"We're so fucking screwed," Han Sooyoung muttered as she tugged slightly at the ends of her bangs. "If I die here, it's all that asshole's fault."
Kim Dokja shot her a disbelieving stare. "I think that out of everyone here, you have the least to worry about."
After all, there was a non-zero chance that the person who had instigated this scenario was a future or parallel version of her. In the case that it was her future self in this regression, then that would mean that she survives up until that point for sure. Of course, whether or not they would see the details of this scenario's creation through the screen was anyone's guess.
Han Sooyoung shot him a glare in return. "Doesn't mean that I can't be fucking stressed about it, or worried that I'll get maimed or something."
Okay, that was a fair point. Just because she was alive to influence the scenario didn't mean that she was all in one piece.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in anticipation.]
The alley explodes with a loud boom before Dokja and Sooyoung book it out of there as quickly as they can manage with their injuries.
"I wanted to kill S-Grade incarnations who were monopolizing all the power, take down some rotten groups, and romance some pretty women. But look at this. I've been made a complete villain," Ilsang says, eerily calm, as he walks out of the alley behind them. "What are you going to do about this?"
As Sooyoung panics and gasps that they can't win, Ilsang rushes up between them and hits them with heavy blows in the back, sending them flying and damaging the ground from the force. Joonghyuk messages that they'll have no chance with frontal attacks at this point and wonders why Dokja let the situation get this out of hand.
[Midday Tryst
Joonghyuk: You had several opportunities.
Joonghyuk: You could have killed Lee Seolhwa, or helped Lycaon kill Antinus, and the disaster could have been averted.]
Scenes of these opportunities appear on the screen alongside Joonghyuk's messages before showing Dokja standing still as Sooyoung yells at him to scram.
"What the fuck are his priorities?" Jung Heewon hissed. "Who has time for romance in the apocalypse?"
Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to agree with her, which made perfect sense considering his stance on that. Unfortunately, though, Lee Hyunsung wilted slightly at her words.
Kim Dokja had to wince in sympathy for that one. The poor guy was crushing on her so bad, and he probably felt rejected before he could even do anything about it. Reaching out, Kim Dokja patted his shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting way.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' believes that it's always time for romance.]
Of course she would. Uriel, please understand that the incarnations have more important things to worry about. Like not dying, for one.
Shin Yoosung whimpered slightly. "Ahjussi… this guy is so creepy."
He was, and Kim Dokja had to grimace when both he and Han Sooyoung were sent flying.
"It'll be okay," he said, trying to reassure her. It wasn't working all that well, but he had to try something at least.
Still, did Yoo Joonghyuk really have to be so harsh with his messages? It was true that Kim Dokja could have done more, but he wasn't a protagonist! Only true protagonists could have their plans succeed under those circumstances. Plus, if he had killed Lee Seolhwa, then future plans would have been ruined beyond repair (and far more than just the relationship between her and Yoo Joonghyuk, too).
[several constellations are wondering why the incarnation 'kim dokja' is not running.]
[Midday Tryst
Dokja: Unlike you, I'm not a regressor. I have no choice but to wait and watch, because the moment I fail it's all over for me. If I only think of reaching an outcome once, and never try to think twice after that…]
Dokja pants as he thinks that he wasn't sure enough that he'd have been of help to Lycaon to even consider joining his fight.
[Midday Tryst
Joonghyuk: Wait and watch? Don't get overconfident. What makes you think you can act like a constellation?
Joonghyuk: Knowing the future doesn't mean everything will go the way you intended.]
Dokja's eyes widen before the screen goes dark to show a phone with the words 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World'.
I was arrogant because I had read the original novel. The thought that even if the story was derailed, making the next move would still somehow be possible. That might be why things ended up like this.
"Dokja-ssi… there's a difference between being cautious and being passive," Lee Seolhwa said quietly. "I admit that I'm grateful that you spared me, but Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi is correct. You had every opportunity to kill me, and kill Antinus in the process. Had you done that, then the disaster wouldn't be awake right now."
Kim Dokja turned to look at her quickly. "I couldn't just let you die! Yoo Joonghyuk—"
"Would have been fine without me," Lee Seolhwa told him firmly, a small yet forlorn smile on her lips. "After all, he has you, Dokja-ssi."
