Ubermensch - Chapter 125 - Lightnovelasia

Chapter 125

The second time they dimension-shifted, they arrived above a bustling marketplace in some city.

“…People.”

Mason was thrilled.

They were people. Though someone from the 21st century might tilt their head in confusion, they were people.

The Ghost Dragon scoffed.

“They don’t look much different from monsters to me.”

It was true. The place was teeming with beings who looked like aliens, monsters, or a combination of both. Creatures with appearances that tested the limits of human imagination mingled with those that transcended human imagination altogether.

“They’re trading. That means they’re people.”

But they were selecting goods and exchanging things, engaging in trade. This meant they had reason and civilization.

Anyone who enjoyed civilization, regardless of their appearance, was human.

At least to Mason, they were.

The problem was, those people didn’t seem to think the same way.

“Kyaak! Kyaaaaaak!”

As someone pointed at them and let out a shrill scream, pandemonium broke loose. It was utter chaos, with people trampling over each other to escape as quickly as possible.

The Ghost Dragon smirked.

“Guess they are people after all.”

But the moment was short-lived. Black beings wielding tridents were rising from all directions. They had human limbs, but no faces, and wings made of membranes.

Any devoutly religious person would have labeled them demons upon seeing them.

However, they were guiding the fleeing people while surrounding Mason’s group—or rather, the Soldier.

It was a formation that suggested brave but powerless soldiers would declare they wouldn’t allow anyone to be harmed as long as they stood their ground.

“…”

Hearing their telepathy, Mason felt both relief and embarrassment.

It seemed clear they were enemies of the Destroyer.

That was a relief.

The problem was, they were being treated as the Destroyer’s lackeys.

That was embarrassing.

“Uh… um… well…”

Mason slowly landed the Soldier.

He then got off and raised his hands.

“We are not enemies. We are…”

At that moment, the demon-like beings, who had been maintaining a defensive posture, charged at Mason with their lives on the line.

He had forgotten, but the Destroyer was Mason from another dimension. So naturally, seeing Mason would remind them of the Destroyer.

“Sigh…”

Mason sighed and stopped.

If he just stood still and took a few spears, they’d probably calm down.

That’s when it happened.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Black, glistening tentacles erupted from the ground, binding not only the Soldier and Mason but also the Spirit King and the Ghost Dragon.

“Why me?!”

Ignoring the Ghost Dragon’s cries, they were all bound to the ground. Seeing that even the Spirit King, an ethereal being, was restrained, it was clear these were no ordinary flesh-and-blood tentacles.

“Stand down, valiant Nightgaunts. They are in my grasp. Calm the people and let them return to their lives.”

A man in a pure white priest’s robe slowly approached. The beings called Nightgaunts all knelt and bowed their heads. At that moment, Mason was stunned.

“You…!”

He looked just like Mason—or rather, like Mason before undergoing the Barbarian Procedure.

“Father…? No, is that me?”

Mason was essentially a clone of his father, Winston. They looked identical, but there were slight differences in their expressions and demeanor.

However, the man before him looked exactly like Mason. He had a wise and calm air that Mason had never possessed, but he was undoubtedly Mason.

“Indeed. I am Mason Park of this dimension. But for convenience, call me Nodens.”

“You’re… no. I’m Nodens?”

“That is correct.”

Nodens lightly waved his hand, and the tentacles retreated, except for the ones binding the Soldier.

“You have brought a dangerous object into my domain.”

“The Laughing God controls it. No problem.”

“I am not referring to the machine. I speak of the nanomachines themselves. I do not doubt your intentions, but I cannot allow such a dangerous substance to remain.”

The moment Nodens focused on the Soldier, the nanomachines within it began to detach and decompose.

But the next moment, the tentacles that had been binding the Soldier seeped into its body. The color of the armor turned red, and the nanomachines connecting its joints were replaced by a red liquid.

“What have you done?”

“I have removed the nanomachines. I have replaced them with ‘God’s Blood’. Its performance should be superior to an ordinary Soldier.”

“You removed the nanomachines…? Is that even possible…?”

Nodens smiled gently.

“Did you believe your world was the most advanced? That is also arrogance.”

Nodens turned around.

“This is a place for my people. Let us continue our conversation somewhere more peaceful.”

Nodens pointed toward the top of a structure in the middle of the marketplace that resembled a South American pyramid.

