Why was the Secretive Plotter feeling conflicted? Was he somehow upset because he thought that he wouldn't be able to sponsor Kim Dokja after he became a constellation, or something? That would make the most sense, since unlike others, he had always been supportive before.
"Kim Dokja, you…" Yoo Joonghyuk said suddenly, his voice sounding almost raspy for some reason.
Kim Dokja sighed. "If you're wondering whether this was always my plan, then yes. I had hoped that it would stay a secret, but I guess there's no point now."
The protagonist stared at him intently for a moment, not saying anything, but Kim Dokja could see the turmoil in his eyes. It was obvious that he didn't know what to think, likely trying to weigh the pros and cons as best as he could despite his innate hatred of constellations. All Kim Dokja could hope was that Yoo Joonghyuk understood the benefits that would come with having a constellation as an ally—he had partnered up with some constellations like Uriel and the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon in later regressions, after all, but he had never considered it this early.
[a few constellations are feeling suspicious of the intentions of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Honestly, they were probably right to be concerned, but that wasn't exactly Kim Dokja's problem right now either. For the moment, his biggest worry was that he might end up having to completely overhaul his plans so any particularly vindictive constellations wouldn't be able to block him off from his goals.
"Don't worry about it for the moment," he said, glancing at everyone's confused faces. "It won't even happen until I get another fable, and we don't even know when that opportunity will come. At least, if I manage it, I'll even be able to offer Yoosung-ie a proper stigma."
The girl's eyes gleamed excitedly, and she managed to worm her way out of Lee Jihye's grasp to fling herself onto Kim Dokja in a hug. "Thank you, ahjussi. You're the best sponsor ever!"
He hesitated for a moment, but gently hugged her back with a gentle smile. "It's no trouble at all."
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at him for a moment longer before closing his eyes with a sigh and turning his gaze back to the screen. It seemed that he had decided to trust Kim Dokja, for now, and Kim Dokja had to do everything he could to suppress the warmth that shot through his body at that. It meant so much that Yoo Joonghyuk was at least somewhat willing to accept this, but he supposed that it meant that they had come a long way from when they had first met.
As for everyone else… all he could hope for was that they would be somewhat normal about this going forward, but hopefully it'd get swept back under the rug until it became relevant again.
As the discussion about the reward settlement continues, in the courtyard of Veronica Castle, soldiers and civilians alike gather the dead—or at least the remaining pieces of them—while others give hugs of relief to the living.
"So you're the person called Kim Dogeza that Michio mentioned." Dokja turns around and identifies the speaker as Kizuki Takashi. Dokja mentally notes that Kizuki has the sponsor related to Yamata no Orochi and remarks that he had the hidden scenario for the
Dokja's eyes widen at this before he looks down with a self-deprecating look. 'Solved, huh. Could I really call what I've done solving something.'
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is saddened by the destruction.]
"Those poor people…" Lee Seolhwa whispered, frowning deeply. "I wouldn't even be able to save some of them."
It was a tragedy for sure, but it was impossible to save everyone. She knew that already, but Kim Dokja just hoped that she wasn't feeling too upset because of it.
However, when someone called him 'Kim Dogeza' again, Kim Dokja just had to sigh.
"Seriously? He said my name right once, and then he went back to using the wrong name when telling other people about me."
"Sure seems like it," Jung Heewon muttered. "You're going to be forever known as Kim Dogeza in Japan, I think."
Fuck. Why did stuff like this always happen to him?
Whatever, what was more important was that this was the incarnation who Yoo Joonghyuk had gotten the sword from. Knowing what he was planning with it, though, Kim Dokja really hoped that the guy didn't want it back.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is curious about the sword hidden scenario.]
[several constellations are upset by the reminder of the death of a constellation.]
"Dokja-ssi, even if you don't think you've solved anything, they do," Yoo Sangah reminded him gently. "They're grateful to you, and it would be more rude if you don't accept it."
That was true, he supposed. Yoo Sangah truly was the best at navigating social situations like that, and her advice was always good too. Kim Dokja was lucky that she had survived that day, and that she had decided to stick by his side all this time.
As Dokja puts the
Izumi Hiroki, the King of Hundred Yōkai, was his hero.
Dokja thinks that Michio's thoughts must be all out of sorts since Dokja was the one to kill his hero.
"Kim Dogeza-san," Michio calls out with purpose, snapping Dokja out of his thoughts, "someday for sure, I want to fight on the same battlefield as you again."
