Chapter 471: 471

[[Mari . . . time War . . . . God . . . . ]]

The 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye showed some reaction as if she had finally remembered her Sponsor .

⸢During the 999th regression turn, the ‘Maritime War God’ sacrificed himself to save Yi Ji-Hye . ⸥

Perhaps to deny everything that happened during this turn, the powerful naval bombardment continued on . However, our own Yi Ji-Hye also responded in kind .

⸢All of the Korean Peninsula’s Constellations were with Yi Ji-Hye . ⸥

The Monarch of the Great Sea – the realm Yi Ji-Hye reached only during the extreme-latter part of the ‘Ways of Survival’, well past the 1800th regression turns .

She reached the highest position that a human could ever reach and leapfrogged her own Sponsor to eventually become a god of the oceans .

⸢At least when on water, she was confident of not being pushed around by any Myth-grade Constellations . ⸥

She actually said those words, and they even became reality later, too – during the original storyline, she fought the Myth-grade Constellation Poseidon on an equal footing, at least when they were on the sea .

“Fire!!”

[Attribute ‘Monarch of the Great Sea’s’ effects are activating!]

The storm whipped up from behind Yi Ji-Hye . Waves split up and firestorm raged on the path she scythed through . It was as if these violent winds were trying to escort her ship . She stood at the forefront of these winds and carried on with the shelling .

[Exclusive skill, ‘Ghost Fleet Lv . ???’ is continuing to fight back!]

And then, the giant wall of waves gradually split up .

[Mo nar ch of the Gre at Sea]

[Twotwotwotwotwotwo]

Even the ‘Outer Gods’ following that side looked to be flustered now .

⸢The Monarch of the Great Sea will never be defeated on water . ⸥

That was the accepted rule within the ‘Ways of Survival’ . I believed in those words and that allowed us to come this far . However . . . .

“Keuk . . . . “

Along with ‘Pu-shu-shuk!’ noise, streams of blood shot out from Yi Ji-Hye’s nose and mouth . Her excessively-boiling magical energy had begun flowing backwards . Not only that . . .

[Attribute ‘Monarch of the Great Sea’s’ effects are activating!]

That message wasn’t caused by the Status from our side .

I thought something was rushing in at us, and in the blink of an eye, powerful headwinds completely flipped our vision . The [Ghost Fleet] and [Turtle Dragon] were sucked into the humongous wave and flailed about within the rising foams .

“Ji-Hye-ya!”

Yi Ji-Hye was flung away like a kite with its strings cut . I reached out and grasped her wrist . My magical energy helped her to regain her consciousness, and she somersaulted in the air before landing back on the deck .

She gritted her teeth and while grabbing the helm, shouted out . “I told you to run away!”

“I can’t do that . “

For the current Yi Ji-Hye alone, this was asking for too much . Even if she had become the ‘Monarch of the Great Sea’, our opponent had already attained the Status of that very title a long time ago and now was even an Outer God, as well .

Tsu-chuchuchuchut!

Due to the blessings from the Great Apocalypse scenario, this calamity had exceeded even the Myth-grade Constellations . That was precisely who we were confronting right now .

[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, is crying out as if in pain!]

[Great Fable, ‘Torch that Swallowed the Myth’, is resisting against the myth!]

[Great Fable, ‘Season of Light and Darkness’, is revealing itself . ]

Three ‘Great Fables’ began telling their stories at the same time .

Since a portion of the Great Fables’ shares was being used by the first team, we couldn’t utilise their full powers here . However, we still had enough to provoke our opponent .

[[You are . . . . ]]

Was my goal of using the white flag to stimulate her memories finally paying off? Certain aspects of emotions carried within her true voice were different from before .

Tsu-chuchuchuchut!

[Character, ‘Master of the Sunken Island’, is staring at the Great Fable . ]

[‘Disconnected Film Theory’ is activating!]

Finally, the moments I was waiting for had come . Fables built up by two different Yi Ji-Hyes collided and the disconnected film threads began connecting to each other .

If everything goes well, we should be able to buy ourselves a bit of time through this phenomenon . It was then that the scenery before us suddenly changed .

