[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is wondering if the scenario will get exciting soon.]
As much as Kim Dokja wanted to move forward with the scenarios and hurry towards the next one, it wasn't always a bad thing to get to sit and relax for a while. Still, knowing himself, he wouldn't doubt if he let everyone else have some time off while going out by himself for a while.
Yoo Joonghyuk had done that all the time in TWSA, and that was something that he had always appreciated about it. Tls123 had never shied away from splitting the party in the novel, and it made sense that it happened too. Yoo Joonghyuk was far stronger than everyone else, so sometimes he had to go alone to do sub or hidden scenarios that were too difficult for the others just to get a piece of equipment or a skill that he needed.
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is hoping that the incarnations will take some time for themselves.]
"You're one hell of an asshole." Sooyoung gripes as she and Dokja leave the gated town behind the next morning. "Are you actually going to leave, just like this?"
As Dokja says that his role in Paradise is finished, Sooyoung's expression turns catty as she asks if he's leaving it to its original course from the novel. Not giving her attention, he merely explains that staying won't give him any benefits at this point in time—not all stories are beneficial, and defeating Reinheit now is a bad idea.
When she asks why he left his companions behind, Dokja deadpans that they need rest too. At this absurd response, Sooyoung states that he must be sulking since he did so much for them, and yet they all fell to the temptation of some demon scum who they only just met. When she moves on to criticizing Heewon specifically, Dokja's gaze hardens as he states that she's the one who deserves to rest the most.
Scoffing, Sooyoung says Dokja isn't clueless that Paradise will soon fall, and yet he made her so happy with his gift while leaving her unaware of what's going to happen. Dokja explains that Heewon should be responsible for her decision to stay, causing Sooyoung to call him a cruel bastard.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is thrilled by the current events.]
"Ah, shit," Han Sooyoung griped, looking exceptionally done with the whole situation, "why are you dragging me along too, huh?"
Kim Dokja sighed. Right, he should have expected that one. While there definitely wouldn't be anything that she remembered that he didn't, it would be one opportunity for him to go out and pick up hidden pieces without having to make up some bullshit excuse for how he found out where they were.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is hoping that the incarnation 'kim dokja' will attempt to reunite with his companion.]
"Ahjussi, why didn't you take me with you?" Shin Yoosung asked, sounding genuinely upset by the fact that she was being left behind in Paradise.
Lee Gilyoung shot her a glare before hugging Kim Dokja's arm. "Yeah, hyung! I'm so much better than ahjumma, you should have brought me instead!"
These kids… they had only just gotten a chance to relax after nearly dying on the first floor, and now they wanted to go back out and fight more monsters?
"I'm sure that Dokja-ssi doesn't want to force either of you to fight while you're still recovering," Lee Seolhwa reminded them gently, and even though the kids seemed dismayed, they understood that they shouldn't push themselves too much.
Jung Heewon shot him a suspicious glance a moment later, though. "What do you mean that your role is finished? You'd better come back, you hear me?"
"I trust all of you to handle things here," Kim Dokja replied with a smile, hoping that it didn't seem forced. "I shouldn't stay, not after that talk with Reinheit. He's suspicious of me now, and I'd rather not get caught up in what's happening."
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the pragmatic decision of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
As Han Sooyoung remarked that he must be feeling bad because of his group falling for Reinheit's lies, Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. Sure, it didn't feel great or anything, but most people would be tempted by the chance to just… stop.
Yoo Sangah sighed, shaking her head as she did. "Sooyoung-ssi, please mind your words. I know that you don't know us as well in the future, but I can't say that the future Heewon-ssi would be at all pleased by any of that."
"I sure as hell wouldn't be," Jung Heewon scoffed, "but ugh, she's right. How the hell didn't I notice that it was so suspicious?"
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is confident that the incarnation 'jung heewon' will stand on the righteous side when the time comes.]
"I agree!" Lee Hyunsung told her eagerly. "Plus, if we have to do something here without Dokja-ssi to direct us, then your knowledge of the city will be invaluable."
