Despite Shin Yoosung's quiet crying from his side, Kim Dokja couldn't do anything that would reasonably calm her in any meaningful way. He wasn't upset about this outcome and, in fact, he had realized what needed to be done the second that he noticed the original Demon King was dead.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
A whirlwind emerges from the jade, completely engulfing Dokja as it restores his strength and increases it to new heights. As he succeeds the power of the Demon King, not only are the reactions of his companions and the newly awakened Joonghyuk shown, but also those of Bihyung and Sookyung, who watch from the previous floor and the bureau, respectively.
In the viewing room, all the dokkaebi quickly move to discuss Dokja's status as a 'Fable-Grade' constellation. As his stigma is unlocked, he is also declared as a corrupted constellation thanks to the power of the jade.
A corrupted constellation. That's the name the Star Stream uses to refer to the Demon Kings.
As the wind starts to settle, the group gathers around Gilyoung, all looking forward in devastation as the boy falls to his knees. On the other side of the room, Joonghyuk has just barely managed to push himself to a kneeling position, his desperate gaze locked on the figure emerging from the cyclone.
As Kim Dokja watched as the power began to emerge from the jade, he knew that he would be fine. Even though it would inevitably hurt physically when everyone was forced to attack him, at least he had [The Fourth Wall] to help him endure it until he would eventually be vanquished.
"Damn it," Han Sooyoung cursed under her breath, and for a second Kim Dokja wondered if she was actually upset on his behalf. Of course, that idea went out the window the second she opened her mouth again. "Why the hell did it restore his strength, huh? It should have left him the way he was!"
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is annoyed at the unfairness of the scenario.]
Yeah, maybe he should have expected that one. Regardless, Kim Dokja knew that he would rather deal with more of Han Sooyoung's ranting than bring himself to look back at his mother's expression. Seeing it on the screen was bad enough.
Lee Hyunsung sniffled as the dokkaebi's expression appeared on the screen as well. "Even Bihyung cares…"
Maybe 'care' was a bit of an optimistic description, but it was still odd that he had that kind of expression on his face. It was probably just the dokkaebi being attached to the incarnation that was making him so many coins.
Then, Kim Dokja's eyes widened in surprise as his status was announced. "I'm… a fable-grade?"
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is congratulating the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is acknowledging the hard work of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[many constellations of the korean peninsula are feeling proud to have another constellation in their ranks.]
"That's cool and all, but you're corrupted already!?" Jung Heewon asked in disbelief and worry. "How is that going to affect you?"
Kim Dokja looked away a bit awkwardly. "Well, I'm a Demon King in name only right now, so I'm just corrupted by the demonic power of this scenario rather than being considered a 'real' Demon King."
"Right," Yoo Sangah mused quietly, "you said before that the 73rd isn't a 'true' Demon King."
Precisely. This was like… the convenience store version of a Demon King, for lack of a better description.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is feeling upset.]
Uriel would be fine eventually, even though it must feel awful for her to see an incarnation who she had supported go down this path—willingly or not.
"I still don't like this, hyung," Lee Gilyoung admitted quietly, looking up at Kim Dokja sadly as the rest of the group gathered around his on-screen self.
"I'm sorry, Gilyoung-ah," Kim Dokja replied, knowing full well that the apology was half-hearted. He couldn't be truly sorry for what he had done, even if he regretted the circumstances.
If it was hard seeing Lee Gilyoung and everyone else looking that horrified, then it got ten times more difficult for Kim Dokja's heart when the scene suddenly shifted to show that Yoo Joonghyuk had regained consciousness in time to witness this.
His eyes were wide and shaking, his expression unguarded and stunned. Yoo Joonghyuk looked like he was teetering on the knife's edge between fury and utter devastation as he kneeled on the broken ground, holding his side and clearly in pain. Kim Dokja had to look away.
He couldn't look at Yoo Joonghyuk looking so desperate and broken because of him.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is wailing in despair.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is urging the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk' to get up.]
What is immediately apparent is the black veins stretching across Dokja's face and the spiraling crimson horns that extend from his head. His eyes snapping open, Dokja looks down with apathetic red irises. With a whoosh of air, he pumps his newly grown ebony wings, spreading them wide. Coming off the wing bone, a pitch black bat claw gleams in the light from the broken roof. As Dokja rises into the air, the natural lighting from above reflects off the top feathers, making them appear almost pure white and angelic, while the feathers trailing below him are pitch black, still lit by the crimson glow through the windows—like this, Dokja appears more akin to a divine sin.
