1281——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I found myself at a loss for words in response to the question.

‘Am I the Old Ruler?’

I really never anticipated that someone would make such a mistake. But then again, my divine power was beyond human limits, so it was understandable. Furthermore, I figured Shiva would be the one to make a rational assessment. At the same time, I could sense that I was gradually stepping out of the realm of humanity.

Yet, I didn’t want to acknowledge that.

I couldn’t hide my displeasure and said to Shiva, “Try to figure out where I came from yourself. That’s not what’s important.”

“Hehe… Is that so? How amusing.”

It seemed like Shiva interpreted my words positively, smiling oddly. I felt the need to give him a serious warning.

“Hey. Just a heads-up, don’t cause any trouble in the Central Plains.”

“Why not?”

“Because….”

I crossed my arms and put on the most arrogant expression I could muster.

“This is my playground.”

“……”

When Shiva’s face froze, I realized I might have overstepped.

‘Oh! I thought if I acted like the Old Ruler he’d react that way, but was that too childish?’

Is he going to doubt me and attack?

‘Ugh… He seemed like someone I shouldn’t go easy on, so I purposefully acted tough…’

I clenched my fists, bracing myself for battle, and prepared for the first major conflict of my 30th rebirth.

I had to get rid of Shiva somehow to mitigate future troubles. I knew that killing him would also mean killing Jin Guk-jun, but I steeled myself regardless.

‘Jin Guk-jun, I’m sorry.’

Even if it meant killing Jin Guk-jun’s body, I had to drive Shiva out. If I allowed a divine avatar to run rampant, it would lead to catastrophic consequences.

However, when Shiva responded, I doubted what I was seeing.

Suddenly, Shiva made a unique hand gesture and greeted me in the infamous Tianzhu manner. He then half-closed his eyes and spoke in a divine language.

[It seems Parvati’s foresight has read your game. How about we establish a Non-aggression Pact here?]

Huh?

I was momentarily stunned, realizing this was a crucial moment.

‘…Pretending to be the Old Ruler worked! If I can keep this act going to the end, I’ll succeed!’

However, just before, Shiva was bewildered by my power and aura, so he might have just wanted to confirm whether I was the real deal.

This situation felt like a test from Shiva!

If I fumbled here, there was no choice but to fight!

‘Hmm… By using divine language, does he want me to prove that I am indeed a god?’

How can I convincingly act like a god?

Faced with this tricky task, I began mentally rehearsing.

‘I am the avatar of the Old Ruler… the avatar… I have to act extremely arrogant… No, this kind of mindset isn’t enough.’

I shouldn’t be sloppy.

If I’m acting as a god, then no ordinary performance will suffice.

Setting up my persona in my mind, I should act as if I’m wearing a mask! I recalled the training stories from the divine thief I received while learning the Technique of All Things.

“Hey. If you’re wearing the mask of sorrow, are you sad?”

“Why wouldn’t I be sad? That mask is sorrowful, so why aren’t you sad?”

“No, what are you… A mask is a mask. Why should I feel sad just because I’m wearing one?”

“What is a mask? A mask is a persona. A top-tier mask artist can change their persona every time they switch masks.”

“Humans are beings that naturally steal others’ personas. A mask artist simply maximizes that ability, which is innate in all humans from birth. What’s important is understanding what persona is and transforming it into something you can steal.”

“Whether good or bad, the personas of others reflect like a mirror, projected within you. That image stays inside you.”

“Everyone is influenced in relationships, not just you. It means that in the space once occupied, there’s no original form remaining, which is why it can be said you’ve ‘stolen’ it. Everything changes. You can absorb fleeting personas.”

…Absorbing fleeting personas…

Just thinking about that made my body shiver. I felt an enormous sense of oneness.

‘To act like a god, I would need to reach the second stage of the Technique of All Things. To awaken the essence of the abyss and steal the essence of a god would be perfect, but… it’s too risky, and there’s no one before me to steal from right now.’

In the blink of an eye, I felt a rush of azure light in my eyes.

‘Then, I’ll just maximize the first stage of the Technique of All Things to approach the second stage!’

