Though many group members looked a bit nervous, despite Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk's confidence (albeit a bit feigned on Kim Dokja's part), Lee Jihye was just enthusiastic.
"I have faith in you, Master! You're gonna give that dream eater thing hell!" she cheered, grinning widely.
At least someone was genuinely optimistic here.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is hoping for the plan to be successful.]
God Kim Dokja hoped so too.
Running around to try and find a weak spot on the main body, Dokja watches as Joonghyuk confronts the 'Devourer of Dreams', holding him off while Jungyeong gathers strength. Jungyeong sighs and grumbles when he feels them reach the limit of what Dokja's body can handle. As Dokja asks about the plan, Jungyeong explains that he'll use the Third Sword Style and hope it gives up, reiterating that he promised to protect Dokja. They can't be sure that even this much strength will actually hurt the body or cut all the tentacles, after all.
When Dokja remarks that he seems to be relying on luck, the warrior speaks up. "I know the 'Demon of the Horizon."
Cheok Jungyeong knows about the 'Demon of the Horizon.'?
This makes Dokja's eyes widen as he looks towards Joonghyuk to see if the other man can hear their conversation, but the man is too busy darting around a tentacle while deftly slashing wounds upon its surface to overhear.
"Well, it's probably for the best that the protagonist takes over the distraction," Han Sooyoung pointed out with a wry smile. "The constellation possessing him aside, that guy doesn't exactly have… presence in comparison."
Kim Dokja knew he wasn't exactly striking—especially not when put next to Yoo Joonghyuk, of all people—but he had hoped that his newly found charisma would count for something. Despite his grumbles, though, he couldn't disagree with her words. If he was the Outer God, he'd also be paying closer attention to Yoo Joonghyuk rather than himself.
Lee Hyunsung glanced around nervously. "It's okay, Dokja-ssi! You have your own charm."
… Thanks.
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is hoping that gathering strength will not take too long.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in excitement.]
"Come on…" Jung Heewon muttered as Kim Dokja's body began quickly reaching its limits. "You can't give in now!"
Lee Seolhwa just grimaced, clearly running through a mental list of all the things that were probably slowly failing in his body already. Between his busted arm and the coughing up blood issue, yeah, Kim Dokja was probably going to have to do a full reset or else he'd be stuck recovering for way too long, even with healing items.
As Cheok Jungyeong explained the plan, though, Shin Yoosung gasped. "But he said your body can't handle that one!"
He did, but it wasn't like they had much of a choice here.
"I'll heal, don't worry," Kim Dokja told her, internally remarking that even if he died, it would be okay anyway.
Yoo Sangah frowned deeply, glancing nervously at Kim Dokja after a moment. "So… even using something that strong won't defeat it? If his goal is just to repel it and make it give up, then you don't need to try and kill it. It seems like a good plan, but are Outer Gods capable of feeling something like fear or knowing when they should retreat?"
Well, that was a complicated question. Kim Dokja sighed, but did his best to answer anyway. "Some of them can—the higher ranked ones, specifically, since they're less instinct-driven—but most of them aren't likely to retreat unless they're certain that they're outclassed. Most Outer Gods are much more powerful than an average constellation, let alone incarnations, so they usually tend to just go on the offensive and only pull back when the probability is balanced again."
[a few constellations are angrily grumbling about the 'outer gods'.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is nodding in approval of the plan of the constellation 'goryeo's first sword'.]
A moment later, Cheok Jungyeong brought up a new and interesting topic that made Kim Dokja's eyes widen in shock. He knew the Demon of the Horizon…?
"That sounds familiar," Lee Gilyoung muttered, frowning as he wracked his brain for the answer.
Suddenly, Lee Seolhwa made a noise of understanding. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that the demon who sent the Disaster of Floods to our world?"
"You're correct," Yoo Joonghyuk replied, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "That is not a being that anyone should seek out."
Kim Dokja sighed, getting lost in thought for a moment. The people who made deals with the Demon of the Horizon were the truly desperate—those who had no other choice. However, under the circumstances in both cases (since surely it was only through the demon's assistance that Cheok Jungyeong had escaped to another world), it was their last resort in a desperate situation.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is feeling distrustful of the 'demon of the horizon'.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is humming contemplatively.]
It was probably a good thing that Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't overhearing this conversation in the future, especially with his vengeful tendencies that had come to light in the fifth scenario. He'd probably demand to be told all the information as soon as the fight was over, and then recklessly take off on his own only to spiral into yet another sunfishy death.
