WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS
Translator: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 72: Episode 15 - A Kingless World (2)
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Thunder rolled through the sky, and rain soon began to fall. The light rising from the Absolute Throne touched the heavens. Thick storm clouds swirled around that pillar of light.
It was an omen of the Fifth Scenario, the Great Hole.
Standing in the drizzling rain, the mid-grade dokkaebi opened its mouth.
[…What did you just say?]
“I said I won’t sit on the throne.”
[I don't understand why you're being so contrary. Wouldn't it be better to earn even one more coin at a time like this? You must have spent a huge amount of coins earlier, too. Just accept the reward. Without the power of that Absolute Throne, the Seoul Dome will never survive the Fifth Scenario.]
Maybe the dokkaebi's words had frightened them, because the people gathered around Gwanghwamun started shouting at me.
“What the hell? What is he thinking?”
“Stop talking and just sit down already!”
“Damn it, then hand it over to me!”
The dokkaebi kept talking, apparently convinced things were going its way.
[That throne can give you far more than you want. Just by sitting on it, your fable will be born, and the Patron constellation you contracted with will rise in status. You don't seem to understand what that means.]
In fact, the uproar of the Constellations had been ringing in my ears for a while now.
[The constellation Adventurer Who Stands Eggs on End wishes to become your patron.]
[The constellation One-stroke Scholar wishes to become your patron.]
……
[You have been sponsored 500 coins.]
The mid-grade dokkaebi continued in a cold voice.
[Let me warn you in advance, I am not like the low-grade dokkaebis. Don't think some clumsy little trick will work on me.]
I looked at the Absolute Throne. Just as the dokkaebi said, if I failed to obtain the Absolute Throne here, clearing the Fifth Scenario would become much harder. But I also knew what the dokkaebi hadn't said. If I used this Absolute Throne even once, I would never be able to reach the ending of the Scenario.
Even Yu Junghyeok in the original work only barely noticed this by the 41st round.
That was the kind of thing the Absolute Throne was from the moment it was born.
“Then why the hell won't you be king?!”
An agitated man appeared from the crowd. He was breathing hard and pointing at me as if his whole life had been insulted. I asked him in return.
“That is what I'd like to ask. What about me makes you trust me enough to make me king?”
“What?”
“What will you do if I become king and decide to kill you?”
The man's parted lips froze. Looking at the others around him, I continued.
“The same goes for all of you. Have you forgotten already? We didn't live in a kingdom to begin with. Then why are you already acting like the subjects of one?”
Why didn't I want to be king? The answer was simple.
“I don't want to become the king representing ugly people like you.”
I looked up at the sky and went on.
“And I don't want filthy Constellations like you as my patrons, either.”
Then I looked at the throne.
“So I will not sit on the Absolute Throne. But.”
At almost the same time, I drew my sword.
“I won't allow anyone else to sit on it, either.”
If someone sat on it, that meant someone else couldn't. A cold flame burned in the dokkaebi's eyes.
[You would do well to stop there. I am not a very patient being....]
I stared straight back at the dokkaebi and kept speaking.
“How much longer are you going to be dragged around helplessly by the dokkaebis' Scenarios? Do you really not know what it means for someone to sit on the Absolute Throne?”
I knew how great a price people already accustomed to obedience had to pay to escape that obedience.
“Constellations of the Korean Peninsula. The same goes for you. I know full well that not all Constellations are alike. Some are lower in status, and some are higher.”
There was an invisible hierarchy even among the Constellations. Just as Constellations watched Incarnations, some Constellations watched other Constellations. More precisely, they watched the ones lower than themselves.
“But isn't this enough already? How much longer are you going to turn this land into a battlefield for miserable Incarnations?”
[The constellation One-Eyed Maitreya groans.]
“You labor to build up history and become Historical, then pile up fables and become fabled-grade...... and then what will you do? After becoming brighter stars in a higher sky? How much longer will you exploit the descendants of this land to satisfy your own greed?”
[The constellation Lady of the Sleeping Brocade falls silent.]
That was when the mid-grade dokkaebi, which had been silently listening, moved.
[I can no longer stand by and watch this.]
At the same moment, a system message arrived.
[A new sub scenario has arrived.]
<Sub Scenario - Seize the Throne>
Category: Sub
Difficulty: B
Clear conditions: Subdue the Incarnation Kim Dokja, who refuses to sit on the throne, and claim the throne in his place.
Time limit: 30 minutes
Rewards: 6,000 coins
Penalty for failure: ―
Right. I knew it would come to this in the end.
The people who had wavered for a moment at my words were now approaching me. Their eyes were blind with greed. In the end, the dokkaebi was right. Them, and me too. No matter how nicely we dressed it up, we were all just vermin willing to sell our conscience for a few coins.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
“Get past me if you can!”
