Chapter 447: Episode 84 – 1864 (3)

I recalled that time when I visited the 1863rd turn.

When I first saw the 1863rd turn Yu Jung-Hyeok, I thought that he was the ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok from the original’. The main character that I spent my childhood years with, the very one that propped up my life.

But then, he was not him.

The ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ who helped me endure, had finished his tale a long time ago. He had reached the conclusion of the 1863rd turn and witnessed the end of the world, and then, roamed the horrifying abyss of the world-lines. For thousands of years, maybe even for tens of thousands.

I didn’t know just how long he lived on like that. But, what I knew for sure was that one, he had survived until now, two, he remembered all of those times, and…

….And, he was being hostile towards me.

[[You all do not possess the right to witness the ■■.]]

He was right.

The only reason why I managed to wade past the scenarios was due to the Plotter’s life preceding mine.

His Status was growing even stronger. The ‘Outer Gods’ observing the situation in the vicinity all knelt down simultaneously.

[OhOhOhOhOh….]

His aura mushrooming up like clouds wrapped around the [Heaven Shaking Sword]. That was the power he gained after living through 1863 lives, and also, while roaming the world-lines afterwards.

[Great Fable, ‘Pilgrim of the Lonely Apocalypse’, has begun its storytelling.]

Countless ‘Yu Jung-Hyeoks’ were looking straight at me from inside him.

[‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ from 41st turn is looking at you.]

[‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ from 362nd turn is looking at you.]

[‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ from 666th turn is looking at you.]

[‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ from 999th turn is looking at you.]

The histories they had compiled together – all their sins, they were right there. Sins so numerous that not even Jopiel’s [Eye of Sin] could see the end of.

He was an existence deemed to be ‘Terror’ by this <Star Stream>. A being that went beyond the boundaries of ‘evil’ and had been declared as ‘incomprehensible’ by the world. He was the king of the Outer Gods.

However, his true nature was neither evil nor was it terror.

No, the reason why he had to be ostracised by the <Star Stream> was because his character proved to be simply too uncompromising.

⸢”I shall destroy the <Star Stream>.”⸥

And the thing was, the <Star Stream> didn’t like such characters that lacked any flexibility whatsoever.

One’s character had to bend sometimes, had to know when to yield, and also, had to know when to crumble away. However, the ‘Secretive Plotter’ wasn’t a character like that.

That’s why he was able to get this far, and was able to become the ‘Secretive Plotter’.

⸢”I shall definitely kill the one that started this story with these hands.”⸥

That was the ‘apocalypse’ of this world, the one he wished for. And also, the ‘end of regression’ that all Yu Jung-Hyeoks wished for, as well.

[Constellation, ‘Secretive Plotter’, is looking at you.]

He was definitely in the right.

He definitely…. was far more qualified than anyone to witness the conclusion of all the stories. Especially so, when compared to someone like me, whose only achievement was reading the ‘Ways of Survival’…

‘Stop with your unnecessary thoughts. And don’t stupidly sympathise with him, either,’ said Yu Jung-Hyeok. ‘Are you planning to yield to some random bastard after you came this far? Was the Fable you managed to compile so far created solely by copying that bastard’s life?’

I couldn’t reply.

‘If you sympathise with what he says, then it’s the same thing as denying the lives of your comrades who fought alongside you.’

For sure, I did rely on the ‘Ways of Survival’ in the beginning to skirt past the dangers, but things were different after that. Events that didn’t happen during the original novel occurred, and dangers not found within it also came to visit us. And I managed to overcome those dangers with my comrades.

As our Fable continued to grow, so did my distance from the ‘Ways of Survival’, and from a certain moment on, I stopped consulting the original. That was also the reason why I hadn’t read the final revised version yet.

This world was not the same one from the ‘Ways of Survival’ that the Secretive Plotter lived through.

Yu Jung-Hyeok continued to speak. ‘He could be right. His decisions might have been right, too. However, it’s still not a good enough reason for you to yield to him.’

[Fable, ‘Comrade of Life and Death’, has begun its storytelling.]

‘Because, we are also right,’ said Yu Jung-Hyeok, the one who also endured the tragedies of the 1863 regression turns. Without a doubt, he too was also ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’. ‘It still doesn’t really feel real to me, but if I have been truly experiencing the 1864th turn, then….’

Yu Jung-Hyeok, gripping the [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword], shifted his gaze for a brief moment towards our companions on the Tongtian River.

Yi Ji-Hye’s fleet was continuing their barrage, and Shin Yu-Seung’s [Chimera Dragon] was spewing out its Breath attack. Yi Hyeon-Seong gripped tightly by Jeong Hui-Won was also fighting hard as well. Meanwhile, Jang Ha-Yeong was running hard with Yi Gil-Yeong on her back.

None had died, and they were trying their best. So that they could see the end of this stinking world.

