1047 Episode 64. Eternal Night (6)
At the brink of death. It wasn't any constellation but Surya who said it, then it must have been the truth.
It was the first time I heard about that day in detail, and not only the Kings who were with me but also Cha Yerin seemed to be listening attentively to Surya's story. After pausing for a moment to choose his words, Surya opened his mouth again.
[That overwhelming aura had never been witnessed before. I don't want to admit it, but he was higher than any 'Myth-grade' I had ever seen.]
[It wasn’t an opponent you could push back just because you have a higher status.]
It was Meihouwang, who had been listening to the story quietly, interrupting.
['The Master of the Erased Blank Space' wields absolute power. Even if the Outer God you mentioned was as powerful as you say, it would still have been extremely difficult to overcome it, wouldn’t it?]
The other Kings also nodded in agreement at Meihouwang’s words. It was a reasonable argument. Moreover, the Kings here had just experienced the power of that 'authority' firsthand. However, Surya shook his head and added.
[That Outer God was unaffected by the power used by 'The Master of the Erased Blank Space'.]
[Unaffected?]
The power of the Master of the Erased Blank Space.
「 The power that expels one outside the context of this world by ceasing to 'read' a specific target. 」
It seems like the power that only 'Oldest Dream' can use was used by Kim Dokja, even against Yoo Joonghyuk of the 1,864th regression.
Surya, instead of giving an explanation, clenched his fist tightly and then opened it. Then, a small butterfly appeared in his palm. As the butterfly fluttered and began to fly, dust-like story powder fell from its wings. It was the story of that day Surya had preserved.
「 "I will no longer read you." 」
The familiar voice rang out from the story. With the true command of 'Snowfield Kim Dokja', a sound like a book closing again in the story was heard. A merciless violence that denies the very page on which the existence is recorded and refuses to 'read', which no star could resist.
But there was a being who did not kneel before that power.
「 "It's useless against me." 」
A voice that sends shivers just by listening to it. Yoo Joonghyuk of the 1,864th regression, who didn't hide his status, was there.
「 He is the peak that the character Yoo Joonghyuk can reach. 」
It was only upon seeing it that I realized the truth. A spirit ready to break through the story. An overwhelming presence that a person who has never given up for a moment and has overcome all of history can possess.
「 "As long as you are 'Kim Dokja', that ability won’t work against me." 」
In reality, Yoo Joonghyuk was approaching Kim Dokja one step at a time without taking any damage.
[How is that even—]
Meihouwang's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Abyssal Black Flame Dragon looked confused, as he couldn’t understand what happened. That was understandable. For them, this was the first time they had seen an 'Outer God' resist the power of the 'Oldest Dream'.
But that situation wasn't unfamiliar to me. If you think about it, it was natural. 'The Oldest Dream' is a being that lives while dreaming of something. And Kim Dokja became 'The Oldest Dream' by imagining the story of 'Yoo Joonghyuk', the protagonist of 'Ways of Survival'. In other words—not reading 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is no different from denying his identity as the 'Oldest Dream'.
「 In the confrontation between the 'Secretive Plotter' and 'The Oldest Dream', something similar happened. 」
The existence that could become the sole counter to the 'Oldest Dream' in this entire universe. That was none other than the protagonist, Yoo Joonghyuk.
「 "I see." 」
But Snowfield Kim Dokja wasn't confused. Instead, he smiled as if it were amusing and faced Yoo Joonghyuk.
「 "Very well. Let’s fight properly." 」
And thus, the battle began. Amidst the swirling of black and white stories before their eyes, an exchange of blows too fast to be tracked continued. The sound of blood spraying and flesh tearing proved that the two were engaged in a life-or-death duel.
[Giant Story, 'Demon Realm’s Spring', has begun its storytelling!]
[Giant Story, 'Torch That Swallowed the Myth', has begun its storytelling!]
As I watched the familiar stories clawing and baring their fangs at each other, pages of the original novel swirled in my mind.
Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja had clashed many times. At the end of 'King's Road' facing 'The Absolute Throne'. In front of the 'Demon King’s Throne' where the Demon King of Salvation was born. In scenarios where they had to seize each other's 'Right to Life and Death' to ascend to the 'Context of the Constellations'. Besides those, the two had fought countlessly, countlessly many times.
「 "Yoo Joonghyuk, have you forgotten? You cannot defeat me." 」
With those words, a fierce spark erupted through the landscape.
