After some probing, the old man eventually gave in and went on to explain how roughly two or three lifetimes before he became Kevin Karstark, due to the commotion he caused back then, he was approached by a man who suspected him to be an Authority-wielder. While he was Valerian’s first encounter with a fellow reincarnate, he wasn’t the first for the man. Even without direct means to locate authorities, he already knew what to look for to locate one.
“He was a strange man,” he said. “While we were both reincarnates, there was very little I can think of that we had in common. He was one of those reincarnates that were born far later than the others, but even back then he was born roughly two lifetimes before the 'myself' from back then was even born, meaning that he was at least a hundred years old by the time we met, but since he had the longevity skill, he looked much much younger than he truly was.”
“Anyway, as I said, he didn’t try to kill me. But he was actively looking for all reincarnates like us. Before me, he’d already met two others, but their encounters ended on a more hostile note.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: Hostile note…
_____________________________
“Yes,” he nodded before not even elaborating on it. “I wasn’t sure how… he was much younger than I was back then, but he seemed very familiar with what happened to us. He had a word for it. He called what happened to us, "I-ssekai."”
_____________________________
Echo-13: I-sekai? E-sekai?
_____________________________
"Yes. He told me that in his past life, he’d often heard stories similar to what happened to us in... I’m not sure what words he used, but he described it as a popular form of entertainment."
A popular form of entertainment?
Right now hearing that, the only thing I could think of right now was movies or perhaps video games. I was never really a fantasy-movie guy and was even less into video games, but I did play some of them on my phone. While I never played games that could be similar to our current situation, I knew that some video games—online video games, along with books, movies, and much more featured elements of this world—elements that I quickly became familiar with. Elves, dwarves, and some other races were one of these—those were things I’ve already heard about in my old world. How they correlated to this one, I didn’t know, but I knew for a fact that there was some link between them.
“He said that E-sekai is when someone from one world is taken to another by either a deity or some higher power. He said that it’s often for the purpose of saving the new world they arrive in.”
Saving the new world they arrive in, huh? For some reason, I was very skeptical about that one.
“Are you familiar with it?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: No.
_____________________________
—I honestly replied. But that thing, being taken to another world to save a world, he described that E-sekai sounded awfully like what a fantasy hero’s journey would be like. It really sounded like the plot for a game or a movie.
“I see,” he replied. “I guess it wasn’t just me alone. Back then, from the way he voiced it out to me, it sounded like there was something very wrong about me not knowing about it.”
What was with that dude? Was he a nerd or something?
"Anyway, the reason he was looking for other reincarnates—the reason he sought me out was that he wanted me to hand over my authority to him."
Huh?
Hand the authority out? Didn’t you just say that he didn’t even try?
Perhaps sensing my confusion, the old man said, “I guess I have to explain that as well,” heaving a sigh, before explaining what happened in even deeper detail.
It seemed that, in the relatively short time since his reincarnation, the man who had approached the not-yet-Kevin Karstark had successfully established connections with several prominent figures in this world. Through these associations, he uncovered not so much a secret, but a forgotten truth about this world, its creators, and, most notably, the entity that predated even the creation of this world as it is.
For reasons unknown, the creators had been in conflict with the Outer God of Corruption. This was a title Mighty K.R.U.L once mentioned when talking about the Goddess A42675, the entity "He" was created to serve. While the exact reason for the conflict remains unclear, a battle was fought between the creators and the Outer God of Corruption—a battle said to have lasted eons. The final outcome of that battle was the death of most of the creators in an attempt to seal away the Outer God of Corruption. Unable to defeat her, they could only manage to seal her in a way that stopped her from spreading her corrupting influence.
The existence of the current plane is a direct result of that battle. The various races that now inhabit the world were created not only to adapt to the remnants of the creators but also to the lingering corruption left by the Goddess’s presence and power. This corruption can still be felt to this day, and it is likely to remain a part of this world until the end of time—or until the day the Outer God of Corruption breaks free from her seal and reclaims what is hers.
"What he thinks—I mean, what he and the powerful individual he allied himself with believe—no, they were more than just believers; they were certain—is that the day the Outer God of Corruption returns will mark the end of this plane of existence, along with everything living in it."
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but frown internally. I didn’t like where this was going. I wanted to ask something right away, but seeing that he was about to continue, I held back.
"He believed that the reason Lord K.R.U.L saved us from that place was so that we would unseal the Outer God of Corruption—or, at the very least, work toward it."
From his earlier explanation about the Goddess’s sealing, I could have guessed as much.
