"Always trying to find a third option, huh?" Han Sooyoung muttered, casting a suspicious glance over in Kim Dokja's direction. "That'll come back to bite you in the ass someday."
Well, maybe, but there was no reason it would be that day specifically. His future self had plotted everything to the best of his ability, and he couldn't see any situation that would change that outcome. After all, he was the one who knew this world the best.
"Don't worry," Kim Dokja told her with a grin, "everything will be fine."
[some constellations are amused by the declaration of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Dokja tells the group that he won't allow any objections to his decision and hopes that they'll all go along with him in saving 41st Yoosung. Jihye—very bluntly—asks what kind of bullshit he's spouting, but is interrupted by Hyunsung's unwavering trust in Dokja. Gilyoung also goes along with it as—happy so long as he can hit her as hard as she hit Titano. Seeing she's on her own in doubting him, Jihye sighs and states that Dokja always does whatever he wants anyway. Even Yoosung gets a bit teary, and Dokja reaches out to pat her head.
"You're sparing me…?" 41st Yoosung asks in disbelief before lashing out in anger. "Don't make me laugh, what the hell do you mean?"
She shakes as she grits her teeth before continuing, "The 41st regression that I lived in is no more. No matter where in this universe, no matter which worldline I go to, I won't ever find the people in my memories."
As she speaks, the scene pans over the city before showing the backs of Joonghyuk, Hyunsung, Jihye, and Namwoon from the 41st regression. She screams out that they'd never understand, asking how she's ever supposed to forget the years of suffering and move on. Suddenly, she stops as she makes eye contact with the only one who would. Joonghyuk looks back at her, his gaze steady despite his injuries.
"Yeah, I'm not surprised that I'm confused there," Lee Jihye admitted with an awkward laugh. "I mean, it sounds ridiculous—suddenly sparing the person who had been trying to kill us until a moment ago? How are you gonna get out of this one, ahjussi?"
"I understand your doubts, but if this works the way I think it will, then she'll become a strong ally that we can rely on." Kim Dokja glanced over at her, hoping that his words would give her some more confidence in him. Though she looked unsure, Lee Jihye sighed and shook her head in defeat.
At the very least Lee Hyunsung and Lee Gilyoung were on board with his plan—both in the future, and in this scenario. The young boy grinned up at him while the lieutenant gave him a very stiff thumbs-up.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is touched by the current events.]
Even still, it hurt to see the Shin Yoosung of the 41st regression have so much doubt in his statement. He understood why—nothing and no one in this apocalypse had ever been kind to her—but it was saddening nonetheless.
"I feel bad for her," Yoo Mia admitted quietly, but bit her lip a moment later. "I feel bad for her and I hate it. She hurt my oppa, she killed ahjussi, and she hurt my friends too."
With reddened eyes and a wobbly lip as she tried to hold herself back from crying, Yoo Mia looked up at Kim Dokja. "She even said that she can't find the people she wants to see anymore, so why… why are you trying so hard to save her, ahjussi?"
"Mia…" Yoo Joonghyuk muttered, looking down at his sister with widened eyes. He looked stunned, but Kim Dokja couldn't even commit that expression to memory before Yoo Mia began speaking again.
"She made Yoosung sad, and she doesn't even like us, so—" Yoo Mia exclaimed before cutting herself off and curling in on herself a bit more. "If everyone she loves is already dead, then why are you trying to force her to live?"
Kim Dokja didn't know what to tell her. For once in his life, he had no words with which to respond.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is feeling conflicted.]
She was right, to an extent. The moment that Yoo Joonghyuk regressed into the 42nd round, then it was possible that her world itself had vanished completely, leaving her as its only survivor. 41st Shin Yoosung had already mourned the deaths of all the people she knew, and they continued to haunt her.
Kim Dokja clenched his hands into fists in the material of his pants and looked down. He wanted to save that girl because she was a part of the story that he loved, but was that even something she wanted? Was Kim Dokja being selfish by imposing that on her?
"Mia."
Yoo Joonghyuk's voice was firm, and she flinched before catching herself and looking up at him. Kim Dokja sucked in a breath, realizing instantly why he had stepped in. Yoo Mia couldn't understand that Shin Yoosung right now, and even as the sole reader of this world, Kim Dokja couldn't truly understand her situation either.
Losing their whole world, and all their loved ones, and then having no choice but to live in that world again from the beginning despite that… In this world, the only person who could understand such despair is the 'Regressor', Yoo Joonghyuk.
"All regressors live in hatred of everything that 'has not yet occurred'," Joonghyuk says as he gets to his feet. "You kill someone because they'll turn against you in the future. You kill someone because they'll end up killing your companion. And, at times, you save someone because they will become your companion in the future."
41st Yoosung looks floored by his words as she kneels on the icy ground, but Joonghyuk doesn't falter.
"I do know that it hasn't happened yet. I do know that they don't remember me, and that they haven't yet done the things I remember." He walks closer, his eyes hiding the memories and the pain he carries from his past regressions. "Even so, I go by my memories and act accordingly, since I believe they'll still live in the same way as before. Deep down, I can't forget the 'inevitable' future I saw, because if I deny that, I can't go on living."
