I ran past porch patios and jumped over fences to get into the Metro Park woods. If I thought the suburbia was dim and scary, the woods were a different beast altogether.
I turn to look back for a moment and I can see the backyards of private houses sitting nearby, teetering on the edge of the woods. Their backyard backdrop wasn't some suburban alleyway filled with dirt, gravel, and trashcans ready for pickup. No, instead it was a copse of trees that transitioned into full-fledged woods, filled with vines, thickets, mosses, and thorns.
It was eerie. Imagine being one of these homeowners and looking outside your window - you see a snippet of the wild, natural world before Industrialization. The trees that stand tall, the leafy canopy that obfuscates, and the grass that swallows your every step, brushing against your legs.
It feels as though the woodlands are beckoning you into what was, what could've been if humans weren't all-encompassing and domineering in their evolution. The woods are nothing but a compressed version of the forests that used to be - there's something about them that wants to swallow you. They're akin to a carnivorous flower enticing you, drawing you in.
It's part of the material world, yet it feels like a void, a void composed of proud, yawning trees and wild growth. Like madness, it enraptures you, pulling you in like a deviant lover who whispers into your mind.
My uneasiness made me want to bolt, but I was resolute. There would be a scenario here, I just knew it.
(But... but first, let me raid those houses.)
***
I successfully broke into the private homes, mainly raiding the kitchens. I found reusable shopping bags and filled them with food - peanut butter, jam, bread, and other canned goods. I also made sure to grab water gallons and water bottles.
After securing the goods by tying them up, I threw them over the fence. Once I climbed up and dropped down on the other side, I picked up the bags and eased myself down into the woodland gulch.
[Survivalist Constellations like your prepping skills.]
[A few Constellations admire your thoroughness and tenacity.]
[A few Constellations are predicting that your scenario will get boring.]
(Yeah, yeah. Not everything's for you.)
I eased myself into the woodland gulch until I reached the bottom. Once I did, I was on a path. If I kept on going and found another that lead up the other side, I'd officially be in the Metro Park. Washington hills were really great land separators.
(I wonder how I can use that to my advantage.)
I squinted my eyes in the dark, but decided to give up on that.
(Please be in my pants pocket, please tell me I didn't forget my keys...)
I took out my house-key, which was attached to a key-ring that held a decent-sized flashlight. I clicked it on and a white beam cut through the darkness.
(Wow. That's pretty good.)
Now I would have to keep my guard up. Make sure my eyes are open, but not too open, y'know? I would have to utilize my other senses; smell, hearing, sense of touch, and maybe taste. Sometimes disasters can completely warp an environment so much, you feel it all around you on every level.
(Perhaps... perhaps I can also activate a sixth sense as well.)
Wouldn't that be handy?
I kept walking down the path, making sure to dart my eyes in front of my feet and to my surroundings. Pinecones, twigs, the fallen needles of Washington Evergreen trees; I made sure to be careful while walking on the underbrush. I wanted to be as silent as possible.
The horrible thought of something else in these woods unnerved me, but then I realized something: I was using my flashlight in the first place.
(If something is there, it knows I'm here. But even if it does, as long as I can stay aware as possible and anticipate it, it can't sneak up on me.)
That was the plan, but plans are just projections and expectations within a human's mind. Sometimes imagination is an ocean wave that crashes against the harsh rocks of reality, splitting apart and erupting. All that's left is a deafening roar and a watery mess.
(I can die tonight. The avenue of death is opening up to me.)
And I can easily walk down it. I shook. Realizing the violent change in this world once again, I couldn't help but be awestruck. It's like a delayed response to the change.
I reached the end of the path and came to a junction in the woods. To my right, I could go up and go back into the neighborhood. To my left, I could traverse more paths and reach some Metro Park common areas. If I kept moving forward, I would have the woods on all sides.
(Left. No doubt about it.)
Readjusting the shopping bags on my shoulders, I bet I looked like those Southeast Asian carriers bringing goods to a marketplace. As I crept up the hill, I made sure to keep my head on a swivel and look to either side, while making sure to completely turn to look behind.
(I heard Marines were trained to be aware and to keep their head on a swivel.)
Hey, sorry that I'm such a military nerd. I never felt strong, so I had to do these types of things: studying people and organizations who were. If I stepped into their shadows, did a little bit of what they did, it made me feel better about myself.
Who doesn't do that? I bet you did, acting like your favorite protagonists after reading about them. To all my chunnis out there, don't feel too ashamed. You'll grow out of it. Eventually.
(Man, having a mental diary feels great.)
It felt good to think outwardly, like something was listening. It made me feel less alone, like if something were to happen, a part of me would be carried by someone else.
