Chapter Text
(Dokja’s POV)
The kids and gotten back into their respective bean bags while the adults had gone to their groups in the room. I followed Sooyoung back to the couch, taking a quick glance at Yoo Junghyeok. His eyes met mine for a brief moment before he looked toward the screen. Wanting this to be over, I took the remote and pressed play. Then I whispered to Yoo Junghyeok, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“I don’t know.” He said softly. “All I know is that I need to get through this.”
[The Warden of the Dark has received the Demon King’s Blessed.]
Junghyeok’s knuckles turned a pale white as he gripped the fabric beneath his hands. Silently, I might have prayed for him, but instead— “Use your strength, Yoo Junghyeok.” —I kept my thoughts to myself.
“GAAAW… ETUR…!” The warden roared. Black waves of rage and energy radiated from its grey skeletal body. Its eyes glowed yellow as its tentacles thrashed around the room. It’s height nearly reached the top of the giant cavern.
“It’s revolting,” Jihye commented in disgust as she wrinkled up her nose. “I would have hated to face something like that this early on in the scenarios.”
Hyeonsung sighed. “Neither would I—” He turned to me. “—How did you survive that Dokja-ssi? I get that you are strong, but it’s grade 7.”
“I was lucky Hyeonsung-ssi. I had information that if I didn’t have, I would have died that day.”
“Damn it, this isn’t looking good.” Dokjs thought at his eyes darted around, landing on an exhausted Gilyeong. He held his weapon up and stared at the warden. “I wanted to avoid fighting it at all costs.”
“But then you choose the break the seal it was kept in,” Junghyeok said critically through grit teeth. I tried to reason with him. “If I didn’t cause some sort of distraction, it would have come after Sangah and Myeongoh. And even if it didn’t wake up to them, the ground rats would have come and finished them off.”
“I know your reasoning, Kim Dokja. I just wish it didn’t have to come to it.”
“ETUR!”
Jungheok shook at the word. A word he has listened to over and over for decades. “Never again…” He mumbled.
A shocked look came across Sangah’s face. “M-Mother?” Dokja turned to her voice, realizing that she was still there. He yelled. “What are you still doing here?! I told you to get back!”
“You understand it?” Junghyeok asked Sangah, suspicion hidden in his voice.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but I had a translating skill, and I was currently using it. I’m sorry if it brought back any unpleasant memories.” Junghyeok turned to me, betrayed. “You told them!” He spoke with venom in his voice. I tried to defend myself because I had never even spoken to them about any similar topic. “I would never, will never, and never have.” I looked at Sangah with a questioning look.
“Oh… um…” She inhaled. “After what we all saw, we paired it together with information we already knew. So we came to the conclusion that you must have been killed by the Warden of the Dark before.” Junghyeok leaned back onto the couch, talking to himself in a low voice. “I wish it was been the Warden and not it’s master.”
Sangah didn’t move, instead continuing to think. “Well…” She paused. “It’s just that the monster said, Mother. So… K-Kardu Emiren?” The Warden stopped at her words. “Maybe this isn’t how it’s pronounced… Akedu? Did I say it right?” Dokja looked at her in shock.
“KALIDU!!!” The Warden nodded. “KALIDU!”
Junghyeok looked physically ill. His skin was pale and clammy, and his face was a sickening grey. I think it might’ve wanted to vomit. I reached over for his hand, but he only shook it off. “I’m fine…” He muttered. I stared at him and didn’t believe it. Resisting the urge to ask about his current state, I looked straight at the screen, hoping the end this episode as quickly as we could.
“My god… she’s fluent in Spanish and now even the language of the demonic species? Dokja stared at her. “Her talent shines even in an apocalypse.”
[The Character “Yoo Sangah” has activated the skill, Interpreter Lv. 3]
“What is it saying anyway?” Dokja asked. “Well… it keeps asking us to become mothers.”
“How do you do that?” Huiwon questioned. Sangah opened her mouth to answer then she realized that the question wasn’t aimed at her. Huiwon continued. “How do you activate a skill without even knowing?” I thought about her question.
