Beyond the Eternity

Soo Jinyoung tilted her head slightly, as if she'd misheard. "You don't know where Kim Jakga is?"

"Y-Yes..."

"So, he's missing?"

"Um... yes."

Her brow twitched. "What the hell does that even mean? Wasn't he with you this whole time? How could he just disappear without any of you noticing?"

Angelica hesitated before answering. "We were all occupied at the time. The only one with him was the child, and he didn't say where he was going."

Soo Jinyoung's expression darkened. "How long has he been gone?"

"Exactly two days."

"The constellations don't know where he went?"

"None of them know. It seems Kim Jakga used something strange that blocked them from observing him."

"I see. Have you tried consulting the High Priestess? As a Diviner, she has the best tracking ability."

Angelica let out a frustrated sigh and shook her head. "We already tried, but there's no luck there too. Even she couldn't locate him through Divination."

"... What?"

Soo Jinyoung's confusion deepened. The High Priestess couldn't find Kim Jakga?

From what she had gathered through her past regenerations, divination worked by gathering existing data to form a conclusion—whether it was predicting a future event or tracking a missing person. More importantly, the process relied on spirits from 'the other side,' who observed everything beyond the material world.

In a sense, one could argue that these spirits were omniscient, much like the Old Gods.

So if even they couldn't see Kim Jakga… No, that was completely wrong.

The real problem was why they needed to use Divination in the first place. The channel was always online, unless someone deliberately shut it off. If the fairy hadn't turned it off, there should be no reason why the constellations couldn't locate a single person.

Something was off.

Soo Jinyoung's gaze flickered toward the sky, her mind reaching out to Aurora, who was floating above. She sent a mental message.

'Hey, lackey! Can you hear me?'

– Eh? Who's talking to me? Oh... it's you.

Aurora glanced down, and her tiny face scrunched in annoyance.

'You don't seem pleased to see me.'

– Who would want to hear from a monster like you? What do you want?

'Where is Kim Jakga?'

– Ugh, not you too. The constellations and now this... Why is everyone bothering me about him?!

'So you know where he is?'

– Of course I don't! If I did, you think I wouldn't have called him already?! That guy just does whatever he wants! It's so annoying!

Soo Jinyoung narrowed her eyes. 'That doesn't make sense. Are you saying he's not in Seoul?'

– I don't know. Maybe. Some people managed to enter the story beforehand without my knowledge! That bastard must've done something similar. He's a really hateful guy!

Aurora grumbled, clearly irritated, but Soo Jinyoung barely paid attention.

Instead, her mind ran through possibilities.

Had he entered the Seventh Narrative ahead of time? No, that required a group entry. Therefore, that possibility was highly unlikely.

Had he traveled to another Dome? Also unlikely. There was no reason for him to do that.

More importantly, Kim Jakga wasn't the type to run away. At least, she thought he wasn't from what she had seen.

So where the hell did he go?

In the end, she had no answers.

After all, her name was Soo Jinyoung, not Kim Jakga.

... I see. In that case...

Soo Jinyoung severed the mental connection and closed her eyes. In that brief moment, it seemed she had made up her mind. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze swept across the gathered members of Night Management. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

They were watching her with varying expressions.

She spoke. "Since Kim Jakga is absent, I'll announce the participants for the Seventh Narrative. If anyone has any complaints, speak now."

Silence.

Not because they feared Soo Jinyoung, but because arguing over a spot in the Story was pointless.

She took their silence as agreement, gave a curt nod, and began listing the names.

"The first person will be Angelica."

It was an obvious choice. After reviewing her private information, Soo Jinyoung knew she would be a fool not to bring the reincarnation of Gilgamesh. Even if Angelica was weak at the moment, she possessed immense potential.

Angelica looked a bit anxious upon being called out, but Soo Jinyoung ignored her and continued.

"The second person will be Kuro Kagura."

Another obvious choice. A person with a unique physiology was rare and always valuable. In addition, she had the strongest physique she knew apart from the Dragon Race.

"The third person will be Lee Jongho."

"... Yes!"

For some reason, Lee Jongho answered like a soldier responding to a commanding officer. Realizing what he'd done, his face turned red.

Soo Jinyoung didn't acknowledge the awkward moment and moved on.

"The fourth person will be Kim Hyunwoo."

"What? Me?" Kim Hyunwoo pointed to himself, looking utterly dumbfounded. He clearly hadn't expected his name to be called.

Soo Jinyoung's gaze lingered on the remaining people. Her eyes settled on Lee Suhye and Jung Yunhee.

Lee Suhye looked eager, almost excited. Jung Yunhee, on the other hand, was different. Her eyes lacked any spark of life and void of emotion, as though she were moving on autopilot.

Soo Jinyoung frowned.

That empty gaze… It wasn't something she had expected to see here. It was the kind of look that belonged to someone who had lost everything and burned through their emotions until only ashes remained. Like a war veteran who had survived too many battles, carrying only the weight of what was lost.

But the problem was that Jung Yunhee was barely twenty.

It irritated her. She was far too young to have those eyes.

Clicking her tongue, she looked away.

"The fifth person will be Yoo Rin."

"... Me as well?" The green-haired girl blinked in surprise.

On the sidelines, Yoo Jinsung looked as if he'd been slapped. He hadn't been picked? From the corner of his vision, he caught Miyuki looking at him with a mischievous grin. He scowled in response.

