전생검신 Volume 97 Chapter 13

After I obtained the National Seal, I returned to the Shadowless Gate where Mangnyang was waiting for me. My companions had already gathered there, eagerly waiting as if they belonged to the gate themselves. When Mangnyang saw the National Seal I acquired, he was astonished.

“This is the National Seal! Incredible!”

“But where’s Cheon Woo-jin? I was going to have him undo the seal, but he jumped out from the wooden armor, so I had to use the Divine Sword instead.”

“As soon as the priest arrived here, he vanished like the wind.”

“Huh?”

“He said he had something to do, so not to look for him.”

“……”

What a rotten guy!

Did he jump ship early to avoid doing anything while staying at the Shadowless Gate?

I showed Mangnyang the note that Cheon Woo-jin left, and he chuckled softly.

“Don’t worry. Even though he says such things, you know better than anyone that the priest wouldn’t abandon his duty before a major event, right? He’ll come to us when the time is right.”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

“And he isn’t one to waste time either. There must be a reason he’s out and about right now, plus he likely thinks you’re skilled enough not to need his help.”

“Phew, you’re not wrong.”

Feeling a bit relieved by Mangnyang’s words, I sighed and asked him, “So what should I do now?”

“Hmm… There are various options, but wouldn’t it be wise to gather the legendary artifact first while you can?”

With that, Mangnyang pointed west with his finger.

“Head west. And go fetch that relic of the Great Ancient God you mentioned. It shouldn’t take long for someone of your ability to retrieve it.”

“Oh! You mean those artifacts?”

“Precisely. While it’s important for human companions to train and grow stronger, nothing boosts their power more than legendary artifacts. Gathering good items in advance will certainly improve our chances of survival.”

That makes sense. If the lesser companions wield the relics of ancient gods, they might just stand a chance even against formidable enemies.

Boom!

I headed straight west. I was headed to a place known as the ruins of the Ancient Gods, where three peerless divine weapons rested in a lake.

Crash! Crack!

As expected, there’s overwhelming thunder energy here. Gazing at the lake, bursting with an unbelievable electrical power that could never exist in nature, I fell deep into thought.

“Hm. There are three treasures in there, which I need to retrieve… It’s quite a dilemma.”

I arrived at the sacred site of Ancient Ruins, the Sacred Land of Ru Labada!

Below, the Spear of the Fighting God, the Hammer of Lightning, and the Ice Demon Sword lay dormant, each a peerless divine weapon surpassed only by the Seven Luminaries.

‘Lee Gang-ryong, whom I resurrected in the Training World, had mentioned this ruin’s location… but…’

The problem is that these three divine weapons are surrounded by a powerful ancient barrier complementing each other in the realm of the Three Talents. Back when I had immense divine power, I had used the Trimurti to fuse the strength of those three masks to break the seal, but now, having lost much divine power, that approach isn’t an option.

‘Should I use the Thunder Soul instead?’

…….

Hmm… Let’s proceed with caution.

The reason I’m hesitating to use the Thunder Soul is due to the last time I wielded its cosmic power at the Nest of Pangu, where I recklessly destroyed everything without holding back.

As one moves to a higher dimension, matter becomes sturdier, but the destructive power I displayed could have caused a collapse even in this mundane realm.

‘There’s a chance that trying to obtain these three artifacts could end up destroying the Earth…’

So, I thought about figuring out how to obtain these artifacts without resorting to the Thunder Soul if possible. When the time comes to battle powerful gods, I would have to use it, but until then, I’d prefer to hold back.

‘Should I call Cheon Woo-jin and have him break this barrier?’

No.

For some reason, it seems quite clear that one of the reasons Cheon Woo-jin left so abruptly was the intent of “You called me for such a trivial matter?” If I’m not careful, I could lose his trust.

After mulling it over for a while, I made up my mind.

“Let’s just go for it head-on.”

After all, I would have to face the Ancient Gods at some point.

Boom!

I made my way to the ruins of the Ancient Gods. After traveling west to the edge of the island nation, I wandered through a hazy, fog-covered lake and discovered a peculiar ruin with oddly shaped stone pillars huddled together.

“I’ve arrived.”

This was the Ancient God’s ruin, Kamlan’s Stonehenge. It’s a site for offering prayers to the Ancient Gods and making wishes. I had visited this place several times in my past lives.

As I approached the center of the stone mound, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

[Stop.]

I turned towards the source of the voice. There stood an old man in Western wizard robes with white hair, and I instantly recognized that it was a magical illusion.

I stared at him and said, “Merlin. Why should I stop?”

The legendary figure known as the greatest wizard from the West, Merlin, replied with a calm voice. I had met him several times due to Dracula’s affair.

