NOVEL NEXT Chapter 782
Chapter 782: The Dark Heaven Village
In that moment, a translucent figure of Nüwa appeared behind Miho, the one I had seen before.
It looked somewhat like the terrifying Queen Mother of the West, but with a subtly different appearance. Radiating an otherworldly beauty, she seemed like a mysterious being from another realm, her entire body brimming with lunar magical power. Her star-like, shining black eyes resembled jewels. They couldn’t have looked more different, yet why did Miho and Nüwa share such a sisterly resemblance?
Ssssssss!!
As my command burst forth, Nüwa split her body into two like a Shenlong. Since I had just witnessed this phenomenon, I immediately understood why it was happening.
‘She’s forcibly severing the future intended to choose through the Blessing of Great Creation!’
Could beings of the Three Sovereigns level execute such a defense against the Blessing of Great Creation…!?
A formidable cosmic entity capable of directly manipulating divine realms!
It was clear the Blessing of Great Creation was powerful, but it was not invincible. Of course, since this was merely a blessing, who knew what would happen if Master Mangnyang himself utilized it? Regardless, it seemed difficult to slay the Three Sovereigns.
Wwoooong—
The figures of Miho and Nüwa were partially overlapping. It was Nüwa’s attempt to fully merge with Miho, yet she was gazing at me in that state, speaking.
[What an absurd child… Making me consume a fragment of Nüwa’s soul…?]
“…….”
[This has always been a part of Nüwa. If she descends here, she could kill the Shenlong, yet will it truly be wasted over such a fragment? Such an opportunity will never come again, mortal.]
It was evident Nüwa had been observing the situation from start to finish. She intended to fight the Shenlong through Miho’s body, yet suddenly I had given the command to attack her. I glared at Nüwa and spoke.
“Nüwa! What do you think of Miho? She’s now an independent entity from you! Don’t try to consume her!!”
As I shouted, Nüwa responded with an emotionless gaze.
[I stated from the start that she belonged to me.]
“Then what about Dalgi?! What exactly is that supposed to mean? If you’re going to say it like that, you should’ve reclaimed her from the start! How can you, who has spread calamity across the world without cleaning it up, claim to be the Mother of Earth?”
[This conversation is futile.]
Nüwa regarded me with a look akin to annoyance reserved for a child.
[Nüwa was born from the divine seat. Hence, I have been a great being from the beginning, different from the Emperors, and cannot conceal my essence merely by wearing a mask. I merely shed the refuse of Non-being to assume the role of maintaining this world, yet you dare to criticize that shell?]
“……?”
[Instead, both Dalgi and Miho should be grateful for Nüwa’s grace. And you, who lived in the world of China, should have a sense of gratitude for living thanks to Nüwa’s sacrifices and consumption.]
What?
What does that even mean?
I was utterly perplexed. If the strategist had been beside me, perhaps they would’ve explained the meaning of those words, but the situation was shifting so rapidly that I couldn’t piece my thoughts together right away.
Kroooo—
At that moment, I heard the sound of the Shenlong gathering its power in the Nüwa’s Guardian once more. It clearly intended to unleash that same white radiant light, and while I could survive this with the Blessing of Great Creation, I would continue to waste my blessing. Each time I allowed the Shenlong to attack, my chances of winning would decrease drastically.
As my expression hardened, Nüwa spoke coldly.
[I didn’t expect someone who would challenge the final trial to be this foolish. However, Nüwa is magnanimous, so I will offer you a chance for choice. If you withdraw this foolish command, I will pave the way for you to defeat the Shenlong and reach the Divine Temple.]
“…….”
Is that really the only way?
I looked into Miho’s eyes. She still seemed to have some rationale, but the overwhelming presence of Nüwa made it seem impossible for her to do anything. Even for Miho, was it true that she couldn’t withstand the true power of the Three Sovereigns?
Yet I felt an immense sense of injustice.
‘Miho…’
Currently, Miho was so powerful I doubted I could grow that strong even after living dozens of lives. She had become a formidable divine being, just a step away from the realm of the Old Rulers. If such a Miho could be dominated whenever Nüwa desired, then it meant her free will would completely vanish. Even if I were to be reborn, Miho would have no future.
‘I cannot abandon everything in the name of fate.’
If I accepted that, I wouldn’t have come this far, dying dozens of times!
I had to leave hope for this life. Otherwise, Miho would be too pitiful.
I spoke to Miho.
“Miho! You promised me!”
