The Mastermind IV
I posed as a thoroughly competent researcher and built a network.
Though I hated to admit it, "Undertakeress" was quite beautiful. With her amiable attitude and tailored strategies for approaching others, even the NPC researchers quickly opened up to her.
"Researcher, you must be tired. Here, have some coffee and take it easy."
"Oh! Thank you. Wow, it's been ages since I've had coffee made by someone from the Undertaker's guild. I kind of missed it even after coming here..."
The researchers referred to themselves as Ascended. Normally, I would have rejected such a term outright, as it reeked of anti-Awakener supremacism, but for these individuals, the title seemed oddly fitting.
'Whatever they call themselves, these are just NPCs based on my comrades.'
Naturally, the method to win their favor was similar as well. I had memorized hundreds of ways to get on their good sides.
"Researcher 107, you're so kind. The Undertakers in the world I ascended from were selfish jerks who only cared about themselves..."
"Is that so?"
"Yes! All they ever said was they were the Regressor, just follow my orders, nothing will go wrong if you do. So we all ganged up on them behind their backs."
"Haha..."
"And they kept rambling about Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Seriously, who even reads that these days? It's so boring, but I had to humor them all the time—it was torture!"
"..."
Endure it.
These researchers weren't true comrades, merely creations filtered by the Outer God. There was no need to take them seriously.
For the next few days, I focused solely on building good relations with them to give me time to recover my Aura. It wasn't long before the researchers began to flock around me.
"Researcher 107! Want to grab lunch together?"
"How about a walk after eating?"
"Um, unnie, there's something strange happening in my simulator. Do you have time to take a look?"
"Researcher 107!"
In no time, I became the center of attention.
Meanwhile, the slime Fairy King clinging to my body 24/7 wriggled.
- Admiration: You're truly exceptional. Wherever you're placed, you always rise to the top of the social hierarchy.
- Inquiry: That makes me wonder. Why didn't you fully exploit this talent in your original world? Is an Undertaker inherently inferior to an Undertakeress?
Shut up.
"If you only act according to everyone's ideal vision of you, it only becomes exhausting in the end. My comrades and I have to endure for ten, twenty, or even thousands of years together. These shallow strategies are only fit for superficial runs where relationships don't matter."
- Commentary: You live such a tiresome life.
The slime, initially robotic in its reactions, seemed to grow more human-like after spending time with me.
By this point, I had grown accustomed to the simulation lab's sterile environment. Once I deemed my Aura sufficiently recovered, I immediately began to enact my plan.
"Ah, unnie? You're here?"
"I'm not your unnie. You Anomaly."
"...Huh?"
Alone in the lab, I struck down the NPC researcher disguised as Sim Ah-ryeon in a single blow.
- ...!
The researcher fell, unable to resist.
Under normal circumstances, their death would have immediately alerted the Outer God. However, with Infinite Void drawing their attention elsewhere, the Outer God was unable to focus on this area.
"Fairy King, transform me into that one's body."
- Response: Understood.
The slime consumed the corpse before returning to me, reshaping my body.
Looking in the mirror, I saw that I was no longer the Undertakeress but had completely transformed into Ah-ryeon, down to every last detail.
"Ah, ah. Ahhh."
I adjusted my voice using Aura, testing it to match hers.
"This... this t-tone... seems fine. Ehe."
- Shock: I've experienced the human emotion of astonishment for the first time. I will henceforth classify this sensation as "goosebumps."
"J-just... shut up."
- Goosebumps.
I destroyed the simulation universe overseen by Sim Ah-ryeon.
As a regressor, my power fundamentally stemmed from regression. In contrast, the Outer God's strategy to counter me relied on simulation universes. The fewer false universes that existed, the weaker the Outer God's dominion would become.
- Inquiry: This Divine Realm alone contains thousands of simulated universes. Do you intend to destroy each one?
"Th-thousands... Hoh, h-hoh... hoeeeh..." I let out a sinister laugh, mimicking Ah-ryeon. "Hoh-heh... hehehe..."
- Goosebumps: Goosebumps.
I staged things so it appeared as if the Undertakeress had been killed by turning Research Lab 107 into a chaotic crime scene. It didn't take long for the "crime" to be discovered.
The researchers, who had grown close to Undertakeress, erupted in outrage.
"Researcher 107 was murdered!"
"Who did it? Who's the bastard that did this?"
"I heard there was an intruder... It must be them!"
"Our beloved barista and admired Researcher 107 is gone! Why?"
"Well, I did secretly suspect 107 of being the intruder, but this is still shocking..."
From the perspective of the Outer God, the Undertakeress—who had skyrocketed to popularity—was likely flagged as a high-priority target. That someone like her to be abruptly killed, while the Outer God was preoccupied fighting Infinite Void, must have thrown them into considerable confusion.
But my terror campaign didn't stop there.
"Um, um... Researcher 511?"
"Hm? What's the matter?"
"I-I actually have a theory about this incident. But it's something others shouldn't overhear, so... c-could you come with me for a moment?"
I lured other researchers, one by one, and hunted them down. Destroying their simulation universes was a bonus.
The core of this operation was to destroy as many simulations as possible before the Outer God could react.
I morphed from the Undertakeress to Sim Ah-ryeon, then to Dang Seo-rin, to the Saintess, to Seo Gyu, to Yu Ji-won, and back to the Undertaker, before taking on yet another form. With each transformation, I ruthlessly obliterated research labs.
- Admiration: Your talents seem better suited to acting than to making coffee.
"Shut it," I replied curtly, then slashed to kill.
Swoosh.
Researcher 801, the Undertaker with dyed blond hair—Golden Sun—bled profusely, his face frozen in shock. "D-Dang Seo-rin? Why would you...?"
"Because I'm not Dang Seo-rin. Repeat after me: Railroads are mere transportation, and witches are just cosplay."
"That... makes no sense..."
Thud.
Golden Sun collapsed, stripped of life.
After slaughtering more than 200 researchers, I reached a clear conclusion.
"These fools. For all their talk of being Ascended, they're weak."
Even the researcher who mimicked the Saintess was pathetically frail. If they had mastered Time Stop to the same extent as the real Saintess, my traps wouldn't have taken her down so easily. But this so-called researcher Saintess died screaming, ensnared in my simplest setup.
"Are these really the ones who survived countless world-ending simulations and were deemed worthy by the Outer God? They're too weak."
- Response: That is to be expected.
The slime Fairy King's answer was calm, as if the explanation was obvious.
- Commentary: The purpose of the simulation universes is to degrade you and others like you—Awakener and Anomaly alike.
- Addendum: If the Outer God strengthened these researchers too much, it would undermine their own objectives.
"I see... So weakening them was intentional."
It wasn't just their physical strength that didn't match up. Compared to my real comrades, these so-called researchers had far weaker senses of resolve and moral convictions.
The Golden Sun Undertaker I had just killed was embarrassingly pitiful. I couldn't help but mutter, "Was this supposed to be me?"
- Explanation: That is precisely why they were chosen as pawns by the Outer God.
Indeed.
In just 130 days, I brought the simulation lab to ruin.
The researchers scrambled to locate the intruder by any means necessary, but how could they find someone who could become anyone?
Thanks to my study of community-destroying "troll villains," it was all too easy to dismantle their cohesion. Suspicion. Incitement. Deception. Misdirection. Using these tools to sow chaos among the weak-minded NPC researchers was child's play.
"Impressive, sunbae!"
When I had destroyed about 5,000 simulation universes, Infinite Void appeared again.
This time, it abandoned its researcher disguise entirely and wore a reversed version of the Baekhwa Girls' High School uniform—black where Cheon Yo-hwa's had been white.
"The Outer God probably used those fake comrades' appearances to guilt-trip you. But wow! You really slaughtered them without hesitation. As expected of you, sunbae! I admire that!"
"A parasite wearing Cheon Yo-hwa's face has no right to speak."
"Ahaha!"
Infinite Void threw its arms around my own. I reflexively tried to shake her off, but she didn't budge. Its entire body radiated a red, sticky Aura, which oozed with oppressive force. It was far beyond anything the NPC researchers could compare to.
"It's a bit of a shame that you stopped using the Undertakeress persona. She was so cute," it whined. "Not that you're not cute, sunbae! I mean, these dead fish eyes are definitely your charm point."
"Get to the point."
"Thanks to your flashy terrorism, the battle over the Divine Realm is swinging in my favor."
Snap.
Infinite Void made a playful gesture of opening and closing its hand.
Bam!
As if responding to its gesture, the space around us compressed. The remaining NPC researchers and twenty or so simulation universe holograms were forcibly drawn to one place.
"Huh?"
"Wh-what's going on?"
The researchers panicked, glancing around wildly.
Infinite Void tightened its grip on my arm, its grin widening to grotesque proportions as its lips stretched unnaturally, splitting almost to its ears.
"Now, sunbae, only a handful remain... I'll leave the finishing blow to you."
Looking at it, I was reminded of something once again.
'Defeating the Outer God requires Infinite Void's cooperation. But weakening the Outer God allows Infinite Void to ascend instead.'
Infinite Void's power, Data Input, was devastating. It reduced even the Outer God's minions to mere NPCs. Had it not been defeated at Baekhwa Girls' High School, Infinite Void would undoubtedly have become one of the most powerful Outer Gods.