Soo Jinyoung ignored the reactions and continued.

"That would be all."

Naturally, as the one choosing the participants, she was also included in the selection.

To summarise everything, the list was like this:

–Soo Jinyoung

–Angelica Thompson.

–Kuro Kagura

–Lee Jongho

–Kim Hyunwoo

–Yoo Rin

What they had in common was that they were all heavy hitters. Considering the nature of the Seventh Story, this was the perfect lineup.

Of course, not everyone was satisfied with this result.

"Wait, is that all? What about us?" Lee Suhye complained.

Soo Jinyoung turned around and told her. "That will be difficult. Only four groups can participate," then she glanced at the other Seoul Kings with her sharp gaze. "And I don't think the other major parties are willing to back down."

Lee Suhye clicked her tongue. "Damn it. So, we're just supposed to remain here like this?"

"No. That won't be necessary."

Everyone froze.

That voice hadn't come from Soo Jinyoung, but behind them.

It was a familiar voice.

Tap! Tap! Soft footsteps accompanied the calm, masculine voice.

As if responding to an invisible signal, everyone turned at once.

A young man, nearly six feet tall, walked toward them. Despite the urgency of the situation, his strode was steady like he wasn't in a hurry.

His beautiful lineaments appeared in their eyes. A straight nose, medium-length raven black hair, shining brilliantly and calmly under the grey sky. His slender, light brows contrasted against his brilliant green eyes that held an air of friendliness, elegance and tranquility.

He wore a deep red coat draping effortlessly over his lean yet well-proportioned frame. Beneath it, a black buttoned shirt was neatly tucked into his dark trousers, secured by a simple yet refined belt. Completing the ensemble were the see-through glasses he was wearing and the leather shoes, the final touch to his composed, gentlemanly appearance.

[Many of the constellations are shocked.]

[Some of the constellations are clicking their tongue.]

Certainly, this was the individual who had mysteriously vanished for the past two days.

And now, he was strolling back as if nothing had happened.

No matter how they thought about it, this was, without a doubt, a protagonist-like entrance!

◇

When I arrived at the meeting zone, the atmosphere was undeniably strange.

Everyone was staring at me. Their expressions ranged from shock to mild disbelief.

Well, I suppose it was only natural.

I had disappeared without telling anyone, after all.

But after the initial shock wore off, their expressions shifted. A strange tension settled over the group. Some looked irritated, while others seemed outright displeased.

Lee Suhye, in particular, looked like she was one second away from storming over and beating me senseless. Even the usually indifferent Jung Yunhee seemed visibly upset.

… I see. So they must have been searching for me these past few days.

A few seconds later, I closed the distance, and Lee Suhye wasted no time. Placing both hands on her hips, she snapped,

"Yo, you jerk! Where the hell did you go? Do you have any idea how rude it is to just up and disappear like that? We were really worried, you know!"

"Well, you're certainly lively."

"Is that all you have to say after vanishing for two days?"

"Of course not," I said, shaking my head calmly. "First of all, I'd like to apologize to everyone. I stepped out to investigate something, but it turned out to be a hidden dungeon and I got trapped inside. I wasn't able to escape until I cleared it. It was an unfortunate situation. Even so, I'm deeply sorry. It was my mistake for not informing anyone and causing you all to worry needlessly."

My words weren't only for Lee Suhye, but the rest of the group. I said it loud enough for all of them to hear.

[Some constellations are listening to your words.]

[Some constellations are moved by your sincerity.]

[Some constellations remain unconvinced.]

I had anticipated something like this would happen when I returned and prepared a reasonable apology beforehand.

But these weren't empty words. I genuinely hadn't expected it to take two whole days to clear that hidden dungeon. The only way out was to defeat the master, and I couldn't leave until that was done.

So, technically, I wasn't lying. Of course, the reason I entered the dungeon in the first place was completely selfish.

['Lee Suhye' has activated Lie Detection.]

[Lie Detection has determined your words as the truth.]

… What?

I froze for a second. She had already acquired a truth-detection skill?

As my words registered, everyone let out a collective sigh. The tension that had built up immediately began to fade.

Well, it was safe to say that my contingency plan had worked like a charm. Perhaps this was the reason why charisma was important.

Lee Suhye gave me a pointed look. "That's good to hear. But you should really learn to trust us more."

"Noted, dear madam."

She narrowed her eyes, then tilted her head. "By the way… what did you do with your hair?"

"Oh? Do you like it?"

"Well… it does look better than before. I guess it suits you."

"Is that all? I thought you'd at least comment on how ridiculously good-looking I am."

"Ugh. Never! You're ugly as hell!" She huffed before suddenly smiling. "Also, since you so carelessly disappeared for two days, I decided to collect some of your stuff from downstairs!"

With that, she stuck out her tongue playfully and strolled off.

... Wait. What did she mean by that?

[Some constellations are looking at you.]

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is giggling.]

[The constellation 'Golden-Eyed Prisoner of Wǔ Xíng' is kicking his feet in the air.]

Damn these constellations… Did they know something I didn't?

My secret underground quarters.

If the party had been searching for me, Kim Hyunwoo would have inevitably mentioned that place. And if Lee Suhye had gone snooping around…

I sighed.

Hopefully, she hadn't gotten her hands on anything troublesome. Fortunately, I had cleared and cleaned the place before entering the hidden dungeon.