episode_0173

173: Hideous.

Yohan twisted his right shoulder blade backward, rotating his entire body half a turn.

Kwaaaang!

Simultaneously, hundreds of flames surged from the dark red earth. The flames gathered above Yohan’s palm.

Sizzle, Yohan’s palm turned red. It was an immense amount of flame. Even though it was his own spell, his hand wouldn’t survive.

“Keuh.”

Yohan gritted his teeth and controlled the flames. Soon, a giant spear of fire was created. Yohan gripped it tightly.

“Heo······ Amazing. Amazing.”

The Administrator stretched both hands forward. His right hand touched his left, then spread wide open.

At the same time, a brilliant sword of light appeared. The Administrator pointed the sword of light at Yohan.

“I acknowledge it. Shin Yohan. You have surpassed the ‘Wall’.”

“······.”

Yohan didn’t answer. To be exact, it was a miracle that he was even standing, so he had no time to answer.

“It would be okay to give you a passing grade. However······.”

The Administrator smiled, revealing his pure white teeth.

“I’m curious. Just how far you’ve reached. I can’t stand my curiosity.”

Whooooong-

The Administrator gathered his power into one point. The sword of light vibrated intensely. It looked like the sword would explode at any moment.

Ah, the Administrator felt an ecstatic sensation. This man is not just a masterpiece.

“My true name is ‘Ascertor’.”

Kwaduk- Ascertor’s two feet dug into the ground. Hot heat enveloped Ascertor.

Ascertor pulled the sword of light near his left temple. His blade faced Yohan.

“I, Ascertor, shall call you the first star!”

At the same time, a pale light enveloped Yohan. Yohan felt a strange sensation. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Kwaaaaaaang!

Ascertor’s figure kicked off the ground violently and charged towards Yohan.

Yohan strongly gathered his right hand. The house-sized spear of fire was compressed to the size of a person.

At the same time, a giant pillar of fire surged from behind and stuck to the tail of the spear. Yohan felt a rapid propulsion.

‘Not yet.’

His mouth opened. His tongue trembled.

“If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha (逢佛殺佛), if you meet a patriarch, kill the patriarch (逢祖殺祖), if you meet an arhat, kill the arhat (逢羅漢殺羅漢), if you meet your parents, kill your parents (逢父母殺父母). Only then will you be liberated (解脫).”

Whoooooooooong-!

Magic power, responding to Yohan’s incantation, raged wildly. Yohan grinned.

Detachment from demons (脫魔).

“Lance of Longinus.”

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek-!!!!

A dot was visible. A very bright red dot, as if burning.

Light was visible. Dazzling light, as if blinding.

The dot pierced the light. The dot continued to move forward. Subsequently, the red dot also pierced the figure engulfed in light.

‘Ah.’

The dot continued to move forward endlessly. Without being bound by the narrow world, it continuously escaped (脫) the world.

Yohan closed his eyes in satisfaction. His pupils were chasing the dot until the moment they closed.

Yohan smiled.

***

“Second time, huh.”

Yohan muttered, looking at the pale ceiling.

The day the final duel with Sarah in the Colosseum ended. When Yohan opened his eyes, he saw the current ceiling.

Yohan rolled his eyes to the side. However, the person next to him was different from before.

‘As expected, it wasn’t the main body.’

A young man with a clean face said.

“You woke up faster than I thought.”

“How many days have passed?”

“A week.”

“······Is that short?”

“You surpassed the Wall, so it’s not a long time.”

Yohan nodded roughly. In a way, Ascertor was a senior figure to Yohan.

Ascertor, who overwhelmed Yohan even while limiting his power with a necklace. That means he has reached a higher level than Yohan.

‘If he says it’s short, then it must be short.’

Yohan believed Ascertor’s words.

In the first place.

“Are you the guardian deity of Earth?”

Ascertor was not an enemy. Rather, he was close to an ally.

He chuckled softly.

“Why do you think so?”

“A person who summons people to strange spaces and even gives them trials. What else should I call that if not a god?”

“A cute fairy?”

Ascertor winked one eye. Yohan nodded seriously.

“A fairy······. I see. You were Earth’s fairy.”

“······.”

