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Chapter Text

     The very first time Kim Dokja saw Zero (0th) smile was like seeing the beauty and wonder of the world for the first time. Like a blind person granted to see the world and see how colorful it is.

     It started small, a little quirk of his lips that soon became a grin. His eyes twinkle with mirth, curving to show his happiness. But what stole Kim Dokja's attention is the little dimple on his left cheek.

     A feature of Yu Junghyeok that Kim Dokja never knew about; that he never saw on his worldline's (1864th) Yu Junghyeok.

     His breath caught on his throat. It was a Yu Junghyeok who never had to suffer losses. A Yu Junghyeok who found joy. A Yu Junghyeok who has little to no worries. A Yu Junghyeok that is not his.

     Even if it hurts him, even if he doesn't want to look and be reminded of what he has lost. He cannot make himself look away.

     Kim Dokja continued to stare at that handsome face who is busy looking on at his companions. He didn't pay attention to the other's as much around Yu Junghyeok so he missed whatever it was that made Zero laugh. It was a sound he can never imagine coming from Yu Junghyeok. Not from the Yu Junghyeok's he had already encountered; not from his Yu Junghyeok, not from the Plotter, and certainly not from 41st Yu Junghyeok.

     This Yu Junghyeok was laughing so hard tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. Kim Dokja traced his tears away from his screen but it remains 'til Yu Junghyeok wipes them away as he valiantly tries to stop his mirth, his arms around his hurting belly.

     Mid-laugh Zero turned to the sky, looking for the star he feels the gaze of. Amongst the many glittering brilliance, he found the bright light he longs for. His laughter dies down but the smile on his face remains. He gives the star a smile he never gives to anyone; not to Lee Seolhwa, not to Jihye, and not to Yoo Mia. A smile even he doesn't know he gives, a smile only for his stella.

     It is fond, intimate like a secret, soft.

     The constellation Kim Dokja, who is alone in his eternal voyage, burst into tears.

     And Yu Junghyeok that doesn't know any better thought to himself, 'Demon King of Salvation, just as you fervently wish for my happiness, I too, wish for yours.'

Chapter Text

*tsut* *tsut* *tsut*

Probability sparks starts to emerge in front of the company and amidst those sparks a familiar silhouette appeared. Yu Junghyeok moved even before the figure fully emerged, sword raised to strike but before he can bring his sword down the figure leaped back and away.

His strike met nothing but air. With the force of his swing, dust clouded the place, making it hard for everyone where the enemy had gone.

Zero expected to see the subway cabin again but instead he was in an unfamiliar place and a murderous intent bearing down on him. He immediately jump back and dodged the figure. He has no weapons with him, a clear disadvantage.

He waves his hands in front of him and the dust somewhat dissipates. His vision cleared and he saw his attacker.

At the same moment, Yu Junghyeok pursued the figure, moving again to strike; activating his skills. His companion's who where left in the dust, coughs and rubs their watery eyes. Kim Dokja who was caught off guard by Yu Junghyeok's sudden attack, got a good look at their opponent and when he saw who it was he shouts for Yu Junghyeok to stop but Yu Junghyeok's momentum can't be stopped anymore even if he wanted to. His sword strikes true, embedding itself into the belly of his opponent.

"...my sp- *coughs*" his opponent hacks blood out his mouth.

Yu Junghyeok's head swiveled so fast when he heard the voice, his eyes widen in shock, his opponent was none other than himself.

"Yu Junghyeok, stop!!!"

The moment Zero heard that voice, he froze and sought to find where the speaker was. A fatal mistake because his attacker took this momentary lapse of judgement and impaled him with his sword. He saw a man in the distance, unassuming and a bit average but there is no mistake. The gaze of that man is the same as his beloved sponsor.

The gaze of that man is the same as his beloved sponsor.

"...my sp-*cough*" before he can finish his words, blood rises from his throat. His knees grew weaker and he stumbles, clutching his opponent's shoulder who he did not even spare a glance. He was focused on the man who started to run where they were.

"My..." he tried to speak.

He stumbled towards his star, making the sword lodge deeper. Yu Junghyeok made to remove his sword but Kim Dokja has reached them and stopped him from pulling his sword out. Lee Seplhwa was right behind him. Zero's hand raised to reach out to Kim Dokja managing to take hold of his white sleeves, smearing it with blood.

"...you..." blood pours from his mouth, the white shirt he's wearing, now crimson in color. Kim Dokja and Lee Seolhwa took hold of him and laid him to the ground, pulling out the sword and pressed down on his abdomen to staunch his bleeding.

Lee Seolhwa has started to use her skill.