A look of confusion crossed Miho’s eyes as I tightly grasped her hands.
“You promised you’d protect me, even in the next life!”
That had been when my 22nd life was nearing its end. Miho had tried to awaken me from Jeon Wook’s binding, only to dissolve into his grasp. It had been quite some time since then, yet I remembered that event as vividly as if it had happened yesterday.
… I didn’t even know why I was saying such foolish things.
Having traversed through the Great Circumference, Miho wouldn’t remember.
She couldn’t possibly remember. She had already become a god, and even if she hadn’t, she was a different being from the Miho of my 22nd life. She hadn’t received the obsidian, so there was no way for her to know that memory. Ultimately, I was destined to echo in my solitude, forever tormented by that recollection.
Still, I wanted to say it.
Thank you for risking your life to save me back then.
Kugugung—
[What…?]
Nüwa uttered in a perplexed tone. Suddenly, the figure of Nüwa, which had split into two, began to merge back into one. It felt as if a massive string was vibrating, causing her to reunite.
As Nüwa merged, Miho’s eyes brightened even further as she stared straight at me.
“… When did I say such things?”
Her voice was pouty.
It wasn’t the divine speech unique to gods, but a physical voice. I responded with a trembling voice.
“You… did. Long ago.”
“Pfft. Anyway… You’re incorrigible.”
Miho smiled faintly, her demeanor lightening.
“If there’s a miracle, maybe this is it.”
What is this?
As Nüwa’s figure merged together, light began to emanate from her body. Cracks formed on Nüwa’s skin, and a dazzling spectrum of light spilled out. Nüwa seemed to scream in rage.
[Master Mangnyang! Did you truly manage to move the strings and achieve Great Creation? Do you not think this act will incur the wrath of [Father]?]
Nüwa cried out in anguish, almost feeling like a desperate plea.
[This act hastens the true end of the ‘Circumference’! Do you truly believe you are an absolute being, oh arrogant one…!!]
Kiiiying -?
Bang!!
With a strange ringing sound, Nüwa’s form shattered, and the radiant light that flowed out was absorbed by Miho. Miho absorbed the light and began to emit a brilliant golden glow from her entire body, and in the next moment, her tails increased from nine to ten.
Was Nüwa absorbed?!
Wooooo—
“……?”
I was completely lost as to what was happening when Miho told me.
“Here it comes.”
Bang!!
In that moment, the light of destruction unleashed by the Shenlong’s Nüwa’s Guardian once again enveloped the Cosmic Empire. It was as massive as before, and in an instant, it felt like the entire world was being consumed by light.
Wiying!
However, as Miho reached out her hands blocking the light, it was absorbed into her golden shine, causing no harm at all. The ten tails were exuding boundless power.
Could she really block the Shenlong’s breath head-on?!
Although it had been strong before, her power now seemed to exceed that tremendously. I truly realized that Miho had entered the realm of the [Master]. This was a level of power that could not be explained; she had transformed into a being capable of manipulating the entire universe.
She didn’t turn her head but said.
“Baek Woong. Don’t think too hard about the time we died.”
“What?”
“Zhuge Sa persuaded us back then, and we accepted that fate. Even if it was a minuscule possibility, it was worth trying, to see if you could be freed from Jeon Wook. You chose your fate, so you should not feel sorrowful over it; doing so is an insult to our will.”
Her voice sounded relatively calm yet was filled with intense feelings that had barely been subdued.
I could feel she already understood me deeply.
And this was impossible for Miho, at least in this cycle. She didn’t even fully know me this time. Plus, only those who could speak like that were….
“…….”
Could it be?
How could that be possible….
“While others may not know, at least this maiden does not regret that event. At least I reached you.”
Hearing Miho’s words, my jaw dropped.
“Y-you know about that…?”
“It is as you think.”
She trembled slightly, wiped her face with one arm, and said. Though I couldn’t see her expression, the emotions came through.
“We’ve met again.”
This could not be happening….
I realized a miracle was occurring right before my eyes.
Inheritance!
Standing before me now was the divine being Miho, but also the Miho who had fought alongside me in my 22nd life!
“Miho!!!”
I tried to embrace her from behind in overwhelming astonishment and joy, but Miho suddenly manipulated time and space to evade me. As I stumbled, she giggled.
“Not now. We need to catch that monster.”
“Can we really do it?”
“… Baek Woong.”
I looked at Miho. She slowly continued.
