Chapter 98: Ep.

20 – Disaster of Floods, I

My heart sank as soon as I looked for Han Sooyoung's pulse. I was more
shocked by the fact that Han Sooyoung was dead. A bit of time passed
before my sense of reason returned.

"…Dokja-ssi?" Yoo Sangah noticed something and got up. I examined Han
Sooyoung's corpse with Yoo Sangah's help.

"There are no wounds."

The situation came to a standstill. There were no wounds. Then was it a

poison? If there was a poison that could kill Han Sooyoung without leaving
any traces then it was a terrible poison.

However, such a poison couldn't be released now. That wasn't the only
problem. Why was only Han Sooyoung poisoned while the rest were safe?
Even if there was a person with such a poison, there was no reason to only
poison Han Sooyoung.
It was strange that I suddenly fell asleep in the first place.

…Wait a minute, I fell asleep?

"Uh, I'm sorry. I slept too much." Shin Yoosung finally opened her eyes.

I suddenly looked back at Yoo Sangah. "Yoo Sangah-ssi, did you sleep all
night?"

"…Yes."

Yoo Sangah blushed like she was embarrassed. If Yoo Sangah hadn't
woken up then no one was standing guard yesterday. I was the last lookout
and once I fell asleep, everyone was sleeping.

I was a fool. My suspicions should've started from 'Why did I sleep?' rather
than 'Who killed Han Sooyoung?'

Was it a sleeping spell? No, only returnee had such magic. Hit a Pressure
Point? They must be able to fool my senses to use it.

In the end, there was only one answer remaining. I approached the fire
where the bones of the groll I ate yesterday was hanging.

This was the only possibility for everyone falling asleep. I cleared up the
bones that were eaten cleanly of their flesh and some green powder fell to
the ground.

'It is the stem of the yanaspleta'.

It was as expected. There was only one reason for this being here. Someone
had mixed the plant stem powder into the groll meat. The stem of the
yanaspleta had a powerful sleeping effect if not taken with the juices. It
wasn't poisonous so it couldn't be resolved with Dongui Bogam. That's why
I always boiled it with the juices.

"Who cooked the groll yesterday?"

"It was Sooyoung-ssi…"

I inwardly sighed. The meat I ate yesterday was the young groll that Shin
Yoosung failed to tame. The one who killed the groll was none other than
Han Sooyoung.

"It was one blow."

I approached the pale body of Han Sooyoung. I was so confused that I had
forgotten for a while. An avatar didn't vanish unless the head was
destroyed.

However, why did she set up this play? She was bound by the 'Temporary
Pledge' and couldn't run away. At that moment, a blue light emerged from
Han Sooyoung's heart. This was…?

"Wait a bit."

I didn't care about the reaction of the others and trampled on Han
Sooyoung's head. The blue light burst out and the avatar was destroyed.

[The character Han Sooyoung's avatar has received the punishment for
violating the contract.]

[The character Han Sooyoung has offered up her avatar as a sacrifice to

offset most of the punishment of the Temporary Pledge.]

"Ah…"

Yoo Sangah let out a groan as if she realized something. I had no idea the
avatar had such an effect. I had seen it receive damage on behalf of the
original but I didn't know it could take the contract's punishment. It looked
like only some of the punishment was offset but Han Sooyoung wouldn't
die.

Shin Yoosung asked, "That unni went away?"

"It seems so."

The question of why was meaningless. Once I thought about it, Han
Sooyoung didn't have much to do with me.

–My constellation support has reduced because I've been with you lately.

I would soon meet with the people of Chungmuro and they would be hostile
to Han Sooyoung, just like Yoo Sangah.

Tsk. A person who couldn't be trusted would live in misery. Han Sooyoung
would be alone, surrounded by enemies. For a moment, I mistook her for a
companion.

There were some coins and a piece of paper in the place where the avatar
turned into white powder.

–The value of the meals.

This was how she said goodbye. As if to turn the time we spent together
into nothing, her avatar was blown away by the strong winds of Han River.

Still, I was curious about why Han Sooyoung stayed with me for so long
despite being able to use 'Surrogate Death' through her avatars.

I didn't know. I couldn't read Yoo Sangah or Han Sooyoung's mind. Ways
of Survival, which explained everything, didn't tell me this.

"We should get up."

Then a strange sensation overcame me. Was it Omniscient Reader's

Viewpoint? I instinctively looked in the direction that I felt it but couldn't
see anything.

…Was I mistaken?
"A fool."

Han Sooyoung looked at the abandoned building from a distant high-rise

building. The wind of Han River permeated through her ripped jeans and
was cold. She bit her lip and muttered.

"…Shouldn't you pretend to feel something?"

However, she knew he couldn't do that. It was natural. He was as much a

'reader' as she was.

She turned on her notepad and started to type something. It was the habit of
an author to write it down when inspiration struck.

「 Reading a book doesn't mean you will understand people. 」

'I will see you again'.

She didn't know the ending that Kim Dokja wanted. However, they would
surely meet again as long as they kept moving towards the end.

「 She didn't know if they would be enemies or not the next time they met.
」

Han Sooyoung covered her smartphone and started walking.

The morning hours passed quickly.

That afternoon, Shin Yoosung's agility and magic power reached the
scenario limit of level 60. I felt that it was time and bought the Sponsor
Contract from Bihyung. Bihyung grumbled but still gave me the contract.

[…You do know that this won't change the disaster?]

'…'

[The present her isn't directly related to the future disaster. The disaster
comes from a world derived from the 'first world' line. Even if their
existences are connected, the history…]

'Don't speak useless words and give me the contract'.

I finished writing the contract and handed it to Shin Yoosung. "I have no
stigma right now and can't lend you my strength like other constellations. I
only have a lot of coins."

"…"

"You don't have to sign the contract if you don't want to. However, you
won't regret it if you sign with me."

"Mother told me not to mess around with this type of stuff…"

"It's okay. I don't really mean to be a typical sponsor."

"If I sign this, I can't contract with another constellation?"

"Yes."

Shin Yoosung nodded with determination. "Okay. I believe in ahjussi."

[The Sponsor Contract has been concluded.]

[You have become the sponsor of the incarnation 'Shin Yoosung'.]

A brilliant light rose and wrapped around me and Shin Yoosung. Unlike the
brilliant light, a humble message popped up.

[You aren't a constellation. You are unable to use most of the functions of a
sponsor.]

[List of Available Functions]

[1. Sponsor the incarnation.]

[2. Encourage the incarnation.]

Well, I had expected it. This was about it for now.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' scoffs.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' congratulates you on your first

contract.]

[5,000 coins have been sponsored.]

[A number of constellations want to be your sponsor.]

The reactions of the constellations were hot. It was different from the time
with Gong Pildu. Shin Yoosung was now my direct incarnation. Therefore,
the 'incarnation seekers' group were going crazy over me.

I wasn't a constellation, I was an 'incarnation' with an 'incarnation'. If they

signed a contract with me, Shin Yoosung would naturally come under that
constellation as well. As I increased my number of incarnations, the number
of constellations who wanted me would increase rapidly.

[The channel is going crazy…!]

Bihyung screamed happily as I looked at the party. "It is time for us to

leave. We will cross Han River."
"We still haven't found any bridges. Will it be okay?"

"We'll go swimming."

"Huh?"

"Don't you know how to swim?"

"I do know but…" Yoo Sangah looked at the river with concern.

I knew what she was worried about. The water levels of Han River had
increased. There were more ichthyosaurs present than yesterday and they
were intermittently roaring. They were all 7th grade. Shin Yoosung
muttered, "I can't swim…"

"Hold onto this and cross."

I pulled out a styrofoam box that I had obtained in advance. I asked Yoo
Sangah to connect the box to me using Arachne's Spiderweb.

"Let's go."

I jumped into Han River without hesitation and Yoo Sangah immediately
followed me. Shin Yoosung was frightened but she quickly grabbed the
styrofoam box and dipped her feet into the water of Han River.

The cold temperature of Han River wrapped around my body. There was
the smell of strange beasts and the movements of the ichthyosaurs started
to change. Yoo Sangah asked, –Is this really okay?

Of course it wasn't okay. However, it was the only way considering the
time remaining.

–If it gets really dangerous then get out as soon as possible.

–…Yes.
–That's why you should pretend to be in danger before it is actually
dangerous.

–Huh?

–It is for Yoosung to quickly awaken. I am deliberately creating a crisis.

Understood?

I pulled the styrofoam box as I started swimming in Han River. This was
the reason why I raised Shin Yoosung's skill level without worrying. It
wasn't shown in the attributes window but she had an innate ability to
adapt.

An ordinary girl could never survive until the fifth scenario. Shin Yoosung
seemed like a good child but her inner self wasn't that simple.

A child who killed her dog, who tricked adults and who disguised herself to
gain favour from the strong. Shin Yoosung was such a child. The first time
we met, there were many calculations going on inside her head.

I spoke to Shin Yoosung who was looking around. "Yoosung."

"Y-Yes!"

"Don't run away."

"…"

"If you run away from here, you can't go back." Shin Yoosung closed her
slightly open mouth. Shin Yoosung was a clever child rather than a brute.
"Do what you can."

Tricks wouldn't work on her. I couldn't protect her just because she was a
child.

"I understand."
Fear was fear, fear was determination.

[The character 'Shin Yoosung' has used 'Advanced Diverse Communication

Lv. 3'.]

Killing intent was all around me. The predators seeking prey were
increasing. I could see 10 of them above the surface of the water. It was a
difficult number to fight all at once. However, I could escape and survive.
The ichthyosaurs couldn't chase me the moment I left Han River.

"Dokja-ssi!"

Yoo Sangah called out a warning. The attack of the ichthyosaurs began.
Sharp fangs flew from every direction.

[Blade of Faith is activated!]

I swung the blade and immediately pierced one ichthyosaur. The serpentine
body hit the surface of the water.

The ichthyosaur's writhing overturned Han River. I flew in the air along
with the river water. Looking back, Shin Yoosung had let go of the
styrofoam box and was also rising in the air.

Something quickly rose into the sky and Yoo Sangah's spiderweb wrapped
around Shin Yoosung. It was the linked Hermes Walking Method and
Arachne's Spiderweb.

Yoo Sangah retrieved Shin Yoosung safely while I stepped on the dead
ichthyosaur and started swinging my sword at the approaching
ichthyosaurs.

"This way you bastards!"

More than a dozen ichthyosaurs swam in my direction. Huge waves rocked
the river and the body of the ichthyosaur I was standing on was in danger. I
took a deep breath and adjusted my posture.

Way of the Wind would allow me to easily handle this crisis but it wasn't
time yet.

"Ahjussi!"

Shin Yoosung's face became desperate as she was held in Yoo Sangah's
arms. Several fangs aimed at my skin as I wielded the blade. A few
ichthyosaurs received mortal blows and fell down. The flowing blood
cooled down and this area was becoming more and more crowded.
However, I laughed.

Become more urgent.

Become more anxious.

Become more desperate.

It was the only way.

A terrible injury was created where an ichthyosaur's fans grazed my skin.

Blood started to pour from the wound.

「 No―!」

The scream entered my eardrums.

[The character 'Shin Yoosung' is about to evolve.]

[Incarnation 'Shin Yoosung' has entered a trance state.]

Shin Yoosung's eyes were turning white. It was the same as when Lee
Gilyoung used his power. It was as I thought. All of this was staged for
Shin Yoosung's awakening.
[The character 'Shin Yoosung' has used 'Taming Lv. 9'.]

The level 60 magic power started to spread out through Han River, the aura
pouring like a waterfall.

The ichthyosaurs' momentum slowed. The ichthyosaurs shivered and

groaned, as if responding to an enormous spirit.

The number of ichthyosaurs seen above the surface of the water increased.
Previously it was around 10 and now it was more than 20. This meant that
below the water, more than twice the number of ichthyosaurs were
gathering.

Then the ichthyosaurs started looking at me again. The confused

ichthyosaurs emitted a sharp killing intent and became more violent.

Dammit, was it a failure?

"Yoo Sangah-ssi!"

It couldn't be helped. It was best to use her stigma to escape quickly. Yoo
Sangah nodded, escaped the ichthyosaurs and released her threads. I called
out to Shin Yoosung.

"Yoosung. You can stop. Shin Yoosung!"

However, Shin Yoosung didn't answer. The waves around Shin Yoosung
grew stronger and now her body was covered with a bluish aura.

At this moment, a whirlpool occurred in the center of Han River. I couldn't

grab onto anything and was swept away by the water. The surrounding
ichthyosaurs screamed. I barely endured the centrifugal force while hanging
onto the scales of an ichthyosaur.

The next moment, there was a huge splash of water. Then an ichthyosaur
five or six times bigger than the other ichthyosaurs slowly rose.
It was so big that it didn't seem like an ichthyosaur. It was much bigger than
the sea commander that I killed previously. It had a majestic beard and
arrogant eyes that dominated its species.

All the ichthyosaurs around it bowed their heads to the surface of the water.

[The fifth grade seawater species, the 'Queen Mirabad' has been
discovered!]

…Shit, she called this monster? I knew Shin Yoosung had great talent but I
didn't know it was enough to call a 'queen'. This was a monster comparable
to a disaster.

I opened up Bookmark and was about to invoke Way of the Wind when
Yoo Sangah's voice was heard.

"…Dokja-ssi?"

I looked back and found that Shin Yoosung's body was floating in the air.

She followed the path of the aura that stretched out to Queen Mirabad and
Shin Yoosung slowly approached the queen. The queen looked at Shin
Yoosung and Shin Yoosung looked at the queen. Then Shin Yoosung's
small hand quietly touched the queen's nose.

The river water subsided and the ichthyosaurs quietly disappeared. I looked
over and saw Shin Yoosung riding on the queen's head. I now realized what
Shin Yoosung was.

Beast Lord. The ruler of all monsters.

The colour slowly returned to Shin Yoosung's eyes as she watched me.
She wiped at her bleeding nose like it was nothing and said, "Let's go,
ahjussi." I nodded.
 Chapter 99: Ep. 20 – Disaster of Floods, II

I remembered Han Myungoh boasting about a private yacht at his Maldives

villa. He had said this: The propeller cutting through the water was like a
highway on the sea.

Now I knew what that feeling was like. If Director Han's boat on the ocean
was like the Gyeongbu Expressway then I was currently on the Autobahn.

"It is really amazing."

Yoo Sangah and I rode on the back of the queen and watched the ripples of
Han River with fascination. As if testing her control, Shin Yoosung led the
queen straight through the group of ichthyosaurs. Now Han River had
become a safe zone and it was preferable to disembark near Yongsan-gu.

The ichthyosaurs swam after Queen Mirabad like ducklings following their
mother. I closed my eyes and felt the cool air against my face. This was a
real feeling. It was a luxury I wouldn't have enjoyed if the world had
remained the same.
Shin Yoosung kept mumbling on the queen's head in order to sync their
spirits. Yoo Sangah watched Shin Yoosung and spoke with a complicated
voice. "By the way, Dokja-ssi. If Yoosung becomes stronger now then
won't her future self be stronger as well?"

I thought she would ask something like this.

"I don't think so."

According to the original novel, the disaster that would come was the Shin
Yoosung of the 'future of different regressions'. She was betrayed by Yoo
Joonghyuk and abandoned outside the world.

She lost her sense of time and wandered the universe. Then she became part
of the scenarios due to the Star Stream's blessing and she became a 'disaster'
of past scenarios.

Yoo Sangah raised a question. "Then why will the future disaster be
stopped if the current Yoosung dies? If the branch is completely
different…"

"Have you heard of the Disconnected Film theory?"

"…No." I watched the water and opened my mouth. "Put simply, it is like
this. Let's assume that the history of Yoosung from the first world is a
film."

"Film… are you talking about the film for movies?"

I nodded and continued. "Assuming that this world is film one, there must
be countless films of the other worlds right? There could be two films and
there could also be 34 films."

"I see. Is that right?"

"What happens when one of the films, with the front broken, sticks to the
back of the first film? For example, what if the ripped 34th film sticks to
the back of the first film? What do you think will happen if the film is
played?"

Yoo Sangah seemed troubled for a moment. "Then the movie would change
along the way… ah, wait a minute. The two stories will never affect each
other?"

"That's right."

"Ah… Yoosung is currently in such a situation. The present Yoosung is

from the first film while the disaster Yoosung is from the 34th film. The
two stories are completely independent and any changes in our world can't
affect the disaster." Yoo Sangah was truly smart. "Still, the question
remains. Shouldn't the disaster remain if the current Yoosung is killed?"

"The contents of the film don't affect each other but the two films are
connected."

"Huh?"

"What if the front of the film is set on fire?"

Yoo Sangah shouted after realizing. "The rear film… will be on fire as
well."

The two world lines were connected. If the present Yoosung dies, the future
Yoosung would also die. However, any changes to the present Yoosung
wouldn't change the future Yoosung. That ambiguous paradox was at the
heart of this disaster.

"Dokja-ssi really knows a lot. I've heard of parallel cosmology but I've
never heard such a theory before."
I awkwardly nodded. Of course she wouldn't know it. It was a theory that
the author of Ways of Survival created. As far as I knew, the laws of Ways
of Survival had never been violated.

After a while, the water of Han River calmed down. We finally arrived at
the other side of Han River. The queen dropped us off and then disappeared
into Han River again.

Shin Yoosung sighed like all the tension had been released. "…How was
I?"

"Are you really asking? You have done well."

"Yes."

Shin Yoosung's expression changed. She was pleased at receiving praise.

Now there was nobody left to praise the child.

Then I felt a fierce hostility coming from the buildings of Yongsan-gu. A

huge shadow came out from the shadows of the building.

…A giant praying mantis? The boy on top of the praying mantis looked
down at me.

"Dokja hyung?"

There were Lee Gilyoung wearing a snapback and Han Donghoon with
headphones.

Lee Gilyoung slid down the praying mantis and rushed into my arms. Lee
Gilyoung's snapback fell off his head.

It was a reunion after one week. Then a message popped up on my

smartphone. It was from Han Donghoon.

–It is good to see you, hyung.

"Shouldn't you say it is nice to meet me after a long time?"

–I don't want to.

Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung had a war of nerves as soon as they met.
Lee Gilyoung's hair was moving like it was really an antennae while Shin
Yoosung kept touching her hair.

"Ahjussi, that boy keeps glaring at me."

"Hyung, who is she?"

It seemed people of a similar type recognized each other. One was a beast
master and the other was an insect master. I didn't know if they would fit
together.

I asked Lee Gilyoung, "You haven't met Heewon-ssi yet?"

"Yes. However, I know where she is. I sent an insect to look. Heewon
noona is currently in the north."

As expected from Lee Gilyoung. He was already searching for the group
members without needing to be told.

By the way, the north was where the King of Wanderers was currently
located. Maybe Jung Heewon was in contact with her.

"I knew hyung was coming. I sent a lot of diving beetles."

Speaking of which, the bugs on Lee Gilyoung's head had increased. There
had definitely only been a cockroach before… Shin Yoosung frowned like
it was disgusting. I checked the power of the party and concluded.
"It is better to stay here for two days. Raise your skill levels as high as
possible and collect coins in your spare time. Take care of your overall
stats. Ah, Yoo Sangah-ssi."

"Yes."

"Did you contact your family?"

Yoo Sangah's face suddenly darkened. It seemed that she hadn't contacted
them yet.

"Donghoon."

Han Donghoon kept his headphones on and nodded silently. Han Donghoon
had Wide-area Internet as a skill. In other words, it was possible to
communicate with the outside world.

Yoo Sangah's smartphone rang and there was a message that it was
connected to the Internet. Yoo Sangah looked down like she doubted her
eyes before staring at me tearfully. I nodded and continued.

"Please tell your family of this situation. Once this scenario is over, the
outside of Seoul will no longer be a safe zone."

"What will happen?"

"I don't know what will happen. Just tell them to be prepared. That is
enough for now."

"Dokja-ssi, don't you have to contact anyone?"

"I'm fine."

"But…"

"My family is in Seoul."

"Seoul? Then…"

"They are safe."

I silently stared towards the north. Then the system message arrived like it
had been waiting.

[Someone has dealt with the Disaster of Water in the north.]

The King of Wanderers had finished her work safely. There was only one
disaster left. It was the Disaster of Floods.

「 The bright energy sword made a faint sound as it was raised in the air. It
struck dozens of energy blades at once. Blood flowed from Jung Heewon's
eyes and scattered through the air. Soon Jung Heewon's sword stopped.

"I think that's it."

Jung Heewon carefully inspected the sword and smiled with satisfaction.
The middle-aged woman across from her also smiled faintly.

"Jeon Woochi's technique is amazing."

"Heewon-ssi's kendo is also excellent. You will soon have a sponsor and I
might not be a match anymore."

"I'm flattered."

Jung Heewon stared at the woman's blue prison uniform. In the past week,
Jung Heewon had been indebted to them. It was a debt that probably
couldn't be repaid with the remaining time. A middle-aged woman asked.
"Do you really not want to join our New Wave group? The king will be
delighted if Heewon-ssi joins."

"I'm sorry but my companions are waiting."

Jung Heewon raised her hands in an apologetic manner. The middle-aged

woman just smiled like it couldn't be helped. The woman already knew who
the members of Jung Heewon's party were.

"I hope he knows that Heewon-ssi is this desperate."

"He knows." Jung Heewon looked at the sky with a slightly disgruntled
expression. "Somehow, I think he is watching me right now." 」

…This was why I didn't want her knowing about Omniscient Reader's
Viewpoint.

In any case, Jung Heewon seemed to be growing well. I was worried since
her character hadn't seen the light in the original book but I was glad my
choice was correct.

Then I watched someone else using Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.

Unfortunately, there weren't many visible points to determine the person's
identity.

…Um? What was this? A familiar face soon appeared on the screen.

…It was me? Wait. These people?

「 "Hey, you." Lee Gilyoung spoke in a ferocious voice. "Stay away from
hyung."

Then Shin Yoosung, who was lying next to me, replied, "What if I don't
want to?"

"This mongrel…"
"Don't talk to me, you worm bastard."

Lee Gilyoung was stunned. The cockroach and other bugs moved wildly on
his head. Lee Gilyoung barely regained his composure.

"Hyung hates kids like you."

"I know who ahjussi likes."

"…You know who hyung likes? Who?"

"An unni."

Lee Gilyoung laughed. "Unni? I think you are misinformed. Hyung likes a
man."

"How do you know?"

"I've been with hyung for a long time." 」

I barely managed to wake up as the terrible conversation began. I hurriedly

looked around and saw Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung sleeping with their
heads leaning on something.

…Did I see wrongly? Was it just a dream?

"Dokja-ssi, what's wrong?"

I shook my head at Yoo Sangah's question. It must be a dream. I was just

lying back down when I heard a whisper from somewhere.

'Hey, bug. Come to think of it, you hugged ahjussi earlier?'

'…'
'Are you a baby? Do you like old people?'

It wasn't a dream.

"Excuse me… aren't you sleeping?"

Yoo Sangah warned. Then the surroundings became silent and the
children's snoring started soon afterwards.

Two days flew by in a flash.

[The sub-scenario – Survival Activities has ended.]

Everyone heard the system message as they woke up and got ready. It didn't
feel like a lot of time has passed, but the scenario was already over. Then a
message from Bihyung arrived.

[9,421.]

It was a number. Bihyung spoke again.

[9,513.]

'What?'

[Don't you understand? 9,611.]

I noticed right away what the number was. At that time, I made a '10,000'
promise.

[Constellations who love the Korean peninsula are nervous about the
number of subscribers left.]
I asked Bihyung, 'Did you do what I told you?'

[…I did but I don't know if it will be any good. In any case, I wish you
luck. 9,781.]

The swirling Great Hole in the sky showed an unusual omen. There was a
thunderstorm and the intermittent sound of thunder was heard. Then an
intermediate dokkaebi appeared in the air.

[Everyone, you have been waiting a long time.]

The intermediate dokkaebi looked gaunt. He had probably been suffering

from the bureau.

[Did you enjoy the survival activities? The scenario that you have been
waiting for will finally begin. There were some disruptions but… yes, well.
It will be a fun scenario to look forward to.]

He looked at me and the incarnations and continued speaking in a

disgruntled tone.

[You have stopped four of the five disasters. I fully acknowledge your
accomplishments. But do you know? The other four were just child's play
compared to the last disaster.]

The faces of the people became tense. In fact, he was right. None of the
other disasters could compare to the Disaster of Floods.

[Depending on the success of this scenario, everything that you have done
so far might go away and everything will be over. Frankly, the odds of that
happening are over 90%. Fortunately, there are those who commiserate
with you.]

I formed tight fists. It was finally starting. The last event before the fifth
scenario started.
[Then, from now on I will start the second Sponsor Selection.]
 Chapter 100: Ep. 20 – Disaster of Floods, III

There were bright lights in the sky that shot all over Seoul.

Some lights went to the north while some went to the west. However, the
width of the scattering wasn't large. Most of the lights were gathered in
central Seoul. It was evidence of where the incarnations were gathering to
prepare for the scenario.

"Finally a contract! I will also have a contract!" The incarnations waiting in

the area cried out enthusiastically.

I wasn't the only incarnation who survived this far without a sponsor. Soon
little stars emerged over the heads of the incarnations without a contract.
The number of stars represented the number of constellations who wanted
the incarnation.

[Sponsor Selection]

–Please select your sponsor

–Your chosen sponsor will be your strong supporter.

Perhaps by now, all the unsigned incarnations would be seeing the same
thing I was. Of course, mine was probably a bit different.

1. Prisoner of the Golden Headband.

2. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon

3. Secretive Plotter

As expected, there was the Prisoner of the Golden Headband and the
Secretive Plotter. I felt sorry to keep rejecting them but it couldn't be
helped.

…This Abyssal Black Flame Dragon was here again. He had Han
Sooyoung so why did he keep coming to me?

4. Seo Ae Il Pil

5. Bald General of Justice

6. King Heungmu the Great.

The great people of the Korean Peninsula also lined up. Seo Ae Il Pil was
probably Ryu Seongryong…

Ah, our Samyeongdang also came. In addition, there was the fox Kim
Yushin. Did he think I would really choose him?

The list continued.

21. Goryeo's First Sword

22. God of Wine and Ecstasy

Anyone who was called Korea's best swordsman could be Goryeo's First
Sword. Then there was Dionysus… Olympus had also stepped into the race
for Kim Dokja. I felt a bit confused as the list continued. It was because
unexpected constellations kept appearing.

48. Black Light of Guidance

49. Scribe of Heaven

50. Ruler of Revenge and the Apocalypse

I didn't remember all the modifiers so I only had dim memories of Black
Light of Guidance and Ruler of Revenge and the Apocalypse.

However, I was certain about Scribe of Heaven. That guy, he was a

powerful constellation of the absolute good system. The archangel
Metatron. Based on angelic authority, this guy was ranked much higher
than Uriel. This was the second heavenly being. Dammit, what type of
constellations were watching me?

The hundreds of stars above my head formed a magnificent spectacle. It

was a brilliance that seemed like it would light up all darkness near it. Some
incarnations stared this way with soulless expressions.

"That…"

"What is that person?"

Shin Yoosung stared above my head in a blank manner and muttered,

"Ahjussi, you are like a Christmas tree."

[Constellations who love the Korean Peninsula want you to keep your
promise.]

[A number of constellations want to see your faith.]

In the end, it came. I take a deep breath and called to Bihyung.

'Bihyung'.

[What?]

'How many are there now?'

I had made a promise to the constellations when fighting off Dokgak. If the
number of subscribers to the channel reached 10,000 before the Sponsor
Selection ended, I would choose a sponsor.

[9,812. No, 14… 16.]

The number of constellations continued to rise. Bihyung's tone became

tense.

[There are three minutes left to complete the Sponsor Selection.]

Now the result would be determined in three minutes.

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' is looking nervously at you.]

Unfortunately, there was no point looking at me desperately.

[There are two minutes left to complete the Sponsor Selection.]

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' has sponsored you 200 coins.]

[The constellation 'Seo Ae Il Pil' has sponsored you 300 coins.]

[The constellation King Heungmu the Great' has sponsored you 300 coins.]

The sponsorship competition was finally starting. It was a natural choice for
the constellations if they wanted to stand out.
[Some great constellations above narrative-grade constellations are clicking
their tongues.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' has sponsored you

5,000 coins.]

This was the exact development I hoped for. Good, good. Give me more
money.

[The constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' has sponsored you 30,000 coins.]

…As expected of Metatron. It was an entirely different class. It should be
obvious since he was a chancellor of heaven.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is looking at the

constellation 'Scribe of Heaven'.]

[There is one minute left to complete the Sponsor Selection.]

I asked Bihyung. 'How many now?'

[9,973… 76, 77.]

It had finally reached a breathtaking level.

[9,981… 84.]

30 seconds left.

[9,993.]

20 seconds.

[9,998.]

[A few constellations are holding their breaths.]

10 seconds.
[9,999…]

5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds…

[The Sponsor Selection has ended.]

Then I let out a light sigh. I gazed at Bihyung who opened his mouth with a
smile.

[I'm really sorry everyone.]

[Many constellations think it is ridiculous!]

There was no use in yelling.

[Current number of subscribers: 9,999]

The screen that floated next to Bihyung showed reality. Some incarnations
saw it and their mouths dropped open. Shin Yoosung asked, "Ahjussi, are
you a star on Youtube?"

Maybe it was similar. I spoke in a shameless voice towards the sky. "It is
too bad. I would've selected a sponsor if there were 10,000 constellations."

[Many constellations wonder who you would've chosen.]

Then Bihyung intervened.

[This information can't be revealed to protect the privacy of the

incarnation.] Well done Bihyung.

[A number of constellations are rioting!]

The sky above Yongsan-gu distorted and lightning started to fall towards
the innocent people. Sparks filled the air. The dokkaebi's power to influence
probability could also block the constellations' wrath.
[Now now, all constellations. Please calm down. Unfortunately, the
event had to be cancelled because we are lacking one person…] Then
Bihyung glanced at me and continued. [As an apology, I will create a
compensation event.] The lightning temporarily stopped.

