Chapter 745

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

The <Zodiac> is a group that features frequently within ‘Ways of Survival’, and its members have come into conflict with Yoo Jonghyuk on numerous occasions.

A prime example of this is the ‘137th turn’.

Yet, to properly discuss the events of the 137th turn, one must first address what occurred in the 136th.

As any reader who has managed to re-read the story more than twice—like the Killer King—would be aware, during the 136th turn, Yoo Jonghyuk battled and emerged victorious against an ‘Outer God’ known as the ‘Dream Eater’.

[«I have become stronger.»]

To be more accurate, it was less of a proper battle and more of a one-sided struggle; Yoo Jonghyuk’s psychosis erupted—and this madness infected the ‘Outer God’, leading to a fortunate victory.

But regardless of how it was achieved, a win is still a win.

A story was born from it.

[The story ‘The One Who Murdered an Outer God’ has begun its storytelling.]

And that event marked the beginning of the 137th turn in question.

[The constellation ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ is glaring at incarnation Yoo Jonghyuk.]

[The constellation tells you to attend the ‘Zodiac Ball’ if you wish to confront the ‘Plague-Carrying Rat’.]

It was a provocation he would typically ignore. However, in the 137th turn, Yoo Jonghyuk had just defeated the ‘Dream Eater’, an Outer God, and was feeling particularly bold (as Han Sooyoung would say, his liver was sticking out), and since he never shied away from a fight, he was even less inclined to avoid one now.

Consequently, Yoo Jonghyuk walked into a trap at the ‘Zodiac Ball’ and was brutally lynched.

The final sights the dying Yoo Jonghyuk witnessed were a rabbit making off with his liver and a rat consuming his fingernails.

There is no way to know if the ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ went on to impersonate Yoo Jonghyuk afterwards, but one crucial lesson was imparted.

「 «A great-grade constellation is still a constellation.» 」

This was the final lesson Yoo Jonghyuk left behind in the 137th turn, after having his liver and fingernails torn out.

「 Therefore, if you encounter the true form of such a constellation, you must escape by any means necessary. 」

This was precisely the advice that applied to my current situation.

[The constellation ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ is peering into you.]

A pitch-black shadow enveloped Zone 13.

At the edge of this shadow, the outline of a tiger gradually materialized, as if shedding a layer of darkness.

Its height was reminiscent of a towering mountain.

Two crimson eyes, positioned high on this mountain, were fixed on me.

They seemed to be meticulously inspecting me, as one would a delivered product, checking for any damage or imperfections.

After a moment of suffocating silence, the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ smiled, appearing satisfied.

[Have you arrived at last?]

The instant I heard its voice, a wave of intense nausea washed over me.

Yoo Jonghyuk had been correct.

A great-grade constellation is indeed a constellation. A being who has forged great stories and become a star in the sky.

And this was the true voice of a ‘great-grade constellation’. An ordinary person’s head would have burst the moment they heard it.

The only reason my companions and I remained unharmed was that the stories we had accumulated thus far provided significant protection.

«Dokja-ssi, what is that—»

As Kyung Sein began to speak, Ye Hyunwoo raised a finger to his lips, silently urging her not to interfere.

The ‘Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake’ offered a strange smile, as if amused by our reaction.

[My little bean sprout, you have grown considerably since we last met.]

It was a distasteful way of putting it.

[Now you are about a small section in size.]

Was that a joke from the era of 「Sun and Moon」?

Only then did my frozen companions begin to regain their composure, one by one.

It seemed this newly arrived Zodiac member held no immediate hostility toward us.

This was further evidenced by the fact that the bear beastmen had ceased all movement upon its appearance.

[I have been waiting for you for a very long time.]

I assessed the situation and decided to speak.

«For someone who waited so long, you’ve been remarkably silent lately.»

A considerable amount of time had passed since I entered the ‘Recycling Center’. In that time, I had taken first place in the ‘Zodiac Race’, cleared the scenario ‘The Three Little Pigs’, and defeated the Pig Constellation Brothers.

Yet, throughout all these events, the ‘Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake’ had not once offered its support.

Even though this was the home territory of the <Zodiac>.

Given our past exchanges, I had expected more, and I felt a twinge of disappointment.

I had, after all, received the ‘core of the demon race’ from it early on, and I had hoped to express my gratitude if given the chance—

[Little one, why did you select Zone 13?]

Its tone was now completely serious, devoid of any jest.

Considering I had only ever communicated with it through ‘indirect messages’, I had no real insight into its actual personality.

‘The Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake’ didn’t wait for my reply and shook its head before continuing.

[Well, it is of no real consequence. You simply need to change locations.]

«Change locations?»

[There is no more time to waste on children’s games.]

The tiger waved a paw dismissively through the air.

A high portal in the sky swirled to life, emitting a brilliant light.

[Come with me. I will become your sponsor.]

It was a suggestion delivered with the arrogance typical of a constellation.

I responded cautiously.

«I already have a sponsor.»

Even if he was currently in a moribund state, out of contact, and rarely helpful even when he wasn’t, that sponsor was still mine.

I couldn’t simply betray him over this. I had no intention of ever betraying him.

[The synchronization rate with your sponsor has increased.]

The tiger twitched its lips, visibly displeased by my response.

[That is irrelevant. I wish to be your ‘supporter’, not your ‘sponsor’.]

«What does that mean?»

[You shall act as my agent in the upcoming ‘Zodiac Scenario’.]

