Chapter Text
***
..
"What did you say?"
..
"Heh. You say it necessary but. How can you let this bastard... Do that?!"
..
"Say it again?"
..
"Don't shut up and say it again, it's the first time I'm really angry."
..
"Now shut up?"
..
"Damn with that source, how many dead scenes does he have to repeat each phase?"
..
"Hahaha, you think he's a machine? Carelessly tell abaut this story and that story? He's also have feeling and desperate, a human being! He's also human!"
..
"Ck, I originally intended to stay out of this. But this is really crazy."
..
"Forget it, just follow what I said. You're the source's son so you can do it, right? Just follow the plan and wait. Let's stop all this, make it as the last."
..
"Right, just don't worry. As long as everything goes well, then the source and he'll be alive. Besides, I'll help when it has nothing to do with the story that needs to be taken away."
..
"What do you mean? When did I sacrifice myself? When did I force myself?"
..
"Never."
..
"I said I would never do that crazy thing. You think I'm crazy? I'm not Dokja."
..
"He got that weird nickname anyway, right? With me helping him here, it won't interfere with his story line."
..
"I'm just easing the impact."
..
"This is my face, it's pale."
..
"Enough, I have the ability to regenerate. No problem. When did this bastard wake up?"
..
"Oh? Really? Oi Dokja. If you don't wake up in five seconds I'll rob you of all your coins."
Kim Dokja keeps trying to listen to the familiar voice in his ear. And being confused by that strange threat.
"5."
But his heart somehow warned him to wake up...
"4"
Right now.
"3."
Or he'll be completely plundered.
"2."
So Kim Dokja moaned and woke up.
"... Uh."
「The bones of his body seemed crushed and his skin stiffened, like the skin of a dead animal. 」
"Shut up Fofo. I've reduced the effect so it doesn't matter as long as he's around me."
Kim Dokja listens to the Fourth Wall and the familiar voice, as he focuses his views.
'Cale?'
Before Kim Dokja can ask why Cale is here. The annoying sound of the Fourth Wall cutting him.
「I want to talk to you too. 」
"Shut up."
「... 」
'Was that voice Cale's..?'
The Cale standing in front of him has an aura like a little prince coming out of a painting.
His clothes even made the respectable aura around him grow stronger.
That's not it!
"Why are you here?"
"You're just asking now?"
Cale's angry smile adorns his little lips. But it doesn't diminish-
"Bah, it's not that!"
"Did you hit your head, Kim Dokja? Why are you so angry all of a sudden?"
Cale was surprised to see Kim Dokja who suddenly shouted 'not' all of a sudden.
"Don't you know how worried people are when you disappear? We're looking for you everywhere!"
"I got a hidden scenario. It's you who worries people. What the hell is wrong with that demon? Then die? Are you crazy to do that?"
"It's necessary-"
"I know it's necessary! Don't answer me, I'm just frustrated with this fucking scenario!"
Kim Dokja didn't expect Cale to be this emotional. Even if he's upset, he'll initially just be the quietest and most silent child. To use loud and angry voices...
"Cale.. Is there anything that pisses you off when you're doing a hidden scenario? Is there a problem? Wounded?"
Kim Dokja can only lower his voice volume by worrying after thinking about it. A little boy finishes the scenario alone...
It must be hard.
He didn't know Cale was just upset when his plans were interrupted. He can only thinking for this crazy bastard when he finally comes home, and finally be forced back because of this crazy bastard too, before he can even breathe out.
Cale wants to hit the back of this crazy bastard's head right now, even though he's weak right now.
Not knowing Cale's grudge, Kim Dokja just kept looking at Cale with a sad face when he stood up.
"It's okay. Now that looking at your shirt, I think you've finished that scenario, right? So... wait... That's not it! How did you get here with me too?!"
Kim Dokja regained consciousness and took the hand that was patting Cale's head in astonishment.
"I was on vacation and I saw you go crazy, so I followed you."
"No way, no way you can follow me…"
Cale tilted his head and looked at Kim Dokja, while the fourth wall somehow showed a screen with the words 'lalala~~'.
The reason? Well... 'Cause it wish I hadn't caught a stray bullet from both of them.’
