Chapter 533: Chapter 533

Flash!

Pazzzik, hisssss

For a moment there, a blinding ray of light exploded.

Zeuss chopped waist reverted to how it was. The Thunderbolt in his hand was still there, but its form was unstable.

Drip

Blood trickled down from his waist.

The extent of the wound was seemingly nothing more than a bit of scratch. However, it had been such a long time since Zeus was wounded like this.

s.h.i.+va, your hand is surprisingly spicy, isnt it?

This is nothing much.

Still, its only polite for me to respond in kind, isnt it?

Rumble, bang!

Clouds formed from the skies abovenofrom the ceiling, and lightning cracked loudly. The ceiling up there was too low to be called the sky, but things like locations didnt matter at all to Zeus.

Grrrrrr

A low growl of a dragon reverberated throughout the surroundings.

[Thunder Dragon]

A ma.s.sive golden-orange dragon descended from the clouds.

This ma.s.sive dragon was long enough to fill up the place. The electrical current arcs filling the underground s.p.a.ce began scorching the surroundings pitch-black with the sole exception of the tomb.

At least you live up to the t.i.tle of the Five G.o.dly Sages, s.h.i.+va smiled faintly while observing the Thunder Dragon.

His expression implied how amused he was by all this.

That was the face of someone who didnt feel threatened at all. Realizing the meaning behind s.h.i.+vas expression, Zeuss brows shot up. Then, he raised his hand in the air. Lets see how long you can keep that expression of yours, he challenged.

Just before the Thunder Dragon heeded his hand gesture and descended, however...

Thats enough. Dont you think so?

s.h.i.+va raised both of his hands.

His lighthearted gesture was meant to signal the end of the hostilities for now. Buddha, who was about to attack, acted unlike his usual self and began frowning rather profoundly, Whats on your mind, s.h.i.+va?

I never planned to fight you two from the beginning. I simply responded to your threatening words.

Indeed, it was true that Zeus spoke threateningly as soon as they met.

If s.h.i.+va merely responded to the threat, it kind of made sense. Without a doubt, s.h.i.+va couldve lashed out with a more powerful attack, but he chose not to.

Zeus also stopped his hand by then. The Thunder Dragon stopped moving altogether to match him; its ma.s.sive body coiled up as it floated in the air above.

s.h.i.+va continued to speak, Honestly, its fine for me either way, but fighting you two right now will be a bit of a loss for me.

What do you mean by that?

Well, theres something like that. In any case, whats your answer?

Zeus fell into a dilemma at s.h.i.+vas question.

s.h.i.+vatheir main enemy who stood as the chief instigator leading this universe to its destructionwas right before his eyes.

Finding him proved to be a difficult task. Up until now, only s.h.i.+vas name and the meaning behind his existence had been known to them. Today would be the first time he appeared so openly like this.

Meaning this was a great opportunity.

Even so...

Zeus, we should stay our hands.

When Buddhas voice was transmitted inside Zeuss mind, the Olympian G.o.d nodded in agreement.

Fighting in this location was asking for trouble.

They would have to fight while doing their best not to damage the tomb in the current situation. They already didnt enjoy favorable odds against s.h.i.+va, so insisting on fighting here would only disadvantage them even further.

Pazzzzik

The figure of the ma.s.sive Thunder Dragon that filled up the underground s.p.a.ce vanished without a trace.

Once s.h.i.+va realized that Zeus had no intention of fighting him, he withdrew his attention from the Olympian G.o.d. His gaze remained locked on the tomb where Brahma should be asleep.

You did well by holding back, Lord Zeus, Buddhas voice continued.

Even if the location werent here, it wouldve been the same situation.

Yes, Im aware of that.

The fact remained the same whether it was before or nowthey had to find and kill s.h.i.+va. However, that didnt mean Zeus could start fighting s.h.i.+va without a plan.

This ominous energy that sends s.h.i.+vers down my skin...

The powerful aura s.h.i.+va began emitting after announcing his presence even made Zeuss body shudder.

So, this is the being in possession of the G.o.dhood of Destruction?

Creation and destructionthese two opposing G.o.dhood were unique powers possessed only by the two Primordial G.o.ds.

As for the true depths of the power of s.h.i.+va, a Primordial G.o.d in possession of the absolute authority called destruction, no one in the current era knew how strong he was, with the sole exception of Brahma.

One could only gleam his power through the remnants of the past universes destroyed by his hands.

We need to amend our plans from the ground up.

The Five G.o.dly Sages had been underestimating s.h.i.+va. This creature was not something even Zeus and Buddha combined could deal with.

Just how many beings in the current universe would be strong enough to fight this monstrosity?

They could think up of one being, at least.

The Bull Demon King!

The Bull Demon King already possessed strength rivaling the Five G.o.dly Sages even before his ascension, so he could be strong enough to fight against s.h.i.+va right now.

If you never intended to fight us, why are you here?

Instead of fighting, Buddha chose to converse.

s.h.i.+va, no longer interested in the two G.o.ds, replied while not bothering to s.h.i.+ft his gaze away from the tomb, My reason is the same as yours.

You wish to confirm the result with your own eyes?

s.h.i.+va nodded in answer.

Since he looked like he would merely watch and do nothing else, Buddha decided not to remain wary of s.h.i.+va for now.

However, he still had one more thing to say: You may not get the result youve been waiting for, s.h.i.+va.

Is that so? s.h.i.+va pondered something for a little bit before the corner of his lips curled up as if something amused him, But that will also put you in a bind.

***

So, where should I even start, Brahma frowned deeply as if uncertain about something, his lips pouting noticeably.

Su-hyeun couldnt get used to that sight, however. He believed that he now carried the air of maturity and seriousness, but to see the same face as his own making a child-like expression like that...

