1214——————==

Soul of the Evil God

As Master Mangnyang spoke, Nyarlathotep maintained a thick smile and suddenly turned his gaze toward me.

“…So what are you going to do about it?”

I was slightly taken aback.

“Why me…?”

“Don’t want to choose? If you don’t, I’ll decide for you.”

“No, no, wait!”

I realized my mistake and desperately waved my hands. I was a bit flustered, but since the choice of a major decision had fallen to me, there was no reason to refuse. The gazes of the three beings in the hall turned toward me, and I was overwhelmed by a sense of pressure.

I felt an anxious urge to bite my nails, but I forced myself to speak to Master Mangnyang.

“Master Mangnyang! Does releasing one of the reborn people mean to release one of those two?”

Right in front of the throne stood two mysterious figures, facing away as they had before. The “reborn” Master Mangnyang mentioned probably referred to those two.

[……]

“Why the sudden silence?”

[It might not be two people.]

Huh?

Caught off guard by the unexpected statement, Master Mangnyang continued.

[Don’t try to understand this deal with your wisdom. Even the wisest human can’t measure its weight, and I cannot untangle the thread of cause and effect with a single word. All you can do is leave it to your instincts.]

“Ugh….”

[I should clarify that this is not a straightforward deal. I merely decided to receive a higher reward when I win.]

His words were vague.

‘Hmm… So you mean that he raised the stakes at the gambling table?’

Recalling my experience at gambling halls, I tried to infer the meaning behind Master Mangnyang’s words. Comparing it to the stakes made it seem about right, and after a moment’s thought, I asked Nyarlathotep.

“Hey! Would you have accepted this offer if you were in my shoes?”

“Hohoho… It changes every moment, so I’m not sure. But if I think logically, there’s no reason for me to accept it.”

“Why not?”

Nyarlathotep elegantly gestured towards Master Mangnyang.

“If the revelation of doom happens soon, my victory is inevitable without a fight. Why would I raise the stakes for his victory? That would only increase my risks.”

“Oh.”

“So I left the choice to you. I thought it would be more interesting.”

“……”

For some reason, I felt I could sense his inner thoughts. Even if I left it to his whims, since he’s the embodiment of chaos, it’s of no concern. However, that has the flaw of being [artificial]. Forcing himself to accept a clear risk just for the sake of “fun” contradicts his aesthetic of [enjoyment]. So it meant he found it more entertaining to leave the choice to me, who couldn’t judge the pros and cons from the perspective of a god.

…….

Wait… why do I understand that guy’s psychology so well…?

I was momentarily confused, but I shook my head and spoke up.

“I won’t accept!”

“Looks like you picked a surprisingly unlikely answer. Can I ask why?”

With curious interest in Nyarlathotep’s question, I looked at Master Mangnyang with pleading eyes.

“…Master Mangnyang! This is a game that’s hard to win anyway. Don’t put everything on something impossible! Betting yourself means Master Mangnyang’s existence might be obliterated in [the Great Cycle], doesn’t it?”

Master Mangnyang answered my question.

[That’s true.]

“Don’t be ridiculous! How can that be! What about the next life!”

[It’s a strange tale. If you lose here, where does the next life come from? Isn’t your current life over if you lose?]

“That’s different.”

I gritted my teeth and said.

“Even if I lose, that’s only this life! I can’t give up on going to the [next]! Losing for me means something different!”

[Ah, I see… That’s quite a strategy. It sounds even less likely to work, though.]

Master Mangnyang stared at me with the indifferent gaze of a cat and continued.

[Since you’ve come this far, the flow has made it so you choose everything. Drop my proposal.]

“…Thanks.”

[Then I shall begin the observation.]

Crack

The form of Master Mangnyang vanished. It seemed that his words about observing meant hiding his form in this place. When I glanced at Nyarlathotep, he chuckled and said.

“Well then, I’ll do the same.”

“Wait!! I still have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“If I win, can I ask for something other than ascension?”

“Haha… That’s completely different from what I just told him.”

“……”

“Well, that’s true. I’m not the one who grants wishes in the first place, so what’s the difference? Asking for ascension as a wish is because it’s the greatest wish in the world; if you have a bigger desire than that, feel free to wish for it.”

I see…

“Then I wish for your success… Haha.”

Crack

Nyarlathotep’s form also disappeared, and in an instant, it became a face-off between me and the Emperor in front of the Throne of Chaos. The two figures standing with their backs to each other next to the throne seemed more like terrain features, so I didn’t need to worry about them.

‘…Is it finally starting?’

I calmed down, feeling that it was about time. How much could I defend when the Emperor would soon launch an attack using the power of the Heavenly Demon? The only method I had was to utilize the fusion power that Master of the White Lotus Sect had just passed on to me, to endure as long as possible while waiting for the Emperor’s stockpile of offerings to run out. It was certainly going to be a fight with incredibly low odds, but I still had to try.

