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The Soul of the Evil God

The blue flames seemed to dance in the wind. A sacred flow trickled down from the tip of the Hat Warrior’s shoulder, along his fingers, and pooled at the edge of his blade, forming a silvery energy that grew larger. It was a fleeting moment, but my senses, refined to the Absolute Realm, did not miss that instant change.

‘Is that Intent?’

I couldn’t be sure. Just from the visual effect cast on the sky, it was merely a sight. To truly understand the essence of that energy, I would have to confront it head-on. In that moment, I found myself questioning why I had doubts in the first place.

Of course, a master beyond the Absolute Realm would undoubtedly use Intent to materialize such transcendent phenomena.

Why did I doubt that it was a manifestation of Intent?

Just as I became momentarily distracted by passing thoughts, I saw the Hat Warrior’s blade swing forward with a crisp sound.

The classic Sword Drawing Technique.

The burst of the technique from the Hat Warrior was completely mundane for a martial artist, yet that very normality felt underwhelming. The truth is, I had seen quite a few masters of Sword Drawing in my life, so the Hat Warrior’s technique didn’t seem all that impressive. After all, Sword Drawing was more of a skill for gaining the first strike than a formidable secret technique.

‘Not fast… not powerful… not precise… does not contain any energy.’

Honestly, I thought the swordplay of the Twelve Joules Sect Leaders was better—an exceedingly ordinary technique.

I could do that level—just then, I thought that.

Evil.

A very subtle and tiny sound tickled my ear. It was a thin sound, like the crisp rustling of paper, fluttering like pine needles.

At the same time, a delicate and faint arc suddenly appeared at the center of Jeogok’s white body. I couldn’t make sense of why that appeared, but the moment Jeogok glanced towards that arc, something happened.

Pwok!

[……!!]

Jeogok’s body swayed heavily, and white blood began to ooze out from the arc. I thought that Jeogok would just manipulate the Small Cycle and return to normal, just like when he had his head cut off moments ago, so I watched insensitively, but soon felt something was off.

[…You… you dare…?]

The swaying form of Jeogok could not regain composure, flailing around like a drunken beggar. I wondered if that was his own way of mocking me, but then I heard Asura, who was watching beside me, muttering in shock.

“That’s… that’s not an illusion!”

“What?!”

Everyone in the Subjugation Squad, including me, was struck with surprise as we looked at Asura. He trembled as if frozen from horror, struggling to speak.

“That’s a heavy injury!! That white blood must be from the destruction of the Sacred!”

And the moment Asura’s words ended, Jeogok’s body suddenly began to grow colossal, transforming into a white giant towering over dozens of meters.

Willowww!!

Once the transformation was complete, Jeogok extended one arm straight towards the Hat Warrior, an ominous red eye shining from the center of his palm.

[I will see you.]

The Hat Warrior attempted to take the Sword Drawing stance again, seemingly trying to fend off the attack. But perhaps it was already too late. Just before he could grasp his sword, the Hat Warrior stood frozen in place, and Jeogok’s red eye began to glow with a menacing light.

‘That technique is…!!’

The technique Jeogok used to defeat the Eight Parts of the Divine with one strike back when he appeared before Chi You! The target of Jeogok’s red eye would lose the ability to utilize any power and would simply stop in their tracks. Even Demon Kings had fallen helplessly to this.

Swshh…

The entire body of the Hat Warrior was overshadowed by the remnants of Jeogok’s red eye. It was clear he could no longer even resist. And as he subdued the Hat Warrior with one blow, Jeogok said:

[Who are you? What makes you unable to recover with the Small Cycle? What is this sword technique!!]

At the moment that loud demand fell, I could see the entirety of the Hat Warrior tremble violently. Asura, watching this, murmured.

“…It’s the end. Jeogok of the Three Sovereigns is attempting to subdue his spirit and soul with his [eye].”

“So, what happens now?”

At my question, Asura had a peculiar expression.

“You’re in luck. You can sit here and find out the true identity of that Hat fellow.”

“Ah!”

Did I just stumble upon unexpected good fortune?

While I secretly rejoiced, my gaze locked on the image reflected in the sky, the situation began to feel a bit off.

Creeeeak…

A sound like metal scraping sent shivers down my spine. From the frozen figure of the Hat Warrior, ominous red eyes surged forth, radiating a baleful crimson energy, yet Jeogok let out a displeased sound.

[What? Can I not tear apart your spirit with my power…?]

The Hat Warrior did not respond. Rather, he was stuck in a situation where he could do nothing but squirm. I could see Jeogok’s red eye gnawing away at his upper body, leaving him writhing in terrible pain.

