Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter Text
Dokja, was not having a good day.
And that would be an understatement for the century,because he's had plenty of bad days,, ranging from 'my co-worker added salt to the coffees' to 'omfg my favorite novel of all time whose sole reader is me is real',this had to takes the cherry.
The flicker of the blue screen,the ting sound of a new scenario being sentences was the start of it.
The world had gone white—then dark.white hot pain surging through his body,then nothing.
When the light faded, the chaos of the battlefield had vanished. No broken terrain. No screams. No blood-soaked dust hanging in the air. Just... quiet. Too quiet.
Suspiciously so,still in a daze he was,yet he still decided to take in his surroundings which didn't take him much time to realize was very much different.
A room, or well a theater(?) The theater was massive. No doors, no exits. Just velvet-lined seats and a massive obsidian screen looming over them like an indifferent constellation,
It looked like the private cinema of a god with too much money and no taste.
A scenario? Perhaps?
He takes one more look to the people around.
Yoo Joonghyuk stood a few feet away, arms crossed, blood on his coat drying like he didn’t even notice it. He looked like someone had dropped him into a dimension he intended to punch his way out of.
He probably would do something like that won't he?
Jung Heewon looked wary, it was hard to notice with the limited lighting,she did seem ready to fight.
A young girl one—sat frozen beside Lee Hyunsung, who was doing a mental inventory like a good soldier. And another stranger,a person sitting at the further backside.
Lee jihyee was beside seolhwa, curious and confused but not unguarded along with han sooyoung,who was glaring at me, i purposefully avoided looking at her.
I swear it's not me this time damnit.
Everyone was quite.
Nobody was talking.
They were all clearly trying to figure out two things:
Where the hell they were.
Who to blame for it.
He didn’t like where that second one was going.
Then the screen lit up.
White light spilled across the room like a flood. A sentence began to scrawl itself across the screen in silver text:
“This is to change the never-ending wheel of destiny written in stone.”
A ting.
[The fourth wall has thinned]
Dokja’s gut turned.
Not twisted. Not fluttered. Just folded in on itself like origami done by a human high on meth.
“Oh no,” he whispered.
Nope,nope,this is not part of the narrative structure. I have read the script. This line is not in the script.
“You’re kidding me,” Dokja muttered, eyes narrowing at the glowing script on the screen that suddenly miraculously appeared,glaring at them in the hope that maybe if he just stared for long enough maybe the world would eat itself up and he'd wake up,again,by the broken throne.
“This is to change the never ending wheel of destiny written in stone."
“kim dokja.” Yoo Joonghyuk growled, eyes flicking around the space. “What did you do this time?”
The man was still in a very bad mood,he did just gut him in order to destroy the throne,he'll give it a pass this time.
Not like he can do anything to this hunk of a man in the first place.
“Why do you always assume it’s me?” Dokja deadpanned. “Maybe it was you.”
that did it, he should at least decide what which flowers he wishes to be on his grave, his mouth is going to be his downfall,it's already in process.
And anyways this wasn't in the three ways to survive in a ruined world anyways,maybe it was yoo jonghyunk.
A ting interrupted his thoughts process.
The screen flicked, crackling back into existence at the front, its pale light painting tired faces in monochrome.
Then-
“Main Scenario #0 — The Reader’s Perspective.”
“Wait,” he whispered. “Wait, wait, wai—”
The screen blinked.
And then:
A face.
His face.
Not just a flash or a flicker. Not the blurry, uncaptured mess everyone always saw in scenarios. No. This was clear. Crisp. Unforgiving 4K ultra-definition.
⭓ [The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is watching with interest.]
⭓ [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ wonders who this is.]
⭓ [Many constellations are looking on intrigued.]
Well that stamps the fact the constillation are still here.
Soft features. Pale skin under bad fluorescent lighting. Eyelashes longer than should be legal. A little bit miserable, a lot exhausted, and still—
Stupidly, impossibly, heartbreakingly pretty.
Silence.
Then—
"…Who is that?” Jung Heewon said, her voice hushed. “Is that supposed to be…?”
“That’s not…” Lee Hyunsung blinked, trying to subtly take a double check,he was not subtle at all, sitting beside jung heewon tensed. “That can’t be Dokja-ssi, right?”
“It is,” Han Sooyoung said slowly. “But his face is… visible.”
Lee Jihye squinted. “Wait. His face wasn’t supposed to do that.”
“Right? Wasn’t it always blurry because he was ugly?” she added innocently.
Dokja turned, scandalized. “Excuse me?!”
Q
“You’re pretty?!” Jihye yelled. “That’s illegal!”
“I am not—!”
“That’s what we’re focusing on?!” Dokja shrieked.
“Yes!” Sooyoung looked genuinely betrayed. “You were blurry! We assumed that was your face. It made sense! You gave ‘blurry ahjussi energy’!” air quotation
“I don’t even know what that means!”
“ you looked like a haunted JPEG file,” Jihye said. “We thought it was on purpose!”
Sooyoung muttered. “This is devastating. What am I supposed to mock now?”
“You could try supporting me emotionally?”
“I’d rather eat glass.” dokja eyes twitched in annoyance ,Han sooyoung very not childishly stuck her tongue out.
“I told you hyung was pretty,” Lee Gilyoung said, nodding like a wise sage.
“…Thank you, Gilyoung,” Dokja said faintly, maybe he should dig up a hole and die.or collapse
“I didn’t think you were ugly,” Yoo Sangah said gently. “I just couldn’t… remember.”
Not....remember...?
And again,what was it they said,...blurry?
“Your face is very different from Joonghyuk-ssi’s,” Hyunsung added thoughtfully. “You look… softer.”
'huh-!?" Kim dokja shrieked
"Dokja-ssi has a… gentle face,” Hyunsung added, as if this helped. “Like someone who reads poetry and folds laundry for stress.”
“Hyunsung-hyung, I kill monsters for breakfast.litrelly.”
“You look like a minor forest deity,” Sooyoung muttered. “I feel so lied to.”
⭓ [The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is openly gawking.]
⭓ [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is deeply ashamed that she could not recognise incarnation kim dokja.]
⭓ [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire is saying incarnation kim dokja is very pretty.]
⭓ [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire is screaming is delight]
⭓ [the constillation 'bald general of justice' nods in satisfaction]
⭓ [constillation 'abyss black flame dragon' says that's he's not giving incarnation kim dokja any pretty privileges with a scoff]
“...You’re pretty,” Jung Heewon said, half-shocked.
⭓ [the constillation 'secretive plotter' is staring intently]
“Can we stop saying it like it’s a crime?!”
“I am not—!
“…Dokja-ssi,” Seolhwa said, voice dazed. “You look… like someone who shouldn't bleed.”
Kim dokja just slumps his shoulder. He doesn't know what's happening but he feels like his input isn't gonna help it, why not just give up.
Then.
A small voice spoke:
“He’s still blurry, a little.”
Everyone turned.
The young girl sitting in the seat which seemed to big for her beside the one of hyunsung-ssi
Jung Heewon blinked. “Wait—who—?”
“Shin Yoosung,” she whispered.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Sooyoung visibly paled, I saw a live heart attack happen in real time,it would've been funny if I also wasn't going through a crisis right now.
She turned to him slowly.
She mouthed, ‘Why is she here?!’
He mouthed back, ‘Why are ANY of us here?!’
This wasn’t right.
Shin yoosung was here,the next scenario involves her but not right now,they still have time,so why-
Their surroundings dimmed.the bickering stopped,and everyone tensed again.the weight of their situation coming upon on them, unfamiliar place, unfamiliar situation.
They were still adjusting. Or pretending to.
The theater wasn’t a theater. It didn’t feel like one. The walls shimmered like code. The air was stale. There were no exits. And no one knew why they were here, accept for that showcase of dokja's face,where his face was exposed,which again he didn't even knew appeared blurry.
It was only natural for someone to activate their skills.
“Attribute Window,” Lee Jihye said, idly flicking her fingers,tensed as they are from being in an unfamiliar place and trying to cope with humour.
Nothing happened.
She blinked.
Tried again, louder. “ATTRIBUTE WINDOW.”
Now everyone's attention was on her,and the problem quite clear without wording it.
Still nothing.
“…Huh?”
Kim Dokja didn’t even look up. He already knew what was coming.
Or had a somewhat sense of it.
“What?” Jihye frowned. “Why isn’t it working?”
There was a sudden stillness. Then:
“Character Window,” murmured Yoo Sangah. Her voice was calm, but her fingers twitched.
“Stigma: Hell Flames Ignition,” Heewon whispered.
Yoo Joonghyuk scowled. “attribute Window.”
Nothing.
He tried again.
“ATTRIBUTE WINDOW.”
And again.
“___________—ACTIVATE.”
Silence.
It spread like static. One by one, everyone reached for something—anything.
There was nothing to reach for.
Even Hyunsung looked shaken. He tapped at the air like a confused grandpa trying to unlock a touchscreen door.
"Just what did you do kim dokja." Yoo joonghyuk growled
All heads turned to Kim Dokja.
“Why is it always you?!”
He held up his hands. “Okay, first of all—rude. Second—”
They’re right, though. Of course they’re right. You knew the second the Fourth Wall thinned. You knew something was missing. You always know. That’s your thing. Your curse. Your skill.
Reading Comprehension: OFFLINE.
Panic took shape. Small, splintering voices overlapped.
“I can’t access my skills—”
“Did the dokkaebi take them?”
“Are we in a punishment scenario?!”
“What kind of scenario disables the SYSTEM?!”
My eyes were fixated on the protagonist who's eyes were twitching,he looked second away from plunging that sword of his in my gut,maybe the only reason he hasn't is because of jung heewon,who was also glaring at the man,daring him to try anything.
She had no way to win.
Unless of course she used her stigma.
Which,as we can see...
Hyunsung tried to take control, stepping forward, arms out like a bouncer calming a riot. “Everyone, please—we don’t know anything yet—”
BZZZZT—!
The screen at the front of the room flickered to life, glowing a harsh, clinical white. The voice was not a voice. It came from everywhere and nowhere at once.
