Chapter 9: Stupid Cousins and Outer Gods
Klein had returned to the present.
Kim Dokja was still talking to his companions awkwardly in a picnic-like party scene. It was like no time had passed at all, but his cousin's back had grown bigger, and his shoulders straighter.
"Dokja," Klein said softly.
Kim Dokja looked back at Klein while talking with Yoo Sangah, and his expression was complicated. Klein's expression was also complicated and deep.
"I confirmed it," Klein said, and the quiet words carried.
Yoo Sangah looked between them, and then smiled calmly, respectfully stepping away. "I'll give you two a moment. Dokja-ssi, please remember to relax."
Kim Dokja stepped closer.
"Already?" he asked, surprised and on guard.
Klein nodded, throat feeling thick. Yes, it only took some years…
"You were right. It was real."
Several expressions flashed on this older Kim Dokja's face. He was shaken, but there was also hope, worry, and longing there. Most of all, there was caution.
"Do you remember?" he asked.
"I just lived it."
"What?"
"I just lived it. Your Star Stream is very strange. I went back into the past, and met you. I introduced myself as your cousin, and we lived all those years together."
In the ensuing silence, Klein could hear the laughter and games of children, the sizzling of a grill, the quiet and calm chatter of the gossipping adults…
Kim Dokja stared at the grass.
"You grew up well," Klein said awkwardly. Even though he had just seen the young Kim Dokja a day ago, talking with him was now so difficult.
Kim Dokja said finally, "So you aren't my cousin?"
[The constellation that likes to switch genders says he knew it!]
[The constellation that likes to switch genders eats some popcorn.]
[The Prisoner of the Golden Headband says to hush again.]
[The Demon-Like Judge of Fire is confused by the censoring, but also feels like crying.]
Klein twitched. What bad timing…
I forgot in the present day, we have these listeners…
"Not exactly," Klein said, but then added, "At least not by blood. However, I do consider you my cousin, Dokja." It's best to make it very clear, with his personality.
Kim Dokja nodded, but his expression was very strange. Klein found himself unable to read it.
People are indeed complex, he thought, not for the first time, but now felt quite sentimental. Dokja, I can't read everyone as easily as a novel. I have no idea what you're thinking right now, after all.
Kim Dokja nodded one more time, and then turned around.
He went back to Yoo Sangah and continued talking like nothing had happened.
Klein sighed.
It will take some time.
.
Kim Dokja, after regaining his confidence, provoked a mysterious atmosphere in the party, and revealed that his ■■ was the 'final chapter'. This caused a stir amongst the constellations.
Klein had no idea what this meant.
Of course, this is related to his conception of the world as a 'novel'. The other constellations also seemed to imply ' ■■' was related to the end. Then there is the existence of the Most Ancient Dream. Does this mean that the scenarios have a built-in end? Does this Dream have a time limit? Is this the reason behind the resets, to continuously extend the ending of the Dream? Klein theorized. Could this be related to my role here, or did I already fulfill it?
Klein decided this didn't matter. His motives for remaining here had changed, after all—this story was no longer simply a transactional exchange between him and the Most Ancient Dream.
.
Over the next days, Kim Dokja was in the habit of gift-giving to all the companions in the industrial complex. Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung got so many gadgets and odds and ends they ran around the complex like christmas trees. Lee Jihye got a strange trifold hat. Yoo Sangah got a bracelet, but seemed perturbed. Jung Heewon got an expensive suit, and seemed happy with it. Lee Hyungsung got a shield, which he occasionally stroked fondly.
"Here," Kim Dokja told Klein abruptly, when Klein was just wondering if he would also get a gift or not, handing him a small, palm-sized item. Dokja then immediately left.
Klein inspected the item.
Cousin, what did you get for me? he wondered, amused and also worried.
It was a silver pin, encrusted in a suave obsidian lining. When Klein read the description, it was an SSS grade defensive item that would automatically tank any fatal hit once or twice. When Klein thought through the abilities he had revealed so far, the gift was rather thoughtful—this would allow him to defend against any unexpected situation then quickly teleport away.
However, Klein already had a number of other defensive measures, like battling in a historic projection, using marionettes to disguise his true self, paper figurines, and on and on. And ultimately, only his consciousness was in this dream—his true body was still in Sefirah Castle, sleeping.
