Chapter 730

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

«I think so as well.»

In a situation like this, it was obvious to everyone that something was very wrong.

My thoughts were a tangled mess.

Was the ending the issue?

Constellations typically favor specific revenge, unexpected twists, and thrilling conclusions. Yet, the ending I had selected was the tepid one known as ‘Reconciliation with the Wolves’.

[Some constellations belonging to the nebula <Zodiac> are condemning your choices!]

[A very small number of constellations appear displeased with the outcome you selected.]

Naturally, the constellations wouldn’t be satisfied.

Thinking back, a comparable situation occurred when Kim Dokja announced he would not kill the ‘Disaster of Floods’.

Geaaaa—!

‘The Wolf Who Covets Little Red Riding Hood’ started to thrash and howl. The creature, having smashed its head against the floor repeatedly in apparent agony, finally widened its eyes and stared upward into the void.

I did the same, as did the young Yoo Jonghyuk and everyone else in our group.

Something was descending through the dark, open portal outside. My initial fear was that it was an Outer God, but luckily, that wasn’t true.

The first thing to appear was a pig’s head.

The moment I spotted the whitish tail, a faint chill went down my back.

It wasn’t the same overwhelming shock as encountering an Outer God or witnessing the descent of great-grade constellations.

Even so, my instincts were sounding an alarm.

[The constellation ‘The First Pig To Die’ is glowering at you.]

They were beings who held dominion over the lower heavens of this star stream.

[The constellation ‘Pig that builds houses out of wood’ is observing you.]

They were mighty figures of the Chinese Zodiac.

[The constellation ‘liverless rabbit’ is looking down at you.]

Indirect messages popped up one after another as the constellations announced their presence.

Under normal conditions, the simultaneous appearance of three constellations would be startling.

However, the pressure they exerted didn’t feel sufficient.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that each of these powerful constellations had taken on a symbolic form.

…Was that it?

‘The first pig to die’ was just a pig’s head with a banknote clenched in its mouth.

‘Pig that builds houses out of wood’ was a log with a pig’s tail sprouting from it like a new shoot.

Finally, the ‘liverless rabbit’ had manifested as a glistening, raw red liver.

I had never considered that constellations would descend directly as symbols. No matter how ‘symbolic’ the descent, entering a lower-level scenario always carries a significant probability cost.

Then, a record from the ‘Ways of Survival’ concerning the ‘Recycling Center’ came back to me.

「 The Recycling Center is a sort of mobile fortress that drifts through lower-tier scenarios. 」

「 The Recycling Center maintains a fragile boundary with the other world to accommodate ‘diverse story fragments’. 」

「 Constellations who have established a domain within the Recycling Center can employ symbols at a reduced probability cost. 」

The unique environment of the Recycling Center was likely why these constellations could descend symbolically.

But why had they chosen to attempt a ‘symbolic descent’ right now?

They must be aware that it’s risky, as they cannot wield their full power in a symbolic state.

[It’s been a long time, wolf.]

My questions were soon answered.

I understood the moment I heard their mantra.

[This place still reeks.]

[Are there any fresh turtles?]

The fact that they took this risk and attempted a ‘symbolic descent’ indicated their absolute confidence.

[All prisoners in Zone 13, kneel before the Nebula Zodiac.]

It was proof that they believed no one in ‘Zone 13’ would dare to defy them.

The crane owner and the beastmen who had been hiding in their homes came rushing out one by one to pay their respects.

The same was true for our group. Ye Hyunwoo, Kyung Sein, Cha Yerin, and the old man Dansu were all pressed flat against the floor.

It wasn’t by their own volition. This was simply the overwhelming influence of the Zodiac, the nebula of animals.

[The constellation ‘The Wolf Who Loves Little Red Riding Hood’ pays homage to the owner of the story.]

Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf was also bowing, its head to the ground.

The only ones left standing were Killer King, who was tied to a chair, myself, and the young Yoo Jonghyuk.

‘The First Pig To Die’ observed me silently before addressing the wolf constellation.

[Have you forgotten your ‘contract’ with us?]

The wolf growled, its shoulders trembling.

[No. Never.]

It was difficult to comprehend.

That one was a pig and this one was a wolf.

By the laws of nature and survival of the fittest, carnivores should dominate herbivores.

Yet, the wolf was shaking like prey cornered by an apex predator.

[You should be grateful we even allow your parasitic lineage to continue.]

The ‘liverless rabbit’ remarked with scorn.

[Pig teachers, I told you. All wolves should be exterminated. Do you know how many of my kin they have devoured?]

