Beyond the Eternity

[00 : 00 : 01]

[00 : 00 : 00]

[The countdown has reached zero.]

[Congratulations, you have passed the Nightmare Scenario.]

[Rewards will be distributed...]

[500 coins have been received as compensation.]

[The safety zones has been destoryed.]

As the system notifications rang in my ear, the dome covering scattered in all directions and disappeared. It meant the nightmare trial for this round has come to an end.

Coincidentally, I just finishing writing something on my smartphone. To be specific, I was writing something on the Microsoft Words mobile app. To be specific, I was writing the events that has transpired so far.

The arrival of Fate and the beginning of the Stories, how I escaped the hospital and killed the character 'Nam Jinhyuk', how I survived the endless wave of night crawlers. And then lastly, the end of the mainframe group. Everything was summarised on my smartphone.

There was no particular reason for writing everything down but I felt the need to write. I'm a writer so I couldn't help myself. Everything was a story and stories was the essence of writers like myself.

Jung Yunhee swung her head like a curious rabbit, trying to see what was displayed on the screen of my smartphone.

"What are you writing?"

"You don't need to know."

"Don't be like that. Are you a writer?"

An interesting question. After all, my name was Kim Jakga.

I opened my mouth and responded, "I'm just writing all the events that has transpired."

"Writing all events? You mean like a diary?"

"It's something similar."

"Ugh..."

Why did she seem disappointed. Regardless of what she was thinking, there was a good reason why I was doing this. It will be useful in the future.

Anyways, I looked around and skillfully changed the subject.

"Is everyone leaving already?

"Yeah. I mean, there is nothing else to do here."

The remaining survivors started leaving the place one by one and scattered in different directions.

Just as Jung Yeonhee said. Since the safe zone was destoryed, there was no point in staying here any longer. Strangely enough, I was filled with a sense of satisfaction.

Compared to the original plot, the number of people that survived here was much higher. They all survived because of me. If I hadn't intervened, the people here would have died.

Now that I think about it, Minhyuk was not in the original novel. In fact, he was someone that would have died the moment the Nightmare Trial arrived on Earth. But somehow he survived.

What caused that change? Was I somehow involved?

"Jakga, would they be alright?"

I shrugged my shoulders and answered Angelica nonchalantly.

"Who knows? If they are lucky then they will survive."

Most of the fleeing people were not meant to have survived. However, they were alive but their lives were completely in their own hands.

I looked around and counted the number of the remaining people.

Angelica, Lee Jongho, Jung Yunhee and myself included. Apart from us, there was still two people remaining in this place.

In fact, the remaining two individuals walked towards us. Surprisingly, they were familiar faces.

"Lee Kwangsun? Lee Gyeong? You're still here?"

"Yeah, we were just about to leave."

"Hmm, do you want to tag along?"

Both of them shook their heads. It seems they already have other plans.

"Sorry, I need to find someone."

"Same here, I have to find my daughter."

They wore dark expressions. In the end, everyone in this world has their own stories to tell. Come to think of it, wasn't Angelica's father figure missing as well?

Finally, Jung Yunhee opened her mouth.

"Very well, I wish you luck then."

Once she turned around, Gyeong and Kwangsun released a breath of relief. They were lucky she didn't hold a grudge.

Their fear was understandable. Considering how she brutally killed the mainframe group members with a straight face, anyone will be afraid of Jung Yunhee.

Kwangsun looked at me and said, "Kim Jakga, please be well."

"Same to you, doctor."

Lee Gyeong and Lee Kwangsun nodded before leaving. There was no question that they will survive. Lee Gyeong had a talent for escaping and considering Lee Kwangsun was a doctor before the Nightmare Trial, he should have the doctor attribute used for healing wounds.

I suddenly remembered something and called out.

"Hey, Lee Gyeong."

"Yes?"

As Lee Gyeong turned around, I threw something towards her. She was surprised at first but still managed to catch it.

She looked at the stick I threw with a confused expression.

"Um, what's this?"

"I carved something written on that stick. Head to that address. There's someone that can remove that mark permanently there."

"Oh, I see. Thank you very much."

With that, she turned around to leave. I wasn't sure if that person would help but I had a feeling he would since I wrote that message.

I turned and looked at Lee Jongho who was staring at me with a stupid expression. Hasn't he been staring at me for a while now. I think I knew what he was thinking.

"Jongho-ssi?"

"Ah, yes!"

"Have you packed everything?"

"Yes. I gathered everything just as you asked. Plastic bottles to contain water, back sacks to carry our goods and emergency food rations."

A smile formed on my lips. Since Lee Jongho was an ex-soldier, he was very useful.

"Is there anything else you need?"

"Not really..."

I was able to finish but I thought of something and changed my mind.

"No. Actually, there is something else that I need."

"What is it?"

"I need portable secondary batteries."

"Batteries? What do you need them for?"

He was right to wonder. Since there was no signals, smartphones will be useless. At the same time, batteries will be also useless as well.

I replied roughly, "There is a place where I can use it. Can you help me find it?"

