Chapter 519: 519

[Currently, the applicable regression turn is under the ‘Overwrite restriction’ . ]

[Currently, the applicable world-line’s copyright holder is absent . ]

[As the owner of the ‘Final Wall’, you can act as the substitute copyright holder . ]

[Will you activate ‘Overwrite’ to interfere with the worldview?]

The warning messages floated up one after the other in the empty air . Almost at the same time, [The 4th Wall]’s voice entered my ears .

⸢Kim Dok Ja⸥

‘… . I know already, so stop trying to scare me . ‘

I could already tell what [The 4th Wall] was going to say . Probably, it’d be something along the line of there’s no meaning in changing the predetermined past .

⸢ . . . . . ⸥

I sensed a certain glare squarely locking onto me from the empty air, but I tried my best to ignore that .

Although I had no clue how the original 0th turn unfolded, if the paragraph I read in passing inside [The 4th Wall]’s library was true, then . . . The 0th turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok shouldn’t select his backer until much later .

He would lose Yi Seol-Hwa and Yi Ji-Hye during this turn .

He’d lose the ones precious to him, those he barely managed to meet, and then . . .

… . And then, he’d desperately think about this one thing as his death approached him .

⸢’If only I had a sponsor, what could it have been like?’⸥

I stared at Yu Jung-Hyeok as he read the system messages with quaking eyes .

Through this turn, his cycle of regression would begin . He’d get to repeat countless regressions and thereby walk on the ‘Hellscape of Eternity’ .

⸢Ev en if y ou cha nge thi s turn . . . . ⸥

‘The past that the Secretive Plotter lived through won’t disappear . I know that . ‘

Even if I changed this world-line, the predetermined tragedies would still happen . The Yu Jung-Hyeok I know would live through the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and eventually, all the way to 1863rd regression turns . He’d become the ‘Secretive Plotter’, and start hating me .

However, even if that was the case . . .

‘I can’t pick up any traces of the ‘Most Ancient Dream’ that isn’t me in this regression turn . ‘

It was quite likely that the cause of this event was the younger me not knowing anything about Yu Jung-Hyeok’s 0th turn . Whatever the case might have been, one thing’s for certain; at the very least, I could take on that role during this world-line .

I could become Yu Jung-Hyeok’s sponsor during this world-line .

⸢Wi ll y ou ma ke him re gre ss?⸥

[The 4th Wall] asked as if it was intrigued . I shook my head .

‘No . I’ll make sure he doesn’t . ‘

⸢Ev en if he’s cha nged, the fu ture won’t . . . . ⸥

‘I know . That’s why I feel even more relieved . ‘

The past I changed wouldn’t deny the Yu Jung-Hyeok I know of .

⸢If Yu Jung-Hyeok got to experience a regression turn that wasn’t tragic, even if it’s just once . . . ⸥

I slowly extended my hand towards the air .

[‘Overwrite’ has commenced!]

[Interfering with the applicable worldview has begun!]

[As your mastery over the dream is insufficient, currently it’s impossible to interfere too aggressively . ]

As the sparks exploded with a loud ‘Tsu-chuchuchut!’, messages popped up one after the other .

[The ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is registering his temporary Constellation name . ]

[You’re currently participating in the ‘sponsor selection’ as a Constellation . ]

[’s system is suspicious of your eligibility . ]

[Low-grade Dokkaebi ‘Bihyung’ finds your Modifier unfamiliar . ]

[Small number of Constellations are flustered by your sudden entrance!]

I bit down on my lip while observing Yu Jung-Hyeok’s pale expression .

This might prove to be a bad decision . Yu Jung-Hyeok might end up even more miserable because I changed this world-line .

However, if it was the me of right now . . .

[Ho-oh-ra, the ‘Demon King of Salvation’? Well now, a new Constellation-nim has decided to enter the stage!]

If it was Kim Dok-Ja the ‘Most Ancient Dream’ who had witnessed the end of one world and had the knowledge of the scenario’s epilogues, then wouldn’t it be possible to change the predetermined destiny?

[Looks like we might need to extend the time since the candidates have increased . ]

Bihyung updated the message floating in mid-air .

