Chapter Text
"Huh?"
Kim Dokja looked at the mystifying glowing portal that suddenly appeared before him on the roof of the new house that was constructed. It was the house the Kim Dokja company had poured in their money to construct since there wasn't any suitable housing nearby. The portal was different from any he's ever seen before.
He turned to the dokkaebi floating next to him. "Biyoo, did you open this portal?"
[It's not me.]
Biyoo shook her body side to side and flew around to inspect the portal.
[Strange. How did this appear? I've never seen this kind of portal before. It gives off a strange feeling.]
It's better that he doesn't enter the portal and instead consult with the company members first.
"Could you go gather the people? I'll stay here in case there are any changes."
Biyoo looked back and forth between the portal and Kim Dokja hesitatingly.
[Alright. Don't you dare go into the portal! Really!]
"Of course. It's a strange and mysterious portal, I won't enter it without any caution."
The ball of fluff nodded and flew off to gather the company members in the residence. Fortunately it was nighttime, everyone was gathered in the house and not at their jobs. He didn't have to wait long before everyone came running up.
"Kim Dokja! What are you planning to do off alone?!"
The door slammed open. It was Yoo Jonghyuk and behind him were Han Sooyoung, Yoo Sangah, Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Lee Jihye, Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, Lee Seolhwa, and Jang Hayoung.
"What sh*t have you pulled this time, Kim Dokja?!" yelled Han Sooyoung.
The sound of a sword being unsheathed from a sword could be heard. Jung Heewon spoke up, "Can I cripple you? I'll make it real quick."
"I swear to god, Ahjussi. We just can't leave you alone, can we?"
Kim Dokja thought everyone must've developed trust issues because of him. And just what did Biyoo tell them to make them so agitated?
He said exasperatedly, "I didn't do anything! ...What did Biyoo tell you?"
"She told us that a portal appeared before you and that if we don't hurry to the roof you'll jump inside it." Yoo Sangah calmly stated.
Biyoo flew in front of Kim Dokja who looked at her dumbfoundedly and calmed the angry members before speaking.
[The portal wasn't created by father. I was with him and saw with my own eyes it appeared out of nowhere. There's no other dokkaebi than me that still exists, so it can't be another dokkaebi either.]
Everyone then turned their attention to the portal that appeared next to Kim Dokja.
Han Sooyoung looked at it with a peculiar gaze. "Huh, I've never seen such a portal before. Have you, Yoo Jonghyuk? You went traveling around different world-lines."
Yoo Jonghyuk frowned and shook his head.
"I haven't."
The others also shook their heads. Yoo Jonghyuk was the most knowledgeable among them and the constellations as a regressor, transcender, and a returnee who has lived an extremely lengthy lifetime but if he doesn't know then there's no need to ask the others.
Kim Dokja stared at the portal. The more he looked at it the more familiar it feels. He feels like he's felt this feeling somewhere before. The portal definitely leads to another world. He is sure of that.
'Portal... Another world... Different worlds... Hmm..?'
A sudden realization hit Kim Dokja and he realized what this portal was. Everyone saw the change in his expression and also realized that he knew something.
"You know what it is, Dokja-ssi?" asked Lee Hyunsung.
"This is a portal that leads to a different universe. A universe that I'm not in control of."
Yoo Jonghyuk asked puzzledly, "A universe that you're not in control of?"
"Yeah. The Fourth Wall mentioned that the Star Stream is one of the many worldviews in the greater universe. There are existences like the 'Most Ancient Dream' that exist in other universes too. I can't exert much influence on those like I do in Star Stream."
Han Sooyoung's gaze turned to him. "How do we get rid of this portal? Will it disappear if we just wait it out?"
"We probably have to go inside?"
For some reason, his gut is telling him that the only way to get rid of this portal is to go inside it and complete whatever scenario or obstacle thrown at them. He continued speaking.
"I'm not too clear on other universes myself so it's best to ask someone knowledgeable about it."
Yoo Jonghyuk and Han Sooyoung frowned. They had an ominous feeling on who that 'someone' might be. The one who spoke first was Han Sooyoung. She hopes it wasn't who she thought it was.
