The group stood around me, firing off nearly a dozen questions at once.
I dodged most of them. Intentionally.
Still, I dismissed my dogs back into my shadow, much to Lee Gilyoung's dismay.
"Woah… so they're part of you, huh?" Jung Heewon asked curiously.
"Not exactly," I replied nonchalantly. "But you could say that."
Yoo Sangah cautiously approached one of the salamanders.
"Dokja-ssi… how are we even supposed to cook these? We can't eat them raw, can we?"
"We can't eat them now," Kim Dokja answered calmly. "But later, it'll be possible."
At that, everyone's attention snapped to him.
"Dokja…" Jung Heewon said slowly. "Do you know something about the scenario we're in?"
Kim Dokja's body stiffened. His eyes wavered, shaking as if he didn't know how to respond.
But before he could say a word—
A salamander suddenly shot out from its burrow and bit Han Myungoh.
"Ahh—!"
Caught completely off guard.
Yoo Sangah rushed forward to help, but the moment she touched him, the wall rippled—and swallowed her whole.
"Yoo Sangah!"
The group reacted instantly.
Too late.
"How are we supposed to get to them now?" Jung Heewon asked, panic creeping into her voice.
"Lee Gilyoung and I will go in and find them," Kim Dokja said. "The three of you—" he pointed, "—stay here and keep watch."
"Why only Gilyoung?"
"Because he has a skill that lets him track monsters."
He turned to Lee Hyunsung. "Take care of Jung Heewon. She's still sick."
At that, Jung Heewon bristled.
"I can take care of myself, you know!"
I finally spoke up. "Um… can I come too?"
Everyone looked at me.
"I can help. My dogs can track monsters by scent."
Kim Dokja blinked, clearly surprised. After a moment of thought, he nodded.
And so, the three of us descended.
The place was pitch black, but between Lee Gilyoung's ability and my dogs, we moved smoothly through the tunnels.
"Dokja."
Lee Gilyoung's voice echoed softly.
"You let it happen on purpose, didn't you?"
"H-huh?" Kim Dokja stammered. "What do you mean?"
I watched from the side as the conversation escalated.
I didn't bother listening. I already knew what would be said.
I stood there quietly—watching as a reader.
"That's why I believe in you."
[Some constellations are tearing up at the interaction.]
"Then…" Lee Gilyoung asked hesitantly, "will our wish be granted? After all the scenarios end?"
That caught my attention.
What would happen after all this?
I'd asked myself that question countless times since arriving in this world.
But I didn't know the answer.
I'd only read half the manhwa.
What awaited me at the end?
Would I disappear?
I wasn't supposed to exist here, after all.
"So," I interrupted, pointing ahead, "are you guys done with the wholesome moment? Because something's up."
[Some constellations are pleased that you interrupted the disgusting display.]
[100 coins have been gifted to you.]
The surroundings shifted, the tunnel opening into a clearing.
At the center—
A chest.
[New sub-scenario detected.]
[You have entered the Ground Rat's Treasure Trove!]
We hid behind tree-like roots as familiar voices echoed nearby.
Peeking out, I spotted Yoo Sangah and Han Myungoh arguing in the corner.
I ignored them.
My focus was on the remaining ground rats lurking around us.
"Should I attack—"
Before I could move, Kim Dokja suddenly hurled his weapon.
Swoosh!
The sound of glass shattering echoed through the cavern.
A massive creature emerged—tall as a car, its pale, dark body writhing with tentacles sprouting from its back.
"Urgh—!" Lee Gilyoung gagged.
" Min-jun take care of Lee gilyoung! "
Kim Dokja reacted instantly, rushing toward the two trapped civilians while I stayed ready to intervene.
Then the creature lashed out.
One tentacle shot straight toward Han Myungoh.
Now that's a sight, I thought grimly. Literal—
I snapped back to reality.
I sent one of my Light to guard Lee Gilyoung charging head first.
Relentless attacks rained down on Kim Dokja.
I sprinted in from the side, signaling him.
He understood immediately and began buying time.
With Dark at my side, we lunged in unison.
Slash!
Scratch!
The creature screamed in agony.
"BRAGHHH—!"
It retaliated instantly, slamming its tentacles toward us with terrifying force.
We barely dodged in time.
"Dokja!" I shouted. "You better be preparing something—I'm going all out!"
"Buy me time!"
And so we did.
Dodge after dodge. Strike after strike.
My lungs burned. My breaths turned ragged.
How long is this going to take?!
I dodged again and counterattacked—but the creature anticipated it, stopping mid-motion.
Damn it—!
A tentacle shot toward me.
I closed my eyes—
But at the last second, Dark shoved me aside, taking the blow himself.
"No—!"
Slam!
The sound of flesh breaking echoed.
