"Everyone who went that way died. Gangsters, ordinary people—all of them. You're not thinking of going there too, are you?"
"I probably am."
"What?! Aren't you scared that Ms. Dokja might end up in danger? She's your family!"
"I am scared. I'm terrified that she might suddenly die right in front of me, and that I won't be able to protect her."
Like any other animal, humans survived by adapting to their environment.
But before humanity could even adapt, the world was thrown into upheaval.
As soon as the world changed, Dokja nearly died several times right before my eyes.
If I followed my heart, of course I wanted to stop her from doing reckless things.
"But in a world like this, it's impossible for me to survive while protecting only Dokja by myself. There will be moments when I'm not there, Incarnations stronger than me, or monsters that outclass me."
Like someone like Yoo Joonghyuk, for example.
To grow strong in this world, you had to take risks, and taking risks put Dokja in danger.
But if I gave up on strength, I wouldn't be able to protect her at all.
"Even if I become strong on my own, there are plenty of beings far beyond my reach. The best example would be the ones watching us right now."
[A few Constellations feel awkward at your words.]
Besides, while I had a larger volume of information than other Incarnations, I didn't know every fine detail.
Some of my memories might even be distorted.
In the end, I had to throw myself into the fray to gather information, just like every other Incarnation.
"That's why we have to grow stronger together. I can't protect Dokja alone. Even if I don't want to admit it, reality is always cold."
I was the brawn, and Dokja was the brain.
If we worked together, the two of us might even become stronger than Yoo Joonghyuk.
If that happened... maybe I'd finally be able to relax a little.
'She always insists she isn't a child, but what am I supposed to do when that's all I see?'
"I... understand. Did I thank you yesterday?"
"Probably?"
"Even so, I'll thank you one more time. Though you really should've left the bastard who broke my leg alive. He tried to jump me, so I wanted to kill him myself."
She seemed even tougher than I'd thought.
After going through something like that, most people would curl up and be unable to function for a long time.
Having seen it from up close, I knew exactly how hard it was to overcome such trauma.
"Didn't you see me rip that bastard's balls off? Be satisfied with that."
"It was satisfying, sure. I just never imagined the greatest weakness of a man would be some lunatic tearing that part off with his bare hands and leaving him to bleed to death."
[The male Constellations shudder, realizing that they must never make an enemy of you.]
"Oppa, that's enough chatting."
"Alright, alright. We should do as our queen commands."
"Wouldn't most people say princess?"
"Oh? So you think of yourself as a princess—"
—Thud!
[You are overwhelmingly weak when it comes to Dokja.]
"Cough! Time! Tiiime! That really hurts!"
Ever since she realized my strength didn't work on her, she hit me whenever I displeased her.
And she always hit the exact same spot, so it hurt like hell.
"Ah, seriously...! Did you see that just now? They're dragging in not just women, but even the elderly...!"
"Wait, Ms. Jung Heewon! What are you planning to do?"
"Stop them, obviously! Come on, Mr. Dokyun! You know better than anyone that if people like that are sent to the scouting party, they won't come back!!"
"Why should I?"
[Constellations of the absolute good alignment are appalled by your words and actions.]
[Constellations of the absolute evil alignment clutch their stomachs and burst into laughter at your words and actions.]
I did think it was impressive that Jung Heewon was still stepping forward after everything she'd been through.
But reality had to be faced coldly.
In a world like this, the colder you were, the longer you survived.
"Nothing will change even if we stop them. Food is scarce, and there are plenty of people who can take their place."
"So you're saying we should just stand here and watch?"
"What they need is food. If we stop them, they won't get any, and that resentment will turn toward us. We're already hated; I have no intention of increasing the threats against us for no reason."
It was because of Cheon Inho's agitation, but in the end, the resentment was already aimed at us. If we interfered, the hatred would only grow, and someone else would simply take their place. It wouldn't actually be saving anyone.
"Ms. Jung Heewon. If you want to carry out justice, then build up the strength for it before you speak. Even Cheon Inho can shout about justice with nothing but his mouth."
"..."
"You know it too. Justice without the power to carry it out is just incompetence."
[Constellations of the absolute good alignment lament that this is a reality they don't want to admit.]
"As you know, Ms. Heewon, the fundamental problem is food. And as for the answer to that... I think my sister knows it."
