The troublesome thing often comes when you least expect it.
This might be what most of the people in Kim Roksoo (Cale)'s group feel after they hide their identity and meet with the members of the fans.
At first, they only asked about normal things.
“Hi, my name is Yun Jeong-Suk and this is…”
It begins with a normal introduction and then they started asking for Cale's group direction.
But…after they answer their questions, the questions never stop flooding to them.
“Hey, Roksoo-nim, when is the first time you met with Cale-nim?”
“Are you sure that you are not his distant relative?”
“Do you have any behind-the-scenes story about our Cale-nim?”
“Are you part of his family?”
“Right, why do you have similar eyes with Cale-nim?”
“What is your impression when the first time you meet with Cale-nim?”
“Can you tell me about Cale-nim’s secret?”
“Do you have any feelings for Cale-nim?”
“What is your relationship with those three?”
“Do you have a lover?”
“What are your hobbies?”
…
The fans suddenly ask whatever they thought not only to Kim Roksoo (Cale) but also to the other group members.
“It’s better if you ask about it to our Dongsaeng, Roksoo or Team Leader-nim.” Choi Jung Soo (Choi Han) answered the fans by throwing some of them at Kim Roksoo (Cale).
He didn’t do that because he wanted to trouble Kim Roksoo (Cale). It was something they agreed on before as both Kim Roksoo (Cale) and Lee Soo Hyuk (Alberu). Both of them are worried about that Choi Jung Soo (Choi Han) will do something strange when he tries to act.
“Why do you call Kim Roksoo-nim as Dongsaeng?”
“Is he the youngest of the four of you?”
“Then why do you call Lee Soo Hyuk-nim as Team Leader-nim?”
But the fans' questions are still ruthlessly flooding into them.
The same for Lee Soo Hyuk (Alberu).
“Why do both of them call you as Team Leader-nim, Lee Soo Hyuk-nim?”
“Why do you ask such simple questions? Of course, because he was their team leader before.”
“How long have you known each other?”
“What kind of impression that you have about them when you meet them for the first time?”
“Which agency that you work with?”
“Do you know some secret about Cale-nim and Alberu-nim's relationships?”
“How about some story about Cale-nim nim and Choi Han-nim?”
“Do you know about Mary-nim secrets?”
“Do you know about the direction of Cale-nim’s group?”
“Hey, do you think that it was fate for the three of you to meet?”
“I know, right?! The ‘Soo' in their name is as if their meeting had been decided by fate.” Some of the fans members said while in a daze.
“Do you think that sounds romantic?”
“Right, being bound by fate and sharing the same destiny. It was like a good love story.”
“That’s quite a good idea. I need to take notes so I won’t forget it.” Hyun Ji-Hu who listened to the questions suddenly got some ideas.
[Some constellations interest with the romance discussion.]
[Some constellations listen carefully for any new information.]
[Some constellations want to know about their ‘Godly Idols’ whereabouts.]
[Some constellations interest with incarnation 'Hyun Ji-Hu' notes.]
['The constellation that likes to change genders' interest in the relationship.]
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire’ interests in your discussion.]
[Some constellations in the fan's circle try to listen for any new information.]
[Some constellations…]
…
Baek-ah was not spared by the fans whom he just met and they keep asking their questions about Cale’s group stories.
But there’s a person who didn’t get bothered by the question.
The children were spared from their never-ending questions, especially Hong (Mary) because Kim Roksoo (Cale) said that he (she) was too shy in front of new people.
The children are scared by the menacing aura that the fans showed as they tried to hide behind Hong (Mary).
And another person who enjoys exchanging his opinion with the fans.
Joo Ho-Shik (Clopeh) was the only one who seems to talk normally with the fans.
“Joo Ho-Shik-nim, can I look at Clopeh-nim's newest recordings?”
“Of course, here. He said that he had not finished the editing but I think it’s quite good quality for the original recording.”
“Joo Ho-Shik-nim, why do you not follow Cale-nim’s group?”
“Cale-nim greatness is different from my faith. I have faith in Kim Roksoo-nim so I decided to follow him.”
“It was strange but for some reason, I didn’t hate you even though you have a different faith.”
“Right, it’s not because you give us Clopeh-nim recordings. Don’t misunderstand us.” One of the fans acts like a tsundere.
