"Why are you helping us?"
"Silla does not turn away from a weak nation."
"Wasn't it Silla who destroyed Gaya?"
"Wait, you look like a foreigner... do you have a Level 1 Korean History certification too?"
"I'm Korean. I was even a teacher."
"Even if you weren't, everyone knows that much after graduating high school."
I shrugged.
"I didn't really go to high school much, so I didn't know."
Understandable.
Actors these days often start working in their teens, and I recall Min Jiwon also started acting in her teens.
"So, the real reason you're helping us?"
"The more I thought about it, the more I empathized with the saying that money can't save people. So... I'm just repaying the debt for my earlier rudeness."
"Ha, a King swayed by personal matters? This is why women..."
Gyebaek's Incarnation, who had been listening to our conversation, spat out words full of ridicule towards Min Jiwon. At those words, the one who stepped forward instead of Min Jiwon was the Hwarang captain we saw earlier.
"How rude! How dare a mere general speak to the King of a nation!"
A glint appeared in the eyes of Gyebaek's Incarnation as he glanced at the Hwarang.
"Hwarang? Ha, this is interesting. Don't tell me there's someone who contracted with that brat Constellation."
At those words, the Hwarang captain's face turned red.
Gwanchang and Gyebaek...
"Do you want your head cut off like your Sponsor?"
"Shut up!"
Hmm, it's grateful that Silla came to help, but as those in the know are aware, Gwanchang and Gyebaek have the worst compatibility.
Especially in a case like theirs where the synchronization rate is high enough for immersion, it would be even worse.
They said a general cannot go against his own King, and nemeses are assigned compatibility according to historical records.
For example, the scene unfolding right now.
In the case of Gyebaek and Gwanchang, Gwanchang cannot win even if he dies and wakes up again.
Of course, Min Jiwon didn't look happy either, perhaps knowing that.
"Silla's Gwanchang cannot defeat Baekje's Gyebaek. Fall back."
At my words, Min Jiwon immediately pulled her troops back.
Even if we fight here, either I have to fight, or Kim Dokja has to step in.
No, if I don't step in, we will surely enter a path of defeat.
Baekje is superior in numbers, and Gyebaek is fundamentally a commander.
Should I step in?
While thinking that, a familiar voice reached our ears from behind.
"Dokja-ssi! I found it!"
Turning back, I saw Yoo Sangah running towards us, clutching a relic resembling a small disc.
I didn't even know she went in, but she already found it.
"What do we do. Will you do it? Or should I?"
"I will do it."
Ganpyeongui.
As I recall, an item that summons a Constellation of the Korean Peninsula to use as one's own power.
That means the figure who brought victory to Silla in the Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
It means we can obtain that figure's power too.
"Reenactment of history. Don't you want to see it?"
Kim Dokja immediately received the Ganpyeongui from Yoo Sangah, and in front of us were Gwanchang's Incarnation cornered, and Gyebaek's Incarnation enjoying the heightened atmosphere.
[The Constellation, 'Hwarang Who Knows No Retreat', is impatient.]
[The Constellation, 'Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol', is amused.]
[The Constellation, 'King of the Unified Land', is anxious.]
The morale of the Baekje army rose gradually higher, and the morale of the Silla army was broken.
Gyebaek's Incarnation began to push forward vigorously as if he had really become Gyebaek.
"Wipe out the damn Silla bastards!!"
At this point, that must be ready to activate.
"W-what is this?!"
With a chi-ji-jik sound, sparks flew in the surrounding space, and the scenery began to change.
The vast Gwanghwamun of Seoul was transforming into a plain amidst rugged mountains.
It had become Hwangsanbeol.
"Hahahaha!! How nostalgic! Hwangsanbeol!!"
To us, it's just a level of augmented reality, but it seemed different for those involved who summoned the stage.
Gyebaek's Incarnation, whose synchronization rate was already sky-high, showed signs of immersing further into Gyebaek. At that rate, he might think he is Gyebaek.
"U-Uaaagh!"
Terrified Hwarangs began to retreat step by step.
Indeed, for Hwarangs, Hwangsanbeol and Gyebaek are enough to evoke fear.
"Not even one of the 7 Kings, yet such powerful strength... does it make sense?"
"It's Hwangsanbeol. Just accept it."
I turned my gaze from Gyebaek to look at Kim Dokja.
"When will it be ready?"
"Please wait a moment."
Creak.
