Ch 447: Ep. 84 - 1864, III

I recalled that time when I visited the 1863rd turn.

When I first saw the 1863rd turn Yoo Joonghyuk, I thought that he was the 'Yoo Joonghyuk from the original'. The main character that I spent my childhood years with, the very one that propped up my life.

But then, he was not him.

The 'Yoo Joonghyuk' who helped me endure, had finished his tale a long time ago. He had reached the conclusion of the 1863rd turn and witnessed the end of the world, and then, roamed the horrifying abyss of the world-lines. For thousands of years, maybe even for tens of thousands.

I didn't know just how long he lived on like that. But, what I knew for sure was that one, he had survived until now, two, he remembered all of those times, and…

…And, he was being hostile towards me.

He was right.

The only reason why I managed to wade past the scenarios was due to the Plotter's life preceding mine.

His Status was growing even stronger. The 'Outer Gods' observing the situation in the vicinity all knelt down simultaneously.

His aura mushrooming up like clouds wrapped around the [Splitting the Sky Sword]. That was the power he gained after living through 1863 lives, and also, while roaming the world-lines afterwards.

Countless 'Yoo Joonghyuks' were looking straight at me from inside him.

The histories they had compiled together – all their sins, they were right there. Sins so numerous that not even Jophiel's [Eye of Sin] could see the end of.

He was an existence deemed to be 'Terror' by this <Star Stream>. A being that went beyond the boundaries of 'evil' and had been declared as 'incomprehensible' by the world. He was the king of the Outer Gods.

However, his true nature was neither evil nor was it terror.

No, the reason why he had to be ostracised by the <Star Stream> was because his character proved to be simply too uncompromising.

⸢"I shall destroy the <Star Stream>."⸥

And the thing was, the <Star Stream> didn't like such characters that lacked any flexibility whatsoever.

One's character had to bend sometimes, had to know when to yield, and also, had to know when to crumble away. However, the 'Secretive Plotter' wasn't a character like that.

That's why he was able to get this far, and was able to become the 'Secretive Plotter'.

⸢"I shall definitely kill the one that started this story with these hands."⸥

That was the 'apocalypse' of this world, the one he wished for. And also, the 'end of regression' that all Yoo Joonghyuks wished for, as well.

He was definitely in the right.

He definitely… was far more qualified than anyone to witness the conclusion of all the stories. Especially so, when compared to someone like me, whose only achievement was reading the 'Ways of Survival'…

'Stop with your unnecessary thoughts. And don't stupidly sympathise with him, either,' said Yoo Joonghyuk. 'Are you planning to yield to some random bastard after you came this far? Was the Story you managed to compile so far created solely by copying that bastard's life?'

I couldn't reply.

'If you sympathise with what he says, then it's the same thing as denying the lives of your companions who fought alongside you'.

For sure, I did rely on the 'Ways of Survival' in the beginning to skirt past the dangers, but things were different after that. Events that didn't happen during the original novel occurred, and dangers not found within it also came to visit us. And I managed to overcome those dangers with my companions.

As our Story continued to grow, so did my distance from the 'Ways of Survival', and from a certain moment on, I stopped consulting the original. That was also the reason why I hadn't read the final revised version yet.

This world was not the same one from the 'Ways of Survival' that the Secretive Plotter lived through.

Yoo Joonghyuk continued to speak. 'He could be right. His decisions might have been right, too. However, it's still not a good enough reason for you to yield to him'.

'Because we are also right,' said Yoo Joonghyuk, the one who also endured the tragedies of the 1863 regression turns. Without a doubt, he too was also 'Yoo Joonghyuk'. 'It still doesn't really feel real to me, but if I have been truly experiencing the 1864th turn, then…'

Yoo Joonghyuk, gripping the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword], shifted his gaze for a brief moment towards our companions on the Tongtian River.

Lee Jihye's fleet was continuing their barrage, and Shin Yoosung's [Chimera Dragon] was spewing out its Breath attack. Lee Hyunsung gripped tightly by Jung Heewon was also fighting hard as well. Meanwhile, Jang Hayoung was running hard with Lee Gilyoung on her back.

None had died, and they were trying their best. So that they could see the end of this stinking world.

'Most likely, I came here to witness this sight'.

The [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] and the [Splitting the Sky Sword] clashed once more. Two swords that didn't want to back down continued to roar on, their blades filled with the self-belief of their wielders.

The 'Secretive Plotter' shouted out. 【Do you still not understand? Even if you have regained your memories…】

"How persistent. Just what do you expect to hear from me, then?"

"Do you want us to admit our loss? If not, do you want us to understand your life?"

"Indeed, you probably don't need it." Yoo Joonghyuk replied disinterestedly. And because he was also Yoo Joonghyuk, he could say these following words. "I too don't need you to understand me."

He said that, because they understood each other already.

Loud metallic clangs resounded out every time two swords collided. One Status violently clashed against another Status.

Two hellish landscape intertwined to create this battlefield.

Frustratingly, all I could do was to watch these two Yoo Joonghyuks. And do whatever it took to flip these damn pages.

The winner couldn't easily be decided. Even then, the 'Secretive Plotter' remained utterly relaxed.

Perhaps that was obvious; our side only just got to use the power of the '1863rd' turn, after all. In terms of proficiency and familiarity, we were in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position.

Maybe thinking that victory was in the bag now, the 'Secretive Plotter' leisurely asked a question. 【I'm curious. The puppet of the 'Oldest Dream', what is the conclusion you wish to see?】

"And why should I answer you?"

