C530
It's painful.
The Lightning God groaned as if he were about to succumb to a pain he had never experienced before.
Pain was not unfamiliar to him. Some might think that Rulers had never felt even a shred of pain, but that was nothing more than unfounded rumor.
For an Absolute being, pain could be an interesting pastime, or even a tool to gather data for their experiments.
That's why the Lightning God had often designed situations to experience pain for himself.
Perhaps that could be called self-harm.
But at this moment, the Lightning God understood for the first time a crucial difference.
"Feeling pain" was completely different from "feeling agony".
The latter implied "suffering", a word that was among the furthest from the Rulers.
"This... I..."
The incomplete words wavered on his lips.
[...This is truly a deplorable sight.]
The Thunder and Lightning Ruler set aside the mockery. His voice, tinged with weariness, continued slowly.
[To think that this is one of the forms this Lightning God could have taken... It sickens me even without a physical body... This is the first time I've experienced such revulsion.]
"......"
[You're already rotten. And it seems there's no cure. To think that planting a vestige (residual thoughts) could have such an influence? The existence of a being like Lucas Traumen has shown that even this Lightning God can change.]
A slight interest flared in his voice laden with disgust, only to quickly extinguish.
[But that's not a pleasant change for me. It's what is known as a negative influence.]
It's true. The Ego of the Rulers was complete from the moment of their existence. Any change in that perfect self-image, regardless of the direction, could only be considered as degeneration.
The Thunder and Lightning Ruler twisted his mouth.
[I have nothing more to say to you. Trash, disappear. And don't ever show your existence before me again.]
"......"
He should say something. He could make excuses, shout, or even resort to fallacies.
But silence was unforgivable. In this case, silence would be interpreted as affirmation, and affirmation would lead him to the most miserable fate the Lightning God could face.
However, was there any falsehood in the words of the Thunder and Lightning Ruler?
Was there something he could truly deny?
No.
"…Alright."
Realizing this, the voice that sprouted from his lips did not falter, to his surprise.
Hadn't he received a great impact? Or was he simply accepting it now?
Perhaps both.
The Lightning God sought a definitive answer. Unable to accept his own misery despite facing it head-on, he still held onto the pride of a Ruler in a corner of his heart.
But now, that pride had become a burden. The pedestal that firmly held his spirit had turned into a sharp spear that began to tear at his mind.
'…A copy.'
This thought, the humiliation he ruminated, the bitterness that rose, were nothing but the result of a replicated personality.
The words of the Thunder and Lightning Ruler were not wrong.
Shaking, miserable, or even scum. What other word could describe the current Lightning God more accurately?
And the sentence had been dictated by himself. At least, by the being he still considered "himself".
'Is this the end?'
He closed his eyes. He couldn't even fulfill his last wish anymore. His pride as a Ruler, which had allowed him to maintain the remnants of his vestige, had also shattered. He had relinquished control of the body to its owner. He would fade away quietly, in a corner of Lucas's consciousness, until he finally vanished.
That was the only ending permitted to the Lightning God.
At that moment...
'...?'
His clouding consciousness cleared again. The sensation of drifting away from the body also returned. Of course, it wasn't the Lightning God who did it. If not, there was only one being who could do such a thing.
'What are you doing, Lucas?'
Lucas, once again, had relinquished control to the Lightning God.
[Is that all?]
A voice sounded as if it were angry.
Yes...
Though he had relinquished control of the body, his mind was fully present in the situation. He had probably seen his miserable state with his own eyes. He no longer had the pride to hurt himself over it.
'Are you just going to tell me that?'
The Lightning God smirked mockingly.
'Do you have nothing more to say? I tried to break my promise to you.'
[That's not important now.]
'Then why are you angry?'
[I'm annoyed by your behavior.]
Annoyed?
That was a response the Lightning God hadn't expected.
[Is your pride wounded? Do you feel desperate about the current situation? Do you want to give up now? ─It's all wrong. Those aren't the strongest emotions you're feeling right now.]
'What are you talking about?'
[Sometimes it's okay to ignore the truth. But you should never ignore your own feelings. Only you can know them.]
Lucas's voice sharpened.
[Why pretend not to see your own anger?]
And the Lightning God shuddered.
[You're so angry your hair turns white. You hate that bastard who talks nonsense and you can't stand it.]
'...So you want me to unleash my anger like this? Me, against him, who is myself?'
[What does that matter?]
Lucas even returned the question. Memories of the past flashed through his mind.
The Abyss, where he was held captive for 4000 years.
What was Lucas like back then? What did he do to not forget himself?
─He unleashed his anger.
He ceaselessly hated the divine being who had imprisoned him.
[Can't you get angry when you become miserable? Do you have to simply endure if your opponent has unlimited power? You're wrong. No matter who your opponent is or what your situation is, you always have the right to get angry.]
'...!'
[You must be confused. You've never experienced such an intense emotion before.]
His nerves tensed, then calmed, and finally settled. The Lightning God realized he had never before experienced such an intense emotional change. Lucas was right.
'...I suppose so.'
He couldn't deny it now. That he and the Thunder and Lightning Ruler before him were already different beings.
'Actually, I knew.'
[What?]
'The proposal he made to me, if I accepted it, he would no longer consider me as a [Ruler]. Haha. How could I not know? He is me, after all.'
'......'
[But still, I had no choice but to cling to him. Yes. I had no choice...]
The Lightning God's voice trembled slightly.
[Do you always live like this? Clinging to such a small hope, even when you know rationally it's unlikely to come true, you keep fighting fiercely...]
