# 124
124
Should I say it was 82 years ago or 12 years ago?
Daesung was on his way to the middle school graduation ceremony with Seong Chan-ho with an excited heart when he suddenly fell into the abyss.
To the abyss called hell.
-Mom black! Jisoo…!
It wasn’t until a day later that I was able to shed tears for the first time in hell.
Until then, I didn’t even have time to shed tears. Because the monsters I saw for the first time rushed at me like demonic beasts.
Every day that followed was literally ‘hell.’ Chased by a demonic beast, he was forced to sleep in a cold cave and survived by biting off the rotten flesh of the demonic beast.
He felt like he was going to go crazy if he continued like this, so he wrote a ‘diary’. I left a text message. In order not to forget that he was an intelligent human being, he recorded everything to prove that he was different from animals.
The days of survival were marked one by one. He wrote down what happened today in his diary even though he was completely exhausted.
Fiercely, relentlessly.
A year passed like that….
[I sensed outstanding will and desperate survival instinct. The latent source fragment awakens.]
[UI system activation complete.]
One day.
A ‘miracle’ has arrived.
***
As time passes by about 80 years, even the faces of family members that we vowed never to forget will eventually be forgotten.
It is a fragment of the origin. Yeah definitely. I vaguely remembered seeing those words.
< A ‘hole’ was born in the deepest part of the multiverse. I call it the Abyss... but the name 'Hell' is probably most familiar to you. > Just like a
grandmother tells a story to her grandchild, or a mother tells it to her child.
Geunwon started telling a story about old times in a voice as warm as sunlight.
< Like all dimensions, in hell there was someone like me who could be the ‘origin’. Uniquely, it was not an abstract concept like other sources, but closer to a living being that could speak and move. Exactly... >
“It’s a demon.”
< He's a bit... well, okay. To put it in your words, he was like a fool. If you just had the name ‘Geunwon’, you would have been satisfied with that, but you bothered to give it a tacky nickname like Masin… Ah, it’s so embarrassing for everyone who listens to it. > “Continue.
”
There was no time to listen to complaints.
In this place where existence itself was at risk, it was hard to stay even for one minute and one second.
< The Demon God was bored. It makes sense, since there was no other life in hell except him. However, this does not justify the vicious act of randomly kidnapping lives living in other dimensions. >
“Then are the demons of hell also beings who were kidnapped from another dimension like me?”
< Yes. They weren't magic beasts from the beginning either. After staying in hell for a long time, he lost his ego and identity and was reduced to a monster. >
It was a kind of mutation.
His appearance was so hideously distorted that his original form was unrecognizable, and he lost his memory and reason.
Then,
“Why didn’t I become a magician?”
< Because the ‘fragment’ I planted in you was preventing you from becoming a monster. >
“….”
< Of course, it didn’t completely prevent you. Well, about 1% wasn't enough. That you surpass human standards and maintain the appearance of a young man even after 80 years, or that your hair turns white. All of those things are traces of me trying to become a demon. >
“Wouldn’t you have prevented me from falling into hell from the beginning when it was time to plant debris?”
Now that he had come and complained, even though it was too late, Daesung had no choice but to argue with him.
If we had the power to plant fragments or something, we could have prevented him from being kidnapped to hell in the first place.
< I’m sorry... I couldn’t have done that. >
“….”
< I just felt a sign. By the time I realized it, it was already too late. From then on, you were possessed by the devil's gravitational force, and your future of falling into hell was certain. >
Surprisingly, the harsh words of incompetence welled up in my throat, but I held them back.
Wouldn’t it be useless to argue about something that has already passed?
< But I couldn't stand by and watch the being that lives on my flesh and blood fall into the abyss. Yes, I absolutely could not bear that much. >
“Is that why you planted some fragments?”
< The word is 'fragments', but from a human perspective, it is no different from giving up an arm. But I wanted to give you hope, a miracle, and strength to get through hell. >
A smile appeared at the end of the words. And between the laughter, there was sadness.
If the origin had a ‘form’, it would have been drawing a lonely smile right now.
< It would have taken some time for the fragments to appear. About a year? Was it really that bad? >
“The system appeared exactly one year later. “I don’t know why it looked like an online game.”
