Chapter 465: Episode 88 – Myth-grade Constellation (3)
[You have become a Great Dokkaebi.]
[You can now participate in the Great Dokkaebi’s ‘Final Ballot’.]
Bihyung looked at the messages and slowly blinked. His appearance had changed a lot since meeting the Dokkaebi King. He was now in a complete humanoid figure like Baram, with the white tiger leather draped over his shoulders and three yellow horns emanating the powers of Fable on his head.
He had now become a full-on ‘Great Dokkaebi’.
[I shall be on my way now, Baram-nim.]
[Are you planning to go to them?]
Bihyung didn’t reply.
But Baram continued on, anyway. [All Dokkaebis must select their own final stories when the end of times draws near. Even if they could die telling that particular story.]
[.....]
[The story you’re about to select has very low odds of victory.]
[I’m aware.]
[Not only that, they have made enemies of the Bureau and quite a number of other Great Dokkaebis, too.]
[I’m also aware of that.]
There was no Dokkaebi alive who didn’t know what it meant to become enemies with the Bureau in <Star Stream>.
[Even still, I’d like to see the end of this world with that story.]
Bihyung had chosen his last Fable.
*
“Dok-Ja-ssi.”
“Have you come out to enjoy your vacation?”
“Don’t be like that. I told you, it’s not a vacation but a discharge.”
“A real discharge, then?”
“Yes.” Yi Hyeon-Seong smiled brightly. “I won’t be a soldier anymore.”
I observed the silvery Fable leaking out from his entire figure. When reading the opening sentences of some novels, you’d get a certain sense of what they are like, and Fables were similar in that regard.
⸢That resolute silver hue. The unwavering will, tempered through a lengthy period of time.⸥
Back in the ‘Isle of Reincarnators’, the One Invincible Fist Yu Ho-Seong said this – in order to rule over certain Fables, you needed to understand it first. However, just like how it was impossible to fully understand another human being, it was also impossible to fully understand a Fable.
⸢What we can do instead, is to come up with an interpretation of our own.⸥
In that case, this was the answer Yi Hyeon-Seong had come up with.
[Fable, ‘Ruler of Steel’, has begun its storytelling!]
That was the core Fable possessed by the ‘Master of Steel’. The fact that he could finally wield it meant that Yi Hyeon-Seong had reached the last phase in the [Steel Transformation].
“I didn’t get to write a report, but I still understood why you asked me to read that book, Dok-Ja-ssi,” said Yi Hyeon-Seong before reverting to a more cautious voice. “Was that perhaps the story from the 999th regression turn world-line?”
I was somewhat surprised. Didn’t expect that he’d think that far ahead.
“I believe that might be the case.”
“But then, why was that story transformed into ⸢the Wizard of Oz⸥....?”
From my own knowledge base, <Oz>’s founding Fable was ⸢the Wizard of Oz⸥. However, the Fable forming its foundation had been altered.
Not only that, to a story from the 999th turn, no less.
I wasn’t sure what all this meant yet, but still, I could think of something. The meaning of altering the basis of a Fable was quite clear, after all.
[Sponsor of Incarnation ‘Yi Hyeon-Seong’ is now looking at you.]
I might have not noticed the faintly altered gaze if it was in the past. It was not the same aura of the ‘Master of Steel’ I knew of. I shifted my gaze towards the Emerald Tower where that altar was located at. And then, recalled the large steel sword I saw in the audience chamber.
“Hyeon-Seong ahjussi!”
Our companions preparing for the enemy’s attacks below the tower rushed towards us.
“Hyeon-Seong ahjussi! Are you alright?”
Shin Yu-Seung and Yi Gil-Yeong jumping around grasped the tall, sturdy man’s hands tightly.
Yu Jung-Hyeok arriving a step later muttered out. “Looks like you were safely discharged.”
Both Yu Sang-Ah and Han Su-Yeong decided to chime in, too.
“Congratulations on your discharge.”
“If you need your squad leader again, just give me a shout.”
The last person to rush in was Jeong Hui-Won, who was getting ready to fend off the enemy’s attacks in the farthest location. She stopped about a dozen metres or so away, and while her lips twitched, she kept staring in this direction.
Yi Hyeon-Seong smiled at her. “Hui-Won-ssi.”
I began wondering if I should make my exit from here about now. But the person who solved that dilemma was a completely unexpected person.
“Hey, you lot! Do your emotional reunion later! It’s not over yet, you know!”
Yi Ji-Hye shouted out as she summoned the [Turtle Dragon] in the air.
She was right. The Nebulas outside the planet hadn’t withdrawn their battle line yet. No, rather than retreating, an even higher number of battleships were actually showing up now. Among them were dreadnoughts exclusively designed for destroying planets and inter-Nebula warfare.
