전생검신 Volume 89, Chapter 17

Wait, I can summon a companion from the Takrok Era to this reality?!

I was a bit flustered by Master Mangnyang’s words.

“Is… is that really possible?”

[If you don’t want to, just say so. You don’t have to do it.]

“…What happens if I don’t?”

[The energy you’ve gathered this time will simply vanish.]

“…!!”

I caught on to what was happening from Master Mangnyang’s reply.

‘So, hoarding the summoning opportunity for later to bring in more companions won’t work!’

It’s definitely more advantageous to summon a companion now!

Realizing that, I still felt a bit unsure and said, “If I gather more energy, can I summon more companions?”

[That’s possible.]

I was taken aback by Master Mangnyang’s answer.

“Wait, if that’s the case, why did you say I can only summon one this time? I’ve gathered quite a bit of energy!”

[This is the first time the connection (缘) has been established. Since the world’s connection is still incomplete, summoning more than one companion would risk the world’s stability, hence the limitation to one.]

“Hm… I see.”

[Now, tell me who you want to summon.]

“…”

Who should I bring from the companions of the Takrok Era?

I had to seriously think about it. There were many companions, and all of them had useful abilities, so it was hard to be sure who would be the best option.

After pondering for a while, I finally spoke up.

“…Yu Mang!!”

Of course, the strongest among the Takrok Era companions would be Yu Mang! The highest-ranking elder of the giant race, his true combat power could rival even the Three Sovereigns! There’s practically no one stronger than Yu Mang in the current world, so summoning him would surely give me an incredible advantage!

‘Besides, having someone as strong as Yu Mang would be incredibly useful during the assault on Susanoo!’

Yu Mang could slice through Susanoo’s main body by himself!

However, Master Mangnyang’s response was unexpected.

[Not possible (不可).]

“……?!”

I exclaimed in surprise.

“Oh, why not!! What’s the reason?”

Master Mangnyang looked at me with a peculiar gaze and replied.

[It’s hard to call Yu Mang your companion. His loyalty to Shennong is a hundred times stronger than his connection with you.]

“……!!”

[I meant to explain, but if there’s someone who prioritizes Shennong far above you, that person cannot be summoned.]

“Damn it…”

I never thought there would be such a restriction!

But upon reflection, it made sense.

‘Indeed, Yu Mang enjoys my company, but fundamentally, his loyalty to the Yan Emperor Shennong can’t be forsaken… He only hangs out with me because of his free-spirited nature… If given a choice between me and Shennong, he would definitely choose Shennong.’

Still, I figured that Yu Mang is an exceptional case, and the majority should be possible to summon. But suggesting another companion aside from Yu Mang was leaving me just as perplexed again.

‘If I follow Lee Hwan-woong’s advice, there are quite a few things I need to accomplish in this reality. That means I need to strategically use any summoned companions… I can’t trust that there will always be another summoning opportunity; I don’t know what might happen in this world next.’

So who would be a competent companion I could use effectively…?

After much deliberation, I stated suddenly.

“What about Yuso…? Is that not possible?”

[She doesn’t exist in the Takrok Era and isn’t your companion.]

“…I thought so.”

Eh… I thought it was a good idea…

I was hoping that maybe I could catch that black-masked Yuso off guard, but it didn’t turn out as I expected.

‘Wait? Unlike Yuso, the Young Girl (素女) possesses the power of [Infinity]… She could be a huge help in the current world!’

Even the Three Sovereigns envy the Young Girl’s powers enough to fight over them, so it goes without saying she would be incredibly useful in this world. Her utility could upset the balance of the world.

But soon I had an intuitive feeling that this might not be right.

“…”

While the Young Girl is technically my companion, she shares the same soul as Yuso. If I were to bring the Young Girl to this reality and Yuso were to somehow seize her powers, she could obtain omnipotence in an instant, and thus the Young Girl should perhaps never come here. It could just be my speculation, but considering the formidable abilities of these two sisters, it was sufficiently suspicious. The fact that I was eager to resurrect quickly was also due to my caution toward Yuso, which only reinforced that bringing the Young Girl into this reality should be avoided.

‘Hmm… it feels like there’s no suitable candidate…’

Bringing in Lee Hwan-woong would be useful as an advisor, but honestly, apart from him, there are plenty of strategists in this reality. Not just from the Zhuge Clan but a lot of people with a bit of common sense. Just adding more advisors wouldn’t really help all that much. And besides, Lee Hwan-woong had to remain in the Takrok Era to oversee the other companions, making it a poor choice to bring him along.

The Thief Gang is similar. As a Demon King, they possess considerable power, but reality has its own companions with Demon King-level strength. I could seek help from figures like the Celestial Sage in the celestial realm. Moreover, from now on, divine beings will be rising sharply, and I’ll have to fight the true essence of the “Old Ruler,” so the power of the Thief Gang alone won’t be that beneficial. Indeed, the Asura or Miho of this era could easily defeat the Thief Gang by themselves.