'It's not a big deal. No one wants to be in a situation where they have to fight.'
[...I see.]
I guess there are things that can only be felt after falling. Lightning God doesn't know that feeling. He can't even understand it.
And Lucas had nothing more to say to this guy.
The aura of the Lightning God gradually faded away. And Lucas regained the ability to move his own body. He lifted his head and looked at the 'Ruler of Thunder and Lightning'.
This guy was smiling.
"Now, Lucas Traumen, will you start negotiating with this Ruler?"
It was a smile as if he had finally found a suitable interlocutor.
"Negotiate?"
"You should remember the things that trash experienced a moment ago."
"...You mean the things about the 'other future'?"
"That's right. In fact, you probably know more than that guy who was just observing. I want that information."
"……."
"Your goal is to free this body, right? I'll grant you that. It seems you've learned to control my innate power, 'Thunder', to some extent. If you want, I can even help you harness that power..."
"There's no negotiation. I have nothing more to talk to you about."
Lucas cut him off immediately.
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning fell silent. Though it didn't show on his expression, he might have been surprised or puzzled.
"That's an emotional response. Weren't you supposed to prioritize rational choice?"
"That's when the other party shows a minimum of respect."
"I don't think I disrespected you."
Those weren't words spoken lightly.
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning truly thought so, and indeed, it was a valid argument. Even Lucas agreed on that point.
He had only earned this kind of treatment because he had become stronger.
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning truly thought so, and indeed, Lucas agreed on that point.
But...
"It's not me. It's you..."
Some thought was needed here. After a brief reflection, Lucas spoke up.
"You insulted my comrade. Just for that, there's no possibility of negotiation."
"Comrade?"
[…]
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning repeated in astonishment.
[Ha, ha, ha.]
Crackling, lightning began to erupt from the surrounding darkness. As if thunder were about to burst, this phenomenon was the expression of the emotions of the Ruler of Thunder and Lightning.
In other words, this guy was holding back laughter.
[Ha ha ha!]
But after all, patience wasn't a word that matched with Rulers.
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning looked at Lucas with a maniacal smile.
"Comrade? Yes. Is that how you see it? But... I've been watching you for a long time too. You're not the type to move out of simple sympathy."
"……."
"Did you find any utility in that trash?"
"That's also one of the reasons."
He couldn't deny it completely.
"It's interesting. The cooperation between 'Lucas Traumen' and the 'trash' separated from this Lightning God..."
The Ruler of Thunder and Lightning, who seemed to sink into his thoughts for a moment, smiled broadly.
"I'm curious. I wonder what kind of existence you will become."
Crunch.
His body trembled for a moment. And Lucas watched as the vestige of the Ruler of Thunder and Lightning left Lee Jong-hak's body.
In that state, the vestige of this guy could no longer exist. One could see how his form gradually faded away. Even in that state, he smiled.
"He is one of the precious puppets I obtained with effort, but now I don't want to have a deep connection with human existence. Even this Lightning God doesn't want to 'become that'."
"…"
"I'll watch you from afar. Lucas Traumen, please, entertain me."
The dark clouds that tinted everything black began to dissipate. At the same time, the huge feeling of oppression that filled the space gradually weakened. He really... had abandoned Lee Jong-hak.
'It's not that he completely abandoned the Void World.'
This guy probably had many other puppets prepared besides Lee Jong-hak. He would have to uncover them at some point, but now was not the time.
"Hey, Lucas."
"What do you want?"
There was no immediate response. Silence persisted until the sky cleared completely.
A while later, the Lightning God suddenly spoke up.
"Was I really so bland?"
"Heh."
Suddenly, laughter escaped his lips. Lucas laughed heartily for the first time in a long while.
"It's good that you know it now."
[…I see.]
Silence again.
Lucas didn't descend immediately. He stood in the clear sky, waiting for the guy's next words.
"Lucas."
The voice continued even without a response.
"I felt like giving that bastard a beatdown. Will you help me?"
"I don't want to."
Lucas's quick response left the Lightning God feeling bewildered.
"Just giving him a beating isn't enough."
"Then…"
"Strip him of everything. Everything that guy has."
Lucas said with a smile.
"Take away the Authority you had. Teach that bland guy what the rebellion of a loser is."
[…]
The Lightning God, who was a bit puzzled for a moment, burst out laughing.
"I like that. But I have a little correction to make."
"What is it?"
"I won't use the name of Lightning God until that day comes."
"So how should I address you? Lightning God's Residue, or simply Waste? Or maybe Remnant?"
[…Your naming sense is terrifying. If you ever have children, you better leave the naming to someone else.]
"…."
"Residue."
His voice became relatively calm.
"Call me that for now."
…Residue.
Though it carries a strong self-critical meaning, it's significant that he himself chose that name.
At least, it means his spirit has recovered enough to joke about his own situation.
It wasn't the development he expected, but it wasn't bad.
The cooperation of the Lightning God would surely be of great help to Lucas. Even if he had lost most of his power as a Ruler.
He descended slowly and looked down. Thanks to the clear sky, the landscape below was clearly visible.
The ruined Mount Hua,
Pale waving her hand and Yang In-hyun, who had finished evacuating his disciples.
Suddenly, he had a strange feeling. Those who fought alongside him in his previous life. Until that moment, Lucas couldn't trust them. He distrusted, watched them, and even tried to use them.
Now it was different.
The Blue Knight Pale, the Everlasting Plum Sword Yang In-hyun, and Residue.
Now, Lucas could trust them all.
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)