"Do you think that Asuka Ren-ssi will agree to help you?" Yoo Sangah wondered curiously, glancing over at Kim Dokja as she did.
Though he couldn't be completely certain, there was a very good chance that she would. After all, she likely felt that she owed Kim Dokja for helping her earlier.
[constellations who believe in repaying debts are nodding thoughtfully.]
"She will," Kim Dokja replied confidently, trying not to let any doubts show.
Daylight falls over the castle which has clearly sustained damage, yet still retains its beauty. Looking at the new main scenario, Jihye confirms that Dokja wants her and the rest of the team to defend Veronica Castle until the end of the scenario. As she speaks, it's revealed that the group has all acquired outfits from the town that actually fit, with the exception of Dokja whose clothes shrank with him.
Dokja tells the group to all defend the castle with Pildu, as well as to never confront anyone from the first group or the 'Serpent'. He makes them promise to put their own safety first, even if it means abandoning Veronica Castle. While Jihye looks less than pleased with the idea, Hyunsung immediately promises before asking Dokja where he'll be going alone. Dokja corrects him that he'll be heading out with Asuka and Sooyoung, who are standing near the gate.
"That looks kind of pretty, almost like you're in a movie," Jung Heewon muttered, looking almost jealous that she wasn't able to go too.
Honestly, Peace Land was incredibly picturesque, and it would probably make for a nice vacation destination if it weren't for the Star Stream invading it and leading it to ruin. A shame, really, for such a beautiful world.
Lee Jihye groaned upon hearing the task they had been assigned. "Ugh, really ahjussi? But defending a castle is boring!"
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is vehemently agreeing with the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' reminds the incarnations to protect the powerless.]
"Jihye," Yoo Joonghyuk said sternly, "listen to Kim Dokja. When I am not present, you will follow his commands."
Oh. Kim Dokja's eyes widened and he stared at Yoo Joonghyuk in awe, having not expected that at all. Sure, maybe he anticipated Yoo Joonghyuk reprimanding her for groaning, but he had never thought that the protagonist would straight up tell his apprentice to listen to Kim Dokja whenever he wasn't around.
That was… well, he really didn't know how to feel, his head was all floaty and he was too shocked to think all that much. It felt sort of nice though, and he couldn't help but look away quickly as soon as he realized that he was staring.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is squealing gleefully.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is grumbling but agreeing with the words of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
"Fine," Lee Jihye sighed. "Ahjussi, you're lucky that Master likes you so much."
Well, Kim Dokja supposed that was true, even if it wasn't quite in the way that she assumed in her delusions.
"Oh, those are very cute outfits!" Lee Seolhwa exclaimed upon seeing everyone wearing clothing from Peace Land, just like Han Sooyoung and Gong Pildu. They did look quite nice, honestly. Kim Dokja almost regretted having his clothes shrink with him.
Then, when Kim Dokja told them to abandon the castle they were charged with protecting in the case of the first group or the Serpent appearing, Lee Hyunsung's eyes widened. "Dokja-ssi… I understand why you would say that, but… I don't know if I could do that."
Interesting. Though his future self agreed immediately, taking it as an order, this Lee Hyunsung was allowing his feelings of doubt to shine through. It made sense that he wouldn't want to abandon anyone if he was able to protect them, even if he would still carry out the orders without question. That was just how it was in the military too, after all.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is wondering if the incarnations 'han sooyoung' and 'asuka ren' are trustworthy enough to travel alone with them.]
Kim Dokja just shrugged. "I'd assume that there's a less than 25% chance that they'll try to kill me. In all seriousness, the future Han Sooyoung is way more likely to try than Asuka Ren."
"Honestly, while I want to call you a fucking idiot for assuming that, you're probably right," Han Sooyoung groaned. "I definitely don't trust you entirely either."
See? If anyone was going to backstab him, it would be the woman who had already sort of done that once or twice.
Sooyoung loudly asks where they're going as Dokja waves goodbye to the people in the castle. Dokja responds that they're going to the Eastern Rocky Hoodoo zone. Asuka's eyes widen as she explains that the Japanese have already occupied that area. Dokja tells her that's why she's coming along. She asks hesitantly if Dokja trusts her, and in return, he states he doesn't and that this is simply because she owes him for saving her.
