Chapter 128 — Those Who Face a God (1)
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Chapter 127: Episode 25 – Those Who Face a God (1)
My party arrived at Veronica and rested for one day. The next morning, I got up first and stood at the entrance of the castle as I informed the party of my plans. Lee Hyunsung asked, “Surely you’re not going alone?”
“I won’t be alone. I’m going with those two.” I pointed to Han Sooyoung and Asuka Ren.
Then Lee Jihye wondered, “What are we going to do while Ahjussi is gone?”
“You and Hyunsung-ssi are in charge of guarding Veronica’s walls. Have you checked the updated scenario?”
“...Is it to defend Veronica Castle until the end of the scenario period?”
“Yes. That is your mission.”
“But...”
“Do it.”
“...I understand.”
I looked at Lee Hyunsung. “There is Gong Pildu but it will be hard to stop the disasters with Armed Fortress alone. I’m sorry to leave it to you but...”
“Don’t worry. Protecting a base is my specialty.”
I was relieved by his determined words but I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It might seem like an easy task but surviving this scenario was harder than going with me.
“If you see the ‘snake’ of the first group, don’t confront him head on. Flee Veronica Castle if you have to. Can you promise me this?”
“I promise.”
Their mission was to protect the castle until I returned. I gave orders to Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung. “Secure as many insects and monsters as possible. Your mission is to buy time.”
Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung nodded.
“If you go to the north forest then there will be many unique monsters of this world. Go and tame those monsters.”
“Yes Hyung.”
“I understand Ahjussi.”
A large number of monsters would help bridge the gap with the disasters. In the process, the children’s skills would also increase significantly. I left Veronica Castle. Han Sooyoung saw the people watching us from behind and asked, “So where are we going?”
“The eastern rocky zone.”
The startled Asuka Ren told me. “The Japanese has already occupied that area.”
“I know.”
I stared straight at Asuka Ren. She had soft and curly silver hair. She had a clear face with sharp lines, like a cartoonist had painstakingly drawn it. It was a face that gave off the feeling of a warrior rather than just a beauty.
I told her, “That’s why I brought you.”
“Do you trust me?”
“I don’t trust you. I just want to get back the value of saving your life.”
“...I see.”
It was easier to say this than to buy her favour with kindness. In fact, Asuka Ren looked worried about something. Perhaps when her troubles were over, she would tell me the information in earnest.
We travelled over the plains area towards an area filled with rock formations. The trip was estimated to take two days but we could do it within one day if we moved fast.
Han Sooyoung asked, “What is the plan?”
“Unlike us, Japan has an Absolute Throne. In other words, there is an ‘absolute king’ among the first group who commands all of them.”
Han Sooyoung pondered on my words. “...Do you mean to catch the king?”
Han Sooyoung was really quick to understand. I nodded.
Han Sooyoung muttered, “Well, your idea is correct. There would be a profound effect on the entire group if the master of the Absolute Throne dies...”
“Of course, killing the king won’t stop all of them. Still, it will allow us to hold on until the end of the scenario.”
“Hrmm, then you’ve been aiming for the boss since the beginning? I like your ambition.”
Then Asuka Ren interrupted. “Do you know who the king of Japan is now?”
“Isn’t he the Sovereign of Eight Heads?”
The Sovereign of Eight Heads. It was abbreviated to just a ‘snake.’
“H-How do you...?”
Asuka Ren was astonished and her body shook. It was natural. She was part of the first group and knew that type of existence the Sovereign of Eight Heads was.
For reference, the Sovereign of Eight Heads wasn’t the nickname for the Japanese king but the modifier of his sponsor. The king didn’t have a nickname because there was no meaning in one.
“You must’ve heard his modifier somewhere but he isn’t as easy as you think...”
“I’m aware of that. He is Yamata no Orochi.”
The sky darkened at my words and there was a rumbling sound. Perhaps that guy had heard me speaking. It was a powerful force belonging to the constellations.
“...Orochi? Isn’t that the name of a mythical monster in Japan?”
“That’s right. Now he is Japan’s king.”
“Then why is he called by his sponsor’s name? Doesn’t he have a nickname?”
“It is meaningless. That incarnation isn’t sane anymore. During the six scenarios, he made a ridiculous contract with the Sovereign of Eight Heads and had his soul stolen.”
Asuka Ren’s mouth gaped open when she heard my words. She was surprised that the incarnation of another country knew more about the circumstances then she did.
“Then he will be in the rocky zone?”
“Yes. However, we can’t catch him right now. Preparations are necessary. We are going to meet someone else in the rock area.”
“Meeting someone? Is it... Yoo Jonghyuk?”
“He is better than Yoo Jonghyuk?”
“...Is there a person better than him?”
“It is possible.”
“Who?”
“A strong person from Peace Land.”
Han Sooyoung frowned. “From Peace Land? Are you joking right now?”
It was understandable. This information didn’t appear in the first 100 chapters.
“Don’t you know how weak the kids here are?” Han Sooyoung exclaimed without giving me a chance to answer. She always looked particularly agitated when she became angry.
“There isn’t a third rate swordsman here, let alone a sword master! The only magic these kids can use is to create fire on a stove.”
I know.
“This isn’t a first generation fantasy novel... It is like someone has maliciously gathered only weak people. No, I don’t understand it. Why did the dokkaebis make this world a stage? Is this an alternative idea to give coins?”
I could understand why Han Sooyoung was so upset. This girl might be a plagiarist but she was a popular fantasy writer.
“Relax. This world wasn’t made by the dokkaebis.”
“What?”
I looked behind me. There was a woman looking down with a flushed face. It felt like a very new writer standing in front of an experienced writer.
Asuka hesitated for a moment before bowing. “I’m sorry.”
