Was his plan a risky one? Absolutely. However, if things went well, then they'd be basically set for the later scenarios.
Though Yoo Joonghyuk decided to trust him, Kim Dokja still felt somewhat anxious. Some constellations probably hadn't realized just what he was planning yet, but they were about to find out.
[a few constellations are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.]
{Hey, think a bit more carefully about that. That's not as easy as you think it is. For her, it might be better if she vanished instead…} Bihyung messages while they both watch a portal open in the air above them. As a glowing egg emerges—which Dokja identifies as being from the greatest 'Star Story'—Bihyung worries that it's not going to work while Dokja keeps his chill and tells him that there's a first time for everything.
Catching the egg as it floats down to him, Dokja brings 41st Yoosung's soul up to the egg, watching as the surface of the shell ripples before allowing the orb to slowly merge with it. As her soul fully enters the egg, its glow intensifies to a bright golden light, which seems to pulse and appears like a star emerging amongst galaxies.
"Um, Dokja-ssi, Bihyung seems very concerned about this…" Yoo Sangah said quietly, shooting him a worried look. "Will everything be alright?"
Kim Dokja nodded. "It will be, even though it's going to take a while."
He felt his anxiety rise as the portal opened, allowing the egg to safely pass through. Immediately, Shin Yoosung looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Ahjussi, is that a dokkaebi egg?"
When he nodded again, both kids stared at him with confusion in their eyes.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is flabbergasted.]
[many constellations are baffled by the actions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Back when they had that discussion about dokkaebi reproduction, Kim Dokja definitely hadn't imagined that they'd be getting front-row seats to it. As they watched him place 41st Shin Yoosung's soul into the egg, Jung Heewon whipped around to look at him with bafflement.
"You're turning her into a dokkaebi!?"
"It's the only way that I can allow her to be reborn with the state her soul is in," Kim Dokja replied sadly. "I took too long, so any other routes are closed to us."
If he had the option, then Kim Dokja was certain that he'd have at least tried to find another solution. This was probably his last resort.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is touched by the current events.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is mesmerized by the glowing egg.]
"It's so beautiful," Lee Seolhwa remarked in awe. It really was, and Kim Dokja had never imagined that that's what a dokkaebi egg would look like.
Bihyung takes back the egg, sighing and looking extremely uncomfortable. {Hah…to think… I would receive a 'child' like this…}
When Bihyung leaves, Dokja muses that his enemies aren't just in the scenarios, and that 41st Yoosung would be the only 'streamer' for him in this round.
As soon as Bihyung called the egg his child, though, Lee Jihye let out an undignified shriek. "No!"
What was up with her?
"Kim Dokja you fucking didn't," Han Sooyoung gasped. "Don't tell me that you're going to be fucking co-parenting with Bihyung later."
Uh… then he just wouldn't tell her, but apparently silence was the wrong choice too.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is lost for words.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is distraught by this turn of events.]
"Ahjussi, how could you!?" Lee Jihye wailed dramatically. "You're supposed to have a child with Master, not Bihyung!"
Not this bullshit again…
Kim Dokja sighed. "Jihye-yah—"
She wasn't listening at all. "Master would have stepped up if you had asked, I just know it!"
And what would Kim Dokja have even told Yoo Joonghyuk in this situation, huh? 'Hey, Yoo Joonghyuk, I just need you to sign off on a dokkaebi birth certificate real quick without asking any questions. You need to take responsibility after what your future self did.'
Yeah, as if.
"That's not happening," he replied with an exasperated sigh. The future Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even know about this plan in the first place, for one, and he would always need Bihyung's help with this part anyway.
Han Sooyoung snickered. "God I'd pay so much to watch you two disasters try and fail to take care of a baby dokkaebi."
On second thought… no, nevermind. Han Sooyoung's coins would not be worth his life being in danger from merely asking the protagonist a question like that.
Kim Dokja shot a glance over at Yoo Joonghyuk, who was looking quite disgruntled. Clearly, he wasn't particularly pleased by this mess either—he hated the dokkaebi almost as much as he hated the constellations, and while he'd likely tolerate her existence, Kim Dokja highly doubted that the protagonist would willingly spend any more time around her than necessary. It was a ridiculous idea, really.
Also, he was pretty sure that Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung would rather spend time with a dokkaebi than with the protagonist which was… Something. Honestly, Kim Dokja should probably try to fix whatever was happening there because he genuinely thought they would be more upset about this whole thing. Instead, the two kids were furiously whispering about whether or not she would end up being their big or little sister. According to Shin Yoosung, 41st Shin Yoosung was older, so she should be a big sister, but Lee Gilyoung disagreed and argued that she should be a little sister because she would be a baby dokkaebi.
