would be jumbled up even within the anecdote itself and made it utterly impossible to make heads or tails of it. I wasn't just talking about one story here, but every single one of them, so I just couldn't get immersed within the book at all. ⸢(What an interesting story.)⸥ It was none other than Simulation who decided to butt in. '…Which part was interesting to you?' ⸢(This book has been deliberately engineered this way.)⸥ 'Are you saying that it was written deliberately to be boring?' ⸢(The message this story wishes to convey is quite clear.)⸥ 'If the author wanted to convey a message, then he should've written it in a way that others could understand'. ⸢It's written with the idea that 'Those who can't understand it, will not'.)⸥ 'Pardon?' I thought I heard a light sigh, and then tiny sparks danced in front of my eyes. The power leaking out from [The Fourth Wall] flipped through the pages of the book and began extracting several paragraphs. And once those seemingly disparate paragraphs, taken from different short stories, were connected, they formed the following lines of texts. ⸢Emotions, passed down from the distant, remote universe. That is the flow of the ancient times that this writer could
never follow after. We were terrified.⸥ ⸢They were like monsters from a universe we couldn't recognise.⸥ ⸢This 'Fear' didn't stem from what we could predict. This was pure 'Terror' emanating from those that we could never understand.⸥ ⸢With great difficulty, we assigned names to each of those Terrors. We wanted to pretend that, by assigning names to the creatures of the unknown, we'd be able to understand them.⸥ Only now did it feel like the message this book wished to convey was revealing itself. ⸢Of course, whether our attempt has any meaning or not, only they can decide.⸥ After reading that resignation-filled paragraph, I thought I could see why the 'Outer Gods' ridiculed these 'Recorders of Fear' so much. All those Modifiers attached to them, strictly speaking, didn't reflect their original essence. ⸢If you, the reader, meet them someday, remember this. The one who stares into the abyss will have no choice but to either go mad, or become the abyss itself.⸥ Having finished my second read-through, I closed the book while feeling despondent. "…I've gained pretty much nothing here." In the end, there was only one thing I got to figure out from this book. ⸢'Outer Gods' are unfathomable creatures.⸥
Those were some pretty irresponsible words, that's for sure. Such words could be applied to just about anybody, not only to the 'Outer Gods', now couldn't they? ⸢'Yoo Joonghyuk' is an unfathomable creature.⸥ ⸢'Han Sooyoung' is an unfathomable creature.⸥ You could say something like that and it'd still fit the context. Even if it was not an 'Outer God', it was true that we couldn't fully understand each other. We might feel like we could, but that was nothing more than a momentary delusion on our part. Some time ago, I had a conversation with Jang Hayoung regarding this topic. The 'Devourer of Dreamss' silently listening to my thoughts began cackling away. ⸢(You're correct. That's the message this book wishes to convey. In the end, we are all simply 'Outer Gods' to each other.)⸥ I put the book down and looked outside the window. It was circular-shaped, just like the circular room it was in. Sunlight poured in faintly. I spotted the 'Outer Gods' enjoying the sunbath in between the forest's dense foliage. Some of them discovered me and waved their tentacles about. As if I was looking at a scary scene from a fairy tale or something, I continued to stare at those tentacles. It could very well be that their outer appearance didn't reflect their true nature. Now that I took a closer look, their movements seemed to be rather graceful, too. ⸢(Only those who reach out can discover the truth.)⸥
Maybe, there was no need for me to read that book from the get-go. Well, 'Outer Gods' were everywhere in this place, weren't they. I sneakily observed my surroundings for a bit, before activating [Miniaturisation] to slip outside the window. I floated up and approached one of the 'Outer Gods'. It also extended its tentacle towards me. I didn't sense hostility behind that action. ⸢I d on't car e if yo u reg ret it.⸥ Even after [The Fourth Wall] warned me, I still reached out towards that tentacle. I always regretted about something in my life. However, my regret over the things I hadn't done was way bigger than for those that I did do. [Exclusive skill, 'Reading Comprehension', is activating!] The very last scenario of this <Star Stream> was a great war against the 'Outer Gods'. And through that war, the 'Outer Gods' would disappear from this world. They were the only creatures in the 'Ways of Survival' without any detailed explanation. I wanted to ask them. Ask them just where they came from. Ask them for what purpose they were fighting against the <Star Stream>. Not even once during the original story did the 'Outer Gods' reply to those questions. They only roared on, or spat out incomprehensible utterances and fought against the Constellations. That was all.
