Ranker Who Lives Twice

Yeon-woo was tense. The Heavenly Demon could see things that gods couldn’t. He alone was free from the limits of time and space, and he could observe everything. However, he needed “light” as a medium for that… Yeon-woo knew what the Crawling Chaos said about covering light with darkness wasn’t wrong. But still, he couldn’t help but be nervous as someone on the run.

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon has discovered something suspicious.]

[It is a territory that light cannot reach.]

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon carefully checks the surroundings of the barrier.]

The only thing Yeon-woo could do was hope the Heavenly Demon wouldn’t discover anything and leave. However, in preparation for the unexpected, he tightly gripped his sword. He didn’t use any holy power in case the faintest trace of it crept through the barrier. His hands were drenched with sweat.

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon reaches you!]

Similar messages continued to pop up in front of Yeon-woo.

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon is confused.]

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon was not able to find any strange phenomena.]

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon leaves!]

The ray of golden light continued to observe the suspicious barrier, but it left when it couldn’t find anything out of place.

『I’m sure you don’t plan on moving right away?』The Crawling Chaos warned Yeon-woo, thinking he might have something else up his sleeve.

But of course, Yeon-woo didn’t budge. The Heavenly Demon appeared cynical and uncaring, but he was actually discreet and careful. He wouldn’t leave such a suspicious place so easily.

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon peeks back in this direction.]

[The gaze of the Heavenly Demon has left!]

The Heavenly Demon pretended like he was leaving only to return to check once more.

However, even after the ray of golden light left completely, Yeon-woo stayed where he was for a long while. He only moved again when there was nothing around him. He was exhausted. Although he hadn’t moved, the nervousness had taken a toll on his mind. His clothes were drenched in sweat.

Yeon-woo looked at the barrier he had created with curiosity. He didn’t know simply applying the laws of the Night would have these results. The world of knowledge was truly boundless, and the Crawling Chaos probably had the most knowledge out of everyone. Yeon-woo began to contemplate what to do about the Crawling Chaos.

『You must know that although we put out the most urgent fire, it’s not over yet, right?』The Crawling Chaos instantly caught onto Yeon-woo’s thoughts and naturally changed the subject. He was subtly asking how Yeon-woo could throw him away when he was so useful. The Heavenly Demon would continue to chase after Yeon-woo, so Yeon-woo would need his knowledge and judgment. After proving his worth once, he was trying to convince Yeon-woo that, together, they could turn the tables.

‘The Crawling Chaos is very opportunistic.’ Yeon-woo understood a bit how the giants and dragons fell for the Crawling Chaos’ tricks.

『So, I was thinking.』

Yeon-woo quietly weighed the advantages and disadvantages he’d have if he continued working with the Crawling Chaos like this.

To have the balance weigh more in his favor, the Crawling Chaos whispered in a low voice.『I think the first method you came up with is quite viable. If we execute that well, we can take care of this crisis and solve the problem you’re facing as well.』

Yeon-woo’s face stiffened. “You…”

『I can tell what kind of situation you’re in based on the information I learned after entering you.』The Crawling Chaos continued in a flippant manner.『Possessing someone’s legends because of some mission and then being trapped in those legends through some unforeseen variable… If that’s the case, it’s not so strange for someone who harmed me in the future to appear during this time period, is it?』

“…”

『However, the probability and truthfulness are too unlikely for this to the legends of a single being. But…that wouldn’t be strange if the owner of these legends is someone that powerful.』

“So? What are you trying to say?”

『Furthermore, technically, there have been cases of beings with the same crisis as you.』

‘There were similar cases? Does an answer possibly lie within them?’ Yeon-woo pressed his lips together. He decided it was worth listening to the Crawling Chaos further. He wanted to see what the Crawling Chaos wanted.

『Legends become the foundation of individuals when their accomplishments are upgraded. Domain, rank, power… Everything is based on legends. However, that’s just a simple definition. When looking at the bare legends themselves, legends are really ‘stories.’』As the Crawling Chaos continued to speak, Yeon-woo’s heart strangely felt ticklish.『Legends are ‘stories’ of individuals that are being told to the world. Then they’ll be retold by their followers and result in faith. The legends will be tied to laws. But when looking at it from another angle, it means you only have to protect the main points if you want to maintain the legends.』

A thought suddenly occurred to Yeon-woo. “Does that mean I can just change the direction so the flow of the story doesn’t change?”

『Yes. All you have to do is make sure the ending is fixed.』

Yeon-woo began to get a grasp on what to do.

『If the Heavenly Demon running rampant is the problem, you can just make a greater problem for the Heavenly Demon so he can no longer pay any attention to you.』

Although the Crawling Chaos had brought up the solution, this was a method that Yeon-woo had actually just been thinking about. However, he wasn’t able to bring himself to attempt it because it would cause greater pandemonium.

