Chapter 126 — Things that Can Be Changed (5)

Chapter 125: Episode 24 – Things that Can Be Changed (5)

Yamamoto was killed with only three bullets. White smoke emerged from Lee Boksoon’s fingertips like she was a Western cowboy. She was a really tough grandmother.

[The Disaster of Fame has been killed.]

[The disaster called a ‘colonialist’ has disappeared.]

[You have earned 5,000 coins.]

[Major contributor: Lee Boksoon, Kim Dokja.]

It was regrettable that I didn’t catch the snake but hunting the prime minister wasn’t a bad income. The absence of the prime minister in the upcoming wall would greatly undermine the advance of the Japanese army. The compensation was also great.

[Some constellations are against your excessive nationalistic sentiment.]

There were many constellations complaining about my scenario but it couldn’t be helped. Nationalism on the Korean Peninsula gave coins. If I had to sell a story then it was better to sell it at an expensive price.

[Many constellations of the Korean Peninsula are cheering for your reenactment.]

[10,000 coins have been sponsored.]

Indeed, there were constellations who haven’t forgotten the old days. The confused Japanese incarnations ran towards Yamamoto but it was already too late..

“P-Prime minister!”

In the meantime, I ran towards Lee Boksoon who was a dozen metres away. Lee Boksoon’s body was rapidly shrinking.

[The character ‘Lee Boksoon’ has completely abandoned her rights as a disaster.]

[The dokkaebi of the Star Stream sees Lee Boksoon’s behavior as taking action against the scenario.]

[The small person transformation will begin.]

Lee Boksoon had a tired expression but it seemed to be the aftereffect of using Three Shots. The stigmas of certain constellations could cause severe physical and mental damage to the person who used it. Thus, she was completely exhausted the moment she used the stigma.

“Young man, give me a lift.”

“Put on the clothes in my pocket first.”

There were a few pieces of clothing I got in return for saving the small people earlier. I put the grandmother in the left pocket of my coat and Lee Jihye helped her dress.

[Way of the Wind Lv. 8 has been activated.]

The remaining time for Bookmark was 10 minutes. Now I had to get out of the forest area in 10 minutes.

“The prime minister is dead!”

“Stop them!”

The Japanese people were angry.

[You have received the second scenario penalty.]

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 5 minutes. Otherwise the Star Stream will determine that you have no intention to carry out the activities of a disaster...]

Damn. It was 5 minutes rather than 10 minutes. The time was too short.

“Take me with you!”

The Japanese woman inside the cage that Yamamoto had dropped when he died shouted.

“Please! Please!”

...Asuka Ren. I felt no hesitation. I intended to bring her with me in the first place. I jumped forward like a gust of wind and placed her in my hand after smashing her cage.

“Thank you! Really...”

I skipped the greetings and tensed the muscles of both legs. “Hold on tightly.”

I used all of my magic power. The wind split apart and the fastest ‘road’ appeared. The wind force around my legs captured the precise movements of my muscles and created the optimum speed.

Colonization had disappeared and it was easier to run than before. However, my stats were halved and the speed wasn’t satisfactory. However, I could actually reach this speed with a level 30 agility. Way of the Wind was a truly great skill.

Asuka Len told me, “You are really fast. This speed is as good as Karasu from Japan.”

Karasu was probably referring to the tengu ‘Karasu.’

“I’ll be faster if I have more power.”

“Do you know Karasu?”

“It is a classic monster from Japan.”

I should be faster than Karasu-tengu with Way of the Wind but now wasn’t the time. Besides, I couldn’t say that Way of the Wind was my skill. Bookmark had a time limitation.

“Kill him! In any case, we will just become smaller!”

“We will take care of the smaller ones so kill him!”

The Japanese didn’t hesitate anymore.

“Get revenge for the prime minister!”

A few swords narrowly missed my shoulder. It was dangerous but then the terrain in front of me started to change. The surrounding trees wriggled and took the shape of a forest path. The shape of the forest was changing.

I thought it was magic but Asuka Ren told me. “It is night. Look out!”

I belatedly recalled a mention of it in Ways of Survival. The forest area of Peace Land changed shape at night.

It was a type of labyrinth as the forest itself turned into the stomach of a giant monster. Sticky digestive juices emerged wherever I walked. The reason why the small people of Peace Land didn’t enter this forest was become none of them returned when it was night.

“Catch him!”

“Aaaaack!”

The forest camouflage had begun and the Japanese people chasing me seemed lost. Of course, the big disasters couldn’t be digested by the forest but there was enough time.

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 3 minutes.

I did my best but the maze-like forest area paralyzed my sense of direction. There was no specific way to escape from the night forest in Ways of Survival. Instead...

“This way!”

