The Return of the Legendary All-Master

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 308

Escanon of the Apocalypse.

A Transcendent of the Celestial Rank.

One of the 24 Celestials who serve the five Named beings referred to as gods (神).

A being capable of residing in the divine realm alongside the Named, most of whom spend their time within their own domains.

At the same time, Escanon rules over five demon realms, one of which is the 96th Demon Realm, governed by Baal.

‘Now I see why Baal tried so hard to keep this hidden.’

After all, the Architect was none other than the very lord he served.

How could he possibly reveal information about his own master?

Moreover, if Escanon were to learn of this, Baal would face his wrath.

‘On the other hand, this also means that it’s preferable to having the Seven Deadly Sins fully awakened.’

Currently, Jeong-hoon had gathered three of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Still less than half.

To fully restore them, he needed four.

Baal had already handed over a Sin Box once.

‘If it were just one question, he probably would’ve handed over the box.’

Even if he used the box now, he’d still only have four.

However, with two questions, things changed.

If Jeong-hoon deliberately asked only unanswerable questions, Baal would have to give up two boxes.

‘He must have predicted that I’d complete the episode and move on to Escanon.’

That way, Baal would only need to surrender one box.

Now, how would he respond to the next question?

“You’re hesitating. Looks like it’s a tougher question than I expected.”

As Jeong-hoon remained silent, deep in thought, Baal, unable to contain his curiosity, spoke up.

“You really are impatient, aren’t you? The right to ask belongs to me. You just sit tight and wait.”

“…Understood.”

Information about the Architect.

What else could be just as important?

That would be this ‘game.’

New World.

A way to bring an end to the realized New World.

‘If I ask that, he’d probably just hand over the box without hesitation.’

Then, what kind of question would yield the greatest benefit?

This dilemma made it difficult to decide on a question.

‘Master, I have a good idea.’

At that moment, Anima, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up.

‘A good idea?’

‘Yes. Ask about the episodes.’

‘Episodes…’

‘The dimension you’re in had episodes, but our dimension had none. We could do nothing but watch as it perished.’

That was true.

Episodes existed on Earth.

‘And they weren’t limited to Earth.’

The Archmage Sol, who had given Jeong-hoon a massive 36.8% of Ultimate Energy.

Unlike Mukho and Anima, Sol knew about the Architect.

He had hoped that Jeong-hoon would carve a path to the Ultimate and stand against the Architect.

‘But merely opening the path to the Ultimate isn’t enough.’

Jeong-hoon had opened the Ultimate Path and reached the Ultimate Realm.

However, even if he fought with all his might, he wasn’t confident he could defeat Baal.

That was how vast the gap was between a Sovereign and a Demon King.

‘And how could I possibly stand against a Celestial who manipulates a Sovereign as if playing with a puppet?’

Moreover, Sol had completed his episode at 100%.

And after being toyed with by the Architect, he had fallen to nothing more than a tool for other players.

If Jeong-hoon were to reach the Architect in his current state, he would undoubtedly lose.

In the worst-case scenario, he too could end up as just another tool, just like Sol.

After much contemplation, Jeong-hoon finally spoke.

“What is the reason for the existence of episodes?”

The existence—or absence—of episodes.

Through that, he would be able to gain additional information about the Architect.

“Hmm…”

Baal rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.

He quickly worked through the question, trying to grasp its intent.

Episodes.

One of the mechanisms personally created by his lord.

‘If he’s asking that, does it mean he plans to complete an episode at 100% and meet the lord?’

Baal recalled a very old memory.

He slowly pulled that memory back to the surface.

<"I wish to give humans false hope.">

As always, it was during the destruction of a dimension, using the mechanism of the game.

His lord had spoken of false hope and decided to add a new mechanism—episodes.

The deception began, luring them in by claiming that reaching 100% completion of an episode would allow them to end the game.

However, for humans, the process of completing an episode was an arduous task.

