The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 307

“...”

Apostate gazed silently at the statue, his lack of denial hanging heavy in the air.

But undeterred, Se-Hoon continued. “When I first heard that divine mana was derived from the power of Grace, something about it felt... off.”

“...”

“The communication between God and humans generates divine mana—this explanation works well enough for the believers of the Pilgrimage Church. But you and I are exceptions, aren’t we?”

The believers revered their deity, the Golden Ring, as a transcendent existence. And through prayer and supplication to it, they were able to draw upon divine mana. For them, it was indeed a form of communication.

But not for Se-Hoon and Apostate.

“I acknowledge the existence of gods, but I see them as soulless machines. You, on the other hand, reject God entirely. But that brings up a question: how did we develop such similar divine mana?”

Se-Hoon looked at the silent Apostate.

“It’s because the source of divine mana is the power of Grace.” His voice was full of absolute certainty.

Karl had once described the power of Grace as a transmitter that linked God and humans, channeling divine mana from above. But could such a colossal being, one that indiscriminately scattered its power, really allocate it so precisely to just mere humans as if distributing rations?

Se-Hoon was convinced that was impossible.

But if Karl acts as a mediator, it’s a different story.

Karl was a being more compassionate to humans than the gods, wielding a transcendent force. His power of Grace served as a filter, refining the chaotic divine mana to make it usable for humanity—which was also what set Se-Hoon and Apostate’s divine mana distinctly apart.

I sought the source directly, which granted me something similar to the power of Grace. But Apostate received his power from the leftover power of Grace directly from Karl.

Put simply, Se-Hoon was using water unfiltered, the Pilgrimage Church believers were using it filtered, and Apostate was using the tainted part of the water that was caught by the filter—gray, gold, and black hues of divine mana, respectively.

“You venerate the Pope with such devotion that you even went to the extent of becoming one of the Ten Evils. Your faith far surpasses that of all other archbishops, doesn’t it?”

“...”

“So, why? Why do you despise and wish to kill the Pope you worship so fervently? What is your faith, really?”

It was not an inquiry about Apostate’s beliefs; Se-Hoon was trying to probe into his synesthetic mindscape. One’s synesthetic mindscape was the foundation of all of their techniques, and to reveal it to another—even worse, to an enemy—was akin to showing one’s hand.

Yet, Se-Hoon dared to do so, and the reason was simple.

“...Sixteen years ago.”

Apostate began his story, unflinchingly bearing his truth—a form of evangelism in its own right.

“My hometown was attacked by monsters. I rushed there as soon as I heard because everyone I cherished was there.”

It was the eve of the Cold War with the Demon Force. Back then, Apostate—Max Sinclair—was nothing more than a typical B-rank hero.

“But I was too late. When I arrived, the people of my hometown were all dead. My parents and friends... their bodies weren’t even found.”

Woong-

As Apostate told his story, shadows cast on the cathedral walls flickered violently, replaying scenes of his memories. Shadows forming a burning village and a wounded young man filled the space before Se-Hoon’s eyes.

“There, in my hometown, I was surrounded by the remaining monsters and had accepted my death. And that was when he appeared.”

A man clad in golden light descended before Max, effortlessly slaughtering the monsters surrounding him. And though the man’s face and attire were blurry, it was clear who he was.

“When I came to, I was in the hospital, without a single scratch on my body. At first, I even thought it was all a dream, yet the TV proved otherwise.”

Karl Andersen, the seventh Perfect One to conquer a Tower of Heroes, was Max’s savior. The T.V. broadcasted his deeds across the globe, and Max, driven by desperation, sought Karl out upon seeing that, begging to become his disciple.

“I sought strength to avenge myself against the Demon Force, and he was the strongest person I’d ever seen.”

“Very well.”

Karl had accepted Max with a smile, and from that day forward, the two traversed countless battlefields together. They slaughtered countless enemies, healed countless wounded, and purified countless lands corrupted by demonic aura.

Time passed, and others also began awakening to divine mana, all gathering under Karl, naturally forming the Pilgrimage Church.

“Everything was going well during those times. The Pilgrimage Church was growing rapidly, merging with other religions, and when the Pilgrim’s Path was established, we became renowned worldwide.”

The Pilgrim’s Path, which successfully sealed the Abyss of Demons—a feat no other Perfect Ones had accomplished—elevated the Pilgrimage Church to unparalleled heights, earning respect from every faction and family across the world.

“Then... heretics appeared.”

