"The Stigma 'Regression' only sends back one's soul. It doesn't send back the items in your possession. The coat I gave to the 1863rd turn's Yoo Joonghyuk was destroyed as he regressed. So, if you're really from the 1863rd turn, you shouldn't be wearing that coat." [Interesting. However, this is merely an item I personally purchased.] "Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't wear the colour white often." […Ask your second question.] – You are now using your right to ask the second question. I didn't hesitate and spoke up. "My second question. Are you the '1863rd turn Yoo Joonghyuk'?" My question caused the Secretive Plotter's complexion to waver ever so slightly. […Are you trying to mess with me?] "No, I'm being dead serious." [I am Yoo Joonghyuk who had experienced the 1863rd turn.] "In the past tense, is it." [I'm merely the 'Secretive Plotter' now, that's why.] – You have acquired the second answer. Unless one placed a special condition, one had to speak only the truth during the 'Three Divine Questions and Answers'. If one didn't, then one would be swept up in the storm of Probability's aftermaths immediately. However, I didn't spot any signs of the storm around the 'Secretive Plotter'.
[Now, speak the second reason why I can't be the '1863rd turn's Yoo Joonghyuk'.] "There are just too many inconsistencies for you to be the Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn." [What kind of inconsistencies?] "If you're really him from the 1863rd, then why did you send me over there to kill yourself? Logically speaking, it doesn't make sense, does it?" [That's because that action would create me. It's a simple time paradox. I was Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn, and only by you killing me there would I be reborn as the 'Secretive Plotter'.] "Sounds like you've been rehearsing that answer for a while there. It sounds so natural, too. Even if I assume that you're being truthful, quite unfortunately for you, you seemed less than satisfied after I succeeded in my mission. Also, you looked quite surprised, too." […Ask your next question.] "No, you go ahead first. I'll ask mine last." The 'Secretive Plotter' stared at me for a little while before eventually opening his lips. [Fine. What is the final reason why I can't be 'Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn'?] "I have a special method to find that out. I possess a skill that allows me to read the inner thoughts of the other party." [So?] "But then, the 1863rd turn's Yoo Joonghyuk became an existence that I can't read anymore."
I clearly remembered the moment that Yoo Joonghyuk left for the next turn. The moment when he broke free from being a 'Character', and even my exclusive skill, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' could no longer read him. [Does that mean you can read my private thoughts?] "No, I can't read yours also." [Then, what?] "However, the reason why I can't is different." [Activation of the skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' has been cancelled!] [Your degree of understanding on the applicable individual is simply far too inadequate!] [Your degree of understanding simply can't catch up to the Status of the applicable individual!] I quietly looked up at the messages floating up in the air. The 'Secretive Plotter' frowned deeply. [I can't accept that as your reason. You are…] "I'll ask my last question," said I, not giving him any chance to speak. "Back in the planet where I used to live, there happened to be a novel called 'Three Ways to Survive a Ruined World'." Almost instantly, the surrounding atmosphere changed. The expression on the Secretive Plotter's face sunk to its coldest yet. His eyes had become cold-blooded, as if he'd murder me at any given second.
I desperately resisted that aura and continued on. This was one question that I wanted to ask all along. "'Secretive Plotter'. Are you someone who knows the epilogue of that novel?" Yoo Joonghyuk had a dream. It was a really old and worn-out dream. For some reason, he was wearing a white coat inside it. He held the [Splitting the Sky Sword] that fit him like a glove. While gripping that weighty weapon, he was fighting against someone. When he took a closer look, he realized that the person in front of his eyes possessed the exact same countenance as he did. It was another Yoo Joonghyuk, but wearing a black coat, instead. He wasn't sure of why he had to experience such a dream. 'The 1863rd turn'. Maybe, it was because he ended up running into that guy. That was probably why he had to dream about something like this. Yoo Joonghyuk gritted his teeth. The gap he felt between his and the 'Secretive Plotter's overwhelming Status the moment they clashed remained so vividly etched in his mind even now.
Utterly disregarding his sentiments, though, the memories continued to slowly seep into him. He had become the Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn and was swinging his sword around. ⸢I'll die.⸥ ⸢I'll regress.⸥ Every time the swords collided, Yoo Joonghyuk felt the despair and loneliness of the 1863rd turn. Strangely enough, everything felt so natural to him. As if those emotions were his all along, since from a long time ago. Stab! Finally, the two swords stabbed deeply into the two stomachs. ⸢This story will come to an end here.⸥ ⸢Even then, everything will start from the beginning once more.⸥ Yoo Joonghyuk wearing the black coat scattered away first, and soon, even himself began scattering as well. The memories dissipated, and the emotions he barely managed to comprehend began abandoning him. He summoned up the last of his remaining energy and looked behind. His vision blurred and he couldn't see clearly what was there. However, it felt as if he had seen a bright and pure star. ⸢"I had grown curious of that world's ■■."⸥
⸢"For the next regression…"⸥ Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes shot open along with the loud noise of 'Beeeeep!' He panted heavily and spotted the white ceiling of the hospital room. And then, also heard someone's voice, too. "Finally, our slumbering prince of the forest has woken up." He turned his head to the side to find Han Sooyoung and Jung Heewon. The former bit and broke the lollipop before spitting out the stick and began growling at him. "Time to tell us just what happened back there, Dear Good Regressor, sir."
Chapter 418: Ep. 79 - The Secretive Plotter, III Han Sooyoung's demanding tone prompted Yoo Joonghyuk to start with his story. However, his tale sounded incoherent and he repeated himself over and over again. Ten minutes passed by like that – she eventually stopped listening quietly and spoke up. "Okay, that's enough. I think you're not in the right frame of mind here, so let me organise everything you said for you. You just indicate to me if I got it right." Now normally, such a one-sided declaration would've elicited a strong reaction from him, but Yoo Joonghyuk simply chose to nod his head, his expression dark, gloomy. Han Sooyoung immediately began her job. "You went to rescue Kim Dokja. But then, someone else showed up first to snatch him up. And that someone was whom we all know, the 'Secretive Plotter'."
