Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Chapter 547 - Epilogue 5 – The Eternity and Epilogue (2)

Typically, drafting a full manuscript would consume at least two years. However, in this present reality, such luxury was non-existent.

– The system’s integrity is failing far too rapidly. If we procrastinate beyond this week, I fear our persuasive influence will be insufficient to launch the ark.

Ultimately, Han Su-Yeong resolved to initiate the inaugural transmission once the second portion of the manuscript was complete.

Her companions erupted with enthusiasm upon hearing the news regarding the manuscript’s dispatch.

Yu Sang-Ah inquired, “How do you intend to transfer the file? Via a USB?”

“We are bracing for various scenarios, but fundamentally, it must be relayed as a Fable,” Han Su-Yeong answered.

“And who will be the one to deliver it?”

“Naturally, I will.”

“That is impossible. Should Su-Yeong-ssi depart, who will look after the Dok-Ja-ssi here if he encounters trouble?”

Even if he was merely a shell, he remained Kim Dok-Ja. Should some anomaly arise, the absence of Han Su-Yeong—who possessed the Bureau’s Fable—could cause his primary vessel to disintegrate.

Yu Sang-Ah continued, “Let me go instead. I possess the precise coordinates for the world-line where Dok-Ja-ssi has been reincarnated.”

Jeong Hui-Won immediately moved to challenge this. “Sang-Ah-ssi, your presence is required to defend this world! Allow me to go. Pass the coordinates to me.”

“Absolutely not! I should be the one to meet hyung!”

“As ahjussi’s Incarnation, it is only logical that I should be the one to go!”

“That is incorrect. I am the foremost authority on everything involving the ‘Demon King of Salvation,’ so the task must fall to me...!”

Yi Gil-Yeong, Shin Yu-Seung, and even Jang Ha-Yeong joined the argument, descending the chamber into utter chaos. Constellations and Incarnations clamored over one another, demanding they be chosen for the journey.

Yu Sang-Ah sighed as she surveyed them. “You all seem to believe this is a simple endeavor. Everyone present realizes the extreme peril of traversing between world-lines, do they not?”

“Well, obviously...”

“If the trajectory I calculated is accurate, this specific world-line lies at the absolute fringe of the universe.”

“The absolute fringe?”

“It implies a region where ‘scenarios’ might not even hold existence.”

None of them could fathom the nature of the reality into which Kim Dok-Ja had reincarnated. It could be vastly different from their own Earth.

“The support provided by the system will likely diminish significantly upon your arrival. Consequently, the efficacy of your skills and Stigmata will naturally decline. Furthermore, the duration of the voyage itself will be an immense trial.”

Anna Croft, observing the discussion, nodded in agreement. She looked up at the ark currently undergoing a test flight above. “Since the vessel was constructed as a single-seater, its onboard systems are far from ideal. Navigating the Dark Stratum and surviving the lingering storms will prove a monumental challenge. Only one possessing an invincible mental fortitude is qualified for this. A single misstep, and you risk transformation into an ‘Outer God.’”

The mention of ‘Outer God’ cast a somber pall over several companions. They remembered all too well the sight of the ‘Hounds Chasing After the Abyss’ relentlessly stalking them.

Regrettably, Anna Croft had not finished. “Moreover, his soul is scattered across an excessive number of world-lines. At a minimum, you will have to traverse hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of separate realities... Are you truly prepared for such a possibility?”

Hundreds of thousands. Even at the pace of one world-line per day, the journey could span centuries. Could anyone sustain such a duration for the sake of Kim Dok-Ja without succumbing to madness?

“None of you possess the capability.”

The individual who could endure even when receiving negligible system support.

The man who would not lose his identity while swimming through the boundless torrents of time.

Therefore, he was the person with the highest probability of succeeding among all their companions.

“I will be the one to depart.”

The ark’s passenger was settled.

*Eventually, the date of the ark’s departure arrived.

Han Su-Yeong watched from a distance as Yu Jung-Hyeok prepared to board.

“I am not wearing that.”

“Conquering King, you must wear it. Remember that you are no longer the same regressor you once were.”

This was a scene she wished the Kim Dok-Ja of five years past could witness. If he learned that the prophet was ensuring the safety of the regressor, what thoughts would stir within him?

“You are becoming quite a nuisance.”

“You may say that, but this will prove useful later. Being a Transcender does not grant immunity to the system’s influence. Transcenders are existences defined by their opposition to the system. Should that system vanish, their powers will inevitably wane as well.”

Yu Jung-Hyeok glared at Anna Croft with clear disapproval before donning the equipment piece by piece.

