Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[– Ladies and gentlemen, I repeat. We welcome you to Seoul, South Korea. Thank you for flying with us. May luck be in your favor.]

The first moment I knew something was wrong was when my mother handed me my first phone. It was a simple black screen with cracks in the corner, but it felt like a bribe, present, and apology in one.

Father stormed into the room with a half-drunk expression and stared at me pitifully. “You. Get dressed. We’re going out.”

It was an invitation that lacked any grace or manners it made me involuntarily stare at him in defiance before he finally had enough and begrudgingly closed the door. I remembered how high-pitched Mother’s tone and squeal over how ‘dashing and cool’ Father was before coldly staring at my body. It was bad enough to have a mother who sees her daughter as a competitor over her husband.

It was truly disgusting that I wished that she could stop staring at me like it was my fault.

As soon as the car engine rattled, we were all ushered to a nearby local restaurant that made the day as ruined as it was. Father lit a cigarette and blew off the smoke as my mother parked the car on the parking lot. She discussed most things that rattled into Father’s ears and didn’t even notice how one-sided it was.

I didn’t remember much of that evening after that. Even if I did, I don’t want to.

Like the day I dreaded, Mother handed me most of my items in a heavy backpack and a casual ‘good luck’ before leaving me alone on the streets.

Did I just get kicked out?

I knew that I had been lucky in my past lives, but it was a stretch for me to be this unlucky in this one — an abusive and alcoholic father and a love-drunk and neglectful mother. The tiny hope that I once held on to when they took me out to dinner that day was crushed.

As I walked down the plane, the chill of the cold December night crept onto my skin. Considering that the clothes I wore weren’t giving me much warmth, I didn’t exactly have that much of a choice. It was all a rushed decision. Or at least that’s what the floating blue window in the corner of my eyes told me so.

_________________________________________________

[The main scenario has arrived!]

[Main Scenario #1 – Arrival to the Main Stage]

Category: Main (Personal)

Difficulty: ■■■

Clear Conditions: Arrive in South Korea and board the 3434 Train to Bulgwang, Carriage 3807.

Time Limit: 1 day and 30 minutes

Compensation: 300 coins

Failure: Death

_________________________________________________

Imagine my surprise when it suddenly appeared to me and no one could see it.

Exactly.

Even the granny from the train station in Osaka looked at me strangely. However, when I tried ignoring it, a window with a timer counting down kept appearing to my face. It was the first time that I had ever been so scared. I didn’t even get scared in my first and second lives!

What was even the point of arriving in a country where you don’t even know the language? But the sentence ‘Failure: Death’ rattled me so much. The voices in my head never lowered ever since the window appeared in my life. What would happen if I disobeyed it once?

Will my third life end this early?

I shuddered as the taxi finally arrived. A sense of relief finally entered my system as I huddled to the only luggage that I had. Seoul and Tokyo both had tall buildings everywhere, twig-like trees, and snow-covered pathways on the road. Looking back, it was funny enough that my luck made me survive up to this point. In both of my past lives, I was considerably lucky with the occasional level of misfortune to balance it.

“Should I be worried that I’m this lax when my timer is running out?” I questioned as I arrived at my destination. My money! I cried out as I handed over my payment to the taxi driver.

The timer appeared in my face again. This time in a redder hue, urging me to hurry up. “This isn’t fair!” I grumbled as I hurried onto the subway and lined up to the cue to the ticketing station. The line wasn’t particularly long, however, the thing I was mostly worried about was the language barrier.

When it was finally my turn, I stood there like a bitch. It was electronic. But where the fuck is the English or Japanese translation? “Foreigner?” A man’s voice spoke from behind me.

As I turned around, a tall man wearing a suit with a phone in his hand gave a slight smile. “Japanese? English?” I nodded to both as he tucked his phone in his pocket. Shit. He’s handsome. “Here. English translation.” He pointed out in a stuttered English. I watched as the ticketing station changed and switched from Hangul to English letters.

I bowed and quickly inputted my destination while trying to ignore the stare of the man behind me. Even when I sneakily looked back, I could see the polite smile on his face. Cute! “Woah. So this is what it looks like,” I mumbled as I held the green card in my hand. “Korea sure is advanced!”