[Perhaps you are thinking this? Shit, what should I do if it continues like
this?]

[Many constellations are listening to the dokkaebi Bihyung's words.]

[I understand your thoughts. So! I will punish the incarnation who didn't
choose anyone in the second Sponsor Selection! However, I will only do
this if the constellations are in favour of it…]

[Many constellations are in favour of the dokkaebi Bihyung's words.]

Bihyung nodded with satisfaction. Shin Yoosung stared at me with

a dumbfounded expression. "What is happening?" "Don't be upset
by the events unfolding."

"Ahjussi, why didn't you choose a sponsor?"

"Well, it isn't time yet."

Honestly, I was a bit shaken when I saw Metatron but if I chose someone
here, everything I had done would be in vain. I couldn't enter under anyone
else. This was the only way.

"Yoo Sangah-ssi. Take the kids and hide."

"…Do you have an idea?"

"Of course. Never come out unless I signal to you."

[A new bounty scenario has arrived!]

[You have become the target of the bounty scenario.]

As expected, the bounty scenario began.

[Bounty Scenario – Punishment]

Category: Bounty

Difficulty: A

Clear Conditions: Brutally kill the incarnation Kim Dokja. The more
brutal his death, the more coins you can receive.

Time Limit: 20 minutes.

Compensation: 40,000 ~ ????? coins.

Failure: ―

Anyone who saw it would think I was the fifth disaster. It was 40,000 coins
to kill one person. Shin Yoosung paled when she received the scenario. "…
Ahjussi?"

Yoo Sangah grabbed Shin Yoosung who was reaching for me and retreated.
At almost the same time, the incarnations in the area discovered me and
started to flock. There was the 'target' mark floating above my head.

"Crazy! 40,000 coins?"

"Hey, get that fucker!"

[Many constellations are enjoying the development of the scenario.]

The constellations angry at my choice loved the way I was being chased
like a rodent. Everybody had forgotten about the '10,000 event'. Yes, this
was the nature of constellations.

Bihyung glanced at me and communicated with a nasty expression.

–I didn't realize it would turn out like this.

'I knew. I used to do this when working at the game company'.

The only way to appease angry users was to open a new event. Bihyung
shivered and murmured.

–Is this okay? If it is noticed… I really will receive a Probability

Conformity Request this time.

In fact, it was an obvious channel manipulation that the number of

subscribers didn't break through 9,999.

It was because from the beginning, Bihyung's #BI-7623 channel only

accommodated 9,999 viewers.

I wouldn't be able to escape if someone like Dokgak provoked a fight.

Fortunately, there was no one like that present. The low grade dokkaebis
had been on guard since the last incident.

'I decided to take the chance'.

It was still a dangerous method. There was no doubt that some smart
constellations would doubt this. The number stopped exactly at 9,999. This
defied coincidence. Thus, an event to shift the attention of the constellations
was needed.

The constellations hated annoying things and were vulnerable to fun. I used
the current Punishment event to take advantage of that.
Bihyung opened his mouth and spoke to everyone.

[Constellations, please note that the incarnation Kim Dokja can receive a
penalty if coins are sponsored.]

The moment he spoke, my body suddenly became heavy.

[A selfish constellations has given you a speed penalty.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

The more coins I received, the more penalties that would be inflicted on
me. The incarnations, who normally never would've been able to follow
me, were right on my tail.

"Everyone seems blinded by the coins. Right?"

I smiled and wielded Blade of Faith.

"Uwaaah!"

[A constellation who wants your misfortune has given you an attack

penalty.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

My attack power was halved and the incarnations didn't die. I was actually
glad about this. I didn't want to kill them,

[A constellation who wants your death has given you an defense penalty.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

The fucking sponsorship. A dagger flew from somewhere and hit my arm,
causing terrible pan. My arm would've been cut off if it wasn't for the
Infinite Dimension Space Coat.
[A few constellations feel sorry for your adversity.]

There were also constellations who supported me. Thank you for your tears.
I grabbed my injured arm and ran to the southwest of Yongsan-gu.

If I was right, the meteorite where the Disaster of Floods slept was in that
direction. The energy of the meteorite showed it was close to hatching.

[Bihyung. What the hell is this?]

[What's the matter? It is simple entertainment before we enter the game.]

Another dokkaebi's voice was suddenly heard. Now Bihyung was speaking
in a strong manner.

It was a sharp contrast to my heavy body. Just a bit more…

A river finally appeared.

"Hold it!"

I barely managed to escape from the clutches of other people and plunged
into Han River. The other incarnations knew what was in Han River and
couldn't easily follow me.

"This crazy guy!"

The 7th grade ichthyosaurs swarmed like they had been waiting. They
wanted to make my feeble self their food.

[Many constellations are filled with joy.]

I had a thought as I watched the ichthyosaurs. I didn't have any talent. No

matter how hard I trained, I wouldn't become as skilled as I wanted.
However, I didn't want to use that as an excuse to say I was weak.

[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' can now be activated.]

The way that I could become stronger was different from other people.

['Character Bookmarks' is activated.]

[Available Bookmark Slots: 4]

[Bringing up the list of available bookmarks.]

"I will release Demagogue Cheon Inho from the 3rd slot and add Beast
Tamer Shin Yoosung."

[The number three bookmark has been activated.]

A bright light surrounded my body and the smell of the monsters changed.
Some smells were friendly while some were filled with hostility. I realized
that there was a world I didn't know. After all, it was sensitivity to the
world that determined how a person read it.

[The level of the Bookmark skill is low, shortening the activation time.]

[Activation Time: 30 minutes]

[Your understanding of the character is significant. You can select some of

her skills to import.]

One of the far-off ichthyosaurs synched with me and complex circuits were
forming in my head.

[Advanced Diverse Communication Lv. 3 has been activated.]

[Taming Lv. 9 has been activated.]

Blood flowed from my nose. This was how the kids always felt. I slowly
opened my mouth, "Come, Queen Mirabad."
 Chapter 101: Ep. 20 – Disaster of Floods, IV

The ichthyosaur queen cut through the water. The grandeur of her
streamlined body filled Han River. The confused incarnations immediately
moved away from Han River.

"Uwahh, shit!"

"What is this?"

There was a feeling of solemnity as I faced her. I was facing the ruler of a
species. I once again felt how great Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung were.

"Come down."

The queen's whiskers touched the water at my words. Once again, it was
unreasonable to have the same effect even with the same skill. It was
similar to when I used Lycaon's Way of the Wind. I approached her and
climbed up using the scales.
The body of the queen shook like she was rejecting my touch. This was the
limit for me. Honestly, it felt like my frontal lobe was burning from the
connection with the queen.

I left the incarnations hunting me behind and opened my mouth, "Let's go."

Then my struggle with the queen began. As if she was playing with me, the
queen swam through the water regardless of my breathing.

"Ahah!" I gasped for air, looking like a wet mouse. "This…!"

The surrounding ichthyosaurs poured towards me like they were amused.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is laughing at you.]

My control was a mess but the queen was moving in the direction I wanted.
It was southwest of Yongsan-gu. It was Nodeulseom, one of the few islands
in Han River. If I remembered correctly, this island was the place with the
most potential for the Disaster of Floods to hatch.

「 The fifth disaster hatched on an artificial island in Han River. 」

Ways of Survival was a novel where the year wasn't specified.

Therefore, I didn't know exactly what year Ways of Survival was based on.
I thought it was close to the year I lived in but it had been serialized for 10
years and the technology development wasn't right. There was little
mention of modern devices in Ways of Survival and sometimes there were
no fixed geographical names used.

This situation was an example.

'An artificial island in Han River… where the hell is it?

Nonetheless, I was able to determine that it was Nodeulseom due to the

description and the size of the meteorite.
My thoughts were interrupted by the queen's sudden stop. I rolled down and
was thrown on Nodeulseom. Queen Mirabad glanced at me before
disappearing into Han River. She was a heartless jerk.

[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' has been turned off.]

"Uweeeek."

The world turned around as I coughed out the river water. I raised my head
and the landscape of Nodeulseom spread out in front of me.

I had never been to Nodeulseom before but something felt strange. The
trees on Nodeulseom looked like they were before the world was ruined.

The ichthyosaurs disappeared and the incarnations were preparing to cross

the river. I could see some of the incarnations flying through the sky. I hid
behind a tree and held my breath as I watched them.

"Where is he? Didn't he obviously come here?"

I didn't think there would be so many people who had learnt Flight
Maneuvers. These jerks weren't regressors. Why did they adapt so fast?
Many of them landed on Nodeulseom and looked around.

"Hyung, let's look around. I don't have any confidence facing him alone."

"I agree. Did you see all the stars above his head? He is a monster."

"Hero-like traits aren't necessary when dealing with a monster."

"…Will he be as strong as the king in the west?"

It was a conversation discussing how to kill someone. I thought it was too

shameful to compare me to Yoo Joonghyuk. I wanted to hide until the end
of the time limit but someone showed up from the forest on the island.
"Ahjussis should be careful. Get off this island if you know what is good
for you."

It was a strong voice. The girl dressed in a black hoodie over her uniform
walked towards the men.

"Who are you?"

"A young person who is unafraid…"

"My armmmmm!"

"Uwaaaah!"

Her sword moved through the air and the men who had their arms cut off
screamed. One of the relatively younger incarnations shouted.

"It is her, the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare!"

"What? Why is that girl here?"

"Run! Run away!"

The incarnations hurriedly used Flight Maneuvers but their talent wasn't as
high as I thought. A couple were decent. However, the Duke of Loyalty and
Warfare wouldn't make just anyone his incarnation, even if they were a
descendant of his friend.

The girl pointed her sharp blade at me. "Ahjussi, are you going to come
out? Why are you hiding when you have the target mark on you?"

That reminded me, I still had the arrow above my head. I sighed and left the
forest with both hands raised. "Are you going to kill me?"

"I'd like to but Master will be sad." The long-haired girl, Lee Jihye put
away her sword with a laugh. Her strength had increased in the 10 days we
hadn't met.
Lee Jihye saw my injured arm and said to me. "How have you been? I don't
think you have been well."

"Then why ask? I thought you had returned to Daepong High School. Why
are you here?"

"Master picked me up a few days ago. I don't know how he found me."

Yoo Joonghyuk? I knew that Lee Jihye was a key member of Yoo
Joonghyuk's party but to go there and find her…

I looked at her physical body stats using Calm Observation. The total value
was roughly over 160. Her strength and physique seemed slightly lower but
she had reached the limit on her stats for the fifth scenario.

Moreover, Demon Slayer and Sword Training had improved further. It

seemed that all characters in Ways of Survival grew faster when they
weren't around me. Did they all have a mental block because of me? "What
about ahjussi's party? Have you meet Heewon unni?"

"The others are waiting in Yongsan-gu. I haven't met Heewon-ssi yet."

"Too bad. She wanted to see you."

Come to think of it, Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye were in similar positions. I
looked around carefully and asked, "Did you come with Yoo Joonghyuk?"

"Huh? Why does ahjussi know everything?"

At this moment, I heard a sound from the edge of Nodeulseom.

Incarnations who had been fighting the ichthyosaurs finished and
approached the island.

Some came on duck boats and some swam. Some of them came on boats or
used special skills. They looked like group tourists.
"I found him! There he is!"

I was the tour product. Lee Jihye became angry when she saw the
incarnations. "Why did you drag that bunch of trash here?"

"I brought them to catch the disaster."

Some people were preparing themselves for the disaster but not everyone.
Those who didn't belong to any groups were hiding all over Seoul, waiting
for someone to clear the main scenario. Then they would take action in the
resulting power loss.

The last disaster couldn't be broken by such a flimsy determination. If

everyone didn't fight together…

"Why did you do that? There is no point."

"Huh?"

"There won't be a disaster. Master is taking care of it." My eyes stared at

Lee Jihye with disbelief. "The last disaster won't be dangerous at all.
Instead, useless people can't enter the island… shit, they are entering."

Lee Jihye once again pulled out her sword. This was the reason why she
controlled the island. Lee Jihye wasn't the only one controlling entrance to
the island. A large person waved towards an incoming ship.

"Everyone, you aren't allowed inside here. This is a danger zone!"

"What? Who are you?"

"A lieutenant of the 6502 unit…"

"What nonsense is this?!"

A flying blade was caught in the man's hands and he stated, "…It is
dangerous to resist the authorities."
"Y-You!"

The lieutenant wore a suit reminiscent of a giant bear and had a dirty beard.

"I will take you to a safe place."

The lieutenant lifted the man with one hand and threw him to the other side
of Han River. The man flew across Han River at a great speed and landed
on the other side.

The lieutenant asked, "Is there anyone who needs guidance?"

"Crazy! A monster!"

The lieutenant facing the incarnations had tired eyes, like a mountain had
piled up on his shoulders. It was a face that looked terribly weary.

「 It is hard… .」

「 I think I will die… 」

「 Dokja-ssi, where are you? 」

"Lee Hyunsung-ssi."

At that moment, Lee Hyunsung looked at me. His expression was like he
found an oasis in the middle of a desert.

"Dokja… Dokja-ssi?" Lee Hyunsung came towards me. I instinctively took

a step back. "D-Dokja-ssi! It's me! Lee Hyunsung!"

I was about to open my mouth when another group of incarnations

disembarked.

"There he is! Catch him!"

Lee Hyunsung's expression distorted. "I… told you it is a danger zone!"

He turned around and slammed his fist into the ground.

[The character 'Lee Hyunsung' has used the stigma 'Great Mountain Smash
Lv. 5'.]

The entire island of Nodeulseom shook as the edges exploded. I was

captivated by the second scene of incarnations flying. That Yoo Joonghyuk
bastard, how did he raise a person?

I asked the delighted looking Lee Hyunsung, "Where is Yoo Joonghyuk?"

Lee Hyunsung's expression became slightly sad. "Oh, he is in the middle of

the island. That…"

"I will be right back. Then we will talk."

I ignored Lee Hyunsung's desperate gaze and ran to the center of the island.
There were many things I wanted to ask Lee Hyunsung but now wasn't the
time. I had to check something quickly.

How long did I walk through the forest? I finally saw a huge meteorite
stuck in the center of the forest. The size of the meteorite was
overwhelming compared to the other ones. The red aura on the surface
implied a sure destruction. There was a woman standing in front of the
meteorite.

"Oh, you are…?"

My expression changed at the sight of Lee Seolhwa when the person I was
looking for emerged from the rear of the meteorite.

"Yoo Joonghyuk."

Yoo Joonghyuk stood there calmly, exuding a steady presence. I asked him,
"What are you doing right now?"
"You must know because you have Future Sight."

I was speechless at the calm answer. The yellow meteorite stuck in the
middle of the huge disaster meteorite. I immediately noticed why Yoo
Joonghyuk wanted to come here quickly.

"Are you feeding the guide meteorite to the disaster?"

"The guides will only interfere later. It is better to kill them while we can
handle them."

Once again, my ominous feelings were always right. This bastard was
trying to hatch the disaster early. He was Lee Seolhwa's lover for a reason.

"No, why? Putting aside the guide, why are you trying to wake up the
disaster early? Have you finally gone crazy?"

There was slight disappointment in Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes as he replied,

"You don't seem to know a lot this time."

"What?"

"This disaster was my colleague in a past life."

Who didn't know this? Yoo Joonghyuk declared with an arrogant

expression, "That's why this disaster is safe."

…Safe? Several thoughts passed through my head.

…Joonghyuk. Yes. Sometimes he was too naive.

[The Disaster of Floods has hatched.]

I had forgotten for a while because I received his help several times. This
guy in front of me was someone who barely took a step towards the end
after dying over one hundred times.
 Chapter 102: Ep. 20 – Disaster of Floods, V

The situation became clear. This Yoo Joonghyuk believed in something he

shouldn't have.

I shouted towards Lee Seolhwa, "Lee Seolhwa! Take the kids and escape
from this island right now. The Disaster of Floods is different from the past.
We must fight her together. If we don't all fight―"

"Kim Dokja, don't disturb me if you don't want to die." Yoo Joonghyuk
came up behind me and grabbed me by the neck. All of a sudden, my body
lost strength and my knees fell to the ground.

I bit my lip and exclaimed, "Yoo Joonghyuk, listen to me! The Shin
Yoosung waking up now isn't the Shin Yoosung you know. Once you meet
her…"

I wanted to say more but my voice suddenly changed into a squeaky sound.
Dammit. I used Hit a Pressure Point to gradually relieve the energy that
Yoo Joonghyuk had released into my blood.
Now I had to subdue him…

Of course, no one in Seoul could subdue Yoo Joonghyuk. No, there was
only one. That person was coming right now.

[The Disaster of Floods is waking up.]

Along with the message, a green light emerged from the meteorite. Finally,
the hatching of the meteorite began.

I heard the voice of the intermediate dokkaebi.

[The incarnations of Seoul are really hot-tempered. Other areas aren't so

eager to wake up the disaster and are struggling to avoid the disaster…]
It was difficult for Bihyung to stall any longer.

[Do you miss your first companions? Now, prepare to face the disaster.
Your companions are waiting for you in the other world.]

[A new main scenario has arrived!]

[Main Scenario # 5 – Disaster of Floods]

Category: Main

Difficulty: SS

Clear Conditions: Kill the Disaster of Floods, Shin Yoosung.

Time Limit: ―

Compensation: 100,000 coins, ???

Failure: The fall of Seoul.

The large meteorite split apart and revealed the interior that was
reminiscent of a womb. A completely nude woman was trapped inside like
a fossil.

It was a mysterious woman with pure white skin. Her beautiful hair was
tied up in a ponytail and wrapped around her body. This was the
appearance of the adult Shin Yoosung.

"A girl?"

"What is this? That is a disaster?"

Lee Jihye and Lee Hyunsung stopped while some incarnations secretly
looked at her. They seemed to feel the severe gap in power.

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has offset your mental shock.]

The Disaster of Floods was different from other disasters. Unlike other
disasters who were weakened by the early hatching, the Disaster of Floods
had no such thing. The Disaster of Floods was stronger the earlier she woke
up.

The moment that Shin Yoosung opened her eyes, white fur grew all over
her body. The white fur was reminiscent of an animal's pelt and covered her
body in the form of clothing.

Shin Yoosung slowly emerged from the meteorite and stepped on the
ground. She was like a child taking her first step. She had just taken a step
when everyone around her was frozen.

She was a species with a different strength. Even the strong ones among the
incarnations found it hard to move. However, there was a person who
wasn't troubled by her pressure at all.

"I have been waiting, Shin Yoosung."

Shin Yoosung slowly turned towards the man.

"…Captain?" It was a short encounter but Shin Yoosung instantly realized

something. "Captan was waiting for me… this isn't the first time you have
seen me? Right?"

Yoo Joonghyuk nodded. "I need your help."

"Before that, what regression are you on now?"

"Why are you wondering?"

"I need to know."

Yoo Joonghyuk hesitated for a moment before replying. "The third time."

"Ah, I see… Then you met me in the second regression. Right?"

"Yes."

She was the reason why Yoo Joonghyuk could reach the 46th scenario in
the second regression. It was thanks to the Disaster of Floods in front of us.

The Disaster of Floods was Shin Yoosung from the 41st world line. She
came to the past because of the Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st regression. Shin
Yoosung was abandoned by his world, travelled for many years and
eventually descended into a scenario of the past Earth.

"This is the third regression. I gave you information last time but you still
failed?"

"That's why I need more information."

The second regression Shin Yoosung chose Yoo Joonghyuk and gave him
all the information she knew. It was a final consideration for the Yoo
Joonghyuk that she knew. It was only for the second regression.
Shin Yoosung opened her mouth. "…It took thousands of years."

I could feel countless years of fatigue piled up in Shin Yoosung's

expression.
The things done by the 41st round Yoo Joonghyuk were worse than murder.
Thousands of years. This period of time was enough to make a person
collapse and for their ego to wear down. Shin Yoosung endured all that
time and finally became a disaster.

"Captain, do you know how hard it was for me? I endured all these years to
comply with your request."

"…What do you mean?"

"I wanted to see Captain."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't see the despair in Shin Yoosung's smile. He opened
his mouth in a nonchalant manner. "Give me all the information from the
41st regression. Did the future me say anything?"

I wanted to shout at him but my voice wouldn't come out. Shin Yoosung's
eyes were as calm as the eye of a storm. Only I could read the turbulent
emotions hidden deeply in her eyes.

「 Nothing has changed. 」

Thanks to Yoo Joonghyuk, Shin Yoosung moved alone in the labyrinth of

worlds for over 1,000 years. She worked 200 years for the sake of
humanity. She kept her promise to defend the world for 200 years. Then for
another 200 years, she remembered Yoo Joonghyuk and her companions.

Throughout the years, Shin Yoosung used the handful of memories to

protect herself. However, questions rose the more she remembered.

「 What does all of this mean? 」

Time erased her cause and sense of justice. Once the cause disappeared,
only the poor human truth remained.

She felt resentment towards Yoo Joonghyuk who turned her and her
companions into a tool of 'regression'. Loneliness and despair of losing the
world permeated her bones. Shin Yoosung hated Yoo Joonghyuk who made
her into this.

"Captain has never changed."

"Don't say unnecessary things and turn over the information. I don't have
time."

"What are 'we' to Captain?"

"…What?"

"I did everything for you. I gave you one chance. However, Captain is still
here." She graciously helped Yoo Joonghyuk in the second regression.
"You will keep going forward. You will turn people like me into tools and
abandon me in the terrible labyrinth of worlds. It is all because of that
goddamn sense of justice. I hate you for living in this world alone."

Now Shin Yoosung was facing the Yoo Joonghyuk of the third regression.

"There is only one thing I'm going to tell you. Captain can't save anyone."
Shin Yoosung laughed. "Your third regression ends here."

Light emerged from Shin Yoosung's hands the same moment I was able to
release myself using the pressure point. I ran with all my strength and was
hit by the ether storm.

"Get out of the way Yoo Joonghyuk!"

My belly was split open and my mind became blank. A massive crater
formed in the center of the island. Me and Yoo Joonghyuk jumped into the
air and then rolled along the ground for a while.

It hurt. Shit. It really hurt.

"…Kim Dokja?" The surprised Yoo Joonghyuk looked down at my fallen

self.

My breathing was fast and the sky had turned yellow. It was true that I had
been lucky so far. The world was originally like this. Only one thing had to
go wrong for the world to be destroyed.

"Kim Dokja!"

Bastard, there was no need to make a big fuss. I smiled at Yoo Joonghyuk
and told him, "Hey, kill me. You usually want to kill me."

"What do you mean?"

"There is one minute left so I'll let you kill me. Kill me."

Yoo Joonghyuk looked at my belly. I wanted to touch my belly but it felt

like nothing was there. Blood constantly emerged from my mouth and I was
dizzy enough to vomit. I kept struggling to breathe.

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has offset some of the pain.]

If it wasn't for Fourth Wall then I might be weeping. I couldn't feel it last
time because I died in one blow.

"Wait Kim Dokja! It isn't too late."

"It is too late."

"It isn't!"
"If you kill me now then you can gain coins. I'm already dying. Just kill
me."

Yoo Joonghyuk made an expression that I hadn't seen for a long time. It
was the expression he made when he first saw me on the subway.

"I can't do it."

My vision blurred. I could see Yoo Joonghyuk trying to stop the bleeding
but I had already lost too much blood. More than anything… my internal
organs were gone. There was no way I could live. It was unreasonable even
for Lee Seolhwa. My consciousness slowly scattered into the air like a
collapsing sandcastle. [You have died.]

A moment later, a system message was heard.

[Current karma points: 100/100]

[You have enough karma points to use the privilege.]

[The privilege of the King of No Killing is activated.]

As expected, I opened my eyes in the darkness. It was this state again. It

was a truly dirty feeling.

[Due to a collision error with your exclusive skill, the privilege of King of
No Killing would be delayed.]
[Thanks to your death, your consciousness has been completely liberated
from the constraints of your body.]

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 3 has been

activated!]

I heard familiar messages in the darkness. The next moment, a screen

appeared in front of me. It was the third person observation.

「 "Flood." 」

It was like the intermediate dokkaebi said. The Disaster of Floods was more
than the other disasters combined. Shin Yoosung gave an order and the air
distorted, making monsters pop out.

Monster Gate, the main feature of the legend grade attribute Beast Lord.
The numerous monsters domesticated by her as she travelled the
dimensions were being released as nightmares on Earth.

「 "Tear, break, destroy." 」

Many 7th grade and 6th grade species could be seen. There were even some
comparable to the 5th grade fire dragon.

「 "It is time for the disaster." 」

Nodeulseom exploded and waves covered Han River. The confused

incarnations became the food of monsters. The late-arriving 'kings' started
giving orders. Then I saw a person with a fearsome aura behind Shin
Yoosung.

「 "I'm going to kill you, Shin Yoosung." 」

…This crazy bastard? Yoo Joonghyuk's ether blade moved through the air
with a terrible sound.
Shin Yoosung avoided the attack and smiled lightly. 「 "Your level of
Breaking the Sky Sword is quite high already? However, you can't beat me
no matter how you try. At most, it is this level?"

"You must turn in this round."

"We'll see. I won't die now. It might be possible if it was 10 years later."

"I will kill you."

"…Captain, aren't you too agitated? What is the reason?" 」

I quietly prepared 1st person protagonist's point of view. In the current

situation, it was best to transfer to Yoo Joonghyuk's body. I didn't feel good
but it would be a bit easier to deal with the disaster if I transferred to this
guy.

「 "Something is strange. Are you really Captain?" 」 Then Shin

Yoosung's eyes shifted to my dead body. 「 "Who is that person? I haven't
never seen such a person before." 」

Yoo Joonghyuk stayed silent. He just swung and swung his sword. This
was his only answer. How long did he swing his sword?

Yoo Joonghyuk slowly opened his mouth.

「 "…That guy." 」

Shin Yoosung's face gradually filled with doubt and disbelief. The silent
Yoo Joonghyuk finally spoke.

「 "He is my companion." 」
 Chapter 103: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, I

「 "…Captain, what did you just say?" 」

I came to my senses because of Shin Yoosung's disbelieving voice.

「 "Say it again. What did you say just now? What? Companion?"

"…"

"That man is your companion?" 」

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't reply to the voice filled with distrust. I was surprised
as well but Shin Yoosung's shock was devastating. The Yoo Joonghyuk
with a strong ego had called me his 'companion'.

「 "Yes." 」
This suddenly scared me. No matter how I thought about it, he wasn't
someone who would call me a 'companion'. Didn't this bastard know I was
going to be resurrected?

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is touched by your companionship.]

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' is blushing at your

companionship.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

Yes, now I understood. Yoo Joonghyuk, he was looking for coin

sponsorship. It was a little strange to see that Uriel wasn't involved but he
must be targeting sponsorship by one of the constellations.

I became convinced as I watched him bleeding. Considering that this was

his third regression, it wasn't impossible for Yoo Joonghyuk to say the word
'companion'. In the early rounds, he had called Lee Hyunsung and Lee
Seolhwa 'companions' when they died.

It hurt to think about the large number of coins he would be receiving right
now. I couldn't help my emotions becoming cold. Damn, I should've said
that line.

「 "Captain, how can you say that?" 」

Of course, Shin Yoosung didn't know Yoo Joonghyuk's thoughts and

looked as if the world had collapsed.

There was no choice. The 41st regression Shin Yoosung…

She never once heard Yoo Joonghyuk call anyone his companion. Shin
Yoosung's fist hit Yoo Joonghyuk's blade.

Despite the clash between the body and the weapon, the thing that received
damage was Yoo Joonghyuk's sword. It was the SS-grade Splitting the Sky
Sword. Putting aside the special options, the durability and strength were
one of the best. Yet this sword was damaged by Shin Yoosung's fist.

In the end, the Splitting the Sky Sword failed to overcome the shock and
was bent. The mighty Splitting the Sky was helplessly deflected.

「 "How dare you say this in front of me?" 」

Shin Yoosung shouted and didn't use any special skills. She just threw a
punch that contained ether condensed to the limit.

Yoo Joonghyuk coughed up blood and flew back at this blow. Her attacks,
her speed and her variations. Shin Yoosung was superior to Yoo Joonghyuk
in all aspects.

The Red Phoenix Shunpo and Breaking the Sky Sword that Yoo Joonghyuk
was proud of faded in front of Shin Yoosung.

There was the terrible sound of the body breaking and Yoo Joonghyuk was
pushed back. It wasn't a matter of talent but a matter of time.

Despite being weakened by the descent, the 41st Shin Yoosung was the
Beast Lord who was close to the limits that Shin Yoosung could reach. On
the other hand, the current Yoo Joonghyuk was in the early stages of Yoo
Joonghyuk's growth.

「 "Why call him a companion? Is it because he sacrificed himself for you?

Just because of this?" 」

Blood emerged without stopping. However, Yoo Joonghyuk didn't give up.
He didn't stop and kept wielding his sword. That jerk, why the hell was he
fighting?

I watched the bleeding Yoo Joonghyuk and became increasingly frustrated.

Shouldn't he run away after realizing something was wrong? Wasn't that
what he normally did?
Once again, Shin Yoosung opened her mouth.

「 "Then what about me and the others? Jihye unni and Hyunsung oppa.
Seolhwa unni? What the hell are the people who fought with you?"

"I… I don't know what you're talking about."

"What?"

"There is only one thing I know." Yoo Joonghyuk wiped the blood from his
lips and said. "You killed my companion in this round. Thus, you will also
die." 」

Damn, this time I couldn't help feeling touched.

[Excessive immersion has restricted some of the features of Fourth Wall.]

I was fooled by his acting. Yes, I read Ways of Survival for this taste.
Come to think of it, I had been in tears when Yoo Joonghyuk said
something similar to Lee Hyunsung.

I suddenly felt restless. A mere reader became a companion of the main

character, Yoo Joonghyuk.

Shin Yoosung looked at Yoo Joonghyuk with a face that seemed to have
lost everything.