“You have to have had a talent for it before the scenarios started.” Yoo Junhyeok answered. “For example, if you practiced sword fighting before, it would be easier to unlock and use skills relating to swordsmanship. So Yoo Sangah-ssi, who was already able to speak in another language, would be able to use skills regarding speech faster than others.”
I studied the man. His voice was calm and collected, and his face neutral, but his color was pale. He wasn’t shaking, but his hands gripped the ends of the couch, threatening to rip the fabric.
“KALIDU!” The Warden roared again before pointing to Sangah. She looked pale and cried. “A m- mother? I’m not even married yet!” “KALIDU! The Warden pointed at Myeongoh this time. He physically jumped back. “W- Why should I be a mother?! I should be the father!”
The monster pulled a tentacle back before thrusting it into the open mouth of Han Myeongoh. Dokja and Sangah watched in horror as an object was forced down his throat.
Yuseung and Gilyeong wanted to vomit while Jihye held her mouth in her hands. “So that’s what it meant…” Huiwon stated cooly. I watched her eyes slowly lift to Yoo Junghyeok before all color drained from her face. Realization had just hit her.
“Perhaps it is a good thing that Han Myeongoh isn’t awake right now,” Hyeonsung spoke grimly, his face dark as he, too, had realized what had just happened on screen. Thankfully, the children remained oblivious to the truth being shown, only thinking about the events on screen in disgust.
Myeongoh thrashed, groaning as he tried to pull the appendage out. “So that’s what it meant with it said mother.” Dokja thought as he rushed towards the helpless man. “Yoo Sangah-ssi! You don’t have any plans to give birth anytime soon, do you?”
“Of course not!” She got the message and backed away.
“The demonic species impregnates other species with their offspring.” Dokja charged at the Warden. “What it’s doing to Han Myeongoh is-” Using his weapon, he slashed at the tentacle driving it into Myeongoh’s mouth.
“Eww…” Gilyeong scrunched his face when it was revealed what the Warden was doing to Myeongoh. Yuseung had a more confused look on her face. “But… he’s a guy… shouldn’t he be fine?” In her innocence, she asked a question that most of the new watches had been avoiding.
“When it comes to a different species and deals in scenarios and magic, gender doesn’t matter,” Junghyeok muttered. “The Warden is still his underling.” Yuseung stared sadly over at Myeongoh, who was unconscious on one of the mats. “Will he be okay?” She asked me.
“I don’t know. Han Myeongoh disappeared a while ago, and I haven’t heard of him since.” She frowned but didn’t comment. Jihye, on the other hand, was looking straight at Yoo Junghyeok. She had pieced together that her master's fear of the monster came from the fact that it had killed him before. Now she knew that there was more to the reason. She tried to speak to him, but Huiwon held her shoulder, whispering, “Not now…”
Think black liquid poured from the cut as the Warden roared. “GWAAH! KALIDU!!” “Enraged, the Warden sent one of its appendages in an attempt to strike Dokja down. Dokja grit his teeth as his blade met with the tentacle, his body rigid as every joint nearly buckled. “Ugh…”
The Warden sent another barrage of multiple tentacles. Dokja swung his sword, deflecting each one until his weapon could no longer bear the force of a Warden’a attack. As he raised his weapon high, it shattered in a single hit.
“Damn it!” Huiwon groaned in frustration. “If you had just brought me with you, I could have been helping!”
“Or you could have slowed him down!” Huiwon was taken aback by Yoo Junghyeok scolding her. “You were still injured.” He said, clearly agitated. “You would have done nothing but get in the way.”
“And how would you know? You’re a regressor, not god! You don’t know me!” Her hands flew to her mouth when she processed what she said. Junghyeok didn’t seem to notice. “I’m pretty sure most of you have pierced together the fact that I died to that monster in my second round. So believe me when I tell you it would have torn you to shreds.”
“Wait a minute…” Gong Pildu spoke from where he was in the back. “Is that how you died?! Wait?!” Oh, no. “WAIT!! Did you- did it?!” Junghyeok was glaring dangerously at Gong Pildu. The man started laughing. “Let me guess, it killed you, but before that—HAH—you fuck!! Must have enjoyed it, didn’t you? You—” Pildu was sent flying into the wall behind him, but not by Junghyeok.
