Beyond the Eternity

[You have proved your qualifications to become the Absolute King.]

[All restrictions placed on the Holy Grail have disappeared.]

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' applauds your actions.]

[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' applauds your fighting spirit.]

[The constellation 'Budda of Victorious Fighting' is pulling his hair.]

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' has sponsored 2,000 coins.]

[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' has sponsored 1,500 coins.]

[The constellation 'Budda of Victorious Fighting' has sponsored 500 coins.]

The constellation messages along with their sponsorship came flying in one by one. Of course, that was not the only messages I received.

[The constellation 'Phoenix Queen of Twilight Heaven' feels regretful.]

[The constellation 'Emperor Heungmu the Great' is looking at you.]

[The constellation 'Duke of Naval Warfare' is remembering distant memories.]

[The constellation 'Moonlight Sage of Silla' is looking at the Holy Grail.]

[The constellation 'Drunken First Sword' is looking at the Holy Grail.]

[The constellation 'Last Stand of Hwangsanbeol' is looking at the Holy Grail.]

There were messages from the historical constellations. The 4th Fable was supposed to be a means for them to become Star Constellations but their Incarnations died in the end.

Surprisingly, that was not the end of the messages.

[The Guardian of the West is looking at you with resentment.]

Guardian of the West?

... Wait, could it be...

I glanced at the Metal Spirit Lance that was wriggling about. It almost seemed like it was going to attack me. (NB: The White Spirit Lance is also called the Metal Spirit Lance given that Byakko represents the metal element.)

... Ah, I see. I think I understand.

There were special artifacts in the Song of Nightmares that bonds with their wielders. Therefore, It's natural for a guardian beast to protect its wielder. I didn't think I would become the enemy of one of the Four Gods, but It couldn't be helped.

In any case, I can't afford to remain still.

"Let's go."

Since the other king candidates were defeated, we slowly made our way to the center of Gwanghwamun— at that place, a huge altar could be seen.

I climbed the stairs of the altar. At this moment, I felt the gazes of multiple entities from above. I was sure all the constellations from the Seoul Dome was watching me now.

As I reached the top, my eyes immediately noticed the golden cup placed on the altar. It glowed brillantly as if watching the presence of the new king.

[The Holy Grail is a great artifact filled with Omnipotent power. As long as you becomes the master of the Holy Grail, a single wish of your choosing will be granted.]

The people below looked at me enviously after hearing the system message. It was natural. They had come to obtain the Holy Relic for this reason.

However,

"Hey, Dokho-ssi."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of this item?"

"The Holy Grail..." He mumbled and continued. "It's an item that can grant any wish of the user. Of course, wouldn't that be a great item."

"Yes, you're right. It's an item beyond imagination. But It's strange. Wouldn't like this be at the end of the Nightmare Fables? So why is it here?"

"Ah, T-That..."

Lee Dokho stood speechless, clearly at a loss for words.

I turned my attention to the empty space above, where the gazes of the constellations and stars were watching me.

Among the presence of the constellations and stars, I couldn't feel Aurora's presence. Naturally, she didn't need to be physically here to observe the story. But It was strange that I couldn't reach her using private communication.

... I see. The Administration Buseau were really cunning.

[The constellation 'Emperor Heungmu the Great' is curious about your hesitation.]

[The constellation 'Phoenix Queen of Twilight Heaven' urges you to make your choice.]

Even the constellations...

They already knew the true nature of this item, yet they still wanted said item. No wonder they weren't able to raise up to star grade.

I turned towards Lee Dokho and asked. "Dokho-ssi, if you had the chance, what would you wish for?"

"Of course, I would wish to end all nightmares."

I smiled faintly. "Hmm. What a noble wish. Sadly, this item can't grant such a wish."

Although It was mentioned in the system announcement, If this item was used even once, the destruction of Seoul will be inevitable.

The item infront of me was not the real Holy Grail. In fact, I didn't sense a spark of divine energy from that item. How did I know this? Well, It was rather simple.

[Your demonic energy is resonating with the Holy Grail.]

The demonic energy I acquired from Kim Minhyuk was resonating with the supposed Holy Grail. In the original work, Soo Jinyoung realised the true nature of the item and destroyed it without hesitation.

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is interested by your choice.]

[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' sighs.]

I slowly pulled out a sword from my dimensional storage ring.

「 The Four Tiger Evil Breaking Sword 」

It was a Heroic Relic that contained the will of the previous wielders. To be precise, It contained the will of the previous monarchs of the Joseon Kingdom. Instead of a normal sword with sharp edge, It was a ceremonial sword used for demon slaying and Shamanistic rituals.

Even so, It was perfect to destory an item that borrowed power from the 'god of the old planet'.

To be honest, I was a little tempted. If I used the Holy Relic, I would be able to create anything I want. In fact, bringing back the old Seoul was not impossible. However, I would doom everybody here to a fate worse than death.

That very thought was enough to snap me out from my reverie.

"Fwooo..."

Taking a deep breath, I gripped the Four Tiger Evil Breaking Sword--- and raised it high. The sword gleamed faintly under the altar's light as if responding to my will.

[The constellation 'Moonlight Sage of Silla' is watching closely.]

[The constellation 'Last Stand of Hwangsanbeol' is holding their breath.]