Still, Klein put the pin on the lapel of his suit, smiled, and patted it.
Still, it's nice to get a gift from my cousin. I'll protect it well.
.
The next day, Klein's spiritual intuition rang sharply while drinking coffee outside. He dropped the cup in his hands, then flinched, staring at the 73rd Demon Realm's amber sky.
What is coming? The disaster of the stars? This feels…
"Klein?" Jung Heewon asked, confused. A second ago, they had been chatting normally. She immediately began picking up the ceramic cup pieces, but paused when she saw Klein wasn't doing anything. "What's wrong?"
"Something big is coming," Klein said. "I need to find Dokja. Be prepared."
He began moving quickly.
Kim Dokja had been running around relentlessly during those peaceful days, looking very busy and focused. Did he know? No, it must be impossible. Even I was taken unawares, and we still should have over a day remaining before it arrives…
Klein burst into the room Kim Dokja was using as an office, busily working at something, and exclaimed, "Cousin, something big is coming—something nearly at the level of a true god."
Kim Dokja looked up, then said hazily, "I know."
"What? How?"
"Surya's chariot was damaged strangely, like something had eaten it. Kyrgios and the Sword Saint also encountered it in the First Murim World. And... nevermind."
Klein was frustrated. "This is important information. Is this why you were handing out gifts? No, first, what do you know about it?"
Dokja smiled. "It should be an outer god."
Klein shivered. It really is an outer god? There are outer gods here? He thought of a worse possibility. Did it come from outside the Dream, looking for me?
"Which one? Does it have a name?"
"Not exactly. They are often nameless."
Nameless! That's good, that's good. There's no Mother Tree of Desire… Klein still felt traumatized at the "I want your child, admiral" incident. Klein relaxed slightly.
Ah. In this context of this Dream, would I be considered an outer god too?
This was a somewhat strange and disturbing thought. No, the relationship shouldn't be the same, as there was no 'barrier' I pierced through. Instead, I simply drifted in while asleep and even freeloaded under the Star Stream's gaze. Besides, there are no sefirots or paths to covet in this Dream; instead, the nature of the Dream is very self-contained. Yes, there shouldn't be any motive for other Outer Gods to enter here… In fact, perhaps this Dream realm, being like Earth, is also somehow contained and protected within our own barrier…
His cousin was staring at him, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"In any case," Klein said more calmly, "we should have a day until it arrives. What is your plan?"
"This is the first time you've been so concerned, cousin."
Klein felt a sense of distance with his cousin, and tried to explain to close the gap. "The danger levels are very high. If not prevented, the outcome may be difficult this time… Before, I didn't understand the situation, and now this danger is qualitatively of a different nature…"
However, his words felt somewhat useless. The unlucky smile on Dokja's face only grew.
Your Dream might end! Klein wanted to say. All this time, the Dream that has been watching you would subtly protect you and ensure you can survive, but this is different. An outer god, by definition, is a powerful creature not controlled by your Dream!
But Kim Dokja couldn't know this yet.
"Cousin, how did you know about the outer god?" Kim Dokja asked.
… Family is difficult, sometimes.
Klein sighed, and said, "I have an ability to divine, especially the danger levels of a situation. Currently, my spiritual intuition tells me the situation is quite bad."
"What is your attribute?"
"I don't know exactly. I don't seem to have an attribute in the same way many people here do. But I can divine, teleport, and create projections of items I have possessed, among other things."
"What does your attribute window say?"
"I haven't opened it."
All these sharp questions came out coldly. Apparently, Dokja had a lot of patience for Klein when he full-heartedly considered him his cousin, but Klein himself had broken that illusion. Now, Dokja was unsure. Cousin, this stiff expression doesn't suit you very well. However, it was because of the emptiness lurking behind his eyes, that Klein continued answering the questions faithfully one by one, even though they instead should have been strategizing.
"Why not?"
"I was only recently connected to the Star Stream. It didn't seem necessary."
"You only recently connected to the Star Stream?" Kim Dokja asked in disbelief. "This isn't a lie, but… I don't understand. Who are you?"