"Mia-yah, I am worth saving, right?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked, softer than anyone could have expected. When his sister nodded, Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. "Her and I… we are the only ones who understand how it feels to live like this. I've lost two worlds before this one, and no one is the same as I remember either."
He didn't have to say it, but everyone knew that the Yoo Mia he knew from his first life was also gone.
Yes, Kim Dokja was truly right when he thought that Yoo Joonghyuk was the only person who could talk to Shin Yoosung right now. He was the only one who could even begin to understand her anguish and fury.
Yoo Mia clung to him and didn't meet his eyes. "I'm sorry."
Though he didn't say anything further, he still held her close as his future self began talking.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is looking at the incarnation 'yoo mia'.]
Deep down, Kim Dokja knew that over his hundreds of regressions, Yoo Joonghyuk would slowly lose that will to live. Sometimes it felt like he was going on through habit alone and nothing else, trudging forward through tragedy and turmoil alike because he didn't know anything else anymore. If he strayed too far from his well-trodden paths, would he get lost and be unable to find his way back?
"Joonghyuk-ssi…" Lee Seolhwa muttered, looking quite saddened by his words. "Your path is a difficult one, isn't it?"
He nodded once, and said nothing further.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' says that he understands the value of difficult paths.]
Kim Dokja wanted to sigh. It was true that the Great Sage had been on a long and difficult journey too, but the scale and stakes were completely different. Kim Dokja could only begin to understand it after walking that path with Yoo Joonghyuk for thirteen years, albeit from the other side of the page.
41st Yoosung responds by yelling that it was because he chose to live that way that her and her companions' lives ended the way that they did.
"So live that way too, Shin Yoosung," he states firmly, cutting her off. Dokja looks away sadly as he continues, "If it helps you, I can be the target of your hatred. In this regression, make killing me your will to live on."
41st Yoosung's eyes fill with sorrow as he states his final words to her. As Joonghyuk turns away, she reaches out—resembling the child she used to be—as she calls him 'Captain' once again. Dokja glances over and, as he watches Joonghyuk walk in the opposite direction, he can't help but notice for the first time that Joonghyuk's back looks so big and wide, and yet… he looks lonely. Shaking that off, Dokja walks forward and reaches his hand out to 41st Yoosung, telling her that her new 'regression' begins now.
"Making yourself the target, huh?" Jung Heewon sighed. "Gotta say, that's a bit more noble than I expected of you."
Lee Hyunsung's gaze darted over to the protagonist anxiously as well. "Will that really be okay, Joonghyuk-ssi? What'll we do if she actually decides to kill you?"
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' says that it will be hilarious if that does happen.]
No it absolutely would not!
"If she does, then I'll handle it," Yoo Joonghyuk responded firmly, and Kim Dokja wanted to hang his head in exasperation.
How the fuck are you going to 'handle it', you sunfish bastard!? This isn't something you can just brute force when she can toss you around like a ragdoll right now!
Absently, Kim Dokja remembered just why Yoo Joonghyuk had regressed so many times. Instead of thinking things through and trying to find the optimal solution, he would charge straight at it over and over again until he finally got the problem to crack under the force of his sword and his sheer bullheaded stubbornness.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is extremely unimpressed with the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
Yeah, but still… that dedication to accomplishing his goal no matter what was admirable, wasn't it?
Still, Kim Dokja had to agree with his future self—the protagonist was alone in the crowd. He was an outsider in every world, no matter how much he tried to fit in. Nobody would ever be able to completely understand him, and there were some secrets that he wouldn't allow himself to tell for a long time, if at all.
"God, this is why lone wolf protagonists are fucking annoying," Han Sooyoung griped. "Though it would be worse if you were some kind of irritating happy-go-lucky protagonist who believes that 'everything can be solved with the power of friendship' or whatever other bullshit."
Yoo Joonghyuk glared at her, and Kim Dokja had to muffle a laugh. God, even the thought of the regressor ever doing something like that was utterly ridiculous. He didn't even care when Yoo Joonghyuk looked over at him with a disapproving stare because it was just too insane of a thought.
Spoiling the emotional scene, the intermediate dokkaebi speaks and states that this is not acceptable. As he appears in a crackle of power, Dokja mentally places a hundred curses on him since he figured the dokkaebi would interfere soon. Dokja demands to know why it's not acceptable since everything they've done has been within the rules and limits of the scenario.
The dokkaebi disagrees in a condescending manner, stating that sparing a 'disaster' is the issue as the mission is to 'defeat the disaster'. Dokja replies that the disaster will be killed, catching both the dokkaebi and Jihye off guard as she asks if he's a psychopath. Dokja ignores the teenager, and responds to the dokkaebi's question, stating that there was no time limit on the scenario, so they can decide when they will deal the finishing blow later.
There aren't many instances where the characters defy the scenarios in this way throughout the entirety of TWSA.
Dokja smiles as he states that there's no rush, happy that this will attract constellations. Meanwhile, Jihye checks the mission window to see that he's right, and not far from her, Gilyoung sticks his tongue out at the dokkaebi in provocation.
