Ch 363: Ep. 68 - Inaudible Words, III

It had been a week since my arrival in the village.

After all the 'Stories' settled down in their places, I began preparing for the next scenario right away.

Unlike how it was in the 'Small Island', I'd be directly clashing against the Constellations from the 'Middle Island' onwards. Meaning, the beings that managed to survive while breaking past the rather realistic Probability of the 1st generation were waiting for me there.

As usual, one of the guys remained temperamental, but, well, I figured that I had gained enough control over them by now, anyway. Yoo Hoseong said this before – Stories would try to control their user, but at the same time, they would also show the person the way forward, too.

These guys would have to continue existing within me from now on. We'd get to tell new stories and they would shine, as new and different Stories, as well.

"Heewon-ssi, good to see you that you're unhurt."

"Can't you change your repertoire of greetings already? I almost died for real this time, you know?"

I was told that my companions arrived around a week after I began my 'Story Control' training. Apparently, they got lost at the outskirts of the island and that delayed their arrival somewhat.

I looked around and asked her. "Where is everyone?"

"They are in training right now."

We walked for a bit and soon, the sight of the kids, Lee Hyunsung, and Jang Hayoung sitting cross-legged on the ground caught my eyes. It seemed that their training wasn't easy, judging from their current facial expressions.

But, that was rather obvious.

Even at the shortest estimation, the 'Story Control' training would at least need around two months. The Yoo Joonghyuk from the original story needed to waste over 3 weeks, even with his incredible talent, so…

I quietly observed the Stories of my companions.

Like how I earned my Stories, they too had earned theirs. Going through the same scenarios didn't mean that we'd automatically earn the exact same Stories.

Their Stories would be different from each other's because they all possessed different levels of sensibilities.

"The flow of time here is slower compared to other islands, so it'll be fine to take it easy with your training. You shouldn't try to rush it. You will be able to fight properly in the Great War of Saints and Demons only after you've completed your training."

"I understand."

"…And when Gilyoung wakes up, please tell him this. Something really bad will happen if he continues to acquire twisted Stories." (Lee Gilyoung → Lee Gilyoung)

Jung Heewon broke into a fit of giggles, and I reprimanded her with a slightly more serious tone of voice. "This isn't a joke, you know."

"I'm not joking, either. Dokja-ssi, you really need to consciously recognise your position. I'm talking about recognising just what kind of a person you are to these kids."

"…"

"Do you think they would've made it this far without you, Dokja-ssi?"

I wordlessly stared at Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung as they pinched the backs of each other's hands even during the training itself. These two kids trusted me and were willing to come this far while sharing our imperfect story together.

"…It's the same story for me."

The last person I looked at was Jang Hayoung. Trickles of cold perspiration soaked her forehead as she maintained the intense battle against her Stories.

My ears overheard the Story's voice coming out of her. With that, I could guess which Story Jang Hayoung was watching right now. Most likely, she'd get to awaken a new attribute on this island. And then, she'd use that as a foundation to become the 'King of the Transcendents'.

"Dokja-ssi."

"Yes?"

"Are you aware that you've been behaving indifferently only towards Hayoung-ssi?"

"That wasn't my original intention. Things somehow worked out that way…"

"That story you told us, shouldn't you tell that to Hayoung-ssi, as well?"

The story I told my companions… It was quite clear what Jung Heewon referred to in this case.

Currently, I've told that story to only a small number of my companions. Most other people, including Kyrgios and the Breaking the Sky Sword Saint, didn't know this truth. Jang Hayoung was no exception.

I lowered my waist and observed her face a little closer.

The descriptions from within the text of Ways of Survival, and the comments I had left behind in the past, were all coming back to me now. Her appearance that exactly matched my imagination became an indescribable guilt weighing me down.

"I'm not sure how much I can be honest with her."

"Pardon?"

I couldn't tell Jang Hayoung the truth. I mean, how could I?

Tell her that I created you? That you were born because of my comments…?

"I've been thinking about this quite often lately. Maybe, it wasn't that the novel I've been reading became reality, but that novel was simply a recording of this world…"

"…What are you suddenly talking about?"

Maybe, that was what I've been wishing for.

Jung Heewon looked back at me with a puzzled expression, and I replied with a weak grin.

