"I know that too."

With things turning out like this, is there anyone who wouldn't know that something has gone wrong.

My head was a mess.

As expected, was the problem the ending?

The stars prefer definite revenge, unexpected developments, and exhilarating endings. Yet what I chose was a lukewarm ending called "reconciliation with the wolf."

[Some of the constellations belonging to nebula <Twelve Zodiac> criticize your actions!]

[A very small number of constellations make dissatisfied faces at the ending you chose.]

Of course there was no way the constellations would like it.

Come to think of it, there had been something similar when Kim Dokja declared that he wouldn't kill the "Flood Disaster."

Graaah―!

The "Wolf Who Likes Red Hoods" started thrashing and howling. As if in agony, he banged his head on the floor several times, then glared with eyes wide open and looked up into the air.

I, little Yu Joonghyuk, and the other party members all did the same.

Something was coming down from the pitch-black hole that had opened. At first I wondered if it might be an "otherworldly divinity," but fortunately it wasn't.

The first thing I saw was a pig's head.

The moment I saw the faintly revealed tail, a slight chill ran down my spine.

It wasn't as shocking as when I had met an "otherworldly divinity" or when great-personage-level constellations had performed half-incarnation.

Even so, my senses were warning me.

[Constellation, "Pig Who Died First" stares at you.]

They were the ones who occupied the low sky of this <Star Stream>.

[Constellation, "Pig Who Builds a House with Wood" stares at you.]

They were great-personage-level constellations of <Twelve Zodiac>.

[Constellation, "Rabbit Without a Liver" looks down at you.]

The indirect messages of the constellations announcing their appearance one by one.

Under normal circumstances, having as many as three constellations appear at once would have been terrifying.

Yet for that, the pressure I felt was lacking.

Looking closely, the descended constellations each had the form of a symbolic body.

…So that was why.

The "Pig Who Died First" was a pig's head with banknotes held in its mouth.

The "Pig Who Builds a House with Wood" was a log with a pig's tail sprouting from it like a bud.

Lastly, the "Rabbit Without a Liver" had the shape of a bright-red raw liver.

Still, I had never imagined that the constellations would personally come in symbolic bodies. No matter if they descended as "symbolic bodies," descending into a lower scenario required no small plausibility cost.

In my head, I recalled the records of the "Destruction Method" about the "Recycling Center."

「The Recycling Center is a kind of floating castle that refuels lower-ranked scenarios.」

「In order to accommodate "various kinds of tales," the Recycling Center has a relatively thin veil boundary with the other world.」

「Within the Recycling Center, constellations whose own territory has been acknowledged can use symbolic bodies at a comparatively low cost.」

The reason the constellations had been able to descend as symbolic bodies was probably because of the Recycling Center's special environment.

Still, why were those bastards attempting a "symbolic-body descent" at this timing?

They should know that in the symbolic-body state they couldn't fully use their original authorities, which made it dangerous.

[It's been a while, wolf.]

My question was quickly answered.

The moment their true words were heard, I realized it right away.

[This place still stinks.]

[Is there no new turtle guy who came in?]

The fact that they had taken on the risk and attempted a "symbolic-body descent" meant that they were that confident.

[All the beastfolk of District 13 kneel before nebula <Twelve Zodiac>.]

It was proof that no one in this "District 13" could dare oppose them.

The crane owner and the beastfolk who had been hiding in each house all ran out of their houses one by one to pay their respects.

Our party was the same. Even Ye Hyeonwoo, whose beastification was in progress, Gyeong Sein and Cha Yerin, and Uncle Dansoo—everyone was prostrated on the ground.

It wasn't their own will.

This was merely the power of <Twelve Zodiac>, the nebula of animals.

[Constellation, "Wolf Who Likes Red Hoods" pays respect to the owner of the tale.]

The "Wolf Who Likes Red Hoods" was also bowing his head to the floor.

The only ones who hadn't knelt were Killer King, tied to the chair, and me and little Yu Joonghyuk.

The "Pig Who Died First" stared quietly at me, then spoke to the wolf constellation.

[Have you forgotten the "contract" with us, wolf?]

The wolf's shoulders shook.

[No. Absolutely not.]

I couldn't understand.

On that side they were only pigs, and on this side, wolves.

By the laws of the ecosystem, by the logic of survival of the fittest, it was obvious that carnivores were stronger than herbivores.

Yet the wolf was trembling like prey that had met a higher predator.

[You should be grateful just that we allow a parasite like you to continue its line.]

The "Rabbit Without a Liver" spoke in a mocking tone.

[Pig sirs, see, I told you. All those wolf bastards should be beaten to death. Do you know how many of my kin those bastards have eaten?]

[More than you could count.]

