Translator: Rainbow Turtle
翻译:彩虹龟
This was a question that had been countless beings in the Star Stream received over many years.
这个问题在星流中已经被无数的生命接受了很多年。
‘Why the hell does the scenario exist?’
为什么会出现这种情况
The answers to this question were different. For example, the returnee Kyrgios Rodgraim said: Without it, the universe would be too lonely.
这个问题的答案是不同的。例如，回归者KyrgiosRodgraim说:没有它，宇宙将会太孤独。
The constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ replied to the same question: Are you asking me why ‘food’ exists?
黑暗之春的女王星座回答了同样的问题:你是在问我为什么食物存在吗？
The demon king Asmodeus’ reply to the same question was as followed: It is a small destruction to prevent greater destruction.
恶魔王阿斯莫德斯对同样的问题的回答如下:这是一个小破坏，以防止更大的破坏。
The answers might be romantic or philosophical to people who heard it. However, ‘romantic’ and ‘philosophical’ were only luxuries for those who were full in the first place.
对于听到这个问题的人来说，答案可能是浪漫的或者哲学的。然而，对于那些一开始就吃饱了的人来说，浪漫和哲学只是奢侈品。
Therefore, to the demon earl ‘Tentacio’ on the second floor of Dark Castle, the scenario meant the following:
因此，对于黑暗城堡二楼的恶魔伯爵‘Tentacio’来说，这个场景意味着以下几点:
“It is fucked up.”
“真是糟透了。”
This was his way of speaking, although technically, they weren’t his own words. Anyone who entered this space would say this after 50 years. Of course, if they managed to survive 50 years.
这是他说话的方式，虽然严格来说，这不是他自己的话。任何进入这个空间的人都会在50年后说这句话。当然，如果它们能够存活50年的话。
“I’m tired.”
“我累了。”
The river running through the Abyss Plains was a tributary of the Demon World’s River, Phoenix. One might ask how there was such a huge plains on the second floor of Dark Castle but naturally Tentacio was different.
这条流经深渊平原的河流是魔界河凤凰的一条支流。有人可能会问，为什么黑暗城堡的二楼有这么大的平原，但天然的触手是不同的。
There were only two things he knew. First, he had to reach the top of the vast plains and second, he hadn’t managed to do it in 194 years.
他只知道两件事。首先，他必须登上辽阔平原的顶端;其次，他已经有194年没有成功过了。
‘Dammit, if it wasn’t for that dokkaebi’s offer at the time…’
该死，如果不是因为多卡比当时的出价.....
The memories from 194 years ago were still vivid.
194年前的记忆仍然历历在目。
-Do you want to become the 73rd demon king?
你想成为第73任魔王吗？
Demon king. It was the long-cherished dream of all demons.
恶魔之王，这是所有恶魔的梦想。
-…Can I become the demon king?
我能成为恶魔之王吗？
He had asked.
他问道。
He was a third-grade demon and still far from rising to that status. It was hard to climb up, no matter how many low-grade demons he ate. During that period, Tentacio was tempted by a being more demonic than a great demon.
他是个三年级的恶魔，还远远没有达到那个地位。不管他吃了多少恶魔，都很难爬上去。在那个时期，触手被一个比大恶魔更邪恶的生物所诱惑。
-You are lacking a ‘story’, not strength.
你缺少的是故事，而不是力量。
-What does that mean?
那是什么意思？
-You will find out if you participate in the scenario.
-你会发现，如果你参与的情况。
Thus, Tentacio was put into the Dark Castle scenario. He tore down many demons and slaughtered the races that came up from the first floor of Dark Castle.
因此，“触手”被放入了“黑暗城堡”的情节中。他打败了许多恶魔，屠杀了从黑暗城堡一楼上来的种族。
After 194 years, Tentacio had become one of the ten strongest demons on the ‘Dark Castle second floor.’
194年后，“触手”成为“黑暗城堡二楼”十大恶魔之一
However, it was up to here.
然而，事情发展到了这一步。
‘I can’t go up to the third floor.’
“我不能上三楼。”
The Dark Castle’s third floor. This was where the essence of a demon king was sleeping. In order to get there, he had to beat the strongest beings on the second floor.
黑暗城堡的三楼。这里是魔王的精华睡觉的地方。为了到达那里，他必须打败二楼最强壮的生物。
However, raising strength and coins wasn’t enough. The best beings on the second floor weren’t the strongest simply because of strength. The thing Tentacio was lacking… [The constellation ‘Lady of the Brocade Sleep’ wants to talk to you alone.] [The constellation ‘Lady of the Brocade Sleep’ is curious about your setting.] ‘Setting? Fucking bastards. I know what I’m made of.’
