Chapter: 905
“Oblivion….”
After hearing that, I had to sit there in silence for a while.
‘A punishment, huh?’
To think my mother was punished for not fulfilling her duties. And to top it off, the punishment was oblivion?
“…Is that true?”
“At least, that’s what I know.”
“…”
It wasn’t easy to believe Noya’s words. However, there was no reason not to believe them. I also knew this damned world was a mess. If my mother really was punished, then the reason must be clear.
‘… She failed to fulfill her role as a calamity.’
Thinking about it, that might have been the cause. Only then did it finally click for me.
‘So that’s why my mother looked at me like that.’
How could she gaze at me with such an emotionless stare? I felt like I had received an answer to that.
But the problem is…
‘Then what about the mother I met?’
What was the mother who appeared when I faced the Blood Demon at the Shinryongwan? She was surely my mother—even this time, the Master of All Worlds I encountered was also my mother.
The Blood Demon’s reaction proved it, and I was confident about it too.
‘What the hell?’
I couldn’t comprehend this.
At the same time, I recalled what my mother had said just before I lost consciousness.
‘I told you not to think about finding yourself.’
Could it be that she had predicted this situation and uttered those words?
‘So, did Mom know I’d end up in this world?’
No matter how I looked at it, that was the only conclusion I could draw. My mother expected that I would arrive in Man-gye.
How?
‘Was there some kind of setup? Or did my mother send me here on purpose? No, I don’t think it was intentional.’
I concluded it couldn’t be the latter. My mother’s reaction was too strange. Besides, I believed that if my mother was aware of her condition, she wouldn’t have let me go like this.
Then…
‘In the end, it must be the former.’
What difference caused this situation? I pondered deeply, trying to identify the changes. My life was such a mess that there were countless things to consider.
I focused on the most recent events to make sense of it.
‘First, let’s review…’
The space of those guys. The tree I touched in that underground place.
As soon as my hand made contact, it crumbled and began to absorb into my body uncontrollably. Was that the issue?
‘Or…’
The inner treasure called Yeouiju that Gyecheonmunju spoke of. Was consuming it the problem?
‘That could be it.’
I didn’t even intend to eat it. The moment I opened my mouth, it just swooped in and I swallowed it without choice.
That alone shows how bizarre this all is.
‘… But if that’s not it?’
A pure white spark flickered in my mind.
White flame.
Was it possible that the ability to emit white flames came from Yeouiju? If that’s not it either…
‘The great success of Gu Flame Wheel Technique…’
The Gu Flame Wheel Technique had finally achieved its ultimate form from remaining confined.
If that was the biggest change, then it definitely was a change.
‘But that was something I couldn’t reach even in my past life.’
No matter how many monsters I consumed, no matter how much I accumulated, I remained confined before.
Now, I had finally reached a level I could never attain in this lifetime.
I questioned whether that really was the root problem…
‘That would be awkward.’
There was one major obstacle to just attributing it to that.
‘If that was the cause, then why didn’t it explode right away?’
The time difference was clear. Maybe it exploded after a delay, but looking at it that way just seemed overly contrived.
‘I can’t definitively say it’s the cause, but…’
At this point, it might be more accurate to say:
‘Conditions have been fulfilled.’
A result must have occurred when conditions were met and something was encountered.
If so, what could that something possibly be?
‘The Blood Demon?’
A sudden thought crossed my mind. Was it possible that encountering the Blood Demon triggered this?
Of course, this is just a wild hypothesis, but if we’re evaluating possibilities, this one seems the most plausible.
‘…’
Was the Blood Demon truly the problem? Moreover…
‘If my assumption is correct, it implies that the situation was envisioned and prepared for in advance.’
Whether by the Great Master of the White Flame or by whomever—if that were the case, it would mean someone crafted this phenomenon while anticipating it would happen.
How could this be possible?
‘If I hadn’t reached this point, this wouldn’t have happened.’
Did my mother, or any other entity, believe I would make it this far?
Or perhaps…
‘Did they believe it?’
Did they genuinely trust I would get to this point?
‘No way.’
I shook my head. There’s no possible way that could have happened. In fact, in my previous life…
“Uh.”
I suddenly opened my eyes wide, startled.
“… Could it be?”
That seems impossible, but what if they expected my return?
‘What a ridiculous thought.’
Of all the wild ideas that came to me, this was the most ludicrous.
‘Did they prepare for everything with my return in mind? That’s nothing short of absurd.’
