Beyond the Eternity

After preparing some necessary items, we were silently moving through the empty road while avoiding the surrounding conflict areas. The presence of the grey fog was becoming more apparent and the cries of that terrible monster could be heard.

"This item is rather good."

"So It's possible to become invisible if I wear this cloak."

"Shhhh! The monsters can't see or feel our presence but it's important if you don't make any noise. If you want to talk, do so very quietly."

"Oh, sorry."

We were all moving while wearing the Hermit Cloak that we purchased from the shop for 3,000 coins.

It was the perfect item for stealth considering it turned the user invisible under the cover of night. Well, it was completely useless against opponents with senses above Lv. 6 or when the sun was up.

While moving, I looked at Lee Dokho who was running besides me and opened my mouth.

"You didn't explain anything about this secret weapon."

"I didn't?" Lee Dokho looked surprised for a moment, "Ah, I guess you're right. I'll explain everything since we're already moving. Before that, did you see the meteorite shower by any chance, Soo Jinyoung-nim?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"According to the prophecy, the meteorite shower was a major event that would spell destruction for the current world. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't have its advantages."

"Advantages?"

"That's right. The meteorites aren't necessarily bad. Those objects were scattered throughout Seoul. But here's the trick, once it opens, there is a chance a great treasure would be generated. The generated item could range from ancient artifacts, grimories and skill tomes."

"So you're saying either of those items would help us to dominate the battle royale scenario?"

"Exactly. To be precise, the generated item would be the skill tome containing the Juggernaut ability."

"What? The Juggernaut skill?"

My eyes widened as if I couldn't believe his words.

"Haha! You're making such a nice expression, Soo Jinyoung-nim. Someone like you would definitely know about the Hero Class since you're a hero as well."

Of course, I know what it was. I was not Soo Jinyoung but what he was saying was something that would be known to the readers.

The term 'Hero' was a cliche that was used in all stories but this cliche was necessary to wanted to survive in the ruined world created by [Fate].

It was because it was one of the few mythical classes in the Song of Nightmares that could challenge the Demon King Class directly. In fact, the source of Soo Jinyoung's strength was because of the Hero Class.

Juggernaut was a skill that belonged to the Hero Class. It was a fraudulent skill that allows the user to charge a single attack and transform it into a 'demonic strike' that destroyed everything.

The longer the charge, the more powerful the released attack is, and therefore the higher the cost of stamina will be. If the regressor got his hands on that skill, he would be able to one shot a grade 5 monster without a doubt. If such a thing fell into the hands of an unknown variable, Seoul would turn into a slaughter house.

....Wait, Hold on.

My mind wandered towards a certain direction and I immediately became skeptical.

Was the Juggernaut skill acquired in the early stages of the nightmare?

Yes, everything Lee Dokho said was true. There's a change that a rare item would be come out from a meteorite once opened. The existence of such a skill wasn't known until much later in the story so it was suspicious. More importantly...

"How did you acquire this piece of information?"

"I received the information from a reliable source."

"Reliable source? You mean another Apostle?"

"Yes. It might be suspicious but I wouldn't have survived if If it hadn't been for another apostle nearby."

Another apostle in the same place as him?

"We're here."

I was about to respond with 'Already?' once we arrived at the entrance to the Seoksu Station.

When we entered inside and the meteorite laying on the center of the platform alone with the empty hole on the station's ceiling immediately came into view.

But I sensed the presence of multiple people coming this way.

"Is this the right place?"

"According to the Intel we received, this should be the right place."

"Are you sure? This place is empty."

"I don't know but the source is really reliable."

"I wonder if that person has the file of the prophecy?"

"I don't know but it's a possibility. A few days ago, I tried searching using the internet and even if the Webnovel platform but it was a failure. It really disappeared from the face of the world. Sigh... such a depressing thing."

"It's the same for everybody. If there's truly a person in this world that still has a copy, I'm ready to sell my soul."

They were people that wore the same black cloak as the one we currently had on. I activated a skill to confirm my suspicions.

[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]

[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has failed to read the target's information.]

I see. So they were the apostles.

"That's weird. Why isn't the Seoksu Station occupied?"

"Does that really matter? I only care about the hero class."

"You idiot, the generated item is not the hero class but a skill from the hero class."

"How is that even possible to begin with? Are you trying to say that the Juggernaut is one of those unique skills?"

"Haven't you played an RPG before? There are certain skills that can obtained despite not having the specific class."

"Tck. It's too complicated."

"Maybe it is because you're too dumb."

"What did you say? You bastard..."

The party members finally noticed their presence and became on guard. I decided I had listened enough using sound sensitivity and came forward.

I raised the Iron-severing sword and spoke with a cold voice.

"Who are you people?"

The cloaked figures suddenly stopped moving and pointed their flashlight at me.

"Huh? Someone's already here."

"That's weird. That person didn't mention anything about this."

"Wait, isn't that..."

Someone among the apostles pointed their flashlight at my face and looked at me with a shocked expression.

