C519
[...A deal?]
"This Underground City is at war with the 'Mount Hua.' I can stop it."
[Their invasion?]
"No. The Mount Hua's warfare activity itself."
[...]
Michael fell silent. Lucas felt he was a bit bewildered and finding it hard to believe his words.
"To do that, you should at least have the qualification to negotiate with the Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. Are you one of the Twelve Void Lords?"
"Does it seem like it?"
"It doesn't match the information I have about them, but it's possible. 'The one who sinks,' 'The executor,' 'The shell,' 'The Beginning Wizard'... There are many of the Twelve Void Lords that I don't know."
"I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. I'm not one of the Twelve Void Lords."
"Or perhaps you know the bearer of the Everlasting Plum Sword?"
"Not that either."
"Then, how will you convince him? The current Leader of the Mount Hua Sect is known as the strongest man in Mount Hua's history. At the same time, he carefully conceals his own motives and ideologies. Do you know what that means? It means his purpose cannot be discerned correctly."
Lucas explained the simplest and most effective method.
"There won't be a deep reason for Yang In-hyun's war. There's a high probability it will stop as soon as a small risk arises."
[You'll be that risk?]
Certainly, Michael's understanding was not bad.
"I can't say I'll succeed. However, if this method doesn't work, I'll have to be more forceful. Although I don't think things will deteriorate as much as I predict."
[Why is that?]
"Because I also have something to negotiate with Yang In-hyun."
[That's─]
"I can't answer that."
As much as he thought about it, it was dangerous to reveal to the inhabitants of the Void World that someone's body was inhabited by a Ruler. Michael didn't seem like someone who talks too much, but there's nothing wrong with being cautious.
[...]
Michael fell silent again.
After a brief but deep thought, he spoke again.
"I won't deny it's an attractive deal. But there are still two fundamental issues."
"What are they?"
"First, I don't know who you are."
Indeed. That was a truly fundamental issue. He couldn't be trusted because he's an unknown character.
Lucas pondered for a moment.
...What Michael wants now is a convincing answer. This guy is bewildered and cautious because an unknown being suddenly offers him help.
'He says legitimacy is important.'
Should I reveal my origin? And say I don't want those who share the fundamental Universe to die...
...Well. It might be an excuse, but something's missing.
Lucas briefly pondered and then gave his answer.
"I am Lucas Traumen."
[Traumen? Then...]
"Lesha, who accompanied me, is my younger sister. She doesn't even know who I am."
Michael must also know that Lucas saved Lesha. At least, he seems to know most of the things happening in this Underground City.
"It seems Lesha had an encounter with people from Mount Hua. In the process, she was gravely injured and almost died."
[Indeed. Is that fraternal affection?]
"It's something similar."
[Hmm.]
Michael nodded after some thought.
From his attitude, it seemed he had gained at least minimal understanding.
"All right. I'll believe you."
"And the second?"
Michael had said there were two fundamental issues.
"You said it's a deal, which means you must also have something you desire. We may not have the capability to fulfill it."
"It's not a big proposal. I just want you to grant me a favor at some point."
[That's strange. You're not saying I should grant it, just that I owe it to you.]
"That's right. You can hear it out and then reject it. It's your freedom."
Michael's expression became even stranger.
"So you won't get any benefit from this...."
It's not that he sought a benefit.
He swallowed that response.
For starters, this was an extra.
The reason Lucas had created this scenario was another.
He just wanted to get away from Pale for a while.
"If it seems boring to you, could you grant me a small favor aside from that?"
[What is it?]
"I'll be absent for a while, and if you encounter my companion outside, please give her a vague answer."
[If it's your companion...]
In an instant, Michael's awareness shifted outward.
Then, his body shook once, as if he had fully realized Pale's presence outside the chapel.
[...That doesn't seem like a small favor.]
"Will you reject it?"
[No. As the Lord here, I must fulfill my duty, so I'll accept it.]
Michael nodded and asked.
"But how are you going to leave here without her seeing you? There's only one entrance and exit to this place."
"It's not difficult."
When Lucas waved his hand, space opened up and formed a pathway.
[Being able to use teleportation in this world.]
"Please come up with a good excuse. She seems to be smiling, but she's a sharp girl...."
No. Maybe even this excuse was unnecessary.
Michael might not know Lucas's identity, but he knows Pale's, so he'll manage.
Lucas turned around without looking back and took a step into the open space.
Lucas stepped onto unfamiliar ground.
A sky tinged with black, surrounded by rugged rock formations.
Where Lucas was standing was a relatively open clearing, and there was a strangely shaped building rooted in the ground.
Of course, he now recognized it at first sight.
That it wasn't a half-sunken building but a spaceship.
Crack, crunch...
In a place where nobody's presence was felt, a fire burned silently. Lucas looked around and realized that the owner of this space was currently absent.
"I see."
He murmured to himself. This space, which was initially unknown, was now fully understood in terms of its form.
"...So this is the 'Intermediary'."
An intermediate point between the 'Void World' and the 'Three Thousand Worlds.'
Perhaps if he stayed in this place for a long time, he might see many interesting scenes.
However, that wasn't Lucas's current objective.
First, before his main objective,
"Lightning God."
...
"I know you're listening. Respond, Lightning God."
There was no response, but Lucas wasn't in a situation to wait with folded arms.
He had bought himself some time, but he still didn't have time to spare.
Perhaps I should try a bit of provocation.
"Why are you so downcast?"
[...What do you mean?]
It worked.
A roaring voice returned like lightning.
...Indeed,
The current Lightning God was strange. He was exhaling emotions without filter. He was nothing like the Ruler Lucas had known until now.
