Chapter ss10: Side Story 10 - Allforone (10)

Side Story Chapter 10 - Allforone (10)

And thus, ten years passed.

***

[A brilliant light distribution fills the space.]

[Many people admire the dazzling light and naturally bow their heads.]

[You are gathering faith!]

[A divine being is being created!]

...

[Caution! Your spirit power has reached a maximum volume. You cannot retain or collect any further faith. You must grow your maximum levels through exuviation and transcendence.]

...

[Exuviation was forcibly canceled.]

[Transcendence was forcibly canceled.]

...

[Your spirit remains in its original state.]

[You can no longer accumulate divinity, so it starts to be discharged.]

[Your light distribution becomes brighter!]

...

[More followers are praying for you.]

[More faith is gathered. A divine being is created.]

....

[Exuviation has been canceled.]

...

It was like an endless loop. Over the past ten years, Vivasvat's performance in the world of the Tower while leading Allforone, influenced countless others and made the gods and demons hostile towards him. Thus, many people started to recognize and place their faith in him. Mortals looked up to him as a savior. They prayed for his victories, and when word of his successive triumphs came, they worshiped with greater fervor.

On the other hand, the gods were jealous of Vivasvat. They despised and hated his existence. They felt great indignation at the fact that they could not deal with a mere mortal. Furthermore, they considered Vivasvat's existence itself as a mockery towards them, as Vivasvat continually accumulated achievements while maintaining his status as a mortal. Whether liked or hated, Vivasvat arguably became the most important figure in the world of the Tower. However, that fact put Vivasvat in even greater danger.

Bam!

"...It's this again?"

『...It's this again?』

Vivasvat muttered in frustration as he stopped meditating and slowly opened his eyes. Along with his physical voice, divine speech also rang out. It was as if several people, not just one, were speaking in unison. It was further proof that he had reached the limits of a mortal and was suppressing his transformation into a god.

In fact, it was difficult to say that Vivasvat's current appearance was absolutely 'human' though he looked the part. The light distribution that had symbolized him even before he entered the Tower was now endlessly radiating around him. He was now immersed in the constant halo of light because he continued to radiate divine power to avoid exuviation and transcendence.

The problem was that Vivasvat's appearance evoked a sense of mystery and almightiness, so the people that previously supported him had now moved to place their absolute faith in him. As a result, Vivasvat gathered greater amounts of faith, and the light distribution became ever brighter.

Because of this, even within Allforone, there were many people who had a hard time approaching or relating to Vivasvat. And as the organization grew, a greater number of people started to blindly follow Vivasvat, and those concerned about this were naturally pushed out of Allforone's leadership. Among those who were pushed out were Garmr and the members of Bifrost, who had always referred to Vivasvat as the 'youngest'.

[The faith flowing into you has reached another all-time high!]

...

[The law of causality highly rates your potential.]

[The current system has designated those who want to interfere with the smooth execution of the floor's missions as viruses. To resolve this issue, the system is planning to deploy a vaccine program.]

[Are you willing to accept the system's suggestion and act as the vaccine program?]

Clank. Clank. Vivasvat hated the restricting sounds that came from his body. System access, creation of antivirus programs... Vivasvat knew it would give him the power he needed. Every time he accepted the system's proposal, he gained unparalleled power... No, it was more appropriate to state that he was reaching a level of omnipotence.

Thanks to this, from a certain point, Vivasvat was no longer being chased. He was now launching massive counterattacks and starting to win. He succeeded in driving out all divine societies from the lower floors.

And thanks to that, all the lower floors up to the twentieth floor were now Allforone's territory. Actually, it was probably more appropriate to state that it was Vivasvat's territory. Furthermore, his advancement into the twenty-first floor was just around the corner.

Vivasvat had essentially acquired the power he had longed for... But the problem was that, in the process of acquiring this power, many people had drifted away from him, leaving him in isolation. Vivasvat struggled with utter loneliness.

Clank. At that moment, Vivasvat was pulled from his thoughts when a door opened. The figure who emerged looked at Vivasvat and his light distribution with a face full of rapture. He hurriedly bowed his head when Vivasvat turned his gaze towards him. That action of utter obedience annoyed Vivasvat, who noticed that the man's expression was closer to worship than respect. Vivasvat could not see an inkling of the man seeing Vivasvat as a fellow comrade. Only these types of people were left in Allforone.

"Everything you have ordered has been completed."

"...Everything?"

『...Everything?』

A strange voice that arose after mixing a physical voice with divine speech.

The man's eyes widened even more. "I ordered their execution, and the executions were finalized a moment ago."

