Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 430: Star, Taurus (5)

Chapter 430: Star, Taurus (5)

The Nereid Stone. In ancient Celestialtongue, Nereid meant wrath.[1]

Mother Terra Celestial is a concept created by combining fertile land and womens fertility. Since ancient times, mothers have always been seen as mystical beings and the root of countless civilizations.

Some time ago, in the Changgong Library, <Deus Ex Machina> once explained the mechanism of [Gaias Curse] to Chang-Sun.

Many stories interpret Mother Terra Celestial as a benevolent mother, but benevolent, my ass. Like some kind of predator, Terra gives birth to many lives, but she takes just as many!

Mother Terra Celestial. Mothers were often depicted as benevolent figures, but they had more sides to them. They could be stern and even resort to physical punishment to educate their children[2]. Likewise, Mother Terra Celestial was the only one who could decide if her children needed punishment.

The more civilizations develop, the less they worship her. With so many philosophical ideas and concepts being established, people learn to see the world from various angles.

Civilizations that worshiped Mother Terra Celestial were usually considered primitive. The more advanced a civilization was, the more independent its people became, lessening their reliance on gods. That was exactly what enraged the Mother Terra Celestial.

She couldnt let that happen. A child leaves their mothers arms upon reaching adulthood. Such is the natural flow of life. Unfortunately, that granny cant wrap her head around it at all.

And the stone is her wraths concentration. Jin Prezia quickly headed downstairs as he sorted out what he knew about the Nereid Stone.

Paah!

When she started all kinds of bullshit, she was shoved into somewhere hard to leave, but right before she was sealed, she made a frantic last-ditch effort that screwed so many things overurgh! Im sick of her!

<Deus Ex Machina> and the others seemed to have sealed Mother Terra Celestial in a place that could stop her from going on a rampage again. However, she managed to leave quite a large mess all over the Great Universe before they succeeded, and the Nereid Stone was part of it. It was essentially one of her remains.

Master assumes that the Zodiacs can use [Gaias Curse] because of the Nereid Stone. Jin picked up the pace. Hes probably right.

Antares Divine Toxins, Sadalmeliks <Myth> combustion potion The Zodiacs could probably use [Gaias Curse] in their own ways. Considering their deep understanding of the Nereid Stone, Jin had to acquire it using any means necessary.

I should

Tap!

Jin stopped when he reached the lowest floor, getting goosebumps all over. His intuition, which he spent so long building up by living as a warrior, was warning him that going any further was dangerous.

... This is hard. Jin glanced past the corner of the wall.

Someone was swaggering down the hallway, letting out a long yawn and occasionally stretching. Jin couldnt help chuckling. Although the persons attitude seemed to be far from a guards, his eyes were undoubtedly sharp. Above all, Jin was too familiar with the persons appearance. After all, he looked the same as his master, Sean li Arcadia, and Bel-Marduk.

Another Lee Chang-Sun was with him in that hallway.

Lee Chang-Sun can be replicated? Is this really okay? Countless Lee Chang-Suns Is there even hope left for this Great Universe? Jin goofily thought but soon shook his head. He had to assess the difference between his level and the guards. If I fight him head on the most I can do is force a draw. I wouldnt gain anything. What if I surprise him? Is that even possible?

Jins mission wasn't to fight, and he was on the clock. If the guard captured him, he would be too ashamed to ever face Chang-Sun again.

Ill attack him when he passes by Jin tightened his grip on the [Winter Kings Greatsword].

Flash!

As he did, runes floated up from the greatswords surface. At the same time, a voice spoke in his head.

Let me help you.

... Odin? Jins eyes widened. This was the last voice he expected to hear.

Quite disrespectful of you to call me by my name. Youre technically my subject too. Even if you werent, have you forgotten who guided you down the path of a Celestial?