[They should be grateful we hired such bastards even as "villains," yet they dare try to change the original text of a sacred tale?]

The wolf constellation couldn't say anything and only sweated coldly. I could see his tale, being crushed in real time, screaming.

[Some of the constellations of nebula <Twelve Zodiac> enjoy the wolf's pain.]

I think the revenge of the weak is right. I also think that the person who suffered has the right to give back as much as they received.

[Tale fragment, "Hunted Wolf" lets out a cry.]

[Tale fragment, "Red Riding Hood" shrinks in fear.]

I had no intention of pointing out whether their way was right or not.

Only…

No matter how I looked at it, this stage was twisted somewhere.

[Didn't you promise? That you would atone for the sin your older brother committed.]

Suddenly, one sentence from the "Destruction Method" brushed through my mind.

「In exchange for sharing the tale of one species, animal-type constellations often take on even that tale's original sin.」

Some tales continue beyond an individual, through a species, and even across generations.

The wolf constellation hurriedly bowed his head and spoke.

[Th-that's why I promised to send up a wolf as tribute this month as well. The wolf will be prepared.]

[It has to be a wolf with plump flesh.]

[Of course. One fattened up by eating lots of the animals' meat―]

I thought of the wolf harvesters who had gone around gathering other beastfolks' tale fragments—"meat."

The hippo whose arm had been cut off and was writhing. The sight of beastfolk who, even as they offered up their meat, did not resent the wolves.

So that's how it was.

The reason the wolves wanted "meat" was—

[How strange. The wolves that have been coming up as tribute lately weren't all that plump.]

[That's because the tale supply in District 13 is lacking… Recently there haven't been enough tale fragments within the region. If we exploit the beastfolk any further―]

[Do I have to take even your circumstances into consideration?]

[No! I was wrong. Somehow, I'll send up as tribute a wolf whose flesh has filled out, a wolf that has been fed many tale fragments!]

Only then did it feel like I could understand various things.

The reason the tale fragments of the beastfolk here were all a mess.

The reason the beastfolks' arms and legs had been replaced with machinery.

[We have already endured enough.]

Just as the constellations of <Olympus> had used the giants as their sacrifice, the pigs of <Twelve Zodiac> had been exploiting the other beastfolk in the Recycling Center and receiving a "wolf" as tribute every month.

Solely to continue their line.

[Tale, "Three Little Pigs" whines about its hunger.]

The pig-head symbolic body that had slowly descended to the ground slowly looked around at the wolf incarnations.

The moment one wolf incarnation, letting out a scream, tried to flee in terror, Crack―, his head burst.

Chewing on the head wearing a wolf mask, the pig head laughed.

[He doesn't even have enough flesh to eat. Not even enough to make soup.]

[I-I'm sorry!]

[Can't you hear the voice of the tale? The story is demanding a sacrifice. Do you want your existence erased from <Star Stream>?]

[Please, just give me one more chance. I'll do it properly!]

[If so.]

The pig constellation spoke.

[Prove it.]

I felt the fine hairs on my arm stand on end. The song of the tale was ringing in my ears. The stage was starting again.

[Offer up the tribute.]

The wolf looked up at the pig head with trembling eyes.

The pig constellation continued to speak.

[Reveal your ugly true nature and die.]

With the pig's command, the wolf constellation slowly rose to his feet.

Ye Hyeonwoo grabbed my sleeve and spoke.

"We have to go into the house."

Gyeong Sein was the same.

"Mr. Inho! This isn't something we should get involved in. Hurry and run away. Quickly. If we don't run away now―"

The beastfolk who had been prostrated trembled with their heads pressed to the ground.

"N-no, please! Mercy for the wolf, please, mercy!"

"Please, great <Twelve Zodiac>―"

The "Wolf Who Likes Red Hoods" looked back at them. He saw the beastfolk whose limbs had disappeared, the tale fragments of theirs that had lost their words.

And he spoke.

[Very well. I will become the "tribute."]

From the start, this was a tale whose end had been fixed. A story everyone could watch with peace of mind. A stage where there was a set protagonist and the set villain had to die for it to end.

[「Stageification」 resumes.]

An ominous aura began to flow out from the wolf constellation's whole body.

That wasn't all.

Our brick house was growing.

[The influence of tale fragment, "Brick House" grows stronger!]

The brick house, hardened as if it could withstand any wolf's attack, reminiscent of Gong Pildu's [Armed Fortress].

"Ah, aaah, it's all wrong―"

"Everyone, run away!"

The beastfolk, scared out of their wits, began running into the brick house one by one.

The "Pig Who Died First," looking at that sight with satisfaction, turned to look at me last.

"You who receive the favor of the monkey. You have found the correct answer. With the 'bricks' you discovered, our tale will grow even greater.]

