[many constellations are wondering about the actions of the incarnation 'lee sookyung'.]
Not knowing was making the anxiety eat him alive, and that wasn't good at all when combined with the sheer humiliation of that previous discussion. Kim Dokja had already realized that things could always go further downhill, no matter how unlikely it seemed, and now was one of those times where things would just keep getting worse.
Right now, all he could hope was that he'd make it out of that seal sooner rather than later.
'That child… he was so small when he was young,' Sookyung thinks before she muses about the scenarios and the dangers she has faced so far because she didn't have enough information. Suddenly, Youngran interrupts and calls her 'My King'. Sookyung tells her not to do that because it's already bad enough that her son talks like someone in a manhwa. Addressing her again, Youngran tells her that she should have just honestly explained why she wrote her book since he's older now and that there was no reason for them to fight. Smiling slightly, Sookyung states that he'll always be a child to her, no matter his age.
Her gaze turns sad as she explains that she wanted to tell him the truth, but upon looking into his eyes and seeing his expression, she felt that it would just be a nuisance to Dokja since the truth wouldn't be something that he needs. Rather, she's the one who needs him to know so she won't remain a 'bad' mother. Sookyung's voice then takes over the narration.
I offered three SS-Grade items and 20 years of my life as a tribute to my sponsor. In return, I secretly saw a line of the Fate that Olympus had kept hidden.
Bent over the ground, Sookyung's eyes go wide as she reads the line of the Fate that states Dokja can live as long as he doesn't go to the next scenario. Back in the present, Sookyung asks Youngran what they can even do because this is just how she handles things, and Youngran slowly states that Dokja will understand one day.
The second her thoughts began appearing on the screen, Kim Dokja found himself tensing up. He didn't want to see inside her head and he didn't want to know why. Maybe he was scared of finding the truth. Maybe he was sickened by the mere thought of being forced to hear more from her against his will.
"It's true that not having enough information can be dangerous," Yoo Sangah admitted, but she kept her voice firm. "However, I think it's equally important to remember that most people don't have any. Additionally, with so many new variables that never existed in the story Dokja-ssi read, none of that information can be completely trustworthy anymore in the first place."
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is agreeing with the assessment of the incarnation 'yoo sangah'.]
As he progressed through his regressions, Yoo Joonghyuk had to face an ever-changing world. Every decision was like a stone thrown into a still pond, creating ripples that would begin to collide. Even in rounds where the regressor had made choices identical to those of a past round, that didn't mean that everything surrounding him would be the same. Yoo Joonghyuk had been forced to learn early on that the only variable he could control was himself.
When Cho Youngran spoke up and was told to stop, Jung Heewon's cheeks coloured. As funny as it was that she was realizing exactly how cringey her own role-play had been (no matter how unserious it was), Kim Dokja was also deeply uncomfortable because of what followed.
Lee Jihye huffed only a moment later. "Well I think ahjussi is fine."
He did not talk like he was in a manhwa, dammit. And even if he did, then blame it on the fact that he was raised by fiction rather than in a happy home with loving parents.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is pondering the words of the incarnation 'cho youngran'.]
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is calling for more alcohol.]
As Cho Youngran started talking about the book, Kim Dokja wanted to scoff. So what if she had an ulterior motive? Why should he care or let it change anything?
Good intentions didn't mean shit when it caused him nothing but pain and suffering in the end.
Gritting his teeth, Kim Dokja tried to suppress his anger, but he didn't think he succeeded very much. "I am not a child anymore; stop treating me like one."
It was revolting and condescending, and Kim Dokja hated every second of it. He wasn't six anymore, and he wasn't about to run to his mother for comfort or protection. As she began speaking about some 'truth', his head began to hurt, but Kim Dokja ignored it.
"Ugh, seriously? Han Sooyoung drawled. "Honestly I don't give a fuck about whatever thing you lied about, but coming clean a decade too late isn't going to do shit—especially not if it's just to get the burden off your shoulders."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is emphasizing that honesty is the best policy.]
"You don't know anything about me," she scoffed. "Is it so strange that I don't want to be remembered as a bad mother?"
