"You mean a Prophet like us?"
"I was skeptical at first, but looking at you now, it’s clear. Right, Joonghyuk?"
"Indeed. They seem to know significantly more than you do. Not only did they kill the Delusion Demon, but they also monopolized the hidden scenarios in the early stages. Thanks to them, my plans have been significantly derailed."
As Kim Dokja and I played off each other, Lee Seongkuk and Jung Minseob exchanged looks of pure shock.
"They even seem to be moving around using my name. I ran into them once and gave them a taste of my blade, but they escaped quickly. There's a high probability they’re still operating near Chungmuro."
"…Chungmuro? Could it be?"
Jung Minseob flinched and immediately pulled out his smartphone, fingers flying across the screen. He was likely relaying this intel to the other Prophets. He followed up with several more questions directed at Kim Dokja, and Dokja answered them with practiced ease.
"Thank you, Yoo Joonghyuk. Your answers have clarified many things. And despite losing the Delusion Demon, I’m glad to see you’ve gained such a powerful ally."
"Are you gauging my skill just because I blocked that one strike?" I interjected.
"It was a strike backed by my full sincerity, yet it didn't even graze you. It’s clear you’re far stronger than Kim Namwoon."
That was true enough. I was on a level Kim Namwoon couldn't even dream of. But still... these guys are really terrible at measuring someone's actual combat potential.
"By the way, I think I know who the person who killed the Delusion Demon is."
"…You do?"
"Yes. But before I explain, there is one thing you must know: we Prophets are not all on the same side."
"Not on the same side?"
Jung Minseob nodded at Dokja’s follow-up question.
"Yes. There are those who call themselves the 12 Apostles. They believe they alone have read the 'True Revelation' and that only they can change this world."
"And how are they different from you?"
"They... have read more of the Revelation than we have."
Just because they read a bit more... This must be quite a hilarious situation for Kim Dokja.
"There are 11 known Apostles so far. Therefore, I suspect the problematic Prophet you encountered is likely the unknown 12th Apostle."
"I take it your feelings toward these Apostles aren't exactly friendly?"
"To be honest, no. Unlike us, they plan to use the Book of Revelations to usurp this world for their own gain."
So they want to manipulate the world just because they have some information.
"Rather than helping you prevent the end of the world, they only seek their own profit and glory. They are effectively no different from the 'Ten Evils'."
"The Ten Evils..."
"That is why I’m asking this of you, Yoo Joonghyuk. Please take us under your wing and help us stop them."
Kim Dokja appeared to contemplate their request for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Very well. I will accept your offer. We have an alliance."
"R-really?"
"On one condition."
The word 'condition' was enough to make Lee Seongkuk and Jung Minseob’s faces go pale with tension.
"First, hand over Changsin Station."
"What? Changsin...?"
"It’s the station directly above Dongmyo. You should have occupied it by now."
"Ah, come to think of it, the target station for Chungmuro is..."
Jung Minseob seemed to catch on to Dokja’s intent. We needed to secure Changsin Station for our group at Chungmuro to survive. Securing it was naturally the top priority.
But... something was off. Lee Seongkuk looked like he was at a loss.
"Yoo Joonghyuk, I am truly sorry... but Changsin is going to be difficult."
"Why?"
"The Dongmyo group does not own Changsin Station."
"You don't?"
I see. So that’s why he made that face. Lee Seongkuk looked like he genuinely wanted to hand it over but let out a heavy sigh instead.
"It is currently occupied by the Tyrant King."
"The Tyrant King? He’s already become a King?"
"…Yes. Actually, due to a mistake by a few Prophets, his influence grew rapidly. In the process, some Prophets were killed by him. The number of Prophets, which was 53 at the time, has dwindled to what you see now."
I could practically see Kim Dokja’s trust in these guys plummeting in real-time.
"B-but! Please do not worry too much. We are currently preparing a powerful weapon to eliminate the Tyrant King. To be precise, it’s a weapon to deal with both the Tyrant King and the 12 Apostles."
"Haha, the current Yoo Joonghyuk probably wouldn't know. This is a revelation we discovered with great difficulty..."
A weapon, huh? Is it the one I remember? The Fire Dragon, Igneel.
"You’ll have a chance to see that weapon soon."