Tsu-chuchuchuchu… ['The Fourth Wall' is warning you!] I grasped the Outer God's tentacle. As if it was responding to my touch, the tentacle wrapped around my hand like a tree's vine. The 'Recorder of Fear' said this. They said that the 'Outer Gods' were unfathomable, unexplainable existences. They said that no one knew where they came from or what their real identity was. They could be right. My current actions might be completely meaningless. We might end up fighting each other later, like how it was in the original storyline, and bring forth the wretched destruction and ruination to all. Suddenly, my surroundings seemed to be blanketed by a slow-moving melody. Under the brilliant sunlight, 'Outer Gods' were, one by one, bowing their heads in my direction. [Story, 'One Who Is Loved by All', has begun its storytelling.] Tiny flowers began blooming on the vines created by the Outer Gods, as if they were giving me their precious hidden something. Fragrance wafted out from those flowers, soon becoming lyrics to a song. And afterwards, it formed a story. ⸢"Captain."⸥ It was a fragment of a very old memory. ⸢"Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi."⸥
I listened to those voices like an entranced man. They belonged to different people, but I could accurately guess the owners of those voices with my eyes closed. I had been thinking about this for a long while. If the 'Secretive Plotter' was Yoo Joonghyuk from the original story, and just like what he had shown me, if the countless world-lines of the 'Ways of Survival' existed out there, then… The innumerable failed stories within those regression turns, just where would they have ended up in? ⸢"In the next life, without a doubt."⸥ ⸢"Even if you regress many more times, I'll always accompany you, captain…"⸥ The surging waves of memories swept me up in an instant. These memories lacked any obvious starting point, and they were not consistently linked to each other, either. However, I was able to follow them. As if I was connecting the constellations that couldn't be connected previously. Perhaps only I was able to connect them in this world. And in that moment, I understood. I understood what the 'Outer God' was, why Yoo Joonghyuk from the original story had to become one willingly. …And, why he had no choice but to become the 'Secretive Plotter'. The story of pain that went on for tens of thousands, hundreds, maybe even for millions of years. Stories discarded by the world-line and couldn't be acknowledged as
'Stories'. And the fragments of Stories that became the subconsciousness of the worlds, drifting around in the universe and ruminating on the ancient memories. Finally, the voices of those that were not saved. [Oooooooohhhh…] Branches of the 'Outer God' enveloping my surroundings like a garden began expanding. I couldn't take my eyes off these memories, even though it felt as if I'd asphyxiate from the crashing waves of them. ⸢"Please, remember us."⸥ I grabbed hold of the Stories crumbling away at my touch and began sobbing. These were simply far too precious. And I felt uncontrollable sorrow now that no one remembered them. I could neither understand or change this. All I could do, whether it was back then or now, was to simply 'read' them. 'Outer Gods' began screeching out all at the same time. [YouknowusYouknowusYouknowusYouknowus] [WhoareyouWhoareyouWhoareyouWhoareyou] The vines began tightening around me. I heard sobbing noises coming from the Outer Gods. It sounded like they were happy. Or maybe, sad. It was the ancient cry resonating from the distant other side of the universe. ⸢Tol d y ou not to do it.⸥
Outer Gods rushing towards me soon formed a dense, impenetrable forest. Vines grew and grew, choking me harder and tighter as if to swallow me whole. As if, they wanted to accept me as one of them. As if, they wanted me to join them and stay forever. I somehow managed to regain my wits and struggled hard to get out of there while pushing the vines away. Unfortunately, the more I did that, the tighter their restrictions became. [DON'T GO] [HOW COME] I couldn't afford to get devoured here. If I really wanted what's best for them, then I must not faint here. [CAN'T GO] Even before I could unsheathe the Unbroken Faith, both of my arms were sealed off. Just as I was about to get helplessly dragged into the darkness of the vines, blinding rays of light split them apart. It was a mini [Splitting the Sky Sword], visible under the faint sunlight. I raised my head to find the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] glaring at me. "You bastard, what have you done?"
Chapter 422: Ep. 79 - The Secretive Plotter, VII "Just what the hell happened back there?" Bihyung hung his head low after hearing Han Sooyoung's words. "You were busy talking a big game, but then, we got refused entry at the door… Oii, Dokkaebi, will you say something already?" [Well, that is… Fuu…] In the end, the <Kim Dokja's Company> couldn't go to the 'Final Scenario' and had to return to Earth. The reason? Their 'qualification is insufficient'. [It seems that the Great Dokkaebis were behind this.] "You think everything'll be fine after saying that? How're you gonna make up for wasting our time?"
[…I'll compensate you with suitable rewards so please, stop grilling me.] While the grumbling Bihyung was rummaging through his pockets, Han Sooyoung sighed deeply and took a look at her companions. They had somehow returned to Earth after going through all sorts of crazy ups and downs. Predictably, none of them were themselves at the moment. "He might have died for real this time… I'm sorry, hyung… I… I wasn't qualified… Because I didn't do the contract…" Lee Gilyoung had been muttering some indescribable things to himself while crouching over there, while Shin Yoosung had her eyes closed and both of her index fingers were pressed to her temples as if she was meditating or some such. Meanwhile, Lee Jihye and Jung Heewon had taken Lee Hyunsung to Aileen at the [Industrial Complex] and had vacated the premises for the time being. "…This place hasn't changed at all. That ahjumma didn't even bother to clean the house, did she?" Han Sooyoung muttered to herself as she patted away the dust on the aged couch. Once upon a time, she, Yoo Sangah, and Lee Sookyung stayed together in this very house. A place where they lived together for three years during Kim Dokja's absence… Her brief reminiscence was cut short by the doorbell. She utilised the [Black Flame] to remotely open the door and smirked to herself. "…I guess the ⸢Devil showing up when you talk about her⸥ could be a Story as well."
"It's been a while, Sooyoung-ah," said Lee Sookyung as she scanned the messy state of the house. She eventually shook her head. "You're still the same as before. You should at least ventilate the place." "I'll have you know, I've returned only just now. And it's already been so many yea…" Han Sooyoung flinched when she got that far. She might have spent dozens of years in the 'Isle of Reincarnators', but that was time spent within the island itself. She couldn't really tell exactly how long it had been on the outside. Lee Sookyung opened all the windows in the house with a simple flick of her hand and sent away all the stuffy dust outside. Her eyes remained fixed on the group sagging on the floor in the meantime. Han Sooyoung sneakily blocked the older woman's view towards them and coughed to clear her throat, before asking a question. "By any chance, did Jung Heewon tell you already?" "Tell me what?" Han Sooyoung lightly bit her lip. She wasn't sure how to explain this situation. "Well, you can see that Kim Dokja isn't here." "Hmm, that's true. I learned of it just now, too." She thought that maybe, she shouldn't have brought it up, but it was spilt milk already. Han Sooyoung squeezed her eyes shut and spoke. "The reason why he's not here, it's… Me, Yoo Joonghyuk and Jung Heewon, we all wanted to save your son and tried to go with the soul's one big hit, but…"
"Please get to the main point." "Huh. Actually, ahjumma, your son's gone to some place with someone. But that place is…" "Are you perchance speaking of that?" Han Sooyoung followed Lee Sookyung's pointing finger and turned her head. The TV mounted on the wall was playing a news footage. The scene on the screen showed a man wearing a white coat floating in the jet-black sky, with Kim Dokja dangling off that man's arm. – Breaking news! <Kim Dokja's Company>'s president kidnapped! Han Sooyoung's jaw dropped to the floor as she muttered softly. "…What the heck is that?" For some unfathomable reason, the Earth's media had found out about that event. Lee Sookyung and her rather relaxed expression stared at the screen for a little while, then she nodded her head. "That boy. He's still so popular." "Ahjumma?! Don't you get that it's a pretty serious problem??" "But, he looks like Yoo Joonghyuk-gun¹. So, what can be a serious problem?" "Because that's not the 'Yoo Joonghyuk'. That's the problem." Han Sooyoung spat out a groan. But then, the TV's screen suddenly rewound itself back and the exact same footage played out again.
