Having safely escaped the Underworld alongside Kim Dokja, I opened my eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling.
'...I'm mentally exhausted.'
My physical fatigue had mostly disappeared after sleeping on the sofa in my My Room's living room. However, my mind was still surprisingly exhausted.
'For now, I should get up, wash my face, head to Yongsan Station with the others, and prepare to meet the Kings alongside Dokja...'
Wait.
Something felt off.
I had been staring at the ceiling absentmindedly when I suddenly noticed something unusual. My eyes slowly shifted to the left.
This wasn't my usual living room.
The surroundings looked more like the bedroom of another party member.
Then I felt something resting against my right arm.
I slowly turned my head.
'...Sangah-ssi?'
Yoo Sangah was sleeping peacefully beside me, using my right arm as a pillow.
Her hair was slightly messy, and she was lying so close that I could feel her gentle breathing against my side.
I stared at her for a while, completely dumbfounded.
'...Would it really hurt to sleep a little longer?'
Carefully, making sure not to wake her, I shifted my arm and gently wrapped it around her waist.
Then I closed my eyes again.
Or, at least, I tried to.
Riiing!
[Hidden Scenario – 'The Queen's Trial' has ended.]
[You have received 10,000 coins as a reward for the Hidden Scenario.]
'...At least I received the reward safely.'
I still had no idea why Persephone had invited me to the Underworld in the first place.
Nor did I understand what exactly she had been testing me for.
Still, I had returned alive, so there was no point worrying about it now.
'More importantly, I should think about whether the Star Stream will overlook the method I'm planning to use.'
There was still some time before the sixth Main Scenario began. I decided to use that time to think things through.
While organizing my thoughts, something suddenly came to mind.
'Come to think of it, why haven't I received my additional reward? The Myth?'
I frowned as I looked through the system messages.
The Bureau was taking its sweet time processing the reward.
Just as I was about to complain—
Riiing!
[The additional reward, delayed due to a scenario error, is now being distributed.]
[Legend-grade Myth, 'Greedy....' ]
[The Incomplete Calming Water Pearl absorbs the Myth you have just acquired.]
'...What?'
I almost jumped out of bed.
But before I could even process what had happened, another system message appeared.
Riiing!
[The Incomplete Calming Water Pearl enters hibernation for its final molting.]
'...What exactly does this mean?'
So, let me get this straight.
The Incomplete Calming Water Pearl had absorbed my Myth and entered hibernation to undergo its final transformation?
Was it finally going to become a complete Calming Water Pearl?
I honestly didn't know how I was supposed to feel about this.
Should I be happy that the dragon artifact I obtained after defeating the Water Disaster was finally becoming complete?
Or should I be angry because it had practically swallowed my Legend-grade Myth without even asking for permission?
It was quite the dilemma.
'Ugh... It helped me a lot during the Disaster of Floods. I suppose I can let this one slide.'
Including the Myth fragment, I already possessed thirteen Myths.
Losing one wasn't exactly the end of the world.
Besides, the Calming Water Pearl had helped me countless times. I couldn't exactly complain about it now.
'Attribute Window.'
I opened my Attribute Window for the first time in a while.
Name: Park Jinwoo
Age: 26
Patron Constellation: None
Epithet: Apostle of Delight (Myth-grade)
Exclusive Attributes: Enchant Master (Hero), Convenience Seeker (Hero), King of Delight (Hero), Absolute Tone-deaf (Rare), Magic Bullet Shooter (Legend), Freezer (Rare), Extractor (Hero)
Exclusive Skills: [High-grade Enchant Lv.1], [My Small Hideout Lv.8], [Shop User Lv.8], [High-grade Extraction Lv.1], [Combination Lv.10], [Darkening Lv.10], [Agile Footwork Lv.10], [Battle Continuation Lv.4], [Steel Skin Lv.1], [Cold Insight Lv.7], [Lesser Dragon's Mana Heart Lv.9], [Flames of Ruin Lv.10], [High-grade Weapon Polish Lv.5], [Conch Horn Breathing Lv.8], [Amplification Lv.9], [High-grade Mental Barrier Lv.1], [Clairvoyance Lv.9], [Acceleration Lv.10], [Otherworld Language Interpretation Lv.4], [Path of the Wind Lv.10], [White-Cyan River Qi Lv.9], [Flight Maneuver Lv.8], [Flying Thunder God Art Lv.8], [Magic Bullet Shooter Lv.3], [Crowd Control Lv.8], [Cooking Lv.3], [Glacier Modeling Lv.10], [Precious Ice Flame Lv.10], [Snow Dragon Formation Lv.10], [Scales of the Ice Ghost Dragon Lv.9], [Avatar of All Diseases Lv.3], [Stamina Enhancement Lv.2], [Disaster Incarnate Lv.10], [Blessing of the Sea Lv.10], [Black Tide Torrent Lv.8], [Lie Detection Lv.1]
Stigmata: [Demon's Weapon Lv.1], [Time of Delight Lv.1]
Myths:
- [Deceiver of Stars (Legend)]
- [Tone-deaf Singer Who Silenced the Stars (Legend)]
- [Singer Despised Even by Storytellers (Legend)]
- [Magic Bullet Shooter (Legend)]
- [One Who Stands Against Heresy (Legend)]
- [One Who Cracked the Storyteller's Head (Legend)]
- [Eloquent Speaker Who Defeated the Storyteller (Legend)]
- [One Loved by the Goddess of Luck (History)]
- [Myth Fragment, One Who Walks the Path of the Dragon]
- [Miracle Healer (Legend)]
- [One Who Twists Fate (Legend)]
- [Disaster of Contradiction (Legend)]
- [Apostle of Delight (Legend)]
Overall Stats: [Stamina Lv.60(+20)], [Strength Lv.60(+20)], [Agility Lv.60(+20)], [Magic Power Lv.60(+20)]
Held Coins: 2,828,763C
'Ugh... Am I actually getting strong?'
