Ubermensch – Chapter 118

Chapter 118

As the saying goes, bad news travels fast. The shocking news delivered by the Ghost Dragon spread like wildfire.

The existence of the Destroyer, a being who had consumed the entire universe and was now targeting them.

It was a textbook doomsday scenario.

Apocalyptic cults flourished like never before. Riots, looting, arson, sacrificial rituals, mass suicides…

It was as if they were determined to destroy the world themselves before the Destroyer arrived.

The Ghost Dragon even sneered.

“If I had known it would be like this, I should have told you sooner.”

“… Shut up.”

Officially, the Ghost Dragon was captured. He was bound by layers of chains, with players guarding him around the clock.

But if the Ghost Dragon decided to go on a rampage, there was no way to stop him.

Even Mason, humanity’s strongest force, couldn’t subdue the Ghost Dragon without a legendary spell.

“I have failed my mission. Because of you pathetic mortals.”

Nevertheless, apart from his sarcastic tone, the Ghost Dragon was cooperative during interrogation.

“Even if I start collecting souls now, the Spirit King will escape before I can gather enough.”

It was likely due to the inherent passivity of his kind.

Just like the World Tree had attempted terraforming without negotiation or interaction despite knowing about the human variable, the Ghost Dragon lacked the initiative to formulate a secondary plan once his primary mission became impossible.

“So, I have nothing to entertain myself with except watching you vermin struggle.”

He chuckled, watching the chaos unfolding around the world on TV.

“Perhaps you weren’t even worthy of the salvation of death?”

Bang!

Mason’s fist, fueled by rage, shattered the desk.

“Shut up!”

The Ghost Dragon stared at Mason, his eyes filled with derision.

If the second most enjoyable spectacle for him was humanity’s turmoil, the most enjoyable was Mason’s state. The sense of responsibility for something he couldn’t control, the resulting helplessness and frustration were eating away at the superhuman.

Mason was desperately trying to find a solution, and his attempts were mostly ending in failure.

“… Can’t we teleport humanity to another dimension?”

“It’s impossible for me.”

The Ghost Dragon replied in a mocking tone.

“I cannot teleport on my own. Only four beings can teleport independently: my master, the Master of Death, the World Tree, the Spirit King, and the Leviathan… or as you call it, the Bubble.”

The conversation with the Spirit King had ended poorly. The Lich and the World Tree had been raided, and the Bubble had been destroyed.

“We have the Bubble’s core. Is teleportation still impossible?”

“It might be possible with enough research. But even then, two problems remain.”

“What are they?”

“Finding a dimension to escape to is not easy, and only a select few humans can withstand the strain of dimensional travel.”

The Ghost Dragon spoke with amusement.

“The Destroyer annihilates an entire dimension once he descends. So, you must find a dimension he hasn’t reached yet. And even if dimensional travel becomes possible, only humans with implanted cores can handle the burden.”

“… Only Players?”

“And even then, only if the destination dimension is suitable for your survival. In the worst-case scenario, you might end up in outer space or the heart of a star…”

Mason frowned.

“Then how did you cross into our dimension?”

“Thanks to the Unremembered One, the being you call the Laughing God. He sent his information lifeforms to investigate dimensions.”

“… The Laughing God.”

Mason crossed his arms, anxiety etched on his face.

“What kind of being is he? Can we cooperate with him?”

“It would be more like parasitism than cooperation. He is a higher information lifeform that exists by borrowing the minds of mortals.”

“A Specter?”

“You could say he is a higher entity than a Specter. Just knowing about him allocates a portion of your resources to him.”

“So, the more people know about him, the stronger he becomes…”

“… And the deeper he can infiltrate.”

“Then it’s unlikely we can expect his help…”

Mason’s face was filled with anxiety, as it had been lately.

The Ghost Dragon spoke mockingly.

“How about sacrificing people to me now? I promise to faithfully preserve their souls and memories.”

“That will never happen, monster!”

“Then, do you have any other solution?”

Among all the barbed words he had spoken, this one pierced Mason the most.

“…”

Mason stood up, the chair scraping harshly against the floor.

๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑

Mason’s body rarely felt fatigue. His mind, however, was a different story.

Conversing with the malevolent Ghost Dragon, especially on such a depressing topic, was an exhausting task.

Even more so when the conversation only ended in frustration.

‘People are despairing.’