Ascertor felt a strange sense of embarrassment. It wasn’t the reaction he wanted.

‘As expected, a guy who has surpassed a masterpiece is different in some way.’

Yohan continued to speak while lying down.

“Fairy or god······. Well, it probably doesn’t matter. So, is Earth currently in danger of being attacked by aliens?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Raising humanity’s power means that a threat commensurate with it is approaching.”

‘Something that can’t be dealt with by mere firearms.’

Yohan swallowed the rest of his words.

“That’s right. Currently, Earth’s karma (業) has reached saturation. To make an analogy, it’s like a pupa about to turn into a butterfly.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It depends on your perspective. If you were a pigeon, which would be easier to hunt, a pupa or a worm?”

“A pupa.”

Worms are also weak, but they can still struggle.

“There’s nothing more appetizing than a saturated dimension. Soon, ‘Conquerors’ will invade Earth.”

Yohan frowned and pondered.

“······Does the situation change if it turns into a butterfly?”

“If Earth officially raises its rank, it can be protected by a ‘Treaty’.”

“A treaty······. What’s that?”

“To put it simply in your words, it’s like the United Nations. Of course, it’s a much stronger and larger organization than that.”

Yohan roughly understood.

‘So, Earth is currently somewhere between a developing and a developed country.’

A truly ambiguous existence. It was obviously not a good situation.

Ascertor continued.

“Don’t worry. It won’t take that long.”

“How long will it take?”

“If we convert it to Earth time······ Hmm, 10 years should be enough.”

“······.”

Yohan was dumbfounded.

‘He said he’s Earth’s fairy······. How many years has he lived?’

His sense of time was too different.

“Then, those Conquerors······.”

“They’re vicious guys. For example······.”

“Is it that bad? If······.”

“Don’t worry about that. In preparation for that time······.”

After that, Yohan bombarded Ascertor with questions.

There was so much he didn’t know. What kind of beings were the Conquerors, how was the Tower built, what was the First Star. And······

“Ascertor. Do you know about Sarah Kim?”

“Hmm? Are you talking about the woman you tied up? Come to think of it, you have terrible taste. That kind of custom disappeared centuries ago. Kidnapping brides (bossam)······.”

He seemed to have misunderstood something. Yohan hurriedly cut him off.

“No, that’s not it······.”

Suddenly, Yohan’s expression hardened.

‘Ascertor also doesn’t recognize Sarah’s peculiarities?’

Goosebumps- Yohan’s fine hairs stood on end.

Yohan paused for a moment and said.

“Are you joking right now?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“······.”

Yohan got up from the bed.

“Where is she now?”

“Rain is taking care of her.”

“Can you guide me?”

Ascertor was about to throw a playful joke, but he dropped the idea after seeing Yohan’s serious expression.

“It’s not a difficult task.”

The two men left the room.

***

[Have you arrived.]

Rain bowed politely. Rainbow-colored hair flowed down brilliantly.

Yohan didn’t even look at her. The bundle of bandages behind Rain. Only Sarah was in Yohan’s eyes.

“Hoo······.”

Fortunately, she was properly restrained. Yohan wiped the sweat flowing down his forehead. Seeing this, Ascertor asked.

“Is that woman really that precious to you?”

“She is precious.”

So precious that he absolutely couldn’t let her die. Yohan was firmly resolved. Somehow, he was even more nervous than when he fought Ascertor.

“Ascertor.”

“Yeah.”

“Take a close look at that woman. There’s definitely something there.”

“Hmm······.”

Ascertor shrugged.

‘Is it that much? She’s just at the level of a masterpiece······.’

Even that didn’t measure up to Yohan before his awakening. Ascertor felt a slight doubt and focused his mind. His two eyes were enveloped in a brilliant white light.

Eye of Light (光眼).

Wherever light shines, no one can escape his eyes.

The white light emanating from his eyes pierced her.

‘There’s nothing special.’

Just an ordinary Earth woman. Her internal organs were nothing special, and the nature of the magic power felt was also ordinary.

‘Hmm? What’s that?’

Something round was visible near the woman’s chest. Ascertor narrowed his eyes. Then the size of something was magnified a little more.

