Transformation or Death

Starting the Game

In the midst of a Paradox story repeating itself, his appearance might not have been as strange as one might think.

“What the hell is this guy!”

“Uh, when did…?”

Both the Archer and Jason openly displayed their bewilderment. While not quite to the same extent, Han Jae-jung also couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Oh, you don’t know me. It’s not something I’m bragging about, but I thought I was quite well-known in the Dilemma.”

Dilemma. An organization established by high-ranking villains for information sharing and cooperation. In essence, it includes all villains whose constellations have been completed.

‘Though they’re always fighting among themselves, so there’s no real sense of belonging.’

[Correct. Only the villains of the Shield constellation and the Libra constellation can confidently mention the name of that organization.]

While Archer and Jason are somewhat separated from other villains, they are technically affiliated with Dilemma on the surface.

“Dilemma? Was I part of that?”

“Most likely. Didn’t you go to a conference once? The meeting held in a planetarium or something similar?”

“Conference…? Oh, the completely empty meeting I was dragged to by Botis. That was a Dilemma conference?”

“Now that you mention it, that man seems familiar as well.”

Jason turned his gaze to Paradox.

“Didn’t you sit confidently in the center of that pointless conference?”

“That’s correct. It was essentially my designated seat. The area could be divided exactly in half, so it felt balanced.”

“Come to think of it, you told me to change my seat back then.”

“Because it was uncomfortable and didn’t maintain balance.”

Paradox kicked Jason’s chair. Jason’s body shifted slightly to the right along with the chair. Paradox interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, looking satisfied.

“Now it’s balanced, exactly north, south, east, and west. Hmm, it feels like I’ve become a guardian villain. Will we become as famous as the three villains?”

Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue.

“What’s your purpose?”

“Personally, I’d like to continue our conversation. It’s been a while since we’ve met, after all. And there are many awkward individuals here. For some ice breaking….”

“Ice breaking, my ass! Shut up before I do a break dance on your head!”

The angry Archer’s voice interrupted Paradox’s words.

“So what kind of guy are you? Why are you suddenly bursting in here! How did you even….”

“I am your enemy.”

Paradox introduced himself. Decisively. As if drawing a precise line with a knife, cutting cleanly.

“I’ve been your enemy since before coming here. Your perspective is quite convenient. Thanks to that, I’ve received a lot of help. Though it took me a long time to adapt.”

Letting out a dry ‘haha’ laugh, Han Jae-jung was left speechless. He was speaking so naturally about stealing and using your abilities.

Paradox Principle.

The ability that symbolizes him.

He overlays the power of the opponent he recognizes as an enemy onto himself. That power could be physical strength, body endurance, starlight, or a special miracle that only certain individuals can perform.

To use a game analogy, it’s a skill that raises his own stats to match the enemy’s and allows him to use all of the opponent’s skills.

This is cheating beyond cheating.

“Oh, you said ‘enemy’ with your own mouth?”

While Jason still looked bewildered, the Archer immediately responded. In an instant, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow, pointing it directly at Paradox. The distance between the arrowhead and Paradox’s head was barely the width of a finger.

“So that means I can kill you right now?”

Despite the arrow pointed directly at him, Paradox didn’t even blink.

[But where are the eyes on a cactus head?]

‘Indeed.’

An unnecessary thought crossed his mind but was quickly erased as he focused on the current standoff.

“I’m not very patient. I might need to water our concrete with the moisture from that head.”

“You seem affectionate, even towards inanimate objects. How tender.”

“You little bastard, who are you mocking?!”

The Archer looked like he was about to release the bowstring at any moment.

“I’m sorry if it came across that way. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

“This guy, really….”

“I respect you. Because I respect you….”

Suddenly, a shield appeared in Paradox’s right hand. Half red and half blue.

“You must not carelessly ignore the threat you’re imposing on me.”

The shield began to shimmer with an ominous purple color that was hard to describe.

[Reveal the….]

“Wait.”

Before the transformation sound could fully resonate, Han Jae-jung interrupted their standoff. The Archer let his words pass through one ear.

“Wait or not, I’m going to shoot.”

“If you shoot, everyone here will die.”

Han Jae-jung didn’t shout. He just carefully warned the Archer, chewing out each word with a full threat.

“Ha! Are you getting scared, you mayfly?”

A mocking sound unpleasantly rang in the ears.

“This guy’s ability is to copy the power of someone he recognizes as an enemy.”

“What?! What kind of broken ability is that?”

“So sit down. Fighting this guy will only lead to self-destruction.”

He’s such a troublesome guy. With a healing ability that makes his purpose here even more unclear.

‘I thought there was typically one ability per constellation, but what is this guy?’

[If you put it that way, the guardians of each Big Dipper star aren’t exactly pushovers either.]

‘Well, compared to him, I’m more straightforward.’

Duality is one of the fundamental aspects of human nature. He boldly deployed his inner Paradox while criticizing Paradox’s overpowered ability.

