523. Encore (1)
God of Earth.
He became a planetary god and was reborn as the absolute figure of a world worshiped by all.
He acquired the divine <Earth> and engraved it under the foundation of the godhead allowing him to exercise absolute power even while on the planet.
‘That’s awesome.’
I was satisfied.
From the moment I gained the status of divinity and soul equivalent to the three ancient deities didn’t it become difficult to become stronger?
Because of this what he gained from climbing the Tower of Trials would have been transformed into a preparation process to endure the start of ascension rather than intuitive strength.
However the overwhelming power gained by becoming a planetary god is not like that.
‘It is a power that is established under the precondition of having to stay on the planet but it is at a level that surpasses the hierarchy of divinity itself even if only through expedient means.’
Even though he did not acquire the divine <Earth> and use it as the basis of his godhood his power as a god has increased to a bizarre degree.
It is surprising that the level of divinity and soul has grown so high that it can be seen at a glance but this is not all.
In addition to the overall basic performance ability of the divinity itself being greatly improved the unique abilities of the concept divinity were also able to provide partial variations without changing the subjective interpretation of the concept.
The ancient godhead who has reached the end of the hierarchy of divinity is also a change in power that cannot be taken lightly.
‘No matter how you look at it I don’t think this is a normal power that a planetary god or native god would have…’
As I had seen countless planetary gods and native gods while climbing the Tower of Trials I had noticed that this was not a normal increase in power.
In the first place didn’t the fact that planetary gods and indigenous gods can maintain the hierarchy of divinity only within a certain range prove their inferiority?
Well I had to see a few people who not only achieved the hierarchy of divinity but also possessed the power of planetary gods…
It was not said that its strength was significantly different from that of existing higher-level gods or formal gods.
‘It’s probably not because I’m an ancient god. The three ancient gods would also have the power of planetary gods.’
In the end it means that I was the only one who was able to gain this much power by becoming a planetary god but I have no idea how it happened.
If I had to look at it closely I had to be able to come up with two inferences that felt plausible in their own way.
Because he was the first to be born on Earth and worshiped by all people he has more power than an ordinary planetary god.
Or I thought it might be because it is difficult to become a planetary god due to the characteristics of Earth’s culture and history and in return the power given when successful is also greater.
The latter guess felt more credible than the previous guess.
‘I think it’s probably because the planetary god is a being that is cultivated through the faith of the intelligent beings within the planet.’
It wasn’t something I couldn’t understand.
Even when faith is harvested from believers through a religious group isn’t it possible to obtain a lot of high-quality faith in proportion to the strength or number of believers?
If you think of this as a phenomenon close to an extension of that it was possible to accept it without much difficulty.
‘Because it is not easy for everyone to regard and serve a real person as a god. This is especially true on Earth.’
Not only those who did not believe in God but also those who believed in non-existent gods were gathered together and worshiped.
The fact that the power gained as a planetary god was much greater than in the general case was a special characteristic that was not difficult to understand.
However you must be careful.
‘To put it conversely does this mean that people’s beliefs vary greatly in their strength compared to ordinary planetary gods?…’
The enemy you will face in the future is a force that does not fit the standard for the final battle.
The reason Earth was chosen as the stage for the final battle was also to establish superiority.
If the power of the planetary god gained through sacred <Earth> disappears because people’s faith is shaken there is a possibility that we may face the worst crisis.
In order to maintain and repair the power gained as a planetary god it may be necessary to appoint someone as an agent of the god…
Well it wasn’t anything to be nervous about.
‘I don’t think people’s faith will be greatly shaken for a certain period of time.’
If he had to choose whether everyone’s faith would be shaken or not he would be able to confidently choose the latter.
Of course.
Beep.
[…the worst criminal organization ‘Kadir’. Many people died and were injured at their hands. The state lost its function and the military turned its back on its people. If it weren’t for just one person we wouldn’t be here. He is─]
Beep.
[…Do you believe in God? I completely believe it. I believe you will be the same. I would like to ask: Do you think that all political vacuums need to be filled? There is someone else who truly cares for humans. korea. It’s this land. He is─]
Beep.
