Chapter 454: What a relief.

The successful worlds remain, and the other worlds are erased.

It means that countless possibilities are extracted, leaving only the successful worlds.

Up to this point, it was fine.

Actually, it wasn’t fine, but let’s just say it was fine for now.

Even if, somehow, the disaster succeeded in becoming the master of the world I was in.

‘To welcome a new master means all life on the planet was erased once,’ wasn’t that right?

So, in the end, no matter the outcome, it meant only dog-shit situations would arise from my current perspective.

‘Haa.’

This is no different from a fight with a predetermined end.

I recall.

Yeon Ilcheon calling me a disaster, and the causalities bound to me.

Furthermore, the words of the Divine Sword saying that Cheonma, whom I considered a disaster myself, was the one who actually sent me back in time.

Including the traces my mother left for me.

And even Cheonma’s divine power that remained for some reason.

-Do you really think the regression you experienced was merely a miracle?

Yeon Ilcheon’s thoughts pierced through me.

Looking at the current situations, I could understand.

Including what Hyulma said, about someone seeming to cover my ears, and even the fact that past heroes tried to do something but ultimately failed.

Seeing all this.

‘What on earth do you want?’

I felt like I knew the world wanted something from me.

The problem is, what exactly is it?

Grrr.

Perhaps, just as Yeon Ilcheon said, they want me to become the disaster?

I don’t know.

Right now, just grasping the things I know is complicated enough.

Furthermore, one more thing.

There was something I had to ask Hyulma.

“I understand everything you’ve said, but…”

Whatever the world is, whatever the world is.

I understand the words.

“Ultimately, what is it that you want?”

[…]

What is the purpose of the Hyulma standing before me right now? I was curious about that.

Even if the world is throwing a massive tantrum and talking about the end, what is the Hyulma right in front of me actually aiming for?

Does he also wish for a disaster to appear and reign according to the world’s will?

I don’t think so.

‘That guy has some kind of objective.’

My instincts told me so.

Hyulma wouldn’t act according to such principles.

The fact that the Hyulma from my world tried to establish an organization called ‘Meteor’.

And the subtle moves being made in the body of Jang Seon-yeon in the world I’m in now.

It seems like there’s some desire behind it, rather than just being torn apart and sealed.

What could that be?

It was a question about something I didn’t know in my past life.

Furthermore.

‘Is Hyulma an ally? Or an enemy?’

As a being who once caused a bloodbath as a disaster, I know he wouldn’t be an ally.

If not, then is he an enemy?

I needed to know that.

[Huh.]

Hearing my question, Hyulma let out a short breath.

[…You are truly a curious one.]

“Curious about what?”

[If you heard those words just now, you should have been paralyzed with despair for the distant future. For a mortal who has barely begun shedding their skin, you are far too serene.]

Serene?

‘Serene my ass.’

Hyulma’s words were so absurd.

Serene? When I look like I’m about to lose my mind, serene my ass.

How could I possibly be serene when it feels like I could die doing anything right now? It was already a point where I felt like quitting everything.

Just hearing about it is annoying and dreadful.

Whether it’s the world’s will to create a disaster somehow, or the countless other worlds that are repeating the same story because of that will.

To me, these are just difficult and nauseating topics.

Still.

‘Even so.’

No matter what, I couldn’t give up, so I just intended to move forward.

‘Shit.’

If I don’t do something, all of humanity will die.

That’s not the only reason I curse.

I wasn’t the kind of good person who would step up just hearing that.

I’m the type of person who would rather die than do something that puts me at a disadvantage.

The only reason I’m forcing myself to do something even in this fucked-up situation is for one reason alone.

The faces that flash through my mind whenever this happens, those who lived for me and died for me. The ones who are the reason I live now.

If I think of it as karma for them, I couldn’t just sit here and give up.

Instead of despairing and sitting down, I had to find a way.

That’s the only thing I have to do.