“Well… I’m the strongest with a bow… When the strongest fight… No, but still… This damn… Damn….”

“Colleagues, we have work to do. Why not put away your anger and sit down?”

The Archer exhaled laboriously. His shoulders repeatedly rose and fell as he huffed.

“Th-this… This… Damn it! No! Shit!!!”

With his rage finding no outlet, the Archer sat down roughly in the chair.

“Hmm, thank you. I also don’t wish to fight.”

“Did you think I was thanking you?”

Each of his unnecessarily polite words felt like deceit, which was extremely unpleasant. Han Jae-jung frowned deeply.

‘He already copied the Archer’s ability before even facing him.’

The Archer doesn’t know Paradox, but Paradox knows him. Although it’s one-sided, the fact remains unchanged.

Judgment functions based on knowledge.

Just like making one-sided value judgments about celebrities never seen before, Paradox can unilaterally know and judge other villains. Considering someone an enemy isn’t particularly difficult.

Regardless of what the criteria for an enemy are, if Paradox knows those criteria, matching them would be simple.

‘Wait, didn’t he say he was a regular at the Dilemma conference?’

Even if few villains truly feel belonging to Dilemma, they would have participated in a meeting at least once. And Paradox was apparently a regular attendee.

‘…Paradox can use the abilities of most villains in Dilemma.’

Distance is unnecessary for determining an enemy. If he wishes, he can reproduce the abilities of everyone in Dilemma right here, right now.

“What value is there in a fight without will or soul? Simply responding to provocation. That’s not a fight. It’s just mere disorder.”

Paradox’s restraint is largely due to his unique personality. He dislikes cowardly actions.

Though considering his goal is a life-or-death direct confrontation, perhaps this is natural.

‘Well, if he didn’t have such a personality, he probably wouldn’t have developed this ability.’

Almost a established legend in the original work.

The power of starlight grants miracles according to the user’s disposition.

Without Paradox’s unique balance-prioritizing ideology, he wouldn’t have developed this copying ability. Look at Libra too. Without her unique self-sacrifice ideology, she wouldn’t have developed such a trading ability.

‘Oh?’

Yes. By looking at a villain’s ability, one can guess their personality and goals.

‘Perhaps these two as well….’

Sagittarius constellation and Compass constellation. Might these two villains be the same? Might their goals be hidden in their abilities? The possibility is quite high.

‘Why am I realizing something so simple only now… Maybe because I was thinking about how to explain myself to Ah-yoon last night.’

Fortunately, a task emerged after Paradox left. The problem is that Paradox doesn’t seem intent on leaving.

“I believe a fight is where wills collide and the soul’s flame blossoms. What changes might occur when two opposing things clash… Which of the two conflicting values was more valuable… Isn’t that a truly interesting topic?”

“What the hell are you saying…”

As the Archer became uncomfortable with the sudden lengthy speech, Paradox continued undeterred.

“The most interesting topic is power. It’s the most certain value in this world. All living beings require basic power to survive. But beyond this basic power, there are those who continue to pursue power even after securing food and self-defense.”

As he spoke, Paradox looked directly at Han Jae-jung.

“I believe such power beyond the basics contains a certain belief. Isn’t that right? To hone power beyond the means of personal self-protection, there must certainly be something desired.”

A power too massive for an individual. A gesture that could topple buildings, shake the ground, and part clouds.

“Massive power contains an even more massive will.”

Power comes with responsibility. Only those with the will to bear this enormous responsibility can wield such great power.

“If someone is the strongest in the world, they must surely have the strongest will. I want to fight such a person. When two perfectly identical powers collide, who would be the victor?”

Paradox confidently stated his dream.

“Who held the stronger will.”

A brief silence fell on the table. Both Jason and the Archer couldn’t take their eyes off Paradox. Their gazes contained a complex mix of jealousy, admiration, and inferiority.

Unlike themselves, who didn’t know their purpose, he had a firm goal. The comparison would make them feel complicated in many ways.

Though it was a somewhat philosophical narrative, to them it was the most captivating story. They wished they could be like that someday.

“Strongest? If that’s the case, I’m right here….”

“What are you talking about, you loser?”

“That’s just because I was careless! If we fight properly, I’ll win! For real! Jason, you know?”

“….”

“Hey, open your mouth!”

“Hehe.”

A mocking laugh came from Paradox.

“Unfortunately, what can currently be called the strongest is not you.”

He held up three fingers.

“The great three beasts. Lion, Scorpion, Sea Serpent. Three beasts who handle the galaxy’s power.”

The three beasts. The final goal of Argo Family. The memory of his previous place made Jason twitch.

“Then why the hell are you causing a scene with those guys….”

“Do you think they have any will? What value is there in fighting beast-like creatures with overwhelming power who have nothing left but their basic nature? Confirmation of my strength? Besides that, what else could you feel? It’s empty. Nothing remains.”

Paradox shook his head as if disappointed.

What incredibly picky standards. Han Jae-jung glanced at Paradox with a disgusted expression.

