[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is unimpressed by the centipede.]
Kim Dokja wished that he had that luxury, to be honest. Right now, it was a major threat, especially considering his current circumstances. If he got miniaturized before escaping, it would be practically a death sentence for everyone in their group.
Behind Yamamoto, an imposing creature lurks in the darkness. It's a shadow of wriggling limbs and shifting shells, and its presence is undeniable as the man glares intently at Dokja.
'A Million-Year-Old Creature with a Hundred Legs'. Just as it's possible for a turtle to live for 1,800 years and become a constellation later, there's no reason why a centipede that lived for 10,000 years can't become a constellation too. This is a monster that has established an origin fable, accumulated more to break out of its shell again and again, before finally going past its own species and molting to ascend to constellation status. With this kind of mythical creature as a sponsor, being able to use a high-grade Stigma like [Phantom Encampment] makes sense.
Dokja looks at the encampment that has formed beneath his feat with trepidation, but thinks that there's absolutely no chance that Yamamoto would be able to beat Izumi's constellation sponsor, even without taking his mastery over Japan's Absolute Throne into account.
"Oh fuck, that doesn't look good," Han Sooyoung muttered nervously, grimacing at the writhing creature on the screen. Kim Dokja had to agree, knowing just how badly this could go if he made even one mistake.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is scoffing at the constellation 'a million-year-old creature with a hundred legs.]
Lee Seolhwa glanced over at Kim Dokja for a moment. "So the centipede essentially became famous enough to ascend as a constellation? It can't be that simple, could it?"
Unfortunately, it was. Five fables was enough, after all, but most incarnations would never be able to fulfill the other requirements. While he wanted to answer her question in detail, Kim Dokja found himself hesitating.
It might not be suspicious that he knew how it worked, considering his knowledge of TWSA, but he didn't want to give the less friendly constellations the chance of figuring out his plans this early.
So, instead of any of that, Kim Dokja just nodded. "It's a creature from folklore, so it has as much right to become a constellation as any other mythological figure."
[many constellations are agreeing with the words of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"So Izumi is supposed to be even stronger than this?" Lee Hyunsung asked in surprise when Kim Dokja compared the power of both incarnations in his mind.
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at the other man for a moment before answering. "The Absolute Throne alone would make it impossible for this man to defeat Izumi, regardless of his sponsor's power."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is curious about the sponsor of the incarnation 'izumi hiroki'.]
What the hell… is going on with Japan in this regression?
As Dokja narrates this, images of the important living Japanese incarnations that Dokja has seen or encountered so far appear in a split-screen.
Now surrounded by a few of the 'Overlord's' men, Dokja tells Yamamoto that there's no way someone like him became the leader of the group. Angrily, Yamamoto shoots back that he's the current King of Japan as the plausibility allotment given by the scenario to the 'disasters' increases further thanks to a scenario buff. The 'Million-Year-Old Creature with a Hundred Legs' takes this as a chance to display his true power and sends an illusion of many shadowy centipedes to crawl over Dokja, making sickening clicking noises as they writhe past him.
Dokja grits his teeth and wonders why such a constellation would be so strong, bracing himself as windows warn him not to antagonize the other incarnation. Suddenly, a new Main Scenario window for 'Diminutive Savior' appears before him. Unlike the previous one, this scenario is to defend the local peoples of Peace Land from the disasters. It labels two disasters as high-profile and tells Dokja that he has encountered the second of the two, the 'Disaster Dreaming of Insurgence'.
Yoo Sangah looked anxious as she watched the screen, biting her lip as she did. "Could this also be an effect of the worlds colliding?"
Kim Dokja couldn't be certain. It was extremely unlikely that there was anyone in any of the other domes who had read TWSA, considering the language barrier. Of course, it wasn't a given fact that everything in the other domes would go exactly the same every time—the butterfly effect was very real, after all—but Yoo Joonghyuk had interacted with foreign incarnations so rarely at this point of the scenarios that it was hard to say what factors influenced these changes.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is suspicious of the incarnations of the 'tokyo dome'.]
As soon as the Overlord received a scenario buff, however, Yoo Mia sat up a bit straighter in her brother's lap. "That's not fair! The other guys didn't get the help of a constellation!"
Kim Dokja grimaced as he watched himself withstand the partially psychological attack that the constellation was sending at him. It was incredibly disturbing, and he also had to keep all the miniaturized people in mind as he dodged or withstood different attacks.