Kim Dokja made to move away but the grip on his sleeve is iron tight. This Yu Junghyeok doesn't seem to want to let go.

"You...your name?" he asks.

"I'm Kim Dokja,"

"*coughs*...strange...name,"

This Junghyeok looks at him like he's the only one he can see.

Kim Dokja got the sense of Deja vu.

At this moment, the rest of KimCom arrived, exclaiming in question.

"Why is there another bastard? Isn't the Plotter enough?"

"Damn, Yu Junghyeok skewered him real nasty,"

Then Lee Seolhwa spoke, "It's not working,"

"What?" Kim Dokja said.

"My skills aren't working on him,"

Zero felt a sense of urgency inside him.

"This...is this...the 1864th round?" Kim Dokja was taken aback, "How did you know that?" With those words, it was confirmed to Zero. His face relaxed and he said "■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■,"¹

No one around can hear his words, it was censored by the Star Stream.

His breaths became labored, his temperature dropping low, he was dying.

"You...which regression are you?" it was this world's Yu Junghyeok.

"......0th round....." he whispers.

Junghyeok's eyes widen, is he finally going to learn the truth of his regressions?

"Then you must know why! Why do we regress! Tell me,"

Zero looked at him then at Kim Dokja then back to him and said "■■■■■■■,"² Yu Junghyeok couldn't hear it, he was not allowed to know yet.

Zero looked at the message, smiling so wide it transformed his face. He looks so happy and boyish, the dimples previously hidden can now be seen by everyone.

"My sponsor...thank you...thank you, you were right,"

Zero started to laugh huffs of breaths.

Zero started to dissipate.

"Yu Junghyeok of the 1864th round, the answer you are looking for is upon you."

Zero looked at Kim Dokja one last time.

With those words he went on to the 1st regression.

Chapter Text

*tsut* *tsut* *tsut*

Probability sparks starts to emerge in front of the company and amidst those sparks a familiar silhouette appeared. Yu Junghyeok moved even before the figure fully emerged, sword raised to strike ready to protect the company if need be.

Yu Junghyeok gripped his sword tight, his left arm splayed out over Kim Dokja who is behind him. The wind picks up, gathering dust and obscuring the figure.

Zero expected to see the subway cabin again but instead he was in an unfamiliar place and he can feel the numerous gazes bearing down on him. He immediately jump back to create some distance between him and the group, alarmed and cautious. He has no weapons to defend himself, a clear disadvantage more so in the apocalypse.

He waved his hands in front of him and the dust somewhat dissipates. His vision cleared and he saw the group in front of him.

At the same moment, Yu Junghyeok tensed his muscles to attack, poised to strike first. He starts to activate his skills, ready to retaliate.

The flurry of dust clears enough to reveal the identity of the silhouetted person and Yu Junghyeok stopped in his tracks.

His companions who where buffeted by the dust, coughs and rubs their watery eyes.

Kim Dokja grasped Yu Junghyeok's shoulder, pushing him lightly to get a good look at the person generated by the Star Stream as part of their penalty.

His eyes widen at the familiar figure and pinches himself in disbelief.

He and this Yu Junghyeok made eye contact.

"Yu Junghyeok?" He said in a whisper.

The Yu Junghyeok in front of him took a sharp inhale of breath, an exclamation of surprise.

"...you," the other Yu Junghyeok uttered, taking a step forward towards him. Kim Dokja unconsciously took a step back and an emotion he didn't quite catch appeared from the other Yu Junghyeok's eyes but it was gone just as quickly. The other Yu Junghyeok reached out his hand to him, "You... are you-?" his view of the other Yu Junghyeok was blocked by the broad back of this world's protagonist.

The two regressors gazed at each other; one with distrust and suspicion and the other with puzzlement and wariness.

The Yu Junghyeok of the other world widened his stance and brought his fists near his face in a fighting position, eyes sharp for whatever this other him would do.

"Wait," Kim Dokja said as he took hold of the bicep of this world's Yu Junghyeok, determination clear in his eyes.

Turning to face the other Yu Junghyeok, Kim Dokja said, "Are you here to harm us?"

"I- no. I'm not," Kim Dokja isn't fully convinced but... this Yu Junghyeok seems to be from early regressions. 

Such naivety. Kim Dokja carefully looked him over, 'This Yu Junghyeok... is still in his gamer clothes. Jacket and pants laced with neon green and sneakers. Is he the first round? Did he die on the first scenario and got transported here?' Kim Dokja wonders.

"Which Yu Junghyeok are you?"

"I'm–," he stops, his left brow quivers, "Is this the 1864th round?" He asked instead.

