I Woke Up as the Villain

Chapter 232

True to its name, the sanctuary of the transcendent beings was where those who transcended humanity, whose power touched or surpassed that of gods, found respite. Due to its nature, several mystical laws applied within its confines.

- You arrogant brat!

First, beings other than the transcendent ones could not harness mana within this place. Even Demon Kings were no exception to this rule. Despite Acedia's anger, his attempts to release mana were in vain.

In fact, the same applied to Yu-Seong.

‘It's not just mana... Even the system doesn't operate here.’

Second, none of the players’ abilities, which were no different from divine blessings, worked this sanctuary of the transcendent beings. Even ranks held no meaning within this space. It was for this reason that Yu-Seong had deliberated at length before entering this space with Acedia.

‘The transcendent beings are monsters that surpass even the system ranks.’

And now, an outsider had entered their sanctuary. Although they could not possibly reach a favorable outcome under these circumstances, Acedia continued to groan, seemingly unable to believe the current situation, as he focused on his concentration. He sought even the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps even a speck of mana could be moved.

"Come on, act like a Demon King. What are you even hoping for? Seriously, give up. Why do you keep groaning like that?"

-...How dare you insult me?!

When Yu-Seong shrugged dismissively, Acedia rushed at Yu-Seong, this time swinging his fist hard. Even without mana, the physical abilities of a demon far surpassed those of an ordinary human. However, Yu-Seong had trained his physical capabilities for quite a long time.

'I should be able to somehow dodge this...'?

However, could he deal with the next strike as well? As Yu-Seong pondered, tilting his head and evading the punch, his side was struck viciously by Acedia's shin.

“Ugh-!”

After flying through the air and crashing into the ground, Yu-Seong rolled over the floor with blood pouring from his mouth.

The Demon King, Acedia, approached immediately to deliver a series of wild punches. The successive waves of excessive violence brought unbearable pain to every part of Yu-Seong, whose eyes gradually closed. His breath ceased.

Acedia finally halted his fist. He straightened his back and revealed a smile.

-You arrogant human, do you think the name of Demon King loses its meaning just because my mana is sealed?

Then, as he turned around and intended to find a way to escape, he suddenly shivered.

- ...What the? I just confirmed that he died.

Right behind Acedia was Yu-Seong, who Acedia thought had just breathed his last. In spite of the pitiful state he had been in just moments before, he looked completely unharmed.

Standing up from where he had fallen, Yu-Seong explained, "The second law of the sanctuary. Unless a transcendent being allows it, one cannot die here."

- ...Immortality is a realm untouched even by the Demon Kings, except for the Absolute Ones. Who do you think you are to say that to me?

Acedia swung his fist at Yu-Seong's head once again. The fierce force shattered the man’s skull.

Bang-!?

Amidst the thunderous sound, pale brain matter and crimson blood burst out, splattering in all directions. Acedia clicked his tongue, casting a gaze at the lifeless body of the collapsed Yu-Seong in front of him.

This time, Acedia was sure that Yu-Seong had truly died. There was no doubt about the perfect execution of the murder.

However, Yu-Seong's head, which had burst open, was suddenly restored, appearing as if he was regenerating just like a demon. The next moment, he jerked upright, enveloped in a green light.

When Acedia tried to interfere with the recovery, he was forcefully pushed away by the intense green light and was unable to even approach Yu-Seong.

Yu-Seong blinked in surprise at his miraculous and instantaneous resurrection. He tilted his head with a twinkle in his eyes, murmuring, "How refreshing. I feel like I lost consciousness but then regained it right away."

- What on earth is this…?

"As I said, it's useless, so stop and give up. We are not the ones to decide whether to live or die here anyway,” said Yu-Seong.

- …

Acedia's arms dropped and his expression turned bitter. After all, as the Demon King of Sloth, he had no inclination to waste any effort on fruitless tasks.

- Human, explain the current situation in detail. If you fail to convince me, you will experience the torment of never-ending death.

The Demon King’s question sounded as if he was considering a more reasonable approach. Yu-Seong responded with a subtle smile, "Didn't you hear me? That’s not your choice. All will within this sanctuary—"

"Is determined by us, the transcendent beings."

