[“Okay, everyone, please gather around! Let’s start the campfire!”
the flames raise up thickly and brighten the darkness of the campsite. time is approaching closer to midnight. only then do you remember something important.
“H-hang on! My scenario hasn’t...!”
dammit, you forgot all about it because of Yu Junghyeok.
you can hear Biyu humming “Ba-aht, ba-aht” just above your head.
[ Scenario time limit has elapsed! ]
will you really get killed like this?
[ Sub Scenario – ‘Workers’ Day Off’ has ended! ]
[ You need to resolve a total of 5 complaints. ]
[ You have currently resolved 1 complaint. ]
[ You have resolved all of your employees’ complaints. ]
[ A new story related to the <Kim Dokja Company> is being generated. ]
... uh?
“Seriously, man. It’s like you forgot your wits somewhere or some such...” mutters Han Suyeong, as she stares at the side of your face.
companions are giggling to themselves while looking at you.
it's only then that you recall their replies whenever you tried to talk to them.
I don’t have any particular complaints.
that was for real?
“No one here will blame you, you know.”
Han Suyeong’s disinterested voice spreads out. you all sit around soaking in the bonfire without saying anything else. you think you can sense their hearts contained in this silence and that causes your emotions to well up for some reason.
Jeong Huiwon adds something on top. “Well, if you want me to find something to talk to you about, then I can think of one, but it’s not a complaint, so...”
even though the warm bonfire is before you, why does a chill creep down your back just then?
“In any case, we rested really well today. Someone didn’t seem to have gotten any rest, though,” Yu Sangah speaks up
Yi Jihye follows her up on that, “But, is it over like this? Aren’t we going to, like, light candles and start sobbing, or write stuff on a ‘rolling paper’?”
“This ain’t even a real school trip, so why should we? Besides, the paper...”
while listening to Han Suyeong’s retort, you begin thinking.
‘Rolling paper’ written by her, is it... that might be quite interesting, indeed.
Han Suyeong suddenly stops talking there and looks at you before asking a question: “You want me to write one for you?”
“Not really. We aren’t little kids anyway.”
“Wait a minute. Didn’t you say you never had any friends and didn’t even go to ‘membership trainings’ either? I guess you’ve never received one before, then.”
if the total reserve of your mental energy declines during this trip, then it is all Han Suyeong’s fault.
a few members of <Kim Dokja Company> blessed with strong drive have already purchased pens and large papers from the [Dokkaebi Bundle]. seriously, though, these greedy Dokkaebis even charge Coins for something like that...?
Yu Junghyeok sitting across you on the other side of the campfire seems to be angry as well.
“I won’t participate in something like this.”
... although, his reason for anger seems to be different from yours.
nevertheless, seeing your companions gathered around closely and scribbling on their papers give you this fresh perspective on things. it’s like this is a writing get-together for the poor, friend-less Kim Dokja.
while everyone is writing their names on the papers and passing it along, Yi Gilyeong suddenly raises his hand up. “Hyung, I bought this off the [Dokkaebi Bundle], so can I fire it?”
Shin Yuseung discovers the toy in the boy’s hand and her expression brightens up instantly. “Uh? Isn’t that the same thing people were firing around the Han River?”
“Yeah, I remembered that so I bought it.”
“Let me try it, too!”
“No way. You buy your own. It’s 2000 Coins, you know.”
Yi Gilyeong is holding onto a ‘Parachute Helicopter’. you've seen that a couple of times before, too. it's a toy that, when you pull hard at the attached string and then let go, it’ll fly up into the sky while emitting bright light.
his toy seems a bit special though, as it features four large wings shaped like a square.
... besides all that, though, that thing costs 2,000 Coins??
“Okay, I’m gonna fire it!”
Yi Gilyeong fires the ‘parachute helicopter’ into the air. the toy flies up and while spinning around vigorously, dyes the surroundings with bright light. the light scatters as if fireworks were going off. even though they should’ve been familiar with far more spectacular sights than this, the group still looks on genuinely impressed.
the square-shaped wings of the helicopter spins around quickly and forms a circle.
you think it looks like a portal. a portal, that leads to the world you all used to live in. you all may not be able to go back anymore, but still, you feel the nostalgia of that world from it.]
