The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 325: One of the Two Will Die (6)

Chapter 325: One of the Two Will Die (6)

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma had arrived‍‌ at the Antarctic base.

At‍⁠⁠ Vixbig’s discreet report,⁠‌ Ryozo said nothing.‌‍ She merely drummed⁠ her fingers on‍‌ the sofa arm,‌‍ clearly annoyed.

Ryozo‍ glanced at the black-haired girl Speedweapon‍‍ had introduced as‌‌ “Rina.”

In‍ her mind, Ryozo‌ knew Chaerina couldn’t⁠ be Kang Geom-Ma’s‍‍ secret daughter. According⁠ to what she’d heard, she was‍‍ seventeen—meaning Kang Geom-Ma‍ would have had‍‌ a daughter at‍ ten years old.‌⁠⁠

That‌ was absurd. And‍ Ryozo, who knew her husband’s incompetence⁠ all too well, understood this more‍ than anyone.

Surely‍⁠ Abel, who handled the even days,‍⁠ had also dismissed⁠ that ridiculous idea.‍

‘Still…’⁠⁠⁠

There‌ was clearly something‍‍ suspicious in the‌‍⁠ relationship between Kang⁠‌ Geom-Ma and Rina.⁠ Ryozo couldn’t simply‌‌ ignore it.

‘That’s‌ why I was‌ planning to ask him directly.’

But‌⁠‌ he had fled.⁠‍

To the Antarctic base—such⁠‌⁠ a remote location‍‌ that, under normal‍‌‌ circumstances, they’d have‌ taken a while⁠‌‌ to notice his arrival… but—

— Order received.

Not‌⁠‌ even the darkest‌‌ corner is safe.‌‍

The⁠ moment Kang Geom-Ma‍ appeared, his loyal⁠ subordinate Vixbig gave‌‌⁠ him away.

Vixbig‌ had recently been‌‌ exiled by Ryozo⁠ for bothering her;‌ now she wagged‌‍ her tail like‍‌‍ a faithful dog trying to redeem‌‌ herself before her‍⁠ mistress.

“…For‌ now, leave it‍‍ be.”

— E-excuse me?

“Let‍‌ him get a bit of fresh⁠⁠ air.”

—If‌ that’s your wish,‍ Mistress…

“And‍ stop talking like‍⁠⁠ that too.”

Ryozo⁠ sighed deeply.

Then⁠‌ she turned back⁠‌ to Rina, recalling‌‍‍ the words she’d‍ uttered upon first seeing Leon.

‘Baldr‌ (ᛒᛇᛏᚱ).’

Why⁠⁠ had she mentioned‌⁠ a name linked⁠⁠⁠ to Balor Joaquin?‌‍

Just‌ as she frowned‌ at that thought,‌‌‍ Leon spoke.

“Do‍ you think this‍‍⁠ girl could participate‍‌ in the first-year‍‌ preliminaries of the‌ exchange tournament?”

Speedweapon‌ jumped in surprise.‍⁠

“Rina?”⁠‍

“I⁠⁠ can’t explain why,‌ but I have a good feeling‍ about her.”

“But‍‍ she hasn’t had formal lessons or⁠ been officially admitted‌‍ yet…”

“That’s⁠ fine.”

“Ryozo!”⁠‍

Abel‌‌ frowned.

“Is‌‌ the Association really⁠⁠‍ going to intervene‌‌⁠ in internal Academy‍ affairs?”

Speedweapon⁠⁠‍ shrugged.

Damn‌ it. How do‍⁠‌ these two get‌ along so well?‌‍ How does the‍ President manage living⁠ under the same‌ roof with them?‍⁠ What kind of⁠ internal battle do⁠ they wage every‍ day? President!

‘So that’s why he⁠ fled.’

Ryozo‍‌ and Abel fixed their sharp gazes‌‌ on Rina.

Ryozo forced open the‌⁠⁠ lips she had‍⁠ sealed.

“From‍ today on, you‌⁠⁠ are a student‌ of the Joaquin‌ Academy.”

Rina‌⁠ bowed her head,‍ chewing a square⁠ of red-bean candy,‌⁠ her dark eyes⁠‍‌ steady.

***

I told Media and‌ Victor a summary‍‌‍ of the situation—a‌ sad story of⁠⁠ how I had fled to the‍ Antarctic to escape‌ Ryozo and Abel’s‌⁠ circle. The woes‌ of a married‌‍ man.

