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Chapter Text

[You have entered a dungeon]

Sung Jinwoo felt a sudden rush of nostalgia as his eyes glazed over the sparse remnant of crystals and monster corpses. He chuckled darkly as the view reminded him of the various deathly games he would've played with when he was still an E-rank hunter. Considered the weakest of all, no less.

Bittersweet, he hurried, searching for the group of hunters which had already been scavenging through the reported C-rank dungeon. Little did they know, they entered may be worse than an S-ranked one.

The double lair.

"Shit… Where are they?!" He hissed in frustration after another fruitless turn.

And then it hit him, the layout, he knew it. He could swear he recognised the cave extending in front of him. It was as if he had travelled through once already.

"How uncreative…" He sighed, feeling like the powered being supporting his growth could've tried changing the display, at least for the sake of novelty.

He turned back, walked over his steps, and took a new turn. He knew exactly where to go.

Jinwoo sped up through the darkness of the tunnel when he could finally feel the negligible presence of the raid team's hunters.

Once close enough but still far enough for him to remain undetected, he listened to their voices.

"You wanna go back after we went this far?!" A man whined childishly; his voice was nosey and tired.

"What else can we do? The door won't open even with magic," A young woman stated anxiously.

It reassured Jinwoo hearing those words, proof these hunters hadn't been eradicated inside the sacrificial temple.

"Shouldn't we go ask for the help of a larger guild?" Another one sighed, dejected.

"Yeah… maybe."

Jinwoo understood their reaction. He, too, thrived for wealth back when he had nothing; and a dungeon as such sure sounded like a gold mine to low-level hunters.

A tank-looking guy tried to pry the heavy doors open one more time. He was unsuccessful.

"It's a trap," The S-ranked finally voiced from the shadows, shocking the entire group which had already been on edge.

"Fucking hell!"

"Who and what the fuck?!" One sassed, irritated.

He walked forwards, unwavering. "A survivor from the double dungeon incident." He pointed at the steel door with his chin, hands in his pockets and army tucked in the shade he cast.

They seemed unconvinced, whispering quietly among themselves.
"Wait! Shit. Are you the S-ranked hunter Sung Jinwoo?!" A younger man interjected in a mix of hope and weariness.

"Now that you mention it…." A girl hesitated, analysing the man's face. She turned to the person standing next to her and softly mumbled: "Why would there be an S-rank here?"

Jinwoo ignored them and walked through their group; they parted to let him pass as if following unspoken rules.

"I know what exists behind those." He mumbled, a hint of nervousness in his tone as he caressed the cold material.

Jinwoo was invited here and wasn't sure what to expect of it as he nervously rolled the ominous [Key to Carthanon temple] between his thumb and index.

The hunter hadn't known fear for a while. However, the sentiment pressing on his lungs could only be described as that; fear.

"This place is incredibly dangerous. So, I hope you will understand why I am asking you to exit this dungeon immediately," He commanded, looking back towards the group.

"Hey! Mister S-rank!" Jeered the one who insisted they continued earlier, the Guild Master. "You simply cannot legally ask us to leave. We, the Bravery Guild, bought the permit to raid this dungeon in its entirety!"

"T-that's right!" Another chimed in, visibly terrified. "Being an S-rank isn't e-everything, you know!"

He could only glare in answer, feeling like this discussion would lead to nowhere. The girl retracted into her shoulders, regretting her words.

Jinwoo focused on the door, analysing it briefly as he attempted to pry it open with only his strength. It didn't budge. He then recognised a keyhole under his wrist and slotted the key he owned inside. Without even turning it, the doors slid open in a loud rumble as they scratched the cave's floor.

Gasps were heard in his back, and whispers ensued. He looked at the hunters in amusement.

"Won't stop you," He said, grinning almost. "Try to step in."

None seemed as courageous as they previously were when arguing with the high-ranked hunter. To be fair, this room emitted evil. It reeked of death. It felt like a perfectly tailored graveyard, and it was.

"I'll go!" The guild master huffed with pride, unable to hide the frantic shaking of his hands.

Jinwoo said nothing, letting him honour his words.

He walked up to the S-rank, mustering all the courage he could before stepping inside the room.

[An individual non-holder of the key to Carthanon temple has entered]

[Access has been denied]

[Upon entry, the gatekeepers will retaliate]

Jinwoo mused at the notification when the man continued his slow trudge into the temple.

A loud click was heard, and he quickly pulled the guild master back into safety before the gatekeeper's hammer could behead him. The echo hurled when stone met stone, and the floor tremored with its sheer strength.

The low-rank hunter was on the floor, livid; a sheen of cold sweat coated his skin.

"Those are the weakest ones," Jinwoo explained. "Still feeling like entering?"

None answered, too shocked and humiliated to find a way with words. Their only option was to vacate like the S-rank hunter previously recommended them.

Jinwoo finally walked in, ignoring the remnant feeling his body had engraved in his psyche. He wasn't the same as when he first stepped in, and he had to act accordingly. Back straight and stride confident.

[The one holding the key to Carthanon temple has entered]

The doors slammed shut.

Jinwoo glared around, recognising the source of his unique existence.

His pulse picked up uncontrollably, and he noticed something he hadn't before. All the statues were void of mana, even the gargantuan one. However, energetic webs constricted them, similar to strings supporting puppets, and all converged in one spot. The seraph remained in quiet viciousness, like a core to a nightmare and a holder to its rules.

"So, it was you all along," He spoke loudly, walking towards the winged statue.

It did not answer nor move.

Was it furry or amusement, Jinwoo's lips extended in a frantic grin as he called for his dagger, a plan to murder on his mind. His grip white around the handle, he plunged the blade towards the creature's chest, and less than a second later, he dug into the stone of the tablet which used to be on its stomach.

"Finally," It cackled, grinning sharp as the air thickened with a bone-chilling aura. "You've arrived."

Jinwoo bared his teeth, summoning a second knife when the bearer of six wings stood in a symphony of rolling joints. It was old, potent, and incredibly malicious.

The hunter was hunched over, legs tensed and sensory receptors raw with attention.

The seraph gazed at the damaged tablet and let it fall to the floor, splitting smile increasing in malignant playfulness.

As a witness, Jinwoo chuckled in disbelief, "To think those were a joke from the very beginning..."

"There were no jokes," It slurred, putrid smell escaping its throat. "Only guidelines."

"Sure... Are you the one who called me here?" He asked voice raspier than intended.

The creature cackled.

"Such truth. I'm proud of you," It voiced, popping its joint as if loosening itself.

"What are you?"

"Wrong question," It answered, shaking its head.

Jinwoo furrowed his brows.

"Rather than questioning my existence, you should wonder about yours." It cackled, proud of the hunter's confused glare. "Shall we get along with the final test?"

"The final test?" Jinwoo asked, distrusting.

"If you remain on your two feet when the timer runs out, I shall disclose all you ever wondered about." It snapped its fingers, menacingly cackling again. "Consider it your last reward."

The statues circling the room stepped down from their pedestals in a chaotic mess of crumbling stone.

Jinwoo's first reflex was to call upon the trustworthy shadows he had raised for the very sake of this moment, but the interaction was cancelled.

[Class specific skills are sealed for the duration of the final test]

He growled at the angel-like devil, baring his teeth in pure hatred.

It snickered in satisfaction.

[Usage of potions and store functions are prohibited for the duration of the final test]

[Status recovery due to levelling up and quest completion bonuses are not applicable for the duration of the final test]

[The doors to Carthanon temple will remain shut until the final test terminates]

Jinwoo almost wanted to become hysterical with every tone announcing novel restrictions to the biased test. All his preparation efforts had been rendered useless; he hadn't ever escaped, simply delayed a bad ending.

The hunter snorted, eyes fueled with determination and bloodthirst so potent he doubted another S-rank could remain standing even kilometres away.

His fingers tightened around the handles of his daggers; he craved for the schemer's death. Only blood drawn from his own gums could keep him sane enough to not eradicate his only chance at answers.

He'd play along for a little longer, one last act as a puppet before he was set free.

Jinwoo exhaled, ragged and boiling. Eyes shut, he gathered all the information he could perceive around his body. It ranged from the low pitched rumble of the statues' steps to the delicate rubbing of his hair on the shell of his ears.

He was more focused than ever, an illusion of unshakable control. A puppet turned puppeteer.

He opened his eyes, radiant with mana as he sensitised his sight; his entire sensory system was on edge.

The opponents who had appeared lethal and unreachable during his first visit seemed sluggish as they hauled themselves disorderly. However, they were still high in number, and Jinwoo couldn't afford to lower his guard.

There were spears, war axes, bows and arrows, swords, and spiked maces. All at once, they surged at the hunter, swinging their weapons haphazardly and chaotically using each other as steppingstones.

Jinwoo dodged and countered their attacks with his daggers. Never hesitating twice when smashing their faces in with his bare fists and stomping on their limbs until only dust remained. His [Demon King's Daggers] severed countless limbs as a tribute to their sharpness. He was pleasantly surprised to see the ease with which they sliced through stone like it was butter.

The angel's grin had faded away, dissatisfied with the lack of struggle shown by Jinwoo. It wondered whether the test had been too easy or the player had grown too strong.

Wasn't it good for the receptacle to be robust?

Its smile came back as it mused with the idea of a faster remission for the Monarch. Excited, the creature decided to add to the test's difficulty and began to fuel the God-like sculpture.

"You mother fucker!" Jinwoo hurled when witnessing the gargantuan lord arising from its throne.

It was unhurried and ancient; like a sovereign, it held its head high, and only its pupils dwelled on the hunter like they would on a microbe. The god's shell was sturdy, its defence barely penetrable, and it had the power to ruin a stronghold in a single swipe of its arm.

"Shit-shit-shit!" Jinwoo swore, spiteful.

He felt trapped, overwhelmed. The goliath lowered its hand and began to scrape the floor; it obliterated all that encountered its mana-infused stone, ally or enemy. It appeared playful, like a child toying with barbies in a dollhouse, ripping and switching heads and legs.

Jinwoo couldn't dodge nor physically counter. Instead, activating his ruler's reach, the hunter propped a bunch of decaying statues in a line, producing a make-shift shield. He hoped that would protect at most his body and at least his life; he still craved for revenge and wouldn't perish unsatisfied.

[Skill Upgrade: Ruler's Reach —> Ruler's Authority]

"Nice!" He huffed, ecstatic when using his new telekinetic strength to force the god's arm away. "Now we're fucking speaking!"

The hunter swiped a sleeve over his forehead, wiping the sweat away in a short instant of breath recovery. The horde of weaker statues seemed irrelevant now that he could erase them in a single movement of his fingers.

Jinwoo chuckled; seeing the fake heroes pinned to the ground as their bodies were dismantling appeared oddly satisfying.

Only one hardy thorn remained in his foot.

It took a while for him to pierce through the stone sovereign's tough outer layer. Though, with his new ability allowing for airborne movements, his efficient weapons, and mana-infused muscular structure, he ended victoriously; the statue's grinning face had crumbled into millions of pieces. The giant dipped, merging with its allies in a hill of defeat and destruction.

Jinwoo was relieved, drained and strained. His breathing was erratic, and his clothes were like rags, fabric barely shielding his body anymore. Only stripes of bloody, dirtied skin could be seen.

"Incredible!" The seraph exhilarated, hand-clapping condescendingly. Its smile was putrid and splitting while its pupils glowed with maleficence.

"You swore to give answers!" Jinwoo pointed out through ragged breaths.

"But the test has only begun," It briefly pouted, striding loudly towards the stationary hunter. Halting centimetres away, its back bent until its face loomed over Jinwoo's head. "I'm still standing, aren't I?"

The hunter glared, lips pursing in distaste.

In a gruesome opera of cracks and snaps, the wings shifted until they shaped six arms in the angel's back; two additional ones grew in his armpits. It looked unsightly, vile, and sly.

"Despicable piece of shit!" The hunter spat, unwavering when he raised two mana-glowing eyes.

"Haha, funny little bug," It chortled, mocking and confident. "And don't worry for my life. We're here to test you, aren't we."

Jinwoo shuddered at the meaning of those words; even if only he tried to conceal his power, he wasn't sure he'd make it out of this tomb alive.

[Quest: Emergency quest issued]

Clear Condition: Defeat the enemy before the time runs out

Remaining Time: 10:00

*Warning* — Upon failure: Player Sung Jinwoo's heart will refrain from beating until death ensues

The hunter gulped down dry saliva, fear and confusion meddling as the standing of his opponent was revealed.

[That's right] "That's right," It grinned in orgasmic pleasure. Jinwoo's senses were overwhelmed by the unnatural echo of the system's announcement. [I am the system's architect] "I am the system's architect."

"Fuck off!" He hurled back, feeling dazed.

[Catch me if you can] "Catch me if you can!" It cackled in an unharmonized manner.

Before Jinwoo could react, his back was embedded in a wall, and a rhythmic beat scorched through his forearms. It felt as if his bones had shattered into dust. Fortunately, his reflexes were more efficient than his controlled actions, or his nose would have already pushed inside his skull.

He groaned, standing back up on firm legs. He cracked the vertebrae of his neck it two strong pushes of his chin and positioned himself in a predatorial stance.

He was announcing it; he was ready to fight.

The angel couldn't help but feel worry and pride as it focused on the hunter's savage, powerful gaze. Shivers rolled down its spine, and it took a fighting position, arms arched in a spider-like manner.

They met in the centre, Jinwoo paring every punch the angel statue attempted to hit him with. Despite its eight arms drilling toward the player, it remained unable to corner him. Its movements became more rushed and less precise as it was growing impatient.

Jinwoo was hyper-aware of everything, so attentive he almost suffered from oversensitivity.

The advantage with over-powered opponents was that they usually had a superiority complex. If someone weaker even dared stand on equal grounds, they lost composure and made errors. The architect demonstrated just that, allowing the hunter to finally hit him clean, right through the jaw.

He snickered.

It stumbled back, expression dazed as it brought a hand to touch the crumbling stone of its face.

"Hurts, huh?" Jinwoo taunted, making the powerful statue glare at him in disbelief. It growled, eight hands extending out to receive the weaker statues' scattered weapons in each.

"You can do that too?" The dark-haired one feigned disappointment with a mocking spark in his eyes.

In defiance, he straightened his stance and looked down on the architect.

[Remaining Time: 04:57]

They both surged at each other again, one more feral than ever and the other calculative.

In terms of power, Jinwoo was undeniably weaker. However, the architect didn't have much experience fighting with someone using tricks to compensate for the power difference, and that's exactly how the hunter fought when overwhelmed.

In a swift movement, he ripped a piece of his rag-like t-shirt and threw it in between them, blocking the creator's vision momentarily. It stilled for a fraction of a second, and it was enough for Jinwoo's blades to slice right through one of its arms.

It shrieked.

[Die!] It screeched menacingly, forgetting that its original objective was to assess the player's strength.

"I won't!" Jinwoo hurled in answer, defending against the incredibly powerful blow of the spiked mace.

He could see the weaker statues were getting rebuilt around him, but he prevented it by activating his authority.

"Coward!" He hissed, smashing the angel's face onto his right knee and taking another of its arms while it remained stunned from the shock.

It took no longer for Jinwoo to finally overpower it, and both knew how this fight would end from this point on.

The angel's ego was shattered —breaking further with each of his arms getting severed— but it seemed relieved at the same time. Jinwoo wouldn't know, but it was glad to see the receptacle was likely strong enough to not break at the sheer contact of the Monarch's will.

The architect fell to its knees as the S-ranked hunter pointed menacing blades to its throat. He stood proud —his throat wheezing with each breath he took— and the creature could only bow its head in defeat.

[I lost] It admitted as the room settled in stillness. [The test has ended].

[Remaining Time: 00:34]

Jinwoo stared at the countdown for a while, ensuring the deceitful angel hadn't told him another lie.

His skin felt like a scorching desert, sweat and mana evaporating out of his pores in an ominous mist. He glared at the statue, head high and gaze crushing, belittling almost.

"Who am I?" He asked tentatively, thinking back on the statue's earlier critique.

The creature grinned, letting the hunter's heavy breath be the only source of echo in the temple.

[I am proud] It spoke through the system. [However, the answer exists within yourself] It added cryptically.

The hunter's brows knitted in confusion.

[Recalling data stored in the system's memory]

[Authorization to proceed with the playback]
? (Y/N) ?

He glared at the windows floating before him, wondering whether getting deceived was worth receiving answers.

"I accept," Jinwoo spoke with confidence, still wary of the architect's sudden submissiveness.

[Successful upload of the stored data]

[Screening begins...]

The floor swiped away from his feet, and he fell.

He dropped so fast and so deep he felt like Alice travelling to the Wonderland. Unable to locate the top from the bottom, the left from the right. He was falling, and that was all he knew.

Colourful beams began to manifest in his field of vision. They were like instant memories, making him reminisce about forgotten feelings. And they thickened, gradually overwhelming his senses until all was white and blinding.

He finally stilled as a scene painted itself in front of his clouded pupils.

Blood-red soils and violet skies.

There was a mismatched army on stand-by. Jinwoo detailed it; monsters of many races were mingling with each other in a tight group of anxiety. No disparity reigned in the mass. There was no cannon fodder nor general. The tall and the short, the strong and the weak, were randomly mixed and glaring up in unification towards a midnight-tinted lake over their heads.

The black gate cracked open with such strength the entire world seemed to quake around them. Silver-armoured angels fell from the inky door, wings on their backs and spears in their hands. Their god-like sheen gathered in a thick cloud, looming dangerously over the footed army.
Horns were blown, and on cue, the ethereal army began to move.

Silver dropped, diving down like thousands of nuclear heads and likely carrying comparable strength.

The scene Jinwoo was spectating had been a one-sided massacre. The monsters he was so used to obliterating were wiped in bundles of a hundred in a single swipe of the winged ones' weapons. They were like farmers reaping wheat under the scorching sun of a countryside summer.

They came pouring out of the inky gate in an endless cycle. Silver rain dropped, swiped and flew back up. Floods were sent in short intervals, creating a massive wheel of death. They were like the Grimm Reaper's personal combine harvester.

Rare were the ones who did not fly back up.

Jinwoo almost felt bad for the monsters stuck on the ground. Black sludge was forming at their feet as the blood of their peers blended with dirt.

When the battle's direction was already decided, the silver army suddenly froze. Their brows twisted in fear, and their limbs began trembling in anticipation.

The hunter turned around to investigate the object of their terror.

There was a midnight lake —twin to the airborne gate— following a duet of potent shadows on the ground. The smoked figures were majestic, royal almost, and Jinwoo instinctively recognised the bigger one.

The Shadow Monarch.

He was a dark and impressive knight, riding on an inky horse with comparable stature.

However, Jinwoo did not recognise the Monarch's peer; it held onto its arm, appearing demon-like. The figure was svelte and beguiling; it was like an incubus under the moonlight. Beautiful horns were mounted on its head, and otherworldly wings extended on its back.

The most abnormal was that Jinwoo could see its eyes —tempting blue storms— staring directly at his own. He was taken aback, but his focus quickly switched to the battlefield as the Monarch sent his army towards the massacred grounds.

"Arise." He spoke —did not scream. Yet the hunter could feel his very psyche shake at the undeniable command echoing in his head.

Like a fever dream, the field of deceased monsters was draped in an eerie black veil, and the dead rose to life in a ripple. They did slowly, forgetting their flesh shells, and each became stronger than they had ever been in their entire life. They did not spare time before they slaughtered their own allies so these too could earn the privilege of joining the immortal army too.

Jinwoo trembled in excitement, witnessing the strength his future could hold. He felt restless, jittery.

Despite the fear on their faces, the winged soldiers dived down, probably obeying their orders. The massacre reversed. Each angel who dared venture close enough ended up ripped apart and dealt no damage to the shadow army despite their skilled attacks.

The Monarch spoke, and they were tainted dark, flying back up not to go home but to murder their peers turned enemy. No matter how many poured out of the gate, no more than a tenth returned safely.

They felt the happiest under the reign of the shadows.

The Monarch rode on his horse, finally joining in on the warfare. The demon-like entity followed near, wings so sharp they beheaded the silver-wearers without a struggle; bugs on his path. The Monarch used his authority, and many were mashed in a puddle of bodily fluids. The two grinned at each other, amused and proud.

Their banter held no longer when they discovered new gates farther in front of them. Infantries walked out in an organised manner, holding banners embedded with clan crests Jinwoo was familiar with. He had seen them on the higher floors of the Demon's Castle.

So, the newcomers were demons, high in number and fresh in resources.

Jinwoo's heart ached as if a friend had turned against him. He seemed to endure the same emotions as the ones expressed on the Monarch's face.

The first to react was the winged darling. It growled terrifyingly and wiped an entire squad in a single movement of his newly summoned sword. Some demons were shouting at it, painting it a traitor.

The beautiful being only hissed in answer, swinging another enraged blade at them. The Monarch called it back, rubbed its back in support, and sent a squadron of his towards the new threat. He rose fresh soldiers from blood tainted soils and waited in the middle of the carnage for his victory to be yelled.

The Shadow Monarch was gaining more and more terrain with every wave of death, but his mana was running low.

The couple joined their soldiers, partaking in the massacre ongoing. Desperately chasing after the one belittling him from his unethical throne. When the Monarch reached the demons' Ruler, he surged at its throat, fingers digging in its flesh. At the same time, his beguiling peer focused on ripping the venomous throne apart.

A king without a throne was no less than cannon fodder.

Jinwoo shut his eyes tight, feeling his heart twist in pain, resentment and sorrow. It was as if he had been wronged, betrayed. He felt tightness in his hand, and thick liquid tickled his skin as it dribbled down to the earth.

He opened dazed eyes and was met with two pairs of glowing orbs. His fingers were buried deep within the creature's neck, and it stared right back at him. The winged creature he had seen helping the Shadow Monarch earlier was nowhere to be seen, and the throne remained intact. It was only him and the dying demon. Staring at the white of each other's eyes.

The hunter heard it speak in a foreign language, unable to let go of his grip until it fell limp, dead.

Then he recognised it, laying like that on the war-bloodied soils. He recognised it, the Monarch of the White flames, Demon King Baran.

[...screening of the saved data has ended]

Jinwoo woke up in cottony chaos. He was confused, convinced the architect promised him reminiscence. He had earned premonitions instead. He wondered if it might've been both, a hint at his origins and future.

A hint at destiny.

It took him a while to regain his senses. However, he was disturbingly aware of the incessant and desynchronised beats which resonated deep within his chest. It was as if two hearts were battling in the tight cavity behind his lungs.

He stood up silently, hiding his presence to not stir any attention while remaining in introspection. He felt raw, unstable power surge through his veins and arteries. It burnt so much it was like his vessels were liquifying in a sludge of bloody mana.

There was a potent yet submissive power boiling within himself.

His face distorted, and he kept his vocal cords from acting up. Black marbling appeared in ugly, disgusting trails of thick, potent blood across his skin.

[Item — Black Heart]

Requirement: Reminiscent memories of defeating the Demon King, Baran, Sovereign of the White Flames

Type: Organic; Body part

Effect: MP +100 000

Status: Unstable

Remaining Time until Assimilation: 8759:59:59

He choked at the view of the time needed for the heart to stabilise. Human beings were weak creatures; he couldn't deny it. Feeling such acute pain from an object being inserted inside his constitution. He was convinced Igris or Beru would've been fine in a similar situation.

He couldn't handle that torture for an entire year. Even less when considering he had to protect his world from annihilation at the same time.

At least this novel heart had earned him a new title: Demon Hunter.

Wiping the sheen of sweat dotting his sick-looking skin, he finally tuned in on the surrounding world. Jinwoo devoured stimuli as if deprived of any for millennia.

"But… Every other human —beside you— will die today." He heard the familiar cackling of the architect grow within the temple.

Jinwoo could only see its back, but it sufficed to irritate him enough for the pain to fuel anger like water on an oil fire.

"Says who?" He answered, announcing his awakeness and waiting less than a second before smashing his knuckles through the despicable angel's cranium.

It flew through the room and crashed in a chaos of stones and metals.

The hunter dashed to his nemesis, ignoring his surroundings as all that mattered was his revenge. He did not care for the very futile presence of the hunters in the room with him. His raw aura was now so potent it was hard to prevent them from choking on his bloodthirst.

Jinwoo appeared like a demon, an inhumane glow in his predatorial eyes. He grabbed onto the angel's head, denting the stone of its skull with the sheer pressure of his flesh fingers.

"What the fuck did you do to me?" He groaned, gurgled almost, so deep and hateful that only the monster laying underneath could understand his message.

"H-how?" Its voice waiver. "How did you retain your ego with the Black Heart embedded in your chest!?" It asked, utterly floored at the revelation.

Things hadn't gone according to its plans, and Jiwoo tightened his grip when he realised how foolish he had been. His existence was mere fodder, meant to be erased, not proclaimed.

Pain and hate driving him, the hunter lifted the thing's skull to only smash it into the rubbles again. Deep cracks appeared along its jaw and neck. The architect seemed so weak and fragile under the hunter's grip.

"Explain yourself!" He ordered.

The veins nearer to the surface of his skin were bulging unsightly, his circulatory system overwhelmed with the raptured power circulating through his cells. His head felt like it could burst any second.

The statue didn't answer, irises glowing with its last reserves of mana in an attempt to save its life. Jinwoo summoned his blades, sending them to deal with the crumbling soldiers as he activated his ruler's authority.

The architect's face split in a mocking smile.

"Who knows what might happen to you if I die." The angel cackled in a bluff, pebbles crumbling away from its figure as it shook.

Jinwoo stared him down like toying with a mere ant.

He scoffed, leaning near its face. Its breath hitched when he blew on the uncovered part of its skin.

"A system doesn't crumble when its creator perishes. It remains untouched, pristine." He slurred in a dangerous promise.

[System has denied the System's Administrator's access]

[System has denied the System's Administrator's access]

[System has denied the System's Administrator's access]

"No! No-no-no!" The creature panicked, squirming chaotically under the heir's pressure. "Please! I beg you! Please!"

[System has denied the System's Administrator's access]

"You're so loud," Jinwoo complained, rolling his eyes.

Then, under the white jointed grip of the hunter's fist, the architect's head exploded into oblivion. Jinwoo took his time to rip the legs off its body and further tore it into two even pieces. Once done, his anger finally cooled and left him to deal with the invasive sensation of misery throughout his entire body.

A loud ringing called for his attention.

[Easter Egg — Unlocked]

Unlocking conditions: The Architect's Death; Black Heart

Difficulty: ???

Clear Conditions: Aid the Reader in avoiding death until he d%$tr@y? the t#r@?&

Restrictions: Mana capped to 5% of its current reserve (gradual increase as the Reader survives each scenario); Stats capped to 50% of their current numbers until success/failure; One shadow soldier can be summoned per day (regardless of mana reserves); Shadow soldiers stats capped to 50% of their current numbers until success/failure

Remaining Time: Undetermined (48:00:00)

Reward: Shadow hide (class-specific skill); Black Heart's assimilation; Stats multiplied by 1.5 after closing the [Gate to Another World]; ???
Fail conditions: The Reader's death; The Regressor's death; Active tampering with the other worldline's Main Scenario

*Warning* — Upon failure: The Heir of the Shadow Monarch (Sung Jinwoo) will be trapped inside the [Gate to Another World]; The Heir of the Shadow Monarch (Sung Jinwoo) will be stripped of any system-gained privileges

[Item — Key of the Gate to Another World]

Rarity: ???

Type: Key

*Warning* — Use allowed only inside the Double Lair (see: where the praiseworthy one rules)

"The fuck?" He wondered out loud, reading through the notification attentively.

He was confused, but one reward had captured his attention: Black Heart's assimilation. Only this sufficed in helping him settle on a decision.

"Ha, sucks to suck, mister system architect." He chuckled softly. "To think you tried to make me believe the system would die with you. Why would you create that Easter Egg, though?" He mused, kicking in the angel's remains.

"Hunter Sung Jinwoo?" A man called out, approaching cautiously; Jinwoo recognised Woo Jinchul trudging over the remnants of his fight. "Is everything all right?"

The hunter nodded, still staring at the information floating in front of him.

"Hey, just wondering. How would you do without me for about two days?" He rasped, now diverting blood-shot eyes towards the other man's face.

"Didn't you want to help Japan with the S-rank break?" He questioned in an unsettled whisper.

"It didn't break yet." He pointed out with his eyebrows raised.

"It actually did…." The man countered, and Jinwoo ignored him. "May I ask why you need two days?" The blond pinched his nose bridge between his thumb and index, feeling burnt out.

However, he knew better than oppose a man who single-handedly annihilated what he and an entire squad of high-level hunters couldn't even dream to scratch.

The hunter didn't answer and walked over to the giant throne where the massive statue used to rest almighty and unchallenged. Woo Jinchul followed him, and Jinwoo began to study the rock for a keyhole to insert the void-coloured key he was rewarded.

His marbled fingers felt bloated and sensitive against the rough texture of the rock. It seemed like hunter Cha Haein also silently followed behind them. Either curious or nosy.

"What are you doing?" She wondered shyly.

"Ah!" Jinwoo voiced once he finally discovered the characteristic slit on the back of the godly chair.

When he pushed the item in, a chunk of the space and the throne were sucked into nothing. A deep blood-red gate expanded in front of them. It captured everyone's attention.

"Hunter Sung?" The man working for the monitoring division iterated hesitantly, eyes fixed on the anomaly.

"See you in two days." He expressed as he stepped inside, a non-committal smile on his face.

He was entirely unaware of what was waiting for him behind this odd gate. He wondered if it was a trap; it did arise from the architect's system after all.

While Jinwoo was already sucked into the new space, the gate locked and turned an ominous black for everyone in the temple to witness.

It was too late to dwell on the pros and cons now.

The Easter Egg did say he would get stripped of his powers if he failed at his task.

[You have entered the Gate to Another World]

Jinwoo grimaced; he definitely should've given it more thoughts after all.

Chapter Text

Quick art of our two protagonists:

(Wanted to draw a scene, but I'm shit at poses and need ages to draw them so yep opted for portraits)

[You have entered the Gate to Another World]

Jinwoo’s first reaction after stepping out of the midnight tinted portal was squinting to protect his eyes. The ambient air was dirtied with clouds of opaque dust which swirled with the fanning movement of his forearm. He focused on his surroundings; he was in the middle of what seemed to be a wide road. He could hear the bent metal of destroyed cars cry in agony and it seemed like some individuals were still moaning in anguish.

As he trudged over the various boulders, he mused himself by matching them with the different buildings lining the roadway. That helped him grossly evaluate the power of whatever caused the destruction.

He sighed, looking up towards the veiled heavens, he saw no life. Taken by vertigo, his feet became uncoordinated, and he accidently stepped on the fresh cadaver of a middle-aged man. Jinwoo hissed in disgust when he saw his hands bathed in the thick blood pooling around the dismembered body.

“Could’ve fucking died somewhere else…” He grumbled to himself, feeling his spite for this waning world settle deeper in his brain.

[Careful, you’ll need some time to get accustomed to the stat cap]

“Huh?” He hitched, noticing the system’s surprising eloquence. “Automatic patch update maybe?” He mumbled to himself.

[No]
[Expected you brighter hunter Sung Jinwoo]

The system spoke in a softer version of its previous voice. It seemed capable of intonation too. The hunter chuckled, feeling like testing the code’s boundaries.

“What? Became sentient or something? Feeling like taking over the world?” He mocked before chocking on the thickened air surrounding him. “Spoiler alert, this one appears to suck ass, System.”

[I know it does]
[And I’ve always been sentient, I just hid it well]

It spoke proudly, as if expecting the black-haired man to praise it for its extraordinary achievement. Instead, he shrugged and stood up, rubbing his hands on the remains of his pants. He stripped out of these and cleaned himself with the wet wipes his mother insisted he took inside dungeons so he could sanitize before eating. He then dressed in a set of black clothes he had stored in the inventory and went back to exploring around.

Jinwoo stilled, throat thick and eyes wide. “Shit!” He spat, realizing he forgot to bring his stronger shadows; he had assigned them to the people he cared for. “Shit-shit-shit! System?!”

[What?]

Jinwoo grimaced at the sour of its tone, he should’ve sucked up to it earlier.

“Um…. You said you created that gate, right?” He trailed on.

[And?]

