Chapter 490: 490

Every Dokkaebi dreamed of becoming the ‘Great Dokkaebi’ . That was the peak of one’s tale that a ’s Dokkaebi could reach .

Yet, those that did reach the top continued to dream .

Bihyung stared at the [Final Wall] utterly filling up the view out from the front of the Ark . Even though so many stories existed, most of the wall was still empty .

[… . Is there a reason to go this far??]

Bihyung’s anger caused the Great Dokkaebis’ communication line to go silent . He then continued to observe the ’s companions from the skies of the Final Scenario . And at the figure of Kim Dok-Ja as the Outer God .

Starting from the subway that day, all the way up to the Final Scenario; while Kim Dok-Ja became the Demon King of Salvation, then became the ‘Watcher of Light and Darkness’, Bihyung also became a higher class Dokkaebi, before eventually ending up as a Great Dokkaebi himself .

⸢The biggest mistake a storyteller can make is excessively interfering in a scenario . ⸥

Dokkaebis’ mission was to attract as much attention of the Constellations and create stories that would be recorded on the ‘Final Wall’ .

That was why Dokkaebis should never be dragged around by the scenarios themselves . They must never be seduced by the Fables blooming from within the scenarios, and especially should not empathise with the Incarnations’ pain .

But, Bihyung made that very blunder .

While looking at their Fable, several of the feelings he had forgotten in the past woke back up again – that flutter of one’s heart when one scenario ended and the next one came around; that sense of fulfilment after seeing the Constellations rejoice or wallow from the scenario he had cooked up .

Bihyung learned about ‘scenario’ from Kim Dok-Ja .

[They are not carrying out the scenario incorrectly . From the beginning, ‘scenario’ flows in a reversible, malleable way . Meaning, it flows in the direction that many stars wish to see . Other Constellations of are… . ]

[Looks like you care greatly about this Fable since you helped to foster it, but listen well . There is something called the flow of the bigger story . ]

Bihyung was about to raise his voice only to hold himself back . He had to, as every other Great Dokkaebi was now focusing on him . Although vexing, he had no choice as the youngest in this group .

Great Dokkaebi ‘Garang’ finally broke the silence it had been maintaining until now . [A young Great Dokkaebi such as yourself probably finds such Conclusions quite fresh . However, I’ve witnessed Fables like that many times before . Do you honestly think that, in its immense history, there had been no one else who resented and tried to destroy it?]

The Great Dokkaebi Garang, one of the oldest Dokkaebis in existence, and also the closest aid to the ‘Dokkaebi King’, too .

[There have been countless destructions before . ]

Bihyung simply couldn’t unpack the remorse faintly discernible from that tone of voice .

[Not all destruction is the same,] replied Bihyung .

A few Great Dokkaebis glared at him as a warning . However, he tried his best not to shrink back and held Garang’s gaze . The latter stared at the former with mysterious, profound eyes and only after a lengthy amount of time, opened its mouth . [Indeed, the ■■ they dream of is slightly different from other Fables . ]

Perhaps that statement got on its nerves, the Great Dokkaebi Onsae stopped observing and tried to intervene . Garang raised its hand first and stopped its colleague while continuing on with its words .

[But, that difference is the threat itself . Not every Fable will become a foundation for the next one . ]

[What do you mean by that?]

[There are certain Fables that will completely break the scenario . ]

Gah-aaaaaaah!!

The screams from the ‘Nameless Ones’ .

Once upon a time, they too were beings that participated in different scenarios . They cried out in despair and attacked the Constellations . And in their centre was the Outer God King Kim Dok-Ja leading these godly beings from the other worlds .

⸢The Enemy of the Story . ⸥

To Bihyung’s knowledge, no other calamity was given that title . He hadn’t even heard of the plan to give that title in the first place .

Garang continued on while watching Kim Dok-Ja’s resistance .

