Chapter Text
— Happy Reading —
Seeing the survivors finally running out, without even looking back or caring about Han Myungoh who stubbornly refused to leave the train car.
Then, the Dokkaebi appeared once again out of thin air, sighing as he spoke.
{ …Ah, you humans really are something. I knew this would happen. Even after seeing with my own eyes what they did earlier? Didn’t I already tell you not to go anywhere yet? Damn it! The scenario isn’t even ready yet— }
The Dokkaebi, who seemed irritated, revealed himself, floating above Dongho Bridge.
“See! Didn’t I tell you not to leave already?!”
Han Myungoh screamed while clutching his head tightly, as though worried it would explode. But there was nothing to worry about.
{ Haa…~ Well, what can I do? You humans really are both lucky and stubborn. }
The Dokkaebi said, then snapped his fingers. A transparent screen appeared, displaying the next Scenario which had already started the moment the train doors opened.
[ Scenario #2 has arrived! ]
+
[ Scenario #2 – Escape ]
Category: Additional
Difficulty: E
Clear Condition: Cross the broken bridge and enter Oksu Station.
Time Limit: 20 minutes.
Reward: 200 coins.
Penalty: ???
+
Yoo Sangah, who saw the screen, was confused and asked Kim Dokja while running beside him.
“Dokja-ssi, something’s strange. It says here ‘broken bridge’ but the bridge isn’t… yet—”
Kim Dokja, running and hearing Yoo Sangah’s words, quickly responded.
“Don’t think about it, just run!”
“O-Okay!”
Indeed, as Yoo Sangah had noticed, the bridge wasn’t broken yet. Which meant it was about to be destroyed.
“Dokja-ssi, hurry!”
“Yes, yes.”
The bridge hadn’t been destroyed yet because they exited the train too quickly. The Dokkaebi had said preparations would take ten minutes, but they came out three minutes earlier.
Some might think this was cheating or cowardly, but the scenario couldn’t be cleared without shortcuts.
Especially since Kim Dokja was stuck with a burden—Yoo Sangah. Meanwhile, Lee Gilyoung was currently being carried on the back of Kim Namwoon, who was already running behind Dazai Osamu.
“Haa, haa. Lee Hyunsung-ssi really is a soldier, his stamina is incredible.”
Yoo Sangah commented upon seeing Lee Hyunsung running without showing signs of fatigue, which made Kim Dokja warn her to stop talking.
“Don’t speak, you’ll waste your energy.”
Yoo Sangah immediately fell silent after hearing Kim Dokja’s words. At the same time, Lee Hyunsung could be seen leading the group, followed by Kim Namwoon carrying Lee Gilyoung, and right behind them was Dazai Osamu.
The three of them were true monsters—without spending a single coin, their total stats already exceeded 23 points.
Although Dazai Osamu was more like the embodiment of a devil itself, as described in Three Ways of Survival.
Next came Yoo Sangah, then Kim Dokja, and at the very back was Han Myungoh. Despite the tight time, Kim Dokja still hoped they could escape.
“Argh! What the hell is that?!”
Suddenly Han Myungoh screamed again. A giant whirlpool appeared in the middle of the Han River, water splashing everywhere. A massive monster emerged from its center—an Ichthyosaurus.
This one was twice as large as the first they had seen from the train window.
This was no mere sea serpent—it was their commander. The Sea Serpent Commander, a level 7 monster. For reference, a level 9 monster was one difficult for ordinary humans to deal with, while a level 7 could massacre them with ease.
In other words, this was not a monster anyone could handle at the beginning scenarios. But of course, they weren’t meant to fight it now. The monster’s appearance wasn’t as an opponent.
Ku ku ku ku!
Like a tsunami, waves surged across the Han River, centered around the sea monster. And its target was the bridge pillars ahead.
“Watch out, the bridge is going to collapse!”
“Run faster! Maybe we can still cross!”
Only about 200 meters remained. According to Dazai’s estimate, at their current speed, they still had time to cross before the bridge fell.
{ If it’s too easy, the game won’t be fun. }
Dazai wanted to curse right then—because he knew what that damn furry creature was about to do.
[The scenario’s difficulty has been adjusted.]
[ Difficulty: E → D ]
The Dokkaebi’s laughter echoed. Dazai could only curse silently in his mind. Why wouldn’t that damn furball just grant him a painless death?!
{ What’s the fun in just running? Let’s spice things up a bit! }
[ The vengeful spirits of the dead have returned. ]
[ The ground is filled with elements of darkness. ]
[ The demonic humans have risen! ]
Sounds of something chasing them echoed from behind, and Kim Dokja heard Yoo Sangah muttering.
“Z-Zombies?”
Corpses resembling zombies sprinted toward them in huge numbers. Among them were the bodies of those who had been their fellow passengers earlier.
