995 Episode 60 Star Fragments (3)

"You say 'write'?"

In an instant, the look in the eyes of the stars staring at me changed.

"Surely... you are a recorder?"

A recorder. One of the constellations, having realized my true identity, muttered.

"How did a recorder get into this place with a physical body?"

The Myth-grade constellations seemed unable to discern my true identity.

Come to think of it, it was strange. After all, I had already made quite a name for myself in the 'New Murim Earth'.

There, I had half-destroyed the 'Black Library Society', a record alliance that had contracted with [Veda], and even defeated Agni, one of the Lokapala, alongside Jung Heewon.

"You bastard, what exactly is your identity..."

The fact that they do not know me despite this might mean they were trapped here much earlier than I thought. Or perhaps recent information was cut off as the link with the main body was severed.

"Wait. Surely not."

It was not the Myth-grade constellations who noticed my true identity first, but the new intruders.

"Deal with that guy first!"

Perseus, recognizing the power I had manifested, shouted in shock.

"He is using the power of recorders!"

Were there other Hero-grade or Legendary-grade constellations possessing bodies here besides Perseus? The men, sensing the command, immediately swung their machetes at me. I narrowly dodged a blade grazing my head and snatched an unfinished sentence from the air.

Then, I filled in the blank space with a single stroke of the brush.

In an instant, Jung Heewon moved abnormally, as if the scene had been fast-forwarded at double speed. The wooden sword swept the floor, creating a gale, and the screaming men in suits collapsed one after another. Amidst the hazy cloud of dust, Jung Heewon stared at me with piercing eyes.

Jung Heewon has entered into a [Record Contract] with me. The cost of revising [Fate] based on my records was significantly lower.

Then, what about the constellations?

"Are you just going to keep watching like that?"

I glanced at the Myth-grade constellations standing awkwardly, watching the situation, and spoke.

"I will accept support. If even a single one of you has the courage to fight back—"

Tsutsu—sparks erupted from my entire body.

"I will rewrite the myth of that star."

Countless emotions crossed the pupils of the stars looking at me.

Some blushed as if considering it an insult, while others shook their heads in fear.

"Fine, go ahead and try."

In the midst of this, there was one star who staggered to his feet.

"If there is still a story left to be written on this damned body, you try writing it!"

Poseidon's voice, filled with rage, echoed loudly through the dining room.

A star that once ruled the oceans. The absolute ruler who subjugated all Narrative-grade constellations merely by descending into the scenario.

And now, he stood before me with a body that looked as though it could barely withstand a tailwind, let alone a storm.

"How is it? Do you see it? Do you think there is still a damn possibility left for me?!"

I gazed at Poseidon—or more precisely, at the fragment Poseidon had discarded.

The fragment that saved his wife, Demeter, from the flames and reached out to his brother, Zeus. Yet, it was a fragment discarded by its original form for being 'useless'.

I bit my lip tightly. If that story is deemed 'useless', then what on earth is a 'useful' story in this <Star Stream>?

Just because one is a recorder does not mean they can write every sentence. The probability of this world is based on the Third's imagination—or 'realism'. Therefore, even if I were to write here that Poseidon 'makes a full descent', that sentence could not be realized.

"Kill him! He is just an ordinary old man!"

He could no longer wield the Trident as in the myth, nor could he part the ocean.

But does that mean that old man is powerless?

I didn't think that a fragment of Poseidon had accidentally possessed that old man's body.

A man in a suit, having caught the unfamiliar smell of the sea, flinched in surprise and muttered.

"Um, can I really hit him?"

Perseus seemed to sense the change in Poseidon's demeanor. Soon, as if having made a decision, Perseus shouted.

"Burn him!"

Following this, a large number of men in suits carrying Molotov cocktails appeared from outside. It seemed that the Molotov cocktails they had thrown were the very ones that had set the abandoned factory ablaze earlier.

With a crashing sound, fire spread across the dining area in an instant. Amidst the acrid smoke, several constellations knelt and collapsed to the ground. It was a situation where it was clear that everyone would either suffocate or burn to death if things continued like this. I began writing with a mixture of skepticism and doubt.

