Beyond the Eternity

Could two souls reside in the same body? Ordinary people would say it was impossible. And even if such a thing was possible, what would the concept behind such a phenomenon.

Would one be the dominant one while the other would be pushed out? Or would the two souls dwell inside the same body at once?

Which one was the correct answer? Well, I was about to find out in this moment.

[Exclusive skill 'Dimensional Transmission' has activated.]

[A link to another dimension has been created.]

[A being from a different dimension has entered this worldline.]

Beings from another dimension. Such otherworldly existences would be called 'Outer Gods'.

However, it was impossible to connect with those entities. Even if such a thing was possible, my soul would have scattered from the interaction. Let's stop thinking about negative things.

[An unregistered constellation has descended into your body.]

「 Where am I? This isn't my universe? 」

My mouth moved, but the voice that emerged wasn't mine. It carried the weight of unimaginable power, similar to the true voice of the gods, yet distinctly different.

It was the voice of 'Kim Jakga'—a version of me who had became the incarnation of the Archangel Uriel in another universe. Her true name is the Flame of Salvation.

'Hey, what's up?'

「 What? Who are you? Where are you?」

'Rest. I'm just in your mind, not your enemy. You're currently residing in my body.'

It was strange. Two souls were talking inside the same body. One was dominant while the other was seating at the back seat.

It made sense that she was confused. I had summoned her without warning. Should I introduce myself?

'Let's start with basic introductions. My name is Kim Jakga.'

「 What? That's impossible! I'm Kim Jakga. What kind of sorcery is this? 」

'It's complicated but I'll summarise everything. You're Kim Jakga from another universe. I'm the Kim Jakga of this universe.'

「 Ridiculous. Such a thing... Are you saying the multiversal theory was correct?」

'Yes, but this isn't the time for such a discussion. You need to move, or we're both dead.'

「 What? 」

Her confusion was evident on my—no, our—face. Then, in an instant, my body moved on its own.

Kwang!

An explosion rang out as a scythe struck the platform where I had been standing moments before. My body, under her control, leaped to safety and my eyes locked onto the figure of a black reaper.

My brows furrowed,「 A death god? Here? 」

'I told you earlier, it's complicated. In a nutshell, I'm in a difficult situation where I can't escape so I summoned you here.'

「 So you summoned me here?」

'Yes, I need your strength to defeat that thing.'

「 My help? 」

'Yes. It would be preferable if you...'

「 Shut up 」

What?

「 I'm not helping you. Send me back to my world 」

I was taken aback. Of course, why would she help? She stood to gain nothing, while I had everything to lose. Her response was perfectly logical.

How should I convince this stubborn woman?

'Are you sure you want to refuse? I can make you a deal.'

「 A deal? And what would that be? 」

'I'll send you back to your worldline once we defeat this thing.'

「 If you brought me here, you can send me back right now. 」

'I will. After we defeat it.'

She remained silent, and I could sense her frustration as the reaper approached.

The death god was approaching but my body remained still like a statue. I could see the worried expressions of the party members.

I knew exactly what she was planning. Since this wasn't her original body, If I died, it would be game over for me, not for her. That was her line of thinking.

However, it was a flawed way of thinking. What she did know was that I was prepared for such a scenario.

'I know what're you thinking? You're thinking you would be unharmed if I die. However, there is something you're forgetting.'

「 What's that? 」

'I am the one that bought you into this world. If I suddenly died while you're in my body, what would happen to you? How would the System treat an outsider like you? You must already know how [Fate] treats outsiders."

「 ...! 」

It was no illusion. There was a crack in her confident expression. If she's a version of me, then she must already know the fate of those trapped in another worldline.

There was sound of teeth gritting. What would she choose— cooperation or a fate worse than death?

「 Fine. 」

Finally, I heard the words that I wanted to hear.

「 But just this once. 」

'Agreed. I don't plan to call you again, so give it everything you've got.'

「 Understood. 」

The black reaper finally entered my space and swung the scythe. In retaliation, the hand holding the sword moved and there was a spark.

[Exclusive skill 'Judgement Flame Lv. ???' has activated.]

The black reaper was repelled by the force of the white flames and screamed. It's origin was rooted in the demon plane and any demon or sinner would be completely exterminated by those flames.

"Kueoook!"

The black reaper was not the only target of those flames. The white flames spread throughout the surroundings and swept away the fleeing apostles. They screamed as they were slowly burned to cinders. Not even their ashes remained.

[The skill level is too advanced for your mortal body.]

[The skill has been weakened to fit the level of the story scenario.]

「 Uaaakk! 」

'Ugh!"

Sparks flew around my body and the sensation of the skin being burned was felt by both souls. My body trembled from the strain.

Judgement Flame was a powerful skill that my current body could not handle. If the Flame was used at full power, my body would have been destroyed from the strong backslash.

「 Damn it, why is your body so weak? Are you really Kim Jakga? 」

'Shut up. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.'

「 Don't patronize me. I know how my own skill works. 」

'Good. Brace yourself—it's coming again.'

Kwaaaa!!

The vibe around the black reaper changed as it lunged towards me. Its power, speed and movement suddenly skyrocketed. It felt like the creature was just playing around the first time.