Kim Dokja just sighed again, and he watched with exhaustion as Yoo Mia halfheartedly patted Lee Jihye on the arm as the teenager let out another wail. Lee Hyunsung was nearly in tears, Jung Heewon had her face buried in her hands, and Han Sooyoung was laughing again.
This was a fucking mess.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is pleading with the incarnation 'kim dokja' to reconsider and rely on his companion instead.]
The scene changes to Tartarus, where it's revealed that Namwoon has made another Gund█m figurine. The sound of approaching footsteps catches his attention, and he stands up with a big grin, waving and cheerfully asking Dokja if he finally died. Dokja leans in close to the confused teen and asks him to listen carefully as he begins to talk about the Titan Soldier that he's been working on.
Before what he said can be heard, however, the scene abruptly cuts back to the very drunk Judge. Happily leaning against the wall while still holding the bottle, the Judge hiccups and asks if Dokja is done with his business. Dokja, unimpressed, responds that he is, and the Judge begins to lead him away, showing a split screen of Namwoon approaching the Soldier with an oddly serious expression on his face.
It was extremely lucky for me that both Hades and Persephone were absent. I only gave him a bit of information, but Kim Namwoon should be able to create a huge chance with just that since he's sharp. I can't wait for the 'Gigantomachia' that will come someday.
"Oh, it's that guy again," Yoo Mia remarked in surprise when she saw Kim Namwoon. "Why does he want ahjussi to die so fast?"
Probably because he wanted someone to talk to, but Kim Dokja would rather get stuck with Han Sooyoung making fun of him for the rest of his life than to spend more time around Kim Namwoon than strictly necessary.
When Lee Hyunsung saw that Kim Dokja was discussing the Titan Soldier, he wiped away his tears and looked incredibly interested in it, only to slump in disappointment when the entire conversation was cut off.
[the constellation 'master of steel' is sad that the conversation was omitted.]
Hmm… if Kim Dokja was telling Kim Namwoon what he thought he was, then it was probably a good thing that it cut away. He had no intention of getting into trouble with Persephone right now.
"Oh my god, he's utterly smashed," Jung Heewon groaned, looking done with everything as the Judge reappeared on the screen.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is laughing jovially.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is curious about what the incarnation 'kim dokja' said.]
That was for him to know, and for her to find out eventually, but hopefully not too soon. There was really only one thing he could have said for Kim Namwoon to have made that expression, after all.
A beautiful renaissance mural depicting humans and gods around a central tower fills the screen before it cuts back to the Judge telling Dokja that Persephone left him a message, congratulating him on completing the labor in an interesting way, but also warning him that many Nebulae are watching him unfavourably and that he should prepare himself.
As he walks out, Dokja wonders if the absence of the two rulers of the Underworld is because of him, thinking about the drop in reactions of the other great constellations who usually comment—Uriel, in particular. Suddenly, the 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' sends him an indirect message about being upset, which results in him being consoled by 'Secretive Plotter'. At the very least, Dokja is slightly comforted that those two are still around.
There's no use worrying about that now. What's more important is to not ruin the stories that I've accumulated until now.
"That's a beautiful mural," Yoo Sangah said with a sigh, and Kim Dokja was unsurprised that she was admiring it. It was very well done and, setting aside the fact that she was contracted with Olympus and would therefore be interested in their myths, Yoo Sangah was the kind of person to enjoy visiting museums.
[a few constellations are pensive after hearing the message from the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring'.]
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You fool, stop provoking the Nebulae if you know what's good for you."
Well uh… unfortunately it was probably too late for that one, especially with this scenario just revealing several of his plans far too early. Maybe they'd be hesitant to try anything out of fear that they would lose the knowledge in his head, or maybe they'd want to get rid of him faster to get him off the board.
"I'll be fine, Joonghyuk-ah," Kim Dokja replied with a light laugh. Clearly, the protagonist didn't think it was that funny, and Kim Dokja had to try and think of a way to get Yoo Joonghyuk off his back. What was it that he had said earlier… ah, yes.
"Or do you not think you'll do a good enough job protecting me, hm? Maybe I need to stick with Hyunsung-ssi and Hee—"
"No." Yoo Joonghyuk glared even harder, and his expression was furious. "Stop saying foolish things."
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is rolling his eyes.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is snickering at the expression on the face of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Well, whatever. It was fine.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is concerned about the absence of the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire'.]
