Ch 465: Ep. 88 - Myth-grade Constellation, III

Bihyung looked at the messages and slowly blinked. His appearance had changed a lot since meeting the Dokkaebi King. He was now in a complete humanoid figure like Baram, with the white tiger leather draped over his shoulders and three yellow horns emanating the powers of Story on his head.

He had now become a full-on 'Great Dokkaebi'.

Bihyung didn't reply.

But Baram continued on, anyway. [All Dokkaebis must select their own final stories when the end of times draws near. Even if they could die telling that particular story.]

There was no Dokkaebi alive who didn't know what it meant to become enemies with the Bureau in <Star Stream>.

Bihyung had chosen his last Story.

"Dokja-ssi."

"Have you come out to enjoy your vacation?"

"Don't be like that. I told you, it's not a vacation but a discharge."

"A real discharge, then?"

"Yes." Lee Hyunsung smiled brightly. "I won't be a soldier anymore."

I observed the silvery Story leaking out from his entire figure. When reading the opening sentences of some novels, you'd get a certain sense of what they are like, and Stories were similar in that regard.

⸢That resolute silver hue. The unwavering will, tempered through a lengthy period of time.⸥

Back in the 'Isle of Reincarnators', the One Invincible Fist Yoo Hoseong said this – in order to rule over certain Stories, you needed to understand it first. However, just like how it was impossible to fully understand another human being, it was also impossible to fully understand a Story.

⸢What we can do instead, is to come up with an interpretation of our own.⸥

In that case, this was the answer Lee Hyunsung had come up with.

That was the core Story possessed by the 'Master of Steel'. The fact that he could finally wield it meant that Lee Hyunsung had reached the last phase in the [Steel Transformation].

"I didn't get to write a report, but I still understood why you asked me to read that book, Dokja-ssi," said Lee Hyunsung before reverting to a more cautious voice. "Was that perhaps the story from the 999th regression turn world-line?"

I was somewhat surprised. Didn't expect that he'd think that far ahead.

"I believe that might be the case."

"But then, why was that story transformed into ⸢the Wizard of Oz⸥…?"

From my own knowledge base, <Oz>'s founding Story was ⸢the Wizard of Oz⸥. However, the Story forming its foundation had been altered.

Not only that, to a story from the 999th turn, no less.

I wasn't sure what all this meant yet, but still, I could think of something. The meaning of altering the basis of a Story was quite clear, after all.

I might have not noticed the faintly altered gaze if it was in the past. It was not the same aura of the 'Master of Steel' I knew of. I shifted my gaze towards the Emerald Tower where that altar was located at. And then, recalled the large steel sword I saw in the audience chamber.

"Hyunsung ahjussi!"

Our companions preparing for the enemy's attacks below the tower rushed towards us.

"Hyunsung ahjussi! Are you alright?"

Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung jumping around grasped the tall, sturdy man's hands tightly.

Yoo Joonghyuk arriving a step later muttered out. "Looks like you were safely discharged."

Both Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung decided to chime in, too.

"Congratulations on your discharge."

"If you need your squad leader again, just give me a shout."

The last person to rush in was Jung Heewon, who was getting ready to fend off the enemy's attacks in the farthest location. She stopped about a dozen metres or so away, and while her lips twitched, she kept staring in this direction.

Lee Hyunsung smiled at her. "Heewon-ssi."

I began wondering if I should make my exit from here about now. But the person who solved that dilemma was a completely unexpected person.

"Hey, you lot! Do your emotional reunion later! It's not over yet, you know!"

Lee Jihye shouted out as she summoned the [Turtle Dragon] in the air.

She was right. The Nebulas outside the planet hadn't withdrawn their battle line yet. No, rather than retreating, an even higher number of battleships were actually showing up now. Among them were dreadnoughts exclusively designed for destroying planets and inter-Nebula warfare.

"Do not worry. I won't leave them alone." said our trustworthy Lee Hyunsung as he stepped forward.

For sure, they were still bombarding us on the outside, but <Oz>'s barrier was holding firm. Like I said before, the strength of Master of Steel's Story inside <Oz> would almost match a Myth-grade Constellation's…

Chiieeeek…

A rather ominous-sounding noise could be heard coming from somewhere. A foul smell akin to something burning wafted out.

I raised my head to discover that a side of the opaque barrier was being ignited in the shower of blinding sparks as if it was being welded open.

Something was melting down Lee Hyunsung's forged steel.

Right then, I sensed Lee Hyunsung's body stiffen up greatly. He had covered the whole planet for us, so no doubt he was currently fully exposed to the Status of that gaze. Even if he was almost on the level of a Myth-grade Constellation, that still didn't mean he was equal to one.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. His trembling lessened a little after receiving a share of the Nebula's Probability. One shouldn't fight alone just because he had gotten a little bit stronger. Because we were a Nebula, just like them.