[⎡SYSTEM NOTICE⎦]
⎡You are currently in a Restricted Zone.⎦
⎡All permissions have been temporarily revoked.⎦
⎡This is to ensure a fair and unbiased observation.⎦
⎡Do not attempt to access privileges.⎦
⎡Resistance will be punished.⎦
⎡Please enjoy the show.⎦
“‘Enjoy the show?’” Sooyoung hissed. “Are you kidding me?!”
⎡The constellation ‘Bald-Headed Buddha’ offers a thin smile.⎦
⎡The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ observes in silence.⎦
⎡The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is offended on behalf of all dragons.⎦
⎡The constellation ‘demon like judge of fire’ is alarmed.⎦
[Constillation 'bald general of justice' wishes to bestow his stigma to his incarnation]
[Many constillations are alarmed]
Kim Dokja swallowed hard.
Unavailable.
That’s one word for it.
And the worst part?
The screen still hadn’t told them what they were watching.
And dokja had a very bad feeling about it, seeing the senarios name,the feeling was very bad
The screen lit up.
Kim Dokja’s stomach dropped.
Chapter 2: Chapter 1(part-1)
Summary:
Yoosung poked Gilyoung. “Do you think he liked her?”
Gilyoung shrugged. “no wat,hyung likes men”
He spluttered, hand hitting his chest like he was trying to unalive himself before the scenario could.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
After far too much time wasted on panic, despair, and Yoo Joonghyuk looking like he was five seconds away from decapitating someone (Dokja, probably), the theater finally reached something close to a truce.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s threats had graduated from verbal to visceral—just because the attribute window was disabled didn’t mean he couldn’t disassemble a man with a chair leg and god’s blessing. The only reason he hadn't yet was because he didn’t have god’s blessing right now.
Not that he needed it.
If he said one wrong thing, that man would probably snap his neck like a glowstick.
Han Sooyoung, meanwhile, had been throwing elaborate glances at Dokja, was trying to communicate with him telepathically through sheer force of will and elaborate eyebrow choreography. as if her eyebrows could pierce the truth out of him. She was definitely plotting a scene of public humiliation.
He ignored her, obviously.
It’s not like he knew what was going on either.
Constellations tried to intervene. That much was clear.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is trying to breach the theater boundaries.]
[The system denies all external interference.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is baring its teeth.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is throwing popcorn.]
Of course. They could watch—but not interfere.
For Dokja, was both comforting and terrifying.
Sparks of.probability few Somewhere behind them, the screen flickeretried clawing at the edge of the theater, like nails on glass, only to be forcefully repelled.
Eventually, after enough chaos and bickering to humble Olympus itself, everyone sat down.
Mostly reluctantly.
Yoo Joonghyuk perched on the edge of his seat like a war crime waiting to happen, eyes flicked to the dark screen every so often like he expected it to suddenly breathe.
Lee Jihye was mid-breakdown about her missing attribute window,her sponser trying to comfert her, and Jung Heewon looked like she was calculating how many kicks it would take to take to break that screen.
Lee gihyee was cluchung his sleeve beside him.
And somewhere in the back of the room… there was someone else.
A stranger.
Aslan.
Dokja was fairly sure he know who that is.
He's also sure wasn’t supposed to be here.
Or maybe he was.
Maybe that was the problem.
Eventually, the consensus had been: sit down, shut up, and watch whatever this scenario had prepared. And finish it fast.
Not that Dokja believed that was an option.
The screen was too still. Too aware.
It felt like staring at a grave that hadn’
t been filled in yet.
And it was his name on the headstone.
[Now broadcasting: “The Reader’s Perspective.”]
Dokja’s stomach dropped.
A hollow, echoing dread filled the space.
He didn’t need to guess who this was about.
The reader.
There was only ever one.
[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is trembling.]
Dokja inhaled sharply. His heart thudded against his ribs like it wanted out.
No no no no—
“Oh my faithful Fourth Wall,” he whispered, “don’t fail me now. Not when I’m surrounded by people who will absolutely dissect me emotionally, physically, and maybe spiritually.”
And then it came.
His voice.
From the screen.
“I am Dokja.”
“… Dokja-ssi.” someone whispered.
It might’ve been Sangah.
[ The constellation ‘The Secretive Plotter’ is watching intently.]
Sooyoung leaned forward in her seat, chin on her knuckles.
“Well, well,” she drawled. “The silent one speaks.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze was so sharp Dokja could feel it carving his sins into the back of his neck.
“I present myself to others by saying my name, Kim Dokja. However, most people have the same misunderstanding about this name.”
Dokja’s skin prickled.
This was a invasion of his privacy.
Though maybe he has no right to say that as he watched someone else misery to survive.
Sooyoung tapped her chin. “You know, it’s always the quiet ones.”
“I’m not—”
“I bet you have a tragic backstory and everything.”
He flinched.
[ The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is intrested in incarnation 'kim dokja' past.]
[The constillation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is intrested in incarnation kim dokja's past]
[Many constellation are intrested in incarnation kim dokja past
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is silent.]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is watching only Kim Dokja.]
He didn’t like that last one either.
Did not like it at all.
He could feel it now—the attention. The weight of that gaze. Someone was pressing in against the barrier of the Fourth Wall.
His Fourth Wall wavered.
And for one terrifying second, he almost heard someone whisper through the crack:
Everyone focused on the screen.
“Oh, so you’re an only child?”
“Well, yes, but that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh… then what did you mean?”
“It’s my name. Kim Dokja.”
"Dokja is indeed a pretty unique name." Jung heewon see says.
"I've never met anyone who's same is the same as the ahjussi's" jihye said.
Han Sooyoung leaned back slowly, arms crossed, eyes glittering like she’d struck gold. “This sounds… suspiciously like an inner monologue.”
“Wait… are those his thoughts?” Jihye said, wrinkling her nose. “But he's not talking."
MY thoughts were being broadcasted like a source of entertainment.
In the name of a scenario
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is curious.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is asking if this is legal.]
[The constellation ‘Father of the Rich Night’ looks away out of respect.]
In a world where the currency is your soul and people's head explode like confetti when the timer hits zero, we're drawing the line at thought broadcasting?
Hah…
My father gave me that name because he wanted me to grow up to be a strong and independent person. But perhaps my name is a curse… because I’ve been lonely and single my entire life. This is who I am in a nutshell.
“...Pfft,” Sooyoung choked. “Strong and independent? I’m sorry, are you describing a cat?”
Dokja closed his eye
This wasn’t just a scenario. This was a biographical documentary, and he hadn’t signed off on distribution rights.
And Yoo Joonghyuk Dokja risked a glance.
Joonghyuk hadn’t moved.
Still as stone.
Still staring.
But there was a tension in his shoulders now, subtle but unmistakable, like he was reading something very, very carefully and not liking what it implied.
Dokja braced himself.
He knows. Or he’s about to.
Better prepare for his life's end if this is gonna go the direction he thinks.
The screen continued.
However due to my father naming sense I've lived my life as an ordinary and unmarried man.
The image of Kim Dokja filled the screen.
No glamor.
No filters.
Just a pale, gaunt 28-year-old office worker with dark circles under his eyes and an air of existential exhaustion.
[Kim Dokja. Age: 28. Graduated from a third-rate university. Currently employed as a contract worker at a subsidiary of a major conglomerate.]
[Hobby: Reading serialized webnovels on the subway on the way home from work.]
In short,this who I am
Jung Heewon let out a breath that might have been a laugh. “Seriously?”
Even Hyunsung, who had been sitting politely, eyebrows drawn, gave him a very soft side-eye.
“He doesn’t even look like someone who knows how to throw a punch,” Jihye said, squinting at the screen.
Dokja is very offended right now,but he doesn't says anything because restorting to would only lead to unessesary drama,it's definitely not because what they is true.absolutely not.
[Constillation 'queen of the darkest spring'- urges incarnation kim dokja to rest]
The scene cuts to Dokja sat quietly in the center seat, scrolling on his phone like nothing else in the world mattered.
But today’s subway ride was unlike any other.
The camera panned,a so ft voice
“Oh, my. At this rate, you might get sucked into your phone.”
Yoo Sangah smiled politely down at the seated Dokja.
Han Sooyoung blinked. “Wait—isn’t that…?”
Sangah’s hand flew to her mouth.
“That’s really me,just before the scenario started...” she murmured.
[The constillation 'demon like judge of fire' is jumping in excitement,saying 'its about to start's]
[The constellation ‘Master of Steel’ is quietly observing.]
[The constellation ‘god of wine and ectasy' is snickering.]
[The constellation ‘The Secretive Plotter’ continues watching Kim Dokja.]
Looking up, Dokja sees a familiar woman with long chestnut hair smiling down at him.
‘Yoo Sangah from HR?’ he thinks before hurrying to reply to her.
[The constellation ‘God of Wine and ectasy'’ is asking for more drama.]
[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ is curious about the unfolding events.]
This was only the beginning.
And Dokja wasn’t sure how much longer he could watch himself like this.
Or worse
How much longer he could keep hiding what came next.
“H-hello,” he manages to stutter.
Back in the theater, multiple heads swivel in tandem toward the real-life Kim Dokja, who is, at this moment, desperately pretending to be invisible.
“Are you heading home?” she asks politely.
“Yes, you too?”
Yoo Sangah smiles and sits down next to him. He flinches.
“Yes, I got lucky. My team manager is away on a business trip.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait—” Jihye sat up straighter. “Did you just recoil like she was a sword flying at your face?!”
I can’t believe I ran into Sangah, the most popular girl at work. Her shampoo smells really nice…
Dokja flushes at his own thoughts process
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is attempting to hide their face in secondhand shame.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is shrieking with laughter.]
[The constellation ‘Lily Blooming in Aquarius’ is politely looking away.]
[The constellation ‘queen of darkest spring’ sighs deeply.]
Dokja hunched down in his seat like a collapsing building. The emotional damage was critical.
Why. Why. Why would the screen include that line.
Of all the thoughts, of all the mental commentary, why did it have to be the shampoo.
His life was flashing before his eyes, and it was just a reel of every time he had embarrassed himself on-screen.
Aslan frowned slightly from where he sat a few rows back, arms still loosely crossed.
“…That is one weird thought to have,” he said flatly.
Dokja buried his face in his hands. “Noted.”
“And I still have no idea who any of you people are, by the way.”
