Chapter Text
The chit and chatter was particularly loud, surprisingly many people were actually talking good things about the story, one thing that was also surprising, yet logical, was the fact that no one has taken over the station. It was relatively hard to tune out the chatter due to my user being brought from time to time, all of speaking that stopped when attention was brought onto us.
???: “Hey, 1089th!”
Looking ahead I could see a fat man with tanned skin and brown hair call out to us.
Weird, ■■■■ is being more descriptive...
Minseob: “763rd!”
Minseob and the guy shook hands casually.
Minseob: “How have you been man? You're looking good.”
763rd: “Good my ass, its been hell because of the Tyrant King.”
Right, the Tyrant King's growth was fast tracked by some idiot prophets.
Minseob: “That's why I told you not to go towards Dobong-Gu.”
763rd: “Yeah, I should've listened. By the way... Is that... You know... Him?”
763rd's gaze looked past us and settled on Junghyeok. After a small nod from Minseob, 763rd's face lit up.
763rd: “It's a great honor to meet you, mr. Yoo Junghyeok!”
Quickly after that many voices came up, loud voices.
“Wait, what?”
“He's really here!?”
“Where is he!?”
And soon after that we were surrounded in all sides, every possible angle, by a sea of people, all speaking loudly.
“Mr Junghyeok!”
“So dreamy~~.”
“He's so handsome! Kyahhhh~!”
“So hot~~!”
“Oh my god! I feel so hot!”
“I'm straight and all but...”
“He looked at me? Omg he looked at me!”
A cacophony of voices, so loud, so irritating, so... Infuriating
They're making our nephew uncomfortable, kill them!
You can kill them easily, we can't trust them yet.
Shit! Why does she have to be asleep now of all times!? ■■■ wake up! You gotta wake up! ■■■'s...
... What?
Shit! He can hear me!? Uh... Uh... Right, Increase power! Where is that book!? Found it!.....
... Don't listen to them, you know the best course...
The sounds quieted down and I was able to think easier.
I softly patted Junghyeok's shoulder, an action that seemed to calm down the kid. I smiled softly before turning my attention to the still speaking crowd, who is now also focused on Namwoon, though he seemed more happy of the attention.
“Hey. Hey! HEY! Leave the kids be! Your stressing them out.”
Everyone immediately turned their eyes to me, their malice filled, judgemental eyes. But as quickly, they looked away. Behind me, Dokja coughed to gain our attention. Dokja addressed 763rd with a kind voice, though it could be easily seen as a front by both me and Junghyeok.
Dokja: “So, where is this secret weapon?”
763rd nodded before leading us to the center of the station, where a giant scaly red egg the size of a human stood.
What?
It's a trap!
There are 23 places where you and the others can take cover.
Junghyeok: “What is the meaning of this!?”
Junghyeok held 763rd by the throat, ready to kill the man if he said anything wrong.
763rd: “W-What do you mean S-Sir?”
Junghyeok tightened his grip, nearly suffocating the man.
Junghyeok: “Who put this here?”
763rd: “I-I don't k-know sir! T-Truly!”
CRACK!
The egg started to hatch, and from the cracks came a glow. Before I knew it, I was running towards a kid, a gray slime like thing in hand already morphing into something.
“You wanna know what I got from the rewards?”
Dokja simply nodded.
“Just these two.”
[ITEM CATALOGUE]
- JACKET OF RESISTANCE
Unique constellation artifact
Increases all resistance to 85%
A jacket colored black on the top half and orange on the bottom half. Was said to have been worn by a sage of a bygone era when they came to [REDACTED]
- MIMICKING
A gray slime like thing that mimics anything from weapons, shields, to armor at the cost of draining the mana of the user
Dokja: “... You are never beating the allegations.”
“I know.”
I pushed the kid away from the hatching egg, then quickly raised the shield in front of me.
[GROUP CHAT - WHOLE ASS TEAM FOR AN AMATEUR NOVEL]
TheSage02
Ok, that critic does have some good points.
Believer63
I ag re e .
StylusOnFireM
But he's mean (˶˃⤙˂˶)
TheSage02
Where did you learn to emoticon?
StylusOnFireM
@tls123 taught me <(˘ ˘ ˘)>
TheSage02
Speaking of tls, where is she?
No, wait I know, she lurking.
tls123
You weren't supposed to know ┬┴┤_•)
TheSage02
About the mimicking, does it also mimic the skills of the gear it copies?
tls123
I planned for it to, but that's a bit op, ain't it (ᵕ—ᴗ—)?
TheSage02
Yeah, that would be op.
Sty I don't care if they're mean, they have good points.
