When the Kim Dokja on screen glances toward cabin 3707, he takes note of the way Yoo Joonghyuk's expression took a turn for the worse, his frown deepening and a dark look crossing his face. Which- It's totally not like Dokja had been debating whether or not he would be able to kick the protagonists ass in certain conditions. His moodiness is probably justified in this instance.
It's only a few minutes later that another popup appears.
[The 'Sponsor Selection' has ended.]
The fluffy creature shows back up, gleefully remarking about a very interesting turn of events. He continues to say something about having another chance for this opportunity later on in the scenarios. Now that the Sponsor Selection is over, there should be a bit of a break considering how new the dokkaebi is. His guess is echoed by the creature declaring a short break and vanishes to prepare for the next scenario, calling out that they'll continue in ten minutes.
Dokja basks in the moment for a little bit, enjoying the little lull to think. It's so novel to be in this situation.
There's a snort to his side. "Hrnt- Novel-"
Han Sooyoung is so lucky Dokja has a lap full of too kids. But not lucky enough. He reaches over and smacks her upside her head. She is no longer chortling, cursing at him under her breath.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' reluctantly admits he agrees it is kinda humorous.]
Dokja is going to ignore that betrayal.
He bursts out of his tiny moment with himself and into action, gathering the people left in the subway cabin to get everyone acquainted. As he shakes Hyunsung's hand, he analyzes the strong grip and firm shake. No wonder he's the designate tanker in the early stages of TWSA, he has such a strong cadence. It's then that Dokja reaffirms that he needs to recruit the lieutenant.
Hyunsung thanks him profusely for what he did earlier, even mentioning that living through the murder of others would mean that they don't deserve to live as humans. Dokja's breath hitches at that, moving his shaking hand away from Hyunsung's own. Indeed. They wouldn't deserve to live as humans. He ignores the implications that holds to his not so heroic intentions with all the willpower he holds in his feeble body. His thoughts are interrupted by Han Myungoh slapping a palm down on his shoulder. As sleezy as ever, the man still demands the same respect he was used to in the workplace, even though the company likely no longer exists. Dokja is really getting fed up with this fucker.
"Shut up." The bastard startles with a baffled look on his irritating face. As cathartic as that was, there was still a point to be made here in the face of this mans delusions. "The company no longer exist. There are no such rules here. This is something entirely new. This isn't a joke or a dream."
He ignores the idiots spluttering and rapidly reddening face and turns to the rest of the gathered group. "There's a game-like interface, attribute windows and skills. Is there still anyone who doesn't understand what's going on?"
Jung Heewon whistles behind him, the sound is high pitched in his ears. She leans over him to look him down in his eyes. There's a level of mirth and mischief there that he really would prefer she didn't indulge in. This can not end well. "That's quite brutal of you, mister leader. Nearly as bad as that one time with those prophets. You really enjoy doing that authority thing you do."
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of fire' giggles at the teasing]
[The Constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' nods sagely]
He flushes at the teasing, looking back to the screen to avoid her gaze as Han Sooyoung cackles beside him. He knew something like this was going to happen eventually. They really can't leave him be, can they?
"I think it was nice." Yoo Sangah speaks up with a peaceful look in her face. She is still looking at the screen, not bothering to look over at everyone else. "I appreciate Dokja-ssi for letting me see such a liberating sight."
Nodding, Dokja just goes along with it. Then, he speaks up with his own piece feeling a little cheeky. "Is it better than the time you put salt in his coffee? Or was that better because you could do it yourself?"
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' appreciates a good revenge plot]
[The Constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' encourages Incarnation 'Yoo Sangah' to spill blood]
[The Constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' tears his hair out in surprise.]
Sangah pauses, finally looking over at him with a sheepish smile. A good bit of their group looks over at her with astonished faces, Lee Jihye being the first one to burst out laughing. "Unnie! I didn't think you had it in you!"
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' agrees after getting over her shock]
Sangah's face has a rising blush as she's being stared at. She sits there quietly for a little bit before looking over at Dokja with her HR smile shining through in her embarrassment. She mumbles her answer. "I quite liked both, but there's a certain... enjoyment to participating."