It's probably easier to say something like this than to try winning her over by other means.
[many constellations are curious about the destination of the incarnations.]
"Hyung, what's a hoodoo?" Lee Gilyoung asked, looking a bit confused. It made sense that he wasn't sure what they were; it definitely wasn't a typical geographical formation found in Korea.
"Basically, they're a bunch of tall, weird-shaped rocks," Kim Dokja replied. "There's something we need to find there."
Shin Yoosung looked down nervously. "Be careful, ahjussi. That lady said the Japanese incarnations are all over that place."
Hm, that might be a problem.
"You're tiny, so maybe they won't notice you if you're quiet," Yoo Mia said with confidence. "Of course, ahjumma is so loud that she might attract their attention."
She wasn't wrong, and Kim Dokja had to hold back a laugh. Han Sooyoung looked a bit flustered, but she rolled her eyes—probably because she knew that the eleven-year-old was absolutely correct.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is agreeing with the actions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Dokja starts estimating their travel time while hoping that she'll hand over the info before they reach their destination. As Dokja and Sooyoung discuss killing the 'King of Disasters' to end the scenario, Asuka hurries up and asks if he's saying that with the knowledge of who that is, looking very serious, but Dokja just says that he was hoping she would tell him. She pauses and starts mulling over her options when Dokja speaks again, "Why did Izumi Hiroki, the King of a Hundred Yōkai, become the 'King of Disasters'?"
Asuka's eyes widen as Dokja receives a notification about deducing the identity of the 'King of Disasters'. The wind blows past them as she tries to gather her words, stumbling as she asks how Dokja knows that.
King of a Hundred Yōkai 'Izumi Hiroki'. He was a supporter of Yoo Joonghyuk in the later regressions, and he was a competent 'King' on the Japanese Side.
As Dokja narrates, an image of the smiling Izumi stands across from an indifferent, exhausted Joonghyuk.
That man has chosen to become a 'Disaster'.
"Hopefully she'll tell you what you need to know by then," Yoo Sangah said hesitantly, but despite that, she looked somewhat hopeful.
Considering that he and Han Sooyoung were discussing the exact thing they wanted to know—their plan to deal with the 'King of Disasters'—he had a good feeling about it.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is curious about the identity of the 'king of disasters'.]
Kim Dokja had a very bad feeling about this one, and he wasn't looking forward to seeing it confirmed. In fact, he was likely hoping that Asuka Ren would speak up and tell him a different name, just to prove him wrong.
But she didn't, and she looked panicked enough that Kim Dokja sighed and took it as confirmation of his fears.
"You've figured it out already?" Jung Heewon wondered in surprise. Kim Dokja nodded, a frown crossing his features.
As soon as his future self asked why Izumi Hiroki became the King of Disasters, a tense silence fell over their group.
"You said he was really strong, right…?" Shin Yoosung asked anxiously, glancing up at Kim Dokja with a nervous expression.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling sadly..]
"He's the owner of Japan's Absolute Throne—the same as the one that I rejected," Kim Dokja sighed. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he's stronger than me right now."
Lee Hyunsung looked extremely worried, his gaze darting between Kim Dokja and the screen. "Even with all your coins to upgrade your stats?"
There were limits on the maximum stats per scenario, so there was only so much he could boost them anyway. When Kim Dokja didn't respond, Lee Hyunsung just paled further.
On the other hand, though, Yoo Joonghyuk looked surprised to learn that Japan's King had been an ally of his in several regressions. They had always worked well together—two masters of swordplay, and two people who genuinely wanted the best for the world they lived in despite its ruined state.
Honestly, Kim Dokja couldn't think of anyone better to rule over Japan than Izumi Hiroki. So why did he choose a route that would only lead to pain and suffering for everyone?
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is fretting over the safety of the incarnation 'izumi hiroki'.]
Knowing that this never happened in the early stages of TWSA, he fishes for answers from Asuka. She looks down sadly before quietly stating that it was her fault, and the scene becomes desaturated as it fades into Asuka's memory of that time.