The white flames gathered from the surroundings and compressed around the sword. At the moment, I didn't have any access to my motor functions yet my body moved regardless of my will.

Clang!

Sparks flew with the sound of a clash. The scythe hit the sword and the sword hit the scythe.

It was a situation where both parties involved were trapped in a deadlock without being pushed back. However, that deadlock was slowly beginning to be break.

Puoookkkk!!!

"Kuokeko!"

The white flames touched the black reaper and the demon spat out an agonising scream. It possessed a deadly weapon that can kill any target upon hit. Despite that, such a demon was slowly becoming overwhelmed by a human.

[The constellations are shocked by the absurd scene.]

[The constellations are questioning the difficulty of the Story.]

You bastards. Weren't you guys complaining that the trial was too difficult a few moments ago?

[The constellations from the Eden Society are watching you.]

[The constellations from the Eden Society wonder how you are using their authority without being chosen.]

I expected this. Attracting the attention of the Archangels was inevitable. To begin with, Judgement Flame was a skill born from their heavenly territory so it was impossible to activate it without them noticing.

[You have gained the favour of a few archangels.]

[The archangels are curious about your existence.]

The story seemed to be flowing smoothly and the archangels were passive. All of them hated demons so they allowed the activation of the purifying flames.

Swish!

The Black Reaper used the scythe and aimed for my legs. However, the Flame of Salvation evaded by jumping backwards. Her movements were still awkward, but she was adapting quickly.

My body moved again and the flaming sword was swung. I could feel and see everything.

The blade blazed with intense heat as it cut through the air, the dignified movement of the hands holding the sword and the silent shifting of the body weight.

I could feel and see everything yet my body moved regardless of my will. It was as if I was viewing the story from a First Person Point of View.

Kwa Kwa Kwa!

One, two, three... how many times did the sword hit the demon? It was difficult to keep count.

The reaper's body was riddled with holes, each one burning with an unholy light. Just a few more blows and the demon would be banished—but then something unexpected happened.

Crack! Shatter!

My eyes widened as the sword suddenly shattered. At a moment like this... Of course. How could I have overlooked it?

Judgement Flame was one of the best destructive abilities in Song of Nightmares after the Pheonix Flame. Therefore, there are only a few items that can handle its destructive power. To my misfortune, the Iron-severing sword was not one of those items.

As if waiting for this moment, the black reaper regained its balance and swung the scythe in a huge arc.

My body jumped backwards and there was the sound of grumbling.

「 Tck! Tck! I knew that sword would break. I'm surprised it even lasted this long. What should I do now? I can't activate the skill without a sword 」

'There are weapons scattered around—use one of those.'

「 No. If I'm going to kill that thing, I need something stronger. 」

A strong weapon? I think I know someone that can help.

[One minute has passed. The green zones will be relocated.]

Just as the System's message echoed, Jung Yunhee's voice cut through the chaos.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim! Catch!"

She tossed her sheathed katana toward me, and my hand instinctively caught it. A flicker of surprise crossed my—no, her—face.

「 Muramasa? No, it's just a replica 」

'It should be enough, right?'

「 It will do. But why did that woman call me Soo Jinyoung? 」

'It is a long story. Focus!'

The reaper loomed closer, but Flame of Salvation remained calm and slipped into a laido stance. The heat that had once radiated from the flames was gone, replaced by a chilling focus.

Something felt off. The lingering warmth in the air had vanished, and then—

"...!"

Before I could complete the thought, something flashed before me, and the black reaper was cleaved in two. Moments later, the darkness that once shrouded the death god ignited and burned away into ashes.

What just happened?

It occurred so fast that my mind struggled to process the events. The sword had been drawn, and I thought I heard a faint click. Did she just unsheathe her katana?

I see. I understand everything now.

This person had defeated the God of Death using something called a 'Quick Slash'. It originated from the Japanese martial arts called 'Iaijutsu' or 'Iaido', which involved swiftly drawing the sword from its sheath to strike in a single, fluid motion.

Soo Jinyoung had mastered the Quick Slash and refined it into her Seven Heavenly Swords technique. But what this person did was something far more complex.

There was no visible slash. The sword alone was responsible, and the heat had vanished entirely. Was there a connection?

...Ah, I see. So that's what she did. My mind suddenly wandered towards the right direction.

It was actually simple. This person had compressed all the white flames into the blade of the sword, turning it into the weapon of annihilation and released it with the quick draw technique.

This version of me—was she as talented as Soo Jinyoung? I had a feeling her story would be anything but ordinary.

「 It's done. Now send me back. 」

'Thank you. I'll keep my word.'

It was good that she killed that thing quickly. In fact, that skill should be activating at any second.

[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]

[Due to the conflict of two skills, the 'Dimensional Transmission' has deactivated.]

There was a sense of relief as the foreign soul left my body and I became able to move. Although there was a slight delay, I was glad everything went according to plan.

However, that same voice was heard.

「 I hope I never see you again 」

"Haha! The feeling is mutual."

「 Hmph! 」

"Just go away already!"

There was no response afterwards as expected. That constellation really left the solar system.

[An unregistered constellation has left this worldline.]

[The link between two worldlines has been disconnected.]