785 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (1)
「The ending of 『Infinite Instructor』 is unknown. Because it was never written down.」
*
A lightning bolt struck Killer King as he roamed the forest. Then, a high-level demon fell down with a thud.
"Oh! Another one!"
"That’s amazing."
As Kyung Sein and Lee Dansu cheered, Cha Yerin shook her head.
Killer King shrugged and shook his shoulders at the group’s reaction.
"It’s nothing."
The ability to defeat a 'high-level demon' without even a single scratch. What was more surprising was,
"A word is enough for those guys."
Killer King really defeated them with just 'a few words'.
Killer King’s method of defeating the high-level demons was simple.
"Judging by your appearance, your original form must have been insignificanfft."
[W-, what nonsense are you talking about! What do you know about me—]
Tsutsutsut!
"If you're so confident, reveal your true identity."
[I'm from the great <Olympus>— Egegegege! Why, why— Gegegegegegege!]
Tsutsutsutsut!
The name of this worldview is 『Infinite Instructor』. Every character here has their own role, and therefore can only speak within the established categories.
Simply put, in this worldview, speech that doesn't fit the worldview's composition is not permitted.
What happens if you ignore the worldview and keep speaking?
[Egegegegegegege!]
That's what happens.
"Wow, my goodness."
At first, she thought it was luck.
But then, one, two, three, four of the high-level demons who fell like that... Soon, when they surpassed ten, Kyung Sein's eyes filled with awe.
"Here, Kill... no, Kang Ilhun is the strongest."
Killer King snorted as he watched Kyung Sein, who couldn't hide her admiration.
"They're weak and lost."
In this worldview, the trait given to Killer King was 'Delusionist', and the delusionist was the only being in this worldview who could 'say anything'. It didn't matter whether he directly mentioned the <Star Stream> or the true names of the constellations.
Everything he said was 'delusion'.
How many demons had he tormented with probability like that?
"Everyone, get out."
For the first time, a high-level demon who didn't become a probability roaster appeared due to Killer King's provocation. It wasn't because he was strong.
[The restraining power of the worldview is weakening!]
The restraining power of probability in this world was weakening.
He didn't know why.
Was it because he exploited the trait of the worldview?
The next moment, a light flashed in the distance and the sky opened up. Even the running Killer King, Cha Yerin, Kyung Sein, and Lee Dansu, were speechless for that moment and looked up at the sky.
Constellations were falling from the universe beyond the sky.
The high-level demons who had been chasing th em fell to the ground, and from somewhere, a huge probability aftershock was heard.
It was a scene that made both the delusional and non-delusional people think of the same name for that moment.
"Kim Dokja."
They muttered, not even knowing who that name was calling anymore.
*
rlaehrwk37: It's finally starting
*
I wrote a graduation speech as a valedictorian in high school. As it turned out, I was the winner of the 100-day award that year, and I was chosen as the valedictorian. The Korean teacher's comment when he first read my speech is still vivid.
"You wrote it well, but um. What should I say... You should write it like yourself. Don't you think so?"
"Like me? What is that?"
"You want to be a writer?"
Was it because of my nineteen-year-old self, or was it because of my teacher's provocation?
When I first heard that question, I had a strange attitude from the beginning.
What is being like me?
How does that person know what is 'like me' in the first place?
The question I had at that time naturally became forgotten as time passed. It wasn't that I forgot after finding the answer. I forgot naturally because I was too busy, or because I made excuses that I was past the age to ask such questions.
Now, more than ten years later, I felt like I knew the answer I had been searching for for so long that day.
That's what being like me is.
A demon king with a similar appearance to me. A pale face was there.
He was a being from the same roots as me. A constellation who loved stories more than anyone else in the world. My sponsor and my hyung. The one who told me who Kim Dokja was.
I opened my mouth to him.
"Hyung, let's stop now."
Even as I said that, I already knew the answer I would get. I answered before hearing the answer.
"...If I could really stop just by saying that—"
"This story wouldn't have even started in the first place."
Watching him insist on answering, I felt that he was still my sponsor.
We smiled at each other.
"You look terrible."
"Hmm. You've gotten taller, haven't you?"
"You are actually satisfied with your own face?"
"It's not bad in the bathroom."
I thought about my sponsor, the 'Demon King of Salvation.' Not the Demon King of Salvation who repeats the same sacrifices every time in 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint', but the Demon King of Salvation I know.
For example, the awkward greeting we exchanged when we first met.
「Hello.」
I still remember that tone of voice that didn't sound like Kim Dokja at all. He was someone who was subtly different from the Kim Dokja I remembered from 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint'.
I learned a lot from him.
「Do you know Ways of Survival?」
I read the long and boring 'Ways of Survival' through his relic.
「Phew, I slept well.」
I learned the shamelessness of buying a pillow with someone else's coins and resting.
「Okay, let's go check out the back of Joonghyuk's head in the 41st round.」
I learned how to hit the back of the head of the innocent Yoo Joonghyuk.
「I maintained the constellation modifier, but I couldn't pay for the Demon King modifier.」
I learned the tenacity to boldly sell off even his own modifier when necessary.
Is that all?
He even stole the share of his incarnation just because he didn't have any coins...
"It was fun. Wasn't it?"
He smiled brightly, knowing what I was thinking and what story I was thinking about.
"Yes, it was fun."
I really wanted to ask him so many things. As time passed, some questions lost their meaning, and some were naturally resolved.
And some questions remained between the lines. We each pulled out our weapons as if to bring out the questions that remained between the lines.
"That sword."
I said while looking at the sword held by the Demon King of Salvation.
A sword that looked like 'Unbreakable Faith' to anyone.
"It's mine."
However, I knew that the sword was not 'Unbreakable Faith'.
"It's mine now."
The Demon King of Salvation waved his sword in the air.
[The Holy Relic 'Thoughts About Almost Everything' hums.]
The Holy Relic I had lost as I entered the Recycling Center.
The 'thoughts' that could change into anything as long as the conditions were met burst into tears in the Demon King of Salvation's hand.
"You should have guarded it well."
"If you find a lost item, please return it to its owner."
"Owner?"
The sword in my hand was the real 'Unbreakable Faith'.
The sword used by Han Sooyoung when she visited this world line.
I felt strange. This sword was the weapon of the 'real Kim Dokja'. But now, the one holding 'Unbreakable FaithFairh' is me.
[The story 'Heir to the Eternal Name' smiles.]
My stomach kept churning.
It wasn't easy to face him smiling. For the first time, I felt like I didn't want to see the next page.
"You caused a great accident."
"I learned it from my sponsor."
We looked up at the sky at the same time. The only scenery we could share, as we had to aim our swords at each other.
"There are many constellations today, too."
"It's always been like that."
The galaxy of the dazzling <Star Stream>.
The falling stars and the unfalling stars were looking at us.
"That's why we have to fight."
Was I the first to activate [Way of the Wind]? Or was it him? I don't know.
But when I came to my senses, we were standing on [Way of the Wind].
"It was good that we put Gilyoung to sleep."
"That's basic. I don't want him to fight you who has become a mythical constellation."
Standing in the center of the swirling wind, he did not show overwhelming force unlike when he confronted Lee Gilyoung of <Kim Dokja Company>.
[The Demon King 'Demon King of Salvation''s powerforce decreases.]
The aftershocks have decreased compared to before.
It was natural. Now his opponent is not Lee Gilyoung, but me.
The scale of the <Star Stream>, which had tilted abnormally, returned to suit my ability.
"Hey, let's see how much the youngest's skills have improved."
The powerforce has dropped to a similar level to mine. Even so, he is still a constellation protected by the scenario. He was a star more powerful than any constellation I have ever fought.
Scream!
We stretched our swords toward each other. The blows that could kill each other crossed.
I know that neither of us wants to hurt the other. Nevertheless, this confrontation had to continue.
[The constellations of the nebula <Olympus> watch your battle.]
[The constellations of the nebula <Asgard> watch your battle.]
[The constellations of the nebula <Vedas> watch your battle.]
The [White and Blue Sword] embedded in each other's swordsmanship tore through the air with a sharp sound, and nothing was cut.
[The constellation 'The One Who Brought Ten Lambs' watches your battle.]
[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' watches your battle.]
[The constellation 'Reclining Dragon' watches your battle.]
[Many constellations watch your battle!]
However, my heart, which had not been cut, ached.
"If you do not controlrule the stories, you will live as the stories wish. Have you forgotten?"