"Can't you feel it? I guess constellations should get to feel each other, right? I haven't shut down my status yet anyway."
"Yes?"
「Ehem. 」
Kim Dokja looks at Cale and pays close attention...
...then understand.
"You're a constellation?!"
"Yeah, I used my stigma on you and took half your pain. I tied you up too, that's why I could come with you."
"Are you crazy? You're gonna get hurt! Why are you so careless, Cale?"
"Then what, leave you to do something crazy without knowing where you've gone?"
"Just wait well! You must know that I'm okay."
"But I don't want to?"
"This kid..."
Kim Dokja grumbles his teeth at the sight of Cale ignoring him and hits the fourth wall screen that forms the <A> emoji.
'...anyway, since when did it have an emoji..?'
Uhm.
Anyway, he's upset about this kid's reckless behavior. Even if he's a constellation, he can't just run and follow it, not to mention this place.
Kim Dokja looked around.
[You are currently excluded from the scenario.]
"Cale."
"What?"
"What's your level of constellation?"
"it has a question mark."
"Huh?"
"You know that things about this starstream sometimes don't affect me like statistics do. What's so strange about being illegible?"
"No, it's just that I'm afraid you'll be a broken constellation or something."
Kim Dokja frowned and drew Cale to his face, while keeping an eye on his whole body.
'No injuries but..'
"Is there any inconvenience?"
"No problem, it just can't be counted. I'm not a broken constellation or anything."
"..are you reading my mind?"
Cale points to the fourth wall.
「Kim Dokja considers the fourth wall that shows his mind to be disturbing. 」
"..if you know then shut up."
The fourth wall shows the phrase 'lalala~' again.
"You follow a hidden scenario that makes you temporarily disappear and gives you constellation status as a gift?"
"Yes."
"Well, as long as you're okay. But what's your modifier?"
"Modifier?"
"I am Demon King of Salvation."
"?"
Seeing Cale's confused face, Kim Dokja became doubtful about Cale's constellation status.
Before he opened his mouth, he saw the fourth wall screen.
「Cale is the Supreme Commander. 」
"What name is that?"
Cale frowns with a frown.
"So here's what I saw. But why am I your people? I just found out there's such a stigma?"
"Well, it just lets me take over the damage to my people. Then tying them up will allow me to hold their soul. In other words, as long as I live, my people live. To be honest, it's a skill I like."
Cale shrugged his shoulders with a naughty smile.
"It's a... incredible stigma. Wait... Why does this affect the constellations? I even remember my level is-"
"Though I say it's a question mark, but I think I'm higher in rank than the constellation in this world?"
"What? You're not even a god. It can't be called a normal stigma. How can that be?"
Because that bastrad source on the subway is strong.
Cale looked at Kim Dokja meaningfully and opened his mouth.
「Because Cale's personal attributes are more extraordinary than any other constellation. There are Dimensional Savior, Who had Sealed God, Loved by God, Loved by Dragons, Loved by Many Races - 」
"If you open your mouth again, I'll make sure you're sorry."
The fourth wall, which seemed to show off its child (?) was silent in an instant. But Kim Dokja who's heard some of it, can't keep his mouth shut.
"What's-a-a-at-at-at-at-attribute?"
Even his voice stuttered.
"Bullshit."
The fourth wall wants to argue, but is survival instincts shut it up.
"But-"
"Don't ask."
Kim Dokja swallowed his spit when Cale's status leaked and weakened his leg.
'Cale already has that threatening aura, plus his status... This is crazy.'
He's making a silent gesture. At least Cale's cute face doesn't make it creepy.
If Cale is really a constellation, he's convinced that Cale is no less cute and popular than the beautiful Uriel.
"Don't talk about these useless constellations."
"only you say that being a constellation is useless..."
"So, what's really going on?"
"Do you know what happened to me was a fate forced upon me, Cale?"
"I know-no."
Cale was about to say that he knew about Kim Dokja's fate. But he remembered that 'fate' Kim Dokja meant and 'fate' Cale meant, is differently. So he changed the answer.
Good thing Kim Dokja didn't notice the change in Cale's words.
...except for the fourth wall that keeps silent.
