Fanfiction I added here Because I'm to lazy to read

by Legrev

Like I said, fanfictions that I'm to lazy to read so I used the tect to speech thingy from this app

3. SnowballTheLittleFluffball (2)

"Your 1 minute is up. Shall we start the next episode?"

Joonghyuk says nothing as he looks at the screen. He can't believe he will regress 1863 times, and even so it was said to be the closest he could do to see the end of the scenarios?

Dammit, he doesn't want to believe the words Dokja is saying but… If what he says is true then… He truly was incompetent to save the world if it takes him 1863 times just to get close to a scenario.

"Joonghyuk-ah," Dokja begins as he tries to snap the man out of his regression depression, "Look at the bright side, if we watch these then we can change the future and stop the loop from happening. Right?"

That's right, this unknown Constellation called Beyond the Fourth Wall has made it seem like the future can be change and this loop that even he was unaware of could escape. They have a chance… They have a chance to change it completely.

"I have one question," Joonghyuk begins as he looks at Junghwa, "Why are the constellations and even a dokkaebi is here?"

Junghwa forms an 'oh' with their mouth as they think it over. The constellations are also listening in to their answer as Persephone nods her head, "He has a point, why are we here when this scenario focuses on a certain Kim?"

Junghwa hums, "Long story short, you will become their close allies."

Close allies? That was unexpected. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon frowns, "Like hell am I gonna be allies with incarnations," he speaks as Bihyung also frowns.

"Does this mean I've also become their ally if I'm here?" Junghwa nods at Bihyung's question.

"Of course, this will happen in the future. You are the trusted people of Kim Dokja, so I allow you to watch the past, present and future with him," Junghwa responds looking at Dokja who widens his eyes.

Important people to Dokja? Then the scenario really is based on him huh? But why? Why? He was just an ordinary office worker, what was so special about him that they are watching his future with him!?

"The people that's related to the loop… one of them is me, isn't it?" Dokja deducts as Junghwa hums.

"You guessed that faster than I anticipated," they say as Dokja grips his hand.

"Dokja-ssi is one of the three people connected to the loop?" Hyunsung asks, widening his eyes at the thought.

As expected, the constellations are whispering amongst themselves as they find new information about him, "I mean, he has the novel with him… So i'm not surprised he's related, even if he's not aware of it" Wukong speaks as Uriel frowns.

"But then who are the other two? It must be Joonghyuk right? I mean… they are a pair after all," she reasons, maybe even inserting the fact that Dokja is in fact in love with Joonghyuk.

Abyssal Black Flame Dragon scoffs, "True, that man is a regressor so he must be the other person that's connected to the loop," he reasons out.

The Secretive Plotter hums as he looks at both of them and frowns, perhaps it was fate, perhaps it's a coincidence. He did not know, but why did he have a feeling it was related to him as well? Oh that's right, it was because Junghwa is staring at him as if telling him "You're the reason for this mess."

Persephone looks at her husband as she wonders, allies to the people in the room? Well that would make sense because of the reasoning, "What do you think, dear?" she asks curiously.

Hades speaks, "It is an interesting reason, if we are allies to them then there must be a reason why we choose to support them. And we have our answer here, right in front of us.

Jihye looks back and forth between Joonghyuk and Dokja before asking a question, "Tell me, Junghwa uh… ssi," Jihye begins, not knowing that Jubghwa was a male or female because they could be either one, "Is master also one of the people that is related to the loop?"

Junghwa responds to her after looking at Joonghyuk who seem like he is watching their every move, "Yes, thatç correct."

Jihye muttered an "I knew it," as everyone looks at the pair.

"They are related to the loop how exactly?" Heewon asks curiously as Junghwa points to the screen.

"You will watch it eventually, because if I explain it, it would not make sense at all. Everything must start from the beginning for you to understand." they explain.

Hades sigh as he calls them out, "Then what are we waiting for? Start the next episode."

Junghwa smiles as they start the episode.

Dokja stared straight into Hyunsung and Myungoh's eyes and said. "Do you want to die from that guy beyond the iron door or do you want to try your luck outside the train? Which one will you choose?"

"U-Uh…"

"Dokja-ssi, is there any guarantee that the person beyond the iron door is an enemy?"

The Steel Sword appeared at the crucial moment. There was a reason why Lee Hyunsung couldn't be leader of a party.

"Since they are coming from another carriage, it is likely to be a survivor. If we meet…"

Dokja looked at the bloody room instead of continuing. Hyunsung followed his gaze and quietly spoke.

Joonghyuk growls as several people chuckle, is he really that scary for people to run away at the sight of him? The answer is yes, yes he is.

"I mean, ahjussi isn't wrong," Jihye comment remembering the moment she first met him and how she was thrown into a dungeon alone to get stronger faster.

"…I was too careless. Let's find a way out."

"G-Go! Go quickly!"

At this moment, both people were aware. The other survivors of the carriages would've gone through the same thing as them. They wouldn't have the good luck of finding 'insects.'

"This is broken!"

"Damn, we can't go this way!"

While listening to Hyunsung and Myungoh's cries, Dokja also checked the doors. There were no more barriers so the doors could now be touched. Apart from the doors connecting the passageways, there were a total of eight access doors on the subway. There were three exits that hadn't been confirmed yet. The iron door seemed like it could barely hold on for one minute.

Despite being the main character, Dokja didn't think he would have such high strength in the beginning. I was honestly surprised that he could break such a thick iron door.

"Damn,you must be strong as hell if what Dokja-ssi is implying is right, then again most of what he said is true," Heewon speaks as she watched the screen while Joonghyuk just silent watches what happens while he was in the other cabin. He is curious as to what had happened, so this scenario is giving him a massive advantage.

Soyoung hums as she watches the screen, still wondering who the other woman is since Junghwa had confirmed that the two people who was related to the loop are Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk.

A reader and his protagonist…

Then… all that's left was the author. But who is the author?

She glances over to the many women in the theatre, saying one of them was a woman. But there was only one problem. She has a feeling the only author was her .

The opening and closing device worked smoothly but the door didn't open at once. The door opened around one fifth before stopping like it was jammed.

"…It seems to be broken here as well."

"How about other places?"

"This seems to be the only place where we can escape."

It was passable for a child. But the gap was too narrow for men and women to escape. Myungoh and Hyunsung tried to pull the doors open but they didn't move a bit.

[Coins Possessed: 4700 C]

One of the uses of the coins was to raise overall stats. Dokja had already used 2,700 coins to make his stamina level 10.

This problem could be resolved if he used the remaining coins to enhance his strength. But it wasn't wise to use the coins when the situation was unknown. In the end, there was only one way.

"Hyunsung-ssi. Use a skill."

"Huh?"

"Skill…"

Dokja quietly activated Character List.

Jihye groans as the skill is once again appearing, "I don't like this skill, we're not characters anymore god god's sake…"

Hyunsung can't help but agree as he looks at his information being shown to the world. It feels uncomfortable, but he had to endure it.

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]

[Character Information]

Name: Lee Hyunsung

Age: 28 years old.

Constellation Sponsor: Master of Steel.

Private Attribute: Soldier who Turned a Blind Eye to Injustice (General)

Exclusive Skills: Bayonet Skills Lv. 2, Camouflage Lv. 2, Patience Lv. 2.

Stigma: Great Mountain Push Lv. 1

Overall Stats: Stamina Lv. 8, Strength Lv. 8, Agility Lv. 7, Magic Power Lv. 5.

Overall Evaluation: The overall stats are very good. Despite turning away from injustice, he received the choice of a constellation. This is another opportunity for him.

"Say good bye to your privacy," Sooyoung comments as Hyunsung whines.

Dokja fidgets uncomfortably in his seat.

Hyunsung's information came to his mind without any restrictions. Fortunately, the sponsor was the same as what he read in Ways of Survival.

"You should've checked it when you opened the attributes window. Lee Hyunsung is a soldier so there must be a skill you can use in this situation."

"Well…I have one but how do I use it―"

"Just think about using the skill."

"…Will that work?"

"It will. I did it earlier."

Hyunsung didn't say anything else as he took a deep breath of determination.

"Haaap!"

Lee Hyunsung's biceps swelled as he grabbed the door. It was the appearance of Great Mountain Push. In fact, Great Mountain Push wasn't a skill but a 'stigma.' And a stigma was a power from the constellation. Dokja used the word 'skill' in order to avoid suspicions.

There was a sound like a huge spring turning and the door started to move.

"What? This guy has real strength!"

"That's it! It is really great!"

[The character 'Lee Hyunsung' has started to trust you.]

[Your understanding of the character 'Lee Hyunsung' has increased.]

"Oh not only can you see the skills and attributes of another but to have their feelings exposed to them?" Sooyoung asks while Dokja tries to calm her down.

"It's only if I have a deep understanding on them, even that has it's limitations!" He tries to reason with her.

Rather than doubts, his reliability had risen. Hyunsung was a simpler person than I thought.

"Now that's just mean," Heewon comments as Dokja apologises to Hyunsung who just looks like a lost puppy.

"Come on, get off!"

But he felt relieved. Dokja handed Gilyoung to Hyunsung.

"Lee Hyunsung-ssi. Carry the child on your back."

"I understand."

Now the iron door was almost broken. But if his prediction was right, the problem right now wasn't that iron door.

[…Ah, this is really. I knew this would happen. Didn't I saw it earlier? I told you not to go anywhere, Damn! The scenario isn't ready yet-]

The dokkaebi seemed to be angry as it floated over Dongho Bridge.

"Wahh! I knew this would happen! I told you not to come out!"

Myungoh wrapped a hand around his head, like he thought it would explode. But there was no need to worry.

[Sigh…it can't be helped. You are really lucky humans.]

It was because the second scenario started the moment the train door was opened.

[The second scenario has arrived!]

[Second Scenario – Escape]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: E

Clear Conditions: Cross the broken bridge and enter Oksu Station.

Time Limit: 20 minutes.

Compensation: 200 coins.

Failure: ???

"Dokja-ssi," Sangha calls out to him, "You knew the bridge was going to collapse, which is why you had us exit the train earlier, is that right?" she asks.

Dokja nods his head, "That's right, it would be impossible for us to cross the bridge if we waited there."

"Dokja-ssi, something is strange. It says the 'broken bridge' but the bridge is still…"

"Don't worry and just run! Quickly!"

"U-Understood!"

In fact, Yoo Sangah was right. The bridge hadn't been broken yet. In other words, the 'bridge was going to be broken.'

"Dokja-ssi, come quickly!"

"I'm coming!"

It hadn't been broken yet because they got off the train 'too soon.' The dokkaebi said the preparation time was 10 minutes. But they escaped three minutes earlier. Some people might call it cowardly but this scenario couldn't be cleared without such a shortcut. Especially if I was stuck with teammates such as Sangah and Gilyoung.

"Now that's just mean…" Jihye says as Sangah fidgets in her sit while Dokja explains.

"Think about it though, we had little to zero stamina. Any of us are bound to die if we stay there."

Jihye opens her mouth before closing it back, the ahjussi has a point.

"Indeed, Hyunsung-ssi is a soldier and has high stamina."

"Don't open your mouth. You will lose strength."

Hyunsung was running first with the kid. He was a natural monster who didn't invest any coins in his stats, yet the sum of his strength, stamina and agility exceeded 23.

The next one was Myungoh and then Sangah with Dokja in the rear. It would be close but he thought they could make it in time.

"Ah, what is that?"

At this time, Han Myungoh's scream was heard. There was a huge whirlpool in the centre of Han River, letting out splashes of water.

And a giant monster was at the centre of the splashes. An ichthyosaur. The problem was that the ichthyosaur seemed to be twice the size of the one I saw through the window. This wasn't a sea serpent…it was a sea commander.

The Han River surged like there was a tsunami and the ichthyosaur moved. It was chewing on the legs of the bridge.

"The bridge is breaking!"

"Run! If we run then we can cross it!"

The remaining distance was around 200 metres. If his calculations were correct, they could cross before the bridge collapsed at our current speed.

[There is no fun if the game is too easy.]

"Of course, damned dokkaebi..." Heewon glares at Bihyung who is hiding by Dokja's side. In fact, the dokkaebi has changed his setting arrangement to Dokja's lap which made the incarnation raise their eyebrows at the duo.

"Junghw-ssi," Yoosung asks as she looks at the dokkaebi, "I know you said the constellations here are going to be our allies but… What about this guy?" she asks.

Junghwa hums as they wonder how to answer that, "Well, it's the same as the constellations. Bihyung is here because… He doesn't deserve to go out like that…"

Joonghyuk stares a Junghwa who has a solemn smile as they look at Bihyung before pressing the play button.

Of course, this was a story for when there were no variables.

[The scenario difficulty has been adjusted.]

[Scenario difficulty: E - D]

The sound of the dokkaebi's laughter was heard.

[Is there any fun if you just run away? Let's create a bit of atmosphere!]

[The evil thoughts of the dead have returned.]

[The surrounding earth is filled with black ether.]

[The demonic people have woken up!]

There was the sound of something chasing us from behind. Sangah muttered to herself.

"Z-Zombies?"

Zombie-like bodies were coming in huge waves. Some of them were people from the same carriage as us.

"We just need to go a little further! Quickly!"

"What do you mean go out like that?" Joonghyuk asks as Junghwa does a zipping motion near their mouth, saying they cant say unless he watches the episodes with them. Joonghyuk curses at them.

The distance to the ichthyosaur was now less than a hundred metres. Fortunately, Hyunsung carried Gilyoung and had crossed the safety line. The problem was the rest of us, including Dokja. Myungoh shrieked.

"Y-You bastards!"

There were too many demonic people. If there were only corpses from the subway, they might've gotten away. The problem was…

The drivers who died on the bridge became demonic people. The path that Hyunsung broke through was covered with demonic people. Dokja looked between the demonic people on the road and the approaching ichthyosaur.

