Chapter 304: Episode 57 – Glorious Return (5)
Why was Yoo Jonghyuk here? I was confused as I guided the returnees to safely land on the ground. In front of the monument, Yoo Jonghyuk scattered a heavy status and the returnees nervously stepped back. Flying Fox asked, “Brother, this person...?”
“Get back and I’ll talk to him.” I signalled to Flying Fox and slowly approached Yoo Jonghyuk. After all, our aim was to leave a marker on the base. The scenario was completed once we accomplished this.
The moment I got within a few dozen metres of Yoo Jonghyuk, the momentum flowing from Yoo Jonghyuk’s body changed. I gulped and opened my mouth. “Yoo Jonghyuk.”
Understandably, my voice wouldn’t be delivered properly.
“Get lost. Please.”
Yoo Jonghyuk didn’t move. Yoo Jonghyuk would’ve become stronger, just as I become stronger after going to the 1863rd round. Based on what I felt, I couldn’t guarantee the outcome. Then there was only one way.
[The exclusive skill, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ has been activated!]
This way, my body would pass out and I would transfer to Yoo Jonghyuk...
[The exclusive skill, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ is cancelled.]
[Your complex understanding of this person is insufficient!]
[There isn’t enough comprehension to understand the current state of this person.]
...What? I stepped back with surprise. This was the first time. This was definitely the first round. It wasn’t the 1863rd round that I didn’t know well.
The Yoo Jonghyuk in front of me felt strange. What happened in the last three years?
“Brother! Avoid it!”
If I hadn’t been pushed by Flying Fox, I would’ve been cut by Yoo Jonghyuk’s blade. Flying Fox exclaimed. “Let’s do it together! I think he’s dangerous!”
“...It isn’t possible.”
“Why? Do you know him?”
I stared at Flying Fox. “He is my colleague.”
The words that came out of my mouth were funny. I felt I could understand Yoo Jonghyuk’s feelings in the past.
Yoo Jonghyuk and I didn’t fit well. Our personalities were different and the way we carried out the scenarios differed. The way we communicated with others was also different. Nevertheless, we saved each other’s lives on a number of occasions and arrived here.
“...Thus, he can’t be killed.”
I put my hand into my coat. Just as Yoo Jonghyuk had his own beliefs, I had my own beliefs.
[Blade of Faith is activated!]
It wasn’t my Unbroken Faith. This blade was much glossier than my sword. It was the one that belonged to the 1863rd round Han Sooyoung. The ether that rose from the Blade of Faith was a deep black.
[The rating of this item doesn’t match the fairness level of the scenario.]
[The item’s stats are partially adjusted.]
The Unbroken Faith of the 95th scenario that was refined using Han Sooyoung’s method.
Yoo Jonghyuk’s eyes were shaking slightly. I couldn’t see what I looked like now. Perhaps the ether blade being swung was like a giant tentacle.
“Stop it, Yoo Junghyuk. I have no intention of fighting.”
How could I not fight against Yoo Jonghyuk? How could I tell him that I was Kim Dokja? The moment I avoided Yoo Jonghyuk’s blade, I had a flash of a thought.
...Wait a minute, perhaps? I couldn’t be sure. In addition, the effect would be distorted because of the scenario penalty. Still, it was better than doing nothing.
[You have triggered the item Midday Tryst.]
[The connection with the current target is good.]
[Due to the scenario penalty, the item username has been changed to ‘Ugly Squid’.]
I immediately sent a message to Yoo Jonghyuk.
-Yoo Jonghyuk! I am Kim Dokja! Don’t cut me!
The Midday Tryst. It was an item used for communication when Yoo Jonghyuk had died one day. Surprisingly, the item was still valid.
[The scenario penalty has distorted the message sent.]
-Come on, sunfish.
...Son of a bitch. The distortion went this far? I was slightly vigilant as I watched Yoo Jonghyuk. The contents were strange but the fact that Yoo Jonghyuk received the message was important.
The Midday Tryst was an item that could only be used between set people. The name might’ve changed but the quick-witted Yoo Jonghyuk should guess my identity just by receiving the message.