「 "You can't be like this…" 」

An ominous aura filled her surroundings. It was a process where emptiness

turned to betrayal and betrayal turned to anger.

「 "You are changing. I can't tolerate it." 」

Ether filled Shin Yoosung's fists. I wanted to watch a bit more but I was
filled with a sense of crisis.
[Excessive immersion leads to a profound increase in the proficiency of
Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.]

If this went wrong then Yoo Joonghyuk would really die. I couldn't let him
be killed here. I quickly switched the mode of Omniscient Reader's
Viewpoint.

It was from third person to 1st person protagonist's point of view.

[Changing your viewpoint to first person.]

[Changing to the 1st person protagonist's point of view has failed.]

What? Why?

[You have failed to meet the conditions to change the viewpoint.]

It felt like I had been hit in the back of the head. There were two conditions
to use 1st person protagonist's point of view.

One, I must be dead and in an out of body state. Two, the target and I
should be thinking about each other.

The first condition was met but the problem was the second condition. That
jerk wasn't thinking about me right now?

Then what was with all the running amok because of revenge? I watched
Yoo Joonghyuk who was frantically attacking and became stunned.

「 "Die. I will kill you." 」

…That bastard, was he thinking about anything? Shin Yoosung watched

Yoo Joonghyuk and opened his mouth.
「 "It can't be helped. I was going to finish it quickly but I changed my
mind." 」

Shin Yoosung smiled like she was a devil.

「 "I will finish off Captain's world in the most terrible way." 」

Shin Yoosung's eyes shifted away from Yoo Joonghyuk. My heart sank the
moment I followed her gaze. Shit, I really couldn't wait here and watch. If I
couldn't transfer to Yoo Joonghyuk then someone else…

At this moment, a sharp sensation crossed my mind. An unexpected

character was thinking of me.

…Could I transfer to this person? Was it possible? Ah, that's right. It was
because Yoo Joonghyuk said those words. Yes, maybe it would be better to
transfer to this person. I don't know, let's just try it.

I started projecting my mind towards that person. Then after a while. My

vision shook and I became dizzy.

[Changing your viewpoint to first person.]

My consciousness was sucked to another place.

'Companion?'

The first time she heard it, Shin Yoosung questioned her ears. Companion.
How was this possible? This was Yoo Joonghyuk, not another person.

Shin Yoosung couldn't understand the emotion that blossomed deep inside
her heart. It was an emotion she had forgotten for a thousand years.
Yoo Joonghyuk, companion.

She didn't know what had happened to Yoo Joonghyuk. But if it was
true, perhaps the Yoo Joonghyuk of that time towards her… Shin
Yoosung touched the ground without realizing it.

'It is low'.

Shin Yoosung thought so. Thus, I thought so.

"This is your last chance." She couldn't tolerate such a lowly thing. "If you
take your words back then I will send you away without any pain. Say it.
Say he isn't your companion, just someone you know."

The bleeding Yoo Joonghyuk didn't answer despite his condition. Shin
Yoosung had crushed one arm and his legs were weak. Even so, Yoo
Joonghyuk's eyes were still alive.

Shin Yoosung stared at Yoo Joonghyuk and gritted her teeth before giving
an order. "Hold onto Yoo Joonghyuk."

The 6th grade sulfur mummies that had passed through the Monster Gate
started moving. Their white bandages grabbed Yoo Joonghyuk's body and
Yoo Joonghyuk's limbs were pulled as if they were going to be torn apart.
Shin Yoosung declared, "Captain, I'll kill them one by one. Captain, you are
the one who chose the most painful way."

Shin Yoosung walked towards the edge of the island, leaving Yoo
Joonghyuk alone.

"Kill her! She is the disaster!"

The incarnations climbing up from the water discovered Shin Yoosung.

Shin Yoosung waved her hands towards them. The incarnations were
touched by the light that came from her hands and were torn apart like wet
newspaper. There was no time for them to scream.

"Flood."

Monsters poured from the Monster Gate at her order. Two of the most
powerful monsters were standing behind her like they were guards.

The 5th grade sea species, King Masswood. The 5th grade behemoth,
Heavy Metal Bean.

They were monsters who could cause small disasters in this world. She was
about to speak when a sharp strike came from the side.

"Where are you going?"

It was a flashy sword. The person wielding it wore a black hoodie over a
slim skirt. Shin Yoosung immediately recognized who she was. Demon
Slaying was burning in Lee Jihye's eyes.

"You dared to make Master look like that?"

The majesty of a great constellation emerged from Lee Jihye's body. It was
the power of a person who was stronger than anyone in the sea. Shin
Yoosung noticed the stigma that Lee Jihye wanted to use. This place was a
river.

"…Your Majesty."

The moment she started reciting a passage, transparent ships emerged from
every corner of Han River.

"I still have 12 ships…!"

12 ships appeared on Han River, scattering the water. It was a sight that
made people speechless. The stigma of the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare,
Ghost Fleet. Despite the oppressive aura of the ships, Shin Yoosung just
smiled like she had missed it.

"…Indeed. This is Unni's skill."

"Unni? You are a lot older than me!"

"However, you still have a long way to go. The captain should be on the
ship. Why are you in a place like this?" Shin Yoosung reached her in an
instant and touched Lee Jihye's chin. There was no time for resistance.
"Poor Unni. You don't know anything."

"Shit! What is this speed?"

Lee Jihye hurriedly retreated but she couldn't escape Shin Yoosung's speed.

"You don't know. Yoo Joonghyuk will use you and abandon you. You will
die."

Lee Jihye's blade flew towards Shin Yoosung. Shin Yoosung lightly
grabbed the blade.

"You, who wanted to be acknowledged by Yoo Joonghyuk, died in the sea

you loved so much. You were horribly slaughtered by the Japanese who
hated your sponsor."

"Everybody, attack with full power!"

The 12 ships started firing the moment Lee Jihye shouted. Shin Yoosung
laughed as she watched the flying shells.

"Do you know what Yoo Joonghyuk said after losing you?"

The shells hit Shin Yoosung's body. There was the loud sound of an
explosion. Shin Yoosung emerged from the smoke and kept talking.

"In the future, sea battles will be a bit difficult."

The countless shells didn't damage Shin Yoosung's white fur armour. It was
one of Shin Yoosung's unique skills, her strongest defense skill called Beast
King's Sensitivity. The white fur wrapped around her didn't tolerate even a
single scratch.

"Don't worry Unni. That won't happen this time."

Shin Yoosung laughed.

"I'll send you away without any pain."

Chapter 104: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, II

Shin Yoosung's right hand quietly rose towards the sky.

"Cry, King Masswood."

Then the ichthyosaur king behind her quietly raised his body. The king of
the ichthyosaurs, the King Masswood used Ice Breath. Han River instantly
froze and the ghost fleet firing their shells gradually lost their function. The
fleet was unable to move.

"Unni, I will give you one piece of advice. The ghost fleet is nothing
without water."

Everything happened in an instant. Shin Yoosung's fist moved as well.

There was the sound of something popping. Lee Jihye lost her sword and
flew through the sky.

"Of course, it is useless to give the advice at this time."

The bleeding Lee Jihye flew away and had already lost consciousness. King
Masswood's Ice Breath had spread completely across Han River.

"Aaaagh! What?"

The incarnations crossing the cold water shrieked. The hundreds of people
were destined to be frozen along with Han River. It was a person watching
nearby who saved the helpless incarnations.

[The character 'Lee Hyunsung' has used the stigma 'Great Mountain Smash
Lv. 5'.]

Lee Hyunsung's abnormally inflated right arm hit the frozen river. His right
arm seemed to burst as he used Great Mountain Smash to break up the ice.

His efforts were rewarded. The surface of the cracked Han River collapsed
and the influence of Cold Breath weakened. The incarnations took the
opportunity to climb onto Nodeulseom.

"Wahhhh!"

"Attack!"

Shin Yoosung saw Lee Hyunsung standing in the middle of them and
smiled sadly. "Yes, Hyunsung oppa. I knew you would be here."
"…You know me?"

"You were our most reassuring shield. You saved my life many times."

Shin Yoosung gestured and the huge chimpanzee behind her hit his chest
and walked forward. The 5th grade behemoth, Heavy Metal Bean. He
stomped his hind legs and the nearby incarnations rolled around on the
ground.

Lee Hyunsung rushed towards Heavy Metal Bean. Lee Hyunsung's swollen
arm hit the Heavy Metal Bean's steel muscles. Lee Hyunsung's power was
amazing. He wasn't pushed back by the 5th grade behemoth despite his
blood vessels bursting and blood flowing from his mouth. No, he was rather
overwhelming.

Shin Yoosung kept speaking to Lee Hyunsung. "You are the same as ever.
Hyunsung oppa. One of Yoo Joonghyuk's most loyal…"

"…Who are you?"

"You saved the lives of countless people and protected Yoo Joonghyuk to
the end. Then you were hit with the breath of the iron blood dragon and
scattered into a handful of ashes."

"What…?"

"Do you know what Yoo Joonghyuk said then?" Shin Yoosung's tongue
was a sharp scalpel that transplanted the wounds she received onto another
person. "I lost a bad shield."

Shin Yoosung saw Lee Hyunsung's changed expression and struggled with
a solitary pleasure. 'Yes, you should feel this too. The pain I felt, the sights I
saw. I won't unleash all of them but you should understand this too'.

However, she didn't know. This round of regression was different from
what she knew.
Lee Hyunsung hit the Heavy Metal Bean and opened his mouth. "I don't
know what you're talking about but I don't follow Yoo Joonghyuk."

"What?"

"I am in Kim Dokja's party."

"Kim… what?"

The Heavy Metal Bean fell to the ground with a loud sound. Shin
Yoosung's expression hardened and she approached Lee Hyunsung.

"What are you talking about?"

There was a popping sword and Lee Hyunsung flew through the air. Shin
Yoosung had punched Lee Hyunsung in the belly. The ether storm pierced
through Lee Hyunsung's solid skin and he flew to the middle of Han River.

The blow was hard enough to cause all his organs to rupture. The Lee
Hyunsung of the third round would no longer be able to live. However, a
question remained in Shin Yoosung's head.

It was a name she had never heard of before. Kim Dokja… Who was he?

Shin Yoosung tore off the heads of the incarnations rushing towards her
and slowly walked towards the frozen river. The frightened incarnations
fled and were torn apart by the claws of monsters. Little by little, despair
filled the eyes of the people.

A sense of resignation spread through the incarnations facing the

impossible disaster.

"Shoot!"

Of course, there were some people who tried to resist. The kings grouped
up and used long distance skills to fire arrows and ether bullets. Shin
Yoosung knew them.
King of Beauty, Min Jiwon.

The Maitreya King Cha Sangkyung.

The Neutral King, Jeon Ildo.

It was strange. They were those who originally shouldn't be alive or had
already gone under Yoo Joonghyuk's leadership. It was because all kings
other than Yoo Joonghyuk should've been incorporated into one throne at
the end of the fourth scenario.

Then what the hell was this?

"Attack! There is only one enemy!"

Who the hell was this army under? Where had the Absolute Throne gone?
Who was governing this world?

It was at this moment that she felt killing intent. The ground where Shin
Yoosung was standing was frozen.

…Ice Breath?

She reflexively looked behind her and saw a large serpent pouring its breath
towards her. It wasn't the King Masswood. She raised her right hand and
the King Masswood moved.

Two ichthyosaurs roared at each other as they collided.

The king and queen bit at each other, turning the entire Han River into a
huge battlefield. An ichthyosaur the size of a dragon was fighting King
Masswood. This ichthyosaur, Shin Yoosung knew its identity.

"…Queen Mirabad?"

She knew that the queen was on Earth but there was no reason to attack her.
No, what was this?
"Are you the future me?" A voice was heard.

She looked back and Shin Yoosung's mind became blank. The nostalgic
days shook her soul.

"Save ahjussi!"

The girl shouted while a woman tried to stop the girl.

"Yoosung, no!"

Shin Yoosung recovered from the shock and noticed everything.

"Haha… yes. I knew it."

Shin Yoosung moved towards the girl. She knew why Yoo Joonghyuk had
done this. He was a human who would just any means and methods to
achieve his purpose.

"Yoo Joonghyuk, you son of a bitch…"

"Yoosung, flee!"

Yoo Sangah simultaneously activated Hermes Walking Method and

Arachne's Spiderweb. Shin Yoosung's eyes narrowed.

'…Olympus?'

However, Yoo Sangah's dagger didn't reach Shin Yoosung. Shin Yoosung
made a simple hand gesture and the flying monsters gathered around the
gate flew towards Yoo Sangah. In a flash, Yoo Sangah disappeared into a
horde of monsters.

Shin Yoosung ignored Yoo Sangah and approached the little girl. The girl
looked up at her with fear and anger. The girl wasn't able to move an inch.
Shin Yoosung raised a hand to the girl's cheek.
"Yoo Joonghyuk really did find the 'me' of this world."

"Uh, ah…"

"He tried to kill the little 'me' to stop me. Right?"

A terrible joy filled Shin Yoosung's head. The faded hatred and anger
quickly returned to their place. There were some things that couldn't
be changed no matter how many times a person went back to the past.
The 'disaster' Shin Yoosung laughed. "Hello, my past self."

The moment her hand moved, a strong blow came from the rear and
swallowed up Shin Yoosung. The dust rose and a giant praying mantis
appeared.

"A 6th grade insect king?"

"Titano! Do it!"

The sickle attacks of the praying mantis turned the ground into tofu. It was
a scary attack. Of course, it wasn't an attack that could kill a disaster.

"Get lost."

The ether condensed in Shin Yoosung's right arm and drilled a hole in the
titanoptera's stomach. The praying mantis spilled green blood and fell to the
ground.

"Titano!"

The outraged Lee Gilyoung jumped from the head of the praying mantis. A
yellow mucus emerged from Lee Gilyoung's body and spread into the air.

"Go! Antinus!"
A wind parasite emerged from Lee Gilyoung's body. It was a 5th grade
parasitic species. Shin Yoosung was startled.

"…Antinus?"

Shin Yoosung knew this presence. It was because she destroyed Chronos
before coming to Earth. Antinus was the from the dominant species on
Chronos. She was a monster in the form of a queen.

Shin Yoosung couldn't believe it. The child had dominated Antinus?

"You are better than expected, Kid."

After her moment of surprise, Shin Yoosung grabbed the parasite in her
hands. Antinus' mucus that was touching her fingertips started to burn
black. It was natural. The guides had bodies that couldn't resist the
disasters.

"You have the talent to tame a guide. You are a child with the talent of a
Lord. Right? He also found…"

Lee Gilyoung shouted without caring about her questions. "What did you
do to Dokja hyung?" "What?"

"Where is hyung?"

Lee Gilyoung's fist hit her belly. It was a direct blow but Lee Gilyoung was
the one whose wrist broke. He was a great talent but the opponent was too
terrible. Shin Yoosung grabbed Lee Gilyoung's neck and lifted him into the
air.

"…Who is Dokja?" Blood poured down the struggling Lee Gilyoung's face.
"Say it. Otherwise I will kill you."
At this moment, a booming sound was heard in the distance and shells fell
towards the ground where she was standing. Shin Yoosung jumped lightly
and avoided the shells. The Ghost Fleet started firing again? How?

"Gilyoung!"

She could see Lee Jihye and Lee Hyunsung running in the distance. Doubt
filled Shin Yoosung's head…

It was strange. Surely those were deadly blows. How were they still alive?
Did her strength control fail? Her?

Shin Yoosung feel annoyed and inserted more strength into the hand
holding Lee Gilyoung's neck. In any case, it was better to ask them.

"Goodbye Kid."

The moment she increased her grip, pain spread in her head. She was
startled and dropped Lee Gilyoung to the ground. Her trembling right hand
was wriggling abnormally.

Surely she wasn't infected with a parasite? No, it was impossible. A 5th
grade parasite couldn't interfere with a returnee. Then what was this?" Why
wasn't her body listening to her all of a sudden?

Then she heard a voice. 「 Stop, Shin Yoosung. 」

Strangely, Shin Yoosung found something deep inside her react the
moment she heard this voice. One side of her heart started to ache like
crazy. She didn't know it. It was obviously a voice she didn't know.

"…W-Who the hell are you? Get out of me!"

What was this nostalgic feeling? Shin Yoosung grabbed her head like she
was resisting her own senses.

"You! Get out of me!"

She was filled with the desire to vomit as unknown memories revolved in
her head. The films of the worlds were becoming tangled together.

「 Yoosung. 」

She was distracted by the voice when the young Shin Yoosung approached.

The young Shin Yoosung's lips moved. "Ahjussi, are you there?"
 Chapter 105: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, III

Controlling the body of a disaster? I didn't intend on this from the

beginning. Originally my plan was something else. I decided to modify the
plan the moment my mind transferred to Shin Yoosung's body.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 3 has been

activated!]

[The 1st person supporting role viewpoint has been activated.]

To be exact, I had to modify it.

「 …I can't admit it. 」

「 Then what am I? How long have I lived? 」

「 What can I get for returning? 」

In the midst of Shin Yoosung's turbulent pain, I saw the world with her
eyes. I breathed through Shin Yoosung's nose and killed people with Shin
Yoosung's hand. I expressed Shin Yoosung's thoughts with her voice. I was
Shin Yoosung.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is shaking!]

Then I met Lee Jihye. I knew the moment I met her that Lee Jihye would
die here. Thus, for the first time I tried something that I hadn't done before.

[The 1st person supporting role viewpoint interferes with the behaviour of
the character.]

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is shaking ominously.]

There was an electric current in my head followed by tremendous pain. Yet

the moment Shin Yoosung dealt the decisive blow, I was able to pull back
her right hand. It was a fine adjustment so Shin Yoosung didn't notice, but I
definitely did it.

Lee Jihye didn't die.

[Your understanding of the character 'Shin Yoosung' has increased.]

The same thing was repeated with Lee Hyunsung. My mind had become a
bit ragged but I thought that I might be able to do something. I poured more
of my heart into it and increased my grip on Shin Yoosung's body.

Finally, it happened when Shin Yoosung grabbed Lee Gilyoung's neck.

"W-Who are you?"

I succeeded in controlling Shin Yoosung's right hand.

[You have a very high understanding of the character 'Shin Yoosung'.]

Someone else's arm moved according to my will. It was an amazing
experience.

"…Ahjussi?" Shin Yoosung asked.

"Get out of me!"

Shin Yoosung's right arm under my control starting shaking. The

abnormally deformed arm turned black and swollen, like the blood vessels
were bursting. The young Shin Yoosung rushed to grab the blackened arm.

"Ahjussi, you're in there right? Ahjussi!"

The young Shin Yoosung grabbed my right arm. At this moment, a strong
spark entered the right arm. It was a spark similar to a probability storm.
The surprised people came running but the sparks blew them away.

The 'disaster' Shin Yoosung and the 'young' Shin Yoosung saw each other
at the same time. The wave of memories were gathering.

「 "Ahjussi." 」

「 "Captain." 」

It wasn't possible. If the 'Disconnected Film' theory was correct, the two
people shouldn't have a shared history.

「 "You… can kill me. It's okay." 」

「 "I wanted to survive." 」

When I thought about it, the Disconnected Film theory only applied to
'characters'. I came from outside the novel. What if my existence played a
role in connecting their memories? What if I connected the two films?

I could feel both Shin Yoosungs holding my hand. The third round and the
41st round. The two different times were facing each other.
「 "Is it worth it for me to live?" 」

「 "Then what is the value of this life?" 」

"No! This… these memories…"

The panicked disaster Shin Yoosung stuttered and bit on her blue lips. A
mighty energy was being created inside Shin Yoosung's body.

There was the sound of something tearing and the young Shin Yoosung was
thrown away from the right arm.

Shin Yoosung was damaging her own body in an attempt to get me out.
Blood flowed from her and her combat power started to rapidly drop. The
balance of her flesh was being broken due to the excessive magic power.

「 Shin Yoosung! Wait, stop this! 」

"Aaaack!"

Shin Yoosung grabbed her head and struggled to expel me. I shared her
senses and felt like I was going crazy from the nausea and pain. Shin
Yoosung's mind was blank.

I was troubled for a moment. If this continued, the disaster Shin Yoosung…

Dammit!

My consciousness left Shin Yoosung's body and all five senses disappeared.

[The skill conflict error is normalized.]

[The delayed privilege of the King of No Killing has reappeared.]

[Your body is resurrected from death.]

Maybe this wasn't the right choice. However, I wanted to give it a try.

[A constellation who likes to change gender is sad.]

I would always regret it if I didn't.

[The recreation of your flesh has begun.]

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' offsets the mental shock caused by your
death.]

[Compensation is being prepared for the Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

stage 3.]

It was my second resurrection after dying from the fire dragon.

I felt my nerves being reconstructed and struggled once again. The

regenerated lungs filled with air and the optic nerves were connected,
restoring my vision. The abstract activity of the mind was transplanted onto
the cerebral cortex.

[The privilege of the King of No Killing has been completed.]

[100 karma points have been consumed.]

[The wastes of your flesh have been completely removed and the
performance of your body has increased.]

[Physique and magic power has increased by 2 levels each.]

[You have exceeded in overall stats limit for the scenario.]

Fortunately, it was the second resurrection and I didn't have an unseemly
appearance.

I looked around and saw my scattered items and clothing. It was lucky that
no one had taken them. I started putting on my clothes when I heard an
eerie voice behind me.

"…Kim Dokja?"

Ah, come to think of it, that bastard was right beside me. I looked back and
saw Yoo Joonghyuk staring at me with disbelief. His shoulders were still
covered with the sulfur mummies' bandages.

"How on earth?"

I sighed. I couldn't explain about the King of No Killing here so I said

something else. "…Don't say that you will kill me again. I really will die
this time."

"Kim Dokja, you…!"

"I will explain it later. There is no time."

I swung the Blade of Faith and freed Yoo Joonghyuk from the sulfur
mummies' bandages. The sulfur mummies shrieked and stared at me. Then I
activated Way of the Wind through Bookmark.

I carried the injured Yoo Joonghyuk on my shoulder and rushed towards

the frozen Han River.

From afar, I could see incarnations fighting with monsters. There was a
black aura rising from Yongsang-gu, Seoul. It was for certain. The disaster
Shin Yoosung was over there.

"Ahjussi?"

"Dokja-ssi!"
I found my party members running towards me. I put Yoo Joonghyuk down
on the ground and ordered.

"Take a break."

Then I ran straight towards the disaster Shin Yoosung.

"Dokja-ssi, it is dangerous."

"It's okay." I stopped Lee Hyunsung and moved forward. "Shin Yoosung."

The Disaster of Floods was sitting down while holding her head. Blood
flowed down and hit the ground.

I was certain that the incarnations didn't dare approach because of the
terrible aura she was emitting. Right now, everyone could kill the current
Disaster of Floods if they combined forces.

"You… who… are you?" The disaster Shin Yoosung looked at me with
trembling eyes. "It's all ruined… because of you… this isn't the round that I
know."

The soul that had lasted over a thousand years was shaking with fear.

"No, not at all."

The change began with Yoo Joonghyuk and then her spirit started
collapsing the moment she encountered the Shin Yoosung of the past.

She hated Yoo Joonghyuk. Her anger had accumulated over a thousand
years. The strong emotions had crumbled at the memories she received.

Maybe this hope could change the world. It was the small bit of hope that
the disaster Shin Yoosung saw. It might be very small but hope could
overwhelm despair.
I approached Shin Yoosung and knelt down beside her. Shin Yoosung
stared at me.

"You have done well." I kept thinking about what she would most want to
hear. No such thing had appeared in Ways of Survival. I could only come
up with the words myself. If I was Shin Yoosung… "I've been waiting for
you for a long time."

Shin Yoosung's eyes shook uneasily. "…You have been waiting? Who are
you?"

"A person who wants the same world you do."

At this point, Shin Yoosung's eyes changed drastically.

「 I… 」

Little by little, Yoo Sangah touched my shoulder.

"Dokja-ssi."

I nodded and got up. My companions were looking at me. I looked at them
and opened my mouth.

"Everyone."

I liked the Disaster of Floods episode. I loved all the characters who
appeared in this episode and valued them. Perhaps that was why I hoped for
this episode to not happen.

"I won't kill the disaster."

I thought about it. In the original third round, the Disaster of Floods died
after the young Shin Yoosung was killed. However, I wondered if there was
another ending to this episode that I didn't know about. It was an ending
that had never been attempted.
"I won't accept any arguments. This time, I hope you will listen to my
suggestion."

"Ahjussi, what is this bullshit?"

There was no time limit for the fifth scenario. What if the Disaster of
Floods gave up her role and what if we didn't hunt the disaster?

Perhaps this scenario would just continue without anyone dying. Some
people understood while others looked confused. The first one who nodded
was Yoo Sangah and then Lee Hyunsung opened his mouth.

"You must have an idea. I will follow Dokja's will."

"It is fine if that's what hyung wants. But can I hit her as much as she hit
Titano?"

"Damn, do whatever you want. Since when hasn't ahjussi done what you
wanted? But is it okay?"

I listened to the party members' words and then looked at the young Shin
Yoosung.

"I…"

The girl had tears in her eyes. Perhaps Shin Yoosung had seen it,
everything that her future self experienced.

Thus, it was cruel to ask the young Shin Yoosung about what to do with
Shin Yoosung. I stroked the child's hair and finally looked back at the
disaster Shin Yoosung. She had a distorted expression like she was a
wounded beast.

"You will spare me? Don't make me laugh. Who are you to say that?"

The only thing she had left was her pride.

"I have lived through the 41st round of regression. I remember everything
that no one in this world knows. What do you know? How did I spend that
time? How can I forget all of that?"

The words of the future Shin Yoosung stopped. It was because Yoo
Joonghyuk was watching her.

"…"

In this moment, Shin Yoosung realized the real meaning of what she said.
Being lost among worlds. Losing her loved ones. Nevertheless, living in
that world again. There was only one person in this world who understood
her grief.

"Every regressor lives hating the things that haven't happened yet."

Regressor Yoo Joonghyuk started talking.

"That guy will be a bad person in the future and I should kill him. That
person will kill my companion in the future and I should kill him. That
person will be my companion in the future and I should save them."

I could read the emotions in Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes. Since I was able to read
them, Yoo Joonghyuk felt strange to me for the first time. I had never seen
such an honest Yoo Joonghyuk.

"It is a future that hasn't happened yet. I know they don't remember me and
that they haven't done anything yet. Still, I believed and acted like they did.
That's how I lived. It is because everything clearly happened to me and I
can't live by denying it."

Anger returned to Shin Yoosung's eyes.

"Yes! It is because you lived that way! My companions…"

"So you also live that way, Shin Yoosung."

"…What?"

"If you want, I will bear your hatred."

I couldn't say anything because I was too saddened by Yoo Joonghyuk's

words.

"Survive this round for the sake of killing me."

Yoo Joonghyuk spoke some final words. Perhaps this was the warmest that
Yoo Joonghyuk could be.

It was the first time I noticed that Yoo Joonghyuk's back was so big and
wide. His back was wide and lonely.

Shin Yoosung stared at Yoo Joonghyuk with her mouth wide open.

Ironically, she understood the man who she hated for thousands of years
due to all the years she lived.

"Captain… wait. Captain!"

I was able to feel the ripples in Shin Yoosung's heart.

「 …Is this really okay? 」

「 Keep going for this reason. 」

「 This world, you don't have to abandon it… 」

Some anger hadn't disappeared and some sorrows hadn't been erased.
However, as long as she lived, salvation would come one day.

I told Shin Yoosung, "Shin Yoosung, this is your 'round' now."

I couldn't change anything when I was a reader. It was because I was a

reader that I could change it now. I thought I could change it.
At least, until the voice of the intermediate dokkaebi was heard.
 Chapter 106: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, IV

[I'm sorry but that's a bit difficult.]

I thought it was time for this guy to come out. It was the fucking
intermediate dokkaebi. This guy managed the entire Seoul scenario and
couldn't help moving at this time.

However, I was a bit confident. "Why is it difficult? We aren't breaking the

scenario's rules."

[Spare the disaster? Are you insane? You must want to die.]

"No, it is the opposite. I am doing this to live."

The voice of the intermediate dokkaebi became harder.

[Don't you know that this is a violation of the rules? The content of the
scenario is to kill the disaster. If you don't stick to the scenario…]
"Don't worry. I will kill the disaster." Everyone looked at me the moment I
said these words.

"Ahjussi, what are you…?" In particular, Lee Jihye looked at me like I was
a psychopath.

It wasn't strange. I previously said I wouldn't kill the disaster and now I said
I would. Most of the party members were waiting for my next words. I felt
a bit flattered by the trusting silence.

"Just not right now."

[What?]

"The scenario doesn't indicate a time limit. Then it is up to us when we

want to kill the disaster." The intermediate dokkaebi looked like he had
eaten Chinese medicine. "Thus, there is no need to rush."

The disaster Shin Yoosung looked up at me with a bemused expression.

She hadn't known that such a thing was possible.

[The constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' is looking at you with strange eyes.]

The agitation of the constellations could be felt. There weren't many

episodes that rebelled against the scenario, even when I searched all of
Ways of Survival. That's why it was of great interest to the constellations.

This was particularly true in situations where the distinction between good
and evil was ambiguous. The number of subscribers from the absolute good
or absolute evil constellations would rise in an overwhelming manner. It
was their daily routine to discern the good and evil of the characters.

[I can't allow it.]

"Are you going to interfere in another scenario? Have you forgotten what
happened last time?"
[…]

My confidence came from the fact that this was a main scenario, not a
subscenario.

It was also the fifth scenario that was scaled to engulf all of the dome,
making it difficult for the intermediate dokkaebi to change the criteria of
the scenario. In addition, the intermediate dokkaebi had already received
disciplinary action from the bureau.

He must be afraid of being punished again and didn't have much chance of
winning this fight against me.

I saw Bihyung biting his nails nearby and told him, 'Be prepared. If
something happens, you are the only one I can believe in'.

–Dammit, why should I?

'Don't forget that we will die together'.