“First time?” The man asked as he looked over my shoulder. Is it bad if I phrased it in the wrong way in my mind?

I nodded. His laughter rang in my ears as he mumbled something to his own. He later offered a handshake and pointed to himself. “Dokja. Kim Dokja.”

_________________________________________________

[The hidden scenario has arrived!]

[Hidden Scenario – Meet the Protagonist]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: ■ ■ ■

Clear Conditions: Meet the protagonist ‘Kim Dokja’ and strike up a conversation.

Time Limit: ■ ■ ■

Compensation: 10,000 coins

Failure: Death

_________________________________________________

I stiffened and gazed at his face. The man standing in front of me. Correction. The handsome man whose face does look like a main character material and his voice- He's related to the blue windows in front of me? After I’d gotten over my shock, I shook his hand and pointed to myself. “Hana. Yukimura Hana. Nice to meet you, Dokja-san.”

[The hidden scenario has ended.]

[You have obtained 10,000 coins in compensation.]

[You have succeeded in your first hidden scenario.]

[You have earned 1,000 coins as an achievement reward.]

[Coins Possessed: 11,000 C]

Chapter Text

The line on the subway train to carriage 3434, the Train to Bulgwang, Carriage 3807, was inevitably long. It didn’t help that I stood out most with the large bag on my back and the jacket that looked too big for my body. It was relatively peaceful. Even if I ignored the fact that I understood none of the words that kept the whole station buzzing, it was still on a different level compared to the trains back home.

I remembered a certain memory from my first life. The complete opposite of this hellhole I lived in. A grand mansion in the capital, parties of the elites, and secret rendezvous in the libraries. It was a life that I wanted to return to. A life where I would be able to slack off and spend money like water. However, as grandeur as it was, the whole reason for my longing was a person. I had forgotten his name and his face, yet my heart shall completely be on his hands faithfully. 

Dokja-san patted my shoulders again and pointed out the large announcement written in Korean and English. The biggest disadvantage I have in this country is the language barrier. The loudest chatters in my surroundings became easier to tune out, yet it could also potentially be a problem in the future. As much as the scenario wanted, Dokja-san could be a potential reason for the bright bue window that gave me missions. 

Is he the protagonist? Does that mean that this third life of mine would be centered and catered to him? As much as I dislike it, this could be... fun. He's handsome. Funny. Plus points would be that he gave it his all for me to communicate to him. Although the cutest thing would be avoiding his questions. Like he'd ask and answer the questions he gave out before I could reply. 

[The main scenario has ended.]

[You have obtained 300 coins in compensation.]

As the train arrived, I could hear the distinct bell sound of the scenario. What do I even gain from this? I sighed as I could feel a hand ushering me inside the train. Dokja-san found some seats near the middle of the train even making a space to his left for me. What would he gain from helping me?

“What are you reading, Dokja-san?” I asked as I saw him take out an identical phone to mine. Oh. So that’s what my phone would look like if it wasn’t broken.

Dokja-san took some time to think before replying, “Korean novel.” I raised my eyebrows in response because it’s a Korean novel. “Ah. Like Lord of the Rings? Fantasy?” I nodded slowly as I peeked more at the words on his phone.

「There are t■ree ways t■ survive in a ruined world. I have forgotten some of them no■. However, one thing is certain: ■ ■ ■ who are currently reading these words will survive.

–Three Ways to ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ in a ■ ■ ■ ■ ed World [Complete]」

“Ah, Dokja-san-”

“Really? This is the end?” He mumbled to himself and began scrolling up and down to his phone. Should I tell him that the words on his phone were distorted? I looked to him and noticed that he had now ignored my presence. Nah.

As Dokja-san immersed himself more in his phone, I pulled my bag closer to my body and began looking elsewhere around the train carriage. Is this true? Did I finally escape from the clutches of my parents in this third life? Or am I just really hallucinating and all of this wasn't real? I sighed and looked around again. Most of the people here must've gotten their lives together. A wealthy middle-aged woman with an expensive handbag. A handsome man with a script on his hands. A grandmother with a permanent soft smile on her face. And... A mother who gave her son a large bag and kept looking elsewhere.

Ah. I know that look in the child's eyes. 