"…Looks like a real bigshot has personally made an entrance."

I knew of the Modifier of 'Midday Sun'. Now normally, that guy should never be able to come here.

It was the top Constellation of the Nebula, <Papyrus>. And the meaning of him coming here personally could only be…

…That he no longer wished to hide their true intentions.

The expressions of the companions hardened after receiving that never-before-seen message. Something was about to get underway.

It was exceedingly rare in <Star Stream> for a great Nebula to officially declare war against another. Because inter-Nebula warfare would never lead to a good result for all sides involved. There must've been a reason for them declaring one right now even though they knew the truth.

…I knew it.

Visibly-tense companions quickly gathered around me. Hostility incomparably heavier than any other we felt in the past was enveloping the whole planet.

We had fought large Nebulas a couple of times in the past.

Back in <Gigantomachia>, we fought against <Olympus>, and during the ⸢Journey to the West Remake⸥, against <Emperor>.

However, the story this time was completely different.

The restrictions on the Probability during <Gigantomachia> were so great that Constellations couldn't really exercise their full powers, while during ⸢Journey to the West Remake⸥, the Great Sage Heaven's Equal and the members of judging panel lent us their powers and their Probability.

So, what about now?

Was there any Nebula that might help us now?

Companions were now looking at me.

They all looked to have made up their minds. Their eyes were proof that they knew what was about to happen and where our new battlefield was.

"Let's go."

No one would come to help us.

I looked up at the sky and spoke. "We're not weaklings anymore. Please open the sky, Hyunsung-ssi."

Lee Hyunsung nodded his head.

Jung Heewon unsheathed her sword first. The [Judge's Sword] was enveloped in the auras of God Slaying.

Lee Hyunsung's forged steel was placed on top of the companions' equipment. This was the world's toughest 'oath' to protect his precious companions.

The silver-coloured Story metal settled down on Lee Jihye's [Turtle Dragon].

The Chimera Dragon too was dyed in the silvery hue; the monster roared out and carried the two kids into flight.

Lotus pedestals also reinforced by silver-coloured steel began rotating all around Yoo Sangah.

Han Sooyoung had unwrapped the bandages off her arm before anyone noticed it, and tied her hair with the very same bandages.

Yoo Joonghyuk's [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] carrying the Status of a Transcendent began emitting cold sword light next. And…

And I unsheathed the Unbroken Faith.

The moment the pitch-black night sky opened up, we all boarded Lee Jihye's vessel and leapt towards the heavens above.

The enemy's armada grew closer. We grasped our individual weapons as we faced off against an armada at least 600 ships strong.

⸢This was the spectacle that Kim Dokja had been longing to see for a very long time.⸥

Jung Heewon was the first to dash out and her sword attack rained down. The strongest swordswoman of Chaos that I know of was Jung Heewon the Judge of Destruction.

Ku-gugugugu!

A dreadnought was penetrated cleanly through from its cockpit right down to its engine bay, and explosion noises resounded out. Soon, explosions both large and small erupted out from all over its hull as cracks spreading all over it. We got to see the Constellations riding on it hurriedly make their escape.

Not missing that opening, Lee Jihye's [Turtle Dragon] began its violent assault.

BOOOOOM!

Our vessel broke through the explosions, emerging unscathed. Lee Hyunsung's Story metal had protected everyone.

Lee Jihye stepped forward. She was the greatest Incarnation there was when it came to large scale warfare, capable of destroying hundred-plus enemy ships with only one vessel.

The Naval Admiral Lee Jihye ordered the shelling to commence.

"Ahjussi, we're going, too!"

Following on the cannon fires, Shin Yoosung's [Chimera Dragon] also took flight, as well.

The leader had to be brought down first to end this warfare. So, as we had a small number of participants, there was only one choice we could make, really – an all-out blitzkrieg.

Shin Yoosung the Beast Lord, and Lee Gilyoung the Insect King. Two of the most complete tamers that I knew of carved out a path for us. [Chimera Dragon] under Shin Yoosung's control fired the Breath to accurately strike down mid-sized enemy ships, while Lee Gilyoung's insects crawled through any open gaps found to deal with dozens of smaller vessels trying to rush in at us.

"Stop right there!"

Insects crawled into the engines of smaller vessels and caused a series of huge explosions, thrusting the battlefield into pure chaos instantly.

Perhaps thinking that this couldn't go on anymore, Narrative-grade Constellations began crawling out from the battleships one by one.

The moment Yoo Sangah activated her Story, the movements of the enemy Constellations slowed down visibly.

