[the constellation 'founder's mother' is disappointed in the actions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja didn't give a shit, honestly. Right now, what mattered was learning from what his future self did. Maybe it was this Fate that they were meant to prevent with this knowledge, but Kim Dokja couldn't be certain.
Though it might be terrible, he had to live with the possibility that the prophecy had come true in this future that they were witnessing. Honestly, he didn't know how to feel about that. Though he had an inkling of an idea of what it was talking about, it was still hard to picture. In fact, Kim Dokja even had one big worry—would he end up falling in love faster with whoever it was simply because of being shown who they were in advance?
As he thought about it, Kim Dokja did his best to avoid looking over in any direction, keeping his gaze glued to the screen.
Despite only having used the first sword of the three-sword style, Dokja nurses his arm that's been left in tatters, hanging limply from his shoulder. Still, his attention is completely focused on the space in front of him, watching in awe as his slash cleaves a mountain in two and thinking of how incredible the swordsmanship was. It's the technique of a genius, his life's work that was honed over tens of thousands of years. Though Dokja can't see its true strength, he still feels a sense of freedom and realizes that this is the power of the stars.
How good would it be if I could make this mine?
Just as he thinks that it's a shame that [Bookmark] only applies to 'characters', a notification informs him of another update for the skill due to his increased status. His eyes widen as a pop-up tells him that his understanding of 'Goryeo's First Sword' has increased, even though the constellation doesn't appear on the list of available characters yet.
But if my understanding of them continues to increase, won't I be able to mimic the skills of the constellations someday?
Lee Seolhwa grimaced slightly, but her expression quickly shifted to one of sympathy. "Dokja-ssi, you'll definitely need a healing item for that."
"Is it that bad, unnie?" Shin Yoosung asked in a trembling voice. "Is ahjussi going to be okay?"
Lee Seolhwa sighed, sending a small and tired smile in the girl's direction. "Well, for the amount of damage that he must have to his muscles, he would normally have to use a sling for a while at the very least. However, in the apocalypse, he should be able to get some kind of item to help him until he can rest and fully recover."
[the constellation 'guam divine doctor' is agreeing with his incarnation.]
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is emphasizing the importance of resting.]
Well, good thing that he had a lot of coins, then. There was no way Kim Dokja was planning on letting himself be incapacitated for long.
As the slash continued even after tearing through the sealed space, Lee Gilyoung gasped in awe when it impacted with a mountain. Turning to look at him with a brilliant and excited gaze, a wide smile stretched across his lips. "Hyung, that's amazing!"
"I know you're just borrowing power, ahjussi, but that constellation is pretty cool!" Lee Jihye agreed eagerly.
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is smirking confidently.]
"If you can see the value of hard work, then why do you refuse to put in any yourself, you fool," Yoo Joonghyuk muttered darkly, making Kim Dokja look away. Why bother when he could usually just bookmark everything anyway?
Besides, there was no way he'd ever be able to get to Cheok Jungyeong's level! Kim Dokja wasn't a genius, nor did he have tens of thousands of years to practice. He was starting from just barely over zero, dammit.
However, right as his future self lamented that he couldn't bookmark constellations, Kim Dokja's jaw dropped as he got a notification telling him that his understanding of 'Goryeo's First Sword' had increased.
"Wait, Dokja-ssi will be able to eventually bookmark constellations?" Yoo Sangah gasped, looking stunned by that revelation.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is raising a brow in surprise.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is muttering that the incarnation 'kim dokja' is a cheater.]
[many constellations are wondering how this is allowed.]
In all honesty, Kim Dokja didn't know either. It wasn't something that had ever appeared in TWSA, so he had nothing to even help him guess.
As Sooyoung's voice trembles as she takes in the sight ahead of them, Dokja finally notices the battlefield full of almost zombie-like incarnations from Paradise fighting the equally zombie-like members of Sookyung's team. All the while, Dokja also notices that they can hear constellations' true voices telling incarnations to kneel. Many incarnations whose sponsors can't protect them or who don't have strong mental skills begin to collapse and convulse, bleeding from every orifice.