[…It is not a belief without substance. He is the real God in this world. He must have seen it. On that day humanity regained everything it thought it could never regain. By the one absolute. He is the one -]
Pop!
“I’m going to be amazed.”
Spacious hospital room.
I sat on the chair next to the patient’s bed flicked through the TV screen with the remote control turned it off and sighed.
Planet God. Becoming an absolute figure who is worshiped by all can be said to be an achievement that exceeds expectations. However apart from that he seemed to get caught up in all kinds of troublesome things after becoming the god of Earth.
But the people with me didn’t seem to think that way.
Sadly.
“Oh my. …is it good? It’s not a bad thing for Seongyoon. I don’t know why I hate it so much. “You’re good at bewitching people.”
“….”
Catherine Bennett looked at me with her bright strangely timid smile and then she pursed her lips.
“Is that so? How can we bring out female administrators from the Tower of Trials by making them apostles and deities? “It’s not easy but I think it’s amazing.”
“….”
“I’m serious. I talked to them but it seemed like they weren’t really close friends. I think you have a great talent for bewitching people. Ahaha.”
“….”
In response to her words Lee Ha-yeon who had raised the patient bed next to her leaned back and listened to her story spat out her words as if in agreement.
“Uhm… Really? Both of them seem to like Seongyoon a lot. “I could feel how long I had spent with those female managers.”
“….”
“iced coffee. right. From what I heard from you two Seongyoon even asked you to be together for the rest of your life. I guess that’s true right? “We’ve never been told that before so it’s fascinating.”
“….”
Why?
Seeing Lee Ha-yeon taking in Catherine Bennett’s words so naturally and continuing her conscience was pricked without her knowing why.
Should I say that I feel like a criminal(?).
When I think about the trust relationship between the two people there were so many things they didn’t tell me that it was quite frustrating.
Unfortunately.
“Well… I’m sorry for not telling you about those two in advance. “I mean it.”
“Really?”
“Is that so?”
“I don’t think so.”
“….”
step.
That too was only for a moment.
When he turned his head to avoid meeting her gaze a mischievous smile immediately appeared and her questioning mood brightened.
“Foot. Just kidding. Thanks to Seongyoon I survived but what can you say about something like that? “It is true that I am disappointed but I don’t dwell on it too much.”
“ah.”
“As expected. There is a pure side to Seongyoon that is unusual. As Catherine Bennett said I am disappointed but I have no intention of saying anything. “Because we also trust Seongyoon.”
“Is that so….”
I expressed my gratitude with a faint smile on my face.
“That sounds nice. I’m glad you both are so understanding. …I say this with all my heart.”
The active cooperation between the two challengers was of great help until this side became active on Earth and became a planetary god.
It was thanks to Lee Ha-yeon’s help that he did not pay much attention to anything other than becoming stronger while working as a hunter and it was thanks to Catherine Bennett’s help that he fought alongside him as a comrade in the old days when he was close to the weak.
Even though the Iron Blood Lord and the White Crane Swordsman have formed a deep relationship they are not far behind either.
“…If you want to hear about my journey I will tell you. “It’s going to be a long story.”
“well. I know Seongyoon is busy. He doesn’t want to go back to the Tower of Trials? Neither Catherine Bennett nor I have any intention of holding Seongyoon back. You don’t have to do that—”
“no. The Tower of Trials will no longer function. “I plan to stay on Earth from now on.”
“?”
“I cleared it.”
“….”
silence.
Some time passed as silence fell heavily in the spacious hospital room but that was only a temporary phenomenon.
Catherine Bennett and Lee Ha-yeon met each other’s eyes expressing disbelief as if they couldn’t believe it and then opened their mouths.
“…hu huuuu. Seongyoon Seo. Is clearing the Tower of Trials what we think it is? The final floor—”
“Cleared. Well contrary to what I thought I didn’t get what I wanted on the final floor.”
“…Really? Seongyoon you cleared the Tower of Trials? Oh that thing no one has ever done? “How can that be possible?”
“well. To answer the question of how that was possible yes. “I think it was possible because of me.”
I meant it.
If it weren’t for this climbing the Tower of Trials to the end would have remained an impossible task for the challengers.
