"Hmm. It sounds like we have to carry our flag and the flagpole, then plant our flag in another station. Is that what this means?"
"That’s how I understood it too. The station where we have to plant our flag is Changsin Station."
"That seems to be it. You all have good comprehension. Except for my brother."
Dokja, Dokja... even if my Korean grades used to bounce between level 5 and 6, I’m not that bad.
I was complaining because the tiny text was packed too tightly, it hurt my eyes, and it was hard to read. Not because I couldn’t understand what it said.
Glare
Jung Heewon shot Dokja a look.
"Even though you know everything..."
It was a quiet mutter, but I heard it clearly.
Screeeech—!
The whetstone I’d secretly bought from the Dokkaebi Bag.
I still couldn’t handle it properly, but for creating the right atmosphere, this was more than enough.
"...Mr. Dokyun?"
"How much did Dokja tell you?"
"...That she knows part of the future."
So she was keeping up the prophet act to the end.
Well, it wasn’t like she could say, "This is a world inside a novel, and you might be a character who was supposed to die in it."
Calling herself a prophet was the simplest excuse.
"I see."
"Did you already know too, Mr. Dokyun?"
"Did I look like I wouldn’t?"
"I just... think it would’ve been nice if you’d told us."
"I didn’t bring it up because I wanted to stop you from becoming obsessed with prophecy."
If you knew the future, getting buried in it was the last thing you should do.
Like some father who tried to suppress a prophecy of ruin—not to prevent disaster, but to preserve his own power—and ended up butchered by the vengeful spirit of a nation.
Or some supreme idiot who tried to control everything, only to lose his life to a single dwarf he’d looked down on.
Wasn’t that why Yoo Joonghyuk had gone through well over a thousand Regressions in the first place? Every time she solved something using information from a previous turn, even more variables sprang up in return.
I kept saying Yoo Joonghyuk was a monster, but in the end, she was human too.
Variables multiplied without limit. No one could block all of them alone.
Even if you had companions, explaining everything would consume a huge amount of time.
"It’s fine to use prophecy as a reference, but if you focus too much on trying to prevent it, a lot of the time that just leads you straight into that fate instead."
[The Constellations of Olympus are nodding.]
[The Constellations of Asgard are nodding.]
[The Constellation 'Thunder of Thursday' says it’s a relief that you know that.]
[The Constellation 'Goddess of Love and Beauty' agrees with your thoughts.]
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' smiles, saying it is a wise course of action.]
[You have been sponsored 3,000 Coins.]
Maybe because I ignored them once, the sponsorships were coming in "properly" now.
That was the end of that topic.
"Alright, back to the main issue! Can’t I just go over there and wipe them all out?"
"...I don’t think that’ll work."
[Constellations of the Absolute Good alignment are glaring at you.]
"Ah, those star-sign old men are back again."
Hypocrites, the lot of them.
"Do... do we have to fight people again?"
"It said that if we seize the station’s 'flagpole,' we can decide how the members of that station’s group are treated, so... if we do it right—!"
"No."
Yoo Sangah. Lee Hyunsung.
The two of them were far too optimistic.
"There’s no such thing as a Scenario where nobody dies."
"People might get hurt, but they won’t die—!"
"You don’t actually think they’ll just sit there and let us plant our flag in their flagpole, do you?"
""... ...""
"Mr. Lee Hyunsung. Ms. Yoo Sangah."
At some point, I’d mostly dropped formal speech with them, so the moment I started adding honorifics again, both of them flinched.
"I understand how you feel, but... you need to face reality. Are you planning to think, 'I shouldn’t have thought that way,' after we’re all dead?"
""... ...""
"Oppa, stop. That’s enough."
Even after seeing all kinds of people up to now, they still had this optimistic belief—no, delusion—that everyone would think and act like they did.
Honestly, it was pathetic.
Jung Heewon knew it. Lee Jihye knew it. Even Gilyoung knew it. Yet somehow the soldier Lee Hyunsung and the elite Yoo Sangah were the only ones who didn’t.
Out of everyone here, only those two were thinking like that.
"Ahem. Which line is Changsin Station on? I think we should figure that out first."
"Ah... Line 6. If we move only through the tunnels, we could go around toward Yaksu and use a transfer station..."
Once the subject changed, the atmosphere shifted again, awkwardly but surely.
[Did you really have to say it like that?]
[I already gave them plenty of chances to realize it themselves. If I gave them any more, who knows what kind of damage they’d suffer?]
[Haah... fine. Just try not to ruin the mood next time.]
[...I’ll try.]
It wasn’t that I disliked Yoo Sangah or Lee Hyunsung.
It was just... because they were good people, I had a bad feeling they’d stay trapped in their optimistic little world and die somewhere while helping other people.
"Then we should split into groups. Some people can guard this place, and some can head out to scout that side. What do you think?"
[Due to Scenario activation, the safety barrier of Chungmuro Station has been removed.]
[Free movement to other stations is now possible.]