Two blades clashed in mid-air and huge shockwaves spread out.

Yoo Joonghyuk took a step back while wiping the blood off his lips.

The 'Secretive Plotter' faintly grinned as he rained down his [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship].

⸢I dazedly raised my head and looked at Yoo Sangah. Quite likely, this woman will die. And so will I.⸥

In the gap between the two blades, the Stories I lived through were breathing with life.

⸢"Make me your companion. I can fill in the part you lack."⸥

⸢Yoo Joonghyuk is definitely necessary in order to clear the numerous scenarios still remaining in the future.⸥

As if pages were flipping over, Stories I lived through were being projected right before our eyes. As if to stop that story, Yoo Joonghyuk viciously swung his sword, but all of his attempts were denied by the Plotter's [Splitting the Sky Sword].

Meanwhile, the Plotter continued on. 【After that, well. After he found himself with a little bit of leeway, he even dared to dream of this 'world's conclusion'.】

⸢"Hyung, aren't you going to make a wish for something?"

I quietly stared at Lee Gilyoung for a little while before making my reply.

"I made a wish to see the epilogue of a certain novel."⸥

The Great Sage Heaven's Equal said this before, that it wasn't only me who read other people. Just as I've read them, they were also reading me at the same time, he said.

He was right.

While I was busy reading the 'Ways of Survival', the 'Secretive Plotter' was also reading my story. He had been observing the entirety of the life I experienced.

⸢I saw the group of Nebulas floating in the middle of the darkened sky. <Vedas>, <Olympus>, <Papyrus>… I shall never forget everything you have done.⸥

⸢"I will create a 'Story' that hasn't existed before."⸥

Memories continued to stream by before our eyes. Some were as exactly as I remembered, while some were distorted or twisted around. Because it wasn't an intact 'Story', that's why.

This was the Plotter's interpretation of 'Kim Dokja's story'.

⸢This is what the 'Secretive Plotter' feels.⸥

He continued to speak. 【Kim Dokja will not achieve that goal now. Specifically, he won't be able to.】

I wanted to ask why he thought that.

The Plotter's left hand touched Yoo Joonghyuk's hair. The [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] reflexively slapped that hand away, but by then it was too late.

As if they were newborn babies, the Stories I possessed began crying out one by one. Some of them were Stories I was familiar with. On the other hand…

Some were Stories I had earned not too long ago. And…

And, there were some Stories that I didn't even know I had them.

All of my Stories were speaking up at the same time.

Stars in the sky were flickering brightly. They were the same stars that I used to hate.

Those who had been watching me, allowing me to get this far.

…My supposedly oldest enemies.

Even as I listened to the 'Secretive Plotter', I couldn't say anything. I wanted to say that it wasn't true. I wanted to say that I hated Constellations. I wanted to say that bringing them down was still one of my goals.

However, I couldn't. Because goddammit, I…

…I knew now that not every star in the sky emitted the same sort of light as the others.

From the 'Absolute Throne' scenario, to the 'Demon Realm'…

Without the Probability they had gathered for us, I'd not be able to get this far.

I had no choice but to acknowledge it.

All of my Stories were created together with them.

Thunders roared in the heavens.

The battle between the Great Sage and <Emperor> was intensifying.

Constellations were looking down at us from above.

Some pitied me, while some got angry in my stead. Countless indirect messages flooded in endlessly.

Yoo Joonghyuk remained wordless. The raindrops falling on the Tongtian River substituted for any spoken words.

I wanted to say something, anything.

But before I could open my mouth, though, someone else stole the opportunity away.

"So? What is it that you're trying to say here?" It was Yoo Joonghyuk. "Since Kim Dokja doesn't have the qualification, you will see this world's ■■ in his stead, is that it?"

A faint crease formed on the forehead of the 'Secretive Plotter'. 【It seems that you can't think straight anymore. That man whom you thought of as your companion is no different to the Constellations that you hate. That bastard is…】

"…He's a pathetic fool, indeed." Yoo Joonghyuk cut him off in the middle. "He was just some contracted worker for a no-name game developer, and his hobby was reading novels."

His shabby self-introduction-like words reverberated around the sky.

Those were the things I told Yoo Joonghyuk some time ago.

"His specialty is to run his cocky mouth off, and he has this habit of throwing his life away so that we can overcome any and all impossible situations hindering us."

Yoo Joonghyuk was talking about me that even I didn't know about.

"Someone like that managed to lead his companions this far."

The [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] shoved the [Splitting the Sky Sword] along with a loud "Creaaaak!!". For the first time ever since the battle commenced, Yoo Joonghyuk was going on a concentrated offensive.

The Plotter's expression shook. Yoo Joonghyuk's sword strikes were now digging into the Outer God's defenses for the first time.

"Regardless of what the incoming conclusion is, this world wouldn't have come this far without him around."

"It seems to me that you're the one who can't think straight here. Why are you interfering with this world-line, then?"

The wrathful [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship] mowed the darkness down. The Plotter's figure wavered around greatly as he was pushed back.

Not missing that small opening, Yoo Joonghyuk's sword rained down like a raging storm.

"What is your goal, anyway? If you found Kim Dokja an eyesore, why didn't you kill him earlier? If you found him using your life to survive that disgusting, then…"

The [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] was now aiming at the neck of the 'Secretive Plotter'.

The moment when the two gazes collided, Yoo Joonghyuk asked again.

"Why are you still watching this story?"