[Main Scenario #3 — Emergency Defense has ended.]
[You have earned 1,000 Coins as a reward.]
"Looks like everything's wrapped up down there too."
"Indeed. If things go this way, the next scenario will be..."
[The start of the Fourth Main Scenario is imminent!]
Kim Dokja fell silent as he stared at the message that popped up immediately after.
"I thought it would start during the day at the earliest... this is unexpected."
"Well, scenarios always run on the Dokkaebis' whims anyway."
Kim Dokja glanced at me for a moment after my nonchalant remark and nodded.
"You're right about that."
Our group began to head back down. Since I was leading the way, Kim Dokja followed quickly with Gilyoung and Heewon in tow. He mentioned he’d left Lee Jihye and Yoo Joonghyuk behind. Yoo Joonghyuk needed time to wake up, and even if he did wake up immediately, Dokja likely judged that having him around right now would cause its own set of problems.
"Everyone, did you hear what I said earlier?"
As we descended, Kim Dokja stared into the air for a long time before turning his gaze toward us. Had he just finished communicating with a Dokkaebi and finally realized what he’d blurted out?
"You don't have to worry about that. I made sure the others couldn't hear it."
"Excuse me? You can do that too?"
"Pretty amazing, right?"
"I see..."
In a way, I had given Kim Dokja a choice. I removed the forced situation where he’d have to explain everything to the whole group, allowing him to choose his own timing. In the original story, this was around the time he confessed to Jung Heewon that he knew the future.
"It’s no big deal."
"Is it?"
However, he was the type to keep his mouth shut if the situation didn't force him to speak. I half-expected him to stay quiet, considering we hadn't built that much trust yet—
"I just happen to know a little bit of the future."
At Kim Dokja’s shocking confession, Heewon’s head snapped toward him in surprise. I didn't let it show on my face, but I was actually quite surprised myself. I didn't think he’d actually say it.
"Is... is that true?"
"Yes. I wasn't leading you all to the advantageous side for no reason. It was possible because I knew the future."
"Wow... do Yoo Sangah-ssi or Lee Hyunsung-ssi know?"
"They don't. But... they’ll find out eventually."
Jung Heewon stopped in her tracks and ducked behind my back.
"What are you doing all of a sudden?"
"I mean, after a confession like that, I feel like he might suddenly try to kill me..."
"Then why hide behind me?"
"Because Gang-hoon-ssi is stronger than Dokja-ssi?"
That is a remarkably logical reason.
"Why would I kill Heewon-ssi?"
"You know how it goes. Usually, in these kinds of stories, there’s a 'You know too much about me' moment—"
"I don't know what 'usual' stories you're talking about, but if I wanted to do that, I would’ve killed a lot of people already."
"Actually, that’s true. If you were going to kill me, you would’ve done it long ago. Dokja-ssi wouldn't..."
At the end of the day, Kim Dokja isn't the type to harm those who trust him. He's cold, but he treats his own people with surprising warmth. The reason he brought this up now was probably the exact opposite of what Heewon feared.
"Actually, the reason I confessed just now is the opposite."
"The opposite?"
"The remaining scenarios will be even more dangerous. We'll face death multiple times, and we might lose things precious to us."
He was offering us his trust.
"And?"
"So, please... stay by my side in the future too."
"......? What does that mean?"
"He's asking you to be his companion," I chimed in.
I chuckled and extended my hand to Kim Dokja. He grabbed it firmly. Honestly, I didn't think we had built that level of rapport yet. I thought it wasn't time for him to admit he knew the future. But it turns out Kim Dokja was softer than I thought.
"You're not just recruiting me for my power, right?"
"As if."
"Well, you never know."
At my words, Jung Heewon squeezed in from the side and grabbed Kim Dokja's other hand.
"You haven't thought of us as companions until now, have you?"
"Of course not. I've always thought of you as such, but I thought it would be awkward if I was the only one who felt that way."
In the original, I remember Dokja proposing a business-like deal after Heewon wavered a bit. But perhaps swept up in the atmosphere because of my presence, he just went for it. However, I decided to take it one step further.
"Dokja-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Forget 'companions.' Let's be friends. Friends."
Kim Dokja looked genuinely stunned. Friend. To Kim Dokja, that word must have felt light-years away. But personally, I preferred having a friend over some vague "companion" title.
"Friends, you say?"
"Yeah. Friends."
"That sounds good. Let's be 'friends' starting today."
