"Contract (3)":
Judging by how things were going, I had a rough idea of what was happening again.
"Why? Something not working?"
[This doesn't make sense. There's no way there's a barrier that can block system interference…]
Apparently, the "Fourth Wall" not only blocked interference from other incarnations but also from dokkaebis.
If this was true, it meant that no one—myself included—could see my Trait Window within the "Annihilation Law."
Interesting.
The perfect setup to become a scammer.
"If you can't do it, then forget it."
[W-Wait! I can do it. Ugh… If I just… try this?]
"I said, if you can't, then forget it."
[Kwahhhhhh!]
Whatever Bi-hyung touched must've backfired—he shrieked like he was being electrocuted. The fluffy white fur on his skin sizzled and turned black.
[Th-this! This is!]
"Forget it. If you can't, then drop it and help me with something else."
[That's unacceptable! I'm Dokkaebi Bi-hyung! I can't ignore this situation—my honor as a dokkaebi is at stake!]
I looked at my watch. It had already been an hour since I was swallowed by the sea monster. I didn't have time to waste.
"Dokkaebi Pouch."
Bi-hyung, who had been fumbling in the air, froze.
[What did you say?]
"Open the Dokkaebi Pouch."
[...How do you know about that?]
"Are you opening it or not?"
[Incarnations without a supporting constellation can't use the Dokkaebi Pouch…]
"Incarnations that use the pouch all have constellations, sure. But there's no rule that says incarnations without constellations can't use it."
[…Wait a sec.]
Bi-hyung took out a manual and flipped through it in silence for a while.
[At this point, I don't know if you're the dokkaebi or I am. Are you sure you're not secretly one of us?]
With a snort of disbelief, Bi-hyung raised both hands.
[…Fine. There's no issue with usage. But the Dokkaebi Pouch can only be opened when a channel is live. Is that okay with you?]
"It's fine."
[#BI-7623 Channel has been opened.]
[Constellations are joining.]
Right after that, a brilliant electric surge flashed in midair, and a translucent screen appeared before me.
[Welcome to the Coin Shop, "Dokkaebi Pouch."]
The Dokkaebi Pouch.
The moment this damn world's "cash shop" opened.
In the world of "Annihilation Law," coins serve two main purposes.
One is leveling up overall stats like stamina or strength.
The other is functioning as a universal currency used in various shops, including the Dokkaebi Pouch.
[Buy now! Starter Package for new incarnations, just 2500 coins!]
[Today only! The 300% Growth Package will put you ahead of the rest!]
[Picked a lame trait by mistake? Don't worry! The Random Trait Box lets you re-roll your trait!]
Endless coin items, including various packages.
All of the Dokkaebi Pouch's advertisements were targeted at constellations raising incarnations.
Naturally so. The pouch's real customers were the constellations.
I closed the pop-up ads one by one.
Compared to the "calamities" that appear after the fifth main scenario, this was nothing. But for early-stage incarnations, a "Sea Commander"-class sea monster was basically a walking disaster.
To defeat it, I needed some of the items sold in the pouch.
Let's see…
As I scrolled through the catalog, I glanced at Bi-hyung.
"Hey, are these really the only products available? There's got to be a search function, right?"
[Ah, that… damn. One second. Constellations! Please calm down!]
Ever since the channel reopened, Bi-hyung had been sweating cartoonishly, repeating apologies.
[It was just a server error! The stream cut off temporarily—I didn't do it on purpose!]
Above Bi-hyung's head, about 20 stars were twinkling.
Judging by the lack of dropouts, there were quite a few constellations interested in watching me.
Of course, not all of them were watching with kind intentions.
[A few constellations suspect the stream's fairness!]
[A few constellations suspect favoritism!]
Not unexpected.
The hidden scenario started while the stream was down, and now the Dokkaebi Pouch had opened—it would be weird if they weren't suspicious.
[Favoritism? Seriously? Hey, Constellations, I'm a dokkaebi. You know I'd get erased on the spot if I pulled something like that, right? You do understand the Storyteller's Oath isn't just a formality?]
