raised his head, tears just about ready to flood out from his eyes. "…How many chapters have you written so far, noona?" "Not that many. It's about, say, less than two books' worth." "Can I… read a bit more?" "Sure." Realizing that Lee Gilyoung's status was somewhat strange, the companions stood up from their chairs. "What's going on? What is its content about to make you react like this?" "I'm also kind of curious, since it's Sooyoung-ssi's latest work…" "I'll pass. I'm gonna wait until it comes out as a book." With the exception of Lee Jihye saying that while pouring herself another drink, everyone else gathered behind Lee Gilyoung. Han Sooyoung quietly stared at them. One by one, their gazes were being sucked into the notebook's screen. It shouldn't simply be because the story was too entertaining. No, it was that kind of a story, to begin with. Because this story was… "Han Sooyoung, you…"
While listening to Jung Heewon's trembling voice, Han Sooyoung recalled the sentences she had already recorded. ⸢"Nothing can be changed through regression. It took me a very long time to realize that."⸥ That's right. Not a single thing could be changed through the act of regressing. Just like how it was with them back on that day. "But, why, such a story…" Even if that was true, however – that didn't mean their regression didn't leave anything behind, either. ⸢Kim Dokja survived through a story called 'Ways of Survival'. In that case, which story allowed us to survive?⸥ Actually, Han Sooyoung already knew the answer to that question. "It's a story I wanted to show to that idiot." A story still remained for them. A story of a person they all loved.
Chapter 544: Epilogue 4 - The Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, IX "…I just wrote something, hoping to leave it as records of our past. Kim Dokja might wake up someday, you know. When that happens, he'd most likely have forgotten everything about us, anyway." The companions read Han Sooyoung's novel. Shin Yoosung, her eyes reddened from tears, angrily rebuked Lee Gilyoung, telling him to slow down with the scrolling, while the boy sniffling away continued to click on the mouse. Yoo Sangah, Jung Heewon, and Jang Hayoung copied the file and read the novel on their own phones. Yoo Sangah read the scene where she was making an appearance and smiled faintly. "…I did say something like that, didn't I?"
Perhaps she was missing those days, because she stroked the sentences on the phone's display. As if doing that might let her really touch Kim Dokja. Lee Jihye sucking out the last drops from the booze bottle unsteadily got up from her seat. "What the hell. Is it really that fun?" "Ah?! Noona!" Lee Jihye going on a drunken rant shoved Lee Gilyoung off the chair and took over the notebook PC. She then slapped her cheeks and tried to focus her blurry, half-closed eyes on the screen. How long went by like that? "Sob, sooob, waaah! This novel is too sad, you know?!" "…You've only read the first chapter, so what the…" Lee Jihye blew her nose noisily and chucked the soiled tissue in Lee Gilyoung's direction. She remained utterly unperturbed regardless of whether the angry boy was yelling at her or not. Even more so when she scrolled down and read the scene where she made her appearance in Chungmuro – her excitement seemed to reach its peak. "A girl wielding a lengthy sword stood in the exit as the faint rays of light shone through. While looking at Lee Jihye's hair dancing in the winds intermittently blowing in… Keuh-euuh, I'm sooo uber-cool, aren't I??" "Argh, seriously now?! Go back up already!" Despite Lee Gilyoung scolding her, Lee Jihye continued on yap on.
"Like, what happens afterwards? What happens to Kim Dokja…" In the end, she couldn't win against the booze in her system and before long, her nose kissed the tabletop. Shin Yoosung snatched the notebook PC away, and asked a question while taking over the scrolling duty. "…Do I make an entrance later on, too?" "Everyone makes their appearance. Although, each person's specific importance will be a bit different," said Han Sooyoung. "B-but, I really did my best, you know." "Yes, I know. Don't worry, your story will show up lots of time later on." They already knew the ending to this story. What would happen to Kim Dokja, and what experiences the companions would go through as the result. How the dream they dreamed crumbled away. They all knew too well. Despite knowing, however, Shin Yoosung continued to read the story. They strode forward one sentence at a time towards the predetermined end. The story they couldn't change was right here. Shin Yoosung used every ounce of her energy to read it as if each and every sentence disappearing behind was too lamentable, too sad, to her. "…How wonderful would it have been if Dokja ahjussi was able to read this." "Should we go to hyung and read it for him?"
Han Sooyoung thought about the slumbering Kim Dokja inside Lee Seolhwa's hospital. This novel was written for that guy, yet she didn't think he'd be reading it anytime soon. ⸢Could it be that, just maybe, this was this story's completion?⸥ The completed ending of those who had lost something – could that be this novel's true purpose? Could these people be the true readers of this story? "Do you think that ahjussi in the other world-line will like reading, too?" The companions wouldn't be saved with just this measly little story. But at the very least, they should be able to endure their lives while reading and thinking about it. Just like how Kim Dokja reading the 'Ways of Survival' did. "I wonder. Maybe." "Ahjussi is probably ahjussi in that place, too. Definitely." "Who knows, he might have ended up as a bug." "Keep talking like that if you want to die, Lee Gilyoung." "I'd have raised him up if he was reborn as an insect, you know? And read books to him every day, too." A couple of adults heard the boy's mindless babble and broke out into chuckles. Yoo Sangah spoke up next. "Regardless of where he's born and what's he born as, Dokja-ssi will always be Dokja-ssi." Han Sooyoung nodded her head. Kim Dokja should be living a new life in a world out there somewhere. Kim Dokja living
his life while reading a story written by someone else and feeling happy or sad, or even moved. The people of this world would reminisce about such Kim Dokja's tale and live their lives. Praying that Kim Dokja of that world would not be miserable. Praying that he'd get to live in as much happiness as his companions were remembering him in this world. Shin Yoosung repeatedly reading the early parts spoke up, her voice sounding like a soft sigh. "I can't read it anymore, because I'm scared it'll end too soon." "It won't end that soon," replied Han Sooyoung. "Are you going to write the next chapter, too?" "Yeah." "It would've been so wonderful if we could send this novel to the other world, too. It's a shame that only we get to read it." …The other world? Han Sooyoung became momentarily dazed at that unexpected idea. She had never even thought about it. It wasn't a possibility to start with, too. She pondered this for a bit longer, but before she could say something, a piece of breaking news came out of the TV screen. – Breaking news just in. A terrorist has attacked the 'Scenario Museum' located in Gwanghwanmun… "Terrorists? In this day and age?"
