Beyond the Eternity

Ten minutes has passed since the passing of the Ruined Soldier.

There was an eerie silence in the tunnel. Perhaps the survivors have realised the gravity of the situation.

The enemy we were about to face wasn't just another nightmare or twisted abomination like the Fables or Stories.

This time, we were stepping into the domain of something far beyond the scope of logic and realism.

「 They're about to face the god-like existence known as The World 」

Kagura who has been walking silently this entire time turned to me with a stiff expression. She was not someone that would show fear easily but now, there was a hint of fear in her eyes.

"So we're seriously doing this, huh?"

"Sadly, It's already too late to turn back. Wait, don't tell me you're scared? You seemed full of spirits before we entered here."

"W-What? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not scared."

"It's okay to be scared. Nobody would make fun of you, you know. Just look around."

Kagura's eyes darted around and observed the pale faces of the survivors. It was as if the very air was burdened by the weight of their shared anxiety.

"I'm not scared."

The words came out almost defensive. It was as if she were trying harder to convince herself than anyone else.

I sighed and placed my hand on her shoulders.

"Like I said, it's okay to be scared. Fear keeps us from making dumb decisions—like wandering into dark caves or ignoring 'Do Not Enter' signs on abandoned factories. We're curious, sure, but it's fear that keeps us alive. You feel the same, right?"

Of course, my words weren't entirely true. There will always be that one person that would be brave enough to enter those places despite being aware of the possibile dangers.

Was it ignorance or was it stupidity?

It was as if they had no fear or was it that they were tired of living.

"Ugh..."

Kagura let out a long sigh and her formerly tense shoulders finally relaxed. My words seemed to have calmed her down at the very least.

"I understand what you're trying to say. It's just we haven't had the time to rest since this whole incident and now, we have to fight against someone with the power of a god."

"Power of a god? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

"You weren't there, so you wouldn't know. He spoke chants like 'Why must you forget everything?' and 'Why is your heart filled with disorder?' and all those things happened. It was like he had achieved true omnipotence."

"Like I said, I think you're pushing it too fair. That person can't be that powerful."

"Then what did I see? If it wasn't for Lee Dokho, I would have really forgotten everything."

"You're only looking at one side of the coin. If he was really that powerful, we wouldn't be alive. He wouldn't need those high school girls or that fake Ollerus. If he wanted to kill you during that time, he could've just said 'Die,' not 'Forget everything.'"

"...!"

There was a hint of realisation within Kagura's eyes.

The World card granted Ollerus Izzard the ability to manifest his Personal Reality, but that didn't make him omnipotent. To begin with, the Tarot Cards were not that powerful in the grand scheme of things. If Ollerus were truly unstoppable, there'd be no need for pawns or create multiple fake doors to confuse the players.

Still, the fact that he killed the Wheel of Fortune remained unsettling. Had he discovered that Item's secret?

"It looks like we're here."

Soon, we exited the tunnel and entered what resembled a boss room in an RPG. The anxiety felt by the survivers came over the air and could be felt on my skin.

'...'

I silently scanned the surrounding space.

The room was a huge open space that reminded me of the king's audience chamber from a fantasy movie. But the scale was noticeably larger, though.

I noticed several giant stone pillars that stood erect to my left and right. And at the far end of the 'room', there was somebody sitting on a tall throne.

It was a 18 year old male. Dyed blonde hair, brown eyes and average facial features. To be completely honest, he didn't seem like the type would be popular with girls. But somehow, he had acquired the 'status' of Harem King since he was surrounded by multiple girls.

Naturally, the Identity of that person was already known.

"Oh, so you guys finally showed up."

The delinquent-looking king candidate shifted his attention from the girl feeding him grapes to us. His voice was rather soft yet It was able to reverberate throughout the large throne room.

"The other people that made it here didn't put up much of a fight so I grew rather bored while waiting for you lots."

His pronunciation of Korean was unnaturally good but now was not the time to be thinking about such things.

The delinquent-like male stood up from his throne and suddenly approached, prompting everyone to immediately grow tense and draw out their weapons.

Even so, that 'person' just stared at the faces of the terrified survivors with a bored expression.

"What's this? Are these really the king candidates? It seems they are allowing anyone to join the age of kings."

It was strange. For what reason was everyone so afraid of that harmless looking male?

[Exclusive skill, Black Box' has activated.]

[Information relating to the target will be revealed.]

+

[Character Information]

Name: Ollerus Izzard

Age: 18

Chosen Constellation: Jester of Ten Thousand Faces

Personal Class: Manipulator (Rare), Half-Lord (???)

Exclusive Skills: Weapon Mastery Lv. 3, Marksmanship Lv. 5, Suggestion Lv. 8, Lying Lv. 3

Authority: World Revelation, Mana Supply

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 20 (Currently Lv. 10), Strength Lv. 20 (Currently Lv. 10), Agility Lv. 25 (Currently Lv.

10), Magic Power Lv. 30 (Currently Lv. 10)

Description: A King Candidate with the potential to become a Full Lord. He has not yet met the qualifications to become a Full Lord and created an Artificial World, becoming a Half-Lord Instead. You should be careful or else you will be consumed by The World.

+

An overwhelming dark aura erupted from Ollerus Izzard.

