Chapter 739

739 Episode 30 Zodiac (1)
「 The core of the Chinese zodiac is the genesis and dissolution of all things, signifying that it is not symbolized by any creature. 」

—『Understanding the Unemployed』

Once the scenario commenced, the majority of people remained awake through the night, their eyes alert.

A circumstance where monsters or adversaries could emerge at any moment from any direction.

Exhaustion could be managed by consuming ‘Elaine Forest Spirit’ or healing potions, so risking sleep was unnecessary unless a penalty was enforced.

A reality where rest had turned into an indulgence.

In that regard, every incarnation surviving the scenario had forfeited their ability to dream.

This held true for the incarnations before me now.

The prisoner, long confined within the scenario’s jail and having abandoned hope of dreaming, inquired.

«R-really, you can alter the narrative?»

The crane proprietor watched me with an anxious demeanor.

«I can modify it for you.»

«But if the <Zodiac> becomes aware…»

«The <Zodiac> won’t appear.»

I gestured with my chin toward the inn’s entrance. There, Lycaon was seated cross-legged, meditating silently.

Several beastfolk exchanged glances and gave tentative nods.

They had witnessed Lycaon’s strength firsthand. There was no reason to doubt my claim.

«What narrative can you change?»

«That would be…»

“Is it ‘The Fox and the Crane’?»

«What makes you say that?»

How could I know? It was rather evident.

[The narrative ‘The Fox and the Crane’ has been suspended.]

After mending the story fragment 「Brick House」, I had started to perceive the currents of stories drifting through ‘Zone 13’.

The crane owner released a soft sigh before speaking again.

«Lately, the stability of my story has been wavering.»

For a ‘story’ to preserve its core purpose, its true owner must remain active within the <Star Stream>, or the tale must be continually recounted.

«Thus, I attempted a ‘staging’ to tell the story, but one cannot stage it alone.»

Naturally. Because the story involves more than just the crane.

«Are there no foxes in Zone 13?»

The crane owner confirmed with a resigned nod.

«There was one, but the final fox vanished several months ago.»

«What became of that last fox?»

«We lost contact after the Zodiac took him.»

<Zodiac>.

Their motives were transparent.

[The essence of the story ‘The Fox and the Crane’ is being exposed.]

They likely acted to prevent a legendary figure from Zone 13 from challenging their authority.

I surveyed the beastmen surrounding us.

Some among them were likely constellations, akin to the ‘wolf’ from 「The Three Little Pigs」, or beings nearing that status.

Yet, as time passed, they were losing their narratives and their original prestige.

The owner murmured faintly.

«The fox is most likely dead.»

The ‘story’ likely conveyed that.

Because his fate and the fox’s were intertwined by their shared narrative.

«Initially, I considered surrendering the stories to the <Zodiac>. Even if distorted there, their status would be preserved.»

I recalled the wolf constellation fighting to sustain 「The Three Little Pigs」.

«But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I refused to submit to those who captured the fox, even if it meant losing the story.»

The owner hung his head as he spoke.

«I understand that I must release the story now. It’s a narrative I can’t safeguard alone, and it holds little significance in the <Star Stream>. However…»

A peculiar longing glimmered in the crane owner’s eyes as he looked up.

«I believed you might possess a solution.»

I gave a nod.

«A solution exists.»

«Truly?»

A scenario message abruptly materialized before me.

Likely triggered by the ‘Recycling Center Director’ or the overseeing bureau.

[A new sub-scenario has arrived!]

<Sub Scenario – The Fox and the Crane>

Category: Sub

Difficulty: C

Clear condition: Successfully reproduce the story 『The Fox and the Crane』.

Time limit: —

Reward: 12,000 recycled coins or 2,000 recycled coins and an unidentified story fragment

Failure: —

This differed from the circumstances of 「The Three Little Pigs」. As the <Zodiac> wasn’t directly involved, there was no reluctance to participate.

The challenge was finding someone to portray the ‘fox’.

Killer King volunteered.

«I’ll take the role.»

«Killer King-ssi, you are a wolf.»

«Then adapt it to wolves and cranes.»

