WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 353: Episode 66: Beyond Good and Evil (2)

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With my declaration, the system messages in the air flickered.

[You are currently the Greatest Storyteller of this fable.]

[You hold a 33.7% share in the Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth.]

[Due to your declaration, this fable has tilted toward evil.]

My flustered companions rose from their seats. I raised a hand to reassure them.

Then I sent Yu Junghyeok a message through Midday Tryst.

―Junghyeok, at this rate, our fable will be confirmed as evil. You don't want that, do you?

My share in "Holy Flame That Devoured Myth" was 33.7%, while Junghyeok's was 22.8%. I was ahead by 10.9%.

[The two narrators currently hold opposing opinions.]

[The narrators must reach an agreement to determine good and evil.]

[If an agreement is not reached within the time limit, the judgment will follow the choice of the party with the larger share.]

[The time limit for judgment has been extended by 10 minutes.]

Junghyeok didn't answer. I sent another message.

―I don't know what you're thinking, but good and evil can't be decided here. Withdraw your declaration now. Then I'll withdraw mine too.

[The Constellation Protector of Youth and Travel glares at you.]

[The Demon King Demon God of Lust and Wrath is pleased with your judgment.]

[The Constellation Demonic Judge of Fire is flustered by your judgment.]

I was sorry, Uriel, but good and evil absolutely couldn't be decided here.

[The Demon King Ruler of Hell's East takes a liking to you.]

At the Demon Kings' highest seat, the owner of the 2nd Demon Realm, Ruler of Hell's East, watched me with a strange smile. The Ruler appeared to have misunderstood something, but I hadn't stepped forward to take evil's side.

Growing impatient, I shouted again.

―Hey! Can't you hear me?

Then Junghyeok moved. He climbed over the table, walked onto the stage, and drew his sword.

Shing.

[The Incarnation Yu Junghyeok has refused to reach an agreement with you.]

I dodged the blade almost on reflex.

The table split apart, and the stage became a mess in an instant. As the Demon Kings shouted in surprise, I drew the sword tucked inside my coat.

Junghyeok's Black Heaven Demon Blade collided with my Unbreakable Faith.

Clang!

Pain throbbed through my wrist.

"You crazy..."

Uriel tried to run over in shock, but a blue barrier around the stage blocked the Constellations' movements.

Tssssss!

[The Constellations and Demon Kings attending the Duet of Good and Evil cannot become hostile toward one another!]

[Assistance from other Constellations in judgments concerning shares is prohibited.]

This was the worst possible situation.

[The Great Dokkaebi Baram anticipates your choice.]

[The Great Dokkaebi Harong watches your decision.]

Even the Great Dokkaebis had revealed their presence. That meant the Administration Bureau was watching the judgment of good and evil for our fable. This Scenario was probably being broadcast on the Star Stream through another channel.

I glared at Junghyeok as his Status steadily grew.

His expression was unreadable. I had no idea why he had suddenly started this, but I couldn't yield to some third-round bastard who knew nothing.

―Junghyeok, you might not understand right now, but listen carefully.

I had to persuade him somehow.

―If our fable becomes fixed as good or evil here, a terrible disaster will occur.

According to the original story, the struggle for pride between absolute good alignment and Absolute Evil would reach a turning point this season. Over the past several seasons, the Duet of Good and Evil's grand prize had always gone to good.

That meant the Demon Kings were sharpening their blades over this Duet of Good and Evil.

「If good wins here, the Second Great War of Angels and Demons will break out.」

「If evil wins instead, Eden will lose ground, and destruction will accelerate.」

I hadn't accumulated enough powerful fables to prepare for the Great war of Angels and Demons yet.

Nor did I want to let evil win.

―I'll explain the details later, so for now, listen to me...

"Is that your prophecy?"

Deep distrust flickered in Junghyeok's burning eyes.

Prophecy.

Come to think of it, when I first met Junghyeok, I had introduced myself as a prophet. I hadn't expected him to still believe that, but perhaps that was for the best in a situation like this.

Before I could speak, Junghyeok asked again.

"Or is it information from that book called TWSA?"

"What?"

My heart suddenly pounded.

How?

How did Junghyeok know about TWSA?

