Purbagios' spell stood as the sole gateway to the Akashic Records without requiring a soul seal.
The apostle, upon hearing these words, fell silent for a moment.
The surroundings were shrouded in an eerie fog, a space beyond the reach of my senses, preventing any clear view-a defense mechanism safeguarding my soul.
Only one thing was clear in that moment: the apostle before me. Their body, composed of yellow spheres, twisted and melded, creating an otherworldly spectacle.
Some of those spheres swelled and burst, like balloons, quickly shrouded in gray slime. For some reason, I felt this might be a form of communication.
Then, the apostle's inquiry pierced through. "What were you hoping to achieve by obtaining a God's spell?"
It caught me off guard, and I hesitated.
Until now, securing spells from deities had followed a predictable pattern: I'd approach the apostle, request a spell, undergo judgment, and provide a suitable offering. Never had I been asked the purpose behind my pursuit.
I briefly pondered if this was a unique trait of Purbagios alone. However, lying or concealing facts before the apostle didn't seem wise; honesty was the better path.
"I seek to find and seal a being's soul. We've located the body believed to house the soul, but a mental barrier obscures it. Furthermore, another deity's priest advised me to acquire the spell of Scripture without the Final Chapter."
The apostle posed another question. "What is the name of the deity who provided this counsel?"
"It was Land of Blood and Oil," I replied.
The apostle remained silent for a moment before resuming their inquiry. "God has indicated that you've already held numerous divine traces, including those granted by King of Regression. You possess that god's sword."
"That's correct."
King of Regression, also known as Brunos, possessed the ability to invert and purify all he touched.
Mirror of Brunos was a stealth spell, rendering the caster invisible by absorbing all light rather than reflecting it. Sword of Brunos summoned a sword-shaped relic upon casting, a weapon that didn't bring death but rather restored life to those it struck. It reunites the soul that has already parted from the body and kindles the spark of life-a feat only possible when the soul hadn't yet joined the cycle of reincarnation.
"The spell of resuscitation technique, wielded by the soul-sealer. Yes. A spell guiding and summoning souls, calling them into flesh. In that case, the sealing must occur within the body," the apostle elaborated how the spell worked.
I affirmed with a nod.
The Earth's Truth-Seeker was technically dead now. I'd already fashioned a fake body, about the size of a fist, using the information gleaned from the black scales in his nest. It wasn't a flawless replica, just a fragment imbued with some of his spiritual essence.
This was more like meat scraps, incapable of sustaining a proper existence as a higher being. It merely survived, even after infusing it with a soul and granting it life through divine power.
Next, I'd affixed the meat scraps onto the body of the dragon hosting the parasitic soul. The subsequent step involved stabbing it with the relic, Sword of Brunos.
The instant I thrust the relic into the meat scraps, it would commence its quest for the true owner's soul, guided by the remaining spiritual traces. However, souls in this world never perfectly matched these traces.
Hence, the relic embarked on an attempt to attract the most akin soul, all the while serving as my safeguard to ensure it wouldn't seize the wrong one-a device to discern and allure the soul adjacent to it.
The Black Hermit's soul, ensnared in the body of another entity, wasn't a living being's soul. Nor did it partake in the cycle of reincarnation. Strictly speaking, it resembled the soul of the departed, lingering in an ethereal limbo. Consequently, it couldn't resist the relic's beckoning and was forcibly drawn into the meat scraps.
Through this intricate process, my plan revolved around forcibly transplanting the dragon's soul into the synthetic body I'd crafted, instead of the Truth-Seeker's new body, which the ascetics were preparing in the United States. I'd transferred it into a vessel that was more amenable to sealing.
The Truth-Seeker and the ascetics, who had their own preparations and were awaiting their preordained moment, would be taken aback by this unexpected turn.
And as a contingency, in case I needed to get rid of the actual new body being prepared by the ascetics, that option would be readily available, ending the game.
