[This is ridiculous. Even this is not enough.]
Was it the memory of ▯?
At the unexpected sight, Lee Geon's eyes widened.
And what emerged from that memory was a familiar young man.
'That bastard.'
It was certain.
That bastard was definitely the one he saw at the palace, ▯.
And at a glance, he seemed to be about the same age as his current self.
'He looks exactly like that crab bastard.'
So his teeth clenched, but Lee Geon looked around.
It seemed to be right after a war.
▯ stood atop countless monster corpses.
But what was surprising was the monster that ▯ was facing.
'That bastard...!'
It was a monster he knew very well.
Of course, its oppressive aura, its demonic power, were completely different from what he knew, but it was unmistakable.
'That bastard is the Monarch of ▯ I saw in the basement of the Demon Tower.'
That very bastard from whom he had nicely extracted experience points through infinite resets.
And thanks to that bastard, Seongjae also leveled up and obtained the authority of ▯, didn't he?
But the bastard said this to ▯:
[No matter how much you struggle, you can never defeat us Great Monarchs. Your birth is different.]
Perhaps even among Monarchs, there are ranks.
[A novice like you cannot withstand the older generation and the Primordial Monarchs like us.]
And at those words, ▯ laughed sharply.
[Old beings. Do not be arrogant. You are foolish beings who can never defy time.]
[!]
[You are mere insignificant creatures that can only live on a single rail.]
Leaving behind such incomprehensible words, ▯ vanished.
At the same time, Lee Geon scowled, 'Tsk...'
With a massive flash of light, Lee Geon could see and hear scenes traversing through time.
And in the midst of that, he also heard the conversation with his butler.
[Master! Are you really planning to assist the gods of the Divine Realm in usurping their thrones?]
[Yes. Even if I don't help, the usurpation will eventually happen, but if I help more decisively, there is something to be gained from it.]
[......!]
[It helps my plan. And in this timeline, I will definitely win.]
The scene that appeared with these words was, surprisingly, when the current Constellation Gods usurped the positions of the original owners.
[I will give you the power to usurp the thrones.]
▯ looked at a fish that looked like a slave and laughed.
[In return, hand over the corpses of the original owners you kill.]
Along with that fishy smile, Lee Geon saw a shocking sight.
It was probably the sight after the Twelve Constellation Gods had usurped the thrones.
Having received the corpses of the original owners, ▯ created something.
Of course, it didn't feel like a creator making something.
[Eat. Devour each other and grow.]
▯ put the corpses of the original owners into a jar and raised them.
And the basic instinct of monsters is ▯.
The more powerful things you devour, the stronger you become.
And indeed, its origin was unknown, but it started as a tiny creature, a Monarch that had come this far by eating and eating.
And finally, before ▯, his comrades appeared.
[Your name is ▯. A being that endlessly eats and multiplies.]
In line with that name, a lump of flesh surged up from the jar.
And that was Plenty.
[Your name is ▯.]
At the wriggling monster, Time laughed.
That wasn't all.
He looked at an old object glinting in the darkness and laughed.
[And your name is ▯.]
▯ raised his companions as a breeder.
To drive out his foolish predecessors, for the ultimate power, he used the original owners to create his cards.
And he succeeded in removing three of the existing twelve Monarchs.
But what happened afterwards was even more spectacular.
"What happened to you?" [Note: Contextually, Lee Geon is speaking, but the line is ambiguous. It might be "What is this?" or "What is going on?" I'll keep as is.]
Lee Geon's eyes sharpened at the changed scene.
He couldn't help it.
"I didn't expect you to reveal yourself in this form, not as Giselle."
"!"
What appeared in the changed scene was none other than Jang Rui. [Note: 장루이 is likely Chinese name, so pinyin: Zhang Rui? I'll use "Jang Rui" if Korean, but the context is Korean novel, so I'll keep as Jang Rui. However, the instruction says Chinese names in pinyin. Is 장루이 a Chinese name? Possibly 张瑞 -> Zhang Rui. I'll use Jang Rui to be safe, but I'll check: in Korean, Chinese names are usually romanized according to Korean pronunciation if they appear in Korean text. The instruction: "For Chinese names, use pinyin romanization (e.g., 萧炎 → Xiao Yan). For Korean names, use revised romanization." So I need to determine if 장루이 is a Chinese or Korean name. It could be a Chinese name in a Korean novel. Since the novel is Korean and the character is likely Chinese (given name structure), I'll use pinyin: Zhang Rui. I'll adjust: "Jang Rui" to "Zhang Rui". Similarly, other names: 성재 is Korean, so Seongjae. 휴고 = Hyugo (Hugo?), but I'll use "Hyugo" as it's a Korean rendering of "Hugo". I'll keep "Hyugo". 헤일리 = Heilli (Hayley?). I'll use "Heilli". 케빈 = Kevin. 칼리 = Kali or Carly? I'll use "Kali". 테일러 = Taylor. 택수 = Taeksu. 고트 = Gote. I'll be consistent with these romanizations.