If that’s true, it would induce a fear that’s unimaginable.
‘… My life feels like it’s been designed by someone else.’
That shouldn’t be possible, and it ought not to exist.
With a snap, I cast aside these intrusive thoughts while gritting my teeth and directed my attention back to Noya.
“Noya.”
“Yeah?”
“Even if everything Noya said is spot-on, I still have questions. Particularly, there are contradictions in your statements.”
“A contradiction?”
Noya’s brows furrowed slightly at that. Seeing this, I asked the question that had been bothering me.
Yes, there was indeed a highly annoying contradiction in Noya’s words.
“If the Blood Demon’s world faces troubles and invades the Central Plains as a disaster… then my mother’s position would also appear similar. This raises questions.”
A calamity from her world invaded the Central Plains?
As a narrative, it seemed logical, but if that premise held true, what about my mother?
“The All Worlds still exists. There’s no reason for my mom to come as a disaster to the Central Plains.”
It’s a question as well as a contradiction. It was something that bothered me right from the start. When I raised the issue, Noya nodded.
“That’s also true. From a logical standpoint, it’s a valid question.”
“Well then…”
“However, the All Worlds is different.”
“Pardon?”
The All Worlds is different?
“That’s also the reason why the world sent your mother to the Central Plains. She must be the master of the All Worlds.”
“… Could you elaborate further?”
“The existence of a master isn’t necessarily as superior as you’d think.”
Suddenly, a discussion about ownership popped up, but I refrained from interrupting.
Because I figured there must be a purpose for bringing it up.
“Although life in the world is connected to the master, it doesn’t mean that the master is automatically a strong entity. It’s simply that they are born that way.”
“Born that way, you say?”
“Exactly, that’s the nature of a master.”
Those words were incomprehensible.
And, I couldn’t quite grasp why they were relevant right now.
At that moment.
“A master, traditionally, means there’s usually only one master over all living beings in a world.”
“… What do you mean by that?”
“The All Worlds, as I’ve said multiple times, welcomes various forms of life. Therefore…”
Noya rubbed his neck as if feeling wearied.
“Do you really think there’s only one master in All Worlds?”
“…!”
I held my breath. So that’s what he meant!
“… Are you saying there are multiple masters in All Worlds?”
“Exactly. To be precise… it’s a situation where multiple entities should come into being.”
That must be the meaning behind those words.
“However, the All Worlds and the universe don’t desire that, so when receiving it under the guise of consideration, certain conditions are imposed.”
Noya held up two fingers.
“One: You must pledge loyalty to the master of the universe.”
The second was…
“Two: You will become part of the Moonlight Clan of All Worlds.”
“… Moonlight Clan?”
“It refers to those originally present in this world. If that happens…”
“Are you saying no other masters will appear?”
“If we go by what is said, then yes. Just that…”
Noya began petting Kkureungi.
That creature lay motionless on the floor, showing no reaction whatsoever.
“There’s one other master that she acknowledges. That is probably how she received karma and could descend to the Central Plains.”
“What do you mean… there’s another master?”
“Can’t you see it kneeling before you right now?”
“Uh?”
I turned my gaze and paused as I caught sight of something.
It certainly existed.
A presence unmistakable, much like when I faced my mother or the Blood Demon.
“… Kkureungi?”
“Yep. That’s Kkureungi.”
[….]
It slightly reacted at the sound of its name being called. It appeared very displeased, yet there was a certain feeling of resignation within it, as if it had given up something vital.
“This thing is also a master?”
To even imply that…
‘Surely…’
Looking at Kkureungi confronting my mother, it didn’t seem out of the question to call it that…
“As I said earlier, you can’t simply regard a master as a powerful entity. It’s more appropriate to say they tend to appear stronger than the average.”
“If Kkureungi is a master, then how can it even exist?”
“Because it needs to.”
Noya halted his hand and stopped petting Kkureungi.
“Everywhere, darkness is essential. Not night—but darkness.”
“What does that even mean?”
Noya let out a soft sigh in response to my question. Exhaustion was clearly written over his face.
Why did his expression suddenly shift to that?
Just as I was pondering, Noya spoke again.
“If she governs the surface, then this creature represents the opposite.”
“The opposite, you say?”
“The All Worlds includes creatures that might become its masters, or those who refuse to join the Moonlight Clan. There had to be someone who managed them. And not just that…”
[Grumble.]
“It would also need a being to contain and burn away what has been obliterated.”
“… Pardon?”
