Chapter 416
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 416
Chapter Title: A Pact with Janus
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The Heavenly Realm isnt perfect good, either. The Demon Realm isnt perfect evil, either.
Janus explained that the Heavenly Realm and Demon Realm opposed each other to maintain balance.
Janus had existed even before the Heavenly Realm was created, the only being where light and darkness coexisted.
He had witnessed everything, from the creation of the Heavenly Realm to the betrayal and then the creation of the Demon Realm.
Thats something I acknowledge, too.
Jeong Hoon was neutral, not aligned with the Heavenly Realm.
Even so, he intended to purge the Demon Realm because they were his primary enemies.
If they hadnt touched Earth or his only familyhis motherhe wouldnt have gone this far.
His goal was ultimately revenge.
So youre determined to shatter the balance, after all?
Yeah.
The reason half of what you said is right is because the one who can wipe them out is me.
You?
Yeah. My role is to reset everything to nothingness.
Its possible because you wield both light and darkness at once.
Exactly.
But why only half right?
Because Im the only one who can do it.
Only you?
Yeah. Even if you succeed in coexistence of light and darkness, it doesnt mean you can obtain the power of annihilation.
So thats why he said half right and half wrong.
Then how can I obtain that power of annihilation?
You cant.
I cant?
No matter how hard you try, youre still a mortal. Isnt it absurd for a mortal to wield the power to annihilate immortals?
.
Jeong Hoon fell silent for a moment.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldnt find any counterargument to Januss words.
Then what if I shed this mortal shell?
No.
What was he even thinking?
His mother was alive and well, so how could he abandon his humanity for revenge?
Jeong Hoon would wrap this up safely and return to his mother to live a normal life.
To do that, he couldnt shed his human form.
So I want you to shift your direction from annihilation to balance.
That was the purpose of Janus summoning Jeong Hoon.
Not annihilation, but balance.
Good checks evil, and evil checks good in return.
The dimension where humans reside would be kept safe from both the Heavenly and Demon Realms.
Neither side would accept it easily, but he believed this was the best way.
Fortunately, the human before him wasnt blinded by revenge.
He was in a state where he could make sound judgments, so surely he would understand...
No, then you just lend me your power.
Scratch that.
This humans judgment was hopelessly off.
Im saying lets just achieve balance. We just need to set up a meeting for the Demon Realm and Heavenly Realm to negotiate...
That wont work. Regardless of how they get along, I have no intention of letting the Demon Realm off the hook.
Hey, Im talking here. Why do you keep interrupting?
It happened once.
Anyway!
This isnt working.
Talking to this human was making his head feel strange.
So its possible?
Huh?
If it were impossible, youd have refused outright.
.
A sharp human, indeed.
Janus nodded honestly.
Even if possible, I have no intention of helping.
Liar.
What?
If you had zero intention of helping, you wouldnt have summoned me in the first place.
.
Janus fell silent.
As expected of a sharp humanhe had hit the nail on the head.
He wasnt a volunteer.
He had approached, risking danger, because he wanted something from this human.
What do you want?
Jeong Hoon asked directly.
Beating around the bush wouldnt change Januss mind, so the best approach was to grant what he wanted and borrow his power.
Youre saying you wont compromise on anything?
Jeong Hoon nodded, and Janus let out a deep sigh.
I asked what you want.
Freedom.
Freedom? A being like you is suppressed by someone?
What do you mean a being like me?
The one who can bring mutual destruction to good and evil.
Thats the problem.
In simple terms, he was being checked.
So you can gain freedom by helping me?
Yeah. I planned to exert influence by balancing things through you.
Janus answered honestly, having decided to change strategies.
Youre a black-hearted bastard, after all.
I wont deny it.
Then wouldnt it be better to lend me your power instead?
My power?
Yeah. Ill make a deal with the Heavenly Realm myself.
Make a deal?
Janus tilted his head.
Ill let you take over the Demon Realm and live freely.
The Heavenly Realms goal was to purge the Demon Realm.
The demons were stockpiling power by destroying dimensions to oppose the Heavenly Realm.
If he borrowed power from Janus to purge them, hed go straight to the Heavenly Realm and propose a deal.
Seat Janus, who greatly aided in purging the Demon Realm, as its master. Then help the Heavenly Realm achieve balance with the Demon Realm.
If the Heavenly Realm accepted, Janus could live freely.
What if they stab you in the back?
They claim to be goodwould they really go back on their word?
The Supreme God would.
Supreme God?
Yeah. Primatos.
Primatos.
Like Janus, a god who existed from the beginning. The Supreme God who created the angels and built the Heavenly Realm.
That Supreme God would stab you in the back?
He hates me a lot.
Primatos saw Janus as a thorn in his side.
Thats why he suppressed him to prevent him from acting freely.
Hmm, so the Heavenly Realm isnt perfect good, either.
