Chapter 14 (2/2)

I became an aimlessly wandering ghost. Starting from Korea I traversed the world, taking in the world through my eyes. All things were frozen in my perspective so it was like I was looking at a picture. But it wasn't just nature that I took in.

'Wow.'

When I stared at a person stopped in time, I could see that person's past. It showed a panoramic view of the person's most important of moments in life, albeit in fragments. It didn't happen for all people though; I could only take a peek at those who had compelling memories.

Their memories made me feel so vitalized. My determination grew stronger as I watched their lives. Was this ability gained by becoming an Keeper?

Occasionally I would meet those whom I knew of; like this man in a strip bar, holding a beer mug full of cash, shaking it about, as he sauntered about with women.

'Wizard of Integrity Alex. Always did pretend to be so upright by himself, but turns out he was hiding his nature.'

At the same time his memories rose into view.

Born in wealthy household, he was unable to comply by their standards and so ran away from home to live as a host. 'Integrity' could be defined as such: Mad for women.

How interesting this was. When would I ever get a second chance like this?

After going round the world once and coming back to Korea again, this time I went towards Mt Halla.

'This guy Mins.h.i.+k is already hunting orcs.'

Mins.h.i.+k was on the other side of Mt Halla's 'gate'. He was single-handedly hunting an orc and polis.h.i.+ng the foundations of a magic swordsman. He was growing fast indeed. The b.l.o.o.d.y wounds all over his body seemed to show his resolve in this lifetime. At the same time I could even read Mins.h.i.+k's past.

I saw through his eyes the calamity that befell the world, and the days he spent as a powerless person. I saw him being kidnapped and experimented on, and saw his life after joining Aletheia. He became addicted to drugs, spending his waking moments longing for the light, day after day, but heaven forced Mins.h.i.+k to taint his hand with blood. And in the background of his life…was always me.

'Of all people to envy. Why me, you fool.'

I had been sick and tired of it all. If I could have given up my role I would have tossed it far. I may have appeared so glorious on the outside but my insides had further rotted with each pa.s.sing day, for I no longer had any hope. The envy and faith of the people was so heavy that when I defeated Andanius and died, I couldn't help laughing.

Whether or not he would be able to walk that road, I didn't know. But in my heart I was rooting for him.

Afterwards I turned back to return.

To the altar once again.

”Ancient One. Were you curious as to what I wanted to do?”

I spoke toward the dragon's corpse across the lake. I had the feeling that it had stopped time and observed in order to see through my purpose. Moreover, I had stolen a peek at a fraction of its memory. The Ancient One wasn't a fair Keeper.

I approached the Ancient One.

”Now I can understand. Why you would have the one you shared power with make their own cla.s.s. You merely wanted to see their desire. And you would cast them away if their desires did not correspond to your own.”

What Ancient One's truly wanted to find was a Keeper for the world. In other words, its successor. But the dreams of men were colorful; they each had their own desires. Back then, the Ancient One simply wasn't satisfied with the person who dreamed of being an 'emperor', that was all; because that dream was a desire in the end. The Keeper who managed the world needed to be a person of purity. But even the Ancient One actually failed to be pure.

”I, however, have no intention of managing the world according to your wish. My only desire and objective is the Colossus! Killing it is my sole purpose. And yet…”

The Demon Lords were trying to become the Colossus. They hoped to obtain its soul and become a true G.o.d.

I will shatter their hopes. At the very moment they believe themselves at the cusp of attaining their desires, I will let them know that it was all a dream.

I held out my index finger in pointed accusation.

”d.a.m.ned b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Why didn't you search yourself even with this kind of ability in your hand? Why did you think someone who would satisfy you would come knocking on your doorstep?”

Kurururung!

The Ancient One's corpse began shaking in this frozen world. Was it angry at the insult? But I had no thoughts of taking back my words. Everything I experienced just then was due to the Ancient One's power. I couldn't comprehend why it would do nothing but wait for a successor to come finding it. It would have been fine if it had Al Araxar take a look around the world, then it would have definitely found one or two successors.

Simply put, this was all nothing more than its 'pastime'. If I had followed Al Araxar's suggestion to go back and receive a share of the power then created a cla.s.s, my body would have exploded like a balloon regardless of what I did, unless my choice suited the tastes of this whimsical Ancient One. I couldn't hold back my fury now that I knew.

I stretched out my leg and began fiercely kicking its bones.

”We are not your toys. And so…I will use the power in your heart for no one's but only my own intents and purposes. You should just stay there and watch, desperating hoping, praying, that I would succeed your place.”

I had no intention of having my life swayed by others. In this lifetime, at least, I would live freely.

Only after giving plenty vent to my rage did I return to stand before my frozen body. Then I spoke as if to declare,

”I will become a human. A human that moves like wildfire according to desire and emotions! I will warn you, my desire can't be stopped with the likes of your whimsy. The flames of desire only grow stronger when wind blows!”

I was the embodiment of desire. It had been piling up and up, and finally it began to explode like a volcano. There was no way the whims of a mere dragon could stop it. Moreover as I travelled the world and saw its people, my soul had expanded. I was able to hold much more now, and see more things from a much higher place. My 'prestige' had risen, should I say. That small realization had intended up instigating my desires.

I returned to my body, and the frozen time started moving again.

['Six Realms' has been attained.]

[User awakened to the basics of 'Human Realm'.]

[Creation of authority! You have created a new power using the Ancient One's power!]

[The power that can become anything, beome vessel to everything, the authority of 'Universal Man' now resides in the user's soul.]

[User has achieved what should been impossible with the current user's ability, user has stepped into the domain of incomprehensibility.]

[User has been given one chance to enter 'Odin's Treasury(Lv3)'.]

[Magic Power has risen by 20.]

[7,000pt has been obtained.]

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