[…… Eastern genius. You are… truly strange. The chaotic power held by the gods is weak, yet…. you possess unfathomable potential. What is your intent in coming to Kamlan?]

“If you want to talk with me, reveal your true self. I won’t converse with a coward who hides,” I replied gruffly.

Merlin fell silent for a moment, and I watched as the illusion slowly transformed into reality. Although it may not have been apparent to the naked eye, it seemed like a high-level magic where the illusion was shifting into an actual presence. Soon, the real Merlin spoke.

“Having granted your request, now tell me your name.”

“I am Baek Woong. And you are the Great Sorcerer, Merlin.”

“How do you know me?”

“You’re the most famous wizard in the West. Now that’s common knowledge, isn’t it?”

“Haha… that’s not what I meant. I’m asking how you deduced my identity so quickly.”

“So, you’re wondering why I came to this Stonehenge, right?”

“Would be grateful if you tell me.”

“It’s nothing special.”

I shrugged and answered, “I’ve come here to offer my tribute to the Ancient Gods and seek the treasures of Ru Labada in return.”

“……!”

Yes, my plan was precisely to ‘gain permission from the Ancient Gods to acquire the treasure’!

In a way, it was the most normal and average strategy. Since the Ancient Gods had not manifested in the Training World, it wasn’t a concern, but when acquiring the treasure in reality, it would notify the Ancient Gods connected through the law of cause and effect. Thus, logically, seeking permission from the Ancient Gods to collect the treasure was the most sensible and risk-free approach.

However, this method would also effectively inform the Ancient Gods in the West of my existence and brand me in their minds. This meant that I might indirectly draw their interest when facing the Three Sovereigns and the Evil Gods in the future.

‘Though this increases the potential variables…’

It doesn’t matter. The situation in the East had been worsening regardless of the presence of the Ancient Gods. I had already understood that when the Ancient Gods whimpered like the powerless during the thirtieth round, following Apostle Dongfang Sak.

I thought it might even be beneficial to flush out those dormant bastards.

Merlin seemed startled by my words, and soon, his gaze became chilly.

“The spirit informed me of traces entering Ru Labada’s Forbidden Pond, and indeed, it was you, Baek Woong.”

“You seem to manage not only this Stonehenge but also that Lightning Pond.”

“…… Why do you seek the artifacts of the Ancient Gods?”

“Why would I have to disclose that to you? The one I’m offering my tribute to is the Ancient God, and it will be they who judge it.”

Merlin spoke in a worried tone.

“Why has an Eastern figure come all the way here to claim a treasure of ancient lore? The gods reclined in this land are no longer fond of clashing with the Eastern Three Sovereigns. Should you break the truce between the East and West, I can assure you, it won’t end well.”

“Hmph, persistent, aren’t you?”

I sighed and said, “After all, isn’t it just relics of the old gods? If I’m using those artifacts to save the current world, isn’t that a good thing?”

“What…?”

“Furthermore, with the movement of the stars being distorted and the world being endangered, it vexes me to see your Zodiac members just staring blankly, doing nothing.”

“…….”

Merlin appeared to clench his teeth. After a moment, as if he’d made up his mind, he declared.

“You are an uninvited guest. As the Apostle of the Ancient Gods and a member of the Stars’ Pledge, I shall expel you decisively!”

Boom!

With that, amidst the mysterious starlight, five figures emerged near Merlin.

I gazed at their faces and muttered, “Arthur Pendragon, Vivian, Bathory Erzsebet, and Hans Talhoffer.”

“……!”

“How does he know our identities?”

I didn’t respond. The summoned beings were precisely the Zodiac members, ancient protectors of civilization in the West! I couldn’t possibly be unaware of their identities, having clashed with them several times in my past lives.

However, I noticed an unfamiliar face among them and glanced over.

“…… I don’t recognize you. Who are you?”

Buzz buzz buzz!

Mystical symbols appeared throughout his form, spiraling around him. The strong-looking middle-aged man with blonde hair glared at me and spoke.

“Rune Master!”

“Oh! I see now.”

The Rune Master!

He was Bathory Erzsebet’s ally, a master of rune magic and blood magic, and also a member of the Zodiac!

I never got to see his real face since he wore a hood all the time; I just happened to get a look this time because he wasn’t wearing it!

‘So this is my first proper encounter with the Rune Master.’

As I was admiring the Rune Master’s face, he formed a hand seal, looking displeased, and cast a spell at me.

“O Eastern Phantom, perish in the Runes of Destruction!”

KABOOM!

At that moment, the Rune flew towards me at a speed reminiscent of light. There was no question that any Peak Experts would struggle to dodge that speed; the power of the Rune Master’s magic was indeed formidable.

Yet suddenly, I heard the Rune Master exclaim in shock.