Then the Demon King of Salvation laughed.
"Sometimes, it is not bad to live being pushed by the stories."
I looked down at Gilyoung, who was lying on the floor.
"You speak so like a constellation."
"Because I'm a constellation."
[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' makes a displeased expression.]
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' closes her sad eyes.]
[Some constellations show hostility toward the demon king 'Demon King of Salvation.']
I bit my lips as I heard the voices resenting him.
He was the final boss of this scenario. He was a disaster designed to protect this forest and kill the students of the academy.
The stitching marks that remained on his body were proof of that.
"You used the body of the demon that was in Washington East."
The body of a marquis-level demon.
It was the very demon that once impersonated the 'Demon King of Salvation.'
"This guy was also the 'Demon King of Salvation'."
That damn Demon King of Salvation.
I asked with a bitter smile.
"Isn't it time for that 'Demon King of Salvation' to stop?"
"That can't be. Without that name, I'm nothing."
"How long will you be the 'Demon King of Salvation'?"
"Until there's only one person left."
The Demon King of Salvation knows how this story will end.
And so do I.
"I don't want to write that kind of story."
"From now on, what you have to write is an 'impossible story'."
"The story you like, hyung?"
My sponsor smiled as if satisfied with my answer. When I couldn't meet his gaze, I lowered my head, and the Heavenly Sword that had fallen to the ground was emitting a white light.
"Yes."
There is only one way to solve this scenario.
「From now on, I have to kill my sponsor.」
786 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (2)
Can I win?
I don't know.
Actually, I've never thought about it.
"Youngest."
In this world, fighting that 'Kim Dokja'—and Kim Dokja who became a constellation at that. This is something that no one but a crazy person would ever do.
"You could die, you know?"
"Isn't dying our specialty?"
And yet, why am I doing something like this?
"No, our specialty isn't dying."
"It's dying and coming back to life."
Is this also proof that 'Kim Dokja's legend' is flowing to me?
"You can't come back to life. You built both your traits and legends wrong."
"So you think I'm going to die?"
The Demon King of Salvation smiled quietly without answering.
I answered that smile.
"I'll be the first Kim Dokja who will never die."
The Demon King of Salvation burst into laughter, perhaps because my words were funny.
"I'm looking forward to that?"
Please look forward to it. Because right now, I need the support of even just one more 'Kim Dokja'.
[The demon 'Demon King of Salvation' reveals his status.]
Above the blade-like wind, we exchanged sword strikes as if on cue.
When the [Way of the Wind] I compressed exploded in the sword fight, Kim Dokja also responded with his skillful [Way of the Wind]. The magical powers of both sides were canceled out, creating harmony in the air.
The tale of the Demon King of Salvation seeped through the clashing blades.
[The story 'self-willed pervert' found a story to pervert!]
[The story 'King of a Kingless World’ begins its storytelling.]
「This is a world without a ‘king’ right now.」
As the story began its storytelling, the form of 'thoughts', which had been disguised as 'Unbreakable Faith', changed.
「His sword was born rejecting all the thrones of the world.」
'Thoughts ' soon took the form of ´'Four Yin Demonic Beheading SwordSain Chamsagum'. The day the legend 『King of a Kingless World』 was created, the very sword that destroyed the 「Absolute Throne」.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
If I faced that sword, even a constellation would die. In fact, Kim Dokja had a precedent of defeating constellations from the 「Twelve Zodiac Signs」 with that sword.
The Demon King of Salvation warned.
"You know? This legend cannot be accepted unless you are a 'king'."
With no time to answer, the Four Yin Demonic Beheading SwordSainchamsa sword flew at me.
I swung the 'Unbreakable Faith' that I held with both hands with all my might. With a bang, my body was pushed back. The solid sentences of the legend were transmitted as a shock.
I felt it once again. What kind of life he had lived, what kind of legend he had built.
What he was made of.
But I couldn't just give in here.
"Have you forgotten whose agent I am?"
[The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation (Agent)' reveals his status!]
Of course, the Demon King is also a 'King'.
[Your modifier resists the effect of 'King of a Kingless World'.]
I took out the real Four Yin Demonic Beheading Sword'Sain Chamsagum' from my inventory to confront him and said.
"And I didn't clear the 'Absolute Throne' carelessly either."
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' begins its storytelling.]
I recalled the story of that day once again. It was a day I didn't want to remember.
「The day the Lord of the Throne descended between the lines of the world.」
The story of the day I met the 'Founder of the Absolute Throne' outside the scenarios.
「In the distant void, there were two people who confronted the Lord of the Throne.」
I thought of Han Sooyoung.
I thought of her words as she disappeared to hand me this sword and this story.
「"Why did you want to be a writer?"」
As if answering that question, I swung my sword.
"If you are Kim Dokja who destroyed the 'Absolute Throne'—"
The constellation of the shining Four Yin Demonic Beheading SwordSain Chamsagum flared up.
"I am 'Kim Dokja' who killed the bastard who created that 'Absolute Throne'."
Kim Dokja. This story exists just to prove those three syllables made up of consonants and vowels.
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' protects!]
[The story 'King of a Kingless World' growls!]
The two stories resonated and howled.
The balance of the stories that had been neck-and-neck began to tilt at some point.
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' goes crazy!]
「King of a Kingless World」 was a great story. It was a story that was created by destroying the 'Absolute Throne', with a solid sponsor, story, and sentence structure. However, even if it is a story about the same 'Absolute Throne', it is different.
「Heir of the Eternal Name」 was a tale born from a more impossible incident that touched the foundation of the world.
Above all, 「King of a Kingless World」 is a legend, while 「Heir of the Eternal Name」 is a quasi-mythical tale that is continuously growing.
The power of the overflowing tale engulfed the Demon King of Salvation. Even as he was helplessly pushed back, the Demon King of Salvation did not lose his composure. His expression seemed to indicate that he had expected this much.
"I guess you've already forgotten. Who was with you when that story was made?"
Even in the midst of the storm of stories, the Demon King of Salvation did not lose his dignity.
As if he knew that this story could not harm him.
When he gently swung his sword as if cutting through the clouds, the sentences of the story that had been covering him split apart as if by magic.
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' frowns.]
It was an expected result. This story cannot harm him. 「Heir of the Eternal Name」 is a story that I completed when I made a contract with the 'Demon King of Salvation'.
It's a story that couldn't have been born without his help in the first place.
[The power of the story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' does not work on the 'Demon King of Salvation'.]
The Demon King of Salvation, who completely nullified my story, looked at me.
"Just kidding."
"Let's really empty it."
Since we're both readers, we can't strike back with a half-hearted story.
[The constellation 'The One Who Brought Ten Lambs' watches the battle with anxious eyes.]
[Some constellations are expecting an even fiercer battle!]
The <Star Stream> won't be satisfied with this kind of fight either.
He knows it and I know it.
We're the ones who are more familiar with directing than anyone else in the <Star Stream>.
The moment our eyes met, we realized what skills each other would use.
[The amount of 'loss' you have acquired is sufficient.]
[Exclusive trait 'Record Repairer' is activated.]
[Exclusive skill 'Bookmark' is additionally repaired.]
[The function of the exclusive skill 'Bookmark' has been strengthened!]
[The level of the exclusive skill 'Bookmark' has increased significantly!]
A series of characters came to mind.
I chose one character without hesitation.
The Demon King of Salvation was the same.
"Bookmark number 2."
"Bookmark number 5."
Characters in different bookmarks. However, what we called was in a sense the 'same character'.
"I will activate 'Judge of EvilWickedness' Jung Heewon."
"I will activate 'Judge of DestructionFiery Horse' Jung Heewon."
The two Jung Heewons were possessed by each other.
One is EvilWickedness. The other is DestructionFarma.
One is a judge who exerts heris strongest power only on 'villains'. And the other side is the judge who exerts the strongest power only on 'monsters'.
It was the moment when the match that could never come true came true under the name of 'Kim Dokja'.
Kuwagwagwagwa!
The moment the sword energy and energy collided, a sound that seemed to burst my ears.
A scene of sword fighting that could not be followed with the eyes.
I and the Demon King of Salvation held our breath and endured the power of Jung Heewon that we had read.
"Hmph."
Every moment I swallowed my breath, a fierce battle of wits took place. Twenty, fifty, eighty. As the sums increased, I could feel the trajectory of the reading that the Demon King of Salvation had read from Jung Heewon's sword fighting.