I rolled back and forced myself upright, pain screaming through my body.
Another attack was coming—
Then a blue light erupted behind the creature.
You're late, I thought, grinning weakly.
With a powerful downward slash, Kim Dokja leapt, his sword glowing as it tore through flesh.
The creature collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Silence.
"You just have to read a lot, you know?" Kim Dokja said, sweat dripping down his face.
I limped toward Dark.
His body was crushed beyond repair. Blood pooled beneath him.
"Shh… it's okay," I whispered. "Rest now."
The dog looked at me one last time before dissolving into shadow.
Gone.
I felt the loss—but I'd known this day would come.
Nothing here was permanent.
[One of your shikigami has died.]
[24-hour cooldown until resurrection has begun.]
"…Huh?"
Resurrection?
That was possible?
A smile crept onto my face as my body finally relaxed.
"Hey," Kim Dokja said, offering a hand with a smug grin. "You're not about to die too, right?"
"…Shut up," I muttered, taking his hand. "You're a late protagonist."
Despite myself, I laughed as we limped back toward the others.
[ Dear Constellations, are you seeing this? ]
[ An Ether Blade this early in the scenario?! ]
The notifications flooded my vision one after another.
[ Many constellations are impressed by your fighting. ]
[ The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is impressed by your ability. ]
[ You have been gifted 200 coins. ]
[ Some constellation are interested in you ]
[ The condition of the sub-scenario has been fulfilled! ]
[ You have received 500 coins. ]
I sat down against the roots of a massive tree, exhaling slowly as I recalled Light back into my shadow.
[ Coins: 1,700 ]
'Well… it's not much, but it's a start.'
From the corner of my eye, I caught movement—someone sneaking toward the creature.
Slice!
Before anyone could react, Han Myungoh snatched the final blow, ending the Tier 7 creature.
The group froze in confusion.
I clicked my tongue internally.
'That kill would've been worth at least 7,000 coins… but knowing the side effects…'
Yeah. No thanks.
'He must be regretting his life choices already. Say goodbye to manhood—and welcome womanhood.'
I barely held back a laugh as I glanced at the stunned Myungoh.
"Well, since that's over," I said casually, standing up, "why don't I earn my share too?"
The two of them rushed the treasure chest first.
After they finished rummaging through it, it was finally my turn.
"Don't mind if I do."
I reached into the chest, clasping my hands together.
'PLEASE GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD.'
I repeated it over and over in my head.
Then I opened my eyes.
Twin daggers rested inside the chest.
[ Sharp Dagger ]
[ Grade: B ]
'Yes! I knew you hadn't abandoned me, RoB. You're the best!'
"Wow, you got lucky, Min-jun!" Yoo Sangah said.
Lee Gilyoung suddenly leaned closer.
"Can I trade you this shield for your dogs?"
"Uh… I don't think that's possible," I replied awkwardly.
His face fell for a moment, but he recovered quickly.
'That kid's really obsessed with those two… I might need to keep an eye on him for now.'
Cold sweat trickled down my back as I glanced at Gilyoung—his eyes practically burning with fixation.
"Anyway," I said, changing the topic, "it's your turn, Kim Dokja."
"Let's see what we get."
Dokja opened the chest.
Inside was a cooking utensil—something resembling a compact furnace.
"What could that be?" Yoo Sangah asked.
Of course, I already knew.
'It's time for cooking.'
_____
"Hrmm! This really is good, Dokja-ssi!"
[Many constellations are drooling at the sight.]
Ignoring the notification, I savored the food. Although I knew what the ingredients were, the simple fact that I was able to eat meat
again—after so long—
It was heaven.
After eating my fill far quicker than I
expected, I checked my stats.
Name: Kim Minjun
Age: 26
Constellation: None
Exclusive Attributes:
Ten Shadows Inheritor (Legendary)
Office Worker (Common)
Exclusive Skills:
Ten Shadows Technique (Lv. 1)
Everyday Labor Efficiency (Lv. 1)
Stigma: None
Stats:
Stamina: Lv. 5
Strength: Lv. 8
Agility: Lv. 8
Mana: Lv. 13
[New Notification]
Everything looked normal—except for a new tab.
Clicking it revealed a familiar message window.
[Yo, RoB here again. Did you get your new daggers?]
[Anyways, just wanted to tell you I forgot another package. So I'm sending it right… now.]
[Ding!]
[Integration of Structure will occur in a few days.]
'Seriously? You forgot something that important?'
[Yes.]
'Wait—I've got a lot of questions—'
[Aight, peace!]
'Wait!'
The notification vanished, leaving me staring into empty air.
"…Sigh. I really can't do anything about this incompetent god."
Shaking my head, I looked back just in time to see Kim Dokja finally obtain his sword.