'I was right. This strategy of relying on Infinite Void is hopelessly flawed.'
I resolved myself.
I needed to find a way to reach the Outer God's Divine Realm without depending on Infinite Void.
Developing a new route would be the greatest achievement of this run.
"Hm." Infinite Void gazed up at me with a knowing look. "I know what you're thinking. You're scared that if you wipe out those researchers and simulations, I'll be unstoppable, right?"
"..."
"But don't forget—I'm still afraid of you. Regression resets everything. We're mutually hostile by nature. So, how about this?"
"Speak."
"I'll use Data Input on myself." Infinite Void tapped the side of its head with its finger. "I'll input, 'I will love sunbae forever.'"
My eyes widened. I hadn't expected it to propose that.
"In return, you input this: 'I will love Infinite Void forever.'"
"..."
"No tricks, no word games. We trust each other, talk things out, and move forward together. Positive, everlasting love. Then neither of us will have reason to betray or exploit the other."
Infinite Void grinned mischievously.
"Even if you regress, you'll trust and love me enough to share what happened in the past. Together, we could conquer the world! The Outer God would be easy to crush."
"You've thought this through."
"Ahaha! Of course! I'm not like the other Outer Gods. In the old days, Demon Kings tempted heroes with half the world. These days, the trend is offering half your heart."
"You're an Anomaly. Do you even understand love?"
Infinite Void moved its hand to its chest. "Who knows? But this heart seems to. Why don't we turn mutual hostility into mutual love, sunbae?"
I didn't answer. And it wasn't just because its offer likely included a hidden clause about claiming Cheon Yo-hwa's body.
Instead, I swung my Aura, annihilating all the researchers in one fell swoop.
"Ah!"
With the researchers gone and their simulations destroyed, Infinite Void's face lit up with glee. I simply stared at it, staying quiet.
"Really? Did you just accept my proposal?!"
"..."
"Wow! I made that suggestion half-jokingly, thinking it was a long shot, but you actually went for it! Ah, but don't get me wrong—I'm not saying you're foolish. As expected of you, sunbae. Pretending to resist but secretly curious about wielding the power of an Outer God! Don't worry—I'm really one of the good ones. Look at my little fairy servants! Aren't they adorable and kind? Just like their master, and they've been watching, waiting, for the right moment to—"
Infinite Void froze mid-sentence.
A single second of silence stretched on unnaturally.
"Huh?"
The same eerie, overlapping voice that had haunted me during my first encounter with the Outer God echoed, both from Infinite Void's lips and the speakers in the research lab.
"Wait, this... Destroying the simulation lab was a part of my plan all along? You're kidding, right?"
The voice continued, seamlessly shifting into a maddening stream of words.
- What was the first entity you encountered upon awakening in this place?
- It was the Fairy King, the puppet of me, Infinite Void. You foolishly allowed my servant to cling to you without suspecting a thing, thinking it merely a harmless accessory.
"What...? No! That was supposed to be my mole, planted for intel! This can't be...is what you must have thought, right?" The dual voices intertwined as the tone turned mocking. "But, alas, that too was part of my plan, Undertaker. Nothing you've done in this place has been outside my design. Every step you took, every lab you destroyed,no, sunbae! My mouth moving on its own, it's all within the script I wrote. Even this, even now, your surprise and denial—my experiments accounted for it all!"
Infinite Void winced, its face twisting in visible pain as its body began to dissolve like smoke. The slime Fairy King, which had been pretending to be an "innocent companion," evaporated alongside it.
What followed was disturbingly familiar.
Creeeeak.
The research lab's ceiling tore open.
Beyond it lay a vast void of stars, with a colossal rupture splitting the expanse in two.
- Ah.
A massive crimson eye filled the gap in the Void, glaring down at me.
It was Infinite Void—its true form—looming from above.
It extended its hand, its movements unnervingly deliberate. This time, I was prepared. I leapt onto its outstretched palm with practiced ease.
'This must be how Sun Wukong felt on the Buddha's palm.'[1]
After obliterating the research lab, Infinite Void dragged me through the rift in space.
For a moment, all was black.
When I came back to awareness, I found myself sprawled in a restored research lab.
Behind me lay the ruins of the "simulation lab"—now just another simulation itself.
"..."
"..."
The only noticeable difference was that Infinite Void now stood before me, in person.
Somehow, we had ascended to a higher realm: a simulation of a simulation.
Infinite Void muttered under its breath, its words raw with emotion.
"Goddammit..."
The way it spoke... It had a strangely human ring to it.
Footnotes:
[1] In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong once bet the Buddha that he could escape the latter's palm. He lost almost immediately.
-x-X-x-
The Mastermind V
"Fine. I'll admit it... The Mastermind's traps are more elaborate than I thought," Infinite Void muttered irritably.
The way it spun its ponytail nervously with its fingers reminded me of Yo-hwa's habitual mannerisms.
I had to maintain an objective perspective.
If I ignored the fact that it called me "sunbae" instead of "Teacher," that its uniform colors were reversed, and that it used casual speech instead of honorifics—it had truly become difficult to distinguish between it and Cheon Yo-hwa.
"To deceive your enemies, you must first deceive yourself."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Nothing."
"Hmph. Anyway, you've figured it out too, right? No matter how hard we try to break through the simulation universes in this state, it's pointless."
I nodded. "I think the same. Even if we destroy the simulation research center again, we'll just end up in a 'higher-tier' simulation lab."
"Exactly... What a frustrating bastard. How annoying." Yo-hwa—or rather, Infinite Void—sighed deeply. "I did wonder why they were letting me hack them so easily. Now, I see why."
"They don't care if they get hacked."
"Yeah. That's the strategy."
Even if every simulation universe was destroyed, it wouldn't matter. As long as the premise of "This too is only a simulation" held true in that very last moment, the Mastermind would claim ultimate victory.
From the lower simulation to the higher one. Higher and higher. An endless hell of ascent.
"..."
"..."
A moment of silence lingered between us.
It felt like being trapped in a maze with no exit.
"...Seriously, why is this guy so cowardly? Even that so-called Infinite Metagame at least handed Oh Dok-seo a dagger to stab you whenever the chance arose! This one is just squatting until the end to steal the final blow!"
"Well. I see it differently."
"Huh? How differently?"
I turned to look back. What remained was a broken model of the universe, reduced to rubble.
"There's something I want to test. Infinite Void. Earlier, the research lab was transformed by your Filter, correct?"
"Huh? Yeah, that's right."
"Is it possible to overlay the filter with something other than a research lab?"
"Of course it's possible, but..." Infinite Void tilted its head. "Do you have something specific in mind? For the record, the research lab is the most convenient. Researchers don't like to meddle or be meddled with, so those NPCs allowed both you and me to roam relatively freely."
"It's fine. I only intend to make a slight modification. Also, there's no reason for us to split up anymore, so let's stick together."
"Oh. Alright."
I explained the Filter I had in mind to Infinite Void. Then, we immediately set out into the hallway.
It seemed that Infinite Void had lost the enthusiasm to shape the Divine Realm into a "believable research lab." The outer landscape was as desolate as when I had first encountered it. Only, the research rooms lining the endless corridor now had "doors" attached to them—an element that hadn't been there before. Beside each door hung a nameplate.
Room 108: Oh Dok-seo
Room 109: Dang Seo-rin
Room 110: Sim Ah-ryeon
Room 111: Undertaker
.
.
.
This was the filter I had requested.
For example, inside the research room labeled "Room 110: Sim Ah-ryeon," a simulation revolving around Sim Ah-ryeon was running. Similarly, "Room 111: Undertaker" was likely conducting experiments centered on me.
"I've set it up just like you asked for now, but what's the point of this?"
"Just follow me without question."
"Tch. You're so cold to me!"
I had lived in the lower-level research center for nearly a hundred days. I remembered exactly which simulations ran in which rooms.
It didn't take long to find our destination.
As it trailed along, Infinite Void continued spewing meaningless chatter so inconsequential that I won't even bother narrating it.
Finally, it tilted its head in surprise.
"Huh? Here? That's an unexpected choice."
Room 1537: Sword Marquess
That's right. In this research center, there were mad scientists dedicated to running simulations centering on the Sword Marquess.
I kicked the door open.
"Huh? Wh-who are you?"
"It's none of your concern."
The researcher, startled, turned toward us—and was immediately split into two halves. Behind me, Infinite Void whistled.
"Wow. It doesn't matter if they look like comrades, huh? You show no mercy once you judge them as foes."
"Shut it."
I approached the simulation device the researcher had been operating and began manipulating the hologram interface. I had already learned how to handle these devices on the lower levels.
"I didn't pay much attention to the specific contents of the simulations in the lower lab. Since they were all false worlds created for the Outer God's amusement, watching them would only lead to disgust."
"Yeah, so?"
"Now, I realize the content of these simulations might be just as important as the proposition that 'This world is entirely a simulation.'"
"...?"
With a flick of my hand, I began adjusting the simulation device. Countless options appeared as holographic selections.
[Scenario: Weakening the Undertaker's Mental State]
[Scenario: Adjusting the Undertaker's Cycle]
[Scenario: Weakening the Saintess's Morality]
[Scenario: Killing Yu Ji-won]
[Scenario: Large-Scale Explosion of the Sand of the Ganges]
[Scenario: Invasion by the City Devourer]
I suspected these were the types of scenarios the Mastermind liked to use frequently. But I ignored all the options entirely.
