WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 107: Episode 21 — Something That Cannot Be Changed (5)
[The active duration is determined based on the level of the skill.]
[Activate duration: 30 minutes]
[Your understanding of the character is substantial. You can select and take certain skills from the character.]
Yuseong charged toward me, and I ran to meet her.
Neither of us wanted to kill the other, and there was no sincerity behind our actions.
This was purely a battle for the amusement of the constellations.
Everything was part of the ‘scenario,’ and thus, everything was a lie.
However, as a result of this fight, someone would inevitably die.
[The skill Hour of Judgment Lv.5 has been activated.]
The skill level activated was 5.
Huiwon must have trained hard. It wasn’t as good as having her here in person, but it wasn’t bad either.
[The constellation Scribe of Heaven is flustered.]
[The constellations of the absolute good faction are watching your skill with intrigue.]
Their surprise was understandable. After all, an unauthorized user was employing the ‘Judge’s’ skill.
But they had no choice but to allow it.
Because the being before me was undoubtedly ‘evil.’
[The constellations of the absolute good faction approve of your use of this skill.]
A scorching heat surged from deep within me—an overwhelming sense of blind justice, intent on eradicating all the world’s evils. Memories of the archangels who fought great demons flashed like fragments through my mind.
「Punish the wicked.」
[Hour of Judgment] was a skill originally wielded by the valkyries of the holy war.
Thus, its user was blessed by the archangels.
The madness of excluding all else for the sake of a narrow definition of justice writhed deep within my brain. Huiwon must have felt this every time she struck down others for my sake. It was a horrific realization.
Zzzing!
The blade of conviction erupted with a level of magical energy incomparable to before. The resonating ether blade drew a straight line toward Shin Yuseong.
Blood burst from Yuseong’s shoulder in shock. The white fur of [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity], which had withstood even the bombardment of ghost fleets, was finally torn. Droplets of blood stained the pure white fur.
[Hour of Judgment.]
As long as the enemy was ‘evil,’ this skill’s user would not lose.
All of my stats were enhanced to match ‘Catastrophe Shin Yuseong.’ There was a reason [Hour of Judgment] was infamous as an overpowered skill. Few abilities in the entirety of TWSA offered such absurd stat boosts.
"Everyone, attack now!"
Even if I had grown stronger, Yuseong still surpassed me in overall skill proficiency. I needed help.
"Support with ranged attacks during regular attack patterns, and retreat behind me during her wide-area attacks!"
Hearing my commands, my frozen companions nodded and joined the fray.
"If you can’t attack from range, focus on taking down the monsters emerging from the [Monster Gate]! That area is critical."
The situation in Yongsan District was on the verge of collapse due to the monsters pouring out of Shin Yuseong’s [Monster Gate].
"Raise your swords!"
With the kings’ declarations of war, the full-scale battle began.
Nearby incarnations intercepted the monsters coming from the [Monster Gate]. Most of these creatures were Tier-7 or higher, making the battle arduous, though not entirely one-sided.
"I’ll handle that monkey."
Hyeonseong, pounding his sturdy suit, charged toward a Tier-5 monster species, the Heavy Metal Kong.
"Yuseong and I will take on the ‘King.’"
Gilyeong stayed close to Yuseong as he moved, summoning several insectoid monarchs to aid in their assault on King Masswood. The cold breaths of two sea dragons clashed against one another, while Jihye stepped forward.
"Leave the covering fire to me."
"I’ll immobilize the catastrophe’s movements."
Jihye provided artillery fire, while Sangah used [Arachne’s Web] to set traps to hinder Catastrophe Yuseong’s movements. While these actions offered little tangible help—the bombardments barely dealt any damage, and the webs were shredded by Yuseong’s ether—it was better than nothing.
"Junghyeok, can you fight?"
Aside from me, only Junghyeok could track Yuseong’s movements and withstand her attacks.
"Worry about yourself."
