Chapter Text
Cale stared blankly at Kim Dokja who was wearing a winning grin.
"..."
Dorph was squatting with an apathetic face while munching on an apple pie beside him while Cale still couldn't come back to reality.
It means...
he's blatantly cheating little kids right?? Doesn't he know to respect parents and care for children? Where is that person's conscience?
Cale lowered his head and tried to sort out his thoughts. Honestly, he wanted to grab Kim Dokja by the collar and scream at him. Shouting about how shameless he is as an adult who is busy fighting over trivial matters with children.
if he lived in my world, Raon, On, Hong, Lock and the other kids would beat him for cheating...
Hm.. Cale also thought about Beacrox being friendly with children. He will torture that reader so that he doesn't do strange things to the children.
Cale shook his head and looked back at the scene in front of him.
The winner of the rock paper scissors was decided in an instant. Lee Gilyoung's face was slightly red while Jung Heewon had a satisfied expression. Lee Jihye threw herself on the ground with a devastated expression.
"...This is ridiculous!"
"You don't have to give it to me..."
"Take."
Cale saw Kim Dokja stroking Gilyoung's head who was looking at the 2 ampoules he got.
Additionally, Jung Heewon won two Stamina Enhancement Ampoules, which she accepted with a smile.
“Thanks. It's been tough with my stamina so far.”
Only Lee Jihye did not get the ampoule.
“How can you beat me 18 out of 20 times? Are you cheating?”
"I was originally good at rock paper scissors."
“Are you really going to do this? Can't you just give me one…”
“You have Yoo Joonghyuk.”
Kim Dokja ignored Lee Jihye's whining and packed the ampoules. He looked at Cale who was looking at him with a complicated look and grinned.
Jung Heewon patted the annoyed Lee Jihye on the shoulder while looking at Lee Jihye's shining sword.
"Junior sister, the world must be fair."
Cale sighed, he got up followed by Dorph who was just like a duckling. Cale approached Kim Dokja and take one ampoule of power from him.
"Hm?"
"I'll take one."
"Oh, okay. Not enough?"
Cale waved his hand to say enough. He approached Jihye in front of Kim Dokja's curious gaze.
"Noona, take this."
Jihye, who had not yet returned to her senses, looked at the ampoule and Cale alternately. Then after a full minute she, with sparkling eyes, jumped up and hugged Cale excitedly.
"You are my cute little angel, Cale!!!!! I love you!!"
Jihye kissed Cale's cheek and stood back up while looking at Kim Dokja with a happy grin. Kim Dokja shrugged while looking at Cale who was rubbing his cheek that Jihye kissed with a dark face.
Cale also stretched out his hand, and a sharp, ordinary sword appeared.
"Heewon noona."
Cale threw the sword he bought for tens of thousands of coins in dokkaebi's bag. The grade was only A, but it was more durable than the bone sword Heewon was holding. He didn't feel good after seeing Heewon keep glancing at Jihye's sword.
"This..."
Heewon stared dumbfounded at the sword.
"Just an ordinary sword, the level is also low. It would be better if you could get a better sword. But for the time being, it will be useful."
Cale pointed at the sword with his chin.
"Thank you Cale!!!"
Cale was about to run when he saw Heewon about to pounce on him, but his weak body got in the way...
"Cale!!!!"
And Cale had to be submissively carried by Heewon and had his cheeks pulled.
"...put me down."
"Okay!"
Heewon looked at her sword with anticipation, so Cale reminded the person again.
"It would be better if there was a better sword, remember to change it at that time."
"I understand, understand."
Heewon answered Cale with a fresh smile, Cale shifted his gaze and saw Gilyoung who was looking at him sadly.
He approached him and whispered.
"Sorry... I didn't find a suitable weapon for you, I'll look again later. OK?"
Gilyoung immediately brightened up and nodded enthusiastically, Cale smiled and stared at the messages that wouldn't stop.
[Constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' sees your interaction and smiles]
[Constellation ' Demonic Judge of Fire ' wipes her tears while saying that her little brother has grown up ]
...who is your brother?
[Constellation ' Abyssal Black Flame Dragon ' says that weak humans are very kind!! ]
[Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' smiles gently]
[Constellation of absolute good gives its thumbs up to you]
[Most of the constellations are amazed by your kindness]
who is kind..?
[4,000 coins have been sponsored]
yeah... the important thing is that my coins increase.
-Dudududu.
Heard helicopter blades. Lee Gilyoung looked at the distant dinosaur island and asked.
“Hyung, can't I take him to the next floor?”
The huge praying mantis sat on Lee Gilyoung's lap and talked to Lee Gilyoung. That praying mantis rubbed its antennae against Lee Gilyoung's jaw.
"Unfortunately, you can't accept it."
Lee Gilyoung hugged the praying mantis with a sad expression.
"... bye Titano."
-Kwiiik.
Cale stared at the tear-inducing farewell between different species silently while Dorph stared at the object in Kim Dokja's hand.
"What's that?"
KIm Dokja, who was suddenly spoken to by someone who was always silent, almost jumped out of the helicopter. He calmed his heart that had reached his throat and looked at Dorph.
[Tyrant T-Rex DNA Ampoule]
"The golden ampoule is the most decisive reason for choosing this film. It is an item that increases all stats by 10 for 30 minutes after consumption. Although it has the weakness that it can only be used in the Dungeon Theater, it is impossible to break through the last floor of this dungeon without this item."
Kim Dokja explained in a whispered voice. Dorph stared for a few more seconds then nodded and approached Cale.
After seeing Dorph smiling and talking to Cale, Kim Dokja released his breath and patted his heart.
Well.. this would be useful, especially if Yoo Joonghyuk was in the worst situation as he thought.
That praying mantises released by Lee Gilyoung flew through the air and the dark sky began to collapse.
[The first 'End Credits' h as been achieved.]
[Cast: Kim Dokja, Jung Heewon, Lee Jihye, Lee Gilyoung, Cale Henituse, Dorph.]
[You have earned 500 coins as compensation.]
Feels a little dizzy, not like the teleportation of a dragon or a future magic tower owner. This teleportation is very inconvenient. Dorph, who noticed Cale's frown, immediately rubbed his head.
"Uncomfortable?"
"It's not as smooth as I thought."
"Do you need to rest?"
"No, let's continue"
"Okay, don't force yourself."
Cale answered with a hum and looked at Jihye who had finished looking at the environment and was complaining.
"Do we have to go through a few more floors like this?"
“Yoo Joonghyuk will solve most of it so it will be faster than you think.”
They went straight to the second floor via the escalator. From the second floor, the remaining space is tight because it is a full theater. Jung Heewon asked.
"No changes?"
No matter how long we waited, the environment on the second floor did not change. The camera is not visible and screening also does not start. Taking a closer look, all the posters on the second floor were torn. Lee Jihye noticed something.
"Are there only films with intact posters?"
Everyone looks at the torn poster. After a while Jihye's voice was heard.
"Wow, I want to watch this."
Cale and Kim Dokja looked at the poster that Lee Jihye saw. Cale jumped and moved away like he saw a virus after he read the title related to 'hero', he even wanted to burn the entire poster.
"Pfft"
Cale looked up and saw Dorph holding back his laughter, so Cale glared at him while listening to Kim Dokja and Jihye's conversation.
“Do you like superheroes?
"Yes."
“That's lucky. Otherwise, you would hate him after this.”
"...i know."
Everyone continued to the third floor. Cale glanced at the green 'hero' on the poster and shuddered.
scary.
At the same time in puzzle city
"My legend is greater!! How dare that green thing be called a hero!? I don't need to see it to know that our young master is the real hero!! I'll write a few more books to show it!!!"
