Ranker Who Lives Twice
chapter-693

What's this giant bulky thing?

A tower.

Tower...?

Huh? What are you talking about? Isn't this the Ruyi Bang?

Metatron recalled a conversation he had with the Heavenly Demon some time ago. It was a conversation they had so long ago that he could barely remember, one that took place when the process of creation was not over and when the whole universe was surrounded by numerous legends.

Even then, the Black King woke up from his 'dream' and wriggled about, and the Heavenly Demon succeeded in putting him back to sleep no differently from the previous “rounds.”

However, the Heavenly Demon seemed particularly tired. It was understandable because he had to forcefully put the Black King back to sleep every time he tried to wake up. It basically meant that his spiritual power was consumed at a rapid pace.

On the other hand, even if the Black King was stuck in the void, he consistently recovered his physical strength through deep sleep, so the difference in physical strength between the two beings continued to widen over time.

The same went for Metatron and Baal. Starting with this “round”, they could feel that they were gradually reaching their limits. At one time, they boasted authority and power great enough to keep the whole universe under their feet while attending to the Black King. However, they were currently in a state where only shadows of their previous glory remained. The problem was that even the remaining shadows continued to be consumed, so only a “handful” of them were left.

Of course, that alone was enough ability to allow them to be the leaders of most transcendents, so they were able to build forces known as Malach and L'Infernal. But it wouldn't be strange if they collapsed anytime now. Metatron's flourishing wisdom, which used to be almighty, was getting dim, and Baal's dark power, which seemed capable of destroying the universe, was slowly bottoming out.

Therefore, both the Heavenly Demon and 'Day' felt the same sense of crisis. The next 'round' would be dangerous. If the next 'large wheel' were to roll forth, and if the Black King woke up due to that... At that time, the end of things, which had been forcibly postponed and delayed so far, would come to fruition.

Knowing how bad the situation was, everyone put their heads together and was deep in thought to figure out the next line of action. The Heavenly Demon visited the Changgong Library to find materials, Metatron and Baal held tea parties from time to time, and they unleashed the archangels and demon kings to erase all traces of stress related to the Black King. Then, suddenly, the Heavenly Demon descended and took them to 'Earth' all of a sudden.

Earth was a blue star in the distant future which was full of lifeforms, and they knew perfectly well that Earth was the hometown where the existence of 'Son Ji-ho', the original form of the Heavenly Demon, was born.

Back then, it was still a common planet that could be easily seen anywhere. The Heavenly Demon referred to this place as 'Primitive Earth'. At any rate, no matter how great one was to express this place in words, it was also a place that held great significance for Metatron and Baal in a different capacity. This was the secret region where the Black King was in slumber. To be exact, Primitive Earth was the only gateway connecting to the void where the Black King was trapped in. One way or another, it did not change the fact that Primitive Earth was the closest place leading to the Black King in this universe. Thus, it was a place of love and hatred for them.

However, there was now a large pillar deeply embedded on Primitive Earth. The pillar that penetrated the inner core, which was the center of the planet, was assumed to be endless. In fact, it reached the edge of the universe, a place that even Metatron and Baal found difficult to sense. But they knew well that the end of the pillar was touching the void.

They also knew the fact that the Black King was forcibly restrained. In this round, the Heavenly Demon succeeded in putting him back to sleep by losing the Ruyi Bang after various desperate struggles with the Black King.

The problem was that Ruyi Bang was not just the Heavenly Demon’s favorite weapon, but it was like his familiar and alter ego. Sheng, the familiar he was closest with, was the true identity of Ruyi Bang. Moreover, it was full of the power of one of the faces the Heavenly Demon was most proud of, the 'Great Sage - the Equal of Heaven'. Therefore, it was no different from losing a big half of the power he was trying to keep to the end.

Strangely enough, the Heavenly Demon didn't show any hint of regret at all. Rather, he just had a refreshing expression. Anyway, Metatron and Baal could only look at the Heavenly Demon with questionable expressions, wondering why he brought them to the Tower all of a sudden. They wondered what he was trying to do.

Let's just be open and say it. You guys don't have the strength to go against that Black King bastard, right?

...Nevertheless, you are the only two left in the beings of 'Day’. At the very least, Uranos left his descendants behind. However, I don't see any of them with the signs of awakening.

...I have nothing to refute, so I don't know what sort of a reply you’re expecting.

...Heavenly Demon, you seem to have some sort of plan though?

Metatron smiled bitterly, and Baal put the cookies he had brought separately in his mouth, perhaps out of frustration. At the very least, the crunching sound soothed his slight sense of suffocation.

As if he was well aware of their feelings, the Heavenly Demon replied with a smile.

The plan is to make a new 'Day'.

...Hmmm?

What do you mean by that?

It's just as I said. It's literally the same. Frankly speaking, the both of you are the old generation. Even among the gods and demons, there are close to none who remember who the both of you were originally. Most of them probably don't even know who that damned Black King is.

I have nothing to say against that.

So what?

What do you mean 'So what'? Originally, the old generation falls back at the right time on their own when they finish what they have to do.

But...!

Wouldn't that be a little dangerous?

The Heavenly Demon chuckled and added.

Do you know what the characteristics of old people are? They think no one will ever be able to do it unless it's them. But rather, if the descendants are smart, they would definitely be smarter than their predecessors, and definitely not any lacking. I think they'll probably do better than you guys though?

It seems you have some kind of plan.

So, what do you want to do?

Let's build a tower. And there, we will cultivate the successors of 'Day'.

...!

...!

So that the Black King will never be able to wake up for eternity. We will develop the resources, the talents that can replace us.

The Heavenly Demon continued explaining.

The method is very simple.

