< Episode 11. Night of the Prophets (2) >
"Y-you said he's a like us?"
"Yes. At first, I didn't realize he was a , but now it seems he was. Like you, he knew the future."
"…Is that so?"
"Moreover, he seems to know far more than any of you. Not only did he kill Delusional Demon, but he monopolized all the hidden scenarios in the early part of the story. Thanks to that, my plans got seriously tangled."
"Th-there's no way someone like that exists…"
Of course there is. Right in front of you.
"He even seems to go around using my name. When I last ran into him, I beat him nearly to death, yet he's likely still active around Chungmuro."
[Seongjwa, the 'Secret Strategist,' admires your audacity.]
"…Chungmuro? Could it be?"
Jeong Min-seop flinched and, like Lee Sung-guk, quickly pulled out his smartphone and began typing. He was probably informing the other .
Jeong Min-seop also asked me a few questions, which I answered briefly.
"I see! Ah… so that's why the changes occurred in the third cycle… You really are Yoo Joong-hyuk."
Jeong Min-seop's face showed genuine admiration.
"I understand why you have that woman instead of Delusional Demon. She seems more than capable of replacing Kim Nam-woon. Considering she overpowered me in one move…"
The most effective factor was their misunderstanding.
After a moment of thought, Jeong Min-seop continued.
"But listening to you now, I think I know who that guy who killed Delusional Demon was."
"…You think you know?"
"Yes. But before I tell you… I should clarify one thing: not all of us are on the same side."
I had guessed this from the earlier conversation. With forty-eight people knowing the future, there were bound to be a few with strange ideas.
"There are those who call themselves the Twelve Apostles. They believe only they have truly read the Revelations and can change this world."
Twelve.
That number matches exactly with the view count of the fiftieth episode of Extermination Law.
"How are they different from the rest of you?"
"They are the ones who have read more of the 'revelations' than we have."
As expected.
"So far, eleven apostles have been identified. Therefore, the you encountered is likely the last, unidentified apostle."
Indeed, they were clever. Give them one detail, and they fit it into the setting themselves. A convenient misunderstanding.
Wait… maybe it's not a misunderstanding?
Come to think of it, I'm one of the twelve who read all fifty episodes.
"Seems you don't have a good opinion of the Apostles?"
"To be honest… yes. Unlike us, they plan to use the Revelations to seize control of this world for themselves."
…Why do I feel guilty even though it's not my story?
"They're not trying to help Yoo Joong-hyuk save the world. They're only after their own gain. You could call them 'The Ten Evils.'"
"Ten Evils…"
"That's why we're asking you, Yoo Joong-hyuk. Please take us under your wing, and stop them."
I see. Their true goal was this.
Honestly, it was a little unexpected. I never thought they would need me because of an internal conflict among the .
I paused for a moment before speaking.
"Very well. I will accept you. We will form an alliance."
"R-really?"
"However, there's one condition."
At the word 'condition,' tension spread across Lee Sung-guk and Jeong Min-seop's faces.
"First, hand over Changsin Station."
"Excuse me? Changsin Station…?"
"The station right above Dongmyo Front. You must have occupied it already, right?"
"Oh, now that you mention it… the target station of 'Chungmuro Station'…"
Jeong Min-seop seemed to realize something.
In fact, this was the most critical part of the alliance.
In the [Flag Capture Battle], the target station I needed to secure was Changsin Station.
If I couldn't occupy it, even if I followed the 'King's Path' to the end, I couldn't complete the fourth scenario.
And if the fourth scenario failed, my group and I would all die automatically.
However, Lee Sung-guk's expression seemed odd.
"I-I'm sorry, Yoo Joong-hyuk… but Changsin will be difficult."
"Why?"
"The owner of Changsin Station isn't our Dongmyo Front group."
"You're not the owner?"
That didn't make sense. Changsin was right in front of Dongmyo Front.
Lee Sung-guk sighed.
"In fact… a few made mistakes, and his power grew rapidly. During that time, some of the were killed at the station… At that point, the total number of was fifty-three."
Suddenly, my trust in these guys dropped sharply.
Now that I thought about it, they didn't even know the beginning of the story. Why did I assume they would do well?
"B-but don't worry too much. We've also prepared a powerful weapon to eliminate the 'Tyrant King.' More precisely, a weapon to counter not only the Tyrant King but also the Twelve Apostles."
Jeong Min-seop nodded in agreement.
"You probably don't know yet, Yoo Joong-hyuk. We only managed to uncover this revelation with great difficulty…"
No, now I was certain.
I couldn't leave these guys unchecked.
Before they completely ruin the story, I had to end this here.
