You will be translating a text while maintaining consistency with previously translated related texts.

First, carefully read the previously translated texts to understand the context:

Chapter 519

Seong Jihan surveyed his surroundings.

With HeavenNet gone, he found himself in a world steeped in darkness. 

In this place not suited for anyone below administrator level, various energies ran rampant, swirling chaotically.

‘HeavenNet was installed near Washington, if I remember correctly.’

Recalling his past memories, Seong Jihan navigated through the dark expanse.

While maintaining the Blue and red sword behind his back restricted his full capacity, he still progressed at a transcendent pace.

After advancing for a while,

Flash…!

Suddenly, light invaded the omnipresent darkness.

Light and darkness.

Positioned in the realm of darkness, Seong Jihan spotted a light-filled building and his eyes gleamed.

‘I see English on that building.’

Even from here, the mismatched sizes of buildings looked unmanaged, but the signs displayed a language clearly used in America.

‘I arrived earlier than I thought.’

Thud, thud.

Seong Jihan approached the sharp boundary where light and darkness diverged.

Just as he was about to cross it,

[BattleNet system detects ‘irregularity’.]

Ziiiiing…!

A message window blocked his path.

‘I thought it was going too smoothly.’

Just walking back thought it would solve everything, but that’s rarely how things work.

Seong Jihan paused to see what would display next.

[Excluded Administrator, ‘Blue Administrator,’ information partially matches with player.]

[BattleNet entry is denied.]

‘What?’

Why am I marked as an expelled member?

Seong Jihan looked incredulous.

He had wholeheartedly defended against BattleNet’s rival platform, HeavenNet, yet the system now treated him as a criminal.

[Initiating detailed inspection.]

[Level… detected as 2. No match found with Blue Administrator.]

[Stat… ‘Blue’ is significantly detected. 99 percent match with Blue Administrator.]

[Title… ‘The Martial God’ detected. 100 percent match with Blue Administrator.]

While these messages began to appear,

The system continued comparing Seong Jihan’s information with that of the Blue Administrator.

Excluding his level, all other matching data aligned.

Beep, beep…

An alarm sounded from the message window,

[Inspection results, the player matches 98 percent with the Blue Administrator.]

‘Not 100 percent. Was it because my level is 2?’

Level seemed to account significantly in the inspection.

Seong Jihan pondered as he waited to see what the system would say next.

Ziiiiing…

A white-background message window popped up.

[Entry is not permitted.]

[To enter BattleNet, please reduce your resemblance with the Blue Administrator.]

[It is recommended to reset your ‘Blue’ stat.]

[It is recommended to reset your ‘Red’ stat.]

‘Reset my stats?’

Seong Jihan snorted.

As if I’d do that. Dropping to level 2 might be an opportunity to re-grow easily and gain more points, but resetting my stats was out of the question.

“There’s a better way than resetting.”

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan grasped the Blue and Red sword floating behind him.

Although it was created to seal HeavenNet, its power as a sword was formidable.

‘Maybe it’s even superior to Taiji Sword.’

Thunk!

Seong Jihan raised Blue and Red Sword, piercing through the pristine message window.

Then, not only the message window but the boundary between light and darkness was immediately breached.

Crackle…

The shattered message window turned into light, and cracks began forming in the world.

‘One more thrust should get me through.’

Swoosh.

As Seong Jihan prepared to thrust Blue and red again,

Tap, tap…

Sounds of cracks from beyond his location were heard.

Then,

Swoosh!

A hat pierced through the space.

‘Is that…’

The hat owned by the Arena’s Owner?

As Seong Jihan’s eyes widened,

Swoosh…

A void energy emanated from the hat.

“There, there… Uncle!!”

Tears streaming, Yoon Seah appeared and embraced him tightly.

* * *

“Really, why did you take so long…?!”

Seong Jihan patted the back of the tearful Yoon Seah within his embrace.

“Seeing you like this, seems some time has passed.”

At his words, Yoon Seah pouted.

“A bit? More than five years have passed since Uncle disappeared!”

“…Five years?”

Seong Jihan’s eyes widened slightly.

More time had passed than he thought.

Although reducing the level and the domain of HeavenNet took a while,

He hadn’t realized it had been five years.

“Has everything been alright in the meantime?”

“Alright?…”

At Seong Jihan’s question, Yoon Seah’s complexion darkend.

Even at her arrival through the hat, her face had looked pale.

Seeing her face change color now,

It seemed something significant had indeed occurred.

“What, something happened to sister?”

“Mom? Mom’s fine. It’s you who’s the problem, uncle.”

“Me?”

No.

I was trapped for five years, what could possibly be the issue?

As Seong Jihan looked puzzled,

“Uh… this isn’t the best place to talk. Should we go home first?”

Yoon Seah looked around and then suggested.

“Yes. Let’s go home.”

“Okay."

As she removed the hat,

Shooo…

From an inner space of the bowler hat, a dark vortex swirled, and a purple portal appeared.

‘This… that’s a considerable amount of void.’

Seeing the strength contained in such a casual gesture, awe appeared in Seong Jihan’s eyes.

“You’ve become powerful?”

“I put in some effort trying to find you, uncle.”

“Have you already become the owner of the Arena?”

“No, not yet. But it’s almost the same.”

“It seems so. The energy of the void gives it away.”

As Seong Jihan conversed, he stepped into the portal.

And soon, the familiar scene of the living room came into view.