"…Everybody get down."

It was too late.

The legs of the bridge shook tremendously as the ichthyosaur's huge mouth bit it.

"Ahjussi!" Yoosung yells out as Dokja calms her down, smiling at her.

"Don't worry, Yoosung-ah. It's all in the past."

The scales of the ichthyosaur shone through the dust that poured down onto Han River like rain. A fishy smell of blood and water filled the area.

Dokja staggered and raised his body. Once the dust went away, the scenery around me was clear. Piles of shattered concrete and cut steel. The carcasses of the demonic people which the ichthyosaur had cleanly bitten through the broken leg of the bridge.

"…Dok…sii…okay?"

Sangah and Myungoh raised their bodies from a little further away. One of Myungoh's legs seemed injured and uncomfortable from the previous quake. Hyunsung and Gilyoung cried out from across the bridge but their voices seemed blocked by the safety zone.

What should Dokja do? He made plans on the basis of the bridge breaking. But he hadn't expected Myungoh and Sangah to be with him. At that moment, a voice was heard in the air.

[Someone has received the favour of a constellation.]

[The constellation's scenario 'Deus Ex Machina' has been activated.]

Along with the voice, a brilliant bridge made of light was created among the remnants of the broken Dongho Bridge. Then a message floated in front of me.

[Deus Ex Machina – Even Bridge]

Description: A bridge of light made by a constellation. Only an 'even' number of people can cross the bridge. The bridge will disappear as soon as an 'odd' number of people tries to cross it.

"Dokja-ssi. This, in my head, suddenly―"

Dokja met the eyes of Sangah, who was talking nonsense. He could roughly guess the situation.

Deus Ex Machina. Constellations risked a huge loss by intervening in scenarios.

"…It is Sangah-ssi's sponsor."

Yoo Sangah was squeamish in her seat as she had a feeling her information may or may not be shown next. Which is bad because of the deal she had to do with Olympus. She gulps and stands up, taking a glass of water from the food tray behind them before returning.

He didn't know what constellation it was but somebody had chosen Yoo Sangah as their incarnation and wanted her to live.

Deus Ex Machine was a rare phenomenon in Ways of Survival. And Sangah was a person who should've already died.

He had a moment of doubt. What type of constellation was behind Yoo Sangah?

[The information of this person can't be read in 'Character List.']

[This person isn't registered in 'Character List.']

Sangah breathes a sigh of relief as she drinks her water while everyone else is in confusion.

"That's interesting," Seolhwa says as she looks at the screen, "Who would've guessed it."

"Hyung?" Gilyoung looks at Dokja innocently, "Why can't she be seen with your skill?" he asks.

Dokja begins to explain, "It's because Character List is based on the novel, the information I have is from the novel itself, so people like you and me doesnt exist there," he explains.

Sooyoung scoffs, "So that means people like me can't be read right?" She asks.

Dokja nods.

Dokja was a bit surprised. He couldn't see her with his skill? Why? Did she have a special background? Or did she have a mental barrier? But if she had something like that from the beginning…no, wait a minute. Perhaps this was…

"Dokja-ssi, what do we do now?"

Dokja heard Sangah's bewildered voice. He didn't have much time to think.

The Han River was swirling. The ichthyosaur had eaten one bridge leg and was turning its huge body around on the other side of Han River. Dokja bit his lips and once again read the explanation of the bridge.

Only an 'even' number of people could cross the bridge.

In the end, 'Deus Ex Machina' was a toy made by the damn constellations who loved tragedies.

There was no way for everyone to survive. Myungoh's body was shaking as his eyes met his.

In the end, somebody must die.

"But no one actually died, right?" Yoosung asks as Dokjas nods.

"True that, but I've always wondered what happened in this scenario because the safety zone disn't allow us to see or hear anything," Sangha comments.

Hyunsung also agrees, "It's interesting to say the least, seeing it from Dokja-ssi's perspective. Joonghyuk-ssi did say he survived but how did he survived anyway?"

At this moment, Sangah shouted.

"Dokja-ssi! Behind you!"

"Ahjussi!" Yoosung shrieks, seeing a familiar hand going to attack Dokja.

He reflexively leaned forward as a bloody fist came flying through the air. It was a familiar fist covered with energy.

Dokja felt something falling towards him and instinctively kicked out. He didn't need to look back to know what was behind me. A grade 9 human type, demonic person. Human mutants infected with black ether. That's why demonic people were classified as a high-risk species, despite being grade 9. Demonic people made from a normal human base were no different from zombies, but it was particularly dangerous if their hosts were different. He saw the badge of the school student with a damaged head.

Heewon grumbles, "Him again? I thought we're done with him!"

Dokja shakes his head, "Nope, we're so not done with him… Even after his death, you'll be able to see him."

The woman squirms, "Huh?"

"You'll see in the episodes."

"…Kim Namwoon."

The guy whose head burst a few minutes ago was now aiming for Dokja as a demonic person.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Lv. 1 has been activated!]

[This person doesn't have any consciousness. The skill Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint will be cancelled.]

Damn, it was as expected.

Dokja's thigh was scratched by Namwoon's overgrown black fingernails.

A pain that felt like a burn spread through his leg. The skin which hadn't been cut by a knife was now torn by fingernails.

This was the main reason why demonic people were dangerous. The demonic people became several times stronger than when they were human.

"Sangah-ssi, immediately―"

He felt something as he spoke. Without looking back, Dokja could see what was going on.

"Oh shit I remember this scene!!" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon laughs as he falls on the ground, sobbing from laughter just by the sheer ridiculousness.

Sangha looks guiltily at Dokja, "I'm so sorry, Dokja-ssi…"

Dokja shakes his head, "No need to apologise, it was Myungoh-ssi who basically kidnapped you."

"Now that I see this, it utterly looks out of place in the middle of the scenario," Hyunsung comments.

"Let me go! Let go! Dokja-ssi! Dokja-ssi!"

Myungoh, who had just been limping, was carrying Sangah over one shoulder and moving across the bridge at an astonishing rate.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' admires how easy you are to fool.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is impressed with your sacrifice.]

[100 coins have been sponsored.]

"I am not easy to fool, Secretive Plotter!" Dokja argues with the Secretive Plotter who just scoffs.

Actually now that he hears his true voice without the backlash of probability… He sounds somewhat familiar for some reason…

…Indeed. Planning to leave Dokja?

By the way, the way he was running was a little strange. Despite being on one leg, he was running as fast as an Olympic athlete. This couldn't be the exclusive skill of Han Myungoh, who had a big belly. Therefore, it must be the stigma of his sponsor.

[The One-legged Swift Horse]

"You've deduced that quite quickly," Joonghyuk comments as Dokja hums.

"It's the only one that came into mind, after all," though he is surprise to see the protagonist praising him.

And Dokja already knew the constellation who provided that stigma. He used Character List on the distant Myungoh.

[The information of this person can't be read in 'Character List.']

"That's a weakness, finally!" Sooyoung cheers, "You've been getting too much OP Skills you squid!"

"Ahjussi/Hyung is not a squid!" Both children defends him as Dokja tries to hush the children.

"What more can I say as the only reader?" Dokja asks as he looks at Sooyoung, "Besides, my knowledge exceeds yours."

That shuts her up as she pouts.

Once again, Character List didn't work properly.

If he remembered correctly, the stigma of 'One-legged Swift Horse' came from the constellation Lame Trickster.

Lame Trickster didn't give any stigmas in the mental barrier system. In addition, Myungoh couldn't possess such a skill from the beginning. In other words, Dokja's skill failed not because of Han Myungoh's ability.

… He was stupid.

Dokja looked at the message window floating in front of me and laughed.

[This person isn't registered in 'Character List.']

He was thinking too hard when it meant literally that. Character List literally reads the information of characters. Sangah and Myungoh were people who didn't originally appear in Ways of Survival. They were people who would've died if he hadn't saved them. It was natural that he couldn't confirm their information with Character List.

On one side, the incoming Namwoon and demonic people were jabbering nonsense at me. On the other side, Myungoh had already halfway crossed the bridge. Hyunsung and Gilyoung had already entered the safety zone across the bridge so he couldn't ask for help from them.

This was truly a predicament. He couldn't cross the bridge alone.

Joonghyuk watches the scene with a heavy heart, narrowing his eyes in concentration. Even with such a predicament he was still able to stay calm and focused. Interesting. Dokja truly is an enigma on his own but he never thought he would be this dangerous. First knowing about the future and then realizing that Joonghyuk himself came from a novel he read? They are too close together to become a coincidence.

Dokja's brain moved quickly. Should he capture one of the demonic people and cross the bridge? It was worth trying, but the success rate was too low. Unlike the name, the demonic people were categorised as non-human, meaning they didn't count as a person. Several demonic people lost their balance and fell down the bridge.

The fallen demonic people became the food of the ichthyosaurs. Like piranhas, the ichthyosaurs broke the demonic people into dozens of pieces in an instant.

Distant fear came flooding back in. If the number of people on the bridge became 'odd' for even a moment, he would be like them. It was impossible to cross alone.

Then?

"…Let's take it slow."

Dokja muttered as he attempted to control himself. Right now, he needs to remain calm. There were still a few usable methods, but the important thing was to handle matters in front of him. He controlled hie breathing and walked to the demonic people.

Fortunately, it wasn't difficult to make the fall down the bridge using inertia. Dokja reduced the numbers by making them fall steadily. The dokkaebi's stopwatch floating in the air was blinking. The time remaining before the scenario ended was 15 minutes.

"Hah…"

Nails flew from a blind spot and pierced his shoulder bone. No matter how calm his mind was, no matter how much information he knew, I couldn't help his untrained body.

The wild Namwoon's attacks were becoming increasingly faster.

Yoosung bites her fingernails in worry as she watched Dokja fights the demonic Namwoon while the rest are paying close attention to his thoughts more than the fight. Perhaps still having some distrust in the man who was revealed to be the reader of the novel that went on 13 years with 3149 chapters.

Left shoulder.

The right thigh.

The top of the head.

He had to break the flow. Dokja barely avoided the flying fingernails and kicked his legs. But this person lost all senses and wasn't hurt at all. He stepped back, hitting a broken steel frame. He could hear the raging sound of the ichthyosaurs at the bottom of the pillars.

[A few constellations are rejoicing in your adversity.]

[The constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]

It was a steady accumulation of coins. Now Dokja held 5,000 coins. It was a significant number of coins for the beginning.

[Wow, you are quite good at surviving. Now now! Will any constellations help this poor friend?]

It was the dokkaebi's merchant-like voice. He wanted to tear it apart.

[Geez, there is really nobody?]

Of course.

It would be strange for a constellation to support me after what happened during the Sponsor Selection.

[What did I say? You should've chosen well when you had the chance. How pitiful.]

"You should've chosen one of us when you had the chance Dokja-ssi," Wukong comments as Dokja just smiles.

"Perhaps, but the reason as to why I haven't chosen anyone will soon be revealed so I don't think I will choose someone in the future still."

Wukong raises an eyebrow as he smirks. Yes, this incarnation is very interesting indeed.

Namwoon attacked him again and again, resulting in damage to his waist. Of course, he also injured Namwoon's left side with the knife. Thanks to that, his stomach was hanging out like a skipping rope. In order to kill a demonic person, he had to completely destroy the heart. But the skin of a demonic person was hardest near the heart. The Swiss knife wasn't able to pierce it with sharpness alone. Dammit, it wouldn't be so hard if he had just one combat skill.

[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' is activated.]

…Bookmark?

['Character Bookmarks' is activated.]

[Available Bookmark Slots: 3]

[Bringing up the list of available bookmarks.]

[People Listed in the Bookmark Slots]

Bookmark. Dokja have read over 3,000 chapters of Ways of Survival and he never saw this skill name before. But he intuitively knew how to use it.

"Activate bookmark number one."

There was the feelings of pages turning in his head. It was the scenes of Namwoon in Ways of Destruction.

「Hahahahat! I'm full of strength! 」

「Die! Die! Die! Die!」

「A new world requires new laws.」

Namwoon's memories crowded in and all of his muscle nerves started to tense up. The power of another person was spiking within him.

[The number one bookmark has been activated.]

[The level of the Bookmark skill is low, shortening the activation time.]

[Activation Time: One minute.]

One minute. That was enough.

[Your understanding of the character is low, so only a part of the character's skill is activated.]

[Blackening Lv.1 has been activated.]

"AYO HE CAN COPY PEOPLE'S SKILLS!?" Sooyoung demands as she stands up from her chair, "WHAT KIND OF OVERPOWERED BULLSHIT IS THIS KIM DOKJA!?"

This bastard might as well be a protagonist at this rate.

Dokja just chuckles lightly, "Again, I have to have an understanding of the person first before I can use it. If not, I can't use it at all."

"THAT'S STILL NOT AN EXCUSE KIM DOKJA!?" She asks, not believing what she just saw, but even so, seeing is believing.

"Watch the episode, Sooyoung-ssi."

Meanwhile Joonghyuk kept tabs on what kind of skills Dokja can use because the man itself was dangerous, and seeing this kind of skill with him… It's lethal.

Namwoon was breathing roughly as he rushed towards him. His body was covered with a black energy that was threatening him. Dokja firmly placed strength on the heels of his feet and rushed towards Namwoon. If they had the same skill, he absolutely wouldn't lose. At this moment, Kim Dokja really was Kim Namwoon. He was the crazy killer who ruled the world of 'Ways of Survival' with the protagonist.

In a situation where Blackening was properly played, the Delusion Demon of the battlefield couldn't be easily beaten. The Swiss knife cut through uncomfortable sensations. It tore through muscles and flesh.

From the upper left arm to the heart. There was the sound of a whole human being cut up as Namwoon staggered. If he still had eyes, he would be glaring at me right now.