Spitting blood onto the ground, Junghyeok raised the Sky Shaking Supreme Sword and stood by my side. His condition appeared improved, likely after using [Recovery]. However, the backlash from the skill meant his time was running out.
"How much time?"
"Thirty minutes. You?"
"Same."
The active duration for the Bookmark was also limited to thirty minutes.
We had no choice but to finish this within that time frame.
Rooooar!
The black aura surrounding Catastrophe Yuseong grew denser, signifying the continuous enhancement of her physical abilities through her ‘villainization.’
Junghyeok’s expression hardened.
"It seems she made a pact with a demon to cross the world line."
His suspicion was correct. Her soul had been mortgaged to a demon and subsequently handed over to the damned dokkaebis.
[Hahaha! How entertaining. Truly entertaining.]
The mid-grade dokkaebi’s voice rang with amusement.
[Now this is what a scenario should look like.]
Blood splattered, and flesh crumbled on the battlefield. The impending destruction of the Seoul Dome grew closer with every second.
[Many constellations are thrilled by the thrilling battle.]
"Let’s go."
With those words, Yu Junghyeok dashed forward.
Boom!
As he moved, Yuseong swelled her chest and unleashed her breath attack.
[Beast Lord’s Breath.]
An ether storm with power far beyond the Tier-5 sea monsters’ [Ice Breath].
"Dodge!"
Junghyeok activated [Phoenix Walk] to evade the attack, while I used [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity] to block the attacks he couldn’t avoid. As we synchronized our movements, I found myself admiring Junghyeok’s combat sense.
The Catastrophe was a monster, but so was Yu Junghyeok.
Without the buff from [Hour of Judgment], only he could fight this Catastrophe. Strong, cold, and ruthless—he was a regressor I couldn’t help but feel relieved to have on my side at this moment.
"Do your job, Dokja!"
"I am doing it!"
"Damn it…."
If we could land just one solid blow, it would make a difference, but that was easier said than done.
Yuseong’s attack patterns grew more erratic as she entered a berserk state. She unleashed ether storms recklessly, depleting her magic power without concern. I had to repeatedly activate [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity] to shield against the onslaught, leaving me increasingly fatigued.
Junghyeok managed to land a few strikes, but they hardly left an impact.
How long had we been exchanging blows?
Before I knew it, over twenty minutes had passed. Junghyeok’s stamina was rapidly depleting, and the mana recovery potions he had been sipping were running out.
She was strong. Even with [Hour of Judgment] active, I hadn’t expected such difficulty.
The strain on my body from overclocking my stats with skills was starting to show.
The side effects of [Hour of Judgment] were beginning to surface.
[Hahaha! This is a magnificent scenario. Don’t you agree, constellations?]
As the mid-grade dokkaebi prattled on, I summoned every ounce of strength I had left to push forward. The fur created by [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity] fluttered wildly, my skin darkening as it seared under the ether storm.
Step by step, I advanced, but time was not on our side.
If we didn’t deal enough damage within thirty minutes, it would be over.
Crackle!
Suddenly, something changed in Yuseong. Lightning coursed through her body, and her darkened eyes momentarily regained clarity.
「Attack me.」
Yuseong’s voice echoed as she momentarily regained control of herself.
「Stop me.」
Though unspoken, her plea resonated clearly.
「Protect your ‘round.’」
Seizing the temporary weakness in her ether storm, Junghyeok and I charged forward. As my blade struck, blood spurted from Shin Yuseong’s body.
[The constellation Scribe of Heaven observes you keenly.]
To conceal our desperate performance, I gave it my all.
[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband watches you sympathetically.]
Yuseong screamed as my blade slashed her, while Junghyeok was sent flying by her counterattack.
“Go, Kim Dokja.”
Junghyeok’s opening allowed me to strike.
Thud!
My blade of conviction plunged into her left shoulder, magic bursting forth as [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity] tore apart. Her left arm was severed, blood pooling below.