“I…. I forgot my shadows…” He grinned, hand rubbing violently at his nape when embarrassment hit. “Can you create another one, so I get to bring at least Beru and exchange him with the ant army? I can only summon one shadow a day regardless…”

[Why would I let you do that?]

“Because you’re the kindest System in the universe and I bet you would be the prettiest if you had a face.” He attempted with a giant grin on his face. “Such a talented actor too! Made me believe you were a simple machine when you were such an immense being, capable of creating portals in between worlds and everything!” He rambled, spouting out anything that might sound like a compliment to the entity. “I’m in utter awe before your dignified standing.”

[You…]
[R-really?]

He nodded, face solemn.

[Alright, but only Beru and I’ll need to rest for a while after…]
[So, let me just tell you something]
[To find the reader, activate ‘Shadow Hide’]

“Alright. Thank you for the tip, babe.” He grinned, feeling like teasing the flustered entity in the process. To think something so powerful could have such a submissive personality, he didn't mind keeping it as a companion for his remaining time inside the gate.

A wide carmine portal appeared under his feet and he dipped one inside. For the ant-like shadow to locate him, he had to at least cast darkness on a surface.

Jinwoo wondered what would happen if he suddenly decided to dive inside, abandoning the task related to this terminally ill place. He also pondered on the nature of this dimension, whether it was real or coded, whether its individuals were endowed with intelligence and freedom of choice. After all, his own interface was RPG oriented, so they might as well be designed similar to in game NPCs.

He shook it off, taking his foot out once he had finished reorganizing his armies. The system didn’t seem to have capped the number of shadows he could move around through the red puddle; however, he still settled for Beru —who appeared ecstatic for being the chosen one— only seeing as he needed strong soldiers to ensure his family's wellbeing in his absence.

“Beru.” Jinwoo called and the impressive ant rose from his shade. It kneeled in front of him and lowered its head, waiting for instructions. “Explore.” He simply ordered and in the blink of an eye the ant was already gone.

The hunter could feel it through the link, Beru had never been as eager as he had been when discovering this new space. It wasn’t like his usual scouting missions inside the gates, this seemed… different. Like they were going on an adventure together.

While waiting, Jinwoo sat on a boulder and skimmed through the new skill’s information.

[Skill: Shadow Hide LV.MAX]
Job-Specific Skill
No Mana Required

The caster can slip within the darkness casted by any living beings.
Allows the caster to hide its presence entirely; cannot be detected while hiding in a shadow.
When hidden inside of it, the target’s shadow will act as a window to the external world.
The caster cannot affect the external world while hiding in a shadow.

*Warning* — Within the Planetary System 8612, usage limited to The Reader’s shadow.

“My king.” Beru spoke softly through the link, as if to announce its presence. Jinwoo nodded in acknowledgement. “This kingdom strongly resembles yours, my king. I could even find your estate, although there weren’t any residual signs of Miss Jinah and Madame Kyunghye.”

“Alright, thank you Beru. Anything else to report?” He looked up towards his subordinate. It nodded.

“It appears like this world is under the attack of greater entities. This city is also crippled with gargantuan, prehistoric-looking monsters, whether it be in the airs, on the soils or in the waters.”

Jinwoo chuckled at his observation, memories of the ant sitting in front of a palaeontology documentary with Jinah resting on its shoulder.

“The humans of this world also seem alike to the weaker one’s in yours.” It ended its explanations there and the hunter patted its shoulder in satisfaction.

He sent it back inside his shade and took the decision to go witness it all with his own eyes.

Jinwoo climbed up the highest building he could find, using its leftover stairs to do so. From the top, or precisely the last floor standing, he gazed over the horizon. It seemed like Beru had been right, this was a carbon copy of Seoul, if one ignored the destruction ravaging it. This view was vaguely reminiscent of the one he had encountered in the demon castle’s lower floors.

“Maybe a dungeon broke?” He wondered as he spotted one of the creatures the ant had spoken of in the Han river. “And since they’re weak they couldn’t do anything about it?”

He sighed, that was probably not it. If a gate of this level cracked open in a place like this, it’d be visible from where he was standing. So, Jinwoo was dealing with a world where the gates didn’t exist. Then how did these monsters appear here?

He walked over to the other side of the building and realized the destruction wasn’t general. Some parts of the city appeared to have been avoided by the catastrophe. It may have meant the demolition was sign of it being the territory of a monster.

As if on cue to his thoughts, his felt his hair and clothes being tugged at by a massive air pressure change. He felt himself getting sucked towards the ground and he would’ve fallen if it wasn’t for his stats. An enormous flying creature appeared over the tower facing the one his was on. Wings displacing impressive quantities of wind with each of their strong movements.

The monster was as big as a plane and covered in tough, sanguine, leather-like skin. Multiple long iron spines created a line from its forehead down to its tail. There, the spikes gathered in a bloodied mace, dripping thick as the monster swung it around. Its head elongated in a deathly beak in which long tainted teeth resided. Its bird-like feet were clawed and digging inside the cement like knifes in butter. And, to complete the hall of destruction in which the creature's features resided, its wings were enormous. Twice his body size in width each and so powerful they could wipe the entire area if the monster felt like doing so.

Jinwoo winced when it screeched at unbelievable frequencies. Beru mentioned prehistoric-like creatures, and yes, although this one was quite reminiscent of a pterosaur from the Mesozoic era, it was nothing alike in terms of danger factor.

“Fucking hell.” He spat when two glowing orbs settled on him.

The creature lowered its body until it was flush against the stone surface. It seemed to have chosen Jinwoo as its next meal and was ready to take a bite.

[Emergency Quest: Kill the Enemy]

There are entities nearby which intend to murder the player.
Slay them to ensure your safety.

Notice: The enemy is not related to the Main Scenario.

Enemies to kill: 1

*Warning* — Upon failure a penalty will be issued as a result.

[Enemies killed: 0/1]

He chuckled at the system’s automatic notification. “You must be quite stupid thinking you can take me on.” He chuckled, feeling quite amused by the creature’s provocative snarl. “Come then, you’ll learn to judge your opponents better this way.” He grinned.

The creature leaped over the road, neck extended to the farthest it could reach, and beak wide opened as pungent saliva webbed the gap. Jinwoo grinned, pulling a dagger out and using his authority simultaneously, he locked the beak in place with one hand and lodge the blade near the creature’s heart. Its body was so massive and heavy Jinwoo could feel his mana deplete at incredible rates. He huffed.

“You’d make a great addition to my army.” He whispered near one of its blood-red irises as it now seemed to be anxiously pushing against the glass wall to escape the man’s grasp.

Jinwoo pierced through the thick skin and punctured his way through its bones until his arm was shoulder deep inside. The creature was in a state of utter panic, unable to make the man release its restraining hold.

“Bye-bye butterfly.” He sang, reaching farther, digging through its muscular heart, and ripping its neck off its body at the same time.

He pulled his arm out, frowning when seeing the sleeve of his jacket drenched in the monster’s black blood. The now limp body fell causing the street to rumble when it met the pavement like a dead weight.

[Enemies killed: 1/1]
[No rewards were set for this achievement]

“Fucking asshole, calling me a player then denying me rewards… This fucking architect.” He grumbled at the view of the notification. “If System was awake, I’m sure it’d have given me something.” He added in an acted pout.

He sighed it off and slid down the now slanted building to give an attempt at distilling a shadow from this odd monster’s corpse. It hadn’t been exactly strong, but it could be useful against some of the creatures attacking his own dimension. He could also train it a bit while staying here.

When he reached the road, a small floating fluff ball was gazing at the body, eyes wide and mouth hanging. As tall and angular as a football, the creature appeared cute in Jinwoo’s eyes. Its tiny feet and hand were mounted by thin, sharp claws and its head wore two stubby horns. Its skin was covered in a bloodied coat of silky white fur and its eyes shone red with anger. A slither of razor-like teeth could be detected under his snarl.

[You… these aren’t supposed to be killed before the end of the first scenario!] It complained angrily. [And even then… a human would require having killed thousands of living beings to be able to even if only defend against one of those.]

“Ah? Sorry, I thought it was quite weak…” The hunter rubbed his nape, feeling embarrassed for having been discovered.

[W-weak?] Its eyes were wide when they gazed at the oblivious man and the corpse in a frantic succession. [W-who are you?] It waivered.

“That’s a secret.” He spoke with a finger in front of his lips as they extended in a smile.

[No shit! I don’t even have the authority to verify your identity… I hoped you’d just say it.] It mumbled, visibly irritated with the entire situation. [I’m gonna get reprimanded again.] It fake-cried.

“Sorry about that?” Jinwoo spoke confused. “However, I’m quite pressed, so can you…” He softly pushed it away in a swipe of his hand, ignoring its offended expression.

Standing in front of the body, he inhaled the tainted air until his alveoli were all filled to the brim. He breathed out, focusing on the flesh laying limp on the concrete. He optimized his throat and lungs with mana, giving his voice authority before he spoke.

“Arise.” He ordered unshakeable.

Residues of powers evaporated off his skin in eerie arabesques.

Black smoke poured out of the creature’s body, slowly enveloping the entire street in a substantial veil of darkness. The monster stared in a mix of awe and terror, wondering where this unknown human had received his powers from. These seemed nothing alike to what the Constellations could bestow; he wasn’t an incarnation.

[Are you a Constellation? Maybe you weren’t aware…] He spoke, trying his best at sounding diplomatic to avoid angering this being he knew nothing of but it’s potent status. [But if you happen to be one, you cannot stay here. Even undercover…]

When the extraction ended, Jinwoo slowly caressed the beak of his new companion and paid little to no attention to the tiny one chatting away. He examined the monster’s downsized appearance with excitement. The aesthetic mix of sideral black and mana glow made it seem ethereal.

[ERROR]

[ERROR]

[ERROR]

[Skill Cancelled: Shadow Extraction]

The new shadow creature suddenly collapsed, leaving nothing behind but a few dancing pieces of dust.

Jinwoo sighed; he had already guessed his shadow creation skills may not apply to the beings of the worldline, but he was still disappointed.

“What’s a Constellation?” He finally questioned. “I only of know them as star formations found in space.”

[You don’t know? I’ll tell you if you tell me who you are.] It bargained shamelessly and Jinwoo’s eyes glowed with impatience. [Um… Ah… They’re very powerful beings!] It blurted out in a panic.

“Yes, and?” The dark-haired man pressed menacingly.

[Um… They’re like sponsors watching over this world through the Star Stream. I, Bihyung, am a dokkaebi streamer and my objective is to find the most interesting scenes to entertain them with. I gain fame and power from it.] It explained in an anxious manner, rubbing its hands together.

The hunter tilted his head to the side, dokkaebi were never represented as such in his high school Korean folklore classes. He imagined them as malignant beings of darkness. This one appeared rather cute and subservient compared to what its specie’s reputation suggested.

He shrugged it off and inquired the monster to carry on with its rambling in a single roll of his wrist.

[Ah! And through the stream the Constellations can decide which humans they want as incarnations, giving them a piece of their powers. It’s all like a game to them!]

“Alright. Thank you for clearing this misunderstanding.” Jinwoo nodded, satisfied expression on his face. “Aren’t your Constellations weak thought?” He looked down on the creature, feeling like a bit of intimidation could never hurt. “You confused me with one, yet my powers are restrained to less than half of their true potency…”

[Ah, sorry! No-yes, some constellations are significantly weaker than others. As of now, you exhume a similar status to lower ranked Constellations. Although I’m sure you’d be on par with Myth grade ones after your powers replenish.] It bowed politely, visibly scared for its life.

“Alright. Bihyung was it?” He asked.

Its fur ruffled as it nodded frantically.

Jinwoo activated his new skill, and his body began sinking into the floor. It felt as if he was entering a sort of volatile liquid. The fabric of the hunter’s clothes was sticking snug to his skin when darkness enveloped his limbs.

“Hope to never see you again.” He waved, chuckling at the creature’s expression when it realised the hunter had already left.

His hair was floating around the crown of his head. He could breathe as well, if not better, as over the massacred surface of this city. In this novel space, he couldn’t see anything but the glowing silhouettes of his lonely soldier. There weren’t any directions nor distances, everything felt so close yet so far. He felt genuinly overwhelmed, wondering if that is how it always felt for his shadows.

“Where are you my dear reader.” He mumbled, turning around himself while he searched for a clue.

As if his words were magic, a blinding column of light manifested in the distance. White rays dancing around like someone was walking through beams of sunlight.

“Beru?” He asked, catching the attention of the five soldiers. “What is this?” He wondered. “There is some light shining over there.”

“My king…” The ant bowed. “We call them wells. They allow us to observe the events ongoing on the surface and act as doors when you authorize us to leave the shadows of the world.” It explained softly, honoured to share its knowledge with the Heir of a Monarch.

“Alright. Thank you.” He smiled, grateful.

Jinwoo travelled to the well, which turned out to be only a few steps away and peeped at what was happening outside. The reader seemed to be situated in the unstable carriage of an unmoving train and was fighting against a white-haired high schooler. That one was holding a knife and an odd aura appeared to surround him. It was subtle, but the power was dark, sharp, and disgusting. Despite the gap in their strength, his protégé was doing a good job at dodging the random attacks without getting too injured.

“Hey.” He stopped, smirking as the boy stilled in surprise. “Chungil High, second year, Kim Namwoon.” He exposed aloud with confidence. “I have a question for you.”

The other stared at him confused. “What?” He furrowed his brows.

“Do you think grasshopper’s eggs count as living beings?” He grinned, ecstatic, before exposing the corpse of said insect in one of his hands.

He then crushed it in a tight, shaking fist. Pupils challenging his murderous peers when popping noises could be heard in the entire wagon.

Jinwoo stared at him in awe as fluid and chunks of granulated flesh dripped around his fingers. He applauded the man’s courage. He’d have never stood against someone stronger than him back when he was an E-rank hunter. However, considering the reader was someone he was supposed to protect; daring wasn’t a quality he was exactly fond of.

The student’s frown turned in a mocking smile. “Oh, the things people do to avoid death!” He laughed almost manic, making fun of the other one’s determination. “Are you trying to make me loose some time.” He added in a patronizing voice which annoyed the hunter so much he’d have bashed his skull in already if he was allowed to.

The kid was labelled as part of the Main Scenario.

“Maybe… Maybe not.” The reader paced around, visibly unbothered by the other one’s presence.

“I’ll kill you!” Namwoon spat, anger suddenly spiking when he realized his taunts weren’t working anymore.

The blackened knife dove towards the older man, which did not move an inch. It was as if he had already accepted his fate and was willing to let the blade dig through his pristine flesh. Jinwoo hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping out of the shadow to restrain the teenager’s wrist, menacing to rip his arm off as he tightened the grip of his other hand around the kid's face. He moved so fast neither the reader nor the high schooler could react in time.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” He hissed, low and dangerous.

The white-haired boy flinched at the view of Jinwoo's facial expression. He appeared so hateful, it was as if the younger one had tried killing his very own family. If he had known the frail looking desk worker had such a strong person backing him, he wouldn't have even thought of messing with him. Namwoon was bloodthirsty, yes, but he still cared for his own survival. 

Seeing the younger one shocked into stillness, the hunter huffed and turned to check on the reader's safety. There he was met with two confused obsidians, so deep and hypnotizing Jinwoo wasn’t sure how he had managed to tear his own pupils away. His gaze travelled on the reader’s face. His lips were full, bruised and pouty, they were almost daring. He had a short nose and a small, soft face. His eyes were big, feline and his lashes thick. His skin was pale, contrasting heavily with the rose blush spreading on his cheeks. He looked so beautiful it took the hunter's breath away. 

Jinwoo gulped, tearing the reader away from his own facial exploration.

“Yoo... Joonghyuk?” He attempted, figuring no one else but the sunfish could be as handsome as the man staring him down.

The hunter frowned. Feeling offended by the obvious mix up, he tilted his head questioningly, brows furrowed deep as he ignored the background noise of Namwoon’s panicked pleads for freedom.

“Um, it doesn’t matter. I forgot he’s the madman next door regardless… Sorry.” He looked up through his fringe. “Who are you?” He then asked, wondering whether he had just forgotten a character whom appeared later, in a part of the script he didn't have access to yet.

On cue to Jinwoo’s silence, the timer stopped. Paired with the sound of wet explosions, the wagon was painted in the blood of the humans who couldn’t take a life. Jinwoo didn’t flinch, unlike all the other survivors. He was still too focused on the smaller man’s features. He couldn’t exactly point out which part of his face upheld his attention to such extents, but he knew he’d be able to stare at the reader for hours unending.

His focus shifted to the blood and brain tissue sliding down his skin. Shivers travelled up his spine. He was quite used to such body horror, but he still wasn’t a fan of the grey material gathering in blobs on his wrist. He turned back towards the reader when he pulled him closer by the collar of his shirt. The petite man spoke in his ear.

“Actually, don’t tell me who you are here. There are too many witnesses.” He whispered, realizing the man probably was an anomaly similar to him; he didn’t follow the script. “Thank you for saving me, I’m grateful. But I wasn’t going to die, alright?”

“Is that true?” Jinwoo answered for the first time, surprising his peer with the low and rumbling tone of his voice.

He hummed. “Yeah, but can you hide your presence again?” He wondered, feeling self-conscious of his own sound. “Like you did before you intervened? You see, your status is quite overwhelming for the others and you’re attracting a lot of Constellations here.” He explained politely, hoping the powerful man would understand.

“I see. We can discuss through the link then.” He nodded, making the other one frown as he pulled back to gaze at the taller one’s striking profile.

“The link?” He wondered.

“The link.” The other one confirmed, lips unmoving.

“Oh!” The reader voiced, taken aback. “Just… who are you?”

“Secret.” He grinned. “What about you, who are you?”

“Secret.” The reader sassed back, feeling salty, while testing the communication method.

“Mister Dokja!” A light-haired woman called out as she approached them.

Jinwoo eyed the reader, named Dokja, with amusement. It didn’t change much from what he previously used to refer to him. The smaller man pouted in defeat.

“It’s a nice name, no worries.” He tried to reassure, teasing undertones visible in his attitude.

“Shut up.” He hissed. “What’s wrong Miss Yoo Sangha?” He asked, suddenly diplomatic now that she stood beside them.

“Um… I wanted to thank you for um… you know.” She explained shy, briefly eyeing a corner of the wagon where the carcass of a vivarium was left for dead.

“Oh, that was a coincidence. It won’t happen again.” Dokja answered, categoric.

She faltered. “I understand. But still, thank you for finding a solution.” She mumbled before turning to the taller man. “And this is for you mister.” She bowed, handing him an embroidered handkerchief. “To clean your hand, and as a sign of gratitude for helping Mister Dokja… I’m glad someone like you was benevolent enough to provide us with assistance.” She added, hands visibly trembling despite her polite tone.

The hunter grabbed onto the piece of fabric and briefly thanked her. He wasn’t sure benevolent was an adjective exactly appropriate to his existence. Self-driven and selfish were likely more fitting. If benevolence was aligning with his objectives, only then he’d appear as kind.

“I’ll be going then.” He awkwardly smiled at them both.

The hunter was swallowed by the dark fumes of his mana and his body was pulled back into the reader's shadow. There he was welcomed by a visibly tensed ant which fiddled anxiously with its mandibles.

“My king!” It bowed instantly, on both its knees this time. “My king, I have a request.” It spoke hesitant.

“What is it Beru? You know you don’t have to bow like this.” The man sighed, crouching in front of its face.

“I…”

“Go on… I won’t be mad at you, I promise.” He smiled, briefly looking up when realizing the train had begun travelling again.

“The little boy. Allow me to protect him.” He requested solemn. “Allow me to dive in his shade. I may appear shameless, but it is something I wish to do. I feel drawn to him and I am scared he is too weak to survive on his own.” It explained, embarrassed.

Jinwoo looked through the well to search for the boy the soldier was speaking of. He saw him, splattered in the blood of the headless corpse laying by his feet. His eyes were wide and his limbs trembling. The system flagged him as an addition to the Main Scenario.

“I… Let’s wait for now, alright?” He put a hand on his shadow’s whimpering figure. “I’m not saying no, I think it’s a good idea and it's noble of you to ask about the kid's protection. I just want to wait until System wakes up to make sure that wouldn’t make you a permanent summon.” He spoke kindly, feeling softened by the ant’s sudden proof of empathy.

“Thank you.” It stood up near the hunter as it peered through the well, worried gaze fixed on the younger one.

Jinwoo did the same, looking up at the reader while he admired the wrecked visuals of his hometown. He sighed, visibly tired and extremely anxious at the idea of the rampaging dog in the wagon next to theirs.

“In the span of a few hours, a world was torn and, on its ruins, another one dawned.” Dokja recited with Jinwoo for his only audience.

“Where does that sentence come from?” He wondered, curious.

“A book, you wouldn’t know about it.” He snorted and so Jinwoo didn’t press any further on the issue.

“I didn’t realise the train stopped already. Where are we?” He mentioned instead, twisting his neck in order to catch sight of what happened over the train’s seats.

“We’re about halfway past Dongho Bridge.” The reader smiled, portraying nostalgia when he analysed the world outside

“Oh! Shit, wait! The river’s there, right?” He quickly asked and resumed without waiting for an answer. “There’s a monster in there, don't be reckless.”

[Notification]

The Reader has survived through ‘Main Scenario #1 — Proof of Value’

[Reward: Mana 5% —> Mana 6%]

He ignored the distasteful notification when the reader answered. “The sea serpent slithered, sleek in the viscous crimson replacing Han’s waters. The ichthyosaur rejoiced, wet lips curling over daggers when its next meal took a step on the cursed arch. A trail of destruction followed near.”

“From that same book, I guess?” Dokja nodded, biting onto his bottom lip. “I killed the flying one earlier, so if you need help dealing with this one, don’t hesitate.”

“You…killed the flying one?” He reiterated, barely believing his ears. “Just... how the fuck did you do that?”

“Yeah… and that's also a secret.”

The reader couldn’t help but feel anxious about the powerful being’s objectives. He hoped he’d be able to keep coexisting with him without finding any reasons for them to clash against one another. He kept pondering on the situation, figuring he’d better follow the man dressed in black and rally the sunfish to preserve his life that way. At least he didn’t seem like the type of person to antagonize his own allies.

“You’re on my side, right?” He finished by asking, munching onto his nails because of the unknown factor stressing him out.

“Yeah. But I can’t actively tamper with the Main Scenario. Whatever that is?” He scoffed. “I just need to keep the Reader, and the Regressor alive. Emphasis on helping the reader through the scenarios.”

The smaller man’s figure relaxed visibly. “Alright, I think we align together at least. That’s quite reassuring. Wouldn’t want someone like you for enemy, not gonna lie.” He briefly chuckled, assurance re-emerging. 

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Yeah. Now, shut up. I’ll come back to you later. I have stuff to figure out.” He brushed their discussion off, feeling it becoming unnecessary.

“Alright, asshole.” Jinwoo grumbled in the shadows, thinking the reader suddenly stood a whole lot more confident now that he knew the hunter wouldn’t aim at his throat.

Dokja ignored him, only repressing a smile when a notification announced two Constellations were pissed at him for causing Namwoon’s death.

Three additional windows followed soon after. One spoke of a handful of Constellations admiring his scenario and awarded him with a total of five hundred coins. The second one mentioned a handful of Constellations feeling inquisitive about the dark figure which aided him when facing Kim Namwoon.

He tilted his head, realizing the man hadn’t been a mystery only for his own interface. A dark figure they said, however, his visuals were normal when they had met earlier. He wondered whether it was a form of censorship. Something was protecting the man’s identity and even the almighty Constellations remained ignorant on that topic.

He surprised himself by finding the idea of his companion irritating these arrogant beings quite amusing.

The final window warned him about a delay in rewarding due to an unexpected scenario. He chuckled in satisfaction, gazing at the psychopathic brute’s lifeless torso on the pebbled floor of the carriage. The reader was ecstatic at the idea of being the one at fault for this change of plan.

[Wow! Hi everyone!] A familiar dokkaebi mentioned happily after popping out of nowhere.

“Shit, Bihyung…” Jinwoo mumbled to himself, veiling his potent aura.

“You know him?” The reader expressed, surprised.

“Wasn’t speaking to you.” The hunter grumbled, still feeling disrespected.

“Well, you kinda did…”

“I’m used to thinking through the link, fuck off.”

“Whatever.” Dojka rolled his eyes.

[21 stars are connected to my channel! I wonder what happened here to gather such a big audience! Thank you for your sponsorship ô great Constellations.] It bowed towards its interface.

While the dokkaebi listed the five survivors in carriage 3807, Dokja analysed the profiles of the various people accompanying him with the help of the novel skill Character List. He classified them in order from most likely to least likely to survive, and the kid, who was now almost clinging to his leg, definitely ranked the lowest. He was a great target to be portrayed as benevolent with the Constellations.

“Gilyoung, right?” He whispered, catching the boy’s attention as two lifeless eyes focused upwards.

The brown-haired kid nodded, two longer strands of hair sticking up over his head like they had minds of their own. He looked back down; gaze somehow drawn to the reader’s shadow.

“Do you want to live?” Dokja then asked, crouching near his face so he could put the boy at ease.

After a while of silence, shyness, or hesitation, Gilyoung nodded, suddenly clinging to the man’s leg when he ruffled his hair in acted compassion. Dokja couldn’t care less for the poor kid’s survivorship. All that mattered was his own life, and to cherish it he had to appeal to the Constellations in order to receive vast quantities of coins.

He sighed in relief when awarded two hundred for the sake of his goodwill. Sangha seemed just as impressed with him; he shrugged it off. Listening to the creature’s speech on sponsors while gently rubbing the kid's back.

“I was planning on protecting him, glad you feel the same.” Jinwoo briefly expressed, not expecting an answer.

“I have a motive. Didn't do it out of goodwill.” He sighed. "He was clinging to me regardless, I just used it for my own benefit."

“Correction. He wasn't clinging to you, but to your shadow. My soldiers feels drawn to him, and the kid is probably affected too.” The hunter explained, confusing the reader further.

He nodded, feeling like asking questions later because he needed to focus on his choice of sponsor for now. He was surprised to have received four offers. This was a lot considering the sunfish was awarded with five at the beginning of the book 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World' or 'Ways of Survival'.

He sighed, recognizing only three of them. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon and his unending name; Demon-like Judge of Fire also know as Archangel Uriel; and Prisoner of the Golden Headband, Sun Wukong, the Great Sage, Heaven’s equal.

He felt almost honoured by the last option. To think such a powerful Constellation took interest in such a weak human. He pondered on the pros and cons, reflecting on his chances to survive if he selected that sponsor.

Dokja sighed and swiped the window away after deciding he’d have more freedom unchained. The timer ran out and notifications flooded in. The dragon and the judge of fire seemed offended, sending multiple messages evoking their disappointment. On the other hand, the Great Sage and the unknown Constellation Secretive Plotter, which had sent him his fourth offer, were quite amused by his choice. The latter even rewarded him with two hundred coins.

From the reader's shadow, Jinwoo observed the scene with an analytic perspective. Although Dokja tried to appear mundane in the eyes of his peers, he was quite knowledgeable on the new gears of this world. It was as if he was already aware of all there was to know about it. No reasonable human would’ve refused an offer such as a sponsor, that meant he had at least knowledge of their abilities and found them unworthy. Maybe he even knew of the future and thought of a better solution to his weaknesses than bowing to a greater being.

“Why didn't you pick any?” Jinwoo simply questioned.

The dokkaebi was already gone and the army lieutenant, Lee Hyunsung, was trying to pry the carriage's doors open. Violet veins of effort were popping on the side of his neck.

“I’ll tell you if you give him a hand, discreetly.” The reader bargained, lips tight and feet nervous.

“Why would I do that?”

“Why would I answer to your curiosity?”

“Asshole…” He grumbled, taking his hands out to pull on the mechanism with his authority.

The doors flew open and the muscular man fell on the aggravated tracks. He laid on his back, arms extended in victory while he stretched.

“I did it!” He screamed in ecstasy as cold air mixed with the carriage's wet one.

“Because I have a plan.” The reader admitted. “I knew you’d be able to!” He then celebrated with the others. “The dokkaebi, how did it treat you when you met it?”

“With respect.” 

“Perfect, turns out you might be of use.” Dokja chuckled apathetically, jumping in surprise when an explosion resonated next door.

That exact moment was when Jinwoo realized the reader likely wasn’t as confident as he portrayed himself to be. His hands were shaking in terror.

Whatever it was, behind that door.

Dokja was scared of it.

Chapter Text

Dokja stepped out of the carriage, heart heavy and lungs stressed.

“We need to cross over the bridge.” He stated, anxious.

His comment was answered with heavy silences and dubious glances. The army lieutenant was scanning over the horizon, wondering whether the monster had disappeared. However, when he spotted it swirling around the bridge’s pillars, he turned to the frail looking man and questioned him.

“Um… Dokja, right?” He started hesitant. “Aren’t we safe enough here?”

The reader observed the three adults and sighed loudly. The woman was sitting on the floor, quietly typing a message. Her text didn’t send, so she began to harass the screen as if it would change anything. The businessman was on his bank’s app, checking his balance, then his unloading emails. And, to complete the trio, the military was laying on his stomach, legs swinging while his heavy boots hit the floor rhythmically. They all appeared incredibly relaxed considering the situation they were stuck in. It likely was denial.

A loud metallic sound echoed through the neighbour carriage and increased the reader’s anxiety further. He gazed back at it, chewing on his bottom lip until it was red. He had to cross the bridge before the next scenario began.

“Aren’t they too comfortable?” Jinwoo wondered, feeling bothered by the group’s attitude.

“I don’t know what’s going on in their heads… honestly.”

“Just leave with the kid. I don’t know why you’re so on edge, but don’t sacrifice yourself for them. Especially if you don’t want me intervening without you requesting it.”

“Alright, that’s fair actually.” He grabbed the kid’s hand and without a word, walked away.

He ignored the others’ gasps of confusion.

Pebbles rubbed on the cement of the floor as Lee Hyunsung stood up. He grabbed onto the reader’s arm with strength, making him hiss in pain.

Dokja looked down at the man’s hand, then at his disgusted facial mimics.

“If you want to die, do so alone.” He ordered, tightening further.

Gilyoung hid behind his legs, distressed by the taller one’s expression.

“And what makes you think you won’t die here?” Dokja countered, ripping his bony limb away from the military’s strong fingers. “For a lieutenant, you’re being impossibly irresponsible right now. Are you even on your guards at all?” He added, rubbing the sore band around his upper arm.

Hyunsung’s frame suddenly caved in, confidence evaporating with for only catalyst the weaker one’s words. Dokja knew many things about the soldier, he had read about this character for a while after all. One of the facts he had knowledge of was the deep, potent and unfounded lack of confidence affecting the man. Any negative comment aiming at his worth could destroy his entire resolve in seconds.

“I… I am.” He mumbled, fingers fiddling with nails.

“Are you now?” Dokja scoffed in irony, bending down to ruffle the kid’s hair. “So, did you realise? The ones next door are very excited to escape.”

“Yeah… but we were too!” He exposed, swinging his arms around them as if demonstrating they were outside.

“But did we kill people?” Dokja added, stunning the other on the spot. “Because they likely did and are probably in a state of choc too. After fighting in their carriage all this time, what makes you think they would trust you enough to keep you alive?”

“There’s only one person left in there.” Jinwoo commented, thinking it would reassure the reader. “Seems stronger than you all are, though.”

“Yeah, and I… you caused the death of the person he expected as his first ally, so we’re in great need to escape… Honestly, the ichthyosaur scares me less than this crazy mother fucker.”

“How—”

“—I’ll explain later…”

The hunter repeated. “… I’ll explain later!” Voice pitched with sarcasm as his lips curled up in annoyance.

“Fuck off…” He sighed.

Hyunsung hesitated, weary gaze landing on the loud carriage. The other two seemed unsettled by the man’s words too.

“I gave you the easy way out and here you go forgetting people were at each other’s throat minutes ago! Are you all stupid?!” He shouted. “Did you hit your heads and became incapable of logical thinking?”

“We can stop th—!”

“—No! No, you can’t!” He exposed; arms wide around his body and venom in his words. “No, correction, maybe you can escape, Lee Hyunsung. But asking me and the others to stay around is similar to killing us yourself. Are you ready? Ready to go on with the weight of our lives on your shoulders?”

