Yoo Joonghyuk frowned, clutching his throbbing head.

[You have consumed the ‘Ultimate Murim Dumpling’.]

The moment he ate the dumpling, memories exploded inside him.

「"I am Yoo Joonghyuk."」

Those were not his memories.

It was definitely his voice, but they were not his words.

「"The first form of the Soul-Extinguishing Divine Spear resembles Heaven-Splitting Slash or Baekcheong’s Thrust. In the end, all techniques are about connecting one point to another point. In that process, you cut something, pierce something, destroy something, and form some kind of relationship. You pile up a story."」

Yoo Joonghyuk realized. Those were realizations that ‘he’ from another turn had obtained.

「"If you use this spear to extinguish someone’s soul, remember this. Extinguishing a single soul means extinguishing that existence’s story, and that means returning his fable to nothing."」

Just listening to the story caused changes to occur in his head.

The realizations he had gained in the 40th turn were being summoned again, becoming the driving force of transcendence. The accumulated realizations were transforming his body.

[The grade of transcendence increases!]

Of course, not every memory was related only to transcendence.

There were also memories of a slightly different kind. For example, ones presumed to be the memories of the guy who had made this ‘dumpling’.

「"Writer. But, writer, who gave you your name?"」

His head throbbed again. At the same time, the fable contained in the dumpling began to wrap around his entire body.

[Fable, ‘Demon King of Salvation’ continues the story.]

‘Demon King of Salvation’.

Yoo Joonghyuk had heard that name before. Certainly, the demon king who appeared in the final battle of the ‘Recycling Center’ had the same title.

And not just that.

The one that had appeared at the Washington Dome also had the same modifier.

Demon King of Salvation. What, exactly, was the Demon King of Salvation?

[Fable, ‘Demon King of Salvation’ roars!]

With a cracking sound, the fable settled onto his shoulders and transformed into a pair of wings. Even though they had been born by borrowing the fable of a demon king, the wings were endlessly white and clean, like those of a great archangel.

"So you’ve become an angel in the meantime, Tyrant King?"

Cheon Inho mocked him as he spoke. He lightly drew the sword at his waist, then aimed it at Yoo Joonghyuk. And then, in a playful voice, he added,

"Bang."

Yoo Joonghyuk reflexively ducked his head. A terrifying mana gale grazed past his earlobe. Judging by it, it seemed like an attack that applied the Returnee Myung Ilsang’s skill—compressing mana and concentrating it on the blade tip to fire it like a flash.

Yoo Joonghyuk replied in a flat voice.

"You’ve picked up more cheap tricks, Cheon Inho."

The flash cleaved deeply into the cliff of the ‘big house’. Over the carved-away cliff of the stratum, footage of their past decisive battle was floating up.

A dark red coat and a black coat.

On a night when the stars were falling, the ‘Tyrant King’ and the ‘Sophist of Evil’ had also then aimed their swords at each other with the fate of the world on the line.

"I miss it already. That fight back then was truly something."

"…"

"Now, you should show me too. What you went through in the meantime. What fables you piled up. If we’re going to properly reminisce—"

"Where is he?"

"That guy? Who are you talking about?"

"You already know. The ‘real Cheon Inho’."

The real Cheon Inho. At that expression, a hair-thin crack appeared in Cheon Inho’s face.

"I don’t know what you mean. I am Cheon Inho."

"The one who carried out the scenario together with me wasn’t you."

A sharp [Path of the Wind] unfolded.

In an instant, Cheon Inho closed the distance by over ten meters and swung ‘Unbreakable Faith’.

A strike containing the profundity of [Path of the Wind].

Yoo Joonghyuk knocked away the scattering wind blades with his spear shaft and said,

"That technique isn’t yours."

"I know. It’s the Immuntar wolf’s."

"No. It’s the technique ‘that guy’ used."

As if refuting him, Cheon Inho’s sword stroke erupted again, from top to bottom. The activated ‘Blade of Faith’ scattered force.

"That sword isn’t yours either."

Yoo Joonghyuk’s Yellow Heaven Moon Halberd blocked ‘Unbreakable Faith’. Golden force contained in the spear strike and blue force carried on the sword strike collided, and the storm expanded. With a boom, both of their bodies were knocked away from each other at the same time.

Cheon Inho smiled and said,

"It’s mine. This sword, this technique, and even these fables that you and this body piled up together."

Their fables resonated. The fable Yoo Joonghyuk and Cheon Inho had piled up together was stirring.

[An unnamed ‘giant fable’ writhes.]

"It was truly an incredible story. Don’t you agree?"

"…"

"How did it feel, seeing the end of the scenario together? What did it feel like to become a character inside the ‘story’ I made?"

"…"

"Was it fun? Were you happy? Or were you furious because your position as the eternal ‘protagonist’ was taken from you?"

