Chapter Text
Is… is that how it ends?
This book, that he has been reading almost for the past 3 years, with probably the most depressing ending he's read in a while, and being an avid reader on not so legal websites, he finds many questionable novels. But this..
It didn't start all that bad, no, instead it started off promising, it took place in a medieval, magical setting, starting with the ‘oh-so handsome’ protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk.
Someone that was not only powerful with a sword but also with his mind, specifically on the battlefield. Another twist is that he was born of royal blood (who would've seen that coming!)
A basic action novel that someone would read while lying on their bed just scrolling to see if anything catches their eyes, something to read to pass the time, and something he would occasionally come back to read when he was bored.
Safe to say he was a little attached to this book and also excited for the ending
However, the ending not only included the ML dying, BUT ALMOST THE WHOLE CAST!!
Not even in a way bittersweet, where they all died saving the world, no, they just died. No explanation or anything, after the main fight. It was just, “they won, then died. The End.”
Kim Dokja was speechless. He stared at the words in utter disbelief.
This novel ended in one sentence, that even a 1st grader could write a better ending for–ironic considering it took nearly 3 pages to explain the protagonist’s beauty, and nearly 5 talking about his complex sob story of a fucking life.--After a few minutes of staring and re-reading, he just turned off his phone and went to bed. He’s too tired for this shit.
If only it was that easy to fall asleep though, he ended up tossing and turning, cursing his insomnia, the main reason he's up at 3 am reading obscure books, probably made by 14-year-olds. After nearly an hour of staring at the ceiling, glaring at it like it personally caused his inability to get some rest. He finally fell asleep. His breath slowed down not noticing the flickering flash of light outside his window
_-_:_-_
Waking up was always something he dreaded, he honestly wished he could have died like one of those characters. At least they don’t wake up in a dreary state knowing they’ll get yelled at by their boss for not turning in their work due at 5 when it was 5:01. Yup, being an adult is fun, they said. Say that to his fucking taxes and bills.
He groggily rubs his eyes to see something unfamiliar to him, a huge soft blanket covering him. Something he never remembered having, normally his thin sheet could very well be compared to a newspaper, so this was surprising, but who is he to complain?
Still stuck in his mind about the sheer softness of his second favorite object, he sits up to see a whole new room, beautifully decorated with green shelves and plants scattered around and on a white canvas wall, the high ceiling almost as though it was trying to touch the sky, with a large chandelier in the middle, almost like the moon.
Yeah, no, this definitely wasn’t his room.
Kim Dokja, a 28-year-old man, concluded one of two things:
- He was kidnapped/ and/or drunk, which somehow led to him being stuck in some rich guy's mansion.
- He transmitted it into one of the many novels he has read.
He was in his own head, debating which one would be more likely when he heard loud footsteps nearing his door, bringing him out of his stupor. Still sitting on his bed he saw the door slowly open, a seemingly young couple walked in, they looked at him and a passing sense of familiarity struck him, small but noticeable.
The lady seems to notice him first and runs to hug him, tears streaming down her face. An unexpected reaction, but Kim Dokja had worked for a shitty company that let their managers do anything, making him good at hiding his real feelings, allowing him to, in this moment, camouflage his pure confusion.
The lady sniffled a little more while pulling away from him to look at his face, slowly caressing his face.“You're up…good morning sweetie.” She said, a hint of disbelief evident in her tone, but he did nothing to acknowledge it. Though the sweetie part leaves him a little bewildered he gets attacked with hugs and kisses again.
The man who was previously standing in the doorway, either from disbelief or just wanting to leave his wife the task of coddling Dokja, also began to hug him. He began checking Kim Dokja’s arms, almost as if checking for injuries. Whatever he was searching for the man left out a sigh of relief, his face relaxed, satisfied with what he discovered. Or perhaps the lack thereof.
It seemed he was important to these people, they were acting like his parents or someone extremely close to each other. But who were they?
He didn't want to interrupt the couple who seemed like they needed this, so he just sat silently and accepted it, patting both of their backs awkwardly. He had to think about this carefully, whatever he said next could be a problem, but he had to say something. Thankfully he's read many books that start something like this..
“I- Um.. who are you..?” the couple stopped to look at him simultaneously, their piercing gazes seemed to look through into his heart.
“You- do you not remember us?” The lady’s voice sounded a little heartbroken.