「When Heewon-ssi uses her sword, move your arm like this.」
「When using a superior sword, always use an honest and precise thrust.」
I could not lose either.
「Heewon-ssi has a habit of taking a step back every time she catches her breath.」
「Faster, stronger. Heewon-ssi's sword was more intense than this.」
This is the readers' battle. The one who reads more fiercely and bookmarks more meticulously wins the battlefield.
I was gradually out of breath.
It was hard to follow the interpretation of Jung Heewon by the Demon King of Salvation. To be honest, I was impressed.
They really are different.
Jung Heewon in the 1,864th round is really amazing.
But it seems that the Demon King of Salvation was also impressed.
"It's quite good. Heewon-ssi in the 41st round is also very strong."
"Whose sword is it?"
Just as Jung Heewon in the 3rd round became Kim Dokja's sword, Jung Heewon in the 41st round became my sword.
"The one who swung more swords than anyone else to protect us."
The moment when different interpretations met at the same conclusion, the clashing blades made a loud noise once again.
A situation where life and death were at stake in a single sword strike.
Even so, we were laughing.
"Heewon-ssi is really an amazing person."
"She's a great person."
"If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been able to see the end of the scenarios."
"I'll probably have the same story someday."
This fight is fun.
"That Heewon-ssi has a peculiar habit of her right foot."
"That Heewon-ssi is so honest in her swordsmanship."
This time of sharing stories that I like is so enjoyable. As the interpretation continued, sentences that could kill each other flashed through my mind one after another.
I want to show him this interpretation. I want to share this story that I know with him.
That greed made me throw a decisive move.
[Activate 'Time of Judgment'!]
Jung Heewon of the 41st round is the 'Judge of Destruction'.
Just in time, the 'Demon King of Salvation' in front of me was the 'Demon King' of all monsters.
「It's not enough yet.」
Jung Heewon of the 41st round has more overwhelming talent than any other Jung Heewon of any other world line. [Bookmark] alone is not enough to show that.
[Exclusive skills 'Bookmark' and 'Incite' are silent!]
[Exclusive skill 'Incite Lv.10' is activated!]
「I am Jung Heewon.」
The path of the sword opened in my head, and all the Jung Heewons I know were embedded in my body.
The best 'Jung Heewon' that I can recreate now was swinging the sword.
Will the Demon King of Salvation accept this interpretation? Will you be able to break the history we have built?
"You really read hard."
Even in front of the flying blade, the Demon King of Salvation was still Kim Dokja.
"This is the first time I've seen a Heewon-ssi like that."
"If you stay still like that, you'll die!"
"Die?"
The moment he snickered, the scenery around me felt a slight ripple.
"Aren't you underestimating your brother?"
The sword I swung bounced up with a loud cracking sound.
[Time of Judgement], [Gwisal], and Jung Heewon's strike with the power of [Kendo].
The Demon King of Salvation accepted that strike. How?
[The Great Demon King 'Demon King of Salvation' activates 'Time of Judgement'!]
I opened my eyes wide.
There was no way. 'Jung Heewon', who the 'Demon King of Salvation' had borrowed just now, was the 'Judge of EvilEradication'.
And the 'Judge of EvilEradication' could only be used when the opponent was an 'evil person'—and only with the consent of the constellations of the 'absolute good' lineage.
Now he was a 'Demon King'.
No constellation of the 'absolute good' lineage would lend him their power.
But how—
For a moment, I felt strange. My hair stood on end, and my spine creaked.
I felt death drawing near.
I reflexively took a dozen steps back, and the surrounding scenery looked different.
The familiar railroad and platform. Why didn't I notice it before?
「Staging」.
It wasn't a real staging, but it seemed like he had activated a kind of 「simple staging」 by paying for probability.
"You seem to have forgotten who you were, youngest."
In that moment, I realized how he had activated [Time of Judgment].
"Ha."
The creativity of the Demon King of Salvation was truly unimaginable.
The insight that replaced the conditions of agreement of the absolute good constellations with the power of 「Staging」.
The [Time of Judgment] that the Demon King of Salvation had just activated was not something from this world, but something borrowed from a 'different world line'.
All the events of this simple stage 'already happened' in some world line.
"Geumho."
I smiled bitterly as I looked at the familiar writing on the platform.
The Demon King of Salvation asked with a grin.
"You said you would become Kim Dokja who would never die, right?"
This was the station where 'Cheon Inho' was born, and the station where my scenario began.
「The Judge of Evil. The strongest judge among the three great judges, just woke up in Geumho.」
But this 'Geumho Station' is not the 41st round, but the 1,864th round. It is the very place where Jung Heewon, who was the 'crouching figure', awakened as the 'Judge of Evil'.
The 'villain' Cheon Inho of 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' dies here from the sword of 'Judge of Evil' Jung Heewon.
"See if you can survive, youngest."
787 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (3)
My heart was beating wildly.
I’m dying. I’m really dying here.
I could see my death on the coming day.
The very scene where Jung Heewon killed Cheon Inho. The incident that shocked everyone at Geumho Station was about to be reenacted before my eyes.
「It’s because Jung Heewon pierced Cheon Inho’s face from the crown down.」
And there was the Demon King of Salvation looking at me from the other side of the incident.
[The constellations of <Olympus> are absorbed into the stage!]
[The constellations of <Veda> are absorbed into the stage!]
[The constellations of <Asgard> are absorbed into the stage!]
The directing ability of the story that even made the enemy constellations absorbed.
I was purely amazed by that ability and nodded.
I know that he doesn’t want to kill me either. But he has to act that way anyway. That’s the scenario. This is a game where only one Kim Dokja can survive.
「That fact made my heart beat.」
I swung my 'Unbreakable Faith' to block the rushing sword. However, even though I activated [Time of Judgement] by using [Incite], [Sentence Strengthening], and [Bookmark], I could not stop the flow of the stage.
Blood burst from the corner of my mouth, and shallow sword wounds remained on my waist and shoulder.
「This is the power of history that Kim Dokja survived with all his might.」
The sword strikes of the Demon King of Salvation became faster and faster, and I continued to be pushed back.
At that moment, the Demon King of Salvation's sword pierced through my gap.
I thought that I really couldn't avoid it this time.
"Kim Dokja!"
Someone pushed me, and a small explosion occurred in the air.
"What are you doing? Come to your senses."
At first glance, it was a tone that could be mistaken for Yoo Joonghyuk's. But that won't happen anymore. Because I know who he is.
"Let's join forces!"
The SecondSeventh Apostle, Killer King had finally arrived here. And that wasn't all.
"We're here. Friend."
Lee Dansu, who had appeared leading a large number of low-level loyal servants, charged the army of bugs toward the Demon King of Salvation.
"I'm here too! Ughhhhhhh! I'm scared to death!"
Kyung Sein, who had used [Average Correction] to increase her stamina to the limit, clashed with the Demon King of Salvation.
The moment the Demon King of Salvation's body was pushed back by the reckless charge, a splendid sword light flashed in the sky.
[Baek Cheong Gang Gi], who was much more skilled than me, was embroidering the air and restraining the Demon King of Salvation.
"Go, Yerin!"
Literary Girl 64, Cha Yerin, spun around in the air and fell down like a top. The combined attack of Killer King and Cha Yerin, the ultimate command of [Daejeon Action Mode] had been activated.
Kwakwakwakwakwa! A blow that could shatter Lee Hyunsung's steel-like armor.
Even so, the Demon King of Salvation did not fall. He simply silently swung his sword and blocked Cha Yerin's attack.
Cha Yerin's body was thrown toward the group with a huge shockwave.
"He's strong."
Cha Yerin's hand, which had collided with the Demon King of Salvation, was swollen red.
"He's unbelievably strong."
"Because he's Kim Dokja."
I told Cha Yerin that.
"And we're Kim Dokja too."
With these people, we can fight no matter how far behind we are. Although we haven't lived as long and distant a history as the Demon King of Salvation, we've done our best to get here.
「The 41st world line is our world.」
The stories we've shared together began to stir and boil together.
The Demon King of Salvation also seemed to know that fact, so he lightly flicked his fingers into the air.
['High-level Demons' Appear!]
'High-level Demons' rose up simultaneously in the water.
"Be careful!"
As the high-level demons surrounded the forest in an instant, the group centered around Killer King stood guard.
"Formation A. Everyone gather!"
"There's no such thing!"
"Kim Dokja! Come to your senses! We'll take care of these guys!"