[At the beginning of every scenario, the protagonists will always experience the deviation from the normal world . They will fight against the enemies appearing before them, experience dilemmas, and sacrifice something in order to emerge victorious before returning to their original world to receive their deserved rewards . ]

Bihyung knew of that theory . The first thing the lower-ranked Dokkaebis would hear about was that ancient rule of the scenario .

[Although outdated, that is still the focal point of the scenario . This cycle has to be protected so that the next scenario can be created, and the next world-line can open up . Conflicts will be mended, wounds will be healed; the world must remain in one piece as if nothing had happened to it . ]

The distant foot of a mountain range collapsed before exploding spectacularly . The number of Constellations gathering was constantly increasing .

Bihyung knew the truth . This very ‘Final Scenario’ had been planned from the get-go .

⸢The end of the world will come, and then, it’ll be defeated . ⸥

That imaginary enemy called the ‘Outer God King’ only existed for that sole purpose . Stars that once used to be at odds with each other would unite against the advent of a powerful enemy and fight together; some may die and some may survive, but they would still get to resolve all the old conflicts . The world would regain its peace . The gossipers would sing about this history and pass it down through the generations .

⸢And nothing will change . will continue on . ⸥

And that was the truth of the ‘scenario’ that the Dokkaebis pursued .

The scenario must cycle back and repeat itself .

[The absolute majority of Constellations are excited by the ‘Final Scenario’!]

To ensure that no one realised what the actually was, and why the scenario had to be repeated, brand new stories had to be supplied to the Constellations . However, there were a few that resisted against this .

[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, is continuing with its storytelling!]

[Great Fable, ‘Torch that Swallowed the Myth’, is rejecting the predetermined development . ]

Those that resisted against the scenarios predetermined for them, and they wished to bring down the existence of the itself .

[Incarnation ‘Han Su-Yeong’s’ ■■ is ‘Neverending Story’!]

The ⸢Neverending Story⸥ .

The contradicting ■■ that didn’t acknowledge the end as an end, was glowing brightly over yonder . That was the conclusion an author, not a storyteller of the universe, had decided on .

They were existences that rejected the ’s cycle and chose to fight on forever .

Kwa-aaaaaaah!

As the explosion roared on, the Great Dokkaebi Garang finally made its declaration . [Let us close the lid on this world-line here . ]

The Great Dokkaebis keeping silent, and those that were observing the responses of their peers until then, all nodded their heads in unison .

Even before Bihyung could say something, Baram next to him spoke up first . [Bihyung, I’m sorry, but things have come down to this . It seems that you’ll have to overlook it this time . ]

The moment Bihyung saw Baram’s expression, he realised the truth . Every single Great Dokkaebi gathered here was the universe’s best storytellers . They were the rulers that lorded over the scenarios and manipulated the stars while controlling this world-line .

Even then, for the first time ever, they had grown fearful of the ‘story’ they had created .

[We will use up the remaining Probability in order to forcibly execute the main scenario . ]

‘Forcibly executing’ the scenario was the last trump card up their sleeve that the Dokkaebis could resort to . It was kind of a ‘deus ex machina’ that could forcefully restrict the flow of at the cost of the truly nonsensical amount of Probability .

Especially so when trying to use it during the Final Scenario – the amount required simply defied one’s imaginations .

Tsu-chuchuchuchu!

When the Bureau’s Probability began moving, the skies over the whole of was blanketed by blinding explosion of sparks . There didn’t seem to be any spot left for darkness to hide within this world-line .

[They must end as ‘evil’ . ]

As if to agree with the will of the Great Dokkaebis, Great Fables began supporting them .

[Great Fable, ‘Temple of the Destroyed Myth’, is complying with the Bureau’s will!]

[Great Fable, ‘Advent of the New Dawn’, is agreeing with the flow!]

[Great Fable, ‘Eternal Olympus’, respects the Bureau’s will!]

Bihyung watched the final pages being written by the Great Dokkaebis from a step away .