«To stage it properly, we require a fox.»

Yet, no one in our party possessed a ‘fox mask’.

Fox, fox.

A story akin to ‘Fox’ would be ideal.

Ah, wait.

[Review the postponed ‘compensation list’.]

I had yet to claim a ‘story reward’.

[Review the rewards for the seventh main scenario.]

[Currently, ‘S-class skill selection’ is awaiting receipt.]

[Currently, ‘historical-grade story selection’ is awaiting receipt.]

An ‘S-level skill selection’ and a ‘historical-grade story selection’? Was this the intended scenario reward?

[You have accomplished a feat deemed impossible in the seventh main scenario.]

[The Bureau acknowledges your achievements.]

[The scenario reward ‘random historical-grade story’ has been enhanced to ‘historical-grade story selection’.]

The management bureau proved useful for once.

Given the events at the Washington Dome, an upgrade was plausible.

A historical-grade story selection.

While most historical-grade stories are inferior, some, like 「The Persistent Murim Master」, are valuable.

Others exhibit unique properties when fused, such as 「earrings when worn on the ear」 or 「nose rings when worn on the nose」.

I reviewed the reward list with cautious optimism.

[Review the list of historical-grade story rewards.]

[You may select one from a total of 461 stories.]

461.

Perhaps a few could be beneficial?

1. Poop disguised as soybean paste

2. Cat with sun-bleached whiskers

3. Silla-Tang Allied Forces

…

Regrettably, the list seemed filled with inconsequential tales.

There was even a story that might have unfolded had the Demon King of Salvation been present.

I continued scanning.

Number 10, Number 30, Number 50, Number 100..

122. I refuse to get a haircut.

123. Head Shoulders Knees Toes

124. A chef who confuses salt and sugar

125. Ornamental Beard Specialist

Occasionally, stories reminiscent of the ‘Random Story Box’ appeared.

As I passed the 200s and entered the 300s, a sense of foreboding grew.

It seemed they had merely gathered stories discarded by other constellations.

Even tales like 「Earrings on your ears」 were included.

Just as I considered abandoning hope.

461. Owner of the Fox Ears headband

I examined the final entry closely.

Why was this story here?

‘Owner of the Fox Ears Headband’’

To my knowledge, this ‘story’ was undoubtedly that one.

Likely from when <Kim Dokja Company> visited the amusement park in <Oz>.

「 «What are you doing here?» 」

I turned to find Yoo Jonghyuk wearing a fox headband, exactly as anticipated.」

… Even if it wasn’t that exact story, it mattered little. Since ‘fox’ was included, it was immediately applicable.

‘I select number 461.’

[The historical-grade story, ‘Owner of the Fox Ears Headband’ has been acquired.]

I began speaking at once.

Naturally, using this ‘story’ wouldn’t conjure a nonexistent fox.

This story contained not a fox, but ‘fox ears’.

[The story ‘Owner of the Fox Ear Headband’ initiates its storytelling.]

I observed my mask’s reflection in the window.

In this world, the ‘mask’ is said to be a story that shields one’s identity.

But if this ‘mask’ is truly a story.

‘Adhere.’

Then linking stories together should be possible.

‘Adhere.’

After several repetitions of the narrative.

[The story ‘Owner of the Fox Ears Headband’ resonates with your intent.]

My mask began to glow softly. The nearby prisoners gasped in amazement.

«Oh, oh—!»

The form of my previously featureless mask transformed before our eyes. The mask’s snout elongated and sharpened, and petite ears emerged atop it.

It now resembled a ‘fox mask’.

[The story ‘The Fox and the Crane’ observes you.]

The crane owner grasped my hand, moved.

«So, you… you were the fox?»

«No.»

The fox in this tale is deceased.

Even if I substitute for the fox and stage the story successfully, the effect will be fleeting.

«I can assist you, but even if we recreate the 「stage」, the impact will be temporary.»

«I understand.»

As with 「The Three Little Pigs」, altering the plot or introducing new elements might work, but these are stopgap measures.

«Don’t you wish to regain your fame?»

«What do you mean?»

«Originally, ‘The Fox and the Crane’ is as renowned as ‘The Three Little Pigs’.»

