Beyond the Eternity

We had to survive for 10 minutes, but with the seals being released incrementally, doom seemed inevitable.

What am I supposed to do in such a situation?

The path to survival was dim and there was no sauce as well. At the very least, there was something that we could do amidst all this chaos.

[A few constellations are rejoicing while looking at the destruction.]

These bastards...

"What the hell? Did the prophecy say anything about hidden seals?"

I overheard No. 888 grumbling. He was the one who had led the unsuspecting apostles to their deaths, hoping to gain from the destruction. But he wasn't prepared enough.

Ku ku ku ku!!

The black reaper, with its newfound power, began the dreadful game of cat and mouse once again. This time, It targetted the people that struck its body first.

Was that demon holding a grudge? In any case, the black reaper raised its scythe and aimed for someone in particular.

"Shit!"

"Ah! What are you doing!"

No. 888 grabbed a female apostle and dragged her in front of him, using her as a shield. The black reaper swung its scythe, and her head flew into the air.

Her face bore an expression of shock, as if she couldn't believe what had just happened. It was tragic to see her go, but she was headed straight for hell.

But for that person to sacrifice his own companion like it was nothing with no remorse whatsoever. Wasn't he a great guy?

In any case, I ignored that person as I ran and looked around for something. After the start of the nightmate, there would be hidden pieces scattered around the station. But the problem was finding them on time.

Where is it? My eyes darted around until I found something resembling what I was looking for.

Ah, there it is. Enlightenment struck the moment my hand touched the wall, which emitted a bright light.

[A hidden piece has activated!]

[You have found a green zone.]

[The black reaper cannot attack once you're in the green zone.]

The nightmare's goal was to survive the black reaper for ten minutes, with each seal being released every two. Attacking the death god was out of the question. In such an unfavorable scenario, [Fate] would generate hidden pieces for the players to find.

"What's that?"

"Everyone, enter a green zone quickly!"

I would have entered the green zone I found but the number of people that could enter was limited.

[Green Zone 1/3]

My survival would be ensured if I entered the green zone but I can't left my party members to die in this place.

"You guys, enter this one!"

"But—"

"No but! Enter now!"

I removed my hand from the wall and three people entered the green zone. To be precise, it was the female party members— Jung Yunhee, Angelica and Kagura.

[Green Zone 3/3]

Kr Kr Kr Kr

The black reaper stared at them for a moment before shifting its gaze elsewhere.

No matter how strong it was, it couldn't attack those inside the green zone. But for those outside, it was a different story.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim!"

Angelica called out. It was meant for me since I had the identity of Soo Jinyoung. But I was currently running away from 'death' with Lee Dokho besides me so it wasn't possible to answer her love call.

"Uaaaack!"

Screams echoed throughout the Seoksu Station. The black reaper was busy moving here and there, slashing at any living being that entered its vision.

A man's scream erupted near me. I glanced back to see him trying to flee, only to be cut down by the reaper's scythe. His body split in two, a gruesome sight, but I couldn't afford to stop running. Fortunately, that man distracted the black reaper for a few moments.

"Is that..."

"There is a hidden piece!"

But the problem was that the other apostles has finally began to notice the hidden pieces.

They began to locate the hidden pieces and enter the green zones faster than the eye. They were the readers so they were quick in finding the hidden pieces.

"What's this?!"

"Only four people can enter."

"Fuck!"

But they soon realised that the green zone had its own number capacity. It was like trying to enter a crowded room. If the number capacity was exceeded, the protective shield won't work.

Those who have read the Song of Nightmares would have realised that truth already.

"Shit, Stay back!"

"Kuheeok!"

As a result, there was chaos.

The apostles began to fight among themselves to reach the green zone. A few made inside while some did not. Some tried to enter by force but they're immediately repelled with massive force.

Those who were unable to find a green zone were easily picked out by the black reaper and they screamed one by one.

A dozen metres away, a lone apostle was staring at the death god in fear.

[Green Zone 1/1]

For a moment, killing that person and taking over his green zone crossed my mind. In fact, I was already moving towards that person until someone called out.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim!"

I turned my head and saw Lee Dokho. He was standing on a green zone. What was the capacity of that green zone?

[Green Zone 1/2]

It was enough...

"Come quickly! Shit, look out!"

Lee Dokho shouted as he warned. I was already moving towards him but the black reaper was already upon me with scythe raised.

The demon swung that weapon of death without a hint of remorse. Fortunately, I was able to dodge the scythe using my Lv. 30 Agility and the scythe slammed into the platform.

Kwang!

The impact was tremendous. By the time the demon turned its head, I had already entered the green zone.

[Green Zone 2/2]

I survived because I was lucky. It was a good thing I raised my stats before coming to the Seoksu Station.

Kwaaaa!

The black reaper looked at me for a while before it shifted its gaze somewhere else.

Lee Dokho collapsed on the floor and his cheeks loosened.

"Damnit, that was too close."

"Yes. But it won't remain like this for long."

At this point, everyone has already entered a green zone so the death god could only wander around in circles. The problem was that the green zone won't last for long.

[After one minute, the green zones will be relocated.]

I frowned at the message. The green zones would relocate every minute, but the black reaper's seals would be released every two.

