Reincarnated Swordmaster

Gong Gong failed his arms as if trying to flee, tearing through space to create a 'gate,' but Niwa merely glared at it once, and the gate slammed shut immediately. Gong Gong was startled.

[What?]

Flash

Boom

[Argh...]

It was a devastating defeat, no one-sided there was no comparison. Gong Gong was already being massacred by Niwa. Not only was the gap in power immense, but the advantage of location was also here. In the end, Gong Gong could endure no longer and pulled his spirit body out of mine, flying away. He had decided to abandon me, his apostle, and save only his main body.

Flash

As Gong Gong's spirit vanished somewhere, I realized I was floating in midair, my body a battered wreck. Control of my body had returned, but the situation hadn't changed at all, filling me with despair. Now, with a single word/action from Niwa, I would burst apart meplessly.

[Running won't help, Gong Gong...]

[Human. You will suffer eternally. Burn in karmic flames for eons.]

Her calm pronouncement held no discernible hatred or malice. Yet it made clear as day that my immortal soul would be utterly horrific. Niwa would extract every last bit of knowledge I possessed, then inflict a divine punishment beyond human imagination.

But I'd prepared for this. We'd already discussed with Zhuge Shi and Mang Ryang that it might come to this. Far from dread, I felt a strange calm as I raised my hand.

"Niwa. I have just one question."

Niwa responded, seeming intrigued by my query.

[What is it?]

"Will humanity never be saved? On the day the great ancient being returns, as foretold in the revelation-what becomes of the human race?"

[...]

My question struck a nerve, catching Niwa off guard. She replied with an emotionless expression.

[We will select some for salvation. That is the utmost mercy our Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors can bestow upon you.]

"How will you select them for salvation?"

[Do you not know why the underworld was created?]

Niwa muttered something under her breath, then extended her hand toward me.

[No more need for talk. Farewell.]

I knew the moment had come. With Niwa declaring no further conversation necessary, words were at an end. The thought of dying again twisted my heart, but there was no choice but to proceed.

'Damn it...'

If only I could have trained leisurely, steadying myself, instead of this avalanche of crises crashing down. I grunted inwardly and shouted.

"Starfall of the apocalypse! I, your servant, borrow your power-bow before the millennium to come!"

The Malignant God's incantation!

But as I chanted, I did not unleash the incantation's power upon the foe. This was a demonic technique Zhuge Shi had taught me: reciting the spell but halting its release before the caster, trapping the power within at will.

'Hold it steady.'

Demonic Cult Secret Technique

Spell-Fixation Realm

This secret technique was typically used to enhance spellcasting versatility. Though schools varied, similar applications existed beyond the Demonic Cult. But my reason for halting the incantation mid-way was different.

'The target... is me!'

My hand slammed into my own heart.

Boom rumble rumble boom

The next instant, I felt the Malignant God's power-meant to descend and strike or seal enemies-crash down upon me instead. Niwa stared at me in bafflement as I cloaked myself in the Malignant God's authority, but even as my body felt like it was melting into chaos, I clung desperately to my consciousness.

'I can't lose my mind...'

I thrust both hands forward. Using the sulfurous heat drenching my body, I focused my spirit beyond the power, toward 'something.'

Zhuge Shi's words echoed in my mind.

[Listen well. When you reincarnate, casualty persists, but the divinity linked to you doesn't know why that bond was forged.]

[So... if the Queen Mother of the West is truly Niwa, as we suspect, we must summon a divinity at least her equal. Unfortunately, such beings are exceedingly rare even among the [Ancient Rulers]...]

[We considered many options, but using the Nameless Sacrificial Rite to call the Lord of the Abyss is too risky. That entity is cunning and elusive-summoning it is impossible by normal means. As a matter of demonic sorcery, I managed it, but a novice like you couldn't.]

[So we gamble. Isn't the proof of your reincarnated casualty right there?]