[Other Great Dokkaebis are strongly urging you to make your decision!]

He was yet to agree with this conclusion .

[Bihyung!]

Even though Baram called out to him, he didn’t reply .

[ is resisting against the Great Dokkaebis’ interference!]

The sparks in the skies soon reached the Great Dokkaebis . An incredible storm of aftermaths was rushing in . Even if they were Great Dokkaebis, trying to intervene in a scenario still required this much price to pay .

[I, ‘Great Dokkaebi Garang’, declare my intention to officially participate in the scenario!]

Garam’s declaration prompted other Great Dokkaebis to make theirs as well .

[I, ‘Great Dokkaebi Noksu’, declare my intention to… . ]

[I, ‘Great Dokkaebi Haram’, declare… . . ]

Over ten Great Dokkaebis were hardening their resolve . The meaning of officially participating in the scenario meant they were giving up on the positions of neutral bystanders .

A short while later, a message could be heard in the empty air .

[’s Probability is experiencing a massive and sudden change!]

[ permits the meta-like intervention . ]

[From here onwards, ‘storytellers’ will no longer be the scenario’s bystanders . ]

[Many Constellations are greatly stunned by the Great Dokkaebis’ decision!]

[A portion of Constellations are denouncing the Great Dokkaebis’ act of brutality… . !]

Bihyung stared at those Great Dokkaebis . He stared at their desire to end this world, even going as far as to ignore the Constellations and their messages of opposition .

It could be that they had been writing the ‘scenario’ for far too long .

There was another gaze from afar staring at these Great Dokkaebis . Bihyung met this gaze .

It was from Kim Dok-Ja, who had become an Outer God and then, the ⸢Enemy of the Story⸥ . After he became an existence outside of the scenario, not even Bihyung could understand him now .

Even then, why? Bihyung thought that, in that very moment, Kim Dok-Ja seemed to be smiling . It could very well be that these Great Dokkaebis still didn’t understand anything about that guy . Still failing to understand what kind of a person Kim Dok-Ja was .

Failing to realise what it meant to officially participate in the scenario, and to become its characters .

Bihyung silently received that gaze, and took a step forward .

[Your ■■ is calling out to you . ]

And so, it was now Bihyung’s turn to choose his ■■ .

*

The intervention from the Great Dokkaebis caused the scenario’s balance to tilt the other way .

[The target you wish to protect is the ⸢Enemy of the Story⸥ . ]

[Your actions are restricted by the ⸢Bureau⸥’s Probability!]

Not just Han Su-Yeong, but the rest of the companions were being sucked into the storm of the Probability’s aftermaths as well . Pale-blue sparks tightly wrapped around their bodies like binding ropes .

“Su-Yeong-ssi, this!”

“Those sons of bitches… They are planning to end the scenario in this way . ”

[Great Fable, ‘Season of Light and Darkness’, is quietly seething in anger . ]

[Great Fable, ‘Liberator of the Forgotten Ones’, has begun its storytelling!]

The ’s Great Fables did absolutely everything in order to resist the Bureau . However, it wasn’t enough . Their enemy this time was the strongest ‘Great Fable’ in this world .

[Now! Attack its head!!]

Constellations managed to pry open the gap among the Nameless Ones and advanced forward, before finally firing their weapons at Kim Dok-Ja .

“Kim Dok-Ja!”

Han Su-Yeong cried out, but her voice couldn’t reach him .

[You can’t protect the target . ]

[Target you wish to protect is an existence you don’t know . ]

“… . . Screw you, don’t give me that crap . ”

She recalled what the Great Dokkaebis said as if it was some kind of a curse .

A human couldn’t understand another even after devoting one’s lifetime .

⸢However, they weren’t just one person . ⸥

Han Su-Yeong looked around her . Yi Hyeon-Seong, Jeong, Hui-Won, Yi Ji-Hye, and then, Shin Yu-Seung and Yi Gil-Yeong; finally, her comrades riding on the battleship were looking back at her .

