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Chapter 408: Episode 77 – Final Dragon (5)

The dark but warm current of air approached us from behind. Since I knew whose Status that was, a subtle little grin automatically formed on my lips.

[To make <Underworld> be responsible for the Probability needed for summoning....]

“I’m still at an age where I’d like to rely on my parents, you see.”

[I heard that youths of the Korean Peninsula become independent early in their lives, but I guess I was wrong.]

I recalled the day I left the relatives’ place for lodging in a hostel. I was seventeen back then.

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. “Well, a young man like myself is needed to keep the balance, you know.”

[Constellation, ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’, has incarnated into the scenario!]

Abruptly, a corner of my heart began tingling just a little. I ended up remembering the empty spots reserved for my parents during school events, back when I was still a student.

I always wondered how my friends felt back then. What did it feel like, having someone fill up those spots, having someone who’d come to you when you called out to them?

[Constellation, ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’, has unleashed her Status!]

And now, I thought I could finally understand what they felt back then.

Persephone stood beside me and while looking at Hades blocking the intense wave of heat, spoke. [But, we agreed that it’s my turn to ride Pluto this time... him and his short fuse.]

The heat blocked by Hades spread out like ashes in the air. Perhaps realising that a powerful opponent had appeared, the Apocalypse Dragon strengthened its momentum as well.

Kuwaaaaah-!!

Pluto at the far front was getting slowly pushed back as it continued to deal with the intense heat. That made sense, though; Hades was yet to fully unleash his Status.

[Constellation, ‘Father of the Rich Night’, is wobbling as he looks back at his wife.]

[I told you that it’d be not possible with you alone, didn’t I?]

[Constellation, ‘Father of the Rich Night’, is looking at his wife with an unfortunate expression.]

Judging from the unfolding situation, I could more or less tell what was going on here. On the armour of Pluto, with Hades inside, Fables were wiggling about and going on a rampage.

[Fable, ‘Listening to One’s Wife Would get you Tteok Even When You’re Asleep’ has begun its storytelling!]

Persephone sighed grandly and raised her hands up as if to conduct a concert. And right afterwards, small, musical-note-like objects began floating up from the tips of her fingers.

Like the introduction of a classical piece, the Fable started opening up.

[Constellation, ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’, is mobilising <Underworld>’s Probability!]

Hades wasn’t the only ruler of <Underworld>. Indeed, Persephone was not ‘Queen Consort’, but the ‘Queen Regnant’. Meaning, these two possessed an equal amount of shares of <Underworld>.

Hades’s attributes were darkness and fire. The guardian of <Olympus>’s night and hell was finally rousing up his true Status.

[Constellation, ‘Father of the Rich Night’, is unleashing his Status!]

For a moment there, an incredible impact force akin to my entire body being smacked around overwhelmed me. I wobbled about, my vision dizzily shaking around, but still, I raised my head to see Pluto standing up there like an incarnation of darkness and fire.

[Final Scenario’s Constellations are very dissatisfied!]

[Final Scenario’s Constellations are keeping a wary eye on ‘Father of the Rich Night’!]

[Final Scenario’s Constellations are complaining about <Underworld>’s interference!] action

[A high number of Constellations are impressed by the participation of ‘Father of the Rich Night’!]

Kwa-kwakwakwakwa!

Agni from <Vedas> was dead, while the Constellations tasked with dealing with fire from both <Asgard> and <Emperor> had run off quite some time ago. As for Surya, he was using the rays of light from himself to generate something similar to flames and continue his fight that way, but half of his Fable had disintegrated already. This was the power of the Calamity that hundreds of Constellations couldn’t stop.

And Hades was blocking that Calamity by himself.

[Hades, hasn’t it been a while since you completely cut loose like this?]

Hades roared out, and Persephone continued her vigorous conducting in synch with his roar. Fables flowing out from her hands permeated into Pluto’s entire frame.

This was the power of <Underworld>, having long been obscured under <Olympus>’s shadow. They were finally proving themselves.