Whatever the case, Kim Dokja definitely wanted to know just what the constellation had in mind. Maybe he'd be able to work with it somehow—factor it into other plans—and emerge unscathed from the bullshit Fate that had been imposed on him.
Meanwhile, Jungyeong explains to Dokja that he'll ask the 'Demon of the Horizon' to send Dokja to another world as it's a loophole where he'd temporarily be able to survive—there's no time limit on the ninth scenario, but Dokja will have to fend for himself after escaping this world. Asking what the Demon of the Horizon is like, however, makes Jungyeong give a vague answer and a warning about meeting him.
The 'Demon of the Horizon'. He's the one who sent the 41st turn Shin Yoosung here, and he's also the one who supplies the dokkaebi with 'Disasters'.
Brushing off his injuries after a heavy hit, Joonghyuk grits his teeth and rushes back in while Dokja asks if others would be able to escape with him. After all, if he runs away, everyone here will be eaten by the 'Devourer of Dreams' and their stories will be consumed. When Jungyeong tells him that it's not his business and that Dokja should focus on keeping himself alive instead because probability won't allow that many people to be transported, Dokja instead proposes his own idea—that with Jungyeong's help, they might even be able to kill the Outer God which cannot be bested by the sword.
As the constellation explained his plan, Han Sooyoung groaned. "What the fuck? Are you gonna end up taking a goddamn interdimensional vacation while the rest of us are stuck here?"
That sure seemed to be what he was going for, but Kim Dokja wasn't entirely sold on the plan. For one, it wasn't like those worlds would necessarily be any safer in the first place, and he already felt ridiculously guilty at the idea of being the only one to escape.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is declaring that visiting other worlds is cool.]
"He does have a point, Dokja-ssi," Lee Hyunsung pointed out, sounding concerned. "You won't have a time limit in this scenario, and there was that prophecy that said you'd live if you don't move onto the tenth scenario, so…"
So what?
"I'm not doing something like that," Kim Dokja retorted firmly. "Not alone, at least."
Yoo Mia stared at him skeptically. "You're stupid, ahjussi."
"Huh?" Kim Dokja didn't understand. How was wanting all of them to go together stupid?
"Ahjumma is too selfish, and you're not selfish enough sometimes," the girl continued with a huff, looking away as she pouted. "So yeah. You're stupid."
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him, then. "You are a fool, Kim Dokja."
How!? Why was it such a problem that he didn't want to be selfish!?
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is telling the incarnation 'kim dokja' to prioritize himself for once.]
It's not like he was trying to die… still, he didn't particularly want to try and negotiate with the Demon of the Horizon on his own, either. He might be good at scamming, but Kim Dokja knew that the level of risk would shoot up the second that he began bargaining with his life on the line.
Sighing, Kim Dokja glanced at the others. "Have you ever considered the possibility that I could end up as a Disaster for that other world if I take this option? There's always going to be a catch."
Shin Yoosung went completely still, staring at the floor with a pale face and distraught expression. Though he hated even raising the possibility of that situation, especially after what had happened to the 41st Shin Yoosung, it wasn't something that he could rule out. If that was the case, then countless incarnations of that other world might very well try to kill him the second he arrived anyway.
"But you don't know for sure, hyung," Lee Gilyoung pointed out, glancing over at Shin Yoosung as he did. A moment later, his voice dropped to a whisper as he looked away sheepishly. "Unless the sooty bastard did that in the book or something."
Kim Dokja shook his head, ruffling both kids' hair. "No, he never did. You're right that I can't be completely certain, but I'd rather prepare for the worst."
Still, his most important question hadn't been answered yet, and he pressured Cheok Jungyeong to tell him if he'd be able to bring the whole group with him to this other world. There was no way in hell he was willingly leaving them here alone if he had any other option.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is praising the good intentions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja knew what fate would await everyone if he ran away here, and he didn't want to let it happen. Yoo Joonghyuk was strong, yes, but he wouldn't be able to hold off the Outer God on his own. If he died, then everything would be over, so Kim Dokja couldn't run no matter what happened.
Lee Jihye sputtered in offense as the constellation told Kim Dokja that it wasn't his business whether everyone else survived. "Hey, I thought you were supposed to be nice! Screw probability…"
Unfortunately, no matter how much Kim Dokja could hope that they'd all be allowed to flee, there was no way anyone would be able to afford that kind of cost right now.