Kim Dokja is surprised, 'He knows about the 1864th round? What else does he know?'

"Why do you ask such a specific number?" 1864th Yu Junghyeok asks suspiciously.

"If you answer me truthfully, I will do the same," Zero negotiates.

Yu Junghyeok looks at Kim Dokja to know what he will decide.

"Then... Come with us," and that was that.

Zero smiled widely, happily. And Kim Dokja's breath hitched at the sight, never seeing this world's Yu Junghyeok express any type of emotion that isn't anger, annoyance, or indifference, so this comes as a big surprise.

He can hear their other companions gasp and imagined them gaping at the other Yu Junghyeok.

"What the f–! There's another one!"

"He is the one generated by the star stream?"

"It would seem so,"

"This guy can smile? Are you sure he isn't just an impostor?"

All sorts of questions were asked by the company.

Kim Dokja glanced at Yu Junghyeok and sees him staring at the other him blankly, it was unknown to Kim Dokja what is going on in his mind.

"Ask yourself. How different are you now from the beginning?"

Kim Dokja clapped his hands once, breaking Yu Junghyeok's reverie, "Okay everyone, let's get back to base first," Kim Dokja says, addressing his companions. With nothing else to add, he starts to walk back and the others followed him.

Zero wanted to walk beside this man, and so he quickened his steps. He sees him stiffen on his peripheral at his arrival next to him.

"Your name?" He asks quietly.

The man side-eyed him and said, "Kim Dokja."

"Kim Dokja," Zero says reverently, breathless, "Kim Dokja," he repeats, smiling tenderly.

Unbeknownst to Zero, Kim Dokja's heart stutter and proceeds to jackhammer for reasons unknown to him (reasons he denies).

"Your name is pre–" Zero was shoved aside by the sheathed sword of 1864 who is glaring at him with eyes that seems to say, 'Back off.'

"Junghyeok-ah!" Kim Dokja scolds.

Zero shivers at the call of his name (even if it's not directed at him).

Zero scoffs at the other him, amused but doesn't want to antagonize him further and just gave Kim Dokja another smile before slightly moving away.

The others were undoubtedly curious about this Yu Junghyeok who acts so differently than their own. They felt like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so they bombarded him with questions.

The first to approach him were the children, 'Teenagers more like, they seem to be fifteen. Well Shin Yu-Seong looked like that when she was fifteen,' Zero contemplates.

"You're nothing like the sooty bastard at all," the boy says as Shin Yu-Seong nods in agreement, "You feel somewhat different..." she says.

"How so?" Zero asks.

Shin Yu-Seong peers at Yu Junghyeok talking to Kim Dokja up ahead before turning back to him, "...You seem happier."

"Am I not happy here?" he asks genuinely.

The two children glanced at each other, "...we don't know. He never smiles... nor laugh," Shin Yu-Seong says, "But! He always look more relaxed when Mia is around," she says enthusiastically.

"Is that so?" Zero said with a little upturn of his lips.

"Were you happpy? In your world?"

The smile he has widens and it was answer enough by itself but he still said, "I'm happy," like he always did when the Demon King of Salvation asked him.

The adults were silent, busy in their eavesdropping.

The boy looks at him with a conflicted gaze,"...you really are different," he says with a frown.

"You're not in my worldline," he says, "What's your name?" he asks.

"Lee Gilyeong."

Zero wants to ask how he survived the earlier scenarios but isn't sure if it was a topic that wouldn't make him sad.

"Can you tell me about yourself?" he asks instead.

Lee Gilyeong made a face but reluctantly starts to speak, "I like bugs! I have a big insect monster called Titano!"

Shin Yu-Seong can be heard saying 'All your big insects are named Titano' with a sneer in the background.

"Oh right! Dokja-hyung saved me, Sangah-noona, and Hyunsung-hyung in the first scenario using my bugs!"

Zero hums to himself, looking at the back of Kim Dokja. He feels envious seeing him walk beside someone who isn't him.

He turned his attention back to Lee Gilyeong and made a noise of amazement, "That's impressive," he said as he pat Gilyeong's head who froze and looked at him in shock.

"Ah, sorry," he says as he looks around seeing the stunned looks the others were giving him, "It was a reflex," he explains, "Some of my children were this age," he says as if he didn't just dropped a colossal bomb.

"Oh my," a brunette says in mild shock while the others were making a comical face that Zero bit his cheeks to not laugh.

"Ahjussi, you have kids? The same age as us?" Shin Yu-Seong asks excitedly for some reason.

"Yes," he said, "You see, I'm a teacher," he explains.

Shocking fact after shocking fact were revealed to the company.

