Chapter 125: Episode 24 – Things That Can Be Changed (5)

Yamamoto was killed with only three bullets. White smoke emerged from Lee Boksoon’s fingertips, like a Western cowboy. She was a truly formidable grandmother.

[The Disaster of Fame has been killed.]

[The disaster called a ‘colonialist’ has disappeared.]

[You have earned 5,000 coins.]

[Major contributor: Lee Boksoon, Kim Dokja.]

It was regrettable that I didn’t catch the snake, but hunting the prime minister wasn’t a bad income. The prime minister’s absence in the upcoming wall would greatly undermine the advance of the Japanese army. The compensation was also substantial.

[Some constellations are against your excessive nationalistic sentiment.]

Many constellations complained about my scenario, but it couldn’t be helped. Nationalism on the Korean Peninsula yielded coins. If I had to sell a story, it was better to sell it at a high price.

[Many constellations of the Korean Peninsula are cheering for your reenactment.]

[10,000 coins have been sponsored.]

Indeed, there were constellations who hadn’t forgotten the old days. The confused Japanese incarnations ran towards Yamamoto, but it was already too late.

“P-Prime Minister!”

Meanwhile, I ran towards Lee Boksoon, who was a dozen meters away. Lee Boksoon’s body was rapidly shrinking.

[The character ‘Lee Boksoon’ has completely abandoned her rights as a disaster.]

[The dokkaebi of the Star Stream sees Lee Boksoon’s behavior as taking action against the scenario.]

[The small person transformation will begin.]

Lee Boksoon had a weary expression, but it seemed to be the after-effect of using Three Shots. The stigmas of certain constellations could cause severe physical and mental damage to the user. Thus, she was completely exhausted the moment she used the stigma.

“Young man, give me a lift.”

“Put on the clothes in my pocket first.”

There were a few pieces of clothing I received in return for saving the small people earlier. I placed the grandmother in the left pocket of my coat, and Lee Jihye helped her dress.

[Way of the Wind Lv. 8 has been activated.]

The remaining time for Bookmark was 10 minutes. Now I had to get out of the forest area in 10 minutes.

“The prime minister is dead!”

“Stop them!”

The Japanese were enraged.

[You have received the second scenario penalty.]

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 5 minutes. Otherwise, the Star Stream will determine that you have no intention to carry out the activities of a disaster…]

Damn. It was 5 minutes, not 10. The time was too short.

“Take me with you!”

The Japanese woman inside the cage that Yamamoto had dropped when he died shouted.

“Please! Please!”

…Asuka Ren. I felt no hesitation. I intended to bring her with me in the first place. I leaped forward like a gust of wind and placed her in my hand after smashing her cage.

“Thank you! Truly…”

Skipping the pleasantries, I tensed the muscles in both legs. “Hold on tight.”

I used all my magic power. The wind parted, and the fastest “road” appeared. The wind force around my legs captured the precise movements of my muscles, creating optimal speed.

Colonization had disappeared, and running was easier than before. However, my stats were halved, and the speed wasn’t satisfactory. Still, I could actually reach this speed with a level 30 agility. Way of the Wind was a truly exceptional skill.

Asuka Ren told me, “You are truly swift. This speed is as good as Karasu from Japan.”

Karasu was probably referring to the tengu “Karasu.”

“I’ll be faster if I have more power.”

“Do you know Karasu?”

“It is a classic monster from Japan.”

I should be faster than Karasu-tengu with Way of the Wind, but now wasn’t the time. Besides, I couldn’t claim Way of the Wind as my skill. Bookmark had a time limit.

“Kill him! In any case, we will just become smaller!”

“We will take care of the smaller ones, so kill him!”

The Japanese didn’t hesitate any longer.

“Get revenge for the prime minister!”

A few swords narrowly missed my shoulder. It was dangerous, but then the terrain in front of me began to change. The surrounding trees writhed and took the shape of a forest path. The forest’s shape was shifting.

I thought it was magic, but Asuka Ren told me, “It is night. Look out!”

I belatedly recalled a mention of it in Ways of Survival. The forest area of Peace Land changed shape at night.

It was a type of labyrinth, as the forest itself transformed into the stomach of a giant monster. Sticky digestive juices emerged wherever I walked. The reason the small people of Peace Land didn’t enter this forest was because none of them returned when it was night.

“Catch him!”

“Aaaaack!”

The forest camouflage had begun, and the Japanese chasing me seemed lost. Of course, the large disasters couldn’t be digested by the forest, but there was enough time.

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 3 minutes.]

I did my best, but the maze-like forest area paralyzed my sense of direction. There was no specific way to escape the night forest in Ways of Survival. Instead…

“This way!”

It was written in Ways of Survival:

「The first person to be obtained in Peace Land is Asuka Ren.」

I followed Asuka Ren’s directions.

“Run to the right at that tree!”

“Japanese lady, do you know the way?”

Lee Boksoon asked in fluent Japanese, and Asuka Ren replied hesitantly, “I know this forest well.”

