Beyond the Eternity

Why was he even surprised? His authority Atlas Mercury made dodging impossible to begin with. Once fired, all attacks would always meet their intended target. In other words, the simple act of dodging or blocking would become meaningless.

"Tck! Despite all that rubbish he was saying, he died just from a single shot. What a waste."

He thought coming here was just a waste of time. However, there was a problem. Yes, the enemy has been defeated. He knew that yet there was this unexplainable feeling inside his chest that he could not shake off for some reason.

"You don't know what Ollerus Izzard is doing neither do you know what he is don thinking? Do you know why? It's simply because you are not the real Ollerus Izzard. Do you think it's easy for a <Master> to become part of the story he has created? How naive. Why did you think you were the real Ollerus if you cannot even remember your own ambitions."

Those were the words of the person, lying unmoving infront of him. Of course, he believed those words were a bunch of nonsense. But those words seemed to dwell inside his mind.

He possessed all memories starting from before and the start of the nightmares. His birth country was England, and his early childhood days spent in the countryside was mediocre at birth. But that changed when he moved to South Korea, Seoul. Apparently, his father had a business appointment with the Industrial Complex.

He didn't know which about his father but he knew he had a high position in the Company. Because of that, he was able to live a rather luxurious and carefree lifestyle.

Unfortunately enough, the nightmares began while he was on the bed with a stripper in the night club. Of course, he killed the woman rather easily and moved on to the next nightmare. From their there onwards was just misfortune upon misfortune.

For the first time, he was scared for his life, held a weapon with his shaky hands and took the life of another human, again and again, met some strange people who called themselves the 'Apostles', the 4th nightmare appeared and then he became the representative of the <World>

According to the information he received from the apostles, If a king candidate became the master of the holy grail, they would be allowed to make a single wish, which would be granted by the [Most Ancient Constellations]. In such a situation, the power of the <World> was necessary for the new world he wanted to create. But what exactly was the world he wanted to create?

And why would he want to create such a world?

"What? What's this? Why can't I remember?"

A rather unpleasant expression appeared on Ollerus' face. It felt like he was trying to gather the missing pieces of a puzzle. No, rather it seemed as though those pieces did not exist to begin with. If he could not remember said memories, does that mean this person was right? Was he a fake?

"No! That cannot be! My name is Ollerus Izzard and I am the world! I am no fake! I reject such a reality! I shall!

I shall..... Wait, what? What was that just now?"

A strange phenomenon occurred inside his head. As if he was about to say a forbidden word, his memory of a few seconds ago has been erased without a trace. However, Ollerus couldn't seem to comprehend this truth.

"What's wrong? What were you going to say just now? Aren't you going to complete your sentence?"

"...?!"

Admist his Identical crisis, he heard a voice behind him and abruptly turned his head. There were three people in the corridor, one of which was unconscious and the other was dead.

Normally, the unconscious girl would have been the most likely candidate. However, the person standing behind him was a man that was too familiar to ignore.

Ollerus saw a handsome face, raven black hair, brown eyes, a thin nose, pale skin, mostly black clothing—a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants, leather black shoes, and a slender build with the arms and legs containing some muscle.

He wanted to deny what he was seeing. He really did. But it was unmistakable that the man he had just killed was standing before him.

"IMPOSSIBLE! HOW CAN YOU STILL BE ALIVE?!"

"What's up with that expression? Did you truly think you can defeat me by just killing me? If you're so scared, why can't you use your words instead? C'mon, use your words. Can't you control me?"

Without a hint of hesitation, the revived Kim Jakga started moving towards Ollerus with an exaggerated smile that spread across his face to the maximum. It was as though he was declaring he had discovered his weakness.

"DAMN YOU!! DIE! DIE! DIE!"

Extremely agitated, Ollerus activated his Atlas Mercury at once and fired several rounds from the hidden rifle at the intruder. The bullets flew and formed afterimages of several red lasers. Kim Jakga was pierced continuously by said lasers which stabbed into his head and abdomen like a sewing machine. Even his formerly injured lower body was becoming filled with holes as well.

Even so, he continued moving as if unfazed by the bullets.

What kind of demon was this? How could he still be walking with those injuries? Ollerus' heart became filled with terror as he reloaded another round of bullets.

"How many times do I have to repeat myself? You're a fake. The real Ollerus Izzard had created you as a secondary defence mechanism to deal with intruders. It would be easy to destory one or two of your motor functions. But I'm not interested in you. In addition, I somewhat pity your situation so I don't mind letting you go if you retreat.

But tell me where the real Ollerus Izzard is hiding first?"

"WHAT RUBBISH IS COMING OUT FROM THAT MOUTH? I AM THE OLLERUS IZZARD!!"

Ollerus couldn't take it anymore. It was as if the anger was a 'Wall' blocking his mind from the reality of the situation. He was a fake yet he refused to believe the truth. Doing so would mean his life until now was meaningless.

Therefore, he decided to unleash all his frustration upon his opponent and completely destory his existence.

Just when he was about to unleash another round...

"Oh, my... Are you crazy? Just what are you shooting when nobody is there?"

A voice was heard behind the fake Ollerus. In the next instant, in the formerly empty space, Kim Jakga was standing there and the one he has been shooting had disappeared from the world.

"An illusion? Wait, that means you're the main king candidate representing 'The Joker'!"

"Well, obviously. Why the hell are you so slow?"

"...!"

It was only then that Ollerus understood the reality of the situation and backed away. However, he was too late because Kim Jakga was one step faster.

Bang—

Before Ollerus could even swing the right hand containing the hidden rifle, that very hand was pierced by something and flew into the air.

"Ack!"