It was shaped like an overturned teacup. However, the top was made more concave, and the bottom was widely flared.

‘······A bell?’

At that moment─

“Keuheuk!”

Ascertor turned his head and grabbed his left eye. Bright red blood flowed down his hand.

Rain rushed over and supported Ascertor. She mumbled.

[Administrator! Are you okay!]

“I’m okay. I’m okay······. Heoeok, heok.”

Yohan was sweating profusely at Ascertor’s unusual reaction. After a while, he calmed his breath and looked at Yohan, saying.

“Shin Yohan. Why are you carrying that hideous thing around with you?”

***

‘Hideous, huh······.’

It was quite a radical remark. Ascertor seemed to realize this, and made an ‘oops’ expression. Just as he was about to say something-

“It’s not wrong. She’s definitely a very scary woman.”

“······.”

Yohan readily admitted it. The ability to turn back time, Yohan stroked his goosebumped arm.

“So, do you see anything? You’re supposed to be Earth’s fairy.”

Ascertor nodded.

“A higher-dimensional karma has taken over her heart. This is by no means a normal thing.”

“Higher dimension? Are you saying Sarah is an alien?”

“I don’t know that either.”

“No, if you don’t know that······.”

Who on earth would know? Yohan felt suffocated.

Ascertor said with a slightly apologetic face.

“It’s a karma that’s at least two levels higher. If I had to speculate, it seems to be a kind of curse.”

“Curse? A curse······.”

Yohan thought carefully about Sarah’s ability.

It might be a blessing to someone, but at least it was a painful ability for her.

‘So that’s why she imprisoned me.’

Only he can understand her regression. To make matters worse, even Earth’s fairy doesn’t understand her ability.

At that moment, one question arose in Yohan’s mind.

‘Even the Administrator doesn’t recognize Sarah’s regression, so how do I recognize it?’

It was a strange thing. Just as he was about to ask about this, Ascertor spoke first.

“Do you know what the effect of the curse that woman possesses is?”

“I know.”

“What is it?”

“When she dies, time goes backwards.”

“······?”

Ascertor made a blank expression.

“······What?”

“She turns back time, I’m talking about regression.”

Suddenly, Ascertor’s expression went blank. Yohan felt a strong sense of déjà vu.

The story she told him on the first floor flashed through Yohan’s mind.

[Other people don’t even recognize my regression at all. Even if I explain it, they don’t understand.]

‘It’s absurd. Even Earth’s fairy is like that.’

What on earth is her identity? Yohan even felt afraid.

Yohan sighed deeply. Still, there’s still hope.

“Is there any way to break that curse?”

“······Huh? Ah. Um, blessings won’t work······. It might be possible if you become the ‘Second Star’. Of course, I’m not sure.”

“Oh.”

“If she becomes a star, she will be completely attributed to Earth. In the process, the karma from other dimensions is likely to disappear.”

Star.

To put it simply, they were the Earth’s national representatives designated by Ascertor.

Not just anyone could become one. You had to pass Ascertor’s test.

“Do I really have to take a test? I wish you could just appoint her as the Second Star right away.”

Yohan was impatient. He had to seal Sarah’s ability right away.

“Of course it’s possible. That woman’s ability is enough to be the Second Star.”

“······!”

Yohan clenched his fist tightly.

“Right now, I’m asking you right now. There’s no time.”

“I will.”

Ascertor slowly approached her.

Suddenly, Yohan fell into deep thought. Before he knew it, [Thought Acceleration] was activated.

‘Is this the right choice?’

Now that he’s leaving the Tower, the ‘Conquerors’ will invade Earth.

Clearly, her ability can be used effectively in the upcoming war.

Perhaps, Yohan was uprooting humanity’s hope with his own hands.

“Tsk.”

Yohan shook his head. His eyes gleamed fiercely.

‘No regrets.’

Her mental state is too unstable. She should be hospitalized in a mental ward right away.

‘It’s too dangerous of an ability.’

As the saying goes, it’s a double-edged sword, she was a weapon that could stab his hand. Yohan strengthened his resolve.

‘I just have to do well. I have to do well.’

He had already received enough information about the Conquerors from Ascertor. There was enough chance of winning.