‘Most likely, I came here to witness this sight.’

The [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] and the [Heaven Shaking Sword] clashed once more. Two swords that didn’t want to back down continued to roar on, their blades filled with the self-belief of their wielders.

The ‘Secretive Plotter’ shouted out. [[Do you still not understand? Even if you have regained your memories…..]]

“How persistent. Just what do you expect to hear from me, then?”

[[….What?]]

“Do you want us to admit our loss? If not, do you want us to understand your life?”

[[Understand? You can keep your…..!]]

“Indeed, you probably don’t need it.” Yu Jung-Hyeok replied disinterestedly. And because he was also Yu Jung-Hyeok, he could say these following words. “I too don’t need you to understand me.”

He said that, because they understood each other already.

Loud metallic clangs resounded out every time two swords collided. One Status violently clashed against another Status.

[Fable, ‘Hellscape of Eternity’, is roaring out!]

Two hellish landscape intertwined to create this battlefield.

Frustratingly, all I could do was to watch these two Yu Jung-Hyeoks. And do whatever it took to flip these damn pages.

[Great Fable, ‘Season of Light and Darkness’, is thrashing violently.]

The winner couldn’t easily be decided. Even then, the ‘Secretive Plotter’ remained utterly relaxed.

Perhaps that was obvious; our side only just got to use the power of the ‘1863rd’ turn, after all. In terms of proficiency and familiarity, we were in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position.

Maybe thinking that victory was in the bag now, the ‘Secretive Plotter’ leisurely asked a question. [[I’m curious. The puppet of the ‘Most Ancient Dream’, what is the conclusion you wish to see?]]

“And why should I answer you?”

[[Could it be that it’s the same thing as that ‘Demon King of Salvation’? Do you honestly believe that man?]]

Two blades clashed in mid-air and huge shockwaves spread out.

Yu Jung-Hyeok took a step back while wiping the blood off his lips.

[[You have no idea. No idea how pathetic that ‘comrade’ you trust so much actually is. You don’t know what the ‘conclusion’ of the world he wishes for is.]]

The ‘Secretive Plotter’ faintly grinned as he rained down his [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship].

[[When this world-line opened for the first time, Kim Dok-Ja’s goal was to merely ‘survive’.]]

⸢I dazedly raised my head and looked at Yu Sang-Ah. Quite likely, this woman will die. And so will I.⸥

In the gap between the two blades, the Fables I lived through were breathing with life.

[[His next goal was to…. To become stronger by using you.]]

⸢”Make me your comrade. I can fill in the part you lack.”⸥

⸢Yu Jung-Hyeok is definitely necessary in order to clear the numerous scenarios still remaining in the future.⸥

As if pages were flipping over, Fables I lived through were being projected right before our eyes. As if to stop that story, Yu Jung-Hyeok viciously swung his sword, but all of his attempts were denied by the Plotter’s [Heaven Shaking Sword].

Meanwhile, the Plotter continued on. [[After that, well. After he found himself with a little bit of leeway, he even dared to dream of this ‘world’s conclusion’.]]

⸢”Hyung, aren’t you going to make a wish for something?”

⸱⸱ I quietly stared at Yi Gil-Yeong for a little while before making my reply.

⸱⸱ “I made a wish to see the epilogue of a certain novel.”⸥

The Great Sage Heaven’s Equal said this before, that it wasn’t only me who read other people. Just as I’ve read them, they were also reading me at the same time, he said.

He was right.

While I was busy reading the ‘Ways of Survival’, the ‘Secretive Plotter’ was also reading my story. He had been observing the entirety of the life I experienced.

[[Kim Dok-Ja began dreaming the same thing that I used to dream about once upon a time. He wanted to destroy the heaven’s <Star Stream>, and destroy the world beyond the ‘Wall’ that I couldn’t overcome. He wanted to save every one of his comrades, and even….]]

⸢I saw the group of Nebulas floating in the middle of the darkened sky. <Vedas>, <Olympus>, <Papyrus>…. I shall never forget everything you have done.⸥

⸢”I will create a ‘Fable’ that hasn’t existed before.”⸥

Memories continued to stream by before our eyes. Some were as exactly as I remembered, while some were distorted or twisted around. Because it wasn’t an intact ‘Fable’, that’s why.

This was the Plotter’s interpretation of ‘Kim Dok-Ja’s story’.

⸢This is what the ‘Secretive Plotter’ feels.⸥

He continued to speak. [[Kim Dok-Ja will not achieve that goal now. Specifically, he won’t be able to.]]

I wanted to ask why he thought that.

[‘The 4th Wall’ is faintly shaking.]

[[A Fable could be made up, but it’ll never tell a lie.]]

The Plotter’s left hand touched Yu Jung-Hyeok’s hair. The [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] reflexively slapped that hand away, but by then it was too late.