“I…”

“Ah, forget it, let’s just move.” The businessman stood up. “I’ll take the lead, so you all listen to me from now on.” He added as if it was evident.

Jinwoo sighed loudly, feeling at a loss for words.

“Me and you, same…” Dokja mumbled in exhaustion.

It felt odd for the hunter to spectate on everything from where he was. He was detached from the situation but still emotionally involved, like someone sitting in front of a post-apocalyptic movie. He was also quite bored, wanting to get out and participate, but he felt like respecting the reader’s wishes. Whether it be an intelligible NPC or a real human from a tangible parallel world, Jinwoo still had to cooperate with him. The androgynous one had tasks to carry, and he may not be able to if the hunter just gave him an easy way out of everything, impairing his power growth in the process.

“Excuse me?” Dokja asked, making sure his ears didn’t momentarily hallucinate. “Why? Do you have any survival skills at all?” He grimaced, looking the man up and down with judgemental orbs.

“Mister Kim Dokja!” He hitched, hand on his chest as if the reader had insulted his entire lineage. “Dear contractor, did you happen to forget who I am to you? Your future is in my hands.” He threatened.

“Wow…”

“Honestly, these people… I’d have punched him if I had Hyunsung’s arms.”

“I can do it for you?”

“Ah… maybe later.” He sighed. “Yes… Han Myungoh, I know you.” He answered nonchalant.

“Excuse me? Han Myungoh?! Not department head? No honorific?!”

“This is no company.” He rolled his eyes, frame slumping in exasperation.

The businessman went on a rant about the employee’s risky behaviour, and as Dokja half listened, he observed the kid’s action. He was crouched and patting around his shadow with an appeased smile on his face. The reader thought back on what the strong one had said. The kid was likely drawn to his shadow and so, to one of his soldiers. He had been confused by that statement earlier, but now he understood it better. The strong one was hiding in his shade, probably with the use of a skill, and he was also accompanied by his soldiers, meaning he had an army of his own.

Dokja was curious, he longed to learn more about him. He was like one of those protagonists he had dreamt to be his entire life. The man didn’t seem to behave as arrogantly as Yoo Joonghyuk did in the book either. If it wasn’t for this entire apocalyptic context building itself, he would’ve probably already asked him out on a coffee date and would’ve begged him to story-tell about his past adventures. However, these thoughts felt so insignificant in that instant.

“Hey, Han Myungoh.” He cut through the man’s rambling. “Shut the fuck up.” He added feeling sour.

The three adults gasped in shock.

“What? Yall think you’re going back to work after all that happened? You all think money means anything anymore? Well, you’re all really fucking stupid.” He exposed; irony painted on his traits. “Your company is dead!” He screamed at the heavier one. “Your old lives are dead! This isn’t a game! Our survival is on the line and these… entities up there are having fun toying with it!” He shouted, looking at each of them one by one. “If you want to die doing nothing, please stay. But I’m leaving with the kid. Fuck off, no one’s team leader anymore. You’re on your own.”

Hyunsung sighed. “Alright. I’ll cross the bridge.” He spoke defeated, and as if his words were God’s, the other two followed silently.

Dokja wanted to slap them both for acting so biased, but they weren’t wrong for acting that way. The military seemed significantly more reliable than Dokja could probably ever.

[Ah….] A distasteful voice resonated around them, tiny figure of a fluffy devil rippling through the air. [You’re all so annoying, didn’t I tell you to stay inside?!] The dokkaebi hissed hateful.

“Shit…” Dokja whispered, pulling Gilyoung over to his side.

”What’s happening?” Hyunsung leaned towards him discreetly.

“It happens that you probably led me to my fucking death.” He answered back, low and threatening.

The military winced; guilt painted over his entire frame.

Ironically, it was at the same moment Dokja received a notification about earning the unbreakable trust of the lieutenant. He briefly chuckled.

[Your understanding of the character 'Lee Hyunsung' has increased]

“You’re joking right?”

“Maybe… probably not.” The reader grimaced.

However, he was quick to regret his words when he felt strong intent through their connexion.

“But I’ll call for you if I need help. So, don’t act out of line! Not now.” He advised, firm.

[Well! You’re all lucky! I won’t be the one to punish you.] The creature spoke, teeth tight and lips splitting its face in two sections.

“Do not give me orders.” The hunter expressed, vexed. “I’ve already been doing you a favour staying in this stuffy space. So, stop fucking with me!” He added, getting more and more irritated with the tone of the one he had to protect.

[The second scenario has arrived]

“So, does that mean you’ll wait for now?” Dokja couldn’t help but ask again, legs jittery. “Hey? Will you?!”

The hidden man didn’t elaborate further, and the reader interpreted it positively for the sake of his sanity.

[Make. It. Interesting.] Bihyung threatened, body fading like smoke in the wind.

[Sub Scenario — Escape]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: E

Clear Condition: Cross the broken bridge and enter Oksu Station

Time Limit: 00:20:00

Reward: 200 coins

Failure: ???

“Broken?” Sangha asked loudly.

“Yeah, you better start running.” Dokja answered, pointing at the aquatic creature charging into the bridge’s pillars.

Clouds of dust and chunks of cement were chipping of the structure.

“I’ll take the kid.” Hyunsung suggested, spontaneously lifting the younger one off the ground. “See you on the other side.”

They began running and slaloming in between bloodied cars as fast as they could. Their gazes were drawn to the wet creature, it kept bumping into the pillars headfirst and determined. The bridge was caving in, cement peeling off its metallic bones and exploding the surface of the water in millions of droplets when they reached it.

[Ah, that’s too easy… Bo-ring!] The hidden dokkaebi laughed, sinister.

[Scenario Difficulty: E —> D]

[The evil has returned]

[The surrounding soils are infused with black ether]

[The Demonic Ones have awoken]

A dark mist flooded in their field of vision, and disarticulated figures stumbled from within the darkness of the tunnel. The drivers which had died on the bridge were also slowly exiting their cars in a symphony of broken bones. Dokja gulped at the view of the mistreated bodies staggering towards them.

“Z-Zombies?!” Sangha screamed in horror.

Dokja looked back at his companions, realising he was the farthest from the safe zone. Hyunsung and the kid were already waiting by and the other two were about five meters in front of him.

The ichthyosaur bit down onto the pillar and the bridge collapsed, leaving the three of them to be stranded on the unsafe side of the breakage. The businessman and the woman had received significant damage considering they were so close to the broken grounds. Sangha was on the floor and Myungoh seemed to have injured a leg.

Hyunsung mouthed a sincere sorry towards Dokja, eyebrows knitted together, and Gilyoung’s eyes were watering as he reached for the reader. Dokja waved them off, smiling only for the younger one to see when the zone finally hid them away.

“Shit…” He spat, feeling trapped within the mess.

The undead were slow but they were strong. They were approaching too fast for Dokja’s brain to think logically regardless.

[Someone has received the favour of a constellation]

[Activating the constellation’s scenario: Deus Ex Machina]

A bright bridge of a thousand light brightened their way and linked the two marred extremities of the wreckage. As if a god had descended on earth, it appeared ethereal, magic, hopeful. The three survivors were astonished by the beauty of the scene unfolding in front of their own eyes. Millions of colours refracting on the very surface of their pupils.

But nothing was ever a blessing in this game. No happy ending truly existed in this world.

[Deus Ex Machina — Even Bridge]

Item: A bridge of light built by a constellation

Requirement: Access allowed to an even number of humans

Restriction: The bridge will disappear instantly if an uneven number of humans attempt to cross it simultaneously

“Dokja… I-it’s in my head?!” Sangha screamed at him, confused and scared.

He chuckled. “Your sponsor wants you alive it seems.” He smiled.

“But—”

“—One of us will be left for dead.” He finished her sentence, looking at the selfish businessman right in the eyes.

That one was taken aback, as if the simple employee had read through his intentions before he could even formulate them. Dokja ignored it, finding it easier to deal with the situation alone regardless.

Using character list, he tried to peek at Sangha’s profile curious of who was so kind to play with their lives like this. 

[This person’s information can’t be read with the skill ‘Character List’]

[This person isn’t registered in ‘Character List’]

He furrowed his brows, but quickly brushed it off when realising Myungoh was as despicable as predicted and running away with the beauty on his shoulder. He was in a curious and frenzied one-legged race, ignoring the woman’s pleads for the reader.

“Dokja! Behind you!” She prevented, still punching violently on the other one’s back. “Let me go!” She shouted, powerless. “Dokja!”

He sighed, he still had time before the zombies reached his spot.

[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ admires your foolishness]

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is impressed with your sacrifice]

At least that had earned him a hundred coins. He shrugged and in a wind of curiosity, checked on Myungoh’s character list to see whether his sponsor was the One-Legged Swift Horse like he was suspecting it to be.

The skill was once again dysfunctional and it the mystery was lifted. It didn’t work on the ones who were never supposed to be kept alive. They weren’t recorded in the novel’s character list.

“Do you think you’d count as a human?” He decided to question the hidden one.

Jinwoo pulled his torso out and sat on the edge of the shadow. “Of course? What else would I be?” He asked rhetoric.

“Put your hand on the bridge then.” He requested, disinterested.

Jinwoo did as told, hovering over the questionable material. He was getting quite annoyed with the reader for treating him like a tool at his disposition. He wasn’t sure whether the behaviour arose from fear and anxiousness or if it was true to his personality. But, if the latter was the reason, his angelic face was a ridiculous fraud.

Dokja stepped on the surface cautiously and his foot went right through. “Well, I guess the constellations deem you non-human.” The reader commented, expressionless.

“Bitchy assholes.” He spat on reflex. “Since when am I not human, you cunts!” He screamed to the sky, feeling on edge.

His presence was so ominous even the undead had slowed their travel.

“You offended it.” Dokja pointed toward a notification window.

“Well, you offended me too, assholes!” He shouted in answer, confused with the way the broadcast worked.

Out of nowhere, Dokja suddenly stepped on his head, although inefficient, Jinwoo was still stunned by the random action.

“The fuck?” He turned to the reader, eyebrows furrowed and gaze impatient.

“What? It promised 100 coins for stepping on you.” He answered, lips curled up jokingly.

He was happy to see the promised amount added to his account.

The hunter looked up at him, facial expression a mix of disgust, offence and betrayal. The behaviour had been quite negligible and insignificant, but he felt so humiliated he couldn’t even formulate his emotions with intelligible words.

His entire body rose over the surface and he dug an index in the smaller one’s chest. Dokja gulped, fear arising fast when his eyes met with rage filled irises.

“So, what if it asked you to!?” He spat, face inches away from the reader’s. “Would you also fuck me if they promised you fucking coins?!” He hissed, joints so tight each became bloodless and white.

Dokja was stunned in place, feeling embarrassed for acting on impulse and childish for letting his inferiority complex justify his movement. The man in the shadows had been showing him only goodwill ever since they had met but, somehow, he had kept disrespecting him whenever they discussed. He wanted to apologise but the words were stuck in his throat, he chocked on them.

“You know what? Fuck you.” Jinwoo smiled tight and insincere. “I won’t help unless you’re on the verge of fucking dying.” He exposed, face twisted in frustration and anger as he disappeared. 

Dokja stepped away from the rift, staggering with heavy lungs and cotton limbs. He was still quick to pull out from his dazed state when a decomposing hand covered in a familiar dark matter slashed by his cheek. He ducked clumsily, heart rate increasing when his eyes met with the river. He was trapped.

He crouched and lurched at the creature’s legs. The body stumbled, allowing him to stand back up, farther from the break. A handful of brainless undead walked past him and fell into the dirtied waters. He examined the one which had attacked him earlier, it was headless, vocal cords like a firework at the base of his throat. It wore a badge and a high school uniform.

“… Kim Namwoon.” He choked on his saliva, stomach twisting in fear when the corpse stood back up.

He breathed out, brain erratic as he thought of a way out.

[Activating exclusive skill: Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Lv. 1]

[The target is devoid of consciousness]

[Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Lv. 1 was cancelled]

Dokja felt like crying. He couldn’t even dodge when gnarly claws dug flesh out of his thigh. He managed to block the next blow, but black blood pooled in the fabric of his pants with each movement he produced. The gash burnt nerves up to his stomach and the lower part of his leg became numb.

The reader was overwhelmed. Caged in between the incessant gurgling echoing from the dead mass, Sangha's muffled screams on the bridge and the ashamed silence in his head. Even his movements were restricted by the painful state of his thigh. He was so tired.

It didn’t help that Bihyung chose this moment to do his grand return.

[Oh no!] It cackled as a smile spread on its face. [I wonder who’s going to help you now?] It pouted mockingly. [No? No one?]

“Shut the fuck up!” He snapped back, becoming clearer when anger was introduced to his psyche.

[Should’ve followed the rules earlier.] The creature jeered. [You don’t seem so smart anymore.]

“Focus.” A novel, horrifying voice suddenly ordered through the link.

“What are you doing?!” Jinwoo grabbed onto the shadow’s arm, preventing it from reaching out.

“The wound needs healing.” The ant answered categoric. “My king… he’ll lose his leg if nothing is done.” It added and so the hunter let him go. “The exposed cells are being necrosed by the black ether…”

“Shit…” 

“My king do not misunderstand. I truly despise the man.” The summon expressed, causing the others to nod in agreement. They had been more offended than Jinwoo himself when witnessing the reader’s never-ending disrespect. “But you need him able for you to complete your task.” It lowered its head politely.

The hunter smiled and the creature resumed.

A clawed hand surged from the shadows; arabesques of eerie smoke materialized with its movements. Dokja took a step back out of reflex, but it had already grabbed onto his injured skin.

“Keep dodging!” Jinwoo simply commanded.

His voice was devoid of its past gentleness. It was as if he ordered a slave. The tone was displeased, angry, frustrated, and authoritative. It was enough to motivate the reader.

The dokkaebi had hidden itself. It was scared to discover who the owner of the ominous status was.

Something was wrong. It had left too many times to check on various set ups which led to it lacking information on the most unpredictable scenario. Bihyung should’ve known something was out of place for so many constellations to gather on such a small channel. They all spoke of a dark figure and the creature refused to admit it likely knew who it was.

As Dokja fought against the dead high schooler, a green glow enveloped his leg. The burning sensation of the injury slowly evaporated, as if it had never existed. Beru retracted its hand, and the only remnant of the gash was a tear on the reader’s pants. Dokja didn’t have the time to check on his limb, but he was convinced no flesh remained wounded there.

“Was that you?” He asked, feeling truly grateful.

Seeing the notification pop ups, the constellations had definitely witnessed the fascinating event too. Healing abilities weren’t common in the world depicted by the novel, especially when not granted by constellations. Some had healing knowledge like doctors and surgeons but rare were the ones to receive a skill related to it. So, this situation appeared like a miracle to all of them.

“You’re on your own now.” Jinwoo answered only that. “Beru?” He turned to the ant. “Do you wish to protect the kid?”

The summon stared at him in chock. “C-can I?” It stumbled over its words, surprised.

The hunter nodded. “Stay summoned until we regroup.” He smiled. “Thank you for helping.”

The ant bowed, so grateful it could almost feel its chest swell. “I thank you, my king.”

“Now go.” Jinwoo waved it off and just like that, Beru was gone.

On the surface, Dokja had pulled a Swiss knife out of his pocket and was fighting against the grade nine demonic human. According to knowledge reminisced from the novel, he had to pierce right through the creature’s heart for it to meet its demise. However, he could barely scratch its skin and the patch protecting the organ was even harder than the rest. His knife wouldn’t be enough.

“My skills are so unhelpful!” He vented through his teeth, stabbing the side of undead Namwoon’s stomach.

[Activating exclusive skill: ‘Bookmark’]

[Available ‘Character Bookmarks’: 2/3]

     1.   Delusion Demon Kim Namwoon (Understanding —> 25%)
     2.   Steel Sword Lee Hyunsung (Understanding —> 35%)
     3.   ///

Dokja startled and almost lost his footing due to the sudden appearance of the windows. He had no recollection of encountering a similar skill before, yet he did read through the three thousand chapters of Ways of Survival. Unable to verify the functioning of the ability, he went with his intuition and chose one.

“Activate bookmark number one.” He commented, avoiding the claws aiming at his face.

In a matter of seconds, an entire tale recited itself within his being. He could feel the flutter of pages turning in his head, the smell of the paper near his nose and the texture of the words on his fingers. The story of Kim Namwoon was getting told and his memories were allying with the reader’s body. It was as if the high schooler was growing from within and replacing Dokja’s frame with his.

[The bookmark was activated]

[Warning: Low skill level —> Shortened activation time]

[Activation time: 00:01:00]

[Warning: Low character understanding —> partial activation of the character’s skill]

[Activating character skill: Blackening Lv. 1]

A new battle began. Now on par with the undead one, he could stand his ground without only dodging and parring. If both had the same skill, Dokja was confident in his ability to employ it better.

The blackened Swiss knife could now slice through flesh and tear through muscle with ease. The reader hated it. This sensation of butchering someone alive was horrendous.

It didn’t help that, because of the bookmark, he could feel each of the boy’s emotions as he went through death. The kid wanted to live. The delusion demon was a human who went astray under the pressure of survival. If the scenarios had never begun, he might’ve gone to university and lived an enjoyable campus life. He would’ve been normal and happy. Yet now he was dead as crazy.

Dokja pushed him back and the zombie staggered. It tried to speak but no intelligible sound was produced. Dokja could tell though. It wished for the reader’s death and it prayed to be kept alive. A sorrowful dichotomy created by an unfair world.

“You’re already dead.” The reader whispered, pushing the body over the edge. “I’m sorry…”

The distant sound of a weight hitting water could be heard.

The reader’s chest was tight.

[Your understanding of the character ‘Kim Namwoon’ has increased]

[Bookmark n°1 has been disabled]

He now had to defend against the weaker ones albeit feeling entirely devoid of any energy. The skill had drained him. He was feverish and was convinced his skin appeared pasty and sickly to anyone who could see.

Jinwoo felt bad for letting the frailer one deal with the situation by himself, but he was aware the man needed to experience despair in order to become stronger. He shouldn’t need to get used to the hunter getting involved whenever the situation became inconvenient.

The reader’s angelic face was covered in dark, putrid blood. One would confuse the scenario with a zombie apocalypse if they hadn’t witnessed the earlier scenes.

Dokja was the sole survivor, abandoned by all the ones he had trusted. He was a hero in the developing, one too weak to yet carry himself. But he was one to become the main character of the tale.

Just like Jinwoo, Dokja was frail but he’d become the strongest.

This prophecy was likely driven by the look in the reader’s eyes. There was a fire within the abyss of his pupils. A will that surpasses any weakness. It would be entrancing to witness the existence of that man bloom into something grander.

There were still many zombies to take care of and the clock was ticking. The reader had only ten minutes left to complete the scenario and all he could do was parry the waves of rotten flesh in batches of three.

As if on cue to his distress, bodies began flying in the rear of the mass. He could distinguish the sound of bones snapping and the shape of blood fireworks whipping the air. It was like Moises splitting a sea of grey limbs.

The broken bridge shook with every step the executor took.

Dokja had truly believed he’d be on par with the protagonist after collecting so many coins. But he’d never been so wrong in his life. The sunfish was a monster, he couldn’t be referred to as a human anymore.

Many demonic ones preferred jumping off the arch better than getting crushed by that tank. They were more likely to stay alive that way.

Dokja, on the other hand, was paralysed with fear.

Two emotionless orbs met with his and heavy beads of sweat rolled along his spine. In an afterthought, Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t near as terrifying as the one hiding in his shadow, but his demeanour was visibly more threatening. The protagonist was angry.

“Hey…” He waivered through the link. “I’m not expecting an answer. You just mentioned earlier having to keep the regressor alive for your task to be successful. So… even if that man threatens my life, you cannot kill him.”

Jinwoo was surprised by the weakness perceived in the other one’s tone. He was utterly and undeniably terrified of the man approaching him.

Dokja breathed in shakily. “He is the regressor.”

“You!” The man called out with a voice of metal. “Who are you?”

Dokja couldn’t answer, throat too tight for words to be shaped.

A defensive reflex caused him to activated his skill and information began its listing.

[Excessive density of information: Character List —> Character Summary]

[Character Summary: Yoo Joonghyuk]

Attribute: Regressor – 3rd turn (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Sage’s Eyes Lv. 8, Hand to Hand Combat Lv. 8, Weapons Training Lv. 8, Mental Barrier Lv. 5,

Crowd Control Lv. 5, Reasoning Lv. 5, Lie Detection Lv. 4…

Dokja hadn’t even had the time to finish reading through the exhaustive list of skills when a calloused hand grabbed tightly onto his throat.

“How the hell are you fucking alive?” He growled; breath warm against the other one’s damp skin.

The reader remained silent, throat gurgling when a strong arm lifted him over the edge. His feet were dangling over the river and his heartbeat so fast he was on the verge of a seizure. His two hand flew to the other one’s arm so he could relieve the strain it caused on his spine. Dokja was rendered powerless, and the sunfish knew it.

Jinwoo was on edge, but forced himself not to get involved; the strong one didn’t seem keen on killing the reader although appearing threatening. The hunter still had to hold his ground. He was the heir to a Monarch, not a dog barking after his owner for a measly treat. 

“Name.” The regressor ordered brows so low they shaded his strict eyes.

“W-what?”

“What. Is. Your. Name?”

“Kim D-Dokja.” The reader choked on his tongue, feet flailing.

“A strange name…” He commented, air mysterious.

Jinwoo, similarly to Dokja, despised people as such. The ones whom acted like they were better than everyone, the arrogant ones. The hunter truly wished to put him in his place.

“As I’ve heard.” He added, behaving more confidently.

He shouldn’t bow to the sunfish; his pride would break. However, the wit did earn him a powerful punch to the stomach. He made a noise as if puking and saliva coated his lips. The sunfish punched again, this time rearranging the entire structure of his gut. Dokja’s abdominal belt was so tight it felt like his ribs would break. He was sure multiple ones did with the third hit, an uppercut right through the sternum. It felt like torture.

“Sturdy body. I believe you’ve understood how to employ your coins.”

“Same as you.” He spat blood and saliva, two spiteful orbs glaring up at the regressor.

He hit again, rupturing the surface of the pearly skin. Carmine seeped through the fabric of his shirt.

“Stop acting tough. Only answer to what I ask.” He threatened, disgusted. “Understood?”

Dokja did not answer. Yoo Joonghyuk was an intimidating man, and with each regression it worsened. It was like each new life chipped his benevolence and humanity away. He was a vessel destined to a greatness he never asked for.

“So?” He pressed.

The reader sighed. “I will…”

The grip on his neck tightened. “With honorifics!” The other one pressed, muscles popping on the side of his jaw.

“Sheesh, this bitch!” Jinwoo couldn’t help but comment seeing the ridiculousness of the situation.

Dokja had to bite back onto his smile.

“What if I don’t want to?” He challenged, gladly letting go of the wrists to parry the punch aiming at him.

It had definitely broken some bones in his hands, but the expression of shock on the sunfish’s face had been worth it.

[The character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ is now on guard against you]

Dokja did not care, he wouldn’t become a punching bag because the protagonist decided he would.

“You see, you’re younger than me, pro-gamer Yoo Joonghyuk.” He spat blood to the side. “So, no. You should use honorifics when you address me!” He countered.

“You… know me?” He gulped, taken aback.

“I worked at a game company.” The reader lied, feeling like he owed the arrogant one no truth. “I was a fan before.” He smiled tight.

This maybe was a half-truth. Although despicable through a majority of the novel, Dokja had been incredibly involved in the man’s adventures.

He probably knew the sunfish better than the sunfish knew himself.

Nostalgia momentarily showed through his eyes. “It been a while since I heard that.” He sighed. “I’ll forgive you for your impudence this time, but you're still in the hot seat.”

“I could tell.” He briefly gazed down, neck still getting crushed.

He was sure he could hear Jinwoo cackle through the link. He probably found the regressor ridiculous for acting so almighty.

“I have a question.” Joonghyuk stated, clenching his teeth.

“Ask away. I’ve got all the time.” He fake-smiled, head pointing towards the timer.

The regressor was displeased but held back regardless. “How did you survive in the subway?”

“Will you spare me if I answer?”

“We’ll see.”

“Sheesh, speak of lying.” Dokja rolled his eyes.

It was so obvious the stronger one was weary of him. He had no idea of what would convince the madman to let him go.

[Your understanding of the character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ has increased]

[Your understanding of the character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ is strong]

[Unlocking exclusive skill: Omniscient Reader Viewpoint stage 2]

Dokja activated the new skill, curious of its abilities, and suddenly his brain was flooded with the other one’s thoughts. It was similar connecting him to the stronger one, but it felt more like peaking secretly into someone’s head. No filter remained, he could hear it all.

The man was debating on the fate Dokja would meet. He thought himself similar to a god. He believed he owned the right to micromanage the ecosystem. He assumed the power to kill whoever mildly displeased him. He was despicable.

There were only five minutes left to complete the scenario and after a strained sigh, Dokja began story-telling the truth. He explained it all in detail, omitting the existence of his odd skills and of the hidden man. The sunfish needn’t know of human more powerful than he was. His ego likely wouldn't appreciate it.

“So… You cleared it by slaying insects?” He repeated, baffled.

“Was lucky I guess.”

Joonghyuk introspected on the historical changes and hesitation could be perceived on his traits.

“How did you find the insects?” He questioned again, dark rings digging into black ones.

They kept exchanging for a while, debating on the validity of the reader’s words. Each sentence was dissected and analysed with precision. Dokja told about an explosion causing the vivarium to fall and so, the regressor believed the anomalies were caused by the rampage he went onto. He had killed everyone in his own carriage for the first time in three regressions.

“Are you done questioning?” Dokja wondered.

“I think so…”

“Can I go then?” He pointed at the time.

“Who knows.”

The reader sighed. A protagonist was a protagonist.

The man now lifted the issue of Dokja’s incredible calm. In his opinion, no beginner should feel at ease in such a situation, yet the reader appeared so full of wit and confidence. Now he was suspected of being a regressor, which was not tolerable in the standards of the arrogant Joonghyuk. He should be the only one in control after all.

Jinwoo, at this point, was getting bored and had stopped paying attention. 

The regressor’s eyes were glowing gold, sign of the activation of his strongest SS-grade detection skill. Sage’s eyes. He probably still distrusted the reader and felt the need to spy on objective pieces of information.

Dokja wasn’t ecstatic at the idea of this person peaking at his entire profile, but he wouldn’t mind insights on his attributes and skills.

[Activating exclusive skill: Fourth Wall]

[Exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ has parried ‘Sage’s Eyes’]

Sparks sizzled near Joonghyuk face. He staggered, violently blinking when his retina began to burn.

“You! Who the fuck are you?!” The regressor tightened his grip, anger popping veins on his temples.

Dokja could not answer, himself confused with what had just happened. A wave of despair drowned his breath when the sunfish began thinking he should be killed. Dokja had to speak. He was sure the man in the shadow would come help him in case it all went off rails, but he didn’t want to involve him yet.

“Hey! Yoo Joonghyuk.” He called out with confidence. “You need a companion.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned.

“46th scenario.”

“Huh?”

“You can’t break through alone; thought you’d be aware.” He sighed, feigning disinterest.

“How do you know about this?” His eyes narrowed, suspicion growing into confusion.

He had concluded the man couldn’t be a regressor, but he still had to discover the other one’s identity.

“It doesn’t matter how I know. All you need to keep in mind is that I can help.” Dokja smirked a teethy smile when the gamer’s eyes flew open. “Yoo Joonghyuk. I know of a future you don’t.”

[The character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ has activated the skill ‘Lie Detection’]

[Kim Dokja’s words reveal TRUTHS]

“How?!” The man screamed, eyes shaking in realisation.

“Think.”

The sunfish thought of Anna Croft, a woman known as the only prophet in the world of Ways of Survival. He though of the skills that came with the attribute and he was sure to remember no detection skill could affect her either. He concluded the only valid reason for Dokja to act the way he did was for him to have gained the attribute prophet.

“Future sight!” He expressed. “Can you use it?”

“Something similar.” Dokja smiled, reassured with the results of his mental acrobatics.

“You knew I’d be there…” He whispered, satisfied with his discovery.

“Yes.” The reader nodded. “I also know that you’re special, Yoo Joonghyuk. You know of the future too, am I right?” The regressor was stunned in place. “But your knowledge is outdated, isn’t it?” He smiled, eyes tight and breath short.

The truth of a regressor was a future frozen in time. All they knew was a variation of reality, a possible path which was unlikely to unfold twice.

[There is 00:01:00 minutes left to complete the scenario]

The regressor introspected again, debating on the utility of a prophet for companion. He seemed quite pleased by the idea and Dokja's nerves untangled with the single sound of the other one’s thoughts.

“Alright then. You shall be my companion.” Joonghyuk concluded.

The reader relaxed; his brain pulsed painfully but it had been worth maintaining the mind reading skill. Without it, he wasn’t sure he’d have survived this episode without begging for the hidden one’s strength.

[Excessive immersion —> degrading mental state]

[Cancelling exclusive skill: Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint stage 2]

Dokja’s body swayed like gum as the regressor carried them over the light bridge. He was so exhausted he was sure to be fainting any time soon.

When they finally reached the safe zone, Joonghyuk changed his trajectory and walked to the edge of the arch. Dokja could not read his mind anymore.

“So, you know of the future?” The man smirked and the reader hated him for looking attractive in a situation as such.

“Hey? What’s he doing?” Jinwoo called out, starting to grow impatient.

The grip tightened, making Dokja choke. “Please, just let him get off on his dominatrix fetishes. I don’t want him to know of your face yet.”

“Then can you tell me? Will I let you go?” He grinned.

Dokja chuckled sarcastically. He spat blood on the other one’s face.

“Yoo Joonghyuk!” He hissed; twenty seconds remained. “After all this shit you just pulled, I hope you’ll be able to treat me fairly. Cause’ I won’t ever be your fucking subordinate!” He rasped, throat pained.

The stronger one pursed his lips, wiping the liquid off his cheek. “Alright, I will.” He nodded; eyebrows raised. “So?”

“Stop touching me and fuck off, you arrogant bitch.” He grinned, a last deceptive façade before he felt his body breakdown. “Catch me… please, I beg you… I... am sorry …”

“I believe you.” The regressor laughed, satisfied. “You’re a prophet.”

"I really am...sorry."

The hand let go and the reader flailed.

Jinwoo slipped out of the shadow and enveloped the limp body in his arms. They tipped over and dunes of pinks, oranges and blues overwhelmed their sensory system. The sky was like a last piece of normalcy to ease the reader’s heart while he fainted. A last breath of oxygen before his body let loose. Darkness and sticky warmth took over his brain. Just like that, he was out, his life now rested in the palms of the one he had offended.

Odd feelings took over Jinwoo’s chest when the light weight hit his ribs. Anger, disdain, frustration, hate, disgust… all were aimed at the one on the bridge. He was at a loss for words. Feeling these skinny limbs enveloped in his caused the bloom of a strong need to protect. He wiped a single tear away from the pretty one's cheek, feeling bad for having left him to handle it all alone.

Dokja had dealt with all the pressure and stress on his own. Jinwoo had been blind and misunderstood his intentions. The reader had likely been too anxious to act appropriately. It should be understandable considering his life was on the line.

Jinwoo too had grown arrogant without realising.

The hunter, now covered in an eerie veil of darkness, glared threats at the regressor. He conveyed such potent killing intent, the weaker one barely made it to the safe zone in time. His limbs shook, he was white and covered in a glowing sheen of sweat.

That was when the sunfish realized, he had made an ignorant mistake.

He had angered a monster.

And it was hungry for revenge.

Chapter Text

There was a buzz in the air, a silent expectation. A guideline to be followed.

The fall was high and Jinwoo couldn’t help but worry for the reader’s safety. As the wind whipped his face, he shifted the smaller body into a ball against his chest and used his authority to create a sort of repelling barrier around him.

When they were about to hit the surface of the river, teeth as tall as a house and as sharp as razor blades punctured the water, putrid throat of a monster expanding to receive yet another meal. The hunter sighed and let his fate in the hands of causality. With Dokja unconscious he had no way of knowing about the creature’s relation to the main scenario.

His ears rang after the violent contact of his head with the broken surface. He was immediately sucked into the Ichthyosaur’s bloodstained mouth, repressing a gag when the fold of its oesophagus rubbed against his skin. His clothes were barely hanging by a thread as the potent acids mixed in the saliva melted them away.