Without a doubt, this would be the toughest fight of my life.

But I had no choice…

I took a deep breath and assumed the peerless stance. No matter how I thought about it, there was no more solid defense stance than the peerless technique, and even if the Heavenly Demon Martial Art didn’t work, mixing in the fusion power would surely make for the highest defense rate among martial arts.

“Come!”

I shouted with vigor.

The worst fight was about to begin…!!

The Emperor stood there, arms crossed, not moving. I kept my mental tension at its peak, not letting out a sound as I focused. No matter when he attacked, I would execute the peerless technique!

…….

Hmm… He’s not coming. Could he be using some delay-type Heavenly Demon Martial Art?

‘Don’t let your guard down.’

Thus, silence and stillness continued. I kept my tension and stayed alert.

‘Come at any time!’

…….

In the silence that seemed to last for about a hundred breaths, I eventually couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted at the Emperor.

“Are you not going to fight!! If you’re going to kill me, do it quickly!”

Because I had already prepared myself for an attacking type martial art, I was waiting quietly, but the Emperor hadn’t attacked even once! I couldn’t understand how this was happening, but I continued to endure until I finally realized.

The Emperor was not engaged in the fight!

Then the Emperor muttered in a bored voice.

[Finally, you noticed. What a troublesome personality you have.]

“It’s a duel!! If you’re not going to fight, what are you doing! Then does that mean I’ve won?”

[No. A duel ends when one side falls. I have no intention of surrendering, nor is there any reason to.]

“…What now!!”

As I grew perplexed, the Emperor spoke, still with his arms crossed.

[If you want to bring me down, go ahead and attack. Of course, I have no intention of receiving it, but it wouldn’t be bad for you to try.]

“Damn it!! Have some limits when looking down on someone!!”

Shing!

In great fury, I swung the sword in my hand and launched a wave of sword strength like a vacuum slash from a distance. Of course, such an attack wouldn’t work on the Emperor, but I had no choice but to use it as a simple deterrent because exposing a big opening could lead to the Emperor’s counterattack and finishing move.

And the reaction was something completely different from what I had expected.

Whoosh

‘Did he dodge?!’

The Emperor’s form had moved several paces away in an instant. I thought it might be related to divine power, but seeing him move with his legs materialized, I quickly realized it was a type of martial art. He had used a divine technique to dodge my attack.

If he retaliated using the Heavenly Demon Martial Art, he could easily toss me around—so why?

Was he actually forced to dodge such a simple attack of strong qi?

While I was caught in confusion, the Emperor said something that only heightened my disarray.

[Even if it’s a duel, there’s no rule that specifies the attacker and defender. Just because stronger doesn’t mean they must attack quickly to finish. If I am stronger, I can set the rules for how the process continues until it is concluded, right?]

“……”

[What could I do, Baek Woong…? Do as you wish.]

I felt my hand gripping the sword tremble. The feeling of ridicule from the Emperor became stronger, and as he instigated doubts, I became confused about how to fight right here. Clearly, the opponent was an overwhelming strongman, so I had built my strategy around defense; yet the opponent was taking an evasive stance?

Could this itself be a trap?

Maybe I was just being too impatient.

‘Damn… I can’t just boldly rush in….’

With such a heavy stake in this battle, it was too great of a burden as to how to approach it! The pressure of needing to take the initiative, knowing my opponent is definitely stronger, was unbearable. In a case of uncomfortable level differences, the underling should naturally be on the defense! An attack from a weaker person would expose openings, making the initiative of the underlings a taboo.

‘If I’m not careful, I may never get the chance to use the peerless technique because of a moment’s lapse.’

As my mind grew entangled, I felt as though my limbs were restrained, even without chains. Though I had no visible shackles, it felt like I was trapped by invisible iron chains. I had fallen into the Emperor’s psychological game.

As I hesitated, the Emperor spoke slowly.

[If you have no intentions to charge in, just listen to my words. During this time, I have tried to find a compromise between you and me.]

“What’s this nonsense now?”

I spoke provocatively to the Emperor, but he continued unaffected.

[Let’s share victory.]

“……?!”

What does that even mean?

When I made a face of confusion, the Emperor slowly extended his hand toward me.

[Claim victory in this duel. I will concede the victory to you, but in return, I just need to gain a few promises from you. How does that sound?]

“……”

[Though it’s somewhat lacking on my side, it can’t be helped since Nyarlathotep intervened.]

To give me victory?

I became confused. The Emperor could easily beat me with the Heavenly Demon Martial Arts but was instead saying he’d concede? Yet I never imagined the Emperor, who had seemed so overwhelmingly powerful, would say that, so I was intrigued.