"I like being with you, Heewon-ssi."

"Uhm, yes, me too."

"It's the same story with our other companions, as well. For now, that's as far as my thoughts have gone. I apologise for being selfish like this."

She was lost in a train of thought for a little while but nodded her head soon enough.

"Well… It's fine. Dokja-ssi, you are doing what you want to do, anyway. I understand."

"Thank you. Ah, by the way. When our companions wake up, please give them this."

"And this is…?"

"It's the information on the upcoming scenario."

The memo pad I handed over to Jung Heewon contained information on the 'Middle Island', our next scenario.

"Hang on, Dokja-ssi, again you…!"

Jung Heewon and her quick wits seemed to have realized why I was handing this thing over to her.

"I knew that you'd show up around today or so."

I sought out Yoo Hoseong first before leaving the 'Small Island'. Whatever the case might have been, he taught me the Story Control, so I wanted to express my gratitude – well, that was a lie. I had an ulterior motive for being here.

"May I ask, why did you accept our group?"

Yoo Hoseong frowned deeply after hearing my sudden question.

"…It's just the whims of an old geezer."

It was a rather bizarre sight to see a kid who looked to be ten years old or so refer to himself as a 'geezer', but it wasn't an improbable spectacle, either. Because the Invincible Fist Yoo Hoseong was an existence that had lived far longer than your regular Demon Kings or Archangels, after all.

<The 0th Murim>, known only through legends being passed down. The greatest expert under the heavens in that Murim was none other than Yoo Hoseong.

"If you're done asking your questions, get out of my sight this instant. I do not wish to look at your ugly mug any longer."

He was putting up the exact same act of driving away one's guests, just like in the beginning.

"Don't you want to come with us?"

"What rubbish are you spewing now?"

"I'm aware that, once the scenario on the 'Small Island' concludes, you are allowed to advance to the next one. The upcoming 'Great War of Saints and Demons' is a scenario like that, after all."

Yoo Hoseong's brows greatly quivered, just then.

Even back in the original story, there was a turn where the 'Great War of Saints and Demons' took place in the Isle of Reincarnators.

Most likely, the Bureau should be busy with advertising this scenario using such slogans on the outside. Which was by design, actually. It was a scheme to use the 1st generation of Stories, only spoken through rumours and hearsay, as the focal point of the advertisement itself.

The thing was, though, the Bureau's scheme to make lots of moolah could also serve as an opportunity for the Forgotten who were left behind and abandoned by the passing of the eras.

"It's possible that you might be able to leave this island by using this chance."

The Isle of Reincarnators was like the living museum of the <Star Stream>. The Reincarnators of this place could live forever in perpetuity on this island, but at the same time, must suffer the curse of never being able to step outside, all because of the contract these people signed with the 'Master of the Island'.

"How long are you planning to remain as a relic of the bygone era like some kind of a stuffed animal?"

Yoo Hoseong slowly closed his eyes. It looked as if he was trying to calm his rising anger.

"What do you… expect from us after leaving here? The Forgotten being strong is only applicable within this island. The 1st generation no longer matters. Nobody wants to see such a tale."

For sure, he was right about that. The majority of the Reincarnators wouldn't be able to properly display their prowess after leaving the island where the 'Probability of the 1st generation' was still active.

The 1st generation of the Forgotten wouldn't be able to adapt to the outside world ruled by the System, rife with powerful ki and magic. However, not everyone would be like that.

"The Transcendents who studied under you are playing active roles in the outside world even now. Meaning, there are definitely some who yearn to see the Stories you have created."

"I'm sure there are. However, I'm also sure that such a thing can't become the trend."

"Does it have to be, though?"

"What's that?"

"I'm asking you whether it needs to become the trending topic in order to become a good Story or not. Since when did you start caring about such a thing, anyway?"

Yoo Hoseong's eyes shot open and the proverbial flames were flickering within them.

"Are you suggesting that, after all this time, I should become a plaything of the Constellations once more?"

If I take one more step here, make that one last push, then I'd definitely get my head blown away just like other Demon Kings. So, I couldn't take that step. What I did take, though, was just half a step, instead.

"You've been listening to the story of the Stories for a long time."

I had to shake this guy up exactly to the length of my half-step, so that he'd willingly take the other half by himself.