If everything was taken into account, surviving once the reaper reached 80 percent of its power seemed impossible.

The apostles that couldn't find a green zone were swiftly caught by the black reaper. Their souls and the information they knew were sent straight to nothingness. It felt as though they were paying the price for carelessly reading secret knowledge.

Lee Dokho, also known as No. 73, clicked his tongue in irritation at the unpleasant sight.

"Damnit, why is this happening? No. 1999, that bastard..."

"How did you meet that person?"

"We were on the same carriage when the first scenario arrived."

"So you know what he looks like?"

"It's hard to forget a guy like that. He looked young, probably in his early 20s. White hair, wide eyes—someone you'd think was insane the moment you saw him."

"Is that person here?"

Lee Dokho shrugged, clearly annoyed, "Of course not. Despite his looks, he is a rather careful. Why would such a person put himself in a dangerous position?"

The black reaper continued circling. One minute was nearly up, and the green zones would soon vanish. The bastard knew it too so it was waiting for the right moment to strike.

Lee Dokho continued speaking as he stared at certain death.

"You must have already noticed but we can't survive using the green zones. The number of the green zone will reduce every minute and killing that thing was definitely out of the window. To summarise everything, It's either we kill that thing or die a miserable death. The odds of surviving is extremely low. That person must have planned this situation to eliminate all the apostles that got off early."

"I figured as much."

"Then what are you going to do about it? Wouldn't your flames be useful in such a situation?"

"If you're an apostle, you should know."

Lee Dokho's eyes widened in understanding. "I see."

Soo Jinyoung's special ability would be useful in this situation but I was not Soo Jinyoung so it was impossible to use it in this situation.

"Wait..."

If I remembered correctly, there was an ability in Song of Nightmares that could help in this situation. It was the authority of the gods from the absolute good faction. Was there a way to obtain that skill?

Even if I hesitated to use it, I pushed my fears aside and activated the skill regardless.

[Exclusive skill, 'Black Box' stage 3 has activated.]

"...!"

A powerful flood of information surged into my mind. It felt like my head would split apart, but I swallowed the pain.

If I wanted to survive, I needed the information only the Omniscient Wall could provide.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim! Soo Jinyoung-nim."

Lee Dokho was calling out but I ignored him and focused on the information I just received.

After going through everything, a dangerous clarity settled in my mind, and the answer blazed into view. In that moment, it felt like the fog of existence lifted, and the truth stood naked before me. It was an alien sensation, as if I had grasped the key to every universal secret.

"Is that so? I see. So it was that simple."

Laughter emerged. It was an exaggerated laugh. After obtaining knowledge from the Omniscient Wall, it seemed my entire situation was a joke.

"What? What are you talking about?"

I turned to Lee Dokho and smiled, "I'm going to kill a death god."

"WHAT?! ARE YOU SUICIDAL?!!"

Suicidal? Maybe but the real Soo Jinyoung was also suicidal to a degree.

[One minute has passed. The green zones will be relocated.]

[A hidden piece penalty has occurred.]

[The green zones will be reduced in the next round.]

At the same time...

[The 2nd seal has been released.]

[The black reaper can now use 40% of its power.]

Kwaaaa!!!

The green zones scattered and the black reaper moved. The people screamed and began running around, looking for the green zone.

In such a moment of panic, it was perfect to act.

[You have consumed 5,000 coins.]

[The Skill, Sprint has been obtained.]

[The Skill, Snatching Hands have been obtained.]

Without hesitation, I activated the newly purchased skills at the same time.

[The Skill 'Sprint' has activated.]

[The Skill 'Snatching Hands' has activated.]

Thud!

In an instant, my body became a blur as I lunged out from my position and reached the fleeing apostles one by one. My hands were also quick as well.

"Uwaak! My cards!"

"Someone stole my cards!"

"It's Soo Jinyoung!"

The apostles noticed what had happened and immediately gave chase. However, they couldn't avoid the destruction. Even so, the black reaper finished with them and slowly came way.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Get out of there!"

I heard Jung Yunhee's voice. Jung Yunhee, Angelica and Kagura. The party members, they were all looking at me. I opened my mouth.

"I know what I'm doing. Don't come out from that place!"

After shouting that, system notifications appeared infront of my retina.

[You have obtained 100 King cards!]

[Total cards in possession: The Fool (Chosen), Queen of Swords, Knight of Wands, King of Wands, Knight of Swords, Ace of Cups, Ace of Wands, King of Swords, Queen of Wands, King of Cups, Queen of Cups.]

[You have passed the 4th Nightmarish scenario!]

[You have obtained 10 King's cards without killing.]

[A hidden skill will be given as compensation.]

–Beast King's Transformation

–Shapeshifting

–Dimensional Transmission

I replied without giving it a second thought.

"Dimensional Transmission."

[The Exclusive skill 'Dimensional Transmission' has been acquired.]

My initial goal was to obtain the Beast King's Transformation. But if I chose really that option, I would definitely die in this station. I've seen such a future where such an event has occurred.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim!"

There was a scream as certain 'death' grew near and my vision faded.

[Exclusive skill 'Dimensional Transmission' has activated.]