But that wasn't—
Kim Dokja could never fill the void that Lee Seolhwa would have left behind. He didn't have that same mutual deep emotional connection with the protagonist, he didn't have the skills for medicine that would save their lives, he couldn't be the voice of reason. Yoo Joonghyuk needed him for his knowledge, but after this scenario was over, how useful would that even be anymore?
"Kim Dokja," Yoo Joonghyuk said harshly, staring deep into his soul with those jewel-like eyes of his. "Stop saying foolish things."
Foolish!? He wasn't being foolish! He was being rational, dammit!
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' agrees that the incarnation 'kim dokja' wouldn't be able to help the guide 'lycaon' much.]
See? Not even the constellations had faith that he'd be able to do anything. Unfortunately, he didn't want to admit that the protagonist had a point. Not everything would go the way he wanted it to—Han Sooyoung had already more than proven that. With himself and everyone else from the 'real world' introduced as variables, the story was already running on different rails than ever before.
While some things would inevitably end up the same—like the contents of the vast majority of scenarios—the choices made might have to be different. This was a round that had never been seen before in TWSA, and would likely never be seen again.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' reminds the incarnations to not get overconfident.]
Dokja grits his teeth as he mentally agrees with Joonghyuk while beginning to run once more, but then asks why Joonghyuk hasn't taken action when he doesn't trust Dokja. Joonghyuk replies that he doesn't have to learn [Way of the Wind] to win, confusing Dokja. He only gets more confused when Joonghyuk suddenly brings up his own [Pro-Gamer] attribute.
[Midday Tryst
Joonghyuk: I'm asking what you're good at.]
What I'm good at?
Dokja stops running and turns to face Ilsang, holding his sword out in front of him as he realizes that he's been missing something important. Ilsang asks if he's really going to fight, reminding him of how he was just sent flying a moment ago.
Calm down. Think about what your specialty is. That's right, it's… 'Reading'
Dokja closes his eyes and breathes out a breath before activating [Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint] Level 1.
[Right Shoulder]
[many constellations are confused by the words of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
Yoo Joonghyuk's expression darkened slightly, and he shot Kim Dokja an annoyed glare. What was his problem? Was he frustrated at having to give him advice?
"What do you mean by that, sooty bastard?" Lee Gilyoung asked with a frown. "Hyung said before that [Way of the Wind] is a must for winning."
Lee Jihye looked over with a frown, nodding along with Lee Gilyoung's words. "I trust you Master, of course I do, but how are you supposed to win without it?"
Crossing his arms over his chest in a way that made his biceps strain against the seams of his coat slightly (what the actual fuck, who allowed this man to do something like that??), Yoo Joonghyuk raised one brow inquisitively. Kim Dokja swallowed without even meaning to, unable to tear his eyes away.
"There are no impossible scenarios," he said, his voice a deep rumble that had no rights being that alluring. "Even without a useful skill, there should still be ways to beat it using our skills and attributes."
[several constellations vehemently agree that a scenario with only one solution is boring.]
Wait… his attribute. Kim Dokja's eyes widened in shock as he realized just how profoundly stupid he had been until now. He'd been so fixated on [Way of the Wind] that he had completely forgotten about his own skill!
Dokja dodges the powerful strike just in time and uses [Song of the Sword] once more.
I am prepared to die before god today, and I pray to the heavens that the enemy be annihilated, no matter the cost.
These determined words heighten Dokja's combat ability, wrapping around his sword in a flurry of ink and crackles of probability as he activates
[Head]
Ilsang calls him stupid as he kicks him in the head, jumping over Dokja's attack with ease. Dokja laments that just having knowledge of the book and Ilsang's next moves won't help him, even thinking that it's impossible to calculate every last move before fighting.
Should I use the 'Ganpyeongui'? Winning wouldn't be impossible if I tried to borrow the power of the constellations, but I don't want to be in debt for a second time…
As Dokja thinks, an avatar catches him before he can fall and supports him while others prevent Ilsang from attacking them again.
If only I could steal other people's talents and make them my own, then-
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is anticipating a good use of his stigma.]
Thank goodness RNG was on his side this time—that was a really good sentence, and it was extremely fitting for their current situation.
"Dokja-ssi!" Yoo Sangah yelled right as Kim Dokja got kicked in the side of the head. "Not even your skill can keep up with him…"
Fuck, he really was too fast, and if he got any more seals released, then they might be in real deep shit.