The sound of people being hit and broken was heard here and there. Kyung Sein's screams and Dansu's credit. Killer King's energy mixed together to form a mess.
I couldn't help but feel ashamed of the thought of salvation.
"You're really a brilliant leader."
That's right. We've lived through such a chaotic history. We've endured life by following the actions of the characters and reenacting the stories we liked. That's how we got here.
"You can't kill me with stories like that."
The combined attack of the high-level demons would have been difficult to deal with in the past. Nevertheless, the group held on well. They held on.
"Yes. It's a mess all the time, so I'd like a story where no one dies."
The eyes of the Demon King of Salvation wavered at my answer. I didn't miss that moment and rushed toward him.
A sword strike flew from the air once more.
"You know how that story ends, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you still going to continue that story?"
"Yes."
I nodded firmly and said.
"That's our story, isn't it?"
The Demon King of Salvation's blade shook subtly.
I made another bold move.
[The story 'Tenacious Martial Arts Master' begins its storytelling!]
I pushed my sword without stopping.
A story received from Yongdubangju Cheongae.
All the stories I had learned and mastered were embedded in my blade.
"Do you remember? When we first met. You gave me a lot of advice back then."
Even now, when I close my eyes, a clear voice comes to mind.
—What kind of characteristic is the circulatory delay?
—[Incite] Why can’t you use it like that?
—Do you know any other stories besides 「Persistent Martial Arts Master」?
—And that’s not all the skillssteals you’ve gotten. Why don’t you use [Nagak Breathing]? Do you practice Skill Linking?
These were the homework assignments left to me after the Demon King of Salvation disappeared.
While I was staying at the Recycling Center, I practiced stories and skills day and night. I knew that my proficiency wouldn’t increase enough with just this short period of practice, but I didn’t rest.
Just like the day I first started writing a novel, just like that time when I wrote and erased countless sentences, I trained all the possibilities I had.
[The proficiency of the exclusive trait 'Circulation Delay' has achieved great success!]
[The exclusive trait 'Circulation Delay' is linked to the exclusive skill 'Nakgak Breathing'.]
With one breath, the magical power swelled like wildfire. The 'Circulation Delay' characteristic was linked to [Nakgak Breathing].
The long breath I sucked in circulated the magical power of my entire body, making it possible to link incredible skills.
[Baek Cheong Gang Gi] and 「The Tenacious Martial Arts Master」.
The mutually contradictory martial arts and stories harmonized, and the ether blade rose from my swordplay.
I swung my sword while holding my breath. I swung my sword again and again until my breath ran out. Blood spurted onto my cheeks and the broken stories scattered. My breath reached the tip of my chin.
The Demon King of Salvation was looking at me in such a desperate manner.
「You've improved a lot, youngest.」
I continued to swing my sword while hiding my pent-up emotions.
We are the sponsor and the incarnation.
「It's still not enough.」
「Yes, it's still not enough.」
A constellation and a human who share each other's inner feelings without saying a word.
「I can become stronger.」
「I have to become stronger.」
「So please teach me.」
The moment the flow of 'Circulation Delay' and 'Nagak Breathing' ended, the weapon of the Demon King of Salvation, who had been pushing forward, changed. The form of 'Thought' had changed into the 'Ttang Kang-A-Chwi-Kal'.
The weapon that Jung HeeWon used when she killed Cheon Inho in the 1,864th round.
[The effect of 'Simple Stage' has increased!]
The Demon King of Salvation was saying.
In order to change this story, I have to changeincrease it myself.
I have to destroy the history he has built up from the past head-on.
"I—"
I opened my mouth with all my might as I watched Jung Heewon's sword flying towards me to finish Cheon Inho.
"I am not Cheon Inho!"
[Exclusive skill 'Incite Lv. 10' is activated!]
A spark fell from the air, and the Demon King of Salvation's sword was twisted.
[The reproducibility of 'Simple Stage' is reduced!]
The blow that would have definitely killed me missed.
It was because the stage effect was weakened due to [Incite].
But even with that [Incite], the stage effect could not be dispelled.
The Demon King of Salvation shook his head and worked.
"It's amazing, you can now use [Incite] well, but…"
He already had the power to resist my [Incite].
Well, if I had been able to [Incite] the Demon King of Salvation in the first place, I wouldn't have been pushed back in this fight.
I thought it would have been better if I had just a little more time.
If only I had time to examine each and every one of the legends I had accumulated.
But I didn't have time, and the Demon King of Salvation's blade was too close. A squeak, and weaknessRittami came over me. The incarnation body that had been pushing itself hard since absorbing Goo Seonah had finally reached its limit.
I acknowledged it. What kind of ability did I have now? Even if I exert myself, I cannot beat the 'Demon King of Salvation'.
He is my sponsor. What I can do, he can do too.
He is the first Kim Dokja of this world.
The older brother of all Kim Dokjas, and the constellation that introduced me to 'Kim Dokja'.
"The match is not over yet. Don't look at me with those eyes."
"Youngest."
The eyes of the approaching Demon King of Salvation were shaking. The fear that I might really die.
I looked at that fear straight in the eye and laughed.
"I told you. I will become the first Kim Dokja who will never die. Because—"
I knew from the beginning that I could not defeat him. He had been a narrative-grade constellation for a long time, and I was just an incarnation that could now act as his representative.
So I waited.
I bought time until someone who could truly defeat him appeared.
"I absolutely do not intend to be the main character."
The sword of the Demon King of Salvation that had been rushing towards me was deflected. The power that could block the attack of that powerful narrative-grade constellation. While the surprised Demon King of Salvation widened his eyes, a man in a fluttering black coat gave an order.
"Lee Hyunsung! Lee Jihye! Shin Yoosoung! Kim Namwoon!"
The four people who received the order jumped out from the bushes. The combined attack of the four people seemed to be pushing back the forces of the upper-level demons little by little.
「There was Yoo Joonghyuk, who held the Moongeuk.」
It was just the appearance of the main character, but it felt like the sentences that had been chaotically scattered were finding their places. I sighed involuntarily. I realized once again whose 'story' this world was.
In an instant, Yoo Joonghyuk cleaned up the surroundings and stood next to me and said.
"It's pathetic."
As I looked ahead with a bitter smile, the Demon King of Salvation was also facing me.
The Demon King of Salvation standing alone without any companions. His one starlight seemed a little lonely at that moment.
"Is that so?"
Starlight seemed to be counting down the years, and also seemed to be reminiscing about the old story in the scenario that had now become worn out.
"That guy was the Yoo Jonghyuk you discovered."
I couldn't even imagine the feelings of the Demon King of Salvation. All I could do was nod.
The Demon King of Salvation smiled faintly. That smile was all we could share at the moment.
"You really intend to kill me."
As expected, he knew all about my plan. In order to counter the 「Staging」 on the other side, we had to use 「Staging」 on this side as well.
We had to recreate the only stage in this universe where we could kill the 'Demon King of Salvation'.
Both he and I knew very well what that 'stage' was.
[The story 'Demon King of Salvation' begins its storytelling.]
788 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (4)
The story, 「Demon King of Salvation」.
Since it was the core story that put Kim Dokja as a constellation, it was very difficult to recreate.
[The conditions for 'Staging' are partially met.]
Before we knew it, the 'High-level Demons' had been sorted out, and Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye, and Shin Yoosoung had gathered around us.
Just then, Ji Eunyu appeared through the bushes. Jung Heewon was carried on her back.
With this, most of the members of <Kim Dokja Company>, including Lee Gilyoung, who had fallen, had gathered.
Yoo Joonghyuk, who represented them, glared at the Demon King of Salvation from afar and muttered.
"Is that guy a 'Great Demon'?"
"Yes."
"What kind of evil scheme are you plotting again?"
"An evil scheme? This is a clear operation."
Since this was the 'Recycling Center' and the scenario was 'hunting the Demon King of Salvation', the probability itself needed for 'staging' was sufficient.
The Demon King of Salvation kept nodding his head as if he had figured out all of my plans.
"This will be fun."
I bit my lips without realizing it.
Can you even say that at this moment?
For him who looked as excited as a child, I must now write the last sentence he wants.
The Demon King of Salvation said, spreading his arms wide as if he would take on the role of the villain.
"Okay, let's begin."
The stage opened with a rippling background.
Lee Jihye, Lee Hyunsung, Shin Yoosoung, and Kim Namwoon surrounded the Demon King of Salvation on all sides, and then Killer King, Cha Yerin, Lee Dansu, and Kyung Sein joined in.