[Downcast? What do you know to speak so lightly?]
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking. What the hell is wrong with you?"
Initially, Lucas had been surprised to find that Lightning God had also returned. He thought if the information about the Regression reached Lightning God, the situation could get complicated.
But... something was different.
That difference was the overly docile attitude of Lightning God, who had the information.
"What happened to you?"
[...You still don't understand? I... 'fell'.]
The weight of those words made Lucas shudder.
"...You crashed?"
[Crashed? Hah! That's much more pitiful than that...!]
Lightning God shouted with a sound that seemed to grind teeth.
[I was dragged by the force of the Regression applied to you! It must be an event that occurred because the scope was applied to the entire Universe, not just to an individual!]
"What..."
[Don't you understand? My remnant got caught in your Regression, and in the process, the connection between 'me' and my main body got severed...!]
At that moment, Lucas understood what had happened to Lightning God, no.
To 'this entity'.
[Now do you understand? In what state do you find me?]
"..."
Lightning God fell silent again.
It was inevitable.
Even though he had separated from the main body, the 'consciousness' this entity possessed was undoubtedly that of Lightning God. He recognized himself as Lightning God and also had the arrogance and pride that accompanied him.
In other words, in terms of consciousness state, this entity was no different from the real Lightning God. It was as if his consciousness had been copied without the slightest fault.
However... this creature could no longer be called Lightning God. Furthermore, there still existed a complete Lightning God in this world.
[Now do you understand? In what state do you find me?]
"..."
[I've explained this to you because it's simple... Stop talking to me. Got it? Don't say anything, don't even pay attention to me. Treat me as if I didn't exist.]
...He couldn't even imagine the magnitude of confusion this creature was experiencing. He couldn't imagine it, but still.
His chest filled with seething warmth.
Lucas spoke impulsively.
"And if I don't?"
[What?]
"What will you do if I do as I please? Will you float in my mind and then slowly fade away? Is that what you want, to be completely absorbed by my consciousness and perish?"
[You haven't understood my words?]
"No. I have. You've definitely experienced a more miserable fate than a fall."
Lucas clenched his teeth.
Suddenly, he realized the emotion swirling in his chest.
It was anger.
"And so what? Will you give up after a single failure? Do you really consider yourself the Lightning God?"
[You don't know.]
"Yes. I don't know. But I can see you're pathetic right now."
He didn't expect a response, but none came. Yes. He was so cowardly that he couldn't even get angry at this provocation.
Frustration bubbled inside him.
The Lightning God Lucas knew and had received help from was not this being. Though he didn't quite like him, he considered him a potential enemy and got irritated every time they talked, he had never considered him pathetic.
By sharing his mind with Lightning God, Lucas had come to know the strength of his spirit.
He had admired that willpower. And now, this being who had received Lucas Traumen's admiration was showing such cowardice?
"Do you think among all the beings you've ignored, not a single one has ever failed? Look at me. Lightning God. Look into my being. How many times do you think I've failed so far? And how many more times do you think I'll fail in the future?"
Lucas reviewed his past.
"I won't say I've overcome them or beaten them. I'm still plagued with failures. But... I've persevered."
He had endured failure, sadness, and despair. Sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied.
"The human you see before you is the one who has failed the most in this world. And you're going to give up after a single failure? The guy who was so desperate to find a challenge?"
[...]
Lightning God's voice didn't ring out again. Lucas directed one last word to the still silence.
"If you don't know, I can teach you. How to better endure failure."
[Heh.]
A brief mocking laughter echoed.
Lucas was about to say more when he realized he no longer had time. He looked around, but there were still no signs of the owner returning.
...No other choice.
He had to resort to a somewhat crude method. He wasn't in a position to worry about appearances either.
'Hidden Hand.'
He remembered the special right arm possessed by the Exiled. That guy had used it to manipulate space.
Tsssssh─
A faint electric current ran through Lucas' body.
Was it because the remnant of Lightning God was still in his mind? Now he was able to handle 'Thunder' from him to a very slight degree.
Of course, he couldn't know everything that happened in a given space as he did during the battle with Pale, but it wasn't difficult to glimpse the partial future or analyze the structure. Plus, the energy consumption was low.
Lucas walked with difficulty as he analyzed his surroundings and stopped at a certain point.
"Here it is."
He extended his hand. And as if unzipping, he slowly slid it down.
Swoosh─
Space opened, and without hesitation, he leaped into the place where the other side couldn't be seen.
Whoosh!
The surrounding landscape changed. The rocky terrain filled with strange rock formations disappeared like smoke, and Lucas found himself standing on a grayish land.
"......"
He didn't know the exact location, but this space also seemed quite special. There probably wouldn't be a way to get here if it weren't for the 'Intermediary,' the dwelling of the Exiled.
Lucas' gaze fell on someone standing on the lifeless earth.
That person also instantly noticed Lucas' presence.
[Who are you?]
The Conquest's White Knight asked in a rough voice.
Lucas didn't respond. He hadn't come to converse.
'I want to be evaluated.'
He wanted another being to judge what he was like now.
And the Conquest's White Knight was the most suitable being for it. Of the 4 Knights, he was the one with the most rational and peaceful thinking.
When they met, the Conquest's White Knight told Lucas he wasn't worthy of being the Void King.
Even a response like that would be good. Even a response like that would be a sufficiently significant indicator for the current Lucas.
Plus, one more small question.
Kuuuh─
The Void swirled around Lucas.
Clang─
The Conquest's White Knight, who was far away, raised the shield he had been carrying.
"I'm curious too."
Without using Omniscience,
To what extent could he fight against the 4 Knights in his current state.
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)