Beyond the Eternity

As Park Joonhyuk tended to the flames, he suddenly glanced up at me. "You're finally back. Where did you go?"

"I went to take a shit."

"You... How can you say that with a straight face? And by the way, that lie was terrible." Park Joonhyuk's gaze shifted to my coat. I had tried to throw him off, but he recognized the item immediately. Was this the power of a true reader?

"Damn. You received the Watcher's Space Coat as a special reward. Tch! Lucky bastard."

"Where is Soo Jinyoung?"

"How am I supposed to know where one person goes? She said she was going somewhere and I haven't seen her ever since."

Soo Jinyoung left saying without a word?

That idiot... She must have left to prepare for the next Fable. At least, she should have asked me something. Didn't I give her information about the Red Pheonix Sword? I know we were not that close but still...

"Oh, there's another thing. She said I should tell you something before she left."

"So she said something after all?"

"That's right. You better listen because I'm not going to repeat myself."

A mischievous smile formed on his face as he cleared his throat dramatically. "Oh, Kim Jakga," he began in a high-pitched voice, doing a terrible but enthusiastic imitation of Soo Jinyoung, "I don't know how you were able to survive but I haven't forgotten about that time so be prepared, Okay?"

"You're really going to mock her like that?"

"What? I think my imitation of her was rather good. On a serious note though, what did you do to make that upset. She seemed like she was plotting her revenge."

Plotting her revenge? I couldn't tell if he was serious or just messing with me. Besides, I don't remember doing anything to upset Soo Jinyoung in the first place.

"Ah, haha..."

Suddenly, I recalled the letter I had entrusted to Lee Suhye for Soo Jinyoung.

It wasn't just a letter—it was a customized item set to detonate once the reader reached the end. The item didn't have enough power to be lethal, but It was enough to blow apart the fingers on the unprepared victim. Of course, if their stats were high enough, the explosion would merely sting, but it would still be enough to spark resentment.

Surely, she wasn't mad about that, right? She wasn't going to kill me, right?

My body trembled.

A chill ran down my spine, like icy water trailing across my skin, at the terrifying possibility.

"You bastard, so you really did something, huh? In any case, I'm hungry. Do you want to eat?"

My thoughts were dragged back into reality as Park Joonhyuk pulled out a few items from his dimensional storage ring— A Magic Burner and some cooking ingredients.

"Alright. Let's get cooking."

"You can cook? More importantly, what is that thing?"

I narrowed eyes at the suspicious stems and tentacles on the floor.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Wall stage 1 has activated.]

[The unknown substance has been identified...]

[The stems and tentacles belong to the Grade 7 Sea monster species 'Krulvex']

I made a disgusted face and looked at Park Joonhyuk. "Where did you get that from?"

"Some time ago at the beginning of the Fables. Killing a grade 7 Sea monster at that monster would have been nothing but a miracles. Fortunately, monsters like that are notorious perverts, especially when it comes to women, if you catch my drift. It made luring it in and taking it down in one swift swoop almost too easy."

"I guess that's possible. I remember killing a Grade 7 Plague Spider at the beginning Fables."

"Uoooooooh! Is that so?"

"Yeah. That bastard was filled with nothing but toxic acid. I really thought I was going to die. Wait...are you sure that thing is even edible?"

I stared at the suspicious ingredients. I even thought I saw the tentacles move. Even so, Park Joonhyuk just shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

"It's the only thing I have left, and I'm saving my coins, so buying any more ingredients is out of the question. According to Song of Nightmares, it should be fine to eat if we cook it properly and roast it well enough, make all the harmful contents go bye-bye."

"Why did you have to mention that last part?! Now I'm absolutely not eating it!"

"Your choice. By the way, if you don't want to eat this, does that mean you're going to buy food ingredients? Since you killed the disaster, I'm sure you have enough coins to spare, right?"

"T-That..."

I wanted to say something but I trailed off. Indeed, I'd received a huge amount of coins from killing the disaster— above one million coins. But I was saving them for later.

With my current situation about <The Joker> resetting my stats, there was no way I could spend my coins carelessly.

Therefore...

"Ugh..."

... I had no choice but to eat monster food. But would my pride as a writer allow me to do so?

"So are you going to eat or not?"

"I don't know. Fuck, give me a moment..."

"Then I'll cook. You can help me if you want."

I reluctantly nodded and helped Park Joonhyuk cook the food.

As we worked on roasting the tentacles over the magic burner, the unpleasant smell began to spread through the air, mixing with the smoke from the bonfire. We peeled off the hard skin of the stem and then roasted the tentacles across the bonfire. Park Joonhyuk hummed cheerfully as if the sight of sizzling monster flesh didn't bother him at all.