[some constellations are frowning at the constellation 'goryeo's first sword'.]
"You have a way to kill it," Yoo Joonghyuk said, raising a perfect eyebrow in his way of showing surprise. Perhaps he was doubtful of Kim Dokja's shaky confidence, especially with how they had been barely managing so far.
Kim Dokja sighed. "It won't be pleasant, but so long as we can injure its main body enough, everything will go smoothly from there."
Jung Heewon looked at Kim Dokja in silence for a moment, her lips curving into a frown. "Why do I have the feeling that this is going to be another stupidly dangerous idea?"
Well, it was made by a sunfish, so of course it wasn't going to be without risk. Then again, nothing was completely safe these days anyway, so what did it matter?
Dokja darts through a gap in the tentacles, grimacing at the destruction around him. If he gets hit, Dokja knows that he will instantly die regardless of the constellation defending him. Joonghyuk, on the other hand, gathers energy in his palm—a sphere which looks very much like a ras█ngan—before shooting it forwards. The energy attack creates several holes directly through the tentacles, causing a shockwave.
Paying keen attention, Jungyeong recognizes this as an opening for them to attack and instructs Dokja to go as the 'Devourer of Dreams' screams out gratingly in pain. Though he sweats heavily, Dokja activates [Electrification] as he remembers the instructions he gave Jungyeong—to injure the Outer God's true body and toss Dokja in. It's the only method Dokja can think of, and it's one that will only work because their enemy is the 'Devourer of Dreams' and not any other Outer God.
Though Jungyeong had been doubtful, even going so far as to remind Dokja that the 'good-looking guy' had been right that he won't survive being eaten, Dokja had remained confident. Even if he chooses to escape with Jungyeong and the Demon of the Horizon's help, he knows that there will be nothing left for him if he does—it would be a rejection of everything he had built up so far.
"Please be careful, Dokja-ssi," Yoo Sangah pleaded as Kim Dokja darted forward towards the Devourer of Dreams. Kim Dokja was grimacing at all the close calls, but he couldn't change anything if he wanted to.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is contemplating vodka.]
Still, Kim Dokja couldn't focus on his own near-misses when Yoo Joonghyuk was doing something cool again. Ugh, what right did that man have to look so good even in the middle of a decidedly one-sided fight like this? Despite all odds, the protagonist was giving his all to playing the role of the decoy, using flashy attacks that had only ever been used on extremely rare occasions in TWSA. God, it was so cool to get to see them in person…
Yoo Mia let out a gleeful laugh as the blast carved holes in the tentacles, grabbing her brother for a hug. He seemed a bit startled at first by her enthusiasm, but Yoo Joonghyuk's expression softened only a moment later as he hugged her back.
Thankfully, that was enough to create the promised opening. Clenching his fists and his jaw, Kim Dokja watched nervously as he activated Kyrgios' [Bookmark] to allow himself to zip forward as quickly as possible. This was going to suck, but he had no other choice.
[many constellations are cheering on the incarnations 'kim dokja' and 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
When a small flashback explaining his plan began, however, Kim Dokja cursed under his breath.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is horrified by this turn of events.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is not pleased by the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[many constellations are wondering if the incarnation 'kim dokja' is right in the head.]
Within a second, Yoo Joonghyuk rounded on him with a mix of fury and something that almost looked like concern flickering in his eyes. "What do you think you're doing, Kim Dokja."
"Do you think I'd be doing this if I had any other ideas?" Kim Dokja retorted sarcastically, but his expression was grim.
"Fuck, I hate to agree with that bastard, but why the fuck would you ever go inside it!?" Han Sooyoung shrieked, looking extremely grossed out. "You have to have a death wish. There's no other explanation."
Nodding solemnly, Lee Seolhwa had to add her own two cents. "I'm obviously no expert in Outer Gods, but entering inside any creature's body in any way doesn't seem like a good idea."
Kim Dokja really wanted to sigh. She was correct, but he really didn't have another choice. This was the one option he knew for a fact would work.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is declaring that the incarnation 'kim dokja' shouldn't die in such a pathetically stupid way.]
"This isn't even my idea," Kim Dokja pointed out before shooting a very obvious look in the protagonist's direction, hoping that they'd get the hint. If they were going to blame anyone for having stupid ideas, blame the guy who came up with it first!
Jung Heewon stared at him blankly. "Did you really think that would make us any more confident, Dokja-ssi? Because it doesn't."
… Okay, fair. Dying over 1800 times wasn't exactly a great track record on that front.