“I just glimpsed your path thanks to the power of fate as I passed through the ‘Circumference’. I saw a branch of a tree. Compared to the hardships awaiting you ahead, everything you have faced until now is nothing.”
“…….”
“Even so, I would selfishly like to say one thing. Keep walking until the end….”
I nodded vigorously.
“Of course!!”
The only reason I had come this far as a talentless loser was sheer perseverance. The moment I gave up, everything would end, so I resolved to face the future head-on. Confronting my ugly self rather than hiding was my only courage.
I would surely overcome everything and make everyone happy.
No matter how long it takes, I will not give up!
Swish—
Miho took my hand. Then she said.
“Even with the Blessing of Great Creation, the Shenlong is a being you cannot defeat alone. Let’s take it on together.”
I felt a comforting warmth from her hand. Even having attained the divine realm, Miho was still Miho. I hadn’t imagined I would once again confront my bond after coming this far.
“Should I wish for the Blessing of Great Creation for you?”
“Did you not understand? I am here as a result of fate and blessing. This itself is a miracle.”
“…….”
“Don’t think too deeply about it. Just….”
Paat!
In the next moment, I dove into the darkness of the universe with Miho, charging straight at the Shenlong. Miho shouted.
“Let your will collide!!”
Wooooo—?
The closer I got to the Shenlong, the more I could sense how massive it truly was. The pressure felt like the wind of the entire universe pouring down on me, making me feel less than an ant, while the meteor showers swirling around were smaller than the Shenlong’s claws. The sheer divine aura emanating from him suppressed the will of anyone who dared face him.
My body trembled.
Thanks to the effect of Heavenly Secret, I hadn’t felt that pressure earlier, but in this direct confrontation, I understood. Now, I knew precisely why my companions lost mental strength and either died or became demoralized simply upon facing him. This was the true might of a transcendent being capable of playing with the very movement of the stellar constellations.
But.
I had encountered transcendent beings piled high in heaps, and more would come. I wasn’t sure, but if what Miho said was true, my future paths would indeed be thorny, and perhaps one day I would have to face monsters far more terrifying than this Shenlong—monsters immune to the Blessing of Great Creation. I honestly had no answers for such a situation, but that was a problem for then.
‘Right! Wasn’t I already resolved to destroy this world?’
A huge smile broke out on my formerly bleak face.
Let’s kill them all.
Let’s wipe out the [Rulers] of this world and all the despair!
If it’s something I have to do, wouldn’t it be better to do it with a smile!
Grrr—
At that moment, Miho transformed into a gigantic golden fox, reaching half the size of the Shenlong. Miho, now larger than a star, had mythically transformed into a fox deity, her ten tails raised high as she clung fiercely to the Shenlong’s neck, biting down.
Crunch!
Even with her biting down on the neck, the Shenlong merely shrugged and struck down on Miho with a single arm. In doing so, her back bore the brunt of the blows, leaving her with visible bruises, yet Miho refused to let go, continuing to bite down. Recognizing that Miho was risking her life and expending her divine power completely, a bright gleam emerged in my eyes.
“Iyaaah!!”
I swung my sword with all my strength, determined to strike true.
Nothing mattered now.
I’d plunge this sword right into the Shenlong’s brow!!
But just as I charged, the Shenlong opened its eyes wide.
Screech!!
The moment that gaze swept across me, I felt an immense void surround my body. I suddenly realized the Blessing of Great Creation had been cut away. If it hadn’t been for the blessings, I would’ve died dozens of times over from just that glare.
Feeling genuine death drawing near, cold sweat trickled down my back and nose, making it feel like my lower half had turned white with emptiness.
‘This…!!’
An urgent, nightmare-like sensation engulfed me as I loosened my grip on the sword. If things continued this way, I instinctively knew I wouldn’t just be unable to strike with the final Blessing of Great Creation, but would perish beforehand.
[Protector, it seems the Blessing of Great Creation can also manipulate the strength of fate.]
“Fire Dragon Incarnate!”
[In that case, you must imbue your strike with the essence of fate and manifest it in the shape you desire. That way, the divine status can directly resist the Blessing of Great Creation and inflict critical damage.]
The greatest form…?
But there was no time to think anymore. As death loomed, the vision of the greatest sword strike I had ever seen from my past surfaced.
In this life.
No, perhaps the most legendary sword master of all my lives.
Heeuyuyuk’s sword form.
As the sword form curved inwards, the figure of Yeodong-bin appeared as if it were an illusion.
“Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram.”
In the next moment—
My sword started to shine with starlight, illuminating the world.