Beyond the Eternity

My eyes slowly opened and I found myself in a foreign place. It was a dark place with no source of light.

If I remembered correctly, I was sleeping with Angelica and Jung Yunhee at the accommodation provided by Lee Dokho. Why was I here? More importantly, how did I get here?

I tried to move various parts of my body— arms, legs, fingers and toes. Then I noticed it was difficult to move my limbs as I pleased. Was this perhaps a dream?

I subconsciously recalled something from the World of Nightmares. It was one of the common laws from the Laws of Principality. I believe it was called the Law of Mysticism.

According to the Law of Mysticism, all living beings possess a nine-dimensional form known as the Soul (핵심), originating from and returning to a higher dimension beyond the Eightfold Path.

The Soul is the source of power for all living beings and exists as a higher order in concept of the astral plane.

The innermost facet of the Soul is the Ego, the source of intent and will. Surrounding it is the Mind Body, a cluster of information particles that contain the Ego and record information. The Mind Body is encased by Spiritons, subatomic particles that provide power. Together, these three— Ego, Mind Body, and Spiritons—form a cohesive mechanism similar to a living cell.

The Soul is housed within the Body (우주), which is split into four levels: the Astral Body, Soul Body, Material Body, and Ether Body.

In the novel, It was stated that dreams are formed in the Astral Body. Since dreams are a manifestation of the psyche, they would naturally reside in the Astral Body, where the mind's abstract and subconscious processes take shape. Perhaps that was the reason why dreams were so strange.

While thinking it was an amazing concept, I managed to regain control over my body and stood up from where I had been lying.

As I swept my gaze around, I realized that there was no ground. In fact, no matter which direction I turned, there was nothing in sight.

If the white room was completely filled with nothing but whiteness, then place was engulfed in nothing but pitch black darkness, a silent void. Was this perhaps my Inner world?

I attempted to walk but I felt a strange sensation around my feet. It was similar to the feeling of dipping your feet inside cold water.

Every time I moved, there was a silent ripple on top the ground's surface. With each step, the ripples would scatter towards all directions like a wave on moving water bodies.

Was I walking on the surface of an ocean? That was the thought that kept surfacing from the depths of my mind.

[The conditions for the stage 3 of the Omniscient Wall has reached.]

This strange 'Wall' again. It was a strange skill that I couldn't see through. What exactly was this strange 'Wall' that kept arriving infront of me?

[Personal skill, Black Box has activated.]

Rumble!

The ground suddenly shook and my head became dizzy. What was going on? An earthquake in a place like this?

In the next moment, there was a distortion as something manifested in this world. That something landed with a heavy sound and waves of black water scattered in all directions.

I raised my hand to protect my face but the water just brushed past me gently. It was a strange sensation but I raised my head to see what suddenly appeared in the dark cold void.

What had appeared was a pillar of strainless steel.

Soon, bright neon lettering appeared on that that and I began reading the words like It was a passage from a novel.

「 My name is Jakga Kim 」

「 I usually introduce myself as such but it always leads to a misunderstanding where the other party would ask 'Is that your actual name?' And I would respond with a 'Yes' 」

「 I am a Writer. Thus, I am Jakga but my real name is Kim Jakga, so I am Kim Jakga 」

「 I was 25 years old and I'm single. My hobbies include writing and reading novels on the bus 」

What? I remember saying something along those lines in the past but why was it written on the Wall.

It felt like my life was a story.

「 Song of Nightmares was a stupid novel but I liked it nevertheless 」

「 Soo Jinyoung is the Infinite reincarnator 」

「 Why did Soo Jinyoung die in this life? 」

「 That stupid protagonist... Why does she behave more like a Sunfish than the Regressor 」

「 Sung Jaewon is a worthless regressor 」

「 Jung Yunhee is a stupid girl that does not wash her feet 」

「 Lee Jongho is a stupid soldier but he is also the Giant Soldier 」

「 It seems I'm alone once again 」

What the hell was I seeing? What the hell was this?

