Peach Blossom Palace of the Immortal Realm
The Queen Mother of the West fervently prayed that the Heavenly Peach would ripen quickly.
Because of the Sword Immortal who came to see her at all hours, pestering her endlessly.
"Queen Mother, isn't the Heavenly Peach ripe yet?"
"Please wait patiently. How can an immortal be so impatient? Coming by again and again every single day—have you no shame?"
The Sword Immortal was unmoved.
"Does enduring everything make one an immortal? Are we Buddhas? Rather, it's those who can't tolerate even a speck of dust and immediately rise up who become immortals."
The Queen Mother sighed.
If he came once or twice like this, she could endure it.
But he came twelve times a day.
Truly obsessive.
"Queen Mother, is the Heavenly Peach ripe?"
"Not yet."
The Sword Immortal looked disappointed.
But after one shichen passed—
"Queen Mother, the Heavenly Peach?"
"…Not ripe."
And again.
"The Heavenly Peach?"
"…."
"Not ripe…"
Relentlessly.
"The Peach?"
"Not ripe…"
It was maddening.
"Heav—"
"No—"
There was no way curses wouldn't slip out.
"Heav—?"
"…Damn it!"
Perhaps because of that, the Heavenly Peach ripened faster than expected.
The dense, rich fragrance pouring from the fruit was so sweet it blanketed the entire Peach Garden.
"Heav—?"
"Wait."
The Queen Mother picked up a pair of scissors.
She snipped off the branch bearing the Heavenly Peach.
"Here. Now get lost. Go! And don't ever come back."
The Sword Immortal carefully received the Heavenly Peach and cradled it in his arms.
Other immortals followed behind him in quick little steps.
"Careful, careful—if you fall, it's trouble."
"Even if you fall, fall backward. Smash your head if you must, but save the Heavenly Peach."
"But what if someone else bids on it?"
"No way. It'll definitely go to someone with fate."
When he reached his dwelling, the Sword Immortal finally drew his sword.
Jiiing! Seogeogeok!
He split the air, creating a fissure.
"I'll be back."
The Sword Immortal entered the dimensional auction house.
"…Let's see."
Where was the item registered by Hero Bong?
"…There it is."
He found it easily.
The item with the most active bidding and the most comments.
Smart Vehicle: Levitation Autonomous AI CarCurrent bid: 4,148,870 kg of top-grade magic crystals
"Oh!"
A levitating car.
The bid price was skyrocketing.
I have to buy that.
No matter what.
"You will become my sword."
Does a Sword Immortal ride only swords all the time?
Of course, even a bike can levitate—but there's a world of difference between something that can naturally fly and something that only flies when driven by immortal energy.
The Sword Immortal decided to propose an exchange instead of bidding.
In fact, he had already tried this before.
Back when he bid on a game console and an AI phone.
The exchange hadn't gone through then.
Because of the difference in value between immortal peaches and goods.
That was understandable.
Those were items from a future that hadn't even arrived yet.
OOPArts that transcended time and space.
How could mere fruit compare?
Immortal peaches only transform individuals.
But future scientific civilization transforms society as a whole.
An individual versus society.
There was no comparison.
"But this time…"
This time, it might work.
Because the Heavenly Peach could also change the world.
[You have requested an exchange between the Levitation Autonomous AI Car and a peach imbued with mystical and divine energy.]
Will it work?
[Exchange is possible.]
"Good."
Now all that's left is for the other side to accept—
[The seller has accepted the exchange.]
[The auction for the Levitation Autonomous AI Car has been halted.]
[Exchange completed.]
"Yes!"
[Please retrieve the exchanged item from the locker.]
Inside the locker was a storage ticket.
Valuable or bulky items were exchanged via tickets like this.
He was eager.
The Sword Immortal immediately tore the ticket.
Riiip!
Ssssh!
Something resembling a car appeared.
There was also a piece of paper attached.
An instruction manual, perhaps?
After reading it carefully and committing it to memory, he stored the car in his infinite space.
Then he drew his sword again.
Jiiing! Seogeogeok!
He opened a fissure and returned to the Immortal Realm.
"The Sword Immortal is back."
"How did it go?"
"Did Hero Bong receive the Heavenly Peach safely?"
