Chapter 537: Epilogue 4 – The Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (2)
“Run! We only have to go a little bit further!”
Han Su-Yeong, along with her companions, broke through the waves of the Constellations. The Ark scattered debris as it was destroyed, and revealed the [Final Wall] in its full glory in the distance.
The grace of a Great Fable was enveloping the companions as if to protect them.
[Great Fable, ‘One Who Rebels Against Fate’, has begun its storytelling.]
It was a new Great Fable they got to earn during this regression turn. Without it, they would’ve died many times over.
They could see the figures of Constellations marching towards them from the distance. Like enraged wild beasts, Myth-grade Constellations from <Vedas> and <Papyrus> were rushing in their direction.
⸢Unlike their previous regression turn, they didn’t have ‘Outer Gods’ supporting them this time.⸥
Their combat force was in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation. The only reason why they weren’t pushed back even then, was because the strongest ever group in existence made out of regressors was lending them support.
The ones taking on the frontlines were the Chinese and Indian Incarnations.
When China’s Fei Hu gave his signal, Incarnations from his own force, [Ah Q] yanked out their weapons simultaneously. As if he couldn’t possibly lose here, India’s Ranvir Khan also joined the fray. The Incarnations from [Trimurti] following after him pulled out their own spears too, and caused the sand storm to violently rage on.
Then, [Justice] led by Selena Kim and [Solzhenitsyn] led by Iris who tagged along with her took on both sides of the flanks.
Even then, their battle situation remained disadvantageous.
[Go on ahead, I shall take care of this place.]
[If you fail to rescue my disciple, then consider your lives forfeit.]
Kyrgios and the Breaking the Sky Saint, they too were part of the 100-strong regressors. Weapons of these two swept across the battlefield, and the Transcenders from Murim supported their rear and followed after the duo.
Kwa-aaaaaah!
Both Kyrgios and the Breaking the Sky Saint had grown even stronger than before through the regression; as if they were in competition against each other, their sword strikes raucously shook the entire battlefield. The screams of the Constellations being torn apart by the silver-hued storm reverberated throughout the land.
The [Wall] needed to be opened while they were buying a little bit of time.
⸢This wall had been opened once before.⸥
Han Su-Yeong looked up at the massive wall they had finally succeeded in reaching and spoke up. “Jang Ha-Yeong.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As if she was waiting for it, Jang Ha-Yeong extended her hand.
She was now the full-fledged ‘King of Transcenders’ after going through the scenarios one more time.
[The ‘Wall of Impossible Communication’ has discovered its intended position.]
The [Final Wall] began vibrating as if it was reacting to their Great Fable.
“Yu Sang-Ah.”
Yu Sang-Ah nodded her head and stepped forward.
[The ‘Wall that Decides Samsara’ has discovered its intended position.]
⸢[You are... I see... You have journeyed this lengthy cycle of time and eventually made your way back here, my arhat.]⸥
The Fable of Sakyamuni quietly entered their ears. Sakyamuni of this world-line easily accepted Yu Sang-Ah’s existence. He had already repeated many, many cycles of samsara, allowing him to gain an understanding of this universe’s rules.
“Jeong Hui-Won, Yi Gil-Yeong.”
The [Wall That Divides the Good and Evil] they received from ‘Metatron’ and ‘Agares’.
Jeong Hui-Won reached out first and placed her hand on the [Final Wall].
⸢[....Have you really come here, after witnessing what’s beyond that wall?]⸥
Metatron of this world-line was deeply astonished by the companions’ existence. He accepted the eventual destruction of <Eden>, and admitted that that result couldn’t be changed. However, he made a slightly different decision during this regression turn. The proof of that was the <Eden>’s Archangels currently aiding the Incarnations. However, it wasn’t only him who made a bizarre choice.
⸢[How amusing. You dare to ask me, a Demon King, to hand over the [Wall] to you.]⸥
The Demon Kings and the angels who fought against each other with murderous intensity back in the Great War of Saints and Demons stood as their allies this time. It was a choice based on their desire to survive, but nevertheless, it proved to be a great help to <Kim Dok-Ja Company>.
[The ‘Wall That Divides the Good and Evil’ has discovered its intended position.]
[A great number of Constellations are unleashing their Status towards <Kim Dok-Ja Company>!]
Of course, it wasn’t as if every Constellation out there became their allies. The absolute majority of <Star Stream> still remained as their enemies, and those Constellations who chose to help were minuscule in number.
Even then, the Companions got this far safely. Although deep scars remained in various parts of their bodies, not a single one was lost along the way.
This was only because no one got greedy and the end goal was the same for everyone.
Han Su-Yeong looked at Yi Hyeon-Seong the last.