Cheon Inho’s sword strokes were growing faster and faster.

Matching that speed, Yoo Joonghyuk accelerated his spear strikes and answered.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about, but—"

Yoo Joonghyuk’s [Protective Force], driven to its limit, knocked Cheon Inho’s blade away.

"I can tell you’ve gone even crazier than last turn."

Yoo Joonghyuk’s transcendent form was also rising. Stage 1, stage 2, stage 3… before he knew it, Yoo Joonghyuk’s grade, now powerful enough to threaten fable-grade constellations, was settling into his spear strikes.

Kuaaaaaa!

The Soul-Extinguishing Divine Spear scraped space as it shot out.

Cheon Inho narrowly avoided the attack and asked,

"I was curious. Why did you choose a spear? Your main weapon was always a sword. The only weapon that suits you is the ‘True Heaven Tyrant Saber’. But why—"

"In this turn, I decided I’ll see the end with a spear."

As if he didn’t like that answer, Cheon Inho’s lips twitched.

[Exclusive Skill, ‘Agitation Lv.???’ has been activated!]

"Come to your senses. Your weapon is a ‘sword’."

A voice containing the power of [Agitation] that had brought down even fable-grade constellations. It was a decree no one could refuse.

[Fable, ‘Demon King of Salvation’ resists ‘Agitation’!]

But Yoo Joonghyuk endured that decree. The fable contained in the dumpling he had devoured made it possible.

[Exclusive Skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ has been temporarily activated.]

A tremor rose in Cheon Inho’s eyes.

"That skill—"

"Bring him back."

Closing the distance with [Jujak Shinbo], Yoo ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Joonghyuk swung his spear again. The grade of the Soul-Extinguishing Divine Spear carried on the spear strike pressed down on Cheon Inho’s ‘Blade of Faith’.

Cheon Inho resisted, gripping his sword hilt with both hands, and said,

"Forget a friend like that now. He has become a part of me. With his name and existence erased, he decided to see the end of this world together with me."

"That can’t be."

"How are you so sure?"

"Because we promised."

"A promise?"

"That guy—"

His temples throbbed again, and an old memory flashed through Yoo Joonghyuk’s mind.

「"As long as you don’t give up on life, I’ll keep writing you."」

Without realizing it, he repeated the words from the memory.

"He said he would write my story."

For an instant, confusion passed over Cheon Inho’s face. It was a brief opening. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t miss it, and his spear strike moved. With a fwoosh, the spear strike pierced Cheon Inho’s shoulder. Cheon Inho retreated, blocking the pouring fable.

"He won’t be able to write any story anymore. His story is all over."

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ begins a story.]

"The story the stars want is something I understand better."

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ continues the story.]

"I’m stronger than him. Smarter than him, more perfect. I can deceive the constellations better, and I can be of greater help to you too. I am—"

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’… ]

With a tzzzt sound, sparks burst up from Cheon Inho’s entire body.

"I am, Kim Dokja—"

Wretch—fables spilled out of his mouth. The regurgitated fables were collapsing inside Cheon Inho.

Cheon Inho frowned and lifted his head, and the fable spoke.

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ snickers.]

"Shut up."

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ snickers.]

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ snickers.]

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ snickers.]

…

Inside Cheon Inho, the fable was rampaging.

Watching him, Yoo Joonghyuk said,

"That guy could endure that fable."

"…"

"He was someone who struggled so he wouldn’t take the easy path."

Now even Yoo Joonghyuk was vaguely realizing what that ‘fable’ was.

That fable that had given that guy great strength was, in truth, a fable that brought him his greatest tragedy. That guy had always lived while holding that despair.

"You can’t do it like him."

Cheon Inho let out a roar and swung his sword.

"I can too."

[Fable, ‘Successor of the Eternal Name’ continues the story.]

A red glow flickered over Cheon Inho’s eyes.

"In the end, the ‘one and only Kim Dokja’ will become this body."

The fables flowing out of Cheon Inho’s entire body gathered at his shoulder blades, then began to evolve into dark red wings.

A form that truly suited the word ‘demon king’.

The Returnee’s senses were warning him. If he didn’t finish it now, there would be no chance.

Yoo Joonghyuk sprinted forward, using [Jujak Shinbo] at full power.

Soul-Extinguishing Divine Spear, First Form.

But the moment Yoo Joonghyuk thrust out his spear, a deafening roar sounded, and massive mana exploded from Cheon Inho’s entire body. Yoo Joonghyuk rolled across the ground like someone who had been bombarded across his whole body.

"I told you."

The demon king, wings spread wide, was speaking.

[Fable, ‘Tyrant King Slayer’ begins a story.]

[「Dramatization」 begins.]