[Sponsor selection time period has been extended by 5 minutes . ]

The survivors in the near vicinity, having somehow lived through that ordeal, began opening their mouths one by one .

” . . . . Just what is all this?”

“Sponsor selection, is it . . . . . “

I didn’t find it weird since I had read the ‘Ways of Survival’ before, but still, I could guess how confused they must feel after facing a situation like this for the first time ever .

[Incarnation ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’ is activating his attribute!]

In the midst of all this, only Yu Jung-Hyeok was regaining his cool . His calm eyes were proof of that .

… . Well, I’m getting curious about what he’s thinking here, so .

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

Although I felt a bit sorry about taking a peek inside the feeble 0th turn’s head, I simply had to look this time . What if, in a one-in-a-million chance, he chose a different backer, then . . . . .

[You are the ‘Most Ancient Dream’ . ]

[You can utilise 100 percent of your skill’s abilities regardless of your understanding on the target!]

The inside of Yu Jung-Hyeok’s head spread out like an anatomy chart .

⸢What about Mi-Ah? What happened to her?⸥

⸢I must rescue Mi-Ah . ⸥

⸢In order to do that, I must get through this selection thing before my eyes first⸥

⸢Backer selection . Sounds like I must pick my sponsor . ⸥

I grew slightly tense .

During the original 0th turn, this guy apparently didn’t choose anyone as his backer this early on, but that’d always be nothing more than a story from the original . No one could tell what might happen this time .

Unexpectedly though, it wasn’t Yu Jung-Hyeok displaying his interest in me, but other Constellations .

[Constellation, ‘God of Wine and Ecstasy’, is greeting you . ]

[Constellation, ‘God of Wine and Ecstasy’, thinks your Modifier is a cool one . ]

It seemed that Dionysus’s outgoing personality was the same regardless of the regression turns . If he didn’t yield to us back in the Final Ark, the ensuing battle would’ve been so much harder .

Just as I was about to greet him back, someone else butted in .

[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is keeping his eyes on you . ]

… . Now that I thought about it, this dude was also here, wasn’t he? Hey, you, aren’t you supposed to be eyeing Kim Nam-Woon in the next subway car? Just how many bridges are you planning to straddle here?

[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, thinks you are copying from his Modifier . ]

I was about to ask just which part sounded the same to him, but in the end, held back . Only three minutes remained; no need to waste my energy on something completely unnecessary .

I shifted my head to discover that Yu Jung-Hyeok had begun considering his choices earnestly .

I swallowed back my nervous saliva .

+

1 . God of Wine and Ecstasy

+

Yu Jung-Hyeok stared at that Modifier for a little while before shifting his gaze away .

⸢Something feels messy about that name . ⸥

Soon after, his eyes landed on the second candidate .

+

2 . Mouse that Eats Fingernails

+

I grew nervous when he stared at that Modifier for quite a long time .

Wake up, Yu Jung-Hyeok . You’d be better off choosing the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon instead of this .

⸢Sounds weak . ⸥

I barely managed to breathe a sigh of relief .

Damn it, man . Stop making people nervous .

Yu Jung-Hyeok then stared at the third candidate afterwards .

+

3 . Abyssal Black Flame Dragon

+

Although obvious, Yu Jung-Hyeok would never choose the third option . He might seem drunk on his awesomeness outwardly, but in truth, he wasn’t a fan of such flashy and grand-sounding words . That’s why . . .

⸢That’s a fairly strong-sounding name . ⸥

… . Wha? H-hang on a . . .

⸢Maybe, it might be an unexpectedly powerful sponsor . ⸥

It’s true that he’s powerful, but . . . That guy, he makes his Incarnations recite weird summoning spells, you know?

Hey, Jung-Hyeok-ah, please open your eyes properly and take a closer look . The only ones that can handle this guy are Kim Nam-Woon or Han Su-Yeong, that’s it .

[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, is boasting in your direction . ]

[One minute remaining until the conclusion of the sponsor selection . ]

And finally, Yu Jung-Hyeok’s eyes landed on the fourth candidate .