Jang Hayoung shook her head. Most of the system's influence had already disappeared from this world, so possessing Star Relics didn't automatically mean you'd be able to do something with them. It was right then that Jung Heewon's phone started ringing. "Hello, this is Jung Heewon, the representative of Iron Caps, the trusted security organisation protecting your… Excuse me? Where? Who showed up??" The clearly-flustered Jung Heewon raised her head and looked at the TV panel. The news broadcast's ticker-tape continued to move along. – Identity of the terrorist is now known to be a Transcendent formerly known as the 'Supreme King'… …The 'Supreme King'? A short while later, the terrorist's face showed up on the screen. – The terrorist, Supreme King Yoo Joonghyuk. (33, unemployed) "Stop him!" The riot police arriving on the scene blocked off the museum's access and stood before the approaching man. However, he used fleet-footed movements to evade their truncheons. The jet-black coat danced in the air as the man's hands went to work, and the riot police rushing in were scattered away like the breaking waves.
"Uwaaahk!" "He's using the system's powers! Hurry up and call the security company! And get the government-affiliated Constellations, too-!" Yoo Joonghyuk's [Red Phoenix Shunpo] spat out reddishyellow licks of flames as he dashed forward. Each step taken emitted truly stupendous heatwave and the members of riot police had to back away in fear. Before long, he had reached the front of the [Scenario Museum]'s doorstep. The place where Star Relics from the age of apocalypse were stored. This was where the important artefacts not open to public had been gathered. The riot police chasing after Yoo Joonghyuk shouted out. "He's just a Transcendent from the old generation! The battle array formation the Constellation-nims of the North Stars worked together to create near the museum will…" ['North Star Five March Formation' has been triggered!] Yoo Joonghyuk analysed the inner workings of the array formation blocking him. It was a Murim-style battle array formation that followed the laws of the North Star and five elements of the universe to create a remarkable unison of the 'life gate' and 'death gate'. His eyes emitted golden rays of light as his [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] accurately stabbed into seven separate points. Kuu-rurururung! "Crazy son of a… How could he…?!" These young riot police members who didn't know much about the age of apocalypse could only look on with their
jaws hitting the floor. Even they had heard of the stories, of course. – Twenty years ago, a man who dared to stare arrogantly at the stars of the heavens existed. It was only a story to them, however. A man who could evenly match up to the Constellations? They believed that no such man could have ever existed. Too bad for them, the living proof was now standing before their eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk stepped within the crumbling array formation. No one could stop him now. It was also then someone appeared among the rising dust clouds. – Supreme King, what do you think you're doing? Surely, someone like you don't have a reason to steal items such as the Star Relics? It was Han Donghoon, an Incarnation affiliated with the government. He was famed for sending messages to the opposition's eyes rather than addressing them directly. Yoo Joonghyuk quietly stared at the message, before pointing at the steeple of the museum. A small ship hung up there like some kind of a symbol. "I need that ship." – That's just a replica. It can't even fly. "We'll see once I activate it." – I know that you've been roaming the world without reporting periodically to the world government. Despite knowing that, the world government decided to turn a blind eye. Because they respect your achievements from the age of apocalypse.
"…" – However, that ends today. If you insist on behaving like this, then we won't have any choice but to use force. Almost at the same time as those words arrived, powerful fighting spirit exploded out from Han Donghoon's entire body. He, too, was a survivor from the era of scenarios, a powerful figure who came to be known as the 'King of Shadows' by the time scenarios were drawing to a close. "You wish to stop me?" Yoo Joonghyuk took a single step forward. At the same time, humans of the surroundings knelt down simultaneously. Han Donghoon's expression stiffened, and he quickly performed hand signs. – All personnel, get ready to…! Even before the message could be finished, shadows hiding on the museum's rooftop began falling like dead cicadas. Tumble, drop… The fallen agents writhed around like worms. Traces of their pressure-points being depressed could be seen throughout their bodies. Surprisingly, over thirty Incarnations were dispatched to this place together with Han Donghoon, yet all these elite warriors were taken care of even before anyone had noticed it. "Get out of my way." Han Donghoon's shoulders trembled imperceptibly. For the past 20 years after the scenarios ended, the strongest
Incarnation he knew of was the prophet Anna Croft, the only surviving Incarnation that could compare to the Constellations. However, even if she came, could she stop this monster? – Han Donghoon, respond… Han Donghoon? If he didn't escape from here, he'd get killed. Han Donghoon knew this, yet he couldn't even lift his feet. An incredible amount of killing intent had tightened around him like a noose. Just who would be able to stop this Transcendent? The Murim world's Transcendents residing on another planet? Or, Constellations currently on a world tour? No, even they might find it too much. The monster before his eyes was an existence that had reached the highest realm even among the Transcendents. Post-destruction of <Star Stream>, Constellations could no longer exercise the power levels of their past selves. That's why… "Captain Han Donghoon! Evade it!!" Yoo Joonghyuk's sword moving, and Han Donghoon squeezing his eyes shut, as well as an ear-splitting noise exploding, all happened at the same time. Scary waves of magical force shoved Han Donghoon's body away. It had been really long time since he last saw a clash heavy enough to cause the storm of Probability's aftermath. Tsu-chuchuchuchu… He held onto the crack on the ground and endured the storm of aftermath, only to be greeted by an unbelievable spectacle.
