712 Episode 26 Star Ladder (8)

The sky was changing in real time. It was pitch black, then white, then there was thunder, then rain.

On the other side of an unpredictable weather event, beyond the swaying void curtain, supreme beings were shaking the universe.

What on earth is going on over there?

Has Yoo Jonghyuk really appeared and is grabbing the constellations and stomping them?

—Oh, youngest. There's a piece of story of quality falling over there.

41st round Yoo Jonghyuk’s head hung on my shoulder.

I couldn't figure out what was really going on.

If the being over there is really Yoo Jonghyuk, why didn't he appear here in the form of a possessed person like Shin Yoosoung? Just as Shin Yoosoung used herself in the 41st round, he could also use himself in the 41st round.

—That’s bullshit. If that kid comes here, he'll be in big trouble.

'Why? If Yoo Jonghyuk comes, we can wipe them all out, right?'

—Why do you think Yoo Jonghyuk will help us?

For a moment, I felt a tingling sensation in the back of my head. As I was only thinking about Shin Yoosoung's case, I forgot for a moment what the original purpose of <Kim Dokja Company> was.

According to Han Sooyoung’s memories, the purpose of <Kim Dokja Company> is to retrieve Kim Dokja.

Maybe my presence was a distraction to them.

—It would be nice if the Earth didn't explode like this.

'No, but still...'

I always think about it, but Kim Dokja's impression of Yoo Junghyuk was a bit crooked. How could Yoo Jonghyuk have even done something like that?

Still, it was true that I was worried at the same time.

If, like Han Sooyoung, Yoo Jonghyuk also tries to get Kim Dokja back in the form of 'quickly destroying this world'...

—But shouldn’t you run fast?

Right. Now is not the time to leisurely think about such things.

Because even now, the incarnations of the giant nebulae were chasing me in real time.

"Tear off his legs!"

"Tear him limb from limb!"

Why on earth are they running and saying things like that?

Anyway, I just think that I should never get caught. But I quickly ran out of breath.

—You need to do some exercise.

'It's refreshing to hear something like that from someone who was

born weak.'

—You can’t do that. Let's borrow it one more time.

I seemed to feel a stronger overlap with Kim Dokja, and [Way of the Wind] wrapped around my toes, covering over a hundred meters in an instant.

In reality, if I had competed in the Olympics, I would have set a new record right away, but right now, even this wasn't enough.

These guys are really persistent.

‘Constellation-nim! Back! Back!'

A dizzying sensation felt in the back of the head. As Kim Dokja reflexively twisted his head, a breathtaking beam of light passed by his earlobe.

Arrow? Or a spear?

Anyway, if I had been a little late, I would have had a hole in the back of my head.

'Left!'

The moment he urgently changed direction, an arrow aimed at a blind spot hit his thigh. Fortunately, it was not me who was hit, but Kim Dokja.

—You said it’s on the left? It came from the right!

'It looks like it came from the right too!'

Kim D okja pulled out the arrow and fired the broken arrow behind him.

The sound of an arrow loaded with [Way of the Wind] piercing something was heard, and a scream rang out.

But neither Kim Dokja nor I looked back.

—Youngest. That.

I checked the ladder hanging in the sky.

'Star Ladder.'

It was the road leading to the 'eighth scenario' that I checked as soon as I arrived in the eastern Washington area.

'You said I shouldn't use that?'

—No way, surviving is the priority now.

'How do you use it?'

Instead of answering, Kim Dokja raised his right hand with all his might and shouted.

"I call the Star Ladder!"

It's simple, I think.

Damn it, then that's right.

There is no way the scenario with Kim Dokja would be that smooth.

What was absurd was that, except for us, all other incarnations were moving on to the next scenario through the 'star ladder'.

"Jump out! If you get caught up in here, you’ll die!"

"I will call the Star Ladder!"

The incarnations ran away to the next scenario through the 'star ladder' amidst a proliferation of giant nebulae.

Although the shape, size, and degree of damage to each ladder were different, the ladders came down to everyone except us.

'Why can't we just come down the ladder?'

Perhaps Kim Dokja was in the midst of looking into it, too, when he faintly heard a message from a conversation with Bihyung in his head.

—Constellation. So now... with authority...

authority?

I don't know exactly what you're talking about, but anyway, it seems impossible for anyone to lower the ladder.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's stupid.

I asked Kim Dokja without any expectations.

'Constellation-nim. Don't you have ladder permission?'

—Are you sure?

'Do you have a friend I could ask for?'

—Are you sure?

'So what happens now?'

—Just wait a moment.

'They all came after me?'

Before I knew it, the incarnations were forming a circle and narrowing the siege.

Incarnations of <Olympus>, <Ghost>, <Guardian Tree>, and <Veda>.

"We've caught him! Surround him slowly!"

Judging from what it felt like, there were no people with narrative-grade sponsors.

They are all incarnations of great-grade constellations.

These were all guys who had raised their synchronization rate to the limit.

This scenario is subject to the rules of 'probability'. However, if the number of constellations that raised the synchronization rate to the limit increased, it was normal for the scale to naturally fall out of balance.

