Published at 28th of May 2026 1:35 pm

Chapter 433

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'What do you think a god is?'

I lowered my gaze at the question of a dull-witted man.

The air was thick and still, and the buildings were dull-colored.

I answered the question over the wall that had collapsed and cracked everywhere.

'Well.'

At first, it was a question.

'Pretending to be enlightened, but in the end, becoming foolish at the final moment?'

But the answer was already set in my mind.

Even before I lived my life, I knew that those called "gods" were not simply noble or great.

On the contrary, they could be more instinctive than beasts.

Or existences more dull-witted than humans.

That was why I did not respect them or look up to them. Wasn't it the same for you?

Even now, I was crouching before a mere human.

'A mere human, you say.......'

At my words, the one before me let out a hollow laugh.

'Those are words that lower oneself to the utmost, are they not?'

Something in the shape of an old man laughed.

'One who looks down on the sublime. You are a breed unworthy of being called human.'

'You must be kidding.'

I lifted the corner of my lips at those words.

'If I claim I'm human, who are you to judge me carelessly?'

By whose will?

Sorry, but I was human.

From the moment I was born, and even until the moment I died.

'Do you not desire immortality?'

'What are you talking about?'

What does immortality have to do with this?

'If one ceases to be human, does that grant you immortality? That's an arrogant statement.'

How laughable a misconception.

'Even if you wander with only your mind, without a body, you can't equate that to immortality or everlasting life. There's nothing more hollow than that.'

'If your spirit is maintained, then the body does not matter. You must know the essence is within the spirit, don't you?'

'And that is exactly why it must not be done.'

If one set the essence within the spirit, then all the more, it should not be done.

'Even if you forcibly sustain your spirit in that way, could the thoughts and values you once had be maintained? I don't think so.'

'That applies only to those whose lives are finite.'

'Yeah, and that's precisely why you shouldn't chase infinity.'

Even if you throw away a finite life and choose an infinite one.

'The infinity you've gained in that way would mean nothing.'

Humans, after all—

'Are beings who need to live with death in mind for there to be meaning in life.'

'......'

The old man said nothing after hearing my words.

Beyond those shallow yet seemingly deep eyes, I could see myself.

About to be snuffed out, his spirit shredded and on the verge of being erased.

'To say you must keep death in mind for your life to have value... truly, those are base words.'

'Eh-hey.'

Hearing that, I smiled.

'That's wrong. You should call it radiant.'

'Ha.'

In the end, the old man laughed again.

'...... Yes. Radiant words, indeed. So, you who have chosen radiance.'

Crrrk.

Within the collapsing broken pieces, the old man's gaze changed.

'Godslayer, who sought different values beyond infinity. What is your ideal world?'

Ideal world.

At that question, I answered firmly.

There was not even a moment's hesitation. It was an answer I'd decided long ago.

'A peaceful life.'

A tranquil life, free of danger.

A life where I have no need to see bothersome things, or be nosy about matters I don't want to.

That was the kind of life I wished for.

'......hahahaha.......'

Upon hearing this, the old man laughed in a hollow, somber tone.

'An unattainable dream.'

'...... That's harsh.'

It was an ordinary and simple wish, yet he trampled all over it so decisively.

I barely kept myself from sighing.

Ku-gu-gu-gu-goong.

The debris came crashing down. In the space now being smashed to pieces, I swept my hair back.

'I can't deny it.'

That it was an unattainable dream.

I just couldn't deny it, damn it all.

* * *

Uuuuunng–!!!

― Urk!

The spirit body of Bow Ghost trembled at the vibration.

Pain flashed across her face.

No, perhaps it was more embarrassment than pain.

― What is......!

"That's why I told you not to travel around in a spirit body so recklessly."

How dangerous was Astral Projection? And yet she treated it so casually.

Or perhaps—

"Did you not expect this? That I could do something like this?"

That seemed more likely. If she had expected it, she wouldn't have come like this.

― What on earth.......

"It's nothing special. If you had come in your physical body, I couldn't have done it. But when you're in a spirit body, it's easy to target your spirit directly."

It's called baleful energy.

A death curse that those who possess spiritual ki shoot forth with resentment and malice.

It's a power that could even affect those without spiritual ki, depending on the situation.

'But conversely, you can use it like this on those with strong spiritual ki.'

Spirit upon spirit.

That was the power I had fired off.

'I don't use baleful energy very often, though.'

It's not a power to use lightly. There's always karma that comes with firing a death curse.

There's nothing to be gained from using it indiscriminately.

That's why I usually didn't use it.

'But at times like this, you have to.'

This was one of those times.

'...... There is something that bothers me, though.'

Just how strong was this Bow Ghost?

If she was stronger than I expected, it was a gamble.

However, I didn't see it that way.

『Ha ha ha ha ha......!』

Heavenly Demon's laughter echoed.

The Divine Sword, tied at my waistband, vibrated.

『I did not expect this. Truly impressive. That this lord could fail to notice this......』

His words were full of exclamation, and the sound echoed annoyingly in my ears.

『To think you could do this much. How did you manage to hide it all this time?』

'How do you think?'

I hid it as best I could.

Ever since my previous life, and even now.

'There's never anything good about having high spiritual ki.'

Not only evil spirits, but specters, immortals, even higher gods show an interest.

My body and soul drew their attention.

