WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 319: Episode 60: Taste of Ruin (2)

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Surya strode over and stopped in front of me.

He was more than twenty centimeters taller than me. To resist the Status he gave off, I released part of my own Status as well. In an instant, the office filled with my presence and Surya's.

From then on, it was a conversation between Constellations.

"Olympus's ruin... Is that Veda's will, or yours?"

[Does that matter?]

"It does."

I had expected the trouble between the great nebulae to become serious around now. Since they all sought "A Single Fable," every great nebula was a potential rival.

They had worked together when it came to screwing me over, but Veda, Olympus, and Papyrus had never been a solid alliance to begin with.

[I don't like either Olympus or Veda. Is that enough of an answer?]

It was vague, but in a way, it was also the answer I wanted.

Going by the original TWSA, Surya was certainly an unorthodox Constellation even within Veda.

"That answers my question."

[My authority alone is enough to give you Soma. You know who I am, don't you?]

Surya was the source of Soma, the drink of immortality. If I secured his promise, getting Soma wouldn't be a problem.

Things had become interesting.

Perhaps he enjoyed listening to our conversation, because Metatron was tapping a finger. Watching it move like a metronome, I said, "I still have one question. What exactly do you mean by Olympus's ruin..."

[The 60th Scenario, Gigantomachia.]

"That's just a theme park event. At most, it'll summon a few giants and hold a hunting festival..."

[You were the one who said you'd make them serious if they weren't.]

Since when had he been listening to what I said? Was this bastard a Subscriber to Biyoo's channel too?

[Toppling one Scenario won't make Olympus collapse overnight. But it could provide the spark that leads to its downfall.]

"How?"

[Haven't you already thought of a way?]

The Third Eye on Surya's forehead flickered. I stared back at it.

I couldn't keep taking a step back and pretending not to know forever.

"Neither I nor my nebula could do it alone. That doesn't mean there's no way, though."

At my boast, Metatron's tapping finger stopped.

I looked at Metatron. "Scribe. You called this man here, so take responsibility."

[...What responsibility do you mean?]

"I'd appreciate it if you became a witness to this contract."

Interest crossed Metatron's face. The expression of an observer who had watched from the sidelines was changing into that of a strategist.

[What does Eden gain if I become a witness?]

"I'll give you a share in the Great Fable we'll obtain this time."

A share in the Great Fable "Gigantomachia".

No matter how artificially constructed the Scenario was, a Great Fable was a temptation no nebula could ignore.

Eden's Archangels caused trouble several times a day. They would need an enormous Great Fable to settle the plausibility storms caused by their actions.

Metatron nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Of course, you can't get it for free."

[What do you mean? The conditions are more than sufficient if I simply serve as a witness...]

"You're trying to take a share in a Great Fable for doing just that? Where did an Archangel's conscience go?"

[The Fourth Wall nods.]

[The Wall that Divides Good and Evil watches its owner closely.]

A faint look of embarrassment crossed Metatron's face. Sometimes, a conscience devours its own owner.

Surya shook his head and muttered.

[You truly are a Demon King.]

[Demon King of Salvation. Is there something you want from Eden?]

I nodded. There were many things I wanted. One or two preparations wouldn't be enough for the Gigantomachia ahead.

「Kim Dokja recalled the 1,863rd round.」

I wouldn't lose anyone anymore.

「Information from TWSA flickered through Kim Dokja's mind.」

The Constellations at the very top might join the coming fight. Not only Surya, but the other high-ranking gods of Veda, the Lokapalas, might move as well. A few of Olympus's Twelve Olympians would also participate in the Scenario.

And that wasn't all.

Unlike during the Demon King Selection, I might encounter a high-ranking Demon King. Maybe even someone like Michael.

Michael.

「At last, Kim Dokja made his decision.」

I looked at one of the items on the display shelf behind Metatron and said, "Give me one of Eden's constellation artifacts."

* * *

A while later, after finishing the contract with Surya, Kim Dokja stood before Eden's entrance portal. Unlike when he had entered, he now stood proudly at the main gate.

A few angels had come to see him off.

[You're leaving already?]

Uriel held Jeong Huiwon's hand tightly as she spoke regretfully. Huiwon watched her quietly, then pulled Uriel into a tight embrace.

[Huh...?]

Uriel was startled at first, but a moment later, she buried her face in Huiwon's shoulder. She looked entirely bashful.

[The Constellation Lily Blooming in Aquarius glares at the Incarnation Jeong Huiwon.]

Gabriel's Indirect Message came from somewhere.

Dokja looked up at the sky as if considering something, then spoke to Huiwon.

"Sorry to interrupt such a touching farewell, but Huiwon-ssi, stay here for another week before you return."

"What?"

"I've already told the Scribe, so don't worry."

Uriel's eyes widened at Dokja's sudden words.

[Really? Is that okay?]

"Of course. In return, make sure you train Huiwon-ssi properly. You haven't been by her side for the past three years."

[Okay!]

Leaving the brightly smiling Uriel behind, Dokja looked at Huiwon.

"Huiwon-ssi, let's meet at Olympus in a week."

"All right. I'll come back insanely strong. And... thank you."

After a brief handshake, Dokja disappeared through the portal. A few angels wore regretful expressions, while others sighed.

As though a brief event had ended, the angels returned to their places.

Gabriel watched the scene from afar.

[Gabriel.]

[Scribe-nim.]

