Chapter 498: Star Fragments (8)
Chang-Sun had never expected to hear such news about Mephistopheles the ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’, who had disappeared after finding the trace of <Dull Darkness> right before the Rollback Loop started, like this. Since <Dull Darkness> had already appeared, Chang-Sun had thought Mephistopheles would also arrive soon, but he was wrong about that.
Also sensing something wrong, <Dull Darkness> frowned. “...What?”
[<Deus Ex Machina> opens his eyes, unsure what is going on too!]
[<Deus Ex Machina> quickly reads the hidden data.]
Click, click, click―!
The gears in his golden machine eyes quickly rotated in the opposite direction, and the world around them changed.
[Playing the footage after compiling the data recorded in the ‘Changgong Library’!]
The footage showed a skeletal being whose eyes shone with dark blue light, swimming in darkness.
‘<Abyss>...!’ Chang-Sun thought, recognizing where it was.
The World's Navel, Omphalos, the place that existed beyond <Darkness> and <Nihil>... Mephistopheles was heading to the place where R’lyeh, the body of <Dull Darkness>, was. At one moment, Mephistopheles suddenly turned in the opposite direction.
Sun. Wukong.
Rummmble!
At the same time, a long spatial gap suddenly appeared in the <Abyss>, and a man slowly walked out from it. His long white hair fluttering, the man looked at Mephistopheles with golden, emotionless eyes; it was ‘Ill-Tempered Buddha’, the Grand Heaven of the Nine Heavens.
As he watched the footage, Chang-Sun could not help but wonder if it was actually Sun Wukong, whom he had been hearing stories about until now. The Sun Wukong from mythology was always mischievous and carefree, but he also acted as he pleased, periodically causing trouble everywhere. Regardless, he was one of the most renowned <Supreme Light’s Faces>. However, this person seemed nothing like the Sun Wukong from mythology in Chang-Sun’s eyes.
“That was why I exterminated countless demonic beings, but it got me thinking. No matter how hard I tried, eradicating them all seemed impossible because they just kept popping out of nowhere like cockroaches. Even if I covered the place with bug traps, they would just find a different hole to crawl out of.”
“Those cockroaches have to come from some ‘root.’”
What Carl Malone, Avalokitesvara’s apostle and the Council president, had told Chang-Sun came to his mind.
“Someone out there is hiding somewhere, playing with the world as they please.”
Real evil was behind the White Tiger Clan and the demonic beings. That evil was different from conceptual evils like Baal and <L’Infernal>, because it actually drove the world into chaos.
“That’s right. Jaegal Hyeon-Ryong and Sun Wukong are those roots.”
Speaking through her apostle, Avalokitesvara had also told Chang-Sun that Hyeon-Ryong and Sun Wukong had to be exterminated. Otherwise, Earth and the universe would be in danger. Besides, Chang-Sun was already a victim in their endeavors.
‘...Father.’ Chang-Sun recalled the Emperor’s Seat, who was waiting for him inside an ice slab in the <Underworld>.
Richardus had also left <Purple Star Astrology> and joined Sun Wukong’s side.
Pzzzzz―!
As if the footage was reflecting what Chang-Sun was thinking, more people emerged from additional spatial gaps, surrounding Mephistopheles. Many of them looked bizarre and distinct, but Richardus and the Eunuch Star were also with them, looking at Mephistopheles with cold eyes.
What. Is. Meaning. Of. This.
“It’s nothing personal, Faust,” Sun Wukong said slowly, his [Fiery Eyes of Truth] burning with a sharp gaze.
Then. What.
“There is something I want to see,” Sun Wukong replied.
What.
Mephistopheles was very confused as to what Sun Wukong was trying to see by unleashing his murderous energy on him. Mephistopheles could already tell that it was nothing good, so he extended his arm forward.
A huge book, which looked the same as Chang-Sun’s [Prelati’s Spellbook], floated down onto Mephistopheles’ palm. Chang-Sun’s spellbook had only been manifesting in his head, but he could tell that Mephistopheles was using the original. It was part of the Emerald Tablet, which contained the universe’s history and end.
“I feel as if it’s going to take too long if I explain everything, so let’s talk after we begin.” Sun Wukong extended his hand forward.
A pool of light flashed from within his hand, and a long golden staff appeared in his hands. After realizing that Sun Wukong had the [Ruyi Jingu Bang], a part of the Tower, with him, Mephistopheles gaped.
How.
“You know how.” Sun Wukong chuckled, then flew at Mephistopheles, followed by his people.
Paaah―!
As the pages of the book in Mephistopheles quickly turned, dark blue light clashed with golden light, and everything turned dark.
[It is the end of the footage!]
Creaaaak, creaak―!
And then, Chang-Sun, <Dull Darkness>, <Deus Ex Machina> were back in the world of golden gears. Only the sound of gears rotating, which was especially ominous today, echoed through the world.