Well if I find out which book I transmigrated into, maybe I could fake it!! Give me something to play off of, c’mon! He internally yelled at the couple, hoping they would respond accordingly.
The man spoke calmly, “I suppose this was to be expected, the doctors did say you were most likely to have amnesia.”
“I know you’re my parents, but that's about it. I’m sorry..” he's truly just shooting into the dark at this point.
They both sighed, the noise tinged with sorrow, before the woman started to speak.
“Would you like some time to yourself to think? We could have breakfast together and talk about what you do remember. Does that sound okay, sweetie? A maid will help you get there. Let's talk soon.” She said, caressing his cheek, unconsciously he leaned into the warmth.
A few moments after they left, closing the door softly, the sound of retreating steps could be heard under the door until, finally, it was silent.
Okay, now think. He commanded himself. There were many novels this could be, he could narrow it down a little, but not enough to situate himself.
He suddenly heard a loud roar, shaking him out of his thoughts. He jumps out of bed, noting his current clothes on the way to the sound and spots a window. Dokja looked outside he saw a fucking dragon flying overhead.
Now, normally a person would gawk at the chance to see one, maybe even run outside to try and pet it, but this is Kim Dokja, so he did the most logical thing his brain could think of,he walked away.
Unsurprisingly there are an excessive amount of books with dragons in them. The only thing that told him was that he was in a fantasy setting.
Walking from the frankly obscenely large window he noticed a glint of light from the corner of his eyes. He tried to discern who the figure was. A man? He openly gaped as he realized that it was a mirror.
Kim Dokja looks.. beautiful? That was definitely something not normally used to describe him.Was he ugly? Maybe to some, but no. Always looking terribly exhausted and malnourished? Yes. But this…
His skin was now plump and full, his eyes were full of life, his eye bags were now gone, replaced with a refreshed look. His skin was now a healthy milky color. His clothes, he noted about earlier, were soft and silky, a beautiful white color pooling down to his knees.
Basically him, if he actually took care of himself in his past life, but rather than looking handsome as one would normally think a man would look like, he was pretty, he could almost pass as a noble lady, if need be.
Just as he was appraising his new looks, even doing a full twirl, he heard a knock at the door
Kim Dokja freaked out a bit, brushing his clothes off and straightening his shoulders, before saying a small “Come in,” to the person behind the door.
As the older maid walked in she gave a small bow, “young master Kim Dokja,
breakfast is almost ready. Your parents are already waiting in the dining room”
She walked up to his closet and took some clothes from their hangers, gently placing them on a nearby chair. Elegant and calm, unlike Kim Dokja
He nearly had a heart attack when he heard his name, his ACTUAL name, not some other one like Jung blah blah, no, his OWN name. As quickly as he panicked he managed to recollect himself. At least now he knew the novel he was in at least.
“Thank you, you may go.” he said with a calm demeanor that definitely did not accurately capture his inner emotions.
Before she could leave, he asked, “ah, if you don't mind, what's the date today?”
She looked at him for a second, almost sadly and said, “right now it's the 4 of February my lord.”
She gave a short, curtsy and left for the door.
Oncethe maid left, Dokja nearly screamed out loud, but he decided not to. Instead, he grabbed a pillow, buried his face and THEN he screamed,giving it a few punches as well.
The thing is Kim Dokja wouldn't mind being reborn into cannon fodder, but right now h. He was the minor villain, someone who died by the main character, someone who fell head over heels for the man at a mere glance.
Ssomeone (who by sheer coincidence) had the same name as him, given that both Kim Dokjas aren't someone who had a very social life, he wasn't anyone nearly as important as some of the others, but he tragically died because he was being suspected as a traitor. Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to feel some sort of remorse about killing him, but not enough to explain why.
But luck was on his side today! Not only was this before the events took place in the novel, but it was close extremely so, the novel takes place within the first week of school. Not nearly enough time to meet the protagonist, but hopefully enough time to save his ass.
With this new revelation on his mind, he got dressed. Although the original was not that important in the novel; the readers were given a decent amount of information about the original Kim Dokja.
A scrawny, pitiful boy who was adopted by the loving parents King and Queen Hades and Persephone.
To a boy who was once a peasant fleeing his burning village with his younger brother in his arms, to meeting his now parents who were cursed to never have a child born from them.