[you're focusing hard on the book your mother has been reading to you for some time. you've decided you want to try reading on your own, but there are still words that are difficult, meanings that you don't understand. your mother sits near by and supervises, letting you know you can always ask if you need the help. you try your best to not need it, but inevitably, you have to in order to continue the story.
that is, until the story ends.
you reach the last page and you find yourself at a loss, bereft. there isn't anything else.
you look to your mother for an answer, asking if that's all. asking if there isn't anymore.
she says there's not anything else. the story is over.
you've never felt as alone as that moment you read that last word on the last page.
your mother shuts the book so that the front cover is facing you. she then opens the book again and tells you, "Read it again."
you're confused. why would you need to read it again? you already know the story?
your mother smiles like she knows a secret and insists again, "Read it again."
so, you begin to read it again.
you discover the story is very different than you remember when you first read it.]
this also doesn't work. you were expecting it, but it feels really weird because it didn’t work out. it feels like you are alone in an area where no communication is possible.
of course, your actual situation is worse than that.
[ You can't use the channel system. ]
since you were banished from the Scenarios, you naturally can’t access the channel and your contract with Bihyeong is cancelled.
you stare at the sky without stars and feel an empty freedom.
... now you are really alone.
once you realize this fact, a chill starts to creep in.
「 Nobody sees me and I can’t see anyone either. 」
no, you weren't completely alone.
「 In the midst of this, Kim Dokja suddenly realized. He felt a sense of existence through someone’s eyes. 」
“I’m not thinking such philosophical things, idiot. Rather, how long are you going to keep this up?”
「 The stupid Kim Dokja doesn’t know. Why the great Fourth Wall is doing this hard work. 」
... what?
“Why can’t you just explain? What the hell are you? You are a skill right?”
「 The stupid Kim Dokja is talking to the air. 」
it's a real jerk.
「 Stupid Kim Dokja... 」
“Can’t you stop? Do you want me to turn the skill off?”
then, there is a sound in the air.
「 The Fourth Wall asks, ‘Th en should I qui t?’ 」
you are a bit surprised. this brat, it can express itself more clearly now? come to think of it, last time...
“Yes, stop. I don’t want to be bothered right now.”
[ The exclusive skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is silent. ]
the next moment, you regret your choice. you feel the air around you freezing. it suddenly penetrates deeply into your bones. you feel the air in your lungs clogging up.
you cough.
at this moment, something belatedly comes to your mind. it's the reason why <Vedas> and <Olympus> sent you outside of the Scenarios' area.
it was for this exact situation. it was a plot to kill ‘Incarnation Kim Dokja’ and deal with ‘Constellation Kim Dokja.’
you try to scream but there is no sound. you can breathe but you can’t breathe. it feels as if someone has squeezed your lungs and your breath is blocked. your mind turns blank and your thoughts are erased one by one.
the <Star Stream> is a world of stories. there are no exceptions, whether it is for incarnations or constellations. every being exists through a ‘story.’
[ The speed of the damage to your stories has increased! ]
[the door opens and a huge banquet hall appears. the interior isn’t visible because of the dark. the judge disappears and the door closes.
a small light appears in the middle of the dark hall. an oval antique table is waiting for you. there is a splendid statue that can be seen as a statue of the king. the table contains many dishes that stimulates the salivary glands.
there is a woman looking at you at the end of the table.
How interesting. A living soul has come to this castle. Furthermore, you also brought unpleasant observers... Today is a really special day.
you immediately recognize who she is. in Hades’ palace, there is only one existence who can occupy the seat of the hostess.
you bow and open your mouth to speak,
“It is an honour, Queen of the Darkest Spring.”
Queen of the Darkest Spring. she is Persephone, Hades’ wife, and the famous queen of the Underworld.
You know my modifier. You are a polite incarnation.
]
[HC] This Is Just Your Life Now (cw: thoughts of self-harm)
[you're tempted to jump into the middle of the street when you spot them.
it's not that you're unused to this. it's become pretty common over the years since the release of that book.
and just when you begin to think the interest in it has fade, that you can have some semblance of peace between the bullies at school and the negligent attention from your relatives... they come back.
maybe it was some news thing this time.
maybe it was a random article published by someone who read the book.
you don't think it's a five year anniversary of that date.
you barely remember when it even happened, anyway. or, rather, not the specific day anyway.
but, inevitably, there's always someone.
sometimes they'd just want to talk.
other times, it was full camera crew arranged happily by your relatives for a nice payout.
this time, it's someone using a recorder for the better audio and their friend using a new digital camera to capture the moment.
ah. right. probably an underground documentary or something on one of those new websites hosting videos, then.
you smile to be polite.
you still want to jump into the street.
surely, that's a better way to escape the constant eyes on you.
you give the same non-answers as always and continue on your way once they get bored enough of interviewing a kid who still looks like he should be in elementary school.
they're already talking about how they'll edit things to protect identity and such.
and yet, you'll still be found by people who watch it.
