Beyond the Eternity

These thugs were real simple minded people.

The trap they laid out failed so they decided to confront us directly. They were the 'filth' of the old world. And even in the new world, they were still causing trouble for the survivors.

To be honest, I forgot that people like this existed. I was busy trying to survive so my mind did not wander in that direction.

"Tck."

I made an irritated sound and looked the thugs infront of me with disgust.

Just because the world changed, doesn't mean that the people in the said world changed. The thieves, the murderers, the rapists— yes, the world had become the perfect 'stage' for these worthless people.

[The constellations are watching the scene with anticipation.]

[The constellation 'Jugde of War and Wisdom' frowns at the appearance of this people.]

If the ruined world was a 'stage', the gods watching from above were the 'audience'. The constellations and stars liked stories about violence and destruction.

There was the sound of people talking. It was not from the group members but the thugs approaching with weapons— some of those weapons included guns.

"Ah, what's this? The trap failed?"

"I told you it would fail."

"Shut up. Didn't the traps work with previous group?

"Even so, don't these guys look rather good. Check those those chicks. Is that a blonde I see?"

The thugs approached and looked at the group members. The group members stiffened and became alarmed. Angelica and Jung Yunhee glared at the approaching thugs. Then, there was Kim IIho who narrowed his eyes.

I asked, "Kim IIho, do you know these people?"

In response, he only shook his head.

"I don't know. I've never seen this people before. If I have to guess, they are just gangsters that formed a group to pass the trial."

He pulled out a sword and held it in his grip. Perhaps this was not the first time he had ran into a troublesome group.

How many seconds had passed? I stepped forward. The most important thing was to take the lead in a fight. I glared at the thugs and opened my mouth.

"Who are you people?"

Finally, the thugs shifted their gaze to me. The thugs widened their eyes once they saw me. I already knew what they were thinking from their expressions.

"What's this? It's a pretty lady."

"Was there a woman like this in Seoul? She's too beautiful. Is she from another world?"

"Right? This is my first time seeing someone this beautiful. Without a doubt, she's the most beautiful woman in Seoul. Can I have fun with a woman like this?"

"Yeah right. What did you do with the other women we caught?

My brows frowned. These people ignored my question and started talking about irrelevant things.

"Hey, cut it out."

There was a voice and the thugs became silent. Surprisingly enough, the voice came from one of their own members.

The voice belonged to a senior with a great build. He had a scar on his neck and possessed a good posture that gave out a dignified impression. Could a leader of small thugs give out such an impression?

I quickly activated a skill and the system interface appeared infront of me.

[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]

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[Character Information]

Name: Park Hyesung

Age: 45

Guardian Constellation: Eater of Small Fries.

Private Attribute: Small Mafia Boss (Common)

Exclusive Skills: Weapon Training Lv. 1, Lying Lv. 2, Crowd Control Lv. 2, Two Face Lv. 1

Authority: Fear

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 15, Strength Lv. 18, Agility Lv. 11, Magic Power Lv. 10

Description: He was the leader of a small crime family before the destruction. He prefers to use others to get what he wants so his fighting power was low.

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A mafia boss? If it was previous Kim Jakga, that name would have frightened me. I looked at his guardian constellation and almost laughed.

Eater of Small Fries. It was a passing that loved watching the destruction of his incarnations. There was no reason but there were alot of strange constellations to begin with.

[The constellation 'Eater of Small Fries' is looking at you.]

[The constellation 'Eater of Small Fries' says he would give you coins if you beat up his Incarnation.]

Look at this guy. What kind of constellations asks someone to beat up their Incarnation? Well, it was a good thing that this guy didn't change.

Plus, I was going to beat up his Incarnation without him asking. Shouldn't I play my role as Soo Jinyoung?

I raised the sword and spoke. "I asked you a question. Who are you people? Which group do you belong to?"

"Haha. Hey, now, now. There is no need to get violent. We were just messing around."

"You call that messing around?"

I pointed at the spikes littered around the ground. Park Hyesung looked the spikes and laughed like he remembered something funny.

"Ah, that. We placed those things there because some troublesome people were chasing us. Maybe you don't know this but the fourth trial has already started but it's an unpleasant scenario."

"You mean other groups were chasing you?"

"That's right. We placed those spikes there to defend ourselves."

"Drop the act. You are not going to fool anyone with that level of acting. Why were you hiding here if you were running? Wouldn't it make more sense to go somewhere far away?"

"Ah, It looks like I was caught."

Park Hyesung's expression changed he realised it was useless. His face changed into a cold expression in a instant. Perhaps he would been a good actor if the world wasn't destoryed.

