Beyond the Eternity

[SSS Class Infinite Reincarnator]

It was a story born from Song of Nightmares. The original Song of Nightmares was a novel that was poorly written by an amateur writter. In fact, the novel was so terrible that it would have blown up if it was serialized in Textpia.

That's why I decided to rewrite it in my image. Of course, I changed the names of the characters and altered the plot. Yet, some readers still recognized the similarities. Despite this, there were no accusations of plagiarism from the readers.

Except one.

Dragonslayer99, or should I call him Park Joonhyuk? He had already wiped out most of my fighting force, but that wasn't enough for him. He went ahead and posted my novel on the Exclusive Shop as [Worthless Reincarnator].

What was he thinking? Was he trying to provoke me? And why post it on the Exclusive Shop? Was it because the plot was similar?

"What's the meaning of this?" I asked. My voice was noticeably laced with irritation.

"As you can see, someone posted the revelations on the Exclusive Shop. I heard some constellations are gifting their Incarnations with this package. And why was the revelations named [Worthless Reincarnator]?" Lee Dokho replied and looked genuinely confused.

I studied him. Did he really not know? My novel was rather popular. Now that I think about it, aren't there a lot of novels that start with SSS?

I hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Have you heard of a novel called SSS-Class Infinite Reincarnator?"

"SSS-Class Infinite Reincarnator? Ah, I remember reading a novel with that name."

As I thought, if he read Song of Nightmares, he would be interested in webnovels. Actually, my novel was featured in the Best of Today's List on the webnovel platform.

—A psychopathic reincarnator with multiple faces

—Sponsorship from fictional gods and demons

—Nightmare System

—A survival game with hellish difficulty

It wasn't too different from other stories, but my story had a twist: a terrible person who had reincarnated 1,999 times which set it apart. However, there was also a regressor who regressed 1,864 times.

It was funny really. [SSS Class Infinite Reincarnator] was born from [Song of Nightmares] and [Song of Nightmares] was born from [Omniscient Reader].

And yet, a certain reader of Song of Nightmares had the balls to accuse me of plagiarism while the Song of Nightmares had a fraudulent status.

Lee Dokho asked, "Why are you talking about that novel?"

"It's a long story. But I'll summarise everything."

After some explanations, Lee Dokho tilted his head and said an absurd statement.

"So SSS Class Infinite Reincarnator is a copy of Song of Nightmares?"

"I won't say it's an exact copy. But it has similar settings. Don't most novels have similar settings?"

"I guess you're right. There are too many novels with 'SSS' and reincarnator. But it didn't feel like a cheap copy when I was reading it."

"Is that so? What do you think about the story?"

"Well, it think it was a good story in general. But I can't remember how it ended. Wait, does this mean that No. 1999 plagiarized SSS Class Infinite Reincarnator?"

I nodded.

"It seems that is the case. He must have written the story so that he can see a different version of the world that has been already created."

"Wait a minute, if he plagiarized SSS Class Infinite Reincarnator. Doesn't that mean that he's unbeatable..."

"Not exactly. He couldn't have plagiarized the entire novel. It would be too risky to reveal everything, so he must have distorted the beginning and posted it on the Exclusive Shop to deceive the apostles."

"Ah, that makes sense. Only the apostles can read the revelations, after all. But if he distorted the text, wouldn't that change things?"

"Yes, that would change."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"If he distorts the story enough, it becomes a new story. In such a case, even ordinary people and characters would be able to read the text without suffering from any disorder."

"What?"

Lee Dokho looked confused. It was as if he couldn't comprehend my words.

"But that doesn't make any sense. Why would he do such a thing?"

"Why are you asking me? How am I supposed to know goes on inside the head of that person? Perhaps he's trying to use the chaos to his advantage. Ah, I see. I heard that [The World] was using a few apostles?"

"Yes. A few apostles fucked up and now [The World] has become much stronger than he's supposed to be."