Han Sooyoung seemed to realize something.
“Wait, don’t tell me?”
Asuka Ren slowly nodded. “...Peace Land is a world I created.”
Perhaps Asuka Ren shouldn’t have revealed this.
At first, Han Sooyoung was so astonished she couldn’t believe it was real. Then after five minutes, she murmured, “Well, my novel became a reality.” Then another five minutes passed and she started scolding Asuka Ren.
“Why did you do that?”
“...”
“Huh? Why? Answer me, writer. Why did you make a world like this?”
Asuka Ren ended up half crying. “That... there are many mainstream worlds in Japan. So...”
“Ah, you created this to resist the mainstream worlds?”
“I-I thought that as a writer, I shouldn’t bring out a mass production story.”
“Mass production?” Maybe she said something she shouldn’t have. Han Sooyoung declared, “Your work can’t even be mass produced.”
“...Huh?”
Han Sooyoung stared at Asuka Ren like she was pathetic and then told me. “Hey, Kim Dokja. Is this it? I stayed a few days in Veronica and in this world, the earl speaks ill of the duke. Besides, the knights are all like parasites and only know how to dither...”
Asuka Ren protested, “W-Wait a minute!”
“Shut up. We are suffering now because of you.”
“I made it but I wasn’t the one who called you here.”
“Look at this girl? The dokkaebis bought it from you and made your world into reality! The manga must’ve been ruined! Let’s throw all the ruined mangas into a world and kill them! You must’ve prayed with this thought and received a message like ‘I will listen to your wishes.’ Right?”
It was the first time I had heard such creative reasoning. She truly was a writer.
“N-No! That isn’t possible!”
“Then what is it?”
I became curious when I heard this. There was no mention of why Asuka Ren’s Peace Land was adopted as a scenario in Ways of Survival. Perhaps I could get a hint about the writer of Ways of Survival from this?
“That...”
Han Sooyoung was pulling out a sword while Asuka Ren took one step back. I interrupted them. “I’m really curious but I’m afraid we can’t hear it now.”
“Huh?”
“Run!”
We moved by a hair’s breadth and sharp swords slashed at where we had been standing.
Asuka Ren desperately ran with a pale face. Han Sooyoung asked, “Shit, when did they follow us?”
“They are good at stealth.”
“How many are there?”
“Four people.”
They didn’t underestimate us and tried to assassinate us. We had no chance in a head on battle.
Asuka Ren gasped for air and said, “It seems to be the Wind Shadow Squadron. They are the subordinates of the Sovereign of Eight Heads.”
“Those brats have weird names.”
This wasn’t the timing for them to chase me. It seemed that it was a mistake to mention Orochi’s true name. As soon as we entered the rocky area, the range of our movements became better.
It was due to Asuka Ren’s guidance. Once again, the person who created the world was different.
Nevertheless, the distance was narrowing as the Wind Shadow Squadron caught up to us.
Han Sooyoung spoke like she had made up her mind. “Ah, I don’t know. Kim Dokja, go first. I’ll buy some time.”
“Is it okay?”
“Don’t you know me? I’m a master at dying.”
“Then I’ll believe in you.” I grabbed Asuka Ren and ran. “Ren-ssi, there is no time anymore. Quickly find him.”
“I-I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“The returnee Kyrgios.”
“Huh?”
I shouted while avoiding a flying sword. It seemed that Han Sooyoung had missed some people.
“Tell me where Kyrgios is.”
“...I don’t know who that is?”
I expected it to be like this. In Ways of Survival, it only mentioned that Kyrgios was here and he never came out directly.
“I really don’t know! I never created such a person!”
“Nope, you know. He is the only powerhouse of Peace Land.”
“There isn’t a person like that in my manga! Besides, the characters in my manga are weak!”
Then a sword thrust at us. I turned sharply and stopped. I didn’t want to do this but I had to touch her wound.
“Your Peace Land was terminated early in the 11th episode and you didn’t get a single volume published after that.”
“H-How do you...?”
“I know that you wanted authentic fantasy in your heart. However, it didn’t work out. Your manga, is it really authentic fantasy?”
Two people from the Wind Shadow Squadron appeared in the smoke. I would be able to cope with them if I was my usual self, but now it was hard to stop even one. I brushed aside the katana but my wrist was broken.
I activated White Pure Star Energy and shouted calmly. “It was just once but you became angry when you saw the reaction of readers and drew a person.”
“W-What are you saying?”
“He is a strong person not fit for Peace Land. You felt guilty about pandering to the public by drawing such a person. That sense of guilt ruined your Peace Land.”
“No! I never did that!”
“Please take responsibility until the end. Even if only one reader watches this world.”
“Ah, ahh...
It became more and more difficult for me to avoid the blades. The panicked Asuka Ren was completely frozen. Two katanas flew towards my upper and lower half. Dammit, was I wrong?
“...I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.” Then a voice was heard. “You’re right. I obviously...”
The next moment, the surrounding air changed. I felt my limbs become stiff from the cold. Then another voice was heard.
[Who are you?]
I didn’t look back but it was clearly a presence comparable to the constellations. Otherwise my Fourth Wall wouldn’t be shaking so much.
I looked ahead and saw the Japanese people standing like stone statues. They couldn’t even speak as pure white lightning fell towards them from the sky. The powerful disasters turned into ashes from the lightning.
Once the clouds that caused the lightning disappeared, a small doll was floating. It was unbelievable. The powerful presence floating in the air was definitely a small person.
...He was properly hooked.
[I will ask again. Who are you?]
“It is nice to meet you, Kyrgios.”
Kyrgios Rodgraim of Peace Land. He was one of the strongest returnees in Ways of Survival.