Chapter 1323

Immediately after Siegfried left the Void.

“You are...”

Just before being annihilated, the Creator received an unexpected visitor.

“Deus... my greatest creation...”

The Creator looked upon the one considered to be the finest among all the creations, one that could be considered the greatest masterpiece.

“Tsk... You should’ve just died quietly or left for another world. You call yourself the Creator, yet this is the state you’re in?” Deus grumbled, clicking his tongue at the fading entity.

“Deus... my creation...”

“You should’ve either stopped caring entirely or seen it through to the end if you were going to create something. You should’ve chosen one or the other.”

“Is that so...?”

“You stood there watching with your hands behind your back. And then you get disappointed when your creations don't do what you wanted. Who does that?”

“I merely...”

“What did you think your creations were? Some sort of Gung Ye[1]?”

“Gung Ye...?”

“There was such a fellow.”

“...I do not follow.”

“Don’t you think you were being too selfish, expecting your creations to read your mind without you ever uttering a word?”

“You have... a point...”

“Good and evil can co-exist. Someone born evil can have some good in them, and those born good can be evil too. That’s the law of the universe. It is easy for a sentient creature possessing a soul to get corrupted, but the good in them will always shine brightly. Likewise, evil can radiate from those who are thought to be good.”

“...”

“In the end, there’s no such thing as absolute good or evil.”

“...”

“You should’ve created a world filled with creatures that lacked intelligence instead.”

The Creator couldn’t respond to Deus’ words.

Why? Well, it was all because Deus had become a higher order of existence than the Creator himself, and the depth of his enlightenment had far surpassed the Creator’s.

“Anyway, farewell. Now that you’re gone, this world will flow solely by the free will of those inhabiting it. And that, too, is the law of the universe.”

“The law of the universe... you mean...”

“A Creator must either be annihilated or leave the world they created. Weren’t you even aware of that?”

“Was that really the case...?”

“Well, most Creators tend to contradict themselves in the end. In this vast universe, those who have created worlds are ultimately beings that must disappear from the world that they had created. The true meaning of creation lies in providing a haven for the souls scattered throughout the cosmos.”

“So that was it...”

“That was precisely the reason why I was able to remain in this world despite my disciple having greatly influenced the course of this world. The law of the universe chose my disciple as the only one capable of erasing you from the world you created.”

“Yes, that’s right... So the one who guided him to me was you after all. You found a worthy vessel and filled him with your enlightenment...”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You were the one who enforced the law of the universe.”

“Lalala~” Deus whistled and feigned ignorance, intentionally not responding to the Creator’s words. He continued playing dumb regardless of what the Creator seemed to be thinking.

“You sharpened a blade even though you weren’t sure if it would work against me. Still, in the end, you aimed that weapon at me, the Creator—”

Deus grimaced and grumbled, “Oh just hurry it up already. Why are you stalling?”

“...?”

“Don’t cling to this world. You’ve lived long enough already.”

Just before vanishing completely, the Creator asked Deus one final question.

“Let me ask you just one last thing. Why haven’t you created a world of your own?”

“Is that what you’re curious about? Fine, I guess I can give you an answer,” Deus said with a shrug. Then, he grinned and explained, “I’ve never had much interest in creating a world. And I never intended to enforce the law of the universe either. I merely harbored resentment for failing to achieve my dreams during my youth.”

“...”

“And I wanted to leave behind at least one trace of being alive before I left this world, so I raised a disciple. You said I sharpened a blade just to get rid of you, right? Don’t jump to conclusions.

"I never once treated my precious disciple as a mere tool. Whether I'm the one enforcing the law of the universe or not doesn’t matter to me. In the end, things would have gone either way if the universe willed it. There’s no predetermined future, so who knows how things might have turned out?”

“...”

“Besides, I’ve already created an absolutely splendid and delightful creation.”

“And what would that be...?”

“What else? My disciple, of course.”

“...!”

“Raising that one disciple of mine brings me more joy than becoming a creator and making a whole world. He is my one and only masterpiece, and I couldn’t be happier.”

“I see...”

“Farewell now. Your role here is over, so don’t leave with any lingering regret.”

Leaving those words behind, Deus departed the collapsing Void.

Sssrkk...

At the same time, the Creator vanished completely from existence.

Complete Annihilation.

It was the perfect death of the omnipotent being who had created the world.

***

Immediately after Siegfried stepped out of the Void.

“Owner puuuuunk!”

Hamchi came running toward him the moment he emerged.

Siegfried waved and exclaimed, “Hamchi! You little rascal!”

“Kyuuuuu!”

“You’re back, little punk!”

“I could suddenly return to this realm! Did you do it, owner punk? Kyuuu! Did you beat the Creator and save the world?!”

“Are you seriously asking me that right now? Kekeke!”

Siegfried and Hamchi burst out laughing mid-way through their reunion.

“Honey!”

“Father!”

Brunhilde and Verdandi came running toward him right after.

And they were not the only ones...

“Hyung-nim!”

“Hey! You really did it, you bastard!”

“Oppa!”

“Tae-Sung oppa!”

“You did it, Tae-Sung!”