With no more than pure skill, I’ll reach out to the domain of the ancient technique and act as a god!

Swish

In a split second, I blended my intent into a mask enveloping my skin. Surprising myself with how naturally it unfolded, I felt a little taken aback.

It had been quite a while since I used the Technique of All Things, and the nostalgia remarkably refreshed my feelings. Even though a significant time had passed since I learned it, the essence permeated rapidly into my heart, making it feel like I’d learned it just yesterday. Just like wearing clothes perfectly tailored to my shape, I could easily retrieve it without needing a separate memory.

I realized.

‘What? This is easy.’

Absorbing fleeting personas means I can absorb moments stored in my memory too.

And the more times I’ve interacted, the more intense the experience, the more easily I could materialize that person’s existence through a mask.

I wouldn’t directly seize the mask like in the second stage of the Technique of All Things.

Just… I would recall the shape of that mask.

Then I’d try to replicate it as closely as possible with my skill!

Pow!

At that moment, I felt the natural flow of memories I conjured seep into the mask. With the countless mask techniques I had accumulated in the training spaces with the divine thief, the mask rapidly transformed, merging with my essence until it felt like my very soul.

With the imitation of the mask complete, I solemnly opened my mouth. As I consumed divine power, my words naturally translated into the divine language.

[You dullard.]

[What did you say?]

Shiva squirmed at my hostile tone, but I acted undeterred, maintaining my performance.

[Do you not understand the true intention of my visit to the North?]

Sss!

In an instant, dark spirit power erupted from my body, conjuring a hidden weapon. Though Heuk Woong hadn’t awakened yet, I felt my control over divine power had significantly increased since awakening in a previous life, so transforming to this form was a piece of cake.

‘Please… Don’t realize it….’

After seeing the hidden weapon, Shiva’s expression contorted grotesquely.

[…Was it you?]

[Hehe….]

To further amplify his conviction, I covered my body with shadows and made the dark flames flicker as if to decorate me. In a flash, I transformed, looking like a human within a giant of darkness, and Shiva, witnessing that imposing shadow, briefly revealed his true form as if he wouldn’t back down.

Whoosh!

A momentary standoff took place, but I knew better than to provoke too much, so I coldly smiled and withdrew my aura.

[That’s correct. I am Jeon Wook.]

After all, among the divine powers I possessed, the spirit power of Jeon Wook was quite significant. If I pretended to be Amaterasu, it wouldn’t work as she’s a goddess and has a different gender. Acting as Jeon Wook, one I had often encountered, was the most logical option!

[……!!]

[I’ve already been aware that you are a minion of the Divine Temple. You’ve dared to step into our territory.]

As I thrust the hidden weapon forward, Shiva stumbled slightly. Then, with a slightly angry expression, he said.

[You… were the same even back in the day, and now you dare to act arrogantly in front of the God of Destruction? If it weren’t for the Emperor, I would have settled matters with your four priests long ago!]

Huh? Could we have met before?

I almost flinched at the uneasy feeling but kept my cool act going.

[I don’t remember someone like you… But that’s not what’s important.]

I might have downplayed it too much, but if I knew Jeon Wook, he’d probably say something like this.

[……]

[I know this isn’t the time for you and me to fight… We are already aware that something’s wrong with the Emperor’s protection, and we are preparing for the disaster that’s about to come.]

Upon hearing my words, Shiva raised an eyebrow, his demeanor changing to one of attentiveness.

[So you speak wisely, Jeon Wook… It seems you do understand.]

[Also… regarding the incidents tied to avatars, I trust you know they shall conclude as earthly matters….]

As I issued my warning, Shiva shrugged and switched to human speech.

“I’m fully aware of that. From now on, let’s converse as humans.”

“Sounds good.”

“Looks like we’ve reached an agreement. I hereby declare that an additional Non-aggression Pact has been established between the Three Great Gods of Tianzhu and the Three Sovereigns of the Central Plains. Haha!”

“……”

Seeing Shiva chuckling cheerily, I felt relieved. Yet, I still couldn’t shake off the feeling that I had inadvertently caused a massive problem.