“…Tell me more about the conditions.”

[Now you seem ready to listen.]

With his arms crossed again, the Emperor spoke.

[There are two conditions. First, give me ownership of the Heavenly Secret. In exchange, I will renounce all divinity.]

“……?!”

[And second, grant me the right to hear the [revelations] first. This is not a right you hold, but Nyarlathotep will grant it if you ask him. He will have the capability to do so.]

“What, what did you say….”

[What will you do? If you do not agree to these two conditions, from that point onward, I will truly fight. I wouldn’t like to be dragged along by Nyarlathotep’s intentions, but…]

The Emperor’s eyes glimmered with golden light.

[I will use the very power you fear so much, the Heavenly Demon, to punish you! I will prepare to spill blood!]

“……!!”

As I hesitated, the Emperor lowered his imposing demeanor, speaking calmly.

[You have more than enough time to think. Make a wise choice.]

“A wise choice, huh….”

[This fight is merely for the amusement of Nyarlathotep. If it must be done according to his will, understand that it’s a desire for both of us to approve of sharing victory.]

With that final statement, Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen fell silent, still with his arms crossed. However, my mind was in a whirlwind due to the bait tossed directly at me, leaving me in disarray.

‘Ownership of the Heavenly Secret and the right to hear [revelations].’

To take the Heavenly Secret right here while gaining the first right to hear revelations, the implication of that was…

I thought over what it meant and stammered out, “Emperor… Do you want to become a Reborn Person?”

Wanting to take the Heavenly Secret could only mean that.

At my question, the Emperor’s eyes lit up with interest.

[That could be the case. Think however you wish.]

“……”

[If you truly have the confidence to defeat the Heavenly Demon through martial arts, you don’t even need to accept my proposal…. I can choose either way, but this is a proposal for your benefit.]

A proposal for my benefit…

As I was filled with dread from the Heavenly Demon, receiving such an offer made me feel like a breath of fresh air. Just the thought of facing certain death in a hopeless fight, but now there was a chance to win, filled me with joy.

I decided to view the Emperor’s words positively.

‘Right. If I achieve ascension and gain immense power in this life, wouldn’t that be great? The Emperor promised to give up all divinity, so he wouldn’t be my enemy anymore. Then perhaps….’

Could I end it all in this life?

As I started to think, I only felt more positive. I even wanted to savor this sweet proposal for a thousand years. I unconsciously realized I was smiling and hurriedly composed my expression.

Yeah. Isn’t this it?

The Emperor is on a different level compared to me. I have never faced such a barrier.

What if I compromise with the Emperor and share the victory…

If we share it, defeating him would suffice to avenge my comrades.

…Could I do that?

As those ideas began to take root in my mind, a more solidified thought took hold. While I was silent, the Emperor remained, arms crossed, seemingly unbothered, but I felt the confidence and arrogance that I could easily be taken down anytime washed over me, causing me to shrink back.

I can’t win…

Should I just accept it and move on?

After all, how could I possibly take down the beast that had tossed around the Creator God Pangu…?

As the intent to agree welled up in my throat, I could no longer hold back and spoke.

“Emperor! I….”

Just as I was about to voice the next word, I hesitated.

‘Hmm?’

It was a doubt.

A fleeting moment of ‘suspicion’ that crossed my mind.

However, that suspicion flipped my entire will to submit to the Emperor on its head and caused me to falter before uttering that final word.

Perhaps sensing my change, the Emperor spoke up.

[Are you going to fight? That’s good too.]

“Wait, no….”

He exuded such confidence.

It was clear that I wouldn’t last three seconds with the Heavenly Demon on him.

‘Why.’

I swallowed hard against that sudden suspicion. It was an outrageous assumption, something that couldn’t possibly be, yet it was also a rational doubt. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought like this, but the experiences I had within [The Knot] and the countless stories about Zhuge Sa had drilled that notion into me.

“……”

What should I do?

A choice without anyone to take responsibility – essentially, a choice of madness where I would leave it all to chance.

Even though they say if you’re scared in a gamble, you die, how can the one who says that truly make the same choice in a situation like mine? If I fail, I lose everything. Can I really take that single step forward?

But in the end, I decided to choose that tiny hint of suspicion.

I gripped the sword’s handle tightly and assumed the stance of the Thunder God Lineage. Upon seeing my posture, the Emperor laughed derisively.

[Hohoho… you really have a lot of guts. Are you seeking death?]

“…Maybe I am.”

[Do you truly think you can win by fighting me? Foolish brat.]

“I admit I’m foolish.”

I know I’ve already lost my sanity.

An ordinary person would never make such a choice.

Maybe I’ve gone crazy from reincarnating so many times.

But I steadied my battle spirit and cautiously spoke.

“But you won’t be able to use the Heavenly Demon Martial Art.”