[then Yu Sangah glances at you. you lean against the wall while your wounds throb.
the world shakes. nevertheless, you have to hold on.
"Everybody."
the moment you speak, pain fills your head.
[ The Fourth Wall is warning you. ]
「 N o. 」
you ignore it and say, "Everyone, please go out for a while."
they all seem to have lost their souls despite Yu Sangah being the one who is dying. the first one to regain their senses is Jeong Huiwon. she exchanges glances with you for a moment before raising the crying Yi Jihye. with her encouragement, the members leave the room one by one. finally, Shin Yuseung and Yi Gilyeong leave and you are the only one in the room with Yu Sangah.
you take a deep breath before speaking, "Yu Sangah-ssi. Do you remember the words that you said on the subway?"
there is no answer from Yu Sangah.
"You said you liked reading books." you keep speaking to Yu Sangah. "Murakami Haruki, Raymond Carver, Han Kang..."
you recite the names of the authors Yu Sangah said she liked. you sense Yu Sangah’s expression changing slightly. Maybe it is a distant memory that is disappearing.
"If you can survive... are you willing to read books that aren't from those writers?"
a fleeting light returns to Yu Sangah’s soul.
「 ... what book? 」
"For example, Lord of the Rings."
Yu Sangah’s soul body laughs. she recalls the old memory and smiles faintly.
「 ... okay. As long as I can read it. If it is possible... 」
these precious words, you remember every syllable.
「 If I can live again, I will read the entire story. 」
you nod. you don't know if this method will work. in the original novel, this has never been attempted. still, this is the only method you can do.
there are huge sparks as the 'wall' appears in the air.
you look beyond the dead-end and stare at the Fourth Wall. anyone facing this wall at the end of the road would become desperate.
“Fourth Wall.”
a thick and hard wall that can't be broken by anything. there is no artificial thing like the 'wall' in this world. it is a wall that someone has made with an obvious purpose. you don't know the exact purpose behind the creation of this wall. still, it is obvious that the 'wall' was built to protect someone.
the moment you open your mouth, the Fourth Wall also opens its own.
"Swallow her. Don’t leave behind even a single sentence."]
the moment you regain consciousness, you feel your smartphone vibrate. you switch the screen on without thinking too much about it, only to spot today's date.
February 15th…
as you aren't on Earth, the local weather report doesn't appear. all you can confirm is the date. even then, you can't say it's an accurate one, either. the space-time indicator has long lost its meaning after you moved around different dimensions willy-nilly, after all.
everyone within <Star Stream> lives in a different time from the others. that is the case, but now… 15th of February, is it?
you fall into a bit of thought regarding this date, before giving up and placing the phone down. your head is in a disorganized mess, and almost every part of your Incarnation Body is aching painfully, too. you blink several times while looking down at your upper torso to find bandages tightly wrapped around your chest area.
…where are you now?
the surroundings slowly fill your view. firstly, the clean, white bedsheets, followed by the elegant Oriental décor of the room you are in.
a certain someone leaning against the window and looking outside throws a question at you. "You awake now?"
"You…?!"
Her eyes arch in a mischievous manner. "Ahh, so this is how it feels like coming back to life after dying."
"But, didn't you die…"
"I did?"
Seeing Han Suyeong snicker like that, the inside of your head grows even more complicated. you immediately recall the sight just before blacking out; the events of her dying at Yu Junghyeok's sword, you fighting against him, and then, passing out from his attack, and finally, sharing a conversation with Yu Sangah inside the Library…
Han Suyeong approaches the bed before you notice it and pinches your cheek.
"In any case, Kim Dokja. You can be really adorable sometimes."
only then do you realize that she played you for a sucker. you take a closer look and find a small IV needle stuck in her arm, too.
"…Where are we?"
"The waiting room of the Main Island. The place where that 'guy' and his castle is."
it's then, you abruptly remember something else.
[ 'Master of the Island' is calling out to Incarnation 'Yu Sangah'. ]
back then when that guy was taking Yu Sangah away, there was another message popping up in front of your eyes, as well.
[ 'Master of the Island' is inviting you. ]
the King of Reincarnators. the third protagonist of the book 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World' has summoned you to their territory.
"But, I'm pretty sure that I failed to clear the scenario? Don't I need to clear the Middle Island's scenario in order to get here, so how…"
"Nope, you did clear it."
you quickly confirm the message logs.