Jin felt wide awake. He remembered being right on the verge of <Exuviation> and <Transcendence> when he got stuck in a slump while his master and his other subordinates made progress every day. At the time, Odin was the one who led him to a new path. Since then, although his master was still Chang-Sun, he dedicated his Faith to Odin.

Please forgive my rudeness, Jin apologized.

Thats more like it.

Odin smiled in contentment.

Use your divine power as I tell you to, and youll be able to remain undetected.

Having already personally experienced Odins miracle, Jin immediately circulated his divine power as ordered. After a while, he began to feel as if he was slightly levitating.

Go now.

Unsure if it was okay, he cautiously took a step forward, and a guard passed by at the same time. Jin gulped as he locked his eyes with him.

Tap!

Fortunately, Odins instructions worked like a charm. As if Jin didnt exist, the guard just narrowly brushed past him. Knowing how sharp Chang-Suns senses were only deepened his surprise.

How in the world did you do it? Jin asked Odin.

We might be from different Worldlines, but Twilight and I have the same kind of souls. I can easily analyze the Codes that make up their divine power and devise a magic formula that would keep them from detecting me.

Jin felt a shiver run down his spine. Chang-Sun was an exceptional warrior and wizard, but he was no match for the depth of Odins skill. What in the world was a Celestial King? Was Odin special even among them or did he become a Celestial King because he was special?

What are you doing? Hurry along now.

Yes, sir. Jin walked across the hallway, doing his best not to ask the question in his mind.

Going further inside, he found all sorts of bizarre lab equipment and numerous body part specimens.

Hes studying by with of .

Odin observed the area with interest as he muttered to himself. However, Jin couldnt understand most of what he said.

Im not sure what youre talking about.

I would guess so. Since you lack gnosis, the law of causality would censor a lot of things for you. How do I explain this? Hmm, to sum it all up ah, it should be safe to think of this as a study of autonomy.

... Autonomy? Jin murmured.

A memory flashed in Jins mind. The <Transcendence> of Celestials and all the other transcendental beings was incomplete. They were still bound to their Worldlines law of nature.

To be more precise, the study is about disassembling several laws that restrict existing beings. I used to give the idea serious thought, but he seems to have applied using and .

Odin kept muttering to himself, finding everything around them quite interesting. Jin could make out some parts in the beginning, but when Odin went on, he couldnt understand anything anymore. Hence, Jin stopped paying attention.

I havent thought about using in reverse. Its . Backgrounds are the same even in different Worldlines, huh? For autonomy, one certainly has to defy the origin and

Odins mutterings at least taught Jin one thing: Bel-Marduks research was so exceptional that even Odin found it intriguing. Considering how deep Bel-Marduks knowledge was, Jin couldnt help but feel as if Chang-Sun would have a tough time against him.

I knew it. I was right to take a look at this myself.

Meanwhile, Jin reached the research wings innermost part. He ran into a couple of researchers and guards on his way, but no one detected him. Odin helped Jin pass through areas that required clearances.

Jin gasped when he arrived. Youve got to be kidding me.

Theyre the subjects of the experiment.

Numerous glass chambers were lined up on both sides of a relatively narrow, sealed room, and Lee Chang-Sun was in every one of them, connected to a hose from the upper part of the glass chamber. Some seemed to be at peace and in deep slumber, while others were grimacing in pain. Some were also missing limbs or covered in bizarre cell masses, making it hard for JIn to tell if they were Chang-Sun as well.

Youre telling me that theyre the guinea pigs for the autonomy research or something? Jin asked.

Something along that line, yes. Obtaining autonomy and oneness through experiments hasnt been explored yet, which means a lot of the necessary experiments havent been verified. Experimenting on himself would have been quite risky.

Jin thought about destroying all the glass chambers. These people were his masters but not his masters at the same time. They reminded him of his old self, the one who was trapped at the Changgwi Cave.

Im sorry. Ill save all of you soon.

However, Jin couldnt just abandon his mission. As if he didnt see them, he quickly walked past and reached the center of the room.