"F*ck, man. Trying to use my powers in such a long time is killing me." Someone was blocking the Supreme King's sword. [Constellation, 'Architect of the False Last Act', is unleashing her power!] [Story fragments of the 'Bureau' is supporting the 'Architect of the False Last Act'!] She was one of only a handful of the truly strong who could stop that monster, Yoo Joonghyuk. The purple-hued magical energy oozing out from her entire figure was dyeing the surroundings in a foreboding manner. "Yoo Joonghyuk, what kinda stupidity is this?" said the Empress of Black Flames, Han Sooyoung. "This isn't a matter you should concern yourself with." "Why shouldn't I?? Our former Regressor friend suddenly decided to become a terrorist for free, so how can I not?" "…" "The companion of the past has lost his way and became corrupted, so it's the duty of the superhero to take up on the responsibility of rehabi…" Kwaaa-boooom! "Goddammit, what gives?? Why are you going mental here, man??" "Get out of the way. I don't plan to exchange sophistries with you."
"No, you better start talking. That's always been your damn problem. You've been behaving nicely for the past two years, so why the hell…" Swiiiiiish-! She pulled out a dagger from her inner pocket, gritted her teeth, and defended against Yoo Joonghyuk's attack. The overabundant bombardment of the sword energy began forcing her body back bit by bit. Han Sooyoung glanced in the direction she was being pushed back. …The Scenario Museum. No matter how hard she thought about it, it made no sense. Yoo Joonghyuk had no reason to target that place. He wouldn't get any stronger than he already was by possessing a couple more Star Relics at this point. Besides, a Star Relic someone like him might find desirable wouldn't even be in this pla… It was then, her eyes caught the sight of a certain something. "Hey, you. It can't be…" Her hair strands slowly began floating up. Creeping, ominous waves of energy spread out everywhere. Cold rage was filling up Han Sooyoung's voice. "…Is it because of that?" Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes were seething, and his irises were reflecting the hull of the replica [Final Ark] located on top of the steeple.
Chapter 545: Epilogue 4 - The Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, X Han Sooyoung yelled out. "You stupid bastard! Did you forget already?? This worldline's ark has already-!" Yoo Joonghyuk's sword thrust dug into her opening. The moment she gasped out, her dagger was already flying away. Blood spluttered from the cut wound. His sword was now pointing straight at her neck. "Joonghyuk-ssi! Please stop!" "H-hold on, master! Are you mad!! What's gotten into you!?" The companions arriving belatedly approached them to stop the fighting.
However, Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even look behind at them as he swung his sword. The gob-smacking level of magical energy wave shot out from the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] and drew a line of roiling flames one step in front of the companions. "No one crosses that line. If you do, I will cut y…" Smack! Han Sooyoung's left foot rising up in the blink of an eye accurately kicked his wrist. The [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] gripped in his hand flung away, drew circles in the air, before stabbing into the ground. Han Sooyoung growled at him. "Yoo Joonghyuk. I'm sure you already know this, but… I really, really hate to see a rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel." "…" "You know, I was feeling pretty good up until a few minutes ago. Specifically, before you started doing this crap, that is… I guess the peace of the past two years have been too sweet for me, seeing how I've completely forgotten about what kind of a bastard you are." It was hard to tell just who her boiling rage was directed at. Han Sooyoung recalled the faces of her companions reading her novel. The faces that grew at ease as they read the story. The companions, everyone else, even herself… they were about to feel brave enough to finally take that one step forward, away from 'that day'. Yet… Han Sooyoung stopped both Jung Heewon and Yoo Sangah about to cross the burning line. "You two, stay back. Looks
like today is finally the day I pound some sense into this guy." As soon as those words ended, both the figures of Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk vanished. The place they met again was in the air dozens of meters off the ground. The thunderclap-like explosions rang out and their fists collided against one another. Ruuuumble, kurururung!! The blade of Han Sooyoung's hand slammed hard into Yoo Joonghyuk's waist, while his right kick landed on her solar plexus. The exchange of attacks and defenses that even Constellations' eyesights found hard to keep up continued on. Blood trickled down her lips, while large, bloody bruises formed on his arms raised up to guard him. Lee Jihye watching the fight unfold couldn't hold back and reached for her own sword. It was Yoo Sangah who stopped her. "Eonni? But why?" "Let them be for the time being." Perhaps she had predicted something, because while stopping the companions, she spread out her lotus pedestals, as well. She was planning to protect the civilians from the storm of aftermaths soon to visit them. Right next second, the atmosphere up in the sky began to change. [Giant Story, 'Torch that Swallowed the Myth', has started its stammered attempt at storytelling.]
[Giant Story, 'Liberator of the Forgotten Ones', is waking up from the darkness.] The clash of these two managed to awaken the old Stories. Han Sooyoung summoned all of her strength to broke through Yoo Joonghyuk's fist and shouted out. "Speak up! Why today, of all days? Why have you been staying quiet for the last two years only to start this crap today?!" "None of your business." "Aha, is that so." She didn't plan on going this far. However, looking at the expressionless face of Yoo Joonghyuk acting like a damn stubborn mule, she simply couldn't rein in her boiling anger anymore. "I always hated you. And regretted it, too. Why did I write the story of someone like you with my own hands?" She'd never have said these words in any other times. Even then, she continued to spit out everything anyway. "I cursed my other self. If this story didn't exist, none of these things would've happened. No one would've died. And Kim Dokja might have…!" Yoo Joonghyuk's fist finding that brief window of opening cut her words short. He kept his mouth resolutely shut and continued to fight. Though she hadn't heard a proper answer yet, Han Sooyoung knew why he was trying to get a hold of the [Final Ark]. "We already failed. Since we came home with our tails between our legs, you should've quietly accepted it and
moved on. Have you really forgotten everything [The Fourth Wall] said to us?" She knew the truth, and that was why she just couldn't stand it anymore. ⸢You shouldn't have been greedy. No, y o u sh oul d've be en con te nt wi th 49% Kim Dok ja⸥ [The Fourth Wall]'s voice from that day, the one she had never forgotten until now. Yoo Joonghyuk finally opened his mouth. "Spoken like a true loser. You simply gave up, that's all." Every time their fists collided, the worn-out Stories scattered in the air. The fragments emitting faint rays of light settled down on his cheeks. It was only then did she spot his messed-up appearance. The unkempt, stiffened hair, and his rather unsightly-looking unwashed face. Han Sooyoung sucked in her breath and took a step back in that instant. Some memories brushed past her head just then – Yoo Mia, showing up one day while crying her eyes out and saying that her oppa had just disappeared, and Yoo Joonghyuk, walking away from the pro gamer job he barely managed to earn back, and vanishing into thin air. ⸢Should I have started off with how he had been doing all this time?⸥ Golden aura was focusing on his right hand. That was the beginning of the [Breaking the Sky Force Punch]. He was being deadly serious here. Han Sooyoung hurriedly unfurled her right hand.