[ You have cleared Hidden Scenario – 'Snatching Modifiers'! ]
[ Reward handout is currently on standby. ]
It's true.
"But, how? I hadn't collected the syllable 'Vil', so how…"
Han Suyeong wordlessly points at the necklace hanging around your neck.
[Devil of Lust and Wrath]
The completed necklace of Modifier emits a soft glow. something like this cann't happen, though. one of the syllables should be missing on your necklace.
Han Suyeong spoke. "Yu Junghyeok gave it to you before leaving, saying that it's a leftover."
…Yu Junghyeok did?
But, why?
your thoughts are getting messy again. the things he said at the final moments rings vividly in your head.
– Yu Junghyeok, a former Regressor.
not the Regressor Yu Junghyeok, but a former Regressor.
what was he thinking about when he told you that?
"Where is he now?"
"The next scenario."
the sense of emptiness and relief brushes passed you simultaneously when you hear her. He again went ahead before everyone in order to clear the scenario.
"…Who was his target, anyway?"
"You just woke up, but you're already so full of questions. How annoying."
you sit on the bed, eyes blinking like an idiot. she points to your chest again.
upon taking a closer look, there are two [Modifier Necklaces] hanging around your neck. one of them is Asmodeus's Modifier, [Devil of Lust and Wrath], while the other one was…
[□□ of □□]
the places where your Modifier should've been are replaced by empty holes, instead.
"No way?"
"Yes, way."
Well, at least he did leave behind 'Of'. That son of a bitch.
"It's my turn to ask questions now. Is Yu Sangah still inside you?"
"…King of Reincarnators already took her."
"…Did she say anything else before going?"
you unsteadily raise up from the bed and walk over to the window. while standing next to Han Suyeong, you stare as the unfolding cityscape.
Reincarnators are busy roaming the streets that possess the unmistakable ancient Chinese vibe. Beings from other worlds are here; beings that have chosen to live a new life in this place, along with different names and different faces.
"She said, let's meet again in the next life."
to you, it will still be this life but to Yu Sangah, it will indeed be the next life.
she's earned a new body, a new life, through the power of the 'King of Reincarnators'.
she gets to live a new life in this world, in other words.
Han Suyeong and you stare at the streets below without saying anything. it's as if you are searching for Yu Sangah hiding somewhere within these nameless streets.
Han Suyeong abruptly opens her lips to speak. "It's snowing."
she is right; bits of snowflakes are descending from the sky.
originally, this particular world doesn't have any snow. yet, it's doing precisely that.
snow falls like starlight. and beyond the tall skies where snowflakes continue to fall, Constellations are watching your tale. no indirect messages reach you, but you can still feel that they are looking at you. Probability they have gathered bit by bit until now scattering gently in the skies.
you turn your head to the side to find Han Suyeong studying you. she grasps your [Modifier Necklace] and grins. "I guess you're no longer the [Demon King] of [Salvation]. Shouldn't you get yourself a brand-new Modifier now?"
you begin recalling the days you spent as 'Demon King of Salvation' while listening to her talk.
it hadn't been that long, but those days were the most brilliant moments in your life.
as your vision grows wetter and blurrier, you can see Han Suyeong giggling away.
"Should I make one up for you, then? Mm… What will sound nice on you, I wonder. How about 'I Pass Out Too Often-Man'? Or, 'Miraculous Piehole'… Eh? H-hey, you are… crying?"
your face reflects in her irises, her eyes widening in surprise.
actually, you want to ask her, an author.
as she is a writer, maybe she'll be able to tell you straight.
tell you that you did good until now – whether you made the wrong choices or not, whether you would get to see the desired conclusion when you reach the end of this story or not.
"Hey, why are you crying like that? I get it, okay? I get it, so stop. There, there."
she must've thought up something, as she begins rummaging through her pockets next. soon afterwards, something sweet and slightly sour enters your mouth.
"Why are you crying on a nice day like today? I mean, it's even snowing, too… I promise to think up a nice Modifier later on, okay?" says Han Suyeong, before avoiding your gaze to stare into the far-off distance.
today is the 15th of February.
that's what the smartphone says. however, the time of this place and that of Earth aren't the same, therefore this indicator is simply an 'error'. it's a coincidental date, with no meaning behind it.
even then, what if there is some kind of a miracle and this date is indeed true?
then, today would be your birthday.
