Beyond the Eternity

How many people would read such a novel? Surely, only a few.

"73rd Reader? Does that mean you're the 73rd person to read the ancient texts?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I was only to finish the first volume."

"Why only the first volume?"

It was a cold voice and Lee Dokho turned red.

"A-At the time, I didn't know it was the prophecy."

"How will you be helpful then? Were you just wasting my time?"

"No! Wait! I may have a single fragment, but I can still provide you with useful information!"

Look at this guy. I was only teasing him a little and yet, he was showing me such an expression.

"How many apostles are there?"

"Ah... I'm not sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure? You don't know the number of own members?"

"It's not that simple." Lee Dokho hesitated before continuing. "There was a total of 999 apostles in the beginning, but there are only a few of us now."

999 readers? That was more than I thought.

Considering the length of the novel and it's unpopularity, I was expecting around 100 readers. And it was not helpful that the novel was only posted in the WN platform which was filled with bots.

"What happened to the rest of you?"

"We assume they're dead."

"They died despite knowing the future? Ridiculous."

"Haha. It's a funny story, really. The 'Truth' has always been in front of us, but we realized it too late. Some weren't lucky enough to survive the first trial like me. Some were eaten by monsters. Some were stabbed in the back by the people they loved the most.

And some lost their sanity and went insane because of the knowledge they possessed. Because of that, we were reduced to only 100 members. We know there are more, but this is the current situation. Rest assured, we can..."

Lee Dokho slowly shifted from the main point and started saying a bunch of nonsense. Perhaps he was the type of person that liked to explain things. He would make a great teacher.

But I was confused. How did the apostles get in touch?

It was definitely strange since they would be unable to meet each other in the same place, but this guy kept saying odd things. Earlier, he mentioned the apostles conducted several investigations and compared results.

How did he know? What did they use? Were they using a communication method that I wasn't aware of?

My mind tried to conjure several scenarios where communication was possible but landed only on one method: the internet?

When the nightmares entered this world, all sources of communication, including the internet, were shut down to prevent the spread of information. There were just a few skills that allowed one to communicate, but none for worldwide communication. Did the apostles manage to create a way to communicate among themselves without the internet?

I concealed my unease and asked a direct question. "How do you people communicate with each other?"

"Communication is only possible because of me."

"How can you say such strange things without explaining?"

"That," Lee Dokho scratched the back of his head, "Well, it's difficult to say since those 'guys' are watching. But do you remember what I told you earlier?"

"What did you say?"

"I'm a streamer." Lee Dokho stared at the empty space as if there was a system window. "It would be better if I just showed you directly."

At this moment, a system interface appeared in front of my eyes.

Strangely enough, it was a different window from the standard one. If the standard interface was 'red,' then this interface was 'blue.'

[You have been invited to join the broadcast stream.]

What?

[You have temporarily entered the broadcast stream.]

[The streaming function is not yet available.]

[You will be transferred to the private chat room.]

[You have been registered as an anonymous user.]

Suddenly, a screen filled with messages appeared before me.

—I heard that Seoul has fallen? Is that true?

—Where did you hear such a strange rumor? If we followed your logic, then the planet would have already been destroyed. Don't underestimate us.

—I can't believe the novel came to life. Has the world always been a story?

—Reality has always been a story. The genre just changed from realism to fantasy.

I was overwhelmed by the long list of messages. As one message appeared, another would pop up, and then another, and again.

It was a strange feeling. It was similar to using the internet on my smartphone, yet different at the same time.

At first, I thought it was unbelievable, but the screen in front of me didn't disappear. It was not an illusion. This was really a broadcast channel created by a human, not a lackey of Fate.

—Hey, is there anyone from South Korea? Which card should I choose for the 4th Trial?

—Don't you already know? Wait, don't tell me you didn't finish the first volume?

—No, I stopped halfway. I thought it was just a cheap copy of another novel. Have you heard of ORV?

—It was only similar in the beginning parts. You should have at least finished the first volume.

—It's not my fault. I mean, WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE WORLD WOULD TRANSFORM INTO A TRASH NOVEL WITH NO SENSE OF TASTE WHATSOEVER! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE LIKE THIS! THE TRIAL STARTED WHILE I WAS AT MY WORST MOMENT! NOW NO CONSTELLATION WILL TAKE ME AS THEIR INCARNATION!!!

—Hahaha! What a loser. Try your luck with Aphrodite. That Slut opened her legs for the entire greek pantheon so she might accept someone like you if you have a big dick.

—Hehe. She would definitely like something like that.

—And if she doesn't accept then there are more other Goddesses. But none of them accepts you then you're truly a gooner.