[Stigma, 'Character Summon', is activating!] At the bare minimum, if she used this skill to fling him far away, then… [Applicable individual is no longer a 'Character'.] She belatedly realized it – the 'Yoo Joonghyuk' standing before her eyes was not the character from the 'Ways of Survival' she had written. After Kim Dokja's final act had arrived, and after the 'Ways of Survival's story came to an end, Yoo Joonghyuk had completely broken free of the position of the 'Character'. A punch wrapped in pure golden light scythed the air and flew in. She activated every single evasion skill she could. The attack brushed past her shoulder with the thinnest margin imaginable. The storm of aftermath from that improbably powerful punch pricked her painfully. Yoo Joonghyuk muttered out. "…Your skills have barely lost any of their original powers. Is this due to the system's grace?" The only reason why Han Sooyoung's skills could still exhibit such power was because she received the Bureau's Story from the 1865th turn's Bihyung. Yoo Joonghyuk asked her with an emotionless voice. "This world no longer needs the system. Yet, why did you receive that Story from him?" "Obviously to maintain Kim Dokja's life." They went through with the [Group Regression] because Kim Dokja's Avatar was increasingly getting weaker. And she
received the Bureau's Story just in case something similar happens to Kim Dokja. "Why did you do something like that? You should know this. That fool cannot wake up again," said Yoo Joonghyuk. "Kim Dokja isn't dead y-!" "If you really believe that, then why are you stopping me?" For a moment there, she became speechless. Yoo Joonghyuk then flashed right behind her, and slammed down on her back. Han Sooyoung crash-landed on the ground. She coughed out thick dust and stood back up, then shouted at him while tottering unsteadily. "…Yoo Joonghyuk, wake the hell up! You think this is what Kim Dokja really wants? He told you, didn't he? He told you not to abandon this world. And you also agreed!" "That's right. I agreed not to regress." "Don't make me laugh! You can't regress anymore, that's what. If you still could do it, you'd probably have gone back!!" "I may have." Yoo Joonghyuk's golden eye began to glow brightly within the thick dust cloud. And that eye was now questioning Han Sooyoung. "Are you any different?" She couldn't answer back. But in her stead, Kim Dokja's Stories still remaining within her grasp replied.
[Story, 'One Who Opposes Miracles', is lamenting in sorrow.] These were words that she just couldn't let go. She wrote them down somewhere sometimes to endure her life. Telling herself not to regress, to live in the present. She continued to reflect on those obvious-sounding words of the past, and continued to endure moment by every moment. That was her past two years. "It seems that you too couldn't forget anything." "Shut up." Han Sooyoung dashed forward in an instant and punched him squarely in the face. Every time their fists flew out, the Stories they shared and compiled together writhed violently. [Story, 'King of Kaizenix', is being agitated.] She believed that she worked hard to endure. She believed that a lot of time had passed by now, as much as all the sentences she had written down. She breathed, she ate, and she slumbered – Han Sooyoung survived in that manner. ⸢You are not a regressor because you regress.⸥ However, could she really say she had been living a life that way? ⸢Some people would live their entire lives inside the alreadyended past.⸥ Every time bones in her fists were crushed, Stories scattered away little by little – Stories, the raw memories preserved as was without any revisions. Han Sooyoung reflexively began retrieving these scattering Stories.
She didn't want to let go of any one of them. She didn't want to forget about a single thing. ⸢For the past two years, she hadn't been able to take a single step forward.⸥ Han Sooyoung panted breathlessly and spoke up. "What do you think will change if you do this now?" "…" "Even if you leave, you won't find Kim Dokja. And you can't even go anywhere." "…" "Besides, this world-line's [Ark] is already destroyed. Did you forget what happened back during the final battle? That isn't an ark. And we can't leave this world-line even if we wanted to!" The powers of the two people collided once more. Accompanied by the loud "Ku-dududu!!" noise, the storm was generated from their magical energy. Yoo Joonghyuk standing in the center of the storm then replied. "I've compiled so many Stories up until now, but I still do not know what my ■■ is." The vigorous, ferocious Story exploded within the air. He didn't pay any heed to the precious Stories being damaged and simply swung his fists. "You wrote my story. In that case, you should also know where my story is supposed to end." At that moment, sentences began streaming past Han Sooyoung's head.
⸢Did Yoo Joonghyuk really come here to acquire the [Final Ark]?⸥ The belated realization flooded in. The regressor weary of the scenarios could only carry on because the scenarios existed. Yoo Joonghyuk then began gathering all of his remaining Stories. All these Stories belonging to a man who had finally escaped from the curse of regression bared their collective fangs at Han Sooyoung. "Hit me with everything you've got, Han Sooyoung." ⸢This was Yoo Joonghyuk's last stand.⸥ Every cell in her body was ringing alarm bells. The regressor who had repeated lengthy lifetimes. A certain emotion floated upon those eyes that had been described dozens, hundreds of times before. Han Sooyoung knew very well what that emotion was. Yoo Joonghyuk wished to die in this place. Not by the hands of anyone, but by the existence who had written his very first sentence. "Screw you!! You've never, ever done what I wanted from you, so what the hell!!" Kwa-aaaaaaah-!! Yoo Joonghyuk unleashing all of his might swung his fist again – one attack that focused all of his great Stories. The
climax of the fight was about to be reached. Han Sooyoung too unleashed all of her Stories. And then… An explosion akin to a star blowing up rocked the world. Everything hurt as if her entire body had been pounded on. Every bone in her right fist thrust forward was broken. Her companions cried out, while other spectators screamed. Han Sooyoung endured the force of impact while stuck in this ringing pain harsh enough to tear out her eardrums. Her whole body was now left in tatters. Yoo Joonghyuk was collapsed on the ground, unmoving. Her heart began pounding away. "Yoo Joonghyuk?" The tips of his hand trembled ever so faintly. He slowly opened his eyes and looked up at her. She panted heavily and barely managed to force out some words. "…This is a little different from back then in the Dark Castle, right?" The moment she finished saying that, both of her legs gave way. When did she get hit? All the bones in her knees had been completely crushed. "Doesn't look that way," muttered Yoo Joonghyuk. "You son of a…" Two of them collapsed face-first into the ground. Han Sooyoung crawled towards Yoo Joonghyuk. Her anger didn't seem like it'd abate soon unless she smacked him just one more time, somehow.