The man in question had stood from the couch, fists shaking from rage. He jumped at Pildu to do whatever the fuck he chose, but Secretive Plotter beat him to it, shoving the man’s face into the wall. “Shut up, you insolent incarnation.” Junghyeok grabbed the Plotter by the shoulder and pulled him aside. Pildu was already bleeding from his head, but that didn’t stop him.
Junghyeok’s fist met chin, shoulder, neck, and rib. Throwing punch over punch over punch. Rymera popped into the room was Pildu began losing conciseness. “Hey…” He groaned. “He’s not allowed to do this here.” He said, speaking through punches. Rymera scoffed. “What do you mean? He’s not doing anything. I don’t see anything wrong. After all, as long as he doesn’t kill you.”
Punch after punch, the room went silent as Junghyeok’s fists moved to draw out his furry. You could hear every hit and every bone breaking. The man pulled his arm back, ready to begin another barrage of punches. Just before he released, I gently placed my hand on his arm and fist, bringing it down. “Stop, Yoo Junghyeok,” I said as I held his arm. “He’s not worth your time.” “He’s not worth you…”
Junghyeok snarled, listening to me, but not before giving the man a kick to the gut. He was angry… Hell, I was furious, but we had to keep watching, or we wouldn’t get out of here. “Junghyeok-ssi?” Nothing was spoken; the man just walked back to the couch and sat down. No one said anything more, not even the constellations. And thank the gods for their silence.
As the weapon broke in his hands, he managed to keep his cool and ducked down to avoid the attacks. “The Warden wasn’t placed in intentionally to be killed like the Ichthyosaur. I have no chance of beating him.” Dokja jumped in order to avoid a hit. “My plan was to grab the treasure after waiting for the Warden to leave. Han Myeongoh, that idiot…”
“You seem to be forgetting the fact that you’re the idiot who decided to wake the monster up.” Sooyoung rolled her eyes in disappointment, but deep down, she was just amused. “Couldn’t you have gotten Myeongoh to shut his mouth another way?”
I supposed I could have. I just didn’t think about it at the time. I looked at her. “Maybe, but I don’t think we’ll ever know.”
Several tentacles crashed into the ground, missing their target as Dokja ran around the room. “Dokkaebi! You’re watching, right?!” There was a bright flash of lightning before the creature answered. “W- What? H- How did you know?”
“Still pissed they sent that idiot bastard to watch over my channel,” Bihyung growled at the memory of finding out what had happened to his channel while he was away. “I mean, out of everyone they could have sent, they chose the dumbest of us all. Just look at him!”
He rolled his eyes as he ran. “I should’ve received an item in the mail by now. I need you to give that to me.” The Dokkaebi gave a mischievous smile and cackled. “Hehe. That’s none of my business. B- Bihyung is in charge of that.”
“That means you cause I was gone, Dumbass...”
Dokja gave him a ticked of glare. “But you’re here to do Bihyung’s job. Can’t you see that the constellations are on edge because of what’s happening?” Biryu took one look at the notifications before complying.
“A- All right. But just this once.” He stuttered. “I’m only doing this because it might make things interesting!”
“That’s how it feels to be blackmailed by this guy 24/7!” Bihyung yelled. “That’s how it feels!”
“Oh, come on,” I sighed playfully. “Sure, I’m a bother, but I make you so rich.”
“You are so much more than a bother, ass.”
[An item has arrived from the auction house.]
[The item Broken Faith has been acquired.]
[You are exempt from paying commission due to your contract.]
Dokja opened his hand as blue sparks of electricity flashed from his palm. He skidded to a stop as the hilt of a sword formed in his hand. He stared the Warden down as the monster stopped to stare at his new weapon. Its eyes glowed gold before it started laughing.
Huiwon’s eyes widened. “I know that sword anywhere.” She looked at Unbreakable Faith leaning against the couch beside my legs. “That’s-” I cut her off, winking. “Now, now, don’t forget the spoilers.” I couldn’t help the cheeky smile crossing my face. I’m also pretty sure Sooyoung almost gagged beside me. “Ew…” She complained. “Please don’t make that face again.”