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' nods his head in agreement that revenge is best done by oneself]
Kim Dokja nods, musing in his own mind that having a hand in revenge makes it all the more sweet.
Everyone is silent until Hyunsung sighs and scratches the back of his head. "It's the kind of thing I read about in novels while covering the night shift. I still can't believe this is real. This isn't a dream, right?"
That hit a little too close to home. Dokja shakes his head. "Unfortunately, this is now our reality."
Since Dokja seems to be the only person who has any idea of what's going on, Hyunsung decides to ask if he has any plans. Suddenly, two popups appear in front of Dokja.
[The character 'Lee Hyunsung' has started to trust you.]
[Your understanding of the character 'Lee Hyunsung' has increased.]
Ignoring the windows, Dokja takes stock of their situation. There's only one thing to do. "We have to get out of here."
Everyone, except for a particularly starry eyed Gilyoung, stares at Dokja in disbelief. Outside, another ichthyosaur roars loudly. All at once, everyone begins to talk over each other, overlapping in a way that makes his head throb.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Dokja, I think that's a bit..."
"I also need to check on my unit... but I think it would be dangerous to leave the premises right now."
"Yeah! If we leave, we're going to get killed!"
"How do we do that, hyung?"
Gilyoung was the only one on board, a determined look on his face as he holds onto Dokja's hand. When did that happen? Dokja sighs. 'Uh oh. Even Hyunsung is against it, and I have to take him with me no matter what.'
Lee Hyunsung sends him a blinding smile when he looks back to try and gauge his mood. Dokja has to squint and raise his hand to be able to see properly. This man can not be anymore puppy-like than this. He doesn't think his brain could compute. "I'm glad Dokja-ssi finds my abilities useful."
The protagonist also looks at him, half of his body turned to the reader and he's just... looking at him. Not saying anything. Not doing anything. Just watching.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is looking at you.]
With a nervous smile on his face, Dokja nods along to what the bright man is saying. He still relaxes at the lack of tension from him. "I'm very glad that Hyunsung-ssi is so reliable."
They definitely wouldn't have been able to get as far as they had without him, and there was no way they could reach the ending Kim Dokja wanted if he wasn't there.
[The Constellation 'Master of Steel' is smiling.]
There's a loud noise that doesn't come from either side of the cabin surrounded by monsters, a sudden force rocking them as they stand. The noise sounds like something violently slamming on metal. Everyone turns to look for where the sound came from, but Dokja is more delayed in doing so. He knows exactly what is causing the commotion. There is no doubt in his mind that it isn't the dokkaebi coming with the next scenario. Someone is slamming on the door that divides their cabin from cabin 3707.
The person on the other side of that door is the only survivor of the subway cabin 3707.
A boot slams into the door even harder, denting the metal slowly.was quite obvious who that was.
The slams continue, and Dokja's eyes go wide. 'He's coming and I don't know what version of him I'll meet.'
The true protagonist of this story.
Immediately, he jumps into action. "We have to get out of here."
When Hyunsung tries to protest, Dokja cuts him off instantly.
Hyunsung looks nervous, but tries to reason with him anyway. "D-Dokja, we can't be sure that whatever is on the other side of that door is our enemy."
"He's the survivor who killed all of those people in his cabin," Dokja retorts with a deadpanned look. "Do you still want to meet him?"
Sangah and Hyunsung both pause for a moment, turning to each other to share a look, before they hurry to find a way to escape their subway cabin. Unfortunately, every door they check is broken, but at least the force field is gone. There has to be a working door somewhere. They only have so much time.
After all, the slams on the door are getting louder.
Kim Dokja dreads the meeting between himself and the protagonist. This does not feel like it will go over well with anyone. It's definitely memorable, if nothing else. The first time meeting his protagonist face to face.
Yoo Sangah chuckles awkwardly from her chair where she has reclined to curl up comfortably. She's wringing her hands in her lap. "Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi was quite frightening then."
And he isn't now? That face may be handsome, but it's also still very deadly. Was she really looking at the same man Dokja is?