Without hesitation, I swung the Evil Banishing Sword towards the False Grail. However, something was wrong.

"Eh?"

I had definitely tried to swing my hand downwards and the sword almost reach the False Grail, but my hands wouldn't move more than that. It was as if my body had entered a state of shock.

My thoughts scrambled to make sense of it, but in that split second of confusion, I felt it—a sharp pain blooming from my back, followed by a hot, wet sensation spreading across my torso.

"You..."

The words barely escaped my lips as I turned my head to see Lee Dokho behind me.

His expression had changed— A cold smirk had spread across his face and his posture was straight. It was almost as if he had become a different person.

A different person?

"...!"

My eyes widened as I abruptly realised the truth.

Apart from the High Priestess, the White Empress and the dead king candidates, all the king candidates had entered Gwanghwamun one way or another. But wasn't there a king candidate that hadn't entered the battlefield?

"Ack!"

I winced in pain as the knife was twisted in mg side and was pulled out with a wet squelch. Blood gushed out from the open wound.

While I was staggering about, the man known as Lee Dokho removed 'something' from his face and his appearance began to change rapidly.

Moppy white hair, crimson eyes and a smile that reminded me of a dokkaebi. Only one name came to mind.

"You know, It was really nice playing the role of your ally. But pretending is really a bother and I can't let you destory that thing."

"You bastard...!"

"Why do you look so surprised? There were many times where you questioned my identity but you let silde since you were under the Illusion of control."

"....!"

He was right. I was so worried about the other king candidates and the Black Emperor Song Jaewon that I forgot about the most important anomaly. But It didn't make sense.

Was he under the King's Oath? It should have been impossible for him to backstab me while under that oath?

"Obviously, It's clear what you're thinking. How was he able to backstab while under the King's Oath?---- but I don't have the time to explain something so simple."

Park Joonhyuk kicked me, and my body tumbled down the stairs like a broken bottle, bouncing off each step with a sickening thud, until I reached ground level.

Blood poured out from my opened wound and strained the ground with a reddish hue. Along with that was the terrible pain that came from my side.

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is watching Park Joonhyuk.]

[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' watches silently.]

[The constellation 'Budda of Victorious Fighting' is biting his nails.]

[The constellation 'Pheonix Queen of Twilight Heaven' is licking her lips.]

The familiar gazes of the constellations shifted away from me one by one and focused on him. It felt like a crowd of spectators shifting their attention to the new main character.

[The Qualifications will be transferred to the Last Standing Candidate.]

[The Devil Park Joonhyuk has received the King's Qualifications.]

This is not good! At this rate, that bastard will really become the Absolute King and Seoul will be destroyed.

But...

Why did he stop me? If he truly read Song of Nightmares to the end, shouldn't he know that using the item leads to a bad route?

I would've been less concerned if he were just an average reader who dropped Song of Nightmares early, but he was a true reader who finished the story. That's why I couldn't understand his actions.

... Wait...

「 It was then that he realised... 」

Was he trying to use that method while knowing It will lead to a bad route? Was that the main reason why he collected the Yellow Dragon Sword?

Fuck! That's even more messed up than the other routes.

[Exclusive skill, Incite has activated.]

No matter what, I had to stop that guy from using that method.

I summoned my remaining strength and shouted at the people looking this way.

"YOU IDIOTS, WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE! IF THAT BASTARD USES THAT ITEM, SEOUL WILL DEFINITELY BE DESTORYED! DO YOU WANT THAT KIND OF REALITY?!"

"W-What?"

"... Seoul will be destoryed?"

The confused expressions of the surviving troops of the king candidates slowly morphed into fear. The people, who were shaken by such a terrifying reality, starting approaching the altar.

Park Joonhyuk looked at me with an annoyed expression.

"You fool, don't you realise what you're doing is meaningless? Ugh... Looks like I have to make use of that."

What? What did he mean by that?

Thud!

Suddenly, someone jumped and blocked the path to the altar. It was a familiar face that was impossible to forget.

Kagura...?

"Oi Kagura, be a good girl and buy some time for me."

Upon saying those words, Park Joonhyuk turned around and Kagura stepped forward to face the people.

Was she aiding Park Joonhyuk this entire time?

No, I don't think that was the case. There was this unnatural stoic look in her eyes. It was almost as if I was staring into the eyes of an emotionless machine.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Wall has activated.]

[The target has fallen to the effect of Mind Control.]

Everything made sense. That's how he was able to make someone like Kagura to willingly surrender her Arcane card.

"Argh!"

"What the hell? Who is this woman?"

The people tried to overwhelm Kagura at once but they were powerlessly blown by the Saint. None of those people will be able to defeat Kagura even if they ganged up on her.

... I have to do something.

I pulled out some elven essences and swallowed all of them. Those were my last supply of healing items but the situation demanded me to use them.

It was not enough to close the wound completely, but my body was filled with strength and I managed to stand up from the ground.

Even so, It was too late. Park Joonhyuk has already held the False Grail. The golden cup glowed intensely as if It had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

[The Grail is listening to the wish of the Absolute King.]

[Will you make a wish?]

"Indeed. It is my wish to see through the will of the god of the planet and bring about the world's destruction."

A terrible silence filled Gwanghwamun.