The room didn’t respond.
The group just… stared at him.
Mostly in silence.
Unmoving. Awkward. Suspicious.
Aslan blinked. “What, do I have something on my face?”
He was ignored,in favor of returning to screen, because frankly enough nobone knew what to say they were clueless as much as him on what's going on.
Lee Gilyoung tilted his head thoughtfully. “Ahjussi, were you in love with her?”
Dokja choked.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“She’s very pretty,” Yoosung said with a nod. “But I think she’s too normal for you.”
“…Thank you?”
“I mean you’re kind of like a weird raccoon.”
“...Thank you.”
Kids are weird.
The screen continued one
Dokja glances at her in slight confusion. “Do you usually take the subway home?”
From the HR assistant manager to the finance team manager, I’ll bet there’s a line of men waiting to drive her home.
Back in the room, a heavy silence descended again.
Shin Yoosung leaned toward Gilyoung and whispered, “Is he talking about a crush again?”
“I think so,” Gilyoung replied, very serious. “It sounds like a complicated adult thing.”
"I didn't knew sangah-ssi was so popular" jung heewon says.
"Ah well....."Yoo Sangah, sitting stiffly a few seats down, flushed and lowered her eyes. Dokja, meanwhile, very deliberately refused to turn his head in her direction.
He had already seen this scene—had lived it—but the secondhand shame of watching his own narration unfold was… spiritually fatal.
“Actually,” Sangah says with a sigh, “someone stole my bicycle.”
“You commute to work on a bike?”
“Yes, I’ve been working a lot of overtime lately, so I thought I could use the exercise,” she explains. “And I have some personal reasons too…”
After her words trail off, Sangah shoots Dokja a kind smile.
“Why is this turning into a slice-of-life drama?” Jihye muttered. “Isn’t this supposed to be an apocalypse?”
“Shhh,” Sooyoung said, waving a hand. “Let the awkward romance play out. It’s character development.”
.Yoo Sangah, sitting stiffly in real time, flushed and lowered her gaze.
Dokja did not—could not—look at her.
‘Seeing her up close, I get why all the guys are head over heels for her.’
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is alarmed.]
The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ does not approve of this blossoming comradeship.]
[The constellation ‘Lily Blooming in Aquarius’ is trying to calm constillation 'demon like judge of fire'.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is exasperated.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ has created a new betting pool: “Who Will Incarnation Kim Dokja End Up With?”]
Yoo Joonghyuk made a low sound in the back of his throat.
That was it.
A single syllable that reverberated like the drawing of a blade.
Dokja’s shoulders stiffened.
He did not dare turn around.
He could feel the protagonist’s judgement pulsing through the air like an aura.
Aslan, meanwhile, was rubbing his temple like the whole scene offended him on a philosophical level.
“I still don’t get it,” he said. “You’re all treating this guy like he’s some world-ending variable, but the man is just awkwardly crushing on a coworker while she talks about bike theft.”
“You’re not wrong,” Heewon said.
“You’re also not right,” Sooyoung added.
Dokja looked like he wanted the screen to crack in half and consume him whole.
Well, none of that concerns me. She and I live completely different lives.
And just so you know, Sangah wasn’t the reason today’s subway ride was different.
[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is trembling faintly.]
Yoosung poked Gilyoung. “Do you think he liked her?”
Gilyoung shrugged. “no wat,hyung likes men”
He spluttered, hand hitting his chest like he was trying to unalive himself before the scenario could.
“I—what—”
They were sitting right beside him.
He hadn’t even noticed when they’d nestled up so close, probably instinctively seeking comfort. Understandable. Sweet, even.
But the fact that they were whispering about his love life like he wasn’t right there
“Gilyoung—!”
The boy tilted his head innocently. “What?”
“Where did you—who said—when did I ever—?!”
“Your eyes do this weird sparkle thing around that scooty bastard.”
There was a beat.
Then Yoosung, nodding in agreement: “That is true.but I don't like him,he's scary,maybe we should find another man for ahjussi"
“what does that even mean?!”
[The constellation ‘Lily Blooming in Aquarius’ is unsure whether to support a romance or a moral crisis.]
Sooyoung burst out laughing.
“Oh my god,” she wheezed. “Outed by your own bug-raising son!”
"You didn’t deny it right away,” Jihye pointed out, a sparkle in her eyes as she looks between him and joonhyunk.
Yoo Sangah coughed delicately into her sleeve.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ in congratulations incarnation kim dokja for coming out.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ says to skip to action.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is now placing bets on “Yoo Joonghyuk route.”]
[The constellation ‘God of Wine and estacy’ is howling with laughter.]
[The constellation ‘The Secretive Plotter’ is watching Kim Dokja with interest
Dokja wasn’t sure whether to cry, scream, or start tunneling through the floor like a mole.
He hadn’t even gotten to the apocalypse part of the day yet, and his personal life had already been dissected by a twelve-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a cross-dimensional peanut gallery.
“Gilyoung-ah,” he whispered, weakly, “can you… maybe not… say things like that out loud?”
Gilyoung blinked back in confusion. “But it’s true?”
Sooyoung let out a high-pitched wheeze and slapped the back of her seat. “I knew I liked you, kid.”
Hyunsung gave him a sweet, sincere smile. “Don’t worry, Dokja-ssi. I support you.”
“…Thank you?” Dokja whispered, dead inside.
“Even if it’s Joonghyuk-ssi. Love is love.”
Joonghyuk’s expression did not change.
But the air temperature dropped by about three degrees.
.
Jung Heewon looked torn between laughter and secondhand grief. “You all do know that Joonghyuk’s right there, right?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eye twitched.
Just once.
It was slight.
But it was the emotional equivalent of a blade being unsheathed.
He did not turn.
He did not speak.
But the air around him dropped a few degrees in temperature.
Joonghyuk shifted. Finally.
Very slightly.
Just a tilt of the head in Dokja’s direction.
“You liked her?”
Dokja flinched. “I didn’t—Not like that—it wasn’t—That was a long time ago—I didn’t even talk to her—”
“You were narrating her shampoo.”
“That was one time—!”
Sooyoung held up an invisible mic. “Everyone give it up for Kim Dokja, the protagonist of his own unintentional romance subplot.”
Yoosung clapped twice.
Dokja deflated in his seat.
“¿Puede prestarme dinero?”
“Pardon?” Dokja blinked, momentarily jarred from his scrolling.
“It’s Spanish,” Sangah answered cheerfully, lifting the tone of the train. “It means ‘Please lend me some money.’”
Dokja gave her a slow, baffled look, as if she’d spoken in tongues.
‘Studying Spanish on the subway…? She's a different breed. Where would she even use that phrase?’
“Ah… you’re studying hard,” he offered, the social grace of a tired office worker on autopilot.
Then she leaned in.
Just a little.
Just enough to invade his space and peek over at his phone.
“What about you, Dokja? What are you reading?”
His soul left his body.
With the reflexes of a hunted man, he pulled his phone away so fast he practically shoved himself into the poor stranger on his right.
Heewon. “It’s still weird seeing that guy pretty.”
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is squinting at the screen.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is suppressing laughter.]
[The constellation ‘Lily Blooming in Aquarius’ is curious about the genre of the novel.]
“Oh, I’m…” Dokja struggled.
The screen clearly showed it: the black text box of a serialized webnovel. Apocalypse genre. Gray letters. Ways of Survival.
Sangah tilted her head. “Is it a novel?”
.
Don’t look. Don’t read it. Don’t realize what it is.
Please.
“Yeah,” he managed. “I guess you could say I’m studying Korean, haha…”
Sooyoung let out a scandalized cackle. “Oh my God. Your conversation skills were just as tragic back then too?”
“This man really has nothing going for him except his face,” Aslan muttered.
Dokja wanted once again wished to be anywhere but here.
At that, Sangah lit up with genuine enthusiasm. “Wow! I love novels! My favorite authors are Murakami Haruki, Raymond Carver, Han Kang, and…”
Dokja’s mind blanked out. He was in full panic mode now.
‘Of course she reads real literature,’ he thought bitterly. ‘I’m about to be socially executed.’
“Who’s your favorite author, Dokja?”
He smiled weakly. “You probably wouldn’t know even if I told you.”
‘ Because I can’t tell you what I’m actually reading.’
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is curious about Incarnation Kim Dokja’s reading preferences.]
My hobby is reading serialized webnovels on the subway on my way home from work. I’m not proud of it, but…
Today is different.
Today is the final chapter of “Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse,” a novel I’ve been reading for over ten years.
Sooyoung sat upright instantly. “Wait—hold on. You read the entire thing!?”
Everyone turned to her.
“You know what he’s reading?” Jihye asked, frowning.
Sooyoung waved them off, eyes glued to the screen. “Don’t worry about it—keep watching.”
Dokja’s pulse jumped.
Idiot.
People might wonder why I’m making such a fuss over the ending of a web novel…
But this story is different.
I’ve been reading this since I was in eighth grade.
The screen shifted.
A young boy in a too-big school uniform.
Curled in the dusty corner of a dark library.
Face bruised. Knees pulled to chest.
The only light in the room: the glow of his phone.
[The exclusive skill fourth wall is trembling dangerousky]
Silence fell in the theater.
Yoosung gripped Gilyoung’s hand.
Even Jihye went still.
“…You really loved that story,” he thinks someone said that,but he's too busy trying to not have a panic attack to notice really.
The fourth wall is really useless when needed isn't it?
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ has gasped.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is expressing deep concern for Incarnation Kim Dokja.]
[The constillation 'queen of the darkest spring' is expressing deep concern for incarnation kim dokja]
Dokja didn’t move.
He couldn’t.
He could feel every stare on him, every constellation’s gaze, every flicker of understanding blooming in the people who had fought beside him—and still didn’t know him.
He didn’t want them to see this part. Not the real part.
Not the ordinary, bruised, pathetic part.
[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is flickering violently.]
Sooyoung whispered, stunned, “It really… means something to you.”
He didn’t respond.
Because if he opened his mouth, he might actually
Yoo Joonghyuk was still. Silent.
But for once, he wasn’t glaring at the screen.
He was staring at Dokja.
And his gaze, for the first time, was unreadable.