"Hit!"
With Lee Jihye's shout, a sharp light swept over the Demon King of Salvation's entire body. Between the dust that rose up in a thick haze, Lee Hyunsung and Kyung Sein continued to butt-fight.
The Demon King of Salvation raised both hands and caught the two.
"The group was running."
While the Demon King of Salvation’s hands were tied, Cha Yerin, who activated [Daejeon Action Fighting], and Kim Namwoon, who activated [Knife Fighting], aimed behind the Demon King of Salvation.
「In the <Star Stream>, existence is 'stories'.」
[Baek Cheong-gang-gi] and [Heuk-hwa] combined attack.
The black and white Gang-gi stabbed the Demon King of Salvation in the back.
「In the gaze of countless constellations pouring down from the sky, the story that would kill him was approaching one sentence at a time.」
It felt strange. This was the story that had once killed him.
I remembered the <Kim Dokja Company> of that time. None of them really wanted to kill Kim Dokja.
How is it now?
"Yum! It’s empty!"
Lee Jihye, Lee Hyunsung, and Kim Namwoon were swinging their weapons at Kim Dokja without any hesitation.
The only ones who showed lukewarm movements were Shin Yoosoung and readers like me. Kyung Sein and Lee Dansu looked back at me several times and asked with their eyes.
"Are you okay?"
They knew who the Demon King of Salvation was and why he was there.
They knew what he had sacrificed to protect this universe. Nevertheless, I nodded at them.
That was the only way I could change this story.
"Master!"
The last attack was from Yoo Joonghyuk. The moon-geuk in his hand surged forward, scattering pitch-black energy. The golden energy in the chang-geuk hit the Demon King of Salvation’s stomach.
Kim Namwoon grumbled.
"Did you hurt him?"
The Demon King of Salvation’s new form was revealed through the smoky dust. Despite the combined attack of the group, the Demon King of Salvation was barely injured. Kim Namwoon muttered in shock.
"What kind of a bullshitslingshot—"
"Master, is that really something you can beatpick up?"
[The '73rd Demon King' enters a new phase!]
At the same time as Lee Jihye grumbled, a message was heard from the air.
[The Great Demon King, the 'Demon King of Salvation' rises in rank!]
"Crazy. They're saying he's getting stronger there?"
The Demon King of Salvation's body fired magical blades in rapid succession. He was leisurely taking on the entire group while building a barrier with [Way of the Wind].
"Youngest, this story doesn't make me 'weak'. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
I remembered it too.
During the 73rd Demon King scenario, he survived attacks from the entire <Kim Dokja Company>.
An entity that neither Han Sooyoung's [Avatar], Jung Heewon's [Hellfire], nor Shin Yoosoung's Chimera Dragon could eat. He was the scenario boss, the Demon King of Salvation.
"Yoo Joonghyuk!"
However, regardless of whether the opponent was a Demon King or a constellation, the influence of 「Staging」 was absolute.
"Take it!"
Yoo Joonghyuk caught the 'Cheonjongun Sword' that I had thrown. He seemed to have figured out why I had thrown the sword at that moment.
"Is it a guy with the resurrection trait?"
Then the Demon King of Salvation answered on my behalf.
"That's right. I will be resurrected even if I die."
"This sword can erase the resurrection trait."
"That's right."
The Demon King of Salvation nodded as if he agreed and then playfully grinned.
"But I don't know if you can do it."
Instead of answering, Yoo Joonghyuk swung the Cheonjongun Sword.
「The power gained through the story is ultimately destroyed by the story. His resurrection trait, 'EightNine Lives', comes from the power of the constellation Yamata no Orochi.」
The trajectory of [Pacheon Swordsmanship] was recorded on the blade of the Cheonheungun Sword. The moment the final touch, which even erased the resurrection trait, reached the chest of the Demon King of Salvation, his lips trembled slightly.
[The realization of 'Staging' shakes.]
Yoo Joonghyuk's surprised sword seemed to shake, and then the Demon King of Salvation waved his hands and struck the sword away.
It was unbelievable.
The power of 「Staging」 was absolute. No matter how strong the Demon King of Salvation he was, there was no way he could take the Cheon Song Moon Sword.
I staggered toward the battlefield. Yoo Joonghyuk stepped back and stopped me.
"Don't come. You'll die if you keep that state."
"What did he just say?"
I saw it clearly.
The Demon King of Salvation said something to Yoo Joonghyuk, and from then on, Yoo Joonghyuk's condition changed. Yoo Joonghyuk thought for a moment and then confessed in a small growl.
"He said I wouldn't be able to use this sword properly."
He can't use that sword?
I wondered what that meant, but a message immediately came to mind.
[The current target is suffering from the side effects of 'Binding of Truth'.]
Binding of Truth.
One of Yoo Joonghyuk's 'Story Engravings', where some of his memories are sealed in exchange for gaining great power.
I suddenly raised my head and asked.
"Have you forgotten how to use the sword?"
"I can't use it like before."
Is that so?
Yoo Joonghyuk's main weapon in the 41st round was the 'spear'. So he must have sacrificed 'how to use the sword' as a sacrifice for the Story Engraving.
The Demon King of Salvation looked at me from afar and grumbled.
"Do you understand now?"
I answered calmly.
"I expected it."
"Really? Then you know the solution."
Is it because I was tired? My consciousness kept fading. For a brief moment, my  consciousness flickered and flickered.
Right now, it seemed like 'that' would be possible.
"Yoo Joonghyuk. Think about me from now on."
"What nonsense are you talking about—"
Yoo Joonghyuk glared at me with a serious expression. Then, the skill was activated.
[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is activated!]
The moment my incarnation body fell, my soul was inhabited by Yoo Joonghyuk's incarnation through [Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint].
Yoo Joonghyuk, surprised, said.
"You, how—"
'There's no time to explain in detail now! Give me the sword!'
The phase of the Demon King of Salvation passed once again.
Now, the party was being pushed back in a hurry instead of pushing forward. Every time the Demon King of Salvation made a light gesture, a huge shock wave occurred, pressuring the party.
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head and said.
"In my current state, I can't use this sword properly. It would be better to hold a spear—"
'No, this time, take the sword. And that too!'
Yoo Joonghyuk picked up the two blades bibles that had fallen next to my incarnation body—'Ray Bringer's' 'Light Wish'.
[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Reader Viewpoint' activates to the limit!]
[Exclusive skill 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World' activates!]
Then, the text of 'Ways of Survival' began to appear.
「In the darkness, Yoo Joonghyuk held the sword.」
In accordance with the flow of the text, Yoo Joonghyuk also held the sword again.
「In the time fault of the dark dimension, Yoo Joonghyuk swung the sword again and again.」
Yoo Joonghyuk, who had undergone extreme training to become a transcendent. The record of Yoo Joonghyuk was being passed on to Yoo Joonghyuk through me once again. As if he had noticed what was happening, the corners of the mouth of the Demon King of Salvation's mouth widened into a smile.
"That's amazing."
This was a strategy that Kim Dokja had once used. 'Reviving the forgotten tale of Yoo Joonghyuk through the 'Ways of Survival'.
"You've grown up a lot, youngest."
The swords clashed.
A cracking sound that tore through the sky.
The two swords repeatedly aimed for each other's neck, chest, and shoulder. The thighs were torn and the shoulders were split. Blood spurted onto the ground.
Even so, the swords did not stop.
This was not enough.
The Demon King of Salvation probably also knew that I would use the 'Ways of Survival'.
I couldn't defeat him with the 'story' he already knew.
That's why,
「A story that the Demon King of Salvation doesn't know.」
I had to rewrite this story, a story that I had once left unfinished.
Calmly drawing an old scene in my head. It was the story of the prison guard who ruled over infinite time.
「Ma Hyunsung looked at the Demon King of Salvation.」
I could see a look of surprise and bewilderment on the Demon King of Salvation's face.
「Upon closer inspection, it seemed like him and the Demon King of Salvation somehow resembled each other. No, maybe he resembled the Demon. After a long fight, they had finally become a part of each other.」
'Yoo Joonghyuk!'
「I know that the story won’t end here with the defeat of the Demon. I also know that Ihe will be lonely after the end of a long fight. When even the one great enemy who understands him—the Demon—disappears, his world will be filled with emptiness.」
'Ray Bringer' and 'Light Wish' emitted bright light and soon transformed into a single sword.