The young man who felt pessimistic towards the world and dreamt of breaking away from it. If Ways of Survival hadn't started, he might've gone to university after sitting his CSAT and enjoyed campus life.

"…Don't, want…to…die"

Jihye doesn't understand why but she feels somewhat sympathetic when the boy said he didn't want to die. It was human nature that they don't want to die, it was their survival instincts.

He watched Namwoon falling down the bridge without saying farewell. Despite him being a hated figure, he couldn't help feeling strange emotions.

[Your understanding of the character 'Kim Namwoon' has increased.]

[The number one bookmark has been disabled.]

A surge of fatigue overcame me as the power went away.

It was hard. Really.

There were 10 minutes remaining. There were still many demonic people moving about.

It was unreasonable to take on so many even with Lv. 10 stamina. But from the beginning, he had no intention of taking care of them alone.

It was a little late. He should appear around now.

There was a crackling sound like he had been waiting. Dokja knew it. He thought he would do reckless things in order to gain achievements and donations.

"Is this it!?" Jihye asks as she looks at the screen, "Is Master finally coming!?" She asks, glazing back to where her master is looking all excited.

"I don't know why but I'm feeling goosebumps," Sangah comments as Seolhwa nods her head.

"Indeed, it is an exciting but forebode feeling. Perhaps this is what the constellations are feeling when they watch us suffer."

Everyone glances to where the constellations are as they stay silent, "They're gonna be our allies, can we even trust them?" Jihye asks as Dokja wonders that too.

"Junghwa, are you sure the constellations here are our allies?" Dokja asks, still curious and cautious about that particular fact.

Junghwa sighs, "Yes, I know the future, Dokja-ssi. That's why I brought them here with me. Besides, two of them are going to adopt you."

The constellations stop as they look at each other and look at Junghwa.

Persephone blinks in confusion before glancing to her husband who also has the same thought.

"I now begin to understand why Secretive Plotter hates spoilers…" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon groans.

The Secretive Plotter scoffs but says nothing.

"Adopt!?" Almost every incarnation screams as Junghwa hushes them.

"See!? This is why I want to show you all, and not tell you because that makes it hard for me to explain shit!"

For once, they agree with Junghwa's words.

It was obviously the sound of a person's flesh colliding with another body, but it sounded more like a mace crushing flesh.

In fact, Dokja had collected this much coins and thought it would be worth challenging the protagonist.

But now Dokja realised how mistaken he was.

From the stationary train, the demonic people were thrown away in a straight line, as if a tank had rushed through. Was this really a scene caused by a 'human'?

The headless demonic people realised that something was strange and started turning around. However, it was too late. The man destroyed all the demonic people threatening me and appeared in front of Dokja. An overwhelming force without any weapons. He beat the demonic people with only two fists.

He had prepared his mind in advance but sweat still flowed down my back. Dealing with this guy? It was absolutely impossible. He couldn't win even if his overall stats rose by more than double what they were now.

"DAAAMMNNNNNN," Uriel swears as she looks at the hot masterpiece that was Yoo Joonghyuk's entrance in Kim Dokja's perspective while Kim Dokja just blushes.

He does look good there, like… daddy material. Even Junghwa is simping, "Ah, Joonghyuk-ssi looks so handsome in Dokja-ssi's perspective~"

Joonghyuk just looks at Dokja with an unreadable expression while Dokja just blushes even redder and wants to dig a hole and hide there. Forever.

"Say goodbye to the privacy of your stats, protagonist," Han Sooyoung teases as she looks at the screen, earning a glare from the said man

"You, who are you?"

The man's cool gaze turned to me. He reflexively turned on Character List in order to overcome the fear.

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]

[There is too much information about this person. Character List is converted to Summary List.]

[Character Summary]

Name: Yoo Jonghyuk.

Attribute: Regressor (3rd turn) (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Sage's Eyes Lv. 8, Hand to Hand Combat Lv. 8, Weapons Training Lv. 8, Mental Barrier Lv. 5, Crowd Control Lv. 5, Reasoning Lv. 5, Lie Detection Lv. 4…

The list of exclusive skills continued endlessly. Before he could get to the end of the list, a rugged hand appeared and grabbed his neck.

"That's not even half of his skill!?" Heewon asks, looking at the list of skills he has only to be in awe before Dokja was choked by him.

Sooyoung scoffs, "Nope, this guy is a monster when it comes to skills."

The Constellations, however, are looking at the screen with intent. It seems like the information from the previous episode is true. That Yoo Joonghyuk is indeed a regressor.

Secretive Plotter looks at the information with a bitter face underneath his face, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. This is odd. This Joonghyuk's skills are higher than the one he knew before…

Junghwa noticed the Secretive Plotter looking suspiciously at the stats as they smile. Yes, this is going according to plan, 'Everyone. Please save my protagonist.'

"You, how the hell are you alive?"

The 'first way' to survive in a ruined world. The one who proved that method was right in front of me.

Regressor Yoo Jonghyuk.

This is the man who began the tragedy of this world.

Everyone pauses as they look at Dokja and Joonghyuk who seem to have widened their eyes as Junghwa sighs, ' Here we go again…'

"Kim Dokja, what do you mean by that?" Joonghyuk asks as Dokja looks squeamish, "What do you mean that I started the tragedy of this world?"

Dokja takes a deep breath before sighing it all out, "I meant the start of the novel. I'm not even sure if that is the case-"

"One of the reasons," Junghwa interrupts as everyone looks at Junghwa with their eyes wide, even the Constellation and the only dokkaebi in the theatre.

"Junghwa…" Dokja begins, looking at the redhead, "What do you mean?" he asks as Junghwa sighs.

"I'm not even sure how to explain this to you because this is a huge spoiler but… It's better to watch than me explaining it, I can't find the words to explain it myself because it's complicated."

[The Skill Lie Detection has confirmed the words to be the truth.]

Joonghyuk looks at himself as he doesn't know what to do with this knowledge. Hell, even the Secretive Plotter seems to be deep in thought as well as the other constellations.

Sooyoung looks at Junghwa's body language, seeing that they really wanted to say something but can't because it's too complex. Sooyoung frowns, she wonders just how complex it is for them to know this particular information early. Then again, they are watching Dokja's life perspective.

Maybe if they watch long enough, they'll be able to save the world from this time loop and scenarios they are all fighting against.

It would be quite a ludicrous sight if anyone else saw it. An adult man was being grabbed by the neck and hanging like a monkey.

He could see Hyunsung looking this way from across the bridge. His expression was anxious but he couldn't actually see what was going on here. It was due to the safety ward. Dokja could see over there but they couldn't see here.

"Joonghyuk-ssi! Why did you do that to Dokja-ssi?" Hyunsung asks as Joonghyuk just stays quiet.

Sangah is also feeling a bit of anger just by looking at the scene.

"Name."

"What?"

"What is your name?"

Look at this indifferent way of talking, just like a main character. But it wasn't good to provoke him here.

"Damn squid, you're brave even in front of the protagonist," Sooyoung comments as Dokja hums, biting his nails in worry as to what will happen next.

"Kim Dokja."

"A strange name."

"I've heard that a lot."

At this moment, his stomach sank in and felt turned inside out as Jonghyuk's fist hit it.

"…Ugh!"

Sangah and Hyunsung widen their eyes as they gasp, so this is what happens when they were safe behind the safe zone and Dokja had to endure this crap!?

Despite having skin that a knife bounced off, the attack was very painful.

"You have a solid body. Have you already mastered the use of coins?"

"It is the same with you…"

Bam. There was a hit to my stomach again. Dokja barely managed to swallow back a groan.

"Joonghyuk-ssi that was a bit excessive!" Sangah fought against him as he just stayed quiet, watching the screen with close attention.

"Tell me,-" Joonghyuk starts

'You fool, if I continue to regress, will I be able to meet you again?' Junghwa cries in their mind.

"If you are in the same position as I am, would you have done the same?" He asks. Yoo Sangah opens her mouth before shutting it once again. Regress a couple of times, living the same tragedy over and over again, seeing your friends die, be alone in the world… She had a feeling Sangah herself wouldnt be able to survive such a thing.

This guy, the level of his strength was at least 15. It was at this scale despite only one main and one sub scenario occurring. Indeed, natural born monsters were different.

"Stop the unnecessary answer. Only answer what I ask from now on. Understood?"

Dokja didn't answer. He thought maybe this might happen. However, this was the worst situation that I desperately hoped would never happen.

In the beginning, Jonghyuk was more intimidating than any other figure.

His personality had worn out after going through regression three times. His principles were cut away in order to maintain his sense of self. The current Yoo Jonghyuk would never hesitate for the sake of his purpose.

"Your answer?"

"Use honorifics."

"What if I don't want to?"

This time, he raised both hands to block the fist. The pain felt like his bones had broken but the shock was dissipated. Jonghyuk's eyes widened like he was a bit surprised.

[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' is on guard against you.]

"Nice going hyung!" Gilyoung says as he looks at the block before glaring at the sooty bastard. Hell, even Yoosung is joining him in glaring at Joonghyuk.

Then it didn't matter. He wasn't going to be a punching bag just because he was the main character.

"I'm sorry but you are younger than me, pro gamer Yoo Jonghyuk-ssi. Therefore, you should be the one using honorifics."

"…You know me?"

"I know. I am an employee of a game company."

It was a lie. Even if he worked for a game company, it was impossible to memorize the names of all professional gamers. In addition, until recently, 'Yoo Jonghyuk' was just a character in a novel.

"Damn, lying straight to the bastards' face, you got a death wish huh?" Sooyoung asks as Dokja laughs emptily.

"It's not like you wouldn't do the same because this man, as much as I admire him, is scary as hell."

Uriel joins the conversation, "Are you sure it's just admiration, Dokja-ssi?" she asksn as Dokja nods, not understanding what she was really asking.

Junghwa slaps their forehead, 'You stupid fool you love him!!'

"You are famous. At one time, I was a fan."

Being famous was just a setting of the plot. However, it wasn't a lie that he was a 'fan.'

Dokja liked him, hated him, resented him and cheered for him. He was with him throughout his 3000 episode journey.

"This somehow sounded romantic.." Jihye comments as Heewon nods. Uriel is giggling at the thought as she looks at Junghwa who nods.

"Kim Dokja you fool, you love that sunfish bastard."

"I KNEW IT!" Uriel screams as Wukong coughs.

"I respect your taste," he says as the dragon gags in gross.

Meanwhile the incarnations are having a blast at the revelation by Junghwa as they laugh. Or rather Jihye, Sooyoung and Heewon laughs.

"See!" Gilyoung says to Yoosung, "Hyung likes a man!" he tells the girl who still refuses to believe it.

"There's not enough proof!" She reasons but Gilyoung points to Junghwa who waves their hands at them.

"Just because they know the future doesn't mean it'll happen right?"

Gilyoung looks at her as if she was crazy, "No fighting kids!" Jungwha calls the children since Dokja seem like he wanted to bury himself and never awaken again.

Dokja is too embarrassed to have everyone hear his thoughts as he uses his coat to hide his face.

"I mean… look, I understand, I support it," Seolhwa says as Dokja widens his eyes at her words.

'WHAT!?'

Joonghyuk just stays quiet as he is too tired to deal with everyone's shit. The Secretive Plotter mimicking his actions as well and ignores everyone while the pair of Olympus constellations just enjoys the drama surrounding them.

"Fan. I haven't heard that in a long time."

Yoo Jonghyuk had a look of nostalgia in his eyes, like he was locked in his memories. However, it was only for a moment.

"I'll forgive your impudence this time. But your situation hasn't changed."

"I can see that."

"I have only one thing I want to ask."

"Ask."

"How did you survive on the subway?"

It was the question Dokja expected.

"Will you spare me if I answer?"

"I'll see."

It was a lie. He could tell just by looking at his face. Dokja was the only reader of Ways of Survival. Numerous possible repertoires were simulated in his head. What could he say to convince this damn regressor?

[Your understanding of the character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' is increasing.]

[Your understanding of this person is already very high.]

…Huh?

"Junghwa, can I die?" Dokja asks as Junghwa frowns, knowing that he will die once the next part is revealed by Yoo Joonghyuk.

"No, you already traumatised me with your deaths many times, Kim Dokja… I refuse to let you die again."

It seems Junghwa is someone that deeply cares for Kim Dokja, Sooyoung thinks as they observe their reaction to Dokja's words. Die again huh? Just how many times did he die to traumatise even someone from "beyond the fourth wall"?

[The conditions of use for the exclusive skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' stage 2 has been reached!]

[Do you want to activate the exclusive skill?]

Then after a moment, he was able to read someone's thoughts like a waterfall in his head.

「 Only Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon should've survived in that carriage. 」

「 Yet Kim Namwoon died and the others survived. 」

「 How did you survive? 」

「 Who the hell is this guy? 」

「 Dig up information. Then if I find any disturbing elements… Kill. 」

"You can read thoughts too!?" Jihye asks as she looks at Dokja who groans. He can feel a pair of eyes glaring at him already and that was what made Dokja move towards Junghwa's place again.

"Kim Dokja…" Joonghyuk growls at him as Dokja hides behind Junghwa. Yep, understandable.

"Aye, don't kill him Joonghyuk-ssi. He's a very important person in your life," Junghwa tried to ease the tension in between the two men.

"Important? Impossible. I'll just kill him right here and now…"

Junghwa opens their mouth before shutting it again.

Sooyoung notices and asks, "You have the face of someone who wants to tell us something but cant."

Was it obvious? Because yes, Junghwa was like that, "Again, if I tell you, you will not understand shit…"

Sooyoung scoffs as she looks at Junghwa, "Try me."

Junghwa rolls their eyes before motioning Sooyoung to come to them. Sooyoung did as Junghwa carefully activates a small black box that covers the both of them so that they will not be eavesdropped.

"What is this thing?" Sooyoung asks as she looks around the box to see nothing but matte black.