But something felt like it was missing.
"Gong Pildu, you can talk now."
Ah, right. I’d forgotten about Gong Pildu.
"I know you’ve got bad blood with me."
"With me too."
""...""
"What, why, what?!"
"Don’t interrupt."
No, but it was true.
"You need to adjust too. Your days as a landlord are over. I know why you’re so obsessed with 'land.'"
Was there some special reason?
I didn’t remember Dokja ever telling me.
Either Dokja had brushed past it because he was a villain in the story, or I’d erased it from memory because I didn’t like Gong Pildu in the first place.
"But don’t overdo it. Not if you want to keep surviving."
"......"
"You’ll be in charge of defending this place."
Gong Pildu’s abilities were definitely specialized for defense rather than invasion.
At this point in time, aside from me, Yoo Joonghyuk, and Dokja, how many people could actually break through Gong Pildu’s defenses?
If it was that mysterious group called the Prophets, maybe they had some method.
"Why should I listen to you..."
"I’m not going to force you this time. And if you go along with my request, there’ll be a reward worth your while."
Kim Dokja was planning to make Gong Pildu an ally... so it seemed she intended to raise him just as much as the others.
I understood. His personality was the problem, but his ability really was excellent.
"Think it over carefully. Think about the family you’re separated from too."
"How do you...!"
Vroooom!
"...A motorcycle engine?"
It might be an invasion.
Slide
Vroom vroom vroom
Thud!
"Let’s stay on guard, just in case."
[Too fast. They might be those Prophets, or people who bought information from them.]
"Oppa’s right. Let’s stay alert."
[I think so too. Why do I never get a chance to talk to you properly, Oppa...?]
I didn’t know if Chungmuro was their target station, but even if it wasn’t, they could still be the kind of bastards who just enjoyed slaughter, like Kim Namwoon.
"Oh, Chungmuro finally opened up. Ha, Pama, it really took them forever just to clear a Scenario like that."
"Hey, keep it down. They’ll hear everything. And don’t you know the Scenarios are different at each station?"
"Stop right there."
"Oh? Well, well."
Well, well?
So they were looking down on us.
Even if I did nothing, these were the kind of punks Gilyoung could sweep away by himself.
Just idiots who thought being ahead in the Scenario meant they were stronger.
"Put down your weapons and come this way slowly."
"Now hold on. Let’s all calm down. This is a bit much. Hard to even talk when you’re acting this scary."
That attitude like they still had the upper hand... I liked it less and less.
"There’s no need to be so wary. We didn’t come here to fight."
"Then why are you here...?"
"Ahem. I should introduce myself first. My name is Kang Ilhoon, and I serve as the vice leader of the 'Dongdaemun Group.'"
Dokja looked like she’d never heard that name before.
If Dokja didn’t know him, then was he someone from reality rather than the novel?
Or maybe she’d just forgotten.
Dokja was the strange one for remembering the early part of a novel that had run for over ten years.
Unless she’d reread it so many times she’d memorized the whole thing.
"...Though if it’s Dokja, maybe that’s possible?"
"Um... and your name is...?"
"Kim Dokja."
"?!"
"Ah, Kim Dokja...-ssi?"
Oh? Look at this bastard.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kim Dokja. Since you’re carrying the flag, I suppose you’re the station representative?"
[Dokja, that look on his face...]
[I saw it too.]
[I don’t know about the others, but that so-called vice leader is either a Prophet, or someone who bought information from the Prophets.]
[I agree.]
It was the kind of look that said, "You?" as if Dokja wasn’t supposed to be the representative.
Originally, it should have been Yoo Joonghyuk.
But now, because I’d taken charge of Yoo Joonghyuk, Dokja had become the representative instead.
The word prophet originally meant the same thing as seer.
And the one person with that kind of ability was some woman named Anna Croft—or Anna Craft, whatever.
So all those so-called Prophets had that ability?
Even if they did, if they were people presumed to have [Foresight], how could they not know Dokja would become the representative?
And even if they didn’t know that, then the future involving Yoo Joonghyuk shouldn’t have been visible to them in the first place.
Something didn’t fit.
Wait. Wasn’t Ways of Survival definitely a novel posted on a web novel site for everyone to read?
It was just that no one except Dokja had actually read it.
If—
If, just if, those people called Prophets were actually other readers who had dropped Ways of Survival partway through?
Then everything made sense.
If they assumed things would proceed according to the novel because this was a world inside a novel, and they said the representative was "Yoo Joonghyuk"?
They did know a little about the future, so they called themselves prophets—Prophets.
If they knew how strong Yoo Joonghyuk was, then even accounting for variables, they would naturally assume she’d become the representative, and sold information saying Yoo Joonghyuk was the one in charge?
Then every piece fit perfectly.
And if they’d just said Yoo Joonghyuk because she was the representative in the novel without thinking any further, then they were simply brainless.
[Dokja, maybe the Prophets are people who read Ways of Survival, just like you.]
[What do you mean?]
