Book 15 Chapter 11
BIRYUYEON and his group's roundtable discussion
SWORD: Hello. It's been a while, everyone. I am…
BIRYUYEON: Hey, who are you? Who dares to steal my fixed role? Since the creation of time and space, the first greeting has always been the protagonist's! What is your identity?
SWORD: Me?
BIRYUYEON: Yes, you!
SWORD: 'The Writer'!
BIRYUYEON: What? What's with 'The'…
SWORD: Well, you could say it's a mark for individual specification. In ancient times, it was also called 'M'.
BIRYUYEON: This is not your stage. What are you doing in my territory? Huh?
JANGHONG: Exactly. I already felt like my role was diminishing, and now you're invading even this, my only sanctuary? I can't accept this!
HYORYONG: Right, right! Being the mastermind is enough!
BIRYUYEON: Is this some kind of conspiracy? My role was small even in this volume.
SWORD: So, you were badmouthing me secretly?
BIRYUYEON: Badmouthing? What are you talking about… I have no idea what you're saying…
SWORD: Whistling and trying to brush it off won't work! I know everything! You wouldn't deny that adding the word "damned 'existence'" was aimed at me, would you? Shall I tell you the page and line number? Hmm…
(Rustle!)
It's page 184, line 15! Now, if you have eyes, look!
BIRYUYEON: Tsk, I've been found out!
SWORD: Of course. Did you really think you wouldn't be caught using such naked language? You underestimated me.
BIRYUYEON: Next time, I'll have to twist it more, adapt it more. More secretly, of course. With layers of curtains…
SWORD: You intend to do it again…?
BIRYUYEON: Even so, this volume was practically Dokkoryeong's solo performance! Isn't that too much?
SWORD: That's what we call favoritism by the author. Moreover, it was necessary. I had to deal with that part somehow. Otherwise, the story would become flimsy. You can't build the second floor before the first, can you? Unless you intend to build a shoddy structure.
JANGHONG: Hmm… The author said he wanted to write that and hinted at it in volume 10, constantly looking for an opportunity. I couldn't believe it…
HYORYONG: Volume 10?
JANGHONG: You know, right? The episode with the Demon Realm? That was the groundwork for this volume. To boost Dokkoryeong. This is a meticulously planned conspiracy. We are gradually losing our territory.
HYORYONG: Is… is that so…? Was this a conspiracy…?
SWORD: Oh, even if a Chinese scientist involved in space development was killed by a brick… it's not good to fall into conspiracy theories! You should live a healthy life.
BIRYUYEON: Then will you deny it?
SWORD: Why, why are you like this? I, I didn't kill anyone!!!
BIRYUYEON: Not that, this!
SWORD: No! I just did what I had to do. This was an important episode. Do you think a young woman would have become one-eyed for no reason? She's not a space pirate, is she?
JANGHONG: Hmph! It's strangely persuasive. Very persuasive.
BIRYUYEON: What do you want to say?
SWORD: Well, it's the principle that for every surface (outside), there is an inside, and the law of causality, the mutual induction of cause and effect that penetrates it…
BIRYUYEON: Indeed, favoritism is also a cause. Just because the argument is valid doesn't mean the result has to be true.
SWORD: It's not good to look at the world with such a distorted perspective.
BIRYUYEON: Isn't it better than those fools who only see one side of things and think that knowledge can only be truly transmitted? They're not brainless. The brain is meant to be used, not just to maintain the center of gravity of the skull and body.
SWORD: Well… that's certainly true, but…
JANGHONG: So, you admit the charges.
SWORD: Such harsh charges… Come on, come on, let's move past this. Let's move on! Well then, everyone…
BIRYUYEON: Wait! Just wait a moment!
SWORD: What now? Why?
BIRYUYEON: Weren't you about to give your closing remarks just now?
SWORD: Of course! Is there a problem?
BIRYUYEON: Don't you think that's brazen?
JANGHONG & HYORYONG: Yes, it's brazen!
SWORD: What is it this time…?
BIRYUYEON: You, who stole the protagonist's opening greeting without permission, are trying to give the closing greeting too? Trying to take both the beginning and the end… Do you want to become God? Saying 'I am Alpha (α) and Omega (Ω)'!
SWORD: That's an exaggeration, an exaggeration! It's over the top!
BIRYUYEON: Regardless of your intentions, I absolutely cannot accept it. To gain one thing, you must lose another. Generally speaking. To create a fair and conflict-free society, you must return the benefits you have gained to society. A society with excessive desire will inevitably fall into chaos.
SWORD: Just for a greeting, that much…
BIRYUYEON: Just? Don't you know the saying 'All rivers return to the sea' (萬流歸終)? The world is all connected! In the end, everything leads to one. That is proof that everything is connected! Complete separation does not exist in this world. Therefore, those who ignore trivial things cannot do big things properly. No, they can't!
SWORD: I think importance and obsession are different, but…
BIRYUYEON: (Glares!) Do you have any complaints?
SWORD: No, no! Okay, okay! I surrender! I'll yield. So please don't look at me with those terrifying eyes. I'll give in. You guys give the closing remarks. I'm afraid of what terrible fate I might suffer if I resist any longer.
HYORYONG: A wise decision.
JANGHONG: However, I don't like the expression 'yield.' We are exercising our rightful rights, so why should we hear the word 'yield' from that person?
BIRYUYEON: Let's just overlook the trivial matters!
SWORD: Hey! The story has changed from before!
BIRYUYEON: You should be grateful for the help, not resentful. You wouldn't want to be called ungrateful, would you?
SWORD: (In a meek voice) Yes…
BIRYUYEON & JANGHONG & HYORYONG: Readers, rejoice! Finally, we have defended our rights. We believe that it is right to protect what should be protected.
SWORD: (I didn't yield for you to say that…)
BIRYUYEON & JANGHONG & HYORYONG: We will see you in the next volume. Goodbye for now! *Bows*
…
…
…
SWORD: Hey, did you make all that fuss just to say those few short words?
BIRYUYEON: Length isn't everything. Sometimes, simple is good, right?
SWORD: Is that possibly a remark aimed at the end of volume 14?
BIRYUYEON: Yes! Of course!
SWORD: …
We sincerely thank those who waited for the brief moment (刹那) as if it were eternity (永遠).