“I admire you for having a firm faith in Roksoo-nim. Could it be because ufufufu…” One of the fans said with a red face and strange laughter.
“But what do you think when you saw Cale-nim's greatness?”
“I think I would not be able to describe it with words.”
“Why do you wear something that looks like a priest?”
“Because a person needs faith to be able to live in this kind of world. That’s why I wear it to remind myself about my faith.”
“That’s a great thinking… should we also make a uniform to show the other non-believers our faith?”
“Good ideas! Maybe it will change those non-believers' faith.”
As Joo Ho-Shik's (Clopeh) words inspired them, they began their discussions and stopped questioning them.
Finally, Kim Roksoo (Cale)’s group were able to get away from the never-ending questions.
All of them feel really tired but they need to leave that place as soon as possible before the fans start to question them again.
As they thought about the best way to avoid them, they decided to go to the Han River.
They decided to cross the river.
_____________________________________
「 Yoo Jonghyuk looked at the empty hole in his chest. It was a wound that couldn’t be healed without using Recovery immediately. He angrily asked the woman who made the wound.
“Shin Yoosung. Why… have you thoughts changed?”
“Changed? I didn’t.” Shin Yoosung laughed. “I’m not a regressor like Captain. I’m just a toy stuck in the cogs of the scenario. I have the same personality as the ‘disasters’ that Captain has met in the past.”
“Then why…”
“Is this currently your third regression? I must’ve given you a chance in the second regression. Yet Captain once again failed. I gave you so much information but you failed again.”
Shin Yoosung smiled sadly at the blank-looking Yoo Jonghyuk.
“You can’t change the world. Many things are still intact and nothing has changed.”
Shin Yoosung spoke while looking up at the Great Hall in the sky. “Thus, I thought about it. Indeed, this world should end here.”」
Kim Dokja's old emotional state came back as he read Ways of Survival again. This was the taste of Ways of Survival.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Kim Dokja heard a voice and turned off his smartphone.
It was Han Sooyoung and she asked, “What did you decide?”
“I’m still thinking.” Kim Dokja answered shortly.
Han Sooyoung frowned at the indecision in his voice.
She whispered while paying attention to Yoo Sangah and Shin Yoosung. “Have you forgotten? Yoo Jonghyuk almost died because of the last disaster in the third regression.”
“He didn’t die.” Kim Dokja retorted.
“That doesn’t matter. The important thing is that we can’t win in a frontal battle.” Han Sooyoung said.
Han Sooyoung’s words were true. In the third round, Yoo Jonghyuk actually ended up dying because of Shin Yoosung. Kim Dokja thought.
“If you hadn’t killed him then the Delusional Demon Kim Namwoon could’ve…” Han Sooyoung reminded him.
Unfortunately, this time there wasn’t the Delusional Demon to kill the young Shin Yoosung.
“I certainly said that I am opposed to it. I warn you, do you think I will do nothing?”
[Some constellations dislike the burning of the sweet potatoes.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is preparing carbonated drinks for the sweet potatoes.] (TL: Once again, sweet potatoes describe a stuffy feeling while cider/carbonated drinks is a refreshing feeling)
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ expects your wise judgment.]
Perhaps this conversation wasn’t properly filtered. The filtering of future information was slowly loosening up… Kim Dokja thought as he saw the constellations' reactions.
Yoo Sangah sighed after talking to Shin Yoosung and came to Kim Dokja’s way. “Dokja-ssi, you can’t think about it.”
Her face was desperate.
“It is a future that hasn’t happened yet. If we take good care of her now, perhaps the disaster won’t happen? Like the butterfly effect…” Kim Dokja answered but then he stop talking and think about something.
It wasn’t without reason. The person who came to this world was the ‘future Shin Yoosung.’
This world was the ‘first world’ that created the future of Shin Yoosung.
In other words, if they changed the present Shin Yoosung then the disaster might not come. It was theoretically possible.
It was the same as killing Shin Yoosung to prevent the disaster.
However, there was a problem.
“The event that makes this child a disaster happens in the distant future. It won’t be affected by anything we do now.” Kim Dokja muttered in a small voice.
The butterfly effect didn’t happen that easily. A butterfly flapping its wings in the Pacific Ocean would cause a typhoon on the other side of the world?
