Ranker Who Lives Twice

『Hermes.』

While dutifully awaiting his orders, Hermes raised his head once he heard Yeon-woo's voice suddenly enter his mind. "Yes."

『Send your forces out and have them check the coordinates that I'm sending to you right now. They're the potential sites where the Monkey King and Great Sage may be.』

Without waiting for Hermes to respond, Yeon-woo gave out the coordinates. While Hermes was bewildered by this sudden, out-of-the-ordinary order, his past experiences in traversing between the heavenly world and lower world allowed him to quickly recognize and store the potential sites in his mind. He quickly ordered the gods under his command to move immediately to each potential site.

"Where will you be going?"

If Athena was considered Yeon-woo's representative, Hermes was often seen as Yeon-woo's secretary. Everyone within Olympus knew the close relationship Hermes had with Yeon-woo. Thus, even without Yeon-woo mentioning anything, Hermes immediately noticed that something had happened.

『A bit far away this time.』 Yeon-woo responded briefly.『I'm going to bring back your grandmother.』

"…!"

『So, before I come back, find the Great Sage and make sure everyone is ready to mobilize at a moment's notice. You won't be able to reach me for a while.』

After stating those words, Hermes' channel with Yeon-woo abruptly cut off.

***

『Are you going back to the darkness?』 Kronos posed a question to Yeon-woo, who was preparing to move. It was less a question and more a confirmation on whether it was time to smack Sage silly, as Sage had feigned ignorance in regards to Jeong-woo.

"No. Not now. I'm going to avoid the darkness and take a more roundabout path."

『Why?』

"Because it doesn't seem that Sage has yet found the fragment of the 'dream' where Jeong-woo and mother are. Even if he found it, he hasn't been able to awaken them from their forced hibernation."

『Is there any reason to think that way?』

"If Sage had found it, I would have known."

『Okay. That sounds about right.』 Kronos nodded.

The Black King's egos usually had no secrets amongst each other. Although each ego possessed different ideas and characteristics, they had always been part of a larger community that stuck together and drew out a single opinion. The influence they had on each other was great, and they also shared their thoughts as a largely singular mind. Of course, they deceived Yeon-woo by insinuating that they did not know anything regarding Cha Jeong-woo, but that was a lie that would eventually be found out someday.

Thinking along these lines, if Sage and the other Demonisms who followed Sage had found Cha Jeong-woo and Rhea, there was no way Yeon-woo would not have known. Moreover, Yeon-woo had spent an exorbitant amount of time searching for their souls in the darkness as well. If their souls were truly floating around in the darkness, and Yeon-woo had not found them, then he was disqualified as a son and an older brother.

"So, I'm going to make a detour and go to the space where Jeong-woo is."

『Is there a way to do that?』

"Yes. Luckily, there's a good way."

『What is it?』

"Night… I intend to find the Resident of the Border."

『…!』 Kronos widened his eyes.

"The Resident of the Border is a being who exists above numerous 'boundaries' and can enter them at will. That is the meaning of his existence. Space-time, cross-sections or fragments of 'dreams', the boundary between Day and Night… Among those places, there's a high probability that there's an illusory world where Jeong-woo is currently in."

『But…if you look at it another way, doesn't that mean there's a good chance that the illusory world will be a dangerous place for you?』

Yeon-woo nodded. No one knew what was contained within the fragments of abandoned 'dreams'. Maybe the world within was completely ruined, so entering one of those ruined worlds would cause damage to Yeon-woo's existence.

Moreover, Jeong-woo had applied his Quirinale powers to prevent anyone outside his space from properly locating him. No one could locate the space from the outside, and those on the inside could not get out… And since he was part of the Black King, Yeon-woo had to practice caution. There must have been a good reason why Sage had yet to locate and recover Jeong-woo and his mother.

"Right. But we have to go, right?"