Kim Dokja manipulated the Ganpyeongui in his hand, and the constellations engraved on the heavenly plate began to burn brightly.
"Cool."
"I'll borrow a Constellation's power with this."
"If it's like that, isn't it better to save it?"
Kim Dokja looked at me while manipulating the Ganpyeongui.
"It's to hide Gang-hoon-ssi's power for once."
"Still, wouldn't it be better to save a consumable item?"
"Do you perhaps have a desire to play an active role?"
At Dokja's words, I shook my head.
"Then please do as I say."
"If you say so... alright."
Kim Dokja immediately raised his head to look at the sky.
"I will call the Constellation."
[Within the flow of stars, historical figure grade Constellations hear your voice.]
"I want Silla's National Immortal, King Heungmu."
[The navigation of stars begins.]
In an instant, a part of the sky turned pitch black, and shadows fell on the ground.
The fight between the Silla and Baekje armies, aiming swords at each other, paused for a moment.
"What nonsense is this!"
Sensing something unusual, Gyebaek's Incarnation rushed towards us.
"Where do you think you're going."
I immediately drew Playful Cloud and blocked Gyebaek's sword.
Since Kim Dokja wanted something, I focused on blocking as much as possible.
"General. There are those here who need your help right now."
Clang.
Blocking the sword strikes flying at me with Playful Cloud, I listened to the voice coming from behind.
"Your people are dying, calling for you."
King Heungmu.
The unique figure posthumously honored as a King of Silla despite not being of royal blood.
Kim Dokja probably thinks that man, Kim Yushin, won't be able to refuse his request.
But in my memory... wasn't he rejected once?
"...!"
Pushing Gyebaek back with force, I looked at the gradually fading constellation.
"Failure?"
"Wait! General! General, can you hear me!"
The fading constellation began to emit light again at Yoo Sangah's shout.
Did he look back?
"I've heard your story well! The Battle of Hwangsanbeol, the Battle of Pyongyang Castle...! Although I only read them in records!"
Yoo Sangah took a short breath and started her story.
"I understand well the General's heart to respect history, the things already passed. But General! Some history doesn't end even after being recorded."
Clearly and uprightly.
Yoo Sangah's voice, conveying everything she wanted to say, firmly caught Kim Yushin's ankle.
"Do you not regret? That field where young Hwarangs were sacrificed, where the deaths of countless people were buried, have you already forgotten your battlefield?"
[The Constellation, 'King Heungmu', listens to the Incarnation 'Yoo Sangah's' story.]
"Of course, passed history won't change. The soldiers on the field will remain uncomforted, and the lives of young Hwarangs won't return. But General! There is history here that hasn't flowed yet! If the General comes here, at least... you can change the history here right now!"
Wow.
This is the most I've heard Yoo Sangah speak since meeting her.
Seeing it like this, she really speaks well.
"General! Your Hwangsanbeol has ended but... we are still at Hwangsanbeol!"
[The Constellation, 'King Heungmu', closes his eyes quietly.]
Is this the end?
"General."
I looked at the sky quietly and said.
"Are you scared of Gyebaek?"
[The Constellation, 'King Heungmu', opens his eyes wide at your words.]
Immediately after those words were heard, a light shot from the sky and illuminated Kim Dokja.
"I think it would have been fine without the last remark, though. Gang-hoon-ssi."
"It worked for sure, didn't it?"
Soon, Kim Dokja, who was smiling at me, changed his face to a serious one.
I was unsure if it really succeeded... but in the momentary gaze of Kim Dokja looking at me, I felt something different.
"Seems successful."
"I didn't respond to your words."
"I know. General."
Kim Dokja's voice.
But the tone belonged to someone else.
"Long time no see. Gyebaek."
Something deep, for Kim Dokja.
From afar, Gwanchang's Incarnation was seen stumbling to stand up.
"Hwarang Gwanchang, do not show courtesy to me."
"G-General...!"
King Heungmu. Kim Yushin looked at the world through Kim Dokja's body.
He looked at Gwanchang, at Gyebaek. At the destroyed Seoul.
The setting sun dyed the desolate field of Hwangsan.
"It is laughable. All history has already set, yet why have you gathered here again."
At those words, Gyebaek's Incarnation laughed madly.
A laugh deeply knotted with resentment and sorrow (Han).
He was already Gyebaek himself.
"Do you not know! It is to meet you again on this field!"
Gyebaek moved the giant sword imbued with domineering power.