Additionally, it's not just one or two incarnations who have raised their synchronization rates to the limit, which has resulted in the current circumstances. To make matters worse, the sky is white and has a disturbing aura—a precursor to a storm. All the probability allotted to the Dark Castle scenario quickly is being consumed, and sparks light up the battlefield like firecrackers.
As the scene decided to show the chaotic battle ahead of them, Lee Hyunsung gasped. "Are those the same as the Humanoid Demons we had to escape from on the bridge…?"
Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes before shaking his head. "No, they're not. Some of them look almost like the people who were stuck in Seoul, but that doesn't feel completely right either."
What was it? He had the nagging feeling that he should know the answer to this question.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is surprised by the true voices of the constellations.]
"Damn, that's not good at all," Jung Heewon muttered with a frown. Sure enough, the true voices were causing several incarnations to collapse and struggle when their constellations or mental defenses couldn't properly protect them anymore.
Though Lee Seolhwa looked incredibly pained by all of this, Kim Dokja was certain that she knew it would be impossible to help them all, even if she had been there. It was too chaotic, to the point that she'd just end up putting herself in more danger trying to help.
Yoo Mia shuddered, tucking herself in closer to her brother. "I'm with oppa still, so I have to be okay…"
Now that Kim Dokja thought about it, did Yoo Mia even have a supporting constellation? Since she had always been a non-combatant, he couldn't recall if that was something that had ever been mentioned in TWSA—especially since it usually wasn't a good idea to discuss one's sponsor in the first place.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is reassuring the incarnation 'yoo mia' that her brother will always protect her.]
Uriel was absolutely right. No matter how far gone the protagonist was, Yoo Mia was the one person he had always tried his best to protect.
However, considering the fact that Yoo Joonghyuk was likely still fighting her combined with the rapidly approaching probability storm… it didn't look good. At this point, even the protagonist could only do so much against such a severe storm.
"Well, shit," Han Sooyoung muttered as she looked over the situation. "I'm pretty sure the sky isn't supposed to look like that."
It definitely wasn't, and that was the problem. At this rate, the probability storm could get so bad that something else would be summoned to keep it balanced, and that wasn't something that Kim Dokja wanted to deal with.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is baring his teeth at the probability storm.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is narrowing her eyes.]
{Kim Dokja, pretend you can't hear me and listen up.}
Bihyung's sudden message catches Dokja off guard, but he keeps his expression blank as Bihyung delivers a warning and some advice about his Fate, which gets cut off abruptly. When Dokja raises his head, seeming to look directly at the screen, all the incarnations on the field suddenly snap to look at him.
Their faces are shadowed as they pant heavily, their pupils blown wide as their eyes bulge from the strain. The scene is only made more unsettling by the lack of noise beyond their pants and gulps. Slowly, many constellations who have reached the maximum synchronization with their incarnations turn to face Dokja and Sooyoung.
I can feel the gazes of the constellations all focusing on me.
Kim Dokja almost jolted when Bihyung's message suddenly appeared, but he let out a sigh. Though he might not say it, he was thankful—even under intense supervision, Bihyung was still trying to help him. Honestly, Kim Dokja was kind of impressed that the dokkaebi actually had the guts to do something like that with a promotion on the line.
"Well, we don't like him all that much, but Bihyung actually doesn't suck sometimes," Jung Heewon remarked as a small smile grew on her lips. She was right, especially because he was taking the initiative instead of being scammed or blackmailed into helping.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is surprised by the good intentions of the dokkaebi 'bihyung'.]
As Bihyung's message suddenly cut out, Lee Gilyoung looked up nervously. "Did he get caught?"
That was completely possible. Kim Dokja frowned, and it only deepened further when all the incarnations who were incredibly synchronized with their constellations turned to look at him far too quickly to be normal. Fuck, their constellations were paying attention now, weren't they?