"A good mother sure wouldn't kill her own kid," Jung Heewon retorted.
Kim Dokja could feel a shiver run down his spine as she sighed. "Tell me, then. Would it be cruel or merciful for a mother to kill her own child in the apocalypse? Would it not be better to spare the child the horrors of the scenarios and ensure that when death comes, it's with a loving hand and not claws or teeth?"
She had no answer. Nobody did, and that was because it wasn't a question that had one in the first place. Whether it was right or wrong, that child's story would have ended and speculating would only lead to more pain.
Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes shook, though he was doing his best to keep his hands still. In several regressions, that was a choice he had been forced to make, and every time it had eroded his mind more than the last. His devastation over the loss of his sister in TWSA was so poignant and raw that it had brought Kim Dokja to tears more than once. Though Kim Dokja knew his own opinions on the question—as the one who had been murdered, no less—it was Yoo Joonghyuk's sheer turmoil over what he had been forced to do that gave him pause.
Even if it had been for the best—to end Yoo Mia's suffering or to ensure she would be permitted the dignity of a peaceful death in a situation where Yoo Joonghyuk knew he would be denied one—Yoo Joonghyuk had never once forgiven himself for it.
[constellations who like philosophy are debating this dilemma.]
It didn't matter. All that was left was awkwardness as the screen continued with no regard for their feelings, but his eyes widened as she mentioned a line of his Fate that had been hidden.
"They can do that?" Lee Hyunsung wondered hesitantly, his eyes widening in shock.
To make matters worse, she had been forced to sacrifice items and even her lifespan to see what Olympus had decided to leave out. Kim Dokja didn't know how to feel—there were so many mixed emotions all swirling together to the point where they were inseparable—but her decisions were her own.
"Wait, so… if ahjussi doesn't go to the 10th scenario, then his Fate won't happen?" Shin Yoosung asked quietly. "That's really what it means?"
"I think so," Lee Seolhwa admitted, but frowned and looked pensive. "However, is that scenario one that everyone has to pass to be allowed to move on like the first scenario?"
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head. "No. It's a scenario restricted to a small group."
Yoo Mia grinned widely, looking up at her brother—the picture of innocence. "Like Peace Land, right oppa?"
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is praising the good memory of the incarnation 'yoo mia'.]
Kim Dokja, on the other hand, didn't know how to feel as the others began discussing whether they should actually just leave him behind. He didn't want to hear it. Hadn't he made himself invaluable enough to not be abandoned over a Fate that he honestly didn't believe was possible?
As much as he trusted Yoo Joonghyuk to be able to lead a group through the 10th scenario on his own, it wouldn't feel right not being there. Also, he couldn't be completely certain that the future protagonist would be able to clearly explain the tactics for everyone. Unlike Kim Dokja, who had re-read this scenario hundreds of times and had essentially memorized any and all strategies that had ever been used (in addition to the text file for reference), Yoo Joonghyuk had only challenged it a few times so far, and those times had usually been with the same group of rankers—including some who had already been killed in this turn.
No, Kim Dokja had to accompany them. If something went wrong—something he could have prevented—and he was still stuck in that stupid cave eating mugwort and garlic, then Kim Dokja knew he would never forgive himself.
They stop and Sookyung asks about their troops, revealing the mass of Wanderers who have gathered, all heavily armed and ready. Looking at the scenario window, Sookyung notes that she needs to choose four rankers to follow her to the next floor of Dark castle. Unfortunately, only incarnations in the top ten ranks can participate in the next scenario, and she only has two of them—Boksoon and Youngran—not including herself, so she needs to gather two more. Suddenly, Youngran looks up and states that 'they' are coming.
With the sound of footsteps, Joonghyuk and the others who were at Paradise all arrive before Sookyung's group. Smiling slightly, the woman states that it's been a while since she's seen Sangah, earning a bright smile in return. When Sangah asks about Dokja, Sookyung just tells her that they'll talk about that later.
