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Yoo Joonghyuk warily drew his hands reflexively to the hilt of his sword as his companions inched forwards. With a quick glance, everyone’s faces, despite being hidden by the dark shadows of the Dark Castle, were filled with unsettled cautiousness, as if an aboding and ominous creature were to unexpectedly onslaught them all.
“And so… just like this!” Jung Heewon had screamed out moments before, as everyone practiced the Demon King slaughter maneuver they’d been choreographing and rehearsing over and over, perfecting it to where no mistakes were made. As Kim Dokja said, his companions couldn’t afford to make a mistake, or else they’d all die to the wrath of the Demon King of the 10th scenario.
And as Yoo Joonghyuk watched them passionately practice this sword-dance, he stood off to the side, leaning against a wall and staring at Kim Dokja devising his plan.
…Was he the only one who felt this foreboding feeling? Had Kim Dokja not recognised the flaws in his plans?
Kim Dokja always had a plan. Needless to say, the amount of times those plans involved his death just wasn’t right. Yoo Joonghyuk hated attending his funerals. Not because he cared, but because of how utterly inconvenient it was for his companions to halt their path to moving forward, just to mourn the fake death of Kim Dokja, who’d resurrect in a week’s time.
They continued moving through the Castle, weapons in hands. But quickly, his companions came to a stop. An eerie sensation washed over their heads as they finally stepped through the hall, to be met with a deep crystal cavern; a stage of rocks and forbidden crystals.
“...Huh?” Lee Gilyoung muttered, holding his hammer defensively above his shoulder. “Where’s the Demon King?”
His companions glanced around and peered through the depths of the pitch black cave, before a ray of light flashed with bright, messy sparks in the air.
Yoo Joonghyuk was the first to notice. With a tense brow, he unsheathed the Splitting the Sky Sword and directed the tip to the faltering glow set in the center of the stage, meters away from the entrance.
A golden, royal and mighty throne, cracked and broken like a shattered bone. Within the cold chills and empty silence of the cave, there was another presence to be bestowed. Dry blood splatters coldly decorated the arms of the chair and pooled at the back, and when Yoo Joonghyuk brought his gaze down, he saw the wretched Demon King. The lifeless body of a red-skinned humanoid beast, with vile black horns and coated with an elegant white gown. Deeply saturated in the deathly red blood that pooled out from his chest, torn and ripped apart.
A system message echoed in the air, with the automated, electronic voice of the Dokkaebi AI announcement that made his muscles tense.
[The 73rd Demon King is dead.]
Han Sooyoung’s face paled. “W-what? He’s dead?”
Yoo Joonghyuk tightened his grip on his sword, clenching his jaw tighter than the time he heard about that idiot Kim Dokja’s first death.
The Star Stream was an endless cycle of tragedy, tormentation, and sacrifice. Yoo Joonghyuk’s endless regressions was a pure example of that, but even through all of this, he had begun to think that maybe things would work out this time. With the introduction of a variable he’d never met until now- that fool, Kim Dokja, maybe he’d finally see the end of the scenarios with his companions.
The Star Stream was unpredictable, but Yoo Joonghyuk, a victim of the Star Stream’s unpredictability, began to recognise the tragic and predictable fall of events within Probability.
And he knew that someone had to die today.
Yoo Joonghyuk thought back to a conversation he had with his companion just hours earlier.
⸢"Kim Dokja, what is your purpose?"
"Purpose? What is my purpose?"
"Is your final goal to reach the end of all the scenarios?"
Kim Dokja hesitated for a moment, before answering. "Well, I guess so."
Yoo Joonghyuk stared with stern and serious eyes. "Can you promise not to give up on that goal, no matter what?"⸥
Yoo Joonghyuk looked over his shoulder at the confused and complicated mind of his companion one last time. ‘Keep your promise until the end, ’ he thought, before bolting to the throne silently, without a trace. His mind felt congested, but in reality, this is the conclusion he came up with a while ago now.
Yoo Joonghyuk could hear the distant chatter of his companions fading off into the distance as he ran further.
Another system message replayed in the air.