I gave out a small wave and smiled. Was this what the granny at the candy shop near our house felt when she saw me kicked out on the streets? I hope that she didn't pity me. Because I - we - both knew that we were abandoned. I just didn't expect it to happen to someone younger than me. After that mother arrived at the next stop, she would've abandoned him... Maybe I can approach him later and take him with me? Birds of a feather, after all.

"Really? This is the end?" Dokja-san mumbled to himself. End? Oh, the story he read must've ended. 

‘This blue window should’ve gifted her some translation! I can’t even understand what he’s saying!’ I thought to myself as I buried my head in the large bag on my lap. Thinking about it, if her mission is connected to Dokja-san, this could mean that she should be attached or likely need to be in the perimeter of him.

Could she ask for his address? Or live in an apartment near him? Surely, she could find a part-time job and pay for the rent. Or better luck, the world would suddenly find no use for modern money currency. 

"Kim Dokja," I mumbled. He raised his eyebrow at my sudden call to his name. "No! No! I just said your name. Sorry!"

As I saw him shrug at my words, I could use this as an excuse to freely admire his face. Handsome. It was a word that I can use to describe him. He's also quiet—a man with straight eyebrows, clear eyes, and smooth skin. Qualities that could potentially launch a normal person with a stardom career back in Japan. But based on his clothing, he could be a salaryman in this country. It could also be the same for the woman near our place, the light brown-haired girl whose eyes were on him when we began lining up for the train.

Ding! A quiet notification popped out from his phone. His eyes lit up from excitement and he began typing back to the message on his phone. Is he messaging to his lover? Or am I in the current plot point in the story where the main character is finally communicating back to the female lead? Respect.

After he pocketed back his phone, the pretty woman next to him finally made a move. "At this rate, you'll get sucked into your smartphone." This woman could be the female lead! Pretty! This is the logic of novels: appearances matter! The pretty lady took a seat next to Dokja-san and began conversing in their world. It felt like I was the intruder from trying to understand their words. As I saw them, it was a pretty scene. A handsome man and a pretty woman. As if I'd gotten the hint from whatever intuition I'd received, I began to subtly scoot away from Dokja-san's side. "What the-"

_________________________________________________

[The hidden scenario has arrived!]

[Hidden Scenario – Be near to the Protagonist]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: ■ ■ ■

Clear Conditions: Remai■ near five ste■s to incanation 'K■m Do■ja'

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Compensation: 1,000 coins

Failure: Death

_________________________________________________

Chapter Text

This… This is a pretty weird scenario. It was an evident that I was in the zone that could be described as ‘five steps’ zone, yet the scenario window popped out conveniently as soon as I did it. “Ah…” I sighed and scooted back to his side, watching the pretty lady converse back to him in a professional manner.

“Do you normally take the subway?” I heard him ask her nervously, shifting his body near her.

“That-” She stopped midway to her sentence before continuing. “Someone stole my bicycle.”

My ears perked up at the mention of bicycle. Were they conversing about bicycle the whole time? I let them converse again and felt my eyelids droop heavily. Ah. It was at this moment that I was reminded again that this was my third life. No more tempting ballrooms, expensive dresses, and exquisite wines like my first life. Or the stressful second life of a nursing student. Just… a runaway woman with a weird blue window attached to my being…

- Kiiiiiiik!

The subway train suddenly shook loudly so much that distant memories from my second life flashed before my eyes. The distinct metallic taste of blood, the sharp edge of an object that I held, and the widened eyes of someone that I once held dear. “-Hana!” I heard Dokja and his friend’s scream on my ears.

As I looked around, I could see the chaos. “Listen to me… Breathe, Hana.”

“Look at me,” he said.

I breathed out finally. I could see the relief in his eyes as his hands removed its hold on my shoulders. Ah… What a reliable friend. Was this the comfort that every character gets from the main lead? It’s warm. He was akin to a thermal heater. A weird comparison, but his hands really felt warm. I expected it to be cold. Yet he felt really real.

Everyone held on their belongings, holding to the railings, breathing heavily as panic ran course through their every veins. I could see them looking around as if they expected this sudden pause of this vehicle to pass by easily.

“Uh, what?”

“W-what is this?”

Bzzzzt!