Yoo Joonghyuk looked disgruntled at such an accusation, glancing over in her direction with a grumpy scowl. "I had to break through a steel door."
Well, fair enough. There isn't exactly a gentle way to kick down a door like that. It still worked in his favor. Though, he didn't say anything about the accusation against him about killing the left over passengers. Bastard.
He looks over at Dokja with that same scowl. "You didn't make the situation any better."
Pointedly looking away from him, Dokja refuses to feel any guilt for his actions. He needed everyone to get out as quickly as possible.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' scoffs at Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk']
At least he still has someone on his side. Dokja settles into his seat with a smug air to him.
[Many Constellations are interested in the current event]
Oh right, there have been a lot of constellations joining more recently. They wouldn't have been able to see these events. They must be excited for something new and interesting.
"Dokja, over here!" Sangah calls, having found a door that still seems to be working.
Using the emergency button, they're able to get it partially open, but not even Gilyoung would have been able to squeeze through such a small gap. This door, too, is broken. Dokja glances at his 4,700 coins and knows that he could use them to increase his strength enough to pry it open himself, but he chooses instead to save his coins for when he will likely need them later.
They do have better options here and Dokja will be taking those because he can.
"Hyunsung, use your skill," he calls, making the lieutenant look at him in confusion.
As if on cue, Dokja's skill activates and pulls up Hyunsung's character profile.
"By skill, you mean...?"
|Name: Lee Hyunsung
|Age: 28
|Constellation sponsor: Master of Steel
|Personal attribute: Soldier who turned a blind
|eye to injustice (general)
|Exclusive skills: Bayonet lvl.2, Camouflage
|lvl.2, Patience lvl.2
|Stigma: Great Mountain Push lvl.1
|Overall stats: Stamina lvl.8, Strength lvl.8,
|Agility lvl.7, Mana lvl.5
|General evaluation: Lee Hyunsung has very good
|overall stats. Although how rapidly he turned a
|blind eye to injustice was surprising, a
|constellation still selected him. This is
|another opportunity for him.
'Thankfully, his constellation sponsor and attribute are the same as the novel,' Dokja ponders with relief after reading it. His eyes read over the window a couple of times, memorizing the words before him. The stat and skill levels will change over time, but it's good to figure out what exactly Hyunsung's strengths are.
Lee Hyunsung makes a wounded sound behind Dokja, likely reading his profile and not liking his personal attribute. It's perfectly understandable. When Dokja actually looks back at him, he seeing the lieutenants shoulders loose some of the tension that had been there previously. He still looks uncomfortable.
"This... This doesn't feel the same as looking at Kim Namwoon's 'Character Profile'." Hyunsung hesitated, returning Dokja's gaze. "Is it because it's my own?"
"That could be it." He concedes, lowering his head so he doesn't have to look Hyunsung in the eyes anymore. This is still so embarrassing. Is that ever going away?
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is curious about the skill 'Character Profile']
Han Sooyoung grumbles next to him. She complained in a long drawn out and whiney voice that grated on his ears. "It's an unfair skill to have at the start of the scenarios."
Dokja looks at her with the flattest face he could possibly make, taking one of his hands off of the kids just to point at the protagonist with a disappointed sigh. His finger ends up in Yoo Joonghyuk's face.
"That bastard is different! He doesn't count. He's the protagonist. He's supposed to be overpowered." Sooyoung takes on a scolding tone, reaching around him to tug his pointing arm down and out of Joonghyuk's face. "You got such overpowered skills, and for what? This is favoritism."
"Maybe it's because I'm not such a shitty writer." Dokja grumbled under his breath, shaking her hand off of him. He doesn't bother continuing to point at the protagonist. He can't be assured the bastard won't bite his fingers or something. He's made his point already anyway.
Her scream is worth the possible mangling he might have gotten for doing that. It's with a smug smile on his face that he turns back to the screen to watch, missing the looks his companions send each other.
[The Constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' rejoices at the banter.]
[The Constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' complains about the lack of violence.]
What a child.