[Seeing this, I understand how you were able to embark on the path of shedding your skin.]

“Stop with the trivial talk. Just answer what I asked.”

What is Hyulma’s purpose?

According to Shin Noy’s wish, I will deal with Hyulma somehow, but…

‘I need to figure out the priority.’

Since there are mountains of things I need to block right now.

I had to organize where to start blocking and what to do.

Of course.

There’s no guarantee Hyulma will give me a proper answer about this, though.

[My purpose, you say. How did you conclude that I have one?]

“Isn’t it obvious? For an old man buried in the ground, you seem way too fiery with determination.”

[Kekeke…]

At the sarcastic remark, Hyulma contained his laughter.

[My purpose…]

“Perhaps, are you thinking of causing the bloodbath of the past again?”

The bloodbath Hyulma caused as a disaster several centuries ago.

Could Hyulma possibly want to cause the disaster that five martial artists, including Shin Noy, reportedly stopped, once more?

Hearing my question, Hyulma spoke with a smile.

[If that were the case. What would you do?]

“I’d have to stop it.”

At my nonchalantly uttered response.

Wooong-!

The Ice Crystal began to resonate loudly.

Kekekekek.

Hyulma’s laughter mixed with the resonance, confusing my ears.

[A mere whelp who doesn’t even properly know this world. How do you intend to stop me?]

“I’ll find a way somehow.”

[How amusing. Do you think it would be difficult for me to kill you right here and now?]

I could feel the energy.

The coldness creeping out from the Ice Crystal felt like it reached the end of my throat.

Hyulma’s words were precise, as if they weren’t just a threat.

And they felt incredibly clear.

But.

“You have no intention of killing me.”

I knew it.

Hyulma couldn’t kill me.

“You want something from me, don’t you? Right?”

As I said that, lifting the corners of my mouth.

[…]

Swoosh.

The energy emanating from the Ice Crystal instantly subsided.

This is the reason I could brazenly provoke Hyulma, who clearly looked dangerous, so effectively.

The fact that he went out of his way to summon me, someone who appeared to be from another world, saying he wanted to see me.

Seeing how he treated me relatively kindly, subtly seeming to want to provide me with information, I could predict that he was doing this because he wanted something from me.

It might not be the case, but…

At least judging by his reaction now, it’s certain.

[Ha.]

Hyulma’s short utterance contained a sense of surprise.

[You’re quicker-witted than I expected.]

As expected.

Confirming Hyulma’s reaction, I frowned.

“What is it you want from me?”

The disaster from the generation before the previous one. And what a being from another world wants from me.

I had to know what it was.

As I stared at Hyulma, hiding my complex gaze, he merely chuckled briefly.

After a brief silence passed.

[You… asked what my purpose was, didn’t you.]

Hyulma slowly began to speak to me.

[I dream of creating a paradise.]

At those words, my brow furrowed deeply.

“Paradise…?”

It sounded like a wonderful thing to hear, but coming from Hyulma, it was a strangely dissonant word.

It was too hopeful a word for a disaster who caused a bloodbath, spoken while sealed.

As I racked my brain to understand its meaning.

[Venerable one from another world.]

Hyulma called me.

[There is one thing I wish for from you.]

I listened intently to his words.

[In the future, when you finish shedding your skin and come to understand the will of this world.]

Come find me once more. That is all I wish for.

“It’s not like you can just come here whenever you want, is it?”

It’s absurd.

It’s hard enough to travel within the same world, let alone this place, which is another world entirely.

I don’t know why Hyulma wants this, but if he does, it’s a very strange request.

Hearing my doubts, Hyulma immediately provided an answer.

[If you successfully complete your shedding, nothing is impossible.]

“…What the hell is this ‘shedding’ thing that you keep bringing up?”

[You will come to know that on your own as well.]

If I undergo this ‘shedding’…

Will I learn how to travel between worlds?

Or perhaps I’ll understand these incomprehensible phenomena?

Whatever it is, it wasn’t important right now.

