전생검신 Vol. 98, Chapter 07

[Beyond the Dream]?

I found it hard to comprehend, so I turned to Mangnyang.

“No… Mangnyang. Did you not just see those strange guys? That so-called Dragon King looked like the most normal one compared to all the peculiar creatures. Why on earth would we go to a place where the laws are completely different from our world?”

Putting aside the matter of possibility versus impossibility, I simply couldn’t grasp what Mangnyang was implying with this new path.

What in the world were we supposed to do with it?

“Hmm. Just a moment…”

Then Mangnyang hesitated, about to explain something but instead turned to confirm it with our master, Master Mangnyang.

“Master, is it possible for Baek Woong to go beyond [the Dream]?”

Master Mangnyang gazed at us with emotionless eyes in silence. I felt a chill from that gaze. Usually, I didn’t detect any emotions from that guy, but now his expression felt especially hollow and dark.

After a moment, Master Mangnyang finally spoke.

[It is possible, if you offer the corresponding price.]

“Then… can we leave and return?”

[……]

A little later, Master Mangnyang replied.

[Disciple, have you ever had a dream?]

“Yes.”

[When you wake up from the dream, were you dead in the dream?]

“No. I don’t think anyone thinks of it that way.”

I agreed with Mangnyang’s words. You just wake up from a dream; there’s no way you could be dead.

[But that’s your perspective. The characters and objects in the dream might think you are dead.]

“……?”

Both Mangnyang and I wore confused expressions. What the heck is this crazy cat talking about?

‘What kind of nonsense… I mean, why would it matter what the dream characters think?’

Ignoring our reactions, Master Mangnyang continued.

[All beings do not try to distinguish the object’s life from the subject’s. However, existence in the dream world is fleeting and unpaired. As long as existence and illusion can be synonymous, going beyond [the Dream] means losing the minimal means to prove existence.]

“……..”

[In the beyond of dreams, you might exist or you might not. Regardless, the meaning is already lost.]

Mangnyang showed a slightly cryptic expression, as if he understood something and then pondered before speaking.

“Are you saying that no matter how much Baek Woong is a reincarnator?”

[That’s correct. There is a very special method to bind your law of cause and effect in this world… unless something supreme is at play.]

“What is that method?”

[I don’t know. I might have known it before, but…]

“Are you saying…?”

[It seems the method was in my forgotten memories.]

Today, Master Mangnyang was sharing an unusual amount of information, but it felt oddly abstract. Yet, I felt with the instincts of a reincarnator that Mangnyang’s words about [the Dream] were incredibly significant. And somehow, whether I understood it or not might determine my future.

Then Master Mangnyang said.

[I won’t stop you if you want to act to cross over into [the Dream]. But I will advise you that it is a foolish act.]

Though Mangnyang’s words sounded beautiful, they held a serious undertone more profound than any threat. If he openly called it a foolish act, then it surely was.

Mangnyang sighed at our reaction.

“Ha. I came to seek help from the master, and here I am feeling miserable.”

[Disciple, you are engaging in work that doesn’t fit your aptitude.]

“Pardon?”

[If you don’t aim to help Baek Woong, you might see a more different direction.]

“……”

Mangnyang’s unexpected words seemed to startle him. I was just as confused. It felt only natural for Mangnyang to assist me as an advisor, so why was this cat saying such things?

‘Something feels… different…’

Mangnyang seemed changed from the Mangnyang I had seen before. Not that he was a fake, but he felt like he had attained some kind of enlightenment. I wondered if that change would be a good or bad thing for me.

Suddenly, Mangnyang had a look as if he gained an epiphany, turning to Master Mangnyang.

“Master, does that mean time in [the Dream] has no meaning?”

[That is often the case.]

“I see… I’ve gained a clue.”

[Then you should go. Now is not the time for you to be here.]

Tsk tsk tsk

With Master Mangnyang’s space-invocation, Mangnyang and I slowly began to leave Master Mangnyang’s realm. Just before disappearing, I felt an instinct that the blood-red horizon would hold some significance.

Flash

When Mangnyang and I awakened, he stood up first, deep in thought. After a while, he turned to me.

“Baek Woong. I think I need to ask the priest for a favor.”

“Hmm… What do you intend to do?”

“I want to confirm the clue I got from my conversation with the master.”

“But that guy told us not to look for him and vanished without a trace. How are we supposed to ask for a favor from here?”

“Don’t worry. Priest! Come over here!”

Mangnyang’s strategy was incredibly simple. He just called out loudly.

I was baffled by that method.

‘How would someone not lurking nearby even hear that and come over…?’

Pa-at!

Moments later, at the call of Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin appeared before us with a flash.