And then.

Snip!!

Once again, Jeogok’s head was severed. At the same time, one of the Hat Warrior’s arms turned to mist and vanished, leaving him to become a permanent one-armed fighter. I clenched my fists in shock at that sight, but soon I noticed Jeogok’s body restoring itself to its original form.

[You’re causing quite the ruckus. Was that strike earlier just luck?]

As Jeogok murmured this, he moved closer, placing his massive finger over the Hat Warrior’s head. At this moment, Jeogok could squish the Hat Warrior like an ant, and he murmured as if it were an intimidation.

[I will acknowledge your skills. If you admit defeat now and become my subordinate, I will appoint you as my next Absolute Being and grant you eternal power…!]

[…….]

[So, tell me your true name and identity.]

There was no response.

However, for some reason, I could sense that the Hat Warrior was laughing behind his hat.

You?

It was like hearing an echo of laughter. Even though I never heard such a sound, I somehow felt the Hat Warrior’s inner voice. As that voice faded like a ringing in my ears, the Hat Warrior swung with his remaining arm, aiming to strike down Jeogok.

Swaash.

This time, Jeogok truly seemed furious, quickly transforming back with the Small Cycle and roared.

[Now it’s time! I will swallow your soul!!]

The moment Jeogok’s hand gripped tightly, an overwhelming ability erupted into the air. Hundreds of red eyes started devouring the Hat Warrior, and in an instant, he was obliterated, his remaining flesh and blood scattering into the air like mist. There was no way he could survive.

The Hat Warrior had vanished without even a scream.

‘…So the Hat Warrior couldn’t overcome the Three Sovereigns either?’

While I thought that, a painful scream pierced my ears.

[Grrr, Aaaahhh!!]

Jeogok screamed in agony. His entire body began to sprout small wounds, white blood flowing down like he had been lashed hundreds of times, and I saw Jeogok’s pristine body tearing apart.

Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz!!

Standing there, Jeogok emitted an unknown roar of madness.

[It’s not a soul, it’s not a soul!! What are you?! What poison have you given me!!]

…What?!

[Ugh, Hahaha!! O evil god… I will borrow your power!]

Jeogok reached out into the air. And the moment he did, I saw stars in the dark sky above the World Tree emitting mysterious light. I could see those giant stars, as colossal as the moon, directing their colorful light towards Jeogok, who began to vanish slowly into the light.

Swish…

After about a moment, Jeogok’s figure completely disappeared without a trace. While everyone, who had been watching breathlessly, lost for words, the cold voice of Zhuge Sa snapped us back to reality.

“Jeogok has received the power of the Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor and has entered a recovery state. He seems to have taken a critical hit just now, but he will likely recover soon.”

“Zhuge Sa!! The Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor?!”

A rumble…

As I responded, a tremor began to ripple through the entire World Tree. It was clear something was about to collapse, startling everyone. I hurriedly called my Ark and shouted.

“Everyone, get on the Ark!”

Once the entire Subjugation Squad boarded, I rushed to the control room. Then I commanded.

“Ark! Find a gap and escape this dimension of the World Tree!”

[Impossible.]

“Why?! Is there a barrier…?”

Then the voice of the Ark was entirely something I hadn’t expected.

[The great one desires the user’s death. This ship of Yi Seong-gye will strive to serve the user Baek Woong in ensuring his death.]

“……!!”

No?!

“Hey, National Seal!! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

The one piloting this ship was the spirit of the National Seal fused with artificial intelligence. There was no way that guy would suddenly start spouting such absurd nonsense.

As I stood dumbfounded at the unexpected response, Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Indeed… that the evil god seized control of this ship in the short time it landed on the fallen World Tree. You’ve gathered that such output cannot resist divine power.”

“Damn it!!”

I could feel the Ark tipping dangerously. Simultaneously, its AI spoke in a cracking voice.

[Great… calling… die… die…. Opening the seal….]

KABOOOM!

Boom!

I felt an explosion from somewhere on the Ark, and flames burst forth. It was definitely set for self-destruction.

And at that moment, I could see an apparition on the front screen.

The spirit of the National Seal was being consumed by invisible dark tentacles.

And those tentacles were stretching out from an endless darkness…

I could see the presence of [someone] behind that darkness.

“Ugh….”

I realized I had no choice with the sudden betrayal. In this situation, it was clear that the presence was directly exercising power to control the spirit of the National Seal. A being of that level could not be resisted by a mere spirit.

If my guess was correct, that being was probably one of the most powerful *Old Rulers* without an emperor.