It was theoretically possible. The important thing was the time it took for the wings to become the ‘typhoon.’
Yoo Sangah’s expression became grouchy. “You don’t know that…”
“Once again, it isn’t possible at this time. Even if we change the kid, the disaster that will come in five days won’t change.” Kim Dokja answered.
***
In fact, Yoo Jonghyuk had attempted it several times in the mid to late regressions.
The first thing he did was find Shin Yoosung and try to prevent her from becoming a disaster. He failed every time.
No matter what changes were made to the Shin Yoosung in the present, the future Shin Yoosung would return in five days. Then she destroyed Seoul.
But there’s a time when strangely Shin Yoosung seems to be disappeared or as if she never existed and never appeared.
Yoo Jonghyuk tries to find her but he never met her and he also can’t find Cale Henituse’s group at that time.
***
Is it something related to Cale Henituse’s group? A sudden thought came into Kim Dokja's mind.
What did they do? How did they do it? Should I look for them? But how could I find them when even the dokkaebis and the constellations...no, even the writer might not be able to find them. Kim Dokja wondered about the possibility that he missed from the Way of Survival.
His thoughts stop when he heard.
Yoo Sangah's voice gradually weakened. “Why is this child a disaster? What happened in the future?”
“I don’t know.” Kim Dokja shook his head.
Kim Dokja naturally knew the answer but he didn’t say anything.
Instead, Kim Dokja walked towards the child who was eating meat and asked, “Is it delicious?”
“…Yes.” Shin Yoosung answered in a small voice.
Kim Dokja could feel Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung watching me from a distance.
‘No.’
‘Kill her.’
‘I won’t let it happen.’
‘Kill.’
In fact, killing Shin Yoosung wouldn’t damage the important part of the ending point.
If Kim Dokja didn’t kill Shin Yoosung now, the slightest mistake meant Seoul would be destroyed.
Looking in the short-term, saving Shin Yoosung would only bring damages.
Shin Yoosung ate the meat and looked at me with unknown eyes. “Ahjussi, can you see the future?”
“Huh?” Kim Dokja was surprised by the sudden question.
“I… am I a bad person in the future?” Shin Yoosung timidly asked.
Perhaps she heard our conversation. Kim Dokja replied quietly, “Perhaps.”
“How bad am I?” Shin Yoosung asked.
“You are probably the worst person in Seoul.” Kim Dokja answered.
“As bad as Joker or Thanos?” Shin Yoosung continues her question.
“I don’t know.” Kim Dokja shook his head.
Shin Yoosung lowered her head. “It isn’t unusual.”
“Why?” Kim Dokja wondered.
“I am already a bad person.” Shin Yoosung answered.
She didn’t have to tell me why. I already knew how Shin Yoosung was able to survive in this world. Kim Dokja thought.
[Your understanding of the character ‘Shin Yoosung’ has increased.]
[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint stage 2 has been activated!]
「 I killed him. 」
She killed her dog in order to survive the first scenario.
「 I’m sorry. 」
She stole a coat from an old man who collapsed from an attack.
She killed a woman who always looked after her to protect her own green zone.
She handed over a person chased by someone in order to get food.
In this world, everyone was forced to commit crimes.
Not everyone could rationalize such things.
Kim Dokja doesn’t know how about them (Cale’s group).
「 I will be punished. It isn’t worth living. 」
Determination filled the child’s frightened eyes.
The expression of a person determined to die was no different for an adult or a child.
“You can kill me. I’m ready.”
If I was the protagonist of this story, I would’ve killed Shin Yoosung without hesitation. However, I was a reader. A reader had to make a reader’s choice. And it might be some way to help her if I’m able to find them. Kim Dokja thought.
Of course, I wasn’t a writer so the only things that emerged from my mouth were obvious words. Kim Dokja stroked Shin Yoosung’s head and said, “Don’t worry. Your death isn’t in the ending that I want.”
Yoo Jonghyuk’s regression would have no meaning if I killed this child. He was fighting to change the past. If someone killed another person because the future was fixed, what did this suggest? Kim Dokja thought while looking at Shin Yoosung.
Thus, I would prevent this child’s death for Yoo Jonghyuk. Kim Dokja put a determination in his mind.
Shin Yoosung's eyes shook hearing Kim Dokja's words.