But the Crawling Chaos was encouraging Yeon-woo to go forward with those plans.『And I’m confident I can be of enough help with that method.』

Yeon-woo felt like, if he could see the Crawling Chaos, the Crawling Chaos would probably be snickering.

『Let’s awaken ‘Father’ together. We can fix the end of this legend after that.』

* * *

“…And the Heavenly Demon?”

“No one knows. He might have returned to the Changgong Library.”

“Dammit!” Uranus kicked a nearby pile of rocks at Metatron’s reply. Fury boiled inside of him. He hadn’t felt this angry in hundreds of years.

The gods with Uranus were holding their breaths because they didn’t know what to do. The Heavenly Demon had stopped fighting them and disappeared, leaving only a shadow behind.

“Since both Malach and our guys are searching for him, why don’t you hold onto your bearings and wait a little while?” Baal tried to appease him, but Uranus’ crumpled face showed no sign of easing up. But in truth, Baal knew his words couldn’t be of much comfort.

The Heavenly Demon was very persistent and obsessive. It might’ve been those qualities that allowed him to be who he was today, but there was no greater fear than that for his enemies. The Heavenly Demon’s persistent fangs always instigated fear. There were some gods and demons who had clashed with him only to die from their extreme anxiety and nervousness.

But now, the Heavenly Demon’s obsessiveness was directed toward Yeon-woo. Uranus couldn’t help but feel anxious. The soldiers of Day, including Malach and L’Infernal, had scattered throughout the universe in search of Yeon-woo, but it wouldn’t be easy to find someone in this vast universe—especially if they hid their presence.

‘The protests that were just audible a few moments ago can’t be heard anymore… Where did he go? Did he go toward the outer universe?’ The societies had protested when a creature suddenly invaded their territory, but it was quiet now. Uranus thought, ‘Is no news good news, or has Yeon-woo been caught by the Heavenly Demon?’

“I’m going crazy. I need sugar.” Baal frowned and swept his hair. He felt too frustrated, and wanted some of the cookies and candies he left at home. No, perhaps, he’d feel better with a cigar in his mouth. The reason why he had become interested in sweets in the first place was to quit smoking. He could just go to Deva and ask Brahma for one, but he was too lazy and frustrated to do that.

‘I’m sorry to Uranus, but this might be better in the long run. A candidate for the ‘egg’ is gone now…’ Baal furiously scratched his head. ‘I must be crazy. I shouldn’t think about useless things like this.’

A strong candidate for the “egg” disappearing was definitely a good thing in the long run, and it was something to be welcomed with open arms. However, Baal decided not to even consider it. If they let a friend’s grandson be injured because they were scared of the Black King, they’d be no different from the Black King they betrayed. The existence of the “egg” was fearful, but that was something the child had to deal with.

All Baal could do was be faithful to this time period, so he had to do his best to find that child. ‘Even if he’s chosen as the egg, he’s descended from both Quirinale and Pneuma… There might be some solution.’ Baal’s eyes shone with contemplation. ‘Since they were the first to face that dim-witted lunatic.’

As he cleared his mind, Baal was about to check the reports from L’Infernal again when an urgent message popped up.

『Sir, sir! I’ve found Kronos!』

It was from Malphas, the thirty-ninth in rank.

Baal quickly looked up.『What? Where is it?』

『A planet called Jaya, which is under Vedas’ jurisdiction. But…!』

『What is it? Is there a problem?』Baal became tense, thinking the Heavenly Demon had found Yeon-woo first.

『N-No.』

『Then?』

『H-He’s picking a fight!』

『…What?』Baal turned blank, not understanding. He didn’t know how there was a relation between finding Yeon-woo and Yeon-woo picking a fight.

However, Malphas seemed surprised as well.『He went to the protector god of Jaya, Vyasa, and…punched her.』

『…?!』

『He also beat up the forces who went into assist Vyasa…and Deva is now angrily chasing after him.』

『…』Baal felt his mind go blank. He knew that Yeon-woo was currently being chased after the Heavenly Demon, so he couldn’t understand why the child would go and cause trouble in another society’s territory… However, his confusion didn’t end there. As if they had been waiting, he received a flood of reports from his other subordinates.

『Bally was injured in Asgard’s territory ‘Valhalla’ and they sent a squad to chase after Kronos…!』

『Min of Memphis was hurt and they’re…!』

『Dilmun warned that they’ll hold Olympus responsible and declare war!』

『Zeskneli is also chasing…!』

“…”

“…”

Baal was thoroughly confused. Sweat beaded on Baal’s forehead as he turned to meet the gaze of Metatron, who was sweating like him. It seemed they were receiving similar reports.