Chapter 454 - Thank Goodness.
The successful worlds remain, and the other worlds are erased.
It means drawing out countless possibilities, leaving behind only the worlds that succeeded.
Up to here, it was fine.
Actually, it wasn't fine, but let's just say it was for now.
Even if the Calamity somehow succeeds in becoming the master of the world I was in.
“Welcoming a new master means all life on earth was wiped out once, doesn't it?”
So in the end, no matter what the result, from my current standpoint, it only meant a dogshit situation would arise.
“Ha.”
This was no different from a fight with a predetermined end.
I recall.
Yeonilcheon calling me a Calamity, and the karmic ties bound to me.
Along with the Divine Sword's words that the Cheonma, who himself thought he was the Calamity, was the one who actually made me regress.
Including the traces my mother left me.
And even the Cheonma's remaining authority, somehow still intact.
“Do you truly think the regression you experienced was merely a miracle?”
The words Yeonilcheon's lingering will had spoken festered.
Looking at the current situation, I could tell.
Including what Hyeolma had said—that it felt like someone was covering my ears—and the fact that the heroes of the past had tried to do something but ultimately failed.
Looking at all these things.
“What the hell do you want?”
It felt like the world wanted something from me.
The problem was what the hell that something was.
*Grind.*
Could it be, just as Yeonilcheon said, that it wants me to become the Calamity?
I don't know.
Just the things I'd grasped so far were complicated enough as it is.
Moreover, there was one more thing.
There was something I had to ask Hyeolma.
“I understand what you're saying, but...”
No matter how the world is.
I understand the words.
“In the end, what do you want?”
[...]
What is the goal of the Hyeolma before my eyes now? I was curious about that.
Even if the world is raving mad and talking about the end, what is the goal of the Hyeolma right in front of me?
Does he, too, wish for the Calamity to appear and rule according to the world's will?
I don't think so.
“That guy has some kind of goal.”
My instincts said so.
Hyeolma isn't the type to act according to such logic.
The fact that the Hyeolma of my world tried to establish an organization called Yuseong.
And that in this world, he's taken over Jang Seonyeon's body and is making subtle movements.
Saying his whole body was torn apart and sealed—it was clear he desired something.
What could it be?
It was a question about something I hadn't known in my previous life.
Furthermore.
“Is Hyeolma an ally? An enemy?”
Since he's a being who once caused the Hyeolgeop from the position of the Calamity, I know he can't be an ally.
Then is he an enemy?
I had to know that.
[Huh.]
Hearing that question of mine, Hyeolma let out a short breath.
[...Truly a curious one.]
“What do you mean?”
[Having heard what was just said, any other would have already collapsed in despair at the distant future. For a mere mortal who has barely begun Transcendence, you are far too calm.]
Calm?
“Calm, my ass.”
How absurd Hyeolma's words were.
Calm? Everything looked maddening enough to drive a person crazy; like hell I was calm. It looked like I could die no matter what I did right now—how could I be calm? I was already at a point where I felt like throwing everything away.
It was so irritating and terrible just to hear.
Whether it was the world's will to somehow create a Calamity, or the countless other worlds born from that will repeating the same story.
To me, it was all just difficult, nauseating talk.
Even so.
“Even so.”
No matter what, I couldn't give up, so I was simply trying to move forward.
“Fuck.”
It wasn't because I was the type of good soul who would step up after hearing that all of humanity would die if I didn't do something.
I'm someone who hates suffering losses, even if I die for it.
The only reason I was forcing myself to do something even in this fucked-up situation was one thing alone.
The faces that flashed through my mind at times like these—those who lived for me and died for me. The ones who are the reason I live now.
If I thought of it as karma I had to undertake for them, I couldn't falter here. Rather than time to despair and collapse, I had to find a way.
That was the only thing I had to do.
[Seeing this, I understand how you were able to set foot on the path of Transcendence.]
“Stop with the pointless chatter. Answer what I asked.”
What is Hyeolma's goal?
I would try to deal with Hyeolma somehow in accordance with Sin Noya's wishes, but.
“I need to establish my priorities.”
Because there was a mountain of things I had to stop right now.
I had to organize where to start and what to do.
Of course.
There was no guarantee Hyeolma would give a proper answer to this.
[My goal. How did you judge that I have a goal?]
“Isn't it obvious? For an old man buried in the ground, your will burns far too fiercely.”
[Tsk, tsk....]
At the words mixed with sarcasm, Hyeolma held back a laugh.
[My goal....]
“Could it be, you're thinking of causing the Hyeolgeop once again?”
The Hyeolgeop that Hyeolma caused as the Calamity centuries ago.
Could it be that Hyeolma wished to once again bring about the disaster that was stopped by five martial artists, including Sin Noya?
Hearing my question, Hyeolma spoke with a suppressed laugh.
[If that were so... what would you do?]
“I'd stop you.”
To the answer I spat out nonchalantly.
*Woooooom—!*
Bingjeong began to resonate loudly.
*Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.*
Hyeolma's laughter, mixed with the resonance, muddled my ears.
[A mere blood clot who doesn't even properly know this world. How do you propose to stop me?]