A woman stepped in front of me and blocked the way. At her growling voice, the people's steps faltered. It was Jeong Huiwon.
“No matter how the world changes, there are values we mustn't forget. I believe things like that definitely exist.”
At some point, Yu Sangah had already moved up as well. Lee Gilyeong, gripping his hammer, took his place behind me as if he had been waiting for this. Jeong Minseop and Lee Seongguk, who had been standing by, also came over.
“......Sometimes, Representative, you seem even more like a protagonist than Yu Junghyeok.”
“Even Yu Junghyeok wouldn't do something this crazy......”
But there were too many enemies to hold back with just them. That was when some unexpected figures appeared.
“We'll help just this once.”
“Judging by my mind-reading, it was a persuasive argument.”
King of Beauty Min Jiwon, and even Maitreya King Cha Sanggyeon. I didn't know what part of my words had moved them. But something had definitely changed. Even if it was no more than a fistful of possibility in this world.
[The vermin are putting on quite a show....... What are you all doing? Drag him down at once!]
People rushed toward the throne. Right beside me, while shoving back the oncoming line, Jeong Huiwon asked,
“Dokja-ssi, you have a plan, right?”
“Yes.”
“What should we do?”
“Buy me time. Until I destroy this throne.”
The path to a new Scenario was inside this throne. I pulled a sword from inside my coat. Someone in the crowd shouted,
“It's the Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword!”
The Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword was an S+ grade item. However, if certain conditions were met, it could be turned into a constellation artifact for a moment. Because this Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword was an item forged by Historical Constellations that had poured their souls into it.
[Ganpyeongui's special option, Echo of the Stars, has activated.]
[Through Echo of the Stars, you can ask a Historical Constellation for aid.]
“I'll call on the Constellations.”
[Among the stars, Historical Constellations hear your voice.]
Like chanting a spell, I called out the Constellations' modifiers.[1]
“I want the 'First Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Tamlang Star Lord.
“I want the 'Second Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Geomun Star Lord.
“I want the 'Third Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Nokjon Star Lord.
“I want the 'Fourth Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Mungok Star Lord.
“I want the 'Fifth Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Yeomjeong Star Lord.
“I want the 'Sixth Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Mugok Star Lord.
[The stars have begun to move.]
[Six Constellations are looking at you.]
As all the constellations on the celestial board vanished, my head became as cramped as a rush-hour subway car. I staggered from the dizziness, and blood poured from my nose and ears at the same time. It was hard even to keep thinking. Contacting six Constellations at once had overloaded my brain. The Star Lords of the Big Dipper spoke.
[What in the world are you thinking?]
[If you call all of us like this.]
[Your mind will be completely destroyed.]
[Why did you call us?]
[Why not choose the easy path......]
[And instead volunteer for a road of thorns?]
But I didn't stop. I still had to call one more Constellation to use the Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword. But there were no constellations left on the celestial board now.
[All uses of Ganpyeongui have been consumed.]
I pulled out the jar I had obtained from the Tyrant King, the Dragon Jar.
The reward from the 7-person dungeon, Chamber of the Dragon Jar.
Then I placed two items inside the jar.
“I offer the S-grade item Three Wheeled Ring as a Sacrifice to restore the number of uses of the S-grade item Ganpyeongui.”
[The Dragon Jar is displaying its wondrous regenerative power.]
[The S-grade item Three Wheeled Ring has vanished as a Sacrifice.]
[The number of uses of the S-grade item Ganpyeongui has been restored.]
I used Ganpyeongui again. Then I called the final remaining Constellation.
“I want the 'Seventh Star Lord of the Big Dipper.'”
Pagun Star Lord.
Seven stars embroidered themselves across the void. At last, all seven seats of the Big Dipper had gathered. The seven stars spoke to me at the same time.
[What is it you want from us?]
“Star Lords of the Big Dipper, I want to sever the bond of constellations. Lend me your swords.”
[......Do you know what that means?]
“I do.”
I knew it very well, which was why I was risking my life to do this.
The final reward of the 4th Scenario, the Absolute Throne.
That throne was an item that borrowed the power of one of the Outer Gods roaming the dark dimension. If I obtained the throne, things would become convenient for a while. I could place restrictions on Yu Junghyeok, and the enemies inside my own camp who threatened me would disappear too.
But Seoul, and this world, would surely be destroyed.
A complete ruin with no salvation and no miracles.
That was the price of carelessly borrowing the power of the absolute. If I wanted to advance to the ending I had in mind, no one on this land could be allowed to take that throne.
