1046 Episode 64. Eternal Night (5)

*

The reunion was short. Whether she lost tension after seeing me, Cha Yerin collapsed straight away as if fainting. Lightly supporting her, I requested treatment from the Mass Production Maker.

A group of stewards appeared from the Mass Production Maker's warship and began to take care of her.

"The incarnation body is heavily damaged."

"Bring more story packs!"

Cha Yerin had defended that castle at the very front lines until her incarnation body became like this. I couldn't understand. What on earth were the other existences of the 'Constellation Camp' doing elsewhere until she was pushed this far? Yoo Joonghyuk, and the other stars—

Turning my head, Surya, supported by Agni, was looking at me.

"It has been a while, Supreme God of Light."

I had seen Surya twice until now. Once was while being chased by constellations in the 'Recycling Center', and another time was in the 'New Murim District'. Of course, I had also met the 1,864th round Surya in the Fear Realm. Surya who traveled the post-conclusion world after becoming the 'Final Chief Engineer'. However, since he wasn't the Surya in front of my eyes, I did not mention it.

Perhaps having felt my story, Surya's tone carried a hint of admiration.

"Thank you for protecting Yerin-ssi."

I expressed my sincere gratitude to him. The only star that came out to the battlefield and fought against the disasters. Had he not been here, this fortress would have been destroyed before I arrived.

"Still, thank you. Had it not been for you, the damage would have been greater."

Surya muttered, looking back with blurry eyes at Cha Yerin, who was receiving treatment.

That blunt Cha Yerin said such things? Perhaps Cha Yerin had built quite a friendship with the Surya in front of her during that time.

It had been a while since I received such an honest greeting from a star, so I smiled broadly and replied.

"No. I am the one who is grateful."

Surya looked at me with a somewhat hesitant expression, then added briefly.

"Certainly. Anytime."

Hearing the expression 'share a talk' at a time when destruction was right before our noses felt strange once again, but I also thought that it was quite like stars and humans. Even if destruction comes tomorrow, we talk. Even destruction becomes the material of a story.

As all the main Outer Gods were destroyed, the 'Nameless Things' that were surging from far away were also seen scattering and fleeing.

A scenario where 1 million coins came in as a simple reward. Indeed, since it was a scenario at the very final stages, the scale was different. Of course, the 'real reward' here wouldn't be coins.

"Found it!"

Some of the surviving incarnations were already digging through the heaps of dead Outer Gods' corpses to pick up stories that might be useful to them. Gathering stories when their companions had been dying just moments ago—anyone looking might call it a psychopathic judgment, but rather, it was possible because they were incarnations who had survived this far. If they didn't become stronger by picking up even one more story, they couldn't survive the next battlefield. The incarnations here knew that fact better than anyone.

The Mass Production Maker beside me also moved stealthily with an itching expression. It was clear what 'corpses' he was going to inspect. I looked at the corpse of the giant Outer God lying dead ten paces away.

It was a massive Outer God that we wouldn't have dared oppose previously. If it was of that grade, it would at least be comparable to the 'Devourer of Dreams'. A corpse of such a high-grade Outer God would definitely have many uses.

Perhaps because I had slain a disaster corresponding to a 'natural catastrophe class', I felt a new story boiling. However, before I could even verify the newly obtained story, something wriggled inside me.

As expected. Letting out a light sigh, I quietly stared at the stories within me. The Super Giant Story. The moment to use this fellow in earnest was finally approaching.

A Hidden Scenario. Apparently, obtaining the cooperation of all the kings was the hidden completion condition of the previous scenario.

It was an interesting story. Requesting a desired reward from the 'Bureau'? There had never been this kind of guidance until now.

So it meant I could receive any 'item' as long as the 'Dokkaebi King' did not oppose the reward I requested.

Perhaps considering it an excessively excessive reward, there seemed to be differing opinions within the Bureau. From my perspective, it wasn't a bad thing, but strictly speaking, receiving such a reward at this point was not a situation that could be viewed entirely positively.

In other words, that they judged there was almost no possibility of our camp winning, even if they gave me such a reward. At this point, I was curious on one hand. I already knew the situation was bad. But just how bad was it that they were encouraging the scenario by giving me even this kind of reward?

An 'incarnation body suitable'. It was the first time I received such a message. Somehow, the scenario system always felt displeased with me. Did it mean I had grown that much?

Along with the messages popping up one after another, the full-fledged 'Main Scenario' window appeared.

+

<Main Scenario # 98 - Ragnarok>

The result being 'destruction of the world and extermination of all living things'. Just hearing it was a sentence that made my hair stand on end.

I thought the scenario description was somewhat vague, but looking closely, the rules of the 'Main Battlefield' were listed additionally below.

+

1. The corresponding scenario ends when all 'flags' of the opposing camp are occupied.

2. A total of 12 fortresses exist in each camp, and one flag is preserved in each fortress.

3. Killing the commander of the fortress is also recognized as seizing the fortress's flag.

4. The commander of the fortress is automatically appointed as the 'existence with the highest status' in that fortress.

5. The commander of the fortress must appear in the 'battlefield' within three days when the siege battle begins.

...

A situation that naturally brought a sigh. I knew we were being pushed back, but to think it was to this extent.

Did she check the scenario contents like me? I saw Jung Heewon, who was standing far away, approaching this way.

"Dokja-ssi. This really feels like that scenario."

"Yes. It's similar to the fourth scenario."

Looking at the contents alone, it felt like an expanded version of the 'King's Road' after all. Although it was interesting that 'Ragnarok', the scenario of great destruction, resembled the early scenario, predictably, there was no way this was all there was to the final scenario.