“Long time no see.”

Returning home after five years.

Truthfully, he was so busy sealing HeavenNet that he hadn’t realized how much time had passed.

Still, the familiar sight of the living room brought him relief.

Then,

Fwoosh…

From within Blue and red sword, a burst of red light flashed, spreading intense heat around.

‘Ah, can’t carry this around in daily life.’

Blue and Red, rebelling against HeavenNet’s control, emanated tremendous heat.

Carrying it in everyday life was impractical.

Seong Jihan pondered how to handle Blue and Red.

‘I should store it inside me for now.’

He brought the sword up behind his neck.

Chiik…

Then, Blue and Red seeped into his neck and back, forming a tattoo-like sword on his back.

‘I’ll keep it like this until I can safely bring it out.’

As Seong Jihan contemplated how to deal with Blue and Red,

Swoosh!

Yoon Seah arrived belatedly.

“Ugh, uncle… what is that sword? The portal got cut off, so I had to open it again.”

“It’s a rather strong blade.”

“That doesn’t seem like just ‘strong’… and hey, you’ve got a new tattoo on your neck? And it’s sealed?”

“Well, I figured it would melt the house if I left it be.”

“Ahaha.”

Yoon Seah nodded as she surveyed the scorched interior of the house.

“So, what was that you were saying earlier?”

“The thing about a problem with me?”

“Yes, what kind of issue would I be unaware of?”

“That’s… where do I even begin…”

Struggling with how to explain the situation to Seong Jihan,

“Oh, uncle. Can you look outside the window? It’s night right now.”

Pointing to the living room window,

“Why the window?”

“You’ll feel the change immediately. I’ll sort my thoughts in the meantime.”

What sort of trouble requires time to sort thoughts?

Seong Jihan chuckled and approached the living room window.

Usually, Seong Jihan preferred this window over the main door.

A large full moon was hanging in the sky.

Has the cityscape changed?

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan leaned out to look below the window,

‘Well, no major changes.’

The night view of Seoul made it hard to sense extraordinary changes.

Just the usual big city.

‘He’s not talking about remnants of a sword scar.’

A streak of blue light that stretched from the land to the sky.

The traces of the sword Seong Jihan had used to slay the Red Administrator still shone brilliantly after five years, but it hardly felt like a significant change over five years.

Then what was he supposed to see?

Just as Seong Jihan was about to survey the world once more,

Flash…!

Above in the sky, the full moon suddenly radiated light,

“…What’s that?”

A green tree-like figure appeared.

“Did you see, uncle?”

“Yeah. Why’s there a tree popping out of the full moon?”

“That’s because… the Earth has become a colony of the World Tree Alliance.”

“…What? A colony?”

* * *

During the five years Seong Jihan was gone,

Humanity, belonging to the Bronze league, thrived.

“Throughout the regular season of three years, we eventually finished as the first in the Bronze league.”

“Without falling behind the World Tree Alliance?”

“Yeah. Objectively, they are stronger than humanity, but strangely, they conceded a lot, even in your absence, uncle.”

Humanity had retained their number one ranking with the World Tree Alliance’s concessions.

At that time, humanity’s confidence peaked.

Then, during the playoffs that followed the regular season,

“They didn’t ban me from the World Tree Alliance, so we swept all matches 3:0.”

“They didn’t ban you?”

“Yeah. It was almost like they were encouraging us to win every match 3:0.”

Yoon Seah, soon to be the Arena’s Owner.

Her power was too much for the Bronze league to handle.

Normally, the opposing teams would always ban her outright,

But the World Tree Alliance, fully aware of her strength, always allowed her to play.

Thus, humanity finished first in the regular season and swept through the playoffs.

“BattleNet gave us the option to either withdraw or advance to the Silver league.”

“Really? I heard you need to win the Bronze league three times to get that option.”

“We thought so too… but when we achieved ‘undefeated victory in playoffs,’ they allowed us to choose early.”

Seong Jihan’s gaze darkened.

‘Was this why the World Tree Alliance deliberately conceded to humanity?’

Withdraw or advance.

To present this choice,

The World Tree Alliance had deliberately induced their own defeat.

“So, did humanity choose to advance?”

“Yes… A lot of people experienced it when the Red Administrator descended, right? What it feels like to be reduced to the lowest species.”

Stumbling in the BattleNet league was one thing,

But having dominated the Bronze league, humanity was overflowing with confidence.

We can smoothly sail in BattleNet while enjoying these benefits.

And that confidence,

“Right after moving up to the Silver league, humanity was completely crushed.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I was immediately banned, and the capabilities of the other players didn’t measure up to the Silver league average.”

The overwhelming performance that brought them to the Silver league.

But that place was far more brutal than humanity had anticipated.

“We managed to win one match in a year…”

“So you ended up at the bottom.”

“Yes, we were overwhelmingly last in the league. If things continued, we would have faced species extermination…”

Even if you finish last in the Silver league,

It’s not a matter of dropping to Bronze, but facing extinction, that’s the BattleNet system.

“Did the Green Administrator save you? In return, made this a colony?”

“Exactly.”

“From what you’ve said, it sounds like the World Tree Alliance planned to make this a colony.”

“Yes. I suspect so.”

Yggdrasil.

The Blue Administrator had been fairly cooperative before,

But he hadn’t expected them to turn Earth into a colony while he was away.

“So the issue you mentioned, that’s about humanity becoming a colony?”