The burly man’s back was carrying the pale-faced Kim Dok-Ja. More specifically, not Kim Dok-Ja but an Avatar he left behind.
She looked at him and spoke. “Help us, Kim Dok-Ja.”
However, this man was also definitely Kim Dok-Ja. Just like how the 1863rd turn’s Han Su-Yeong was definitely ‘Han Su-Yeong’.
“The other me might not want this to happen. This story... it has ended back then....”
Kim Dok-Ja stammered. He had come to accept that he was Kim Dok-Ja’s Avatar by now. Han Su-Yeong quietly stared at him, before saying this.
“Why don’t we ask that after meeting the other you?”
That brought a sad little smile on Kim Dok-Ja’s lips. He looked at Han Su-Yeong, then looked at the faces of the companions one by one.
“If this is... the story you wanted....”
His pale hand then touched the [Final Wall].
The last fragment of the Final Wall was [The 4th Wall]. And as he was Kim Dok-Ja’s Avatar, he too held a part of that key.
Tsu-chuchuchuchu....!
As if this world wasn’t acknowledging his existence, Kim Dok-Ja’s body began shaking unsteadily.
And soon after that, a portion of the wall opened up along with loud splitting noises. Kim Dok-Ja shaking around as if he was getting electrocuted blacked out instantly. Yi Hyeon-Seong continued to carry him on the back.
Yu Jung-Hyeok dusting the blade of his Dark Heavenly Demon Sword spoke up. “Forward, at top speed.”
Along with his signal, the companions began running forward.
“Everyone, stay strong! Only a little bit more to go!”
“We still have enough Life and Death Pills left, so even if you’re only slightly injured, please tell me right away!”
The voices of the companions were encouraging each other. Han Su-Yeong ran while listening to them. A bright-white field of snow stretched before her eyes. Letters piling up like snow could be seen here and there on this field. She stepped on those letters and leapt up.
Did the 1863rd turn’s her write this story in the revised version?
Did she think about Kim Dok-Ja’s story, and the epilogue to come after?
....She couldn’t tell.
No matter what she tried, she simply couldn’t remember that portion.
It was then, something fell and settled on her eyelashes. She reflexively wiped it away, only for snowflake-like things to stain her hand.
⸢...This girl, you told me that you were a penniless book lover, didn’t you?⸥
The white snowflakes of letters were scattering in the air. Sentences that definitely existed there, but couldn’t be seen because how pure-white their colour was.
⸢Han Su-Yeong.⸥
Han Su-Yeong dazedly stared at that ‘sentence’ falling into her hand.
⸢Your story, it....⸥
This was Kim Dok-Ja’s sentence. Not just anyone, but Kim Dok-Ja himself had written this earnest impression. She gripped the sentence tightly. Just like the starlight being pushed away by the breaking of dawn, the sentences crumbled away within her hand.
⸢Don’t worry. I will read it. Even if it’s over 3000 chapters.⸥
These sentences, they were something she so desperately wanted to have. Unfortunately, they weren’t hers.
Memories were rushing in. Emotions that her other self had experienced.
Han Su-Yeong could vividly feel them even now. The resentment that didn’t know which way to go was spreading within her mind.
⸢Beyond this field of snow was where Kim Dok-Ja could be found.⸥
Kim Dok-Ja, who made Kim Dok-Ja who he was. Kim Dok-Ja, who remembered the ‘Ways of Survival’. Kim Dok-Ja, who chose the memories of the book he had written over the memories of happier days...
“Goddammit.... goddammit!!”
The novel that was written by her, who was also not her. That very novel saved Kim Dok-Ja, and also at the same time, it doomed him. And she now needed to take responsibility for the conclusion to the tragedy her other self had created.
It was around then that a faint flicker of light revealed itself from afar.
Ku-gugugugu....
She saw something busy rushing forward beyond this vast field of snow. The companions looked at each other all at once. Not a single person here didn’t know what that thing was.
⸢It was the subway.⸥
“Chimera Dragon!”
The Chimera Dragon loudly howled out as it got summoned, and took flight after the companions got on its back. The creature scythed through the air and reached the rear of the subway in an instant. Only a little bit remained now. As long as they could bridge this gap, they....!
[Gyahhhhhhh!]
Suddenly, the Chimera Dragon screamed and lost its balance. The stunned Shin Yu-Seung quickly took a look behind only to discover some ‘things’ were biting onto the Dragon’s tail.
[[Grrrrrr.....!]]
Large wild dogs resembling pitch-black shadows began biting into the Dragon’s tail and its wings. These creatures were appearing from a portal opening up in the air. The Chimera Dragon’s torn-off flesh got scattered away within the white snowfield.
“Hounds Chasing After the Abyss??”
