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Rage seethed through Yoo Jonghyuk’s mind, “Through that book, you peeked into my life, and used me as your entertainment. Is there anything else I should know?”
He couldn’t believe it. He allowed himself to get close to another person, one close enough to call a “companion”, and he was betrayed again. He should have learned his lesson the first time when Anna Croft backstabbed him in the earlier rounds.
It was always strange how this so called ‘prophet’ seemed to know not only the future but also his past regressions. But his doubt always subsided when he saw that bastard throw his life away in order to protect him and the other party members. He should have never believed in his words.
The regressor thought that this round would be different. He thought that this ‘Demon King of Salvation’ could really bring him something close to salvation. At the end Kim Dokja was just like the rest of the constellations. Someone who watched people’s misery—his misery and consumed it as entertainment.
He wanted to think that this idiot was different. He wanted to believe in the hope that Kim Dokja’s words held. To not throw away the rounds. To continue living like a human. To complete the scenarios. -- He wanted to complete this story with that man by his side.
But… to Kim Dokja, a reader, he was the protagonist, a character, and probably only someone he protected in order to reach the end of the scenarios using the special power he possessed.
Yoo Jonghyuk’s heart throbbed. The pain of betrayal felt like a knife in the gut. It felt worse than Anna croft’s betrayal somehow. He didn’t know why, but he felt disappointed. All he knew was that getting rid of the source of the problems usually helped, in this case he would simply have to get rid of Kim Dokja.
So, as numerous emotions swirled around in his head, he pulled out his sword and readied for combat. He could see the torrent of messages informing him that his stories had begun their storytelling. The sight of the stories he collected— with that idiot— activating, only made his brows furrow and his chest tighten further.
[“I shall kill you, Kim Dokja.”]
Yoo Jonghyuk swung his sword, slicing apart the Demon king’s shoulder. The other man stared at him with the look of pain on his face. Kim Dokja didn’t resist. He simply stood there. He didn’t even reach for [Unbroken Faith]. The regressor saw as tears ran down his cheeks while his face revealed the bittersweet smile of someone who had accepted their fate. It was the same iconic smile he wore when that damn bastard threw himself in danger all those times before.
[The Constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Flames’, is screaming at Incarnation ‘Yoo Jonghyuk’.]
[The Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’, expected something like this to happen.]
Yoo Jonghyuk froze, for reasons unknown to himself. At first he thought it was because he had no desire to fight someone who would willingly gave up their own life. Then he thought it was perhaps the tears that put him off. But, no matter how he thought his reasoning felt off somehow.
The staring contest continued as millions of thoughts continued to run through both their heads.
The longer he stared at those eyes that waited for death, the more he began to doubt his own judgement. The rage and disappointment he felt at first seemed to slightly drift away.
He saw as Kim Dokja’s mouth shifted to form his name. His voice was noticeably shaking.
“Yoo Jonghyuk.”
Yet that slight grim-looking smile still remained on his face.
The regressor unconsciously replied.
“Kim Dokja.”
Kim Dokja took a deep breath. “…Kill me. I deserve it.”
Yoo Jonghyuk surprisingly sheathed his sword in response. “No.”
The regressor was never one to take orders from other people. Though in the back of his mind Yoo Jonghyuk knew that wasn’t the only reason he refused.
A slight sigh came from Kim Dokja’s mouth as Yoo Jonghyuk noticed the slight shifts in his expression. The constellation’s voice quivered. His eyes lost focus. His smile faltered. His breath quickened. His hands were shaking.
Kim Dokja averted his gaze, “….this isn’t the time to be stubborn you sunfish bastard.”
He couldn’t help but yell as he continued to speak “Why are you hesitating?! I’m just a tool who is no longer useful! Why must you…”
[The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking.]
Kim Dokja couldn’t hold back anymore, words came rushing out of his mouth.
“Everything…Everything you said was right… I read about your life and I enjoyed it-t. I am the exactly the same as all those damn constellations who ruined your life!”
He turned back to face Yoo Jonghyuk, ”Why did it have to end up like this?! I was just some stupid office worker who could live on as long as I had a novel to read! I just wanted to hold on a little longer…. I wanted to be like the protagonist! I wanted to be Yoo Jonghyuk. I wanted to be you! …I know that no matter how much I try to run away from my pathetic past that I can never truly change!”
[‘The Fourth Wall’ is shaking intensely!]
Kim Dokja took another deep breath only to continue in a more somber tone, “When the scenarios started I felt relieved. It made me think that I had the ability to do something for once. I wanted to be useful. I felt like I could be useful. I found out that you were only on your 3rd regression. I felt like I had to do something. I needed to do something. I knew you were a jerk. But even so, I also knew the hardships you faced, the determination you held, how much you cared for your comrades and the burden your ability made you carry. Even throwing me off a bridge couldn’t remove the fondness I had for you. After all… it was because of you that I was able to live. It was because of you that I survived so long in the first place. It was—is time to pay my debt. So… If my death can sate your anger, I would gladly give it to you. I just hope that my appearance will have removed some of your suffering…”
Kim Dokja’s voice drifted off and only sobs remained. His balance was off and he proceeded to fall forward. Yoo Jonghyuk hadn’t yet process the barrage of words but still caught the crying constellation in his arms and let the other man’s head rest on his shoulder.
The protagonist was stunned silent (not liked he talked much usually) and quietly caressed Kim Dokja’s hair. Among his raging thoughts, he noted that the hair he touched was quite soft.
“I—”, Yoo Jonghyuk started before receiving a sudden message from Midday Tryst.
-- Don’t speak a word.
Yoo Jonghyuk gave Kim Dokja a strange look (not like Kim Dokja would notice since his head is still on his shoulder). He couldn’t decide whether to be glad that he didn’t have to respond or offended that Kim Dokja told him to do such a thing.
As Kim Dokja’s sobs dissipated into sniffles, the regressor felt arms wrap around his waist. He thought this type of intimacy would feel uncomfortable, but it was surprisingly nice to stay in the other’s embrace. They stayed standing there as the coolness of night surrounded them. The constellations being quiet for once—
[The Constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Flames’, enjoys the comradeship.]
[The Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’, is wondering what took so long.]
[The Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’, is confused by the result.]
[The Constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, thinks that they should have fought more so that his incarnation could have made an appearance.]
[The constellation that likes changing sex is amused.]
[Many constellations have sponsored a total of 10,000 coins.]
As the messages filled their sight, a laugh could be heard coming from the both of them.
Yoo Jonghyuk looks at the wound he caused on Kim Dokja’s shoulder. He sits the other down and starts bandaging it. As Kim Dokja continues to have an anxiety-filled smile, the regressor sends a message through Midday Tryst.
-- You’re the one who needs to take better care of themself.
Kim Dokja looks at him confusingly before Yoo Jonghyuk lifts the other up into a princess carry and starts walking in the direction of the portal.
“I- I can walk you know. It’s not like you injured my legs—gah!”
As it reminded the regressor that he was the one who hurt Kim Dokja in the first place, it only made him fume and lift the other closer. A blush formed around on the constellation’s cheeks at the close proximity. Kim Dokja also decidedly took this, what he thought was a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to nuzzle against Yoo Jonghyuk’s muscled chest. Yoo Jonghyuk made a slight grunt in surprise but didn’t give much else of a reaction. Kim Dokja took this as an ‘okay’ to continue and enjoyed himself, while being extremely embarrassed of course.
With a stupid grin on both their faces, they made their exit.