Chapter 552: Dok - Ja's epilogue 'This story is for just that one reader.' Those were the last words seen in the palm of my small frail hands. The worldview before me, the hospital room and my crying companions, started to disappear and scatter away. Eventually, my vision faded to darkness. I was met with a familiar feeling whe n I tirelessly opened my eyes. The floor beneath me was sturdy and the room was dimly lit. The slight buzzing noise coming from the faint light source above my head made me realise where I was. It had been so long, I had forgotten the chilling atmosphere of this metal room, which was amplified by the slightly warm breeze coming through a pair of opened doors. It feels as though I haven't felt anything for an eternity. My senses became clearer and clearer with every breath I took. But my vision was still blurred by the droplets in my eyes. I reached towards my eyes with my sleeves and was met with a familiar female voice. "Kim Dok - Ja? What's gotten into you?" "....What is this fool doing now?" I looked up and around to see a former protagonist and reg ressor, standing next to a short and foul mouth author. What felt like an eternity was merely just a short moment in time. I wipe the tears from my eyes. I am back at this moment in time again. ['Predictive Plagiarism' has ended!] [The 'Bookmark' skil l has ended!] [Due to being the closes to replacing the 'Most Ancient Dream', you have partially used powers of the 'Most Ancient Dream' to accelerated the usage of 'Predictive Plagiarism' to its maximum capabilities.] [Your understanding of Han Su - Yeong has massively increased!] [Your understanding of Yu Jung - hyeok has massively increased!] [Your understanding of Yu Sang - Ah has massively increased!] [Your under standing of - ] An endless amount of messages for the understanding of my companions popped up. The 'Most Ancient Dream', TWSA, the worldliness. It's all just a cycle. Han Su - Yeong will forever be writing the novel for the younger me. Her existence even disappears into the subconscious of her younger self. Yu Jung - Hyeok will die and regress, over and over again, for the rest of time. My other companions will suffer the similar fates, dying in the scenarios or becoming a nameless outer god. But they got a happy ending. The scenarios ended, they could live their lives out, without fearing about their lives. Despite that, they still attempted to save me. They would go to such ridiculous lengths to save me? "Seriously Kim Dok - Ja, what is up with you?" I looked up to see Han Su - Yeong's concerned expression. I replied with a faint smile. "It's nothing. I'm okay." "Oh yeah? You stood still for half a minute and then started crying." I finished wiping my eyes with my sleeves. I let out a chuckle and stood up tall in an attempt to show my good wellbeing. "Kim Dok - Ja." I was unsure of who, between Han Su - Yeong or Yu Jung - Hyeok, called out my name. The former then asks a question with a glare. "We're getting off this subway together, right?" [The Skill 'Lie Detection Lv.???' Is activated by...] I smiled and was greeted with a familiar scene. This time will be different. I have made up my mind before answering. "Of course. Let's get off and meet with the others now, together." ['Lie Detection' has confirmed 'Kim Dok - Ja's' words are false.] A cold sweat dripped down my neck as I met the eyes of my companions. Out of reflex, I quickly raised my hands in front of me in a panic. Yu Jun g - Hyeok placed his hand on the hilt of the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] and Han Su - Yeong reached for the bandages loosely wrapped around her arm. "Wait a moment, let me explain myself - " "What is the meaning of this Kim Dok - Ja." Yu Jung - Hyeok asked with a dumbfounded expression, whilst Han Su - Yeong, who was slightly trembling, glared intently at me. "You will be leaving with us, right here, right now!" "And I will. I just have to do something before stepping off." Yu Jung - Hyeok and Han Su - yeong momentarily glanced at each other from my comment. Maybe they had already thought of a plan to drag me out of this place against my will. "I'll be right behind you guys." Unconvinced, both Yu Jung - Hyeok and Han Su - Yeong too k a step forward in unison. Were they always this in sync? "I promise." ['Lie Detection' has confirmed 'Kim Dok - Ja's' words are true.] The two stood still briefly before Han Su - Yeong spoke up. "We'll be waiting RIGHT outside. You better come out quickly." With Han Su - Yeong's words, she walked through the subway doors and stood near the entrance. Yu Jung - Hyeok stared at Han Su - Yeong outside before turning back to me with solemn. He opened his mouth just to close it again. He turned around and began walking towards the door before stopping momentarily and uttered. “Don't do anything foolish, Kim Dok - Ja.” I unknowingly smiled as he was walking out the doors. “I won't.” Now, I just need to fi nish some things off. The messages that only I can see are still present. [You have cleared the 'Final Scenario'.] [You are the only person who knows the secret of this world.] [Currently, the 'Most Ancient Dream' is absent.] [The world's will not flow if the dream doesn't continue] [You have earned the qualifications to take the role of the 'Most Ancient One'.] [Will you continue with the dream?] "Continue... This time I wil l - " <Ki m Dok Ja> I firstly need to confront that. [The 4th wall]. <Do n't mak e any st upid de cis ions.