"And that'd be...?"
"The Fourth Wall. I will go meet with him again."
"You want to go meet the Fourth Wall?! Are you crazy?!"
"No, I am perfectly sane. In the first place, the Fourth Wall never harmed me and has only ever protected me."
Han Sooyoung didn't know how to retort back for a moment because he's right but thankfully Yoo Jonghyuk got her back.
"He separated you from your companions."
"That is because he was following my wishes. Don't blame him."
Yoo Jonghyuk frowned at his response and grabbed onto Kim Dokja's arm.
"I'm not letting you go back to the subway."
Kim Dokja could feel the firm determination in those words but he's not planning on backing down either.
"Don't you know how much Master did for you to get you back?! You can't go back there."
Lee Jihye was unimpressed with Kim Dokja's words.
“If only he was still wearing the golden headband….”, complained Yoo Sangah.
The golden headband had long come off of Kim Dokja's head during his time in the train. There are no prisons or seals in this universe that can trap the current him. Not even the golden headband used to imprison the greatest constellation, the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. He felt a bit sorry for Yoo Sangah but she won't be able to use the headband on him anymore.
"...That darn ability of yours!" Han Sooyoung clicked her tongue and massaged her forehead.
"You don't have to worry so much. I don't plan on going back to the train." He looked at Yoo Jonghyuk who was still holding his arm. "I'm really grateful and happy that you came to save me. Really."
"No more avatars."
"I got it."
[The individual 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used the 'Lie Detection' skill.]
[Lie Detection has confirmed that your words are the truth.]
"How do you plan on getting to the Fourth Wall? Are you going to regress?"
Yoo Jonghyuk recalled that Kim Dokja didn't have a way of letting him meet him beyond the Final Wall despite having the Fourth Wall with him at the time during the 0th turn. The current him doesn't have a fragment of the Fourth Wall nor do the others have their fragments of the wall.
"Regress? Why would I regress?"
Kim Dokja doesn't understand how he came to that conclusion. A sly grin formed on his face. There is no need to regress, after all...
"I have complete mastery over the Overwrite ability! And there's also Han Sooyoung with her 'Predictive Plagiarism' and 'Revision Specialist'."
All that interference in the 0th turn increased his mastery to the point that he's even able to interfere with the Final Wall freely now. He could open up the wall even without all 5 fragments gathered together. Han Sooyoung could also recreate the fragment like she did in the 1863rd turn, although just one it seems.
"Say we get past the wall, then how are you going to convince the Fourth Wall to help you?"
Han Sooyoung thought about it, there's almost no way the Fourth Wall will help them. Honestly, she feels that the Fourth Wall doesn't really like them after the whole rescuing Kim Dokja from 'the Most Ancient Dream' position ordeal.
"Is your 'Predictive Plagiarism' off? Why isn't your brain functioning properly? Why wouldn't he help me?"
"Oh, shut up! Because we took you back from him!" Han Sooyoung fiercely glared at him.
"His duty is to protect me. So if I ask, he will probably help me? He had tried to fulfill my wish even until the end."
"Your wish, your wish... Lord, please shut up with that phrase. Ugh." An exaggerated groan came out of Jung Heewon's mouth. "Every time I think back to that moment, my chest gets so stuffy and frustrated. I hate it so much. Did you know? I couldn't even live anywhere near the third subway line nor at Gwanghwamun because of you. It brought back bad memories."
"Sorry..."
Kim Dokja's conscience was pricked. And as if that wasn't enough damage, she spoke again.
"You also probably didn't know but Yoo Jonghyuk-ssi also became a terrorist for you."
"He what??"
Kim Dokja's eyes widened in surprise. He turned back to Yoo Jonghyuk only to see the man frowning in displeasure in this sudden reveal.
"Shut up, Jung Heewon."