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded again. "However, that guy had the exact same face as you and was wearing a white coat." "Correct." "What are the odds of that being a fake? I mean, that guy's so hard to believe, right? It's possible that the 'Secretive Plotter' disguised himself to look like you." "No, it couldn't have been a fake." "How come?" "He used the Story that the me from the 1863rd regression turn possessed." "…You mean, that Immortal whatever chuuni-sounding Story?" Han Sooyoung went "Thought as much," and nodded her head. Her irises expanded ever so slightly as her Story kicked into gear once more. [Story, 'Predictive Plagiarism', has begun its storytelling!] The only one left out of the loop, Jung Heewon, tried to say something, her voice sounding confused. "What are you two talking about? Are you saying that the 'Secretive Plotter' looks like Joonghyuk-ssi?" Han Sooyoung glanced at her for a bit, before replying with a long sigh. "Simply put, there are two Yoo Joonghyuks in this world-line." "…Is that even possible?"
"No reason why it can't be, if Yoo Joonghyuk from another world-line has crossed over to this one." "You can do that?" "Well, Kim Dokja went to another world-line through a similar method, didn't he? Now, the problem here is, just how powerful a being is he, when he's capable of doing something like this…?" Even the highest-ranked Constellations from either <Eden> or <Papyrus> couldn't cross to another world-line with their own powers. However, this 'Secretive Plotter' was powerful enough to deal with the requisite Probability all by himself. Jung Heewon's jaw dropped slightly as she muttered. "Just from which world-line could he…" "There is only one with the highest possibility, actually. The one Kim Dokja went to, the 1863rd world-line." The 1863rd regression turn. The final world-line for Yoo Joonghyuk as it was written in the 'Three Ways to Survive a Ruined World'. Yoo Joonghyuk looked at Han Sooyoung and asked a question. "How much do you know about that world-line?" "A bit." "At the end of that world, the me of the 1863rd turn divided into two and fought against each other. One of them died, and the other regressed." "I know. I saw it in my dreams several times already." "…Your dream?"
As if she was sick and tired of the whole thing, she vigorously waved her hands about. "We don't have the time to get into the details. In any case, you think the current 'Secretive Plotter' is you from the 1863rd regression turn. Am I right?" Yoo Joonghyuk spoke up, his face full of dissatisfaction. "It's not a definite thing. There are a few points that don't add up." "Such as?" "The strength of the 'Secretive Plotter' far exceeded that of 'me from the 1863rd turn' that I read about." "And then?" "Then…" Yoo Joonghyuk chewed on his lips for a while. "…I also got the feeling that he was hiding something from me. Such as, his white coat." "The white coat?" "My Stigma, 'Regression', doesn't send the items I possess alongside me when I regress. Meaning, there's no reason for him to be wearing that coat." "Maybe, he likes the white colour?" "I detest the colour white." "Isn't it possible that your taste might change?" "This matter can't be answered as easily as that. This…" "Are you saying that it's an issue with your gut feeling?" Yoo Joonghyuk nodded his head. "It was as if that bastard was mocking me."
"Mocking you?" "It was as if he deliberately wore that coat." He massaged his forehead and the words left behind by the 'Secretive Plotter' flitted in and out of his mind. […The 3rd turn. You don't remember anyth…] A weighty silence descended in the room. Han Sooyoung was deeply immersed in her thoughts as she rubbed her chin, while Jung Heewon could only smack her lips, not fully getting what was going on. A while later, the former opened her lips to speak. "Alright, fine. Let's sum it all up. Logically speaking, the 'Secretive Plotter' must be the 'Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn', but your gut feeling says otherwise. That's it, right?" "…" "In that case, let's begin with this assumption first. 'The Yoo Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn is not the Secretive Plotter'. Meaning, the Plotter is lying to you." Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes trembled. "…It's just my feeling, yet you are willing to believe it?" "It's not just anyone's gut but yours. Isn't it supposed to be, you know yourself the best?" Han Sooyoung grinned refreshingly. He then addressed her with a suspicion-filled expression. "Speak your hypothesis, Han Sooyoung." "Mm? What do you mean?"
"You already suspect who the 'Secretive Plotter' might be. Am I wrong?" This time, it was Han Sooyoung's eyes to narrow to a slit. "Hmm, since when did you become this quick on the uptake?" "…It's impossible for you to believe what I say, that's why." For a short moment there, their glares collided in mid-air. And through that exchange, both of them came to realize just what kind of images were floating up in the heads of the other. Not too long ago, they had discussed the possible identity of the 'Secretive Plotter'. Back then, Yoo Joonghyuk opined that the Plotter was 'Kim Dokja from the future', while Han Sooyoung, she… "Argh, just how long are you two going to talk among yourselves?! Just who is this 'Secretive Plotter'??" Jung Heewon's pressing words prompted Han Sooyoung to cautiously open her lips. "What I'm about to say is just a hypothesis, nothing more." "I don't care whether it's a hypothesis or not. I just want to know!" "I have been curious about something for a really long time, you know?" "Curious about what?" "What if, the novel 'Ways of Survival' didn't become reality?" "…What are you talking about out of the blue?"
"So, like, what if, somewhere out there in the universe, there is a world of 'Ways of Survival', as pure as intended and not been affected by either me or Kim Dokja?" Han Sooyoung continued on with her explanation. "In that world where neither <Han Sooyoung Corporation> nor <Kim Dokja's Company> exist, let's say there is this dumbass 'Yoo Joonghyuk' who repeatedly goes through countless regressions while losing his companions over and over again." "…Wait, you bastard…" "What if that Yoo Joonghyuk managed to reach the Conclusion (結) through innumerable losses… What if a version of Yoo Joonghyuk that saw the end of <Star Stream> through his own powers alone existed somewhere in the universe?" Han Sooyoung waited for a beat before shifting her gaze over to Yoo Joonghyuk. In his violently-rocking eyes, her reflection could be seen. "And what would a guy like that be thinking about when he's looking at the current '3rd turn'?" The 'Secretive Plotter'. The Constellation that didn't appear within the original 'Ways of Survival'. Even then, a being that possessed more power than any other Constellations I've met so far.