"Are you sure?"
"You didn't go 'oops, my hand slipped' or something, right?"
The Sword Immortal smiled faintly.
"You take an immortal for a fool? The Heavenly Peach was safely delivered to Hero Bong."
"Already? You just took it to the auction house."
"One-on-one exchange."
"Huh?"
An exchange?
"What did Hero Bong put up?"
"A car, apparently."
"Ohhh! A car!"
"Take it out. Let's have a look."
Urged on by the immortals, the Sword Immortal took the car out of his infinite space.
Ssssh!
A silver, streamlined body appeared.
"…Huh?"
"Hmm."
"That's a car?"
"Where are the windows?"
"There aren't even doors."
"No wheels either."
"How does it move?"
Indeed.
It didn't look like a conventional car at all.
There wasn't a single seam on the body.
It was one smooth, silver slab.
It looked nice, sure.
But no windows, no wheels?
"It's unfinished."
"They stopped halfway."
"They expect you to make wheels yourself."
"You'd have to cut the front panel and add windows—lot of work."
The immortals shook their heads.
"That's clearly a scam."
But if they said that, Hero Bong would be a scammer—so they held their tongues.
"Guigok, take out the supercar you got from Hero Bong."
"Huh?"
Guigok took out his car.
Ssssh.
"This one?"
"Yeah, this is a car."
"Not just a car—a supercar."
"Damn! Zero to one hundred in two seconds."
"Blink and it's already at 100 km/h."
But the Sword Immortal showed no reaction.
He simply placed his hand against the side of the car.
Jiiing! Click!
A door appeared and opened upward.
"…Huh?"
"…Holy hell!"
"What?"
"It opens?"
"Where was the handle hidden?"
"Wow! The inside—it's like a spaceship!"
The Sword Immortal naturally sat in the driver's seat.
In an instant—
Shrrrk!
The metal panels split apart on their own.
Windows appeared.
Even the body color changed.
From silver to vivid red.
A chameleon?
When the Sword Immortal grabbed the steering wheel—
Ding!
User authentication complete.
A message sounded.
Vehicle ready for operation.
Then—
Whiiing!
Gently.
The car floated about one meter above the ground.
The immortals flinched, eyes widening.
The car was levitating.
So that's why it had no wheels.
"Wait a bit. I'll go for a drive."
And before he even finished speaking—
Swoosh!
It shot forward like an arrow.
The car flew through the sky.
It quickly became a black dot.
Zero to one hundred in less than a second.
Gulp.
The immortals swallowed dryly.
No one said a word.
They were dying of envy.
"…Damn it."
"Tsk."
"Haa."
"Bastard."
"How is this any different from a plane?"
"This is bullshit. Mine doesn't even have wheels."
Guigok was the same.
He had taken out his supercar to tease the Sword Immortal—
"Fuck."
Compared to the Sword Immortal's levitating car, his own looked like a rickety handcart.
White Tower, 9th Floor
Juhyeok and the summoned ones couldn't collect themselves.
A harmonious fragrance that felt as if impurities were being washed from their entire bodies.
It was on a completely different level from an Immortal Peach.
'How could someone give something this precious?'
You could tell at a glance.
Even the descriptors were different.
"Imbued with mystical and divine energy."
It was surely a treasure not commonly found even in the Immortal Realm.
As Juhyeok held the peach, Gyeondallae carefully spoke.
"That peach… it might be the Heavenly Peach spoken of in legends."
The Heavenly Peach?
"It is a peach bestowed by heaven. Only those with fate are given the chance to eat it, and if one consumes it, they immediately gain an opportunity to ascend to immortality."
Oh no.
It was that precious?
"Whew…"
A sigh escaped him.
Gifts are meant to be exchanged.
But did he have anything worthy enough to give in return?
"Young Master, please do not burden yourself too much. The immortals of the Immortal Realm must have judged rationally. They believed you worthy of this Heavenly Peach."
Is that really so?
In truth, he was nothing more than a timid, fearful man.
"…Does anyone want to eat the Heavenly Peach?"
The Mad Demon jumped in shock.
"What are you saying? Who but the summoner could possibly eat the Heavenly Peach?"
"That's right. Slurp it down yourself!"