"He was convinced that the Authorities Lord K.R.U.L granted us, and the actions He expected from us, were the ultimate catalyst for breaking the Goddess’s seal."
As I listened, I let out a quiet sigh. I had already more or less figured it out. Internally, I had wanted to give that fellow reincarnate the benefit of the doubt—innocent until proven guilty, wasn’t that how it was supposed to go?
Unfortunately, after proper judgment, he was, without a doubt, guilty.
_____________________________
Echo-13: So that’s what he wanted your Authority for? So that it won’t be used toward that goal of freeing the Goddess from her seal?
_____________________________
The old man stared at Dungeon Master 07’s guardian as if trying to decipher my emotion, then nodded.
Sigh. So that’s how it was. We got ourselves traitors already. Isn’t this too early for shit like that to be pulled off.
Ruminating over that new piece of information, I couldn’t help but feel annoyance, if not outright irritation, swelling up into something else in my metaphorical heart.
While I only just now got confirmation of what’s most likely the reason for which we were brought to this world, it already took a very important place in my heart—after all, how couldn’t it, if helping A42675, the Outer God of Corruption, is the reason for which Mighty K.R.U.L saved me from that place, then unsealing A42675 would be what I would dedicate every second of my existence to. The idea that one of us reincarnates—one that knew exactly what was expected of us and yet decided to go against Mighty K.R.U.L was a concept that simply eluded me—and the more I thought about it the more it pissed me off.
“What’s the silence for?” the man asked, noting the silence I sank in ruminating over the information he just served. “Are you angry?” he eventually ventured; the way we communicated through Dungeon Master 07’s guardian was done in a way that due to its voiceless or expressionless nature, allowed countless interpretations for emotion, so it was natural for him to ask.
_____________________________
Echo-13: Angry, perhaps. Disappointed, yes. I expected more from a fellow reincarnate.
_____________________________
Having heard that one of my fellow reincarnates did great out there in this new and strange world, I felt something similar to pride. But now you’re telling me that the same fellow turned his back on what made us fellow in the first place, disappointed me.
I didn’t know him personally, but I certainly felt, to a certain extent, like I’ve been betrayed by someone I trusted.
What’s wrong with these people? Did they forget about that place? Did they forget what Mighty K.R.U.L saved them from, a fate of eternal torment? Did they forget? If yes, then how? If no, then just how ungrateful do they have to be? Actually, never mind what I just said; I’m not just disappointed, I’m angry and disappointed.
“I see…” he mumbled in response to my answer. “I guess this is to be expected coming from someone like you.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: And you?
_____________________________
I asked, in spite of feeling that he, and especially he, had also begun veering off from the right path.
“Me?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: Weren’t you also disappointed?
_____________________________
He remained silent for a moment, then replied, “I guess I was but…”
_____________________________
Echo-13: But?
_____________________________
“But unlike you… I can understand the desire to see this world not be destroyed.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: This isn’t your world. We are here for a purpose, and if destroying this world is a direct consequence of that purpose, then so be it.
_____________________________
“...”
_____________________________
Echo-13: Did you forget? Did you forget that place—that searing light burning into your soul? You might have forgotten what Mighty K.R.U.L did for you, but I have not.
_____________________________
“Neither have we.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: Then how else would you describe this other than ingratitude?
_____________________________
"We're grateful, but—we... Erm, I am grateful, and so is he. But anyone—anyone sane would hesitate when faced with a task that we know will bring about the end of the world. You, obviously... well, you wouldn't exactly qualify as sane."
Hm?
“I doubt you can understand that but, out there, there’s people living, breathing, full of life; you earlier said that this isn’t our world, you’re right, this isn’t, and most likely never will be, but there is nothing different between this world and the one we left behind at our death.”
As I listened to the monologue that I guess should’ve turned me to a new leaf, I came to realize something.
These bastards, don’t tell me it’s that?
_____________________________
Echo-13: Is the reason that traitor turned his back to Mighty K.R.U.L and the Goddess, a woman?
_____________________________
—I asked apprehensively.
He didn’t even need to answer; the look of surprise on his face told me plenty enough.
What’s wrong with these guys?
At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder why Mighty K.R.U.L decided to give these two lads an authority; it was simply beyond me. But since I didn’t want to step into blasphemy territory, I decided to steer away from these thoughts. But even so, I couldn’t help but wonder, “heck, is that hellish place filled with easily smitten kittens? Or is it being sent to hell that leads them to be like that? It could be? Then does that mean that the other as well?