Han Suyeong rubs her eyes as she speaks. "I want to see the others already."
you summon up every ounce of your strength to make your reply. "…Yeah, me too."
as if those words became the signal…
[ Revised text has completed its update. ]
A gift sent by someone arrives at your doorstep.
– Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World (Final Revision).txt
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
■■ - EPILOGUE SPOILERS
you look up, and the messages clogging up the message log all float up at once.
these are the messages only visible to you.
If this dream was to be stopped now, then the world would forever be frozen still.
***
「 Y ou wi ll re gret th is you wo n t ev er me et th em ag ain 」
you smile without a sound.
“But, I can still see them, right?”
just like how it used to be, a really long time ago.
and so, this story will continue on in that manner.
“.... that’s enough for me right now.”
you stare at the back of the subway disappearing into the darkness. now, the figures of your companions can’t be seen all that well.
「 And everyone lived happily ever after. 」
you've always hated that phrase.
however, the current you dearly wishes for that phrase to become true.
Workers' Day Off
the flames raise up thickly and brighten the darkness of the campsite. time is approaching closer to midnight. only then do you remember something important.
“H-hang on! My scenario hasn’t...!”
dammit, you forgot all about it because of Yu Junghyeok.
you can hear Biyu humming “Ba-aht, ba-aht” just above your head.
will you really get killed like this?
... uh?
“Seriously, man. It’s like you forgot your wits somewhere or some such...” mutters Han Suyeong, as she stares at the side of your face.
companions are giggling to themselves while looking at you.
it's only then that you recall their replies whenever you tried to talk to them.
I don’t have any particular complaints.
that was for real?
“No one here will blame you, you know.”
Han Suyeong’s disinterested voice spreads out. you all sit around soaking in the bonfire without saying anything else. you think you can sense their hearts contained in this silence and that causes your emotions to well up for some reason.
Jeong Huiwon adds something on top. “Well, if you want me to find something to talk to you about, then I can think of one, but it’s not a complaint, so...”
even though the warm bonfire is before you, why does a chill creep down your back just then?
“In any case, we rested really well today. Someone didn’t seem to have gotten any rest, though,” Yu Sangah speaks up
Yi Jihye follows her up on that, “But, is it over like this? Aren’t we going to, like, light candles and start sobbing, or write stuff on a ‘rolling paper’?”
“This ain’t even a real school trip, so why should we? Besides, the paper...”
while listening to Han Suyeong’s retort, you begin thinking.
‘Rolling paper’ written by her, is it... that might be quite interesting, indeed.
Han Suyeong suddenly stops talking there and looks at you before asking a question: “You want me to write one for you?”
“Not really. We aren’t little kids anyway.”
“Wait a minute. Didn’t you say you never had any friends and didn’t even go to ‘membership trainings’ either? I guess you’ve never received one before, then.”
if the total reserve of your mental energy declines during this trip, then it is all Han Suyeong’s fault.
a few members of <Kim Dokja Company> blessed with strong drive have already purchased pens and large papers from the [Dokkaebi Bundle]. seriously, though, these greedy Dokkaebis even charge Coins for something like that...?
Yu Junghyeok sitting across you on the other side of the campfire seems to be angry as well.
“I won’t participate in something like this.”
... although, his reason for anger seems to be different from yours.
nevertheless, seeing your companions gathered around closely and scribbling on their papers give you this fresh perspective on things. it’s like this is a writing get-together for the poor, friend-less Kim Dokja.
while everyone is writing their names on the papers and passing it along, Yi Gilyeong suddenly raises his hand up. “Hyung, I bought this off the [Dokkaebi Bundle], so can I fire it?”
Shin Yuseung discovers the toy in the boy’s hand and her expression brightens up instantly. “Uh? Isn’t that the same thing people were firing around the Han River?”
“Yeah, I remembered that so I bought it.”
“Let me try it, too!”
“No way. You buy your own. It’s 2000 Coins, you know.”
Yi Gilyeong is holding onto a ‘Parachute Helicopter’. you've seen that a couple of times before, too. it's a toy that, when you pull hard at the attached string and then let go, it’ll fly up into the sky while emitting bright light.
his toy seems a bit special though, as it features four large wings shaped like a square.
... besides all that, though, that thing costs 2,000 Coins??
“Okay, I’m gonna fire it!”
Yi Gilyeong fires the ‘parachute helicopter’ into the air. the toy flies up and while spinning around vigorously, dyes the surroundings with bright light. the light scatters as if fireworks were going off. even though they should’ve been familiar with far more spectacular sights than this, the group still looks on genuinely impressed.
the square-shaped wings of the helicopter spins around quickly and forms a circle.
you think it looks like a portal. a portal, that leads to the world you all used to live in. you all may not be able to go back anymore, but still, you feel the nostalgia of that world from it.]
