There was an awkward silence. Soo Jinyoung's piercing gaze bore into me, as if trying to unravel every mystery of my existence. Her expression was unreadable, but I knew what this moment represented. She didn't know who I was, yet I knew everything about her.
Meeting her—my favorite character from fiction—felt surreal. It wasn't like meeting a celebrity, no. This was something far stranger. The boundary between fiction and reality had shattered, and with it, my understanding of what was possible.
Standing before a person who could only exist in a story was disorienting.
There were so many things I wanted to say. Words danced on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to tell her I was her biggest supporter, that she wasn't alone. But I couldn't. This wasn't the time or place.
The silence dragged on until Soo Jinyoung finally broke it. Her gaze shifted to Lee Suhye, and she asked, "Who's he?"
Lee Suhye shot me a wary look. "He's got information about the next Fable… says he wanted to talk to you specifically."
Soo Jinyoung's attention snapped back to me. "Name?"
"Kim Jakga."
"Huh?" Soo Jinyoung's eyes seemed confused. "Is that your real name?"
I sighed, bracing myself. "Believe me, I've heard that before."
"It's… unusual."
Why does everyone comment on my name? I get it—it's not exactly common—but does it have to be a topic every single time?
Her voice hardened. "Why are you here?"
"Didn't you hear from her? I came here because of the next Fable."
"So you're saying you have information about the next Fable. Yes? How did you acquire that information? From what I remember, acquiring information about the Stories is not cheap."
"I made a deal with a constellation."
Her eyes narrowed further. "A star contract?"
"Something similar."
The skepticism was evident.
This person possessed knowledge surpassing even that of most incarnations blessed by great star constellations. Beyond that, she was remarkably cautious—more so than anyone I'd encountered in Song of Nightmares, perhaps with the sole exception of the regressor.
Inside, I was running through countless possibilities, analyzing her reactions. One wrong move, and this could end disastrously. It would've been great if I could read her mind right now.
And then, it happened.
[The requirements have been met.]
What?
[You have unlocked another privilege of the 'Black Box.']
[The «Authority of Greed» has activated.]
In the next moment, her thoughts appeared before me like words scrawled across a page:
「 Who the hell is this person? 」
「 Is he the person from that time? 」
「 That can't be right. How did he survive? 」
「 He's definitely suspicious. He said he signed a contract with a constellation to get information, which would mean he's the Avatar of the Sisters 」
「 But that is impossible. 」
A dense flood of thoughts surrounded me, as though I were flipping through the pages of her mind.
Soo Jinyoung's expression didn't change, but her thoughts pointed to one conclusion.
She didn't trust me.
Damn. As I suspected, convincing the protagonist with just a few vague words wasn't going to work.
Her eyes began to glow—a golden, ominous light that sent chills down my spine. This wasn't good.
[Soo Jinyoung has activated Demon Dragon Eyes.]
My stomach dropped. This was the last thing I wanted to face.
Demon Dragon Eyes (용마안)
It was a SSS-grade skill that showed the target's attributes window and expose hidden truths. It also allowed the user to see into the future once per day.
The SSSSS (SSS or Ex) rank were the pinnacle of the grading system, above even heroic grade. Even if I had a mental barrier skill, it would be penetrated without resistance and my identity would be exposed.
My heart raced. How could I stop this? What could I possibly do?
[Due to the effect of your main attribute, your information cannot be viewed.]
[Personal skill, 「 Black Box 」 has activated.]
Crack!
Golden sparks erupted in the air, and Soo Jinyoung stumbled. A groan escaped her lips as she fell into the ground, backwards, along with the coach.
My eyes widened. The Demon Dragon Eyes was overwhelmed?
To be able to able to counter the Demon Dragon Eyes...
"Boss!"
Lee Suhye rushed towards the collapsed Jinyoung and then glared at me.
"You bastard, what did you do?!"
She raised her gun at me as if threatening to shoot.
[Lee Suhye has activated Execution Zone Lv. 3.]
[The Mark of the Target has been placed on you.]
Mark of the Target. It was a dangerous skill Lee Suhye uses to mark her targets and then use the stigma 'Homing' to lock on the target, creating an unavoidable attack.
It seems fighting was unavoidable now.
I readied myself to draw the Iron-Cutting Sword, but Soo Jinyoung raised a trembling hand. "Wait… stand down!"
"But boss..."
"I said stand down! I'm fine."
Reluctantly, Lee Suhye lowered her gun. At the same time, the system messages dissipated.
[Execution Zone has been disabled.]
[You are no longer marked as a target.]
Soo Jinyoung rose to her feet, still unsteady but regaining her composure. Her golden eyes burned with curiosity—and something else.
"You... What are you?"
I exhaled, feigning nonchalance. "Didn't I already tell you? I'm someone who dislikes repeating himself."
Soo Jinyoung dropped her guard a little, but still maintained caution.
The atmosphere was changing. The heated tension was slowly disappearing. Good, let's continue at a steady pace.
However, Soo Jinyoung wouldn't be Soo Jinyoung if she gave up easily.
Her stubborness and willingness to survive was one of the few traits I liked about her. This was Soo Jinyoung who had already experienced nine lives.
She asked, "You're not lying about the next Narrative, are you?"
"Why would I enter an unknown territory and say some empty words?"
She took a step closer, but her alone was suffocating.
Even without activating any of her skills, her aura was enough to remain me that I was facing someone who had already experienced several apocalypses.
"Then prove it?"
"Prove it?"
"Yes," She said sharply, "Information like that has a price. If you can't demonstrate its value, I have no reason to trust you. For all I know, you might be someone with hidden intentions."