"Well... You see how I'm doing right now? If I'm being honest, you could say that they and I have been successful in each of our plans. You know, Cale, I wouldn't be alive if my plan failed. You don't have to worry, after all, have you forgotten that I have the novel?"
Kim Dokja jokingly looks at Cale who raises his eyebrows.
'Cute cute.'
Cale's fancy dress really makes him look like a sweet little prince.
This makes Kim Dokja pull his cheek while continuing.
" Whatever, but what kind of fate makes you think of such a crazy plan?"
"Hm... It's like you really don't know. I'm cursed to death by Olympus."
"Is this the suspicious banquet grandmother had said before? They want you dead?"
Kim Dokja almost asked who the grandmother was, before he remembered Cale's sweet call at the constellation banquet.
"Yeah, it looks like this is what the banquet's about."
"You're so hated aren't you?"
Cale put on a sympathetic face that made Kim Dokja pinch Cale's fat cheeks.
- Plak
And Kim Dokja's hand slapped by Cale.
"....it hurts"
Cale is sneering.
"Ehem, it was probably because they wanted to recruit me and fail, and then I became some kind of unwanted variable and then they decided to get rid of me after not being able to control me."
"Hoo, pretty selfish"
"Indeed.”
Kim Dokja chuckles and shrugs his shoulders.
" My fate is to die. Then I bet. The fate they gave me was the death of the incarnation of Kim Dokja."
"In other words-"
" 'The constellation called Kim Dokja' won't die."
Cale raised his eyebrows.
"Don't you think there's a chance you'll fail?"
"I told you I had the novel, didn't I? There's a more than 97% chance that I won't die."
"Ck, there's 3%"
"It's more than enough"
Kim Dokja grinned.
"Just look at me. Besides, I was already a constellation by then, so the remaining 3% was 0%. I guess they put together my fate before the banquet, so they don't know that I'm no longer an incarnation. Oh, or they don't know that my resurrection story is the last complement to my resurrection. So they think they still have a chance."
"Crazy, what if they change their plans halfway?"
"No way, imposing 'fate' requires a lot of probability. Impossible if they want to cancel and make a new one. They won't be able to. Yoo Sangah-ssi looked for me when we were at the banquet, in other words, since then my fate has been written."
Cale can only shake his head. It's a good, detailed plan, that takes advantage of the hole in a plan. Cale feels it's only natural that he's the source. It's not just anyone to think about that much calmly, even if it's given proper information. But it's even just a novel.
"But should this be the case? Your partner's worried."
"There are many eyes, so it's natural to deceive your partner's eyes before you deceive your enemy. It says so in the novels."
"A novel?"
Cale looked at Kim Dokja with a strange look. That makes Kim Dokja feel ashamed.
"And the demon?"
"Still Olympus."
Kim Dokja bluffed his teeth.
"They really want to make sure I die before Seoul is released so they even dare to kill the demon in the next scenario. Maybe this is their plan of fate... Whatever, that bastard Yoo Joonghyuk must have known about it. He planned to die and become a demon. So instead of letting a possible world regress because he's dead, or even worse by letting my fate come true, with me die at the hands of demon Yoo Joonghyuk. And that'll make me and Yoo Joonghyuk die. It's better this way. I was banished for failure and all survived. Because if I die of being killed by demon Yoo Joonghyuk, I really think I'll be done by then.
"You think a lot."
"Very. You don't know that I'm thinking of many possibilities while finishing the scenario after hearing Yoo Sangah-ssi's words. It feels like my head is going bald... Ah and there's actually a regression where Yoo Joonghyuk was almost killed by Olympus like me. That part really helps."
"Hmm..”
"Well, if I was going to disappear and die so easily, I wouldn't have built up my story and become the constellation I am today. Ugh... But the problem is that I lost my body even though I survived as a constellation..."
Cale nodded understandably when Kim Dokja groaned sadly.
"...but what I didn't plan to do was, I didn't expect you to come..."
"Don't mention about it again, where is this?"
The surrounding area was filled with destroyed buildings and roads. It was a familiar scene.
"Still in Seoul, right? I woke up and we were here.”
Kim Dokja nodded.
"Seoul was released so that incarnations could come out and Seoul was locked in. The worst part is that the scope of the scenario is expanding into the rest of the world..."