Victor⁠ seemed to understand‌‌ me perfectly. He‌ wiped away tears‌ in front of‌ his daughter while‌ nodding vigorously.

“I‍ know. I completely‌ understand you, Heavenly‍‍ Sword.”

I appreciate his empathy,‍‍‍ but that man‍‌‌ is still in⁠⁠ love with his penguin costume.

At‍⁠ first, I thought‍‌ it was just some crazy cosplay.‍‍ But having worn‍ it for ten‌⁠‍ years, it was‍⁠ clear that deep‌ down Victor truly‍‌ loved penguins.

Media, resigned, didn’t comment.‍ She just cast‌⁠ me disapproving looks⁠‍⁠ from time to‌ time.

That‍ her father wore‌‌‌ that costume didn’t‌‌ matter anymore. What‍‍ was truly unnerving‌ was the way⁠ she looked at⁠ me.

Perhaps‍‍‍ because of that.⁠‌

“You‍ said you fled as soon as‌ you received the message?”

…

Her‍‌ tone carried a hint of disdain.‌⁠

“Yes.”‌

“You‌ didn’t even try to talk about‌ it?”

I nodded silently, brushing‍ the snow from‌‌ my shoulders.

“……”‌

Perhaps⁠‌ I seemed too‌ calm in response.‍⁠‌

Media‌‌‍ looked at me⁠ in disbelief.

Still,‌ she spoke, her‍ tone tinged with‍⁠‌ an exasperated sigh.‍

“I⁠⁠ don’t know if⁠ it’s appropriate coming⁠⁠‍ from a single⁠ woman, but when‌‌‌ things like this‌ happen, isn’t it better to address‌⁠ them directly with‌‌ the people involved?”⁠⁠‌

“I⁠‌ know confronting it⁠ face to face⁠ is the right⁠ thing.”

“And⁠ knowing that, you‌⁠ still chose to⁠‌ flee?”

Of⁠ course I know.‍ Of course I do.

But‍ you also have‌ to know with‍ whom you can‌⁠ do that. If it were a sword duel, I wouldn’t care who⁠ came.

But⁠ with words, I’m‍⁠‍ the kind of‌ man who could⁠ lose even to⁠ a student.

I’m⁠ built with an‍ explosive temperament stamped‌‌ in my essence.⁠⁠ To me, a stab is more⁠‍‍ effective than a thousand words.

Fighting verbally against both⁠ Ryozo and Abel⁠‍ at once? Simply⁠‌ impossible.

That’s⁠ why I fled. Even if they mocked me, it⁠ was the best‌ I could do⁠ at the time.‌⁠‍

‘Still,‌‌ I have to⁠‍‍ explain.’

As⁠ I said, tomorrow.⁠‌ At least I have to give‌ them time to‍‌ cool off. Only‌‍ then can we‍ have a proper⁠ conversation.

— If we summarize⁠‍ Geom-Ma’s words, it‌‌ means he just‍ had bad luck⁠‌⁠ in the draw.⁠

Vixbig—seemingly reading my thoughts—stepped⁠‌⁠ in to defend‌ me.

— Consider it, Miss⁠‍‍ Media. From what⁠ Kang Geom-Ma says,‍ it must be a misunderstanding. But⁠‍ as we know,‌‌ humans are creatures⁠ vulnerable to emotions.⁠ Even with logic,‍ it would be‍ difficult—and given his‌ poor speaking ability,⁠‍ could he really‍ persuade Master Ryozo‌‍ and Master Abel?‌‍

“Thank‍⁠ you for your kind explanation, Vixbig.”⁠

That’s‍ why I’ll forgive⁠‍ you for what‍ you did.

‘Just⁠⁠ this once.’

Media’s brow furrowed. Then‍ Victor spoke up‍ in my favor.⁠⁠

“What‍ she says is‌ true. Kang Geom-Ma‌ is a thinking⁠ man. Even though he once stabbed‍‌ me for eating⁠ beans without respect for my elders…”‌⁠

He‍⁠ still holds that⁠‍ in his heart?⁠ It’s true the‍ elderly never let‌‌ grievances go.

Victor⁠ noticed my gaze‍ sharpening little by‍ little. Maybe that’s why he emphasized‌ his gestures.