"That bastard?" Zero hears the adults whisper, "A teacher?"

'Is it really that unbelievable?' he thinks in puzzlement. 'What am I like in this worldline? How much did I change?' Zero feels uneasy for the first time since coming here.

He turned his attention to the pair ahead of them. He stared at his counterpart so intently that the other turned his head to scowl back at him.

Zero pursed his lips and furrows his brow. The other turned away.

He gazed at that broad back and can't help but feel like he didn't know who that person is, no matter that it was 'him' as well. It was the same as gazing at someone who looks just like you but isn't really you, uncanny.

"What did you teach? Did you teach martial arts?" Shin Yu-Seong's question broke him out of his thought.

"I did when I was still younger but I mostly teach history. I'm more of a storyteller now that I think about it."

"But you're still young though,"

Zero just smiled and ruffle her hair, "Sorry," he said as he catches himself, "I should've asked you first."

Shin Yu-Seong smiled at him, "I don't mind," she says.

Zero catches Kim Dokja sneaking a glance at him. Kim Dokja quickly turns away.

Soon they arrived at the complex.

Chapter Text

They've gathered around their usual meeting room. The company sat in a half circle, facing their guest who would be with them until the end of the penalty (however long that is).

"Well? What're we waiting for? Ask away," A woman with short hair and a beauty mark waves her hand at Kim Dokja.

Kim Dokja resolutely looks at Zero's eyes, "About your question earlier on whether this is the 1864th round, it is," he says without hesitation, "Now, which round are you?" he asks in return.

Zero knew in his heart that this is the 1864th round but hearing it get confirmed is something else.

"I am not a regressor yet," he says, "I'm not any of the regression rounds."

He sees the group make a variety of expressions; some frown, scowl, and the others confused. Zero then realized that he had been censored by the Star Stream.

'I see. So knowledge of my origin is censored. I presume that anything I say, everything from that round would be filtered as well.'

Zero sees Kim Dokja make a thoughtful face, his hand caressing his chin. Zero cannot fathom what is running through his head but he knows that his sponsor is knowledgable and would know the truth soon enough. If not with certainty then the Demon King of Salvation will surely suspect it.

"By your expressions, I have been censored."

"Yes. Whatever it is you've said, the Star Stream does not allow it. It confirms one thing," Kim Dokja says, leaning forward on his chair, "You are not from any of those regressions or you are a Yu Junghyeok that doesn't follow this timeline. An avatar? A Yu Junghyeok of a different universe? Or maybe something else entirely. You could fall on any of those but you know about the regressions as well and doesn't seem surprised about being sent here so... you must be someone who have experienced the scenarios as well," Kim Dokja starts to ramble, the more he talks the more he mumbles to himself that Zero needs to lean in and strain his ears to hear whatever Kim Dokja is saying.

Kim Dokja catches himself and gazed back at Zero, "Are you an avatar?" he asks.

Zero shakes his head, if he talks it will get censored again. He waits to see if the Star Stream will censor him again if he answers like this.

It did.

"It seems that even answering in gestures are not allowed," Kim Dokja states.

The black haired woman sighs (the one with the beauty mark).

'I need to learn their names,' he thinks to himself.

The woman then spoke, "We just have to find a way to cheat," she says, "Hey," she says as her eyes light up, "The kids were asking questions earlier and it didn't get censored. Maybe there are things that we can and cannot ask about. Then we just need to know what are the range of topics that we can ask about!" She finishes her piece.

"Oh that's smart," Jung Heewon who is sitting besided Lee Hyunsung says, "Then we just have to ask and know what he can and cannot answer. I'll go first, how old are you?"

A mundane question with an easy answer. Or so it should have been.

Zero opens his mouth to answer right away but changed his mind and instead said to Kim Dokja, "If I get censored, tell me right away."

Kim Dokja nods.

"Then," he turns back to Jung Heewon and answered honestly, "I'm 94 years old."

"Censored," Kim Dokja says surprised.

"Huh? Why is it censored?!" Lee Hyunsung says in bewilderment.

Zero spoke again, "I'm 28 years old," he says, changing his answer.

"Oh it's not censored anymore," Shin Yu-Seong says in confusion.

"What did you say the first time?" Yu Junghyeok asks him, the first time he spoke to him after they arrived here.

'Ah, he caught on to what I'm trying to do. Hiw fast,' he thinks as he saw the inquisitive gaze in his eyes.

"My age." Zero answered truthfully.

"I see," a gentile brunette who has a kind smile says this time, "Yu Junghyeok-ssi really isn't 28."

Zero didn't confirm nor denied it, so the answer would be obvious.