– Breaking news! <Kim Dokja's Company>'s president kidnapped! She looked around wondering what was going on here, only to discover the stupefied Yoo Joonghyuk continually poking the TV remote. He rewound the footage several times and repeated it over and over again. Han Sooyoung asked him. "…Hey, are you alright?" "…" "You won't regress even if your rewind that, you know? Did you even forget how to go back now?" He didn't even pretend to hear her. His eyes burned scarily as if he wanted to engrave the appearance of the 'Secretive Plotter' in them. The Status of the Regressor who refused to accept his defeat oozed out from him and made the air in the living room rather stuffy and hot. Han Sooyoung spat out an even greater groan. "Dammit. Just who the heck distributed that footage…" [Hum, hum.] She turned her head yet again to find Bihyung this time, coughing to clear his throat. "…You haven't left yet?" [Here's your reward.] Now that she thought about it, she had forgotten all about the reward payout. She extended her hand out, and the Dokkaebi's small hand placed 500 Coins on her palm. "Are you messing with me??"
[Well, the thing is, the financial state of the Bureau's Seoul branch is a bit strained lately, you see… And what with all these many things that require our attention, it's like…] Bihyung whistled while glancing at the other side of the sky. The Seoul's sky that should've been clear was now dyed in the ominous colours of crimson and yellow. There were Probability's sparks lashing down like lightning bolts, as well as the pitch-black [Great Hole] swirling around viciously. Han Sooyoung frowned deeply and asked. "Did something happen to Seoul?" "The skies have been like that for a while now." This city was no longer the location for the main scenario. But, if the apocalyptic phenomena were still persisting like that, it… [It's because of the Apocalypse Dragon.] Bihyung looked at the sky with a bitter expression, pulled out a lengthy smoking pipe from his inner pocket and mouthed it. Perhaps she found that sight unacceptable, Han Sooyoung snatched the pipe away and yelled at the Dokkaebi. "What are you talking about?! Why does the Apocalypse Dragon's effect reach this far?" [You don't know? I thought Kim Dokja would have told you already.] "That idiot never tells us the most important information." Bihyung pulled out a second smoking pipe looking rather unperturbed and spoke while lighting it up. [The revival of
the Apocalypse Dragon is the first button of the great annihilation for all of us. You can think of it as the world-line now rushing towards its end with that thing wide awake… This was why I told you that we need to hurry to the 'Final Scenario'.] "…What will happen if we don't get to the Final Scenario?" [As the word implies, it's the apocalypse. You, me, this world.] That composed declaration prompted the dumbfounded Han Sooyoung to sharply shoot back. "What the heck, what is even… What's the point of this 'Final Scenario' when the whole world is about to be destroyed? Why did you people even create such a scenario in the first place?!" [The great annihilation is not a scenario planned out by the Dokkaebis. It's simply meant to be. And because the annihilation is real, the 'Final Scenario' has gained its purpose at last.] Bihyung looked up at the distant skies with an expression of remorse. He saw the movements of a group of stars, hurriedly trying to get to some place. Stars of the heavens were getting further away like shooting stars. [Oh-oooooooh!] [Ah-aaaaaah!] The 'Outer Gods' unleashed their jet-black Statuses, dyeing the entirety of the N'Gai's Forest in pure darkness.
The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks managed to extract me from the vines and quickly stood all around me. The kkoma number [999] spoke up first. "Protect Kim Dokja." "I told all of you this before, didn't I? I knew he would cause a problem." "Indeed, we should've killed him the first time we saw him." Even though they spat out some seriously scary words, all of the mini Yoo Joonghyuks continued to hold their [Heaven Shaking Swords] firmly and didn't lower their guards. They sliced and cut the approaching tentacles and advanced forward little by little. Maybe because it was directly after witnessing something truly shocking, my entire body seemed to be wrapped in this cold air. The kkoma number [999] took off his black coat and placed it over my shoulders. "I only remember telling you to read a book, so why did you have to provoke them?" I wasn't sure what I could say back to him here. [999]'s eyes trembled. "…You fool." [Oh-ooooooh!] The howling Outer Gods' true voice reverberated heavily in the sky. Insects within the forest vomited out their bodily fluids and died, while some of the Gods even began fighting among themselves, too. [999] spoke in a grave tone of voice. "These beings have not been understood for a very long time. And you just had to get involved."
'Outer Gods' were flooding into where we were. [GivetomeGivetomeGivetomeGivetome] [KimdokjaKimdokjaKimdokjaKimdokja] What was even more concerning, though, was the fact that not all Outer Gods carried the same sentiments as their peers. A few of the higher-ranked ones, after sensing my presence, began to exude unfiltered animosity in my way. [Stin ki ng Cons tel ation has lo oked down on us.] [Ki ll him get r id of h im.] [No fo rgiving e ven if y ou are Plo tter's gue st.] "Step aside, members of the Shantak!" "We will cut you down if you come closer." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks all unleashed their Statuses and resisted, but the 'Outer Gods' didn't back down at all. They approached closer one step at a time, and while emitting dizzying Statuses themselves, cried out in a loud roar. [Oh, Pl otter! We can no lo nger wa it!] [F or ho w long do we n eed to wa it? The wo rld-l ine's end is ap pro aching!] I knew very well what they were talking about. The world-line's end. Even these guys, as expected, were fully conscious of the 'Final Scenario'.