Eventually, Ascertor raised his finger and pointed at Sarah.

“My true name is Ascertor. Sarah Kim. I appoint you as the ‘Second Star’.”

Hwaaaak-

A pale light enveloped her. Yohan’s heart was pounding.

“······Did it succeed?”

“Well, I’ll have to see.”

Ascertor took a small breath. Subsequently, his one remaining eyeball shone brilliantly.

‘It’s a good thing I’m a manifested body.’

It was a task that he wouldn’t even dare to attempt if he was in his main body.

The light radiating from his eyeball pierced her.

He narrowed his brows. The ‘appointment’ was proceeding smoothly. Now all that’s left is whether the curse has disappeared······.

‘Oh. It’s clean.’

That hideous bell disappeared without a trace. Ascertor wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and withdrew his inner light.

“It succeeded. The curse is gone.”

“Whew······.”

Thud- Yohan unknowingly sat down on the spot. All the strength drained from his body. Finally, he’s finally escaped from her clutches!

Ascertor asked.

“Are you going out of the Tower now?”

“I have to. Holding back time can’t be easy.”

He said that Earth’s time was not directly proportional to the Tower’s time. It wasn’t completely stopped, but Earth’s time was flowing at a very slow rate.

“That’s right.”

“Um, then can I ask a few more questions as a last request?”

“Feel free to ask.”

Yohan asked about the question that had come to his mind earlier.

“Isn’t that characteristic something you give?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the condition?”

“I’m just opening up the players’ potential. You guys are seeds. I’m closer to a watering can.”

“Ah······.”

He roughly understood. Yohan asked various questions after that. His business in the Tower was over. He had to extract Ascertor’s knowledge until the very end.

······How much time had passed, Yohan bowed his head.

“Thank you for everything.”

“It’s embarrassing. Aren’t you resentful of me? In fact, I’m the kidnapper who brought you guys here.”

At those words, Yohan recalled the scenery during the tutorial. Heads exploding, a prairie of chaos.

Perhaps other players would have tried to kill Ascertor as soon as they saw him.

However, Yohan knew. Ascertor didn’t prepare the Tower to torment us. Rather, he was doing it with bitter tears in order to protect humanity.

“I think it was a necessary thing. The current humanity is too weak. They’re not fit for the upcoming war.”

“······.”

Ascertor smiled softly. Yohan also smiled back.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Yohan nodded. Before he knew it, a white key was in Yohan’s right hand.

Hwaaaaak-

Suddenly, a brilliant light soared from the key. Ascertor looked at the bundle of bandages in Yohan’s hand.

“Aren’t you going to explain to her? What happened to her body?”

“······I’ll do it after we get out of here. It’s not too late then.”

“Do as you please.”

Yohan extended his right hand into the air. And he turned the key clockwise.

Click-

“Good luck.”

“Yeah.”

Hwaaaaaaaaaak-

The dazzling white light emanating from the key enveloped Yohan and Sarah. The light didn’t stop. All the players residing in the Tower were engulfed in that light.

“What, what is it? Shit! What is it!”

“Huh? This is the light that comes out when you move to the next floor······ No way!”

The players had expressions of doubt. This is the last floor. In other words, there’s only one thing if it’s the next floor.

Return.

A young man rolling a steel ball in his hand muttered.

“That monster really did it······. Huh, well. Who else but him would catch the Administrator.”

At that moment, a blue window popped up in front of all the players’ eyes.

[The First Star who passed the Administrator’s test has been born! The Tower will end soon!]

It was a strangely vibrant phrase than usual.

Yohan rolled his eyes in the light and looked at her.

There were still many stories he had to tell her. He didn’t know how she would react when she found out that her ability had been extinguished.

‘It’ll be better than before.’

Time is precious because it cannot be turned back. Yohan desperately hoped that she would become a person who could cherish that preciousness.

Yohan hates her, but at the same time, he also has feelings of pity for her.

If she repents for her sins and asks Yohan for forgiveness······.

‘Then it might be a new relationship.’

A new era requires new laws. Maybe······.

‘A polygamous system might be introduced in South Korea as well.’

Of course, it’s still too early to tell.

Yohan imagined the future to come and escaped from the Tower.