"Ten." The same woman abruptly says. Zero doesn't know what she means but shakes his head nonetheless. 

"Twenty." Another no.

"Thirty." No.

"Forty." Zero finally understands.

"Fifty." No.

"Sixty." Another shake of his head. No.

"Seventy." Zero didn't bother to make any gesture.

"Junghyeok-ssi is seventy years older than the age he gave us," she says in certainty, "Isn't that right, Junghyeok-ssi?"

Zero didn't confirm nor denied it. He looks steadily ahead.

"Hmm so answering like that is allowed. So we are free from speculating and knowing the answer as long as we got it from our own understanding." Kim Dokja says in conclusion, "but..." he trails off looking at him with disbelief.

"Junghyeok," he say, "ssi...," he belatedly says, as if in second thought, "Junghyeok-ssi, that would mean you're 98..."

Zero raises his brow.

"Well I mean," Kim Dokja starts to backtrack, "Yu Junghyeok-ssi did spend a long time training in the dark dimension in some regressions so it shouldn't be a surprise. Even the Plotter looks young, well not young young but you guys know what I mean!" Kim Dokja spoke in a rush.

'Dark Dimension?' Zero tilts his head, "The Plotter?" he asks instead.

"The Plotter is an Outer God," Yu Junghyeok answers.

"He's the only regression turn that reached the end of the scenarios," Kim Dokja answers at the same time.

"The only regression?" He asks, his pupils quiver.

"Yes," Yu Junghyeok answers again. Cold in his brutal honesty. No tact at all.

Zero bowed his head, "I- I see," he whispers.

A question pops in his mind making him lift his head again, "Wait! What regression is he?" He asks with urgency.

Kim Dokja is puzzled by his reaction but answered regardless, "The 1863rd round."

Zero looks at Yu Junghyeok, "Then he regressed into you?"

Yu Junghyeok's face becomes stiff (as if it isn't already), "No, he didn't regress at all."

"Then how...?" He trails off.

Kim Dokja sighs, "I suppose I'll tell you. Asking you questions can wait."

And so, Kim Dokja told him the story of the Plotter and the birth of the 1864th round.

By the end of the tale, Zero's heart aches for the Plotter.

'The 1863rd round. The only round where "I" was able to reach the end of the scenarios. The last round before meeting our sponsor in the next worldline.'

Zero, who knows the truth of his (future) regressions, feels heartache and sadness for the him of the 1863rd round.

Looking at the Yu Junghyeok before him, a bitter taste floods his mouth and his gaze became piercing as he stares at the 1864th Yu Junghyeok.

He knows it is irrational to feel this bitterness but... he can't help it. The irrational thought of this Yu Junghyeok taking what is rightfully theirs makes him feel upset.

He reigns himself, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths, 'I shouldn't blame this Yu Junghyeok. He is simply the result of my- The Plotter's meddling. He is Yu Junghyeok, he is me but...'

It was hard for Zero to convince himself.

'I shouldn't harbor bitterness. I am in the 1864th worldline, by mistake or by grace. I have met my sponsor,' he thinks as he gaze at Kim Dokja, 'The Plotter is here as well, though he does not know the promise between him and his sponsor. The Demon King of Salvation did not lie.'

Zero had calmed down, "I have questions that has been answered, you have my gratitude," In more ways than one.

"You can continue to ask me questions if you want to," he says.

"We've established that you're someone who knows the scenarios so it is natural to think that you've been through them. Whether you're a regression turn or not is up for debate but I would say you aren't, a confirmation from the Plotter is all we need to verify that. I think you are an existence like the Plotter, someone who isn't-" Kim Dokja suddenly shuts his mouth.

"Someone who isn't?" Zero asks, dragging the last word. He looks around and see varying degrees of understanding.

"Do you know the truth of our existence?" Yu Junghyeok asks instead, "Do you know the circumstance of our birth? Who our parents are? Those sort of things," he finishes.

Zero says no. He knows why he regresses, he knows that all the answer to those questions will be answered when he reached the place beyond the wall of the scenarios.

"But I know where I will find the answers," he says, "I know who knows the truth about me, us."

Yu Junghyeok stands up, slamming his palms on the table.

"You know? You know who can tell us? It's the author isn't it?" 

Zero didn't understand, "Author? What author?"

Yu Junghyeok freezes.

"You... you don't know the author?" He asks slowly.

"No. Whoever that author you're talking about. They are not the ones who I'm referring to. And why an author?"

Yu Junghyeok didn't answer his question about the author and instead asks, "Then who are you talking about?"

"Who else could I be referring to but our beloved sponsor," Zero says in a tone of voice so soft that Yu Junghyeok would never have.