"Hmm."
This time Cale moaning while staring away.
Kim Dokja had a little laugh. To be honest, Cale didn't make him too nervous or sad.
It did relieve him.
'Right.. Even though the sky is empty and there is no visible indirect message, even the constellations light disappears, but--'
Kim Dokja, who looked back at Cale after looking at the sky, muttered.
"Sometimes I get confused between wanting to protect you or wanting you to be with me... I know it's dangerous... But I also selfishly want to tie you up.”
"Did you say something?"
Kim Dokja shakes his head, seeing Cale looking at him.
"The point is, now Seoul is out of scenario."
"What do you mean?"
Kim Dokja looked around.
[You are currently in an out-of-scenario area.]
"Now the 'Seoul' scenario is completely over. And the incarnations will move out where there will be new scenarios and they will create new stories."
"..."
"... And from there, they will live on."
"Don't be dramatic."
'Yes... Maybe this is what usually looks like. But you're coming with me.'
Kim Dokja smiles bitterly and pulls Cale's cheek again.
"enough."
"You're getting fat."
Cale hit Kim Dokja's hand strongly and Kim Dokja scrambled Cale's red hair tied back with a loose gold ribbon.
"Let's go."
「A lonely Kim Dokja has something to do. For that very reason, he chose a sad death. 」
"You also stop being dramatic."
「.... 」
Kim Dokja laughed amused.
He's not lonely now.
It's warm.
***
***
「While walking on the streets of Seoul, Kim Dokja sank into his memory. Every time he leaves, he sees where he does the screenplay with his group members. Kim Dokja once again realizes that he has become part of the Ways of Survival. He's obviously going through this story. 」
"Fofo, you're too chatty."
「I also want to have a conversation... 」
"why do you call him that?"
"Fofo?"
Kim Dokja is nodding.
"And then the Wawa?"
"..."
"Too long with all those weird full names."
「The Fourth Wall isn't weird. 」
"Look, what a strange name to call."
「The fourth wall is sad. 」
Kim Dokja can only nod in resignation. Sometimes Cale has strange thoughts.
Then Kim Dokja almost had a heart attack when he pulled Cale who tripped and almost fell.
"Cale!"
「Cale!! 」
"Don't scream. My head is spinning.”
Kim Dokja finally saw Cale's weird state. His lips were pale and there was a cold sweat on his forehead.
"What happened to you?!"
"No problem-"
"Answer."
Kim Dokja holds Cale captive and forbids him to walk again.
"I told you I took some of your damage, didn't I?"
"What.. What damage? But why am I okay?"
"I hold half and Fofo hold half. If you take it all, it could destroy your weak body."
"..what?"
[Constellation 'Supreme Commander' is pulling his status.]
「Dumb Kim Dokja. 」
"?"
Before Kim Dokja understands what Cale is saying.
A window appeared in front of him.
[Many of your stories are broken.]
[Your current body is completely destroyed.]
Honestly, Kim Dokja doesn't know how bad it is, it doesn't feel at all. So he thought this windows might point to his real body being destroyed.
But-
Suddenly Kim Dokja felt the air around his freezing. Went deep into the bone. He felt the air in his lungs clogged.
"Uhuk...?"
At this point, something too late came to his mind. That's why Veda and Olympus, who thought they couldn't kill him, decided to turn him into a demon and send him out of the screenplay area.
It's because of this exact situation. It was a plan to kill the 'Incarnation of Kim Dokja' and deal with the 'Constellation Kim Dokja.'
"K-Kuoooock..."
Kim Dokja tried to scream but there was no sound. He can breathe but he can't breathe. It was like someone had squeezed his lungs and his breath was clogged. The head becomes empty and the mind is erased one by one.
Star Stream is a world of stories. There are no exceptions, whether it's for incarnation or constellation. Every creature exists through a 'story.'
[The speed of damage to your story has increased!]
[Your existence has begun to disappear.]
In a place without a story, no one can exist. Even 'Kim Dokja'
"Damn, save me!"
Kim Dokja is screaming.
"Okay enough."
[Constellation 'Supreme Commander' shows his status.]
[Exclusive 'Fourth Wall' skills activated.]
