< Episode 10. Future War (7) >
The internet—there was no way that could be true.
Ever since the 'Scenario' began, the entire city of Seoul had been cut off from the internet due to the goblins' channel activation.
No, wait.
This was Dongmyo-ap Station.
Ah… I see.
So that's why the internet works here?
Lee Sung-guk, who had been nervously watching my reaction, spoke up.
"U-Um, Yoo Joonghyuk-nim?"
"What."
"We've arrived. The Representative is waiting inside."
I looked at the crude medium-sized tent erected at the center of the platform. For someone calling himself a Representative, he'd at least tried to put on a show.
"Let's go."
Lee Sung-guk bowed deeply and guided me inside. When we pushed aside the tent flap and entered, a surprisingly lavish interior was revealed. It was hard to believe this place had been made from such a shabby tent.
A red carpet covered the floor, and a luxurious bed that looked like it had been stolen from a high-end hotel stood nearby. There was a round table for meetings, and even a small desk with a computer set up on it.
Most interesting of all was the boy deeply engrossed in internet surfing on that computer.
He looked a couple of years older than Gilyoung. A boy in pajamas, sitting slouched in a chair, dark circles hanging heavily under his eyes.
And clutched tightly against his chest—a navy-blue flag.
Impressive.
This boy had already passed more than halfway along the 'Path of the King.'
[Exclusive Skill, 'Character List,' has been activated!]
Name: Han Donghoon
Age: 17
Supporting Constellation: Shadow Behind the Curtain
Exclusive Trait: Noble Reclusive Shut-in (Hero)
Exclusive Skills:
[Wide-Area Internet Lv.5],
[Comment Manipulation Lv.3],
[Keyboard Attack Lv.3],
[Small Appetite Lv.6],
[Soundwave Blocking Lv.2]…
Stigma: [Absence of Existence Lv.2]
Overall Stats:
[Stamina Lv.10], [Strength Lv.10], [Agility Lv.19], [Magic Power Lv.26]
Overall Evaluation:
A "Noble Reclusive Shut-in," the pinnacle of shut-ins. Through the [Wide-Area Internet] skill, he can pierce the goblins' channel network and install a virtual LAN cable on specific devices.
He possesses remarkable talent for manipulating public opinion, but his defensive mechanisms are not yet fully formed, leaving his mental state fragile. His Supporting Constellation is currently dissatisfied with the situation of its incarnation.
This character is currently under powerful hypnosis.
I remembered him clearly now.
The King of Dongmyo-ap.
Before long, this boy would become known as the 'King of the Secluded Shadow.'
The pitiful boy king was completely absorbed in internet comments.
—So it's true that only Seoul is isolated right now? LOL. Gangnam real estate prices are gonna crash hard~~ How are landowners supposed to cope? Crying rivers?
┗Nah, not just Seoul. Capitals all over the world are like that. Tokyo and Beijing are all trapped inside those big round domes too.
┗What happened to the Seoul recapture operation?? Didn't they say it started yesterday?
—LOL, might just be rumors, but apparently everyone trapped in there awakened superpowersㅋㅋㅋ What is this, some kind of fantasy?
┗It already became fantasy the moment monsters showed up.
The internet screen—something I hadn't seen in a while—felt strangely unfamiliar.
Only now did it really sink in.
Right. This was the kind of situation we were in.
Outside, countless people still had no idea about the truth behind what was happening.
Soon, the boy king's fingers began to move again.
—By the way, has anyone heard of the ? Not sure what they are, but they claim to know the secret behind all this haha.
[Character 'Han Donghoon' has activated 'Comment Manipulation Lv.3'.]
The moment the activation message appeared, dozens of comments clung to the boy's post as if pulled by a magnet.
┗Probably fake, why would you believe that crap lol
┗Nah, I thought so too, but maybe not… They started talking about revelations and prophecies a while back, and everything they said actually happened. For real.