‘Oh man…. I managed to avert war with Tianzhu Martial World, but I have no idea how this’ll play out in the future….’

Pretending to be Jeon Wook wasn’t in my plan, but who cares! It’s a million times better than shooting laser beams and throwing a temper tantrum against Shiva! If Jeon Wook comes chasing after me, I’ll deal with that when it comes!

I composed myself and said coldly.

“So, can I take it that you won’t interfere with Tianzhu anymore?”

“Hehe. To us gods, the Brahman religion is merely a toy. I’m merely playing the role of a great tiger… I’ll inform Parvati directly, so you needn’t worry.”

“Release that Jin Guk-jun already. He’s close to the owner of this body.”

“Hmm, is that so? Respecting your wishes, I’ll have to look for the body of another great master. Although it was quite an interesting toy.”

Shiva muttered wistfully, flashing a faint smile before turning away.

“By the way, your tastes have grown rather peculiar over these few thousand years. I never expected you’d imitate Fuxi’s human form. I actually laid low in case you were Fuxi, but that was entirely off the mark.”

“……”

“Well, since he was confined, I thought that was impossible… but it seems I was wrong.”

Ah, right… Shiva must have seen Fuxi in ancient times!

Waiting in strange anticipation under the pretext of ignorance, he must’ve been taken aback by Jeon Wook appearing unexpectedly.

“When we meet again… I shall take my revenge on the battlefield, O Great Demon of the North…”

Whoosh!

As Shiva’s form quickly vanished beyond the horizon, only then did I exhale a sigh, removing the mask I had donned on my face.

“Phew.”

Looks like I can act like a god without needing to reach the second stage of the Technique of All Things!

That means I won’t have to use the second stage anymore!

‘Even though I hadn’t usually utilized the mask technique because its direct attack power was low, it turns out it has its uses…’

After organizing my thoughts, I met up with the Bright Dragon, who had been waiting nearby.

“I’ve driven off the great tiger of Tianzhu. He won’t invade the Central Plains for at least another hundred years.”

“Without a fight?! You seriously drove him off with just words?”

As Bright Dragon’s eyes widened in shock, I smirked.

“Not all fights are physical.”

“Hmmm…. If that’s true, then you are a benefactor to our Wudang Sect and the Central Plains Martial World!”

With a touch of emotion, Bright Dragon clasped his fist in salute.

“Please feel free to visit our Wudang Sect anytime! For you, we could offer our Vision Divine Techniques and treasures.”

“……”

The Vision Divine Techniques were left by Jang Sam-bong, but it must be real-life adaptations of the Seven Great Techniques. The treasures he spoke of must refer to the sealed Divine Sword!

‘I’ve trained in the Seven Great Techniques since ancient times, built upon it to create the Eight Immortals Divine Art, and now there’s also the Fahe Technique, and I know about the adaptations of those techniques as well…’

There’s probably no one who knows the Seven Great Techniques better than me.

So I gave a wry smile and replied to Bright Dragon.

“Actually, that won’t be necessary…”

At that moment, I realized I was feeling a surge of greed.

‘Wait. Speaking of which, I’ve never really looked into the Divine Sword!’

Jang Sam-bong warned me that the Divine Sword was dangerous, but he never explained why it was dangerous. And now that I had encountered Shiva, a divine being, it struck me that I needed to retrieve the Divine Sword.

‘Though I won’t meddle with Tianzhu anymore, if beings from another realm snatch the Divine Sword, that might lead to a calamity…’

I wouldn’t use the Divine Sword, but at the very least, I must seal away whatever is dangerous. That way, I can maintain my peaceful life.

As I concluded my thought process, I hastily said to Bright Dragon.

“Forget about the Seven Great Techniques, but I would really like to obtain that treasure! Is it the Divine Sword you’re referring to?”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Bright Dragon was flabbergasted.

“How did you know that secret?!”

“Do I not know anything? Just take it as it comes!”

“But….”

“Give it to me!”

I boldly extended my hand.

“You claimed to have saved the Wudang Sect and the Martial World, right? So, you said you’d give me a treasure as payment, so I want that Divine Sword!”