She paused for a moment, thinking with a slowly growing smile on her face. "That's true. I seem to be pretty trusted by the people in Paradise too…"
Jung Heewon was good with people—likely a skill she had honed as a bartender—and being able to use the people's trust in her to their advantage would go a long way in bringing Paradise down.
Sooyoung then asks why she got dragged along, only receiving the answer that she's useful. Not even a second later, 'Dokja' is suddenly punched in the face, prompting Dokja to ask what Sooyoung's doing. The camera zooms out, revealing that 'Dokja' is an avatar that she decided to beat up for 'training' after changing it to look like him. Dokja winces as she punches and kicks him, focusing on places that are extremely painful.
Putting her arm over the shoulder of the swollen-faced 'Dokja', she asks what the plan is now. Deeply side-eying the avatar with distaste, Dokja explains that he's going to gather fables and look for hidden pieces over the next three or four days, leaving the main scenario to others.
As Kim Dokja called Han Sooyoung useful, Yoo Joonghyuk's brow twitched in irritation. He definitely didn't trust her at all, and it was probably bothering him to see his companion willingly spend time with the woman who had killed him. To be fair, that had been on his own request, but Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't the type of person to care for those kinds of details either.
Then, with absolutely no warning, Kim Dokja flinched as he was suddenly punched in the face.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is stunned by this turn of events.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is cheering and telling the incarnation 'han sooyoung' to punch harder.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is appalled by this unprovoked behaviour.]
"What do you think you're doing?" she said in an ice-cold tone, glaring daggers at Han Sooyoung.
Kim Dokja had no idea how to react to that at all, still stunned from the punch in the first place. Why would she decide to speak up now? It didn't make sense unless she still cared for some reason, but maybe she was just doing that in order to make him think that she did. There was no way it was true, right? She had no reason to be bothered by something that Han Sooyoung had done.
His mind was a mess, but Kim Dokja couldn't even begin to sort out his thoughts because Yoo Joonghyuk also looked enraged as he growled, "You're dead, Han Sooyoung."
For once, the kids and Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to be on the same page because they were glaring intently at Han Sooyoung, looking like they were nearly possessed. Jung Heewon also looked pissed off, but at least she had Lee Hyunsung holding her back. Yoo Sangah was gasping in shock, as though she couldn't believe what she had just seen, while Lee Seolhwa looked rather concerned by the strong hit.
"I don't know why I did that, maybe his face pissed me off!" Han Sooyoung replied quickly, looking just as baffled as the rest of them.
"My face," Kim Dokja repeated dumbly. "What's wrong with it?"
"The blurriness must be giving me a headache," Han Sooyoung muttered as she rolled her eyes, trying to look unfazed, but Kim Dokja knew better. Her hands were shaking and she was clearly terrified of the protagonist, even though she didn't seem to be particularly worried about anyone else. In Kim Dokja's opinion, she should probably be more worried about the kids since they were almost within grabbing distance.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is tearing out his hair in excitement.]
"Wait a moment," Yoo Sangah said suddenly, her eyes going wide. "I just heard Dokja-ssi's voice, but his mouth didn't open. It didn't sound like his thoughts either."
Sure enough, the screen zoomed out just enough to show that he was standing there, completely fine, while watching judgmentally as Han Sooyoung drop kicked her transformed avatar.
Lee Jihye blinked before snorting. "So ahjumma was just beating up herself in the end? That's pretty pathetic."
Thankfully, that realization meant that almost all the hostility in the room suddenly vanished, replaced by the kids laughing at her.
"That's sad," Yoo Mia drawled before patting her brother on the arm, presumably to calm him down. Out of everyone, he was the only one still looking upset, but Kim Dokja figured that was likely more on principle than anything else.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is entertained by this turn of events.]
Sighing deeply, Kim Dokja pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. "Han Sooyoung, can you maybe not talk to me while still keeping that beat-up clone around?"
It was kind of in bad taste, and in all honesty, he'd seen his own face covered in bruises and welts more than enough times in the past. It was unpleasant in so many ways, but he also didn't like the implication that she'd actually be able to beat him up in the first place.