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
No, that can’t be true. I can’t generalize. He did mention that his discussion with a certain Authority wielder ended on a hostile note—surely because they refused to betray the purpose for which they were brought into this world. That had to be it. These two are the only deviants. And if there are others, I doubt there would be more than two or three. I’m sure the others would take care of them.
I wish I could do it myself, but as a Dungeon Core, I can’t reach them. I can’t influence anything beyond the bounds of my domain—not directly, at least. Even if I could extend my influence beyond my dungeon’s surroundings, right now, as a Dungeon Core, all I could do was hope. Hope that the traitor and his co-conspirator would eventually step into my domain—so that they would face what I was brought into this world for.
To ensure that my domain becomes my invaders’ burial ground.
But I was realistic enough to know that the chances of that happening, just like that, were close to none.
Even so, considering that the likelihood wasn’t absolutely zero, there was still something I could do.
_____________________________
Echo-13: Tell me about his authority? What does it do? Who are his allies? Who is that girl?
_____________________________
Staring at Dungeon Master’s Guardian, the old man asked, “Why do you ask? What do you plan on doing?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: What I might have to do.
_____________________________
“You plan on killing him.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: If I get the opportunity to.
_____________________________
—I boldly declared without hiding my intent. I didn’t feel like there was any reason for me to conceal the truth.
Sitting on his chair, he stared blankly at Dungeon Master 07’s guardian, then said, with a strange smirk on his face, “You do realize that instead of letting you know what his authority is, I could just, off myself, reincarnate into a new body out there, find him and share with him what you are and what you want to do. Sure, it will take me some years to grow up to an adequate age and even more time to find him, but eventually I will. You do realize that, don't you?” He grinned like a madman, standing from his makeshift chair, as if he had cornered me to a perfect pre-checkmate corner.
_____________________________
Echo-13: I do. But do you think that he and you together are strong enough to defeat me?
_____________________________
—I ventured, trying to probe into how strong he gauged the other party would be. From the momentary hesitation he displayed, he seemed not too confident. Getting more confident, I stepped forward to add,
_____________________________
Echo-13: You might think together you would be, but there’s something that I would like to bring to your attention, something that you obviously didn’t realize.
_____________________________
“What?” He asked, apprehensive.
_____________________________
Echo-13: Eleven times, you’ve invaded my domain. Eleven times, you’ve died at our spawns' very hands. What do you think is different about this eleventh time compared to all the others?
_____________________________
“The fact that I’m still alive?” he ventured with an unsure and apprehensive frown. Then, most likely understanding where I’m getting at, his eyes widened, “You talked to me? You never did that before… You knew I would be back, so you prepared yourselves for our next encounter.”
____________________________
Echo-13: Yes, I did. But do you really think all I did was prepare myself to talk to you? Because, to tell you the truth, I didn’t expect this conversation to last beyond five exchanged sentences.
_____________________________
"So, what you’re trying to tell me is that you’ve found a way to defeat me?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: No, I haven’t, or at the very least, not exactly. I’ve been invaded enough times to know that I —can’t defeat you—have gone through enough of the same charade to know that each time I kill you, you’ll just come back. I realized that I won’t be able to kill you, that I won’t get that authority from you, that I simply can’t defeat you. I have accepted that, but as I did, I came to realize that while I couldn’t defeat you, I could simply make sure you won’t be a problem anymore. Sure, it’ll cost me acquiring your authority, but it’s fine since it’ll make sure you won’t ever be a problem.
_____________________________
I was hoping to, to some extent, shake him to the core, ready to act should he come to act rash, sealing him the moment he would. But at that moment, he simply stared silently, a blank expression on his face.
_____________________________
Echo-13: What do you think? Do you want to take a guess at what it is, or are you thinking I’m bluffing?
_____________________________
Once again, I was met with nothing but a silence that felt long even for me, an apparently millennial-old Dungeon Core. Eventually, he decided to break the silence.
“You enjoy torturing people, don’t you?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: I don’t think I do.
_____________________________
“Then don’t think,” he said, sinking back into his chair. “You do. And you really enjoy it.”
But what about my answer, though?
_____________________________
Echo-13: Is that so?
_____________________________
“It is. Now then,” he sighed again, “I think I’ve got to know you enough to know that this isn’t a bluff, unless it is. But I really think it is the former, so what will it be? What is it that you thought about? Illusion? Petrification? Or outright time-manipulation.”
Him casually guessing what I came up with took me by surprise, but then as I thought about it, I realized that having a power like his, he most likely also went over what could potentially be its greatest nemesis—those being what he just named.
