Chapter 92

Episode 19 – Singularity (1)

Since it was the first time I came to a dokkaebi’s official post, I looked at some of the documents on the table while Bihyung managed the constellations .

[Singularity Trend Report]

…Singularity? The moment I curiously turned a few pages, the documents disappeared into dust . It seemed to be a database system, not real documents .

Bihyung looked this way .

-…What are you doing?

–Nothing .

Bihyung saw the powder on the table and looked at me suspiciously . Then he sighed and opened his mouth .

–Hey, are we okay?

–Why? Are you regretting it now?

–That…you know . The constellations that come out using this method will quickly leave .

The fallen constellations would return to the Tokyo Dome channel . At that time, Dokgak’s revenge would begin . But that was for then .

–Besides, you lied before . What the hell are you going to do? What if the subscriptions really reaches 10,000? It is already at 5,000 .

I shrugged without speaking and Bihyung continued .

–Wasn’t there a condition for you to not choose a sponsor when you signed the contract with me?How can you say something like this?

–It will work out somehow . You can also break the contract .

–I can’t do that .

–Jerk… I risked my life for you yet you can’t do this?

Bihyung’s expression darkened .

–That…

Indeed, I was a fool to expect anything . I told him, Don’t worry, I have an idea .

-…Really?

–Yes, so give me my item . Dokgak is gone so shouldn’t you hand me the item now?

–Ah, that’s right .

Bihyung belatedly manipulated the system . Then after a while, a white coat descended from the air . The clean design carefully paid attention to fashion as well as combat function . I took the coat and checked the pocket first .

[The special ‘space’ feature of the Infinite Dimension Space Coat is activated . ]

The advantage of this coat was that I could store various items in it without the Inventory skill . It was a good item for me since there were many troublesome items to carry such as the Ganpyeongui, Dongui Bogam and Magic Power Stove .

“…By the way, it is white unlike the catalogue photo . ”

[The other colour is out of stock . ]

Out of stock . How many of these items were there?

[Don’t you know? This is a mass production item . ]

I checked the options of the items .

+

[Item Information]

Name: Infinite Dimension Space Coat ver1 . 1 (made by Mass Production Maker)

Rating: SSS

Description: A customized coat for returnees . Despite being a mass produced product, it was mysteriously given a SSS rating . In consideration of the returnees who can’t activate the attributes window, the additional ‘Subspace’ function can be activated from the inner pocket of the coat . Of course, the space isn’t wide so use it cautiously .

+

I looked at it again . Only the subspace could be used but it had a SSS rating? When considering that the ancient dragon Ignitus’s heart had a SS grade…

[…Honestly, it is just due to the influence of the maker . He is a powerful constellation . ]

It made sense . The Mass Production Maker was a famous constellation among returnees… Even if the rating was a bit off, this was one of the best items to get early on .

In any case, I received it .

[Then let’s go back . ]

Bihyung flicked his fingers and the surroundings started to change . I blinked once and returned to ground . Han Sooyoung freaked out and retreated when I suddenly appeared in thin air .

“Hey! Where the hell did you go?”

“I had to do something for a moment . ”

“…Was it resolved well?” Sometimes Han Sooyoung had a habit of speaking like this without knowing what happened . Was it a writer’s ego? I just nodded .

“New clothes? Damn, I’m envious . ” She gazed at the coat I was staring with envious eyes and then Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still unconscious . She looked between Yoo Jonghyuk’s black coat and my white coat before opening her mouth .

“By the way, are you a couple?”

“…It is just a coincidence . It is a common design . ”

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is delighted for an unknown reason . ]

[A constellation who likes to change gender has shining eyes . ]

…Come to think of it, there were many unique constellations . Who was the constellation who liked to change gender? Did this constellation appear in Ways of Survival? I thought I should look through the novel soon .

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is controlling the constellation who likes to change gender . ]

Speaking of which, I decided to look at Yoo Jonghyuk . Fortunately, his recovery seemed to be going smoothly . His breathing was stable and his wounds were healing .