As he explained that they were going off to gather hidden pieces, Lee Seolhwa turned to him. "Please be cautious, Dokja-ssi, and I hope that you didn't just leave without informing anyone this time."
Ah, right… The last time he had wandered off alone to meet up with Han Sooyoung, he had ended up dead. No wonder they were looking a bit nervous.
"Don't worry, I'm sure I mentioned it to someone."
Or at least, he really hoped that he had.
Dokja thinks that it's been hard working on the scenarios alone so far—though Joonghyuk seems to be working hard too, he's not helpful at important moments. In particular, Dokja thinks that everything would have been over in the fifth scenario with the Disaster of Floods or in Peace Land if he hadn't helped. All this time, while Dokja was working on the scenarios, Joonghyuk has been running around finding hidden pieces.
As Dokja smiles, thinking that it's time for Joonghyuk to work properly, he declares, "For now, we're going to act like a certain regressor."
"Alone?" Yoo Joonghyuk scoffed, pinning Kim Dokja under an intense stare. "I'm not helpful?"
Oh shit.
"Joonghyuk-ah," Kim Dokja hurried to say, "it's not that you haven't done anything, I think it's just that I'm, uh, frustrated? Yeah, frustrated, that I had to save you so many times."
Fuck, the protagonist was so pissed off. Why the hell did he have to think things like that, goddammit!?
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is agreeing with the thoughts of the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Don't agree! Yoo Joonghyuk turned to glaring at the message instead of at Kim Dokja, which was a nice break, but that didn't make the situation any better.
"Ahjussi, you're hurting Master's feelings," Lee Jihye scolded. Yeah, no shit, even though Kim Dokja would classify this less as 'hurt feelings' and more pure offense.
Yoo Joonghyuk, seemingly done with glaring at the indirect message, stared into Kim Dokja's eyes once more. "Remind me, Kim Dokja. The Disaster of Questions. The
Yeah, he was so dead.
Kim Dokja forced himself to look away awkwardly. "It's not that you haven't done anything…"
"You would have failed or died without me," Yoo Joonghyuk reminded him firmly, and Kim Dokja felt his stomach flip at the reminder. Was he just trying to emphasize that he had done the same in return and therefore didn't owe Kim Dokja anything…?
With a sigh, Yoo Mia scowled at him. "I can already tell you're thinking something stupid again, ahjussi."
It wasn't stupid!
"It's fine, I get it," Kim Dokja replied, trying to wave off the protagonist's irritation. "You don't owe me anything."
[the constellation 'bald leader of the peasant's army' is shaking his head in disappointment.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is begging the incarnation 'kim dokja' to listen properly to the words of the incarnation 'yoo joonghyuk'.]
"You fool," Yoo Joonghyuk hissed, his eyes narrowing further. "We are companions."
Suddenly, Kim Dokja remembered a moment from Yoo Joonghyuk's 639th regression, when Lee Hyunsung had asked the protagonist what the word companion truly meant to him. He remembered that Yoo Joonghyuk had stared at their campfire for a solid minute before replying.
"A companion is someone who I trust to have my back, and who trusts me to do the same."
That was what Yoo Joonghyuk had said, despite not even calling anyone in that round a true companion, and Kim Dokja felt his mouth go dry. Was he… no. There was no way that Yoo Joonghyuk could actually be so angry over the implication that Kim Dokja might be annoyed that he had to keep saving him?
He looked down, and Yoo Joonghyuk clenched his hands into fists.
In the darkness, a psychedelic horror of a mouth opens. When it fully widens, eyes open within the gaping maw before bursting into tentacles with a squelch. They then lash out at and around figures of demonic beasts with sickening sounds as the beasts let out echoing roars.
Lurching forward, Heewon shoots awake in her bed, breaking out in cold sweat. As she calms down, she remembers that this isn't the first dream she's had of Paradise's fall, wondering if the dreams come from her refusal to become captain of the guard.