[Too many to count.]

[You should be thankful we employ such creatures as ‘villains’. How dare you try to alter the sacred original narrative of a tale?]

The wolf constellation offered no retort, merely sweating in terror. I could witness its story being crushed in real time.

[Some constellations of the nebula <Zodiac> are enjoying the wolf’s suffering.]

I believe revenge for the weak is justified. I also believe that those who have been wronged have the right to seek retribution.

[Story fragment ‘Hunted Wolf’ is weeping.]

[Story fragment ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ is cowering in fear.]

It wasn’t my place to judge whether their methods were right or wrong.

However…

No matter how I looked at it, this stage felt deeply warped.

[Did we not have an agreement? You will atone for the crimes your brother committed.]

Suddenly, a line from ‘Ways of Survival’ flashed through my thoughts.

「 Animal-shaped constellations often bear the original sin of their entire race in exchange for sharing its story. 」

Some stories transcend individuals, affecting entire species and passing down through generations.

The wolf constellation quickly lowered its head and spoke.

[Did we not also promise to provide a wolf as tribute this month? The wolf is prepared.]

[It must be a plump wolf.]

[Absolutely. It was fattened on a diet of animal meat—]

Fragments of other beastmen’s tales came to mind—the wolf harvesters who wandered around collecting ‘meat’.

A hippopotamus agonizing over its severed arm. The prisoners who donated meat yet never blamed the wolves.

I see.

Why the wolves demanded ‘meat’—

[That’s odd. The wolf tributes we’ve been receiving lately haven’t been particularly plump, have they?]

[That is due to a shortage of story fragments here in Zone 13… Recent local story fragments are insufficient. If we stop exploiting the prisoners—]

[Should we make allowances for your circumstances?]

[No! I was mistaken! I will find a way to offer a fat wolf, one that has been heavily fed with story fragments!]

Finally, many things began to make sense.

The reason the story fragments of the prisoners here were all in disarray.

The reason why prisoners had their arms and legs replaced with machinery.

[Our patience has its limits.]

Just as the constellations of <Olympus> used giants for sacrifices, the pigs of <Zodiac> exploited other beastmen at the Recycling Center and received ‘wolves’ as monthly tribute.

All to perpetuate their own legacy.

[The story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ is complaining of hunger.]

The pig-headed symbol slowly drifted to the ground and scrutinized the wolf incarnations.

The moment one of the wolf incarnations screamed and tried to flee, its head burst apart.

The pig head laughed, chewing on the head still wearing the wolf mask.

[This one doesn’t even have enough meat on it. There’s not enough for a decent soup.]

[Forgive me!]

[Can you not hear the story’s voice? It demands a sacrifice. Do you wish for its existence to be erased from the <Star Stream>?]

[Please, one more chance! I will make it right!]

[Then.]

The Pig Constellation said.

[Prove it.]

I felt the hair on my arms stand up. The sound of a story’s song reached my ears. The staging was commencing again.

[Offer the tribute.]

The wolf looked up at the pig’s head with eyes full of dread.

The Pig Constellation continued.

[Reveal your vile nature and perish.]

At the pig’s command, the wolf constellation slowly rose to its feet.

Ye Hyunwoo tugged on my sleeve.

«We need to get inside the house.»

Kyung Sein agreed.

«Inho-ssi! This isn’t our concern. We have to run. Now. If we don’t go immediately—»

The prostrate prisoners trembled, their heads hung low.

«Oh, no! Please spare the wolf! Have mercy!»

«Great <Zodiac>, we beg you—»

Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf glanced back at them. It saw the prisoners with missing limbs and the story fragments that had lost their voice.

And it spoke.

[Very well. I will be the ‘tribute’.]

From the very start, this was a story with a predetermined ending. A narrative everyone could watch with certainty. There is a designated protagonist, and the stage concludes only when the designated villain dies.

[「Staging」 resumes.]

A sinister aura began to radiate from the entire body of the wolf constellation.

That wasn’t all.

Our brick house was expanding.

[The influence of the story fragment ‘Brick House’ is intensifying!]

The brick house grew more formidable, reminiscent of Gong Pildu’s [Armed Fortress], appearing impregnable to any wolf attack.

«Ah, ah, it was all a mistake—»

«Everyone, flee!»

Terrified, the prisoners began scrambling to get inside the brick house.

The ‘pig that died first’, watching with satisfaction, gave me a final look.

[You, who are favored by monkeys. You discovered the correct answer. Our story will be enhanced by the ‘brick’ you provided.]

[Do not consider interfering. If the story concludes successfully, you too will be rewarded.]

