Chapter 479 – The Tortoise and The Hare (4)

It was an obvious provocation, and one of Tarneck’s eyebrows twitched.

『You bitch, do you have the power to back up such silly words?』

“Don’t go around calling us a bitch. We do not like being called a bitch. Also, what the hell did you eat for lunch? Your breath smells so bad we can’t even breathe.”

『It seems that you’ve resigned yourself to death this day!』 Bluish-green veins started protruding from Tarneck’s forehead. How could he call himself the Demon King if he didn’t act after hearing such insults!

However, even though she said such condescending words, the Vampiric Lord seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. She had been increasing her Vampiric Spirit to frightening levels, and it had grown to the point that it seemed like it would soon consume time and space in the area.

Bam!

The two transcendent beings collided, and the Sea of Time and Space shook violently.

***

‘I wonder how far I’ve gone.’ Yeon-woo was barely holding onto consciousness with sheer willpower. He carefully took a step forward. Thanks to the protection of the Tower’s system, the Chase Team members could keep their consciousness alert in the Sea of Time and Space, but Yeon-woo had to endure with his own strength.

The Sea of Time and Space was far more terrifying than he had imagined. Since time and space were mixed up in this space, it meant that one’s existence was constantly on the brink of being shaken and jumbled. Everything he was trying to achieve could disappear in an instant, and so, Yeon-woo did not rely on his will. He was planning to use something else. ‘Illusory World.’

He delved deeper into his inner Illusory World, the foundation of his self-identity or ego, and consciousness. His inner Illusory World used a channel to express itself outwardly in the form of his will. Therefore, to increase his will, he had to make this channel wider and larger. Increasing his will would not only strengthen his defenses against this place, but it would also strengthen his soul. In theory, it was simple but it was difficult in practice. However, Yeon-woo already had a reference point: Nessie.

Nessie, the king of the Demonic Sea, could freely control and recreate its Illusory World. If Yeon-woo could imitate Nessie’s skill, he might be able to expand his Illusory World and his channel, and thus, his will. Even if he could not immediately recreate a custom Illusory World like Nessie, he could adapt the method and apply it to develop and perfect his self-identity. He would also be able to elevate his Consciousness to a higher level.

‘When I used my sword, I couldn’t completely defeat Nessie. It wasn’t because I was weak but because my eyes didn’t penetrate the foundation of its existence. Compared to Nessie, I lack recognition and control over my self-identity.’

Nessie was a king that survived the disorder and chaos of the Demonic Sea. It was probably unreasonable for Yeon-woo to expect to reach Nessie’s level after only seeing Nessie’s abilities once, but Yeon-woo had gained a lot from that single interaction. Though he had accomplished many things, Yeon-woo also realized that he still had a long way to go. Furthermore, when he saw the Vampiric Lord and Laplace competing with Nessie on equal footing, Yeon-woo’s worldview had crumbled.

Although he had overcome his limitations and obtained an ultimate skill that would rank high among the highest level of players, there was still a vast sky beyond him. Heaven beyond the heavens and a sky beyond the sky.

Yeon-woo wanted to climb higher. Since he had already reached the highest levels as a player, he felt that he could do more. Taking this path was possibly the way to achieve the perfect score that his master, the Martial King, had once spoken of. If he could put this level into words, it would be: ‘Divine Human.’ Yeon-woo felt that this was an apt description. Somehow, he ended up using the same word as the one Bayluk had used to explain his ideal and goal. ‘Maybe Bayluk’s ideal, Master’s path, and my goal is the same end but with different approaches.’

The One-horned tribe had a saying “many things become one”. Just as streams from countless tributaries merge together and eventually flowed into a large sea, the saying meant that all roads inevitably reached one place and one end.

Yeon-woo took another step forward. Thud! There was a chance he was going down the wrong path, but it didn’t matter. He would just go back and find another way and take another step forward on a different path.

Yeon-woo calmed his mind, pushed aside his worries over being pursued, and tried to fully focus on finding his true self within the turbulent flow of time and space. Sss! Deep inside his body, Yeon-woo could feel something wriggling. It was his soul, which was imprisoned in his body and unsure of its own existence. It shook violently, and as he stretched out his spiritual power, he began to recognize something.

[‘Extrasensory Perception’ has found a new possibility!]

[The synchronization of outward expression and inward reflection has been successfully achieved.]

[‘Extrasensory Perception’ skill proficiency has increased significantly.]

[‘Extrasensory Perception’ skill proficiency has increased significantly.]

…

[The skill is transforming according to the rapid increase in skill proficiency.]

[The skill has connected with the ‘Atman System’. Inner Illusory reflection is now possible.]

…

[You have gained a new awareness regarding the skill. A new option has been added.]

[The option ‘Perceiving the Heavens’ has been created.]

[Perceiving the Heavens]

[Grade: S???]

[Description: When one’s will and Illusory presence is engraved on the world, a universe, ‘I (Atman)’ awakens. The truth and endless wisdom of the universe come from this place. At that moment, one will become enlightened and understand previously unknown information, as well as acquire new spiritual, soul-expanding powers. The six supernatural abilities born from this enlightenment are commonly referred to as the ‘Six Godly Perceptions’. Among the ‘Six Godly Perceptions’, ‘Perceiving the Heavens’ is an eye that sees through everything. It also represents a mirror that reflects the truth of one’s inner world.]

