‘What is going on?’
Jeong Noeul looked around with a confused expression.
Everything was frozen.
The crowd that had been cheering and filling the venue stood still.
The contestants who had been in the middle of their performances were frozen mid-pose.
‘…Time has stopped.’
Jeong Noeul checked the wearable watch on his wrist.
<Noeul.>
Beside him, the Traveler from Asteroid B-612 appeared.
<You’ve noticed too, haven’t you…?>
“Explain what’s happening.”
With that, Jeong Noeul began walking out of the venue.
He had to find Ryu Eunyul.
He didn’t know why, but he felt it instinctively.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t be sure—but Ryu Eunyul, who had a contract with The Star Hated by All, would likely be unaffected even in stopped time.
“Is time frozen just in the venue? Or has the whole world stopped?”
<…Calm down and listen carefully.>
The Traveler from Asteroid B-612 replied in a grave tone.
<Enoch has manifested. That’s why time has stopped. If the world didn’t freeze, the dimension would collapse under his power.>
“Enoch…?”
The Traveler briefly explained Enoch.
Enoch, also known as Metatron, was a Seraph of Knowledge, the highest-ranking class of angel across the heavenly realms.
The sixth generation descendant of Adam, Enoch had ascended as a human and become an angel, eventually rising to become Metatron, the leader of the Seraphim.
“…Why would someone like that appear here?”
Jeong Noeul asked, a sense of foreboding creeping in.
<Even I don’t know. As you know, Constellations like me are exceptions—normally, we cannot manifest physically. A few do, but we all share and report that information regularly. But in Enoch’s case…>
There had been no signs. The Traveler looked just as perplexed.<There are two possibilities.>
The Traveler whispered as Jeong Noeul hurried outside.
<One, The Savior Who Is One and All secretly permitted Enoch’s descent…>
The second—
<…Enoch disobeyed the Savior’s ban and manifested for some purpose.>
The latter was much more ominous.
Without a compelling reason, the Savior never allowed manifestations. The few that did happen were tightly regulated.
<But with his level of authority, Enoch could do it anyway. It would be difficult, but not impossible.>
“If that’s the case…”
There was only one goal that came to mind—The Star Hated by All.
<Exactly. Lots of angels hate that guy. Angels are rigid. They didn’t like the fact that The Star Hated by All was participating in CYB, unlike other Constellations.>
So even if the Savior permitted it, angels like Enoch may have come down to eliminate him anyway…
“…I have to find Eunyul-hyung.”
Jeong Noeul pulled on Abrilah’s Crown and focused his energy to sense Ryu Eunyul.
But Eunyul was still just a human, even if he was under contract with the Star. His presence wasn’t easy to locate.
More importantly—
“This mana…”
A wave of overwhelming mana surged from the venue’s rooftop.
“…That’s Enoch?”
Even greater than what he felt from The Star Hated by All.
That Star had only manifested an avatar—against Enoch, he didn’t stand a chance.
“And also…”
Another presence was approaching Jeong Noeul.
Much weaker than Enoch, but far too powerful to be human…
Click, clack.
“…Oh my.”
A woman’s voice came from behind him.
“I was going to make a dramatic entrance and startle you, but you already sensed me?”
She lifted the hem of her coat and gave a graceful bow toward Jeong Noeul.
Despite her overwhelming mana, it felt strangely familiar.
<Y-You’re…>
The Traveler looked shocked.
“…Geahrzimen?”
When Jeong Noeul spoke her name, Geahrzimen laughed softly.
“Yes, that’s me! I came to watch the final stage, but got swept into this mess—Geahrzimen, at your service!”
She shrugged, laughing.
“You weren’t answering your phone, so I came in person. Smart, right?”
“…No, it’s because phones don’t work.”
Jeong Noeul checked his phone with a sigh.
Time had stopped—of course there was no signal.
“Anyway! I figured you’d still be able to move, being the reincarnation of Abrilah.”
Geahrzimen beamed and stepped closer to Jeong Noeul.
She looked up at the Traveler.
“Mr. Yellow Gnat. I’m sure you’ve figured out what’s going on?”
<I’m not a yellow gnat…>
The Traveler sighed.
<…But yes, I was just explaining my worst-case theory.>
“Then it must be true.”
Geahrzimen walked past Noeul, taking the lead.
“When Constellations say something is ominous—it always happens. You all are too optimistic about the world.”
She turned back.
“Is it true? Enoch has manifested?”
Her smile vanished as she asked.
<…Yes.>
“Because of the King of Hell, I presume.”