[Fable, ‘One Who is Loved by an Archangel’, has begun its storytelling.]

As if they were newborn babies, the Fables I possessed began crying out one by one. Some of them were Fables I was familiar with. On the other hand….

[Fable, ‘The Fifth Sun Wukong’, has begun its storytelling.]

Some were Fables I had earned not too long ago. And….

[Fable, ‘Rival Acknowledged by the Dragon’, has begun its storytelling.]

[Fable, ‘the Sea God’s Comrade-in-Arms’, has begun its storytelling.]

[Fable, ‘Goryeo’s Number Two Sword’, has begun its storytelling.]

And, there were some Fables that I didn’t even know I had them.

All of my Fables were speaking up at the same time.

[[Oh, ‘Demon King of Salvation’. You can’t destroy the <Star Stream>.]]

Stars in the sky were flickering brightly. They were the same stars that I used to hate.

[Constellation, ‘God of Wine and Ecstasy’, is watching you.]

[Constellation, ‘Father of the Rich Night’, is watching you.]

Those who had been watching me, allowing me to get this far.

[Constellation, ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’, is watching you.]

….My supposedly oldest enemies.

[[….Because, you do not hate the Constellations.]]

Even as I listened to the ‘Secretive Plotter’, I couldn’t say anything. I wanted to say that it wasn’t true. I wanted to say that I hated Constellations. I wanted to say that bringing them down was still one of my goals.

However, I couldn’t. Because, goddammit, I….

[Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’, is watching you.]

….I knew now that not every star in the sky emitted the same sort of light as the others.

[Constellation, ‘Bald General of Justice’, is watching you.]

[Constellation, ‘Goryeo’s First Sword’, is watching you.]

From the ‘Absolute Throne’ scenario, to the ‘Demon World’….

Without the Probability they had gathered for us, I’d not be able to get this far.

[Constellation, ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’, is watching you.]

[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, is watching you.]

[Constellation, ‘Most Ancient Liberator’, is watching you.]

I had no choice but to acknowledge it.

All of my Fables were created together with them.

[[You do not wish for any ‘loss’ to occur to this world-line. Because you grew to love this story. And that is why….]] As if he was putting a full-stop on the story, the ‘Secretive Plotter’ declared loudly. [[….You shall never witness this world’s ■■.]]

Thunders roared in the heavens.

The battle between the Great Sage and <Emperor> was intensifying.

[Many audience members are watching your battlefield.]

Constellations were looking down at us from above.

Some pitied me, while some got angry in my stead. Countless indirect messages flooded in endlessly.

Yu Jung-Hyeok remained wordless. The raindrops falling on the Tongtian River substituted for any spoken words.

I wanted to say something, anything.

But before I could open my mouth, though, someone else stole the opportunity away.

“So? What is it that you’re trying to say here?” It was Yu Jung-Hyeok. “Since Kim Dok-Ja doesn’t have the qualification, you will see this world’s ■■ in his stead, is that it?”

A faint crease formed on the forehead of the ‘Secretive Plotter’. [[It seems that you can’t think straight anymore. That man whom you thought of as your comrade is no different to the Constellations that you hate. That bastard is….]]

“….He’s a pathetic fool, indeed.” Yu Jung-Hyeok cut him off in the middle. “He was just some contracted worker for a no-name game developer, and his hobby was reading novels.”

His shabby self-introduction-like words reverberated around the sky.

Those were the things I told Yu Jung-Hyeok some time ago.

“His specialty is to run his cocky mouth off, and he has this habit of throwing his life away so that we can overcome any and all impossible situations hindering us.”

Yu Jung-Hyeok was talking about me that even I didn’t know about.

“Someone like that managed to lead his companions this far.”

The [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] shoved the [Heaven Shaking Sword] along with a loud “Creaaaak!!”. For the first time ever since the battle commenced, Yu Jung-Hyeok was going on a concentrated offensive.

The Plotter’s expression shook. Yu Jung-Hyeok’s sword strikes were now digging into the Outer God’s defences for the first time.

“Regardless of what the incoming conclusion is, this world wouldn’t have come this far without him around.”

[[You don’t know anyt….!!]]

“It seems to me that you’re the one who can’t think straight here. Why are you interfering with this world-line, then?”

The wrathful [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship] mowed the darkness down. The Plotter’s figure wavered around greatly as he was pushed back.

Not missing that small opening, Yu Jung-Hyeok’s sword rained down like a raging storm.

“What is your goal, anyway? If you found Kim Dok-Ja an eyesore, why didn’t you kill him earlier? If you found him using your life to survive that disgusting, then….”

The [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] was now aiming at the neck of the ‘Secretive Plotter’.

[Constellation, ‘Secretive Plotter’, is glaring at the Incarnation, ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’.]

The moment when the two gazes collided, Yu Jung-Hyeok asked again.

“Why are you still watching this story?”