Chapter Text
Yoo Joonghyuk stood before Kim Dokja's coffin without a word. His gaze, as hardened as ever, glared into the ever changing casket. Every time Kim Dokja was separated from them,<Kim Dokja's Company> would arrange a funeral for him — Though the other claims it's not needed.
But this time, after waiting and waiting, Kim Dokja did not return. And as if to reciprocate the apprehensive feeling sinking deep into his skin, Yoo Joonghyuk chose not to dwell on the possibility of not only Kim Dokja, but the 'Demon King of Salvation' dying. What if he was left without an incarnation and also died as a constellation? To shake away the nagging thoughts, Yoo Joonghyuk turned and left towards the other members of <Kim Dokja's Company> that had been taking a short break around the Industrial Complex back in Seoul.
He froze, only for a moment, listening to his thoughts and the stories that told their own tales.
[Story, 'One Who Opposed the Miracle' is continuing with its storytelling.]
[Giant Story, 'Torch That Swallowed the Myth' is continuing with its storytelling.]
[Story, 'Life and Death companions' is continuing with its storytelling.]
Yes, these were all most certainly stories that he, Yoo Joonghyuk, acquired and fought for with Kim Dokja. And there were many more to tell, but..
|||[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation' has temporarily transferred his share of the Giant Story, 'Torch that Swallowed the Myth' to you.]|||
|||[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation' has transferred his temporarily share of the Giant Story, 'Demon World's Spring' to you.]|||
These were undoubtedly the messages from the <Star Stream> that were sent to him shortly after Gigantomachia — The 60th Main Scenario. Yoo Joonghyuk frowned deeply, stuck in his thoughts. Kim Dokja had transferred the shares that made him the representative in the shared giant story, but it was only temporarily so that gave him a sigh of relief.
Kim Dokja wasn't dead in actuality, at least not this time. His incarnation body was thoroughly crumbled away by the probability storm after Gigantomachia, and he'd also been wounded by a myth grade constellation. He hadn't communicated through indirect messages nor had he moved even once from that coffin, though, it was reasonably so.
Yoo Joonghyuk, after turning his head to check if anyone was looking, opened the lid of the casket and looked at Kim Dokja who was lying there, unmoving. Probability sparks were lit around, surrounding his entire body. This was the penalty for his actions — Which he had rued bitterly.
Shaking his head, Yoo Joonghyuk tucked his hands in his pockets. The warmth of the black infinite dimension space coat comforted him slightly as the increasingly harsh winds of the coming season traveled through the cold air. Kim Dokja's coffin wasn't exactly near Seoul — It was far away, and in a place where it'd almost become a bit of a wasteland by now. A rather plain land now, but close enough to the Industrial Complex.
The trees around shook wildly with intervals of the harsh wind momentarily dying down, but Yoo Joonghyuk paid no mind.
When he had turned his back to his surroundings, someone cleared his throat near him. "Ahem.." It was Han Sooyoung, dressed in the blue combat suit she'd started wearing after Peace land. She'd rarely worn this even after Kim Dokja came back from his travels in the 1863rd regression turn.
Next to her was somebody Yoo Joonghyuk knew well, but found himself less close to in this turn, Shin Yoosung. She was Kim Dokja's sponsored incarnation in his third regression and the 'Beast Lord' in the [41]st turn.
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at her with a hint of concern before his eyes darted to Han Sooyoung, whose eyes looked more bitter than usual. Han Sooyoung crossed her arms across the familiar combatant suit she wore and spoke, "We need to find Kim Dokja's soul." She said thoughtfully. Yoo Joonghyuk had assumed that he'd return back to them without a problem, and it most likely wouldn't have taken as long as it did during the Constellation Banquet.
[Midday Tryst has been bought for by Incarnation Han Sooyoung!]
[Midday Tryst has been activated for one week and three days.]
— There's a problem.