“Older Brother. You called?”

“……”

He really came…

Cheon Woo-jin was gruff and problematic when I called him, but he looked sharp with clear eyes when Mangnyang called him, making me feel quite peeved. I suddenly realized the stark difference in favorability Cheon Woo-jin had towards me versus Mangnyang.

“Right. I have something to ask you…”

“I will answer whatever you ask.”

“Can the priest create a world using illusion techniques?”

“……”

Cheon Woo-jin appeared to be contemplating why Mangnyang would ask him such a question. After a moment, he spoke.

“If I use the laws of heaven to strengthen my cause and effect, it may perhaps be possible in the distant future. Older Brother probably knows some of this…”

“…It’s possible. If you become the master’s apostle, it would certainly be achievable.”

Mangnyang glanced at me with a sidelong glance after saying that. I could vaguely understand what he was implying.

‘Considering what Cheon Woo-jin, the apostle of Master Mangnyang, did in the 28th round, this could definitely be possible.’

Soon after recovering his original power, Cheon Woo-jin had managed to trap all of humanity in the dream world. Given that prowess, from Cheon Woo-jin’s future perspective, it was likely a sure thing.

Mangnyang had been diligently listening to my tales as a reincarnator, so he had an idea of how strong Cheon Woo-jin would become in the future. After a moment of contemplation, Mangnyang asked.

“I have a question. Isn’t it possible to push a human into a dream using illusion techniques without creating a world? In that case, they may only experience an instant, but feel like it passed for a long time. Can we consider this as controlling the time within the illusion?”

“That is not so. Most of the time, it involves deceiving the target’s brain.”

“Deceiving the brain?”

“Yes. If I use an illusion on their brain, inserting a similar experience, their brain will recognize that long passage of time while their body changes accordingly. Of course, we can’t say this is time manipulation because it’s just what they imagined during the illusion.”

“Is that so… But isn’t the priest supposed to be able to use techniques at a higher level than that?”

“……”

Cheon Woo-jin took a moment to ponder before responding.

“Older Brother. Are you… wanting to practice in [the Dream]? To save time?”

What?

I was taken aback by Cheon Woo-jin’s suggestion, but Mangnyang slowly nodded.

“I had been considering that. If the world inside the dream is merely a fleeting moment of reality, then such an approach could work.”

“No, Older Brother. There’s that ark’s combat training room, right? That should also be a significant training location comparable to extraordinary opportunities for an ordinary martial artist…”

“That won’t be enough. I might not be able to bridge the gap in strength with Baek Woong using just that. The combat training room allows for quick accumulation of qi and improves combat skills, but it doesn’t extend time itself.”

“……”

“Is there really no way?”

Cheon Woo-jin shook his head vigorously.

“Ugh. It’s too dangerous.”

“What kind of danger?”

“Older Brother. The technique of deceiving the brain can seem like it’s manipulating time, but it’s not at all. The experience a target feels and the world is merely a chaotic amalgamation of their subconscious and fragmented information. There’s too much difference from the real world. So even if they train, they’ll just be running in circles without gaining any real insights or achievements.”

“That’s merely talking about ordinary illusionists. I believe the priest could find a different means.”

“…… Older Brother, how is it that your lack of talent in sorcery is paired with such a vivid imagination?”

Cheon Woo-jin, looking pained, crossed his arms, and then said.

“It is possible… But not through ordinary means. It’s risky too.”

“Explain it. I want to know the reason for why the priest is struggling.”

“Um…”

Cheon Woo-jin gave me a slightly irritated look before saying.

“I had to leave my post for a bit because of important tasks, and like you, I’ve also attempted to undergo special training to keep up with that monster’s abilities. I also tried to use the dream to extend my training time but failed.”

“Is that true?”

“Yup. You know I can manipulate the dream as a phantom and use my own technique, Heavenly Law.”

“I know that. The priest surpassed the top-tier techniques long ago and mastered sorcery itself. Then, reaching for the greater unit of [the Dream], he could transcend the limitations of a sorcerer like the divine priest of Fuxi.”

“Right on.”

As I listened to Cheon Woo-jin’s explanation about himself, I realized just how remarkable he truly was. I had previously thought of him as just an incredibly powerful sorcerer, but in truth, he had always been an existence that transcended the very framework of sorcery belonging to the Three Sovereigns.

While there might be stronger immortal beings than Cheon Woo-jin at present, in the distant future, once he exceeds the realm of divinity, it is what enables him to transcend the celestial realm.

Cheon Woo-jin extended his finger and drew a circle in the air.

