Beyond the Eternity

[The Death has entered the battlefield.]

"What? A new King? I thought nobody else can enter the barrier."

Choi Jungin's expression crumbled unsightly. It was obvious he did not understand what was happening. But that's his own fault.

He was partially right. The people inside the barrier cannot leave unless the Holy Grail War is over. But it was never stated that no one else could enter the barrier.

After all, there were still kings outside the barrier with the qualifications to participate in the kings war.

"What the hell is that?!"

"It's an undead army!"

"I thought monsters could not enter this place."

The other players looked confused as several silhouettes approaching 500 metres from the east. It was a large army around two hundred in size. However, most of those people were not human. In fact, they were not even alive.

Bodies made of darkness with glowing eyes marching this way. Those 'somethings' looked like an army from hell itself.

They were called 'Death Soldiers'. And the King of those Death Soldiers was somewhere among the crowd of undead soldiers.

[Exclusive skill, Eagle Eyes has activated.]

My vision immediately improved upon the skill activation.

At the far back of the army, there was a slender man walking with his group members following behind him. He was wearing a black robe and the chilling atmosphere around him could be felt all the way from this distance.

[Exclusive skill, Black Box has activated.]

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[Character Information]

Name: Ryu Hwanjoon

Age: 28

Contracted Constellation: Abandoned Princess Who Guides the Dead.

Attributes: Pro Gamer (Hero)

Exclusive Skills: Weapon Mastery Lv. 5, Quick Adaptation Lv. 4, Sky Steps Lv. 4.

Divine Protection: Water of Life, Psychopomp's Grace, Requiem of Souls

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 20, Strength Lv. 20, Agility Lv. 20, Magic Power Lv. 35 (+15)

Description: A Pro Gamer who managed to adapt to the New World as if it was a video game. He had chosen the Death Arcana and can command an Undead Army that can never die. Be careful not to be swept away under his storm of Undead.

*The New King's package is currently applied.

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This person... He was strong because he had a good contracted constellation. More importantly...

[Death Arcana]

... He had a troublesome Arcana.

The characteristic power of his card was self explanatory from its name. The Death Arcana allows the user to summon an Army of Death Soldiers. It couldn't get simpler than that.

An incredible amount of magic power shot out from the shoulders of the King candidate in black.

The Death King was increasing his sympathy with his support Constellation to the limit. At the same time, sparks danced around his body. Fortunately, he couldn't use his sponsor's full strength because of the <Law of Cause and Effect>. But the situation was still not favourable.

"Isn't it too soon for you people to be panicking?"

As the Death King advanced, the ground underneath his feet decayed and crumbled away as if touched by centuries of time in mere moments. His approach was slow, but it was as if the very earth was retreating before him.

Suddenly, one of his hand was raised as if preparing to give a command. The shadow-like soldiers reached for their weapons. I reflexively shouted.

"Kagura-ssi, Dokho-ssi, Move back!"

At the same time, a cold voice filled the air.

"Charge."

The Death Soldiers started to approach the people. They swept through the battlefield without mercy and dozens of people died at once.

The people tried to resist the Undead horde but they were simply too many and they attacked at once so it was difficult. Of course, there were people that did not fail even when they were hit hard.

"Tch! Don't look down on me, you bloody bastards!"

Han Taeyang, who was stabbed in his thigh, became enraged and unleashed the power of the Sun while the other king candidates regained their confidence and attacked as well.

"Charge forward! Don't break the formation!"

Choi Jungin shouted and his group members formed a formation and raised their firearms. Several rounds were fired and the Death Soldiers were pierced one by one. It was an unbreakable formation where the main firepower was concentrated on the front but the Death Soldiers seemed endless.

Lee Dokho muttered while destorying a Death Soldier. "Damn, the power to control the dead? Isn't that too broken?"

"It's not omnipotent. But you're right, It's a scam power."

I swung the Blue Dragon Sword and cut several Death Soldiers that tried to approach.

The Death Arcana allowed the user to resurrect the dead and turn them into Death Soldiers. Though It was only limited to 100 people. And once destoryed, they couldn't be revived again.

Even so, the Death King could replenish his army by converting the freshly slain into new Death Soldiers.

It was an arcane card that I initially wanted but that person was one step faster. If I had the opportunity to choose the Death path, would I have chosen the Fool's path?

Slash! Slash!