Looking up carefully, Sookyung accurately identifies each member of Dokja's group by name, seeing their slight hostility and hesitation in their expressions
… It would have been a lot easier if you had only recruited characters from the original novel.
But even so, that still made her lips quirk up, as she thinks that recruiting new people is just like him. As a child, Dokja had been rather unpredictable, and she had thought that her son would become an artist.
Lee Gilyoung huffed and crossed his arms, pouting childishly. "You're gonna need more people if you want to stop the sooty bastard."
Kim Dokja did his best to hold back a chuckle, especially seeing that Yoo Joonghyuk almost seemed to be pleased by that admission. Admittedly, it was true—now that he was a transcendent, it was absolutely going to take more people than anticipated to even stand a chance against him. Of course, he'd be able to wreak even more havoc if he didn't have other people around to worry about.
[the constellation 'bald leader of the peasant's army' is wondering who the four rankers will be.]
"Wait, is that why we have the rankings in the first place?" Jung Heewon wondered with a baffled expression on her face before she sighed in exasperation. "Why am I even asking; of course it is."
Lee Hyunsung hummed thoughtfully. "We don't know what our ranks are at this point, either. I'd guess that Joonghyuk-ssi is higher in the ranks, though."
He absolutely would be, especially after defeating Reinheit. Lee Jihye, naturally, looked excited by that. "Master is the best!
"If only people in the top ten can participate, then I'd guess that means we'll have to find the other rankers," Lee Seolhwa admitted after a moment. "At this point in time, especially since some of us arrived late or have been relaxing for a few days, I'd doubt that we will make up all of the top ten."
Sure enough, she could account for three of them—Cho Youngran, Lee Boksoon, and herself. Of course, Kim Dokja knew what that meant and internally cursed. There would be no avoiding an encounter between her and Yoo Joonghyuk.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is perking up eagerly.]
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is nervously watching the incarnations 'yoo joonghyuk' and 'lee sookyung'.]
"Oh shit," Han Sooyoung muttered, scooching slightly further away from Yoo Joonghyuk, who was now radiating a terrifying aura. Naturally, she felt the same and the atmosphere was almost suffocating given how much hostility they were both just throwing around casually.
Yoo Sangah's smile was strained, but she did seem to be genuinely relieved that her future self was now aware that she had survived whatever had happened with Nirvana back then. Even if this went terribly, at least that was one less thing for Yoo Sangah to have on her conscience.
"No, we should talk about ahjussi now," Shin Yoosung grumbled, scowling intently at the screen. At first, she seemed hostile, but she faltered as soon as she began naming everyone in the group—whether or not they were originally characters of TWSA.
At her critique of his strategy, though, Kim Dokja gritted his teeth and tried not to react. The easy route wasn't always the best way, and Kim Dokja wouldn't give up the companions he had raised just because it was inconvenient for her plans. In fact, the petty urges deep down were telling him to go out and recruit even more people who she didn't know and couldn't predict, no matter how inconvenient it would be.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is curious about the incarnation 'kim dokja' as a child.]
[constellations who like the arts are wondering if the incarnation 'kim dokja' would have enjoyed such a thing.]
Art, huh? It wasn't something he had ever really considered, especially when it took far more effort than reading did. Plus, it wouldn't be able to take him away for a while, kidnapping him from his horrific childhood and giving him refuge in a place far away from reality.
Maybe in another world, perhaps…
Her smile immediately disappears and her gaze hardens when Joonghyuk calls out her title as the King of Wanderers and asks why she asked to meet them. When Sookyung explains her intention to end the scenario, Joonghyuk asks if she's gathering the 'Four Heavenly Kings'—a title for the four rankers needed to move onto the next scenario. As she admits that she is, she immediately scoffs and calls it childish, much to Joonghyuk's irritation.
After exchanging a few insults to each other's ages—and looking positively murderous as they size each other up, making their companions feel awkward and anxious—Sookyung states that she wants to team up after realizing that Joonghyuk has attained transcendence, reasoning that she should have expected as much since he's the main character.
