101. Destination (3)
I felt embarrassed as I looked around the world of images that I could see through the Fire Dragon’s Eye.
It’s good that I passed the sixth gate right away, but my image was more distorted than I thought.
Swirl.
In this small, black universe where heaven and earth do not exist, only whirlpools existed.
A small sword was shining softly in the center of the countless vortexes.
Countless number of whirlpools were all different in their rotational speed and shining intensity, except for the ones with swords embedded in them.
Among them, the brightly shining vortex existed only above.
It was a vortex that spread up and down, left and right, but as if there was a gap there, the size of the vortex grew bigger and brighter as it went up.
Conversely, as we went down, the vortex became smaller and weaker, and its light became as weak as that of an unsightly light bulb.
‘I can’t even guess what it means…’
Is this really the world of my image?
―…You’re the first to break through the sixth barrier so quickly.
At that time, I heard Eileen’s voice, which I had forgotten, and came to my senses.
Come to think of it, the more I stay in this world of images, the more time I spend outside because of the power that the flow of time strays.
Having passed the sixth gate, I had to leave quickly.
―No, the authority that causes the flow of time to deviate has been canceled…
Then, is the time flow outside the world and the world of images the same?
-I know you well. So don’t worry. I don’t know what you think the remaining 7 days are, but there’s still plenty of time.
Even if you don’t, I wanted to know what this image world is, but I’m glad I did.
What on earth do these whirlpools mean?
Why is it that it’s a world of images all of a sudden, and what I’ve been able to see is a whirlpool with a sword embedded in it.
Why do these vortices differ in size or light intensity, as if there are gaps between them?
―That’s it… It must be because your desires are embodied in this whirlpool.
Can you be more specific about what that means?
―I think the sword symbolizes your obsession with martial arts, and the whirlpool symbolizes your endless desire.
It didn’t feel like a rough hit, but it was plausible.
So, is this world of images the embodiment of my desire for growth?
The fact that the vortex gets bigger as you go to the upper level and smaller as you go to the lower level is probably a secondary symbol.
―Isn’t it just a rough hit? I’ve seen dozens of image worlds as a saint, but do you think I can’t interpret this properly?
But is this the only way to prove your beliefs?
Nothing was too difficult except for seeing the symbols that embody the desire to grow
… The proof of belief is the way to admit oneself.
…a way to admit yourself?
―People, surprisingly, do not know their own beliefs properly. I don’t even know what to believe or think. believe, think and act. It was the goal of this gateway to face the image that was embodied through the whole process.
Surprisingly, it was an ordeal that only thought of the beliefs of the person who is being truly ordained.
-Isn’t that obvious? The proof of belief is to admit one’s weaknesses and ugliness and to prove oneself. It was an ordeal that ended by acknowledging oneself and discarding all the contradictions that worked as a protective mechanism and proving oneself completely.
Then I haven’t passed the ordeal yet, have I?
Even if you can see the world of images, you may still have contradictions that act as your own recognition and protection mechanisms.
-doesn’t exist. You’re just being true to your own desires. I will do it because I want to overcome my pitiful past and become stronger. But I don’t want to throw away my humanity. So, with a new mindset, you decided to fight based on that conviction.
…Somehow, I feel a little embarrassed because I feel like I’ve been exposed to others, but I’m not wrong.
In the fierce battle against Resilian, I decided to fight with this conviction, with a new mindset in mind.
It was an ordeal that required quite honest proof to the extent that I doubted whether the ordeal of proof that had been urged me to fight a monster like a preliminary apostle was correct.
Being so kind out of nowhere makes me even more anxious.
―…I’m sorry, but I didn’t mean to kill all the proof of the body. All you had to do was run away and break through the door of the room. Please don’t hold grudges that you came to destroy and kill everything differently than you intended.
After Eileen said that, she let out a deep sigh and then continued.
―… Now that I’m done facing the world of images, I’ll raise my consciousness from the world of images.
At those words, I felt a sense of drowsiness and immediately closed my eyes.
It was time to return to reality and go to the seventh gateway.
***
「The manager ‘White Crane Geomseon(白鶴劍仙)’ is happy that you woke up.」 「
The manager ‘Ironblood Lord’ breathes a sigh of relief that you have come to your senses.」
「The manager ‘ I’m embarrassed that the ‘Hero of the Ruined World’ woke up faster than you thought.” As soon as I
opened my eyes, I ignored the manager’s message and checked my own condition.
He had been unconscious for a while and had lost control of his body, so it was only natural that he was worried about his body.
“…”
I did not lie on the floor, but stood there as before entering the world of images.
Even the body didn’t have that many scars or any signs of being restricted.
But…
“These are the traces of what you did… What do you think? this?”
The black mirrored room is quite different from before entering the world of images.
There were signs of swords being swung here and there, and there were even traces of swords being used.
At that, I looked at Eileen sitting in the corner of the room with my lips pouted and opened my mouth.
“…Could I have done this like this?”
“Yeah, I thought I was going to fall down, so I tried to hug him and put him on the floor, but he attacked me.”
“…”
“Then he stood there and entered the world of images while holding onto the sword.”
It seemed that it was quite violent than I had imagined.
“I was scared and couldn’t approach you, so I was sitting in the corner like this.”
“If you had told me in advance, nothing would have happened like this.”
“So you said you were starting the sixth gateway. That’s enough.”
Eileen grumbled and soon got out of her sitting position hugging her knees and stood up.
“Anyway, you passed through the sixth gateway.”
“Then, can we move on to the seventh gateway now?”
“You can do that if you wish. But I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why?”
“No one has ever passed through the seventh gate alive.”
At those words, I smiled and soon approached the door to the seventh gateway.