In this world, neither magic nor skills exist.

However, it clearly permitted superhuman feats of strength, such as those of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven or Jung Heewon.

In other words, the probability of this world is based on a somewhat crude realism. My idea stemmed from that very point.

Skills or magic are out of the question. Then, what if it were something that looked like a 'skill' or 'magic'?

For instance—

Magic. Or perhaps 'magical realism'.

"What?"

Poseidon, having confirmed the record I had written, glared.

Of course, I did not allow that and added another layer to the sentence.

Just as Poseidon was about to let out a roar of rage, something else spewed from his mouth first.

"Aaaargh! What is this!"

Water with enough pressure to be called a water cannon erupted explosively from Poseidon's mouth toward the men. The stream of water extinguished all the fires in the area and knocked down even the men in suits who were rushing at him.

Pale white, as if he had drained every drop of moisture from his body, Poseidon collapsed to his knees in exhaustion.

I then summoned another constellation.

"Demeter!"

Demeter, whose eyes met mine, held an armful of seeds used in the smart farm in her bosom.

Normally, it would have looked like the desperate struggle of a cute old lady. It wasn't as if she were exorcising demons, so what damage could she possibly inflict on sturdy men by throwing seeds?

However, the one who threw those seeds was Demeter, the 'Ruler of Agriculture and Seasons', and magic was unfolding right before our eyes.

Demeter's seeds, having absorbed Poseidon's seawater, bloomed in unison. Vine plants that grew alongside the dense greenery instantly bound the movements of the men in suits.

"This is unbelievable—"

Both the men and the constellations were left speechless by the miraculous scene unfolding before their eyes.

It is likely not the myth the stars expect. But at least, all the myths I knew began with small miracles. Water gushing forth where there is none, seeds that were not supposed to bloom coming to life. To savor and record that simple and gentle joy.

A faint sense of weariness washed over me, but it was not over yet. To fend off Perseus, who was approaching by cutting through vines with a machete, I now needed the help of the last star.

I expected Poseidon and Demeter to cooperate. But even I could not be certain about him.

"Zeus!"

Nevertheless, I called out to Zeus. It was not because I trusted in his petty loyalty or kindness.

What I believed in was the 'protagonist' of the Olympian myths.

"I am not doing this because I acknowledge you."

I could not tell what Zeus was thinking or what was on his mind as he stood there. However, the moment I saw Zeus's back, I realized that he already understood his role.

"I."

The 'Seat of Lightning', who has monopolized that role because he knew better than anyone in this <Star Stream> where a myth would bloom.

"I simply want to punish my son myself."

Zeus pulled pliers from his bosom and hurled them with all his might toward the electrical panel. Amidst the men screaming, the sound of something snapping was heard.

Patcheu—the current shot through the air.

I shouted reflexively.

"Everyone, get down!"

A furious current shot down from the ceiling of the abandoned factory and plunged onto the floor. It was like a bolt of lightning striking from the sky. Amidst the feast of agonizing screams, a terrible stench of burning skin filled the air.

The flickering current finally subsided, and the factory's emergency power was activated. Beneath the pale light, men whose entire bodies had turned pitch black lay sprawled like dead fish. Zeus gasped for breath without a word and glared at the fallen face of Perseus. In the silence where the stars seemed to hold their breath, only the silent sound of rain filled the air.

With a splashing sound, Poseidon slowly rose from the ground and spoke.

"Not bad. Thanks to you, I recalled a memory from a very long time ago..."

With a bang, one wall of the abandoned factory collapsed, and a large refrigerated truck emerged. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, still driving as if he were piloting a magic cloud, poked his head out the window.

"No one is dead yet, right? Hurry up and get in."

I could see Perseus, pinned under the wheels, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Jung Heewon ended up driving the truck.

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven boarded the refrigerated compartment with me and listened to the events that had unfolded in such a short time.

"So, you used the power of a recorder."

"You don't seem very surprised."

"I knew you were a recorder from the moment you first entered."

We gazed at the constellations huddled individually on the floor of the truck. Their faces were still those of frail old men, yet their eyes held a strangely elevated look. Perhaps the mythical landscape they had witnessed previously had brought about some kind of change within them.