While Clopeh shouted to himself excitedly and returned to writing in his book with Dodori. Raon returned to Alberu's place and saw Alberu brewing tea. Who knows how many gallons he drank.
"Prince cookies!! Crazy Clopeh wrote a new book again!!"
Alberu stopped his movements for 2 seconds and prayed sincerely.
Don't let my dongsaeng know about this, I'm afraid he won't want to go home if he sees that...
Alberu earnestly prayed as the cute Raon-nim explained about what Clopeh Sekka had written...
Let's go back
"Hachi!"
Cale rubbed his nose while frowning. Dorph saw it and looked at Cale with eyes full of worry.
"What's wrong? Have you caught a cold? Do you need uncle lion to carry you?"
"No, maybe dust got into my nose."
Cale waved his hand and followed the group back up to a higher floor.
There was a system message when entering the fourth floor.
[You have entered the fourth floor.]
The spotlight drops without giving time to see the poster. Jung Heewon put her hands together and prayed.
"Please don't be a ghost movie..."
Kim Dokja glanced at Jung Heewon and Heewon gave Dokja an excuse.
"Ghosts cannot be killed with a sword."
"Please no hero films or I'll hit the god of death on the head..."
Kim Dokja and Heewon looked at Cale dumbfounded. Cale noticed the gazes and looked at them.
"I have a bit of trauma with heroes. I'm afraid I can't help myself."
Along with Dorph who chuckled because he understood Cale's trauma about heroes, the two just nodded in confusion.
They just thought maybe a clown dressed as a hero had scared the kid...
[Playback has started!]
The background changed and when they opened their eyes, a gentle breeze blew across the bow of the ship.
"This...?"
Cale looked at the boundless ocean and had a bad feeling. He was starting to miss the whales now.
"What is this movie?"
Jung Heewon wore a full length dress.
The sound of a violin came from the interior of the cruise ship and there were excited voices of people. It was a very romantic atmosphere of a film...
Then Lee Jihye's voice was heard.
"Oh, speeding up suddenly..."
Cale turned his head and looked back at Lee Jihye who was vomiting. Jung Heewon rushed over and patted her on the back.
Cale thought about Hilsman and Beacrox longingly. He was sure that Hilsman would immediately scream hysterically after seeing the sea and vomit non-stop.
hmm.. I really want to go home soon...
After vomiting for a long time, Lee Jihye said weakly.
"Uh, I'm seasick."
"It's okay, just throwing up."
"But Unni... is this that movie? The sinking boat."
"It seems so."
"Then... maybe Unni is 'Kate Winslet?'"
Lee Jihye looked at Jung Heewon's dress as if she was jealous, then she looked at Kim Dokja.
"Then Ahjussi is... DiCaprio? Uweeeek!"
"Pffft"
Cale almost laughed at the funny pause. Kim Dokja glared at him then was stunned.
Dorph wore an expensive tuxedo with a bow tie. Honestly, Kim Dokja feels he is very handsome. However, what surprised him was that Cale was wearing luxurious clothes. Shorts, high shoes and a shirt with a small vest. He also wears a small hat, with his red hair tied low.
"..."
Kim Dokja wanted to say that they were like uncle and nephew from a real fairy tale. Especially Cale, he wears it very well, he was even tempted to find a camera and take a photo.
-ckrek
Kim Dokja only realized that he was actually taking a photo when he heard the sound of the camera along with the waves.
"Let's save"
Kim Dokja nodded at his work and at this moment, Lee Gilyoung appeared from behind him.
"Hyung!"
Lee Gilyoung wore formal clothes. This outfit is a bit familiar...
+
[Cale : So what?
KIm Dokja : The solution to this film does not appear in Ways of Survival.
Cale : And?
Kim Dokja : How can we beat the Titanic? Is this a battle with the sea?
Cale : Don't make him drown?
Kim Dokja : Hmm... ]
+
Everyone fell silent and gathered around, Lee Jihye was the first to comment.