+

4 . Demon King of Salvation

+

I barely managed to calm my mind and along with Yu Jung-Hyeok, looked at the backer selection list from behind him .

The God of Wine and Ecstasy, Mouse that Eats Fingernails, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, and the Demon King of Salvation . . .

‘[The 4th Wall], what do you think?’

As if it didn’t get the intention behind the question, [The 4th Wall] took its time answering back .

‘What I’m asking you is, who sounds strongest to you?’

⸢Th at is . . . . ⸥

‘Not including the actual combat prowess, just judging from the Modifiers alone . ‘

I thought that a reply should be forthcoming pretty quickly, but it seemed that [The 4th Wall] was actually in a dilemma here .

I didn’t wait and spoke up first . ‘Not saying this because I’m the ⸢Demon King of Salvation⸥, but in truth, and also, objectively speaking . . . . ‘

Hang on, no need to look at it objectively, either . Just think about it logically .

The God of Wine and Ecstasy? He simply sounded like a drunkard .

The Mouse that Eats Fingernails? You weren’t looking for a nail clipper substitute, so what would you even need this guy for?

The Abyssal Black Flame Dragon? Just one look, and you should know not to choose this guy .

Even if the 0th turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok was an idiot, he should not be making such mistakes .

The only normal-sounding Modifier was mine . And for sure, he raised his finger and pointed at the fourth option as if he was impressed by my Modifier . Then, he began thinking .

⸢What an arrogant-sounding name . ⸥

‘… . . ‘

⸢Weaklings often use names like this . ⸥

Even before I could shout something out, Yu Jung-Hyeok shot up from his spot and spoke . “I’ve made up my mind . I will . . . . “

As he formed a triumphant grin, his lips slowly parted .

I silently stared at the subway’s ceiling . Accompanied by the ‘Tsu-chuchuchut!’ noise, vicious heat burned on my hand .

[You’re interfering in the world-line . ]

[‘Overwrite’ has commenced . ]

[Excessive interference might cause the world-line to strongly resist . . . . ]

I used all of my strength to smack the back of Yu Jung-Hyeok’s head .

*

“Keo-heok!”

Kim Dok-Ja woke up from the powerful impact on the back of his head .

“How long are you planning to sleep? Wake up already!”

He opened his eyes and found Han Su-Yeong lightly dusting her hands . He then wiped away the drool marks on the couch and gingerly sat back up .

What’s this? Why am I here? Okay, so . . .

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get ready already! Did you forget where we’re supposed to go today?”

Yu Jung-Hyeok standing in his trademark pose was standing next to Han Su-Yeong, his eyes still blazing non-stop .

“You’re making us wait for no reason,” he said .

It wasn’t just him, though; Jeong Hui-Won’s head peeked out from behind Yu Jung-Hyeok, and the figure of Yi Hyeon-Seong carrying an armful of something could be seen behind her .

“Is that pizza?”

“It’s fried chicken, you dummy . “

Shin Yu-Seung and Yi Gil-Yeong were swallowing their saliva as they continued to stare at Yi Hyeon-Seong’s plastic bags . And finally, Yi Ji-Hye standing next to these two children, too .

“Hurry up and let’s go! I’m starving!”

Kim Dok-Ja saw this spectacle and finally remembered what today was .

⸢This world’s scenario had ended . ⸥

When he turned his head, he saw warm rays of sunlight seeping through the [Industrial Complex]’s windows .

⸢And today was ’s first field trip . ⸥

*

As they made their ways towards their destination, Han Su-Yeong continued to grumble away .

“Hey, Kim Dok-Ja . “

“What now?”

“You didn’t really forget what day is today, right?”

“What day is it?”

“It’s December 25th . What day do you think it was?”

Kim Dok-Ja pondered for a little bit before replying to her . “The day Mitra was born?”

“Is that supposed to be style humour?”‘

They continued walking while exchanging banter like that . Every so often, Yu Jung-Hyeok let out a pained groan as if they were getting on his nerves .

It was around then that a red sports car came to a stop on the side of the road while making a loud noise .

“Sang-Ah-ssi!”