[The character ‘Shin Yoosung’ feels a faint loyalty to you.]
[Your understanding of the character ‘Shin Yoosung’ has increased.]
“But I must die…” Shin Yoosung said in a small voice.
“There is a way to stop the disaster.” Kim Dokja answered.
Kim Dokja could hear Han Sooyoung sighing behind him.
By her side, Yoo Sangah was watching with tightly closed lips.
“I can do it with your help.”
In the first place, the ending that Kim Dokja wanted was impossible.
Yet if I changed small impossible things one by one, I might end up changing it to the impossible ending. Shin Yoosung would be one of the small cornerstones of this impossible story. But what should I do if I can’t find them? Kim Dokja thought.
Kim Dokja immediately opened the Dokkaebi Bag and bought a few items.
Shin Yoosung muttered without any confidence, “What can I do? I don’t have a sponsor.”
“Why does it matter if you don’t have a sponsor?” Kim Dokja answered.
[You have sponsored the ‘Growth Package I’ to the incarnation ‘Shin Yoosung.’]
Shin Yoosung’s mouth dropped open.
[You have sponsored the ‘Growth Package II’ to the incarnation ‘Shin Yoosung.’]
[You have sponsored the ‘New Scenario Commemorative Package’ to the incarnation ‘Shin Yoosung.’]
……
The messages continued rising.
Shin Yoosung paled.
“W-What is this?”
“It’s okay, I have a lot of money.” Kim Dokja answered to reassure her.
“Ahjussi, who are you?” Shin Yoosung asked.
“I am Dokja. Kim Dokja.” Kim Dokja tapped the head of the child who lost her sense of realism. “In the next five days, you will become stronger than anyone here.”
It was the true.
Beast Lord Shin Yoosung.
The child would later become one of the world’s 100 most powerful people in Ways of Survival.
This child, who might become a disaster, would become my ‘first incarnation’ in this round. Kim Dokja decided to do what he was able to do while trying to continue to search for Cale’s group.
After Kim Dokja decided to make Shin Yoosung as his ‘first incarnation’, he was caught by the remaining fans members that follow him as they want him to tell them the way to be Cale’s incarnation.
The questioning (interrogation) was mostly about the way to become Cale’s group incarnation in the beginning.
But their questions later become something that shows their anger to Kim Dokja or it might be their way to pay back for how Kim Dokja hide such precious information from them. Such as...
“Kim Dokja-ssi, why do you never tell us about it before?”
“Why do you hide such things when Cale-nim is still with us?”
“Right! If you let us know about it, all of us will have Cale-nim as our sponsor.”
“Tell us everything that you know or do you want us to use torture methods to make you tell us everything?”
“How dare you hide such important things from us!!!”
“We need to tell the other group members about this wonderful news!”
“We will continue our questions until you let us know about everything that will make us Cale-nim’s incarnation. Ohohoho, Don’t worry we will keep our eyes on you.”
“Did you still hide any information from us?”
[Some constellations are interested in the secret way to make an incarnation.]
[Some constellations in the fan's circle wondering about the method for the constellations.]
[Some constellations also want to become the ‘Godly Idols’ incarnation.]
[Some constellations want to ask their questions.]
[Some constellations said they will search for the ‘Godly Idols’ whereabouts.]
[Some constellations...]
....
The questions keep coming to Kim Dokja.
Not only the people but also the constellations and they didn’t stop until Kim Dokja answered all of their answers.
And it continues until dawn.
It only end when they didn’t get any information from Kim Dokja as some of them went to the other group to tell them about this wonderful news.
Kim Dokja collapsed from mental fatigue. Even the fourth wall is shaking so hard because of it.
__________________________________________
At the same time, around the Han River.
Kim Roksoo (Cale) suddenly felt a terrible chill on his back.
“What’s wrong, Dongsaeng?” Lee Soo Hyuk (Alberu) asked.
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s move quickly to avoid them.” Kim Roksoo (Cale) answered.
He dismissed the bad feelings and continue to go to cross the Han River.
<to be continue>
Author’s note: What do you think if the fans asked Cale’s group to accept them as their incarnation? Will they be able to do it? Will Cale become their sponsor?
Thank you very much for reading, votes and comments. I hope you enjoy the story and have a great week. GBU.