A tragic tale indeed if it wasn't for the fact that this NEVER GOT BROUGHT UP AGAIN! Apparently when someone meets Yoo Joonghyuk all the interesting things about them get thrown into the abyss as they flock to his feet.
Kim Dokja’s inner monologue came to an end as he realized he was already ready to leave, in his new clothes and apparently new life
Stepping out the door he saw the previous maid who prepared his clothes do a small bow towards him and make her way through the corridors and halls passing many areas he would look at later. , maybe something interesting would be behind one of those doors, who knows.
Slowing to a stop they make their way towards the door near the end of the hall and opens it.
It had a rather large dining table, although supposedly being made for only a family of 3 it could fit nearly 20 full grown people. The decor was simple black and purple, with many flowers surrounding the area, giving it an outdoorsy look. At the tables there were already 3 figures sitting down. Hurriedly he makes his way to one of the open seats and greets his parents.
Sitting down an uncomfortable silence overcomes the room, not knowing where to start he just starts eating.
His father decided that someone needed to talk so he began speaking.
“Tell me son, what can you remember?”
“Like I said before I remember you, and a few more…” he’s kinda already committed to the role of a boy that was hit with amnesia.
“I know you are Persephone and Hades of the underworld kingdom. I know that i am your son, that I also have a younger brother…” he said a little unsure, by the looks on their faces they bought it.
“I’m sure you remember your brother… he’s been, well, grief stricken when he heard you could’ve possibly died. He’s been working himself to the bone, being out on missions and dangerous outings.” She looked straight into his eyes as she said this, as if looking deep into his soul.
Now this was surprising, in the novel Kim Dokja and Kim Namwoon’s relationship has been complicated to say the least. They hated each other with the burning passion, but when Kim Namwoon was given a nearly dead Dokja he took care of his wounds then left.
“Ah, I’m assuming you’ve sent him a letter already?”
“We have, he is due to arrive within a few days” he replied easily
“...okay.”
Crap this is not good! I don't know my relationship with him. Maybe he's coming back to finish the job or something. He could be putting up a facade in front of the people who saved but maybe he’s making a plan to kill me! Not good, totally not good.
“I-” Kim Dokja got interrupted
“Duke Hades and Lady Persephone, Barron Lee has requested an audience with you, he says it's of utmost importance.”
The man was rather short and wide, he gave Dokja a smile and shook his hand in as a greeting, the smile was anything but comforting and inviting it almost sent shivers down his spine, this wouldn't be an ordinary meeting, perhaps he was planning something.
After some small talking it seemed Barron Lee wanted to get straight into what the meeting was for.
“It seems that a small problem has occured in my place, a few days ago a past maid came up to my house bringing a boy with her, she then claimed that this child was mine and created quite the uproar. You see, my wife has yet to birth a child, and anyone other than her would give me bad publicity.
Kim Dokja wants to puke, he didn't even deny that he slept with the woman. He just wants to get the boy away from him, because he doesn't want to look bad. Wow, just wow.
Dokja gave a small sneak to see how his parents would react, and lo and behold, they both looked disgusted with the man. Said man just continued to look indifferent as if nothing was wrong here. His mom looked better than his dad but still.
His dad, the most composed of the 3, started talking for them, before his mom could say anything. If The little snippets in the book gave him any information, is that despite popular belief persephone is the one you wouldn't want to piss off of the two. The bandits that previously raided his village could agree to that.
“I would like to know why you came to us, if this is merely a misunderstanding surely you could find evidence of your innocence. ” When he said this Barron Lee squinted his eyes and his smile faltered a little.
“...” he said nothing neither denying nor confirming what happened.
“Tell me,” his father began, “How is the child? Surely you are treating him well, even if the accusation is incorrect you could still treat him well, right?”
“...please have some sympathy, Duke Hades.”
Sympathy??
He was probably putting on a ploy so he could guilt trip Hades.
But would it really be so bad to take the poor boy?
Throughout the novel whenever small snippets of Barron Lee showed up, he was always a scum, so fake to the protagonist but harmful to those he considers ‘below him.’ His child born of a maid would be seen as something that would bring down his good reputation.
He would also be play a huge fucking part in the kidnapping of Yoo Joonghyuk’s sister. And just a fucking asshole in general.