"I'm Klein Moretti, your cousin," Klein said stubbornly. Normally, he would be more awkward about topics like this, but he knew the younger Dokja was a brickhead if he didn't say it properly.
"No, I mean… Did you already have your abilities before the Star Stream?"
"Yes. I obtained them in a different manner."
"How?"
"It's a bit difficult to explain, but in the future, I should be able to tell you," Klein said earnestly.
"Klein, you…"
"I promise, I will tell you one day. It is not yet the time," Klein spoke like a charlatan.
Kim Dokja blew out air slowly, losing the cold expression, then gave up, dropping his forehead to the table. In their college days, Dokja had done this many times when he was frustrated, with his classmates, or his homework, for example. His cousin again looked a little cute.
Cousin, you were really trying hard to act stern… Klein applauded, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief that it was over.
"Okay," Dokja said. "You really are different again, Klein. Then, about the outer god, the plan is…" He paused for a long time, looking at the ceiling now, then admitted crookedly, self-deprecatingly, "Well, I have no plan. I could use some help, cousin."
Klein smiled, and said, "This is why I originally came here."
They began discussing the outer god in earnest.
.
"Speaking of, all of the listeners have been unusually quiet," Klein at one point remarked, referring to the constellations.
Dokja was quiet for a moment. "It's because the channels are all closed."
The dokkaebi didn't dare to come stream the outer god.
The constellations were also afraid.
.
"Let's evacuate the citizens first," Klein said. "Though the descent will impact the entire 73rd Demon Realm, its attention will likely be focused on this industrial complex. We can evacuate them to the Yoo Junghyuk industrial complex for the time being."
Dokja looked surprised, then agreed.
"Regarding our defenses, there are not many who can stand against an outer god…" Klein continued. "In fact, it's better if everyone evacuates. I will stay…"
"What?" Dokja interrupted.
.
They then had a long argument. Finally, Dokja again gave up.
"Use that pin well, and escape quickly if you need to," Dokja said. "You can leave from here anytime, can't you?"
"I can," Klein agreed, then added, "I can also take others with me."
"If we all escape, all of the Demon Realm will collapse. We'll try stopping it first."
.
"What were you planning on doing if I didn't come here?" Klein asked curiously.
Kim Dokja was quiet.
.
In the end, there was an orderly evacuation. Jung Heewon had already warned the other main members of the complex, and so they were grouped together, prepared with their weapons and discussing plans separately.
The tiny Kyrgios and the giant Breaking the Sky Sword Saint were standing at the forefront, solemnly watching the sky.
"This will be difficult," the Sword Saint said grimly.
"My crazy disciple got me mixed up into this…" Kyrgios muttered, referring to Kim Dokja.
"We were both unlucky with our disciples."
.
Finally, the outer god came.
Those that chose to stay quivered. A nothingness filled the sky—the god, the being, the entity that had come was indescribable. In the end, they didn't know how to react.
The Indescribable Distance.
The ground shivered like a fetus.
Kyrgios and the Sword Saint attacked, but were repelled.
A vast eye opened.
A lonely star twinkled in the sky in defiance—it was the Demon King of Salvation.
And meanwhile, Klein stood, standing his ground and staring at the incomprehensible being. So it's not anyone from outside of the Dream… He sighed with relief. In fact, this being still seems to be oddly suited to the Dream. As if it were just a deeper layer, floating within hidden depths of the sea of subconsciousness… The Dream's protection might still continue.
However, the situation still did not look good.
[The 73rd Demon Realm is crying out in pain!]
[The 'Demon World's Spring' is in effect!]
[The giant story 'Demon World's Spring' is moving for the owner of the story.]
Kim Dokja was mumbling something.
[The chief narrator of the giant story 'Demon World's Spring' has started his story.]
The other members of the party let out a cry and fell to the ground, as if heavy shackles had suddenly pushed them to the ground. At first, Klein thought this was due to the outer god, but he realized it was not so. … The story they all participated in is binding them? Kim Dokja is doing this?
Klein felt something ominous. In that moment, he looked at his cousin and realized:
You lied. You had a plan all along.
Lee Hyungsung shouted at Kim Dokja and asked him about the gifted shield, and Kim Dokja calmly said it was for another scenario.