“We’re almost there! Hurry!”
Their distance from the Ichthyosaurus beneath the bridge was now less than 100 meters. Luckily, Lee Hyunsung had already crossed the safety boundary together with Kim Namwoon and the boy on his back.
The real problem was the rest—Dazai Osamu included.
Han Myungoh suddenly screamed,
“D—Damn it—!”
There were far too many demonic humans. If it had only been corpses from the train, maybe they could manage. But the real problem was…
“Kuweeeoooh!”
Drivers who had died in their cars on the bridge also revived as demonic humans. The path Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon had just crossed was now flooded with them.
Dazai observed the horde ahead and the Ichthyosaurus beneath the bridge.
“…Everyone, get down!”
Too late.
Kwaaaaang!
The bridge pillar shook violently as the Ichthyosaurus sank its massive jaws into it.
Its glistening scales shimmered amid the dust clouds now covering the Han River. The pungent stench of blood and brine filled the air.
Dazai calmly assessed the situation as the dust cleared. The scene revealed itself:
Piles of concrete and shattered steel. Mangled corpses of demonic humans devoured by the Ichthyosaurus. And the bridge, with one of its pillars destroyed.
“…Dok… ssi… what?”
Yoo Sangah and Han Myungoh staggered to their feet nearby, shaken.
Dazai said nothing. He didn’t care about their panic or fear. Oh! He wouldn’t even admit that he missed his little dog right now!
One of Han Myungoh’s legs seemed injured from the tremors.
From the other side of the bridge, Lee Hyunsung, Kim Namwoon, and Lee Gilyoung shouted desperately, though their voices couldn’t reach—likely blocked by a protective barrier at the safe zone’s boundary.
What now? Dazai had prepared a plan in case the bridge collapsed. But that plan only involved himself—not Han Myungoh, Yoo Sangah, and Kim Dokja, who were now stuck with him.
At that moment, a message echoed in the air.
[ Someone has received the mercy of a Constellation. ]
[ The Scenario ‘Deus Ex Machina’ from a Constellation has been activated. ]
At the same time, a radiant bridge of light stretched across the collapsed Dongho Bridge. Then, a message window appeared before them.
+++
[ Deus Ex Machina – Even Bridge ]
Description: A bridge of light created by a Constellation. Only those in an even-numbered group may cross. If an odd number of people attempt to cross, the bridge will immediately disappear.
+++
“Dokja-ssi. What is this? Suddenly in my head—”
Dazai immediately shifted his gaze to Kim Dokja, who was exchanging confused looks with Yoo Sangah. Dazai seemed to understand what was happening.
Deus Ex Machina. The result of a Constellation making a great sacrifice to intervene in the scenario.
“…So this is because of Yoo Sangah-ssi’s Constellations. ” Dazai muttered, his curiosity piqued about the workings of star constellations—knowledge he suspected Kim Dokja possessed.
‘This world is getting more and more interesting…’
Meanwhile, Kim Dokja was deep in thought. He didn’t know who Yoo Sangah’s Constellation was, but it was clear they were desperate to keep her alive.
Deus Ex Machina was a rare phenomenon in Three Ways of Survival. And in truth, Yoo Sangah was among those who should have already died on the train.
Kim Dokja hesitated. What kind of Constellation would choose Yoo Sangah as its incarnation?
[ Information about this person cannot be read through ‘Character List’. ]
[ This person is not registered in the ‘Character List’. ]
Kim Dokja was startled—his skill didn’t work on Yoo Sangah. His mind raced with questions.
Why couldn’t he see her information? Was she special? Did she have a mental fortress? But if she had that ability from the start… Wait. Could it be…?
“Dokja-ssi, what now?”
Yoo Sangah’s voice trembled with panic. Kim Dokja couldn’t think any longer.
Ku ku ku ku!
The Han River churned once more. The Ichthyosaurus, having already bitten through one bridge pillar, now moved toward another. Kim Dokja bit his lip, rereading the bridge’s description.
Only an even number of people could cross.
In the end, ‘Deus Ex Machina’ was nothing but another cruel game devised by those damned Constellations who thrived on tragedy.
There was no way for everyone to survive.
Han Myungoh’s body shook as his eyes met Kim Dokja’s.
In the end, someone had to die.
That was Kim Dokja’s thought—until Yoo Sangah suddenly screamed.
“Dokja-ssi! Behind you!”
Kim Dokja reflexively lunged forward as a bloody fist swung through the air. He felt something fall toward him and instinctively kicked it away. He didn’t need to look back to know what it was.
A class 9 demonic human—a human mutant infected by black ether. That was why demonic humans were considered high-risk species, even at class 9. While those made from ordinary humans were like zombies, they became far more dangerous if the host had been different.
The surprise attack forced Kim Dokja to focus entirely on defending against the creature’s blows.