Perhaps, there was none among them who weren’t ‘Kim Dok-Ja’ . Everyone here, they held at least one handful of share in Kim Dok-Ja’s life .

However, there was one person missing from this picture .

‘Where did that guy disappear to??’

Han Su-Yeong bit her lip . Unfortunately, she couldn’t wait any longer .

“Aaaaaah!”

Jeong Hui-Won screamed as if her body was being torn apart while moving forward . The storm of aftermath was shattering her muscles and blowing up her blood vessels . Still, she forged ahead even as her tattered, bloodied body tottered unsteadily . She took one step at a time towards Kim Dok-Ja while gripping the [Judge’s Sword] tightly . It wasn’t to cut him down, though .

Claaaaang!

Jeong Hui-Won deflected a blade of a Constellation flying in only to vomit out a mouthful of blood . Yi Hyeon-Seong was right behind her .

Ku-dudududu!

The Outer God-ified Kim Dok-Ja was fighting against the Constellations from within the storm of aftermath . And his comrades were protecting him even as they were left in tatters by the exploding sparks .

“… . There are this many people here, yet we can’t protect Kim Dok-Ja?”

[Fable, ‘Predictive Plagiarism’, has begun its storytelling!]

[Fable, ‘Saviour of the Star’, is searching for the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ . ]

[Fable, ‘Insect King’, is searching for the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ . ]

[Fable, ‘Judge of the Apocalypse’, is searching for the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ . ]

Every Fable they owned was searching for Kim Dok-Ja . They were crying out towards the man they used to know .

[Fable, ‘Predictive Plagiarism’, is continuing with its storytelling!]

If they couldn’t fight together because they couldn’t understand him, and if that’s why they couldn’t protect him, then…

[Many Constellations are sighing in lamentation at the ’s tragedy . ]

[A Portion of Constellations are lodging a protest at the Bureau’s treachery and… . !]

Blood trickled down Han Su-Yeong’s lips . Dizziness assaulted her overheating head and her consciousness was wavering . It was also right then that someone grasped her shoulder .

She thought that curly blonde locks were dancing past her eyes, only for something to start protecting her and the companions . It felt like a transparent wall was enveloping them .

[‘Wall of Impossible Communication’ is protecting !]

Jang Ha-Yeong materialised her wall, and while supporting Han Su-Yeong, began walking towards Kim Dok-Ja .

“Is there anyone here who likes the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ more than me?”

Tsu-chuchuchut!

⸢Dok-Ja-ssi, I’ll stop telling you about that story of the lost things . It feels like you’re fed up… . ⸥

⸢Hyung, I’m right here . I have something I want to tell you . ⸥

⸢Don’t worry . I won’t go anywhere without you, ahjussi . ⸥

Sentences were scattering away .

Fables that had compiled so far were now intertwining into one theme .

[A fragment of the ‘Final Wall’ has been revealed to the world!]

[Great Dokkaebis are greatly astonished!]

[‘Wall of Impossible Communication’ is placing its fragment into its place . ]

While being supported by Jang Ha-Yeong, Han Su-Yeong reached out to the ‘Outer God King’ Kim Dok-Ja . She felt the sensation of touching a wall . A cold and uncaring wall .

[Nebula, ’s first ‘theme’ has been publicly unveiled!]

This wall existed in order to let others know that someone was beyond it . To let them know there was a person requiring a wall in this world .

To let them know one could converse with another without hurting each other .

Han Su-Yeong wrote her very first words on that impossible wall .

⸢You idiot . ⸥

She couldn’t believe that she wrote something that stupid . However, she didn’t have any energy left to write a follow-up .

It was then that the wall began shaking .

Accompanied by a light knocking noise, a new sentence she didn’t write appeared above the wall .

⸢■■■… . . Han Su-Yeong . ⸥

Fin .