In light of Noya’s following words, my eyes widened with shock.
What he implied was…
“A very deep, very deep pit—something you’d never find even if you tried to look inside. A place where, once entered, escape should be impossible.”
Kkureungi couldn’t possibly personify that.
“The world has termed it a bottomless pit. This creature is”
A being that contains and erases those who have perished without a master.
That is to say…
“He is the master of that bottomless pit.”
In some respects, it signifies the source of evil.
*
The sun continued its descent.
Though the sunset wasn’t apparent, I could cautiously predict that the sun was going down.
I sat there expressionless, watching the night approach.
“…”
My face may have seemed vacant, but in reality, it felt close to breaking down under the weight of too many jumbled thoughts.
“What a shitty life.”
Quietly, I breathed out a sigh.
This being such a cruddy existence—could it really be this bad? I kept swiping my dry hands over my face.
I had sensed it from long ago, but it felt as if every time I dug deeper, more chaos surfaced.
“Why can’t I just get a manageable piece? Can’t someone gift me something this easy?”
I might try to endure for a while, but the challenge was just exorbitant.
“Phew…”
Could there possibly be anything this simple?
In my past life and current life… Ah, if I think about it, isn’t it tougher now? It felt like it. Just when I thought I could endure, it seemed something else piled on, making it all the worse.
“Damn it. If you’re going to throw it at me, you should at least finish it right before leaving.”
Noya, who had been explaining, suddenly looked weary and claimed to leave for a bit, before vanishing.
As soon as Noya disappeared, the creature glanced at me and disappeared back into the gap where it had come from.
I couldn’t just remain idle, so I had no choice but to head back to my residence.
I was told to take a break, but in this state, that was absurd.
“Ugh…”
I felt I wouldn’t be able to sleep at all. Yet, neither was there a strong urge to move.
That indicated a deep mental exhaustion.
So…
“Can’t I just be left alone? I’m not feeling so great right now.”
I muttered as I scanned the area.
These words weren’t directed at myself.
They were aimed at the figure watching me from afar as soon as I returned to my quarters.
Upon hearing my words, the figure that had been peeking out of the distance gradually made their presence known.
An individual with black hair and beastly ears.
It was Gubong, the one I had encountered earlier.
As soon as I caught sight of him, I sighed and remarked.
“What business do you have with me?… Oh, never mind.”
Asking about such trivial matters seemed downright bothersome.
I thought to myself as I rose to my feet.
In truth, there was no need to inquire. I could tell just by looking at his face.
I looked at Gubong and said, “I didn’t like the look in your eyes since daytime. Most who look at me like that have already settled what they want.”
That’s something I’ve learned through life experience, and it’s even more frustrating since I’d never been wronged before. Looking at Gubong with a scowl, he opened his mouth to speak.
“Although the elder brother deemed it acceptable earlier, I do not.”
I merely stared at him quietly, as if gesturing for him to continue.
“No matter how long you’ve been a guest, your attitude cannot be tolerated. At least not within this volcanic region.”
Hearing that caused me to chuckle.
“Yeah? This ain’t even a mountain, so what’s the big deal about a volcano? You’ve probably never even seen one, so why waste breath on volcanoes? You probably don’t even know what a volcano is!”
“…Do not insult the volcano.”
“Why should I insult a volcano? I like them too. If anything, it’s really more of an insult to you… No, that’s not right either.”
I spat those words out, waving my hands dismissively. At this point, continuing this wordplay became exhausting.
So I decided to cut to the chase.
“Alright then, let’s have a fight.”
Gubong’s eyes widened upon hearing that. Was he shocked I would ask so openly?
Flustered for a moment, Gubong set his eyes intently on me.
“As the representative disciple of this volcanic region, I shall teach you etiquette—”
“Your tongue is filthy. So you’re asking for a fight, right?”
With a crunch sound, I clenched my fists, producing an audible crack of joints.
“Just so you know, I’m a bit heated right now, and I might have a problem controlling my strength. Is that all right?”
“…”
At my statement, Gubong’s brow furrowed sharply.
“That kind of provocation doesn’t—”
Gubong’s words never reached a conclusion.
With a thud!
“Gah!”
“Well then.”
My fist had already lodged itself squarely into his gut.
I tilted my head, pondering the sensation I felt.
It didn’t penetrate as deep as I had expected.
It was tougher than I imagined.
Maybe that’s why?
‘Well, it’ll do nicely for venting.’
An unintended thought bubbled up in my mind.
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