A 독자(Reader)'s Beginning
that is, until the story ends.
you reach the last page and you find yourself at a loss, bereft. there isn't anything else.
you look to your mother for an answer, asking if that's all. asking if there isn't anymore.
she says there's not anything else. the story is over.
you've never felt as alone as that moment you read that last word on the last page.
your mother shuts the book so that the front cover is facing you. she then opens the book again and tells you, "Read it again."
you're confused. why would you need to read it again? you already know the story?
your mother smiles like she knows a secret and insists again, "Read it again."
so, you begin to read it again.
you discover the story is very different than you remember when you first read it.]
Story Horizon
this also doesn't work. you were expecting it, but it feels really weird because it didn’t work out. it feels like you are alone in an area where no communication is possible.
of course, your actual situation is worse than that.
since you were banished from the Scenarios, you naturally can’t access the channel and your contract with Bihyeong is cancelled.
you stare at the sky without stars and feel an empty freedom.
... now you are really alone.
once you realize this fact, a chill starts to creep in.
「 Nobody sees me and I can’t see anyone either. 」
no, you weren't completely alone.
「 In the midst of this, Kim Dokja suddenly realized. He felt a sense of existence through someone’s eyes. 」
“I’m not thinking such philosophical things, idiot. Rather, how long are you going to keep this up?”
「 The stupid Kim Dokja doesn’t know. Why the great Fourth Wall is doing this hard work. 」
... what?
“Why can’t you just explain? What the hell are you? You are a skill right?”
「 The stupid Kim Dokja is talking to the air. 」
it's a real jerk.
「 Stupid Kim Dokja... 」
“Can’t you stop? Do you want me to turn the skill off?”
then, there is a sound in the air.
「 The Fourth Wall asks, ‘Th en should I qui t?’ 」
you are a bit surprised. this brat, it can express itself more clearly now? come to think of it, last time...
“Yes, stop. I don’t want to be bothered right now.”
the next moment, you regret your choice. you feel the air around you freezing. it suddenly penetrates deeply into your bones. you feel the air in your lungs clogging up.
you cough.
at this moment, something belatedly comes to your mind. it's the reason why <Vedas> and <Olympus> sent you outside of the Scenarios' area.
it was for this exact situation. it was a plot to kill ‘Incarnation Kim Dokja’ and deal with ‘Constellation Kim Dokja.’
you try to scream but there is no sound. you can breathe but you can’t breathe. it feels as if someone has squeezed your lungs and your breath is blocked. your mind turns blank and your thoughts are erased one by one.
the <Star Stream> is a world of stories. there are no exceptions, whether it is for incarnations or constellations. every being exists through a ‘story.’
in a place with no ‘stories’, nothing can exist.
not even you.]
Queen of the Darkest Spring
a small light appears in the middle of the dark hall. an oval antique table is waiting for you. there is a splendid statue that can be seen as a statue of the king. the table contains many dishes that stimulates the salivary glands.
there is a woman looking at you at the end of the table.
you immediately recognize who she is. in Hades’ palace, there is only one existence who can occupy the seat of the hostess.
you bow and open your mouth to speak,
“It is an honour, Queen of the Darkest Spring.”
Queen of the Darkest Spring. she is Persephone, Hades’ wife, and the famous queen of the Underworld.
[HC] This Is Just Your Life Now (cw: thoughts of self-harm)
it's not that you're unused to this. it's become pretty common over the years since the release of that book.
and just when you begin to think the interest in it has fade, that you can have some semblance of peace between the bullies at school and the negligent attention from your relatives... they come back.
maybe it was some news thing this time.
maybe it was a random article published by someone who read the book.
you don't think it's a five year anniversary of that date.
you barely remember when it even happened, anyway. or, rather, not the specific day anyway.
but, inevitably, there's always someone.
sometimes they'd just want to talk.
other times, it was full camera crew arranged happily by your relatives for a nice payout.
this time, it's someone using a recorder for the better audio and their friend using a new digital camera to capture the moment.
ah. right. probably an underground documentary or something on one of those new websites hosting videos, then.
you smile to be polite.
you still want to jump into the street.
surely, that's a better way to escape the constant eyes on you.
you give the same non-answers as always and continue on your way once they get bored enough of interviewing a kid who still looks like he should be in elementary school.
they're already talking about how they'll edit things to protect identity and such.
and yet, you'll still be found by people who watch it.
this is just your life now.]