[Th is wo rld mu st unde rstand us] "Step aside!!" The tentacles closing in grew even more ferocious. Eventually, their Statuses became simply too much for the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks to deal with, but then… The forest parted ways, and 'he' made his entrance. He walked forward while crossing the tentacles that none of us could block. Each of his steps contained the solitude of indescribable eternity as well as the entirety of the 1863rd lives he had experienced. Once upon a time, his name was Yoo Joonghyuk, but now, he was the 'Secretive Plotter'. A man who knew of every worldline's sorrow. Outer Gods knelt down in front of that absolute, overwhelming nobleness. [Oh, the gr eat Pl otter.] However, not all of them did. There were some 'Gods' who didn't want to bend their opinions even when subjected to the intense pain of their existences turning into nothingness. [Oh, the gr eat Pl otter, we can no lo nger wa it.] The ones no one could ever understand were wailing in sorrow. They raged on, and they mourned. Even then, their rage and sorrow were not understood. They didn't belong to this this world-line, and they couldn't be understood through the existing 'Stories'. One needed to work really hard to understand their rage, their sorrow and their grief.
[We wan t to be un ders tood.] [We w ant to bec ome sto ries.] Stories that needed one to work hard to understand could never be Stories. Stories that needed one to throw oneself deeply in first couldn't be consumed. The 'Secretive Plotter' opened his lips. [You will not be understood.] He looked at each and every one of them with subtle gazes, studied them, and gifted them with the cruel reality. [That is because this <Star Stream> has labelled all of you 'Terrors'. Because this world has described you all as 'Chaos' that destroys the order, as calamities that could never be understood. That is why.] It was then I finally understood why the 'Secretive Plotter' has chosen to side with these creatures. ⸢Why would a person who knows the end of everything repeat the same story over again?⸥ When I thought about it, the answer was a rather simple one. ⸢That's because he didn't like the end he witnessed.⸥ In the original story, Yoo Joonghyuk and Constellations defeated the 'Outer Gods' together. That's how he got to the end of the scenarios, and destroyed the <Star Stream>. [You will never shine in the sky like the Constellations, nor can you become the main actors of this world. As long as the <Star Stream> exists, you will all remain forever as 'Outer Gods'.]
However, he didn't find what he wanted. And now, after becoming the 'Secretive Plotter', Yoo Joonghyuk was stepping up to the battlefield once more. [Soon, the war of annihilation will commence. The end of everything will soon begin, where stars will fall, worlds will collapse, and all Stories will be extinguished.] I spotted the eyes of the 'Secretive Plotter' looking at me from afar. The [Sage's Eye] spun around within his pitchblack iris. [Oh, the great Plotter…!] [Oh, ooooooh!] According to the plot of the original story, these creatures would meet with defeat. ⸢For the sake of the conclusion Kim Dokja wishes for, these beings simply had to be defeated.⸥ <Star Stream> would be destroyed, while the stars of the heavens and the solitary gods would die with no one to remember them. The defeated would die extremely sorrowful deaths, while the victors would not get to bask in their victory. I began walking towards the 'Secretive Plotter'. "…Kim Dokja?" I heard [999] call out to me, but I didn't look back. I undid the [Miniaturisation], and my eye level changed rapidly. The black coat [999] placed on my shoulders wavered along with every step I took. [<Star Stream>'s Probability is now shifting!]
[Stream of the great main scenario is now dwelling in you.] Past the canopy of the vine-covered forest, the sea of stars of the <Star Stream> could be seen. On one side of the sky, stars were emitting bright light, while on the other side, ominous-looking galaxies alongside the [Great Hole] were quietly flowing about. Half of it, light, while the other half, darkness. Soon, the final war would begin. And most likely, I would have to stand on one of the sides to witness the end of the world. [Your second Modifier has been decided.] A small star flickered on the far side of the sky. I stared at it for the longest time, before slowly reverting my gaze back to the ground. The 'Outer Gods' were now looking at me. I returned their gazes and finally chose the side I'd stand. [Your second Modifier is the 'Watcher of Light and Darkness'.] [1] gun is a relatively rare Korean honorific, for casual use and peers.
Chapter 423: Ep. 80 - Our greatest ally, I [Kill him.] [KimdokjaKimdokjaKimdokjaKimdokja!] I began walking towards the 'Outer Gods'. The 'Secretive Plotter' didn't try to stop me. It was as if he was telling me to try anything I want. I took another step forward. The movements of the vines grew even more vicious. They extended out in an instant, and grabbed both of my arms. [HeknowsusHeknowsusHeknowsusHeknowsus] "Right, I do know you." I nodded my head towards them. [ButhowButhowButhowButhowButhow]
'But how'. I didn't know how to answer that question. When I failed to provide an answer, the animosity directed at me by the vines grew even heavier. Eventually, one of the tentacles wavering around flew in and pierced my shoulder. It hurt like crazy, but the true pain didn't come from the injured body part. I could hear someone's voice coming from the end of that tentacle. ⸢"I don't want to die."⸥ Was it an illusion? For a moment there, the tentacle piercing my shoulder looked like a sword. …Not just any, but the Twin Dragon Sword. And I knew the owner of this sword well. ⸢"I don't want it to end like this."⸥ Lee Jihye was crying. I belatedly reached out, but her crying face had disappeared by then. Her face slowly vanished, crumbling into debris and only the short, aimless voice fragments lingered on. 'The Nameless Ones'. "…I know." I suppressed the pain and spoke up. And then, yet another tentacle flew in towards me. The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] shouted out. As the bloody noise of my flesh being pierced resounded out, another voice entered my head.
⸢"Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi, which number Lee Hyunsung am I?"⸥ The Incarnation of steel, sturdier than anyone in this world. Just like before, Lee Hyunsung's figure scattered like bubbles as I reached out. My hand wandered the empty air, and his voice came to me from beyond the void. ⸢"Truly, is there an end to these scenarios?"⸥ "Yes, there is." I bit my lip and continued to walk forward. One step, and then, another one. Every time I did, fragments of the forgotten world-line talked to me. ⸢"I believed we could carry on for a little while longer."⸥ Lee Seolhwa, dying with her heart penetrated. ⸢"I don't resent you. Still, there is one thing I do regret…"⸥ Shin Yoosung, smiling faintly as she scattered away. ⸢"You're so dumb. Captain, I'm Kim Namwoon. You think I'll kick the bucket here? I won't die. I will definitely not die. I'll survive, and survive again to see the next scenario. For sure, the next scenario…"⸥ Kim Namwoon, passing on with his eyes still open. Memories from the regression turns that I couldn't even begin to guess. These were simply by-products of the failed world-lines, a collection of memories with no meaning to them anymore.
