[many constellations are intrigued by the current events.]
Kim Dokja let out a shaky breath, hoping that everything would be alright. Gambling with his life on the line had happened a few times now, but at least then he had some kind of backup plan or safety net. Here, he just had luck and nothing else.
Cerberus' head turns towards the screen as he notices something, and the other heads wake from their nap. The large dog begins to growl as two Judges with golden collars lead Dokja in his direction. The dog continues to growl as they walk right past, his snout matching Dokja's height, truly giving an idea of the scale of the massive creature.
As they proceed through the massive doors guarded by the beast, Dokja takes a moment to look over his shoulder to wave at Namwoon, whose mouth has dropped open as he stares in disbelief. Casually, Dokja tells him to have fun in hell before he gets a notification telling him that his hidden scenario has been updated.
As they walk up some stone stairs, Dokja notices a ghostly woman waving at him from a higher point, almost as though beckoning him to follow. The Judges warn him to follow them, since he'll get lost if he's not careful. Dokja sweats nervously as they both stare at him for a moment. After they turn back and begin moving once more, Dokja messages using dokkaebi communication, certain that his messages are being seen.
The group seemed to hold their breaths as Kim Dokja and the Judges walked past Cerberus, and only relaxed when they realized that Kim Dokja was alright.
"That's one big dog," Lee Hyunsung muttered, sounding a bit faint. Shin Yoosung, on the other hand, was looking at the screen excitedly.
"Ahjussi, do you think that I could tame something like that someday?" she asked, turning to him with extremely potent puppy dog eyes.
Kim Dokja laughed awkwardly, glancing away. "Something that big, yes, but as for whether you could tame Cerberus specifically… he belongs to Hades and Persephone, so you can't."
Though she looked a bit disappointed by that news, some kind of determination seemed to begin blazing in her eyes.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is feeling endeared by the incarnation 'shin yoosung'.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' says that she would be willing to allow the children to play with cerberus instead.]
Kim Dokja stared at the message in disbelief. Who would play with that creature!? And who the fuck would be supervising so that they didn't suddenly get eaten, because it sure as hell wouldn't be Kim Namwoon. There was no way the Queen of the Underworld would do that herself, right?
Besides, that was all hypothetical anyway. The logistics of even making this 'play date' were just too ridiculous to consider in the first place.
Lee Jihye snickered when Kim Dokja casually waved at Kim Namwoon. "'Have fun in hell'. Ahjussi, why are you so funny sometimes?"
Um… because he had a good sense of humour and timing? Kim Dokja genuinely didn't know, but he did have to admit that the teenager's expression was pretty funny. He looked so shocked, and honestly, he deserved that a bit.
"So ghosts are definitely real now?" Yoo Mia wondered for a moment before shrugging it off. "Well, whatever, it's not the weirdest thing we've seen."
That was unfortunately true, but Kim Dokja was focusing more on the Judges' insistence that he not get lost. Was it that simple to lose your way in the Underworld?
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' wants to see what happens if the incarnation 'kim dokja' gets lost.]
Yeah, not happening. Kim Dokja would rather not get lost, thanks.
{... Ugh. I was only watching you,} Youngki replies, making Dokja surprised that it wasn't Bihyung on the other end. After asking, Dokja learns that the other dokkaebi is Bihyung's replacement while he's at the Bureau. Dokja then ditches all pretenses of politeness to tell the dokkaebi to do his job since the scenario was updated, but he hasn't received a window telling him what the new clear conditions are.
{Um… How am I supposed to refresh the scenario message again?} Dokja stares dumbfoundedly into the air before sighing and asking why he was asking an incarnation for that information. Youngki reveals that Bihyung told him to ask Dokja if he comes across anything he doesn't know. Dokja looks annoyed at the fact that Bihyung dumped the coaching of the inexperienced dokkaebi onto him. After figuring some things out, the dokkaebi sends Dokja the backlog of indirects as well, where—after a ton of messages from his main supporters and 'God of Wine and Ecstasy', along with some other constellations—he has gained an extra 12,000 coins.
