138 – 2. Summoner of the Nine Heavens (85)
#136
The reason why I feel so far away even though my body is here, and the reason why there is no subtle sense of reality is that the scenery I am looking at right now is that much unrealistic.
“Kak…!?”
The person who came to attack me suddenly collapsed on the floor. Blood vessels protrude throughout the body, and the skin is disfigured as if it had been burned.
“Kkeouk, kkeoeouk…”
Belatedly, he used his whole body’s mana to protect himself and resist poison, but to no avail. It is also because this is not a simple poison, but a ‘phenomenon’ to which my ‘image’ is applied.
He scratched his neck and struggled as if he couldn’t breathe properly, but the symptoms didn’t improve and the act only got stronger.
In the end, the blood pierced through the skin and tore the flesh, but the red thing couldn’t be dyed black in an instant, so it sticks to it.
At some point, the person’s seizures gradually stopped, and the pupils slowly opened.
Something whitish rose like smoke from the completely relaxed body, so I pulled on it and saw the invisible figure of this man, hidden behind the black cloth, come out in a translucent form.
I harvested it through Shizu and used [Engraving] And [Reaper] To separate memory and self. Separation itself was easy, as if being on the verge of death was effective.
Perhaps it was because the owner of this soul prayed earnestly to get out of this suffering as soon as possible.
Or maybe this guy has a lower quality of his soul than Hisame Yashiro. The number of cases is enough to be filled steadily from now on.
Because there are a lot of test subjects here.
The two divided branches are sealed with shadows and handed over to Hive. It was easy because I had already experienced it once.
“Next.”
They’s look at me has changed. Of course. The person who sent it for the sake of the eyes was easily overpowered, so he did not even know how to fight.
My strength lies in being able to prepare a new move against whatever move the opponent brings. It is easy to become incompetent with half-blown versatility, but it is no wonder that the level of diversity that has reached this level can be called a natural phenomenon.
In fact, he had various summoned beasts aiming for it, so it must be said that the target worked to some extent.
The problem is that I can’t even get a sense of what state my body is in right now.
I am generously using the power of summons as a basis for realizing my own image, but for some reason I received the impression that it was ‘not enough’.
This works as it is, but it was a little different from the ‘image’ I saw through Harentz.
As proof, the system didn’t tell me what title would suit me. It must be that my power is not enough to take over the world.
The direction is sufficient. The image is also perfect. I can be confident that there is no one in the world who can embody this landscape better than me.
Nevertheless, it’s not enough. If this isn’t enough, I don’t know what else to do.
‘I have to do what I have to do.’
He tapped the floor. Hive, hiding in the shadows, sticks out his head and immediately flies into the air.
The bone mask that had been placed around him slowly reacted and revealed itself. The monsters, which gradually began to appear in the form of various monsters, rush towards those hiding inside the building in an instant.
“What?!”
“Red Raid!! It’s an enemy!!”
As if I hadn’t expected that other enemies besides me would suddenly appear from behind, the enemies start to move in unison due to the sudden ambush.
The moment the enemies react to the turmoil, they grasp all the locations of the enemies.
Ea, already hidden inside, detects the minute heartbeats of enemies and electrical signals sent by the brain to move the body. It delivers that information to other summons through [Link].
Through all the information obtained in this way, Haze, who acknowledged the enemy, carves [Marks] Without exception. With this, wherever they flee, they are within Haze’s detection range.
“Haa…”
Exhale. My stomach groaned at the overheated magic power. It is unreasonable to last long. No matter how much [Subdued] Recovers, the consumption is extremely high, so it’s best to catch up.
You have to quickly lead to a short-term showdown.
What comes to mind is a spear of thorns. A symbol of terror that rises from the ground and threades the corpses of enemies. The most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in my previous life.
I don’t know who thought of it, but let’s just say that they were very appropriate to represent strength. I went to kill the enemies based on that mark.
Concentrates mana. Adding to the building form is the Bloody Spear of the True Ancestors seen sometime ago.
Imitate the form forged with the blood of compatriots scattered on the floor in line with Kalion who was shooting the demon.
‘Not enough.’
I don’t know if I can kill idiots with this, but I’m not confident that I can definitely kill people with some level of skill.
Adds the arrow shape of [Sonic Impact] To the window. The moment it is stabbed, it explodes and emits shadow thorns. I’d love to get this damn snowball in there if possible, but I knew instinctively that that wasn’t possible.