It was a place that only someone like me who had attained the level of divinity and soul equivalent to the three ancient deities and was on the verge of ascension could reach.
It was something that only I who was capable of being reborn as an ancient deity with one innate talent could accomplish.
‘For other challengers no matter how hard they struggle it will remain impossible to reach the final floor unless they become an ancient god.’
Isn’t that true?
It may sound a bit unlucky but it’s the correct answer so I don’t have much more to say.
The two people seemed to have noticed this as well and quickly closed their mouths as if they were dumbfounded.
“…I’m saying it’s true because there’s no reason to lie to us. Seongyoon I was able to clear the Tower of Trials because of you. If it’s you then it’s your answer. really.”
As Catherine Bennett mumbled with a laugh Lee Ha-yeon who was sitting next to her started gibbering but then her eyes sparkled and she poured out questions.
“…How was it? What is the final floor of the Tower of Trials? Was the rumor that it would grant the challenger’s wish true? The story that there is a creator at the end of the poem Tower of Trials is—”
“no. Even if you reach the final floor of the Tower of Trials the challenger’s wish cannot be granted. “There is no such thing as a Creator.”
“ah….”
“Well instead there is a simple ascension device that allows you to become a quasi-transcendent. “I didn’t think it would give me the results I wanted so I destroyed it.”
“?”
“That’s it.”
“….”
Somehow the two people seemed to be looking at me even more bewildered than before but it seemed better not to care.
“Then let’s continue.”
Isn’t that natural?
“ah. “For your information as I just said it’s going to be a long story… so we’ll just have to talk about it for a few days.”
The story I have to tell from now on will not only be about the final floor of the Tower of Trials.
***
After that.
Catherine Bennett and Lee Ha-yeon no matter who was first continued to pour out a barrage of questions and revealed various stories.
About how you became friends with the Iron Blood Lord and the White Crane Swordsman and how you formed a deeper relationship of trust.
Move on….
It’s a story about the enemies I faced while climbing the Tower of Trials or that I was actually destined to become an ancient god.
The story continued.
Now every time they told each other facts that weren’t that surprising they were shocked surprised or even interested.
They also did not hide the fact that a cataclysm occurred on modern Earth and an awakened person appeared due to the existence of the God of Creation who created the Tower of Trials.
Because it was meaningless.
“Whoa. …I’d like to think I’m lying but I’m not. “It is said that the reason monsters and awakened people and systems appeared in the world was because of the Tower of Trials.”
“What is that! You did it for the greater good? Doesn’t that sound like a woman who is the God of Creation? I’m annoyed. “I mean it.”
“Then you are saying that the reason you lost your parents was ultimately because of the Tower of Trials. Also I was weak and couldn’t even become a professional hunter. …It’s a terrible story.”
Time passed like that.
The truth about the universe that I learned while climbing the Tower of Trials and the story of how I met many powerful enemies won and became stronger were too long to be told in one go.
I talked with the two challengers for several days. In the meantime the Lord of Iron Blood and the White Crane Sword suddenly came and a strange war of nerves(?) occurred but it ended well in the end.
‘It’s strange.’
It was bizarre.
Only a few people knew that he had gone through an uncertain journey to climb the Tower of Trials and become stronger.
Telling others about what I’ve been through and receiving emotional support from them was a somewhat surprising and unique experience.
‘….’
Time passed again.
Before we knew it a place for chatting under the pretext of Catherine Bennett and Lee Ha-yeon’s professional treatment had formed in the spacious hospital room.
Eat food and eat snacks. Everyone laughed happily and then played practical jokes to pass the time.
The Lord of Iron Blood and the White Crane Swordsman also at some point wanted to chat together here rather than at the hotel.
As the number of people increased the laughter increased even more.
“ah! really! Stop eating potato chips alone! Try some of the other snacks over there! Canary please don’t do that!”
[ hmm. What if you don’t like it? …It’s just sliced potatoes salted and fried but it’s delicious. I wish I had known this when the empire hadn’t fallen. ]
“No… What has Baek Sul-hwa been bringing more than potato chips? …Are you planning on opening a movie theater?”