"Is that so?"

『Is that so?』 Vivasvat muttered a reply and then fell silent. Execution was a word carved onto his heart like a scar.

"Why? Why did you betray me, Garmr!"

"Sorry."

"I'm asking why...!"

"If we left things as they were, you alone would become Allforone."

"What...!"

"You know this to be true as well, right? Allforone has become a religious cult organization that centers around you. Of course, if one were to ask the clan members, they'd state that they're fighting for their freedom and beliefs... But you know that's not true, right?"

"But!"

"I know. I know what you're thinking. I know that your heart is in the right place. However, all your actions will eventually lead to a dictatorship and singular power structure... That eventuality would become a poison for our ultimate endeavors. No, to be frank, it will poison you as well. Your objectives will eventually imprison you and only cause a reiteration of subjugation. That's why." Garmr's voice rang clearly in Vivasvat's ears. "Please open your eyes and see the truth, Vivasvat. That's my last request."

Vivasvat felt fortunate that his figure was covered by his light distribution. He did not have to show his subordinates the tears that flowed down his cheeks. Having come to a state where he was no longer able to properly express his emotions, Garmr's last words echoed in his mind like a prophecy.

"Vivasvat?"

"It's nothing."

『It's nothing.』

Vivasvat slowly got up and shook his head. His recent tears had already evaporated from the heat he was radiating. His trembling gaze had already steadied. The tears he shed just a moment ago were to be the last signs of emotion that exhibited as a 'mortal' being.

"Let's go."

『Let's go.』

Vivasvat had wavered for only the briefest of moments. It was not too late to reflect and possibly regret once he achieved his ultimate objective. The power he currently possessed came after various sacrifices, like the execution of his former colleagues. Thus, Vivasvat was adamant to continue progressing forward.

***

Time flowed on. Years passed.

'Father.'

The actions and steps Vivasvat took to find the Heavenly Demon were now cumbersome and weighing down on him. He was going in a slightly different direction from where the Heavenly Demon was.

'Where are you?'

Vivasvat had reached an age where he had now spent more time in the world of the Tower than when he lived as Son Jae-won. After he met the elder gods and so on, Vivasvat began to vaguely piece together the existence of things like Day and Night. Thus, Vivasvat knew where the Heavenly Demon was. He also knew that the Heavenly Demon was constantly observing him.

The system had long ago recognized Vivasvat's existence as an antivirus. Vivasvat knew this was all the Heavenly Demon's intention. Nevertheless, he still hated his father for not replying to his call.

"If you can't come down..." Vivasvat clenched his teeth. "...I'll go up."

The Ascent—this was what Vivasvat's actions came to be called.

***

『Did you ever have any regrets?』

On the twentieth floor, inside a hidden stage within the floor, Vivasvat was reunited with an old acquaintance. His constricted and hardened heart softened in an instant.

Sun Wukong was his father's friend, who once guided Vivasvat to the world of the Tower. Of course, it was not the real Sun Wukong that Vivasvat had fatefully met outside the Tower. It was Sun Wukong's exuviate. Still, just seeing the presence of an old acquaintance was enough to please Vivasvat.

However...Vivasvat was immediately met with a somewhat heavy line of questioning from Sun Wukong's exuviate. Sun Wukong exuviate's golden eyes, which shone bright like jewels, were full of playfulness, but somehow, Vivasvat felt that his soul was being penetrated.

『What...do you mean?』 Vivasvat was now fully in command of his voice. He abandoned his physical voice and only utilized divine speech. To be more precise, he invented a new mode of communication, thought voice. He invented a way to convey his intentions.

『Don't dilly-dally. The question is as it is posed. Do you not regret anything? In my view, you're doing such nonsensical things.』

『...』

『To be honest...you're making your current actions because you're rebelling against your father, right?』

『What...!』

『I'm right, huh? Dividing the Heavens and the Earth. Literally dividing the heavenly world from the lower floors...to liberate mortals from divine interference. It's the same principle and belief that your father and I, another 'face' of him, had long pursued. You've just copied us.』

『...!』 Vivasvat felt that Sun Wukong's exuviate seemed to smirk.

『Even if you lay out a plethora of different reasons, in the end, you're ultimately just rebelling against your father. You're suffering this much... You're doing this much... But why is your father not showering you with attention, right? You're just acting up for attention. Am I wrong?』

『...I will not listen any further.』 Vivasvat got up from his seat with a look of displeasure. He soon felt a cooling sensation in his heart. The ideal and goal that was the driving force behind his actions and decision... Vivasvat was faced with an alternative interpretation that what he thought may not be what it seemed. He wondered if his emotions, which had not made an appearance since he shed his last tears, reappeared.

