Beyond the Eternity

"So, what do you guys think? Do I look good?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure what to think."

"I agree. It's weird."

Jung Yunhee and Angelica exchanged puzzled looks as they stared at me.

Reason?

I was standing in front of the broken window of a ruined building but the person shown on the window was different from my real appearance.

Simply put, I had transformed into a woman. To be specific, I was wearing the appearance of Soo Jinyoung.

It was incredible, the power of the white smiling mask. Its function was straightforward: it enabled the user to steal another person's identity, their face, while keeping their own intact.

I was Kim Jakga, but to the world, I was Soo Jinyoung.

Angelica who still looked bewildered opened her mouth.

"Jakga, why are you doing this again?"

"Haven't I already explained? It's necessary for the next trial."

"I know, but even so..."

"Are you worried about Lee Jongho?"

"T-That..."

I chuckled.

"You don't have to worry about that.,"

"I see, but I still... I mean, it's weird... Ugh."

"Angelica, it's okay. It's not permanent, I won't stay like this forever."

"Thank goodness."

Angelica released a sigh of relief.

I was a little puzzled but I cleared all unnecessary thoughts and spoke with my new voice.

"Alright. Let's continue moving."

The Gwanak warehouse was not far from the university campus. We arrived at the warehouse entrance in a few minutes and I knocked on the door.

"Who's there? We're not accepting any other survivors."

"It's me. Open the door quickly."

There was a slight pause before I heard a noise from the other side. A moment later, the door lifted, and the man behind it opened his eyes wide in surprise.

Wasn't he part of Lee Suhye's group? In any case, let's begin the performance.

"Soo Jinyoung? You're here?"

"Why? I'm not supposed to come here?"

"No... It's not that. There's a problem."

"A problem?"

My brows frowned slightly and the man became more nervous.

"It's nothing serious but... it's troublesome. C-come with me... I'll show you the situation now."

The man led us inside the warehouse and the place became noisy. Apparently, a large group were putting pressure on a small group.

Once I understood the situation, I massaged my temple. Indeed, coming here with a disguise was

"That bastard! Where is pretty boy? Tell me quickly!"

"He went outside. If you want to go after him, then go outside."

"You..."

Donghyun's group was attempting to harass both Lee Jongho and Kim Hyunwoo. Naturally, Lee Jongho didn't budge and stood firm like an iron wall. If this continued, a fight would be inevitable.

I deliberately walked towards them and spoke in an annoyed voice.

"What's happening here?"

"Soo Jinyoung?"

Someone cried out, and everyone turned to me in shock. Without hesitation, Donghyun approached me, speaking without shame.

"Soo Jinyoung-ssi, thank goodness you're here. Those two over there are causing trouble."

"Look at this shameless guy. Haven't you been the one harassing us all this time?"

"This little brat! Who do you think you're talking you?"

"To the person who's been causing all the trouble. Why, does the truth hurt?"

Jung Donghyun and Kim Hyunwoy glared at each other like wide dogs. I was a little surprised. It seemed Kim Hyunwoo has become more confident since the last time I saw him.

That wasn't the only thing I noticed. Donghyun's group had become smaller, and there were a few scars on his body. He must have had a hard time during the previous Fable.

"Donghyun."

"Yes, Soo Jinyoung-ssi."

"I have a skill that allows me to know if you're lying."

"T-That..."

His eyes cracked as if receiving a shock. I continued speaking to hit him when he's down.

"So tell me, were this people were causing trouble? Or is it the other way around?"

"T-That..."

Donghyun recoiled in terror, realizing there was no escape. He faced a choice between the truth or a lie.

Then it happened. He chose neither. Instead...

Donghyun fell to his knees, slammed his forehead into the ground with both hands spread and shouting desperately.

"I'M SOOOO SORRY!! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!!!"

Eh?

What's with this extreme reaction?

It unfolded so swiftly that even a top athlete would be driven to a fervent resolve. It was just a simple question yet he reacted in such a over dramatic manner.

"Ah."

I suddenly remembered.

In the original plotline, Donghyun attempted to challenge Soo Jinyoung's authority but was beaten so severely that he couldn't stand on his own. Perhaps that was why he was so submissive towards Soo Jinyoung.

Naturally, I would have laughed. Indeed, it was funny. Such an arrogant bastard was acting like a tamed dog. Should I mess with him a bit?

"Stay like that for a while. I'll let you off with just that."

"THANK YOU VERY MUUUCCCHHH!!"

Donghyun screamed and slammed his head into the floor again with all his might. It felt like one huge joke.

"Angelica, Jung Yunhee, you guys are back."

Lee Jongho approached the party members and then noticed something.

"Huh? Where's Kim Jakga?"

"Um... T-That."

