< Episode 11. Night of the Prophets (5) >
The self-proclaimed 1168th looked along the path of flames split by the shield and spoke.
―"Identity? I don't understand what you're saying all of a sudden…"
―"Forgot? I have the [Eye of the Sage]."
I said it, but in truth, I couldn't see this guy's information.
[Activating exclusive skill, 'Character Overview'!]
[Information on this character cannot be accessed with 'Character Overview'.]
[This character is not registered in 'Character Overview'.]
What's the difference between a character who's updated and one who isn't?
I still don't know the exact reason.
But whatever the reason, deceiving him was easy.
After all, he believes I am Yoo Joong-hyuk.
―"…I can't fool Yoo Joong-hyuk's intuition, huh."
―"You're an , aren't you?"
―"Yes. So you already knew that much."
The fact that he revealed his identity so easily meant he still had an ulterior motive.
―"So this was a trap. A butterfly effect, huh?"
―"Haha, exactly."
Finding my comment amusing, 1168 looked at the other dropouts with a smile.
―"When many butterflies are flying around, unnecessary storms occur."
The dropouts who couldn't find a platform were melting like moths in the 'Flames of Ruin'.
Their horrible screams were accompanied by the dusting away of all the information they knew.
This was the price of seeking the Sacred Relics without proper knowledge.
―"You mean to kill the butterflies while they're still larvae."
―"Larvae are easiest to kill just before they pupate."
Crackle!
The intense heat gradually subsided, and the surrounding flames calmed. Eventually, the Absolute Shield deactivated.
[After 1 minute, the platforms' positions will regenerate.]
This hidden scenario requires finding a total of ten platforms and surviving the area attacks to complete.
Only one round has passed—nine remain.
I tested the ground where the shield hadn't appeared by pressing it with my foot.
The heat rose slightly, but it was bearable.
―"Boss!"
I gestured to stop the others who were running from afar.
There was no time to gather them now.
―"You should have learned the basic pattern. Dodge on your own. I won't be able to guide you individually from here on."
The party, sensing something was wrong, stopped in their tracks.
It would be dangerous to recklessly draw them in without knowing the ' full power.
1168 looked at me.
―"You don't seem like your image from the revelation. Are you really in your 3rd run?"
―"Quiet, and which 'number' are you?"
―"Hmm? You would know if you checked directly."
―"I like someone whose inside and outside match. I can't do deals with someone with two faces."
The Apostle's eyes sparkled with interest.
―"Interesting."
―"There must be a reason you revealed your identity so easily."
Whoooosh!
The Lesser Dragon's tail slashed through the air, hitting the spot where we had been. With my agility over 30, it was easy for me to dodge—but 1168's quick movements were impressive.
I activated [Cold-Headed Observation], a skill I had saved specifically for characters immune to [Character Overview].
I measured his force, speed, and breathing intervals…
His muscular and movement profile summed roughly to 49–50.
Among the I had observed, that was a considerable level.
As I followed behind him, he spoke.
―"Let me properly introduce myself. I'm number 1195. Among the , I'm known as the 'Fifth Apostle'."
Episode 1 of The Annihilation Law had 1,200 viewers.
1195th—he was among the top five dropouts in terms of information.
So he knew about the 'Red Meteor' as well.
―"What's your goal? Do you need my help too?"
―"Hehe, how about if it's to save 'Yoo Joong-hyuk'?"
―"That's about as believable as saying a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, huh."
―"True, you do have [False Perception], after all."
He licked his dry lips in the heat.
Should I just take him out now?
…No.
A little more.
I needed to hear a little more.
―"But it's not a lie that it's to save Yoo Joong-hyuk. If you die here, it would be a problem. The revelation would be greatly damaged."
―"So you knew I'd come."
―"A few hours ago. That's why we hurriedly revised the plan."
Sparks flew, and a few nearby were killed by the flames.
Some still survived, as if they knew the Lesser Dragon's patterns.
I kept my eyes on them.