Sacred sword.
Light Bringer.
The decisive weapon of the protagonist of 'Infinite Instructor', Ma Hyunsung, and the only weapon that can effectively strike the Demon.
「Even so, he decided to walk toward that emptiness.」
The sacred sword Light Bringer emitted light along with a bright ray of light.
「He decided to cut down his only understanding and confirm the end of this forest where nothing exists.」
One of the Demon King’s arms gave birth to empty space. His fluttering coat was torn and the sound of his bones breaking was heard. The Demon King wasis in a hurry and 'thoughts' seemed to be changing to 'Unbreakable Faith'.
However, it was a mistake.
[The reproducibility of the stage is increased!]
If the 'Ttanggangjijwi Sword' increased the reproducibility of the Geumho Station stage, 'Unbreakable Faith' contributed to the reproducibility of the stage of 'Demon King of Salvation'.
"Ah."
Yoo Joonghyuk's right hand moved as if by magic. A single sword traversed the light beam revealed by Light Bringer. A devastating blow that shattered the sky where constellations hung was placed at the tip of Cheonheungun Sword.
With the sound of the stomach skin being pierced, the expanding magic wave swept through the center of the battlefield like a storm.
[The constellations of the nebula <Olympus> are calling out to you!]
[The constellations of the nebula <Vedas> are suspicious of your activities!]
[Some constellations of the nebula <Asgard> are attempting to invade the Recycling Center!]
[All constellations of the 'Recycling Center' are staring at the battlefield!]
…
[You have achieved a non-existent achievement!]
[All the dokkaebi of the Management Bureau are astonished at your story!]
…
[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is released!]
I woke up with a spurt of blood. I gasped for breath several times in my messy incarnation body and got up from my seat.
I started to walk unsteadily.
"Please."
That's when someone grabbed my hand.
"Don't kill him."
With the voices dispersing, the hand that had been holding me disappeared. I could not feel any signs.
I wondered if it might have been Lee Gilyoung.
I looked at the spot where Lee Gilyoung had disappeared for a moment, then staggered forward again.
The group had collapsed where the pitch-black dust had settled. Lee Jihye, Lee Hyunsung, Kim Namwoon, Shin Yoosoung...
And someone was sitting on their knees in the center of the dust storm.
I called his name.
"Kim Dokja."
He didn't answer. I called him again.
"Demon King of Salvation."
Then he raised his head. My older brother was there, smiling with blood dripping from his mouth and his stomach pierced by the Cheon-chong-un sword.
[The Great Demon King, the 'Demon King of Salvation' meets his fate.]
The old prophecy of the stellar nebula was once again coming true.
「The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' will die in the story he loved.」
He smiled as he faced that fate.
Is this really the story you wanted? Can you even say that you love this kind of story?
[Your sponsor completely transfers his status to you.]
A constellation that hung in the infinitely high sky. A constellation that protected me in that sky over and over again. Now, that constellation was within arm's reach.
I slowly knelt before him.
"What a pity."
Like someone who had finally graduated from this story, the Demon King of Salvation was smiling dazzlingly.
"I want to read it one more time."
789 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (5)
I quietly looked at the Demon King of Salvation. He and the starlight that had been so dazzling were now dimming.
The reason was simple.
[Your current existence restoration rate is 10%.]
The amount of 'Kim Dokja fragments' that I possessed had increased more than that.
I quietly held my brother's shoulder that had shrunk.
You can read it again.
*
The Demon King of Salvation opened his eyes.
It seemed like he had woken up from sleep, or like he had died and come back to life. To him who was used to death, perhaps the two were not so different.
He exhaled lightly, and felt a pleasant chill. He l in looked around.
All he could see was a plain covered in pure white snow. The Demon King of Salvation sighed lightly in that solemn landscape.
Just by looking at the fluttering white snow, he could tell what kind of place this world was.
This is the youngest's world.
He thought about the youngest.
The last Kim Dokja in this world. A being born with a different mission than other readers.
The youngest has always lived seeing this scenery.
The Demon King of Salvation stretched out his hand toward the fluttering snow. Then, a faint whisper could be heard through the snow.
「"King King! King King!"」
The cries of ground ratspuppies searching for their mothers.
「"Save me! Save me!"」
The cries of those who died after failing to overcome the first scenario.
「"If only there was one more chance, one more chance..."」
The last wish of those who died after being crushed under the rubble of a collapsed building or eaten by monsters.
Some were recorded and some were not. They all fell asleep between the lines. The Demon King of Salvation shook the snow in the air again while waiting for someone to read it, to imagine it. This time, different stories were heard.
「"Let's die together even if we die! Don't give up!"」
It was the story of the people of Geumho Station fighting back to back to save each other.
Bang Cheolsoo, who had become a different person than in the previous round. And the sight of the mother and daughter fighting beside him.
「"Come on, let's have a bite!"」
Homeless people at Seoul Station sitting in a huddle in front of the remaining open signboard, sharing warm soup.
「"I wonder if that hyung is doing well."」
Jung Heewon's younger brother—Jung Eunho and the children of the Beggar Sect were also there. The children, who no longer needed to set traps and deceive the adults, chatted around the campfire.
Countless constellations hung in the sky that the children looked up at.
[The constellation 'The Last Ark' watches over the descendants of the Beggar Sect.]
An old tower was floating in a corner of the shining sky.
'Recycling Center', Zone 13.
「"Shouldn't we go help too?"」
Animals that couldn't enter the <Zodiac Ball> were gathered in a small inn in Zone 13.
「"But will we be of any help..."」
「"If it weren't for that friend, we would have been forgotten."」
「"What do you think, Master Crane?"」
The sentences that remained like faint footprints. The Demon King of Salvation carefully read the sentences that were open but definitely present. He read them diligently, as if he were afraid that there would be a sentence he hadn't read.
How much had he read like that?
Someone was standing in front of him.
"Is it fun?"
It was the youngest.
The youngest looked much more like 'Kim Dokja' than before.
Looking at him like that, the Demon King of Salvation didn't know what to say. Since he didn't know what to say, he had a set plan for what to say.
"What's next?"
"Of course there is."
The two sat side by side and read the stories. They read happy stories, sad stories. Or they read stories that couldn't be defined as happy or sad.
They just liked the story.
"Is there more?"
"There's still a lot left."
He knows. That the youngest had prepared a lot of stories for him. But now he didn’t have much time left.
He heard a sound like waves crashing. He raised his head and saw the distant edge of the snowy field slowly breaking apart.
The waves of destruction were coming.
"Youngest."
"Yes."
"I read hard."
"I know."
"Even though I read so hard—"
The end of his voice broke into small pieces like the waves that were coming.
The Demon King of Salvation smiled bitterly.
For what, for whom had he kept 'reading'?
"Reading alone couldn’t change anything."
Life is life and death is death.
No matter how many times he read it—no matter how much effort he put into it—the world didn’t change.
Someday, the universe will end.
This story will definitely end.
Even though every tragedy is predetermined, even though they know that fact well, why do they read it?
"At least I’ve come to understand one person better."
"One person. Perhaps that one person is a different name to each and every Kim Dokja. There are also people who have come to understand you better while reading your story."
"…"
"Can you really say that it means nothing?"
The Demon King of Salvation had no answer to the youngest's question.
"I've thought about a lot of things since I came here."
The youngest let out a small breath and began to talk.
"When I first fell into this world, I thought I was really screwed. Wow, how am I going to survive? How am I going to get back?"
"That was fun."
"You were watching everything, after all?"
"Hmm."
"Anyway, after somehow surviving, I then had this question. Isn't there a reason why I fell into this world? This world must have called me because I had a mission given to me!"u
"…"
"That's why I worked hard to dig around here and there. I converted villains who hadn't been in the spotlight, communicated with monsters who had been rampant, and investigated the backstory of scenarios that weren't shown in the main story—"
"It was a mess."
"Yes. In the end, I asked you for help because I couldn’t do it alone."
"In a pitiful state."
"But thanks to you, I have many interesting stories."
Interesting stories.
The youngest called all those failures, those bitter memories.
"That’s why I’m going to keep going."
Hearing that calm voice, the Demon King of Salvation recalled the expression on the youngest’s face when he first called him.
"Please keep reading. I’ll keep writing too."
The youngest was still speaking in that same voice.
"I’ll prove that the world can change just by reading."
Looking at the youngest’s shining eyes, the Demon King of Salvation thought.
