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1. Demon King of Wrath and Lust
2. Goddess of Love and Beauty
3. Secretive Plotter
4. Demon-like Judge of Fire
A total of four Constellations had sent me their invitations.
Since I didn't know every single detail of Ways of Survival, I couldn't determine their true names.
However, even among the vast number of Constellations, there are always certain figures who carry more weight or whose actions leave a deep impression on the reader.
Among them, the one that caught my eye was the Demon King of Wrath and Lust.
His true name was Asmodeus.
He was the culprit responsible for killing Yoo Joonghyuk several times in the novel.
That was why Dokja would lament so deeply whenever this Demon King was mentioned.
As her brother, it might be a bit inappropriate to say this, but... she was actually quite pretty when she was on the verge of tears.
"Dokja, how many did you get?"
"I got four."
"Me too."
"Have you thought about which one to pick?"
"Of course. Who do you think I lived with?"
I intend to choose no one.
I don't care what kind of aftermath this decision brings.
I no longer believe in gods—or rather, these beings now called Constellations.
How many hours had we spent praying to the heavens during our hardest times?
How many times had I begged that I would be fine with dying, as long as Dokja could be happy?
The only result of those prayers was deeper suffering for Dokja.
I will not lean on anyone else for our lives ever again.
Stronger if I receive sponsorship? Give me a break.
These bastards never gave me a single answer when I prayed so desperately, and now that the scenario has started, they think they can just do whatever they want?
I won't let things go the way they want.
[Sponsor selection has ended.]
[Now, now, everyone. Is everyone finished?]
As soon as the selection ended, the Dokkaebi reappeared.
[Oh? Haha, well... it seems we have two people who made very interesting choices. Well, that's fine. There will be other opportunities.]
The Dokkaebi said this, glanced over me and Dokja, and then vanished again, claiming it had to prepare the next scenario.
"Everyone, please gather around."
"Hello. I'm Lee Hyunsung."
"I'm Kim Dokja."
"I'm not sure if this is a situation where 'nice to meet you' is appropriate, but it's a pleasure."
The ten minutes given to prepare for the scenario.
It was a short window, barely longer than a school break, but it should be enough time to introduce ourselves.
"Haha. Well, well, our contract worker really hit the jackpot here."
*Snap.*
"Please don't touch our Dokja so familiarly, will you?"
"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?!"
"I'm Kim Dokyun, Dokja's older brother. You already met Ms. Sangah, so you know who she is."
The man called Manager Han stepped back, seemingly unable to argue further once the word 'family' was mentioned.
"Brother, this is Han Myeongoh. He's a manager at the company I work for."
"Hah, you think you can act like this just because you're relying on your brother? You planning on not coming to work anymore?"
"The person who just blew that brat's head apart is standing right in front of you, yet you're still talking quite a bit. With everything that's happened, do you still think you're a manager at a company?"
Between Dokja's cold facts and my glare from behind, Han Myeongoh froze, staring blankly at Dokja.
"Mr. Lee Hyunsung, as you've heard, I'm Dokyun, Dokja's brother."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Dokyun."
"Hey, kid. I'm Dokyun. And you?"
"Gilyoung... Lee Gilyoung."
"...Dokja, he's seriously so cute. Why don't you let him be my son—!"
*Smack!*
"There's nothing you won't say to a child!"
"I'm serious!"
"That's exactly why you can't! You shota-con!!"
This is unfair. I just have a deep sense of maternal... no, paternal love.
Besides, Dokja is going to end up taking care of Gilyoung anyway, yet she only picks on me.
"Sigh... ignore this shota-con. Like the Dokkaebi said, this is no joke."
"Our Dokja~ are you jealous of Gilyoung—!"
*Thump!*
"Just die!"
Dokja kicked me right in the stomach, and I collapsed instantly.
I'm not joking; that actually hurt.
Is this the effect of a 'loving' blow?
Of course, this wasn't due to a skill or a trait; I've always been like this.
"Ahem! A game-like interface, a trait window, and exclusive skills. Is there anyone here who still hasn't figured out what's going on?"
Dokja continued speaking, completely ignoring the fact that I was collapsed in pain.
The others briefly glanced at me before turning their attention back to her.
Still, I figured the atmosphere had lightened up a bit.
I was certain of it when I saw Gilyoung faintly suppressing a smile.
"This... this isn't a dream, right?"
"It is definitely reality."
"I'm glad that's clear. So, what should we do now? Ms. Dokja, do you have any suggestions?"
Among the six survivors, the ones who naturally drew attention were me, for having killed to survive, and Dokja, for her quick judgment that allowed others to survive without killing.
Not that I'm defending that brat, but someone who survives through wit is bound to seem more reliable than someone who survives by killing.
"We have to get out of here."
At Dokja's words, the people who had been ready to follow her froze instantly.
"Get... get out? Are you insane?"
"Ms. Dokja, I think that's a bit..."
"...I need to get back to my base as well, but moving recklessly in this situation seems dangerous."