"God is curious. What on earth did you offer to King of Regression to obtain the spell?" The apostle asked, proving that gods didn't know what was happening on Earth.
Even a god without direct contact in our world might discern the veracity of my words. I answered candidly, "I offered him a life of exceptional quality."
Indeed, it was of the highest caliber, making the spell disposable under the current circumstances.
"I have offered someone under a Truth-Seeker's authority, an existence beyond the wall."
Was her name Carraderina? The reason Gramiel couldn't trace her, let alone establish contact with the jellyfish within her authority, was straightforward. I'd sacrificed her entirely to god.
The apostle inquired further about the identity of this sacrifice and stated, "The world from which this person originates is rooted in the dimension blessed by God."
This seemed to allude to a world documented within the Akashic Records.
"One of the higher echelons among the transcendents. Is that a perk of being an official under the Truth-Seekers?" The apostle's tone carried a peculiar nuance as it spoke again. "The God I revere doesn't accept such sacrifices. What are you willing to offer?"
I contemplated for a moment. This was a matter even Parvache wouldn't have predicted. What would Purbagios demand in return if a wizard requested a spell from him?
"With all due respect, I cannot predict the nature of the sacrifice that God may require."
The apostle conveyed their thoughts, "Mortal. You hail from a world where God's apostles have never ascended, a realm untouched by the power of God."
I nodded. Earth had yet to be inscribed within the Akashic Records. There were no apostolic arrivals, no priests serving Purbagios.
"Spread the word of God, mortal." Addressing me as such, the apostle made an unexpected proposal. "Wouldn't you like to become the priest of Scripture without the Final Chapter?"
"Pardon?" My face stiffened at an unexpected suggestion. "But God's apostle hadn't yet arrived on Earth!"
"If you say yes, it will come soon," the apostle responded calmly.
Something changed both before and after. It seemed as though God intended to bring an apostle to our world, as part of an attempt to make me a priest.
I pondered how to respond. In the past, Mago of White Deer Village had suggested that I become a priest, but my stance hadn't changed much since then.
Being a priest didn't offer absolute protection from god. It simply constrained the range of powers I could wield.
"I am sorry, but...!" I stammered, my words hesitant.
"Wait. God wishes to speak before you continue. He says that your seclusion has already been broken," the apostle interjected, their tone filled with authority.
How did Purbagios know that? Was he referring to the Korean government, which had already discovered my identity? But how?
Then, the apostle's words once again defied my predictions. "The numerous gods who have granted you power are now paying attention to you. Everyone knows that you are not an ordinary mortal."
I was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say.
"When you faced Eternal Night not long ago, the outcome was beyond the grasp of even the deities present since the dawn of the universe. Something dormant deep within you briefly awakened and took hold of your soul," the apostle continued, his words resonating deeply, "in that instant, every deity linked to you detected an anomaly-a presence that should never have existed within the soul of a mortal."
I remained completely silent, not uttering a single word.
"Your seclusion is now impossible anyway. Soon, even deities who have never given you a spell will be watching you. It's presumed that Land of Blood and Oil is also one of them. Now, my God recommends it once again. Why don't you become God's priest instead of seeking spells? Once you become a priest, all the other gods will lose interest in you."
God's direct interest in mortal individuals felt like a catastrophe. What if there were not just one god, but many?
I tried to think of a response to the apostle's proposal. However, my mouth opened before my thoughts could deepen.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline. Please refrain from trying to entice or persuade me through the words of an apostle, whose purpose is to serve as a vessel of faith to glorify God and worship the greater providence," I stated firmly as I was looking silently at the apostle, waiting for their response.
"God says, 'The seclusion has already been broken. You revealed yourself. There's no need to be stubborn.'" The apostle conveyed, their words carrying a sense of inevitability.
"But I have no intention of relying on the divine being," I responded, asserting my independence.