Lee Jihye wildly asked about her hat, and Kim Dokja replied similarly.
Jung Heewon…
Shin Yoosung…
His companions were screaming and shouting at Kim Dokja not to die. Jung Heewon screamed that she didn't want to survive like this, and that they should fight together.
Klein remembered that first meeting in the past, when Kim Doka stared at the water from the bridge with dark, fathomless eyes. His expression was a little like that now.
[Please live.] the Demon King of Salvation said to his companions.
To Klein, Kim Dokja then said, "It's time. You should teleport away."
… This stupid! Your shoulders are broader, but did you really grow at all? Klein, feeling unbelievably frustrated, stepped in front of his cousin. "I will handle this," Klein said.
"No, I am handling it."
It was like back in the Demon Realm, but Klein wasn't sleepy and confused anymore. He also felt very motivated.
"No, cousin. Sometimes, the days can be hard, and sometimes they can be easy. The days pass better when you don't worry unnecessarily."
"What are you doing?" Kim Dokja then cried out from behind, the grim mask breaking, as Klein stepped forward.
"Protecting you, cousin," Klein said calmly. Blue probability sparks flew from his fingers, but he stood in front of the incomprehensible being firmly. He did not feel crazy just by seeing it—after all, Klein had already long surpassed the status of an angel. In fact, I could be considered somewhat of an incomprehensible being as well…
The blue sparks grew and grew. Tentacles flew from Klein's back and attacked the outer god. The incomprehensible creature momentarily grew dumb, stopping in its advance. The spirit threads were useless due to its size, but there were many other methods.
"Klein, Klein." Human hands were grabbing his shoulders. They were Kim Dokja's warm hands, flinching amidst the plausibility storm. A voice shouted in his ears, "Stop! I have a way!"
"There are many realities you must face," Klein said, while still slowly subduing the outer god, "and many misfortunes you will see. But step by step, we will create the conclusion to our own stories."
Meanwhile, a white-gray fog rumbled and covered the horizon. This was not Klein's fog. He concentrated, and some gray fog spilled into the Dream from the Historic Void, fighting against it, establishing the world's history and preventing it from disintegrating.
"Klein, cousin, you don't need to do this. I already understand."
"Some things are a bit painful sometimes," Klein continued. "But that doesn't matter. If it's painful and we're still doing it, then that means it's important. So I don't mind. And cousin, in this case, the cost isn't too high…"
Kim Dokja's hands were gone. He was no longer behind him.
Uh…
Kim Dokja was already in front of Klein, and was rapidly approaching the outer god.
What is he doing?
No, really, the cost isn't too high for me… I was just telling you not to worry unnecessarily…
[The Demon King of Salvation has begun its storytelling!]
Did I talk for too long? Cousin, why don't you listen to me a little more? If I use Fooling, will he stop, or do even more unnecessary things?
Klein stared dumbly as his cousin ran at the outer god, and leapt into the air, dark wings sprouting from his back and horns growing from his black mop of hair. A light filled his body, and it was almost as if a star was rising into the sky.
Wait, I can't fly… Klein realized this thought was a bit wrong, and then quickly shapeshifted into a bird and chased after his crazy cousin into the storming sky.
The rest of the companions watched from below, stunned.
.
Klein wasn't sure what happened. Suddenly, he was fighting a different god.
[The Most Ancient Dream is looking at you.]
[The Most Ancient Dream thanks you.]
[The Most Ancient Dream smiles.]
Meanwhile, blue sparks poured off of Klein's body in the midst of a raging storm of nothingness already created by an outer god. With these sparks, the Dream was telling him, 'Your stories don't exist here! Your actions are implausible! Please stop!'
Are they both stupid? Klein criticized angrily. What is bad about me protecting Kim Dokja now? Why are you assigning me a role, then preventing me from doing what I want in it?
[The Most Ancient Dream asks you not to interfere too much.]
[The Most Ancient Dream says it was a selfish wish.]
[The Most Ancient Dream apologizes.]
… This stupid! Why did you give me such a stupid cousin!? Klein felt unreasonably angry and upset, in a time when he needed to keep a calm focus.