“…No. The problem’s with the World Tree Alliance. They said if humanity wants to be a colony, they must first relinquish their faith.”

“What faith?”

“In the ‘Blue Administrator Seong Jihan’."

“What is this, a religion?”

As Seong Jihan looked bewildered by the talk of ‘faith’,

“It was, until recently.”

Yoon Seah replied seriously.

“…Anyway, humanity agreed to survive. And the ‘Blue Administrator Seong Jihan’ was subjected to ‘eradication from records’.”

“Eradication from records?”

“Look at this.”

Extending her hand, a handset flew towards her.

Swoosh.

After unlocking it, she typed ‘Seong Jihan’ into a portal site.

Then,

Only records of people with the same name appeared,

But none were related to Seong Jihan.

“Nothing.”

“Yep, not just on the internet. He’s been completely forgotten by people too…”

“…Really?”

“Yeah… For survival, humanity has abandoned you.”

Yoon Seah’s expression grew somber.

“…The traces of that blue sword are now considered an inexplicable natural phenomenon. The credit for evolving humanity to this point has been taken by the Green Administrator.”

The Green Administrator suggested an eradication from records.

Was this not only about erasing records but also making people forget Seong Jihan from their memories?

Still.

“Seah, you remember me?”

“…Mom and I were so pissed, we fully switched to the Void. We’re no longer affiliated with humanity.”

“Sister too? Then it’s no big deal.”

“No, uncle. It’s not that it’s not a problem…! People have forgotten, they did it to save themselves!”

Yoon Seah grew even more upset.

“Why, it’s enough if the family remembers, right?”

Seong Jihan chuckled at her reaction.

“It’ll be easier to go to restaurants, at least. I was too famous to go anywhere before.”

“…What are you talking about restaurants. You don’t even eat.”

“To me, that’s all my name was worth.”

Seong Jihan responded while recalling the earlier messages.

-BattleNet system detects ‘irregularity’.

-Excluded Administrator, ‘Blue Administrator,’ information matches with player.

Irregularity. Excluded Administrator.

And eradication from records.

In the last five years, apart from humanity’s downfall,

It seemed a lot had happened in the administrative realm concerning his status.

‘First, I need to understand what’s going on.’

Thinking this, Seong Jihan waved goodbye to Yoon Seah.

“I’ll step out for a bit.”

“Okay… where are you going?”

“To see the world.”

Whoosh!

He jumped from the window down to downtown Gangnam.

There, people briefly turned their gaze towards him.

“What, who is that guy…”

“He jumped from that building… Can anyone really land from that height?”

“Ah, forget it. Must be a player.”

Unlike before, when everyone would notice Seong Jihan’s landing,

Now, only a few reacted to such a spectacle.

“Really, nobody recognizes me…”

This felt strangely liberating.

Smirking at the crowd’s reaction, Seong Jihan

Thud, thud.

Naturally blended into the throngs of people.

Thus, he returned to Earth after five years as an anonymous figure.

(The Martial God Regressed to Level 2, Part 1 Conclusion)

Chapter 518

The Golden Wheel.

This golden wheel, capable of reverting Seong Jihan to his state from 24 hours earlier, functioned in a way that was completely enigmatic, its mechanism a mystery.

However,

“With more understanding, it now seems possible to apply it.”

Seong Jihan brought the Golden Wheel close to the ‘Invitation from BattleNet.’

Then,

Rrrrrrr…

The golden wheel gradually began to move in reverse.

Along with it, the characters that had been dyed red,

Began to regain their original color.

[Using that ability… on the invitation?]

“Yes.”

[Then humanity will belong to BattleNet again. Wouldn’t it be better to forgo the 120 million and free them from BattleNet instead?]

“I need to prepare them before leaving. Otherwise, it’ll be a disaster, didn’t you demonstrate that?”

Since BattleNet had become intrinsically linked with human society,

Preparation was necessary before departure.

So, for now,

“Back to it.”

Rrkk. Rrrrrrr…

The golden wheel moved, and

The letters on the invitation rapidly returned to their original color.

And,

-Oh… my body suddenly feels much healthier.
-The status window is back!
-Ah, the GP is exactly the same 
-I was really scared… It’s all reverted back to the original. It seems Seong Jihan did something.
-Wouldn’t the people who didn’t press the eye be the real winners?
-Wow, those without faith, tsk tsk.

The world began to rapidly revert to the era when it belonged to BattleNet.

[System Error Detected.]

[Repair work underway.]

And for those who had pressed the red eye,

A message announcing an error along with simultaneous repairs were conducted.

Soon after, the power of the red portal weakened significantly.

‘It seems the connection of that hundred million will thus be disconnected.’

Although it was regrettable to use up the last Golden Wheel,

If it completely eliminated the Red Administrator, it was worth it.

Now then,

‘Just removing that portal should end it.’

Seong Jihan, feeling the cessation of external energies, picked up his sword.

[That’s thwarted too…]

Though the voice of the Red Administrator still emanated from the portal.

“Enough talk, go now.”

Infinite Annihilation God

Taiji Sword

Blue Light Sword

Paah!

Seong Jihan didn’t allow him to finish speaking before he split the portal in two.

A stretch of blue sword light soared to the sky.

The strike exhibited an overwhelming adversary’s power for the portal.

Even if the portal would eventually be consumed by that force,

‘Can’t leave even a piece of residue.’

Seong Jihan vigilantly ensured nothing escaped from there.