'If this is the case, shouldn't someone come help us?'

Yoo Jonghyuk, or even another member <Kim Dokja Company> since Kim Dokja said no for Yoo Jonghyuk earlier.

At least one person can come.

—Do you think a hundred bugs weigh the same as a lion?

I realized how great <Kim Dokja Company> had become.

What a bug. Still, those guys are also constellations of their own.

—Giant nebulae aren't stupid either. It's all calculated based on probability. The proof is that there are so many incarnations, but they don't have any narrative-grade sponsor.

Does that mean they are also adjusting the probability in their own way?

I sighed lightly and counted their numbers. Even at first glance, their number is well over thirty.

On the other hand, this side was now at its limit.

My body, strengthened with 'Dragon Heart', was reduced to rags as soon as it was used with the power of Cheok Jungyeong, and [Bookmark]’s time limit was exhausted.

If that Thebes were to stab me with the tip of a spear, my body would collapse. Now the only one I can trust is Kim Dokja.

—Youngest.

'Yes.'

—Earn some time and say something.

'Yes?'

It was absurd.

No, if you leave it like this, what will happen to me?

I hurriedly thought of 'Thoughts of almost everything'.

What items are useful right now?

The 'Poison Bomb' has already been used up so there is no more, so should we try hiding using the 'Everchanging Stealth Suit'?

Or should I at least use [Incite]?

Fortunately, the incarnations that were closing the distance stopped with about ten meters left.

Looking closely, I saw that they were also keeping each other in check.

One of the incarnations, who had been spewing out threats and killing intent to me, opened his mouth first.

"<Olympus>. You didn’t forget your promise, right?"

Looking at the Halloween party-like costume, it is an incarnation belonging to <Ghost House>. The answer was the 'Gatekeeper of Thebes' from <Olympus>.

"Don’t worry. You’ll get your share as well. The mythical-grade constellations have just concluded an agreement."

When the 'Gatekeeper of Thebes' answered, the incarnations of <Ghost> looked at me.

"Then everyone shares equally."

Eat? What do you eat?

You should ask my doctor too, you bastards.

As I watched the guys approaching me step by step, I gathered my strength once again.

I felt like I was relying too much on my sponsor.

Now I have to do some work too.

"I am Kim Dokja."

I began, slightly twisting my lips.

"A lot of people have gathered. But what happened in your 'Ginnungagap' and is it like this?"

"Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to kill time. Now—"

"Aren’t you curious? Why did 'Valkyrie’s Daughter' end up like that?"

"At most, he dealt with one great- grade..."

After all, I don’t know these kids very well.

I grinned and snapped my fingers in the air. Of course, I didn't have to snap my fingers, but I just did it.

"Now, for the first time in the <Star Stream>, the inside of 'Ginnungagap' is revealed."

My story, whose name has not yet been revealed, began to speak. Then, as if they had been waiting, I heard a message from the constellations.

Originally, 'Ginnungagap' was a stage where no records of any stories were left.

However, I was able to leave a story safely thanks to the effect of 'Recorder of Things That Will Disappear’.

The truth about 'Ginnungagap' is spreading widely.

<Asgard>'s disgraceful behavior to catch me was quickly spreading throughout the <Star Stream>.

<Asgard> belatedly started to block it, but the constellations had already read the story that was heard infrequently.

"Gatekeeper of Thebes, is that true?"

One of the incarnations of the <Guardian Tree>, who had been silent the entire time, asked.

"That guy took care of ten great-grade constellations who used half-descent?"

"It doesn’t make sense… It can’t be like that."

"Didn’t 'Valkyrie’s Daughter' go out alone?"

Some incarnations take a step back. A hole was opened in the circular siege of the incarnations.

I could vividly feel the stirring of the constellations.

I didn't miss the opportunity and took a step forward.

"Now you know who you guys are dealing with."

The surprised incarnations took a step back one after another.

'Gatekeeper of Thebes', who realized that the atmosphere was unusual, shouted.

"It’s bullshit! Don’t be fooled! Even if that story is true, he has already used up all of his strength in 'Ginnungagap'. If we join forces and kill him now—"

I burst out laughing. The gatekeeper of Thebes silently fell silent due to that maniacal laughter.

"It seems like you didn’t understand even though I gave you a chance."

"You, what—"

"I killed ten great-grade constellations in the seventh scenario. And the story I’ve accumulated hasn’t been given a 'name' yet. Don’t you know what this means?"

I saw a few quick-witted incarnations rolling their eyes.

An unnamed tale.

In other words, my story wasn't 'complete' yet.

"If you help me here, you will be able to receive a share of the tale I will receive."

A confused silence fell among the bustling constellations.

They came here to join forces to eliminate the 'Demon King of Salvation' and obtain’ 'Kim Dokja’s Fragment'.

However, looking at their expressions, the majority of people here did not yet understand exactly what 'Kim Dokja’s Fragment' was.

"Choose. Either attack me foolishly and get kicked out of the scenario without even getting your money’s worth."

They now have another option.

"Or maybe you will join hands with me and share a story that is definitively 'legendary' or higher."