"The ship is sinking anyway. Should we just go down with it?"
"That's a bit..."
It's frustrating. It would have been better if the film had a clear enemy to destroy.
"Let's find villain, Hyung."
This is Lee Gilyoung's opinion. Kim Dokja didn't know if there was a clear villain, in this film. But unable to think of anything else, Kim Dokja decided to follow suit.
"Then let's deal with villain."
They started to move. By the way, who is the villain of this film? The last time he watched Titanic...
But Kim Dokja doesn't need to worry. Criminals come to find them. A man in a clean suit was staring here.
"Jack Dawson!"
Wait, Jack Dawson... the role DiCaprio played? But the man didn't look at Kim Dokja...
"...I?"
...He is DiCaprio? Kim Dokja sighed when he saw Lee Gilyoung.
After a while, they kidnap someone they think is the villain of the film. But the theater chairman did not respond. It wasn't enough to kidnap him...
Kim Dokja hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
"Then..."
"Let's kill him."
Lee Jihye drew her sword and pointed it. To man who was struggling while his body was tied up.
“The theater director is a psychopath? Then isn't the answer, to kill him quickly?”
Kim Dokja thought so too. No, he was sure of that.
It is the answer to another film similar to this one in Ways of Survival. But Jung Heewon looked at the man in horror and unexpectedly said.
"But... he looks like a real person."
"...Hah?"
"It's a movie, but he's like a real person."
It was surprising that Jung Heewon said this when she subdued the weak a few days ago.
Then again, Jung Heewon once said something like this: 'I may be a murderer but I don't want to be monster.' right?
Jihye asked.
“Unni, what are you saying about sentimental things now? You don't want to kill him?”
"No, that's not it..."
"It's good to save people. But if this person doesn't die, we will die. We are really alive but this person is just a character!"
Character ...
Kim Dokja felt confused by Lee Jihye's words.
Jung Heewon looked at Kim Dokja.
"...you think so?"
“Even if this person is a ‘real’ person, he is still a bad person! Why is killing him bad?”
Those were the words that Cale heard when he went down after looking at the iceberg that caused the ship to sink.
He looked at the tied person and everyone else with a straight face. He was very upset.
Lee Jihye hurriedly drew her sword.
“Huh, what is this? Master could be dying right now!”
Cale suddenly appeared in front of the sword's trajectory as Jihye frantically tried to divert her sword. That sword was stopped almost slicing Cale's neck.
"Cale!! What will you do if I can't stop it?!"
Jihye screamed in frustration as Heewon pulled Cale frantically.
"Yeah, that's dangerous-"
"Who are the characters?"
"Hah?"
Cala interrupted Heewon and looked at Jihye calmly.
"I asked, who are the characters?"
Jihye stiffly put her sword into sheath and looked at the person who was still frightened in the bonds.
"He's just a character and it doesn't matter if we kil-"
"To the constellations, we are characters."
"!"
Jihye was silent, her pupils trembled.
"Right, like you said, 'Even if this person is a 'real' person, he's still a bad person. Why is killing him bad?'. Meaning, if constellations think you, me, and someone here are evil and because we are just characters in their show. Wouldn't it be fine if they killed us? After all, we're just characters and they think we're evil, right? Maybe if we die, someone in the future will live."
Cale ignored the constellations' protesting messages saying that they wouldn't think of it that way, he just looked at each of their faces.
"Say, aren't we in the same position as this person from the perspective of the constellations?"
Kim Dokja closed his eyes tiredly while Jihye turned her face away stiffly.
"Jihye."
Jihye gasped.
"Look into my eyes."
".."
Jihye slowly looked into Cale's eyes and Cale smiled.
"That's right, you should look someone in the eye who is talking to you."
Then Cale removed his smile and said seriously.