This damned body that could draw the attention of those called "supreme".

― Kugh.... Kuugh!

Bow Ghost resisted. She tried to block the baleful energy I fired.

"Not going to work."

Jjirit–!

-......!!!

Bow Ghost's spirit body shook even harder.

"It's useless. I've already caught you."

― What......!

"Baleful energy has pierced your spirit. If you wanted to block the curse, you should've prevented me approaching in the first place."

Spirit Detachment is nothing but the appearance of the spirit itself.

That's what I meant when I said it was dangerous.

Direct interference with the spirit is possible, and it's hard to resist.

― Uuugh......!!

"If you wanted to, you probably could —"

It wouldn't be easy, but not impossible. If she wanted to, she might do it.

But—

'If her control was better than mine.'

If her power to control and manage baleful energy was stronger or broader than mine, she might succeed.

Still—

'There's no way.'

I was certain of it. Bow Ghost's spiritual power was formidable, but—

'That's all.'

That was her level.

As I poured baleful energy into her, shaking her very apparition—

― Just what... are you?

Bow Ghost's expression completely changed for the first time.

What am I?

I hadn't heard that in a long time; I needed a moment to ponder how to answer.

Or perhaps, not even that?

"You already know."

My background was common knowledge in the world; there was nothing more to say.

"I am the successor of Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil."

Minor leader of the Blue Moon Sect.

"A hero of Henan."

Known as Moon Hero.

"And the youngest son of the Bang family."

― That's not what I'm asking......!

"It also means I don't need to answer you further. And this is also a warning."

Kkirik.

The loop wound around my heart shifted. It was getting dangerous. If I loosened it any further—

'The gods would notice.'

One of those high nobles might catch wind of me.

That would truly be trouble.

Kkirik.

I locked my spirit again and poured in my spiritual ki.

At the same time—

"This is a warning, don't meddle with me in this area. I hope you understand."

I stopped firing baleful energy.

Or rather, I didn't stop — I pushed it inside.

Then her apparition shuddered and twisted.

Pak–!!!

She disappeared right before my eyes.

"That work?"

I dusted off my hands.

It'd been a while, and my mind spun a bit.

The apparition disappearing wasn't the issue.

I'd let go of what I'd caught, so she would've returned to her main body.

With this much,

"Her main body ought to have suffered some damage."

Bow Ghost's situation wouldn't be good.

* * *

"Cough–!!"

"Master......!?"

Bow Ghost, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, snapped back to consciousness and spat blood.

The old man next to her flinched in shock at the spattered blood.

"What is this......!"

"...... Kugh."

Bow Ghost narrowed her fine eyes and bit her lip.

The blood on her lips was oddly alluring, yet the things rising in her gaze were anything but lovely.

"This......!"

Rage welled up. Then she suppressed it with uncertainty.

"...... How did he do it?"

He'd forced her out, hadn't he?

And moreover—

"Kugh...!"

Feeling pain, Bow Ghost hurriedly checked her arm.

Black markings had erupted on her pale arm.

As though they were inscriptions.

"This is......!"

The old man widened his eyes at the markings.

One without Spiritual Sight would never be able to see them; it was close to a curse.

"Master. What in the world......."

"What a wicked brat."

Confirming the curse, Bow Ghost let out a hollow laugh.

It had been a curse of baleful energy. And yet—

"...... My spirit is undamaged."

She had taken such a blow, yet her spirit remained intact — only her body was harmed.

That could only happen if the opponent had controlled it deliberately.

The problem was—

"...... He controlled it?"

He had adjusted the baleful energy to injure only her body, despite striking out at her spirit.

He had even woven a curse onto her flesh, yet bypassed her spirit.

How could that make any sense?

'Such a thing.'

Was it even possible?

It was outside Bow Ghost's common sense.

She hurriedly looked at her arm.

She checked the curse that still bound her.

'What is this?'

She couldn't even read the curse. The inscription was one she had never seen before.

It was neither a word of the Central Plains nor from outside. What on earth was it?

For now, she tried to break it—

Uuuung.

"......!"

Bow Ghost's actions froze at a sense of something unfathomable.

What lay before her was a wall.

She tried to check the curse, but an immense wall greeted her.

Looking closer, it seemed to be made of thread.

Tightly woven, a wall utterly impossible to break.

It had gathered together to form a wall.

She could hardly breathe for the sight.

She could not define the feeling that rose up in her throat.

If she had to pick a single word—

'Supremacy.'

The feeling stirred when beholding something that could never be surpassed.

As soon as she realized this, Bow Ghost's vision returned.

"...... Kkugh......."

"Master... what's happening...?"

The old man.

The Sage King asked in a worried tone.

"...... He said his name was Bang Sung-Yun."

Bow Ghost spoke, her eyes suddenly shining with something sharp.

Sweat of cold worry was already beaded on her forehead.

"Yes. But what is that young man......"

"Contact Northern Sea and the Cult."

"......!"

At Bow Ghost's words, the Sage King stiffened, shocked.

Northern Sea was to be expected, but to contact the Cult too?

For a moment he was taken aback, before Bow Ghost carefully rose to her feet.

"...... I must go see a god for a while."

It was a moment when an urgent task was set.

More urgent than anything else.

TL's Corner:

Damn, Bow Ghost is calling for backup...

More food for BSY I guess?

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