Chapter 532: 532

My thumb slowly extended and touched the cold screen .

Right at that moment, something like a spark danced just above the display .

[A new file has been downloaded . ]

– Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World (final revised version) . txt

In that short time period, the name of the file had changed .

… . The ‘final revised version’?

I clicked on the file almost subconsciously .

But, why was this? The file had been scrolled almost all the way down to its bottom-most section from the get-go . It felt as if the edits had been finished only a few moments ago . Without thinking too much about it, I scrolled down even further .

Did the ‘epilogue’ of the ‘Ways of Survival’ get added at the end, the one I didn’t get to read?

The file continued on from the point where the original novel came to an end . It was a story that I hadn’t seen before .

I unconsciously began reading it out loud .

Epilogue 3 . Author’s words

Each regression turn would reach their conclusion in their own terms .

It was the same story for the 1863rd turn .

[You have cleared all the scenarios of . ]

She did it . Countless sentences brushed past her head the moment she saw that message .

The ‘Dokkaebi King’ was collapsed on the ground before her eyes, and the companions from the 1863rd turn she had led were all here, too .

“Captain! We won!!”

Kim Nam-Woon was sobbing away nonstop . Only after spotting Yi Hyeon-Seong walking in closer to support her did it feel real to her, that she had finally done it .

⸢This was the end of the 1863rd turn . ⸥

What a long battle it had been .

From when she of the 3rd turn was suddenly summoned to the 1863rd, all the way to greeting the suitable end of this world .

She nearly gave up several times in the middle, though . Even then, the reason why she didn’t was because of what ‘that idiot’ said back then .

⸢”Going to the next scenario is better than sleeping forever . “⸥

That idiot, who also came from the same 3rd turn as her .

The man who wore the same coat and used the same weapon as her .

⸢”The Apocalypse Dragon being freed doesn’t mean everything’s over . You know it too, don’t you?”⸥

That idiot who ruined her plan, freed the Apocalypse Dragon, and eventually, managed to even eject Yu Jung-Hyeok from the scenario, too .

Even now, she could vividly recall the scenes from those moments by closing her eyes . The scene of a ‘Character’ breaking past his story and gaining his freedom . . .

“Captain, we did it . We really did it!”

Yi Hyeon-Seong could barely hide his joy . Han Su-Yeong killed the lit cigarette in her hand and addressed him . “Support everyone and return to base . “

“What about you, cap . . . . ?”

“I’ll be right behind you after smoking one more . So, go on ahead . “

” . . . . We can’t do that!”

… . This slow dude, why was he so quick on the uptake now?

Han Su-Yeong glanced at the Archangel standing next to Yi Hyeon-Seong . “Jophiel . “

The commander of the crimson cosmos, Jophiel, the Archangel that crossed to this world-line together with that idiot from the 3rd turn .

[Let’s go, meat shield . ]

“No, hang on a minute, captain!”

While lighting up her very last cigarette, Han Su-Yeong watched on as the Archangel took her companions back to Earth . The companions from the ‘Ways of Survival’ were getting further away . She saw how they kept shedding tears of satisfaction derived from successfully clearing all the scenarios and could only smile wryly .

Jophiel, her wings spread out wide, glanced in Han Su-Yeong’s direction as she grew further away .

– Are you planning to go alone?

Instead of a reply, Han Su-Yeong waved around her cigarette light .

And then, after all of her companions had disappeared, she slowly looked behind her .

⸢The Final Wall . ⸥

The wall that blocked the end of this world-line, and also, recording everything found within this universe .

Han Su-Yeong was aware of this wall’s existence, and not only that, she knew how to open it, too . She got to take a peek at a few scenes while connected to the 3rd turn’s Han Su-Yeong, and more importantly, information she got from Kim Dok-Ja paying a visit to this world-line proved to be the crucial key, as well .

[The ‘Wall that Decides Samsara’ has discovered its intended position . ]

Han Su-Yeong began slotting in the [Walls] she had gathered ahead of time into their spots .

[The ‘Wall that Divides the Good and Evil’ has discovered its intended position . ]

[The ‘Wall of Impossible Communication’ has discovered its intended position . ]

However, she was still short of one fragment .

Throughout the entirety of the universe, only one guy possessed this fragment – [The 4th Wall] .

Han Su-Yeong silently stared at her own hand, before slowly placing it against the last open spot on the wall .

[Fable, ‘Predictive Plagiarism’, has begun its storytelling . ]

She certainly didn’t possess that [Wall] .

Even then, shouldn’t she be able to craft a fragment similar to that, somehow?

[Fable, ‘Ultimate Lie’ has begun its storytelling!]

Han Su-Yeong began squeezing out every Fable she could imagine .

She had witnessed the actual form of [The 4th Wall], just once . She definitely saw a portion of that wall when it blocked her attempt at using the [Eye of Truth] .