But even so, betrayal is betrayal, and while I stood dazed, Zhuge Sa spoke with a slippery voice.

“Baek Woong. This level of crisis is something you can surely survive with your current capabilities. This feels like a trivial prank being offered to you. You can either live or not.”

“…Alright. Even if Heuk Woong is asleep, I’ll manage to use my divine power somehow.”

“No. You don’t need to. You’ve been given the opportunity, just escape this life.”

“What?”

Escape? Escape from what, exactly?

When I looked perplexed at Zhuge Sa’s unexpected remark, he smiled like a devil.

“Kukuku… after all, even if you struggle with everything you have, you won’t defeat the Demon General at the top. You’d just get caught and end up facing the evil god unprepared. The most prudent choice is clear.”

“……”

“Baek Woong. Now that the Hat Warrior has been devoured by Jeogok, it’s your chance. Do you want to choose for yourself, or should I suggest it?”

Zhuge Sa’s meaning was crystal clear. Realizing this, I hesitated, and a moment later, I felt my whole body binding tightly, making it impossible to move.

‘Telekinesis?!’

Was Zhuge Sa responsible?!

“Ugh. Wait… it doesn’t feel like the time yet!”

I couldn’t easily give up on life!

After all, I wanted to see what the peak was like!

“No, too late. I refuse to let you go against the sage’s judgment any longer.”

“What….”

“I can’t flip the entire board while dragging a hopeless game.”

I was taken aback, never expecting Zhuge Sa would reject me so firmly.

Crunch!

“Cough….”

As Zhuge Sa’s bizarre demonic eyes poured out violet spirit energy, I felt the pressure of telekinesis multiplying in an instant. If I weren’t in the Absolute Realm, I would have turned into a pulp like a squashed squid.

‘What the heck is this telekinesis…?’

I hadn’t realized before, but Zhuge Sa, now a demon of landlord doctrines, was truly formidable. Underneath the overwhelming strength of Zhuge Sa’s telekinesis, I quickly pulled up my Intent Heavenly Pillar and tried to break free.

“Haa!!”

However, due to Zhuge Sa’s unexpectedly stronger telekinesis, I could only break free halfway despite exerting all my power. During that time, Zhuge Sa swung a bone he had taken from his body and jabbed it into my solar plexus.

Thump!

“Ugh… ack….”

I felt excruciating pain as my vision quickly became hazy. Amidst that, Zhuge Sa whispered softly.

“It’s a relief that Heuk Woong used all his strength and fell asleep. It’s a blessing to kill you easily.”

“Choke….”

“Can you feel it? I’m inserting my telekinesis like a blade, rendering your body and mind irreversibly wounded. It’s impossible now unless you wake Heuk Woong and at least try to manipulate the Small Cycle.”

“Zhuge Sa… is this really… for the best…?”

“…Kukuku….”

Zhuge Sa laughed maliciously.

“My lord, to not become a protagonist of the reborn person, as your strategist, this feels more miserable than I’d expected….”

“……”

“Asura. You could’ve stopped Zhuge Sa from killing Baek Woong, but you didn’t, did you?”

Even with my vision fading, I could faintly hear Asura’s voice.

“This is a punishment for my own negligence in this life. The stubbornness of the Demon King couldn’t change who I was, so it’s better to die together. I lack the worthiness to continue Baek Woong’s life.”

“Oh.”

“My arrogance is also to blame for Baek Woong’s failure….”

Asura’s calm voice continued.

“But come find me in the next life, Baek Woong. I will change.”

“……”

The moment I heard that voice, I realized.

‘Of course.’

The turmoil I endured throughout this life—it meant that new connections would bring the need for greater resolve in the future. With that realization, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Zhuge Sa… I’m sorry….”

If I didn’t make a quick decision to meet my end, the people around me would suffer more.

Zhuge Sa quickly picked up on this and paved the way for a quick restart on my behalf. But that would not have been comforting for him as a strategist—even less so when facing repeated losses.

As my vision completely faded, Zhuge Sa’s laughter echoed.

“Kukuku… farewell, my foolish lord.”

That was my twenty-ninth death.

I saw the figure of a little girl holding a raccoon doll in front of me.

It felt like I was in that strange [Knot] space where I had sat with Hang-a before.

In stillness, we sat facing each other in silence, on empty chairs—

[Do you hear the call of the Book?]

The girl slowly closed the dark book she had been holding and stood up. As she walked into the darkness, she said.

[…I hope that dying so uselessly would come to a stop.]

The very brief end of a surreal dream brushed by.