[It couldn’t have been only you reading it from the start.]
[...Ah! I get it.]
Dokja seemed to understand immediately.
Of course, it was still only a hypothesis, but I was sure of it.
"What should we do? Should we form an alliance with those people for now?"
"I’m against it. I don’t trust them. Something about them feels off. You think so too, Mr. Dokyun, right?"
Maybe because I had the greatest influence on Dokja’s opinion in our group, she tried to persuade me first.
I usually went along with things, but whenever I did voice an opinion, Dokja tended to follow it. That was probably why.
"Whatever they’re planning, one thing’s certain—they’ve got some trick up their sleeve."
To summarize what that Kang Ilhoon bastard had said, it was this:
1. Chungmuro Station is not their target.
2. If they had wanted to, they could have brought their main force here long ago and taken it.
3. They already know which station is targeting us.
4. Therefore, they propose an alliance.
5. On top of that, they know the "surefire solution" and the "hidden secret" needed for the Scenario.
Numbers 3 and 5 were probably information from the Prophets.
The "secret" was probably referring to a hidden Scenario like the [Theater Dungeon].
"For now, we decided we’ll meet your leader first and then make our decision."
After some thought, Dokja finally spoke.
"Ah, is that so?"
"Where is your leader?"
"Over in Dongdaemun. If it’s alright with you, we can guide you there..."
"Let’s do that."
For now, it’d be better if I stayed behind and the other four went.
"Um... there’s one thing I’m curious about."
"Yes, what is it, miss?"
"Why did you come to Chungmuro? If you came from Dongdaemun, you could’ve formed alliances with other stations too."
"Ah, that’s..."
He was openly flustered.
You didn’t even prepare an answer for a question that basic?
I hadn’t asked because I assumed you had.
"As I said, Chungmuro Station was only opened 'just now.' What I mean is..."
"Compared to the other stations, Chungmuro and Dongdaemun were probably opened late, and in the meantime the other stations had already formed alliances with each other. That’s what you mean, right?"
"Th-that’s exactly it!"
[...Why are you helping him?]
[I’m trying to make those bastards lower their guard by making it look like I trust them, since I hold a fairly high position on our side.]
Just look at that smug smile. Ever since I stepped in to defend him, he already thought we’d swallowed the bait.
"We’ll tell you the details if you agree to an alliance with us."
"I’ll stay here."
"Got it. Then Oppa, stay here and rest with Gilyoung. As for Gong Pildu..."
Dokja glanced at me.
"I guess there’s no need to say it separately."
Vroom!
"Then we’ll be off."
Vrooooom!!
Dokja vanished in an instant.
"Gong Pildu."
"...What."
"Pull Gilyoung and the others back and set up your turrets."
"What?"
"Who knows if they’ll launch a surprise attack after getting our main force to leave?"
"Weren’t you the one who agreed to the alliance?"
"I’d sooner trust a cat with a fish than trust those bastards."
Did he really think I’d trust people he wouldn’t even trust himself?
I might be stupid, but not that stupid.
[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' likes your words and actions.]
"...Fine."
Wheeeeeeeeng!!
Gong Pildu began setting up his turrets.
Clap!
At the sound of my applause, everyone in Chungmuro turned to look at me.
"As you’ve seen, our main fighting force has temporarily left. There may be a surprise attack, so everyone, please take shelter behind Gong Pildu’s turrets for now."
"A-Alright!"
"...Thank you."
Thank me for what.
I was only doing it because they’d get in the way if a fight broke out.
From their perspective too, there was nothing bad about hearing, "We’ll handle the fighting, so you stay back."
"Still, isn’t that worrying a bit too much?"
"Ha! Did you expect us to suddenly appear and ruin you?"
"..."
"If you already got ruined by something you didn’t expect, then you should at least learn something from it if you ever want to get back on your feet."
"...Yeah."
He accepted that pretty easily.
I thought he’d get angry and start talking about how I was just some brat.
Wooooong!
The axe hummed.
"Gong Pildu, get up. They’re here."
Tatatatatat!
I could hear a crowd of people rushing this way.
Ahh, so it was starting.
I couldn’t hold back my smile.
[Numerous Constellations shudder at your creepy smile.]
"You... why are you smiling like that? It’s creepy as hell..."
"How could I not smile?"
"What?"
"That’s the sound of Coins rushing in. If they’re evil, Absolute Good will sponsor me. If it turns into a massacre, Absolute Evil will sponsor me. If it’s just entertaining, the Constellations will sponsor me anyway."
The more Coins, the better.
I didn’t know where the Scenario limit would be lifted, but if I wanted to gather as much as possible and raise everything the moment it did, I’d need a lot of Coins.
[Constellations of the Absolute Evil alignment shudder, saying, 'Uh... even by our standards, that’s a bit much...!']
[Constellations of the Absolute Good alignment are more horrified by your words than ever before!]
[The Demon King 'Demon King of Wrath and Lust' follows your lead and smiles with a creepy grin!]
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