< I wonder if the fact that it appeared to you in the form of a game system was the will of the fragment itself. > It was as if
the fragment chose it because it wanted to.
< The fragments split from me have their own self-consciousness. Strictly speaking, he is like my alter ego. >
“That guy and I definitely had something similar to a conversation with each other. “It’s still like that now.”
If you have any questions, the system answers. When something unknown was discovered, the system explained it. When it grows, the system notifies you.
Although it may not be a natural conversation, it is also one of the countless forms of ‘conversation’.
Geunwon burst into laughter again.
< It seems that the child wanted to approach you in an easy-to-understand way. Think about it. What did you like the most when you were still young and immature at the time? >
“…At that age, you must have been at the peak of your love for games.”
< Thanks to you, you were able to communicate with that child without difficulty. >
“They called me Absolute.”
< Oh, is that so? That's probably because over time, I've gained sincere respect for you. At first, I probably just saw you as a mutt that needed to be taught. >
“That’s a bit unpleasant.”
< From the way you joke around, it looks like you're getting used to being in my arms. > I
suddenly wondered what that meant, but Daesung quickly figured it out.
When I first came in contact with the source, it felt like my whole body was going to break, but now I was able to hold on.
< Even though the Hekar tribe established a secret technique that could reach the source, the reason they could not attack it was because they were weak. But not you. You are the strongest of the strong who defeated the source of the Abyss, the Demon God. >
“Thank goodness. Thanks to you, I can relax my shoulders and talk comfortably.”
< You probably have a lot of questions. Ask as many questions as you like. I’ll answer everything I know. >
“Tell me how to solve this situation.”
This sense of guilt will not disappear until the space-time of the dimensional water is driven out of the Earth.
It would be impossible to deal with each of the external dimensions one by one. That’s the same as scooping out seawater with just one bucket.
A faster and more efficient method is needed. To find out how, Daeseong contacted the source.
< You’re blaming yourself again. Didn’t I tell you earlier that there was no need for that? >
“If you don’t want me to do that, you can at least offer me comfort.”
< Why was only Earth spared when Heaven took over countless dimensions? >
“…Now that I think about it.”
Numerous dimensions were sealed into the dimensional water and became the nourishment of the heavens.
Daeseong already knew through the memories of Roderick, whom he had previously killed, that heaven is a world that cannot exist without its nourishment.
However, among the dimensions that were nourished, there was no Earth. Heaven’s hand has not yet touched the Earth.
< It’s not a difficult story. Simple. Because I was trying to erase the existence of this star as much as possible so that it wouldn't reach their eyes. Well... Ramish found out. The Hekar tribe is the best in that regard. >
“It kills their sense of existence. Is something like that even possible? …No. “If you are a being that is like the origin, there is nothing you can’t do.”
< Oh, you are surprisingly quick to understand. >
“I feel like my head will explode if I try to understand you with my common sense.”
Geunwon burst out laughing. I burst out laughing purely because it was fun.
This is a man who came here carrying a fragment that is no different from his alter ego. It would be inevitable to show special affection.
But the laughter soon stopped.
< But erasing one’s presence has now reached its limit. In any case, it was destined to be discovered in the near future. >
“….”
< If that were the case, heavenly beings would have stormed into Earth with countless dimensions of space and time on their backs. That is truly... a terrible disaster. >
Daeseong had seen in Ramish’s memories the miserable end of a world invaded by the Heavenly Legion.
All elements that make up the world turned black and white, time and space stopped, and life was mercilessly destroyed.
What if the background for that catastrophe was Earth?
< The damage happening on Earth right now is nothing compared to that. I feel sorry for the people who died and these are harsh words, but... it's really true. But fortunately, you created a new situation. >
“Me?”
< Because you went up to heaven and went on a rampage, the apostle there gave you the evil hand of defying cause and effect in order to survive. So, an opportunity has arisen. >
“If it is an opportunity….”
< It is an opportunity for us to interfere with the nourishment that makes them exist. > The
space-time of the outer dimension, which had been sealed in the dimensional tree and had no way to do anything, overlapped with the Earth.