– 'Secretive Plotter'. Are you someone who knows the epilogue of that novel? That was the reason why I decided to ask this question. I was sure of guessing the Plotter's true identity correctly as long as he provided me with the 'right' answer. Eventually, the Secretive Plotter opened his lips. [I am refusing to answer that question.] "What? No, hang on…" – Constellation, 'Secretive Plotter', has used the 'right to refuse' on the third question. God damn it, I forgot about that. Both sides could exercise the 'right to refuse' once during this 'Three Divine Questions and Answers'. The Plotter was looking down at me with a pair of eyes that couldn't be read. For a brief moment there, I witnessed the Probability's sparks envelop his coat. [I feel tired. Enough. Now, go back.] "Hang on! The Q&A isn't ove…" Before I could finish, I was overcome with the sensation of space folding around me, and soon, found myself standing outside the hall. The sense of dejection rushed in as I stared at the firmly-shut door to the hall. – 'Three Divine Questions and Answers' has been temporarily suspended. – You still have one more right to ask a question remaining.
Normally, the 'Three Divine Questions and Answers' wasn't a ceremony that one side could wilfully delay like this. However, this 'Secretive Plotter' managed to do exactly that. I couldn't even estimate how powerful a Status he must've possessed in order to make something this unbelievable happen. I pounded on the hall's door and shouted out. "Open the door! This is not what we agreed upon! I need to get back to my companions!" In that instant, a powerful Status rocked the door and my Incarnation Body was flung away. I staggered back up to my feet and got ready to unleash my own Status. Unexpectedly, it was the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] who dissuaded me from doing that. "It'll be better if you don't." I sensed the ominous flow of air beyond the doorway and urgently withdrew my Status. Indeed, this kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk was right. My Incarnation Body was still gravely injured, and the other party was a being so strong that the current me couldn't even guess his actual power level. "You'll have another chance, Kim Dokja." "…And when will that be?" Kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks began looking at me with eyes reserved for when looking at a dumb fool, before one of them spoke up. "Follow us. We're going back to your lodging." I felt hopelessly lost by the prospect of returning to that circular room again, but as I was now, I didn't have much of a choice.
I could sense the multiple presences of 'Outer Gods' looking at this way from all corners of the corridor. Thankfully, I was a guest of the 'Secretive Plotter'. It was all too clear to see what would happen if I try to escape and become an 'uninvited guest' in the process. Go-ooooh… …Yup, not making a rash decision would be for the best, after all. Also, it wasn't as if I walked away with nothing from the current situation, anyway. ['The Fourth Wall' is faintly vibrating.] ⸢(There are quite a few faces I haven't seen in awhile. Looks like a group of Shantaks.)⸥ I was startled by the sudden voice coming from my inside. It was coming through the [The Fourth Wall]'s messaging system. Judging from the way it spoke… '…The Devourer of Dreamss?' ⸢(It is indeed I.)⸥ Now that I thought about it, I had an 'Outer God' residing inside me, didn't I? I completely forgot about it somehow. I began thinking that maybe I could ask for his help in my current predicament. ⸢(Looks like they are being friendly towards you.)⸥ 'Being friendly? You mean, that?!'
I stared at the 'Outer Gods' raising their tentacles up threateningly in my direction. The moment our gazes met, the end of one of the tentacles suddenly bloomed open to resemble a horrifying-looking flower. ⸢(They are curious about you. Now that is a rather uncommon event among Outer Gods.)⸥ I looked at that 'flower' bud swaying this way and that as if to win me over and shook my head in helplessness. '…It'll be hard to become friends with those guys'. ⸢(Hard? Why?)⸥ 'You must know why by now after reading this and that in the Library'. I walked past the Outer Gods emitting gloomy, foreboding aura and began recalling the final episode of the 'Ways of Survival'. ⸢(The final battle of the <Star Stream> is related to those 'Outer Gods'.)⸥ In the original story, Yoo Joonghyuk lost everything still remaining with him by that point. Every single Incarnation that helped him up until then all died in that war. Died, because of those monsters of Chaos that brought the destruction of the world. But then, the 'Devourer of Dreamss' said something rather unexpected to me. ⸢(Do you know why Outer Gods have become the Calamities?)⸥ 'That is…'
I seriously pondered it for a moment, only to fall into this strange, inexplicable chain of thoughts. Indeed, it sure was a strange thing; even a novel as brimming-full of detailed explanations as the 'Ways of Survival' failed to mention the origins of the Outer Gods. It was at that moment a certain theory popped up in my head. The true identity of the 'Secretive Plotter' and the origins of the 'Outer Gods'. Could there be some kind of a connection between the two? Before I could throw out a question regarding that theory, someone engaged me for a chat first. "I heard that you like reading novels." It was the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999]. I nodded my head. "Sure, I do. What about it?" "If you want, I can tell you a short story." "A story?" It was then the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks number [666], [777], and [888] all looked at [999] with baffled expressions. It seemed that this wasn't a part of the plan. Not even waiting for my reply, the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] began telling his story. "There was a wolf that continued to fight a lonely battle for a very long time. He had a goal he was chasing after, and there was a question he wanted to ask. For the answer to that question, he continued to fight."