His arms tightened around Dokja, who began to slowly regain consciousness. He pressed his head to his chest, ensuring his stay within the safety perimeter he had built. They fell into a deep pool of a pungent liquid where various debris had already began dissolving due to the residual digestive enzymes from the aquatic creature’s previous meal.

“Dokja?” he asked through the link, hesitant at the idea of the liquid on his lips meeting his tongue.

The reader nodded; eyes wide with confusion when he found himself in a dark, humid space.

“I need to swim can you hold onto me a bit?” He requested, pressing him closer as if to sign he had been holding his body until now.

“Sure.” Dokja did as told absentmindedly, tying his arms around the taller one's waist. “Where are we?” He wondered, unable to decipher much around himself but the muffled rippling of Jinwoo’s movements.

“I’ll explain once you're safe.” The hunter brushed off.

Dokja grumbled and pulled his phone out of his back pocket; he turned the flashlight on. His eyes were met with the suspended figure of a half-melted man, bloated eyeballs barely hanging as the corpse floated away.

He looked around, realising he was underwater in a sort of air bubble. He was tight against the strong one’s abdomen and he could feel each of his muscles contract while he swam through the living cemetery.

The hunter stopped by a half-submerged car which was stuck to a fleshy wall. A piece of bent metal from the back door had lodged itself deep in in a pore, preventing the vehicle from drifting away. The roof remained intact and seemed solid enough for the reader to sit onto.

Jinwoo grabbed under Dokja’s armpits and lifted him up to the dry spot. He stayed in the liquid, simply resting his arms on the metal for stability. He didn’t wish to gamble on the amount of weight the object could hold.

Dokja looked around, grimace of disgust distorting his lovely face. “Where the fuck are we?” He pressed, now fully awake.

“In the stomach of a fish.” Jinwoo answered, feeling somewhat joyful now that he wasn’t asked to hide anymore.

“So… the Ichthyosaur?” He wondered, recognising the secretion pores described in the novel. “Didn’t know you were the type to let that shit swallow you whole.” He continued, half smile on his lips.

“Oh no, the opposite!" He answered smug, eyes lidded with mischief. "I love it when lil’ shits swallow me whole.”

That earned him a small slap to the shoulder. “I hate you.” Dokja rolled his eyes, veiling his amusement.

“Figured. I don’t step on the people I like either.” He countered, slightly sour. “No, but really… I didn’t want to tamper with anything blindly…” Jinwoo explained, brushing his wet hair back and exposing his thin chiselled face in the process. “I kept you clean at least, don’t complain.”

He sighed and realised he could at least dry his face with whichever piece of cloth he had in his inventory.

Dokja looked at him curiously when his hand disappeared out of nowhere to come back out with an item; but he didn’t point it out nor did he question it. Now that his attention was on the hunter, he realized he was mostly naked, likely due to the digestive liquids. If he hadn’t been protected, his own delicate skin might’ve ended like the handsome man’s clothes.

“Sure, thanks. And sorry again.” He smiled, then sighed. He looked down at his phone, scrolling mindlessly through the novel’s script. “Otherwise!” He expressed more confidently; pupils aimed directly at Jinwoo’s. “Any thoughts on our future companion?”

“That sociopathic motherfucker?!” He choked on his own saliva. "He's our what now?"

“Ah, yes! He is a crazy bastard, isn’t he?” He giggled. “But he’s lonely, he wasn’t really blessed, you know…” He sighed with a lonely gaze directed at his screen.

Jinwoo contemplated on the meaning those words could have. He wished the reader would give him more information on the situation but it felt as if asking would scare him away. He'd have to wait for the other one to speak first; he'd be on stand-by for now.

Dokja jerked up with the sudden scream of a notification.

[You have failed to clear the Sub Scenario — Escape]

[Notification]

The Reader has survived through the ‘Sub Scenario — Escape’

[Reward: Mana 6% —> Mana 9%]

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ nods at your exciting opinions]

Sponsored: 100 coins.

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ agrees with your remarks]

Sponsored: 100 coins.

[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ disproves of your rash judgements]

It seemed like their systems had finally merged into one; they were both faced with a copy of each pop-ups. Jinwoo was also surprised to see he had been rewarded despite their failure. He realised his only purpose truly was to keep the reader alive.

“Mana? Like in video games?” Dokja wondered with a brow raised, he couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to the constellations anymore. “Like magical power?”

“Yeah, something like that.” He nodded, thoughtful. “I haven’t played games in a while so I can’t be sure, but it sounds right…” He added.

[Kickstarting: ‘Paid Settlement’]

Type: Automatic debit.
Channel usage fee: 100 coins.

Dokja briefly glanced at his balance, realising him and the hunter now only counted as one person. It made him even more curious about the other one’s origins, but he kept silent again. Maybe one day, the protagonist worthy man would tale him his life story out of his own volition. At least he wished he would.

“Hey, by the way.” Dokja began. “What’s your name? Can’t keep referring to you as ‘that arrogant handsome dude’ in my head…” He smiled, half-genuine and half-amused.

“Who knows?” The hunter lips thinned and he let his chin rest on his hands. “So, I’m handsome, you say?” He grimaced.

The reader stilled. He wasn’t sure, but it was almost as if the man truly was asking, as if he wasn’t aware of his own attractiveness.

“Uhh… Yeah. I mean, it’s quite obvious that you are.” He furrowed his brows, taken aback.

“Ah… alright. If you say so.” He expressed, visibly uncomfortable.

It was true that ever since his appearance had changed, Jinwoo had had a hard time with his physic. There was a sinking feeling in his stomach each time he looked at himself in a mirror. It was as if staring at a stranger… He became aware of the fact that some people considered him attractive, but he knew he wouldn’t have received similar attentions if it wasn’t for the system's intervention.

Because of a sort of body dysmorphia, he had difficulties considering this envelope as belonging to himself, as being himself.

However, he wouldn’t have reacted so strongly and obviously if it wasn’t for the cap affecting his abilities. After months of levelling up, Jinwoo had realised a thing; he lost as much humanity as he gained strength. It made sense; emotions were murky. They prevented clarity and impaired him from going forward without looking back.

Whether his loss of empathy was the system’s doing or due to his own adaptability, he wasn’t sure. But with his current powers so reduced, he suddenly became emotional again, leading to his ridiculous reaction. He despised himself for letting the reader’s meaningless comment get to him.

Sitting near, Dokja was confused. It was as if he had said something wrong, and so he promised himself to never speak of the man’s appearance again. It felt unfair for someone so superior to have such a facial expression. He could relate to the mysterious man's apparent sentiment, and it made him feel like shit.

“Forget it, I’ll just ‘hey’ you.” He sighed, defeated.

“Sung Jinwoo.”

“Pardon?”

“My name. Just call me Jinwoo.” He explained with a softer gaze than expected. “I wanted to piss you off, but it’s more convenient if you know how to call me.” He added.

“Jinwoo it is then.” Dokja cleared his throat. “Sorry again about being a bitch to you and all that… I just couldn’t trust you so easily and I was quite overwhelmed too, not gonna lie.”

“Forgotten, wasn’t a saint either.” He smiled then turned around. “Hey, Dokja, is it normal that the lil’ fluffy gobblin's been staring at us for a while now?” He suddenly wondered, thumb pointing in the dark behind him.

“He’s probably streaming. You should try and get used to it, he’s likely to stalk us often.” He shrugged it off. “Ah! I need to speak to him actually.” He looked up.

[What?] The creature asked, irritated at the idea of having been hiding for nothing. [You gonna beg for your life? Should’ve chosen a sponsor if you didn’t want to fail you little shit!] It growled, eyes red and teeth sharp.

“Sheesh, it’s almost as if you forgot about me.” Jinwoo intervened, threatening smile on his thin lips. “Bihyung, was it?” He clenched his jaw.

The creature pursed its lips immediately, realisation apparent on its traits. [Sorry mister Jinwoo.] It bowed.

“I don’t remember telling you my name, you mother-fucking voyeur.” He hissed, head high and gaze predatorial.

Dokja was pleasantly surprised; he thought this attitude fitted the man like a glove. He was the definition of a word: dominance. A demeanour so perfected and natural he could tell Jinwoo grew it for the sake of survival.

[Yes-yes, sorry mister. This dokkaebi just wishes to discuss penalties with the incarnation behind you.] He pointed at Dokja.

“It’s fine, let me deal with it. I got something planned.” The reader winked, glad he could finally get on with his survival plan.

He was determined; he could go for a gamble with such a reliable companion supporting him.

Jinwoo had to ponder for a while but still finished by nodding in agreement. He’d let the reader do his thing.

“Hey, dokkaebi. Do you want coins?” Dokja asked, confidence painted on his face.

It furrowed its brows. [Coins?]

“As a payment for failing the scenario.”

[I’m here for your life, not your coins.] It crossed its arms with arrogance.

“However, the scenario never mentioned death in case of failure. Three little question marks… does it not mean I get to negotiate?” He grinned.

The dokkaebi seemed to waiver. From its point of view, Dokja’s words likely sounded incredibly daring. The question marks written in the scenario’s script could refer to the streamer’s whims. However, the reader did not speak without knowledge; he already knew of that scenario and was aware of the ways to finesse his way out of this death penalty.

“Am I wrong?” He pressed, aware of the nervous glances the streamer sent to its own interface.

It sighed. [No… no, you’re right. You’re quite amazing! To come to this conclusion with barely any clues… But then again, I’m not surprised seeing that mister decided to follow you…] He rambled.

“So?” 

[I’ll allow you to pay for your failure.] It smiled, wicked. [The price of your life amounts to at least 5100 coins, don't you think?]

“Hah, this bitch.” The reader snarled after checking his balance.

Of course, the sadistic beast would ask for his entire savings.

Jinwoo glared at the creature and Dokja grinded his teeth, irritated.

“That’s too much.” He spoke out with clear voice, posture assertive.

[The price of your life, little incarnation. The price of your life.] It snickered, proud.

“Kill me then!” Dokja ordered.

“Kill me too while you’re at it!” Jinwoo added. “For the sake of your safety.” He smiled making the dokkaebi gulp.

“Jinwoo.” Dokja expressed, nonchalant. “With or without your threats, he truly cannot kill me regardless.”

Because Dokja knew the nervous glances it kept throwing at its interface could only be caused by a horde of angry constellations. If he killed Dokja, they’d lose the novelty of his actions and the mysterious dark figure simultaneously. The insignificant streamer did not have the authority to terminate such appealing subjects.

[H-Hey! I’m getting angry!] It threatened, visibly shaking.

The hunter couldn’t help but roll his eyes; he found the creature ridicule.

“Low-grade Dokkaebi, Bihyung!” The reader growled, standing up on the creaking carcass. “How is it as a streamer? Finding success? Or are you still chasing after it like a dog in heat?” He hissed, eyes dark.

“Haha, he's livid!” Jinwoo chuckled through the link and Dokja had to focus not to smile.

[H-How?!]

“Aw… aren’t the constellations stingy? I can see your eyes drifting to their complaints every five seconds.” He pouted, mocking to creature’s situation.

[Who the hell are you?! If you’re human, you shouldn’t know!] It screamed and the reader shrugged. [I should've known it! There was no way for that monster to hang around some weak ass flesh bag like you! I thought he just took pity on you, fuck!] It hurled; anger so potent it’s face began to distort as its horns vibrated.

“I did pity you a bit to be fair…”

“Pfft! Shut up!” He internally chuckled.

[A few constellations began to ponder on your existence]

[A few constellations became curious of your relationship with ‘The Dark Figure’]

[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is attentive to your ingenious schemes]

“Aren’t they nosey.” He smiled fondly after reading his notifications. “We could speak more after you turn the stream off, no?”

The creature sighed, glared, and did as told.

[Ok, so speak now… How does a mere human know of the Star Stream?] He wondered, now more relaxed and less theatrical.

Jinwoo hummed as he realised the creature was only dramatic for the sake of his viewers.

“It doesn’t matter.” The reader brushed off with a fanning movement of his hand. “Hey, Bihyung are you aiming for ‘Dokkaebi King?’” He grinned. “Do you wish to surpass Gildal and Dokgak? Hm?”

The streamer’s eyes widened like he had been struck by lightning.

[H-Huh?]

“Dokkaebi Bihyung. Sign a contract with me and I’ll make you the king of all Dokkaebi. I’ll make you the most successful.” He grinned like a devil. “All you ever dreamt of.”

“Wah, how convincing though. Are you Satan in a sheep’s disguise? Cause’ that was ridiculously tantalising…” Jinwoo commented, almost as speechless as the streamer.

“I’m stressed as fuck though… Practiced that line in my head at least ten times before it came out.”

“I know… I heard.”

Dokja bit his lips and briefly glanced at the hunter. “You heard?!”

“Yeah… maybe because of stress you couldn’t isolate your thoughts, but no worries. You’re doing a good job here.” He threw his head back on the metal roof and gave the reader a reassuring smile.

Dokja spared a second to reciprocate the facial expression and focused back on the baffled storyteller. 

It began to nervously giggle. [You’re mad.] It scoffed, eyes fixating on a random spot. [Completely crazy… I should’ve expected it when you rejected your potential sponsors…] Bihyung breathed out shakily, fighting against a second fit of stressed laughter.

Dokja and Jinwoo observed in silence as the creature calmed itself.

[Ah… shit. I don’t know where you learned of Star Stream Broadcasting, but I cannot accept. I don’t have the ability to sponsor anyone. I’m not a constellation.] It spoke with a refreshed smile.

“No. You seem to have misunderstood. First, why would I ask for your sponsorship when even you’re even scared of my partner? If anything, I’d have made him into my sponsor since he isn’t an incarnation.” He grinned with knowing eyes. “Besides your weak even for a dokkaebi.”

Bihyung sighed, a little vexed. [So?]

“I don’t need your strength but your channel.”

[My channel?] It questioned slowly; confusion painted on its traits.

“Yes… are you dumb or is the Korean language patch defective?” Dokja lifted a brow; he was getting impatient. The dokkaebi opened and closed his mouth like a dying fish and so he resumed. “In simpler terms, I wish to sign an exclusivity contract with your channel. You shall be the only one with the right to broadcast mine and Jinwoo’s image.”

Bihyung stared at him for a while, incredulous. It slapped both its cheeks and composed itself.

[You want a stream contract.] It stated, half-impressed and half-scared of the width of this human’s knowledge.

“So, you do have a brain.” He smiled, condescending, but the dokkaebi couldn’t be bothered giving a shit when the situation became so interesting.

[Ahhhh, to think you found a way around those slave-like sponsorships.] It grinned, excited. [What a gem!] It cackled behind his clawed finger, eyes rolling back with ecstasy. [However, how does a mere human plan on funding such an expensive contract without a sponsor?] It snarled.

“You’re struck with lunacy, you damn voyeur.” Jinwoo chuckled, amazed at its rapid and sporadic changes in mood. “I know a good psychologist; I can give you their contacts if you want. I mean if the even exist in this world-line...” He added in a teasing tone.

“Forget it, he’s just an idiot.” Dokja sighed and looked back towards the fluffy one. “Don’t you think it’s more advantageous for a contract to happen exactly because there are no sponsors?” He expressed as if speaking to an unruly kid.

[Hey… I feel a bit bullied by the two of you… I’m not used to it, stop.] It whined, nervously fiddling with its claws.

“Says the one who's been releasing killing intent each time this negotiation goes in a way he doesn’t like.” The hunter intervened, nonchalant.

Bihyung bit its lips, irritated.

“Ok, so listen and learn. First, Star Stream subscribers can be gathered into two groups of interests. The thrill and incarnation seekers, right?” He spoke, half-smile on his lips when the dokkaebi sighed in defeat.

[Yeah, that’s right.]

“So, to have a successful stream, a dokkaebi has to choose a category and stick to it, right?”

[Yeah… I don’t see your point though.]

“That because your brain is too slow.” Dokja commented, making Jinwoo puff out a small chuckle.

[Just spit it out, for fucks sake!] It groaned, feeling ridiculous.

It was convinced that this was collective bullying. It pouted and crossed its tiny arms on its chest.

The view became so adorable one could almost forget it’d blown up heads earlier.

“What if I can provide you with a channel that can attract both.”

[Huh? Are you stupid? There’s no way that can exist… The incarnation seekers never stay on a channel for long; if you don’t specialize in talent research only there’s no way to satisfy them.]

“And you’re right. That may be true in a conventional context.” Dokja nodded. “When sponsor selection goes according to plan that is.”

“Oh! Is that why you didn’t choose a sponsor earlier?” Jinwoo wondered, becoming more familiar with the coggles and gears of this new world.

“Yeah… was a gamble though. I’m lucky things seem to go my way.” The reader answered, sounding mentally drowned.

[Huh?]

“What if an incarnation remains sponsor-less.”

[Then they’d die.] He answered without missing a beat.

Dokja didn’t speak anymore, he simply stared at the streamers.

In the meantime, Jinwoo looked around to confirm the water was murky enough to hide his now entirely naked body. He craved for a change of clothe, but as long as they remained in the Ichthyosaur it'd be useless.

[But if it’s you it may be doable…] Bihyung suddenly came to realisation. [You have a mysterious backer which already attracted a lot of attention and you have knowledge you shouldn’t be in possession of. So, it is safe to say you should be able to provide satisfaction to both categories.]

“My point!” The reader cheered.

[Did you plan all this?]

“I had it in the back of my mind, yeah.” He smiled, unable to hide his relief.

[However, without mister, are you sure you’d be able to match a sponsored incarnation?] He pondered. [Besides, the constellations don’t watch for you but for mister. I’m not sure this contract truly is advantageous for me.]

“You won’t know until you witness it.” He smiled. “And you should know the constellations have been watching ever since I crushed those grasshoppers, comforted the kid and, oh! Fought against demonic people by myself! Ah, I also did attract the attention of the ruthless regressor… Am I really a prophet? Yeah, afterthought I’m quite boring. Explaining why you followed us down the Ichthyosaur’s throat. So boring you wanted to ensure I was dead, right?” He smiled in a tight line. “Aren’t they pestering you to turn the stream back on, you motherfucking liar.” He growled, annoyed at the creatures attempt at devaluing him.

[S-stop!] It whined. [Ok, I get it!]

“What a joke. A voyeur and a swindler now too... that bitch got no redeeming qualities.” Jinwoo shook his head, feigning disappointment.

[Ok! Stop attacking my moral, I make a living out of dead people may I remind you!] It defended itself, feeling wronged.

“Hey voyeur—”

[You too?] The dokkaebi whispered in exhaustion.

“—I’ll prove you my worth. Now shut the fuck up and do what I advise you to.” Dokja ordered.

The streamer had lost his last sliver of authority, he was now a marionette in the hands of the reader.

[Ah! Whatever! Let’s just settle the penalty for your failure. Come on, 5100 coins.] He extended his hand as if waiting for his due.

“What are you onto? I haven’t failed anymore.” Dokja scoffed, mocking expression on his traits.

“Didn’t we?” Jinwoo questioned, confused.

[Eh?]

“I think I’d have met the conditions by now.” He stood up in a cacophony of cracking bones and stretched his entire body with a loud grunt. “Turn your stream back on, it’s starting soon.” He advised.

[What th—]

A loud ring resonated in the stomach and large notifications popped-up in front of each of them.

[The hidden scenario has arrived]

[Shit!] The creature swore so spiteful red veins appeared in the white of his eyes.

“You should’ve kept track of time little streamer.” He giggled. “Oh, wait! Sorry, I forgot. Low grades aren’t informed of hidden scenarios. I hope you weren’t offended by my words.” He taunted with a fake pout.

“Haha!” Jinwoo loved it all. The toying, the betrayal, the mind fuck. Everything. “I’ll need classes on how to fuck with people’s minds like that.” He laughed out, proud of his reader.

[Hidden Scenario — Commander Slayer]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A+

Clear condition: Slay the ichthyosaur ‘Sea Commander’ and escape from its stomach

Time limit: 240:00:00

Reward: 900 coins

Failure: Death

[What on earth is fucking happening?] The dokkaebi dragged its hands on its face, eyes gazing up as it drowned in confusion. [Just who the fuck are you?!]

“Who knows? Maybe I truly am a prophet.” Dokja shrugged, proud of himself.

“So, am I the only one who knows of your identity?” Jinwoo wondered.

“Yeah… which is why you also appeared incredibly suspicious when we met…” He answered, sitting back down right behind the hunter. “I mean… you don't know much yet, but I’ll tell you soon. We didn’t really have time to chat origins until now.” He scoffed, replaying the last unbelievable hours in his head.

[Hey! The scenario is of difficulty A+, are you sure a weakling like you can clear it.] It grumbled. [And without mister’s help may I add, otherwise you wouldn't be proving yourself.] It added with an irritated tone.

“I’ll manage.” Dokja smiled. “Are you worried about me, voyeur?”

[W-Who’s worried!] It snubbed, embarrassed and frustrated. [Shit! Let me think a second…]

“So, you trust me?” Jinwoo continued their discussion.

“I guess I do.”

“Didn’t I earn that trust way too easily?” He chuckled. “I hope you won’t blindly trust anyone like that anymore.”

“Jinwoo…” Dokja began, fingers itching to brush through the mop of lush black hair dripping acid in front of him. “Does the weak have a choice when it comes to trusting the stronger?”

“I guess not… but the clever does.” He answered, head falling back inches away from the reader’s ankles.

“I see.” He sighed. “Glad to have you on my side then.”

“The clever and the strong, what a pair.” He concluded, ignoring Dokja’s blatant disregard to his own abilities.

The reader scoffed, head shaking slowly as he stared at his fingers fiddling in his lap.

[Arh!] The dokkaebi finally voiced. [You win. If you clear this scenario through your own means, I’ll sign the contract.] It scratched the back of its head, visibly tortured.

“Then, we’ll discuss the contract’s conditions after the scenario is cleared.”

[Alright, I’ll open the channel then. Try hard, would be disappointing to see you die after such brain twisting negotiations.]

“Ah, wait!” Jinwoo cut quickly.

“What?” Dokja frowned, confused.

“Can he access our communal system? Since they both merged... I just wish to see if your world’s authorities can still access our information when mine's involved.” He explained and Dokja nodded. “Would be honeslty inconvenient if they can…”

“Hm… I had a problem with mine regardless, so I’ll ask.”

“Thanks.”

“Ah, yes! I forgot. There seems to be an issue with my system… can you try to fix the error? I can’t access my attributes window somehow.” He asked the streamer, acting embarrassed as he rubbed his nape with a grimace on his face.

[An error?] Bihyung glared, incredulous. [There’s no way... the system is perfect.]

“Well check it then if it’s so perfect.” Dokja pressed.

The streamer furrowed its brows, suspicious, but still went along with him.

[The dokkaebi ‘Bihyung’ has activated the skill ‘System Interference’]

Dokja’s mind drifted to the earlier incident with Joonghyuk’s sage’s eyes.

[Activating exclusive skill: Fourth Wall]

[Exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ has parried ‘System Interference’]

As expected, sizzling sparks electrocuted Bihyung, chocking him into stillness.

“So, you have a skill that blocks any attempts at prying into our information?” Jinwoo hummed, satisfied.

“Yeah, seems so. Still can’t see my info though. Kinda sucks not gonna lie…” He sighed.

“I’ll ask system when it wakes up if you want.”

“Is there something wrong?” Dokja voiced towards the dokkaebi, feigning ignorance. “System?” He added through the link.

[T-There seems to be a firewall preventing my skill from accessing your system.] It answered, stunned.

“Huh… forget it then.” He shrugged.

[No, wait. I’ll manage.] It bit its bottom lips, determined.

“Ok, try then.” He sighed, looking back down at Jinwoo as they ignored the repeated activation of the passive skill. “Who’s system?” 

“Uh… I’m not sure. I only know that my interface is somewhat sentient.”

[That is right.]

The familiar dichotomous voice interacted.

Dokja snapped his head towards the streamer scared it’d have heard it.

[Worry not, none but you two can listen and see.]

“Huh, you’re awake? Slept well babe?” Jinwoo teased, feeling like it had lied about needing a nap.

“Babe? Are you seriously calling it that?” Dokja wondered, eyes lidded with disbelief. “Do you have a name system?” He then asked, unsure of where to look.

“What’s wrong with calling it babe?” Jinwoo grumbled.

[I-I…]

It paused, composing itself.

“That’s what’s wrong about calling it ‘babe’… Very emotional for a code.” The reader chuckled.

[I am not a code!]

[I do not have a name.]

“Did the Architect not give you one?” The hunter wondered, now curious too.

[He may have, but I shall remind you I simply infested his code.]

[The name he gave it would not be mine.]

[I am not the Architect’s system.]

Dokja bit his tongue, repressing the envy to pry further into their past.

“True… then don’t you have a name of your own? Are you truly nameless?” The hunter pressed.

[I am a fragment of an entity.]

[So, the name is not my own.]

“A nickname maybe?” Dokja wondered, facial expression soft.

He felt bad for the nameless entity; it was as if it had been drifting, lonely.

[Hm.]

[Lucid then.]

[Yeah… that name would be fitting of my existence.]

“Lucid it is. Fits you nicely, babe.” Jinwoo repressed a smile and Dokja hit his arm.

[I… T-Thank you…]

“Never thought I’d see a day where someone flirts with a fucking interface.” The reader rolled his eyes, forcing his lips to uncurl. “Can I ask a question, Lucid?”

[Later.]

[The dokkaebi stopped his attempts.]

[Focus on the current situation.]

“Alright, thanks.” He looked back towards the streamer, whose head was hanging low.

[I’m a failure of a dokkaebi.] It whined pitifully.

“It’s fine, I’m special so it may be restricted to higher dokkaebis.” The reader tried to cheer it up, mostly because he needed it functional for his next request.

[You’re right! You’re weird, so it’s normal.]

“Great. Now, the dokkaebi bag. Open it.” He ordered, pressed by the time.

“What’s that?” Jinwoo asked.

[A sort of coin store.]

“Oh, yes. Please answer his questions. Makes it easier for me.”

The hunter rolled his eyes.

[You know what… I’m not even gonna ask how you know shit anymore. However, only sponsored incarnations can access it.]

“You’re wrong. Only sponsored incarnations know of its existence and so were the only ones to access it this entire time. There are no rules preventing me from using it.”

Bihyung pursed its lips and quickly read through its streamer manual.

It snapped the book close, then looked up towards the reader. [You know what… fuck it. Next time I’m unsure of something, I’ll just ask you.] It sighed, defeated. [I’ll have to start the stream for you to access it. Is that fine?]

“Don’t feel free too, thanks.” Dokja grimaced. “And yeah, I don’t care.”

[Opening: #BI-7623 channel]

[The constellations are entering]

[Welcome to the ‘Dokkaebi Bag’ — Coin Shop]

With the cackling sound of static, a giant translucent screen appeared in front of the two men. Dokja smiled, if he wished to kill the Ichthyosaur, he’d need some of the items he could find in there.

With the help of the dokkaebi for technicalities and with Lucid debating which materials were truly necessary as of now, he ended his haul with four ‘Mucus of the Hammer Sea Horse’, four ‘Stone Hog’s Pointed Thorns’ and 4300 coins in his account.

Additionally, the reader could confirm the ‘Ancient Dragon’s Heart’ and ‘Great Demon’s Eye’ were already sold out. He even verified the price of the ‘White Pure Star Energy’ for later investments.

The dokkaebi bickered with him for a while, trying to get him to buy an expensive sword technique, but he ignored it.

Jinwoo had never felt as much of an outsider as he did in that instant. These foreign materials and the way everyone spoke of them so naturally, he was grateful for Lucid giving him pointers on the reasons why Dokja was interested in them. Otherwise, his brain would have already overheated ages ago.

[Hey! I can’t give refunds; you better be satisfied with those miscellaneous scraps.]

“I know.” Dokja barely answered, focused on his next task.

He stood up on the half car and took his shirt off, tying it tightly around his waist. There he secured the thorns, carful to not pierce through his own skin.

“So… What do I do?” Jinwoo wondered, beginning to feel bored without Beru to tale him random facts.

“Sorry, but you’ll have to wait for me to clear that scenario. Once we’re done here, I’ll make sure to add in the contract that the dokkaebi can’t impair your movements anymore.” He smiled, feeling sorry for putting Jinwoo aside once again.

“I mean I’m only respecting his wish so the contract can be written… I wouldn’t have listened otherwise. I don’t think the authority of this world applies to me regardless.” He mumbled.

[It does.]

[Your system merged with his, so you both count as one incarnation.]

“But even his system rejects the Star Stream’s authority…” He furrowed his brows.

[You’re still under this world’s rules.]

“Ok… whatever. I still don’t understand why you dragged me here… I’ve been useless ever since I stepped in here.” He groaned, feeling wronged. “Honestly, he doesn’t even seem to be in need of my help.”

"You did help me a lot through..." Dokja frowned.

[You’ll understand your role when the time comes.]

[I’ll give you a crash course on the worldline’s functioning while he clears the scenario.]

[It should take him about 3 to 4 days.]

“Oh, so you’re the one who transferred him here?” Dokja wondered, realising he had vastly underestimated the entity. “How?”

[I created a sort of Hidden Scenario from his world to yours.]

“Oh… I see.” He grimaced, feeling bad for the other man.

Dokja hadn’t thought of it before, but must have been stressful for someone to suddenly access a new worldline without prior knowledge of its existence. With their abilities restricted no less.

He wanted to ask why Jinwoo felt the need to go through with this entire thing. What benefits would he gain from it? How long did his scenario here would last?

“Ok, focus and get going so we can leave this place as soon as possible, thanks.” The hunter spoke, avoiding Dokja’s eyes.

In there he could distinguish it, that pity he despised so much. The one he shouldn’t have ever encounter again.

[Well, then I’ll be going. Try to not die.] Bihyung sighed, tiny smile on its lips.

“Alright, see you later.” Dokja waved, expressionless.

The reader turned his flashlight off to save some of his phone's battery and began to test his ability to handle the thorns. In the dark, these emitted a blueish toned light, allowing him to have a rough idea of their position.

[A few constellations are bored.]

[How stupid, to leave right before it starts…]

“What are we waiting for?” Jinwoo took the opportunity to ask.

“For it to secrete digestive acids.” The readers answered, focused on his training with the unusual weapon. “The water you’re into is likely to be at a tenth of the acidity we’re expecting soon.”

“Ah... Lucid?” He wondered. “With my current stats can I handle it?”

[Likely not.]

[I suggest you hide in his shadow while he clear’s that scenario.]

“Alright…” He sighed. “Then, I’ll wait until the digestive acids are secreted.”

“Hey… um, while you’re in my shadow… Do you think you can keep talking to me during the entirety of it? Whatever you say, whether it has any meaning or sense. I’ll just need something to remain sane, I think…” The reader requested; blush bright on his face.

More than anything he hoped the hunter’s monologue would lead to him speaking of his past. Dokja couldn’t ever admit it, but he was truly curious about Jinwoo. As he reader he craved to read through the mysterious man's story.

“Sure, anything to help.” He smiled.

“Thanks…”

[Eh.]

[Never saw you so obliging.]

"Yeah well, never found myself in a situation I can't control on my own either!" Jinwoo snapped, visibly ticked by the system's comment.

Dokja pursed his lips and focused on his own task.

An hour into waiting, the pores finally opened, pouring their liquids into the pool and and initiating the digestion of all that was in the deadly pool. That much Jinwoo could still handle.

The car dislodged from the indent holding it in place because the secretions melted the metal away.

Dokja had to climb up the stomach’s wall to avoid meeting the liquid. His hands were protected by the mucus he had spread there earlier.

Once high enough, he pulled a mucus coated thorn out of his hand-made belt and arched his left arm over his head. With all his available strength he pierced through the pore and lodged the thorn deep in, preventing the further secretion of digestive fluids. However, the stocked liquid flowed out, trickling down the thorn and dissolving the skin the reader's entire forearm.

The epithelial tissue split open and began to blister.

Dokja’s gut wrenching scream sent shivers down the hunter’s spine. 

[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ has relieved some of the pain.]

With the sudden reminiscence the scream caused his body to go through, Jinwoo clenched his teeth so tight his gums began to bleed.

“Hey reader!” He hissed. “You better fucking kill that shit!” He groaned; brows furrowed low when he decided it was time to join the shadows.