Talking about gathering the rankers, Sookyung explains that they need the most powerful lineup to clear the next scenario. She states that she wants to help him achieve his goal of saving the world and willingly gives Joonghyuk the name of her sponsor, making the protagonist's eyes widen.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is very excited for this confrontation.]
"You must be feeling confident if you're asking to meet me," Yoo Joonghyuk scoffed, side-eyeing her with disdain.
Naturally, she scoffed in return. "Believe me, if I could clear the scenario without you, I would."
Their future selves weren't outwardly hostile at this point, which was genuinely weird to see, but Kim Dokja couldn't help but feel apprehensive. The second that she expressed her dislike for the protagonist, or the second that someone said something wrong, Kim Dokja had no doubts that negotiations would break down completely.
Actually, now that Kim Dokja thought about it, wouldn't he likely be in the top ten by now too? Fuck, that meant that someone would probably press more about his whereabouts, and that wouldn't be good.
Yoo Sangah sighed a bit, looking rather relieved. "I'm surprised how civilly this is going—"
Her words cut off suddenly as she called the titles childish, and Yoo Sangah looked like she was two seconds from praying to Olympus for patience. In Kim Dokja's opinion, that would be a terrible idea, though—Olympus' myths were full of impulsivity on the best of days.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is frowning at the petty behaviour of the incarnations.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is rolling his eyes.]
And now they were absolutely trying to gauge each other's strength. Yep, this was about to turn into a brawl, wasn't it?
"Hmph, my oppa is stronger, obviously," Yoo Mia drawled like she was bored. "You probably can't use that stigma again anyway."
Kim Dokja blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Yoo Mia's deduction, even though she didn't bother replying. He didn't think she was dumb or anything, but he genuinely hadn't expected her to take cooldown periods into consideration, or the probability cost for something like that. Honestly, it was pretty impressive.
Lee Jihye looked curious for a moment before her eyes widened dramatically, and she snapped her fingers as a grin spread across her face. "Wait, there's only one cave, right? She totally can't use it right now because there's no way she wants to send Master directly to ahjussi!"
Ah, well, that could also be a factor…
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is disappointed by that turn of events.]
Kim Dokja allowed his posture to relax ever-so-slightly when they didn't actually start fighting, but his apprehension didn't go away. In fact, it got even worse as she began assessing Yoo Joonghyuk and making internal remarks about him. While it was true that they would need the strongest lineup possible for the next scenario, that didn't mean that Kim Dokja wanted to be excluded either—the prophecy be damned.
He knew what was coming in the next scenario, and after expending so much probability and mana to trap him and Han Sooyoung, she wouldn't be of much use. To make matters worse, Kim Dokja was almost certain that her skills weren't particularly offensive in nature either. They'd need as much attack power as possible for what was to come, and she knew it too.
What was she trying to accomplish here?
After a moment of silence, Joonghyuk unexpectedly asks where Dokja is. Sookyung asks what he wants with her son, and Joonghyuk immediately retorts that he heard she took him. Immediately, her guard is up, especially with her suspicion that he wants to include Dokja in his group of rankers. Sookyung has a strange feeling as she processes his dismissive attitude towards her, and she thinks that it's a disturbing feeling that only a mother could detect.
When he refuses to elaborate, her expression sours and she states that Joonghyuk's personality is exactly as Dokja said it would be, making the protagonist's eyes widen in surprise. After a moment, Joonghyuk hesitantly speaks. "... Kim Dokja told you my story?"
As Sookyung confirms that Dokja told her a lot, she stares into Joonghyuk's eyes and her suspicions increase. Continuing, Sookyung asks why Joonghyuk shared his achievements in Paradise with Dokja, and Joonghyuk just tells her that the stronger Dokja is, the better chance the world has. Naturally, Sookyung interprets this as Joonghyuk telling her that he's planning on using Dokja, and she intentionally emphasizes a word when she replies. "Aha, so you wanted to use him for that?"
To Kim Dokja's surprise, however, he felt his heart suddenly stutter as Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly asked about him rather than anything else. While it made sense—Yoo Joonghyuk probably reasoned that Kim Dokja also had to be in the top ten and therefore necessary for the scenario—it was still baffling to hear those words leave his mouth.