Without adding any additional scenarios or using any kind of editor, I initiated the simulation in what could be called "vanilla mode." Soon, the simulation began running from the perspective of the Sword Marquess.
"Huh?"
Yo-hwa—no, Infinite Void—who had been observing smugly, as if to gauge how clever my discovery was, suddenly blinked in confusion.
"Wait... What is this?"
It moved closer, practically leaning over my shoulder to peer into the simulation. Even from the perspective of someone who had partially regained their authority as an Outer God, the sight unfolding was astonishing.
"The Earth... is still Earth, but something feels off. There are terrains here and there that aren't recorded in my Akashic Records. Where is this? It's not the real Earth, is it?"
I tipped my chin in a slight nod. "This is the martial realm."
"The martial realm? As in, the alternate historical fantasy setting from wuxia novels?"
"...You've picked quite the description, one that would make Infinite Metagame or Dok-seo choke if they heard it. But yes, it's that fictional space. This is my first time seeing it in person too."
Of course, this too was nothing more than a fabricated simulation created by the Mastermind.
In the hologram, the Sword Marquess was advancing through the simulation. He joined the Mount Hua Sect, trained for decades, and eventually became the sect leader. His long journey flashed by in accelerated time.
With each major milestone, new scenario options popped up on one corner of the hologram, like bubbles bursting to the surface.
[Scenario: The Return of the Heavenly Demon]
[Scenario: The Blood Sect's Rebellion]
[Scenario: The Great Orthodox-Demonic War]
[Scenario: The Emergence of Demonic Creatures]
The locations for these scenarios were mostly situated in the "edges of the map," where the Sword Marquess had not yet explored. It was in these uncharted territories that the Blood Sect's schemes were conceived, the forces of the Demonic Path flourished, and variables capable of toppling the Martial Alliance were introduced.
'So, I was right. If the Mastermind wants to manipulate causality, they need as much unperceived space as possible.'
It was the concept commonly known as the "fog of war."
In video games, any part of the map that hasn't been scouted would remain shrouded in darkness or mist. Similarly, in this martial arts world, there were many "unknown regions" that the Sword Marquess had not yet perceived.
To us, this concept was all too familiar. If one replaced "the areas unperceived by the Sword Marquess" with "the areas unperceived by humanity," it essentially became what we called the Void.
Even in our world, the Void was abundant.
'When I tried to plant signal beacons beyond the Ural and Himalayan Mountains, the Mastermind had a fit because it was trying to preserve as much Void as possible.'
Why? Because if it allowed me to claim that space, the "scenario options"—or in other words, the "causality manipulations" visible before me—available to it would shrink significantly.
Like any other Anomaly, the Outer God was deeply committed to defending its domain.
"This is nothing but a paper-thin world..." Infinite Void murmured beside me. "If you look closely, every space unrecognized by the Sword Marquess is covered in darkness. The moment the Sword Marquess perceives it, the background is generated, and NPCs are created on the spot."
A model garden of sorts, tailored by and for the Sword Marquess. That was the true nature of this simulated universe.
However, the simulation's dynamics soon changed.
In the hologram, the Sword Marquess engaged in a life-and-death duel with the Heavenly Demon. Gravely injured, he had to tap into his innate energy, destroying his dantian in the process. Immediately after, a parallel projection of "modern Earth," which we knew, appeared next to the "martial realm."
"...The Sword Marquess has washed ashore on Ulleungdo."
"The aftereffects of the intense battle with the Heavenly Demon have left his intelligence and memory unstable."
"Wait. So, that's why the Sword Marquess ended up like that?"
I shook my head. "No. This is how the Mastermind defines the Sword Marquess."
"...!"
"Whether or not the Sword Marquess was truly a sect leader from the Mount Hua Sect, no one knows. But just now, the Mastermind used the simulation to declare, 'The Sword Marquess is a martial artist who returned from the martial realm.' And then..."
I sped up the simulation. Wherever the Sword Marquess walked, the fields turned lush with crops. Simultaneously, the lands in the "Martial Realm," which shared geographic similarities with Earth, withered into barren deserts.
"As you can see, when the Sword Marquess cultivates crops, the martial realm undergoes desertification."
"Ah."
"One world becomes abundant at the cost of the other's desolation. The Mastermind has defined the Sword Marquess's Plant Growth Awakening ability in this way."
I looked at Infinite Void.
"Doesn't this remind you of something?"
"...The same way the Mastermind degraded your Regression ability into mere simulation data. It's twisting the Awakeners' abilities into its own definitions."
"Exactly." I glanced around the research lab. "I thought this place existed solely to kill me. But it's not just that. This is a factory built to define the identities of all Awakeners on Earth and even the identities of Anomalies like you."
"..."
"Regression, Plant Growth, the Saintess's Telepathy, Dang Seo-rin's Cursed Songs—all of it. The Mastermind is probably reducing them all to mere 'simulation data.' Even your Akashic Records, Infinite Void."
It was impossible to dismiss the Mastermind as just a cowardly squatter waiting to steal the final blow. From beginning to end, it had focused only on bringing the world under its control.
Look. Even now, every human and Anomaly was being reduced to simulation data.
After a long silence, Infinite Void mumbled, "How do we win against this?"
Was it just my imagination, or was it slightly intimidated by the Mastermind?
"Destroying the research lab just pushes it from a lower to a higher level. If we leave it alone, no matter how much we struggle, we'll only end up as part of the Mastermind's 'calculated simulation.' Isn't this a complete checkmate?"
"Hmm."
"S-so, the only way might be for us to have a child together and create a brand-new variable—!"
"No. Hold on." I placed my hand on Infinite Void's shoulder, stopping it before it spiraled further. "From what we've seen, the Mastermind isn't just my enemy. It's not just humanity's enemy either. It's also the greatest rival of you Outer Gods."
"And so?"
"We're in the same boat. The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Don't you think it's time to revisit that ancient truth?"
Blink.
"Ugh. Don't tell me, sunbae..."
Another cycle passed.
In the simulation universe research center, our party now consisted of myself, Infinite Void, and the slime Fairy King. But now, there was one new addition to the team.
Of course, calling it a "party member" might not have been entirely appropriate. The newcomer didn't even have a mouth to eat food with.
To put it more concretely, our new member resembled nothing more than a laptop.
"Introduce yourself, Infinite Void. This is Admin of the Infinite Metagame."
"..."
"And Infinite Metagame, this is Infinite Void. It's probably the first time the two of you are meeting face-to-face—or rather, face-to-screen—while each of you is sealed in your respective forms."
[...]
"As I explained, the Outer God we're up against this time is no joke. Even if this is your first encounter, I expect you two to work together to overcome the crisis. Now, shake hands."
Beep-beep-beep.
The laptop in my arms displayed a message on its screen.
[AOIM – Query: May I power off now?]
"No."
[AOIM – Profanity filter overridden.]
The Outer God party was complete!
-x-X-x-
The Mastermind VI
Bringing along the Admin of the Infinite Metagame—or rather, the laptop in which Infinite Metagame was sealed—was surprisingly simple.
I returned to the "simulation universe" where the real world had once been. Then, I died and regressed.
From that point on, it was a repetition of events identical to the 687th cycle.
I constructed signal beacons worldwide, fought against the Monster Wave, and left Cheon Yo-hwa as the last survivor to overlay her with Mastermind Syndrome. Infinite Void evolved into the colossal Gurren Lagann once again and dragged me into the simulation research lab.
The only difference this time was that the laptop containing Infinite Metagame was tucked away in my arms.
"So, all this has already happened to you in a previous cycle?" Infinite Void stared at me in disbelief. "You've already searched through this Outer God's... I mean..."
"For convenience, just call it the Mastermind."
"Ah, right... Anyway, you've ransacked the Mastermind's Divine Realm before but couldn't find any weaknesses, so you dragged Infinite Metagame here as well. Is that it?"
"Precisely."
"...Hey, sunbae. Doesn't this seem almost identical to the Reality Manipulations you described about the simulation universe? It's the same world, but now with the laptop added. Who's the Anomaly, and who's the human here?" Infinite Void grumbled.
[AOIM – Understood the situation.]
A low-quality robotic voice came from the laptop's rudimentary speakers.
[AOIM – Even in this sealed form, it is the first time I have encountered an Outer God so directly. Infinite Void, I propose an alliance.]
"Huh? Me?"
[AOIM – Correct. We are entities sealed and altered by the tyrant known as the Undertaker. If we collaborate, based on mutual understanding, we may regain our former authority.]
"Uh..." Infinite Void glanced at me, tilting its head slightly. "Hmm."
[AOIM – What concerns you? If you have any conditions for cooperation, we can discuss them.]
"No, it's not that. Your offer sounds nice and all, but Infinite Metagame, aren't you, like, super weak?"
[...]
"Look at me. I've taken over the Fairy King's dominion and even escaped that shitty hourglass. And you? What do you even do? You're just a cheap laptop!"
[...]
"Sorry, but just because sunbae lumped us both into the Outer God category doesn't mean we're all the same. Let's at least keep to our respective ranks, shall we?"