Bihyung settled down and the intermediate dokkaebi opened his mouth.

[Very interesting. But it won't turn out as you think.]

Yes, I knew he wouldn't give up easily.

[Not all incarnation in Seoul Dome are the same as you.]

The intermediate dokkaebi flicked his finger. Then system messages

popped up.

[A new sub-scenario has arrived!]

I knew what he was thinking. If he couldn't touch the main scenario then he
would set up the sub-scenario.

[From now on, I will double the bounty on the disaster.]

The original compensation was 100,000 coins and it was doubled, which
meant 200,000 coins. It was an amount that could make someone rise to
the top of Seoul Dome in an instant. It was enough to risk their lives… For
some reason, no incarnations came running.

"Don't move."

"Cherish your lives. If you don't want to die like moths!"

The powerful kings were controlling the incarnations. They were King of
Beauty Min Jiwon and Maitreya King Cha Sangkyung. There was also the
Neutral King, Jeon Ildo.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is proud of the incarnations on the

Korean Peninsula.]

Of course, there were forces that the kings couldn't control but they also
didn't act. They had already seen the power of the disaster. It was natural
that a small number of people wouldn't act, regardless of whether the
reward was
100,000 or 200,000 coins. There was also our party covering the disaster
Shin Yoosung…

[…How disappointing. The incarnations of Seoul Dome are cowards.]

There was an ominous feeling in the air. The intermediate dokkaebi was
thinking about how to make this situation worse. I had to act quickly. At
this point, I had to go for victory.

"Do you yield? Honestly, won't everyone be satisfied?"

[Everyone will be satisfied?]

I didn't say anything else. I'm sure the intermediate dokkaebi understood
without me saying anything.
[Haha, I see. Is that what you were thinking? I heard from Dokgak but you
truly put on a great show.]

The reason for the existence of the dokkaebis was the scenarios. They were
the scenarios that many constellations responded to and many constellations
liked.

In the world of the Star Stream, there was only one case where there was a
miracle that reversed the scenario. It was if the majority of constellations
saw the scenario and wanted to change the direction of the scenario.

[…Certainly, violence isn't the only stimulus.]

I tried to appeal to the constellations with disaster Shin Yoosung's situation.

I chose words to avoid the filtering and continued to ignite the
constellations by exposing information. I made them sympathize with the
disaster Shin Yoosung.

It was all to support my rebellion. As a result, this whole situation was

created. Indeed, I could hear the messages of the constellations in my ears.

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' respects your will.]

[The constellation 'Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol' admires your

will.] Everything was going as planned.

"If you understand then can you decide now? Give me the reward or
continue with the fifth scenario."

There was no problem with continuing the sixth scenario even if the fifth
scenario hadn't ended. It was possible to run multiple main scenarios. If the
dokkaebi was smart then he should stop while the constellations were
satisfied.
[Incarnation Kim Dokja. You are the smartest and scariest out of all the
incarnations I know.]

I felt a strange sense of incongruity from the dokkaebi's expression.

[However, it is this cleverness that is grabbing at your ankles.]

"…What does that mean?"

The dokkaebi's following words weren't for me.

[Okay Constellations. Now I will show you the story you have been waiting
for.]

Sparks filled the air. The intermediate dokkaebi was moving the scenario.

[The intermediate dokkaebi has intervened in the scenario.]

[According to the scenario contract, control of the 'Disaster of Floods Shin

Yoosung' has been transferred to the intermediate dokkaebi.]

Shin Yoosung's expression started to change at the system messages.

"N-No. Wait. I… aaaack!"

A black aura rose from disaster Shin Yoosung's body. I hurriedly shouted,
"Wait! What are you doing?"

[I am fulfilling the contract. This is a cog in the scenario.]

I only realized now what he was trying to do. It was the scenario
enforcement right. It was the power to control the fate of all 'parts' involved
in the scenario. I knew it existed in Ways of Survival but I didn't think it
would be used immediately.

[The personality of the character is forcibly changed.]

[The personality of the character 'Shin Yoosung' will be fixed to 'evil'.]

The disaster Shin Yoosung was becoming a monster. I bit my lip. The
scenario enforcement generally wasn't used because the dokkaebi
consumed a lot of probability. But to use it now…

[Many constellations are cheering the development of the scenario.]

[Many constellations hate your new drama.]

It could only be used if many constellations agreed to this development.

Dammit, why?

"Dokja-ssi?"

"Hyung!"

The party members nervously approached my side. They realized that

something was wrong. However, I couldn't understand. Why had the
constellations suddenly turned their backs on me?

Bihyung's expression was dark as he looked at the sky.

–Sorry, I tried to persuade them but it didn't work.

'Why…'

–Your reputation is worse than you expected.

The intermediate dokkaebi said, [Arrogant incarnation. Do you think the

constellation would be that easy?]

…Then what about all the favourable indirect messages?

[Well, humans originally have the habit of believing what they want to
believe.]
I had misjudged due to the indirect messages that popped up one after
another.

[Many constellations are laughing at your decision.]

[Some constellations have withdrawn their support for you.]

That's right. Not all constellations sent indirect messages. Only a small
number of constellations sent messages.

[Many constellations are wary of your intentions.]

It might be natural that public opinion was bad towards me. I cheated them
through a trick and canceled the event. The constellations probably already
knew that Bihyung's channel had a capacity of 9,999. They knew but had
been deceived by my scenario. Now they were no longer fooled.

[Constellations of the Korean Peninsula are looking at you sadly.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is looking at you with

compassion.]

Maybe I was too shallow when I thought about the constellations.

[It seems like your luck ends here, Incarnation Kim Dokja.]

"Ahhhhh!"

A disturbing aura flowed from the body of Shin Yoosung who had been
forced to become evil. It was a killing intent that felt like it could melt
flesh. The incarnations screamed and fled. I could see Yoo Joonghyuk
pulling out Splitting the Sky Sword in the distance.

[I hope you put on a good show till the end.]

I slowly withdrew from the disaster. Shin Yoosung's face distorted sadly. It
ended up like this. I quickly glanced at Yoo Joonghyuk. Things had turned
out this way and it was obvious what choice he would make.

"Wait a minute, Yoo Joonghyuk."

"You have failed."

"Don't touch the child." I hid the young Shin Yoosung behind my back. "I
won't forgive you if you touch this child."

Yoo Joonghyuk glared at me. "There is no other way."

A way… I bit my lips until they bled.

"There is a way. We need to show the constellations their favourite

scenario."

"What do you mean?"

"Defeat the disaster."

Yoo Joonghyuk's expression hardened. "It is suicide Kim Dokja. Are you
going to be a pushover?"

I saw Shin Yoosung turning into a demon and destroying everything around
her. I didn't want it to be like this. This wasn't the ending I wanted. This
damn world, even resisting a scenario became another scenario.

[Many constellations are excited by your words.]

[Many of the constellations want an exhilarating

melee.] Yes, they wanted to see this.

"Support me Yoo Joonghyuk. I will stop the

disaster." I had to give it a try.

"Kim Dokja, you…"

"I can do it."

I blinked slowly and the option I had postponed emerged in front of me.

[You have experienced the first person supporting role viewpoint.]

[You can take one of the supporting role's skills.]

[Presenting the list of available skills.]

[Please select a skill to acquire.]

I opened the list and picked an option without hesitation.

"No. 3, Beast King's Sensitivity."

[The exclusive skill 'Beast King's Sensitivity' has been acquired!]

As if waiting, an ether storm emerged from disaster Shin Yoosung's hands.

It was the ether storm that made a hole in my belly and made Yoo
Joonghyuk incapable of fighting.

I protected my party members and received the storm head on.

[The exclusive skill 'Beast King's Sensitivity Lv. 3' has been activated.]

A pure white fur cloak. It was a unique skill of Beast Lord Shin Yoosung.
More than half of my magic power was consumed activating it and I
became dizzy, but I succeeded in receiving the attack of Shin Yoosung. The
dignity of Beast King's Sensitivity didn't lose to the mighty storm.
Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. "You stole her skill but it is still impossible."

"I know."

I looked at disaster Shin Yoosung. Despite her nature being set to evil and
losing control of her body, her eyes were filled with emotions. She told
him.

「 …It's okay. Kill me. 」

Who could swing a sword after seeing those eyes? The woman who
wandered for over a thousand years and suffered. I had to kill her now.

This was the price I paid for failing to change the story… For the first time,
I felt resentful that Ways of Survival had become reality.

"Open your eyes and watch carefully." I looked up at the sky and declared.
"This is the scenario you wanted."

[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' can now be activated.]

Now that Shin Yoosung was in her final phase, it was an unwinnable fight.
In the end, it was a fight that no one could win.

['Character Bookmarks' is activated.]

[Available Bookmark Slots: 4]

[Bringing up the list of available bookmarks.]

"I will release Delusion Demon Kim Namwoon from the 1st slot and add
Judge of Destruction Jung Heewon."
 Chapter 107: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, V

[The level of the Bookmark skill is low, shortening the activation time.]

[Activation Time: 30 minutes]

[Your understanding of the character is significant. You can select some of

her skills to import.]

Shin Yoosung ran towards me and I ran towards her. No one wanted to kill
each other and there was no sincerity. This was only a fight for the
constellations' amusement. Everything was a scenario and therefore
everything was fake. However, the result of this battle was that someone
was going to die.

['Judgment Time Lv. 5' has been activated.]

The activation skill was level 5. It seemed that Jung Heewon had
been training hard. Jung Heewon wasn't here but it wasn't bad. [The
constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' is embarrassed.]

[Constellations of the Absolute Good system are deep in thought.]

It was natural to be confused since someone who wasn't a judge had used
an unauthorized skill. Yet they were bound to give me permission. It was
because the presence in front of me was obviously evil.

[The Absolute Good constellations have agreed to the use of this skill.]

A hot aura sprang up from deep inside my body. It was a blind sense of
righteousness that would punish all evils in the world. The history of the
archangels who fought a holy war with the great demons passed through
my head in pieces.

–Punish evil.

Judgment Time was originally a skill used by the great valkyries. Thus, the
user of this skill received the archangels' favour.

The madness that excluded everything other than the narrow definition of
justice wriggled in my brain. Jung Heewon felt like this every time she
killed other people for me. It was terrible.

A wave of unrivaled magic power burst out from the Blade of Faith. The
ether blade resonated and moved in a straight line towards Shin Yoosung.

Blood splashed from the shoulder of the surprised Shin Yoosung. The Beast
King's Sensitivity that wasn't damaged by the shells of the Ghost Fleet was
finally torn. Drops of blood fell onto the white fur.

Hour of Judgement. The user of this skill couldn't be defeated as long as the
enemy was 'evil'.
Now all my stats rose to the point where I could resist the disaster Shin
Yoosung. Judgment Time was a fraudulent skill. There were only a few
skills in all of Ways of Survival that could give such crazy buffs.

"Everyone attack!"

I might've become stronger but Shin Yoosung's skill masteries were still
ahead of me. Thus, I needed help.

"When she is attacking normally, support using ranged attacks. When

trying a wide range attack, be sure to get behind me!" The party members
nodded at my words.

"If you don't have ranged support then kill the monsters emerging from the
Monster Gate. It is urgent as well."

In fact, it was because monsters were still emerging from Shin Yoosung's
Monster Gate that Yongsan-gu was almost on the verge of collapse.

"Everyone fight!"

The kings ordered and the full-fledged battle began. The forces of the kings
blocked the monsters coming from the Monster Gate. Most of them were
7th grade species and were quite daunting. Fortunately, the incarnations
didn't seem to be greatly pushed back.

"I'll take care of that monkey."

Lee Hyunsung ran towards the 5th grade Heavy Metal Bean.

"I will take Yoosung's king."

Lee Gilyoung moved with the young Shin Yoosung.

Queen Mirabad controlled by Shin Yoosung roared and some of the insect
kings' subordinates that Lee Gilyoung summoned rushed towards the King
Masswood. The cold breaths of the ichthyosaurs poured towards each other
and Lee Jihye stepped forward.

"Ahjussi, leave the covering fire to me."

"I'll block her movements."

Lee Jihye fired the cannons and Yoo Sangah made a trap with Arachne's
Spiderweb, keeping the movements of the disaster Shin Yoosung in check.
Of course, it was only a small help.

The shell bombardment barely damaged her and Shin Yoosung just tore
apart the web. It was better than nothing.

"Yoo Joonghyuk. Can you fight?"

Apart from me, only Yoo Joonghyuk could follow the movements of Shin
Yoosung and endure her attacks to some extent.

"…Don't worry about me."

Yoo Joonghyuk spilled blood on the floor as he stood beside me with the
Splitting the Sky Sword. He might've already used Recovery because his
condition seemed better than before. There wouldn't be long until he
received the backlash of using Recovery.

I asked, "How many minutes do you have left?"

"30 minutes. You?"

"I am the same."

It was only possible to use Bookmark for 30 minutes. Thus, I had to end it
in only 30 minutes. The black aura flowing from Shin Yoosung's body
thickened. It meant that her physical stats were increasing due to the evil
energy.
Yoo Joonghyuk's expression hardened. "…It seems that she joined hands
with a great demon to cross worlds."

Yoo Joonghyuk's guess was right. In fact, now her soul was mortgaged to a
great demon. Then that great demon turned her over to the damn dokkaebis.

[Hahaha, interesting. Very interesting.]

The intermediate dokkaebi sounded pleasantly surprised.

[The scenario is now like this.]

It was a battlefield were blood splattered and flesh was damaged. The
destruction of Seoul Dome, which I wanted to prevent, was approaching
with every second.

[Many constellations are excited by the battle.]

"Let's go."

Yoo Joonghyuk launched himself quickly along with his words. Shin
Yoosung puffed up and blew a breath towards us.

Beast King's Breath. It was an ether storm of destructive that was

comparable to the 5th grade sea species' Ice Breath.

"Avoid it!"

Yoo Joonghyuk invoked Red Phoenix Shunpo to the extreme and escaped
from the attacks of the disaster Shin Yoosung. I didn't avoid the attacks like
Yoo Joonghyuk and used Beast King's Sensitivity instead. I felt genuinely
impressed with Yoo Joonghyuk's combat senses.

The disaster was a disaster but Yoo Joonghyuk was a monster. It was only
Yoo Joonghyuk who could resist the disaster without the Judgment Time
buff. He was a strong, cool, ruthless regressor. I was relieved that he was
currently on my side.
"Do it properly, Kim Dokja!"

"I'm doing it!"

"Dammit…"

I just needed to approach and deal a blow, but it wasn't that easy. After
several successful attacks, Shin Yoosung became more violent.

She was in a berserk state and kept firing the ether storm. Her magic power
might be depleted but I was barely able to withstand it with Beast King's
Sensitivity.

Yoo Joonghyuk had dealt some blows but the damage hardly accumulated.
How long did we exchange blows? It had been already 20 minutes when I
came to my senses.

Yoo Joonghyuk's physical strength dropped sharply and the magic power
potions I drank like juice were running out.

Strong. I never thought I would struggle so much despite using Hour of

Judgement. My stiff body creaked violently. The side effects of Judgment
Time were gradually being felt.

[Hahaha! This is a really nice scenario. Constellations, don't you agree?]

I listened to the voice of the intermediate dokkaebi and moved forward with
all my strength. The fur of the Beast King's Sensitivity flapped like crazy.

My skin became black from the ether storm. One step, two steps. I got near
but time wasn't on our side. I wouldn't be able to do enough damage before
the 30 minutes was up.

Then something happened inside Shin Yoosung's body. Her body shook
like she was struck by lightning and her dark eyes temporarily recovered its
senses.
「 Attack me. 」

The disaster Shin Yoosung was controlling her body with her will.

「 Stop me. 」

I didn't say it but I heard it.

「 Protect this 'round'. 」

I broke through the temporarily weakened ether storm and ran forward with
Yoo Joonghyuk. I swung my sword and blood splattered from Shin
Yoosung's body.

[The constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' is looking at you.]

I did my best not to show the worst performance.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is looking at you.]

Shin Yoosung screamed as she was cut by the blade and the storm blew
Yoo Joonghyuk back.

"…Go, Kim Dokja."

I pierced through the gap that Yoo Joonghyuk made. The Blade of Faith
dug exactly into Shin Yoosung's shoulder without hesitation.

Magic power ran through the blade and ripped through the Beast King's
Sensitivity. Then Shin Yoosung's left arm was cut off.

Blood fell. I stared into Shin Yoosung's face. Just like in Ways of Survival,
Shin Yoosung was smiling. I realized that she deliberately allowed herself
to be hit by my sword.
[A number of constellations can't take their eyes off your battle.]

"Dammit…" I smiled weakly and the sword fell from my hands.

Shin Yoosung laughed.

「 Don't you look stupid? 」

She grabbed me and threw me to the ground without any screams of anger.
However, it didn't hurt. It wasn't an attack.

「 Do you want to continue? 」

"Yes."

I swung my sword towards her and Shin Yoosung fired a breath at me

again. It was like an answer to a question. We frantically damaged each
other.

"It can't continue like this."

My Beast King's Sensitivity was losing its effect because I was lacking
magic power. Hour of Judgement strengthened my body to the limits but it
was just a temporary crutch. Blood flowed and the world spun because of
dizziness. However, I didn't stop. The damage was definitely accumulating.

[Some constellations reluctant towards you have become curious.]

Go crazy.

[Constellations roaming the battlefields are paying attention to your battle.]

Make a lot of fuss.

[Constellations of the great battlefields praise your will.]

Just wait until the day I go and pull out your tongues.
How many more blows did we exchange? My weakened body staggered
back.

[There are 30 seconds left for Bookmark.]

Some internal organs were damaged and a broken rib kept irritating my
lungs. I did the best I could yet the disaster was still strong. The recovered
eyes of Shin Yoosung were once again turning black.

In any case, this Disaster of Floods seemed stronger than the original novel.
The disaster Shin Yoosung looked at me with anxious eyes.

「 It isn't enough. 」

She couldn't commit suicide. The intermediate dokkaebi wouldn't allow her
to die that way. This was the limit that she could penalize herself. I was also
at my limit in a different way.

「 How are you going to stop me? 」

"Don't worry. They'll come soon. The person who will stop you."

From the beginning, I had no intention of killing Shin Yoosung with my

own hands. It was impossible for Yoo Joonghyuk in his current state. There
was still one person remaining who could kill her.

The moment Shin Yoosung's mouth was about to open, the ground around
her exploded.

There was the distant roar of artillery. A woman dressed in a blue prison
uniform appeared from the north. The monsters split apart and troops
advanced to this side. A woman in a mask stood in the middle and
commanded the army.
The King of Wanderers. I thought she had gone somewhere but she had
been taking care of the monsters as she advanced from the north. However,
they weren't the one I was waiting for.

I looked at a person who was running this way. The woman turned this way
and asked, "Sorry, am I late?"

"Just a bit late."

"Stop pretending. Aren't you still alive?"

The Judge of Destruction. 10 days later, Jung Heewon was much more
restrained than I knew. She lightly patted my shoulders and moved.

"Leave it to me and take a break."

A red aura rose as she activated Hour of Judgement. It was much more
powerful than the skill I stole. Jung Heewon was the last card I had left. If
this failed…

Had I done enough damage to Shin Yoosung? Would Jung Heewon finish
the job well?

"What are you so worried about?" Jung Heewon asked with a smile.
Confidence that was different than usual filled her voice. It wasn't just
Judgment Time that she believed in.

[The constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' is talking to himself.]

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' shows hostility towards

Jung Heewon's sponsor.]

That reminded me, Jung Heewon had a sponsor. Who had she chosen? Shin
Yoosung watched Jung Heewon with shaky eyes.

「 You… 」
"I roughly know the situation. My sponsor was making a lot of noise along
the way." Jung Heewon faced Shin Yoosung with sad eyes. "Thus, there is
no need to worry."

Jung Heewon lightly swept her sword in front of her. Flames started to rise
from the places her hands touched.

It was early in the morning. On a night where the darkness of Seoul was the
darkest, Jung Heewon's blade burned. The flames on the blade were
brighter than any flames I had seen. It was the holy white flames of a
stigma that would punish all evil.

[Hell Flames Ignition.]

I naturally knew this stigma very well. I remembered the description of the
stigma from Ways of Survival.

In some cases, it was one of the greatest stigmas of Ways of Survival and
boasted powerful destructive power comparable to the stigma of The Great
Sage, Heaven's Equal.

Hell Flames Ignition was the stigma of Demon-like Judge of Fire.

Jung Heewon laughed coldly. "I will finish this damn scenario."

The archangel Uriel chose Jung Heewon as an incarnation.

 Chapter 108: Ep. 21 – Things That Can't Be Changed, VI

Jung Heewon ran forward. Her muscles were strengthened by Judgment

Time to the limit and the Demon Slaying buff gave her a sharp edge.

Along with Uriel's Hell Flames Ignition, her combat power was enhanced
to the most ideal form.

The blazing flames of judgment. They weren't judging Shin Yoosung. Even
so, it was Shin Yoosung who would receive the flames.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is watching the battlefield

with sad eyes.]

Jung Heewon's blade declared the opening.

[The character 'Jung Heewon' has used Hell Flames Ignition Lv. 1.]

The stigma was only level one but the hell flames burned through Shin
Yoosung's ether storm.
The power of a great demon, the Beast King's Breath poured out but Jung
Heewon didn't care. She just grasped her sword as firmly as possible and
drew a line connecting the sky and earth. The Beast King's Breath turned to
smoke as soon as it met Hell Flames Ignition.

Someone muttered, "Oh my god, what is that?"

Hell Flames Ignition was a stigma that could evaporate the sea of a planet
when it reached the final level. When the 'Messiah' appeared in the original
novel, it was Uriel who opened the way in preparation for him.

The archangel feared by all demons, the great demons' enemy that was
closest to a great demon.

Shin Yoosung nodded as she saw Jung Heewon rushing through the flames.

「 I see. Uriel. You were waiting for this. 」

The disaster didn't back down in the presence of the terrible archangel.

「 It is enough to make an ending. 」

No, she looked rather relaxed. It was as if she had finally fulfilled her duty.

The ether wrapped around Shin Yoosung's fist and the flames that clung to
Jung Heewon's blade collided. Shin Yoosung stumbled and Jung Heewon
pushed forward without missing this gap. No matter how good the
overlapped skills, the powerful buffs would have a short duration.

Jung Heewon was well aware of this and accelerated her attacks. The
surrounding land was affected by the holy flames.

Shin Yoosung persisted despite being long exhausted. She was like a
seasoned actor playing the last performance of her life as she tried her best
to live.

[Many constellations are excited about your design.]

The constellations that came over from Dokgak's channel were excited.
[15,000 coins have been sponsored.]

The hateful donations of the constellations rose sharply. Affection and

hatred were just a moment of entertainment for the constellations.
Unfortunately, the story that lasted a moment for them was a life for
humans.

[Constellations of the Korean Peninsula are looking at you sadly.]

In front of the many watchers, I drew the ending of this scenario by myself.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is focused on your choice.]

In the meantime, Jung Heewon had turned the Beast King's Sensitivity into
rags and the flames of Hell Flames Ignition were gradually burning Shin
Yoosung. Injuries were also piling up on Jung Heewon's body. It was a
close match but victory wasn't on the side of the exhausted Shin Yoosung.

Jung Heewon ignored all defenses and plunged through the ether storm,
stabbing her sword into Shin Yoosung's belly.

A bright blaze of flames surrounded Shin Yoosung's body. The holy flames
burned at the energy of the great demon in her body. The black aura coming
from her turned to smoke.

Blood splattered from the place where the sword was pulled out. Shin
Yoosung looked down at her blood like it was a prop on a stage. It was
finally settled.

I suddenly saw the collapsed King Masswood and Heavy Metal Bean. The
Monster Gate had closed and the fight against the monsters was ending. I
approached Shin Yoosung.

Control of her flesh had come back but her body wasn't normal. Shin
Yoosung looked down at her body and stated.
「 …I am dying now. 」

In normal cases, the Beast Lord wouldn't die from these wounds. The Beast
King's Vitality was as good as Yoo Joonghyuk's Recovery. Unfortunately,

she was hit by Hell Flames Ignition.

The flames of hell were deeply embedded in her body, burning her vitality
to extinguish all evil. Uriel's stigma was a fire that never burned out until all
the evil was gone.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is shaking!]

[Due to excessive immersion, stage 2 of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

will always be activated.]

The fire was inside her body and Shin Yoosung would never survive. Shin
Yoosung watched me and smiled weakly. "I'm glad to be here during this
round of regression. It was good to hear Captain say those words."

「 It hurts. I'm going to disappear like this. 」

"Now I can die in peace. Something really might change."

「 I don't want to die… 」

The omniscience was a curse. Knowing someone's heart meant always

deceiving someone.

She smiled and stared up at the air. There was an intermediate dokkaebi
with a stiff expression. "I'm going to die now. Isn't it okay as a drama? This
was a great scenario."

[Some constellations are nodding.]

[Some constellations are complaining.]

The intermediate dokkaebi was silent. Well, he hadn't expected this. The
scenario was completed but it wasn't as he intended. Now he would pay for
what he intended.

I looked back and saw Yoo Joonghyuk approaching. He asked, "Is she
going to die?"

"…Perhaps."

"You must be lacking hatred."

This bastard was really…

Yoo Joonghyuk pulled out his sword. I was about to stop him from trying to
kill Shin Yoosung when his Splitting the Sky Sword stopped. The cold
blade was supporting Shin Yoosung's head. Shin Yoosung said, "Hold on
until the end. I will die soon Captain."

Shin Yoosung's thoughts flowed into my ears.

「 There is something I want to hear from you. 」

「 Just once. 」

「 I wish to hear it just once. 」

They were words that could never be said. Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't hear
these words and spoke nonchalantly. "I have something to ask."

"What is it?"

I felt miserable as I saw the anticipation on Shin Yoosung's face. It was

because I knew her expectations would never be rewarded.

"Who is the great demon that helped you cross over to this world?"
She stared blankly at Yoo Joonghyuk for a moment before laughing. "…
Captain is the captain to the end."

「 You don't change. 」

"Tell me."

"Have you heard of the 'Great Demon of the Horizon'?"

「 That is why I admired you. 」

"I know the name."

"If Captain's luck is bad, you will meet him soon. However, never fight
him. It is almost impossible for Captain to kill him…"

「 For a long time, a really long time… 」

Her earnest sincerity didn't reach its target and I struggled. I wanted to say
something. This stupid Yoo Joonghyuk, who couldn't hear the vivid voice
in front of him. The moment I opened my mouth, Shin Yoosung's hand
grabbed me.

Yoo Joonghyuk kept speaking. "I will remember."

Yoo Joonghyuk turned around at these words. Then Yoo Joonghyuk's inner
thoughts were conveyed to me.

「 I will get revenge for you. 」

I trembled at the sadness in these words. I looked down at disaster Shin

Yoosung. I see. This person was already aware of it. She didn't need to hear
it to already know.

Something was pouring down from Shin Yoosung's eyes. For the first time,
I thought that Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint might not be omniscient.
「 Goodbye, Captain. 」

「 Good job. 」

「 I'll leave it to you. 」

「 Rest. 」

Only a few stray sentences were left as I stared at the two people. Their
thoughts had definitely reached each other. I clearly read this story. Then
Shin Yoosung started to scatter into ashes.

「 Pretty… 」

The young Shin Yoosung approached me and held onto me. What did she
feel when she saw her future self disappearing? No matter how many books
I read, there were some emotions I couldn't reach. The disaster Shin
Yoosung smiled at me and the young Shin Yoosung.

「 …I'm envious. 」

The lower body of the disaster Shin Yoosung had almost disappeared. The
speed of her destruction was accelerating.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' has closed her eyes.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is sighing.]

As the constellations watched her, I kneeled and grabbed the hand of the
disaster Shin Yoosung. Shin Yoosung was surprised by my unexpected
behaviour and looked at me.

I invoked Beast King's Sensitivity with my last remaining magic power. It

was to pass on a gift to her.
The mysterious senses of the beast kings touched and for a short moment,
Shin Yoosung's soul was connected to mine. It was a sensibility that only
beasts shared.

The passing wind whispered something. It was a story that neither the
constellations or dokkaebi could hear. The dying Shin Yoosung's eyes
widened like she couldn't believe it.

「 …Are you serious? Really? 」

Fortunately, the message was properly delivered. Her chest had already
turned to ashes and now she had no voice left.

「 Why… 」

Tears slowly filled her eyes. She tried to tell me something but the cold
wind stopped her. The connected films of two worlds were breaking again.

The pieces that she was made of turned to ashes and scattered. Her eyes,
nose and mouth. Her voice. The person who lived over one thousand years
scattered into pure white ashes like snow.

The ashes like a trail as it disappeared into the sky. It was like a distant
journey or even a dance.

I looked up at the faint traces drifting in the air. I couldn't believe it was real
and the young Shin Yoosung held onto me tightly.

"Did she really die?"

I steadied my heart.

"Can't you change it? Really?"

Then she nodded.

"Ahhh. Ah…"
Lee Gilyoung grabbed my sleeve and wiped his eyes with it. Yoo Sangah
was crying and I didn't know why but Lee Hyunsung was also tearful. Yoo
Joonghyuk didn't cry while only Lee Jihye didn't know the exact situation.
"…Why is everyone crying? I am also sad."

My forehead was cold and sleet was falling from the misty sky. There was
no snow or rain. The cold sensation relieved the people. It was funny.
Humans felt most alive when they confirmed the death of another.

"Ah…"

The people of Seoul Dome collapsed once their tension disappeared. There
were people laughing, crying or feeling angry.

The donations of the constellation flowed here and there. The responses
were different but there was one thing they all agreed on.

The 'Disaster of Floods' Shin Yoosung had died.

There was a frozen intermediate dokkaebi staring up at the sky. Bihyung,

who had been watching silently, finally opened his mouth.

[Intermediate dokkaebi. The scenario has ended.]

[ How? This… ]

[If you don't do it then I will end it.]

A moment later, a message was heard.