[Even the Constellations in this sky are wary of the creator of that throne.]
[Yet a mere human like you intends to challenge the owner of that thing?]
“If you help me, it can be done. And I am not fighting the owner. I only mean to cut the bond of constellations connecting the owner and the object.”
[That is a Plausibility you cannot bear.]
[You will definitely die.]
“I'll decide that. Let's begin.”
The seven Constellations fell silent. How much time passed? The Big Dipper suddenly blazed in the sky, and the constellation engraved on the sword began burning with brilliant light.
[We respect your will.]
[Even if you die here.]
[We will remember you.]
Dazzling rays of light wrapped around the Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword, and the white blade began to burn with bright flames.
[The S+ grade item Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword has evolved into the constellation artifact Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword.]
The constellation artifact Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword was originally a ceremonial sword made for rituals. A blade that cut away evil energy and blocked disasters.
I swung the sword straight at the Absolute Throne. Sparks flew with a sharp clang. The Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword was one of the few items capable of cutting the Constellation bond linked to a constellation artifact.
Crack.
From the invisible air, I heard the sound of something tearing apart. Maybe it had begun to notice something was wrong, because an ominous black light was gathering around the Absolute Throne. I brought the sword down on the Absolute Throne several more times, and the edge of the Four-Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword began to chip away. From here on, I had no choice but to trust the Star Lords of the Big Dipper. Yu Sangah shouted,
“Dokja-ssi! Hurry!”
I swung the sword like a madman. Ignoring the breaking blade, I kept striking the throne. Flying sparks, a shattering edge. And then, finally.
[The blessing connected to the constellation artifact Absolute Throne has disappeared.]
[A Mysterious Ruler has noticed the anomaly in this world.]
The Absolute Throne lost its light and became an ordinary chair. The mid-grade dokkaebi, beside itself, screamed out,
[You witless piece of vermin......!]
[The sub scenario has been forcibly terminated.]
The people's movements stopped as well. Now that the Scenario had ended, there was no need for them to keep acting. The Star Lords of the Big Dipper spoke to me.
[Incarnation, prepare for the flood of Plausibility that is coming.]
The moment I heard the voice, my insides twisted and blood spilled from my mouth. It felt as though someone was stretching and crushing my existence over and over. A vast power that felt capable of tearing my body apart circled around me with innocent ease. I forced myself to hold on to my senses.
Ruuumble.
It would be fine. Plausibility was, in the end, just plausibility. To make all of this seem plausible, I had done everything I possibly could until now. So I could endure it.
I kept repeating that to myself as I barely held on to my fading consciousness.
That was when, in the distant night sky, a single star quietly twinkled.
[The constellation Naval Warfare God is looking at you.]
A single gaze, quiet and lonely, yet deeply gentle.
[The constellation Bald Army General is looking at you.]
And then two.
[The constellation The Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol is looking at you.]
Three.
[The constellation Lady of the Sleeping Brocade is looking at you.]
......
Amid the pouring messages from the Constellations, the mid-grade dokkaebi shouted,
[Why......?]
Each time another star was added, my pain eased little by little. I realized the Constellations were each taking on a share of the Plausibility I was supposed to bear. A story that had not seemed plausible was changing into a plausible story with the agreement of many stars. Countless stars were wrapping me in their light. Among them were the Star Lords of the Big Dipper who had lent me their power.
[Is this the story you wished to show us?]
I wanted to answer, but I had no strength left.
[We will watch over you, King of a Kingless World.]
In Seoul's chaotic night sky, I looked back up at the stars sending their light to me.
[The constellation Heungmu the Great King is looking at you.]
[The constellation One-Eyed Maitreya is looking at you.]
……
All the Historical Constellations in Seoul were shining their light toward me. But even with that many stars, it still wasn't enough to light up the dark night sky.
Quietly, I looked up at the Great Hole swirling together with the storm clouds.
[The 4th Scenario is being forcibly terminated.]
[An unplanned branch has occurred, so settling the Scenario will take time.]
When I wiped the blood running down from my nose, the mid-grade dokkaebi strode toward me.
[So you really did choose the worst option. You will regret what happened today for the rest of your life. I swear on my honor that I will make sure of it.]
Even through my fading vision, I couldn't help but smile. If the dokkaebi was saying that, it meant I had won.
[You have achieved a non-existing achievement.]
[A new fable has been created.]
[The fable King of a Kingless World has been born.]
[You have obtained the potential for a stigma.]
I have no next round.
In this world, I will reach the end of the story.
Footnotes:
[1] The Star Lords of the Big Dipper are deified rulers associated with the seven stars of the Big Dipper in East Asian cosmology. Here, Dokja first calls their modifiers or epithets, then their individual names.
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