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Chapter Text

Dark stormy eyes brewing with emotions glanced all around as Secretive Plotter—no, Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk, braced himself as the mundane familiar sight of 3707 car 3434 train to Bulgwang greeted him once more.

At his left side, two highschool girls are standing sharing an earphone each, as they squeal over a group of boys on a phone screen between them. A couple a few seats over are whispering, with the woman leaning on the man's shoulder. A boy is being fussed over by his mother by the aisle seat about the chocolate snack Secretive Plotter can smell even from where he stand and finally, the sound of Choi Han-Gyu by his right giggling maniacally to himself, probably thinking he will be the star of today's news.

The regressor closed his eyes once more as the reality of the situation finally sinks in his mind.

He really did regress.

For a minute, he did nothing but stood there, ignoring the phone in his hand buzzing with message from the private investigator he hired all those eons ago to find his parents. A sardonic bitter smile appeared on his lips, remembering the failure and dismay he felt as the lead he had back then on the whereabouts of his parents turned to null. Now he knows. It is because he is merely a character from some hotshit third-rate garbage webnovel who can't even retain more than that single reader that he has no parents unless you count that blasted author who he still didn't know the identity of. His mind came to a halt as he remembered Kim Dokja and his conversation with the star just before Uriel had successfully sent him to his 1864th regression turn. Right. He promised to reach the Wall and to return in that worldline.

Suddenly, another thought occurred to him but he banished it before it could take more root on his mind. It would do him no good to cling into hope. He isn't like that Fake Yoo Joonghyuk. He isn't as lucky. It would do him well to remember that.

Anyways, with him essentially dying in that worldline, he hopes Kim Dokja made it back safe to his companions. Uriel of the 999th turn had no reason to harm him. She should have let him escape. Or at the very least, he's hoping that that pathetic Yoo Joonghyuk Kim Dokja calls his companion will be good for something just this once and save Kim Dokja. If not, he will gut that bastard alive and send him to his 1865th turn.

He opened his eyes again and Secretive Plotter caught sight of his reflection in the window. Black sweatpants he doesn't remember fits snuggly in his waist. A neon green runs across the lining the jacket he wears matching the headphone hanging by his neck. The face that greeted him is both familiar and unfamiliar, the lack of scar in his right eye and cheek is unnerving and the dark shade of his left iris matching that of the right feels weird. This must be how uncanny valley feels, he muses and momentarily deliberate if he should put the scar in there himself before deciding to go for it, it will feel like I'm that pathetic fake third idiot otherwise.

The former Outer God tore his eyes away from his image and felt around his pockets for his phone to check the time, 6:55 PM it reads, five minutes before the start of his neverending hell once again. His mind quickly calculate a plan to be had for at least the next 10 scenarios. For the first one, he decided he'd detonate the bomb Choi Han-Gyu had on his person and create a massacre leaving Secretive Plotter as the sole survivor. It's efficient and will net him coins essential to boost his Stamina and buy the much needed items for when he picks up Lee Jihye. A traitorous part of his mind whispered if that really is his reason or if he's hoping for a miracle by recreating what the dumb pathetic Yoo Joonghyuk at that start of his fake 3rd regression.

He quickly dismissed that voice and pretended it was 666 teasing him just to be a little shit.

His thoughts had been cut off then by a horrified voice and people scrambling away from Choi Han-Gyu.

Ah, Secretive Plotter darkly mused, it seems that was my cue to act.

Faster than anyone can react, he ran towards the terrorist and snatched the bomb away from him. Choi Han-Gyu doesn't stand a chance. This was a song and dance Secretive Plotter had done a thousand times before.

Then the clock striked to 7:00 PM as the loud explosion signalled the start of an even bigger nightmare only he alone in this world knows about.

Fire illuminated Secretive Plotter's face, everyone but him in this compartment now dead on the aftermath of the First Scenario. He didn't bother listening to Bihyung on the side praising him for his cold-blooded massacre to his fellow incarnations and giving a very entertaining show to the Constellations. He busied himself with inspecting his Status Window and accounting for his coins. He saw that his Transmission will take on a quite while to completely synchronize. He turned back his attention to Bihyung just in time to hear him say "— that interesting incarnation the next car over, too with a grasshopper trick!—" and suddenly Secretive Plotter's mind came to static, Grasshopper?

Could it be...?

Ignoring the Dokkaebi droning on about Sponsor Selection and whatnot, Secretive Plotter quickly ran to the barrier separating him from the survivors of car 3807. He's been telling himself not to hope, not to expect less he be disappointed, but his body feels like it has a mind of its own as his feet lifted to give as hard a kick as it can, electricity humming underneath his skin with anticipation about who could possibly be inside. Blood rushes in his ears with each kick and frustration claws in his gut at the door blocking his path to the other train.