The lights went out amidst to everyone’s prediction. It was as if I was drowning in the sea of confusion and chaos that emanated from the surroundings. I could briefly see one or two smartphone lights that remained lit, one from a confused middle-aged man and other from a high school student. The pretty woman on Dokja-san’s side had a scared expression plastered to her face. “W-what’s going on?”

Dokja-san gave out a calm response to her, sighing as he looked around again and met my eyes. The other hand that wasn’t occupied by the pretty lady landed on my hands, gripping it tightly as if to give out some sort of comfort and security.

A loud announcement from the train echoed out suddenly. – Telling all passengers on the train. Telling all passengers on the train. It repeated out for few times. The loud surroundings became calm. As Dokja was speaking, a panicked announcement ran again. – E-Everyone run away — Run –! After his broadcast, everyone grew panicked and started standing up from the seats and pried open the closed subway doors.

Dokja held our hands and gripped them tightly. I could feel his nervousness slightly seeped out his body. Yet… his face showed calmness. As expected from the main character. I thought as my nervous heard finally calmed down.

“D-Dokja-ssi? What is this?”

I reflexively closed my eyes from the sudden bright light on front of the subway train. His ears covered mine from the loud drumming sound and a pop. Then Dokja looked down to his watch, making me follow his gaze. 7:00 pm.

[The free service planetary system 8612 has been terminated.]

[The main scenario has started.]

“Ah…”

Dokja looked toward my direction and heard my sigh. Then he began to space out and mumbled incoherently to himself. Main scenario? But I already had mine. Arriving to Korea and meeting the main protagonist. Wasn’t that already my first mission? Or was it something else more?

– Bzzzt!

The lights went back on as everyone finally calmed down. Hm? I looked towards on our intertwined hands and noticed Dokja trembling uneasily. I mean, I get it. I think I could take this as an advantage. I received this blue window much earlier than everyone on this train. No missions had yet been given to all of us, but I could already guess the penalty for all of the missions to be given.

「&아#@!&아#@! …」

[&아#@!&아#@!…]

It was at this moment that I saw the floating fluffy creature on the air.

“What is this?”

“Augmented reality?”

I could hear everyone’s chatters on full volume, eyes focused on the fluffy creature. On the corner of my eye, I could see the familiarity on Dokja’s eyes. Does he know something about this situation? “It sounds vaguely like Spanish. Should I talk to it?”

“– Do you know what that is? Will you ask it for money?”

“No but—”

Ah… I could sense the sarcasm from him.

[The constellation ‘■■■■■■ ■■■■■’ wishes you good luck.]

________________________________________________________________________

[The constellation ‘■■■■■■ ■■■■■’ sponsored you with a skill. Do you wish to activate ‘Language Mastery’ skill?]

[ [ ] Yes             [ ] Yes  ]

__________________________________________________________________________

A blue window appeared before me with a ‘yes’ options. A literal questions with no answers. “Ah…” I sighed and pressed the ‘yes’ button because there wasn’t even another option to pick from.

Suddenly, everything became clear. I could finally hear the indistinguishable noises and conversations in the surroundings. The fear, desperation, and everything. A mother’s hushes to her children, the anger from an office worker, worries of a student, and confused questions from children. “This… This feels real,” I said. It felt like everything crashed down before me. This was real. It’s way too real. Maybe the luck I had from my first and second lives finally exhausted. I looked towards Dokja and realized.

The only way to survive in this ruined world… was to stay by his side.

Chapter Text

The fluffy creature floating in the air suddenly began speaking in Korean, coughing lightly before looking over at everyone in a privileged manner. [Ah. Ah. Does this sound good? Ah, I had a hard time because the Korean patch didn't work. Everyone, can you hear my words?]

I didn’t knew that I was holding in my breath, barely letting out as everyone settled down and relaxed over the familiarity of their language spoken. One of the passengers spoke with a haughty attitude and dressed up in a suit. “Hey, what are you doing right now?”

[… Huh?]

“Are you filming? I have to go because I have to quickly get to an audotion,” he insisted. If I were to be completely critical, I’d say that his looks were the only thing that could possibly save him in this moment. No matter how much his looks and charisma could land him into any audition he wanted, my instincts screamed that going against would lead to death.