"You can’t beat me."

In the end, the effect of 「Dramatization」 activated.

What supported the staggering Yoo Joonghyuk then was Anna Croft, who had been watching the situation until that point.

"Tyrant King. This is too much. You know what kind of existence Cheon Inho is right now."

Yoo Joonghyuk shoved Anna Croft away and said,

"Is your [Future Sight] telling you that?"

"[Future Sight] doesn’t work on him."

"Then there’s a chance."

He knew he didn’t have good odds. Once 「Dramatization」 activated, his probability of winning was close to zero. And yet, he didn’t break his hope… maybe it was the influence of that ‘dumpling’ he had eaten earlier.

In fact, the dumpling’s memories were still bubbling up here and there. For example, among those memories, there was also something like this.

「"If you’re fighting and you run into a situation where there’s truly no answer."」

In that familiar playful voice, the guy in the memory said,

「"Try thinking, ‘I am Kim Dokja.’"」

Normally, he wouldn’t have reacted to a prank like that. But why was it? Yoo Joonghyuk today was different. Thinking that maybe something weird had been in that dumpling, Yoo Joonghyuk silently repeated that name to himself.

‘Kim Dokja.’

At that moment, Yoo Joonghyuk felt as if his soul connected to something.

And then.

—Did you digest all the dumplings?

A voice sounded in his head.

A voice he didn’t know. And yet, a voice that felt endlessly familiar to his ears.

Yoo Joonghyuk asked that insolent voice,

‘What are you?’

And the voice answered.

—I'm your friend’s older brother, you punk.

‘I don’t have friends.’

—Wow. Our youngest only ever picks the most disappointing things to say.

Yoo Joonghyuk thought for a moment, then replied,

‘When you say “youngest”, are you talking about the guy who was possessing Cheon Inho?’

—Like there’d be any other youngest.

Yoo Joonghyuk silently furrowed his brow.

He had only recalled a name, and something had possessed him.

There had definitely been something similar last time as well. While carrying out the 40th turn assignment of the ‘time stratum’, ‘that guy’s’ soul had once taken residence through a special method.

That guy had also possessed Cheon Inho’s body, so perhaps, through a similar method, he had possessed Yoo Joonghyuk as well.

But this time, something was different.

He had clearly recalled that guy’s name, so why had some random existence possessed him?

—Hey, relax your body! Relax and leave it all to your big bro! I’ll take over and take him out for you!

‘My fight is mine to handle.’

—Man, even 41st-turn Joonghyuk is Yoo Joonghyuk.

A voice that sounded detached somehow, and yet cheerful.

—But you know, if you keep this up, you’ll die.

No sooner had the words fallen than a message appeared.

[Due to the ‘Curse’ effect, physical abilities are weakened!]

This ‘stage’ was created based on the fable of him fighting ‘Cheon Inho’ while weakened to the extreme.

So it was only natural that 「Dramatization」 would reduce his stats.

‘Help me so I don’t die.’

—What a shameless bastard.

‘That guy would’ve done the same.’

In the distance, Cheon Inho, wings spread, was looking up at the sky. Yoo Joonghyuk realized what was about to happen.

Right now, Cheon Inho was about to manifest the fable he was most confident in.

「When all the stars close their eyes」.

If that fable began its story, darkness would come to the world. Once that happened, there would be no way to beat him.

—No, there is.

With Kim Dokja’s voice, a message floated up in Yoo Joonghyuk’s head.

[The ‘Ultimate Murim Dumpling’ has been completely digested.]

As if he had been waiting for that message, Kim Dokja continued.

—If that bastard really claims to be ‘Kim Dokja’, that is.

‘The power of dramatization is absolute. No matter how strong I become right now—’

—You can win. You forgot? You’ve killed ‘Kim Dokja’ before, haven’t you?

Yoo Joonghyuk looked up into the air with a face that said he didn’t understand.

‘I’ve never killed him.’

—The you right now hasn’t.

[Exclusive effect of the ‘Ultimate Murim Dumpling’— ‘Absolute Peak’ has been activated!]

—But the ‘you’ at your absolute peak is different.

‘Absolute peak?’

[Fable, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ begins a story.]

Pages turning in his head.

「The incarnation Kim Dokja will die by the hand of the existence he loves the most.」

「Amid the countless gazes of stars pouring down from the sky, the story that would kill me was approaching, sentence by sentence.」

「And finally, a single sword pierced my heart.」

In the overwhelming feast of story unfolding in his mind, Yoo Joonghyuk felt the distant power of fable overlapping onto his incarnation body.

「"It’s a really great story, isn’t it? Don’t you think?"」

The Demon King of Salvation spoke.

—Come on. Let’s hunt a ‘demon king’ one more time.

[「Dramatization」 begins!]