KIM DOKJA'S POINT OF VIEW
A clapped resonated around across the station after a minute of silence. A familiar figure was standing there watching the bloodshed that happened. "amazing, I knew I made the right choice to get you as one of my subordinates..." I gulped seeing Alyona standing there with her full-on gear battling suit, even her head was thoroughly covered with black color metal.
"W-who are you?" Hyunsung asked the approaching figure. Then she clicked something beside her head, showing the face we all are familiar with. "Alyona-ssi!" Yoo Sangah cried out to her. "Noona!" Lee Gilyoung sprinted at the woman with such heavy steps and jump to hug her tightly.
"Such a spectacular performance... Kim Dokja you're late!" then I was sent rolling to the ground as she slap me on the back, Fuck! that hurt! how high are her stats that she could send me rolling down the ground with just a playful slap?
"oh, sorry I forgot I'm physically stronger than you" She looked around the group and looked closely at the panting Heewon. "I know it's tough but you must endure it..." I just sighed and look at her, She's grown strong in just a few days. "what are you doing here?" I ask her who's busy coddling Gilyoung in her chest.
"To check up on you and everybody, I need to distribute some materials too..." She put down Gilyoung and checks her surrounding. "it's best to rest for a bit, Guard my body I'll have to go somewhere." Then before I could reply her body fell from its standing position and fell at me. Gilyoung was startled and shook her body. "she's alright don't worry" I reassured the kid and let Alyona rest.
*****
The following morning, there were a few changes to Gumho Station. First of all, Han Myungoh had disappeared. He had hidden once the fighting started and disappeared after it ended. I didn't know if he was hiding somewhere in the station or was moving to the next station already, but I do not care.
"Let's not worry about him now. I didn't like him from the beginning. In addition, he isn't the only one who disappeared. Besides Alyona-ssi isn't awake yet..." It was as Jung Heewon said. After the fight yesterday, the number of people remaining in Gumho Station was almost nonexistent. Alyona was still out cold on my body like a corpse.
It wasn't that there were few survivors. Rather, more people survived compared to the original plot. However, most of those who survived left the station last night. Perhaps they had their reasons. "...Will the remaining people be okay?" Yoo Sangah inquired as she looked at the survivors in the station.
Me, Yoo Sangah, Lee Hyunsung, Lee Gilyoung, Alyona and Jung Heewon. Apart from us six, there were only five people left in this station. Jung Heewon spoke first. "Hey everyone. Are you coming with us?" The casual words caused a stir among the people. The representative was a young woman holding a child's hand.
"...We will go separately. We have some coins left." I honestly admired that the mother and child survived the bloody fight. If she had that much strength, they might be able to survive without going with us.
Jung Heewon nodded. "Yes. I wish you luck." Once Jung Heewon turned around, relief appeared on the people's faces. This response wasn't strange. Certainly, yesterday's situation was a bit shocking.
It was understandable. One refused to give out the charity while the other two brutally killed people in this very station, even if there was a reason. To them, Jung Heewon and Alyona might not be much different from the Cheoldoo Group.
"Lee Hyunsung-ssi?" I touched Lee Hyunsung, who was making a stupid expression next to me. "Ah, yes!" Lee Hyunsung, who was staring at Jung Heewon with a blank expression, looked at me with surprise. I think I knew what he was thinking.
"Are the preparations finished?" He wondered if she was the woman struck by madness yesterday and killed all the Cheoldoo Group. "Yep! It is a bit rough but it is finished. There are plastic bottles to be used as water containers, goods to protect from the cold, and emergency supplies..."
Indeed, a soldier was useful in situations like this. "...It is up to here. If you need anything else..." There was nothing else I needed...I wanted to say but I suddenly thought about something. "Oh, did you find any portable battery at Alyona's sleeping figure?" I asked looking at the figure of the woman on the floor.
"You are talking about a battery? Why...?" It was natural to wonder. A smartphone was useless because no signal was available. I replied roughly. "I have a place to use it." Lee Hyunsung said he would look for it and started to search through the things left behind by the Cheoldoo Group if Alyona doesn't have any.
Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Sangah also said they would help. "Are we going now by carrying Alyona or leave her alone?" Jung Heewon looked at me and asked pointing at the woman. "We're going. to carry her" She asked naturally as if there was no question that we would go together. This was Jung Heewon.