The two look at each other for a moment—Michio with determination, and Dokja with surprise. When Dokja tries to correct Michio on his name once more, he's interrupted by the other man enthusiastically stating that he will surpass Dokja's strength as tears form in his eyes that are full of admiration. Not letting Dokja get another word out about his name once more, Michio turns and runs away. His tears twinkle in the air, shoujo manga style, as Dokja fills the role of a scumbag watching a girl run away based on composition.
"Oh ew, it's the weird rock fruit again," Lee Jihye groaned. "I don't even know what it tastes like, but it's probably gross."
Well, now that Kim Dokja thought about it, he wasn't actually sure what it tasted like. They hadn't been in a situation that required it yet, after all.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is encouraging the incarnation 'kim dokja' to listen to the words of the incarnation 'michio shoji'.]
Lee Hyunsung looked troubled for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I don't know what he's thinking, but if my hero was in a state like that… I think I would be happier that his suffering was over. Maybe he's choosing to see that Dokja-ssi saved Izumi Hiroki-ssi from having to live like that."
That made sense, but Kim Dokja didn't feel any less conflicted. He had killed a person for the first time, and though it was for the greater good, he had done his best to ignore the way his hands trembled faintly. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it could have been, thanks to the utterly inhuman state that the man was in at the time. Possessed by a shadow of a constellation like he was, Izumi Hiroki had been both barely human and barely alive at all.
Lee Jihye protested when Lee Gilyoung also wiggled his way out of her grasp and wandered back over to Kim Dokja's side. "We need to fight together again too, hyung!"
Kim Dokja reached out to pat his head. "I'm sure we will, Gilyoung-ah."
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is laughing at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja sighed deeply. Not only did his last chance of correcting his name slip away, but Michio Shoji also did something extremely weird right at the end there. Why was he running like that?
Han Sooyoung snickered. "Without context, it looks like you just rejected his confession or something."
What did she think this was, a teen romcom?
Suddenly, a few pop ups appear, catching Dokja's eye as 'Snake Cutter' shows interest in Michio. The painting from before re-appears as Dokja goes over Susanoo's myth and the fact that he originally sponsored Izumi in a daze.
So he's planning on choosing Michio Shouji for this round.
Michio runs to meet the other Japanese incarnations, wiping his tears with a smile on his face. Dokja smiles and watches fondly as he thinks that Tokyo Dome will be fine as long as the three—Michio, Asuka, and Kizuki—are there.
Dokja glances over at Joonghyuk and the
Kim Dokja's eyes widened suddenly. Snake Cutter was interested in Michio Shoji, who was still sponsorless, this time around? Huh… maybe Japan would be fine in the end after all.
"That's a good sponsor," Yoo Mia said approvingly, sitting contentedly in Lee Jihye's lap. It seemed that she was still happy to spend some time with her unnie, unlike the other two who had come running back to Kim Dokja's side fairly quickly.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is agreeing with the assessment of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"Maybe we'll get to fight alongside them again," Kim Dokja mused quietly. That would be nice, especially with those three heading the group. Maybe Lee Hyunsung would get his wish of actually properly collaborating with the Japanese incarnations eventually.
[a constellation who likes swords is aghast.]
Ah, yeah, the sword was fairly damaged. No wonder the other incarnation hadn't bothered asking for it back. Yoo Joonghyuk frowned slightly, but he seemed to understand that the fact that it wasn't broken was pretty much a miracle anyway.
"Why are you staring at me?" Kim Dokja asked suspiciously, shooting a glance at the protagonist. "It's not like you to just… hover like that."
Yoo Joonghyuk raised a perfect brow and stared at him for a moment. "... Fool."
Wow, he was so helpful, wasn't he?
Taking a sip from a cup, Jihye lets out a loud sigh as she remarks that she thought she was really going to die that time, complaining about how a few words from the creature made her this way. Hyunsung, still looking worse for wear, remarks that even surprise inspection visits from his superiors in the army didn't scare him this much.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Lee Hyunsung." At the sound of the low voice, Hyunsung comically freezes and drops his mug before shakily turning around to attempt to smile at the protagonist through his terror. With a glare, Joonghyuk demands to know why Hyunsung didn't listen when he was told to follow his group.
Like a whimpering puppy, Hyunsung tearfully turns to look at Dokja while still shaking under the terrifying pressure of the protagonist's glare. However, Dokja completely ignores the soldier's plight with a fake smile.