Emerging from the interrogation room, Mason collapsed to the floor, clutching his head.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

As Mason sat there in despair, someone approached him.

It was Steve Queen.

“Mason.”

“Steve.”

Steve Queen sat down next to Mason.

“Not going well?”

“No.”

“I see…”

That sigh-laden”I see”held a multitude of meanings.

Steve Queen and Mason were far from friends. But they were definitely in the same boat.

In fact, all of humanity was in the same boat, but Mason and Steve Queen were among the few in the steering room.

That’s why he understood the frustration and despair Mason was feeling.

Because he, too, was frustrated and despaired.

“Why don’t you take a break?”

“Would a break even matter?”

The superhuman’s body knew no fatigue, and there was no way to soothe the weariness of his mind.

“Just to clear your head. Sometimes, a change of scenery helps. A walk wouldn’t hurt.”

He spoke quietly.

“I understand you want to give people hope, but wouldn’t it be putting the cart before the horse if you yourself are consumed by despair?”

It was a genuine act of kindness from Steve, a man known for his cunning. Mason gave a bitter smile.

‘It seems we are in the same boat after all…’

Humanity was becoming united in mind and spirit. In a way and through a method that Mason never desired.

He let out a long sigh.

“Alright. I’ll take your advice and go for a walk.”

The Ghost Dragon was imprisoned in a decommissioned prison in Texas. In this prison, once filled with those serving their sentences but now empty, Mason walked alone.

Empty cells. Empty dining halls and facilities.

‘Not exactly a mood-lifting scenery…’

Walking aimlessly, Mason arrived at the prison chapel. He glanced at the cross absentmindedly and suddenly realized he had never prayed before.

It was only natural.

Mason was from the 28th century.

They wielded scientific power exceeding what was once called divine power, so why would they bother praying to unscientific and powerless beings?

But now, Mason wanted any help he could get.

Even the help of a nonexistent being, if he could just get it.

“Grant me strength and wisdom.”

So, Mason knelt and clasped his hands together.

He didn’t know any religious rituals or procedures. He only had the desperation of a man cornered.

He prayed earnestly and cried out.

“Whoever you are, grant me the strength and wisdom to face the Destroyer!”

E…E…E…E…

Mason’s desperate cry echoed through the empty prison.

As expected, there was no answer.

“… Humph.”

Mason rose to his feet with an awkward smile.

At that moment, he felt something change.

Instead of the old walls of the abandoned prison building, he stood somewhere filled with mist.

And before him stood a person.

A small girl. A girl in red clothes, holding a broken greatsword. A girl with red hair, shedding tears of blood that never stopped flowing but never reached her chin.

Mason instinctively realized she was no ordinary human.

“Who… who are you?”

“I have come at your call, seeker of salvation.”

Mason instinctively realized she wasn’t lying. She had appeared after hearing his prayer…

“… Are you a god?”

“That is not important. What matters is that I can offer the help you need right now.”

Mason instinctively realized.

“Are you… the one who sealed the Soldier?”

“Yes.”

Mason knelt.

He wasn’t a man who knelt easily, but he could kneel a thousand times if it meant saving humanity.

“How may I address you?”

“Do not seek my true name. Even a name can be a weakness to some. Remember me as you see me.”

“… You look like a Red Girl.”

“Then that will suffice.”

Mason spoke hurriedly.

“Red Girl, can you stop the Destroyer?”

“No. But I can give you the answer.”

“The answer? What answer?”

“You sought the wisdom to stop the Destroyer, did you not? I can guide you to the one who possesses that wisdom.”

“Who is it?”

The mist was slowly clearing. The Red Girl’s form was becoming blurry.

“If you are truly prepared, ask the ancient goddess about the Evil God. You will lose much, but you will avoid annihilation.”

“What does that mean? Who is this ancient goddess?”

Through the fading mist, a low voice could be heard.

“She is already by your side.”

The mist disappeared. As if it had all been a daydream, he was kneeling in the abandoned chapel of the decommissioned prison.

Only then did Mason realize he had experienced a religious mystery.

‘Can I trust this revelation?’

But his skepticism was short-lived.

He gritted his teeth.

The Destroyer was approaching.

Whether it was a hallucination or someone’s scheme, nothing could be worse than being helplessly eradicated.

He took out his phone.

“Kacha.”

A familiar voice answered.

Yekaterina’s voice was warm, laced with concern.

“I want to ask you something.”

“What exactly is an Evil God?”