[The Star Stream has corrected the balance of this scenario.]
And as Yoo Joonghyuk ran forward, without a word, he reached out to the emerald jade sitting on the high stool within the broken cavern. His black coat flapped behind him as Yoo Joonghyuk reached out further and further, eyes set on this gem. Yoo Joonghyuk knew well what events would transpire if he took the jade, yet Yoo Joonghyuk felt after all this time, that such a sacrifice was necessary.
This was the only way.
“Yoo Joonghyuk!”
The only way for everyone to make it out alive.
Yoo Joonghyuk scooped the cold jade off the ground, clenching it in his fist.
Kim Dokja dashed forward without hesitancy, but Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head, staring at his eyes. This is something he had to do.
“Kim Dokja, remember to keep your promise.”
Kim Dokja clenched his jaw, fists forming around his sword. “No-!”
[The candidate for the ‘73rd Demon King’ has been found.]
[The new ‘73rd Demon King’ has been elected.]
Yoo Joonghyuk looked down at the gem in his hand that glowed brighter than Surya’s wrath. The light of the gem oozed over his body, a sickly demonic aura spreading from head to toe. Yoo Joonghyuk withered as uncomfortable pain seared through his body.
Shin Yoosung, trembling next to Lee Gilyoung, held his hands gently with fear.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s heart ached.
Lee Seolhwa afar in the distance, watched with uncertainty, as Lee Hyunsung held his shield defensively in front of his eyes,
Jung Heewon, someone new from this regression, stood in astounding shock, while Kim Dokja bolted towards him.
“...nonsense are you sayi..?!”
[The selected person is evolving into a Demon King!]
Yoo Joonghyuk’s world became a blur, but he focussed his vision on that man.
“...you son of a bitch!”
Then suddenly, bright wires of light entangled themself around his body and restricted his movements.
He mumbled, eyes wide. “What?”
Yoo Joonghyuk followed his gaze of the connection of the threat, to meet eyes with Yoo Sangah, desperately tugging onto her stigma. The emerald jade was bound and ripped out of his hands as she tossed it to the side. Through the gaps of the Binding Thread, Yoo Joonghyuk maneuvered his arms to reach the Splitting the Sky Sword sitting by his hip, but the restraints thickened.
With gritted teeth, he heaved, “Don’t… stop me…”
A burst of killing intent boomed like sonic waves, attempting to overcome Yoo Sangah.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
Han Sooyoung stomped her feet on the ground, her eyes shooting piercing glares at the stone cold regressor. “He’s an idiot who only thinks about himself to the end! Don’t let him take it!” She continued shouting, as if it was the only way to get him to stop. “He plans to become the Demon King and kill us all! He’ll continue alone like he always has! That bastard, nothing’s changed!”
Boom!
A large explosion shattered through the cavern, and Yoo Joonghyuk rose while everyone’s balance faltered, gusts of wind blowing them back.
“Get out of the way, Kim Dokja.”
“No!”
“I will become the Demon King.”
[Main Scenario #10 - 73rd Demon King]
Category: Main
Difficulty level: SS+
Clear Conditions: You can choose one of two ways. Take possession of the throne and become the 73rd demon king, or kill the newly born 73rd demon king. The scenario can only be cleared by choosing one of these two methods and there is no other way to proceed.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Compensation: 200,000 coins,???
Failure: Death and expulsion from the scenario.
“You know the only way to clear this scenario.”
Yoo Joonghyuk bit the inside of his cheek as Kim Dokja intently read the system message floating in the air.
Kim Dokja hesitated, before opening his mouth, warily. “...Are you going to sacrifice yourself?”
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, feet firmly placed in the ground. “Kill me and go to the next scenario!”
“You know I can’t do that,” Kim Dokja’s eyes wavered. He inched closer to his companion. “Do you think it's that easy? To kill the regressor? What happened to your goal, to see the end of the scenarios!”
Their swords clanged and clashed, the heat rising between them.
Through gritted teeth, Yoo Joonghyuk looked around at his companions, then focussed back on Kim Dokja. “Get out of my way, Kim Dokja.”