Before Yu-Seong could finish speaking, seven pillars of light of different colors rose around them and seven similarly colored doors appeared. From the blue door, a man came out, and it was he who finished Yu-Seong's sentence. Yu-Seong shivered at the sight of the blue-haired, blue-eyed man with fair skin.

'That man is Gabriel....'?

In the original novel, Gabriel briefly appeared at the end of Book 1, so Yu-Seong didn't know his exact personality. However, he could deduce that Gabriel was quite an arrogant guy from just a few lines of dialogue.

'He's not in the highest position.'?

The sanctuary of transcendent beings was originally inaccessible to any being other than the transcendent ones.

Yu-Seong's entry into this sanctuary had only been made possible by using the blue mana stone that Helen had created. This stone had stimulated the Philosopher's Stone and set the coordinates for teleportation to this place. From the transcendent beings’ perspective, it could be considered that an unauthorized outsider had entered the sanctuary.

Therefore, it was naturally challenging for Yu-Seong to make a good impression on the transcendent beings. That was also why he had hoped that the first transcendent being he could meet would be someone he knew.

‘It would be best if the master came.’

However, of all the transcendent beings, Gabriel, who had an arrogant and cold personality, had happened to be the first to sense something amiss and arrive at this place.

Acedia trembled upon sensing Gabriel's presence, and he fell silent.

'In fact, not even most of the Demon Kings could match the transcendent beings.'?

Moreover, Acedia, the Demon King of Sloth, was among the weakest Demon Kings.

'If we were to compare, he would be like the weakest among the Four Heavenly Kings.'?

From Gabriel's perspective as a transcendent being, Acedia was nothing but an ant.

"One human, one Demon King. It's an odd combination. Did you come here by coincidence or with some intention?" Gabriel's narrowed eyes pierce through Yu-Seong and Acedia as if seeing through them.

Yu-Seong gulped.

'It's okay. Gabriel can't read thoughts.'?

Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at Yu-Seong. He murmured, "...Baek Yu-Ri?"

Yu-Seong's eyes widened at his remark. He asked, "Pardon...?"

"And I can even sense the energy of Bak Ok-Rye here." Gabriel lightly clicked his tongue and sighed. "So it's you. You deliberately led that filthy thing into this place.”

Acedia shivered and his expression changed at Gabriel’s harsh words. However, he dared not respond.

‘At least he knows his place.’

As Yu-Seong looked on, dumbfounded, Gabriel, who had been observing him, rubbed his chin. After a brief silence, Gabriel nodded decisively. He said, "Seems like you know everything and still came here willingly. In that case, you wouldn't expect any mercy from me, would you?"

Gabriel's index finger emitted a dot of blue energy from its tip. Although it was small in size, Acedia could sense the power contained within it.

- W-Wait! As you said, I was forcibly brought here by that human!

"So what?" Gabriel replied.

- W-What?

"You're a Demon King. You're wicked beings who tear humans apart with the excuse they’re weak." Gabriel smirked coldly. "We have decided not to interfere in human affairs, so we can only step back and observe. But that doesn’t mean that we like you."

- W-Wait, if you just let me leave this place, I’ll quietly return to the demon realm...!

Before Acedia could even finish speaking, a faint thread of energy flowed from Gabriel's fingertip and pierced through the center of Acedia's head. It did not seem like anything much, but upon contact, Acedia's formidable body, with its strong physicality and regenerative abilities, disintegrated into dust and scattered in all directions.

"..."

Yu-Seong could only gulp down his saliva as he witnessed the scene.

'No matter how weak he is, and even if his mana is sealed...'?

The Demon King, whom Do-Jin and his party members had struggled against, had been completely annihilated with just a simple attack. Indeed, one could only tremble in the face of a transcendent beings’ overwhelming power.

The gaze of Gabriel, the transcendent being in question, turned toward Yu-Seong. With a similar blue glow at the tip of his finger, he looked at Yu-Seong with a cold gaze and said, "You understand everything and have willingly stepped into this realm, hoping for the demise of the Demon King. Now that I have granted your wish, you must be prepared to accept death, correct?"