[Ah, auditions. That's right. This is also an audition. Haha, there was a shortage of data. I just entered when it was monetized at 7 p.m.]

"What? What are you talking about?"

[Now, now. All of you, relax in your seats and listen to me. From now on, I will tell you something very important!]

Everyone was panicking at this point. The calm atmosphere brought by the familiarity of the language were gone. They were chaotically screaming and banging on the subway door, asking to be let out, lashing out at the speakers on the ceiling of the train – everything that seemed to get on their nerves.

As the pretty lady was about to get up, Dokja stopped her before anything. “Yoo Sangah-ssi, it is dangerous, so stay here.” Huh, the Language Mastery skill really worked. I covered my mouth with my hands and internally screamed. It really is hard to match the main characters’ vibes!

[Haha, you are really loud.]

I wished that I didn’t turned around.

[I told you to be quiet.]

I watched as the aspiring actor’s head bore a hole on his forehead.

[This isn't a movie shoot.]

Then another one.

[It isn't a dream. It isn't a novel either.]

Everyone who held and voiced out their opinions was dead. I watched their eyes widened and looked towards everywhere. One of them laid their eyes on me, desperate and asking for… salvation. As I turned around, I could see Dokja and Sangah’s eyes closed. They were lucky.

[This isn't the 'reality' that you know. Do you understand? So everyone shut up and listen to me.]

It was just a while ago that I’ve seen them interact with each other, laughing, minding themselves. They were happy, sad, angry… They were human. Now their blood and whatever remained on their bodies laid down on the cold train floor, one trail flowing down to our feet. Dokja held onto Sangah’s shoulder as she started hiccuping at the scene.

I remained speechless, shocked even. We… We were human. Then the order of the world we lived in started suddenly shifting. As the order we knew started loosening, the reality settled in to the minds of the remaining few on the train.

[Everyone, your lives have been nice so far. Isn't that right?]

I could feel the eyes of the Dokaebbi landed on mine. Does he know something?

[You have been living too long for free. Isn't life too generous? You were born and paid no price for breathing, eating, pooping and breeding! Ha! You really live in a good world!]

If lives were really the equation needed to calculate, I could be the one who taken advantage to it. A being who lived three lives. I… Is this my fault?

[But now the good days are over. How long can you continue living for free? If you want to enjoy happiness, it is common sense to pay a price. Isn't that right?]

This… The statement is right… In handling with luck, the balance should always be paid in price. This was the standard my Father from the first life held true. A business man in his own right. “D-do you want money?” A man in a business suit asked.

Dokja turned and faced Sangah. "Yoo Sangah-ssi. Isn't that Department Head Han of the finance team?"

"…Right."

So it was their co-worker. I continued to watch him curry favor with the Dokaebbi with any money they had. Judging from the amused expression the Dokaebbi had on his face, I could sense that this wasn’t going to end well. The money held by the man erupted in flames and everyone felt that their last hope was crushed.

[Phew, the debt is piling up during the time when you are noisy. Well, yes. Rather than explain it a hundred times, isn't it quicker for you to make money yourself?]

As the Dokkaebi floated, a message and the familiar blue window started appearing in front of me again.

[#BI-7623 channel is open.]

[Constellations have entered.]

[The main scenario has arrived!]

[Main Scenario #2 – Proof of Value]

Category: Main

Difficulty: F

Clear Conditions: Kill one or more creatures.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Compensation: 300 coins

Failure: Death

After giving out the main scenario, my eyes widened. Kill? I… I have to kill? People started panicking, screaming, begging to be let out on the train. The only clarity I had was the conversation Sangah and Dokja had.

"Police, the police aren't answering! What, what should I…"

"Calm down, Yoo Sangah-ssi," he said. "Yoo Sangah-ssi. Have you ever played the game that the development team made? A game where the world is destroyed and only a few people survive."

“… Survival game?” I hesitantly said, gaining the attention from both of them. “I-Is it right?”

“Hana-ssi is right. Think about it. We are in a game right now.”

Dokja’s calm tone seemed to do something to her. In my defense, having a calm person in this scenario is very helpful and terrifying at the same time. Wait, he didn’t question my sudden input in Korean?