It was welcome from my viewpoint. The 'Judge of Destruction' was a talented person to who even Yoo Jonghyuk would pay attention. "I have many questions. regarding not only her" said Heewon as she stared at the woman on my back "Not now." I brushed her off.
"Ah really, you are an iron wall." Heewon scoffed and lightly punched me and laughed.
[You have received 1,500 coins from the character 'Jung Heewon.']
"This...?" I asked in confusion adjusting the woman at my back. "I am dividing it. I feel too sorry to eat it all alone. I will give it to other people." I understood what she was saying. Yesterday, Jung Heewon alone killed most of the Cheoldoo Group members. In other words, she obtained most of their coins. By the way... I was a bit nervous about this.
"You don't need to do this. besides, don't even think about giving some to this monster on my back, she has more coins than any of us here combined" Jung Heewon didn't know. I had a lot more coins than her, But of course, Alyona was once again an exemption. This monster is far richer than any of us combined here.
"I'm not Dokja-ssi, you know?" She punched my arms a few more times before walking towards the tunnel with her backpack. "Finish this off. I'll go ahead and make some arrangements." I warned Heewon as the monster- I meant the woman on my back suddenly started breathing again but made no move of waking up. "Don't go too far ahead. There are dangerous sections to go alone." Jung Heewon waved her hands as if not to worry while wandering away on her own.
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' likes your comradeship.]
[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' smiles slyly.]
I watched the messages in the air blankly and said. 'Did you make a lot yesterday? It must be good.' There was no answer. I spoke once again. 'Don't keep pretending and tell me. I know you are watching.'
[Ah, hahaha... you caught me?]
It was Bihyung's voice.
'How much did you earn?'
[...T-That. Um.]
I stared silently.
[Sigh, right. How did you know again...? I just can't get over it. Take this.]
[Dokkaebi 'Bihyung' has given you 4,500 coins.]
I thought so. This damn dokkaebi.
[...The constellations don't use the sponsorship system and send it directly to me. I don't know why. I'll give it to you later. Ah, there are these messages as well.]
Messages suddenly popped up. In front of me, obscuring my vision in front.
[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is satisfied with your scenario]
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is convinced of your judgment.]
[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is satisfied with your plan.]
·····
This was why I didn't get the support messages yesterday. I had been curious because such a great thing happened and I received less income than I thought. I invested a lot of the coins I obtained last time into stats and now I had a lot of coins again.
[Coins Possessed: 23,050 C]
It was once again time to improve my stats. Then let's do it moderately. I couldn't open the attributes window so I had to remember the exact level of my stats. First...stamina was important.
[1,200 coins have been invested in stamina.]
[Stamina Lv. 12 -> Stamina Lv. 15]
[The durability of your body has greatly increased!]
[1,600 coins have been invested in strength.]
[Strength Lv. 11 -> Strength Lv. 15]
[A stronger force will come from your muscles!]
[400 coins have been invested in agility.]
[Agility Lv. 10 -> Agility Lv. 11]
[Now you can move a bit faster.]
[1,200 coins have been invested in magic power.]
[Magic Power Lv. 6 -> Magic Power Lv. 10]
[A mysterious energy lives in your soul.]
I had no separate passive attack skills so I also raised my strength. For agility, it was enough to be able to evade. I needed to maintain White Pure Star Energy so magic power must be over level 10. I could invest more than this but I purposefully didn't. Once I arrived in Chungmuro, there was another place where I would have to use a lot of coins.
Besides, I had spent 4,400 coins just now. It was both easy and difficult to use. If I had been born with decent stats, I wouldn't have to spend so many coins. Someone born with level 1 stamina... in Ways of Destruction, even Lee Gilyoung's stamina would be higher than that.
Then Alyona moved on my back with a groan, "Oh, Dokja sorry was I too heavy? I went somewhere earlier need to check up on something..." She got down on my back and went to walk with me. "no, it's okay... By the way, where did you go?" She looks at me and sighed, a look of exhaustion obscured her face.
"somewhere I dreaded the most too... The place that would drive me nuts in the future" She grumbled and scratched her back. "anyways gonna check up on them" She sprinted her way towards the other party members. Then I heard Bihyungs voice.
[By the way, I forgot...two more scenarios are recommended. You are great. It seems that I will soon be able to upgrade my channel level.]
'I see.'