“Or is it something else entirely? You know what? I don’t even want to know anymore,” then he proceeded to, reaching for his face with both hands, groan, as if to muffle a scream, before, as he finally calmed down, “I’m so tired, tell me, Hassan—” he asked, using my old name for the first time.
_____________________________
Echo-13: I am not Hassan. Hassan is dead.
_____________________________
—I immediately corrected. As to why I corrected that, I just felt like that name was no longer something for me to be called by.
“Then what name do I call you?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: I have no name.
_____________________________
—I said, for it was the truth. It’s been a while since I became a Dungeon Core, and though I’ve always had the option to adopt a name, I’ve left that section of the interface empty. Why?
For the simple reason that if my name had changed, then it meant I was no longer Hassan. But more than that—Mighty K.R.U.L, the one who brought me into this world, had left it empty. That had to mean something. It had to be important.
At the very least, it meant that choosing the right name was something I had to do for myself. And so far, I’ve yet to find one that feels right enough to claim.
Also, one other reason I haven’t taken a proper name is the existence of the other Dungeon Masters. If I were to pick a name, they would jump onto it, voicing out all the suppressed opinions I would have over that name—because I know I will, and hell, this is going to be a mess. That's why I decided that until the day I find a name for which none of us will voice an objection, I would go as I currently do, nameless.
“Tsk, if you have no name, then why are you complaining?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: …
_____________________________
"Could you at least reply when I'm talking? Sigh. Anyway... Say, Entity behind the Voidborne Catacomb Dungeon, answer me this seriously: there really is no way for me to defeat you, is there?"
_____________________________
Echo-13: Do I even have to answer this? Stand up.
_____________________________
—I said, and as he hesitantly obeyed with a confused look on his face, I had the Dungeon Masters manifest their guardians and domains one after another, each one of us manifested theirs except Dungeon Master 06, 07, and I. Once we were done, the Domain reverted back to Dungeon Master 07’s.
Standing there with an agape expression, the man wanted to sit back into his chair only to notice it gone, so he said, “If you feel like you didn’t even have to answer my question, then you should’ve also felt like you didn’t even need to show me… You really enjoy tormenting people, don’t you?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: Perhaps.
_____________________________
“Sigh…Say, entity behind the Dungeon, why wouldn’t you let me go?”
Let you go?!
_____________________________
Echo-13: Why would I do that?
_____________________________
"I don't know... maybe out of mercy? Mph, but I know that's not something you do. So then, why not do it in exchange for my &%$#@?"
Huh?
_____________________________
Echo-13: What?
_____________________________
“I said, why not exchange my life for &%$#@ or authority as you call it.”
_____________________________
Echo-13: I heard that part. What I meant is what do you mean by that?
_____________________________
"I see… I guess you really didn’t know. Though, since you’re not human, I’m not sure how this is going to work." At that moment, he glanced at his hand and continued, "It was him who told me about this. As strange as it sounds, authorities—while being shards of Lord K.R.U.L—can be obtained not only by taking them from a dead wielder but also if the current wielder willingly gives them away."
Right there and then, as he explained it, a notification came to me. Before us stood, ready for harvest, the authority we killed the old man 11 times—the ever-elusive Greed and Resurgence authority.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
_____________________________
I looked in confusion at the old man having his hand held onto Dungeon Master 07’s guardian. My confusion wasn’t in the regard of how, after all, I knew or at least understood how it happened.
While before today I’ve always assumed the only way one was to acquire an authority was the way I did it thus far, “the hard way,” as he mentioned the detail about the man not having killed or even tried to kill him, and the detail of him wanting the old man to nonetheless hand over his authority, I understood that there were other ways than that “hard way” I was so familiar with. So, my confusion wasn’t in the regard of how; instead, it was in the regard of—
_____________________________
Echo-13: Why?
_____________________________
"Why? You won’t take it?" he teased, as if trying to use reverse psychology on me—daring me to accept it.
For a moment, I considered the possibility that this was a trap in one way or another. There was only one possibility that came to mind, but considering the authority I already possessed, I wasn’t too concerned. What did make me wary was the chance that the trap took a form I hadn’t anticipated.
I hesitated, weighing my options, but then I thought about the past hundred years I’d spent trying to acquire that damn authority. Screw this—trap or not, I’m taking it.
With a single mental command, Greed and Resurgence was finally mine.
"So you wanted it after all," he said with a bitter smile before stretching his back. "So this is what it feels like to be authority-less… I feel so light."
Still uncertain about his true motive, I went ahead and asked again.
_____________________________
Echo-13: Why? Why did you do that?