Leaving any leftovers would result in potential future troubles.

This time, he had to completely extinguish even the smallest ember.

As Seong Jihan stood fully prepared,

Ssssss…

The bisected portal revealed a face.

The face of the red giant.

It was the Red Administrator.

[There’s no escaping this…]

[Blue, you have won.]

Looking at the half-face speaking one piece after another,

‘What’s he up to now?’

Seong Jihan swung his sword, but

[A reward is necessary for the winner.]

[To the Blue Administrator, I transfer the ownership of ‘HeavenNet’.]

The ‘transfer’ from the Red Administrator was hastier.

[Do you accept the transfer of ownership of ‘HeavenNet’?]

Then a message popped up before Seong Jihan.

He almost refused, but

[Should you refuse, ownership of HeavenNet will automatically transfer to the White Administrator.]

Upon seeing the message that ownership would automatically pass to the White Administrator, Seong Jihan hesitated.

Unlike the Red, the White Administrator still boasted formidable power.

If it went to him, it might lead to troublesome consequences.

‘…Better to take it into my own hands.’

So deciding, he pressed ‘accept’.

[HeavenNet service starts.]

[Player ‘Seong Jihan’ steps up as the permanent administrator of HeavenNet.]

[Existing systems will transfer to the new system……]

[……]

Flash. Flash.

Innumerable message windows popped up and disappeared before Seong Jihan,

And centered on his feet, a bright white light spread out.

‘This is…’

The space had become completely isolated from the original world.

[You are now connected to HeavenNet.]

* * *

“Ha. This guy really doesn’t die easily.”

Stepping into HeavenNet, Seong Jihan frowned.

The Red Administrator.

Truly a nuisance until the very end.

‘The surrounding landscape… more hellish than heavenly.’

Despite its name, HeavenNet’s vista was closer to an inferno.

With both the land and sky flickering in nothing but bright, searing flames.

‘Might as well just destroy it immediately.’

Just as Seong Jihan, who was literally grinding his teeth, began to gather his power while observing the scenery,

[You have been inaugurated as the permanent administrator of HeavenNet.]

[Administrator privileges have been granted.]

[Your level adjusts to the permanent administrator’s standards, rising to 9999.]

A system message with a red background quickly rose.

‘…9999?'

Normally administrators shouldn’t have a level entry.

What’s with 9999?

Seong Jihan opened his character window.

Name: Seong Jihan

Level: 9999

Red: 100

Blue: 999 (Will increase by +731 at SSS level)

Void (Inactive)

Eternity (Inactive)

Remaining Points: 9999

‘Quite a few changes.’

With a character window filled with 999s, and both Void and Eternity inactivated,

Seong Jihan looked at his left hand.

The Taiji Sword, which he had created using the Void, had extinguished since entering HeavenNet,

Only blue sword energy flickered forth now.

‘Could I upgrade the points I have left solely in Red and Blue? I should first try raising the Blue since it clearly belongs to my abilities.’

The thought of upgrading Red was a bit discomforting, but since Blue definitely was his skill,

Seong Jihan attempted to invest his remaining points in Blue, but

[HeavenNet’s remaining points cannot raise the Blue.]

A message appeared saying that the Blue cannot be raised.

‘So, I can only raise the Red?’

Now that it had come to this, he felt even more reluctant to raise the Red.

Seong Jihan decided to let go of his attachment to the remaining points and picked up his sword.

Though the Taiji Sword had vanished with the sealing of the Void,

‘Let’s make use of the Blue instead.’

Ziiiiiing…

Blue light shimmered, and a sword of light formed in Seong Jihan’s hand.

He extended the sword once,

Suuuuurrr…

Some flames were quenched, revealing places previously hidden by fire.

What appeared were characters used by the Blood Clan.

Though Seong Jihan could read them, they contained significantly complex information.

[HeavenNet Blueprints]

Written there were.

One would normally not understand what these blueprints meant just by reading,

‘…Oddly enough, I understand this at a glance.’

Perhaps because he had become a permanent administrator.

As soon as Seong Jihan saw the blueprints of HeavenNet, he instinctively understood them.

‘Eventually, the usage of HeavenNet means, rule like a god using Red.’

The resources expended here for reigning as a permanent administrator were Red stats.

This not only included the given remaining 9999 points but also the flames continually arising here, and even those in the ‘Hell.’

‘How should I effectively eliminate this…’

After swinging his sword a few times, Seong Jihan realized.

Even with Blue stats at the SS level, he couldn’t eliminate this world.

There must be a better way than just swinging the sword.

Seong Jihan paused to think for a moment, then,

“System, is the Red Administrator here by any chance?”

He asked HeavenNet’s system.

[The previous owner, ‘Red Administrator’, sacrificed himself in the Hell. Currently, he is being used as a source of energy for HeavenNet.]

“Is that so? I was wondering how this place was maintained after cutting the connection with humanity.”

The 120 million humanity following the Red Administrator.

Though he had severed their energy supply, it seemed HeavenNet continued to function.

The Red Administrator had even thrown himself into the Hell.

What a stubborn guy.

[You can summon his fragments. Do you wish to proceed?]

“Summon him.”

[You will need 50 in the Red stat.]

Seong Jihan nodded.

Fwaaarrrr…

Flames flashed before his eyes.

There, burning fiercely, were the scorched red eyes.

[Why have you summoned me?]