His comrades, now revived, were also waiting for him.

“Haha! My son-in-law is truly amazing!”

“You’re awesome, Tae-Sung!”

“I knew our junior would pull it off!”

“Another legend is born! Hohoho!”

“Amazing! Truly amazing!”

Yong Tae-Pung, now a future father-in-law, congratulated and praised Siegfried for his monumental achievement.

WAAAAAAAAH!

At that moment, millions—no, tens of millions of Adventurers surged like a tidal wave and unleashed deafening cries of victory. They showered praise upon the hero who had saved the Fantasy Server from closing its doors.

In fact, so many people had gathered that their footsteps were enough to cause tremors.

“Han Tae-Sung!”

“Han Tae-Sung!”

“Han Tae-Sung!”

Siegfried basked in the greatest glory a gamer could ever experience. Not only did the majority of the gamers in the game had come to celebrate his victory, but even viewers around the world were cheering passionately.

To receive the respect, cheers, praises, and admiration from hundreds of millions of gamers was something no gamer in history had ever experienced.

A legend among legends, a one-of-a-kind hero never to be seen again.

That was Siegfried, and this was truly a glorious moment for him.

However, it did not end there...

Shwooong...

The scenery around him shifted in an instant, and the people surrounding him vanished, as if they were nothing but a mirage.

“Huh?”

Siegfried was startled and confused by the sudden change.

Ding!

Just then, a notification indicating his current location popped up in front of his eyes.

[Mount Kunlun: House of the Invincible One]

He was currently at Mount Kunlun.

Siegfried looked around at the familiar scenery and spotted the small cabin.

“This place is...”

“Well done, my beloved disciple.” Deus was smiling.

***

“M-Master...”

“You have done something truly admirable.”

Deus slowly walked toward Siegfried and—

“M-Master...?” Siegfried stammered, sounding confused.

—Deus embraced him.

“I am really proud of you, my disciple,” Deus said.

This was the first time Deus had ever hugged Siegfried. He would occasionally give words of praise here and there, but never once had he embraced him this warmly.

“You have grown splendidly. Truly, you have. Just as I would expect of my disciple... But I am still so proud of you. I am proud that you are my disciple.”

“Master...”

“Let’s see... How did you manage to grow so remarkably?” Deus asked, gently holding him by both shoulders and looking at him with warm eyes.

“I-It was all thanks to you, M-Master.”

Overwhelmed by the praise he had never experienced before, Siegfried’s throat tightened so much that he couldn’t finish his sentence.

Memories of his time with Deus flashed through his mind.

The first time he met Deus, receiving the teachings here on Mount Kunlun, visiting him from time to time to seek guidance, proudly bringing him to the Proatine Royal Palace, going to the lakeside to seek advice while he was fishing, occasionally serving him expensive drinks, and so much more.

Looking back, every moment he had spent with Deus over the past five years felt warm and reassuring.

More than anything else, Deus had given Siegfried a new life. Had he not chosen him to be his disciple, Siegfried—no, Han Tae-Sung would have taken his own life in that tiny semi-basement room he lived in.

Back then, Siegfried had nothing to show for. His family was in a difficult situation, he had overwhelming debt, and he was on the verge of losing the one thing that had been his only hope.

He had no future at all.

At that moment, he met Deus, and that meeting changed his life forever.

Who could have imagined that an ordinary, talentless person like him would grow into a professional gamer loved by fans all over the world?

On top of it all, to hear Deus tell him that he was proud of him...

Siegfried felt a surge of emotions welling up inside him.

‘Master is truly like a father to me—no, he is my father.’

Siegfried accepted Deus, an NPC, as his father.

Han Tae-Sung had grown up without a father. His father had passed away when he was very young, so he grew up with only his mother and sister.

Naturally, he had never experienced the reassurance only a father could provide. Not only that, but he had grown up without knowing a father’s warmth or the occasional advice they would give to their sons.

However, things were different now.

Deus, an NPC, had taught Siegfried the things he needed to live and had been continuously guiding him as a man.

Siegfried had always thought of Deus as a father figure.

“My one and only disciple.”

“Yes, Master?”

“Thank you for coming into my life.”

“E-Eh?! W-What do you mean by that, Master?”

“I was nothing more than an old man who couldn’t let go of his past regrets even after obtaining the power of invincibility. With each passing day, the emptiness and boredom I felt only grew deeper. But after meeting you, everything changed. From the moment I met you until now, there has not been a single day that I was unhappy.”

“...!”

“My one and only precious disciple. I think of you, though we do not share a drop of blood, as my so—”

“HEEEY THEREEE!”

An enormous Red Dragon engulfed in flames shouted at the top of his lungs and flew toward the small cabin. It was none other than the First Red Dragon, the God of Blacksmithing, the Level 998 demigod—Vulcanus.

“What are you doing here, brother?! The Void is collapsing! Your disciple did it! I’m telling you that he did it! He defeated the Creator and—eh?!”

Vulcanus noticed Deus standing with Siegfried and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Then, a chill shot down his spine as he belatedly realized that he failed to read the room and barged in at the wrong time.

And that realization proved to be spot on...