[Fable Weapon, ‘Pluto’, is using the Star Relic, ‘Aegis Shield’!]

Constellations from <Olympus> also added their powers, as well. Athena lent her own shield, while others sacrificed Probability of their own Great Fables to lend their strengths.

Up until now, I always thought that the Constellations of the night sky weren’t all that impressive. But then, I realised for the first time ever, today, that my thoughts should change.

[Many Constellations are grateful for the King of Underworld’s incarnation.]

[The absolute majority of Constellations are respectful of ‘Father of the Rich Night’.]

[The absolute majority of Constellations are singing the praises of ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’!]

Now that I’ve gotten to witness Hades valiantly defending against the destruction of the world, I could truly appreciate what ‘myth’ was for the first time in my life.

The willingness to risk his life when confronted by the world’s doom; maybe, that was the epic of heroes that the 1st generation of Dokkaebis wanted to show to the Constellations.

“Why are you so dazed like that? It’s not over yet, so get your act together.”

I looked back to find Yu Jung-Hyeok and his stiff expression glaring at me. He too had been sacrificing himself for the greater cause. What would he be thinking of right now as he watched Hades?

[Hahaha, hey, subway grasshopper man! This is my true power! Keke, kekekeke!]

Kim Nam-Wun’s voice came out from Pluto’s head.

Ah, so he was also there, wasn’t he.

[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, is enjoying Pluto’s madness.]

Yup, definitely a couple from the original storyline...

[Second Phase will come to an end soon.]

In any case, the current situation was favourable for us. The flames of the intense heatwave decreased at a rapid rate, and Hades was ably defending against that. Pluto’s durability seemed more than enough for the job at hand, and the number of Constellations adding their Probability also was increasing bit by bit.

How long passed by like that? Finally, the flames of the intense heatwave were extinguished.

[Second Phase has concluded.]

[Congratulations. You have safely negotiated the second shockwave of the ‘First Tail-Flick’!]

We were able to withstand this phase, all because everyone worked together.

If Jeong Hui-Won and Han Su-Yeong didn’t try their best, if Yi Ji-Hye didn’t charge forward with her battleship, if the Underworld’s couple didn’t arrive on time....

If just one part of that was missing, then we couldn’t have stopped it.

[The absolute majority of Constellations are enjoying this ‘Great Fable’.]

[Final Scenario’s Constellations are uncomfortable with this ‘Great Fable’.]

Finally, we had managed to survive two out of the three phases.

All phases of the ‘First Tail-Flick’ needed to be subjugated at the beginning in order to minimise the damage. If this was back in the original story, dozens of Nebulas would have been destroyed by now and at least one-eighth of the sky, crumbled away to oblivion.

And some spare time to get ready for the last phase should be given to us again.

Ku-gugugugu!

“Dok-Ja-ssi! Over there!”

I quickly looked back after hearing Jeong Hui-Won’s voice, and discovered something flooding out from the Apocalypse Dragon’s tail.

But, the intense heatwave phase had come to an end already? This couldn’t be.

Metatron spoke up as if to put a voice to my thoughts. [It’s a lot quicker than expected.]

[Scenario’s Probability is being adjusted due to the entrance of Myth-grade Constellations.]

[Scenario’s Probability has increased the phase progression speed.]

[‘Third Phase’ will begin in thirty seconds.]

As if to stop the start of the phase, Hades used his Status to pressure the Apocalypse Dragon. Even Persephone and other Constellations were looking really concerned right now.

[....My son.]

If the third phase got underway now, then not even Hades would be able to stop it.

His attributes were darkness and fire; meaning, he was not a suitable Constellation to defend against the third shockwave.

I asked Metatron. “How long until the seal is complete?”

[I’m not certain if it can be done in time.]

A faint trace of despair seemed to have dyed the Archangel’s expression. He must’ve been in the middle of finally realising what he had done.

[I shall buy us time.]

