Chapter 138

I moved the translation process to a more appropriate section for clarity and focus. Here is your requested translation:

—

I don’t move. I have no idea what’s going on.

I’ve been trying to make my entire body exert itself to remind myself of the meaning of the path I’ve walked, even in front of this transcendent being.

Yet, my body stopped moving at just one sentence telling me to stop. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move.

It’s just a word, yet it can so simply obstruct the movement of a life with will.

How powerful must this transcendent being be, housed within Dominus’s physical form?

There was no choice but to admit that my original plan to take care of this opponent before they got used to the borrowed body was completely ruined from the start.

While I was gathering my disappointment over not being able to move.

I noticed emotions slowly appearing in the expression of the one who stopped me and was looking at me.

Whether it was because they were surprised by the scars on their borrowed face, or because they were gradually adapting to the body, I couldn’t tell.

“Your talent is far greater than I imagined…”

It was comforting to see that there was no hostility in the eyes of the creature observing me with curiosity despite seeing the one with the facial scar.

…Even if there was no hostility, it didn’t change the fact that this creature had the power to erase me from existence at any moment.

“…You. Child of man.”

The entity possessing Dominus’s voice called out to me.

Even though this entity possesses the power fitting of a being that descended upon this land filled with mystery, their attitude towards calling me was dignified and naturally suppressive to those they considered inferior to me.

“I came down with the intention of reclaiming my rights after fulfilling my duty, yet the talent you briefly displayed awakened the ‘desire’ that had been sleeping within me.”

Even while only saying what needed to be said, there was no arrogance or contempt in their tone.

Strange. This transcendent being whose name I don’t even know is extremely peculiar.

Descending upon this land to react to Dominus’s will to overwrite reality, they are a twisted being.

“Hmm…”

Loosening the invisible force that bound me, albeit not completely, and gesturing lightly towards me, they said,

“Let’s see you inflict another injury upon this body.”

This twisted being, showing a look that could be either a provocation or invitation to inflict another injury upon their borrowed body, was an enigma.

It’s like they laid out a board to watch an ant bite its own finger rather than crushing it.

Even though it was ridiculous to see them openly gesture to lure me in, it didn’t change the fact that I had to oppose this twisted being who declared their intent to erase me from this land.

“…Haaah!!”

Not missing the slight loosening of the intangible force constricting me, I poured strength into my body and took a few steps towards them.

Though fighting a losing battle is not something one does, and I’ve never agreed with the notion that there are battles one shouldn’t retreat from even when they cannot be won.

Today, I had to accept that this notion was correct.

“There’s no need for flashy moves. Show me your ultimate power. The kind of power that would satisfy someone like me.”

As I approached, the creature opened their heavy mouth and spoke.

Even though it was heavy, there was no mistaking the eager anticipation directed towards me.

Why would a being who came to this land solely to erase me and leave no trace of my existence show such great interest in my power?

“It’s entertainment. Seeing the potential to break free from the tedium of limited forms by merely borrowing a human body, I’m playing along for a bit.”

The transcendent being, reading my fleeting thought, explained their motivation as a way to explain away my doubts.

…But should I really consider this an explanation?

Now, rather than being amused by this situation which they call entertainment,

‘I have to become the variable that disrupts this game!’

I had to establish myself as the variable that would disrupt this game.

“Haaaah!!”

After shaking off the oppressive force still somewhat uncomfortably wrapping around my body,

Only then did I approach the creature at a proper speed.

It wasn’t that far, so why did it take so long?

No, now isn’t the time to think about such things.

Uuung!!

Somehow, I managed to contain the energy still overflowing and spilling over like a bowl.

I gathered this energy into my sword and swung it at the creature!

That’s all I could think about.

Is desperation calling for miracles?

Even though the sword needed to be swung faster than a moment, my hand holding the sword was moving too slowly.

Already close enough to the creature’s face, the result of whether it would hit or miss was still hanging in the air, the sword not yet swung from my arm.

Only then did I realize. An unexpected opportunity had presented itself.

A useless ability that only showed up when it wasn’t needed, now activated perfectly in this desperate moment.

Moreover, moments seemed to be split infinitely.

“…”

The transcendent being prepared to receive my sword with a smile so intense it was almost bloody, was still trapped in a slow consciousness slower than my own perception, unable to grasp the slow flow of time I was experiencing.

…An opportunity.

In a moment shared between those who perceive and those who don’t, that division creates absolute power for those who perceive it.

And I am one of the few who understands this difference best.

Thanks to this slow flow of time, I’ve managed to save my life several times already.

Because I know how to utilize this slow flow of time to execute a perfect strike with the maximum power I can muster.

Even a reckless strike that would tear apart the muscles in my arm.

‘…It can be done.’

Knowing that with the power of this divided perception, even a slightly quicker swing of the sword is possible.

“Haaaah!!”

I circulated all the hostility I had collected in my dantian and heart, reinforcing my body with all my might.

Even though it’s taboo to allow so many openings in a real fight, the sight of the transcendent being, who couldn’t even fully perceive my actions, gave me the confidence and courage to believe I could do this.

Despite the overwhelming hostility, my body, strengthened by the divine possession technique, could finally contain this overflow.

Finally ready to strike the creature.

Even if it was an unexpected stroke of luck, the slow flow of time that even this transcendent being couldn’t perceive.

Using this flow, even if unnoticed, I gathered hostility and physical abilities to their peak.

And the ability to compose the optimal sword path from this distance.

As soon as I perceived that everything was prepared,

I swung the sword held in my hand towards the creature’s face like lightning.

In my own world where time flows slowly, where everything seems to stop, my sword alone moves through a path where the process is skipped and only the result is delivered, aimed at the transcendent being.

“……!!”

Only when the sword neared the creature’s face did I see a look of surprise again on their face.

Even though this was the slowest flowing time I could remember, realizing my movements meant the creature was truly remarkable.

‘…Too late!’

Even if they realized quickly, with the blade already flashing before their eyes, there was no way for the creature to avoid my sword.

After manifesting through Dominus’s body, the creature’s expression had always shown a flat calmness. But now, deeper emotions than when they first received an injury from my sword were evident.

Though fear and surprise were distant, I was satisfied to see their trembling golden eyes reveal their agitation at my sword.

—

[End of Translation]