"Are you imitating those unsightly tentacles? Are you going to attempt to shape your destiny rather than relying on the world's providence and divine beings? Don't make such foolish choices. They only forcibly delay the world's natural cycle," The apostle cautioned.
"Pioneers are a race deserving of respect, even though their methods were occasionally radical," I noted, acknowledging their significance.
"God says, 'Seeing you in person, I know what you are, but I don't know who you are.' Tell me, what are you going to do?" the apostle inquired, seeking understanding.
"It's what you expect," I admitted, my response honest.
"Where in the world were you in the first place? The world must no longer exist now. There hasn't been a vacant Truth-Seeker for a long time. Whether it's due to the Truth-Seeker's evolution failing or the Truth-Seeker's sudden demise," the apostle questioned, delving into my past.
I shook my head. "As you may have guessed, the world no longer exists."
"Did you fail to devour it, or did you give up before you could?" the apostle probed.
"Who knows?" I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
"But how did you escape from that place without being shattered into nothingness? Was someone summoning you and bringing you out, similar to the soul that used to be God's priest?" the apostle pressed further.
"There was no help from anyone," I replied sadly. "I ran beyond distant despair and fear on my own. After that, I thought I had hidden well, but it was revealed due to an unexpected situation."
"What do you want?" the apostle asked.
I gave a dry smile, showing my determination. "I'm going to stay with this guy for the time being."
"What kind of soul is the mortal supposed to seal?" the apostle inquired.
"It's the soul of the Truth-Seeker who originally presided over this world."
"So, you intend to continue stumbling around where you're bound to be discovered?" the apostle questioned.
"It's difficult to maintain this conversation. There are already spells from King of Regression. But why did Land of Blood and Oil recommend contacting Scripture without the Final Chapter?" I wondered aloud.
"God says, 'King of Regression probably won't lend you power in the way you desire now that he knows who you are. Instead, there's a strong likelihood he will make the soul escape, rather than sealing it the way you want,'" the apostle conveyed.
"So, Land of Blood and Oil is suggesting I find another way?" I inquired.
"Land of Blood and Oil doesn't desire the Truth-Seeker's resurrection, but King of Regression is different. He didn't have a priest in this world. He's only interested in you and will use his power to discover who you are," the apostle replied.
"Meaning he will disrupt and hinder anything?" I sought clarification.
"That's correct," the apostle confirmed. They took a moment to collect their thoughts before stating, "You refused to be a priest, but God feels pure favor toward you. So, God says he will give you a spell as you wish. There is no need for a price."
"It would be against providence," I replied.
"Let's think of it as a paving stone for the future. Will you refuse the spell?" the apostle asked.
"From this point on, I'll pass it back to that guy," I responded.
The apostle mumbled, "Already gone?"
I couldn't grasp their words. "What? What's gone already?"
The context didn't align. After urging me to become a priest, what could have suddenly disappeared?
"That's enough, Mortal," the apostle asserted, a hint of irritation mixed in their tone. "God is granting you the spell."
At that moment, the mist dissipated, and an altar began to take shape around me. Confusion filled my face as I exclaimed, "Uh... huh?!"
This wasn't the procedure I was familiar with. Shouldn't there be an offering first?
"W-wait a minute! What sort of offering should I prepare for this spell?"
"No offering is required," the apostle assured me.
What does it mean? While I remained perplexed, the apostle projected a thought, tinged with displeasure.
"There's no need for an offering. Accept this spell. You will uncover God's answer to your desired question on your own," they clarified.
As soon as those words were conveyed, I distinctly felt the divine spell surging within me.
It was a spell that Parvache had only ever encountered in theory, one that no wizard had ever truly possessed. It bore the name Revelation of Purbagios, a spell capable of unveiling desired answers within the Akashic Records.
As soon as the spell charged within me, the apostle abruptly dismissed me from this ethereal space, as though pushing me away.
"God says, 'There's no more business with you. I can't speak for other gods' actions. They're likely busy searching for you at the moment,'" the apostle conveyed.
