The next day, the members of the Dragon Association moved along with the rest of the survivors. The marked destination was Dongdaemun-gu.
To be more precise, we were moving to the Dongdaemun-gu station. It was because of a sudden announcement from the <Link> system.
[Gather at the Dongdaemun-gu station for the next Fable.]
The Star Selection had ended, leaving nothing to prevent the Fables from advancing further.
The distance from Seongdong-gu to Dongdaemun-gu wasn't too great. It would take around 30-45 minutes if we walked at a moderate pace. First, we crossed the Wangsimni Station and headed westward into Dongdaemun-gu.
We passed by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, sparing it only a glance before continuing on our way.
There wasn't much to carry. Angelica, Jung Yunhee, Kim Hyunwoo and the rest used backpacks to carry whatever they needed, while I had the watcher's dimension coat with the unlimited storage.
Maybe I should have offered to carry their luggage, but then I remembered the rank of the Watcher's Dimension Star Coat.
I couldn't reveal it carelessly, especially when my standing with the constellations was unclear.
Yoo Jinsung and Miyuki Kuroi followed behind, while keeping a careful distance. Covered in bite marks from head to toe, Yoo Jinsung shot a glare at Miyuki, who smirked at him and responded with a playful flick of her tongue.
Time passed.
When we arrived at Dongdaemun-gu Station, I was genuinely surprised by the crowd already gathered. There were this many survivors left in Seoul?
"!"
Suddenly, I felt a hard impact on my back, jolting me forward. Was I being attacked in broad daylight?
Just as I reached for Ivory, my gun tucked within the folds of my dimensional coat, I turned—only to freeze in my tracks at the sight of a familiar face.
"Yo, what's up? How're you doing~?" A playful voice teased.
"... Lee Suhye?"
"Ah, I'm glad you haven't forgotten about me. But what's with the red coat? Did you suddenly pick up a sense of fashion?"
"Damn woman... Don't you know it's rude to attack someone so carelessly?"
She grinned. "I don't need advice on manners from someone who sends explosive letters."
I sighed while slipping the gun back into my dimensional coat without her noticing. Naturally, the rest of the missing party members would gather here as well, and it seemed she wasn't alone.
"... Deputy-nim."
"It's good to see you again, Kagura-ssi."
Hearing my voice, a figure turned, and a familiar shout broke through the crowd. "Nee-san!"
"What? Miyuki!"
Kagura looked as if she couldn't believe her eyes. Then, in a blur, Miyuki dashed forward at lightning speed and wrapped her in a warm embrace. It was a heartwarming union after weeks of tragedies.
Kagura's eyes filled with tears as she glanced at me, and I awkwardly looked away, scratching my cheek. With her staring like that, even I felt a bit embarrassed.
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With sincerity, she said, "Thank you so much."
"Why are you thanking me? If you want to thank someone, thank Jung Yunhee. She's the one who found her."
"Is that true?"
Jung Yunhee shrugged. "I guess you could say that. But please, let's keep it down. People are starting to stare."
"Ah, right. Sorry."
Kagura noticed the onlookers' gazes and quickly wiped away her tears. Meanwhile, Jung Yunhee's eyes narrowed as she pointed.
"...Isn't that Mister Lee?"
"Mister Lee? You mean Lee Jongho-ssi?"
"Yes, that's him. Over there! Jongho-ssi!"
At the sound of Jung Yunhee's call, Lee Jongho turned and came this way. He appeared more muscular, and even his posture and the way he walked had changed.
What happened while he was away? Also, he was walking with the Berserker, Jung Donghyun.
"Only a few?"
"Yes. The order will be determined by the Kings of Seoul."
As expected, the details of the Sixth Fable hadn't changed. It was the kind of story that revealed nothing until you were actually inside it.
Still, I wondered why Aurora hadn't said anything. Maybe kings had to pay for such information.
"I see. So that's why you approached me."
"Exactly, Jakga-nim. The meeting of the remaining king candidates will begin soon."
I raised an eyebrow. "There are still king candidates alive?"
"Of course. Are you underestimating humanity's stubbornness to survive?"
"No, it's not that. I was just surprised since most of the king candidates were killed during or even before the Holy Grail War."
"Fufufu," Moon Jiyeon chuckled softly, amused. "I suppose that can't be helped. I was shocked too. But what I said is true—some kings are still alive. In fact, I even managed to save a few myself."
Her words were intriguing.
"You saved other kings? Why?"
"The rules never stated that we had to kill the kings. You can pass the Fable by forfeiting your card to another king and joining their group. For those who lost their cards, there were other ways to surrender. It's a sad reality, but who ever said life was fair?"
She smiled again. But this time, there was something unreadable in her expression.
I remembered the king candidates who had their cards stolen by Park Joonhyuk to summon the Yellow Dragon Sword during the World Invasion. I assumed they died during the explosion, but as it turns out, they were absorbed into the High Priestess' Faction.
Was that why she didn't participate in the hunt? So she could gather the broken pieces and build her army?
She withdrew from the Holy Grail War and risked the possibility of falling under the control of whichever king candidate would ultimately become the Absolute King.
It was a mad gamble. But that possibility did not become a plausibility.
Rather than becoming the Absolute King to control the other kings, Park Joonhyuk used the False Grail to summon the Unknown God. Therefore, the Absolute King wasn't born due to his mistakes.
The False Grail could only be used once. Once depleted, it eliminated any chance of an Absolute King emerging.
Did she foresee such an outcome and acted accordingly with that knowledge?
Truly, this woman was a seer.
My attention snapped back as the High Priestess, Moon Jiyeon continued, "Actually, I didn't just come here to inform you about the meeting."
"There's more?"
"Indeed. I find you rather intriguing, and my star constellation won't stop mentioning you. They keep bringing you up."
"Oh? I'm honored. Will they also support the Dragon Association, then?"
"Many constellations from the Korean Peninsula have already heard about your company. Perhaps, when the time is right, they'll offer their support. But I wanted to ask—would you be interested in trying divination?"
"No."
The high priestess laughed as if she was expecting my answer, and said. "You don't have to worry. I'm not going to charge you for my services."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"Is it because you think I'm trying to recruit you under the pretense of divination? There's no need for concern—I'm merely intrigued by what lies ahead for a man like you. And I'm sure you're curious about your own future as well."
"..."
I didn't answer right away.
Reluctantly, I had to admit that she was right.
Who wouldn't be curious about their own future?
I was not a prophet nor did I possess the foresight skill, so I couldn't see the future.
If I wanted to survive in this cursed nightmare, I needed more than just the information from Song of Nightmares. I needed something that could help me uncover hidden valuables—especially now that I've established the Dragon Association.
Even so, the notion of having my future read made me feel uncomfortable.
I sighed and said, "I'll give it a try, I suppose."
It wouldn't hurt to try, right?