There is no reality in these eyes. This is because it is a kind of phenomenon itself that expresses my image only in this space.
Like snow, it falls from the sky and piles up on the ground. Anything other than that is impossible.
Then just add another thing and that’s it.
Magic power is met. The shadows are assembled and matched above the hands.
“Ceres.”
At my call, the wall-colored flames on the hem grow bigger and take the shape of bones. Where only the shadows are, the flames of Ceres are located.
“Taktaktak!!”
The guy clicks his chin for joy, as if he immediately understood how many enemies these flames could kill.
Its essence is a monster that consumes souls and burns them with fuel.
“I’ll let you eat later, so wait.”
The first step is to extract information.
“Less, just right!”
Ceres seemed to be satisfied with that alone, and expressed his excitement by vibrating his chin like a percussion instrument. Thanks to that, the serious atmosphere was quickly distracted. This must be his own personality.
Of course, it would be a big deal if he did that regardless of time and place, but even taking that into consideration, he is a good guy. Shall we say that he cannot be hated because he is infinitely serious when he is serious?
Shush, shushuk!!
Even in the midst of this, memorization is flying in from all directions.
Some of them disappeared and reappeared along the way, and most of them were for trickery at the level of trickery, such as blurring and then being separated into two, but among them, there were some that hid and took charge of a powerful blow.
Dalgrak!
One of the bone masks on the floor rises and takes the form of a turtle and sits there as if to protect me. It deflected most things, but the ones I thought were dangerous easily pierced the Shadow Turtle and killed him.
The bone mask then rises and assumes the form of a monster. Various animals throw themselves at the dagger.
Falling…
As soon as they die, their bone masks crumble and disappear. However, the magical power contained in the memorization that flew in also scattered and fell to the ground.
Afterwards, memorization came flying again, but the spell of the grip had already been constructed.
Click
The moment the construction is completed, the sound of something fitting resonates in the brain. I decided on a name for it without the slightest hesitation.
“[Through].”
It’s a very intuitive name, but the gloomy history of execution contained in it was enough to support this guy’s form and basis.
Move your finger. The location is all the people designated through [Mark]. Magic was drained in an instant, and a phenomenon close to anemia occurred along with a feeling of exhaustion, but he endured by giving strength to his body.
Quad Deuk!!
“Quaaa!!!”
“Kyaah … !!!”
“aaa!!!!”
From noble mtl dot com
Screams ring out. Conversely, cheers rang out from behind. The dead rejoiced and began to move themselves to meet those who resisted death.
Someone tried to pull out the half-pierced body, but it slipped and was pushed by the dead man’s hand. Fragments of torn organs were hanging from the tip of the thorn that penetrated the body as it could not bear the weight of its own body.
Those who died in shock rushed to my side at the call of Shizu and the dead who followed him.
I separate the memories and egos of the souls that have flocked in, and throw everything other than what is necessary as Ceres’ food.
They used to memorize things on a fictitious day, so if you make good use of that know-how, it will be of great help to Ceres’ bow skills.
“…Haa, that Hisame has caused a disaster in the end.”
Someone spills words. My gaze turns to him.
The guy was hit by a thorn, but he didn’t die. He clutches at his abdomen and is still alive, even though that part is being consumed by the flames of Ceres.
“What is your name?”
“…Yashiro, this is Tsugumi.”
Yashiro Tsugumi. This is the name mentioned through Hanabi Shirogane when Hisame Yashiro appeared.
“Are you going to beg for help?”
“…No, we have committed many sins, and since I abetted them, I have no intention of denying my sins.”
I could see that he was looking at me within a barely reachable range for him to say such a thing.
I admit my guilt, but I don’t have the heart to die easily? It doesn’t seem like anything like that.
What is reflected in the guy’s eyes are not simple emotions. It is something more complex.
For example, yes, it was like the eyes of those who sang about the future in their previous lives. In other words, you are looking at the same hope as gambling.
Did you think I was a person you could talk to? Or are you preparing something?
‘It must be both.’
I don’t know the details, but it’s certain that this guy is up to something. Otherwise, he would have no reason to come forward and attract my attention.
It’s the inside story. It’s enough just to split his soul and see his memories. So I wanted to see how they reacted.
He is similar to Hisame Yashiro, but with a different case.
If it is possible for a guy to surrender and offer up his soul, then what kind of guy can he make?
I was curious about that.
“Then what?”