—Damn you, you bastards. STOP MAKING FUN OF ME!!!

[The 'Master of the Broadcast Stream' has ended the free service.]

[You have been removed from the broadcast channel.]

The long list of messages disappeared from my vision, and I was kicked off the broadcast channel. What the hell did I just see? A human was able to create a broadcast channel?

[The constellations are wondering why are you staring into the air.]

[The constellations are asking if you saw something.]

I see. The constellations can't see the broadcast messages created by Lee Dokho. It would be troublesome if they learned of his existence.

Finally...

"Now then..."

Lee Dokho looked at me with a smile. It was a smile that I could not read.

"Do you still think I won't be useful."

* * *

Kagura Kuroi who was standing by the side waited for Soo Jinyoung to leave and entered inside the tent.

Her gaze landed on Lee Dokho who looked like someone had sucked 30 years of his lifespan. Was that woman perhaps a vampire?

She thought it was strange that she thought that person would be a walker of the night. And on the other hand, she wondered if that was completely wrong.

That woman was a truly wicked soul but not to the point she could be called an abnormality. If that person was really a descendant of Cain, then all of them would have already been killed.

Kagura walked towards Lee Dokho with a worried expression.

"How did the conversation go with that person? She didn't try anything, did she? If so..."

"Please, don't think like that. It won't do you any good to carelessly antagonise that woman. Although she may be difficult to deal with, she wouldn't resort to unnecessary violence if left unbothered. As for how the conservation went, I think it went pretty smoothly."

That was what Lee Dokho had told Kagura Kuroi.

To be honest, he only hoped that the conservation went smoothly. Even after he has revealed his best cards, Lee Dokho wasn't completely sure that everything flowed smoothly.

It was because Soo Jinyoung was completely unpredictable. It was something that happened in her previous life that changed her entire demeanour.

Yes, Soo Jinyoung was killed by the regressor during her previous life and turned into a bitter person who used all her companions like pawns to the very end. It was likely the trauma of experiencing multiple reincarnations and retaining the memories of those lives.

But she was rather different from the Soo Jinyoung he knew. Lee Dokho expected a difficult conservation but that woman was more calm than he expected. Of course, he didn't forget that he was forced to condemn everybody under him including the people from the other stations.

Speaking of which, how was he going to tell this woman infront of him about the current situation?

Lee Dokho shook his head and decided against telling her. What would happen would simply be a terrible story. Besides, the slave status will only remain till the end of the battle royale.

He pretended to cough and began to explain the situation to Kagura while omitting their current status as 'slaves'.

"Basically, the meeting about the alliance was a success. The Soo Jinyoung's company has formed an alliance with us so the overall fighting power is now six groups. It's not a bad deal but it seems Soo Jinyoung is a more careful person than I thought."

"That person, who is she? And why do you trust her so much?"

"I don't trust her. I trust her strength as a general. If we want to go against the other groups, then the strength of a hitman will be necessary. That woman is the hitman."

"I don't like that woman. She smells like death Incarnate."

"You said the same thing about a few other people."

Kagura frowned as if she did not like his words, "This time is different. Something feels off about that woman but I can't pinpoint it."

"I know."

Lee Dokho smiled faintly.

"I understand what you're trying to say. I'm not asking you to be friendly with Soo Jinyoung-nim. I'm just telling you not to antagonise her. You can ignore her existence and pretend like she doesn't exist. The alliance will be over after the end of the 4th Trial so please, listen to my words."

Kagura looked at Lee Dokho's expression before falling into deep thought.

If he was telling her such a thing, shouldn't she consider his words? If it wasn't for this person, she would have either become a murderer or become a victim of violence. From the first trial to the fourth trial, this person has always found a way.

In the end, she decided to put her trust in this person once again.

"Fine." Says Kagura with a sigh, "Now that the alliance has been formed, what is our next step?"

"It's a good thing you asked. We're going to acquire something. To be precise, we're going to acquire a secret weapon."

"A secret weapon? What kind of weapon? Is it an ancient artifact or something similar?"

"No, it's nothing of the sorts. This weapon can't be compared to the such trivial things."

In response, Lee Dokho's smile widened.

"It's a weapon of mass destruction. A weapon that would help me deal with the Omega group and turn the entirety of Seoul upside down. It would be great if I obtained that while we were in the early stages. Yes, this is truly a great opportunity that I can't let go no matter what."

Lee Dokho's smile widened even further. It was an exaggerated smile that could only spell bad news.

Kagura sensed the change in his demeanor and felt a sense of discomfort. Even though this person has helped her through the nightmares, she couldn't help but question the sanity of this person.

"Tomorrow, all followers of the end will be dealt with."