Junghwa explains, "A skill of mine to not let anyone eavesdrop on us," Junghwa explains before saying, "Try you, then that I shall. What do you want to know?" They asks as Sooyoung looks at them.

"Why Kim Dokja is important to Yoo Joonghyuk of course. We'll start from there," she begins as Junghwa sighs.

"Ok then, Kim Dokja is actually Yoo Joonghyuk's sponsor."

…

…

…

…

…

"What?"

Sooyoung blinks in confusion as Junghwa looks at her with a deadpan expression, "Told you you won't be able to digest the information I have."

"WHAT!? HOW!?" She demanded, looking at Junghwa who just smiles, "That's another hellhole that I rather not remember but you have to watch so…"

Sooyoung looks at Junghwa with her eyes wide open. Kim Dokja was Yoo Joonghyuk's sponsor!? But how!? Dokja was not from that damned novel, he read it, not a character!

Just how much does this person know about it!?

"How can I trust you with this information?" She asks.

"Use Lie Detection, you have it right?" they ask as she nods.

Han Sootyoung activates Lie Detection and widens her eyes at what the log is saying to her.

[The skill Lie Detection has confirmed the words to be spoken the truth.]

That… was a plot twist that she was not expecting at all…

"Do you understand now, Han Sooyoung?" Junghwa asks, looking at the woman with solemn eyes, "That you must watch this in order to fully understand the past."

Sooyoung looks at Junghwa, almost disbelieving their words, but the Lie Detection skill was 100% foolproof… There was no mistaking it. This Choi Junghwa character truly knows the past, present and future of their world.

The black box suddenly disappears as everyone is worried for Sooyoung who seems like she has seen a ghost.

"Sooyoung-ssi, are you alright!?" Dokja asks, going to her to see if she is alright.

"I'm fine, they didn't do anything to me just… wow… So that's why you sai to watch these from start to finish…"

Junghwa gives a solem smile to Sooyoung as she nods her head, "Alright then, I'll keep it a secret until that moment comes."

"What are you talking about?" Joonghyuk asks suspiciously as Sooyoung shakes her head.

"I can't tell you, but what I can say is that this person really does know the past, present and future of our world… I've used Lie Detection on them for the piece of information they spoke to me and… It's been confirmed as truth."

Joonghyuk frowns, so it has been confirmed to be the truth, but why cant Sooyoung say anything about what they were talking about in the black box, "Tell us this piece of information," the man says as Sooyoung shakes her head.

"I can't."

Seolhwa frowns, "Why is that, Sooyoung-ssi?" She asks curiously.

"Because the information… is something that even I'm still finding it hard to believe."

Everyone is silent at her tone of voice.

Hades wonders just what kind of information made her so shaken to the core that she was willing to stay silent? The Secretive Plotter frowns at the thought, but at the same time is glad she can keep her mouth shut because they will eventually learn about it in the episodes right? He hated spoilers.

"Start the episode, Junghwa," Sooyoung speaks as Junghwa nods and unpauses the video while everyone is too absorbed in the information. So everything Junghwa says will come true. They must pay attention to their words more closely than ever before.

A dense flicker of thoughts.

It was obviously a crisis situation but Dokja couldn't prevent the corners of my mouth from going up. The time remaining until the scenario ended was 5 minutes.

Dokja started the story. He told the story using as much concise, short and accurate vocabulary as possible.

It was from the first moment the 'dokkaebi' appeared in the subway to the end of the first scenario. Of course, he excluded the skills he got and any important issues.

"…You cleared the scenario by killing insects?"

"We were lucky."

Yoo Jonghyuk was so surprised he seemed to have forgotten that his mouth was open.

「 The future has completely changed. 」

He was shocked. Originally, the people in carriage 3807 would kill each other in a battle royale, with only Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon surviving.

"You have keen eyes. How did you know there were insects in the carriage?"

Killing Intent filled Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes as thoughts brushed through his head.

「 Is this guy also a regressor? 」

「If so, I have to kill him right now. 」

A person who commits a fault thinks that everyone speaks of it. Dokja wasn't surprised that he misunderstood him. He quickly opened my mouth.

"You can read minds of others," Joonghyuk speaks as Dokja nods.

"That's correct… More specifically the people from the novel…"

"An explosion."

"Explosion?"

"I was able to find an insect due to an explosion from the carriage in front."

Yoo Jonghyuk's body stopped at these words.

"Explain it in a simpler manner."

"When the explosion occurred, a kid fell and dropped his insect collecting net. I picked it up by chance."

"…It is a suspicious coincidence."

"Coincidences are always suspicious. If you don't believe me, ask the people beyond the ward. The boy standing there dropped the net."

Beyond the safety barrier on the way to Oksu Station, people were looking over at this side. The scenario wasn't over yet so they couldn't approach or talk to us.

Yoo Jonghyuk looked over but showed no signs of moving. His eyes changed and memories that seemed to belong to Yoo Jonghyuk crossed his mind.

"Is it me or is Joonghyuk-ssi here looking kinda cute…"

Heewon asks as Jihye argues with her.

"Master is not cute!" she speaks, but after seeing the screen, ok maybe she also did find him a bit cute… especially with how he seem to be lost in thought.

「 I see. 」

「 Explosion. 」

「This guy isn't a regressor. 」

「He isn't the one who changed the future. Rather, the future changed…」

「 Because of me. 」

He saw people dying painfully in a powerful explosion and Jonghyuk blankly watching it.

「 It is because I started killing them, unlike the other turns. 」

Due to the impact of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Dokja could feel Jonghyuk's mental pain and suffering.

Dokja frowns as he looks at the screen. As much as he doesnt want Joonghyuk to know, he could feel his mental pain and trauma from his regressions because of his skill so he understands Joonghyuk more because of it.

Joonghyuk watches how Dokja feels the pain and suffering of his mentality as he frowns.

"Are your questions over?"

"…Yes."

"Then can you let me go? And let's go to Oksu together. There isn't much time remaining to clear the scenario."

However, a protagonist was a protagonist for a reason.

"Everything you said makes perfect sense."

Dokja has never seen a protagonist as careful as Jonghyuk.

「 A beginner can't be so calm. 」

「He is abnormally well-adjusted to this changed world. 」

「He probably killed Kim Namwoon. 」

「 He has gone beyond being useful to being dangerous. 」

Heewon frowns as she looks at Joonghyuk being so untrusting of people. Then again, she was somewhat in the same situation as him when she was almost sexually assaulted by the men that were about to kill her. Food my ass, they just wanted free coins.

"I kinda understand why Joonghyuk-ssi is being cautious here, but even so… to think he's this cautious…" Heewon speaks.

Yoo Jonghyuk's right eye started shining with a gold colour. Dokja quickly realised what he was doing. In fact, it would be weird if this guy didn't use 'that.'

Sage's Eyes. Jonghyuk's strongest detection skill. Sage's Eyes was the SS-grade skill that showed the target's attributes window as well as hidden information.

As long as he used it, Dokja couldn't avoid revealing my identity. On the other hand, he thought it was a good thing. Dokja still didn't know his 'attribute' and 'skills'. If Jonghyuk discovered my information, he would also be able to know about himself. Then hopefully, he would be able to use the information he learned to escape this situation.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]

[Fourth Wall has detected the use of the detection skill Sage's Eyes!]

Sooyoung widens her eyes when she saw Dokja has a skill that lets him avoid Sage's Eyes, "You have a mental barrier too? Dammit you squid, no wonder you're his-," Sooyoung slaps her mouth with a hand, almost saying something bad as Junghwa frowns at her.

"I'm his what?" Dokja asks suspiciously as Sooyoung shakes her head a no. Nope she is NOT going to tell them that Kim Dokja is actually Yoo Joonghyuk's sponsor. Nope, no way. Because even she was having trouble believing it still even though it was the truth.

Sparks flew in the air and Jonghyuk's body staggered.

「…ugh, what? 」

Jonghyuk covered his right eye and watched him with confusion.

"You…what is your identity?"

Dokja was wondering the same thing.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall has blocked Sage's Eyes!]

Dokja didn't know that he had a skill that would defend against Sage's Eyes. After Bookmark, it was Fourth Wall.

This complicated things. Yoo Jonghyuk wouldn't believe Dokja now.

「 I must kill him here. 」

"Damn, so he was like that before he even meet up with me huh?" Jihye asks as she looks at the screen at how scary he was.

He was a person who didn't trust what he didn't know.

Sangah looks at Joonghyuk with pity at the sentence narrated by Dokja of the screen.

"Yoo Jonghyuk."

Then he also needs to change plans.

"You need a reliable companion."

"…What do you mean?"

"You can't break through the 46th scenario alone. Shouldn't you be well aware of it?"

"Just how much do you know to even know that much?" Bihyung asks as Dokja continues to watch himself on the screen.

"Too much, Bihyung, too much."

Jonghyuk's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know this? Perhaps you―"

"It doesn't matter how I am."

Dokja stared straight into Jonghyuk's eyes and said. "The important thing is that I can help you."

「 He isn't a regressor. If he was a regressor, I wouldn't be unaware of him. 」

「 Then who is this person? 」

「 …Perhaps? 」

"Yoo Jonghyuk, I know the future that you don't know."

"You tricked me into thinking you're a prophet…" Joonghyuk sighs tiredly. Dokja fidgets at his place near Junghwa.

"I'm sorry, but it was the only way to convince you to not kill me. But I truly wanted you to reach the end, where everyone is happy…"

Everyone is silent at Dokja's words as he looks at the smaller screen in front of him. Uriels' heart start to ache at the pair as she clasped her hands together.

[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used the 'Lie Detection' skill.

[Lie Detection has confirmed that your words are the truth.]

Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes slowly widened.

"…How?"

"How else?"

「 No way. There was a prophet other than Anna Croft? It is also in South Korea? 」

Prophet. In Ways of Survival, it was the only attribute that could see the future and had the passive of 'nullifying all detection skills.' In fact, only one person had the attribute of 'prophet' in the world of Ways of Survival.

"Anna Croft?" Hyunsung repeats as Junghwa frowns at the name.

"Let's say I hate her because of what she did to Joonghyuk-ssi in the second regression…" Junghwa explains as Dokja nods, agreeing to what they say.

"What did she do?" Seolhwa asks.

'Oh, the irony…' Junghwa looks at Dokja who looks at Joonghyuk. The man seem like he doesn't care if his past is exposed, but Dokja knew better.

"She did something bad and unforgivable to Joonghyuk. Honestly, I'm glad I don't see her here," Dokja says with a deep breath of relief as Junghwa nods.

"Agreed, Dokja-ssi," both of them fist bump, surprisingly getting along with one another. Perhaps because the both of them are readers of another story that they connect.

「 Only a prophet can defend against my Sage's Eyes. 」

Dokja didn't answer and Yoo Jonghyuk bit his lips.

"Can you perhaps use 'Future Sight'?"

"It is something similar."

"You knew I would come here."

"Yes."

「 I see. If this man is a prophet, all his actions are convincing. 」

The flow was changing. Jonghyuk's fluctuation was conveyed straight away. This was the only chance.

"I know that Jonghyuk-ssi has special powers. You also know things about the future. Isn't that right?"

"Is this about his regressing powers?" Yoosung asks as Dokja nods.

"That's correct, Yoosung," he responds to the young girl.

The Secretive Plotter hums as he watches the screen more, knowing exactly what they were talking about.

"…"

"But that knowledge is never perfect."

The only weakness of a regressor.

It meant that the future changed when they used their information of the future. In other words, all those who regressed would eventually live in a 'world they don't know.'

"Make me your companion. I can fill in the parts you are missing."

There was no companion as good as a 'prophet' to the present Jonghyuk. In fact, his present self could play a role similar to a prophet. It was because he was the only reader of this story.

"The tension is killing me!" Jihye comments as she looks at the screen, wanting it to be over while everyone nods.

"Agree, and there's only 1 minute left for the scenario too," Seolhwa speaks.

[There is one minute to the end of the scenario.]

Yoo Jonghyuk bowed his head and started to think.

「 A prophet will certainly be helpful. 」

[There are 50 seconds left to complete the scenario.]

「Not just the 46th scenario, but later when fighting the 'zarathustra.' But… can I really trust him? 」

[There are 40 seconds left to the end of the scenario.]

「 Companion. 」

Finally, Yoo Jonghyuk raised his head as Dokja stared at the clock with an irritated heart.

"I have decided. I will make you my companion."

Everyone lets out a deep breath of relief as Joonghyuk speaks, "Finally! It was getting so tense you could cut through it with a knife!" Jihye says.

[Excessive immersion has severely worn out your mental strength.]

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint has been turned off.]

He wasn't sure if it was due to fatigue or relief but the exclusive skill was released. Now Yoo Jonghyuk's face was as difficult as a philosophy book with no commentary written. Jonghyuk started to take him across the 'Even Bridge.'

Of course, he was still held by the collar but… he thought things would be all right now. Dokja persuaded this damn regressor and was in a good position.

They had almost crossed the Even Bridge and were right in front of the safe area when Yoo Jonghyuk suddenly stopped.

"I will ask you one last thing."

"I have a bad feeling about this…" Hyunsung begins as Sangah nods her head at the sentence Joonghyuk spoke.

Sangah glances at the both of them in the real world as she wonders just what they were thinking seeing this once again.

Meanwhile Dokja still sighs at the sight, already knowing what would happen soon. His deal with Bihyung will be shown to the world, or well… To several constellations and his teammates.

He is worried, but knowing Junghwa who only brings them the closest of allies, he decides to trust them. Especially after that whole drama where Sooyoung was exposed to one of the vital information of the future she got from them.

"What?"

"If you are really a prophet, you should know your future. Isn't that right?"

"I think everyone expected this from Master, ahjussi…" Jihye speaks as she stares at the screen.

