Past Life Returner

Side Story 17 – The Next Day - Joshua

Over the past few days, this primitive Maruka clan had produced an astonishing number of offspring. Those offspring spawned even more, and the cycle continued.

This spectacle undoubtedly indicated that the Maruka were not certain of the Master’s victory and were preparing for the advent of Doom Kaos. It could be to secure their retreat by putting their children forward, or to prepare for their last resistance, as unbelievable as it may sound.

If the Master failed to achieve divine singularity, then all of their feverish efforts would come to nothing… tsk tsk. It was ironic that they decided to entrust the fate of their clan to the Master, yet they had no confidence in the Master's victory. That was why the Maruka clan would never escape its primitiveness and inferiority.

However, he was different. He was able to decide to put on the mantle of evil as he was certain of the Master’s victory. From the beginning, Doom Kaos was destined to be defeated by Him. Of course, the power the evil displayed to convince Joshua was awe-inspiring, but it was still an imperfect thing in a rivalrous state with the Old One.

Doom Kaos had fought the Old One for so long, but had not managed to finish it. Although he held such a powerful strength, nothing was left in his inner self other than the thought of becoming the only one. All he could offer to persuade Joshua was the power, and it was not enough to shatter Joshua’s world.

Joshua would never forget that day. The day he knelt before the Master and swore loyalty…

“The world’s order would be written again. Come into my order, Joshua.”

“Yes, Master.”

Some might dismiss this world as insignificant compared to the world where they were fighting over humanity’s capital markets. However, the shock and elation Joshua felt at that moment when his world was first crumbled by the Master overwhelmed all the emotions he felt from Doom Kaos.

The Master would have definitely turned around the unfavorable situation in the world without Joshua’s support. Joshua merely helped expedite that moment for the Master, and that was it.

And look. As the Master originally said, he had reordered the world, from the capital markets of a small world to the macroscopic order of the entire universe. Joshua had been confident of the Master's victory from the very beginning. That certainty was confirmed yesterday when the primitive Maruka clan ceased all activities and began to panic.

Doom Kaos was dead as of yesterday. The Master had achieved in becoming the only god. Enjoying this great joy was enough for just one day. Everything had reached its glorious end, as he had long wished for and as was planned.

The end.

Master, your servant Joshua sincerely congratulates you. Serving you has truly made my life joyful. There can be no greater honor than this. So please, do not wake me. Lord Odin, please grant your servant Joshua rest.

***

Joshua brought darkness into his world. The scene he had been watching through Orca’s eyes started to darken the moment he intentionally severed the connection to it.

It was when only a single point remained in his world in darkness. If that point was also engulfed in darkness and if the Master permitted it, then Joshua would finally find rest. It would be a complete death, filled with glory.

However, right then, contrary to Joshua’s wishes, that last point remained unchanged. Instead, a bright light expanded from there. At the same time, a force pulled him back.

Is he not letting me…

Joshua was spat outside of Orca. When his soul was poured into a prepared body, he could finally blink his eyes and look up. Seon-Hu was looking down at him. The disappointment at not being granted rest outweighed his joy at being able to see his Master again. This was never what he wanted.

“It is a shame that you have not changed your mind. Rest is not something you can only enjoy in death.”

Seon-Hu spoke while hiding his sadness, just like how Joshua was hiding his disappointment. He only spoke softly as if comforting Joshua.

Orca had been filled with excitement, first for survival and then for the rewards after defeating Doom Kaos. Seon-Hu had thought that if Joshua saw the world through Orca’s eyes, his thoughts could change a little. However, that did not happen.

Seon-Hu stretched out his hand to Joshua, who was still kneeling. Unexpectedly, Joshua did not refuse. He took Seon-Hu’s hand and got up. He then began to scan Orca and its children with a warning gaze.

Orca hurriedly stepped down from his throne. As the Maruka species surrounding Orca began to kneel down, Joshua stared at the throne where Orca had been seated. At first, it was out of a desire for his Master Seon-Hu to sit there.

However, the throne created by the Maruka clan was too filthy for his Master to sit on, so Joshua exerted a bit of power.

Srrrr.

