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Silence…

In the lingering silence, I could see the look of shock on Xiang Yu’s face, cracking like ice behind me. Even the cold-hearted Xiang Yu, known for his iron-like resolve, couldn’t keep his composure after my words. This reaction made me realize just how outrageous my statement had been.

The human avatar of Nüwa in front of me also seemed unable to maintain her calm. Her eyebrows furrowed deeply, and her voice trembled with suppressed rage.

“You’re asking us to… apologize? To all of us… to humans?”

I could feel it.

My years of negotiation experience were screaming at me in vivid detail.

At this moment, crossing the line would determine everything.

I was acutely aware that I was acting insane, yet I resolved to ignore this instinct. What had stirred within me just moments ago was strong enough to dictate my actions.

If I was going to be afraid now, I shouldn’t have started at all.

I didn’t avert my gaze from Nüwa and spoke clearly.

“Yes. I request that the great rulers apologize to humans.”

“……”

“An apology doesn’t change a ruler’s essence, nor will it hinder the law of cause and effect. Just one word of apology will suffice.”

Once again, silence enveloped us.

Nüwa’s expression remained unchanging, and the surrounding rulers were eerily still, as if time had stopped. Of course, I had not actually stopped time; they were simply frozen in shock at the unexpected situation. Yet, I had never felt a moment stretch out like this in all my past lives.

It was then.

[What is the point?]

The one who spoke was none other than Shennong, the king of the Giant Race and one of the Three Sovereigns. His voice was heavy, sounding as if he was sinking into despair.

[Answer me… what meaning does that act of ‘apology’ hold?]

It was terrifying.

Not because he was directly wielding force against me, but because that made it all the more frightening. Hearing his stern voice made me realize I was already in an irreversible situation. How I answered this question could mean the difference between being dismissed as a madman or meeting my demise here today.

Trembling, I instead felt my mind sharpen and readied my resolve. Then I opened my mouth.

“An apology is an apology. What more do you seek from it?”

[……]

“If it holds no meaning… can’t the sorry be offered to those on the verge of destruction simply because of the fickleness of the gods?”

[Hah!]

At my words, Shennong let out a sigh of exasperation. It seemed to reveal his deep-rooted feelings and, at the same time, showed that I recognized I had rejected his extended hand.

Shennong said in a bitter voice.

[Are you upset just because a trivial being has realized that reality? But Baek Woong… still, my stance remains unchanged.]

“Why?”

[The fact is, humans are nothing but the discarded creations of an alien race, recycled by us, the Three Sovereigns. Even that much suggests that your very existence, created to resemble us by a race filled with malice, is a disgrace to the Giant Race.]

“……”

[Yet, we have shown compassion to humans, providing help and care. But now, with only a few hundred years left until extinction… if you humans are to be sacrificed for the sake of greater beings, it is unavoidable.]

“So, because of these greater beings, you say I cannot ask for an apology…?”

[Correct. That is a matter entirely different from caring for you. No god would endure such humiliation.]

After responding, Shennong seemed to survey the crowd.

[… And I believe I have spoken rather leniently.]

It was true—Nüwa’s face was already colored with considerable anger, and the Chaos Triad were itching to unleash their powers from their avatars.

‘…It seems the battle is unavoidable now.’

I sensed that but refused to back down.

“Shennong! What you feel is merely displeasure from the gods; it is not ‘meaning.’ Rather, humans might revere the great beings after being touched by an apology. How can it hold no meaning?”

[……]

As Shennong fell silent, Shao Hao Jin Tian, who had been listening from afar, spoke up.

[Rookie! I acknowledge that you are exceptionally strong among humans. But can you truly consider yourself one of them?]

“What do you mean?”

[If you truly believed you were human, would we have listened to your words this far, even in the guise of our avatars? We took your words and actions seriously because we believed you to be another god in human shape! And now you, a mere human, want us to apologize… Ha ha ha.]

Laughing in disbelief, Shao Hao Jin Tian suddenly sparked with madness in his eyes.

[It’s been a long time since I’ve been disrespected like this… I wonder if I should test my entitlement to arrogance!]

Swish!

In the next moment, the avatar of Shao Hao Jin Tian clad in a ritual robe swung his sleeves wide, and suddenly they expanded with tremendous force, revealing the starlit essence of the universe within them, as a beam of light seemed to seep out.

“……!”

I felt a sudden chill from the immense power radiating from that attack and swiftly summoned my divine power to create a round defensive barrier.

‘…Destructive Beam!’