An instant conflict. A look of worry spreads from the boy’s eyes.
“…I think dirty adults are enough to pay for sins.”
“That sounds funny. Do you think the sprouts that grew after eating that filthy poison would not be poisonous plants?”
“Hasn’t Hanabi grown beautiful enough under that poison?”
“And I got myself out of the mud.”
“That was only possible because she had her power!!”
The expression of Tsugumi Yashiro who appealed so much was distorted. The emotion contained in her appeal was so intense and desperate.
“Children are too powerless to resist the darkness of Yashiro. You can’t express your dissenting opinion, it’s just fate that you have to get used to the situation!!”
“Are there any heartless people in this goddamn world?”
“Keuugh…”
As if he had no words to return to my words, he gnawed his teeth.
There is nothing wrong with what he said. But my words are the truth.
Above all, he shouldn’t say that. It is mere deception to see a human being who compromised himself by yielding to reality, not to anyone else, howling as if he were on the side of justice.
He should have been faithful to his desires like Hanabi Shirogane. She is aware that she is a villain.
Since the past that moved in the name of Yashiro will never disappear, she does not act like a good person.
Her wish was extremely self-centered when she said that it would be enough for her family to be safe.
Me too. There is no distinction between good and evil in death.
Kill me against you. Kill to leave no regrets. There is no end to the justification for each murder in that way.
Justification is not an indulgence, but a spark. An ember to ignite the scare called war. Therefore, the murder that occurs in the process is also just murder.
That’s why I don’t want salvation. I am also aware that what I have done is evil. Do it though I do it because I can. I do it because it is to my advantage.
Didn’t I tell you from the beginning?
Don’t wish for meaningless salvation.
Don’t be like hope.
Pray that the capricious death will just pass by.
Because this will be your road to hell.
“…Are you saying that you’re going to pluck all the buds that have no future, just because they might be dangerous?”
“I make the decision, not you. Do not add false words to my opinion. Because time is running out.”
Ceres, who accepted my will through [Link] Without giving a signal, raises the fire.
“…!!”
With just that, Tsugumi Yashiro fell to her knees. I could see blood dripping from his mouth.
The flames of Ceres are different from ordinary fire. It has the form of fire, but that is also Ceres itself.
Also, perhaps thanks to the influence of my magical power, his flames can change into any complex shape if he wants to.
Once you stick together, you can become anything and do anything from there.
Even in the midst of exchanging words, the flames that penetrated the guy through the wounds went wild, and he fell to his knees like that, regardless of his ability.
No matter how strong a person is, there is no answer if the inside of the body is occupied. In addition, the flame of Ceres is not just a flame, so the pain cannot be expressed in words.
“Any last words?”
“… Everything.”
Mumble
The guy began to mumble so much that even his enhanced hearing couldn’t hear him. His eyes were not focused, and traces of blood were clearly visible under his body, soaked in cold sweat.
“That child…Is absolutely not doing anything wrong…”
After witnessing death, he wept and vomited the truth. He, who is not an unspecified majority, began to vomit his real wishes that he wanted to keep.
Humans are indeed cunning creatures. He lies endlessly if he wants to.
He won’t tell you what he really wants unless you push him to the limit. Most people pray for life, pray for their life span, and other than that, pray for their precious things to be protected.
“Even if you say that, it doesn’t make any sense.”
With just that, Tsugumi Yashiro’s neck was broken and the flames of Ceres gushed out from his entire body.
Let’s check what he wanted to protect so much. As Ceres started to burn his body, he collected his soul.
His face full of grief was filled with pensiveness, and even more than that, there was a bit of venom.
As expected, it’s a soul that can’t be said to be pure, but compared to Hisame Yashiro, it’s gray that can be seen as white. I sighed as I scanned the memories contained within.
‘It’s an obvious story.’
An unblinking bystander, watching his whole life step by step, suddenly felt guilty. The target is a child who recently entered Yashiro.
Black hair and black eyes. He was a child with a typical Asian appearance, but too ordinary to be considered an Awakener.
I don’t know the name. Precisely, it hasn’t been attached yet, I guess.
If you can pass the test and be able to make a proper single serving, I think it will feel like you are given a name from then on.
This man felt pity for the child. Even though he saw dozens, hundreds, or thousands of similar children, his heart that had not been moved changed into just one child.
Because you remain untainted and pure in the dark? By projecting his past onto the image of him failing to pass the exam due to his lack of strength and being attacked indiscriminately by others under the pretext of training?