“Huhu, is it a relevant skill?”

“…Yes.”

I knew Asuka Ren was lying. She couldn’t navigate this forest due to a path-finding skill. Perhaps, as far as Peace Land was concerned, she was as much an expert in it as I was in Ways of Survival. Maybe this was why the Japanese saved her.

I carried Asuka Ren and used Way of the Wind at its highest level. I ran quickly, but the time limit was faster.

[Hunt the ‘small people’ in 1 minute.]

A bit more, just a bit more.

“Catch him!”

“We must catch him!”

The number of Japanese chasing me decreased sharply as the road twisted several times.

“Almost there!”

Finally, I reached the end of the forest zone.

[You were unable to hunt the small people within the time limit.]

The dokkaebis of the Star Stream have determined you will not carry out the activities of a disaster.]

[You have been given a third scenario penalty.]

[The small person transformation will begin.]

Damn.

“Get away from me!”

My party members noticed something at my shout and removed themselves from my body. It was as if my body was being spun in a juicer. The power left my body, and there was the sound of thunder in my ears.

I blinked again, and my line of sight was almost at the ground. This was how a small person felt. Fortunately, the coat shrank with my body. I didn’t lose any items because I placed all of them in the subspace, including Unbroken Faith. The problem was when I took them out again…

“Ajusshi, are you okay?”

I nodded towards my party members and spoke to Asuka Ren, who was watching me from a distance. “Asuka Ren-ssi.”

“…Did I introduce myself?”

“The other Japanese told me your name. I would like to ask you to take my party members to Veronica Castle.”

Asuka’s eyes widened at my words. She wondered how I knew the name of a place in Peace Land.

“There is no time to explain. Please. I will stop them here.”

“I understand.”

There was the sound of the Japanese breathing in the distance. Three of them managed to chase me to the end. They varied in height, but all of a sudden, they looked like monsters.

“Damn Josenjing!”

If there was one person, the party members might somehow be able to beat them after joining forces. But three of them…

There was no certainty that we could beat them, even if we used all our powers. Lee Hyunsung said, “We can’t leave you alone.”

“You have to go so that all of you can live. I have a way to escape if I am alone.”

The Japanese who had struggled through the labyrinth forest spat on the ground and smiled cruelly at us.

“I’ll trample on them like bugs.”

I watched them approach and shouted, “Gilyoung!”

Lee Gilyoung nodded in understanding. Small insects were flying towards this side.

“I will see all of you later.”

The insects began carrying the group members on their backs, one or two at a time. Based on the speed of the insects, quite some distance could be gained while I bought time.

“Wait a minute! Ajusshi!” Shin Yoosung cried out as a samurai blade flew towards me.

The blade stabbed into the ground next to me. There was a surge of magic power, and I reflexively rolled my body. It wouldn’t be a big deal when I was human, but now even the edge of the blade was dangerous for me. Perhaps I would simply be cut in two.

“Die!”

I had a plan to catch the prime minister with Lee Boksoon, but now I had no specific measures. I could somehow buy time by running into the labyrinth forest again, or…

“I will kill him. Chase after the rest!”

Two of the three Japanese nodded and chased after the people on the insects. I couldn’t let that happen.

[The stigma Non-Violent Zone Lv. 1 has been used!]

The Japanese stopped.

“Damn, again…!”

The trapped Japanese looked back at me with irritation.

My magic power had been significantly reduced due to the small person transformation, and it took a considerable amount of magic power just to block the three of them. My head hurt, and blood flowed from my nose.

[The constellation ‘Nation’s Independence Activist’ has blessed you.]

Along with the message, the magic power required to use the stigma decreased, and my body became more comfortable. I heard the voice of a constellation in my head.

[Child, this is the only time I will respond to a call.]

“Thank you, Martyr.”

[History is recorded in order to not repeat mistakes. Make sure you don’t repeat the past for the sake of individual success.]

The constellation seemed to notice that I was using her for excessive guidance. I used Non-Violent Zone for violence, and the constellation became angry. I barely managed to nod and looked around nervously.

[Non-Violent Zone has 30 seconds left.]

Once Non-Violent Zone ended, I had to run to the forest area with all my power.

The swords were filled with tremendous magic power and were determined to cut me in two. I might not die here, but I would be seriously wounded if I made a mistake.

15 seconds, 14 seconds, 13 seconds…

Then a peculiar message was heard.

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ commiserates with your plight.]

…Huh? The moment I heard the name of a familiar constellation, there was a strange sound, and explosive gunfire was heard.

[The character ‘Gong Pildu’ has activated ‘Armed Fortress Lv. 1!]

Dududududu!

Chapter 126: Episode 24 – Things That Can Be Changed (6)

I was somewhat surprised to see it. It was Armed Fortress, not Armed Zone. Gong Pildu’s stigma had passed level 10 and entered the next stage.

[You have invaded private property!]

It was a surprise. This message was welcome in a moment like this.

“Ack! It hurts! What is this?”