「 I am the King of the Ruined World 」

「 I am the King of the Beasts 」

「 I am the Disciple of the Absolute Sword 」

「 I am the Doctor 」

「 I am the Flame of Salvation 」

「 I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga.

I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga.

I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am Kim Jakga. I am...

」

Wait, could it be.....

My eyes widened in realization. Could the Black Box be the collection of all stories including the stories of Kim Jakga from alternate dimensions?

「 I am... 」

The words on the 'Gaint Wall' began to change, forming into letters that were not part of the narrative.

「 I WA NT TO EA T YO U 」

"!?"

Before I could even express my confusion, the pillar shook and cracks began to form on the wall. Soon, a white mist leaked out from the cracks and fill the surroundings.

The temperature of the surrounding environment seemed to dropp and an eerie coldness filled my body.

Then, an abnormal change began in the surrounding space. The white mist started to gather infront of me and the unbelievable body of a mystical creature began to take shape.

It was five metres long with the body of a dragon. However, It possessed no wings and looked nothing like a classical dragon, almost alien.

Its body was covered in a twisted and sinewy flesh. The head was a large, gaping mouth filled with a continuous rows of saw-like teeth.

That 'thing' was not a member of the dragonic species, but a monster from the abyss.

Its teeth were bared.

It seemed like it was announcing the true nature of the darkness within.

The eerie coldness lingering in the surrounding environment slowly crawled up my spine.

It was as if the role of the protagonist was forcibly ripped away.

My vision faded away in pure horror.

I must flee!! Run away from that horrible creature!

I immediately turned around to dash out into a massive sprint. But a terrifying reality presented itself infront of me on a silver plate.

There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Even if I managed to widened the distance somehow, what's next? My movements were limited so fighting was not an option and running was useless despite how good it sounded.

No matter which action I choose, one fact would remain the same. An undeniable truth.

This was an imaginary world that contained the two main residents— me and the creature behind me.

Simultaneous to those thoughts, the creature opened its jaws to the maximum and devoured my entire body, starting from the top of the head first.

* * *

On the rooftop of Seoul University, Lee Suhye was sitting crossed leg on the ground with her arms folded. It was because she was staring at a letter given to her by a certain someone she knew.

She stared at the letter infront of her as if it would grow legs and run away.

Of course, the letter was not for Lee Suhye but for Soo Jinyoung that was sleeping besides her.

Kim Jakga. She thought about that person. Indeed, he was a rather strange fellow.

He had a name that meant writer but she wondered if that was his actual name.

The word 'Jakga' was more of a title for writers than an actual name someone would name their child. His parents must have decided that he was too unique to be given a original name.

Even so, she shoved that useless thought at the back of her mind. She wondered what she was supposed to do with this letter.

Kim Jakga told her to pass this letter to Soo Jinyoung once she awakens from her slumber but he also said something interesting that made her unsure if she really give Soo Jinyoung this letter.

Would it really explode if I open it? Lee Suhye tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

A letter that could explode once opened. If someone told her a few days ago about such a letter, she would have laughed it off as a joke. But now, she wasn't sure whether it was a joke Kim Jakga made to mess with her or not.

If it's really a letter that would explode once opened then I obviously can't pass this letter to Soo Jinyoung-nim. On the other hand, there is a possibility that Kim Jakga was just joking. Ahhhh! I don't know what to do.

Lee Suhye thought she would run insane if things remained this way. To begin with, curiousity was the greatest weakness of the human mind.

Lee Suhye found herself unable to resist the temptation any longer. In the end, she ripped out the envelope with frustration and pulled out the letter.

She narrowed her eyes.

The letter was sent by 'Kim Jakga' and it started with 'Dear Soo Jinyoung' so it seemed rather strange. Why he didn't use any honorifcis? From a glance, It seemed as though they were really close but was that really the case.

In any case, the letter read.

