Chapter Text
Yoo Joonghyuk knew well that Kim Dokja was an anomaly and that he would never see him again if he continued to regress. In past regressions, the man never showed up before, Yoo Joonghyuk wondered, why was this regression so different?
Kim Dokja was a fool, a big one at that. He'd always sacrifice himself for the group. Although he would revive every time, Yoo Joonghyuk would always be there, waiting for him. Not only him, but everyone would wait for him with anxiety slowly crawling up their backs by the hour. He never seemed to understand how important he was, perhaps he did in some capacity.
Yoo Joonghyuk saw the way the others treated Kim Dokja compared to him. In all of his past regressions, Yoo Joonghyuk’s past companions cared for him deeply and stayed by his side during every single scenario. Even sacrificing their lives for him.
In this round Kim Dokja accomplished more than he could have, keeping plenty of people alive. He knew the way his past companions treated him now - they were scared of him. Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Joonghyuk’s right hand man, the man that once persistently protected his back, now hesitated to speak to him. ‘ I wouldn’t blame them, I hate myself too ’
Yes, it may be petty jealousy, the feeling of enviousness embedded in his veins. The warmth of companions that used to course in him now felt empty, similar to a never ending black hole. Kim Dokja would cherish his companions like how he once cherished those same companions.
Besides, Yoo Joonghyuk himself has also taken a liking to Kim Dokja. Kim Dokja was more lively, easier to talk to, more outgoing. Also for some reason, that bastard was adamant to keep all of his companions alive; especially Yoo Joonghyuk.
Joonghyuk made up his mind, he would become the 73rd Demon King, no matter what circumstance. The group needed Kim Dokja, he was their source of life, the core of the group. It was clear who was more important between him and Yoo Joonghyuk.
With a 100% chance that Dokja would die to fate, Yoo Joonghyuk would just need to delay his death for another time.
Before pondering any further, a loud spark halted his thoughts. There beheld a purple jewel on the throne.. The purple jewel that would decide the fate of everyone’s life. He needed to keep the jewel away from Dokja.
Joonghyuk quickly dashed towards the jewel and grasped it in his hands. A heavy, dark aura swallowed him whole, a powerful surge of strength welled up within him.
“You better keep your promise” Yoo Joonghyuk whispered quietly, a voice low and rough so only Kim Dokja could hear. Kim Dokja flinched at the statement, a memory flickered in his mind.
Days prior, Kim Dokja promised Yoo Joonghyuk that he would never give up on the goal to see the end of all scenarios. Should he not keep the promise, Yoo Joonghyuk would come back from the dead and kill him.
「 THE GRAND JEWEL HAS CHOSEN A CANDIDATE FOR THE NEXT 73RD DEMON KING 」
“YOO JOONGHYUK YOU BASTARD!” Kim Dokja desperately shouted
‘Everyone’s now against me. They probably think that I’m trying to kill them... So then, they’re going to try to kill me? This is for the best, for the group and for the ending of scenarios.’ Yoo Joonghyuk reasoned with himself.
As soon as he was consumed by his thoughts, Yoo Sangah swiftly took the stone away from him in one motion. Yoo Joonghyuk clenched his hands, down to nothing except thin air. Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes widened in shock, and suddenly, a noticeable feeling of hostility surrounded him, the air felt heavy.
「 THE SUCCESSION OF THE DEMON KING HAS BEEN CANCELED 」
“Don’t get in my way!” he growled and lunged forward toward the stone. The stone was getting distanced from him by the second because of Yoo Sangah; he had to reach it before Dokja did.
He decided to get to the jewel with brute force accompanied by the fact everyone was fighting him. That was until Kim Dokja stopped everyone from going any further,
“Why are you doing this!” Kim Dokja demanded, looking for answers.
‘ Why doesn’t he understand? He, of all people, should know why I’m doing this! He always sacrifices himself,’ Yoo Joonghyuk annoyingly thought. It was either him or Dokja, and he already made up his mind that Kim Dokja would not die here.
“You should know, you have the window as well.” Yoo Joonghyuk replied calmly.
Kim Dokja glanced at the window to reread the updated scenario, after finishing it, he realised the situation.
“So, you’re sacrificing yourself?” Kim Dokja’s voice trembled with disbelief; it felt like his perception of TWSA was being chipped away.
His gaze swam with a bewildered haze, a frown with a troubled furrow etched itself onto his face. Why would Yoo Joonghyuk sacrifice himself? He never acted like that in TWSA… This wasn’t the Yoo Joonghyuk he read over the past 10 years.
Yoo Joonghyuk looked Kim Dokja fiercely straight in the eye, he nodded his head and responded with determination.“Yes, kill me and continue to the next scenario”
So Kim Dokja’s suspicions were correct. ‘Fuck, did that sunfish-bastard not even think about what would happen to this world when he regresses?’
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at Kim Dokja, understanding what he was thinking. “You’re worried that this world will disappear when I regress, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I already asked my supporting constellation. This world will not disappear when I regress.” Yoo Joonghyuk told him as he chased after Yoo Sangah
‘ What,’ Kim Dokja thought, ‘This world won’t disappear? Why in the world is his constellation responding after all this time, never once in TWSA did his supporting constellation respond’
Kim Dokja stood there, as if conflicted with many emotions. At the same time, Yoo Joonghyuk took the jem, fighting off the rest of the members.
Kim Dokja devised a plan, attack Yoo Joonghyuk in miniaturization form and at the right time, turn back to his original form. If he times it right, he will still be able to use electrification. But before he could even execute the plan, a new system message dinged.
「 THE 73RD DEMON KING HAS BEEN CHOSEN 」
‘Shit.’