"Is it an allegory?" "The wolf kept fighting. Hundreds of years, thousands, and maybe even for tens of thousands of years." I wanted to say that a wolf couldn't possibly live for that long, but regardless, the story continued on. "The wolf eventually reached the end of the battle and became the 'wolf king'. And he managed to find the answer in his own way. He had to pay the price of losing his entire pack in the process, but in the end, he came to accept that answer. Because it was the best possible answer that the world could provide him with. Now with that answer, the king began roaming the world." This was a rather vaguely abstract story, yet… "But then, one day, the king learned that there was yet another 'pack' existing somewhere." …Even then, this story sounded undoubtedly familiar, too. "In that pack, he found the exact same wolf as himself. That wolf possessed the exact same goal as him, and was surviving for the same purpose as him, as well." I listened to the tale as if I had been entranced by it. "But then, something was different. The 'wolf' of this pack hadn't lost anything." Right now, this guy was telling me the story that the 'Secretive Plotter' didn't want to tell me earlier. "Finding his prey, protecting his pack, the distant goals he longed for – this wolf was achieving all those with the minimal amount of pain. Without losing anything in the
process. The king watched this spectacle, and suddenly thought to himself." Slowly, so very slowly, a chill crept down on my back. "If this story is brought to its conclusion as it was, then what was the purpose of the life I've lived so far?" Yoo Joonghyuk was now asking straight at me. "Kim Dokja. Have you ever thought about a life like that before?"
Chapter 419: Ep. 79 - The Secretive Plotter, IV All sorts of complicated thoughts rushed past my head. "I…" It felt as if someone was ringing a gong right next to my ear. I covered my mouth from the sudden rush of the sick feeling from my stomach. The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks kept looking up at me as I began wobbling about unsteadily. ⸢Kim Dokja knew who these beings were.⸥ The final revision of the 'Ways of Survival' spat out bright texts from inside my pocket. ⸢He knew, but at the same time, he didn't want to know.⸥ "Kim Dokja?" The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks realized that something was wrong with me and called out.
I needed to stop thinking. ['The Fourth Wall' is shaking.] Stop thinking. ['The Fourth Wall' is shaking intensely.] However, I couldn't. Pages were flipping over inside my head. As if there was a storm raging about in there, all those pages swirled up and flew at the same time to completely blanket my consciousness. "…Hey, you?" And eventually, my vision was dyed in pitch-black darkness. "Looks like he's learned of it now." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [41] spoke as if it was in passing. Next to him was the 'Secretive Plotter', sitting on the ancient, worn-down throne. "By any chance, did you deliberately give out that hint?" [That wasn't my intention.] "I don't see any reward for you after you even prepared props to put up a show like this." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [41] spoke as he stared at the Plotter's white coat. It was the same coat as the one Yoo
Joonghyuk from the 1863rd turn wore. The Plotter felt that stare. While taking the coat off, he spoke up. [I wasn't putting on a show. That guy from the 1863rd should've been a part of me originally. Just like all of you.] "However, he opened the door and left without warning, didn't he. While leaving behind that coat, too." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [41] took over the white coat. As if the two had been talking about something forbidden up until now, a short silence descended between them. The 'Secretive Plotter' wordlessly extended his hand towards the empty air. A circular table suddenly materialised next to the old throne. There was a wine glass filled with red wine on top of it. He lightly picked the glass up. [It seems that the scenario is progressing far quicker than expected. Its ripening degree is nothing to write home about.] "It's all because of that fool, Kim Dokja." [Has the Dokkaebi King made his move yet?] The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [41] flipped through the message log in the empty air. "No, not yet. However, Great Dokkaebis are now moving behind the scenes. The Wennys have contacted us, as well." [It'll soon start, then.] "I guess so." Two Yoo Joonghyuks stopped talking for a little while. Ominous howls could be heard coming through the cracked
walls of this palace built to resemble a circle. Those were the cries of the Outer World's hounds searching for them. The 'Secretive Plotter' opened his lips. [41st. You are the most similar 'Yoo Joonghyuk' when compared to me.] "What an honour that is." [You'll soon die.] "Have we not come this far for that exact purpose?" They stopped talking again. Pale-white light suddenly glowed in the empty air, and soon, <Star Stream>'s broadcast screen appeared there. The 'Secretive Plotter' flipped through the screens as if he was bored and spoke up. [There isn't much left till the end of this long story, then.] When I opened my eyes, I found myself inside the Library. ⸢Kim Dok ja, so an noy ing.⸥ I heard the Wall's faint voice and shook my head to regain my wits. 'Sorry about that'. The lights from the lanterns brightened up the dim darkness. It seemed that I was sucked into [the Fourth Wall]'s interior once more. The Wall had protected my mind from breaking down, in other words.
I massaged my pulsing head and took quick, short breaths. I needed a bit more time before my mind cleared up sufficiently enough. How long did it pass by like that? Eventually, only one line remained etched inside my oncechaotic mind. ⸢The 'Secretive Plotter' is Yoo Joonghyuk from the original 'Ways of Survival'.⸥ He was not the Yoo Joonghyuk I met in the 1863rd turn, nor the guy I experienced the 3rd turn with. No, he was someone I had never met before. Indeed, he was Yoo Joonghyuk who witnessed the conclusion of the <Star Stream> before the '3rd turn' even had the chance to begin. – Hang on, author-nim! What will happen to Joonghyuk-ie now? When it's like this… I recalled the last comment I made on the final chapter of the 'Ways of Survival'. That novel came to an end and left everything up to the epilogue. The answer to the question I was dying to know… I slowly got up from the spot and took a look at the bookshelves around me. [Yoo Joonghyuk, records from the 4th turn, eighth volume] I stood there dazed after looking at the book's spine, revealed under the gentle light. The stories that I grew up reading were here.