It was written in Ways of Survival:

「 The first person to be obtained in Peace Land is Asuka Ren. 」

I followed Asuka Ren’s directions.

“Run to the right at that tree!”

“Japanese lady, do you know the way?”

Lee Boksoon asked in fluent Japanese and Asuka Ren replied hesitantly. “I know this forest well.”

“Huhu, is it a relevant skill?”

“...Yes.”

I knew that Asuka Ren was lying. She couldn’t navigate this forest because of a path finding skill. Perhaps as far as Peace Land was concerned, she was as much an expert in it as I was in Ways of Survival. Maybe this was why the Japanese saved her.

I carried Asuka Ren and used Way of the Wind at its highest level. I ran quickly but the time limit was faster.

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 1 minute.]

A bit more, just a bit more.

“Catch him!

“We must catch him!”

The number of Japanese people chasing me decreased sharply as the road twisted several times.

“Almost there!”

Finally, I reached the end of the forest zone.

[You were unable to hunt the small people within the time limit.]

The dokkaebis of the Star Stream have determined you won’t carry out the activities of a disaster.]

[You have been given a third scenario penalty.]

[The small person transformation will begin.]

Damn.

“Get away from me!”

My party members noticed something at my shout and removed themselves from my body. It was like my body was being spun in a juicer. The power left my body and there was the sound of thunder in my ears.

I blinked again and my line of sight was almost at the ground. This was how a small person felt. Fortunately, the coat shrank with my body. I didn’t lose any items because I placed all of them in the subspace, including Unbroken Faith. The problem was when I took them out again...

“Ajusshi, are you okay?”

I nodded towards my party members and spoke to Asuka Ren, who was watching me from a distance. “Asuka Ren-ssi.”

“...Did I introduce myself?”

“The other Japanese people told me your name. I would like to ask you to take my party members to Veronica Castle.”

Asuka’s eyes grew bigger at my words. She wondered how I knew the name of a place in Peace Land.

“There is no time to explain. Please. I will stop them here.”

“I understand.”

There was the sound of the Japanese people breathing in the distance. Three of them managed to chase me to the end. They varied in height but all of a sudden, they looked like monsters.

“Damn Josenjing!”

If there was one person then the party members might somehow be able to beat them after joining forces. But three of them...

There was no certainty that we could beat them, even if we use all our powers. Lee Hyunsung said, “We can’t leave you alone.”

“You have to go so that all of you can live. I have a way to escape if I am alone.”

The Japanese people who had struggled through the labyrinth forest spat on the ground and smiled cruelly at us.

“I’ll trample on them like bugs.”

I watched them approach and shouted, “Gilyoung!”

Lee Gilyoung nodded with understanding. Small insects were flying towards this side.

“I will see all of you later.”

The insects started carrying the group members on their backs in ones or twos. Based on the speed of the insects, quite some distance could be gained while I buy time.

“Wait a minute! Ajusshi!” Shin Yoosung cried out as a samurai blade flew towards me.

The blade stabbed into the ground next to me. There was a wave of magic power and I reflexively rolled my body. It wouldn’t be a big deal when I was a human but now even the edge of the blade was dangerous for me. Maybe I would be simply cut into two.

“Die!”

I had a plan to catch the prime minister with Lee Boksoon but now I had no specific measures. I could somehow buy time by running into the labyrinth forest again or...

“I will kill him. Chase after the rest!”

Two of the three Japanese people nodded and chased after the people on the insects. I couldn’t let that happen

[The stigma Non-Violent Zone Lv.1 has been used!]

The Japanese people stopped.

“Damn, again...!”

The stuck Japanese people looked back at me with irritation.

My magic power had been significantly reduced as a result of the small person transformation and it took a considerable amount of magic power juts to block the three of them. My head hurt and blood flowed from my nose.

[The constellation ‘Nation’s Independence Activist’ has blessed you.]

Along with the message, the magic power required to use the stigma decreased and my body became comfortable. I heard the voice of a constellation in my head.

[Child, this is the only time I will respond to a call.]

“Thank you, Martyr.”

[History is recorded in order to not repeat mistakes. Make sure you don’t repeat the past for the sake of individual success.]

The constellation seemed to notice that I used her for excessive directing. I used Non-Violent Zone for violence and the constellation became angry. I barely managed to nod and looked around nervously.

[Non-Violent Zone has 30 seconds left.]

Once Non-Violent Zone ended, I had to run to the forest area with all my power.

The swords were filled with a tremendous magic power and were determined to cut me in two. I might not die here but I would be seriously wounded if I made a mistake.

15 seconds, 14 seconds, 13 seconds...

Then a questionable message was heard.

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ commiserates with your plight.]

