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

5. SnowballTheLittleFluffball (4)

What… what do you mean?" Kim Dokja asks as Junghwa smiles softly at him.

"You know exactly what I mean, Kim Dokja," Junghwa says as Dokja points to himself.

Dokja can't believe it himself, it feels like his whole entire world has been turned upside down. Huh, so this is how they feel when the secret is out. That the world they're in is just a novel, "I'm… from a novel as well?" Junghwa smiles and nods their head as every incarnation widens at the revelation.

"Wait, then… that means…" Dokja widens his eyes as he looks at Junghwa who nods their head.

"I'm your reader you fool, I know how your story ends," Junghwa says before smiling solemnly themselves, "and I don't like it one bit."

"A novel within a novel…" Hades begins as Junghwa nods. They see their expression change from confusion to shock.

Dokja looks as if he is given an uno reverse card. He points to himself with a a dumbfounded expression, "I'm… Your protagonist?"

Junghwa notices his expression and is astonished as he points to himself in disbelief as Junghwa nods, "That's correct, you are my Yoo Joonghyuk just as I am Kim Dokja."

"Is this why you know so much about us?" Bihyung asks, his eyes widening in shock as well to think that a story is within a story.

Junghwa simply nods as they fall silent to make the others digest the information they all receive. Joonghyuk takes the information the hardest.

"... A novel? You've got to be kidding me…"

Junghwa frowns as they glare at Yoo Joonghyuk but not saying anything at all in fear of bursting out what they truly feel about when Joonghyuk is insulting Dokja due to the novel.

They sigh instead as Heewon looks at Junghwa, "Say, Junghwa… You said so yourself you don't like the ending of the novel… Does this mean-," She pauses, as if afraid of the truth of their future as Junghwa shakes their heads.

"Oh no, most of you got their happy ending…" Junghwa looks over to Dokja as the man looks at them with a solemn expression.

"I didn't get a happy ending, didn't I?" He asks as Junghwa nods.

"You fool… How many times do you think you can die to give me and your companions a heart attack!?" Junghwa yells in frustration at Dokja who just smiles, chuckling.

"You should know that answer yourself, if you are my reader," he says as Junghwa opens their mouth yet again.

"And that's why I both love and hate you… I'm doing the exact same thing for you! I want you to have a happy ending which is why this theatre exists! I want all of you to live happily, not sacrificing yourself just so your other companions can live!"

Every incarnation widens their eyes as the statement Junghwa has spoken outloud, "Hey… You said Dokja-ssi died for us?" Heewon asks, not believing her ears at all as Junghwa nods their head.

"For far too many times just so you all have the perfect ending… Please, don't hate him for hiding this fact. It hurts seeing all of you have bad blood with him when he has done nothing wrong! He's trying his best, ok? I'm trying my best! I don't…"

Hyunsung saw tears coming out of Junghwa's eyes as he closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and sighing it all out. They have a point. Dokja had died protecting them from Igneel, who would die for mere novel characters unless they truly love them to their core?

"I think… Junghwa-ssi has a point," he starts as Seolhwa, the angel that she was and still is, nods her head.

"I agree, if I love a character so much that it means my life, I think… I would do the same thing as Dokja-ssi does," she speaks.

Heewon looks over to Junghwa and Dokja and sighs, they have a point. Perhaps she can instead focus on the future instead. Instead, she looks at Kim Dokja and says, "Sorry for overreacting, Dokja-ssi…"

Dokja widens his eyes at the apology as he smiles at her, "Thank you, Heewon-ssi."

The Constellations have been silent since they know the incarnations needed time for them to process this. Hades has been quietly talking to Persephone about the possible future of them supporting the incarnations and betraying their nebulae if they ended up there as well. Even Sun Wukong has had that feeling after whispering some theories with Uriel and the dragon. Secretive Plotter, however, is quite miffed about the whole situation.

'A happy ending eh?' He thought to himself as he smiles softly at the thought, 'Is there even such a thing even with Junghwa being here?' he asks himself.

"So let me get this straight," Yoo Joonghyuk says as he looks at Junghwa, "We are all mere fiction for you?" he begins as he glares at Junghwa, "All for your entertainment? Do you enjoy our suffering as we fight through scenario after scenario?"

Junghwa grips their hands into a fist. No… he was missing the point! Then again, Junghwa knows they shouldn't get mad because they understand Joonghyuk's point but he wasn't looking at the bigger picture! "You're being extremely rude, Yoo Joonghyuk…"

Junghwa glares back at him, "Fine, I'll show you the reason why you regress instead. Just so you don't hate Kim Dokja anymore. Plotter," the Secretive Plotter looks at Junghwa who seem to be angry with the third round Yoo Joonghyuk, "Take care of Dokja-ssi for me, I know you can take better care of him than this fake round."

'Fake round?' The Secretive Plotter catches the last words they are saying and narrows his eyes. Odd, The Secretive Plotter knows that Yoo Joonghyuk is the third round, why call him a fake round?

Meanwhile Jihye is looking at her master with a frown on her face. Yeah she understands his point since she is also still miffed about the whole novel within a novel herself but he didn't need to be mean about it… right? Even the Constellations are pretty chill, or that's what it looks like to her, over the information.

"Junghwa," Abyssal Black Flame Dragon begins, "You said most of us have a happy ending… Does this means some of us didn't get it?"

Everyone is quiet at the constellations' question. Bihyung speaks forward, already knowing the answer to that, "I didn't get a happy ending, didn't I?" He asks as Junghwa glances over to him before nodding their heads.

"You were an ally to Kim Dokja, you willingly sacrificed yourself to save him…" Every Incarnation looks at Bihyung in shock as Bihyung… doesn't seem surprised by the fact. Perhaps because of the amount of times he caught Junghwa staring at him.

"Who else didn't have a happy ending…?" Persephone asks. Junghwa gulps and shakes their head.

"You wouldn't like my answer my lady…"

But that was an answer already as she gasped, looking over to her husband who is emotionless from the information.

Han Sooyoung looks at Junghwa with her eyes wide, "Junghwa, are you doing this because you want us all to have a happy ending?" she asks as the red head nods.

"With my power, I can only do this much… The moment I read Kim Dokja's story, I have become his fragment. I want to dream… where everyone is happy instead, or else the other Han Sooyoung will berate me for even dreaming of a bad ending…"

Sooyoung looks at them in a confused manner, "What do you mean by that?" She asks as Junghwa just chuckles, zipping their mouth as if telling her to be patient.

"I have a question," Uriel begins as Junghwa looks at her, "Why is regression important for Yoo Joonghyuk?" The Secretive Plotter raises an eye at Uriel's question. He knew the answer of course, since well, he was himself even if he had regressed over 1863 lifetimes and became an outer god but he is curious as to what Junghwa's answer is.

Junghwa looks at the Secretive Plotter and that confirms his suspicions, Junghwa knows who he really is, "For now, it looks like to save the world from destruction, yes?" Everyone nods at the statement, "But it is not that. In fact… It's something much more selfish."

Hoo… Selfish, they say? The Secretive Plotter is interested, "Why is that?" He decides to ask.

Junghwa sighs, "You will see why when I start the episode on why he regresses. But there are so much missing context to just skip there so you all will probably have more questions than answers. Are you sure you want to skip to this part?"

"I think for Joonghyuk-ssi to forgive Dokja-ssi, he needs to see it," Sangha begins as the kids nod their heads.

"The sooty ahjussi hates ahjussi even when he saved his ass multiple times! I don't want him to hate on Ahjussi anymore!" Yoosung begins as Gilyoung nods.

"I hate to side with the mutt here but I agree with her. We don't want Dokja hyung to feel bad anymore!"

Junghwa looks at the Incarnations as they all nod their heads, except for Joonghyuk who is basically ostracised by the entire group before smiling at them. Now that is the Kim Dokja Company they know.

"Alright then… I'm starting the episode."

Kim Dokja slowly opened his eyes as his wings fluttered softly behind him. His body was levitating off the ground as he looked at the familiar scene of the train he had boarded all those years ago. The current time and all sorts of subway-related information were displayed on the LED screens installed on the ceiling.

[6:55 PM]

Exactly five minutes before the beginning of the scenario.

"Wait, aren't we supposed to be watching the past? Why is Ahjussi there?" Yoosung asks curiously as Junghwa smiles solemnly.

"I told you guys you need context before this… But long story short, let's just say Dokja has become a Constellation and is watching a different world."

"A different world?" Joonghyuk repeats as Junghwa nods.

"Again, you will have your answers by the time this episode ends. For the sake of it, I have omitted several other important information so you don't have information overload and just show the important parts of the episode."

Joonghyuk scoffs, but he doesn't say anything more and instead continues to watch the episode.

The Secretive Plotter is also watching the episode closely as it is about his past. But if what Junghwa says is true then… Perhaps Kim Dokja stumbled upon the past just like he did? He did become an outer god and sensed a disturbance in the third worldline of his regressions.

Well then, that would make the most sense but the question is: why?

Why watch the past when he had already experienced the scenarios himself?

Soon enough, the Bulgwang Station-bound train arrived along with the noisy announcement. People climbed aboard the train one by one. He could have stopped them if only he could. However, nothing would change even if he did. The scenario would begin regardless of where you were, anyway. All he could do now was to climb aboard the train along with them and watch all these tragedies unfold.

⸢And a face Kim Dok-Ja was intimately familiar with was there.⸥

The Bulgwang Station-bound train no.3434, the car number 3707.

A certain man absent-mindedly staring outside the subway window was there. After observing his face for a little while, he ended up smirking a little.

When he thought about it, it was pretty obvious.

In the end, all these world-lines were repeated through one man's regressions. So, it was only obvious that he'd encounter this fool at the beginning of the story.

⸢This world's protagonist.⸥

"Joonghyuk-ssi is wearing something else," Seolhwa comments as she notices the gamer jacket he is wearing on the screen. Jihye snorts, looking at the man on the screen before glancing at Joonghyuk who is twitching an eyebrow at his past self.

"I'm surprised he's wearing something else other than that black coat of his," Heewon says as Joonghyuk just glares at her.

Uriel giggles at the sight, "I mean she has a point," She comments before the Secretive Plotter rolls his eyes at the comment. Then again, no one knows who he really is other than Junghwa so of course he wears something else. Probably.

Still, Joonghyuk watched the episode with a close eye, wondering why the hell Dokja is there. Even if it was answered by Junghwa, something in him is telling him that that wasn't the case at all.

Quite obviously, Yoo Joonghyuk failed to sense Dokja's presence.

No, his disinterested gaze remained locked on the outside of the subway, his mind currently submerged in his thoughts. A face that remained calm even when knowing that the scenarios were about to begin; he had no choice but to be impressed by that.

...You're really an amazing guy, aren't you.

"Dokja-ssi, why do you admire Joonghyuk-ssi a lot?" Sangah asks as Dokja just smiles at her.

"I guess… it's because he never gives up on trying to end the scenarios. Or the fact that he saved my life all those years ago…"

Sangah looks at Dokja with her eyes wide as she sees just how hopeless Dokja is, looking at the man who seemed to have lost the brightness of life in his eyes.

And both Yoo Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter catch them while glancing at him.

"How did he save you, Kim Dokja?" The Plotter asks as the reader bites down on his lips nervously.

"He… made me survive this cruel world. I found the novel when I was bullied at school, and reading it makes it bearable to escape my reality," he explains.

Everyone, including the constellations are silent at Dokja's words, not knowing just how much his story meant to Kim Dokja. Instead, they continue to watch the episode, wanting to know more about the tragedy that started the scenarios.

He had already witnessed the end of the scenarios, but his skin still trembled simply by re-entering this scene. Yet, Joonghyuk managed to endure these moments dozens, hundreds of times.

The stopped subway train began moving and the time flowed forward once more. That 'thing' should begin soon, if his knowledge served me correctly.

⸢During the 3rd turn, Yu Jung-Hyeok would begin by killing everyone within this subway car.⸥

He recalled the beginning of the 3rd turn that he knew of. He wasn't sure which regression turn this was, but the beginning wouldn't be so different from that. He slowly scanned the surroundings and spotted a man acting suspiciously by the exit.

Several people shifted their gazes over to the man after hearing his intermittent grunts. The man carrying a twisted expression sniggered and looked around himself, then suddenly, pulled out a home-made bomb and a lighter.

⸢On that day when the paywall began, there was a certain man riding on the same subway car no. 3707 as Yoo Joonghyuk.⸥

"...What's that?"

"H-hey, man!"

⸢The subway terrorist, Choi Han-Gyu.⸥

Everyone straightened their postures as they all recognise the familiar scene. The start of the first scenario is upon them. Hades wonders just how a mere human can set up the theatre as he thinks of the future. He is going to have a bad end was he? Just how is this bad end going to take place? He is a Constellation still, and yet… Hades shakes his head, they were there for a reason, so Hades will be patient and watch the episodes alongside his wife and the other Constellations as well.

The shocked crowd screamed and retreated. People freaked out after witnessing the sparks exploding from the man's hands and stood up from their seats, causing the scene to turn chaotic.

As for Yoo Joonghyuk, he was quietly staring at that man.

Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and snatch that away.

"That's what I was thinking, why doesn't Master take away the bomb?" Jihye asks as Yoosung observes the situation.

"If we're watching from where Ahjussi hasn't regressed yet, then doesnt this mean its the beginning?" She speaks.

The Incarnation looks at Yoosung with wide eyes as Joonghyuk turns his attention away from her and towards the screen once again, "Junghwa… this is…"

The redhead confirms his suspicions, "The 0th round, yes. The moment where it all began."