And yet, there were rare instances where someone would reach 100%.

Of course, once they did, they were forcibly transported before the lord.

‘A kind of qualification test.’

A qualification test.

A process to determine who could be repurposed as a tool for the game.

“It is for the purpose of making use of them as tools.”

“A tool?”

“Yes. Even if you complete an episode at 100%, the game doesn’t end. It is merely a process to earn the lord’s recognition.”

“So, the claim that the game can be ended is a lie.”

“That’s right. Beyond that, even I do not know.”

“That means there isn’t just one Architect.”

“…….”

Baal’s shoulders flinched slightly.

Did he really ask about episodes just to deduce that?

“This is even worse than I thought.”

Jeong-hoon let out a bitter smile and turned away.

Baal was visibly flustered at the sight.

“You’re not going to ask anything more?”

“Why? Do you want me to? Then tell me—how do I end this game?”

“……”

As Baal fell silent like a mute who had swallowed honey, Jeong-hoon chuckled.

“In any case, keep your promise. No interfering in what I do in the Demon Realm. If you try any tricks, I’ll consider it a breach of the terms—keep that in mind.”

If Baal so much as attempted to interfere, Jeong-hoon would immediately trigger the penalty.

The bet was over, but as long as Jeong-hoon was in the Demon Realm, the terms remained in effect.

“Wait!”

Baal hastily grabbed Jeong-hoon.

“What now?”

“Let’s make one more bet.”

“A bet? And what kind of obstacle are you trying to throw at me this time?”

“Do you really think you’ll be safe wandering around the Demon Realm?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Jeong-hoon frowned.

“This Demon Realm may be under my control, but it originally belonged to my lord. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

“Ah, you’re saying Escanon might interfere?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmph, but according to the information you gave me, Escanon almost never interferes in the Demon Realm.”

“‘Almost’ doesn’t mean 100%, does it?”

“Ah, so what you’re saying is that during our bet, you’ll keep Escanon from noticing?”

“Correct.”

What nonsense.

If Escanon were going to interfere, he would have done so already.

Would someone who commands five Sovereigns really fail to notice a mere human’s desperate struggle?

No—he was watching.

Watching to see if Jeong-hoon could truly be turned into a tool.

Still, there was no reason not to take the bet.

“What kind of bet?”

“There are five special items hidden throughout the Demon Realm.”

“Five?”

“Yes. If you find them all within the time limit, you win. But if the time runs out, I win.”

“Hmph, and if I find them, what do you wager?”

“I’ll give you one of the Sin Boxes I possess. And I’ll also tell you about the dark energy inside your body.”

It was an incredibly generous offer.

‘He’s really giving things away.’

Mukho agreed.

“Why are you going this far?”

The thought suddenly crossed Jeong-hoon’s mind.

Why was Baal so obsessed with him?

“I’ve lost too much. That’s why I need to make you mine—no matter what.”

“Hmph, if you don’t want to answer, then forget it.”

“So, you accept the bet?”

“Yeah. But any items I find are mine. No complaints, right?”

“Of course.”

Once again, a new bet was set.

***

After finishing his conversation with Baal, Jeong-hoon stepped outside through the entrance.

Outside, everyone—including his mother—was waiting for him.

“Son! Are you okay?! That red-eyed bastard didn’t lay a hand on you, did he?”

As soon as he returned, his mother inspected his body, her voice full of concern.

Of course, Jeong-hoon was perfectly fine.

“Yes, I’m fine. But…”

“But?”

For a moment, unease spread across his mother’s face.

Did something happen?

Noticing her concern, Jeong-hoon quickly added,

“I was only supposed to scout the entrance… but I just went straight to him, handled things, and came back.”

“You went to that red-eyed bastard?”

“Yes.”

Jeong-hoon briefly explained what had happened inside.

Everyone who listened was shocked.

“Wait… so he broke his promise not to interfere and tried to subdue you by force?”