Simply put, the life lines of heaven are connected to the earth.
And the fact that it is connected
means that it can be cut.
As Gewon said, there was an opportunity to at least protest.
As soon as a colorful light flickered in Daesung’s eyes, Geunwon spoke.
< Rather than being helpless in the face of impending destruction, wouldn't it be much better to take the opportunity to confront the enemy even if you suffer damage right now? > So there is
no need to continue to feel guilty. The source added that.
It may have been a consolation given to her in her own way, but Daesung’s face was still frozen.
< Why are you doing that? I'm saying that your vicious nature of not looking back was fortunate enough to provide an opportunity for a counterattack. But you still can’t shake off the guilt. >
“The reason the Apostle used the Holy Grail of Humanity and Human Beings was because I missed that guy. “This is my mistake.”
It was an opportunity to counterattack, and if Heaven had definitely been destroyed then, something like this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Of course, at the time, I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as the Holy Grail of Cause and Effect, and because Armagan and Roderick were sacrificing their lives to attack him, Daesung didn’t even have time to pay attention to Lemuët.
But that’s no excuse. In the end, it was because Lemuet failed to stop him from breaking the Holy Grail that disaster occurred on Earth.
< As long as the number of dimensions exists, the heavens are also immortal. That tree continuously supplies energy to the heavens through its core. Even if you destroy the current heaven, another form of heaven will arise someday. >
“….”
< If you had destroyed the heaven then, would everything have gone well? It’s not the true end, it’s just a mere reprieve. >
“I’m sick of it. “What on earth is the number of dimensions?”
No matter how much I peered into Roderick’s memories, I couldn’t figure out this much.
Dimensional beasts are beings born from a distant time that not even the apostles know about. That was all I could guess.
< Number of dimensions. Although it may look like a tree, it is actually closer to a net. >
“A net?”
At that moment, the background of the vast ocean, which seemed like a black curtain, suddenly changed.
Spheres of various shapes appeared before Daesung’s eyes as he drifted through the air.
Some were as hot as the sun, while others were as blue as the sea. Another one had a thin, thin ring around it.
It was space.
< The multiverse is not connected. As you can see, they are scattered all over the place, each in their own area. This is because there is a huge unwritten rule not to interfere in different dimensions. >
Things that looked like pure white pitchforks were reaching out.
The rake maintained an appropriate distance and entangled the dimensions that existed quietly one by one.
Like a net reaching beneath the surface of the water to catch and trap fish.
< But someone ended up breaking that unwritten rule. >
“It’s the Lord.”
< That could be so. Or maybe there is a higher being than that? >
“I know, but are you asking just to get me to know? Or do you really not know?”
< It is the latter. Please understand. At that time, I was like a scared child and only focused on erasing my presence. Phew... It really makes me shudder to see it again. >
The rake was extending from a pure white pillar located at the highest point in the universe.
At first, what I thought was a rake turned out to be a tree branch, and after that, the shape of the dimension tree that Daesung knew was completed.
It has a shape that is too bizarre to be called a chama tree, with branches wrapped around a pole.
“What really needed to disappear was that tree, not the heavens.”
< But don’t look at it as an ordinary tree that falls over if you just hit it with an axe. >
“Is there a way to knock it down?”
< It may be different from knocking it down, but there is no way. Originally, there would have been no opportunity to take it, but it is different now that the space and time of the outer dimension overlap. >
“Then tell me how to do it.”
< Turn back time and kill the person who established the dimension tree. > The
tips of Daesung’s eyebrows trembled at the mention of turning back time.
Considering that the beginning of the recent four months was because time was adjusted by the Holy Grail of Cause and Effect, it was a story that was nothing short of disgusting for Daeseong.
Before asking how to turn back time, he asked another question.
“Is there any way to completely eliminate that dimensional tree even now?”
< Not only is it not there, but even if it was there, it would be better not to mess with that tree now. >
“Why?”
< That thing has already been distorted once. But then a problem arises again... Well. At that time, I had no idea what would really happen. >
I gave up when they said there was no way.
If this happens, we will have no choice but to turn back time and eliminate the person who created the dimension tree, as she said.
“Then how about turning back time?”