[<Deus Ex Machina> mutters in annoyance, wondering what kind of fuckery this is now.]
[<Deus Ex Machina> asks his twin brother if he knows anything.]
<Dull Darkness> shook his head. “Nothing. I lost him too.”
[<Deus Ex Machina> asks how it is possible.]
“Not all of me is here. Although I can see that he managed to flee from the site, that’s it, maybe because he’s hiding in his own space. I need to synchronize with this place more... but it’s risky,” <Dull Darkness> explained.
Only two percent of his consciousness was here right now. The rest was in the Imaginary Plane, focusing on taking it over. Of course, he had had no problem until now because it was previously enough to use omniscience and omnipotence. He had to increase his synchronization rate with this place to investigate the matter at length, but he could lose his link to the Imaginary Plane in that case.
<Dull Darkness> was almost done taking over the Imaginary Plane, so losing the link right now could turn all his efforts futile. Above all, however, he had a bigger problem.
[<Dull Darkness> has less than two minutes to continue using his incarnation!]
[<Dull Darkness> must project more of his consciousness to maintain his incarnation.]
[R'lyeh may be awakened after the time limit.]
The time <Dull Darkness> had in this place was coming to an end, so he had to decide between finding Mephistopheles even if he had to restart his conquest of the Imaginary Plane, or leaving Chang-Sun and <Deus Ex Machina> in charge of the matter. It was a dilemma.
[<Deus Ex Machina> yells furiously,a sking what in the world <Supreme Light> is doing!]
The representative of <Supreme Light> was filling in for him after his disappearance, so <Deus Ex Machina> and the others had no way of verifying if Sun Wukong’s sudden attack had anything to do with <Supreme Light>. They could go meet the representative to find out, but... they were out of time.
[<Dull Darkness> contemplates what decision he should make.]
There was actually not much to ponder. <Dull Darkness> was already close to completing his conquest in the Imaginary Plane and resurrecting his teacher, but those could not be justifications for giving up his family. That was never an option for <Dull Darkness>.
“...Well, I have no other choice.” <Dull Darkness> raised his hand high to terminate his connection to the Imaginary Plane and increase the synchronization rate with this world.
“Wait a moment, please!” Chang-Sun shouted suddenly, catching the attention of <Dull Darkness> and <Deus Ex Machina>. He continued, “If Sun Wukong and the others are responsible for injuring my teacher, then their next target is...!”
“...It’s here!” <Dull Darkness> realized that he had overlooked the basics after being pressured by an unexpected turn of events.
[<Deus Ex Machina> senses an external influence!]
Rummmble―!
With an immense shock, the mind palace of <Deus Ex Machina> shook and faded away, revealing the Tower again. Sun Wukong, Richardus, and the others were rapidly flying out of a huge wormhole high in the sky.
『Why are there so many uninvited guests today?』
Aphoom-Zhah crawled out of the shadows, looking serious for the first time.
[The Outer Celestial ‘Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young’ frowns at the trespassers!]
[The Outer Celestial ‘Nameless Mist’ asks their friend if the man over there is actually Sun Wukong.]
[The Outer Celestial ‘Source of Uncleanliness’ scoffs and says that the man is Sun Wukong, but not an Original.]
[The Outer Celestial ‘Harbinger’ believes that killing the copy of Sun Wukong will not cause any problems.]
[The Outer Celestial ‘Green Flame’ growls at those rude monkeys running wild in their father’s presence!]
The other Eight Gods of Disorder hurriedly took action.
“Darkness! Have you heard anything from <Supreme Light>?” Baal asked urgently.
Even if he was not an Original, Sun Wukong was still Sun Wukong, so Baal was unsure if he could deal with the copy at his discretion.
<Dull Darkness> shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Then who in the world are they? Are they here to commit mass suicide?” Baal asked, scowling.
Chang-Sun had already caused enough problems, but there were moths who were voluntarily flying into a flame now, when both <Dull Darkness> and <Deus Ex Machina> were here!
“If we can’t see any connection to <Supreme Light> in this...!” Baal began as he spread his black wings wide. “...then I guess we don’t have any reason to hesitate any longer.”
Paah!
Using the trespassers as a chance to vent out his anger caused by Chang-Sun, Baal used his power as Shavalyoth and created several black holes large and small.
Craaaack―!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
As the world fell into chaos...
Tap!
...<Dull Darkness> slowly walked toward the trespassers. Even though he did not have much time left, it would not take long for him to take out those moths.
“Maejae[1],” <Dull Darkness> said.
Not expecting <Dull Darkness> to call him by that name at that moment, Chang-Sun quickly turned to look at <Dull Darkness>.
“Don’t lose your teacher.”
Chang-Sun’s eyes widened for a moment and he nodded with a heavy heart, having a feeling he knew why <Dull Darkness> was telling him this. That was why he immediately moved in search of Mephistopheles.
Paaah!
1. The Korean term for brother-in-law ☜
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