[The fifth main scenario is activated!]

[The compensation settlement is being prepared.]

Finally, the scenario declared her death. The future Shin Yoosung had died
and the disaster was over. This was the conclusion of the fifth scenario.
Everyone thought so and believed so.
.

To be exact, everyone except me had to believe this. From beginning to

end, everything had to be a perfect drama. It was a drama that declared
things couldn't be changed.

A tragedy that followed the constellations and scenario. This was the only
way for the 41st regression Shin Yoosung to escape from the damn
scenario.

At this moment, the young Shin Yoosung's hand heated up.

"I will kill…" The girl's eyes were fixed on the intermediate dokkaebi
floating in the air. "That dokkaebi, I'll kill him."

I was trying to restrain her when sparks flew in the air. The sky was
crumbling and a portal was opening.

Two white dokkaebis emerged from the portal. The low-grade dokkaebis
found the two dokkaebis wearing white armour and backed away at once.
It was natural.

These dokkaebis were people that all dokkaebis hoped to never meet. The
bureau. They were the dokkaebis of the Executive Branch, responsible for
investigating the 'probability' in scenarios. The two dokkaebis had a
fearsome atmosphere as they approached the intermediate dokkaebi and
arrested him.

[ …Executives. What are you doing?]

An executive dokkaebi declared to the shocked intermediate dokkaebi.

[Intermediate dokkaebi 'Paul'. You shall be arrested for violating the Star
Stream regulations.]
 Chapter 109: Ep. 22 – Three Promises, I

The Executive Branch's emergency arrest.

According to Ways of Survival, an emergency arrest was only possible

when a dokkaebi acted in a manner that severely violated the probability of
a scenario.

[Intermediate dokkaebi 'Paul'. From now on, you will be led to the
Executive Branch. You will remain silent about all scenarios and be
deprived of all progress in the main scenarios.]

The expression of the intermediate dokkaebi Paul kept changing.

[You will lose the achievement points of all the scenarios you have built up
and will be demoted to a low-grade dokkaebi after your punishment…]

[D-Demoted? Wait! Wait a minute!]

The intermediate dokkaebi Paul hurriedly shouted. He made an outraged
expression and looked at the dokkaebis around him.

[A sudden demotion? Shouldn't you tell me what I did wrong?]

[Are you really asking because you don't know?]

Another dokkaebi of the Executive Branch asked. Paul hesitated for a

moment at the dignified voice before continuing.

[I don't know. What the hell did I do wrong?]

He even had the audacity to move forward.

[Look at the constellations. Aren't they all happy? Didn't the scenario end
brilliantly?]

The executive dokkaebi frowned at Paul's confident words.

[There is no problem with the probability. I used the scenario enforcement

with the consent of the constellations and the constellation also…]

[…This is the problem with streamers. They sing songs of the

constellations.]

Not all dokkaebis respected the constellations. It was because among the
dokkaebis of the Executive Branch, there were some who had once been
constellations.

They were constellations but they lost their characteristics and were forced
to live as dokkaebis. They were the dokkaebis of the Executive Branch.
Paul continued despite his customers being insulted.

[Your words are going too far.]

[Don't panic Paul.]

[You might be an enforcer but I can't tolerate insults to my customers.]

Paul rode the momentum and continued.

[I can guess why the executives came here. It is probably because I used the
enforcement rights.]

[The scenario enforcement can only be used when the majority of

constellations support the probability of the scenario.]

[I'm aware of that. Otherwise, there is the risk of a probability storm. But
the constellations' satisfaction is high…]

[Satisfaction? Paul, look at yourself and tell me.]

Paul looked down at himself and he paled.

[T-This…?]

The space around him was filled with blue sparks. It was the forerunner of a
probability storm.

[Why am I receiving a probability storm…?]

The probability storm was a punishment for going against the flow. The
probability of the world now wanted to erase Paul's existence. The enforcer
dokkaebis laughed.

[The enforcement right is a power that demands the greatest amount of

probability from a dokkaebi. Did you think you would be safe using this
authority for such a crude development?]

[That, that isn't the case!]

[Paul. You had a chance to end the scenario without using the executive
rights. It was a fresh development I had never seen before. Why did you
stop it? Thanks to your brutality, an emergency was dropped on Seoul
Dome's bureau.]

[T-That… no, wait a minute. I exercised the enforcement rights according

to the opinions of the constellations!!] Paul looked around.

[C-Constellations! Didn't you agree with my development?]

However, no constellations answered.

[…Constellations?]

The numerous indirect messages from the constellations died out.

[Unbelievable… Why?]

All the constellations who supported his development had left the Korean
channels.

The executive frowned. [You stupid fool. Can't you see that the
constellations are gone?]

Many of the constellations who wanted to kill me and who instigated him
had left the Korean peninsula in large numbers once it turned into a 'drama'.

It was natural. It was strange to keep watching when an unwanted

development occurred. In fact, Bihyung's channel lost close to a third of its
subscribers.

The remaining ones were:

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is looking at the intermediate

dokkaebi 'Paul'.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is chuckling at the

intermediate dokkaebi 'Paul'.]
[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is mocking the intermediate dokkaebi
'Paul'.]

They were all constellations who didn't agree with the intermediate
dokkaebi's development.

[N-No. I can't be destroyed in this way. Executive!]

[Don't worry. You won't be destroyed.]

[W-What does this mean…?]

A glimmer of hope appeared on Paul's face.

The executive dokkaebi said something that turned off the light completely.

[You will be given a worse punishment than destruction. Our bureau

received a large probability debt because of you.]

[The executives will use Dokkaebi Paul's Redemption Code.]

Then the body of the dokkaebi Paul was forcibly pulled into the world. The
intermediate dokkaebi Paul trembled. His true voice emerged because he
lost his broadcasting rights.

"T-This is a conspiracy. It can't be like this!"

Then Bihyung spoke from beside him,

[This is why you didn't want to finish the scenario quickly.]

"Bihyung!"

In the end, Paul exploded. Paul held the Redemption Code and pointed at
Bihyung.
"Executives! Arrest him as well. I have evidence that his channel broke the
rules of the Star Stream!"

[He will naturally come along as well.]

Paul's expression brightened. However, the people of Korea knew that

people should listen to the dokkaebis' words to the end.

[It is because he is the dokkaebi who called us.]

"W-What… don't tell me?"

The executive dokkaebi said.

[Yes, the dokkaebi who reported you is Bihyung.]

Bihyung briefly waved towards the red-eyed Paul. The executive smiled
coldly.

[Dokkaebi Bihyung. He is a very good dokkaebi. Look at his humility. He

has the integrity of a streamer who ignores everything and immerses
himself in the scenarios. It is different from you and the dokkaebis who
only wear luxurious clothing.]

Bihyung had a shy expression on his face. He didn't know that his poverty
would help him in this way.

"N-No! That guy Bihyung is…!"

[Shut up.]

Paul screamed terribly from where he was tied to the Redemption Code.
The executive dokkaebi kept talking.

[You have been punished twice before. This is your third time. You are
familiar with the third punishment, right?]
"T-This is ridiculous! Do you think my superiors will allow this? You are
making a mistake right now. If you touch me…"

[I will listen to your bullshit after going to the bureau.]

A glowing portal appeared in the air. It was finally time to say goodbye to
the intermediate dokkaebi. Perhaps I wouldn't see him in the future
scenarios anymore. Paul's eyes glared at me. A flame burned inside me the
moment I met his eyes.

[The 'Fourth Wall' is shaking due to your high emotions.]

The Shin Yoosung of the future had scattered into ash. She might've been
saved if it wasn't for the intermediate dokkaebi.

She could never return to her time but she might've been able to live in this
new world. The intermediate dokkaebi trampled on that last possibility.
That was why I opened my mouth. "Wait a minute."

He might receive the death punishment but I couldn't be satisfied. My

words shocked my party members.

[…Are you calling us?]

The dokkaebis were surprised. They didn't expect an incarnation to stop the
dokkaebis of the Executive Branch. The executive dokkaebi looked at me
quietly and opened his mouth.

[That's right. You are the incarnation Kim Dokja. Right?]

The other executive dokkaebi laughed.

[Do you know this person?]

[He is a famous incarnation in this area. He is one of the strongest

incarnations on the peninsula but he hasn't signed with a sponsor.]
[Hoh?]

I watched the leisurely dokkaebis and spoke to Bihyung through the

Dokkaebi Communication.

'Bihyung. I'll give you 100,000 coins'.

–What?

Bihyung's eyes widened.

'Promote me to a platinum member of the Dokkaebi Bag'.

–No, why all of a sudden?

'Just do it'.

–Shit…

I looked at the executives and rushed Bihyung. Bihyung sighed and started
to manipulate something in the air.

[100,000 coins have been consumed.]

[Congratulations! You have become a platinum member of the Dokkaebi

Bag!]

Originally, there would be splendid special effects for the promotion but I
asked Bihyung to omit it. Unlike the gold membership that could be
obtained for 5,000 coins, the treatment of platinum members were different.
[Yes, Incarnation Kim Dokja. Why did you call us?]

The executives didn't know about my promotion and asked me again. These
dokkaebis were really big and I was nervous facing them. They might've
fallen but some of them were originally great people.
I breathed lightly and opened my mouth. "I am requesting the Dokkaebi
Solo Meeting Right."

[What?]

The executive dokkaebis were confused by my words. Then laughter soon

emerged.

[Only platinum members can ask for the solo meeting right… Don't tell
me?]

"That's right. Please check it."

The two dokkaebis looked at each other again. They manipulated the
system to identify a few things and soon let out a cry of amazement.

[It is real.]

[How can an incarnation become a platinum member?]

"Aren't I qualified now?"

The executives hesitated for a moment before nodding.

[That's right. What do you want with the solo meeting right? The platinum
qualifications allows you to meet with a senior dokkaebi. The appointment
schedule…]

"I don't want that. The dokkaebi I want is currently with you." I pointed a
finger at the dokkaebi I wanted. "I want a solo meeting with the
intermediate dokkaebi Paul."
 Chapter 110: Ep. 22 – Three Promises, II

The two executive dokkaebis glanced at each other. How long did this last?
Then the two dokkaebis burst out laughing at the same time.

[Kuk. Ahahaha!]

[Interesting. Don't tell me…]

The smart executives seemed to have noticed something. Paul watched the
scene with a puzzled expression.

[I will allow a solo meeting with the dokkaebi Paul.]

[The free solo time is 20 minutes.]

The executives of the bureau agreed to my request like it was interesting. I

figured they would do this.

Originally, the executives didn't like streamers. They were closer to the
'subscribers' than the 'streamers'. The moment they spoke, a transparent
dome formed around me and Paul. The original 'solo meeting right' was a
space for constellations and dokkaebis to secretly meet.

[The solo meeting with the intermediate dokkaebi Paul has begun.]

However, the usage could be changed according to the user. I saw Bihyung
talking to the executives outside the dome.

Paul was trapped with me and revealed his hostility. "Why did you want to
see me? Did you want to pick a fight?"

His body was still affected by the executive dokkaebi's Redemption Code.
As long as the code existed, Paul wouldn't be able to use his own power as
well as the authority of a dokkaebi. In other words, the person in front of
me was completely helpless.

"Don't bluff. I know your current situation."

Paul winced and withdrew to the edge of the dome. Yet there was still a
smile on his face. "Haha, I see. I know what you are thinking. Do you want
to get revenge for that slave?"

"…"

"How funny. Don't you know it is a superficial human desire? Yes, you can
try it once. I don't know how you found about the solo meeting rights but
this is a place where we can't hurt each other. No matter how hard you
try…!"

I ran to him and punched him as hard as I could. Blue blood emerged from
his nose and the person who couldn't grasp the situation screamed and
belatedly collapsed. I told him, "I can't kill you but I can beat you to a
pulp." "Keooook! You dare…!"
"Yes, now your true nature is emerging. I don't want to hear those
disgusting honorifics."

"Heok, kuheok…"

"Is this the first time you are feeling pain? You must've never been beaten
up like this after living as a dokkaebi."

"K-Kuhut! Kuhuhut…" Paul was still smiling despite his blood

dripping down. "You made a mistake just now. There are special rules
in place to prevent people like you from exploiting the solo meeting
rights." Then the system message arrived like it had been waiting.

[You have injured the dokkaebi in the solo meeting space.]

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

These dokkaebi, they were really great. They prepared a penalty in case the
constellations tried anything. It was a coins penalty. However, I was aware
of the penalty and just shrugged.

Paul laughed as he wiped off his blood. "Foolish human. You are bringing
destruction on yourself with your anger. Yes, try to hit me as many times as
you like. The coins you have at the moment…"

"How much coins do you think I have?" Paul fell silent. "Isn't it strange?
How could I become a platinum member when I am an incarnation?"

I grinned at his shaky eyes. "I have a lot of coins. I made a lot of money
thanks to you."

My fists descended towards the pale Paul. The damn scenarios I

experienced so far passed through my head.

[Coins Possessed: 205,902 C]

I remembered Shin Yoosung's dying appearance. These were among the
things I told her:

–That dokkaebi, I'll beat you to death.

This was the first promise I would keep.

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

Once again, my fist moved and his nose was broken. I didn't say that it was
someone's share. In the first place, this couldn't be anyone's share.

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

"Kuaaak! A-An insignificant human dares…!"

Peeeok-!

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.] "Y-

You won't be safe if you do this to me…!" Peeeok-!

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

"I'll kill you! I will surely kill you…!"

Peeeok-!

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

"W-Wait a minute! Wait! Stop…"

His frightened body curled up and I stopped my fists for the first time. For a
moment, hope filled his eyes.

"Y-Yes. You thought well. There is nothing about doing this here…"
I watched him hurriedly speaking with honorifics and asked, "Did you
stop?"

"What?"

"When Yoosung asked you to stop, did you?"

I quietly looked down at him. He didn't say anything and just looked at the
ground. Then he raised head and stared at the sky. He felt resentment for
the ones who made him like this.

"This doesn't mean anything! Your dead companion won't come back to
life!"

My dead colleagues wouldn't come back to life. He was right.

"It means something." However, I raised my fist to the trembling guy.

"So what if she is dead. Shin Yoosung would've done this as well."
Peeeok-!

Paul's fangs protruded as he rolled across the ground.

"Lee Hyunsung would've done so as well. Yoo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung
also."

My fist slammed into his belly.

"Maybe… that bastard Yoo Joonghyuk…"

My companions outside the dome were looking this way.

Shin Yoosung was forming fists with red eyes. Lee Jihye and Lee Gilyoung
were shouting something. Lee Hyunsung's eyes were red as he made a
serious expression and Yoo Sangah was staring at me with wide eyes. Yoo
Joonghyuk was the last one I looked at before glancing back at Paul.
"I-I am outside the scenario! You can't earn coins by doing this! It won't
benefit you!"

Coins…

Yes, only the dokkaebis would think like this. Some stories would become
coins. Some stories wouldn't become coins.

"Maybe that is true."

None of the constellations had made a bounty scenario, nor was there a
subscenario. However, this behaviour was meaningful. Nobody was making
me do this.

"I'm not intending to get any benefits from this."

"W-What?"

Since the fall of the world, coins had become the principle behind every
human's actions. They moved if the constellations gave coins and didn't
move if there were no coins. Still, humans often moved regardless of
whether there were coins or not.

"You don't know it but humans are animals that seek for the meaning of life
through these things."

"W-What…kuoock!"

I raised my fist and started beating him again.

Peeeok-!

The subsequent punches crushed his face, ribs and joints. I didn't have to
control my power because there was no fear of him dying. One blow was
the best blow. Every time bones broke, something exploded inside of me.
[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

In fact, I knew.

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

I knew very well. No matter how hard I beat him up, it wouldn't give me
any comfort over Shin Yoosung's death. The dead Shin Yoosung would
never see this sight yet I still moved my fists. I hit and hit him again.

Peeeok-!

It was just like Yoo Joonghyuk. He kept repeated his regressions until the
last moment, even if no one knew his cause.

[500 coins have been consumed as a penalty.]

Then the message of a constellation was heard.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is excited about the

unseen development.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

I stopped punching for a moment and stared up at the sky. Even this was a
story to the constellations.

"It isn't an act this time."

[You have returned the 500 sponsored coins to the constellation.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is very embarrassed.]

Think of it as a free service. Now things would be good for me.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is interested in your actions.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is thrilled with your actions.]

I started punching again. There were only the sounds of the dokkaebi's skin
bursting and intermittent groaning.

The constellations silently watched what I was doing. No one gave me any
coins but I could feel them watching me. Sometimes, this alone was
sufficient.

"U-Uhhh… I was wrong. S-Spare me! P-Please! Please!" Paul couldn't

endure it anymore and dragged his body to the edge of the dome.

The wall of the dome made a faint sound but the executives didn't respond.
Rather, they were pleased with my actions. Maybe they would be saying
something like this:

「 That coin making bastard. 」

「 Damn streamer scum. 」

The executive dokkaebis didn't like streamers. The executives who evolved
from constellations were good at fighting but had no talent in leading the
scenarios.

Shortly after, Paul's body became completely ragged. I grabbed at his

bloody neck. At this point, I asked what I really wanted to know. "Where is
Shin
Yoosung's soul right now?"

Dead souls that were part of the scenario couldn't escape from the confines
of the contract, even in death. It would've been different if the contract itself
had been destroyed.
The intermediate dokkaebi Paul opened his mouth after he was hit a few
more times.

[T…That. I also don't know. You borrowed the power of an archangel

and… our contract was destroyed…]

Indeed, it was like this. The dokkaebis had been handed the 'disaster Shin
Yoosung' by a great demon. In the course of the transfer, the strings of the
contract were created using the great demon's power.

Then Uriel's Hell Flames Ignition had burned those strings. In other words,
Shin Yoosung's soul was now floating around the world.

[Y-You. Absolutely, can't, regain, companion… Her soul, soon, the

labyrinth…]

Paul finally collapsed.

[The 'Dokkaebi Solo Meeting Rights' has ended.]

The transparent dome disappeared and the executives whistled.

[Oh, you are in terrible shape even before the disciplinary hearing.]

They glanced at me before moving away with delighted smiles. I watched

Bihyung hurriedly chase after them and asked,

'Did you get back the money?'

–Of course. But didn't you use too many coins?

'I still have a lot left'.

I hit Paul exactly 124 times.

[Coins Possessed: 143,902 C]

Bihyung sighed as he glanced at me.

–I won't be able to communicate with you after entering the bureau. I will
keep the channel open so don't get into trouble in the meantime. Please.

Watching Bihyung act like a mother-hen, I thought to myself that this was
good. Because without him, there wouldn't be anyone who'd question the
things I'd do from now on.

[The scenario error will delay further compensation settlement.]

The administrator of the main scenario had completely left the scene and
the scenario development was likely to be stagnant for a bit. It should only
be a day or two but that was enough time.

I looked up at the dokkaebis disappearing into the portal and recalled the
last conversation I had with Shin Yoosung.

–Don't worry. You won't die.

–What do you mean?

–I can help you resurrect. I've resurrected twice so it isn't as bad as you
think.

In fact, I tried to avoid using this method until the end. After all, according
to the design, she must 'die once'. There was also no guarantee that she
could revive again.

–I don't know how long it will take. If you just wait and don't give up, I will
surely revive you.

If Shin Yoosung's soul had fallen in to the labyrinth of the world, it was
almost impossible to revive her again. However, that wasn't necessarily the
case. She would surely survive if I could regain her soul. The problem was
'how' to find her soul.
I suddenly looked back at Yoo Sangah. "Yoo Sangah-ssi."

"Yes."

Shin Yoosung's soul might enter a new world line but in the all, all souls
escaped from this world through the 'Underworld'.

I remembered some constellations related to the afterlife. All of them were

in a place I didn't dare touch or were beyond my reach. Still, there was one
person that I could talk to.

"Can you call the Abandoned Lover of the Labyrinth here?"

Yoo Sangah hesitated for a moment before nodding. After a while, faint
sparks appeared around her. It wasn't the previous method of directly
descending due to the increased probability consumption but it was certain
that Ariadne nestled inside her.

I opened my mouth. "Olympus. I want to do business with you."

The sparks bouncing around the area were rough. Well, our last encounter
wasn't great. This time, I had to make concessions. I took a deep breath
before getting to the point.

"Let me meet with the King of Hell."

Now it was time to keep the second promise.

 Chapter 111: Ep. 22 – Three Promises, III

I could see Olympus's answer from Yoo Sangah's expression. She became
red and then paled. Based on Yoo Sangah's eyes, I thought I was too hasty
in bringing up the story.

"That…Dokja-ssi."

I wondered what she had heard to make her hesitate while watching me. I
felt sorry for some reason.

"Can you tell me what the sponsor said?"

Sparks flew from Yoo Sangah's body. Ariadne seemed to be running wild. I
waited a bit until the situation calmed down. I hadn't realized the aftermath
of the three questions and answers would be so large. The sparks soon
subsided and Yoo Sangah spoke in a mixed voice. "The Father of the Rich
Night isn't someone who can be easily met…"
The Father of the Rich Night. It was the modifier given to King Hades, one
of the three head gods of Olympus.

One of the three head gods of Olympus, he resided in a famous place that
the '12 gods of Olympus' couldn't enter. Hades was far too great for Ariadne
to contact him.

I quickly thanked her. "Thank you Yoo Sangah-ssi."

"By the way, Dokja-ssi…"

The smart Yoo Sangah probably already knew that the Father of the Rich
Night was Hades. She had a vague idea of why I was looking for Hades.

The story of Orpheus, who visited the Underworld in order to revive his
wife Eurydice, was a famous myth in South Korea.

"…Is it possible?" Yoo Sangah wondered.

As a rule, resurrecting the dead was impossible.

I was subjected to the probability correction of the King of No Killing

effect, but in most cases, there was no such correction. It was the same for
Shin Yoosung. If resurrection was possible then Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't
have needed to regress.

Yet if I could somehow obtain her soul…

"I can't tell you the details right now. I'm sorry."

I didn't want to speak about my future plans in a situation where the

constellations were staring at me. There were many constellations who
disliked me due to the previous situation.

I threw the bait and now I had to wait and see if they bit. The important
thing was to be patient.
I looked at the people around me and opened my mouth. "Shall we organize
things?"

Then my party members approached me one by one, as if they had been

waiting. Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung were with Lee Hyunsung, while
Lee Jihye stood in a distant place with a slightly sulky expression.

I heard the voice of a low-grade dokkaebi.

[I am the dokkaebi 'Youngki', who will temporarily take charge of the

compensation settlement.]

He was a newbie dokkaebi and spoke in a slightly stiff voice. [I

will now settle the additional compensation for the fifth scenario.]

Perhaps all the higher level dokkaebis had disappeared.

[You have received the 'Ellain Forest's Vital Energy'.]

People caught the small fruit that fell from the air.

[This is the most popular recovery item in the Star Stream. Even if you are
seriously injured, you can recover quickly by eating this and sleeping.]

It was the first time I had seen such a polite dokkaebi and it was hard to
believe. Then dokkaebi talked to me and some other people.

[Additional compensation for the key contributors will be given this

evening. Thank you for all your hard work. I hope you cheer up in the
following scenarios.]

The voice disappeared and I watched all the people holding the fruit.
Characters I didn't know would be dead and some people would be dying
right now. Still, we survived. The party members weren't sure if they should
feel grateful or sad. Once this happened, someone was bound to act as the
representative.
I stared at them and slowly opened my mouth. "Everyone, you have
suffered."

The moment when nothing was decided only remained for a moment.
Sadness was sadness and happiness was happiness. If we made decisions
then at least these moments would remain meaningful.

"You really struggled."

Relief slowly filled the party members' faces as I didn't say anything about
rewards. They deserved it.

Lee Jihye was the one who spoke first. "…By the way, it was really
shocking ahjussi. You looked cooler than Master for a moment? I
acknowledge you."

Then Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon also opened their mouths.

"…It was wonderful."

"I felt refreshed."

…These people, this was all they wanted to say to me? A wry smile
appeared on my face as they started making a fuss. The biggest crisis of the
beginning scenarios was over and Seoul was protected. For the time being,
Seoul wouldn't be threatened until a few scenarios had passed.

"Dokja-ssi also suffered." Yoo Sangah stared at me and smiled brightly.

Maybe this was the reward given to me.

There was the sound of something hitting me and Shin Yoosung placed her
forehead against my side. Lee Gilyoung was somewhat disgruntled but he
didn't say anything. I placed my hand lightly on Shin Yoosung's head.

…Yes, this as well.

In the evening, the additional compensation for the main contributors
began.
There were three main contributors who received additional compensation.
They were me, Jung Heewon and Yoo Joonghyuk.

[The additional compensation for the fifth scenario is a B-grade skill.]

Someone else might say that a B-grade skill as a reward wasn't right, but it
was actually balanced. A low alphabet letter didn't mean the skill was
useless.

In addition, the scenario compensation was in the form of a 'free choice'. In

other words, I could choose the B-grade skill I wanted. There was a skill
that was difficult to acquire among the B-grade skills and I had to get it.

[Do you want to see the list of B-grade skills?]

It was a list with tens of thousands of skills. I was able to avoid a difficult
choice because there was a skill I thought of from the beginning.

[Do you want to receive the B-grade skill Lie Detection as

compensation?] I nodded and there was a faint glow as additional

messages appeared.

[The exclusive skill 'Lie Detection' has been added to the skills list.]

I finally obtained it. It had been really frustrating not having Lie
Detection…

I looked back and saw that Jung Heewon was having a hard time picking
something.
I asked Lee Jihye who was next to me. "Hey, do you know where Yoo
Joonghyuk is?"

"Ah, he was going somewhere with Seolhwa unni."

…Lee Seolhwa? Lee Jihye looked at me with pitying eyes, as if she knew
what I was thinking.

"…Sigh, it isn't what ahjussi thinks."

"…"

"Really. I watched the whole time. It is completely different from the two
of you. I'm certain."

I had a headache. Speaking of which, it was certain that they were lovers in
the second regressions but I couldn't remember in the third regression. Yoo
Joonghyuk had a long road to walk. So where the hell did he go? Was it to
pick up his younger sister?

[The sixth scenario will start in three days.]

A system message was heard. I think I knew what Yoo Joonghyuk wanted
to do. The sixth scenario was when we finally encountered incarnations
from other domes.

He was a restless guy so he probably went to get some hidden skills and
items that he couldn't get in the last regression.

There were still some hidden scenarios in Seoul Dome. It was a bit
upsetting that they would be taken away by Yoo Joonghyuk but it was
better than he eating up skills.

Moreover, he needed to be stronger than he was now to make the rest of the
scenarios easier.

"Ah, that's right. I have a message for ahjussi from Master?"

"For me?'

Lee Jihye nodded as she grasped her sword and declared in a serious tone.
"Kim Dokja, the oath period is over."

My heart sank. The Oath of Existence. I had forgotten about it.

–Then swear you won't hurt me until the fifth scenario is over. If you can't
do that, I really won't help you.

–I swear.

We had made this oath. That guy… surely he hadn't left me alive because
of the oath? Then I remembered strange nonsense.

–I won't kill you. I will hit you once.

I couldn't help gulping. Surely this wasn't his plan? Was he going to learn a
skill to hit me?

"By the way… what oath did the two of you swear?"

"Shut up."

Yes, it would somehow be okay. Above all, I had the Beast King's
Sensitivity used by the disaster Shin Yoosung. It was also level 3.

…I had Way of the Wind through Bookmark and there were also my strong
companions.

I met Lee Jihye's eyes as she said. "You know that I won't help you against
Master, right?"

"I wasn't expecting anything from you."

Instead, I looked at Lee Hyunsung. I was really impressed when he told

Shin Yoosung that he was part of my party, not Yoo Joonghyuk's. Lee
Hyunsung gazed at me with perplexed eyes before opening his mouth.
"That…Dokjassi."

"Yes."

"To tell you the truth, I'm a bit scared of Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi."

"…Ah, it's okay. I understand."

Come to think of it, Lee Hyunsung's strength was because of Yoo

Joonghyuk. Dammit. However, it was too early to be frustrated.

I also had Jung Heewon. She was someone who didn't appear in the original
novel and I raised her with my own hands.

Then Jung Heewon scratched her head and said, "I don't know what this is
about but I won't get involved in the fight between the two of you."

"…Huh?"

"I won't disturb the two of you… what the hell is this?"

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is making a loving smile.]

I suddenly got a chill down my spine. What was that angel thinking?

[The constellation 'Scribe of Heaven' is watching Demon-like Judge of Fire

with solemn eyes.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' has jumped and changed her
expression.]

"Dokja-ssi." I looked up with astonishment and saw Yoo Sangah smiling

calmly at me. "Don't worry. Joonghyuk-ssi isn't a bad person."

"…I hope so."

"I'm sure that he is a good friend."

I heard Yoo Sangah's words and inwardly sighed. I didn't know why but I
thought of Han Sooyoung at this time. Apart from me, she was the only one
who knew what type of person Yoo Joonghyuk was. Well, she wouldn't
have protected me even if she was here…

The scenario was over but I didn't know what she was doing now. We
finished organizing the surroundings and collected items.

It became late in the night and Yoo Joonghyuk still hadn't returned. Instead,
Jung Heewon went to scout and returned with welcome things.

I was amazed. "There was still some left?"

Jung Heewon had six bottles of beer and soju with her. She said with a
smile. "Let's have a drink as a memorial."

We set up a campfire and sat down. I quickly hit Lee Jihye's hand as she
grabbed a beer.

"You're a minor."

"…There are no laws now. Why does it matter if I'm a minor?"

"Drink cider with the kids."

In the meantime, I took a quick swallow of the alcohol. Jung Heewon had
red cheeks as she drank while Lee Hyunsung snored like a bear after
drinking a few beers. He was weaker to alcohol than he looked.

"The mood…"

Lee Jihye secretly drank a few cups and collapsed with a red face.
Surprisingly, Yoo Sangah had already drank four bottles of soju. I couldn't
see any signs of her being drunk.
"I'm a heavy drinker."