The next moment, he was standing there.

The group flew over to join him.

As they arrived, seats were prepared for them—large ones for the large and small ones for the small.

Upon closer inspection, they realized the pyramid itself was a living creature.

Stepping on it, they felt a squishy sensation that was rather unpleasant.

Nodens looked at Mason and spoke.

“Only one being knows the coordinates of my dimension. Have you met the Lord of Time?”

“Yes. I met my uncle.”

“If you met him, it means you have attempted time travel as well. Then your dimension must be in a dire situation too.”

“…It was destroyed.”

Nodens looked at Mason with sympathy in his eyes.

“It is a regrettable event. Sadly, it is so common that one becomes accustomed to it.”

“…”

“I do not reject refugees. Everyone here has faced similar situations as you, so open your heart and live amongst them.”

“I am not a refugee.”

Mason shook his head.

“I… I came to fight the Destroyer.”

“Then you are also welcome.”

Nodens looked around.

“What are the intentions of the others?”

The Spirit King said,

“Of course. I shall find a suitable planet for you.”

The Laughing God spoke.

“Good. Ghost Dragon, what are your intentions?”

“I will tear apart the Destroyer’s flesh and devour his soul!”

Despite the Ghost Dragon’s ferocious roar, Nodens simply smiled.

“You would be surprised to know how many have made similar vows. You’ll have to wait in a rather long line.”

Nodens looked at Mason.

“Ask if you have any questions. I imagine you have many.”

Mason asked the question that had been on his mind the most.

“Can you defeat the Destroyer?”

“That is a complex question.”

Nodens answered calmly.

“At this point in time, I can defeat him. However, it is the Destroyer who can choose the time and place. And he continues to increase his forces every time he destroys a dimension.”

He added,

“Would it be easier to understand if I said it is the difference between nomadic tribes and settled people? We cannot fight until he desires it, and when he desires it, it will be when his victory is certain.”

“Why? Why can’t you challenge him?”

“It is a matter of mobility. My true body cannot keep up with the Destroyer’s forces, and even if I project an avatar into another dimension, it would be too weak to defeat even a single Soldier.”

“True body?”

“Surely, you did not think what you see before you is all of me?”

As Nodens smiled serenely, the Laughing God spoke up.

“And?”

“What?”

At that moment, Mason realized it.

Where he was standing. No, who he was standing on.

Why Nodens was called the Magnificent and why he could not be easily summoned.

“Nodens is not your… but the name of this ‘place’?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

Beside Mason, behind him.

Countless figures of Nodens rose up.

They all smiled serenely and said,

“I am Mason, who has realized his dream, and the protector of ‘Dreamland’. I am Nodens, master of the ‘Silver Arm’ fleet.”

๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑

Mason wasn’t one to easily feel awe.

Especially as someone from the 28th century, an era where anything was possible with just a thought.

But now, Mason was feeling awe toward the being in front of him, or perhaps beneath his feet.

“A lifeform on a galactic scale…”

A lifeform the size of a galaxy was logically impossible. The structural integrity of the body, gravity, the speed of light, and so on. It was impossible, even considering all known scientific principles. But perhaps that was why beings that transcended common sense were called gods.

“Now you understand why I cannot move freely?”

Nodens spoke with a calm expression.

“My mere approach within a certain distance could cause the collapse of a galaxy. So, moving my true body is no easy feat. The Destroyer is exploiting this fact well.”

“Then is there no way to counter the Destroyer?”

“I have reached the pinnacle of evolution, so I cannot become stronger or faster. Instead, I am building an army.”

“An army?”

Nodens pointed to the sky.

Looking closely, Mason saw the Milky Way flowing across the sky, even in broad daylight. It resembled a human arm.

“That is my main fleet, the ‘Silver Arm’. I am gathering and training creatures capable of traversing space, including space whales. And I am collecting technology from the remaining universes.”

Nodens looked at Mason.

“You must now act as my agent. Your mission is to retrieve technology, resources, and talented individuals from places I cannot reach, things I cannot recover myself. Ultimately, your goal is to make the Silver Arm fleet a match for the Destroyer’s forces.”

Hope surged in Mason’s chest. He could see a path forward. He nodded.

“Gladly.”

Then, the Laughing God warned,

“What do you mean?”

“What?”

The Laughing God’s lens focused on Nodens’ avatar.

Its gaze was far from friendly.