I slowly reached out towards that book's spine. My fingertip touching the end of the spine trembled faintly. This was the story that I read over and over again. Each of those phrases was my life, my blood, and my flesh. But now, why did such a story feel so… …Alien to me now? I forced myself to grab that book, hoping to get rid of this feeling. This was a story that I could enjoy reading regardless of what time it was and which page it was, anyway. This story wouldn't betray me. If I read it, I should feel better. Just like how it always did. Rather coincidentally, the page I flipped to was the scene of Anna Croft and Yoo Joonghyuk in a face-off. The novel's Yoo Joonghyuk spoke his line. ⸢"This is because of you."⸥ My hands trembled as I flipped the page. I couldn't work up the courage to read what was on the next page. Maybe, I didn't have the qualification to do so, too. I was happy reading this story? My entire life amounted to nothing but me reading about someone else's sorrow and pain? In that case, how was I any different from those damn Constellations up in the sky? ⸢(What will you do?)⸥ I looked behind to find Nirvana there. ⸢(There are two 'Yoo Joonghyuks' in this world.)⸥
The librarians had gathered around me. Three pairs of eyes were now looking at me, pitying me. Nirvana, Simulation, and then, the Devourer of Dreamss. I met each of their gazes and asked. '…What do you guys think?' ⸢(Do you wish to acquire the opinion of this one?)⸥ Nirvana stepped forward to reply. He sounded confident as if he knew the right answer already. ⸢(No need to fall into a dilemma. Every creature started as one in the beginning, after all.)⸥ "You're going on about that 'one' again?" ⸢Everything was one, to begin with, so what does it matter if there are two or more Yoo Joonghyuks? Becoming one with all the Yoo Joonghyuks is the utmost important providence of the cosmos…!⸥ Yup, it was my fault to ask this idiot in the first place. I shifted my gaze and discovered that the master of the theatre dungeon, Simulation, looking back at me. ⸢(It seems that you're suffering under the weight of the guilty conscience.)⸥ Guilty conscience – was it alright to bluntly label what I feel into that sort of emotion? My hand holding the book trembled, causing the pages themselves to tremble as well. ⸢(Why do you feel guilt? Are you tormented by the misfortune he had suffered?)⸥ "I'm not too sure." ⸢(Regardless of what, you can't save him. He has already lived a life like that, and you simply read about his story.
That is the summary of your reality.)⸥ His voice, tinged with a certain logical sense, contained the wisdom of an ancient being who had read many stories for the longest time. The last one to speak was the 'Devourer of Dreamss'. It pushed up its glasses with its tentacles and spoke as if to mock me. ⸢(Oh, dear Constellation. Do you honestly believe that the great Plotter is asking for your sympathy?)⸥ The moment I heard those words, my emotions cooled down as if they were bathed in icy-cold water. It was correct. This emotion I've been feeling was the same thing as me insulting every story I had read. Besides, now wasn't the time to swim in these trivial emotional mires. Nirvana glibly continued on. ⸢(Looks like you've finally regained some of your lost senses.)⸥ Right now, I need to worry about much more realistic problems first. 'I need to return to my companions, but I don't have any methods of getting out of here'. The 'Devourer of Dreamss' nodded its head. ⸢(I'm sure that's the case. Within the N'Gai's Forest, he's basically the god, after all.)⸥ 'Do you know something, by any chance?' ⸢(I do know, but there's not much meaning even if I explain. Because you'd get only further away from their origins the
more you try to explain anything related to the 'Outer Gods'. Just like what the 'Recorders of Fear' have done.⸥ 'Recorders of Fear'… I seemed to have heard a similar story once before. Meanwhile, the 'Devourer of Dreamss' continued on. ⸢(The entrance and the exit lay in the same place. In most cases, a door with 'Pull me' written on it would open when you push at it. You must figure out why you're here. When you do, you will naturally discover the exit yourself.)⸥ I heard what the 'Secretive Plotter' said earlier after hearing those words. – When you're done with the Three Questions, you must figure out the 'reason you had to be brought' here. The reason why I had to come here. When I thought about it, maybe the 'Three Divine Questions and Answers' being suspended was a fortunate thing for myself. I might have been able to guess the identity of the 'Secretive Plotter', but I hadn't been able to figure out the reason why he brought me to this place. That guy, why did he bring me here? ⸢(He's a being who witnessed the end of one world.)⸥ The 'Devourer of Dreamss' spoke as if it already knew what my question was. ⸢(What can compel a being who already knows of ■■ to throw himself back into the great cycle once more…?)⸥ In that moment, I recalled a certain moment in my life. It was a piece of my memory from a very long time ago. I was a
young boy, sitting opposite my mother and reading a book resting on my lap. – Dokja-yah, please read it again. What would be the reason for an existence that knew the story inside out to read it again? ⸢Yo u go ou t now Kim Dok ja.⸥ In the following moments, my view broke up and I was swept up in a whirlpool. The sight of the Library scattered away like smoke. Everything spun around until my consciousness returned to where it belonged. Still suffering from the slight case of migraine and dizziness, I slowly opened my eyes along with a soft groan. [Current Incarnation Body recovery rate: 34%] Drips of Story fell one at a time from the IV pack filled with Stories, currently attached to my arm. And there was information on my Incarnation Body floating up on the display in the air. [Currently, the injection of healing medicine cannot be administered due to the extensive damage to your foundational Story.] [Natural recovery is recommended.] [You currently possess high resistance against elixirs.] [You can consume a new type of elixir to boost the rate of recovery.] I struggled to push myself up. Every corner of my body still ached like crazy, but still, movements in my joints felt a lot smoother than before.
