The Proxy of Truth

Having severed his connection with the Grey Absolute amid the Otherworld War, Jinri rose from his seat. All around him stretched a void like the depths of space, pierced by lights that flickered like distant stars and streaked through with luminous lines racing like shooting stars. Almost in the same instant, a majestic drumbeat thundered across the darkness.

It was the sound of an enormous gate opening. The black expanse of space split apart as though heaven and earth were being torn asunder, and from the newly formed door of pure light, Jinri stepped forward. The moment he emerged, an entire city materialized before him.

Endlessly tall buildings resembling black monoliths soared skyward in every direction. Between them, rivers of dazzling light flowed like liquid brilliance, linking the structures together. Countless men clad in black martial robes and gripping wooden swords stood guard in the air and upon the ground. The instant they caught sight of Jinri, every one of them bowed deeply in perfect unison.

Though it was a ritual exchange they had repeated countless times, the words brimmed with genuine warmth. Jinri gazed up at the towering black buildings. Their walls gleamed like polished black pearls, while the rivers of light surged upward in brilliant streaks resembling lightning. He continued onward until he stood before the single tallest structure of them all.

“The completion of the 1,001st Master Universe is nearly upon us.”

“It has been quite some time since your last outing, Grandfather. We estimate completion within roughly one generation.”

A male voice resonated from within the wall. Light poured forth like an exit, a thin line traced itself in the air, and once more the drum thundered.

From that line of light emerged another member of the Wind Family, dressed in the same black uniform and carrying a wooden sword. He brought both hands together before his chest and offered a respectful bow. Jinri returned the gesture with a slight nod and continued his questions.

“As it should be. How far has the application of the results obtained from the 499th Master Universe progressed?”

“The newly interpreted Authority of Dimensions and even the Grey Absolute’s Coa can now be operated at full formal capacity. All necessary adjustments have been completed to allow for further expansion.”

“The grey lineage still possesses room for growth. Prepare additional expansion. I intend to summon those who contributed to this development and grant them an opportunity to leap forward as a reward.”

“Oh? Will they be able to endure it? For mere Creator Gods, the burden may prove far too great. Moreover, I have heard the candidate is of human origin. If even the slightest trace of fragile emotion remains, the moment they learn the truth they will likely self-destruct.”

The Wind Family member spoke on the assumption that failure was inevitable. Jinri simply nodded.

“That is likely. However, while I grant opportunities to the strong, I do not coddle them. If I were to help them overcome every trial, they would remain weaklings. Would that not render the chance to grow meaningless? Those who aim for the 10 Mainstays yet cannot endure even this much should have all support withdrawn and redirected to more promising candidates. Have I not done so many times before?”

“Indeed, it all comes down to the individual’s will. If their desire to grow stronger than they are now is firmer than their emotions, there should be no problem.”

The Wind Family member nodded in understanding. If one could not endure the brutal reality on their own, it was only natural to reclaim the titles and authorities that had been granted after recognizing their potential as a powerhouse. Opportunity was limited and therefore precious; it could not be wasted on those without promise. As the head of the Wind Family was himself one of the Eternal Beings, he understood the value of finite resources better than anyone.

“I have heard you intend to entrust the proxy duties here to the current self of the Grey Absolute, the Dimensional Mage God. In that case, how shall we handle notification and configuration on this side? If you cannot come personally, the 10 Mainstays will press even harder for a dispatch. They appear quite desperate. Even in my humble opinion, this place stands on the verge of collapse.”

“Hmm—!”

The words caused even Jinri’s normally decisive judgment to hesitate. The Absolute Realm and the Master Universes could be handled by his own power no matter what occurred, but the Otherworld was far more restricted. In the worst case, an all-out war with the Otherworld could make restoration extremely difficult.

Watching Jinri sink into deep thought, the Wind Family member offered advice.