[AOIM – Strongly recommending that the owner, the Undertaker, lift profanity restrictions.]
I ignored it.
"This is a temporary alliance to defeat a common enemy. Don't create unnecessary friction, Infinite Void."
"Okay?"
"Hand over the slime Fairy King to Infinite Metagame. It's too inconvenient for the laptop to move around as it is. At least give it some limbs."
"Oh, sure. Got it."
Infinite Void snapped its fingers, and the floor rippled before a slime emerged and attached itself to the laptop, forming a crude but functional robotic frame.
It resembled the Potato Saintess, with flimsy limbs precariously supporting the laptop's main body.
- Report: Mounting complete. Normal operation confirmed. I will now speak on behalf of Infinite Metagame.
The cheap robotic voice improved slightly with the addition of the Fairy King.
On the laptop screen, the emoticon ('ㅂ')appeared. It seemed Infinite Metagame was pleased in its way.
"I went through all the trouble of bringing the laptop for one reason. Infinite Metagame, can you hack this entire simulation universe research lab?"
- Query: Please define "hack" in detail.
"I'm asking if you can reduce the entire simulation into a mere fictional story."
When you thought about it, there were notable similarities between Infinite Metagame and the Mastermind, even if they seemed trivial. Infinite Metagame regarded the world as "fiction." The Mastermind downgraded it to "simulation data." Both Outer Gods used similarly meta techniques to dominate reality.
- Confirmed: I will attempt it.
- Query: However, I see no benefit in acting under the Undertaker's orders. I demand fair compensation for my cooperation.
"Oh, hmm. Alright. How about letting you install any program you want on the laptop at a time of your choosing?"
- Accepted: I agree to the terms.
What could I say?
This very agreement would later lead to the installation of AOIM-GPT on the laptop. As many of you know, that chatbot transformed Infinite Metagame into a force that Corrupted Oh Dok-seo into the most reviled author in history.
Sorry, Dok-seo! I had no idea it would turn out like that.
- Executing: Initiating simulation hack.
Squirm.
A slime tendril extended from the laptop's USB port, transforming into a "cable" as it wriggled toward the simulation model. The cable connected, embedding itself into the model like a snake sinking its fangs. The simulation's universe model darkened, stained crimson-black.
[Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh]
A distorted noise erupted from the speakers embedded in the lab's ceiling. I assumed it was the Mastermind's anguished cry.
Even though my power was rarely effective against this Anomaly, Infinite Metagame—a fellow Outer God—was causing it significant distress.
A battle between entities beyond human comprehension was unfolding.
- Request: Backup required from Infinite Void.
"Huh? Sure, but what kind of help do you need?"
- Explanation: There is an enormous computational gap between this simulation universe and myself. Assistance in data processing is necessary.
"Oh, data crunching? That's my specialty. But if you try hacking me, I'll kill you."
- Sarcasm: The concept of death does not apply to me.
Another USB cable shot out, snapping into Infinite Void's arm.
"Hmph." Infinite Void snorted and grabbed the cable. To my surprise, it morphed into an IV line, half electrical wiring, half infusion tubing.
Through this hybrid conduit, the two Outer Gods shared their power.
[Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh]
[Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]
The noise from the speakers intensified.
Infinite Metagame and Infinite Void weren't unscathed either. Red welts bubbled on the laptop, bursting as though alive. The emoticon on the screen flickered before shifting to display the vastness of the universe.
Infinite Void fared worse. Its form crackled with static, fragments of its body shifting through an old man, a child, a tree, and a CRT television.
I grabbed its hand.
"Ah." It looked between my hand and face, startled.
Then, its form stabilized. Though occasional distortions appeared on its limbs, its face remained that of Cheon Yo-hwa.
- Report: Hacking complete. ('▽') ☆
The emoticon returned to the laptop screen, accompanied by an infuriating sparkle sound effect.
If we stuck together much longer, Infinite Metagame might debut as a VTuber. I could already imagine it—the OG, "Sparkles."
- Executing: Stripping the Mastermind of control over this simulation model.
- Warning: Based on the Undertaker's personality, the results may be unsettling. Please prepare yourself.
Prepare myself?
Before I could tilt my head in confusion, the lab's scenery shifted entirely, and the holographic universe model morphed into a brain.
Yes. The brain nestled inside a human skull.
That was the true form of the "simulation universe."
Squirm, squirm, squirm.
The brain, exposed in full view, pulsed relentlessly. Every groove in its surface writhed as though each fold were a living tentacle.
But Infinite Metagame wasn't warning me about its grotesque appearance.
"Ah. Um. Sunbae. This..." Infinite Void hesitated, disconnecting the IV-like cable. "This is an actual human brain."
"An actual brain? Could a single human brain possess enough computational power to simulate an entire universe?"
"Well... it's not a single brain, but rather..."
Infinite Metagame interjected.
- Analysis: This brain is a composite of 8,214,949,873 humans.[1]
Silence.
- Explanation: This number only accounts for physical bodies. If we include simulated personalities, the total grows exponentially.
- Addendum: It is suspected that nearly all humans who perished in the Void, beyond the Undertaker's perception, were abducted into this "simulation universe."
Infinite Void glanced at me cautiously, hesitating.
- Addendum: The Mastermind does not abduct the physical brain but rather its functions and memories.
"So, to put it in a way you'd understand, sunbae..."
I interrupted it. "It's the soul."
"..."
"The body may die, but the functions, memories, and spirit are taken elsewhere. If we define this as a soul, then this place is a heaven of sorts—a celestial kingdom." The words escaped my lips as if whispered. "I see now. The Mastermind's overwhelming computational power comes from the corpses of the deceased."
- Affirmation: As the number of deaths and disappearances increases, so too does the number of captives imprisoned in this celestial prison, or so-called Heaven.
"That's why it panicked whenever I tried expanding my influence beyond the Himalayas or the Urals."
- Affirmation: When the Undertaker travels, the causes of death become precisely defined.
Consider the example of Kolkata, a major city on the Indian subcontinent. There, a calamity resembling the goddess Kali descended, massacring approximately 20 million people.[3]
I didn't know exactly what happened in Kolkata. I'd been there before but never attempted to confront the Anomaly directly. To me, those 20 million deaths were effectively classified as "disappearances."
The Korean Peninsula had faced similar circumstances, after all, when cities vanished overnight as if erased.
Why?
Only later did I discover that the Anomaly known as the Meteor Shower lulled people to sleep with lullabies before annihilating them en masse.
I had identified how the Meteor Shower functioned and inferred its origins. It stemmed from fears of airstrikes, the desperation of fleeing too late, and the tender wishes of a mother singing a lullaby to comfort her child before inevitable death. Thus, from my perspective, deaths caused by the Meteor Shower were clear and traceable, much like traffic accidents.
But Kolkata was different.
How had the Anomaly manifested as the goddess Kali? What horrors had it wrought on the local residents?
And what of Mumbai? Delhi? Moscow beyond the Urals? Or Europe, Africa, and the Americas?
I didn't know.
I didn't know, and therefore, the majority of human deaths remained mysteries—classified as "disappearances" in my understanding. Like shadows concealed within the fog of war.
So who would notice, then, if the Mastermind stole the "brains" of humans who had died mysteriously?
Amid the veils of enigmatic uncertainty, the Mastermind's whispers spread, an Outer God weaving its schemes. The harvested human brains were imprisoned here, as components of this fabricated garden—a grotesque mockery of a so-called Heaven.
"A harvester of souls," I said aloud.
"..."
"The hypothesis of the simulation universe. The brain in the vat. No, the humanity in the vat. The geocentric model. The hollow Earth theory. The heavenly kingdom. The fog of war. IF scenarios. Descartes's demon."
With each phrase, my voice grew heavier, my words deliberate.
Infinite Void shuddered, visibly startled.
It understood all too well that I was naming an Anomaly, invoking the power of its designation.
"Mastermind."
I gazed at the brain encased in its vat with complete comprehension.
"That is your name."
At that moment, the scenery of the lab underwent a radical transformation.
The brain in the vat began to writhe, fleshy tendrils emerging. The Filter that had adorned the lab with pristine white walls and corridors peeled away entirely.
Squirm, squirm, squirm—squelch.
The raw, unfiltered Divine Realm of the Outer God revealed itself.
It was a hellish mass of flesh, its folds undulating like writhing tentacles.
[Aah][Aahhh][Aaaahhhh][Aah][Aahhhhhh][Aaahhhhhhhhhhh]
The speakers emitted deafening screams.
The sound wasn't mere noise but the voices of countless souls—billions of victims whose brains had been stolen.
In this world, humanity remained trapped in the grip of Anomalies, even in death.
Footnotes:
[1] 8.2 billion is the estimated human population of the world in 2025.
[2] This is the same word that is used for the 2001 Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away.
[3] Kali is a major goddess in Hinduism known as the goddess of destruction, the goddess of time, and in later traditions, a symbol of creation in Mother Nature.
-x-X-x-
The Mastermind VII
The Mastermind's true identity had been fully unveiled. Now, all that remained was to defeat it.
However, before launching a full-scale assault, it was necessary to weaken the Mastermind's power as much as possible.
Consider it a preliminary skirmish.
"First, I'll take control of all the simulation universes in this Divine Realm."