Angelica found it hard to speak and Jung Yunhee looked away. Lee Jongho made a dark expression I haven't seen before.

"No, don't tell me..."

Before he could speak further, an electric current sparked in the air.

[Hello everyone, did you have a good rest? Nom* Nom*]

A window screen appeared, revealing the cheeky fairy, Aurora, nonchalantly munching on a bunch of cookies.

People's expressions stiffened. She was busy eating good while they were suffering. It's obvious they stll held some resentment.

[Hm, hm, hm... Why are you all looking at me like that?]

"What do you want now?"

[What's with that attribute? Nom* Nom* Anyways, I was going to explain the next nightmare scenario so you're free to listen if you want. Nom* Damn, this is so good.]

"This little..."

[The theme of the next nightmare scenario is a battle royale. You know what those are, right? In any case, it will be an amazing story, so be prepared. Hehe!]

"Battle Royale?"

Everyone frowned upon hearing that ominous term.

Anyone familiar with the RPGs designed and developed by the development team knew exactly what that word entailed. Seoul was destined to become a bloodbath in the next nightmare scenario.

[Before we start, one of you must become the representative of the Gwanakgu warehouse.]

"Representative? Do we have to choose?"

[Elect or fight. It doesn't really matter.]

Aurora shrugged and continued.

[As long as someone becomes the representative, you can move on to the next nightmare scenario. Well, goodbye then.]

Aurora smiled as the window screen vanished. A new one promptly appeared in its place.

[The Trial has been generated!]

+

[Sub Narrative – Appointment of the King Candidate]

Type: Sub

Difficulty: C

Clear Conditions: Make a King declaration and become a holder of a Tarot Card. The King is one who will lead the group to the success path.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Compensation: 1,000 coins, Holder of a tarot card.

Failure: ―

* The King can exercise absolute command over the members.

+

As the message appeared, the eyes of the survivors shook. The person that would become the king would have absolute command over the other survivors. Anyone would be a fool if they weren't tempted.

However, it was time to take command over this people.

I frowned my brows and shifted my weight, going for a dominant position and then spoke with a loud voice.

"Anyone who pulls any nonsense will get a beating from me. Understood."

I swept my cold gaze around and everyone trembled. It was astonishing how my mere words were enough to instill such fear in the survivors that they immediately complied. They were not afraid of the words of Kim Jakga, they were afraid of the overwhelming strength of Soo Jinyoung.

I could feel everyone of their gazes. Their fear, their anxiety. They really looked like a ghost. This was something that wouldn't have happened if I used my face.

Once I tamed the crowd, I opened my mouth and made a declaration.

"I'll become the King."

[Someone has made a 'King' declaration.]

[You have become the group representative.]

[You are qualified to hold a Mythical Card.]

A mini system window appeared infront of me. There was a total of 12 options to choose from.

+

[Choose one card from the list below.]

•The Joker

•The Hierophant

•The Lovers

•The Star

•The Sun

•Judgement

•Temperance

Each King can only hold a single mythical card so choose wisely. Each card represents the different paths a King must walk.

+

Arcane cards.

In the novel, it was mentioned that these cards grant a random ability to the user who draws them. However, the system did not disclose the abilities of these cards, making it challenging to select one. But, as a reader, this wouldn't be a problem for me.

Now let's see.

One, two, three... Hold on.

My expression crumbled upon noticing something unpleasant.

In total, there were supposed to be 22 tarot cards to choose from but here, there were only eight. I see. I understand what's happening here.

I was late. Simply, we stayed in the library dungeon for too long. Now the other survivors have already began the king's war scenario and taken all the good cards for themselves.

"Tck."

I made an irritated sound. I was aiming for the Emperor card or Judgment card but it seems they were already taken by someone else.

My mind began to wander and I started thinking about the tarot cards.

The Tarot cards are divided into two sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana has a total of 22 cards like the Joker, the Magician, the Emperor, and then the Minor Arcana has a total of 56 cards which are divided into four suits— the Cup, the Pentacles, the Sword and the Wand.

Generally speaking, the Major Arcana were better than Minor Arcana. However, that doesn't mean the Minor Arcana was utterly useless. Even so, it was still better to choose a card from the Major Arcana than the Minor Arcana.

The 'readers' would know about this fact so it was necessary to choose a card quickly or else everything would be taken.

My mind raced. Which card should I choose? That thought immediately came to mind.

After thinking about it for a while, I was only left with that 'card'. I moved my finger and made my choice.

[You have chosen the Joker card.]

A black card, which featured a clown in a black suit and white mask, suddenly appeared in my hand.

It was an unexpected outcome.

Even so, I now had the ability to wield the power of lies and deception. It was the power of the Joker.

[You are now qualified to participate in the Throne Wars]

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