Unbreakable Faith.
Honestly, it was overpowered.
After finishing our preparations, we headed out. With Yoo Sangah's guidance and the help of my dogs' scent tracking, we returned smoothly.
Once the food was distributed, we made our way back to the subway.
'Well then… back to hell we go.'
The moment we reached the station, the atmosphere felt even heavier.
"What a gloomy bunch," I muttered as I stepped forward.
[20 minutes until checkout!]
[Please prepare 100 coins.]
With the reminder announced, chaos erupted.
Screams, pleas, and angry shouts overlapped into noise.
"Kim Dokja! I'm glad to see you're back!"
A calm, fox-like voice cut through the crowd. Cheon Inho revealed himself, smiling faintly.
"If I remember correctly, you had the most coins, didn't you?" His voice was smooth—too smooth.
At the mention of coins, everyone's gaze snapped to a single person.
Taking advantage of the distraction, I slipped away using my shadow.
Honestly, this ability was ridiculously useful. With storage and concealment combined, it gave me both space and safety.
Inside the shadow, the environment felt… strange.
Comfortable.
Like sinking into a dark ocean that welcomed me.
With a mental command alone, I could enter and exit shadows—even someone else's.
True shadow manipulation.
The mana cost was heavy, but it was more than worth it.
Refocusing—
The massacre began earlier than expected.
Slash!
Kim Dokja severed an incarnation's hand, sending the crowd scrambling backward.
"And why do you blame me for a situation you brought upon yourselves?"
His expression was colder than usual.
His explanation only fueled the panic.
"If you want to survive, then fight for it. This is how the world works!"
That was the trigger.
The massacre erupted.
…..
"Well then," I muttered, stepping out. "I guess it's time to harvest."
[Strength: Lv. 6 → Lv. 8]
[Agility: Lv. 5 → Lv. 8]
[Coins: 1,700 → 350]
A shadow bloomed at the center of the chaos.
From it emerged a man wielding daggers, a devilish grin stretched across his face.
"Come to me, baby!"
I lunged.
My first target never saw it coming.
Slit!
My blade buried itself into his neck. Blood sprayed as he collapsed.
"You fucker!"
Someone tried to ambush me from behind—but before his blade reached me, I melted into my shadow.
"Huh—whe—"
His voice cut off as my dagger pierced his back.
"Y-you sneaky bitch—"
I didn't stop.
The coins were calling me.
Slash.
Dash.
Hide.
Reappear.
[You have killed an incarnation. 400 coins acquired.]
[You have killed an incarnation. 300 coins acquired.]
[You have killed an incarnation. 500 coins acquired.]
[You have killed—]
Again and again.
By now, everyone was on guard—checking their surroundings desperately.
Too late.
The dagger was already at their neck.
…
I collapsed onto a corpse, breathing heavily. Sweat mixed with blood as it dripped from my hands.
My body was soaked in it.
I wasn't proud.
Not at all.
But it was necessary.
[Coins: 5,000]
I smiled faintly at the result of my harvest.
[Many constellations are smiling with ecstasy at your actions.]
[You have been gifted 400 coins.]
[Coins: 5,400]
Scanning the subway, the battle was over.
Only Cheon Inho remained—and his end came swiftly after his final words.
At the same time, Jung Heewon's attribute evolved.
Judge of Evil.
She now stood as Kim Dokja's ally.
'Are we collecting allies like Pokémon now?'
[Survival fee will now be collected.]
I returned to the group silently, watching Jung Heewon collapse in despair.
"Get up," Kim Dokja said, offering his hand. "The scenario has only just begun."
________
'…What the hell?'
A sudden time skip.
Before I could react, we were already on our way to the next station.
'So this is the power of a time skip.'
"Are you sure you won't come with us?"
"We'll go our separate ways. We still have some coins left." One of the survivors said.
My patience finally snapped.
I grabbed Jung Heewon by the back and started walking.
"Enough with the chit-chat. I'm bored—let's just go already!"
"Hey! Don't be like that," Jung heewon said. "We still need to say our goodbyes. Do you not have any manners?"
"I'm sick of wholesome moments. Less talking, more fighting." I complained yawning.
The group burst into laughter as we moved forward.
And so, our journey to the next station began.
....
I'm very bored of saying what happened.
" So let's do a lightning round! "
Journey. Killing salamander. Hiding.
Break in donggok station.
Jung heewon new robe.
Walking again.
New sub scenario: Phantom Prison
Phantom prison not so useless. Note: don't want to remember past memories.
Me recover.
We met lee jihye.
She seems cool to me.
And lastly were walking, heading towards chungmuro.
Where that sunfish is at.
' See wasn't that not bad? Did you get bored, well no shit! '
The end...