Fair enough. She wasn't wrong to be cautious. But the problem was... how much should I reveal? If I said too much, It could expose how I knew things no normal people should. But if I said too little, I might lose the chance to form an alliance with the protagonist and probably lose my life as a bonus.
I decided to gamble.
"You recently encountered something interesting, didn't you?"
Her expression didn't change, I saw the slightest twitch of her brow. She said briefly, "Go on."
"A hidden dungeon, isn't that right?"
"How did you know that?"
"Does that matter? You want to obtain that special item, but you're concerned about the Fourth Narrative. If I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me."
Lee Suhye's grip on her weapon tightened, but Soo Jinyoung raised a hand, stopping her from acting.
"And what exactly do you want?"
"It's a straightforward story. I want us to work together to ensure our survival. The next Narrative demands complete cooperation if we hope to make it through. You must already realize that, don't you?"
"..."
Her eyes shook slightly.
Reincarnators were different from Regressors.
Reincarnators couldn't regress back to a certain point in the past or change the future with their presence. Instead they start all over from the very beginning in another worldline.
However, the worldlines can be different from the previous one. In other words, reincarnators would leave their 'own world' and enter a 'world that they don't know.'
This was the only weakness of a reincarnator.
She must have realized this truth long ago, yet she still didn't seem entirely convinced by the sincerity of my words.
Should I push more?
With a sly smile, I said,
"At the very least, think it over. Someone with valuable information is always an asset, no matter the situation. Surely, it would benefit you as well." I paused before adding, "And besides, don't you want to create a new world?"
"!"
Soo Jinyoung's eyes widened. She became agitated and drew her sword at me. She glared at me.
"You! How did you know that?!"
What an intense reaction.
It was a tremendous change from her indifferent expression a few moments ago. But I already expected this person to react this way.
Ding!
[A few constellations scoffs at the arrogance of a certain someone.]
The protagonist, Soo Jinyoung, sought to transcend the boundaries of Stories and enter the world beyond them. However, achieving that goal would result in the destruction of this world.
The constellations, who were the protagonist of their own Stories and Archetypes, opposed the conclusion that would result in their end.
Of course, not all constellations despised such an ending. However, those who supported it were vastly outnumbered.
Regardless, Soo Jinyoung became despiced by majority of the constellations and became the "Enemy of the Gods".
"?"
A massive wave of murderous intent radiated from Soo Jinyoung's shoulders. It was clear she was ready to strike at any moment.
"Answer me! How did you know about that?! Are you a visionary?!"
"Why are you asking irrelevant questions again? Haven't I already told you it doesn't matter? Besides, wouldn't it be smarter to form an alliance with someone who actually has information?"
"What makes you think I'd trust a suspicious individual like you?"
"You don't have to trust me. You only need to see that our goals align. Think of it as a temporary partnership. You're free to leave whenever you feel you're not gaining anything from it."
But by then, you won't have a reason to leave. I'll make sure to tame you completely and turn you into my companion.
No matter what, I wouldn't let this woman slip away.
[The constellation, Architect of Destruction is looking at you.]
Soo Jinyoung was silent for a long time. She continued to stare at me. At the same time, her thoughts slowly flowed into my head in a smooth manner.
「 Is he actually a visionary? 」
「 If that is the case, it would explain why the Demon Dragon Eyes did not work 」
「 But there was a Visionary in South Korea? I thought only the Oracle had the Visionary Attribute 」
「 What should I do? On one hand, he might be dangerous. On the other hand, he might be useful. 」
Perhaps she must have understood the situation, she closed her eyes and sheathed her sword. She opened her eyes once more and looked at me with an unreasonable expression.
She had managed to regain her indifferent, yet calculating composure.
"Fine. I will make you my companion."
Somehow, I managed to convince the stubborn reincarnator. I was finally in a good position. Now I can proceed with my next course of action.
But as it turns out, my luck wasn't that good.
Soo Jinyoung continued. "However, there is a condition."
"A condition?"
"Tell me about the next Fable. No, tell me about the hidden dungeon. If what you're saying checks out, I will consider working with you. But understand this..."
She stepped forward and stood infront of me. Her golden eyes glowed ominously.
"If I find out you're lying or trying to deceive me, I'll kill you myself."
What a beautiful amount of murderous intent.
As expected, this woman really was the protagonist.
I smiled to conceal my fear and anxiety. It was time to proceed with the next step. But before that, I needed to establish the nature of our relationship.
"Of course. But there are a few things I need to say as well."
* * *
Once I came out from the office and entered the open area, I released an exhausted breath.
[Personal skill, Black Box had deactivated.]
[Excessive immersion has severely worn out your mental strength.]
Dealing with that damned reincarnator felt like it drained a significant chunk of my mental energy. If I could avoid it, I would. Why did it feel like I'd just walked off an invisible battlefield?
"Excuse me, Mister."
"Hmm."
I turned my head and saw a boy looking at me. It was a boy that looked around 10 or 11. Where did this boy come from? Did somebody lose their child?
"You saw the boss, right? I saw you enter her office."
Was this child Yoo Jinyoung's fan?
Unfortunately, the boy's voice was louder than I thought and the people slowly looked my way. At this rate, I'll draw in more attention to myself.
"Are you Soo Jinyoung's friend?"
The child was looking at me with shining eyes.
I sighed. I was truly powerless against childs. Perhaps it was one of my weak points.
"She's a good friend."
In the next moment, I suddenly thought of an amazing story and a smile formed on my lips.
"Hey, do you want to hear a story? It's about how me and Soo Jinyoung met?"
"Really? Is that true!?"
The boy became more excited. Even in an apocalyptic world, a child will still be a child. Who wouldn't like to hear a good story?
I sat down with the boy and began to tell a fake story.