“This ‘paradise’ you mentioned. Are you asking me to come for that?”

[Well…]

Meaning he wouldn’t answer.

“…Where’s your confidence that I’ll grant your request?”

[If you remember our conversation now. You will surely seek me out. So this doesn’t matter either.]

Whether it’s because of the word ‘paradise’.

Or for some other reason, I couldn’t tell.

I was already in a complicated situation just from the things I’d heard earlier.

‘What should I do?’

Are everything Hyulma has said so far true?

If not, what could be Hyulma’s intention in saying such things?

Conversely, if everything Hyulma said is true.

‘What… should I do?’

It was increasingly far beyond what I could handle.

Unlike when I resolved to stop Cheonma’s bloodbath and ensure the peace of my loved ones.

Now, I was realizing just how difficult and arduous that task was.

This sucks.

Living an ordinary and peaceful life is this hard. It’s truly a shitty feeling.

‘First… I need to find a way back to my original world.’

I also realized that this wasn’t the time to dwell on the past and be pathetic here.

I should be sorting things out and returning to my original world immediately, yet…

‘Shit…’

How did it end up like this?

It feels like everything got tangled up because I was blinded by that damn Poisoned Heavenly Pill.

Or maybe, getting this information itself is a benefit?

One question arose in my mind.

‘What if all of this is the trial that Tang Jemun mentioned?’

What if all these situations I’m experiencing are part of the trial she spoke of?

Does that mean everything Hyulma told me was a lie?

‘That would actually be better.’

The words I just heard were quite shocking, so I wished it were all an illusion.

Random thoughts flooded my complicated mind.

Just as I was about to sigh, rubbing my brow as if exhausted.

[If you wish it right now.]

Hyulma spoke to me.

[I can send you back to the world you came from immediately.]

“…!”

My eyes widened at the nonchalantly delivered words.

What? He can send me back right away?

I looked up at the Ice Crystal with widened eyes.

[If you truly wish it, that is.]

“Of course…”

Just as I was about to blurt out ‘of course’ in response to Hyulma.

My lips clamped shut due to a thought that crossed my mind unintentionally.

Putting aside whether this situation is Tang Jemun’s trial, beyond the existence of the Poisoned Heavenly Pill or the White Horse Stone, is it okay to go back to my original world with Hyulma’s help like this?

Leaving aside the doubt of whether Hyulma would actually send me back to my original world. It’s a fundamental question.

[Kekeke… You are hesitating.]

“…”

[Is that hesitation doubt towards me? Or your lingering attachment?]

At Hyulma’s words, I bit my lip unconsciously.

[Is it because you haven’t completed shedding yet? It seems the immaturity of a human remains.]

“Shut up.”

I spat out fiercely, as if growling.

“I am human.”

[…]

Whether I’ve become a demon or something is budding within my body. I was still human.

I wanted to discard everything, but I couldn’t bring myself to let go of this damned straw.

Hearing my words, Hyulma fell silent for a moment as if contemplating.

[Yes, if that’s what you say, then it doesn’t matter. Ultimately, the essence is what’s important.]

He uttered meaningful words to me.

And at the same time.

Crackle-

Suddenly, the dimension behind me began to distort.

It was the Demonic Mirror Gate I had entered following the woman called the Dancer.

From there, a veiled woman walked out, just like the first time.

It was the Dancer.

She bowed slightly towards me again, offering a greeting.

Seeing that, I said to Hyulma with an irritated expression.

“Does this mean you’ve seen enough and want me to get lost now?”

[As I said, if you wish it, I can send you back anytime. However, it seems you have lingering attachments here, so I showed my own form of consideration.]

“If consideration looks like this, I’d prefer not to.”

Is this the time to be grateful for surviving and obtaining information?

I looked at the Demonic Mirror Gate and recalled.

As Hyulma said, what lingering attachments do I have here?

‘Regret.’

I remembered the trial’s name was ‘Regret’.