Her hand shaking precariously was about to slap him in the back of his head, but unfortunately, his own right hand shaking pitifully grabbed onto her wrist first. And so, the arms of two people started a contest of what little strengths they had left in mid-air, only for them miss each other and sag down weakly. They truly had not one drop of energy left to continue. The torn scars left behind in the skies by the collision of their Stories could be seen. And the view of the distant <Star Stream> could be spied within the horribly-torn sky. The few remaining stars of the night sky sparkled and sent their faint rays of light on the two people. Yoo Joonghyuk staring at that spectacle for a long while spoke in passing. "…Kim Dokja is supposed to be scattered to the rest of the universe." Kim Dokja's soul, scattered away into fine little pieces. How much of him truly remained within those tiny fragments? Even Han Sooyoung couldn't be sure. Except that, she was sure of the tiny 'Kim Dokjas' being born as some things in the mouths of the worlds she hadn't even thought of. He might be reborn as a human. Maybe the place was similar to Earth. Maybe this time, he'd be born in another continent, not in the Korean Peninsula. "Do you think that that fool has become happier now?" The moment she heard him, Han Sooyoung felt that something had finally come to an end. The mouth of her heart ached really painfully. She could clearly hear the sounds of something breaking – the sounds of a story coming to an end. The sounds of their truly long mourning finally drawing to a close. That was the sound of
someone only living in their past finally letting go of that very past. Right at that moment, Han Sooyoung was overcome by the bizarre guilt of corruption, of betrayal. "Kim Dokja, he…" ⸢Was it possible that he didn't want us to give up?⸥ Could it be that even if everyone else let go of their long, agonising sorrow, he wished for just one person to continue on with the acts of sheer stupidity at the cost of ruining their life? She heard Yoo Joonghyuk coughing away painfully and muttered out what she needed to say. "I'm sure he's doing well. He's a tough guy, after all." "…" "He's probably living a life of his own out there, and living it happily, too. Who knows, he might be reading some other weird book in the meantime, too." "Even if we find him, the fool probably won't remember anything." This was the end of their mourning. There was no meaning in crossing the world-line anymore. Even if they did find that 'Kim Dokja', what could they possibly do? They couldn't certainly impose the past on someone who didn't remember. The reincarnated Kim Dokja wasn't the 'Kim Dokja'. The one they knew no longer existed in this universe, no matter where they looked. Even then, Han Sooyoung still blurted out something strange.
"We don't know that. If the 'Ways of Survival' also exists in the place where he's reincarnated into, then…" Right away, she felt puzzled by why she said something like that. "As I said, the Ways of Survival…" Her mouth continued to mutter out, perhaps to reject her own will. ⸢Kim Dokja, the 'Oldest Dream', has been scattered throughout the universe.⸥ Her mind began spitting out disorienting sentences one after the other. ⸢This universe is maintained by the imagination of the 'Oldest Dream'.⸥ ⸢In that case, what is the 'Oldest Dream' dreaming about right now?⸥ Creeping goosebumps crawled up her arms. She didn't even want to think about it, yet… ⸢"Ahjussi from another world-line probably likes books, too. Right?"⸥ This was truly a nonsensical delusion. Even then, despite knowing that, Han Sooyoung couldn't stop her thought process. Kim Dokja, reading someone's novel while carrying an expression she couldn't imagine on the other side of the distant universe.
"That guy, he… Is he still curious about the conclusion to this story, I wonder?" Han Sooyoung asked. "…What are you talking about?" "What if… What if the countless 'Kim Dokjas' scattered to the rest of universe read a certain story all at the same time…" ⸢Why did Constellations try to spread their own stories as far and as wide as possible?⸥ ⸢How come the foundation of this world was 'stories'?⸥ "What if all those Kim Dokjas who had forgotten that he is the 'Oldest Dream', dreams of the same story?" The way to rediscover Kim Dokja, without ruining the lives of the reincarnated Kim Dokjas living in other world-lines. Han Sooyoung's hazy, indistinct sounding voice continued on. "What if the story he's dreaming of… is the same as the story we all wish for…?" Her chain of thought was broken only after a pitch-black shadow was cast over her head. "This area was earmarked to be renovated as a public park, but thanks to you two, it's complete chaos here." Since when was it? Anna Croft was standing there. "Are you planning to cross the world-line again?" Han Sooyoung belatedly regained her wits after seeing that woman's face. She then remembered the delusion she'd been cooking up just now and felt ashamed by it.
From the get-go, that idea was nonsense. To make Kim Dokjas of other world-lines dream of the novel she had written. What a crazy and empty talk that was. More importantly, there was no way to cross to other worldlines in this world, anyway. But then, Anna Croft's expression was somewhat strange. "I thought that a day like this might come sooner or later." Her eye was emitting the crimson glow. Her gaze was now directed at the steeple of the museum. At the replica of the [Final Ark]. Han Sooyoung's heart began beating faster and faster. Such a thing was not possible. It shouldn't be possible, but… How? Ku-gugugu… Slowly, so very slowly, the so-called replica began floating up from the top of the museum. Yoo Joonghyuk and his brows shot up high was already sitting up as he stared at the airborne object. The ark – its size might have been very small, but without a doubt, it was still an ark. "I collected some parts and had it fixed for the past 20 years, just in case. If none of you had returned, then I was planning to go and visit you. Although not many parts could be salvaged and the vessel has not been repaired completely…" The ark slowly floating up opened like a capsule and revealed its interior. This was a very small [Final Ark] where only one person could barely fit inside.