"That's right, Uriel normally doesn't miss out on a lot," Jung Heewon admitted thoughtfully. "Maybe it's just because she's contracted with me now, and we're in different dimensions?"
Lee Seolhwa nodded after a moment. "If you had been fighting during the scenario in Seoul, then it would make sense that she's paying more attention to you rather than Dokja-ssi."
That was true, and the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon was probably busy with Han Sooyoung for a similar reason. At least he still had Secretive Plotter and Sun Wukong hanging around, though.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is feeling very proud.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja' gently.]
As Dokja wakes up, still lying on the ground outside the castle, Hyunsung informs him that more participants have come through the portal from Korea. Dokja looks shocked that this would happen now, especially since the scenario is technically over. Dokja also looks even more confused as Hyunsung mentions that this is the second group, who would normally appear a week after the first group; however, it's been a few weeks, so they're oddly late even under normal circumstances.
As they walk closer, Jihye waves them over, allowing Dokja to see Seolhwa tending to a badly injured man who looks like he was burned all over his body. It takes a moment, but Dokja recognizes him as Minseob, who had helped them in the fourth scenario, and is surprised to see him because he had honestly thought that Minseob was likely dead. As though finally realizing that Dokja is there, Minseob turns his head to address him and, in his final breaths, he gives Dokja an ominous warning.
"Don't… come… back…"
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is laughing at the incarnation 'kim dokja' for sleeping on the floor.]
Who cares about where he was unconscious? Others had finally shown up, even after the Peace Land scenario was done?
"Why would people show up now? That's so weird," Lee Gilyoung remarked, and Kim Dokja had to wonder the same thing. The timing was really strange too, as his future self was pointing out. The second group, which was supposed to include Yoo Sangah and Jung Heewon, was exceptionally late.
That expression on Lee Jihye's face didn't look good either, and Kim Dokja started getting a very bad feeling about all of this.
[several constellations are gasping in shock.]
"Oh god," Lee Hyunsung said shakily, sounding absolutely horrified. Just what had happened to Jung Minseob for him to look that horrible? And why was he the only one there?
Lee Seolhwa looked nearly distraught as she realized quickly that she wouldn't be able to save him despite her best efforts. Yoo Sangah reached out to her, holding her hand and offering her a gentle smile.
[the constellation 'guam divine doctor' is reassuring his incarnation that she did her best.]
"What the fuck is going on in Seoul?" Han Sooyoung grumbled, clearly trying to hide worry behind irritation.
Kim Dokja didn't know, but whatever it was, it was bad. Maybe the scenario was much more difficult than expected, and Yoo Sangah or Jung Heewon had instructed Jung Minseob to pass along that information while they stayed behind to help? It would be in character for both of them, but Kim Dokja had the sinking feeling that it was much worse than he expected.
Then, Jung Minseob managed to speak his final words, and Kim Dokja's body went cold. 'Don't come back'...?
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is extremely troubled by the words of the incarnation 'jung minseob'.]
"Dokja-ssi…" Yoo Sangah said weakly, looking at him with a helpless expression, "what do you think you're going to do?"
He didn't even have to think. "If the situation is that bad, we have no choice but to go back."
With any luck, the other Kings were able to keep things as under control as they could in the meantime, but Kim Dokja's hopes were getting lower and lower.
As Seolhwa solemnly covers the body with a cloth, the Koreans and Asuka discuss the events, wondering how it could happen, if he had been attacked while going through the portal, and if anything similar occurred in Japan. Asuka points out that they don't have an Absolute Throne, guessing that it might be why people have been fighting.
In a country without guarantee of absolute authority like the 'Absolute Throne', there are often cases of the dominant group changing.
As Dokja thinks, an image of the broken throne appears before scrolling down to show Sookyung, Heewon, and Sangah as Dokja thinks about the fact that they're still over there in Seoul. He knows that only a group with the strength to overpower them would be able to become dominant, but finds it unlikely. Everyone is still anxious, and Dokja is uncomfortable as he considers a few possibilities, considering the fact that no one from the scheduled second group arrived with the exception of Minseob, who was severely injured.
"He died so easily…" Shin Yoosung whispered sadly, trembling in Kim Dokja's hold.
He did, and Kim Dokja felt even more apprehensive than before.
"If he was attacked going through the portal, then you have to be careful when coming back," Jung Heewon said firmly, doing her best to stay strong despite the circumstances. "If there is an enemy faction making their move, they likely have an ambush ready at the portal."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is agreeing with the suspicion of the incarnation 'jung heewon'.]