“To put it simply, the Heavenly Law is like this circle. It utilizes the abstract power of sorcery to initiate techniques. I possess the beginning inertia, gaining the momentum to enter the higher-dimensional power of [the Dream]. Instead of pushing to the end of my dream, I advance just as far as my capabilities allow before returning to the starting point. Once back at the origin, my own techniques imbued with the powers of the dream can unfold.”

“……?”

“That’s why Heavenly Law is inherently more potent than regular techniques.”

What on earth is this guy talking about…?

‘Somehow, I don’t quite understand this sorcery…’

My brain felt foggy. Understanding Cheon Woo-jin’s words seemed impossible, while Mangnyang appeared to grasp it and expressed his admiration.

“Ooh, I see. So reaching the peak of Heavenly Law means you can use the power of [the Dream] without needing to return.”

“That’s correct. In effect, it’s like my soul has entered into the border of the dream. However, completely severing ties with the current world is not possible. Immersing everything into the dream itself is extremely risky, even for gods. I’ve never seen anyone other than the master achieve such a state.”

With that, Cheon Woo-jin continued.

“Therefore, while in a state of employing Heavenly Law rather than ordinary magic, I am taking on a certain level of risk. Should I mishandle it and sink too deeply into the dream, I wouldn’t be able to return to the real world and would instead be consumed by the dream.”

Mangnyang paused momentarily, considering this, and said.

“That’s why you tried to create a training space using the dream but failed due to being consumed.”

“Exactly, Older Brother.”

Cheon Woo-jin nodded affirmatively.

“First, creating the space itself is feasible. I believe slowing down time is also certainly doable. However, unlike an artificially created subspace, there is not a single safety measure in place. Even though it may look perfectly fine on the surface, one can never predict when or where dream beasts or bizarre phenomena might appear within that space. It’s akin to a living nightmare… I nearly died a few times.”

“……That is dangerous.”

“The dream itself is an inscrutable monstrosity. Attempting to use a space that even gods fear is pure hubris.”

“Yet you just noted that a ‘normal’ method wouldn’t work. Then could it imply that utilizing a ‘special’ method is possible?”

“Ugh! If it truly is necessary… it is possible, albeit with considerable risk…”

“Then do it.”

“Ha… really…”

Cheon Woo-jin shot me an exasperated glare.

“You don’t even know how immense that guy’s ability is. Those geniuses and experts of the 30th round didn’t achieve it without redeeming their lives to support him! Just attempting to match that level with our current efforts might result in us stretching our limbs past our limits. I don’t wish that for us; I’d rather not push myself into a reckless endeavor.”

Mngnyang’s words pierced deeply.

“I can’t afford to let Baek Woong be alone with no one by his side in the future!”

“……?”

For the first time, Cheon Woo-jin showed a completely befuddled expression. Mangnyang fell silent for a moment before speaking.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be me. As long as someone is by his side. Baek Woong may well reincarnate for nearly infinite times and the limits of that power may be beyond measure. And if he becomes a being of such magnitude that there would be no companions to share his struggles, what would happen? Like the celestial gods, he too would eventually fall into a state of ennui, deeper than death. Until we can keep pace with him in a true sense, we must mirror his level as companions to delay that moment. That is our task.”

I was taken aback by Mangnyang’s statement.

“A… no! I won’t allow that.”

“Are you truly?”

“……”

“I pondered deeply after hearing Baek Woong’s story. That reincarnators he encountered sometimes reincarnated thousands of times. Moreover, that ancient being Tsukuyomi became a vicious threat even in his depleted state. I can hardly fathom how powerful he was in his prime. Did that formidable reincarnator ever have… a friend?”

“……I don’t think it was the case.”

There were no friends in Tsukuyomi’s reincarnator days as far as I could see. He only had subordinates to fulfill his own selfish desires. And unlike him, Master Dharma did have disciples, yet true reincarnators with goals that lead to the annihilation of the world were extremely rare; he would fall under that category as an exception. Many would think it normal for reincarnators who have amassed too many rounds to lack friends.

Mangnyang spoke softly.

“It’s not just friends; lovers, family, and merchants… Every form of human connection becomes meaningless over eons. In fact, you’ve already begun approaching a similar state. I sensed it significantly from the way you narrate your own life stories.”

“…My attitude? What kind of attitude did I display?”

“Your narration of your own life has a closer resemblance to inertia than ego. You may not realize it yourself, but from a listener’s perspective, you convey a rather monotonous vibe, with values that far exceed what an ordinary person could empathize with. Perhaps someone who is not distorted like me, but rather an ordinary human would feel fear hearing your life’s reflections.”