Meanwhile, I felt my stomach churn at the thought of actually eating it.

How long did we remain like this?

[The constellations who love cooking are looking at the scene with interest.]

[The constellations associated with gluttony were eagerly licking their lips.]

[The constellations who love violence and disorder are complaining about the story's slow pace.]

The indirect messages of the constellations were heard. Some showed interest while some were impatient. Not everyone would love the same story.

After 30 minutes, the food was finally ready. Park Joonhyuk lifted the lid of the cooker, revealing the roasted tentacles and green soup.

Despite its less-than-appealing appearance, which I'd generously rate a 5/10, the aroma was surprisingly appetizing. Isn't this what people mean when they say, 'don't judge a book by its cover'?

"You know, It's not going to bite you if you look at it like that."

"... Are you really sure we can eat this?"

"Damnit. Stop complaining and try it already."

I looked at the soup with a doubtful expression and gulped. I put a spoon full of the soup into my mouth and my expression changed instantly.

What was this? I took one spoon after the other without slowing down. Park Joonhyuk wore a satisfactory expression besides me as I filled my mouth with good food.

"Hey, slow down and eat gently. You're going to choke at this rate."

"Slurp! Slurp!... What the hell? You really know how to cook."

"Hm, hm, hm... Someone I know used to say the same. By the way, what are you going to do about that?"

".... Hmm?"

"I'm talking about the 'star selection'. Which god are you going to choose as your star constellation?"

I froze mid-chew on the roasted tentacles. It was a difficult question, and just like that, the sweetness of the food in my mouth faded away.

[Many of the constellations are looking at you.]

[The constellations of the Korean Peninsula are paying close attention to your words.]

[The constellation, Judge of War and Wisdom is looking at you.]

[The constellation, Primordial Mother of Dragons is looking at you.]

I hated the attention that question brought, but I had no choice but to answer carefully.

"Ah, about that... I haven't decided yet. What about you?"

This was the best approach.

"Well, It's the same for me.*

"That's strange. I thought you would have already picked someone. Don't tell me you're trying to pile up your list of favourites?"

"Maybe I do." The corners of his lips twitched playfully. "But it's not as simple as just picking a name. You only get to choose your star constellation once, you know. So I need some time to think it over before making my choice."

Despite his playful tone, I could sense the deeper meaning behind his words.

If he really was the 'true reader' he claimed to be, then he should already know the best choice for the Star Selection.

I stared at the bonfire with a blank expression, lost in thought. There was some time before the start of the Fifth Fable. The Buseau were probably undergoing System management and after that, the Fable of the <Greater Story> would begin.

The other party members and players were probably taking care of the infection in different parts of Seoul. The problem was how I should handle that issue.

"Okay. I'm done."

Park Joonhyuk finished his food and stood up. I raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to take a shit, but don't wait for me. I have something important to take care of, so I might be gone for a while."

Something important? Before I could question it, he opened his mouth again.

"Also, there's some food left in the Magic Burner, so make sure to give your girlfriend when she wakes up."

"Damnit. How many times do I have to say it? She's not my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend or friend—does it really make a difference? That woman fought against the disaster and nearly lost her life because of you. It's completely fine If you don't value your own life, but at least consider the people who care about you. Even a scumbag like me knows that much. Isn't that messed up? So make sure to apologize properly, Okay?"

Leaving those words behind, Park Joonhyuk completely disappeared into the darkness. I continued to stare at the place he disappeared into as if I was in a gaze. Did he just... give me advise?

It was ironic. The person who manipulated the king candidates, almost killed some of my party members and the one summoned the Disaster of Storms into this world, was giving me relationship advice. The worst part was that his words were completely true.

I glanced at the unconscious Angelica, laying on the floor.

I couldn't be sure if that person had feelings for me. She probably viewed me simply as a close friend from the literature club. But it was undeniable that I had saved her from death and died infront of her in the process. That act alone had triggered a significant change in Angelica, one that had nearly cost her life.

That reminds me, I never answered her question.

While we were still in the hospital, Angelica had asked me if there was anyone I liked. I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if I had said her name then. What if the Stories had never occurred? What kind of life would I have led without them?

"Hmmm..."

Angelica stirred slightly and let out a soft murmur. I gently brushed her hair away from her face.

Park Joonhyuk had told me to consider how my actions would affect those around me before I sacrificed myself. But that was impossible.

The upcoming Fables wouldn't allow me to prioritize my own happiness. As long as I continued to move, see, breathe, feel, and exist, I would sacrifice myself even if it meant those I considered precious could be saved.

"Ah, the sky looks so beautiful tonight."

I stared at the crimson sky illuminating the surroundings above. It was a scene born from a nightmare.