Episode 141. Transcendents (3)
Transcending meant breaking the wall.
Ascending to heaven, becoming one with nature, enlightenment.
Human history recorded transcendence in many different words.
Breaking the human vessel and elevating to something higher.
That was how mortals vaguely thought of transcendence. Something mighty that happened in stories. A near miracle that was extremely difficult to achieve.
That was how transcendence was strongly embedded in the minds of humans.
“…What?”
It was no different for the Transcendents. After a life of perseverance, they crossed over the wall and broke their vessels. They transcended only after enduring unimaginable pain.
Which was why the Traveler couldn’t help but be shocked.
‘Was he this skilled?’
The Traveler enjoyed taking talented humans, helping them, and in the end, controlling them as he pleased and playing with them like a toy.
He had thought of a fun game in the process and looked for an -Akashic Records user-. The Akashic Records user Jeong Si-woo, who he finally found, was a very interesting individual.
Jeong Si-woo persistently hunted monsters and overcame numerous trials. He was stronger and more unique than any toy the Traveler had ever seen.
The Traveler had thought just that much of him.
‘Is it because he is an Akashic Records user……? No, the Akashic Records does not affect the process of transcendence. It is a process that depends on the nature, soul, and will of the human being alone. Then… was his will and soul powerful enough for him to go through a different process from the current Transcendents?’
The Traveler rolled his eyes. Jeong Si-woo was sitting still.
He was motionless, and his face looked peaceful.
To the point that one could wonder if he was frozen still or was a human-shaped sculpture.
However, it was clearly visible to the Traveler. His eyes that could peer into the essence of things were witnessing the changes taking place inside Jeong Si-woo and the process of transcendence it was bringing about.
“…Interesting. So interesting!”
The mortal shell melted away surprisingly quickly. It was the vessel that protected the soul within, but also what limited and restricted it.
Jeong Si-woo destroyed the vessel with enormous speed, and he was building a new body.
The Traveler could guarantee that no one living in the world of Transcendents had ever crossed over the wall at such a rapid speed. And the Traveler could dare say that if Jeong Si-woo eventually reached transcendence and attained a certain class, he would stand above the heads of all Transcendents.
At that moment.
“I came to see what you were doing to not even attend the meeting… And it looks like you’re making another toy.”
The empty air split open, and someone appeared, squeezing out from the crack.
It was an individual painted entirely black, like a shadow. The appearance of the constantly wavering creature caused the Traveler’s face to stiffen.
“Why are you wearing such a stupid shell? You look like an old human. The other Transcendents are bound to find you ridiculous.”
The Traveler glanced back. His wrinkled hand stretched out and grabbed the stranger’s neck. Along with that, the ground shook as if there was an earthquake.
“You entered my territory without permission. You must have a death wish. No creature would do such a stupid thing unless they wanted to be destroyed.”
“Ugh… gh……. I knew it. You’re different. Whether you’re wearing a crappy shell or even an insect one… You have the greatest power. Yeah, this is it. No one can make me feel this way. All you did was grab my neck, but it feels like you could destroy me any minute! Whew!”
“Don’t be disgusting. Talk. There must be a good reason for you to enter without asking for permission. You’re no novice Transcendent, are you?”
With those words, the Traveler let go. The stranger rubbed his neck a few times and spoke up after steadying his breath.
“Well, I hear you’ve stolen an individual from the world I have my eye on.”
“Stolen?”
“Yes, an individual that is quite valuable in that world……. You’re hurting my feelings by snatching him up like that. What are we, strangers? We’ve been together for thousands of years, and to do so without even telling me…….”
“The Akashic Records user was prey I’ve been after even before I met you. I finally found one, but I almost lost him because of you. Because his world was destroyed.”
“Oh… I’m sorry about that. But there was nothing I could do. I was simply after the world, and there happened to be an Akashic Records user.”
“Well, do as you please. It doesn’t matter now.”
“It… doesn’t matter?”
The stranger tilted his head.
“What do you mean? You said the Akashic Records user is in that world. Don’t you know that the moment I take control of the world, he becomes mine, as well? Whether he’s dead or stolen by you, once I become the world’s master, everything belongs to me. I’m just here right now because I’m upset.”
“I know. I know very well.”
“Then why doesn’t it matter?”
“There won’t be a problem if the world doesn’t end, right?”
This time, the stranger stiffened. The Traveler smiled faintly.
“If the world doesn’t end, and if I take over all of the worlds you’re playing with… Won’t I be able to possess the Akashic Records user as well as civilizations full of resources?”
“What?”
“Just think of it as punishment for messing with what is mine. When I first found out, I was angry at the thought that you dared to mess with what was mine. But I realized that you did it unintentionally.”
“…Yes, it was unintentional!”
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