The precious something that Yoo Joonghyuk had been protecting even at the cost of becoming the 'Secretive Plotter'. ⸢"I ain't going to be your ally in the next turn. So, don't come looking for me."⸥ Gong Pildu. ⸢"Looks like you'll be left alone again, Yoo Joonghyuk."⸥ Anna Croft. ⸢"It's been an honour to fight alongside you, Supreme King."⸥ Selena Kim. Even the memories of those who used to be Constellations fleeted past me. Goryeo's First Sword, Cheok Jungyeong. The god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus… I stopped walking because of the sensation of the fierce flames from my right side. The tentacle holding onto my arm burned as it spoke to me. ⸢"I can still burn them some more."⸥ …Uriel. I nodded my head and replied. "I know." ['Outer Gods' are now looking at you.] I knew. But I couldn't understand. Because I wasn't them.
And that was why all I could say to them were these words. "This story isn't over yet." ['Outer Gods' are paying attention to your words.] "There are still some things left to be told, right?" I looked up at the 'Outer Gods'. These beings, portrayed always as either cephalopods or tentacled monsters. Creatures cursed with the most disgusting appearances by the world-line, because they were not needed by it. I spoke to them. "I'll tell your story." Right away, the surroundings were swept up in the frenzied storm winds. [Reallyreallyreallyreallyreally] [WhatdoyoumeanWhatdoyoumeanWhatdoyoumean] And from the other side, vicious animosity rained down on me. [Lies!] [Y ou th ink we wi ll fall for it the se cond ti me?] Upper-grade Gods began emitting their auras at me. I swallowed back the blood rising up in my throat and stared at them. I knew why they were reacting so violently like this. Because they had been continually used by the 'scenario' until now.
[Do kkae bis sa id the sa me th ing.] It was the 'Bureau' that learned of their existences first and had used them – the storytellers who, under the pretext of incorporating them into the scenarios, exploited their powers and Probability, and turned them into the 'Evil' of this world. I spoke up with my true voice. [I'm not a Dokkaebi.] [Y ou are a Con stell ation.] [I'm not affiliated with the Bureau, nor am I a collaborator of Dokkaebis.] [All Con stell ations are the sa me.] Those words stabbed and dug into my chest like a dagger. They were right. I was also just another Constellation who craved after Stories and leered on at their stories. However, because I was a Constellation, I got to know about something important, as well. [You will all definitely be destroyed when the 'final war' commences. Doesn't matter how you fight, you will still end up losing.] [How in sol ent, y ou ca n't tell th at wi thout fi ght ing fi rst…!] [No need. I already know. I've already seen all the world-lines where you fight. I do not wish to see you die like that this time around.] The branches of the 'Outer Gods' trembled from my words. [What do y ou me an]
[You say that you wish to be understood. In that case, I'll make you into a Story.] Right at that moment, the surrounding space-time distorted. Tentacles were trembling ever so imperceptibly. I sensed that vibration and continued on. [I'll ensure that you can stand on equal terms with the stars in the sky. What I'm saying is that, I'll create a Story where no one will misunderstand you or despise you.] The unrest slowly spread out. A large current of air swept across the 'N'Gai's Forest' as if it was the sign of an incoming storm. I didn't miss this opening and spoke again. [There is no reason for the 'final war' to start. There is no need for you to remain as <Star Stream>'s evil…] [Sh ut up] [The lik es of y ou da res to!] In the end, I did vomit out some blood. Upper-grade ostracised gods capable of destroying my body and killing my consciousness completely were descending down on me. [KimdokjadangerKimdokjadanger] [DontattackDontattackDontattack] Vines wrapped tightly around me. The 'Nameless Ones' were protecting me from the auras of the powerful historical-grade Outer Gods. [Pa the tic ones that don t e ven po sse ss egos.]
Ku-gugugugu! Just one true voice, and the dozens of branches were torn off. Even though they emitted painful screams, the smaller 'Outer Gods' protected me. And then, the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuks stepped in front of me as well. The 'Secretive Plotter' didn't try to stop them or dissuade them. He simply watched on as if he was not allowed to interfere with the decision making process this time. Just as the Statuses of the historical-grade Gods reached the critical point… [You speak of some amusing things.] Someone suddenly spoke up. A creature was walking out from a portal spinning around ominously. [Oh, pitiful illegitimate children of the world-line, he speaks of the truth.] [And y ou, a re?] [You shall become a Story once more and be a part of the story within the stream of stars. That is, as long as that unfortunate Constellation is willing to sacrifice himself for your sakes.] It was an old man with a very small stature, yet the shadow he cast was unimaginably large. There were two lumps shaking about on the cheeks of the giant shadow. [De vil of ho ri zon…]
I too knew of the race that old man belonged to. Indeed, I had a deal with one of them when I went to the Demon Realm for the first time. However, this creature right before my eyes was on another dimension compared to the 'Wenny' I met back then. There were countless Wennys in this world, but there could only be one with two lumps among them. [Oh, the master of the ancient library.] I raised my head to find the Wenny King staring at me with eyes filled with malicious interest. [Are you truly planning to become the <Star Stream>'s enemy for the sake of these discarded waste?] I could see the circular-shaped exit open up in the distant forest. And behind me, many Outer Gods had come to see me off. Their tentacles danced side to side like a forest of gigantic reeds. [KimdokjaKimdokjaKimdokja] [GoodbyeGoodbyeGoodbye] Most of them possessed similar outer appearances, but even then, I could just about tell them apart. That guy over to the left side was the kind-hearted one possessing a tiny little bit of Shin Yoosung's memories from the 12th turn. The one on the far right, meanwhile, was
blessed with a fair amount of 44th Kim Namwoon's… Hang on, didn't that guy stab me in the thigh earlier? "There is no need to go this far," said the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] riding on my shoulder. "The deal with the Wenny King is as absolute as they come. If you do this, then you will definitely…" "I won't die, so don't worry. By the way, are you planning to come with me?" [999] formed an unhappy expression after hearing my question. "As per our agreement, I'm tasked with monitoring you. It'd become troublesome for us if you get in touch with the members of<Kim Dokja's Company> and come up with an underhanded scheme." "But, I even did the existence pledge, saying that I won't contact them… Seriously, you Yoo Joonghyuks can be too much sometimes." The first agreement I made with the Wenny King, as well as the Outer Gods, was that I'd not contact the <Kim Dokja's Company> nor reveal my identity to them. And the second agreement was… [Your actions have triggered a new scenario to be created in the <Star Stream>!] [Hidden scenario has been generated!] I chuckled hollowly as I read the scenario messages. Even things like this became a scenario… As expected of the <Star Stream>, then. But then again, this world wanted to create a story out of its own destruction, so it shouldn't that surprising, really.