I couldn't get the support of a sponsor like other incarnations, so I needed to collect more coins. But the reason why I didn't see the effect of contracting with Bihyung was that his channel was small.
The 'minor' constellations weren't enough. To gather more coins, it would take more constellations to configure the channel. Once I went to Chungmuro, the environment would be ready soon.
"If everybody is ready, we will leave. You aren't missing anything?" My companions gathered together and nodded. Looking at their nervous faces, all of them seemed to have been enlightened by yesterday. "come on cheer up! I'm here don't you all miss me?" Alyona looks at each one of us with a funny face.
"I miss noona the most..." Lee Gilyoung said cutely at her and hug her waist. "oh, aren't you the cutest... Now I miss my baby sister" she said and looked at me with a subtle smile. "let's go everyone" Finally, the journey to Chungmuro began.
* * *
We had crossed half the railroad lines when the system message popped up.
[The second main scenario is enabled.]
+
[Main Scenario #1 – Meeting]
Category: Main
Difficulty: E
Clear Conditions: Cross the tunnel and meet the survivors in the first main base.
Time Limit: None
Compensation: 500 coins
Failure: ???
+
The message made me realize that it was starting. Unlike the first main scenario, the second scenario had a 'main base.' Jung Heewon asked. "The main base? Where is that?" An answer wasn't required. Another message immediately appeared.
[The next main base is 'Chungmuro.']
"Is it Chungmuro? It is only three more stops..." Alyona lightened up at the message, "oh, that's where I'm in the past few days, I was planning to wait for you all there but I change my mind.." So It was originally like that. I shook my head at her antics and ruffled her locks of auburn hair.
Ku Ku Ku Ku!
The ground rats appeared. There were around 30 ground rats. Jung Heewon stiffened. "...Go three stops through this." It was Lee Hyunsung who came forward. "I'll take the vanguard." Thanks to the support of his sponsor, Lee Hyunsung's total stats were now 37. He had earned fewer coins than me but he was chasing me...
This was the advantage of being born with high stats. If I knew this, I would've done regular push-ups. "I'll take the rear, Hyung." Lee Gilyoung's total stats were still low but he was able to use Diverse Communication more flexibly through steady skill training.
"Please leave it to me." Yoo Sangah made a thread with magic power to block the movements of the ground rats. Her attack ability was low but her overall stats were similar to Jung Heewon. While Alyona stayed a few feet behind us, fighting some monster too on her own.
"Is it okay to leave her alone Dokja-ssi?" the party members asked, "she's the strongest out of all of us so yes..." I answered nonchalantly.
Kwajik!
"...Isn't it just a lot of numbers? I don't even wanna know how many Alyona-ssi is fighting right now" Finally, there was no need to talk about Jung Heewon. Compared to Lee Hyunsung, her total stats were low but her skills were sufficient.
There was the exclusive skill 'Judgment Time' that belonged to the 'Judge of Destruction.' As long as the opponent in front of her was 'wicked' according to the Absolute Good constellations, Jung Heewon wouldn't lose.
The last ground rat fell. Lee Hyunsung held the shield by his side and started sweating. "Sigh...this seems to be enough." This shouldn't have been cleared so easily. No matter how simple the pattern of the ground rats was, fighting 30 of them was tough. I wouldn't be able to annihilate them myself without activating Bookmark. The party had become stronger.
They advanced further through the tunnel. Finally, a new platform appeared in front of me. "Yaksu Station. By the way...there is nobody? No, that's not it." Yaksu Station was filled with dead bodies and ground rat corpses. Based on the injuries, some of the people were killed by Yoo Jonghyuk and Alyona, not the ground rats. "oh looks, this is the place where I had the most kill" Alyona suddenly run up to us and giggled weirdly.
The party members look at her with shocked eyes. Then their eyes averted at me "Ignore her just keep going. There are two stops left." We continued to advance ignoring Alyona who was laughing behind at some corpse. Anyway, the distance from Yaksu to Dongdae was less than 1km in a straight line.
Once we arrived at the entrance of Dongdae Station, we encountered another group of ground rats and repelled them. We only moved a total of 2km along a simple path, but the fighting was so tough that the party's fitness dropped quickly.
"We will take a break here," Alyona said to us, More to us she's not even sweating from that excessive killing earlier. "Sigh...there is one stop left. We should just go there and relax..." Heewon said brandishing her sword. "that's an ugly word..."/ "Nobody knows if we can rest or not once we arrive there." Alyona and I's words overlapped each other.
