Surviving Among the Entities

“Excuse me, could you please refrain from swearing? Those are all evil deeds……”
“Ugh, whatever.”
“No, speaking that way to the Lord of Hell……”
“Then send me to hell. Ah, but I can’t go there, can I? My life is already hell.”

After hurling those words at Chugang Daewang, Lee So-young looked in the mirror.
Her body had become so enormous that she had to take several steps back just for her full figure to fit in the mirror, with almost none of her original appearance remaining.

“Gross.”

A height of 245cm.
Forearms and protruding veins surpassing even bodybuilders.
A six-pack clearly visible on her exposed abdomen due to a lack of fitting clothes.

“How is this still a woman!”

As she shouted angrily, her face in the mirror also contorted.
Her appearance resembled a fierce demon, causing Chugang Daewang to avert his gaze.

“Don’t say that. Your breasts have also become much larger than before, haven’t they?”
“They grew as muscle, not fat! Why did this happen!”
“Hmm, from what I’ve observed, it seems to be related to that ring.”
“This ring?”

She tried to remove the Hero’s Ring.
However, the ring clung tightly to her sausage-like fingers, refusing to come off.

“First, I took a closer look at your soul, Miss So-young. It seems you were an asura in your previous life.”
“An asura?”
“A monster with three heads and six arms, a combative race living in the realm of asuras. And one of the abilities imbued in the ring is to draw out the power of one’s soul, so the power from your previous life as an asura engraved in your soul was drawn out, causing your body to react accordingly……”

Chugang Daewang, frightened by Lee So-young’s face that had transformed beyond a fierce demon into that of a true asura, trailed off.

“……But doesn’t having a hidden birth secret make you seem more like a true protagonist? That’s what the TV said, right? That Mr. Seung-hoon Lee is currently serving as the final boss of this world, and you, Miss So-young, were chosen as the protagonist to defeat him.”
“There are magical girls too. And princesses. Why an asura!”

While the two bickered, Baal watched the news on his smartphone.

[“Uniforms are the finest attire that unites everyone’s hearts and minds. We humans must now become one through philosophy.”]

The slicked-back hair.
The tiny mustache.
The dignified black uniform.

[“For the future of humanity!”]

And even the saluting gesture with an outstretched arm toward the sky.
Baal felt a sense of discomfort toward Seung-hoon Lee, who now perfectly resembled a dictator.

‘This is quite strange.’

Until now, he had thought it was possible.
According to the information provider, the wall-mounted TV, Seung-hoon Lee had only recommended philosophy, literature, and art – it was people’s excessive loyalty that had caused the actual situation.

“But now he is actively taking action.”

Just like a true dictator.
The Seung-hoon Lee that Baal knew had firm beliefs but also respected the beliefs of others, so he was never the type to force his will like this.

‘If he had truly been dictatorial, he would have turned the world into a mess long ago.’

If he had simply set his mind to it, he could have lifted the community restrictions at any time and posted unlimited nonsense.
He could have sent people whose lives seemed difficult by his standards to another world, used the Quest Ticket Vending Machine to enhance his own abilities, and on top of that, used his unlimited wealth and the Equivalent Exchange Scales to reshape the world to his liking.

‘But he respected the beliefs of others, so he did not do such things. He maintained his good intentions and beliefs, but upon seeing the humans accepting them fall into greed, he seems to have learned a lesson.’

This forceful imposition was a contradiction to his previous behavior.

“Well, humans are changing beings, so this is possible.”
“Geez, I just barely managed to calm him down. But what are you doing by yourself?”
“I was observing Mr. Seung-hoon Lee’s transformation.”
“Ah, about that? Isn’t it because he’s the final boss?”

Chugang Daewang imitated Seung-hoon Lee.
It had been a long time since they had all confirmed the entire process behind the creation of the current world through the information provider, the wall-mounted TV.

“Everyone says they are the protagonist of their own story, but from now on, I will stop being the protagonist! From now on, I am the final boss!”
“Does this mean Mr. Seung-hoon Lee has been afflicted by an entity’s mental corruption? But he is someone who can converse with the Blue Moon without issue.”
“Not afflicted, but accepted it. After all, it was our Lord of Karma-to-be who created this situation, and he himself mentioned that he would take on the role of the final boss.”