"This is so creepy…" Yoo Mia shivered and Yoo Joonghyuk quickly wound his arms around her for reassurance.
Even Han Sooyoung looked unnerved as she slowly backed away from the screen. "It looks like they're fucking possessed."
Well, they kind of were? Still, this was on a whole other level from what was normal in terms of constellation-incarnation synchronization. It was intense and threatening, reminiscent of how it had surely felt to walk into that banquet hall through the wrong door. The only difference was that this time, Kim Dokja was technically a constellation too. It didn't affect him anywhere nearly as badly, but that didn't mean that it would be pleasant either.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cheering for the incarnations 'kim dokja' and 'han sooyoung' to start throwing hands.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is raising her sword threateningly.]
Dokja's eyes narrow as he realizes that someone is blocking Bihyung's messages from reaching him. A moment later, Jungyeong comments on Dokja's nerves, but instead of confirming that he's nervous, Dokja just grins and declares that things have gotten more interesting. As some constellations start to chant Dokja's name, Jungyeong warns him that Fate is a high hurdle, and Dokja just retorts that it's still just a hurdle that can be broken if necessary. Dokja doesn't know who he loves and who will therefore kill him, but since he doesn't know his own fate, he can be confident that they don't know him either.
Using [Bookmark], he activates [Miniaturization] and [Electrification], impressing Jungyeong as the two rush forwards together. Chugging a mana potion, he smacks into a bunch of incarnations, snapping them out of their mental states and scattering the skirmishes before turning back to his normal size and addressing them, telling them to stop fighting.
Realizing who he is, though there are plenty of people surprised to see Dokja alive, many of them thank him for his decision in the last scenario and explain that they were attacked when travelling with their saviors. Observing their attire, Dokja realizes that they're likely people who used to be from Paradise, which means that Joonghyuk and the others are likely here too.
"I hope Bihyung isn't in trouble," Lee Hyunsung muttered, but there was no way of knowing for sure at this point. Kim Dokja also wasn't cruel enough to genuinely wish for the dokkaebi to get in trouble while trying to help him, even if he didn't really care what happened otherwise.
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is laughing at the response of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"Dokja-ssi, please still be careful…" Yoo Sangah sighed with a shake of her head.
Even if he promised to be careful, that wouldn't change anything in the future. Despite that, he had to agree with his future self. "The constellations aren't completely infallible either, so there's always the chance I can break through this Fate. I won't know until I try."
Besides, everyone had agreed before—if there was anyone who'd be able to scam his way out of a Fate that predicted his death, it would be Kim Dokja.
As his future self mused about not knowing his Fate, though, Kim Dokja swallowed down the lump in his throat. He didn't like where the signs were pointing right now, and he didn't want to look like he had realized anything if anyone else checked. He really didn't want to deal with any of those questions, or to actually have to think about what any of it actually meant.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is saddened by the thought of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"They won't know you either, huh?" Han Sooyoung scoffed as she looked utterly exhausted. "Ugh, this is bullshit."
Kim Dokja chanced a look in the protagonist's direction, and wasn't sure how to feel. Though his expression looked as blank and unaffected as usual, there was something about it that felt almost… disappointed. Unable to bear it, Kim Dokja looked away only a second later. It didn't bother him. It didn't.
At the very least, the kids looked excited as he finally began fighting back, using his bookmarked skill to quickly dart across the battlefield in a crackle of lightning.
"That's amazing, ahjussi!" Shin Yoosung cheered. "You stopped the fight without killing anyone!"
Kim Dokja let out a sigh of relief. Though it was unavoidable, he really hated the feeling of blood on his hands. Suddenly, he stopped that thought, blinking in confusion for a second. He was still the 'King of No Killing', so he hadn't truly bloodied them yet. Though his stomach churned uncomfortably, Kim Dokja tried shaking it off.
This scenario was messing with his mind. The current him hadn't killed anyone yet, even if his future self had.