Yamamoto's shadow looms over a group of soldiers as Asuka vehemently opposes the senseless slaughter of the little people. Izumi tries to place himself between the two as Yamamoto snorts and states that she's speaking nonsense. As he attacks the little people, to the horror of both Izumi and Asuka, he asks why they would ever take the harder road. In her eyes, Yamamoto better resembles a monster than a human, with his grin and eyes glowing with malice.
Dokja guesses that she wrote the memo not to kill the little people, which she confirms as she states that Yamamoto wrote the other one.
Because by choosing the side of 'Disaster' for this scenario, it can be cleared more easily than any other scenario experienced so far on Earth.
Sooyoung calls her sense of justice weird since Asuka killed her teammates in order to protect the little people. Asuka looks down and her words catch in her throat. Dokja observes her pained look before speaking while activating [Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint] level 2, which only allows him to read a fragment of her thoughts due to a lack of understanding. "If Izumi used the 'Absolute Throne' then there wouldn't be any conflicts."
Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes when Asuka Ren stated that it was her fault, recognizing that tone intimately well. She likely wasn't, in all honesty, but Kim Dokja understood all too well the reason why she might think that way.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is roaring in excitement at the slaughter.]
[several constellations disagree with the actions of the incarnation 'yamamoto hajime'.]
"He's so mean!" Lee Gilyoung exclaimed, nearly snarling. "I want to bring him back to life so we can kill him all over again."
On one hand, maybe Kim Dokja should curb that homicidal streak the kid had, but on the other, it would keep him alive. Kim Dokja just decided that he'd leave that issue to his future self and forget about it for now.
Han Sooyoung stayed carefully quiet, glancing away from the screen awkwardly. Maybe she was actually feeling a bit uncomfortable to know that that could have been her in a world where they hadn't pissed off those Japanese incarnations when they did. Plus, Han Sooyoung had gotten the translation skill when they were dealing with Lycaon, so she could definitely understand them and couldn't even use that excuse.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' approves of the actions of the incarnation 'asuka ren'.]
"It is a bit weird that she'd choose these people over her own teammates," Jung Heewon admitted hesitantly. "I guess we were lucky that all of you chose the same thing. Or at least, I hope so."
"I wouldn't have willingly hurt them," Lee Seolhwa said reassuringly. With luck, they wouldn't suddenly have to face off against a giant Yoo Joonghyuk later on, but there was never any guarantee of it. At the very least, in TWSA, he had chosen to protect the residents of Peace Land more often than not, but Kim Dokja couldn't recall what he had chosen to do in the 3rd regression specifically.
[many constellations are wondering why the incarnation 'izumi hiroki' did not use the power of the 'absolute throne'.]
Asuka says it didn't work well on the 'Disasters' as she recalls Izumi using the Throne to command Yamamoto to stop, despite hating having to do so. Its otherworldly power manifests in the form of a circlet of light coming off his head and lighting up the sky with a brilliant golden glow. An ominous aura radiates off of Yamamoto as he grins eerily with bloodshot eyes before ignoring the command entirely and continuing the slaughter.
There was no meaning behind the concept of countries like 'Korea' or 'Japan' in this scenario. The factions here were only 'Little people' and 'Disasters'.
With shadowed faces and villainous grins, many soon join Yamamoto, cackling with glee as they demolish armies, light up the sky with flames, and bathe the ground in blood.
In order to control one of the factions, one has no option other than to become its 'King'.
The two look around wildly as the sounds of steel meeting flesh ring out before Izumi bites his lip and declares solemnly that he will be the King of Disasters. As Izumi regretfully kills one of the still living soldiers, his golden crown turns a muddy purple. As he activates his command, his eyes go bloodshot and he keels over. When Asuka runs to support him, he yells at her to get away. Before he's able to finish his sentence, his pupils turn red and the whites of his eyes are dyed black. As he screams in pain, a black, eight-headed serpent bursts out of him.
[many constellations are stunned by the words of the incarnation 'asuka ren'.]
[the constellation 'scribe of heaven' is frowning at that revelation.]
Fuck, it didn't work? That wasn't something that Kim Dokja had anticipated, and he cursed under his breath. If Izumi wasn't able to control the other members of his group, then had he really decided to become a disaster in order to have a bit of power over them?