Zhuge Shi had said that the Malignant God's incantation-usable only once per life-was proof of the casualty linking me to the Malignant God, just like my authority as Zhuan Xu's apostle.

Then I would simply speak along that thread: Yes-like how in my 13th life, that being had called to me-now I would call to it!

Rumble rumble

'Hot! My body... it's burning away!'

My flesh felt like it was liquefying, and I screamed silently within. Any attempt to cry out was choked off by mealed vocal cords. Yet amid it all, I distinctly felt a connection form with some existence.

The abyss's darkness.

The deepest, most colossal one.

A massive entity like a fusion of dragon, cephalopod, and human locked eyes with me. Instantly, meeting that gaze would drive one mad instantly, but strangely, I stared straight at it unfazed. It seemed to notice, glaring steadily back.

I mustered nonexistent courage and cried out to it.

[Malignant God! I, Baek Woong, offer you the Water and Metal Duties of the Seven Duties. Descend here and eradicate Niwa!]

A succinct reply came.

I. Accept.

Whoosh

Chaos boiling from the universe's edge swept in, enveloping my body. Moments later, in this shadowy realm, five beams of light rose, forming a pentagram, from which the Malignant God slowly extended its form.

Splatter

The world twisted.

With an ominous sound like seepage from the underworld's depths-the Malignant God had descended.

Bursting through space like cleaving water, the Malignant God possessed an enormously vast body. It silently regarded Niwa hovering before the gray moon, who met its gaze and spoke in a voice laced with killing intent.

[Malignant God. To answer a mortal's summons... astonishing.]

The Malignant God seemed to chuckle quietly.

As if the question wasn't worth answering.

[Do you truly deem yourself the Dragon of Prophecy? Is possession of the Revelation Tablet not making you arrogant?]

The Malignant God replied softly.

[The great vessel poured upon the throne of the Victorious King... receive that great fate.]

Flash

The tablet the Malignant God held glowed brilliantly.

[Urgh...]

Niwa recoiled, retreating, not daring to strike first. I realized then that the power with which the Malignant God had effortlessly slain the ancient ruler in the imperial palace stemmed from that tablet.

'What the hell is that thing?'

Even in this sub-space she owned, Niwa couldn't touch the Malignant God and stamped her foot in frustration, while it pondered how to attack her. Suddenly, I noticed my body was critically injured-life slipping away as is.

'...Damn it, not the time for that. I need to hold on longer.'

With everything already a mess, I decided to throw caution to the wind. No matter who won between the Malignant God and Niwa, the human realm was doomed anyway. Having resolved myself, I activated Zhuan Xu's authority.

Rumble rumble

Until now suppressed and unused, Zhuan Xu's [Time Manipulation] authority activated, reverting my sulfur-coated body to normal. Simultaneously, I felt a massive shout from the depths of my mind.

[You filthy mortal! How dare you use my power at will...!!]

I recognized it as Zhuan Xu's voice, but with the Malignant God and Niwa about to clash before my eyes, I felt little. If death was inevitable, what did his scolding matter? Besides, I had little left worth caring for.

Instead, I smirked and addressed Zhuan Xu.

[Zhuan Xu. I offer the Fire Duty of the Seven Duties-will you attend this king's banquet?]

[What?]

[I won't ask twice. What say you?]

[...Fine.]

Zhuan Xu accepted my proposal, as if pretending to be fooled despite knowing better. I'd contextually used the Nameless Sacrificial Rite for the North Pole's [Ancient Ruler] too, but divinities without thought of consequences-I didn't even want to imagine the fallout. Even if I survived this, I'd be torn apart by the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors or the Malignant God.

Flash

The next moment, Zhuan Xu's form and the Myriad Ghosts Scroll materialized in the space. Upon summoning, Zhuan Xu spotted the Malignant God and Niwa, grasping the situation. Wearing his imperial crown, he glanced between the two divinities and spoke.

[Niwa. You intend to face the Malignant God?]

[Do words need state ID and me.]

[...]

Zhuan Xu fell silent briefly, then addressed the Malignant God.