Lee Hyunsung's eyes were almost sparkling with tears and he looked extraordinarily proud… for some reason. Jung Heewon, though, looked extremely entertained.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is encouraging the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk' to rush to his companion's rescue.]
"Give hyung back!" Lee Gilyoung demanded, glaring intently at her and distracting Kim Dokja from the protagonist's reply about her taking him. Still, there was a strange feeling that he couldn't entirely explain.
For once, Kim Dokja felt… light. It was weird and almost uncomfortably so, and he didn't know how to describe it better than that. However, it plummeted only a moment later as she started getting some kind of disturbing feeling.
Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, that settles it, I guess."
Kim Dokja had no idea what she was talking about, but she looked extremely exasperated for some reason. Why? It's not like any of them actually wanted to be liked by her. Honestly, Kim Dokja was almost certain that the only person she liked in the entire group was Yoo Sangah, and that wasn't a surprise because she was Yoo Sangah. Genuinely, Kim Dokja wouldn't trust anyone who didn't like Yoo Sangah after speaking with her for even five minutes.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is wishing his tolerance was lower.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is entertained by the current events.]
Upon being reminded that she knew his story, however, Yoo Joonghyuk's scowl deepened further. He looked genuinely angry, which was a stark contrast to his future self's bafflement. As expected, he was definitely unhappy that she knew his story at all. However, Kim Dokja couldn't entirely regret doing that in the first place, and that was incredibly frustrating.
Part of him wanted to take it back—to go back to being the only one in the world who truly knew Yoo Joonghyuk and the world of the Star Stream—but another part of him hesitated. Without that story, then he wouldn't have even tried communicating with her. Kim Dokja wondered if maybe it would have been better if he had stopped going to visit sooner.
What he didn't expect, though, was the way that the protagonist's tone changed to something more hesitant the moment she brought up that Kim Dokja had spoken about him.
On one hand, the future Yoo Joonghyuk definitely didn't understand the context, so it made no sense for him to be so stunned—he was the regressor, so people would naturally want to know more about him. On the other hand, he could just be offended that Kim Dokja had shared his 'premonitions' with someone else at all and simply hadn't processed it enough to be furious.
Yeah, that one made the most sense, actually. He probably thought of it as an invasion of privacy, or something.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is grumbling under his breath.]
Jung Heewon let out a snort. "They're not on the same page at all, are they?"
Of course not, was that even a question?
Lee Hyunsung looked determined and clenched a fist. "Joonghyuk-ssi, I'm sure she'll see your dedication some day."
What was he even talking about? That sounded like something that Lee Jihye would say.
"It would definitely be a surprise to hear something like that so suddenly," Lee Seolhwa admitted, though she looked far too amused for Kim Dokja's liking.
Once more, the protagonist's intense gaze was on Kim Dokja, but there was something different about it this time. Maybe he really was just upset that his 'future' had been disclosed without his permission…
However, Kim Dokja wasn't at all prepared for Yoo Joonghyuk to admit to wanting him to be stronger.
"What? You sunfish bastard, what are you even talking about?" Kim Dokja managed to say, hoping that his cheeks weren't red. "You would have been more powerful if you had kept it, too…"
[several constellations are touched by the good deed of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
[the constellation 'defense master' is scoffing at the idea that the incarnation 'kim dokja' would allow himself to be used.]
He wouldn't let that happen, but that was beside the point. What mattered was that she seemed to have figured something out, and Kim Dokja really wasn't liking the way his palms began to sweat.
Joonghyuk, however, disagrees and draws his sword while making a firm declaration. "Kim Dokja is necessary for this world. I need him."
Sookyung's eyes widen in shock as the protagonist continues, "He will be my companion, and he will reach the end of all the scenarios."
Everyone on Joonghyuk's side, except for Sangah who seems to be in a state of shock, looks determined as they silently agree with his words. On the other hand, Sookyung looks caught off guard by the use of the word 'companion'. As she stands there, dazed, Dokja's words play in her mind.