The Death Soldiers tried to surround the Tower, but Choi Jungin repelled them with intense force.

He looked somewhat irritated as he glared at the Death King.

"This coward, don't you have any respect for the fallen?! Are you planning on hiding behind your soliders without fighting?!"

"....."

"Come out and face me one on one! Let's have a battle between kings!"

The Death King, Ryu Hwanjoon, was still at Choi Jungin's provocation. To be more precise, he didn't respond because he didn't want to move. He could easily crush Jungin using his Death Army. Why would he come out and challenge him personally when he had the advantage?

In addition, the words of Choi Jungin could not be trusted at all.

Perhaps Ryu Hwanjoon sent a mental command, the Death Soldiers focused on Choi Jungin and surrounded him at once.

"Tch! Pathetic!"

Choi Jungin unleashed the great amount of 'status' and blew the approaching Death Soldiers away.

This was true strength of Choi Jungin, the Tower.

Choi Jungin was a character with great physical attributes. He would overwhelm Ryu Hwanjoon if they fought one on one. In fact, Ryu Hwanjoon never fought one one one against Choi Jungin in the original novel.

It was because Ryu Hwanjoon was a coward. Defeat was death and he was afraid of defeat. That's why he was strong. You cannot be strong without knowing fear.

[The character 'Choi Jungin' has used the authority Bloodlust.]

Choi Jungin unleashed the authority of his Divine Constellation and his eyes became red with malice.

The Death Soldiers tried to overwhelm with their numbers but Choi Jungin pounced on top their heads and swung his sword in all directions like a madman.

Slash! Slash!

Despite having their limbs severed by the sword, the Death Soldiers did not bleed. To begin with, there was no scream. Naturally, the undead couldn't die twice.

Those things were just the remnants of the passed away souls. It was somewhat cruel, that they would have to raise their swords again when their stories has reached its conclusion.

Now those fallen souls were raising their swords for a fallen kingdom.

"Kuaaaaak!"

Hundreds of Death Soldiers slammed into Choi Jungin at once with the intent to completely crush him. His arm was pierced, his thigh was pierced and there was a stab wound on his side. Choi Jungin's physical body was hurt severely so that it made sense for him to crumble on the ground.

Even so, Choi Jungin swung his sword and continued to move forward. What was the reason behind his actions? Maybe it was his will to survive or his pride as a killer or maybe both.

[The character 'Ryu Hwanjoon' used the authority 'Psychopomp's Grace']

Ghost-like shadows appeared behind Ryu Hwanjoon and lunged towards Choi Jungin like a bullet. Considering the clothing of the soldiers, they weren't part of the people that has fallen on this battlefield.

No, those were people that has fallen a long time ago.

Could I say this was expected from someone like the Death? He was only concerned with winning so he had no problem fighting with dishonour.

Shluk! Shlukkk!

"Heokk!"

Numerous spears pierced Choi Jungin from all directions and he fell to his knees. It was obvious his body has reached his limit.

He laughed as if it was funny.

"What the hell? I didn't think I would die like this."

"..."

While repelling the Death Soldiers with the Blue Dragon Sword, I saw the Death King beheading Choi Jungin with the sword as if he was an executioner delivering the finishing blow. Choi Jungin's head flew quietly through the air and became a dark silhouette against the crimson sky.

Funny enough, It reminded me of Witches being beheaded by the guillotine on the execution ground. Or was it burning at the stake?

[The Tower Choi Jungin has been slain.]

[One of the King Candidates has been killed.]

The first death, huh?

I looked around and saw that all of Choi Jungin's Army was wiped out by the Death Soldiers.

I sighed. It always start with the first death.

"Now then...."

The cold gamer-like voice of Ryu Hwanjoon was heard. He looked at all the king candidates that were beginning to gain momentum as if they were NPCs of a video game.

"Rise up Great Warriors of the Past!"

More Ghost soldiers appeared and broken units of his Death Army was recovered. The Death King gave the order.

"Advance!"

The Death Soldiers and the Ghost Soldiers marched forward and hunted down the forces of the other King Candidates. It was an overwhelming victory on one side while the other parties suffered inevitable defeat no matter how they struggled.

Was it possible to wipe out the King Candidates along with their forces gathered in Gwanghwamun at this rate?

There were numerous screams that echoed throughout the battlefield.

"Aacck!"

"Damnit, there are just too many of them!"

