< Episode 25. Those Who Face the Gods (4) >
Yoo Joonghyuk, who had been glaring at me, spoke.
"With your level of skill, it's impossible."
Messages flooded in from the void.
[Constellations who despise the Korean Peninsula reveal their hatred.]
[Constellations who delight in violence and slaughter go berserk.]
[Constellations who despise the Korean Peninsula wish for your death.]
I looked toward the Japanese incarnations.
All of their sponsor constellations were ones I recognized.
The very same beings who had entered Bihyung's channel during the Fifth Scenario—
the ones who had driven someone I knew to their death.
"I made a promise. That's why I have to kill that thing."
"A promise?"
The first promise was to beat the dokkaebi to within an inch of its life.
The second was to bring her back to life.
And the third—
the final promise—
"I promised I'd take revenge on the constellations who killed that child."
That alone was probably enough for Yoo Joonghyuk to understand.
Perhaps he was the only person in the world who could.
"I can't yield over something like that."
"…You really don't listen, you bastard."
Before the words had even finished leaving our mouths, we launched ourselves forward.
KWA—AAANG!
The ground where we'd been standing was completely gouged out as a massive snake's head glared down at us.
[Constellation, 'Eight-Headed Lord,' flies into a great rage!]
Its presence was utterly terrifying.
It wasn't even the true body—just the constellation's shadow.
And even that shadow was manifesting only the amount of power permitted by a mere handful of plausibility.
Yet it was already this overwhelming.
This was the dignity of a Myth-grade being.
Normally, it was an opponent I would never even think of facing.
「Yamata no Orochi.
In Japan, a monstrous entity interpreted as an ancient mythological demon.
At this point in time, there is only one way to deal with it.」
I looked at the sword in Yoo Joonghyuk's hand and said,
"So you actually managed to get Totsuka-no-Tsurugi."
In the original third regression, Yoo Joonghyuk had failed to obtain that blade.
Which meant—
In this regression, he had grown that much stronger.
Yoo Joonghyuk spoke.
"…So you knew about this sword."
"Of course. It's famous."
Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.
The blade used by the ancient Japanese god Susanoo to slay Yamata no Orochi.
In other words, somewhere in distant myth, Yamata no Orochi had already been defeated once.
Just as it had been with Gyebaek, and with Ito—
a history of defeat created a fatal weakness for beings born of legend.
GUOOOOOO—!
All eight heads roared at once, unleashing a blood-soaked howl.
[Insolent… filthy… insects…]
Damn it—
it's even using true words?
[Exclusive Skill, 'The Fourth Wall,' activates powerfully!]
With a single utterance, the surrounding area was laid to waste.
More than half of the small folk who heard the sound died instantly, their organs rupturing.
Lee Jihye and Lee Gilyoung collapsed, coughing up blood.
Even among the 'Calamities,' some began bleeding from their seven orifices upon hearing the voice.
Only Yoo Joonghyuk—whose mental barrier level was high—and I, protected by the 'Wall,' managed to endure it.
"You don't seem very good at talking," I taunted.
"So why don't you keep your mouth shut?"
The creature did not use a second true word.
Using true words without sufficient plausibility caused catastrophic plausibility loss.
Instead, its rage translated directly into action.
KWAAAAAA—!
All eight heads spewed torrents of scorching flame, turning the ground into a molten furnace.
We sprinted along the inner fortress walls.
Yoo Joonghyuk made the first move.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has activated 'Gigantification Lv.2'!]
So that skill carried over too.
I figured he'd learned it by now.
Leaping into the air, Yoo Joonghyuk's body began to swell mid-flight.
Gigantification was a technique that temporarily detonated the body's latent potential, imitating the power of a giant god.
For a brief time, Yoo Joonghyuk's combat power would exceed even what it had been before becoming a small folk.
Pabababat!
The problem was that the skill only lasted five minutes.
A brilliant azure aura of Heaven-soondering Energy wrapped itself around Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA!
Kicking off the wall, Yoo Joonghyuk launched himself forward, clearly in a hurry.
Pa-Cheon Ganggi—having reached the realm of complete sword energy—continuously unleashed streams of ether blades.
Heaven-soondering Swordsmanship.
Absolute Technique.
Heaven-Shattering Mad Emperor Art.
The flash that burst from the tip of Yoo Joonghyuk's blade split into dozens of streaks, shredding one of the serpent's heads completely.
Pshshshsh—!
From the wound carved by Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, miserable black blood sprayed as one of the eight heads began to rot away.
The only sword capable of killing Yamata no Orochi.
Because Yoo Joonghyuk was not a constellation, a 「Stage Transformation」 did not occur—but the effect imbued within the blade was undeniable.
[Constellation, 'Eight-Headed Lord,' howls in agony.]
Though one neck had been severed, Yamata no Orochi remained standing.
To kill it, all eight heads had to be cut down.