Dokja widens his eyes at the knowledge. A part of the novel that he hasn't read yet! But… Why is he there!? When He's not supposed to exist in the 0th round!? "Junghwa, why am I there?" He asks the redhead as Junghwa sighs.

"Told you you will have more questions than answers if you skip to this part immediately," they mumble, "My explanation before, Dokja-ssi. You're going to be a constellation and you stumbled upon the 0th round by chance."

Dokja knows that, and yet why does he have a feeing that's not what it is? Behind Junghwa's eyes, he can see it, Junghwa is lying through their teeth.

Sooyoung knows this as well. So this is how he becomes Yoo Joonghyuk's sponsor. Even if he didn't exist back then… Because the future him went to the past. Sooyoung is beginning to feel lighthearted from all the information overload she receives but she finally understands why Junghwa says they must watch the episode chronologically.

It's because of context.

According to the storyline he knew, Yoo Joonghyuk should've subdued Choi Hangyu the moment they climbed aboard the subway and took away the bomb. However, he hadn't done that.

What is this? Yoo Joonghyuk's expression, the one he thought was calmness personified, was now pale-white in fright.

It was then, the interior of the train became dark along with the screeching noise. People's screams morphed into sorrowful cries as they witnessed the flame being lit up within the darkness.

Something had gone awry here.

⸢Why isn't Yoo Joonghyuk making his move?⸥

Hang on a minute, could this be...?

[7:00 PM]

And then, as the 'Tick!' noise resounded out, the world's rules changed.

[The free service period of the planetary system no. 8612 has concluded.]

[Main Scenario has begun.]

"Master!" Jihye yells in worry as she watches the man pull out a lighter.

"Huh, even a stoic man like you can have such a face huh?" Heewon says, looking at the screen where Joonghyuk stays quiet, watching the whole episode wordlessly.

The flames lit up by the terrorist brightly illuminated Yoo Joonghyuk's face, his eyes trembling in pure fear. He stood there, unable to do anything. Dokja too, had fallen into a bout of panic. Pages of the Ways of Survival began flipping inside his head.

...Just which regression turn was this?

Was this around the 900th, when he lost his mind? Or around the 1200th?

During which regression turn was this half-wit Yoo Joonghyuk...?

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon laughs out loud as he is joined by Wukong. Jihye snorts, knowing that its a serious moment but she can't help but laugh at the comment made by Dokja.

"Half-wit, Kim Dokja…?" Joonghyuk asks as the Secretive Plotter is also looking at him while Dokja just hides behind Bihyung who's being used as a dokkaebi shield.

"Hey! I'm not a shield gooddammit!" Bihyung whines as Dokja just hides from them.

[Channel #B-7623 has opened.]

[Constellations are entering.]

The crowd began running towards the next car of the train, away from the figure of the terrorist clutching the explosive as the man's eyes glared at the surroundings.

[Extremely small number of Constellations are getting interested in Incarnation 'Choi Han-Gyu'.]

And Yoo Joonghyuk was still standing in the same spot. The one Dokja knew would never react like this. No, Yoo Joonghyuk was someone who'd resort to the perfect showmanship to suppress the situation from the get-go. But now, he was making this stupid face that he had never seen before under the terrorist's threat.

One Dokja had never seen before... Never seen...?

It felt like a lightning bolt had gone off in his head.

So, that's what this was, this storyline.

Countless pages flipped inside his head, before the book itself was closed shut.

This was the regression turn that got treated as nothing more than a passing reminiscence back in the 'Ways of Survival'.

Dokja watches his other self realises that the regression he is watching is the 0th turn as he also wonders why he was there in the first place. Using his knowledge of whatever he can come up with… The only explanation would be Junghwa's explanation. That he had become a Constellation and wandered world from world. Is this… Is this what they mean when Junghwa says they don't like the ending to Dokja's story?

Then what happened to the world that he was in before with their companions? Dokja looks at Junghwa who watches the episode with solemn eyes as well, and it looks like they were ready to cry at any moment. He wondered to himself if he should go there and comfort his reader.

His reader huh? Dokja can't help but repeat the word over and over again. A reader of a reader who loved him just as much as he loved his protagonist…

A reader who wanted his happy ending as well. That was the redhead that brought them to the theatre.

Some stories would actually begin from a moment that wasn't written.

"P-please, don't... don't kill me!"

"Aaaaaahk!"

⸢This story is the unknown beginning of the 'Ways of Survival'.⸥

This world-line was the one that Dokja didn't get to read – Yoo Joonghyuk's 0th turn.

"That… was an intense start to an episode," Hyunsung says, catching his breath and trying to calm his beating heart rate as Seolhwa nods her head.

"I agree, but this way, we can at least learn why Joonghyuk-ssi regresses. And also possibly… Learn of the scenarios more because it will eventually show us the future right?"

"That's correct, you will all eventually learn of the future as well. Which is why I called upon you all… I could summon more but… I don't have the probability since I'm using most of it for the theatre."

Dokja looks at Junghwa and asks, "Who are you planning to call if you have more probability?" he asks.

Junghwa looks at Dokja, "You know the answer to that," was what they say before continuing the episode.

Joonghyuk was reading the article of a portal site on a person's phone next to him.

– Pro gamer Yoo Joonghyuk, for how long will he stay under the radar?

Several private matters that other people didn't know, such as discord between the teammates and the tyranny caused by the director's high-handedness, brushed past his mind. However, they were stories from years ago, and he couldn't think of an answer no matter how hard he thought about them.

"Joonghyuk-ssi, you were a pro gamer before?" Sangah asks as she looks at Joonghyuk who nods his head.

"I didn't have the best chemistry with the team and the director was a bastard before. I ended up retiring early," is his answer.

– We found their home address.

"Whose home address?" Gilyoung asks curiously. Yoosung points to the phone the Joonghyuk on the screen is holding.

That text message appeared on his smartphone. It was from the detective agency he hired, letting him know that his parents had been located. This was the reason why he decided to step outside the house for the first time in a while.

Joonghyuk wished to know about his origins. To find out who gave birth to him, and who had abandoned him. To find out who left behind a little sister in his care when he was on a fast track to success.

Yoo Joonghyuk oh-so-desperately wanted to find out.

The Incarnations suddenly feels heavy, "Joonghyuk-ssi…" Heewon begins, "You don't know your parents?" She asks carefully. Joonghyuk can only shake his head negatively.

Oh.

No wonder he always seem so sad…

Meanwhile, The Secretive Plotter is watching carefully as his heart begins to ache. So even before the scenarios begin, he had thought of such thoughts before huh? It's the question that he had been wondering ever since the first scenario began. He wonders if the 0th round truly holds all the questions to all of his answers.

He bites his lips before shaking his head. No, he is getting too impatient. The episodes will show them soon. He just has to be patient for a little bit more.

– Hm? Did people like that live here before?

– Eh, I don't know, either. It's been too long.

Even though he spent a considerable sum to hire the detective agency, the only thing he got in return was an address of an empty house. The agency told him that there was nothing more they could find out.

His parents were gone without a trace, as if they had evaporated from this world. How could such a thing happen, though?

28-year old Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to exist all alone, without being able to recall a single memory concerning his parents, or anything nostalgic from his childhood. As if he was a being crafted to be an adult from the moment he was born.

Uriel places a hand over her mouth and nose as she looks at Joonghyuk, is that truly how he feels? Does she even remember her birth and creation? To be perfectly honest… Even she doesn't remember because it has been so long… She now empathizes with him more so… But he was being so rude to Dokja that she has mixed feelings.

"At least now I know I exist for merely entertainment for a certain someone," Joonghyuk scoffs as Junghwa glares at him.

"We just began and I'm tempted to shut this thing off because of you, Yoo Joonghyuk…" Junghwa begins as they pause the episode to look at Joonghyuk, "Just watch and see what your past have done. You'll regret your actions towards Kim Dokja," they swear.

Joonghyuk rolls his eyes but decides to shut his mouth because as much as he wanted to strangle Kim Dokja, he needed this information.

Dokja watches their confrontation carefully as he suddenly feels butterflies in his stomach. The Plotter notices and holds his hand tightly, as if saying he's safe. Bihyung also notices the the nervous gleam on the readers face before smacking him on the face, "Oi, fool!"

Dokja snaps out of his stupor before glaring at Bihyung who just glares back before realizing what he had did was to get him back to reality. Using his free hand, he pats Bihyung's head softly before looking at the Plotter, "Thank you both…"

As he rode in this noisily-clunking subway of the 3rd line, Yoo Joonghyuk was facing a philosophical quandary for the first time ever in his life.

'Just who... am I?'

And that was why he didn't react in time.

"Heuh-euh...!"

"Uwaaaaah!"

He noticed the ruckus only a short while later.

A giant of a man, with a scraggly beard on his chin; the home-made explosive device clutched in his hand, and the cogged wheel of the lighter turning with pronounced 'tick, tick!'; only after someone smacked past his shoulder did he awake to this surreal situation.

⸢The terror.⸥

The lights in the subway went away the next second. The train came to a sudden emergency stop, and the surroundings rapidly filled up with darkness.

Joonghyuk felt all the hair on his arms stand up. The inside of his head felt dizzy. Was this really an act of terror? Something that he'd only ever heard about was really happening in South Korea, too? Where should he evacuate to? Should the police be notified? Or…

"I never thought I'd see such an expression from him…" Jihye begins as she stares at the screen while the rest nod their heads in agreement.

Sooyoung watches the episode closely as well, for she needed the information to save the world as well. Perhaps Dokja truly holds the key because he had read the entirety of the novel?

Because if so then… what exactly is this loop?

[Welcome, everyone. Nice to meet you.]

Joonghyuk's dilemmas were carefully extinguished by a small CGI-like lump suddenly appearing in mid-air.

Bihyung looks up at the screen matching his past self appear as well, wondering if he would be the same in that world or not.

[It's getting tiring to make the same introduction over and over again, but... Anyway, this situation isn't a movie shoot nor is it a terror incident... Ng?]

These creatures would later introduce themselves as 'Dokkaebis'.

That unknown existence floating in the air observed the situation within the train and broke out into a wide smile.

[What's this? Hahahahat! Dear Constellations, please take a look over here! The scenarios haven't even begun yet, but something entertaining is already underway!]

The Dokkaebi spoke in a languid but cruel tone of voice and laughed.

[I'm already beginning to look forward to this particular car. I pray that you'll all show us an entertaining tale.]

[Main Scenario has arrived.]

Main Scenario #1 – Proof of Worth

Type: Main

Difficulty: F

Clear condition: Please kill one or more lifeforms.

Time limit: 30 minutes

Reward: 300 Coins

Failure: Death

And 'hell' began from then.

"The scenario is starting," Sooyoung begins as everyone nods, paying close attention to whatever Joonghyuk is going to do in the 0th regression. The beginning of them all.

...Bihyung, that fool. He was rather adorable back then; there used to be a moment like that in the past, didn't it?

Bihyung glares at Dokja who simply chuckles and pats his head softly, "But you are adorable still," he laughs as the Dokkaebi roars.

"Shut it! I'm not adorable!"

While listening to the screams resounding out within the subway, Dokja fell into a bit of ill-timed reminiscence.

⸢Are you saying you want to sign the Stream Contract with me?⸥

It felt like only yesterday that Dokja met the guy for the first time and discussed getting into an exclusive contract with him.

Back then, he really got lucky. If Dokja failed to sign the contract, then...

⸢"Kim Dok-Ja. You and I aren't comrades."⸥

...Then, Bihyung wouldn't have died on that day.

Everyone looks at Dokja and Bihyung as they watch the episode carefully. So Bihyung did sacrificed himself for Dokja even when he said they were not comrades…

⸢"I actually wanted to witness your Fable till its end, though."⸥

Bihyung's voice repeats as the Dokkaebi watches a flashback to when he sacrifices himself in the screen. Bihyung is silent as Dokja grips on the dokkaebi's body gently, "Bihyung…" Dokja begins as Bihyung stays silent.

The Dokkaebi is quiet as he just watches the episode, his hands gripping on Dokja's own tightly.

Sooyoung and Joonghyuk can't believe that a Dokkaebi is willing to sacrifice their lives for Dokja. For the both of them knew exactly how cruel they are to human, especially the latter who had experienced it first hand.

'Why…' Joonghyuk thinks, 'Why him of all people?'

Everyone suddenly feels pity to the Dokkaebi who is willing to sacrifice his life for a mere incarnation.

Maybe, Yoo Joonghyuk trembling over there might get to feel this sentiment after going through over a thousand regressions.

"...Scenario? What is that?"

The passengers of the car no. 3707 began murmuring after receiving their very first scenario.

Desperate struggles taking place in other locations were then broadcast on the panels in the air – of the scenario where if you didn't kill, you'd be killed instead.

"A g-game... t-this is a game!" The terrorist Hangyu was shouting out. "Hahahaha!!"

Choi Hangyu the terrorist. Information regarding him appeared once in the 'Ways of Survival' via Yoo Joonghyuk's reminiscence.

⸢If Choi Hangyu manages to survive, he'll evolve into 'demonic bomber' at a later stage.⸥

Hangyu pulled out a hammer from his side, and proceeded to hit the back of a middle-aged man's head right next to him. The victim's knees powerlessly buckled.

"Sounds fitting," Seolhwa comments as Heewon nods her head.

"Well, he is a terrorist who uses homemade bombs and killed that grandpa first. Joonghyuk-ssi better kill him before anything else," she says, glancing towards the man who watches the episode carefully.

"I-if I do this..."

[Incarnation 'Choi Hangyu' has achieved the feat of 'first murder'!]

Hangyu began his awakening as he stared at the Coins raining down before him.

Just like how it always had been, the ones that adapted fastest to Star Stream were those that couldn't adapt to the real world.

"D-did you all see that? I, I, just now?"