His figure slipped into the darkness, leaving the reader to fight his own battle.

“Fucking hell!” Dokja swore, throat wide as he repressed his groans. “You bet I will! You better fucking watch me!”

His eyes were dark with determination.

He wouldn’t abandon and he’d triumph.

A duel for survival had begun.

Chapter Text

Get Booped little reader 💗

Chapter Text

Dokja was flirting with a slow and painful death. His muscles felt as if made of liquid ember, his lungs were aching for shallow breaths, the grip of his finger was so stiff he wasn't sure he'd be able to open his hand later on, and his stomach was wailing for food. For the sake of survival, he'd extend his neck and nip at the liquid dribbling down the thorns as it appeared to be a concentrated mixture of the life force preemptively absorbed by the ichthyosaur. 

[Your physique has been reinforced after consuming some of the ichthyosaur's essence]

At least there was such a benefice to drinking the putrid liquid day after day.

[A few constellations appear admirative of your determined spirit]

Sponsored: 100 coins

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is impressed with your strong will]

Sponsored: 100 coins

Dokja scoffed, feeling like a circus animal in a cage, but he was still grateful for the sponsored coins as this was the reality he had to live with from now on. Like everyone else, he'd have to put his shame aside and play into the constellations' game long enough for him to survive more or less comfortably. 

While his body was almost in a state of pain-induced numbness and his brain at the borders of a syncope, thanks to Jinwoo's fantasy-themed stories, his head was at least filled with dreams. He'd imagined handsome men and women in shining gear, armed with their world-saving might and all-powerful abilities. He dreamed of a system where one's strength was determined haphazardly and where constellations acted as stars in the sky and not as sadistic stalkers. He played with the idea of Jinwoo's role in the world he talked of as so bitter-sweet. Dokja even heard snippets of a bratty sister the man loved to death and of a caring mother he had finally seen smile after so many years. 

Dokja mused with that idea —the one of a smiling mother.

While not all of Jinwoo's stories evoked a positive feeling in the reader, at least they made him feel human rather than a seashell stuck to a rock. The hunter fed Dokja's mind with pieces of his reality, making the reader infinitely more curious about him. Jinwoo had never mentioned anything concerning his own existence after all.

From Jinwoo's point of view, having to witness Dokja suffer for days on end without being able to do anything to alleviate his pain was simply akin to torture. Not particularly because of his inexplicable interest in the ethereal reader, but rather due to a feeling of uselessness. The proud hunter had already been in this world for five days and hadn't been able to do anything meaningful yet. 

Jinwoo was used to having control over his actions; he had always made the decisions affecting his livelihood as a hunter, even when some nearly cost him his life. Never once had he let someone else blindly guide him towards an unknown he could not seize at least partly. However, that was exactly what he had to do now —follow and listen so he wouldn't accidentally damage the gears of this wrecked worldline.

The hunter would lie if he said his pride wasn't bruised, but the price was too great for him to fuck it all up. So, he'd swallow the useless ego he had curated over the few months he'd spent amassing power to keep the reader out of death's way. Only then would he reach the goals and rewards Lucid had mysteriously set up for him.

The monster's cavity's temperature was decreasing fast enough for the mismatched pair to begin seeing an end to their torture. Dokja wished he'd have the powers of a protagonist, this way, he was sure he'd have been met with sudden luck of any sort to shorten his penitence. But no, the reader was no god-sent hero; he was simply a spectator —an existence that should've remained as an outsider.

Then all stopped, no more white noises, no more acidic tides. The stomach's lining solidified, and the ichthyosaur had died. 

[A few constellations finally understand your extravagant decisions]

Sponsored: 100 coins.

[A few constellations expect you to keep them informed in the future by speaking about your plans with 'The Dark Figure']

Dokja wished he could chuckle but focused his remaining energy on swallowing one last drop of the putrid life essence. 

[Your physique has been reinforced after consuming some of the ichthyosaur's essence]

[Pysique level has increased: Lv. 11 —> Lv. 12]

"You fucking did it!" Jinwoo cheered, catching the reader in his arms as the last of his energy left him. "Dokja, you fucking did it!" He repeated in a cheerful scream, feeling proud of the smaller one. 

"Mh... my ears like it better when you speak in my head," Dokja mumbled, lips barely parting and eyelids glued together.  "I'm gonna take a nap. You're oddly comfortable right now."  He sighed, sleep already taking his consciousness away.

"I'm not surprised. Your limbs must be cramping too."  The hunter grimaced, observing the claw in which Dokja's fingers were stuck.

[Wow... I'm impressed.]  Bihyung intervened in a slow clap, traits condescending.  [I've never thought of such a use for the stone hog's thorn! I believe it must be the same for you peerless constellations, right?]  It snickered, gliding over Dokja's sleeping form.

Jinwoo sucked onto his teeth and caught the creature by the horn, securing it in a choke-hold under his arm.

"Shut the fuck up and stay here. Now, you wait with me until Dokja wakes up." Jinwoo smiled dangerously. "Don't you agree with me, oh peerless constellations?" He slurred, visibly sarcastic. 

[Let me go! You abnormality!]  It wiggled around, seemingly forgetting the prior fear it held towards the hunter.

"It 's almost as if you forgot my face while I kept myself hidden away?" Jinwoo chuckled, strangling the dokkaebi into submission. "You stay there and act like the fur ball you are, alright?" He added, rubbing one strong noogie into its skull.

[A few constellations chuckle in front of the dokkaebi streamer Bihyung's humiliation]

Sponsored: 100 coins.

"See! Even they agree!" He grinned, setting the streamer in his lap like a cuddly toy so Dokja could use it as a pillow.

[I hate this... but my viewers love it... so fuck it, alright.]  It grumbled, defeated but strangely satisfied.  [He better not rip me off further when he wakes up.]  It continued, crossing his tiny arms across its chest.

[I wouldn't count on that.]  Lucid's amused voice interjected.

"Yeah... I wouldn't dream too much if I were you, little voyeur." The hunter laughed loudly, violently patting the dokkaebi's head.

[Fuck this.]  It grumbled more but did not move.  [He better give me a good offer after all that shit.] 

"We'll see." Jinwoo chuckled, voice rauque.  "Rest well, for now, little reader."  He added more fondly than he wished it to be through their psychic link.

Chapter Text

After a while, Dokja pushed himself away from sleep in a symphony of crackling bones —as if his own body was mocking him for the cramp-like pain he experienced in all his muscles. Lifting his head from the make-shift live pillow, he snarled in disgust and pushed the dokkaebi away, resting his head back into the hunter's lap.

[Yeah-yeah, don't say thank you.]  It grumbled, silently glad it was released from the hunter's arm prison.

"You're less disgusting." Dokja justified himself to Jinwoo, rubbing his eyes with vigour.

"Tell yourself that," Jinwoo teased back, adjusting himself. "How's your body feeling?"

"As if I was run over by a truck," He sighed, looking back up towards his ally. "I thought Bihyung would've escaped when I fainted... Why's he here still?" 

[Because the anomaly is a monster!]  It screamed, gliding back towards them.  [Forced me to act as a pillow for more than two hours! Just so sleeping beauty there, could rest enough! Do you know how much credibility I lost when he humiliated me?!]  It fake cried, trying to appeal to any willing soul's sympathy.

[A few constellations chuckle in reminiscence of the prior events.]

"Oh fuck off! Don't act like your little broadcast ain't one of its kind, thanks to us." Dokja groaned, deciding it was better to sit up. "Makes me think; you and I got business together, dokkaebi streamer Bihyung."

The creature sighed but stood in front of him regardless, eyes quietly roaming over the burns adorning Dokja's skin all over. 

[I never realised the mucus of the hammer sea horse was so potent that it could act against the Ichthyosaur's digestive enzymes.]   It whispered, hand extending towards the reader's arm.

"It makes sense, though. The Ichthyosaur was one of the hammer sea horse's predators. Their species naturally adapted as only those with the enzyme-resistant mucus managed to survive." Dokja explained monotonously, hand swatting the creature away as if it was an insect.

[A few constellations appear impressed with your knowledge.]

[I was supposed to be the one explaining!]  Bihyung crossed its arms, lips slightly pouting.

"He did it for you because you clearly didn't know." Jinwoo provided, slightly amused. 

Bihyung rolled its eyes but didn't argue further; instead, it grumbled shallow insults under its breath.

"So... my reward?" Dokja brought up, rubbing the back of his head.

[Greedy asshole; there you go.]  the dokkeabi mumbled with a pout. 

[You have succeeded in clearing the Hidden Scenario]

Reward: 9000 coins

[You are the first to successfully hunt a 7th-grade species]

Reward: 1000 coins.

Jinwoo's left eyebrow perked at the notification.

"Didn't I kill one already?" He asked, looking at the floating creature. "Or maybe it was of a different grade?"

[You did, actually, but its existence was erased from the system as if it was never there. Hence, why I was tasked to go check on the anomaly.]  It explained, brows furrowed but temperament calmer than it was seconds ago. 

The hunter almost wondered if the streamer was acting this entire time. It seemed rather tired in that instant as if all its energy was drained, leaving nothing but the shell of a being in front of him.

[Hehe!]  

[I deleted its source code to ensure Dokja was the one to receive the reward.]

"So, you knew I would come to kill the Ichthyosaur?"  Dokja said slowly, trying to understand what Lucid said.

[No comment.]

"We'll come back to this later..."  Jinwoo cut the argument off before it could start.

[Notification]

The reader has survived through the 'Hidden Scenario — Commander Slayer'

[Reward: Mana 9% —> Mana 9%]

This time both Jinwoo and Dokja frowned, growing confused as they read the content of the new notification.

"Lucid, the fuck?"  Jinwoo supplied.  "What's with that reward?"

[Um...]

[No comment?]

"What the fuck? No! Explain!"  Dokja hissed, nerves visibly on edge.

"Dokja, calm down; it's fine. I just wanted to know what was happening."  Jinwoo attempted to soothe him, but he was unsuccessful.

"Well fuck off! I hung from the lining of a giant monster's stomach for four days! I'm the one who was robbed of my reward!"  He yelled through the link, visibly frustrated.

"It's  my  fucking strength. What does it have to do with you?! I didn't move a fucking finger; the rewards could be calculated depending on my degree of participation for all we know!"  Jinwoo snapped back.

"Not yours!  Our  strength, idiot! We're in this shit together whether you like it or not!"  Dokja argued, anger seething so badly he could feel his skin prickling with heat. "Because I certainly don't!" 

The echo of his fury could be heard throughout the entirety of the stomachal cavity. A heavy silence followed.

[A few constellations voice their confusion at the sudden outburst.]

The reader's face softened, then quickly became shaded with regret.

"Wait... I didn't mean th—"

"—It's fine." Jinwoo cut him off, traits severe and voice cold. "I feel the same way." He lied.

Had he said the same words four days prior, they would've been considered true, but they weren't anymore. He lied out of spite and out of pettiness. He lied because he had felt offended and couldn't resist the urge to get back at Dokja for it. He lied because he refused to admit it had hurt, had felt like a nail was hammered through his ribs. 

[Um... I'm sorry?]

[It's my fault, I assumed hidden scenarios would count like the story-aligned ones when I created the reward system.]

[But... hehe... I guess they don't?]

[And participation doesn't matter, Jinwoo.]

[The rewards are set depending on the scenario's difficulty.]

[Please don't fight because of me.]

[I rectified it, so it won't happen again in the future.]

"It's fine, Lucid. Thank you for correcting it." The hunter sighed.

[I'm sorry.]

"Jinwoo..."   Dokja spoke under his breath, tone laced with guilt. 

[Ahaha! Dear constellations, what about an ad break before the next scenario begins?] The Dokkaebi intervened, aware of the tension building up around them.

Bihyung got the advertisements going without even looking at the disapproving comments rolling in.

"I'll leave you to finish your business together," Jinwoo whispered as a mist of black smoke began to swallow his frame.

"No, Jinw—" Dokja began, but the hunter had already tucked into the shadows.  "I didn't mean it..."

"Just do what you need to so we can finally leave and find somewhere to rest."

[Well, that came out of nowhere?]  Bihyung commented, more confused than anything else.

"Just open the motherfucking Dokkaebi Bag, alright?" The reader supplied, shoulders slumping down.

[À vos ordres, your majesty!]  It rolled its eyes.  [What are you buying this time?]

"I'm selling, not buying."

[I see... you could've told me before, though... Urg, this ad break will be so fucking long; I'll look stupid when turning the stream back on.]

"So? Nothing new there." Dokja snickered, more teasing than serious.

Bihyung grimaced but did not answer, busying himself with the Dokkeabi Bag and the stream. In the meantime, Dokja investigates the wall of the Ichthyosaur's stomach, looking for cracks and brittleness. He found a spot that looked dryer than the rest and used the remaining thorns to help him break the reinforced epithelial layer. After a minute of digging through the flesh, he encountered a spheric gem that shone like an azure-coloured sea. He delicately pulled it out, admiring its potent energy.

[Item — The Core of an Ichtyiosaur]

Grade: 7th

Ether cores could only be found in monsters of grade 7 or higher and allowed for an increase in magic power level after consumption. This one, in particular, was high in quality, thanks to the creature being of commander grade.

"I'll be selling that." Dokja supplied quietly, carefully shedding the remaining flesh away.

[I'm not even gonna question you anymore...]  It groaned.

"I'm putting it up for auction, not selling it to you, so don't act all prissy like that." The reader countered, still feeling irritated. 

[hm.]  It nodded.  [How much are you selling it for?]

"I'm putting it up for a barter." He explained. "I want to exchange it for 'Broken Faith'."

[Huh? I know someone has it, but... never mind, it finished registering.]

[White Pure Star Energy!] 

"Ah, right! Thanks for the reminder, I guess."  Dokja thanked Lucid, although reluctantly, and added the item to his cart. "I'm done with that!" He exclaimed for the dokkaebi to hear.

[Hm, actually...]  It hesitated.  [I have something to speak about with you.]

However, the things it wished to discuss better remain as secrets. So, Bihyung elongated the add break a bit more, which was always better than turning his stream off. 

[A few constellations are complaining about the excessively long advertisements]

"Is this about the contract?" Dokja wondered, intrigued. "Should I ask Jinwoo to come back?" He added, glancing towards his shadow, traits defeated.

[Hm, it's fine. You can do that weird telepathic thing you guys seem to be doing.]  It waved it off.  [But yeah! You convinced me with that scenario... I want to try this exclusivity thing, and I'll help you as much as possible within the rules.]

"Was the telepathy thing that obvious?" Dokja wondered, feeling oddly embarrassed.

[Yes... very.]

They proceeded with debating on the necessary conditions for each of the parties involved and settled up on some quite fast. All in all, Dokja and Jinwoo were to never be affiliated with a constellation, and they couldn't appear in streams other than Bihyungs. The most disagreement was raised due to discussing how the revenue generated was going to be divided, but, in the end, Dokja convinced the dokkaebi to make it a 10:0 ratio. 

"Actually." The reader added.

[What now?]  Bihyung whined, realising he was getting actively ripped off.

"I want a downpayment of 5000 coins, now."

[You're really so despicable.]  It faked a cry but complied nonetheless.

[You received a downpayment from 'Dokkaebi Streamer Bihyung']

Reward: 5000 coins.

[The stream contract has been finalised and will be in use from now on] 

On cue, black arabesques of smoke made their appearance as Jinwoo decided to finally leave the comfort of the shadows. He immediately began walking away but stopped when neither the creature nor the reader followed him.

"What are you guys doing? Let's get out of here." He tried to force a smile in an attempt to reduce Dokja's guilt.

"I really didn't mean it earlier... it was in the heat of the moment and—"

"—It's fine..."  He sighed.  "Let's go now —let's catch the next scenario in time, ok? You did great with those negotiations, by the way."

"Yes! I'm actually excited at the idea of travelling with you!"  The reader admitted with a delicate blush dusting his cheeks.  "I wanna more of your stories! And I'm sorry for overreacting, Lucid..."

[No worries!]

[You were already on edge, it was understandable.]

[Urg! See, you're doing that weird telepathy thing again.]  Bihyung rolled its eyes.  [Just go! I'll catch you when the scenario begins.] It added before fading away.

Dokja and Jinwoo stared at each other, bursting into a fit of laughter thanks to the streamer's attitude.

Now their adventure truly began.

Chapter Text

[You have stepped within the territory of the Second Main Scenario.]

[This land is deeply polluted.]

"Ofer dere!" Dokja said, accompanied by brusque movement of his arm as he pointed in front of them.

The taller one chuckled.

The reader was flush against Jinwoos back, a position he found himself in due to the hunter's stubbornness in letting him rest his muscles. Dokja was loud in voicing his opinion against straddling the other one's back to the point where Jinwoo had to manhandle him into place; still, he now found himself rather comfortable in the arrangement. 

"To fink I'd be nearly poishionned by a rhino'ch fart one day..." Jinwoo struggled to pronounce as he bit into the lung of an Ellain Monkey... courtesy of Dokja's uncanny knowledge. 

"Dere ish a day for eferifing," Dokja answered distractedly,  "Stop here; we need food."  He pointed towards a small convenience store with no remaining storefront.

Jinwoo nodded and sprinted to the location he was pointed to; after a few days of inactivity, he was happy to finally get some use out of his legs. He carefully peered into the store with a dagger in his fist, ensuring their safety from any fancy monsters that may be crawling around.

[A few constellations peak around the corner with you]

Dokja rolled his eyes, struggling in the hunter's grip for him to let go.

"Stay still,"  Jinwoo ordered as his free fingers tightened around his thigh, rendering dokja useless. 

"I need a change of clothes too..."  The reader commented, eyes falling on the corpse of another human.

Jinwoo grimaced,  "I have a few sweaters and sweatpants in my inventory. You can change once we're in a safer space."

"Delay it more, and I'll start thinking you're enjoying the feeling of my bare thighs under your palms."  Dokja teased, squeezing the taller one's waist with his legs as he spoke. 

Jinwoo rolled his eyes and was ready to answer with wit when a spasmodic cough broke their banter.

"Ish shomeone there?" The reader asked cautiously.

"Pfft! You sound like the first idiot to die in a zombie movie..."  Jinwoo mocked without containing his amusement.

[He might as well be to be fair, mhm]

"You too? Really? " Dokja sighed.

"Hel... Help me," a woman groaned in a raspy whisper.

Taking advantage of Jinwoo's distractedness, Dokja jumped down, legs briefly wobbling as he moved to the source of the pain-adorned voice. 

"Jinwoo, I'll take care of her, and you will raid the store of all its food like a good boy."

The younger man scoffed,  "Well, I don't want to do it anymore..."

"You will do it."

[In fact, the entire world knows that you will do it.]

Jinwoo did not answer, but he did roll his eyes. He walked through the aisles calmly, still munching on a darkening lung and tossing in his inventory anything that appeared like food that hadn't rotten or been already rummaged through. He collected most of their restock from the snack aisle, seeing as all canned foods were already raided. Considering, it was as if he did his groceries, all while ignoring the groaning of Dokja's failed attempts at lifting the injured woman to her feet.

"Can you help me?"  Dokja supplied through their link. " I'm more fatigued than I realised..."  He admitted.

Jinwoo chuckled, biting a teasing remark away from his throat. He found them in a corner of the store. The woman looked frail; her sweat-coated skin was mapped with black veins and coloured with irritation. The hunter pulled a sweater out of his inventory to cover the woman's body —seeing as her clothes were holding by mere threads— and wrapped her in it before he pulled her into his chest.

"Give me your arm; I'll be your crutch."  He then added, gaze boring into dokja's midnight irises. The reader stared back at Jinwoo for a second and felt the fluttering of a few lonely butterflies dancing in the pit of his stomach. 

"Ugh! Protaganishts..." He shook his head, reluctantly putting some of his weight around the other one's shoulders.

"Alright, edgelord."  Jinwoo chuckled. "Vere to necht?" he pronounced out loud.

"Gumho Station."

[Gumho Station, Exit 4]

Lucid answered simultaneously as the reader, surprising the two travelling companions. The system had spoken so naturally... as if the question had been directed at it.

"E-exit... 4... There is a c-camp." the injured woman supplied with difficulty through her obsolete gas mask, confirming the system's speculations.

"You do know an awful lot, don't you, Lucid?"  Jinwoo teased to lighten the situation. 

[Oh... haha]

[I guess that wouldn't be wrong to say.]

"Hm..."  Dokja supplied pensive.  "Whatever, we need to go; the lungs are running out."

As they approached the Exit in question, they noticed a firewall rapidly dropping, as if someone was purposefully trying to keep them out. Jinwoo sprinted faster, causing Dokja to lag behind. He quickly caught the edge of the shutter, promptly stopping its progression.

"What the fuck?!" He heard a manly voice spit on the other side.

They added pressure to the shutter in a desperate attempt to close it down, but the hunter managed to push it up. Even with his penalties, his strength still far outclassed any other human in this reality.

"No! You can't come in! Go back!" a man said, confused, when Jinwoo let the door go once Dokja made it inside, breath wheezing.

[You have entered a safe zone]

They spat their lungs on the floor, and Jinwoo took a big stretch after letting go of the woman, entirely unbothered by the crowd of armed men welcoming them.

Dokja rolled his eyes at his protagonistic antics and opened his mouth, "We come in peace; we have an injured person with us."

"You can't come in! We're already full!" one of the men shouted, pointing a gun at the newcomers.

"Shit." Dokja spat under his breath. He may have reinforced his musculature with a coin earlier, but he was sure that wasn't enough to deal with a whole gun. At least only one of them seemed to own a firearm; he bit his bottom lip.

"Don't worry, I got this,"  Jinwoo reassured, slowly approaching the assailant. 

The man trembled as he aimed for the hunter; he closed his eyes and pressed the trigger... and nothing happened.

The atmosphere in the room thickened with fear when a laugh was heard instead of a gunshot. Jinwoo went ahead and plucked the gun out of the man's hands and patted his head as he crushed the barrel with his bare hand. Metal hit the floor loudly.

"You left the safety on..." He supplied with a glare. 

The man turned white, "R-run away!" he screamed in fear, and the group scurried away.

[...]

[Cringe.]

"I know, right!" Jinwoo turned around, grinning, and fell face to face with a listless reader.

[I meant you were cringe, Jinwoo.]

"Protagonists, I swear to god..." Dokja rolled his eyes.

"Whatever..." Jinwoo scoffed, ignoring them. "Let's follow them."

"Give me a second," Dokja said, crouching near the injured woman. He pulled the mask away from her face and brought a monkey's lung to her lips. "Bite in this; it'll stop the poison from proceeding," he explained.

She hesitated, glaring at the two men who helped her to safety... When she saw no bad intentions in their eyes, she complied and bit into the fleshy mass with disgust.

"You look at her like she's the biggest mystery you've ever encountered..."  Jinwoo heard himself comment through the link.  "Your type?"  he added, lifting a mischievous brow.

"You're stupid,"  Dokja answered weakly, almost desperate in his tone.  "I... I never thought of the characters in my book as people..."

He paused, looking back at the lady as she slowly regained her breath. 

"I mean, who would, right? A book is a book..."  He chuckled wetly to himself.  "I never acknowledged the characters I was so fond of as only the ones who survived. But it makes sense! Why would an author write about those who have perished far from their protagonist..."  He sighed.  "She was meant to die, or so I believe; she was meant to perish as a human, so her story was deemed unworthy of a character."

He looked up at the hunter, eyes wide with concern and forehead creasing. 

"Miss Yoo  and Gilyoung was the same; she never appeared on the character list..." He continued. 

"Dok-" Jinwoo tried to inject, but the reader cut him off.

"I keep altering the fate of all that is surrounding me! Even your existence seems like a fucking glitch!" H e looked down, frustrated,  "I- I feel like I was shoved in a role that far outclasses what I can handle."  He clenched shaky hands together and hid them in between his knees.  "I'm nothing special; I'm just a loser with a passion for shitty fiction... I'm a puppet, someone... heck, something for all I know... forced into the role they wanted me to carry like some last-minute script revision." 

Even in the dim light of the hallway, Jinwoo could see the glow of a tear topple over the edge of Dokja's cheek.

"I... Jinwoo. I feel like an imposter... Like a mistake gazing upon its own sins."

Chapter Text

Jinwoo's eyes softened when the reader quickly swiped his torment away with the dirty sleeve of his sweater. He did it discreetly, as if something was in his eyes, a vulnerability he only shared with the one he could hear within his head. The fire Jinwoo had recognised in Dokja's eyes was trembling. He was exhausted, doubtful, and confused. 

"Are you okay?"  the hunter asked, feeling like an idiot for even asking. He wanted to tell him he'd support and be there for him as they rediscovered this world, but the words struck a wall in his throat as he understood his counterpart's feelings too well.

Why me? Why us?

Dokja smiled wetly and nodded,  "Yeah... I'm just tired, I think."  He sighed,  "I should keep those thoughts for when we have time to rest."  He chuckled, his face slowly flushing with embarrassment.

Dokja felt like he had overshared a part of himself. A part of himself he should be ashamed of, a part too sensitive for the world they now lived in, a part of unnecessary feelings that only impaired their progress through this chaos. But Jinwoo always pried his mind open with so little effort; it was odd that they had this connection. Neither really were people inclined to express their thoughts, worries and desires, and yet it appeared so easy for them to rely on each other. 

The reader looked up, unsure how to interpret the younger one's perplexed silence. He was overwhelmed with insecurities and wondered why he ever expected the god before him to relate to his unease. Dokja was a fool.

"Sorry... I bet you must find me lame,"  he added, promptly brushing his confession away.  "I'm sorry I bothered you with this,"  he masked with a smile.

Jinwoo then realised he had stayed quiet too long. He wasn't sure what to say; he did not know the right words. He thought letting the other one express himself was the thing to do, but Dokja was looking for reassurance, or so he believed. The hunter was not a beacon of sociability; he was always awkward and repressed. Even in the recent months of his life, he went from weak and pushed aside to overpowered and unapproachable. 

Jinwoo needed, no, wanted to fix this. He didn't want to lose the other man's trust. He needed it to complete his task. He needed it full stop.

"Dokja, I-"

"Right there!" A resolved voice resonated from where the group had left earlier.

"Fuck!" The woman spat the lung on the floor. She recoiled to a corner, "Be careful," she warned the two men accompanying her.

The beam of a flashlight blinded them, and a large group of men armed with knives and metal pipes slowly emerged from the corner of the hallway.

[The constellation' Prisoner of the Golden Headband' scowls at the newcomers]

Dokja Quickly joined Jinwoo to welcome the hostile group.

"Who are you guys?" The man guiding the raid asked arrogantly. He was taller and more muscular than the others.

Dokja caught Jnwoo's gaze as the other refused to tamper with anything that would accidentally ruin his quest. The reader sighed.

"I'm Kim Dokja, you can call him Jinwoo." He answered calmly.

"That's a weird name..." A random man commented from the back of the group.

The leader, or so Dokja assumed, rolled his eyes. "And where are you guys from?" he wondered, curious to see anyone from outside the station still intact. 

"Ugh..." Another man shifted his flashlight to the woman they had helped, "That woman," he scowled.

The leader recognised her, "She's from the marginalised group! Didn't you guys come back with her?"

A few men hesitated to answer, a shameful blush growing on their cheeks. Dokja's eyebrows twisted in disgust as he understood now why the lady's clothes were so shredded when they found her. He felt heated anger inflate his lungs; Jinwoo slowly rubbed his back, trying to calm him down. The reader looked up; his companion's face remained placid, but his eyes felt sharper, almost murderous. He was containing himself; they both had to before they understood their situation. 

The leader chuckled with understanding, "Aww, y'all are cute! Still..." his face sharped, "Why did you do this without asking me for permission first?"

"Hehe," the man laughed. "We were going to tell you! You should always go first, after all, Cheolsoo!" He grinned.

Dokja's heart fell in his stomach. He could hear Jinwoo's teeth grinding as his jaw clenched tight. 

"He looks impressive, but I don't remember his name. He probably wasn't strong enough to get a character,"  Dokja supplied through their link.

"He doesn't feel really strong; none of them do. You far outclass them."  Jinwoo commented analytically.

"How do you know?"  Dokja raised a brow. 

"I don't know; it's instinctive for me. Most hunters can gauge their opponents where I'm from; that is, unless the person you're facing is far stronger. I can't feel much from those men. I'd be surprised if they outclassed me by that much, though."  He scoffed.

They stopped joking around, and the leader turned back to them, "Hand the lady treat peacefully... and we might let you live." He chuckled with a grin. 

"Ugh, disgusting." Dokja spat.

"What is it, sweet cheeks? You want in?" The man laughed, "You're pretty enough, we could make do of that ass." He assessed, looking the reader up and down.

The two companions stepped back, disgusted by the man before them. Jinwoo's anger grew so strong he had to bite the inside of his cheeks to contain himself. 

[The constellation' Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is pissed off by the group of sleazebags]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is revolted]

[A few constellations grimace in disgust]

[Bounty Scenario — Dispose of the Garbage]

Category:  Sub

Difficulty:  F

Clear Conditions:  The constellations were angered by the group disruptors preventing your speedy progression. Neutralise them.

Time Limit:  00:05:00

Reward:  ???

Failure:  ??? 

"I'm gonna murder them," Jinwoo whispered between his teeth.

"Let me do it," Dokja argued. "Alone." He pressed.

"What?" 

"I will never grow if you coddle me so much. Plus, you said it: small fries, right?" He smiled, making sure he spoke loud enough for the group of men to hear him.

"Are you giving the girl, or are you giving your dead ass?!" The leader provoked, brows furrowed so deep his eyes grew dark.

"Calm your tits, stereotypical villain B!" Jinwoo said, giving Dokja one of his daggers. "Make it bloody," he whispered in his ear, promptly joining the woman in the back. She seemed concerned for the smaller man but did not comment on it.

"You bet!" He chuckled and looked up to where he assumed the constellations were, "Kids, close your eyes; Sweet Cheeks' about to make it R-rated in here! Trigger warning: blood and violence." 

[A few constellations giggle at your antics]

[A few constellations are sitting at the edge of their seat]

"Aw, how sweet! Your boyfriend letting you play with us?" The leader mocked with a playful grimace, causing a few laughs in his audience of idiots. 

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is wishing for a fair judgement]

Dokja chuckled in response, "How unoriginal; clearly, you peaked in high school... A jock mayhapse?" He tapped the knife on his chin, seemingly pensive, "A college dropout? Still live with your parents? Can't keep a job even at convenience stores because you are, in fact, widely incompetent for all that is not the gym?" He smiled. "And now look at you, you were promoted from bum to —in the words of my companion— stereotypical villain B, and you let it get to your head... Pathetic."

"Brutal,"  Jinwoo commented, appreciative of their opponent's scowl.

"Kill this cunt!" Cheolsoo ordered his gremlins through his teeth.

"On the dot!" Dokja rejoiced.

"Look who's always calling me an edgy protag..."  The hunter chuckled, finding the older one's theatrics fun.

"I would have made a great protagonist! With just the right amount of edgy,"  Dokja confirmed, ducking down to avoid a pipe swung at him.

Four seemingly confident men circled the reader. Dokja was no pro at fighting, far from that, but even he could tell they had never fought in their lives. Their postures were wide open, and their movements cluttered; they didn't mesh well together, accidentally elbowing each other whenever they attempted to target the smaller man.

Dokja didn't have a hard time as he calmly assessed his opponents; they didn't even have enough strength to hurt him when they did manage to hit him. So, the reader began to swing the hunter's knife, tactically slicing at the men's thighs to rid them of their ability to move.

Dokja dug deep within their muscles, deep enough to slice a few nerves, or so he hoped. The men screamed in pain as blood pooled under them fast; Dokja had been told to neutralise instead of kill, but they might just die if they kept losing all that blood. Dokja surprised himself; he thought himself more compassionate, but in this instant, he wouldn't have minded their death.

[The constellations of the absolute good system appreciate your kind heart]

[A few constellations chuckle at your humanity]

Sponsored:  100 coins

[Remaining Time: 00:03:00]

Dokja smiled and looked up from the floor, gaze landing on the muscular man, "Whose turn?"

"Alright!" Cheolsoo walked forward, face relaxed, "You're not as bad as I thought you'd be. I'll take care of him, y'all back off!" He chuckled, waving the men away with a limp hand.

"Be careful, Cheolsoo; he probably has a good sponsor!" One of the men warned, worried.