Jung Heewon ignored him and continued speaking. "You know how surprised I was when I received a phone call and saw on TV that the 'Supreme King' Yoo Jonghyuk, 33 and unemployed, who disappeared for 2 years and came back as a terrorist raiding the Scenario Museum for the Final Ark star relic which is thought to be just a useless replica but turns out to be real? I got so flustered I almost dropped my phone. I thought I had misheard."
The words that came out of Jung Heewon's mouth felt so unreal to Kim Dokja. That prideful man actually did this kind of thing...? As if he couldn't believe it, he looked at the other party members. They all nodded in agreement.
"It was to the point that we thought Master went mental. He also looked really unkempt. As if he hadn't showered for days on even though we're living in times of peace without scenarios. Then he and Sooyoung-unni fought it out and ended up in the same hospital as you."
The frown in Yoo Jonghyuk's gaze became deeper and he glared at Lee Jihye. Lee Jihye didn't see it because she had shut her eyes and a fist clenched in the air. She was recalling the battle and her imagination began to work.
"Ahjussi is Master's Constellation Sponsor, right? That was really some intense Incarnation and Constellation love story right there now that I think about it...!! The lengths Master went through just for Ahjussi ...... Keuh-euuh, I'm getting emotional."
Tears started coming out of Lee Jihye's eyes and she blew her nose into a tissue that popped out from seemingly nowhere before chucking it at Lee Gilyoung's direction as usual. "Ugh! Gross! Can you stop doing that?!" The boy yelled and dodged.
Even Yoo Sangah chipped in a piece. "Honestly, he looked as if he lost his world. Just like back during the 73rd Demon Realm when you ceased to exist with the Outer God."
Kim Dokja was speechless. He felt like his mind went blank. What should he say?
"I..."
He grabbed the arm of the hand that was still holding onto his arm and looked up at Yoo Jonghyuk. The man was slightly different from his memories. He was no longer as hot tempered and easy to anger Yoo Jonghyuk. Honestly, it feels like his temperament has mild out to that similar of the 'Secretive Plotter'. Kim Dokja realized that Yoo Jonghyuk must've suffered a lot because of him, even more than what can be conveyed through their words.
Kim Dokja recalled the situation of when he first woke up at the hospital.
***
[Great Fable, 'Hellscape of Eternity', has begun its storytelling once more.]
Blindingly brilliant rays of white light emitted from Kim Dokja's body lying on the hospital bed. The fables streaming into the room entered his unconscious young body. Beside him were Lee Sookyung and Aileen who were already there watching this unprecedented phenomenon happening before their eyes. Slowly, very slowly, Kim Dokja's body was becoming bigger. His small fingers grew 1 cm, 2cm, 3 cm, all the way until they regained their original size. Those small shoulders of his became broader until they became that of an adult.
[Fable, 'Life and Death Companions', has begun its storytelling once more.]
Han Sooyoung, Yoo Jonghyuk, Yoo Sangah, Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Lee Jihye, Jung Heewon, Lee Seolhwa, Lee Hyunsung, and Jang Hayoung who arrived later than them all entered the room. Behind them were Constellations he was familiar with Uriel, the Great Sage, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, and Persephone who were still running into the Industrial Complex. The Breaking the Sky Sword Saint and Kyrgios were closely following them from behind as well.
As soon as the light settled, Kim Dokja could be seen opening his eyes.
He blinked a couple of times as if to get rid of the drowsiness within his eyes and looked at his companions that have arrived in the room. Seeing that Kim Dokja was trying to sit his body up properly that hasn't moved in a long time, Han Sooyoung and Yoo Jonghyuk hurriedly came forward to support him.
Kim Dokja looked at them and his lips bobbed up and down a couple of times like he was about to say something, but what came out instead of words were his tears.
He was crying. He couldn't believe that he could once again meet them again and had even regained his memories at that.
I missed them.
Kim Dokja looked at his party members one by one before finally landing his eyes back on Han Sooyoung and Yoo Jonghyuk.
"I...It's been a while?"
With those hoarse words, Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Lee Jihye, and Lee Hyunsung cried on the spot. Lee Seolhwa handed him a glass of water and examined his body.
"Dokja-ahjussi...!!"
"Hyung!! Did you get all your memories back?!"