[The Patron of the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok disapproves of this situation.]

[The Constellation Demonic Judge of Fire does not want you to fight!]

[The Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband is confused by the unexpected situation.]

[The Constellation Secretive Plotter watches your decision.]

Sparks flew from all over Junghyeok's body. He frowned deeply as if he had a headache. As though resisting some kind of will, he continued.

"If I follow what you say, will this Scenario end safely too?"

"Junghyeok, what are you..."

"Because that is the method my future-round self used?"

Rumble.

"Because that is the way to survive in this world?"

Suddenly, I couldn't put any strength into my hand.

[The Exclusive Skill The Fourth Wall trembles.]

My surroundings shook, and a small earthquake began deep inside my body. The tremors rapidly spread from their epicenter.

I grabbed my violently shaking right hand. When I looked up, Junghyeok was staring at my companions over my shoulder.

―Do they know?

Just how much did Junghyeok know?

―Answer me, Kim Dokja.

The resonance of Status flowing from the Black Heaven Demon Blade grew stronger.

Junghyeok was releasing the power of a Transcendent.

It meant he truly wouldn't hold back from now on.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is moving the Great Fable.]

[The Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth begins its story!]

I couldn't let him do as he pleased.

[You are the Greatest Storyteller of this fable.]

[Your suppressive force is controlling the fable.]

[The Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth is dissatisfied with your Status.]

[The Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth refuses your control.]

What?

Despite my higher share, the fable didn't listen to me.

The holy flame that had broken Poseidon's barrier wrapped around Junghyeok's Black Heaven Demon Blade. The pure white flames advanced toward me one step at a time, intent on consuming me.

[The Exclusive Skill The Fourth Wall has activated with tremendous force!]

「(Dokja-ssi, get a hold of yourself!)」

With Sangah's words, I released my Status.

[The Great Fable Spring of the Demon Realm protects you!]

[The Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth reveals hostility toward you!]

The two fables we had built together tangled in the air and collided. "Holy Flame That Devoured Myth" tore and bit at "Spring of the Demon Realm" like a savage beast. Torn strings scattered through the air like blood.

"What are you two doing right now? Have you gone crazy?"

[The Incarnation Jeong Huiwon has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

"Master! Why are you suddenly acting like this? And why did you choose evil, mister?"

[The Incarnation Lee Jihye has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

"Dokja-ssi! Yu Junghyeok-ssi! Both of you, stop!"

[The Incarnation Lee Hyeongseong has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

"Stop picking on our hyung, you black-clad bastard!"

[The Incarnation Lee Gilyeong has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

"Mister! Move!"

[The Incarnation Shin Yuseong has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

For the moment, their help was welcome.

"Holy Flame That Devoured Myth" was a fable we had all built together.

That meant Junghyeok and I weren't the only ones who could judge it.

[The narrators who have intervened in the judgment must distinguish between good and evil.]

[You cannot join the confrontation unless you choose good or evil.]

My companions looked confused. Of course they would. They had suddenly been told to choose good or evil.

Amid the confusion, Gilyeong was the first to speak.

"I'm always on Dokja hyung's side."

[The Incarnation Lee Gilyeong holds a 3.3% share in the Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth.]

[Due to the Incarnation Lee Gilyeong's declaration, this fable has tilted toward evil.]

I hurriedly shouted.

"Don't choose evil anymore! Everyone, choose good!"

"What?"

"Do what I say! Hurry!"

If I couldn't make Junghyeok withdraw his declaration, only one method remained. I had to bring these damned scales of good and evil into perfect balance.

The current difference was 14.2%. If I added the shares held by the remaining four...

"Choose one at a time. Slowly! Yuseong first!"

"Yes!"

[The Incarnation Shin Yuseong holds a 3.3% share in the Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth.]

[The Incarnation Jeong Huiwon holds a 6.7% share in the Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth.]

[The Incarnation Lee Hyeongseong holds a 7.3% share in the Great Fable Holy Flame That Devoured Myth.]

[Three narrators have chosen good.]

"Stop!"

At my shout, Jihye, who had been about to make the final choice, stopped short.

[The scales have tilted 3.1% toward good!]

[If an agreement is not reached within the next 5 minutes, Holy Flame That Devoured Myth will be confirmed as good.]