Something large that looked like a bone sprouted from the organic mass and took shape. When Joshua’s power breezed through, the Maruka clan’s organic matter that had been buried in the bones was completely washed away.

The throne was hastily constructed by Joshua for Seon-Hu. It was completed with the inherent crimson power of the Undead Emperor shimmering in it.

Nonetheless, it only seemed so in appearance. Seon-Hu obviously recognized that the crimson power flowing through the throne of bones was actually a concentrated form of the Book of Death.

Joshua was hoping for his power to be withdrawn at the moment. He was begging for peace under the name of death!

Joshua…

Seon-Hu felt his mouth drying as he saw Joshua, who was waiting only for a decision. It was impossible to change Joshua’s mental world. Even if he filled Joshua’s dim eye with artificial vitality, who or what would that be for?

Although Seon-Hu held the omnipotence of the only god, the impossible was in front of him.

If you want to become the ruler of the entire universe, I could certainly make that happen.

Joshua wanted nothing. He was filled with the belief that he had done his task.

Seon-Hu began to take out what he had brought.

“You will also like it, Joshua. And these are the clothes I wore when I was a civilian. I would like for you to wear them.”

***

Sea bream sushi with its skin enhancing its rich flavor. Abalone sushi with thick slices of steamed abalone. Salmon sushi covered in a special sauce from a sushi master. Sweet white conch sushi. Mackerel sushi with balanced fat, offering both richness and a smooth texture. Tuna belly sushi significantly boosted its soft texture due to excessive fat.

The dishes that Seon-Hu had brought were full of sushi, each with different textures and flavors.

“My father also loves them.”

Seon-Hu created a table and chairs. Joshua remained the same as before. He calmly sat in the chair that Seon-Hu made for him, without hesitation.

“Thank you, Master.”

Water had been filled in the cup that was on the table. Joshua drank it and then picked up his chopsticks. Joshua drank water then picked up the chopsticks. He was natural in using them because, aside from the senses he could manipulate, he had always been accustomed to using them. Westerners had learned to use chopsticks solely to eat sushi, and it was the same for him.

“Everyone is waiting for you. It is honestly disappointing to think you would leave without a victory feast.”

Seon-Hu watched Joshua pick up a piece of sushi, then continued, “It is only sushi for now, but I will prepare the next feast according to your taste. You can look forward to it. I will be the one preparing them.”

“Please have some, Master.”

“I already ate a lot. How does it taste?”

“Excellent. It reminds me of things I had forgotten.”

Joshua smiled.

“That is good to hear.”

Seon-Hu also responded with a smile.

However, both knew that it was a fake smile for each other… Their relationship was too deep to overlook such details.

***

Joshua emptied the bowl. He had repeatedly told Seon-Hu that the food was excellent, mindful of his Master’s kindness. But until then, Seon-Hu had not found an answer on how to reignite Joshua’s will to live. What if it was not possible even with food?

While it was true that having a child could give him a new sense of life, Joshua had no room in his heart to accept love. His condition was different from mere burnout. He had suffered through tough times in the Stage of Advent, and now felt that he had fulfilled all his purposes. He was simply existing and living a meaningless life.

And Seon-Hu was the one who had forcibly awakened him. Seeing Joshua make a smile out of consideration for him hurt Seon-Hu.

Do you even realize how odd it is for you to smile like that?

“You are considering me even in this situation. You could resent me. I am sorry, but no matter how much I think about it, I cannot give you up.”

Seon-Hu added, “Some say that we must learn how to endure pain from life, and that is the purpose of our existence. If that is the case, we have achieved that goal, haven’t we? We have felt and learned enough about pain.

“But even we, who have achieved so much, have failed to gain something. We have never learned what it is because we never had it or understood it. But can’t we think about what is left for us?

“It would be nice if it comes naturally, but as you know, it is difficult for us. We have to find it ourselves, and work to get it. If you cannot find it yourself, I will find it for you as I find joy in my life. I will look for yours as well. Trust me and wait for me. This is my final command to you, Joshua.”

Joshua knelt on one knee and lowered his head.

“Yes, Master.”

The scene reminded them of the day when Joshua had pledged his loyalty to Seon-Hu.