[**When you acquire additional Perceptions from the ‘Six Godly Perceptions’, the grade goes up level by level to a maximum of SSS+.

[**Currently, ‘Perceiving the Heavens is linked to the following skills:

1. Draconic Eyes

2. Fiery Golden Eyes

3. Black Gubitara – Philosopher’s Eyes

4. Hell’s Eyes]

…

[You have acquired a clue about the six supernatural abilities, ‘Six Godly Perceptions’.]

[Once qualified, you can acquire additional abilities. Please refer to the information window for more details.]

At that moment, Yeon-woo felt as if his previously chaotic inner world had suddenly become clearer and brighter. The disjointed and jumbled information that he used to gather from Extrasensory Perception was being organized within a larger, structured system that drew a clear design in his mind. He suddenly understood the concept of supernatural abilities. ‘My soul has awakened anew.’

Yeon-woo realized that his soul had grown once more, just like when he realized the connection between his will and his consciousness. Was this because he was temporarily free of the restrictions of the Tower’s system? Previously, Yeon-woo felt something unknown was suppressing him, but now, he could no longer feel any sense of suppression. He felt like his self was growing and becoming stronger, much like the development of a being before it cracked out of its shell.

Furthermore, with the addition of ‘Perceiving the Heavens’ to his Extrasensory Perception, the foggy and shimmering uncertainty of the world began to peel away.

Swish. A calm indigo sea slowly appeared before him, and Yeon-woo immediately saw three large mountains jutting into the sky in the distance: Bong-Le, Bang-Jang, and Yung-Ju. The three spiritual mountains that made up the Three God Mountains appeared one after another. It was said that divine beings from legends resided in them.

Koo-ooh! A giant tortoise swam leisurely through the Sea of Time and Space carrying the Three God Mountains on its back. Along with the Heavenly Dragon, Giraffe, and Phoenix, the Tortoise was an entity that belonged among the highest of divine beasts. It was the same entity that had led Laplace out of the Demonic Sea in the form of a Snapping Turtle, and the same entity to whom Yeon-woo had to give the book.

‘A lot has changed.’ After realizing ‘Perceiving the Heavens’, Yeon-woo could see more than the forms of the Three God Mountains. There were also various heavenly and Underworld providences and laws that flowed through the Sea of Time and Space as undercurrents and storms. Yeon-woo felt that he was in the presence of greatness. If he could feel this with just ‘Perceiving of Heavens’, what kind of scene would he see if he could awaken the other Perceptions?

‘Maybe I’d open the path to omniscience and omnipotence.’ Yeon-woo was convinced that he glimpsed a part of a god’s right and ability, something that only those among the highest of transcendental beings possessed. However, just as he had that thought…

Poof!

“Shadow King! We’ve finally found you!”

“Your freedom ends here.”

Through his Draconic Eyes, which were connected to ‘Perceiving the Heavens’, Yeon-woo could see the changes in the flow of time and space. Above his head, Vlad Tepes and Gilles de Rais opened a space and appeared with scowls. Although they were protected by the Tower’s system, they still had to cross through the torrents and storms of time and space, so they were quite exhausted. They could not help being angry at Yeon-woo for putting them through this exhausting chase.

As they released the Sign of the Demon and transformed into demons, Vlad Tepes and Gilles de Rais attacked Yeon-woo.

‘Huh?’

‘What…!’

However, the two felt a sense of danger as soon as Yeon-woo made eye contact with them. Instead of being bewildered or afraid, Yeon-woo stood tall without putting up any defenses. However, it was already too late for the two. Slash! Slash!

“Argh!”

“Hey, this is…ugh!”

With a sound like the sky shattering, space ripped open, tearing through the two before they could even show their true forms. They burst into bloody mists and black puffs of smoke before scattering into time and space.

Yeon-woo lightly clucked his tongue as he looked at the spot where the two had stood. ‘Idiots. Did they pursue me without knowing anything about the Three God Mountains?’ Tarneck had probably been in too much of a hurry to explain the details, and his oversight had done Yeon-woo a favor.

The Three God Mountains was a place where you had to put your sword away because great beings resided there.

In other words, the Three God Mountains can also be called a stairway or a ladder that connects the heavenly world to the Underworld. Of course, you need a high rank even among the gods and demons to live there, and only a few gods and demons are allowed to enter.

Yeon-woo turned his head to the Tortoise that carried the Three God Mountains.

The supreme deity of the heavens, the Jade Emperor, is hiding in the Three God Mountains.

At the entrance to the Three God Mountains located on the Tortoise’s head, a giant several meters tall roared menacingly as he wielded an ax that was as large as his body. “Jade Emperor. Here! No sword. Never! Can’t go. Without my permission. No one!” Bam!

There’s a gatekeeper who guards the entrance and protects the sleeping Jade Emperor. He inherited the ax that belonged to the original giant, Bango, as soon as he hatched from his shell and opened his eyes. He is heaven’s supreme warrior, a primordial warlord, and a fighter that many gods and demons are reluctant to antagonize because of his titles and accomplishments. He’s the reason why gods and demons from both the heavens and the Underworld aren’t allowed to enter the Three God Mountains.

“Listen to Kiku!”

In his diary, Jeong-woo had nothing but high praise for the best fighter of the heavenly world, Kiku.

Kiku had appeared.