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced back at Lee Seolhwa. Dust covered her tattered white coat as her long black hair flew behind her, as she shielded her face from flying rocks.
Yoo Joonghyuk remembered his previous regression with her, where they fell in love and he had a child for the first time. Anytime Yoo Joonghyuk had been injured, Lee Seolhwa would tenderly hold his cheek and pat his head, telling him, ‘It’s okay,’ with a generous kind smile, as she tended to his wounds. Her dainty hands would hold the disinfectant as she patched the scars on his cheeks, smiling softly and peacefully.
He knew he wouldn’t get to love her again. But Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head. He didn’t need her love.
As in this regression, there was someone else right in front of him, earnestly desperate for his survival. This man fought head on with fiery passion, and Yoo Joonghyuk’s heart tugged.
This world was truly cruel.
Someone had to die.
It was rare for Yoo Joonghuk to find love. He always thought Lee Seolhwa could be the only person he could ever rely on, but in half of his regressions, she died in his arms from the wrath of the Parasite Queen. The poisonous monster that stole her soul, over and over, and he became numb.
The man in front of him was an entity, and he was someone who might not ever appear again if Yoo Joonghyuk were to ever regress. So if Kim Dokja dies, then Yoo Joonghyuk could never meet him again.
Kim Dokja had to survive.
“You can complete my goal for me,” Yoo Joonghyuk swore.
“Stop it, you son of a bitch!”
“You need to continue living.”
A loud clap of thunder struck the walls of the cavern, a sinister echo reverbing as Kim Dokja covered his ears. “No!”
His companion stepped back, as small sparks began tickling the tips of his fingers. “Kim Dokja!”
As Kim Dokja was enveloped by bright blue sparks, his feet lifted off the ground and his eyebrows tensed. “An ending where you die..”
[The exclusive skill 'Electrification' Lv. 11 (+1) has been activated.]
“There is no such development in the ending that I want.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes widened. “Kim Dokja! I must become the demon king…!”
“I will be the demon king.”
“Don’t talk such bullshit! If you do that, you will surely die. After being banished from the scenario, resurrection is useless!”
An intense whirl of sparks built around Kim Dokja’s body.
“Sorry, Yoo Joonghyuk.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s vision went black as a strong blue-and-white blast exploded, knocking him back with a big collision. His body fell limp as his back hit a pile of rocks and rubble with a thud, and small droplets of blood seeped out from open wounds covering his skin.
Kim Dokja made one last look, before turning away.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes slowly peered open, a surge of searing pain shooting through the back of his head. “Urgh-!” he winced, before vomiting a sickly pool of blood.
Lee Seolhwa softly patted his back. Her tarnished coat was tattered and torn against her frail body.
“Don’t move, Joonghyuk-ssi!” she screamed, holding back.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze flickered over to a horrible shriek in the distance. A deep, dark and deathly aura came from Kim Dokja, his eyes glowing deep wine red.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were wide open, but he slowly began to squint, clenching his jaw and gritting his teeth as he shook.
Kim Dokja’s mouth moved with unintelligible words as he looked at his party members, and for a moment, made eye contact with Yoo Joonghyuk. His companions fell, trembling.
[The Main Scenario #10 ― '73rd Demon King' has started!]
Yoo Joonghyuk tried to stand up but immediately winced, limping through his injured hip. Lee Seolhwa tugged him back down.
“Let me finish healing you!”
Yoo Joonghyuk turned around, and glared at her with fierce intensity.
Her heart battered loudly in her chest as she stared back. The fear in his eyes was solidarity; she’d never seen her companion show such a worn out, concerned yet terrified face.
Lee Seolhwa hadn’t known him for long, but Yoo Joonghyuk was never the person to show his compassion about his companions.
“Kim Dokja’s always been special to you, though,” she smiled, before she looked back at Yoo Joonghyuk’s injured hip. “I can at least do this for you.” With her eyes focussed, she exerted all her healing power into Yoo Joonghyuk’s wounds.
He nodded and let her push the rest of her power, before running off. Lee Seolhwa brought herself to stand, stumbling and staggering towards the scene.