Beside the bed, the sword shakes, which Heewon describes as a cry which happens every time she awakens from a nightmare. She explains that it cries when 'evil' is near, seeming confused why it's crying when she can't find any evil in the city at all. She walks to her window, opening it and looking out over the peaceful streets.
As everyone glanced awkwardly at Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk, he was just glad that the focus of the screen was finally off of him. On the other hand, what was being shown was confusing and horrifying to anyone who didn't know the truth already.
"I really don't like that," Shin Yoosung muttered nervously as she watched the strange sight on the screen. "It's creepy."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is confused about the current events.]
All of a sudden, Jung Heewon awoke from her nightmare, and Shin Yoosung relaxed. Kim Dokja patted her head in consolation. "It's okay, Yoosung-ah. It was just a nightmare."
Lee Hyunsung looked over at Jung Heewon with a sympathetic expression, squeezing her hand. "I hope that Heewon-ssi doesn't get nightmares like that often."
She shook her head. "Thankfully, no. I have no idea what that's about."
Only a moment later, she answered her own question. It was a nightmare of Paradise's fall, perhaps even a premonition. Kim Dokja had no doubt that she'd be deeply involved in what was to come, but he doubted that it had anything to do with her position in the guards.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is feeling suspicion towards the guards.]
"Uh… noona? Your sword is shaking," Lee Gilyoung muttered as he pointed at the screen. Knowing what he did about the sword, Kim Dokja was unsurprised. This place was evil down to its core, whether or not she had realized it. Though everyone looked confused by what was going on at first, as Jung Heewon explained how her sword worked, that confusion changed into concern.
Yoo Sangah glanced over at Jung Heewon with a small smile. "I'm glad that you're paying attention to it, even if you haven't figured out why the sword is acting that way."
Jung Heewon nodded and sighed. "Yeah… hopefully I get that answer soon. I hate seeing myself so oblivious to everything."
Somewhere on another peaceful street, Gilyoung constantly mopes and repeats that Dokja has abandoned them, clearly not for the first time since Jihye sighs and mutters that he's always making a fuss when they can finally relax in a peaceful city. He then asks her when a protagonist will abandon their allies, prompting her to hesitantly ask when that is. Sounding depressed, Gilyoung answers, "It's when a companion is a burden."
Lying on the ground and crying, Gilyoung sobs that they've been labelled as 'useless'. Annoyed, Jihye states that Dokja isn't a protagonist—declaring that her Master is definitely more suitable—but ignoring that, this clearly isn't a novel.
She does go quiet as she looks at the meditating Yoosung, noting that it's been way too peaceful for the past four days. Ignoring Gilyoung moping about for the past two days, they've spent the rest of their time training and reflecting on the advice that Dokja left them. Before he had left Paradise, Dokja had advised them on which skills and stats to prioritize to improve.
As soon as the scene switched to show Lee Gilyoung moping about on the street, Shin Yoosung snorted. "Aww, you look pathetic, bug boy."
"Shut up," he hissed, flushing red. "Like you'd be any better."
"I am better."
And Kim Dokja was already done with this. Ruffling both of their hair, he sighed. "I haven't abandoned you."
That didn't seem like something he'd do, not when these kids were relying on him. And, as he looked down at Lee Gilyoung's conflicted expression, not when that kid had so many issues linked to abandonment. It was no surprise that he was reacting the worst to being left in the city to recover.
[constellations who like children are reminding the kids to relax.]
"I don't think that ahjussi thinks any of us are burdens," Lee Jihye sighed, glancing over at the other kids. "And if he really did, do you think he'd hide that fact?"
Lee Gilyoung shook his head. "Hyung would just say it to our faces, probably."
… fair. Maybe not to the kids, but to an adult? Absolutely.
"Jihye-ga is right though," Kim Dokja pointed out with a slight chuckle, "I'm not the protagonist."
Yoo Mia grinned widely. "Unnie already knows that my oppa is the best, so of course she says it's him!"
He was also the actual protagonist, so that only made sense. Yoo Joonghyuk had everything that a protagonist needed—determination, good looks, strength, charisma (when he wanted to), and cool abilities.