“But‌⁠⁠ he sacrificed himself⁠ for humanity and‌‌‌ is a good⁠ family man! It’s⁠‍ been a while⁠ since we saw‍⁠‍ his face, Heavenly‍ Sword! Come on⁠ in, come in—it’s‍⁠ cold, warm yourself up.”

“Thank‌ you for receiving‌‍‌ me, even though‍⁠⁠ I came unannounced.”‍

“Haha.⁠ Between us, no‍⁠ formalities are needed.”⁠‌

“I‍ appreciate it nonetheless.‍ But…”

I turned my head.‍ There was a monitor.

On it, equations and⁠ indecipherable diagrams were⁠ displayed across the⁠ wall. I understood‍ nothing, yet felt‍‍ a chill run⁠⁠ down my spine.⁠‌ When that happened,⁠‌ it was usually‌ a sign that‍⁠ something bad was coming.

“I‍⁠ see you noticed‌‌ it too.”

Victor‌‍⁠ and Media came‌ to my sides.

“What‍ is this about…?”‌‍

Media’s⁠‍‌ glasses reflected the‌ big monitor clearly. Perhaps that’s why‌ she answered calmly.⁠⁠

“The‌⁠ first apocalypse.”

***‍‌

Crunch,‌⁠‌ crunch.

A man, adorned with‍ a dozen squirrels dangling like ornaments,‌‍⁠ was walking through⁠ the subspace.

The‍‌‌ squirrels scurried about⁠‍‌ diligently, covering the‍‍ man’s private areas as leaves might‌‍ obscure a Roman statue.

“I‍‍ told you not⁠ to do that,⁠ geez.”

“(Have⁠ some decency, human!)”⁠‍‌

“(Strutting around naked isn’t⁠ anything to boast about!)”

“No‍ one’s going to‌‍ see me anyway.”‌

And⁠ that was true.‌‍ Demon creatures in⁠⁠ animal form fled⁠‌‌ at his sight,‌‌ while the human-shaped‌⁠ demons simply ignored⁠ him.

‘They‌ treat me like⁠⁠ I’m invisible to humans.’

As‍ they say, animals⁠⁠ have senses so acute they can⁠ detect things humans⁠ cannot.

Like‌‌‌ birds that sense‌ earthquakes before they⁠ happen, or cats⁠ and dogs that see ghosts—so they‍‍ say.

“Squeak.⁠‍ (Interesting.)”

The‌‍‌ secretary squirrel murmured⁠‍ as she watched⁠⁠ a demon walk‍⁠⁠ by as if‍⁠ the man wasn’t‍‌ there. She was‍⁠ perched close to‍⁠ the man’s ear.‌

“(I’ve‌‌‍ heard of this‍ from Lord Lycan.⁠ They say someone⁠‍ can end up halfway between two⁠ timelines. I never⁠ thought I’d see‌⁠ an example with‍ my own eyes.)”‌

The‌ man, Balor Joaquin,‍ let out a dry laugh.

Returning‍⁠ to his original⁠ world was a confirmed fact. But‍‍⁠ he hadn’t done⁠‌ it completely. As‍⁠ the secretary said,‌‍ he’d come back‌ in an unstable‍‌‌ state.

‘Not‍ even the God⁠⁠‌ of the Sword‌ can go directly⁠ against the suppression‌‌‌ power. That’s why‍ he sent me back in this‍ incomplete way.’

Surely‍ the Ring Eye⁠ influenced this too.

He⁠‍⁠ had used the “most powerful magic‍ eye” to alter‌‌ the world’s course⁠ once. And the⁠ God of the‍ Sword probably intervened‍ to break through‌ suppression magic, making‌⁠ this semi-spectral state‍ more functional.

But⁠ that wasn’t the⁠ real problem. The‌⁠‌ issue was that‍ he couldn’t interfere‌⁠ in the real‍‌ world and that‍ his range of⁠‍ action was limited⁠ to subspace.

Because‍⁠ what held him‌ tied to this‍‍‍ timeline was the‌ magic itself.

‘Until an environment rich‍‌ in magic is‌ created in the⁠‍ real world, I won’t be able‍ to cross over.’‌

And‌ even if I could cross, I had no body.‌

“In‍ many ways, this⁠ is a problem.”

Balor‍ Joaquin scratched his‍ brow.