You probably checked your skill when you opened your attribute window earlier. You're in the army, so there must be a skill you can use right now." That's the best excuse he can come up with in such a stressful situation. But, it should work all the same.
Hyunsung looks confused. "Well, I do have one, but I don't know how to use it."
"You probably have to imagine yourself using it. They would have instructions attached if you needed to do anything else, right?" Dokja tries his best to sound unsure and unconfident. This is really going to be hard to act as clueless as everyone else. A little part of him wants to scream at the top of his lungs that he knows everything. That he will be the one to mould this story with his own hands. That would be counterproductive so he has to stay quiet. Hyunsung seems surprised by his words.
"Would they really?"
After a moment, Hyunsung places his hands on the doors and yells out as he begins to push them apart. His muscles tremble with the effort required, even using all his strength. An aura envelops him as his skill activates, and the subway doors finally creak open.
Instantly, sparkles seem to surround Hyunsung as he turns back to Dokja excitedly. "It worked! It really worked!"
[The character 'Lee Hyunsung' has begun to trust you.]
[Your understanding of the character 'Lee Hyunsung' has increased.]
'Looks like the stigma 'Great Mountain Push' successfully activated,' Dokja thought, but quickly encouraged everyone to run out of the now opened doors, the fresh air from outside slightly muddled with smoke.
"Dokja-ssi is a good actor." Yoo Sangah notes out loud, her tone reflective as she analyzes Dokja himself. It feels odd to be on the other end of that. With a light contemplative look, she slowly nods and continues. "Even during work, you have always been good at playing a role."
"What was ahjussi like during work, Unnie?" Lee Jihye chirped with a mischievous look that Dokja really wished would go away. Does that girl really have to go after every embarrassing thing of his?
Sangah nods, a mirthful smile crossing her features along with a look of nostalgia that is so familiar it makes him nervous. That doesn't bode well for him. "I can't tell you how many times Dokja-ssi has covered for me."
"How so, Unnie?" Jihye continues to badger, leaning into Yoo Mia's space in the process of trying to look at the woman across the way. He really needs to shut this down.
Yoo Joonghyuk does it for him when he speaks up to interrupt the girls talking to each other. His face has smoothed out to look almost peaceful and it makes Dokja nearly jealous. He wants to be that relaxed in this bizarre scenario. "Do you remember what that fool looked like before the scenarios?"
Never mind. That bastard wasn't helping at all. The screen is actually his savior.
The steel door between them and the man in 3707 would soon break. Listening to Dokja's advice, Hyunsung picked up Gilyoung and carried the reluctant boy on his back as they dashed down the empty tracks. It took a surprising amount of effort to convince the kid to go with the soldier.
'But, if my memory serves me right, the steel door isn't the problem,' Dokja recalls. He had originally said that to get everyone out of the subway cabin. The protagonist just played into his favor.
[...Gosh, I knew this would happen.]
Above them floats the dokkaebi, and he looks frustrated. [I told you earlier to stay put, damn it! I'm not done preparing the next scenario.]
Myungoh wails irritatingly that they should have just stayed inside, but everyone else stands firm. The dokkaebi sighs and snaps his fingers once.
[Well, I guess I have no choice. You've very lucky human beings.]
With a ding, the notification for the arrival of a sub scenario pops up. In the next 20 minutes, they have to get across a collapsed bridge and enter Oksu station on the other side. There's a reward of 200 coins for successfully completing the new scenario, but the penalty for failure is just three question marks.
'I knew it.' Dokja reads over the scenario window as quickly as possible while the dokkaebi continue to yabber on.
Sangah frowns and comments on how the scenario says 'collapsed bridge', even though the bridge is intact. In response, Dokja dashes past her, yelling at everyone to not worry and to just run. They need to be quick before whatever the creature has planned comes to fruition.
[A few Constellations are puzzled about the inaccurate setting for the scenario.]
Each of the members who had been on the bridge cringe, being reminded of just how that had gone. It was such a struggle even though it had been the second overall scenario they had participated in.