An attack that would have been difficult for the original Kim Dokja to block or dodge, but Kim Dokja deflected it as if it were nothing.
"Gyebaek. Why have you already immersed into the Incarnation. Have you forgotten the constraints of Probability? At this rate, you will perish along with the Incarnation."
"Kim Yushin. It seems you haven't heard anything about this 'world'."
"What do you mean?"
"Doesn't matter. Since I met you anyway, my long-cherished wish is achieved. Now, I, Gyebaek, have no regrets even in death!"
Gyebaek's Incarnation saying those words was crying for some reason.
"I am Buyeo Seung of Baekje. Gyebaek of Hwangsanbeol!! I will resolve the unresolved sorrow of my past life here!!"
King Heungmu looked sadly at Gyebaek's Incarnation with Kim Dokja's body and opened his mouth.
"I am the 15th Pungwolju of Hwarang, Kim Yushin. I will comfort the soul of the unfortunate Constellation and set the history of the present life right."
Soon, Kim Dokja's sword began to glow blue.
Even with the naked eye, one could tell the power imbued in that sword was not ordinary.
Probably, the power of Kim Yushin's relic, the Blue Dragon Sword, temporarily dwelt in Kim Dokja's sword.
The blade of the Blue Dragon Sword soared high into the sky and plunged straight into the field of Hwangsan.
Rumble— It felt like the entire Hwangsan was screaming.
Massive power escaped from Kim Dokja's body, and a large crack occurred in the earth centered on Kim Dokja.
"All Yonghwa Hyangdo, arrive here immediately."
A single sentence from Kim Dokja's mouth resonated throughout the entire stage.
From the crack, Hwarangs turned to white bones rose to answer Kim Yushin's call and immediately rushed at Gyebaek.
"Go!"
Yonghwa Hyangdo should have originally turned to dust and disappeared.
But they rose up fine, held weapons, and advanced towards the Baekje army.
Some were missing arms or legs.
But, they all rose at Kim Yushin's call and rushed desperately to fulfill their duty.
Those whose souls must have worn out, whose anger must have subsided, whose hearts must have worn away, fight for a ruined nation.
"Kim Yushin—!!"
Gyebaek must have wished for a one-on-one duel until his death.
But Kim Yushin didn't step forward until the end.
"Even after becoming a Constellation, your cowardice hasn't changed!!"
But that is Kim Yushin.
He feared death and was afraid of defeat.
That's why he could rise to that position.
A commander who doesn't act rashly and isn't swept by emotions.
He didn't believe in a sliver of probability of winning and insisted only on a certain strategy for victory.
That must be why he could win in the final Hwangsanbeol despite losing four times.
"Kuaaaagh!!!"
The sight of Gyebaek fighting a chaotic battle against hundreds of Yonghwa Hyangdo was desperate. His Incarnation was now severely wounded to the point of no survival. His whole body was covered in blood, and he sustained fatal wounds on his thighs, both arms, and flank.
However, he cut down the crowd and tried to reach the end.
"Kim... Yu... Shin...!!"
But from behind Kim Yushin, numerous ghost soldiers appeared and thrust spears at Gyebaek.
Finishing Gyebaek with hidden troops until the end was just like Kim Yushin, who looked only at certain victory.
"Resentful..."
Numerous spears pierced Gyebaek's Incarnation, and unable to overcome the pain, Gyebaek's Incarnation eventually knelt.
"Even in this fake stage, can I not reach you. I wanted to cross swords just once."
"Gyebaek. Why did you do this?"
"..."
"If you die in that state, you cannot choose an Incarnation for the time being. Why did you suddenly give up the scenario."
Gyebaek only smiled meaningfully with a fierce gaze.
Waiting, Kim Yushin drew his sword but.
"You must not kill him with your own hands. There is a constraint."
Kim Dokja stopped Kim Yushin as much as possible, and perhaps Kim Yushin agreed, control returned to Kim Dokja.
"Gyebaek, let's meet again in the context of constellations."
Gyebaek's Incarnation looked at Kim Dokja silently.
He tried to say something, but in the end, he couldn't open his mouth.
In the last moment, his face looked less like Gyebaek and more like an extra actor who had finished all his acting.
And, the Incarnation's head flew quietly into the air.
[Stage Transformation – Hwangsanbeol ends.]
With Kim Yushin's performance, the stage ended, and around us, the annihilated Baekje army covered the floor.
The tedious battle between Silla and Baekje ended with Gyebaek's defeat.
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