“Do not worry. I won’t leave them alone.” said our trustworthy Yi Hyeon-Seong as he stepped forward.
For sure, they were still bombarding us on the outside, but <Oz>’s barrier was holding firm. Like I said before, the strength of Master of Steel’s Fable inside <Oz> would almost match a Myth-grade Constellation’s...
Chiieeeek...
A rather ominous-sounding noise could be heard coming from somewhere. A foul smell akin to something burning wafted out.
I raised my head to discover that a side of the opaque barrier was being ignited in the shower of blinding sparks as if it was being welded open.
Something was melting down Yi Hyeon-Seong’s forged steel.
[Constellation, ‘Midday Sun’, is staring at the planet <Oz>.]
Right then, I sensed Yi Hyeon-Seong’s body stiffen up greatly. He had covered the whole planet for us, so no doubt he was currently fully exposed to the Status of that gaze. Even if he was almost on the level of a Myth-grade Constellation, that still didn’t mean he was equal to one.
I placed my hand on his shoulder. His trembling lessened a little after receiving a share of the Nebula’s Probability. One shouldn’t fight alone just because he had gotten a little bit stronger. Because, we were a Nebula, just like them.
“.....Looks like a real bigshot has personally made an entrance.”
I knew of the Modifier of ‘Midday Sun’. Now normally, that guy should never be able to come here.
It was the top Constellation of the Nebula, <Papyrus>. And the meaning of him coming here personally could only be...
[Constellation, ‘Midday Sun’, has revealed its intention to <Star Stream>.]
....That he no longer wished to hide their true intentions.
[Nebula <Papyrus>, has revealed their animosity towards Nebula <Kim Dok-Ja Company>.]
[Two Nebulas recorded as the candidates for ‘One Single Fable’ are clashing!]
The expressions of the companions hardened after receiving that never-before-seen message. Something was about to get underway.
[Nebula <Papyrus> has declared inter-Nebula warfare against Nebula <Kim Dok-Ja Company>.]
It was exceedingly rare in <Star Stream> for a great Nebula to officially declare war against another. Because inter-Nebula warfare would never lead to a good result for all sides involved. There must’ve been a reason for them declaring one right now even though they knew the truth.
[Conditions to activate the restricted main scenario has been satisfied!]
[Applicable scenario will be issued only to the Nebulas recorded as the candidates of ‘One Single Fable’.]
+
<Main Scenario #98 – Candidate Selection War (restricted)>
Type: Main
Difficulty: ???
Clear condition: All Nebulas recorded in the ‘One Single Fable’ can now freely engage in inter-Nebula warfare. It’s possible to declare war without any penalties, and alliances and request for support between other Nebulas are now fully allowed.
Emerging victorious in the Candidate Selection War will ensure that you receive <Star Stream>’s attention, and your odds of being selected as the ‘One Single Fable’ will improve.
Time limit: –
Reward: Increase in the Nebula’s profile. Acquisition of Myth-grade Fable related to inter-Nebula warfare.
Failure: Reduction in the Nebula’s profile. Qualification for the Final Scenario rescinded.
+
....I knew it.
[Currently, your Nebula is in war with <Papyrus>!]
[Please defeat the enemy camp’s leader.]
[You will be accredited with victory points if you win the applicable warfare.]
Visibly-tense companions quickly gathered around me. Hostility incomparably heavier than any other we felt in the past was enveloping the whole planet.
[Constellation, ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is glaring at Nebula <Papyrus>.]
We had fought large Nebulas a couple of times in the past.
Back in <Gigantomachia>, we fought against <Olympus>, and during the ⸢Journey to the West Remake⸥, against <Emperor>.
However, the story this time was completely different.
The restrictions on the Probability during <Gigantomachia> were so great that Constellations couldn’t really exercise their full powers, while during ⸢Journey to the West Remake⸥, the Great Sage Heaven’s Equal and the members of judging panel lent us their powers and their Probability.
So, what about now?
[Fable, ‘Demon King of Salvation’, has begun its storytelling.]
Was there any Nebula that might help us now?
[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, has begun its storytelling.]
Companions were now looking at me.
They all looked to have made up their minds. Their eyes were proof that they knew what was about to happen and where our new battlefield was.
“Let’s go.”
No one would come to help us.
I looked up at the sky and spoke. “We’re not weaklings anymore. Please open the sky, Hyeon-Seong-ssi.”
Yi Hyeon-Seong nodded his head.
[Incarnation ‘Jeong Hui-Won’ is requesting the activation of ‘Hour of Judgement!]
Jeong Hui-Won unsheathed her sword first. The [Judge’s Sword] was enveloped in the auras of God Slaying.
[Incarnation, ‘Yi Hyeon-Seong’, has agreed with the judgement.]
Yi Hyeon-Seong’s forged steel was placed on top of the companions’ equipment. This was the world’s toughest ‘oath’ to protect his precious comrades.