['Stage Transformation' is activated!]
I understood what Snowfield Kim Dokja was plotting.
[Story, 'King of a Kingless World', has begun its storytelling!]
That was the birth story of Kim Dokja which existed in me as well. The eyes of Yoo Joonghyuk in the story shook as the stage was being reproduced before my eyes.
「 There stood Gwanghwamun, where the two had once fought a bloody battle. 」
The final chapter of 'King's Road'. In a scenario where only his own body can prove 'The King's Qualification', Kim Dokja temporarily surpassed Yoo Joonghyuk's stats by pouring coins.
「 All stages strengthen the history that has already occurred. 」
'Snowfield Kim Dokja' was the same. He used his coins to enhance all his physical attributes to their limits. Kim Dokja's fist, moving as fast as a shooting star, extended towards Yoo Joonghyuk.
「 No matter how strong Yoo Joonghyuk is, he can't handle that punch right now. 」
In the 'King’s Road' where neither skills nor stigmas can be used, Kim Dokja's fist struck Yoo Joonghyuk's abdomen.
Twokang!
Like an explosion, a blinding cloud of dust rose. According to the original story, Yoo Joonghyuk should have been sent flying from that punch. But Yoo Joonghyuk stood his ground. In fact, Kim Dokja's punch had been blocked by Yoo Joonghyuk's palm.
「 "Did you really believe that you could defeat me with just this much?" 」
For the first time, a hint of surprise was visible on Snowfield Kim Dokja's face. When had it started? Kim Dokja's stage, which had been dominating everything, had begun to crumble. Along with the surging sparks, a landscape of another 'stage' flickered.
The surrounding constellations were confused about what was happening, but I alone understood the situation.
「 He is offsetting 'Stage Transformation' with 'Stage Transformation'. 」
Kim Dokja's fights with Yoo Joonghyuk may have been won more often by Kim Dokja, but there were also many cases where the outcome wasn't properly decided, and sometimes—
['Stage Transformation' is activated!]
There were also cases where Yoo Joonghyuk won. Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja stood facing each other in the rushing landscape. And I, too, was momentarily present in that landscape with them.
「 "'I'll kill you, Yoo Joonghyuk.' Do you remember this line?" 」
[Demon King Transformation] activated, a pale deadly aura radiated from Snowfield Kim Dokja's entire body. The corpses of stars scattered around them. I knew where that was.
「 "I remember." 」
The Isle of Reincarnators. Here, Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja had fought.
「 "Back then, you killed Han Sooyoung." 」
A pure white blade was shining in the hand of Snowfield Kim Dokja. 'Unbreakable Faith'. Kim Dokja's main weapon.
「 "I knew she wouldn't die." 」
「 "Did you fight me knowing that? Why?" 」
Yoo Joonghyuk did not answer. Kim Dokja smiled faintly.
「 "You never know how to speak properly. That is why Han Sooyoung ultimately died." 」
「 "Han Sooyoung is not dead." 」
「 "No, she's dead. Because of you. Because you were stubborn—" 」
Snowfield Kim Dokja's figure vanished. Accelerated through [Electrification], he swung his sword towards Yoo Joonghyuk's head.
「 "Because you never gave up on the meaningless goal of finding 'every Kim Dokja'!" 」
Yoo Joonghyuk swung the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] to block Kim Dokja's strikes.
「 "That was also Han Sooyoung's goal." 」
「 "Then why didn't you step forward in her place first?" 」
「 "That's—" 」
Snowfield Kim Dokja kept swinging his sword relentlessly, without leaving any room for Yoo Joonghyuk to answer.
「 "She is the person who writes the lines for the characters. You already knew that, didn't you? That Han Sooyoung would act in your place and fulfill what you wanted. That one-sided belief of yours—" 」
The black and white blades roared as they clashed. No star dared to interfere in their duel. Even the stars that shattered planets and dominated galaxies looked at their battle with awe.
「 "—is what drove Han Sooyoung to her death." 」
Yoo Joonghyuk's sword hesitated for a fraction of a second, and Snowfield Kim Dokja did not miss the opportunity. Shaking Yoo Joonghyuk with his tongue, Snowfield Kim Dokja unleashed truly astonishing sword strikes. The skills and stories he gained while living through the scenarios were embedded in every trajectory. Although it was slightly different from Kim Dokja’s fighting style that I remembered, he was undoubtedly a Kim Dokja who had been perfected throughout the scenario.