It was a declaration of friendship that sounded like something out of elementary school. But perhaps, I had just become Kim Dokja's first friend. I don't know how it felt for him, but for me, it was a pretty happy moment.
Emerging from the Theater Dungeon and returning to the station, we practically flew across the ticket gates and down to the platform. A large group of people was surrounding a smaller group, applying pressure. The group being cornered was our party.
"Should I sweep them away?"
"No. This is something I can handle."
"Eyy, we're friends now. Drop the honorifics."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Do your thing, Dokja-ya."
I stepped back and took a spot on the stairs, a perfect vantage point to watch the situation. Kim Dokja approached and joined our group. Gong Pildu glared at him with pure murderous intent, grinding his teeth.
"Yo~ Baldo!"
"?!"
"Touch our Dokja and you're dead~"
I waved my hand and greeted Gong Pildu, but he clearly didn't appreciate it, shooting me a piercing glare.
"I know I'm handsome, but that much attention is a bit burdensome~"
"Shut up!"
Haha. This old man is definitely fun to tease.
"No matter what happens, I'll make sure to finish you right here, right now...!"
"Ooh, I'm so scared."
Look at that confidence. Well, since he hunted all those monsters by himself, his stats must have skyrocketed. When I looked at Gong Pildu with the Six Eyes, the difference in his aura compared to before was like night and day. He still couldn't leave a scratch on me even if he attacked now, but unfortunately for him, he wouldn't even get the chance to try.
[The Fourth Main Scenario will begin in 5 minutes!]
"Too bad for you."
A message window appeared, followed by a Dokkaebi materializing in the air with a flash. Gong Pildu, who had been raising his voice, stiffened and looked up at the Dokkaebi with an anxious expression.
[Hahaha! Everyone, have you been well?]
The arrival of the Dokkaebi. Since it was the one with the mean-spirited tone, even Gong Pildu seemed uneasy.
[Looking at your faces, you all seem quite peaceful!]
"W-what are you here for!"
At Gong Pildu's words, the Dokkaebi mocked him with a laugh.
[I'm here for the Fourth Main Scenario announcement, obviously.]
"For fuck's sake..."
Gong Pildu couldn't hold back his cursing, but the Dokkaebi ignored him and continued.
[Now, now! Don't get so heated. Listen up. The Fourth Main Scenario involves working with other stations. A very exciting story awaits, so I'm sure you'll all be quite satisfied!]
A scenario involving other stations. Come to think of it, it was that time. The story of flag-snatching and occupation.
[However, to proceed with this scenario, you must first complete a prerequisite task. If too many people are involved, it'll just be a mess, right? Therefore, we need someone to lead you. In other words, there must be a <Representative> for the station!]
The Dokkaebi flashed a cruel smile at us.
[So... the game we’re about to play is a 'preliminary match.' You could call it a warm-up. As for the rules... you'll see for yourselves!]
As the Dokkaebi vanished, a message window appeared before everyone.
[A Sub Scenario has arrived!]
< Sub Scenario — Representative Selection >
Category: Sub
Difficulty: C
Clear Condition: Occupy the 'White Flag' installed in the center of the platform.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Reward: 1,000 Coins, Representative of Chungmuro.
Penalty for Failure: -
Before the message window could even fully materialize, Gong Pildu—having already deactivated his Armed Zone—was sprinting toward the flag in the center of the platform. I had to admit, he might be losing his hair, but his instincts were sharp.
"Everyone, get out of my way!"
Pushing people aside like a runaway train, Gong Pildu was closing in on the white flag. Poor guy, all that effort for nothing. The moment his meaty fingertips were about to touch the flag, Kim Dokja opened his mouth, and I clasped my hands to activate my technique.
"It's an application of Technique Lapse, cueball."
"Gong Pildu, get down!"
Gong Pildu's body was slammed into the floor instantly, and the flag he was aiming for was already in my hand. Too bad. It was right there in front of his nose.
[You have pulled the 'White Flag' from the flag holder.]
[You have become the 'Representative' of Chungmuro Station.]
[You have earned the qualification to walk the 'King's Path'.]
Dismissing the string of messages, I approached Kim Dokja while holding the flag.
"It's a gift."
"Excuse me? You're handing over the Representative position?"
"This kind of role doesn't really suit me."
I added that it was a commemorative gift for becoming friends and handed him the flag with a smile. Kim Dokja took the flag and nodded quietly.
"I'll make sure to do it well."
Good. That one answer is all I need.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register