"Ahjussi!! Is it really you...?!"
"D-Dokja-ssi, uwaaah, uwaaah!"
"Dokja-ssi's soul seems to have recovered a considerable degree. His fables have almost all returned too."
Yoo Sangah's and Jung Heewon's tears threatened to spill but they quickly wiped it away. They smiled at Kim Dokja. Jang Hayoung also tried to hold her tears back but it came pouring out nonstop.
"Dokja-ssi."
"...Dokja-ssi, you...you...!"
"Is this a dream...?! Well, this is since you're the Most Ancient Dream but, but, uwaaaah..!!!"
Kim Dokja looked at Yoo Jonghyuk and saw the grey hairs on his head. He reached out to the latter's cheek and spoke with a smile on his face. "Jonghyuk-ah, you’ve worked hard."
[Incarnation, 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has reached his ■■.]
What Yoo Jonghyuk and Han Sooyoung had done really surprised him. In all honesty, He hadn't expected his subconscious to dream of this situation. Life seems to be all about making the impossible into the possible...
Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes trembled. He didn't shake off the hand touching his cheek. "You fool... you've kept us waiting."
Kim Dokja smiled wryly.
"I'm sorry.... and thank you."
Han Sooyoung watched that spectacle with emotional eyes and held back the urge to smack Kim Dokja in the back for causing all this trouble.
She spoke. "So, how much do you remember?"
This situation felt like a miracle. Their plan which had a high rate of failure had actually become successful.
[Incarnation, 'Yoo Jonghyuk's' ■■ is 'Demon King of Salvation'.]
The one percent remaining of Kim Dokja managed to be filled by himself.
Kim Dokja turned to Han Sooyoung and then at the newly arrived companions at the door looking breathlessly at him who ran here without rest. The constellations who had been there for him since the beginning and his and Yoo Jonghyuk's master were there. Gong Pildu, Han Myungoh, and Anna Croft and her people who arrived along with them could be seen as well.
He spoke towards them.
"I remember everything from the 'Ways of Survival', clearing scenarios together, to you guys come knocking at the train's rear door."
"And you didn't open the door for us?"
"That...."
"Well, that doesn't matter anymore! As long as you're back! No more splitting and sacrificing yourself ever again, you hear me?!"
Kim Dokja nodded his head and agreed. "I promise. And I also have no need to do so anymore."
Uriel came forward and embraced him tightly. She was kitted in sunglasses and a mask that was half hanging off of her face.
[Kim Dokja! Welcome back!]
Kim Dokja reciprocated her hug. "I'm back, Uriel."
Since she wasn't wearing her black lace dress and had a coat on, he didn't have to worry about where to place his hands this time around.
Following Uriel was Persephone. She gave him a hug. [Son. I'm happy to see you again.]
"Me too, Persephone."
After Persephone, was the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal who also gave Kim Dokja a hug.
[Maknae-ya, let's have a drink to commemorate our reunion!]
Then it was Abyssal Black Flame Dragon.
[I won't give you a hug, but instead I will rap for you.]
[This is—]
Before he could continue, Han Sooyoung cut him off. She opened her attribute window and asked Kim Dokja, "So why is the system up again?"
Han Sooyoung saw that her skills and Stigmas have returned completely by now.
Yoo Jonghyuk could feel his weakened Transcender Status once again regain strength.
"The power of the Most Ancient Dream restored the system. It should last for a long time, so you shouldn't have to worry about your skills and Stigmas being unavailable again."
As if it had been waiting for those words, new system messages popped up.
[The applicable world-line's system has been restored.]
[Every system in the applicable world-line is in operation again.]
Seeing those messages, Yoo Jonghyuk called out to Han Sooyoung. "Cancel the constellation sponsor contract."
Han Sooyoung glared at Yoo Jonghyuk. "Is this really the time for this?!"
"I've already finished the task. I've told you that I was going to have the contract cancelled before I left."
"You—!"
"The two of you sure are close." Kim Dokja added in, which caused them to glare at him in turn.