“Kim Dokja.”
Fractured, wide feathered wings dipped low onto the floor, blood oozing out his back, staining the white Infinite Space coat. Bloodshot eyes, fleshed out shoulders, staggered legs. Yoo Joonghyuk wanted to look away.
Kim Dokja heaved, "Don't make such an expression. You can't change what has already happened. Don't you already know?"
Yoo Joonghyuk wiped the blood off the corner of his mouth, and murmured, "It should've been me who died here."
He rose the Breaking the Sky Sword and lashed out, clashing with the Unbroken Faith. Embers of light sparked out of intensity as Yoo Joonghyuk leaned in further, a fire lighting in his eyes.
[The remaining capture time is 4 minutes.]
There wasn’t enough time.
“Argh!”
“Yoo Joonghyuk, it’s okay.”
No time would ever be enough.
“It’s time to bring ‘that’ out.”
Yoo Joonghyuk eased the pressure on his sword, his step faltering. “If I…”
Kim Dokja nodded.
“If I use that, you can’t be resurrected.”
"That's why you need to use it. It’ll be difficult if I come back as a Demon King.”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt like a puppet being toyed on strings by the scenario.
“This world truly is cruel.”
He reached behind his back and unsheathed a deadly, long and disgustingly bright sword. A tarnished, shabby stunted hilt that was unfitting in his grip. The Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds. Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
“I hope the time where I had to use this wouldn’t come.”
“It’s time now, Joonghyuk.”
“Kim Dokja…”
Shin Yoosung ran beside the two. “Ahjussi!” A great tremor overtook her as loud, shuddered sobs escaped her lips. She reached out, her hands softly touching Kim Dokja’s fractured cheeks.
Kim Dokja smiled. “Shin Yoosung, it’s okay.”
“Step back, Yoosung,” Yoo Joonghyuk grumbled, pushing her away.
“Ahjussi-!”
Lee Gilyoung, with red, swollen eyes, tugged her by the shoulders and tore her back. “H-he said ‘step back’, so let’s go back. Ahjussi is in pain.”
A louder sob escaped her. And slowly, heart broken cries escaped their companions, as they all ran in closer.
Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth. “…To be honest, there is no certainty in this. I'm not confident in my current attack power,” he lowly murmured, in a broken, somber voice.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Shin Yoosung shook her head as Lee Gilyoung restrained her.
Yoo Joonghyuk put two hands on the hilt of the sword, holding it firmly. “Kim Dokja, I’ve never met someone willing to die as much as you.”
“I try my best- heok!” Even through all of his pain, Kim Dokja let out a broken, chuckle, before coughing dry blood.
Yoo Joonghyuk pressed the tip of his sword to Kim Dokja’s chest. “I wish… we had more time.”
Constellations sent endless indirect messages through the system. He refused to acknowledge them. This was not an act.
Yoo Joonghyuk launched forward and pierced his sword through Kim Dokja’s heart.
“Hurgh-!”
“Kim Dokja!”
Immediately dropping the sword, Yoo Joonghyuk’s trembling, strong arms wrapped around Kim Dokja’s body. Yoo Joonghyuk tripped over his feet as they fell to the ground, and Kim Dokja’s warm blood pooled over Yoo Joonghyuk’s thighs.
Kim Dokja choked on the blood oozing out his mouth. Yoo Joonghyuk placed a hand on the back of Kim Dokja’s head, sofly holding him close to his chest as Kim Dokja’s body fell limp.
A cold hand reached out to Yoo Joonghyuk’s cheek, softly caressing it.
“You fool…”
Yoo Joonghyuk clenched his fist.
“Yoo Joonghyuk… this story was beautiful, wasn’t it?”
His eyes wavered, but Kim Dokja continued.
That cold, lifeless hand, slowly slipped down from his cheek and hit the floor.
“You're-”
Cold, numbing tears fell down his face, frozen in shock and disbelief.
[Kim Dokja’s fate has been realized.]
“...the one that I, truly, love most in this world.”
「 [Incarnation Kim Dokja will be killed by the person he loves most.] 」