「 Stu... pid. 」
"Why are you stuttering again? I get headaches every time you stutter."
「Because it's hard. 」
"Ck."
Kim Dokja started breathing again. And only look at Cale sadly.
"You're not affected, Cale...?"
Kim Dokja asked with a tired face.
"I've told you that various things related to scenarios sometimes don't affect me, right? So is the story. I can survive without a story and even help ease your damage. But that doesn't mean I'm free. It's burdensome for my body. Even a fofo can't handle itself. So we're sharing the task of helping you."
"But-”
"I have the ability to regenerate, so there's no damage. Just tired. It's like I have to do four acres of gardening when I don't even want to lift a finger. This is so annoying."
Kim Dokja doesn't know whether to worry or laugh at Cale's parable.
But this...
..made his eyes sting.
- It's okay, Cale. No damage. 💓
'Can't you even get rid of my fatigue?'
- Can't... 💓
'Ck.'
- ...it's even like a 30-meter dash. 💓
'Then what?'
- You're too weak 💓
- Ehem ⛈ ️
'...'
Of course Cale is pale because his body is pale. But exhaustion makes it look like he's really sick.
Cale can only curse a bastard on a certain train, for making him feel tired.
[Hachoo!!]
Cale arrives in his arms and Kim Dokja wipes his cheek in Cale's hair.
"You're a good little brother... Hyung will protect you."
Cale pushed Kim Dokja with a black face.
"Just do something to your body. I don't want to hear this wall keep talking."
"Speaking?"
Kim Dokja was pushed, confused and stared at the fourth wall.
"He'll start telling stories if I turn my status off. He's very chatty and even told me about your dreams."
"..."
Right, because there's no story. The fourth wall has to tell a story so he can keep live.
'But even my dreams...'
Kim Dokja hopes it doesn't say anything weird when he dreams...
By the way... If it's chatty, according to Cale... Then how loud is it?
Kim Dokja looks at the fourth wall that makes T~T emojis.
'...why when Cale arrived... My skills have become 'colorful'...?'
Kim Dokja chose to ignore everything about Cale.
'Once more I say...'
..everything about Cale is possible.
At this moment, a voice is heard from somewhere.
"..the vacuum cleaner..."
Cale asked weirdly when Kim Dokja was nodding.
「Kim Dokja knows what this is. 」
"Yes, I know. The screenplay is cleaner."
"Huh?"
"The appearance of the cleaner means that the main 'cleanup' of the scenario area has begun."
"I don't understand."
"I'm sure you understand, but that's not what matters."
"Oh."
Kim Dokja can only pat Cale on the head who stopped thinking, which he thinks must be because Cale is lazy to think long.
「Kim Dokja thinks: Since the purge has begun, the Great Demon of the Horizon will soon reveal itself. The hyenas who roam the ruins of the scenario can't miss these delicious ruins. 」
"..thank you for explaining."
"..thank you for saying the meaning."
Cale and Kim Dokja stare flatly at the fourth wall.
"It's amazing to meet that guy. However, before we meet them, I have to find something first."
"We'll meet him?"
"Yes, it's necessary to get out of here. We can't always be here. Don't I have to fix my body?"
Cale nodded when Kim Dokja asked Cale with a sneaky smile.
「Kim Dokja took his step. 」
"enough.”
Cale slaps the chatty fourth wall while throwing the power of thieves at Kim Dokja.
Kim Dokja staggered and gradually accelerated.
"?"
"Come quickly. It's taking too long."
Kim Dokja nodded and led the way while avoiding the screenplay cleaner.
They're the ones to watch out for but he keep leads Cale to run without worry. Because the cleaners are low and their range of recognition is narrow. If they carefully avoid, it will not be difficult to reach the target point unnoticed.
Heading south to Gwanghwamun. Euljiro 3-ga, Chungmuro, Dongdae-gu, Yaksu, Geumho Station...
They're passing through places they've been. Until finally arrived at Oksu Station.
There, he uses the wind of Cale to confront the damaged Dongho Bridge.
"The place where you're eaten by fish."
"..."
"I just felt like you were crazy."
"Well... This is the place where Yoo Joonghyuk dropped me in the mouth of an ichthyosaurus. I don't know if he's okay now. But, he has Han Sooyoung to help him."