Just for walking around Hades' palace, I got 12,000 coins.
Dokja guesses that the coins are most likely due to the fact that the constellations are now getting footage of a place where recording is normally forbidden. Dokja is brought out of his thoughts when the Judges announce that they've arrived. Dokja looks up to see that the Judges have taken up positions on either side of a large open double-door, gesturing for him to proceed.
"Oh, it's that dokkaebi again," Lee Seolhwa remarked, recognizing Youngki from earlier. "It is strange that you have to ask for the updated scenario, though…"
Then, the dokkaebi admitted that he didn't know how to do his own job, and everyone stared in disbelief for a second. Yoo Joonghyuk's jaw clenched slightly and he looked genuinely irritated, and Kim Dokja's eyes instinctively settled on him. Right, he'd possibly met this incompetent dokkaebi in a past regression, or was simply too frustrated with the situation.
"Wait a minute," Jung Heewon muttered, brow furrowing as she looked at the screen in confusion, "you're telling me that all the scenario updates so far had to be sent out manually?"
Apparently so. The Star Stream cared more about profits than efficiency, after all.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is surprised.]
[many constellations are scratching their heads in confusion.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is scoffing at the incompetence of the dokkaebi 'youngki'.]
"I was going to compliment Bihyung on doing a good job on everything so far, but he seriously told that dokkaebi to ask me if he was having any trouble?" Kim Dokja muttered, incredibly frustrated. "They should have a manual or something."
Han Sooyoung snickered. "I mean, Bihyung was right that you knew how to fix the problem, though."
Well, yeah, but that didn't mean he actually wanted to be put in charge of solving it, dammit!
Lee Gilyoung's eyes widened dramatically when all the indirect messages came in. "Whoa… Hyung, you got so many!"
12,000 coins just for that? No wonder, it wasn't like anyone other than potentially other Olympian constellations had ever gotten a look at what the Underworld was like. Plus, out of them, how many had actually gone to Tartarus of all places?
Still, Kim Dokja's nerves began to heighten again as they arrived in front of a large door. He had no idea who or what lay on the other side, but considering how the Judges had taken up guard positions, it was likely that one or both of the Underworld's rulers were inside.
As Dokja steps through the door, probability crackles and his chiton vanishes. To his surprise, his white jacket and black outfit combo returns.
[How intriguing. It really has been such a long time since this castle has seen a living soul. With such an unsavory audience brought along as well.]
Dokja looks up to see that the darkened room is actually a banquet hall, complete with a large table decorated with many dishes. At the head of the table, he can make out a faint figure, but the voice he hears is that of a woman, who is sitting where the lady of the house's seat should be. Behind him, the doors slam shut.
[Today shall be a very special day indeed.]
"Oh, you have your normal clothes again, Dokja-ssi!" Yoo Sangah said excitedly, looking extremely happy for him. It was definitely better than what he had been wearing earlier, and he was just glad that they weren't gone somehow.
Then, a constellation spoke in their true voice, and Kim Dokja shuddered. Though her voice was silky and dulcet, it still carried notes of danger. Instantly, Kim Dokja knew who was in that room with him, and he found himself unable to look away from the screen.
"Dokja-ssi? Will you be alright?" Lee Seolhwa asked quietly, glancing between him and the screen.
"My future self has [The Fourth Wall], so it should help me handle this situation," he replied, but he did feel a bit anxious. His skill had enabled him to handle listening to the voices of Historical-grade constellations, but Persephone was at least a Fable-grade.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is nervous for the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is looking critically at the food on the table.]
Ah yes, the food. There was a veritable feast laid out in front of him, and yet, there were presumably only the two of them in the room. Just who was all of that food for?
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is extremely curious about the current events.]
A candle on the table lights itself with a ghostly blue glow and Dokja does his best to keep his composure as he stares down the length of the table. There, an old woman still mostly hidden by shadows smiles slightly as Dokja greets the 'Queen of the Darkest Spring'.
The 'Queen of the Darkest Spring'. She is Hades' wife, and the queen of the Underworld—Persephone.