「 The stage they shared crossed over in an instant. 」
They were on the 'King’s Road', in the Demon Realm, in the Context of the Constellations, and in the Great War of Saints and Demons. In the moment a star was born, all of that history flowed by, and their swords clashed.
Stories sprayed from Yoo Joonghyuk's thigh. In the moment his center collapsed, Kim Dokja's sword came down.
「 If it were the old Yoo Joonghyuk, he might have lost to Kim Dokja here. 」
However, Yoo Joonghyuk blocked even that sword. With his usual calm expression, he parried the lethal strike without any agitation.
['Stage Transformation' becomes even stronger!]
At the same time, the bright light of [Lotus Pedestal] filled the area. Snowfield Kim Dokja stiffened upon realizing Yoo Sangah’s intervention.
「 On the Isle of Reincarnators, Yoo Joonghyuk succeeds in cutting down Kim Dokja's [The Fourth Wall]. 」
In an instant, the Stage Transformation was further strengthened as Yoo Joonghyuk's muscles swelled. Yoo Joonghyuk's [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] blazed.
Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship.
That was not the Dark Ocean Slash which cut the sea, nor the Meteor Strike which cut down stars. It was simply the swordsmanship containing the history accumulated by Yoo Joonghyuk. Along with the sensation as if the trajectory of the universe itself twisted, the sound of Snowfield Kim Dokja's wrist and knee bones dislocating rang out.
'Unbreakable Faith' rolled on the ground, and Kim Dokja, having lost his balance, fell to one knee. Snowfield Kim Dokja lifted his head with a dazed expression. Yoo Joonghyuk spoke.
「 "It’s over." 」
The tip of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword aimed at his throat. Finally, the battle was decided.
[All stars of <Star Stream> are intoxicated with fierce excitement!]
[All stars of <Star Stream> will never forget this moment for a long time!]
The one who uses the power of the 'Oldest Dream', and thus the Kim Dokja closest to the 'Oldest Dream' in this world. A being who subdued such a Kim Dokja had been born.
However, Yoo Joonghyuk did not seem pleased at all. He opened his mouth with his eyes narrowed.
「 "Why didn't you use the power of the 'Oldest Dream' further?" 」
Then, Snowfield Kim Dokja smiled.
「 "It doesn’t work against you anyway." 」
「 "There were other targets you could have used it on." 」
As Yoo Joonghyuk said. Even if the ability of the 'Oldest Dream' didn't work against Yoo Joonghyuk, it didn't mean the same for others. Snowfield Kim Dokja could have captured his companions and used them as hostages, or even wiped out this entire stage. But Snowfield Kim Dokja didn't do that. He fought only with the full power he had as 'Kim Dokja'.
Yoo Joonghyuk slowly lowered his sword as he looked down on Snowfield Kim Dokja.
「 "That’s enough playing around. Let’s go back now." 」
But Snowfield Kim Dokja shook his head.
「 "The person you are supposed to take is not me." 」
「 "You are Kim Dokja." 」
Snowfield Kim Dokja quietly looked up at Yoo Joonghyuk. For a moment, it seemed as if countless emotions passed over Snowfield's eyes. He seemed to feel gratitude, sadness, and also a deep sense of betrayal and humiliation.
「 "If I had truly been Kim Dokja, you wouldn’t have been able to defeat me." 」
At least at that moment, he didn't seem like Kim Dokja. He was the 'Snow White' admired by disasters, and the 'Master of the Erased Blank Space' feared by stars.
「 "If you don't come with me, I'll cut you down." 」
「 "You won't be able to do it." 」
Yoo Joonghyuk, whose eyebrows twitched, raised his sword to prove his words. From afar, he heard Yoo Sangah shouting something. But Yoo Joonghyuk's sword didn't hesitate.
「 "Didn't I say so?" 」
And just as Yoo Joonghyuk's sword was about to reach Kim Dokja's shoulder.
Tzzzzzt!
A powerful spark erupted in the air.
「 "You can't do it." 」
Yoo Joonghyuk's blade was stopped exactly on top of Kim Dokja's shoulder. Fiercely surging stories were protecting Kim Dokja from his sword. Yoo Joonghyuk, startled, looked at the story that had repelled his blade.
「 "This is..." 」
Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes filled with deep distrust as he confirmed the trace of someone flowing in Kim Dokja's story.
「 "That cannot be." 」
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< Episode 64. Eternal Night (6) > End