“Then I’ll be the first person to get through it alive.”
“…I know you have excellent martial arts and good abilities. But this is a separate issue from that. You could die.”
“okay.”
“…a person who doesn’t understand the language. really. I’ve never seen someone as innocently mad about growth as you. The reason why I went through the test of proof was because I wanted to grow.”
“….”
Despite Aileen’s tired gaze, I smiled and did not respond.
“Then let’s go. Be well.”
Eileen let out a deep sigh and waved her goodbye.
“huh…. Farewell, I am an adventurer who is not even human.”
Finally, I walked down the hallway with the door to my room closed.
The blackened mirror soon began to crack as it passed through the corridor.
It was ominous.
The sixth gateway presented a more bizarre ordeal than I could have imagined.
This meant that the seventh ordeal, which would soon be at the end, was not normal.
「The manager ‘Priest of the Seven Gods’ advises you that everything depends on your will.」
「The manager ‘Divine Seeker’ looks at you with sympathy as he thinks of the ordeal you will soon face.] 「The
manager ‘Priest of Penitence’ ‘ I look forward to thinking of the sins you will encounter.」
Among the administrators looking at me, those who seemed to be related to God were quite talkative.
He even seemed to know to some extent what the ordeal of this seventh gate was about. 「The manager ‘White Crane Geomseon(白鶴劍仙)’ feels
depressed because he can’t keep up with the stories of the managers who serve the gods.』
.」
「The administrator, the ‘Hero of the Ruined World’, is furious, telling them to stop talking about the stories that only they know and tell them to understand.』
However, the other administrators, on the other hand, didn’t seem to know what the seventh gate was.
It’s not an ordinary ordeal to see the administrators who serve God this far sympathize with or expect the situation I’ll find myself in.
‘Anyway, I’ll find out when I arrive.’
Saying that there was nothing to worry about, I calmed my anxiety and opened the door to the seventh gateway and stepped forward.
and.
「You have reached the seventh gate, and the god of proof is watching you directly.
」
For an instant, I froze as I watched the empty space split open.
A pupil appeared above the large full-length mirror in the center of the blackened mirrored room.
It wasn’t a parable or a joke or anything.
The real void parted and an eye with a red pupil appeared from there and looked at me.
I was taken aback by the bizarre sight, but what was even more disconcerting was that my body didn’t move.
As if encountering something absolutely irresistible, the body gives up on survival.
「The power of ‘Bright Landscape Index’ is sealed by the gaze of the god.」
Breathing does not work properly.
「The administrator ‘priest of the seven gods’ is astonished that the god of proof is watching.」
Hot blood flows like lava from his eyes.
「The administrator, “The Seeker of Divinity,” is interested in the appearance of the God of Proof.」
A feeling of internal upset occurs and nausea comes out.
「The manager, ‘Priest of Penitence’, feels an irresistible fear and regrets your situation.」
Only the thought of dying fills your mind.
“Ke ke ke uh ok…”
I was confused by the pressure and anxiety that I might die soon.
In front of God’s eyes, I was just an ant.
Even if you lightly press it with your finger just to kill your boredom, you have no choice but to explode and die.
My brain properly recognized the fact that I had become such an insignificant and insignificant existence.
Starting with that, the body gave up survival on its own and prepared to face death as it is.
“The god of proof recognizes the existence of the challenger Han Seong-yoon.” As soon as
the message appeared, the pressure intensified and I lost my balance and tried to collapse.
However, I exerted my will and slammed the Blood Demon Sword in my right hand into the palm of my hand.
Woowook!
“Keuheu…”
「The skill ‘Ashen Blood’ is activated.」
「All types of pain inflicted on the user are reduced by 17%.」
The palms are torn, and the pain relieved by the skill seeps into the head.
But it was not enough.
I immediately shook the blade in my hand, tearing through my palm even more, increasing the pain.
He slowly released the pressure through the pain and stared into the empty eyes.
In an instant, I turned my anger into a being that could kill me by turning it into a piece of meat.
Even a god had no right to give me death.
Even if I die on the spot, I will not give up my resistance.
I didn’t want to die to be trampled on by someone even more helplessly now.
Ignoring any emotions such as confusion or fear, I focused only on my anger.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to keep the mind like this.
‘Damn it…. Consciousness… is clouded…’
If the god of proof doesn’t close his eyes like this, he was going to cut his pupils right away, even if he had to move his body forcibly.
In any case, this situation was an ordeal related to the god of proof.
The Tower of Trials does not even grant trials that cannot be passed at all.
I’m not sure if the seventh gateway has already begun, but a breakthrough exists.
The Tower of Trials must have been designed that way.
Because the tower wants the challenger to come up to the upper level more fervently.
With that thought imprinted in my head, I gazed into my eyes and pulled out the Blood Heaven Demon Sword embedded in the palm of my left hand and aimed at it.
It was to jump right out at any time and slash those damn eyes in one go.
However, as a result, the situation in which I had to cut off the eyes of God did not come.
「The God of Proof appreciates the spirit of challenger Han Seong-yoon.」
「The God of Proof is delighted to see a challenger with such high mental strength after a long time
.」
And…
“The God of Proof remembers the existence of challenger Han Seong-yoon.”
Then, the eyes that floated in the air smiled as if they liked me.
「The God of Proof announces the start of the seventh gateway.」
Soon, the message surfaced and immediately disappeared as it disappeared.
At the same time, I immediately sensed that the mirror in the center of the room was shining brightly.
「The proof of the spirit begins.」
「From now on, all skills and powers that interfere with the spirit of the challenger Han Seong-yoon will be sealed.」 The
seventh gateway is an ordeal that can cause death.