Who on earth should I summon?

After mulling it over for a while, I finally muttered.

“What about Heuk Woong?”

[That’s not your companion; it’s more like another version of yourself, your shadow (音身). Not possible.]

“Tch…”

So it’s ruled out as it’s just another version of me, huh?

If I could have summoned Heuk Woong, I thought I could use divine powers freely, but that trick won’t work either, huh?

I smacked my lips and tried again.

“How about the Wheel King or Fuxi…? Are they not possible?”

[…….]

After a moment, the black cat-like Master Mangnyang replied with a whimsical tone.

[Did you really think that would work?]

Oops! Definitely lacking common sense, huh…?!

I flinched but awkwardly laughed.

“Uh, yeah? But could you at least tell me why…?”

[They hold a significant place in the history of the [Great Cycle]. Although they existed during the Takrok Era, they are destined to cease to exist or be sealed in the future. No matter how powerful I am, I wouldn’t handle the destructive chaos of causal destruction that would arise from summoning them into the future. Only if you create a situation where they must exist would it be possible.]

“Huh?”

A situation where they must exist?

While I was still confused, Master Mangnyang spoke.

[Since it seems hard for you to choose, let me inform you of one more thing. The summoned companion will be significantly stronger than you know. Depending on the circumstances, they might even surpass their original tier.]

My eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected upside.

“Whoa?! Really?!”

[There’s a valid reason for that. Now choose whoever you want.]

“Hm.”

Prompted by Master Mangnyang, I began to seriously consider my options. It seemed that Master Mangnyang was frowning at how long I was deliberating.

After a while, I finally reached a conclusion and shouted.

“…I’ve made up my mind!! I’m going to summon…!!”

Is it too much again? Is this even feasible?!

Upon hearing the name of the companion I was summoning, Master Mangnyang replied softly.

[Very well…].

“Is it… is it really possible!!”

I was surprised by Master Mangnyang’s reaction. Since I thought it was just a test like before!

Master Mangnyang casually replied.

[That character shouldn’t disrupt the causal flow… There are no issues with having crossed over once before… because you themselves released their seal.]

Pitter patter.

A moment later, I saw someone approaching from the distant path. However, that person merely walked past me and disappeared on the opposite side, leaving me startled at being ignored.

“Huh?!”

Weren’t we supposed to go together?!

As I was confused, Master Mangnyang explained.

[In order to align the unnaturalness of causation, that individual will join you in this reality. You’ll be seeing them again after a long absence.]

With those words, I slowly began to feel drowsy.

As my eyelids grew heavy and a fierce magical tide crashed over me, Master Mangnyang’s last words reached my ears.

[Oh my… is that a talent of chaos…? Unexpectedly, one more has been added.]

*

……

I regained consciousness, and as I stood up, I felt the long-lost machine body.

Clatter……

This body can’t use energy or divine power.

I tried to speak.

[Ah, ah. My voice works fine.]

Even though it sounds mechanical.

I chuckled bitterly. Reviving my mechanical body after a long time felt fresh. However, since this body is imbued with Even Sinha’s technology, it probably has the dragon’s dantian hidden within, and once I get used to it, I’d likely be able to harness energies again.

‘So, my task in this body is to further digest the power of the Dead Dragon…’

It was as I was rising to get accustomed to the body of the current reality when I heard a voice.

“I came this far under Master Mangnyang’s guidance.”

It sounded unfamiliar at first, but it simultaneously felt vaguely familiar.

‘Where have I heard that voice before?’

Trying to recall, I turned to see a young man with blonde hair and striking blue eyes sitting there.

He had an androgynous appearance, exuding an aura of beauty, wearing the distinctive attire of a European noble, clearly resembling a high-ranking aristocrat from a Western nation. The place I was currently in felt more like a stronghold of Western guardians than the Central Plains, making such a figure entirely plausible.

However, I couldn’t quite grasp the identity of this young man who seemed to know me.

‘Who is he…? Have I seen this face before…?’

When I stared at the golden-haired young man in confusion, he smiled and said.

“It’s been a long time. I never expected to become such a renowned figure in history. Perhaps even at the moment you are reincarnating, I was somewhere in the world, taking action.”

His command of Central Plains language was exceptional, far too fluent to be believed from a Westerner, which surprised me a bit.

[… Who are you?]

Feeling somewhat apprehensive, I queried him.

[I’m sure I didn’t summon you… what are you doing here?]

Though I was still uncertain of his identity, I was sure he wasn’t the companion I had summoned. There was a definite reasoning behind my belief.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

The golden-haired young man smirked, then suddenly drew a staff from his possession, unleashing a hidden blade.

‘A staff sword?’