Even though the Pilgrimage Church respected the worship and doctrines of the religions it merged with, allowing them to remain independent sects, one rule was absolute: the Golden Ring must not be demoted to a mere avatar of their respective deities.

“Once, someone claimed that the Golden Ring was nothing more than an avatar of his god and declared himself another avatar. They even had hundreds of followers believing him at that time. Do you know what happened to them?”

“...”

“Karl executed every single one of them.”

Hundreds had been impaled through the heart by golden stakes, dying without apparent pain. They all wore peaceful expressions, and Karl had wept bitterly for every one of them.

“When I saw him weep, I couldn’t understand it.”

Why mourn the deaths of heretics? Why shed tears for those who denied God? Brimming with fervent faith, Max sought an answer from Karl, who responded with a sorrowful expression. “Because these people are also human.”

Doubts about his God and Karl crept into his heart the moment Max heard that. If Karl pitied them to that extent, why had he executed them? If God was omnipotent, why did they create beings that defied their will?

“At first, I thought it was to discern true faith. Later, I convinced myself it was some grand, unknowable plan. Yet, the doubts never faded.”

What Max once thought was unshakable faith began crumbling, corroded by suspicion. However, his divine mana paradoxically only grew stronger.

And when Max was acknowledged as Karl's successor and learned the truth about the power of Grace, he finally unraveled the essence of God.

“You called it a machine? I see it differently. To me, that thing is nothing more than a calamity.”

All of the world’s suffering and death originated from the Golden Ring. So, as long as humanity remained tethered to it, salvation would remain out of reach forever..

“That’s when I realized.”

Apostate had despaired at the miserable truth.

“The true God for humanity was right beside me all along.”

In his master, who mourned humanity’s suffering and deaths more deeply than anyone else, Max saw a glimmer of hope. If anyone could become the true God of humanity, it would be Karl.

Yet, when Max tried to convince Karl of his revelation, Karl’s response was far from what he had hoped.

“Max, I am not God. Please don’t fall into heresy.”

Max was decisively rejected, confined in a sanctuary by Karl, as Karl attempted to persuade him. However, the more they spoke, the more resolute Max became.

And it all culminated in the infamous incident that rocked the Pilgrim Church.

“If God truly cared for us, he shouldn’t allow his believers to die so easily. That was why I decided to test it myself.”

Thousands of worshippers gathered in a cathedral, waiting to witness the mercy or salvation that the revered god might grant, had been brutally slaughtered by Max. And no miracle ever came, even as the cathedral was painted in blood.

Even Karl had arrived only after everyone had died.

“Earlier, you asked why I despise and want to kill Karl Andersen, didn’t you? The answer is simple.”

Finally tearing his gaze away from the statue, Apostate slowly turned around to face Se-Hoon.

“He’s the most devoted to humanity, yet he foolishly binds himself to a false god. Because of that, the only way to free him... is through death.”

“So that’s why you’re going to kill him?”

“Yes.”

Apostate nodded calmly, his gaze fixed on Se-Hoon.

“I’ll drag him out of the cursed cycle of ascension and forge him into the true God of humanity. That is my mission.”

At long last, Se-Hoon had gotten to the root of why Apostate was so obsessed with Karl, why he was so obsessed with the Pilgrimage Church.

He’s trying to dismantle faith in God.

That explained why he relentlessly corrupted and destroyed everything Karl cherished, which included the Pilgrimage Church itself. It was absolute fanaticism, making Se-Hoon grimaced.

“Lee Se-Hoon, why don’t you join me? If we work together, we can transform Karl Andersen into a god. Then, humanity can finally find salvation!”

“...”

“Or would you rather continue being mocked by that calamity?”

Remaining silent, Se-Hoon glanced at the statue of Karl behind Apostate. Destroy the Golden Ring and place Karl, a champion of humanity, on its throne... it wasn’t such a terrible idea, even if it might upset the man himself.

At least he wouldn’t refuse to save lives because ‘God didn’t grant permission.’

And perhaps, just perhaps, those who had died unjustly could be resurrected. After all, wasn’t that what God was supposed to do?

Weighing the boundless possibilities, Se-Hoon finally decided after a seemingly long silence.

“Alright.”

“...Really?”

Apostate’s expression was caught between disbelief and shock, seeming genuinely surprised that Se-Hoon accepted.

“Of course. Why did you bother suggesting it if you didn’t think I’d go along?”

“...”

“I think having a god for humanity wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Honestly, I’m sick of this endless struggle everyone has to go through.”