"Uwaaah!! Murderer! He's a murderer!!"

Choi Hangyu watched the crowd freak out and retreat away from him, and tilted his head. "W-why are you all n-not doing anything? Y-you're all making me look like t-the strange one."

"Don't come near me!"

"M-maybe, you need t-this?"

He smirked towards the crowd, and then suddenly, chucked several tools hanging on his sides towards them. He then wielded the spanner once more and slammed down on the back of the already-dead man.

"I-it's easy. L-like this. You do it l-like this, a-and then..."

Sprays of sticky bloody rose up from the back of the man.

"...Then, e-everyone can become rich."

The timer in the air was ticking down bit by bit.

[Remaining time has decreased.]

[Remaining time: 10 minutes]

Heewon grips her seat in anger as she glares at Hangyu in the screen, her hands itching to kill the son of a bitch. Uriel is also feeling the same as she frowns at the scene. The angel did not like that one bit.

Joonghyuk wordlessly stared at the spanner that rolled towards his feet. Even then, the crowd showed no signs of movement.

"Master, get it!" Jihye yelled but it was fruitless as the screen is just a screen. The Joonghyuk on the screen can't hear her at all.

'Come on…' Joonghyuk thinks as he watches his old self, 'I know you're not weak… you won't let him get away with that, will you?'

Hangyu shook his head as if he was disappointed, and stood up from his spot. "S-should I just k-kill everyone?"

But then, a man suddenly reached out and grabbed hold of a hammer that Hangyu had thrown.

"F-fuck this... I don't know anymore!"

"Ahjussi! What are you doing??"

This man gripped tight the thrown spanner and began attacking everyone next to him indiscriminately.

⸢This was the car no.3707 that Yoo Joonghyuk managed to survive.⸥

"F-forgive me. I'm sorry...!"

"Uwaaaah!!"

As voices futilely spread out, people began waking up to the new reality. They couldn't tell what kind of a situation this was, but they were sure of one thing.

⸢They'll die if they don't kill each other.⸥

[Extremely small number of Constellations are satisfied by the sight of the applicable subway car.]

[Extremely small number of Constellations are expressing their interest in Incarnation 'Choi Hangyu'.]

[A Constellation who hasn't revealed their Modifier is sponsoring Incarnation 'Choi Han-Gyu' with 100 Coins.]

Choi Hangyu was laughing in satisfaction at the crowd. As for Dokja, he was watching all these happenings next to this man.

⸢Kim Dok Ja⸥

"What was that!?" Dokja asks, hearing the voice for the first time as Jubghwa hums.

"Right, I forgot… your skill the 4th Wall can talk," they explain as everyone looks at Junghwa with an odd expressions.

"Excuse me?" Persephone asks as she widens her eyes at the knowledge.

"It can TALK!?" Alyssa Black Flame Dragon asks in shock. A skill that can communicate back to you!?

"Why can it talk?" Hades asks curiously as Junghwa taps their hand on the table.

"Uh… let's just say it used to be something big?"

Joonghyuk glared at Junghwa, "Let me guess… watch and see?"

Junghwa smiles and nods their head.

He slowly removed hishand from Hangyu's neck.

'...I know already, so don't worry.'

He must not change this story.

Everything happening now was 'events that have already happened'.

Dokja looked at Joonghyuk. He was bending down to pick up a spanner that came from Hangyu's possession.

He could vividly feel the deep conflict he was in from his expression. It was an expression of a man who had chosen to take a life.

Joonghyuk closes his eyes as he tries to look away from the episode. So that's how he reacted in the 0th round. He must've been frightened.

No longer was he the strong man that everyone could rely on, everyone is seeing his vulnerable side and he doesn't like it one bit.

But, why was this? That expression was different from the Yoo Joonghyuk that he knew. The one that he knew would gnash his teeth from someone's betrayal; Joonghyuk, who didn't trust others easily nor easily made comrades. Joonghyuk, who always pursued after the most optimal route, and didn't hesitate killing others ahead of time if they were going to betray him later.

⸢That was why the 3rd turn's Yoo Joonghyuk could slaughter the fellow passengers of the same subway.⸥

However, this Yoo Joonghyuk before his eyes wasn't from the 3rd turn.

Not from the 4th, not 5th, and definitely not from the 1863rd, either.

⸢He was the 0th turn.⸥

Yoo Joonghyuk of the 0th turn.

"We get it, ahjussi. He's from the 0th round," Jihye begins as she leans against the head of the chair, "Why is the 0th round so important anyway?" she asks curiously as Dokja explains.

"It's… the start of the tragedies. Why he has the regression stigma, why he has to deal with the scenarios for so long… and how everything started."

Everyone is silent at Dokja's comment as the secretive Plotter looks at the screen quietly.

His feet broke into a sprint. His feet that couldn't use either the [Red Phoenix Shunpo] nor [Ways of the Wind] yet.

There were plenty of targets present. A trembling college student hurdled on the floor; a middle-aged man hiding next to the disabled seating; an office worker, too absorbed in assaulting the others and not having enough time to look behind.

Joonghyuk ran past all of them. And then...

⸢He selected the hardest opponent within this subway car as his target.⸥

"HELL YEAH!!!" Uriel, Heewon and Jihye suddenly scream out as they cheered for Joonghyuk to beat the son of a bitch.

"Euh-heuh... heuh?"

Choi Hangyu smiled insidiously while observing the spanner flying in. He took an agile step back to evade, then an ultra-sharp survival knife jumped out from his waist. Along with the 'Swish!' noise, Joonghyuk dodged the blade with nary a gap to spare.

⸢Why did Yoo Joonghyuk make this choice?⸥

'Why did he choose him out of anyone in the cabin?' Dokja wonders himself as he bites his lips nervously, while tapping his foot impatiently.

Perhaps it's because of his heroic personality? Wait, does he even have a heroic personality?

Dokja couldn't tell. Why did this guy, frightened out of his mind, make such a choice?

Han-Gyu still carried several other tools, and not only that, he was in possession of a home-made explosive, as well. On the other hand, all Joonghyuk had was a spanner as thick as a child's arm.

Even then, Dokja wasn't worried.

Although he didn't know the finer details of the 0th turn, Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't die in this place. Not before he got to experience all these tragedies, and not before they led him to that vast cycle of regressions, Joonghyuk... wouldn't get killed.

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk's' attribute, 'Pro Gamer' is awakening!]

He was awakening his exclusive attribute, the one that he was quite familiar with. It was a skill that allowed him to digitise everything in this world like a video game and analyse them. A skill to control his body, as if he was moving his game avatar.

"So that's your attribute…" Wukong begins as he finally understands how he manages to stay calmly in the midst of an apocalypse. It was because of his attribute that makes it similar to to playing a game.

His spanner accurately struck Hangyu's wrist. The bomber screamed out for a moment as the home-made explosive fell out from his grasp.

"Go Joonghyuk-ssi/Master!" The incarnations yell out as they cheer for Joonghyuk to succeed.

Joonghyuk's spanner then accurately flew in towards the neck of flustered Han-Gyu next. It was an unavoidable attack, a perfect counter that his talent had calculated.

Unfortunately, even he had failed to take into account this one thing.

[Incarnation 'Choi Hangyu' is investing 900 Coins to 'stamina'!]

Heewon widens her eyes and points to Hangyu, "Hey, that's cheating! How the hell does he know how to use coins that early!?" She asks as Jihye nods.

"Yeah, what unnie says! Even I have to learn it from Master!"

And that was precisely the system of this new world.

"T-that hurts."

Although a dark-red mark was left behind on Hangyu's neck, it wasn't broken.

His muscles swelled, and he grabbed Joonghyuk by the neck. The latter's complexion paled greatly as he dangled up in the air. While grabbing hold of his victim's collars, Hangyu's free hand picked up another hammer.

"Die."

Right in that moment, Joonghyuk saw the fallen 'home-made bomb' on the floor. And Dokja realised what he was thinking of.

Everyone widens their eyes at the realization, "Joonghyuk-ssi you suicidal bastard!" Heewon cries out as she watches the dreaded moment happens.

Joonghyuk throwing the spanner in his hand, and Dokja making his move, happened simultaneously.

The time flow slowed down greatly.

The slowly-flying spanner was accurately heading towards the centre of the home-made bomb. Dokja quietly stared at this spectacle.

Even if that thing went off, Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't die. That simply had to be, if what he read was correct. But, why was this?

...Why were Dokja's hands shaking so much like this?

The bomb exploded. The shower of debris flying out stabbed into Han-Gyu's back, then into the bodies of people busy hacking away at each other. Accompanied by a loud screeching noise, the subway's ceiling was caving in. Several pieces of debris were flying straight towards Joonghyuk's heart and neck.

The Secretive Plotter widens his eyes as he sees Dokja protecting him from the debris, consuming probability like there's no tomorrow.

Just how important is Yoo Joonghyuk to Kim Dokja is for him to sacrifice his probability for him!?

[The world-line's Probability is resisting you!]

Dokja ignored the Probability and caught the flying debris. Along with the vicious heat enveloping his hand, the debris scattered into ashes in his palm.

[A deux ex machina the world-line doesn't recognise is activating!]

[The world has sensed your interference!]

⸢Right at that moment, Joonghyuk raised his head.⸥

Joonghyuk crawled out from underneath the collapsed Hangyu and stared at Dokja.

"Impossible, he shouldn't be able to see him!" Hades comments as he widens his eyes in surprise.

Sooyoung nods her head, placing a hand on her chin as she tried to figure out why. Why Dokja of all people?

⸢Although it was for the briefest of brief moments, Yoo Joonghyuk felt that there was someone standing before him.⸥

"Who...?"

[Main Scenario #1 – Proof of Worth has concluded.]

[You have acquired the normal clear reward of 300 Coins.]

[100 Coins have been deducted as the channel usage fee.]

[Additional reward calculation has commenced.]

Along with the scenario calculations, the heads of the people began exploding. And as the deluge of blood rained down, Dokja silently looked at Joonghyuk on the floor.

Bihyung's excited voice coming from the distance, as well as [The 4th Wall]'s words of warning, could be heard next. Even the messages of Constellations suspecting the Probability streamed in, too.

In the meantime, Joonghyuk was staring at the message spreading out before him with quaking eyes.

The Constellations lean closer as they notice the familiar scene of the Sponsor Selection is commencing. They wondered who his backup which made everyone curious.

Especially Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter. They quickly silenced themselves when they notice the event is happening. For all eternity, their backup sponsor is known as "???" which a unknown. So to see their sponsor now would be game changing. For the Secretive Plotter knew that his sponsor is possibly the reason why the Star Stream existed, known as the Most Ancient Dream.

If his theory is correct then…

['Sponsor selection' is commencing!]

Sponsor Selection

– Please select your sponsor.

– The backer you choose will become your trusty sponsor.

God of Wine and Ecstasy

Mouse that Eats Fingernails

Abyssal Black Flame Dragon

[A new Constellation has entered the channel!]

[A new Constellation is participating in the 'sponsor selection'!]

Demon King of Salvation

"Demon King of Salvation?" Sangah repeats as Abyssal Black Flame Dragon yells.

"Hey! I used to have a similar one! Why did you steal mine!?" he looks over to Dokja who is carefully watching the episode.

Demon King of Salvation.

That's Dokja's modifier, isn't it? When he becomes a constellation, that's his modifier. Dokja doesn't need to ask Junghwa since the redhead is looking at him with a soft expression.

"Demon King of Salvation eh?" Uriel wonders. It somehow… it somehow feels fitting for some reason.

"Why is Hyung's modifier Demon King of Salvation?" Gilyoung asks curiously as Junghwa hums.

"Well… he saved all of you by sacrificing himself over and over again and as for Demon King…" Junghwa sighs at the memory, "I rather not remember that…"

"Why so?" Persephone asks curiously as Junghwa just shakes their head.

"It's not a fond memory of mine because the bastard keeps sacrificing himself… even in that scenario…"

Dokja looks at Junghwa as he narrows his eyes, "The demon king selection… isn't it?" Dokja begins, "The 10th scenario," Junghwa says nothing which just confirms Dokja's suspicions.

"Is this why you don't like my story, Junghwa?" Dokja asks curiously as Junghwa shakes their head.

"I love your story you fool… but I don't like your ending. You of all people should know why I'm doing this. I want an ending where all of you are happy…"

Dokja smiles as he looks at Junghwa. Somehow he feels honored that someone cared for him so much as Junghwa does, "Thank you, Junghwa. I'll try my best to reach the ending that you want."

Junghwa smiles back at him, "You better, or else Han Sooyoung will berate us both for ever dreaming of a bad ending."

Dokja doesn't question it even though he wanted to. Having a feeling it'll show them instead.

Sooyoung is still confused as to why she would berate them. Before she could ask, however, the episode continues.

Dokja stared at Joonghyuk as he read the system messages with quaking eyes.

Through this turn, his cycle of regression would begin. He'd get to repeat countless regressions and thereby walk on the 'Hellscape of Eternity'.

Dokja could become Yoo Joonghyuk's sponsor in that round.

"What!?" Joonghyuk suddenly stands up from his chair as he looks at Dokja who is also in shock.

"Oh…" Wukong begins as he places a hand on his chin, "This is getting interesting…"

Joonghyuk is breathing heavily as he look at Dokja before looking at himself, not sure how to process the information he had received from the episode.

Actually, the Secretive Plotter is also in shock, even if he is silent. Underneath his cloak, his handsome face had a look of bewilderment in it.

"Dokja-ssi?" Seolhwa begins as she looks at Dokja who also seemed to be surprised by the information, "Are you alright?"

"I… huh?"

Sooyoung hums as she speaks, "So this is how he becomes his sponsor…" she asks as Joonghyuk looks at her.