Lee Gilyoung narrowed his eyes and tugged on Kim Dokja's sleeve. "Hyung, if I get strong enough, do you think I could tame that constellation too?"
Uh… the actual ramifications of something like that aside, the fact that the kid was asking about it in the first place was more than a bit terrifying. However, considering the fact that he was able to tame one of the guides—albeit a weakened and injured one—in the fifth scenario alone… Kim Dokja honestly couldn't say.
"You know what, you can always aim for that, Gilyoung-ah," Kim Dokja decided to say instead, patting his head. The kid could shoot for the stars if he wanted, who was Kim Dokja to discourage him?
[a constellation who likes grasshoppers is grinning ferally with glee.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is curious about the idea of the incarnation 'lee gilyoung'.]
Kim Dokja also wasn't sure how he felt about the boy's feral smile that followed that statement.
Thank fuck that Lee Gilyoung hadn't caught the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon's attention back before the first sponsor selection, because they would have made for an absolutely terrifying combination.
Then, Kim Dokja received the new scenario, and Jung Heewon instantly perked up. "Diminutive Saviour, huh? That's a cute name."
A cute name for a not-so cute scenario. Still, the 'Disaster Dreaming of Insurgence', huh? He was definitely aiming to take over the Japanese incarnations, but the fact that he hadn't likely implied that Izumi was still alive, even if he was unable to be contacted.
Yamamoto stands, completely surrounded by the shadow of his sponsor, as a dark red winding tattoo of a centipede settles across his body now that his sponsor has stopped appearing as a serpent. His eyes glow an eerie red as he still holds on to the cage threateningly.
Seriously?
A new urgent alert appears, telling Dokja to hunt the little people within the next ten minutes if he doesn't want to accept the new scenario. Dokja immediately guesses that the other high-profile disaster, the 'King of Disasters', must be the 'Serpent's Incarnation' as a ten minute timer appears above his head.
Dokja attempts to ask Yamamoto if they really need to fight since Dokja isn't really after him, but Yamamoto just tells him to die. Holding out his hand, a ginormous centipede emerges from the ground at a rapid speed, barely missing Dokja as it does.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is expressing her dislike for the incarnation 'yamamoto hajime'.]
"Ugh, yeah, he looks freaky," Lee Jihye muttered. "That Izumi guy isn't as good-looking as Master either, of course, but he's leagues better than this weirdo."
Yoo Mia nodded in agreement, but Yoo Joonghyuk didn't seem to be bothered whatsoever. Still, Kim Dokja had to silently agree as well. Yoo Joonghyuk was the protagonist, after all—the number of people more good-looking than him could be counted on a single hand! It was hard to beat his hair that never seemed to get tangled, or his skin that never got blemished. His bone structure was unmatched, and the symmetry of his face wouldn't even be ruined if he ended up with a scar or two.
Hell, Kim Dokja had the feeling that a scar on his face would actually do the opposite and only make him more attractive.
"I don't want to agree, but even the sooty bastard is better than this guy," Shin Yoosung begrudgingly admitted, though it looked like it pained her to do so.
[a constellation who likes handsome men is praising the good looks of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes as he looked at the multitude of alerts that had popped up around his future self. Only ten minutes… that wasn't much, but he'd have to make it count as much as he could.
"Oh, it's good to know that the other major target should end up being the one we're looking for," Lee Seolhwa said, exhaling in relief.
Still, Kim Dokja wasn't out of danger just yet. After all, it didn't look like the damned centipede was particularly willing to just let him leave unscathed. This wasn't going to be good.
Dokja curses mentally as he looks at the large arthropod, while Hyunsung furrows his brow in bafflement as he stares from his spot on Dokja's shoulder. Unfortunately, a message tells Dokja that Yamamoto won't have to worry about the penalty affecting him for attacking other 'disasters'. As the centipede lunges at him, Dokja jumps out of the way while taking care to protect all his shrunken allies.
To make things worse, the synchronization rate between the centipede and its incarnation increases, but not without gaining the dislike of other constellations. As the repeated sound of cracking ground erupts behind him, Dokja rushes towards Yamamoto's men with the centipede in hot pursuit. As the massive centipede looms overhead, 'A constellation who has given his life to sealing away demons' begins to look at Dokja.