Lee Jihye nodded along with her future self, hugging Yoo Mia just a bit tighter. "Ugh, yeah. That sucked so bad."
Kim Dokja was pretty sure that was an understatement. The fact that she had endured so much, even taking command and doing her absolute best, was a testament to her willpower. It wasn't her fault at all that she was unable to withstand a constellation's true voice.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is proud of his incarnation for her tenacity.]
When Yoo Joonghyuk called Lee Hyunsung's name, the present Lee Hyunsung flinched as well, clutching his chest and letting out a sigh a moment later. "That scared me…"
Jung Heewon patted Lee Hyunsung's shoulder for a moment before shooting a disbelieving look at the protagonist. "He was partnered up with that granny, and we don't even know how far away from you they ended up starting."
Kim Dokja did his absolute best to not snicker. She had some extremely valid points there! Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't control everything, especially in this turn where Lee Hyunsung wasn't strictly following him in the first place.
[a few constellations are astounded by the lack of assistance from the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Lee Hyunsung looked at him tearfully, eyes full of betrayal. "Dokja-ssi… you wouldn't actually abandon me with him, right?"
Uh… Kim Dokja was going to choose to abstain from that question, thanks.
When Yoosung calls his name and gently tugs on his sleeve, he pulls her into a hug and pats her head while telling her that she did a great job considering how hard it was. Off to the side, Gilyoung declares that it wasn't tough for him, prompting a growling match between the two children as they cling onto Dokja, while the man obliviously thinks that they've become very close now.
An older man walks over and states that Dokja seems popular with children. When he bows to Dokja, it causes him to remember that the man is Gillemium.
One of the first people on this planet to fight against the disasters…
Gillemium informs Dokja that a small royal banquet will be held in the evening, although its scale will be smaller than they would like due to the collapse of parts of the castle. Still, he asks if it's alright to extend an invitation to them. Since they've defeated the disasters already, Dokja knows that the scenario will end early, but he knows that it will take a little bit for all the remaining Japanese incarnations to gather together.
If it's a banquet… is it the thing where you party and drink?
Shin Yoosung hugged Kim Dokja a bit tighter, and nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder. "I did my best, ahjussi."
He nodded, and proceeded to let out a small oof when the other kid decided to clamber all over him too. He wasn't some kind of playground structure, dammit!
"I did my best too!" Lee Gilyoung protested, sounding a bit more frantic than expected. "You think I did a good job, right?"
Kim Dokja sighed, but patted both of their heads as best as he could. "You both did very well. I'm proud of you."
Lee Gilyoung let out a shuddering breath, and Kim Dokja did his best to pretend that he couldn't feel any wetness seeping through the robe. That kid… why was something like this enough to affect him that much?
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is pleased by the current events.]
'Popular with kids,' huh? Maybe with these two, but he still hadn't managed to completely win over Yoo Mia yet. Maybe she would come around eventually.
"Oh, it's the old guy," Yoo Mia said suddenly, as though she knew Kim Dokja was thinking about her.
Yoo Sangah looked thrilled and she clapped her hands in front of her once. "A banquet? That sounds wonderful! I'm a bit sad that Heewon-ssi and I will be missing it, though…"
"Next time!" Jung Heewon replied with a laugh, sending a wink in Yoo Sangah's direction.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is eagerly looking forward to the banquet.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is wondering why the incarnation 'kim dokja' seems to be confused about what a banquet is.]
Han Sooyoung barked out a laugh, and Kim Dokja felt his cheeks redden as he refused to answer that question.
Okay, so maybe he had thought that was something that only happened in those rofan novels, sue him. Although, he supposed that it did kind of fit in with Peace Land's setting, but that didn't mean he had expected it to happen!
In the castle at night, soldiers cheer and pull each other around as they clink their mugs full of alcohol together. At a table, Jihye chows down ravenously on the food, as Boksoon offers some food off her own plate to the younger girl. Across the table, Hyunsung frets, worried that she'll choke.
Looking at a bunch of alcohol that Dokja is gathering, Gillemium states that he's brought all the alcohol they have in the storage, while guessing that Dokja is fond of drinking. Dokja simply dodges the question and states that it's hard to find liquor nowadays.
Because the alcohol level of the liquor in 'Peace Land' was low, I needed as much as possible in order to make the liquor that I wanted to make.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is hoping for a drunken fight to break out.]
Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. He was just going to ignore that constellation for a bit.
"Oh that food looks amazing!" Lee Jihye exclaimed. "Ugh, I wish I could taste it."
Lee Seolhwa giggled lightly, and smiled in the teenager's direction. "Maybe eat a bit slower—it would be rather embarrassing to survive fighting a constellation and then die choking on your dinner, no?"
Lee Jihye flushed instantly, and she laughed awkwardly. Lee Seolhwa was right, though. It was fine to eat a lot—encouraged, even, especially in their circumstances—but she had the opportunity to take her time for once.
[many constellations are licking their lips eagerly.]
[several constellations are wondering about the taste.]
When Kim Dokja appeared on screen, though, Yoo Joonghyuk instantly looked at him darkly. "Why are you not sitting down and eating too, you fool?"
The protagonist looked genuinely offended that Kim Dokja wasn't taking advantage of the free food, and Kim Dokja looked away with a weak smile. "I… uh… I have more important stuff to do?"
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is scolding the incarnation 'kim dokja' and is insisting that he eats well.]
"I'll eat something once I'm done!" he replied in exasperation, sighing deeply.
Yoo Sangah looked at Kim Dokja nervously. "You're not going to get drunk again, right? You said you're a lightweight, so this amount of alcohol might be dangerous…"
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is encouraging the incarnation 'kim dokja' to drink a lot.]
He just gestured to the screen as his future self explained that the alcohol content was low, so technically he should be actually able to drink some of this and not get too affected. Anyway, he wasn't planning on drinking more than a single glass in the first place.
Everyone looks over curiously as Dokja pours bottle after bottle into a large cask from the balcony. Even 'Snake Cutter' is interested in the brewing recipe as Dokja empties more and more alcohol into the cask, in full view of everyone at the banquet. After filling it with enough booze, Dokja starts putting the bones of the 'Sovereign of Eight Heads' into the mix. Joonghyuk speaks up from behind him, remarking that Dokja knows about the 'hidden piece', Dokja huffs from where he's crouching on the banister and holds out his hand for the sword while stating that he's not a prophet for nothing.
Joonghyuk silently hands over
Jung Heewon winced as she watched Kim Dokja pour all the alcohol in together. "I know you probably have a reason for doing this, but as a former bartender, I am seriously questioning you right now, Dokja-ssi."
Right… she used to mix alcohol for a living, so seeing him do this haphazardly was probably somewhat painful for her.
"Unfortunately, I need the alcohol to get pretty strong, so it's going to take a lot of it," Kim Dokja sighed. "Just trust me on this, and I promise I'll never try to mix drinks again."
[the eyes of the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' are gleaming with curiosity.]
"You're putting the bones in the drink?" Lee Gilyoung wondered in confusion, before seemingly shrugging it off.
"Ahjussi, is that even safe, or are you about to get everyone cursed or something?" Yoo Mia demanded dryly.
Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't do that…"
"History fucking proves otherwise, dipshit!" Han Sooyoung called. "Don't think I forgot about those two other curses!"
Okay, so maybe he had let both her and Han Myungoh get cursed, but this was a different situation!
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is snickering.]
When Yoo Joonghyuk spoke up, Kim Dokja gestured to the screen as though he were trying to prove his innocence. "See? Joonghyuk-ie even knows about this!"
"And now you're throwing in a sword," Jung Heewon remarked blankly. "Sorry if I feel a bit skeptical about this."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is overjoyed to see the companions working together again.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is amused by the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Even Lee Seolhwa looked hesitant. "Between the sword and the bones, that doesn't seem very sanitary…"
Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. "Yoo Joonghyuk cleans his weapons religiously, and I'm sure it was the same for this one. There's no blood on it anymore or anything."
Everyone except for Yoo Joonghyuk stared at him in silence for a moment before Han Sooyoung sighed dramatically.
"Ugh, it's not about the blood you idiot. It's about the fact that you're throwing literal bones and a sword into a drink!"
It would be fine!
[the constellation 'guam divine doctor' is concerned about the health repercussions of consuming such a drink.]
Kim Dokja blankly stared back at them, raising his eyebrows pointedly when the notifications about the fables began popping up.
"See that?" He said smugly when the new sword rose from the alcohol. "That is what I was trying to do here."
[a constellation who likes swords is pleasantly surprised by this turn of events.]