The moment he saw Yoo Jonghyuk's serene eyes, goosebumps broke out. His test wasn't over yet. The grip holding his collar tightened. His hand raised Dokja up a little bit and a gentle wind passed by his feet. Underneath him was completely empty.

The smell of blood mixed in with the smell of Han River as the ichthyosaurs jumped towards their prey with open mouths.

"Will I let go of this hand or won't I?"

"Joonghyuk-ssi/Ahjussi!" Sangah and Yoosung yell, glaring at him as Gilyoung joins them, as if trying to protect Dokja from the man who is ready to kill him.

"How could you!? You were the one who threw him overboard!" Sangah asks as Joonghyuk is silent looking at her quietly.

"I mean, if I were in your shoes, even I wouldnt throw someone off a bridge!" Heewon speaks as Hyunsung nods.

It seems like he is being ganged upon so Dokja decides to interfere, "Guys, it's ok! I understand why he did it."

"But he still-," Heewon begins but Dokja shakes his head as everyone slowly calms down before returning to their seat and watching the episode.

For the first time, Dokja started sweating. Let him think. Even without his thoughts, Dokja knew this guy more than anyone else. He closed his eyes and thought about Jonghyuk.

[There are 20 seconds left until the end of the scenario.]

Then he came to a conclusion.

"Yoo Jonghyuk."

Dokja was certain about what he would do. No matter how he thought about it, there was no other ending when it came to Jonghyuk.

"I will tell you two things first."

"…What?"

"One, I'm not your subordinate. So I hope you will treat me fairly from now on."

"…"

"Two, I will cooperate with you but you also have to promise to cooperate with me."

Jonghyuk looked at him with interest and nodded.

"Well, what is your answer?"

"I remember this!" Uriel speaks, "The tension is so thick I can feel it even now!" Wukong and the dragon giggles at the thought while the Secretive Plotter just rolls his eyes.

The Secretive Plotter watches with keen interest. If he wasn't mistaken, the next part of the episode would show what truly happens in the long ass ad break. He is looking forward to it.

Dokja replied with a smile.

"Get your hand off me and get lost, you damn jerk."

Then the power holding him disappeared. Dokka was grabbed by the force of gravity. He saw Joonghyuk's face as hewas falling. Yoo Jonghyuk was smiling brightly like something made him happy.

Son of a bitch.

"I believe you. You are definitely a prophet."

Waiting for him at my crash point was the mouth of the giant sea commander. Dokja closed his eyes from the shock of the impact along with the cold water of Han River. As he sucked in a breath, a warm and enormous darkness swallowed me up.

[You have failed to clear the scenario.]

…Damn, I have to use that method after all.

Everyone looks at Kim Dokja who hides behind Junghwa. It seems Junghwa has become his hiding spot everytime something bad happens now.

"What do you mean by that method, Dokja?" This time it is the Constellations that asks him, Persephone to be exact.

Dokja doesnt want to answer and instead points towards the episode, saying the answer will be revealed soon.

Joonghyuk has a bad feeling about this. Of course Bihyhung suddenly flies to where Junghwa is and perches on their lap as if also hiding from everyone.

"Kim Dokja…" Joonghyuk growls as Dokja squirms.

"Just… Watch the episode, you'll be able to understand why…"

Dokja's body suddenly became heavy as he felt water entering his lungs. Then he was sucked in somewhere. Hewasn't torn apart because I fell with perfect timing. However, Dokja couldn't lose consciousness here. He had to stay awake. He needed to wait for a while.

He somehow managed to curl up and hold my breath. 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds… he was barely breathing when his hands hit a tangible wall in the darkness.

Dokja could barely breathe after coughing up the river water several times. His level 10 stamina saved me from being killed by hitting the water surface, but the large and small bruises all over his body were very painful. He controlled his breathing in order to not fall into a panic and turned on his smartphone, which surprisingly survived the water.

Dokja was worried it might've broken in the fall but the power was fortunately okay. It was good that he spent big and bought a smartphone with a waterproof function.

"And that's what you were worried about?" Herewon asks as Dokja pouts.

"I mean I have the copy of TWSA with me as well so obviously, I'm worried about my phone. Besides, I spent a lot on that phone for its specs!"

Jihye responds to him, "You mean for your reading?"

He did not respond at all.

The flashlight turned on and the surrounding scenery entered my eyes. There were huge walls with concrete by-products floating by. The stomach of an ichthyosaur was more disgusting than he thought.

"Dammit."

Jonghyuk's expression as he let go of his hand without hesitation and got off the bridge was vivid. He expected it but it was more shocking than he thought.

…If Dokja wanted to be his companion, he had to survive. It wasn't that he didn't understand.

Companion. The weight of this word was too great for Jonghyuk. Since his failure in the first round of regression, Jonghyuk had never made a real 'companion.'

Joonghyuk freezes, not expecting some parts of his past will be revealed as Dokja apologies.

"I'm sorry…"

Joonghyuk looks at him and sighs. The people in the room are all companions, was what Junghwa says, and even though the word is still too heavy for him, he decides to trust Junghwa's words, especially since Sooyoung, had been given an important piece of information on the future.

"Don't sweat it."

Dokja's eyes widens in surprise when he hears Joonghyuk's words before looking away, his heart feeling giddy for some reason.

It was rare for humans to easily follow the growth of a regressor. As a result, he solved everything alone, was revered as a saviour and was naturally lonely.

To Jonghyuk, 'humans' were only subordinates or enemies.

Heewon stares at Joonghyuk who has a solemn look. Just how many years did he have to live all alone? She feels pity and sympathy towards Yoo Joonghyuk while the man himself nods at the explanation. Dokja indeed knows Joonghyuk more than he does himself.

Thus, this was a test. If Dokja wanted to be in an equal position with him, he had to solve this alone.

…Well, this was when looking at it from Jonghyuk's viewpoint.

"A companion my ass…crazy psychopath."

Dokja barely doggy paddled to a floating styrofoam panel and raised his body onto it. Thanks to the warmth of the stomach, he wasn't cold. However, the problem was from now on. He closed his eyes and played the message log that he heard.

[You have failed to clear the scenario.]

[Paid settlement will begin.]

[100 coins have been reduced for the channel usage fee.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' has nodded at your exciting remarks.]

[100 coins have been sponsored.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' nods are your choice.]

[100 coins have been sponsored.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is disappointed in your rash remarks.]

There were quite a few messages. In addition, a few exposed constellations sponsored me. Maybe it was due to the final conversation between Jonghyuk and him.

He felt a little down as he read through the messages of the constellations one by one and collected the coins. If Dokja had picked one of these constellations in the first Sponsor Selection, this might not have happened. But there was no regret in his choice.

After encountering Jonghyuk directly, he was certain. The Great Sage the Equal of Heaven might be a sponsor of the highest quality but he wasn't enough. He needed more than just 'sponsorship' if I wanted to confront Jonghyuk.

"Damn, you said I ain't enough? You broke my heart, Dokja-ssi," Wukong says to him in a teasing manner, but knowing just how powerful Yoo Joonghyuk is, it did make him a little bit jealous. Sure Joonghyuk wouldnt be able to win against him, but having a weak incarnation turned powerful using his stigma? Yeah he had a feeling it would still not be enough.

Dokja bows slightly, as ig apologising to him. Meanwhile Joonghyuk simply watches the new scene as he leans forward, trying to make sense what Dokja was trying to do, He seems to have a plan, but what was his plan?

And he would gain it from here. The walls of the stomach growled and small waves rose inside. The sea commander seemed to be moving somewhere. Dokja turned on my smartphone and calculated the time. According to Ways of Survival, the ichthyosaur started to secrete stomach acid around three minutes after ingesting food. In other words, Dokja didn't have much time left.

[Haha, it is sad that things turned out like this. It was very interesting.]

There was a sound effect before the dokkaebi's voice was heard.

"…Dokkaebi?"

[Yes, that's right. You don't seem panicked at all?]

"I knew you would come."

[Hrmm. It sounds like you were waiting for me?]

"Of course I have been waiting."

The Secretive Plotter fondly remembers this scene, alreadyn knowing the next part of it would be an long ad, but now he'll get to see it with his own eyes.

Dokja glances towards the Secretive Plotter and wonders just who he is to be here with them.

"Junghwa," Dokja begins, "Who is the Secretive Plotter?" he asks curiously as Junghwa hums, looking at the Secretive Plotter who freezes.

"That would mean exposing his identity to you guys early. You will eventually know him, but not right now. Unless the Secretive Plotter doesn't mind the spoiler."

The Secretive Plotter shakes his head, so Junghwa says, "Looks like SP ahjuicy doesn't want you guys to know just yet to just watch the episodes, it'll eventually come."

"Please don't call me ahjuicy…"

Light turned on and the dokkaebi appeared. Dokja couldn't tell for sure from his expression alone, but this guy was clearly interested. He deliberately spoke calmly. If he was pushed here, he wouldn't be able to eat his meal.

"Are you going to take coins from me?"

[…Coins?]

"You have to take coins in exchange for me failing the scenario."

[Hmm, not your life?]

"If it was my life, you would have written 'death' in the failure results column, not three question marks. Doesn't this mean there is room for negotiation?"

[…Hahaha. How interesting.]

In fact, there was a loophole in his words. The scenario message was 'Failure: ???'. This literally meant that the penalty of failure was unknown. It was just his assumption that it was in exchange for coins. Nevertheless, there was a reason why he was so certain.

Joonghyuk widens his eyes at the information given to him, interesting, so that's what it means huh? He keeps the information close as he leans back on his chair, crossing his legs to be more comfortable. It would take a while for them to reach the future so he might as well make himself comfy.

"Huh," Seolhwa whistles as she looks at the screen, "The more you watch,the more informative it gets."

Hyunsung replies to her, "I mean we are watching the past, present and future so it would be reasonable to learn something new all the time."

"Am I wrong?"

It was because he already knew about this scenario. The dokkaebi hesitated for a moment before nodding.

[You are right. Amazing. That you could determine this point with such a clue… as expected from someone who is attraction the constellations' attention.]

The dokkaebi's tone was filled with sincere admiration.

[As you said, you can survive this sub scenario if you pay coins, even if you fail.]

"How much?"

[Pay 5,100 coins. Then I will let you live.]

Dokja looked at how many coins he currently possesses.

[Coins Possessed: 5,100 C]

He couldn't help smiling. This jerk was messing around right now.

"That is too much."

[Haha, then won't you die? It is up to me to accept the coins or not. If you do something wrong then I can just end it here.]

Dokja smiled.

"Oh I know that smile from anywhere! It's his con smile when he thinks of something dangerous!" Heewon comments as Jihye nods.

"I know the ahjussi for a bit but damn, he's a con artist," she says.

Dokja doesn't know if that was a compliment or insult.

"Then kill me."

[…Huh?]

"Kill me."

[······.]

"You can't kill me?"

The dokkaebi didn't move. It was natural. He was having a lot of fun with him right now. Furthermore, he wouldn't have come down here to see him if he had been planning to kill me. For this guy, he had to survive here or he at least had to die miserably.

[Haha. You are really making me angry. Look, now…]

The dokkaebi's flat-shaped eyebrows wriggled furiously. It was time to stop the taunts and get to the main point.

"Low-grade dokkaebi, Bihyung. How are the activities of a streamer?"

Bihyung groans as Junghwa hugs his tiny and fluffy form,"How am I so naive… I can't believe I fell into his trap…"

Dokja who is beside Junghwa just pats his head, "You shouldn't have underestimated me, Bihyung."

If there was a crack in the face, it would look exactly like this. Dokkaebi Bihyung showed confusion for the first time.

[H-How do you know my name?]

"You haven't been enjoying broadcasting lately, right? The constellations are too stingy."

[W-Who the hell are you? How does a human…]

Bihyung's horns shook. It was natural. An ordinary human couldn't know about the Star Stream system. But Dokja wasn't an ordinary human.

[A few constellations have doubts about your existence.]

[The constellation Secretive Plotter's eyes are shining at your plan.]

"Seems like the Secretive Plotter is enjoying the show as per usual," Dokja comments as he glances over to the constellation who is watching the screen with high interest.

"Why can't you tell me who he is this early?" He asks curiously to Junghwa who just smiles.

"Because it's a spoiler to the bigger picture. You must understand several things first before you know the identity of the Secretive Plotter, and these things are still far into the future."

Junghwa makes a point if that's the case, because from what he sees, Sooyoung has been given a vital piece of information and she seem to be in confusion as to how it happens. So Dokja decides to be trusting to Junghwa, even if for this scenario only.

From now on, it wasn't a story for the constellations. Dokja smirks to Bihyung.

"How about we talk after you close the channel?"

Bihyung was worried and closed the channel.

[#BI-7623 channel is closed.]

"Is it me or am I getting goosebumps as to what happens in this part where we had that long ad?" Uriel asks as Abyssal Black Flame Dragon nods.

"I've been wondering what the fuck happened so this is a good start," he says.

Wukong agrees to their reasoning, "Knowing Dokja-ssi, he might do something a con artist would do, but that's what makes him exciting to watch."

Once the constellations left the channel, Bihyung showed his true colours.

[Feel free to speak. You, how can an ordinary human know about the Star Stream broadcasting?]

"That isn't important."

[Huh?]

"Bihyung, do you want to be 'king of the dokkaebis'?"

"King of Dokkaebi?" Sangah repeats curiously as Dokja nods.

"You can say the one who controls the Star Stream, the boss of the dokkaebis."

Junghwa chuckles as they realize how wrong dokja is, but that was for a future episode.

[What now―]

"Don't you wish to be the best streamer in the network, surpassing Dokgak and Gildal?"

Bihyung's complexion was changing.

"Dokkaebi Bihyung, sign a contract with me. Then I will make you the king of the dokkaebis."