然而，仅仅提高力量和硬币是不够的。二楼最好的生物并不仅仅因为力量而最强大。章鱼座缺少的东西...[星座‘织锦睡眠女神’想和你单独谈谈。][“织锦睡眠女神”对你的设置很好奇。]”“背景？该死的混蛋。我知道我是什么做的。”
He didn’t like constellations but it was pleasant to see a constellation wondering about him.
他不喜欢星座，但是看到一个星座围着他打转，他很高兴。
The constellation wondering about him meant new people were coming from the first floor of Dark Castle. It meant the enjoyable game would start from now on.
这个奇怪的星座意味着有新的人从黑暗城堡的一楼走来。这意味着这场有趣的比赛将从现在开始。
A group of men and women appeared. Tentacio smiled at the sight. “Welcome, you bugs. This is the second floor of Dark Castle.”
一群男男女女出现了。看到这情景，Tentacio笑了。“欢迎，你们这些虫子。这是黑暗城堡的二楼。”
Tentacio enjoyed speaking the lines of an ambassador like it was a habit. As expected, some of the bugs came forward and asked him, “What is this place? Who are you? A guide?”
Tentacio喜欢说大使的台词，就像这是一种习惯。不出所料，一些臭虫走上前来问他，“这是什么地方？你是谁？一个向导?”
“…Are you perhaps a dokkaebi?”
“......你也许是dokkaebi?”
Dokkaebi. They were existences that Tentacio hated the most. Still, he endured it and opened his mouth. There would be a time of sweet rewards after the patience.
Dokkaebi.他们是Tentacio最痛恨的存在。不过，他还是忍住了，张开了嘴。耐心之后，会有甜蜜的回报。
“The second floor of Dark Castle is a world of survival of the fittest. Only those who have their strength acknowledged can move to the next floor. Isn’t it a simple rule? Raise your hands if you need further explanations.”
“黑暗城堡的二楼是一个适者生存的世界。只有那些承认自己力量强大的人才能移动到下一层。这不是一个简单的规则吗？如果需要进一步解释，请举手。”
“What does it mean to have your strength acknowledged? How do we…”
“承认你的力量意味着什么?我们如何......”
“By doing this.”
“通过这样做。”
Tentacio’s arm stretched out and the head of the speaking man literally exploded. The bugs had frightened expressions. This was Tentacio’s favourite moment.
章鱼的胳膊伸了出来，说话的人的头真的爆炸了。这些虫子有着惊恐的表情。这是Tentacio最喜欢的时刻。
“W-What?”
“什么?”
“Shit! It is a trap!”
“妈的!这是个陷阱!”
Tentacio laughed and licked the blood that splattered from the man’s neck.
触塔西奥笑了，舔着从那人脖子上溅出的血。
“Protect the queen!”
“保护女王!”
All the incarnations rushed towards him but Tentacio didn’t mind. A strong energy rose from his body.
所有的化身都冲向他，但是“触手”并不介意。一股强大的能量从他的身体中升起。
The demon nobility went from duke, marquis, earl, viscount and baron. The viscount and baron graders were fairly common but the difference started from the earl grade.
恶魔的贵族阶层来自公爵、侯爵、伯爵、子爵和男爵。子爵级和男爵级是相当普遍的，但差别始于伯爵级。
Demons from the earl grade had a ‘story.’ A story, it only opened when specific situations occurred.
伯爵级的恶魔有一个故事，故事只有在特定的情况下才会开始。
[The story ‘Bug Slaughter’ has begun.]
“杀虫”的故事已经开始了
“Kuaaaaak!”
“ Kuaaaaak! ”
Every time his hands moved, the humans died like bugs. This story was obtained by slaughtering hundreds of thousands of players in 194 years. It showed overwhelming power against those who were lower than him.
每次他的手一动，人类就像虫子一样死去。这个故事是通过在194年屠杀成千上万的玩家获得的。它显示了压倒性的力量对抗那些比他低的人。
[The constellation ‘ Lady of the Brocade Sleep’ is surprised.]
[“织锦睡眠女士”这个星座很惊讶。]
“Kuahahaha!”
“哇哈哈哈!”
The surrounding incarnations quickly became corpses or were wounded.
周围的化身很快变成了尸体或者受伤。
‘It is too dull.’
“太枯燥了。”
Some incarnations seemed useful but more of them were garbage. At most, they could be transformed into fifth-grade demons. Then Tentacio’s gaze stopped on someone.
一些化身看起来很有用，但更多的是垃圾。最多，他们可以变成五年级的恶魔。然后Tentacio的目光停留在某人身上。
“Hoh, you will be fourth grade.”
“哎呀，你要上四年级了。”
Tentacio grabbed the neck of a woman and lifted her up. The hair of the woman scattered. A broken crown rolled around. She was the King of Beauty, Min Jiwon.