Notes:
Hello guys,again back with my wonderful(trash) really it wasn't beated so I apologize on. MY behalf,yes;)
Anyways hope you enjoyed,please comment and join my discord server if you will
I was thinking of making this longer but then thought let's post this fast and split into two part so he's
Aslan is jang hayoung if you guys don't know,I wanted him to be there but as we know he isn't going tell his real name is he? Dokja perhaps knows who he is
The seriousness is thickneinghg
Also also,I am conflicted on whether to make sp a simp or a scary yandere obsessive, cuz like he's soft puppy love is cutest and all but....SP has such potential as a yandere and a unhinged man who toys with his prey like AGH,WHY DOES NO ONE SEE IT??? THE POTENTIAL?? THAY CHARACTER HAS he has more potential then yjh in that field,like can you imagine,him chasing kdj who tried to escape from him in timelines ,TIMELINES oh that's make a great fic wouldn't it?
Them playing cat and mouse and seeing where kdj is,who's kdja nd stuff hehehe,of
Guys vote
Simp SP or cat-mouse dynamic SPKDJ? A kdj who's genuinely terrified of SP or smn't,power imbalance
Chapter 3: Chapter 1(part-2)
Summary:
Hyung…” Lee Gilyoung’s voice cracked. He clutched the hem of Dokja’s shirt. “I’ll buy you books. All of them! I’ll write them myself if I have to!”
There was a fire in the boy’s eyes, fierce and trembling.
Dokja looked like he might fold into himself right there.
“Gilyoung-ah…” His throat caught. “That means a lot.”
Yoosung flailed beside him. “Me too! Me too pretty ahjussi! I’ll make a whole comic universe for you, like, like Marvel! Or—no—like Better than Marvel!”
[The exclusive skill fourth wall is subtly trembling]
Dokja swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Gilyoung-ah… Yoosung-ah… thank you.”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“…when I failed my entrance exams and ended up at a third-rate college…”
The screen flickered.
A new scene unfolded,quiet, almost mundane. A narrow university bench in a part of campus. The air was filled with the buzz of youthful laughter, students dashing between classes, couples pressed together in spring heat. The world was moving.
And then there was the boy,slouched, hunched like he was trying to fold himself out of view. Phone in hand. Eyes glued to the screen. A world in pixels held his focus with surgical precision.
Not one person passed him a glance.
But now, every pair of eyes in the theater was on him.
Awkward silence,once again,kill him please,he doesn't deserve this torment.
Han Sooyoung let out a bark of laughter loud enough to make Yoosung jump. “You failed your entrance exam? You?!”
Dokja groaned. “Can we skip this part?”
“No no no,” she waved dramatically, “I need to savor this. Look at you. You’ve got that tragic gifted kid aura, like someone who wrote philosophical poetry in high school forums.”
Dokja buried his face in his hands. “Why are you like this.”
Jung Heewon squinted at the screen. “You read all the time. How did you not get in?”
“Because it wasn’t a fantasy novel entrance exam, Heewon-ssi,” Dokja muttered through.
“Ah. Then, yeah, you're screwed.”
“Unnie,” Yoosung whispered urgently. “That’s so mean!”
Heewon shrugged. “What? I’m just being honest.”
Yoo Sangah, ever gentle, offered a balm. “Everyone walks different roads. University doesn’t define worth.”
Dokja tilted his head toward her, he could almost feel the radiant glow that was always on sangah brightening.
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is baffled by the absurdity of human merit systems.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is nodding with aged wisdom.]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is very unamused.]
“…when bad luck got me stationed on the front line during my military service…”
The screen shifted.
Dust, heat, and silence filled the frame. Fluorescent lights buzzed weakly in the barracks. The scene was claustrophobic—like the air had been vacuum-sealed in with the sweat and fear.
Kim Dokja—buzz cut sharp, face thinner, eyes too tired for his age—sat hunched over a yellowing computer terminal. His posture was rigid, like he didn’t know how to rest anymore. His hands hovered above the keyboard, trembling slightly.
On the monitor: a forum post.
Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse Chapter ---
He clicked.
A faint smile curved his lips. Small. Shy. Like someone saying a prayer without expecting an answer,something small and quiet, like it was meant for no one but the screen.
“…You were on the front line?” Han Sooyoung’s voice
“Of course he was,” Heewon muttered. “This guy’s luck is made of broken mirrors.”
Dokja winced. “Why is that the part you’re shocked about?”
“no offence buf..You look like you’d get medically discharged for anemia,” she shot back. “I’m just saying.”
Kim dokja's opened and closed like a fish
“I will have you all know I once carried 60 kilograms uphill during drills"
"Really...?" Sangah pressed.
"actually, wait, no. I think I faked a leg cramp halfway and got dragged back down by the sergeant. Never mind.”
Aslan, stretched like a cat, grinning. “Still checks out. You’re more brains than brawn, hyung,I bet your mental baggage weights more than you.”
Dokja is,to say the east, speechless
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is panicking at the idea of Kim Dokja in active combat.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is scoffing. ‘He would’ve crumpled like rice paper.’]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is reminiscing about his own war days.]
Dokja looks up,glaring at the sky while he can hear heewon-ssi and sooyung snikering away in the background.
"Traitors,all of you."
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is extremely still.]
.
He felt it crawl down his spine. A silence between words. A held moment before the world shifts.
he rubbed the back of his neck.
But he glanced toward the screen again, and the young soldier who smiled only at a world no one else could see.
His smile, though small, was genuine..
Yoo Joonghyuk, who had been silent the entire time,as expected, really; stoic silence was practically his brand, spoke at last, voice low and unimpressed.
“That man looked like a gust of wind could take him out.”
Dokja froze. Was that… disappointment?
Before he could spiral, Lee Gilyoung turned to glare at Joonghyuk with more venom than a cobra. Shin Yoosung narrowed her eyes like she was preparing to smite him.
Even Lee Jihye looked baffled. “Master isn’t wrong though.”
Dokja blinked at two little kids,having noticed their very intense staring“Wait—why are you both staring at him? What did he do?”
“He insulted you,” Gilyoung said, scandalized.
“He always insults me,” Dokja gestured wildly.
“That’s true,” Sooyoung mumbled around a lemon lollipop. Where she got it, nobody knew.
"That doesn't make it
better hyung!"
There was a pause.
“…and even now, as an unstable contract worker getting transferred from company to company…”
The lights dipped again. Click. Shift.
Dokja sat slouched in a creaking office chair, his back stiff from hours unmoving. On his monitor: half-finished spreadsheets. On his phone: the homepage of Ways of Survival. A blinking notification.
Chapter 3149 scheduled for release at 7 PM.
His thumb hovered. His eyes were glassy.
“Hyung…” Lee Gilyoung’s voice cracked. He clutched the hem of Dokja’s shirt. “I’ll buy you books. All of them! I’ll write them myself if I have to!”
There was a fire in the boy’s eyes, fierce and trembling.
Dokja looked like he might fold into himself right there.
“Gilyoung-ah…” His throat caught. “That means a lot.”
Yoosung flailed beside him. “Me too! Me too pretty ahjussi! I’ll make a whole comic universe for you, like, like Marvel! Or—no—like Better than Marvel!”
[The exclusive skill fourth wall is subtly trembling]
Dokja swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Gilyoung-ah… Yoosung-ah… thank you.”
Still, he leaned sideway ruffled their hair. “Thank you. Both of you.”
[The constellation ‘Who’s Fond of Children’ is smiling like a proud parent.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is sobbing into a tiny handkerchief.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is offering tissues to everyone in reach.]
[The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ is silently reflective.]
Back on the screen: office lunch hour. Groups gathered with bento boxes and jokes. Dokja stayed at his desk, untouched, smiling quietly at the glowing notification on his phone.
Chapter 3149. The Final Chapter.
‘A grand serial consisting of 3149 episodes. A ten-year-long epic journey that began in my late teens and ended in my adulthood.’
"I can't believe it went on so long with only... one view."
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is staring intently.]
Dokja’s entire body tensed,he himself isn't sure why.
The feeling was… wrong. Heavy. Like eyes on the back of his neck. Like a pressure sliding down his spine.
he's sure that it's his imagination.
“...You weren’t lying,” Sooyoung said. Her voice was uncharacteristically quiet. “The only reader, huh.”
‘The first chapter had 1200 views. By chapter 10, only 20. Then 12. And now…’
“…Just me.”
‘I wanted to support the author with a donation… but I could barely afford to make ends meet. So I left comments. I recommended it to everyone I knew, but they all laughed at me…’
“...That does explain why you’re so stingy,” Heewon muttered.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ wants to donate coins but cannot.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ wants to donate coins but cannot.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is audibly growling.]
[Many constellations are thrashing in protest. They wish to sponsor Kim Dokja.]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ wishes to donate all his coins.]
The room tilted.
Dokja’s hands clenched into fists. He looked at the man onscreen him, Who sat surrounded by people yet unnoticed. Who had only one light left in the world and it was fiction.
The camera panned out: lunch breaks. Laughter. The movement of normalcy.
Dokja, at his desk, eyes on the screen. Alone.
The glowing text shimmered:
Today is the day the epilogue of Ways of Survival will be uploaded.
Sooyoung sucked in a breath. “Wait… you hadn’t read it?”
“No,” Dokja whispered, eyes locked on the screen.
“It was the day the epilogue would be released.”
The others dare not question the reader and writer,dokja was glad for that. They probably had no idea what awaits them,what truth is going to be washed upon them and see just how.....different he is from what precieved him as.
“Dokja?” Sangah’s voice cuts through his thoughts, suddenly making him turn to stare at her.
“Oh, come to think of it, it’s already been a year since we started working at the company,” Dokja says all of a sudden, internally cursing that he got so into his thoughts that he forgot she was even there. He really needed to change the topic. “We started around this time last year. Time sure flies by, doesn’t it?”
Sangah laughs. “Yeah, we had no idea what we were getting into back then.”
“Yeah, it seems like it was only yesterday. I can’t believe our contracts are ending soon.”
sangahs smile faltered
“Oh, I…”
Right,sangah was promoted full time employee for her diligence.
"Who cares about jobs now anyways." Aslan.