"All living creatures are alive. Even in the scenario, even Dokkaebi. Jihye, don't just say 'because they're fake', you casually kill them. Did you see him do evil? Do you know the reason that person did evil? What would you do if, this is another world and they're not just characters? What would you do if your actions killed none other than innocent people from another world?"
"T-that.."
"What only happens in movies and novels happens in the real world. If that's the case..."
Everyone swallowed at Cale's words.
"..what if you were just a character in an otherworldly novel? Other people would come and see our 'story', feel you were evil. And say that killing you saved other people's futures. How would you respond?"
"I-I... I didn't! Uh..."
"That's right, we also live. Even though this world may be novel, we live and breathe. We think and feel. So... don't kill carelessly and don't forget your humanity."
Cale looked at Heewon.
"Show me the truth of your previous words."
Heewon recalled his previous words 'I may be a murderer but I don't want to be a monster' and felt embarrassed.
Cale also looked at Gilyoung.
"We live, and let's survive together as humans."
Cale finally looked at Kim Dokja.
"No matter what character it is, they also have their own lives. Don't forget that."
Kim Dokja nodded slightly. Cale slowly closed his eyes, he also entered the novel and saw the novel characters come to life. However, the reality is that characters and novel are only records of life in another world. They're alive, and they're not characters.
Cale didn't like the idea of characters, because... after all..
Humans live by personal efforts and desires. Not because of the decisive story line.
"...but.. how do we solve it..? Master could be in danger.."
Jihye said after a moment of silence, Cale smiled and looked at Dorph who had returned after planting the bomb that Cale asked for. Dorph nodded to indicate that his task was complete.
"Let's blow up the iceberg. That could be said to ruin the story, right?"
Cale grinned as the others stared blankly in confusion.
But they quickly snapped out of it after hearing the sound of thunder. Then not long after a red line descended from the sky, onto an iceberg in the distance. But before they had time to realize it, they heard a series of explosions from there. The mountain exploded and shattered into pieces, Cale used his shield to block the rock fragments that were carried towards the ship.
Everyone and the constellations were silent and gaping at what was happening.
-I used the weakest one, it only detonated the first bomb ⛈️
'Thank You'
Cale nodded at Cheapskate words and turned around. A system message sounded.
[Theater owner is surprised by the change in the film.]
[Theater owner is satisfied with the changes to the ending of the film.]
[The stern of the ship will lead to the next floor.]
"..succeed...?"
Lee Jihye stared at the message blankly and looked at Cale's smile.
"Don't just stick to one way. Humans are smart."
Jihye nodded blankly as the others sighed in relief.
[The second 'End Credits' has been achieved.]
[Players: Cale Henituse, Dorph]
[You have earned 500 coins as compensation.]
They are back to where they started. The air was a little awkward but Kim Dokja clapped his hands to attract attention.
"Good job Cale, thank you."
"You're welcome. Let's continue?"
Cale grinned and the others also returned to normal.
"...that.. sorry."
"It doesn't matter, everyone needs to learn. Jihye noona is great, I'm counting on you for the fight in the next film."
"Okay!!"
Jihye clenched her fists excitedly and became cheerful again. Cale also looked at Dorph with thanks.
[You have entered the fifth floor, reward room.]
Once up the escalator, the prize room finally appeared.
“Reward room? That isn't a scary movie?”
“This is an exhibition hall. It is a place they use to show original movie props.”
Jung Heewon approached the glass tube and shouted.
"Oh my God, look at this!"
[Mikazuki Munechika – Replica] A Class sword.
Jung Heewon's eyes lit up when she saw the glass tube and Kim Dokja nodded.
"You finally got the right sword, Heewon-ssi."
"Whoa..."
It was clearly a great sword at first glance. Her original horn knife was originally incomparable and not lacking when compared to Lee Jihye's knife.
Jung Heewon started swinging the sword in her hand.
“Isn't this amazing? It's light and moves properly!”
[Character 'Jung Heewon' is very grateful to you.]