Come to think of it, I had never seen Yoo Sangah drink at a work party.

"…It is hard to get drunk."

There was sorrow in her words. The company had a few men who wanted
to do something to Yoo Sangah while she was drunk. Maybe this was the
first time she could drink while at ease.

"Isn't it okay for today?"

Perhaps it was because she was paler than usual that I looked away with
shame.

There was a lonely moon in the sky and the cries of monsters couldn't be
heard today. The other drinking groups around us were making loud noises.

I wanted to drink well in this situation but I also thought it was because of
this situation that I had to drink.

It was a world where everything couldn't be endured without drinking.

Then small sparks appeared around my glass. The surprised Yoo Sangah
looked at me.

I nodded. It was a good thing I hadn't drank too much alcohol. The alcohol
poured down onto the ground.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' wants to talk to you.]

Olympus had finally taken the bait.

 Chapter 112: Ep. 22 - Three Promises, IV

The God of Wine and Ecstasy. The only person who used such a modifier
was Dionysus, one of the 12 gods of Olympus.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' is humming.]

I couldn't hear the song but I could see the drops of alcohol dancing to an
unknown melody. The bubbles moved like they had life, forming numerous
notes on the ground. The notes repeatedly moved between me and Yoo
Sangah.

Yoo Sangah looked at the notes carefully and opened her mouth. "It is the
puppy waltz."

"Can you read musical notes?"

"A little bit."

Yoo Sangah cocked her head and continued speaking.

"Why did Chopin suddenly appear?"

I didn't have a clue. It was strange that Dionysus knew about Chopin in the
first place. No. According to the original story, he was someone with great
interest in the musical culture of later generations. It wasn't strange.

The notes formed a circle and then arrows that pointed towards the
remaining soju bottles. Yoo Sangah wondered, "…Is he telling us to drink
more?"

"Let's drink." There was no other way to interpret it. "Yoo Sangah-ssi, drink
only a little bit. At least one person should be sane."

I needed someone to protect my teammates if I became drunk. I could wake

up Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung, who only drank cider, but I wanted to
let them sleep well.

"Dokja-ssi can't drink well?"

"I'm not a strong drinker."

I lightly tapped my glass against hers and drank the soju. The alcohol
entered my body and made me feel hot. However, the notes didn't stop.

"…I think I should drink more."

I drank a few glasses in succession. Heat rose from inside me and I could
feel the redness in my face. The movements of the musical notes became
more active. No, did it look more active because I was drunk? Yoo Sangah
smiled. "It is nice to drink with you. I was a bit lonely."

Thus, I drank a few more cups. I felt a bit better as a mellow smell rose. I
suddenly turned around and found that I was very close to Yoo Sangah. I
had obviously been quite far away…
I was mistaken. The sound of breathing was harsh. I didn't know if it was
my breathing or the breathing of Yoo Sangah. Yoo Sangah's shoulder
lightly touched mine. "Dokja-ssi."

"Yes."

It was clearly a face free of makeup but it was hard to find any blemishes.
Yoo Sangah slowly leaned towards me. Her face was getting closer and
closer.

A pair of quarter notes and eighth notes danced intensely around us. My
heart started to beat faster at the touch against my shoulders.

…Wait, something was strange.

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has offset some of the drunkenness.]

The message popped up and my mind cleared. Yes, this couldn't happen in
reality. Yoo Sangah wasn't such a person. It was only possible because this
was Ways of Survival. I firmly held Yoo Sangah's shoulder and urged her,
"Yoo Sangah-ssi, stay alert."

"Huh? Ah… ah?" The startled Yoo Sangah blinked. Her face turned red for
the first time. "I-I, what did I…?"

As expected, it wasn't Yoo Sangah's will. I was in a slightly miserable

mood as I opened my mouth and spoke towards the notes hovering on the
ground. "Stop playing and get straight to the point."

The notes all stopped at the same time. It was a serene silence, like the
midnight festival had suddenly stopped. The alcohol bubbles fell to the
ground and sparks flew. Then the bubbles formed one string of words. –
You are no fun.
I was a bit surprised by the letters written on the ground. A few words
written in bubbles on the ground might not seem great, however it was
extremely difficult for constellations to communicate with incarnations in
Ways of Survival. It was why the constellations used the dokkaebi channels
to convey 'indirect messages'.

In the first place, spreading messages to Earth without the help of the
dokkaebis was only possible among the highest-class constellations and the
consumption of probability was huge. The probability of the world was
sensitive to 'language'.

I heard a faint cry from the Great Hole in the sky. The god of this world had
noticed Dionysus' existence. The fact that he delivered a message directly
without going through an incarnation meant he had confidence in his
backer… As expected, the 12 gods of Olympus were different.

I opened my mouth in a deliberate provocation. "If you are so confident

then come and talk to me in person."

Then the string of words moved.

–I don't like those with tentacles. They are annoying to fight. If I go down
myself, everyone will die.

In fact, I hadn't expected anything. Seoul would be turned into powder if

the 12 gods of Olympus really descended.

–My mother died that way because of my father.

Yoo Sangah saw this sentence and whispered to me. "…What does this
mean?"

"Maybe he is talking about the myth of his birth."

As far as I knew, Dionysus' parents were Zeus and Princess Semele of

Thebes. Hera was jealous of Zeus and Semele and disguised herself as
Semele's nurse, encouraging Semele by saying the following. 'Zeus might
be a fake. Ask him to show you what he really looks like when he is in
Olympus'.

Semele was fooled and demanded that Zeus do this. Then she died from
Zeus' brilliance.

Yoo Sangah listened to the story and cocked his head. "Uh… isn't it a bit
different from the story I know? As far as I know, his mother isn't the
princess of Thebes…"

I was a bit surprised by Yoo Sangah's knowledge. I wondered if she had a

level 1 degree in myths, not just Korean history. Of course, I didn't have
such a degree.

The string of words changed like it was amused.

–Hrmm. You humans know me very well.

As Yoo Sangah said, Dionysus' birth myth was twofold. One was the
version where Princess Semele of Thebes was his mother. The other
version had Hades' wife, Persephone as his mother.

I asked Dionysus, "I'm curious. Which of the two versions is real?" –

Is it important?

"It is important. There is a reason I need it to be the latter."

In fact, Jung Heewon's suggestion to drink was an attempt to lure Jung

Heewon.

Dionysus was the son of Persephone. If this myth was correct, Dionysus
could probably contact Persephone, Hades' wife.

–Rude human.
The string trembled.

–Still, I like rude humans.

In fact, I already knew which myth it was. Dionysus' story was mentioned
in Ways of Survival.

–There used to be a human as foolishly brave as you. He was someone who

played the lyre very well. He didn't end up well.

"I'll be different."

–I can open up the entrance of the Underworld. The Father of the Rich
Night doesn't like me but the goddess of the Underworld will listen to me.
However, it is very dangerous and there is no guarantee you will come back
alive.

"It's okay."

–Good. I like eager people.

I became nervous due to the excellent atmosphere. Dionysus was a

constellation whose thoughts I could never predict.

–Keep this in mind. I can only give you 12 hours. If you don't come back in
that time then you can never return to the scenarios.

I became dizzy and then suddenly felt drowsy. I realized what was going
to happen. Damn, this was why he made me drink. I hurriedly spoke.
"Yoo Sangah-ssi, wake up the kids." Perhaps these were my last words.

[A new hidden scenario has arrived!]

The moment I closed my eyes, the drops of alcohol seemed to be laughing.

–I hope the Father of the Rich Night will listen to you.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' is guiding your soul.]

[You are free from the physical restraints of your body.]

Many colours passed through my mind and it was like I was on drugs.
There was a sharp pain from my forehead and then a faint voice was heard.

[Who is this?]

[…Interesting.]

[The soul of an incarnation is walking in the world of the constellation?]

[You will regret it.]

The voice spoke negative words. Perhaps it was someone from Olympus.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated.]

The noisy voices disappeared like they had been muted.

[The soul of a living person has entered the Underworld.]

[The judges of the Underworld have noticed your presence.]

Once I heard the last message, countless traces disappeared from my

surroundings. The world turned around quickly and my body sank heavily.
After a while, it felt like I had reached somewhere. It was hard to move but
I could guess what I would see when I opened my eyes.

The air of the Underworld was sticky. The sand at my fingertips was cold.
Perhaps I was at the river of the Underworld that Hades ruled. There was
Acheron River flowing towards Hades' palace and the Underworld boatman
Charon would be waiting for me. And…

"Hey! Wake up! What are you doing here?"

Something dull hit my head and it felt like oil was being poured on me. I
took deep breaths as I sat up. Someone fumbled at my body, grabbing my
neck and lifting me up.

"A newbie? I've never seen this face before."

I had also never seen this face before. It was a man with a rough face and
big muscles. The people in the surroundings were gazing at us.

"He looks fine? Check his body. He might've brought something with him."

"Hey, don't touch. If he fell here then he must be a mess. Have you
forgotten the crazy person who came a while ago?"

"That crazy jerk was a bit special. Are people like him common?"

I let the people to talk among themselves and looked around. It was a
spacious place where a scorching heat could be felt. Judging by the
infestation of ghosts, this seemed to be the Underworld.

Frames made of the metal of the Underworld were all over the place and
there were also furnaces for smelting metals. It was a factory-like
atmosphere. The dead spirits were enslaved in the Underworld and
making something. At first glance, it seemed like a giant robot… What
was this place?

"Hey, are you ignoring me now?"

I ignored his words and slowly twisted his arm that was holding me.

"W-What? This strength…!"

I couldn't waste time dealing with these small fries. I decided to check the
hidden scenario that I had received.
 [Hidden Scenario - Scenic Walk]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A+

Clear Conditions: Avoid the eyes of the judges and return safely to the
ground.

Time Limit: 12 hours.

Compensation: 10,000 coin

Failure: You will be forced to become a resident of the Underworld.

The scenario checked out. The time that Dionysus said was accurate. Then
why was I here? I should've fallen at Acheron River.

"T-This bastard! Daring to look down on us…!"

The big man was just about to punch my head when I heard a voice from
behind me.

"Over there, what's going on? Did something funny happen?"

"U-Uwaaah!"

"Haha, let me in on it as well. Huh? I'm bored to death because I've been
working on the Gundam every day."

"Run away! Run away!"

The people surrounding me started to shrink back. It was like herbivores
meeting a predator. I looked to the side where the voice came from. It was a
young man with a slim body and bangs covering his forehead. The young
man discovered me and moved towards me.

He peered closely at me and muttered with an aghast expression. "…Why

are you here?"

I couldn't understand his words for a moment. This person knew me?

"What? You can't recognize me? Have you really forgotten?"

The young man lifted his bangs and I recognized him.

…Dammit. Come to think of it, the Underworld was a place where the dead
came. I hadn't even thought about it. Of course the people I killed would
come here after dying.

"Ah, don't be so vigilant. Aren't we both dead?"

The curious young man's eyes came closer. There was a mean and cruel
look in them. I only saw him for a short time but it was an unforgettable
impression. The man smiled. "Yes, who the hell killed you? Please open
your mouth. Huh?"

The person who died in the first scenario, Delusional Demon Kim
Namwoon was in Hades' domain.
 Chapter 113: Ep. 22 - Three Promises, V

I looked around and discovered what this place was. Then I felt despair.

Damn, there was no doubt. This place was…

"You don't have to be so nervous. I won't bite if you get closer." Kim
Namwoon told me and I sighed.

I was certain. It was Tartarus, the famous prison of the Underworld. I

glanced at the three-headed monster guarding the entrance of the prison. It
was a cerberus, a mythical monster dog. Two of its heads were dozing off
while one head was acting as lookout.

"That son of a bitch. It should be a 4th grade monster. There are even
stronger ones downstairs." Kim Namwoon spoke like he was a guide to
hell.

He was right. This was how it was described in Ways of Survival. The
strongest prisoners were trapped in the lower floors of Tartarus, meaning
the size of the cerberus became bigger with each floor you descended. Kim
Namwoon chuckled and asked, "What do you think of hell?"

I watched his attitude and opened my mouth. It was natural to be nervous

when this psychopath had changed. "I have something to ask."

"What is it?"

"Is there anyone else beside you?"

"There is ahjussi."

"I'm not talking about me."

I closely watched the faces of the ghosts passing by. There were no faces
that I recognized. For example, the Disaster of Questions or people like
Song Minwoo.

Kim Namwoon told me, "I don't know. I was the only one from the subway
who came here."

Hades' Underworld was just one of the myriad worlds. The dead
incarnations probably went to different Underworlds according to their
beliefs or random characteristics. It was the same for Myung Ilsang and
Song Minwoo.

I kept an eye on Kim Namwoon's expression as I asked, "Has a young

woman come here recently?"

"Young woman?"

"She has white hair in an um… ponytail. She is really pretty."

Kim Namwoon frowned for a moment before suddenly giggling. "Aha, now
I understand."
I listened in case he had seen Shin Yoosung.

"Ahjussi, you died trying to save a woman?"

"…"

"This is the problem with people like you. Dying because of love… do you
think you are in a fairy tale?"

"Did you see her? Just answer that."

"Of course I haven't see her. How can I see your dear girlfriend?"

As expected, Shin Yoosung's soul hadn't come here. Perhaps she still hasn't
crossed the Acheron River. She was a soul that came from another world.
She would stay here for a while before being deported out of the world. All
I had to do was get to her soul before then.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was making something. Now ahjussi is going to make it with me." Kim
Namwoon shook the ashes off his hand and pointed to something. "It is that
thing. Doesn't it look like a Gundam?"

I stared at it. The appearance resembled the figure of a giant. The huge
weapon was finished off with a black, glossy metal and it breathed slowly
like a living creature. It was a weapon prepared for the most terrible war in
the myths.

The Giant Soldier. Hades was already preparing for Gigantomachia. It was
different from the 12 gods of Olympus who played around, ate and fought
using the excuse of preparing for Gigantomachia. Come to think of it,
Hades was a constellation of the Greek myths but he wasn't part of the
Olympus nebula.
Then a loud noise was heard from outside the entrance. Kim Namwoon
grabbed my shoulder. "Come on. Come with me."

"Why?"

"Can't you see the manager coming? There is a place where I am working.
Go there and pretend to hammer. You have to move quickly if you are a
newcomer. Understood?"

I knew this much. If this place where really Tartarus's slave smithy then I
knew something about it. That's why I wasn't surprised by Tartarus.

Kim Namwoon bit his lips. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

I tried not to say it but I couldn't help myself. "Don't you have any thoughts
about me?"

"What thoughts?" Kim Namwoon thought about it for a moment before an

eerie smile appeared on his face. "Aha, are you afraid of me?"

"…"

"You think I will get revenge. Right?"

It would be abnormal if I wasn't scared. I killed the person who was a

psychopath in the original novel, even more than Yoo Joonghyuk. Now he
suddenly acted friendly with me. I was strange if I wasn't scared.

"Haha, don't be afraid. Is it necessary to be wary when we have both

already died? I also changed a lot after coming here. I had a lot of time to
reflect."

I was speechless. The Delusional Demon Kim Namwoon reflecting was as

impossible as Yoo Joonghyuk becoming a girl. I knew it was a lie but I still
activated Lie Detection as a last courtesy for him. In any case, it was a skill
that I acquired to use.
[You have confirmed that the statement is true.]

…What? I was taken aback and stared at him. Kim Namwoon cried out,
"I'm telling the truth Why don't you trust what I am saying? Aren't I living
in atonement? I am even thankful that you killed me."

"Why?"

"A meal is served when it is time to eat. I can sleep when it is time to sleep.
I don't have to go to school and won't be nagged at by my parents… It is a
bit hot but this place is the best."

He was talking about Tartarus in hell. "Besides, I can assemble the

Gundam if I get bored. Isn't this good?" He saw the Giant Soldier as a
gundam. "It is thanks to you. I'm serious. Really thank you." This guy was
really crazy.

[The character 'Kim Namwoon' has a favourable impression of you.]

Damn, I couldn't not believe it when these system messages came up.

"Then come this way quickly. There is no time."

I was led by Kim Namwoon towards his workshop. His tools were placed
along the workbench and I could see the metal that the gundam was made
out of. It was a metal of the Underworld. I felt that this was a setting for this
person's chuuni disease.

Kim Namwoon said, "They're coming. Listen."

The cerberus started barking.

Grrrr…

My bones seemed frozen when I heard the sound. The administrator

holding a whip and bat passed by the cerberus and entered Tartarus. It was
a subordinate of Hades wearing a black cloak. He didn't look as strong as
the judges but it wouldn't be good if I was caught.

I stood and pretended to be hammering. Kim Namwoon was giggling next

to me. The administrator went to a platform at the entrance and cried out in
a scratchy voice.

–Tell all the slaves on the 1st floor. There will be an unannounced
inspection.

Kim Namwoon frowned and grumbled, "These jerks are always the same. If
they have nothing to do then an inspection…"

However, the administrator's next words shut Kim Namwoon up.

–There is an illegal intruder in the Underworld. It is said that the soul of a

living person crossed Acheron River.

The ghosts had confused expressions. The administrator's words continued.

–If the Great Death finds out about this, terrible things will happen to you
as well. This inspection is to find the impure intruder. It isn't a formal one
so don't be nervous. Everyone stand in place.

Dammit, the progress was faster than I expected. In this case…

Kim Namwoon's complaints could be heard. "This is really stupid. Even if a

living person came here, why would they hide in Tartarus? When someone
comes in, they can't go out. Right?"

"…"

"Ahjussi?"

"Uh, yes." I replied one beat late.

Kim Namwoon watched me and muttered in a dumbfounded voice. "I just
want to ask you. Perhaps they are talking about ahjussi…"

"Right."

"Shit." Kim Namwoon threw the hammer and laughed. "Wow, it is amazing
that you are a living person. I have been talking to someone alive?"

It was an expression where he didn't know to be angry or amused. I sighed

and asked, "Is there anywhere to hide here?"

"Shit, you want to hide in a prison? If you can't find anywhere then hide in
the gundam over there!"

I looked at the Giant Soldier. I really could hide in there. The problem was
that it was already close to a 'living creature'. I was likely to be digested if I
went inside.

"Has that been completed?"

"Not yet. There is something wrong with the core. Are you really going to
hide in there?"

"No."

"Good thinking. Ahjussi will disappear if you go inside there."

"…I thought you were grateful?"

"I'm only good to people who are also dead. I'm sorry that we met when
you are a living person. Ahjussi, you should die soon and come back
again."

Kim Namwoon spoke like I was in a terrible position. As we were talking,

the administrator had neared this area. If the Giant Soldier had been
completed then I could've beaten the cerberus and gone straight to Hades'
palace. Now that was impossible.
[Due to the effect of your exclusive attribute, memories from the books you
have read will become stronger.]

I desperately searched through the contents of Ways of Survival. Yoo

Joonghyuk had visited the Underworld in the mid to late regressions. What
had he done at the time?

「 "Tell this to the king. I will take the Great Soldier." 」

「 "If you don't want to die then tell everyone to get lost." 」

…Dammit. He was a crazy bastard. I liked it when I read it but it didn't help
my situation at all.

Facing Hades' judges head on. This thing was possible for the regressor
Yoo Joonghyuk. He had that type of power and opportunity. Yet I…

No, wait a minute. Why couldn't I do it like him? The direction of my

thoughts suddenly changed. Of course, I couldn't really act like Yoo
Joonghyuk.

However, there were many courageous ways I could resolve this. Why
couldn't I be caught by the judges? Would I fail the hidden scenario and
become a resident of the Underworld? No, perhaps the judges would see
Hades' behaviour and try to destroy me?

I was a fool. There was no need to worry if I solved one issue. The
administrator finally came to our workshop. I faced him.

Then the administrator asked, "Who are you?"

"The one you are looking for."

At this moment, a light shone in the administrator's eyes. The sharp sound
of metal was heard from somewhere. I felt my body gradually freeze and
my back was cold. If I looked back now then Hades' judges would grab me
by the neck.

I resisted the freezing cold and opened my mouth. "You should think
carefully before killing me." I didn't have Yoo Joonghyuk's strength but I
had something he didn't. "If you kill me now, you will surely be defeated
during Gigantomachia."

The administrator's eyes shook and the chill subsided for a moment. I didn't
miss this moment and looked up at the Giant Soldier.

"Tell the Father of the Rich Night. I know how to finish the Giant Soldier."

A fearsome silence descended. The area around my neck was slowly

freezing but I didn't resist.

This was a test. The ice came down from my neck to my shoulders and
chest. I didn't panic. A little bit more. Just a bit more. Finally, the cold
reached the edges of my heart. Suddenly, it stopped like magic.

Then a message appeared in my head.

[The hidden scenario has been updated.]

After a while, I was guided by the judge towards Hades' palace. I looked
back as I moved away and saw Kim Namwoon behind the cerberus. I
waved my hand towards Kim Namwoon, who stared blankly at me.

Stay well in hell, Namwoon.

 Chapter 114: Ep. 22 - Three Promises, VI

Kim Namwoon's last look remained with me but I hadn't come to rescue
him in the first place. Besides, why should I save him when he liked Hell?

The legless judge climbed the stairs quietly, like a ghost. Some of the
symbolic bodies along the way looked at me with interested eyes. Were
they constellations who dwelled in Hades' palace? I didn't know. It wasn't
all constellations here.

The judge seemed aware that I was drifting off and spoke without looking
back.

[You will lose your way if you don't follow along well.]

It was a scratchy voice that made me feel uncomfortable. Still, it was the
correct advice.

I looked at the judge before shifting my gaze to the ceiling and opening my
mouth slightly. 'Hey, can you hear me?'
It was a small whisper that the judge couldn't hear.

'I know you're listening'.

This wasn't Earth but Hades' Underworld. I was curious. Did the dokkaebi
channel work here? Then a faint voice entered my ears.

–…Yes.

There was a reply on the dokkaebi communication. It wasn't Bihyung's

voice.

'Are you a new dokkaebi?'

–Yes. I am the low-grade dokkaebi Youngki. I am temporarily serving as

an administrator while Bihyung is at the bureau.

Dokkaebi Youngki. Perhaps it was the dokkaebi who dealt with the
compensation settlement for the fifth scenario during the day. I got straight
to the point.

'Why aren't you doing your work properly?' –

Huh?

'The hidden scenario has updated but why aren't you letting me know the
contents?'

I came to this terrible place and should at least get compensation.

–Ah, t-that…!

It turned out that this dokkaebi was a beginner. I could see how good
Bihyung was at handling things. He just slightly lacked intelligence… The
dokkaebi went silent for a long moment before stuttering.

–E-Excuse me…
'What is it now?'

–How do I update the scenario?

I was speechless for a moment.

'Why is a dokkaebi asking a constellation?'

–B-Bihyung told me to ask Kim Dokja-ssi if I'm not sure of anything.

That bastard Bihyung made me an advisor?

–P-Please wait a moment! I'll ask another dokkaebi about it. Ah, and…

'…What else?'

–I'm sorry but would you like to receive the backed up indirect messages? It
was the first time I was in this situation…

I reluctantly nodded. I never expected a day would come when I missed

Bihyung. Then messages exploded in my head.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' rejoices in your plight.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is excited about your

adventure.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is wondering how you will escape.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' prays that you can return
safely to your companions.]

As expected, the constellations were enamored with watching me. On the

other hand, some were admiring the scenery.
[The constellation 'One-eyed Maitreya' admires the Underworld.]

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' is greatly shocked by the

appearance of the Underworld.]

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' begins to doubt his religion.]

This was a spectacle for some constellations. Not all constellations could
come to Hades' castle.

[12,000 coins have been sponsored.]

I got 12,000 coins just from showing Hades' palace. It was a huge profit.
This was like illegally filming private land.

Some time passed. The silently walking judge finally opened his mouth.

[We've arrived.]

The door opened and a huge banquet hall appeared. The interior wasn't
visible because it was dark. The judge disappeared and the door closed.

A small light appeared in the middle of the dark hall. An oval antique table
was waiting for me. There was a splendid statue that could be seen as a
statue of the king. The table contained many dishes that stimulated the
salivary glands.

There was a woman looking at me at the end of the table.

[How interesting. A living soul has come to this castle. Furthermore, you
also brought unpleasant observers… Today is a really special day.]

I immediately recognized who she was. In Hades' palace, there was only
one existence who could occupy the seat of the hostess. I bowed and
opened my mouth.
"It is an honour, Queen of the Darkest Spring."

Queen of the Darkest Spring. She was Persephone, Hades' wife and the
famous queen of the Underworld.

[You know my modifier. You are a polite incarnation.]

"You're overpraising me."

[The even more interesting thing is that your soul didn't shake when you
heard my true voice.]

Come to think of it, I didn't feel much when I heard the truth voice of the
constellations.

Persephone was a constellation that was at least narrative-grade. Due to the

difference between us, my soul should've been damaged or destroyed the
moment I heard her true words.

Moreover, I previously heard the words of Kim Yooshin, a historical-grade

constellation…

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is strongly activated.]

It was the first time that 'strongly' was attached to the skill message.
Perhaps my unconscious mind saw this situation as 'unrealistic' due to the
person I was meeting.

[Sit down, Incarnation Kim Dokja.]

I thanked her for the hospitality and sat across from her. Honestly, it was an
unexpected favour. The aroma of sweet delicacies tickled my nose.

I looked around but only Persephone was sitting at the table. "The king…?"

[The king is uncomfortable with your sudden visit. That's why I thought it
would be better for me to talk to you.]
It ended up like this. I had expected it. There hadn't been a single
incarnation who had met the three heads of Olympus. Besides, I didn't play
the lyre well like Orpheus.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

[You can ask.]

"Is this your true body?"

[Of course it is a symbolic body. My true body isn't something that a human
like you can withstand.]

I quietly gazed at Persephone's symbolic body. She looked like an old

woman.

…It was a terrible hobby. Honestly, I had to think like this. Persephone
smiled softly.

[You don't like older women like this?]

"That isn't the problem."

It didn't matter if she looked like a grandmother or grandfather. The

problem was that she looked exactly like the 'grandmother' on the subway
in the first scenario.

[If you feel uncomfortable then I can change to someone else.]

Persephone's appearance slowly changed into Yoo Sangah's image. It

wasn't the usual Yoo Sangah. This Yoo Sangah wore a black Chinese dress
and a garter belt, with seductive eye makeup…

I turned red just staring at her face. Dammit, did she peep at my dreams?

"Just be the grandmother."

Of course, Persephone didn't listen to me.

[There isn't much time so get to the point.]

"You don't know?"

[I heard a bit from my child but it has more meaning to hear it directly from
you.]

Her child must mean Dionysus. I nodded and took a deep breath before
explaining. "I'm looking for a woman's soul. I don't know if you've heard
but I'm ready to make a trade."

[Soul… it is an outdated idea.]

Her eyelids lowered as she seemed to think of something. Before long,

Persephone's long fingers moved and she started to slice the steak on her
plate.

I patiently waited. It proceeded slowly. The fork firmly held the meat as the
knife moved slowly back and forth, slicing the meat with care. The red
juices flowed out as a clean section was cut. The fork carefully moved the
meat that it had pierced.

Persephone made a face like she was worrying about whether to eat it or
not. She seemed to have forgotten about me.

I was about to open my mouth when she opened her mouth first. Of course,
it was to eat the steak.

[There is no such thing as a 'soul' in this world.]

Souls didn't exist. It was a matter that all modern physicists would agree on
but the problem was the person saying it was a god. It was a god of
Olympus, who had long defended the logic of the souls.

I said sarcastically, "Plato and Aristotle would rise from the grave."
[They are constellations right now so they wouldn't be in their graves.]

"I didn't come here to play around."

[I'm not playing around. Incarnation Kim Dokja. The soul doesn't exist. It is
just an illusion created by humans who want the continuity of themselves.]

"Then what about the people in the Underworld? Aren't they souls?"

She pointed to the steak she just cut.

[They are like this.]

The steak slowly entered Persephone's mouth. She took her time chewing
the meat, like she was relishing it. Her red lips glistened enchantingly.

[Well, it is very special. Why don't you try it once?]

The same steak that she ate appeared in front of me. I looked down at it and
said after a moment. "I don't want to."

[Are you going to be rude?]

"Yes. I'm really sorry but I have to be rude."

It would surely be tasty if I ate it. There were at least 12 pages in Ways of
Survival describing the taste. However, at the end of a long description, the
following sentence was written:

「 It wasn't until the end of the regression that Yoo Joonghyuk regretted
eating the food. 」

Those who ate the food of the Underworld couldn't return to Earth.
Persephone seemed to read my mind and laughed.
[The people of the Underworld aren't as terrible as you think. Most of the
known theories are false. You can go out of the Underworld at any time as
long as you have the permission of the king. It is a similar concept to a
'career soldier' in your world.]

"The military life was the most terrible memory in my life."

[Is that so? Don't the males in your country say that they should stay in the
army? That's why I thought it wasn't a big deal. I guess it was a
misunderstanding.]

I didn't know why the goddess of another country knew so much about
Korean mean. Persephone continued speaking.

[Incarnation Kim Dokja. You will be treated better than you imagined.]
"The person who advised me to be a professional sergeant told me
something similar."

[Did he recommend a steak like me? For example, the steak currently in
front of you. Do you know what will happen if you eat it?]

"I can taste the juices of a cow."

[You can become a 'sword master' right now.]

I thought I heard wrong for a moment. Sword master. It was a higher

realm that only returnees who left this world could reach after hard work.
[The pasta next to it. You can become a 'great magician' if you eat it.]
…This pasta?

[The soup? It can make you an SSS-grade hunter.]

This… it was a wonderland instead of a hell?

I couldn't help gulping. I could get power to overcome the current Yoo
Joonghyuk if I just ate this meat.

[You still won't eat?]

I slowly moved my fork and picked up a piece of the steak. The moment
my fork pierced the meat, strange scenes flashed in front of my eyes. It was
the memory of a man training alone with a sword.

「 I can't be weak. I have to learn the sword. 」

「 I will strive to become stronger. 」

「I-I finally did it! I did it! 」

There were only a few scenes. I was surprised and put down the fork. This
wasn't a dead cow that I was poking.