When Lee Jihye confidently declared that this wasn't a novel, however, she buried her face in her hands. "I'm stupid."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is disagreeing with his incarnation.]
"I'd say that the situation is more ironic," Lee Seolhwa admitted. "There was no reason for you to suspect that this could actually be a novel in the first place."
Exactly, and as the Prophets had mentioned, any time that they had tried saying as such to any of the characters of TWSA, they had brushed it off like it was a joke. She literally wasn't able to conceptualize it in real life, so there was no reason to be ashamed.
At the very least, Kim Dokja could feel reassured to know that he had actually informed them that he'd be leaving for a while and that he had given them things to work on in the meantime.
[the constellation 'goryeo's first sword' is approving of the training plan.]
Addressing Yoosung, Jihye asks if she knows what Dokja did before the apocalypse since she's his incarnation and they get information on their sponsors when their synchronization increases. She's a bit embarrassed to ask, since Yoosung doesn't like her that much because she's rude to Dokja, but she really wants to know since she has learned a lot about her constellation just by using her stigma. Opening her eyes, Yoosung responds, "Ahjussi is… a lonely person."
The screen is promptly filled by a coloured sketch of Dokja standing alone in a crowd, reading webnovels on his phone.
While Gilyoung looks invested in her words, Jihye seems unimpressed by her stating the obvious. Yoosung continues, explaining that Dokja really likes reading books, stating that countless pages always appear when she thinks of him, but she can never make out the contents or figure out what they are.
Her whole form droops when she thinks about how she has yet to get a stigma, so she doesn't know much. Having an 'oh shit' reaction, Jihye immediately feels bad and fails to encourage the girl. As she looks around, she realizes that everyone is uneasy, but when her sponsor tries to scold her, she covers her ears and babbles nonsense to block it out.
Kim Dokja raised his brow as Lee Jihye began to pry about his life through his incarnation. What she was saying was true—incarnations would get to learn more about their constellations in most cases. Yoo Joonghyuk had been extremely frustrated when he had realized that he was unable to do the same, after all, so there was a limit to it. Not even using [Regression] over 1,800 times had given him a single clue about his sponsor.
Unfortunately, Lee Jihye gasped in offense as the screen revealed that Shin Yoosung wasn't the most fond of her because she was rude to Kim Dokja. "Yoosung-ah, how could you…? Am I not your unnie!?"
"You are, but you do have to be nicer to ahjussi from now on," she replied, apparently agreeing with her future self. Kim Dokja just thought this was all rather ridiculous.
[many constellations are curious to know what the incarnation 'shin yoosung' knows about her sponsor.]
As she elaborated, Kim Dokja sighed. She really didn't get much; it wasn't anything that they hadn't already known through this scenario. How sad his life had been before the scenarios began wasn't a secret anymore, after all.
However, when she mentioned that unidentifiable pages appeared whenever she thought of him, Kim Dokja's eyes narrowed. That sounded an awful lot like…
"Shit, did the brat see that wall of yours?" Han Sooyoung asked suddenly, eyes wide.
Fuck, Kim Dokja hoped not. As the girl looked a bit fearful, clearly remembering what had happened to Nirvana, Kim Dokja grimaced. It had better not touch her, or else.
[the constellation 'scribe of heaven' is narrowing his eyes suspiciously.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is wondering if the skill 'the fourth wall' is blocking part of the sponsor-incarnation bond.]
Kim Dokja's eyes widened. That… was certainly a possibility, wasn't it? Shin Yoosung was a character of TWSA, in the end, and there was always the chance that he was subconsciously still thinking of her that way. He didn't want to, and he was trying to stop doing that, but that was the only reason he could think of that could explain why the wall might be getting in her way.
"I'll get you a stigma eventually," Kim Dokja promised, hoping to get her mind off all of that. Shin Yoosung looked up at him with a small smile and nodded.
As he patted her head again, Kim Dokja didn't notice Lee Gilyoung's sad frown as he watched Shin Yoosung's smile brighten.