『…Yeah.』

"Besides, I need to settle accounts with them at some point. Additionally, to face the Bull Demon King, I need to reinforce my side. And as long as there's Sage, the darkness is not completely mine. Thus, I need to bring Night over to my side first."

『Alright. It's your decision, so I'm sure you'll make the right calls.』 Kronos proudly looked at Yeon-woo. A deep sense of trust could be seen in Kronos' eye, a father's boundless trust for his elder son.『Then let's go. We can't keep your brother and mother waiting.』

***

[The Black King's ego is descending!]

Yeon-woo traversed through various dimensions and arrived where Cha Jeong-woo's vestige spirit body was located. It was the boundary area between the world and the universe where Day and Night had constantly collided after the Tower's collapse. It could also be referred to as the end of the world. And when such a lofty existence appeared, naturally, all eyes focused on Yeon-woo.

['Day (Eros)' recognizes the Black King's ego!]

[The godly society, <Malach>, wants to move to the place where the Black King's ego descended.]

[The demonic society, <L'Infernal>, is about to appear where the Black King's ego is.]

…

['Night (Nox)' is closely paying attention to the Black King's ego!]

In an empty field, Yeon-woo raised his head. In the distance, he could see blue daylight on one side and dark midnight on the other with a solid line dividing the contrasting worlds in the center of the sky.

On the Day's side, many beings were descending. However, on the Night's side, no one showed up, as those of the Night were all focused on further observing Yeon-woo. Those of the Night were probably gauging how to respond based on Yeon-woo's actions.

Yeon-woo knew this as well, so he did not look towards Night. For now, it was urgent to meet his younger brother's vestige spirit body first.

[Michael is descending!]

[Uriel is descending!]

[Raphael is descending!]

…

[Those of Malach are descending!]

The first to make their appearance in the empty plain were the archangels, who led Malach on behalf of Metatron.

"It felt like someone heavy and important was descending. I see it's a very great person has descended." As in their first meeting, Michael was not hiding his competitive nature. No, on the contrary, it seemed that Yeon-woo's further change and development had fueled an even greater competitive spirit within Michael.

On the other hand, Uriel and Raphael, who did not have much of a repertoire with Yeon-woo, did not hide their vigilance and wariness. Yeon-woo seemed to understand why they were reacting like this. Although they were all essentially on the same side, from their point of view, Yeon-woo was now a 'part' of the Black King, a being they detested and had no choice but to oppose. It was only natural for them to act warily.

Additionally, by association, Yeon-woo was responsible for the loss of their long-time leader, Metatron, so they had no choice but to see Yeon-woo and what he represented outwardly as their enemy. Though understanding the overall situation that Yeon-woo was in, it was still difficult for those in Malach to embrace Yeon-woo.

『These little brats. Shouldn't you do something about them?』 Kronos was dissatisfied with the Malach member's response of open hostility towards his son. In the first place, it was Yeon-woo's 'mercy' that saved them all from the collapsing Tower. He added.『If things took their natural course, these brats would have been flattened under the collapsed Tower. Do they even know who they're baring their fangs at?』

Kronos hated those who ran wild without knowing their place. Although his personality had grown softer around the edges relative to his active years, his temperament as a previous king did not completely disappear. Whoosh. As Kronos revealed his true character as a god king, the expressions of Uriel and Raphael hardened.

『…!』

『…!』

『…!』

Naturally, Kronos, who had grown stronger than what he was in his prime, was not someone they could contend with. It would have been impossible for even Metatron if he were alive. Thus, it was impossible for the beings below Metatron's level to withstand Kronos' fierce momentum and aura.

Having fought against the Night for over ten years, the members of Malach thought that they had become much stronger than before, but they soon realized that they were nothing compared to Kronos. A cool sensation ran down the backs of their necks. They felt as if an invisible blade had suddenly been placed against their throats.

All the while, standing behind Kronos, Yeon-woo looked upon the unfolding scene with an indifferent gaze. The members of Malach were reminded that, during their entire battle with the Night, Yeon-woo had looked down upon them from a higher perch. They were no match for him. Just as the stars embedded in the sky were untouchable things for human creatures, Yeon-woo had become the same existence for them!