"Aish! The people in here you killed not enough for you?" Bihyung floated over to him amusedly from above before turning to a screen only he can see. "Can you see this, my dear Constellations? This guy even wants to crush the survivors of the other carriage! What do you say? Shall we let him meet them?" He giggled before sighing exaggeratedly before making a grand gesture and addressing the Constellations again. "Oh well, I guess you can... farm for more coins while I prepare the next scenario then." and then the magic barrier fell down as a cackling Bihyung disappeared.

But Secretive Plotter—no, Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk didn't care, because there, staring at him with his star-filled eyes, is his companion Kim Dokja.

The regressor paused, uncertain. First, he had to determine if this Kim Dokja is the Dokja he knows or is another Dokja.

If it is the former, does this mean Kim Dokja is also a regressor? If so, why? Is it because he is the sole reader of that twice-be damned trashy novel?

If it is the latter and this is a another Dokja, what makes the 1864th round special? Irregardless of what that pathetic amnesiac Yoo Joonghyuk thinks, his round where Kim Dokja appeared is his 1864th. Now, Secretive Plotter—no, Yoo Joonghyuk, is in 1864th round and unlike never before, there is a Kim Dokja standing before him, still 28-years old and has none of the muscles he will eventually has thru excessive use of coins.

There is also another matter he had to worry about. Should he tell this Kim Dokja that he knows this about Three Ways to Survive in Apocalypse? He wants to let Kim Dokja know that he can trust him with all his plans and he'll suport him, unlike that pathetic impostor Yoo Joonghyuk. Moreover, should he tell him to not even think about sacrificing himself because he had already been there and knows about Kim Dokja's plan? Should he tell him that he just came from a round watching a version of him being a self-sacrificial moron for a fake version of him?

No. He decided.

He'll tell him the truth, but only partially. Secretive Plotter will acknowledge Kim Dokja as a companion from a round he'd previously 'experienced' but not that he knows about TWSA or that he's a self-sacrificial bastard.

"You fool," Secretive Plotter finally opened his mouth after what feels like eternity and greeted his companion, an unconscious small smile peeking around the edges of his mouth. "I had hoped you'd be here, again."

And with no small amusement, he watched as emotions flitted across that pretty familiar face. There is shock, confusion, dismay, determination and others too fast for him to catch. He tried to grasp each one, marvelling at the novelty of it all, as he finally got the front row seat at watching each and every sparkle in his eyes dance in the starlit irises. Before, he can only watch from afar, frustration and resentment so strong he can barely tell where the two separates, as his reader (and he maintains that Kim Dokja is HIS, for it HIS STORY THAT KIM DOKJA HAS READ IN TWSA), be taken for granted by that asshole Yoo Joonghyuk.

"You... know me?" Kim Dokja asked uncertainly, looking fearful of his answer. He didn't have to think hard why. After all, Kim Dokja must have been planning ways to workaround the scenarios for years on his end, meticulously examining every detail on that distasteful webnovel so he'll be able to give Yoo Joonghyuk a perfect run on first try. He didn't know how to assure him without revealing all his cards this early. And so, he settled for the truth.

"In the round I came from, we're companions, you and I." And that's the truth. He was there first before that copycat. "Kim Dokja."

He heard more than he saw the deep breath that Kim Dokja had taken at his declaration. At that moment, everything else peeled away. Nothing matters but the star he could only wish from afar before and the man that is now Yoo Joonghyuk once again. Frustration finally taking over, he took three quick strides to where his companion is. However, just before he can touch him, he hesitated.

What if even here, where there are no other Yoo Joonghyuk but him, Kim Dokja still doesn't want him?

Before his thoughts could spiral further, Han Myungoh rather rudely interrupted the reunion between Kim Dokja and Secretive Plotter. "And who might you be? And what garbage are you talking about? I can't understand a thing!"

Secretive Plotter quickly averted his eyes from Kim Dokja and opted out to stare at the scenery outside instead. The orange sun is casting a soft glow at the clouds overhead, creating an illusion of beauty amidst the smokes and chaos. The constant pinging he could hear in the background also cements the fact that he's a plaything to the constellations again. But really, did he ever stopped being one? After all, he had never escaped the grasp of The Oldest Dream. A sighed escaped his lips lightly. At the very least, he now knows the identity of his sponsor and he has Kim Dokja by his side. All the keys to open the Final Wall is within his grasp. He's not going to lose anyone this time.