Joonghyuk looks at Dokja with an unamused expression, "So you signed a contract with that thing," He begins, his tone flat and emotionless. Dokja doesnt understand why he isn't killing him right now but probably because the future info may be important to him…

Bihyung looks at Dokja adorable as Junghwa pats his head, "I can explain, Joonghyuk-ah… "

"Shut your explanation, the episode will explain it to us, right?" He looks at Junghwa who nods their head, "Then so beat it. Besides, what the episode have shown us are exactly what happened. This means you can't lie."

Joonghyuk has a point, but even so Dokja is scared which is why he is hiding by Junghwa's side with Bihyung. Junghwa gives Bihyung onto Dokja's lap, "Your partner in crime."

"I'm not his partner in crime!" Bihyung argues but the look Junghwa is giving him is such a solemn and melancholy expression that Bihyung wonders…

'What the hell do I do to make them look at me like that!?'

Star Stream system.

The star stream broadcasting was designed to relay its contents to the entire universe.

The subscribers were constellations at the top of the distant galaxies. The actors were humans like me. And the storyteller that connected the two sides was the dokkaebi in front of him.

Gilyoung looks at Dokja, "Hyung, is the Star Stream kind like Twitch?" He asks curiously as Dokja nods his head.

"Exactly. The streamers are the dokkaebis and the game is well… the scenarios. The viewers are powerful gods and mythical beings from another world," Dokja explains to the boy who nods his head understandingly.

So the Star Stream is like Twitch huh?

[Ha, hahahaha! You are crazy! A crazy human! I should've known it when you refused the sponsoring of the other constellations!]

Bihyung laughed for a long time before opening his mouth again.

[I don't know how you know about Star Stream Broadcasting but I can't accept the offer. I'm a dokkaebi, not a constellation. I can't be your sponsor.]

"You seem to have misunderstood. I never told you to sponsor me."

[Huh?]

"I am well aware that you are a weak dokkaebi. I don't need your strength. I need your channel."

[My channel?]

"Since you can't seem to understand me, is there a problem with your Korean language patch?"

[No, what is this?]

"I will explain it simply. I want to sign an exclusive contract with your channel."

Bihyung made a blank expression before belatedly regained his spirit.

[Wait a minute. Do you want to make a 'stream contract' with me now?]

"Yes."

"A Streamer Contract…" Joonghyuk wonders as he watches the screen. Interesting so not only Dokja is able to sign a contract with Bihyung but also reap the benefits of the contract. Truly a scary incarnation.

Heewon shivers as she watches the screen, "Damn, never thoiught Dokja-ssi is like this, but at the same time I kinda get where he's going. If I have information about the future then I would've done the same thing…"

Dokja simply smiles at her, "Well, I never thought that reading a novel for 13 years would make me so incredible…"

A stream contract was originally a contract between dokkaebi and constellations.

The constellation's incarnation would appear on a particular channel and the dokkaebi would receive a portion of the coins earned by the incarnation of the constellation as a commission.

Originally, the person who was the incarnation couldn't intervene in this contract. It was called sponsorship but the contracted incarnation was nothing but a slave.

[Hahat, this is a hit.]

Bihyung laughed behind small fingers. The surrounding atmosphere was changing.

[I don't know how you know about such things but some human dares to mention the streamer contract?]

The tone changed and the surrounding air was filled with killing intent. Indeed, even a low level dokkaebi was strong compared to humans. But it wasn't enough to make him back off.

"It is worth signing a contract because I have no sponsor."

[…What?]

"What do you think the purpose of a constellation is to enter a channel?"

Bihyung looked like a bad student at the sudden question. From now on, it was a special lecture time for the low level dokkaebi.

"You don't have to be so nervous. You already know this information. But let's review it again to see what it means."

Bihyung was caught in my pace and nodded despite himself.

"Is it me or is the dokkaebi starting to look cute…" Seolhwa asks as Jihye gasps.

"No it doesnt!" She yells and glares as Bihyung who is hiding by Dokja's side.

"But the dokkaebi is here too, which means they have become our ally right?" Hyunsung reasons out as everyone is quiet at the thought.

"What did you do in the future!?" Heewon asks as Bihyung shakes his head.

"I don't know either but Junghwa seems sad every time they look at me so ask them!"

Everyone glances over to the red head who just giggles, "Ah, more question?" they ask as Joonghyuk glares at him.

"What did this dokkaebi do in the future?" Joonghyuk asks as Junghwa sigh.

"Again, that's a big spoiler. Isn't it the same for the constellations here?" The constellations are silent as they look at each other.

"Besides, you'll be surprise by what he's going to do."

Without a word, Junghwa unpauses the episode.,

"The Star Stream subscribers can be largely divided into two groups. One group are the 'fun seekers' who seek to relieve their boredom with the channel. The other group are the 'incarnation searchers' who want to find an incarnation to contract with them. Isn't that right?"

[Yes. That's right.]

"For this reason, you must be able to satisfy one of the two groups in order to become a famous channel in Star Stream. In other words, either stick to the fun seekers or the incarnation seekers. You have to attract one of them properly."

[You are moderately well informed. But so what? What does this contract have to do with why constellations subscribe?]

"I'm surprise my Dokja can have this much knowledge just by reading a novel," Uriel speaks as Abyssal Black Flame Dragon nods.

"It makes him worth while, and we're gonna be watching the future too, which is more interesting than the scenarios."

The Secretive Plotter hums, saying nothing at all in spite of the chatter surrounding him. He had a bad feeling about the future, why? Perhaps it's because of his hardened battle instincts that had been honed for several thousands of years but even so, why is Junghwa looking so melancholy behind that smile of theirs.

"I don't know how many more hints I have to give you. This is why your subscribers number still isn't over three digits."

[…Shut up. Say it quickly.]

Seeing Bihyung thrust his small horns at him cutely, it was hard to believe the dokkaebi had blown up people's head a while ago. Now let's stop making fun of him and take a chance.

"What if there is a channel that can satisfy both the fun seekers and the incarnation searchers?"

[What are you saying? Such a thing is impossible. Even if it is possible, it is only for a while.]

Bihyung's words were correct.

The reason why it was impossible to satisfy all the constellations was due to the characteristics of the 'incarnation searchers' group. The purpose of these constellations was to 'discover an incarnation.' They changed channels as soon as the Sponsor Selection was over. Due to this, the incarnation searchers group were just temporary customers.

But…

"That is a story for when the Sponsor Selection proceeds normally."

[What?]

"What if there is an incarnation who doesn't sign a contract with any constellation? And what if that incarnation shows an ability that transcends all over incarnations with sponsors?"

"So that's what you were aiming," Sun Wukong comments, finally understanding why he was like that as every constellation nods.

"I must say," Persephone begins, looking at the screen,"He is a scary incarnation to know the ins and outs of everyone, and now he signed a streamer contract with a dokkaebi."

The existence of a strong incarnation would attract the eyes of the constellations. If this incarnation continued to not select a sponsor, the 'incarnation searchers' group would continue to subscribe without leaving the channel.

[W-Wait a minute! You, is this why you didn't select a sponsor….?]

"Yes, that's right."

[Ha…this is interesting.]

Bihyung grinned at me.

[Becoming the strongest incarnation without a sponsor… if there is such a thing, it certainly wouldn't be a dream to become the best Star Stream channel. But such an incarnation can't exist.]

"Do you really think so?"

[…I admit that you aren't normal. You have attracted the attention of constellations from the beginning and thanks to it, I have also been having fun. However, there is a limit to your delusions. Haven't you noticed it after going through that? An ordinary human can never beat an incarnation. That is the law of the world.]

"I don't know that."

[You have already missed the opportunity. Look around you. This isn't the main scenario. You failed a sub scenario and now your life is at risk. There are no constellations watching you―]

"Really?"

[……?]

"By now, the constellations must be in an uproar. Aren't they? Isn't everybody clamouring for the channel to quickly be opened?"

Bihyung was silent.

"Dammmnnn I remember this part, that long ass ad was annoying as shit! But to think this happens while the ad is going on…" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon comments as he watches the screen. He may be bloodthirsty but he wasn't dumb. He just prefers to see blood on the screen, but seeing a dokkaebi being threatened by a human instead? Yeah, that gives off the same feeling.

"Aren't they all going crazy with curiosity right now? Who is that crazy person who went against the regressor? Is he really a prophet? Can he really see the future? If he can see the future, why did he get eaten by the ichthyosaur?"

[S-Stop! You are…]

"From now on, I'm going to show it. So shut up and do what I tell you. Do you want to become the king of dokkaebis?"

Bihyung's gaze towards me was changing. He could hear the sound of him gulping. Bihyung was worrying. In any case, there was nothing to lose if he believed him here. Then? Bihyung's pupils moved quickly.

[Then let's settle the scenario of failure first. Give me 5,100 coins…]

"What are you saying? I didn't fail."

[…Eh?]

"Maybe by now I would've met the conditions…"

Dokja loosened his body and got up from his seat. His cold body was stiff. Bihyung still had a stupid expression on his face.

"Open the channel. It will start soon."

[Start, what will―]

Then a message was heard in the air.

[The hidden scenario has arrived!]

[Hidden Scenario – Commander Slayer]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A

Clear Conditions: Kill the ichthyosaur 'sea commander' and escape from its stomach.

Time Limit: 10 days

Compensation: 9,000 coins

Failure: Death

"Look, didn't I tell you to be prepared?"

There were three types of scenarios in Ways of Survival. The main scenario was in charge of progressing the main story. The sub scenarios were responsible for minor events. And the hidden scenarios were only opened through special conditions.

[How on earth…?]

Bihyung's lips were shaking with shock.

"Even a dokkaebi doesn't know this? You really are a baby streamer," Secretive Plotter comments as Bihyung whines.

"I was so naive… I'm still wondering if he is the dokkaebi instead of me!" The dokkaebi pouts in Dokja's arms. It reminded Junghwa a bit of Biyoo, perhaps if Bihyung survives, he can see the end with Dokja because Junghwa doesnt want Bihyung to did, even if he found out his _ is Sacrifice.

Unlike the main scenarios and sub scenarios that a dokkaebi was in charge of, the hidden scenarios were characterised by their automatic appearance when certain conditions were met.

"You didn't even know. You low grade dokkaebi."

[You…what on earth?]

"Anyway, if I can clear this, I will prove that I have the ability for the contract, right?"

Bihyung watched the scenario screen with gloomy eyes. He looked at him with a careful gaze and asked.

[This scenario, the difficulty is A. Do you really believe you can clear it?]

"Yes."

There was a small wave as the Han River water crashed against the wall of the ichthyosaur's stomach. Bihyung was silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

[…Okay. If you succeed in clearing this scenario then I will accept the contract.]

"And that's hook line and sinker," Sooyoung comments as she looks at the screen. Bihyung glares at Sooyoung.

Yes yes, he gets it, Bihyung was naive as hell. Well he WAS a low grade dokkaebi so he doesn't know several things, but damn to be persuaded to manipulate the scenario with Dokja? Honestly as much as he doesn't want the information to be exposed, it kinda gives him a thrill as well.

"The terms of the contract will be negotiated after the scenario is cleared."

[So arrogant…then I will open the channel again. Please try hard.]

"Ah, wait a minute."

It would be difficult if he left already. I had something to check.

"You have something left to do."

[…What is it now?]

Bihyung's mocking tone was somewhat annoying.

"Fix a system error for me."

[System error?]

"My attributes window isn't opening."

"Don't tell me," Heewon begins as she looks at Dokja, "You can't?" Dokja shakes his head a no as Joonghyuk frowns. That was a fist.

Why has he never known this? The system is perfect, there shouldn't be an error.

Unless that ,an read nthe novel, but Joonghyuk guesses that's the reason.

[No way. The system can't have an error. The scenario system is perfect.]

"Take a look yourself."

Bihyung looked at me with suspicious eyes and started to mutter something.

[The dokkaebi 'Bihyung' has used 'System Interference' on you.]

System interference.

It was an absolute interference skill that could only be used by dokkaebis with the right to interfere in the scenario. In fact, it was unclear if the reason why he couldn't see the attributes window was an error or not. But at least the dokkaebi would be able to find out something. And if he couldn't figure it out, that was also a profit for me.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]

In the next moment, sparks flew in the air and struck Bihyung. Looking at the situation, Dokja got a sense of what happened.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

[This isn't possible. How can there be a firewall preventing the system interference…?]

It seemed Fourth Wall blocked not just the skills of an incarnation but the dokkaebi's interference as well. If this was true, it meant nobody in Ways of Destruction could see his attributes window, including himself.

How interesting. It was the perfect condition to become a scammer.

"Forget about it."

[P-Please wait! I can do it. U-Uh. What if I do this?]

"You can't do it."

[Aghh!]

Bihyung screamed like he had received an electric shock. The white fluffy hair on his skin was burnt black.

"BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA" Jihye laughs at the burnt image of the dokkaebi as everyone else giggles. Bihyun looks at himself and wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide there forever.

"TAKE THAT YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Heewon laughs, joining Jihye in their laughing fit. Yes, he looks like a black ball of fluff. His poor white fur…

"Your fur is darker than Biryu man," Junghwa comments as Bihyung pouts.

[T-This! This!]

"It's okay. If you can't do it then stop. I will ask for another favour."

[This can't be! I am Dokkaebi Bihyung. If I can't solve this situation, the honour of the dokkaebi―]

Dokja looked at the clock. It had been a minute since the ichthyosaur ate. There was no time to delay like this.

"The dokkaebi bag."

Bihyung stopped his useless action of digging in the air.

[What?]

"Open the dokkaebi bag."

[…How do you know about that?]

"I don't know why am I still surprised by this man knowing stuff that he's not supposed to know…" Bihyung groans out.

"Are you going to open it?"

[Only an incarnation with a sponsor can use the dokkaebi bag…]

"Only incantations?" Hyunsung asks, looking at the screen with interest, "So Dokja-ssi isn't supposed to be able to access it?" he asks as Dokja shakes his head.

