Chapter 10: 0: The one that shines

Dohyuk felt something crushed under his feet.

<<Proficiency of Flying Master Kick increased>>

<<Achieved 2/10 Proficiency>>

SPLASH!

Dohyuk landed in the pond of water and looked back. There was enough time for Eunhyub to attack, but he couldn’t. Dohyuk looked at his crushed skull. As for the part of the head where was he struck, it seemed like the necklace couldn’t protect him from the second kick.

Eunhyub struggled to stand, but soon fell. His body shook on the ground like a flinching fish. Dohyuk first kicked the sword away from the man and took the necklace off him. After he put the necklace on himself, he took the sword with him and headed toward the water.

Eunhyub came back to his senses, but he knew right away that he was going to die. He couldn’t feel his body. And the fear of dying was short. He accepted that he had failed, even in the second life.

‘But…’

Why did Dohyuk not finish him off? Maybe it was a punishment for trying to fight against the former greatest man in his first life. That’s when sound came from behind. Eunhyub barely turned his head to look. It was Dohyuk who was drinking water from the pond. After washing himself a few times, Dohyuk turned to Eunhyub.

What came next was unexpected. Dohyuk raised his guard instantly as he realized Eunhyub had not died and readied his newly-acquired sword. Then Eunhyub realized.

This was not the Dohyuk he knew from a previous life.

“You… you really… have lost your memory…”

All of these people who came back from previous life knew. Everyone needed time to adjust to this strange world. They had to overcome the fear of fighting others, and to kill them. And when they did kill others, they then had to overcome the guilt of killing someone. It took time and experience to get there.

“I see…”

So, this was why Dohyuk had not finished him off. He was not used to killing people.

“Ha… ha…”

Eunhyub still lost anyway. Dohyuk then walked out from the water.

“D..do you know… that it’s the first time… for me to even… have a word with you?”

“…”

“I admired you…”

Admiration. This was feeling that most people that came back had toward Dohyuk. Just like now, people did not group themselves in a previous life. They fought against each other and competed for survival. That’s when ‘Phenomenal Nine’ appeared.

Gutz Nordman ruled over northern Europe and most of Russia under his axe.

Feiyen the Swordmaster was based in the central Chinese territory and gained fame.

Pastor Walter Hescock the Gunner preached over all over North America except the west.

Africa was the land ruled by the Otanka Brothers, which they divided into the east and west.

Australia was taken by Scrap Dealer, Cactus Bill.

Southern Europe and the Middle East was governed by Prophet and Royal, Kusham Al Rasheed.

All of South America was claimed by Simon El Patron who was also known as Verde Diablo.

And last, the one who shined brightest among all 9 stars was Yoo Dohyuk, the Great Emperor who reigned supreme over all of East Asia through the West of North America.

And they issued orders to the people. It was oppression, but it was much needed for those who were weak.

“I… I was… really… astonished… and jealous…”

All of the people, including those who were strong and weak, envied him. At the same time, they were jealous.

“I… I wanted to be like you… Emperor.”

Dohyuk did not answer. Eunhyub then smiled as his last conscious left him.

…

<<Killed Human>>

<<Acquired 51 coins>>

The message popped up and Dohyuk was still standing. It was his third time killing a person, but unlike the first time where it was by mistake, and the 2nd time when he made up his mind to pose himself against the crowd, it deeply affected him. He closed his eyes and clenched his feet. Then, a window popped up which he couldn’t see because he was closing his eyes.

<<Satisfied Condition to Activate Nature>>

-Over the Horizon

<<User has reached maximum ‘Stimulation.’ Stats increased>>

<<Endurance increased by 3>>

<<Charisma increased by 4>>

Dohyuk opened his eyes. He slapped both cheeks with his hands and looked around. He needed to focus.

“Waterfall.”

The man he just killed came here intentionally. There was also the woman who was killed by him. It was surely a place that was hiding something. The waterfall was small. It was only about 5 to 6 meters. Dohyuk drank some of the water and nothing popped up, meaning the water itself wasn’t it.

Then…

Dohyuk took a step forward and came to the stop in front of the waterfall. He then reached out into the fall at the wall. There was a space. A cave was behind the waterfall. As Dohyuk took a step inside, he heard a voice.

-You are very fortunate, my child.

The cave brightened up instantly. It wasn’t big. Inside, there was a stone sculpture of a woman that shined brightly in orange. The sculpture was sitting down with a fully naked body that was seductive enough to seduce any man who came across it. Two dragons were wrapped around it, but what was the most fascinating was its hair. The hair that was so long that it covered the entire backside of the sculpture, making it seem like it was burning.

-Don’t be afraid. Come, come to me.

It was a beautiful voice that was so charming, but Dohyuk did not go any closer.

“Who are you?”

-I am your savior.

The voice spoke with some laughter.

-I will be your light and the guidance to help you survive this world. I am also your master who you will serve for your life. I am the master of all burning fire, Gahura.

“…”

-Shame. If you were only faster, you would have been the first who would serve me. But still, you deserve my mercy of fire…

Dohyuk listened to the voice and read the message that popped up.

<<‘God: Gahura’ asks for faith>>

There was a religion category within the status window. He also saw the ones called themselves angels so it wasn’t surprising to see any gods, but…

-Now, kneel. I do not require anything from you for serving me.

“No.”

Dohyuk shook his head.

“Well… I won’t do it for now.”

Rejection.

-FOOL! Do you even know what you are being offered? It is your only chance of gaining my power to save yourself from your demise!

The voice changed its tone. It was enough to make Dohyuk scared, but it reinforced his concerns.

‘God.’

Dohyuk needed everything in his power to protect himself. But why? Was it because it was these ‘gods’ who made the world to become like this? Or because Jimin said he had ‘killed God’? Or because Dohyuk realized that there was nothing that was free in the world? No maybe…

“I- I understand. Even if it means I lose the chance… If I have the right to leave this place, I want to leave… now.”

Dohyuk tried to leave by turning back. It was actually okay for him to turn back. It was entirely up to the person who found the shrine to decide, but a sudden wall of fire erupted at the entrance. The sculpture of a woman began to move. Its rocky surface turned into skin and the hair really became burning flames.

-INSECT!

The goddess was angered by Dohyuk’s words. Maybe it was also because she came to like Dohyuk. Anyway, Gahura had no intention of letting this human go alive. Killing ‘lowly beings’ were against the rule. It was the rule set to limit the interferences of the gods. But the consequences too bad as it would still just be a small incident.

-DIE

The goddess voiced her order against the unsuspecting Dohyuk. Then Dohyuk saw it clearly.

<<Satisfied the Condition to Activate Nature>>

[Over the Horizon]

And other words showed up in the goddess’ eyes.

<<Interference against equal God>>

<<Power nullified>>

<<Punishment will proceed for breaking the rule>>

-…What?

<<Punishment: Eye for an Eye>>

<<Punishment: Expulsion from the Gods>>

And she was destroyed from the power that backfired at her.