"You're her brother! Stop her!"
As a giant, dragon-like monster roared outside, the opposition grew fierce.
Han Myeongoh shouted at me to stop Dokja.
Dokja looked at Han Myeongoh as if he were pathetic and spoke again.
"My brother is on my side. So, he has no intention of stopping me. Right?"
"Exactly. And Mr. Han Myeongoh. Since this is our first time meeting, please use formal language even if I'm younger. Am I still your subordinate?"
Han Myeongoh froze again, completely stunned by my words.
Even if someone is older, shouldn't they do something worthy of respect to be respected?
If he were still just a manager, I might have put up with his attitude, but now that things have come to this, there's no need to tolerate him.
"Dokja, how do I use these coins?"
"Just think about how many coins you want to invest and where."
[Current Coins: 1,500]
'Invest 1,500 coins into Stamina.'
[Stamina Lv.4 → Stamina Lv.9]
[Your Stamina level has increased significantly.]
'If only I had 300 more, I'd be at level 10. What a waste.'
*Boom!*
*Boom!!*
*Boom!!!*
Suddenly, a loud noise erupted from behind, grabbing everyone's attention.
"...We have to leave here immediately."
"What? But..."
"If we don't leave now... we'll all be dead before the next scenario even arrives."
That sound was definitely coming from carriage 3707. And Dokja had mentioned that Yoo Joonghyuk was in that carriage.
Which meant that noise was being made by Yoo Joonghyuk.
I didn't know which regression this was, but seeing that carriage burn, his humanity must have eroded significantly.
If he entered this carriage, he would likely kill everyone except those he found useful.
At least, that was the Joonghyuk Dokja had described to me.
'Come to think of it, why does Dokja like a woman like that?'
"Is there any guarantee that whatever is beyond that steel door is an enemy?"
"They're likely a survivor who killed others to make it... do you still want to meet them?"
"..."
"It was self-defense."
I was speechless when Lee Hyunsung and Ms. Yoo Sangah turned their gazes toward me.
If I had left things alone, everyone except Lee Hyunsung would have been slaughtered by Kim Namwoon.
Ms. Yoo Sangah only survived because of the insect I gave her.
It was the moment my pure goodwill was returned as pure malice.
[A few Constellations who witnessed you killing Kim Namwoon express bewilderment.]
"Then should I have just let him kill my sister?"
I spoke quietly, so that only the Constellations could hear.
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is touched by your sibling affection.]
"Ahem! Then let's quickly find a way out."
"This one is broken!"
"Damn it, this one won't turn either!"
*Crash!*
*Crash!*
*Crash!!*
Meanwhile, the noise from behind continued to grow louder.
It meant the steel door wouldn't be able to hold much longer.
"Ms. Dokja! Mr. Dokyun! Over here!!"
"Opening it!"
*Screeech.*
*Clunk.*
"...It seems this one is broken too."
The only door that wasn't broken seemed to open for a moment, only to stop with a grating sound like nails on a chalkboard.
"Mr. Lee Hyunsung, use your 'skill'."
"What? By skill, you mean..."
"You should have seen it when you opened your trait window earlier."
While Dokja was explaining the skills to Lee Hyunsung, my gaze remained fixed on the door separating us from carriage 3707.
Even if Dokja says we can escape now, would she be safe from Yoo Joonghyuk?
Now that the novel has become reality, there will be countless variables that even Dokja doesn't know about, and in Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes, such variables are targets for elimination.
Of course, that changes if one is useful, but since I don't know Dokja's skills, I can't judge whether I'm useful or not.
The problem is that while she is an indispensable existence to me, to Joonghyuk, she's someone who can be discarded without a second thought.
Because that bitch views everyone as mere tools.
"Hyaaaaaah!"
*Creak, crack.*
*Creeeeeak!*
With a shout from Lee Hyunsung, the firmly shut door finally swung open.
"Brother! Let's go!!"
"No, you go first."
"What... what do you mean?"
[Many Constellations are frustrated by this cliché melodrama.]
"I have to meet the protagonist here before I leave."
"It's too dangerous."
"Didn't you see me take down Kim Namwoon? Don't worry and just go. I'll follow shortly."
[A few Constellations facepalm at the death cliché.]
"...I'll trust you. You've always kept your promises until now."
With those words, Dokja and the others stepped off the train and began running along the tracks.
Seeing me crush Kim Namwoon must have given her some level of confidence in my strength.
All that was left now was...
*Boom.*
*Boom.*
*BOOM!*
To wait for that door to break.
And that wait was not—
*KABOOOOM!!!*
—long.
The steel door shattered, and Yoo Joonghyuk, the protagonist of this story, emerged from the flames.
"This regression has had variables from the very start."
"We finally meet. The existence I am most grateful for, and simultaneously, the one I loathe the most."
Yoo Joonghyuk is the protagonist of this story?
Bullshit.
I will find a way to save Dokja in this ruined world, no matter what.
And I will make Dokja the protagonist.
Without fail.
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