"That's a good thing!" he grinned. "We'll get to keep all of his coins, hehe."

[The character 'Cheolsoo' has the skill 'Threaten']

[Cancelling Skill: the target's abilities too far outclass the caster's] 

['Kim Dokja' has parried the skill 'Threaten']

"Huh, not even scared?" The other one smirked, sliding on fancy-looking brass knuckles, "You must be tough." 

He spent no more time talking and began punching up to the reader's jaw. Dokja found it easy to weave away from his fists; while he wasn't trained in footwork, his agility surpassed level 10, and his stats summed up to 33 after he had spent most of the coins he had left earlier.

The reader became curious about his opponent, wondering why such a weak man obtained a generous sponsor to gift him those brass knuckles. Character List was activated, and a screen full of information popped into existence.

[Character List — Bang Cheolsoo]

Age:  34 

Sponsor Constellation:  Monarch of the Small Fries

Private Attribute:  Assault Force Captain (General)

Exclusive skills:  Dogfight Lv. 2, Bluff Lv. 2

Stigmata:  [Threaten Lv. 1]

Overall Stats:  Stamina Lv. 6, Strength Lv. 7, Agility Lv. 6, Magic Power Lv. 2

Overall Evaluation:  This is your typical small fry. This one was lucky enough to obtain a sponsor.

He tends to overestimate himself and seems to believe he is somewhat stronger than all, regardless of ability gaps. 

"I see," Dokja nodded, remembering who this character was, "Bang Cheolsoo of the Cheoldoo group, aren't you?"

"You know me?" He briefly stopped, taken aback.

The reader shrugged, "Maybe I do."

If he remembered well, Cheosloo briefly appeared at the beginning of the story; Dokja had read this part so long ago. The man was portrayed as the most stupid in Gumho Station, and if his memory didn't fail him, Joonghyuk should've already killed those men. He couldn't help but wonder why the regressor spared their lives this time around.

"Heh!" The small fry masked his worry with faked confidence. It seems we are alike; you've probably already killed a few people, right?" He questioned as he tried to use a skill named 'Bluff'. All thug-like characters owned this skill, which was useful when it worked.

[Activating exclusive skill: Fourth Wall]

[Exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has parried the skill 'Bluff']

[The confidence of the character 'Bang Cheolsoo' is rapidly declining]

"What are you staring at?!" Cheosloo began to grow agitated, "I'll fucking kill you!"

Dokja rolled his eyes, "Ugh, gods, stop talking and fight then." 

The thug closed their distance again, seeing as his skills were useless if not in melee. Their capability gap was so far apart that Dokja almost began to feel bad for the man; he may have had a supporting constellation, but assuming all constellations wished the best for their incarnations was far from reality.

[The constellation' Monarch of the Small Fries' is grinning in delight]

Sponsored:  100 coins

[Remaining Time: 00:02:00]

While the reader was distracted by his notifications, Cheolsoo finally landed a hit, "Take that, you little bitch!" He rejoiced briefly, grin falling when he realised he barely scratched his opponent, "H-how..."

"My turn," Dokja grinned as he pushed the man to the wall, lifting his arms and pinning them to the wall by piercing his hands with the dagger. The man screamed in agony, unable to resist as it felt as if he would amputate himself by accident.

Dokja began by kicking him in the groin with enough strength to rid the man of a descendence, "that was for her," he whispered near his face.

[The constellation' Monarch of the Small Fries' is squirming in pleasure]

[The constellation' Monarch of the Small Fries' has requested a temporal extension to the Sub Scenario]

[Remaining Time: 00:01:00 + 00:01:00] 

Jinwoo smiled, briefly pointing at the two men and looked down at the woman, "Any other requests for what shall be done to him?" He wondered.

She seemed to ponder on the question, hateful gaze locked onto the fight, "Slice his fucking dick off... please." She finally requested quietly.

[YEAH!]

[DICK OFF!]  Lucid chimed in with revolt.

"Please... Stop," one of the man's followers requested meekly, fearful of his words' repercussions.

The man was already battered blue and swollen red from Dokja's fits and kicks when Jinwoo said,  "The lady requests for the man's sausage to be sliced off, dear reader."  He smiled, and Dokja turned around to look at him.

"Huh?" He asked, a brow lifted.

"Cut his fucking dick off!" He repeated out loud.

[DICK OFF!]   Lucid echoed again.

"Fuck..." The man began crying. "Just fucking kill me." He choked on his words.

Dokja sighed, removing his knife from where it held the man's hands, "Life sucks, but some things are unacceptable," he whispered as the small fry's arms fell limp to his sides. "What you guys do and allow is beyond disgusting," he added, shoving the knife in between the man's legs.

Cheolsoo didn't scream; he simply fainted against the reader. That pain likely was beyond what his nervous system could handle. Dokja let him down and walked back to his travelling companions.

"Not bad," Jinwoo assessed. I can give you pointers on how to use one of those better next time if you want," he added, his hand open as he waited for his knife.

Dokja gave the bloody thing to him, and it quickly disappeared to god knows where, "I'd be grateful for a class, not gonna lie." 

"Bet when we find the time." Jinwoo smiled.

[You have successfully disposed of the garbage]

Reward:  300 coins

[Notification]

The Reader has survived through the 'Sub Scenario — Dispose of the Garbage'

[Reward: Mana 9% —> Mana 11%]

[The constellation 'Monarch of the Small Fries' is thanking you for the spectacle]

Sponsored:  100 coins

"H-how cruel..."   One of the men stuttered in fear.

"Crueler than abusing another human against their will?"   Dokja raised a brow, turning to face them; none dared answer him. "Pick up the injured and guide us to your camp." He sighed, exhaustion catching up to him.

"Should I hide?" Jinwoo wondered, unsure of whether he should stay out of the shadows.

"No stay. It's easier to communicate when you're up here with me." Dokja nodded with a tight smile. "Time to introduce you to this silly world!" He grinned.

Chapter Text

"I'm sorry."  Jinwoo quietly pronounced through the link as they followed the nervous group of small fries.

"For what?"  Dokja furrowed his brows, looking up at his companion.

"Um, I didn't mean to seem uninterested or judgmental when you talked about how you felt earlier..."  He paused, still unsure of how to approach this.  "I just wasn't sure of the right way to react."

"It's fine..."  Dokja brushed it off.  "I'm not mad."

"No, but it isn't fine,"  Jinwoo pressed.  "My sister needs space when upset, so I defaulted to letting you process your thoughts... but I can tell this was wrong. No, rather than wrong, maybe it wasn't what you needed from me."

Dokja was surprised; Jinwoo had never appeared so young to him. He seemed so inexperienced as if he was figuring out how to interact with someone other than his family for the first time.

"I... I'm not sure what I was expecting from you, either, to be honest."  He sighed, feeling raw.  "Maybe we can work on this together! Experiment and explore, see what works for us. We have no choice but to live in each other's heads, so figuring these types of things out seems like a good idea."  He nodded, " Do you know how you like to be dealt with when you feel desperate or anxious?"

Jinwoo looked down and sincerely pondered the question. He remembered his mother's arms when he was upset about a test result, the warmth of his father's hand on his head when he bruised a knee, and his sister cuddling close at night after he came back injured from a raid.

"I guess physical touch?"  He sounded unsure.  "Like hugs and stuff from my family? Is that weird?" 

"I don't think it is. Would you be comfortable with me comforting you, though? You mention your family, but how about your friends?"

"I didn't have friends... or friends close enough to share my troubles with."  He explained,  "So I don't really know..."

"Yeah, me neither."  They sighed,  "Alright, we'll just figure it out together!"  He pumped his fist, feeling optimistic.

Jinwoo nodded with a smile.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' can't help but wonder what discussions you are silently having with 'The Dark Figure']

Dokja had come to terms with the fact that the constellations knew they communicated telepathically. "It's a secret!" he answered, looking upwards.

"Huh?" One of their guides turned around.

"He talks to himself sometimes; don't worry about it!" Jinwoo explained to the man, who now seemed even more concerned.

Dokja blushed in embarrassment and hit the taller one in the shoulder.

[A few constellations laugh at your red face]

"Ugh, dickheads." He whispered, earning a few more worried looks from the group before him. Dokja was still confused about these men's presence. Joonghyuk always took time to clean this station up, yet they seemed to thrive there. There was no reason for him to be in such a rush so early in the Scenarios.

"This way." They were directed to stairs that led down to bright lights and the buzzing of human life. "Cheoldoo Group! We need medical assistance!" The same man shouted once they were downstairs, and a few people rushed to collect the injured.

"They're quite organised," Jinwoo observed quietly.

"Mister Kim!" a familiar voice screamed, "Oh my god, Mr. Kim, you're alive!" 

"Miss Yoo," He smiled at her, happy to see her free from serious injuries.

"Oh god, I'm relieved." She forced him into a hug, "I was so worried." The reader awkwardly patted her back, his facial expression awkward when she stayed there longer than he thought she would.

He felt a tug at his pants, "You're alive!" Gilyoung grinned brightly before hugging his leg tight.

As he bent down to ruffle the boy's hair, Dokja felt a new connection within his link with the hunter,  "My King, I am relieved to see you are well,"  a dark and deep voice rumbled through the link, startling him.

"Beru! How has it been with the boy?"  Jinwoo asked enthusiastically.

"His entourage is reliable, sacrificing their comfort for his when they could. He was safe."  The entity answered calmly, like a soldier reporting to a superior.

"Good, I'm glad."  Jinwoo simply answered, face relaxed.

"Um, hello?"  Dokja wondered if he should introduce himself. His brain began to fill with so many questions he couldn't keep track of which to ask first.

"Hmpf!"  The creature snubbed.

"Ah... Right. I'll introduce you guys later; Beru, stop pouting. He isn't as bad as we believed."  Jinwoo clarified, aware these were about to be rocky introductions. He wasn't sure the reader would be a fan of his pseudo-anthropomorphic ant pet.

"Are you alright? Who is this?" Sangha couldn't help but ask as she saw the reader glare at his companion.

"Miss Yoo-"

"Please call me Sangha. There's no need for niceties anymore. I'll call you by your name, too." She cut him off with a smile.

"Right." He nodded, "Sangha, Gilyoung, this is Jinwoo. I've met him while we were apart, and he's helped me a lot." Dokja introduced him, and the taller one nodded with an awkward smile. "I don't know if I'd have survived without his help."

"Don't sell yourself short; you're more competent than you think."  The hunter complimented him. "Nice to meet you, Sangha," he shook her hand. "Gilyoung," he smiled at the boy who seemed so very interested in the content of his shadow. He crouched to meet the boy at equal height.

"What's in there?" The boy asked curiously, pointing at the floor below them.

The lady chuckled awkwardly, " Gilyoung, we already told you. It's your Guardian Angel. It hides in your shadow to protect you when you need it." She explained sweetly, prompting the newcomer to comply with the lie she had told him.

Jinwoo chuckled; they probably thought the boy had imaginary friends.

[I'll be your imaginary friend, Jinwoo]

[Don't be jealous of a kid]

"Lucid the fuck?"  Jinwoo reigned in his expression as Dokja muffled a giggle.

"But it went to his shadow when we met." He furrowed his brows, confused. "Do you need a Guardian Angel, sir? Did you steal mine?" He looked up with a pout.

"Well," Jinwoo began to speak, "This Guardian was mine from the beginning, but I saw you needed one more than me, so I sent him away to protect you."

The boy's face brightened, "Really! You did this for me! You can talk to him?" 

The hunter nodded, "Mhm, I'll send him back to you soon after we've discussed a little bit together." He further explained, "My Guardian thinks you're an incredible boy!" 

"Wow! Thank you!" He giggled and hugged the man. "Why does it hide in the shadows, though?" He now wondered.

"Because my Guardian looks too scary, and he is very, very tall... sadly, he would attract too much attention." 

"I'm sure he isn't that scary!" Gilyoung crossed his arms against his chest, "I wouldn't be scared." He added bravely.

"I'm sure! Maybe one day, I'll let you meet him." He was engulfed in another grateful hug from the kid whose stomach began to wail in hunger. "Are you hungry?" the hunter wondered.

The kid hesitantly looked up at Sangha, who seemed unsure what to say.

"Um..." she rubbed her nape. "We ran out of food. We feed him as a priority when we can, but it's been a day now."

"It's fine; I have food," Jinwoo answered with a small smile as he pulled a protein bar from his inventory and handed it to the little man.

"Wow! You're a magician!" He beamed, "Thank you!" He grabbed the treat and began working his way through the packaging. 

Jinwoo stood up after ruffling his hair.

"Who knew the big, scary protagonist was so talented at dealing with kids?"  Dokja commented through the link. Unable to hide the tenderness of his tone, Jinwoo cleared his throat and blushed.

[He's all broody and dark, but he cares a lot for his people, mhm]

"I had to raise my younger sister, ok?"  he defended himself.

"Sure."  Dokja teased, and Jinwoo rolled his eyes.

"Thank you." Sangha sighed, relieved. "I was beginning to worry about him. He never complains, so it's difficult to say when he needs something."

"You guys did the best you could," Jinwoo reassured her. "My 'Guardian'," he air-quoted, has reported only good things about you guys."

"Haha... sure. You have a talent with kids; he didn't open up to us so easily." She smiled and looked at the boy, ensuring he wasn't paying attention, "He kept asking about what was in his shadow, and we didn't know what to say... White lies don't hurt, do they? Thank you for going along with me... this poor boy." She sighed; she seemed exhausted.

"Oh, but you weren't far from the truth," Jinwoo commented, cryptic, making her chuckle awkwardly.

"Stop messing with her."  Dokja bumped his shoulder with his own.

"I'm telling the truth, though!"  He chuckled,  "But worry not, I will spare them from the truth." 

"Dokja! I knew you'd still be alive!" Hyunsung ran to them, a puppy-like smile on his face. "I am so sorry. So, so sorry for having abandoned you." He then bowed deeply.

"It was unavoidable, stand up, Hyunsung." Dokja chuckled. " I'm happy to see you in good health! You've grown tougher, too!" He noticed the man's musculature had been reinforced.

"Hehe!" He puffed his chest proudly, then looked towards the taller man standing at the reader's side. "Nice to meet you; I'm Lee Hyunsung." He bowed politely.

"Sung Jinwoo." The hunter replied briefly, nodding as he offered a handshake.

"I'm glad to see that Mister Yoo Jonghyuk was right in the end," Hyunsung mentioned, looking back at Dokja. 

Jinwoo's brows furrowed, and the reader couldn't hide his surprise.

"Um..." The burly man rubbed the back of his head, noticing the two men's confusion, "Yoo Jonghyuk? Um, he told us you were likely still alive, Dokja?" He hesitated, and the reader relaxed.

"Where is he now?" 

"Oh! He left the station yesterday-"

"OUT OF MY WAY!" An arrogant screech cut the man's sentence short.

[UGH!]

Their friends were pushed out of the way as a squad of armed men circled the two companions; Gilyoung grabbed onto the hunter's leg in his panic.

"It's you!" a familiar figure pointed a finger into Dokja's chest. "KILL THIS GUY! He's bad!" Han Myunghoh threw a tantrum as he pressed his finger further into the reader's chest.

Jinwoo swiped his hand away, pulling the reader behind him.

"YOU TOUCHED ME? YOU—" His face grew red as none of the men acted in his defence.

[Gods... I hate this man!]

"You and I, Lucid... You and I,"  Dokja confirmed.

"What the fuck?" Jinwoo furrowed his brows.

"Haha!" A rich laugh erupted from behind the salary man, and a hand promptly grabbed his shoulder with vigour. "Han, brother, why are you throwing a fit? Let's all get along!" 

[Gods no...]

[I hate this one too...]

Jinwoo swore he could hear tears of despair in the system's voice.  "You don't like many people, do you?"  Jinwoo teased.

[Untrue! These people are simply UGH!]

"Welcome newcomers! May I ask for your names?" He grinned with all his teeth.

"My name is Sung Jinwoo, and my companion's name is Kim Dokja." The hunter answered, still on edge due to the other's political attitude.

"I see; I am Cheon Inho." The man reciprocated.

"Fuck, that's Cheoldoo's leader,"  Dokja explained through the link, and Jinwoo was ready to defend if need be.

"I heard of your great feat from your escorts!" he said loud enough for the station to hear. "You saved them from a monster; I thank you from the bottom of my heart!" 

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Jinwoo furrowed his brows, confused.

"Well, you know," The man answered sweetly.

"Well, no," Jinwoo copied his grin, " don't know."

He laughed loudly as if the hunter had told him the funniest joke to exist on this earth. "You're a funny man, Mr. Sung!" He smiled, his eyes like a foxe's when they fell on the protein bar in Gilyoung's hands. "Do you guys have food?" he wondered more quietly.

"A little bit." Dokja answers half-truthfully, "It's not that much." He wanted to see what the man would do; he remembered him, after all. He was one of those charlatans who fed people words of hope. He was a gaslighter, a brainwasher, a man with a talent for words.

"Everyone! Gather around! Let's welcome our new members!" he shouted even louder. "They told me they brought food for us!" 

People gathered around quickly, curious to see their saviour. They all looked at the duo like they were christ incarnate.

"I don't see a bag, though. Don't tell me you only have a pocket worth! You did not feed me a lie, did you?" He suddenly acted concerned, as if trying to make them look bad.

"Jinwoo, show them." Dokja prompted him quietly. The hunter nodded and manifested a pile of food from his inventory, shocking everyone; even the charlatan seemed taken aback.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' smiles in excitement]

"Wow, what a skill you have gotten yourself there!" The man seemed delighted, "This is all so generous-" 

"We won't share it, though!" Dokja shouted, cutting the foxy man off quickly. "We never promise our resources to people we have never met. You are welcome to buy some from us with coins. No! We won't accept paper money, as it is virtually worthless nowadays." He explained to the crowd as their smiles fell.

"Well!" Jinho clapped his hands together. "We'll see if we can convince you otherwise!" He commented politically, "Right, everyone?! We can convince them?" He smiled, reviving the hope in his crowd. "We'll let you settle for now; fatigue may have affected your judgement." He bowed to pluck a snack from the pile, but Jinwoo recalled it all to his inventory. 

He stared down at the man with a predatorial gaze, "No," he simply said, "That's not for you."

"Well, you don't seem like a fun guy." Inho laughed, still visibly shaken. "Well, whatever. Welcome to Gumho Station!" He brightened and quickly scurried away.

The hunter glared at the crowd, and they quickly dispersed as shivers rolled down their spines.

"You have the same effect as Mister Jonghyuk!" Hyunsung chuckled, trying to lift the atmosphere.

"Oh, he is scarier than Jonghyuk!" Dokja chuckled. "He is much stronger, too!" He confirmed.

"Well, I'm happy you're on our side," Sangha sighed, visibly reassured. "Come here, Gilyoung. We're going back to camp." She crouched to grab the boy's hand, but he buried his face in Jinwoo's pants. "Sorry, I think he was a little shaken by the crowd. Do you think..." She hesitated, her eyes lifting to the man's face.

Jinwoo quietly nodded and crouched to pick the kid up in his arms.

"I think that kid adopted you quicker than he did me..."  Dokja chuckled through the link.

"Well,"  Jinwoo chuckled, manifesting a marshmallow between his fingers.  "I'm magic, after all!"  He grinned, handing the piece of candy to the reader.  "But really, it's fine. I don't mind him,"  Jinwoo commented, rubbing a hand down the boy's back.

"He is a very pitiful kid..."  Beru chimed in, tone muted. " He talked to me, or well, his shadow a lot. He can sense me."  The soldier explained,  "Little Gilyoung watched his parents die in a fire... he acts tough so that his mother will feel prideful as she observes him from her star."

"So, he is orphaned..."  Dokja confirmed,  "What a horrible thing for a child to experience."  He added, compassionate.

They silently walked the rest of the way until Sangha chirped, "Here is our little camp!" She extended an arm to what seemed nothing like a camp; it was more of a pile of backpacks and a few food wrappers on the side.

Jinwoo scowled, "Nope!" He said, "I'm changing all of this!" He complained as he carefully handed the boy to dokja. "All of this!"

He pulled five sleeping bags out of his inventory and a change of clothes for everyone. He also gave them wet wipes to wipe the dirt off their bodies. Once everyone was cosier, he prepared warm instant noodles and a water bottle for the group. Jinwoo created what seemed like a five-star camp for them, attracting the attention of a few jealous gazes around them.

"Oh god, Mister Jinwoo, where have you been all my life?" Hyunsung draped himself over the man's lap like he had no boundaries; the big guy felt great after his first true meal in a few days.

"A saint, truly."  Dokja teased him, surprised that the man had all this stocked up.

"Ugh," The hunter scowled, "Get away from me!" He wiggled the man off, a blush slowly growing on his cheeks. The group giggled at his reaction, but no one commented on it. 

"Really though," the military rubbed and sat back up, "Thank you!" He smiled with honesty.

"It's nothing..." Jinwoo mumbled.

Dokja cleared his voice, "So, now that we are situated, can you tell us about the situation."

"Of course," Hyunsung took the initiative. 

They talked for a few hours, confirming Dokja's suspicions. The leading group manipulated the marginalised; they were promised a rescue team from the government... If any of them had, even if only stepped outside, they would have known this was a load of crap. No one was coming for them; but the station was comfortable, so comfortable they began to feel entitled to it. Dokja understood that helplessness led to inactivity, but he couldn't find himself respecting this mob of laziness; they did nothing but complain all day, waiting for their scheduled meal courtesy of their benevolent leader.

That night, they all slept near each other; the station was cold. And when they woke up, the lady they had saved the day prior was sitting on the bench nearing them. 

"Jung Heewon!" Hyunsung exclaimed, almost taking Dokja's eardrum, "You're back!" 

Dokja looked at her expressionless face. She had nice facial features, and he was sure she could have been a model if she had wanted to in the past.

"I knew it."  Jinwoo commented, still sleepy,  "She's your type." 

"She's pretty, sure. I'm not attracted to her, though..."  Dokja answered truly.

"You're boring."  Jinwoo rolled his eyes.

"Well, is she your type, then?"  Dokja asked, and the hunter seemed really surprised.

"I don't know..."  he shrugged.  "I've never really had the time to think about women and relationships." 

"What? Don't tell me you're a virgin now!"  The reader bumped his shoulder playfully.

"I mean, I am."  Jinwoo looked at him.  "Is that weird?"

Dokja stared at him silently,  "with a face like yours a little bit."  He hesitated,  "But no, it isn't weird. Take your time with these things."

Jinsoo scowled, " Not like you'll see me fuck someone while I'm homeless here or in a fucking dungeon back at home."  He chuckled,  "I'll probably die a virgin, and I'm fine with it." 

"It's a little sad; if it was by choice, I'd be happy for you... but it seems more circumstantial..."  Dokja looked down at his lap.

"Why?"  The hunter smirked,  "You offering?"  

"What? No!"  He shuffled away from his companion, who was now holding his stomach, as he laughed loudly.

[A few constellations are extremely curious about what 'The Dark Figure' has told you]

"Told him he could deflower me if he wanted," Jinwoo answered without missing a beat, and dokja buried his face in his hands, face red with shame.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' spat her tea at the revelation]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' blushes furiously]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is rolling on the floor laughing]

Sponsored:  100 coins

"What's a deflower?" Gilyoung asked, jumping in between them.

Dokja looked to the rest of the group, relieved to see that none of them had heard the hunter's outrageous words.

"It's when you collect flowers to make a bouget for someone," Jinwoo lied, naturally, picking the boy in his arms as he stood up.

"Mr. Dokja wants to give you flowers?"

"Something like that," Jinwoo grinned, and Dokja couldn't find it in him to stay angry.

He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face, "Who wants breakfast?" he asked loud enough for everyone to gather around him.

"What are we having?" Hyunsung was the first to ask.

"You can have anything you want. It'll be ten coins an item, though." Dokja explained.

Confusion overtook the face of Sangha and Hyunsung.

"Can I please get a bun and a pack of crisps?" Heewon asked without moving, unsure if the offer extended to her.

"Of course!" Dokja smiled, "I'll give you the bun for free as you didn't get anything yesterday." 

"Nah, I'll pay for both. I'm not here to get freebies." She waved him off, promptly paying 20 coins, "It would be ridiculous of me to expect such kindness when you guys risked your lives for this." She pressed, looking at the other two who had fallen silent.

Sangha blushed after her comment, and Hyunsung bit his lips. They didn't complain, even if Dokja could tell they wanted to, and simply paid for what they ate and drank.

On the other hand, Jinwoo was fighting with Gilyoung. The kid insisted on paying for his food, but the man categorically refused. "Babies don't pay for food; they eat it," he teased the boy.

"I'm not a baby! I can pay like the adults!" He said, determined, diving to catch the man's hand with his own.

Dokja chucked, turning to Hyunsung curiously, "I'm surprised they didn't recruit you?"

The military looked up, "Ah no, they did try... I refused, though. They seemed, you know, a little sketchy."

Dokja nodded, "I'm glad you didn't; I think you're right. They are sketchy."

"I'm sorry for earlier, by the way." The man added, "I got used to being fed when food was offered and forgot that there are no such things as well-intentioned freebies. I'm happy to pay for the food."

"Me too!" Sangha said, "I hate relying on people, and yet look at me now... I'm grateful for this reality check."

"No worries," he shook his head. "I understand I might have surprised you guys."

"Could I have a chat with our newcomers?" Jinho chimed in from the side, with a disgustingly sweet smile plastered on his face.

[Not him again!]   Lucid wailed in despair.

[My peace and quiet... Come back!]

"Are you guys leaving?" Gilyoung asked before they could answer.

"No, no." Dokja reassured, "We can chat here." 

"Um... I meant in private." His smile faltered, visibly irate with the reader.

"I'm sure it's nothing we can't talk about here, right? Or is it something that needs to be hidden from everyone?" He spoke louder, pulling the attention of a crowd. 

"Well, it's fine then. Let's talk here." He smiled again as he wiped the bench and sat near its edge. "Join our group," he went straight to the point.

"No," Dokja answered directly, making the man's eyelids twitch as his gaze shifted to the hunter.

"Nah, he talks for me too." 

"We promise you high-ranking positions." He continued, "I wish to lead this group alongside you guys, with Mr. Kim as the brain and you as the muscle, Mr. Sung."

Jinwwo rolled his eyes.

"Why us?" Dokja wondered.

"Well, shouldn't you know!" He grinned, "You saved our people from monsters after all!" He almost screamed in theatrics. "Heroes belong at the top."

"Yeah, no," Dokja confirmed, waving the man off.

"No?" the man's face twisted. "Mr. Kim, do you think you have a choice?  You  have a duty to all those poor people!" He pointed at the gathering crowd. "A person with the strength shall bear the responsibilities!" He talked like a politician making an argument, and the people fell for his sweet words.

"What  exactly  do you want?" Dokja pressed, unaffected by all his arabesques.

"I need hitmen to gather food. We are running out, and the previous one never returned from his last mission." He sighed, "I know for a fact you guys were sent to us for this. You're our saviours, after all." He smiled sweetly as the crowd cheered.

"The answer is still no. I'm no one's saviour. We are not joining your group." He talked loud and clear so the entire station would hear.

"You will change your mind." Inho smiled dangerously.

"I won't." 

"Hey!" Someone shouted at him, "Is it true that you're hoarding all the food?!" 

"Aren't you guys selfish keeping everything to yourselves!" another chimed in, enabling an avalanche of criticism from the people looking at them.

Inho was ecstatic; he thought the pressure would get to them, "Everyone, come on. Our newcomers are not such people; of course, they plan to share with us."

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' rolls its eyes.]

[Gods.. Please give me the strength]

[I'm so close to making his brain burst into little pieces]

"You can do that?"  Jinwo asked, suprised.

"I would pay to see that happen,"  Dokja added.

[...]

[No comment]

Dokja sighed, standing up. He was so done with Inho and his underhanded ways. He was tired, and the last thing he needed right now was unwanted attention, but he was already in this situation; he saw an opportunity to profit.

"You're right!" He shouted louder than anyone, "I'm hoarding the food I collected with my companion! I will not work for a bunch of lazy people who think they can profit from other people's hard work. We're all facing the same problem. You want food? Lift your ass from the ground and go get it." He screamed at them, and the crowd fell quiet. "For those who wish to stay here and be safe, however, as I mentioned when we arrived, I will sell the food we collected."

"I have money!" Someone rushed to the front.

"I'll only accept coins. The price of one item will be 50 coins!" He sat back down, ignoring all protests.

Inho's face fell, "You'll regret this." He stood up and left, angry.

"Will this be alright?" Sangha worried, looking over the angry crowd staring at them.

Jinwoo rolled his eyes and stood up; the crowd's attention was drawn to him as they insulted him with all types of words. He clapped his hands together so loud one would've thought a gun was fired, "Fuck off." He growled, irritated by the mob. "Yall might find Dokja kind enough to spare you all, but I will sincerely break your bones if you don't fuck off!"

The crowd turned silent and quickly scattered away from them.

"That's why you're my favourite protagonist."  Dokja supplied happily.

"Really? I thought that spot was reserved for the other bastard."  He chuckled.

"Oh, you're right! You're my second favourite!"  he corrected himself, making Jinwoo playfully hit his shoulder.

"Jinwoo, can you make a pile with our food?" he asked aloud, and the hunter did as he was told. "Wow, that's more than I thought we had, honestly."

"Can I ask how your storage skill works?" Sangha wondered curiously. 

"I'm not sure how it works, honestly..." Jinwoo answered truthfully, "I just know that I can store things that way."

"Any clue, lucid?"

[It's a skill that allows you to use a pocket dimension.]

"Ok, well, that didn't help me understand."  The hunter sighed.

[I don't believe it is my fault if your brain is smoother than a slip-and-slide.]  The interface clapped back, forcing the reader to stifle his laugh when Jinwoo stared at it as if he had never been so offended in his life.

"No need to feel so bummed, Jinwoo," Sangha giggled briefly. "The world has turned so weird, hasn't it?" She contemplated. "I guess we'll have time to understand it as we go forward. Let's learn all together!" She smiled brightly.

They spent the rest of the day theorising about Jinwoo's storing ability, coming up with ideas that were increasingly crazier every time. After a while, people began to buy food from Dokja, just as he had predicted. And once everyone was asleep, Inho returned to buy the rest of his stock; he had a crazed smile when he stared at the reader, repeating that he'd regret his earlier choices.

Dokja sighed, breathing in the station's stuffy air. He missed the crispy smell of his nighttime commute from work to home. He never thought he'd miss such a trivial sensation, yet here he was.

He silently slid into his duffle bag and laid on his side to face the hunter. Gilyoung had abandoned his own spot earlier to sneak into the man's bag; Dokja couldn't stop a breathy laugh from escaping his lips. Jinwoo was an extremely protective person, Dokja came to understand. The hunter wouldn't let himself exist if not for someone else; and Gilyoung needed protection. It wasn't surprising they got along so fast.

His hand found its way to the hunter's face as he brushed a stray strand of hair away from his eyes.

"Careful."  A deep voice rumbled through the link.  "My King has only fallen asleep a few minutes ago... do not wake him."

"Oh..."  Dokja retreated his hand. " I'm sorry. I thought he had been fast asleep for a while now."

"No..."  the creature sighed.  "God knows why; he wouldn't fall asleep until he saw you slip into your own nightcloth,"  Beru explained, exasperated.

"You truly despise me, don't you?"  Dokja wondered, a bitter laugh on his tongue.

"Well, you did step on his head a few hours into your first meeting, and I've been away ever since,"  he exposed calmly. " I don't hold in high esteem a fool who disrespected my King as such."

"I did do that.. didn't I?"  Dokja cringed at his past action,  "I should apologise; I completely forgot." 

"At the very least!"  The creature exclaimed, making the reader chuckle.

They stayed silent for a while,  "Are you the one Gilyoung talks about? His Guardian Angel?"  Dokja began to wonder when sleep wasn't finding him. 

"Mhm."  The creature confirmed,  "I feel a connection to the kid, an urgency to guard, to protect."

"Is Jinwoo feeling the same thing as you?"

"No..."  Beru sighed,  "My king, he... he simply cares too much."

"Yeah, I noticed..."  Dokja said quietly, gaze fixated on the man's sleeping face.

"Well, while it happened against my wishes, I must admit it was nice conversing with you," the  creature confessed.  "But you need sleep, Sir Dokja; please rest from now on."