With those final words, the constellations ascended back into the sky.

[Some constellations in the nebula <Zodiac> desire the annihilation of the wolves.]

The wolf constellation’s muscles began to spasm. It was a sign that the power of 「staging」 was about to consume its entire being.

«Stop!»

I shouted at the creature.

But my words were lost in the violent wind now whipping around the Wolf Constellation. The young Yoo Jonghyuk beside me stepped forward.

«Are you intending to change the story?»

I nodded.

«Pig? It’s just as the Chinese Zodiac beings said. If you do nothing, you will receive a new story.»

«I am aware. But if that happens, the remaining incarnations in this area will—»

«You must have realized from the start: the ‘beasts’ here wanted us to become victims of the wolves.»

I knew. That’s why the crane owner directed us to an old ‘guest house’.

«The wolves here exploit these beastmen to gather story fragments. They feed them to one of their own and offer that wolf as a ‘sacrifice’ to the pigs.»

«…»

«Whether the beastmen or the wolves perish is not your concern.»

«That’s also true. But—»

«This world labels that hypocrisy.»

Hypocrisy.

I gave a bitter smile.

«This world strongly resembles a place I once knew.»

It was similar, yet distinctly different.

The ‘demon world’ I remembered was not like this. Good and evil were somewhat clearer there.

Perhaps this, too, is a consequence of ‘recycling’.

«I don’t have a grand cause. I simply—»

What would Kim Dokja do?

«I simply dislike this story.»

I didn’t believe I could persuade him. However,

«If you oppose the Chinese zodiac, you will die.»

I paused for a moment before asking.

«Are you actually concerned for me?»

«It will only take a moment for you to break through.»

The young Yoo Jonghyuk’s small fists were brimming with potent magical energy.

[Baekbo Shinwon.]

It seemed impossible. Because [skills] cannot be used in this worldview. But even as a child, Yoo Jonghyuk is still Yoo Jonghyuk?

He had manifested his skill [100 Steps Divine Fist] through sheer talent alone.

«Please.»

Yoo Jonghyuk’s fist shot through the air. Instantly, an explosive vortex engulfed the wolf, tearing a hole in the ferocious wind.

I seized the opportunity, grabbing the wolf constellation by the shoulder.

«I said stop!»

My voice was ripped away by the howling gale. To the point where communication was nearly impossible. In this state, the external constellations wouldn’t be able to hear us.

[The house… Go inside. You… This story… It cannot be altered.]

It wasn’t just because of 「staging」. The immense shadow of the creature’s long Story was looming.

«Did they manipulate your Story to make us flee?»

[If you are inside… safe. There… Remember the wolf’s final story.]

I knew of several constellations whose shadows had fled.

It would die soon.

Even if it didn’t perish, it would be left in a state worse than death.

The wolf constellation laughed, as if reading my thoughts.

[Me… Do you pity me?]

«Pity? Do I look that idle to you?»

From the beginning, the <Star Stream> has been a broken world.

This world is merely a ‘story’.

All stories glitter, consumed by transient emotions.

Over a vast history, causes and effects have blurred, and harm and injury have become indistinguishable.

All that remains is the laughter and cheers of the stars.

Even though I knew this,

«Don’t you wish to create a new ‘story’ for the wolves?»

I cannot abandon a story.

This is the final story in which he would shine as a constellation.

After battering that brick house repeatedly, he would fall down the chimney and die a gruesome death.

And for future generations of wolves, he would be remembered as the new wolf from 「The Three Little Pigs」.

«Will you truly let it end this way?»

The wolf constellation’s expression twitched violently.

[You… there’s…]

«I know what you will say. There’s nothing to be done. You will die regardless. The Zodiac is a nebula you cannot oppose.»

Even as a constellation, it was a fallen one that had lost all its stories.

No matter what it did, it could not defeat the <Zodiac>. It was impossible to dismantle the ‘stage’ solidified by the gaze of constellations over millennia.

But there was something even such a constellation could do.

«Sacrifice your Story to summon the God of the Other World.»

To ruin this stage.

[What… nonsense is that? If you do such a thing…]

«The existing ‘stage’ will be destroyed. And a new story will begin.»

The wolf’s eyes widened in disbelief.

[Then Zone 13 is—]

«Do not worry. I will stop the ‘God of the Other World’.»

The wolf’s voice shook with a harsh tremor, as if it finally understood my meaning.

[You cannot possibly be—]

«Indeed.»

I nodded.

«I intend to steal the story of ‘The Three Little Pigs’.»