"You knew!?" he asks as Sooyoung shakes her head.

"No, at least, not before Junghwa told me."

"What do you mean Ahjussi is the sooty Ahjussi's sponsor!?" Yoosung asks in confusion, her brain already gone haywire.

Jihye groans as she massages the area in between her eyes, "Oh my head… Wait, if ahjussi is Master's sponsor then how!? I thought Ahjussi is a real person instead of being fictitious like us!?"

Dokja is also asking the same question. Everyone is looking at Junghwa who sighs, "I told you all you needed to watch the episode chronologically," they say as Heewon points at them.

"Hey, it's you who controls this shit, we don't even know all of this until you appear!"

"As much as I don't fully understand what's happening, I have to agree with Heewon-ssi," Hyunsung begins as he raises his hand, "You are the one in control, Junghwa-ssi."

Jubghwa whines, "It's mainly because Joonghyuk-ssi hates on Dokja-ssi right now. I need to show him that he mustn't because… it's his choice."

Joonghyuk glares at Junghwa as the Secretive Plotter is having mixed feelings about it, "What do you mean my choice!?" he demands the redhead, "That I choose to regress instead!? If so, why!?" he asks.

Honghwa stays quiet as they just point to the screen, "You will watch why, Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi. As for the Secretive Plotter…" Honghwa looks at the Plotter who is silent ever since the revelation is revealed.

"Are you alright?" they asks as The Secretive Plotter nods his head.

"I-I'm fine… just… overwhelmed…" he responds as Dokja looks at the Plotter in worry, wondering why Junghwa is worried over the Plotter instead of Joonghyuk.

"Do you want to take a breather?" Junghwa asks

The Plotter shakes his head, "No. I'm fine," he says, his voice determined to find out the truth behind the 0th regression, "Continue the episode, Junghwa."

Junghwa looks at the Plotter in worry as they continue the episode.

⸢Wi ll y ou ma ke him re gre ss?⸥

[The 4th Wall] asked as if it was intrigued. Dokja shook his head.

'No. I'll make sure he doesn't.'

"What…?" Joonghyuk's face is painted with a dumfounded expression, "I still fucking regress! Explain this now, Kim Dokja!"

"I don't know!" Dokja yells as he hides behind the Plotter and Bihyung, "I don't know anything! This is not the current me saying this stuff!" Dokja tried to calm the Regressor who is being held down by Hyunsung.

Uriel immediately stands in between Joonghyuk and Dokja as she looks at him solemnly, "Joongyuk-ssi, we can talk about this!" she says, but her words have fallen on deaf ears.

"Joonghyuk-ssi calm down!" Hyunsung begins as Joonghyuk just glares at him.

"Calm down…? CALM DOWN!? HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSE TO CALM DOWN WHEN MY SPONSOR, THE CAUSE OF MY TRAGEDIES, IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!?"

"Yoo Joonghyuk!" Sooyoung screams as she tries to calm him down as well, "The episode is not done yet! Are you sure you want to kill him when you don't even know why you regress instead!?" she asks.

Joonghyuk looks at her. If looks can kill, Sooyoung would be a dead woman, "Remember, Joonghyuk. Dokja is Junghwa's protagonist. Anything that happens to him, we can say good bye to information about everything!"

The Secretive Plotter sighs as he stands up before going to where Joonghyuk is and look at him, "Yoo Joonghyuk of the third round, calm down. And watch the episode quietly or else I will have no choice but to resort to violence."

Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly shivers when he hears the Secretive Plotter's voice, somehow so familiar and foreign at the same time. Hyunsung feels the other man is relaxing as he finally lets him go, the man is quiet as he calmly sits down.

He is not strong enough to kill a constellation. It's better if he listens to what he is saying first. Still, somehow he feels suspicious towards the Secretive Plotter for some reason… 'Who exactly are you, Plotter…?'

The Secretive Plotter returns to where his seat is and calmly watches the episode, but unknown to everyone, he is close to having a heart attack due to the information overload he is having.

'My sponsor… isn't the Most Ancient Dream but Kim Dokja…? Then… what does this mean?'

⸢Ev en if he's cha nged, the fu ture won't...⸥

'I know. That's why I feel even more relieved.'

The past Dokja changed wouldn't deny the Yoo Joonghyuk he know of.

⸢If Joonghyuk got to experience a regression turn that wasn't tragic, even if it's just once...⸥

Joonghyuk and The Secretive Plotter looks at the screen with an unknown expression, seemingly with anger (the former) and pity (the latter).

'Kim Dokja… you care so much about Yoo Joonghyuk. Why?' The Plotter asks in his heart, 'You willingly sacrifice yourself for him, a so called fictitious character and yet you are willing so sacrifice so much for him… for us...'

He slowly extended his hand towards the air.

['Overwrite' has commenced!]

[Interfering with the applicable worldview has begun!]

[As your mastery over the dream is insufficient, currently it's impossible to interfere too aggressively.]

As the sparks exploded with a loud static sound, messages popped up one after the other.

[The 'Demon King of Salvation' is registering his temporary Constellation name.]

[You're currently participating in the 'sponsor selection' as a Constellation.]

[Star Stream's system is suspicious of your eligibility.]

[Low-grade Dokkaebi 'Bihyung' finds your Modifier unfamiliar.]

[Small number of Constellations are flustered by your sudden entrance!]

Dokja bit down on his lip while observing Yoo Joonghyuk's pale expression.

This might prove to be a bad decision. Joonghyuk might end up even more miserable because he changed this world-line.

The Secretive Plotter closes his eyes and nods his head. What is said was true. He might turn out even more miserable than his own regressions. Still, it was the past. The Secretive Plotter will continue to watch it carefully with Dokja who is hiding behind him from Joonghyuk.

However, if it was the Dokja of right now...

[Hoh, the 'Demon King of Salvation'? Well now, a new Constellation-nim has decided to enter the stage!]

[Looks like we might need to extend the time since the number of candidates have increased.]

Bihyung updated the message floating in mid-air.

[Sponsor selection time period has been extended by 5 minutes.]

The survivors in the near vicinity, having somehow lived through that ordeal, began opening their mouths one by one.

"...Just what is all this?"

"Sponsor selection, is it..."

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is activating his attribute!]

In the midst of all this, only Joonghyuk was regaining his cool. His calm eyes were proof of that.

...Well, he was getting curious about what he's thinking here, so…

"He's gonna read Master's mind now isn't he?" Jihye asks as Heewon nods her head.

"Obviously," she says.

[Exclusive skill, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Lv.???', is activating!]

"I KNEW IT!"

The inside of Yoo Joonghyuk's head spread out like an anatomy chart.

⸢What about Mia? What happened to her?⸥

⸢I must rescue Mia.⸥

⸢In order to do that, I must get through this selection thing before my eyes first⸥

⸢Supporter selection. Sounds like I must pick my sponsor.⸥

Dokja grew slightly tense.

Every Incarnation suddenly feels tense as they watch how Joonghyuk selects his sponsor. Joonghyuk frowns. His memory says that he actually selected his sponsor late in the scenarios… so why is he interested in the beginning of the scenario? The Secretive Plotter is having the same thoughts.

During the original 0th turn, this guy apparently didn't choose anyone as his backer this early on, but that'd always be nothing more than a story from the original. No one could tell what might happen this time.

"You choose your sponsor late, Master?" Jihye asks curiously as Joonghyuk nods his head.

"That's correct but I can't remember how and why…"

Unexpectedly though, it wasn't Joonghyuk displaying his interest in Dokja, but other Constellations.

[Constellation, 'God of Wine and Ecstasy', is greeting you.]

[Constellation, 'God of Wine and Ecstasy', thinks your Modifier is a cool one.]

It seemed that Dionysus's outgoing personality was the same regardless of the regression turns.

Just as he was about to greet him back, someone else butted in.

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' is keeping his eyes on you.]

"I mean I would too if I notice someone who stole MY MODIFIER!" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon glares at Dokja who just holds Bihyung against him.

...Now that Dokja thought about it, this dude was also here, wasn't he? Hey, you, aren't you supposed to be eyeing Kim Nam-Woon in the next subway car? Just how many bridges are you planning to straddle here?

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', thinks you are copying from his Modifier.]

Dokja shifted his head to discover that Joonghyuk had begun considering his choices earnestly.

Dokja swallowed back his saliva nervously.

The Constellations watch with interest as Hades and Persephone notices a familiar face amongst the names, "He was amongst the first constellations to seek him as an incarnation?" Persephone asks as Hades sighs at the idea.

God of Wine and Ecstasy

Joonghyuk stared at that Modifier for a little while before shifting his gaze away.

⸢Something feels messy about that name.⸥

Soon after, his eyes landed on the second candidate.

Mouse that Eats Fingernails

"Why is it called Mouse that Eats Fingernails…" Heewon asks as she looks at the name in a disgusting manner.

Jihye winced, "He probably has a nail fetish."

Junghwa agrees with how the Constellation is willing to eat Joonghyuk's nail.

"Biting on nails is not healthy…" Seolhwa comments as she looks at the name with disgust.

Dokja grew nervous when he stared at that Modifier for quite a long time.

Wake up, Yoo Joonghyuk. You'd be better off choosing the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon instead of this.

"Please don't choose this as your constellation support, Master…"

⸢Sounds weak.⸥

Dokja barely managed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Damn it, man. Stop making people nervous.

Joonghyuk then stared at the third candidate afterwards.

Abyssal Black Flame Dragon

Although obvious, Joonghyuk would never choose the third option. He might seem drunk on his awesomeness outwardly, but in truth, he wasn't a fan of such flashy and grand-sounding words. That's why…

"Are you sure about that, Ahjussi?" Jihye asks as Dokja nods,looking at the screen.

"Of course, it's just as the me from the screen is right—"

⸢That's a fairly strong-sounding name.⸥

...Wha? H-hang on a...

Dokja looks at the Joonghyuk on the screen with wide eyes, "What-"

⸢Maybe, it might be an unexpectedly powerful sponsor.⸥

It's true that he's powerful, but... That guy, he makes his Incarnations recite weird summoning spells, you know?

Sooyoung blinks as she looks at the screen with a dumbfounded expression, 'Is that why he made that face to me when I said I wanted to be his incarnation…?'

Hey, Joonghyuk-ah, please open your eyes properly and take a closer look. The only ones that can handle this guy are Kim Namwoon or Han Sooyoung, that's it.

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', is boasting in your direction.]

[One minute remaining until the conclusion of the sponsor selection.]

And finally, Joonghyuk's eyes landed on the fourth candidate.

Demon King of Salvation

⸢What an arrogant-sounding name.⸥

'...'

⸢Weaklings often use names like this.⸥

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The dragon laughed out alongside Sun Wukong.

Heewon is holding her laughter but Jihye didn't care at all and just laughed her ass out seeing the ahjussi being called weak, "Told you ahjussi is weak!" she laughs while Gilyoung and Yoosung glares at her.

"Ahjussi/Hyung is not weak!"

The Secretive Plotter scoffed at the moment, oh how the irony was that because Kim Dokja had thought he was weak and then his past self actually thought Kim Dokja was weak?

The irony.

Even before Dokja could shout something out, Yoo Joonghyuk shot up from his spot and spoke. "I've made up my mind. I will..."

As he formed a triumphant grin, his lips slowly parted.

Dokja silently stared at the subway's ceiling. Accompanied by the static noise, vicious heat burned on his hand.

[You're interfering in the world-line.]

['Overwrite' has commenced.]

[Excessive interference might cause the world-line to strongly resist...]

Dokja used all of my strength to smack the back of Joonghyuk's head.

"MASTER GOT HIS HEAD SMACKED AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Jihye laughes out loud as a few snickers are heard from the crowd. Joonghyuk once again glares at Kim Dokja who is hiding behind the Secretive Plotter. The Plotter in return, holds his hand protectively over him, his long nails surprisingly not hurting him.

"I guess that's revenge for the choking scene?" Heewon snorts as Junghwa also laughs at the scene.

"Well… Kind of."

Dokja groans as he watches the episode.

It had already been two months since Dokja started observing the 0th turn.

"2 months? That's quite a time skip," Hyunsung comments as Seolhwa nods her head.

"Yes it is, I wonder what happens during all that time?"

There was this one thing he got to learn during this time period, and it'd be the fact that regardless of which regression turn it was, Yoo Joonghyuk would always be Yoo Joonghyuk.

"I'm not selecting anyone."

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has not selected his Constellation Supporter.]

And with that, the second sponsor selection came to a close.

If he were to include the sudden, unannounced sponsor selection that happened in the middle, then this would be the third time.

Joonghyuk didn't choose his Constellation backer during all three occasions. He couldn't choose during the first one because of Dokja, though.

Dokja's palm that smacked the back of his head still stung quite a bit. Well, he did forcibly butt in during the beginning scenario and knocked out an Incarnation about to enter an important event, so even he wouldn't be able to escape from the after-effects.

Everyone widens their eyes at the sight of his hand looking static. And is it Heewon or… Is it smaller than she remembered it was? "What happened to Ahjussi's hand?" Yoosung asks in worry as Junghwa explains.

"He shouldn't interfere with the scenarios, so when he interferes, there is a price to pay. We call it a Probability Storm , " They explain in simpler terms so the children can understand.

"Probability storm…" Gilyoung repeats, "So everytime Hyung helps that sooty ahjussi, he's gonna get hurt?" Everyone looks at Gilyoung with their eyes wide open when he speaks that.

Junghwa smiles solemnly and nods their head, "Then," Gilyoung begins, looking at Junghwa, "How many times did Hyung help the sooty ahjussi…?"

Junghwa doesn't answer that as Joonghyuk widens his eyes in bewilderment.