A slightly sorrowful expression appeared on Han Sooyoung's face, her lips twitching to show a suppressed frown. Next to her, Shin Yoosung stood with determined eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk had no idea if Shin Yoosung knew of the stuation or not.
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't speak out loud, only talking in the Midday Tryst. It must've been important if Han Sooyoung bought the subscription.
— What happened? Did something happen to..?
He didn't want to say the rest. Without a word, he continued his observations.
His left eyebrow twitched faithfully as he looked at the two. The harsh weather didn't interrupt the tense situation. Shin Yoosung's eyes curiously darted from Han Sooyoung to Yoo Joonghyuk, before she was called by Lee Gilyoung who had tauntingly called her over.
"You—!" She muttered, turning away and running at him, giving Han Sooyoung her chance to speak freely. But even with the opportunity, Han Sooyoung spoke through Midday Tryst.
— His stories have been split apart and scattered. I don't know what exactly happened to him, but I know that the 'Secretive Plotter' has something to do with it.
Han Sooyoung frowned the more she talked to Yoo Joonghyuk about the events that had transpired. Secretive Plotter..
To Yoo Joonghyuk, Secretive Plotter's entire existence was a mystery to him. He had once discussed about Secretive Plotter's identity with Han Sooyoung before.
— Secretive Plotter? Just what did he do?
Yoo Joonghyuk's gaze stayed firm, thinking about what to do as his eyes momentarily darted from Han Sooyoung to the open casket of Kim Dokja. Secretive Plotter was a constellation that didn't exist in the 2nd turn, nor was he in the ones before. Just like how Kim Dokja, Han Sooyoung and many others of <Kim Dokja's Company> didn't. This regression turn was special.
Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja both allegedly knew of the events that had happened during the 1863rd regression turn while he only knew a bit of it— little details of what Kim Dokja told him. But all he knew was, Secretive Plotter was involved with taking Kim Dokja to that turn.
— I told you — I don't exactly know, but I'll.. We'll find out.
Han Sooyoung tried to stay calm, and Yoo Joonghyuk respected her a bit more for that. But was Kim Dokja actually in real mortal danger here? How did Han Sooyoung know about this?
Either way, that fool always survives.
— I'll come find him then. Where is he?
His hands stayed firmly tucked in his pockets as he stared at Han Sooyoung. The latter had proven herself to be quite reliable in these past three years, so it was somewhat reasonable for him to trust her. But..
[Lie Detection Lv.4 has been activated.]
As if catching on to his suspicion, Han Sooyoung suddenly spoke, her eyes narrowing. She momentarily paused the Midday Tryst.
[You have received no reply to your message!]
[Midday Tryst has been paused by the other side!]
"I've been having these dreams recently. It's weird, and I can't really believe what's going on in there most of the time, but there's a particular one that's been recurring this week."
Her lips pressed into a thin line before she spoke up again, still avoiding Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes. "In that dream.. Kim Dokja dies. Like— once and for all." She frowns, looking up at Yoo Joonghyuk now. He felt a bit of a chill run down his spine — Han Sooyoung, who had the 'Avatar' attribute and even had reliable information about the 1863 turn from her dreams, had been talking about a looming fate Yoo Joonghyuk hoped against.
If Kim Dokja really dies, and Yoo Joonghyuk regressed, would he still be the same Kim Dokja he knew? Would he, being someone that didn't even appear in the prior regressions, even appear in the [4th]?
Whenever he thought about such a variable, Yoo Joonghyuk felt an indescribable weight pulling him down, as if he wasn't supposed to think about such a thing, but now, he had to. He absolutely had to.
"And 'Secretive Plotter'.. I caught a glimpse of him before, in my prior dreams so I recognized him. But— He had Kim Dokja, that fool— getting himself caught by that constellation.." Han Sooyoung muttered away before speaking away, now more confident in speaking. "Either way, I know that Secretive Plotter has something to do with it!"