“Brother,” Deus muttered, rolling up his sleeves.

Whoosh!

Then, he took off and shot high into the sky.

“B-Brother?!” Vulcanus stammered.

“You seem to be a bit restless. Are you perhaps... feeling an itch somewhere?” Deus asked.

“W-Wait, brother! I was just—!”

“Looks like there’s some grime stuck between your scales. It must be terribly itchy.”

“N-No! That’s not it—!”

“Allow this brother of yours to give you a nice massage. Hohoho!”

“B-Brother!”

“Here I come.”

Baaaam!

Deus’ fist slammed straight into Vulcanus’ jaw.

“Kkuuweeek!”

Even though he was not a pig, Vulcanus let out a cry that resembled the cry of a pig being slaughtered.

“Hahaha... Haha...”

Siegfried laughed awkwardly and wiped a cold sweat from his brow while watching Deus beat Vulcanus to a pulp.

“Seriously, you really need to read the room. Haha...”

A clueless bastard or someone who couldn’t read the atmosphere—that was Vulcanus.

Of all the times he could interrupt them, he had chosen to interrupt while Siegfried and Deus were sharing a deeply emotional moment together.

There was no way he would get away with it, not without paying the price.

In moments like this, the only solution was to pay with one’s body.

“I-I was wrong! Forgive me, brother! Agh! Ack! Kkuuuweeek!”

With that, he paid the price by getting the absolute crap beaten out of him.

***

Tae-Sung logged out that night and fell asleep in the arms of his fiancée, Yong Seol-Hwa.

They did not share anything remotely similar to a night of passion between lovers this time.

Why? Well, Tae-Sung was utterly exhausted from clearing the Void over the past few days, and he fell asleep as if he were dead the moment he sprawled out on the bed.

He slept for a full twenty-four hours straight.

“Are you still sleepy?” Yong Seol-Hwa asked gently.

“Mmhm...”

“You should at least eat something before going back to sleep.”

“Thanks.”

“Time to eat.”

He ate while still half-asleep, and he slept another twelve hours afterward.

During the raid, there had not been even a single second when he could relax, so the mental fatigue from that had affected his physical health too.

Only after sleeping for roughly thirty-six hours—excluding the time spent eating and using the bathroom—did Tae-Sung finally wake up.

“Ughh... My head...” he groaned.

“Are you feeling better now?” she asked.

“My body feels really stiff, but I’m okay. I’m still a bit tired though...”

Unfortunately, Yong Seol-Hwa did not allow him to go back to sleep.

“Try not to go back to sleep. You’ll end up with bedsores if you do.”

“Okay.”

“Drink this, take a shower, and come out. Let’s go work out together.”

“Alright.”

Tae-Sung grabbed a cup of coffee with her first, took a shower, and then went to the gym and loosened up with some light stretching.

After that, they ate and had some tea.

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

Just then, Tae-Sung’s phone rang, and the screen showed Cheon Woo-Jin.

— Hey! What the hell have you been doing these days?! Are you so busy you can’t answer your damn phone?!

“I was sleeping when you called."

— Huh? Sleeping? For two days?

“Yeah.”

— Are you even human? You’re more like a hibernating bear.”

“Do you wanna die?” Tae-Sung growled. Then, he waved his hand and said, “Ah, forget about it. I’m freaking exhausted, so try not to pick a fight. You go try what I did and see if your body holds up or not.”

— W-Well, that’s true...

“So what? What was so important that you called me this many times?

— Ah, it’s nothing serious.

“Nothing serious yet called me this match?”

— I guess?

“What is it? Spit it out!”

— My dad wants to meet you.

“Huh? Your dad?”

— Yeah.

“But why all of a sudden?”

— Why else? I’m sure he wants to meet his son’s friend at least once.

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Tae-Sung nodded in agreement.

“When does he want to meet?”

— Are you free today?

“Today?!”

— He’s in a hurry and will leave the country tomorrow morning, so he only has time.

“Hmm... Okay then.”

Tae-Sung did not refuse Chon Woo-Jin’s suggestion. Since a friend’s father wanted to meet him, it seemed only polite to make time.

‘I wonder which corporation it is...’

Tae-Sung had also been curious about that. Cheon Woo-Jin was absurdly wealthy and could be considered the gold spoon of all gold spoons. Judging by how absurdly wealthy he is, his father had to be the chairman of some global conglomerate.

‘So I’ll finally find out who this bastard really is.’

A few hours later.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Cheon Jong-Ho, and I’m Woo-Jin’s father.”

Tae-Sung met Cheon Woo-Jin’s father in a hotel’s VVIP room.

After shaking hands and exchanging greetings with Cheon Woo-Jin’s father, Tae-Sung glanced sideways and asked, “But... Why is Mr. Oppenheimer here?”

Oppenheimer smiled and replied, “Ah, were you not aware? This gentleman here is the chairman of our company.”

1. Gung Ye is a historical figure from one of the Korean kingdoms. He claimed to have the supernatural ability to read minds, which is why Deus is asking if the creations were Gung Ye (capable of reading minds) More info about Gung Ye here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Ye ☜