The Red Administrator, even while being used as an energy source in the Hell, still seemed nonchalant.

Seong Jihan spoke to him,

“I was seeking advice.”

[From me…?]

“Yep. Related to destroying HeavenNet. You designed it, so who better to know how?”

[…And you’re asking me for that?]

While the Red Administrator was confused,

Seong Jihan asked the system.

“How much Red is needed to make sure he speaks only the truth?”

[Each question requires 100 in the Red stat.]

“Just 100?”

It took 50 to summon his eyes, and now 100 per question.

It looks like I’ll have to use the remaining points then.

Seong Jihan opened his character window and used 50 of the remaining points.

Then,

Fwaaarrrr…

Flames burst from all around.

[You receive support from the Hell.]

[Your Red stat grows threefold.]

His Red stat rose by 150 to 200.

Rather than his swiftly grown powers,

‘This… feels no joke.’

The sensation he felt from raising the Red stat was impressively pleasant.

It felt addictively pleasant, more than anything else.

“Hey. Why does it feel like this when you raise the Red? Designer, answer me.”

Upon Seong Jihan’s question, 100 of his Red stat disappeared, and

The Red Administrator spoke the truth.

[Here, every time the Red goes up, it becomes integrated with HeavenNet. The sensation of unification with the server is more intense than any pleasure. But… you seem alright.]

“Actually, it was quite intense. I almost raised it more.”

[I was hoping you would.]

“Why did you give me HeavenNet?”

[If the Blue Administrator becomes the master of HeavenNet, this world will become complete. If you belong here, even the antithetical Blue can be absorbed, making it a grand achievement for the designer.]

“So you sacrificed yourself just for that?”

[Indeed.]

The Red Administrator answered immediately.

Even if he died, if HeavenNet’s completeness increased, that was enough for him.

Seong Jihan could see just how obsessed the opponent was with this place.

“Thinking of asking you how to destroy HeavenNet actually amuses me.”

[…Do you think I’ll give you a proper answer?]

“Ah, I’ve run out of Red.”

Seong Jihan, realizing his resistance, noticed he had depleted his Red stat.

He pressed to allocate remaining points, and the Red Administrator somewhat spoke,

[This world is my life’s work. To tell you how to destroy it from my own mouth… Figure it out yourself!]

“You have the expertise here, first I need to hear what you have to say. Now. Speak quickly.”

In the world he created, the permanent administrator’s orders could not be defied.

[The fastest way is to raise the Red to 9999 and command its destruction.]

To raise the Red to 9999.

That seemed risky for himself.

“Let’s change the question. How can I eliminate this world without any side effects to myself?”

[Without side effects… that will take a considerable amount of time.]

“Don’t care. Safety first.”

[…]

At Seong Jihan’s inquiry, the Red Administrator glared fiercely.

But as merely a fragment, he could not overcome the permanent administrator’s authority.

[To reduce the domain of HeavenNet, lower the level of the permanent administrator.]

“Lower the level?”

The Red Administrator, his scorched eyes bloodshot, provided that method.

“How low?”

[At least it has to drop to three digits.]

“Hmm. From 9999 to three digits…”

That’s the way to safely eliminate HeavenNet?

Seong Jihan squinted but,

“Alright. Let’s try that.”

Deciding to follow the designer’s advice.

After all, my level is 9999.

Just lower it and if the domain doesn’t shrink, seek another method.

Thus, the process of downgrading levels began.

It took longer than expected.

* * *

[The level drops to 2.]

“…So it’s come to this.”

While the Red Administrator did say the level had to reach three digits for destruction,

‘HeavenNet, you’re more tenacious than I thought.‘

The level had to drop to a single digit.

And that was down to 2, before a solution emerged.

Seong Jihan surveyed his surroundings.

Unlike before, no flames were seen in the pitch-dark space.

The only thing casting light here

Was a red sphere floating before his eyes.

‘The domain of HeavenNet… it won’t shrink further from here.’

Even if the level dropped to 1, the reduction of the domain would not progress further.

Now it was time to end this.

Ssssss…

Blue mist swirled around Seong Jihan’s left hand.

From there, a blue light formed a sword.

The red sphere was immediately pierced.

Then,

Ssssss…

As HeavenNet crumbled, red light began to spread in all directions.

Although I hoped it would disappear with a single thrust, the resistant HeavenNet…

As the light spread, if even a fragment was left, it would be troublesome.

‘In that case…’

Seong Jihan’s eyes twinkled.

Infinite Annihilation God

Suppress Fire, Seal Hell

Blue-Red

From within the blue sword, Red energy manifested.

As the red sphere’s light began to be sucked into the sword,

Shuuuuuu…

The blue sword, storing the strength of HeavenNet inwardly,

The exterior’s blue and the interior’s red stood out starkly in the form of Blue and red.

“…It’s done.”

Huff.

Seong Jihan exhaled a sigh of relief.

From 9999 down to level 2, I wondered if it would ever be resolved.

In the end, he succeeded in trapping HeavenNet within the sword.

Continuing to extinguish the Red legacy with Blue from here on out should finish it.

“Then… shall I return?”

Although eliminating HeavenNet felt like it took a long while…

‘Even if many years have passed, it can’t be much…’

Yeah.

No matter how much time has passed, it’s just a few years.

With that thought, Seong Jihan began his return.


Next, here is the current text to translate:

<2레벨로 회귀한 무신 520화>

세계수 연합의 식민지가 된 지구.