"No, but with the deal, I can access it easily. Besides, it wouldn't be fair for me if I don't have anything in my sleeves."

"It is true that all incarnations that use the dokkaebi bag have a sponsor. But there is no rule that an incarnation without a sponsor can't use the dokkaebi bag."

[…Wait a minute.]

Bihyung pulled out a manual and confirmed it.

[At this point, I don't know if I am a dokkaebi or you are. Are you actually a dokkaebi?]

"... Ok i'll admit it," Heewon speaks as she looks at Bihyung, "He's beginning to look cute…" she says as Bihyung looks at Dokja with a confused expression.

"Does this mean I'm part of the team yet?" Bihyung asks as every incarnation says something.

"No."

Looks like he's still need to prove himself as an ally. Though he doesn't get it himself. He is willing to sacrifice the Bureau for a couple pof incarnations? What is his future self thinking!? It makes Bihyung really wanna see the future because dammit, it is KILLING HIM WITH ANTICIPATION.

The smiling Bihyung raised both hands.

[…Okay, there is no problem if you use it. However, the dokkaebi bag can only be used when the channel is open for streaming purposes. Is that okay?]

"It's fine."

[#BI-7623 channel is open.]

[The constellations have entered.]

Then an electric current appeared in the air. A transparent screen emerged in front of me.

[Welcome to the coin shop, the 'Dokkaebi Bag.']

The Dokkaebi Bag.

It was the moment when this damn world's 'cash store' was opened.

There were two ways to use coins in Ways of Survival.

One of them was to raise the level of the stats such as stamina and strength. The other was to use it as a common form of currency that could be used in various stores, including the dokkaebi bag.

Dokja got rid of the pop-up advertising windows one by one. It was nothing compared to the 'disasters' that emerged after the fifth main scenario, but a sea commander ichthyosaur was no different from a disaster for the early stage incarnations. He needed some items sold in the Dokkaebi Bag to defeat the ichthyosaur. Let's see…

Dokja looked at the catalogue before glancing over at Bihyung.

"Hey, are these the only items I can buy right now? Is there a search function?"

[At that…shit. Wait. Constellations. Please. Please calm down.]

"SERVES YOU RIGHT FOR THAT LONG ASS AD OF YOURS!" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon yells at him as Uriel joins him.

"Yeah! It's a whole 2 minute ad and that is NOT OK BIHYUNG!"

Bihyung hides with Dokja and Junghwa from their burns and insults.

From the moment the channel opened, Bihyung was trying to ease the complaints with a comic-like sweat.

[It was just a server error that shut the broadcast off for a while! I didn't turn it off on purpose.]

There was a total of 20 stars above Bihyung's head. Since not too many of them had left the channel, it seems that quite a few constellations wanted to see what happened to me. Of course, not all the constellations were friendly.

[A few constellations are questioning the fairness of the broadcast!]

[A few constellations are suspicious of the privileges you have received!]

It wasn't unexpected. While the broadcast was off, a hidden scenario started and the Dokkaebi Bag was opened. It was no wonder that the constellations were surprised.

[No, preferences? Look at this, Constellations. I am a dokkaebi. Don't you know that I will be extinguished if I do that? Don't you know that the storyteller's vow is never light?]

"Will you help me?"

[…There is a product search button in the lower right corner.]

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH TAKE THAT DOKKAEBI!" Jihye laughs at the sheer ridiculousness of the scene joined by Sooyoung.

Are they laughing at a demon that can make their heads explode easily? Yes, ues they are.

"Thank you."

Dokja ignored Bihyung and pressed the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the package window.

[The product search function is activated.]

[The produce search is limited to 5 times a day. Any additional searches will cost 100 coins per search.]

In any case, humans and dokkaebi were the same. The total number of free searches given was five. Two searches were enough to buy the materials I needed so I had three searches left.

[The constellation Secretive Plotter is wondering about your plan.]

"Just like your name, you really are someone that's interested in everything huh?" Dokja glances at the cloaked figure who just shrugs.

"I am simply a viewer with nothing else to do."

'Lies,' Junghwa glances at the constellation. Joonghyuk notices the change in body language of the red head and wonders just what is the Secretive Plotter plotting about. And his voice too. Maybe because of the restrictions in the threatre everyone can use their true voice, but the Secretive Plotter's voice sounded oddly similar to his for some reason… He wonders why…

Yes, be curious. If you are curious, keep watching.

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' is looking angrily at your actions.]

Don't watch if you are going to get all twisted up. Dokja opened my mouth to use the search function.

"Search for the 'Ancient Dragon' item."

[There are three search results.]

A small pop-up window soon emerged.

Ancient Dragon's Heart – Stock: 0

Ancient Dragon's Bone – Stock: 1

Ancient Dragon's Horn – Stock: 1

He chose the Ancient Dragon's Heart.

[Item Information]

Name: Ancient Dragon's Heart

Rating: SS

Description: A heart containing the magic power of the ancient dragon 'Ignitus.' It possesses near-infinite magic power and the attribute 'Hellfire' will be acquired if a heart transplant is successful.

Price: 1,500,000 C

Stock: Just sold out.

As expected, it was out of stock. From beyond the catalogue, Bihyung, who was dealing with the constellations, looked at Dokja with his jaw dropped.

[Crazy. How do you know the information about the ancient dragon?]

"I just called out a nice name."

[…It seems like a lie.]

I shrugged.

Bihyung wants to hit his head against the wall for some reason as he remembers just how naive he was during this particular moment. Why Dokja, that's not fair!

In the original Ways of Survival, the owner of the Ancient Dragon's Heart was already determined. If he remember correctly, the owner of the heart was currently in Italy.

A person with good luck. They got such a diamond sponsor. Dokja called out several more product names.

[The related product search is completed.]

Great Demon's Eyes – Stock: 0

White Pure Star Energy – Stock: 1

The Great Demon's Eyes was sold out… the hands of the constellations were really quick. Well, Dokja couldn't buy it since the selling price was 1 million coins. At any rate, it was good to have a sponsor. Now the incarnation with the Great Demon's Eyes would grow and destroy the beginner scenarios.

[What are you really? What type of cheat are you using? How do you know about items that can only be found in the search?]

"SHUT UP ME, WHY ARE YOU EVEN SURPRISE AT THAT WHEN HE ALREADY KNOWS YOUR NAME!? OF COURSE HE KNOWS STUFF LIKE THIS TOO!!!"

Poor Bihyung is dying of embarrassment.

"I just said plausible names."

Among the three items that Dokja searched for, only the White Pure Star Energy was in stock. Furthermore, the price was 10,000 coins so he couldn't buy it now. Dokja put it in the shopping cart for now.

[What, are you buying it?]

"Not right now. I am just window shopping."

[Sheesh, what a waste of time.]

"I am going to buy something else so bring up the items I call out from now on."

Dokja called out several item names. After a moment, a list of items emerged in front of me.

Mucus of the Hammer Sea Horse – Stock: 124

Stone Hog's Pointed Thorn – Stock: 17

Dokja compared it to the list in my memories. The food of the ichthyosaur, the hammer sea horse and the stone hog, the nemesis of sea species… There was no doubt. This combination was the best when it came to attacking an ichthyosaur.

"Four mucus, four thorns. It is 800 coins?"

[Yes but…where are you going to use these miscellaneous items?]

"Bihyung, you really don't know your stuff huh?" Jihye comments as Bihyung just groans, "Ahjussi knows what he's gonna use with that and yet you don't know at all. Are you seriously a dokkaebi?"

"Shush, I'm trying…"

'Poor Bihyung is getting roasted by everyone now… No one will see him the same way ever again because of this, ' Dokja thinks as he looks at the dokkaebi in his arms.

"You don't need to know."

[…I don't want to be nosy but why don't you buy something else? For example, this Woryeong Sword Technique. It was originally 8,000 coins but I will now sell it for 4,000 coins. Wouldn't buying this be more helpful to clear the scenario?]

Of course he was trying to be a seller to the one who knows the scenarios the best, how pitiful. Joonghyuk watches the screen with an intent look cross his arms across his large chest, noticing what Dokja is going to do with the mucus and thorn.

'He's going to slowly kill the ichthyosaur by using the mucus huh? It's like poison to the creature.'

"Thank you but I will just buy this."

Bihyung wasn't satisfied but received the payment.

[800 coins have been consumed.]

In the darkness, a sparkling powder gathered and four elongated thorns and four pockets of black mucus appeared.

[I can't give a refund if you regret it now. Do you understand?]

"I know."

Dokja briefly nodded and started working. He took off his top, tied it around his waist and stuck the thorns in the gap, while the pockets were hanging from his waist. The stone hog's thorn was stumpy but became sharp at the end. It was approximately one metre in length. It was a reasonable size to pierce something.

[Hrmm…then I'll be going. I can't stay with you. There is something fun going on in another place.]

"Do it."

[Huhu, then hang in there. I hope the story will bless you.]

Bihyung disappeared in a flash of light and the surroundings became dark again. Dokja could use the light on my smartphone but he wanted to save the battery as much as possible. In the darkness, the stone hog thorn was emitting a bluish light. It was a feeble light but for the moment, it would be sufficient.

Dokja pulled out a thorn and swung it. Maybe it was because he didn't have a skill such as Weapons Training or Incarnation of All Soldiers. He couldn't get used to holding the thorn.

Dokja jumped from the floating object and gripped a bump on the wall of the stomach. Then he started climbing up the wall like he was rock climbing. The outlet of the digestive juices was right above. He put the thorn in his mouth and grabbed a pocket of mucus.

The mucus of the hammer seahorse. Dokja poured the mysterious dark blue liquid onto his hand and applied the mucus carefully from the tip to the end of the thorn.

The digestive juices flowed down the thorn and dissolved the skin on his forearm. He experienced terrible pain but didn't stop. If he made a mistake here then everything was over.

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has relieved some of the pain.]

"It can even numb you!?" Sooyoung asks as Dokja shrugs.

"It has something to do with my mentality, I think. So that's why I'm kinda just meh about it."

The woman thinks hard to herself. She just realises it but the skill name is called the Fourth Wall. The fourth wall is a performance convention in which an invisible, imaginary wall separates actors from the audience. While the audience can see through this "wall", the convention assumes the actors act as if they cannot. That means Dokja is behind this fourth wall while everything else is beyond it.

Before long, the thorn jammed up the emission point.

"Just one."

After a deep sigh, he pulled out another thorn from his waist. Dokja applied the mucus of the hammer seahorse, found another opening and blocked it.

[A few constellations admire your calmness.]

[The constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]

Dokja used this method to block three opening points. There were some left, but the small openings didn't release large amounts of digestive fluids.

There was one thorn left in the top tightly tied around him. All that was left was one thorn and two pockets of mucus. Dokja used the remaining mucus on his skin and clothes, then poured what was remaining down his throat. The fishy taste on his tongue was sickening but it was better than dying. The bitterness was nothing compared to the disaster that would occur from now on. It was around five minutes afterwards that the entire stomach started trembling.

"Ahjussi, you had to climb out of the stomach of that monster?" Yoosung asks as she looks at the screen with wide eyes. Oh yeah she is definitely not forgiving the other ahjussi who throws him off the bridge.

"I had to, yes. It took around 4 days," Dokja responds.

…It had started.

The ichthyosaur let out a painful scream. The blood vessels on the wall of the stomach were squirming. The thorns were visibly expanding into the blood vessels. The thorns in the openings had started their aggressive growth activity. The stone hog's thorn grew in response to the body fluids of seawater species.

The thorn that became immune to the digestive juices due to the applied mucus absorbed the surrounding fluids and started to take root in the body of the ichthyosaur. The stone hog's thorns wouldn't stop expanding until the ichthyosaur was completely dead.

As Dokja watched the liquid swirling under his feet, he grabbed the thorn tightly. Dokja did everything I could. From now on, it was a mental fight. Either he died or this guy would die. Only one of us would survive.

He didn't know how much time passed. Dokja's breathing was often interrupted and all his muscles were so stiff that he could barely move them.

[A few constellations admire your will to survive!]

[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]

But he persisted. Dokja persisted because he believed he could hold on. The light emitted from the thorn in the darkness confirmed that he was alive. After confirming the falling temperature of the stomach wall, he was convinced that he was dying.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' admires your spirit.]

[The constellation has sponsored you 100 coins.]

When he was hungry, Dokja placed his tongue on the end of the thorn. The condensed fluid that flowed out contained the life force absorbed from the ichthyosaur. The reason he drank the mucus in advance was to absorb this concentration.

Uriel blushes when she looks at the screen to see Dokja holds the thorn like a certain something is… 'Ah, no dirty thoughts!' bUT SHE CAN'T HELP IT! SOMEONE SEND HELP SHE CAN'T UNSEE THE IMAGE OF HIM TAKING DI- *SLAP*

Thankfully no one notices nearby. Ok, maybe except the incarnations who blocks the kids' eyesight.

"Damn, Dokja-ssi, you be looking kinda sexy," Heewon comments as Dokja widens his eyes at the sight. IS THAT HOW HE LOOKS LIKE WHEN HE WAS CLIMBING THE WALL!?

"I have to say Dokja-ssi, that is quite uh… erotic a bit," Seolhwa comments, closing Gilyoungs' eyes who whines at the coverage. Even Yoosung's eyes are covered by Sangah.

"I WAS CLIMBING TO SAVE MYSELF AND THIS IS WHAT I GET FROM Y'ALL!?"

[Your stamina has slightly increased due to absorbing the power of the ichthyosaur.]

There wasn't an immediate effect of my stats level increasing, but by the time he escaped from the ichthyosaur, he would gain at least two levels in stamina. It wouldn't work at a higher level, but this was one of the few tricks he could use to raise my stamina without using coins.