(I should write in my journal when I have the time.)
Yes, I brought a journal with me in the apocalypse. Sue me. You think they don't have pen and paper in the military? Doing calculations for artillery and mortar teams; writing on maps, or jotting down information - pen and paper is great. Pen and paper will always be there, unlike a phone that reaches 0 percent battery power.
Speaking of my phone, is it okay? I didn't give myself time to check it after the first main scenario. Hopefully the Dokkaebi didn't mess with electronics further.
(Just keep on walking.)
I was getting too distracted.
***
(Made it.)
I was sitting at a park bench nestled in the Metro Park woods. It was an eating area with a big metal overhang to protect people from the wind and rain. Since it was close to summer, what would it shield from me now?
[You have failed to clear the scenario.]
[The given time has run out.]
[The paid settlement will begin.]
I saw those messages. I failed the scenario.
(It should happen any moment now...)
With a flash of lightning, it appeared. The Dokkaebi.
[Well, well, well, this is where you've run off too. Interesting.]
I was mute for a moment until I broke the silence with a simple, "Hey."
My reply was like a dead fish floating in water, but it was serviceable bait and I got a response.
[You are very calm for a human. Are you not afraid? Many other humans scramble and cover their heads in terror when they see me.]
"I have no reason to be afraid."
That was a lie. I did. What I was gonna try required a low-grade Dokkaebi, but this guy had a fresh suit and appearance, so he was at least middle-grade. The appearance of a Dokkaebi correlates with their power, and this guy had a clean appearance. Hence, he was powerful.
(As they say, the clothes make the man, or the Dokkaebi in this case.)
[Well, I think you should. Not only have you rejected the sponsorship of the Constellations, you didn't complete the scenario given to you and-]
"But I didn't reject the sponsorship of the Constellations."
[What?]
"The windows are still open for me."
I pointed to the air and there they were: blue floating windows, showing the details of Constellation sponsors.
[No, that doesn't make sense, the time has already ended and you shouldn't be able to pick a sponsor until later-]
Dokkaebi Herald shut himself up before he said anything else.
"Hmm, can I still pick?"
Honestly, I don't know why this window was still open. I ignored the sponsor selection and just ran out on everyone and everything, completely forgetting about it. But it was still there when I had my little mental breakdown, and when I looted the houses and broke into the woods.
It's been open and I brought it all the way here to this very moment. Even I was surprised it didn't close.
[It should've closed after a few moments. The Constellations are not patient beings. Since you missed your chance, I'll use System Interference and forcibly close the windows and-]
[Constellation "Chained God of Trickery with the Poisoned Face" is raising a fuss.]
[An unnamed Constellation is complaining about the use of System Interference.]
[Many Constellations of Absolute Good are complaining about the forced closure of the Sponsor Selection.]
[Many Constellations of Absolute Evil are complaining about the forced closure of the Sponsor Selection.]
There were many bright lights above Dokkaebi Herald's head, further denoting his status as a middle-grade Star Streamer. There were several dozens.
[Dear Constellations, this is a system... glitch,] Dokkaebi Herald said while floating away from me. [This is unorthodox and we cannot make special exceptions due to your wants. I'm sorry-]
[Many Constellations are complaining.]
[Many Constellations are stating that since the Star Stream window is open, it is the will of the Star Stream.]
[Many Constellations are asking Dokkaebi Herald to consult their supervisor.]
Dokkaebi Herald was a little further out, but I could see the frustration of this new development coil around him like a tangible energy. He was tense, but he sighed out and visibly relented, looking calmer.
[Alright then.]
With another flash of lightning, he was gone, and after a few minutes, he came back. He looked to the sky, staring into the invisible cameras of the Star Stream, addressing the Constellations directly.
[Dear Constellations, I've consulted with the Director overseeing these scenarios. Due to your many wants and cohesive opinions, we've decided to acquiesce and permit the delayed Sponsorship Selection of Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
[Constellations are flooding the chat!]
[Constellations are spamming!]
[The chat is being placed in slow mode.]
My head grew fuzzy from what I heard. I was... getting special treatment? It was also funny... to hear my name be spoken like that.
The Sponsor Selection window began to flash and names began to appear, pushing each other down until they all came into view. All those names... they took my breath away.
===
[Almost-King of Rome]
[Brutal Betrayer of Stabs]
[Chained God of Trickery with the Poisoned Face]
[Chancellor of Antisemitism]
[Emperor of the Large Golden Palace]
[The Nine Artistic Inspirations]
[Secretive Plotter]
===
"The hell... this is a lot..."