"That jerk, he's a complete psychopath. He cares about no one but himself, and he'll do whatever it takes to reach his goal." As Dokja speaks, Sookyung fades out to show Dokja sitting in the visitation booth, his body hunched forwards and his bangs blocking his eyes. As the scene zooms in, a faint blush is visible on his cheeks as he continues speaking. "But the story won't progress without him. That's the kind of novel that TWSA is. I hope this story never ends."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is screaming.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is scowling in the direction of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is feeling faint.]
… What did he just say?
Kim Dokja stared at the screen in shock, not even hearing Lee Jihye's shriek or processing the kids' protests. He couldn't have heard that right, could he? There was no way that Yoo Joonghyuk really could have just…
"Well fuck, the protagonist actually has balls!" Han Sooyoung declared with a cackle, and Kim Dokja could only shoot her a flabbergasted look in response. He was so lost that he didn't even know where to begin. He wasn't necessary for anything—least of all something so important. The protagonist needed him for his power as a 'prophet', but that didn't mean—
"Kim Dokja."
Oh shit. Oh fuck—
Yoo Joonghyuk looked almost smug for some reason as Kim Dokja's attention was effortlessly taken hostage by the mere timbre of his voice. "It's the truth. We will reach the end of the scenarios."
Right. Right, yes… he was necessary to reach the end of the scenarios. That made sense. It didn't couldn't mean anything more.
[many constellations are impressed by the bluntness of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
[the constellation 'bald leader of the peasant's army' is incredibly touched by the words of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
"We're companions, after all," Kim Dokja muttered, hoping he didn't sound as shaken up as he felt. It was hard to process, really. This time, he really had just said it for the sake of it, and he hadn't even received coins for his words. Given that, it was getting harder and harder for his mind to deflect and attribute the protagonist's actions to anything other than the miniscule possibility germinating in his mind that he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge yet.
It couldn't be true. It just couldn't.
In a much more normal turn of events, though, Yoo Joonghyuk's strange expression it was almost soft and that was just weird evaporated in an instant. Within seconds of Kim Dokja's voice calling him a psychopath, it returned to irritation.
Ah… Kim Dokja looked away sheepishly and did everything he could to avoid the protagonist's eyes. He had kind of said that back then as an incredibly general statement, even if that wasn't necessarily the truth for this round or several others.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is wondering if the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk' is cooler than expected.]
God this was humiliating. This scenario was invasive, but he hadn't expected that it would just pull out this old memory!
"Wait," Lee Jihye gasped, sounding more and more giddy with every passing second, "is ahjussi blushing!?"
What!?
"No, ahjussi, you can't!" Shin Yoosung pleaded, giving him her best puppy dog eyes. Before he could even think to answer her, his breath was knocked out of him when Lee Gilyoung collided with his other side, having just run back over.
"You're too good for the sooty bastard!!"
Uh…
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is extremely entertained by this turn of events.]
[several constellations are intrigued by this concept.]
Yoo Sangah giggled, and Kim Dokja realized that he would rather look at her than try to answer the kids or dare to see what Yoo Joonghyuk was thinking. However, amusement danced in Yoo Sangah's eyes and she seemed rather pleased by something.
"A story that would never end… that's a writer's worst nightmare, you asshole," Han Sooyoung grumbled, but something about her tone felt off. She seemed almost bothered by something instead of just trying to poke fun at him like usual, and Kim Dokja didn't know why.
Whatever, it wasn't his problem. Instead, he hesitantly looked back at the screen and hoped that he wouldn't say anything else that would humiliate him.
Sookyung's shock gives way to horror as a realization washes over her. Absent-mindedly, she muses that this is strange because the Joonghyuk she heard about would never say something like that. As she looks into the protagonist's blazing eyes, she remembers the exact tone of Dokja's voice and realizes that, despite his many complaints about Joonghyuk's personality, he always looked excited.
In response, Joonghyuk narrows his eyes and asks if her family enjoys talking about people as if they know them well. At the same time—not privy to any of her strife—Joonghyuk demands that she give Dokja to him, and that if she does, he will spare her life.