"Did you know what would happen if you brought me here?"

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven nodded with a bitter expression. It was a look that seemed to say that he had desired this outcome, yet at the same time, he had wished it would not turn out this way.

"Now Zeus, Poseidon, and Demeter will be able to use their full power."

One waters, another grows seeds, and the remaining one can use electricity. Although it was a miracle classified merely as magic, I thought it was still something to have this much power.

"Those three are probably all that can be used."

"Why?"

"Most of those guys can't even properly remember who they are."

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven spoke, observing Odin, who was staring blankly into the void, and the other constellations.

"It's like Alzheimer's in humans."

The fragments of the mythical constellations could not function as precisely as Han Sooyoung's [Avatar]. The Great Sage explained that most of them had either malfunctioned like Odin due to the prolonged disconnection from their main bodies, or had partially forgotten their memories of the <Star Stream>.

"Ugh—"

Turning around at a low groan, I saw Dansu ahjussi opening his eyes, having regained consciousness.

"Ahjussi, are you alright?"

I gently supported Dansu ahjussi and gave him a little water I had brought from the cafeteria. After lightly wetting his throat, Dansu ahjussi's condition was noticeably better than before. Feeling a strange sensation for a moment, I quickly examined his wound.

It was impossible. Dansu ahjussi had clearly suffered a wound that was close to a serious injury. For such a wound to heal this quickly...

"I knew my friend would be able to pull it off."

As if he had heard my words even in his dazed state, Dansu ahjussi smiled while holding my hand.

I put my thoughts aside for a moment, nodded at him, and replied.

"It is a method I wouldn't have even thought of if it weren't for you."

Who would have known? That I would join hands with Zeus or Poseidon.

Dansu ahjussi quietly shook his head and spoke in a slightly languid voice.

"It wasn't something I came up with."

"Huh?"

"I met Kim Dokja just once, while he was living in my friend's body."

For a moment, I couldn't understand what he was saying. Then I realized.

Kim Dokja, who had been living in this body. Dansu ahjussi had actually spoken to the 'Third Kim Dokja'.

"It was before I was imprisoned. It was only once, but I had a brief conversation with him."

"What did you talk about?"

Dansu ahjussi glanced at the Great Sage Equal to Heaven at my question. Watching the Great Sage pretend to pick his ear, Dansu ahjussi spoke.

"He asked if there wasn't an ending where everyone gets along well."

I could feel the Great Sage's body trembling faintly at Dansu ahjussi's words. Perhaps the Great Sage was hearing this story for the first time, too.

"What did you tell him?"

"I answered that it would probably be difficult."

"What did Kim Dokja say?"

"He asked if it might be possible if we really pushed it."

I imagined the Third Kim Dokja who would have conveyed those words to Dansu ahjussi. With that very expression Dansu ahjussi is making right now, the Third would have said:

"When you look up at the sky, the universe is vast, and the stars are so beautiful."

In this world of the <Star Stream> where the sky is invisible, he must have imagined it relying on the light of a single star.

"Isn't there such a thing as an ending where everyone lives happily together in a very big house?"

An ending where everyone lives happily together in a huge house. It was certainly a beautiful story.

Seeing my expression, Dansu ahjussi suddenly spoke.

"Friend."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Before I could even ask what that meant, sparks began to fly in the air with a 'tsutsu' sound. The startled constellations murmured, and the Great Sage, his expression hardening, sprang to his feet. We immediately stepped out of the truck.

The smartphone in my pocket buzzed. As soon as I answered, the Eldest's voice pierced my ears.

—You idiot! What on earth have you done!

"Yes?"

—What are you going around recording?!

I suddenly recalled the fact that this world was created by the Third's imagination.

I looked at a high-rise building in the city center in the distance. From the upper floors of the building, I saw an ominous swirling vortex. It was a dazzling vortex, as if all the starlight in the universe had been gathered into one.

—Get out of there! Right now!

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven spoke.

"It was bound to happen."

Hearing the Great Sage's sigh, I realized a fact I had forgotten.

And if the 'Oldest Dream' dreams of it—

That 'dream' will surely come true.