"Can you help me first?"
[…The product search button's at the bottom right.]
"Thanks."
Ignoring the flustered Bi-hyung, I tapped the magnifying glass icon hidden at the bottom of the shop window.
[Product search function activated.]
[You may search up to 5 times a day. Additional searches cost 100 coins each.]
Seriously—whether human or dokkaebi, marketing is all the same.
Five total searches.
I only needed two to buy the required materials, leaving three extra.
[Constellation 'The Cunning Schemer' is curious about your plan.]
Yeah, I bet you are.
Keep watching if you're so curious.
[Constellation 'Black Flame Dragon of the Abyss' is glaring at your every move.]
Then stop watching if you don't like it.
I spoke into the search bar.
"Search product: Ancient Dragon."
[Three results found.]
A small pop-up appeared.
Ancient Dragon's Heart - Stock: ?
Ancient Dragon's Bone - Stock: 1
Ancient Dragon's Horn - Stock: 1
I selected "Ancient Dragon's Heart."
Name: Ancient Dragon's Heart
Grade: SS
Description: The heart of the ancient dragon "Ignitus," containing immense magic power. If successfully transplanted, grants the attribute "Hellfire."
Price: 1,500,000 C
Stock: Just sold out.
So it was sold out after all.
Bi-hyung, who'd been bickering with the constellations, now stared at me with a jaw hanging.
[You're crazy. How the hell do you know about the 'Ancient Dragon'?]
"I just shouted a cool-sounding name at random."
[…I don't believe that for a second.]
I shrugged.
In the original "Annihilation Technique," the "Heart of the Ancient Dragon" also had a designated owner. If I remember correctly, the current owner of that heart is in Italy.
Lucky bastard. Gaining a diamond-spoon-class background like that.
I called out a few more product names.
[Related item search complete.]
Eye of the Archdemon – Stock: 0
White Clear Qi (白淸罡氣) – Stock: 1
Even the Eye of the Archdemon is sold out... As expected, the constellations are incredibly fast. Not that I could afford it anyway, since the price is 1 million coins.
Still, having a sponsor sure is nice.
The incarnation who acquired the Eye of the Archdemon will now be able to tear through the early scenarios with ease.
[Seriously, what are you? You're not using some kind of cheat, are you? How do you know the names of items that can only be found through search?]
"I just guessed plausible-sounding names."
In the end, out of the three items I first searched, only one—White Clear Qi—was left in stock. Even that was 10,000 coins, so I couldn't buy it now. I just added it to the cart.
[What, you're not going to buy anything?]
"Can't afford it right now. Just window shopping."
[Tch, then why'd you even bother?]
"I'll buy something else instead. Just display the items I call out next."
I listed off a few item names. A moment later, the item list appeared before me.
Slime of the Hammer Seahorse – Stock: 124
Sharp Spine of the Stonehog – Stock: 17
I cross-checked with the list in my memory. The hammer seahorse, a marine species predated upon by sea dragons, and the Stonehog, their natural predator... no doubt about it. This was the most cost-effective combination for tackling a sea dragon.
"Four slimes, four spines. That's 800 coins, right?"
[Yeah, but... these are junk items. What do you even plan to do with them?]
"You don't need to know."
[...Not trying to interfere, but wouldn't it be better to buy something else? Like the . It's originally 8,000 coins, but I'll give it to you for 4,000 right now. That'd be way more useful for clearing the scenario.]
"Thanks, but I'll just get these."
Bi-hyung looked displeased, but he processed the purchase.
[800 coins consumed.]
Particles of shimmering dust formed in the darkness, and four long spines along with four black slime pouches appeared.
[No refunds if you regret it later. You know that, right?]
"I know."
With a short nod, I got to work. I stuck the spines through the folds of my tied-off upper garment and hung the pouches from my waist.
The Stonehog's spines had blunt bases but grew sharper toward the tips. Each was about a meter long—ideal for piercing something.
