few Constellations are concerned for the incarnations.]
There wasn't very much he could have done here. Not with the difficulty of the scenario being raised. Under his breath, Dokja curses Biyhung and swears he'll make that little bastard pay.
Lee Hyunsung and Lee Gilyoung had made it across the bridge fine before it was destroyed. The kid got to safety just fine, which is the only good thing he could say about the situation. Between the humanoid demons, the bridge's collapse, and what happened afterwards that day was just stressful and downright exhausted.
"-ja!"
Amidst the smoke and rubble scattered across the bridge, Dokja slowly manages to get to his knees with great difficulty and a hand on his head. His ears are ringing and his vision is blurry at best, but he is alive. For the moment at least.
"Dok-! ...you -kay?"
It sounds like he's under water, the voices around him muffled and unclear. It takes him a minute to actually remember where he is, the thing that reminding him is the middle section of the bridge that is now gone. And he's on the wrong side.
He's on the wrong side.
Myungoh and Sangah aren't too far away from him, and they're leaning on each other as they stumble over, calling his name.
'The bridge has collapsed.' The thought is as detached from him as it could be, the feeling that were supposed to be there are missing.
[The exclusive skill 'The Fourth Wall' strengthens.]
Dokja raises from his knees into standing, stumbling a bit when his foot catches on a piece of rubble. 'I'd known something like this might happen, but I hadn't expected Myungoh and Sangah to survive. Gilyoung and Hyunsung made it to safety in one piece.'
A loud, chiming announcement cuts through the air. [Someone has received the blessing of a constellation.]
In a flash, a golden light slowly rebuilds the bridge, filling in the large gaping hole.
[The constellation's blessing has activated 'Deus Ex Machina' in this scenario.]
The 'Dues Ex Machina', the bridge of even numbers, can only be crossed by an even number of people at a time, and will collapse if an odd number of people attempt to cross it.
Sangah stutters and frowns, finally reaching Dokja with her awkward hobble -He takes a moment to check her for any real injury but finds none- she looks at him helplessly. "Dokja, in my head... this thing- it uh, it suddenly-?"
It was her constellation that used the 'Deus Ex Machina', then. A power that allowed them to directly intervene in the scenario at a great cost. Dokja is stunned by this revelation, knowing that even in the novel, this kind of direct intervention was rare.
'Did Sangah's constellation sponsor intervene in order to save her?'
[Several Constellations are shocked.]
Yeah, a 'Deus Ex Machina' is a huge surprise for such an early scenario. It's surprising even four scenarios in. Yoo Sangah squirms in her chair, curling her legs further to her chest in embarrassment. Her face is red. It's probably from all of the attention being turned to her. Dokja understands and sympathizes with her. Though, she was lucky that her sponsor seems to really care about her.
"So, that was why that was there." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered under his breath, faced turned to Sangah at a slight tilt. The suspicious glance he was shooting her was hard to notice with Joonhyuk leaning into his space a little bit. Did he know something about her that Kim Dokja didn't? Grumbling at the stingy attitude of the bastard, he ignores the fact that something is unsettling the protagonist. It's not important for right now. But he does file it away for later.
'What kind of constellation could be supporting her?' He wonders as he attempt to activate his character profile skill, trying to pull up her profile. Surprisingly, it fails.
[This person's profile cannot be browsed using 'Character Profile'.]
[This character does not have a registered 'Character Profile'.]
Frantically, he wonders why he can't see her profile with his skill. Maybe her constellation is blocking it, or perhaps she has a mental barrier skill? It doesn't seem likely, but he's thrown out of his thoughts when Sangah yells his name again.
"Dokja! Behind you!"
He turns just in time to see a fist flying at his face. Barely managing to throw himself out of the way, Dokja sees the zombie that attacked him rush past. The undead had completely slipped his mind. This is really not the time to be lost in thought. Quickly, he manages to catergorize his opponent using his knowledge of TWSA.
-Tier 9 Humanoid Demon
A mutant species infected by the black ether. Once normal humans, humanoid demons are no different from zombies, but they can be quite dangerous if their host happens to be someone who was powerful.-
Unfortunately, the humanoid demon that has set its sights on him just happens to be in the vessel of the 'Delusional Demon' himself, of all people. Namwoon's eyes glow as he snarls, covered in blood, and launches himself towards Dokja again.
[The exclusive skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' has activated.]
Unfortunately, it also fails.
[This character does not possess a consciousness.]
[Deactivated 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'.]
"You must be careful, Dokja-ssi." Jung Heewon gruffs behind him, her tone firm and sounding a little anxious for him. There's no need, he is right here isn't he?