An agent for the next scenario.

While the specifics were unclear, one thing was certain: the ‘Tiger Who Eats Rice Cake’ was seeking an incarnation to represent its interests in the forthcoming scenario.

If that was the case, then I held some leverage.

«I apologize, but I have a scenario to complete here in Zone 13.»

[If you accompany me, you need not trouble yourself with such trivial scenarios.]

A system message chimed in the air alongside a low hum.

[The constellation ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ activates the power of the zodiac.]

[The agent selected by the constellation, ‘Tiger’, is permitted to omit the sub-scenario of the ‘Recycling Center’.]

A sense of dread washed over me.

Wait a second. Is it ‘omitting’ the scenario I’ve been working through?

Just as a bright beam of light flashed from the tiger’s massive right paw—

[No, no, no, no.]

A timid, trembling mantra was heard from behind me. A faint, pale whisper that was hard to believe came from a constellation.

[You, you can’t go…!]

The Nail-Eating Rat.

The gaze of the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ shifted slowly from me. The rat, which had peeked out from behind my back, hastily ducked its head down. I could feel its tremors through my back.

The ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ spoke. Its true form, half-shrouded in shadow, revealed a flash of white fangs.

[So the rat was hiding in a place like this.]

Its mantra was thick with killing intent. The pressure was immense, making it difficult to breathe.

[I should have eliminated you immediately. This will serve as your grave.]

«Wait.»

I moved to stand protectively in front of the ‘Nail-Eating Rat’. The ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’s’ eyebrows arched sharply.

[Little one, what do you think you are doing?]

The hostile atmosphere intensified. I could feel the stories around us beginning to boil over.

Truthfully, this was not a situation for a mere incarnation like myself to intervene. The ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ was, after all, one of the <zodiac signs>.

But was that reason enough to stay out of it? In the main narrative, the ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ was one of the constellations that had tormented Kim Dokja and ultimately met its end.

However, if my memory served me correctly, at least within this particular episode, the ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ had not been an antagonist.

「 [The constellation ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ has sponsored you 100 coins.] 」

This entity had been supporting me from the beginning.

「 [The constellation ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ agrees with incarnation ‘Jung Heewon’.] 」

It had helped Jung Heewon awaken and had lent its power when I was short on probability.

And most crucially, it possessed information I needed concerning the ‘Misreading Association’.

«Tiger Eating Rice Cake. You surely don’t intend to reveal your full status here.»

Surely that was reason enough to take a calculated risk.

«You likely don’t know who else is present here.»

With a glance from me, my faithful escort emerged—Lycaon Isparang, the First Wolf.

【Step aside, Zodiac.】

His mere utterance of a mantra brought a profound silence to the area. Even though his full power was restricted by his contract with me, reducing him to little more than a figurehead, he was still an Outer God.

*Tsutsutsu…*

Honestly, I was immensely grateful for even this level of assistance. Just voicing this mantra was likely a significant burden for Lycaon.

[The constellation ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ glares at the ‘Lost Guide’.]

As I had anticipated, the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ seemed to take Lycaon’s presence into account.

Lycaon had already defeated the symbol of the pig constellations. Even the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ would want to avoid an unnecessary confrontation.

From what I knew, every member of the Chinese Zodiac was a coward at heart.

But there was something I had failed to consider.

For instance, in the 137th turn of ‘Ways of Survival’, Yoo Jonghyuk had said this:

「 When their opponent is ‘weak’, the Zodiac members become relentlessly persistent predators. 」

[Do you take me for a fool?]

Surprisingly, the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’ appeared completely unfazed by Lycaon’s presence.

[If that one could truly use its strength, it would have aided you when the bears attacked.]

It was the perfect retort.

[For a ‘Outer God’ to exist within this low-level scenario, it must have agreed to a contract with severely limiting terms. I am already aware that it cannot move.]

I hadn’t expected it to have deduced the nature of the ‘Outerworldly Covenant’.

[Your cleverness has been sufficiently demonstrated. I suggest you cease these games.]

I was genuinely taken aback.

This wasn’t the ‘Reclining Dragon’; this was the Tiger Eating Rice Cake?

Though my bluff had been called, I maintained my composure.

«Even if Lycaon cannot fight, the principle remains. If you use your power here, you will likely face repercussions. If I were to stop you—»

[My actions are well within the bounds of probability. Did I not already tell you?]

A ringing filled my ears. A story was being recounted in real-time.

「 If you give me a piece of rice cake, I won’t eat it. 」

Only then did I understand the true meaning of this ‘story’.

[I have merely come to collect my ‘rice cake’.]

With that declaration, a system message echoed in my mind.

[You have signed a contract with the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’.]

[You received the ‘Demon Core’ in return for the contract.]

[You are obligated to attend the ‘Zodiac Ball’ in return for the ‘Demon Core’.]

I never could have guessed that the promise made back then had been formalized into a ‘contract’.

This was undoubtedly an ability of the ‘Tiger Eating Rice Cake’.

To lower my guard, it had given me a desperately needed item, but attached to a condition that seemed minor—attending a ball—effectively hiding the fact it was a binding contract.

[Do you understand now, little one?]

Now I was compelled to attend the ‘Zodiac Ball’ without any possibility of refusal.

While I was displeased at suddenly being made its agent, attending a ball wasn’t an impossible demand.

The real problem was this:

If I left, would the rest of my party members be able to clear the scenario on their own?