Chapter Text
There's a blade being pointed at Kim Soleum's throat, by a man dressed in all black.
He's not sure what he's done to garner this hostility, maybe it was his approach to the bomber, but..
Where did this guy even get the equipment to do all of that?
He swore that there wasn't anybody on the subway holding a sword.
Unless.. he only got it once whatever appeared?
The guy who was actively pointing a sharp blade at him stared for a good minute or two.
{ Exclusive skill, The Guaranteed Narration, has blocked a skill. }
Kim Soleum read the blue window of which appeared on his face, before glancing at the man.
..His eyebrow twitched.
[ Good friend, shall I eliminate this man? ]
'No, I don't think that's a good idea right now. Especially because..'
He's snapped out of his thoughts as the other speaks.
"You, what's your name?" The man in black spoke, in a rough and deep voice. It was unlike anything Kim Soleum has heard before, in terms of voice.
While he's been in DER for a long while, blinded by well looking faces, this man in particular was quite attractive. Even he had eyes, and was able to identify the fact that he was quite a looker.
"I'm Kim Soleum," he says automatically, because he has no regards to death, "and may I know your name?"
"No."
"....."
'...Is this guy serious?'
"Okay. But can you please put the blade down?" He tried reasoning. He internally grimaced to himself. He swore that he was better at negotiation than this, what happened?
Was it because he was in a weird situation?
{ The constellation, "He Who Could Not Cry Wolf" shivers. }
'...What's with these constellations?'
[ I'm just as unfamiliar with all of these events as you are. My apologies, Mr. Roe Deer, that I can't be of more help. ]
'No, it's.. fine. I'm just a little lost.'
More than a little, actually. Very.
Kim Soleum glanced back at the man, who did not falter in the slightest.
"I can be useful, so just.. don't kill me."
The man stares at him for a little longer, before pulling the blade back and away from his neck. "My name is Yoo Joonghyuk." He, now known as Yoo Joonghyuk, says.
{ Incarnation, "Yoo Joonghyuk" has been added to the list on the Stigma, The Wiki Who Knows (Lvl. 1). }
The wiki?
'Like.. DER?'
He opens his mouth to ask Yoo Joonghyuk, who clearly knows more than shown, to ask about the situation at hand.
{ The constellation, "A Feline of Divine" watches the situation curiously. }
And he falters once he reads the blue popup. Blazing questions burn up in his mind, regarding multiple things, but most importantly...
"Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi, what are constellations?" He asks with clear hesitation lacing his voice. He's gotten a firm understanding about how he would act around him. Nervous, but confident to save others.
'.....Isn't that familiar?'
[ Mr. Roe Deer, I believe that it's that your plan is acting as though you're still in the bureau! A very entertaining concept, if I do say so myself. ]
'So it was that..'
No wonder it felt similar, though..
'But, that wasn't an act? I was really scared?'
He snaps his attention back to Yoo Joonghyuk quickly.
"That dokkaebi should be here to explain it to you soon," he said shortly, not even trying to explain anything.
"Dokkaebi?" Wherever he was, he was truly in a weird world. He faintly remembers his dokkaebi flame, and wonders how it's doing. "How do you.. er, actually, is it okay if I ask you? I'm curious on how you know this information.."
Maybe he's being a little too careful, but this guy pointed his blade at him. While it was normal for Kim Soleum to go through life or death scenarios everyday for work, it wasn't like he enjoyed it, not at all! It's been a while since he's been directly threatened with a weapon.
'..Director Cheong doesn't count at all.'
Overall, he didn't feel like dying immediately. It was safer to ask, or otherwise step out of line and be perceived as something like unhelpful.
"You'll figure it out eventually."
"......."
That was seriously so helpful.
{ A couple of constellations find your situation amusing. }
{ 200 coins have been donated. }
How was this amusing to them?
It only served for Kim Soleum to think of constellations as weird and crazy.
{ Wow, seriously, that was fun. }
An echoing voice erupted from all directions, yet Kim Soleum instinctively knew to look at the front of the train car.
The white blob, which was apparently the dokkaebi, spoke.
{ What an entertaining scenario starter, wouldn't you say too, dear constellations? }
[ This one is quite different from the one that I personally know, ha! ]
The train car rumbled, unbalancing him temporarily off of his feet as he steadied himself. The subway rocked back and forth for a bit, before starting up again. Soon, they were out of the tunnel, but the outside world took him off guard for a second.
