WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 94: Episode 19 — Singularity (2)
In the world of the Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, constellations are divided into two major types: the free constellations, who are unaffiliated with any group, and the affiliated constellations, who belong to specific Nebulas.
[How dare a mere human insult the great stars!]
There are a few renowned Nebulas based on Earth's mythology. Examples include <Asgard> from Norse mythology and <Eden> from the Revelations. Another one just as famous is <Olympus>, to which the one standing before me belonged.
"Don't act so high and mighty when you're not even a real 'god.'"
At my words, Sangah's expression changed. I was somewhat surprised that a constellation had attempted direct descent, but I wasn’t entirely unprepared.
"The plausibility of the early scenario would never allow Olympus' gods to descend. Isn't that right?"
[How dare you…!]
Without an entity capable of balancing plausibility, the descent of one of the 12 Olympian gods would have already obliterated Seoul. The subsequent aftermath would have caused an enormous chain reaction. While many of Olympus' gods were known for thinking with their lower halves, not all of them were complete fools.
I looked at the threads of magical energy coiling around Sangah's body and spoke.
"It seems you are the limit of what plausibility allows at this stage, 'Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth.'"
Just as Korea had its own historical constellations, Olympus had its own, with many being Historical-grade constellations.
The Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth.
This was the epithet of Ariadne, the lover of Theseus.
"Sending you, the constellation with the lowest plausibility cost, as a representative… Olympus is as stingy as ever."
[Silence! How dare you…!]
The threads of magic surrounding her erupted, tearing up the ground with thunderous noise. The sheer presence she radiated cracked the earth in her vicinity.
As expected, Ariadne was no lightweight.
Constellations empowered by myth were inherently stronger than Incarnations, even at their weakest.
But I knew one thing for sure, she couldn’t attack me.
Zap!
Sparks danced in the air. The shackles of plausibility had been activated.
Though she hadn’t fully descended, even partial descent by taking over her incarnation required significant plausibility expenditure.
Moreover, Ariadne was affiliated with a major Nebula. Her actions would inevitably draw the attention of other powerful beings.
Rumble―
Above the Seoul Dome, the 'Great Hole' roared. The oppressive fear drowned out my hearing, and a shiver ran down my spine. Sangah's complexion turned pale as Ariadne descended into her.
"You seem to be running out of time. Shall we get to the point?"
This was the reality of constellations.
They were beings that vied for dominance in the Star Stream, yet were always bound by the heavy shackles of plausibility.
"The outer gods seem to have noticed your presence."
[…How does a human know such things?]
"That's not important, is it? You didn’t come here to argue with me, did you? Surely the constellations bearing the plausibility burden on your behalf wouldn’t want that either."
Thunder cracked around the Great Hole. As I thought, it was too early in the scenario for a Historical-grade constellation to descend directly. I hurriedly continued.
"I’ll ask you three questions. If you answer them, I’ll answer yours."
[Are you suggesting a Three-Question Exchange?]
"Exactly."
The Three-Question Exchange was a negotiation method used by constellations to minimize plausibility consumption.
Ariadne glared at me in discontent.
[A human daring to invoke the transaction method of constellations…]
"Are you in or not?"
[…Wait.]
Yu Sangah's eyelids closed. Ariadne was likely communicating with other Olympus-affiliated constellations through her network.
[A constellation who dislikes broken immersion shows interest in your proposal.]
It seemed Olympus’ spectators had joined in as well.
At last, Ariadne completed her communication and opened her eyes.
[I accept the exchange.]
Then came the system message.
[The Sacred Three-Question Exchange begins.]
— Each side may ask and answer three questions.
— All questions must be answered truthfully.
— Each side may refuse to answer one question.
— The exchange cannot end until all questions and answers are completed.
"I’ll go first."
[Fine.]
— The first question has been used.
"Why are you inhabiting Yu Sangah's body?"
[…]
"Your domain is on the opposite side of the continent. You must be busy dealing with your own scenarios. Why come here?"
[To monitor this world’s singularity.]
— The first answer has been obtained.
"Singularity?"
[Is that your second question?]
Damn it. She was shrewd. A 'question' was consumed once the questioner gained a certain level of understanding from the answer.
"No. Your turn to ask."
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth uses her first question.
[Who are you?]
"Me? I’m one of the singularities you’re monitoring."
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth has obtained the first answer.
Ariadne murmured, visibly startled.
[…How do you know that?]
"So I am a singularity, huh?"
I’d only been guessing, but it turned out to be true.
Ariadne’s gaze narrowed.
