Chapter 715

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

715 Episode 26 Star Ladder (11)
「 «Die! Finish him off now!» 」

「 «He’s been contained. We can take him here!» 」

「 «Kill him and claim the narrative!» 」

「 «You madman. Just die! I said stop and die!» 」

On the pale screen, Great-grade constellations were shouting in frantic urgency.

With every movement of his sword, another head was severed.

「 «You’ll need more than this to kill me, you fools.» 」

「 «Kaaaaaaak!» 」

Every time an incarnation body fell, another Great-grade constellation met a terrible blow and was expelled.

The ‘Demon King of Salvation’, having defeated another constellation, lifted his gaze to the blood-soaked sky.

It was as if he could feel a distant pair of eyes watching him.

【It seems he isn’t tired of it either.】

Asmodeus took a sip of the diet cola beside him and released a sigh.

His eyes left the screen for a moment to sweep over the room, where the kkomas Kim Dokjas were all absorbed in the broadcast. Each of the small Kim Dokjas had distinct clothes, statures, and expressions. They had looked identical when he first brought them in, but as time passed, small changes had emerged.

A child in a wide-brimmed hat marked ‘SSS’. Another in a uniform from a martial arts novel. One recording everything while wearing horn-rimmed glasses…

Despite their different tastes and favorite stories, every single one was utterly focused on the same narrative right now.

Asmodeus muttered with a faint, bitter smile.

【Just like you.】

Another explosion roared from the screen. The sound of a body crashing down. Shouts and cries. Asmodeus watched, mildly astonished, as a rain of meteors fell.

【Though, this is the first time I’ve seen that done in a seventh scenario area. The nebulae have truly lost their minds. I wonder if they’ve even prepared for the aftermath.】

Perhaps the nebulae were aware. Even though only Great-grade constellations were being cycled through, the scale was nearly catastrophic.

【Then again, when have those fools ever thought before acting?】

The ‘Giant Nebula’, which was this event’s main subject, would likely suffer a massive blow of at least ten percent.

Still, the nebulae had launched this operation. They were resisting that terrifying <Star Stream>’s probability.

「 Because the first Kim Dokja, the ‘Demon King of Salvation’, is worth it. 」

【I recall the day I first met him.】

Even before he was the ‘Demon King of Salvation’, he had been a bold incarnation.

He had dared to lay hands on the ‘Dark Keeper’, a member of the Demon King’s family, and had even used clever wordplay to evade Asmodeus’s curse. Asmodeus had witnessed it all but chosen to look the other way, simply because it was so fascinating that a mere incarnation without a single story would attempt such a thing.

[The story ‘The One Who Watched the Demon King of Salvation’ nods in agreement.]

For the first time in a long while, Asmodeus felt a story stirring within him and shook his head.

Even a poor relationship could become a tale over a long enough time.

[Some constellations that share stories with you have noticed your presence.]

[Some constellations are displeased with your presence.]

Asmodeus let out a laugh.

He had done it just to check.

It seemed the constellations from ‘that world line’ who favored Kim Dokja were still alive.

【There’s plenty of cola and popcorn, so why not join me?】

The stars gave no answer.

They wouldn’t dare to intervene anyway.

All constellations from other world lines, including Asmodeus himself, were bound by special restrictions.

Then, a small hand tugged at his sleeve. He turned to see a kkoma Kim Dokja there. It was one of the smallest of the group.

【What is it?. Kkoma Kim Dokja.】

The kkoma Kim Dokja looked up at him with wide eyes. Then he glanced at the screen, back at Asmodeus, and then at the screen again.

【Hmm?】

Asmodeus’s eyebrow twitched sharply.

【Are you actually asking me to help him now?】

The small figure nodded its head vigorously.

Asmodeus gave it a stern look.

【Kkoma Kim Dokja. Have you forgotten who I am? I am the ‘Representative Kim Dokja’. I am their enemy.】

The kkoma Kim Dokja tilted its head, as if it didn’t comprehend his words.

Asmodeus said nothing more. Yet, those clear eyes remained fixed on him.

What kind of being was Kim Dokja?

Even after gathering so many of his fragments, Asmodeus still could not understand him.

