Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Prophet Pope (2)
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"The reason I can't step in this time is because of you, Irregular Shin Juha. That's why I invited you. Why? Why is it that you have no predetermined fate? How could a mere creature like you cast off destiny?"
Destiny. In the dictionary sense, it's the superhuman power that governs all things, including humans, or the life and lot already fixed by it.
So, what is destiny as players or people perceive it, beyond the dictionary definition?
"An inevitable, colossal, and mighty central future. That's what we call destiny. Every being is assigned their own fates. Some have billions, others thousands or tens of thousands, and some just a scant ten. But one thing is certain: every being possesses destiny without fail. An inescapable constraint. Even those exalted divine seats each bear their own fates."
Such a destiny doesn't exist for me?
The first thing that came to mind was, naturally, my authorities. Especially the Tower of Gold, powerful enough to send me back in time. But if even gods with more authorities than me are bound by fate's chains, could an authority be the answer?
I didn't think so. Naturally, the next possibility surfaced.
'Fortune. And Misfortune.'
In truth, these two fortunes were most closely tied to destiny. They were similar enough to fall under the same category from the start.
And it was by these two fortunes that my path forward was set, and the trials I must overcome were determined.
'This is it.'
This was the element that had erased my destiny. I gazed at the two abilities floating in my status window and felt certain.
I swallowed hard. Misfortune had become an authority. It had fully shed the guise of a unique ability. Simultaneously, its rank and power had risen, unveiling its true form.
-Krrrrooooar...
The demon called Misfortune roared within my mindscape. Having tasted defeat once, this roar was a declaration that it would never lose again.
I hardened my expression as I heard it. But conversely, I spotted a possibility.
Six more times. If I could claim perfect victory over this tenacious, ferocious monster six more times... I could escape this damned curse.
'So this is what Raga meant by overcoming it.'
And when it had summoned my future self, the message from Authority: Misfortune—gazing at me with complex subtlety—was precisely this. Then, had my future self overcome the Curse of Misfortune?
Hope glimmered. But it was equally perilous. Look at what Misfortune had done this time—each one a brush with death.
It hadn't resurrected Azazel, the fallen angel and evil god of death? It hadn't amplified the imugi through our fated enmity to try killing me?
In this situation that drew a sigh from me unbidden, I pressed my temples with thumb and forefinger and checked my status window.
Name:Shin JuhaTitle:World Destroyer [Legend], Blessing of Scorpio [Myth], Guardian of the Primordial City [Advanced], Godslayer [Myth] ...Occupation:Sovereign of Myriad Demons [Myth]LV:41 (44%)Stats
Remaining Points:0
Authorities
[Tower of Gold LV 2] [Fortune LV 2] [Noon Sun LV 3] [Equivalent Exchange LV 3] [Curse of Misfortune LV 2] [Sovereign of Myriad Demons LV 2] [Demonic God Body LV 1] [Myriad Demons Domination LV 2] [Chaos Eye LV 1]
Runes
[Evolution Lord's Crown (Ancient) LV 1] [Domain Expansion - Fate's Severe Cold (Ancient) LV 1] [Time - Hourglass (Origin) LV 1]
Unique Abilities
[Infinite Heavenly Veins (Myth) LV 2] [Supreme Soul (Myth) LV 2] [Yeouiju Bearing Growth LV 1]
Skills
[Pride's Wing (Myth) LV 6] [Heart of the Giant God (Legend) LV 1] [Fluid Transformation (Saga) LV 3] [Strong Resolve's Might (Unique) LV 3] [Giant God's Power (Legend) LV 2] [Sun God Technique (Origin) LV 2] [Chaos Magic (Myth) LV 1] [Demonic God Spirit Descent (Myth) LV 1] [Return Light Reflection LV 1]
Compared to the last time I'd checked, the status window was packed to bursting in an astonishing way. I smacked my lips in satisfaction.
Not only had my occupation doubled the number of authorities or more, but the powers gained from myriad opportunities and trial breakthroughs had made me far stronger.
Who would believe this was the status window of a hunter awakened less than half a year ago? No, these weren't things a mere human could possess.
Even Fortune and Misfortune had skyrocketed to D- rank in one go through self-empowerment, hitting the highest values. Misfortune had evolved from legend to myth rank, no less.
I couldn't even rejoice properly.
If only I knew who had cast this curse, I could at least grind my blade of vengeance while cursing them.
'Unbelievable.'
Mythic stats around C- would qualify as S-rank hunter level. Having felt the power of C-rank stats through self-empowerment myself, I was all the more certain. Back then, I was undoubtedly S-rank. Or perhaps slightly above?
