After Returning, My Abilities are Infinite

Episode 141. Transcendents (3)

Transcending meant breaking the wall.

Ascending to heaven, becoming one with nature, enlightenment.

Human history recorded transcendence in many different words.

Breaking the human vessel and elevating to something higher.

That was how mortals vaguely thought of transcendence. Something mighty that happened in stories. A near miracle that was extremely difficult to achieve.

That was how transcendence was strongly embedded in the minds of humans.

“…What?”

It was no different for the Transcendents. After a life of perseverance, they crossed over the wall and broke their vessels. They transcended only after enduring unimaginable pain.

Which was why the Traveler couldn’t help but be shocked.

‘Was he this skilled?’

The Traveler enjoyed taking talented humans, helping them, and in the end, controlling them as he pleased and playing with them like a toy.

He had thought of a fun game in the process and looked for an -Akashic Records user-. The Akashic Records user Jeong Si-woo, who he finally found, was a very interesting individual.

Jeong Si-woo persistently hunted monsters and overcame numerous trials. He was stronger and more unique than any toy the Traveler had ever seen.

The Traveler had thought just that much of him.

‘Is it because he is an Akashic Records user……? No, the Akashic Records does not affect the process of transcendence. It is a process that depends on the nature, soul, and will of the human being alone. Then… was his will and soul powerful enough for him to go through a different process from the current Transcendents?’

The Traveler rolled his eyes. Jeong Si-woo was sitting still.

He was motionless, and his face looked peaceful.

To the point that one could wonder if he was frozen still or was a human-shaped sculpture.

However, it was clearly visible to the Traveler. His eyes that could peer into the essence of things were witnessing the changes taking place inside Jeong Si-woo and the process of transcendence it was bringing about.

“…Interesting. So interesting!”

The mortal shell melted away surprisingly quickly. It was the vessel that protected the soul within, but also what limited and restricted it.

Jeong Si-woo destroyed the vessel with enormous speed, and he was building a new body.

The Traveler could guarantee that no one living in the world of Transcendents had ever crossed over the wall at such a rapid speed. And the Traveler could dare say that if Jeong Si-woo eventually reached transcendence and attained a certain class, he would stand above the heads of all Transcendents.

At that moment.

“I came to see what you were doing to not even attend the meeting… And it looks like you’re making another toy.”

The empty air split open, and someone appeared, squeezing out from the crack.

It was an individual painted entirely black, like a shadow. The appearance of the constantly wavering creature caused the Traveler’s face to stiffen.

“Why are you wearing such a stupid shell? You look like an old human. The other Transcendents are bound to find you ridiculous.”

The Traveler glanced back. His wrinkled hand stretched out and grabbed the stranger’s neck. Along with that, the ground shook as if there was an earthquake.

“You entered my territory without permission. You must have a death wish. No creature would do such a stupid thing unless they wanted to be destroyed.”

“Ugh… gh……. I knew it. You’re different. Whether you’re wearing a crappy shell or even an insect one… You have the greatest power. Yeah, this is it. No one can make me feel this way. All you did was grab my neck, but it feels like you could destroy me any minute! Whew!”

“Don’t be disgusting. Talk. There must be a good reason for you to enter without asking for permission. You’re no novice Transcendent, are you?”

With those words, the Traveler let go. The stranger rubbed his neck a few times and spoke up after steadying his breath.

“Well, I hear you’ve stolen an individual from the world I have my eye on.”

“Stolen?”

“Yes, an individual that is quite valuable in that world……. You’re hurting my feelings by snatching him up like that. What are we, strangers? We’ve been together for thousands of years, and to do so without even telling me…….”

“The Akashic Records user was prey I’ve been after even before I met you. I finally found one, but I almost lost him because of you. Because his world was destroyed.”

“Oh… I’m sorry about that. But there was nothing I could do. I was simply after the world, and there happened to be an Akashic Records user.”

“Well, do as you please. It doesn’t matter now.”

“It… doesn’t matter?”

The stranger tilted his head.

“What do you mean? You said the Akashic Records user is in that world. Don’t you know that the moment I take control of the world, he becomes mine, as well? Whether he’s dead or stolen by you, once I become the world’s master, everything belongs to me. I’m just here right now because I’m upset.”

“I know. I know very well.”

“Then why doesn’t it matter?”

“There won’t be a problem if the world doesn’t end, right?”

This time, the stranger stiffened. The Traveler smiled faintly.

“If the world doesn’t end, and if I take over all of the worlds you’re playing with… Won’t I be able to possess the Akashic Records user as well as civilizations full of resources?”

“What?”

“Just think of it as punishment for messing with what is mine. When I first found out, I was angry at the thought that you dared to mess with what was mine. But I realized that you did it unintentionally.”