Kim Dokja sacrificed his probability for him?

"Wait, what happens if you use too much probability?" Heewon asks as the Constellation stays quiet, knowing exactly what happens if they use too much probability.

"Answer us, Junghwa!" Surprisingly, it is Joonghyuk who asks this question as Junghwa opens their mouth to say something.

"Their memories gone, and their form becomes smaller. Kim Dokja had sacrificed everything for you."

Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter widens their eyes as they both look at Kim Dokja who looks dumbfounded as the incarnations look at Dokja as well.

"Wait, Junghwa—"

But Junghwa instead starts the episode, not explaining anything else.

Whatever the case might have been, Joonghyuk began showing an unbelievable level of wariness during the 'sponsor selection' events afterwards.

⸢Constellations... They are capable of knocking me out cold without the slightest warning. I must not carelessly trust them.⸥

It surely was an unfortunate turn of event from his perspective. Still, others also didn't get selected, so it wasn't such a big loss either way.

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', complains by asking why he was not chosen.]

[Constellation, 'Mouse that Eats Fingernails', is drooling after Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk's fingernails.]

The women wince at the thought, glad that Joonghyuk didn't select him as his Constellation sponsor.

[Constellation, 'Founder of Humanity', is interested in Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk.]

[Constellation, 'Demon-like Judge of Fire', is puzzled by Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk action.]

"Ooohh! I appeared too!" Uriel says cheerfully as she points to the screen while shaking the dragon's body happily.

"Don't touch me woman!"

Time passed and Bihyung's channel gradually grew larger, and the number of Modifiers he knew had increased somewhat in the meantime.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is greeting the 'Demon-like Judge of Fire'.]

[Constellation, 'Demon-like Judge of Fire', is snorting derisively.]

"Nooo! Why did I do that to my precious Dokja!?" She whines and cries as Wukong laughs at the interaction.

[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband', is cackling.]

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is happily greeting the 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband'.]

[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband', has started picking his nose.]

"THAT IS DISGUTING!" The women yells at Wukong who just shrugs at his own actions.

Right, this was how the proper 'Ways of Survival' should be.

Dokja was remembering the figures of the Constellations he knew and had forgotten about that fact for a moment there.

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', warns other Constellations that the 'Demon King of Salvation' is an attention seeker, so others should be wary.]

Of course, the one he found most annoying of all was this dude. Just as Dokja was about to say something even at the cost of wasting Coins, Bihyung opened his mouth first.

[Supreme King Yoo Joonghyuk, will you really not select any Constellation supporter? I advise you to think about this one more time.]

"No, I'm not choosing."

"Why are you not choosing anyone Joonghyuk-ssi?" person asks curiously as Joonghyuk doesn't even have an answer to that. He didn't know why his past self chose the decisions he had chosen for himself.

"I'm… not sure myself…" is his answer as Heewon hums, watching the episode closely to understand his intentions.

[Hmm, well, then. Dear Constellation-nims that applied to become the sponsors. Allow me to present you with a special opportunity to appeal to this particular Incarnation!]

Bihyung came to be blessed with several 'Find the Incarnation' groups all thanks to Yoo Joonghyuk, and as a result, that huge grin refused to leave his face the whole day long. He probably had figured out that this was his chance to score big.

"Damn, I grew richer than I am right now!" Bihyung says enthusiastically as he watches his past self getting more coins from the Constellations.

A short while later, a new message window popped up before his eyes.

[Dokkaebi Bihyung presents – a special sponsorship opportunity!]

[Please sponsor an item to the Incarnation of your choosing.]

Dokja was about to thoughtlessly tap on the 'Confirm' icon only to spot a very small fine print all the way at the bottom of the window.

3500 Coins will automatically be deducted when purchasing the applicable item.

I spat out a soft sigh.

[Current Coin balance: 500 C]

"For once, I have to ask," Jihye begins as she looks at the balance Dokja has, "How come Ahjussi doesn't have any coins left?" she asked curiously, looking up to the screen.

⸢Stu pid Kim Dok Ja⸥

Dokja winces, not used to hearing the 4th Wall talk to him like that. To think a skill can actually talk… it seems Dokja still needs to learn more about his attribute and skills as well. Even if he doesn't know them at all, he has to learn.

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', says that if you sign the contract with him, he can turn you into a really cool Black Flame Dragon...]

"Really?" Jihye asks as she looks at the dragon who looks at her oddly.

"What? It's true!" he says with a proud voice, not knowing that he is mistakenly treats Joonghyuk like a baby.

[Constellation, 'God of Wine and Ecstasy', says that if you sign the contract with him, the legendary brew of the Olympus will specially be...]

[Constellation, 'Slumbering Lady of Fine Brocade', says if you sign the contract with her, the mid-rank starter pack will be...]

The sponsorship messages from the Constellations rained down from the sky. Hell, Constellations promising to shower him with early-stages special items, the kind that even he didn't get to use, were practically lining up in a queue here.

"Damn, Master is quite popular with the constellations huh?" Juhye comments, looking at the sorjling lights surrounding Joonghyuk in the screen. Not that he minded but Joonghyuk rather hated the attention.

Still, he had a lot to think over. Just like the fact that how and why is Kim Dokja is his sponsor? Or well, about to be because it seems like his past self is not selecting anyone at all.

Even in the original novel, Yoo Joonghyuk from the 3rd turn didn't enjoy this level of attention. So, how did a mere 0th turn become this famous? Quite simple, actually.

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is rejecting the offers of Constellations.]

"That's not enough."

That was all because the 0th turn Joonghyuk was way too full of himself.

"I can see why," The Secretive Plotter says as he looks at the screen.

He sighs to himself as he thinks of all the information he had gotten from the episode. So much had happened… he isn't even sure if it's true or not but something tells him what Junghwa is showing is the truth.

"There are far too many willing to give me such useless things. Isn't there anyone willing to share information on hidden pieces?"

[Constellation, 'Slumbering Lady of Fine Brocade', is sweating profusely while replying that she doesn't know much about such topics.]

"Is there anyone who can show me something similar to the revelations of the future?"

[Constellation, 'Master of Sky Walk', says leaking such information is against the rules.]

"You all are worse than this Demon King of Salvation, then."

"So Dokja-ssi has been helping Joonghyuk-ssi by giving him revelations of the future…" Hyunsung begins, looking at the pair cautiously as Sangah also glanced at them.

"It would seem that Joonghyuk-ssi is a lot more important to Dokja-ssi than we thought he is."

Joonghyuk can only watch the episode silent as they talk amongst themselves. Is he really that important in Dokja's life to have sacrificed his own life and probability for him?

[Portion of Constellations are seriously curious about the true identity of the 'Demon King of Salvation'!]

And so, the 'Demon King of Salvation' began to enjoy an unprecedented level of popularity during the 0th turn regardless of his wishes.

Demon King of Salvation! Leaker of the future revelations?

Olympus reveals leaking predictions is impossible, Probability-wise...

No Demon King named 'Demon King of Salvation' exists, declares Demon King Association.

Abyssal Black Flame Dragon: Modifier 'Demon King of Salvation' is similar to the one he used to have...

By reading the information coming in through the Star Stream Daily, Dokja gained new appreciation on what the life of a Constellation entailed.

So, an Incarnation becoming a Constellation, and being one already at the start of the scenarios, could be this different, is it?

[Your fame has started spreading around Star Stream.]

[Portion of gossipers have created a song called 'Conman Demon King of Salvation' and have begun spreading it.]

"Conman! Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Jihye and Abyssal Black Flame Dragon laughs as it is true. Dokja is a conman. Heewon snorts at the nickname while Hyunsung looks at Dokja apologetically.

[You have acquired 5000 Coins through the rise of your popularity.]

Whatever the case might have been, it wasn't such a bad deal for Dokja.

[Heheh. Dear 'Demon King of Salvation'-nim. Will you continue with your patronage of my channel this month as well?]

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', replies with 'of course'.]

[All thanks to you, dear Demon King-nim, this month's revenue has shot up by a noticeable amount. If it's not too much trouble, may I enquire about your true name...? Honestly, I've never seen anyone treat Probability like ratshit as much as you, Demon King-nim. Ah, hahaha. That was a compliment, of course!]

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says he can't reveal his true name.]

[Is that so? How unfortunate. Honestly, I'm slightly puzzled by why someone as great as you decided to stick by this lowly one's channel. It's not like I've got an amazing backing or anything...]

Bihyung's expression showed his lack of confidence. Dokja quietly stared at him for a bit before replying with these words.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says he's simply repaying his debt.]

Bihyung watches his past self as he had become closer to Dokja of the past and made a solemn face. Not only did he manage to raise the revenue in their current round but also the past, and they had been closer than ever…

Did Bihyung really died for him? Bihyung looks at the screen with a pitiful expression.

A book you've read once before could be read again without too much hassle. However, you could also run into a roadblock in unexpected places.

That's how the 0th turn felt like to Dokja.

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk has not selected his Constellation supporter.]

In a certain way, Yoo Joonghyuk's 0th turn was pretty similar to his own world-line. Here was a tale that had deviated greatly from the predetermined plot development.

...Now that they were this far along, it should be impossible to go back to the plot of the original 0th turn, right?

"Joonghyuk-ssi. Will it be fine to install the barricades over here?"

Hyunsung looks at the screen where he sees himself holding on to several materials for the barricade in his arms.

The Emperor of Steelsword, Lee Hyunsung.

"Oii, Captain! You promised to teach me that swordsmanship, didn't you?!"

The Demon of Delusions, Kim Namwoon.

"Master. Can I go item farming for a bit after this scenario ends?"

Jihye looks up to herself as she carelessly tugs on her Master's sleeve, seemingly excited.

The Naval Admiral, Lee Jihye.

And also, one more person had been added to the ranks, someone who shouldn't even be there during the 0th turn.

⸢When you're about to pass by the Geumho Station, you must recruit that person.⸥

Maybe this was Dokja just being greedy. In this world, Yoo Sangah, Lee Gilyoung, and even Kim Dokja didn't exist, but...

But at least there was one person that Kim Dok-Ja Company could recruit.

"Hyunsung-ssi, it's not level over there."

The Judge that Destroys Evil, Jung Heewon.

Heewon widens her eyes when she sees herself in the screen, looking happy and comfortable with everyone else.

"She existed in the 0th round as well?" Dokja can't help but think, "And I was the one who brought him to her…?"

Heewon looks at Dokja who is in shock before looking at the screen once again.

Dokja watched her go through the checklist of all the things her companions had missed, and fell into the reminiscence of the past.

⸢"I was really happy back then. When we went to the department store together to buy new clothes and visited Eden like a bunch of celebs."⸥

⸢"That's why, you are someone who can only do this, right?"⸥

The 'Jung Heewon' he remembered should be alright.

Heewon closes her eyes as her face is plastered in empathy. So Dokja remembers her as well. Not as a character, but as a person…

Well, the story of that world came to a good end, after all. Companions in that place should be going to the Han River and to the ocean, spending their peaceful days with a version of Dokja.

He murmured that as if to hypnotise himself and tried hard to focus on the world immediately before hiseyes.

⸢Th is isn t yo ur wor ld ei ther⸥

Dokja knew.

⸢Kim Dok-Ja's world couldn't be found anywhere now.⸥

"Orabeoni! Your Mia has done it!"

And fortunately enough, this story happened to be the one Dokja loved the most.

"I told you not to use such a manner of speech in front of others."

"Heeee..."

A bitter chuckle floated up on Dokja's lips while he observed Joonghyuk reprimand his little sister's manner of speech.

You should fix your own first, dude.

Jihye snorts as she hears that. Well, that may be true because his communication skills are so lacking.

Even if he was supposed to be a pro gamer, he must've held normal conversations with other people before. How was it even possible for him to live in society with that crappy manner of speech?

Was it all down to his face's 'Probability'?

"The fourth scenario will soon begin. Everyone, get ready."

Through the information he conveyed, Joonghyuk grew stronger little by little.

⸢Manage Kim Namwoon well so that he doesn't stray. He really respects you, so if you use that, things will become easy for you. Don't forget that no one starts as an evil person.⸥

Information that he sent his way by sacrificing an incredible amount of Probability every single time.

The Secretive Plotter widens his eyes at the thought. If you were to use such an incredible amount of probability then… The Secretive Plotter looks over to Dokja who is still confused as to why he was in the 0th round, but at the same time watching the entire episode with such interest.

'Don't tell me…' The Plotter's brain starts to turn as he keeps watching the episode, his theory slowly falling into place. But if that theory is true then… What happened to the Most Ancient Dream?

⸢Don't get cocky in the cinema dungeon and calmly clear it. The last boss there uses mental attacks, so before you face it, get this skill first and...⸥

⸢If you tie Gong Pildu down well during the early scenarios, he'll continue to be useful later on. He's not completely irredeemable, so do your best to reform him. The hint is...⸥

At first, Yoo Joonghyuk didn't trust him, but after his revelations came true one by one, he began to believe him more and more.

About damn time. Just who was responsible for you coming this far, anyway? Honestly speaking, He was still a bit miffed by the fact that he hadn't chosen the 'Demon King of Salvation' as his Constellation supporter yet.

"By the way, how come you know so much about the scenarios, captain?"

"...Someone is helping me out."

"Helping you out...?"

Thankfully, the 0th turn's Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't someone who'd forget all about his benefactor.

Hand over the next revelation.

Yoo Joonghyuk spent a huge wealth amounting to over 30,000 Coins and opened up a one-on-one secret communication line. It was an obvious thing to do since Dokja kept feeding him important information, but still, he wanted to praise him for it.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is granting 'a portion of revelation' to Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk'.]