[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, has begun its storytelling . ]

⸢This is the Fable of Dok-Ja (only son) . ⸥

⸢[Please survive . ]⸥

⸢”Ahjussi!! Don’t! Stop it! I said, stop . . . . !”⸥

These were the memories from when we fought off the ‘Indescribable Distance’ for the first time . As if simply recalling them was too painful for her, Yi Ji-Hye quickly averted her gaze .

. . . Ah, so she made such an expression back then .

I too could vividly recall those memories .

In order to transport the entirety of the [Industrial Complex], I made a deal with the ‘Secretive Plotter’ and fought against that calamity .

[[You are . . . . ]]

However, the expression of the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye was crumpling as well . Another Fable unfolded itself before our eyes next .

[Great Fable, ‘Wanderer of the Eternal Horizon’, has begun its storytelling . ]

That was the Fable belonging to the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye .

The scenery of Seoul, destroyed by Nebulas sneak attacking it, appeared before us . Next up was the unconscious companions, and finally, the crumbling outer wall of the castle .

On top of this wall, the one-eyed Yu Jung-Hyeok and his lone arm were staring at the battlefield .

⸢” . . . . This is the only way . “⸥

The jet-black aura of Chaos began rising up from his figure .

⸢”Master! Stop! I said, stop!!”⸥

I knew exactly which scene this was . This was where 999th turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok died .

His soul, now in tatters after the ‘Outer World Pledge’ he signed with the Outer God was repeatedly invoked, was making his very last trade .

Seoul was now sinking into the deepest bowels of the ocean .

Yu Jung-Hyeok spoke . ⸢”You must survive . “⸥

And then . . . . the 999th turn’s memories were scattering away beyond the misty, grey foams . From the two eyes of the expression girl, the ‘Master of the Sunken Island’, something began trickling down . Certain Fables wouldn’t disappear even when subjected to the untold amount of time . Such a Fable made her come this far .

“Ahjussi, isn’t that . . . . “

I looked to my side and saw our Yi Ji-Hye also crying .

“Isn’t it . . . . too similar . . . . ?”

[Two ‘Great Fables’ are responding to each other . ]

Of course, the stories had to be similar .

⸢Kim Dok-Ja believed that the most perfect regression turn was the ‘999th’ . And . . . . ⸥

And, I took that turn as my motif, after all .

⸢That regression turn was the closest out of all the others that came close to the correct conclusion . ⸥

It was the only regression turn where everyone survived and got to witness the Conclusion .

Tsu-chuchuchut!

As the storm of aftermath raged on, the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye was approaching us . The distance closed in with each step taken . I was getting a bad vibe from this .

“Ahjussi, hurry and fall back!”

Our Yi Ji-Hye also sensed the incoming danger and unsheathed the Twin Dragon Sword before dashing forward .

The [Instant Kill] – it was the best anti-human combat skill she possessed . Unfortunately, the streak of swordlight slicing forward was deflected away in the empty air as the harsh, screeching noise resounded out . And our Yi Ji-Hye was flung away across the deck, arcs of her blood scattering about .

“Ji-Hye-ya!!”

Yi Hyeon-Seong on standby quickly caught her .

Just as I sighed in relief, the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye stopped right before my nose . Even before I could unshackle my Fable and unleash my Status, her pale yet strong right hand grabbed hold of my collars .

[[You . . . . Who are you?]]

… . Yup, like master, like disciple .

I could only smile wryly .

In any case, the fact that we could now converse wasn’t such a bad development .

“My name is Kim Dok-Ja . Your master’s best friend . “

[[… . Best friend??]]

The 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye now formed a confused expression . She then began staring at the Fable circling around me .

⸢”Before you start fighting them, you must search the left-side wall . Then, you’ll immediately realise what I’m trying to say to you . “⸥

⸢”I’m telling you this now so that you can fight against the ‘Sasquatch’ during the 28th scenario . “⸥

My Fable was now left wide open for her to read .

[[But, how did you . . . . ?]]

⸢”I’m Yu Jung-Hyeok . “⸥

[[… . Master?]]