“…Yes, it was unintentional!”

“And again, it doesn’t matter.”

With a smile on his face, the Traveler tapped the stranger on the shoulder.

“Whether it was intended or not, no one who messes with my things can stay alive.”

“…….”

“Well, I’ll be merciful and let you avoid destruction. But I can’t just let it slide. The civilizations and powers of the different worlds you used to steal are mine now. I’ll be taking all of that in exchange for your life.”

“W-wait a minute. You can’t do that! If you do, I won’t stay still! I’ll have no choice but to gather all the Transcendents I know and attack you…….”

“Go ahead.”

The Traveler’s body twisted. At the same time, the stranger’s face froze. He had made a mistake. He had said something he shouldn’t have.

He forgot because the Traveler was wearing the face of a feeble old man. He neglected who the entity in front of him was and what he had achieved over centuries. He forgot what kind of monster he was.

The wrinkled human shell broke into pieces, and the bizarre, true form sleeping inside revealed itself.

“Can you do it? No, are there any Transcendents you could gather to attack me in the first place?”

The atmosphere changed. The stranger’s body shrunk little by little. It felt like everything in the world was pressing down on him and pulling him down.

“Th-that is… What I meant was….”

The stranger created Rifts and poured out monsters to play his game of and he was a big deal among Transcendents.

But even an entity like that was a mere ant in front of the Traveler.

“No, no. I’ll leave right away. I’m sorry…!”

The moment the stranger faced the Traveler’s true self, he lost his attitude and left in a hurry. As he created a Rift and fled into it, he fell more than five times. It was because his legs gave out.

Even impressive Transcendents felt fear in the face of an overwhelmingly powerful entity. Only after the Rift closed and the stranger completely disappeared did the Traveler put on his mountain god-like shell again.

“Hm… I hope you weren’t disturbed.”

It was to protect his interesting toy that would die in seconds if he faced his true self. The Traveler looked at Jeong Si-woo, who was sitting still and remained focused.

“Try a little harder, a little harder. That way… I can play the games I want.”

He couldn’t let anyone touch him. No one could touch or hurt what was his. The Traveler proudly looked down at Jeong Si-woo.

He sincerely hoped that his new toy would last a long while. That he wouldn’t break away from his games.

* * *

I broke down again and again inside. It was completely different from having my ribs broken. Something inside melted down and strange things filled the empty space. It felt like the nature of my body was changing entirely.

Something else flowed where blood should flow, and something strange swelled up where hard bones and muscles should be. Nevertheless, I did not stop. I had to be more powerful for those left in the world without me.

Crack.

First, a pair of wings sprouted out of my back. Next, the skin that covered my muscles melted down and began to be reconstructed.

The hardest substance I knew. The Orichalcum that made up the indestructible Mirage. I constantly imagined it as I made my skin.

For my inner muscles, I imagined the powerful muscles that made up a monster’s body.

A pure human body couldn’t defeat the Great Overlord without stats, skills, or characteristics. I wouldn’t be able to save the world. So I was doing everything possible to turn myself into the most powerful weapon.

I constantly improved my eyes, ears, nose, and skin that sensed the air. Just by closing my eyes and imagining, I was getting unprecedentedly stronger.

[A change in the body has been detected.]

.

.

[The characteristic, ‘Outstanding Physique’ has been erased.]

As my body changed and something inside me began to stir, my characteristics and skills disappeared one by one. The system that filled up -Hunter Jeong Si-woo- was being erased.

[The characteristic, ‘Outstanding Insight’ has been erased.]

And, in the end, all of my characteristics and skills disappeared. The last notification window that popped up was broken like a cracked window.

The system no longer existed within me. I felt both empty and relieved. It felt like something that was restricting my body had fallen off.

Just the name Jeong Si-woo, not someone established by the system, remained here.

“Oh….”

I opened my eyes, and the next moment, I could see the Traveler looking at me. He seemed very happy.

“Congratulations.”

He spoke in an emotional voice.

“Now you are a Transcendent. One that crossed over the wall faster and more perfectly than any other entity. A monster that is not bound by a mortal vessel.”

“…….”

“Stand up. You should get going for the sake of your world. Just going through resurrection takes quite a long time. It’ll be difficult to prepare from now on.”

“…Yes.”

I gripped the ground and struggled to get up. It was hard to keep my balance. Because I felt dizzy or weak? No. It was because I felt as light as a feather. My body felt so light that I couldn’t balance myself.

The Traveler laughed.

“Get used to it quickly. As soon as you get used to your body, you’ll be able to drive out not only the Great Overlord but also the monsters that have invaded your world within a week.”