“触手”抓住一个女人的脖子，把她举了起来。女人的头发散开了。一个折断的王冠滚来滚去。她是美丽之王，闵智媛。
Tentacio opened his mouth. “You must be the leader of these guys.”
Tentacio张开了嘴，“你一定是这些家伙的头儿。”
He liked her strong gaze. This woman’s story must be quite delicious.
他喜欢她强烈的目光，这个女人的故事一定很精彩。
“I will ask you two things. Where do you come from?”
“我要问你两件事，你从哪里来?”
“T-Telling you something like that…”
“ T-Telling you something like that... ”
“I’ve seen many bugs like you.”
“我见过很多像你这样的虫子。”
Tentacio made a cruel smile and trampled on one of the Hwarang. Min Jiwon paled as she looked at the broken skull and brain matter.
“触手”露出残忍的微笑，踩踏了其中一只“赫瓦朗”。闵智媛看着破碎的头骨和脑浆，脸色苍白。
“W-Wait a minute!”
“等等!”
Peeeok! Peeeok!
Peeeok! Peeeok！
“Stop! Earth… we are from Earth!”
“住手!地球......我们来自地球!”
Tentacio laughed. “Earth?”
Tentacio笑了起来，“地球?”
Tentacio remembered it as a planet full of rich stories.
Tentacio记得它是一个充满丰富故事的星球。
‘The demon kings. Earth is like a cradle for stories like that.’
“恶魔之王。地球就像是这类故事的摇篮。”
There were many prey in a place abundant with stories. Tentacio licked his lips.
在一个充满故事的地方，有许多猎物。
“Bug. Who has the most stories among you?”
“小虫，你们当中谁的故事最多?”
“U-Uhh… stories? What is that…?”
“呃...故事?那是什么...?”
As expected, she didn’t understand him.
不出所料，她听不懂他的话。
“Who is the strongest among you?”
“你们中间谁最强?”
Min Jiwon shook as Tentacio’s yellow eyes gazed greedily at her.
敏志远的眼睛贪婪地盯着她，她的身体颤抖起来。
***
***
“Ah, then what is the scenario?”
“啊，那是什么情况?”
“…I just told you.”
“我刚刚告诉你了。”
“How can I understand those symbolic words?”
“我怎么才能理解这些象征性的字眼呢?”
I moved with Han Sooyoung towards the altar for the second floor. We encountered a few demons on the way. Needless to say, our progress was smooth. It was because I used the ‘status of a constellation’ whenever I saw a demon.
我和韩秀英一起走向二楼的祭坛。我们在路上遇到了几个恶魔。不用说，我们的进展是顺利的。这是因为每当我看到一个恶魔，我都会使用‘星座状态’。
[Kiiii…!]
[ Kiiii... ! ]
The dark trackers who encountered my eyes screamed and trembled. I might not be a narrative or upper-grade level but once I became a constellation, my presence itself was different.
黑暗的追踪者遇到我的眼睛尖叫和颤抖。我可能不是一个叙事者或者高年级的人，但是一旦我成为一个星座，我的存在本身就是不同的。
In other words, I could exercise considerable influence over those lower than me with just a glance or remark.
换句话说，我只要看一眼或者说一句话，就可以对那些比我低的人施加相当大的影响力。
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is disappointed in the too easy progress.] [The constellation ‘Scribe of Heaven’ says you need greater adversity.]
[《金发囚徒》星座对过于简单的进展感到失望。][天堂的抄写员说你需要更大的逆境。]
It was a sweet potato when difficult but boring when it was easy… I didn’t know which one to cater to.
这是一个红薯时，困难，但无聊的时候，它是容易的...我不知道该迎合哪一个。
Shouldn’t there be days like this sometimes? It was the first time a scenario was ‘easy’…
难道不应该有这样的日子吗?这是第一次一个场景是“容易的”..。
I was collecting the demon proofs one by one when a familiar voice was heard in the air.
我正在一个接一个地收集魔鬼的证据，这时空中传来一个熟悉的声音。
[…Kim Dokja. Don’t you look good? Did you open the Dokkaebi Bag alone?]
[...KimDokja。你看起来不错吗?你是自己打开Dokkaebi包的吗?]
I could tell straight away who was speaking. I grunted and sent back a message.
我一眼就能看出是谁在说话，我咕哝了一声，给他回了个信儿。
-Who was the one who suddenly disappeared?
谁是那个突然消失的人？
It was an intermediate dokkaebi.
这是一种中间的dokkaebi。
[Who has a big head now? I couldn’t come because I was busy! In any case, it is late but congratulations. A new constellation emerged from my channel. It is very emotional.]
现在谁的脑袋大了？我不能来，因为我很忙！无论如何，现在已经很晚了，但是恭喜你。一个新的星座出现在我的通道里。非常感人
-Is the channel running well?