She must’ve been beset with confusion, as she used her left hand to massage her temples . Her eyes were burning with ominous aura .

Ku-dududu . . . . !

Her grip on my collars was getting stronger . Ripples of her Status tightened around my body and I began having trouble breathing .

“H-hang on second . Why don’t you let me go and . . . . !”

[[Mastermastermastermastermaster]]

Outer Gods flooding in parroted her words . With the most sorrowful language known to man, they cried out instead of the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye . They sounded as if their vocal cords were tearing apart, as if their whole existence was crumbling away .

[Exclusive skill, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, is activating!]

[All of your Fables are sympathising with the applicable individual . ]

[Your degree of understanding on the applicable individual is increasing rapidly!]

Her eyes now reflected the moments we had lived in the past .

From the , to ; from the to the . And then . . .

[Fable, ‘Square Circle’, has begun its storytelling . ]

⸢”You can talk to me any time . If you don’t want to talk to me, then it’ll be fine with someone else, too . But you don’t have to huddle in a corner and let it fester inside you . “⸥

I now could see the face of the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye distorting in great sorrow . Why did that remind me of the ‘Secretive Plotter’?

⸢[[Why, why is it not me, but you??]]⸥

To the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye, the ‘Master of the Sunken Island’, what did this story mean to her?

Would she also hate me?

To the lives of this world-line, built upon the history of her and her companions that I read . . . . .

⸢I’m envious . ⸥

… . What?

Tsu-chuchuchut!

As if she was looking at something she had been longing for all eternity, the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye slowly reached out and placed her palm on my cheek .

Even if it was the same story, the impression one got after reading it would be different from people to people . Some might despair after seeing the story he had failed to achieve, while someone else might feel consoled having seen the sorrow that closely resembled hers . The only issue here would be with where that consolation effort might go next .

⸢I want to have it . ⸥

Her eyes soaked in ancient sorrow suddenly were filled with streaks of madness . The 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye slowly turned her head . Her gaze was now locked firmly on the unconscious Yi Ji-Hye .

⸢I too, want to live this kind of life . ⸥

Only then did I realise what this girl was thinking of in her head .

The [Disconnected Film Theory] was writhing violently . The 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye reached out, and the vicious air current flew out to envelop our unconscious Yi Ji-Hye . This was dangerous .

[The Fables of two beings are starting to resonate!]

Accompanied by the ‘Euh-jeo-jeok!’ noise, the 999th turn’s Fable began moving . That Fable was now devouring the Fable from our world-line . I freaked out and hurriedly unleashed my Status .

I needed to stop this . No matter what, I must never let the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye devour . . . . .

Kwa-dudududu!

Forged steel broke out from the ship’s deck and extended in the blink to protect both me and our Yi Ji-Hye . It was Yi Hyeon-Seong’s doing . However, I sensed that something was different about the Fable’s aura coming from the steel barrier . I shifted my gaze towards him .

Yi Hyeon-Seong was there, but it was not him . Someone had borrowed his body to unleash his powers .

[Incarnation ‘Yi Hyeon-Seong’s’ Sponsor is protecting you!]

This Status was strong enough to evenly match the ‘Master of the Sunken Island’ .

The steel wall was ripped apart with loud tearing noises and the 999th turn’s Yi Ji-Hye poked her head through . As if she had been doused by cold water, her expression was hardened to a frightening degree .

The first one to open his lips was Yi Hyeon-Seong’s Sponsor .

[[Ji-Hye-ya . Our story had come to an end a long time ago already . ]]

That was the true voice of an Outer God .

And I realised whose it was instantly .

*

At the same time .

Han Myeong-Oh, having purchased another [X-grade Ferrarghini] with Coins he borrowed from Kim Dok-Ja, was hurriedly driving on the dimensional road . His destination was the sealed-off ‘Isle of Reincarnators’ .

“Da-Reum-ah! If you can hear my voice, please answer me! Da-Reum-ah!”

Han Da-Reum – that was the name he had given to his daughter . He continued to wander around all corners of the Dark Stratum and called out that name .