"Oh, and it just so happens… there'll be an opportunity to see that weapon soon."
"An opportunity to see the weapon?"
"Tomorrow, the gathering called will be held, excluding the Twelve Apostles. If you don't mind…"
Jeong Min-seop's earnest gaze met mine.
"We'd like Yoo Joong-hyuk to attend with us."
After the meeting, Jung Hee-won, Lee Hyun-sung, and I were gathered in the lodging arranged by Lee Sung-guk. I looked at the flag I had planted on Chungmuro Station.
After spending the afternoon touring the surrounding occupied areas and taking over Dongdaemun Station and Cheonggu Station, my flag had now turned dark blue.
[Using the Dark Blue Flag perk.]
[From now on, you can use 'Group Chat' with your team members.]
No more need to hold back conversations.
Since eavesdropping on the group chat is impossible unless someone is physically nearby in the same area, it's safe to communicate freely.
I briefly explained the events of today to the others. Jung Hee-won seemed to have guessed parts of it, but Lee Hyun-sung looked genuinely shocked.
―My goodness… I can't believe it. There are people who know parts of the future… So that's why the Reader was acting as Yoo Joong-hyuk?
―Exactly.
―Phew… then it seems we'll be staying here for the time being. We need to gather more information about those guys…
―No.
―Excuse me?
―Tonight, we're going to deal with them.
I then turned to Jeong Hee-won and said:
―And I apologize for earlier, Hee-won.
―It's fine… I'm only a little bit hurt.
―…
―Just kidding. The Reader's acting as that jerk now, right? If you feel bad, let me handle that guy from before.
Jeong Hee-won smiled and continued:
―So… tonight, the three of us are going to burn bright together, huh?
―B-burn bright…?
Lee Hyun-sung flinched at Jeong Hee-won's joke, and I shook my head.
―We have a priority task first.
―A priority task?
―If we act now, the entire group will mobilize. That would be a problem.
I finished speaking and pulled a small cloak from my pocket, draping it over myself.
As I suddenly disappeared, a startled Lee Hyun-sung murmured:
―Huh? Reader?
―I'll give the signal. Move then.
The [Hermit's Cloak], a Gold Member perk item I had secretly bought from Bi-hyeong for 3,000 coins earlier, was in effect.
Although it's a consumable option with only five uses, once activated, it provides at least twenty minutes of absolute concealment—an excellent item for going completely unseen.
I melted silently into the darkness.
It would be useless against opponents with [Absolute Senses] Level 6 or higher, but no one here had a skill like that.
Passing dozing sentries, I made my way to the tent where Han Dong-hoon, the representative, was stationed.
Since [Soundwave Block] was active, I didn't need to worry about eavesdropping once I got inside.
Carefully, I opened the tent and saw the boy typing alone at the keyboard, his dark circles more pronounced than earlier in the day.
His frail back still bent over the screen, writing comments alone.
The
A propaganda engine to manipulate the future, blending truth and fiction.
For now, the effects weren't significant, but over time, his value would only increase.
I quietly approached from behind and covered his mouth.
Han Dong-hoon struggled in my hold, but with only Level 10 strength, it was impossible for him to resist.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the [Awakening Pill], purchased along with the [Hermit's Cloak] from Bi-hyeong for 3,000 coins.
It was a steep price, but if I could get the 'Reclusive Shadow King' with it, it was worth it.
After forcing the pill into him, Han Dong-hoon's eyes changed.
The [Hypnosis] effect was lifting, and his rational mind began returning.
"U-uh… y-you…"
Being hypnotized hadn't erased his memories. By now, his small mind was likely overwhelmed by countless traumas. Still, with [Hypnosis] lifted, his judgment and agency would start to function again.
[Character 'Han Dong-hoon's Seongjwa reveals their attributes.]
[Seongjwa, 'Shadow Behind the Curtain,' expresses gratitude to you.]
[500 coins have been donated.]
Han Dong-hoon stepped back, clutching his flag.
I examined the flag carefully, then deliberately took a step back.
"Don't worry. I didn't come to take the flag."
"U-uh… ah…"
"You're smart; you'll understand soon. If I came to harm you, I wouldn't have released the [Hypnosis] on you, would I?"
"Th-then… th-th-then…"
"Let's be friends."
At those words, Han Dong-hoon's gaze wavered noticeably.
I waited a moment, letting the storm of suspicion in his mind settle.
But he still struggled to speak.
Right, this boy had social anxiety.
"Hard to say out loud, isn't it? If you're okay, we can use this to communicate."
Han Dong-hoon glanced at the smartphone in my hand and then muttered something.