"At least that constellation is smart enough to know that Master is handsome," Lee Jihye muttered, still clearly annoyed about what had happened earlier. "But ahjussi, you need to start listening to Master more, too. You probably don't even have that much nutritional value, anyway!"
What kind of new bullshit was this?
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is greatly entertained by the words of the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is grumbling that the incarnation 'kim dokja' needs to eat more.]
"It'll be fine, I promise," Kim Dokja sighed, choosing to ignore whatever Lee Jihye had said. "I'm not going to run away, and I'm not going to die because of this plan. Trust me."
The kids hugged him a bit tighter in response, but Kim Dokja really didn't want to think about the half-hearted hums and mutters of agreement from everyone else. They really had no confidence in him, did they?
Using [Electrification] to close the distance between them, Dokja appears directly in front of the Outer God's gaping maw. A terrified smile grows on his face as his thoughts spiral in fear.
No matter what I do, I cannot defeat that being. I will die.
"Foolish constellation," Jungyeong states as he matches his hands with Dokja's, slowly taking control, "I happen to quite like you, so don't die."
On the ground and recovering, Joonghyuk watches as the two constellations raise the sword. All of Jungyeong's stories gather in the blade, increasing its length to over 30 meters. It's a power that transcends Dokja's mana and stories, but this is what has to be done.
"Oh yeah, that's so reassuring when your future self literally thinks he's going to die," Han Sooyoung pointed out with a doubtful look. "Where the fuck did all that confidence go?"
Kim Dokja just glared at her for a second. "You try getting that close to an Outer God and then get back to me on that."
Lee Hyunsung nodded, looking nervous. "I can't blame Dokja-ssi for it, really. The rest of us basically passed out the second it showed up, so it makes sense."
[the constellation 'master of steel' is agreeing with the words of his incarnation.]
Thankfully, Cheok Jungyeong stepped in and carefully took control of Kim Dokja's body. As a constellation far stronger than Kim Dokja currently was, the effect of the Outer God wouldn't be as severe on him in the first place.
"You can't die, ahjussi," Shin Yoosung whispered as she buried her face in the robe once more. "You can't."
Kim Dokja would certainly try his best, but right now, what mattered was what was happening on the screen. Trying to channel that amount of power through Kim Dokja's body was going to be absolute hell on his incarnation form, but that's just what would have to happen to succeed.
[many constellations are impressed by the power of the constellation 'goryeo's first sword'.]
[the constellation 'guam divine doctor' is concerned about the well being of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
This was a sword made to cut the sea.
For years, Jungyeong had watched the sea from dawn till dusk until he saw the 'target'—one line that distorted the balance of time and space, slicing and splitting the water. The sound of crashing waves match the imagery as Jungyeong taunts the Outer God, swinging his sword while declaring his name and duty to cut it down. As he yells, many tentacles rush to attack him, but the blade swings first.
For a moment, the screen looks like it has a clean slice across it before it erupts into a brilliant tide, the waves separating like the tentacles which are severed from the body and fall to the ground with a crash.
Lee Jihye let out a sigh. "Okay, I have to admit, that's really cool."
Clearly she thought it was more than cool, considering the excited glint in her eyes. Honestly, if she wasn't so devoted to Yoo Joonghyuk as his student, then Kim Dokja wouldn't be surprised if she begged Cheok Jungyeong to teach her too.
[several constellations are interested in the training method of the constellation 'goryeo's first sword'.]
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is praising the habit of practicing diligently.]
Just like in his training, the constellation focused on that singular point—a target that he would reach no matter what. Just as he declared, he was Cheok Jungyeong, and he would cut down this Outer God if it was the last thing he did. That kind of dedication was admirable, and few could ever follow through on it consistently.
In that moment, Kim Dokja was more glad than ever that 'Goryeo's First Sword' had answered his call in that cave. There were very few other historical-grade constellations who would be willing to go so far, and the only other one who might be able to pull off something of this magnitude was the Maritime War God. Unfortunately, without water nearby, he wouldn't be as effective as Cheok Jungyeong currently was.
"Holy shit," Jung Heewon gasped as the screen itself seemed to be severed by the power of the constellation's attack, and she joined the kids in cheering as it was revealed that several tentacles had been cut off by that single slash. Even Yoo Mia joined in, looking exhilarated as she clung to her brother.
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is laughing confidently.]
Kim Dokja had to fight to keep a grin off his face too. Despite all odds, this just might work.