⸢The core of the fourth scenario is the 'Absolute Throne'. Remember that you must never...⸥

An incredible amount of Probability was being exhausted every time he handed over the information to him.

The standard denomination of this world was 'stories'. So, it was rather obvious that spoiling the future events would damage the Probability far more than smacking Yoo Joonghyuk in the back of his head.

"Probability… again with that thing, Dokja-ssi… why sacrifice yourself for him if he's a fictional character?" Sangah decides to ask for big question as Dokja takes a deep breath before letting it all out.

But before Dokja can say anything, Junghwa interrupts them, "It's because he loves him."

Dokja immediately blushes as everyone widens their eyes at their words, "WHAT!? JUNGHWA!?" Dokja yells at his reader who just chuckles and does a peace sign.

"But it's true though! Dokja-ssi loves Joonghyuk-ssi a lot!" Junghwa teases him.

"I have no interest in men!" Joonghyuk yells at them as Junghwa rolls their eyes at him.

"Say that to your 0th regression you fool! You're supposed to be married and yet you still left your wife for him!"

"MARRIED!?" Uriel screams at Junghwa, "LEFT HIS WIFE FOR DOKJA-SSI!?"

Jihye joins in the screaming sesh as she looks at her master, "MASTER YOU WERE MARRIED BEFORE!?" She asks as Joonghyuk thinks about it.

Well, in his second regression he had Seolhwa as his lover…

Junghwa decides to play the episode before anyone else can say anything.

"It's them!!"

Yoo Joonghyuk's companions all pulled out their weapons at the same time while staring at the enemies flooding in. The closing chapters of the 4th scenario should soon begin.

[The 4th Wall] addressed me. ⸢Y ou kn ow what y ou ve be en d oing, ri ght?⸥

Along with static noise, the ends of his hand were melting down.

Dokja observed the figure of Joonghyuk confronting Seoul's 7 Kings. The gleaming [Heaven Shaking Sword] gripped in his hand howled out a courageous roar.

⸢No ma tter how h a r d you t r y⸥

The 0th turn's story had completely changed from the original. Yoo Joonghyuk of this world-line would walk on a different path compared to every other Yoo Joonghyuks.

⸢Th at guy can ne ver see wh at's be yond the w all⸥

"And why is that?" the Secretive Plotter asks curiously, wanting to know why he can't see what's beyond the wall at all.

Junghwa hums, tapping their finger on the table as they thought about it, "Let's watch the video first, shall we?"

Dokja knew the meaning behind [The 4th Wall]'s words.

There was no method of acquiring [The 4th Wall] in this world-line. Meaning, the last key to open the [Final Wall] didn't exist. Regardless of what he did, the 0th turn Yoo Joonghyuk would never be able to get his hands on that key.

'So that's why I couldn't get it…' The Secretive Plotter thought while Joonghyuk seem confused as to what it means. The Plotter looks over to Dokja, his theory suggesting that Dokja may be the key to the [Final Wall] he had left behind in the 1863rd round.

⸢Certain truths would make everyone unhappy simply by their existence.⸥

Even though Dokja couldn't show him the 'truth', Dokja could show him the 'ending' perfectly suitable for this story.

[Congratulations! Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has passed every trial of the 'Absolute Throne'!]

Eventually, Joonghyuk defeated Seoul's 7 Kings and stood before the Absolute Throne. The attention of every Constellation within the Seoul dome, as well as all the citizens gathering in the Gwanghwamun, was closely focused on his actions.

He slowly unsheathed a certain sword hidden within his inner coat. It was the [Four Yin Demonic Beheading Sword].

"Hey…" Jihye begins as she sees the familiar scene, "Isn't this… what ahjussi did you the throne instead?" she asks as everyone pays a closer attention to it.

Now that she said it, yes. Yes it was what Dokja had done during the 4th scenario!

So Joonghyuk has taken Dokja's fable, King of a Kingless World!?

The parallel between the two are astounding because they are similar yet different in a way that the Secretive Plotter imagined it would be!

Dokja substituted for the Lord of the Big Dipper constellation and lent him his powers.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation' is looking at Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk'.]

One by one, seven stars grew brighter and brighter. And the [Four Yin Demonic Beheading Sword] held in his hand emitted blinding light as it evolved into a Star Relic.

[Outer Gods are astonished by your incredible strength!]

[The Lords of the Big Dipper constellation are startled by your presence and are passing out from shock!]

[All the Constellations of the Korean Peninsula are...]

"I do not have any intentions of representing humans as disgraceful as you." Yoo Joonghyuk continued on. "I do not plan on becoming a plaything for you vulgar Constellations, and... I shall not sit on this 'Absolute Throne'."

Those were words Dokja thought he heard before from somewhere.

Joonghyuk's sword flashed next. "And I'll make sure no one else sits on this throne, either."

The [Four Yin Demonic Beheading Sword, the weapon that could cut apart the Star Relic's connection to a Constellation. Joonghyuk used this very sword to ceaselessly slam down on the [Absolute Throne]. He slammed down over and over again.

Soon enough, the loud 'Craaaack!' resounded out.

The night skies of Star Stream brightened as if a midnight sun suddenly materialised, and an explosion of messages flooded out. The storm of Probability's aftermath caused by the distortion of the scenario had begun.

Dokja quietly extended his hand and blocked that overflowing storm.

[The world-line is dissatisfied by your excessive meddling!]

[The applicable 'Overwrite' is beyond your mastery level!]

[Portion of your Fable will be lost!]

The current Yoo Joonghyuk was going through the 0th turn.

Since he wasn't a regressor, he had no information related to the future, and he couldn't regain the techniques he used in prior turns through [Transmission].

From now on, the scenarios would only get tougher. He couldn't use [Bookmark] like Dokja, and couldn't rely on [Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, either.

⸢As that was the case, Kim Dokja knew very well what's necessary to fill that void.⸥

Yoo Joonghyuk would not have to go through the regression.

...And, he'd not become the tragic pilgrim wandering in between the world-lines.

Joonghyuk would get to see his deserved conclusion in this world.

The Secretive Plotter widens his eyes at the reader who's willing to shield him from the probability storm, just so that they could get a regression that doesn't end in tragedies, that would be the perfect conclusion…

Dokja feels the Plotter's hand is shaking as the reader holds it tightly with his free hand, giving him a soft smile as the Secretive Plotter looks at him in surprise. The Constellation bites down on his lips and grabs his hand tightly, as if saying thank you.

Meanwhile Joonghyuk can only show his shock at the man who's willing to stop a probability storm using his own body, willingly sacrifices probability for the sake of hints and future revelations. The man who claimed to be a prophet. A reader of his story.

Words cannot express how Joonghyuk is feeling right now. On one hand, he wanted to kill Kim Dokja for being the cause of the tragedies, but at the same time… the more he watches the episode, the more he begins to see that Dokja is just… someone who really loves his story.

What to do…?

Joonghyuk glances over to where Dokja is with the Secretive Plotter who is in need of comfort. Why… Why is it that he needs to be comforted while Joonghyuk is already on the verge of a mental breakdown himself!?

'Why is it him and not me!?'

What even is Secretive Plotter got to do with this anyway?

He then remembers the way he treated Dokja, cussing him out for being worthless without his book as he winced at his memory. Perhaps he did deserved that…

[Incarnation, 'Yoo Joonghyuk has acquired his first-ever Fable!]

[Incarnation, 'Yoo Joonghyuks' new Fable has been created.]

He looked up at the sky. And also a Fable taking on the form of a white tiger was looking up at Dokja from behind him, too. It was none other than that very Fable that protected him once upon a time.

[Fable, 'King of a Kingless World', is born.]

Dokja smiles knowing the the 0th round is in the hands of such a fable that can protect him. Of course he would sacrifice anything for Joonghyuk to reach the end, but to think that Dokja is the one pulling the strings for the 0th round is… mind blowing.

Dokja could see Yoo Joonghyuk's elated face through his disintegrating right thumb.

'Kim Dokja' should not exist in this particular story.

⸢Even then, this was the story Kim Dokja dearly wished to create.⸥

Dokja closes his eyes as he nods his head, his feeling resonating with the past him as he truly wished to see such an ending for Joonghyuk as well.

When Dokja slowly closed his eyes, it felt like pages were floating up right before him. Ancient pages, with traces of someone already having doodled on them.

⸢In that moment, Kim Dokja made up his mind. He decided to personally write the story that didn't exist in the original.⸥

Dokja began jotting something down above those pages.

One page, two pages – every time a page flipped by, time went by, too.

Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth...

His fingers disappeared one by one every time a scenario was cleared.

They would regenerate some time later, but their size would always be smaller than before. He used those fingers to write the revelations – on the ending Yoo Joonghyuk from the original desired, the conclusion Dokja wanted to see, the mistakes he made, and things he gained new understandings of.

"Kim Dokja…" Joonghyuk spoke in a soft whisper. Not believing his eyes that someone as careless as Dokja would sacrifice his fingers just for him to help Joonghyuk in the past…

All these stories gathered as one, and soon, became a Fable.

And so, just how long passed by like this?

Sooyoung widens her eyes when she realises what is happening. Dokja had become the author to the 0th round!? She watches the man write from page to page as he tirelessly work all through the day and night.

'Kim Dokja… just who on earth are you?'

Dokja slowly opened his eyes.

⸢Eventually, Yoo Joonghyuk of the 0th turn had reached the final pages of the scenarios.⸥

Joonghyuk's [Heaven Shaking Sword] scythed through the air; it cut down the Constellations blocking his path, and sliced apart the Incarnations acting as their underlings.

"Another time skip?" Abyssal Black Flame Dragon asks as he notices the cutscene.

Yoo Joonghyuk truly fought hard.

He was followed by the companions that broke past the scenarios together with him – Lee Jihye, Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, Shin Yoosung, Kim Namwoon, Lee Seolhwa, Gong Pildu...

System operation.

Seoul's 7 Kings were also together with them; King of Hidden Shadows Han Donghoon, King of Beauty Min Jiwon.

Go, Yoo Joonghyuk!

The King of Transcenders Jang Hayoung was also here, as well.

Dokja widens his eyes at everyone who appears in the last frame of the screen. Everyone is fighting hard against the final scenario as they all cheered for Yoo Joonghyuk. He feels giddy excitement rushing through his veins just like how he first discovers the novel back in his high school days.

We'll take care of this, Supreme King.

Not only them, but also Incarnations from other nations, such as Fei Hu and Ranvir Khan – and even his sworn enemy, Anna Croft helped him.

[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband', is cheering on Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk!]

[Constellation, 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire', is...]

[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon',...]

"This is… the perfect round…" Yoo Joonghyuk whispered out breathlessly, his eyes widened in shock at the very round he had forgotten was in fact the most perfect round in all of his regression turns.

The Secretive Plotter has the same thought as he did. To think such a regression exists… and only because of Kim Dokja's interference…

No other regression turn should be as complete as this one.

"Pacheonmaeng, we're moving out."

The Pacheonmaeng (破天盟). That was the name of the coalition Yoo Joonghyuk had created.

[Fable, 'King of a Kingless World', is talking a big game!]

[Great Fable, 'Demon World's Spring', has begun its storytelling!]

[Great Fable, 'Season of Light and Darkness', has begun its storytelling!]

"All of those fables are Kim Dokja's fables given to Yoo Joonghyuk of the 0th round," Junghwa comments as everyone widens their eyes.

"So Dokja-ssi…" Sangah begins as Junghwa nods.

"He sacrificed everything for Yoo Joonghyuk."

Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter stayed silent as they watch the episode with an unreadable expression on their faces.

It was as if every story happening up to now existed solely for this moment.

[But, how...? You shouldn't be able to come here yet...!]

Eventually, they could see the astonished expression of the Dokkaebi King beyond the wreckage of the Final Arc. Yoo Joonghyuk and the members of Pacheonmang unhesitantly dashed towards him.

"The Dokkaebi king!" Bihyung gasps as he recognizes the Dokkaebi in the episode. It seems like he is ready to fight as the king notices the people surrounding him.

[Oh, you foolish Incarnations! Killing me has no meaning whatsoever. If Star Stream is destroyed, then you'll all disappear, too. A world-line with its events concluded will be abandoned. No one wants to look at such a world-line!]

The Dokkaebi King resisted desperately. As if to prove that his words were right, he utilised every single Fable he possessed to fight back. However, it was not enough; he vomited out Fables and knelt down. Even as he fell, he continued to grin.

[It's all over. Soon, this world-line's destruction will commence. It's simply not feasible that the great one would wish for a story like this...]

However, contrary to his expectation, the destruction did not commence. The Star Stream was fine. The brows of Dokkaebi King shot up high.

[Star Stream's Final Scenario has been concluded.]

[...Could it be...??]

During his final moments, Dokkaebi King looked behind him as if to comprehend a certain someone's gaze surely looking at him from beyond the expansive [Final Wall].

"The [Final Wall]..." The Secretive Plotter whispers out. Is he going to finally see what's behind the wall in the episode!?

And right next moment, a line of text floated up over said wall.

⸢The legend of Star Stream Conquering King, Yoo Joonghyuk.⸥

The title card rose up on the screen. And along with a 'Beep-!', it was turned off.

"Eh!?" Jihye asks, looking confused as to how and why a title card is there, "Just that!? The scenarios are over!?"

The now-darkened panel reflected the view of a classroom and that of children sitting closely together.

"Uh…" Heewon begins as she looks confused as the other incarnations also look dumbfounded by the children, "is this a classroom?"

Their sparkling eyes were all focused on the face of a certain man getting ready to start his lecture. He slowly opened his mouth.

"I'm Yoo Joonghyuk."

"LECTURE!?" Every incarnation screams in surprise. Dokja especially, "AHJUSSI/MASTER/JOONGHYUK-SSI IS A TEACHER!?"