“Da-Reum-ah!!!”

And eventually, he discovered a familiar hand poking out from in between the distorted darkness .

He couldn’t not recognise that hand . He had never let go of that hand, right up until she was snatched away by the Demon King .

Han Myeong-Oh held it tightly . And then, he began extracting his daughter’s body from the layers of darkness . It wasn’t an easy job, but he couldn’t give up on it .

[Great Fable, ‘Liberator of the Forgotten Ones’, has begun its storytelling!]

The ’s Fable he borrowed in order to find his daughter began to tell its story . And he managed to extract her body bit by bit from the layer .

Fortunately, her Incarnation Body was intact . Not so fortunately, though, her heart wasn’t beating . However, he had in his possession a single [Life and Death Pill] he got from Yi Seol-Hwa .

“Da-Reum-ah! Please wake up! It’s your dad! Your dad’s here for you!”

Han Myeong-Oh called out while crying . And so – how long passed by like this? Finally, Han Da-Reum opened her eyes . Reddish light leaked out from her irises, however .

[… . You did well, my dependent . ]

What opened its eyes wasn’t Han Da-Reum .

[… . The ‘Guidance of the End’ almost came to an end itself during the Great War of Saints and Demons . ]

The ominous Status of a Demon King could be felt now . Asmodeus formed a crazed smile, causing Han Myeong-Oh to fall on his butt .

“G-give my daughter back to me! My daughter . . . . . !”

[Daughter? H-mm . . . . . My apologies, but that will be too difficult . I definitely need this Incarnation Body, you see . However, allow me to gift you with a nice present, instead . ]

Asmodeus spoke up to there and pulled out a pitch-black eye patch from its inner pocket .

[The qualification to watch the end of this world-line with me, that is . ]

This was an ancient item that had been passed down among the ‘Guiders of the End’ . An item that could be used only when the Final Scenario was just around the corner .

[Item, ‘Relic of the Abyss’, is activating!]

The ‘Other World Incantation’ meant to summon the Outer God dyed in the abyss, the ‘Demon of 999’ . Asmodeus exploded in a fit of maniacal laughter as it watched the dimension distort visibly . [Metatron! Agares! Demon King of Salvation!! This story won’t end the way you think it will! This story, it will-!”

[[What the hell is this?]]

Since when did this happen? There was a man standing behind Asmodeus . He was enveloped in the jet-black aura, while bandages were wrapped around in one of his arms .

Han Myeong-Oh watching this scene unfold five, six steps away began trembling uncontrollably . He recognised the face of this unknown man .

This mysterious man met his gaze and smiled . [[… . Oh, so you have summoned me? Hmm . . . what’s this? There’s a Demon King here, too? Aha, I get it . This Demon King was busy bullying you, and you summoned me to save you, right?]]

[Oh, the End! That’s not true! It is I, Asmodeus, that have summoned you to . . . . ]

Swiiiish!

The man’s translucent hand reached out and grabbed the back of Asmodeus’s neck . And a second later, the Demon King’s soul form was captured by the man .

[Keo-heok . . . . ??]

[[I don’t trust the words of those hiding in other people’s bodies . ]]

Asmodeus’s soul was then torn to shreds along with the loud ‘Pu-hwa-hack!’ noise . The attack didn’t even give the Demon King a chance to resist . The man licked the tattered Fable of a demon and grinned brightly .

[[I hate Demon Kings the most . They always try to imitate me . I mean, look! This bastard, he even had the eye patch that I misplaced somewhere, you know?]]

The man muttered to himself and pulled the eye patch off Asmodeus’s former Incarnation Body before putting it on himself . He grinned brightly as if he was satisfied by his own appearance now . Meanwhile, the trembling Han Myeong-Oh hurriedly hugged the fallen body of his daughter and looked up at this man .

[[Oii, oii, don’t worry, man . I may look a bit scary, but once you get to know me better, you’ll learn that I’m actually a nice guy inside . ]] The man vigorously tapped on his bandages and spoke up . [[Well, then . . . Shall I go and find my Ji-Hye now?]]

Fin .