"It's Soo Jinyoung!"

"Soo Jinyoung?!"

"It's really Soo Jinyoung!"

The shout of that person caused the apostles to gather around me one by one. Looking closely, I noticed most of them were females.

"It wasn't a joke. She is extremely beautiful, a beauty that is out of this world."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Soo Jinyoung-nim. I'm a big fan."

Her delightful expressions was a sight to see. They were so excited that they were pushing among themselves just to meet me. I wondered how they would react if they knew I wasn't Soo Jinyoung.

Some moved past me and carelessly approached both Kagure and Jung Yeonhee.

"So it's the Wrathful Thunder God."

"No but she's still the Thunder Empress."

"She has really great features especially those huge 'things'."

"Um, umm...What are you saying?"

Kagura became flustered as the people surrounded her. They eyed her intensely so she was overwhelmed.

"Then there's also the cold hearted Jung Yunhee too!"

"She has alot of potential but she's somewhat lacking in certain areas. Perhaps she was born with a 'sister' build."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!!!"

Jung Yunhee had a different reaction as the people indirectly called her 'flat'. She swung her sword around in an angry manner and the people moaned as they ran away.

"Hmm..."

Some interested people circled around Angelica as they eyed her up and down as if performing a physical assessment.

"That's strange. Was there a character like this?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of characters in the prophecy so it's difficult to tell."

"Um, my name is Angelica."

"Angelica? I see. I understand."

Once they realised the truth, they walked away from the dumbfounded Angelica like disappointed children.

I ignored her and started thinking about the whole situation. Why were these people here? How did they know about the secret weapon?

Something was wrong.

I glanced at Lee Dokho and noticed he was frowning. I hid my anxiety and opened my mouth.

"Who is the leader of this group?"

"Ah, that would be me."

A cloaked figure came from the middle of the group and removed his hood. It was a thin man with light hair and gave out a dignified impression.

"It's nice to meet you, Soo Jinyoung-nim. My name is Kim Suwon but for our current purposes, I go by the name [No. 888]. Seeing as you came with [No. 73], then you must be already aware of the apostles."

"Yes. So what are you doing here?"

"We're here to acquire the hidden weapon."

"And who gave you that information?"

"It was [No. 1999]."

"And who's that?"

"Nobody knows for sure but it's a strange fellow that claims he read the entire volume of the prophecy."

What? Someone that read the 1999 chapters of the novel? No, wait a minute.

I moved towards Lee Dokho in hurried steps and asked.

"What's the number of that person?"

"You guys identify yourselves using numbers, correct? What's the number of the person that gave you the information?"

"Um, I'm not sure but I think it was [No. 1999]."

My eyes widened.

"Shit!"

It was a trap.

"We're leaving this place immediately."

"Huh? What about the weapon?"

"Forget that useless thing."

It was the first time I lost my composure since the Song of Nightmares became a reality.

Damnit, I'm really an idiot. Why did it take me this long to realise?

[Someone has used the 'Three Horn of Calamity']

That bastard...

Kukukung...!

The platform trembled, and all eyes turned to the meteorite as cracks began to form along its surface.

"Huh? Is it opening already?"

"Hey, No. 888, wasn't it supposed to glow red? Why is it black?"

"Eh? That's strange…"

Look at these fools. They still hadn't realized the truth. Because of them, I was now stuck in a bloody nightmare.

I shouted to the rest of the party. "Run away!"

But it was too late.

The meteorite burst with a flash of dark light, and a thick, gray mist flooded the area.

"Soo Jinyoung-nim."

"What do you mean by 'run away'?"

Jung Yunhee, Kagura, and Angelica approached, but there was a problem. An invisible barrier but solid, was sealing us in, preventing any escape.

I clicked my tongue. Now, none of us could leave—neither the apostles nor us.

Lee Dokho, staring at the newly formed portal, looked puzzled, as if unable to comprehend.

"I don't understand. This wasn't supposed to happen. Wasn't a great treasure supposed to appear?"

"You misunderstood something."

"What?" Lee Dokho turned to me, his face tense.

I explained, "Yes, meteorites can drop rare items when broken. But there's only a 50% chance of that. The other 50%? It summons something else."

"Something else? Wait… it couldn't be…" Lee Dokho's face paled.

"Exactly. We're on the bad side of the coin this time, and it's all because of you, you idiot!"

The words left my lips, but the situation was beyond repair.

With a fair coin, there's always a 50% chance of landing heads or tails. But in this case, someone had gone out of their way to alter the odds, pushing the chance of a "bad face" to 90%.

They hadn't done it with their own power, of course. They must've used a single-use item to skew the probability.

[Enough participants have been detected.]

[A Hidden Fable will now be generated.]

"Everyone, get ready."

The gray fog parted, making way as if for a king. A dark shadow emerged from the portal, wielding an enormous scythe. It looked like a creature born of death itself.

[The Hidden Fable will now begin.]

[Hidden Fable ### — Kill the 5th-grade Black Reaper.]