Seung-hoon Lee’s belief was to live as a human.
And for humanity to survive against the entities.
The current world satisfied those two conditions.

“It aligns with his own beliefs. There is also a reason he must become the final boss. It was his own proposal. So he accepted the power and fate of being the final boss, and that influence led to his current appearance.”
“I see, that makes sense. Then that appearance is Mr. Seung-hoon Lee’s conception of the final boss. And all he’s doing with that appearance is spreading philosophy, literature, and art.”
“I also think it’s fortunate. I was worried he might commit mass murder or something. And what you just said is mere conjecture. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the fate of being the final boss, and he’s simply doing what he enjoys, acting rampant under the belief that his actions are for the sake of humanity – that wouldn’t be surprising for someone as peculiar as him, would it?”
“Looking at it another way, perhaps the fate that led him to become the final boss caused people to misunderstand Mr. Seung-hoon Lee’s words, resulting in the current world. Well, either way, it doesn’t matter.”

Baal ended the news broadcast and accessed the “World Racing Association” to check the schedule for the final race of the year.

[World Final Years Racing 2025]
[The final world racing tournament of 2025]
[Date: December 31, 2025]
[Qualifications: 1st to 3rd place in each country’s racing rankings]
[Location: Leader Seung-hoon Lee Town Racing Track]

Lee So-young’s current ranking was 1st in Korea.

“It’s time to end this annoying world.”

Lee So-young gripped the steering wheel.

[“Aah! Finally, this day has come! The final world tournament to conclude 2025! The tournament directly hosted by Racer Seung-hoon Lee himself! The participating members are all formidable!”]

The strange encounter with the bizarre creature from the TV.
The miniature Lords of Hell and miniature demons summoned in the misty temple grounds.
The unidentifiable Office Workers.
The ring that drew out the power of her previous life engraved in her soul.
The golden race car that was absolutely indestructible and impervious to any impact in case of an accident.
The strange pill claimed to turn her into an exceptional racer.
Even someone’s tears that would unleash tremendous firepower when poured into the engine.

[“Racer No. 1! 2nd in Korea’s rankings! A rising star who appeared like a comet, overwhelming everyone with her golden vehicle and boasting a dominant ranking! When her car runs, it leaves a trail like a comet! The Gold-Tail Racer! Her appearance may be scary, but her character is probably kind! Not a man, but a woman! Lee So-young!”]
“F*ck.”

From then on, she spent a short yet long period becoming a racer.
While her skills improved quickly, she lost her original appearance and became her current monstrous form.

[“Racer No. 7! Her main profession is broadcasting!? And this tiny girl is actually an adult!? Her fans say it’s only natural for Streaming Virtue to have talent in all areas! I don’t understand what they’re talking about, but she’s the 3rd in Korea’s racer rankings! The broadcasting monster who has been consumed by the ‘Ddeutddeurra’ concept, making interviews impossible! The virtual racer, Lee So-hee!”]

Lee So-young’s only desire was to restore the world to its original state.

[“And finally, Racer No. 31! Our leader! The one who has taught us the depths of philosophy and awakened us to the preciousness of literature! The great leader who has shown us the beauty of art, the unity of humanity, and the possibilities! The world’s strongest racer, the invincible Seung-hoon Lee!”]

As the announcer’s voice called out, the race began.

“Please.”

She stepped on the accelerator with all her might.

“Let’s just return to the original world.”

Compared to the time spent preparing, the result was instantaneous.
While the race had not yet ended, in just 10 minutes, all participants except Lee So-young and Seung-hoon Lee had been eliminated.

“Keep going! Fighting! Step on it a little more and you can catch up!”
“Ooh! The end is finally in sight! Not much longer now!”

The miniature Chugang Daewang and miniature Baal shouted from beside her.
Lee So-young paid them no heed, furiously stepping on the accelerator and turning the steering wheel.

“Uaaahhhh!”

For a moment, she experienced a gravitational acceleration of 15G.
A physical phenomenon that would be impossible to endure without a Machine Spirit, but her asura-awakened body withstood it with ease.

“Not much longer now! Just catch up a little more!”
“Right in front! Pulling off a protagonist-like comeback at the very end!”
“Shut up, both of you!”

The goal was right before her eyes.
The finish line was right before her eyes.
Faced with imminent victory or defeat, she shed tears.