[Malignant God. I have a question.]

The Malignant God's gaze met Zhuan Xu's. Zhuan Xu shifted his pitch-black chaotic face toward it and continued.

[Do you truly know precisely what follows the revelation?]

The Malignant God was silent for a long while before replying.

[The Book of Rebirth shall judge all.]

[Is that a grimoire?]

[You who were born of chaos, yet remain ignorant of the power held by the Endless King...]

The Malignant God muttered mockingly.

[I seek only the right to pass to the next... through the end and judgment.]

[...]

Even Zhuan Xu and Niwa seemed unclear on the Malignant God's words. But the situation was plain: the Malignant God knew something of the post-apocalypse world unknown even to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

Zhuan Xu raised the Fire Duty and said.

[This battle's record shall endure through eternities.]

The next instant, Zhuan Xu and Niwa lunged at the Malignant God simultaneously, and it countered with the glowing tablet. As two of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors clashed with the Malignant God, the scene flooded with light, blinding everything. I felt the dimension shatter, flinging me somewhere.

Thud thud thud

"Arrghhh..."

I screamed, crashing into a rocky mountain. The impact's horrific force and speed overwhelmed my protective aura. Free of the shadow dimension, I was critically wounded again. But I couldn't just die, so I borrowed Zhuan Xu's authority once more to heal.

Busy fighting the Malignant God, it wouldn't notice me much. Staggering to my feet, I stumbled forward.

'What now?'

Per Zhuge Shi's scheme, I'd summoned the Malignant God and dragged Zhuan Xu into the mess. I'd also used the Nameless Sacrificial Rite for the North Pole's [Ancient Ruler] too, but it was obliterated by the Queen Mother, so this was it.

But I had no future. Whoever won, I'd be captured by a god, tortured eternally or torn apart. No mercy from them-they'd wring out all my secrets.

A hollow laugh escaped. I'd dodged immediate death, but only ruin awaited. In this mess, saving humanity was impossible. Neither Niwa nor the Malignant God cared a whit for earthly humans-what could be done?

That was when.

"Baek Woong. Long time no see."

A familiar voice called. I whirled around, eyes widening.

"Choon... Choon Woo-jin?"

Yes.

The Illusion God Choon Woo-jin stood right behind me!

This was near the Southern Continent's shadow dimension, and few knew my whereabouts-how had he followed? He'd supposedly suffered extreme punishment in the heavenly realm, his whereabouts unknown!

Choon Woo-jin wore familiar attire, but now sported a large bamboo hat.

As I gaped, he said.

"No need for surprise. I've reached true Illusion God realm, glimpsing the world's dream."

"...?!"

"I fooled the heavenly realm's eyes, infiltrating the 108 domains of Pango to await a chance to destroy them. But thanks to you, no need to risk it there."

"You..."

I could only marvel further. If true, his illusions fooled all heavenly beings-even the Queen Mother, Niwa's incarnation. And tracking me so swiftly meant he traversed the world like his home. True to his genius in sorcery, he'd reached Inconceivable heights in 50 years.

Choon Woo-jin glanced back and said.

"Baek Woong. True to form, you've stirred up hell when death loomed. As a reincarnator, no worries for repercussions."

"..."

He continued.

"Soon, with no chance to flee, you'll be hunted by Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and [Ancient Rulers] also. Any unfinished business?"

"I..."

What to say? Unfinished business now?

Of course, I'd love to live on, watch this unfold, see what Duty Liberation brings, learn the apocalypse's truth. But so much leisure awaited-I couldn't speak.

Then one thing flashed in my mind.

"...I want to know what happened to you all this time."

"Perfect."

Swish swish

Choon Woo-jin's body dissolved into mist-wrapped light. My own body turned to crystalline light, flattering. Startled, I looked around.

Choon Woo-jin crossed his arms, gazing skyward.

"The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are descending, as expected."