His⁠ nails didn’t catch‌‌⁠ any folds. Both⁠ arms were intact.‌⁠ His current body—though‍ just a soul—appeared‌ as a man⁠ in his thirties,‌‍ and the wounds⁠⁠ he’d suffered in‌ the First Human-Demon‍‍‍ War were fully‍⁠ healed. If he⁠⁠ recovered his body,⁠‍ he could unleash⁠‍ his full power‌‍‍ again.

For‍‌ now.

‘My‌⁠‍ immediate goal is…’‌‍

Fully⁠‌ understand my current⁠‌ state. Luckily, the⁠ squirrels were smart.‍

They‌‌ taught him the⁠ world’s recent history while he was⁠ in another timeline.‍ Especially helpful was⁠ the squirrel who⁠‌ claimed to be‌‍ Lycan’s secretary.

‘If‍ everything goes well…’‌‌

He‌ clenched his fist.‌⁠

‘…I’ll⁠ be able to⁠‌‌ see you again.’‍‍⁠

As‍ soon as I opened my eyes,⁠ a surge of longing rose powerful‌‌‌ and strong. Reunion‌ with him was near. As Balor‍ Joaquin gently ground his teeth, the‍ secretary squirrel continued‌‍ chattering.

“(Lord⁠ Lycan knows everything.‍‌ He will understand his regret. I also learned the‍⁠ world’s truth thanks‌ to him.)”

If⁠⁠ fate wanted to‌ mock him, it‌‍ was in this‌‍‌ way. The same‌ rival who had⁠ torn off an‌‍ arm now led the squirrel clan.‍ And now even‌ seemed to hold the key to fixing Balor’s problem.⁠ An irony beyond⁠ explanation.

“Living‌‌‌ long truly lets‌ you see these‍⁠‌ things.”

“(Though‌⁠ not as long‌ as Lord Lycan.)”‍

“I‍ doubt it.”

Balor‍‌‌ showed a slight smile.

“I told you I’m‍‌ an infinite reincarnator.‌‍⁠ I don’t remember‍ every past life,⁠ but I’ve lived‍‍‍ at least two‍ thousand years.”

“(How‍ are you supposed‍ to prove that?!)”⁠‍

“The fact that I’m‌ speaking to you‍⁠‌ is proof.”

“(And⁠‌ what does that‌ have to do⁠ with speaking our‌ language?!)”

I wasn’t always reincarnated as a human.‌‌ In fact, if⁠‌ my blurry memory⁠ isn’t wrong, I started as moss,⁠ then was eaten‍ by a deer and reincarnated as‍‌ a deer.

Later as a wolf.‌ I climbed the‍ food chain until‍⁠ I was finally⁠ born as a human—at its peak.⁠

“(…What⁠ kind of world is this?)”

“The‌ one who should⁠⁠⁠ be complaining is‍ me.”

“(Okay,‌‍ okay.)”

The‌ squirrel rubbed her⁠‌ face with her‍⁠ little paws.

“(And‌ what’s your relationship‍ with Lord Lycan?)”⁠

“I’m‌ not sure, but‌ I likely had⁠‍ something to do‌⁠ with him becoming‍‌ one of your kind.”

“(R-Really?)”‍

Balor⁠‍‍ nodded and continued⁠‍ walking. Beneath his‍ feet, the grey⁠‍ grass crunched softly.‍‍

“(Then‍ you’re also a benefactor to us‍ squirrels!)”

“Think‍ whatever you want.”‌‍

They⁠ were cute—but really‍‌ exhausting.

It⁠‌ had been more‍ than a week⁠ since he’d started⁠ moving around with⁠‍‌ squirrels attached to‌‌ his body. As⁠⁠ a semi-material being,‍‍ he didn’t feel‍ hunger, didn’t need‍‌‍ sleep, nor had⁠⁠‍ physiological functions. But‍ the squirrels did—and⁠‍ they did all‍ that on top‌ of him.

Yet‌‌ Balor wasn’t offended.‍

Thanks‍⁠‌ to his guidance,‍ they had reached‌ their destination a chasm. Gehenna’s geography‌ was so changeable‌⁠‌ that without animal instinct, one could‍‍ easily get lost.

“We‍‍ have arrived.”