If Kim Dokja can create a perfect run with an incompetent Yoo Joonghyuk by his side, then surely, this run with him will be even better?

"I'm surprised you don't know him, he's that famous pro-gamer Yoo Joonghyuk, Han Myungoh-ssi." He heard Kim Dokja say, tone saccharine and smile dripping with venom. Secretive Plotter rolled his eyes discreetly as he remembered how Kim Dokja had introduced himself on that bridge with that amnesiac Yoo Joonghyuk. He ignored the background as they tried to open the train doors and opened the Dokkaebi Shop to buy the Infinite Dimension Space Coat but paused.

Should he buy the black one or the white one? The black one is more logical, would hide the blood and other gores from monsters. But he felt as if he's too similar to the foolish Yoo Joonghyuk if he wore a black one.

His eyebrows twitched as he realized that it makes no sense for him to hesitate over such things. He's the original Yoo Joonghyuk.

With no small amount of pettiness, he jammed his finger on the button only he could see to purchase the coat and the combat uniform set. Peeking a small look in Kim Dokja's direction, he checked his coin balance if he could include one other thing in his cart. Taking one last satisfied look at his coin inventory, he closed the shop and approached the group.

Lee Hyunsung is in the process of opening the door when he finally reached them. The others cheered on the soldier with Kim Dokja in the back, still holding Lee Gilyoung by the hand. Kim Dokja's eyes widen as he took in his appearance but attention quickly stolen by a bunched-up fabric Secretive Plotter shoved in his hand. Quickly letting go of child's hand, Kim Dokja's eyes widened impossibly more when the fabrice turned out to be a white Infinite Dimension Space Coat.

"Yoo Joonghyuk. You don't really have to—" Kim Dokja started, clutching the coat in his hand unbelievably.

"Take it or throw it away. I don't care. It's compensation for me stealing your coat the previous turn."

Kim Dokja quickly shut his mouth and breathed deeply. Shrugging off his office coat and replacing it with the coat given by his companion, he quickly muttered out a complaint. "Not that I'm not grateful for the gift and all, but you should have given me a black coat, too."

"The coat I borrowed from you is a white one." Secretive Plotter huffed out.

Kim Dokja had nothing to reply to that so he didn't. He turned back his attention to the others seemingly waiting for them to be done with their conversation. Yoo Sangah specially seemed very interested to see her usually timid co-worker being so casual with someone apparently famous.

He shook his head and addressed Secretive Plotter. "I... I appreciate you trusting me again, Yoo Joonghyuk." Then, straightening his coat and the white undershirt beneath, Kim Dokja cleared his throat before gesturing to the rest of the group.

Secretive Plotter merely nodded and walked beside Kim Dokja.

Following the others who finally stepped off the train, the reader and his protagonist walked side by side for the very first time.

Bihyung popped out of nowhere looking at them in consternation.

[…Ah, this is really. I knew this would happen. Didn't I say it earlier? I told you not to go anywhere, Damn! The scenario isn't ready yet-]

"Wahh! I knew this would happen! I told you not to come out!" Han Myungoh wrapped a hand around his head, like he thought it would explode. But there was no need to worry.

[Sigh…it can't be helped. You are really lucky humans.]

It was because the second scenario started the moment the train door was opened.

[The second scenario has arrived!]

"Dokja-ssi, something is strange. It says the 'broken bridge' but the bridge is still…"

"Don't worry and just run! Quickly!"

"U-Understood!"

Lee Hyungsung is in the front of the group with his impressive physique even with Lee Gilyoung being carried by his arms, Han Myungoh and Yoo Sangah not far behind. Kim Dokja is in the rear along with Yoo Joonghyuk who kept his pace to match Dokja's for some godforsaken reason. Kim Dokja decided to not think too much about that and gave all his focus to running. He hopes they can all make it in time but he somehow doubts that. His confrontation with Yoo Joonghyuk had taken too much time. Still, with him and Yoo Joonghyuk in the rear, he's optimistic that at least their group would it on time in the bridge. As for the protagonist and him, well, Kim Dokja has already plans to get them out of trouble.

It was then an ichthyosaur started rising from the depths of the Han River, momentarily freezing everyone.

Everyone but the regressor, that is.

"Don't stop running or I'll feed you to the sea commander myself!" Yoo Joonghyuk had snarled at Han Myungoh, shoving the poor guy out of the way. Kim Dokja supressed a shiver because only he knew that coming from Yoo Joonghyuk, it wasn't a threat. It was a warning. It would be in character for that bastard to throw random people at sea commanders after all. Still, he glanced the tense expression of the guy and concluded that something significant must have happened on this bridge the previous regression turn. He had some ideas as to what but decided that interrogation comes later.