The image of a beautiful and refined woman appears again as she gazes down at some blooming lilies while bathed in light.
Persephone calls Dokja polite for addressing her by her modifier, and she then mentions that she's more intrigued by the fact that her true voice hasn't caused his soul to waver after being exposed to it. Dokja places his hand on his chest, realizing that he doesn't feel anything despite that fact.
"Huh?" Han Sooyoung muttered, sounding genuinely confused, when Persephone appeared on the screen. Kim Dokja could understand why—even though she was wreathed by shadows, her appearance was not what anyone would have expected.
The Queen of the Underworld, who was normally portrayed in myths as a beautiful young woman, was taking on the appearance of an old woman!?
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is snickering.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is dismissing the opinion of the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon'.]
"So it's impolite to call constellations by their real names?" Lee Hyunsung asked nervously. "Or is there another reason?"
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced over at him. "Names have power, and some constellations would be extremely offended."
Not that Yoo Joonghyuk had ever particularly cared about offending constellations, but still. Kim Dokja was far more concerned by the fact that he looked so unfazed—something that Persephone herself had commented on.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is pondering a hypothesis.]
Persephone is at least a Fable-Grade constellation or higher. Not too long ago, simply listening to the true voice of Kim Yushin, a Historical-Grade constellation, was strenuous…
Dokja looks down at the message window before him.
[The exclusive skill 'The Fourth Wall' has been activated in full force.]
I've never seen any skill that was activated 'in full force' before.
Dokja wonders if this is because the being in question is so far above his level that he is unconsciously coping with the experience by perceiving the situation as something 'unreal'. When Persephone tells him to take a seat, Dokja sits at the opposite end of the table from her and asks if he may ask her a question. She tells him to go on, so he does.
Ah, so it was [The Fourth Wall], but the message was different than usual. His skill was working itself to its limits just to protect him, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for it.
"My explanation makes sense," Kim Dokja muttered. "Of course I wouldn't see meeting an actual goddess as something real. Unlike situations with real people where the wall shakes, it's almost like it's reinforced because this can't be real."
"Y'know, that actually sounded kind of smart," Han Sooyoung retorted, and Kim Dokja had to shoot her a withering glare.
Yoo Sangah smiled softly at Kim Dokja. "I think that's possible, Dokja-ssi! I definitely wouldn't be able to believe my eyes either, if I was in your shoes."
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is confused.]
Still, sitting down at the table with her wasn't something Kim Dokja could have ever expected. It felt like there was a giant sword of Damocles hanging over his head, and that one misstep would mean his death.
"Is the current image the one of your true form, your highness?" Dokja asks, causing the old woman in a beige sweater to smile. Persephone replies that this is a symbolic body, since a mere human wouldn't be able to handle her true form. Dokja stays quiet and frowns, his eyes narrowing.
… This is in horribly bad taste.
Persephone asks if older women are not to his liking, and Dokja states that that's not the issue. She smiles, and instantly, Dokja's memories flash through his mind.
A struggling hand trembling on the metallic subway floor, people kicking at a fallen figure out of desperation, and Dokja holding onto an old woman in his arms as he tries to save her life. Now, Dokja stares straight at that woman's appearance once more, but her gaze is condescending and vaguely threatening.
She took the image of the old lady that I couldn't save in the first scenario on the subway.
"What do you mean by 'true form', Dokja-ssi?" Lee Seolhwa wondered, shooting him an inquisitive look.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' explains that constellations can change how they appear in front of incarnations to prevent killing them.]
"Oh, it's like that story from earlier about the constellation's mom," Lee Gilyoung said, connecting the dots. "It was okay when the god was in disguise, but when he showed his true form, she died."
"Good job, Gilyoung-ah, that's exactly right," Kim Dokja praised as he patted the kid's head. Lee Gilyoung looked extremely pleased with himself, even smiling smugly at Shin Yoosung, who glared right back.
"Ahjussi, does that mean that constellations can't have a bad hair day?" Shin Yoosung wondered, making Kim Dokja laugh a bit.
That was honestly not something he would have ever considered, but if they could just technically change their entire appearance with a thought… it made sense. "I guess so, Yoosung-ah."
