Could two souls reside in the same body? Ordinary people would say it was impossible. And even if such a thing was possible, what would the concept behind such a phenomenon.
Would one be the dominant one while the other would be pushed out? Or would the two souls dwell inside the same body at once?
Which one was the correct answer? Well, I was about to find out in this moment.
[Exclusive skill 'Dimensional Transmission' has activated.]
[A link to another dimension has been created.]
[A being from a different dimension has entered this worldline.]
Beings from another dimension. Such otherworldly existences would be called 'Outer Gods'.
However, it was impossible to connect with those entities. Even if such a thing was possible, my soul would have scattered from the interaction. Let's stop thinking about negative things.
[An unregistered constellation has descended into your body.]
「 Where am I? This isn't my universe? 」
My mouth moved, but the voice that emerged wasn't mine. It carried the weight of unimaginable power, similar to the true voice of the gods, yet distinctly different.
It was the voice of 'Kim Jakga'—a version of me who had became the incarnation of the Archangel Uriel in another universe. Her true name is the Flame of Salvation.
'Hey, what's up?'
「 What? Who are you? Where are you?」
'Rest. I'm just in your mind, not your enemy. You're currently residing in my body.'
It was strange. Two souls were talking inside the same body. One was dominant while the other was seating at the back seat.
It made sense that she was confused. I had summoned her without warning. Should I introduce myself?
'Let's start with basic introductions. My name is Kim Jakga.'
「 What? That's impossible! I'm Kim Jakga. What kind of sorcery is this? 」
'It's complicated but I'll summarise everything. You're Kim Jakga from another universe. I'm the Kim Jakga of this universe.'
「 Ridiculous. Such a thing... Are you saying the multiversal theory was correct?」
'Yes, but this isn't the time for such a discussion. You need to move, or we're both dead.'
「 What? 」
Her confusion was evident on my—no, our—face. Then, in an instant, my body moved on its own.
Kwang!
An explosion rang out as a scythe struck the platform where I had been standing moments before. My body, under her control, leaped to safety and my eyes locked onto the figure of a black reaper.
My brows furrowed,「 A death god? Here? 」
'I told you earlier, it's complicated. In a nutshell, I'm in a difficult situation where I can't escape so I summoned you here.'
「 So you summoned me here?」
'Yes, I need your strength to defeat that thing.'
「 My help? 」
'Yes. It would be preferable if you...'
「 Shut up 」
What?
「 I'm not helping you. Send me back to my world 」
I was taken aback. Of course, why would she help? She stood to gain nothing, while I had everything to lose. Her response was perfectly logical.
How should I convince this stubborn woman?
'Are you sure you want to refuse? I can make you a deal.'
「 A deal? And what would that be? 」
'I'll send you back to your worldline once we defeat this thing.'
「 If you brought me here, you can send me back right now. 」
'I will. After we defeat it.'
She remained silent, and I could sense her frustration as the reaper approached.
The death god was approaching but my body remained still like a statue. I could see the worried expressions of the party members.
I knew exactly what she was planning. Since this wasn't her original body, If I died, it would be game over for me, not for her. That was her line of thinking.
However, it was a flawed way of thinking. What she did know was that I was prepared for such a scenario.
'I know what're you thinking? You're thinking you would be unharmed if I die. However, there is something you're forgetting.'
Kwa Kwa Kwa!
One, two, three... how many times did the sword hit the demon? It was difficult to keep count.
The reaper's body was riddled with holes, each one burning with an unholy light. Just a few more blows and the demon would be banished—but then something unexpected happened.
Crack! Shatter!
My eyes widened as the sword suddenly shattered. At a moment like this... Of course. How could I have overlooked it?
Judgement Flame was one of the best destructive abilities in Song of Nightmares after the Pheonix Flame. Therefore, there are only a few items that can handle its destructive power. To my misfortune, the Iron-severing sword was not one of those items.
As if waiting for this moment, the black reaper regained its balance and swung the scythe in a huge arc.
My body jumped backwards and there was the sound of grumbling.
「 Tck! Tck! I knew that sword would break. I'm surprised it even lasted this long. What should I do now? I can't activate the skill without a sword 」
'There are weapons scattered around—use one of those.'
「 No. If I'm going to kill that thing, I need something stronger. 」
A strong weapon? I think I know someone that can help.
[One minute has passed. The green zones will be relocated.]
Just as the System's message echoed, Jung Yunhee's voice cut through the chaos.
"Soo Jinyoung-nim! Catch!"
She tossed her sheathed katana toward me, and my hand instinctively caught it. A flicker of surprise crossed my—no, her—face.
「 Muramasa? No, it's just a replica 」
'It should be enough, right?'
「 It will do. But why did that woman call me Soo Jinyoung? 」
'It is a long story. Focus!'
The reaper loomed closer, but Flame of Salvation remained calm and slipped into a laido stance. The heat that had once radiated from the flames was gone, replaced by a chilling focus.
Something felt off. The lingering warmth in the air had vanished, and then—
"...!"
Before I could complete the thought, something flashed before me, and the black reaper was cleaved in two. Moments later, the darkness that once shrouded the death god ignited and burned away into ashes.
What just happened?
It occurred so fast that my mind struggled to process the events. The sword had been drawn, and I thought I heard a faint click. Did she just unsheathe her katana?
I see. I understand everything now.
This person had defeated the God of Death using something called a 'Quick Slash'. It originated from the Japanese martial arts called 'Iaijutsu' or 'Iaido', which involved swiftly drawing the sword from its sheath to strike in a single, fluid motion.
Soo Jinyoung had mastered the Quick Slash and refined it into her Seven Heavenly Swords technique. But what this person did was something far more complex.
There was no visible slash. The sword alone was responsible, and the heat had vanished entirely. Was there a connection?
...Ah, I see. So that's what she did. My mind suddenly wandered towards the right direction.
It was actually simple. This person had compressed all the white flames into the blade of the sword, turning it into the weapon of annihilation and released it with the quick draw technique.
This version of me—was she as talented as Soo Jinyoung? I had a feeling her story would be anything but ordinary.
「 It's done. Now send me back. 」
'Thank you. I'll keep my word.'
It was good that she killed that thing quickly. In fact, that skill should be activating at any second.
[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]
[Due to the conflict of two skills, the 'Dimensional Transmission' has deactivated.]
There was a sense of relief as the foreign soul left my body and I became able to move. Although there was a slight delay, I was glad everything went according to plan.
However, that same voice was heard.
「 I hope I never see you again 」
"Haha! The feeling is mutual."
「 Hmph! 」
"Just go away already!"
There was no response afterwards as expected. That constellation really left the solar system.
[An unregistered constellation has left this worldline.]
[The link between two worldlines has been disconnected.]