He was releasing a great amount of pressure that did not befit his slender body. The status of a Territory King, was it?

His status window was ridiculous but my gaze was focused on the floating item besides him that was too ominous to be ignored.

Three Rings of Fortune. It was characteristic power of the [Wheel of Fortune], that increases the user's luck. On its own, It didn't have any offensive power to pose a threat. But when used with the Power of [The World], that person will become a terrifying opponent.

Lee Dokho noticed the item as well and narrowed his eyes.

"Wait, is that... The Three Rings of Fortune?"

"Yes. And it seems he's using that item to increase the power of the World card."

"Ridiculous. Isn't he playing Minecraft on creator's mode at this point?"

He was right. In fact, this place lacked the atmosphere of a true battlefield. It was as if it had become a fulite battlefield with that person's presence.

"Obviously, It's clear that you've already noticed." Ollerus began calmly and cracked one of his fingers. "The Wheel of Fortune has fallen. Not just him but four other main king candidates as well. But what will you do now? Will you still continue this pointless struggle or will you surrender your arcane cards without a fight? In fact, why would you wish to fight me?

Why must we fight when I can create a world without violence? Don't you desire such a world where the Nightmares or Stories does not exist?"

[The character 'Ollerus Izzard' has used the skill Suggestion.]

[The character 'Ollerus Izzard' has used World Revelation to amplify the Skill Suggestion.]

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Wall has activated.]

[The Omniscient Wall has blocked the amplified effects of Suggestion.]

That bastard...

I glanced around and noticed the survivors wearing conflicted expressions. Lee Dokho managed to keep his composure somehow while Kagura bit her lips and gripped her sword.

It seems they were able to resist suggestion since they had experienced it beforehand.

I looked around until I spotted someone that could help.

"Jang Hyunseok-ssi! Snap out of it!"

"Ah, yes."

Jang Hyunseok shook his head to regain his composure and immediately activated a skill.

[The character 'Jang Hyunseok' has activated Healing Prayer.]

[Healing prayer has partially negated the effects of the suggestion.]

The body of the survivors began to glow and the survivors began to regain their composure one by one but it was not enough. I decided to hit the final nail.

[The skill, Suggestion has activated.]

"Everyone, listen here."

I raised my voice to get the attention of the survivors.

"Do not fall into temptation. That person kidnapped the Sookmyung students and brainwashed them to fight for him then he killed the five king candidates along with their subordinates. Do you truly think that person can create a world without violence?"

"....."

The expressions of the survivors hardened. Kagura, who was standing besides me, seemed to draw strength from my words.

"And who are you to question my ideas?" Ollerus suddenly spoke. "Haven't you caused the deaths of many people already? So what gives you the right to question my logic?"

"Maybe you're right. I've killed my own share of people, that I can't deny. But haven't you done the same, you fucking hypocrite. More importantly, why does it seem like you're trying to avoid fighting? Or could it be that you're facing the penalty of Causality?"

"...!"

Ollerus' expression instantly crumbled into a deep frown as If I had said the forgotten word.

My initial suspicions turned out to be correct after all. He was not supposed to leave this place. Despite that, he chose to confront Kagura and Lee Dokho directly. Naturally, there will be consequences for such actions.

I smiled. It seemed Aurora was doing her job properly.

"Do you see that? That person is not a god. He can't control anything other than illusions. Why are you scared of such a person?"

"Damn you! I see. you have really done well. Naturally, It is clear that someone like you will not appreciate the peaceful world that will be created."

Ollerus gritted his teeth and cracked one of his fingers. Why does he keeping doing that? Is that some kind of trigger? Was it the same with the Library Keeper?

"I shall start by making an example of you first. Now Float Into the Sky, Revolutionary!"

"...!"

Suddenly, I lost the feeling of my feet touching the ground as my body floated into the air like a balloon and hit the ceiling above. Wasn't the ground too far away?

I spotted Kagura and Lee Dokho in the crowd below shouting my name.

Damnit, I have to do something. Otherwise, I would really die without resistance. I opened my mouth urgently.

"EVERYONE, OPEN YOUR EYES DAMNIT! THAT PERSON IS VERY EASY TO DEFEAT! WHY HAS HE BEEN CRACKING HIS FINGERS THIS ENTIRE TIME? DON'T YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THAT MEDICAL STUFF!"

"This bastard. SHUT UP ALREADY AND BE DIS.....?!"

As Ollerus was about to say the execution command, he suddenly stopped speaking and turned his attention elsewhere.

Why did he suddenly stop?

Swish!

There was the whistling sound of the air parting as something flew his way.

It was a brillant slash that has taken the form of a crescent moon.

It flew with blinding speed as if aiming to sever his head.

"...?"

For a moment, Ollerus was truly stunned. That attack alone was not enough to defeat him, but it seems that was the point. Predictably, it was distracting.

"That kind of ranged attack has never been able to touch me."

The blue crescent slash, which was aimed precisely at his neck, suddenly changed trajectory and hit the throne behind him with a tremendous sound.

Ollerus glared at someone in the crowd.

I scanned the crowd below and spotted someone holding a glowing sword. Even though I was far from the ground, that person looked rather familiar.

Shin Joonkyung?

[The character 'Shin Joonkyung' has used Sword Projection.]