<Hidden Scenario – Verifying Agreement> Type: Hidden Difficulty: ??? Clear condition: Introduce 'Outer Gods' to the <Star Stream>'s main Giant Story. However, they must not be introduced in the existing role of 'Outer Gods' as before. Time limit: 100 days Reward: Outer Gods' trust, ??? Failure: You will lose all of your memories and transform into an Outer God. Give Outer Gods a role that wasn't about being 'Outer Gods'… Such a scenario didn't exist anywhere in the original story. A scenario acquired after persuading the Outer Gods and making a deal with the Wenny King. If I failed it, then I'd be transformed into an Outer God like them. This was the second condition of the agreement I made with the 'Wenny King'. ⸢However, succeeding in this scenario will ensure that Outer Gods wouldn't be destroyed.⸥ I looked at the exit of the N'Gai's Forest and did a light stretching exercise.
[999] asked me, perhaps finding me rather untrustworthy. "Where are you planning to go now? There shouldn't be any scenario with a 'Giant Story' remaining by now." He was right. Most of the Giant Stories existing in <Star Stream> had come to their conclusions by now. However, if my memory served me correctly, then one powerful 'Giant Story' should still remain. I pretended to ask [999] in passing. "By the way, do you also know about the stories from the 1863rd turn?" "I've heard about it from the Great Plotter." "If you guys enter the 'final war' like this, then you'll definitely lose. And even if you somehow miraculously win, not many of you will end up surviving." "Are you trying to curse us?" "No, I'm only stating the truth." No matter how powerful the faction of the 'Secretive Plotter' and the 'Outer Gods' was, they still couldn't fight against the entire <Star Stream>. Whatever the case might have been, the current rulers of this universe were the <Star Stream>'s Nebulas and the stinking 'Bureau'. "The best way to avoid war is to inform the other side that they would lose a lot by starting one in the first place." "What are you implying?" "Do you know which Constellation slaughtered the most number of Outer Gods in the 'final war'?" [999] carefully combed through his memories after hearing my question and made his reply. Although, his expression
indicated that his pride had been wounded just a little bit. "No, I do not." "The Status he possesses is so strong that normally, he has to divide himself into several pieces. Well, if I'm to describe him, he'd be pretty similar to the 'Secretive Plotter'." "…Similar to the Great Plotter?" "That's right. If only that guy didn't stand on the side of the <Star Stream>, if only he didn't perform the suicidal attack on the tens of thousands of ostracised gods… the course of the 1863rd turn would've changed by a lot." My words caused [999]'s eyes to tremble for the first time. It seemed that he had finally realized the identity of the Constellation I was talking about. "…Could it be?" The Constellation who sacrificed himself to take out countless other gods during the 'Ways of Survival's final war. There was only one being capable of doing that. I grinned and spoke. "You're right. We're going to go where he is and make him our ally."
Chapter 424: Ep. 80 - Our greatest ally, II A white figure of a person rose up in the pitch-black darkness. Yoo Joonghyuk swung his sword several times at this figure. From the Breaking the Sky Thunder Sword, even to the Shooting Star Slash. However, not one of his sword skills managed to even touch the enemy's shadow. Right after that, Stories collided. Jolted awake now, he opened his eyes while gasping out a pained moan. He was sitting inside the darkened training dojo, the sun having set already. A lengthy shadow was looking down on him. It was the Breaking the Sky Sword Saint. "Was he really strong?"
His master bent her back to settle down, her eyes filled with concern towards her disciple. Yoo Joonghyuk bit his lip and replied. "…He was." "By how much?" "Even after unlocking the Transcendence level 5, I couldn't win against him." The fifth level of Transcendence was the absolute limit that the current Yoo Joonghyuk had reached. The Breaking the Sky Saint quietly observed him for a little while, before opening her lips. "When you break past the Transcendence's sixth level, you'll no longer be bound by the [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship]'s gender requirements." Originally, the [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship] was a martial technique designed for women. But, as was the case with every martial technique out there, once one stepped past a certain level, they would reach the stage of 'Breaking Beyond Boundaries'. The process of endlessly exceeding many boundaries was the part of a Transcendent's training regime. "There is no guarantee of defeating him even if I reach the sixth level." "Why do you think that?" "He is me." For the first time ever, Yoo Joonghyuk's always-confident voice contained a faint trace of fear. "That man, he's none other than me who has regressed over 1863rd times. How can I defeat someone like that?"
It was a clear sign of despair. The moment he stood face to face with the 'Secretive Plotter', he witnessed a wall he couldn't overcome no matter what he tried. There was the gap of time between them that could never be bridged by the mere 3rd turn regression. His enemy had already surpassed that lengthy period of time to enter this world-line. The Sword Saint spoke. "He is not you." "…He is also Yoo Joonghyuk." "He has not tread on the same path as you have. And he'll not do so in the future, either." As if she wanted to wipe away the despair rooted in her disciple's eyes, her large hand gently stroked his cheek. She spoke again. "It's not the level of Transcendence you have reached, but which Stories you have acquired that's the most important part. You may be only a little chick who has regressed three times, but you know of Stories that he doesn't." Yoo Joonghyuk heard those words and looked down at his fist. It was a fist that failed to reach the 'Secretive Plotter'. He slowly unfurled his hand and Stories leaked out from there. Stories that he had acquired himself. Stories that the 'Secretive Plotter' didn't know. And… "The path of Transcendence is different for everyone. So, do not try to chase after him, and search for the path only you can tread."