This was a specialty and ultimate technique of Shao Hao Jin Tian!

Bang!

True to my prediction, a beam shot forth from his sleeve, barreling toward me, hitting my barrier. Though I did my best to fend it off, the moment I succeeded, I was engulfed in pain as if my entire body had been torn apart.

‘Ugh!’

What… what was happening?

It wasn’t even his main body but an avatar’s attack, so I thought I could withstand it, but it felt too heavy and painful. The divine barrier I had summoned shattered like a tattered shield, and blood was already staining my arms from the impact. In a panic, I hastily began to heal myself with divine energy.

‘No! A mere concentrated barrier of divine power cannot withstand this attack!’

I needed separate powers or techniques to contend!

The implication being Shao Hao Jin Tian’s divine energy far surpassed mine at this moment?!

As I was overwhelmed by the unexpectedly powerful attack, I overheard Hermes chuckling from afar.

[Foolish one. The offering of cause and effect is almost at its end. Do you really think those above cannot exert true power in this realm? I didn’t expect you to provoke the Three Sovereigns in this situation.]

…?!

Could it be… what he said…?

Hiiing –

The avatar of Shao Hao Jin Tian began to shift shape gradually. The form revealed was that of the mighty Dapeng, though merely about ten meters long. The avatar that resembled his true self flashed its eyes wide and spoke.

[Looks like you already know my technique. But do you know this as well?]

Swish swish swish

As the Dapeng’s two wings spread, an overwhelming presence filled the entire universe. Noticing the light of destruction flickering in his eyes, I realized that I was in immediate danger of annihilation.

‘That’s a technique only Shao Hao Jin Tian uses when he unleashes his full power…!’

I had seen Shao Hao Jin Tian in the outer universe facing off against an evil god, knowing this technique all too well. I briefly pondered summoning Varuna among the Four Great Spirit Deities to form a water barrier, but I had a gut feeling that wouldn’t be enough. Despite Varuna’s defensive ability being exceptional, I doubted it could withstand the full force technique of one of the Three Sovereigns directly.

I needed to use the properties of the technique itself to redirect it, not face it head-on!

With my experience in battle guiding me, I quickly put my palms together, invoking the Trimurti and rapidly combining three divine powers.

The power of the 8th Hierarchy, Hod!

The power of the 9th Hierarchy, Yesod!

The power of the 10th Hierarchy, Malkuth!

Simultaneously, a circular wheel arose in the void, swirling around me, and in the next moment, a blinding light erupted from Shao Hao Jin Tian’s eyes, signaling his divine technique’s activation.

Destructive Radiance!

Western Galaxy Light!

Kiiiing -!

With a screeching sound that felt like nails on a chalkboard, an elliptical barrier encircled my entire body, trapping me inside. I braced myself as the terrifying force of the Western Galaxy Light began to spin rapidly.

‘This Western Galaxy Light used against evil gods… possesses power from the center of the galaxy!’

Seeing him wounding the evil god with this technique meant that he was truly intent on erasing me! I never imagined I would have to meet this head-on, and while I held my breath, I resolved to throw everything I had into my technique.

And just as my wheel of the Trimurti collided with the spinning wheel of the Western Galaxy Light.

Bang!

“Aaaaargh!”

With an enormous explosion, I felt my whole body shake as I was flung into the air. I could feel my body being compressed with grievous pain as I soared through the void.

‘It hurts… but hey, I’m still alive! If I die, at least I won’t hurt anymore!’

The Trimurti technique I combined was the one I had once used against the Commissioner Abraxas, so I hoped for good results, and fortunately, it didn’t disappoint. If I had just used Varuna, there was no way I could have withstood it this time. As powerful as the Four Great Elemental Spirits were, they still had limitations against the techniques of the Three Sovereigns.

While I was being hurled through the void, I realized I had reached the stratosphere.

Above me, I heard Shao Hao Jin Tian’s voice echoing.

[Kukukuku! While I didn’t exert myself to the fullest, you managed to block that? It seems I’ve found a worthy plaything!]

……?!

He said he hadn’t even gone all out? How absurd…!

As I stood there, entirely flabbergasted, another divine voice interrupted.

[I’ll handle this, so step aside, Shao.]

[What?!]

Swish!

In the next moment, from the dark starry sky near the stratosphere, a giant cloaked in darkness appeared before me. Seeing this black titan, radiating chaotic energy, I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine.

“S-Stop…”

[Not as powerful as Shao’s, but still, take this!]