[several constellations are curious to see what the incarnation 'kim dokja' will do.]
[the constellation 'king heungmu the great' believes that his stigma would be useful for pinning down the enemy.]
Fuck no. He was not giving that old geezer any more leverage than he already had. Kim Dokja just needed to figure out some kind of solution, and—
"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Han Sooyoung stated in a deadpan tone. "You forgot your own fucking OP skill."
… Kim Dokja couldn't even say anything in his defense, but…
"Did any of you remember it either, though?" he asked suspiciously, and Han Sooyoung shut up and looked away. Lee Jihye seemed to find the starry ceiling extremely interesting all of a sudden as Jung Heewon bit her lip and Lee Hyunsung looked flustered. The kids fidgeted awkwardly, and Yoo Joonghyuk just looked slightly more constipated than usual.
In other words—everyone else had completely forgotten, too.
Pages of a book flip, as though to give him a hint of what he's forgotten. Dokja's eyes widen as he calls himself an idiot. The moment Dokja raises his head and looks towards Ilsang, Sooyoung angrily asks if he's going to try to fight again. Dokja activates [Bookmark] and opens a new slot. Looking through the list of his new options—which hilariously includes Anna Croft with an understanding of 1—Dokja realizes that it includes all 'characters' except for Joonghyuk, who he expected to be missing. He can't help but grin in desperation when he finally scrolls to the name he's searching for.
This was also here after all. I have no idea why I'd forget he was a 'character' as well.
Wind gathers in Dokja's palm as Sooyoung exclaims that she thought he couldn't learn it, but he's too focused to answer her. Dokja rushes Ilsang and lands a hit on him, punching him hard enough in the face to cause a nosebleed. Ilsang tumbles over a few times and says that Dokja has become faster before realizing it's the skill of the wolves.
Dokja's hand is enveloped in a light blue image of Lycaon's much larger paw.
I am a reader.
"In my defense," Kim Dokja stated, raising his hands placatingly, "I can't see my attributes page to remind me of my own skills, okay?"
Lee Gilyoung nodded in agreement. "Hyung is right, it makes sense that he forgot."
While it wasn't particularly something to be proud of, at least he remembered it now…?
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is sighing and shaking his head.]
[several constellations are laughing at the lousy memory of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"Ah, dang," Lee Jihye groaned, "Master really isn't on the list. If he was, the bad guy would be dead in no time!"
Honestly, Yoo Joonghyuk was so OP that Kim Dokja probably couldn't muster the probability to use any of his skills like that. It was so unfair.
"Wait, ahjussi, are you really copying the wolf guy?" Yoo Mia asked in surprise as soon as she realized what he was doing. Kim Dokja almost wanted to smack himself on the forehead, or bury his face in his hands in shame. He could have used the stupid skill with [Bookmark] this whole time!?
If he had remembered, then he wouldn't have had to put up with several days of Han Sooyoung heckling him from the sidelines (never mind the fact that they had been lucky enough to see a timeskip). Of course, that did mean that Yoo Joonghyuk's comment from earlier about finally having a skill that didn't have to be copied was completely null and void. Dammit.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is praising the incarnation 'kim dokja' for a good plan.]
While it would have been nicer if he had been able to use it before, this would have to do well enough. With [Way of the Wind] at their disposal now, winning shouldn't seem impossible anymore.
Behind Dokja, A much taller image of Lycaon is shown mirroring his pose.
That's why I fight the way a reader would. Why was I trying to learn abilities like an idiot? I'm not a regressor, nor a returnee.
Dokja suddenly thinks that the words he repeated to Lycaon before now make sense to him. Ilsang decides to make fun of him, saying that he looks like he's gained enlightenment. The returnee then points out that he knows that skill and killed those who used it, including the king of the Imyuntars. He then immediately uses [Blink], rushing off to ask more questions.
Just as Ilsang asks his next question to an unsuspecting bystander, Dokja catches up to him in a whirlwind and tries to kick him. Unfortunately, the twenty-fourth seal is still released.
"... it tickles, I guess?" Ilsang says with a mocking gaze as he blocks Dokja's kick with a relaxed arm. Dokja curses that he was only a step behind before he creates some distance between them, realizing that he won't win by using [Way of the Wind] as a buff. He knows what he needs to do, but Dokja needs someone to keep Ilsang occupied while he uses it.