He wordlessly clenched his fist tightly. As if he didn't want to permit any of the Stories to leave him. "…Have you heard any new information, Master?" The Breaking the Sky Saint shook her head. It had been over a week since Kim Dokja's disappearance. Unfortunately, neither his whereabouts nor the location of the 'Secretive Plotter' had been discovered until now. "You say that he crossed over from another world-line." "That's correct." "I do not know what his aim is, but if he bothered to enter this world-line at this point in time, then it's possible that his goal is somehow related to the 'Final Scenario'." Yoo Joonghyuk agreed with her opinion. In other words, there was a good chance that he'd encounter the 'Secretive Plotter' again by going to the location of the Final Scenario. "However, the current situation is that the <Kim Dokja's Company> can't enter the 'Final Scenario'." He nodded his head. – Stories you have acquired are insufficient to approve your participation in the 'Final Scenario'. On that day they failed to enter the 'Final Scenario', the <Bureau> one-sidedly sent that communique in their direction. However, he thought that made some sense. Because not only were they a newly-created Nebula, the number of Stories they managed to acquire was also rather small, as well.
However, one couldn't strictly argue that when taking into consideration the grade of the Stories they had acquired. Especially so with the ⸢Season of Light and Darkness⸥, the Giant Story they earned the last time that would be extremely hard to find its equal anywhere in the <Star Stream>. – Where is the representative of your Nebula? In the end, everything boiled down to Kim Dokja's absence. After the person possessing the highest percentage of the Nebula's Story shares left the group, the aggregate amount of Stories for the whole Nebula had become simply too inadequate. It was unknown what Yoo Joonghyuk was thinking to himself as he maintained his silence. And how long went by like that? He slowly raised himself up off the floor, sheathed the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] and although still unsteady on his feet, got ready to leave. "Where are you planning to go?" "I'm leaving to acquire a new Giant Story, Master." He needed to acquire the qualification to get to the 'Final Scenario' even without Kim Dokja's shares. <Kim Dokja's Company> was neither that fool's private army nor his underlings. This group needed to be able to protect themselves without him around, and even if they end up losing him somehow… …They needed to be capable enough to clear the 'Final Scenario'. [Baat…]
Biyoo murmured in despondency from somewhere in the empty air. Yoo Joonghyuk silently stared at her for a little while, before activating the [Sage's Eye] to sift through the information he possessed in his head. There weren't that many locations left at this point in time where he could acquire a 'Giant Story'. When flipping that statement around, it also meant that the remaining Stories would be that much more powerful than others. He had already acquired one powerful Giant Story called the ⸢Season of Light and Darkness⸥. If he managed to earn 'that Story' on top of this, then it might be possible to fight against the 'Secretive Plotter' once more. The Breaking the Sky Sword Saint watched Yoo Joonghyuk walk away and asked him. "Are you planning to go alone?" "I've always been alone, Master." "But, that path is the one already tread by the other party." His Master's words caused Yoo Joonghyuk's figure to flinch. In the next moment, a voice came out from beyond the walls of the training hall. "Hey Yoo Joonghyuk, where are you?? We gotta get going, now!" With the blinding light behind them, the members of <Kim Dokja's Company> opened the door and rushed inside the dojo. Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Lee Jihye, and Han Sooyoung… It was unknown since when they got ready to leave, but regardless, everyone from the Nebula was here.
The Breaking the Sky Sword Saint spoke again. "They are precisely your Story now, Joonghyuk-ah." Something that the 'Secretive Plotter' did not possess. Yoo Joonghyuk dazedly looked back at his Master, and she addressed him again. "You don't have to fight alone in this regression turn." The location of the new 'Giant Story' was four days away. It would've been so much quicker to get there by borrowing the powers of the Dokkaebis, but the current situation didn't permit that. – You cannot borrow the powers of Dokkaebis you are friendly with. – You must never reveal the truth that you're 'Kim Dokja'. All thanks to the stinking agreement I had with the 'Wenny King'. Because of it, I couldn't enter Biyoo's channel or send word of my wellbeing to the <Kim Dokja's Company>. In the end, I had no choice but to personally drive the [Xgrade Ferrarghini] I purchased from the 'Mass Production Maker' to the destination. The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] polishing his [Splitting the Sky Sword] atop my shoulder grumbled softly. "Your driving sucks."
"Then, why don't you drive? By the way, you're not planning to stick to that appearance now, are you?" Without a doubt, we'd run into Constellations that will recognise us once we entered the scenario location. The existence of the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk was just too eyecatching. Well, Yoo Joonghyuk himself was just too famous by now, so… "Indeed, I am too inconspicuous like this." [999] seemed to be pondering something. His body suddenly jolted a bit, before a 'Pow!' noise resounded out and he transformed into a Murim dumpling. I was shocked silly by this event. But [999] sounded utterly disinterested as he addressed me. – This should be fine. "…Hey, you. Carrying a dumpling around on my shoulder will be even more eye-catching, you know?" – Why don't you change your pathetic appearance as well? Just as the kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't maintain his original appearance, I too needed to make sure that my identity as 'Kim Dokja' wasn't discovered. The now-dumpling-fied Yoo Joonghyuk roughly rubbed the dumpling skin all over my face as if he was trying to paint a wall. I sensed the Story on my face change as creaking noises resounded out. How long passed by like that? By the time I opened my eyes, I ended up freaking out by what I saw.
[999] spoke to me as I stared dumbfoundedly at the mirror, my eyes blinking non-stop. – It's done. Holy moly. This might not be enough to slap Yoo Joonghyuk's cheek silly, but still… It should be enough to make me ponder whether I should slap him or not, at least. I rubbed my new statuesque face and muttered to myself. "…Can't I keep this face forever?" – If you do, you'll be struck by the storm of Probability's aftermath. As if he had touched something dirty, [999] diligently patted down his dumpling body. Completely disregarding whether he was doing that or not, I continued to stare at the mirror. A long time ago, I absorbed the Story fragment of the 'Casanova Who Died During Sexual Acts' and became pretty good looking for a while, but this was on another scale compared to that. I spoke in an admiring tone of voice. "It's true that the 999th regression turn is amazing. The 3rd turn doesn't have skills like this one, you know." – …3rd turn? "Oh, you didn't know? Yoo Joonghyuk in this place is the 3rd turn. And this is the 3rd turn world-line, too." The kkoma Yoo Joonghyuk number [999] stared deeply at me for a while after hearing those words, and asked me a question. – Why do you think that?"