“I'll find a way somehow.”
[How amusing. Do you think it would be difficult for me to kill and erase you right here, right now?]
I felt energy.
The cold ki creeping out from Bingjeong felt like it had reached right to my throat.
Hyeolma's words were precise, as if they were no mere threat.
And I could feel it all too clearly.
But.
“You don't intend to kill me.”
I knew.
That Hyeolma couldn't kill me.
“You want something from me. Right?”
At my words, spoken with the corners of my lips raised.
[...]
*Suuuu.*
The energy erupting from Bingjeong subsided in an instant.
This was the reason I could mouth off like this to Hyeolma, who looked dangerous at a mere glance.
That he had gone out of his way to call me, someone who appeared to be a figure from another world, saying he wanted to see me.
Seeing how he treated me relatively kindly, as if subtly trying to inform me of things, I could predict that he was doing this because he wanted something from me.
Though it might not be this.
At least, his current reaction made it certain.
[Ha.]
The word Hyeolma spat out briefly carried a tone of surprise.
[You are quicker on the uptake than expected.]
As expected.
I furrowed my brows upon confirming Hyeolma's reaction.
“What do you want from me?”
The Calamity of the generation before last. And a being from another world at that, wanting something from me.
I had to know what it was.
Looking at Hyeolma while hiding my complicated gaze, he merely let out a short laugh as always.
After a brief moment of silence passed.
[You... asked what my goal was.]
Hyeolma slowly opened his mouth.
[I dream of creating paradise.]
My forehead furrowed deeply at those words.
“Paradise...?”
It was a truly nice word to hear, but it felt strangely alien coming from Hyeolma.
For a Calamity who caused the Hyeolgeop and was sealed to utter it, the word was far too hopeful.
While I was wracking my brain to understand the meaning.
[Sage of the other world.]
Hyeolma called out to me.
[What I wish of you is but one thing.]
I pricked up my ears at his words.
[Should the day come when you complete Transcendence and come to know the will of this world, come find me once more. That is all I desire.]
“It's not like I can come here just because I want to.”
It's absurd.
It would be hard to come and go even in the same world; this is a different world altogether.
I don't know why Hyeolma wants that, but it was far too strange a request.
Hearing my doubt, Hyeolma immediately gave an answer.
[If you successfully complete Transcendence, nothing is impossible.]
“...What the hell is this Transcendence that you keep going on about?”
[That, too, is something you will naturally come to know.]
If I complete this Transcendence.
Does it mean I'll learn the way to travel between worlds?
Or does it mean I'll come to understand this incomprehensible phenomenon?
Whatever it was, it wasn't important right now.
“That 'paradise' you mentioned. You're asking me to come for that?”
[Who knows.]
He meant he wouldn't answer.
“...What makes you so sure I'll grant your request?”
[If you remember this conversation, you will surely seek me out. It matters not either way.]
Was it really because of the word “paradise”?
Or for another reason entirely—I couldn't know.
I was already in a complicated situation just from what I'd heard earlier.
“What should I do?”
Was everything Hyeolma had said so far the truth?
If not, what was Hyeolma's intention in saying those things?
On the other hand, if Hyeolma's words were all true.
“Then... what should I do?”
It was far exceeding a level I could handle.
Unlike when I had stopped Cheonma's Hyeolgeop and promised peace to my precious ones.
Now I was realizing how difficult and arduous that was.
Fucking hell.
Just living an ordinary, peaceful life is this hard. Truly, nothing but shitty sentiments.
“First... I need to find a way back to my original world.”
I had also come to viscerally realize that this was not the time to be wallowing in the past.
I had to sort out the situation and return to my original world immediately.
“Fuck...”
How did it come to this?
It feels like everything got tangled up because I was blinded by that damn Dokcheondan.
No, should I say that obtaining this information itself is a gain?
What rose as a question in my mind was.
“What if all of this is the test Dangjemun spoke of.”
What if everything I was going through now was part of the test she had mentioned?
Would everything Hyeolma said to me become a lie?
“That would actually be better.”
Since what I'd just heard was quite a shock, I almost wished it were truly an illusion.
Idle thoughts filled my complicated mind.
Just as I was about to let out a sigh, pressing my tired brow.
[If you wish it now.]
Hyeolma spoke to me.
[I can send you back to the world you originally came from, right this instant.]
“...!”
My eyes widened at the nonchalantly spoken words.
What? You can send me back right now?
I looked up at Bingjeong with wide eyes.
[If you truly wish it, that is.]
“Of course I—...”
Just as I was about to spit out that it was obvious to Hyeolma.
A thought that flashed through my mind unwittingly made me clamp my mouth shut.
Setting aside whether this situation was Dangjemun's test, was it okay to return to my original world with Hyeolma's help, bypassing the existence of Dokcheondan and Baekmaseok like this?
Leaving aside the doubt of whether Hyeolma would really send me back, it was a fundamental question.
[Tsk, tsk... You are hesitating.]
“...”
[Is that hesitation doubt toward me? Or is it your attachment?]
At Hyeolma's words, I bit my lips unwittingly.
[Is it because you have yet to complete Transcendence? It seems the immaturity of a human remains.]