"Jobs are stupid ahjussi." Gilyoung nodded along with Yoosung
Were they trying to cheer him up?
(Why?)
Panicking, Dokja brings up a hand to rub at the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Ah, that’s right. Sorry for the late congratulations. I guess I should have learned a foreign language too.”
“No, it’s fine, Dokja,” Sangah replies almost too quickly, “I haven’t completed my performance assessment yet, and…”
I don’t want to admit it, but Sangah is so cool. If we were characters in a novel, she would definitely be the heroine. It was obvious. I didn’t try, but Sangah gave it her all. I read web novels, while Sangah studied, so it was obvious that she would become a full-time employee and I wouldn’t.
There was a pause in the theater.
And then, bright red blooming slowly across her cheeks,Yoo Sangah turned to him, startled. “Ah… I never knew Dokja-ssi thought so… highly of me.”
He blinked. “Ah. Well. I—I didn’t mean it like— I mean, not in a weird way—”
He was already praying for the earth to swallow him whole. A crater. An earthquake. A sudden divine punishment from the heavens, or constillation even bereau would do right now.
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is silent.]
That wasn’t comforting. That silence had weight.
Lee Jihye leaned forward, brows furrowed in visible alarm,as she screeched with a high pitched voice “Ahjussi, are you cheating?!”
Dokja whipped around,“wha-what?! On who?! With what?!-"
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ raises her sword in outrage. She does not approve of this companionship!]
[Constillation of Eden are trying and failing to calm constillation"demon like judge of fire']
[The constellation ‘Who Likes Harems’ is furiously scribbling notes.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is hesitant about the route involving Yoo Joonghyuk.]
At that, the kids immediately devolved into a miniature war.
“She’s better than the sooty bastard.”
“But can she fight monsters while holding a frying pan?!”
“At least she won’t yeet him off a bridge—!”
“…HE THREW AHJUSSI OFF A BRIDGE?!”
Kim Dokja barely had time to react before the air shifted beside him.
He didn’t even need to look. He felt it.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s presence grew heavier, denser. Like gravity decided to localize itself entirely in one man’s shoulder. He didn’t speak, but his silence had spikes.
Dokja dared to glance over and saw it Joonghyuk’s shoulders, tense. His jaw, tight. That particular look in his eyes that usually preceded someone getting roundhouse-kicked through a concrete wall.
And the scary part?
He wasn’t even denying it.
“Yoo Joonghyuk..…” Dokja said slowly, trying to test the water,only to be viciously glared at
Han Sooyoung, naturally, was having the time of her life. “You’re a real player, Kim Dokja,” she said, popping the lollipop out of her mouth with a snap. “Spinning all these routes. Should I start calling you ‘main character-nim’ now?”
“I am literally begging you all to shut up,” Dokja hissed,because apparently he's the only one who here who appreciates joonghyunks self restraint to not kill anyone He looked to Heewon.
But Jung Heewon looked deep in thought. “Actually, it is kind of impressive. You’ve got the brooding CEO, the cool secretary, the childrens..."
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is conflicted on whether to feel pleased or irritated.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is offended no one has considered him a romantic rival.]
[Constillation 'demon like judge of fire' glares at constillation abyssal black flame dragon']
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ demands the protagonist route be purified.]
[The constellation ‘Who Likes Harems’ is intrested where this is going.]
Dokja buried his face in his hands again.
Above him, constellation chaos reigned. Inside him, dread bloomed. Beside him, Yoo Joonghyuk remained murderously silent.
Suddenly, she speaks up again. “Um, Dokja?”
“Yes?”
“If you want… I could… tell you the name of the app I use…”
"Honesty? This is just pitiful" han sooyung yet with no sympathy what so ever.
If I were in a different genre… if the genre of my life wasn’t non-fiction, but fantasy…
The camera turned.
A boy stood across the train aisle.
Bug net. Grasshopper,eyes soleum
... could I have been the protagonist?
That's me! That's me! Hyung, look—it’s me!"
Lee Gilyoung practically bounced in his seat, pointing excitedly at the boy onscreen. Small frame, bug net clutched tight, a cage full of grasshoppers held like treasure. His expression was solemn, serious.
“Yea, yea,” Shin Yoosung muttered beside him, arms crossed.
Gilyoung whipped toward her, eyes narrowed. “You’re just jealous. I was there from the beginning. You didn’t even show up until way later!”
Yoosung stiffened.
Just for a second. Barely enough to notice. Her arms folded a little tighter, chin ducked down just a bit. A flicker of something in her eyes,hurt, maybe. Insecurity.
But Dokja saw it.
He always did.
Before the silence could stretch, he reached out without thinking and gently placed a hand on her head. Not too heavy. Just enough to be warm.
Yoosung blinked. Then leaned into the touch like a flower into sunlight.
[The constellation ‘Who’s Fond of Children’ is smiling softly.]
Just for the show. For the constellations. Nothing more.
The train rattles as it surges forward and
“Dokja?”
“It’s okay, Sangah.” he reassures the other.
I don’t know. If one thing was certain…
Resigned, Dokja thought. “It wouldn’t matter if you told me the name of the app.”
it’s that the genre of my life is non-fiction. And in this genre, I’m no protagonist. I’m merely a “reader”.
“Quite the wordplay you’ve got there,” Han Sooyoung said.
Dokja groaned. “Please.”
“You say that like it’s not true,” Jung Heewon chimed in, tilting her head. “But you do that a lot, you know. Keep reducing yourself to Just a reader, huh?”
He didn’t answer.
“I have to live my own life,” he declares, causing Sangah to stare at him for a moment.
Your own life…” she echoed in thought.
Then something shifted. Her posture straightened. Her eyes sparkled. And with a soft gasp of revelation, she beamed.
“You’re so inspiring, Dokja.”
Confused, he glanced back
“Sorry?”
Sangah clenches her fists and declares: “I should also live my own life!”
Dokja seemed so lost it was almost funny.
“Like you, I’ll strive to live my life to the fullest!”
“Hyung,” Lee Gilyoung muttered. “Did you accidentally start a slice-of-life subplot?”
Han Sooyoung burst into laughter. “Dokja, your life really is a dating sim.”
Sangah ssi just.looked on embarrished
Gosh what was wrong with herself!
Dokja dragged his hands down his face. “You people are insufferable.”
Yoo Joonghyuk who’d been quiet this whole time crossed his arms and muttered, “This is nonsense.”
“Hmm?” Sooyoung perked up. “Why? Are you jealous?” she grins.
The air dropped ten degrees.
The strange glint was in jihyees eyes again.
Joonghyuk’s eyes narrowed like a blade unsheathing.
Dokja coughed violently.
[ The constellation ‘Who Likes Harems’ has begun live commentary.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ disapproves strongly of the harem route.]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is radiating silent, ambient hostility.]
The quiet buzz of the train was interrupted by the soft ding of a notification.
Dokja blinked down at his phone.
I had no idea back then…
A new message had appeared on the screen. The sender ID:
TLS123.
His thumb hovered. Brain paused.
Then, like a puzzle piece snapping into place—
Wait… isn’t that the author of TWSA?
The message was short.
- Thank you.
Dokja stares at it before the identity of the message’s sender clicks in his brain. ‘Huh? Is this the author of TWSA?’
- Are you the author of TWSA?
The reply came immediately.
- Thanks to you, I was able to finish my story. I also won a prize in a contest.
‘What? TWSA was in a contest?’
... what would happen to me next.
[Many constillation are excited for the start of the scenarios]
- Congratulations! But what kind of contest?
- It’s not a big contest, so you wouldn’t have heard of it.
- Oh, and the series will become paid content soon.
- Starting with the epilogue today, TWSA will become paid content.
- As a token of my gratitude, I would like to send you a special present. Could you tell me your email address?
What was about to happen to this world.
- A present?
Han sooyoung narrowed her eyes.
- After all, I was able to publish my story thanks to you.
‘Wow, TWSA won a contest?’ Dokja thinks,. ‘A present? Is it a gift card? It would be great if it’s a $50 gift card.’
“A present?” jihyee muttered aloud.
“That’s your first thought?” Heewon asked flatly.
“You’re really broke, huh,” Sooyoung said, scrutinizing him as if he was pathetic.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is now attempting to sponsor Dokja 50,000 won in coins.]
[The constellation ‘Who’s Fond of Children’ wants to buy Kim Dokja ten lunches.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’: “This is embarrassing.”]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ continues to observe without comment.]
“I was a contract worker!”
Suddenly, a notification pops up on his phone.
[You have one new message.]
‘I-it came! The present!’ Surprised and excited, Dokja opens the message immediately.
Subject: Thank you for everything
Sender: tls123 <[email protected]>
Mr. Kim Dokja,
Starting at 7 pm today, TWSA will become paid content. This will help you. I wish you all the best.
He stops reading to think. ‘Starting at 7 pm? It’s 6:55 right now, so that means I have five minutes left. I’ll go into my favourites and… huh?’
TWSA was gone. 'Is it normal for series to be removed without any warning as soon as they become paid content?' suddenly the lights in the train cabin suddenly go out
Sangah along with hyunsung stiffened,this was where it started afterall.
Sangah looks up, confused and wondering what could be going on, when suddenly the train screeches to a halt, throwing everyone around. Confused shouts fill the air as people wonder what’s happening and if there’s been some kind of terrorist attack.
Sangah clutches to Dokja’s sleeve as they look around the train cabin apprehensively.
“Sangah, are you okay?” anxiety leaked in his voice
. “Y-yes. What do you think is happening?” confusion and wariness clear in her tone
“Don’t worry,” Dokja replies with somewhat faked confidence, “it’s probably nothing—”
The clock ticks over from 6:59 to 7:00.
Someone winced.
It was by sheer coincidence that I checked the time at that exact moment.
‘It’s 7 pm, so the paid content…’
"Your still thinking about that?" Heewonssi, he doesn't blame her maybe she's trying to.deflect the trauma infront,change the topic.
"What's the novel even about ahjussi?" Jihye
"It's about...well....you'll find out soon enough."
Han sooyoung passed a concern glace at kim.dokja tho he missed it
[Exclusive skill fourth wall is shaking.]
The others narrow their eyes
Suddenly, a loud announcement over the loudspeaker cuts through the tense atmosphere.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. P-please, evacuate… evacuate..!”