They had seen these creatures before. These hounds from another dimension attacked the ‘Secretive Plotter’ and the characters from the 999th turn. They were terrifying monsters that supposedly hunted down the wanderers of the world-lines that violated the Probability.
But, why were these hounds attacking them now?
Yu Jung-Hyeok gasped and spoke. “....It seems that they judged the ‘Group Regression’ to be a danger to the world-line.”
“Goddammit....”
The number of the hounds rushing outside the portal increased exponentially.
They even saw hounds with massive physiques, too. This level of attacking force was truly unprecedented. And accompanied by the loud howl that reverberated throughout the snowfield, the hounds kicked the air and pounced on them simultaneously.
The moment the black clouds of hounds landed on the companions....
The heavens seemed to shatter along with the loud “RUMBLE!!”
The golden-coloured lightning crashed down and hounds were viciously cast away. Yu Sang-Ah was the first to figure out who was behind the attack.
“Great Sage!”
The golden rims were glowing gloriously. The master of the Ruyi Jingu Bang was grinning confidently. [Leave this to me.]
[Constellation, ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’, is unleashing his Status!]
It wasn’t just the Great Sage alone.
Some had followed the companions into the passageway of the [Final Wall] left wide open.
[This is my opportunity to show everyone what will happen if this great one uses both of his hands!]
[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, has removed all the seals on himself!]
The noble flames of an Archangel were added to the mix and burned away at the hounds. [I may not be as strong as the 999th turn’s me, but... there’s no problem buying you more time.]
[Constellation, ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’, is rousing up the flames of hell!]
The flames of [Hellfire] brilliantly danced upwards as pure-white wings spread out. With a faint smile, Uriel spoke. [I’ll leave Kim Dok-Ja in your hands, Hui-Won-ah.]
Using that fleeting opening the Constellations had created, the Chimera Dragon finally managed to bite onto the rear of the subway. However, the vehicle’s hardy exterior didn’t break even when the Dragon’s fangs clamped down on it.
“Master! With me!”
Yi Ji-Hye holding swords in both of her hands kicked off the Dragon’s back and leapt up.
Two swords were held in her grip – the [Twin Dragon Sword] of the Maritime War God, and the [Invincible Warrior’s Sword] from the Goryeo’s number one swordsman.
[Constellation, ‘Goryeo’s First Swordsman’, is bestowing his blessing!]
[Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’, is cheering on his Incarnation!]
The Fourth Law.
Fourth Sword that Beheads the Emptiness.
It was the skill Cheok Jun-Gyeong used while fighting against the ‘Indescribable Distance’. Although still incomplete, Yi Ji-Hye could use this sword strike to some degree now. This miracle only came about due to the hellish training she went through in the ‘Isle of Reincarnators’ as well as her stunning innate talent.
Kwa-kwakwakwakwa!
The subway’s exterior that withstood a Dragon’s fangs began to bend bit by bit from her continuous sword strikes. Not missing that opening, Yu Jung-Hyeok’s [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] also made a move.
The Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship.
Secret Technique: Inner Mystery Transmission.
Shooting Star Slash.
The trajectory of destruction the [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] drew slammed into the rear of the subway.
Once the choking dust cleared out of their view, a small hole had appeared on the train’s rear.
“It’s done! Everyone, get in!”
The companions rapidly infiltrated the subway’s interior. More correctly, with the exception of two people.
“Yu Jung-Hyeok! Behind you!!”
[[Grrrrrr!!]]
The hounds that the Constellations failed to block were flooding in from behind them. Yu Jung-Hyeok unleashed all of his strength as a Transcender to face them head-on. He shouted out while smacking the hounds away with the storm-like barrage of sword strikes.
“Go on ahead! I shall catch up to you soon!”
Han Su-Yeong bit her lip.
It wasn’t just anyone but Yu Jung-Hyeok, the strongest among their group. As he was a man who could fight evenly against a Myth-grade Constellation, he wouldn’t get done in by the hounds of the abyss that easily.
“.....Don’t get killed, okay?”
Han Su-Yeong left those words behind and hurriedly entered the subway’s interior. It was as exactly the same as the interior of the third line train they all remembered.
⸢It was none other than that very same train, where they left Kim Dok-Ja behind.⸥
Han Su-Yeong quickly checked for the train cabin’s information. Along with the ‘Tsu-chuchut’ noise, the cabin’s number floated up.
She reflexively shouted out. “Kim Dok-Ja is in the cabin number 3807! Everyone, get to the front!”
This was a similar situation to back when they earned the Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’. It seemed that the rest of the companions also realised this.
“This does resemble that time when we fought against Surya. I shall pry open the door in front of us!” Yi Hyeon-Seong quickly rushed forward, and while expanding every muscle on his body, he let out a mighty shout. “Haaaaaaahp!”