That shocked me. I was already aware of her inheriting a portion of Sakyamuni's powers, but didn't expect her to wield this much of an authority over it… An ability to control the flow of time itself?

"I can't continue this for long," said Yoo Sangah.

"It won't take that long."

Taking advantage of the time she bought for us, Yoo Joonghyuk, Han Sooyoung and I ran on the night sky.

The two Giant Stories that protected <Kim Dokja's Company> until now; we had been using these two as our main attack power so far. The aura of the Stories stretched on like the tail of a meteor. The space we flew past was engraved with sparkling stars.

We had already broken past countless battleships, yet hundreds of Constellations were still blocking our path. If we cowered even for a moment here, their Status would force us back and crush us to death with sheer pressure.

And so, this was the fight between two Nebulas.

"It's my turn now."

Originally, the Delusion Demon Kim Namwoon should have been where Han Sooyoung was now. However, not only had she performed that guy's role admirably, she had become an existence far surpassing him.

Finally, our third Giant Story began telling its story, as well. The distant cry of the Apocalypse Dragon could be heard like an auditory hallucination. We saw the <Papyrus>'s Constellations that participated in the Great War of Saints and Demons tremble in fear.

The heavens split into two, one in light and the other in darkness, as ⸢Stage Transformation⸥ was activated. Han Sooyoung's figure soared higher as she stepped on the blurred boundary between the light and darkness. The wings of 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' spread out wide behind her back.

Just like back when she swooped in to rescue me, purple-coloured [Black Flames] were raging on both of her fists.

Kwa-aaaaaaah!

We rode on the storm of the Story and advanced forward. This was the overwhelming splendour of a Giant Story that not even the Narrative-grade Constellations could contend with.

We advanced forward like the Apocalypse Dragon's shockwave. But then, a gigantic sun stepped in to block us.

A lone pitch-black figure stood in the centre of the blinding ball of light. That was the Sun God Ra's true body.

Yoo Joonghyuk's [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] roared on with a vicious howl.

Every Story we possessed also howled and roared on. Even if it was just us two fighting together, facing off against a true Myth-grade Constellation was still asking a lot.

After all, we were only in the 3rd turn, so… Hang on, 3rd turn?

It was like that once upon a time.

Afterimages of pages flipping past entered my eyes. As the hellish landscape filled up the surroundings, my story began. On the road created out of countless letters – Yoo Joonghyuk ran on his lengthy lifetime.

⸢The 41st turn's Yoo Joonghyuk threw a spear, and⸥

⸢The 362nd turn's Yoo Joonghyuk extended his sceptre.⸥

⸢The 999th turn's Yoo Joonghyuk wielded his Demon Sword.⸥

Tsu-chuchuchut!

Violent sparks began digging into my body.

For a brief moment during the 'Journey to the West', I managed to read up to the 1863rd turn. But that was only possible because the Great Sage and Outer Gods lent me their Probability.

Even after taking on Yoo Joonghyuk's falling [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship], Ra didn't even budge.

The minimum regression turn of Yoo Joonghyuk needed to bring down a Myth-grade Constellation was 1700th.

I lacked power and lacked in Status. However, I didn't back down. "No, we can surpass it."

Because we still had one more Story up our sleeve. The fourth Giant Story we earned by clearing ⸢the Journey to the West Remake⸥.

In the next moment, an abundant amount of a Story's Probability permeated into my entire being. The Story that the Great Sage and Outer Gods worked together to create was now roiling about over the contexts of my star and <Kim Dokja's Company>.

Stinging bloody odour stabbed into my nose. The Tongtian River dyed in red from the corpses of Outer Gods appeared around us.

The sparks trying to drown me gradually lessened. The pages of the Hellscape began flipping past once more.

…1321st turn.

…1582nd turn.

…

…

And eventually, 1701st turn.

Yoo Joonghyuk moved, his [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] now loaded with the power from the 1701st regression turn.

The 'Yoo Joonghyuk' from then that cut the oceans apart, destroyed the sun, and carved out the Myth-grade Constellation Poseidon's heart, was now opening his eyes.

⸢And this is the sight Kim Dokja longed to see for a very long time.⸥

We could see Ra freak out and belatedly unleash his own Giant Story. I stared straight into Ra's eyes. That bastard's lips were mouthing, "But, how?"

I laughed.

"What do you mean, how?"

In order to kill a Myth-grade Constellation, you needed a power that equalled one.

The Myth-grade Constellation – existences that started their 'One Single Story' and had earned their 'Conclusion', or compiled their own incredible Giant Stories and reached the cusps of their 'Conclusion' that way.

Just like me right now, in other words.

A stupendous boom resounded out as Yoo Joonghyuk's [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] cut Ra's sun down.