While it seems weak for a weapon, this is a type favored by nobles for self-defense in the West—

The blade of this staff sword was delicate, almost transparent like glass. After staring at it for a while, the young man thrust the staff sword into the ground.

Whoosh!!

At that moment, the space around the bed I had been seated in completely transformed, and a round table appeared, centering around the golden-haired young man. I suddenly found myself seated at the table, with three other individuals already present.

I instantly recognized the faces of the three aside from the golden-haired youth, causing me to gasp in surprise.

[Dr. Faust… King Arthur… Berus!]

Indeed, Dr. Faust looked the same as before, wearing a mask that resembled a bird’s beak; the golden-armored knight, King Arthur Pendragon, sat equipped with Excalibur. Additionally, Berus was undeniably someone I had connections with.

Thanks to my previous experience, I quickly recognized their commonality.

‘Zodiac members!’

A secret society of humanity from the West!

My gaze rapidly darted back to the golden-haired young man.

‘…But I’ve never seen him before?! Is he also a member of the Zodiac?’

I knew the Zodiac comprised a total of 13 members. But this golden-haired young man was someone I had never encountered. Just then, the golden-haired youth spoke.

“I’ve gathered individuals who might be of assistance to you. According to your strategists, these are all familiar faces.”

[Who are you…? How do you know the members of the Zodiac…?]

The golden-haired youth, arms crossed, replied with a nonchalant tone.

“I lead the Zodiac members. At the same time, I’m the one granted full authority by the ancient gods who remain in the West.”

[……!!]

“You seem close to Merlin and Vivian, but the others are quite busy, so I couldn’t bring them along.”

What?! There’s an actual leader?! I never heard of anything like that in my past experiences!

As I stood there, slightly astonished, he spoke in an oddly friendly tone, chattering away.

“It’s been ages since we last met. About a thousand years ago, I was living on the Tianzhu continent, playing Vikings, and briefly held the title of emperor during the Roman Empire and the Wei-Jin period; I also got to visit the celestial realm! Recently, I might have been a Grand Duke of Bavaria too.”

[What on earth are you talking about?]

The golden-haired youth suddenly burst into laughter, shaking his shoulders and letting out a high-pitched giggle.

“Ahaha… you really don’t recognize me just because I’ve donned a disguise. Then again, we weren’t really that close.”

[What…? You’re a woman…?]

“Take a good look. You truly don’t recognize me now?”

[…….]

I focused on inspecting him closely. After a while, I remembered where I had seen that face.

[…N-No way!!]

“You’ve figured it out, I see.”

I couldn’t believe it and cried out.

[Y-You can’t be… Dongfang Sak?!]

Snap!

She snapped her fingers and beamed at me.

“Correct, Baek Woong! It’s truly the Thousand Eons Dongfang Sak!”

[……!!]

Thousand Eons Dongfang Sak!

The first human to possess the talent of chaos, who has lived since the dawn of humanity, was standing right in front of me! She had once tried to steal treasures from the ancient gods of Memphis and even evaded pursuits from the underworld—it was legendary!

And furthermore, Dongfang Sak was my companion from the Takrok Era and one of the initial shareholders in the company I set up!

Oh, no, but why…?

I couldn’t wrap my head around how Dongfang Sak had appeared out of nowhere.

[This makes no sense!! I didn’t call you! What on earth did you do to arrive here from the Takrok Era?!]

I was sure that the one I summoned was someone else!

How could she appear in this reality without being summoned?!

“Do you remember what my talent is?”

At her question, I answered as best as I could.

[The talent of the Martial Gate (無門). The power to pass through anything you perceive as a gate, the talent of chaos… right?]

“Exactly. I knew you would return through the [Dream] before the mirror of the underworld.”

[…What…?]

Dongfang Sak wore a mysterious smile.

“Right, so I secretly followed you and, as soon as you fell asleep, I recognized the mirror of the underworld as a [gate] and passed through. That’s how I ended up here.”

[…….]

I was left dazed, unable to believe it.

‘You passed through the mirror of the underworld by recognizing it as a [gate]?’

Is that even possible?

No… did this [talent of chaos] possess powers beyond such boundaries?!

Dongfang Sak continued.

“Of course, I didn’t come directly to this era. I seem to have landed in a past point of this [current world].”

[Past point…?]

“Indeed. Naturally, none of the companions you had in the Takrok era existed. But that was not a distant [Great Cycle]; it connected to the past of [now]. I entered through a gate tied to fate (缘).”

[…….]

“I see your confused face. Would you like me to explain it more simply…?”

As Dongfang Sak continued, I froze.

“I have been living for tens of thousands of years from the Takrok Era up to now. For all those years, I’ve been waiting to meet you, and following Master Mangnyang’s guidance, I arrived here at this specific moment in this specific place. I’ve been anticipating this time for a long while, as Master Mangnyang had relayed the timing to me in advance.”