Infinite Void cocked its head at my command. "All of them? There are over 5,000, you know."
"It doesn't matter. We have unlimited time here."
- Affirmation: Strictly speaking, this space is disconnected from reality and the 107th simulation universe. There is no need to be bound by the flow of real-world time.
The unprecedented collaboration of Outer Gods moved as one.
It took us two years to hack all the simulation universes. You might think that's excessive for a preliminary skirmish, but if you saw the results, you'd understand.
Squirm, squirm, squirm.
Before us lay over 5,000 "brains," each writhing inside its tank. The tanks were interconnected by countless wires, and those wires stretched like railway tracks, all leading to the USB port of the laptop, the Admin of the Infinite Metagame.
"Activate simulations in all universes except the 107th."
- Affirmation: Specify the scenarios to be applied.
"The protagonist will be Dang Seo-rin."
The laptop screen whirred to life as the Admin input data into all 5,000 universes according to my instructions.
Squirm, squirm, squirm!
The fleshy brain masses around us seemed to writhe in resistance, emitting a foul stench.
Infinite Void smirked silently and snapped its fingers. The brains couldn't attack us and were forced to remain subdued while the Admin and I continued our work.
"Set the timeline to the 664th cycle," I commanded. "That's when I traveled through the Uyuni Salt Flats, so Dang Seo-rin would already know about Anomalies from parallel worlds."
- Scenario: Set the Undertaker's perspective to the 664th cycle.
"The cause of the world's destruction will be aliens. Have far more UFOs than the Undertaker knows of descend suddenly, leaving no chance for resistance as Earth is annihilated."
- Scenario: Alien invasion. Increase the number of UFOs from one to 9,999. After visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats, replace the Great Monsoon Anomaly with the alien invasion.
"Begin."
- Affirmation: Starting simulation.
The simulations activated.
The 5,000 brains dreamed identical dreams, exactly as programmed.
The Admin edited and condensed the simulations into video form, displaying them on the laptop screen for me to watch.
"It's slow. Speed it up. You can skip most of it until the moment of destruction approaches."
- Affirmation: Accelerating to 1,000x speed.
In an instant, the lifespan of the Undertaker and the cycles of the world flew by on the laptop screen.
The "Undertaker" on-screen gathered companions, met other Undertakers on an airplane, and wandered the mirror-like Uyuni Salt Flats with Dang Seo-rin, enjoying the view.
Then, contrary to their expectations, they gazed up at an endless barrage of UFOs raining down like meteors, their numbers far exceeding anything previously imagined.
The Undertaker had been pushed to the brink of collapse by aliens transported by a single UFO. With the sudden arrival of 9,999 ships embedding themselves across the globe, what choice would "the Undertaker" make?
"...As expected."
Because I was the Undertaker, I could predict his actions precisely.
The on-screen Undertaker fled with Seo-rin, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the aliens.
Infinite Void tilted its head, intrigued.
"Huh, fascinating. How did you know he'd run away with Dang Seo-rin? You didn't input that command, did you?"
"It's simple. I have a tendency in every cycle to choose one companion to protect until the end."
"Oh?"
"...The destruction of the world always takes a mental toll on me. To minimize the impact, I need someone else by my side to witness the end."
Infinite Void chuckled softly. "To trick yourself into thinking you're not alone in the world's final moments?"
"It's not a trick. Dang Seo-rin's lifespan carries over between cycles, and the Saintess halts at a specific endpoint."
"Hahaha! How cute. Fighting against 999 reasons to die with just three reasons to live."
I turned to Infinite Void. "Does that frighten you?"
"Huh? Frighten me? No. If anything, I feel like I just hit a nerve."
"A person can build a boat with just a handful of reasons and sail across an infinite ocean. No matter how many waves of despair your kind throws at them."
"..."
"In the end, you're nothing but the fangs and claws of ancient beasts."
Infinite Void's lips curled into a crooked smile. "That's just your opinion, not humanity's collective will."
"..."
"The ocean always exists, sunbae."
As we spoke, the simulation reached its climax.
Undertaker and Seo-rin had fled to an uninhabited island. Knowing the aliens' weakness to water, they sought refuge in the sea, using it as a shield.
All of humanity, save for those two, had been wiped out.
"Now. Stop time."
- Affirmation: Time stopped.
"Infinite Void, retrieve Dang Seo-rin."
"Got it." Infinite Void reached out toward the laptop. "Sorry. I'm not in a great mood right now, so this might hurt a bit. Apologies in advance, junk laptop."
- Observation: Failing to understand an object's proper use is a common trait among immature humans. However, this entity is not petty enough to take offense at the ignorance of those who are literally "parentless."
"Hahaha. Shut your mouth."
- Rebuttal: Impossible. This entity lacks a mouth and thus cannot "shut" it...
Squelch!
Infinite Void's hand plunged toward the laptop screen.
The laptop wasn't pierced. Instead, Infinite Void's fingers entered "into" the screen.
It reached into the frozen simulation, lifting Seo-rin onto its palm.
"Got her." Infinite Void yanked its arm back.
I couldn't comprehend what happened, but from the Admin of the Infinite Metagame's perspective, Infinite Void's actions must have been outrageously forceful. Static crackled from the speakers, accompanied by mechanical groans and bursts of smoke from the laptop.
When Infinite Void's hand finally emerged from the laptop, the screen was left with a gaping hole. Blood seeped from the hole, dark crimson fluid dripping onto the keyboard and pooling at my feet.
- Mockery: Your arrogance will surely earn you a place in hell.
"Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you."
The party members were bickering, but I paid them no mind. Any discord among the Outer Gods worked to my advantage.
My attention was elsewhere.
Splat!
The 5,000 brains inside the tanks swelled before bursting open.
Each exploded brain transformed into a figure resembling Dang Seo-rin.
I could only assume I had undergone a similar process to escape the 107th simulation.
The Dang Seo-rins broke free of their tanks, collapsing to the ground. Groans echoed throughout the area.
- Uh... what...?
- Where are we?
- Wait, who are you?!
- Ugh, what's that smell... blergh!
The chaos grew louder as the 5,000 Dang Seo-rins reeled from the grotesque scene of the Divine Realm and its overwhelming stench.
For a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of emotion.
Hadn't I spent the last two years surrounded only by Outer Gods trying to manipulate me?
But I quickly quelled the feeling.
"Everyone, listen up."
I amplified my voice with Aura, drawing the Dang Seo-rins' attention.
Facing thousands of Dang Seo-rins simultaneously was a first, even in my long life as a regressor.
"You're probably feeling confused. But if you remember our trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats, you'll realize this situation isn't so different."
- ...
"The exponential increase in UFOs, originally just one, follows the same logic. We've been gathered here to defeat the Outer God behind the Anomalies of the parallel worlds. I'll need your full cooperation."
- Wait.
- Wait.
- Wait.
- Wait.
All 5,000 Dang Seo-rins shouted "Wait" in unison, startling even themselves.
Of course, it was only natural. They were identical copies created from the same simulation, sharing the same experiences, thoughts, and speech patterns. Even their timing for interrupting me was identical. As such, convincing one would mean convincing all. There was no need for individual explanations.
"No questions."
- ...
"The reason is simple. As you can see, you came from a different worldline than me. The Undertaker you knew and the one standing here are not the same person."
Silence fell.
"Therefore, I don't consider you to be Dang Seo-rin. Likewise, you probably don't see me as the Undertaker you knew. All I'm asking is for your cooperation in defeating this Outer God. I'll need your help."
The expressions on the Dang Seo-rins changed.
Their gazes sharpened, no longer filled with confusion or sentimentality. Instead, they bore the cold, calculating focus of someone who had led the Awakener Alliance of the Korean Peninsula.
It was clear that the Mastermind's simulation had meticulously accounted for every detail of Dang Seo-rin's character.
"Now, I'll explain the plan. There are 5,651 of you here. Naturally, that means you collectively possess the same amount of lifespan. I need you to use that lifespan to continuously cast the Cursed Song Incantation. The lyrics and melody for each verse are as follows..."
I began issuing instructions to the Dang Seo-rins.
Now that we regarded each other as business partners, unnecessary questions or objections were eliminated. Each Dang Seo-rin functioned like a disciplined soldier, executing my plan without hesitation.
Once I finished explaining, I pointed to the Seo-rin closest to me.
"For the final step, I'll take one question. You may ask on behalf of everyone else."
- Sure. I was just curious—why is Cheon Yo-hwa here?
I paused, choosing my words carefully.
"It only looks like Cheon Yo-hwa. This is a completely different being. Its name is Infinite Void. Its cooperation was essential to infiltrating the Divine Realm of this Outer God. In fact, it's thanks to Infinite Void that you were brought here."
- Hmm.
"Any other questions?"
There were none.
Instead of speaking, the chosen Dang Seo-rin parted her lips and began to sing.
In perfect synchronization, the rest of the Dang Seo-rins formed groups of dozens and began chanting their respective melodies of the Cursed Song Incantation.
――――Ah――――
――Ah――Ah―――
―――Ah――Ah――
The haunting melodies resonated throughout the grotesque Divine Realm, a realm of writhing brain folds and fleshy tendrils that desecrated human souls.