Yoo Joonghyuk saw a glint in her eyes that showed Han Sooyoung wasn't even confident that he would believe her, but she still told him anyway.
[Lie Detection Lv.4 has confirmed Incarnation Han Sooyoung is telling the truth.]
[Lie Detection Lv.4 has been deactivated.]
Yoo Joonghyuk calmed himself from his tense overthinking. "Then we will find Kim Dokja." He strived for in a determined voice.
Han Sooyoung's eyes glimmered, appeased that he'd believed her despite her initial thoughts. In the background, Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung were still arguing up and about, going around chasing each other. Lee Jihye and Lee Hyunsung were having a frivolous showdown nearby, whereas Lee Jihye had sparred the other.
Lee Hyunsung surprisingly fell down without an issue with one concentrated punch in the chest from Lee Jihye, which had been intended as a light blow. What happened to his soldier training and his attributes?
Lee Jihye, shocked, waved her hand rapidly in front of Lee Hyunsung's face, seriously not believing that Lee Hyunsung fell down so easily from such a measly punch — Not that she'd admit it. In truth, Lee Hyunsung was just exhausted from everything happening recently. He let out one large, defeated sigh.
'Kim Dokja's lovely kids' Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung started swarming Lee Jihye, while Jung Heewon chuckled lightly and helped Lee Hyunsung up. His limp body— caused by him apparently falling asleep mid spar, was heavier due to the increased muscle load since it would be much harder to hold onto somebody that can't help you carry him up and would be able to move around more freely in their unconscious state — which would be a hassle to the one carrying them.
With much of her energy sacrificed, Jung Heewon successfully took hold of the exhausted Lee Hyunsung, meanwhile Lee Jihye was still being surrounded and attacked by Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung.
They didn't know what would happen soon enough.
Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk had reached a consensus with some added information and made their way to the rest of<Kim Dokja's Company>. Han Sooyoung hurried away to the Industrial Complex, going away to Yoo Sangah and Lee Sookyung.
Yoo Joonghyuk, waiting 'till the winds died down, went to where the rest stood. But he made sure to keep a fair amount of distance.
"Master!" Lee Jihye cried out, being swarmed all over after the punch that knocked Lee Hyunsung down. It was a moment of peace and humor quite rare for <Kim Dokja's Company>, but when it was given, it was undeniably enjoyable.
Yoo Joonghyuk sat under one of the trees nearby, giving himself some rest. The journey he would have to take was rather arduous, and one that rarely hapened in prior regressions. He'd have to take the well needed break while he can.
He shuffled around his pockets and found a recovery potion— a medicinal concoction from Lee Seolhwa along with another ointment balm gifted by Lee Seolhwa as well, who was busy treating Yoo Sangah and Lee Sookyung.
With a moment of silence, looking away from <Kim Dokja's Company>, he drank the recovery potion without hesitance and applied the ointment on his face. He wasn't used to the foreign feeling on his skin, and would only have it applied when Lee Seolhwa did it for him after injuries.
|||She would do it all the time in the [2nd] regression as well.. |||
Yoo Joonghyuk was absolutely exhausted. The moment he blinked, still sitting under the shadow of the tree, it had already turned dark.
He'd slept out in the open, and became vulnerable to any enemies that could attack him — But he was completely fine. Yoo Joonghyuk hurriedly checked the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] and the infinite dimension space coat on him. Everything was safe.
Looking around, he spotted somebody nearby lurking in the shadows, waiting. Yoo Joonghyuk cautiously stood up, his hands already on the hilt of the weapon sheathed away. The person was leaning on one of the outer walls of the Industrial Complex buildings, arms crossed.
Han Sooyoung was leaning on the walls, waiting in silence. She was still in the same blue combat suit as earlier, but now she had a white cap on her head. Yoo Joonghyuk eyed her suspiciously — This was Lee Jihye's hat.