Rumble rumble

A massive arm descended from the dark sky, visible to the naked eye. Covered in hundreds of thousands of tiny wings, with a blood red eyeball in its palm, it looked grotesque.

"What!"

"That hand's shape marks it as Di-something. Casualty's a mess now-no need to hide. It's after you."

Damn it!

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors ignoring casualty to grab me-never anticipated.

I figured chaos, but no moves left!

Swish

But Choon Woo-jin casually waved his hand, and the arm vanished.

"What?! How?!"

As I cried out in shock, he said.

"Illusion God Realm. I supplanted this place with my [dream] world. Unless they break the nested dream structure, even Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors can't easily shatter my spell. Any authority extended is swallowed by my dream."

"...!!"

"Unless it's the spell creator, Emperor Fuxi."

What realm had this guy reached?!

As I gaped, Choon Woo-jin smiled bitterly.

"Won't hold long. It's borrowed from my master's authority-just buying a moment. If they get serious, this barrier breaks."

"So... you're Mang Ryang's apostle?"

"Quick on the uptake. Makes talking easy..."

Choon Woo-jin popped down. Gesturing for me to sit, he tossed me a bottle as I faced him. Sniffing it, a rich plum wine aroma wafted.

"Drink. Plum wine I brewed myself."

A swig brought refreshing, tangy plum flavor flowing through. Not the world's finest, but in this situation, it meothed my heart. Calmed, Choon Woo-jin said.

"To the point: I reached sorcery's pinnacle, Illusion God Realm, by briefly touching [World Chronicle]. That let me grasp Illusion God enlightenment, glimpse master's dream, contact the essence, and earn apostleship."

"...World Chronicle?"

News to me. Puzzled, he continued.

"You know of Heaven-Splitting Blessing?"

"Yes. Heard it explained many times."

"Heaven-Splitting Blessing is Mang Ryang's authority, but also a cosmic law directly from this great universe's [World Chronicle]. Near-equal to casualty, hence why it can smack down [Ancient Rulers]."

Heaven-Splitting Blessing from [World Chronicle]?

Focused, he said.

"If you reincarnate, tell past me to read the [World Chronicle]. Without that clue, it's unreachable."

"What? Didn't your talent get you to Illusion God Realm?"

"...Master's mercy. Alone, it'd take millennia."

Choon Woo-jin said gloomily.

"Sensing humans couldn't withstand Malignant God, master made me [Guardian], giving clues. But I reached it only years ago-and not enough power to change things."

"..."

"Damn it."

He sighed deeply, chugging his plum wine. Staring straight at me, he said.

"Baek Woong. To fell even one Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, you'll need at least twenty deaths. Can you handle it?"

I chugged my plum wine in reply.

"Of course! Swore to die and revive a hundred times-what's to fear?"

"...Hahaha."

Choon Woo-jin laughed hollowly.

"Last thing. If possible, empower Miho to boost her strength. She's the key to toppling Queen Mother."

"I see..."

"That's it. Time to die."

Huh?

I stared at him dumbfounded, but his eyes were serious. He summoned a Soulfall Palm over his hand and said calmly.

"No way left to save you. No protector, no escape. All divinities hunt you-even suicide, they'll chase to underworld for torture. Better I end you painlessly."

"Th-that's true, but..."

Feeling stifled, I scratched my head.

"Dying by your hand feels off!!"

"Hah... Waited fifty years for this moment."

"You bastard, why say that?!"

Unclear if joke or truth, he smirked.

"Kidding. Plan to seal your soul while killing you."

"Seal it?"

"Yes. Want to test if my sealing can block reincarnation."

Indeed.

Not just killing for kicks.

But sensing his ulterior motive, I eyed the Soulfall Palm warily. He said.

"Farewell."

Flick!

The Soulfall Palm pierced my brow. Strength drained from my body, vision blurring. Faintly, Choon Woo-jin's voice echoed.

[The seal fails? As expected... Baek Woong, your reincarnation power...]

Sleep came.

That was my 23rd death.

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