Who would willingly choose to live a life of endless battles, grueling training, and ceaseless labor? If peace could be achieved, there was no reason to refuse.

“There’s just one thing I need to ask, though.”

“...What is it?” Apostate’s voice carried a hint of tension and caution.

Se-Hoon fixed his gaze on him.

“Does the ‘humanity’ you speak of include yourself?”

Although Apostate’s face was hidden beneath a white veil, everyone knew the truth: he was something other than a human, a demon. And in the eyes of the world, demons were not considered part of humanity, which meant Apostate was an outsider—an “apostate” who was rejected even by the God he once worshiped.

“...”

Silence hung heavily in the air. Amidst it, Se-Hoon could feel it clearly. From beyond the veil, a gaze that burned with anger, hostility, and—unexpectedly—envy was boring into him.

“Haaa... This is exactly why dealing with demons is always a mistake.”

BOOM!

In an instant, dozens of black crosses crashed down around him. Reacting swiftly, Se-Hoon surged forward, invoking Divine Magic with the Pilgrim’s Incense Burner.

Swish!

Golden chains of light shot toward Apostate, illuminating the cathedral. But with a powerful swing of his arm, Apostate summoned black giants once again, which intercepted the attack.

CRASH!

The chains clashed against the massive figures, who used their arms to block the radiant bindings, darkness rippling outward.

The cathedral trembled ominously.

“Don’t think you were the only one buying time.”

Se-Hoon smirked, well aware of why Apostate had bothered with their conversation.

Woong-

The previously invoked Seven Deadly Sins had now fully anchored themselves within the sanctuary, transforming the sacred space into an autonomous world, severed entirely from the influence of the Golden Ring.

The oppressive domain radiated a suffocating omnipotence, and Apostate’s power spread throughout its expanse.

Within it, the bell echoed relentlessly, each chime reverberating like a death knell. Simultaneously, the black shroud engulfing the Indigna Rainforest began shrinking, closing in on the Cathedral of Penitence and erasing every living thing it touched on its way.

It was Annihilation—the ultimate law that erased all beings birthed by the Golden Ring.

“Hahahahaha!!!”

Apostate laughed wildly as his power surged.

Yet Se-Hoon didn’t flinch. He just calmly stood in place, observing the spectacle.

Then, when Apostate glanced down at him, looking triumphant, Se-Hoon tilted his head and muttered, “So, you’re only targeting things tied to the Golden Ring?” Taking out the Stigma, he continued with an almost mocking tone. “You really do like Karl Andersen, don’t you?”

Apostate faltered, taken aback by the absurdity of Se-Hoon’s words. But just as his lips parted to retort, Se-Hoon acted.

Without hesitation, he reshaped the Stigma into a sharp thorn and drove it directly into his own heart.

Schlunk!

Blood erupted in all directions, and the Seven Deadly Sins instantly amplified the injury, deepening the wound.

Drip- drip-

Dark crimson blood streamed out of Se-Hoon’s eyes, nose, and mouth, pooling at his feet. His heart wound gushed blood uncontrollably, threatening to bleed him dry long before the law of Annihilation could reach him. Yet, instead of trying to stop the bleeding, Se-Hoon pushed his heart to beat even harder.

Soul Honing: Demonic Blood Art

Crack. Slosh-

Blood rushed the golden Stigma, and moments later, a blinding light radiated from it, revealing a weapon once etched into the depths of Se-Hoon’s soul—a radiant and golden greatsword.

Its brilliant light banished the darkness that had consumed the sanctuary, shaking the entire cathedral.

“...!”

Apostate instinctively recognized the danger the broadsword posed. Desperate, he unleashed a barrage of attacks, sending black crosses, giants, and spears rushing toward Se-Hoon in a relentless tide.

But none even came close.

Woong!

Every single attack disintegrated before reaching him, vanishing without a trace. It was as if the Pilgrim himself had descended upon the battlefield.

What... how is he?

Apostate stared in disbelief.

Was it truly possible for such a Stigmata, such a Holy Artifact, to exist?

Frozen in place, Apostate could only watch as Se-Hoon lifted the broadsword with both hands. By all rights, his body should have succumbed to the Seven Deadly Sins by now, but the golden light enveloping him had healed his wounds perfectly.

Woong-

The broadsword Se-Hoon was holding was the ultimate Holy Artifact—the one that had saved his life during the last moments before he regressed.

Soul Weapon: Great Holy Sword

With one mighty swing, the golden blade released a radiant slash, splitting the entire cathedral and the black shroud in two.

The darkness scattered.