You have nothing left to say!

“……”

Bright Dragon’s expression crumpled significantly. It seemed he was expecting to offer something less than the Divine Sword, like some spiritual pill or the Divine Sword amongst Wudang Sect treasures, but his desire to avoid giving it away was crystal clear.

Despite his wish to backtrack, was it because he couldn’t take back his own words? After a moment, Bright Dragon nodded.

“…Fine, follow me!!”

Boom!

I finally followed Bright Dragon to a secret location where the Divine Sword was sealed. Upon seeing it, old memories flooded my mind, and I felt a bittersweet pang.

‘This sword was used when I fought against Peng Zuo and so many others….’

Having prior experience with this weapon made me feel more attached to it. Lost in those thoughts, I poured my spirit power into the handle of the Divine Sword.

Crackle

Perhaps due to the absolute quantity of divine power I now possessed, the Divine Sword was far easier to pull now than before! Though I could feel the drain, it was nowhere close to the exhaustion I’d felt back then.

Bright Dragon’s eyes widened as he witnessed me effortlessly drawing the Divine Sword.

“Whoa… I can’t believe you… just who are you…?”

“Hmmm.”

I swung the Divine Sword around and felt a slight sense of suspicion.

‘What’s going on? I never felt this before… There’s another seal deep within the Divine Sword.’

Could it be that the Divine Sword I’ve been using was in a less liberated state?

I smiled to myself, thinking of that.

“Perfect.”

Though the Divine Sword itself was a top-tier sword surpassing regular treasures, it hardly compared to the title of the Greatest Sword under Heaven. Compared to the Fire Dragon Sword or the Liberated Seven Luminaries, it was notably inferior. However, if I could break that seal later, I could obtain a weapon equivalent to the liberated Seven Luminaries without having to touch them!

‘Maybe I should try it when I have time.’

I said to Bright Dragon, “Bright Dragon, if you ever feel bored, come visit Soeul Village. We don’t turn away those who seek martial arts.”

“…Alright then.”

With that, I wrapped up my business with the Wudang Sect and headed back to Soeul Village. Upon returning, I felt Kim Manje waiting at the entrance with a sword, perhaps planning to ambush me, as I could sense a presence hiding in the thicket.

“Die!!”

As I pretended not to notice and walked past him, Kim Manje lunged with his sword. I flicked his blade with my fingertip, sending it flying, then tracked it mid-air using a flow of intent, hurling him further into the void.

“Aaaaah—”

After a while, hearing Kim Manje scream as he plummeted, I effortlessly caught him using the lightness technique and looked down at him with pity.

“If you plan to ambush and kill me, you’d need to at least make it into the top ten of the Martial World.”

“Ugh… I can’t take it anymore! How long am I going to keep enduring Hell Training?”

Kim Manje, crying, hurled his sword away and started wailing.

“Please… I just want to play without any dreams… I don’t want to be a master anymore… just let me go…”

“……”

I was utterly exasperated by his ridiculousness. I’d been thinking he might actually be that Hat Warrior.

‘Well… I think I’ve tormented Kim Manje enough. Should I let him go now?’

I nodded and said, “Alright. You’re free from training at Soeul Village now.”

“R-really?!”

I spoke indifferently. For some reason, each time I looked at Kim Manje’s face, the irritation I felt had vanished.

“Yup. You want to go play in the city, right? I’ll give you enough money, so go have your fun. Just don’t act up.”

“Ugh… Haha… Thank you…”

With tears of joy, Kim Manje bowed, but I ignored him and walked into the village.

‘Whether he does or not…’

Despite harboring resentment over being tormented by him for more than a decade, I no longer felt any inclination to repay that debt. There was no grudge or lingering attachment left. This was because I felt that I had already settled the score and that our hidden grudges were cleared up. Now I was ready to let Kim Manje live freely.

‘Seriously… I’m feeling nothing at all….’

I hesitated!

And as I realized that, an inexplicable emptiness made me pause for a moment.

‘…I see.’

Anger and hatred were merely forms of interest.

When you become indifferent, you become emotionless.

And I somehow found that fact terrifying.