Now a bit more freaked out, Sangah looks around the train cabin nervously. “Dokja, what’s going on?”
As Dokja glances towards the front of their cabin and stands to evacuate with his coworker, red sparks flash in the air, menacing and bright. He shades his eyes with one hand and squints in their direction as a loud message crackles to life, seemingly being broadcast both into the air and directly into their heads.
“The free service of the 1612th planetary system has come to an end. The main scenario will begin now.”
It was at that moment that the genre of my life changed.
Notes:
-This was VERY much rushed don't blame me please,but the comment were so nice in the previous chapter that I just coudpmt wait any longer😭 I am sorry the next will be better
-Also is it just me but I have so much trouble writing hyunsungs character-whats his personality again? Dow she breaks of fights? I am very confused
-Also yusungg is team joondok and gilyoung is team sangdok when I started this fic I had absolutely no idea that that'd happen,but oh well,yusung difiniately gonna change her choice after she gets to know the bridge scene
-Secretive plotter is acting way to omnious ey? Thoughts thoughts.
-MY fav character to write is honestly hsy,she's gotta be the best and most entertaining character,
-The scenario gonna start from next chapterrrr
-Jihye is very concerned that her master's partner is cheating on him,bear with her she's experiencing very much distress
Thank you for your love and support please comment tell if there is mistake or any things you'd like to specifically see next!!
See you next timee pookies~~
Chapter Text
Everyone held their breath.
No sound remained but the noise coming of the screen.
No whispers. No banter. Not even Han Sooyoung.
Because everyone knew.
They knew what this scene was. What it meant.
Where it was going.
What truth lay just a frame away.
Kim Dokja felt a tiny hand clutch the fabric of his sleeve.
He didn’t look down.
If he looked down,
it might make it real.
But the pressure,Lee Gilyoung's fingers was grounding in a way that hurt more than it soothed.
He ignored it.
For the boy’s sake.
Or maybe…
maybe for his own.
Because if he acknowledged it.
if he comforted the child, it meant he saw what was coming too.
He isn't sure he can handle that.
[✶ Many constellations are excited for the start of the scenarios.]
A dozen system messages flooded the air like electric sparks.
Jung Heewon’s grimace, Hyunsung’s jaw tightening, Sangah’s parted lips.
Dokja’s hand curled into a fist in his lap.
A tremor ran through his knuckles.
I’ll destroy it.
The Star Stream.
The constellations.
The system.
The theater.
No matter what, I’ll destroy every single one of you.
And the subway came to a halt.
The interior lights died.
The carriage was plunged into a suffocating quiet dark.
Someone on screenexclaimed, “It’s a dokkaebi!”
Such a simple, ridiculous sentence.
No one on that train knew.
But here in this theater, everyone did.
The air was tight with it.
His breath stuck.
'that sentence came randomly in my mind'
'no way,subways stop all the time'
His own voice his inner monologue was betraying him to the room.
The opening lines…
Of that familiar story.
That terrible, precious, beloved, cursed story.
TWSA.
Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse.
A story only he had read to the end.
Until now.
"Huh?"
A quiet sound from someone behind him startled confusion, probably jihyee or Heewon but Dokja couldn’t turn around.
He felt exposed. Skinned. Pinned to the seat like a butterfly on display.
They were watching.
He was watching.
Yoo Joonghyuk.
A man who was never supposed to know.
Now would they all realize?
That Kim Dokja wasn’t some clever prophet.
Not some cool-headed tactician.
He was just a reader.
A nobody who read too much.
A parasite riding someone else’s story.
Maybe… maybe Yoo Joonghyuk would finally have a reason to kill him now.
Wouldn’t that be a relief?
“...A dokkaebi?” Sangah’s voice sounded from the screen, timid and uncertain.
It really shows how much she's changed now.
Dokja turned to look at her past self.
And the present one, who sat beside him now, also turned to him.
She flashed him a smile.
“Sorry?” his own voice answered, weakly.
Realistically speaking, there was no way this could be true. It was completely impossible, but…
'Two small horns.
A downy creature wearing a straw garment was floating midair.
It was too peculiar to be called a fairy, too malicious to be called an angel, and too innocent looking to be called a devil. So we called it a “dokkaebi.”'
It floated into view.
And with it, fiction and reality collided.
The murmur of confusion on screen was almost identical to the present.
Gasps from passengers mirrored the slight intake of breath in the theater.
On both sides, people were watching something they shouldn’t be able to believe.
“reality and fiction collided.....?”
[Exclusive skill forth wal is shaking]
He hadn’t realized he was breathing too fast.
Han Sooyoung was staring at him.
They both already it was coming yet she was still asking in way of he's gonna reveal it now.
Dokja couldn't answer.
He tried to smile, but it felt like more twitch of his lips.
“You'll find out soon enough,” he finally mumbled out.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes, sharp as a drawn blade, narrowed a fraction. His silence spoke more than words ever could a quiet threat, a question he would revisit later, with interest.
But for now, he let it go.
“So, Dokja-ssi,” sangha-ssi voice cut through the rising tension, “I’ve been meaning to ask you this. Are you a prophet or not?”
That question...
"Well… I have...intell on the future?” Dokja forced a smile, brittle and strained at the corners. It looked wrong on his face, as if his muscles were rebelling against the gesture.
He wasn't sure why he was still trying to stall,delay it,it was inivitable yet....yet...,
Whoever set this scenario up probably hates me, definitely
Jung Heewon’s gaze softened despite herself. She’d never admit it aloud, but watching someone like Kim Dokja someone who never opened up,(it was quite visible too,the man was a mystery itself, sometimes it almost felt as if......as if a wall was between them one which couldn't be crossed,no matter what, ) be exposed like this? It felt wrong. Like peeling back skin to see the raw, bleeding thoughts underneath.
But sometime you need to rip the bandaid off to treat it and see if it's healed or not, sometimes you need to open the cloth you tied on your wound when you found nothing else to stop the bleeding, because the cloth has long since been soaked in blood and maybe...it's doing more harm than good
She just hoped this wasn’t breaking him apart piece by piece.
"Well....it'll be revealed soon anyways won't it?" Dokja tried to smile,it came out strained and wrong.
The dokkaebi, meanwhile, hovered midair, trying to speak but every word came out garbled and twisted, a warped mess of static and broken syllables. Confusion rippled through the cramped train cabin like a stone dropped in still water.
No one knew what was going on. No one except me. It was the dokkaebi that appeared in the opening paragraph of TWSA. This creature heralded the tragedy that carried on for thousands of chapters throughout “Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse.”
Lee Jihye hummed beside me, eyes bright with intrigue but not nearly enough understanding. Not yet.
Now it was infront of me,floating in the air,having that amused smile on his face like all this was mere entertainment to him.
Maybe it was.
Before the tension could thicken further, Yoo Sangah’s calm, reasonable voice cut through.
. “I think it’s speaking Spanish. Should I try talking to it?”
“You don’t even know what that thing is,”I hissed under my breath, trying and failing to keep the panic out of my voice. “Are you going to ask it to lend you money?”
“W-well, no, but…”
Han Sooyoung snorted from behind me, arms folded and mouth tilted in that usual infuriating smirk. “Let her try. Maybe the dokkaebi needs help setting up a bank account.
[Testing, testing. Can everyone hear me? Gosh, the language patch was malfunctioning for a bit. Can everyone hear me now?] The dokkaebi calls, only to be cut off by passengers who just want the train to get moving again.
Passengers around the train groaned, irritated, some shouting for the train to move already, as if this entire situation was just another public transit delay.
But I knew better.
I am certain. I know exactly how this story goes.
No one in the room spoke,ancipition shining in their eyes,no matter how much they deny it dokja was someone who never opened up and so his thoughts being shown even without the persons consent they wished to see.
His thoughts were out in the open now, whether he wanted them to be or not.
And deep down, even they wanted to know.
Who was Kim Dokja, really?
But I couldn’t focus on that.
I couldn’t afford to.
Not when it felt so similar to-
[Several constillation are curious what you mean]
[Constillation 'prisoner of the golden headband is scratching his head in confusion']
Messaged flooded in as his thoughts exposed him.
Dokja's mind went back to the days of his childhood,
Cameras shoved in my face as a child. Microphones demanding answers to questions I never wanted to hear.
I knew this feeling.
Being observed.
Stripped bare.
Prodded for entertainment
,asking ridiculous question just for the sake of it,just to get a reaction just to-
[The fourth wall is activating strongly]
[Several constillation are looking on with mirth in their eyes at the starting of the first scenario]
a passenger,some brave, foolish man,stepped forward, demanding the dokkaebi explain itself. The dokkaebi barely even blinked before the man’s head exploded like a ruptured fruit, spraying crimson across the metal floor.
Screams erupted.
Blood painted the ground in sickening strokes.
The metallic tang flooded my senses.
[We’re not filming a movie. This isn’t a dream, or a novel, and it certainly isn’t the reality that you are all familiar with! Do you understand!?]
The dokkaebi’s voice rang out, chipper and cruel, as bodies hit the floor one after another. It swatted humans aside like bothersome flies, painting the cabin in shades of red and terror.
No one spoke.
Everyone had a some level of solemn expression on their faces as ..this was the moment their life became hell ll,perhaps not the same place but the same scenario.
My thought continued on.
I hated to admit it, but this was real. My doubt and disbelief slowly faded away as I watched the floor quickly become painted in blood.
The sight was not a pretty one okay,different people,and many things have happened since then get he can still see the flinch of people,how hyunsung-ssi flinched and averted his gaze along with jung heewon.
Jihyee,was looking on,dazely perhaps her own first scenario was coming to her? Ah that's going to be........
[All of you have had quite a cushy life until now, haven’t you?] The dokkaebi cackles. [You were able to breathe, eat, excrete, and reproduce without paying the costs! Ha! You’ve all been enjoying privileged lives! But it’s all over now. Nothing is free in life, isn’t that right?]
Everyone in the cabin is terrified, but a middle-aged man steps forward and offers the dokkaebi some money. Dokja and Sangah recognize him as Han Myungoh, the manager of the finance team at their workplace. The dokkaebi, however, is unimpressed despite how much money he offers. Without wasting a beat, the stack of won is burned to ashes.