"Good night, Beru,"  The reader mumbled, suddenly feeling the day's exhaustion catch up to him.

"Rest assured,"  The creature sighed,  "I won't let the bed bugs bite." 

Chapter Text

Jinwoo woke up from the feeling of fabric shifting against his abdomen. Gilyoung had grabbed onto his shirt, his head was buried deep into his ribs, and he seemed to be cribbed with nightmares as unwilling whispers and groans escaped his lips. Jinwoo smoothed the kid's hair with the flat of his hand, and the boy calmed down, nuzzling into his side. 

There was a lull in the stuffy air of the station. The silence was almost uncanny. The hunter felt out of place, as if his bones didn't belong to him —he wanted to shift the entire composition of his bones. His muscles buzzed with residual vibrancy; it was as if ants had built a nest within the root of his tendons; all felt so tingly —tingly and foreign. There was a passive static in his breaths, a wish for activity, a wish for thrill. He missed the gates; he missed his freedom, his armies, his family. He sighed, chuckling as he covered his eyes with a hand. The skin of it felt coarse and well-worn.

"What fucking freedom?" He whispered to himself, tittering wetly, feeling like a fool.

Jinwoo was never free. He used to believe he was —he truly did. He had assumed the system was a simple tool, an instrument for his own use and purposes. He thought the random quests were for his own good, incentives to take action where he might have hesitated. Oh, how gullible he had been. Jinwoo had been nothing but a mere puppet... a doll that, against all odds, had managed to free itself from the claws of its puppeteer, only for another to pick up the strings.

He sighed and closed his eyes, shying away from the too-peaceful ambience. He knew he would still follow the same path even if he could stray from it. The system had brought back his mother and his sister's smile, and to him, nothing was more precious than the comfort of his loved ones —even if the cost for their happiness was the freedom he had longed for. He bit his lips, drawing enough blood for his tongue to taste the metallic tanginess, his only totem of humanity.

[Are you feeling alright?]  Lucid asked, almost timid... almost guilty.

[You've only slept a couple of hours...]

"Yeah,"  the hunter fibbed.  "I'm just feeling antsy; I haven't been able to fight anything in a while. You know, I need my stabby therapy and all shit,"  he explained as his face remained expressionless and empty.

[You don't need to lie to me...]  The system expressed cautiously, as if trying to be reassuring.

"Why ask if you already knew the answer?"  Jinwoo rolled his eyes and guided one of his hands back to the fluff of Gilyoung's hair.  "I won't interfere with your rules; no need to act like you're truthfully worried."

[But I am.]

[I worry for you, not the task.]

"Do you now?"  he chuckled, incredulous.  "You've got interesting manners of showing your concern,"  he maintained, teeth finding the plush of his lips again.  "Why was I even brought here? I feel like a trophy wife."

[Jinwoo, I truly do care about you; I do more than anything.]  It insisted, seemingly sincere.

[I promise all this has significance; I'm not simply toying with you.]

[Trust me, please...]

Jinwoo snickered,  "Please, Lucid, you need to understand I don't have a reason to trust you or your obscure purposes. Whether you own my trust or not, I'm still tied to your whims, so stop requesting my faith when we both know you don't need it. You promised me the black heart in exchange for this measly act, so stop pretending you're not amused in the face of my ridicule!"

[You're not wrong... The quest will unfold as I intend] 

|And your negative sentiments in my regards won't interfere.]

[But I crave for it, Jinwoo. Your attention is like a drug.]

[I've been waiting to correspond with you for so long...] 

"Please... so long? You've been with me for a few months at most."  Jinwoo scoffed, confused by the emotional turmoil washing over the link. It felt as if his psyche was caught in a savage wave of love, sorrow and obsession.

[Months?]  It asked as the voices broke in defeat.

[You thought... months?]

The hunter remained silent, unsure of how to respond. Lucid had always been an eccentric entity. It always seemed overly cheerful and tried to help to the best of its capacity; sometimes, it even felt vaguely human and corporeal. The hunter would lie if he said he didn't enjoy his interaction with the thing; still, that didn't stop him from disliking the core of its existence.

[Jinwoo, my status far outclasses that of a petty system.]  It hissed, now frustrated and sorrowful.

[I've said it and will say it again!] 

[I purposefully interfered with this stupid system so I could bind to you!]

[I know of your past, your present, and your future!]

[I know of your infinity, of all your tales, of all your pains!]  It chuckled weakly, voice asunder, so fragmented and unsteady. Jinwoo was sure that if the entity had a tangible boy, it'd be shaken with sorrowful tears and despair. Yet, he still couldn't bring himself to mellow his distaste for the being.

[Jinwoo, more than your existence, I know of all; I know where all begins and where it all ends.]

[You-]

[-Across eternity, are my favourite individuality; the one destiny has branded into the core of my being, the one and only one across all planes of existence.]

"What... the fuck are you talking about?"  Jinwoo groaned, feeling at a loss for words, and Lucid remained silent for a while. He could tell the entity was genuinely upset, but he could not grasp the core of what it was saying; it all felt too alien, as if secrets never meant for his ears were forcefully drilled into his brain.

[I'm talking too much is what I'm doing...]  It pronounced in a regretful whisper.

[In the end, none of my feelings toward you matter.]

[Not in the way I wish they did.]

[Just follow Dokja as I've instructed.]  It mumbled quietly.

Jinwoo remained silent for a while as he contemplated a storm of theories, each more uncanny than the others.  "So..."  he hesitated,  "you're a sort of... time god, and you're in love with me?" h e summarised, still uncertain how to interpret Lucid's nervous admissions.

[I-]

"Eh.. what god loves you now?"  Dokja's sleepy voice interrupts the system, startling it and the hunter.

"Dokja, let it go..."  Jinwoo sighed, exhausted.  "I was just talking to Lucid."

[Ugh...]

"Is Lucid the fucking god? I mean... makes sense, I guess?"  Dokja smiled, teasing and unaware of the emotional hurricane he was about to poke,  "Well, I now understand why it was so squirmy when you fake-flirted with it!"  He grinned.

"God, Dokja, sincerely shut the fuck up right now..."  Jinwo dragged his two palms across his face,  "This really isn't the moment."

The reader was taken aback, still feeling groggy from the lacking amount of sleep he had gotten due to their use of the link.  "Ok... can someone explain what's happening, then?"  he furrowed his brows, yawning wide as he sat up to look around. Neither answered.  "Beru?"

"My King's business is not mine to tell,"  the shadow politely remarked.  "And, even if I wanted to betray your trust in that matter, my Lord, I am not able to make out the sound of another entity,"  the commander clarified.

"I see,"  Dokja sighed, propping his knees up to dejectedly rest his chin on them as his arms hugged the rest of his legs tight; he felt left out.

Jinwoo's eyes were drawn to the reader; he was slumped over his body, bottom lip jutting forward in an endearing pout. Dokja looked metaphysical in the murky lighting of the train station; his skin was bathed in the golden glow of the station, making it seem softer than a peach. His lashes were dainty and long, drooping around doe-like eyes, making him look so full of wonder even when things were sour. The hunter wanted to reach out and rest his palm on the man's cheek, simply to experience the feeling of it at least once. Jinwoo desired to watch the coarseness of his fingers trace the man's nose, his lips, the dip of his chin; he swallowed thickly when his eyes fell to the curve of the reader's collarbone. He shook his head in an attempt to clear the heat gathering in the centre of his face and sat up carefully enough to not wake the kid at his side. 

"Do you not like Lucid?"  The reader finally asked, tilting his head so his cheek was squished against his knees.  "I thought you got along."

Jinwoo sighed and copied the other man's form as he slumped over himself,  "We do get along, but that doesn't mean I really like it... I don't know,"  he said, dipping his eyes within the reader's,  "Do you like the constellations and the stream stars? Whatever they're called." 

"No,"  Dokja admitted.  "I'm grateful for them; they allow me to grow stronger. Though I wouldn't be there if not for them and the Star Stream, I would be in bed sleeping away the boredom of my mediocre life."  He sighed.  "I don't know which is better, to be honest."

"Well, Lucid, to me, is akin to your constellations."  Jinwoo explained,  "The reward I'll obtain from acting as your leg warmer is so potent it might shift the fate of my entire world. Without it, I will fail to protect the people I care for. I still don't understand all that is happening in my world; I'm sure I know nothing in the grand scheme of things... I was forced into the dreadful role of a protagonist, and I will take advantage of all it offers me."

[You are underestimating yourself.]

"Being a protagonist was never easy, dear hunter; you're all doomed to carry the world on your shoulders. I can't say I envy this aspect of your job."  Dokja grimaced.

"You call it a job; I call it an unpaid internship with a shitty boss,"  the taller one chuckled, making the reader smile.  "But yeah, Lucid is nothing more than a being forcing me into a role I've never asked for but feel compelled to satisfy. All I wanted was to save my mother, and in exchange for her and my sister's safety, I must now save everyone else, too." 

[Again, I am not part of the system.]  Lucid repeated, entirely defeated.

"But you are using it."  Jinwoo countered.

[I-]

[Alright... I get it.] 

[I'm sorry.]

"Yeah."  Jinwoo answered,  "I know."

Dokja's heart broke a little. He felt bad for Jinwoo but also saw the sincerity in Lucid's words.  "Ok!"  He stood up and extended a hand towards his companion,  "You've promised to train my knife skills, and I think we both need to get rid of some stagnant energy."

The hunter scoffed, a small smile pushing its way onto his face,  "You think  you  can get me to spend energy?"  He looked up and smirked; a familiar smugness began to resurface in his attitude, making Dokja's chest swell with elation.

"Who knows?"  the reader shrugged.  "If you don't stand up soon, I'll start to think you're scared to find out."  He snickered, playing into their banter.

Jinwo grabbed his hand, standing up cautiously enough not to bother Gilyoung.  "Is that a challenge?"  he asked as his breath gently hit the reader's forehead in a warm drag.  "Do you even have the ability to make me fear you?"  He chuckled, and shivers ran through Dokja's entire body.

The smaller one looked up, pupils settling within their fierce counterparts.  "What if I do?"  He stood his ground.

"Huh!"  Jinwoo scoffed,  "Alright, mister edge lord, show me what you got."  He smiled and began to walk towards the tunnels; Dokja followed.

Dokja had, in fact, not even been able to scratch a hair on Jinwoo's body. His ass was handed to him on so many occasions he had stopped counting. All the feelings of embarrassment he had once harboured within his being were gone, erased by the unrelenting fists of the hunter, which had not gone easy on him. He was sore, bruised and exhausted, and yet he felt so fucking alive, so fucking good. The taller man seemed refreshed, too; his step was almost a skip as they returned to the makeshift encampment. 

"Thank you." Dokja breathed out, his lungs still aching from the effort. Jinwoo had tried his best to help him work around with a dagger; while he was not the greatest at teaching, Dokja still had gained a lot from the one-sided beating —not only in skill but also in coins, seeing as the constellations found his  clumsy flailing  entertaining. Dokja knew they would never admit it, but the presence of Jinwoo's 'Dark Figure' or whatever they dubbed him was one of the biggest motivations for his audience's active communications; it was funny to see them try to solve the mystery of his companion.

When they got back, the group was still sound asleep. Jinwoo gave the reader a new change of clothes, and he couldn't help but ask how many of those the man had on him. Jinwoo looked away and answered that he only had a few, and Dokja began to sincerely wonder if  'a few'  meant something different in his world.

Dokja decided to read the novel again to ensure he was familiar with what would come as the group sporadically woke up. Jinwoo, on the other hand, was hard at work. He was doing a darn good job at cooking up a delicious breakfast on his camping stove —Dokja had stopped asking— with the various rations each member pitched. He even distributed wet wipes to those who wished to freshen up. As he observed the domestic scene unfolding before his unwilling eyes, the reader couldn't help but wonder if the man was a vending machine instead of a protagonist. 

"Where did the pile of food go?" Heewon queried once they were all relaxed and well-fed, "Did you sell everything?" 

"Yep," Dokja answered, popping his ' P ' nonchalantly.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the mainstream group bought, like, three-quarters of what you had?" She squinted, pointing towards the pile of food the group was flaunting without shame; Dokja nodded. "Wasn't the point of all this to make people move their asses? To get them to go against the group?" She frowned, vindictive and frustrated.

"Oh, Heewon, you misunderstood." He shook his head, surprising even Sangah and Hyunsung, who had seemingly thought the same, "These people are waiting for a saviour that will never come. Why should I sacrifice my and Jinwoo's hard work to help a bunch of entitled idiots who think they can rest on their asses and reap the benefits?" He sighed, "Yes, I did give them a reality check. If they wanted food, they needed to trade it for what I requested, but I never promised my resources to them."

Her arms fell to the sides of her body, "Why then?" 

"Coins." He smiled, "I made a lot of coins." 

[The constellations of the absolute good frown at your scheming ways] 

She scoffed, "And what about Jinwoo then? I saw you take everything! Wasn't he doing the most during the collection?" Heewon pressed, eyes searching for the hunters, searching for a rationale to prove her argument. She knew she was being unreasonable, but she had slept like shit, and the exhaustion was so bone-deep her mouth spilt all the thoughts she had meant to contain. 

Jinwoo looked at her silently for a few seconds, "I was doing the most of the collection because he decided to help you... I'm not gonna lie, I'm not even sure I would've bothered with you if not for him, Heewon." The hunter exposed with no hesitation, surprising even Dokja. "As for the coins, Dokja and I share our finances; I don't need them as much as he does, so he's keeping them. Even if I did want them, Heewon, I'm no pushover like you seem to believe I am. I have my circumstances; yes, I am tied to him and cannot leave his side if I wanted to, but I do trust him to make the right decisions. You think he uses me, but I actually use him." He smiled in an attempt to lessen the bite of what he was about to say. "Heewon, I can tell you're a bold and upright person, but not everyone's battle is yours. Who are you to impose your values on others? Who are you to expect things from people who owe you nothing. I have enough blood on my own blade; you should keep yours pristine prior to entangling yourself into situations surpassing what you're able to endure." 

"You're not wrong, but this was a little harsh..."  Dokja commented, understanding and a little worried.  "What if you lose their trust after this?"

"I'd rather they fear me than get too attached."  Jinwoo explained,  "They seem to believe I'm the group's little guard dog, and as you've hinted, comfort leads to laziness. They won't grow if they believe I'll be there to save their asses."  He reasoned, and Dokja couldn't say he disagreed.  "It's not like I can help that much regardless, Dokja."  He sighed.

The hunter's words may have been spoken to Heewon, but they had floored Sangha and Hyunsung, too. "I see, I was complacent." The woman murmured, "I'm sorry for assuming." She lowered her head as Sangha's hand found her back, rubbing it in reassurance and understanding. "I simply wonder why you two seem so unfazed by all this. It's as if you've lived through far worse already." She chuckled sheepishly, rubbing her nape in shame.

"Don't compare yourself to me; I have experienced far worse. I've killed, and I've already been hunted." He admitted in a solemn tone. Heewon couldn't say she was surprised, but hearing it from the man's lips was still weird.

"Killed another human?" Hyunsung asked cautiously, "Were you maybe part of the army's special operations?" 

"Say yes,"  Dokja cut him before he could answer,  "They won't question you as much if they believe that."

"Something like that," Jinwoo nodded earnestly as the burly man's face became compassionate. He covered Gilyoung's ears with his two hands and continued to admit, "I was an assassin." 

His audience gasped in surprise, shock and understanding.

[god...]

[Save me.]

[The main character syndrome was too potent.]

[Damage --> 100%.]

"Bruh.."  Dokja cringed,  "Are you for real?"

"I fight like one, you idiot,"  He snapped back.  "Hyunsung was in the army; he isn't a dumbass; he would've ended up asking."

"Fair..."  Dokja rolled his eyes, bones still rattling.  "Still cringy as fuck, though,"  and Jinwoo rolled his metaphysical eyes at him.

"Were they bad? The people, were they?" Heewon asked hesitantly.

Jinwoo sighed, reminiscing about the many times when his life was at risk. "They were..." He bit his lips, "But who am I to decide whether these people truly deserved to die." He reflected sincerely.

"I see," She nodded, body language ironically more relaxed now than it had been when she woke up, "I think I understand." She smiled delicately.

"I'm glad," The hunter sighed and ruffled his own hair with a rough hand, "Regardless, y'all can still come to harass me for spars when you feel like getting ur ass handed to you." He then mumbled quietly, making the reader laugh.

"Or, in other words, he means he'll train you guys if you want." Dokja clarified, making the taller one roll his eyes.  "They'll never be scared of you, you big ass human puppy." 

"Shut up!" 

"How dare! My King is no such thing as a brainless canid!"  Beru's tone was so outraged that Dokja had to stifle his laugh.

Hyunsung and Heewon seemed excited at the prospect and expressed their gratitude with a small bow; Sangha, on the other hand, seemed less enthusiastic at the idea of being trained by the man. He understood his fighting wasn't everyone's cup of tea. They all had different strengths, and depending on how they organised their group —if they stayed together in the future— the woman wouldn't necessarily need to be fighting on the front line with the others.

"Me too?" Gilyoung asked excitedly as he pulled the man's hands aways from his ears, making the taller man wonder if he had heard everything in the end. "Can you train me, too?" 

The hunter chuckled, "Especially you! Look at those little noodles; we need to shape them up if you want to be able to stand your ground!" he bantered, wiggling the boy's arm as he giggled cheerfully.

"He needs no protecting for as long as I exist."  Beru chimed in petulantly.

"Yeah, but we won't be here forever, Beru."  Jinoo reasoned, dimming the commander's excitement.

"I know, my King... One may only wish."  the shadow sighed, and Jinwoo understood him a little. He would miss the little group; hanging out with people as equals was nice. 

The group fell back into mundane, light-hearted discussions, and Dokja became contemplative. He knew the hunter wouldn't be there forever, but for how long would he have the man by his side. It seemed only Lucid knew the answer, and he would never tell. It all gnawed him from the inside. 

The loud voices of the marginalised group startled him aware, making him remember a crucial plot point that had slipped off his mind, "Do you guys have any food left?" He suddenly asked.

"Yes! Need some?" Hyunsung offered without a second thought.

"No, and don't offer your things for free like that." Dokja scolded lightly, making the other one blush.

"Ah! I- I was going to make you pay!" He lied, slightly embarrassed.

"Sure," Dokja chuckled. The point is: you guys should eat it all before the day ends," he hinted, turning around to focus on the Cheoldoo group's ridiculous shenanigans; he found them a little entertaining.

"Huh? Why?" Sangha frowned.

"A hunch." He answered simply, "You don't have to, I'm just saying." He shrugged, still observing the crowd of anger aggregating near the food distribution service. "Is something happening?" He wondered curiously as a few outraged glares found their way to him.

"You sold him the rations, right?" Heewon asked as she sat next to him; he nodded. "He's been saying you enlightened him, told them to pay 200 coins per ration, and said it was your idea," she explained before taking a bite from a protein bar; Dokja took note of it. She trusted him.

"Ugh, what a tool." He rolled his eyes.

"I knew the man was bad news. I hope nothing will go wrong." Sangha whined from behind them; she was anxious. "How are you not nervous? What if they turn against us?" she rambled.

"I'll fight them," he shrugged. "You guys can also fight alongside me if you wish to, and I think Jinwoo should also be able to join," he thought aloud.

[This group of petty pests is irrelevant to the main scenario]  Lucid promptly clarified, confirming Dokja's suspicions.

"I'll fight them with you!" Hyunsung confirmed confidently. "I agree with your line of reasoning, and they've been getting on my nerves for a few days. It's a no-brainer for me." He nodded solemnly. 

They talked about their collective distaste for the Cheoldoo group for a little longer before they began to split into smaller groups. Sangha wished to ration her food for the days to come, and Gilyoung watched her doing it as he scarfed all his reserves down; the kid was actively buzzing around her, questioning her actions and reasoning. Hyunsung sat closer to Jinwoo; he was hesitant at first but truly wanted to make friends with the mysterious man. Heewon and Dokja did not move; they stayed in the same spot and silently kept people watching as the Cheoldoo group caused trouble for everyone.

"I know about Jinwoo, but would you be able to kill?" Heewon suddenly asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had built up. Dokja shifted to face her; she seemed to be sincerely meditating on Jinwoo's words. She was truly trying to understand and form her own opinion of it all; she was assessing where her moral balance was positioned in this scenario.

"Yeah, if my life is threatened, I will. This is the type of world we live in now, I guess." He snorted, looking down at his unblemished hands, "What about you? Do you wanna take revenge?" he wondered, eyes lifting to her face.

"I guess... I'm not sure," she said with a clear voice as she steeled her glare into the back of a few members of the Cheoldoo group. "But if it comes to it," she pointed at them with her jaw clenched, "I'll be the one to deal with them." 

The surge of killing intent emanating from her surprised the reader. She had seemed so conflicted about the concept of death, and yet it was as if those words had been trapped within herself. She had thought of it repeatedly and thoroughly, simply waiting for someone to validate her feelings. This reminded Dokja he had forgotten to use character list on her; she seemed too resilient for someone who would have let themselves perish so early.

[Character List — Jung Heewon]

Age:  27

Sponsor Constellation:  /// — three constellations are showing interest.

Private Attribute:  Crouching Figure (General)

Exclusive skill:  Demon Slayer Lv. 1, Kendo Lv. 1.

Stigmata:  ///

Overall Stats:  Stamina Lv. 4, Strength Lv. 4, Agility Lv. 7, Magic Power Lv. 4.

Overall Evaluation:  This one proved to be a crouching figure with incredible potential.

Her attribute information has yet to be verified as she has not made use of it.

"Huh, so Heewon was a character after all,"  he retrospectively supplied through the link. He recognised her attribute as one of the most convenient; it could promote unrestrained and exponential growth if exploited well.  "She's got a good foundation; I'd like her to follow and stay with us if possible." 

"Noted." 

"At the end of the day, whether we kill or not, justice as we used to know it isn't really applicable anymore. I think it might be good for us to reflect on what death and killing means for us. It's always good to assess your limits and boundaries; we each might need to build our own little collection of rules," he said thoughtfully, and she nodded in agreement.

"You're doing well,"  Jinwoo reassured him via the link,  "This was good advice."

"Thank you... Thought I was babbling crazy words. She seems determined, though, and that's good. I think."  He admitted sheepishly.  "I'm not even sure I could kill another human in cold blood, to be honest..." 

"I'd be worried if you could!"  Jinwoo remarked, tone both amused and concerned,  "Even I still feel disgusting after killing another human, no matter the circumstances; it always leaves a bad taste... It's not a mundane thing to do, and it's not made to be."

"But... what if I can't?"  Dokja reasoned, teeth finding the plush of his bottom lip.  "What if I can't kill even if my life is on the line?"

"Then I'll do it for you, even if Lucid bitches about it afterwards,"  The hunter reassured him, and the reader looked over his shoulder, gaze searching for his. His eyes seemed wet, and Jinwoo could tell he had overwhelmed himself with all the overthinking he had done.  "You'll cross that bridge when you get to it; stop worrying your little head over nothing and wipe the tears out of those pretty eyes."

Dokja chuckled and rubbed the fabric of his sleeve on his eyes. Heewon patted his shoulder with a soft hand, realising the reader was not as impartial about the topic as she had thought. She apologised for bringing it up, and Jinwoo could tell she felt bad.  "You sure are good at distracting me with your lies,"  Dokja finally answered, throwing him a small smile over his shoulder.

Jinwoo shook his head and sighed,  "While my King does lie sometimes, I don't believe he has iterated anything as such at the moment."  Beru chimed in, slightly confused and willing to defend the hunter's honour.

"Way to expose me, you donkey."  Jinwoo smiled, stifling a laugh, noticing how the skin on the reader's ear quickly changed to a deep red.  "Hey, afterthought, even you can be kinda cute sometimes." 

Dokja suddenly stood up, startling Heewon, who had been actively talking to him. He turned around and marched to where the hunter was. His face was flushed, his lips pouty, and Jinwoo sincerely thought he was gonna get hit. The reader crouched instead, briefly hiding his face in his arms before he dug the void of his eyes into his counterpart's. "You suck." He mumbled, clearly flustered.

Jinwoo had never thought a simple word would evoke a reaction as such in the reader, who always seemed so composed. Jinwoo felt like he had obtained a new skill, a new power. "Cute," he repeated out loud, lips grinning wide with amusement; Dokja huffed and slapped the top of his head without putting much strength into it. 

"You're so annoying." The reader hissed petulantly through his teeth. 

[You were making fun of me, but you're just as bad.]  Lucid exclaimed petulantly. 

"Is everything alright?" Hyunsung asked, beyond confused. One moment, he and Jinwoo were comfortably chatting about their workout preferences; the next, Dokja slapped him the heck out of him for seemingly no reason.

"Yeah," Jinwoo brushed off, ruffling the hair of a now mortified Dokja, "He's pretty cute, ain't he?" He then asked, head turning to the man.

"Mister Dokja definitely has a pretty face, so I'd say he's cute, yeah." He answered honestly.

"Super cute!" Sangha chimed in with a thumbs up; she was still busy with her food preparations.

The reader let himself fall into a fetal position on the floor and began to fake a sob, "God, why must I be surrounded by idiots?" He continued to sniffle, making the entire group explode into laughter.

That is, until a piercing scream resonated through the entire station, startling it entirely quiet.

[H-hello.]  A novel, almost shy-sounding voice boomed loudly through the hall.  [A-am I interrupting something?]  the being wondered with a friendly smile. 

"There it is."  Dokja composed himself, turning around to pay attention.

"It's not our little stalker?"  Jinwoo wondered curiously as masses of people began to crumble over each other, fearfully scrambling away from the creature they were all traumatised by.

"I'm confused, too. I was sure Bihyung was responsible for all the channels in the area."  He squinted at the darker-furred dokkaebi.

[M-my friend, whom you've met before, was supposed to be checking on you guys. H-however, he has been naughty and is getting disciplined as we speak.]  It grinned wide as it looked over the station, its gaze lingering on a few people.  [I-I see you've been living a comfy life; Bihyung was acting all mighty and pretentious, but he really was a pussy after all.]

[Bihyung is getting spanked, mhm!]

"Pfft!" Jinwoo and Dokja cracked out oud, both unable to compose themselves fast enough; their companions looked at him weirdly but did not comment.  "God, Lucid, I know you're a little comedian like that, but please tone it down!"  The reader begged for the sake of his integrity.

"Why are you here! Stop staling with bullshit!" An angry woman screamed at the creature, making Dokja sigh; he was still surprised to see how people lacked any sense of fear when it mattered. 

The being sniffled and frowned.  [D-don't be mad at me.]  It faked sadness for a few minutes as the crowd watched in utter disbelief.  [Anyways! I came for you guys.]  It smiled again, seemingly enjoying the anxious shift of the air of his surroundings.

"For us?" One person asked hesitantly. "Are you going to help?"

"We need food!" Another screamed desperately.

[Hmmm... f-food?]  It shook its fluffy head.  [I see, ok!]  It nodded, making a few people gasp in relief as they naively thought they were being saved.

"Fucking idiots," Dokja mumbled quietly as the dokkaebi snapped its fingers with a devious look in its eyes.

[A new penalty was added to the scenario]

[The stockpiling of food is now prohibited]

[All existing stockpiles were confiscated]

The room erupted into screams of despair. All the food they had gathered, all the food they had paid for, all of it was gone into little mounds of dust. Sangha herself couldn't contain a defeated whine when her hard work disappeared before her eyes.

[O-oops.]  The creature chortled,  [My hand slipped, hehe!]  It wiggled its body as if flustered, relishing in the symphony of anxiety that had overtaken the room. Its expression shifted to something dark and perverse, and Dokja suddenly remembered which dokkaebi was facing him, one of the most cruel and sadistic. The creature loved to lull incarnations into a false sense of security; it loved the look of a broken spirit and thrived when despair was at its thickest.  [H- here ye, here ye! Trash of all ages and genders, welcome to my playground!]  It grinned theatrically,  [welcome to my game!]  Its fingers snapped again, and the fearful mass collectively recoiled.

[A new penalty was added to the scenario]

[The penalty 'Cost of Survival' is now active]

[A survival cost of 100 coins will be deducted from each incarnation at the end of each day]

[The penalty 'Cost of Survival' will remain active until the end of the 'Second Main Scenario']

Dokja laughed and turned his body around so he could face the hunter; he grabbed the man's face with two excited hands and grinned when his friend's confusion transpired with a frown. 

"Now, things are finally getting interesting!"

Chapter Text

Jinwoo threw his head back and erupted into a loud, throaty laughter, attracting the attention of everyone in the station. Even the dokkaebi seemed to squint at him, trying to pick up on identifying clues about the anomaly before him, wondering about the lack of fear and desperation on the man's traits. The spectating constellations —which were high in number for the lack of anything interesting in the area— also seemed somewhat familiar with him.  

The hunter could still feel the warm sting of Dokja's palms on his skin as he squished the plush of his face with an unfaltering grin. The reader's cheeks were the colour of a splotchy cherry juice, his eyes were like feverish crescents, and his shoulders seemed finally relaxed after a few days on the run. Jinwoo wanted to keep staring, still unsure of the reason for the ever-growing barrage that found the pit of his throat whenever the older man's eyes bore into his. He was not even sure of the reason for Dokja's uncharacteristic demonstration of happiness, but he seemed relieved, and that was all that mattered. Jinwoo indulged into his cognitive dissonance and briefly ruffled his partner's hair as a satisfied curl found the edge of his lips.

The fluffy creature, now only a few inches away from the duo, loudly cleared its voice, offended by the uncanny disturbance they had offered.

[A-am I bothering you?] It spat, tone asinine.

"Yeah," Jinwoo simply answered as he looked up at the being. "You're bothering me right now." He exclaimed with a tight smile, making the creature recoil in surprise and embarrassment.

[A few constellations point and laugh at the dokkaebi streamer]

[The constellation 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire' spat her popcorn as she chortled]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' wonders if 'The Dark Figure' has gone crazy]

The dokkaebi shrank onto itself, [W-What?] it stammered confused.

"I'm perplexed as to why you're still loitering around, seeing as you're done updating the scenario... Is there more?" Dokja asked with a political smile, finally letting go of Jinwoo's cheeks.

The creature appeared taken aback, as if it had never foreseen anything but fear from the group of incarnations. Expecting any different would go against common sense, and seeing as the rest of the group stared at them with shaking limbs and hanging jaws, the streamer's bafflement was not unfounded. No incarnation had ever gotten the courage to snub a dokkaebi so early in the game...

[T-there could be if you keep on yapping like foolish dogs!] It crossed its tiny arms huffishly as its face distorted in shame and outrage.

"Well, be my guest! Things have been quite boring in the area," Dokja kept on simpering, obviously taunting the creature. It was neither clever nor rational of him, but he hoped that making the scenario harder might allow Jinwoo to act as more than a pretty side table for once. To be fair, the scenario was already harder than he imagined, seeing as survival fees weren't mentioned so early in the original novel —this was likely the result of his interaction with Bihyung, but he needed more; he needed something dangerous. Lucid had told the hunter could not tamper with what was meant to happen, but the reader could and knew how to play the fragile ego of those frivolous little fur streamers.

Dokja wanted to do something for his new protagonist.

"I mean... unless your authority only extends to so little." He added with a condescending gaze as his hand floundered towards the most recent scenario notification.

"Ah... I swear to god, I hate to admit it for practical reasons, but you're kinda cute when you're acting like a crazy motherfucker." Jinwoo bit back a grin as he wiped his forehead.

"Only for you and your entertainment, my dear." Dokja chuckled quietly.

[F-fine! Don't come crying afterwards, though.] The dokkaebi smirked and snapped its fingers mischievously.

[The density of monsters found in the area of the Second Main Scenario has doubled]

[Second Main Scenario — Meeting]

Category:  Main

Difficulty:  E --> D

Clear condition:  Comply with the daily cost of survival, scavenge for sustenance,

and cross the tunnel to meet the survivors of the first main base.

Time limit:  None

Reward:  500 coins

Failure:  ???

[Heh! N-not so smug anymore!] The creature yelled as its tiny finger pointed to a bewildered reader.

"You're right! I'm impressed!" Dokja's face split with a bright smile, contrasting the audience's agitation, which turned noisier and increasingly uneasy. "Thank you!"