Bihyung made a re-appearance and clicked his tongue.

[There is no fun if the game is too easy.]

Kim Dokja heard more than saw Yoo Joonghyuk exhaled out a loud sighed of annoyance. If Kim Dokja had looked, he'll see the protagonist shooting a death glare at the dokkaebi.

[Is there any fun if you just run away? Let's create a bit of atmosphere!]

Kim Dokja swore at Bihyung proclamation, silently promising himself he'll milk that dokkaebi for all of his worth.

Behind them, a hoard of the undead chased them. Yoo Joonghyuk breathed sharply and made to turn around.

Kim Dokja followed suit.

"Dokja-ssi? Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi?" Yoo Sangah had also stopped to look at them.

It was Yoo Joonghyuk that answered her. "Don't stop and keep running," then he turned to Kim Dokja. "You too. I'll handle this. Let's meet at Geumho Station."

But Kim Dokja is already shaking his head before he could even finish. "Damn protagonist. Not even an hour into the scenarios and you're already acting like a sunfish. Yoo Sangah-ssi, don't worry about us. Yoo Joonghyuk and I will handle this. Wait for us at Geumho Station if we didn't make it in time to arrive at Oksu Station."

Yoo Sangah hesitated briefly before nodding sharply and ran with Han Myungoh. Kim Dokja threw a sideways glance at his companion.

"Yoo Joonghyuk."

He received no answer but judging from the grunt he received, the regressor must have given his permission to speak.

"I can't promise I'll be of much use this time around if my skill isn't lying that this is your 1864th round." At that declaration, Yoo Joonghyuk paused with something akin to surprise and met Kim Dokja's gaze.

"However, I can at least promise you this," Kim Dokja continued as he bowed down to reach for a shrapnel he can use as a weapon on the ground, "I won't ever betray you or leave you. I hoped you know I mean that."

[I know.]

What seems to be like Yoo Joonghyuk's voice echoed in his mind.

Kim Dokja breathed sharply, frozen. Did he just... read his mind? And the protagonist seems to be aware of it already?

"You fool! What are you doing just standing around? Do you want to die!?"

At Yoo Joonghyuk's shout, the Fourth Wall seemed to finally remember to do its job and neutralized his shock. Kim Dokja ducked just in time to avoid a flying slab of rock from the bridge getting broken by the sea commander. On the side, Yoo Joonghyuk is squaring off what looks like a dozen of zombies on his own. Shivers ran through his spine. He is fighting back to back with Yoo Joonghyuk.

Kim Dokja is fighting back-to-back with Yoo Joonghyuk

This sounded like a badly written self-insert fanfiction in KIm Dokja's head.

Kim Dokja looked back and saw that their companions had made it safely on the other side of the bridge now. They were staring at the two of them with faces full of tension. Kim Dokja smirked.

He could understand their apprehension but he isn't worried. Yoo Joonghyuk is beside him.

All is well.

Kim Dokja ducked another incoming attack on his head, this time coming from a knife. He hissed as he noticed that it is the undead Kim Namwoon in front of him. He sneaked a glance in Yoo Joonghyuk's direction to see if he noticed. Did he also kill Kim Namwoon in Yoo Joonghyuk's past regression? What did he say about it? Kim Dokja is curious about many things but barely had the time to ponder about it now. Getting himself and Yoo Joonghyuk out of the way is the priority.

Zombiefied Kim Namwoon made a move to his guts and Kim Dokja avoided it within a hair's breadth. He had no doubt that should this damn chuuni has his consciousness now, he would be mocking Kim Dokja for a re-creation of their fight on the train where he keeps just dodging repeatedly.

As it is, he's dead as can be so he can't annoy Kim Dokja with his would-be taunts.

Kim Dokja ignored the constellations messages and activated his skill.

Kim Dokja braced himself and focused on Kim Namwoon in front of him. However, a notification from his skill made him stop cold, allowing the undead teen to deliver an attack to his face that made a slight graze to line his cheek.

He cursed under his breath the second he realized his skill won't work on zombified Kim Namwoon. He can see that Yoo Joonghyuk just bashed in a zombie with his bare hands while kicking away another. Kim Dokja bit his lips. He can't be defeated here, not by Kim Namwoon of all people. Kim Dokja has to proved this Yoo Joonghyuk he can be useful and can keep up.

But how?

Once again Kim Dokja cursed the Star Stream for hiding his own attribute window. If he can check then he'd know if he has at least one combat skill.