Park Hyesung spoke with the cold voice of a mafia boss.

"It's nothing personal. I have to do this to survive. In fact, I'll give you a chance. Hand over your card or die in this place where nobody would find you? I would like to settle this without shredding blood if necessary."

"What a generous offer. But I would have to refuse."

"It seems like you don't understand your own situation."

At his words, more thugs jumped out and formed a circle around us. They surrounded us from all directions, blocking all possible exits. It was an unfavourable situation since they had the number advantage.

I sensed their presence some time ago since their stealth. These guys were really prepared.

I heard Park Hyesung's arrogant voice again.

"I'll give you another chance. Would you surrender peacefully or would we be forced to use violence? The choice is yours."

The thugs slowed approached with their weapons. Angelica and Jung Yunhee looked towards my direction. Angelica whispered.

"What should we do? Should I use my stigma?"

"No, not yet. It's a great power so we can't afford to use it so carelessly."

"But if we don't do anything..."

"Don't worry, I'll think of something. Just give me a few minutes."

My mind began to wander. If a fight erupted out between the two parties, things will become difficult. These guys weren't the problem. The issue was what would happen afterwards.

What if we fought and a third party intervened in the middle of the battle? Or if we fought and drew the attention of something unpleasant? What would happen then?

We were forced in a difficult situation where one wrong move could lead to the party's destruction.

Damnit, what was the right course of action? What would Soo Jinyoung do in this moment. Would she fight with her allies or defeat her opponents with overwhelming force?

No matter how I tried to be Soo Jinyoung, I could never be the protagonist.

"...!"

Suddenly, something clicked in my head. An amazing idea erupted. What if the sudden appearance of a third party wasn't necessary a bad thing?

We were not the only ones on the quiet road. If I remembered correctly, that 'thing' was also moving around. Was that the reason why Park Hyesung didn't want to create a scene?

I see. It seems I've discovered Park Hyesung's weakness.

[Exclusive skill 'Yin Sword' has activated.]

Vrrrmmm—

The sword in my grip shook. The Iron-breaking sword was filled with black power.

"W-What?!"

"What the hell is that?!"

"Is she planning on resisting?"

The approaching thugs were stunned. Before they could process what was happening, my hand moved swiftly. My target wasn't the 'thugs' infront of me but the 'ground'.

Kwang!

There was an explosion and debris scattered in all directions. The thugs were not hit directly, but they were still blown away regardless. It was similar to being caught in the spread of a shotgun blast. They were not hit by the shell yet they still felt the force.

Ultimately, the thugs were hit but all of them survived.

Park Hyesung suddenly cursed out.

"This stupid woman... What do you think you're doing?!"

"What's up with that reaction? It almost seems like you're scared."

"Me? Scared? Haha, did you think you can scare me by just hitting the ground?"

"That was never my intention to begin with?"

"What?"

Park Hyesung looked confused. I turned my head and looked somewhere else. My mouth opened.

"The world has really changed and now there's alot of strange things. Zombies, Gnolls and Fairies— usually things that you can never find in reality are now roaming about. But those fantasy creatures are not the only things that can exist in this world."

"Oi, Oi, what are you trying to say?"

"Don't play dumb. You must have seen that 'thing' as well. Isn't that the reason why are afraid to start a fight?"

"...!"

Park Hyesung's eyes widened.

Yes, he was definitely one of the lucky ones that managed to see that 'thing' and live to tell the tale. He was a coward that used overwhelming numbers to frighten his opponents into surrendering. As I wasn't a 'reader', I would have fallen for his trick.

The tables has turned. Now I was the one in control of the situation.

Park Hyesung abruptly realised the situation and shouted.

"Everyone, we're leaving right now!"

Shouting while knowing about that 'thing' was not a good idea. Then again, the sensitive ears of the creature must have already heard the sound of the explosion I made so it was useless.

"...!"

It happened in an instant. Something that resembled a tendril struck one of the thugs and pulled him into the darkness before he could even let out a scream.

Everyone turned their head and their faces turned pale. I was no different. Once I saw that terrible thing, my heart dropped and my skin became cold.

How could I describe that? Where do I even begin?

That monstrosity was a grotesque amalgamation of countless giant eyes, teeths and tendrils along with a layer of rotten flesh. Like a spider, most of its tendrils were clung to multiple buildings, supporting its massive form. It had the appearance of monsters you could only find in Lovecraftian stories.

The deformed creature looked down on us, the prey and spat out a horrible screech.