[ITEM CATALOGUE]
NAME: DRAGON SCALE SHIELD OF THE HOLY DRAGON
Buffs: Copies the stats of the user and amplifies it by 1.5x, allows the user to use the skill [DRAGON SCALE BARRIER], the barrier created by this shield is affected by buffs but not debuffs
Lore: Is said to have been the shield used by the Holy Dragon as he fulfilled the role of tank for his party
[The skill, DRAGON SCALE BARRIER, has activated.]
A dome made out of blue translucent hexagons appeared, covering the egg, it then rapidly grew, pushing away anyone in its way. Just as the egg hatched, everyone was safely out of the dome, everyone except me, Junghyeok, Dokja, and Namwoon.
[MONSTER CATALOUGE]
Name: LESSER DRAGON IGNIS
Tier: 5
Category: Lesser Behemoth-Class, Fire Dragon
Notes: It can bleed, it can die. PARRY. BLOCK. DODGE
Did I really put that in the catalouge? Did I even play Dark Souls?
I let down the shield dome as my mana reaches critical amounts.
Junghyeok: “You alright?”
He offered his hand to help me get up, I took it, though I noticed that something was off with him.
“Yeah, just low mana level.”
After I said that a bright yellow flash appeared on top of the dragon, who has stopped moving. As the flash subsided a white humanoid looking dokkaebi wearing a black suit and glasses.
A mid level dokkaebi! Wait I think I know this one... Paul? Yeah it was Paul!
Paul: “How did you end up entering this route? You did seem pretty ahead of yourselves lately... Gosh. How could you awaken The Catastrophe when you haven't even completed the fourth scenario? Some of you have supporting constellation who care about you, so I can't let you die, but I still can't lower the difficulty. It's been decided, there will be no change to the difficulty. But it's be no fun if you all died, so I'll change the scenario to the best of my abilities.”
He snapped his fingers and yellow lightning sparked from them.
[An impromptu sub scenario has been added to the hidden scenario.]
[HIDDEN SCENARIO - DIVIDED WE FALL, UNITED WE FALL]
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: A
Clear Conditions: Defeat the minor catastrophe, LESSER DRAGON IGNIR, within the time limit or survive its attack
Time Limit: 20 minutes
Rewards: 3,000 coins, ???
Penalty For Failure: Death
[GROUP CHAT]
NAMWOON
Do we have a plan?
SUBARU
Nope.
DOKJA
None at all
JUNGHYEOK
I'm surprised either of you haven't made a plan yet.
SUBARU
Cut us some slack, that thing is a dragon, even if it is lesser.
DOKJA
Well I do have one, but you all have to trust me.
SUBARU
Why do I feel like that would be a bad idea?
But fine I'll trust you.
JUNGHYEOK
As do I
NAMWOON
I got nothing
I stared at the once again active dragon before looking over my shoulder to look at Dokja.
Dokja: “Everyone! Run clockwise!”
Upon hearing that most bolted in accordance to what Dokja said. Well, everyone except me.
[The skill, DRAGON SCALE BARRIER, has activated.]
[Your light shines, all stats have been increased by 150%.]
“Look alive guys, you ain't dead yet.”
Random: “Thank you! Thank you!”
I stayed between the tail-end of the pack and the dragon, shield in hand.
[GROUP CHAT]
DOKJA
Subaru!?
NAMWOON
Oi, old man, do you have a death wish?
JUNGHYEOK
Do you need help?
SUBARU
I'll be fine don't worry.
After getting that message from Subaru, I was pretty annoyed, but I had to keep moving.
“Look for a plate!”
Junghyeok: “Understood.”
Seongguk, Minseob: “What!?”
Namwoon:“Can you make sense here, old man!?”
Does that brat call everyone an old man or what?
“Just look for plate number 6 or 3 and 3! We just need it a total of 6!”
[Tier 5 fire dragon, LESSER DRAGON IGNIS, Is preparing to use the attack, FLAME OF DESTRUCTION.]
[Number plates have been activated.]
Plates similar to the Rooms in Chungmuro.
[ABSOLUTE SHIELD, will be activated for 10 seconds when the number of people standing on the plate is equal to the number that's written on it.]
Namwoon: “Oh, these plates?”
This has to be trap, The Apostles are the most likely culprit. I have to admit it's a good plan, no matter how small they know of the future, it's good for less to know of it.
People began to maim others to keep their plate. That wasn't surprising, though what was surprising was Subaru picking up anyone and everyone who got hurt or pushed out of a plate.
What is he doing now? There's not enough plates for all of us to survive.
[GROUP CHAT]
MINSEOB
Sir! I can't find a plate!
SEONGGUK
Same with me!
NAMWOON
Well, I found one, but...
I don't think you'll like it.
We looked over to Namwoon, and saw the plate was for only 5 people.
Junghyeok: “Look for a number 4 plate, I'll look for a number 2 or 6!”
Before he could run off, a message all caught our attention.
[GROUP CHAT]
SUBARU
Just get on!
I can take care of myself!