“Let’s go quickly . Before this jerk wakes up . ”

Yoo Jonghyuk had fainted with two clenched fists . It wasn’t hard to imagine what would happen if this guy woke up first .

***

I left Gangdong-gu with Han Sooyoung . Yoo Sangah was being carried by Han Sooyoung’s avatar . She was still unconscious from exhaustion .

I had gone back to the battlefield where we fought Antinus but couldn’t find Lycaon . There was no body so he seemed to be alive . I just didn’t know why he didn’t come to me . He must be severely injured after being struck by the hatching disaster .

Han Sooyoung looked back at me and asked, “Is it really okay to leave him?”

“It’s fine . ”

“But that is the Poisoner . Can you trust her?”

The unconscious Yoo Jonghyuk was left with Lee Seolhwa .

“The Poisoner originally isn’t a bad person . It is due to the Parasite . ”

In many episodes where she wasn’t infected by the guide, Lee Seolhwa was called the ‘Doctor’ rather than the ‘Poisoner . ’ Maybe she would be called that in this regression .

–Take him and go towards Gaebong-dong . In the 5603th military division, a poor soldier will be waiting for you .

I confirmed Lee Hyunsung’s location using Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and decided to accept Yoo Jonghyuk’s advice . I was arrogant to think I could raise my colleagues with my strength .

I had a limited time and information, even if I was a complete reader . Therefore, the best trainer for Lee Hyunsung right now wasn’t me, but Yoo Jonghyuk .

“I’m hungry . Shall we eat that?”

I pointed to a plant growing around a high-rise building .

[The 7th grade plant species ‘Yanaspleta’ is looking at you . ]

Han Sooyoung looked at the huge sunflower’s eyes and cried out with fright, “…Can we eat that?”

“We have to eat it because there is nothing else . According to Ways of Survival, it is quite delicious . It is also a child and easy to hunt . ”

“Uh…”

Han Sooyoung made a disgruntled expression and soon started to summon her avatars . We cut off the stems and tentacles of the plant species . The yanaspleta was shortly disconnected from its roots and closed its eyes .

Once again, I felt like I had become stronger . Even if it was young, a seventh grade species was handled so easily .

“Han Sooyoung . Are you going to eat?”

“…I don’t know . ”

“Then I’ll cook . ”

I started cooking the yanaspleta like I had read in Ways of Survival . I peeled off the hard skin of the stem and sprinkled a bit of herb salt that I got from a nearby grocery store .

The inside contained pinkish flesh reminiscent of seasonal crab meat . Han Sooyoung’s eyes shone .

“What the hell is this? It is a plant right?”

“That’s right . ”

“We are eating a salad?”

“Of course not . I’ll burn it . ”

I roughly cut off a branch of the surrounding tree, turned the yanaspleta stalk into skewers and put it on the Magic Power Stove . I set the stove to a medium fire but it took a long time to cook because it was a seventh grade species . I flipped it around a few times and then sprinkled more salt . After some time, the smell of grilling meat filled the area .

“Hey, can you smell it?”

“Wait, we can’t eat it just yet . ” I stopped her from reaching into the stove and handed her a teacup that had been warming up on the side . “Drink this before eating . ”

“What is it?”

“Juice from the boiled stem . It needs to be consumed before eating the yanaspleta . ”

Han Sooyoung took the cup with a doubtful expression . Then after a while, her expression became impressed . She drank all the juices and started to cut the stem .

“Eat slowly . ”

“…This isn’t a joke . You can really cook . ”

“Maybe only in this ruined world . ”

I laughed because she looked like a five year old child stuffing her face with good food .

[Some constellations who love cooking are curious about your cooking . ]

[Some constellations who like fast progress and violence are complaining . ]

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ says to keep watching . ]

There was one week left until the start of the fifth scenario . The Burning Hell disaster and Disaster of Questions had been overcome, making the development smooth .

Yoo Jonghyuk would take the disaster in the west with Lee Hyunsung once he woke up while the Wanderer King would handle the north . The only thing to be aware of now was the ‘central disaster . ’

I picked up the yanaspleta juice and looked at the still unconscious Yoo Sangah . “Yoo Sangah-ssi . ”

Was I mistaken? The unconscious Yoo Sangah obviously flinched .