"It can be used. Except, only one person can ride it."
Chapter 546: Epilogue 5 - The Eternity and Epilogue, I Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk were taken away in stretchers to the hospital where Kim Dokja was staying. While listening to the round of Lee Seolhwa's non-stop nagging, Han Sooyoung calmly organised the plan of action she came up with. And exactly one hour later, she told the companions of her idea by using the most concise words she could think of, while leaving nothing out in the process. However, you speaking concisely and precisely didn't automatically mean your audience would concisely and precisely understand you. The companions' reactions were like this: "…What do you want to do, again??" Jung Heewon asked back, while both Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung dropped the jaws ever so slightly.
Han Sooyoung replied. "Okay, so, if I put it in a simpler perspective…" "You are aware of what you've been saying until now, right?" "…Uh? So you did understand me?" "We can't do that thing again. Did you already forget about the memories from two years ago? What happened to us after the group regression…?" "I'm not saying we should regress." "This and that are the same! If we cross the world-lines again…!" "I'm also not saying we should distort the other world-line's future, either. You did hear what I said, right? I just want to send a single novel to that side, that's all." Lee Jihye silently listening to the conversation finally opened her mouth. "Okay, what you're saying is, you want to show the novel written on this side to Dokja ahjussi in the other world-line. Did I hear you right?" "You did." "What meaning doing that will have?" Han Sooyoung started her explanation in a composed voice. "The 'Oldest Dream' is Kim Dokja. And that Kim Dokja was broken down into many pieces and scattered around to the rest of the world-lines before reincarnating into different existences. You with me so far?" "…You think I'm a dummy because I got an F last time?? Okay, so what's next?"
"The important part starts from there. The newlyreincarnated Kim Dokja might not be 'Kim Dokja' anymore. However, that doesn't mean he isn't the 'Oldest Dream', either. They themselves might not be aware of it, but all those souls are the 'Oldest Dream' that maintains this universe." Back when they escaped from the [Final Wall] for the last time, no one was left behind in the subway. Yet the universe's time didn't stop. Meaning, the 'Oldest Dream' hadn't disappeared. The souls that used to be Kim Dokja had scattered to the rest of the universe and reincarnated, and unbeknownst to even themselves, they were dreaming of the different universes. Yoo Sangah nodded her head as if she understood it. "So, you meant to use their power of imaginations." "The imagination of the Oldest Dream is reality, after all." "Making the reincarnated Dokja-ssi dream of the conclusion we all want…" "That's right. It'll be like we're presenting him with the source of imagination. So that they can dream about this world's conclusion." Han Sooyoung studied the faces of her companions one at a time and continued on. "No one will get hurt this way. No one born in other world-lines will get harmed. All we have to do is to make those guys read a certain story, that's it." Countless Kim Dokjas scattered throughout many world-lines would all be imagining it. Those born with various appearances, living in various environments.
There was no meaning in meeting them or bringing them here. The only thing the companions could hope for in this situation was a miracle. A miracle that could bring back Kim Dokja they all remembered. It was fine even if it was all a delusion, a lie – if only he could imagine their happiness… If only all those countless 'Kim Dokjas' imagined the one single universe… A short bout of silence descended on the room. A similar sort of expression was floating up on the faces of everyone. They knew full well such a plan had zero chance of becoming reality. In order to make this plan work, several impossible hurdles had to be cleared first. The one who spoke up as the representative of the companions was Lee Hyunsung, who returned to the country only about 30 minutes ago. "Sooyoung-ssi." He had returned in a hurry after hearing about Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung's news. His eyes always burning with righteousness and will to fight were now obscured by heavy shadows. "We're all too tired. We're too afraid of hoping." What made a person truly exhausted was not despair. No, it was 'hope' that seemingly was on the cusp of coming true but would never become reality.
Han Sooyoung also knew that. She slowly squeezed her fist tightly. "I know that. That's why I'm asking all of you for a favour." Lee Hyunsung's eyes trembled the moment he heard the word 'favour'. Han Sooyoung had never, ever used that sort of expression before. "I'm aware that it has a very low chance of becoming true. That's why this is merely… a type of ceremony, if you will. Something that must be done, to put the finishing touch on the past and to live the remainder of my life properly." Jung Heewon asked her. "…What can we help you with?" Rather than a verbal reply, Han Sooyoung placed her notebook PC on the hospital room's desk and accessed a certain text file, one that they were intimately familiar with. A novel with its title still left as "no subject". Han Sooyoung slowly, so very slowly, began typing the title of the novel. From that day on, Han Sooyoung poured her entire being on writing the novel along with assistance from her companions. Even if it was her, she didn't retain every bit of memories in perfect order, so to complete the story, she had to borrow her companions' own memories. "So, we'll make Dokja ahjussi read this novel… But, how will we do that?"