The [Great Mountain Push] that had exceeded the skill proficiency was activated, and the thick subway’s door creaked loudly while being pushed open.
[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, has begun its storytelling!]
[‘Stage Transformation’ has been triggered!]
This Great Fable could only be completed because everyone worked together. And the blessing of this Fable was now aiding them.
When Yi Hyeon-Seong couldn’t open a door, Yu Sang-Ah found the button to operate it, and when a door even she couldn’t do anything about appeared, Yi Gil-Yeong summoned his insects and wore out the internal parts to make way.
And so, they continued to open one, open two, and then, opened yet another door. As the number of doors they managed to open grew higher, the expressions of the companions were gradually getting heated up, too.
⸢Kim Dok-Ja was definitely beyond there.⸥
Everyone in the group could feel it. The pitch-black door before them, it had to be the [Final Door].
“....Urgh. It’s impossible with my Stigma.”
Unfortunately, this door didn’t want to open unlike before.
“I can’t find the button, either.”
“Even the bugs say they can’t figure out its structure.”
“Should I use my skill to break it?”
They resorted to Yi Ji-Hye’s sword strikes as well as Yi Hyeon-Seong’s [Great Mountain Destruction], but the door didn’t budge an inch. The companions could only look at each other. How come only this door refused to open up?
It was then that Yu Sang-Ah opened her mouth. “Everyone, wait. I think this door is the same as the one Yu Jung-Hyeok-ssi broke back in the past.”
“Yu Jung-Hyeok did that?”
“Yes. Back in the third regression turn, Jung-Hyeok-ssi broke this door and entered...”
Han Su-Yeong reflexively looked behind her. But Yu Jung-Hyeok didn’t come with them. He was probably still fighting against the ‘Hounds Chasing After the Abyss’ even now at the rear of the train.
It was right then that Shin Yu-Seung cried out. “Hounds are here!”
Even before they had realised it, the hounds were already trying to sneak in through the gaps they had destroyed.
Han Su-Yeong’s mind began racing. What happened to Yu Jung-Hyeok? Could it be that he got....?
“Block the rear!”
“Eonni! Hurry up!”
There was no more time to think. Yi Hyeon-Seong ran forward like a true tanker, and started enduring against the hounds’ fangs by entering [Steel Transformation], while Yi Ji-Hye and Jeong Hui-Won unsheathed their swords to smack away the creatures.
Jang Ha-Yeong shouted out. “Han Su-Yeong! Do something!”
Han Su-Yeong approached the black door. When she placed her hand on it, faint sparks began exploding. She slowly closed her eyes.
All of the sentences were, in actual reality, written by her hands. Even if that was the ‘other Han Su-Yeong’, that version was still undoubtedly Han Su-Yeong. So, this hand should be able to open this door, too.
Tsu-chuchuchuchuchu-!
As if she was now re-writing the sentences, Han Su-Yeong started messing with the wall’s Fable.
⸢”I’m Yu Jung-Hyeok.”⸥
The regressor Yu Jung-Hyeok was her creation. That was why she should be able to open this door, as well.
⸢Unfortunately, Han Su-Yeong didn’t know.⸥
Tsu-chuchuchut!
⸢A story that had already left the author’s hands was no longer under its creator’s control.⸥
The universe of the ‘Ways of Survival’ flooded into Han Su-Yeong’s head. The things she did write, and those she didn’t. Stories that she imagined and those she couldn’t even have, crashed and churned in opposite directions inside her mind all at the same time.
“Keuk....!”
Blood trickled out from her eyes and mouth. The blood flow reversed, causing her blood to pour out onto the subway’s floor.
As her vision was dyed in crimson, Han Su-Yeong turned to look back at her companions. They were gradually spreading apart while fighting. And their running footsteps imprinted on the subway’s corridor remained there like Fables.
[You don’t have the ‘Overwrite’ authority!]
⸢An already-completed world was right before her eyes.⸥
The voices of her companions calling out to her seemed so distant.
⸢The world where the result devours the cause, and the cause devours the result. The world where all possibilities exist, and the individual possibility supports and maintains each other. A perfect, immortal epic where a story manufactures a story all on its own.⸥
She looked back, and the space before her began distorting along with a shower of sparks. The subway’s four-sided door slowly started spinning and drew a circle. The door, now spinning viciously, became a pitch-black circle.
A perfect, complete circle that didn’t permit any and all types of external intrusions.
She tottered and reached out to this circle, but Han Su-Yeong couldn’t even touch it. This circle now resembled a single full stop. A full stop announcing that the story was truly complete, just like this.
⸢t l s 1 2 3⸥
And this full stop was now addressing her.
⸢Y o u ca nn ot cha nge th is sto ry⸥
<Epilogue 4. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (2)> Fin.