Episode 21. The Unchangeable (2):
Shin Yoosung's right hand quietly shot up into the sky.
"Cry, King Masswood."
The king of sea dragons coiled behind her slowly rose to his full height.
King Masswood, the ruler of the sea dragons, unleashed his [Frost Breath].
Kwak kwak kwak kwak!
The riverbed of the Han froze instantly, and the ghost fleet that had been firing its cannons gradually began to fail under the chilling breath. Trapped with nowhere to flee, one by one, the ships lost functionality to Masswood's icy exhalation.
"Here's a piece of advice, sister. The ghost fleet is powerful, but without water, it's meaningless."
Everything happened in an instant—the movement of Shin Yoosung's fist, the sound of something exploding. The body of Lee Ji-hye, who had lost her sword, rose lifelessly into the air.
"Of course, that advice won't help at all this run."
Bloodied, Lee Ji-hye's eyes already showed barely a shred of awareness. King Masswood's [Frost Breath] was finally spreading across the entire Han River.
"Uwaaaah! What the hell!"
The Awakened beings crossing the river screamed at the sudden cold. Waves of frost swept over them, freezing hundreds of people in place, condemning them to die on the ice.
The one who saved the paralyzed Awakened was a nearby powerhouse observing the scene.
[Character 'Lee Hyun-sung' uses the Saint's Mark 'Taesan Smash Lv.5'!]
Lee Hyun-sung's abnormally swollen right arm slammed down onto the frozen river.
Kwaaaang!
His overinflated arm began to crack under the strain of the overused Taesan Smash—but his effort paid off.
Jjeojeojeojuk!
The cracked surface of the Han collapsed, weakening the influence of [Frost Breath].
Seizing the opportunity, the Awakened on the ground advanced toward Nodeul Island.
"Uwaaaah!"
"Attack!"
Seeing Lee Hyun-sung at the center of the troops, Shin Yoosung smiled faintly.
"Yes, Hyun-sung oppa. I knew you'd be here."
"…Do you know me?"
"You were our most reliable shield. You saved my life countless times."
At Shin Yoosung's gesture, the massive chimpanzee behind her stepped forward, pounding its chest. Grade-5 monster species, Heavy Metal Kong.
Kwoong―!
With a stomp of its hind legs, nearby Awakened were thrown aside. Lee Hyun-sung charged at Heavy Metal Kong.
Krarrarrar―!
His swollen arm collided head-on with the steel muscles of Heavy Metal Kong. Crackle, crack! Lee Hyun-sung's strength was astonishing. Even with veins bursting and blood flowing from his lips, he did not falter before a Grade-5 monster.
If anything, he dominated.
Kurrrr…?
Watching this, Shin Yoosung spoke coldly.
"Same as ever, Hyun-sung oppa. Always the most loyal dog of Yoo Joonghyuk…"
"…Who are you?"
"You, who saved countless lives, protected Yoo Joonghyuk until the very end, and were reduced to ashes by the Breath of the Iron-Blooded Dragon."
"What…?"
"Do you know what Yoo Joonghyuk said then?"
Like transferring the pain she had endured onto others, Shin Yoosung's tongue moved like a sharp scalpel.
"You lost a precious shield."
Watching the strange change in Lee Hyun-sung's expression, Shin Yoosung writhed in lonely ecstasy. Yes, they had to feel it too—the pain she had endured, the scenes she had witnessed. She couldn't make them experience it all, but they had to understand.
But she didn't know.
This run was somehow different from the ones she had known.
Lee Hyun-sung, who had blocked Heavy Metal Kong's attack, spoke.
"I don't know what you mean, but I do not follow Yoo Joonghyuk."
"What?"
"I am part of Kim Dokja's group."
"Kim…what?"
Kkwaaang! Heavy Metal Kong toppled.
Shin Yoosung's expression hardened as she approached Lee Hyun-sung.
"What are you saying?"
With the sound of drums exploding, Lee Hyun-sung's body soared through the air. Shin Yoosung unleashed a ferocious strike against his abdomen. The raging storm of ether pierced his tough skin and sent him flying into the middle of the Han River.
It was a blow strong enough to rupture every organ.
Lee Hyun-sung would not survive to continue the third run.
But a question lingered in Shin Yoosung's mind.
A name she had never heard before.
Kim Dokja…
Who on earth was that?
Shin Yoosung walked slowly across the frozen river, tearing apart the necks of the Awakened who charged at her. Terrified, they fled only to be shredded by the claws of the monsters. Gradually, despair settled in their eyes.
Resignation spread among the Awakened who faced an unstoppable calamity.
"Fire!"
Of course, there were some who resisted.
The kings in the frontlines adjusted their formation and unleashed a rain of arrows and ether projectiles. Shin Yoosung knew exactly who they were.
Mihee King Min Ji-won.Mireuk King Cha Sang-kyung.Neutral King Jeon Il-do.
It was strange. These should have been people who were either already dead or should have already become Yoo Joonghyuk's subordinates. After all, apart from Yoo Joonghyuk, the other "kings" should have been consolidated into a single throne the moment the fourth scenario ended.
So what on earth was this?
"Attack! There's only one enemy!"
Whose orders was this ragtag army following?
Where had the [Absolute Throne] gone?
Who truly ruled this world?
It was at that moment that she felt the killing intent.
The floor beneath Shin Yoosung froze with a chilling crackle.
…Frost Breath?
Reflexively turning around, a massive sea dragon exhaled toward her. It wasn't King Masswood. Reactively, she raised her right hand, and King Masswood moved.
Gwaoooo!
Graaahhh!
The two sea dragons roared simultaneously at each other, then collided and entangled.
The king and queen tore at each other, turning the entire Han River into a colossal octagon. The only sea dragon capable of standing against King Masswood… Shin Yoosung knew of only one.