「If I could be reborn, I hope I’m not Kim Dokja.」
Every Kim Dokja has their own theme. The youngest in front of him right now was no different.
「I hope I’m not 'Dokja'.」
The reason why the youngest was so special among all his brothers. That was—
"Youngest."
"Yes."
"Don't you have something to ask me?"
"…"
"Aren't you curious about who you really are?"
The youngest quivered and sighed.
"Of course I'm curious. But honestly, right now, I'm not sure what to do."
"What?"
"Right now, my head is full of things I want to write, so I don't have time to think about who I am."
"…"
"Someday, my hyung will read and tell me who I was."
The Demon King of Salvation blankly stared at the youngest.
Wouldn't it be okay if it was this guy?
Wouldn't it be okay to entrust the future of all readers to this guy?
The Demon King of Salvation slowly stood up from his seat while watching the waves of destruction approaching.
"Okay, I will."
"Thank you."
"In that sense."
The youngest also stood up.
The Demon King of Salvation spoke to the youngest.
"Now you are the 'Demon King of Salvation'."
The time had come.
It was time to tell all his stories to the youngest. The youngest would receive all his stories and become the 'only Kim Dokja'.
"Huh? I don't want to."
"What?"
"How many times do I have to die and resurrect and do that?"
The Demon King of Salvation opened his mouth.
The youngest continued to talk.
"I can't live like that. Oh, man, I'd go crazy."
"No, hey."
He wanted to tell him that being stubborn like that wouldn't work. He wanted to tell him to come to his senses, that he shouldn't be saying things like that anymore.
But the youngest's eyes were strange.
"I told you. I'm going to write an 'impossible story', and you won't die in that story."
The snowfield was breaking.
The youngest continued talking, looking at the waves that were now right in front of him.
"Why did you think about it for so long? If I really am Kim Dokja— wouldn't I be able to do 'that' too?"
He felt something was wrong. The Demon King of Salvation urgently reached out his hand to the youngest.
"Youngest. Wait a minute—"
"Don't worry, you can just keep reading there."
The waves soon came crashing down on them. The world was shuffled around, and the Demon King of Salvation felt his soul being sucked away somewhere.
As expected.
He would become a story. He would become part of the 「Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint」.
The youngest would read him and live in this world once again—
「"Huh?"」
He should have disappeared and become part of the youngest, absorbed.
But why? Why does his ego still remain?
The light flickered between the bookshelves.
The smell of old books in the dark space.
It was a small library.
He knew this place well. He knew it well, so he got goosebumps. His heart pounded hard.
「"Who else is here?"」
He turned his head and saw the little Kim Dokjas gathered together in a huddle.
There were girls and boys. The little Kim Dokjas with different hairstyles. The little Kim Dokjas, who were looking at him with curious eyes, all raised their heads like a seagull at the sound coming from behind them.
「"Ah. Newspaper."」
「"Read it quickly."」
The little Kim Dokjas were gathered in front of the desk, reading something. He staggered toward it. There was a newspaper on the wide desk.
『Today's Kim Dokja』.
A newspaper without a headline.
He read the newspaper, mixing in with the little Kim Dokjas. Sentences appeared on the newspaper in real time.
「A method to absorb 'Kim Dokja fragments' while protecting their souls.」
It was the youngest's sentence.
「Like 'Asmodeus's Cinema, can't I use the same method?」
The noise rose once again.
Had he prepared this space since he was 2?
「Will I be able to use [the fourth wall] if I become a Kim Dokja of 2 percent?」
「If I were to create that 'library'—」
The youngest, who didn't want to be just a reader, said. If he were to write an impossible story, then the youngest,
「Wouldn't it be possible to dream a new 'dream'?」
He might have already written that first sentence.
A library that would make the impossible story he spoke of possible.
A space where Kim Dokja's reading could continue
[Exclusive skill 'The Fourth Wall' is activated!]
But from there, a slightly strange sentence began to be written.
「The constellation, successor to salvation, prepared for the death that would come.」
The moment he wondered what that meant, a message came into his head.
[The 'fate' that bound you is no longer functioning.]
He was brought into the [Fourth Wall] by the youngest, and lost his qualification as the 'Demon King of Salvation'.
And so he is still 'alive'.
So who is now taking on the fate of the 'Demon King of Salvation'? A creepy imagination flashed through his mind.
Youngest.
Pitch-black letters were being written on the margins of the newspaper.
「The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' will die in the story he loved.」
Somewhere, the sound of destiny being realized was heard.
[You are no longer the 'Demon King of Salvation.']
790 Episode 37 Graduation ceremony (6)
I spat out the bloody lump that had come out, grumbling, onto the floor.
[Your incarnation body has reached its limit!]
That's it. This is how I achieved my goal.
The fact that I was able to hold on even when I would have fainted if I had been normal was proof of that.
[Exclusive skill 'The Fourth Wall' is activating!]
The fact that this wall has activated means that the readers I've absorbed, and my sponsor, have safely entered the 'library'.
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' glares at you with displeasure.]
I smiled bitterly and answered the story, who was grumbling.
'Thank you.'
If that little story hadn't cooperated, it would have been impossible to restore the [Fourth Wall].
[The story 'Heir of the Eternal Name' turns his head while snorting.]
[Your current existence restoration rate is 18.8%.]
The existence restoration rate has increased to almost 20%. In fact, I felt that my soul's level had increased significantly compared to before.
[Nebula <AsIsgard> recognizes your existence as a threat!]
[Nebula <Vedas> designates you as a singularity!]
Now, my level has increased to the point where I cannot avoid the attention of the constellations. This was even though I was still unable to properly control the constellation within me.
[The story 'King of a Kingless World' is running wild!]
[The story 'One Who Stands Against the Fate' is out of your control!]
I have inherited all of the abilities of my brother, the Demon King of Salvation, so perhaps that is only natural.
I tried to calm the stories down and took a deep breath.
[Story Fragment 'Unrequited Love' is shaking unsteadily!]
[Story Fragment 'Young Man Who Speaks Like an Old Man' is shaking!]
[Story Fragment 'The Heart of a Child' is running wild beyond your control!]
Story Fragments that are still awkward to call my own.
Among them, there were Goo Seonah's, Kim Kyungsik's, and even an unknown reader's.
Some of the stories had such severe side effects that they were impossible to absorb, especially Goo Seonah's story.
It was at that time that [Incite] ran wild and spread out recklessly, touching <Olympus>'s 「Hermes System」.
Thanks to that, I was able to annihilate all the great constellations in <Olympus> that had invaded the Recycling Center, so it may have been a good result.
[The constellations of the nebula <Olympus> show their hatred towards you!]
I guess this means there is no turning back for <Olympus>.
Well, it doesn't matter. They were going to kill me anyway.
"Dokja-ssi!"
As I listened to the voices of the group running towards me, I barely managed to hold on to my consciousness that was about to break away.
[Main Scenario #20 — 'Graduation' has ended.]
The scenario was definitely over. However, not everything was over yet.
Just as my future path was more important than graduation, what was going to happen from now on was more important to me.
[You have inherited the modifier of 'Demon King of Salvation'.]
[The <Star Stream> recognizes you as the 'Demon King of Salvation'.]
[The role of 'Great Demon King' is inherited!]
[The delayed fate is activated.]
[You succeeded the scenario.]
[You failed the scenario.]
At the same time, it was clear what it meant.
YouI as an incarnation succeeded in the scenario, but I as a constellation failed in the scenario.
Why—
[The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' accepts fate.]
Right now, I have become the 'Demon King of Salvation'.
"What the—"
The moment Kyung Sein, whose eyes had become sharp, reached out her hand toward me, I jumped up enormously.
"Uh, uh?"
My energy began to rise into the air.
"Dokja-ssi, why—"
Dokja-ssiKyung Sein looked up at my stomach with his eyes wide open.
"Why Dokja-ssi, the in Cheon Jong-un Sword…..."
Cheon Jong-un Sword was piercing me instead of the incarnation of the Great Demon King of SalvationSarajeon.
"This is the price of reciting the story of 'Salvation's Learning'."
"Isn't the scenarioOmniscient Reader’s story over?"
Kyung Sein and Dansu ahjussi were flustered.
I looked down at the two of them and smiled.
The people who survived until now, I am grateful to them. Now, they have become incarnations that can do one person's work. Even if I am not here, they will somehow survive. They will be able to get through the next scenario, and the one after that.
"Yes. It's all over."