“Since it has been a long time since your last outing, I shall report the updated circumstances. The Absolute Realm and Master Universes can be decided upon immediately under the control of the existing Eternal Beings and ourselves. However, this place requires negotiation with the other side. Furthermore, the spiritual beings here continue their desperate siege, refusing to lift their restrictions despite their dire situation. Of course, they cannot enter the territory guarded by the fully restored Wind Family, yet we ourselves cannot freely venture outside either. To ignore this limitation would require far more Master Universes. At the current rate, we would need at least ten thousand completed Master Universes before we could eliminate the one-ten-thousandth restriction imposed by the Reimplementation. In conclusion, we remain at a disadvantage. In my personal judgment, further time and mutual coordination with the Otherworld are still required.”

…….

One thousand Master Universes had been completed so far. The revelation that ten times that number—ten thousand—would be needed to lift the Reimplementation’s restriction caused Jinri’s brow to furrow. Still, it represented tremendous progress.

When he had first pursued the former ruling powers who had fled here using the Authority of Dimensions, no one but himself could handle the situation. The realm would have collapsed instantly without his protection. By reinforcing the Absolute Realm, relocating the Wind Family here, and creating Master Universes to expand his territory, he had advanced nearly a hundredfold.

Thanks to that, most of his blood-descended Wind Family could now wield their power here—provided they remained within his domain where the dimensional boundary was activated through complete interpretation of the Otherworld and the Authority of Dimensions. Outside that territory, only those who had personally mastered the Authority of Dimensions could display their true strength.

The problem was that while defense was possible, the inability to attack meant the realm would eventually crumble under external threats. Offense was far harder to predict, and initiative always lay with the attacker.

If he and the Wind Family vanished, this place would fall, and the Absolute Realm and Master Universes would disappear with it. That was Jinri’s greatest concern at present. It was precisely why he had handed full control of the perfectly manageable Absolute Realm and Master Universes to the 10 Mainstays and Eternal Beings, devoting himself solely to the development of the Master Universes. Establishing an unbreakable defensive posture in the Otherworld through dimensional boundaries powered by the Master Universes had been the highest priority.

Yet there was no need for undue difficulty.

Defense could be left to the children of the Wind Family while he attacked alone, but such measures were neither meaningful nor necessary. As long as he remained here, the Otherworld would not dare to challenge him. The spiritual beings of the Otherworld, who had lost their believers and seen their administrative territory shrink until their very reason for existence had nearly vanished, held no interest for him. Nor did he intend to fight the Eternal Beings here for power.

There was nothing more foolish than coveting what belonged to others while failing to fully utilize one’s own possessions. Everything he and the Wind Family did here—remaining bound for the defense of the Absolute Realm and Master Universes—was merely to alleviate that annoyance. And the results had been quite ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠satisfactory.

“It is better than the initial requirement of one million. If this goes well, the necessary quantity will decrease significantly.”

“Of course. The existence of the 1,001st Master Universe, which comes pre-equipped with the Authority of Dimensions, carries immense significance. If we can apply the Authority of Dimensions perfectly and enable internal operation, the beings of the 1,001 Master Universes will have the Reimplementation restriction completely lifted. At that point, defense will remain stable even in our absence.”

“That is true. Very well—I have decided. Notify them in this manner.”

A scroll of parchment materialized in the air. Jinri produced a brush similar to the one used by the Second Generation Wind Absolute and began writing swiftly.

Having written that far, Jinri paused briefly while detailing the specific authorities and power. He first summoned the current ability values of the Dimensional Mage God from the 499th Master Universe and recorded them.

‘His base ability is also below that of a mid-level Creator God, so it is extremely low.’

However, both the Grey Absolute himself and his current self, the Dimensional Mage God, possessed such extreme gaps in capability that judging him as merely below mid-level Creator God was highly inappropriate. Moreover, with the Authority of Dimensions eliminating the Reimplementation restrictions of the Otherworld, he would rank among the absolute strongest in this place.

