[Sorry, but that's going to be a bit difficult.]
I had a feeling it was about time for him to appear.
Damn mid-tier goblin.
There was no way the one managing the entire Seoul Dome scenario wouldn't intervene in a situation like this.
But I felt a bit confident.
"Why difficult? We haven't broken any scenario rules."
[Leaving the 'Disaster' alive? Are you out of your mind? Do you wish to die?]
"Die? Quite the opposite. I'm doing this to save everyone."
At my words, the mid-tier goblin's tone hardened slightly.
[Are you aware that's a violation of the rules? The scenario states that you must 'defeat the Disaster.' If you fail to follow the scenario faithfully…]
"Don't worry about that. We'll kill the Disaster."
At my words, my companions all looked at me simultaneously.
"Sir… what are you saying…?"
Especially Lee Ji-hye, who was looking at me as if she were seeing a psychopath.
It wasn't strange.
Earlier I had said we wouldn't kill it, and now I said we would—of course she'd think that way.
But most of the group were waiting for my next words.
The silence filled with trust made me feel a little embarrassed.
"However, not now."
[What…?]
"I'm sure the scenario clearly states there is 'no time limit,' right? That means the timing for defeating the Disaster is up to us."
The mid-tier goblin looked like it had been struck.
"So don't rush things."
Disaster Shin Yoosung looked up at me, her expression blank. She clearly hadn't imagined I could think this way.
[The celestial, 'Scribe of the Heavens,' is watching you with strange eyes.]
I could feel the agitation of the celestials all around me.
Episodes that defy the scenario like this are rare in the "Extermination Law," so for the celestials, this would be a spectacle.
Especially in situations like this, where the distinction between good and evil seemed ambiguous. The subscribers of absolute good or absolute evil celestials would spike. Their daily routine was to judge characters' morality as they pleased.
[That cannot be allowed.]
"Trying to interfere with the scenario again? Have you forgotten what happened last time?"
[…]
My confidence came from the fact that this was a "main scenario," not a sub-scenario.
When a main scenario progresses at the scale of the fifth scenario's dome size, even a mid-tier goblin would find it difficult to change the scenario's conditions. Moreover, this goblin had already received a few penalties from the management bureau.
Considering that he feared disciplinary action in his assigned scenario, this wasn't a fight without any chance of winning.
I glanced at Bi-hyung, who was biting her nails nearby.
"Prepare yourself. If things go south, you're the only one I can rely on."
—Damn it, why me?
"Don't forget, if it dies, we die together."
Just as Bi-hyung's face twisted, the mid-tier goblin spoke.
[Interesting, indeed. But it won't go as you think.]
I knew he wouldn't give in easily.
[Not all of the avatars in the Seoul Dome would share your thoughts.]
At that, the mid-tier goblin snapped his fingers.
And a system message appeared.
[A new 'sub-scenario' has arrived.]
I knew exactly what he was thinking.
If he can't touch the main scenario, he'll try to win with a sub-scenario he can control.
[From now on, the bounty on the 'Disaster' will be doubled.]
Originally, the reward coins were 100,000, so doubling meant 200,000 coins.
Enough to instantly rise to the top ranks of the Seoul Dome.
At that value, someone might risk their life to charge in…
Yet, for some reason, no avatars moved.
"Everyone, don't act recklessly."
"Value your lives. If you don't want to die like moths to a flame!"
The kings with influence controlled their avatars.
Mihee King Min Ji-won, Mireuk King Cha Sang-kyung, and even the neutral King Jeon Il-do.
[The celestial, 'Maritime Avatar,' is proud of the avatars in the Korean Peninsula.]
Of course, there were forces the kings couldn't control. But they also valued their lives. Having already seen the Disaster's power, no small group could challenge it, whether the bounty was 100,000 or 200,000 coins. Plus, our group was protecting Disaster Shin Yoosung…
[…Disappointing. I didn't expect the avatars of the Seoul Dome to be such cowards.]
A foreboding air hung in the sky. The mid-tier goblin was surely thinking how to turn this situation into the worst possible outcome.
I quickly added: it was time to settle this.