Watching the two's bickering caused Kim Dokja's heart to ache slightly. It was a familiar sight. A sight he hasn't seen in a very long, long, long time.
Han Sooyoung did cancel the contract in the end. She had no reason to keep it since Kim Dokja is now back with them.
Biyoo flew into Kim Dokja's arms.
[Bah-aht!!]
Kim Dokja hugged and petted her fur. "You've gotten stronger, Biyoo."
Kyrgios flew up to him from his position. "My stupid disciple still hasn't learned to greet his Master first."
"Master."
"Hmph, I'll forgive you but make this the last time."
The Great Fables of everyone in the area continued to sing in the air. Each of them were an intimate story once associated with Kim Dokja in the distant past.
"We should have a party!!" Lee Jihye piped up. "Master is back and Ahjussi is awake with his memories intact, this calls for a celebration!!"
Everyone agreed with the proposal. It's also been a while since all of them have gathered together like this.
They have finally reached the conclusion they wanted to see. It's a joyous occasion that calls for a celebration.
"We should make today a national holiday." Lee Gilyoung added in, eliciting some chuckles.
And so, the news of Kim Dokja's awakening quickly spread throughout the Korean Peninsula, soon throughout the world. The young ones who hadn't experienced the scenarios but heard of Kim Dokja's achievements all wanted to take a peek at the man in the hospital.
***
"Thank you... I know these two words aren't enough to convey my gratitude. But I promise that I won't go wandering off alone anymore."
Han Sooyoung watched this slightly flabbergasted and spoke. "Have you guys become a couple?"
The two men replied at the same time, "No."
"Uh-huh. Sure." She was unconvinced. "Life and death companion is definitely not another way of saying you guys are married."
Jang Hayoung piped in. "Oh, I think I know what you're talking about! I learned the saying, 'To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.' at school!"
"You learned a wedding vow at school??" Lee Gilyoung gave her a questioning look.
"Well, I learned it from a classmate whose cousin got married to be exact."
"It's a bit of a pity that I'm not Dokja-ahjussi's only incarnation..." Shin Yoosung muttered. "But I'm also happy to know that it's Yoo Jonghyuk-ahjussi and not anyone else!"
Kim Dokja decided to put the conversation back on track before they stray from the point.
"We don't know what kind of world lies beyond the portal so it's dangerous to just leave it unwatched. Honestly, I'm not confident if I can beat whatever that comes out."
If someone like the naked man that attacked his train appeared, he wouldn't know what to do. Butcher of Monarchs Jaehwan, was it? He's definitely way stronger than Yoo Jonghyuk and perhaps even the 'Secretive Plotter'. That said, he was at the outskirts of his dream so maybe he'd have a chance at beating that crazy exhibitionist if he did appear using the power of 'Most Ancient Dream' whose powers are the strongest within the Star Stream now that he's not just omniscient?
Lee Gilyoung asked in bewilderment, "Someone Hyung is unconfident in fighting against may come out despite being the most OP existence in our world?"
"Yeah... So, let's go meet the Fourth Wall?"
Finally did everyone reluctantly agree. They decided to go to the Final Wall the next day and take turns watching the gate in pairs for the night.
**
Morning came and they set out to the Final Wall. And as Kim Dokja said, the Final Wall opened up easily using the powers of 'the Most Ancient Dream'.
A familiar train passes by at the subway station.
Probability sparks flickered through the air accompanying a 'Tsu-chuchuchut' noise and the speeding train was stopped.
Seeing the train that caused them difficulties stopped with such ease made the party members jaw drop. The probability sparks that appeared was quickly suppressed and dispersed.
"F*cking crazy..."
Han Sooyoung mumbled.
Lee Gilyoung jumped excitedly. "Hyung is so strong!"
"Ahjussi, remind me to never fight you."
Lee Jihye almost dropped her sword.
"Why would you fight me though?"
Kim Dokja smiled wryly.
The train doors that didn't open easily for them, opened for Kim Dokja.
"The Fourth Wall."
A boy dokkaebi just as he had last shown itself to them had appeared.
「 K im Dok Ja 」