My companions' shares in the fable were larger than I had expected.

And only Jihye remained.

"Mister! Mine is 5.8%!"

The difference between good and evil was 3.1%, while Jihye's share was 5.8%.

No matter which side Jihye chose, the scales couldn't be balanced.

What if I could bring only part of the other companions' shares to my side?

[Narrators participating in the judgment of good and evil cannot transfer shares to one another.]

Damn it. So a convenient method like that wouldn't work after all.

Junghyeok's Black Heaven Demon Blade flew at my neck again.

"I said stop!"

Now able to join the duel, Huiwon blocked Junghyeok's sword in my place. Hyeongseong rushed in and wrapped his arms around Junghyeok from behind, while the children surrounded me protectively. Jihye stood between us, utterly at a loss.

"Why are you two fighting? Of all times, why now?"

Junghyeok's eyes shifted between me and my companions.

It looked as though he wanted to say something. No, I had a feeling I knew what he was trying to say.

「You are being deceived.」

His trembling pupils spewed anger at me.

「That bastard deceived all of us.」

I had thought a day like this would come. In truth, I thought about it dozens of times every day.

"All of you, get lost."

Amplifying his Status, Junghyeok sent Hyeongseong flying and knocked Jihye down before charging toward me. Huiwon and Junghyeok clashed swords. But Huiwon, unable to activate Hour of Judgement, couldn't possibly contend with him.

I moved the children behind me and stepped forward.

[The Demon King Lord of Stars and Logic cheers for you.]

[The Demon King Demon God of Necromancy wants you to win.]

[The Constellation Goddess of the Morning Star wants good to win.]

[Many Constellations and Demon Kings watch Kim Dokja Company.]

Messages appeared from the Constellations leering at me as I stepped forward.

Why were they so obsessed with good and evil?

[The Exclusive Skill Reading Comprehension has activated!]

Perhaps I already knew the answer.

They had no choice.

[The fable One Who Practices Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil continues its story.]

[The fable Guardian of a Hundred Evils continues its story.]

[The fable Evil Greater Than Evil continues its story.]

[The fable Appropriate Good continues its story.]

...

Countless strings writhed like insects in the eyes of the Constellations and Demon Kings.

Their fables. The stories that controlled them.

They were no longer Constellations or Demon Kings.

They existed only to enact good and evil in this world.

Most of them were nothing more than breeding tools that ancient fables used to spread themselves.

At last, those fables were trying to devour even the fable of our nebula.

[If an agreement is not reached within the next 2 minutes, Holy Flame That Devoured Myth will be confirmed as good.]

I couldn't let that happen. After making a quick decision, I shouted.

"Jihye! Choose good!"

"Huh? But..."

"Hurry!"

Jihye looked as though she couldn't understand.

Good was already ahead, so naturally she would find it strange that I was telling her to choose that side.

Jihye immediately made her choice.

[The scales have tilted 8.9% toward good!]

[If an agreement is not reached within the next 40 seconds, Holy Flame That Devoured Myth will be confirmed as good.]

8.9%... The difference had grown even wider than before.

Yes, this was the best option.

I drew in a breath, then called out a certain being's modifier with all my strength.

[Abyssal Black Flame Dragon!]

I knew he was watching. Which meant his Incarnation also knew what was happening here.

The only person who would understand exactly what I wanted in this situation.

[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon smiles madly.]

Junghyeok's Black Heaven Demon Blade, wrapped in a Transcendent's Status, shot toward my neck. It was an attack I couldn't possibly evade.

At that moment, the ceiling of the hall cracked.

Crack!

A thunderous blast erupted. Junghyeok flinched and looked up, but it was already too late.

Craaaash!

Junghyeok, who had been charging toward me, was buried beneath the collapsed ceiling. He avoided several large chunks, but there were simply too many falling stones.

A small figure appeared through the pale clouds of dust. Her hair was soaked with sweat, as though she had rushed here. The bandage around her half-unwrapped left hand fluttered in the wind.

She trampled Junghyeok amid the dust and stood atop him with a frowning grin.

"Seriously, you guys can't do anything without me."

[The Incarnation Han Suyeong has intervened in the judgment of the Great Fable!]

Footnotes:

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