Lee Jihye mumbles her agreement, not taking her eyes off of the segment playing on the screen, her fingers picking at her nails. She must be particularly anxious to be doing that.
Well, in both of their defense, neither of them had seen him after this encounter. They wouldn't know if he had been injured during this fight, or in general considering the types of healing items he had access to after all of this.
Han Sooyoung slightly nudges at Shin Yoosung, moving her out of her way so she's able to look Dokja in his eyes as he speaks. "That's such a sucky drawback for a skill to have."
That sounds pointed. The look she's giving him doesn't exactly seem like she's teasin him but he can't put his finger on what she's actually trying to say. He ignores it instead, as per tradition. If she really wanted him to understand she would just say it outright.
Shin Yoosung moved away from the hand that nudged her out of the way and leaned back into Dokja's side. She seemed nervous as she watches, resting her fingers on a part of his wrist. It takes a moment for him to realize that she's feeling his pulse. It seems the fighting on screen is getting to her, he barely escaped his first fight with Namwoon relatively unscathed. Gently, he takes his hand from her and pats her back with it instead. There's no need to be nervous, he's right here.
'Fuck.' Dokja swears to himself as he brings his arms up to block the next powerful strike that comes right for his face again. 'I had a feeling it wouldn't work!'
Their only option is to get across the bridge of even numbers, but there are three survivors still on this side of the bridge. One of them has to stay behind and die.
His very first thought is for him to stay behind, but his own thoughts revolt against that almost violently. He doesn't want to go down now, he has to reach the end. He muses for a moment, considering leaving Myungoh as he dodges several more attacks aimed at him. His rational mind catches up with him and reminds him there are other ways for him to get out of this. He doesn't have to sacrifice anyone.
Frantically, Dokja glances over his shoulder and call out to Sangah. "Sangah, get-!"
To his shock, Myungoh has already picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder like she's a sack of potatoes. She's kicking and struggling and trying to get him to let her go, but he has an iron grip around her legs.
"Let go of me! Let go!" She screams. It's so familiar it makes him queasy. "Dokja! Dokja!"
Myungoh doesn't even look sorry when he takes off running, just afraid. One of his legs drags behind him, but somehow he's as fast as a professional sprinter. Horrified and pissed off, Dokja comes to the realization that the manager is leaving him behind.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is impressed by your foolishness.]
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is touched by your selflessness.]
[You have been sponsored 100 coins.]
Yeah, there's not very much selflessness in considering sacrificing the coward in the first place. He gets the pop up window he had expected.
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is disappointed in incarnation 'Kim Dokja's thoughts.]
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' comments on your thorough decision making.]
That react was curious though. That guy was originally belittling in his comment of the situation. What's with the contradiction?
"Dokja-ssi..." Sangah starts from where she's sitting, sound remorseful.
"There's no need to apologize. I understand." He really didn't need an apology, not with how many times she had already said sorry when they had met back up after this scenario. It was exhausting with the mental gymnastics he had to do while fighting with himself.
As fast as he could, Dokja tries to activate his character profile skill on Myungoh, but just like with Sangah, his profile can't be browsed.
Dokja grimaces. 'If I'm not mistaken, 'One-legged Swift Foot' belongs to the constellation 'Limping Trickster'.'
'That constellation does not bestow its incarnations with the mental barrier stigma, and since there's no way Han Myungoh could have that kind of skill, the reason my skill didn't work on Sangah or Myungoh is that...'
Dokja laughs to himself. How stupid of him, he should have realized this earlier.
'It's because they're not character that appear in TWSA.'
Yoo Joonghyuk looks at the screen with narrowed eyes. There seems to be things that he knows that the rat doesn't, with how his skill is limited. [Eye of the Sage] will give him information that not even Kim Dokja knows.
He starts to scheme in his seat, taking things into consideration and finally coming to terms with the fact that he is... was. Was a character.
And Kim Dokja was his only reader.
His thoughts are cut off by Namwoon roaring at him, veins protruding from his skin. Many other humanoid demons rush forward alongside him, trying to overwhelm Dokja with numbers, and he finds himself struggling to keep up. He thinks frantically even as he punches, kicks, and trips his foes, knowing that he can't cross the bridge alone. Would grabbing a demon to cross with him work? No, probably not. There are only fifteen minutes left until the end of the scenario, and the pressure is on. He could just go with that one tactic early.
Wow, you're doing pretty well,] the dokkaebi calls, amused. [Okay! Is there any constellation who wishes to bless this poor incarnation?]
He waits a moment, eyes glimmering as Dokja fights desperately against the overwhelming hoarde of humanoid demons still approaching him.