However, Kim Dokja was gone from sight, and the interference to his divination grew and grew until everything was static. Klein pushed back against it again and again, forcing the divination through each time. However, the interference from two strong opponents was enough to delay him. The disintegrating white-gray fog grew and grew until it encompassed everything. The 73rd Demon Realm shivered, and gradually broke.
Klein then heard a resounding shout.
[Secretive Plotter! I would like to make an 'Outer World Covenant' with you!]
Klein thought then, bewildered, Secretive Plotter? The one who always asks me to explain my actions aloud? An outer god? What is Dokja thinking?
Then the nature of the Dream wavered, and Klein was momentarily pushed back into a familiar gray fog, his body twitching into wakefulness briefly, before Klein urgently pushed himself back into the Dream. I need to hurry—
Instead of a splintering and stormy Demon Realm, however, he was again surrounded by clear skies and a surprisingly intact but still ruined skyline of Seoul.
What?
My cousin must have had some sort of real plan after all, rather than somehow sacrificing himself to save the situation… Why couldn't he just explain it clearly? I would be much happier if he explained it one step at a time without hiding anything, he criticized. He must still be alive somehow then… His plan had something to do with 'Secretive Plotter'. First, I should find out his location.
His divination succeeded this time, though the sparks again bit at his fingers.
Kim Dokja is in Seoul. Everything is fine.
Klein, finally calming down, asked some passerbys some questions.
He then discovered this:
3 years had passed in a wink.
.
… Time really works rather strangely in this Dream, Klein lampooned, but was upset.
Finally, he stood still, and said to the sky, "Don't do that again."
There was no response.
.
When Klein went to the center of Seoul, he discovered a familiar metallic complex there sitting as if it always belonged—this was the Kim Dokja Industrial Complex from the 73rd Demon Realm.
He wandered around the complex then, looking for an entrance or any familiar faces. Finally, he found one, and waved casually. Jung Heewon called his name from on top of the walls of the industrial complex.
"Klein? Klein Moretti, is that you?"
Klein brightened, and snapping his fingers, directly teleported in front of her. He smiled. "Heewon-ssi, it's me. I hope you have been doing well." Klein then explained everything without hesitation, leaving out the parts related to the gray fog.
She looked shocked, then moved. "I'm glad you're alive, Klein. We didn't know what happened, after you both disappeared. And Kim Dokja..."
"What's the situation?" Klein asked. "Isn't Kim Dokja here?"
"Ah, well, Dokja-ssi also returned some days ago, and… Well, there hasn't been a lot of opportunity to talk," Jung Heewon said somewhat nervously, which was uncharacteristic. "Everyone was eating dinner right now, I can lead you to them…"
Deeper into the complex they went. Klein was surprised to see familiar faces he had just seen hours ago, but all of their expressions were strange as they stared at him. There was Han Sooyoung, Lee Jihye, Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Lee Hyungsung… Yoo Sangah was missing.
"It's you," Yoo Junghyuk stood immediately, holding the handle of his sword.
"Wait, don't knock him out!" Jung Heewon blurted. "He's more reasonable than Dokja-ssi. We all would have done the same thing in his position, if we could."
Yoo Junghyuk's concerns were very different, however. His eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
Klein frowned. "I'm Klein, Dokja's cousin."
"I let it go because of that for so long. Who are you?"
"Hey, hey, you crazy bastard," Han Sooyoung said tensely, pushing the protagonist's arm down. "This isn't the time for that. Kim Dokja just came back, and his cousin now is back too. We can celebrate instead. Though, Klein, you could explain a little…"
"Ah, I'm not sure. After that outer god came, I arrived in Seoul again, three years later. To me, it was as if no time passed at all."
"What? Really?"
"Before it happened, I heard Kim Dokja make an outer world covenant. It might be related to that."
Yoo Junghyuk's grip on his sword tightened again, but he was now successfully distracted.
Klein was sympathetic. I understand. Your boyfriend… crush… ehm, something suddenly disappeared for three years after looking like he was dying. Then his cousin randomly appears again one day. I would be suspicious too. However, this time I am really innocent.
Finally, Klein finally sat down, and caught up with all that had happened in the last few years, feeling that it was surreal.
They were beating the scenarios well, the adults told him calmly, as if indicating he should stay out of it.
The last scenario had been a returnee disaster scenario.