"Biyoo." As expected, Biyoo didn't reply. However, I was greeted by another message, instead. [You're currently connected to a temporary channel.] A temporary channel – meaning, this place was not an official scenario location of the <Star Stream>. "Total numbers of connections." [Number of Constellations currently connected to the temporary channel: 2] It was saying '2', which was as clear as you could get, as much as the number of clicks the 'Ways of Survival' got. I began thinking. If I wanted to escape from this place, there was little choice but to have another face-to-face with the 'Secretive Plotter'. But, I wasn't sure if he'd meet me again that easily. In that case, there was only one other method left. [Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is calling the Constellation, 'Secretive Plotter'.] If the bastard didn't want to meet me, then… [Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is looking at the Constellation, 'Secretive Plotter'.] Then, until he looked at me again. [Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is throwing a temper tantrum in the Constellation, 'Secretive Plotter's'
direction.] Yup, I just needed to annoy him. [Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is…] [Constellation, 'Secretive Plotter', is glaring at you.] As expected, a response came. Just before I could send back another message, though, the door to my room flung open with some force. "You insane fool. Why are you making a ruckus like this?" "Oh, so you came." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [666] was glaring at me. "If you want something, you can simply call for me. So, stop with the barrage of noisy indirect messages." Since these kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks were all dependents of the 'Secretive Plotter', they must've been able to hear my indirect messages, too. In any case, that [666] seemed to be tasked with caring for my well-being. What surprised me there, though, was that he held what looked to be some kind of a smartphone-like device. Unfitting for a mini kkoma, the phone itself was the regular 'big' size. "Why are you looking at that thing? Were you playing a mobile game?" I got up from the bed and quickly snatched the phone away from the unguarded hands of this idiot. Yoo Joonghyuk's original profession was the 'Pro Gamer', so it wouldn't be all that strange for him to play a game of some
ki… …Eh? "Give it back to me this instant!!" [666] leaped up and smacked me in the waist while roaring out in anger. I simply stared at the display in pure stupefaction, though. …Hey, this isn't a game, now is it?? [You're currently connected to two channels.] [You're currently in the area outside the scenario's control. You are now connected to the official channel via a proxy channel.] The smartphone's screen was displaying a rather familiar background. ⸢"Dokja ahjussi is alright. He's definitely alive. I can tell."⸥ Just below the [LIVE] icon, indirect messages from Constellations I was familiar with were cascading down as if it was some kind of a chatroom. [Constellation, 'Bald General of Justice', is nodding his head energetically.] [Constellation, 'Maritime War God', is consoling the members of <Kim Dokja's Company>.] [Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', is…] What shocked me even more could be found at the bottom of the chatroom display.
[Constellation name: Secretive Plotter] [You're currently a VIP subscriber.] [Due to one of the VIP membership perks, you are exempt from the cost of indirect messaging.] – Please select the expression you wish to convey. [Currently, you have selected (Stay Strong).] – Please enter the amount of coins to be sponsored. (You can sponsor from 50 Coins upwards in the applicable channel.) [(No amount has been entered) C] – Please enter the message you with to convey through indirect messaging. [Forgetaboutfoolslikehimandchooseanewleader (You have exceeded the word length input limit.)] I stopped reading there and looked down at the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [666] in sheer dumbfoundedness. "Hey, I'm asking you just in case…" "…" "By any chance, the one who sent all those indirect messages was…" "It's merely my turn today! Give up the device immediately or I'll kill you, Kim Dokja!!" The deeply-blushing kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [666] held the [Splitting the Sky Sword] tightly and panted angrily. Only then did I finally figure out something that I failed to understand until now.
So, I had these kkoma idiots to thank for all those countless indirect messages the 'Secretive Plotter' allegedly sent my way. ⸢"When he comes back this time, let's just throw him inside a coffin and bury him somewhere. It'll be better to let him out only after the scenarios are over."⸥ Lee Jihye said something hair-raisingly scary just then. I watched the kids sitting together on the screen and my heart began aching as if I had been sneak attacked just now. It hadn't been that long since we parted ways, yet I missed them already. Whatever the cost, I had to return to them. Because the 'Apocalypse Dragon' scenario was already over, so if I didn't hurry back to where they were, then… Tsu-chuchuchut! That was when the Probability's sparks went on a wild dance; one by one, Dokkaebis began appearing in the skies of Seoul. I spotted Bihyung among them as well. ⸢[New main scenario has arrived!]⸥ God damn it… So soon? Bihyung inside the screen began speaking up. ⸢[<Kim Dokja's Company>. It's now time to leave for the Final Scenario.]⸥
Chapter 420: Ep. 79 - The Secretive Plotter, V "…Final Scenario?" Jung Heewon frowned deeply while staring at the blinking message in the air. The 'Final Scenario' was already starting? The Apocalypse Dragon scenario was supposed to be 89th. So, did this mean that the 90th scenario was the last? It wasn't just her who was confused by this, though. Every Constellation still riding on the Ark exchanged glances and began murmuring among themselves. […What does that even mean?] [Wait, did the 99th scenario start already?] Some of them even began lodging complaints to Dokkaebi Bihyung, too.
[What kind of an underhanded scheme is this? It's not the time for the Final Scenario to start…] [Are you planning to take <Kim Dokja's Company> away separately?] Bihyung studied the reactions of these Constellations before shaking his head. [The invitations to the Final Scenario are being issued since from a while ago. More correctly, ever since all of you decided to wake the 'Apocalypse Dragon', that is.] His declaration caused the Constellations to become noisy among themselves. A few of them seemed to have realized something, and while looking around the vicinity in worried eyes, began shouting out loudly. [I-in that case, send us to the Final Scenario, too!] [T-that's right! We also possess the qualifications!] Bihyung spoke as if to pacify them. [I'm sorry, but I'm not in charge of you, everyone. But, if you possess the requisite qualifications, then the assigned Dokkaebis will arrive soon to guide you, so please rest easy.] However, his tone of voice was definitely not a friendly one. [That is, as long as you are qualified, of course.] Complexions of the Constellations paled visibly. And soon afterwards, the Ark made another announcement. – Next stop is the 8612th planetary system. The 8612th planetary system. Where the planet Earth was, the home to <Kim Dokja's Company>.
Bihyung shifted his gaze over the members of <Kim Dokja's Company> as if he could no longer delay the matter. [Well, now. Everyone from <Kim Dokja's Company>, please gather around.] That prompted Han Sooyoung to step forward. "No, hang on a minute. We finished the last scenario only a few days ago, you know?" "Please let us head over to Earth first. We haven't completed our preparation for the next scenario yet." Jung Heewon also pitched in. One by one, the companions gathered around – Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, and Lee Jihye, too… They all carried confused, unsettled expressions. Bihyung sighed softly under his breath. [As I thought, it's really inconvenient without Kim Dokja around, isn't it. If only he was here, he'd have understood it already.] "Just what's the reason for hurrying us up like this? If you can't give us a proper explana…" Bihyung's lips quietly moved. – There aren't that many entry tickets remaining. You gotta go there as soon as possible to secure yours. Those words were conveyed through the 'Dokkaebi Communication'. The members of the <Kim Dokja's Company> looked at each other at the same time. If this Dokkaebi was sending a covert message like this, it could only mean that he didn't want other Constellations to hear him.