> "You don't have to pretend anymore, former Dokkaebi King." <....> It kept quiet for a moment. I somehow felt its none existent eyes avoiding mi ne. Before long, ‘The 4th Wall’ spoke up. <Ahem. I guess you're right. That skill is pretty useful isn't it?> Being the closest one to replacing the 'Most Ancient Dream', 'Predictive Plagiarism' was put on overdrive using some of its power. Since 'The 4t h Wall' is connected to my consciousness, it must've seen what 'Predictive Plagiarism' showed me too. It is knows what I know, and that its real identity was the Dokkaebi King. <You know what your actions will lead to Kim Dok - Ja.> "I know." <Without the 'Most Ancient Dream', world - lines will cease to exist, time will stop. All there is will be no more.> "I'm aware." <Will be able to live knowing that?> "To be the 'Most Ancient Dream', just so I can witness other world - lines, my companions, go through the suffering for an eternity. Being helpless, only to witness the tragedy. Is that really living?" Living. The only time I ever felt like I was truly living, and not surviving, was ironically when the 'Scenarios' began. Being apart of a story I loved, and being with companions that I loved so much l. What more can I ask for? How could I subject them to an eternal amount of suffering? <You will never be able to read the story you love so much ever again. The story will end. 'Your' story will end.> "The story I love has already ended.” I took a look outside the window. I see Yu Jung - Hyeok and Han Su - Yeong bickering back and forth. The kids running around in the sun, whilst Yu Sang - Ah is shielding her eyes fromlooking up atthe sky. Yi Hyeon - Se ong and Jung Hui - Won looking at each other whilst slightly brushing past each other. "And my epilogue will be with them." <So this is the path you want to take?> "Yes." I continued to look at my companions. To be truthful, I am unsure whether I had ma de the right choice. But hearing their voices. "Where's ajusshi?" "Hm? You're right, where is Dok - Ja - ssi?" I know I'd be able to figure it out, as long as I am with them. They will be my answer. <If you leave now, time will stop.> "I know.” Without the ‘Most Ancient Dream’, everything will end as soon as I stepped out the subway. But there is a way to preven t that from happening. And it's the only way for me to move forward. “So, will you do me a favour?" <....> "You've been with me, even before the <scenarios> started. You've watched me grow up reading the story that I love so much. You may have been the King of Story Telling at one point, but you have read my story, my struggles and my triumphs." <....> "You are as much as a reader as I am." <You are quite evil, Kim Dok - Ja.> "I am a Demon King after all." There was silence between the wall and I. As king this much of the former Dokkaebi King sounds like an impossible task. But I know, as a reader, it will be okay. ['The 4th wall' has released its fables!] [The fable 'Watcher of the Most Ancient Dream' has begun its story telling!] [The fable 'King of story telling and story reading' has begun its story telling!] "Thank you." ['The 4th Wall' has taken the place of the 'Most Ancient Dream' by proxy!] [Due to the lack of qualification, the effect will only be temporary!] <....Your days will be limited. It will feel like a blink of an eye compared to the eternity you have witnes sed." "So be it. As long as my last moments are with my companions." <I see. If that's all. Farewell, Kim Dok - Ja." I looked up to see 'The 4th Wall' materialise itself out of thin air. I stared at it for a moment before turning towards the doors. I wa nted to say something but there was nothing left for me in the subway. I walked towards the doors and greeted both Yu Jung - Hyeok and Han Su - Yeong before lightly slapping them on the back, causing them to stumble lightly forwards. Yu Jung - Hyeok gave me a d eath glare and Han Su - Yeong was winding her arms back in preparation for an attack. I chuckled. "Some things will never change." "What's that suppose to mean you ugly squid?" "Touch me again and I'll strike you where you stand." This is it. The doors behind us shut, and a quiet engine sound could be heard as the subway seemingly lifted itself off. We continued walking towards everyone else. This time, all three of us never looked back at the subway. "What took you guys so lo ng?" "Did you want to visit somewhere else, Kim Dok - Ja?" I smiled. "No. I am where I want to be." I looked at all my companions one by one and said. "Let's go buy a big house." "But we don't have any coins left...." A system message is then heard. [A path never taken before has been created!] [Your will be re - evaluated!] I looked up out of habit, and partially curious to know what my will be. However, I know, whatever it is, my true is here. The sound of my companions laughing fi lled my chest with warmth. The kids are holding one of my hands each and we started to walk towards a new life. I'm sure this is where I belong. [Your new is 'Eternal Happiness'.]