In accordance with the giant’s will, a dark spear materialized in the air with alarming speed, swiftly launching itself toward me. I stared at that spear, feeling my mind go blank.

Varuna!

Splashes!

Having just used the Trimurti, I had no choice but to summon Varuna to shield myself with a wall of water. However, the spears raining from all directions easily pierced through that barrier of Varuna. Though I managed to block about 70% of them, I felt the sting of the remaining 30% piercing through my body everywhere.

“Gaaah!”

It felt like all my nerves were screaming!

As I screamed from the insidious pain of being impaled, the Dark Titan lowered its cold fingers toward me without a scrap of empathy.

Bang, bang!

I was hurled down even faster than when I was thrown, landing at an unknown beach. The moment I fell, a massive explosion erupted, creating a tsunami and shaking the continent with a tremendous quake.

Kugugugu!

As natural disasters unfolded, I realized the overwhelming heat bubbling from a crater-like hole, preventing sea water from encroaching for a moment. The shock waves were so powerful that they even pushed the sea back slightly. If it weren’t for the divine power, I would have died long ago, but as I lay dazed from the impact, I caught a glimpse of the Dark Wizard, arms crossed in the sky.

[It’s true; you’re strong enough that even I can’t conceive you as a mere human. From the looks of it, you might even surpass my subordinates.]

“……”

[However, that doesn’t mean any of the emperors would think to fight you one-on-one…]

The Northern Sovereign, Jeon Wook, had appeared before me, radiating fighting spirit.

It was clear.

The Three Sovereigns from earlier had only used avatars because they didn’t need to exert their full might; they were always capable of descending into their true forms at any moment.

“……”

I fell silent. It wouldn’t take long before this sea was engulfed with heat again, yet in that short moment, I had no choice but to think.

Finally, this day has come.

I thought I would eventually face it in another life, but to think it would happen just because I got a little twisted in the mind.

The day of facing the true Three Sovereigns one-on-one.

‘Damn it….’

I staggered up to my feet as if I was half-heartedly trying to stand.

As I glanced up at Jeon Wook, I spoke faintly.

“Is it really that hard to… just say you’re sorry…?”

[……]

“Cough!”

I coughed up blood and said,

“Your whims… a single cough… have led countless innocent humans to die… without reason… not just a few but millions… I’ve seen this… over and over…”

[……]

“Yeah… that’s fine… but that doesn’t mean I’m going to just let you hit me… I’m just asking for you to apologize…”

Grinding my teeth until blood welled up, I shouted,

“What kind of gods are you anyway!? Are you really going to scoff at that?”

A moment of silence fell. In the face of cataclysm, Jeon Wook and I stood opposite each other, and I couldn’t fathom what thoughts flickered in the mind of that Dark Titan.

Then, after a brief moment, Jeon Wook finally spoke.

[What is a god?]

Swish!

Suddenly, Jeon Wook teleported right in front of me.

[Let me tell you…]

Whooooosh –

He swung one of his massive fists toward me with such force that it was unmistakably obvious, making my hair stand on end.

‘This is…!’

Realizing the overwhelming force behind Jeon Wook’s attack in an instant, I had no thoughts of alternatives and had to quickly call upon my powers.

‘Mask of Rampage, grant me your strength!’

And so I struck with my fist in the same trajectory as Jeon Wook’s. Strangely, his punch seemed free of any lingering thoughts or divine powers, making it easy to predict.

FlasH –

Bang!

In the next moment, an impact greater than before erupted, creating shockwaves that could dry up even the horizon. Realizing that a calamity far-reaching across the continent was definitely in the making, I reflexively shut my eyes tight.

Whooooosh –

The fists of Jeon Wook and mine clashed—they bore the same sigils, identical in shape.

The moment Jeon Wook confirmed the sigil rising from my fist, he seemed to chuckle softly.

[Naturally… you know the powers and techniques of the Three Sovereigns. Furthermore, you possess the Mask of Rampage as well, so what on earth happened?]

“……!”

It was true.

What Jeon Wook had just unleashed was shockingly the power of the Mask of Rampage!

This ability, capable of exponentially amplifying physical strength, boasted destructive power that was equal to Shiva’s, leaving me with no choice but to match it with the same type of ability.

Stomp! Smash!

But, perhaps because Jeon Wook’s strength was overwhelmingly superior? While I managed to counter, I could feel my entire fist and arm shatter. Realizing that my bones had been pulverized, I gritted my teeth, forcing a technique to numb the pain.

“Grrr… How is it… you can use that…?”

[How?]

“The power of the mask you possess… it was sealed by the Emperor, how could you…?”