"There are no countries here to be the ruler of," Yoo Joonghyuk reminded everyone. "Stories are also less effective when they aren't connected to anything."
Lee Jihye looked over at Yoo Joonghyuk with a confused expression on her face. "What do you mean? Aren't they just like achievements in a video game?"
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded stiffly. "Think of them like achievements with a hidden buff."
That was a pretty good way of thinking about them—as expected of a former pro gamer.
"Joonghyuk-ie is right," Kim Dokja said with a smile forced onto his lips. "If your Story is linked to the real world—such as Izumi's 'King' Story—then you can think of it as having a debuff the moment you're not in that world."
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the analogy made by the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Hey, Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Jihye came up with it first; Kim Dokja shouldn't be getting all the credit for it.
Still, his smile dropped off his face as soon as the Japanese man made the decision to mercy kill one of the injured soldiers, thereby setting himself upon the path of a 'Disaster'. At that point, he should have been able to control the others, but something had to have gone wrong…
Then, Izumi Hiroki screamed, and Kim Dokja let out a shaky exhale as the Serpent's shadow overwhelmed him.
"Fuck," Kim Dokja hissed, clenching his hands into fists. "This isn't good."
Yoo Sangah paled, glancing at Kim Dokja with wide, horrified eyes. "Dokja-ssi… the Serpent…"
He nodded to confirm her assumption, and her lips began to tremble.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling apologetically.]
Dokja's eyes widen as he looks at Asuka in shock while she clings to herself, shivering at the mere memory of the event. When she tries to say there's no way to kill him, Dokja immediately states that his sponsor is the 'Sovereign of Eight Heads'.
Otherwise known as the 'Serpent'. True name, Yamata No Orochi.
An old painting of a man wielding a sword against an eight headed serpent. To add to the dramatic tension, a bolt of lightning shoots across the sky, causing both women to startle. Dokja looks worried as he remembers the original third turn—where Izumi's constellation should have been 'Snake Cutter', before Sooyoung asks if Orochi is the monster she's thinking of.
Dokja explains that 'Sovereign of Eight Heads' is the type to make a soul contract, meaning that he lends strength early on, but slowly takes over his incarnation. Asuka continues to shiver, clearly unable to break free of the horrifying sight. She looks down as both Sooyoung and Dokja discuss how to kill him, with Dokja stating that they're headed to the Rocky Hoodoo area in order to meet someone in order to prepare.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is horrified by the task assigned by the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring'.]
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is offering free wine to his fellow constellations.]
"The 'Sovereign of Eight Heads'," Jung Heewon hissed with a grimace. "That's the one from that Japanese myth, right?"
Yamata no Orochi. A supremely powerful being that was said to be so large that trees used to grow on its back, and that gave even one of the most important Shinto gods a difficult time.
"Ah, maybe I should have insisted that you come along, Heewon-ssi," Kim Dokja lamented, knowing full well that the constellation was solidly on the side of 'Evil'. Maybe it would seem like a cop out if Kim Dokja called upon Uriel's power to burn away evil two scenarios in a row, but he would call it using his resources wisely instead.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is wishing that she could help more.]
The kids all flinched violently when a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, and Kim Dokja was sure that they were all remembering what he had said before about the constellations' actual names having power.
"Wait, so his constellation was supposed to be the guy who kills the snake," Han Sooyoung asked, surprised. "Well, now it makes a lot more sense why you were looking for him."
Lee Seolhwa looked down with a sigh. "Why are there so many changes…?"
He didn't know, but he didn't like it. Still, they'd just have to make the best of a shitty situation, and honestly, that might be an understatement. If the damned serpent had already completely taken over its incarnation by the time they found him, defeating him might be nigh impossible.
[a few constellations of the land of the rising sun are anxiously watching the current events.]
Damn, so this was really being broadcast to everyone and not just the constellations originally on Bihyung's channel, after all. Kim Dokja found himself frowning, wondering just what kind of channel was actually doing the broadcasting here. He didn't like that he couldn't come up with even a single answer, but he didn't want to panic anyone by voicing his thoughts either.
It would just have to be another thing added to the list of strange things they had realized about this scenario so far.