[Oh, my. Look at these two poor Incarnations that got separated and left behind here. Oh well, at least it looks like one of them will survive though. What do you think my dearest Constellations?]

Bihyung had appeared out of nowhere, cackling maliciously at them and Kim Dokja gritted his teeth. He can't die here. Not now, at least.

He'll fight and win. He has too.

Goddamnit.

Just then, Kim Dokja felt something woke up inside him. A slow heat gently bubbled underneath his skin.

His vision has been filled with several pop-ups.

Kim Dokja smirked.

He had never read anything about this skill before but somehow, as if the knowledge is buried somewhere deep within him somewhere, he knew how to use it.

He felt Yoo Joonghyuk glancing at him, as if instinctively knowing that Kim Dokja just made a breakthrough. He nodded at him and a deep understanding passed between them.

"Activating Bookmark 2, Steel Sword Lee Hyunsung."

A shadow of the gentle soldier bathed Kim Dokja in a green light as the power of Lee Hyunsung is lent to him.

Secretive Plotter nodded internally as he realized Kim Dokja must have already discovered his trademark skill and arguably one of the most powerful skill in the whole of Star Stream.

His suspicions are confirmed the moment Kim Dokja performed the very familiar skill of Lee Hyunsung "Weapons Proficiency".

Interesting.

Last time, Kim Dokja had mimicked Kim Namwoon instead. Wondered why he chose differently this time.

Is it because of him? Is Kim Dokja trying to hide the fact that he killed Kim Namwoon?

Should he tell him he doesn't care about his previous companions anymore? That all he cares about is reaching the End? Perhaps.

Maybe that will curb Kim Dokja's self-sacrificial tendencies.

Secretive Plotter dismissed his thoughts for examination at a later time. He looked around and noticed that the sea commander is now at the right position he had been waiting for. He quickly pivoted to where Kim Dokja had just cut down Kim Namwoon's legs.

Without a word, he picked Kim Dokja in a bridal carry.

"You damn, sunfish asshole! What are you doing!?" Kim Dokja squawked, fully red in the ears and Secretive Plotter fought to keep a teasing smile on his face.

Inwardly, he blamed the amusement on 666's leftover influence.

"Enough playing, Kim Dokja." then he nodded to where the sea commander is circling the waters, creating a vortex in the river. Kim Dokja followed his line of sight and a light flashed in those curious starry orbs.

Absolutely red in the face, Kim Dokja put an arm around his nape and Secretive Plotter had to briefly pause at the warmth he felt at the contact.

Another thing to shove away for later examination, preferably at the End of the Scenarios or at the next regression, whichever comes first, he decided.

Kicking off powerfully with all of his strength through a hoard of zombies, Secretive Plotetr carried Kim Dokja who had accurately thrown the broken shrapnel in the sea commander's eyes, letting it get crushed beneath the broken debris under Secretive Plotter's powerful jump later. They landed on the other side to hear Han Myungoh scream and narrowly avoid getting squashed under his boots.

Gently putting Kim Dokja down without greeting the others, he watched as the sea commander let out a loud wail and made a beeline towards their group.

Everyone got into a fighting position (aside from Han Myungoh who looked ready to bolt out of here anytime).

"Yoo Sangah-ssi" Kim Dokja looked to where Yoo Sangah is staring down fearfully at the ichthyosaur. Kim Dokja handed her a blade. "Please tie this in your threads."

Secretive Plotter immediately clocked out Kim Dokja's plan and scowled at him, instead continued to frown curiously at the golden threads she clumsily connected to the blade Kim Dokja had handed her.

"Kim Dokja."

"I need to kill it for the core. It cannot be delayed. You should know this."

A stare off passed between them, none dare to interrupt. Even the Constellations are silent and holding their breath who would win between the two.

After a moment, Secretive Plotter broke their competition and stared at the screen only he could see and sighed.

"Yoo Sangah, Lee Hyunsung."

Both stood rigidly in attention at his words.

"After 10 minutes and we still haven't re-surfaced, pull as strong as you can with this thread. I'll keep this on me. Lee Hyunsung, you help her. Lee Gilyoung," he looked down at the child who may as well be Kim Dokja's, "call upon as much insect as you can. You're coming with us."

Yoo Sangah made a noise of protest at that and Han Myungoh grumbled how they're all crazy. He ignored them both and scooped up Lee Gilyoung and Kim Dokja, the latter once again in a princess carry, the former in his back.

"Don't forget."

He said before jumping straight into the sea commander's mouth, Bihyung cackling at them with applause of approval.