"Why don't you give in? Honestly, this should satisfy everyone by now."
[…]
I didn't say more.
The mid-tier goblin surely already understood.
[Hahaha, I see. You thought this far ahead. As expected of Dokga, the master of scenario direction.]
A goblin's purpose exists in the scenario.
A scenario that many celestials respond to, that many celestials enjoy.
In the world of 'Star Stream,' the miracle of a scenario being steered off-course occurs in only one case.
Most of the celestials watching the scenario were precisely the ones who wanted the scenario's direction to change.
[…Surely, 'violence' isn't the only form of stimulation.]
While protecting Disaster Shin Yoosung, I tried to win the favor of the celestials.
I carefully chose words that could bypass possible filtering, spoke repeatedly, and exposed just enough information to the celestials.
I made them sympathize with Disaster Shin Yoosung.
I made them support my rebellion.
As a result, I made them sigh at this entire situation.
In fact, I could hear the messages of the celestials caught in my plan in real time.
[Celestial, 'Bald Volunteer Commander,' respects your will.]
[Celestial, 'The Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol,' admires your determination.]
Everything was going according to plan.
"Now, if you understand, how about you make a decision? Either give the reward, or continue the fifth scenario."
Even if the fifth scenario continued, it wouldn't interfere with starting the sixth. Main scenarios can run concurrently.
If the goblin had any sense, he'd stop now that the celestials were satisfied.
[Avatar Kim Dokja. You are the most intelligent and fearsome being among all the avatars I know.]
From the gradually relaxing expression of the mid-tier goblin, I felt a strange dissonance.
[But this time, that intelligence will be your undoing.]
"…What do you mean?"
The mid-tier goblin's following words weren't directed at me.
[…Understood, celestials. Now, I will show you the story you've been waiting for.]
Sparks flew in midair. The mid-tier goblin was manipulating the scenario.
[Mid-tier goblin intervenes in the scenario.]
[According to the scenario contract, control of 'Overflowing Disaster Shin Yoosung' is transferred to the mid-tier goblin.]
At the system message, Disaster Shin Yoosung's expression began to change.
"No, wait! I… aaah!"
A black aura was erupting from Disaster Shin Yoosung's body.
I shouted desperately.
"Wait! What are you doing…!"
[Fulfill the contract. You are the gears of the scenario.]
That's when I realized what he intended.
Scenario enforcement authority.
The power to determine the fate of every 'accessory' included in a scenario.
I had seen the Extermination Law, so I knew of it—but I never expected him to use it immediately.
[The personality of the character will forcibly change.]
[The character 'Shin Yoosung' will have her disposition fixed to 'evil.']
Disaster Shin Yoosung, having lost control of her body, was becoming a monster.
I bit my lip.
Scenario enforcement authority consumes an enormous amount of the goblin's plausibility points, so it's rarely used.
But this was being used…
[Many celestials cheer for the scenario's progression.]
[A significant number of celestials dislike your melodrama.]
It meant that many celestials agreed with the plausibility of this development.
Damn it, why?
"Dokja?"
"Hyung!"
The tense party approached me. They, too, realized something was wrong. But I didn't understand.
Why had the celestials suddenly turned their backs?
Looking into the air, Bi-hyung's expression was dark.
—Sorry, I tried to persuade them, but it didn't work.
'Damn…'
—Your reputation is far worse than expected.
The mid-tier goblin spoke.
[Arrogant avatar. Did you really think the celestials would go along so easily?]
…but all the indirect messages were favorable, weren't they?
[Humans naturally tend to believe what they want to believe.]
Seeing the flood of indirect messages, I realized my misjudgment.
That's right.
Not all celestials send indirect messages.
Only a very small portion do.
[Most celestials mock your decision.]
[Some celestials withdraw their support for you.]
[A considerable number of celestials are wary of your intentions.]
It was natural that the majority would be against me.
I had deceived them with trivial tricks and canceled the event.
If the fact that Bi-hyung's channel had 9,999 subscribers had been noticed, shrewd celestials would already know.
Yet they had indulged in watching my scenario.