Looking at my status, I couldn't help but feel a little impressed.
My overall stats were far beyond those of ordinary incarnations in the Seoul Dome. I also possessed a ridiculous number of skills and attributes, along with enough coins to make most people jealous.
And, most importantly...
I already had thirteen Myths despite having cleared only the fifth Main Scenario.
Well, one of them was technically just a Myth fragment.
'Although, if the Calming Water Pearl becomes complete, that fragment might be registered as a proper Myth.'
Either way, there was no denying it.
At the moment, I was probably the strongest incarnation in the Seoul Dome.
Of course, that could change at any moment. The protagonist's party was constantly growing stronger, and the upcoming scenarios would undoubtedly introduce even more powerful opponents.
Still, I was satisfied with my current progress.
After finishing my inspection, I carefully slipped my arm out from under Sangah's head and pulled the blanket over her.
Making sure she was comfortable, I quietly left the room.
Fortunately, I didn't run into anyone on my way out.
I let out a small sigh of relief as I stepped outside my My Room.
However, the moment I came out, I noticed something strange.
The party members were gathered together in one place.
They seemed to be stuffing something into their mouths, eating with suspicious enthusiasm.
Curious, I walked over.
"What? You're eating without me? What are you guys eating in such a hurry?"
Flinch!
The moment they heard my voice, everyone froze.
They slowly turned their heads towards me.
"Huh? Grape peels?"
The things in their hands were the remains of plump, ripe grapes.
More specifically, they were the Grapes of Dionysus.
The very same ones Dionysus had given me.
'Oh, right. They only drank the wine yesterday.'
Jung Heewon, Lee Hyunsung, Lee Gilyoung, the young Shin Yoosung, the adult Shin Yoosung, and even Kim Dokja were chewing on the grapes with rather guilty expressions.
Seeing their faces, I couldn't help but smirk.
I had already figured out what was going on.
"Are you guys seriously enjoying the grapes without me and Sangah-ssi?"
I knew perfectly well what had happened, but I deliberately put on a disappointed expression.
"...Um, sorry. We were just really hungry."
Kim Dokja apologized on behalf of everyone.
"It's fine, it's fine. You already shared the wine with me and Sangah-ssi yesterday, Dokja. I was planning to give the remaining grapes to everyone else anyway."
Of course, that was a complete lie.
I had actually forgotten all about the grapes.
I'd been practically dead drunk yesterday. There was no way I could have remembered something like that.
Still, I said it to make sure nobody felt guilty.
And judging by their expressions, my little lie had worked.
"...Jinwoo-ssi. Wait a minute."
Jung Heewon, who had been looking at me with a touched expression, suddenly turned towards Kim Dokja.
"You drank wine with Dokja-ssi and Sangah-ssi?"
"Um... Dokja-ssi? Didn't you say you went to sleep early yesterday?"
Lee Hyunsung, standing beside Jung Heewon, asked hesitantly.
"...Is there any wine left?"
The adult Shin Yoosung looked at me with hopeful eyes.
"Sorry. We finished it all."
"Really? That's a shame..."
Her shoulders drooped slightly.
"Hey! I picked that one!"
"First come, first served!"
Meanwhile, the younger Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung were busy arguing over the remaining grapes.
"...The grapes are delicious."