―"Originally, we had no intention to intervene. If Yoo Joong-hyuk wasn't here, we wouldn't have come."
―"And?"
―"You already know the answer, don't you?"
[The platforms' positions have regenerated!]
[5th-rank Fire Dragon type, Lesser Dragon Ignir prepares 'Flames of Ruin'.]
The party safely stepped onto the platforms again.
The Apostle and I also found a platform marked 2.
Technically, the Apostle forcibly took a platform that someone else had already occupied.
The splattered blood left a cruel stain on the Apostle's cheek.
Rubbing his cheek, the Apostle continued speaking.
―"We're going to hunt the Lesser Dragon."
Kugugugugu!
[5th-rank Fire Dragon type, Lesser Dragon Ignir uses 'Flames of Ruin'.]
The Absolute Shield I had activated blocked the flames once again.
Gyaoooooo!
Even after just two platforms, fewer than a quarter of the remaining were still alive. The party was holding on, but how long that would last was anyone's guess.
[Penalty applied to the Hidden Piece.]
[The number of platforms will decrease from the next turn.]
I narrowed my eyes and spoke.
―"You think you can do this with just your strength?"
―"It's possible. We've prepared thoroughly."
His confident voice sent a shiver down my spine.
Come to think of it, he hadn't even broken a sweat in all this heat.
A bluish chill surrounded his skin.
Ah… that explains it.
They're well-prepared.
―"Cheongbing-hwan (Blue Ice Pill), huh?"
―"Exactly."
A potion obtained from hunting 7th-rank elemental monsters in the Gangseo area. They already had it in their hands.
Taking it allows the user to emit a strong cold attribute for at least 30 minutes.
In other words, they now had the means to deal actual damage to the Lesser Dragon.
The question was their attack power.
―"But you can't do it alone."
―"I never said I was alone."
I surveyed the surviving dropouts.
A few I had been keeping a close eye on—looking closely, bluish cold radiated from their bodies as well.
―"Hehe, of course we didn't come alone."
By my count, there were five of them.
They'd invested half their forces for this operation.
If all five had taken Cheongbing-hwan, their confidence was justified.
But…
―"Even with a few more people, it doesn't make much difference."
―"That's why we're asking for your help. If you assist us, we'll give Yoo Joong-hyuk the Cheongbing-hwan as well."
―"And if I refuse?"
―"Then at least your party will all die here."
―"And you think you'll be safe?"
―"We may not kill the Lesser Dragon, but each of us can at least keep our own skin."
Overconfidence, indeed.
If I were the real Yoo Joong-hyuk, these guys would have been dead already.
―"You think I care about your party? People die anyway. The good ones can be gathered again."
I pressed [Unbreakable Resolve] against his neck.
He shook his head with a chuckle.
―"Hehe, as expected from the revelation. But you'd better think carefully."
―"What do you mean?"
―"By now, Yoo Joong-hyuk's 'main base' should be in our hands."
―"…What?"
―"Admiral Lee Ji-hye, the kid with strange abilities, and one of the Ten Evils. Not exactly as in the original revelation, but you formed quite a strong party. Even if they all die, would it really be a problem for Yoo Joong-hyuk to start over?"
They'd already investigated that far.
These bastards…
―"And if, on top of that, you take 'Chungmuro Station'? Right now it's just a proposal, but don't assume it will remain merely a proposal. Our group has already controlled ten stations and completed the 'King's Path' scenario. The gap between the group with the 'King' and those without is obvious."
―"…."
―"By now, the situation should be settled. The King will be waiting in front of the flagpole at Chungmuro for Yoo Joong-hyuk's decision."
…I see.
I understand their plan.
The moment they learned I would attend , they planned to seize Chungmuro.
―"If Yoo Joong-hyuk agrees to 'swear' with us, we promise not only the safety of your party but also full support moving forward. I swear it on the King's honor."
This level of meticulous threat made my heart pound.
And to have such audacity against Yoo Joong-hyuk…
Even in The Annihilation Law, strategists this capable were rare.