"You were waiting for me to wake up?" asked Yoo Joonghyuk, actually a bit heartwarmed. Could it be that Han Sooyoung kept watch on Yoo Joonghyuk to make sure nobody attacked him? But to be fair, he didn't know her intentions.
"Yes, are we saving him or not?" Han Sooyoung brushed off, trying to remain nonchalant. She didn't want to admit that she scattered away all the people that tried to get close to Yoo Joongyuk and the Industrial Complex.
Wearing his usual expression, Yoo Joonghyuk nods. But he didn't exactly know how they'd get to Kim Dokja. Han Sooyoung just told him to wait for her, and it seems she's here to fulfill her part.
With a moment's notice, Yoo Joonghyuk followed Han Sooyoung around the Industrial Complex, and they soon came to the place where Lee Seolhwa had been treating the patients, 'Yoo Sangah' and 'Lee Sookyung'.
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't like Lee Sookyung very much, and she didn't like him either while he was somewhat companions with Yoo Sangah. Whether he admitted it or not.
Since it was late at night, the hospital rooms lights were shut off so the two walking in the halls in silence. It was still a bit awkward, really.
Within a moment, they strolled into where Yoo Sangah's room was. Han Sooyoung cleared her throat before looking at Yoo Joonghyuk seriously in the eyes. She then turned and knocked the door insistently. But not loud enough to wake other patients.
Yoo Sangah's weakened voice came through the door, "Come in, Han Sooyoung-ah."
Han Sooyoung quivered slightly after hearing the voice before turning the doorknob and entering. Yoo Sangah's bed was placed around the corner, facing a window. It was covered by curtains.
In truth, both Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk didn't want to see Yoo Sangah like how she was with her deteriorated state filled with incomplete stories. They believed that Yoo Sangah wouldn't want them to see her like this either.
The constellations suddenly started speaking up.
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire pities the Incarnation, Yoo Sangah.]
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire is wondering what's happened in the stream during her absence.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter explains to the Demon-like Judge of Fire.]
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire is a bit bewildered and nods in understanding even though she doesn't really understand the full thing.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter, sighs.]
Yoo Joonghyuk felt annoyance coming over him with the resurgence of the constellation, 'Secretive Plotter'. He was watching all this time.
Han Sooyoung, a bit irritated, quickly rushed over to the curtainside where Yoo Sangah lay. The room was dark, but the moonlight shining in from some windows was enough to illuminate it even a little.
"Yoo Sangah-ssi." Han Sooyoung ran over and stood by her bedside. The curtains were becoming a bit transparent due to the light shown by the window right next to the bed. Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't tell what Han Sooyoung was seeing.
Yoo Joonghyuk then stood in the room, a fair bit of distance away from the two. If Han Sooyoung was here, it only meant two things — One, Yoo Sangah's condition was worsening and Han Sooyoung wanted to see her before she left with him to find Kim Dokja. Two, Yoo Sangah was somehow connected to, and was the key to finding out Kim Dokja's current location.
Han Sooyoung had gone off to visit Lee Sookyung and Yoo Sangah earlier in the day so both options seemed very probable. Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Yoo Joonghyuk focused on the conversation between Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah.
He wasn't even sure if he should be intruding.
"How are you doing now?" Han Sooyoung asked, her back slightly bent over as she talked to Yoo Sangah who remained on the bed without much movement.
"..Not much better, but.." Yoo Sangah muttered, her voice drastically weakening. All of this happening was caused by her overusing the 'Hermes Stigma' to predict the future for the scenarios. It was her decision, yes, but Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't help but feel a bit of responsibility for it.
Another person had sacrificed themselves to bypass the scenarios when he, the 'former' regressor, should have led the way in Kim Dokja's absence. But simply too many things had changed in the [3rd] regression.
"Yoo Joonghyuk-nim." Yoo Sangah voiced out. Yoo Joonghyuk, a bit wary, walked over to the place covered by curtains where the other was without a word. Han Sooyoung distanced herself from the two a bit, giving them some space to talk.