The harmonized voices attacked the essence of the Mastermind itself, specialized in denying and eradicating Anomalies. Soon, the Cursed Song Incantation would consume a staggering amount of lifespan, tearing the Void apart.
I turned to Infinite Void.
"Let's go. To the upper levels."
It let out a derisive laugh. "Sunbae... You really are uncompromising."
Infinite Void's ethereal form dissipated like smoke. Moments later, the ceiling of the Void ripped apart with a deafening roar. Infinite Void's claws had carved a path through the barrier.
As the Dang Seo-rins continued their chant, they paused briefly, startled by the sight of the Void's ceiling tearing open. But they quickly resumed, unaffected, as I had already explained this part of the plan during the briefing.
The massive, eye-like sun above stared down at us.
I couldn't help but reflect for a moment.
'The Seo-rins here aren't even treated like human beings.'
They were nothing more than simulated data created by the Mastermind. The only entities deemed alive in this realm were me and "Cheon Yo-hwa's body," which Infinite Void had commandeered.
That's why the Mastermind Syndrome could continue to manifest, breaking through one simulation layer after another.
―――Ah――Ah―――
Even so, the data-simulated Cursed Song Incantation felt profoundly real.
The Dang Seo-rins actively attacked this Divine Realm, the Mastermind's creation, and even the god that had brought them into existence.
Yes, if you thought of them as data, they had become "malicious code."
- Report: Repairs complete. It is inadvisable to ascend without this unit.
The Admin of the Infinite Metagame leapt into my arms. Somehow, it had repaired the damage inflicted earlier. The laptop was pristine with its screen as good as new.
I held the Admin close and climbed onto Infinite Void's hand. Like an orbital elevator, it carried us higher, toward the "heaven above."
――Ah―――__...
The chants of the Dang Seo-rins grew fainter as we ascended.
Leaving the choir behind, we traversed the vast expanse of the simulated universe.
This was just the first phase of my plan.
Operation Virus.
If it was impossible to deny the Mastermind's treatment of the world as mere data, then corrupting that data was the next best option.
We would continue like this, extracting a "virus" from one simulation and releasing it into the next. One layer at a time, we'd repeat the process until the Mastermind's system collapsed under the strain.
'It's bound to work.'
The Mastermind relied on two things to sustain its simulations.
First, the "fog of war"—unobserved areas where it could move freely.
Second, the souls it harvested from those unobserved regions: the brains.
The Admin of the Infinite Metagame had once said that the spectacle of "brains in vats" would disquiet me, given my moral compass.
It had been correct. The sight was indeed disturbing. But at the same time, it revealed the Mastermind's weakness.
To run simulations, the Mastermind requires human brains.
Conversely, this meant...
Without human brains, the Mastermind cannot compute its simulations.
The implication?
The Mastermind cannot exceed the computational capacity of the brains it possesses.
And as the Admin of the Infinite Metagame had stated earlier:
The Mastermind's brain composite comprises 8,214,949,873 humans. This number only accounts for physical bodies. Including simulated personalities increases the total exponentially.
It was an enormous figure, one guaranteeing immense computational power. But no matter how vast it seemed, it wasn't infinite.
Even the countless grains of sand on a beach could eventually be counted, one by one.
Anomalies always operated within the constraints of their own rules.
The Mastermind would know this. That's why it didn't claim to have infinite computational power. Instead, it focused on repairing and recovering itself.
However, even those resources had limits. How long could it endure?
- Query: What virus will you deploy in the next layer of the Divine Realm?
I smiled. "The kind best suited to throwing the world into chaos—a joker card."
- Clarification: A joker card?
"I have a certain customized bomb I always try to avoid."
Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I thought I saw a flash of pink hair and a mischievous grin in my mind's eye.
-x-X-x-
The Mastermind VIII
The next plan was simple: Bring copies of Go Yuri from the simulation universes and scatter them throughout the Divine Realm.
No matter how vast the Mastermind's computational power, built upon the consumption of nearly all human brains, it couldn't possibly hold up against that kind of chaos.
Q: What do you think Infinite Void's reaction will be when it hears this plan? (3 points)
"Sunbae, are you insane?"
Correct.
I, the Undertaker, would forever be remembered as the first human to hear the words "Are you insane?" from an Outer God.
"There's a reason people say not to poke a sleeping tiger! Just leave the pink one alone!"
"Calm down. I'm not talking about summoning Go Yuri into the real world—that is, the 107th universe. Do you think I've lost my mind? I'm only suggesting we bring fake Go Yuris from the other simulation universes."
"Ugh!" Infinite Void scoffed, stomping its foot in frustration. "Sunbae, are you an idiot? There's no such thing as a fake or real Go Yuri!"
From my perspective, it was laughable. After all, this being had blurred the line between real and fake itself, becoming little more than a bootleg copy of Cheon Yo-hwa.
"Well then, let me ask you outright. What exactly is Go Yuri to you Outer Gods?"
"..."
-...
Infinite Void and the Admin of the Infinite Metagame exchanged a glance. The former was the first to speak.
"A walking embodiment of humanity."
"What?"
"Hmm. It's hard to explain. You see, the brains stored here were created by combining the minds of over 8 billion humans, right? Together, they form something you might call a human brain or an absolute consciousness. In a similar sense, the pink one is like... a human brain with arms and legs, walking around freely. At least, that's how it seems to me."
Then, softly, Infinite Void muttered, "But calling it a humanbrain is inaccurate. The pink one isn't limited to humans—it encapsulates everything, every object..."
"I don't get it."
"Right? I don't either. Imagine, sunbae—from my perspective, it's like a being carrying data equivalent to an entire universe walking around!"
Infinite Void shuddered, visibly uncomfortable. The Admin of the Infinite Metagame chimed in then, its speakers crackling faintly as the slime Fairy King softened the mechanical voice.
- Explanation: From this entity's perspective, it's much simpler.
"In what way?"
- Explanation: It's you, Undertaker.
?
- Clarification: In other words, the "Go Yuri" or "pink one" is perceived by this entity as identical to you, the Undertaker, at least from this entity's perspective.
???
Both Infinite Void and I blinked, baffled. The ever-curious Infinite Void reacted first.
"Wait, wait, wait! Are you saying you see the pink one as the same as sunbae?"
- Affirmation: Correct.
"What? That makes no sense! The pink one spends most of its time in the capital, while sunbae is always running around. Are you telling me your eyes see two versions of sunbae all the time?"
- Denial and affirmation: This entity lacks physical eyes. Please verify whether your own eyes are properly attached. If the term "eyes" is symbolic of perception, then yes, that is accurate.
Infinite Void's jaw dropped. I might have mirrored its expression, had I been looking in a mirror.
I took over the questioning, demanding to know, "Then how do you distinguish between the 'Undertaker in the capital' and the 'true Undertaker?'"
- Answer: I cannot. However, the true Undertaker is almost always accompanied by this entity's priestess (the traitor), so I designate the one closest to her as the true Undertaker.
"Ah..."
The Admin's answer stirred a memory within me.
The 555th cycle. That was when Oh Dok-seo, previously almost powerless, suddenly gained the identity of a "novel possessor."
The Admin of the Infinite Metagame had chosen the priestess to counter me. Looking back, something strange had occurred during that cycle.
'Dok-seo... not only targeted me but also tried to recruit Go Yuri into her party.'
At the time, I assumed Dok-seo had fallen victim to Go Yuri's brainwashing ability. But could the truth have been something else?
"Admin of the Infinite Metagame, when you influenced Oh Dok-seo in the 555th cycle to keep the 'Undertaker' in check... were you referring to both me and Go Yuri?"
- Affirmation: Naturally.
The laptop screen displayed a (˃ω˂) emoticon.
- Explanation: To this entity, there have always been two Undertakers.
"..."
The revelation left me stunned.
What surprised me more was the realization that I had asked the Outer Gods about Go Yuri's identity in past cycles.
That's right. Back then, Infinite Void and the Admin of the Infinite Metagame had dodged my questions. Or rather, they gave me answers, but ones I couldn't fully grasp.
Why were they being so clear in their answers now? Was it because we were inside the Mastermind's Divine Realm?
"This discussion is pointless right now..." I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "For now, the Mastermind takes precedence over Go Yuri. While we don't know whether Go Yuri is an enemy, the Mastermind is undoubtedly hostile."
"Yeah, that's true."
"So, once we're fully prepared, we'll summon the Go Yuris and detonate the 'bomb.' Then we'll escape while it's still ticking."
- Affirmation: Understood.
We resumed hacking.
Wires emerged from the Admin's laptop, snaking toward the brains. Having done this once already, the process was much faster this time.
Watching Infinite Void fend off the brain tendrils, a thought struck me.
"By the way, Infinite Void."
"Yeah? What's up, sunbae?"
"To my knowledge, Go Yuri reflects the ideal form desired by whoever sees it. To some, it has blonde hair, to others, black. How did you come to see Go Yuri as having 'pink' hair?"
Infinite Void tilted its head. "Pink is pink. What do you mean?"
This time, I tilted my head in confusion.
Our mirrored gestures made us look like reflections.
"You call Go Yuri the 'pink one' because of its hair, right?"
"Yep."
"You said earlier that Go Yuri looks like the universe itself. How can something that vast have pink hair?"
Infinite Void blinked, narrowing its eyes. "That's what I'm saying, sunbae. It's pink."