[You…]
"Don't be angry. You constellations do this all the time, don’t you?"
[A constellation who dislikes broken immersion is amused by your wit.]
Ariadne’s demeanor grew more hostile.
But this was how the Three-Question Exchange worked. If you answered your opponent’s questions honestly, you’d only end up at a disadvantage.
The essence of the exchange lay in using your questions wisely while wasting your opponent’s.
I pressed on.
— The second question has been used.
"Then, what exactly is a 'Singularity'?"
[It refers to beings like you.]
Oh, trying to be clever, huh? But that answer wasn’t satisfactory.
"Answer properly. You don’t want this to end unresolved, do you?"
After some hesitation, Ariadne elaborated.
[To put it simply, singularities are beings mentioned in the Oracle.]
"Be more specific. I have no clue what you’re talking about."
Ariadne pondered before continuing.
[It wasn’t our intention to monitor you. Finding you was purely coincidental.]
…Coincidental?
[Our original target was another being. A being that carries immense destiny and disrupts plausibility. Singularities are such beings.]
Her words clarified everything.
— The second answer has been obtained.
It seemed Olympus had already discovered Yu Junghyeok in this round. Given the technological prowess of Olympus, tracking down mass plausibility disruptions was no difficult feat. Especially with Hermes, the master of information tracking, on their side.
If a being of the 12 Olympians’ caliber had descended, they’d have already detected the divergences caused by Junghyeok.
However, something didn’t sit right. The secrets of a 'regressor' were not something a Historical-grade constellation like Ariadne should have access to.
[If that satisfies your question, it’s my turn.]
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth uses her second question.
[Who will you choose in the next <Patron Selection>?]
An unexpected question.
[A constellation who dislikes broken immersion listens intently.]
[Several constellations favoring the Korean Peninsula grow tense.]
[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband chants his Modifier.]
This was tricky. I had no choice but to say:
"I refuse to answer. Saying who I’ll choose now would spoil the fun, wouldn’t it?"
— You have used your refusal right.
— You can no longer refuse any further questions.
Predictably, Ariadne immediately asked another question.
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth uses her third question.
[Then, for the final question: how did you know we were monitoring you?]
Damn it. That had been her real goal all along.
Ariadne must have deliberated hard on this. Simply asking about my 'identity' would have let me deflect, so she crafted a precise question.
After some thought, I answered.
"I read books."
[What?]
"I read a lot of books. That’s how I knew."
No system message appeared to indicate the answer was accepted. Clearly, she wasn’t satisfied. But mentioning the TWSA would result in censorship, making it impossible for her to understand.
"You see, we Koreans know your myths very well."
[What do you mean?]
"In Korea, your myths are quite famous. They’re so popular that they’ve even been adapted into children’s cartoons. Didn’t you know how famous you are in our country? Anyone would recognize you as an Olympian."
Ariadne’s shock was evident as her eyes wavered.
[That cannot be. A mere small nation…]
"The Cretan Labyrinth."
[…!]
"A monster that is half-man, half-beast."
Her eyes widened further.
"An abandoned lover. An exile on Naxos Island. A romance with the God of Wine… Shall I continue?"
[Stop! Enough!]
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth has obtained the third answer.
Ariadne’s face twisted in embarrassment as she faltered.
[How could a lowly human from a tiny nation know my fable so well…]
I let out a sigh of relief. Somehow, I’d managed to dodge her inquiries.
It made sense why Ariadne was sent as Olympus’ representative. Her plausibility cost was low, and she wasn’t particularly sharp.
The Great Hole above grew increasingly unstable. I quickly spoke.
"Then my final question: what was the Oracle you received this time?"
After a long pause, Ariadne narrowed her eyes, as if weighing invisible scales, and said:
[…I cannot tell you that.]
— The constellation Lover of the Abandoned Labyrinth has used her refusal right.
— All questions and answers have been exchanged.
— The Sacred Three-Question Exchange ends.
It was disappointing but expected.
The final question had been the most critical.
[A constellation who dislikes broken immersion clicks their tongue in regret.]
Lightning rained down from the sky, and Ariadne frowned.
[My husband was curious about your story, so I indulged him briefly. But the games end here.]
Realizing her time was up, her voice grew urgent.
[I descended here for one reason. Olympus warns you solemnly, do not interfere with our affairs. We are working to prevent the world's destruction. This woman will grow into an excellent wall against destruction.]
"Why Yu Sangah?"
[Searching for a reason is futile. Even the three Moirai[1], who weave the threads of fate, do not know the answer.]