Under the curious gazes of the others, Kim Dokja quietly lowered her head and picked up another grape.
'...Well, at least they're enjoying themselves.'
Eventually, everyone finished their rather unusual breakfast of Dionysus's grapes and stood up.
Just then, Jung Heewon turned towards me and Kim Dokja.
"Oh, by the way. Have you two checked the announcement for the sixth Main Scenario?"
"Announcement? No, not yet."
"Then I'll explain. The announcement appeared early this morning. Most of the people who checked it have already left."
At her words, I looked around.
Sure enough, the people who had been gathered around us yesterday were nowhere to be seen.
Just then, a familiar system message appeared.
[Survivors, please gather at Yongsan Station.]
Kim Dokja checked the message and nodded.
"Hmm. We've already had breakfast, so shall we get going?"
At her words, Jung Heewon raised her hand slightly.
"Ah, but what about Sangah-ssi?"
"Sangah-ssi is still in her room. She's dealing with a hangover right now. She went a little overboard towards the end yesterday."
"Heh. I didn't know Sangah-ssi could drink that much."
Jung Heewon looked genuinely surprised before nodding in understanding.
The party members immediately began tidying up and preparing their luggage.
Thanks to my My Room, we didn't really need to carry anything around. However, there was always the possibility of the dokkaebis restricting our access to it through some ridiculous penalty.
We couldn't afford to be completely unprepared if that happened.
So, after discussing it, we had decided that everyone should carry at least a small bag with their essential belongings.
While packing, something suddenly occurred to me.
'Come to think of it, where's Jihye?'
Actually, it wasn't just Lee Jihye.
Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Seolhwa were also nowhere to be seen.
'Well... We'll probably run into them soon enough.'
After all, they were expected to arrive at the upcoming Conference of the Kings—or whatever they were calling it—rather late.
Knowing them, they had probably gone off to clear some Hidden Scenario.
With that thought, I finished packing and joined the others.
We began making our way towards Yongsan Station.
Since we were already in Yongsan-gu and hadn't encountered any monsters along the way, reaching the station was surprisingly easy.
However, the moment we arrived, we were greeted by an unbelievable sight.
The entire area was packed with survivors.
Even a rough estimate would put the number in the tens of thousands.
There were so many people that the surroundings looked like a massive festival gathering.
"I can't believe there are still this many people left in Seoul..."
Jung Heewon stared at the crowd in amazement.
The others shared her reaction, looking around at the countless survivors gathered near the station.
We slowly made our way through the crowd.
Most of the people seemed to be looking at something above them.
A gigantic screen was floating in the air.
"Ah...? Is that the place?"
"A forest...?"
"Hey! Look! There's someone inside the screen!"
The murmuring of tens of thousands of people made the surroundings incredibly noisy.
Nevertheless, I raised my head and focused on the screen alongside the others.
'If I remember correctly, that guy's name was Izumi Hiroki.'
The screen displayed a man fighting several strange, four-armed monsters.
He had long hair and was wielding a naginata with remarkable skill.
The man was none other than the King of Japan, the one who had claimed the Absolute Throne of Japan.
『Izumi Hiroki.』
The incarnation of the Eight-Headed Monarch.
A man whose body would eventually be taken over through his contract with his Patron Constellation, transforming him into the King of Disasters.
And, ultimately, a man who would be killed by Kim Dokja.
'...What a pitiful guy.'
According to the webtoon Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Izumi Hiroki would later become one of Yoo Joonghyuk's supporters and was considered a capable King on the Japanese side.
Despite his abilities and status, he was ultimately nothing more than a victim of an unfair contract with his Patron Constellation.
I continued watching him for a moment, observing the strange scenery of Peace Land displayed on the screen.
Then—
Riiing!
[A new Main Scenario has arrived.]
Category: Main
Difficulty: ???
Clear Condition: ???
Time Limit: ???
Reward: ???
Failure: ―
A new Main Scenario had finally arrived.
The moment the messages appeared, the surrounding incarnations began panicking.
"What? There's no difficulty or clear condition?"
"...How are we supposed to complete this? Everything is covered in question marks!"
"Could it be even more dangerous than the fifth scenario?"
The party members also began checking their scenario windows with uneasy expressions.
However, before anyone could say anything else, a voice suddenly came from beside me.
"It seems that only certain personnel will be able to participate in this scenario."
I turned towards the speaker.
A tall, middle-aged man dressed in a traditional dragon robe was standing there.
'Jeon Il-do.'
The Neutral King.
One of the few Kings of Seoul who had survived the War of the Absolute Throne, alongside the Maitreya King, Cha Sangkyung, and the Glamour Queen, Min Jiwon.