Yeah, I'd been knocking on the wall of S+ rank.
My current body and mana stats were E-rank, bolstered hugely by the miracles Fortune wrought and the lingering self-empowerment might that let me leap the wall. That was nearly 100 stats in one surge.
Layer on all sorts of buffs here, and I could push stats up at least 50 more. With my arsenal of powers, I could take on top-tier B+ ranks now.
In hunter terms, that'd be B- to B. Impressive, sure, but still not enough.
Coldly put, it wasn't enough for a frontal clash with my enemies—the ones who'd reached A- or higher.
Yeah, having no destiny wasn't cause for joy. With the Curse of Misfortune, hundreds of harsh fates were queued up for me, and the path of vengeance ahead wouldn't be easy.
In a way, vengeance and the curse were the harshest destinies binding me.
So I wouldn't stop. Wouldn't fall. Wouldn't tire. I had to press forward.
As I clenched my fists and vowed this, a voice from ahead snapped me back to reality.
"Looks like you've finished sorting your thoughts."
"Ah... my apologies. I've been rude."
"It's fine. Reflecting on yourself, assessing your present, and forging your future is important work."
He spoke kindly, yet couldn't hide his irrepressible curiosity.
"My apologies. I can't reveal what you're curious about."
I bowed my head. It was only natural. Unless they were an ally like Raga—bestowing authorities as tokens of alliance—no one could be trusted.
Especially not spilling about Misfortune, my weakness, or Fortune, my trump card, to a prophet I'd just met today.
"It seems like those two authorities interacted with each other to bring this about."
The pope's eyes widened at my words, as if he'd heard something he shouldn't have.
"Authorities? You possess authorities?"
"......Yes."
This much was safe to disclose.
The pope gaped in considerable shock—not quite as much as when he'd said I had no fate, but close.
"To bear the seeds of myth... Impressive, truly. And not one, but two. Astonishing. Authorities are the great keys to transcendence and myth..."
Hm... I never said only two. I had nine in total now. But I kept quiet, letting him marvel.
Few knew much about authorities, which had always puzzled me, and the pope didn't seem deeply versed either, so I held my questions.
"Which brings me to the one thing I want to ask. Why can't you intervene in tomorrow's events?"
My question finally pulled him from his thoughts. He continued with a grave expression.
"Even an inevitable, colossal, mighty central future called destiny isn't wholly unchangeable."
I was surprised by his words, then nodded in agreement. It made sense. If it were utterly fixed, the world would spin like clockwork without issue.
Whenever laws arise, violators inevitably follow.
"Fragmentarily, in rare cases—regressors, possessors, reincarnators—some shatter destiny's chains and accept new fates. Such miracles aren't permitted by default, but a touch of fortune or minor variable grants them to a few."
I stayed silent. Regressor. I was a regressor. One who returned not by fixed fate, but by fortune's touch.
So my fate had changed too? But what use was such doubt?
My fate hadn't been set from the start.
"That doesn't mean all destinies can be altered. Vast, mighty, weighty ones—yes, the fates of divine seats—are few but immense in power. Utterly unchangeable."
"Then what happens if you change a destiny?"
"Defy destiny, and you pay a definite price. Those beings I mentioned exist among us, rare though they are. But they don't survive long. Defying destiny exacts a harsh toll. Death hounds their steps, and they meet early ends."
Like a vaccine seeking the virus of regression and reincarnation. I nodded, listening on.
"Thus, I—who wield foresight deeply tied to time and fate—bear constraints. 'Do not alter destiny. Alter it, and greater penalties follow.' I can't interfere in others' fates. I exist fleetingly between them, nudging indirectly, observing from one step back at fateful moments."
I tilted my head. Then what about me?
"Since I have no fate, doesn't that let you interfere?"
"No. Futures concerning you don't appear in my sight from the start. As if brazenly forbidden. I can't read them, so I can't interfere. You lack fate, yet your every action draws destiny's power, barring my involvement. In truth, even this conversation demands a heavy price."
I fell silent. Right. Bearing Fortune and Misfortune stats and their might meant I wielded destiny, no exaggeration.
With him saying that much, I couldn't ask for more help.
"You could die, Pope."
"Another constraint. I can't see my own fate. But if tomorrow holds a fixed fate of death, defying it means I die regardless."
I rose from my seat. No reason remained to talk further.
I bowed to him—still wearing that leisurely, benevolent smile—and left the chamber, returning whence I came.