The Overlord yells for his other men to give chase while Dokja grits his teeth and remembers that he'll be miniaturized the moment he kills a single person, but worse than that, he might lose [King of No Killing]. He knows that he can't waste an extra life on killing Yamamoto.
[several constellations are surprised by the current events.]
"Fuck," Kim Dokja cursed under his breath, mirroring his future self. Not only was he massively outnumbered thanks to all the other incarnations around, but he had a massive centipede to deal with now too.
Yoo Joonghyuk glared intently at the Japanese incarnation, clearly incredibly displeased. "Be careful, Kim Dokja. You can't fight back without triggering the penalty early."
Yeah, and that was the biggest problem. He'd be able to act defensively—running and potentially blocking attacks—but any kind of hostile action would cause him to shrink much faster than before.
"I know," he said quietly, tensing up every time any strike began to get a bit too close.
[the constellation 'master of steel' is wishing for the safety of the incarnations.]
And their synchronization rate went up too. Amazing.
Han Sooyoung let out a groan. "How do you keep ending up in these kinds of situations? Do you just fucking attract trouble or something?"
Considering his track record? Kim Dokja honestly wouldn't doubt it if that were true.
"Is that constellation friendly?" Shin Yoosung wondered when he got a notification that one was watching him, glancing up at Kim Dokja. His eyes widened as he took in just who was looking at him, and his mind began to whirl with ideas.
Considering the circumstances, he just might be able to use that. It wouldn't be a perfect solution, but it might be the best chance he had.
[a few constellations are concerned about the possibility of the loss of the attribute 'king of no killing'.]
He couldn't afford to lose it. Not yet, at least.
Still, at the reminder, most of the adults glanced over at him with varying degrees of worry on their faces. What, did they expect he was going to drop dead within the next scenario and desperately need it or something?
Suddenly, Dokja stops in place without any care for the massive arthropod closing in on him and pulls out the
Suddenly, a bunch of leaves are sliced out of the trees and sent blowing towards the incarnations as [Shikigami] prevents the Yōkai mana casters from acting. One of them manages to look at the leaves landing on him, which resembles a robed person and yells out to the rest to avoid them, and another panics at the arrival of an Onmyoji.
These are spirit servants in paper dolls - 'Shikigami'. A stigma that spells doom for every Yōkai.
As the shikigami pile onto the incarnations, they stop being able to move, and they're forced down to their knees.
"Why the fuck are you stopping!?" Jung Heewon yelled, turning to look at Kim Dokja with worry and a touch of anger on her face. It also didn't help that Han Sooyoung was looking at him like he was stupid, or that Yoo Sangah looked extremely concerned.
He had a plan! Probably!
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in excitement.]
"See? I know what I'm doing!" Kim Dokja protested, gesturing at the screen as he prepared to use [Echo of the Stars]. "I'm asking the constellation who was looking at me earlier for some help."
The 'Onmyoji of Paradoxes'... it was certainly strange to think that he was using that constellation's powers as a Korean incarnation, but he was the best choice possible for the current circumstances.
Additionally, this wasn't a constellation that Yoo Joonghyuk was familiar with either, and he looked over at Kim Dokja with a suspicious glance. "Do not get overconfident, even if you know what you're doing."
Huh. Was that a bit of trust that Kim Dokja heard there? Could that be considered a form of progress?
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is agreeing with the decisions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Lee Jihye gasped audibly, turning to look at Kim Dokja with something that could have almost been awe. "Ahjussi, you immobilized them!? That's such a cool stigma!"
Kim Dokja breathed out a sigh of relief. It had worked in time, and that's all that mattered. Of course, there was the large downside that he couldn't move either, but it would be fine.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"Seimei? Incredible," Yamamoto states as he gazes down at the shikigami on his shirt with his nearly blind eye. "You picked a constellation with the blood of a Yōkai to back you.
The constellation that I summoned is the most powerful Onmyoji in Japan, the 'Onmyoji of Paradoxes'—Abe no Seimei.
To the sound of a shamisen, a faded painting of the Onmyoji appears on the screen. Their flowing robes and cloth mask covering their face hides their true identity while making their occupation obvious.
Yamamoto states that although Dokja made an impressive choice, he'll die the moment he runs out of mana since he's also rooted in place. Dokja thinks that he's right and knows that he can only hold out for a few more minutes, but a savage grin appears on Dokja's face as he declares, "We'll have to see about that. Grandma, It's time!"