Even the Secretive Plotter is blinking in confusion as he looks at himself starting the lecture to the children in front of him.

Being a teacher is… something that he had not expected…

"Children really loved that, Joonghyuk-ssi. As expected, you're really great at teaching kids."

"...They all seemed bored by my dull story, however."

Lee Seolhwa grinned wryly at Joonghyuk's monotone voice.

"That's not true."

He put his coat on without showing any visible changes in his expression.

⸢It had already been five years after the scenario of the 0th world ended.⸥

"Five years since the scenario ended…" Heewon begins, "Then that means the end of the scenario exist, right?" she asks as everyone looks at her.

Dokja thinks about it. That's true. If the 0th regression had reached the end of the scenarios then it is possible for them to also reach the end of the scenarios!

This is… the ending that Dokja wanted to see.

After the scenarios ended, Joonghyuk and his comrades began rebuilding the world.

Han Donghoon got in touch with the government and created a new governing structure, while Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon went around suppressing the acts of terror from the criminal organisations.

"Damn, we are badasses Hyunsung-ssi!' Heewon comments as she smacks his back while Hyunsung blushes at being complimented.

Lee Jihye defended the country's borders and helped out with reaching agreements with Incarnations from other nations, while Lee Seolhwa and Shin Yoosung rescued orphaned children who lost their parents to the scenarios. The institution called [Star Counting Night] had been created for that purpose.

The three females smiles at the thought of their past self living the best of their worlds. Yoosung especially. She can help the other children with Seolhwa unnie as well.

While leaving the institute, Joonghyuk noticed the young children looking up at him. They were orphans created by the Constellations, but these kids would grow up while counting the disappeared stars.

"By the way, ahjussi?"

One of the children grasped the ends of Joonghyuk's clothing. He looked back and the child, having swallowed the brave pill, was now pointing at the older man's head.

"Grey hair."

"HE'S GETTING OLD BWAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!" The dragon laughs before he is smacked by Uriel.

At around the seven-year mark after the scenario's conclusion, Yoo Joonghyuk got married. His partner was Lee Seolhwa.

Seolhwa widens her eyes when her name is spoken as everyone screams in surprise.

"You and Seolhwa Unnie are married!?" Jihye asks as Uriel cries as well.

"NONONONONONONO MY SHIP IS SINKING!?" She cries as everyone else is loud at the revelation.

Hell even Joonghyuk is surprised to see such a scene, then again he isn't as surprise since she was his lover in his second regression. Or well, lover is a bit too romantic for his taste. Perhaps partner is still a preferable word for him.

"He's not my type though!?" Seolhwa said, horrified, embarrassed and a bit flustered at the thought and Joonghyuk ignores how she heavily emphasized that.

"Uh… congrats on the marriage?" Sangah comments awkwardly as the pair just stays quiet. The atmosphere is really awkward and they all looked at Kim Dokja and then the "supposed" couple.

Junghwa snorts, knowing what happens next.

Lee Jihye dabbing away her tears, Gong Pildu officiating in the ceremony, Jung Heewon catching the bouquet... Shin Yoosung sneaked out of her university class and sang the congratulatory song.

They didn't have children of their own. Both of them didn't want to have any.

Seolhwa blinks in confusion as she watches the episode. She doesn't want children of her own, especially if there are orphans that they can take care instead.

There are too many children needing parents in this world already.

They established the institution and looked after the orphans. It was a decision that fit their personalities perfectly.

'Ah, I can see why my past self married him a bit now, ' Seolhwa smiles as she nods her head in content.

⸢Time continued to tick by; ten years, fifteen...⸥

Just like pages flipping past faster and faster in order to reach the conclusion, the time flow of the 0th turn continued to march forward relentlessly. Yoo Joonghyuk grew older, just as he should.

More specifically, only he grew old – all because of an attribute he picked up while clearing the scenarios.

"A new attribute?" Dokja wonders quietly as he looks at the episode in confusion.

The Secretive Plotter is silent and Joonghyuk have been silent as a mouse as they watch the episode, wanting to know why they regress when the perfect round is also in place.

'Why? No one in my party died and the whole scenario ended… so why did I choose to regress instead?'

The legendary attribute, [Life Lived to Its Fullest].

During his one thousand-plus regression turn, Yoo Joonghyuk never once used this skill. It was an attribute that a regressor like him had no use for.

⸢An attribute that, at the cost of living a fixed lifespan, fully unleashes the user's latent talents.⸥

However, the current him was from the 0th turn. He had no experience earned through regressions to fall back on, nor did have much of a talent to speak of, either. And that was why he had to choose this attribute. Because, only through this particular attribute could he be able to clear the remaining scenarios.

Dokja smiles at the thought as he relaxes in his seat

"Master, how old are you this year?" Jihye asked.

"I've already forgotten about such things as my age."

"Mm, it's been 20 years since the scenarios ended, so... Oh my god. It's already..."

"Humans all grow old and die."

"Argh, master. Seriously...!"

As long as the Star Stream's system existed, immortality wasn't an impossible dream. It wasn't uncommon to see beings that lived for hundreds, sometimes for thousands of years just like the Breaking the Sky Sword Saint or Kyrgios. Not only that, if you compiled enough Fables and became a Constellation, you could literally enjoy everlasting life. However, Joonghyuk didn't do that.

⸢Stories without sacrifices do not exist.⸥

The night sky where the Bureau no longer existed, and Constellations had fallen. While staring at such a sky, Joonghyuk continued to live in this world's days and nights.

⸢Then, 25 years later.⸥

"25 years after the scenario ended… Yet why did I choose to regress instead…? What happened?" Joonghyuk asks, his face now pale white as Junghwa just smirks.

"Now you understand, Yoo Joonghyuk?" Junghwa ask, "this is what truly happened in the 0th round."

And eventually, on a certain day after his hair had grown completely grey, he left the city towards an old farmhouse.

Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter looks at themselves who is old and grey, with a satisfied expression on his face. To think there would come a day when they would see themselves old.

"Captain, will you really seclude yourself in a backwater place like this??" Yoosung asked.

"I don't enjoy noisy things."

"But, what about Seolwwa eonni??"

Joonghyuk wordlessly polished his [Heaven Shaking Sword].

In a world with nothing left to cut down, arduously devoting himself to the ways of the sword that had lost its purpose – that was Yu Jung-Hyeok's chosen method of utilising his remaining life.

"Stuff like training in the ways of the sword can be done back in the Compl..."

Yoosung couldn't finish her sentence, however. The clear surface of the [Heaven Shaking Sword]'s blade reflected Joonghyuk's face. No one would think of him as a man in his 60s. Despite that...

Joonghyuk would definitely die later. And Lee Seolhwa, left all alone, would have to carry on living a long, long life without him by her side.

"The Attribute…" Dokja begins as Junghwa nods their head.

"That's correct. His attribute has a cost of having a fixed lifespan… he's gonna die that day," they say.

Joonghyuk is quiet. This must be when the moment he sign up with his sponsor, Kim Dokja… because when can he sign the contract when he's going to die soon?

Yoosung's lips bobbed up and down several times, and just as she finally managed to open them fully, Namwoon butted in first.

"Conquering King, you're now all decrepit and stuff! I guess I can finally win against you this year, right?"

He shouted out triumphantly and unfurled the bandages off his fist, then dashed towards Joonghyuk.

"Ku-waaaaahk!! My arm! My arrrrm! No, wait! My eyes!!"

Namwoon was flung away in one hit; he moaned in pain and collapsed on the ground.

Many others snorts at Kim Namwoon's antiques as the poor boy turned man still can't win against a crippled old grandpa.

Companions snickered softly; the sounds of Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung holding hands and chatting away; the figures of Jihye and Yoosung bickering with each other...

Dokja stared at all these scenes and at the same time, read the sentence overlapping above them.

⸢Maybe, I could have witnessed similar sights and sounds as this one.⸥

It might have been a bit different, though; Star Stream had been destroyed and the influence of its system was weakening in the world Dokja used to live in, after all.

The people of his world would grow old, just like Joonghyuk here. And amidst his companions steadily growing older, he too would have grown old as well.

Joonghyuk's grey hair danced in the air as he watched his companions leave.

His back remained straight and tall even in his advanced age. His skin still retained its elasticity, and muscles on his arms were still strong.

Even then, his eyes no longer gleamed brightly like in the past.

⸢Kim Dok Ja y ou 've be en here for too l ong⸥ [The 4th Wall] addressed to him. ⸢Wh en sta ying ins ide one dr eam for too l ong, it g e t s har der⸥

He understood what it was saying.

However, Dokja couldn't easily let go of this 0th turn. It felt to him that, if this story were to end here, then all the tragedies would begin anew, somehow.

In that case, if he continue to hold onto this story for as long as he can...

"Demon King of Salvation," Joonghyuk raised his head to look at Dokja. "Are you still curious about my story?"

Joonghyuk and The Secretive Plotter holds their breath. They are going to find out why they progresses instead soon.. Suddenly they feel very nervous as it's been so long since they felt any kind of emotion…

He hesitated a little before replying.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', replies he still is.]

"This world is no longer mired in scenarios. There are no stimulations, nor any irregularities. Yet, why do you still wish to watch this story?"

'So are still watching over me, Kim Dokja…' The Secretive Plotter says in his heart as he watches the scene with such empathy in his eyes.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', replies that this is the story he wanted to see in the first place.]

"You're truly a strange creature."

Fables began rising up from behind Yu Jung-Hyeok.

[Fable, 'King of a Kingless World', is looking at the 'Demon King of Salvation.]

[Fable, 'Demon World's Spring', is looking at the 'Demon King of Salvation.]

[Fable, 'Season of Light and Darkness', is looking at the 'Demon King of Salvation.]

Fables were telling their stories while looking at Dokja. The very same Fables that he earned once upon a time. Memories they had built up were now unfolding behind Joonghyuk's back.

The world that he designed, the one that Yoo Joonghyuk brought to reality. The 0th turn's story, completed in this manner.

"Sometimes, this peace feels like an illusion... And every now and then, I get the feeling that my life has been completed by someone else."

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is...]

"I didn't mean to say I'm unhappy."

Joonghyuk grips his hands into a fist once more as he silent watches the episode showing him such vulnerability as an old man… as himself.

Joonghyuk smiled faintly.

Dokja stared at him dazed for a moment there, having finally learned that he was capable of such a smile.

Every incarnation and constellations stays quiet as they know that Joonghyuk (and the Secretive Plotter) needed time for this.

"I was always worried about how I should live my life."

While lightly wielding the sword in the air, Joonghyuk continued on. Every one of his sword swings contained his Fable. The Incarnation who knew how to shrewdly apply the set rules, that was him. Yoo Joonghyuk might have spent his life fighting the system, but in all honesty, he was someone who'd shine even brighter when that very system was in play.

"A fight that can't be won holds no meaning to me."

His ability to analyse the situation faster than anyone, his quick wit allowing him to clearly calculate the gains and losses, and his talent at deciphering the advantages and disadvantages in a battle.

"However, I've grown curious lately. What would've happened to me if you didn't help? What kind of a life would I have lived if I didn't win?"

Both of them widens their eyes at the question. Did they regress just because of mere curiosity? Just what kind of question is that!? They both knew what hell they needed to get past the scenarios. And yet… here they are, the 0th turn asking what would happen if Kim Dokja didn't help him in the slightest…

The Secretive Plotter in return noticed how much smaller Kim Dokja is after the scenarios have ended… his own hands gripped into a fist as he listened to what the episode is showing them.

Dokja knew better than anyone what kind of a life Yoo Joonghyuk lived after failing the 0th turn.

He knew all too well what would happen to him, what kind of a life he'd live, and the kind of ending he'd witness.

"You probably are aware of it already. I do not have much time left to live."

Joonghyuk planted his sword on the ground as he wobbled. His irises were becoming translucent next. His eyes, exhausted from fighting a lengthy battle, were losing their sights.

"If I choose you as my Constellation sponsor, will I get to finally meet you?"

"I CAN'T-" Uriel suddenly cries out and sobs a Wukong goes to where the food is and takes a napkin before giving it to her.

Joonghyuk widens his eyes at the thought. Not saying anything as he is too shock at the reveal. The same goes for the Secretive Plotter who is quiet at the reveal.

Meanwhile the Incarnations talk amongst themselves, "To think Master would regress just to meet ahjussi…" Jihye begins as Heewon nods her head.

"I would say these guys are made for each other… no offense, Seolhwa-ssi."

Seolhwa shakes her head, "None taken. I mean, he left me for a man. I'm not surprised since the two of them seem to be made for each other more than I."

Hyunsung glances at Dokja and Joonghyuk who are starting at the episode nonstop.

Meanwhile Sooyoung closes her eyes. So this is why Joonghyuk regresses and selected Dokja as his sponsor. To think it would be like this…

Dokja in the meantime feels like crying. His own 4th wall not responding to whatever the fuck the episode has shown him, possibly because it's the truth. All he wanted is to hide and cry as he hears such a question from Joonghyuk.

Bihyung notices the man silent sobbing as he flies back and grabs a napkin before giving it to him.

Dokja widens his eyes at Bihyung's actions before smiling softly at him, nodding his head in thanks before taking the napkin.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is shaking his head.]

"Just where are you exactly? All the stars in Star Stream have fallen, so, from where are you watching over me?" Joonghyuk continued to mutter out. "No, wait. I know the truth already. You are... probably beyond that [Wall, aren't you."

Everyone immediately looks at Dokja, their eyes widen in surprise as Dokja looks dumbfounded as well, "Behind that wall is… Dokja-ssi?" Sangah asks as Dokja covers both his nose and mouth.