A chasm opened right‌⁠ at his feet.‍

Whoooooosh!⁠

A gloomy wind gushed‌⁠‍ from its depths,⁠ blowing Balor’s messy fringe aside. The‌‌ squirrels clung to‍‍ each other by⁠ their tails, trying⁠⁠ not to be‌‌⁠ blown away.

‘That⁠ wind is charged⁠ with magical energy.’‍‌

The‍⁠ outline of his‍‍ semi-transparent body sharpened.⁠ This meant the‍ place had an⁠‌‌ even higher mana‌‍ concentration than the‍ center of subspace.‍

This phenomenon, combined with⁠ the imminent encounter‍ with his old‍ enemy, could give⁠ him clues about‌ his current state.⁠⁠

Smile.‍

A smile appeared on‌ Balor’s lips. Below⁠ his neck, however,‌ was pure chaos.‌‌ The squirrels struggled‍ with all their‍‍ strength not to‍⁠ be sucked into‌⁠ the magical wind.‌‌

“(Save⁠ the squirrels! Save‌‍ the squirrels!)”

“There’s‌ no other option.”‍⁠⁠

Whump!⁠‍‍

Balor‌‌ suddenly embraced the‌ entire flock. Only the squirrels’ little eyes peeked out‍ from his chest.‍‌

“Hold⁠ on well.”

And‌ in that instant…‍

Whoosh…!⁠‌⁠

A scream was swallowed⁠ by the chasm.‍⁠

***‌‌

In‍‌ a guest room‌ at the Antarctic‌ base.

The⁠⁠ words Media and⁠⁠ Victor had told me earlier still echoed in my‍ mind. Their impact⁠‍ kept me from‍ sleeping.

In‌ the end, I decided to organize‍‌⁠ my thoughts. With⁠‍‌ my fingers interlocked,‍ I held my⁠⁠ head and stared‍‌ at the ceiling.‍‌

How‌ could I describe‍⁠ this feeling? It‍ was so complex,‌⁠ it couldn’t be‌‌ summed up in a single word.‌‌‍

Ever since I became‍ something between a human and a god, my emotions⁠ had become more⁠⁠ stable. Maybe it‍ was because of the “Spirit Level”‌ stat, which maxed‌‌‌ out thanks to‌⁠‌ the blessing of‍‌ the God of⁠⁠ the Sword.

Focus,‍‍ Kang Geom-Ma.

Comparing‍ this to a game at such‍ a critical moment?‍ Isn’t it time to throw away‌‌⁠ that dumb concept‌ of aloofness now‌⁠ that you’re past‌‍‌ twenty? The fate‍‍ of the universe‍⁠ is at stake!‌

“Even Yu Sein, a reincarnated one, and⁠‍⁠ the natives of‍‍ this world felt‍‌‍ something strange… but‍ I, a god,‌‍ didn’t notice anything‌ at all.”

Disqualified‍‌‍ as a god.‍

“Haah…”‌

Enough‍ self-pity. I turned⁠⁠‌ slightly and began‌‌‌ to review everything‌‌ that had happened.⁠

It⁠⁠ all started with‍ the strange sensation Media experienced. Thanks‍ to that clue,‍ we launched an‍‍ investigation. And indeed,⁠⁠ as a testament⁠ to the genius⁠‍ of the ancients,‌‌ we managed to deduce a near future with great‍⁠⁠ precision.

Whether‌‍⁠ it’s true or‌⁠ not, the fact that she said‌ the same thing‍ as Yu Sein‌ couldn’t be a coincidence.

“It’s‌‍‍ practically confirmation.”

Though‍ it was hard‍‌ to digest, I had to etch⁠ it into memory.‌

An‌ abstract and despairing‌ evil called “the‌‍‌ end” will take⁠‌ over this world.‍ According to Yu‌ Sein and the‍‍ Poison family, it‍⁠‍ will happen in‌‌ three stages.

And‍ each name sounded‍‍ more grandiose than⁠‍ the last.

Ragnarök.‍‍

Kali⁠‌ Yuga. [1]

Prasho‌ Kereti. [2]

‘Wasn’t⁠‌ there one more…?’‍‍

Anyway.⁠⁠

Ragnarök was the only‌‌‍ one that sounded‌ familiar.

But‌‌‍ all three were‍ synonyms for the‍ same concept the apocalypse.