"Everyone, please get up. You all remember how to defeat a Demon King, don't you?" Dokja calmly asks, making Yoosung cup her hands over her mouth as she bursts into tears behind Sangah, who is busy trying to comfort the distraught Gilyoung. Dokja looks at them all and smiles, knowing that even though the nebulae likely think that everything is going as planned and that he'll die here, Dokja has been planning to escape his fate for the past three days.
Looking up at the dazzling sunlight shining down upon him, Dokja laughs, knowing that today is the day that 'incarnation Kim Dokja' will die. "Now, let's start the final scenario."
[many constellations are shocked by the appearance of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is thinking that the incarnation 'kim dokja' looks pretty cool.]
Lee Seolhwa looked conflicted for a moment before quietly admitting, "I wonder if any of these changes will permanently affect how Dokja-ssi's body works…"
For a moment, Kim Dokja blinked in her direction in utter confusion. Then, he glanced back at the screen and realized just what she was talking about. Horns, massive wings, pointed ears and sharpened claws. He looked so different with these additions—menacing, almost.
"Why do you have to look cool when we're going to have to fight you, ahjussi?" Lee Jihye sighed, clearly trying to hold back her preemptive grief that was threatening to break free.
Well, he supposed that he did kind of look cool…
"You look like some teenager's angsty OC. So cliché…" Han Sooyoung muttered, and Kim Dokja decided that he was going to ignore her for the next little bit, thanks.
[constellations who like literature are wondering what an 'oc' is.]
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is letting out a low whistle.]
Lee Hyunsung looked down in despair, tears already gathering at the corners of his eyes, and Jung Heewon patted his shoulder consolingly even as her expression looked grim.
"You would look better if you just turned into an angel, ahjussi," Shin Yoosung muttered, and Kim Dokja had to restrain the impulsive chuckle that nearly escaped him.
Him, an angel? Yeah, that would never happen. Just like how he had known earlier that he wasn't in heaven because of Han Sooyoung being there, that was just extra confirmation of what he already knew—even if he did believe in a heaven, he sure as hell wouldn't be going there.
"You're mean, ahjussi," Yoo Mia said quietly yet petulantly.
Maybe he was, but it was necessary right now.
The girl shot him a quick glare. "Is this why you were making everyone practice without you?"
Kim Dokja blinked in surprise. It was true that he hadn't been participating in the one training session they had seen on-screen, but he had also been trying to drag Han Sooyoung back at the time. That didn't mean that he had never practiced…
"I don't know," is all he could say, but he knew it wouldn't be enough for her.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is wondering just how much the incarnation 'kim dokja' had planned.]
[some constellations are considering the intentions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
A moment later, Kim Dokja's narration revealed that he had been planning his escape for the past few days, and he supposed that confirmed his intentions. He could feel Yoo Joonghyuk's intense stare burning into the side of his head, but he couldn't bring himself to meet it right now.
Yoo Sangah instantly looked significantly more relieved, at least. "In that case, Dokja-ssi should be able to pass the scenario with us somehow!"
Ah… just because he was planning on escaping his death because of his Fate didn't mean that he'd be able to just walk out of the Dark Castle. In fact, Kim Dokja was certain that wouldn't be possible.
[some constellations of the nebula 'olympus' are scoffing at the audacity of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is wishing for the incarnation 'kim dokja' to succeed.]
The day that 'incarnation Kim Dokja' would die. So that's what he was betting on.
If he did this right, then 'constellation Kim Dokja' should technically be fine, even if his incarnation form was destroyed.
Suddenly, Yoo Joonghyuk spoke, drawing his attention with his deep yet slightly vulnerable-sounding voice. "You are a cruel man, Kim Dokja."
Kim Dokja looked down with a small, sad smile on his lips. Perhaps he was cruel, but it was for the best. There was no time to waste, not when failure meant all of their deaths, and Kim Dokja had to urge them into action as soon as he could.
As the camera appears to circle Dokja, details that weren't as prominent before—such as his black clawed fingers, darkened veins, and elongated ears—come into view as he exudes a powerful aura. Additionally, his body has grown several times in size, and Dokja notices all these things as he looks at his faint reflection on the polished stone wall. Stumbling to her feet, Sangah screams that the situation doesn't make any sense, while Jihye demands to know what they should do now.
Keeping his voice even, Dokja informs them that they now must defeat him. Their shocked expressions—including Pildu who looks the most taken aback by the plot twist—flash across the screen. By the wall, Joonghyuk still coughs up more blood.
[some constellations are considering new ideas for their incarnation forms.]
To be completely fair, Kim Dokja would agree that seeing more constellations with more menacing features would be really interesting under normal circumstances. It just felt weird when they were only considering something like that because of his transformation.
"Ahjussi, you got bigger?" Lee Jihye gasped, her eyes wide in shock. "Is this because bosses in video games are usually huge?"
Well, that wasn't impossible. Kim Dokja had never played any MMOs while growing up because they were far too pricey, but he recalled seeing something like that in videos on occasion.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is declaring that it is because the incarnation 'kim dokja' is too scrawny to be a proper demon king.]
Wow, thanks.
When he felt Shin Yoosung shift next to him, Kim Dokja looked down at her. "Are you alright, Yoosung-ah? I don't look too scary or anything?"
She shook her head. "You don't look scary, ahjussi. I just feel sad when I look at you on the screen."
Ah, so she wasn't okay. Well, Kim Dokja supposed that he should have expected that. This scenario was going to be rough on all of them, no matter how emotionally resilient they were.
[the constellation 'defense master' is looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja' with a grim expression.]
"God," Jung Heewon said in an exhausted voice as she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palms. "You can be such an asshole sometimes, you know that right?"
"I'm sorry," Kim Dokja replied, knowing that he couldn't deny her accusation.
It would take every single one of them to weaken him enough for Yoo Joonghyuk to land the decisive blow, and Kim Dokja took no pleasure in making them do this. He had no other choice, and neither did they.
As the first phase of the fight begins, Dokja cracks his knuckles and tells his party to get started as only thirty minutes remain. This is immediately met by a chorus of refusals, annoying Dokja as he reminds them that he's Kim Dokja and that he always returns from death. As Hyunsung hesitantly asks if he'll come back this time, concerned because of what Joonghyuk had said earlier, Dokja retorts that Joonghyuk was saying it to provoke him.
His arms spread like a divine prophet addressing the people, the light shines down on Dokja from above as he preaches for them to believe in him, telling them that this is the most ideal solution to this scenario. In that instant, he appears more like a sacrificial angel who has fallen from grace to become their salvation, knowing that in order to grasp it, their hands must become stained with his blood.
Dokja subtly sends a signal to Sooyoung, getting her to read his lips, and he tells her that she must take charge because she's the only one who can. Compared to everyone else, he knows that she's the most realistic and decisive one here, and so she must be the one to make the first move that will propel the others into taking action as well. Gritting her teeth, Sooyoung mutters that he's always like this before asking if Dokja really thinks of her as some sort of emotionless monster. Clenching her hands into fists, she turns to the others and tells them all to snap out of it because they have to kill Dokja in order to live.
"Only thirty minutes…" Lee Hyunsung muttered as he stared at the screen in despair.
Even though they had practiced, Kim Dokja had the feeling that it would take almost the entire time to complete the scenario. It wasn't because his friends weren't strong, but rather that they'd instinctively hesitate and pull their punches unless he managed to convince them otherwise.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is hesitantly reminding the incarnations that lying is bad.]
Han Sooyoung sighed dramatically, shooting a tired glare in his direction. "I know why you're lying to us, but that's such a shitty thing to do."
Kim Dokja knew that. Even if he managed to escape the Fate in the way he was guessing that he would accomplish it, he wouldn't be able to return quickly. Perhaps it was cruel to give them that hope only to inevitably end up ripping it away, but he had no other choice.
As his future self told Lee Hyunsung that Yoo Joonghyuk was just trying to provoke him, though, Kim Dokja could instantly feel the protagonist's intense gaze land on him.
"Kim Dokja, you can lie about anything else," Yoo Joonghyuk said in a voice that sounded as though he was barely holding back intense fury, "but do not misconstrue my words."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is insisting that the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk' said it out of concern for his companion.]
Kim Dokja's chest hurt. "Joonghyuk-ah, I—"
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't care and cut him off without a second thought. "Tell me, are you being purposely obtuse, or do you really not understand that I do not want you dead?"
With a sigh, Kim Dokja looked down at the ground. "I know that you don't. I just can't afford to have anyone hesitate when all of your lives are on the line too."
He knew that was something that Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't argue against, not when Kim Dokja had willingly stepped into his place as the sacrifice. Personal feelings, regardless of what they were, didn't matter when compared to their survival.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is shaking his head sadly.]
[several constellations are gasping in awe at the ploy of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Yoo Sangah bit her lip nervously. "I… really don't like the imagery of this scene."
"You've got that right," Han Sooyoung muttered with an annoyed frown on her face.
Lee Gilyoung looked over at Yoo Sangah, seeming a bit hesitant. "What do you mean, noona?"
"I'm not religious, but this scene is portraying Dokja-ssi as an almost divine figure, even though the black wings make him look sinister," Yoo Sangah admitted. "It's almost as though he's compelling us to trust his words, even though we know that they're lies. And then, there's the fact that we can't see Dokja-ssi's full face here."
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is scratching his head in confusion.]
"How is that different from usual?" Yoo Mia wondered quietly, clearly remembering that everyone in the future still saw him as having a blurry face.
Yoo Sangah hummed for a moment, thinking of the best way to word it. "I suppose it just feels like the scene is meant to create distance between the Dokja-ssi that we know and who he is right now."
"Oh, I get it," Lee Seolhwa murmured. "It's almost like a reminder that we need to see him as the Demon King, and not as Dokja-ssi."
If they could do that, then maybe it would be for the best. Clearly, his future self had to set off the chain of events that would lead to his death, and there was only one person who could do it. If this had been before, then maybe Kim Dokja would have hoped for Yoo Joonghyuk to take charge and commence the attack, but he wasn't the one who had personally taken his life before without hesitation.
The second that he looked at Han Sooyoung to do what needed to be done, she clicked her tongue. "Fuck you."
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cheering on his incarnation.]
"I don't think you're a monster," Kim Dokja told her the second that her future self commented about it. "You're just the least attached to me, and I trust that you can take charge right now."
Han Sooyoung cursed under her breath again, but she didn't deny it. Knowing himself, this was the real reason that he had gone out of his way to find her and drag her onto the team. Thankfully, his preparations were paying off.
When Gilyoung tries to scramble away, vehemently against attacking Dokja, Sooyoung picks him up by the hood of his sweater. Calling him a stupid brat, she asks if he's going to die instead. Dropping him, she calls them all to stop acting like hypocrites if they're not willing to sacrifice themselves.
"Since he bit the bullet to sacrifice himself for us, then just say thank you and start swinging your weapons!" With that she summons several avatars, sending them off to attack while stating that even though she doesn't know whether Dokja will come back to life or not, the only thing that is certain is that if they don't kill him within 30 minutes, they'll be the ones who end up dead.
When the first avatar reaches Dokja, leaping forward to strike with her dagger, Dokja whispers a word of thanks.
The screen suddenly flashes to show a white field where Dokja stands alone, looking off into the distance.
Lee Gilyoung shot a weak glare in Han Sooyoung's direction. "Hey! I'm not a brat!"
Han Sooyoung just snorted. "Whatever you say, Brat number 1."
Normally, Kim Dokja was sure that the kid would have put up more of a fight, but right now Lee Gilyoung just slumped back onto Kim Dokja's side. He really wasn't handling any of this well…
[a few constellations are snickering.]
"Your words are harsh, Sooyoung-ssi, but you're right," Lee Hyunsung admitted sorrowfully after Han Sooyoung told them all to start attacking. "We don't have much time."
At least that was one thing that was consistent when it came to Han Sooyoung—she was reliable when it came to things like this because of her selfish desire to live no matter what happened. Kim Dokja didn't care how she did it, she just had to rile everyone up and get them to move.
This was a life or death situation, and one guaranteed death was better than eleven.
As Han Sooyoung leaped into action and his future self thanked her, she grimaced. "Fuck, don't thank me! I don't want to throw my life away pathetically, so I wasn't about to just stand around and watch the time run out."
Even though she didn't seem to want to stick with a group for long, Kim Dokja hoped that she'd at least stay in contact with everyone after this. Her knowledge of the future, albeit incomplete, would be useful in his absence.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is wondering about the sudden scene change.]
Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes in confusion. That had to be some kind of imagery added by the recording, though he didn't know its purpose. However, he couldn't help but be reminded of his own words as he stood alone in a blank, white field. Perhaps that was his mind retreating to the snow garden that had always protected him as a child, isolating himself from the horrors of the world outside its endless expanse.
If that was true, then maybe it would be a mercy.
Sooyoung grits her teeth and bites her lip until it bleeds, but she swings her dagger even though it won't deal much damage.
As Sooyoung appears beside Dokja in the field, speaking in unheard words with random gestures, he looks down as he listens to her.
The moment the plausibility of the scenario takes control of his body, Dokja swings his sword, narrowly missing multiple avatars. In the settling dust, Sangah rationalizes that Dokja has done this all on purpose and that this is all part of his plan since he isn't the kind of person who will hurt others without thinking. Letting her tears fall as she asks if all they have to do is trust him again, she draws her daggers as well.
Knowing that this would happen, Dokja feels glad to hear her words. On the other hand, Sooyoung's lips twitch into a smile as she teases Sangah, claiming that she thought the other woman would just sit back and whine. Sangah just asks for her to be quiet as she joins in on attacking Dokja, leaving small wounds on his back and shoulders.
On Dokja's other side, Sangah walks up with a smile, joining the conversation even as Sooyoung falls silent.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is telling his incarnation to stab harder.]
"You say that like it's so easy," Han Sooyoung muttered, but she looked rather uncomfortable despite that. Kim Dokja couldn't blame her for it; he wasn't all that comfortable either.
Suddenly, the scene switched back to his lonely white field, except he wasn't alone this time. It felt… weird. Maybe this was proof that Kim Dokja was finally letting people in after so many years trying to keep everyone out, but at the same time, it was uncomfortable. That was his space, and he couldn't help but wonder if it was metaphorically being invaded.
However, Yoo Sangah spoke up a moment later. "Do you think that this strange scene could be representative of acceptance? Dokja-ssi has already accepted his fate, and Sooyoung-ssi has presumably accepted it too, now…"
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is pondering the suggestion of the incarnation 'yoo sangah'.]
Acceptance, huh? Well, if that was just what it was instead of an invasion of the safest and most private corner of his mind, then maybe it wasn't so bad.
Kim Dokja couldn't help but smile as Yoo Sangah also asked for clarification, deciding to trust him despite everything. It was true that it was part of his plan and that he didn't want to hurt any of them for no reason, but 'others' was a huge overgeneralization. Outside of this specific group of people, he really didn't give a shit.
"Dokja-ssi, you have to come back eventually after this," Lee Seolhwa told him firmly. "Don't betray our trust in you."
At that, Kim Dokja let out a soft laugh. "I wouldn't dream of it, Seolhwa-ssi."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is feeling slightly reassured.]
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is curious to know how the incarnation 'kim dokja' will accomplish that.]
Jung Heewon snickered as soon as Han Sooyoung began teasing Yoo Sangah, clearly trying to raise the mood even a bit. "Normally we'd be criticizing Dokja-ssi and Joonghyuk-ssi for bickering during a fight, but it's the two of you this time."
"Ah, well, our future selves don't particularly like each other, so it isn't a surprise," Yoo Sangah said quietly as Han Sooyoung just rolled her eyes. Lee Jihye covered her mouth as she snickered too, clearly looking excited over nothing.
"Who cares about shit like that? We've gotta work together to take this dumbass down," Han Sooyoung said, gesturing at Kim Dokja.
Yoo Sangah's expression fell, but she nodded. At that moment, she joined the two of them in that white field, and Kim Dokja had to admit that her theory was seeming more and more likely as a result.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in excitement.]
Now with only 25 minutes left, Dokja addresses Hyunsung, reminding him not to let his allies die and that he has more than one bullet casing. With an anguished scream, steel covers his body and he rushes forward, colliding with Dokja as he uses [Great Mountain Smash].
Standing beside Sooyoung in the field, Hyunsung laughs earnestly and scratches the back of his head.
Seeing the others advance, Jihye asks Dokja not to take revenge on her later as she draws her sword. Beside her, Pildu wordlessly lowers the brim of his cap and summons his fortress. Though he isn't getting hit intentionally, Dokja's body is being controlled by the scenario to follow the attack patterns of the Demon King, exactly as they had practiced.
Jihye and Pildu appear beside Sangah. Jihye stands in a relaxed pose, her hands behind her head, as she smiles. Pildu crosses his arms and looks away, but is clearly listening from the calm expression on his face.
As soon as Kim Dokja turned to Lee Hyunsung, the man started shaking his head and refusing to look at the screen. "Dokja-ssi, I… I can't!"
"You can," Kim Dokja told him calmly, "and you will. My future self knows that too, you know."
[the constellation 'master of steel' is sorrowfully encouraging his incarnation to do what has to be done.]
Lee Hyunsung flinched as he heard Kim Dokja tell him that he had other bullet casings too, and he looked extremely conflicted as his hands clenched into fists. "I don't like this at all, Dokja-ssi."
Kim Dokja couldn't help but smile as he looked at the screen. "I know."
He didn't even have to look to know that Lee Hyunsung's shoulders had slumped and that he was crying as his future self charged forward, encased in steel. He was the next one to reach acceptance, and Kim Dokja found himself relaxing somewhat as more and more people joined him in this imaginary place. Maybe it would even eventually have everyone. Wouldn't that be a sight?
"Dammit, ahjussi," Lee Jihye muttered as she sniffed back her tears. "I'm never gonna forgive you for making Master sad."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is closing his eyes solemnly.]
Yoo Joonghyuk would get over it eventually, so she didn't have to worry. Either way, Kim Dokja would return sooner or later, so he wouldn't be saying goodbye forever.
Still, Kim Dokja levelled her with an unimpressed look. "Do you seriously think I'd get revenge on you for attacking me when I asked you to do that?"
Lee Jihye froze and looked away awkwardly. "Nooooo?"
Why did she not sound sure of that?
Whatever. At the very least, in addition to her, Gong Pildu was also pulling his weight with a barrage from his fortress. This was good. The overall attack power of the team was increasing every time a new ally joined the fight, and looking at himself as he moved around like a puppet on the Star Stream's strings, Kim Dokja knew that they'd need everyone to accomplish this.
[the constellation 'defense master' is clenching his fist in anticipation.]
Yoo Mia looked at Lee Jihye in the white field and her expression softened somewhat. "You look so relaxed, unnie."
"Huh?" Lee Jihye blinked in surprise before scratching the back of her neck. "I guess I do."
It was something that she—and everyone else—deserved to experience more often.
With tears falling from his eyes, Hyunsung charges in with a scream as Jihye joins from the other side, activating her version of [Sword Song]. Thanks to their group attacks, Sooyoung manages to cut some feathers while Hyunsung lands a punch on Dokja's cheek.
Looking around, Dokja notes that it would be hard for them to defeat him in time—even if he were able to stand still and take all their attacks—without someone to land the decisive blow. Propelling himself into the air, Dokja looks down and calls out Heewon's name as she looks back at him with determination.
Heewon appears beside Hyunsung, laughing heartily as she talks to Dokja.
"You can do it, Hyunsung-oppa," Shin Yoosung cheered tearfully as Lee Hyunsung charged forward, and Kim Dokja appreciated that she was trying even though it was hard. That kid really did have a pure heart.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the growth of the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is feeling proud of his incarnation.]
"Oh, isn't that the stigma that Dokja-ssi got in the theatre dungeon?" Lee Seolhwa wondered, and Kim Dokja's eyes widened in surprise as he realized that Lee Jihye had received her second stigma. Her constellation had recognized that she was strong enough to handle it, and he hoped that she was proud of it.
"Good job," Yoo Joonghyuk told her in a slightly approving tone, and Kim Dokja could have sworn that there were stars in her eyes.
[several constellations are congratulating the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is grinning widely.]
Still, Kim Dokja couldn't help but hold his breath as more and more blows landed on his body, and he was hoping that [The Fourth Wall] was doing its job properly. Without it, this would surely hurt like hell.
"Hyung, are you saying that we're going to fail?" Lee Gilyoung asked worriedly, clutching onto his sleeve like a lifeline.
Kim Dokja shook his head. "No, we just need a bit more attack power."
When he glanced over, he met Jung Heewon's conflicted and angry gaze. She was clearly upset at him for forcing them into this position, especially now that she had realized that she would be next, but there was a resigned acceptance lingering behind it.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is shaking her head violently.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is rejecting this turn of events.]
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Jung Heewon asked tensely, and she let out a shuddering breath as Kim Dokja shook his head. If they wanted to have a chance of defeating him in time, they needed her skills and stigma.
Jung Heewon inhaled deeply and held it for a moment, closing her eyes as if to calm herself down, before finally speaking again. "I'll do it, but mark my words, you will get a protection detail when you get back or so help me."
Well, it wasn't being locked up or handcuffed to Yoo Joonghyuk, so Kim Dokja would take that as a win.
In the end, even Jung Heewon accepted what she would have to do and joined the rest of them in that field. After all, she knew as well as he did that when it came to purging evil, there was no one better for the job in the entire world than her.