“That’s right.”

“What a crazy bastard.”

In the end, Ha-jin couldn’t hold back and cursed.

“Seriously, he’s a complete lunatic, isn’t he?”

Bong-Goo was furious as well.

Trying to subdue Jeong-hoon wasn’t enough—he even tried to cover it up with a ridiculous excuse?

“Forget it. I got something out of him in return.”

Thanks to that, he had obtained crucial information.

There isn’t just one Architect.

If he had only asked a single question, the target would have been Escanon.

But through his second question, he realized just how difficult it would be to end this game.

Killing Escanon alone won’t be enough.

There were multiple Architects.

As he progressed through the episodes, he had noticed that while the foundation remained the same, the details differed.

For example, Earth was first introduced as a virtual reality game using capsules.

However, in the dimensions he had traveled through so far, there were no capsules.

In other words, the Architect who destroyed those dimensions was different from the one who designed Earth.

The episodes were modifications that Escanon had personally added, making them inherently different from those other dimensions.

‘Master… can you really do this…?’

Mukho asked with a grave expression.

‘I have to.’

The secret behind the power of regression was still unsolved.

Did Escanon add the power of regression when he installed the episode device?

The details are unknown.

'Master, wouldn't it have been better to mention regression as well?'

'No, that’s not an option.'

Mentioning regression would be the same as publicly declaring to Baal that Jeong-hoon is a regressor.

Thus, he would have to reach 99% completion himself, prevent destruction, and uncover the truth about the power of regression.

“Um… Jeong-hoon, what if he tries to interfere again when we go in?”

Yeo Sunwoo asked cautiously.

“It should be fine. I’ve already killed the Demon King and many demons. The damage should be significant, and if he interferes again, we can deal with him through penalties.”

“If you say so…”

“Yes. Then, take a look at this.”

Jeong-hoon pulled out a map that scanned the Demon Realm.

“A map that scanned the Demon Realm.”

“Yes. And the place I intend to go is right here.”

Jeong-hoon pointed to a castle located in the east.

That castle originally belonged to the Demon King, but since Jeong-hoon annihilated everyone inside, it was now vacant.

“Hmm, what’s there that you’re looking for?”

“Well… I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes.”

Five special items.

He had no idea what they were.

There was no information about the Demon Realm.

So, he had to explore in person and see if there was anything valuable.

‘The first place to check would naturally be where the leader resides.’

While Escanon technically controlled the Demon Realm, he rarely interfered, making Baal the de facto ruler.

Below him, the Demon Kings governed their respective territories.

‘Baal’s castle will be the last one.’

The eastern castle that Jeong-hoon headed to belonged to the Demon King Bacalus.

A Demon King who attempted to self-destruct alongside him using the ability called "Repose of Death."

“Intruder…!”

The demons guarding the castle spotted Jeong-hoon and quickly raised their weapons.

Their eyes were filled with fear and wariness.

The Demon King and the elite demon forces had been annihilated.

When they first heard that an entire unit sent to subdue a single human had been wiped out, they couldn’t believe their ears.

And now, that very human had appeared.

There was no way they wouldn’t be on high alert.

Taat!

In that instant, the human leaped forward and stood before them in the blink of an eye.

“W-what…?!”

He was too fast for them to react.

The demons perished without even putting up proper resistance.

Jeong-hoon had already swung his spear, slashing their throats.

“I’ll take care of the small fry, so just take it easy.”

After eliminating the nuisances, Jeong-hoon activated the Devouring Absorption Technique and spoke to those behind him.

“You’ve gotten even stronger…”

“Well, he’s Level 795, so of course.”

“That absorption skill is seriously insane…”

The Devouring Absorption Technique from the Universal Statue.

Thanks to that absurd skill, Jeong-hoon always experienced explosive growth after every mission.

“Alright, let’s move on.”

Having finished absorbing, Jeong-hoon stepped forward into Bacallus’ castle.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]