DOKJA
WHAT!?
NAMWOON
Old man if you're planning to die at least make it after you train me!
MINSEOB
Sir?
SEONGGUK
I don't think this is a good idea!
JUNGHYEOK
... What will I ever do with you...?
And without another word, Junghyeok pulled us onto the plate.
The dragon started to open it's mouth, but Subaru has yet to step on a plate, then someone called out to him.
???: “Mr. Subaru, this way!”
Subaru looked at him intensely before murmuring something to a small, purple haired child.
I gave the kid a soft pat on the head.
“Hey kid, what's your name?”
???: “Meili... sniff...”
“Well, this may hurt Meili, but it's for your own good, alright?”
I grabbed her hand and threw her at the guy, he caught but looked confused.
“Keep that kid there!”
???: “But sir! How about you!?”
[Your light shines brightly, all stats have been increased by 300%.]
This is one overpowered title. Told you it would be op to add titles, friend.
The dragon breath it's fire, engulfing Subaru and everyone behind him, but then I saw as a dome made of light-blue translucent hexagons encircled the dragon. Subaru stood unscathed, unburnt, jacket billoeing in the air like a cape.
This old MF is aura farming! Huh... I should coin that...
I heard someone groan from behind me, I looked back and saw a woman with long-black hair.
“What's the problem miss?”
???: “Where's Meili?”
“She's fine, right over there.”
I pointed at the plate where Meili and the other guy was standing on, Meili looked at me with bright, shining, eye similar to Gilyeong.
Why do I feel like I just made a bad decision?
[GROUP CHAT]
SUBARU
Heads up, that guy I threw the kid to maybe an apostle.
DOKJA
You can not just say that and not explain!
Subaru!
SUBARU!
This fucking asshole...
Wait, this a new channel?
You spent 5,000 coins again!?
You will never beat the nepo baby allegations!
After the attack passed I let down the barrier and threw some healing potions to the people behind me.
9 attacks left.
[One of your avatars is sending a signal.]
[6 hostiles have been sensed in the vicinity of Chungmuro.]
!?
[GROUP CHAT]
SUBARU
DOKJA! CHUNGMURO IS UNDER ATTACK BY APOSTLES!
I looked around and saw the guy Subaru threw the kid at, smiling.
“Junghyeok. Talk with that guy.”
I pointed at the man who was just standing there. Very creepily, might I add.
Junghyeok: “He's an apostle, isn't he?”
“... Yeah. And it looks like he isn't alone.”
5, all with Blue Ice pills... They're planning to hunt the dragon. But even so, they can't kill the dragon with just 5 of them, are they trying to get our help? And that message from Subaru... Damnit, I know everyone there is a little stronger but... Is that enough?
[The position of plates have been renewed.]
I stepped on a 2 people plate, and Junghyeok joined me, a bit bloody.
Junghyeok: “Here's the ice pills.”
“Did you have to kill them?”
Junghyeok: “You said talk to them.”
“I meant actually talk to them! sigh.”
[The number of plates that spawn will be reduced next turn.]
Junghyeok: “What's the plan?”
“Were killing that dragon. You know the effect of the blue ice pills with one of your abilities, right?”
Junghyeok: “Very well.”
As soon as the fire subsided the plan started. I distracted the dragon while Junghyeok would fight the dragon, well that was the plan.
[You have died.]
[The skill, KING OF NO KILLING, has taken effect.]
I woke up in the middle of a black void. Nothing in sight. Nothing I could feel.
[The personal skill, THE FOURTH WALL, has partially nullified the pain.]
The fourth wall...
[The effect of the skill, KING OF NO KILLING, has been delayed due to a conflicting personal skill.]
[Your consciousness has been freed from the confines of your body due to death.]
[Level 3 of the skill, OMNISCIENT READER'S VIEWPOINT, has been activated automatically.]
Ugh... My head.... This.... Isn't right.....
Pildu: “Damn it. If it weren't for that punk... Is everyone alright?”
Pildu's suit was a bit bloody, and a few monster bodies were here and there, but it was being cleaned up.
Sangah: “Yup!”
Chungmuro? Why am I in Chungmuro?... No, I'm not in Chungmuro physically, but why is my consciousness here? Is this level 3? Wait! The attack!
???: “Dokja?”
I turned around and saw Subaru, a bit smaller. A bit is underselling it! He's like the size of Gilyeong and Subaru's normally the size of like 6'3!
Sangah: “What do you mean Dokja?”
Avatar of Subaru: “Huh, you don't see him?”
He pointed at me, but to everyone else, it was just blank space.
Avatar of Subaru: “Anyways, Sangah! I need your help on the interrogation.”
Sangah: “Yes sir!”
I followed them both as they walked into a room guarded by 3 people, inside the room it was pretty dark and unassuming but at the far end, 6 people sat on the ground, all tied up.