[ Exclusive Skill, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Lv. 1 activated! ]
[ This entity has no consciousness. Skill deactivated. ]
Damn it!
The monster’s black claws tore through his thigh. A burning pain spread across his body as flesh ripped apart. Unlike knives, these claws could rend human skin with ease.
This was why demonic humans were so dangerous—they were far stronger than when alive.
“Yoo Sangah-ssi, hurry—” Kim Dokja’s words froze. Without even turning back, he realized what was happening.
“Let go of me! Let go! Dokja-ssi! Dokja-ssi!”
Han Myungoh, limping moments ago, had suddenly hoisted Yoo Sangah over his shoulder and sprinted across the light bridge with startling speed.
[ The Constellation « Secretive Plotter » admires how easily you were deceived. ]
[ The Constellation « Demon-like Judge of Fire » is impressed by your sacrifice. ]
[ 100 coins sponsored. ]
….
Meanwhile, further away, Dazai Osamu calmly watched everything unfold—the old man Han Myungoh running with a bizarre style. Meh, Dazai doesn't care.
[ The Constellation « Demon-like Judge of Fire » wonders why the incarnation did not immediately cross the bridge together with ‹ Kim Dokja ›. ]
“Constellation-ssi, if I were to cross with Kim Dokja-ssi right away, wouldn’t that make this scenario end poorly and less entertaining?”
Dazai replied casually, as though he weren’t surrounded by hordes of the undead.
[ The Constellation « Abyssal Black Flame Dragon » asks if the incarnation isn’t afraid of the ‘undead’ around him? ]
Seeing the message from the Constellation—if he remembered correctly, Kim Namwoon’s sponsor—Dazai sighed softly before answering.
“I’m not afraid of these undead. I’m only afraid of pain. That’s why I desire death without having to feel it.”
He spoke clearly while evading an attack from a demonic human lunging at him from behind. He dodged each strike with graceful precision, as if dancing on stage rather than fighting in an apocalypse.
Then, from his coat pocket, he pulled out his hand. A soft blue glow radiated from it.
[ Skill ‹ No Longer Human › activated ]
The blue light, inscribed with streams of kanji, enveloped the demonic human. Instantly, the creature collapsed, reverting into an ordinary corpse.
[ Several Constellations are shocked by the incarnation’s skill! ]
[ Several Constellations regret not choosing him earlier. ]
[ Several Constellations enjoy the scenario of ‹ Dazai Osamu › and wish to sponsor him in the next selection. ]
[ 500 coins sponsored. ]
Dazai ignored the messages. He simply stared at his hand, still tingling with the sensation of his ability, ‹ No Longer Human ›.
It hadn’t just nullified—the energy of darkness had completely disappeared from the demonic human. It seemed his ability had grown stronger than before.
‘Hm… Interesting~’
….
Exhaustion weighed down on Kim Dokja as his strength waned. His body felt unbearably heavy.
“Kuwoooook!”
Ten minutes remained. Demonic humans swarmed everywhere. Even with Lv. 10 physique, it was impossible to face so many.
But Kim Dokja had never intended to fight them all alone.
A bit late, but that person should be arriving now.
Kwajik! Kwajijijik!
A cracking sound echoed—as if someone had been waiting. Kim Dokja knew. He thought he could risk anything for the sake of achievements and donations.
Kwajijik! Kwajijijik!!
The sound of flesh smashing against flesh resounded, more like a mace pulverizing meat. Kim Dokja realized how foolish he had been.
From the halted train, demonic humans were hurled aside as though a tank had crashed through. Was this truly caused by a human?
“Kyaack?”
The headless demons turned in confusion—but too late. The man crushed every demon threatening him, emerging before them. A terrifying power, without weapons. He felled them with only two fists.
Even though Kim Dokja had braced himself, cold sweat dripped down his back. To face this man? Impossible. Not even doubling his stats would make him a match.
“You. Who are you?”
The man’s cold gaze fell upon him. Reflexively, Kim Dokja activated his Character List to quell the fear.
[ Exclusive Skill, Character List activated. ]
[ Too much information about this person. Character List converted into Character Summary. ]
—
[ Character Summary ]
Name: Yoo Joonghyuk
Exclusive Attribute: Regressor (3rd turn) (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: Wise Eye Lv. 8, Barehanded Combat Lv. 8, Weapon Mastery Lv. 8, Mental Fortress Lv. 5, Crowd Control Lv. 5, Reasoning Lv. 5, Lie Detection Lv. 4….
—
The list of exclusive skills continued endlessly. Before Kim Dokja could reach the end, a strong hand gripped his throat.
“You. How are you still alive?”
The ‘first method’ to survive in a ruined world—the man who proved its existence—stood before him.
Regressor Yoo Joonghyuk.
The great tragedy of this world began with him.