Lee Seolhwa laughed slightly at Lee Jihye's panic on the screen, but shook her head. "Don't worry too much. Everyone is a bit emotional and unsure right now, so I don't think she's as upset as she seems."
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is sighing fondly at the antics of his incarnation.]
Jihye's attention is then captured by Hyunsung who is once again wandering off while looking up at the rooftops. Immediately, she realizes what he's staring at and laughs before jokingly asking if the kids want to see something fun.
Rounding a corner, Hyunsung notices Heewon sitting atop one of the roofs, quickly climbing up to join her. Slightly blushing, he asks if something's bothering her while also politely asking if it's ok to sit beside her. Smiling sadly, Heewon explains that the peace is making her thoughts run wild.
Stiffly, Hyunsung agrees with an odd tone—there has been something strange between them ever since he saved her from Nirvana's [Thought Infection], but neither of them are completely certain of what it is. Seeing the overly shy soldier, 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire' is immediately dissatisfied by his actions. The two incarnations sit in awkward silence for a moment as 'Master of Steel' tells 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire' to stay out of it. Heewon ignores them, but as she looks down at the street again for a moment, she notices the kids hiding behind a corner, spying on them.
Just as Heewon opens her mouth to call out to them, Hyunsung suddenly continues, "But, I believe that this peace comes at a cost."
"Oh, it's you, Hyunsung-ssi!" Yoo Sangah remarked, sounding relieved to see him as well. "Are you perhaps bird-watching…?"
That was a good question. Why was he looking up at the rooftops?
Lee Hyunsung's eyes went wide in surprise. "Bird-watching? I can't say I do that as a hobby."
[several constellations are debating taking up a new hobby.]
Their questions were answered only a moment later when it was revealed that he had noticed Jung Heewon sitting atop a roof, and went to join her. He was so polite that it was almost awkward, but it was nice to see that they had some time to themselves nonetheless.
"You came to keep me company? How sweet of you," Jung Heewon laughed good-naturedly, nudging Lee Hyunsung with her shoulder. His face, as expected, went beet red.
[the constellation 'master of steel' is pleased by the current events.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is feeling endeared by a blossoming companionship.]
"Something 'strange', huh?" Han Sooyoung snickered, raising a brow in Jung Heewon's direction. "I'd call you dense but at least you noticed."
Of course she had—you'd have to be blind to miss the chemistry between Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung.
Admittedly, it was pretty funny seeing Uriel be displeased with the situation again, likely being overprotective over her incarnation.
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is glancing at the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' teasingly.]
Hopefully, the future version of the archangel would come around someday.
Jung Heewon looked down and noticed the three kids spying again, and Kim Dokja facepalmed. "What is it with you three and spying?"
Lee Jihye sputtered and glanced away, her cheeks burning red, as she crossed her arms defensively. "Well, why wouldn't we be curious? What is it with adults and having secret romantic rooftop meetings, huh?"
Okay, while that could apply for Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon, how the hell did that apply to the time he went to talk with Yoo Joonghyuk? Was she so deep in her bullshit that she couldn't tell the difference between real life and her delusions?
Well, whatever. It wasn't his problem.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is solemnly agreeing with the words of the incarnation 'lee hyunsung'.]
Her eyes widening, Heewon states that Hyunsung seems to believe that Dokja left them behind for a reason. Hyunsung nods, explaining that that's just how Dokja is, and that their job must be to find out why it's peaceful. Though she thinks about it, she can't figure out what the problem is.
The streets below get noisy as a protest to continue the scenario breaks out, equipped with signs. Her eyes narrowing, Heewon wonders why they'd want to return. As the soldiers come to arrest them, Heewon shoots up as she notices the mother-child duo from Geumho Station among those the soldiers round up, even though they were only standing nearby.
Jumping down, Heewon approaches while telling the soldiers that they're going too far. Blocking her approach with their spears, the soldiers state that it's official business, and that she shouldn't interfere. As they do so, Hyunsung leaps down to join Heewon.
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is pleased to see the faith of the incarnation 'lee hyunsung' in the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"Thanks, Hyunsung-ssi," Kim Dokja said, smiling slightly. "You're right."