“I know your mental state right now . Come and eat this . ”

“…”

“If you don’t, I will just eat it . ”

Yoo Sangah didn’t rise . Then I heard a growling sound from her stomach .

“You must be sleeping . Then we will eat this . Ah, too delicious . ”

“…W-Wait a minute!” Yoo Sangah cried out and rose from her spot . As expected, Yoo Sangah couldn’t just lie down after smelling the food . She consumed a lot of stamina so it was natural for her to be hungry .

I glanced over at Han Sooyoung, who was still eating . “Hey . You have eaten a lot so get up . ”

“Why?”

“Do you have to ask?”

“…Che . You make people feel uncomfortable . I understand . ”

Maybe Han Sooyoung knew that Yoo Sangah was already awake . She also knew that Yoo Sangah wouldn’t move because of Han Sooyoung’s presence . This girl was really bad .

“I will go around the area once . Don’t eat it all and leave me some . Understood?” Han Sooyoung grabbed a skewer and disappeared into the darkness .

Once she completely disappeared, Yoo Sangah slowly approached . The skewer on top of the stove made a delicious cooking sound . I gave the skewer to the hesitating Yoo Sangah . Yoo Sangah accepted it and started biting into it .

Yoo Sangah ate one skewer and barely managed to open her mouth .

“…Delicious . ”

There were tears in her eyes . Anyone who saw her now wouldn’t think she was that girl wielding the daggers .

“Eat slowly . ”

The two daggers at her waist showed that her appearance during the daytime wasn’t a dream . It was one month since the destruction began . I felt like there was a lot of work to do .

Yoo Sangah ate the skewers silently while I also ate while watching her . The skewers were really delicious . It was as if the taste wasn’t of this world…

Yoo Sangah watched the flames blazing from the stove and muttered, “…This is real . ”

“Probably . ”

“Now we can’t go back?”

“Yes, probably . ”

Yoo Sangah’s hands faintly trembled . She killed humans with those hands . In order to live, her hands had taken away the lives of others .

The hand that had been covered in someone’s blood now covered her eyes . Her shoulders intermittently shook . It was probably her last pride that no sobs leaked out .

“It isn’t your fault . ” I didn’t know if my words comforted her or not . I couldn’t see Yoo Sangah’s heart . Yoo Sangah started to cry . Tears flowed down her face and the skewer she was eating fell to the ground .

How much more would she cry? Little by little, her sobs died down .

The 7th grade yanaspleta showed a strong sleeping effect when eaten without taking the juices .

I looked at her for a while before opening my mouth . “It really isn’t your fault . ”

These words were for Yoo Sangah .

“So…” At the same time, I spoke words not directed towards Yoo Sangah . “I hope to find out who you are, how about it?”

In the ruined city, the spooky cries of monsters were heard . It seemed like I was talking to myself . I watched Yoo Sangah while asking, “Are you going to pretend?”

“…”

“I don’t know why you are watching me but haven’t you been doing it for a while now?”

The white blade of Unbroken Faith shone in the darkness .

“I won’t hesitate to do anything to reach my purpose . ” I pushed the white blade towards Yoo Sangah’s throat . “You better open your mouth quickly . Unless you want your precious incarnation to die . ”

From now on, it was a game of chicken . I waited while gradually pushing the blade towards her throat . The blade was 1cm away from her throat and blood started flowing . All of a sudden, Yoo Sangah’s eyes shone .

[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ has offset your mental shock . ]

There was a guest of wind and I was thrown away from Yoo Sangah’s body .

There was a menacing presence that made my heart dull . A faint glow appeared around Yoo Sangah’s body . I looked into Yoo Sangah’s blurry eyes . Revolving in the pupils, the shadow of a distant nebula was seen . Then a voice like thunder burst inside my head .

[Insignificant human . ]

I wiped the blood flowing from my mouth and grinned . They finally appeared . The damn constellations of Olympus .