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling fondly at the children.]
Yoo Mia looked over at them for a moment, her lips pursed slightly, before she tugged on her brother's sleeve. "Oppa? Can constellations turn into things too or does it have to be a person?"
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head before glancing over at Kim Dokja. After a moment of looking at each other—which was a bit weird, why was he doing that?—Yoo Joonghyuk turned his focus back to his sister.
"They don't have to be human, and can even appear as objects sometimes."
His gaze seemed distant, and Kim Dokja reasoned that he must be recalling the Constellation Banquets he had attended in the first and second regressions. After all, that was the only place where he would have met them in symbolic forms so far.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' declares that he is a dragon.]
Well, yes. That was obvious.
Still, Kim Dokja had to grimace as soon as he realized just whose form Persephone was taking. Yoo Sangah gasped in horror, and Lee Hyunsung looked a bit sick. Lee Gilyoung didn't seem to be overly affected, other than grasping onto Kim Dokja's robe just a bit tighter.
"She's— oh god," Jung Heewon muttered, eyes wide. "That must be so uncomfortable."
It was, and he wasn't even technically in that situation. Kim Dokja wasn't sure how his future self was managing with that sudden reminder, either.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is appalled.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' believes that this is in bad taste.]
[some constellations are laughing at the discomfort of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Persephone chuckles and says she can change her appearance if this one is making him uncomfortable. With a flurry of red petals and the sizzle of probability, her appearance changes from her legs up. First, her old legs turn into slender ones, and she wears black heels with a strap around her ankles. Then, her clothes become a fitted black qipao instead of a cozy-looking sweater. Finally, her lips take on a red tinge as her hair lengthens and turns light brown.
Dokja's eyes widen in shock as a full body view of Persephone appears on the screen. She flicks her long hair over her shoulder, staring straight at Dokja with a stony expression, and leans back in her throne-like chair. As she crosses one leg over the other, it's revealed that she's also wearing black thigh highs with garter belts. However, the biggest surprise is that Dokja recognizes her new form as well—she looks exactly like Sangah.
"Well, that's very considerate of her…" Lee Hyunsung said awkwardly as Persephone offered to change her form. Kim Dokja had to agree, but—
Suddenly, he froze as soon as she actually began changing her form. Kim Dokja had expected that it would be a sudden change, not a gradual sweep over her body! God, he felt disgusting watching this, considering the camera angles of what was being displayed on the screen.
Jung Heewon shuffled uncomfortably as the goddess' body was prominently displayed on the screen, and Kim Dokja couldn't blame her. It felt violating, and he wasn't even a woman. He couldn't imagine how Lee Seolhwa or Yoo Sangah were feeling right now, either. As for Han Sooyoung, well… she seemed fine, considering the fact that she was cackling at his future self's shocked expression.
Of course he was shocked! Kim Dokja wanted to hide his face and curl up into a ball—much like Lee Hyunsung was already in the process of doing. Out of all the outfits she could have chosen, why did Persephone decide on that one!?
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is laughing excitedly.]
[several constellations are admiring the new form of the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring'.]
Oh fuck.
"What!?" Yoo Sangah yelped, tensing up dramatically and going beet-red. "I… what… why did you—"
"Unnie!?" Yoo Mia gasped, looking genuinely stunned, and that was basically the case for most people. Han Sooyoung in particular was coughing like she was choking on her candy, and Lee Seolhwa was checking up on her to make sure that she wasn't about to drop dead.
Kim Dokja immediately turned his head away from the screen, doing everything he could to avoid looking at the woman who was wearing that extremely tight and revealing outfit while using Yoo Sangah's appearance. Instead, he ended up looking at Yoo Joonghyuk, whose expression was equally stony. His brow was furrowed as he stared at Kim Dokja, gaze darting around his face. He seemed displeased, but Kim Dokja couldn't help the fact that his cheeks were reddened from this utterly humiliating experience.
God, he just hoped that his future self's inner monologue wouldn't say anything stupid and make this situation even more uncomfortable.