But Jung Heewon suddenly froze and looked at Cale. Cale raised his eyebrows strangely, but Heewon just touched the sword he gave her before.
"..I.."
"I told you it was just an inferior sword. It's good you got a better one."
"B-but.."
Heewon stuttered but Cale just took back the sword he gave him earlier.
"Come on, a good sword is good for getting through the future. Don't be stiff, it doesn't mean I'll be angry."
"...Really?"
"Hm? Of course."
Cale waved his hand and put his sword into his spatial bag.
this can be given to Eruhaben-nim and miss Rosalyn to research. It would be great if it could be improved and given to other sword users. But... can system items be taken to other worlds... I don't know...
Cale sighed sadly. If the system items could be brought, he would buy a lot of souvenirs, after all, the coins were piling up. Cale stared at the system message.
[Gift items are limited to two per person.]
Cale saw Dorph behind him.
"Take your things?"
"No need."
"Well... don't be shy if you want. Take things that the others might like too."
"I don't think Sayeru wants it..."
"What about Kim Namwoon?"
"I think the dagger given by the god of war will be enough?"
Cale blinked several times.
"...that dagger was given by the god of war?"
"Oh? You didn't know?"
Cale shook his head.
"Well, that's pretty good stuff. I don't think he needs anything else."
Cale nodded silently and looked at the items.
As Dorph said, these items didn't seem useful to him or his uncle. Kim Dokja was going to take care of the others, but he didn't see the one he wanted until...
...hm?
Cale suddenly looked at the red rose that matched his hair color.
[Beauty and the Beast Flower – Replica]
Flowers found in the film Beauty and the Beast. Flowers can multiply themselves, you can give doubled flowers to other people.
Other flowers will connect to the parent. If the other flowers die, the parent flower will die too.
Flowers will be connected to their owner's life, inseparable once connected. Flowers will die if their owner dies.
Cale raised his eyebrows and looked at the flowers. He took it.
[Beauty and the Beast sees you as master]
[Beauty and the Beast asks you for a name]
"Hmm... Rose?"
[Beauty and the Beast likes any name it receives from its master]
[Rose likes her master's hair color]
Cale grinned and had the flowers multiply. He handed the flowers to Dorph who accepted them confusedly.
The flower and Dorph glow dimly and then go out.
[ Rose has connected with her other partner]
[From today Rose's life is connected to her partner]
Cale raised his eyebrows in interest and made another flower.
good... I can give it all.
"What did you choose Cale?"
Cale looked at the group who were also looking curiously at the rose in his hand.
Cale saw Gilyoung raise his hammer proudly and Cale chuckled. He distributed flowers to the others. Like Dorph, the flower connects to them and then connects to the parent flower.
"Stay alive, that way, my flowers will still bloom."
Cale smiled brightly as the others stared dumbfounded at the flowers in their hands.
"If you guys get hurt and lose your lives, my flowers will die too. I'll give them to the others too. So, hang on."
At least I'll know if one of them is injured or dying, as thanks, I'll be able to help them later.
Cale was still smiling as he thought about his good plan, but everyone else's eyes were red.
"I will!!"
"Let's survive together"
Jihye and Gilyoung said. Heewon covered her eyes and nodded while Kim Dokja looked at Cale while patting his head with a small, happy smile.
"Well... let's continue?"
"Yes. Let's continue."
Kim Dokja looked at the flowers in his hand and held them carefully. But flowers suddenly turned into tattoos on the corners of the backs of their hands.
Kim Dokja looked at Cale who was waving his flowers and putting his in his spatial bag.
"Come on"
Kim Dokja sighed while slightly shaking his head happily.
Now the preparations are complete.
Since there were no significant changes in the dungeon, it was clear that Yoo Joonghyuk was still alive. If they moved quickly through the sixth floor, they might be able to meet on the seventh floor. In the worst case scenario, if he fought the boss on the eighth floor… at least he would still be alive.
Now, let's go and get our troublemakers and Villain back.