Chapter 313: Enemy of the World (5)

< Enemy of the World (5) >

This world was unfair.

Some were born with everything, while others had to survive with nothing. And this wasn't just limited to living beings. Worlds were also different. Some dimensions were rich in energy and overflowing with diverse mysteries, while others had relatively simple mysteries or an overabundance of energy.

But they all had one thing in common: a 'god' who managed and oversaw their world.

…Except for Earth, devoid of any inherent mysteries.

The birth of the Awakened and the interdimensional transfers caused by the Akasha System's intervention weren't simply blessings. They were…

"Ugh…"

…His consciousness surfaced from a hazy slumber. Like emerging from a long tunnel, his senses sharpened, and he instinctively took a deep breath, looking around. An empty, white… no, a colorless void where he couldn't even distinguish hues. A place as familiar to him as his own home.

"…Tsk, Earth."

An ageless, genderless voice echoed in the void. More accurately, it was his personal domain, created to avoid Earth's causality, but that wasn't important.

'Hahoe Mask.'

The last image of him flashed in his mind: that gruesome skull, a sinister grin on its face, a hand plunging into its chest. He hadn't imagined encountering him in another world. Because of that unexpected variable, he had to escape using an unconventional method, severing his connection to Auterica completely.

"I didn't expect such a variable. This isn't easy."

The Society Master closed his eyes and slowly clenched his fists. He felt an unprecedented power in his hands, now free from the world's restrictions.

Goooo—

But… a sense of loss gnawed at him. Even though he had anticipated it, it still stung to lose a part of his hard work.

'…But it's fortunate I learned about him before it was too late.'

Information was paramount. Learning about Hahoe Mask, his adversary, was a plus. He had identified a potential threat that could have caused greater losses later.

…Even if that wasn't the case, he chose to believe it. Dwelling on it would only fuel his anger.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and took a large step forward.

Ziiiing—

The space in front of him tore open.

And in the next instant, he was standing in a completely different location.

A spacious living area, filled with luxurious furniture, appliances, and decorations. He walked towards his study. He had to inform his subordinates of his return and receive reports on recent events. He hadn't been gone for long, so he didn't expect any significant changes…

"Wait, Oracle. Say that again."

-…Understood, Master.

But in that short time, the Heavenly Wealth Society on Earth had faced a major upheaval.

-Shortly after your departure, Hahoe Mask attacked the Shanghai branch. Yulryeongja, the head of the East Asian branch, was killed…

Oracle's calm report continued. The chaos in China and the loss of a few Transcendents were minor compared to the events that followed.

"The European branch was attacked by a Korean vampire, and the Duke was killed? And Doctor too?"

-Indeed, Master.

The Society Master's lips twitched at Oracle's confirmation. He was already irritated by the losses he'd incurred, and now he was bombarded with more bad news upon his return.

"So, what about Doctor?"

-He's been recovering from the aftereffects of his resurrection and has entered hibernation to modify his body. I heard it would take about a month…

"Double or triple that."

-I expect the same.

The Society Master closed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the table.

'Not just Hahoe Mask, but Phantom as well?'

It wasn't important that Doctor had been defeated by the vampire Phantom while trying to capture him. The scale of these incidents was far greater than the branch's withdrawal from Korea or Hahoe Mask's attack in Japan. These weren't insignificant events in remote regions. These were direct threats to their main stage, the world.

-And one more thing…

"…What else?"

The news he'd received so far was already troublesome enough. What else could there be?

-It's better if you see it for yourself.

As she finished, several video files appeared on the monitor. Chronologically, these events had occurred before the deaths of the branch heads and Doctor, but they had been pushed back due to the severity of the previous reports.

"Hoo, such divine power on Earth?"

The video began with the hospital terror attack in Korea and the distant footage of the storm of divine power. Interest flickered in the Society Master's eyes. While it was insignificant compared to his angelic power, it was still impressive for a human to wield such divine power. And this was Earth, where the power of divinity was greatly restricted.

'At that level… Considering Earth's limitations, he would be on par with the champion of Auterica I just met.'

He understood Oracle's interest. Such a priest appearing suddenly warranted a closer look…

"Wait."

But as the video transitioned, revealing more information about the White Knight…

…the Society Master's expression hardened. Silence filled the study, only the sound of the video echoing softly.

-"Yes, I come from what you call the Auterica dimension. To be more precise, I'm not an Earthling, but from another world."

It had only been a few hours. How could he forget the one who had plunged a sword into his chest? He hadn't seen his face clearly because of the helmet, but…

-"By the will of the Main God, to eradicate the evil that plagues all dimensions, including our Auterica."