频道运转正常吗？
[Yes. I thought the ‘incarnation seekers’ would leave after you became a constellation but… it actually became better. Everyone has come to watch the castle scenario so it is hectic right now. We might have to expand the channel soon.] …That much? Indeed, it was rare for an incarnation to become a constellation during the scenario.
是的。我以为化身搜寻者会在你变成星座后离开，但是......它实际上变得更好了。每个人都来观看城堡的场景，所以现在很忙碌。我们可能很快就要扩大渠道了...那么多？事实上，在这个场景中，化身成为星座是非常罕见的。
[However, there are some who dislike you. You should be careful. Honestly, you are a constellation but your ‘status’ isn’t completely established.]
然而，也有一些人不喜欢你。你应该小心。老实说，你是一个星座，但你的“地位”并没有完全确立。]
It was as Bihyung said. I was a constellation but my stigma hadn’t woken up yet. In other words, I was currently more like a half-constellation.
就像比亨说的那样。我是一个星座，但我的耻辱还没有醒来。换句话说，我现在更像一个半星座。
[I heard you are stronger than Yoo Jonghyuk but honestly…]
(我听说你比柳钟玉强壮，但说实话......)
-I’m stronger.
我更强壮了。
[Oh… Kim Dokja. Isn’t this different from your usual reaction? Do you feel a sense of rivalry?] -I’m a constellation. He is an incarnation. It is natural for me to be stronger.
哦...金独子。这和你平时的反应不一样吗？你有没有一种竞争的感觉我是一个星座。他是一个化身。对我来说变得更强壮是很自然的。
[Hrmm… is it really like that?]
真的是这样吗
-What are you trying to say? Did you come for a fight?
-你想说什么?你是来打架的吗？
[Ah, I think the child will be born soon. I need a story to feed her. You are her father and should play the role of a parent…] -I understand. I’ll get it for you.
啊，我想孩子很快就要出生了。我需要一个故事来满足她。你是她的父亲，应该扮演父亲的角色......]-我明白。我去拿给你。
[Brat, I like you because you understand quickly. Then I’m asking you.]
[小子，我喜欢你是因为你很快就明白了。然后我问你。]
It was almost time for the 41st regression Shin Yoosung to wake up. I looked back and saw the party members collecting demon proofs from the bodies of the demons.
几乎到了第41次回归的时候了。我回头一看，发现党员们正在恶魔的尸体上收集恶魔的证据。
“Does everyone have enough proofs?”
“每个人都有足够的证据吗?”
Shin Yoosung carefully raised her hand. “I am still lacking… Gilyoung also…”
申永成小心地举起了她的手。“我还缺......吉英也......”
“…Ah, I can help.” She seemed like she would be annoyed but surprisingly, Han Sooyoung took good care of Shin Yoosung.
“啊，我可以帮忙。”她看起来好像很生气，但令人惊讶的是，韩素英把申永成照顾得很好。
Lee Hyunsung was carrying Lee Gilyoung on his back and spoke to me. “D-Dokja-ssi.”
李贤成背着李金英，对我说:“D-Dokja-ssi。”
“Yes.”
“是的。”
“Can I ask you something?”
“我能问你个问题吗?”
“…What is it?”
“......这是什么?”
Lee Hyunsung had barely escaped from Han Sooyoung’s nightmare and he still seemed unable to believe I had survived. Sometimes he would grab my arm or my head. Lee Hyunsung touched my head and then opened his mouth.
李贤成刚刚从韩秀英的噩梦中挣脱出来，他似乎仍然不能相信我还活着。有时候他会抓住我的胳膊或者头。李贤成摸了摸我的头，然后张开了嘴。
“In the past, I lost an empty cartridge in the army.”
“过去，我在军队里丢了一个空弹壳。”
“…That must be a big problem. Did you find it again?”
“...这肯定是个大问题。你又找到了吗?”
“I found it.”
“我找到了。”
“You must’ve been in trouble. Why are you saying this…?”
“你一定是遇到麻烦了。你为什么这么说......?”
“It was found out of the blue one month later.” Despite my confused expression, Lee Hyunsung still looked serious. “From then on, I kept the empty shell in my pocket.”
“一个月后，人们突然发现了它。”尽管我的表情很困惑，李贤星看起来还是很严肃。“从那时起，我就把空壳放在口袋里。”
“…Isn’t that a violation of military rule?”
“......这不是违反了军事规则吗?”
“That’s right.”
“没错。”
I was amazed that he nodded so casually. I nodded curiously. “I see. But why all of a sudden…”
我很惊讶他如此随意地点头。我好奇地点头。“我明白了。但是为什么突然......”
“No, I was suddenly reminded of the past.”
“不，我突然想起了过去。”
I looked at him and didn’t know why he was saying this. Surely he didn’t mean to cut off my head and put it in his pocket… In any case, it meant he was glad I was alive.