[Ha, there’s no time for chitchat. Your debt is piling up as we speak,] the dokkaebi sighs. [I won’t bother explaining it to you. It will be faster for you to try and earn the money yourselves.]
The dokkaebi’s horns grow, and an announcement pops up declaring that Channel #BI-7623 has opened and that the constellations are now making an entrance. System windows appear in front of everyone in the train that proclaim that the main scenario has arrived.
They're going to know soon...
......It doesn't matter either way.
The ending he wish for...it doesn't effect it so..
[Prove your value]
'kill one or more organism'
Category: main
Difficulty:F
Reward: 300 coins
Penalty: death
The dokkaebi cackles and wishes everyone good luck before grinning darkly.
[I expect to see an interesting story.]
With that, the dokkaebi vanishes, leaving all the passengers to their despair.
Notes:
I am so sorry this is so not intrrsting-BUT WHAT DO I DO-WHAT SHALL I EVEN ADD-at least the kdj angst and termoil was there soooo
I really want to explore his character especially his vulnerable side
(Spoiler alert)
As kdj is just a little kid,or well to me,who loathes himself and will do anything for his loved ones who does think he deserves love or to love,this is who kdj is,without the fourth wall,he fakes it,his whole fockyness,his confidence,it's all fake and-Okay I'll make one one shot on his fourthwal going down
Also sorry for the ge chapter I had this prompt! Another fic
https://archiveofourown.info/works/66995020
Read it if you will,if you like possessive and u hined yjh,pretty dokja
Canon Divergent
Of kdj getting captured by the tyrant kingggAnyways am gonna post the next one much sooner I was thinking was adding or merging the next one with this but....
Anyways thank you so much for the comments and loveee,I read every single one and reply to every one!<3 keep showing supper it really keeps me goinggg!!
Chapter 5: Chapter 3
Summary:
So....hyung’s like…” Gilyoung turned to Dokja, eyes wide and glimmering like he’d found a hidden boss character. “…He knows everything.”
Dokja opened his mouth to say no I don’t, but nothing came out. The words got caught in his throat.
He wasn't supposed to be admired. Not by them.
Not by anyone.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"the police aren't picking up! What do we do" sangahs distressed face could be visible as she tried to call the any kind of helpline only to fail.
"Sangah calm down."
Dokja himself was nervous,along with sangah,to calm her down he compairs the situation to a game,saying how every game has rules they just need to follow them.
“Rules?” Sangah whispered shakily beside him. Her hands clutched her blouse like she was trying to keep her heart from falling out. “What are you-?”
Kim Dokja forced his voice to steady. “We just need to follow them.”
'A dokkaebi with antennae. A litter of dead bodies in the subway cabin. Trembling office workers covered in blood. An old lady praying fervently in her seat. I still couldn’t believe this was really happening, but I couldn’t deny it any longer. No… I have no choice but to admit it now.'
"What do you-..." Jang hayoung.
[exclusive skill fourth wall is shaking]
'I don’t know why, but it was clear that TWSA, which I’ve been reading for over ten years, was coming to life right before my eyes.'
Dokja squeezed his eyes shut, like that would stop the screen from glowing. Like it would stop the weight pressing down on his chest.
But he could still hear it.
"Huh? Ahjussi what does that mean...the...novel...?" Jihyee turned to him.
Han Sooyoung, of course, didn’t flinch. She just sucked on her lollipop louder, the corner of her mouth curling. She already knew.
[Several constellations are demanding clarification.]
Hyunsung frowned, his voice hesitant. “Dokja-ssi… was this webnovel—was it a guide to all this? To what’s happening now?”
Even Jonghyuk’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t say anything yet. But the way his fingers twitched toward his sword was a promise in itself.
[Several constillation are questioning if this is fair]
"Three ways to survive in a apocalypse, the names pretty clear,a guide book of sort? But you could've told us from the starter about that dokja ssi." Jung Heewon crossed her arms.
Dokja swallowed hard.
It doesn't matter,it doesn't matter,I won't matter anyways,just say it just say it,just say it-
[Exclusive skill fourth wall is getting thiner]
"Yes."
“That’s kinda unfair,” Jang Hayoung muttered, eyes squinting in offense. “I call rigged.”
“Yeah!” Jihye pouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. “Ugly ahjussi got a head start while we’re dying out here! That’s cheating!,he's got a free beginners manual!”
(“Ahjussi is not ugly, noona!” sooyoung shouted in protest)
Dokja looked down at the two kids staring up at him—not with suspicion. Not with fear.
But with…
Admiration.
A terrifying, blinding kind of admiration that made his stomach twist.
"So....hyung’s like…” Gilyoung turned to Dokja, eyes wide and glimmering like he’d found a hidden boss character. “…He knows everything.”
Dokja opened his mouth to say no I don’t, but nothing came out. The words got caught in his throat.
He wasn't supposed to be admired. Not by them.
Not by anyone.
It was like they were now absolutely sure that he was some god of sort.
Dokja quickly looked back on screen.
A tall, strong-looking man was trying to take control of the situation,saying words of reassurance drawing the attention of everyone in the subway cabin. He reminds everyone that they need to stay calm, and that it’s easy to end up with heavy casualties in a national emergency situation like this.
"Hey! It's hyunsung-ssi!" Heewon pointed her finger, eyes lit up
[Constillation 'steel master is looking at his incarnation with a emotion akin to pride]
"Reliable as always.*
Hyunsung’s ears turned red as everyone turned to look at him
Hyunsung-ssi's sponser really was someone worthy.
But not everyone on screen was reassured. A few passengers questioned the man’s authority.
In response, Hyunsung lifted a badge. “I’m a lieutenant currently serving in unit 6502 of the Ministry of Defense. I’ve just received a message from my unit.”
As he states of this situation being serious the people atrted to panic again,crowding him and asking for answers.
It only made the chaos worse. People swarmed him with questions.
However everything became a blue again as the dokja's eyes locked on hyunsung-ssi and his thoughts were heard.
It doesn't matter it was bound to be found out right?
[Exclusive skill fourth wall is getting thinner]
It was.....
'Lieutenant Lee Hyunsung… I know him,’
[Constillation 'steel master' is looking on with intrest]
Kim Dokja sat very, very still. His hands were clenched into fists on his lap, knuckles bone-white. A slight tremor ran through him—barely visible, but it was there.
Gilyoung gently tugged at his sleeve, yusung copying the gesture. “Hyung…”
He didn’t respond.
The screen continued on.
I’ve never seen him in person, but I knew him by name.
In real-time, Hyunsung slowly turned to look at him. “Dokja-ssi…?”
His voice was tentative. Gentle. Confused.
He had no idea he was staring at someone who knew how his story ended.
He was one of the supporting characters in TWSA
...
“Hyung?” Gilyoung tugged on his sleeve again.
‘It’s hard to believe a character from TWSA has actually appeared,’ Dokja thinks to himself, musing on how the man really does talk and act the same as he did in the novel, but…
Dokja pauses to think, glancing over at Hyunsung.
... was this how Lee Hyunsung was introduced in the original story?
Pin drop silence.
“Huh…” Jihye’s voice broke the silence. Then louder: “Huh? Huh? HUH?!”
She was looking back and forth between the screen and him with increasing alarm, eyes wide as saucers.
Hyunsung’s own mouth had fallen open slightly. Not in outrage-but in stunned realization-shock?
jang hayoung stared at kim dokja with various degree of confusion and disbilieve,along with heewonssi, while sangahssi was staring at him...suprise yes but....
Han Sooyoung exhaled slowly, unwrapping her lollipop with dramatic boredom. “About damn time. Thought I was surrounded by protagonists, not NPCs.”
("What.")
Heewon stared at him with wide eyes. “You mean you recognized him? From a book? Seriously?”
Jang Hayoung raised a hand, baffled. “Wait—how much do you know? Are there cheat codes?"
..
The air shifted.
It wasn’t just curiosity anymore. It was pressure.
A burning glare,killing intent could be felt,his head wiped to the side to look at joonhyunk,
(His eyebrow twitched which meant he was caught off guard.)
Explain,” Yoo Joonghyuk said coldly. “Kim Dokja.”
His voice was like a blade unsheathed in a silent room.
low. Dangerous. Full of something old and burning.
[Exclusive skill 'fourth wall' is trembling violently]
[Constillation secretive plotter is taken aback]
[Constillation secretive plotter is looking at incarnation kim dokja]
[Constillation prisoner of the golden headband' is scratching his head in confusion']
[Constillation 'steel master's is staring at incarnation kim dokja]
Jihye moved up from her seat,no one stopping her being ton stunned they were, to stand beside him, confusion flickering across her face like a storm. “Ahjussi?”
Dokja couldn’t answer.
He couldn’t speak.
He couldn’t even look at them.
I was just the reader.
I’m not supposed to be here.
I don’t belong here.
A breath hitched in his throat.
[Exclusive skill 'fourth wall-']
Then another.
Too shallow. Too fast.
Dokja didn’t move.
He couldn’t.
His chest tightened, lungs straining like they were being squeezed in a vice. He hunched forward slightly in the seat-—arms locked around himself, like he could hold the pressure inside.
But it was too much
It felt like every pair of eyes in the room was made of glass and steel,watching, analyzing, expecting.
[Exclusive skill forth wall is experiencing severe damage]
His vision swam.
He doubled forward, fingers gripping his sleeves like lifelines, trying to dig in, stay here, stay present—
But everything was too loud.
(No one was speaking)
Too bright.
(The only light there was of the screen)
Too much.
...
“Hyung…?” Gilyoung’s voice was soft.
But it sounded far away.
..
"Ahjussi...?"
...
Dokja’s heartbeat thundered in his ears like it was trying to escape his chest. His vision narrowed—white at the edges, then gray.
I didn’t mean to—
..
.
He couldn’t breathe.
His hands were shaking—no, trembling—no, clawing into the fabric of his own sleeves, digging crescent marks into his arms like they were handles he could hold on to.
“Dokja-ssi?” Hyunsung sounded alarmed now.
Too late.
Heewongot up from her seat. “Hey, are you—?”
“No, no, no—”
He hadn’t realized he was saying it out loud.