Huh?
Exactly. Suppressing someone just because theyre an eyesore, even without any wrongdoing?
Are you trying to butter me up? Well, its not bad.
It had been ages since Janus had a proper conversation with someone.
With flattery added, even knowing the humans intentions, he couldnt stop his lips from curling up.
I mean it. If you lend me your power, Ill do whatever it takes to restore your freedom. Im the type who always repays what he receives.
Even if it means opposing the Heavenly Realm?
Jeong Hoon nodded.
Hed allied with the Heavenly Realm to purge the Demon Realm, but if they obstructed the purge, he wouldnt spare them either.
Ha you really are a strange one.
Janus admired inwardly and came to understand.
With that mindset, he had made it this far.
A being whod use any means for his goals.
That made him like him even more.
You wont regret it.
Youd better keep that promise.
Yeah.
Fine. Ill lend you my power. But as a spirit body, Ill follow you around all day, monitoring you. If you pull any tricks, Ill take your life.
Feel free.
Jeong Hoon grinned.
How much time had passed?
Jeong Hoon slowly opened his closed eyes.
Master!
Youre awake!
When he opened his eyes, he saw Mukho and Anima, tears streaming down their faces.
Tenebris and Harnion, looking quite shocked, let out sighs of relief with pale faces.
How long was I out?
Out? Master, your heart stopped for three hours!
Your body was ice-cold No different from a corpse.
That explained it.
The reason his body felt broken upon waking was because of this.
His soul and body had fully separated, leaving him technically dead for a while.
Jeong Hoon used Divine Healing to mend his body.
That was awful.
Hed experienced near-death regressions before, but actually dying was a first.
How do you think we felt watching it?
Seriously at least warn us ahead of time.
It felt like half my lifespan got shaved off.
Jeong Hoon gave a bitter smile.
Sorry. Anyway, I have someone to introduce to you all.
Introduce?
Yeah. Come out.
At his words, a figure blending demon and angel emerged as a spirit body from his chest.
Eek?!
W-What
Mukho and Anima tensed up at the unfamiliar sight.
Thats
Janus
Unlike them, Tenebris and Harnion recognized him.
Tenebris was an angel who had served in the Heavenly Realm, and Harnion was a warrior who had devoted his life to it.
Tch, as always, Heavenly Realm bastards are impossible to view positively no matter how hard I try.
Seeing their gazes, Janus clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Anyway, this is Janus, who promised to lend me his power.
At Jeong Hoons introduction, Tenebris tilted his head.
Hell lend you his power?
Yeah. The reason I survived unleashing dark energy is because Im connected to Janus.
Jeong Hoons body still raged with holy energy and dark energy clashing wildly.
Yet he could maintain his normal state and wield power because Janus had entered his body to control it.
Hmm
No choice, then. I hope you aid the Heavenly Realm.
Tenebris still looked conflicted, while Harnion extended a hand to Janus.
Janus scanned him up and down in disbelief, then swatted his hand away.
Aid the Heavenly Realm? Hilarious. Human, why not just get rid of that guy?
What?!
As Harnion bristled, Janus instantly seized his throat.
Know your place. Dont delude yourself into thinking youre my equal just because the Heavenly Realm chose you.
Guh, guhk!
Jeong Hoon intervened to separate them amid the overwhelming power gap.
Enough.
Tch. Human, lets head to the Heavenly Realm and make the deal already.
Deal?
Tenebris looked at Jeong Hoon, wondering what that meant.
Im giving Janus his freedom.
Freedom?
Yeah. We purge the Demon Realm and hand it over to Janus.
Thats impossible! Hes evil masquerading as good. We should wipe him out along with the Demon Realm
Has Janus ever harmed the Heavenly Realm?
Well, no, but
Tenebris couldnt respond.
Then we do it my way.
A promise was a promise.
Jeong Hoon skipped rest and immediately opened the gate to the Heavenly Realm.
Understood.
No sooner had the gate to the Heavenly Realm opened than Uriel and the archangels appeared. They accepted Jeong Hoons proposal without a second thought.
What? This easily?
Doubt flickered in Januss eyes.
Is this okay?
Jeong Hoon had been wondering how to convince them, so their immediate acceptance left him a bit flustered.
When you said youd use dark energy, the archangels held a meeting. They gave you the bracelet precisely to seek help from Janus.
The bracelet was Januss item.
From the moment they handed it to Jeong Hoon, the outcome was set.
Did you discuss this with the Supreme God?
Yes.
Uriel hesitated briefly before nodding.
Ha, that answer doesnt sit right.
Janus scowled, but Jeong Hoon decided to let it slide for now.
Youd better keep that promise.
The final battle was about to begin.
The target: the named bosses of the Demon Realm.
Jeong Hoon opened the gate to the Demon Realm with a resolute expression.