“I have given him a name, and the restrictions of his suppressed Karma have been lifted. His power should increase dramatically. By adding 10 billion to the Authority of Dimensions, he has obtained the qualification of Origin of the Dimensional Race. However, the divine power amplification from Origin’s Sun and Moon and the equipment within the Master Universe remains unavailable. This should be the minimum threshold, yes?”

With a light wave of his hand, the previous stats were erased and new values rose in their place.

‘Furthermore, with the title of Dimensional Creator God and the name Coa, he should display Creator General level or higher ability in both creative and destructive power.’

The Wind Family member stared at the updated stats—changed from Dimensional Mage God to Dimensional Creator God Coa—for a long moment before speaking.

“While it is problematic for a dispatched agent to be a perfect powerhouse, does this not seem too weak to serve as your substitute, Grandfather? At this level, it might be better to send one of the younger children of the Wind Family or any member of the 10 Mainstays’ bloodlines. To avoid embarrassment, it seems we should add a bit more.”

The sincere concern that sending the Dimensional Mage God as Truth Deputy while he remained too weak would bring shame was evident in his words. Jinri nodded and began adding several more lines.

‘Truth Deputy Authority: Permission to request assistance from the 10 Mainstays, Authentication of Grey Absolute intervention, Approval for direct support from the Divine Realm of the 499th Master Universe.’

The Wind Family member nodded after reading that far.

‘If nothing else, assistance from the 10 Mainstays alone should be sufficient.’

The combat abilities of the Grey Absolute and the Black Flame Absolute that he had witnessed directly during the recent ranking war clearly surpassed those of the Wind Family. He had held some dissatisfaction that the 10 Mainstays—not themselves—managed the Absolute Realm, but now he could accept it.

“It may be excessive for this place, but it seems this level of ability will be necessary.”

“Indeed. The Dimensional Creator God Coa may be an absolute powerhouse in the Otherworld, but he is alone. The power of numbers cannot be ignored. And one final note must be added. Tell them that I am sending an assistant as they desired, so they had best prepare themselves well.”

Jinri’s brush danced across the parchment once more, adding the final line and completing the document.

Upon reading the final entry, a sigh escaped the Wind Family member’s lips. He could already predict how the gods of the Otherworld would react to those words.

‘They begged for someone capable of solving problems beyond their control, yet when a dangerous God of Destruction is sent they will surely flip out.’

Though they were the ones seeking help, their fussiness was baffling. Still, after confirming the past and present circumstances of the Dimensional Creator God in full, he could understand their feelings.

“Haaa. They will probably throw a fit, demanding to know what kind of prank this is.”

“Normal methods cannot change the Otherworld’s trajectory toward destruction. The situation has already become terminal. Even direct intervention by the 10 Mainstays could only delay the inevitable for a short time. The Otherworld knows this clearly and seeks to buy time, or perhaps clings to the faint hope that something might still be possible. Revival through normal means is impossible, but an irregular and unpredictable being like this one just might succeed. Heh. Above all, won’t it be entertaining?”

Seeing the smile on Jinri’s face, the Wind Family member smiled as well and tucked the parchment into his robes. In the end, whether the Absolute Realm or the Otherworld flourished or perished mattered little to the Wind Family.

‘As long as this place remains safe, everything will be fine.’

Therefore, the safety and will ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Han Jin-an—the core of this realm’s defense and its guardian—were of paramount importance. He had to ensure that managing and improving the Absolute Realm and Master Universes continued to bring Grandfather joy and fulfillment. Organizations that received genuine affection and devoted effort from their superiors rarely collapsed.

‘Most organizations begin to rot the moment their leaders lose interest in management and start entertaining other thoughts.’

Thus, the greatest duty of a member of the Wind Family was to help their superiors live joyfully. It might appear to be one-sided service and sacrifice, but in the end it was the path that protected and supported one another.

“I shall assist you with all my strength for the sake of your enjoyment, Grandfather.”

Jinri watched the Wind Family member bow deeply, nodding with a satisfied smile that refused to fade.