The owner appeared puzzled.

«Don’t you want your story to be known throughout the <Star Stream> once more?»

Crafting a story known across the <Star Stream> is the aspiration of every constellation in the sky.

«As you know, the stories of Zone 13 are weakening because you’re confined to the Recycling Center.»

«I know, but we cannot depart the center.»

«You cannot. But what of the ‘stories’?»

The crane owner regarded me with disbelief.

I nodded and continued.

«We will disseminate the stories from within the Recycling Center across the <Star Stream>.»

«That’s unfeasible. Constellations outside cannot learn of events inside the center. Stories originating here cannot gain fame.»

«In principle, yes.»

This marked the second phase of my strategy.

‘Bihyung’.

If they cannot see, then we must make it visible.

‘Open the channel.’

—You madman!

As expected, Bihyung responded swiftly.

—You lunatic! You insane fool!

‘Listen to me first.’

—Quiet, you maniac!

‘…’

—Do you have any idea what’s happening outside right now? Have you lost your mind?

‘What occurred?’

—You truly don’t know? Have you forgotten what you and your sponsor did just before entering the ‘Recycling Center’?

I recalled the events at the Washington Dome.

—Constellations are now amassing outside the Recycling Center, you realize?

‘Which constellations?’

—Who else could it be?

I could surmise.

<Asgard>, <Olympus>, <Ghost>, <Veda>, <Tree of Protection>.

Constellations from the nebulae targeting us at the Washington Dome must be present.

Other nebulae’s constellations, drawn by rumors, likely joined them.

The thought was somewhat daunting.

—Do you grasp the situation now?

Considering the scale of the actions taken by me and the ‘Demon King of Salvation’, it was expected.

The ‘Demon King of Salvation’ eliminated dozens of great-grade constellations from major nebulae in ‘Gingagap’ within the mythical stage <Asgard>.

Moreover, he defeated ‘Ares’, a narrative-grade entity among the 12 gods of <Olympus>.

Naturally, the constellations of <Asgard> and <Olympus> would be incensed. Other nebulae likely grew curious about us.

Some may have verified that the contract between me and the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ remains intact.

—You’ll be captured and thrown into the dungeons of ‘Tartaros’, subjected to brutal torture until your ego is erased, and turned into a puppet weapon!

‘Quite a vivid description.’

—So you must avoid capture at all costs. You’re hidden within the ‘Recycling Center’. Never venture outside. External constellations cannot enter, so you’ll be safe…

‘Thank you for your concern.’

—Why would I worry about you? I’m protecting my investment’s value! Recall our extended contract? Your sponsor…

‘I know.’

—Do you? Then why request a channel?

‘I’m not asking for a live broadcast. I want a channel solely for distributing stories.’

—No, what are you implying…

‘If the product holds value, it must be sold before that value depreciates.’

—What?

‘I heard everyone is awaiting my appearance?’

Even trapped inside the Recycling Center, I could sense it.

[The power of the story ‘The One Who Rewrites Fate’ intensifies.]

The tale of the Demon King of Salvation and me is spreading.

Yet, at this very moment, I, the incarnation of the ‘Demon King of Salvation’, am inside the ‘Recycling Center’.

As Bihyung noted, this is a place beyond the reach of external constellations.

Their curiosity about me will only intensify.

‘Then I must meet their expectations.’

We cannot remain in the ‘Recycling Center’ indefinitely. The time will come to escape and confront the nebulae.

Until then, the vast divide between the constellations and me must be narrowed.

‘Bihyung, you appreciate coins, correct?’

And in this <Star Stream>, there exists a highly efficient method to bridge that gap.

[The story ‘The Fox and the Crane’ halts its storytelling.]

[The story ‘The Magpie Who Returned the Favor’ halts its storytelling.]

[The story ‘The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg’ halts its storytelling.]

…

I declared, reshaping my mask.

‘Henceforth, I will feature in every story within Zone 13. Therefore, you—’

After all, trends are cyclical.

I grinned at the endless ‘recycled stories’.

‘Sell the stories I appear in to the constellations offering the most coins.’