[Hmm... then I'll be off. I can't stick around just with you, you know. Some fun stuff's happening elsewhere too.]
"Go ahead."
[Hehe, then I'll wish you luck. May the blessing of the story be with you.]
As the glowing Bi-hyung vanished, the surroundings darkened again. I could use my phone's flashlight, but I needed to conserve the battery if possible.
In the darkness, the Stonehog's spines emitted a faint bluish glow. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now.
I drew one of the spines from my waist and swung it around experimentally.
Perhaps because I didn't have any proficiency-type skills like [Weapon Mastery] or [Universal Incarnation], the spine didn't feel natural in my hand.
[Some of the minor constellations are getting bored.]
The impatient ones would soon leave the channel. I couldn't see them, but Bi-hyung might be getting anxious too.
Another hour passed.
Up, down, left, right.
I wasn't thrilled about it, but I could now handle the spine without issue. Its coarse surface made it unlikely to slip from my grip.
Time to get started.
I drove the spine with moderate force into the sea dragon's stomach wall.
Thunk!
It bounced off as if I had poked a taut rubber wall. As expected, I wasn't strong enough to tear through the sea dragon's stomach with just brute force. Even with a skill, it probably wouldn't work.
Rumble.
That's when the small holes near the top of the stomach wall opened all at once.
With a gurgling noise, a nauseating fluid began to spew out.
"Gwah!"
A demon, buried in the stomach contents, let out a ghastly scream.
A sizzling sound followed as the demon's skin began to burn.
The sea dragon's digestive process had begun.
The quickly spreading digestive fluid dissolved concrete and byproducts alike, starting to eat away at the very spot I stood on.
Sssssss!
There was no more time.
I went straight into the plan.
Leaping from the debris, I grabbed one of the stomach wall's protrusions. Then, like rock climbing, I began ascending the wall one step at a time.
Splash splash splash.
Just above me was the digestive fluid ejection port. Clenching a spine in my mouth, I untied one of the slime pouches.
The slime of the hammer seahorse.
The thick, dark blue liquid smelled suspicious. I dabbed some on my fingers and carefully coated the tip of the spine.
Just like applying shaving cream to a patch of skin. If shaving cream protects skin from razors, then this slime would protect the spine from digestive fluid.
Here goes.
I swung the spine at the ejection port. The angle was precise, and I used the full extent of my current strength.
Squelch!
Digestive fluid splashed up from the impact, melting the skin on my forearm. The pain was excruciating, but I didn't stop. A single mistake here meant death.
[Your exclusive skill, "Fourth Wall," reduces some of the pain.]
Drip, drip, trickle...
Eventually, the spine jammed the ejection port solidly.
"One down."
After catching my breath, I pulled out another spine from my waist. I coated it with slime and plugged another port.
[Some constellations admire your composure.]
[Constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]
In that way, I blocked three of the ejection ports. A few remained, but their openings were small and discharged little fluid.
I steadied my breath and used my shirt to firmly tie down the spine I had embedded. All that was left was one more spine and two slime pouches.
I sprayed the remaining slime on my skin and clothes. Whatever was left, I poured down my throat.
"Guh."
A salty, fishy taste lingered on my tongue, but it was better than dying. Compared to the disaster I was about to face, this bitterness was nothing.
The stomach began to violently tremble about five minutes later.
...It's starting.
Screeeeeeeeech!
The sea dragon's agonized scream. Between the undulating stomach walls, its blood vessels bulged. The spines lodged in the ports began expanding their domain.
The Stonehog's spines had begun aggressive growth.
Stonehog spines grow when exposed to marine-type bodily fluids.
Crack, crack.
Now immune to digestive fluid thanks to the slime, the spines absorbed nearby fluids and began embedding themselves deeply into the sea dragon's flesh.
Until the sea dragon died, the Stonehog's spines would never stop expanding.
Screeeeeeech!
Watching the swirling digestive acid beneath my feet, I gripped the spine tightly.
I'd done everything I could. Now it was a battle of willpower.
Either I die, or this thing does.
Only one of us will survive.