Sooyoung asks if they're meeting up with Joonghyuk and Dokja retorts that they're looking for someone stronger than him. For a moment, the back of the head of a man with long teal hair is shown on the screen. As he begins to turn his head, the scene quickly snaps back to Sooyoung stepping on a root while looking doubtful at the idea that someone stronger than the protagonist actually exists. Dokja reconfirms his statement and the fact that they're a 'Peace Land' local. The angle quickly changes to an overhead view as Sooyoung hikes up her skirt to cross a stream while she points out how weak people here are.
Yoo Mia perked up as soon as her brother was mentioned, and she looked genuinely excited at the idea of seeing him again. The small smile that found its place on her lips was endearing, and Kim Dokja really didn't want to rain on her parade.
Hell, even Yoo Joonghyuk himself seemed to sit up just a bit straighter at that thought, though Kim Dokja wasn't sure why. It's not like Kim Dokja had any way to know where he was, since the other man had likely let their
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is eagerly awaiting the reunion with the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
[the constellation 'bald leader of the peasant's army' is clutching his stick nervously.]
And then Kim Dokja declared that they were looking for someone stronger than him, and Yoo Joonghyuk looked as though he had been slapped in the face for half a second when the flash of the mysterious man appeared before composing himself.
"Who the fuck!?" Han Sooyoung yelled, turning to look at Kim Dokja with a baffled expression. "There's no way, right? He's the fucking protagonist!"
Kim Dokja raised a brow. "That doesn't mean he's the strongest person in the world, especially not right now."
Yoo Joonghyuk looked like he had eaten something extraordinarily sour, and the fact that Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung were snickering gleefully likely didn't help matters. Lee Jihye sputtered, trying to find any way to defend her teacher that she could, and it was funnier than it had any right to be.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is distraught by this news.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is raising a brow curiously at the decision of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Jung Heewon looked extremely confused, her eyes wide and brows raised so high that they'd probably just float away if they went any further. "There's no way someone that strong was born in a place where everyone is seriously weak."
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is scratching his head in confusion.]
Kim Dokja just shrugged and stared blankly at the screen. "I'm telling the truth, you know."
Even if they couldn't believe it just yet, they would eventually.
Her exaggerated rant continues as they proceed into the forest, and Dokja looks done with it while Asuka just silently follows behind, her head still down. She then asks why the dokkaebi would ever create this world as a stage for the scenarios when they want something interesting—which, in her opinion, Peace Land isn't. Dokja just tells her that the dokkaebi didn't make it, pointedly looking at the woman behind them. Asuka's face turns tomato red as she tears up, "...I'm sorry."
Looking at her, Sooyoung pulls the cat version of the 'surprised pikachu' face while Dokja looks both exhausted and vindicated, with a small victorious smirk on his lips.
"Wow ahjumma, you're really talking a lot," Shin Yoosung said, sounding extremely unimpressed.
Yeah, Kim Dokja almost felt bad about it, honestly. After all, he wasn't sure that she'd do anything differently even if she had realized what was going on with Asuka Ren.
[a few constellations are concerned for the incarnation 'asuka ren'.]
Lee Gilyoung tilted his head to the side, then tugged on Kim Dokja's sleeve. "Hyung, why does that lady look so upset?"
Ah, well…
"I think anyone would get upset when their work is insulted right in front of them," Kim Dokja said casually, shooting a glance over at Han Sooyoung just in time to watch the author stiffen up and do a speedrun through the stages of grief.
"What the fuck?" she hissed in a whisper, turning to glare at Kim Dokja. "And you never stopped me?"
Kim Dokja just snorted. "Would you have listened?"
Han Sooyoung was silent for a moment, but relented with a sigh. "... fair point."
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cackling loudly.]
Man, Han Sooyoung was really tearing into Peace Land, wasn't she? Kim Dokja wasn't even surprised when the other woman started to cry.
Yoo Sangah smiled benevolently as she looked at the author, and that expression alone sent a shiver down Kim Dokja's spine. Still, she didn't hesitate to say, "Sooyoung-ssi, I hope you apologize to her."
Kim Dokja nearly grinned. It was Han Sooyoung's turn to deal with Yoo Sangah's trademarked HR face of disappointment, and he was going to enjoy every second of it.