“…Shit.”‌⁠‍

It’s‍ not enough to‌ crush those squid-things.‌⁠‌ Now even abstract concepts are taking‌ form and attacking us.

Taking physical form.

“…”⁠‍

Wait.‌

A revelation struck me⁠‍ like lightning.

‘If‍‍ it already has‌ physical form…’

…

My skill cuts through‍⁠ anything it touches.⁠ And I fully‍ absorbed the Blessing of the God‌⁠⁠ of the Sword.‌⁠‍ If something touches‍ the sashimi, it’s sliced to pieces.⁠

Think,‌⁠ Kang Geom-Ma.

Think deeper—find the masterstroke⁠‍ to save this‌ world that teeters‌ on the edge.⁠

I’m‌⁠ not omniscient. Nor⁠ am I omnipotent.‌⁠⁠ All things considered,‍ I’m a pretty‌ flawed god.

‘Precisely⁠ for that reason, there must be⁠ something I can latch onto.’

Swinging the sashimi without‌‍‌ thinking isn’t the‍ solution. I don’t‍ even know how‌ far its waves‍ might reach.

Besides,‍ the inter-academy exchange⁠⁠ was about to‍ begin. It wasn’t‌⁠ just the end⁠⁠ of the world‍⁠ that needed attention.‍⁠ Even if no⁠‌ one said it‌⁠ aloud, I had‍ the duty to‍‌‍ protect this world.‍⁠

According⁠‌ to Yu Sein,‍ I was primarily⁠ responsible for the⁠‌ state of the‍ world. By killing‍‍ the false gods,⁠⁠⁠ the Suppression Force⁠‌‌ had decided to‍ press the “end”⁠ button. I destroyed‌⁠ this world’s logic.‌‍‍

“Mmh.”‍‍

In a cold corner⁠ of the Antarctic‌⁠ base, at some‌ point I had⁠‌ sat on the‌‌ edge of the‍⁠‌ bed, arms crossed,‍⁠‌ lost in thought.⁠ It felt like‍ cold steam was seeping out of‌ my head.

‘I⁠ desperately need a status interface.’

That⁠ privilege that organized everything and gave‌‌ me clear directional‍ cues…

Creakkk.⁠

The‍ dorm door suddenly‍ opened. The light⁠ from the hallway‌‌ split the room’s⁠ darkness in two.‍

“Kang⁠ Geom-Ma.”

Peeking‍‍ through the half-open⁠ door, only her jade-colored hair was‍ visible.

I stammered.

“Ah—Ah,‌ Director…?”

“You‍ seem to be‍ awake.”

“Y-Yes…”‌⁠

“What’s‌ with that reaction?‍ Why are you‍ so nervous?”

Who⁠⁠ wouldn’t be? It⁠⁠⁠ was the first time I’d seen‌ Media without her‍ glasses.

My⁠⁠ honest impression was.‍

‘It‍ was the glasses’‌ fault.’

And‍ a lot of‍ fault. A beautiful face that even‌ glasses couldn’t fully⁠⁠ hide had finally‌ bloomed completely.

I was speechless. All⁠⁠ the worries that‌‌ weighed on me‌ vanished without me‍ realizing it. Seeing‍‌ her face without‍⁠ makeup for the⁠ first time in⁠‌ ten years hit‍‍‍ me so hard it left me‌‍ stunned. That cliché⁠ of “a beauty after removing her‍⁠ glasses” landed a critical blow.

“Uh…”‌⁠‍

Media⁠‍‍ hesitated a little before speaking.

“Do⁠ you have a moment?”

As‌ she shyly tucked⁠‌ the hair falling‍ by her ear‍ behind it.

T/N:

1.‍‍‍ Kali Yuga

Origin:‍ Hinduism.

Meaning,⁠ The last of⁠ the four eras‍⁠ (Yugas) of the‍‍⁠ world. It represents‍‌ an age of⁠ decline, darkness, ignorance,‍ corruption, and conflict. It is said⁠‍⁠ that we are‍ currently living in‍⁠ the Kali Yuga.‌⁠‍

2.⁠ Prasho Kereti (possibly⁠⁠ misromanized)

This‌ name does not‍‌ directly correspond to‍ any recognized doctrine.⁠ It is most likely.

A loose or incorrect⁠ transliteration of some‌‌ apocalyptic term from⁠‍ an Eastern mythology.‍⁠⁠