-Yoo Jonghyuk! I said stop! I am Kim Dokja!
[The scenario penalty has distorted the message sent.]
-I am the king of the sea.
Yoo Jonghyuk stared at me for a moment and slowly lowered his sword. I took a deep breath. Did he finally notice?
A huge stream of air flowed from Yoo Jonghyuk’s body. His whole body was covered with a blue light before emitting a golden torrent. Yoo Jonghyuk released his transcendent power.
I panicked and asked, “...Yoo Jonghyuk?”
My head was pounding. If I was Yoo Jonghyuk, I would’ve noticed my existence just by receiving a message. Then why? The moment the two swords collided, my body was bounced back. There was a shock that seemed to break my wrist and a single question rose.
「 Why was Midday Tryst activated? 」
Midday Tryst was a temporary item. After a certain time elapsed, the period of use had to be extended by paying additional coins. Yet Midday Tryst was activated without any delay. In other words, someone had been extending that period of time.
[The character ‘Yoo Jonghyuk’ is telling the giant story ‘Demon World’s Spring’.]
Finally, Yoo Jonghyuk opened the giant story. At this moment, I realized. Now Yoo Jonghyuk was sincere.
“Dammit...!”
I didn’t back down and faced him.
[The giant story ‘Demon World’s Spring’ is being told.]
I wouldn’t lose if it was the same big story. In the first place, I was the best speaker for this story. I aimed the status of a demon king towards Yoo Jonghyuk who was running away.
[The constellation ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is opening the status of a demon king!]
A huge fortress was seen in the centre of Seoul. It was my industrial complex that was once located in the 73rd Demon Realm. It was sent to Seoul with the help of Secretive Plotter. I would never lose as long as the industrial complex was here.
[The demonic energy in Seoul is raising your status!]
Black wings tore from my spine. The dark attributed poured into the ether blade of Unbroken Faith. The transcendent sword and Blade of Faith clashed and caused a roar. The first conflict was intense.
Yoo Jonghyuk and I were both pushed back a step and at the same time, we wielded our swords to each other again. Unbelievable explosions occurred as the sword and sword hit each other. We struck, struck and struck each other again. We fought desperately as if it was the only conversation we could share with each other.
I couldn’t believe it. I knew that Yoo Jonghyuk was strong. I expected him to become stronger in the meantime.
However, I didn’t expect him to be this strong. I couldn’t win against Yoo Jonghyuk despite using Way of the Wind and Electrification. Yoo Jonghyuk’s expression didn’t change as he stood there like a solid wall.
I couldn’t help smiling. I thought this whole thing was a misunderstanding. I thought Yoo Jonghyuk attacked me because he didn’t recognize me.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t like that. Throughout the fight, Yoo Jonghyuk didn’t say a word. He was a born swordsman and had written his story with the sword for countless years. Thus, I could see it.
[Your understanding of the character ‘Yoo Jonghyuk’ has increased!]
Yoo Jonghyuk recognized me and knew I would come here. I didn’t know how it was possible but it was obvious. He was waiting for me here. The battle was temporarily interrupted by a child who jumped in the way.
“Stop it! Jonghyuk ahjussi! Stop it!”
It was Shin Yoosung. The small child stood in front of me and started weeping.
“This squid is Dokja ahjussi!”
In the end, I remained silent. I looked around and saw the party members gathered. Jung Heewon’s expression was stiff, Lee Jihye looked worried and Lee Gilyoung was excited. I could feel eyes looking at me from the top of the Demon World’s fortress.
...It was a person I had long resented at one time.
The inhabitants of the Demon World were also seen. They were people I met in the 73rd Demon Realm. Aileen was there, Mark as well. Perhaps she ran from a distance as the panting Han Sooyoung looked down at me from a nearby high-rise building.
The history of my life was gathered in one place. However, none of them interfered in the fight.
Yoo Jonghyuk stopped before raising his blade again. It was like he didn’t hear Shin Yoosung’s words.