“This attire is far too cumbersome for combat.”

“You are not traveling there to fight, so it will suffice.”

The sight of Yu Jung-Hyeok looking bloated in the bulky spacesuit was truly unique. Han Su-Yeong began to tease him.

“That aesthetic really suits you.”

“...You are being excessively noisy.”

“Think carefully. Are you certain you want to go through with this?”

Even as the departure time drew near, Han Su-Yeong’s confidence remained shaken.

⸢Honestly, perhaps there was no reason to go to such lengths.⸥

This voyage was fundamentally different from previous regressions or short jumps between dimensions. They were not attempting to alter the past, nor were they seeking materials to breach a [Final Wall] in another reality.

This journey was, in many ways, an act of pilgrimage. He was attempting to honor the one person they had spent all this time seeking.

“Deliver the manuscript.”

“Your tone remains unchanged, even after abandoning the path of the regressor.”

Han Su-Yeong sighed, extending her right hand. The energy of a Stigma she had been refining coiled around her fingertips.

[Stigma, ‘Cloud System’, is on stand-by.]

This technique mirrored the method [The 4th Wall] once used to transmit text files to Kim Dok-Ja.

The Stigma itself had evolved from her [Predictive Plagiarism], possessing the capability to send cryptic messages across world-lines.

“Anyone who possesses this Stigma can access the manuscript. Returning to Earth repeatedly for updates would be too taxing even for you, so I will simply beam the files to you via the cloud.”

“Are you ordering me to learn that unique Stigma? We do not have the time to...”

“Correct, we lack time. But there is a method to learn it rapidly. You no longer have a Constellation backer, do you?”

Yu Jung-Hyeok immediately grasped her implication. “You fool, are you truly...”

“Do you think I find any pleasure in this prospect?”

With a stormy expression, he accessed his attribute window. Upon the disappearance of his [Regression] Stigma, his Constellation sponsor had ceased to exist.

+Sponsor: None+He was a man entirely without master.

“Are you suggesting I accept someone weaker than me as my backer?”

“I defeated you during our last encounter.”

“I have no idea what nonsense you are spewing.”

“Do you want to attempt another round?”

Despite their constant bickering, they proceeded to formalize the [Sponsor Contract]. Both understood it was the most optimal course of action.

[Constellation, ‘Architect of the False Last Act’, has become Incarnation ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’s Constellation backer!][Incarnation, ‘Yu Jung-Hyeok’, has inherited the Stigma, ‘Cloud System’.][Two beings’ imaginary cloud network have been connected!]

“I never imagined I would live to see a day like this. If only I could explain this absurdity to that idiot Kim Dok-Ja,” Han Su-Yeong muttered.

“Upon my return, you will be the first I kill to sever this ridiculous contract.”

“Try it if you think yourself capable.”

Their exchange concluded, and they stared at one another in silence for a long moment.

“Remember: do not destroy the destination world. You only need to disseminate the story, so that the Kim Dok-Ja of that world has the opportunity to read it,” Han Su-Yeong instructed.

“I am aware.”

“Do not die.”

“I will return soon.”

The possibility of his permanent departure loomed over them, yet neither dared to voice it—except for one.

“Oppa.” Yu Mi-Ah gripped his spacesuit, her eyes welling with tears. “You are lying! You won’t come back! Even if you want to, it’s impossible!”

“I will not abandon you to die.”

As Yu Mi-Ah wept, Han Su-Yeong took her by the shoulders. Yu Jung-Hyeok knelt slowly to look his younger sister in the eye, speaking in a gentle voice.

“I give you my promise. I will definitely return.”

As he turned to leave, he sent a mental message to Han Su-Yeong.

– Look after Mi-Ah for me.

Without glancing back, he boarded the [Final Ark]. At Anna Croft’s signal, the vessel’s ignition sequence began.

Their companions, having caught up on the news, arrived to watch the development.

The ark ascended sluggishly into the sky. Their voices could not penetrate the hermetically sealed cockpit.

Yi Ji-Hye arrived, breathless, staring up at the departing craft.

“Are you not going to bid him farewell?” Han Su-Yeong asked.

“If I do, I fear it will truly be the last time I ever see him.”

Despite her words, Yi Ji-Hye’s eyes were brimming with tears. The other companions simply watched the ark in silence, offering no words.

Yu Sang-Ah broke the stillness. “Everything we wanted to convey is contained within the novel. I am confident Jung-Hyeok-ssi will read it eventually.”

“What is the point of him reading it? It only matters if hyung reads it.”