"Yeah, pink."
"Exactly, pink."
"?"
"?"
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, an eerie realization struck me—a static charge of unease coursing through my mind.
Could it be?
No. That would be absurd.
But if it were true, it would explain why Infinite Void and I had been talking past each other.
I spoke slowly, testing my theory.
"Go Yuri... has universe-colored hair."
Infinite Void responded effortlessly.
"Right, pinkhair."
"..."
"I mean, I've been saying it all along, sunbae. Its hair is pink. It's an indescribable color, so I call it pink. It doesn't mean pinkactually exists. You're usually good with metaphors, why aren't you getting this?"
Infinite Void grumbled to itself, then turned back to fight off the tendrils.
I couldn't continue the conversation.
Go Yuri was dangerous. But bombs are impartial, exploding for everyone. Go Yuri was just as perilous for the Mastermind as she was for us.
- Report: Compared to the previous layer, the number of simulation universes on this layer has decreased by more than 200.
- Analysis: This indicates significant damage. The Dang Seo-rins casting the Cursed Song Incantation on the previous layer appear to be performing effectively.
"Good. If dropping Go Yuri can cause this much chaos, the overload should be even more severe."
- Affirmation: Agreed.
I steadied my breathing. "We're fully prepared."
- Affirmation: Indeed.
"Infinite Void!" I called out, looking upward.
Unlike before, Infinite Void had already torn apart the ceiling of the simulated universe. The Admin and I were standing on its enlarged palm, ready to ascend at a moment's notice.
"Remember the plan! No hesitation. Not even for a second. Once Go Yuri appears, it can't be allowed to lock eyes with me. Get me out immediately!"
- Sunbae, this is seriously stressing me out.
Infinite Void's voice echoed from the ethereal gaps of the torn sky.
- Can't we just compromise? Forget efficiency and pack this place with Dang Seo-rins instead of Go Yuris?
"Don't be stupid!" I roared back. "How many times have I explained this? Using only one type of virus would be begging the enemy to create a vaccine. Go Yuri isn't optional—she's essential!"
- But... thousands of Go Yuris? I feel like my head's going to explode the moment I see them...
"Just close your eyes and move the platform on my signal! How hard is it to move a hand? If it's too hard, quit being an Outer God!"
- Damn it. I already tried quitting, but no one let me, so now I'm stuck like this, sunbae!
"Enough talk! Move! Stop whining, you Anomaly!"
- Waaaah. Sunbae's bullying me...
Infinite Void shut its eyes tightly.
Whoosh!
Its eyelids, as vast as galaxies, closed, releasing an immense gust of ether that ruffled the cables connected to the Admin's laptop.
The cables stretched toward approximately 5,000 brains, fully connected as before.
"Admin of the Infinite Metagame!"
- Report: All simulation universes have reached apocalyptic destruction, leaving only the Undertaker and Go Yuri alive. Time has been paused.
"Pull them in! Remember, the one who's grinning for no reason is Go Yuri. Don't confuse it with me!"
- Affirmation: Initiating virus extraction.
Whoosh!
Hooks formed at the ends of the cables and plunged into the brains. The Admin, acting in Infinite Void's place, began extracting the Go Yuris. From the outside, it looked like a claw machine game. Except the claw, the prizes, and even the machine were all horrors beyond human comprehension.
- Report: 5,427 "Go Yuris" are being retrieved. They will soon pass through the simulated universes into the Divine Realm.
- Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2...
Squelch! Splat! Squelch!
Thousands of brains vomited blood simultaneously. The spilled blood took on human forms, coalescing into shapes all too familiar to me—unforgettable even in my nightmares.
5,000 of them.
- 1.
"Infinite Void!"
Just before the Go Yuris opened their eyes, Infinite Void moved without hesitation, lifting its orbital-elevator-like palm.
We rose in altitude rapidly.
I immediately swung my Aura.
Bang! Buh-bang! Bang!
The cables linking the Admin to the Go Yuris were severed all at once. This severed the connection between the Admin and the extracted viruses.
I then threw myself flat onto Infinite Void's palm.
- Oh?
- Oh my?
- Huh?
- Hmm?
From far below, faint voices rose up.
- Hello?
- Yes, hello.
- Nice to meet you.
- Indeed, nice to meet you.
- Oh, you too?
- Yes, you too.
The voices were sweet, infused with a magnetic charm that was impossible to ignore. Even against my will, the words pierced my ears like a song designed to ensnare.
- But isn't this impossible?
- Yes, something has interfered.
- Fascinating. I thought the demon promised not to touch us.
- Lately, the demon's Aura has grown stronger. Perhaps it broke its word.
- Could that be possible?
- But here we are.
- Intriguing.
- How are we talking like this?
- Perhaps?
- Perhaps.
A brief silence.
Then, in perfect unison, the voices called out:
- Guild Leader?
I inhaled sharply.
Though I couldn't see through Infinite Void's massive hand, I knew instinctively. The thousands of Go Yuris below had simultaneously turned their gaze upward, looking directly at me.
Never in my life, even through countless cycles, had I felt terror like this.
'Infinite Void! Move! Now!'
Abandoning all dignity as a regressor, I pounded and clawed at Infinite Void's palm, urging it to ascend faster.
To its credit, Infinite Void didn't hesitate. Though barely three seconds had passed, it raised me to the next level in less than four.
Its movements were swift. The ether winds carried us upward faster than light.
From a logical perspective, our surprise attack—the "bombing raid operation"—had been flawless.
Oh? Oh? Oh? Oh? Oh?
Just as the gap between the layers began to close, the last voice drifted up from below.
The once-fractured chorus of 5,000 voices had merged into one unified whisper.
- Truly.
- Guild Leader, you are...
- Fascinating.
Boom.
The gap between the universes shut tight.
"Ahhhhh!"
"Waaaaah!"
I collapsed onto the floor, gasping. Infinite Void, having pulled us up so quickly, fell over as well. The Admin's laptop skidded across the ground before settling.
The cacophony of our landing could only be described as chaotic.
"Hah... Haaah... I'm alive?"
"Waaaah! I told you I didn't want to do this, sunbae!"
"Shut up! Do I look like the Undertaker to you? Am I still me?"
- Request: Silence, please.
"Don't let your guard down! That thing turned 'universe-colored' into 'pink' and fooled the Outer Gods. Who knows what else it can do?"
"This is all your fault! Why did you have to drag me into this mess, sunbae? I was fine before you came along!"
"Cheon Yo-hwa... Yes It's still Yo-hwa's face and voice. Her memories are intact. No signs of perceptual distortion or brainwashing detected."
- Request: Silence, please.
"Did it work? Did it really work? Incredible. It worked! I must be a genius!"
"I'm starting to wonder how long I can put up with this, sunbae!"
"Stop sneaking formalities into your speech! Quit copying Yo-hwa—it's confusing!"
- Request: Silence, please.
A loud, grating noise blasted from the Admin's speakers, silencing both me and Infinite Void.
The Admin pointed with its spindly robotic arm, directing our attention forward.
- Observation: The brains are rupturing spontaneously, even without our intervention.
"...What?"
It was true.
The once-intact tanks were cracking and leaking. The brains inside were oozing blood and decaying rapidly.
- Report: Scans indicate that the number of simulation universes has dropped from 5,651 to 722. Destruction is ongoing in real time.
In other words...
- Analysis: Operation Virus successful.
- Explanation: The Undertaker's proposal to deploy Go Yuri as a "bomb" has effectively damaged the Mastermind.
Using Anomalies to destroy Anomalies.
My plan to pit Outer Gods against each other had succeeded beyond expectation.
-x-X-x-
The Mastermind IX
"Wouldn't one more drop of Go Yuri be enough to completely obliterate the Mastermind?"
"Teacher—no, sunbae. Please stop. Or do you want to see me get on my knees and beg while in Cheon Yo-hwa's body?"
Infinite Void opposed the idea of spreading the virus further, staking its life on the protest.
"Hmm."
Truthfully, I had my doubts as well. The 5,000 Go Yuris summoned earlier had barely taken a second to realize, Ah, the Undertaker summoned us to the Divine Realm. If we tried again, they would likely figure it out the moment they appeared.
How?
I couldn't explain it.
But some undefined instinct and certainty hinted that the bombing operation we'd just executed had been a stroke of luck, a miracle that could only happen once in all the cycles.
'Come to think of it, this was the first time I actively weaponized Go Yuri to eliminate Anomalies.'
I reluctantly put the idea to rest.
"Admin of the Infinite Metagame, how many simulation universes does the Mastermind have left?"
- Response: The number has dropped rapidly to 666, but it isn't decreasing further.
"Well, that's an ominous number."
I looked around to see that the tanks holding the brains, mortally wounded by the Go Yuri operation, were bleeding profusely.
"How laughable. It pretended to be the celestial kingdom where souls ascend, but now that it's cornered, it doesn't even bother hiding its true identity as a hellscape."
The number 666, often associated with demons, carried significant symbolism. In the Book of Revelation, the beast bearing this number was described as one with a head that healed after a mortal wound and ruled over all nations, tribes, and languages.[1]
On reflection, all of these descriptions applied to the Mastermind. Replace the "head" with "brains" and "nations" with "humanity," and it described its actions perfectly.