[Oh me, nobody? How unfortunate.]
Sangah and Myungoh have reached Oksu station and reunited with Gilyoung and Hyunsung, at least. Little good news is still good news after all.
Dokja knows that his body can't handle much more of this fight. His back is against the wall-metaphorically, at least. In reality, he's pushed up against the edge of the bridge, with only a drop and a monster-filled river behind him. 'I might actually die this time,' he complains. 'Damn it. Can't I have any combat skill? I don't want to die right now.'
Dokja grimaces as everyone tenses up at the reminder of his previous thoughts. Wow. This can really not let him live his life in peace, can it? He almost deluded himself into believing everyone had forgot about that bit.
"Kim Dokja." The protagonist said no more, looking at him intense eyes. Fidgeting nervously, Dokja does his best to hide behind the kids that are crowding him. Wow, is it him or is the carpet really interesting? It's a really pretty shade of red.
There's a sigh behind him before a set of hands invade his space and grab onto Gilyoung by his armpits. It's Jung Heewon, who passes the disgruntled and squirmy kid over to Hyunsung. Han Sooyoung similarly grabs onto Shin Yoosung, passing her over to Yoo Sangah. It's like they're conspiring against him as he no longer has any way to hide the shaking in his hands or a viable way to justify looking anywhere else but Yoo Joonghyuk.
"Kim Dokja." He repeats himself again. And Dokja really can't take this right now. Where is the fourth wall when he really needed it?
['Sl eepy']
How can a wall even be tired?!
The screen continuing to play is his only saving grace, everyone around him forced to turn their attention to the big screen instead of him. He really can't handle all of those eyes on him.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' looks on at incarnation 'Kim Dokja' with a complicated expression.]
Don't join them!
As if summoned, a blue glow appears above Kim Dokja's head in the shape of a book.
[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' has activated.]
The pages of the holographic book flutter as it opens, and several screens appear in front of Dokja in quick succession. The skill loads to show him 3 bookmark slots.
[List of Bookmarked Characters]
|1. Delusional Demon Kim Namwoon (understanding 25)
|2. Steel Blade Lee Hyunsung (understanding 35)
|3. Empty Slot
Kim Dokja grins, instantly understanding how to use the skill despite lacking access to any description. 'So this is what it's like to have a skill exclusive to you. I've never read about this skill anywhere in TWSA. This is made for me.'
"You're fighting is just even more reading."
"Activate [Bookmark] number one."
[The activation time has been shortened due to the low level of the 'Bookmark' skill. Activation time: 1 minute.]
Kim Dokja's eyes light up a foxfire blue, the glow setting light shadows on his face that make him look borderline ethereal.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' says the skill 'Bookmark' fits incarnation 'Kim Dokja' very well.]
There are mutters of agreement echoing around him, his little group all conquering with varying degrees of resistance. Yoo Joonghyuk seems the most hesitant to agree with the constellation.
Ignoring them, Kim Dokja watches in awe at the display of his skill. The bright blue pages falling open behind him is such a captivating sight. He is ignorant of the other hushed whispers around him until a window pops up in front of him with the usual chiming sound.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' compliments on incarnation 'Kim Dokja's beauty in such a dubious situation]
His face burns up at the compliment, embarrassment fuzzing up his head and making it hard to evade or redirect. That was so sudden, who does that guy think he is?
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' reluctantly agrees about incarnation 'Kim Dokja's beauty, but cautions constellation 'Secretive Plotter' to respect the companionship already in motion.]
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' scoffs at constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire']
Please don't fight right now.
The pages of the floating book flutter as greyed out scenes of the sparse interaction between Kim Dokja and Kim Namwoon appear and fade. Instantly, an ominous purple aura surrounds Kim Dokja, exactly like the one Kim Namwoon had in the subway earlier. Behind the man is a faintly transparent hologram of Kim Namwoon.
'There's this feeling...' Kim Dokja starts, taking note of how he's become faster than what his last stats should allow, his body was moving as if he was Kim Namwoon.
'...it's- it's like-' His hand flicks out the knife he took earlier and slices into the humanoid demon's neck with one smooth movement that Kim Dokja was unfamiliar with, but he feels quite satisfied. It's quite poetic for a dislike character to fall by their own skill.
'It feels like he's puppeteering me.'
"That's..." Lee Jihye sounds uncomfortable, even without Dokja looking at her he can tell as much. Though, he's not quite sure why. "Ahjussi, that sounds scary."
Puzzled, he looks over to the teenager to find her looking kind of unsettled or... perhaps queasy? He can't quite tell when she's scrunched up so much in her chair.