…such trivial details didn't matter.

He stared at the young man in the video, then chuckled, recognizing the familiar armor.

"…Ha, hahaha! This is… absurd."

He laughed in disbelief. He had thought he was around the champion of Auterica's level, but he was the champion himself. A person from another world who had come to Earth?

Considering himself and Hahoe Mask, it wasn't impossible. While he was skeptical, he wasn't omniscient, so there was a possibility.

'But from Auterica… Is it a coincidence?'

Impossible. It might have been a coincidence if it were just him, but with Hahoe Mask involved, it couldn't be dismissed so easily. Multiple coincidences weren't coincidences anymore; they were fate.

And this suspicion turned into certainty after he read the information about 'Phantom' that Oracle sent as a reference, after the report was over. The masked figure had a familiar aura, similar to the White Knight. There was no mistaking his identity.

'Where did I go wrong? There must be a reason why things turned out like this.'

The Society Master pondered, still seated. While he had been manipulating world events, he hadn't anticipated such a historical turning point. Such an event required a complex convergence of various factors. Wasn't Oracle constantly monitoring each branch to prevent such occurrences?

"…No, there were signs. Hahoe Mask's appearance itself was unusual."

An unknown black mage, born in Korea, a blind spot in their surveillance, who showed open hostility towards them, as if he had a vendetta.

His appearance was the beginning of all the variables. And perhaps he did have a vendetta. Considering what he and the Heavenly Wealth Society had done.

'And all these incidents originated from Korea.'

Perhaps his plan to indirectly control Korea through China and Japan, for efficient management of Korea's instability, had been a mistake. He should have eliminated the threat in its early stages, even if it delayed his plans.

"Tsk, it's too late now."

It seemed the Akasha System had taken a more proactive approach. It must have deemed causality alone insufficient to contain him.

'Then, even if I eliminated the cause beforehand, problems would have arisen somehow.'

Like a destined adversary, placed to stop him. Hahoe Mask, Phantom, and Heinrich. He didn't know which one, or if it was all of them…

Tsss—

The Society Master stood up and took a step, vanishing into a fissure that appeared in the air, retreating to the void. He wanted to minimize his time on Earth to avoid further entanglement with its causality.

'But I won't just sit back and take it.'

Despite the constant variables disrupting his plans, his objective remained unchanged.

He would continue to expand his influence on Earth, devouring the possibilities of other dimensions, and accumulating divinity.

If they were the saviors ordained by the world…

…he was a rebel defying fate…

…the enemy of the world.

He could describe his current feeling with one word:

'Full.'

It wasn't physical satiation. It was closer to a sense of mental fulfillment. And for good reason…

『Karma Points - 5,520,398』

His previously empty wallet was now overflowing. How could he not feel full?

'I scraped together all my remaining points before the fight with the Society Master.'

He couldn't afford to save points when facing such an opponent. He had spent most of his Karma on Status and Other Skill Enhancements to improve his odds, even slightly.

'I only kept enough for 「Individual Convergence」 and 『Skill Cooldown Reset』.'

And yet, after everything was over, he had over 5 million points! He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

With a wide grin, he sat down and began contemplating how to use his newfound wealth.

'Unique Skill Enhancement is… still unavailable. Well, it hasn't been long since I acquired 「Individual Convergence」.'

The current cost for Unique Skill Enhancement was 2 million. While he had enough points, it seemed he needed more time.

'Then…'

He was currently interested in 『Dimensional Barrier Weakening (6,000,000)』. Based on his experience with the 5 million point option, it seemed to reduce the gap between dimensions. Weakening the restrictions on divine power, abyssal magic power, and summons were just basic effects.

'I wouldn't have been able to go to Ganghwange without it.'

While it was possible due to various other factors, it wouldn't have been possible without that option in the first place.

'But if I enhance it further…'

It would definitely further weaken the restrictions on divine power and other energies. Traveling to other worlds through memories might also become easier. But what other effects could he expect…?

'I'll have to try it to find out.'

He wouldn't have to wait long. His Karma Points were rapidly increasing, so he would be able to confirm it soon.

But then…

…another option caught his eye.

『Acquire Random Other Skill (500,000)』

The gamble of a random skill.

Gulp—

He couldn't help but salivate. So far, he had acquired 「Xenoglossy」 and 「Robustness」. 「Xenoglossy」 was a definite win, while 「Robustness」 was a bit underwhelming… a dud, to be frank.

'So, it's a net zero.'

Yes, zero.

Which meant—this was the true beginning!

'Just one more time.'

One last gamble.

…He had to recoup his losses.