Yuseung spoke to defend me. “I didn’t think it looked bad.” She smiled, but all Sooyoung did was stare. “That’s because you’re biased as fuck.”
“Han Sooyoung!” Yoo Sangah yelled to scold the woman for swearing while Huiwon just laughed.
Biryu snorted. “C- Can you even fight with something like that? T- That thing is broken a- and you won’t be able to use it unless you have a specific skill.” A broken sword was shown in Dokja’s hands.
“I knew it!” Huiwon rejoiced. “Is it really that easy to get weapons like that in the early scenarios?” I shrugged. “I wouldn’t say easy, considering the contract I had to make and the near time I nearly died. And weapons like this–” I held the sword in my hand. “–always seem to need something else before you can use them.
[Item]
- Broken Faith
- Grade D
[The equipped item is too worn out to be used. It’s durability is too low for it to be effective.]
“I already know that much. ” Dokja thought as he tried to catch his breath. Biryu was laughing to himself in the corner. “I wouldn’t have bought this in the first place if I didn’t.”
Dokja closed his eyes before opening them, taking in a deep breath. Both Biryu and the Warden froze as a soft blue glow began emitting from the tip of the broken blade. The hilt began shaking in his hands. In a bright flash of light, blue ether began to form on the end of the blade.
“Guys, it’s a lightsaber!” Gilyeong smiled as he watched the blade form on the screen.
“Not really,” Jihye stated. “Those weapons are made of heat from Kyber Crystals inside the hilt. Dokja-ssi’s sword is more of a ‘light magic’ kind of blade. And besides, actual laser Swords aren’t that hard to find in the scenarios.”
Gilyeong nearly gasped while Huiwon’s jaw dropped. The boy started yelling. “Laser Sword?! Laser Sword?! They are called Lightsabers and are powerful, elegant weapons that belonged to the Jedis of the Order. Calling the Saber Swords is a disgrace!”
“W- What! H- How?!” The Dokkaebi screamed in shock. “It’s now wonder he would be shocked. After all, I bought this skill from his friend after I killed the Ichthyosaur.”
[Personal Skill, White Star Weapon Aura, has been activated.]
[Broken Faith has responded to your star energy.]
[Blade of Faith has been activated.]
I pointed to the screen. “That’s what I had to buy before I could use my sword. And it’s also risky to buy a sword like this in early scenarios considering the levels and mana you need to sustain it. You’ll see in a few moments what I mean.”
Dokja pulled the sword back as bright flashes of blue and white danced around him. The Warden brought down it’s full attack. “GWAAH!!” Dokja grit his teeth and slashed at the oncoming tentacles. “Good. Now at least I have a chance. Blade of Faith is the most effective weapon there is against the demonic species.”
“The amount of knowledge you possess is truly dangerous.” Hades spoke from the area that held most of the constellations. Having such a powerful constellation commenting on your skill is incredibly horrifying and not something you want to have constantly happening. But that shouldn’t be something to worry about, it was the first time lord Hades had spoken in a while. So it stands to reason he wouldn’t comment on me again, right? Maybe he might even forget and just keep quiet.
Then he said. “You should be proud of yourself.” And what could I say to that? “Thank you?” I answered unsurely but did so nonetheless.
The Warden screamed in pain as its severed limbs dropped to the floor. “Damn it, this skill uses up a lot of mana.” Dokja stumbled back, struggling to remain standing. “I don’t have skills like ‘Combat Sense’ or ‘Blade Proficiency’. Having a powerful sword doesn’t make me a powerful swordsman…”
Junghyeok found himself agreeing with the words of the man beside him. After all, he had spent nearly two and a half centuries training in multiple rounds in order to get stronger. The same thought filled Hyeonsung’s mind, but all his memories were of his time in the military. And surprisingly, Han Sooyoung also agreed with the reader’s words, but she also knew that Dokja would so anything to get better. Even if that meant ‘cheating’ in a sense.
Dokja took a deep breath. “ …But I’m not a swordsman. I’m a reader.” His eyes glowed blue as words and pages flashed through his memory.