EPILOGUE SPOILERS - The Story Didn't End
「 "I’m sure of it. Kim Dokja is still in that place." 」
but, how...
「 "If you get a chance to run again, do you believe you can see it better the next time?" 」
... why?
the story is continuing on. the story that should've ended doesn't end.
more correctly, they choose to 'not end it'.]
Price of a New Life
the world shakes. nevertheless, you have to hold on.
"Everybody."
the moment you speak, pain fills your head.
「 N o. 」
you ignore it and say, "Everyone, please go out for a while."
they all seem to have lost their souls despite Yu Sangah being the one who is dying. the first one to regain their senses is Jeong Huiwon. she exchanges glances with you for a moment before raising the crying Yi Jihye. with her encouragement, the members leave the room one by one. finally, Shin Yuseung and Yi Gilyeong leave and you are the only one in the room with Yu Sangah.
you take a deep breath before speaking, "Yu Sangah-ssi. Do you remember the words that you said on the subway?"
there is no answer from Yu Sangah.
"You said you liked reading books." you keep speaking to Yu Sangah. "Murakami Haruki, Raymond Carver, Han Kang..."
you recite the names of the authors Yu Sangah said she liked. you sense Yu Sangah’s expression changing slightly. Maybe it is a distant memory that is disappearing.
"If you can survive... are you willing to read books that aren't from those writers?"
a fleeting light returns to Yu Sangah’s soul.
「 ... what book? 」
"For example, Lord of the Rings."
Yu Sangah’s soul body laughs. she recalls the old memory and smiles faintly.
「 ... okay. As long as I can read it. If it is possible... 」
these precious words, you remember every syllable.
「 If I can live again, I will read the entire story. 」
you nod. you don't know if this method will work. in the original novel, this has never been attempted. still, this is the only method you can do.
there are huge sparks as the 'wall' appears in the air.
you look beyond the dead-end and stare at the Fourth Wall. anyone facing this wall at the end of the road would become desperate.
“Fourth Wall.”
a thick and hard wall that can't be broken by anything. there is no artificial thing like the 'wall' in this world. it is a wall that someone has made with an obvious purpose. you don't know the exact purpose behind the creation of this wall. still, it is obvious that the 'wall' was built to protect someone.
the moment you open your mouth, the Fourth Wall also opens its own.
"Swallow her. Don’t leave behind even a single sentence."]
Happy Birthday
the moment you regain consciousness, you feel your smartphone vibrate. you switch the screen on without thinking too much about it, only to spot today's date.
February 15th…
as you aren't on Earth, the local weather report doesn't appear. all you can confirm is the date. even then, you can't say it's an accurate one, either. the space-time indicator has long lost its meaning after you moved around different dimensions willy-nilly, after all.
everyone within <Star Stream> lives in a different time from the others. that is the case, but now… 15th of February, is it?
you fall into a bit of thought regarding this date, before giving up and placing the phone down. your head is in a disorganized mess, and almost every part of your Incarnation Body is aching painfully, too. you blink several times while looking down at your upper torso to find bandages tightly wrapped around your chest area.
…where are you now?
the surroundings slowly fill your view. firstly, the clean, white bedsheets, followed by the elegant Oriental décor of the room you are in.
a certain someone leaning against the window and looking outside throws a question at you. "You awake now?"
"You…?!"
Her eyes arch in a mischievous manner. "Ahh, so this is how it feels like coming back to life after dying."
"But, didn't you die…"
"I did?"
Seeing Han Suyeong snicker like that, the inside of your head grows even more complicated. you immediately recall the sight just before blacking out; the events of her dying at Yu Junghyeok's sword, you fighting against him, and then, passing out from his attack, and finally, sharing a conversation with Yu Sangah inside the Library…
Han Suyeong approaches the bed before you notice it and pinches your cheek.
"In any case, Kim Dokja. You can be really adorable sometimes."
only then do you realize that she played you for a sucker. you take a closer look and find a small IV needle stuck in her arm, too.
"…Where are we?"
"The waiting room of the Main Island. The place where that 'guy' and his castle is."
it's then, you abruptly remember something else.
back then when that guy was taking Yu Sangah away, there was another message popping up in front of your eyes, as well.
the King of Reincarnators. the third protagonist of the book 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World' has summoned you to their territory.
"But, I'm pretty sure that I failed to clear the scenario? Don't I need to clear the Middle Island's scenario in order to get here, so how…"
"Nope, you did clear it."
you quickly confirm the message logs.