엘프의 통치 아래 놓이게 된 인류사회는.

“……생각보다 평화로운데?”

예전과 비슷하게, 멀쩡히 잘 돌아가고 있었다.

서울 강남의 번화가.

세상이 어떻게 변했는지 알아보기 위해 이리로 온 성지한은.

지나가는 사람들을 쭉 살펴보았다.

‘종족 진화는 중하급으로 유지되어 있고.’

최하급에서 중하급까지 올랐던 종족 인류.

종족의 진화 현황은, 예전과 똑같았다.

“아, 옛날에 비하면 진짜 취하질 않네, 몸이~ 3차인데도 맨정신 같아.”

“새끼…… 그래서 토하던 때로 돌아가고 싶냐?”

“미쳤냐? 세계수께서 어떻게 여기까지 진화시켜 주셨는데…… 도수 센 거 마시면 되지!”

멀쩡한 얼굴로, 다음 술집을 찾아다니는 사람들.

술 마실 때면 또 신체가 건강해진 게 체감이라도 되는 건가.

세계수를 찬양하는 소리가 여기저기서 들려오자, 성지한이 눈썹을 꿈틀거렸다.

인류를 최하급에서 끌어올린 공로를, 녹색 놈이 다 가져갔군그래.

‘임시 관리자 시절 땐, 협조적으로 나오더니…… 이놈을 어떻게 조져야 할까.’

사실 힘은 충분하다.

레벨이 2로 떨어졌다고는 하지만, 지닌 능력은 그대로였으니까.

오히려 헤븐넷을 처리하는 과정에서, 청의 권능이 발전했을 뿐만 아니라.

부수적으로 적의 힘까지 더 강해졌으니.

아무리 상대가 녹색의 관리자라고 해도, 싸울 만했다.

하지만.

‘일단은 상황을 좀 파악해야겠지.’

헤븐넷에서 귀환한 지 이제 1일.

너무 조급할 필요는 없었다.

오히려 상대의 의중이 무엇인지, 확실히 알아내고 움직이는 게 더 나았다.

‘녹색의 관리자가 굳이 여길 식민지로 만든 데에는 분명 이유가 있을 테니까.’

성지한이 알고 있는 세계수 엘프는 잔혹한 종족이었다.

이그드라실의 지배 아래, 행성의 토착생명체를 싹 쓸어버리고 세계수 엘프 행성을 만들었지.

이렇게 굳이 통치하기 불편하게, 식민지화를 할 필요가 없는 이들이었다.

‘근데 막상 식민지로 만들었는데, 겉보기엔 5년 전이랑 비슷하게 평화롭단 말이지…….’

여기에는 분명 의도가 있을 터.

이걸 밝혀내기 전까지는, 청홍靑紅은 아직 아껴 둬야겠지.

달에서 떠오르다가 사라지기를 반복하는 나무 문양을 보며 성지한이 그리 생각할 즈음.

끼이이익!

길가 한복판에 리무진 차량이 섰다.

“뭐, 뭐야. 갑자기 웬 리무진이 이 안쪽까지 와?”

“아…… 여기 클럽 있잖아. 그거 때문에 그런가?”

“누가 행차하셨기에 그래?”

길쭉한 리무진이 클럽 앞에 서는 걸 보고, 사람들이 흥미로운 시선을 보낼 때.

끼익.

클럽의 경호원이 손수 차 문을 열어 주었다.

그러자 거기서 먼저 모습을 드러낸 건 한 여성이었다.

‘……뭐지, 저 모습은?’

흑발과 금발이 섞인 머리칼에, 살짝 튀어나온 귀.

귀 부근만 피부가 유난히 새하얀 여자는.

딱 봐도, 겉모습이 일반 사람이랑은 달랐다.

이목구비 전체가 약간씩 비틀린 그녀는.

‘흠…… 이건, 생명의 기운인가.’

다른 사람들에 비해, 한층 짙은 생명의 기운이 느껴졌다.

성지한이 그녀를 유심히 바라볼 때.

“오…… 하프 엘프? 배틀튜브에서만 봤는데 오늘 실물을 보네.”

“와, 부럽다…… 저 사람 로또 됐네?”

“야이 씨, 로또가 뭐냐? 하프 엘프인데. 그 정도는 한 달 벌이일걸?”

“귀 쩐다…….”

사람들이 그녀를 두고 ‘하프 엘프’를 거론하는 소리가 들렸다.

‘하프 엘프라.’

어쩐지 식민지 치곤 너무 평화롭다 했더니.

역시 세계수 연합 놈들, 가만히 있진 않았나.

‘일단은 저거부터 알아볼까.’

그렇게 여성 하프 엘프가 클럽으로 걸어갈 즈음.

스으윽…….

리무진 안에서, 한 명이 더 나왔다.

‘저놈은 또 뭐야?’

그러자, 그를 본 성지한의 표정이 대번에 찌푸려졌다.

스으윽.

남성이 자신감 어린 표정으로 주변을 둘러보자.

“헐, 남자 하프 엘프다……!”

“와! 나 처음 봤어!”

사람들에게선 아까 여자 하프 엘프 때보다 훨씬 뜨거운 반응이 나타났다.

* * *

‘저 남자…… 묘하게 날 닮았다.’

여성과는 확실히 다른 타입인 남자 하프 엘프.

그는 성지한과 완전히 일치하지는 않지만, 꽤 비슷한 느낌을 주고 있었다.