"—!"
"Would you like to join us?"
"Gladly!"
—Pazzt!
"Oppa, I think it's starting."
—Chiiiiik!!
A different Dokkaebi burst out from a shower of sparks, distinct from Bihyung's.
[U-um... e-everyone, have you been well? You've all been bored, right?]
"..."
[Oppa, we're family who've spent the longest time together. I know you're upset that I'm hiding things from you. And I also know that no matter what I hide, or how much, you'll respect it.]
[....]
[What you want is the information I know about Ways of Survival. So you can protect me with it.]
[....]
[Silence means yes. Trust me. In this world, you can't protect me perfectly. Even Yoo Joonghyuk proves that.]
[Right. I know. Even so, I can't push you into danger.]
[I'm not telling you to leave me alone. I know that's not the kind of person you are. I'm saying we should grow stronger together. Together.]
[Together... together, huh...]
[Yeah. Together.]
Those were the words she'd said to me not long after we arrived at Geumho Station.
Come to think of it, everything I'd said in answer to Ms. Heewon's question was something Dokja had once said while persuading me.
I hadn't meant to quote her, but after saying it, I realized my answer and Dokja's words were eerily identical.
[Are you sure it's okay to sell all the food?]
[The Dokkaebi will come anyway and wipe it all out, saying it's adjusting the difficulty.]
Was this the timing Dokja had been talking about?
The moment the Dokkaebi erased the food.
[Th-that Bihyung bastard, acting all smug and then setting the Scenario difficulty like this....]
—Ding!
[A Scenario penalty has been added.]
[From this point on, food stockpiling is restricted.]
[All previously stockpiled food will disappear.]
What had Dokja said the next part of the plan was?
Going into the tunnel and eating monster meat, was it?
[A Scenario penalty has been added.]
[The 'Living Expenses' category has been added.]
[From now on, every night at midnight, 100 Coins in 'Living Expenses' will be automatically collected. If you fail to pay your 'Living Expenses,' you will die.]
[The 'Living Expenses' penalty will remain in effect until the second Main Scenario is cleared.]
'Coins.'
[Coins Held: 18,400]
I had enough Coins, but if we were going after monster meat, a fight was inevitable...
Roughly 20,000 Coins would bring all my stats to 30...
"Any Constellation willing to sponsor me 1,700 Coins? I need to raise my stats to 30, and I need another 100 Coins for living expenses."
[Many Constellations grumble, asking if you think they're an ATM.]
"You all have more money than I do. Think of it as giving alms to a beggar."
[All the Constellations in the channel let out hollow laughs.]
[You have been sponsored 1,600 Coins.]
Did they deliberately leave out the living expenses?
'Well, 100 Coins should be easy enough to earn anyway...'
If we were going hunting soon, then 100 Coins would come quickly enough.
"Thanks. I'll pay you back later with an entertaining story."
[Many Constellations grumble that of course you should.]
'Raise all stats to 30.'
[Stamina Lv.20 -> Lv.30]
[Strength Lv.20 -> Lv.30]
[Agility Lv.20 -> Lv.30]
[Magic Power Lv.20 -> Lv.30]
Now, counting my attribute, my effective level was 40.
Attributes usually activated only in specific situations, so maybe they should be excluded, but even taking that into account, it was still high. More importantly, there was no way I wouldn't be by Dokja's side when she was in danger.
I didn't know how strong Yoo Joonghyuk had become, but at this level, I probably wouldn't get crushed pointlessly like last time and end up begging the Constellations.
"I need to talk to Cheon Inho about this, so wait a moment."
"I'll warm up a bit in advance."
.
.
.
"You're saying you'll go into the tracks? Well, in the long run, we do need a team dedicated to clearing Scenarios. Please, go ahead."
"Then you're ready, right, Oppa?"
"What, you thought I wouldn't be?"
Unexpected.
'I thought he'd argue that since I'm strong, I should join the scouting party.'
Maybe he was reacting like that because I was too strong for him to control.
After all, it was better to throw away a weapon you couldn't handle.
If I went and died, then a weapon he couldn't control would disappear. Even if I only got injured, Dokja might move the way Cheon Inho wanted in order to heal me.
"Since you're heading out anyway, would it be possible for you to take one of our group members with you? We'd like to gather some information on the clear method as well."
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