It's true.
"But, how? I hadn't collected the syllable 'Vil', so how…"
Han Suyeong wordlessly points at the necklace hanging around your neck.
The completed necklace of Modifier emits a soft glow. something like this cann't happen, though. one of the syllables should be missing on your necklace.
Han Suyeong spoke. "Yu Junghyeok gave it to you before leaving, saying that it's a leftover."
…Yu Junghyeok did?
But, why?
your thoughts are getting messy again. the things he said at the final moments rings vividly in your head.
– Yu Junghyeok, a former Regressor.
not the Regressor Yu Junghyeok, but a former Regressor.
what was he thinking about when he told you that?
"Where is he now?"
"The next scenario."
the sense of emptiness and relief brushes passed you simultaneously when you hear her. He again went ahead before everyone in order to clear the scenario.
"…Who was his target, anyway?"
"You just woke up, but you're already so full of questions. How annoying."
you sit on the bed, eyes blinking like an idiot. she points to your chest again.
upon taking a closer look, there are two [Modifier Necklaces] hanging around your neck. one of them is Asmodeus's Modifier, [Devil of Lust and Wrath], while the other one was…
the places where your Modifier should've been are replaced by empty holes, instead.
"No way?"
"Yes, way."
Well, at least he did leave behind 'Of'. That son of a bitch.
"It's my turn to ask questions now. Is Yu Sangah still inside you?"
"…King of Reincarnators already took her."
"…Did she say anything else before going?"
you unsteadily raise up from the bed and walk over to the window. while standing next to Han Suyeong, you stare as the unfolding cityscape.
Reincarnators are busy roaming the streets that possess the unmistakable ancient Chinese vibe. Beings from other worlds are here; beings that have chosen to live a new life in this place, along with different
names and different faces.
"She said, let's meet again in the next life."
to you, it will still be this life but to Yu Sangah, it will indeed be the next life.
she's earned a new body, a new life, through the power of the 'King of Reincarnators'.
she gets to live a new life in this world, in other words.
Han Suyeong and you stare at the streets below without saying anything. it's as if you are searching for Yu Sangah hiding somewhere within these nameless streets.
Han Suyeong abruptly opens her lips to speak. "It's snowing."
she is right; bits of snowflakes are descending from the sky.
originally, this particular world doesn't have any snow. yet, it's doing precisely that.
snow falls like starlight. and beyond the tall skies where snowflakes continue to fall, Constellations are watching your tale. no indirect messages reach you, but you can still feel that they are looking at you.
Probability they have gathered bit by bit until now scattering gently in the skies.
you turn your head to the side to find Han Suyeong studying you. she grasps your [Modifier Necklace] and grins. "I guess you're no longer the [Demon King] of [Salvation]. Shouldn't you get yourself a brand-new Modifier now?"
you begin recalling the days you spent as 'Demon King of Salvation' while listening to her talk.
it hadn't been that long, but those days were the most brilliant moments in your life.
as your vision grows wetter and blurrier, you can see Han Suyeong giggling away.
"Should I make one up for you, then? Mm… What will sound nice on you, I wonder. How about 'I Pass Out Too Often-Man'? Or, 'Miraculous Piehole'… Eh? H-hey, you are… crying?"
your face reflects in her irises, her eyes widening in surprise.
actually, you want to ask her, an author.
as she is a writer, maybe she'll be able to tell you straight.
tell you that you did good until now – whether you made the wrong choices or not, whether you would get to see the desired conclusion when you reach the end of this story or not.
"Hey, why are you crying like that? I get it, okay? I get it, so stop. There, there."
she must've thought up something, as she begins rummaging through her pockets next. soon afterwards, something sweet and slightly sour enters your mouth.
"Why are you crying on a nice day like today? I mean, it's even snowing, too… I promise to think up a nice Modifier later on, okay?" says Han Suyeong, before avoiding your gaze to stare into the far-off distance.
today is the 15th of February.
that's what the smartphone says. however, the time of this place and that of Earth aren't the same, therefore this indicator is simply an 'error'. it's a coincidental date, with no meaning behind it.
even then, what if there is some kind of a miracle and this date is indeed true?
then, today would be your birthday.
Han Suyeong rubs her eyes as she speaks. "I want to see the others already."
you summon up every ounce of your strength to make your reply. "…Yeah, me too."
as if those words became the signal…
A gift sent by someone arrives at your doorstep.
– Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World (Final Revision).txt