I felt my body slowly being sucked back. The crack that had formed in the air was sucking my body.
「Where does the Demon King who lost to the scenario go?」
If I had been bounddedicated to the scenario like my sponsor, I would have died here.
However, I was not dedicated to the scenario, I just received his [fate].
So even if I was pierced by the Thousand Song Cloud Sword, I wouldn't die here.
"Dokja-ssi!"
"No! Dokja-ssi! Stop!"
I would just be banished to a place where there was a very high chance of death.
I waved my hand to calm the group down and said.
"Don't worry! I won't die! This is just—"
"Do you think we're stupid?"
Killer King, who had shouted, grabbed my arm through the aftershock.
"You, what the hell did you do? Why is the scenario banishing you!"
It seemed that I couldn't fool the readers.
"Everyone, catch him! Don't let him go!"
It was the first time I saw Killer King so passionate excited.
I looked at him and said.
"Cha Sungwoo-ssi."
Cha Sungwoo looked at me in surprise.
I realized that many things had happened since meeting him. However, we had talked a lot, but not that much.
We don't know much about each other.
Where we used to live, what kind of food we like to eat, what games we like to play, what we think about before going to bed after a hard day.
We don't know anything about each other.
The only thing we share is one thing. That we've read the same stories and admired the same characters.
"Come to your senses. You're the Yoo Joonghyuk of those people."
Cha Sungwoo trembled as if he had been struck by lightning after hearing my words.
A person who has the patience to read a story a hundred times. A person with an unwavering spirit that won't waver in the face of any ordeal.
The group needs such a pillar.
"Shut up! Kim Dokja, what do you know—"
With a crack, my sleeve that he was holding onto was torn. The crack sucked me in even more strongly. At that moment, when I was about to be swallowed by the crack, a spider web flying from the air tightly tied my body.
[Arachne's Web].
It was Ji Eunyu.
At the same time, the group holding each thread of the spider web began to pull me.
"Pull! Quickly!"
I saw the group hanging on the spider web and pulling me.
Cha Sungwoo, Cha Yerin, Kyung Sein, Lee Dansu, and Ji Eunyu.
Shin Yoosoung pulling together behind Ji Eunyu. Lee Jihye and Lee Hyunsung, who joined in late. KimKang Namwoon pulling the rope with one hand as if he was going to die.
And where the words fell, there was Jung Heewon, who was just beginning to shed tears. It seemed that walking was still difficult, as Jung Heewon staggered and reached out herhis hand toward me.
I looked at her like that, then looked back at the things and laughed heartily.
"Come on, everyone, don't worry. I won't die. I promise!"
That's why I didn't want to be 'The Demon King of Salvation'.
"Don't make promises like that! If you say something like that here, you'll—"
I knew how deep and distant the 'salvation' in his modifier was.
Even so, I received that modifier, and unfortunately, the group had now become the companions of the Demon King of Salvation.
The spiderwebs that had slowly grown began to break one by one. Just like the stories we had tied together were coming apart.
"No!"
Ji Eunyu's extended spiderweb broke.
I spoke to Ji Eunyu, who was moving away.
—Ji Eunyu. You always said that.
I really have no intention of dying.
Since I had no intention of dying, this parting had to be refreshing.
—Excessive emotions actually hinder the readers' immersion.
I heard Ji Eunyu shouting something from afar, but I couldn't hear it.
[You have been banished from the scenario!]
Pitch-black darkness covered me. A place where I could see no stars.
A terrible cold air then came. It was a cold that was hard to bear, even with the [Fourth Wall].
[The story 'King of a Kingless World' resists the cold!]
[The story 'One Who Stands Against Fate' resists the cold!]
[The story 'Demon King of Salvation' resists the cold!]
The sharp cold began to dig into the stories that surrounded me. I felt the stories that formed the constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' freezing in real time.
[The movements of the stories are slowing down.]
It was clear what was happening.
「The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' will die in the story he loved.」
This was the end that the constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' would face. And after I, as a constellation, perished, my weakened incarnation body would also begin to disappear.
At that moment, a voice was heard along with a faint warmth.
—You.
I knew whose voice it was, so I smiled and answered.
'Bihyung.'
—Damn bastard.
[Dokkaebi Communication]. Even that was about to break off, and the voice of the form that came in was unstable.
I simply stated my business.
'Can I receive the item I requested to purchase earlier?'
As the original author of 『Infinite Instructor』, I was able to receive a huge amount of coin royalties while working on the scenario as the original author.
I used more than half of the coins I had acquired to buy one item.
—This… is an item that cannot be sold, you know?
'It is.'
—You will not survive if you buy this.
Bihyung must know. I will die now with a very high probability.
As a constellation, and as an incarnation.
'Please go. If you stay here too long, you will be suspected.'
—Survive somehow, you idiot…!
Bihyung's voice broke off.
A cold air came over me again.
[The story 'King of a Kingless World' stops talking.]
Every time a story lost its function, it felt like every joint in my body was being torn apart. I checked the item that Bihyungthe shapeless man had given me with my pale, frozen hands.
It was a small horn.
'Horn of the Horizon.'
An item that sends the user to the 'Story Horizon'.
I took a few deep breaths and blew my remaining breath into the horn with all my might.
[Using the item 'Horn of the Horizon'!]
Soon, with the sound of a small whistle, my body began to fall somewhere. I fell, fell, fell again, and how long did it take? When I came to my senses, I was on the cold dirt floor.
I suddenly raised my upper body from the floor.
A garbage dump was visible through the blurry sky.
My stomach churned and I felt like crying.
I survived. I somehow made it here.
「Story Horizon」.
I don't know. I will definitely survive and return to my companions. And so, I abandon Kim Dokja's story.
The moment I looked up at the sky with that thought, the sky, which should have been empty, flashed. Several flashes of lightning struck the ground, and something descended on the ground. <Olympus> constellations.
[That's it, young Demon King. No one can protect you anymore.]
I smiled bitterly.
"This is it."
I never thought those bastards would chase me to a place that wasn't even a scenario area—to be exact, this landfill.
"You must be really angry."
I squeezed out the last of my strength and started my story. Then, my heart stopped.
[The story 'One Who Opposes Fate' stops talking.]
[The story 'Demon King of Salvation' stops talking.]
[All the stories of the constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' stop talking.]
I felt the strength drain from my entire body and fell forward. Finally, the stories of the 'Demon King of Salvation' had finished their mission.
[Your destiny is realized!]
[The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation' loses his qualifications as a constellation!]
[The constellation 'Demon King of Salvation'’s modifier disappears from the constellation!]
A coldness different from before pierced my skin.
I could see the constellations laughing at me and approaching me step by step.
They really are vicious. I would die even if they left me alone, but they came all the way here to finish me off.
In the gloomy sky, I could see letters floating around them.
It was a story I knew well.
I understood many things later. The reason why they were able to maintain a healthy castle gate while invading the lower scenarios so recklessly.
「They had already collected a considerable amount of 'Kim Dokja Fragments.'」
And just like Asmodeus, they had figured out how to use them in some way.
A faint sense of despair came over me. I thought that this time, there was nothing I could do. If I had known this would happen, I would have just given my stories to Ji Eunyu or Killer King.
But I couldn’t give up until the end. The moment I thought about somehow activating [Incite]—
"◼️◼️. ◼️◼️◼️ ◼️◼️◼️…!"
I heard someone chattering. I raised my head and saw a familiar new figure. A man in a pitch-black coat and holding a long spear was glaring at me.
Yoo Joonghyuk?
For a moment, I couldn’t understand.
How could Yoo Joonghyuk be here?
He should have cleared the scenario by now and returned to Earth, so why—
[The subject is currently performing a 'personal scenario'.]
Personal scenario. A scenario that the constellation can specially grant to incarnations who clear scenarios after number 10.
If someone had granted Yoo Joonghyuk a personal scenario, it wasn’t impossible for him to appear. But who on earth would take such a risk right now?
There could be no crazy constellation that would chase me all the way to the Scenario Exile Zone and give Yoo Joonghyuk a 'personal scenario' against the will of the constellations—
"Is that the way to live good? You ◼️birds◼️."
Wait a minute. Did Yoo Joonghyuk… swear like that?
I could see white wings fluttering behind Yoo Joonghyuk.
A sigh escaped belatedly.
There was one. One person.
A constellation that spit out harsh curses with a face more beautiful than any constellation I know.
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' does not wish for your death.]