This was all he could do. Dokja was just an ordinary reader. He wasn't a protagonist. It felt like he would wake up screaming in bed at any moment, but no such miracle happened no matter how much he blinked.

…Mother would be fine. She was okay.

Yoo Joonghyuk frowns, mother huh? It makes Joonghyuk wonder who his mother is because he has nonrecollection of her at all. But perhaps because of the fact that he is from a novel, he doesn't have one at all and instead his background is just built to create his character.

He frowns even further. Character, he doesn't like that word anymore. He hates it.

Soon, the episode shows a time skip after 4 days as it shows the ichthyosaur died.

Finally, the ichthyosaur's digestion stopped. The warmth of the viscera suddenly cooled down and the elastic stomach lining gradually solidified. Thus, he could be sure.

He died.

[…Wow, I have to hand it to you… Not too shabby.]

A bright light in the darkness. Bihyung's dim figure was floating in the air.

[Several Constellations are impressed by your survival skills!]

[The Constellations have gifted you 100 coins.]

[Using the stone hog's thorn like this. I never even thought about it. Constellations, isn't it the same for you?]

Bihyung looked at the stone hog's thorn emitting a faint light.

[The stone hog is a guy who mainly lives on the coast and feeds on small sea species. They insert the thorn into the skin of the prey but I didn't think it would be used to plug up the openings for the digestive juices…]

Bihyung's shining eyes weren't looking at me. The words weren't an explanation for him either.

[A few constellations are smiling as if they already know.]

[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]

[A few constellations belatedly understand your judgement.]

[The constellations complain that you should tell them by talking to yourself from now on.]

"You're not gonna tell us anything huh?" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon asks as Dokja gives out a peace sign to him.

"Nope, you'll have to find out for yourself!" he says as he chuckles.

Dokja ignored the messages from the constellations and drank the last of the condensed fluid.

[Your stamina has slightly increased due to absorbing the power of the ichthyosaur.]

[Your stamina level has risen!]

[Stamina Lv. 11 - Stamina Lv. 12]

He accomplished his intended purpose. Bihyung came down to him and looked at hisburnt arm.

[Furthermore, the mucus…I didn't know the mucus of the hammer sea horse was so potent.]

"The mucus of the hammer sea horse is immune to digestive fluids. They evolved in this way after often being eaten by the ichthyosaurs."

[A few constellations admire your knowledge.]

Then Bihyung looked at me with a betrayed expression.

[Excuse me, I should be the one explaining…]

"I did it because you don't know. Now is the explanation over?"

[…Yes.]

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH THE MORE WE LEARN ABOUT YOU THE MORE YOUR DIGNITY DROPS LMAO!" Jihye laughs out loud at the sight of the dokkaebi being ordered around by a mere human on the screen.

"Then give me the reward."

[Cheeky bastard.]

Bihyung grumbled while at the same time, a reward message appeared in front of my eyes.

[The hidden scenario has ended.]

[You have obtained 9,000 coins in compensation.]

[You are the first to have successfully hunted a grade 7 species.]

[You have earned 1,000 coins as an achievement reward.]

9,000 coins plus an additional 1,000 coins. It was a very huge income.

[Coins Possessed: 14,800 C]

If he added the 500 donated coins from filming his survival, the total income was 10,500 coins. It was over his target.

"Damn that's a lot of coins just for one scenario, and its the beginning of the scenario too!" Sooyoung comments as Joonghyuk nods at the amount, hell even he has less coins than the bastard…

[Haha, Constellations. Did you see it well? Let's quickly watch an advertisement before going straight to the next scenario!]

He could hear the faint sounds of an ad somewhere.

Once the eyes of the constellations disappeared, Bihyung started speaking to him in a friendly manner.

[Sigh…it was a great survival. The response from the constellations was amazing.]

"How much time passed?"

[Four days. I was in suspense the whole time I was watching. Were you unaware of the time?]

"My smartphone died."

It took more time than I thought. The original goal was two days… Well, Yoo Jonghyuk took four days in the fourth round to catch this so the speed wasn't slow.

Joonghyuk stops and narrows his eyes… Fourth round? Then why does he have memories of also becoming stuck in the stomach and also getting out of it using the same method? It's supposed to happen in his future round?

Something isn't adding up.

Junghwa looks at Joonghyuk who seem to be troubled by something as Junghwa smirks, 'Finally, you noticed something huh? The truth of your fake third round…'

Anyway, he did it.

A pleasant feeling of fulfilment covered his whole body and made him confident. Dokja was an ordinary person with ordinary skills. But even so, this didn't mean he could only do ordinary things.

"…How funny."

It was strange. A novel that hadn't been helpful for 13 years was now making him extraordinary.

[Oh, you are already talking to yourself?]

"…"

[Isn't it good? For an incarnation, talking to yourself is essential. Of course, there are constellations who dislike it but usually…]

"Shut up and open the Dokkaebi Bag."

[Why? Are you going to buy something?]

"I'm not buying but selling."

[Damn, I'll have to cut the ad short. Constellations, hold on a second. I'll adjust the volume.]

As Bihyung opened the Dokkaebi Bag, he looked at the thorns embedded in the wall.

"What are you doing now?" Gilyoung asks curiously as Dokja responds to him.

"Well I was selling the core of the monster, for a weapon I mean."

That still doesn't explain what kind of weapon, still the answer will be answered if they keep watching, but Junghwa notices that Joonghyuk isnt paying attention at all and instead seem to be thinking too deeply on something.

The upper barrier was hardened and deep cracks formed around the thorns. Dokja could now smash through the upper barrier with his strength. He broke the wall little by little with the one remaining thorn. Shortly afterwards, he encountered the core of the ichthyosaur that was glowing blue.

[Ichthyosaur's Core]

It was an ether core found in monster species grade 7 or higher. He could raise his magic power level without coins if he ingested them. It was good quality because it was a sea commander grade ichthyosaur. Dokja carefully cut at the flesh around the core while Bihyung looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

"I'll sell this."

[You really…]

"Of course, I don't mean to sell it to you. I'll put it on the dokkaebi auction."

Bihyung accepted it like he was tired of asking him anything.

"The poor kid becomes a subordinate!" Heewon laughs as Jihye nods her head.

''Kind feel sorry for him a bit but at the same time he deserves it, so take that dokkaebi!"

[Sigh…do what you want. How much are you going to charge?]

"I won't sell it for coins. I'll sell it by barter."

[Damn, you know all sorts of things.]

Bihyung grumbled while uploading the item to the dokkaebi auction. His desires were simple. This guy might listen better than I thought.

"YOU- NO I WON'T LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE AFTER THIS HMPH!" It seems Bihyung is going on a strike as Dokja just laughs.

"Not according to the contract it says."

Dammit, son of a bitch-

"Someone will show up to buy it. And the item exchanged must be 'Broken Faith.'"

[Broken Faith? There is a person with it…in any case, it is registered.]

"Yes. And I will buy this…"

Dokja saw White Pure Star Energy in the shopping cart. Indeed, nobody bought it yet. Most constellations weren't well aware of the value of coin items. The expensive items in the Dokkaebi Bag weren't unconditionally good.

The Constellations eyes narrow as Hades looks at the skill Dokja brought. White Pure Star Energy was it? Interesting, so he knows the values of the coin items in the shop…

[Wait a minute, can I talk to you for a moment?]

At Bihyung's words, the advertising volume increased again.

[The constellations are complaining about the long advertisement.]

Once he saw that one more advertisement had appeared, he had a hunch about what Bihyung wanted to say.

"Is it the contract?"

Advertising was the only way to hide the eyes and ears of the constellations without turning off the broadcast. From now on, it wasn't a story for the constellations.

[Yes. I wasn't certain but I became convinced after this scenario. Well…let's try it once. I can help you a little bit.]

"Won't this violate the streamer's pledge?"

[Ah, of course, I can't really help you. I'm just saying that. Will you sign the contract?]

"What are the conditions?"

[Take a look.]

The dokkaebi pulled out an extravagant contract that had been prepared.

Dokja read the contract that emerged as a transparent window in the air.

Dokja read the contract carefully to the last item. He thought he might play a joke but he didn't see that part. Except for one thing.

"There is the most important part."

[What do you mean? You can just say that you agree. The stream contract is a soul pledge―]

"I'm talking about the pay ratio."

"Why am i nt surprised…" Heewon asks as Dokja chuckles.

"I'm an incarnation without a sponsor so I need all the coins I need, ok?" Dokja tries to reason.

[A-Ahh. Haha. Right.]

As if this bastard didn't know.

This was the most important part.

[How about 5:5? Instead, I'll get rid of my channel fee. Ah, do you know how to calculate it? I will accurately divide your future donations in this ratio. For example, if you get 100 coins, you will receive 50 coins and I will receive 50 coins.]

All stream contracts were like this. The constellations had incarnations appear on the dokkaebi's channel and the contributions received from other constellations would be divided by a percentage. This was normal.

"Are you taking me for a pushover? I won't accept."

[What? B-But this is the industry's default settlement ratio…]

"I'm an incarnation without a sponsor. When donating to an incarnation without a sponsor, the constellations must pay a huge fee to the dokkaebi. Haven't you already enjoyed a lot thanks to me?"

Bihyung's jaw slowly dropped open. But there was no point making that expression.

"I CAN'T BREATHE HELP!???!" Heewon laughs as Jihye and Sooyoung joins her in laughing at the misery of the dokkaebi as the Constellations snicker as well.

"I feel sorry for him to be honest, but you can't help but see that it is kind of funny," Persephone chuckles as her husband nods.

"10:0. You will only get the commission. I won't pay you a single penny."

[What?! That is ridiculous…h-how about 7:3?]

The ratio changed greatly. But I wasn't going to concede.

"10:0."

[What is this fucking bullshit? It is a ridiculous rate―]

"Then don't accept. I will just go to another channel. 'Gildal' is doing well these days. I should ask him."

[…8:2. I can't concede anymore.]

"10:0."

[······.]

Bihyung's expression changed to a threatening one. He looked at Dokja's head like it would explode at any minute. But he knew. He would never give up the contract. His existence was his last chance.

"The advertisement is coming to an end. Don't you see the constellations complaining?"

In the end, Bihyung gave up.

[Shit, I understand. Then will you sign the contract?]

He surrendered easier than he thought. In fact, he was going to give up at 9:1.

"HUH!?" Bihyung looks at Dokja while he just makes a peace sign before the little dokkaebi starts to punch him in the face weakly, "YOU SCAMMER! YOU MEAN I COULD GET EVEN A BIT OF PROFIT EVEN IF IT'S JUST 9:1!?"

Dokja laughs as he easily brings the little dokkaebi up to the sky with two of his hands to avoid getting punched in the face again while everyone laughs at the innocence Bihyung.

"DAMN THE AHJUSSI SCAMMED YOU REAL GOOD HUH LOL!!!" Jihye laughs until she falls off her chair and onto the floor,

…Maybe he earned more money than he expected. It was a bit disgusting.

"Yes. And one more thing."

[What? What now?]

"You have to give a separate down payment. Give me 5,000 coins."

Bihyung's expression tightened.

[Y-You really…]

[The stream contract is concluded.]

[You have received 5,000 coins as a down payment.]

The advertisement finished and the constellations came back. I patted the dokkaebi on the shoulder and said, "Let's get out of here."

Now was the real start.

"Damn that episode is one hell of a ride. We learned that Dokja-ssi is in contract with a dokkaebi and learned that we're from a novel. Nice," Jihye comments as Junghwa just smiles at them.

"Sorry if it's going a bit fast, if you like you can have a 5 minute break for every 10 episode we watch."

Sangah nods her head, "Please, we have our hands full because of the scenarios and this information is also… very important and almost unbelievable;e. We need time to process this please."

Junghwa nods as they exit the folder, "Understandable, you will have a break every 10 episodes."

Everyone breathwes a sigh of relief as they start talking amongst themselves as to what happens for the entire time they are in the theatre.

"So, everyone," Heewon starts as the incarnations gather into one big circle as they begin to talk about what just happened, "So long story short, Dokja's novel becomes a reality, Joonghyuk-ssi is a regressor, most of us are characters, and Dokja-ssi has a streamer contract with a dokkaebi. Am I missing something?"

Everyone shakes their heads, "Good, because I'm honestly still in shock as to what exactly is happening."

Sangah agrees with Heewon as she nods her head, "I agree, and from the looks of it, the third scenario is next, and then the fourth… Then we will reach the fifth scenario, and afterwards, all of the information we gather here is from the future."

Sooyoung frowns. Then that means they will know that she attacked Chungmuro soo. She bites her lips, dammit, then she'll be in the spotlight instead of Dokja and Joonghyuk.

Dokja bites his lips as he fidgets with Bihyung in his arms, "I'm sorry all of you had to fiend out this way. I was going to tell you the truth but time isn't kind to me," He apologies as Hyunsung smiles softly at him.

"It's ok, Dokja-ssi, I would have done the same thing if I was in your shoes. It's just one thing that bothers me, please don't call us character anymore. We are our own people now."

Dokja nods his head as he apologies to everyone once again, "I'm sorry everyone, I will. I realised that everyone is becoming their own person even though you originated from a novel…"

Everyone seems satisfied by Dokja's apology as Joonghyuk frowns, still harbouring a bit of hatred for hiding the fact that he was a main character from a novel of all things.

He sighs, no used to crying over spilled milk he guesses. But there is one thing that bothers him… His knowledge of the ichthyosaur and its enemy, as well as his memory. It was from the fourth round? But he was just in his third round, why is it that he remembers it so vividly?

"Joonghyuk-ssi, is something wrong?" Seolhwa asks as he shakes his head.

He has no proof yet, so he doesn't even know how it connects to his memory. Perhaps the episodes will answer him. Still, thinking about it deeply, something is amidst.

Or is it just his anxiety that makes it like that?