Of course, it was not just the main forces that we're being hit. Even the king candidates were struggling with the Undead Army. In particular, the Sun, Han Taeyang who had the advantage in the beginning, was slowly becoming overwhelmed.

The party members were slowly pushed into a corner and I followed suit as well. The situation did not look good.

Kagura swung her Japanese sword and cut several Undead Soldiers at once but more Undead Soldiers jumped her way. She clicked her tongue and opened her mouth with irritation.

"Tch! No matter how many I cut, more will reappear. Are they endless or something?"

"That guy is summoning more Undead, of course. That's why these guys seemed Endless."

"So if we stop that guy, these guys will fall, right?"

"Naturally."

But that was easier said then done. To reach the Death King, we would need to kill all the Undead Soldiers. But that person will keep summoning more so even that was difficult.

Kagura would have been the likely candidate to take that guy out. But her Saint attribute does not allow her to kill.

... Should I try that?

"Kagura-ssi, buy me more time."

"Yes. Just make sure to hold the line."

"Very well then. Make sure to hurry."

Kagura assumed a Iai stance, sheathed her sword and unsheathed it. That action only occurred in a split second.

At the same time, something flew from her sword with the speed of a bullet and blew the approaching Undead Soldiers away as if they were mere leaves caught in a violent storm.

Saints were no joke, huh?

I couldn't fall behind. I have to be useful somehow.

[The Skill, Eagle Eyes has activated.]

My vision sharpened instantly and at the same time, I raised the handgun and took aim at the head of the Death King.

There was a huge distance between me and that person, probably around a hundred metres. But if my aim was accurate enough and considering the fact that the Death King's defence stats were low, I should be able to take him out in a single shot.

There was no way I would miss.

As I was about to squeeze the trigger, my eagle eyes spotted 'something' entering the barrier.

...Huh? What's that?

I was confused. Nothing should be able to enter the barrier where the battle of kings is taking place. Unless....

I narrowed my eyes and my vision zoomed in on that person. I recognised that person instantly and smiled.

I lowered the gun.

Lee Dokho saw me and looked puzzled by my actions. "Deputy-nim, what are you doing?! Take the shot!"

"There's no need."

"What?"

Lee Dokho looked like he did not understand. But there was no need to explain. He would soon realise it as well.

"Eh?"

The Death King wore a confused expression and looked down at his torso. 'Something' had pierced through his body from behind.

"A Spear...?"

Ryu Hwanjoon, himself, seemed like he did not understand what had happened. A spear had pierced through his torso but how was the question.

Surely, if an object was thrown, there would be a sound. But in this case, there was none. It was almost as if the spear naturally found its way into his torso without breaking any laws.

"...!"

It was then a rapid change occurred on his body. His began to freeze up snow-white with a noise.

He panicked and tried to scream. But before he could even let out a sound, his entire body had already turned completely solid like an ice sculpture.

The people stopped fighting as the Undead Soldiers suddenly crumbled away and faded into nothingness. The Undead Army must have not realised they were erased from existance.

At this point, everybody were all relatively thinking about the same thing.

「 What the hell just happened 」

A single man suddenly appeared from somewhere. The man looked at the frozen Death King with his cold gaze and pulled out the spear from behind. At the same time, the body of the Death King dropped on the ground and shattered.

However, the gaze of the man remained cold as if the shattered corpse of dead king was truly insignificant.

Black hair, cold eyes, two metres tall, extremely good looking facial features and a black coat. The appearance of that man immediately clicked inside my head.

Lee Dokho shook with fear and muttered under his breath.

"Nonsense... What is that person doing here?"

What kind of question was that? It was obvious he would come here since he was also a king candidate.

I have encountered multiple throughout the Fables including the World and the Death were killed.

The Sun, Han Taeyang

The Hanged Man, Hwang Dowon

The Justice, Yoo Hyewon

The Chariot, Jung Kyungho

The Tower, Choi Jungin

The Strength, Kim Eunji

The Magician, Kim Yeonwoo

The Hermit, Yoo Sookyung

The Temperance, Jang Hyunseok

Out of those king candidates, none of them had the qualifications to become the absolute king. In fact, there were only two candidates that had the qualifications to become the absolute king.

Now one of those candidates has entered the battlefield.

A system announcement rang through the air.

[The Black Emperor has entered the battlefield.]

Black Emperor, Song Jaewon. He was naturally the strongest candidate in Seoul apart from that person.