Ruyi Bang. There are many beings that I locked up in there while completing the creation of the world. For example, the Chan Sect, the Jie Sect... In addition, the Bull Demon King is also in there. Moreover, the Ruyi Bang is so strong that none of them can escape.

That's how fearsome the Divine Iron is as a material.

From now on, I will go around the whole universe and capture all the gods and demons, draconic species and giants, as long as they have achieved transcendence.

If so, the weight of Ruyi Bang will be very heavy, making it difficult for the Black King to even wriggle.

As we originally wanted, we will be able to leave this universe entirely to the hands of our creations, away from the interference of godly beings.

However, as I said at that time, if we were to build a system so that the best talents from each universe, dimension, and planet can gather on their own to foster them...

In the future, it will not only prevent divine beings from being born and swallowing the universe, but it will also be possible to cultivate talented people to go against the Black King. And among them, there will definitely be those who can completely replace 'Day'.

Metatron and Baal did not say anything for a while, stunned by the Heavenly Demon’s grand proposal. They struggled to comprehend it. However, having lived magnificent years over the flow of time and accumulated deep wisdom corresponding to that, they could see why the Heavenly Demon would extend such words to them.

If the Heavenly Demon wanted to, he could forcefully shove all the gods and demons into Ruyi Bang without any need to ask for Metatron’s and Baal's understanding. Thus, there was only one reason why he brought it up.

...That means you want us to go in first and take on the role of traffic control. Until a satisfactory successor appears.

You have great talent for sugarcoating the fact that you want us to be the villains.

Metatron smiled bitterly, and Baal poured all the cookies he was holding into his mouth. They had slight frowns on their faces, expressing a great worry. It meant that they would have to use the remaining shadows they had until they were totally burned out.

In the end, it basically meant that, even in their final years, they would have to work without a break. They couldn't help but let out a big sigh. However, they didn't turn it down. It was because they knew what they had to do in their minds.

Still, as if he did not want to agree to it so obediently, Baal snapped with a crooked expression.

Then ,what about you, Heavenly Demon?

Hmm? What about me?

You said we're the old generation, so we have to leave it to the new generation and step down. Then, isn't that the same for you who lived as long as us?

The Heavenly Demon smiled lightly, hinting that he understood what Baal was trying to say. Then, he naturally explained himself with a very happy smile on his face.

I have a son. He'll follow after my footsteps on his own accord.

* * *

Then, after that, Metatron and Baal led Malach and L'Infernal respectively, and entered the tower. They played a role in appeasing the gods and demons who followed after them.

Of course, Metatron and Baal thoroughly hid the relationship they had with the Heavenly Demon. It was a truth that neither the archangels nor the demon kings under their commands knew at all. If the secret were to leak out, the order of the heavenly world that was barely kept in place would be completely disrupted.

Their task was deception. Thoroughly and surely, they made sure to keep the secret deeply embedded in their minds only. They maintained the world known as 'heavenly world' by soothing the dissatisfied gods and demons, sometimes pretending to go against the Heavenly Demon. If there was a civilization that gained overwhelming power, they would skillfully sow discord and rob them of their power.

They would also put the Black King to sleep while waiting for the successor who might appear someday, without any conviction...

No one knew how long it would take for the waiting to end. No matter how firm their determination was, even if they were gods with perseverance, and even though these were years where their hearts were bound to be dull, Metatron and Baal waited and waited again.

During that period of waiting, many things happened. At some point, the relationship that the Heavenly Demon had with Son Jae-won/Vivasvat, the one whom he had always confidently remarked would be a decent successor of his, went awry. They had to sit by and watch as those they had their eyes on to be decent successors of 'Day' were soaked in corruption due to the tricks of the Black King, or either killed by Son Jae-won/Vivasvat.

But Metatron and Baal restrained themselves and waited again. They did not wish for any sort of reward, but only hoped for peace and justice. And...

[The successor of 'Day (Eros)' is curious about the situation outside and inside the tower!]

Finally, after all that waiting, Metatron and Baal could see the end of it. Although the successor still lacked in power, if he developed a little further, he would be worthy of succeeding them. He was a descendant born between Pneuma of Time and Quirinale of Space, and the one who succeeded the will of Uranos, who was the leader of 'Day'. Moreover, he was also from Earth where the Black King was captive, so he was more than worthy enough.

The problem was that the Black King abruptly intercepted the soul of Cha Jeong-woo, who was to be the successor of 'Day'.

Metatron and Baal believed that Yeon-woo would be able to bring the soul back. Even though Yeon-woo was baptized by the Black King, he was also regarded as a descendant of 'Day'. Moreover, as long as he possessed the godly status of All For One… It became the system of the Tower itself, and even if he could not defeat the Black King, they believed that he could withstand him.

Although Cha Jeong-woo was the official successor they chose through the tower, Yeon-woo absorbed the essence by overcoming various trials prepared by the Heavenly Demon.

If so, all the powers of 'Day' including themselves would have been inherited to Cha Jeong-woo's ideology. After that, he would be able to put the Black King back into slumber and lead the tower back to the world of light.

However...

[According to player Cha Yeon-woo's choice, all the functions of the system will be vested to the Black King!]

[All the beings who stand against the Black King are in great shock!]

『What the hell is this...?』Metatron widened his eyes at the sudden message.

Baal had a similar reaction from a distance away. He, who led a large number of demon kings and stood at the forefront to defeat the otherworld gods, turned his head back. Naturally, it was shocking to hear that player Cha Yeon-woo, who supported 'Day' and whom they thought would help them defeat 'Night', would end up choosing 'Night'.

Unbeknownst of whether he realized their astonishments, Yeon-woo was still standing still, looking straight at the place that the Black King was at. The chains that bound his limbs were now shining completely pitch-black.

Clatter!