┗For real?? Where are those guys active? Drop the link.
The comments spread with tremendous momentum, rippling across the internet.
Amazing. I never imagined he'd already be using this ability in such a way.
"Representative Han Donghoon?"
At Lee Sung-guk's call, the boy finally lifted his head.
"A distinguished guest has arrived. Please greet him."
Han Donghoon's hollow eyes turned toward me.
"Ah—ah, h-hello…"
Han Donghoon wasn't normal.
In Ways of Survival, this boy had been counted among the Seven Kings of Seoul—yet here he was, looking this utterly haggard. He'd always been severely socially anxious, but even so, it hadn't been this bad.
Staggering to his feet, Han Donghoon sat down near the round table and immediately began biting his nails.
Lee Sung-guk smiled, looking satisfied.
"Now then, Yoo Joonghyuk-nim. Shall we finally have a proper discussion with our Representative?"
I quietly looked at Han Dong-hoon and smirked.
"A story? What story?"
"Huh?"
"Are you trying to mess with me right now?"
Han Dong-hoon's eyes were empty.
"So… this guy is the 'representative'?"
According to the original story, this boy should indeed be the representative for this role.
At least in name.
But… the word 'representative' doesn't necessarily mean 'the one in power.'
"How long do you plan on teasing me? Are you going to put a puppet in my way and make me talk to it?"
I glanced sideways. Lee Sunng-guk's hand was trembling.
He probably didn't expect [the Sage's Eyes] to figure out even that much.
He quickly opened his smartphone, checked something, and then let out a sigh.
"…Yoo Joong-hyuk, you really aren't ordinary. Please forgive my oversight."
"So you're the real power behind this role, huh?"
"That's correct."
"Do the others know?"
"Only a few of the executives know."
He had installed a puppet with great abilities while he secretly controlled the organization.
A strategy often seen in Extermination Law, but experiencing it in real life felt… strange.
"If you're the real power anyway, why did you bother bringing me here?"
"To avoid attracting attention. I don't know if you're aware, but there's an [Echo Barrier] skill surrounding this tent."
I had expected as much.
It was actually one of Han Dong-hoon's abilities.
"So it's that important, huh."
"Yes. It's important for you, Yoo Joong-hyuk, and for all of us."
"All of you?"
Lee Sung-guk inhaled sharply before speaking.
"I am one of the . More precisely, one of their members."
Finally, the information I wanted was coming out.
I quietly waited for him to continue.
"The immense joy we feel now… Yoo Joong-hyuk, you could never understand it. Because my comrades and I have been waiting solely for this day, for your glorious victory."
Did I mishear?
Suddenly, he began saying strange things.
"We know your special ability, Yoo Joong-hyuk. The miracle of returning to the past no matter how many times you die. A power given only to you in this world!"
The filtering by the Celestials was a bit annoying, but I decided to keep listening.
"Perhaps, Yoo Joong-hyuk, you've already lived through several cycles. You've faced horrific enemies and fought to save people, battling beings from other dimensions. Alone, carrying lonely memories… we sincerely respect that noble spirit of yours."
This guy sure knows how to flatter.
If Yoo Joong-hyuk were here, he might even shed tears from hearing this.
I should tell him like this when he's feeling down later.
"But, Yoo Joong-hyuk, I'm sure you realized through your past cycles that no matter how miraculous your feats are, you can never face the coming calamity alone."
And… he actually has a point.
"However, Yoo Joong-hyuk, this cycle will be different. Because we are here. We, the , have been sent in this cycle solely to assist you."
Wow, look at that.
Lee Sung-guk faintly smiled.
"It must seem strange to you. Why have beings who were absent in past cycles suddenly appeared? It must be confusing, but I hope you trust us. Because we have been receiving revelations for this day for the past ten years."
"…Revelations?"
"Yes. In this cycle, within the , there exists a secretly transmitted 'Book of Revelations.' A record of Yoo Joong-hyuk's life, and the myths he has lived and will live. The only Book of Revelations."