A quick flash of Dokja's face appears on the screen—his lips are curved almost creepily into a slight smile as his eyes are wide and unseeing. Obsession and hunger stronger than Nirvana could ever possess seems to ooze out of his entire being as he speaks about Joonghyuk and TWSA. Then, the lines of the prophecy flash by once more and Sookyung's eyes widen even further.
The true meaning of fate was…
Finally speaking up, she makes the decision that Joonghyuk cannot see her son, using the reasoning that—as his mother—it's her responsibility to stop him from hanging out with the wrong crowd. Her eyes are cold as she pulls the
Why did she look like that? Was it just that she was surprised?
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is curious about the thoughts of the incarnation 'lee sookyung'.]
As she thought about Yoo Joonghyuk's words, the protagonist himself scoffed. "You don't know me more than I know myself."
Kim Dokja almost flinched, but he managed to catch himself just in time. However, he couldn't stop the shame that washed over him as she remarked that he had always looked excited back then. It hadn't been that obvious, right?
"Were you really that excited, Dokja-ssi?" Lee Hyunsung wondered, and Kim Dokja felt his cheeks warm.
"Ah, well…" Fuck, what should he say? Hanging his head, he muttered, "You all already know that I liked his story…"
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is wondering if the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is alright.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is declaring that this is the best day of her life.]
As soon as the protagonist made his demand—to Jung Heewon's whistles and Lee Jihye's cheers—Kim Dokja felt a strange shiver go down his spine. God, did Yoo Joonghyuk not think about his words before he said them? Kim Dokja felt like he couldn't think, like there was nothing in his mind but those words playing on repeat.
"Goddamn…" Han Sooyoung gasped before turning to look at Kim Dokja judgmentally. "And you said he wasn't a romantic protagonist? I call bullshit."
Well— uh— fuck, he couldn't collect his thoughts at all. What was a coherent response? He didn't fucking know anymore.
"I'm not weak enough to cave to such pathetic threats," she declared, and it was like reality had doused him with a bucket of cold water.
Right. Yeah, that wouldn't be enough, would it? Of course it wouldn't…
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is flabbergasted.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in excitement.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is laughing until she cries.]
Kim Dokja's jaw dropped as he stared at himself on the screen, and he felt frozen in place. Had he really…?
"Dokja-ssi…" Yoo Sangah said quietly, reaching out to him before pausing her hand in midair, almost as though she was hesitant to actually touch him. Han Sooyoung also looked oddly uncomfortable, but for some reason, it also looked like something had just become clear to her.
Fuck, it was like looking at Nirvana. Kim Dokja's stomach churned with intense discomfort and he wanted to throw up. He hated it. He hated everything about it, and—
He couldn't look at Yoo Joonghyuk. All those warm and nearly floaty feelings from earlier had turned to lead, sinking into the depths, and he just knew that the protagonist would see the same thing that he was. Kim Dokja didn't think he'd be able to survive Yoo Joonghyuk genuinely hating him the way he hated Nirvana.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is declaring that the incarnation 'kim dokja' just needs a bit more to unlock the secrets to unlimited power.]
Before Kim Dokja could even begin organizing his thoughts, she sucked in a sharp breath as the words of the Fate flowed through her mind. In that single instant, any chatter or dings from indirect messages ground to a halt, and it was so quiet that he could have heard a pin drop. It was like the world had suddenly been frozen in place, leaving him and the screen as the only ones who could still move.
As her future self declared that she wouldn't let Yoo Joonghyuk see him, the curiosity got too much to bear and Kim Dokja glanced over at the protagonist. What Kim Dokja saw was completely unexpected, too—Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes shook, as did his hands, and he looked unguarded for once. Horrified, almost, like some deep-rooted fear was coming to pass before his eyes.
No one knew what to say—not even Han Sooyoung—and all Kim Dokja could do was hold onto the kids and watch Yoo Joonghyuk as Yoo Joonghyuk watched the screen, barely seeming like he was seeing it at all. After a moment, Kim Dokja looked away, a sad smile barely crossing his lips.
Ah, so that's what it meant.