[ uh? that’s right! Earth… There are many things that look amazing in this world! I brought it because I wanted to watch a movie with Seongyoon! lol. ]
“Mr. Baek Seol-hwa… I’m sorry but I’m having an important conversation with Seong-yoon so please don’t interrupt the flow of your own accord. I’m asking you to do so.”
[Hehe. Seongyoon said you have a lot of time? Then it won’t be too late to talk about it after watching it whether it’s a drama or a movie. Right Seongyoon? ]
“….”
In the end I was able to resume the story only after watching a lot of dramas and movies after installing the devices on behalf of Baek Sul-hwa who did not know how to operate machines.
The story still continued.
gently.
‘It’s comfortable.’
I used to think about it sometimes.
I think that if a cataclysm had not occurred on modern Earth and the Tower of Trials had not appeared and we had been able to live in a peaceful world forever we would have lived a simple daily life.
If so I wondered how happy and enjoyable it would be. It was even more so because I wondered if there was something I could achieve besides becoming stronger.
‘It doesn’t feel bad.’
It was a good day.
Was it because of that?
Suddenly I thought of a man.
‘….’
A man who only pursues becoming stronger and can no longer look around.
‘Damcheonwoo.’
The being who pursued life intelligence and power reminded me of a man who suffered as he wondered if he was just living the life of a puppet in a life of endless wandering.
He gave up on continuing his life and asked me to continue his life saying that he would use my answer as his own.
Becoming stronger. Prove that there is an end to the road and further prove freedom and existence.
But I also had that thought.
‘I think this might also be a path Damcheonwoo.’
I think that all of the joys and sorrows of small changes in daily life may be more valuable than becoming stronger.
Damcheonwoo. The religious practitioners who advised him must have said so. Everything is just a tragedy caused by humans’ narrow cognitive subject.
He preached that only by abandoning oneself can one be liberated from the bondage of pain.
‘The human ego certainly has a narrow scope of perception but I think that’s why it feels joy even in small changes.’
It is both a question and an answer.
I habitually touched the handle of the Blood Heaven Demon Sword but there was no answer.
However I felt like I could feel his warmth within the concept of divinity that resided in my heart.
closely….
Then with a bitter smile on my face I narrowed my eyes and muttered quietly.
“…Well I don’t think this will be my answer. “Both you and I only pursued becoming stronger.”
I have a vague guess as to the answer I will come up with on my own but no proof has been provided.
‘There is a different answer that suits us who have come this far by neglecting everything else and pursuing only to become stronger.’
The moment when I will give my answer will come soon.
‘Whether you like it or not you will know for sure whether the answer you gave yourself is right or wrong.’
In the war of gods everything ended as the God of Creation and the Tower of Trials intended.
so.
I will call you again.
‘Because it’s just a story about whether you become a transcendent or not.’
Because that is the answer I want and the path to the ending.
***
Coast.
I entered a dark cave of appropriate size and opened the space using black magic listening to the sound of water drops dripping.
At the same time a man with black wings stumbled and fell from a crack in space created with black magic.
Slurp-.
“….”
God of black wings.
past. One of the apostles who caused rampage all over the world and a high-ranking renegade who turned Korea upside down. He was still alive and not dead.
He used the sacred <Death> to force his life so that he would not die and let his mind be destroyed in endless pain.
I who had brought the black-winged god to his knees spoke in a cold tone as if giving a command.
“under.”
“….”
“Nice guy.”
“….”
“you. Are you watching here? I don’t know why you pretend not to be like that. “It’s annoying.”
“….”
“I don’t want to stay with you for a long time so hurry up and get out.”
It’s no different….
“The god of despair fall and madness.”
“….”
Knock-.
[The god of despair fall and madness descends on the body of the Apostle Godhead and pours out his feelings of rage and jealousy towards you.]
[ …you. Don’t call me carelessly. The only one who can call me whatever he wants is my oldest friend. ]
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo!!
“Hot!”
It was simple.
“Friend? I guess you’re mistaken… You’re just a hunting dog abandoned by the Tower of Trials. “Don’t be pretentious about being a failure.”
The god of despair fall and madness.
He made it possible for him to appear by descending on the Apostle Godhead.
Final battle. To begin the final war that will decide everything.