Without hesitation, Yoo Joonghyuk leapt toward the second head. The battle was so dazzling there wasn't even an opening to interfere. The divine authority with which he zigzagged between the blood-red tails and heads, severing neck after neck, was astounding.
The protagonist isn't the protagonist for nothing.
And yet—even someone like him dies hundreds of times over in Ways of Survival.
Once again, this world felt horrifying.
"Kim Dokja! Are you just going to stand there and watch? Didn't you say you'd take it earlier?!"
Yoo Joonghyuk shouted at me, breathing heavily after bursting three heads in quick succession.
Heh.
Looks like you're starting to tire out.
I, who had been holding back, grinned as I replied,
"Oh. I meant I'd land the finishing blow."
"You son of a—!"
I waited calmly, managing my stamina.
Not yet. This wasn't the time.
Meanwhile, growing impatient, Yoo Joonghyuk unleashed terrifying amounts of sword energy as he assaulted the remaining heads. But as he cut down the fourth head—
His [Gigantification] finally ended.
KROOOO—!
Scorching flames and venomous fluids poured out at once from the serpent's heads. Yoo Joonghyuk dodged with nimble movements, but couldn't fully evade the incoming tail.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has activated 'Body-Protecting Aura Lv.9'!]
Even though only the tip grazed him, Yoo Joonghyuk was sent flying straight through the fortress wall and embedded into the inner castle. Amid the terrifying cloud of dust, he staggered out, coughing up blood.
"Kim Dokja! You should've helped sooner—"
"I'm about to."
"You idiot! You can't handle this alone! We should retreat now and later—"
"You did well. Now sit back and watch."
The moment the remaining four snake heads turned toward me, I picked up Totsuka-no-Tsurugi from the ground and charged at Orochi.
[Bookmark No. 5 has been activated.]
[Activation Time: 3 minutes]
[Your understanding of the character is high, but the character's level is too great.
Only a portion of the skill will activate.]
That's fine.
A portion is enough.
[This skill can only be used by 'Small Folk.']
[Your current physical composition closely resembles that of the character.]
After all, I only needed one skill.
[The character's level is too high to fully reproduce the skill.]
[The skill level will be forcibly adjusted.]
[Exclusive Skill, 'Lightning Transformation Lv.10,' has been activated.]
「The scale of perception determines the rank of existence.
Thus, within the smallest thing, one may behold the greatest universe.」
The words left behind by Kyrios of Ways of Survival brushed through my mind, and the flow of mana around me changed. Mana became particles, and electrons resonating with one another began to tremble violently.
「Within existence lies the Primordial.
Therefore, the smallest is the greatest.」
Something exploded deep inside my consciousness.
Perhaps it was the primordial echo of the Big Bang itself.
When I opened my eyes, my body was wrapped in pale-blue lightning.
It felt as though my very existence had become a bolt of thunder.
Tzzzz—!
Terrifying power raged within me.
It felt like I could do anything.
If I tried to pierce the sky, I would pierce it.
If I tried to split the sea, I would split it.
And if I tried to sever a neck—
That neck would fall, without fail.
With the first step, a thunderous roar erupted.
With the second, the serpent's neck was right before me.
With the third, space screamed beneath the pale-blue lightning.
And when I took the fourth step—
I had already passed through Orochi, leaving behind a devastating shockwave.
My lightning-wrapped legs trembled violently, blood pouring from my nose and mouth.
My entire body convulsed as if electrocuted.
When I turned around, three severed serpent necks were falling to the ground.
I chugged mana recovery potions like a madman, forcing my shaking hands to steady.
[Constellation, 'Eight-Headed Lord,' is horrified by your swordsmanship!]
Orochi—now reduced to a single remaining head—thrashed in agony.
[Constellation, 'Eight-Headed Lord,' questions the fairness of the scenario!]
Even as I staggered, I laughed.
"…And now you're talking about fairness?"
[Lightning Transformation] lasted three minutes, but with my current body, I doubted I could take more than three additional steps.
Which meant—
I had to kill it within three steps.
Sparks flew through the air, and once again, that damn voice rang out.
[Oh dear. A being of such lofty stature being reduced to such a pitiful state.]
I figured I'd start hearing that voice about now.
The intermediate dokkaebi Gannul floated in the air, looking down at us.
[…This is troublesome. I can't exactly just let this play out.]
Despite the words, he showed little intention of interfering.
[Constellation, 'Eight-Headed Lord,' roars in fury.]
[Hmm. Even if you throw a tantrum, this won't do. I understand how you feel, but you've already exhausted all plausibility permitted in this scenario. 'They' will no longer lend you their power.]
Yamata no Orochi's resentful roar covered the entirety of Peace Land.
This was likely the first humiliation the Myth-grade constellation Yamata no Orochi had ever experienced.
Being reduced to a spectacle.
And realizing that this time—
It was itself that was the spectacle.
GWAAAAAA—!