_____________________________
“What did I do that, huh? Good question, as for the answer to that,” he paused as if to find the right answer, “I guess I am just tired. Do you still remember what it feels like to be tired? I’ve lived for so long, died too many times, always coming back and, in the process, snuff everything away from little soul that had yet to do anything to deserved what happened to them, can you imagine how tiring that sight is—being cradled by a woman firmly believing that you’re his son while truth you’re just some random old man trying to avenge friends and lover of a past life whose faces are starting to get blurry in his own memories, can you imagine that?”
Is that a rhetorical question or?
Before I voiced out my answer, he continued. “It is tiring. And to be frank with you, I don’t feel like continuing anymore. Holding onto that authority means that I would have to keep moving forward, which eventually will take me back to the same place I’ve once already stood at.”
I stared, listening, trying to understand but as I stared at him silently, after roughly one or perhaps ten minutes of silence, I guess he was expecting some sort of feedback from me, and to be honest I really didn’t know what to tell him.
“You don’t get it at all, do you? Mph? I guess I can’t even blame you. So let me put it in a word you can understand, that which I gave you is my single and last contribution to our cause as reincarnates; anything from here on out, I’m no longer part of.”
For a moment I was at a loss for words as to what to say, so I asked,
_____________________________
Echo-13: What will become of you?
_____________________________
He looked surprised. “What will become of me? As in you not killing me but instead allow me to leave this place?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: I never said that.
_____________________________
"We're definitely not sparing him, right, guys?
...Guys?
We're killing him, right?
I mean, the moment he leaves our domain, he could head straight for the enemy—warn them—give them time to prepare before coming after us.
We should kill him here and now.
Yes, you guys are right, we should...
But at the same time..."
_____________________________
Echo-13: I never said that, but assuming I did, what would be your answer?
_____________________________
He paused as if to think about it over, “I guess I’ll be out there living the years I have left to live. It might not look like it, but I feel like I might live at least 10 more years with this body; I might as well not waste those ten years. I’ll buy a farm, raise sheep or something. What do you think, that prospect for the future of mine should allow me to leave this place in one piece, right?”
Guys, what do we do?
A deliberating silence settled into the room as we considered what to do with the old man. It took us a while, but eventually, we came up with a decision.
_____________________________
Echo-13: No.
_____________________________
“No?” At that moment, his expression shifted onto one that I’ve seen him eleven times before being annihilated by the other Dungeon Masters’ guardians, “If you want to do it, then do it fast; I don’t think I feel like being tortured today.”
Watching as he drew his sword, ready to make a last stand, I intervened.
_____________________________
Echo-13: I said no. That was not a good enough reason; you haven’t yet answered my question as to what his authority is.
_____________________________
It took him a while to understand, but eventually, he did. Lowering his blade, he said, “He never told me anything about the authorities in his possession. I only know that he has more than one—and that the authority he reincarnated with is a particularly potent one. He told me himself that it was his own authority that allowed him to realize that authorities are vessels for the destruction of this world.”
That’s vague.
Very vague.
“That’s everything I know about his authority.”
But I guess it’s at least better than just nothing.
“His name—his old name, I believe it was a weird name, like the one that used to be yours… Shun Nagumo, as for the name he presently goes by… back then he went by Jason.”
Shun Nagumo.
Jason.
“That is all I know. Is that enough reason for me to leave now?”
To that question, I chose not to answer.
“If you’re not speaking, I’ll take that silence as a yes,” he declared before promptly turning his back, and walking toward the exit, leaving his sword behind. But then a few steps in, he stopped and turned around, asking, “you plan on using Greed and Resurgence, aren’t you?”
_____________________________
Echo-13: What if I am?
_____________________________
“What if you are, huh? Nothing,” he sneered, “I’m no longer that authority’s wielder; you are. Make sure to use that curse better than I did. Actually, I have the feeling that with how little to no humanity you have in you, you will be the best ever wielder to that authority. However, just take this as advice from a senior, ‘make sure to never ever care for anyone from this world because if you do, you’ll end up like him and I—people that this current version of you looks down upon. But most importantly you’ll be someone miserable.”
Talk about being self-aware.
_____________________________
Echo-13: I’ll never be like you.
_____________________________
“Mmh, if you say so, Entity behind the Vo?dborne Catacombs. If you say so.” On these words, he advanced toward the sanctum’s exit. As he did, Dungeon Master 07 gave the control back to Dungeon Master 06. We watched as his back slowly shrank away before disappearing from the hologram-like interface and appearing as a red dot on the map interface, before also disappearing from the latter.