Wait a second.
Could this 'Book of Revelations' be…?
"You seem skeptical. We already knew you would recruit 'Steel Swordmaster Lee Hyun-sung' under your command. Though they didn't come together, you probably already recruited 'Delusional Demon Kim Nam-woon' and 'Admiral Lee Ji-hye' as well. But even they aren't enough. According to the 'Book of Revelations'…"
I asked, trying to hide my anxiety.
"Where is this 'Book of Revelations'?"
"Unfortunately, the original has been damaged and cannot be found. But do not worry. Each of us remembers fragments of the revelation, and through those fragments, we are prepared to guide you along the correct path."
…Oh ho.
"If you continue as you have in past cycles, Yoo Joong-hyuk, you will… face death again. But with us, it's different."
Lee Sung-guk babbled on and on.
I slowly opened and closed my eyes and said:
"I see."
Lee Sung-guk immediately stopped speaking. He must be nervous.
After all, Yoo Joong-hyuk has [Lie Detection].
Of course, I don't have that skill myself.
But even if I had [Lie Detection], his story wouldn't trigger it. [Lie Detection] can't distinguish the truth from falsehood in such metaphorical stories.
All the more, my current state of mind was…
"…astonishing."
It was genuine.
This wasn't just surprising—it was shocking.
What a setting.
To come up with a setup like this in such a short time… human creativity truly is remarkable.
"Sung-guk, was it?"
"Yes, Yoo Joong-hyuk."
You could practically write Extermination Law yourself, man.
Readers coming from outside the story, receiving revelations, just to help the protagonist who keeps dying like a sunfish?
Honestly, this is even more thrilling than the original Extermination Law.
But that's beside the point.
"Cut the beating around the bush."
This is the important part.
"I'd like to get straight to the point."
I'd indulged in the world-building enough; now it was my turn to speak.
"Let's say you guys really did receive future revelations. So exactly what do you intend to do with that?"
Lee Sung-guk answered promptly.
"We want to form an alliance with you, Yoo Joong-hyuk. That is… nominally an alliance, but in practice, it's no different from entering your command…"
What a ridiculous guy.
So that was your goal, huh? To get under the protagonist and ride his 'bus,' so to speak?
"I see. An alliance, huh. So that's what you want."
"That's correct."
"An interesting proposal."
"Does that mean…"
I tapped my fingers on the desk.
"But your order is wrong."
"Pardon?"
"How can you form an alliance with people whose identities you don't even know? If you want an alliance with me, shouldn't you reveal who you really are first?"
"My… identity, you say… I've already…"
I jumped up from my chair, plopped down on the luxurious bed in the room, crossed my legs, and spoke.
"Kneel."
"Pardon?"
"Kneel."
Lee Sung-guk, momentarily stunned, tried to hide his expression and stepped down from the chair.
As his knees slowly touched the floor, I spoke.
"Recite your traits."
Judging by the fact that he had placed strong [Hypnosis] on the 'king candidate,' I could guess his traits, but I needed to confirm them.
Lee Sung-guk looked up at me with a complicated expression.
He was probably thinking hard.
He would think:
"Yoo Joong-hyuk can see my information with [Sage's Eyes]."
"Why would he bother asking about information he already knows?"
After a long pause, Lee Sung-guk spoke reluctantly.
"My trait… is Hypnotist."
As expected, he was a [Hypnotist].
"I see."
I nodded, and Lee Sung-guk's expression brightened slightly.
He must have thought he passed the test.
"Is that all?"
"…Pardon?"
His gaze flickered nervously.
"…There is… one more."
I nodded.
"Go on."
"The… Ninth…"
"The Ninth?"
He seemed utterly humiliated to say it, lowering his head slowly as he continued.
"The Ninth… Dropout."
I see.
So this guy is the 'Ninth'…
…Wait a minute. How many of them are there exactly?