Fuck, could this possibly be another consequence of breaking the throne? Still, just as his future self was thinking, there shouldn't be anyone able to get past Yoo Sangah, Jung Heewon, and her.
"So you are worried for me," she said wistfully, and Kim Dokja noticed Yoo Joonghyuk abort a reflexive reach for his sword.
Kim Dokja clenched his hands into fists and looked down. He wanted to deny it. Shit, he wanted to deny it so badly, but he couldn't. He hated her for what she had done, but that didn't mean he wanted her dead either.
Thankfully, before Kim Dokja had to struggle to find an answer, Lee Hyunsung took a deep breath and looked around. "If there is some kind of power struggle, it's possible that our allies have chosen to defend a smaller area rather than stretch themselves thin."
Tactically, that made sense. Lee Hyunsung definitely knew more about things like that than any of them did, and hopefully he was right. Mentally, he thanked the man for saying something and changing the subject. She had gone silent yet again, seemingly satisfied after saying that one thing, but the thought didn't leave his mind anyway.
However, before he could think of anything else, a loud sob echoed in the room, and he turned as quickly as he could only to see Yoo Mia trembling while crying into Lee Jihye's shoulder. The teenager was hugging her as tightly as she could, but everyone could see that she was panicking too.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is concerned for the wellbeing of the incarnation 'yoo mia'.]
"What's wrong?" Lee Seolhwa asked in a carefully soft tone, trying to help in any way she could.
Lee Jihye's eyes went wide. "I don't know. She just started crying!"
Not even a second later, Yoo Joonghyuk got up and walked over to Lee Jihye, who let him take his sister without a protest. The girl instantly clung to her brother, still sobbing into his arms.
"Mia-yah? What's wrong?" he asked in the softest tone that Kim Dokja had heard from him yet.
"Oppa," she sobbed, clutching onto him as tightly as she could, "if— if things are so bad, and… and if it's bad enough that— that Sangah-unnie and Heewon-unnie can't go…"
She took a gulp of air before more tears rolled down her cheeks. "Then… then what happened to me?"
Yoo Joonghyuk froze, and everyone could clearly see the split second of panic on his face before he did his best to calm her down.
"I'm scared, oppa," she cried, her hands shaking violently as she buried her face in his shoulder. "I promise I'll get strong so— so you don't have to worry. Just… please stop leaving me."
Kim Dokja felt his heart shatter, knowing that Yoo Joonghyuk probably felt so much worse than he did. Unlike most of them, who were all safe in Peace Land and who had been wasting time drinking and partying, Yoo Mia had no idea what was happening for her. Was she safe? Was she injured, missing, worse—
[a constellation who likes children is expressing great sympathy for the incarnation 'yoo mia'.]
Yoo Joonghyuk sat back down with her, just a bit closer to Kim Dokja than before. It probably wasn't intentional, but at least it meant that the other two kids could help her later when she was calmer. In the meantime, Yoo Joonghyuk was whispering reassurances into his sister's ear, reminding her that they would change this, and that she'd learn how to fight properly too.
There wasn't anything that Kim Dokja could do other than try to avoid eavesdropping on their conversation, so he held his kids just a bit closer and took a deep breath.
[many constellations are anxiously urging the incarnations to go back to the seoul dome.]
Joonghyuk states that they won't know for sure until they return, coming to stand nonchalantly beside Dokja as the additional reward settlement for killing Yamata no Orochi finally comes in. Dokja agrees with him as he looks over the reward window and muses that the weapons are good choices, and that the bracelet is a good item for magical defense. However, with his swords, he doesn't need the weapons, and even though the bracelet is interesting, he doesn't think he'll need it unless he meets a returnee. In the end, he only has one real choice.
The portal to go back opens as the people of 'Peace Land' cheer and sing a very strange tune about the heroes. Dokja waves goodbye, but his expression displays his utter dislike for the lyrics—which include several misspellings of his name—guessing that they were even more moved by the skill he chose as a reward.
There are some skills that are abnormally difficult to obtain regardless of the skill's grade. For example, a limited 'A-Grade Skill' that can only be obtained in 'Peace Land'.
"You're right," Kim Dokja breathed out in a sigh, glancing at the protagonist. "We could spend all our time making guesses, or we could go back and learn the truth for ourselves."
Trust Yoo Joonghyuk to get them all back on track when they were starting to panic. The protagonist was good at stuff like that, and the fact that he usually managed to keep a cool head was a point in his favour too.