He was also the man who had prevented the Seoul incarnations from recklessly hunting the Disaster Shin Yoosung during the fifth Main Scenario when everyone had been blinded by the prospect of earning coins.
'Though, if I remember correctly, he'll eventually stab us in the back.'
"You are..."
"Kim Dokja-ssi, Park Jinwoo-ssi. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to formally introduce myself."
Jeon Il-do approached us and extended his hand.
"I am Jeon Il-do."
"Kim Dokja."
"Park Jinwoo."
After exchanging brief greetings and shaking hands, Jeon Il-do looked at us with a friendly expression.
"During the War of the Thrones, and even during the recent scenario, I've been keeping a close eye on both of your activities. You have no idea how often my Patron Constellation talks about you two. He keeps telling me that I should try to become at least half as capable as you."
He gave us a rather pleasant smile.
At the same time, a system message appeared.
[A Constellation advocating neutral diplomacy reveals their Epithet.]
[The Constellation, 'The Two-Timing Expert', shows favor to you.]
Some people might misunderstand the epithet 'The Two-Timing Expert'.
They might assume it belonged to some old-fashioned Constellation who had a complicated romantic history.
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
The true identity of the Two-Timing Expert was none other than King Gwanghae of Joseon, a historical figure famous for his mastery of neutral diplomacy.
Kim Dokja looked at Jeon Il-do.
"I'd like to ask you something about what you just said. What exactly do you mean when you say only certain personnel can participate in the scenario?"
"Ah, as expected, you haven't heard about it yet."
Jeon Il-do nodded before explaining.
"According to the information revealed by the low-grade dokkaebis this morning, the scenario will be conducted through a separate application process."
"Applications?"
"Yes. Not everyone is required to participate. And, surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be any penalty for those who choose not to."
He paused briefly.
"Considering the scenarios we've experienced so far, it's quite an unusual condition."
I glanced towards the enormous screen floating above us.
"The selected participants will probably be sent to that place... Peace Land, right?"
"Hmm? Jinwoo-ssi, you know the name of that place?"
Jeon Il-do looked at me in surprise.
The other party members also turned towards me.
I ignored their curious expressions and looked directly at Jeon Il-do.
"Jeon Il-do."
"Yes?"
"Since you helped us during the fifth scenario, I'll give you a piece of advice."
"...A piece of advice?"
"Forget about going there. Even if someone as strong as you enters that place, you'll only end up dying a dog's death."
His expression changed slightly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I've said what I needed to say."
Well, it wasn't as though he would even get the opportunity to participate anyway.
With that, I stopped talking and casually looked around.
Kim Dokja, who was standing beside me, glanced at me with a somewhat complicated expression.
However, she didn't say anything.
Apparently, several people nearby had overheard our conversation.
Their reactions were quite interesting.
"...Fuck. Did you hear what the King of Delight just said? He said even the Neutral King would die a dog's death if he went there."
"...Is the difficulty of that scenario really that ridiculous?"
"I-I can't do this. No, I'm not going! Who would willingly enter a place like that?!"
Some people immediately lost their courage after hearing my warning.
Others, however, reacted quite differently.
"Did you hear what the King of Delight said? Tell everyone to prepare properly. If the place is that dangerous, the rewards must be worth it."
"Have you checked your weapons? Tell the others to hurry up and finish preparing."
Seeing people checking their equipment and making preparations despite my warning, I couldn't help but smile.
'Well, I suppose people are people.'
No matter how dangerous something was, there would always be someone willing to take the risk for a sufficient reward.
Just then—
"Jeon Il-do-nim! Where are you?!"
Someone's voice called out from somewhere beyond the crowd.
Jeon Il-do glanced in that direction.
"Looks like it's already time."
"You should go. We're fine."
I said casually.
However, Jeon Il-do shook his head.
"No, I can't leave just yet. Otherwise, there would be no point in coming here in the first place."
"...What do you mean?"
Jeon Il-do checked the watch on his wrist before looking back at us.
"Actually, I came here specifically to escort the two of you."
"Us?"
Kim Dokja tilted her head slightly.
Jeon Il-do nodded.
"A world without a King."
The surrounding incarnations briefly turned their attention towards us.
Jeon Il-do spread his arms wide, almost as if he deliberately wanted everyone nearby to hear what he was about to say.
Then, with an unreadable smile, he continued.
"The Kings left behind in that unfortunate world are eagerly waiting for your arrival."
'...Ah.'
I finally understood.
So, it was time.
'Looks like I'm finally going to meet my mother-in-law again.'