“Cheat…” Jung Huiwon spoke. But there was no malice in her tease.
[The effect of your attribute is improving your memory of pages you’ve already read.]
Dokja jumped sideways to avoid a tentacle crashing to the ground.
[Personal Skill, Bookmark, Activated.]
“You are so overpowered.” Jihye sighed before forgetting she was supposed to be judging me and went right back on admiring the action. “If you think I’m overpowered, you should really meet your master.”
The giant glowing book appeared over Dokja’s head once more, its pages fluttering before they stopped on a certain scene. “A reader should fight like a reader.”
[Activating Bookmark number 2.]
[The activation time has been shortened due to the low level of the bookmark.]
[Activation time: 1 minute.]
[Your understanding of the character is low, so the character’s skills were only partially activated.]
[Activating Weapons Proficiency Lv. 1]
Hyeongsung raised an eyebrow, quickly, he took a glance at one of his skills, unsurprised to find the same one Dokja was currently using. He knew it looked familiar. Even though he wasn’t there, the soldier was glad that he was able to help his friends in another way. He was also glad that Dokja knew and trusted him enough to use one of his skills.
A green hue began to form, covering Dokja’s body from head to toe. The aura about him began to change as the skill began to take place. The figure of Lee Hyeonsung was shown to be enveloping the reader’s body as he activated one of his skills.
“That is so cool.” Gilyeong smiled. “But, I was there when this fight happened. How come I didn’t see any of this?”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Yoo Sangah stated. “Maybe it’s there so it’s easier for us watching to visualize?”
“I don’t care if it’s just for us to see now,” Jihye smirked. “It looks cool as fuck.” At the young girl's comment, I couldn’t help but toy with her. “I thought no one was cooler than your master.”
“Shut it, you damn squid.”
Junghyeok raised an eyebrow, hiding a small smile as he responded while holding his jaw. “Really now, is someone taking my place?”
“Never master…” Jihye spoke frantically. “No one will ever be as awesome as you. I was just commenting that I thought Dokja Ahjushhi looked cool.”
“I’m not even that old.”
“Oh shut up, you ugly squid. You even look old.”
He jumped up and towards the Warden, slicing a dormant tentacle. The monster roared in pain as Dokja dove sideways, the form of Hyeonsung still lighting his every move. “Now, the tentacle on the other side.” He swung his sword, cutting through the appendage.
“After it attacks twice, it always…” The green aura surrounding him exploded as Dokja jumped toward the Warden- “…pauses for a brief moment!” -cutting the monster’s tentacles into pieces. The figure of Lee Hyeonsung landed gracefully as its form began to fade.
Small cheers erupted around the room at my victory. “Hashtag insider information.” Jihye snorted, shaking her head. “It’s too overpowered.”
Sangah gave several small claps, smiling at me. “Good job Dokja-ssi.” I smiled at her back.
“K- Kardu… mien… dero…” The Warden groaned
Sangah stared at him nervously. “H- How did you know where I’d attack…?” She said, her voice shaky. “That’s what it said…” The weakened creature crashed into the areas around Dokja, the last glimpse of green fading away.
“You just—” Dokja took a breath. “—have to read a lot.”
“You read Ways of Survival for ten years, right Dokja-ssi?” Huiwon asked as she stared at the screen. “If it weren’t for your memory skill, do you think you would have been able to remember the early stuff?” I thought about her question.
“Depends, really. I don’t think I have a way of figuring that out. But I’m sure I wouldn’t have had as much access as I do at this time.” I raised the remote and moved on to the next episode, letting it load. Bowing my head to hide my eyes, I looked over at the regressor beside me. Gods, he was still furious at Pildu’s comment. And I couldn’t blame him, so was I. Taking a risk, I placed a hand on his head and pulled it to my shoulder.
For a second, Junghyeok tensed. He knew people were staring. But, like me, I don’t think he cared. “Just this time…” He spoke, his voice barely a whisper, as he let himself relax onto me. I gave his head a light pat. He frowned but didn’t say anything. I made a mental note not to put any other shows of affection since I didn’t know how he would react to it, especially since it was in public. The episode began to play.