Purbagios' spell stood as the sole gateway to the Akashic Records without requiring a soul seal.
The apostle, upon hearing these words, fell silent for a moment.
The surroundings were shrouded in an eerie fog, a space beyond the reach of my senses, preventing any clear view-a defense mechanism safeguarding my soul.
Only one thing was clear in that moment: the apostle before me. Their body, composed of yellow spheres, twisted and melded, creating an otherworldly spectacle.
Some of those spheres swelled and burst, like balloons, quickly shrouded in gray slime. For some reason, I felt this might be a form of communication.
Then, the apostle's inquiry pierced through. "What were you hoping to achieve by obtaining a God's spell?"
It caught me off guard, and I hesitated.
Until now, securing spells from deities had followed a predictable pattern: I'd approach the apostle, request a spell, undergo judgment, and provide a suitable offering. Never had I been asked the purpose behind my pursuit.
I briefly pondered if this was a unique trait of Purbagios alone. However, lying or concealing facts before the apostle didn't seem wise; honesty was the better path.
"I seek to find and seal a being's soul. We've located the body believed to house the soul, but a mental barrier obscures it. Furthermore, another deity's priest advised me to acquire the spell of Scripture without the Final Chapter."
The apostle posed another question. "What is the name of the deity who provided this counsel?"
"It was Land of Blood and Oil," I replied.
The apostle remained silent for a moment before resuming their inquiry. "God has indicated that you've already held numerous divine traces, including those granted by King of Regression. You possess that god's sword."
"That's correct."
King of Regression, also known as Brunos, possessed the ability to invert and purify all he touched.
Mirror of Brunos was a stealth spell, rendering the caster invisible by absorbing all light rather than reflecting it. Sword of Brunos summoned a sword-shaped relic upon casting, a weapon that didn't bring death but rather restored life to those it struck. It reunites the soul that has already parted from the body and kindles the spark of life-a feat only possible when the soul hadn't yet joined the cycle of reincarnation.
"The spell of resuscitation technique, wielded by the soul-sealer. Yes. A spell guiding and summoning souls, calling them into flesh. In that case, the sealing must occur within the body," the apostle elaborated how the spell worked.
I affirmed with a nod.
The Earth's Truth-Seeker was technically dead now. I'd already fashioned a fake body, about the size of a fist, using the information gleaned from the black scales in his nest. It wasn't a flawless replica, just a fragment imbued with some of his spiritual essence.
This was more like meat scraps, incapable of sustaining a proper existence as a higher being. It merely survived, even after infusing it with a soul and granting it life through divine power.
Next, I'd affixed the meat scraps onto the body of the dragon hosting the parasitic soul. The subsequent step involved stabbing it with the relic, Sword of Brunos.
The instant I thrust the relic into the meat scraps, it would commence its quest for the true owner's soul, guided by the remaining spiritual traces. However, souls in this world never perfectly matched these traces.
Hence, the relic embarked on an attempt to attract the most akin soul, all the while serving as my safeguard to ensure it wouldn't seize the wrong one-a device to discern and allure the soul adjacent to it.
The Black Hermit's soul, ensnared in the body of another entity, wasn't a living being's soul. Nor did it partake in the cycle of reincarnation. Strictly speaking, it resembled the soul of the departed, lingering in an ethereal limbo. Consequently, it couldn't resist the relic's beckoning and was forcibly drawn into the meat scraps.
Through this intricate process, my plan revolved around forcibly transplanting the dragon's soul into the synthetic body I'd crafted, instead of the Truth-Seeker's new body, which the ascetics were preparing in the United States. I'd transferred it into a vessel that was more amenable to sealing.
The Truth-Seeker and the ascetics, who had their own preparations and were awaiting their preordained moment, would be taken aback by this unexpected turn.
And as a contingency, in case I needed to get rid of the actual new body being prepared by the ascetics, that option would be readily available, ending the game.