"Be- beloved sponsor?!" Yu Junghyeok says in disbelief and anger.

Zero frowns at his tone, the talk about some author forgotten.

"Yu Junghyeok," he says in a cold voice, his stories itching to make themselves known, "Do you hate our sponsor?" He asks in a tone of voice that is conveying danger hidden under the calmness.

The other company members are also poised to defend and attack at the slightest hint of aggression from Zero.

"...yes, I hate them," Yu Junghyeok finally answers.

Zero grew infuriated and destroyed the table edge that his hands are gripping.

"You shouldn't," he tells Yu Junghyeok, "You shouldn't hate him. You must remember this Yu Junghyeok, our sponsor didn't give this stigma for us to suffer. He gave this stigma because we- I asked for it. Our sponsor is not at fault." Zero says all these in a serious tone.

"...our sponsor is the kindest one amongst all of them." He says this, looking straight into Yu Junghyeok's eyes.

"You... you know our sponsor," Yu Junghyeok says in shock, "You know who they are."

"Yes. I know who they are," Zero fights himself to not look at Kim Dokja.

"You know our sponsor. You know why we have this stigma," Yu Junghyeok repeats, "Then you- you must be the first," he says in something akin to disbelief, "You... you are the first round, no, you are the very first Yu Junghyeok. The 0th wordline, the beginning."

Zero didn't say anything but he smiled a little.

"...the original Yu Junghyeok?" The woman with the beauty mark whispers.

"An existence beyond the novel," Zero heard Kim Dokja utter.

"Novel?" He asks, startling Kim Dokja.

"Ah! I-" Kim Dokja stutters.

"There's a novel," Yu Junghyeok says, sitting back down, "There's a novel about us, about our regression, someone who knows the first regression up until the 1863rd Yu Junghyeok reached the end of the scenarios. Besides those, the journey of the 1863rd Yu Junghyeok into the Plotter and this 1864th run is never mentioned." Yu Junghyeok said without preamble.

"Junghyeok-ah!" Kim Dokja protest.

"It doesn't matter if he knows."

'A novel,' Zero... is not surprised.

"Demon King of Salvation," Yoo Joonghyuk raised his head to look at the sky. "Are you still curious about my story?"

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', replies he still is.]

"This world is no longer mired in scenarios. There are no stimulations, nor any irregularities. Yet, why do you still wish to watch this story?"

 

[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation', replies that this is the story he wanted to see in the first place.]

Zero thinks of a possibility. His sponsor's vast knowledge about the scenarios.

"Have you read this novel, Kim Dokja-ssi?"

Kim Dokja looks like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He stammers and says yes in the end.

"Was our sponsor never mentioned in this novel?"

"No," Kim Dokja says.

"The Plotter did like to say that I am a Puppet of the Oldest Dream," Yu Junghyeok says.

"Puppet of the Oldest Dream?" Zero asks in puzzlement.

"He said that is our sponsor's name but looking at your reaction I would say that the Plotter is wrong."

'My existence. The truth about Kim Dokja being my sponsor. There is more to it than meets the eye. The author of that novel... is it not Kim Dokja? Then who are they?'

'Demon King of Salvation, are you watching? Or is it that your name has changed?'

Zero opens his status window and sees that his sponsor's name has been replaced with ???

"My Oldest Dream, are you watching?" Zero called out to his sponsor.

The familiar gaze of his sponsor shines on him but... there is something different.

The gaze of the Demon King of Salvation is... indifferent. The usual warmth is gone... as if a stranger looking down on a new face.

Zero is shaken to his core.

"You can communicate with your sponsor? Junghyeok-ssi?"

Zero looks at Kim Dokja's concerned face and starts to calm down as he feels the same sensation from Kim Dokja's gaze as when his sponsor does it.

'Something must have happened. My sponsor might have had something happen to him.'

"You also said you won't help me from the next regression turn onwards."

[I can't help you.]

"It's fine to help, however."

[Even if I want to, I can't.]

"I heard that the scenarios exist not just for the Incarnations, but Constellations, as well. Maybe, it was the same story for you."

[…]

"Junghyeok-ssi, is something... wrong?" Kim Dokja asks worried.

"It's nothing."

"I think that's enough questioning for now. It's late, dinner is soon." Kim Dokja says and the others gave their agreement.

"Junghyeok-ssi, please follow me." Kim Dokja says and stands up, the two Yu Junghyeok followed wordlessly, "I'll show you where you would be staying at."

"Would it be close to you?" He shamelessly asks.

"You want to be close to my room?" Kim Dokja asks flabbergasted. 