It was Michael who said that; he had been saving up his Status up until now. Maybe he was stimulated by Hades’s actions earlier, because he began unleashing all of his Status and flapping his wings.

He was half ‘Good’ and half ‘Evil’.

Metatron looked at the Fable appearing on Michael’s face and spoke up. [‘Demon King of Salvation’. I’m sure you know this already. The third shockwave can only be resisted by existences possessing the power of ‘Chaos’.]

The shockwave began stirring in the distance.

The previous two shockwaves we had experienced were, technically speaking, not real ‘shockwaves’, but simply the harbinger of the third wave. What we were about to face off against now was the true ‘First Tail-flick’ itself.

Metatron asked. [You also have someone on your side with the power of ‘Chaos’, don’t you?]

I scanned my companions as well as other Constellations.

Honestly speaking, there was no point in doing that. Not even Yu Jung-Hyeok could use the ‘Chaos’ attribute.

Because ‘Chaos’ was not an attribute, but more like an anti-attribute, that was why. Now originally, ‘Chaos’ was not a power Constellations or Demon Kings were permitted to enjoy.

[Power of ‘Fruit of Good and Evil’ is wiggling inside you.]

But then, I was both a Constellation and a Demon King, an existence that couldn’t be categorised as either.

A Demon King who had consumed the ‘Fruit of Good and Evil’.

[It should be possible with you.]

I nodded my head.

The nature of ‘Chaos’ was disorder. If it was me who went against the order of both, it’d be possible to go up against the power of Chaos, too.

It was then, someone grasped my shoulder.

“I can also do this.”

“Hui-Won-ssi?”

I saw the Ring of Chaos within Jeong Hui-Won’s eyes. Her hair, now bleached pure white, slowly danced upwards under the mysterious and ominous aura.

I instantly realised what she had awakened as.

“Very well. Let’s give it a shot.”

I then looked up into the sky.

Actually, I had been searching for a certain Constellation’s presence in the night sky for a while now, but unfortunately, I couldn’t sense it. If that guy helped us out, we’d be able to overcome this somehow. I even had a plan in mind for that, too....

[‘Third Phase’ is commencing!]

It seemed that it was too late now.

[Demon King, ‘King of the Corrupted Angels’, is unleashing his Status!]

[Constellation, ‘Saviour of the Corrupted’, is unleashing his Status!]

One existence who possessed two Modifiers – Michael displayed his true power and rushed towards the forefront. Indeed, those Statuses were more than enough to make him feel confident about himself.

[Judgement Field.]

His speciality that almost wrung me to death in the past began stretching out towards the shockwave of Chaos. It was the wall of judgement, bestowed onto this world through the divine grace.

Kwa-kwakwakwakwa!!

The so-called invincible Field was easily shattered, however. Forget about defending against the wave, it couldn’t even buy one second. Michael screamed loudly as he watched his [Judgement Field] shatter like glass.

The Calamity of the 89th scenario, the Chaos’s shockwave that had far surpassed that of the original storyline, proceeded to crush Michael’s body and utterly disintegrate him.

Yu Jung-Hyeok’s voice resounded out from behind me. “Dodge it!!”

It seemed that Yu Jung-Hyeok had realised something was off. This shockwave was definitely on another realm compared to the previous two.

I finished making up my mind and was about to step forward, but then, Jeong Hui-Won stood in my way.

“Hui-Won-ssi.”

“Please shut up. I knew something like this would happen.”

Her back, turned towards me, didn’t show any movement – as if she knew what I was trying to do. Yi Hyeon-Seong’s giant frame was still dangling on her back. I saw his sleeping face, having fallen into the steel-like slumber in order to protect someone.

I opened my lips again. “Hui-Won-ssi. If someone must risk their life, then....”

“Don’t even try it. I’ll really go crazy if you do.”

[Fable, ‘Demon King of Salvation’, has begun its storytelling.]

[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, has begun its storytelling.]

As if resonating with her emotions, the two Fables began telling their stories. They were acquired through experiencing similar circumstances.