The World, was it? Such a person would have normally been eliminated before he awakened. But the scenario has become difficult because of the apostles messing with the story.

...Wait, there is only 24 hours before the nightmare trial ended. In such a difficult situation, the players would have to acquire more points if they wanted to survive. Was [No. 1999] using the chaos to the advantage so that he could eliminate [The World]?

Unfortunately, there was only one way to know for sure.

[You have consumed 500 coins.]

[You have purchased the Worthless Reincarnator (TXT)]

Along with the notification, I received the file on my smartphone.

If I wanted to gather as much information as possible, then I had to read the story [No. 1999] has created.

* * *

After reading the purchased [Worthless Reincarnator] on my smartphone, I noticed there were a few changes that has been made to the story.

As expected, there was only volume of the novel. Perhaps [No. 1999] was afraid of a backslash from revealing too much information at once. As I thought, that person was really careful.

As for the story, the names of the characters were changed and the plot was distorted but flowed to the same direction. Even if it was just a plagiarized version of my own story, I had to admire that [No. 1999] was a talented writer.

If this was uploaded on the webnovel platform, how far would he had gone?

Lee Dokho asked, "... So what does it say?"

"It's just I expected. [No. 1999] had distorted the beginning parts and made [The World] the enemy of the story."

I answered as I switched off my smartphone and slipped it into my pocket.

"I see. So he's trying to take out [The World] by using the other players who are desperate to get points."

"It's wise on his part. [The World] is a person with the biggest pieces. It would be good to kill such a person before he grows to a point where he becomes unstoppable."

"But there is a problem with that strategy. The World has the ability to manipulate his territory. As long as he remains in his territory, he basically has the power of a constellation. Meaning, anyone that enters his territory will be killed off before they even enter his space."

"You're right. But he's not omnipotent. The <System> will restrict the power of his law manipulation. At the very least, the players will not be killed in an instant with a single command."

"How do you know this?"

"I just know."

I knew because I had experienced something similar in the library dungeon. Of course, I couldn't tell this guy that information or about that person.

"In any case, I know what we need to do."

"Wait, we are going as well? Impossible. There's only a small chance that we're going to survive and yet you still want to go there."

"That's right. That bastard [No. 1999] must be already hiding within The World's ranks. That means this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of both The World and No. 1999."

[No. 1999], the King of Apostles who manipulated the events of the story to trick the players and the apostles. Then there was [The World] who enslaved the apostles after becoming aware of the 'revelations'.

It was obvious what would happen if those two met each other. Even so, if we wanted to hunt both of them, then we have to participate in this death battle.

* * *

Finally, I gathered all the party members. There was 20 hours remaining before the end of the 4th Nightmare Trial so I explained everything quickly.

"Our target is the Sookmyung Girls' Highschool. We need to conquer that place before the end of 4th trial. But that place would be difficult to conquer because many groups would be targeting that place at once."

"When has anything been easy?"

In response to Jung Yunhee's question, I explained calmly. "The opponent this time goes by the name Ollerus Izzard. He's one of the top players in Seoul despite being a foreigner and the King candidate with the biggest pieces. However, the most terrifying thing about him is his control over his territory."

"You mean he's the same as the library keeper?"

"Not exactly but he has a similar ability. Fortunately, the level of said ability is level so we would be able to manage."

Angelica asked, "What kind of person is he?"

"What's there to say? He's a terrible person that enslaved the students of the Sookmyung Girls' Highschool. From the Intel I gathered, it seems he's only interested in highschool girls and his army are mostly made up of girls. In fact, it's only high-school girls strange enough."

The party members' expression crumbled rather unsightly and Jung Yunhee opened her mouth.

"So you mean to say that he only captures high-school girls and kills the rest?"

"That's right. Perhaps he's trying to create a harem of high-school girls."

"A harem? Ridiculous. Does he think he's in a story?"

Lee Dokho made a stupid expression and I glared at him. Basically, I was warning him not to say anything unnecessary. The characters should not know that they're in a story.