『Get rid of your wary gazes. Or else, I'll start twisting necks.』

In the end, the archangels of Malach, who were already pushed back in the battle of momentum, had no choice but to back down in a cold sweat.

"Fufu. How about we stop at this point?" In front of Kronos, who was itching for them to make a silly move, Michael stood up and spoke aloud. Bam! The whirlwind of aura that wrapped around and covered Malach was instantly extinguished.

In an instant, one of Kronos' eyebrows twitched. A corner of his mouth twisted upward.『Oh, so you have some skill?』

"I do fight a bit, yes."

『I heard that there's a crazy dog under Metatron that only knows how to fight. You must have been the one who was rumored to have been willing to bite his master if he hadn't been holding onto your leash.』

Though Kronos' words touched Michael's sore spot, Michael maintained his composure. "Your words are harsh. I'm just doing the best I can to carry out the duty I've been given."

『Now that the mad dog escaped from its owner's leash, it's clear what will happen to Malach fortunes in the future.』

"I'll take that as something to reflect on."

Kronos furrowed his brows with a look of displeasure at Michael's smirk and curt reply.

At that moment…

[Agares is descending!]

[Vassago is descending!]

…

[The members of <L'Infernal> have arrived!]

[Fenrir is descending!]

Like Michael and the others of Malach, various demons appeared in the empty plain area, starting with Agares, who was the new leader of L'Infernal. In the end, even beings who had absolutely nothing to do with Yeon-woo started to appear.

Bark!

Bark! Bark!

[Fenrir wags his tail, saying it's nice to meet a friend he hasn't seen in a long time!]

『Have you already forgotten what I've repeatedly stated?! Do not covet what is mine!』 Agares, still in the form of a little boy, sat on top of his puppy, Fenrir, while babbling seemingly nonsense.

Bark! Bark!

『What? If you lick him first, then he's yours? This guy! Even cold water has varying levels of degrees based on height…you young bastard!』

Bark!

『You're telling me to stop acting like an old fogey? Do you dare speak that way to the leader of L'Infernal and the ruler of the East…!』

Bark! Bark!

『You're going to steal my dentures? This…! You devour my food and consideration, and you pay me back with this bullshit…!』

Like Michael, there did not seem to be any significant change in the two. Even though Agares seemed outwardly angry, it did not seem like he had any intention of coming down from Fenrir. If there was a difference, it seemed that their words towards each other were much more ferocious and biting than before. This probably meant that they had spent the past decade fiercely bickering with each other non-stop.

Soon…

[Athena is descending!]

[Ram is descending!]

…

[The Olympian guards, 'Dis Pluto' have made their appearance.]

[The guards all at once bow to the master they haven't seen in a long time!]

Boom! Dis Pluto, led by Athena, appeared in front of Yeon-woo and knelt down on one knee all at once.

[Your familiars are back!]

[Death Lord (Shanon) has returned.]

[Death Lord (Hanryeong) has returned.]

…

[Arch Lich (Boo) has returned.]

As Yeon-woo's shadow stretched out, it swallowed up his familiars' shadows.

「Ahoy! The atmosphere-maker, Shanon has appeared! My master, have you been bored without my presence?」 Shanon, and his poignant words that scratched at Yeon-woo, seemed the same. Boo, who had gone through multiple developments, loyally bowed his head.

[The 'Successor of the Day (Eros)' is descending!]

Cha Jeong-woo's vestige spirit body finally appeared.

"Jeong-woo."

『Huh? What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?』 As if feeling a little awkward to openly state how happy he was to see his older brother, Jeong-woo grunted and put in a slide remark about his brother's expression.

Originally, Yeon-woo would have returned the favor, but now was not the time for that. Yeon-woo cut to the chase and spoke in a serious tone. "Let's go find mother."