"We somehow need to make him come across it naturally, without him feeling any disharmony. To the extent that he doesn't even realize he's currently imagining this world." "Meaning, we gotta write a seriously entertaining story." "Dokja hyung read a boring novel till its end, so won't he read it even if we write it like, whatever?" Han Sooyoung looked at the glib-sounding Lee Gilyoung and shook her head. "We don't know what might happen, so we gotta do our best. Kim Dokja of other world-line might not be as patient as ours, after all." "Let me help!" "Me too! Noona, you don't know the lingo the teens use nowadays, right?" The novel was compiled in Kim Dokja's hospital room most of the time. After ending her lectures, Han Sooyoung would come to visit him in his ward. Other companions also took turns to pay him a visit. "Sorry, I'm late. I had an announcement to make tomorrow, so…" said Lee Jihye. "It would've been still fine to come after you were finished," replied Han Sooyoung. "No can do. Today's the scene of my awakening, right?" Lee Jihye's voice was filled with so much excitement. She scanned the manuscript Han Sooyoung had written and continued to yap on. "Wow. This place… Hah, I really almost died back then." "…"
"Keuh-heuh. Reading this part again still gives me the goosebumps. Eonni, you don't mind me asking you when I'm supposed to show up ag…" "If you're planning to bother me, just get out." "Ah? Why are you being so cold? I even found a mistake in the setting, you know." "A mistake? Where?" "I never said anything like this!" Lee Jihye pointed at the screen. Han Sooyoung glanced at the younger girl's phone, and spoke up. A closer look revealed that the scene in question came from when Lee Jihye was saying her piece during the theatre dungeon. Han Sooyoung explained. "Some creative licence is unavoidable, so some parts might be a little different from what happened in reality. But that part…" ⸢"Why do you think you're alone? We're here together, aren't we! No, hang on a sec… I'm always by your side, aren't I?! So, don't lose hope! Think about our kid…!⸥ "…I wrote that according to what Uriel told me, though?" One day. Two days. Three. Sentences were diligently compiled. When she couldn't recall the past properly, she'd even start pinching the sleeping Kim Dokja's cheeks. And when her resentment flared up for no reason whatsoever, she'd even write some weird things in the novel, as well. ⸢"Find the ugly king!"⸥
Well, it probably didn't matter, anyway. He'd not even realize that this was his own story, after all. The companions came to visit the hospital room in alternating turns as if they were entering confessional booths. "Actually, Dokja-ssi was cursing a little bit during here…" "Ah, don't write what I just said. Understand? …Hey, I told you to omit the part, so why?" They all seemed quite surprised by the fact that they still remembered so much of the story, and… "N-no, wait! Noona! I do respect hyung, but… But, what are you doing, portraying me as some sort of a religious fanatic??" …And, they seemed to be finding peace with the fact that they still remembered this story, too. They sometimes cried, or read the memos containing story beats that would soon form the part of the story in the future. Shin Yoosung asked. "By the way, why did you portray regression so negatively like this?" "Well, even in that world, Kim Dokja should only have one life, that's why. He might get badly influenced by reading this, right? I mean, he could still be a young kid there." At her reply, a shadow drew upon Shin Yoosung's complexion. "But, we regressed, didn't we? In that case, will it be fine to write this part differently from reality?" "Nah. I'm just going to write it as is."
"Pardon? But why?" "Doesn't matter who, every human is a regressor." There was a certain sentence she thought of while fighting against Yoo Joonghyuk. In all honesty, she didn't expect Shin Yoosung to get what she was saying, anyway. The younger girl stared at the sentences for a little while, before shifting her gaze to the outside of the window. "Our regression couldn't influence this world-line at all. When I think about it sometimes, it feels like the last night's passing dream. What is the difference between the past that couldn't change the present, and a delusion that can't change anything?" Han Sooyoung was somewhat taken aback from that, and her lips bobbed up and down in a pout, only for Shin Yoosung to shrug her shoulders and smile back at her. "What if we write it too hard to understand and Dokja ahjussi doesn't get it?" "…Kim Dokja will definitely get it." "You really do believe in him, don't you?" "If you're going to bother me like this, just get out." "No, wait! I've organised everything that happened in the past, you know! Even the 'Disaster of Flood' you asked me about, I have…" Not everyone was as helpful as Shin Yoosung, though. No, actually, the majority of them simply interfered with her writing, instead. For instance, in Jang Hayoung's case: "Hey, you!! You said I'm the second part's protagonist! What are you basing that on?! You making fun of me??"
"That's just a figure of speech. You're not the real protagonist, right?" Han Sooyoung replied. "Even then!" "I'll write side stories about you. In huge chapters, no less." "Cool." Lee Seolhwa passing by while pushing a stretcher past the room also said something. "Normally, healers in a story like this are portrayed as heal shuttles, aren't they?" "…Fine. Lee Seolhwa, you get a side story, too." On top of this, Lee Gilyoung completely skipping his school to come to the hospital, and Lee Hyunsung, throwing a big tantrum as if he had been wronged by something. "You just omitted all the events I had to go through after signing the contract with Abaddon! And also, I've lots of skills so why is it always cockroaches this and cockroaches that?!" "You've completely revised my military life! But, haven't I earnestly described everything that happened since my days as a private…!" "Both of you, will you just put a lid on it?! Kim Dokja is the main character of this story! I'm telling you, this isn't your story!" Han Sooyoung yelled at them. Even Constellations came to visit one by one after hearing about the news. For instance, Uriel carrying huge piles of unidentifiable documents while kitted out in a disguise of sunglasses and a face mask.
[You should've called me right away if you were planning to write something like this! And I have this much extensive data on the subject matter, too!] "…Can any of this data even be trusted? I mean, what you said differed quite a lot from what Lee Jihye told me, you know?" [N-no, well, it can be a tiiiiny bit different, but, but! This universe is truly vast and countless Kim Dokjas are living out there in countless world-lines, so…] After that, the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. [If you're going to write about my Story, you should've at least read the fully translated Journey to the West. Have you?] "I read it as manga." [In that case, you should know by now who the real protagonist of the Journey to the West is.] "I thought it was Tang Sanzang?" Then, the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon. [How disappointing. Have you really forgotten about my true name? It's already the second part, so how come my true name hasn't been-] "You never told me in the first place. And you know what, you don't have to tell me, either." And so – around the time the first draft of the manuscript with about 250 chapters was completed, Han Sooyoung became almost completed wasted from all the fatigue building up inside her. It'd be her first time writing a novel so
arduously like this. So many parts of it weren't to her liking, and too many portions needed lots of revising. But right now, the 'quantity' was her priority. Because… – Han Sooyoung. It'll be this week, Saturday. …Because there wasn't a lot of time left, that's why.
Chapter 547: Epilogue 5 - The Eternity and Epilogue, II Now normally, you'd need around two years at most to complete the first draft of a manuscript. However, there was no such leeway in this world-line. – The system is losing its powers too quickly. If we miss this week, then I fear that we won't have enough persuasive power to launch the ark. In the end, Han Sooyoung decided to start the first wave of transmission after finishing up the second part of the manuscript. The companions grew excited after hearing about the news of the manuscript's dispatch. Yoo Sangah asked. "How will you transport the file? In a USB?"