Shin Yoosung shouted again, “Uh... t-that is actually a lie! That isn’t Dokja ahjussi! I-It is just a disaster I tamed! A monster I tamed! I’ll control him well so please forgive me!”
“Yoosung.”
I stretched out a hand and placed it on Shin Yoosung’s shoulder. Then Jung Heewon pulled Shin Yoosung back with her. Jung Heewon’s steadfast eyes were shaking. At this moment, I realized something.
Yes, it was like this. I lowered my head and Jung Heewon avoided my gaze.
[Your understanding of the character ‘Jung Heewon’ has rapidly increased!]
I looked back and saw Yoo Jonghyuk approaching. Yoo Jonghyuk was gathering the energy of the Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship. The ultimate technique was being prepared at the tip of Yoo Jonghyuk’s blade.
I nodded. Yoo Jonghyuk probably had something he wanted to prove to me.
“Bring it on, Yoo Jonghyuk.”
The moment I raised my sword, Yoo Jonghyuk and I clashed head on. There was a blinding glare right under my nose.
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ has entered the channel!]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ has entered the channel!]
[Multiple constellations are entering the channel!]
The constellations felt our clash and entered the channel.
[The constellation ‘King Heungmu the Great’ is surprised at your status!]
[The constellation ‘One-eyed Maitreya’ is admiring the incarnation Yoo Jonghyuk.]
Some constellations were shocked to see Yoo Jonghyuk and I.
[The constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ realizes something and is sighing.]
Some were surprised in a completely different sense. The sound of an explosion occurred again and I rolled across the ground. My eyes peered at the sky through the dust while gazes poured down on me. Laughter emerged. “...It is dirty.”
I hadn’t used all the means available to me but I didn’t want to. It was a confrontation of pure power and I was pushed back by Yoo Jonghyuk. The sound of Yoo Jonghyuk’s footsteps approaching was heard.
His Black Demon Sword stabbed the ground right next to my head. Yoo Jonghyuk stared down at me with his distinctive eyes. I watched him and spoke,
“Take a look. Hey.”
Yoo Jonghyuk didn’t say anything but I could tell. Perhaps this was what Yoo Jonghyuk wanted to prove. This was Yoo Jonghyuk’s last three years. This was what he really wanted to say.
I laughed. “I didn’t take care of it.”
The towering monument behind Yoo Jonghyuk was shining. The base that was the goal. One man was talking from the monument.
“Hey Brother! I just write here?”
The moment the surprised Yoo Jonghyuk turned around, Flying Fox moved his feet. He quickly kicked and carved a stylish marker on the monument. It was a phrase I told him in advance.
[The 163rd returnees group has cleared the scenario!]
My body was covered in smoke. To be exact, it wasn’t just me but the other returnees. The appearance of the returnees was changing inside the smoke.
[You are no longer a disaster.]
In the pupils of my party members, my figure lying on the ground could be seen. Shin Yoosung burst into tears and ran over. I patted the child who was in my arms.
“It has been three years. Three years...”
Lee Gilyoung belatedly ran over and hugged my waist while crying.
“Hyung, I knew you were alive! I knew from the beginning that you were Dokja hyung!”
[You have met the clear conditions for Main Scenario 45 – Glorious Return!]
[The rewards for the scenario are being prepared.]
[You have met the progress conditions of the 46th main scenario!]
I hugged the children and slowly stood up. The top of the monument was clearly visible in the dusty sky. I pointed to the monument.
“It is a commemorative gift.”
[The name of the nebula you belong to is officially announced.]
[The site of the nebula you belong to has been established.]
The marking on the monument was as followed:
-Kim Dokja’s Company.
I arbitrarily decided the name of the nebula. The party members approaching this way looked at me in a dumbfounded manner. Lee Jihye has swollen eyes while Han Sooyoung sighed and shook her head. I watched them and wondered, “Are you going to join me?”
I could see the faces of the upcoming party members. One person, one person. They were all the people I wanted to see. The moment I opened my arms to the running group members, a stinging pain struck the back of my head. In my gradually blurring consciousness, I could see Jung Heewon’s face.
“This man, lock him up.”