“More than anything, I’m certain that someone stronger than this galaxy’s power will appear someday. We can’t expect anything from what’s complete. But we can expect from what’s incomplete. I prefer dreaming.”

“Hah… Is that so?”

“So I placed my expectations on two beings.”

This time, he held up two fingers.

“One is the magical girl. This side is quite satisfactory. She’s showing growth fast enough to be proud of. It seems true that villains grow as strongly as their kind. If it was going to be like this, she should have appeared earlier.”

Paradox turned his head and looked at the towering ice tower.

“Unmelting ice… It seems she’s awakened her divinity. If she can spread immortal ice to this extent, she could probably fight Luna from Japan and not lose. But… She still doesn’t meet my standards. She can’t defeat the three beasts alone right now.”

Then he looked at Han Jae-jung.

“The other was you. You, who wield villains’ power in a human body, who can endlessly grow despite completing your constellation. I thought perhaps you could fulfill my dream someday…”

An evaluation that brought no joy at all.

“But unfortunately… I just received a shocking piece of news. Maybe that’s why I’m talking so much today.”

“You were always talkative.”

“News that you have little life left. I don’t know the exact duration, but it probably isn’t a satisfyingly long period.”

Paradox sighed and shook his head.

“Does death make life more valuable, or might it make one fall into a state of despair because the period is too short?”

“Not me.”

“Yes. It seems like that.”

[Reveal the truth.]

The shield of Paradox flickered. The transformation sound that had just been cut off continued to flow until the end. He had become a form akin to a Mondrian artwork. Black lines creating several rectangles, with red and blue colors filling those rectangles in equal proportions.

The villain of Paradox’s form.

“It’s truly fortunate. This short life seems to have become a motivation for your growth.”

Anxious, Han Jae-jung stood up and stepped back. In sync with his movement, the belt flew and landed in his hand.

“If it were even shorter, wouldn’t you be able to harbor an even stronger will? And grow even faster.”

Kwajik! A powerful sharp pain was felt on the back of the hand holding the belt.

Lowering his gaze, he saw a hard purple-shelled creature. The body length was about 10cm. Its most distinctive feature was a tail longer than its body. The tail’s end was shaped like a fishing hook.

Han Jae-jung collapsed to the floor the moment he felt the sharp pain.

“This damn…”

A scar forms on the back of his hand. An ominous purple mark spreads around the wound. Han Jae-jung knows this.

The power of the Scorpion.

The most vicious beast.

“The Scorpion’s ability is loss. Those stung by its tail will inevitably lose something. Most often, it’s their lifespan.”

“You, you crazy bastard… How could you…”

“Your remaining lifespan is now 30 days.”

His heart sank.

“This crazy bastard!”

“What are you doing now…”

“Be quiet. Stay still. I’m about to tell you the solution.”

The Archer and Jason jumped up. Paradox calmly restrained them.

“Fuck, what are you doing now…”

“The principle of loss caused by the Scorpion is extremely simple. Do you know that in some regions, Scorpion is called the Fishing Hook constellation?”

Paradox moved his arm as if mimicking fishing.

“Just like pulling a fish from the sea with a fishing hook, I’m pulling something out of you from this sea. What’s being pulled out is loss. But it’s not extinction. For what you’ve lost, someone else has gained.”

The meaning was simple. Even in pain, it could be understood immediately.

“The lifespan you’ve lost is now with the Scorpion. Fight and take it back. You don’t want to die right now, do you? Just become strong enough to defeat the beast.”

“Ha…”

“Of course, it wouldn’t be balanced if only you stake your life, so I’ll stake mine as well.”

The scorpion that fell from Han Jae-jung’s hand climbed up Paradox’s leg and reached his neck, moving its tail. The sharp tail needle pierced Paradox’s neck, breaking through his armor and leaving a mark on his inner flesh.

“Ugh! Kweuk! Heu… It’s quite painful indeed. Now my remaining life is 31 days.”

Everyone was speechless.

“Let’s compete. If you can kill the Scorpion within 30 days, you win. Take my lifespan as well. If you only retrieve your lost lifespan without killing it, it’s a draw. I’ll also go to retrieve my lifespan.”

“You crazy bastard…”

“But if you fail to win against the Scorpion within 30 days, you lose. I’ll go to retrieve my lifespan again within the remaining one day.”

Paradox extended his hand.

“How about it? I don’t enjoy fighting, but I do enjoy competition. It provides quite a good entertainment for life.”

The scorpion jumped from his palm and quickly moved across the floor. The intense pain prevented Han Jae-jung from even tracking its movement with his eyes.

“Of course, the Scorpion’s main body is also on this land. It seems the clone has just returned to the main body. Find and defeat the Scorpion. Seize it.”

In his blurring vision, Han Jae-jung heard Paradox’s laughter.

“If you don’t fight, you can’t survive.”

Paradox’s figure blurred and disappeared, and his consciousness was cut off almost simultaneously.

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