He screamed upon feeling the sensation of the unimaginable pain of his arm being completely crushed. Much to his misfortune, the attack didn't end there.

Bang— Bang— Bang—

In the next moment, multiple gunshots was heard. The fake Ollerus' body was struck repeatedly—first, his left arm, then the right leg. By the time the final shot tore through his left leg, his limbless body collapsed to the floor in a pitiful heap. Surprisingly enough, all of his limbs has been crushed but there was no blood.

Kim Jakga looked at the fake Ollerus groaning helplessly on the floor and pressed his foot on limbless man's chest.

The fake Ollerus gulped for a breath. At the same time, Kim Jakga spoke with more arrogance than the fake Ollerus himself.

"You must have already understood everything at this point. You're not Ollerus Izzard. The fact you lost so pathetically is enough evidence that you're a fake. Please tell me, would the real Ollerus Izzard lose in his own territory?"

"..."

There was no response this time. The fake Ollerus just remained silent as it stared into the air. Yes, his words were certainly true. The true owner of the World was indeed invincible and overwhelming in this world. Such a person was the perfect candidate to become the True King.

But was his current state? He was defeated a mere illusion and all its limbs has been crushed as a result. Would the real Ollerus Izzard be in such a miserable state?

"Ah..."

The fake Ollerus felt a wave of despair wash over him. His mind was unraveling and his very existence slipping away. The memories he had clung to, the identity he had fought to maintain, all of it was fading into nothingness.

If he was not the real Ollerus Izzard, then what was his purpose in this story?

"A…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

His mind failed to comprehend the simple fact that his entire life has just been meaningless. As a result, the fake Ollerus completely lost his remaining sanity as well as his Identity.

Kim Jakga, who had been observing the despairing puppet, decided to end its misery. He slowly raised the hand gun, aiming for the forehead and squeezed the trigger without remorse.

Bang!

The sound of a gunshot and something 'popping' filled the empty corridor. Soon after, there was an eerie silence.

* * *

When I activated the Omniscient Wall, the status window of the fake Ollerus went like this.

+

[Character Information]

Name: Ollerus (Prototype 001)

Classification: Doll

Installed Skills: Atlas Mercury Lv. 10, Mana Supply Lv. 10

Overall stats; Strength Lv. 10, Physique Lv. 10, Agility Lv. 10, Magic Power Lv. 10

Description: A Doll created by Ollerus Izzard to deal with Intruders. Although it is just a puppet with human components, it possesses the memories of Ollerus Izzard and believes he is Ollerus Izzard.

+

Indeed, the enemy that approached me was a fake. I was suspicious from the get-go since it was not easy for a <Master> to move around without restriction.

More importantly, there were something that caught my attention.

"Atlas Mercury? I don't remember seeing something like this in Song of Nightmares. Is It a power born from Ollerus' Imagination? In any case, I'm glad I came prepared."

I glanced at the mythical card in my left hand.

The Fool Card. An Arcane card originating from the major tarot series with the characteristic power over Illusions and deception. The power of the <Fool> dwelled into the manipulation of the five senses. Thus, It was possible for me to alter the target's perspective and create a false image.

Such false image was what was repeatedly shot down by Atlas Mercury while I was standing behind the fake Ollerus throughout this entire ordeal.

However, the power of said card would completely useless on people with extremely high senses or mental barriers. If a single mistake was made, I would have been the one to be filled with holes instead.

As compensation for that weakness, the <Fool> path also possesses a hidden trump card that I can only use three times.

"Hmm..."

As I dragged my thoughts back to reality, I shifted my gaze to the limbless doll infront of me.

My original plan was to fake my death to throw off the <World>, however, the Ollerus that appeared before me was a doll created by him instead. Perhaps it was the doll that killed the other candidates for the holy grail. What a smart bastard indeed.

Then I shifted my gaze towards the girl besides me. She seemed to be sleeping soundly, oblivious to what's happening in the outside world.

... In any case, the <World> must be already aware of our presence since I destoryed this doll. But what am I supposed to do about this girl? I can't just leave her here, right? I'm not sure but I don't she will be harmed if I leave her here. Besides, It would be meaningless to bring extra weight with me.

There's also the risk that she might attack me when she wakes up as well. Ugh... It's hard to be the good guy. I would prefer it if I was the Demon King.

My head shifted here and there while thinking of a solution. Finally, I decided to leave this girl here since most of her injuries has already closed and overall condition seemed to better than before.

[The constellations are pleased with your performance.]

[You have kept your promise with the constellations.]

[You have gained the favour of a few constellations.]

[Constellation 'Phoenix Queen of Twilight Heaven' expresses her gratitude.]

[Constellation 'Emperor Heungmu the Noble' is looking at you.]

[Constellation 'Duke of Naval Warfare' is looking at you.]

[Constellation 'Moonlight Sage of Silla' is looking at you.]

[Constellation 'Drunken First Sword' is drinking alcohol.]

[Constellation 'Buddha of Victorious Fighting' is picking their nose.]

[Constellation 'Mother of Dragons' is complaining about the noisy channel.]

The constellations, was it? I haven't killed the main man though. Well, It's not that I'm complaining. Plus, It seems new constellations has entered the world channel.

I ignored the constellation messages and looked around the empty corridor.

Where should I go from here? Should I go back to the cafeteria? No, that would be impractical. Most likely, the location of the secret room must have been moved to somewhere else. More importantly, there was still the matter of the zombified highschool girls too.

It seemed I had to take a detour. Fortunately, Sookmyung Girls' High consisted of four buildings and each of them were connected through an overhead corrider.

... If I'm willing to take a few detours, there's no place beyond my reach. I should search for the location of the main secret room passage.

With that thought in mind, I began to move through the empty corridor.