"This is…?"

Persephone nodded.

[Yes. This small piece of meat. It is the soul that humans believe in.]

She once again ate the meat. I belatedly understood why Persephone said I
could become a sword master if I ate this. I stated, "…It contains the
memories of the sword master."

[Memories? No. To be more precise…]

She paused for a moment to pick her words.

[It is a story.]

The sight of her licking her lips gave me goose bumps.

[It is the story that is the favourite food of all constellations.]

 Chapter 115: Ep. 22 - Three Promises, VII

I got goose bumps as I heard the words that came out of the constellation's
mouth. Those who were crazy about stories ate the stories. This was the
nature of constellations.

[Death is the end of the story. Just as a cow that has become a steak can't
revive, the dead can't revive. Their story is finished.]

"I know there are exceptions."

[They are false folklore. There are no exceptions.]

It was a lie. There was a saying for this in Greek mythology. "Can you
swear on the Styx River?"

She naturally couldn't swear. For the first time, anger filled Persephone's
expression.

[…The soul you believe in is just a crude lump of a story.]

"I want that crude lump of a story."

[A person who looks backwards in the Underworld will feel regret. You
need to understand that the time has passed.]

If she was taking such a hard line then I had to use the trump card I had
saved.

"Queen-nim. Time isn't necessarily about 'going forward'. I thought you

knew that."

At this moment, the world turned grey. A vast killing intent filled the whole
hall. For a moment, I felt that I had seen Persephone's essence. My mouth
didn't open but I wanted to scream.

Souls didn't exist? Wasn't it my soul that was feeling creeped out right
now? Sweat dripped down my back as the killing intent disappeared.

Persephone smiled like nothing had happened. [Huhu… how interesting. As

expected from the child that Olympus calls a singularity.]

Her smile was subtly different from before. I could feel it without speaking.
From now on, I could get to my goal.

"I know it isn't just that. I have seen the Giant Soldier in development in
Tartarus. If you make a deal with me, you can shorten the time it takes to
use it…"

[That is the story. Gigantomachia is an important issue but the Giant

Soldier can be completed on time without your help.]

I was speechless for a moment. She was a truly formidable goddess. It was
Persephone's turn.

[However, I might consider this deal if you tell me how you know the
information…]
"It is difficult. To be honest, I don't know how to explain it."

I felt sorry for Shin Yoosung but this wasn't possible. My plans for the
future were finished if I revealed this. Persephone gazed into my eyes to
gauge the truth of my answer. Then she muttered in a strange voice.

[Indeed, ■■■ ■■■…]

…What? The next second, the messages of the constellations exploded in

my ears.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is doubting his ears.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire''s eyes have widened.]

[The constellation Scribe of Heaven points out the Queen's rashness.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is immersed.]

Persephone frowned.

[The uninvited guests should stay quiet.]

I asked with a shocked expression,

"What did you say just now?"

[Ah, it isn't a big deal.]

I was really confused.

…■■■?

I couldn't pronounce it properly but her words sounded like filtered

information. It generally happened with information not made public yet in
the scenario. However, the filtering wasn't triggered if a person already
knew the information.
It didn't make sense. There was information I didn't know despite reading
all of Ways of Survival? No, maybe…

[I'm sorry but I'll end the entertainment here. I have no reason to make the
deal with you. I can use other methods to find out your information.]

The light reflected in a creepy manner off the knife. I didn't feel like
knowing why.

[I keep thinking this but… you look delicious.]

Persephone suddenly approached and grabbed my chin. I refrained from

pushing back my chair and smiled.

"Will you be able to handle the storm that will occur if you harm an
incarnation in the middle of the scenario?"

[Hrmm. You are disrespectful. Do you think I can't afford this probability?]

"The constellations watching me also won't tolerate it."

Persephone laughed. [Do you think the king will be afraid of such trivial
constellations?]

Of course, Hades deserved to be this arrogant. Still, the word 'trivial'

shouldn't be used in such a way.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' swings his rod as if he

has been provoked.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' pulls out her sword with cold
eyes.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is excited and encouraging the

situation.]

Persephone also pulled out her power.

[I see. Do you want to try it now?]

The ceiling of the hall started to fill with dark clouds. Red and blue sparks
occurred like a thunderstorm and white flames spread throughout the
banquet hall. This was the battle between constellations.

A huge aura rose from Persephone's symbolic body. I would explode if this
continued.

I calmly opened my mouth. "You said you liked stories."

The atmosphere of the constellations softened for a moment at my words.

"Then how about a different deal?"

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is listening to your words.]

Persephone stared at me.

"If you help me, I will show you the most interesting story in the world. A
story that is incomparable to the steak you just ate."

[Does that mean I can eat it?]

"If you like gourmet meals, I think no more meals are needed. This story
will be enough."

Persephone noticed what I was trying to say and laughed.

[…Are you planning to take the money without letting me eat?]

"I will let you have a taste. However, if you eat me now, you will regret it
for the rest of your life."

[Why?]
"You would think it would've been more delicious if you hadn't eaten

it." Persephone looked intrigued. […How can you be so sure?]

"I can stand against time-defying beings without a sponsor."

Persephone's eyes shook lightly.

"I have destroyed a returnee and prevented disasters without the help of the
god of this world. And so far, only five scenarios have passed."
Persephone's bit her lower lip in a tantalizing manner.

"As a living soul, I entered the Underworld and encountered you like this.
Aren't you curious about what I will do in the future?"

[You speak very well. But…]

Persephone lowered her gaze and continued.

[It doesn't seem to be a deal?]

"You can call it a courtship."

[…Huh?]

I smiled.

"I'm serious. I'll show you stories you have never seen before and stories
that you can't endure wondering about."

Maybe it was wrong to think about making deals with constellations. They
were those bound by eternity. They couldn't make serious deals with trivial
incarnations. If so, it was better to say ridiculous and far-fetched things. At
the very least, it would make an impression.
Like all myths, the gods were more moved by a handful of sincere words
than a hundred words of deceit. In fact, Persephone's expression wasn't bad
at all.

[Hrmm, it is difficult. This is why males are…]

"Of course, it isn't courting you but courting the Father of the Rich Night."

Persephone's eyes widened at my words and she burst out laughing. She
stepped away from me and slowly crossed her legs to sit on the table. Her
coy eyes swept over my body.

[How interesting.]

It was frightening that she was posing like this with Yoo Sangah's body.
Persephone stared into the dark air and slowly closed her eyes. It was only a
moment but it felt like hours of heavy silence. I was about to choke on the
weight of the silence when she spoke.

[I'll give you a task.]

It finally came.

[You want to show me an interesting story? If you succeed, I will let you
find the soul you want.]

Then a system message popped up.

[A new hidden scenario has been activated.]

There were a few myths that came to mind when I heard her words. That
reminded me, Heracles performed something called the '12 Tasks'.
Persephone's eyes shone.

[I want to see it once. The children of Olympus often do it but I haven't

been able to watch it since meeting my king.]
"What task is it?"

[Your task is to cut off the head of the snake.]

"…Snake? Do you mean the snake with multiple heads?" I asked in a

slightly timid voice.

It was because 'that snake' was a 2nd grade monster. Persephone shook her
head.

[I'm not talking about the hydra. Only Heracles can kill it. The snake you
have to kill is somewhere else.]

"However, I can't go far because of the scenario."

[Don't worry. The snake will be wherever you go.]

Persephone lightly flicked her fingers and a screen popped up in the empty
air. There was the message that the channel was connected and I realized
what this screen was.

…Was this how the constellations watched us? A vast green forest filled
the entire screen. It wasn't long before I figured out what this place was. It
was the stage for the sixth scenario that was about to start. Wait a minute.
What was this?

「 Ahjussi, pull out some of the wood over there and make a place to rest.
Aren't you good at that? 」

「 I'm not good at clearing land. Dumb female. 」

I stared at the screen. The two people were the missing Gong Pildu and Han
Sooyoung. How was this possible? The sixth scenario hadn't started yet? I
could feel Persephone staring at me.
[How about it? Do you want to try it? It might be hard but it is a worthy
task.]

I recovered my spirit. I could sense the 'snake' that Persephone wanted me

to kill. I slowly nodded.

The incarnation left and darkness came to the hall.

Persephone remained alone, staring at the rest of the feast before opening
her mouth.

[Clear it away. It doesn't taste good.]

Hands appeared in the darkness and quickly took away the plates.
Persephone watched as the food went straight into the garbage can. Sword
master, SSS-grade hunter, 10th circle magician…

She was already tired of these delicious tastes. Then a voice came from the
darkness.

–Persephone. Why did you do that?

It was like the space itself was talking.

[Oh, my shy husband is finally

talking.] –I asked you why. [Hades,

you wanted this.] –I never said that.

Persephone stared into the darkness.

[You rarely like incarnations. I think you particularly like that child. Am I
mistaken?]

–Why do you think so?

[It was because you didn't kill him when he entered the Underworld.]

The darkness was silent for a moment.

[You always felt envious that Zeus had Heracles. This time, I read a bit of
your mind.]

Persephone looked down at her hands for a moment before making a fist.

[Honestly, it was amazing. There were some constellations I couldn't afford

to go against. They are all chasing after one incarnation…]

A screen appeared in the darkness. However, the channel's signal was

unstable and the video didn't appear immediately. The darkness gazed at the
screen and opened its mouth.

–There will soon be signs of the later days.

The later days. Persephone listened to these words and opened her mouth
with a mixture of distrust, doubt and anxiety.

[…Will the later days really come?] –

Perhaps.

[You will still be with me at that time right?]

Hades didn't answer. The warm darkness just carefully wrapped around her
symbolic body. Persephone felt the darkness and said.

[I am very excited to see what story that kid will show me.]
Her eyes watched as Kim Dokja moved through the darkness to leave the
Underworld. Kim Dokja moved forward without looking back.

Persephone laughed lightly, as if he was cute.

 Chapter 116: Ep. 23 - Abandoned World, I

I was guided by the judge towards the exit of the Underworld. The exact
location wasn't known because my eyes were covered with a blindfold. We
seemed to go up and then down. After a long walk, the judge took off the
blindfold.

[Follow along this path.]

I opened my eyes and saw a dark and narrow road. Perhaps this was the exit
that didn't require going through Charon, the ferryman.

[You should look in 'front'.]

"What does that mean?"

I looked around but the judge had already disappeared.

I had no choice but to start walking along this path. The light faded and
darkness settled around me. I was using the walls to orienting myself
initially, but the walls soon disappeared. My only frame of reference was
gone and I felt like a ship floating on the ocean without any buoys.

The myth of Orpheus suddenly popped into my head. What would happen
if I looked back? Then a faint light appeared in the darkness.

[You are afraid of what is behind you. That's why you are a pitiful child.]

It was a message from Persephone.

[Keep this in mind. In order to find the 'front', you must know where the
'back' is. It is because the front can only exist when there is a rear.]

Speaking of which, the judge had said something similar. However, just
because the words made sense didn't mean I suddenly gained enlightenment
and could make enormous changes.

[It looks like you need some motivation…]

The stream of light in the air stretched out like it was hesitating.

[Okay. I can't bring you to the beginning of the world labyrinth but this
much should be possible.]

I suddenly felt something. The string of light disappeared and a small

firefly appeared in front of me. It was a distant light. It was a very fragile
and shimmering light. Nobody told me anything but I knew what this light
was.

–You…

It was Shin Yoosung of the 41st regression.

–Ah, ahh…

I could tell how long she had been waiting just from her voice. If she was
already at the beginning of the world labyrinth then the concept of time
would be different. It wasn't long by my standards but it might've already
been a few years for Shin Yoosung.

The small light shivered a few times before speaking in a hesitant voice.

–Ahjussi.

Perhaps she was influenced by the memories of the young Shin Yoosung.

–…C-Can I call you that? No…?

The way she called me was a bond. It was a wish to be tied somewhere.
Perhaps 'ahjussi' was the last lingering attachment of the 41st regression
Shin Yoosung. I smiled softly.

"You are currently older than me. Is it still okay?"

The soft light once again trembled. The light gently touched my face. There
was warmth in that gesture…

My heart felt pained. She must've been waiting for a long time. Even so,
this child had to wait longer.

"I'm sorry but I can't save you now."

The light moved up and down like she understood.

–Don't overdo it. My story now…

"It isn't over yet." I spoke without giving her time to finish. "You have
suffered for so long and it can't end like this."

–Why…

"I will never let that happen."

The light stared at me. She trembled in a confused and pathetic manner.
–I got to know ahjussi through the memories of this world. But ahjussi…
why are you so good to me? Does ahjussi know me?

I didn't answer. We got to know each other through different means. Just as
the 41st regression Shin Yoosung knew me through the memories of her
younger self, I knew her through Ways of Survival. Nevertheless, I couldn't
explain this.

–I feel strange. I definitely don't know ahjussi but when I'm with you, I feel
like I understand everything about you. As if you are a 'god'…

If I was really a god, then I was the most incompetent god in the world. The
most helpless god in the world who knew everything but couldn't explain
anything.

Shin Yoosung's light was rapidly fading away. I couldn't see her but I
seemed to know what she looked like.

–Please save me, please…

"I will."

The tail of the light shaking in the air became smaller and I reached out
towards the light. I felt like my heart had been imprisoned. I could feel Shin
Yoosung's despair. The long wait…

My heart ached with an indescribable grief. Little by little, Persephone's

words made sense. There must be something behind in order to go ahead.
This was my 'back' and at the same time, the 'front' that I had to face.

Maybe this was how Yoo Joonghyuk felt. He constantly returned to the past
but was only able to move forward.

The moment I was certain of my direction, the environment stabilized. A

string of light appeared in the scattered darkness.
[I held her for a while with my power but you don't have much time left if
you want to save her.]

I remembered the faint warmth of Shin Yoosung. Persephone continued

speaking.

[Please keep this in mind. Humans are 'stories'. By the time you get her
back, no one knows how much of her story will remain.]

After that, I was pulled towards somewhere. The cries of ghosts receded
and the sensations of my body returned one by one. I could feel the warm
sunlight on my eyelids. I felt a dampness and opened my eyes to see a
familiar face.

"…Ahjussi?" The young Shin Yoosung was watching me. The child's clear
eyes reassured me. Her wild heartbeat gradually slowed down.

I had returned. I breathed slowly and the muscles of my body regained their
function.

[The hidden scenario - Queen of the Underworld has ended.]

[You have earned 15,000 coins as an achievement reward.]

The compensation for the updated scenario was also received. The
dokkaebi had done his job properly.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' congratulates you on your

safe return.]

I saw the indirect message and my anger belatedly soared.

This bastard Dionysus, I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble if he

hadn't placed me in Tartarus. I was stuck in Tartarus with Kim Namwoon
and almost had to spend the rest of my life making the gundam.
[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' is asking you for
reconciliation.]

[7,942 coins have been sponsored.]

7,942? What was this pig-like apology? Well, I'll let it go since he still gave
me coins.

[There is one new hidden scenario.]

I immediately confirmed the newly arrived hidden scenario.

[Hidden Scenario - Snake Hunt]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: S-

Clear Conditions: Hunt the target in the sixth main scenario area.

Time Limit: Until the end of the main scenario.

Compensation: 80,000 coins, the trust of the Queen of the Darkest

Spring.

Failure: No access to the Underworld.

As expected, Persephone's task was presented in the form of a hidden

scenario.

[Once the target gets close, the scenario alarm will be automatically
triggered.]

A snake hunt. The target wasn't specified, but I could guess it was the
'snake' from the next scenario.
I slowly raised my upper body and Shin Yoosung asked anxiously,
"Ahjussi, are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

"Sangah unni asked me to watch you…"

It reminded me of what I told Yoo Sangah before I collapsed.

"Yoo Sangah-ssi?"

It wasn't difficult to find Yoo Sangah. Yoo Sangah was curled up on the
ground and fast asleep. I looked at her sleeping face and recalled
Persephone's image. Then my face became hot.

By the way, the Chinese dress and garter belt… it was really great.

"Unni fell asleep just before you woke up."

"Ah."

"She told me to tell the others if you didn't wake up."

The series of words ignited guilt inside me. I could see dark circles
under Yoo Sangah's eyes. She must have a hangover as well… Chinese
dress? Garter belt? Shit, I was garbage.

"Are you awake now?"

Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung approached me. They were covered in
sweat and seemed to have come back from a morning spar.

Jung Heewon told me. "Dokja-ssi is awake so we are ready to go."

"Ready?"

"The other people have already started."

Come to think of it, there weren't as many people around as there were
yesterday. I asked, "What happened overnight?"

"The sixth scenario has been announced."

…Already? I didn't have a chance to ask when a huge string of words

appeared in the sky.

[Survivors are advised to gather in Yongsan Station.]

We packed up and left.

We were already in Yongsan so it wasn't hard to go to the station. I carried

Yoo Sangah while Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung were responsible for
the remaining luggage.

Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung followed us while staying far apart from
each other. I didn't know where Yoo Joonghyuk's party had gone.

We soon arrived near the station which was already crowded with
survivors.
I couldn't believe there were still so many people who survived in Seoul.
Everyone was watching the huge screen floating in the air.

"Ah?"

"This place?"

The party members and I looked up at the screen together. It was the same
screen I had seen in the Underworld. Monsters were running around in the
lush forest. They were clearly fantastical monsters, but they looked like
they were part of a giant ecosystem.
There were already some incarnations on the screen. Some of the people
who had started hunting laughed as they cut off the head of a monster.
These dokkaebis. They edited it well like it was a tourist destination.

Someone spoke. "Eh? Aren't they Japanese?"

If I remembered correctly, the sixth scenario was an event scenario with

another dome. The man who appeared on the screen was Izumi, a famous
incarnation of Japan.

The Tokyo Dome was faster than us so they would've reached the sixth
scenario earlier. In many ways, it could be said that South Korea had a
relatively unfavourable start.

[A new main scenario has arrived.]

 Chapter 117: Ep. 23 - Abandoned World, II

Along with the message, the contents of the scenario emerged in my head.
 [Main Scenario #6 - ????]

Category: Main

Difficulty: ???

Clear Conditions: ???

Time Limit: ???

Compensation: ???

Failure: ―

"Eh? There isn't a difficulty level or clear conditions."

"…What the hell do they want us to do? Why is everything question

marks?"

The confused people summoned the window several times but the contents
of the scenario were still covered with question marks. I wasn't surprised
because I already expected this. It was because this scenario…

"Only a few people will be able to complete this scenario." A tall,

middleaged man standing near me declared.

"You…"

"It has been a while, Kim Dokja-nim. This is the first time I am greeting
you formally."

…This ahjussi was here as well. I wanted to speak but the man asked me to
shake hands first.
"I am Jeon Ildo and I'm called the Neutral King."

"I am Kim Dokja."

The Neutral King, Jeon Ildo. He was one of the few kings remaining in
Seoul who survived the Absolute Throne struggle, along with the Maitreya
King Cha Sangkyung and the King of Beauty Min Jiwon.

I had been impressed with Jeon Ildo. He was the only king who gave up the
throne of his own will.

"During the struggle for the throne and this time as well. I was very
impressed with Dokja-nim's performance. You don't know how much my
sponsor talks about Dokja-nim. Half the time it is about Dokja-nim."

He gave a good-looking smile. That reminded me, who was his sponsor? I
immediately used a skill.

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]

It was a summary list that only contained the attribute and sponsor.

[The settings of the summary list have been changed.]

[Character Summary]

Name: Jeon Ildo

Exclusive Attributes: Clumsy Intellectual (General), the Neutral King

(Hero)

Sponsor: Expert at Playing Both Sides

…Now that I saw it, I had a question. Of course it would be this
constellation. Expert at Playing Both Sides seemed to be an old-fashioned
person with complicated internal relations but it was actually the modifier
of a 'king'.

[A constellation who advocates neutral diplomacy has revealed his

modifier.]

[The constellation 'Expert at Playing Both Sides' shows good intentions

towards you.]

It was the modifier for Gwanghaegun, a king of Joseon famous for his
neutral diplomacy.

Jeon Ildo had the title of Neutral King for a reason.

I said to him, "Tell me more. Why did you say that only some people can
carry out the scenario?"

"Ah, you didn't know."

The kings had quickly obtained information. Of course, I knew it the best
but I still needed to listen to them. Maybe things were different from the
Ways of Survival that I knew.

"According to information provided by the low-grade dokkaebis this

morning, the participants of this scenario are going to be volunteers."

"Volunteers?"

"Yes. This scenario doesn't require everyone to participate. There is also no

penalty for not participating. It is incredible considering the scenarios we've
experienced so far."

It was like what I expected. I pointed at the screen and asked, "Will the
participants be going there?"
"That's what I heard."

I could hear relieved voices all over the place after Jeon Ildo's words.

"What? Not all of us have to go?"

"Shit, I'm glad. I saw those monsters… why are they so big?"

At this point, the incarnations were divided into three broad categories.
First, there was the type that furtively watched. Most of them didn't have an
affiliation and probably thought they could survive by hiding.

However, this idea was wrong. After a while, Star Stream scenarios'
difficulty would rise exponentially. Perhaps these incarnations would face a
terrible future in exchange for not participating in the scenario.

"…Isn't it interesting?"

Then there was the second category. They had somewhat adapted to the
harsh environment of the scenarios. People strengthened their resolve by
looking at the screen or checking their equipment in advance. Maybe they
would be able to survive in the meantime.

Finally, the third category…

"Jeon Ildo-nim! Where are you?"

There was a shout from outside the crowd. Jeon Ildo looked at his watch
and groaned. "The time has already come."

"You can go. I'm fine."

"No, I can't go alone. It doesn't make sense."

"…What do you mean?"

"Dokja-nim, I actually came here to find you."

"Find me?"

Jeon Ildo nodded. "A world without kings."

He looked around. It was only a moment but it felt like many people's gazes
were focused here. Jeon Ildo gave a mysterious smile as if he noticed the
gazes.

"The kings left in this unfortunate world are waiting for you to come."

This was the third category. They were the people who used others in order
to survive.

I followed Jeon Ildo to the kings' gathering place.

They gathered at the central platform of Yongsan Station and the meeting
room was covered by a big tent. There were dozens of guards around the
tent. Every one of them was formidable. They were the elite troops of the
kings. They were probably hunting the monsters in other areas while we
were fighting Shin Yoosung.

"I'm sorry but only the kings can go inside." The sentries stopped us and I
looked back at my party members.

Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung understood the situation and nodded. I left
Yoo Sangah with Lee Hyunsung.

"Dokja-ssi. Scream if anything happens. Understood?" Jung Heewon told

me.

I smiled at her and opened the door of the tent.

[Sound Wave Blocking is activated in the area.]

They even had Sound Wave Blocking? There seemed to be a pretty good
assortment of people. I walked in and saw a round table in the wide space.
There were a few biscuits and beef jerky on the table.

The chairs that people were sitting in were different. Some were plastic
chairs, some were wooden chairs and there was even a sofa. Still, no matter
where they sat, it was definitely a throne.

The surviving kings were here.

"You said that our group has an advantage? South Korea will be a
latecomer. Do you think we can deal with those who are already present?
However, it will be different if our group goes. I will go…!"

The booming voice of the middle-aged man faded away at my appearance.

All the kings were staring at me.

"The last king has come." King of Beauty Min Jiwon stated.

I lightly greeted her and looked around at the kings. Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't
here, obviously. Apart from me, there were a total of five people present.

King of Beauty, Min Jiwon.

The Maitreya King, Cha Sangkyung.

The Neutral King, Jeon Ildo.

The King of Wanderers.

Those were four people, and the remaining person…

It was strange. I didn't know him?

"Who is this person?"

"I am Kim Dokja."

"Oh, you are… hum, hum. I am the president of Yeouido, Yoo Hyunho."

Yeouido's president? The president already died. What was this bullshit?
Min Jiwon added in a sour voice. "…Yoo Hyunho-ssi isn't a king but he
leads a large force. That's why he is here."

"What king? Do you really think this is the Joseon Dynasty? We are living
in the era of a democracy. Please wake up!" I quietly activated Character
List.

[Character Summary]

Name: Yoo Hyunho

Exclusive Attributes: Corrupt Politician (Rare)

Sponsor: Master of Manipulating State Affairs

Exclusive Skills: Bribery Lv. 5, Military Command Lv. 4, Corrupt

Power Lv. 6, Control of the Masses Lv. 7…

I suddenly remembered. A politician who survived the first scenario. There

had clearly been such a person in several regressions. Usually Yeoido was
erased during the monster flood so he was lucky this time.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is angry with the corrupt officials of
Joseon.]

[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice' hates the incarnation Yoo

Hyunho.]
These messages probably had something to do with Yoo Hyunho's sponsor.
A master of manipulating state affairs who lived during the Joseon period…
I would've been able to ask Yoo Sangah if she was here.

"This person called Lee Sookyung is attending for a similar reason. I don't
know if you've heard but she is called the King of Wanderers."

The King of Wanderers looked at me. She was still wearing a mask. I stared
at the mask for a moment before turning my head to the left.

"There is no need for introductions. I would like to know why you called
me here."

Jeon Ildo sitting at the center of the table spoke after hearing my words.
"We are here to select the representatives who will participate in the sixth
scenario."

This was their purpose. Yoo Hyunho spoke after Jeon Ildo. "The people
gathered here are those with the greatest forces in Seoul Dome at present.
Kim Dokja-ssi is relatively small but you received the great honour of a
special invitation due to your contribution to the scenario."

"Ah, is that so?"

Special? Honour? What a ridiculous guy. He hid somewhere while I cleared

the scenario… Now he wanted to say these words?

Yoo Hyunho looked around and kept speaking. "Once again, it is time for
us to stop being barbarians. For a while, we went back to the primitive era
and repeated the struggles of society. However, our essence is that of
citizens who act according to strict social contracts! Then wouldn't it be
better to pick the next scenario participants using the democratic process?"
It was a dog barking but it sounded convincing because he mixed in several
right words. Min Jiwon replied, "What democratic process are you talking
about?"

"Like I said before, I think it is right to allocate the participants according to

the size of the force."

Jeon Ildo immediately retorted. "I know that Yeouido's group is the greatest
simply looking at numbers. That proposal isn't fair."

"Jeon Ildo-ssi, I am saddened by your words. Aren't we all Koreans? It

doesn't matter if a certain amount of people from a particular group is
selected. Once we enter the scenario, we will be facing foreign opponents.
Then the group we belong to won't matter. Are we going to fight each other
when the enemy is in front of us?"

He truly was a politician but Jeon Ildo wasn't that easily persuaded. "If it
doesn't matter who is picked then there isn't a reason to pick from your
group."

"Uhum, according to the democratic process, we have many powerful

people…"

I became annoyed when I heard it. "We are here to talk about this? I don't
know why we are picking people in the first place. Just send everyone who
wants to go."

"We originally thought like that but things changed."

"Changed?"

Min Jiwon nodded. "The scenario has a limited quota."

Limited?
"The kings received a message from the dokkaebis but you must not have
received it yet."

At this moment, a system message flashed in my head.

[Seoul Dome's initial quota is 10 people.]

[The size of the subsequent quotas will be decided depending on the

incarnations in the scenario.]

Oh, this was why they were fighting. Unlike the other incarnations, the
kings knew how important it was to get a strong start early in the scenario.
If they could put their own forces into the initial quota then they thought the
initiative of future scenarios would come to their group. In the end, this
place was going to become a battelfield over kings' positions.

"My group will go. I heard there are a lot of Japanese people in the
scenario area. I think it is right for me to take the lead as a descendant of
Silla." "No, I will go. Baekje had many wars with Japan since ancient
times."

"That's Baekje. Your sponsor is from Later Baekje."

"What does that mean? Of course I have to go. How can I believe in your
antiquated sponsor…"

"Everyone, wait a minute. Please calm down…"

Jeon Ildo came forward but couldn't calm the chaos down. I looked around
with a sigh and saw the King of Wanderers. She was watching me without
saying a word. I could see a slight smile below her half mask.

I had to settle this. The arguing kings had a fierce atmosphere like there was
going to be bloodshed.
"There is no use in us arguing about this now." The kings looked at me the
moment I said these words. Yoo Hyunho's eyes held a wordless question,
'What do you mean by that?'

I could feel the ground starting to tremble slightly, and picked up a biscuit
from the table. Now he was coming. Why did he always show up late?

"The last king hasn't come yet."

The moment I broke the biscuit, one side of the tent exploded and the
selfstyled president of Yeouido fell down with a scream.

"Kuaaak!"

A person appeared behind Yoo Hyunho. I glanced through a hole in the tent
and saw dozens of collapsed guards behind him.

This was our regressor. His temper was the same, no matter the regression.
The peculiar ferocious eyes swept through the group and soon focused on
me.

"K-King!" Some of the kings gasped.

Then the king, Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth. "I will announce the
people who will participate in the next scenario."
 Chapter 118: Ep. 23 - Abandoned World, III

There was no room for disagreement. For him, the representatives selection
wasn't a subject of discussion but a presentation.

"Speak now if you have a complaint."

There was no way to express dissatisfaction towards such a fearsome

killing intent. The kings knew Yoo Joonghyuk's strength and trembled
without even thinking about rebellion. Ah, except for one person.

"G-Get out! Now!" Unfortunately, the self-styled President of Yeouido

had never heard about the Supreme King. The politician didn't pay
attention to rumours. "Where did you come from…?" Kwajik!

"Kuaaack!" Yoo Hyunho screamed as his hand was crushed. "My hand! My
hand!"

Kwajijik!
"Kuaaack! Bodyguards! Where are my bodyguards?"

Yoo Hyunho struggled for help but there was no one here who could help
him. Yoo Joonghyuk's stood on his back, not leaving him any room to
breathe, and it only took a few moments until Yoo Hyunho passed out.

Once everything became calm, Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth. "I didn't
think so. Then I will announce the roster."