"It was... certainly a rough day." Sangah nervously comments, her eyes going distant as she thought about the events of that sub scenario. Especially just coming from going through the first scenario, it was just a day of compounded stress.
Lee Gilyoung nestles in closer to Dokja's side, burrowing grumpily into his ribs. "I'm upset you didn't end up finishing with us, hyung."
The kid is probably going to be even more upset when he finds out what exactly happened on that bridge. Dokja doubts that protagonist bastard had told them anything.
'Sangah is right. The bridge is still intact because we got off the train too early. In other words, the bridge will eventually collapse. And soon at that.'
The scene zooms out to show the entirety of the bridge. Their figures are very small from this distance. There is still quite a ways before they are able to reach the safety of Oksu station.
'It might seem underhanded, but it's imposible to clear this scenario without going around the rules.'
As they run, Dokja keeps an eye on everyone else. Though they're cutting it close, he's fairly confident that they'll make it in time. However, as if summoned by Murphy's law and Dokja's audacity to hope, a whirlpool forms in the river below and a massive ichthyosaur emerges to loom over the bridge.
'It's an Ichthyosaur! No, a sea serpent! Or maybe a sea commander, from its size?' Dokja thinks, slightly giddy to see such a monster up close and personal. It doesn't matter, the monster roars and rushes towards the bridge, preparing to collapse it. Everyone hurries to run across as quickly as possible, hoping to get to the other side before the bridge is destroyed. Dokja knows that the ichthyosaur shouldn't go after them this early in the story and its only goal is to break the bridge, but they're interrupted by the smug dokkaebi once again.
[It's no fun if the game is too easy, is it?]
This is bad.
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire is excited for the upcoming scene between companions.]
[Many Constellations are excited for when the scenario increases in difficulty.]
Of course they would be. Yoo Mia chats to Yoo Joonghyuk under her breath, but Dokja can't be bothered to listen to it as Jung Heewon whistles behind him.
"How did you get past that, oppa? It looks much more difficult than what I had to deal with..."
Yoo Joonghyuk smiles softly at his sister. It's a small thing that would be easy to miss. Kim Dokja's eyes linger on the sight. The sight is nothing he could ever imagine. He sort of wishes the moment would last forever.
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is squealing]
Dokja quickly closes the rapidly climbing amount of notifications Uriel is sending and averts his eyes. He has done nothing to deserve such a soft sight.
"You guys really had it tough, didn't you?" Heewon reclines back in her chair as she asks, popping up the footrest of the theater recliner. Her face grimaces at the size of the sea commander. "Damn."
"Tough is the least of it." Dokja grumbles, grimacing with her.
[What's the fun in you getting away safely? Let's shake things up a bit.] The dokkaebi laughs as he snaps his fingers once more. In an instant, the difficulty level displayed on the window holding the sub scenario changes from level E to level D.
[The evil thought of the dead have returned.]
[Black ether is rising from the surrounding earth.]
The screen switches to inside the subway cabin once more. The bodies start to squirm on the ground, creaking and groaning as they obtain their head back as if the pieces have sewn themselves together. The living corpses stumble to their feet, shuffling out of the cabin and towards the nearest group of survivors. The scene turns back to the surviving passengers on the bridge now being chased after by the dark undead.
"Huh? Zombies?!" Sangah exclaims as she looks behind them, the earlier fear rising back up in her again, threatening to overtake her reasoning.
[Demonic beings have been resurrected!]
Instantly, the zombies lunge forward to begin attacking. At the same time, thanks to the soldiers good stats, Hyunsung and Gilyoung have safely made it to Oksu station. Unfortunately, the rest of the group is left behind and surrounded. Glowing eyes cut through the darkness, and an aura of evil rises from the shambling corpses, and a shadow soon looms over them.
"Everyone, get down!" Dokja orders just before the massive sea serpent closes its jaws around the bridge, crushing the middle. Immediately after, Yoo Sangah's frantic scream of his name cuts through the air.
Dokja winces, that wasn't exactly their best moment. The bridge was destroyed too quickly. If they hadn't had the even bridge, this would have gone a lot worse than it had.