―"Who is your 'King'? Which dropout is he?"
―"Hmm… The King dislikes being called a 'dropout'."
―"Then what do you call him?"
―"Even Yoo Joong-hyuk should refrain from speaking carelessly of him. He's the only who has read all revelations. He knows your past and future."
…What?
I was briefly surprised, but not overly shaken.
This is fascinating.
Another reader has completed every novel except me?
I couldn't help but chuckle.
It wasn't a hollow laugh—it was a sneer.
Because such a thing could never happen.
KuoOOOO!
At last, the third full-scale attack of the Fire Dragon type was about to begin.
I glanced at the Apostle, then quietly stepped off the platform.
The Apostle, watching me calmly walk forward, was stunned.
―"Yoo Joong-hyuk? What are you doing?"
The rest of the party, some distance away, were equally shocked.
I waved briefly.
―"Don't worry. No matter what happens, don't move from where you are. Understood?"
I started walking toward the Lesser Dragon.
Slowly, with deliberate, steady steps.
The Fire Dragon, charging its 'Flames of Ruin', bared its feral intent at me.
―"What are you doing! Return at once!"
The Apostle behind shouted in urgency.
I turned and smiled at him.
―"I guess your 'King' didn't tell you about this future, huh?"
As I listened to his explanation, I kept thinking.
These guys must never be allowed to live.
But they know the 'strategy', and I can't wipe them out on my own.
Then… I grinned and continued.
―"Did you forget? Do you know what my 'Stigma' is?"
If I were them…
What would I fear the most right now?
―"I'm not afraid of death. I can start over as many times as I need."
The answer was simple.
They believe I am Yoo Joong-hyuk.
So…
―"But I wonder… what about you? You, the anomalous beings of this 'loop', what do you fear?"
What they fear most would be what I fear most.
―"Even if I die here, can I exist in the next loop? Or will I vanish along with this world?"
Something Yoo Joong-hyuk would never want.
―"If you've truly read the revelation, you should know the answer too, right?"
The Apostle's face went pale.
Those who think are sometimes easier to manipulate.
―"Catch Yoo Joong-hyuk!"
The five Apostles guarding the platforms all charged toward me at once.
I expected as much.
No matter how calm I act, you're just dropouts caught in this 'scenario'.
In a world where the protagonist dies… you have no idea what will happen.
―"Hurry and catch him!"
Just like me.
[5th-rank Fire Dragon type, Lesser Dragon Ignir uses 'Flames of Ruin'.]
The moment the flames erupted from the center of the platform, I unleashed all my strength and ran toward the dragon's legs. Then, with all my might, I planted a flag at the [Flagpole] of Anguk Station.
['Anguk Station' has been occupied.]
[Currently occupied stations: Chungmuro (main base), Myeongdong, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, Dongdaemun, Dongmyo, Sindang, Cheonggu, Yaksu, Sinseol-dong, Anguk]
['Brown Flag' merit points have increased.]
[You have occupied a total of 10 stations!]
[Hidden Scenario ― 'The King's Path' has been achieved.]
[A new 'King' selection will be presented based on the path you have walked.]
The Arrogant and Hypocritical King
The King of Solitary Taste
The King Who Does Not Kill
…I didn't even glance at the options before answering.
―"The King Who Does Not Kill."
[New trait acquired: 'The King Who Does Not Kill'.]
That's enough.
It wasn't a method I wanted to use, but this was the only way to wipe them out here.
I saw the Apostles frantically returning toward the platforms after noticing the flames.
But it was already too late to avoid them.
―"You should've been more careful. Life only happens once."
A wave of dark crimson fire engulfed them.
Even having taken Cheongbing-hwan, they could not withstand this attack.
[Durability of the external reinforced suit decreases rapidly.]
[Durability of the external reinforced suit has reached zero.]
Soon, my vision dimmed.
Feeling my flesh burn, I lost consciousness.
[You have died.]
And shortly after, a system message rang out.
['The King Who Does Not Kill' perk has been activated.]