...Huh? The moment I heard the name of a familiar constellation, there was a strange sound and explosive gunfire was heard.

[The character ‘Gong Pildu’ has activated ‘Armed Fortress Lv. 1!]

Dududududu!

Chapter 126: Episode 24 – Things that Can Be Changed (6)

I was a bit surprised to see it. It was Armed Fortress, not Armed Zone. Gong Pildu’s stigma had passed level 10 and entered the next step.

[You have invaded private property!]

It was a surprise. This message was welcome in a moment like this.

“Ack! It hurts! What is this?”

The Japanese screamed painfully as the hundreds of turrets fired at the same time. One hit wasn’t a big blow but it was disastrous once hundreds of bullets poured out. The damage was even greater because their movements were restrained.

Dududududu!

Blood flowed from their bodies as the Japanese were hit by the bullets.

“Eyes! My eyes!”

“What? What is this?”

The shells flew without stopping. The Japanese screamed and sat down as they were hit.

“Full advance!”

The army of small people hiding at the entrance of the forest joined in. Originally, it would’ve been hopeless but the situation changed due to the current state of the Japanese people. Small blades dug into the holes made by bullets and the Japanese screamed in succession. Then I heard a dignified voice. “Don’t invade private property. This is my land.”

As expected from the Armed Fortress Master. He lay down private property even when coming to this world.

The wounded Japanese got up and shouted, “R-Retreat! Let’s go back!”

It was great. Gong Pildu’s turrets were strong enough to make three disasters retreat despite their small size.

I turned around and saw a small fortress rising from the ground. It was hard to call it a proper fortress but I could see why he was called Armed Fortress Master.

“Waaaaahhhhh!”

“We won! We defeated the disasters!”

The jubilant small people gathered around and shouted for victory. There were two people standing on top of the fortress. One of them was Gong Pildu. The other one...

“Why is this your land? This isn’t a place where private property is recognized.”

“A little girl doesn’t know what she is talking about...”

“Hrmm, shouldn’t you show more courtesy to this goddess?”

...This voice? The small people shouted again. “Goddess-nim, hooray! Hooray!”

...Goddess? The woman at the top of the fortress discovered me and jumped down. Her short dress blew in the breeze and the sound of a light landing was heard. She had a distinctive prideful look. She really hadn’t changed.

The small people parted in front of her like the waves before Moses. I smiled and opened my mouth, “Haven’t you become very successful?”

Han Sooyoung approached and raised my chin with her fingers. “It’s been a while, Kim Dokja. You are still ugly.”

I once again met Han Sooyoung, the goddess of Peace Land.

We headed to the castle and I heard about the things that happened to Han Sooyoung. “I was walking down the street when I was hit by a bus full of survivors.”

“Then?”

“I woke up here.”

“Does that make sense? What about Gong Pildu?”

“I fell into Han River and was here when I opened my eyes.”

I felt disbelief. “What is this fantasy novel?”

“Have you forgotten where we are now?”

This was the conversation.

In fact, it seemed absurd but something similar had happened in Ways of Survival. There were quite a few returnees who travelled to another world after falling into Han River or being hit by a bus. Still, to experience such a thing during a scenario...

What the hell were those dokkaebi jerks doing? I asked, “Then why are you the goddess? Did you ask them to call you that?”

Han Sooyoung shook her head and grumbled. “Che, treating me like this for saving you.”

“What? Tell me.”

“Have you forgotten who I am?”

“Eh?”

“Has your brain decreased due to your smaller head?”

Come to think of it, this was a stupid question. Han Sooyoung was the only prophet remaining in Seoul Dome.

Moreover, one day on Earth was three days on Peace Land. We had been separated for a week so the time Han Sooyoung spent in PeaceLand was around three weeks.

She knew the future and was given three weeks. It wasn’t strange for Han Sooyoung to become the goddess of another world... no, it was still a bit strange. Why was she a goddess instead of a queen?

“You two know each other very well.” I looked back and saw Gong Pildu watching us with a disgruntled expression.

I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth. I didn’t want to but there was something I should say. “Gong Pildu.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry for not taking care of you.”

“...Who asked you to take care of me?”

“I’m really sorry. Thank you for saving me.”

I really was apologetic this time so I spoke in honorifics. Frankly, I had been too busy in the fifth scenario to care about Gong Pildu. This time he saved me when my life was in danger. It was too embarrassing to call myself a patron of the Defense Master.

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ scoffs at your apology.]

“Che.” They seemed to suit each other well.

[You have sponsored the Defense Master 5,000 coins.]

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ reluctantly nods.]

Gong Pildu glared at me for a moment before turning away. “Then do well next time.”

It was funny to see a person so full of pride. In any case, I was glad that both of them were alive, even if they had become small people. Eh? Wait. They became a small person...?