< I'll warn you in advance, but it's not something that can be played as easily as watching a video. >
“What should I do?”
< Like the Holy Grail of causality, let’s create a sacred object that can interfere with the flow of time. > “It
just occurred to me. If I do something like that, won’t there be some kind of problem with the dimensional tree?”
< The reason why the aftermath of the regression affected the dimensional trees was because the Holy Grail of Cause and Effect was a celestial holy object closely connected to the dimensional trees. But I guess it doesn’t matter much if it’s a holy relic you made yourself. >
“Then I will believe it and be at ease. “How do you make that sacred object?”
< Collect fragments from the sources responsible for the core of the same dimension as mine. If it were a sacred object made by gathering them, it would certainly not be impossible to turn back time. >
The panoramic view of the universe that filled my son-in-law and the image of the dimensional tree disappeared.
The pitch-black ocean unfolded again.
< There is a source in every dimension without exception, but they do not all have the same hierarchy. While there are strong sources, there are also weak sources. >
“To create a holy object that can control the flow of time, I need to collect fragments of strong sources. Am I right?”
< I’m glad you spoke quickly. >
“Aren’t you a strong source?”
< ...neither strong nor weak, just in the middle. So, don't have strange feelings. Besides, I've already given you a wonderful fragment called the system, right? >
The source’s voice wavered softly, as if he was slightly afraid.
Even if I could get the fragments to make a sacred object from her anyway, I had no intention of asking her to give them up. It might have been someone else, but she was the one who supported the Earth.
“How do I know which dimension has a strong source?”
< You are in my arms, the source. It is the first living organism to experience the concept of origin. If you go out with this sense in mind, you will be able to instinctively know which source is strong and weak. >
At that time, a ray of light twinkled in the darkness and came down in front of Daeseong.
It was not difficult to realize that Geunwon had just given him a gift. Daesung grabbed a light smaller than the size of his palm.
< It's another fragment of me. >
“….”
< That's right what you're thinking. I even gave you my one remaining arm. >
Is that why? Geunwon’s embrace, which had been filled with subtle warmth, became slightly cooler.
The voice was also steeply coiled, like a person who is sick.
< Even if you have a great goal of turning back time and killing the person who created the dimensional tree... If a small creature comes to you and asks you to give up an arm, would you willingly give it up? > “No.
”
< That’s what it is. The sources of all dimensions will be hostile to you. >
“….”
< To face their hostility even a little more easily, you need stronger power than you have now. >
The moment I wrapped my hands around the light, the brilliance faded and a burning orb appeared. .
The heat was so intense that even Daesung, who was accustomed to fire, frowned and narrowed his eyes.
< It doesn’t matter whether it’s a spear, a bow, or a sword. Add the fragment to your favorite weapon. >
After hearing those words, Daeseong immediately created the Fire Flower Greatsword.
Even the flames of the Flame Great Sword were like a bonfire compared to the heat emitted by the fragments.
Daesung held the fragment of the origin to the fireworks greatsword with a faintly trembling hand.
Then, the fragments merged with the hilt of the great sword, as if they were returning to their original positions.
[The ‘Fragment of the Origin’ has accepted the ‘Affliction Greatsword’.]
[The Fragment will go beyond the level of cutting down all things and will give it the power to cut even the abstract concept of the Origin.] It is
not a separate magical power infused into the Great Sword. A dark red air current began to slowly rise.
And like blood vessels sprouting on human skin, red-hot magma spread like a spider web over the entire body of the sword.
Drop… drop…
The magma dripping from the tip of the blade was reminiscent of a wild beast drooling after finding its prey.
Daeseong has no recollection of seeing the Eophwa Greatsword displaying its ferocious force.
‘That’s incredible.’
At first, when it was said that it was a power that more easily counters the source, I didn’t really understand what it meant.
But when I got my hands on that incredible power, I understood it.
It was difficult to put into words, but the sharp flashing sensation of my heart pounding as if it was about to explode all over my body told me its meaning.
The time when Daesung was trembling.
Rumbling!
< Ah...! >
Daesung’s vision, which had been fixed on the sword, shook violently in the calm embrace of the origin.
The source’s scream is unusual.