"Oh fuck off!" Lee Jihye yelled, giving the annoying dokkaebi the middle finger. "Nobody likes you!"
"Yeah!" Shin Yoosung agreed vehemently. "I hope I get the ichthyosaur to eat him."
Well, as pleasant as that would be, unfortunately his real body was likely back in his Gamtu and wouldn't be accessible to be eaten. A shame.
Lee Gilyoung huffed and crossed his arms. "Just wait until I get a new Titano…"
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is amused by the children.]
"Wait, there was no time limit?" Yoo Sangah said as her eyes widened. "You're right… Does that mean that we could technically get stuck in the fifth scenario forever?"
"Technically, yes," Kim Dokja confirmed, a grin growing on his face. Everything was going according to plan so far, this was good. This odd decision would attract constellations, they'd donate coins to try and tilt the balance, and they wouldn't have to kill the disaster until later.
Jung Heewon frowned. "Isn't that counterproductive, though?"
Well, if he was already spilling this much about his plan, then… "Just wait a moment, I think I'll elaborate more in a few minutes."
[some constellations are intrigued by the suggestion of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is unsure of what she should think.]
Especially in a situation like this where the lines between good and evil have been blurred, subscriptions from those on the side of Absolute Good as well as Absolute Evil will skyrocket.
As if replying to these thoughts, 'Scribe of Heaven' gazes at Dokja with interest. All the while, 41st Yoosung stares at Dokja in confusion.
They spend every waking moment classifying characters' actions as good or evil after all. Besides, this isn't a 'Sub-Scenario' but a 'Main Scenario'. Even for an intermediate dokkaebi, changing the scenario's clear conditions is too tall of an order.
Adjusting his glasses like a prick, the dokkaebi states that he can't stand by and let this happen. Dokja snarks at him by reminding him of what happened the last time he tried to mess with a scenario. After all, this dokkaebi was disciplined for what happened to the throne.
Bihyung sends a message asking what Dokja is up to, only to be told that Dokja will trust him if things go wrong. Behind the intermediate dokkaebi, Bihyung does a bad job of keeping calm, managing to look constipated instead.
[several constellations are feeling critical of the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"So does this mean that everything is going to be okay, ahjussi?" Shin Yoosung asked curiously, sounding hopeful for the first time in a while.
With any luck, it would be. Kim Dokja smiled while patting her head, and she beamed back at him.
"Yeah, serves him right for interfering," Lee Gilyoung said in an unimpressed tone. "You're totally outplaying him, hyung! You're awesome!"
Kim Dokja patted his head too, trying not to let the praise get to him.
Still, Yoo Joonghyuk frowned deeply and stared at Kim Dokja with a frankly uncomfortable intensity. Did he still have doubts? Well, they should be dealt with soon enough, so Kim Dokja wasn't going to let himself pay too much attention to the protagonist right now.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is frowning at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
The intermediate dokkaebi responds that not all incarnations in the Seoul Dome feel the same way he does, issuing a Sub-Scenario that will double the rewards for killing the disaster. Around them, many people look at the new reward in shock, causing Dokja to look over, prepared to defend against them.
Before he can do anything, Sangkyung bangs his staff on the ground and announces that no one should move if they still value their lives. Behind him, Jiwon stands ready with her warriors as well. Nearby, Jeon Ildo—the 'Neutral King'—has his men take up their arms to fight any who attack Dokja's group as well.
The intermediate dokkaebi sighs, insulting the incarnations of Seoul as he calls them all cowards. 41st Yoosung looks around in wonder at everyone standing up for her, looking more lost and innocent than the furious disaster ever was. Dokja asks the dokkaebi to give in, since they've already done enough to have satisfied everyone.
[Satisfy everyone...? Haha, I see.] The dokkaebi grins as he snaps his fingers. [Did you plan this far ahead from the very start?]
"Is he trying to influence the other incarnations?" Lee Hyunsung asked in shock before scowling. "What a coward."
He really was, but at least Kim Dokja had confidence that their group could hold off any of those random incarnations. With their average skill levels and assortment of Stigmas, they'd be fine.
[the constellation 'one-eyed maitreya' is cheering for his incarnation.]
[the constellation 'lady of the sleeping brocade' is smiling confidently.]
And having backup would just make it even easier. Everything was lining up perfectly, and Kim Dokja couldn't help but feel a bit smug about it. Even the Neutral King who they hadn't really spoken to before had decided to help, to Kim Dokja's surprise.
[many constellations are shocked by the current events.]
That's right—be shocked. A mere incarnation just played the scenario, and manipulated it to his own will. The constellations probably loved and hated that kind of development, since it wasn't something they would have ever seen before.
"She looks so pitiful, but hopeful at the same time," Yoo Sangah muttered softly, allowing a small smile to come onto her lips. It was true, but at the very least, Shin Yoosung would be free soon.
At the dokkaebi's words, Kim Dokja grinned even wider. While a decent amount of it had been planned for a while, there were aspects that were planned on the fly. Still, seeing his plans come to fruition like that… well, it was a great feeling.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is declaring that he wants to see more fighting instead.]
Yeah, that wouldn't be happening, sorry to disappoint.