[Stigma, ‘Sacrifice’s Will Lv.8’, is currently active.]

And this Stigma was acquired by going through similar situations, too. I was aware of how much this Stigma hurt Jeong Hui-Won.

Even then, I still had to say it. “If that wave isn’t stopped here, Hyeon-Seong-ssi will die.”

I had to become more callous than anyone.

“There is a way to stop that. If you were me, Hui-Won-ssi, what would you have done?”

“I don’t want to hear it, so please!”

Jeong Hui-Won turned around, her eyes red with tears.

“Yes, you do have a way! I know already! You’re someone like that, Dok-Ja-ssi! You always have a damn, stinking plan that only you know, and when you use it, you’ll end up dying!”

“I think you’re mistaken about something. I’m not going to die.”

She didn’t possess the skill [Lie Detection].

“Now is a different story compared to in the past. Hui-Won-ssi, you and our other companions have changed, yes? I’ve chosen to do this because I believe in you. That is why....” I spoke while turning my head away. “Hui-Won-ssi. You must save me later.”

I used the powers of [Way of the Wind] and [Lightning Transformation] to blow her back to the rear.

“Kim Dok-J...!!”

The moment I greeted the shockwave rushing towards my face, I roared out in my true voice with everything I had. [Surya!!]

At the end of my roar, a train rushing forward from behind picked me up. As it was created in haste, the train looked rather bizarre, what with only its front portion existing.

[Let’s go.]

As I sensed Surya’s Status supporting me from behind, the train set off.

[Great Fable, ‘Torch that Swallowed the Myth’, has begun its storytelling!]

The train used the Great Fable as its fuel to advance forward – past the fragments of Fables and towards the Chaos’s shockwave.

Kwa-dudududuk!!

Accompanied by the impact force akin to my entire body being shattered into pieces, the debris of the train flew about all over the place.

Michael’s half-destroyed Incarnation Body trapped within the storm was now looking at me. [You bastard....!]

I went past him and continued to press forward. It felt as if my consciousness was fading away. [The 4th Wall] continued to issue warning bells, and all the Fables I possessed screamed out in pain.

They were shouting out in one voice that we couldn’t withstand this. That we’d all die for sure.

Beyond the shockwave that reverted all existence back to nothingness, I felt the Apocalypse Dragon’s gaze land on me.

[You cannot stop this.]

I felt that gaze and smirked.

You’re right. I can’t stop you. Well, you’re not a mere lifeform that can be killed, but the ‘calamity’ itself, after all. You’re ‘something’ that far exceeds Constellations and Demon Kings.

There was no way that a lone Constellation could resist against such a Calamity.

However, I knew of another Calamity of this magnitude.

[Constellations of <Star Stream> have figured out your scheme and are freaking out!]

[Final Scenario’s Constellations are greatly astonished by your plan!]

[All Dokkaebis in the Bureau are looking at the scenario’s Probability....]

A scarcely-believable amount of sparks exploded and went on a frenzy in the air. Simply trying to call out its name caused such a reaction. I let all the Probability the Constellations had gathered explode out into the open space, and called out the name of a certain creature one more time.

A creature that, even though they knew its true name, no one would dare to invite to their scenario.

[Come! ■■■■■!!]

Beyond the shockwave, <Star Stream>’s outer space could be seen; the storm of aftermaths produced by the misaligned Probability was rushing in.

The march of the gigantic fog of darkness began erasing the traces of stars and nebulas. I was overcome by shuddering powerful enough to nearly blank my mind as the giant eye on the far, far side of that seemingly-infinite fog fixed its gaze on this side.

I witnessed that thing back in the 73rd Demon World a while ago. Back then, it was merely a clone. It was a different story this time, however.

[‘Indescribable Distance’ is looking down on ‘Final Dragon of the Book of Revelation’.]

The Outer God born within the Chaos; the greater calamity that brought about the destruction of my Demon World was now approaching the Isle of Reincarnators.

<Episode 77. Final Dragon (5)> Fin.