Understanding his presence, Yoo Sangah then spoke. "<Olympus>told me about something recently."
"Kim Dokja-ssi.. Dokja-ssi is such a good man. Even though he's constantly done things we don't approve of.. He is a good man," Yoo Sangah said calmly, her voice straining a bit. Han Sooyoung intervened to keep Yoo Sangah's voice better, "Yo—"
"But.. using the 'Hermes Stigma' for the last time, not so long ago, I found out about him being involved with the upcoming event." Confessed Yoo Sangah with a bit of a nervous voice. Yoo Joonghyuk listened intently, as Han Sooyoung's eyes were quivering. "Yoo Sangah-ssi! Are you really going to tell him about—?!"
"Upcoming event?" Asked Yoo Joonghyuk, keeping Han Sooyoung's words in his mind for later. He hadn't heard of any event following directly after Gigantomachia, and he hadn't exactly experienced any in the [2nd], [1st], or even the [0th] regression. His sponsor, who he deemed an ultimate mystery, hadn't said a thing. But it's not like they respond anyway. It's only in the [3rd] regression they did once.
Yoo Joonghyuk had met Kim Dokja again during the Constellation Banquet, where he asked when he would be back. And it was then Kim Dokja formed the nebula, <Kim Dokja's Company> with him.
There was a high chance of meeting, or at least acquiring a bit of the scattered Kim Dokja's stories there. He'd hoped he was not lost and far gone.
"The 'Snow-Ridden Ballroom'." Yoo Sangah announced. Han Sooyoung quickly rushed over to where Yoo Sangah was, "What? There was an event like that?!"
Han Sooyoung didn't know about this either? Then what was it that Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah were hiding from him?
Yoo Joonghyuk instinctively activated, 'Lie Detection'.
[Lie Detection Lv.4 has been activated!]
Yoo Sangah then spoke again, "Yes.. It's the annual event held after every Gigantomachia. The constellations of <Olympus>told me before."
"They're still holding it even though the giants have been liberated, and <Olympus> fell?" Yoo Joonghyuk turned to Han Sooyoung.
Han Sooyoung seemed deeply surprised — This musn't have appeared in one of her predictive dreams then.
"Yoo Joonghyuk-nim. The nebula, <Underworld>has invited you to the 'Snow-Ridden Ballroom'." She spoke, the window still illuminating a bright light.
[Lie Detection Lv.4 has confirmed that Incarnation Yoo Sangah is telling the truth!]
But why didn't <Underworld> reach out to him personally? Or through an incarnation body? Even indirect messages from Biyoo's channel would've been good enough— like they always were with his invitations.
Was it that <Underworld> would've had Kim Dokja, their recently made successor, share the information in their stead?
Yoo Joonghyuk felt a bit sorrowful.
"Did they invite me too?" Han Sooyoung asked, her voice getting higher. In response, Yoo Sangah only shook her head. The shadow of her head moving was illuminated in the curtains. Han Sooyoung stayed silent after that answer.
"..How do you know that Kim Dokja is involved with this.. 'Snow-Ridden Ballroom'?" Yoo Joonghyuk questioned Yoo Sangah. "Anything more direct?"
Yoo Sangah sighed a bit before speaking, "A constellation named 'Secretive Plotter' reached out to me in a dream. The following morning, I was able to get plenty of information about the future— though a bit vague."
The name Secretive Plotter showed up again. Yoo Joonghyuk felt slightly annoyed, but he was relieved to find out that his worries weren't for nothing. Yoo Sangah's predictions and Han Sooyoung's dreams.. There must be a connection somewhere.
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter is a bit surprised to find himself being mentioned.]
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire pokes fun at the Secretive Plotter and wonders who he really is.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter wishes not to answer.]
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire is a bit distraught.]
[Constellation, Queen of the Darkest Spring apologizes for not being able to send the invitation out directly.]