Jeong Hui-Won was first to recognise Yu Sang-Ah and quickly raised her hand . The latter, kitted out in a white long-padded coat and a pair of jeans, took off her sunglasses and replied back .

“I’m so sorry, the filming took longer than I thought . “

Perhaps finding the current Yu Sang-Ah not to her liking, Han Su-Yeong verbally tackled her down right away .

“Oh, my? You sure are a full-fledged celeb nowadays, aren’t you?”

“Do we really need to eat by the Han River when it’s so cold outside?”

“Is there anyone here without cold resistance? I mean, you should still have that sort of a skill remaining, right?”

“We could’ve just eaten back in the Complex, though . As it’s Christmas, there should be quite a few people by the river, too . “

“We made a promise with the kids . “

While watching the two of them bickering away, Kim Dok-Ja felt a certain corner of his heart ache for some reason .

Why did this sight feel so nostalgic to him?

It had already been three months since the scenarios came to an end, so . . . .

“What about Seol-Hwa-ssi and Pil-Du-ssi? I can’t see the department head Han, either . “

“They’ll be here . Ah, there they are! Oiii! Yi Seol-Hwa!”

Right in front of the Yeouinaru Station, Yi Seol-Hwa, wearing a white fur coat, was waving both of her hands with a bright smile . And next to her was Gong Pil-Du, staring in another direction with a cantankerous expression .

“You didn’t want to show up for so long that we thought you forgot about us again . “

Perhaps she felt guilty after hearing that, Jeong Hui-Won quickly replied . “Eiii, there’s no way that’s true, though?”

” . . . . But, you did abandon us and returned to the [Industrial Complex] first, didn’t you?”

“Hmm, hmm . W-we did go back to find you later, didn’t we?”

“What do you mean, find us?! We only were able to come back because the librarians let us leave! Seriously, if I look back to that time, I still . . . . “

“What about Han Myeong-Oh?”

“Myeong-Oh-ssi didn’t come, saying that he must spend Christmas with his family . . . . “

“What family does that ahjussi even have? … . Ah . “

The companions continued to walk forward under the noisy, festive atmosphere .

Yi Gil-Yeong and Shin Yu-Seung clung onto each of Kim Dok-Ja’s arms and growled towards one another .

“Hey, you . Stop pulling him to your side . “

“You too . “

“By the way ahjussi, you think Santa Claus is a Constellation, too?”

The group eventually reached the Han River public park . Maybe the cold weather was to blame, as there weren’t all that many people visible here . What was visible, though, were the collapsed bridges of the river, as well as the pitch-black night sky . Only an extremely few stars remained as proof of existing up there once before .

⸢Without a doubt, everything did come to an end . ⸥

The group laid a mat on the ground, and installed a portable stove next to the children . Yu Jung-Hyeok then placed a picnic table next to the stove and proceeded to make something with Yi Ji-Hye .

Kim Dok-Ja asked . ” . . . . What’s this, we’re going to make them here?”

“Of course . There are no fried chicken takeaways or pizzeria remaining, so obviously we have to make our own, right?”

He thought about it and realised that’s true . It’d been only three months since the end of the scenarios, so pizzerias or takeaways couldn’t have been revived already .

Han Su-Yeong carried on . “Be grateful that we have someone who can make them for us . “

Chicken drumsticks dismantled in an instant flew in the air, and Yu Jung-Hyeok’s special sauces danced enticingly just above them . Rolled dough spun vigorously at the end of the scabbard, too . It was uncertain whether he was making a pizza or fried chicken, but without a doubt, something amazing was being created right now .

“In the end, a day like today did come,” said Yu Sang-Ah as she sat on the mat with her knees pulled up close . Her eyes were staring at the Han River, as if she was submerged in reminiscence .

Kim Dok-Ja addressed her . “You must be really busy nowadays . “

“It’s just . . . Yes, I am . There are lots of things to take care of, so . . . “

It had only been three months since the scenarios ended . The society at large hadn’t regained its stability yet .