Heewon hid her sword at her words, "I'll give you something better when we arrive there" Everyone was silent at my words Heewon was quieter now as soon as Alyona approach her. Certainly, monsters weren't the only dangerous things in this world.
"It seems that the people in this station moved quickly. Some necessities might remain." I looked around for a moment and said. "Ah right. Then..." After hearing 'necessities', Yoo Sangah gently raised her hand. Yoo Sangah, Jung Heewon, and Alyona's eyes met. No words were exchanged but the three of them nodded at the same time.
"What is it? Does Dokja-ssi want to know?" Jung Heewon saw my look and asked me. Yoo Sangah paled at that, Alyona just cackled looking my way. "...Heewon-ssi?" Sangah made an uncomfortable look "Ahaha, I'm just joking. Of course, I won't tell anyone."
...A secret only between women. It would be strange if I didn't know what they were talking about. Human physiology didn't stop even in a world like this. Lee Hyunsung also opened his mouth. "Ah, then I will go to the bathroom." I was surprised for a moment but there was no reason not to use well-built facilities. This was why the subway was convenient.
"I'll go with you." It was Lee Gilyoung. The two people walked side by side. I looked at their rearview and thought they looked like affectionate brothers with a large age difference.
"Will Dokja-ssi be alone?" Yoo Sangah asked me. "I will go above ground for a bit." I sighed and stood up "Huh? There will be poisonous fog if you go out...will it be okay?" They asked in concern. "I'm only going for a bit." Jung Heewon narrowed her eyes at my words.
"...Something is suspicious. Dokja-ssi, are you going to eat something well alone?" I looked at Jung Heewon for a moment. "It is a man's secret." Then Alyona raised her hand. "Tell me if something poured down the heavens and give us some" She looked at me and laughed knowingly. So she does know what I'm going to do...
* * *
After a while, I stood in front of Exit 6 of Hongdae Station. According to the information, I read beforehand, this place was surely...
[You have been exposed to poisonous fog.]
The effect of the poisonous rhinos was still visible. This time I didn't buy the Ellain Monkey's Lungs so I had to work quickly. I jumped up the escalator to the east while holding my breath. Not long after that, a bronze-colored shining statue appeared.
[A constellation wearing a straw mat is filled with expectations at your actions.]
The statue was based on the appearance of a monk who lived in the mid-Joseon Dynasty. I felt an unknown nobility coming from the fact of the monk holding a bamboo stick. I confirmed the name written vertically under the statue. Yujeong Samyeongdang ( ) Okay, good. There were no signs of anyone yet... I stood in front of the statue, holding my hands together.
[A constellation wearing a straw mat is delighted with your actions.]
[100 coins have been sponsored.]
I didn't hesitate to use White Pure Star Energy to activate the Blade of Faith. Then I struck the statue of Samyeongdang with one slash. The statue broke down and fell in front of me. I just smiled and sighed at my work. Then there are the messages of the constellation that idolizes this statue.
[A constellation wearing a straw mat is puzzled by your actions.]
[A constellation wearing a straw mat is appalled by your actions.]
ALYONA'S POINT OF VIEW
I observed Kim Dokja's retreating form and soughed heavily, Anna Croft... She's a huge hindrance to my plan. I need to meet her sooner to forewarn her about hindering my pursuit of the future. I ought to check up on my subordinates and make sure they traversed the welcome prison successfully.
"Oh, Dokja-ssi isn't still here?" Sangah questioned in confusion, "yeah... Oh, by the way, Heewon-ssi I have something for you" I opened my Inventory and searched for the demon-slaying sword... It's just as good as the sword of judgment but I didn't buy it yet... It cost more than 100,000 coins I only have around 220,000 now since I bought this sword for around 50,000.
"w-what why would you present me something this grand?!" she shrieked and stared at the sword in her hands. "hmm? I like spoiling my girlfriends... Oh and Sangah-ssi this is for you..." It's not as good as what I've given to Heewon but it would suffice. "evil repeller bracelet?" I nodded at her. "it has divine properties to ward off any demon species" I smiled at the both of them.
[DEMON-SLAYING SWORD RATING-SS]
[EVIL REPELLER BRACELET RATING-A]