“A, ah, no…?!”

“……!”

I was just as surprised.

Tsutsutsutsu.

I hadn’t deliberately avoided the Rune’s attack to see what would happen, but as it made contact, it exploded with a sound and then fused seamlessly into my skin!

Soon, the runes engraved themselves onto me like they already belonged there, emitting a soft glow.

‘Oh, it seems my magical energy has increased…?’

This meant the opponent’s spell had dealt me no damage at all and was fully absorbed instead. The Rune Master spoke with a trembling voice.

“How… can you absorb the runes originating from the World Tree?!”

“…….”

I grasped the situation from his words.

Then, I smiled.

“Because I am the World Tree!”

Thinking it through, if I were the World Tree, the runes, products stemming from it, could never actually harm me. In other words, those attacks from the Rune Master were futile!

“A, no….”

“Could it be this easy?”

I hadn’t been taught but instinctively poured power into the runes that were fused with my skin. I could feel the runes pop back out. Then, I grabbed the expunged runes and hurled them at the Rune Master.

KABOOM!

“Gahhh!”

The Rune Master cried out in pain as he was swept away by the shockwave. Under normal circumstances, he would have met his end at the hands of the rune, but the generation of a shockwave indicated that he had already established a magical barrier that had been torn apart.

‘Looks like he isn’t dead.’

After swiftly subduing the Rune Master, I glanced around the scene.

“I don’t mind a bit of brute force when necessary. But to make me exert my strength, you guys better step up about tenfold.”

“……”

Upon seeing the situation unfold, Merlin sighed.

“I will yield. You are already an existence akin to the Ancient Gods.”

“Isn’t that a bit too quick to surrender?”

“You must have heard many offers by now if you’re such an extraordinary existence, so I will make an exceptional proposal. I will grant you all my magic, and you will receive my exclusive weapon, the Thunder Spear Keraunos. What do you say?”

“Wait, Keraunos?”

“Here, take a look.”

From the air, Zeus summoned a long spear and threw it to me. As I grasped it, I was stunned.

Crackle!

Incredible thunder energy!

It was not just comparable but indeed ten times more powerful than the thunder energy I had previously obtained – pure lightning itself!

I had never seen something with such thunder spirit before in my past life, and I widened my eyes in amazement. While something more powerful than Keraunos might exist in this universe, I doubted there was anything stronger within the realm of thunder weapons.

‘This… this is tempting….’

Zeus smiled, as if he expected this reaction.

“No god would offer their exclusive weapon to their apostle. Because it is the origin of their divinity. Does this make you want to become my apostle?”

“Hmm…”

I pondered intensely. To save the National Seal and obtain the Thunder Spear Keraunos? Zeus’s proposition was undoubtedly tempting.

But after a moment, I shook my head and returned Keraunos to Zeus.

“I’ll think about it.”

[What?!]

[Huh!]

[You’d reject… this?]

Surprised expresions were etched onto the face of Zeus, and the other two gods beside him. They seemed genuinely unprepared for my rejection. This only illustrated how extraordinarily significant Zeus’s offer was.

I proclaimed firmly.

“I only want to perform the proper offering now.”

My long experience with offering ceremonies spoke for itself.

Zeus wasn’t about to give such a hefty price with just empty words, and no doubt I would have to engage in some troublesome task!

I didn’t want to restrain the freedom I felt during this thirty-first cycle. Even if I were to accept the offer later, diving in without a care now would be foolish.

Zeus sighed in regret.

“It can’t be helped… I’ll grant you a temporary lease; be well on your way.”

Boom!

Moments later, I was back at the Stonehenge, having exited the divine plane where the Three Great Gods resided.

Merlin spoke to me.

“A mark of the [Key] must have formed on your palm. If you travel to the Sacred Land of Ru Labada with that, you will become immune to the strong energies emitted by the artifacts there and can easily acquire them.”

“Oh, that’s handy!”

As Merlin had said, a unique ancient pattern was indeed etched onto my palm. This symbol represented the unlimited borrowing rights from the Gods of Olympus.

And as I got up from my seat, Merlin suddenly seemed shocked.

“……No?! Why is that artifact still here?!”

“…….”

Indeed.

The National Seal, which should have vanished without a trace once offered to the Ancient Gods!

Yet even after a considerable weakening, the National Seal remained securely in my hand.

I smiled at Merlin, replying.

“Outer Heavenly Sect.”

The fifth level of the five great levels inscribed in the Necronomicon, [Tribute] level, Outer Heavenly Sect!

The power allowed me to receive a portion of what I offered back.

Currently, I could return about 20% based on my success within the Outer Heavenly Sect, so the National Seal remained intact with 20% of its energy preserved in my possession.