The system’s influence hadn’t completely disappeared yet, and the criminals retaining their skills or Stigmata continued with their crime sprees even now . Yu Sang-Ah was this world’s hero that defeated them and protected ordinary citizens .

“They look so good together . “

In a spot far away, Jeong Hui-Won and Yi Hyeon-Seong were standing together to look at the Han River .

Han Su-Yeong pouted and spat out her words . “I bet 100 Coins that they won’t last a year . “

It was right then, they heard something exploding in the distance . The startled companions instinctively reached towards their individual weapons .

But when they took a closer look, the explosion noise came from the fireworks fired from a distant building .

” . . . . Someone’s using stuff like that already?”

Han Su-Yeong muttered out in disbelief .

Kim Dok-Ja stared at that spectacle with renewed interest . Fireworks, was it? He never expected to see them again in his life . Bit by bit, the aroma of their food getting ready wafted in .

“Kim Dok-Ja . “

“Ng?”

“You know, you haven’t been reading that thing recently . “

“What do you mean?” Kim Dok-Ja thought about it for a second before making his reply . “Ah, that’s right . I should be reading it, though . “

He hurriedly switched his smartphone on . However, its battery was flat and the device refused to power on . Han Su-Yeong’s figure was reflected on the dark screen; it was still impossible to get a bead on her inner thoughts through the look in her eyes . She wordlessly observed Kim Dok-Ja and muttered something to herself, before plopping down next to him with an ‘Oopsie . ‘

“Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered to come . All these useless thoughts are making my head hurt, instead . “

“Ng?”

“Nah, just talking to myself . Never mind that, though – there was a part like this back in the ‘Ways of Survival’, wasn’t it? You remember that?”

… . The ‘Ways of Survival’ .

“You know, the third turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok . . . . everyone together, next to the Han River, chewing on the ground rat’s legs . . . . . “

Kim Dok-Ja’s expression as he listened to her words distorted in a strange, vague manner . She reached out to him as he began to wobble a little .

“Hey, what’s the matter? You alright? You feeling sick somewhere?”

“It’s just that my head hurts without warning . . . . “

“Did I smack you a little too hard back then? How about resting for a bit . . . . ?”

“No, it’s fine . Besides all that . . . . you’re right . “

“About what?”

“About the ‘Ways of Survival’ . I really like that scene, too . It’s the scene I like the most from the third regression turn . “

Han Su-Yeong deeply stared into Kim Dok-Ja’s face, before forming a refreshing grin .

“Really now, you ‘Ways of Survival’ otaku freak . “

Another round of fireworks went off in the distance, much larger in scale this time . The children let out a loud cheer as they witnessed the beautiful flames engraving the night sky . Kim Dok-Ja began thinking; maybe this was the sight he’d been yearning to see for the longest time . For the longest . . .

Longest .

Han Su-Yeong opened her lips again . “By the way, Kim Dok-Ja?”

“Ng?”

Since from when was this? Her face was pushed real close to his . Her pristine, perfectly-set facial features, her pale-white cheeks, and a beauty spot just below her sparkling eyes .

Kim Dok-Ja became flustered by the faint hint of lemony scent reaching his nose . Just before he could say something, though, Han Su-Yeong approached him even closer . She brought her lips to his ear and slowly whispered in a clear voice .

“Such a scene doesn’t appear in the third turn of ‘Ways of Survival . ‘”

Along with the fireworks scattering in the sky, it felt as if a powerful shower of sparks were raining down from somewhere . Kim Dok-Ja thought that his vision was flipped around for some reason, only to realise that he was currently thrown onto the ground unceremoniously .

“Hey, you . “

Han Su-Yeong’s icy-cold venomous eyes were right before him now .

⸢Everything was definitely over, yet . . . ⸥

⸢Why did it feel like nothing was over somehow?⸥

Jeong Hui-Won and Yi Hyeon-Seong running over here from the distance could be seen . Then, the expressionless face of Yu Jung-Hyeok; and finally, even the world where all the stories had concluded, too . Under the fireworks brightly dyeing the night sky, Han Su-Yeong’s chilly, sharp dagger gleamed dangerously .

“You, just who the hell are you?”

Fin .