The Mask of Rampage.

It was truly a restraint imposed by the highest authority upon Jeon Wook, sealed back in antiquity. He had always had access to this ability, but I, as an apostle, had only obtained it after the emperor was sealed due to my interference. Under normal circumstances, Jeon Wook shouldn’t have been able to wield this power, yet he was displaying it effortlessly.

Then Jeon Wook simply replied,

[Did you not know? Tsukuyomi enabled us to briefly remove our masks.]

“……?!”

[That rascal utilized some strange sorcery to make it happen. Of course, to remove it for good, further offerings are required.]

Tsukuyomi?!

I was stunned by what I had never anticipated. Then it suddenly clicked in my mind.

‘Omniscient…! Tsukuyomi must have temporarily removed the masks of the Three Sovereigns with his omnipotent ability! So, that was how he earned their trust!’

Tsukuyomi, along with Yuso, had already known how to take off the Three Sovereigns’ masks using his omniscience. Yet, he had likely ignored it as long as the emperor—the creator of the restraints—was still intact, only taking action after he was sealed because of me.

If that was the case, then Tsukuyomi had indeed been gathering the Three Sovereigns while I played the part of the village chief.

‘Moreover… the Three Sovereigns who appeared decades later in the future were indeed significantly stronger than I remembered… this all makes sense now.’

The Three Sovereigns had fervently sought the laws of causality. They collected numerous offerings to achieve that goal.

Tsukuyomi had gathered the souls of humanity, Hermes aimed for the World Tree and the essence of causality, and Susanoo trapped the souls of the Three Divine Characters—

By gathering all those offerings and resurrecting, the Three Sovereigns could freely tap into their powers, quickly establishing themselves as an unprecedented alliance of supreme divine beings. Bringing Tezcatlipoca along with numerous old rulers must have been due to how quickly and utterly they were decimated by just two entities, Jeon Wook and Shennong.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against the resurrection of such powerful beings. No matter how much strength I amassed in this life, I couldn’t hold off the Three Sovereigns in just a few decades. It made perfect sense why the ancient gods, once protectors of Dongfang Sak, had given up their fight against the Three Sovereigns.

“……”

Gradually, I began to sense the complete picture of this 30th life.

While I stood lost in thought, Jeon Wook reached out, clutching my hand tightly and pushing it down.

[Did you ask me what a god is?]

Crack!

“Ehhh?!”

I gasped, feeling Jeon Wook’s enormous force suffocating me as he pressed down. I was caught in an odd struggle to assert my will, forced into a futile competition against the throne of Jeon Wook. Meanwhile, he seemed surprisingly relaxed as he easily overpowered me, but I could feel my limbs tearing apart, forcing me to heal continuously as I clung to what little strength I had.

Bang!

I felt my legs sink slowly into the ground. I was constantly being pushed back, with no chance to regain control.

My nose bled. The overwhelming exhaustion made me feel like I wanted to die.

At the same time, my mind faded to white as reality loomed.

‘Is there really such a vast gap between Jeon Wook and me?’

Until now, I had thought I could match the Three Sovereigns at this level. But when facing the true entity, the weight of that disparity became apparent. It was one thing to be able to challenge them, yet facing them directly made it impossible to think of victory—it was a wall too immense to cross.

‘But I’ve already taken down beings of equal rank to Jeon Wook… why is it like this?’

As I swayed unsteadily, I pondered.

‘Ah!’

And then suddenly realized why.

While I had defeated those at Jeon Wook’s level, it hadn’t been in direct confrontation.

Utilizing trickery, or exploiting their carelessness – playing the field of unorthodox warfare, I had never squared off head-to-head. This was raw, straightforward combat, leaving only the clarity of skill amid the clash.

This was the difference between an Emperor and others!

Even the second-in-command of the gods were regarded highly as elite divine beings, yet did not dare approach the highest divine rulers challenging their authority!

Even now, with Tsukuyomi’s assistance unclipping the masks, I was much stronger than I had ever been aware of. Evaluating my chances at winning at this moment, I estimated I wouldn’t even surpass a 10% chance. And believing such odds might seriously be viable would only be foolish!

‘Damn it…! I’m not a worthy opponent underprepared for this fight!’

While I reeled in shock, Jeon Wook murmured softly.

[This is what it means to be a god.]

“… Grr… boasting about your strength… limitations need to be moderated…”

I quipped through clenched teeth. However, Jeon Wook’s reply caught me off guard.

[No. Your very resistance against me right now embodies the essence of divinity itself.]