Remember, it was self-defense.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is grumbling in disappointment.]
Jung Heewon sighed deeply as Kim Dokja realized that all those people were from Paradise. She seemed incredibly relieved to see that they were alright, and it made sense. Even though her current self hadn't met most of them yet, she was still a righteous person.
"Come on, ahjussi," Lee Jihye muttered as he made the connection that the protagonist and the rest of the group were likely close by. "Go have an emotional reunion with Master!"
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is eagerly agreeing with the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
[the constellation 'bald leader of the peasant's army' is looking forward to seeing the incarnation 'kim dokja' reunite with his friends and companion.]
… Just what was she expecting? Whatever it was, she was almost guaranteed to be disappointed.
Keeping that in mind, Dokja can easily deduce just who is on the other side of the conflict. An elderly laugh comes from the crowd as Boksoon walks forward and asks how he escaped the formation.
As expected, the wanderer's faction.
When he asks why they're fighting, Boksoon explains that it's because of him—Dokja mustn't go to the next scenario, something that Dokja guesses was ordered by his mother. Rather than answering, Boksoon just immediately becomes absolutely ripped and attacks Dokja, who declares he won't hold back either. Though he doesn't particularly care about respecting the elderly, he still thinks some politeness is required. However, Dokja believes that this time is an exception.
Thanks to the increase in stats from Jungyeong's protection, Dokja easily dodges her punch and launches one of his own, sending her crashing to the ground. As Dokja stands over her unconscious body, a member of the wanderers yells in an effort to rally people to stop him.
As much as Kim Dokja hated that everyone else had gotten dragged into the conflict, it made sense. It should have stayed as a fight only between Yoo Joonghyuk and her, but knowing the rest of the group, they had likely jumped into action too. Naturally, that would mean that Cho Youngran and Lee Boksoon would have done the same, and things would have only escalated from there. Thus, upon seeing those groups starting to fight, the rest of the Wanderers and the people from Paradise would obviously follow their respective 'leaders'.
[a few constellations are wondering if the incarnation 'kim dokja' will fight the incarnation 'lee boksoon'.]
"Oh no…" Lee Hyunsung muttered, looking genuinely distressed. Clearly, the idea of having to fight the elderly lady who he had gotten to know in Peace Land wasn't one that he liked whatsoever.
Kim Dokja grimaced. "I'm not worth this much trouble."
If she had only talked to him—if she had explained the prophecy she had seen rather than trapping him by force—then maybe they could have avoided all these casualties. If she wasn't essentially holding him captive, then Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't have been willing to fight. It was still a strange thought to wrap his head around, but Kim Dokja had to accept it.
"We want you to be safe, Dokja-ssi, but I have to agree," Yoo Sangah sighed. "There had to be a better way than this."
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is sighing at the foolishness of the incarnations.]
As Kim Dokja thought about his respect for the elderly, Han Sooyoung snorted. "Good. I'd have to smack you if you let stupid shit like that get in the way."
"In this kind of world, a child or a senior citizen can be more dangerous than a regular adult, after all," Kim Dokja said with a shrug and a telling glance at the two kids at his side. Considering the fact that they had a whole dragon under their command now, those two were probably the most terrifying children in all of Korea in the future.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is cheering excitedly.]
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is pleased by the actions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
He had to be grateful that his stats were increased like that. Even though he was probably strong enough to dodge Lee Boksoon on his own, extra stats were never a bad thing—especially not after using [Electrification] and likely draining most of his mana again.
She clicked her tongue as Kim Dokja sent the old woman crashing to the ground, unconscious, but Kim Dokja couldn't allow himself to care. As nice as Lee Boksoon was, she was still one of her followers, and therefore Kim Dokja couldn't trust her right now.
As the other wanderers tried to rally together to prevent Kim Dokja from going any further, Lee Gilyoung just huffed with a grin. "You're not going to be able to stop hyung so easily!"
God, Kim Dokja hoped that was true.