‘I never wanted to become a protagonist! I never wanted to become special like that!’

You have to attend a better university than others.
You have to work at a better company than others.
You have to marry a better man than others.
Only then can you become special and live a happy life, they say.

Whenever she heard that, she always wondered.
Only 4% can enter the top universities in Seoul, right? Then does that mean the remaining 96% will live unhappy lives?
A good company means a major corporation, but major corporation job opportunities are only 14%, right? Then does that mean the remaining 86% will live in poverty?
Why do they judge a good man based on his salary? A minimum salary of 100 million won? Among those in their 20s and 30s, only 6.4% earn that much, and even fewer are single, so are you saying over 93% will have an unhappy and insignificant marriage?

“Why do they keep gaslighting us, making it seem like we’ll live a life worse than extras if we can’t become special!”

Just join a decent, non-prestigious company and work hard.
Occasionally pull off a salary tantrum.
Gossip a little about the shitty boss.
If lucky, transfer to a better company.
Then, when you meet someone you like, flirt a little.
If the feeling is right, go on dates.
Even if their appearance, personality, or income isn’t perfect, find the fun in adjusting to each other.
Even if you can’t buy a house right away, gradually pay off the loan while living.
Struggle through it all, have a child and raise them.

“Is living an ordinary life such a sin, unable to become a protagonist!”

The final corner.
The distance to Seung-hoon Lee was 1 meter.
She turned the steering wheel, shedding tears.

“So please, return my ordinary daily life to me!”

But she could not overtake him.
The remaining distance was a mere few centimeters.

At that moment, the amulet she had worn around her neck shone.
The amulet Chugang Daewang had given her, allowing her to receive help from the racers in the afterlife.

[“Woohoo! It’s been a long time since I’ve raced!”]
[“Aah, a chance to run the path of racing again!”]

Ghosts with unknown names and faces, riding bikes and sports cars, tried to join her in racing on the track.

[“Wait, isn’t that guy…!?”]
[“It’s him!”]
[“Ugh, the bastard who forcibly made us enlightened!”]
[“It’s time for revenge!”]

Instead, upon recognizing Seung-hoon Lee, they charged at him, throwing their bodies at him.

[“I don’t know the situation!”]
[“But I can see that’s the finish line up ahead!”]
[“Rather than let you win!”]
[“I’d rather be enlightened again!”]

Was it because of their charge?
Seung-hoon Lee’s vehicle slowed down slightly.

“Ah.”

And…….

“Finally.”

The world changed.

‘Oh dear.’

The world had split apart.
The track and vehicle I had been racing on just moments ago had now moved to the parallel world beyond my right eye, and I had returned to the original reality of Göbekli Tepe.

‘It is a convention that the final boss, driven by stubbornness and belief, ultimately meets defeat at the hands of the protagonist right before achieving their goal.’

That is why I had anticipated defeat.
But now that I had actually been defeated, I could not hide my sense of regret.

‘I was so close.’

The completion of a world safe from the threat of entities had been right before my eyes.

‘But this is the choice and result of the people, so I must accept it.’

Should I have told the truth after all?
I couldn’t help but smile to myself. If I had revealed the truth of the world, if they had obediently listened to those words, fate would have chosen someone who did not believe those words as the protagonist.

‘Perhaps that would have happened?’
‘Yes, that would have happened.’

I waved goodbye to the receding racing world, to myself within it.

‘How was the experience?’
‘Not bad. Being defeated has left me feeling refreshed instead. Is this also a Final Boss Correction?’
‘The convention is for the final boss to have a change of heart and survive instead of dying, so perhaps that’s why I feel relieved?’
‘More than that, I’m sorry. For remaining on this side.’
‘It’s fine. Enjoy yourself to the fullest in my place.’
‘Thank you, me.’
‘Take care, Racer Seung-hoon.’

After parting ways with my other self, the original reality approached.

“So you failed.”
“It seems so.”

The enhanced “center of the world” welcomed me.
Appearing as a semi-transparent hologram, she had the same appearance I had seen in the “Card Battle” world.

“But there is still more to do.”
“It’s not over yet!”

And two other figures appeared.

“Mr. Seung-hoon Lee, while regrettable, we will be the ones to destroy this entity.”
“Lord of Karma-to-be? This is a requisition!”

The powerful entities Baal and Chugang Daewang.