In the novel I read, Yu Junghyeok was offered five constellation sponsors. I also remember a different guy who was offered four constellation sponsors. How was I getting more offers than the Regressor? Was it due to the high traffic rate of the US scenarios? Yeah, that must be it.
(This is crazy,) I thought. (There are too many.)
Well, it was time to sort them out. Whenever you meet a Constellation, you have to look at the adjectives and proper nouns of their name. If not, you may be scammed, which could screw you over in the later scenarios.
First, the [Almost-King of Rome]. If I was right, then this must be Julius Caesar. They were a powerful ruler that was once a roman priest. In Roman culture, priests were called a "pontifex."
It seems he was called the [Almost-King of Rome]. It made sense. They were almost crowned a king, but some of the roman political senate killed him. They're a good Constellation when it comes to leading Roman soldiers, but I wasn't a Roman. Next.
[Brutal Betrayer of Stabs]. I pondered this "Modifier." This was obviously Brutus, one of the people that killed Julius Caesar. They had an intertwined narrative, so they usually stay together.
[Chained God of Trickery with the Poisoned Face]. This was obviously Loki from Asgardian lore, who was of jotun-blood and sworn brothers with Odin, unlike his movie counterpart.
It is rumored that he is stuck somewhere in the Nine Worlds, spread-eagled with poison dripping down his face. He was a known manipulator and shape-shifter, but he was imprisoned. He would be of no help to me. Constellations that were imprisoned had weaker narratives, especially when they encounter the people who did it. There were only a few imprisoned Constellations who were narrative exceptions.
[Chancellor of Anti-Semitism]. My heart jack-knifed from alarm. There could only be one person with such a sinister name: Adolf Hitler.
Born in Austria, he fought in World War I, survived, and moved to Germany and convinced the Native Germans that he could remake the "Fatherland." Hitler was a genocidal, militarist fascist who is known for his nonsensical cruelty against the Jewish. Gas chambers and the Gestapo; there were many atrocities on his list of sins.
In the end, the Red Army sent by the Soviet Union sieged his palace and he committed suicide like a coward.
(Do I look like some damn Neo-Nazi?) I thought to myself. Truthfully, if an Incarnation hated Jewish people, they could totally pick Hitler, but I didn't. Next.
(Although, it confirms the Neo-Nazi presence amongst the US populace. Hitler's trying to plant his seeds of influence in the US scenarios. I'll have to be careful of the alt right.)
Damn, more enemies on the horizon. Did he try to pick me because my name was Japanese? Hitler did ally with Imperial Japan back in the late 1930s to early 1940s, but I don't think a past political relation that's nearly a century old is enough to convince any person.
(Well, that's under the assumption that they know the person behind the modifier.)
[Emperor of the Large Golden Palace]. This was Nero, a son of Apollo. He burned Rome and built a large-ass palace of gold. There's also a story where he kicked his pregnant wife or something. I could choose him, but I don't like self-centered people who flail gold around like a dick. People should be frugal and respectful.
[The Nine Artistic Inspirations] were obviously the Nine Muses from Greek lore. They were "minor" in the Greek Pantheon. They wouldn't be useful to me. What would I do, sing someone to death?
[Secretive Plotter]. I tucked my arm behind my back. This was an interesting "Modifier," but the name didn't even have any proper adjectives. They seemed pretty weak, so I wouldn't choose them. Although, they did express some interest in the channel, so it wouldn't hurt to take their opinions into consideration, since they seemed like a knowledgeable viewer.
(Honestly, all of these options kinda suck.)
Most of these options were former humans who ascended to Constellation-hood or were unknown, minor deities. The only exception is Loki, but I wouldn't trust them with my life, so they're off the table.
[An unnamed Constellation is expressing interest in Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
[An unnamed Constellation is revealing their modifier!]
[Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim" is offering sponsorship to Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
(What...?)
My mouth was agape. I was astonished. This Constellation... this was Surt, an incredible Jotun and an integral figure of Ragnarok, a devastating event that would wipe out the Norse Gods and the Nine Worlds. So powerful, he ruled over an entire dimension in the World Tree Yggdrasil. In the Star Stream, he was at least Myth-Grade amongst the Constellations. This powerful being was offering his sponsorship to me...?
(How did I pull this big fish? No way...)
[Well, Ethan Nakamura?] Dokkaebi Herald prodded. [Choose quickly. The Sponsor Selection will end soon and a Constellation's patience is not inexhaustible.]
I tried to cover up my nervousness with a thin smirk, but it wasn't working. I hoped by bearing my canines, I'd summon some ferocity. Still, I had to be cheeky. You don't get anything in life by being a push-over.
"I would like to choose Constellation [The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim], but... under a few conditions..."
Let's see if I can get away with us.