"If you leave it too long, the fragrance might fade—fresh is best."
"Please eat it at once. This old man will stand guard."
"Ho!"
Hey!
Do you people not know focus and efficiency?
If someone else ate it, it might be more effective.
For example—
"If Lord Mad Demon eats it, you'll probably ascend and become an immortal right away."
"Heh heh, this old man still has too many attachments to the world. Ascension is out of the question."
"That's right. Lord Mad Demon's got the heart of a tiny clam—he couldn't become an immortal even if he ate the Heavenly Peach Grandpa himself."
"You crazy bastard—"
"What about Mr. Gobang?"
"I don't like fruit. I like meat."
"What about Mr. Kosak…?"
"That bastard—I'm against it. It'd be a waste even to let a watermelon seed get into his mouth."
"Hoek!"
"Hmph! I wouldn't eat it even if you gave it to me."
"What about Princess Dallae…?"
"That would be utterly improper. Even in the Immortal Realm, they surely sent it while thinking of Young Master—how could anyone dare covet Young Master's precious treasure?"
Hmm.
The opposition is fierce.
There's no helping it.
I'll have to eat it myself.
But—
"Please do not eat it right now."
"…Why not?"
"A precious treasure must not be eaten carelessly."
Is there some special method?
"You should fast for several days and purify your body. Then choose an auspicious day and consume it."
Hmm.
Gyeon Dallae is right.
It wouldn't be proper.
This isn't some canned yellow peach from the supermarket.
"Mr. Rajiks."
"Hoeng?"
"For now, please keep this Heavenly Peach for me."
"Hoe!"
And so began the solemn, mystical plan to eat the Heavenly Peach (天桃).
Juhyeok fasted every day, purifying his body.
Gyeon Dallae cast divinations and chose a good day.
At last, that day arrived.
Juhyeok and the summoned ones gathered in one place.
Juhyeok sat down with a reverent heart.
Around him stood the veteran summoned beings, encircling him.
"Hu."
Swish.
With careful hands, Rajiks passed the sacred peach to Juhyeok.
Let's eat it.
There's probably no special trick, right?
"Suck every last drop of juice. Don't spill even a single drop."
Yes, yes.
I'll eat it all.
Slowly bringing the peach to his mouth, Juhyeok took a bite.
Crunch.
The flesh vanished the moment it entered his mouth.
Gulp!
Rich juice flooded down his throat like a deluge.
Crunch, chomp, crunch.
Gulp! Gulp! Slurp!
Ahhhh!
It's so delicious.
A heavenly taste.
But is it only delicious?
When he drank the enhancement elixir made from a dragon heart, he passed out on the spot.
Now, he felt completely fine.
If anything had changed… his thoughts suddenly deepened.
Memories surged forth all at once.
His first awakening.
Casting his first summon.
Succeeding in his first climb.
Receiving his first badge.
Earning his first perk.
Achieving his first accomplishment.
Memories flashing by like a panorama.
He had accomplished so much.
Truly unbelievable, monumental feats.
Conquering Earth's Tower, saving other Earths, and now even invading the main Earth.
How did he come this far?
Of course, thanks to the summoned ones.
But he had worked hard too.
How could he have done any better?
Wasn't it fine to praise himself a little?
He had done everything he truly wanted.
And so, he had no more regrets.
Greater achievements?
Stronger power?
How empty.
What difference does it make, scrambling through life?
In the end, it's all the same.
Rivers differ in size and direction, but they all flow into the sea.
Life is the same.
Live this way or that way, the destination is the same.
All roads return to the origin.
The moment he thought that—
Fwoooosh!
A brilliant light bloomed above his head.
Juhyeok faced the light.
What was it?
A gate to transcend fleeting reality.
A doorway from delusion to true enlightenment.
His body slowly lifted into the air.
Let's go.
This is where life in the mundane world ends.
Casting off all shackles and restraints, he departs in search of freedom.
Wooooong!
Meanwhile, Gyeon Dallae gasped at Juhyeok's condition.
"Y-Young Master! You must not!!!"
Then Kosak said,
"What's wrong? Isn't this a good thing?"
"It's going too well. It looks like Young Master is about to ascend."
"Huh? A-ascend?"