"I want to be close to your room," he affirms.

"Well... okay," Kim Dokja sighs.

Zero side eyed Yu Junghyeok but didn't engaged in small talks.

Chapter Text

Zero feels too buzzed to sleep. The fact that his dear sponsor is sleeping at the room next door keeps him up. He twist and turn, forcing himself to sleep. The night is peaceful, silent but the pounding of his heart bombards his ears.

The bed has a comfortable mattress, the blanket soft to the touch, the pillows fluffy but to Zero it feels like he is lying down on the hardest piece of surface in the world.

Heaving a deep sigh, Zero sat up and placed his feet at the side of the bed.

'I am too keyed up to sleep. Walking around the complex might help a bit.'

Zero leaves the bed and exited the room.

"Urk! Junghyeok-ssi!" Zero flinches.

The universe must be really out to get him because there. There he is. The reason of his unrest is standing before him.

Zero feasts his eyes on the soft demeanor of Kim Dokja. Mussed up hair and soft eyes with a wet gleam to it. The white coat is missing, leaving him in his untucked black button up shirt and black slacks.

Zero's eyes zeroed on Kim Dokja's exposed collarbones and his mouth goes dry, his tongue slips out to wet his lips.

"Err Junghyeok-ssi, going for a walk?"

"Yes. I can't sleep."

Kim Dokja nods and then there is silence.

The two looked everywhere but each other. It was awkward, both of them lost in thought looking for words to say.

Before Zero can second guess himself, he blurts out, "Care to join me?" He said while flashing a smile in confidence that he isn't feeling at the moment. His palms had grown sweaty and a fine sheen of cold sweat layers his back.

"Oh, I don't think I-" Kim Dokja sounds like he is going to refuse.

Zero deliberately makes himself slouch sadly, "But I'm not familiar with the lay of the land yet. I might get lost," he says in a quiet voice.

'Please work! Seolhwa said that I look like a kicked puppy when I do this,' She also laughed at him and told him not to do it ever again. He just chose not to remember that part.

'Why isn't he saying anything? Did it not work?' Zero peeked from under his lashes but he couldn't see Kim Dokja's expression as half of his face is hidden behind his phone (that Zero had just noticed).

"Well... I guess I'll walk with you and might as well give you a tour," Kim Dokja said.

'Yes!' Zero triumphs in his mind. He isn't going to waste such an opportunity.

The two walked around the complex with Kim Dokja whispering to Zero about the different places they pass by. He listened attentively to anything Kim Dokja says, flustering Kim Dokja as he hasn't been given that kind of attention by anyone (not positively anyway).

"That's all the complex has to offer. Feeling sleepy?"

Zero shakes his head, if anything he is more awake than before. Being in such close proximity to his sponsor, breathing the same air as him; Zero suspects that he's experiencing a sensory overload.

"Hmm, there is one more place that I can show you. It's a little bit away from the complex. I think you would like that place, it's quiet and secluded," Kim Dokja says.

The place Kim Dokja led him to is a hidden alcove.

"I stumbled upon this place by accident," Kim Dokja said as he carefully climbs down, "I believe that this place was created for a scenario," he continues.

Zero agrees that this place was not possible to form naturally. The outside of this place is mired with nothing but ruined buildings, too urban to have something like this. The entrance to this underground cave is situated between rumbles and anyone who sees it will think that it was just a hole made by the apocalypse.

"We're almost there."

As they turn at the bend of the path, the narrow passage opened to a massive dome.

Zero's breath hitched at the paradise before him.

The centerpiece of the dome is a luminous tree he had never seen before. The shape of its trunk, the color of its leaves, the fruit it bears; none of it resembles any tree in this world.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"Yes... and very big," he dazedly say.

"And tall," Kim Dokja adds.

"And tall," he repeats, "Too tall." Yes, the tree is too tall for the length they went down to get here.

"You're right. It's too tall for it to be still in Seoul. I think, we are in a pocket dimension. Have you ever heard of those? It functions the same as our Infinite Dimension Space Coat," Kim Dokja turned away from him and gazed at the tree.

"Whatever world this place belongs to, it must be a really peaceful place," he nods to himself and beckons Zero to continue walking.

Now that he had somewhat recovered from being mesmerized, Zero allowed himself to take in the whole place.

The grass is lush and have a deep green hue with tinge of blues and purple. Plants, bushes, and flowers thrive everywhere.

Getting closer to the tree, Zero sees that a body of water circles around the land where the tree stood. The stream of water can be crossed by jumping.

They stopped at the edge of the stream.

"I'll go first," Kim Dokja said to him.