"You can do it, Dokja-ssi! We believe in you!" Lee Hyunsung cheered excitedly. "I'm very glad that it makes sense to you now!"
Ah, there was the golden retriever of a man that they were missing. His moping had been pretty sad, so Kim Dokja was glad that the turn of the tide seemed to improve his mood somewhat.
Jung Heewon, however, tensed up as soon as the disaster darted away to release more seals. "Fuck, stop him!"
It would be fine. It had to be, right?
Kim Dokja didn't realize how much tension he was holding in his body until it all got released as soon as he caught up to the disaster. The returnee wouldn't be able to completely outrun or outmaneuver him anymore, and Kim Dokja let out a small mutter of victory as soon as he managed to land a hit.
Yoo Mia, however, was less impressed. "Ahjussi, don't celebrate too early. You barely hurt him—no wonder my oppa needs to help you train."
Ah yes, here she was to keep his ego in check. Still, she was right—he couldn't get ahead of himself in the middle of a fight like that.
Yoo Sangah looked nervous, glancing between Kim Dokja and the screen. "I'm sorry… if I hadn't overdone it earlier, then I'm sure I could have distracted him for a little while."
That was true, but everything was always more clear in hindsight. Or was this considered foresight, since it hadn't happened yet? Kim Dokja honestly wasn't sure, but he didn't want to think too hard about it right now.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is hoping that the power of companionship will come to the rescue.]
The power of what now? There was no way—Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't be back in fighting condition for several days. What kinds of nonsense was even running through that archangel's head, anyway?
As he thinks this, something falls from the sky, smashing into Ilsang with a surprising amount of force—enough to cause a huge crater in the road. The dust settles to reveal Joonghyuk standing on the returnee, his boot pressing the man's head into the cracked concrete. His coat flares as the wind blows part of his bangs to cover one of his eyes, adding to his air of mystery and power. The angle that this scene is shown from does no favors for anyone who has a thing for being stepped on—or for those who have just discovered that they have such a desire.
To Dokja's surprise, Joonghyuk seems to know exactly what he's planning. "Get started. I'll hold him down."
Kim Dokja's jaw dropped upon seeing the protagonist, quite literally, come crashing onto the scene.
"What…?" He muttered weakly, still in complete disbelief.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is shrieking excitedly and jumping around.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is declaring that she knew the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk' would come to the rescue.]
No, seriously, how the hell did she figure that out!? And fuck, why did he have to do it while looking like that!? Hadn't he just been half-dead and mostly paralyzed from the poison!?
Jung Heewon whistled loudly, smirking in Yoo Joonghyuk's direction, and Lee Jihye just looked like her birthday had come early from how excited she seemed.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is scoffing.]
What, did he not think that the protagonist's entrance was cool enough? Because Kim Dokja would beg to differ—Yoo Joonghyuk had come out of literally nowhere and had managed to ambush the Disaster of Questions who none of them had been able to scratch so far. God he was so cool.
Han Sooyoung took one look at Kim Dokja and gagged. "Oi, asshole, stop staring."
What? He wasn't staring, was he? And even if he was, it was just because the protagonist had way too much style and he was envious, okay?
Yoo Joonghyuk barely cast a glance in her direction in favour of staring directly into Kim Dokja's eyes instead. It looked like he was trying to convey something through his gaze alone, and Kim Dokja figured that it was probably something like 'I'm disappointed that you needed help with something so simple.'
Yeah, that sounded about right. Still, the help was sorely needed, so he probably should be appreciative that the protagonist had overcome his poisoning just to help out, even if he wasn't pleased about it.
Laughing nervously, Kim Dokja allowed his lips to curve into a genuine smile and didn't realize just how much his gaze softened as he said, "Thanks for the assist, Joonghyuk-ah."
Yoo Joonghyuk's breath hitched slightly at the sight, and his ears reddened. Without saying anything at all, he nodded stiffly once and turned away. Ah… the protagonist wasn't trying to play at being humble, was he? Was that not good enough of a 'thank you' for him?
It was all Kim Dokja could do to sigh slightly and shake his head as he turned back to the screen for the next segment.
[constellations who like gossip are tittering excitedly at the sight.]