[several constellations are impressed by the resourcefulness of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"It makes sense," Yoo Sangah said with a small smile. "After all, since they're loosely linked mythologically, wouldn't it be more effective as a result?"
Kim Dokja nodded, happy that she had remembered. Of course, these random yōkai and Abe no Seimei weren't from the same myths specifically, so a stage transformation wouldn't activate. Still, the fact that the stigma had to do with yōkai at all likely boosted its effectiveness.
"They look cool!" Shin Yoosung exclaimed upon seeing the painting, and everyone seemed to agree. It was always pretty cool to see what constellations looked like, even if just in life. God, what wouldn't Kim Dokja have given for TWSA to have illustrations while he was growing up…
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is insisting that he looks cooler.]
"Shit, why do you keep choosing mana-intensive skills when you don't fucking raise your mana levels?" Han Sooyoung wondered, looking disappointed in him again.
Okay, maybe she had a point, but all the other stats were important for survival too!
In an effort to avoid acknowledging her words, Kim Dokja focused back on the screen just in time to watch himself call upon the old lady, to everyone's surprise.
"Will she be alright…?" Lee Hyunsung fretted, looking far more anxious than Kim Dokja had expected him to.
"Boksoon-ssi will be fine," she said suddenly, and Kim Dokja risked glancing over. She looked unbothered by the circumstances, and Kim Dokja had to wonder just what his future self knew about the old woman's skills or sponsor to have gone so far just to bring her along with them.
[many constellations are curious to learn more about the incarnation 'lee boksoon'.]
Prisoner 406 leaps off of Dokja's shoulder and lands on the ground, now back to her real size, which understandably freaks out the Japanese incarnations. With an ominous chuckle, she slowly walks forward as Yamamoto yells for his men not to panic over a granny.
This old lady had never been miniaturized all along. She entered this scenario as a 'little person' from the very beginning. It was thanks to the taoist spell cast by my mother's aide, the incarnation of 'Jeon Woochi'.
Prisoner 406, Boksoon, activates her skill [Respect the Elderly lvl. 7] upon her next step, which causes all incarnations younger than her to feel compelled to respect her mere presence. As they're forced to bow their heads, Boksoon casually strolls between them while thanking the young men. However, she says that there's no need to make way as they unconsciously make space for her.
Still, using the space that they've provided, Boksoon stomps heavily on the ground, then pulls her sleeves over her hands and prepares to cast the stigma [Invocation Rite].
"Wait, how did she get big again!?" Lee Jihye exclaimed, looking both confused and shocked.
This had to have been planned. Kim Dokja suspected that he had brought her along as a failsafe, or even as a secret weapon, and it was unfortunate that he'd had to pull her out this early in the scenario.
[several constellations are eager to see the skills of the incarnation 'lee boksoon'.]
Kim Dokja exhaled slowly and controlled his breathing. It was as he had feared—he had to ask her for not one, but two favours. Fuck, what did he have to exchange to get that? Just what kind of promise had she been able to convince him to make in return?
It was nerve-wracking and Kim Dokja hated every second of it.
"That's a weird skill," Yoo Mia muttered, but despite that, she looked impressed by the way that the old woman was effortlessly subduing the enemy incarnations just by walking towards them.
Fuck, as much as Kim Dokja hated to admit it, this was effective.
[many aged constellations are approving of the actions of the incarnation 'lee boksoon'.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is pleased to see respect being enforced.]
"Honestly, that's kind of scary," Jung Heewon admitted. "I respect people enough, I don't need it forced on me."
Between the [Shikigami] that Kim Dokja was using and Lee Boksoon's skill, none of those incarnations would be able to budge. The fact that she was so nonchalant about it only made Kim Dokja's hair stand on end a bit as she walked through the crowd without a care in the world. She wouldn't be acting this way if she didn't have the power to back it up.
Hell, he hadn't seen this level of deserved confidence in anyone other than Yoo Joonghyuk, even though hers was significantly more good-natured than his tended to be.
As the old woman began making some strange gestures, Kim Dokja's eyes widened as he came to a realization of just what she was doing. She couldn't be…
No, she definitely was. Fuck, no wonder he had gone crawling to his mother for her permission to bring Lee Boksoon along with him, no matter how much the very idea repulsed him.
[the eyes of the constellation 'secretive plotter' are widening in realization.]
[many constellations of the Korean peninsula are greatly invested in the current events.]