As I was about to ask him about it, he spoke out. “It is simple. Don’t hesitate to do as I tell you. Understood?”

"U-Understood. What should I do?“

"Stay still."

What?

"Come on, everybody! Everybody calm down. Start breathing calmly." The voice belonged to a man who’s physique empowers most people on the train. "Are you calm yet? Please stop your actions and pay attention to me for a moment."

The man’s words worked like magic and soothed everyone’s panic. Most people stood up and gathered towards him, navigated towards his calm authority towards the situation. "As you know, in the event of a national disaster, small disturbances can cause large human casualties. That's why I will now control the situation."

"What, who are you?"

"A national disaster situation? What are you saying?"

He pulled out an ID card on his wallet, "I am currently an army lieutenant serving in the 6502 unit."

Woah. This is my first time seeing a real life soldier, bearing with a complete military haircut! He started showing his phone with a message from the higher-ups. I could sense a movement from my side, noticing Dokja’s intense gaze towards the soldier. Oh? Is that what I think it is?

As I tuned out most bits of everyone’s chatter, Sangah-san turned her screen towards us. The female lead is so sweet! “Dokja-ssi, look at this! Oh, also…”

“Hana. Yukimura Hana,” I replied.

“Oh. I’m Yoo Sangah,” she said. Woah… This is really the appeal of the female lead. “The Prime Minister’s making a speech.”

–To all my fellow citizens, unidentified terrorists are currently active in an unspecified number of areas, including Seoul.

If this is happening throughout Korea, then it must’ve happened also in Japan… As much as I hated my third family, there’s still the small twinge of worry that my heart could give towards them. Sure, they threw me out the streets, but they… I was still the one who messed up their lives.

Everyone in the surroundings panicked even more over the announcements. Was the granny from the old sushi shop alright? Or the cat that keep showing up from our old grainy window survived? Or am I the lucky one who was the only one who escaped and went to Korea?

[Everyone, I've told you already. This isn't a game like 'terrorism'.] The Dokkaebi popped out again and looked at everyone with dissatisfaction. [Haha, according to the data, the people of this country are very good at games. So, why don't I try raising the difficulty?]

[The remaining time has been decreased by 10 minutes.]

[There are 10 minutes remaining.]

[If the first killing doesn't occur within the next five minutes, all lives in that carriage will be wiped out.]

I panicked and held on to Dokja’s hands. After all, if I make my presence known to him, maybe I could mooch off his luck? “S-sorry,” I said and still stubbornly held on to his hand.

His eyes widened and gave out a sigh. He intertwined our hands and looked away. Ah. The main character is angry. As much as I don’t particularly like or hate it, there’s still more to come. The five steps rule. The blue window on my left still isn’t going away.

I sighed as a giant screen appeared before us. It was a classroom of sorts, a class of young girls who’s shaking from panic and chaos.

Beep beep beep beep―

Those were the sounds that became the source of the girls’ screams. I watched again. Time and time again. I watched as more heads exploded from the young girls… They were so, so young. There was one girl in particular, long straight hair tied up in a single ponytail who strangled her friend. How devastating must it be for the poor soul?

[#Bay23515 channel. Daepong Girls' High School, Year 2 Class B survivor: Lee Jihye.]

Then the commentary of the Dokkaebi followed along. [How is it?Interesting?]

After that, people began scooting away from each other. Even Sangah-san moved away from the both of us. The sad part was that I couldn’t even move away even if I want to! I can foresee the future. The label of being clingy! I sighed and tightened my hold on him.

– Ding!

[1 attachment.]

[To my beloved, may luck be in your favor.]

[Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World.TXT]

Chapter Text

[Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World.TXT]

The file was sent at the start of the apocalypse—a novel discreetly sent to the main protagonist, extending to me. It shone steadily amidst the dimmed background of my chipped phone. As I pocketed back my phone, mindful of the scarce battery life I had left, I scooted near him and watched as he read it briefly.

His eyes warmed up in familiarity and a brief smile on his lips showed up. Then his face scrunched up in confusion, leaning back on the seat with a mindful expression. And before I knew it, I stared at him for a long time.

Dokja did an overlook again to my direction, much to my dismay, peering into my eyes without an explanation. It wasn’t enough that he’d been ignoring my questions, replying when needed, yet his attention was solely focused on the identical phone. “Can you at least let go of my hand?”