Resting aside, Kim Dokja was confident that they'd fare just fine on their own. Everyone in his group was strong, even though they all had ways they could improve.
"I hate that I can't figure out the problem," Jung Heewon sighed. "I know there is one, but past that?"
To be fair, she hadn't had a reason to learn about it just yet. If she had actually accepted becoming the guard captain, then she absolutely would have come face-to-face with the dark reality of Paradise.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is curious about the commotion.]
"A protest?" Yoo Sangah muttered curiously as she watched incarnations begin marching down the streets. That curiosity quickly turned to a frown as they got arrested, and she glanced at the others with a confused expression.
Lee Hyunsung looked a bit lost, but even he was frowning. "But they weren't even causing trouble… they might have been a bit loud, but it wasn't like they were destroying anything."
Unfortunately, even the smallest transgression was punishable there. They had to find more and more criminals, after all.
"Wait, but they weren't even in the protest!" Yoo Mia yelped as she noticed the two from Geumho station get rounded up too, just for being nearby. She tightened her grip on her brother's coat and looked up at him for reassurance. Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes narrowed as he glared at the screen, clearly displeased.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is offended by the injustice.]
Kim Dokja carefully observed Jung Heewon's expression as her future self was blocked from helping, despite her good reputation. She looked furious. Good.
She was going to need that fury if they wanted Paradise to burn.
Behind the blockade, Heewon can only watch as they wrench the mother away from her daughter to the sound of the woman's anguished cries. As Heewon calls out that the woman isn't a protestor, the guards discuss that the master told them to leave Heewon alone. Rebuking her, the soldiers declare that the woman must be a protester since she ran when they chased her, to which Heewon declares that running away when they're scared is a natural reaction people would have when someone suddenly starts chasing them.
The captain of the guards comes over, using the logic that only sinners would run. He then directs the soldiers to take all the 'protestors' away for their charges to be revealed later. When Heewon resists again, his cold gaze locks on her once more. "Even though the Lord has ordered us to leave you alone, I will arrest you if you interfere one more time."
Lee Gilyoung froze up and Kim Dokja wasted no time in holding the two kids a bit closer. If he looked down at their fearful expressions and carefully whispered reassurances to them, it definitely wasn't because he didn't even want to look back at her to see if she was even reacting to this scene. She had gone quietly all those years ago, after all, and she had remained that way. Seeing this desperation, Kim Dokja felt a stab of pain in his soul.
That was how a mother being taken away from her child should respond. Not with impassivity.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is feeling great sorrow for the mother.]
"Wait, why are they talking about being told to leave unnie alone?" Lee Jihye wondered suspiciously. "Would they have arrested her too just for trying to help?"
"They would," Yoo Joonghyuk said all of a sudden before falling silent and not offering any further information. Jung Heewon's face went pale at that, and paler still as the guards explained why the woman was 'guilty'.
Han Sooyoung grimaced. "Fuck that! Who the hell wouldn't run if they were being chased for no fucking reason?"
[constellations who are knowledgeable about law are wondering when the trial will be.]
"That's right, a trial!" Jung Heewon said way too quickly, almost as though she was trying to convince herself. "She'll be able to prove her innocence, and—"
"There are no trials in Paradise," Kim Dokja told her before she could convince herself otherwise. "If the guards say you're guilty, you're guilty."
Just like that, all the new prisoners were about to be carted off to the dungeons. Kim Dokja sighed, knowing just what awaited them there. That wasn't a fate that he'd wish on anyone.
"This is so unfair…" Shin Yoosung muttered as she tightened her grip on Kim Dokja's sleeve.
It wasn't fair, but life rarely was.
[several constellations are unimpressed by the threats of the guard captain.]
"Like hell I'm going to let them get away with this," Jung Heewon hissed, her eyes blazing with fury at the sight of the grave injustice in front of her. "Dokja-ssi, mark my words—this place is going to be nothing but ashes when we leave."
Kim Dokja fought back a smile.
Good. That was exactly what he had wanted to hear.