[Hello, princess. Did you get a good sleep? It was really nice, wasn't it? Just know while you were busy sleeping like a princess, I had to deal with some troublesome things and a load of things. You are the protagonist of this story yet I had to work very hard because of you.

How the hell did you know about the library dungeon? Did you use that 'ability' to see future? Why were you sleeping like a princess the world was being destoryed? Why the hell must you do things alone? I feel like hitting you on the back of your head. Perhaps then, you would develop some common sense.

I'll like to go on, but if I expressed my entire feelings here, I'm afraid I would end up using up all the trees in the world and still not have enough paper for this letter. That's why I'll stop there. In any case, I also wanted to thank you for that time and since I killed that guy, the score is even, okay?]

Lee Suhye frowned the more she read through the letter. There were some ominous words that she did not understand. Just what was he talking about? The only thing that she pieced together was that Kim Jakga was either saved by Soo Jinyoung or she did him a favor.

She continued reading through the letter.

[Now that's out of the way, let's talk about the major issue at hand. The nightmare scenario just started but it seems we're already in a bad position. As it turns out, the trial started a few days ago so most groups has already gathered their strength and formed alliances.

It is going to be difficult to deal with a big group without any information whatsoever. Even a Seer like me would be overwhelmed if I'm not prepared. I tried meeting with a reliable source of information but it seems he was hit before I got to the station. Maybe Sung Jaewon was the one who was responsible or maybe it was the handwork of a variable that I could not see. Ah, I almost forgot to mention.

That bastard Kang Jaewon tried looking for you in the dungeon.

I don't know how he obtained that information but I suspect it's the Apostles that are responsible for that. They are variables that are not supposed to exist in this world. I don't know their exact numbers but I assume they are a small group. However, they are big enough to cause a 'Big Storm' if they're left unchecked. You must know what I'm talking about.

That's why they need to be eliminated with immediate effect. As for Sung Jaewon, I don't know where he is right now since he was teleported out of the dungeon. You might be able to find him if you look close enough, but I'll give you a little hint. 'Go South', that's the only hint you will receive.

I'm also the manager of the wavehouse and I named it 'Soo Jinyoung's company'. It's a good name, isn't that right? I thought you would like it and you don't have to worry about them since you never left. I'm currently using your appearance to do alot of things so don't be surprised when you suddenly receive any gratitude and resentment from people you don't know.

You are free to take over the group but I'm already the King so that opinion is no longer available and I have contingency plans in case you try to do anything stupid so I'll advise against that. In fact, I think it would be beneficial for both of us if you moved independently and you have Lee Suhye there with you so you won't have to go out alone again.

She might be a little stupid but she has good potential.]

Lee Suhye stopped reading and squeezed the letter. This bastard...

She took a deep breath to calm herself and continued reading. Fortunately, she was already at the conclusion of the letter.

[By the way, this doesn't mean I've forgotten what you did. We went through alot to save your ass and we almost died in the process. This letter is set to automatically self destruct once it's read to the very end. Even if you had realized the truth, you still need to be punished for acting on your own and almost getting yourself killed.

I hope this letter blows off a finger or two of that precious sword hand of yours, you stupid protagonist!]

There was a clicking sound and Lee Suhye suddenly felt a sense of premonition.

As soon as she threw the letter into the letter, flames erupted and the letter exploded into pieces with a loud sound.

Lee Suhye looked dumbfounded as she stared into the air. The letter really exploded. What kind of joke was that? It felt like one big joke but the joke wasn't funny in this scenario.

In the letter, Kim Jakga had stated that a finger or two would have been blown off if the letter exploded, but that was obviously a lie.

That explosion had enough force to blow away someone's entire arm. Was that bastard crazy? No, that person obviously have a few loose screws upstairs.

"Ugh..."

Someone groaned. It was a soft voice that was crying to be heard.

Lee Suhye turned her head and saw Soo Jinyoung becoming reckless on the floor. Was this person finally waking up from her slumber?

At the same time that thought emerged inside her head, the eyelids of Soo Jinyoung slowly began to open.