Yoo Joonghyuk looked up with tired-looking eyes from where he was still holding onto his sister, and he nodded. Kim Dokja wasn't going to press him right now either. He had enough on his plate already.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is curious about the rewards.]
Lee Gilyoung perked up eagerly. "Those all look good, hyung! I know you'll pick an awesome reward."
Kim Dokja nearly let out a breath of relief upon surveying the results. He already knew exactly which option he'd choose, especially considering where they were.
"I will, don't worry," he replied with a laugh, gently patting the kid's head as he did.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is extremely amused by the song.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cackling gleefully.]
Kim Dokja groaned as Han Sooyoung and Lee Jihye began laughing. What was up with that song, and why were the lyrics so… so bad!?
"Come on," Kim Dokja exclaimed in exasperation, "why is it just about me!? Joonghyuk-ie did a bunch of the work too; why aren't they saying this about him?"
Wiping her eyes as she looked out of her brother's hold, Yoo Mia tried to send a shaky smile at Kim Dokja. "Ahjussi, it's because there's nothing about my brother to make fun of."
Shit, she was right. As far as the people of Peace Land knew, he was someone amazing and not a total sunfish.
[a few constellations are curious about the unique skill of 'peace land'.]
A flashback showing the reward selection begins with Dokja choosing option four. From the list of skills that pops up, he selects [Miniaturization], gaining adoring looks from the crowd. Jihye scolds him for his choice though, even asking why he didn't choose a sword and give it to her. As the citizens of Peace Land continue to bid them a tearful goodbye, Ganul cheerfully urges everyone to say their last farewells.
Dokja looks over his shoulder at the castle ramparts, gazing up at Kyrgios, who he expected to come running over, making threats, after the scenario finished. Instead, the man is standing with his arms behind his back, looking away, and bearing a slight frown on his handsome face as he watches silently. Asuka smiles as she steps up beside Dokja, telling him that Kyrgios is thanking him. "That's just the feeling I get. I'm not too sure why, though."
As the Japanese incarnations walk towards the portal, Asuka states that she hopes to meet them again while Michio enthusiastically says to Dokja in particular that they'll definitely meet again with a large smile and a wave. After the Japanese incarnations disappear from sight, Dokja asks if they should head out as well. As they step into the portal, they hear a ding as a pop-up informs them that the main scenario has ended.
"Huh, why the fuck would you choose that, of all options?" Han Sooyoung wondered with a strange expression.
Kim Dokja sighed and shot her a tired glance. "Because I need it. Trust me on this."
If he didn't have that skill, then training with Kyrgios would be literally useless in the long run. Unfortunately, his philosophy about tiny things applied to his skill as well.
Thanks to Yoo Mia seemingly feeling better, Lee Jihye looked far less frantic as she sighed. "Aw, dammit. Those swords looked cool, ahjussi!"
[a constellation who likes swords is agreeing with the words of the incarnation 'lee jihye'.]
She'd be able to get plenty of swords later, so Kim Dokja just shrugged with a fake smile on his face.
"At least Kyrgios-ssi doesn't seem too mad that you have to leave?" Yoo Sangah said with a small laugh. "You've escaped his fury, it seems."
Thank goodness for that. Kim Dokja didn't particularly want to get vaporized by a bolt of lightning anytime soon. However, he had to blink in shock when Asuka Ren informed him that Kyrgios was thankful.
"Even though she's no longer connected to this world, it seems that not everything has disappeared," Lee Seolhwa sighed fondly. Maybe that would put Han Sooyoung at ease somewhat, too.
[the constellations of the land of the rising sun are hoping for future collaboration with the incarnations of the seoul dome.]
It was sad that they were saying goodbye already, but at least everything ended on a good note as far as this scenario went. Now, all they had to do was head through the portal themselves and see just what was going on back home in Seoul.
Kim Dokja took a deep breath. "I just want to say one thing before we go back. No matter what happens going forward, just know that we did a great job in this scenario. We all survived, and we're going to keep trying to survive in the future. That's what really matters."
[several constellations are nodding along with the words of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
He couldn't promise that everything would be okay in the next scenario, or the scenario after that. He would try to keep everyone alive, but he was only human—the scenarios had already reminded him time and time again that no amount of knowledge would mean that he could guarantee a specific outcome.
"That's right," Jung Heewon cheered. "We'll keep living just to spite the Star Stream!"
Now that was the right attitude to have. Hopefully it would give them the morale boost they needed for going back to Seoul, even though Kim Dokja had the sinking feeling that the situation was likely far worse than expected.