Kim Dokja had returned as an ugly squid, the children told him eagerly.
"A squid?" Klein repeated skeptically, but didn't show it in his face or voice.
… Yes? A squid? Shin Yoosung, is this part of you continuously calling Kim Dokja ugly?
"Yeah, Kim Dokja was really ugly then, wasn't he?" Han Sooyoung snorted. "A squid is a squid, after all."
"I told Yoo Junghyuk he wasn't actually ahjussi, but he still beat him up," Shin Yoosung said, shaking her head.
"Then he knocked out hyung!" Lee Gilyoung piped up, somehow happy. "So now hyung is sleeping for a long time."
… Yes? Klein rapidly grew more concerned, and glanced around the table.
"We drugged him," Han Sooyoun said bluntly, forking some lettuce into her mouth casually. "Now he can't go anywhere."
Klein coughed. This situation is a bit…
"Can I see my cousin?" he asked finally.
.
After some arguing and calm persuasion, Klein finally gained permission to visit his cousin. Like a certain fairytale princess, Kim Dokja was locked up in the highest tower of the complex, and there was a strong ward around the room.
Klein looked at his sleeping and drugged cousin for a long time. Then he sighed. When I said they cared about you, this wasn't what I intended. Even if I understand, I think they went a little too far…
Kim Dokja's sleeping face softly puffed breaths of air in and out. He somehow looked immensely at peace. It was somehow satisfying just to look at him. He looked young, but also matured. Klein could even imagine him having become wiser. It would be good if he always rested this way. Did three years also pass for him, or did he somehow skip it like me?
Klein coughed, and found that he didn't have the heart to take out the IV needle either.
Yes, yes, perhaps it wouldn't be bad if my cousin stayed put for a little bit…
Thus Klein also became guilty by association.
He chatted with the other companions over the next weeks, and quickly became comfortable with them again, particularly Han Sooyoung who was always blunt and had already treated him like a friend three years ago. He fulfilled the scenarios with them, and tried to make the dangerous situations somewhat less dangerous. Yoo Junghyuk clearly still didn't like him, but this was fine.
Sometimes, Klein would go with the children to visit the top tower, and they would bicker, and then intently stare at Kim Dokja, almost to the point where it was disturbing.
Sometimes, Klein would also talk to Dokja.
"Cousin, this dream is sometimes quite annoying…"
"I don't understand the role I am supposed to play here, or even if I was meant to have one. However, the more I think about it, this is life, isn't it? None of us understand our roles or purposes, so we create them…"
"Back home, there are many people I need to protect. If I had lost, even if the world wouldn't end, many more lives would be destroyed. I chose this because I trusted myself, in the end."
"Sometimes, living is the harder choice. You have to move day by day, eat, act, work… Even if you do it once, it isn't enough. You have to do it over and over again. Some days are tough, but then some days are easy. When you find the easy days, you have to keep living for them, and then everything will become easier."
"I really enjoyed the time I spent with you in college."
"I don't want you to die, cousin."
Then, unfortunately, Kim Dokja woke up only some days after that, when some foolhardy incarnations raided the complex and tried to steal their precious 'Moonlit Empress'. After everyone ran back to stop Kim Dokja's escape, Klein found him first, exploring the industrial complex, lost and opening doors randomly.
Kim Dokja's eyes had widened when he saw Klein, but then his head dropped slightly, and he said sincerely,
"Thank you, cousin. I enjoyed that time with you too."
Ah. Did you hear everything I said while you were sleeping? Klein was embarrassed, but smiled, and patted Dokja on the head. Dokja startled, surprised.
"Ehm. Good, that's good. You are really growing up well now. Just don't do what you did earlier again, and explain things more clearly next time," he advised.
Dokja was too embarrassed by this, ducking his head and then shrugging off his hand.
Klein was also somewhat embarrassed, but hid it better. Eh? Why did my cousin suddenly grow normal sensibilities? he lampooned. He didn't mind this before. Well, I suppose he is a full adult now. Ehm. But I'm still technically older…
The two cousins stared at each other awkwardly.
Still, it felt like the wall between them had begun to mend.
"So—"
Then Han Sooyoung and Lee Hyungsung also caught up, and had many things to say to Dokja.