Chapter 726

726 Episode 28 House (4)
This was not merely an incarnation enhanced by greater synchronization with a constellation. This was the genuine physical form of the Constellation himself.

Why would such a being be present in a place like this?

The nightmare from the East of Washington resurfaced. Memories of being hunted by constellations alongside the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

I had come all this way to escape them, yet I encountered a constellation here as well.

[The story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ gazes at you with pity.]

No. This wasn’t the moment to be afraid.

[The story ‘Recorder of Things That Will Disappear’ urges you to focus.]

Come to think of it, since when could stories voice their thoughts to me so directly?

[The story ‘Tenacious Martial Arts Expert’ states that persistence makes anything possible.]

True. No matter who my opponent might be, my own story was far from simple.

Most importantly, my sponsor is the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

While observing the constellation’s incarnation and regulating my breathing, I could perceive the composition of the stories that formed it.

[Exclusive attribute effect activates!]

My vision had sharpened, allowing me to glimpse fragments of the other’s story just by concentrating.

「 I like Little Red Riding Hood 」

「 Good at collecting wind 」

「 I hate brick houses 」

…

Fragments of aged and ailing stories became visible.

[The stories composing this incarnation have been severely degraded.]

Kim Dokja’s words came to mind:

There is no scenario that cannot be overcome.

[During the event scenario, ‘wolves’ cannot be killed by other animals.]

I recalled Kim Dokja’s ‘Revolutionary Scenario’.

Here, the ‘wolf’ held a role similar to the executioner in the demon world.

A position that enters a kind of ‘invincible state’ for the duration of the scenario.

If this scenario operated similarly, a strategy existed: endure the wolf’s ‘night’ phase and strike during the ‘day’ when it became vulnerable.

If only it weren’t a constellation.

[Young wolf. Do you wish to die?]

At the constellation’s voice, Killer King flinched and retreated a step.

Even a weakened constellation possesses an immeasurable gap in rank compared to a typical incarnation.

Killer King was undoubtedly aware of this. It was likely why he had chosen to protect his companions rather than assault the scenario directly.

Unlike the Demon World, this scenario lacked ‘revolutionaries’.

There was no method to kill that ‘wolf’, be it day or night.

That was the conclusion Killer King had reached.

[The incarnation can only be eliminated by the rules of the ‘Event Scenario’.]

The plot of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ resurfaced in my memory.

According to the tale, a ‘brick house’ was required to defeat the ‘wolf’.

However, no ‘bricks’ existed in this world.

[Had you chosen ‘Wolf’, you would understand. Weak animals are consumed. It is neither tragic nor agonizing. It is simply the story’s providence.]

«I offered the hippopotamus’s front leg.»

[I will not repeat myself. Surrender one of the ‘livestock’ you keep. If you do, I shall depart peacefully today.]

Finally, Killer King bared his teeth. He had drawn his bowgun and was aiming it at the wolves.

«Perhaps there’s another method: simply eliminating all of you right here.»

The lead wolves scowled.

In this ‘event scenario’, a wolf cannot be killed by ‘other animals’.

But that did not mean they were immune to being killed by another wolf.

Even with a constellation present, if Killer King was determined, he could certainly take down a few wolves.

—Kim Dokja. Listen.

Killer King’s [telepathic message] reached my ears.

—Escape with your companions. You’ve prepared your belongings, so leave through the rear. I will handle this.

Killer King offered a faint smile, his eyes briefly finding my hiding spot.

—Do not concern yourself with me. I will not die.

Truthfully, Killer King isn’t very much like Yoo Jonghyuk. It’s similar to how Kim Dokja constantly declared, «I am Yoo Jonghyuk,» yet could never truly become him.

My trembling hands were likely a result of having just read ‘Ways of Survival’ before arriving here.

「 «I will not die.» 」

That was what the Yoo Jonghyuk of ‘Ways of Survival’ always said right before he died.

I won’t die.

Yoo Jonghyuk always left those words behind when he died.

To Yoo Jonghyuk himself, those words were undoubtedly true. He was a regressor who never truly perished.