[Do not even think of interfering. If the tale is safely completed, there will also be rewards for you.]

With those words as their last, the constellations ascended back into the sky.

[Some of the constellations of nebula <Twelve Zodiac> desire the wolf's destruction.]

The wolf constellation's muscles began to twitch. It was a sign that the power of 「Stageification」 was trying to dominate his whole body.

"Stop!"

I shouted toward him.

But my words didn't reach him. A raging wind was already blowing over the wolf constellation's whole body.

Little Yu Joonghyuk, who had been standing beside me, took a step forward and spoke.

"Are you planning to change the tale?"

I nodded.

"Why? It's as those <Twelve Zodiac> guys said. If you stay still like this, you'll gain a new tale."

"I know. But if that happens, the incarnations left in this district―"

"You must have felt it from the beginning too. The 'beastfolk' here wanted us to become the wolf's sacrifice."

I knew. That's why the crane owner had guided us to the old "guesthouse."

"The wolves here exploit those beastfolk to obtain tale fragments. They feed those to one of the wolves and offer it up to the pigs as 'tribute.'"

"…"

"Whether the beastfolk die or the wolf dies, that's none of your business."

"I know that too. But―"

"This world calls that hypocrisy."

Hypocrisy.

I gave a bitter smile.

"This world really resembles a certain place I knew."

It resembled it, but was definitely different.

The "Demon Realm" I knew hadn't taken this form. The lines between good and evil had been a little clearer than this.

Maybe this too was the result of "recycling."

"It's not like I have some grand cause or justification. I'm just―"

'What would Kim Dokja have done?'

"I simply don't like this story."

I hadn't thought I could persuade him. But,

"If you become hostile with <Twelve Zodiac>, you'll die."

I hesitated for a moment, then asked.

"Don't tell me you're worried about me?"

"I can pierce it, for a moment."

An unusual magic power stirred in little Yu Joonghyuk's small fist.

[Hundred Steps Divine Fist].

It was impossible. In this world, [Skills] couldn't be used. Even after becoming a kid, was Yu Joonghyuk still Yu Joonghyuk?

He had turned the skill [Hundred Steps Divine Fist] into a tale using nothing but his pure talent.

"Please."

Yu Joonghyuk's fist struck into empty air. With an explosive vortex, in an instant a wound was carved into the wind surrounding the wolf.

I slipped into that gap and grabbed the wolf constellation's shoulder.

"I told you to stop!"

My voice scattered inside the rough wind. It was only barely possible to communicate. At this level, the constellations outside probably couldn't hear our voices.

[Go… into the house. You… cannot… change this story.]

It wasn't just because of 「Stageification」. His long-drawn shadow was rampaging.

"Did they drive your shadow into a rampage?"

[You'll be… safe in the house. From there… remember the wolf's last story.]

I knew a few constellations whose shadows had run wild.

He would soon die.

Even if he didn't die, he would become no different from dead.

As if reading the look in my eyes, the wolf constellation laughed.

[Are you… pitying me?]

"Pity? Do I look like someone that idle?"

From the start, <Star Stream> is a broken world.

This world is just a "story."

Every tale flashes for a brief moment of emotion and is consumed.

Over a long history, cause and effect have been mixed together, and perpetrator and victim can no longer be distinguished.

All that remains are the stars' sneers and cheers.

Even knowing that,

"Don't you want to create a new 'tale' for the wolf?"

I can't give up on a story.

This was the last story # Nоvеlight # in which he would shine as a star.

He would slam his body into that brick house several times, then fall down the chimney and die a gruesome death.

And he would be remembered by the wolves of later generations as the wolf of a new 「Three Little Pigs」.

"Are you really going to end it like this?"

The wolf constellation's eyebrows twitched greatly.

[You… are…]

"I know what you're going to say. There's nothing you can do. You're going to die anyway. <Twelve Zodiac> is a nebula you can't handle."

Even if he was a constellation, he was a fallen star that had lost all its tales.

No matter what he did, he couldn't defeat <Twelve Zodiac>. He couldn't break the "stage" that had been reinforced over hundreds and thousands of years by the gazes of the stars.

But even a constellation like that had something he could do.

"Offer up your shadow and summon an 'otherworldly divinity.'"

To ruin this stage.

[What… nonsense are you spouting. If I do something like that―]

"The existing 'stage' will be destroyed. And a new story will begin."

The wolf's eyes widened, as if asking what on earth I was talking about.

[Then District 13 will―]

"Don't worry. I'll stop the 'otherworldly divinity.'"

As if belatedly understanding my words, the wolf's voice trembled roughly.

[Don't tell me you―]

"That's right."

I nodded.

"I'm planning to steal the tale of 「Three Little Pigs」."