[Fable, ‘Predictive Plagiarism’, is being pushed to its absolute limit!]

Her fingers moved rapidly and began writing a Fable – a Fable of the wall that she came up with . The one single story that might be the basis of this wall .

Tsu-chuchuchuchut . . . . !

⸢”I’m Dok-Ja . “⸥

⸢Kim Dok-Ja(金獨子) . My father wanted me to become a strong man even if I was left alone so he gave me such a name . ⸥

Right next moment, Han Su-Yeong’s hand submerged into the wall .

Next up was her arm, shoulder, head, and her torso . . . And eventually, her entire figure sank into the wall .

[The ‘Final Wall’s system’ is surprised by your Fable information and . . . . ]

[Temporary error has occurred in the system!]

Han Su-Yeong fought back against the rising vomit and felt around the ground .

She did it .

She managed to infiltrate inside this stinking wall unscathed .

The first thing she saw after raising her head was a small room . There were quite a few bundles of packed luggage, and several small display panels decorating this place .

She was familiar with the Fable coming out from those panels .

⸢Constellation, ‘Demon King of Salvation’, has reached his ■■ . ⸥

⸢’Demon King of Salvation’s’ ■■ is ‘Eternity’ . ⸥

That was the conclusion of the 3rd turn . That idiot had also cleared the scenario of his world-line to its very last, in other words . And at long last, he had decided to become this world’s sole reader .

⸢In the world without the scenarios – filled with only the desire to see the next story . . . A certain child, possessing a truly horrifying power of imagination . ⸥

He’d continue to become smaller, and eventually become this world’s subconsciousness . And with that, he’d continue on with this neverending story .

The 1863rd turn’s Han Su-Yeong could tell . If you ask her how she knew, well, she just did .

‘Even I would’ve chosen that conclusion, after all . ‘

This world existed for the story .

Even Yu Jung-Hyeok’s story, even Kim Dok-Ja’s – in the end, they were all simply ‘stories’ marching forward towards the one true completion .

Han Su-Yeong stared at the subway train travelling further and further away inside the screen . For a long while, she wordlessly stared at this universe’s god journeying towards the world that no one would ever remember .

And then, a few steps in front of her, there was a certain existence staring at the same screen while dabbing away its tears with a handkerchief .

[Hiii-eeek?!]

“So, then . You are the true ‘Dokkaebi King’ aren’t you?”

[… . How did you manage to enter this place?]

The Dokkaebi King her group definitely killed outside was standing completely fine before her eyes .

Han Su-Yeong unsheathed the [Dark Heavenly Demon Sword] and asked . “I was wondering why you were so weak . Okay, so . Why didn’t you fight us seriously? And what exactly have you been doing in here?”

[Uh-uh . Hang on a second . The scenarios are already over . I don’t have any thoughts of fighting you . ]

It was true, she couldn’t sense any fighting intentions from the Dokkaebi King as it hurriedly waved both of its hands .

Its eyes gleamed as it observed the sparks faintly dancing around Han Su-Yeong’s entire figure . Its irises were fixed on the [Final Wall] suffering from error .

[You repaired the ‘Final Wall’ . . . . ? What a shocking talent that is . . . Just who are you? Your soul is . . . it’s like the amalgamation of various talents . ]

“What were you planning by using such a puppet? Are you looking down on this world-line?”

[Hu-hut, what do you mean, looking down? Every world-line is precious . It’s just that . . . This world-line has lost its meaning now . Its most important Fable had come to an end just now, after all . ]

While saying that, the Dokkaebi King shifted his gaze back to the panels .

Han Su-Yeong quietly roused up her Fables, but the King simply snickered back at her . [What are you getting so angry for? Regardless of what, the story of you and your group has concluded safely, didn’t it?]

“Don’t ever mess with this world-line’s conclusion . “

The moment she said that, the scenes from the 1863rd turn popped up on the panels .

Yi Hyeon-Seong and Kim Nam-Woon were supporting each other . The backs of her companions were captured in a wide-screen shot .

[Ah, of course, I won’t . It’s not even an important world-line, anyway . . . . ]

Han Su-Yeong saw how the Dokkaebi King shrugged its shoulders in total disinterest, and felt this powerful sense of futility .

Was this how the story of this regression turn ends?

Was it really okay to end it in this fashion?

[And besides . . . the new ‘Most Ancient Dream’ would not wish to see such a thing happen, anyway . ]

After hearing that, Han Su-Yeong looked up at the empty air above without even realising it .

The ‘Most Ancient Dream’ .

The ‘Kim Dok-Ja’ she knew had become one such existence .

Which meant that the current him might be looking at this spectacle, somehow .

[You think he will reply to you because you looked up like that? Your world has people who believe in their chosen deities . But, did those gods ever respond each and every time their believers called out to them?]

“This and that aren’t the same . “

“Well . . . You can think of it any way you want . Anyways, this one would like to ‘abscond’ from here, so can I leave now?]