Everything, the city in it's entirety, was completely destroyed.
A bridge or two was crumbling in the distance, and multiple skyscrapers and buildings were plummeted into straight and complete rubble. It was a mess.
Despite never getting a good look at the city itself, all the destruction vaguely reminded him of Sekwang.
{ The constellation, "He Who Could Not Cry Wolf" thinks back to the old days. }
'..I hope when I step out of this train, nothing completely terrible happens.'
{ The constellation, "The Leader of the Way to Utopia" nods eagerly in agreement. }
What was up with these "constellations"? It seemed like they mirrored his thoughts and actions, but he knew for a fact that these constellations were not him.
Like some alternate version, they knew him perfectly, yet were not entirely him.
'..Are these constellations my contaminations?'
If he perceived it like that, then.. it was easy to piece it together after that. There were only three of them so far, but who knew how many of them there were.
'Oh, I called myself crazy earlier.'
He thought about it a little more, and decided that constellations are still crazy. While the constellations are technically him, it's also his contaminated self.
{ Main Scenario #1 - Proof of Value has been cleared. }
{ 300 coins have been rewarded as a basic clearance reward. }
{ 100 coins have been reduced for the channel fee. }
{ Additional compensation settlement will begin. }
He glanced over to Yoo Joonghyuk, looking for any type of information he can gather out of the other.
{ Many constellations admire your acts. }
{ 800 coins have been gifted. }
Stars hovered over the dokkaebi, many of them. There were a lot, too many for him to reasonably count.
{ More than 30 constellations are watching! Thank you so much for your support, dear constellations! }
It seemed like the stars equaled to the constellations. It made sense, a constellation was basically just many stars. Though.. just how many were him?
From the side of his view, he could see Yoo Joongyuk unexplainably tighten up subtly, as if restless. It was strange, what about whatever the dokkaebi said was strange?
Kim Soleum blinked, and a window popped up in front of him.
{ Survivors from the 3434 Train to Bulgwang, Carriage 3707: Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Soleum. A total of two surviviors. }
The dokkaebi chuckled as it gazed down on the both of them.
{ Both of you are strangely calm after going through all of that. }
'It may seem like that.. but I'm actually batshit terrified. I know my poker face is good, but if that creature outside of the train gets any closer..'
[ I believe that it's a sea serpent, or an ichthyosaur! ]
'How do you even know that?'
[ A good show host never reveals his secrets, but as your good friend, I'll tell you! ]
'Wait. Hold on a second.'
[ Hm? ]
Why does it feel like he's forgetting something? Something crucial, as if he was supposed to remember what it was. It's like somebody took a scoop out of his memory.
{ As entertaining as that scene was, surely you both need powerful backings to help aid you. Afterall, it's impossible to survive without anybody helping. Therefore, there are some great people who will bestow their help onto you! }
[ Oh, your new ally seems to be losing his patience. ]
He glanced over, seeing at how Yoo Joonghyuk's fist tightened, his fingers digging into the palm of his hand.
The dokkaebi waved it's hand, or paw, whatever it was, around. Blue windows popped up in front of his face.
{ Sponsor Selection }
And then.. it glitched.
Kim Soleum glanced over at Yoo Joonghyuk, who had his arms crossed and leaning against one of the subway poles. His eyes were closed, with a resting deadpan face.
{ Huh? How is this possible? }
Yoo Joonghyuk opened his eyes, as if expecting such words to come out of the dokkaebi's mouth.
{ How do you both already have sponsors? What a strange carriage. }
The rate of which Yoo Joonghyuk turned his head to look at him was at an alarming rate.
"Open your attribute window." He demanded.
Before Kim Soleum could even reply, the dokkaebi demanded for attention by clearing it's throat with an "ahem".
{ Ah, it seems I'm running low on time. I need to do something, and referring to that something is to set up the next scenario. Stay put for just 10 minutes. }
In just a blink, it vanished with a weird whirling sound.
"Open your attribute window." He repeated, remaining in the same position he was as in before.
Kim Soleum stared at the brooding man, "..Can you tell me how, please?"
"Just say it out loud, or speak the words in your head."
"Oh, okay," he accepts the situation, deciding on not asking about how he knew about such information. "Attribute Window."
A large blue box hovered in front of him.