"Wait, if Hyung is at the wall then… are there two hyung's in the world?" Gilyoung asks curiously as he looks at Honghwa who nods their head.

"That's correct," they say. Sooyoung narrows her eyes. Honghwa is still hiding something, but she decided to stay quiet as they continue watching the episode.

Dokja couldn't say anything. He didn't expect the 0th turn's Yoo Joonghyuk to be able to catch onto that. He continued to speak in the meantime.

"Something felt off to me about this world."

It was his first time hearing such a shrewd tone of voice coming from him.

"One day, I suddenly came into existence in this world."

A man who came to exist in this world without a warning.

"Without any memories of my childhood, I was suddenly cast into this world. I wandered around an illegal work site, and through sheer luck, got spotted by the director, and thus became a pro gamer. But then out of the blue, someone abandoned a child on my doorstep. A child, supposedly my younger sister."

A conveniently-crafted life, a series of adversities created solely to become a tragedy later.

"Once, I searched for my parents. However, no matter how hard I searched, I couldn't find them. Even the professionals that could unearth the president's hidden illegitimate child couldn't find my parents. It was as if such things didn't exist in this world, to begin with."

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is...]

"So I ask you, 'Demon King of Salvation.' Who am I?"

Dokja's heart was in pain. The fact that Joonghyuk had eventually reached that question was endlessly tormenting him.

He is already showing just by listening to Joonghyuk's words, completely oblivious to the pitiful glances of the Constellations and Incarnations.

Meanwhile, both regressors feels their heart is being ripped into two pieces. Just hearing such words from their 0th turn… it hurts.

He needed to say something. Anything...

"Does the secret of this world lie beyond the wall, where you are?"

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', asks you if you're not happy currently.]

"I am happy," he replied without a shred of hesitation. "And that's why I'm even more curious about what lies beyond the wall."

"You fool…" the Secretive Plotter says to the 0th turn.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', is...]

"I'm curious about the reason behind all the goodwill you've shown me. I'm also curious about the meaning of my life, where I was born, and why I had to come here. If I had one more chance..."

From somewhere, sounds similar to the ticking clock hands could be heard.

Joonghyuk continued on. "You told me this once upon a time. If I sign the contract with you, you will grant any one wish of mine. Back then, I didn't accept your offer because I was suspicious of you. However, if it's not too late..."

His fingers hovered in the air, searching for a log message that reached him in the distant past.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', wishes to become your Constellation sponsor.]

[Will you accept the offer?]

"I shall accept it now."

Joonghyuk and the Secretive Plotter suddenly feel their whole entire world had collapsed around them. So they didn't select their sponsor because they were dying and desperate… They choose him willingly.

Dizziness rushed in and the shaking of Dokja's surroundings worsened.

He called out to [The 4th Wall].

'The 4th Wall.'

⸢Y ou c a n t⸥

It already knew what he was going to say.

The prerequisite condition needed for Joonghyuk to cross the [Final Wall] was to gather all the 'fragments of the Final Wall'.

However, [The 4th Wall] had no intentions of transferring to Yoo Joonghyuk.

Dokja gritted my teeth and sent a message out.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says that wish can't be granted.]

"Why not?"

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says that it is a truly arduous path, that's why.]

"An arduous path?"

If he couldn't transfer [The 4th Wall] to him, then there was only one option for him to see the conclusion.

[Constellation 'Demon King of Salvation', says that if you wish to cross the [Wall, you must 'regress' first.]

"Regress?"

Gasps are heard throughout the theatre as the revelation is shown.

There it is.

The truth of why Yoo Joonghyuk regressed.

Even with Kim Dokja telling him that it was an arduous path… Yoo Joonghyuk still stubbornly chose the path.

Along with the static noise, his entire figure was dyed in the sparks of Probability.

The world-line was telling Dokja this.

It was saying that he mustn't inform him of this. It said, this information wasn't something the current Yoo Joonghyuk should know.

Despite that, Dokja bit down hard on his lip and shook off the world-line's opposition. Even if he had to sacrifice much more Probability, he wanted to show him the truth.

⸢1 8 6 4⸥

Joonghyuk widens his eyes at the large number of regressions he had to face, '1864 times…!?'

The Secretive Plotter widens his eyes at the number, "What…?"

"1864? What's that supposed to mean?"

Just one more regression then… he would have meet with Kim Dokja? But even so, why did the third round meet with Kim Dokja instead then!? Was he so close to figuring it out the [Final Wall]'s key only to throw it away and become an outer god!?

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says that is the number of times you must regress before you can witness the conclusion.]

Memories from the life he had lived became a Fable and began unfolding next.

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', says that even if you manage to live all those regression turns, the odds of you successfully seeing the conclusion will be extremely low.]

Not only that, the current Yoo Joonghyuk had broken free from the 'original world-line'.

He was no longer Yoo Joonghyuk from the original novel.

Time-lines had branched off, and the 'future' no longer existed.

Even if he did reach the 1864th turn, there was no guarantee that he'd meet 'Kim Dokja' in possession of [The 4th Wall]...

⸢Th ere i s⸥

What?

⸢Er ase the me mo ries of th is t u r n⸥

Both regressors don't even react anymore as they are too overwhelmed by the information given to them. Erase the 0th round memories… no wonder they can't remember what happens… it's because Dokja had erased the memories in order to protect the future…

Goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

⸢What if I give Yu Jung-Hyeok the fragmented memories similar to the 'original' and send him to the next turn?⸥

If so, the world-line should think of this Yoo Joonghyuk as the 'original's Yoo Joonghyuk' from the novel.

He'd be incorporated back into the original's world-line, and live through the first and the second regression turns without any memories from this life.

⸢However, Yoo Joonghyuk would become miserable once more.⸥

⸢Why are y ou de ci ding th at?⸥

Dokja slowly raised my head. Joonghyuk was still talking to him.

"I don't care even if the odds are low."

[Incarnation, 'Yoo Joonghyuk', has accepted your offer.]

The Fable began its storytelling, and the starlights seemed to extend even further.

[Your Incarnation is waiting for you to say something.]

"I cant…" Jihye begins as tears starts to flow down her eyes, "I can't watch this! Master!" She starts to sob as Joonghyuk stays quiet, just watching the episode with shocked eyes. He had been quiet ever since it starts, but the shock in his eyes are true.

Even the Secretive Plotter who is also watching is silent, holding onto Dokja's hand tightly as if not wanting to let go. Dokja feels his heart is bursting. So the reason why he regresses… Is to meet him…?

Dokja remained silent for a long time. And eventually, he came to a decision.

He had no choice but to tell him.

He slowly regulated my breath and opened my mouth.

[Yoo Joonghyuk.]

Been a while since he spoke in his true voice. An incredible storm of Sparks raged on around him. He tried to suppress the incoming waves as much as possible, yet it was still this bad.

Yoo Joonghyuk opened his eyes wide and looked up at the sky. "Was that your real voice?"

[That's right.]

"...I can hear it surprisingly well."

Joonghyuk, going slowly deaf, muttered softly. A faint crease spread over the old man's expression. Dokja pretended not to see that and spoke.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN PRETEND FUCK THAT!!!" Uriel cries as she grabs a shit ton of tissues from the back, "I KNOW HE'S MARRIED AND ALL BUT WHY DOES HE SMILE LIKE A MAN IN LOVE LIKE THIS!?"

"MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!" Heewon screams as she also grab several tissues from the back.

"If he's married then why is he willing to regress and forget about them… about us?" Hyunsung asks, holding back his tears from watching the episode.

[I can send you back. However, if that happens, I won't be able to help you from the next turn onwards.]

The only way to make him reject the offer was to tell him the truth.

[You'll have to use nothing but your own powers to break past the scenarios. Those scenarios will be far worse than you can ever imagine, and... And, you might end up encountering something you didn't want to at the conclusion you'd eventually reach.]

He thought back to Yoo Joonghyuk. He thought back to the sorrows of the 3rd turn, the anguish of the 4th, and the despair of a certain outer god.

The Secretive Plotter widens his eyes underneath his cloak as he bites down on his lips, suddenly nervous at the 0's response. If what he was thinking is true then… The reason why he regress is to meet him beyond the [Final Wall] with Kim Dokja of the 1864th round being the final key to reach him… To meet his… his sponsor…

His sponsor is… Kim Dokja… Who desperately wanted a happy ending for him… Suddenly, his heart is aching like there is no tomorrow. Does his existence mean so much for Kim Dokja to sacrifice so much probability for him that he turned into a child, not remembering anything because of the sacrifices he made for the 0th turn?

[And if you do choose 'regression', then... You will lose the majority of your memories as you cross over.]

Those words caused the soft sounds of Joonghyuk sucking in his breath to come out. No matter how resolute his determination might be, this one should be a hard pill to swallow.

[Only the tiniest fragmented memories from the scenarios will remain in you.]

"..."

[Meaning, everything precious to you will disappear. Lee Seolhwa you remember, Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye, all of them will...]

"Just because I will forget about them, that doesn't mean they'll suddenly stop existing."

Many of the incarnations are already sobbing at this point, especially Dokja who realises that the reason why he regresses is because of himself. Dokja sobs quietly as Bihyung wipes his tears away with the napkin.

Dokja shut his mouth then.

"They definitely continue to live in this world."

⸢They definitely continue to live in this world.⸥

Like branding a seal, those words slammed into a part of his head and invaded deep inside.

It felt as if a gigantic hand of fate was pouncing upon him.

⸢At that moment, Kim Dokja realised that this was the true completion of the 0th turn.⸥

The reason why there was no trace of the 'Most Ancient Dream' in the 0th turn. The reason why, despite that fact, Yoo Joonghyuk still managed to cross over to the first and then, to the second regression turns. Maybe it was...

[...You dumb bastard.]

'The Most Ancient Dream… Is also Kim Dokja…' The Secretive Plotter holds the theatre chair tightly as he tries to piece everything in his head , 'Despite his warning…'

'... I still regress…' Both the Secretive Plotter and Joonghyuk thinks in sorrow.

Dokja gathered his hands and used the power to manipulate the dream gathered in him.

The storm of Probability's aftermath crashing in caused his whole arm to scream in pain as if it was getting twisted and torn off from his body. He recalled all of Yoo Joonghyuk's regression turns that he knew. He gathered all the lives he had led, as well as the Fables he knew, and created a certain Stigma.

A Stigma that acted as the motive power of this world, as well as the source of all of Yoo Joonghyuk's tragedies.

[Stigma, 'Regression', has been generated!]

[Your Stigma has been transferred to your Incarnation!]

Looking satisfied, Yoo Joonghyuk accepted the Stigma.

[Stigma, 'Regression Lv.1', is getting ready to activate.]

"You said earlier that I'll lose my memories."

[...I did.]

Are the thought of the Secretive Plotter and Yoo Joonghyuk of the 3rd round. Tears started flowing down the Plotter's eyes as he watched on. He finally knows what's behind that wall… But not in the way he had anticipated.

As for Joonghyuk… He never expected to learn that such a past exists in his memories.

"Will I lose everything related to you, too?"

He hesitated with his answer. Joonghyuk asked Dokja again.

"Even all that convenient information you told me, too?"

[...Yes.]

"I see."

[If you regret it, then it's not too late to...]

"You also said you won't help me from the next regression turn onwards."

[I can't help you.]

"It's fine to help, however."

[Even if I want to, I can't.]

"I heard that the scenarios exist not just for the Incarnations, but Constellations, as well. Maybe, it was the same story for you."

[...]

"Tell me, you fool. If I continue to regress, will I ever get to meet you again?"

Dokja sobs louder, hugging himself in his chair as if to try and hide himself. Uriel wipes away the tears she had with the napkin before going to where Dokja is and gently hugs him. Sooyoung never expected such a thing to happen as she grips her chair, holding back the tears away.

Dokja couldn't say anything. These were utterances of someone who didn't know anything. In every sense of the word, he was the 0th turn's dumbass continuously babbling on while having no clue about his own future.

'And yet we willingly regressed just for you, you fool…'

Along with the words that hadn't been said yet, Yoo Joonghyuk's ears began disappearing.

⸢The night sky was reflected in Joonghyuk's eyes.⸥

As if he was a child wondering about his origins, Yoo Joonghyuk estimated where in the sky the [Wall] might be and extended his hand towards it.

He'd grow to resent Dokja, and eventually reach the truth of this world.

Joonghyuk holds back his tears. Those words were said by the past Dokja… Are all true. He did resented him before, but… Joonghyuk can't, no couldn't , resent him anymore. Not after finally knowing the truth of the 0th round.

The same goes for the Secretive Plotter. He doesn't think he can resent his sponsor anymore, as it was he who chose such a patch to regress instead of staying in that world…

[Stigma, 'Regression Lv.1', is activating!]

[You have agreed to the activation of the Stigma.]

Joonghyuk's body began scattering away little by little. His arms, his legs, and then, his torso, too.

During the final moments, he called out to Dokja.

"Demon King of Salvation."

With a truly strange and mystifying expression...

"I shall pray that you may continue to exist somewhere, too."

...Yoo Joonghyuk's Incarnation body scattered into silvery powder and he left this world-line.

[The influence of the applicable world-line's 'Overwrite' function does not extend towards the character 'Yoo Joonghyuk's' next regression turn.]

[Your Incarnation has forgotten your Modifier.]

[Your Incarnation has forgotten all memories related to you.]

[All information related to you are now marked as '???']

All of his memories that couldn't be recorded anywhere would now be lost forever.

In that case, where would all those memories go?

Dokjs stared at the flickering light for a very long time.

Junghwa notices the heavy atmosphere as they sigh. It's time for a 5 minute break instead of a 1 minute break it seems.