"How so? I'm not sure I understand." He admits, watching her expression flicker between a couple of unidentifiable emotions before he can't see her anymore when she curls up further to hide her face in her knees. That's curious.
She doesn't answer him again, just turning her attention to the screen.
Kim Namwoon's body groans as it falls back to the ground. He somehow manages to form words in between all of those grunts and growls. "I- don't... want to... die-"
['The Fourth Wall' begins to shake.]
Dokja looks at the crumbled corpse that's laid amongst the bridge rubble, the state of the body now in a permanent death. 'Kim Namwoon, in TWSA, had been a character that lacked any sort of empathy or morality. It didn't really delve that deep into why, but it didn't matter to me why, I have never liked the cliche of a character that used the apocalypse as just a means to inflict pain onto others.'
The screen changes to the white background again, several excerpts from TWSA in black letters begin to fill it. Swathes of texts that couldn't be seen due to overlapping with other pages, but a few show up that are able to be read. These pieces of text depict scenes of Kim Namwoon killing people of vary ages on a whim. The overwhelming amount of text is now juxtaposed over the corpse of Kim Namwoon.
A new thing juxtaposed over the sight of the bloodied body, a familiar figure laid on the floor of some random location in a school. A smaller, younger Dokja is back on the screen. He looks even thinner than before, his bottom lip split in two different places and a crooked nose that eludes to a broken nose. His chest raises and falls in exaggerated breaths. There's bruises on his throat that shine in the florescent lighting of wherever.
"Oh, what the fuck." Han Sooyoung's voice is far away, drifting just barely out of reach of his attention. The video playing out on the screen doesn't even register anymore. There are more voices that he really doesn't want to put in the effort to try and figure out what they're saying.He remembers that day. It was the anniversary of the day his mother had published... That Book. It had been a rough, rough day. He can feel the bone deep pains just sitting here in this chair. He remembers sleeping on one of the mats in the gym just to have somewhere semi-comfortable to sleep.
There are hands on him. Many of them. They're all coming from different angles and it's making his skin itch. It's almost as bad of a feeling as so many eyes being on him. There's pings from what he guesses is the notification windows. He can't make them out. Please, just make it stop-
And suddenly, there is a familiar pair of rough hands on his face and a familiar gruff voice talking to him. He can't make out what he's saying, but he relaxing into the hands anyway. Scarred and calloused thumbs wipe tears away from his cheeks.
He didn't even realize he had been crying.
[The exclusive skill 'The Fourth Wall' is quaking.]
He's trying his best to catch his breath, eyes unfocused and his throat spasming with each inhale. His ribs hurt and he's barely staying awake laying there. There's black splotches encroaching on his vision. He really doesn't need this right now. He looks outside and sees the sun had long gone down. There's no way he'd be allowed back in the house.
He lays there with his broken nose and creaking ribs to just try and breathe, bruises of both new and old smattered across his face. He's going to have to set his nose again. He crawls backward, still not quite willing to sit up completely yet. He eventually makes his way to a wall to lean up against, he still flinches when he sits up, the stutter in his ribs hurts just as much as the kicks that put it there.
He'll be fine. Yoo Joonghyuk always is. It's a chant that runs in his head over and over again as he tries to breath through the pain. He grabs the bottom of his uniform shirt and raises it to access the damage there. There's bruising and a bit of blood that he's not quite sure where it came from. A particularly painful bought from his right side forces him to bring his hand up to feel around to see if anything is broken. He winces but pushes through it. It hurts more than a surface pain to press on it, but he doesn't feel anything out of place so it's not broken. His ribs are likely just bruised.
He lets his shirt fall and he just leans back to relax for a minute. There's nothing better for him to do here. In a minute, he'll have to get up. In a minute, he'll have to set his nose. In a minute, he'll have to be okay again. A chime from the bag beside him has him reaching over. He knows that specific notification sound. He digs his phone out of where he hid it in his bag. There's a new update for 'Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse.'
But for right now, he'll read. And he'll read it again.
The most recent chapter update is focused on Kim Namwoon, to Dokja's greatest disappointment. He reads the words depicting violence that hits so close to home he debates to just leave this chapter for later and go reread some of his favorite ones instead. At least there will be comfort there.
"Just admit you like hurting people, you asshole." The voice is hoarse and barely above a whisper. Kim Dokja still breaks down in a fit of coughing. That's okay. He will finish this update about the asshole and go back to reading about his protagonist.
The scene returns to the adult Kim Dokja looking down at the mangles Kim Namwoon with cold cold eyes. There is a notification pop up from his skill.
['The Fourth Wall' skill stabilizes.]
[Your understanding of the character 'Kim Namwoon' has increased.]
Notes: