Kim Dokja pointedly stared at the screen and ignored the continuous pings ringing in his head as the annoying constellation spent ridiculous amounts of coins to try and get his attention. He was not picking 'King Heungmu the Great' as his sponsor, goddammit!
His contract with Bihyung aside, picking a sponsor would not only ruin literally all of his future plans that hinged on gathering stories and becoming a constellation, but it would also suck to be stuck with a mere historical-grade constellation if he really had to eventually choose one. After all, Prisoner of the Golden Headband was right there!
[the constellation 'Secretive plotter' is looking at the constellation 'king heungmu the great'.]
And Secretive Plotter, whoever he was. At the very least, he couldn't be a historical-grade constellation, since they didn't usually have that many coins. His whole existence was a mystery, and Kim Dokja just hoped that he'd be able to find more hints about the enigma's identity.
The battlefield is silent as skeletons walk among the bodies lying motionless on the ground. As the group carefully steps over limbs and fallen weapons, Sungkook asks if they can just swipe the fallen flags—clearly his priorities are not with the breeziness of his lower half.
Dokja scurries around collecting the flags, turning his brown flag into a purple one once he has enough points. Following this, Yushin speaks up, remarking that Dokja is strange since can stay sane even after listening to a constellation's voice. Dokja replies that he has mental barriers while recalling that most early scenario incarnations would faint if they were in his place.
Yushin continues, stating that Dokja owes him a debt since he had to expend a lot of probability in order to help. Dokja says that he's grateful, but he can't help the bad feeling about where this conversation is going. His feeling is proven correct when Yushin appears in a ghostly form before Dokja's eyes, since the constellation is still inhabiting him.
"I've grown quite fond of you," the general states. "If it's okay with you, I would like to be your supporting constellation to roam this world with you."
[the constellation 'King Heungmu the Great' is looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"You said it was hard to withstand a constellation descending, but fainting or going insane just from hearing their voice!?" Jung Heewon exclaimed in shock. "Your skill must be working overtime to protect you."
Kim Dokja was so glad he had it, and it really was an impressive form of mental barrier.
He nodded and glanced over at her. "It's extremely hard on a mortal body and mind. After all, constellations are immeasurably powerful beings beyond our comprehension."
They seemed so untouchable too, as stars flickering in the distant night sky. Still, Kim Dokja knew that those stars could be reached, and that a person with enough resentment and dedication could grasp those stars and tear them down from the fucking heavens. He remembered it clearly—the sheer amount of vindictive glee that Yoo Joonghyuk had felt when he first spilled a constellation's blood with his blade. It was the proof that Yoo Joonghyuk had needed that these beings could be killed, and that he could get revenge for all his suffering.
God, the protagonist was just too cool.
[the constellation 'King Heungmu the Great' is looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja flicked away the notification right as Lee Hyunsung shot him a confused look.
"You didn't accept his offer, did you, Dokja-ssi?"
"Of course not, we can't select a sponsor until the next selection event anyway," Kim Dokja replied carefully, trying to avoid offending the constellation more than he already had.
[many constellations are affronted that the constellation 'king heungmu the great' tried to rig the next sponsor selection.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is glaring at the constellation 'king heungmu the great'.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is laughing.]
Dokja states that he must refuse, which confuses Yushin since he clearly is powerful, even claiming that his stigma could make Dokja the strongest.
Dokja agrees that his stigma is strong, but he's fully aware that it's not the most powerful stigma in existence. A pyramid showing the levels of constellations appears as Dokja mentally calls Yushin a scammer since Historical Grade constellations are the lowest level, strength-wise.
"This is not the era of the Three Kingdoms, general. You've grown old, now go back and rest," Dokja states with a sweet smile on his face, unbecoming of his thoughts. This amuses 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband'.
When there's only silence, Dokja wonders if he provoked the constellation a bit too much. Suddenly, probability sparks violently and painfully around Dokja's head as Yushin reminds him that he's still under the constellation's blessing by directly attempting to take control of his body.
"Didn't you say you had restrictions on being allowed to kill? I wonder how those restrictions work."
Sangah, noticing something is wrong as Dokja starts to keel over, walks closer to check on him, but Dokja yells for her to get away immediately. His arm shakes as it begins to draw
[several historical-grade constellations are eagerly wishing to someday be promoted to fable-grade.]
[the constellation 'king heungmu the great' is narrowing his eyes at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Han Sooyoung scoffed. "Honestly, why would you pick that constellation when you had Sun Wukong and an archangel in your first selection? Downgrade, much?"
Wow, that woman clearly had no fear of the constellations. Though they might not get along too much, Kim Dokja had to admire how ballsy that was.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is scowling.]
Was the dragon mad that she forgot about him there? Of course he'd be insulted that he wasn't included in that list of powerful constellations.
Han Sooyoung blinked once and glanced up at the ceiling with a grin. "I didn't mention you because I don't want you partnering up with that asshole. I'd make a much better bearer of the black flame, don't you agree?"
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is looking at the incarnation 'han sooyoung' with interest.]
Ah, so that was her game. She really was after the dragon as a sponsor. A bit of a weird choice, but considering her whole First Apostle thing, she was absolutely lame and delusional enough to spout the paragraphs-worth of absolute nonsense that the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon required for the activation of some of his skills.
They'd probably be two peas in a pod, honestly.
"That's not important," Yoo Mia said suddenly, shooting a quick glare at the author. "He really tried to blackmail the ugly ahjussi by holding Sangah-unnie hostage?"
Yoo Sangah looked away with an expression that seemed almost like a mix between discomfort and determination. Kim Dokja could only sigh. Did she really have to add the ugly back into that title after he had thought she dropped it?
[the constellation 'abandoned lover of the labyrinth' is glaring at the constellation 'king heungmu the great'.]
Yoo Joonghyuk, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes dangerously and it was a sight that Kim Dokja could barely tear his eyes away from.
Dokja realizes that this is the constellation's scheme to force a contract in the 'Sponsor Selection' event after the end of the Fourth Scenario. Dokja constantly refuses, mentally stating that if he was going to be forced, he would have chosen Sun Wukong in the first selection.
Dokja angrily thinks about how he treated the man with respect due to being a famous historical figure, but that this was his body. As his anger ramps up, the screen is filled with text that flows faster and faster, growing larger and larger until it encompasses everything and physically creates a wall between Dokja and the constellation.
[The Exclusive Skill 'The Fourth Wall' has been activated!]
'Get out of my body right now!'
Yushin looks shocked as he is forcibly expelled from Dokja's body, his blessing vanishing as he tries to express his shock and confusion. His voice sounds weak as he returns to the heavens. "Just what… are you?"
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is grinning pridefully.]
He was an excellent choice for a sponsor—albeit too powerful on occasion—but unfortunately Kim Dokja had no intention of selecting him next time either.
"Whoa, ahjussi, your skill is so cool," Shin Yoosung gasped as they once again watched [The Fourth Wall] work its magic. Kim Dokja's eyes glowed slightly blue as he activated his attribute and read as many of the lines of text as he could, finally confirming his theory that it was, in fact, the sentences of TWSA.
[the constellation 'scribe of heaven' examines the skill 'the fourth wall' carefully.]
"So it really is…" Kim Dokja breathed as he blinked away his increased reading speed. "I thought that [The Fourth Wall] might contain the words of the novel before, but I wasn't sure. Turns out I was right."
"It's kind of freaky that it created an actual wall of words, though," Lee Jihye muttered nervously. "Ahjumma said that the fourth wall is what divides reality and fiction, right? So maybe it's taking it really literally and building a real wall."
Han Sooyoung nodded. "I did say that, yeah."
[the eyes of the constellation 'scribe of heaven' are widening drastically.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' gasps in realization.]
What? Nothing either of them had said was new information.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' demands that the incarnation 'lee jihye' repeat her words about the wall.]
Lee Jihye frowned and tilted her head to the side slightly in confusion. "It's a wall that divides reality and fiction…?"
[the constellation 'scribe of heaven' is looking intently at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is looking searchingly at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja shivered under the heavy weight of two powerful constellations' gazes. He wracked his brain, trying to figure out why they could be so invested— oh. Oh.
Suddenly, Kim Dokja was struck by a realization that made his eyes go wide. They couldn't actually be thinking… no, there was no way. But if Metatron, of all people, was so invested, then it was a definite possibility. Still, that didn't explain why Secretive Plotter knew about the walls at all, let alone what that might entail. Hell, even Kim Dokja didn't know what the connection was; he just knew that a few of them existed.
Left with more questions than anything else, Kim Dokja frowned as countless ideas ran through his mind. He couldn't even share his troubling hypothesis with Han Sooyoung, since she hadn't read far enough to know about the walls. Still, he desperately hoped that he was wrong about this.
As Dokja pants from exhaustion, a few messages come in from 'King Heungmu the Great' stating that he is questioning Dokja's existence and that he will be watching him carefully.
As soon as the blessing leaves, so do the skeletons. Upon seeing this, Sangah asks if everything's alright now as she holds one end of a thread. The screen zooms out suddenly, showing that she bound Dokja from head to toe with her stigma. He can't move at all, and Sangah's face is burning red. Dokja realizes that she had very quickly used her intelligence to find a solution, but still… did she have to tie him up with intricate knots?
As Dokja begins to question her, she explains that she couldn't just leave, and that she had felt that she would be attacked if she was nearby anyways. Dokja just laughs and praises her quick thinking, even telling her to do the same thing again if he ever starts acting strange in the future.
Despite his praise, Sangah panics and tries to untie him as quickly as she can. The screen slowly zooms out until it reveals the back of someone's head as they hide just behind the corner of a nearby building.
"Ah, sorry again for tying you up like that…" Yoo Sangah said sheepishly, but Kim Dokja shook his head.
"No, Sangah-ssi, you made the right choice. While he was in my body, there was a definite chance that he could have actually hurt or killed you."
Jung Heewon grinned slightly and leaned into Yoo Sangah's space. "Still, Sangah-ssi, why were you that red, huh?"
Well, her face had been pretty red, but Kim Dokja had just assumed that she was embarrassed by her actions.
However, Yoo Sangah's face burned. "What!? N-no, it wasn't—"
Jung Heewon raised a brow. "Ahh, I see, so it's like that, huh?"
Like what now?
[a constellation who is skilled with knots is wondering if the incarnation 'yoo sangah' is a kindred spirit.]
And now Lee Jihye's cheeks were red as she seemed to be carefully contemplating something. Just what was up with her? She quickly glanced over at Yoo Joonghyuk, whose ears were oddly a bit red again, but he really looked pissed off this time. More than usual, even. Kim Dokja was extremely confused—nothing in this scene had anything to do with the protagonist in the first place, so what was there to be upset over?
Han Sooyoung looked like she was trying her best to hold back a laugh—probably a good idea since Kim Dokja had no idea if Yoo Sangah would attack her out of a mixture of embarrassment and anger or not. They might be starting to get along slightly better, but now really wasn't the time to chance it.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is contemplating that image.]
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is raising a glass to the incarnation 'yoo sangah' with a smile.]
"It's really not like that!" Yoo Sangah protested, now even redder than before. "Dokja-ssi, please, you have to believe me."
He had no idea what she was talking about.
"Okay?" Kim Dokja said, confused. "I believe you."
Yoo Sangah placed a hand on her chest and exhaled in relief, even as Jung Heewon wiggled her brows teasingly from beside her.
Lee Gilyoung tugged on Kim Dokja's sleeve before whispering conspiratorially. "Hyung, what was that about?"
Kim Dokja glanced down at him and shrugged. "I really have no clue."
The angle changes to show that Jiwon and her group are all watching them from afar, like the stalker she is. Dokja asks why she's still there, prompting Jiwon to hurriedly state that they were about to depart, but that they're all headed in the same direction anyway. She composes herself and states that they are allies, since that's usually what happens in dramas, after Dokja says that they'll be enemies in the future. She then smiles as she says farewell, mentioning the beliefs of the Hwarang that they are now friends. Dokja ponders if she'll be a good King this time as he reminds Sungkook to stop staring.
Walking near the palace from earlier, Dokja calls out for Minseob, trying to find their wayward final group member. The man reveals himself by taking off the cloak as he explains that nine Kings have entered, including the Tyrant King and the First Apostle. When Dokja asks about their flags, he explains that seven were purple flags and two were brown flags, with two of the purples being really dark. It's reasonable to assume that those dark purple flags belonged to the Tyrant King and the First Apostle. Dokja thinks the man is more useful than expected as he instructs both Minseob and Sungkook to hide together under the cloak and wait outside.
When Minseob asks if he's sure, Dokja states that he, Sangah, and Gilyoung will be enough.
As they walk up to the palatial entrance to the museum, a hidden scenario appears, telling them to clear the dungeon for the assigned number of people. Dungeon options show up on a screen, and Dokja chooses the '3-Player Dungeon - Chapter of the Bronze Acupuncture Doll'.
Kim Dokja shuddered as he watched Min Jiwon claim that they'd be great friends and allies. No thanks.
"Life really isn't like in dramas," Lee Hyunsung muttered with a shake of his head. "If only…"
Yeah, wouldn't it be great if absolutely everyone who claimed to be your enemy would inevitably end up as an ally down the road? Actually wait, no. He had already basically declared himself Anna Croft's enemy, and the last thing Kim Dokja wanted was to ever be forced into a situation where he had to cooperate with her.
"It's never that easy," Yoo Joonghyuk said as he crossed his arms over his chest. It made sense—he could never accept anyone as an ally so easily, especially not after having been backstabbed by the only person he thought could understand him. Fucking Anna Croft…
Still, it was sad, really. Not only was he so much more powerful than everyone else to the point where no one felt they could stand on equal ground as him, but he was also unable to even extend a hand to try anymore. Yoo Joonghyuk was a lone wolf, but only part of it was voluntary.
[many constellations are excited for the confrontation between kings.]
Kim Dokja wasn't, but had no say in the matter.
A light envelops them as they're transported inside, and they arrive inside a room full of 7th Grade Replication Species, the bronze acupuncture dolls. Their blank faces and immense numbers make them feel more intimidating than they should be as they surround the group entirely. Moments after they arrive, the dolls attack. Their mouths open wide and their arms lash out, prepared to grab at the intruders.
Sangah immediately tries to slash at one with her sword, but the sword stops upon contact with its solid metal body. Sangah quickly jumps back, asking Dokja what to do since the enemies aren't taking damage.
As Dokja speaks about the markings and acupuncture points on the dolls, a close up of those points appears on the screen, with the markings lighting up. A handy info bar also appears, explaining what each term means.
Dokja stabs at a dot near the left armpit of one doll, causing it to crumble into dust. He jumps back to Sangah and Gilyoung, telling them to clear this place quickly now that they know the trick. A window appears, explaining that there are 99 more to kill as the dolls slowly close in around them.
A while later, when the last acupuncture doll crumbles away, a portal generates into existence as the three exit to the ding of a success pop-up. Each of the group members is awarded 4
Yoo Sangah frowned. "That room was creepy, Dokja-ssi…"
Yeah, it was pretty creepy, but unfortunately, it was necessary. Still, the fight had sucked. "Sorry."
Lee Jihye glanced up in surprise. "Wait, you can't just slash through them? That sucks."
[a constellation who likes swords is disappointed.]
"Unfortunately, we had to use the acupuncture points," Kim Dokja sighed. It definitely hadn't been easy.
Lee Gilyoung groaned. "You have no idea how hard it was to hit them with my hammer."
… Kim Dokja hadn't even considered that. God, it must have sucked extra hard for the kid.
All he could do was pat the younger boy on the head, which seemed to soothe him well enough.
Shin Yoosung glanced up at him next. "What does that skill do, ahjussi?"
He patted her head too. "It means I can disable people without killing them."
It would be sorely needed, if he wanted to keep [King of No Killing].
[a constellation who is worried about the degradation of oriental medicine nods approvingly.]
This confuses Sangah, since Dokja had previously said that they didn't need it, until Dokja explains that they'll be going to hunt Kings instead. Behind him, an image of the First Apostle and the Tyrant King sneering appears.
"So you mean we'll take their flags," Sangah says at the same time Gilyoung states, "So you mean we'll be killing them."
Everything pauses for a moment, and Sangah and Gilyoung's expressions twist into a mix of disturbed shock (Sangah) and judgemental disappointment (Gilyoung) as they stare at each other in silence. Dokja just stands awkwardly between the two of them, trying to blend into the background, like the side character he so wishes he could be.
Gilyoung tells Dokja to leave it to him to finish off the other Kings, making Dokja notice how perceptive he is. In a totally dad-like voice, he advises Gilyoung to be careful since this isn't a game.
Dokja mentally touches on how he understands Sangah's point of view, but that the morals of society are no more. It's a lesson she still has to learn.
Han Sooyoung stared at the screen in shock for a moment before turning to look at Lee Gilyoung in concern.
"You know," she said, her pitch just a bit higher than usual, "kids scare the everloving shit out of me sometimes."
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cackling gleefully.]
Lee Gilyoung just stared right back at her. "Hyung can't kill them, so I might as well just do it instead."
It was definitely concerning just how well this kid had adapted to murder, but it would aid him in this kind of world, so Kim Dokja couldn't in good conscience impose morals on him now.
Yoo Sangah looked uncomfortable, but she sighed and shot an apologetic look at the boy. "Gilyoung-ah… I'm sorry. I just… I didn't want you to get your hands dirty like that. It didn't feel good to see that happen."
Lee Gilyoung sighed and shook his head. "Noona, you didn't want to kill them either, just like hyung. Leave it to me next time, I don't mind."
She clenched her hands into fists and bit her lip, but Yoo Sangah eventually forced herself to nod.
[some constellations watch the events sadly.]
As they approach the next door, a window appears over a space with 10 circular indents. The window explains that they need 10
As he slots the coins in place, Dokja mentally prepares himself for the strength of those within, knowing that anyone who made it that far would have had to clear the prior Hidden Dungeon as well. As he places the last coin, the door glows as it opens.
Flames crackle violently inside, burning a pile of corpses as fuel like a macabre campfire. Around the blood-splattered room, many more corpses lie forgotten as a small group of survivors sit near the fire.
[You have entered the 'Room of the North Star'.]
"Oh shit," Jung Heewon muttered. "They had all already been murdered?"
Kim Dokja grimaced, and he noticed Han Sooyoung also shift uncomfortably at the realization that she would be returning to the narrative shortly.
"The Tyrant King passed by there earlier," he told her. Jung Heewon frowned as she surveyed what was displayed in the room, from the bloody mess scattered everywhere to the corpse bonfire. Yoo Joonghyuk frowned as well, but it looked more like his default frown than anything else, so Kim Dokja really had no idea what he was thinking.
Lee Hyunsung glanced down. "That… that must have smelled awful."
Oh it had, and Kim Dokja was so glad that this scenario didn't make them smell what was happening too. He remembered exactly what burning flesh smelled like, and it made the bile rise up in his throat at the thought. All he could do was nod and look away, and thankfully the lieutenant didn't try to continue that thought.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is muttering a prayer for the deceased incarnations.]
Uriel was too nice sometimes—most of them probably didn't deserve it.
Then again, did anyone truly deserve salvation, no matter the form in which it came?