Right, I should begin from why you had to be created in the first place.

Why I was created, you say?

Yup.

The surrounding scenery began changing as soon as Brahma replied.

This wasnt as simple as an illusion, however. The changing scenery was new physical surroundings being created while they remained sitting still.

I keep creating things like the world you and your friends call home. When s.h.i.+va destroys it, I create it again. As soon as Im done, I start planning for the next universe.

The next universe?

Yup.

What do you mean?

You know, like planning what kind of world Ill be making, what kind of humans and their a.s.signed fates I should create... Those kinds of things.

Su-hyeun suddenly realized that Brahma was not as simple as a mere G.o.d of creation when he heard that.

He even a.s.signed the fate of the world?

Meaning regular people who were not strong enough to change their fate or some specific realms had no choice but to act according to Brahmas plan.

I guess the term omnipotent was invented for exactly this type of existence.

Brahma didnt possess the necessary power to interfere in the worlds he had created. However, that was because he didnt come equipped with other notable abilities other than G.o.dhood of Creation.

Nonetheless, Brahma was the strongest omnipotent being in the entire universe. Not only did he create universes, but he could also decide the universes fate as he saw fit.

It was basically the same as Brahma controlling Su-hyeuns homeworld and even the universe itself.

Why are you suddenly telling me this, Brahma?

While in the middle of planning for the next universe, I suddenly began thinking about something.

About what?

I create the next universe under the condition that the current one needs to be destroyed...

Brahmas role began from the genesis of the very first universe.

Only after a truly uncountable length of timeonly after he reached this universedid he begin getting second thoughts about his role.

Sizzle

A cigarette materialized in Brahmas hand, then lit up. He took a long drag from the cigarette before letting out all the smoke.

A buck-naked man puffing on a cigarette? It wasnt exactly a pleasant sight to behold if Su-hyeun was honest here.

Brahma mustve known about it, too, since he began smirking while looking at Su-hyeuns expression. I got it. I got it. Even though this is breezy and comfortable for me, it cant be helped since you seem to find me awkward to look at.

Shuruk, shuuuk...

Simple-looking clothing appeared on Brahmaa white tee s.h.i.+rt and jeans. What an easy-going style that was.

You cool now?

You didnt have to do that.

Its not something difficult, anyway. Ah, before I forget. I like smoking once in a while. See, the thing is, planning for the next universe is a lot harder than it looks. I find it rather relaxing to have a cigarette or two during my breaks.

Brahma sucked in another lungful of smoke before continuing, Okay, so, where were we?Ah, right, s.h.i.+vas role is to destroy; mine is to create. s.h.i.+va will wake up and start the process of the universes destruction only after judging this universe to be no longer worthy of existence.

I keep planning things out until a universe is about to be destroyed, but well, even I cant come up with something perfect, you see. Once s.h.i.+va decides that the universe is brokenthat it has strayed down the wrong pathhe will start moving.

Fine. But what does that have to do with me?

Rather than directly answering the question, Brahma suddenly asked a question of his own, Is it truly necessary for the universe I created to be destroyed?

Su-hyeun couldnt reply.

Of course, he believed that the universe must survive, and that judgment was compelling him to act like this, too.

The thing was, Brahmas question had nothing to do with Su-hyeuns thoughts.

Even if the old universe gets erased and a new one is born, will it be better than the old one? Besides, why is s.h.i.+va destroying the universes Ive been creating? Why is he the one deciding that the universes I planned and created to be inadequate and broken?

Wow, you sure thought up of that quickly, havent you?

Guilty as charged. Why couldnt I have thought of that earlier? Thats why Im thinking of deciding it for myself from this moment on.

What?

For that purpose, though, I must see and witness it for myself. Thats what I thought. While doing that, I still have to do my original job, planning the next universe.

So, you chose to delegate that role?

Ive already finished drawing up the next universe. However, I dont know what the current universe looks likebecause that was your role.

When Su-hyeun realized that his role was that of a being meant to decide whether or not the universe deserved to exist, he felt his breathing clogging up.

Now that he thought about it, it was all true.

He had always been deeply connected to the worlds he used to live in. Some of his past lives were like Set or Cheon Mu-jin, who hated their worlds, while others were the complete opposite of them, like Su-hyeun.

One beings judgment would decide the fate of this universe, that was, whether it would continue to exist or get destroyed.

Thats the reason why I was separated from you?

Separated from me, hmm? I guess you could say that. However, it isnt exactly that, either.

What do you mean?

You might have been separated from me, or its me who got separated from you, you see. Who was the original, and who came later is impossible to tell.

Originally, Brahma had only one role: planning the next universe then creating it. However, Brahma divided that role into two: the creation and judgment of the universes worthwhether it was worth saving or not.

While Brahma was tasked with the creation, Su-hyeuns job was to decide the worth of the current universe.

Su-hyeun felt relieved and thought this was a favorable turn of events, then opened his mouth to speak, In that case, we dont need to flap our gums for a long preamble. Ive already decided, after all.

No, thats not how it works, Brahma shook his head. We make that decision together.

Together, you say?

The thing is, I still dont know anything about the universe you saw and experienced.

Well, what will you do about it, then?

We combine, obviously, Brahma replied while dropping the finished cigarette. Back to our original self, that is. That was the plan, after all.

Brahma extended his hand.

It was the hand that held the cigarette. It was also the hand created even before this universe was borna hand created in the past beyond ones comprehension to grab hold of Su-hyeun.

Feeling like he was entranced by something, Su-hyeun got up from the chair and then extended his hand toward Brahmas waiting hand.

But in the middle of this...

Heres the thing, though...

Squeeze

Reaching out, Su-hyeun began clenching his fist and then retracted his extended hand.

About that plan? Thats got nothing to do with me.