"We'll prepare for various contingencies, but… Fundamentally, it needs to be taken in the form of a Story," replied Han Sooyoung. "Who will deliver it, though?" "Obviously me." "No can do. If Sooyoung-ssi leaves, who will look after Dokjassi of this place if something happens to him?" Even if he was only a shell, he was still Kim Dokja. If something strange happened to him and Han Sooyoung possessing the Bureau's Story wasn't around, his main body might crumble away. Yoo Sangah continued on. "Let me go. I know the exact coordinates of the world-line where Dokja-ssi has reincarnated." But that only prompted Jung Heewon to try to dissuade her. "Sangah-ssi, you need to defend this world, you know! Let me go. Give me the coordinates." "No way! I'll go and meet hyung!" "I'm ahjussi's Incarnation, so obviously I should go!" "That's not right. I'm the foremost expert on all things related to the 'Demon King of Salvation', so it should be me…!" Lee Gilyoung, Shin Yoosung and even Jang Hayoung joined the fray, turning the inside of the hall into pure chaos. Constellations and Incarnations were arguing with each other, saying they should be the one to make the trip.
Yoo Sangah sighed while looking at them. "It's not as easy as you all think. Everyone here is aware of how dangerous it is to cross a world-line, yes?" "Well, yeah…" "If the coordinate I traced is correct, then the world-line in question is right at the outer-most edge of the universe." "Outer-most edge?" "Meaning, it's a world where 'scenarios' might not even exist." No one knew what the world Kim Dokja had reincarnated into was like. It could be fundamentally different from their Earth. "The system's grace could get much weaker when you reach there. Which means, the powers of both skills and Stigmata will naturally weaken, as well. The length of the voyage will be quite an ask, too." Anna Croft listening to the explanation nodded her head in agreement. She then looked up at the ark currently performing a test flight up in the sky. "As the vessel has been cobbled together as a single-seater, the equipment installed on board isn't the greatest. Especially when you're crossing the Dark Stratum, enduring the storm of aftermath will prove to be a massive challenge. Only the person possessing a very powerful mind is qualified. One mistake, and you may even end up as an 'Outer God', that's why." The 'Outer God' – that term cast a dark shadow on the expressions of a handful of the companions. They had recalled the sight of 'Hounds Chasing After the Abyss' doggedly pursuing them, that's why.
Unfortunately, Anna Croft wasn't done with her explanation. "And there are far too many world-lines where his soul has scattered to, as well. At the bare minimum, you'll have to cross hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of worldlines… Are you prepared for that eventuality?" Hundreds of thousands. Even if you were to cross one worldline per day, the trip might end up lasting for hundreds of years with that estimate. Even if it was for Kim Dokja, could anyone be able to last that lengthy period of time without losing their sanity? "None of you are capable." The man who could survive even when receiving the absolute minimum grace of the system. The man who would not lose himself even when swimming against the boundless torrents of time. And that's why, the man with the highest odds of succeeding in this mission among the companions. "I'll be the one to head out." The ark's passenger had already been decided. Eventually, the ark's date of departure had arrived. Han Sooyoung observed Yoo Joonghyuk currently getting ready to disembark from some distance away. "I'm not putting on that thing."
"Supreme King, you must wear it. Don't forget that you're no longer the same as your past self." Now, this was a spectacle she would've liked to show to Kim Dokja of five years ago. If he heard about how the prophet was trying to ensure the safety of the regressor, just what would be the thoughts entering his mind? "You're really becoming a bother." "You might be saying that now, but this will definitely come in handy later on. Being a Transcendent does not mean you're completely free from the system's influences. Transcendents are existences validated only through their opposition to the system. If the latter disappears, then the former's powers will, of course, grow progressively weaker in turn." Yoo Joonghyuk glared at Anna Croft with disapproving eyes, before putting on the offered equipment one by one. "This is a cumbersome attire for combat." "You are not going there to fight, so it'll be fine." Yoo Joonghyuk's new bloated appearance after putting on the spacesuit was truly a sight to behold. Han Sooyoung began teasing him. "That look really suits you." "…You're being noisy." "You should think this over. You really wanna do this?" Even as the departure time crept ever closer, Han Sooyoung still didn't feel confident at all.
⸢Honestly speaking, maybe there was no reason to go this far.⸥ The voyage about to take place this time was completely different from the regression or jumping between the worldlines. They weren't trying to change the past, nor were they trying to steal the right 'materials' to open the [Final Wall] of the other world-line. This voyage, in some ways, was much closer to a pilgrimage. One where he was trying to commemorate that one person they had been searching for all this time. "Hand over the manuscript." "Your manner of speech hasn't changed even though you stopped being a regressor." Han Sooyoung sighed and opened her right hand. The power of a Stigma she had been developing until now was circling around the tip of her hand. [Stigma, 'Cloud System', is on stand-by.] This was a similar method to how [The Fourth Wall] handed the text files over to Kim Dokja in the past. The Stigma itself was evolved from her [Predictive Plagiarism] capable of sending obtuse messages across the world-lines. "It's possible for those possessing this Stigma to share the manuscript. Coming back to Earth several times for the new versions will be too difficult even for you, so I'll just keep sending you the manuscripts through the cloud." "Are you telling me to learn your unique Stigma? We don't have the time to…"
"Right, we don't have the time. But there is a way to learn it super fast. You don't have a Constellation backer anymore, do you?" Right away, Yoo Joonghyuk realized what Han Sooyoung was saying. "You fool, are you really…" "You think I'm enjoying the idea myself?" While furrowing his brows, he accessed his attribute window. When his Stigma [Regression] vanished, his Constellation sponsor had disappeared as well. Sponsor: None He was a completely free man. "Are you suggesting that I take on someone weaker than me as my backer?" "But I won against you the last time." "I don't understand the rubbish you're spewing." "What, you wanna have another go?" Even though they didn't concede an inch and continued to bicker, they still finished signing the [Sponsor Contract]. Both of them knew this was the most optimum method available, that's why. [Constellation, 'Architect of the False Last Act', has become Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk's Constellation backer!]