Yi Gil-Yeong, Shin Yu-Seung, Jeong Hui-Won, Yi Hyeon-Seong, Jang Ha-Yeong, Yu Sang-Ah, Yi Seol-Hwa, Yi Su-Gyeong, and Gong Pil-Du—along with the Constellations—all stood watching the ark vanish.

Shin Yu-Seung whispered, “Will Dok-Ja ahjussi truly read our story?”

The outcome was uncertain. No one could know for certain. The mission carried a high probability of failure, and the likelihood of Yu Jung-Hyeok returning empty-handed was equally substantial.

Their story might vanish like mere cosmic dust in some distant galaxy.

Yu Jung-Hyeok was surely aware of these odds. Even then, he chose to depart. He departed for his own closure, and perhaps, for his companions as well.

“If it is Kim Dok-Ja, he will read it,” Han Su-Yeong answered.

At the very least, the people of this reality would carry on with their lives, waiting for news—waiting for Yu Jung-Hyeok to return.

“He made a promise to me, you see.”

The ark’s flames streaked toward the distant galaxy. The companions watched until the vessel became a mere speck, like an expedition ship venturing into the unknown. A tale woven through their lived experiences was drifting to a place forever beyond their reach.

*[The ‘Ark’ is entering the atmosphere.][Waiting for the user Yu Jung-Hyeok’s destination input.]

Yu Jung-Hyeok inputted the coordinates provided by Yu Sang-Ah. Even the nearest world-line was impossibly distant. True to her warning, that region might not even be encompassed by the <Star Stream>.

[The dimensional acceleration will commence.][Portion of necessary energy will be substituted by the Coins.]

Coins amassed from the other world-lines were funneled into the vessel as an energy source. While they had largely lost their utility amidst the system's decline, they once stood as the most potent Fables in existence. Before long, Earth was no longer visible.

[Entering the Dark Stratum to escape from the world-line.]

Yu Jung-Hyeok recalled Yu Sang-Ah’s words.

– The world-line where Dok-Ja-ssi has reincarnated is located extremely far away. I cannot determine how long the journey might take via conventional means.

Kim Dok-Ja’s new reality existed outside the ‘Ways of Survival’—a place entirely free from this world-line’s reach.

– You will likely need to locate the ‘doorway’ to exit this origin.

How much time had passed? Bubbles of various hues began to appear in the distance, pulsating amidst the ominous current. He felt a sharp pang of dread, and Yu Jung-Hyeok instantly understood the cause.

Tsu-chuchuchu....

The ‘vice-king’ of the ‘Outer Gods’, master of the dimensional thresholds, and the same entity who once opened the path to the 1863rd turn for Kim Dok-Ja. Yu Jung-Hyeok swallowed hard. The entity lurking before him possessed power enough to intimidate even one who had cleared the scenarios.

[[Y o u a r e.... n o t t h e P l o t t e r.]]

A massive, cyclopean eye emerged from the swirling foams. Yu Jung-Hyeok accelerated, refusing to deviate from his path. To reach the fringe of the universe, he had no choice but to push through.

[[T h a t i s outside t h e story]]

“It is irrelevant. Stand aside, or I shall cut you down.”

Yu Jung-Hyeok forced every ounce of his Fables into the engines. The vice-king did not move to strike, but its voice resonated with hollow, pitying vibration.

[[Oh, t h e o n e dreaming o f t h e dream’s outside, y o u r dream c a n n o t b e f u l f i l l e d.]]

The instant he breached the threshold, the world distorted violently. He clenched his teeth, bracing against the encroaching storm.

A tempest of electric sparks ravaged his vessel and his own physical form. He stifled a scream as agony overwhelmed him—a sensation of his very existence tearing asunder.

– There is one final thing I wish to ask you.

Han Su-Yeong’s voice drifted through his disoriented mind.

– Why go to such lengths for Kim Dok-Ja? You have already lost so many comrades.

– Losing comrades previously does not mean I have grown numb to the pain. And besides...

Explosions rippled through the hull. Debris from ruined instruments floated into the void.

– ....I have questions I must put to that fool.

Another blast shuddered through the craft, and shrapnel pierced Yu Jung-Hyeok’s torso.

[Failed to read the world-line’s coordinates!][Warning! An error has occurred in the coordinate recognition device!][An error has occurred in the interior temperature modulation device!]...........[An error has occurred in the ship’s navigation system!]

Explosive sparks consumed Yu Jung-Hyeok entirely. His vision bleached into pure white, and consciousness surrendered to the dark.

When he finally pried his eyes open, he was adrift in the deep silence of space.

<Epilogue 5. The Eternity and Epilogue (2)> Fin.