Now the line: "장루이" -> I'll use "Zhang Rui". So: "What appeared in the changed scene was none other than Zhang Rui."
And the place was an underground temple, seemingly the sanctuary of Capricorn.
And a certain being spoke to Zhang Rui, who wore a different face.
[Soon Giselle will commission you. To kill Lee Geon.]
"!"
[When she says that, will you kill him?]
"No. I can't let him go easily. I will make him suffer for eternity."
At that, ▯ raised the corner of his mouth as if he had expected it.
As if his eyes said, 'That's how it should be.'
[Yes. Lock him in the Demon Tower. Imprison him in an eternal trap so that he never sees sunlight. I will provide the location.]
At those words, killing intent flashed in Lee Geon's eyes.
'This bastard.'
But it was then.
'!'
Suddenly, the scene Lee Geon was watching twisted.
For a different reason.
[How dare a mere Constellation God! Peek into the memories of the Great Monarch?!]
The monster of the ▯ side unleashed tremendous power as if forbidding him from carelessly viewing his master's memories.
[Impudent wretch! I will drag you away from here!]
At that, Lee Geon sneered.
"Buzz off, you hair tonic bastard!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Heavenly Punishment crushed the monster's head.
And that moment came.
[You have gained experience points.]
[You have obtained the Bible of ▯.]
[A strong concentration of ▯'s power is causing ▯ to react.]
[You have obtained data.]
[ ]
Lee Geon laughed.
It seemed that ▯ might be able to strengthen the power of ▯.
With a tremendous flash, the monster that had come to kidnap Lee Geon had its breath cut off.
And as the monster's breath stopped, something poured over its head from where it stood.
Splat!
"!"
And Kevin and the Virgo Constellation Gods were surprised by those items.
[Ah! The things from the vault!]
Remains and Lee Geon's belongings poured from the bundle.
They were relieved.
[It's fortunate. We were able to recover what this beast stole from the Virgo vault.]
But Lee Geon's eyes were gleaming.
"There must be a reason you tormented me so much in this Demon Tower."
[Little Snake-nim?]
Thanks to that, it was detestable, but it turned out well.
"With this creature's data, I can pursue ▯ wherever he goes."
[Huh?]
[You really mean you can chase through time?! That guy can move to the past too, you know?]
[I-is that possible?]
Instead of answering, Lee Geon raised the corner of his mouth as he looked at the data extracted from the bastard.
[ ]
-Can return to the contracted master. Regardless of place or time.
"It seems possible."
"Then...!"
"Well, I'll have to upgrade my equipment to match him, though."
Well, it was all good.
"Anyway, with that settled, quickly turn me back to my original body."
"!"
At that, Gote couldn't stay still.
"Indeed, it must be hard to fight in that body, right?"
"No. Using my abilities is no problem at all, but my neck hurts, so damn annoying."
"Your neck? Why your neck...?"
As if asking if he really didn't know, Lee Geon's veins bulged.
"Why do you think! It's you brats! My neck hurts from looking up!!! You're all so tall that I can hardly see anyone except Seongjae!"
"......!!!"
And besides, his clothes kept slipping down, and Lee Geon, raising his head, complained irritably.
"Anyway, earlier when I was listening to Taeksu, it's true that this can be turned back to normal, right?"
"Ah, yes! We got the decision of ▯. The Serpent Master Constellation Lords..."
"Okay. Kids. Quickly turn Uncle back to normal."
But no answer came.
Even after 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.
Finally, Lee Geon, puzzled, turned his head.
"Kids?"
The Cheon siblings pretended not to hear and slowly stepped backward.
"Uh, well! That decision! We left it at home!"
"Oh! I'll look for it!"
"Uh, but it might take three days to find it."
"No. I think it'll take a week."
"No. A month."
"No. I don't think we can find it."
"!?"
In the end, as the Cheon siblings tried to make a run for it, Lee Geon's veins bulged.
"Taeksu! Catch them!"
Since they were masters of hiding, he meant to put a tracking skill on them.
And even if others didn't matter, there was no way Hyugo would just stand by in this situation.
But.
"...Taeksu?"
