Book 21 Chapter 22

A Roundtable Discussion of Biryuyeon and His Gang

(A loud burst of laughter can be heard from somewhere.)

Hahahahahaha!

Hahahahahahahaha!

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Hyoryong: What, what is it? That laughter!

Biryuyeon: As expected, the protagonist is an eternal cosmic being, you see. Shall we call it self-congratulatory laughter? The whole is one, and one is the whole! It means I am the universe. Mwahahahahahaha!

Hyoryong: Are you alright? Shall I give you some medicine?

Biryuyeon: Uh-huh! But this proves that the rumor that the protagonist would get thoroughly beaten in this volume was false.

Hyoryong: Huh? But were you even in this volume?

Biryuyeon: Of course. How could the story proceed without the protagonist?

Hyoryong: I didn't see you.

Jang Hong: Me neither.

Moyong Hwi: Me neither.

Biryuyeon: Ho, if you look carefully, you'll find me. If you search with both eyes wide open. It's time for you to have a more flexible way of thinking, isn't it? Humans… due to their fixed ideas, can't even see what's right in front of them. Tsk tsk tsk.

Hyoryong: I wish you'd stop making that pitying sound with your tongue. It's somehow unpleasant to hear.

Jang Hong: That's right. Besides, you're human too, aren't you?

Biryuyeon: No! I'm different!

Jang Hong: What's different? Then what exactly are you?

Biryuyeon: I'm not just human! I'm the protagonist!

Hyoryong & Jang Hong & Moyong Hwi: …….

Jang Hong: You must have been so worried about being taken down. Seeing how attached you are to being the protagonist.

Hyoryong: These days, it seems to be the trend for non-humans to become protagonists. They're afraid of being removed from the protagonist position if it's revealed they're human.

Jang Hong: But weren't non-humans protagonists stories from beyond the Western Regions? It's practically another world. And I heard that trend has already passed? These days, 'non-humans' are probably just supporting protagonists.

Thump!

Moyong Hwi: (With a shocked expression) Then… I wasn't a non-human?

Jang Hong: (Hiding his bewilderment) No, why are you?

Moyong Hwi: I'm a supporting protagonist!!!

Jang Hong: (Whispering to Hyoryong!) He was holding onto that.

Hyoryong: (Whispering!) Indeed. He's quite obsessed.

Biryuyeon: It seems like people from over there sometimes kidnap people from our side. And since the distance between there and here is considerable, it's possible that outdated trends might gain traction here.

Jang Hong: Trends always change like the world, so how can we know what will be in vogue as the protagonist next time?

Hyoryong: I know. What will it be next time? Could I become 'that'?

Jang Hong: You're already human, so it's too late. It would be faster to just wish to be kidnapped 'over there' while walking at night.

Hyoryong: Is that so? That's truly unfortunate…

Jang Hong: Well, when you die and are reincarnated, you might be born as a dragon or something, so don't give up hope until the end.

Biryuyeon: Isn't that also outdated?

Jang Hong: Uh-huh! Trends come and go. They always come back eventually.

Biryuyeon: I don't know? They might come back when everyone else is old.

Hyoryong: (Becomes even more depressed) Then there's no point in becoming the protagonist even if I do that! An unpopular protagonist, just thinking about it makes me tear up…

Jang Hong: Don't give up yet. There are still many other things left besides dragons.

Biryuyeon: That's right, that's right! It doesn't have to be a dragon in a cliché way. There's also Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West! He was a heavenly general but was obsessed with women and fell to the animal realm, reincarnated as a pig, and later made great contributions!

Hyoryong: A pig…

Moyong Hwi: Besides, Zhu Bajie wasn't the protagonist.

(Moyong Hwi quietly pointed out.)

Biryuyeon: (Claps his hands together) Ah, that's right! He was a supporting protagonist!

Moyong Hwi: (Trembles as if struck by lightning) A, a supporting protagonist…

(Seeing both of them in despair, a triumphant smile forms on Biryuyeon's lips.)

Jang Hong: You scary guy! You defeated two people with mental attacks! Is it just me left now?! It looks like it will be a lonely battle.

Biryuyeon: Hahahahaha!

Jang Hong: I've been through a lot. Moreover, enduring information warfare and torture is my specialty. You won't get away with it so easily!

Biryuyeon: (Points behind Jang Hong with his finger) Ah, sister-in-law!

Jang Hong: (Startled as if about to have a seizure) What! Wh, where?

(His head snaps back in an instant.)

Biryuyeon: Hmph! Flustered, aren't you! Well, that's natural. You left her for seven years. Wouldn't it be strange if she wasn't angry?

Jang Hong: (Clutching his chest) Kruk!

Biryuyeon: Without even a single letter.

Jang Hong: (His knees bend halfway) Kuruuk!

Biryuyeon: Not even a word about whether he's dead or alive, what a terrible husband. For whatever reason, abandoning his wife like a worn-out shoe. Tsk tsk, poor sister-in-law, truly poor. They should have just not gotten married then. Marriage isn't a game!

Jang Hong: (His knees finally hit the ground) Kuruuuuuuk!

Biryuyeon: Trying to get seven years of a woman's prime for free. It's the heart of a thief. And now they shamelessly show their face. They really have a face of iron! Well, I guess they were too scared to even think of coming… Huh? Brother Jang, what are you doing now?

Jang Hong: (He had already fallen into a state of irrecoverable defeat) Bubbling, bubbling, bubbling!

Biryuyeon: (Looks around at the empty space. Doesn't even glance at his feet) Hmm, is there anyone left?

(The three people still in despair at his feet are completely ignored.)

Biryuyeon: Huhu hhhh, it seems all competitors have been eliminated. As expected, only one protagonist is enough. Shall I finish this alone for the first time in a while! Lately, we've been finishing together, and even someone who cuts in like a demure bride appears, so it's about time I reminded everyone who the protagonist is.

(After tidying his clothes)

Biryuyeon: Well then, everyone! Please look forward to the highly anticipated 22nd volume of Birraedo, where the story will unfold with a solo protagonist system in the next volume!

Then, see you again in the next volume!