“Don’t look at me—don’t—just—don’t.”
Dokja flinched violently, as though he’d been struck.
“I didn’t—I didn’t mean—” he gasped, voice cracking.
Ahjussi?” Jihye’s voice rose, scared. She dropped to her knees beside his seat. “Ahjussi, are you—what’s wrong with him?!” she looked around panc filled eyes searching for answer,for someone to just tell her whats-
[Exclusive skill fourth wall is severely damaged]
He couldn’t focus. The light from the screen was too bright. The sound was too sharp. His body was too loud.
[Exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is collapsing.]
..
[Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ has risen.]
[Constillation 'secretive plotter' demands for this scenario to be out to an end]
[Constillation demonic judge of fire' is looking on with distress]
[Constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ has gone silent.]
[Constillation 'nighy of the darkest spring' is demanding for this scenario to end]
Han Sooyoung’s lollipop clacked against the floor.she didn't move to pick it up She stood frozen, her mouth slightly parted. No more smirks. No biting remarks. Just…
“…Shit.”
Hyunsung took an unconscious step forward,getting yp but stopped himself. “He’s—he’s hyperventilating—”
“I told you not to press him like that,” Heewon growled, looking sideways at Yoo Joonghyuk
But Joonghyuk was still staring.
Not with fury now.
But something far, far colder.
Because this was something he didn’t understand.
Kim Dokja—who always had the answers, who always seemed calm, detached, above it all.
was breaking.
Right in front of them.
(He didn't know what to do)
They’re all going to hate me.
They should.
I deserve it.
They were never supposed to know.
..
"Step aside" in the mist of panic the other seemed to forget about the presence.
"Quiet.I am a docter,he's having a panic attack, more noises,panic and stimulation is only gonna worsen it."
Everyone looked at her in disbilive.
(Except yoo joonghyuk,a strange emotion passed over his eyes)
The women-lee seolwha,gently held the wrist of kim dokja,not prying just grounding.
“Dokja-ssi. Dokja-ssi, you’re safe. Breathe. Listen to my voice.”
The mumbling of kim dokja which was to low to be heard was heard by her.
Her brows furrowed.
He was whispering something—barely audible.
“I am Yoo Joonghyuk, I am Yoo Joonghyuk, I am Yoo Joonghyuk—”
His body went limp.
Lee Seolhwa caught him just in time, easing him down against the seat.
"What did you-!"Heewon started to rise in alarm.
"He's just gone unconscious due to lack of oxygen,result of his hyperventilation,he should regain consciousnesa soon enough."
Jihye's lips pursed.
"Will he be....alright...?"
It was a scary sight,it definitely made for a scary sight.a terrifying one as in not getting scared by a ghost but watching somthing-someone unreachable finally crumbling.
And the worst was that they did not know how to help.
Jung heewon hand clenched and uncleched her hands by her side
"Heewonssi...." hyunsung
"This is bullshit,when is this scenario ending!?" Han sooyoung said,staring annoyedly at the sky,yet her nervousness could be felt.
[Several constillations are demanding for the ending of the scenario]
“You knew,” Sangah said suddenly, her voice steady as she turned to Han Sooyoung. “Didn’t you?”
..
The screen had also froze mid-frame.
Silence.
Yoo Joonghyuk stood.
“Joonghyuk-ssi—wait—!” Hyunsung began, alarm rising.
But Joonghyuk turned—not toward Dokja, but toward the wall.
With a roar, he raised his sword and slashed.
The blade hit the scenario wall—and bounced. Powerless. The sword clattered to the ground beside him, useless.
He stared at the wall like it had personally wronged him.
Like the world had.
And in some way—it had.
...
.
“Agh—what are you—?!” Yoo Sangah shot to her feet, grabbing the front of Han Sooyoung’s jacket and yanking her half off balance.
“What do you know?” she hissed. “What happened to Dokja-ssi? You know something.”
Everyone else froze.
No one stepped in.
Not even Yoo Joonghyuk.
Han Sooyoung raised an unimpressed eyebrow, completely unfazed despite being manhandled. “Tch. Fine. I know. So what?” Her voice was flat, almost bored. “Why should I tell any of you?”
“you-” Sangah began, until—
“Han Sooyoung.”
The growl came from Joonghyuk.
That name sounded like a warning.
Han Sooyoung’s expression twisted in irritation. She reached up, peeled Sangah’s hand off her collar with two fingers like it was something unpleasant, and flicked her nails against the fabric as if cleaning off dirt. “Touchy.”
Then she looked up. Her eyes glinted, sharp with something old and bitter.
“This is a novel,” she said clearly.
The words landed like a thunderclap.
“All of this. Everything. You people—well, not all of you.” She turned and gestured vaguely at Sangah with her lollipop (did it drop?) like it was a cigarette. “No idea who you are. Honestly, most of you here? Total nobodies. NPC tier.”
The room was quiet. Tense.
“But this?” she gestured around. “This is a novel. He read it.”
Only he read it.
Only kim dokja read it.
Silence.
So loud it rang.
“…The TWSA?” Jung Heewon said softly, eyes wide. Her voice was uncertain, but the name felt familiar. She’d seen it flash on the screen more than once—Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse.
“Yup. That trashy, impossibly long thing,” Sooyoung said, popping her lollipop back in her mouth. “Apparently his emotional support or comfort story or whatever. I don’t know. All I know is, somehow, the thing’s come to life.”
..
.
Hyunsung slowly nodded, brow furrowed. “…That explains…many things.”
[Many constellations are alarmed.]
[Many constellations are attempting to contact the Bureau.]
[Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is watching silently.]
[Constella—]
A crackle through the air. A tension too thick to breathe.
Jang Hayoung blinked slowly,exhaling shakily, eyes flicking to the screen, then the unconscious man curled beside it.
“…You’re telling me,” he said at last, “that we’re characters. In a book.”
Sooyoung didn’t even flinch. “Yup.”
“A book he read,” Heewon echoed faintly, voice nearly lost in the room.
“Only he read,” Sooyoung added, jerking her thumb toward the screen. “Like he’s been saying over and over. You just weren’t listening.”
A long pause.
[Several constillation are doubting their ears]
[Several constillation wishes for intervention of the scenario]
[Constillation secretive plotter is curious about the novel]
Yoo Joonghyuk stood motionless, his hand hovering just over his scabbard. He hadn’t drawn his sword.(Which he picked up in between)
But his eyes never left Kim Dokja.
Like if he blinked, the man might vanish.
And how do you know that? Ajumma?!” Lee Jihye snapped suddenly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “If he’s the only reader—then how do you know?!”
Sooyoung didn’t even blink.
“Because I read it too.”
The silence deepened.
Jihye’s eyes widened. “You—what?”
Sooyoung shrugged, suddenly cagey, eyes flicking off to the side. “Just… the first few chapters. Nothing big.”
(Her voice dropped to a low mutter,mumbling to no one but herself. “I didn’t plagiarize it.”)
Questions swirled unspoken in the stale air, looping through the minds of those who could no longer meet each other’s eyes:
'Am I a character too?'
'Did he save me knowing the future?'
'Was everything—every word, every look—part of some plan?'
'Was the time we spent together… just a strategy? A calculation?'
Their eyes flicked toward him—curled in on himself, unconscious and trembling.
But one look at Kim Dokja, the way his fingers still clutched at his sleeves even in sleep, the way his chest shuddered in shallow, uneven breaths—
It said everything they needed to know.
No masterplan could end like this.
Before han sooyoung could questioned further though, before she could slice open the moment with another truth too bitter to bear-
"So...ahjussi is a god."
Everyone turned, stunned.
Yoo Sangah froze mid-step. Jung Heewon’s breath caught in her throat. Yoo Joonghyuk, silent as a statue until now, looked up sharply.
Yoosung sat tucked beside Dokja, her small hand still knotted into the fabric of his coat like she feared he might disappear. Her voice trembled with something deep and-
-dangerous:
“…A guardian angel, then?”
She said it as if saying anything else would be a lie.
A dangerous kind of faith.
The kind you couldn't reason with.
The kind you couldn’t afford to shatter.
No one corrected her.
Not when she looked at him like that.
Not when that belief seemed to be all that was holding her together.
Not when her belief was so absolute.
It was easier to let her believe.
Easier to look at the man curled on the seat and say:
He was never one of us.
Easier to turn him into something holy than to face the weight of his pain.
Kim Dokja, who had never stood at the center, was now the ped
estal they couldn’t look away from.
“I knew Hyung was someone special from the start,” Gilyoung said firmly, crouching lower beside him. His tiny body was taut with defiance, as if daring anyone to argue.
Jang Hayoung’s lips were parted, some protest dying in his throat. Hyunsung was silent, his jaw locked tight. Heewon’s fists trembled at her sides—whether in guilt or frustration, even she didn’t seem to know.
Yoo Sangah looked down at Dokja’s unconscious form.
Something shifted in her gaze.
Beep.
The screen flickered.
And started again.
No one breathed.
Not a whisper.
Not a sound.
The scenario resumed as if it had never paused.
Notes:
This is a fast update guysss,I felt bad for the last chapter which didn't contain muvh-i am not fully satisfied with this,felt too fast paced for my taste but meh
Comments are very much appreciated,
- whenever I see the kimcom reacting badly to the novel thingy I get so triggered,like😭 in the novel they were NOT LIKE THAT, they were mostly accepting,like bruh. And i belive dokja would freak out Much More than them,more so without the fourth wall,that's why I said bye bye to it,thinking maybe I should remove it? What'd ya say?
Also if you have any whatsoever problem with kdjs behaviour here let me remind you (spoilers) kdj is no brave man,he's not that cocky person you see,it's a fake bravodo,he's a man who lacks self esteem,lacks self respect,hate himself to the point thinking sacrificing is the only way to redeem himself,so if you dare or may not like this I am sorry but this will stay as it is,dokja is no inrevheable being,he may look like it,sure but we all know the truth.
Also I belive the character are to be more confused then hostile,because tf? I am a novel character? Heh?!???
Also the other chapter may or may not be yjhs pov ;)
Are we getting plot? Yes we are.
Kdj is a baby who loathes himself,and it's eating me alive,I cannot,physically cannot write anyone hating him,I am aorry🙏🏻
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