"...Not at all." Yu-Seong confidently shook his head.

In fact, the reason he had come this far was because he didn't want to die. How could he truly be prepared to accept death?

"Do not expect mercy. Your unfortunate fate is inevitable, but it is the path you have chosen for yourself..." said Gabriel.

No, he could not die. Yu-Seong had meticulously planned and prepared for even the worst-case scenarios—including this situation. Thus, with a trembling body, a firm stance, and a gaze filled with determination, he addressed Gabriel.

"Eveheim," said Yu-Seong.

"What...?" Gabriel's eyes showed a hint of his bewilderment.

"He’s one who rejected transcendence and chose the path of the demon.”

“How do you know about him? Did Bak Ok-Rye tell you...?"

Before Gabriel could finish speaking, a figure emerged from beyond the yellow door and said, "I haven't said a word."

Bak Ok-Rye, dressed in a floral pattern reminiscent of a countryside grandmother, clicked her tongue as she looked at Yu-Seong. She asked, "How on earth did you manage to come this far?"

"...Haha," Yu-Seong laughed awkwardly.

Ok-Rye's eyes narrowed even further as she asked, "How did you even know that Eveheim was originally a transcendent being?"

"To explain everything, it would be quite a long story," replied Yu-Seong.

After sharing a look with Ok-Rye, Gabriel remarked, "We must kill him. No matter how deep the connection, one who has not yet transcended entering this realm is a violation of the laws.”

"Oh, don’t be inflexible, Gabriel. There's no need to kill him, is there? I don't know how he knows that fact, but from what I've heard, my disciple's idea doesn't seem bad," said Ok-Rye.

"You think he can kill Eveheim? Don't you find it impossible?" said Gabriel.

"Before talking about possibilities, it is clear that he has the qualifications. As you know, he is Baek Yu-Ri's son."

At the mention of 'Baek Yu-Ri's son,' Gabriel's gaze trembled once again.

Just then, another presence appeared beyond the green door and commented, "I've been quietly listening, wondering what's going on. But it's quite an interesting situation, isn't it?"

A small boy holding a smartphone in one hand flashed between Gabriel and Bak Ok-Rye to have a better look at Yu-Seong. "Baek Yu-Ri's son, seeking revenge by killing Eveheim?”

“Seeking revenge?"

This time, Yu-Seong expressed his confusion about the current situation.

"Well, he certainly has the qualifications. However, despite giving up transcendence, Eveheim was originally the owner of the purple door. It might be more prudent to find someone else for the job..." said Gabriel.

"As you said, how could that ‘someone else’ stop Eveheim, who was the original owner of the purple door?" Ok-Rye pressed for an answer.

"That…”

Finally, Gabriel firmly closed his mouth. Come to think of it, it was reasonable to believe that there was no one capable of defeating Eveheim, who had bound himself to the mortal realm by breaking his seal.

"I'm on Granny Bak’s side. Even though I don't know much, it seems interesting," the small boy chimed in.

As a result, two of the three transcendent beings sided with Yu-Seong. The situation was now uncertain. However, the idea of Yu-Seong defeating Eveheim, who was originally a transcendent being, seemed implausible no matter how many times one thought about it.

As silence fell upon everyone, Yu-Seong, as if he had been waiting for this moment, raised his hand and asked, "If I can inherit and pick up some skills and techniques from all three of you, wouldn't my chances of success increase?"

"What...?"

Gabriel’s eyebrow shot up in ridicule at the unexpected statement. On the other hand, Bak Ok-Rye's eyes sparkled with a rather favorable light.

"Well, that's true. If we don't do much, it will be difficult to stop Eveheim," she acknowledged.

"A co-disciple of the three of us? That sounds interesting, doesn't it? Let's do it, let's do it!"

In response to the words of Green, the boy with green hair, Gabriel relaxed his perplexed expression. He soon sighed and nodded. "...It's an absurd story, but indeed, it seems to be the closest to the correct answer.”