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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Strongest Serpent
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Chapter 59
In the beginning, ‘it’ was nothing more than a minuscule life form, no larger than a molecule.
A squirm...
It possessed no ego, no power to think for itself.
The initial force that drove it was merely a desperate desire and craving for survival.
*I must survive.*
Instinctively, it chewed and swallowed bits of dirt and stone, absorbing nutrients to sustain its life.
Predation and absorption.
It could perfectly absorb the nutrients of the prey it venomously devoured.
What was once the size of a molecule had, before long, grown to the size of a palm.
At some point, it became capable of effortlessly preying on microorganisms and flying insects.
Hundreds of years passed like this.
It grew beyond recognition, eventually taking on a form resembling a ‘serpent.’
Evolution.
It could now hunt and consume various mountain beasts, as well as humans and monsters.
Furthermore, it succeeded in gaining the ability to think for itself—a measure of ‘intelligence.’
As the quality of its prey improved, it began to grow at an ever-increasing rate.
Thousands of years passed like this.
It eventually grew large enough to swallow an entire dimension whole.
One day.
An unknown being called the Creator God appeared before it and spoke in a low, gentle tone.
"I created you."
It listened to those words.
"Ouroboros."
Ouroboros.
"That is your name."
It liked its name.
"The reason I gave you life was simply to more intuitively demonstrate his strength to the eyes that watch ‘■■■’."
The Creator God gently stroked Ouroboros’s scales and continued in a soft, murmuring voice.
"You are but a mere device, created only to enrich the narrative of ‘■■■’…."
Its reason for existence had been decided at the moment of its birth.
"When you one day face ‘■■■’ in the distant future, you must be sacrificed for the sake of his heroic tale."
The voice was low and soft, like a demon's whisper.
"That is your destiny."
Though it learned of the harsh fate bestowed upon it, Ouroboros did not despair and continued to wander the Abyss.
All life shares a similar fate, inevitably plummeting toward death.
Just as the prey it had devoured until now had, it too would one day be reduced to the prey of someone stronger.
It was a perfectly natural principle.
However…
A deep curiosity bloomed.
If the very reason for its existence—a being the entire Abyss had begun to fear—was merely to be sacrificed for the tale of a being called ‘■■■’…
Just what kind of destiny was this being born with, and how much power did he wield?
With that question nestled in a corner of its heart, Ouroboros once again roamed every corner of the Abyss for a very long time.
Thousands more years passed.
After devouring countless dimensions, Ouroboros finally encountered ‘■■■’ in a dimension called Anux.
*‘What is this?’*
Surprisingly, ‘■■■’ was nothing more than a mere human.
A frail creature that wouldn't even make a mouthful.
But the human's power was far beyond the bounds of common sense.
Instinctively, Ouroboros sensed its own defeat.
Nevertheless, it resisted desperately, managing to clash for thousands of exchanges…
*‘You’re all size and no substance.’*
In the end, Ouroboros tasted a crushing defeat for the first time in its life.
Ouroboros was certain that everything would unfold according to destiny.
That, as the Creator God had prophesied, ‘■■■’ would annihilate it…
*‘Raising a snake like this would be pretty cool….’*
For some reason, contrary to the Creator God’s prophecy, ‘■■■’ offered to become its master.
A generous magnanimity.
The victor's composure that only a true apex predator, reigning at the top of the food chain, could display.
Ouroboros found itself completely captivated by the immense power and dignified demeanor of ‘■■■’.
*‘You're so big, it'd be impossible to raise you in the imperial palace....’*
After a moment's thought, ‘■■■’ spoke.
*‘Too bad. I guess I'll have to let you roam free.’*
And then, he gestured.
*‘Go on back.’*
As the deeply moved Ouroboros showed its respect, ‘■■■’ stroked its scales and said.
*‘See you again next time.’*
From that day on, Ouroboros once again began to wander the ‘Chaos of the Abyss,’ living a life no different than before.
When it felt hunger, it swallowed something in a single gulp, continuing to build its strength and grow in size at an unstoppable pace.
It sought even greater power, hoping that when the day of reunion its master had spoken of arrived, it would be of use.
And now.
Ouroboros, coiled and deep in slumber somewhere in the Abyss, clearly heard the call of its master, unforgettable even in dreams.
"Serpent that swallows dimensions."
At the short summons, Ouroboros responded as if it had been waiting, slithering in a sinuous curve straight toward the source of the voice.
Ignoring the flow of time and the laws of space, it was swept into a trance, moving only to follow that voice.
Sssssslither...
Arriving at its master's side in an instant, Ouroboros flicked its long tongue repeatedly as it stared down at Kang-jun.
"Been well?"
At Kang-jun's low question, spoken with a smile, Ouroboros’s eyes trembled violently.
"You seem to have gotten even bigger since I last saw you."
Just as Kang-jun gently stroked Ouroboros’s hard scales with one hand.
[Ouroboros asks who your enemy is.]
Kang-jun nonchalantly asked back.
"You want to punish them for me?"
Then he shifted his gaze, looking at Jörmungandr as it charged relentlessly toward him.
Surging from the far distance.
"Think you can handle it?"
At that, Ouroboros opened its maw wide and began to let out a deafening roar.
"Kieeeeeeeeeeeek-!"
With its massive body, Ouroboros coiled and uncoiled, then shot like an arrow toward its master's foe.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-!
The two colossal serpents collided midway, and a deafening roar akin to an explosion rang out as the very foundations of the earth shook violently.
[Ouroboros expresses hostility toward Jörmungandr!]
[The conditions have been met. ‘Hidden Piece’ is activating!]
Kang-jun, after examining the system message that appeared before him, muttered to himself.
"Hidden Piece?"