"A chance to see the weapon?"
"Tomorrow, the 'Night of the Prophets' will be held—a gathering of all of us except the 12 Apostles. If you would be so kind..."
Jung Minseob looked at us with desperate eyes.
"We would like you, Yoo Joonghyuk, to accompany us there."
After the meeting with those bastards ended, we gathered in the lodging Lee Seongkuk had provided.
Kim Dokja looked at the Chungmuro flag on his back and activated something, causing a group chat window to appear before our eyes. He immediately informed us through the chat that we should communicate this way, then briefly explained the day's events to Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon.
Essentially, he explained that they were people who knew a portion of the future, and that was why he was acting as Yoo Joonghyuk.
- My god, this is unbelievable. To think there are people who know parts of the future...
- Sigh, then... we’ll be staying here for a while. We need to find out more about them...
- No. We’re handling them tonight.
As soon as Dokja finished typing, he pulled a small cloak from his coat and draped it over himself.
I could still see him, but it seemed he had vanished from the perspective of the other two. Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon jumped in surprise, staring at the spot where Kim Dokja had been.
- Good luck.
I waved my hand exactly toward where Dokja was standing. He looked momentarily surprised but soon gave a familiar smile and a nod.
Less than ten minutes after Dokja left, a message popped up in the chat. He was going to strike Lee Seongkuk and Jung Minseob, so he wanted us to move.
I thought he’d give a more obvious signal, but I guess this counts. I stood up and headed outside. Specifically, toward where the two were.
"This shitty time is finally almost over. It’ll all be done by tomorrow."
"Sigh, at a time like this... I really need a bottle of soju."
As I approached the tent where they were staying, I could hear voices from inside. I must have entered the range of the Sound Wave Blocking skill. I leaned in slightly to listen.
"Seriously, did you see that guy's eyes earlier? When he glared at me with that Sage's Eye, I thought my heart was going to explode from the pressure."
"Haha, how would a guy who dropped out at the prologue even know if that was the Sage's Eye? Joonghyuk is one thing, but the guy next to him is dangerous too. Is that a psychokinesis skill? My blade couldn't even reach his body."
"Why does someone like that exist at this stage? I don't get it."
They sounded quite cheerful.
"Ah, but... the other Prophet bastards keep acting suspicious. How do we convince them? They've been bitching about going to Chungmuro themselves since earlier."
"I'll talk to them, give me the phone. Honestly... hmm?"
Jung Minseob paused, seemingly after taking the phone.
"What the? The internet is suddenly down."
"Is that brat dozing off again? Go check on him."
"I should... wait, what’s this...?"
Jung Minseob pulled back the tent flap and immediately locked eyes with me.
Outside the tent, sounds of combat were already audible. Moments later, Kim Dokja removed his cloak and appeared between us.
"L-Lord Yoo Joonghyuk?!"
"Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung are fighting outside. Let's finish this quickly."
Kim Dokja nodded at my words.
"D-do you not realize what will happen if you do this?! Not even Yoo Joonghyuk can handle all of us!"
"See? I told you these guys are terrible at power-scaling. I wouldn't take a scratch even if everyone here attacked at once. Besides, there's no need to deal with everyone."
I immediately used my technique to pull Jung Minseob by the throat, then retrieved the flag hidden in his coat and handed it to Dokja.
"We only need to deal with the Representative."
"I knew you were the real Representative of Dongmyo."
"H-how..."
"Even an idiot wouldn't leave the flag out in the open like that, right?"
They must have realized by now that the sentries were useless. I let go of Minseob's throat, but he stood frozen, his face pale as he looked at us. He opened his mouth, stammering.
"Yoo Joonghyuk! If... if the other Prophets find out about this...!"
"The internet is down. How exactly are you going to tell them?"
Lee Seongkuk, finally realizing the entire plan had been upended, crawled toward us.
"Why... why are you doing this to us?!"
"Well, does that question even matter now? Deep down, you both knew, didn't you? That this guy isn't the real Yoo Joonghyuk. In fact... if he were the real one, you'd all be dead already."
"W-what does that mean? No way...?!"
"Exactly."
Kim Dokja chuckled and looked down at Lee Seongkuk, his voice low and cold.
"You really should have read until the end."
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