And now, they would no longer be fooled.
[The celestials of the Korean Peninsula regard you with pity.]
[Celestial, 'Prisoner of the Long Orphan,' looks at you with sympathy.]
Perhaps I had underestimated the celestials.
[It seems your luck ends here, Avatar Kim Dokja.]
"AAAAAAH—!"
From Disaster Shin Yoosung, forcibly turned evil, a tremendous aura erupted.
Just touching it felt like it would melt flesh. The avatars screamed and fled.
From afar, Yoo Jung-hyuk drew his Jincheon Paedo sword.
[Then, I hope you will show a good scenario to the very end.]
I slowly backed away from the Disaster.
Shin Yoosung's face twisted in sorrow.
…So this is how it ends, huh.
I quickly checked Yoo Jung-hyuk's movements. If things had come this far, his choice was predictable.
"Wait, Yoo Jung-hyuk."
"You've failed."
"Do not touch the child."
I hid the young Shin Yoosung behind me and continued.
"If you lay a hand on this child, I will never forgive you."
Yoo Jung-hyuk narrowed his eyes and glared at me.
"…There's no other way."
A way…
I bit my lips until they bled.
"There is a way. We just have to show the scenario that the celestials love so much."
"…What are you talking about?"
"We defeat the Disaster."
Yoo Jung-hyuk's expression stiffened.
"It's suicide, Kim Dokja. Are you planning to act recklessly?"
I looked at Shin Yoosung, who had turned into a demon and was sweeping everything around her.
I never wanted this.
I never wanted this ending.
Still, in this damned world, even resisting a scenario becomes a scenario in itself.
[A significant number of celestials are excited by your statement.]
[A significant number of celestials want a thrilling brawl.]
Alright, if you want to see this…
"Cover me, Yoo Jung-hyuk. I'll stop the Disaster."
I'll play the role for as long as necessary.
"Kim Dokja, you…"
"I can do it."
Slowly blinking, the previously postponed options appeared before me.
[You have experienced '1st-person supporting perspective.']
[You can inherit one of the skills of the supporting character you immersed yourself in.]
[Skill acquisition options are presented.]
[Please select the skill you wish to acquire.]
I checked the list and chose without hesitation.
"Number 3. Select 'Sensitivity of the Beast King.'"
[Exclusive skill, 'Sensitivity of the Beast King,' acquired!]
As if it had been waiting, an ether storm erupted from Disaster Shin Yoosung's hands. The same storm that had pierced my stomach and even rendered Yoo Jung-hyuk combat-ineffective.
Kukwakwakwakwa!
I shielded my companions and took the storm head-on.
[Exclusive skill, 'Sensitivity of the Beast King Lv.3,' is active.]
A pure white fur cloak. Infinitely soft yet strong—the signature skill of Beast Lord Shin Yoosung. Over half my mana was drained, and I felt dizzy for a moment, but I successfully withstood her attack. Even amidst the overwhelming storm, the 'Sensitivity of the Beast King' did not lose its dignity.
Yoo Jung-hyuk frowned.
"…You stole the skill. But that alone isn't enough."
"I know."
I looked at Disaster Shin Yoosung. Even though the evil transformation was progressing and she had lost control over her body, emotion still lingered in her eyes. She was speaking silently:
"…It's okay. Kill me."
Who could raise a blade against eyes like those?
A woman who had wandered and suffered for a thousand years.
Now, I had to strike her down.
This was the price for failing to change the story…
For the first time, I resented the fact that the Extermination Law had become reality.
"Watch closely with your own eyes."
I looked up at the sky and said:
"This is the scenario you wanted."
[Exclusive skill, 'Bookmark,' activated!]
With Shin Yoosung's final phase now open, this battle was one that could not be lost.
Thus, ultimately, it was a battle that no one could truly win.
['Character Bookmark' activated.]
[Available bookmark slots: 4]
[Loading list of bookmarks that can be activated.]
"I'll remove 'Delusional Demon Kim Nam-woon' from slot 1 and insert 'Destroyer of Evil, Jeong Heewon.'"
Chapter 106 - CHAPTER105
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