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 G.o.d .
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 cla.s.s 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 partic.i.p.ated in different scenarios . They cried out in despair and attacked the Constellations . And in their centre was the Outer G.o.d King Kim Dok-Ja leading these G.o.dly beings from the other worlds .
⸢The Enemy of the Story . ⸥
To Bihyung's knowledge, no other calamity was given that t.i.tle . He hadn't even heard of the plan to give that t.i.tle 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.s 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 .
Kwaaaaaaah!
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 rus.h.i.+ng 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 partic.i.p.ate 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 partic.i.p.ating 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 ma.s.sive and sudden change!]
[ permits the metlike 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 G.o.d 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 partic.i.p.ate 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 b.i.t.c.hes… 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 c.r.a.p . ”
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, s.h.i.+n Yu-Seung and Yi Gil-Yeong; finally, her comrades riding on the battles.h.i.+p 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 G.o.d-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 a.s.saulted 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 HYeong 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-Jssi, 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 HYeong, Han Su-Yeong reached out to the 'Outer G.o.d 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 .