Lee Jongho nodded and started looking for it without question. He searched through the bodies of the dead mainframe group members. Angelica and Jung Yunhee joined the search, saying they will help.

I looked around and noticed that apart from us, the place was empty. Perhaps this was a good time.

"Hey, Aurora."

I called out but there was no response. Maybe I should be more aggressive.

'Stop pretending. I know you can hear me. Maybe I should have a word with the council after all.'

[What is it now!]

The empty space distorted and Aurora, the fairy, appeared. She look rather stressed and tired. I already know why.

I teased with a smirk, "Haven't you lost some weight?"

[Why you...]

Aurora wanted to say something but she closed her mouth and calmed herself.

[Why did you call me, boss?]

Now that's a good attitude. I like it.

"I want to sell something."

I pulled out an item from the dimensional storage ring and it shone with a bright glow.

[Plague Spider's Core]

It was a magic core found in the grade 7 monster species. With this, I could raise my magic power level without coins if I wanted.

But I had different plans. This wasn't just a normal grade 7 monster core. It was core of a grade 7 monster that was about to evolve into the next grade.

I could see Aurora's eyes widening in surprise. There was no way she wouldn't know.

[Isn't that... You bastard, how did you do it?]

"I have my ways. In any case, I'll sell this."

[How much will you take for the core?]

"I'm not selling it to you. I will be putting it in the exclusive shop."

[Tch. I knew that will be your response.]

Aurora grumbled and placed the core in the shop. Unlike what most people will think, she had very simple desires.

[So how much are you going to charge?]

"I will not sell for coins. I'll sell it by barter."

[Seriously, are you even human? You even know about that function.]

I ignored what she was saying and continued speaking.

"Someone will come to buy it. And the exchanged item will be the Four Tiger Evil Breaking Sword."

(Note: Four Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword is also called the Four Tiger Sword. It is a chinese used to repel evil.)

[Four Tiger Evil-Cutting Sword? Oh, I see. But do you really believe that constellation will trade that item?]

"Of course. In any case, I will buy this item."

I touched the skill catalogue and picked a skill that caught my eye.

[You have purchased the 'Soul Chasing Yang Qi (energy)']

[20,000 coins has been consumed.]

It was the Soul Chasing Sword Energy. Although it was common knowledge that low-priced items were trash. However, that was not necessarily true.

"Well, I think that is all for now. When the trader arrives, let me know."

[Okay. In that case, I will be going now.]

In the next moment, Aurora's body vibrated before she disappeared completely.

Now it was the time for the next line of business. I needed to increase my stats. It was completely necessary that I raised my stats if I wanted to survive the next trial.

First... I needed strength.

[You have invested 4,000 coins in Strength.]

[Strength Lv. 10 –> Strength Lv. 20]

[You body can unleash greater force.]

Next, I need to be agile to escape enemies.

[You have invested 4,000 coins in Agility.]

[Agility Lv. 10 –> Agility Lv. 20]

[Your body can now produce greater speed.]

Since I didn't possess any defensive skills, raising the level of my physique stats was necessary.

[You have invested 4,000 coins in Physique.]

[Physique Lv. 10 –> Physique Lv. 20.]

[Your body has become much tougher.]

'Open Status Window.'

Upon command, a system interface appeared before my retina and I examined it carefully.

+

[ « Soul Status » ]

Name: Jakga Kim

Age: 25

Contracted Constellation: None

Primary Attributes: ■■

Personal Skills: Zero One ???, Black Box ???

Skills: Blood Demon Sword Energy Lv. 1, Marksmanship Lv. 1, Soul Chasing Sword Energy Lv. 1, Magic bullets Lv. 3, Eagle Eye Lv. 1, Incite Lv.

2, Quick Processing...

Divine Authorities: None

Overall stats: [Physique Lv. 20], [Strength Lv. 20], [Agility Lv. 20], [Magic Power Lv. 20]

+

Everything has increased including my overall stats which was now 80 and my skills has increased as well. However, some things did not change. I narrowed my eyes at two particular skills.

Zero One and Black Box

Those skills were the ones I possessed since the beginning of the nightmares. They were skills without a description so I didn't know their full uses. Additionally, my Aspect was blocked. It was because the system had sealed all my important information.

The Black Box allowed me to access the information of the story including the 1999 chapters and the characters registered on the character sheet. It was as if the entire file of the novel Song of the Fall was stored inside my head. The story was deleted from the world but not from my mind.

As for the skill 'Zero One', I haven't used it yet. In fact, I could not activate the skill since I did not know how. There was no way of knowing its functions since there was no description. Perhaps I should test it later when I have free time.

"Jakga-ssi."

Someone called out and I turned my head. The party members — Lee Jongho, Angelica and Jung Yunhee were looking at me. It seems everyone was ready to move.

Jung Yunhee opened her mouth impatiently and asked.

"So where are we going now?"

Of course, we couldn't move without a clear destination in mind. In fact, I've already decided on where we were going to head beforehand.

I spoke roughly, "We'll be heading to the stage for the next trial. The warehouse."