Perhaps out of sheer rage.
Despite having only one head left, Orochi's power continued to rise.
"Protect the King!"
The Japanese incarnations rushed forward in panic.
They had even gone so far as to use the power of the Absolute Throne.
A message from the dokkaebi 'Younggi' echoed in my head.
—D-Dokja-nim. The channel is about to overload. I'll block indirect messages for now!
With Kyrios's power now in play, every kind of constellation imaginable must have gathered to watch me.
"Hold them back!"
Our side finally sprang into action.
Barely managing to stand while drenched in blood, Lee Hyunsung took the lead, supported by the small folk and Gong Pildu's bombardment.
Meanwhile, Yamata no Orochi was preparing its final reversal.
[No—wait! Hold on, Constellation! What are you—!]
Ominous currents crackled across the entire body of Orochi's incarnation, Izumi.
It was the sign of a plausibility backlash.
The flustered dokkaebi shouted,
[H-Hey! Have you lost your mind?! Administration Bureau! This is an emergency!]
Even if this wasn't its true body, the obstinate pride that it could not possibly lose to a mere incarnation like me was calling forth a genuine calamity.
The dokkaebi belatedly attempted to seize system control—but unfortunately, it was already too late.
Kugugugugu!
The [Great Hall] opened high above the sky.
I realized then that Orochi had crossed the line.
To think it would even borrow plausibility permitted to the [Absolute Throne].
"Aah… ah..."
Everyone stared at the sky, breath caught in their throats.
[Someone has interfered with the scenario system.]
Beyond the [Great Hall], a writhing, ominous presence surged.
Chaos.
Disorder.
Emptiness.
Something that stood at the origin of all fear itself.
That existence was lending plausibility to Yamata no Orochi.
Pshshsh—!
As plausibility that should never have been permitted was granted, the shadow of the final remaining serpent head began to expand.
Larger.
And larger still.
Until it loomed beyond the fortress, as though it would engulf the entire planet.
[Such a… flood-controlling sword… will never—!]
All beings—incarnations and small folk alike—collapsed to the ground, groaning as blood poured from their seven orifices.
The overwhelming difference in rank manifested as crushing pressure, forcing my knees toward the ground.
Everything was spiraling toward disaster.
[How… dares… a mere… human… defy… a great… star...!]
Instinctively, I knew.
Even with [Lightning Transformation], this was unwinnable.
At my level, no matter how many times I died and returned, I could never defeat that enemy.
And yet—
I smiled.
"You just made the worst mistake possible."
The law of
When someone destroys plausibility, someone else gains it.
So now—
The scales would even out.
Kugugugugu!
A terrifying presence was approaching at tremendous speed from afar.
It was neither Yamata no Orochi nor the unknown divinity beyond the [Great Hall].
Yet no one here could ignore that lofty existence.
[Since when did gods from another world begin interfering with scenarios?]
He was an absolute being born of this planet.
[Do not meddle in my planet's affairs. Unless you wish to face me where my myth first began.]
Kyrios Rodgraim, the Pale Azure of Paradox.
[Withdraw, aberrant monster of another world!]
Lightning erupted from Kyrios's sword stroke, surging skyward.
Power that did not yield even slightly to a Myth-grade constellation.
Revealing his true divine might, Kyrios shattered the tip of the encroaching tendril and forcibly sealed the entrance to the [Great Hall].
With its plausibility severed, Orochi's power began to plummet.
[G—ah… ah…! You… bastard…!]
I didn't miss that opening.
I ran the remaining three steps.
Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, infused with every last drop of my mana, let out a pale-blue wail.
I saw Yamata no Orochi's incarnation smile at me.
A face that looked almost joyful—like one finally granted release after a long wait.
To save one life, another life is taken.
A selfish sword moved.
Something rolled across the ground.
[You have killed one of your own kind.]
[The title 'King of Non-Killing' has been revoked.]
Yamata no Orochi's constellation flickered, having suffered a catastrophic blow.
With a horrific scream, the constellation's shadow crumbled into ash and scattered.
[An unbelievable achievement has been accomplished.]
[You are the first in this scenario to hunt a 'King of Calamity'!]
[The expected grade of the 'King of Calamity' that descended in this scenario cannot be determined!]
[You have achieved a myth that does not exist.]
[Due to the completion of an impossible scenario, all dokkaebis in 'Seoul Dome' and 'Tokyo Dome' are entering an emergency countermeasure meeting.]
I looked up at the sky, glowing with constellations, and thought—
You wouldn't know.
The feeling of someone who has run so desperately, through unbearable hardship,
only to finally arrive at the starting line.
[Congratulations!
[You have accomplished a total of four myths.]
The end of the Sixth Scenario.
At last, I had arrived at the starting point of the ending I desired.
[You must now accumulate the final myth to become a constellation.]
< Episode 25. Those Who Face the Gods (4) >
End