“Shut up.”
I spat out fiercely, as if growling.
“I'm human.”
Whether I've become a demonic human or something is sprouting in my body, I was still human.
I had tried to discard everything, but I still couldn't bring myself to let go of this damned straw.
Hyeolma, hearing my words, kept silence as if pondering for a moment, then.
[Indeed, if that is what you are, it matters not. In the end, essence is what is important.]
He uttered meaningful words to me.
And at the same time.
*Groooan...!*
Space suddenly began to warp behind me.
It was the Mageongmun I had first entered through, following the woman named Muhui.
From there, a woman wearing a veil walked out, just as before.
It was Muhui.
She too slightly bowed her head to me in courtesy, as before.
Watching that, I spoke to Hyeolma with an annoyed expression.
“Does this mean we've seen all there is to see, so now you're kicking me out?”
[As I said, I can send you back whenever you wish. However, you seemed to have lingering attachments to this place, so I am showing my own sincerity.]
“If this is your sincerity, it's pretty lousy.”
Was this the time to be grateful for having survived and obtained information?
I looked at the Mageongmun and recalled.
As Hyeolma said, what lingering attachment did I have to this place?
“Regret.”
I recalled that the name of the test was Regret.
Seeing how Dangjemun had tossed me in without telling me what to do or how.
“Did she basically tell me to get fucked?”
This actually seemed more plausible.
I had half a mind to just squeeze my eyes shut and ask Hyeolma to send me back, but.
“...Tch.”
My footsteps had already turned back toward the Mageong. Just before entering the demonic realm.
[It seems a guest who seeks you has coincidentally arrived outside.]
“Guest...?”
I stopped walking at Hyeolma's words and briefly surveyed behind me.
A guest looking for me all of a sudden?
To this, Hyeolma continued speaking, his voice brimming with laughter.
[I do not know what you desire in this place, but I hope you have a pleasant dream before you go.]
He didn't seem to have any intention of telling me what kind of guest it was.
“...”
Hearing those words, I turned my head.
I don't know what the Hyeolma of my original world is like.
But at least, the Hyeolma of this world didn't seem to be in his right mind.
Without answering Hyeolma, I moved my steps toward the Mageong again.
*Rumble...!*
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the area I had originally been in, same as when I first came.
Ah, if there was one difference from the first time.
“The sun is up?”
I remember it had clearly been night before I entered.
Now the sun was up.
“What?”
No matter how I looked at it, that conversation hadn't been long enough for this much time to pass.
But why was it already day?
As I adapted my eyes to the departed darkness and looked around.
“The master has left a message.”
Muhui, who was behind me, spoke to me from inside the Mageongmun.
So sudden—a message? I looked at Muhui, wondering what it was.
Muhui looked at me through her veil and spoke.
“I promise.”
It was a dry, parched voice. Lifeless, like a wooden stone.
Was she imitating Hyeolma's manner of speech?
“No matter what you do in this place, I will not intervene.”
“...What?”
I tried to ask again what that was supposed to mean, but.
“...That is the master's entire message.”
The Mageongmun had already enveloped Muhui and hidden her traces.
She had truly disappeared, leaving only words behind.
I stared at it in absurdity, then rolled my eyes and turned my gaze to the surroundings.
I stood alone in a forest where no one could be seen.
So it really ended with just meeting Hyeolma?
“Then what now...?”
Left alone, I thought about what came next.
Fortunately, I had forced my way into the Murimmaeng and met Hyeolma without incident, but when I thought about what to do from here on, it was endlessly hopeless.
Should I return to the main unit?
I pondered briefly but soon shook my head.
“No, it's better to move alone like this.”
At this point, the Murimmaeng was practically the safer option.
Ah, of course, that didn't mean it was particularly safe here either.
“Should I just run first and think later?”
Whether it was Sogeomseong or anyone else.
It was strange that no one was waiting where I had disappeared.
For me, being able to slip away naturally was rather a good situation.
The moment I was about to immediately muster my energy and leap.
*Shwaaaa—!*
“Hm?”
Jeoksusa suddenly popped out of my embrace and let out a cry.
I widened my eyes seeing that.
“Ah, right. You were there too?”
Come to think of it, this guy had been in my embrace, but I'd completely forgotten.
Was it because it had been staying quiet, reading the room?
“...Wait, now that I think about it.”
I didn't think Hyeolma had mentioned this either.
Did he just not care?
It was a slightly questionable situation.
*Shaaa.*
In the meantime, Jeoksusa, showing its face after a long time, grabbed my arm tight and gestured somewhere with its head.
What's with this guy now.
“I'm busy right now, so later—”
Since running away was the priority right now, I tried to ignore Jeoksusa and leap again.
*Rumble...!*
“...!”
I felt a familiar thunderous ki from far behind.
Focusing on the thunderous ki, I turned my head and heightened my ki sense.
As I heightened my ki sense, the smell of blood brushed past the tip of my nose.
What kind of situation was this?
Under normal circumstances, I would have assessed the situation or just fled.
However, contrary to my head screaming at me to stay calm, my body was already shooting rapidly in the direction of the sound.