But were those words any comfort to those he left behind?

[Kill him.]

At the constellation’s command, three wolves lunged at Killer King simultaneously.

Claws aimed to shred him from the front, back, and sides.

[The story fragment ‘Heir of the Black Coat’ begins its storytelling!]

When had he gathered such a story fragment?

Killer King’s coat billowed brilliantly, deflecting the claws and snapping them clean off.

A fierce lion’s roar erupted from his lips as he smiled coldly.

[The story fragment ‘A person who resembles the voice of the Supreme King’ cries out!]

I briefly wondered if he could mimic regression, but I certainly lacked the courage to test that theory.

Struck on the back of the head, Killer King gritted his teeth against the pain.

—Kim Dokja! Now!

A person’s essence is defined by their actions, not their words. Sincere actions become stories, and those stories are passed on.

[The story ‘The Lone Savior’ begins its storytelling.]

The legend Killer King had built was shining intensely.

It was not identical to Yoo Jonghyuk’s, but it was equally noble.

That narrative now consumed Killer King, steering him toward his demise.

«If we leave him, he will die.»

Little Yoo Jonghyuk was correct.

If we did nothing, Killer King would die.

Just like Sergeant Jung Moonho at Seoul Station and Jung Jaewoo in the Theater Dungeon.

«Yoo Jonghyuk. I need your help.»

«With what?»

Little Yoo Jonghyuk looked up at me, suspicion in his eyes. I searched through my ‘Dokkaebi Bag’.

In this world, the use of ‘skills’ and ‘stigmata’ was forbidden. Item effects were halved and couldn’t perform to their full potential.

Therefore, no item I bought could kill that ‘Wolf Constellation’.

However, it might buy us some time.

[1,000 coins have been spent in the ‘Dokkaebi Bag’.]

[The item ‘Red Riding Hood (Replica)’ has been acquired.]

I placed the item purchased from the ‘Dokkaebi Bag’ onto little Yoo Jonghyuk’s head.

[The item’s effect increases the target’s noticeability!]

Startled, little Yoo Jonghyuk tried to resist.

The item’s effect was straightforward.

The wearer becomes slightly more endearing, more appealing, and draws more attention.

Even with its power reduced here, it would suffice for now.

«What are you doing—»

The moment little Yoo Jonghyuk, his head now peeking from under the hood, stood up, the gaze of the wolf constellation locked onto him.

[The constellation ‘The Wolf Who Loves Little Red Riding Hood’ has found its prey!]

A normal constellation wouldn’t have fallen for such a simple trick.

But this one was different.

My confidence came from having encountered several other constellations.

Its status was unstable for a constellation.

The stories within its incarnation were unbalanced, its ‘character’ imperfect.

A shoddy incarnation woven from old, neglected story fragments.

Crucially, ‘The Three Little Pigs’ wasn’t the only story shaping this wolf.

[The story ‘The Wolf Who Covets Little Red Riding Hood’ begins its storytelling.]

Constellations that have existed for eons often struggle to separate their own will from the narrative’s drive.

As the story commenced its tale, the instinct of the being consumed by it awoke.

[Little Red Riding Hood.]

Its blood-red eyes glowed with intensity as it began charging toward little Yoo Jonghyuk, tail wagging like a frenzied hound.

I gave a solemn nod to little Yoo Jonghyuk.

«Run.»

«You—»

«If you don’t run fast, you will die.»

Little Yoo Jonghyuk shot me a glare, his teeth clenched.

«I will kill you for this, Kim Dokja.»

Almost simultaneously, I ducked back into cover.

A powerful gust of wind whipped past as Yoo Jonghyuk and the transformed wolf constellation vanished from sight.

Coo coo coo coo coo.

Peeking out, I saw little Yoo Jonghyuk fleeing with the wolf constellation in hot pursuit. It looked perilously close, but Yoo Jonghyuk would manage. His stamina, which had been low before, had significantly recovered.

I had seen him secretly take an elixir from his pocket and consume it right on my shoulder.

With eight meals a day, he should be at full strength by now.

And that wasn’t all.