“……”

“Yet you still maintain a semblance of humanity, perhaps because you haven’t accumulated too many rounds yet… If at such a precarious time, we fail to become your true support and ultimately leave you to face solitary advancement, you could deteriorate far more swiftly than you think. As companions, we must do whatever it takes to avert that.”

I could understand Mangnyang’s words. Even with what I had already gifted him as extraordinary opportunities, the reason Mangnyang was pushing to become stronger at a faster pace—was due to the concern that if I no longer required companions and continued to reincarnate alone, I would wither under loneliness and ennui.

For some time, I fell into silence before finally saying,

“Thank you.”

Those were the only words I had.

The simple truth was that I knew Mangnyang didn’t have to go this far. The very nature of reincarnation meant everything resets. Whether I advanced alone and dwindled or not, those who hadn’t become reincarnated companions wouldn’t feel a thing. Yet, if I didn’t appreciate Mangnyang’s concern for a reincarnator, much less myself, I wouldn’t be human.

Then Cheon Woo-jin let out a big sigh.

“Ha! Older Brother makes me seem like a terrible person. If that’s the case, then I’ll simply tell you the method, but you’d better think carefully about whether to proceed.”

“Please, tell me.”

“If it’s dangerous to manipulate [the Dream] itself, then we just need to include a buffer that mitigates the risks. And as you know, that buffer is the law of cause and effect.”

“How does the law of cause and effect serve as a buffer?”

“Hah, Older Brother, you’re intentionally acting dim to help him understand, knowing full well. Fine. Ultimately, the law of cause and effect is like the natural enemy of [the Dream].”

Cheon Woo-jin explained and then picked up a large stone from the forest floor.

“Look at this rock. If I let this rock go, what happens without a good reason?”

“It falls.”

Thud

Cheon Woo-jin dropped the stone.

“Right. That is the obvious result; the reality formed by the law of cause and effect. But the dream world is different.”

Cheon Woo-jin picked up the stone again and dropped it. However, in that moment, the stone transformed into a melon as it descended. Cheon Woo-jin looked at the melon and said.

“This is how it works. Right now, I’ve used sorcery to change the stone into a melon momentarily, but the dream world doesn’t function with specific cause and effect like I just enacted. In an infinite chaos, ‘reason’ becomes unnecessary.”

“What you’re saying is…?”

“To put it another way, if you impose the necessity of ‘reason’ as a cause and effect, [the Dream] loses its infinite freedom. Therefore, when you have the law of cause and effect, you can alleviate the dangers of [the Dream] and transform it into a training space. You could say it bestows an order of existence.”

“Oh! Then all I need to do is pass some of the law of cause and effect I possess!”

“Damn it. Just listen to me fully.”

“……”

“Phew…”

After showing a bit of temper, Cheon Woo-jin calmed himself down and began chewing on nearby blades of grass. I couldn’t help but recall 28th round Cheon Woo-jin smoking his electronic cigarette.

“I wish I could mold the law of cause and effect freely like gods, use it like money! But I’m not at that high of a skill level with the Heavenly Law yet. So the best way is to store the law of cause and effect into some device or transfer it through special incantation rituals.”

“How?”

“How would I know? You have so much experience, there must be a way in your experience.”

“Hmm…”

“Or maybe consult that alchemist. I’d appreciate some of his help too, for a few things.”

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

In essence, it meant finding a means to store the law of cause and effect and pass it to Cheon Woo-jin!

‘If I manage that, I will be able to create a training space that saves time exponentially…!’

The chronic issue I’d faced—lack of time! With a method to patch that time shortage, it was certain my companions would find it easier to catch up to my level.

‘Now then, shall we truly set out to do what needs to be done?’

After wrapping up my conversation with Cheon Woo-jin, I returned to the Shadowless Gate. I gathered my fellow practitioners who had been training in the ark and said,

“I apologize for keeping you all waiting. There are more pressing matters that need organizing than I thought!”

“Not at all.”

“This place allows qi to accumulate ten times faster, leading to significant enhancements in internal power, heh heh.”

As they said, even though not much time had passed, my martial artist companions had experienced substantial growth. It was understandable, as the ark was incredibly adept at accumulating qi; even a decade of training here could yield over a hundred years’ worth of internal power accumulation outside. Plus, with spiritual pills gathered from various places, no one was currently worried about their internal power shortages.

Clenching my fist, I proclaimed.

“Then from today onwards, I will impart the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique and the Soul of the Four Gods!”

Developed and refined by the experts and geniuses of the Great Bear Empire over 500 years!

And the original source of the Soul of the Four Gods that had been transformed into a new stage of divine arts over several centuries in this Training World!

If my human companions were to master these techniques, surely they would grow powerful without ever feeling the shortage of time.