Is the Nereid Stone this researchs main element? What is its mechanism? I dont have the slightest idea about this one.

In the middle of it all stood a four-meter-tall monolith that was connected to dozens of glass chambers. It looked so grotesque that it seemed to have been made by compressing all sorts of monsters at once. Some of the monsters faces and limbs even bulged out and drooped down. However, its most shocking part was mind-blowingly ominous.

Oooooong!

A mind curse that can even affect a Celestial? Ha! Its the raw material for [Gaias Curse] for a good reason!

Returning to his senses, Jin realized that he was reaching out for the Nereid stone. He had no idea what would have happened if Odin didnt use his rune magic to stop him.

You better be careful. That monolith appears to specialize in manipulating minds, so dont even think about touching it.

Jin nodded. Yes, sir.

Proceed with the plan for now. Transfer it to [Kings Treasury].

As instructed, Jin installed the warp gate that led to [Kings Treasury] below the Nereid Stone.

Paah!

At the same time, a shadow loomed over the stone.

Jin quickly turned back.

I was wondering why I kept feeling icky. It seems we have a rat here.

With gleaming eyes, Lee Chang-Sun, the first guard Jin ran into in the research wing, swung his sword at him.

When in the world did he get here? Jin thought. He reached for the [Winter Kings Greatsword] to fight back, but he was too late. The guard was already about to hit the center of his forehead.

Claaang!

Before Jin could get injured, something flew up from below, deflecting the guards sword perpendicularly.

The guards eyes widened in surprise. What

Snap!

His head violently twisted in the opposite direction. Seeing someone who looked like Chang-Sun hanging out his tongue shocked Jin.

Thump!

The guard lifelessly fell to the ground, revealing another Lee Chang-Sun behind him.

Seriously. Hes cumbersomely sharp. The new Chang-Sun brushed off the dust on his hands as he clicked his tongue. He then looked at the corpse, noticing its eyes were already so cold that they no longer had even a trace of emotion in them.

Jin quickly activated the installed warp gate to put the Nereid Stone in [Kings Treasury]. At the same time, he distanced himself from the new Chang-Sun and pointed the [Winter Kings Greatsword], which let out a clear echo, at him.

What is the meaning of this? the new Chang-Sun frowned, not liking what Jin was doing.

Unable to answer, Jin tightened his grip on the [Winter Kings Greatsword]. The suffocating tension created by the new Chang-Sun made it hard for him to collect his bearings.

Jin was scared. The new Chang-Sun terrified him far more than the Nereid Stone, which possessed [Gaias Curse]. What kind of choices would his master have to make to become like this new Chang-Sun? Even Bel-Marduk likely wasnt comparable to him.

Who in the world is he? An experiment? Someone like him cant possibly be artificially made! Taurus would have already set him loose otherwise!

Jins thoughts jumbled up, leaving him with only one plausible option in his fight against the Chang-Sun before him.

Sir, can you please help me? What should I do? he asked, hoping that the god he dedicated his Faith to would have a solution.

Hmm? The new Chang-Sun raised one of his eyebrows. He then suddenly chuckled. I see. You dont recognize me.

I see. You dont recognize me.

The new Chang-Suns voice and Odins voice in Jins head overlapped. The new Chang-Sun then started to transform. His face wrinkled up, and his hair grew longer and turned gray. An eyepatch showed up in the air and covered one of his eyes. A large magic staff appeared as well, which he used to help him keep standing.

Paah!

A starry [Gnostic Eye] then appeared in the new Chang-Suns eyes, rendering Jin speechless. The abnormal turn of events made him blank out.

Can you recognize me now?

Can you recognize me now?

Odin, the Cane-Holding Father of Warriors, grinned.

1. Nereid is one of the children of the sea god Nereus in Greek mythology, but here it means wrath

2. The usage of physical punishment for childrens education was very common in Korea, but the practice eventually died out because it has been socially acknowledged that there is a very thin line between physical punishment and child abuse.