[Constellation, Queen of the Darkest Spring sponsors the Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' 10'000 coins.]
[Constellation, Prisoner of the Golden Headband is looking forward to seeing the Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk at the 'Snow-Ridden Waltz'.]
It seemed that [Snow-Ridden Waltz] was most likely a part, or an alternative name for the event. But if even the great sage is showing up, this must be like the 'Constellations Banquet'.
Yoo Joonghyuk shot the sky a glare, even though what awaited him was just a ceiling now, he knew the stars above noticed.
"Who said I'm going?" Yoo Joonghyuk voiced boldly.
[Constellation, Queen of the Darkest Spring wonders if this is due to the amount she sponsored, but quickly shakes the thought away.]
[Constellation, Prisoner of the Golden Headband wonders if Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk does not plan to fulfill the goal of seeing the Constellation, Demon King of Salvation.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter disagrees with the Prisoner of the Golden Headband.]
There was a system in the <Star Stream> where an Incarnation or a Constellation would be able to transfer their invitation ticket to another. But they paid not coins, but probability to do so, hence it not being used very often.
It had the same system as the 'Coin Transfer'. Yoo Joonghyuk gestured for Han Sooyoung to raise her index finger and then transferred his ticket to her.
"Yoo Joonghyuk, you-" Han Sooyoung had not expected this at all. She knew she wanted her own invitation, but she didn't know if going there alone would be good.
Yoo Joonghyuk's presence made her feel safer in a place like that at least — And Han Sooyoung wasn't even a constellation!
[Constellation, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon has entered Biyoo's Stream.]
[Constellation, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon roots for his incarnation, Han Sooyoung.]
[Constellation, Queen of the Darkest Spring frowns.]
[<Star Stream> has detected a day's worth of delay in invitation.]
[<Underworld>has invited the Incarnation 'Han Sooyoung' to the 'Snow-Ridden Waltz'.]
[Numerous Constellations have fallen into a state of confusion.]
Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes widened slightly as Yoo Sangah fell silent. Late at night, she probably fell into a deep sleep.
[Constellations ask the Stream Manager Dokkaebi, 'Biyoo' what the meaning of this is.]
[Stream Manager Dokkaebi, Biyoo, apologizes for the delay.]
Han Sooyoung now had two invitations to the 'Snow-Ridden Ballroom'? Yoo Joonghyuk originally thought the delayed invitation was his initial invite, sent by the< Star Stream>. Yet, it was for Han Sooyoung, not him. His invitation had been given by Yoo Sangah.
[Constellations encourage the Incarnation, 'Han Sooyoung' to return the first ticket to its original owner.]
Han Sooyoung looks at Yoo Joonghyuk reluctantly. Bits of sparks were still surrounding him due to the earlier transfer.
A thought came to his mind. What was the difference between [Snow-Ridden Ballroom] and [Snow-Ridden Waltz] here? Theoretically, both him and Han Sooyoung received different invitations.
Han Sooyoung hesitantly touched Yoo Joonghyuk's index finger with a serious look and sparks immediately appeared again, though dying down.
[Constellation, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon has shared the probability penalty with his sponsor.]
[Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk has received an invitation to the 'Snow-Ridden Ballroom'.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter notices why Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk is in deep thought.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter has shared the probability penalty with the Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk.]
Han Sooyoung quickly noticed Secretive Plotter's intervention.
[Midday Tryst has been activated.]
— Yoo Joonghyuk..
The door creaked open, and two familiar figures were shown in the darkness. Lee Jihye was the one that opened the door, and beside her was Shin Yoosung, who had been strangely accompanying both Lee Jihye and Han Sooyoung today.
"..Master?" Lee Jihye muttered while Shin Yoosung questioned, "You two are.. leaving?"
[Constellation, Demon-like Judge of Fire expresses her shock at the appearance of the two unexpected guests.]
[Constellation, Secretive Plotter raises an eyebrow.]