[Character 'Han Dong-hoon' has used 'Wide-Range Internet Lv.5' on your smartphone.]
[As long as Han Dong-hoon's consciousness remains intact, you can access the internet anywhere in Seoul Dome.]
A short while later, Han Dong-hoon's name appeared on the smartphone messenger.
―Who are you?
―I was looking for you.
―Lee Sung-guk said the same thing.
―I see.
―I…
The boy's trembling fingers could form no more words.
Instinctively, I realized it would be impossible to fully persuade him here.
In the roughly ten days that had passed, the boy's wounds had already festered so deeply that they could not easily heal.
―I understand you. You're scared, confused.
[Character 'Han Dong-hoon' is deeply shaken.]
―Don't joke around.
―I'm different from them.
―I can't believe that.
―You hate the , right?
At those words, Han Dong-hoon's eyes wavered. Deep in the pupils of the boy who had become a doll under [Hypnosis], a rooted anger flickered.
―If you allow me, I can eliminate them.
―…Why? The …
―They shouldn't exist. They interfere with the 'Epilogue.'
Han Dong-hoon looked at me with eyes full of disbelief, then bit his lips and began typing on the keyboard.
―What… do you want from me? You're going to use my abilities anyway.
I raised my head and slowly addressed Han Dong-hoon.
―No, I want the opposite.
I looked him in the eyes and deliberately spoke aloud.
"From now on, you do nothing."
"This shitty time is finally over. Tomorrow, it'll all be finished."
"Phew… at times like this, I could use a bottle of soju."
"Exactly. Did you see that guy's eyes earlier? Using the Sage's Eyes to glare at me—I almost had a heart attack."
"Haha, how would a guy who dropped out in the prologue know if those were Sage's Eyes or whatever?"
Friendly voices.
It's so exciting I almost want to keep listening.
"Hey, but the other Prophets keep doubting… how do we convince them? They've been whining about going to Chungmuro since earlier…"
"I'll handle it, give me your phone. Anyway… okay?"
Jeong Min-seop's expression stiffened as I took the phone from him and started typing.
"What? Suddenly the internet isn't working?"
"Maybe that guy fell asleep again. Go check it."
As Jeong Min-seop tried to step outside, his body collided with something in midair.
The pale figure reached toward Geohwan-do…
"Th-there's… something here…"
Giiiiiiing!
"Aaah!"
Jeong Min-seop screamed and collapsed to the ground.
I lightly removed the [Hermit's Cloak] and drew the 'Blade of Conviction.'
"Y-Yoo Joong-hyuk? Why…?"
While the startled Sung-guk fumbled, Jung Hee-won peeked her head outside the tent.
"Some of them have been dealt with. But there are too many… they won't last long."
She disappeared, and the sound of metal clashing echoed from outside.
The sentries were coming.
"Do you know what happens if you do this? Even you, Yoo Joong-hyuk, can't handle all of us!"
"All of you? I don't need to handle everyone. Just the leader."
At those words, Sung-guk's lips twitched.
"Sorry to say this, but there's no way it will go according to Yoo Joong-hyuk's plan—"
Crrr-crack!
A swift swing of the Aether Blade cut Jeong Min-seop's armor in half. He screamed.
"Ahhh!"
As his armor split and the cloth inside fell, I quickly picked it up while his mind was reeling.
[You have acquired the 'Dongmyo-ap Group' flag.]
[Your 'Dark Blue Flag' absorbs the accumulated merit of the 'Dark Blue Flag.']
[Your 'Dark Blue Flag' evolves into a 'Brown Flag.']
[The blessing of the powerful flag protects you.]
"So the true leader of Dongmyo-ap was you."
"W-what…?"
"No matter how foolish you guys are, you wouldn't openly display the flag like that."
It was strange from the start—claiming to have given leadership to Han Dong-hoon.
After all, they knew the future; there was no way they'd give a character in the novel the role of leader.
And Sung-guk isn't the leader.
So there's only one answer.
[The remaining members of the 'Dongmyo-ap Group' are awaiting your command.]
The sentries are now meaningless.
A desperate Jeong Min-seop stammered:
"Yoo Joong-hyuk! If… if the other Prophets find out about this…"
"The internet won't work, so how would they inform anyone?"
Only then did Sung-guk realize all their plans had collapsed, staggering toward me.
"W-why… why are you doing this to us?!"
"Well… at this point, does that question even matter? Even if I were the 'real Yoo Joong-hyuk,' I wouldn't have allied with scum like you."
"Th-that… what… no way…"
Seeing the two of them turn pale, I smiled slightly.
"Exactly. You should've read all the way to the end."