“– Ah, sure.”

As much as he did give out a reply, he still didn’t even let go of my hands. Of course, maybe he’s the oblivious protagonist. I sighed again, letting him do as he pleased. “-3707.” He mumbled to himself, mindlessly tracing circles to my palm.

His eyes landed on the landmark of the number of our carriage, 3807. Is this an important information? I saw him sighing, looking at Sangah-san and me with a troubled expression. That isn’t a good way to treat us. Yet I didn’t voice it out.

I ignored him again and instead focused on the chaos on the subway, particularly on the same old lady who had a permanent soft smile on her face. She wasn’t in the same state as before, groaning and sweating profusely. “– That… That is cruel,” I whispered, getting a nod from Sangah-san.

“Dokja-ssi, shouldn't we stop this?" Sangah-san asked, hands fiddling. Ah, the female lead halo. I bitterly smiled to myself, reminding myself that more important matters lied in front of me.

"Shit. I'm in a bad mood, and this old lady keeps whining and groaning! Won't you shut up?" It was a young teenager, dressed in a student uniform styled in a questionable way who said those demeaning words. It reminded me of those wannabe gangsters back home. Those rat-faced humans who kept being a bother to society.

I tightened my grip on Dokja-san’s hand, letting his attention divert from his phone to the scene before us. “Why aren’t we doing anything?” I asked.

Dokja-san remained still in his seat before sighing. Everyone in the carriage avoided their eyes to the scene. A real description of the nature of humans. United together falls together. Waiting for someone to play the hero, staying in the scene with their blades hidden behind their back. All waiting for a chance for a strike. “– Stop.” I heard a child mutter, yet his mother quickly placed a hand to his mouth.

How… revolting.

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?” The teenager began slamming down a heavy slap to the old woman’s face with an annoyed expression. The precise landing of their hits exactly landed on the face. It was as if he’d done this before. As if this was normal.

He doesn’t have an ounce of remorse even if her pleas echoed on the carriage. And those sounds… Every single one. I could hear them. It was echoing. Softly. Harshly. Loudly. Her pleas fell on deaf ears, her shouts resonated from her heart, and eyes that asked for help. And my hands… It trembled so, so much. What happened to the poor courageous soul whose anger started at the slightest sight of violence? What happened to the woman who wandered through the classroom with an intense dedication to sponge in knowledge? What happened to the woman who studied to save lives? What happened to the woman who broke free of traditions for… freedom? What…

I could feel Dokja place a hand on my eyes, wetting them with tears. Ah… Such warmth.

"– Young man, for you to be treating an elder like this…!" A sound spoke. An office worker with an expensive suit who also wore the same ID lace of Dokja-san and Sangah-san. The man who tried to bribe a Dokkaebi.

“Mister, do you want to die?”

“– What?”

"You still don't understand the situation?"

"What bullshit is this brat saying?"

I heard the laughter of the teenager echoed on the subway. Was he enjoying this? As Dokja deemed that my tears had stopped, he removed his hands and grabbed a tissue from his bag. “Can’t you see that?” The teenager pointed to the holographic screen in the top of the ceiling.

[S-Spare me!]

[Aaaack!]

[Die! Die!]

The screen showed every streets, town, and places all over the country who faces such despair and torture. Maybe we were lucky. I thought to myself as I watched a certain video on an amusement park that once held such lively colors that was now stained red, reminiscent to blood of families whose laughter filled the park. Yet what’s left was a desolate streets with a single child crying alone while holding a bloodied bunny hugged by his parents whose body stood still to protect him from the crazed visitors.

[#Bay250218 channel. Everharmony Amusement Park, Center Survivor: Min Ilyeong.]

"You still don't understand? The army isn't coming to rescue us, and somebody must die,“ the teenager repeated again after the office worker gasped. "We have to choose a person to die."

It was like… watching a movie. Unreal. Desolate. The detachment I felt as I watched the scene turned out from the teenager’s logical conclusion was something I felt as much than I thought. His words seemed to have given everyone a drive or purpose. Survive. The single word that seemed to seep into everyone’s mind as their posture finally made sense. They were… prepared.