“Where are you planning to go?”

[Since this world-line’s story has ended, I should go to another place, don’t you agree? I’ve been working hard all this time, so . . . Well, there’s this place I really wanted to visit since from a while ago, and . . . . ]

“Oh, so you wish to run away all the while abandoning the scenario, just like that?”

[Why didn’t you get born in a world-line with an honest, hard-working Dokkaebi King, then?]

Han Su-Yeong frowned deeply and emitted waves of energy once more . “Hey . I clawed and fought my way to get here . . . So, shouldn’t you give me some kind of a clear reward or something?”

The ‘Dokkaebi King’ spat out a long sigh . [Well, fine . Granting one wish shouldn’t be so hard . ]

” . . . . . I want to meet that idiot . “

Almost immediately after saying it, Han Su-Yeong couldn’t believe what she had done . Why did she blurt that out, of all things?

⸢”Because, you are also there . “⸥

⸢”I believe in ‘you’ of the 3rd turn, you see . “⸥

She wasn’t sure what this frustration in her heart meant .

Just that, meeting that guy again might help her understand what she felt so frustrated about, or so she thought .

The Dokkaebi King tilted his head . [When you say that idiot, you . . . . ]

Han Su-Yeong pointed to the panels with her chin .

The Dokkaebi King jumped up in shock and roared out . [Are you freaking blind or something?? That great one is no longer an existence the likes of me can ever meet . ]

“I don’t care if it’s a version of him from another world-line . I also don’t care even if he’s a version who hasn’t seen the end yet, too . “

Kim Dok-Ja couldn’t be seen anymore within the panels .

“I want to meet that idiot one more time . “

[There is only one of him in this universe . ]

Since the Dokkaebi King was being so adamant, it could only mean that her wish was truly impossible .

But then, the creature stared at the downhearted Han Su-Yeong and opened its mouth with a sly look on its face . [… . Well, actually . There is a way to make your wish come true . ]

“What was that?”

[Now normally, that world-line is forbidden from entry, but I’ve memorised its coordinates while the new ‘Most Ancient Dream’ was ascending to his position . . . However, the ‘Most Ancient Dream’ in that place will not recognise you . ]

Han Su-Yeong’s expression brightened as she asked . “Where is that place?”

[It’s the place I wanted to visit originally . I’ve always longed to go there at least once when this universe’s great epic came to its conclusion, you see . ]

While saying that, the Dokkaebi King raised both of its hands up high in the air . The aloof universe of was unfolding up there .

The Dokkaebi King looked up at that view with a solemn expression and addressed her . [Aren’t you curious? Where did this universe start from, who crafted these intricate galaxies of Fables, who created this thing called ‘scenario’ in this world – just who is responsible for perfecting the world of pure contradictions where the result gives birth to the cause, and the cause becomes the result??]

Han Su-Yeong finally figured out the Dokkaebi King’s true aim .

This guy, it was trying to head towards the world-line where this universe actually began .

⸢The world where the ‘Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World’ began . ⸥

“You . . . . !”

⸢The universe where tls123 was . ⸥

[I’m going there to meet my god . If you want, I’ll let you tag along on my journey!]

Tsu-chuchuchchut!

Along with the deafening roar, the storm of Probability’s aftermaths powerfully rampaged between her and the Dokkaebi King . As she got sucked into this wall of pain akin to her soul being ripped into tiny shreds, she briefly caught the Dokkaebi King’s grin .

[Let’s meet again after making through this alive, shall we?]

That was the last memory Han Su-Yeong could remember of the 1863rd turn .

*

“Heok!”

She shot up from her bed; the time was two in the morning . Her entire back was soaked in sweat . The second hand of the clock continued tick by .

… . Was it all a dream?

Han Su-Yeong ungainly got up . The sensation of soft, luxurious duvet wrapped around her limbs – for some reason, this bed felt alien to her . She drank the water located on the bedside bureau, entered the adjoining bathroom and switched on the light . The orange lightbulb illuminated the darkness and her figure was reflected on the mirror .

Her neatly-trimmed hair that had grown all the way down to her shoulders . The beauty spot that seemed to get even more pronounced when she narrowed her eyes – this was undoubtedly her own face . Indeed, it really was, yet . . .

” . . . . . What the hell??”

Suddenly, it felt as if her heart was tightening up .

[You have entered the ‘First World-line’ . ]

She dashed outside the bathroom . Plastic figurines were displayed on the dressing table alongside the volumes of manga . She also spotted the familiar school bag next to the bed . Eventually, the darkness within this house no longer felt foreign to her . Her trembling hands opened the school bag, only for the textbooks within to tumble out . Neatly-written words could be seen on the cover of one of those books .

– Han Su-Yeong, student no . 2, classroom 2, sixth year .

Han Su-Yeong had become a 13-year-old girl .

Fin .