“……?!”

What?

While I was still taken aback, Jeon Wook scanned the surroundings.

[Look around… even if it’s merely a brief altercation between us, a catastrophe of ruin blooms over this continent and beyond.]

“……!”

[Though you fall short of my level, within this fight, you and I are partaking in a struggle. No matter how the tide turns, the world quakes as we clash.]

Forced into a silence, it dawned on me,

[Can you comprehend now… how one humbled by divine prowess are viewed?]

Jeon Wook’s words uttered truths I had been avoiding all along.

Why had the gods always treated me as anything but human?

It wasn’t mere protocol; they showed respect as I had evidently reached the divine levels of power!

Jeon Wook spoke again.

[You and I are clashing under these conditions, and many crawling insects on this continent must have perished… am I right?]

“……”

[In whichever way our battle concludes, are you set to trod the realm of those insects seeking the opportunity to atone? Or will you resurrect these bugs with your divine powers, erasing their unfortunate end? Do you think they would feel they were due an apology from you, a mighty god? Only leaning in wonder regarding why you would bow your head!]

I felt a tremor of realization and trembled as I spoke,

“So… that’s it. You meant to convey that the apology from the Three Sovereigns holds no value whatsoever, simply due to your unapproachable might— no cause for communication, huh?!”

[You’ve grasped it well. What worth does such an apology hold? What relevance do those crawling insects possess in the grand scheme of our struggle?]

“……!”

“Shennong addressed you too politely! For a fool not aware of their own divinity, this level of scolding suffices.”

Crack!

“Urrgh!”

As Jeon Wook pushed harder against me, I felt as if my limbs were shattering apart. My limits had long since been reached; I was simply clinging to existence. Naturally, competing outright against Jeon Wook, whose strength was his domain, was a recipe for inevitable defeat. Yet, I couldn’t let things stand this way as I screamed out in distress.

“Don’t joke around! If all strength rules this way… what then is the meaning of existence?! Even in a ruthless survival of the fittest, is there not a code of conduct? Should not those in power offer mercy to those weaker than them?!”

[……]

My vision fluttered as blood oozed from my lips.

“So is the weak just meant to die? That very sentiment would apply to you if someone stronger than you were to appear!”

I couldn’t allow this to stand. I couldn’t demand an apology from the Three Sovereigns for nothing; I understood where the lines lay.

‘Still, to admit the existence of beings like those would escalate into simply aligning with the gods and engaging in a collusion with the heavenly realm!’

When I remembered the day I declared I was the king of mankind before Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, and recalled all the fellow warriors I met throughout my past lives, I couldn’t merely let this slide.

‘… I resolved to forge the ending I desired in this life.’

Ending that wouldn’t be settled with mere agreement through an alliance with powerful entities.

I wanted to assert my own path right here, right now. Not surrendering as a mere traveler suddenly spirited away to the outer realms, but to authentically reveal what I aimed to achieve in my 30th life to the Three Sovereigns.

They needed to come to realize that they too could one day be weak, facing a mighty being far beyond themselves.

With everything converging to a singular point, resonating with voices I had encountered across my past lives filled my head.

[Do you wish to break free from the endless cycles and burdens laid upon you by the divine?]

I…

This must be something I can cut through.

Because the Dark Titan before me, too, shared their affliction among all those burdened most.

Having recognized the presence beyond ‘strength,’ the madness that surpasses a mere evil, I vowed that I had to sever everything for all.

I had to prove my blade could defy even the constraints of an endless cycle.

The will of martial arts surged within me yet again, clear and vivid.

‘If divine power cannot yield victory…’

Then…

‘I can only confront them with heart!’

At that moment, I released all my divine power.

Splashes!

As my divine power drained away, my frail being crumbled into mere pieces and scattered through the air. Gazing upon me with a void of emotion, Jeon Wook seemed to observe the remnants of my spirit.

Though I had lost my arms, I was already manifesting a blade with my heart, and soon, echoing from within my will, a sword emerged, directed at the world.

Whoooosh –

The heartlight echoed along with the sword’s ringing.

In a state of utter emptiness, the sounds resonated sharply, the vibrations of the blade reflecting that emptiness across its resonance.

Even as my frail body fragmented, would this sword show my life as proof?

… It felt strange.

Even while having become so far removed from death – it surprisingly felt that I was more alive than ever.

Heavenly Escape!

“Thunder God’s Sword Name!”

One strike.

With a short clang, the arm of the Northern Sovereign, Jeon Wook, fell from above.

 

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