The Japanese screamed in pain as hundreds of turrets fired simultaneously. One hit wasn’t a major blow, but it was disastrous when hundreds of bullets poured out. The damage was even greater because their movements were restricted.

Dududududu!

Blood flowed from their bodies as the Japanese were hit by the bullets.

“Eyes! My eyes!”

“What? What is this?”

The shells flew without stopping. The Japanese screamed and fell as they were hit.

“Full advance!”

The army of small people hiding at the entrance of the forest joined in. Originally, it would have been hopeless, but the situation changed due to the current state of the Japanese. Small blades dug into the holes made by bullets, and the Japanese screamed in succession. Then I heard a dignified voice, “Don’t invade private property. This is my land.”

As expected from the Armed Fortress Master. He declared private property even in this world.

The wounded Japanese rose and shouted, “R-Retreat! Let’s go back!”

It was great. Gong Pildu’s turrets were strong enough to make three disasters retreat, despite their small size.

I turned around and saw a small fortress rising from the ground. It was hard to call it a proper fortress, but I could see why he was called the Armed Fortress Master.

“Waaaaahhhhh!”

“We won! We defeated the disasters!”

The jubilant small people gathered around and cheered for victory. There were two people standing on top of the fortress. One was Gong Pildu. The other…

“Why is this your land? This isn’t a place where private property is recognized.”

“A little girl doesn’t know what she’s talking about…”

“Hrmm, shouldn’t you show more courtesy to this goddess?”

…This voice? The small people shouted again, “Goddess-nim, hooray! Hooray!”

…Goddess? The woman at the top of the fortress spotted me and jumped down. Her short dress fluttered in the breeze, and the sound of a light landing was heard. She had a distinct, proud look. She really hadn’t changed.

The small people parted before her like waves before Moses. I smiled and said, “Haven’t you become quite successful?”

Han Sooyoung approached and raised my chin with her fingers. “It’s been a while, Kim Dokja. You are still ugly.”

I once again met Han Sooyoung, the goddess of Peace Land.

We headed to the castle, and I heard about the things that had happened to Han Sooyoung. “I was walking down the street when I was hit by a bus full of survivors.”

“Then?”

“I woke up here.”

“Does that make sense? What about Gong Pildu?”

“I fell into the Han River and was here when I opened my eyes.”

I felt disbelief. “What is this fantasy novel?”

“Have you forgotten where we are now?”

This was the conversation.

In fact, it seemed absurd, but something similar had happened in Ways of Survival. There were quite a few returnees who traveled to another world after falling into the Han River or being hit by a bus. Still, to experience such a thing during a scenario…

What the hell were those dokkaebi jerks doing? I asked, “Then why are you the goddess? Did you ask them to call you that?”

Han Sooyoung shook her head and grumbled, “Che, treating me like this for saving you.”

“What? Tell me.”

“Have you forgotten who I am?”

“Eh?”

“Has your brain decreased due to your smaller head?”

Come to think of it, this was a stupid question. Han Sooyoung was the only prophet remaining in Seoul Dome.

Moreover, one day on Earth was three days on Peace Land. We had been separated for a week, so the time Han Sooyoung spent in Peace Land was around three weeks.

She knew the future and was given three weeks. It wasn’t strange for Han Sooyoung to become the goddess of another world… no, it was still a bit strange. Why was she a goddess instead of a queen?

“You two know each other very well.” I looked back and saw Gong Pildu watching us with a disgruntled expression.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. I didn’t want to, but there was something I should say. “Gong Pildu.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry for not taking care of you.”

“…Who asked you to take care of me?”

“I’m truly sorry. Thank you for saving me.”

I was truly apologetic this time, so I spoke formally. Frankly, I had been too busy in the fifth scenario to care about Gong Pildu. This time, he saved me when my life was in danger. It was too embarrassing to call myself a patron of the Defense Master.

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ scoffs at your apology.]

“Che.” They seemed to suit each other well.

[You have sponsored the Defense Master 5,000 coins.]

[The constellation ‘Defense Master’ reluctantly nods.]

Gong Pildu glared at me for a moment before turning away. “Then do well next time.”

It was funny to see someone so full of pride. In any case, I was glad that both of them were alive, even if they had become small people. Eh? Wait. They became small people…?

I glanced at the two for a moment. That reminded me, why had they chosen to stop being disasters? Both weren’t the type to do this.

“I am here to say thank you.”

I looked back and saw Lee Hyunsung and the others approaching. They had been riding the insects towards Veronica when they encountered Gong Pildu’s group passing by.

“No need. I just did what I had to do.” Han Sooyoung smiled slightly and waved her hands. I now knew what it was like when a devil wore a mask.

Lee Jihye watched Han Sooyoung and spoke. “By the way… who are you?”

That reminded me, this was the first time people saw Han Sooyoung’s true form, not her avatar. In other words, the party members had no idea she was the First Apostle.

Han Sooyoung glanced at me, and I answered on her behalf.

“Uh, that…”