"God is curious. What on earth did you offer to King of Regression to obtain the spell?" The apostle asked, proving that gods didn't know what was happening on Earth.
Even a god without direct contact in our world might discern the veracity of my words. I answered candidly, "I offered him a life of exceptional quality."
Indeed, it was of the highest caliber, making the spell disposable under the current circumstances.
"I have offered someone under a Truth-Seeker's authority, an existence beyond the wall."
Was her name Carraderina? The reason Gramiel couldn't trace her, let alone establish contact with the jellyfish within her authority, was straightforward. I'd sacrificed her entirely to god.
The apostle inquired further about the identity of this sacrifice and stated, "The world from which this person originates is rooted in the dimension blessed by God."
This seemed to allude to a world documented within the Akashic Records.
"One of the higher echelons among the transcendents. Is that a perk of being an official under the Truth-Seekers?" The apostle's tone carried a peculiar nuance as it spoke again. "The God I revere doesn't accept such sacrifices. What are you willing to offer?"
I contemplated for a moment. This was a matter even Parvache wouldn't have predicted. What would Purbagios demand in return if a wizard requested a spell from him?
"With all due respect, I cannot predict the nature of the sacrifice that God may require."
The apostle conveyed their thoughts, "Mortal. You hail from a world where God's apostles have never ascended, a realm untouched by the power of God."
I nodded. Earth had yet to be inscribed within the Akashic Records. There were no apostolic arrivals, no priests serving Purbagios.
"Spread the word of God, mortal." Addressing me as such, the apostle made an unexpected proposal. "Wouldn't you like to become the priest of Scripture without the Final Chapter?"
"Pardon?" My face stiffened at an unexpected suggestion. "But God's apostle hadn't yet arrived on Earth!"
"If you say yes, it will come soon," the apostle responded calmly.
Something changed both before and after. It seemed as though God intended to bring an apostle to our world, as part of an attempt to make me a priest.
I pondered how to respond. In the past, Mago of White Deer Village had suggested that I become a priest, but my stance hadn't changed much since then.
Being a priest didn't offer absolute protection from god. It simply constrained the range of powers I could wield.
"I am sorry, but...!" I stammered, my words hesitant.
"Wait. God wishes to speak before you continue. He says that your seclusion has already been broken," the apostle interjected, their tone filled with authority.
How did Purbagios know that? Was he referring to the Korean government, which had already discovered my identity? But how?
Then, the apostle's words once again defied my predictions. "The numerous gods who have granted you power are now paying attention to you. Everyone knows that you are not an ordinary mortal."
I was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say.
"When you faced Eternal Night not long ago, the outcome was beyond the grasp of even the deities present since the dawn of the universe. Something dormant deep within you briefly awakened and took hold of your soul," the apostle continued, his words resonating deeply, "in that instant, every deity linked to you detected an anomaly-a presence that should never have existed within the soul of a mortal."
I remained completely silent, not uttering a single word.
"Your seclusion is now impossible anyway. Soon, even deities who have never given you a spell will be watching you. It's presumed that Land of Blood and Oil is also one of them. Now, my God recommends it once again. Why don't you become God's priest instead of seeking spells? Once you become a priest, all the other gods will lose interest in you."
God's direct interest in mortal individuals felt like a catastrophe. What if there were not just one god, but many?
I tried to think of a response to the apostle's proposal. However, my mouth opened before my thoughts could deepen.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline. Please refrain from trying to entice or persuade me through the words of an apostle, whose purpose is to serve as a vessel of faith to glorify God and worship the greater providence," I stated firmly as I was looking silently at the apostle, waiting for their response.
"God says, 'The seclusion has already been broken. You revealed yourself. There's no need to be stubborn.'" The apostle conveyed, their words carrying a sense of inevitability.
"But I have no intention of relying on the divine being," I responded, asserting my independence.