However, what was with this 'entry ticket' thing? Did they need such a thing for the next scenario? Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly made his entrance from behind the hesitating group. "Let's get going." "But, hang on!" Yoo Joonghyuk remained adamant even when Jung Heewon tried to stop him. "The Final Scenario won't start just because we enter its location. It's the right decision to heed his recommendation." "But, what about Hyunsung-ssi…" "Entrust him to my master." Jung Heewon hurriedly looked at Han Sooyoung. The latter seemed to be thinking about something for a bit and then, grabbed the former's shoulder. "…For the time being, let's go there. There must be a reason if he's being so insistent like this. Maybe, Kim Dokja might have gone ahead of us and is waiting there. It's worth checking it out." The words 'Kim Dokja' brought about resolute determination on the members' expressions. "I agree." "Me too! Me too!" Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, and even Lee Jihye all quickly made up their minds. Jung Heewon seemed to be worried about Lee Hyunsung until the end, but eventually nodded her head after listening to Yoo Joonghyuk's words. "We might be able to find a way to revive the 'Emperor of Steelsword' sooner by going to the Final Scenario's location."
"…In that case, I don't have a reason to hesitate anymore." [Well, let's get going, then.] Along with Bihyung's voice, <Kim Dokja's Company>'s surroundings were dyed in bright light in an instant. [Scenario transmission is starting!] Perhaps due to the higher-ranking Dokkaebi's authority being invoked, the time it took to move through the portal was short and comfortable. In the blink of an eye, the group found themselves transported to the middle of pitch-black outer space. More specifically, on top of a semi-transparent disk that allowed them to look down on the universe itself. "Where…" The disk was protected by a dome-shaped barrier with only one entrance/exit, while there were several Dokkaebis standing in front of this very doorway. Yoo Joonghyuk took a look at the Dokkaebis once, and then at the doorway, before muttering to himself. "It's the <Gate of Star Stream>." "You know where this is?" He nodded his head at Han Sooyoung's question. "It's where the Bureau's headquarters is. You have to pass through here in order to enter the Final Scenario's location." "Sounds like you've been here before? Were you caught by the ⸢Probability Appropriateness Evaluation⸥ or something?" "No, it's my first time here."
"Then how did you know? Did the records from the 1863rd turn mention this place?" "That is…" Suddenly, he grabbed his temples and staggered unsteadily. He knew of the records from the 1863rd turn, thanks to the 'Secretive Plotter'. However, those records didn't contain any information regarding this scenario. Kim Dokja hadn't said anything in particular, either. In that case, how did he know of this information already? Tsu-chuchut… Sparks faintly danced just above his coat. Lee Jihye sensed that something was wrong and as she reached out to him, rays of bright light exploded from the Gate's vicinity. Another batch of Constellations, as well as Dokkaebis, warped into this place. [Constellation-nims, please, it's this way.] Constellations and Incarnations brushed past their group in perfect order under the guidance of Great Dokkaebis. And among them walking past <Kim Dokja's Company>, was 'Heoche', the very same Dokkaebi who showed up to offer them a choice earlier. [Didn't I say it before? That you'll all regret your decision.] Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at each other after hearing that Great Dokkaebi's passing voice. Something was off about this whole thing.
Quite unlike this Great Dokkaebi's group that went past the Gate rather easily, <Kim Dokja's Company> wasn't even able to approach its vicinity at all. Bihyung was standing by the entrance, and the group could hear him arguing with the gatekeepers there. [What is the meaning of this? We've already gone through all the procedures. These Incarnations possess the right qualifications to enter the Final Scenario. So, please step aside.] As the Gate emitting pure light swallowed up the Great Dokkaebi's group, it stopped first and whispered something to the captain of the gatekeepers. Unable to wait any longer, Bihyung stepped forward, only for this captain to open its lips. [Higher-ranking Dokkaebi Bihyung, you and <Kim Dokja's Company> can't enter the Final Scenario.] When I was young, I often had dreams where I became Yoo Joonghyuk. Well, he occupied the places inside me that should've been filled by the likes of Superman or Batman, that was why. Not only that, I often acted as him even when I was wide awake. I got beaten up because of that, and also experienced some pretty horrible ordeals, too. Even then, I managed to survive until now because I became such a 'Yoo Joonghyuk'.
⸢"Captain, let's hurry and head over to the next scenario!"⸥ Of course, it wasn't only Yoo Joonghyuk who made an appearance in my dreams. Indeed, the brave Lee Jihye was there, too. And… ⸢"Maintenance of the equipment is complete, Joonghyukssi."⸥ …The dependable Lee Hyunsung was also there, and finally… ⸢"Captain, are you alright? Your complexion isn't so good…"⸥ …The thoughtful Shin Yoosung was there, too. In a way, they were like my family. If Yoo Joonghyuk was my parent, then Lee Hyunsung was my hyung, Jihye was my older sister, and Yoosung was my friend. I loved their stories. I cheered them on during their fights, and took a peek at their misfortunes. And I… …I wasn't really sure if this could serve as an excuse, but I truly wished for them to be happy. What had happened to them by now, I wonder? The last thing I saw was Yoo Joonghyuk's face. ⸢"It's all because of you."⸥ Suddenly, my view spun around. I spat out a pained groan and opened my eyes. "Your complexion isn't so good. Are you alright?"