[Incarnation, ‘Yi Ji-Hye’, has agreed with the judgement.]
The silver-coloured Fable metal settled down on Yi Ji-Hye’s [Turtle Dragon].
[Incarnation, ‘Shin Yu-Seung’, has agreed with the judgement.]
[Incarnation, ‘Yi Gil-Yeong’, has agreed with the judgement.]
The Chimera Dragon too was dyed in the silvery hue; the monster roared out and carried the two kids into flight.
[Incarnation, ‘Yu Sang-Ah’, has agreed with the judgement.]
Lotus pedestals also reinforced by silver-coloured steel began rotating all around Yu Sang-Ah.
[Incarnation, ‘Han Su-Yeong’, has agreed with the judgement.]
Han Su-Yeong had unwrapped the bandages off her arm before anyone noticed it, and tied her hair with the very same bandages.
[Incarnation, ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’, has agreed with the judgement.]
Yu Jung-Hyeok’s [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] carrying the Status of a Transcender began emitting cold sword light next. And....
[Constellation, ‘Demon King of Salvation’, has agreed with the judgement.]
And I unsheathed the [Unbreakable Faith].
[‘Hour of Judgement’ will now activate!]
The moment the pitch-black night sky opened up, we all boarded Yi Ji-Hye’s vessel and leapt towards the heavens above.
The enemy’s armada grew closer. We grasped our individual weapons as we faced off against an armada at least 600 ships strong.
⸢This was the spectacle that Kim Dok-Ja had been longing to see for a very long time.⸥
Jeong Hui-Won was the first to dash out and her sword attack rained down. The strongest swordswoman of Chaos that I know of was Jeong Hui-Won the Judge of Apocalypse.
Ku-gugugugu!
A dreadnought was penetrated cleanly through from its cockpit right down to its engine bay, and explosion noises resounded out. Soon, explosions both large and small erupted out from all over its hull as cracks spreading all over it. We got to see the Constellations riding on it hurriedly make their escape.
Not missing that opening, Yi Ji-Hye’s [Turtle Dragon] began its violent assault.
BOOOOOM!
Our vessel broke through the explosions, emerging unscathed. Yi Hyeon-Seong’s Fable metal had protected everyone.
Yi Ji-Hye stepped forward. She was the greatest Incarnation there was when it came to large scale warfare, capable of destroying hundred-plus enemy ships with only one vessel.
The Naval Admiral Yi Ji-Hye ordered the shelling to commence.
“Ahjussi, we’re going, too!”
Following on the cannon fires, Shin Yu-Seung’s [Chimera Dragon] also took flight, as well.
The leader had to be brought down first to end this warfare. So, as we had a small number of participants, there was only one choice we could make, really – an all-out blitzkrieg.
Shin Yu-Seung the Beast Lord, and Yi Gil-Yeong the Insect King. Two of the most complete tamers that I knew of carved out a path for us. [Chimera Dragon] under Shin Yu-Seung’s control fired the Breath to accurately strike down mid-sized enemy ships, while Yi Gil-Yeong’s insects crawled through any open gaps found to deal with dozens of smaller vessels trying to rush in at us.
“Stop right there!”
Insects crawled into the engines of smaller vessels and caused a series of huge explosions, thrusting the battlefield into pure chaos instantly.
Perhaps thinking that this couldn’t go on anymore, Fable-grade Constellations began crawling out from the battleships one by one.
[Incarnation, ‘Yu Sang-Ah’, is unleashing her Status!]
[Fable, ‘Hour of Mandala’ is activating!]
The moment Yu Sang-Ah activated her Fable, the movements of the enemy Constellations slowed down visibly.
That shocked me. I was already aware of her inheriting a portion of Sakyamuni’s powers, but didn’t expect her to wield this much of an authority over it..... An ability to control the flow of time itself?
“I can’t continue this for long,” said Yu Sang-Ah.
“It won’t take that long.”
Taking advantage of the time she bought for us, Yu Jung-Hyeok, Han Su-Yeong and I ran on the night sky.
[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’ is continuing on with its storytelling!]
[Great Fable, ‘Torch that Swallowed the Myth’ has begun its storytelling!]
The two Great Fables that protected <Kim Dok-Ja Company> until now; we had been using these two as our main attack power so far. The aura of the Fables stretched on like the tail of a meteor. The space we flew past was engraved with sparkling stars.
We had already broken past countless battleships, yet hundreds of Constellations were still blocking our path. If we cowered even for a moment here, their Status would force us back and crush us to death with sheer pressure.
[Nebula ‘Papyrus’ is unleashing the Great Fable’s Status!]
And so, this was the fight between two Nebulas.
“It’s my turn now.”
Originally, the Demon of Delusions Kim Nam-Wun should have been where Han Su-Yeong was now. However, not only had she performed that guy’s role admirably, she had become an existence far surpassing him.