The kkoma Kim Dokja’s fingertips brushed the back of Asmodeus’s hand. Startled by the sudden warmth, Asmodeus pulled his hand away and muttered in annoyance.

【Sorry, but I can’t help him. Have you forgotten the theater took a massive hit from your rushed intervention before?】

Even knowing the kkoma likely couldn’t understand, Asmodeus continued.

【Some of the theater’s functions were damaged that day, which is why you can’t properly ‘recover the fragments’ now. Why would I support Wonheung, who ruined my theater—】

Asmodeus stopped mid-sentence. The kkoma Kim Dokja didn’t look like it understood anything at all.

【Why am I even explaining this to you?】

There was no justification or reason for it, but if Asmodeus truly wished, he could have saved the Demon King of Salvation.

The issue was that doing so would complicate the story.

[The Seongyoon Alliance is watching your potential intervention.]

A message that seemed to have been waiting for him.

Because of his previous interference, the giant nebulae had become aware of his presence. If he intervened in that scenario now, Asmodeus would have to suffer a significant loss.

【Anyway, his story won’t end easily, even without my involvement.】

The kkoma Kim Dokja’s small hand, hesitating, found Asmodeus’s cold hand again.

Too weary to shake it off, Asmodeus simply let the hand rest there.

He just stared at the screen with bored eyes.

【The ending awaiting this world will be far more cruel than he imagines.】

How many incarnations had he cut down? He had long lost count.

Fallen bodies piled up beneath the lightly dancing white and blue lightning.

[Some constellations cannot withstand the shock of probability and fall into sleep.]

As constellations who had taken a massive hit from unreasonably interfering in lower-level scenarios exited one after another, the number of attackers gradually thinned.

[Your incarnation body has reached its limit.]

With every swing of his sword, he could taste the iron tang of blood in his mouth. He couldn’t remember the last time he had fought like this.

«I’ve been thinking.»

The Demon King of Salvation swung his sword, again and again and again.

«In the end, it would be a shame to die here.»

Seeing the dwindling number of Great-grade constellations joining the fray, it was clear they were also growing weary. At this rate, there would be no Great-grade left who could touch his youngest, at least for a while.

«I haven’t fully told my youngest who ‘Kim Dokja’ is yet.»

«What are you talking about? Just stop and die! Please!»

He cut down another incarnation of a charging Great-grade constellation.

«I also want to read ‘Ways of Survival’.»

Every Kim Dokja loved stories. The ‘Demon King of Salvation’ was no different. But more than any other Kim Dokja, he had loved ‘Ways of Survival’.

However, in his view, his youngest was the most persistent when it came to stories. That Kim Dokja simply loved the ‘story’ itself. He read even the tales every other Kim Dokja ignored. And after reading all those stories, that Kim Dokja now wanted to write a new one.

[The tale ‘Demon King of Salvation’ continues its storytelling.]

[The ‘Dark Keeper’ communicates with your tale.]

«Could something like ‘Ways of Survival’ even be used?»

[Some great fate is wishing for your death!]

This was already the second message of fate he had heard.

Once three messages were gathered, the power of [fate] would grow stronger. He was certain the nebulae would fill that number.

«But you all.»

An arrow flew and struck near his heart. The Demon King of Salvation, stumbling badly, coughed up a mouthful of blood. Yet, he did not fall.

«Even if you capture me, you will all be ruined if this continues.»

Forcing [fate] upon an incarnation and forcing it upon a narrative-grade constellation required vastly different levels of probability. However, the giant nebula had not corrected the error of [fate]. This meant that to enforce this [fate], the giant nebula must have sacrificed a colossal amount of probability.

«Forcing [fate] doesn’t end it. You still need to secure at least the minimum probability to execute that [fate].»

Though stumbling, the Demon King of Salvation kept moving forward. Another incarnation rushing at him collapsed.

«It means you are far from sufficient. Even our youngest knows that.»

The blood-drenched Demon King of Salvation grinned. Incarnations were scattered in his wake. Despite his wounds, he continued to cut down the Great-grade constellations, over and over.

«Damn you, you madman! You’re insane!»

«How can this be—»

No one could stop his sword, even with arrows protruding from all over his body.

They knew he would collapse if they pushed just a little harder, yet no one dared to land the final blow.