[The effect of the item ‘White Rat Mask’ is activated!]

[‘Animal Mask’ is unaffected by the ‘performance reduction’ imposed by this world view.]

Perhaps because this was a ‘zodiac’ world view?

The ‘Mask’ was the sole type of item here that retained its original power.

The effect of the ‘Rat Mask’, earned for winning the ‘Zodiac Race’, ensured he wouldn’t be caught for a while.

«You.»

Meanwhile, Killer King, having subdued the other wolves, turned to face me.

Truly, the second apostle was formidable.

To defeat wolves—even non-constellation ones—without using skills or stigmata was impressive.

Wiping blood from his nose, Killer King glared in my direction.

«Do you realize what you’ve done?»

«I do.»

«The southern part of Zone 13 is wolf territory. Now you—»

«I am an enemy of the wolves.»

Killer King stared at me, seemingly speechless, before muttering.

«Have you truly become Kim Dokja?»

We began gathering items and story fragments from the defeated wolves.

Some story fragments were useful; others were worthless.

Not every story could be recycled at the ‘Recycling Center’.

«It’s not too late. If you plan to leave, this is your only chance.»

Killer King stood up, items in hand.

«Head to another zodiac area. You haven’t lost your mask, so you must have an escape route. I will find a way to manage with the rest of the group.»

«I refuse.»

«Kim Dokja.»

A scar was visible on the back of Killer King’s hand—a fresh wound.

«This is only the eighth scenario. Do you know how many of the people we knew have died getting here?»

«…»

«Not every character is necessary for this world’s ending.»

Killer King was right.

Not every character is required to reach the end of this world.

«My companions and I have accepted it. This world is not the ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ we once knew.»

No one could predict how many more would die before the journey’s end.

Some would live, some would die. Some would fade from memory, while others would be remembered.

I knew Killer King understood this.

This story would not conclude like a beautiful fairy tale.

«I need you to help me achieve the ending I want.»

«Typical Kim Dokja, making impossible demands. You understand what that entails, don’t you?»

I met Killer King’s gaze steadily. I had to admit it now. He had truly read ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ a hundred times.

He genuinely knew what I was thinking.

A strange sense of comfort washed over me as I spoke.

«I know.»

«Even knowing that—»

«You’re mistaken. The reason I need you is because you are incredibly useful.»

No matter what I do, I cannot become ‘Kim Dokja, the Demon King of Salvation’.

Just as Killer King can never become ‘Supreme King Yoo Jonghyuk’, no matter his efforts.

Killer King looked at me blankly for a moment, then broke into a bright smile.

«I see. So someone requires assistance…»

«Correct.»

Killer King’s eyebrow twitched.

«Do you have a plan? As things stand, even together, we cannot defeat that wolf.»

«In theory, yes. But doesn’t this scenario seem odd to you?»

«Odd?»

«It’s named ‘The Three Little Pigs’, yet its structure is very similar to a scenario we know. The wolf’s role, and the fact the scenario starts at ‘night’.»

A game to find a ‘werewolf’ that kills people under cover of darkness.

We were already familiar with a ‘scenario’ that closely mirrored it.

«Have you considered why this place is called a ‘Recycling Center’?»

Recycle. It meant to reuse what had already been used. Killer King, pondering my words, let out a sharp breath and muttered.

«It can’t be…»

Whoever the director of this ‘Recycling Center’ was, and whatever their purpose for creating this stage, one thing was clear.

«If my assumption is correct…»

I brushed the dirt from the floor, sensing the flow of the surrounding stories.

When had it begun?

One by one, the group gathered behind Killer King.

Kyung Sein, Dansu ahjussi, Ye Hyunwoo. And even Cha Yerin.

As I looked at them, a thought solidified.

Only the eighth scenario.

As Killer King said, many readers had perished. They died repeatedly, as if the world itself opposed them.

«We are the people in this world who can tell this story better than anyone else.»

Yet, ‘Kim Dokja’ had not died.

«Let’s begin the ‘Revolutionary Game’ now.»

From this moment on, it is Kim Dokja’s time.