Stepping back a little, Kim Dokja runs and jumped. For a brief moment he was airborne and as he lands, the fireflies perched on the grass scattered around and flew all 'round him. Looking back, Kim Dokja smiles and held his hand out to him, urging him to jump.

He looks so ethereal that Zero was momentarily robbed of his breath.

Unconsciously, he raised his hand, reaching out as he jumped.

He lands and the fireflies scattered once more, their lights illuminate and casts shadows over their face.

For the first time, Zero touched Kim Dokja.

A spark of electricity run through where they touch. A gasp escaped Kim Dokja and he slipped his hand free, flinching from the sensation.

He seems to be saying something but Zero couldn't hear him through the blood rushing to his ears.

That split second of contact solidified the fact that he really is here in front of his star.

He had fantasized about it. Dreamed of it even. But he never thought that it'd come true. Just like he never thought of hearing his star's voice in his final moments.

"Junghyeok-ssi?" Kim Dokja called out hesitantly, "Junghyeok-ssi? Hey, are you okay?" This time, there is worry coloring his voice.

Kim Dokja moved closer, "Hey," he repeats, waving his hand in front of Yu Junghyeok's face.

Yu Junghyeok raised his bowed head, looking straight at him. His eyes are lidded and suspiciously blank. It's not the same as when Yu Junghyeok of the alternative 1863rd worldline is under the regression depression where his eyes are dead.

Yu Junghyeok-ssi's eyes right now are bright and has a spark of recognition. It's just that something is preventing him from functioning normally. 

Kim Dokja brushed the pads of his fingers over Yu Junghyeok's, testing if it'd generate the same response.

It didn't.

Yu Junghyeok suddenly moved and clasped their hands together, startling Kim Dokja into taking a step back.

Yu Junghyeok suddenly shuddered and whimpered a sound that made Kim Dokja red in the face.

The hand that Yu Junghyeok held hostage is then brought to his chest like a child holding something precious.

Kim Dokja is frozen in shock, the rapid thumping of Yu Junghyeok's heart made itself known under his hand.

'Okay Kim Dokja, let's calm down,' His embarrassment starts to go away, all thanks to the Fourth Wall.

Tugging at his captive hand, Kim Dokja led Yu Junghyeok directly under the shade of the massive tree.

Kim Dokja didn't have the slightest clue what the fuck just happened but the feeling enveloping him now is mysteriously comforting.

"Come sit," he said, patting the ground next to him.

Obediently, Yu Junghyeok complied.

It took a while for Yu Junghyeok to break out of the euphoria that he is feeling but when he did, he felt so embarrassed that he continued to pretend.

Besides, the position he is in is highly desirable.

For the next 20 minutes, Kim Dokja grew sleepy and yawns nonstop. Yu Junghyeok was contemplating whether to break character so that they can go back to the complex.

In the end, Kim Dokja made the choice for them when he fell asleep leaning on Yu Junghyeok's shoulder.

Letting go of Kim Dokja's hand, he snakes it through his shoulders and slowly lowered both of them onto the ground. That way, their bodies wouldn't hurt too much when they wake up tomorrow.

Pillowing Kim Dokja's head on his arm, Yu Junghyeok hugged him to his chest. He basked in his sponsor's presence, the bond of sponsor and incarnation thrumming between them (though Yu Junghyeok is certain that Kim Dokja cannot feel the bond, as the probability spark attest to earlier).

He cards his hand through Kim Dokja's hair, he had imagined that it would be soft to the touch and he is right. The feeling of embracing his most precious person fills his heart with warmth. Yu Junghyeok wants to be selfish and wish that they could stay like this forever but he knows that they can't, the scenarios in this world is still ongoing and Kim Dokja is needed by his companions.

'I want to stay here. I want to stay with you. Until the day I die, I want to stay by your side.'

With the feeling of safety and stability, Yu Junghyeok fell asleep.

Under the gentle touch of the moonlight, blanketing the alcove in its sliver light, the luminous leaves of the tree sways in the breeze.

Chapter Text

Hello everyone, it's almost a year since I disappeared from my social media. Don't worry, my wips will be written. I don't know when but they will. I've just been in some kind of a rut *cough* social anxiety *cough* agoraphobia *cough*

I've been getting better and started writing (more like try to) but I've been enamored with another fandom I've been in since I first saw the villain *cough* Sephiroth *cough*

I go back to Sephiroth everytime I get issues with current fandoms. *whispers* I kinda like some things that alot of people will shame me for *whispers*

So I've been active in another account.

Thanks to Hua hua for being there even though I do kind of disappear abruptly after.

Hope you guys are doing better than me and may good fortune visit you.