subtleties if necessary, but there was no need for that. In a sense, this sum total of 26,000 lifetimes of memory could turn out to be less detailed than my 30 lives upon closer examination.

How many times had it spun by now?

The life of the [Master] who repeated countless lifetimes swiftly exceeded 68,000. I instinctively sensed that number and involuntarily gasped.

‘This lunatic… even after 26,000 lives, he continued to reincarnate nearly 40,000 times more?’

What on earth for?

Why was it reincarnating?

I already knew it was a life devoid of purpose or significance…

Swishhh…!

The sound of the projector spinning rapidly began to slow down. I felt the end approaching and focused even more on observing the memories.

“Finally at the last trial of the apocalypse… have I returned to the very edge of the [dream].”

The voice of the reborn person, [Master], echoed. He spoke almost sarcastically as if confessing.

“Perhaps this shall be my last reincarnation… Khuhuh.”

What made him so sure it would be his final life?

A short while later, he seemed to slowly step into the deepest part of the Apocalypse’s dream, climbing a stairway of unknown origin.

Step. Step.

As he ascended the stairs, indistinct figures began to appear one by one. Their detailed appearances obscured by a dark curtain, but I felt them fixating their gaze upon [Master]. He, on the other hand, grinned as he returned their gaze.

“Senpai, there’s no need to look at me like that… I’ve gathered strength over countless reincarnations, so it wasn’t easy at all.”

He seemed to have reached the final floor of the stairs after a while.

On that final floor stood a figure clad in pure black, but for some reason, that figure’s face remained obscured. I could only deduce that they were dressed as a Demon Sorcerer.

Moments later, [Master] pointed the wheel he had conjured with both arms at the black-clad sorcerer and spoke.

“Are you the so-called strongest and most terrible Reborn Person?”

The black sorcerer stared at [Master] blankly, offering no reply.

Grinning, [Master] proclaimed, “The legend of being undefeated will be broken today. No matter how strong you are, you can’t surpass me, who has built strength over 70,000 lives from the contract of [Transcendence]!”

Whooshhh…!

In the next moment, the wheel elongated at the speed of light, transforming into a light beam, immediately engulfing the earth and sky in flames. Even from a distance, it was clear he possessed overwhelming power; each of his strikes conveyed a force so vast it felt as though the entire universe was burning.

‘Ugh…!’

Even just observing made me dizzy from the sheer force!

The power I had felt during 26,000 lives now felt measly in comparison to this extreme might, leaving me no choice but to swallow hard. It was so potent that I couldn’t even recollect a suitable means to measure this strength; that fact alone was crystal clear.

Whooshhh!

Moments later, [Master]’s physical form was pierced apart by the wheel, turning to ash and vanishing.

Upon witnessing this scene, [Master] exploded in laughter.

“Ahahahahaha! It’s over… finally! I’ve completed this damn reincarnation and become the strongest Reborn Person, gaining access to the power of the foolish blind!”

Just then…

Brrak!

A palm came down from the heavens, obliterating [Master] like a pesky fly. Without even a scream, he was reduced to a puddle of blood, and in no time at all, the black sorcerer stood once more in that very spot.

With icy eyes, the black sorcerer looked down at the remains of [Master] and mumbled.

“Seventy thousand is… far too few.”

Whoooosh

With a swift flick of his hand, [Master]’s remains scattered into the wind like grains of sand.

Without a hint of remorse, the black sorcerer, having slain [Master] with a singular strike, sat leaning on a nearby chair, whispering.

“When will the Martial God arrive?”

Bzzzt!

“…!”

Tick tock.

Tick tock.

I sat there, drenched in sweat.

Sitting opposite me was Al Karda.

An unfinished game of Go remained in front of us.

A moment of silence lingered before I finally spoke heavily.

“Did you deliberately summon me?”

After a moment, I heard Al Karda’s answer.

“Indeed.”

“…”

“You must already know the answer.”

“So you mean there’s no need to waste any more time since I already know the answer?”

“That’s exactly right.”

“…”

Is that really the case…?

Did he call me out before I discovered more truths…?

As doubts began to sprout in my heart, Al Karda spoke coldly.

“You may know the answer, but just to confirm, what is the name of the Master?”

…

How twisted. Why did he insist on hearing it with his own ears?

I forced a bitter smile and slowly opened my mouth.

“Tsukuyomi.”