I was wondering why my chest felt heavy, but as it turned out, the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] was standing on it. He used his mini [Splitting the Sky Sword] to pick up a cup resting on the nearby table and handed it over to me. "Drink." "…Thanks." My mind gradually woke up after drinking some cold water. [Current Incarnation Body recovery rate: 36%] Although negligent, my Incarnation Body was slowly recovering. Of course, it wasn't enough to make me feel satisfied. – <Kim Dokja's Company>. It's now time to leave for the Final Scenario. The sight I saw in [666]'s smartphone last night didn't want to leave my head. My companions were already facing the offer of the Final Scenario. I no longer had time to waste here. "You can leave whenever you want. As long as you can figure out the answer yourself, that is." "It's that thing again?" I grumbled unhappily and sat up, but then, the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] threw an unexpected question in my way. "Name the type of food you hate." "Why, all of a sudden?" "Shut up and answer the question."
I was momentarily overwhelmed by the little guy's force. "… It's tomato." He pulled out a small memo pad from his inner pocket and jotted down 'tomato' in neat handwriting. Why was he writing that down, anyway? "What about your favourite food?" "…Murim dumplings with chicken broth." My answer prompted a change of expressions in [999]'s face. "Looks like your tongue knows its stuff." Well, sure, my three-inch tongue helped me live this far, that's true. "81st turn is in charge of cooking. His swordsmanship might be lacking, but he's quite talented when it comes to making food. Look forward to it." Now that I thought about it, 81st turn Yoo Joonghyuk learned quite a lot of cooking skills for some reason, didn't he? It seemed that he was in charge of meals in this place, then. [999] finished jotting down on the memo, jumped off from the bed and glanced back at me. "If you're uncomfortable about something, tell me. Even a dumb guest is a guest nonetheless." "There is something I want to ask, actually." "As long as it's not an unnecessary one." "Why did Yoo Joonghyuk become an 'Outer God'?"
The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk's expression hardened ever so slightly. I continued with my questioning. "Not only that, he even acts as a Constellation with a moniker of 'Secretive Plotter', too… The 'Yoo Joonghyuk' that I know of would've never done something like this. He's…" One of the things I realized after coming here was that almost all the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks didn't really like me. Quite often, they would try to pick a fight with me for no reason, and rarely did they provide a proper answer whenever I asked them about something. However, this [999] was different. There was that story about the wolf, too. It was as if he wanted to tell me something here. Thankfully, my gut feeling wasn't wrong. "Just what is the 'Yoo Joonghyuk' you think you know?" His voice contained faint traces of scorn. I didn't know what to say. "Do you still believe that you can understand someone through just a few lines of text in a couple of chapters?" I couldn't reply. I wasn't sure why. It could be because I thought that I had no right to answer him, or maybe I couldn't find the correct words to say. [999] quietly studied the indecisive me, before shooting me a criticising glare. He then pulled some things out from a drawer attached to the table to throw them at me. "I heard that you like to read. Maybe, reading that might help you.
That book is written for the purpose of understanding the fear of the unknown by foolish humans like you." What [999] threw at me were several books. I picked one of them up to take a look. [A Brief Overview of Outer Gods – regarding the 'Secretive Plotter' and the 'Oldest Dream']
Chapter 421: Ep. 79 - The Secretive Plotter, VI This was a book written by the 'Recorder of Fear'. The 'Recorders of Fear' – the very first humans to encounter the Outer Gods, and the writers who also spread the word on their existences. [Exclusive skill, 'Reading Comprehension', is activating!] [Exclusive Attribute, 'Scenario Interpreter', is activating!] I couldn't help but feel my anticipation grow after seeing the book's title. To think, this would be a story regarding the 'Secretive Plotter' and the 'Oldest Dream'. The Plotter often brought up this 'Oldest Dream', so I hoped that this could be an important opportunity to learn more about that 'thing'. I didn't even notice that [999] had disappeared by then, all my being focused on reading this book.
Exactly eight hours later, I closed the book's cover, my face one of pure stupefaction. "This…" I knew of a perfect expression to describe this sort of book. "It's even more boring than 'Ways of Survival'…" I had no idea who wrote it, but if this book got published in the various platforms of the 21st century, then I was sure of it tanking as badly as the 'Ways of Survival'. Not only was it boring, it was also quite a hard read, too. "…Just what on earth was it even talking about?" However, there was this one thing that I did understand. Which was, there were five great 'Outer Gods' in the expansive [Great Hole]. ⸢The 'Living Flame' that rises up from the east.⸥ ⸢The 'Master of the Sunken Island', the calamity of the world in the west.⸥ ⸢The 'Monarch of the Great Abyss', the ruler of the northern universe.⸥ ⸢The 'King of Silver Heart', the ruler of the interstellar space in the south.⸥ ⸢And finally, the 'Great Plotter' that crawls from the place of nothing.⸥
"…This set-up is even cooler than the Ways of Survival." In the context of the things so far, this 'Great Plotter' moniker seemed to signify the 'Secretive Plotter'. Actually, there were several interesting parts among the texts related to the Plotter himself. ⸢A few Recorders of Fear who had encountered the 'Great Plotter' came to learn that he was searching for the 'Oldest Dream'… (Omitted)… Those lucky Recorders were able to ask the Great Plotter about the identity of the 'Oldest Dream'.⸥ ⸢[It is the beginning of this universe and the master of the gigantic cogwheel. My oldest mortal enemy and my parent. And the one who decides the end of everything.]⸥ ⸢The few Recorders of Fear managed to see the Great Plotter's expression the moment those words were spoken, and they fainted right away. After waking up, they could no longer remember who they were anymore.⸥ …Records written by a bunch of people who couldn't even remember themselves? Was that why the author of this book was simply stated as a 'Recorder of Fear', instead? I wanted to read more about either the 'Great Plotter' or the 'Oldest Dream', but the majority of the book didn't contain records of those two, but rather, a collection of boring anecdotes related to the general overview of the 'Outer Gods', instead. Even the plot development was all over the place. Quite often, a story would end abruptly without warning just as it was getting interesting, or the sequence of events