차이점이라면, 귀가 튀어나와 있다는 것과.

‘머리 색은 왜 저래?’

머리카락 일부가 하늘색으로 염색되어 있단 점이었다.

“와, 얼마 만이냐 이게?”

“우리나라에서 남자가 뽑히는 거 거의 3개월만 아냐?”

“그러니까…… 이건 찍어야겠다.”

찰칵. 찰칵.

앞선 하프 엘프 때와는 달리, 더 열성적으로 사진을 찍는 사람들.

“찍지 마세요!”

클럽 경호원들이 우르르 나와 남자 하프 엘프를 가린 채, 그를 안으로 인도했다.

“에이…… 더 찍고 싶었는데.”

“하늘색 머리카락 신기하다…… 한 10%? 저 정도로 염색된 거면 꽤 뛰어난 하프 엘프인 거 아냐?”

“그럴걸? 염색 정도에 따라 힘의 차이가 있다던데.”

그렇게 사라진 남자 하프 엘프를 보고 사람들이 아쉽다는 듯 이야기를 나누고 있을 때.

툭. 툭.

누군가가 옆에서 성지한을 건드렸다.

“……?”

그가 고개를 스윽 돌리자.

“오오, 완전 닮았는데……!?”

얼굴이 새빨개진 남성 한 명이, 몸을 비틀거리며 성지한을 유심히 바라보았다.

“저기! 혹시, 성형 어디서 했어요?”

“무슨 소립니까.”

“남자 하프 엘프랑 비슷하게 성형한 거 맞잖아요! 내가 한 곳보다 더 좋네…… 히끅!”

남자 하프 엘프랑 성형을 비슷하게 했다고?

성지한은 미간을 찌푸렸다.

그렇게 이야기를 듣고 보니, 술에 꼴은 눈앞에 남자도 뭔가 자신과 비슷하게 얼굴을 깎은 거 같았다.

‘이그드라실…… 무슨 생각이냐.’

성지한의 기록은 다 말살당했는데.

왜 자신을 닮은 남자 하프 엘프를 만들려 하는 거지?

그가 잠시 대답을 하지 않고, 남성을 내려다보자.

“죄, 죄송합니다. 이놈이 술이 약해서……!”

“야, 신기하잖아! 완전히 남자 하프 엘프랑 닮았는데! 저래야지 ‘시험’ 통과한다고!”

“아, 미친놈아. 적당히 꼴아야지, 진짜. 뭐가 닮았어. 전혀 안 닮았는데!”

“눈 삐었냐? 자세히 봐 봐……!”

“야! 일로 와!”

남자의 친구로 보이는 사람들 그를 급히 데리고 갔다.

그렇게 일행이 물러나자, 성지한은 고개를 갸웃했다.

‘그러고 보니 이상하긴 하네.’

강남 길거리를 꽤 오랜 시간 배회했음에도.

남자 하프 엘프랑 닮았단 이야기를 들은 건 저 만취한 남자가 처음이었다.

다른 사람들은 다들, 성지한을 바라보지 않고 그저 스쳐 지나갔지.

‘이것도 기록말살형 때문인가.’

제정신인 사람한테선 안 보이고, 만취자한테서 오히려 얼굴이 자세히 보이나?

뭔가 이상한데.

‘남자 하프 엘프에 대해서 더 조사를 해 봐야겠군.’

자신과 닮은, 하늘색 머리의 하프 엘프.

녹색의 관리자가 굳이 지구를 식민지로 만든 건, 저 존재랑 연관이 있을 거란 느낌이 들었다.

‘그럼 알아볼 것도 생겼으니, 슬슬 돌아갈까.’

성지한은 등을 돌렸다.

강남 시내와는 약간 거리가 있는 소드 팰리스.

하지만 현재 그의 수준에서는.

스윽……!

단 한 발자국만 떼어도, 귀환이 가능했다.

그렇게 그가 펜트하우스의 창문으로 들어서자.

“삼촌, 왜 이렇게 늦게 왔어? 뭐 볼 게 있다고.”

소파에 앉아 있던 윤세아가 일어났다.

시계를 힐끗 보니, 시간은 벌써 새벽 2시.

성지한은 혹시나 하는 표정으로 그녀에게 물었다.

“설마 나 기다렸냐?”

“당연하지. 얼마 만에 찾은 삼촌인데! 아직도 이게 현실인지 꿈인지 의심스러울 정도거든? 나가서 찾으려다가 엇갈릴까 봐 계속 대기하고 있었어.”

“그럼 연락…… 아, 연락이 안 되네.”

폰도 없고, 배틀넷에서의 기록도 사라졌으니.

윤세아가 성지한한테 연락할 방도야 없었다.

“폰부터 사야겠다. 어때. 5년 동안 핸드폰 성능 좀 좋아졌냐?”

“어…… 좋아지지 않았을까? 나도 삼촌 찾는다고 워싱턴을 배회해서 잘 모르겠네.”

“워싱턴을?”

“응. 아, 삼촌은 모르겠구나? 미국 수도 옮겼어. 뉴욕으로.”

“……그래?”

“워싱턴이 폐허가 되어 버렸거든.”

헤븐넷 때문인가.

성지한의 표정이 굳자, 윤세아가 얼른 말을 이었다.

“그래도 그때의 영역이 커지는 속도가 느려서, 사람들은 다 대피했어. 미국 대통령이 백악관 삼켜지는 걸 보면서 눈물을 흘리긴 했지만…….”