『You won't be able to go too far. Anyway, stop wandering around like a rebellious teenager and go home. Your father is well aware that you've suffered.』

『...』Vivasvat silently exited the hidden stage's cave with his mouth tightly shut.

***

"Please open your eyes and see the truth, Vivasvat. That's my last request." Garmr's last words kept echoing in Vivasvat's mind like a mantra. After executing his last remaining followers, Vivasvat started dry heaving. His new reality seemed to be haunting him. The thought that his past actions, killing off his lover and colleagues, over the past few decades had all originated from a sense of rebellion...

However... 'No. That's not true. It's different.' After reflecting for a long time, Vivasvat regained his senses. 'I may have acted that way in the beginning, but now, it's different.'

Vivasvat could not forget the utter elation that he saw in the eyes of the captives who were liberated from the lower floor's many farms. They cheered at their newfound freedom and their capability to become players. The sensations he felt then remained within him. Furthermore, his actions were not something anyone could do.

'Father... Father just ended up just keeping the gods and demons in one place...but not me. The people here are also important to me.' Vivasvat clenched his jaw. 'No matter how other people see me... I will protect my people.'

Being alone was beneficial. Vivasvat did not care if others called him a loner. Even if other people pointed fingers, even if he was misunderstood, even if he perished without anyone understanding his selfless purpose...Vivasvat was determined to continue. He had no idea what his father was thinking or doing, but Vivasvat felt sure that he would meet his father once more if he continued onward.

[It turns out that the law of causality and your will are the same. You have become more tightly coupled to the system.]

[The antivirus program is being updated.]

...

'Thus...' Vivasvat clenched his teeth. 'Let's get rid of everything that is causing me mental anguish... Cast it all away.'

There was a place where he could do this.

[You are moving into the twenty-first floor.]

***

...reminiscing about the past ended here.

"If it is the physical body that gives rise to anguish, wouldn't casting off one's physical body, with all of its useless thoughts, onto an illusion on the twenty-first floor be okay? That's what you thought."

"..."

The Heavenly Demon took a sip of his drink as he continued speaking calmly. Nocturne fell silent while looking at the glass.

"You have always been troubled. You were always deep in thought. And, whenever you came out from your thoughts, you moved once more with purpose. There were people who followed you and people who had their hopes on you."

"..."

"Sun Wukong called your actions a childish rebellion... No matter if your initial intentions were based on a sense of rebelliousness, if it becomes your belief, I thought that it would become your path."

After stating these words, the Heavenly Demon stopped speaking. A long silence ensued before Nocturne spoke up.

"...During all that, when I was eagerly searching for you and awaiting your response... Why didn't you reply?"

"I don't know if it'll sound like an excuse... Ah..." The Heavenly Demon sighed as he crossed his arms. His sigh was full of bitterness and sorrow. "At the time, I did not have the mental capacity to think of anything else. I was vaguely aware that you came into the Tower looking for me, but my body was already exhausted from the long battle I had with the Black King, so I fell into a deep slumber... Within this library, my mind did not operate normally. Moreover, I was already overwhelmed just maintaining the Tower..."

Nocturne now knew the fact that the Ruyi Bang had been utilized to create the Tower to suppress the Black King from awakening from his 'dream'. By imprisoning the gods and heroes within the Tower, a greater suppressing weight would weigh down on the Black King.

"And..." Just when the Heavenly Demon was about to continue speaking...

[Another librarian has entered the Changgong Library.]

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation."

Hearing the sudden voice, the Heavenly Demon and Nocturne's eyes turned towards the speaker. Nocturne looked slightly startled at seeing the figure's face, but Nocturne soon realized that the temperament exuded from this newcomer was quite different from the figure he had previously met. Nocturne nodded his head.

It was Deus Ex Machina, Cha Jeong-woo, appointed by the Heavenly Demon as the new librarian of the Changgong Library. For whatever reason, Jeong-woo's expression did not look good.

"What's wrong? Why are you wearing such a downcast expression? Did something happen?" The Heavenly Demon tilted his head, wondering what was wrong. Now that the long battle over the 'wheel' and 'dream' with the Black King was over, the Heavenly Demon felt that there was no longer cause for any large concern.

However, after hearing Cha Jeong-woo's words, the Heavenly Demon and Nocturne's expressions hardened.

"My brother." Cha Jeong-woo's voice quavered. "My brother...disappeared after rewinding the 'wheel'."