But there is one thing to note about his new family. They hate unjust treatments. And more than that they hate parents who abandon their kids because of minor issues. That’s how he was adopted in the first place.
“Duke Hades, I would like to-”
“Dokja” the beautiful lady interrupted
“Please go outside darling, you just woke up. I’d recommend you go to the garden okay?”
She said it in such a sweet voice it was nearly impossible to hear the underlying message underneath it.
‘I don’t want you to see what is going to happen to him.’
He smiled sweetly as he bowed to both of his parents and Barron Lee. Barron in return gave a small bow not understanding the current situation. Not noticing the eyes closely following him outside.
He started to make his way to (hopefully) where the gardens are, but being reborn into a new place with almost no knowledge of where to go makes him feel like he’s a child in a store without his parents.
Opening many, many doors he somehow made it to a library. Close enough. Granted he preferred to read on his phone, but since that had yet to exist he went for the next best thing, physical books.
If the underworld family was known for anything; it was their vast knowledge of many things. Books passed down from generations, more accumulated over the years resulted in an extremely large library, becoming any book lover's wet dream.
This was also the place where he could learn about this world. The novel barely covered anything outside of Yoo Junghyuk and his group after all.
“Now where to-”
“Get back here!”
Well then, I guess not
As he makes his way out the door, a small figure runs into him almost knocking him over
The small figure, a child, hurriedly apologized and began to start running again. He was fast but Kim Dokja was able to hurriedly grab his arm.
He looked slightly afraid and kept gazing behind Kim Dokja, ah, he was running from something
He didn't immediately recognize the boy but from his clothes he looked like a commoner boy, but…
That's when he saw the young boy trembling in his hold, he loosened his grip and gave the boy a concerned look, to which the boy looked at him with the most nervous and frightened look he might’ve seen in a child before.
When he heard yelling from behind him, the boy just started to shake minutely, Kim Dokja wasted no time, and pulled the boy. Ignoring the surprised yelp that escaped his lips he brought the boy to his room. Luckily it was behind him so they won’t need to go far.
After hearing the footsteps slowly fade away, as did her annoying voice, the boy started talking after he gave him a small but thankful bow.
This servant would like to thank you for your kindness, but I must get going…my master would be looking for me.” He said those last few words with reluctance and fear, as if just not being on time would get him in trouble.
“It's nothing to worry about. Could I get to know your name, boy?”
“Le- Gilyoung, just Gilyoung.”
No last name? Could he not want to be associated with his family? For a second it sounded like he was going to say something with ‘Le’ the immediate name that came to his mind was Lee, but that would mean he was associated with Barron Lee, as far as he knew Barron Lee didn't have any children, with the name Gilyoung, or anyone who was described with his looks.
The bo- ahem, Gilyoung has short brown hair, it looks messy but also soft, making him want to pat the small child's head, he looked around 12 or 13 and he was around his stomach in height. Gilyoung looked slightly tired, with small bags under his eyes from seemingly being overworked, but his eyes held a determined look that made him look like he could fight Kim Dokja, and win.
He was probably just cannon fodder in this mess of a novel. Without thinking Kim Dokja patted his head
“Would you like to tell me about yourself, it's fine if you don't.”
To be honest he just wants to find out more about the outside world and this boy could tell him about some of it.
Gilyoung looked up at him with admiration. Without thinking he suddenly hugged Kim Dokja tightly.
How ironic, a man he accidentally ran into cared about him more than the man who was his supposed father. Gilyoung thought bitterly.
Without noticing Lee Gilyoung started to tear up, small crystalline tears started to form in his eyes.
Kim Dokja panicked because he thought HE did something wrong, to make a small child cry. WHAT DID HE DO? Are you not supposed to ask someone how they are when you first meet them?
“A-ah you don't need to tell me if he doesn't want to!” Kim Dokja said almost immediately
“...Hyung, can I come with you?” Gilyoung hiccuped
“Oh, of course you can Gilyoung, but I’m just going to grab a few books then go to the garden. Is that okay?”
“Mhm!” Gilyoung looked up and smiled, his smile almost blinding, like this the boy seemed like an actual jovial boy, not the small, unkempt, shy child he met a few minutes ago.
Walking more inside the library there were so many places to start at but starting off small is at least better than not starting at all. Grabbing a leatherback book that caught his attention he flipped through the contents. It talked about folklore and customs. Could be handy.