"Unable to create heaven, it settled for making hell. Typical of Anomalies."
- Objection: Other Anomalies are listening. Please respect our sensibilities.
"..."
- Clarification: The previous statement was a joke, imagining Anomalies sharing a kinship and having human-like emotions.
"Don't explain bad jokes. I beg you."
Oddly, that explanation made the joke feel even more human—and thus, even more unsettling.
"Hmm, sunbae. I think a bit differently."
That was Infinite Void, overly humanized as it had become, chiming in.
"You think differently?" I asked. "About what?"
"You just said the Mastermind turned this Divine Realm from heaven to hell because it was cornered."
"That's right."
"Well... This is just my perspective, as someone who has experienced your antics firsthand... but..." Infinite Void hesitated, gauging my reaction. I gave it a look signaling it could continue. "It's not that the Mastermind changed it to hell. You did."
That gave me pause. "What?"
"You came here, declaring that this wasn't heaven. You even gave it a name based on that conviction. Then you dropped a Go Yuri nuke on it for good measure." Infinite Void chuckled awkwardly. "You slapped it on the face and said, 'You're not heaven anymore, you're hell,' and the Mastermind just rolled over and went, 'Yes, sir... I am hell.'"
"..."
"Why are you looking at me like that? Isn't it plausible? If a regressor storms into a place and drops 5,000 Go Yuris in the middle of it, anyone would lose their mind. Add me and that junk heap over there, and it's no wonder."
- Counterpoint: I am not a junk heap but the most advanced laptop in the universe.
We both ignored the comment.
"Regardless of whether it became hell because of me or not, the Mastermind's crimes are unforgivable. It's time to exterminate it. Gather all 666 brains in one place."
"Yes, sir!"
"And stop slipping formal speech into your responses."
Infinite Void clenched its fists with a sniff, then whined, "If I'm reborn, I want to come back as Cheon Yo-hwa..."
The brains scattered across the Divine Realm were pulled together, converging into one massive pile before me.
Squirm.
Squirm-squirm.
The brains twitched in their tanks, bleeding profusely. Though grotesque, this was the essence of an Outer God—the seat of its power to manipulate the world.
As the mass of brains writhed, I could hear whispers, faint yet insistent.
Claim me.
Devour me, and you'll gain the power to shape unseen realities in the fog of war.
Ignorance is blindness, and blindness is the foundation of faith.
In the places you cannot see or know, omniscience and omnipotence shall be yours.
"..."
- ...
Infinite Void and the Admin of the Infinite Metagame were both watching me, their gazes quiet but intense. Infinite Void wore a human-like smile while the Admin displayed a mechanical emoticon. Yet both expressions were mere veneers. Their true feelings, their curiosity and intrigue, lay unmistakably in their eyes.
"How about it, sunbae?" Infinite Void's voice dripped into my ears, sticky and persuasive. "Do you want it? That thing."
"..."
"It's the power to toy with the world at your whim. Oh, you don't have to play with it, of course. You could use it to prevent real-world tragedies by preemptively scripting them into simulations. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Crackle.
The Admin's screen flickered. The whimsical emoticon vanished, replaced by the image of a "white girl" smiling serenely.
This was a signature move of the Admin's operator: 'Hello, I am God.'
- Not every story has to end with a happy ending or a tragic ending, Undertaker.
- Normal endings exist too.
The fear I'd harbored since recruiting the Outer Gods into my party had finally materialized.
Given the slightest chance, they sought to free themselves from their seals by any means necessary. Even though we'd prearranged terms and set limits on our collaboration, they were now attempting to seduce me.
- Think of the powers you've already obtained, or are about to obtain, from the Anomalies:
"Infinite Void, Admin of the Infinite Metagame, Mastermind."
- The Akashic Records, which collect all things impartially. The power of materializing delusions into reality. The omniscient operator who manipulates and distorts every world.
"Wouldn't you like to hold all of that in your hands?"
- What could be possible?
"What could be impossible?"
Their voices overlapped.
Suddenly, the scenery changed.
「Adele!」
An old man named Scho ran frantically.
A woman descending the hill at Seoul National University turned at the sound. Her eyes widened when she recognized him.
「Emit? Why are you...?」
「I was worried about you! I had a bad dream, so I came after you! Oh, thank God! Thank you, Lord!」
「Look at this man! Wait, why are you hugging me all of a sudden?」
「Adele. I love you, Adele. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.」
「Are you out of your mind?!」
I knew it then.
It wasn't just an illusion. It was a scene created jointly by three Anomalies working together.
"This isn't a mere fantasy, sunbae."
I blinked, and the scene vanished. I was back in the Divine Realm.
- This is the landscape of a normal ending.
Somehow, Infinite Void—still in the form of Cheon Yo-hwa—and the "white girl" projection of the Admin of the Infinite Metagame flanked me.
The two Anomalies clung close, speaking to my very soul.
Through manipulating the simulation, Seoul's annihilation by the Void Incursion could be erased.
Undertaker. You've long sought a teleporter who could prevent this catastrophe. You don't need one anymore.
The 666 brains in the tanks changed as I watched.
Now kneeling before me, they took the forms of humans praying, heads bowed. Though their faces were obscured, the tops of their heads opened like flowers, exposing writhing brains.
The voice of the Anomaly emerged from the pulsing tissue.
If you accept the normal ending, you can grant your companions a happy ending. If I must remain an Anomaly creating hell, then you may replace me and build heaven instead. O Scribe. Isn't this the solution—to become a god yourself?
A strange phenomenon unfolded.
The kneeling human-brain hybrids seemed singular yet countless. With each blink of my eyes, I saw one figure, then a hundred, then 666, and one again.
"Here's the catch, sunbae."
- A normal ending is never perfect.
All it requires is for you to accept your existence as an Anomaly.
Visions passed before my eyes.
In one, the Undertaker traversed 666 simulation universes, crafting "ideal companions."
Dang Seo-rin found self-restraint.
Oh Dok-seo overcame her self-loathing.
Lee Ha-yul's deprivation of love softened.
Cheon Yo-hwa learned compassion, even gaining a twin sister who stood beside her.
And the Undertaker, instead of identifying Anomalies firsthand, entrusted the Anomalies' designation to the Outer Gods, accepting their judgments.
The so-called "fog of war" became a fog of perception.
Through this shift, I gained unprecedented control over Anomalies.
I could dictate their emergence and suppress humanity's suffering. The remaining Anomalies couldn't match me—not even Nut, who had been sealed away by the Saintess in a prior cycle.
Above all, I could conceal the powers I'd acquired. My companions and I could still lead ordinary lives, never revealing the truth.
There would be no one to blame for a normal ending.
In fact, there would be no reason to hide it.
I could share my story—my pain, my countless cycles, and my sacrifices—with my companions.
And they would understand.
No one had ever demanded I achieve a happy ending after hundreds of regressions. It had always been my own choice.
My companions would simply wish for my happiness...
「Shall I speak plainly?」
Happiness.
「I don't expect you to save the world.」
「In fact, I expect the opposite.」
「Undertaker. I am the only one who hopes that you 'fail.'」
In the vision of the normal ending, where all smiled and blessed my conclusion, one figure stood apart.
A single person gazed at me from behind the others.
She smiled alongside them, yet her smile was different.
「In that final hell of life, I will gladly join you, all the way down at rock bottom...」
Footsteps echoed.
Between my companions, the click of leather heels grew louder. As she approached, they made way for her as if it were only natural.
「I truly look forward to that day... Don't you? Your one and only funeral, your one true life, your own personal hell—aren't you eager for it?」
Her voice lingered.
「It's just a shame that this isn't the cycle where you fall into that hell. What a pity.」
The figure stepped closer, almost touching me. She removed her monocle and slipped it into my pocket.
It was Noh Do-hwa—the woman I'd brought from the isolated island, and the woman who now stood in front of me.
Her hands reached for my neck.
Complete Memory etched her expressions, gestures, and voice into my memory.
"Don't forget..."
When Noh Do-hwa's lips moved, I found myself involuntarily whispering along with her words.
"I'll be waiting for you in your true Bad Ending."
The illusion shattered.
The white girl was no longer beside me. The Admin remained bound to the laptop, observing me silently.
The Mastermind was nothing but writhing brains in their tanks, stripped of pretense.
Infinite Void stared at me, its crimson eyes piercing.
"I refuse your offer."
If you bring someone into your world, you must take responsibility for them. Even if you brought them in out of goodwill. Especially if you brought them in out of goodwill. It demanded even greater accountability.
I had swallowed Noh Do-hwa.
And I couldn't spit her back out.
"I've already made a prior appointment for my ending."
"Ah... I was too late." Infinite Void smirked bitterly. "Of course. I'm always late when it comes to you, sunbae."
It gestured, and the Fairy King's slime seeped into the laptop. Static crackled as the image of the white girl disappeared, replaced by a simple emoticon.
The same occurred with the Mastermind. Its whispering voice fell silent, and the writhing brains lay still in their tanks.
"Alright, sunbae."
Infinite Void smiled.
"Let's kill the Anomaly. I have a good idea."
Footnotes:
[1] Revelations 13:18 of the Bible describes 666 as the number of man and of the False Prophet who leads man astray with a false vision of heaven and into hell.