Screek—

"It's so loud!"

"Argh! My ears! My ears!"

"Anyone please, make it stop!"

Everyone shouted and covered their ears including me. Even then, the screech was still so loud. It felt like a thousand needles were trying to force their way into my eardrums. A metallic smell lingered in the air. Was it blood?

[Exclusive skill 'Indifference' has activated.]

[You are able to maintain your rationality in any situation.]

The pain in my ears slowly subsided and my mind became calm. Thanks to the passive skill, I was able to maintain my rationality to an extent.

My gaze landed on the massive deformed creature. It was the grade 4 monster species, 'Faceless'.

The system called the monster that because the entity didn't have a face of its own. Instead, the creature absorbed other beings and, took their voice and faces. The Faceless was the source of contamination in Seoul but it was impossible to hunt it at this stage.

"Everyone... is here."

"Mooommy... where is Richard?"

"It's... Painful."

"Let's play... Everyone."

The creature moved and several mouths opened at once. Several thugs were swept by the long tendrils one by one and were absorbed into the creature's body. It was really unsettling as they were slowly absorbed into the mass of dead fresh.

Park Hyesung finally regained his composure and shouted.

"To hell with this! EVERYONE, ATTACK THAT TERRIBLE CREATURE!"

There was the sound of several guns firing and the Faceless screamed. A battle between humans and a creature from the lovecraftian erupted.

The group members stood in place and watched everything unfold. It was really like a horror movie except we were the 'cast' and the audience was silently watching.

We need to leave this place. Go somewhere far away. That sudden thought emerged.

The Faceless was helping us fight the thugs, but it didn't necessarily mean the creature was ally.

Once it was done with those people, it would surely come after us. After all, that 'thing' had an insatiable hunger for any living beings.

"Everyone, let's go."

"Ah... right."

The group members and the Sindaebang group members picked up and mounted the bikes. Meanwhile, the thugs were being hit by the Faceless.

"Damnit, why won't it go down?"

"Guns don't work."

"Run away!"

The gangsters realised that fighting was useless and decided to flee but it was already too late. The Faceless noticed their suspicious movements and pounced immediately.

"STOP RUNNING!!!"

A 6th grade monster was enough to wipe out all the humans in Seoul and this was a 4th grade monster.

"Wait, please wait!"

I heard the desperate voice of Park Hyesung.

I turned my head and saw the man hugging a pole with all his might. Apparently, the Faceless has grabbed his leg and Park Hyesung was trying to resist the pull. The rest of the thugs were still fighting. Some of them has already ran away.

I frowned and spoke with a cold voice. "What do you want?"

"Ah... Please help me. Just this once."

"Hand over your cards."

"What?"

"Hand over the cards in your possession or I'll leave."

"That's unreasonable. I'll fail the trial if I hand over my cards."

"I see. Kim IIho start the engine."

There was a sound as the bike turned on and Park Hyesung opened his eyes.

"Alright, Alright! I'll hand over my cards but you would have to help me in return."

"I'll think about it."

Park Hyesung threw his cards towards me with one hand and I caught them. At the same time, a message rang out in my ears.

[You have obtained two card: the Knight of Wands and the King of Wands.]

[20 points will be given as a reward.]

[You now have a total of 30 points.]

30 points. I obtained 10 points the survivors surrendered their points to me and 20 points after this person gave his cards to me. But I was a little disappointed.

The Knight of Wands and the King of Wands? I was not expecting someone like him to possess a card of the Major Arcana series to begin with. Even then, It doesn't mean that these cards are useless.

I placed the cards inside my pocket and Park Hyesung grew more desperate. It seems the monster was pulling him with a greater force than before.

He opened his mouth faster than the speed of sound.

"There! You'll help me, right?"

"Kim IIho, let's go."

"Eh? What are you doing? Didn't you say you'll help me? You'll have to keep your promise."

"What are you talking about? When did I make a promise with you?"

"This person knows how to say jokes. Stop fooling around and help."

"Really now, I only said I'll think about it. I never said I'll save you. Stop putting words into my mouth.

A cold smile formed on my lips.

"If I remembered correctly, you were threatening to kill us just a few minutes ago and now you're asking to be saved. Aren't you a shameless fellow."

"You..."

Park Hyesung realised the situation and became angry. Indeed, he was the King of Fools.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU! I SWEAR EVEN WHEN I'M DEAD, THIS OLD MAN WON'T LEAVE YOU ALONE!!! YOU MOTHERFUCK..."

By the time Park Hyesung started screaming out curses, we had already left the vicinity.