Seeing as Tang Jemun didn’t tell me what to do or how, just threw it at me.

‘Didn’t they just throw it at me to screw me over?’

This seemed more plausible.

I considered just closing my eyes and asking Hyulma to send me back, but…

‘…Tsk.’

My feet had already turned back towards the Demonic Mirror Gate.

Just before entering the Demonic Mirror Gate.

[Outside, it seems a guest looking for you has just arrived.]

“A guest…?”

At Hyulma’s words, I stopped and glanced back.

A guest looking for me all of a sudden?

Hyulma, holding back a wide smile, continued speaking to me.

[I don’t know what you wish for here, but I hope you have a good dream before you go.]

It seemed he had no intention of telling me who the guest was.

“…”

Hearing that, I turned my head.

I don’t know much about the Hyulma from my original world, but…

At least this Hyulma felt like he wasn’t in his right mind.

Without answering Hyulma, I walked back towards the Demonic Mirror Gate.

Grind-!

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the original area, just like when I first arrived.

Ah, if there was one difference from the first time.

‘The sun is out?’

I distinctly remember it being night before I came in.

Now the sun is up.

‘What the?’

No matter how I looked at it, the conversation wasn’t long enough for this much time to pass.

So why is it daytime already?

As my eyes adjusted after leaving the darkness, I looked around.

“Your master left a message.”

The Dancer behind me spoke to me from inside the Demonic Mirror Gate.

A message out of the blue? Wondering what it was about, I looked at the Dancer.

The Dancer looked at me through her veil and said this.

“I promise.”

It was a dry, withered voice. It felt lifeless, like wood or stone.

Is she imitating Hyulma’s way of speaking?

“Whatever you do here. I will not intervene.”

“…What?”

I tried to ask what that meant, but…

“…That is all from the master’s message.”

The Demonic Mirror Gate had already enveloped the Dancer and vanished without a trace.

She truly disappeared, leaving only words behind.

Staring at that as if it were absurd, I rolled my eyes and looked around.

I stood alone in the forest where no one else could be seen.

Did it really just end with meeting Hyulma?

‘So now, what do I do…?’

Left alone, I thought about the future.

It was fortunate that I suddenly barged into the Murim Alliance, met Hyulma, and came out without major incident, but…

Thinking about what to do next, it felt utterly daunting.

Should I go back to where I came from?

I pondered for a moment, but soon shook my head.

‘No, it’s better to move on my own like this.’

Compared to there, the Murim Alliance would probably be safer.

Ah, of course, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe here either.

‘Should I just run first and think later?’

Whether it was So Geomseong, or anyone else.

It was strange that no one was waiting where I had disappeared, but…

For me, it was actually a good situation since I could naturally slip away.

Just as I was about to pull my leg slightly and leap away.

Swish-!

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Jeoksu-sa popped out of my pocket and let out a cry.

Seeing that, my eyes widened.

“Ah, right. You were here too, weren’t you?”

Come to think of it, this guy was in my pocket, but I had completely forgotten.

Was it because he was staying quiet, being mindful of the situation, that I didn’t notice?

‘…Wait, now that I think about it.’

Hyulma didn’t seem to mention anything about this either.

Did he just not care?

It was a situation that raised some questions.

Swish.

Meanwhile, Jeoksu-sa, showing its face after a long time, gripped my arm tightly and gestured with its head towards somewhere.

What’s wrong with it now?

“I’m busy right now, so maybe later…”

Since escaping was the priority right now, I tried to ignore Jeoksu-sa and leap again, but…

Rumble-!

“…!”

From far behind, a familiar demonic energy was felt.

Focusing on the demonic energy, I turned my head and heightened my senses.

As I heightened my senses, the smell of blood grazed my nose.

What kind of situation is this?

Normally, I would have assessed the situation or just run away, but…

Unlike my head, which was telling me to be calm.

My body was already shooting rapidly in the direction of the sound.