[The constellations of absolute good worry for the weak incarnations]

[A few constellations are looking forward to an entertaining Scenario]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' scowls at your recklessness]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' appreciates your eagerness for a good challenge]

Sponsored: 100 coins

The creature sighed and turned to the rest of the people, who were all wallowing in despair —as it preferred to witness. [T-then I'll leave you to your silly survival games! Hehe!] The dokkaebi spoke mockingly and finally disappeared behind the curtain of tangibility.

"Perfect! Now that the scenario has been modified, I assume our edgy boy should be able to take his knives out before they begin to rust." Dokja said, relieved his stunt had yielded the expected result. "Right, Lucid?"

[Ugh... yes.] It groaned, defeated.

"Nice! My fingers were aching for violence!" Jinwoo exclaimed, "I swear to Lucid, I thought they were on the verge of paralysis!"

[You both suck.]

"Well, maybe you don't suck enough, dear Lucid." Dokja chuckled with contentment.

[Well, I would if I could!] It snubbed back, [I'm finding myself lacking a body, however; unless Jinwoo's into getting his brain fucked with, there isn't much sucking I can partake in.]

"I like my brain unfucked, thanks." The man quickly answered, suppressing a shiver.

"Um... Dokja?" Sangha's trembling voice hesitated next to them. She seemed just as distraught as the rest of the station's population. The mainstream group, Inho's gang and the marginalised seemed to glare daggers into the reader's side, likely wishing for the painful death of the person who had doomed them even further.

"You must be confused?" He feigned embarrassment and rubbed his nape. "It is a little complicated to explain, but I guess you deserve to know..." He hesitated and turned to the hunter with an uneasy face. To the rest of the group, they seemed like companions with a tragic secret. Dokja played with the dead skin framing the base of his nails as he hid the fact that neither he nor Jinwoo knew how to fucking explain their uncanny behaviour.

"Say something!!" Dokja urged through the link.

"You shithead what? What the fuck am I supposed to say?!" The hunter spat back as he bit his lips in fake anguish for his audience. "You filled your plate; eat it on your own!"

"Shit... Lucid, you got something?"

[Well, you don't really have to lie.] The being proposed.

[Just paint me as an abusive constellation; you're both good at decorating reality, no?]

[Bullshit to your heart's content, my dear fledgelings.]

"Thank Lucid, my only god!" Dokja lifted his head, feeling creative as his eyes found Jinwoo's. "My dear protag, please nod pitifully for the camera. Thanks." And so the hunter did as told, and the reader took a shaky breath. "Um... I can't explain it all now, but you've likely all guessed Jinwoo is far stronger than us." He began to explain quietly as the group of four scouted closer to keep the secret from escaping them, "And as strong people do, he aced the first few scenarios, attracting the attention of powerful constellations, or so I assume. However, like us, he didn't know who or what those constellations were, so he chose a random one when he was asked to." Dokja took a breath and bit his lips, hesitant.

"At first, I benefitted greatly from the constellation... but its blessings quickly turned into curses." The hunter straightened his back and looked into each of their eyes, "My constellation is quite sadistic, to say the least. They appear the happiest when everything is painted with despair and chaos. Without going into too many details, if the scenarios I participate in are not 'entertaining' enough, the constellation takes actions that threaten the lives of the people I travel with."

[I said abusive, not demonic, god dang...]

Dokja's hand found his on the floor, and they smiled at each other tragically, like the two leads in a dramatic script.

"Sorry," Dokja mumbled; it was a perfect act for their small audience.

[Jinwoo, you're such a bad actor, by the way.]

"Fuck off, Lucid." He groaned, internally cringing at his own actions.

"Sorry?" Hyunsung repeated, confused and empathetic. "Please, there is no need to feel sorry. It is unfortunate, but I'm happy you could trust us with this. I would've joined you both even if I knew beforehand."

"Thanks, man." Jinwoo bumped shoulders with him; even if only in an act, the hunter found himself fond of the man. His personality reminded him of Jinho's bottomless ambition and alacrity in being helpful. He kind of missed the clumsy ball of sunshine.

"To think there would be such constellations... I blindly trusted mine because they seemed kind, but I'm starting to understand we might only be little toys from their perspective..." Sangha sighed and hugged herself self-consciously.

"Well, I expected as much." Heewon sat up and stretched her back. "Correct me if I misunderstood, but the scenarios must be 'interesting' only when you partake in them, Jinwoo, right?" She asked, her eyes inquisitive as the tall man scratched his head. "Does that mean you can 'sit them out'?"

"Yeah. But if I won't grow if I don't participate, meaning I'll eventually become a burden as Scenarios evolve into increasingly crazier nightmares." He explained with a sprinke of dihonesty, "I also struggle with the idea of watching the people I care for die in front of me while knowing that even if I were to help them, my constellation would dispose of them after the facts."

Heewon nodded pensively as if trying to find a solution to his predicament. Maybe she was simply trying to accept that this was now her new reality.

Gilyoung jumped onto the hunter's lap, his face twisted in worry. He couldn't fully understand the situation, but he knew that Jinwoo was in an unfortunate position, which now affected them all. "I'll become strong enough to protect you and myself, so keep the Guardian Angel in your shadow," the small one mumbled as he buried his face into the man's sweatshirt.

"Thanks, little man, but let me do the protecting for now, okay?" He ruffled the kid's hair, "I know it sucks ass s-teroids , but I'll handle the surplus of monsters, at least for the span of this scenario." He concluded coherently, hoping they wouldn't feel too anxious about their survival.

"I'll come fight on the frontline with you!" Hyunsung pumped his fists, seemingly excited about it all now, or maybe he simply faked confidence to relieve the guilt he thought the duo felt.

"If you can follow, sure!" Jinwoo taunted with a friendly smile as he bumped his fist into the man's shoulder.

"What about the others?" Sangha wondered, gaze trailing over the mainstream crowd.

"They'll probably keep foraging above ground; Inho, this sly bit -terweed , will likely come and 'throw us out to fight the monsters of the tunnels' so he can be seen as the hero who exiled the villains that taunted the fluffy creature. I'm counting on it to be fair; that way, we can peacefully escape the group and get stronger by fighting a few monsters. I believe we should learn to actively partake in scenarios now if we don't want to fall behind later."

[You've accurately read through the plans of the character 'Cheon Inho']

[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has increased]

"Huh... well, it's good to know I can increase that stat like this too."

"Your abilities are so weird." Jinwoo stared at the notification, slightly bewildered.

"Says the mega stalker."

"Hey, I didn't choose that shadow ability; Lucid gave it to me!"

[Yes... another day, another bus to throw poor Lucid under.]

"What about food?" Heewon suddenly asked as she confirmed that her pockets were now empty of the leftovers she had kept, "There isn't much left in the stores above ground, and I doubt the silly mafia will provide us with rations even if we clear the tunnels for them."

"Do you think we live in a world where we still have the luxury of processed and packaged food?" the reader asked with a serious face and a raised brow, making Heewon's face light up with confusion, then understanding, and finally twist with disgust.

"What's wrong?" Sangha worried as she saw Heewon's silent despair.

"No... Dokja, there's no way you're thinking about—"

"—You got it!" he chuckled mischievously. "I promise we'll have more food in the tunnel than they'll be able to dream of here."

"Don't worry; I'll tenderise the meat well," Jinwoo laughed next to the reader.

"Yall are the devil..." Heewon's face contorted in pain as Hyunsung's lit up naively.

"We're going to eat meat?!"

"If you call monster meat meat, sure, yeah. They're planning to feed us meat." The woman laid down on her back, accepting her terrible fate.

"Are monsters even edible?" Sangha worried.

"We'll figure that out later." Dokja shrugged and stood up to stretch his legs. "Come on, Jinwoo's going to give us a small lesson on how to handle our sharps, and we'll set cape when Inho decides to make a move."

"God, you're like a pocket-size dictator." Jinwoo huffed petulantly.

"And you're a kaiju-sized infant. Come on! We don't have all the time in the world."

"Talk for yourself, old man." The hunter stood his ground.

And that had earned him a kick in the ribs.

After a while, the battered group was readying themselves near the entrance of the tunnel. The marginalised group still refused to scavenge for their own food despite the situation. Most stayed near the tunnel, wallowing in their own despair as they did nothing to change their situation. All they did was look up at Dokja & co. as if they expected to ride on their tail during their excursion. The reader felt bad for them earlier, but he couldn't bring himself to pity them anymore.; at this point, they were asking to turn into monster feed.

He had been right about Cheon Inho; the man did come to them with his army of puny small fries to 'cast him and his acolytes away to the tunnels' in order to punish them for angering the creature. The man even seemed surprised when Dokja agreed without fighting back; he seemed reassured, too, aware that Jinwoo and Dokja's presence presented a danger to him and his position of leadership in the station. The man was sly and despicable, but he did have a talent for leading the masses.

[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has increased]

[Your understanding of the character 'Cheon Inho' has reached a higher level]

"Easy peasy!" He held back a laugh; the man was so predictable it wasn't even funny anymore.

[Lemon squeezy!]

"What did you figure out again?" The hunter wondered, startled by the sudden notification.

"Eh, it doesn't really matter, to be honest." Dokja brushed it off, not feeling like explaining the inner workings of his brain.

"If you say so," the hunter shrugged, his attention shifting to the woman limping to them. "You're sure you'll be fine?" He asked Heewon, who was visibly still recovering from her injuries. "You could stay here. We're going to bring back some food regardless."

"Thanks, but no thanks. If Ima eat monster meat, I'd like to know how the face of the motherfucker!" She explained with a determined grin; if she were entirely honest, she'd have mentioned how the ambience of the train station felt like a heavyweight on her lungs. Besides, some of the men from the mainstream gang still made her uncomfortable; she'd choose the monsters over those pigs any day.

"Suit yourself." The hunter smiled tightly, "But be careful, alright?"

She nodded with a small half-smile. At least she felt safe with the group she chose. Sure, the ride came with a side of curse, but Heewon couldn't find herself caring as much about it as she thought she would. She was certain the duo was hiding more secrets from them, but she would trust the two for now; she didn't want to let dread win her over.

"Are you leaving soon?" Inho wondered in a mix of arrogance and uncertainty as he approached them with a whiny Han Myunho on his tail.

"Yep!" Dokja grinned. "Why? Are you scared I'll change my mind?" He taunted.

[The character 'Cheon Inho' is suspicious of you]

"Pfft, cowardly bitch." Jinwoo commented mockingly.

"Ha-ha." The man deadpanned, "You and your guard dog may be strong, but you won't amount to much in front of my people." He spat.

"Sure, a man can dream." The reader answered casually and waved his hand towards the salaryman hiding behind the fox, "What is our silly little Mr. Han doing here?"

"I was hoping you'd let him join you. I need someone to gather information on the attack, and I doubt you'll willingly tell me what you've seen in there." He explained, finally letting his facade fall off as he knew it was of no use with the reader.

"What? I'm going with them?!" The man screeched indignantly.

"Well yes, didn't you tell me you wished to reconcile with our brave Mr. Kim here?" The tall man asked through his teeth in a threatening tone. "I thought you wanted to be helpful Mr. Han..." He then frowned, making the opportunistic man flinch.

He hesitated for a few seconds, "Okay, fine..." He sighed, "Mr. Kim... If you don't mind me, I'd like to accompany—"

"—Sure, sure, I don't care. You can come with us." The reader brushed him off. "We'll be going then; see you soon, Inho." He smiled brightly and turned around, satisfied to see his companions waiting at the tunnel's edge.

Jinwoo nodded, "Okay, quickly before we leave; I will take the lead for today. Dokja, Hyunsung, you guys go after me; Gilyoung will stay with the ladies and finally Mister Burden, you'll act as our porter in the back. Understood?" He asked.

"Yes!" they answered collectively and handed their extra baggage to the man in the back, who remained silent out of fear for the tall hunter.

"Beru, you may accompany the kid." Jinwoo silently ordered his shadow.

"At your service, my king." The creature bowed and left his realm.

"Always so subservient." The reader chuckled, finding the guardian's behaviour amusing.

"You'd be too if I had raised your soul from the bloody cadaver I had made of you." The hunter planted his pupils into the reader's. "He also watched a little too many period dramas with my sister..."

"Pfft! You were enemies once?" Dokja's eyes sparkled in curiosity, eager to listen to the man's story.

"I'll tell you later if you wish," he smiled.

"Yes!"

[Only you to be excited after the man admitted to bloody murder]

[Merry bunch of psychos, I swear]

"You like me like that," Jinwoo smirked.

[Sadly... I do.]

"Oh! Guardian Angel, hello!" Gilyoung waved at his shadow excitedly as soon as he felt the presence of the ant king enveloping him. The shadow waved back, and according to the shocked gasp escaping Sangha's throat, it seemed she had witnessed the anomaly unfold. Her gaze snapped to Jinwoo's, who simply smiled and touched an index to his lips to silently mouth the word 'secret'.

[A new scenario has arrived]

[Sub Scenario — Food Acquisition]

Category: Sub

Difficulty:  E

Clear condition:  Hunt the monsters and learn to cook them.

Time limit:  None

Reward:  500 coins

Failure:  ???

The notification was almost too bright in the tunnel's darkness. Dokja remembered that scenario well; they had to complete it if they wanted to have a chance at entering the Second Main Scenario. The reader was truly grateful for the knowledge he had been gifted with.

[A few constellations are leaning forward as they anticipate an entertaining scenario]

"With all due respect, sometimes I feel like you're some kind of a seer, Mr. Dokja..." Heewon chuckled weakly as the interactive window cast a harsh glow on her unimpressed features.

"I am no seer." He answered. "You could call it intuition, though."

"Sure... keep your secrets." She bit her lips, "It would be too boring for you to tell us everything now." She added with understanding.

The darkness was so thick that even their flashlights were rendered almost useless. Aside from Jinwoo, they all felt the crushing sensation of the heavy curtain separating the scenario area from the rest of the station.

Hyunsung swallowed his saliva heavily, "Are we sure this is safe for Gilyoung? It isn't too late to go back; Sangah and Heewon could stay with him?" His voice was trembling, fearful he wouldn't be able to protect them all.

"I might not look much battered up like this, but I have practised kendo for a long time!" Heewon explained calmly, "Still, I'm also worried for the kid."

"I've told you before the world has changed," Dokja interjected. "There are no such things as biological discrepancies across individuals, not anymore. We can all grow stronger; the coins, our achievements and our survival will allow for it. You will die the moment you underestimate someone for being young or for looking frail; logic has abandoned us, and it's time we abandon our prejudice, too." He sighed and turned to the youngest one, "Gilyoung, would you please show them what you're capable of?" The reader finally requested.

Gilyoung hesitated for a moment, wearily looking at the adults surrounding him. When he recognised no hostility in their features and understood they were genuinely concerned for him, he nodded and approached the front of the formation, where Jinwoo and Dokja stood. He sat on the floor and closed his eyes for a few seconds, after which the rackety hum of a thousand wings and carapaced limbs could be heard in the distance; soon, roaches were swarming around their group. A few members gagged in disgust and discomfort in the face of the infestation while the remaining ones gazed at the boy with reassured eyes, understanding the kid should be able to protect himself and that he was valuable to their survival.

"My attribute is titled 'Insect Collector'," Gilyoung explained with a shy smile to the group of bewildered adults. They silently watched the army of roaches obediently disperse into the shadows when Gilyoung released his hold on them with a simple hand movement.

"Ah... I think I understand why Beru felt compelled to him now." Jinwoo nodded to himself, feeling sympathetic towards his soldier. Maybe he was right after all; his army likely had no freedom. He was happy to see the ant act independently of him, but it turned out to be another trick of the system, a simple illusion, a lie. All was nothing but a lie. He sighed.

"Beru's an insect?" Dokja wondered curiously, unsure of how to interpret the distant tone of his companion's thoughts.

"Yes, my dear Shadow used to be the Ant King of his colony," Jinwoo explained with a nostalgic expression, repressing the tide of uncertainty taking over his mind. "Lived to protect what he cared for... he still does, to be fair."

[Though he behaved more like a brave knight than he did a king] Lucid reminisced fondly, like even it had been charmed by the soldier's convictions.

"He must have been strong." Dokja smiled to himself as he pictured the glorious fight that led to the ant into Jinwoo's soldier.

"He truly was." The hunter agreed, "But he grew even stronger with me."

"I don't think Gilyoung is powerful enough to compel Beru to do his deeds though consciously." Dokja bit his lips, unable to the curiosity he harboured for Jinwoo's adventures. He craved to learn about the mysterious man; if he could obtain even if only crumbs of his story, he would shamelessly beg on his two knees. "Maybe Beru simply feels drawn to him instead of compelled?"

"Well, I would feel better if that were to be the case..." The taller one sighed; he chose to believe in this for now.

"It is safe in front of us for at least a hundred steps forward!" Gilyoung spoke up confidently.

"Good job, little one." The hunter smiled and ruffled the soft curls with pride. Compelled or not, he understood Beru's fondness for the kid; Jinwoo wished to spoil him rotten, too.

"That sure is a useful ability for any type of recon assignment." Hyunsung couldn't help but say, feeling a mixture of worry and awe.

"Mhm... so, you shouldn't worry about me." Gilyoung stated firmly, "I can handle myself, and I have the Guardian Angel with me; I'll be fine."

"Ah.. yes. Of course." Hyunsung answered with an unsure smile.

"Alright, go back into formation; we're diving in," the hunter commanded firmly. "You'll likely see things you could only expect to see within the confines of your nightmares. It's okay to be scared; fear will keep you alert and alive. Protect yourselves first and then those around you only if you can."

They all nodded, some anxious and others determined. Even Dokja was gnawing at his bottom lip. He knew Jinwoo would be fine, as he had likely already witnessed hell, but he hadn't, and while he had an idea of the situation ahead, the reader still wondered if he was strong enough to handle it.

As they advanced, the darkness turned even denser; breathing was painful, and their flashlights barely lit the floor under their feet. There were cadavers at different stages of decomposition littering the tunnel as their putrid smell made it difficult for the companions not to gag. Gilyoung held onto Sangha's hand to comfort her as he focused on his purpose; the boy was young, but he knew the weight of his responsibility, especially when their visibility was so impaired.

"There is something ahead; it's dead too, but it isn't human." He commented quietly and composedly.

"We're keeping the pace," Dokja announced while hiding his anxiety. He was concerned to see Gilyoung so unbothered by his environment when even he felt choked by the gut-wrenching view at their feet. He could only hope the kid was coping by focusing on his task rather than derealising.

They stopped when the foreign entities came into view. The mangled bodies were scattered all over the tunnel in an erratic manner; it seemed as if the horde of monsters had been violently mangled by something bigger and feral. They carefully approached the closest corpse; it was similar in size to an adult wolf, but its shape was more reminiscent of a rodent than a canid. Dokja recognised it as a ground rat, an underground species akin to moles with a behaviour similar to piranhas. They usually hunted in groups and violently mauled their prey, yet it seemed the roles had been reversed when they met Jooghyuk. At that stage, only he could do something like this.

"Fucking psychopathic protagonist." Dokja bit his lips in the face of the bloody carnage that had happened here.

"He sure is a little messy," Jinwoo prompted as he crouched near the carcass , it was covered in uncoordinated and jagged wounds. "He got anger issues, doesn't he?" he asked with a raised brow.

"I don't know, he seemed classier in writing to be honest..." Dokja sighed, confused as to why the protagonist was moving so fast; he usually took his time at the beginning of the Scenarios. "Yoo Jooghyuk, what the fuck are you doing?"

"W-who did this?" Sangha asked, coming closer to them. She was more fearful of the being responsible for this massacre than the monsters themselves.

[When the protagonist protagonists a little too hard] Lucid couldn't help but chuckle nostalgically.

"Thanks for this enlightening commentary, Lucid." Dokja spat, visibly sour and increasingly anxious. "You don't understand how grateful I am for you, Jinwoo. My only protagonist, the only one who's ever cared for my mental stability!" He dramatically fell to his knees next to the hunter, who couldn't help but chuckle at his reader's antics.

"Dokja, can't we use this as food? As gnarly as it sounds, the meat still seems kind of fresh." Heewon obseved.

"I don't think so; the scenario mentions hunting for your food." He shook his head. "But I think we can still use them in another way;" ground rat bones were described as great for making early scenario weapons in Ways of Survival, and Dokja wouldn't let the protagonist's gift go to waste.

"Well, that is unfortunate..." Sangha worried her teeth on her bottom lip, "What else could we do with those?"

"Ever wanted to feel like becoming a man from the Paleolithic?" He smiled cryptically and turned to Jinwoo when she frowned. "Can you show me how to remove its spine cleanly? It should look like one long bone." He whispered to the hunter, who nodded and got to work, quickly extracting the bone for the reader.

"Perfect." Dokja smiled, taking it and the knife from Jinwoo's hands to proceed with shaping the bone into some crude-looking sword. The group stared at him quietly. "Heewon, you need a weapon for kendo right?" He finally asked, surprising the woman.

"Um, yes." She frowned, confused, as he handed her the spine.

"If you sharpen it on some rocks it should turn into a decent sword for you to use." He explained making her own face lighten up with a grateful grin.

"Nice! Thank you so much, captain!"

"Captain, hehe." Jinwoo gently teased, making the reader glare at him. "Though I'm surprised you know how to do this at all; it seems like an incredibly detailed book you read."

"Well... that's why it was so unpopular; everything, and I do mean everything, was detailed almost scientifically." He chuckled, "I liked it though."

"Um..." Hyunsung shyly taped on the reader's shoulder, "Could you show me how to make one too? Please?" He asked with a hopefull gaze.

"Haha, sure. Come closer, all of you, Jinwoo needs to teach me how to cleanly extract the bones too, I'll show you how to make the weapons."

Later they were all equipped like proper warriors; Hyunsung made a spear for himself with the spine of the largest rat they could find, Sangha and Myunho obtained short-swords and Gilyoung made a blunt weapon with the head and cervicals of a younger rat.

[You have succeeded in producing functional weapons]

[A small number of constellations are fascinated by the primitive nature of human beings]

Sponsored: 100 coins.

"Oh, we were awarded coins!" Sangha smiled with relief.

"Good! Keep enough for your survival costs and invest the rest in strength, stamina, and agility to help your survival," Dokja lectured as he packed his bag; he had kept Jinwoo's knife after begging Lucid to let him. The hunter would summon another one for himself when necessary.

"I'll keep that in mind." Hyunsung nodded, fist clenching around his brand-new weapon.

The reader stood up and waited for them to do the same; at least, they all seemed happier than they did earlier. They moved forward, and a notification blinded them once they finally reached the edge of the hundred steps.

[The Sub Scenario 'Food Acquisition' has begun]

"They're coming!" the reader shouted as the ground began to shiver. "Yall better fucking stay alive!"

A horde twice as big as the one Jooghyuk had dealt with could be seen approaching them in the distance; a surge of adrenaline took over the reader's body as his skin turned sensitive to the slightest changes in the atmosphere surrounding them. He was anxious.

"How many should I let through?" The hunter asked, gaze unwavering in the face of the rodent-made horizon.

"Half." The reader requested hesitantly.

"Only half? You sure?"

"No... but if they can't handle that much, then they were meant to die." He explained, "I believe in them."

"What about you?" Jinwoo wondered, briefly gazing sideways at his companion.

"The same goes for me; I need to do this." He steeled his gaze. "When you're done with those, you can push forward too. Staying inactive for so long must have been hard; you can go crazy today."

"Hey, you can't die. No matter what, scream my name. Even if you're too weak, I'll rescue you." The hunter asserted as his eyes fell on Dokja and stayed there, no longer concerned with the approaching stampede.

The reader's face fell, "Ah. I forgot about your mission; gotta keep me alive, right?" He rubbed his arm, feeling embarrassed. "Can't go back to your world if I'm fucking dead." He elbowed the taller man, hiding his disappointment behind a watery smile.

Jinwoo sighed and flicked the smaller one's forehead.

"No, dumbass. I don't want you to die because I care for you, idiot." He grumbled and proceeded towards the monsters, effectively culling the closest three in a few swift motions. "I'll see you later." He grinned over his shoulder, effectively making Deokja's cheeks redden against his will.

[Flash News: Today, again, the reader was charmed by his protagonist.]

"Ah... fuck."

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' wonders if she has to revise her original ship]

Chapter Text

There was a first for all, for each and every experience the world had to offer; so many firsts, and yet no being could ever encounter them all. There would never be enough time in a lifetime, never enough drive in a human. So once the end turned into eternity, a particular man promised to experience all the first he wished to seek; he craved to endure each emotion, step foot in every country, encounter people of all cultural backgrounds, fight as many spars as there were fighters, return from all the deaths the world could bare, witness each of the nightmares this ever metamorphosing loop had to gift. Today, the man was satisfied; having kept a mental list of all the things he had thrived to achieve and partook in over the thousands, if not millions —he was sure to have stopped counting at some point, of years he had gone through, the man was satisfied. He was tired and content, and yet there was still a first he longed for and feared all the same... the only first he had thought forever unachievable: his finality. Nevertheless, one day, a dream that grew lucid came to him with a promise. A promise he was given as soon as his eyelids opened the door to a new loop. A promise for the only first he expected to never hope for again. His final loop; Finality.

"How do you think it feels to die?" He finally spoke; his voice was rauque as it echoed against the wet stone of the tunnel around him. "Does it just... end?" He asked to the suffocating emptiness that surrounded him.

[Well, I wouldn't know...]

The man chuckled lightly, sitting up nonchalantly as if catering to his awaited guest, "What an omniscient being you make." He rolled his eyes playfully.

[Finality may have never been part of what I experienced but that does not make me any less omniscient...]

"A little bit less, I'd say." He grinned, lifting a hand in the air as he pinched his index and thumb together.

[Ugh... You're so annoying.]

"I know." He smiled, "I was just teasing."

[I noticed.] It sighed with a smile, "How did you know I was here?

The man laid back down when he felt the soft caress of a breeze run along his back; looking up, he found the fuzzy silhouette of a person sitting on the floor behind him; the being wore a white coat, and its face seemed erased. It was almost ghastly, like an old memory, one too far gone for clarity and too closely cherished for forgettance. The man reached to cradle the being's cheek. He felt no more than disappointment when, once again, his fingers glided through without reaching any substance. His arm fell limp beside his head as the being smiled apologetically.

"I'm unsure," He whispered after a while, "It simply felt as if I wasn't alone anymore."

"I see." It leaned in, pressing intangible lips to the man's forehead. "I bet you missed me." It pointed out playfully.

"Well, you've been gone for a few days. I wouldn't say missed, but your absence was felt..." The man chuckled, as incorporeal fingers began to play with strands of his dark hair. "I missed our discussions; I missed your presence."

"I had to guide them; I couldn't—"

"—I know." He cut the being off, "I bet you prefer mister tall dark and handsome over me regardless." He chuckled, swallowing the tension in his throat.

"You're one to talk, 'mister tall, dark and handsome'" It rolled its eyes, "Besides, that's just not true... you know it." It chastised as a slight halo of pink swirled with the rest of its face. "I enjoy our discussions just as much as, if not more than, his presence. You know me better than he does, too."

"Or, maybe you just have a type." He grinned as he swallowed down the jealousy simmering at the pit of his stomach.

"Maybe." The entity smiled back, leaning down to drop the ghost of a kiss on his lips. "I've loved you across so many lifetimes it's hard not to find you charming, to be fair."

"Good." He whispered, closing his eyes as he relished in the airy sensations that remained after the being had touched his skin. He sighed, "Honestly, I've been scared..." He admitted nervously, biting into his already damaged bottom lip as his gaze dipped into the void of his partner's face.

"Of what?" It asked, delicately titling a head to the side.

"Of uncertainty, I guess?" He exhaled quietly, "Scared to fail, scared to succeed..." The man chuckled wetly, exposing the bruises of his heart as his further explained, "I'm just fearful of the one thing I thought would never change despite my endless pursuit of it."

The being sighed, briefly looking towards the ceiling as it let its shoulders sag in defeat, "Yeah... I get that. But, my time has come; and if this goes on, I'll live long enough to find myself losing last few threads of my sanity every damn time a new knot is tied in the fabric of this fucking reality."

"I want to die."

"Me too." It chuckled, rolling its eyes back as if it was obvious; because it was.

"But..." He hesitated, "I'm still remorseful."

"Why?"

"Because finality means I'll only spend a lifetime with you." He said, voice quiet and repressed. "You insist we aren't soulmates, neither spiritual or romantical or whatever... but I believe you're mistaken. It feels like it, at least."

"I'll admit I have considered it too..." It murmured as if a secret that even the universe was not privy to. "It's a first for me to be understood at such a primal level. But—"

"—But we aren't soulmates... or anything significant." The man finished the sentence for the entity, his tone sharper than he meant it to be, "Because he is, so I can't be."

"Yeah..." It responded as ghastly hands ran through the man's hair like a breeze, "But that doesn't make what we have any less significant. We will be together until we reach finality, so, in a way, we are meant for each other, at least in that manner. He is meant for another."

"Sure." He whispered and looked away and they stayed voiceless for a while, unsure of what words were appropriate as they silently reminisced about lives upon lives of tenderness and turmoil in the presence of each other. "I have nothing to stay for, but do you truly wish for your existence to end?" The man's voice finally tore the quietness.

"I do..." It replied, shoulders sagging ever so slightly.

"I just don't understand why you came back when you could've escaped... you could've lived happily ever after with your little edgelord and never looked back. You had the opportunity to forget, so why..." He trailed on, still unable to comprehend the being's altruism, "Why come back to this miasma of nightmares and trauma?"

"Because I wished to free you from myself, my love... because you've been a victim of my fears and persistence for far too long, and I wish for nothing more than your finality. I wish for your freedom."

"I'm not your prisoner though... not yours."

"And yet, in a way, you are..." He smiled tiredly, tracing the man's bone structure with a delicate finger. " My cherished bird in a rusted cage, I need to set you free... I need to set us free." He swallowed a sob, but no tears fell on the man's face as his eyes searched for the being's in the storm of its face.

"I'll miss you the most once I'm dead." He smiled tiredly, realising the figure slowly began to disappear; their time was up. They each had a role in fulfilling their finality, and they could not afford to stray from the script if they wished for victory.

[And you'll forever be my most precious memory, even once I'm dead.]

[Sleep now; you should rest before the sun rises.]

"You too, go bask in your soulmate's presence, mister loverboy." He teased quietly as his face remained expressionless if not for the crease forming between his brows. "I'll see you when I see you."

[I'll come again when they next fall asleep!]

"And I'll wait for you... my Lucid Dream. " He whispered, lungs aching as he already longed for the being he considered his twin flame, his first and last ever soulmate. The one who shared his memories, his hardships, his nightmares and even his dreams. The one whom had been all from his lover to his enemy; his most beloved souvenir.

He began to fall asleep, fingers ghosting over raw, bitten lips, right where the entity had left a ghastly kiss.

The tension suspired away from his body, "All for finality..."

Chapter Text

Hi Everyone!

This is obviously not a chapter, but who's surprised at this point.

Quite honestly I've been trying hard to get to this fic recently but I haven't found the time (started my phd hehehehe) or the will to.

With the SL anime coming out, comments here are getting more abrasive, people expecting this to be what it was never meant to be, maybe i was never clear enough in the tags.

I do plan to rewrite this in the future. But this is a warning, so those of you who were waiting won't be surprised.

I will be privating the fic soon -or deleting it or whatever can be done- because the more abrasive the comment... the bookmarks, the less I wish to work on it.

Maybe in a year you'll see it's name reappear on the top of the page like you have every 6 months or so. This time I'll be clear -Jinwoo won't be some aura farming glazer or whatever the terms are meant to be (quite honestly I'm realizing I dislike Jinwoo as a character sometimes... in my opinion he is quite empty once looking past the hype of a weak to strong story), but Dokja will be more in character. I never truly managed to capture what I wanted to with him and I understand that much can be frustrating for readers too.

I will be writing in the mean time, I have been practicing my style when I find the time or the courage -writing excerpts, character studies for OCs you'll never truly hear about.
I might post another story soon, something unrelated... take myself away from this fic -let myself learn to tune out the sound of words meant to hurt.

Once I've re-written this -in its entirety not in parts- then and only then will I share it with you guys again.
And hopefully, that time I'll be proud of sharing it and not ashamed of its inadequacies.

For now, this is goodbye.
Or maybe a see you later. ❤️