Just browning for a few minutes and talking to Gilyoung he had a small pile of books in hand to read later.
—- -..
Hand in hand he walked around the halls of this maze. Looking for someone to point him in the direction of the garden.
Eventually after some fumbling around he met a young looking maid cleaning around the manor. He went up to the lady and began to ask her where the garden was, politely she pointed the way and even offered to lead them, but he denied it, thanking her as he left in the direction she pointed.
“Gilyoung, how are you associated with Barron Lee?”
“A- Oh I’m his…son” He sounded hesitant to say it and looked like he tasted the most repulsive food ever thought of. To him it probably was.
“Son, huh?” The boy nodded. “So you know why he came here today?” Another nod.
“Do you?” Gilyoung asked curiously. This time it was his turn to nod.
“I’ll be honest, I hope I can be here. At least someone can treat me normally.” The second part was almost whispered, obviously not meant to be said out loud.
Reaching the large doors with small wisps of lights peeking from the bottom kissing the bottom of the soles of both of their shoes, hand in hand they walk through the doors.
The outside was warm, the sun hitting both of their skins, contrasting the cold inside of the palace. They soon found a fountain that would be a perfect place to sit at and read. Of course he tried to ask if Gilyoung wanted to do anything else, but always refusing saying “Anything with Hyung is fun!” or something along that line.
They sat down and started to read, it was only then did he realize that the boy had a book about bugs. While he sat down and began reading about a variety of things. Politics, mythology, religion, nature, anything really.
And at one point his mind wandered. It stopped paying attention to the book in his hand as he wondered if this was real.
There was too much happening that he couldn’t even stop and process that this was real. But now the years he spent were all wasted.
The time spent was all gone, yeah, he supposes it wasn’t good but it was his. Something he had and was proud of.
He isn’t home anymore, he knows almost nothing, no phone, no trains, anything he previously knew is gone.
It didn’t hit him until now. Where in the silence of the garden his thoughts could persevere. He couldn’t go back to his old life.
Everything. Is. Gone.
Everything he worked towards is gone like the wind. 20 years gone.
What about his mom? His-
Huh? Tears?
There was a small streak of water that slid down his face.
It was then that he realized that nothing but his heartbeat was heard.
It was too loud.
It hurt.
His breathing was erratic but he could barely focus on anything.
He tried to calm down when he felt a small hand placed on his.
It was grounding him.
It felt comfortable. Warm even. His heartbeat slowly calmed down as he was finally able to hear. Slowly his heartbeat was receding back into the confines of his chest.
He looked down at Gilyoung who had a worried expression plastered on his face. But it was also then that he realized that it was windy outside; scratch that it was like a fucking hurricane. Gilyoung nearly got swept up in the wind, but smartly hung onto Dokja. The boy didn’t pay any attention to the wind, he only seemed to care about his hyung. He looked down and saw the pages of their books flipped until it hit the end of the page.
He looked around and only realized that the wind came from him, Him? He looked down and took a few deep breaths. The wind in turns slowed down like his heart. Until complete calmness again.
In the back of his mind he remembered a small fact about the novel. Kim Dokja has magic. Something rare even in this setting and was only figured out when he had a mental breakdown after his parents died.
Wind, he had an affiliation with wind. Looking at his hands he tried to will it back out, something small was felt around, but quickly disappeared.
“HYUNG!” Gilyoung yelled at Kim Dokja. Being started out of his daze he looked at Gilyoung, oh the poor boy must be scared of him now. He looked at the boy's face and realized instead of confusion, it was admiration?
“That was so cool, can you do that again! Can you teach me?” He bombarded Kim Dokja with question after question that he nearly got overwhelmed.
He ran up to him and hugged him as tightly as the small boy could. It was adorable. At this moment he looked at Dokja like one would with a hero. And maybe, that’s exactly what Dokja is to him.
The small boy never seemed to have anyone kind to him being born from a scandal. But now, he seemed to only radiate happiness. That reminds him of his parents, not his old ones but the ones here.
They seemed to only hold love for him and care for him more than anyone did in his previous world. Another tear, this time not from sadness but for realizing he got another chance. He smiled at the boy and the latter smiled back, albeit a little hesitant because he wanted to ask what was wrong.
Looking at the setting sun he figured he only had one plan in his mind. Help the one he cares about survive. No matter the cost.