Damn it. Olympus' tendency to use 'fate' as an excuse was consistent with the original work.
[Incarnation bound to the scenario. The flow of destiny is being twisted. All the stars’ streams converge into one, heralding the beginning of the story that will determine the constellations’ fate.]
"Are you talking about <Gigantomachia>?"
[…That you know of such information is surprising. But do not let your knowledge make you arrogant.]
Sparks flew around Sangah's body, signaling the onset of a plausibility storm.
[You, a mere puppet of the moment, cannot possibly understand. But remember, when the final act arrives, if you stand on the wrong side—]
At that moment, lightning struck Yu Sangah, and Ariadne's power exited her body, leaving her unconscious.
Ahhh…
A sound like the ripping of time and space echoed as Sangah collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut. I hurriedly ran to catch her. At that moment, I felt someone’s gaze from above.
Do not look up.
No one had told me that, but I instinctively knew.
If I looked up…
[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall nullifies your mental shock.]
Still, I found myself raising my head, drawn by an unseen force. Something rippled within the Great Hole. The presence that had dispelled Ariadne’s power was there. Tongues, tentacles—
Or perhaps nothing resembling anything at all.
A terror beyond language stared at me.
An outer god.
Time seemed to slow, sweat poured down my face and back, and the pain made me feel as if I’d stopped breathing. By the time I blinked, the 'Great Hole' had returned to normal. Trembling, I clenched my fists.
Those were my true enemies.
From a distance, Suyeong was running towards me. The roars of the agitated monsters filled the dark night, and the cries of the people crouched under the lightning echoed sporadically.
The scenarios tied to the final act went by many names.
Ragnarok, Gigantomachia, Armageddon…
I didn’t know what final act Ariadne was referring to, but one thing was clear. Something different from the original was beginning.
And that was precisely what I wanted.
If things proceeded exactly as they had in the original, I could never reach the ending I desired.
I gently laid Sangah down, lost in thought.
A fragile body, as if it would shatter with a touch. Sangah's fists were clenched tightly, as though she refused to give in to her patron.
Humans are weak.
But the stars, who feared plausibility storms, overlooked one thing, all of Earth's myths ultimately began with the humans they dismissed as weak.
I lightly bumped my fist against Sangah’s tightly clenched one.
[The power of Fables stirs deep within your soul.]
[Your first Stigma is preparing to bloom.]
I would build a 'story' that could withstand any myth.
At the same time, a silver wolf was running through the darkness.
'Tch… damn wolf.'
Antinus, the Parasite Queen, frowned as she examined her new body. The body she’d taken over was none other than that of an Imyuntar wolf.
Of course, simply surviving had been a miracle. When most of her body had been torn apart by plausibility, if the unconscious Lycaon hadn’t been nearby, she would have died. Her faint survival instincts had saved her—possible only because she was a Parasite.
Splurt.
Black blood gushed from Lycaon’s body, riddled with fragments of catastrophe. Lycaon's body, unfit to resist Catastrophes, wouldn’t last long.
'…I need a new host.'
Antinus shivered as she recalled the humans who had defeated the Catastrophe of Questions. The very humans who had annihilated the Catastrophe that destroyed her home planet. That unbelievable sight had crushed her spirit, yet also solidified her resolve.
She would have revenge. She would exterminate the Earthlings who had ravaged her home, Chronos…
Her antennae quivered.
'What is this?'
A familiar aura reached her senses. It was a power she had only felt in the past, from Chronos’ ancient royal species. Antinus quickened her pace. If she could parasitize such a host, her revenge might still be within reach.
Finally, she arrived at her destination, only to find an unexpected being.
She couldn’t believe it. How could such a creature exist on Earth?
"Click… click-click!"
Her instincts compelled her to scream, and the boy’s eyes gleamed chillingly under the moonlight.
"An insect I’ve never seen before."
The boy, Lee Gilyeong, grinned wickedly at Antinus.
Footnotes:
[1] In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Moirai (/ˈmɔɪraɪ, -riː/)—often known in English as the Fates—were the personifications of destiny. They were three sisters: Clotho (the spinner), Lachesis (the allotter), and Atropos (the inevitable, a metaphor for death). Their Roman equivalent is the Parcae.[1]
The role of the Moirai was to ensure that every being, mortal and divine, lived out their destiny as it was assigned to them by the laws of the universe. For mortals, this destiny spanned their entire lives and was represented as a thread spun from a spindle. Generally, they were considered to be above even the gods in their role as enforcers of fate, although in some representations, Zeus, the chief of the gods, is able to command them.
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