「If there is no killing in five minutes, everyone in this carriage will die. 」

I looked over to Dokja, watching as multitude of emotions passed by in his eyes. Was it pity? Concern? Or neither of them? Even if his eyes reflected many stories, there wasn’t an inch nor twitch of movements on his body. No rigidness. Staying firm on his decision on watching.

「If the grandmother doesn't die, we will die in five minutes… 」

This was the thought that reigned over everyone’s heads. We’ll all die if no one started killing anyone. Humans fear death. It was a fact that no one had the guts to refuse. Some would gracefully accept it. Mourn and began to hate life. Love and think of it as an escape. Yet… it’s what makes us humans.

"Yes… This bastard is right. If we don't do this, everyone will die."

"Have you forgotten? Someone must die! So we can live!"

"That, fuck… I don't know."

"Die! Die quickly!"

As if in reflex, I got up threading down towards the scenes before a scalding heat began to flow in my body. Akin to a fire that cannot be extinguished, burning my insides with such temperature after five steps away from Dokja’s side. He immediately stood up and soothed my back, asking sorts of questions as his presence seemed to cool down the sensation in my body. “D-Dokja!” I managed to utter out. “I- We have to do something.”

I saw Sangah-san back on our seats, standing in worry as her eyes finally saw our predicament. She helped Dokja-san bring me back to my seat, making a tight fist as she also tried to tune out the loud beating of the old woman. “Both of you will be killed,” Dokja-san said. “Don’t move, you two.”

Yoo Sangah trembled and kept digging her nails on her palm. Her eyes watered in anger and kept glaring at the scene. “I know, I know–!”

“Yoo Sangah-ssi will die if you go now,” he stated and stared down at her. “Yoo Sangah-ssi, sit down.”

"Huh? But―"

"Do as I say, just this once. I won't interfere after that."

After we were both secured in our seats, I scooted closer to Sangah-san, letting her lean her head on my shoulders despite being smaller than her. I… was consumed by anger. I’ve forgotten the clarity in his eyes. “It’s fine, Sangah-san.”

“What do you mean by that?” She asked as we both watched Dokja stand up and begin loosening his ankles and wrists by stretching. I discreetly looked towards the timer that went by on the blue window.

— Kwaang!

All of a sudden, an explosion erupted and shook the train loudly. We both had to grip on our seats, waiting for the commotion to end. “– Dokja!” I shouted in alarm as he launched himself into the commotion. I bit myself on my lips until it bled as I endured the scorching heat that traveled my body, melting my insides after being away from him in the five-step radius.

“– Fuck it!” I shouted and began running in his direction, getting closer to the radius. I found him near the child with a grasshopper net in hand. As his eyes landed on mine, I knew him. It was the child who was about to be abandoned by his mother.

"Everybody, stop. You can't live if you kill the grandmother,“ he said loudly in front of everyone. I breathed out in relief as I managed to stand beside him. "Let's say you kill the grandmother. What next? The grandmother's death will be recognized as what the dokkaebi calls the 'first murder', and some time will be bought. Then what next?"

I held on to the little kid with my free hands, noticing that his eyes lit up when they met mine. As much as I have sympathy for kids, I don’t know how to interact with them. I can’t just exactly say and act like we’re the same age. Or maybe raise my pitch to talk to them. Luckily, the child didn’t engage in a conversation with us, opting to watch Dokja-san provoke others with a net of grasshoppers.

[Kill one or more living things.]

“Would you like it?” Dokja provoked and waved the grasshopper net around. He smiled before crushing a chubby grasshopper on his hands. "Then keep it!"

What we didn’t expect was the desperate people ganging up on him, eyes crazed and focused on the grasshoppers on the net. “Dokja!” I shouted as I grabbed a random person’s shoulders and threw him aside.

“Fuck-!” He screamed. His attention shifted from Dokja and started running up in my direction. “Sorry, Little Miss! I do need to survive, after all!”

Horror filled my eyes as I started to look around for anything to protect myself. I don’t want to die. Not yet. I took a deep breath and started rummaging through my bag frantically, not taking my eyes off the crazed man.

Six steps.

Three steps.

One-!

[Exclusive skill, 'Vengeful Support' is activated.]