[Great Fable, ‘Season of Light and Darkness’ has begun its storytelling.]
Finally, our third Great Fable began telling its story, as well. The distant cry of the Apocalypse Dragon could be heard like an auditory hallucination. We saw the <Papyrus>’s Constellations that participated in the Great War of Saints and Demons tremble in fear.
[T-this is....!]
The heavens split into two, one in light and the other in darkness, as ⸢Stage Transformation⸥ was activated. Han Su-Yeong’s figure soared higher as she stepped on the blurred boundary between the light and darkness. The wings of ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ spread out wide behind her back.
Just like back when she swooped in to rescue me, purple-coloured [Black Flames] were raging on both of her fists.
Kwa-aaaaaaah!
We rode on the storm of the Fable and advanced forward. This was the overwhelming splendour of a Great Fable that not even the Fable-grade Constellations could contend with.
We advanced forward like the Apocalypse Dragon’s shockwave. But then, a gigantic sun stepped in to block us.
[Constellation, ‘Midday Sun’, is staring at <Kim Dok-Ja Company>.]
A lone pitch-black figure stood in the centre of the blinding ball of light. That was the Sun God Ra’s true body.
[You shall all die here today.]
Yu Jung-Hyeok’s [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] roared on with a vicious howl.
Every Fable we possessed also howled and roared on. Even if it was just us two fighting together, facing off against a true Myth-grade Constellation was still asking a lot.
After all, we were only in the 3rd turn, so.... Hang on, 3rd turn?
[Fable, ‘Hellscape of Eternity’ has begun its storytelling!]
It was like that once upon a time.
[‘Reading together’ has begun.]
Afterimages of pages flipping past entered my eyes. As the hellish landscape filled up the surroundings, my story began. On the road created out of countless letters – Yu Jung-Hyeok ran on his lengthy lifetime.
⸢The 41st turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok threw a spear, and⸥
⸢The 362nd turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok extended his sceptre.⸥
⸢The 999th turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok wielded his Demon Sword.⸥
Tsu-chuchuchut!
Violent sparks began digging into my body.
[Your Status can’t handle your Reading Comprehension!]
For a brief moment during the ‘Journey to the West’, I managed to read up to the 1863rd turn. But that was only possible because the Great Sage and Outer Gods lent me their Probability.
[This is the true myth.]
Even after taking on Yu Jung-Hyeok’s falling [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship], Ra didn’t even budge.
[You cannot surpass the true myth.]
The minimum regression turn of Yu Jung-Hyeok needed to bring down a Myth-grade Constellation was 1700th.
I lacked power and lacked in Status. However, I didn’t back down. “No, we can surpass it.”
Because we still had one more Fable up our sleeve. The fourth Great Fable we earned by clearing ⸢the Journey to the West Remake⸥.
[Great Fable, ‘Liberator of the Forgotten Ones’ has begun its storytelling!]
In the next moment, an abundant amount of a Fable’s Probability permeated into my entire being. The Fable that the Great Sage and Outer Gods worked together to create was now roiling about over the contexts of my star and <Kim Dok-Ja Company>.
[<Star Stream> is greatly surprised by your Status.]
[<Star Stream> is currently reassessing your Status.]
Stinging bloody odour stabbed into my nose. The Tongtian River dyed in red from the corpses of Outer Gods appeared around us.
The sparks trying to drown me gradually lessened. The pages of the Hellscape began flipping past once more.
....1321st turn.
....1582nd turn.
....
....
And eventually, 1701st turn.
Yu Jung-Hyeok moved, his [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] now loaded with the power from the 1701st regression turn.
The ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ from then that cut the oceans apart, destroyed the sun, and carved out the Myth-grade Constellation Poseidon’s heart, was now opening his eyes.
⸢And this is the sight Kim Dok-Ja longed to see for a very long time.⸥
We could see Ra freak out and belatedly unleash his own Great Fable. I stared straight into Ra’s eyes. That bastard’s lips were mouthing, “But, how?”
I laughed.
“What do you mean, how?”
In order to kill a Myth-grade Constellation, you needed a power that equalled one.
The Myth-grade Constellation – existences that started their ‘One Single Story’ and had earned their ‘Conclusion’, or compiled their own incredible Great Fables and reached the cusps of their ‘Conclusion’ that way.
[Absolute majority of Constellations are greatly shocked by your Status!]
[Your Status has caused the Constellations from great Nebulas to.....!]
Just like me right now, in other words.
[<Star Stream> has announced your new Status.]
[Your Status is ‘Myth-grade’.]
A stupendous boom resounded out as Yu Jung-Hyeok’s [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] cut Ra’s sun down.
<Episode 88. Myth-grade Constellation (3)> Fin.