The faces of the kings became tense. Yoo Joonghyuk truly was great.
Taking the reigns of power so easily…

The kings quickly fell from the 'picking' position to 'being picked'. I
grabbed a beef jerky from the table and waited for Yoo Joonghyuk's words.

Min Jiwon stared blankly from next to me.

「 How can you be so calm? 」

I'm sorry but I was in a different situation from them. It was because I was
someone Yoo Joonghyuk recognized as a 'companion'. He threatened me by
saying that the oath was over but he did acknowledge me.

Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth. "The first one will naturally be me."

Well, it was obvious. How could he not be on a list created by himself?

Behind Yoo Joonghyuk, the rest of his party members had appeared. Lee
Jihye and Lee Seolhwa.

Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon also looked inside with anxious eyes. In
particular, Jung Heewon was about to jump inside, but a look on my face
stopped her.

Yoo Joonghyuk continued. "The second person will be Lee Jihye."

I thought the second one would be me so I was naturally surprised. Well, I

originally wasn't his companion so his other party members might be
disturbed if he called me first. He might look cold but he looked after his
people. I could understand that sentiment.

Lee Jihye couldn't hide her joy as she smiled at me.

…Still, it was a bit annoying.

"The third is Lee Seolhwa." Lee Seolhwa nodded and came forward.

Every time a person's name was called, the faces of the kings darkened.
They all felt an ominous feeling. Yoo Joonghyuk's list was a fixed list.

「 There are seven people remaining. We still have a chance. 」

「 The Supreme King only has three party members. He will have to
choose other people. 」

「 We are the strongest among the remaining people… 」

I could tell by their faces what they were thinking. Me? Of course, I wasn't
worried. I would naturally be on the list. Maybe I would be next…

"The fourth one is Lee Hyunsung."

…What? Lee Hyunsung became pale as his name was called.

"Y-You mean me…?"

Yoo Joonghyuk ignored the words and looked at the next person. "The fifth
is Jung Heewon."

"…It's me?" Jung Heewon's eyes widened with surprise. It was unexpected
that he chose Jung Heewon over me. This bastard was picking from my
party?

"The sixth is Lee Gilyoung."

"…Uh? Huh?"

Then Yoo Joonghyuk looked at Shin Yoosung who was next to Lee
Gilyoung. Shin Yoosung hid behind Lee Gilyoung with fearful eyes.

The confused Lee Gilyoung was stunned for a moment but he stood in front
of Shin Yoosung like he made a decision. Yoo Joonghyuk looked down at
the two children with an unreadable look before turning his head away.

"Then…" Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes finally stopped on me. Yes, it was finally
my turn. Did he deliberately leave me until the end? As expected from a
main character, he knew how to direct a show.

"…You can take care of the rest."

I coughed on the beef jerky. Yoo Joonghyuk looked around the tent before
turning to leave, like there was no more work to be done. This was it?
Really?

…Then what about me? Why was he looking at me like that? I belatedly
chased after him but Yoo Joonghyuk was already gone. How long did I
stand there?

Jung Heewon stood in the distance and asked me carefully. "Weren't the
two of you friendly?" I thought so.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is laughing with delight.]

Lee Jihye also added in a strange tone. "Ahjussi, didn't you meet with
Master last night? I thought you would be the first on the list…"

"What do you mean?"

"Last night Master said he was going to see you?"

"Last night?"
"It was around one or two o'clock? Were you sleeping?"

I thought about the time. It was between one or two o'clock in the morning.
I think it was just before I went to the Underworld. "I was awake at that
time but Yoo Joonghyuk didn't come."

"That's strange? He definitely went to find you. He was also a bit angry
when he came back."

"Angry?"

"You know that look Master makes when he is angry. Like he is

contemptuous of a person…"

I pondered on the memories of that time. What was I doing right before I
went to the Underworld? Ah, yes. A memory came to mind. At that time, I
was drinking with Yoo Sangah. Dionysus poured alcohol and made the
atmosphere strange, then… uh…um.

[The constellation 'God of Wine and Ecstasy' is making a playful

expression.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is laughing with delight.]

[500 coins have been sponsored.]

I felt a bit complicated as I explained what happened. The party members

looked surprised. Jung Heewon stared at me with narrowed eyes.

"…You kissed Yoo Sangah-ssi?"

"No, that's not it… what did you hear?"

"Was it really Dionysus? You weren't pretending to be drunk?"

"It was because of Dionysus and nothing happened."

Jung Heewon looked at me with suspicious eyes.

…Why was this brought up?

"Hrmm… perhaps Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi saw it? That's why his mood is
bad…"

"Yoo Joonghyuk isn't that type of person."

"Even if Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi witnessed Dokja-ssi's kiss scene, I don't think

there is a reason to feel angry…"

"It wasn't a kiss." I grumbled and Lee Jihye exclaimed with a smile.

"Ah! I think I know…"

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' says it is a companionship.]

Jung Heewon cocked her head. "…Companionship?"

Lee Jihye dealt a big blow. "What is Unni's sponsor? They think it is just
companionship?"

"What do you mean?"

"Companions, I think I understand." Lee Hyunsung unexpectedly

interrupted. "Come to think of it, I would also feel offended if I saw Kim
Dokja doing that."

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' has snorted at the unexpected

remark.]

"…Yes? Why would Hyunsung-ssi feel bad?" Lee Jihye looked like she
was going to get a nosebleed.
Lee Hyunsung's expression was serious. I was nervous about what
bombshell words Lee Hyunsung would say. "We are risking our lives in
every scenario. Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi trains his body every morning to
prepare for the following scenarios. I trains severely every day to protect
his companions."

"…Huh?" Lee Jihye made a strange expression at the unexpected answer.

Jung Heewon listened to Lee Hyunsung's words with a doubtful expression.

"If a companion is blinded by sexual desire in such a situation then I would

be in a bad mood. I would also feel betrayed. Yoo Joonghyuk might not be
a soldier but he is a very austere person. Such a person would react
sensitively when people aren't disciplined. It would feel like their priorites
are wrong." "Um… it make sense." Jung Heewon agreed.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is disappointed with her

incarnation.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' resents Lee Hyunsung's

wrong companionship.]

I heard Lee Hyunsung's words and thought it was true. A scene from Ways
of Survival suddenly came to mind. I opened the text, searched Yoo
Joonghyuk's third regression and was able to find evidence.

「 Pathetic person. You sell yourself to women with one glance. 」

「 Those with strong sexual desires are excluded from my list of

companions. It is easy for them to make mistakes. 」

It was really unfair if Yoo Joonghyuk had actually misunderstood me. It

wasn't even a kiss. Damn, I couldn't tell him it was a misunderstanding
now…

"Kim Dokja-ssi? We want to pick the rest of the people." Min Jiwon
suddenly approached me.
I looked back and saw the other kings watching me.

"The Supreme King picked six people and there are four spots remaining."

"We have to pick four…"

Yeouido's group had already been destroyed and now there were five kings
remaining. The Maitreya King Cha Sangkyung noticed and opened his
mouth first.

"Hum, there are only four spots and the remaining people are…"

"Why don't we decide it with a match?" I was the one who gave the
opinion.
"We will just be wasting time arguing among ourselves. Everyone wants to
fill the spots with their own forces so let's fight. The king who wins will
decide the remaining spots."

The kings glanced at each other at my words. A moment later, the reply
was heard.

"Okay."

Once again, the Neutral King declared that he would abstain.

"I'll stay behind. Someone should stay here and lead the people…"

It was a wise choice. If they couldn't get ahead in the scenario then it wasn't
a bad idea to build a strong base here instead. In addition, people didn't
know it yet but there was a scenario for the incarnations left behind. The
dokkaebi who loved strong stimuli couldn't let the incarnations live
peacefully.
The King of Wanderers also raised her hand to express her intention to
abstain. The other kings seemed surprised but thought i was fortunate that
their competitors had reduced. Min Jiwon looked at me and declared
confidently.

"The same method as before won't work."

Maybe she knew that I won the Absolute Throne with my stockpile of
coins.

…Did I seem that shallow? We exchanged blows. It took less than five
minutes before the match was over.

Who won? There was no need to ask.

"No way… I thought only the Supreme King was a monster. How did you
become so strong?"

Cha Sangkyung was bloody while Min Jiwon gasped as she spoke. Yes, it
would've been easier if I had done this from the beginning.

I shrugged and stated, "The initial quota is 10 people so everyone should

wait. The second round will start soon."

"…Hah, you use every means. Who will you send?"

"One will be me and she will be the other person."

Shin Yoosung's eyes brightened at my words. She had been worried about
being left alone.

"The remaining two are…I am thinking of someone."

"It isn't me?"

"No, it isn't Min Jiwon-ssi."

"Tsk… I see."

Min Jiwon got up from the dusty ground. The depressed kings left their
spots one by one. I gave a command to my party members. "Please leave
first. I need to do something. Meet me in front of the station later."

The party members nodded and left the tent, the crowded interior becoming
empty in an instant.

After a bit more time, only one person besides me was left in the tent. It
was a masked woman. Then her mouth opened for the first time.

"It seems like you have many friends."

I hesitated to the last moment. I didn't want to talk to her. However, I had to
ask for her help to get the person I needed in the next scenario.

I took a deep breath before saying to the King of Wanderers. "It has been a
long time, Mother."
 Chapter 119: Ep. 23 - Abandoned World, IV

The King of Wanderers smiled slightly at my words. "It has been a long
time? I saw you last time."

"We just passed by each other at the time."

So far, I had seen the King of Wanderers twice. The first was when Han
Sooyoung and I destroyed Song Minwoo and the second was when the
Disaster of Floods was killed.

This was the third time…

The King of Wanderers slowly took off her mask. As expected, it was
really her.

I asked, "When did you get out?"

"A little while ago."

We looked at each other for a moment. My mother and I didn't look alike.
No matter how hard I looked, it was only a face in the late 30s. When I was
a child, I often heard that she looked like my older cousin. Of course, that
was when I still had my father.

"Did you live in Seoul?"

She replied, "I came to meet someone I knew."

"Then you were accidentally caught in the Seoul Dome?"

"Yes."

"You have been released. Why are you wearing the prison uniform?"

"Let's see? Perhaps it is out of a desire for atonement?"

"…Atonement? You?"

"Every human is a prisoner. They have their own prison."

I stared at my mother. That shameless tone… She really hadn't changed.

She told me, "Can't you say any words of thanks? You would've had a
harder time without me."

…Certainly, she helped. My mother led her forces north to the disaster. It
was great, no matter how weak the disaster. In fact, I believed that she
would do it properly. I hated my mother but I also knew my mother well.

"You are meeting your mother but you don't seem happy."

"Do you really want me to be?"

"A little bit."

[The exclusive skill 'Lie Detection Lv. 1' is activated.]

[You have confirmed that the statement is false.]

How funny. I knew it was a lie but I still had to check. I said, "You have
survived. You are a great survivor."

"It is thanks to the story you told me."

"…I guess so."

"You are the only one who came to the prison to see me and told me about
the novel you read."

That was correct. I never had a proper conversation with my mother during
all the times I visited her at the prison. I only talked about Ways of
Survival. Once I became tired of it, I stopped visiting. "I didn't have
anything else to say apart from the novel." "How can that be?"

"The novel was all I had."

An image of the past came to mind before disappearing. If there hadn't been
Ways of Survival or the author who wrote the story, perhaps I wouldn't be
in this world right now. This story was the only comfort to the Kim Dokja
who didn't have a mother or a father.

My mother muttered, "It is at most a fantasy novel…"

"In the end, you survived thanks to that novel."

We stared silently at each other for a moment.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is looking at you with

excited eyes.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is looking at you with strange eyes.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is watching you with sad

eyes.]
I was the one who broke the silence first. "What attributes did you get? It
might be related to the novel I told you."

"Should I tell you?"

"Yes, if you still think of me as your child."

"I wonder if you think of me as your mother."

"A little bit."

[The character 'Lee Sookyung' has used 'Lie Detection Lv. 1'.]

['Lee Sookyung' has confirmed that the statement is false.]

Dammit. My mother already had this skill. There was a hint of sorrow in
my mother's expression. I had no way of knowing if it was acting or not.

She asked, "Are you still holding a grudge against me?"

"I'm not here to talk about that."

"Your father was the bad guy."

"I know."

There were certainly 'bad people' in this world. One type used violence
against their wives, illegally gambled and threatened their family's
livelihood.

My father was a bad person. I knew it, my mother knew it and South
Korea's laws said it. However…

"Your actions weren't right just because my father was a bad person."

"There are things we have to sacrifice for a better life."

"There is no such law in South Korea. There is a law that any human who
commits murder should go to prison."

"You think life is that simple because you only read novels."

"For me, reality was more like a novel. Because of you."

At this point, it already wasn't a normal conversation between mother and

son. This was why I didn't want to talk to her. I knew what would happen
when we talked. We knew too much about how to hurt each other.

I changed the topic. "Do you know why I was looking for you?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

"I can tell when you are lying, so stop beeing coy."

My mother smiled lightly.

"You have prisoner №406, right? Lend that old woman to me."

"…Wouldn't it be better to take the incarnation with Jeon Woochi as a

sponsor than this grandmother? I have many useful incarnations."

"Jeon Woochi's incarnation is your companion. Besides, the grandmother

will be of more help."

My mother stared at me for a moment before nodding. "Certainly, she

might be useful because of the opponents. By the way, how do you know
the sponsor of №406?"

"I can't say."

"Do you have a skill that lets you sponsors?"

I couldn't say anything to my mother. "Are you going to lend her to me?"
"I'll lend her. Instead…"

I was a bit afraid of what she would say next. My mother would
probably suggest a deal I couldn't imagine at all. She said with a faint
smile, "Next time, introduce me to your friends." I was struck
speechless.

…Shit. It was a perfect blow. My mother was the best at making bad people
worse.

"Dokja-yah. Make sure to look properly at reality. Even if fiction becomes

reality, you mustn't think of fiction as reality."

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is shaking violently!]

I only heard a few words but my entire world seemed to shake. I knew for
sure. This person was the strongest reminder of the reality I hated.

"Do you understand?"

[The stigma 'Self-Rationalization Lv. 1' is activated.]

Disgusting. Now she wanted to act like a mother. Too many rivers had been
crossed to go back now.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall's' shaking has subsided.]

I couldn't bear it anymore and stood up. "That's right. I think that fiction is
like reality. Why? It is because I have always been living that way."

"…"

"Maybe it seems pathetic to you. However, know this. At least I didn't sell
'reality as fiction' like you did."
I left the tent with these last words. Cool air entered my coat's collar and
reached my body. I looked in front of me and saw the slightly startled Yoo
Sangah.

"I-I'm sorry… Dokja-ssi was late…"

It was difficult. No, rather than difficult… It was shameful.

"Did you hear everything?"

Yoo Sangah bowed her head in a deep apology. The crown of her head
could be seen.

I eventually sighed. "Would you like to take a walk?"

We walked along the platform of Yongsan Station. It was definitely a cold

wind but the temperature changed when it touched my cheeks. I never had
time to wash my hair, yet Yoo Sangah's hair smelled nice and fresh.

I asked, "How is your hangover?"

"It's okay. By the way, I heard that you carried me on your back. I'm sorry.
I troubled you."

"It was because you were looking after me."

We were silent for a moment before I opened my mouth. "Do you think it is
strange? Why are a mother and son talking like that?"

"That's not true."

She was lying. It was extremely strange.

"Do you want to know?"

Yoo Sangah's eyes shook for a moment. "…If you don't mind."
I smiled bitterly. Yes, now was the time to talk. I took a deep breath before
saying with exaggerated calmness. "My mother killed my father."

Strangely, my words sounded ridiculous. I spoke like it was someone else's

story.

"She went to prison for her sin."

I continued speaking.

"My father… it is shameful to say this, but he deserved to die. Domestic

violence, gambling, laundering money… my mother and I lived in fear
every day. There wasn't a single day without bruises. He hit me too
sometimes. Then one day, my mother made up her mind and it happened."

"Ah…"

"I thought it was quite well-known at the company. Yoo Sangah-ssi didn't
know?"

There was no answer from Yoo Sangah. She had belatedly realized that she
had touched a wound she shouldn't have touched.

"Do you feel even stranger now? What she did was illegal, but you are
wondering why I would hate my mother for that."

"No! I'm not Dokja-ssi so I don't fully understand…"

"Honestly, do you think I should forgive her?"

Yoo Sangah couldn't say anything. It couldn't be helped. The touched

wound had already burst.

There was an awkward silence before I spoke again. "Do you know the
book called the Underground Killer? It was previously on the Kyobo
bestsellers
list."
I brought up the book out of the blue, so Yoo Sangah thought I was trying
to switch the topic and replied awkwardly, "I think I've heard of it. Wasn't it
an amazing bestseller?"

"It was an essay written by an abused woman in prison after she killed her
husband. It was praised by critics at the time. They said that a Korean
version of Notes from Underground had come out. Of course, it was
completely overrated."

Yoo Sangah's face suddenly darkened. She had noticed. I hadn't changed
the topic at all.

"That's right. My mother wrote it."

Yoo Sangah's lips dropped open.

"I still remember the time a bunch of reporters waited in front of my house.
They kept asking me if the essay was real."

"…"

"I remember everything my classmates said. They told me that my mother

made money by selling murder."

"Dokja-ssi…"

"My relatives also said this. My mother is a murderer. How dare she slip
her face into the newspapers?"

Yoo Sangah wanted to say something but I kept going.

"It was a bit hard because of this. No, it was hard for a long time."

"…"
"I could bear to be the child of a murderer. However, it is different to be
sold as a story. It is a different matter when my life was turned into money
by someone."

I looked at the sky. It wasn't night but I was more certain than ever that the
distant constellations were watching me. Perhaps this story was meant for
them as well.

However, no constellations sent me coins. Should I be glad? I didn't know.

"Do you still think that I should forgive my mother?"

I didn't want an answer. I didn't want her to understand in the first place.
Maybe this was the ugliest form of violence I could do against Yoo Sangah,
who grew up in a well-off family. It was an arbitrary display of
unhappiness forced onto someone who would never understand.

The kind Yoo Sangah would grieve knowing that it was impossible for her
to understand. I laughed at the unknown sense of victory. "I'm sorry. It was
a joke."

"Huh?"

"It was a lie. Were you fooled? Do you think there is a novel like this? My
mother and I are ordinary people and my father had an accident when I was
young…"

Then something small and soft gripped my hand. The texture was so warm
that I forgot what I was about to say. For a while… I stopped walking.

Yoo Sangah wasn't looking at me. Thus, I wasn't looking at her either.
We walked hand in hand without facing each other. It was as if this
alone was sufficient. Strangely, my heart gradually calmed.
[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is shaking faintly.] Perhaps it was due
to the realistic body temperature.
"Dokja-ssi!"

We neared the entrance of the station and there was the sound of people
rushing forward. We reflexively let go of our hands. Jung Heewon ran over
and asked, "Did the two of you kiss again?"

"K-Kiss?"

"Yoo Sangah-ssi is blushing. You did it, you did it!"

I would've misunderstood if I didn't know Yoo Sangah a bit more.

"Stop playing around. Nothing happened."

"Yes yes, I'm sure." Jung Heewon looked at me and said, "A strange old
lady came to find us. Did Dokja-ssi invite her?"

An old woman with a cane walked out from the back of the party. "I hope
this useless old body will be of help…"

Like other prisoners, the grandmother was wearing a blue prison uniform.
She was prisoner №406. My mother acted very quickly.

"Are you Kim Dokja?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I've heard a lot about you from Sookyung. It is a pleasure."

"It is also a pleasure."

Sookyung was my mother's name. I looked around at the party members

and said, "She is indeed the person I called for. Let's depart."

We exited Yongsan Station and went to a place where people were

gathered. Yoo Joonghyuk's party and the kings were already gathered there.
A white crystal slowly fell from the Great Hole in the sky. It was a crystal
that shone with light.

[Warp Crystal.]

This was the item we would use to go to the next scenario area.
 Chapter 120: Ep. 23 - Abandoned World, V

There were exactly five grooves in the crystal. Yoo Joonghyuk and I were
well aware of what to place there.

Yoo Joonghyuk stood next to me and said, "You came."

"Yes. Unfortunately."

"It doesn't matter if you sit this one out." I turned towards Yoo Joonghyuk
at the unexpected words. This guy was still talking without looking at me.
"You have a woman you love."

"…What?"

"It'll be hard."

It felt like I understood something that couldn't be resolved. Perhaps

he didn't want to take me to the scenario out of care towards me? It
was ridiculous. Yoo Joonghyuk? "It could be the last time."
I shook my head. It wasn't necessarily impossible when I thought about it.
Yoo Joonghyuk had lost Lee Seolhwa in the second regression. It wasn't an
exaggeration to say that Yoo Joonghyuk was arguably the world's greatest
authority when it came to losing a loved one.

I told him, "It's not like that. Do you think my face is full of love?"

I didn't mean it but the words sounded like self-deprecation. Let me say this
first. I have a decent face.

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at me quietly and said, "Certainly, I don't care if

you die." Shit.

"Your words are too harsh. I'm hurt."

"Don't forget I still have one hit left."

"…Ah, yes. I had almost forgotten. Thanks for reminding me."

I didn't know if this bastard wanted me to live or to die. I communicated

directly to my companions through the group chat.

–I will inform you of the precautions now.

Using the group chat meant that things should be kept secret. The party
members focused on my story while pretending to be quiet.

–The warp crystal transports two people together. That's why we will move
in pairs, like I mentioned before.

–Yoosung will be with me as team 1, Heewon-ssi and Hyunsung-ssi will be

team 2, Yoo Sangah-ssi and №406 will be team 3. Gilyoung doesn't have a
partner so he will go with Yoo Joonghyuk's group. That Yoo Joonghyuk…
he can take care of himself.

–You might get dizzy when moving through the crystal. Please don't panic.
The scenario will start as soon as you arrive. Keep in mind that once the
scenario begins in earnest…

I was rapidly rattling off instructions when the dokkaebi appeared on top of
the warp crystal.

[Wait a minute. I'm really sorry but I have an emergency announcement.]

Emergency announcement?

[I forgot to mention that the number of people who can participate from
Seoul Dome is 8, not 10.]

"What are you suddenly saying?"

All the participants were already decided…

Looking closer, this was the dokkaebi who asked me about how to update
the scenario in the Underworld. Was he called Youngki?

[This scenario… there are those who have already gone to the sixth
scenario due to the dimension warping in the fifth scenario becoming
twisted.]

"…Someone is already there?"

[Yes, Seoul Dome already has two people in the scenario.]

That reminded me, Han Sooyoung and Gong Pildu were already in the
scenario. I saw them on the screen in the Underworld but had forgotten for
a moment.

By the way, part of the dimension warped. It seemed that the intermediate
dokkaebi had intervened quite a bit in the scenario to kill me.

[It might be a scenario error but I am removing two of the existing spots for
fairness.]
"What? You can't do that! Then who the hell is going?"

The people who weren't even going were the most upset. The party
members looked at me with troubled expressions. Even Yoo Joonghyuk
was watching me. It was an expression that told me to make the decisions.
Damn…

Unexpectedly, the first one to raise her hand was Yoo Sangah. "I'll stay
back."

She noticed my hesitation and decided to help by coming forward herself. I

had to take that grandmother, even if I lost Yoo Sangah.

Jung Heewon raised her hand next. "I will also stay back. Won't there be
another quota anyway?"

"Is it okay?"

"Dokja-ssi looks worried today but don't you know? This time that scary
person is on the same side."

Certainly, it was reassuring if Jung Heewon and Yoo Sangah were left
behind. They would be able to make it into the second quota, even if there
was a lot of competition.

In the end, the two people dropped out and Lee Hyunsung paired up with
the grandmother. The grandmother looked vaguely pleased.

Just before we left, I whispered to Yoo Sangah. "I forgot to say this but tell
the King of Wanderers to be wary of Jeon Ildo. I think you already know
why."

Yoo Sangah nodded and hesitated before whispering to me. "Don't die."

I nodded. Then Jung Heewon asked, "…Aren't you departing now? I'm not
a constellation but they must be impatient."
Yoo Sangah blushed and retreated while my party and I approached the
warp crystal. I pulled out everything that I acquired from the disasters.

The Protection Symbol of the Imyuntar.

Protection Symbol of the Parasites.

The Protection Symbol of the Jenobel.

Then Yoo Joonghyuk and №406 pulled out one each. They were protection
symbols obtained from defeating the Disaster of Ice and Disaster of Water.

[Insert the five protection symbols.]

The message flowed from the Warp Crystal and we placed them in the
grooves.

There were five protection symbols. It was proof that this world was
protected from the disasters. Only those who survived the disasters were
qualified to go to other worlds.

[The qualifications are complete.]

[The Warp Crystal is activated.]

The crystal split into four pieces and a blue coloured door was created. We
entered in pairs. Shin Yoosung and I held each other firmly and moved
through the door.

[The main scenario has been updated.]

I opened my eyes and Shin Yoosung and I were in a lush forest. We

stumbled and felt the clay texture of the soil. I was dizzy enough to vomit. I
told the party members not to panic but it was funny that I was the only one
to get dizzy.

I looked around and saw that Shin Yoosung was in the midst of vomiting.
"Are you okay?"

"Urgh…"

I patted Shin Yoosung's back and looked around. My mind was confused
but I couldn't stay in this chaotic state. I looked in front of me, behind me
and to the side. Only the forest was visible.

We were in the middle of the forest. It was a scenery that was too similar to
Earth.

[The main scenario 'Abandoned World' has begun.]

The scenario message rose straight away. However, I couldn't afford to

check the details of the main scenario right now. I could already feel killing
intent from the nearby bushes.

"Yoosung."

Shin Yoosung came to her senses and raised her head. Rustling sounds
came from the bushes. This was one of the places where new scenario
entrants were warped to. If I assumed the worst, those in the bushes were
the incarnations of other countries that arrived before us.

I nervously prepared to use the Bookmark skill. Maybe those who warped
to this world were the elite among the elites. If I didn't do my best in the
beginning, my head could fly in the blink of an eye.

However, the thing that emerged from the bushes wasn't what I expected.

[The 7th grade monster 'steel wolf' has appeared.]

Shin Yoosung and I looked at each other with an identical expressions on
our faces after hearing that. It was funny. We were probably the only ones
who would be relieved by this message.

"I think they are quite small, ahjussi."

Given the fact that typical monsters were the size of a house, the current
steel wolves were the size of ordinary wolves. There were approximately
10 of them. It wasn't a difficult number to deal with.

[The character 'Shin Yoosung' has used 'Advanced Diverse Communication

Lv. 3'.]

Shin Yoosung used Advanced Diverse Communication to make the

monsters fight each other. Those Shin Yoosung failed to tame were killed
by the Blade of Faith. The 7th grade monsters were unbelievably fragile. It
seemed that their strength was reduced as their size became smaller.

Shin Yoosong wondered, "…Uh? There are no coins?"

"The event is over."

"There aren't even any items. There are no cores."

"There is a lot of difference in stats."

"Are they really 7th grade monsters? They seem more like 9th grade…"

Shin Yoosung looked a bit lost. It was probably because the first monsters
she met after being so tense were weak.

That reminded me, the condition of the forest was a bit strange. This type of
forest would normally have trees that rose far above my head. However,
these trees were only a little bit taller than my head.
The contents of the scenario were still a mystery. There was only the title
'Abandoned World' while everything else were still filled with question
marks.

[The scenario activation conditions haven't been met yet.]

I jumped up a bit and looked around. Fortunately, the trees weren't tall so I
could see the scenery of the surrounding area just by jumping lightly.

"It isn't all a forest. Let's go over there."

In fact, I knew what to expect if I left this zone. We moved along a forest
path. Not long afterwards, the forest ended and a plains appeared. On the
plains…

"…Ahjussi?"

We faced a group of soldiers.

"They appeared! It really is a scenario!" Someone shouted at us. It sounded

like Korean, even if it was an alien language.

The confused Shin Yoosung stepped towards me.

Hundreds of troops were filling the vast plains. There were dozens of
cavalry and hundreds of archers. In addition, there were hundreds of
infantry. There were enough people for a war waiting for us here.

"Everybody prepare their skills!"

"Prepare to advance!"

Numerous people pointed spears and lances at us. We didn't do anything

but were seen as enemies.

"Attack―!"
It would obviously be an overwhelming sight if it was normal. If only it
wasn't for their size.

"Waaaaahhhhh!" The troops running across the plaints were small people
the size of my fist.

Shin Yoosung cried out, "They are tiny!"

"They are the inhabitants of this place."

"Surely we don't have to fight them? No?" Shin Yoosung stepped away
from the small people who were running. "…I feel sorry because they are
so small."

[You have met with the people of this world. Check the scenario contents.]

Then a scream came from the distance.

"A-A disaster has appeared on the other side!"

"Kuaaack!"

"R-Run away! Full retreat!"

The small people rushing towards us started running away. It was due to the
incarnations killing the small people in the distance.

"Hahahaha!"

"What is this? It is a really easy scenario!"

It was probably a foreign language being interpreted. There were two

samurai wielding swords. They were Japanese. They were playful as they
casually cut down the small people like bugs.
Shin Yoosung watched the ruthless butchery and cried out in a stricken
voice. "…Ahjussi? What is this scenario? What should we do?"

I knew why Yoo Joonghyuk didn't want to bring Shin Yoosung. If I thought
about it, he might be more humane than me.

"It isn't just our planet that runs scenarios in the Star Stream." I pointed to
the small people fleeing the plains. "This scenario is a scenario that we
share with them."

[Many of the constellations are hungry for violence and blood.]

[A significant number of constellations are urging you to make a bold

choice.
[The main scenario is activated.]

[Main Scenario # 6 - Abandoned World]

Category: Main

Difficulty: S

Clear Conditions: Wipe out all dominant species on the No. 9871
planetary system, the planet called Peace Land.

Time Limit: 40 days

Compensation: 200,000 coins, ???

Failure: ―

In the sixth scenario, we no longer had the role of preventing a disaster.

[You have become a disaster of the planet Peace Land.]

In this place, we must be disasters that destroyed this world.