I shrugged my shoulders and answered Jung Yunhee's question.

"Who knows? All I know is that someone like Jung Yunhee would be turned into a slave if she's captured. I hear he does alot of inappropriate things to their bodies and throws them away once they're broken."

"Ugh...! Such a bastard."

The calm Jung Yunhee who was usually unfazed made a disgusted expression for the first time. Indeed, that bastard must die or else all the women in Seoul will be enslaved.

"In any case, we will be targeting the Sookmyung Girls' High School as well so we have to prepare beforehand. Everyone has a role."

The party members gulped and I looked at them one by one. In fact, I have already decided who will be participating in this hunt.

"First of all, Jung Yunhee, you'll not be participating in this hunt."

"... What? Why? Are you worried about me? I'm not weak, you know."

"I'm not worried about you. On the contrary, I have a seperate mission for you. Something that only you can do."

Jung Yunhee smiled and gripped the hilt of her sword.

"I'll accept it. What is it?"

"I'll tell you when we're done."

Once I was done with Jung Yunhee, I shifted my gaze elsewhere.

"Secondly, Jung Donghyun and Kim Hyunwoo will remain here and protect the base."

"Tck! When did I become your slave? In fact, who gave you the right to give me orders."

"Soo Jinyoung. She appointed me as the deputy representative."

"What? T-That's..."

"Should I tell her you refused to listen to orders?"

"No, I was not thinking of giving anyways."

Jung Donghyun was still stubborn but he chose to listen to orders. But Kim Hyunwoo was the problem. He had a dark expression as if he couldn't believe he was being left behind.

"Why can't I come?"

"Someone needs to protect the base. More importantly, Lee Jongho is still recovering so someone has to stay behind and look after him with Angelica."

"But? Tck, fine. I understand."

He wanted to agrue but he listened in the end. There was a reason why he had to remain behind.

Finally, my gaze landed on Angelica. She must have already realised what I was about to say and opened her mouth first.

"It's fine. I understand."

She must have been feeling useless for a while.

"I'm sorry but you can't come as well. However, there is something else you need to do."

"Really? Something I can do?"

"That's right. You're proficient with Korean history, right?"

Her cheeks loosened and became relaxed in response. However, the groomy atmosphere appeared above her head in the next moment.

"But I don't see how that would help right now."

"No, it will be useful in a crisis like this one."

Before she could speak or ask me what I meant, I selected and gave her a role in the Soo Jinyoung's company.

[You have appointed 'Angelica' as the Queen.]

"What?"

She looked completely confused as if she could not understand.

Originally, I didn't want to select her as the Queen. If possible, I would have chosen Soo Jinyoung as the Queen. But that person must have awoken up and gone north by now.

Angelica was the best substitute in her place. She has great knowledge of Korean history and she's also the incantation of the King of Heroes. No other person would come close.

"On the way to Sookmyung Girls' Highschool, there is a National museum close by. I want you to gather a few people and carry all the artifacts or weapons you can find. The older the artifact, the better it would be."

"Yes. I try my best."

Our side has a relatively small number of people so we needed to gather as much artifacts as possible. The endgame was not the [King of Apostles] or [The World]. No, the endgame was the Holy Grail War which the other kings would be targeting as well.

At this moment, something appeared infront of me. It was a private message from Lee Dokho.

—Deputy-nim, I'm at the location.

His timing was good.

It seems Lee Dokho had entered the vicinity of the Sookmyung Girls' Highschool in advance just as planned and was observing the situation.

—That's good. What's the situation there?

—It's as you thought. The other king candidates are targeting the Sookmyung Girls' Highschool as well. One, two, three... No, isn't this too much? Things are getting heated up here.

—Just as expected. Continue to observe the situation I'm on my way there right now.

A dry smile formed on my lips.

Finally, the terrible war between king candidates was about to begin. And it would happen at Sookmyung Girls' High School.