«How can such a monster exist—»

It was a fight with a predetermined outcome.

They were backed by the probability of a huge nebula, and the greatest incarnations of the Great-grade had swarmed them. Though not their true bodies, incarnation bodies with high synchronization rates were sent, and fell, and were sent again.

And yet.

«Why?»

The ‘Demon King of Salvation’ would not fall.

The ‘Gatekeeper of Thebes’ muttered, sounding lost.

«Why won’t you fall down?»

He was beginning to feel a timid fear that they might not be able to kill him. As his mind became stained with dread, the tales surrounding his opponent began to become faintly visible.

[The tale ‘Demon King of Salvation’ continues its storytelling.]

Why did the ‘mythical constellations’ covet the ‘Demon King of Salvation’? Why did they want a piece of him so desperately, even calling him a ‘discarded god’?

The ‘Gatekeeper of Thebes’ foolishly believed he was finally beginning to understand.

«Everyone—»

He couldn’t bring himself to finish.

Even though he knew they just needed to push a little more, he was no longer sure.

「 I don’t think I can possibly kill that constellation. 」

[The constellation ‘Gatekeeper of Thebes’ is persuaded by the story.]

This was the power of stories.

The reason a Great-grade constellation could not defeat a mythical-grade constellation.

The Great constellations, their fighting spirit broken, began to hesitate and retreat.

But not all were convinced.

«As expected, it seems the Great-grade fools weren’t enough.»

A long spear flew from somewhere and pierced the back of the Demon King of Salvation.

For the first time, one knee of the staggering ‘Demon King of Salvation’ buckled.

Only a star with a powerful story could remain unintimidated by such a tale. Likewise, only such a star could deliver such a blow.

[The aftereffects of probability begin to blow.]

A tailwind of probability creeping in despite the rules of the ‘scale’. This was clear proof that this scenario was not meant to allow that ‘constellation’s’ existence.

[The constellation ‘Warlord of Ferocity’ increases the synchronization rate with his incarnation!]

Ares, the god of ferocity.

As many as 12 <Olympus>-grade constellations had entered the war with their own incarnations.

[The constellation ‘Warlord of Ferocity’ announces the end.]

The Great-grade constellations, cowed by Ares’s orders, rushed forward once more.

The Demon King of Salvation grinned.

«Youngest, are you watching this?»

The lightning striking from the sky grew even fiercer. The giant nebula was likely sacrificing an enormous amount of probability for this transfer.

«You need to see a lot to write well.»

He cut down the onrushing constellations with one knee still bent.

[White Blue Steel, lacking sufficient magical power, flickered. The Demon King of Salvation used the imbalance in magic to perform acrobatics, cutting down incarnations with each movement.]

Every time the ‘Blade of Faith’ flashed intermittently, another Great-grade’s incarnation fell.

[The influence of the story ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is gradually decreasing.]

The ground was set ablaze by the heat wave radiating from Ares’s spear.

The Demon King of Salvation shifted the mimicry form of ‘Broken Faith’ to ‘Unbreakable Faith’. He planted his sword on the ground and took a deep breath.

A sentence was written for him upon the [fourth wall].

「 The Demon King of Salvation had people he wanted to see. 」

When he looked down, he saw a cigarette on the ground. A lit cigarette, its white smoke curling upward.

「 He would not be able to see them again. 」

Smelling the acrid scent, the Demon King of Salvation read the sentence on the wall. A story narrating his own death. In the end, it was a sentence for a Kim Dokja who had also wanted to read the story.

「 Kim Dokja decided to accept the story. 」

The Demon King of Salvation did not know who was writing the sentences on the wall. It was like not knowing for sure if the person behind that curtain was Yoo Jonghyuk.

But some people wrote, some read, and some lived. Together, they would complete this story, forever unable to touch one another.

The Demon King of Salvation picked up the fallen cigarette and took a drag. Exactly one sip of the story seeped deep into his soul.

The Demon King of Salvation spoke, looking down at the cigarette.

«Keep writing, Han Sooyoung.»

Seeing Ares approaching, the Demon King of Salvation mustered his final strength and gripped ‘Unbreakable Faith’ tightly.

«Because I can still read more.»

He was still curious about how this story would end.