"What do you mean why…?" I was about to reply with "Because the 'Ways of Survival' starts off with the 3rd turn, that's why" but stopped. I decided to refine my answer just a bit. "…Because the beginning was the 3rd turn, that's why." – But, why does it start from the 3rd turn? Don't you know how numbers work? The beginning is the 0th turn. He was right. The first chapter of the 'Ways of Survival' started off from Yoo Joonghyuk's third turn, but if you get technical about it, then you could say that the story began with his 0th turn. I felt a bit weirded out after thinking like that. …Why did I come to Yoo Joonghyuk's 'third turn', anyway? I wasn't going to follow the 3rd turn's story as it was in the original, so there wouldn't have been a reason for me to start in this particular turn even if that's where the novel began. …I don't know. It's not as if I can figure this out right now, anyway. "Yoo Joonghyuk in this world-line said that he was the 'third turn'. So, this place is the third regression turn." And the information I confirmed through the [Character List] said so, too. But then, [999] spoke in a mocking tone. – Trusting such information at its face value. How naïve.
"What?" – Never mind. We've seemed to have arrived. Along with the blinding light, the lengthy dimension tunnel finally came to an end. What appeared next was a giant Gate leading to the new scenario's location. I spotted a group of beings waiting to enter in front of the Gate. I collected the [X-grade Ferrarghini] and joined the group. A Constellation was manning the entrance to the scenario location, rather than the usual Dokkaebis. But that made sense, since the host for this 'Giant Story' scenario was a Nebula. Although it was one of the largest Nebulas out there, it had almost no point of contact with me until now. [Next.] It was a Constellation holding a massive three-pronged spear on one hand, while wearing a combination of aged crimson crown and armour set. The domineering Status exuding from his entire body attested to the fact that he was a Narrative-grade Constellation possessing a pretty hefty Status. The Guardian of Buddhist Laws, Virudhaka. He was one of the Four Heavenly Kings that protected the entrance of the <Heavenly Palace>, the headquarters of the Nebula <Emperor>. [Next.]
Not too long afterwards, my turn came around. Virudhaka glared at my face intently as if he wanted to discover anything suspicious on it and eventually, threw out his first question. [Your purpose for visiting?] [I came to participate in the Giant Story.] [Your Modifier.] Obviously, I couldn't use the 'Demon King of Salvation' here. Fortunately, I did have a brand new Modifier I received not too long ago. [It's the 'Watcher of Light and Darkness'.]
Chapter 425: Ep. 80 - Our greatest ally, III My words caused a handful of Constellations standing behind me to murmur among themselves. I wondered if others had heard of my new Modifier already, but fortunately, that didn't seem to be the case. [I'm sure the Bureau's naming division was behind that title? Do they still do that nowadays?] [I thought there wouldn't be any other Modifiers that could exceed the 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', but…] [Tsk, why do young ones these days prefer such Modifiers anyway?] …Well, I guess I can tell what they are complaining about, then. Virudhaka completed the simple entry procedure and then, stared at my shoulder.
[What is that dumpling?] [It's my lunch.] […How peculiar. A fool showed up with cotton candy yesterday, and now we have you.] Cotton candy? [Next.] Much to my relief, Virudhaka let me through without much hassle. [You have entered the channel that directs the scenario's location.] Right after I went past the Gate, I was greeted by the rainbow-coloured aura swirling around, followed by the guide message as well as an accompanying video. [We welcome you to the world of the Nebula <Emperor>!] …Yeah, even the entry video was on another scale. When I blinked, I found myself standing atop a white cloud. It was flying at a fairly decent knock with me as its sole passenger. I looked around and found a handsome goldencoloured monkey flying alongside side me. ⸢"Let's go, friend."⸥ The monkey winked at me playfully and performed a somersault in the air while swinging his Ruyi Bang around. The image in the sky changed and now showed countless Yogoe¹ creatures rushing towards us.
I knew this was all fake but still, couldn't help but get absorbed by it. [The world's most beautiful epic.] Because well, this was the most famous Giant Story that the Nebula <Emperor> possessed, that was why. The scene now showed the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal Sun Wukong fighting against all those Yogoe creatures. And right behind him, a great army of thousands following in his footsteps. [We invite you to experience this grand adventure.] The footage came to an end, and I found myself standing on a plaza before I even noticed it. The dumpling on my shoulder spoke up. – What a showy salesmanship that was. "Stop yapping. You're supposed to be a dumpling, remember?" I complained for no reason from the embarrassment I felt after getting all worked up a bit just now. I then slowly took in the surrounding sights and observed the panoramic view of the <Heavenly Palace>. The plaza was filled with elegant ancient palaces. The vestige of civilisation gleamed brilliantly in the golden hue. Stars among stars had gathered here, and the world created by Stories acquired by those stars was now laid out before my eyes. I had been to the bases of other Nebulas before, but this would be my first time in a worldview with this many people
in it. For the time being, I decided to investigate my surroundings a bit more. It was around then that I saw a hologram appearing on one of the electronic boards installed in the plaza. – Whereabouts of Nebula <Kim Dokja's Company>'s members unknown! – They are understood to be participating in a new Giant Story scenario… ['The Fourth Wall' is strongly activating!] – What is the next destination of <Kim Dokja's Company>? It was playing the scene of Yoo Joonghyuk and my companions entering a Gate emitting blinding light. I stopped walking for a little while and watched them disappear through that light. ['The Fourth Wall' is activating even stronger than before!] …Brand new 'Giant Story', was it? I could more or less guess what happened there. My companions must be wandering around here and there, searching for a way to acquire a new Giant Story. Well, after I left the <Kim Dokja's Company>, their share of Stories wouldn't have been sufficient enough to let them into the 'Final Scenario'. I shifted my head to find [999] looking straight at me. – I advise you not to make any unwise decisions.