<…Probably.>
“Most likely because he couldn’t stand the King of Hell participating in a festival of peace. It’s strange, right? Satan showing up to a celebration of harmony.”
<…That’s the current theory. Even if the Savior allowed it, Enoch wouldn’t tolerate it.>
“But even Enoch can’t kill the King of Hell. Killing an avatar only causes a sting to the real body. So his goal must be…”
To eliminate Ryu Eunyul—the contractor of The Star Hated by All—and erase any justification for the Star’s participation.
“…That’s what you’re thinking too, right, Yellow Gnat?”
“W-Wait… then that means Enoch is trying to kill Eunyul-hyung?!”
Jeong Noeul shouted.
Geahrzimen didn’t reply.
Instead, the Traveler from Asteroid B-612 did.
<Yes. That’s the most convenient path from Enoch’s perspective…>
“Then what are the two of you doing standing here?!”
Geahrzimen smiled coldly.
“Were you playing a word game? Shouldn’t you be running to save him?”
“Damn it!”
Tak!
Jeong Noeul took off at full speed.
‘Eunyul-hyung is in danger!’
He didn’t fully understand the situation, but that part was certain.
‘I have to save him! No matter what!’
He bit his lip as he ran.
The Star Hated by All walked through Hell.
A barren, sunless land.
His footprints pressed into the lifeless, muddy depths.<Your Majesty.>
<…O King.>
<Can you hear us?>
<Are you listening?>
<Please, heed our voices.>
<Please…>
Ghostly voices called out.
Few souls in Hell could still speak.
Most were suffering too deeply to even cry out—because they had committed grave sins.
Only the souls The Star Hated by All had spared could still use their voices.
They were the progenitors of all exiled races.
And also, the spirits of those who chose to leave the world designed by the Creator—suicides.<I apologize.>
The Star spoke.
<I should remain with you for eternity, but I must leave for a while.>
If his avatar had been this easily defeated, there was no choice but to go himself.
The Star was certain.
<…So remain here in my palace. There, you will be safe.>
He turned to look at his palace.
It had no walls.
No lavish decorations. No grand design.
Only flowers, trees, water, and fruit.
In the center sat his lone throne.
…The only fertile land in the desolation of Hell.
He had created it to shelter the souls he vowed to protect.
<O King, hear us.>
<If you rise from your throne and head to the surface…>
<…There must be a reason.>
<Do you have someone to protect?>
<Or are you simply… curious?><About the world beyond Hell.>
<Finally going out? You seemed like a shut-in.>
<We…>
<…bless your journey.>
Voices poured from all directions, regardless of age or gender.
<Ah…>
The Star murmured, looking over the crowd of souls in his palace.<So you all knew.>
Fwoosh—!
He spread his scorched wings.
<That the palace I created to protect you… was, in truth, Eden—a prison for myself.>
He had sat upon that throne, wishing to remain beside the spirits he cherished.
And in that eternity, he had suffered the same ennui that those suicides once felt.<I finally understand you.>
Whoosh—
Behind him, a black gate opened.
<Heh.>
He smiled as he opened the gate.
<…So this is how you all felt, when you chose to leave paradise.>
Subtle curiosity.
Lingering regret.
Sorrow, anticipation, rage, loneliness, resignation.
Countless emotions surged within the Star.<Just a short farewell.>
He looked back at the blessing souls.
<I’ll be back.><Come back safely.>
<Will you return?><They say he will.>
<Don’t go around getting hurt!>
<Blessings.>
<…Blessings to the King of Hell.>
With the blessings of those like old friends, The Star Hated by All stepped beyond Hell.
Gwoooooong!
And into space.
Demons and monsters manifested through Gates.
The Star Hated by All was no exception.
Humans had only ever seen small Gates.
They didn’t realize—
Gwooooooh—!
Throughout the universe—
At the center of every galaxy—
There existed massive, unmeasurable Gates created solely for The Star Hated by All.
<Haaah….>
From the center of a galactic black hole, the Star emerged.
He shook off the dense darkness clinging to his body and drew a breath.
Then looked around.
He gazed upon the universe.
<Heh.>
And chuckled.<So many shining stars.>
They were revoltingly beautiful.
<The world is vast indeed…>
Countless stars sparkled across the wide expanse.
<…But the place I must go is already set.>
He closed his eyes.
Wait for me, my creation.
And with a beat of his wings—
I will never let you die.
He flew toward the star where Ryu Eunyul was.
Little Pink Starfish 
Leave a comment