I glanced at the two people for a moment. That reminded me, why had they chosen to stop being disasters? Both of them weren’t the type of people who would do this?

“I am here to say thank you.”

I looked back and saw that Lee Hyunsung and the others were approaching. They had been riding the insects towards Veronica when they countered Gong Pildu’s group passing by.

“No need. I just did what I had to do.” Han Sooyoung smiled slightly and waved her hands. I now knew what it was like when a devil wore a mask.

Lee Jihye watched Han Sooyoung and opened her mouth. “By the way... who are you?”

That reminded me, this was the first time that people saw Han Sooyoung’s actual appearance, not her avatar. In other words, the party members had no idea that she was the First Apostle.

Han Sooyoung glanced at me and I answered on her behalf.

“Uh, that...”

Lee Jihye surely wouldn’t stay still if she found out this was the First Apostle. Lee Jihye was the one who suffered the most damage when the apostles attacked Chungmuro.

The party would be turned upside down if Han Sooyoung’s identity was revealed and a blood feud might occur. Eventually, I decided to close my eyes and betray my conscience.

“She is just a friend I know.”

I didn’t know if I could use the word ‘friend.’ Well, it didn’t matter. I had no friends anyway. I couldn’t see Han Sooyoung’s face.

“I’m sorry but... can I ask you one thing?” The one who broke the awkward atmosphere was Asuka Ren, the Japanese person I rescued from the cage.

Han Sooyoung looked between me and the Japanese person. Lee Jihye was the same. “...Then who is this Japanese person? Is this person also a friend?”

It was a somewhat sarcastic tone. Damn brat.

“Asuka Ren... she is an incarnation from Japan. She isn’t a friend but a trapped prisoner I saved.”

“Why did she need to be saved? She is Japanese.”

“This fight isn’t Japan vs. South Korea. It is the small people against the disasters.

Lee Jihye seemed dissatisfied but she was convinced.

Han Sooyoung whispered to me. “What is this? Was this person in the original novel?”

“You don’t know?”

She probably read up to the fourth regression but she didn’t know Asuka Ren? Oh, was Asuka Ren not active then? Asuka Ren glanced between Han Sooyoung and I with nervous eyes before opening her mouth again. “Excuse me, the question...”

“Ah, say it.”

“How did you already get the Peace Land approval?”

That’s right. Certainly, it was natural for Asuka Ren to be curious. Han Sooyoung wondered, “Kim Dokja, what is she saying?”

“She is asking how you became the goddess.”

“Ah, that?”

The others belatedly understood the question and stared curiously at Han Sooyoung. I also wondered what the hell happened. No matter how fast she grew, it was completely different from becoming stronger in three weeks and becoming the goddess of a kingdom.

“I told you. The first place where we fell was the north. Ahjussi and I fell in the middle of an attack on Veronica.”

“It was during a raid?”

“Some of the first Japanese group were attacking Veronica.”

“So?”

“Ah, one of the Japanese brats looked at us and said something. I was annoyed and killed him.”

I was speechless for a moment. I roughly knew how things had gone. The Veronica Kingdom was going to perish because of the disaster. Then two people suddenly fell and killed the disasters. From the viewpoint of the small people, Han Sooyoung and Gong Pildu probably seemed like gods.

“Well... I wouldn’t have killed him if I knew I would become a small person.”

“You didn’t read this scenario?”

“I was walking along the street when I was suddenly transported somewhere. How could I know this was the sixth scenario area?”

...That’s why the Japanese saw us and attacked. These two people were one of the causes.

“Because of you, we...”

“Ah, I can see it.”

Beyond the plains, the castle of this abandoned world could be seen. We looked at the palace. It was a broken palace. The traces of the disaster could been seen from the ruined castle walls. The people were crying in the ruined kingdom.

“Goddess-nim!”

“The goddess is back...!”

The small people who became nothing in front of an overwhelming disaster. A scruffy looking crowd came out to greet us.

Han Sooyoung showed a bitter smile. “...It is already over. Fucking Peace Land.”

I listened to her words and realized again. I’ve been lucky until now but that would end in the next battle. The struggle with the disasters had just begun and we had to continue fighting a losing battle.

I stared at the people who were coming. The people of this world resembled the old Earth. There were no sword masters, no 9th circle monsters and even the use of a ‘system’ was limited. The people of the so-called ‘authentic fantasy’ couldn’t stop the invaders, no matter how hard they tried. And I knew whose ‘work’ this world belonged to.

“Asuka Ren.”

The beautiful woman flinched and looked at me. The key to this scenario was this girl. Despite reading Ways of Survival, Asuka Ren knew this world better than I did.

“Join the South Korean group. We need your help.”