"Are you imitating those unsightly tentacles? Are you going to attempt to shape your destiny rather than relying on the world's providence and divine beings? Don't make such foolish choices. They only forcibly delay the world's natural cycle," The apostle cautioned.
"Pioneers are a race deserving of respect, even though their methods were occasionally radical," I noted, acknowledging their significance.
"God says, 'Seeing you in person, I know what you are, but I don't know who you are.' Tell me, what are you going to do?" the apostle inquired, seeking understanding.
"It's what you expect," I admitted, my response honest.
"Where in the world were you in the first place? The world must no longer exist now. There hasn't been a vacant Truth-Seeker for a long time. Whether it's due to the Truth-Seeker's evolution failing or the Truth-Seeker's sudden demise," the apostle questioned, delving into my past.
I shook my head. "As you may have guessed, the world no longer exists."
"Did you fail to devour it, or did you give up before you could?" the apostle probed.
"Who knows?" I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
"But how did you escape from that place without being shattered into nothingness? Was someone summoning you and bringing you out, similar to the soul that used to be God's priest?" the apostle pressed further.
"There was no help from anyone," I replied sadly. "I ran beyond distant despair and fear on my own. After that, I thought I had hidden well, but it was revealed due to an unexpected situation."
"What do you want?" the apostle asked.
I gave a dry smile, showing my determination. "I'm going to stay with this guy for the time being."
"What kind of soul is the mortal supposed to seal?" the apostle inquired.
"It's the soul of the Truth-Seeker who originally presided over this world."
"So, you intend to continue stumbling around where you're bound to be discovered?" the apostle questioned.
"It's difficult to maintain this conversation. There are already spells from King of Regression. But why did Land of Blood and Oil recommend contacting Scripture without the Final Chapter?" I wondered aloud.
"God says, 'King of Regression probably won't lend you power in the way you desire now that he knows who you are. Instead, there's a strong likelihood he will make the soul escape, rather than sealing it the way you want,'" the apostle conveyed.
"So, Land of Blood and Oil is suggesting I find another way?" I inquired.
"Land of Blood and Oil doesn't desire the Truth-Seeker's resurrection, but King of Regression is different. He didn't have a priest in this world. He's only interested in you and will use his power to discover who you are," the apostle replied.
"Meaning he will disrupt and hinder anything?" I sought clarification.
"That's correct," the apostle confirmed. They took a moment to collect their thoughts before stating, "You refused to be a priest, but God feels pure favor toward you. So, God says he will give you a spell as you wish. There is no need for a price."
"It would be against providence," I replied.
"Let's think of it as a paving stone for the future. Will you refuse the spell?" the apostle asked.
"From this point on, I'll pass it back to that guy," I responded.
The apostle mumbled, "Already gone?"
I couldn't grasp their words. "What? What's gone already?"
The context didn't align. After urging me to become a priest, what could have suddenly disappeared?
"That's enough, Mortal," the apostle asserted, a hint of irritation mixed in their tone. "God is granting you the spell."
At that moment, the mist dissipated, and an altar began to take shape around me. Confusion filled my face as I exclaimed, "Uh... huh?!"
This wasn't the procedure I was familiar with. Shouldn't there be an offering first?
"W-wait a minute! What sort of offering should I prepare for this spell?"
"No offering is required," the apostle assured me.
What does it mean? While I remained perplexed, the apostle projected a thought, tinged with displeasure.
"There's no need for an offering. Accept this spell. You will uncover God's answer to your desired question on your own," they clarified.
As soon as those words were conveyed, I distinctly felt the divine spell surging within me.
It was a spell that Parvache had only ever encountered in theory, one that no wizard had ever truly possessed. It bore the name Revelation of Purbagios, a spell capable of unveiling desired answers within the Akashic Records.
As soon as the spell charged within me, the apostle abruptly dismissed me from this ethereal space, as though pushing me away.
"God says, 'There's no more business with you. I can't speak for other gods' actions. They're likely busy searching for you at the moment,'" the apostle conveyed.