Gabriel bowed her head to Metatron, who had appeared behind her.

[Why didn't you meet him and speak with him?]

Gabriel didn't answer.

[Jophiel's situation isn't your fault.]

[But...]

[Jophiel is strong. She's carrying out her duty well. Her choice will surely become the spark that prevents Eden's ruin.]

At the word ruin, Gabriel's clear eyes trembled.

Just as her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to ask something...

[A letter has arrived.]

A message addressed to Metatron arrived in midair.

Surprisingly, it had been sent by the Commander of the Red Cosmos.

Report on the identity of the Outer God Secretive Plotter.

Metatron reached for the report blinking in midair.

[Soon, the real war will begin.]

* * *

The bustling street resembled a battlefield. On the way to the auction house, countless stall vendors sold every kind of item.

Yu Junghyeok stopped abruptly and spoke over his shoulder.

"Hurry up."

His words were rough, but Junghyeok kept an eye on Lee Seolhwa the entire time. He gave off a faint Status toward every Constellation and Incarnation they passed, worried she might get hurt, and blocked anything that came near her, whether living or not. A few Incarnations cursed at him, but Junghyeok didn't care in the least.

"Wouldn't it be better if we stepped aside and walked?"

"Pedestrians have the right of way."

His shamelessness was so like Junghyeok that Seolhwa tried to say something, only to burst out laughing.

Junghyeok asked, "Why are you laughing?"

"You said you're a regressor, right?"

"That's right."

"Then did you ever meet me in your previous life?"

Junghyeok didn't answer for a moment.

"No."

"I see."

An awkward air settled between them.

Seolhwa looked at Junghyeok's profile. He was right beside her, yet he seemed like someone walking somewhere far away.

She gave a bitter smile. "Let's slow down a little."

"There's no time to be distracted."

"You can find some pretty good things if you take a moment to look around."

Smiling, Seolhwa waved the skillbook in her hand.

[Skillbook: Humidity Preservation]

Junghyeok narrowed his eyes after checking it.

"You bought a useless skill."

Perhaps she was already using it, because her cheeks and lips looked moist.

Since it had become hard to find daily necessities after the Scenarios began, lifestyle skills like this were fairly popular regardless of gender.

Seolhwa examined Junghyeok's face and said, "I think you need it too, Junghyeok-ssi. The backs of your hands and your lips are all chapped. This city's temperature is generally low, so your skin dries out quickly."

Seolhwa absentmindedly reached toward Junghyeok's face, and he quickly turned his head away.

"I don't need it if it isn't a combat skill."

"Dokja-ssi has this skill too."

Junghyeok's eyebrow twitched.

"He said you need at least this much if you want to be popular with Constellations..."

"That idiot must want to become an idol."

Junghyeok ground his teeth and quickened his pace. Seolhwa watched him with amusement. She didn't know why, but that cold man became angry whenever Dokja's name came up.

Looking closer, she saw Junghyeok's gaze repeatedly drifting toward the stalls.

Skillbooks, 50% off.

Seolhwa smiled and spoke to him.

"Should I buy you one?"

Junghyeok stopped walking. She wondered if he had found an item he liked, but something was wrong. His fist trembled, and rage overflowing from deep within his eyes dominated his expression.

"Junghyeok-ssi?"

The entrance to the auction house was visible in the distance, along with a group of Incarnations entering it. Flowing blonde hair.

Seolhwa felt her heart drop. Junghyeok couldn't suppress his killing intent as his hand gripped the hilt of the Black Heaven Demon Blade.

"Junghyeok-ssi, wait!"

Seolhwa instinctively grabbed Junghyeok's arm. She knew who that blonde woman was too.

The Prophet of Asgard.

She remembered hearing it in passing once. Junghyeok of the previous round had been betrayed by that woman and died.

"No. Not here. The other allies are still..."

Panic seized her. No matter how strong Junghyeok was, this was the Constellations' auction house. Constellations ranging from Historical-grade to fabled-grade gathered here. Besides, Junghyeok's enemy wasn't alone. If he rushed in recklessly now...

"I knew this would happen."

At the mocking voice, Seolhwa turned to see Han Suyeong standing there.

"Did you forget already? Dokja told you not to cause trouble."

Suyeong clicked her tongue in exasperation and flicked a coin with her finger.

Junghyeok answered coldly, "It's none of your business."

"Why isn't it my business? We're companions."

"Companions?"

Junghyeok's lips twisted.

"Not you."

"What? Do you think I'm doing this because I like you? Hey, no matter how much of a protagonist you are..."

"Suyeong-ssi!"

The allies who arrived late tried to stop her. Suyeong rubbed her forehead and muttered, "Haa. Dokja, Junghyeok... There isn't a single one I like."

"Anna Croft has to be eliminated here."

"Sure, Dokja will praise you for doing such a great job."

"It has nothing to do with that bastard..."

"So you just need to land one hit on that woman, right?"

Junghyeok paused and looked at Suyeong. She watched him for a moment before turning toward the auction house entrance.

"You naive fools. That's not how you do bad things. Watch how your big sis does it."

Suyeong held an item in her hand. Junghyeok's gaze wavered.

"What's that?"

"I borrowed it from Dokja for a moment. He doesn't know, though."

A mischievous smile formed on Suyeong's lips.

"Let's test how far the Prophet's 'prophecy' reaches."

Footnotes:

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