This was merely the scenario unfolding on the surface. The real 'main' probably hadn't even begun yet. Perhaps when the conditions of the Hidden Scenario were unlocked, Ragnarok's 'final scenario' would also be updated.

In the distance, I saw the constellations who were aboard the warships landing outside one by one.

And on the other hand, there were incarnations glancing at the newly appeared constellations. They were all incarnations who had survived this battle.

"Did reinforcements really come?"

"Ah..."

Although the situation wouldn't change greatly just because a few more constellations were reinforced, their expressions were nevertheless looking much brighter. That was the important thing. That hope to continue the story had arisen.

"Author-nim."

Suddenly turning back, Cha Yerin, who had regained consciousness, was standing there.

"Yerin-ssi. Your body..."

"It's fine."

Cha Yerin stood quietly looking at me with a somewhat flushed complexion. Come to think of it, her atmosphere and way of speaking seemed to have changed slightly. The Cha Yerin I knew rarely got excited, angry, or sad—she was characterized by speaking in a flat tone as if reading a book. Did those eight years perhaps change even her story?

After looking at me for a long time, Cha Yerin barely managed to utter a word.

"Thank you."

Even upon hearing those words of thanks, I felt miserable instead. Because I couldn't fathom the depth of the countless emotions she must have swallowed to utter that single word. Too many things must have happened to her while I was gone. She lost her companions, and even her brother. Simply as the price of entering the story she loved, she paid too great a price.

"I am sorry."

"What are you so sorry about?"

"I was too—"

"You're not late."

Cha Yerin spoke, shaking her head.

"You are here now. So you're not late."

I forced a smile. If she said so, then so it was. Therefore, for now, believing her words and thinking about the future was the priority.

Cha Yerin examined me and the other constellations standing behind me with calm eyes. Before long, the four 'Kings' were gathered near me.

"Those people are—"

"They will help us."

Cha Yerin stared at each of the 'Kings' for a moment. Like a long-time reader, she seemed to recognize who they were just by looking. A brief longing rose in her pupils and scattered, and quickly regaining her usual expression, Cha Yerin spoke.

"I will guide you to the castle."

*

Cha Yerin, the other four Kings, and I entered the inner castle and examined the interior. Incarnations and Historical-grade constellations repairing the broken fortress were seen here and there. Most were not combat personnel but seemed to be talents specialized in castle defense.

Gong Pildu, who was repairing the Armed Fortress from afar, waved toward here. Looking closely, the appearances of several incarnations tending to the 'Armed Fortress' were familiar.

"Zarathustra."

Cha Yerin nodded and replied.

"That's right. They are the artisans who followed the prophet."

Whether they also recognized me, a few of them bowed lightly. I also greeted them briefly. By the way, even counting at a glance, the incarnations remaining inside this fortress seemed to be less than a thousand.

"Is this all?"

"For now."

"There must be other forces as well. Surely we aren't just repeating defensive battles here."

"There is a unit that moves independently."

A unit that moves independently.

"Is it Yoo Joonghyuk?"

Cha Yerin nodded slightly. Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st round. As expected, he had already arrived here and was fighting the disasters.

"The prophet and Japan's representative incarnation are also moving together with him. They are performing a mission even now."

Fortunately, the prophet Anna Croft and Asuka Ren seemed to be alive as well. Having roughly looked around the fortress, I thought it was time to gradually ask the important questions.

"You are curious about what happened during that time, right?"

As if reading my mind, Cha Yerin calmly began the story. The emergence of the existence now called 'Snow White' or 'Master of the Erased Void'—'Snowfield Kim Dokja'. Clearing scenarios together with him. The companions dispersing according to their respective beliefs, and 'Ragnarok' beginning.

"I know that much roughly."

This was a story I knew to some extent through Snowfield Kim Dokja's story fragments or other paths.

The important part was from here on.

"When Ragnarok began, there were incarnations who came to kill 'Snow White'."

"Ji Eunyu and the other incarnations, right?"

Cha Yerin nodded. Actually, I was reluctant to ask about that part in detail. Because her brother, Cha Seongwoo, had died in that battle. However, Cha Yerin calmly explained the events of that day. The companions turning against each other, and other constellations including <Eden> appearing on the battlefield. And—

"And <Kim Dokja Company> descended upon this worldline."

I nodded. The part I wanted to hear had finally come.

"Where are they now? Did they really lose to 'Snow White'?"

Although I had received vague hints while talking with Ji Eunyu, I had no certain knowledge. However, I had to know now. Hesitating for a moment, Cha Yerin opened her mouth.

"I couldn't witness that scene myself."

Cha Yerin continued speaking with her head slightly bowed.

"However, I can tell you what happened. If you want—"

Turning around at the suddenly interrupting voice, the Supreme God of Light, Surya, was there. Perhaps having already finished rough treatment, his entire body was wrapped tightly in bandages.

Outer Gods. Certainly, to the stars of this world, they might appear that way.

"Yes."

I let out a sigh of relief internally. However, the questions were only beginning.

"I know that they clashed with 'Snow White'... the 'Master of the Erased Void'."

"Did they lose?"

Surya pondered for a moment, then spoke like this.

My heart raced for an instant. They didn't lose? That meant...

The Outer God wearing the black coat. Without needing to ask, it referred to Yoo Joonghyuk of the 1,864th round. Surya had a somewhat hazy look in his eyes as if recalling that moment, and slowly added to his words.

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< Episode 64. Eternal Night (5) > End