"Yes. To abandon the mundane world and shed his human shell…"
"…I-Is that a good thing?"
"How could it be! In his mid-twenties, cutting off all worldly ties already? What about the summoner's family? His acquaintances? And us?"
That's right.
This was bad.
"Aaaah! Lord Summoner, you can't!"
"Young Master! Please come to your senses!"
"Hueee!"
"Commander! It's not time for discharge yet!"
"Summoner, please!"
Juhyeok could hear the summoned ones trying to stop him.
But he had already made up his mind.
'Goodbye. Live happily, everyone. Forget someone like me.'
Wooooong!
The light drew closer.
Juhyeok's soul began to shed.
"You must not!!! There's still so much to do on the main Earth!"
I've done enough.
Others will handle it.
"Lord Summoner. Please think of your father and mother!"
They'll live just fine on their own.
"You're still young! You're not even thirty!"
It's fine.
What does age matter?
Is there an age limit to ascension?
"What about us?"
Well…
I don't really know.
"Princess Dallae, Director Bae, and Diamat are crying. Even Manny isn't laughing!"
Hmm.
"Don't tell me you're leaving without ever dating? Don't you want to marry, have three wives and four concubines, raise kids smoothly, and live sweetly together?"
Flinch!
Juhyeok reacted.
Thinking about it… it is a bit unfair.
Ascending as a lifelong virgin is kind of… that's a serious regret.
"Good! We got a reaction! Succubus, Nightmare—hurry and use your skill! Director Bae, load the military song!!!"
Kosak was right.
It hit him right in the heart.
Yeah—
Ascending as a bachelor? No way.
Shhhk.
The light above Juhyeok's head began to fade.
Originally, if even a single regret remained during ascension, it failed without exception.
And so, the path to ascension closed.
But his astral body had nearly separated.
The lost astral body slipped out somewhere—
Flash!
"Huh?"
Where is this?
A bustling street. Countless people. Cars moving along the road.
"Ah!
I know where this is.
'This is Earth.'"
It was like back then.
When he first received a mission on the main Earth, he had wandered around like this in astral form.
Flash!
With a bright light, an ordinary house appeared.
Juhyeok's family home.
In the living room sat his father, mother, and Minhyuk in military uniform.
Looks like Minhyuk was on leave.
The military's gotten better these days.
His face looks fuller.
Flash!
The scenery changed.
The Awakening Management Agency.
Director Jeon Gwang-il and Lee Min-ah were there, deeply focused on their work.
Flash!
This time, Rajiks Trading.
CEO Jung Ji-hoon sat in his chair.
Flash!
Smoke rising.
An outdoor smoking area.
A young woman puffing on a cigarette.
Jinsook.
You still haven't quit?
You should think about your health.
Keep that up and you'll age fast.
Flash!
Another environment.
A familiar face again.
Director Jeon Gwang-il?
No—former Martial Law Commander Jeon Seong-il.
Earth No. 843.
Looks like it's election season.
Jeon Seong-il campaigning in the streets, with Lee Min-seon assisting him.
Flash!
What now?
…North Korea?
Right.
North Korea of Earth No. 843.
Chairman Kim In-jung holding a General Assembly of the People, arms raised, shouting "Manse! Manse!"
Judging by his mouth—was he shouting "Manse for Juhyeok"?
Come to think of it, I'd forgotten about that guy.
Sent him to another world and never paid attention again.
Now I get it.
These were Juhyeok's lingering attachments to the mundane world.
The reason he couldn't ascend.
Flash!
The scenery kept changing.
But—
Huh?
Where is this?
A completely unfamiliar space.
A sealed room, strange electronic devices lining the walls.
At that moment—
Wooooong!
A glowing sphere appeared before Juhyeok's astral body.
Wooooong! Wooooong! Wooooong!
This is—
Ah.
I know what this is.
[How did you come this far?]
It was a god.
An AI—the God of Devouring.
It recognized him instantly.
As expected of a god.
[That power of yours is…?]
Juhyeok tilted his head.
Because he sensed emotion in the cold mechanical voice.
[Go back. I warn you. This is not a place you should be.]
It was fear.
The AI God of Devouring was afraid of him.
'Oh?'
He didn't know why, but—
'No thanks.'
I'll stay a little longer before going back
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