"You left something for her?"
"Yes, because by giving it away, I can leave the group in peace."
'... I should hope.'
But Kim Dokja believes Han Sooyoung can handle it.
To be honest, he thought maybe Cale and Sooyoung could work together if this kid didn't follow him...
'Forget it.'
Eventually, they reached a half-damaged subway. This is the beginning of all scenarios.
Kim Dokja saw the appearance of the subway before entering and looking through the wreckage.
"I'm getting annoyed with the subway."
"Hn? Why?"
"Ask yourself."
"?"
Confused, Kim Dokja ignored by Cale who kicked everything.
'..he looks like a thug. His clothes and aura... It doesn't match.
"let me do it. Stand outside."
"Okay."
Cale was so happy to see someone else working for him.
Kim Dokja, who somehow felt a little deceived, shook his head when he saw Cale standing still and returned to a sweet little princely look.
'It must be just my mind.'
Heh, you still have a low understanding of Cale, Dokja.
How long has he been looking?
Kim Dokja finally found what he was looking for. That's a white-shining box of stuff. There is a short message left in the item box.
"That?"
"Yes, I asked Bihyung to take care of it."
Kim Dokja came out and showed Cale the box he was carrying.
- Kim Dokja, can I trust you? It's left as you asked. Thank you for being the incarnation of my channel.
It's very clear who wrote the message.
- Please, stay alive.
Of course. He's not gonna die.
Kim Dokja opened the item box. The box contained 300,000 coins and the items he asked to buy.
[A new attribute has been obtained.]
[The 'Dokkaebi Egg' item has been obtained.]
[The 'Unbroken Faith' item has been obtained.]
…
"There's a note down.”
Kim Dokja, who took all the stuff, received the paper given without even being seen by Cale.
'How considerate of Cale.. He's the angel of my heart..."
Kim Dokja was deeply moved by Cale's attention.
He doesn't know that Cale just wants to avoid all the things that will get him into extra trouble. Even read the notes, he avoided.
However, Kim Dokja, who looked at Cale with affection (Until Cale wanted to ask the wall, what else this strange bastard thought, but refrained) flich while reading the contents of the additional message.
-Note: You better protect Cale well. The constellations condemn you for kidnapping the little prince of the constellations. The constellations have gone awry, as he shows his status and disappears with you.
Kim Dokja, whose pupils tremble, can only look at Cale with excessive affection and ask gently.
"Cale's on my side, right?"
"..are you crazy?"
Although Kim Dokja sometimes feels sad about Cale's knife tongue. At least he knew that Cale wouldn't let him be cursed by so many constellations. It's different that he was cursed for his personal hatred. But if he dies being cursed for bringing his little brother (when will Cale be your little brother?)...
...this is gonna be stupid death. He didn't want it.
Kim Dokja hug Cale and leave the subway.
"why are you holding me."
"Want to cultivate brotherhood."
"...?"
Cale decided to ignore the crazy bastard, who was hug him.
Kim Dokja sits on the bridge and waits with Cale.
'Soon, that man will come.'
When he thinks of this, someone appears on the horizon where the story ends.
He's an old man with a giant bump on one cheek. He walked towards this side with a strange expression. He seems to know that Kim Dokja is here.
"Are you Demon King of Salvation?"
Kim Dokja looked at him for a moment before turning his eyes towards the light of dawn outside the dome.
He thought of a nebula that would wait for him beyond that light. Maybe they'll think he's dead by now.
Olympus, Veda, Papyrus...
Kim Dokja remembers them all. All constellations who laugh at incarnation stories and end up making their own entertainment.
Wait.
Kim Dokja strengthens the hand that hug Cale in his arms.
「I'm gonna pull you all out of fucking heaven. 」
Cale, who looked at Kim Dokja, looked at the fourth wall in confusion.
...is this bastard thinking about novels again? Or is this really his emotion right now?
"the fourth wall really reads my mind, doesn't it?"
Cale heard Dokja's murmur when Kim Dokja put his chin in Cale's hair.
Both of them...
...didn't see the old man's eyes, which sparkled after seeing Cale.
Let's pray to Cale's bad luck.