"Don't you think it's about time that you start personally telling your own story?"

Yoo Hoseong's eyes opened even wider, clear ripples visibly spreading out within his irises. I formed a wordless smile and turned around to leave.

Well, I've cast my stone now, and the rest wasn't up to me anymore. Because the one to make this seriously scary Transcendent move his butt would be someone else, actually.

"Are you really leaving without saying goodbye?"

"Everyone is focused right now and I don't want to disturb them. Besides, we should meet up again pretty soon, anyway. Also, there's something that I must do after going there first."

I chose not to say any special goodbyes to my companions, but did say my farewell to Jung Heewon. She carried a rather rueful expression, but it seemed that she had accepted my decision as was.

"Please, you must survive."

"Let's meet again."

We lightly bumped fists.

Just before my departure, the villagers came to see me off.

"Would you like some bread on your journey? It's been freshly baked this morning."

"I thought you liked stones, so I brought some of my collections."

Several villagers I had grown friendlier with during my stay gifted me with some food. As the villagers grew further away in my view, I spotted Yoo Hoseong among them.

He too wished for some kind of a change to take place. And that was why he probably decided to teach me and my companions – while praying that the skill he taught would change the island, flip the Great War of Saints and Demons on its head, and eventually, transform the <Star Stream> itself, too.

Some would leave, while some would remain behind. The moments of the most distant things meeting and then parting again, would be remembered by the Stories.

That was how this world continued to exist.

As I turned around, I heard Yoo Hoseong's voice projection enter my ear.

– It's possible that the 'Master of the Island' might become interested in you. It'll be better for you to be more cautious.

I returned a light smile as my reply. There was this message that kept repeating itself in front of my eyes since a while ago.

I approached the village's giant brazier to find that Cheok Jungyeong was waiting for me. "Let us travel together."

"Sounds good."

We'd get separated during our transfer to the Middle Island anyway, but still, I felt somewhat more confident now that we were making our entrance together.

"By the way, about the next scenario…"

The scenario of the 'Middle Island' was a preparatory one for the main island's Great War of Saints and Demons. Cheok Jungyeong nodded his head, seemingly having misunderstood what I said somehow.

"Now that I recall, you are a Demon King, are you not? Alright. If I'm destined to fight you, then I swear to give it my all."

"N-no, hang on a sec. That's not what I…"

"This great one shan't be tethered to the unnecessary personal emotions of fate during our true battle, so you can rest easy."

No, hang on. I'd much rather prefer that you be tethered to your unnecessary emotions, though.

Somehow, I now had to pray fervently that I don't become Cheok Jungyeong's target during the upcoming scenario.

Accompanied by the 'update' message, the surrounding view began changing bit by bit.

Thankfully, I couldn't see Cheok Jungyeong next to me.

The moment my transfer was complete, the acrid odour of blood stung my nose. I was greeted by the grisly sight of dead corpses belonging to Constellations and Incarnations strewn about on a vast plain.

This sight was more than enough to dampen one's spirit, but I was relieved to see it, actually. It was far more advantageous to start this scenario later than the others, as that would lower the odds of running into powerful Constellations that had entered here beforehand.

Along with the crackling noise, I felt my shoulders grow just a bit wider, while my height grew, too. I had been feeling really constricted for some time, but now, it felt like I could breathe a bit easier.

I quickly opened the scenario's info window.

This scenario was the final hurdle before advancing to the 'Main Island'.

The content of this scenario was simple in nature. I needed to take away the mark of the Modifier from someone who was designated as my target. A small necklace shimmering in silver already found itself dangling around my neck by then.

It was the necklace with my Modifier written on.

262, huh. That was a far higher number than I expected.

However, it wasn't enough to change my plan. Because the really powerful Constellations should have advanced to the 'Main Island' by now.

No, the really important bit was just who got tagged as my target, but the powerful ones had already disappeared from here, so it must be…

Right after that, I discovered a group of Constellations busy running towards this location from a distance – a group that was urgently running away as if they were being chased down by something.

Along with the noise of the ground exploding, a part of the group became bloody sacks of meat and flew away like a splitting ocean wave. And I could see the one giving chase to the escaping Constellations through the rising murky dust cloud.

…God damn it.

Why was that bastard still here?