I don’t know. Yashiro Tsugumi didn’t know what her own heart was.
In the name of an official, she felt a chill every time she met the child. The pain of forcibly re-opening the wounds that had been planted deep inside her chest.
Every time her inexplicable pain accelerated, Yashiro Tsugumi held the child in her eyes.
There is nothing wrong with that child.
At least different from myself. He is not a child who will rot in a place like this.
Like the child who escaped the cage that day with the flap of his own wings and found freedom, this child deserves freedom.
That’s why he joined the coup that Hisame Yashiro was about to stage. As a staff member and spy, he continuously leaks information and implicitly discloses Yashiro’s darkness to the outside world.
It was for this reason that I contacted Hanabi Shirogane. He intended to let the child escape and entrust him to Hanabi Shirogane, just in case something went wrong with him.
Yashiro Hisame, who halfway figured out the plan and thought he was betraying him, shortened her period and went ahead with it at will.
That is the whole story of what happened today.
[As much as that child… Please…]
Yashiro’s advisor, who was called Iron Blood, was no longer there. In a halfway state, his mind was weakened, so he made a weakness.
I will thoroughly exploit that weakness.
“I will save that child. It gives you the freedom to do what you want and to do what you want to do.”
[…!!]
My words shake the spirit. What had been hanging down just now began to burn like a lie. The cold and chilly life made his gripped hands tremble.
Maybe it’s because he grew up going through inefficient and crazy training that trains his body through all sorts of torture, but his mental strength is astounding.
“The price is your everything.”
[All…All?]
“Yes, I don’t want loyalty that is absolute and will last forever. I’ll just thoroughly bind you. You will not be able to go crazy even if you want to go crazy, and you will become a body that cannot run away from the upcoming reality. I can’t do the same lukewarm way of thinking that falls behind and plots like before.”
Everything becomes your karma, and all deeds must be yours.
[You, what the hell?]
“I…”
At that moment, I shut up. It is natural to know that this answer is not only heard by this guy, but also by others.
It’s not just Lee Serin. The dead, the world, and even the creepy energy I don’t know are looking at me.
I instinctively understood. You should speak well now. This is no different from the crossroads in front of me.
I just told you not to run away, but now you’re going to cast ‘I am me’ with Naero Nambul? That sounds funny.
From noble mtl dot com
I opened my mouth. It unsparingly explodes its inherent energy and ignores the pitiful souls who dare to judge me. What came to mind at that time was Echidna.
A demon who saw me from the nearest place and at the same time observed me and regarded it as sacred.
What does she call me?
The answer has been decided.
“I am [Rest]. The distant [Death] That watches over you and puts an end to the endless penance.”
My voice permeates the surroundings naturally. Different from mana. The world recognized and understood it. The definition of a human being is now drawn here.
[Rest… A distant rest. May this fool’s longing come true…]
Pay the price. The boy’s soul gradually coalesced and turned into a marble. Even though I didn’t tie it separately, he wanted to be taken by me to fulfill his own purpose.
I also have memories. The ego is also whole. The body has already burned and disappeared. Still, the boy was stable. As if that was enough, he reached the ‘end’ with rain.
“Yes.”
This is a child who was bothered by something while reading your memories. It’s probably a guy who’s related to the devil side. Since you need to observe, I will also fulfill your desires.
Ugh
As the color of his soul, he squeezed a light gray ball of light reminiscent of iron.
Somewhere out of place, I feel at ease, which I thought was lacking. As if proving that it wasn’t my fault, the system sounded an alarm.
[Conditions met.]
[The level of the skill [Subdued] Increases.]
[All stats have increased by 5.]
[■ Strength has increased by 1.]
[The level of the skill [Set Trap] Will increase.]
[The skill level has increased by 1.]
[Conditions are met and the hidden thing is released.]
[Your indicator is [Nine Heavens].]
[Your path is to trample on everything to pursue the end.]
[Glory to the future of you who are trying to create even the end of everything with your own hands.]
[Insufficient conditions to release restrictions.]
[Accomplish a little more feat!]
Looking at the system window that popped up in an instant, I sighed. There is nothing that can be done in one room.
I couldn’t stand still, so I moved on. According to Yashiro Tsugumi’s memories, the children and Yashiro’s important organs are all hidden underground.
As I headed deeper into the darkness, I butchered all the survivors.