As soon as he spoke, a clear "Tiring!" notification sound rang in his ear again.
【Hidden Piece: Who is the Strongest Serpent in the Universe?】
Jörmungandr, the serpent feared even by the gods of the Asgard cluster, and Ouroboros, the serpent that swallows all, have shown hostility toward each other.
The one among the two great serpents that ultimately achieves victory will be forever remembered as the strongest serpent in the universe!
Kang-jun then muttered in a low voice.
"The strongest serpent, huh…"
He immediately turned his gaze to Ouroboros, which was entangled in a fierce battle with Jörmungandr.
"Kieeeeeeeeeeeek-!"
Even at a glance, it was clear that Ouroboros was unilaterally overwhelming Jörmungandr.
"Oh, not bad."
In a way, it was an entirely expected outcome. Ouroboros had the clear advantage from the start, simply in terms of sheer size.
KRRRRUNCH!
As Ouroboros sank its venomous fangs into the enemy's neck, Jörmungandr, its flesh pierced, thrashed in agony and let out a roar.
"Kreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!"
Every time Jörmungandr struggled, the ground collapsed, and violent earthquakes erupted in the vicinity.
But Ouroboros paid it no mind, instead sinking its fangs even deeper.
[Owned Authority, ‘Mythography,’ activates!]
[The Creator God begins your Mythography!]
Once again, the ‘story’ began to echo in Kang-jun’s ears like a ringing bell.
「The great serpent Jörmungandr was born of Loki and Angrboða, deities of the Asgard cluster.」
「The gods of Asgard feared Jörmungandr and cast it into the deep sea, but…」
「It grew endlessly in the depths, becoming large enough to encircle Midgard.」
「It was also mighty enough to survive several life-or-death battles with the ‘Unbeatable Thunder’ of the Asgard cluster.」
「Jörmungandr, following its father's command, charged bravely toward ‘■■■’ to kill him without a moment’s hesitation, but…」
「Ouroboros.」
「The disaster of the Abyss, which by its set destiny should have long been annihilated by the hand of ‘■■■’, blocked Jörmungandr’s path…」
「The disaster that survived merely due to the whim of ‘■■■’ sank its sharp fangs deep into Jörmungandr’s flesh.」
「From the wound pierced by Ouroboros’s fangs, countless letters began to flow.」
「These were the sacred myths and narratives that the deity ‘Jörmungandr’ of the Asgard cluster had diligently built over thousands of years of life.」
「The myths and narratives that flowed out were soon to be swallowed by Ouroboros…」
「And from there, they flowed into Ouroboros’s master, ‘■■■’.」
「Thus, from the ancient myths and narratives that Jörmungandr was forced to relinquish…」
「Was completed the special myth of ‘■■■’ that would one day be known throughout the Abyss: ‘Master of the Strongest Serpent in the Universe.’」
Just as the story mentioned, from Jörmungandr's wound, ‘letters’ were pouring out as if in place of blood.
A portion of those flowing ‘letters’ went to Ouroboros, while the vast majority flowed into him, again and again…
Before long, Jörmungandr's colossal body began to go limp, finally starting to slowly collapse to the side.
KWAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG—!
A thick cloud of dust rose high, completely blanketing the area, and the ground shook so violently it seemed ready to crumble at any moment.
Ouroboros, on the other hand, paid it no mind and proceeded to open its massive maw wide with a "Snap!"
Gulp, gulp…
Ouroboros then swallowed the corpse of Jörmungandr—small compared to its own body, yet still immeasurably large—whole in a single bite.
At that moment.
A series of system messages began to appear before Kang-jun’s eyes.
[All conditions for the Hidden Piece have been met.]
【Hidden Piece: Ouroboros, the Strongest Serpent in the Universe.】
Ouroboros, the serpent that swallows all, has succeeded in achieving victory after a fierce battle!
With this, Ouroboros will be forever recorded as the ‘Strongest Serpent in the Universe’!
Furthermore, this tale will become your new myth, ‘Master of the Strongest Serpent in the Universe,’ and will become widely known!
Just then, with a "Tiring, tiring!" a few more system messages appeared in succession.
[The existence of the deity ‘Jörmungandr’ is extinguished.]
[You have contributed the most to the extinguishment of the deity ‘Jörmungandr’.]
[You have absorbed a portion of the deity Jörmungandr’s divine power.]
[You have absorbed the large volume of narratives held by the deity Jörmungandr.]
[Your presence as ‘■■■’ becomes more distinct.]
[Your extraordinary deeds spread throughout the Abyss!]
[All the gods of the Abyss turn their eyes to you once more.]
Kang-jun could clearly feel that the ‘divine power’ and ‘narratives’ Jörmungandr had possessed were now entirely his.
Just as Kang-jun closed his eyes, savoring the influx of power.
[Your new special myth, ‘Master of the Strongest Serpent in the Universe,’ resounds throughout the entire Abyss!]
[The gods who shared Jörmungandr’s will shall henceforth feel an inexplicable animosity toward you….]
[Conversely, the gods who stood in opposition to Jörmungandr will feel an ‘inexplicable affinity’ whenever they encounter you.]
As Kang-jun was scanning the tiny text of the system messages.
[The giant whose lips were sewn shut, ‘Loki,’ descends before you, revealing a vicious hostility!]
With that final system message, something in the shape of a human began to walk out from the distance.
Thud, thud.
A white aura continuously billowed from its body…
Though it was clearly walking slowly, it approached with incredible speed, as if folding the very ground beneath its feet.
"The giant whose lips were sewn shut…"
A name he had seen several times in system messages…
The name of the god who, for some strange reason, hated him.
"Loki."
Loki, seized by a deep rage, was approaching him with a venomous expression.