{ Attribute Window }
Name: Kim Soleum
Age: XX
Private Attribute: Poker Face (Rare), Perfect Memory (Rare), One Who Survived a Ruining World (Myth)...
Constellation Sponsor: { The Sealed Heart of Identities }
Exclusive Skills: The Guaranteed Narration (Lvl. 1), Poker Face (Lvl. 77), Reading Comprehension (Lvl. 15), Call Your Inner Self (Lvl. 3)...
Stigma: The Wiki Who Knows (Lvl. 1)
Overall Stats: Stamina Lvl 16, Strength Lvl 4, Agility Lvl 12, Magic Power Lvl 20
** There are difficulties with showing your complete Attribute Window. Not everything will be displayed. We apologize for the complications.
His eyes swept over all of the information, taking it all into account. There were many prominent things to him, but something that seemed most important was one of the attributes under the role of "myth".
One Who Survived a Ruining World.
'Could.. this be referring to Sekwang City? Or just DER in general?'
Either way, despite having a dramatic name, it didn't seem like it exactly told him what it did.
The second thing on his list to check out was his sponsor.
It wasn't one that he's ever seen in the blue windows, so why would they be his sponsor?
He gently tapped on the constellation name, and an entirely new window appeared. On it, was a clear list. He read the first one to himself.
'..The Leader of a Way to Utopia.'
That was him. Then, the rest of the list was just..?
[ I think my favorite one is that one placed in the sixth place. ]
His eyes went down to the one at sixth place, and it clicked in his brain.
'Braun, that's a biased opinion.'
[ Hmm, but it's still my favorite. All opinions are biased, aren't they? ]
'Yes, but this one.. is especially biased.'
He closed the attribute window, glancing back over to Yoo Joonghyuk.
"Uh, Yoo Joonghyuk. Why did you need me to open the attribute window?" He asked.
"Who is your sponsor?" Was his response, which wasn't even an answer.
"Is it really that important?" Kim Soleum replied to his question with another question, like what he did to him.
"Yes."
"....Aren't you gonna explain why?"
"No."
'..He's like Chief Lizard, in a way.'
[ Oh my, don't mention that irritable alien! ]
"So tell me, who is your constellation sponsor?" Yoo Joonghyuk demanded, his hand resting on his sword.
'Is he gonna kill me if I don't tell him??'
An unnoticeable shudder ran down Kim Soleum's skin. "...It's by the name of.. { The Sealed Heart of Identities }."
{ A constellation who likes money notices the censoring. }
{ The constellation, "He Who Could Not Cry Wolf" shakes his head. }
{ 400 coins have been sponsored! }
[ Mr. Roe Deer, it seems like you can't say the name of your sponsor? ]
No, he could say the name, it just seemed to be filtered out.
Yoo Joonghyuk's face was scrunched up, with an emotion that Kim Soleum could not place on his face. It returns back into a calm expression.
"Repeat that." The man said.
"....{ T■e ■ea■■d H■■■■ o■ Ide■■■■i■s }?"
'Huh?'
His voice came out all garbled and weird sounding, as if something put a restriction over his mouth. But it was fine when he said it the first time, what happened now?
{ The constellation who rules over the sea complains about the complete censorship. }
{ 200 coins have been sponsored! }
"..I don't think I can tell you." Kim Soleum replied hesitantly, begging internally that he would be stricken down by a sword.
"...." Yoo Joonghyuk glanced away from Kim Soleum. "You can see your sponsor's name?"
"Yeah." He replied, his eyes flickering over to the window for just a second. "Yoo Joonghyuk-"
The man in question had pulled out his sword. Kim Soleum immediately flinched, but Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't looking at him anymore. In fact, he was standing right in front of the car door, the ones used to pass through while in the train.
He wasn't even able to finish his sentence, as Yoo Joonghyuk started trying to bust down the door. "Wait, what are you doing?"
"We need to get to the other car. Immediately."
"..Is it okay if I ask why?"
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even glance at him as he asked questions, his entire attention simply on breaking down the door. "There are people there."
'I'd hope so, I wouldn't want the entire other train cars to be dead?'
"We will talk about your sponsor after."
{ The constellation, "The Forever Broadcasting Side-Host" smiles in amusement. }
{ 100 coins have been sponsored! }
'I'm not smiling nor am I amused!!!'