"…Queen Mirvade?"
She knew the queen was on Earth, but why would she attack Shin Yoosung?
No—why?
"You're the future 'me,' aren't you?"
The moment she looked back, Shin Yoosung's mind went white. A long-missed past shook her soul.
"Save him!"
A girl cried out, and a woman stood in her way.
"Yoosung, no!"
With a sharp zing, Disaster Shin Yoosung realized everything.
"Haha… I knew it."
She sent her construct toward the girl. The Yoo Joonghyuk she knew had to be like this.
For the sake of his goal, that despicable man spared no means or method. He had been like this from the very beginning.
"Yoo Joonghyuk… that inhuman bastard…"
"Yoosung, run!"
Yoo Sang-ah drew her dagger and activated [Hermes' Walk] and [Arachne's Web] simultaneously, charging forward. Something strange flickered in Shin Yoosung's eyes.
"…Olympus?"
But the dagger never reached Shin Yoosung. With a simple gesture, flying species poured from the gates in midair, surrounding Yoo Sang-ah. In an instant, her construct vanished into the swarm of monsters.
Leaving Yoo Sang-ah behind, Shin Yoosung approached the girl.
The girl's eyes, filled with fear and rage, looked up at her. As if bound, she couldn't take a single step. Shin Yoosung placed her hand on the girl's cheek.
"So Yoo Joonghyuk really found the 'me' of this worldline."
"Uh… ah…"
"You tried to kill the young 'me' to stop the present 'me,' didn't you?"
The deduction hit perfectly, and a surge of terrible ecstasy erupted in Shin Yoosung's mind.
Her briefly dimmed hatred and rage quickly returned to their place.
Indeed, there are things that cannot be changed, no matter how many times you return to the past.
'Disaster Shin Yoosung' laughed.
"Hello, past me."
The moment her hand moved…
A powerful strike descended from behind, making a thunderous roar as it engulfed her construct. When the dust cleared, the blade of a gigantic praying mantis gleamed.
"A Grade-6 Monarch?"
"Titan! Take it down!"
The monstrous mantis swung its sickle wildly, tearing the ground like tofu. It was a terrifying attack—but naturally, not one capable of dealing with the 'Disaster.'
"Be gone."
The ether condensed in Disaster Shin Yoosung's right arm pierced straight through the Titanoptera's abdomen. The giant mantis spewed green blood in agony and collapsed to its knees.
"TITAN!"
A furious Lee Gil-young leaped off the mantis's head. Yellow viscous matter, spreading like a parachute from his body, shot into the air.
"Go! Antinus!"
The parasitic creatures sprouted wings and flew from Lee Gil-young's body.
A Grade-5 Parasite species.
Shin Yoosung was momentarily taken aback.
"…Antinus?"
Shin Yoosung also knew the entity. After all, the place she had destroyed before coming to Earth was the planet Chronos. Antinus was the dominant species of Chronos—a monster of queenly rank.
She couldn't believe it.
A child commanding a dominant species as a subordinate?
"Impressive, little one."
Tur-up.
But her surprise was short-lived. Antinus, attempting to parasitize her, was helplessly caught in Shin Yoosung's hand. The black goo of Antinus began to burn upon contact with her fingertips.
Gyaaahhh…
Of course. Guides cannot oppose a calamity.
"To have the talent to tame a guide… you're also a child with the
Lee Gil-young ignored her words and charged.
"What did you do to my brother, Reader?!"
"What?"
"Where's my brother?!"
Lee Gil-young's fist struck her stomach. It was meant to be a decisive blow, but the one who ended up broken was Lee Gil-young's wrist. Incredible talent, but the opponent was too formidable. Shin Yoosung's white hand grabbed Lee Gil-young by the neck and lifted him.
"…Who exactly is this 'Reader'?"
Blood rushed to Lee Gil-young's face as he struggled.
"Tell me. Or you'll die."
At that moment, the sound of distant artillery echoed, and the ground where she stood exploded. Shin Yoosung lightly leapt to avoid the blast.
[The ghost fleet's cannon fire? How…?]
"Gil-young!"
From afar, Lee Ji-hye and Lee Hyun-sung were running toward her.
A question formed in Disaster Shin Yoosung's mind.
Strange.
It should have been a strike that killed him instantly… so how was he still alive?
Could it be… did I fail to control the power?
Realizing this situation had become bothersome, Shin Yoosung tightened her grip on Lee Gil-young's neck. At this point, it would be better to get the answers from them directly.
"Farewell, little one."
But the moment she squeezed tightly, a sharp pain spread through her head, and suddenly her ganglia stopped responding. Shocked, she dropped Lee Gil-young to the ground. Her trembling right hand writhed unnaturally.
Could it be… he's infected with a Parasite?
No, that's impossible. A mere Grade-5 Parasite couldn't interfere with someone like her, a returner from another worldline. Then… what is this?
Why is my body suddenly not obeying me?
At that moment, a voice rang out.
"Stop, Shin Yoosung."
It was nothing more than a simple phrase, yet the moment she heard it, something deep inside her seemed to crumble. One side of her heart began to ache as if madly. She didn't recognize the voice. She absolutely didn't.
"…Wh-who are you? Get out of me!"
Why did it feel so unbearably familiar?
Shin Yoosung clutched her head, struggling against the sensation.
"Leave! Get out of me!"
A wave of nausea washed over her, and memories she did not know swirled in her mind. Worlds that shouldn't connect, films that could never overlap, were tangled together.
"Yoosung."
When she came to her senses at that voice, Disaster Shin Yoosung saw her younger self standing before her.
The small lips of young Shin Yoosung moved.
"…Sir… are you there?"
< Episode 21. The Unchangeable (2) > End