For some reason, Hyugo was standing quietly without chasing his children.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
"Do you absolutely have to go back to normal?"
"...What?"
"Just live like this. Yeah, yeah. That's better."
"??!!!"
Lee Geon looked at Hyugo as if dumbfounded.
Hyugo seemed to prefer the smaller Lee Geon.
"Ah, why! You said there's no hindrance in battle! You even said the speed is better!"
Though it was true, Lee Geon, dumbfounded, kicked him and sought out Gote, Kali, and Taylor.
"You guys have it too, right? Anyone is fine, give it to me. I'll do it."
"Ah, yes! Here... Ack!"
When Hyugo snatched the decision Gote held out, Lee Geon's eyes flashed.
And a kick burst out!
Only after getting severely beaten did Hyugo resign, and Lee Geon activated the decision.
Flash!
A tremendous light enveloped Lee Geon.
And at that sight, everyone else lamented.
"Ah, the small Lee Geon-nim was cute."
But it was then.
"What? Why is it like this?"
"!"
They were startled.
Because Lee Geon's appearance hadn't changed.
This time, even Heilli, who had been unconscious, was bewildered.
"Lee Geon isn't turning back to normal?"
Was the power of the decision somewhat insufficient?
Heilli said she would try and used the authority of ▯.
She could use a part of it, though not as much as the Monarch of ▯.
And then it was.
Flash!
[The authority of ▯ has been applied to your body.]
[Your body is returning to normal.]
But Lee Geon tilted his head.
Because unlike the notification, his body showed no reaction at all.
"Why is Uncle still in kid form?"
"What's this?"
However, Lee Geon soon learned the reason.
[The authority of ▯ is being activated.]
[The power of ▯ is trying to sustain the situation of confusion.]
[The people around you are confused seeing you young. The power of ▯ is exerting its ability to keep this situation persisting.]
"!"
Lee Geon quickly surveyed his surroundings.
"Geon-ah?"
Lee Geon narrowed his brow.
That was because there was demonic power that had stealthily entered around.
It must have been since he was viewing ▯'s memories.
That's why, perhaps.
Lee Geon's eyes flashed fiercely.
Then the light of ▯ surged!
At the same time, a black light stormed around.
Boom!!!!
"Ugh...!"
They were flustered by the sudden attack, but the effect was good.
[The power of ▯ cast over this area by the authority of ▯ is disappearing.]
[The power of ▯ on the Serpent Master is slowly disappearing.]
Heilli also seemed to have noticed the situation.
"It's the power of ▯!"
"Chaos?"
"Together with ▯, one of the two Great Monarchs."
"!!!"
It was unmistakable.
▯ was as troublesome a bastard as ▯.
For example, even if a war ends, even if wounds are healed, he remembers the chaotic situation and makes you stay in that time forever.
In other words, with the power of ▯, the war never ends, and wounds never heal.
And at those words, everyone looked at Lee Geon in shock.
"Then, you mean Lee Geon-nim will never return...!"
"Ah. It's fine. I'm slowly returning to normal."
At Lee Geon's words, Heilli also nodded.
It was a power so weak it was hard to detect from the start.
"The ability of ▯ that was used here was likely not a very strong authority. It might have been a prank of the Monarch of Chaos."
"That means..."
At their gazes, Lee Geon snorted.
"Well, I'll probably be back after sleeping for about a day. It's fine since there's no problem using my abilities."
Thus, the young Lee Geon turned around confidently.
But at those words, the others' eyes changed.
Because it meant he would remain in that state for a day.
As expected.
Hyugo, holding a camera, caught Lee Geon.
"Geon-ah. Don't you want to eat a kids' lunch set?"
Pop.
Lee Geon's veins bulged.
An intense power of ▯ spread throughout the Virgo sanctuary.
* * *
And it was around that time.
In Venice, which was in the midst of restoration.
▯, who had been observing Lee Geon in real time, laughed, "Haha."
"No way. Did you just kill ▯'s steward?"
The aide of ▯ that he killed was no ordinary being.
'He was an elder who helped every time we regressed and annihilated all of humanity.'
Thus, his use of abilities was skilled and powerful.
But you killed him?
'With the power of the 13th Constellation God?'
▯ raised the corner of his mouth.
Well, he had been keeping a close watch on ▯ because he was obsessed with this power, but...
'That power is far more useful than I thought.'
And at that look in his eyes, a monster subordinate tilted its head.
[Master?]
[Change of objective. I will move separately, so you convey to all monsters.]
[!]
[It's an invasion. From now on, begin the annihilation of all humanity.]
▯'s eyes gleamed.
(To be continued in the next episode)