“그래? 뭐, 안 죽은 게 어디야.”

“응. 그래서 삼촌이 희생해서 미국을 살렸다고 생각해서, 뉴욕에 짓는 대통령 관저는 블루 하우스로 하려 했대.”

“아니, 블루 하우스면 청와대 영어 이름 아냐?”

성지한이 어처구니없다는 듯 웃자.

“응. 근데 지금은 그린 하우스로 바뀌었어…… 미국을 구한 공로도 녹색의 관리자가 가져갔고.”

윤세아가 어두운 얼굴로 그리 답했다.

화이트에서 블루, 그린까지 간 건가.

미국 대통령 관저도 이름이 참 파란만장하게 변하네.

“뭐, 그건 그렇고. 나 아까 신기한 거 봤는데.”

“신기한 거?”

“어, 클럽 앞에서 남녀 하프 엘프를 봤는데. 여자는 예전에 봤던 엘프랑 비슷헀는데, 남자는 나 닮았더라?”

“잉? 삼촌이랑 닮았다고? 하프 엘프가?”

“어, 너도 몰라?”

성지한의 물음에 윤세아는 놀란 얼굴로 고개를 끄덕였다.

“응…… 나도 지구가 식민지 된 이후엔, 삼촌 찾으러 워싱턴 뒤지러 갔거든. 공허의 힘을 잔뜩 끌어모아서. 그래서 식민지 초창기의 변화 빼곤 잘 몰라.”

“워싱턴에서 몇 년을 뒤진 거야?”

“어, 글쎄? 2년쯤 됐나? 바닥부터 샅샅이 뒤졌으니까…….”

성지한이 부수기 전까지는, 전혀 단서도 안 나왔을 탐색.

모래사장에서 바늘찾기보다 더 힘든 작업을, 2년간 한 건가.

“고생했겠네.”

“고생은 삼촌이 더 했지.”

“나는 뭐, 별거 없었는데. 적색의 관리자를 부려 먹기만했지.”

“부려 먹어…….”

“어. 그놈, 나한테 모든 권한을 주고 명계에 몸을 바쳤거든.”

헤븐넷의 완성에 진심이었던 적색의 관리자.

그는 마지막에 스스로를 연료로 삼아 새로운 시스템을 유지하려 했다.

특히 이 시스템의 상극이 될 성지한을, 오히려 이곳의 주인으로 삼음으로써.

약점까지 없애려 했다.

‘스탯 적의 유혹, 상당히 강력했지…….’

9999에서 2까지 레벨을 떨어뜨리는 과정에서, 어쩔 수 없이 올려야 했던 스탯 적.

그 능력을 올릴 때마다, 헤븐넷과 일체화되는 감각은 확실히 강렬했다.

청으로 스스로를 필사적으로 보호하지 않았다면, 이미 그는 헤븐넷의 주인이 되어 있었을 것이다.

“기껏 그걸 봉인하고 왔더니, 배틀넷에서 추방당할 줄은 몰랐다만.”

“추방…… 삼촌, 추방된 거야?”

“어. 추방된 관리자라고 뜨던데.”

“……와, 진짜 너무하네. 그냥 그 헤븐넷? 주인 되지 그랬어.”

성지한은 피식 웃으며, 손을 흔들었다.

“그건 안 되지. 그럼 적색의 관리자랑 한 몸이 되는 거나 다름없거든. 그게 녀석의 의도였으니까.”

“아, 그렇구나…….”

“근데 흑색의 관리자는 그동안 뭐 한 거냐? 백색이 그렇게 나섰는데 구경만 한 거야?”

백색의 관리자가 이번 일에 개입한 게 알려진 이상, 행동을 취해야 했던 흑색의 관리자.

하나 그가 나섰다기엔, 어째 변화가 체감되질 않았다.

오히려 인류가 녹색의 식민지가 되질 않았는가.

성지한의 물음에 윤세아는 어두운 표정으로 대답했다.

“나도 잘 모르겠어. ‘메신저’가 알려 주길, 흑색의 관리자께서 이번 사태를 해결하기 위해 직접 나서셨다던데…… 그 이후엔 연락이 안 됐거든.”

“그래?”

“응, 나중에 메시지로 ‘잘 해결되었습니다’라고만 왔는데. 체감이 전혀 안 돼.”

“흠…….”

아무리 공허의 상위 서열인 ‘아레나의 주인’으로 내정되었다 한들.

알아낼 수 있는 정보엔 한계가 있는 건가.

‘이거, 이그드라실을 족쳐야 무슨 일이 있었는지 알 수 있겠군.’

흑백의 관리자.

그들 사이에 무슨 일이 있었는지 알아내기 전에는, 너무 드러내 놓고 행동해선 안 되겠다.

진짜 재수 없으면, 공허와 백색의 관리자.

둘이 다시 협력 관계로 돌아섰을지도 모르니까.

‘물론, 공허가 저쪽 편을 들었다면 세아랑 이렇게 접촉했을 때 바로 반응이 왔을 테니…… 그럴 가능성은 적겠지만.’

어쨌거나 상황이 완전히 파악되기 전까지는, 힘을 숨기고 있는 게 낫겠어.

그리 생각한 성지한의 왼쪽 눈이.

“어? 삼촌, 눈이……!”

붉게 물들어 가기 시작했다.

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