Yuseong’s expression was eerily calm. Just as described in TWSA, she smiled.
[Many constellations cannot look away from your battle.]
“Damn it….”
My grip on the sword loosened, and Shin Yuseong laughed.
「Pathetic, isn’t it?」
Without a scream or fury, she tossed me to the ground. Her attack wasn’t meant to hurt.
「But you will continue, won’t you?」
"Yeah."
I swung my sword at her, and she exhaled her breath at me.
One question, one answer.
We wounded each other mercilessly.
"Just like you did."
My magic waned, and the effects of [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity] began to fade. The strength provided by [Hour of Judgment] allowed me to hold out for a little longer. Blood gushed from my wounds as the world spun, but I refused to stop. Gradually, the damage accumulated.
[Some constellations who avoided you begin to take an interest in you.]
Rejoice.
[The constellations across the battlefield focus on your determination.]
And chatter all you want.
[The constellations in the grand arena applaud your resolve.]
Until the day I tear out your tongues.
After countless exchanges, I staggered backward, my body on the verge of collapse.
[The duration of the skill Bookmark has 30 seconds remaining.]
My torn organs screamed in pain, and fractured ribs pierced my lungs.
I had done everything I could, yet the Catastrophe remained standing.
Rumble…
The fleeting clarity in Yuseong’s eyes faded to darkness once more. This ‘Catastrophe of Floods’ was stronger than its original depiction. Yuseong gazed at me with worried eyes.
「You’re not enough.」
She could not end herself. The mid-grade dokkaebi would never allow such an act. The penalties she imposed on herself had reached their limit. And I, in another sense, had reached mine.
「How will you stop me?」
"Don’t worry. They’ll come. The one who can stop you."
I never intended to kill Yuseong with my own hands. Junghyeok, in his current state, was also incapable. But there was still one person left who could.
As Yuseong opened her mouth, the ground exploded with thunderous sounds.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cannons roared from afar. Women clad in light blue prison uniforms emerged from the north. The monsters’ path split as an army advanced toward us, led by a masked woman at its center.
The King of Wanderers.
I had wondered where she had been, only to discover she had been clearing monsters on her way south. But the one I had been waiting for wasn’t her.
From the army’s forefront, a lone figure dashed toward us.
A composed woman with her hair tied neatly spoke as she approached.
"I’m sorry. Am I too late?"
"Just a bit."
"Still cheeky. Seems you’re holding up."
After ten days, Huiwon looked more restrained than before. She lightly tapped my shoulder and stepped forward.
"Leave this to me and rest for now."
A crimson aura surged as [Hour of Judgment] enveloped her completely, far stronger than the version I had used.
‘Judge of Evil’ Jeong Huiwon was my final card. If this failed….
Had I dealt enough damage to Yuseong?
Would Huiwon be able to finish it?
"What are you so worried about?"
Her confident voice carried a tone unlike before.
She seemed to trust something beyond [Hour of Judgment].
[The constellation Scribe of Heaven is silent.]
[The constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon glares at Jeong Huiwon’s patron constellation.]
Huiwon must have made a [Patron Selection].
Who could she have chosen?
Yuseong looked at Huiwon with trembling eyes.
「You….」
"I understand the situation. My patron has been chattering the whole way here."
Huiwon met Yuseong’s gaze with sorrowful eyes.
"So don’t worry."
She lightly ran her hand along her blade, and flames began to rise where she touched.
Rumble…
In the deep hours of the night, over the darkened city of Seoul, Jeong Huiwon’s blade burned with noble fire. The flame it held was more vivid and radiant than any I had ever seen.
A pure white flame of judgment to punish all evil.
I recognized it immediately. I had read about it in TWSA. One of the most powerful stigmas, rivaling even the stigma of the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal.
[Hellfire]
It was the stigma of the constellation ‘Demonic Judge of Fire.’
Huiwon glanced back at me and gave a cold smile.
"I’ll end this damn scenario."
Footnotes:
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