< Episode 23. The Abandoned World (2) >
Along with the message, the contents of the scenario appeared.
Type: MainDifficulty: ???Clear Conditions: ???Time Limit: ???Reward: ???Failure: —
"Huh? There's no difficulty or clear condition?"
"...What the hell are we supposed to do? Everything's just question marks."
The confused people repeatedly reopened the window, but the scenario's contents remained completely covered in question marks.
Of course, I wasn't surprised.Because I already knew.
This scenario was...
"It seems only a portion of the participants can take part in this scenario."
A voice came from nearby. A tall, middle-aged man was standing there.
"You are...?"
"It's been a while, Kim Dokja. This is our first proper introduction."
...So this guy was here too.
Just as I was about to speak, the man extended his hand first.
"I'm Jeon Ildo. I'm known as the 'King of Neutrality.'"
"I'm Kim Dokja."
Jeon Ildo, the King of Neutrality.
Alongside King Maitreya Cha Sangkyung and King Mihee Min Jiwon, he was one of the few kings in Seoul who survived the 'Absolute Throne Competition.'
I, too, had a memorable impression of Jeon Ildo.
During the Throne Competition, he had been the only king who willingly gave up his throne of his own accord.
"During the Throne Competition—and this time as well—your performance left a very strong impression, Dokja-nim. My sponsoring constellation talks endlessly about you. Keeps saying I should at least do half as well as you."
Jeon Ildo smiled with an easygoing expression.
Come to think of it, who was this man's sponsor again?
I activated a skill immediately.
[Activating Exclusive Skill, 'Character List.']
Summary mode—traits and sponsoring constellation only.
[Summary list settings have been changed.]
Name: Jeon IldoExclusive Traits: Clumsy Intellectual (Normal), King of Neutrality (Hero)Sponsoring Constellation: Master of Playing Both Sides
...Looking at it, I wondered why I'd even checked.For this guy, of course it would be that constellation.
At first glance, 'Master of Playing Both Sides' sounds like some sleazy old constellation with complicated affairs—but in reality, it's an epithet for a king.
[A constellation advocating neutral diplomacy reveals its epithet.]
[Constellation, 'Master of Playing Both Sides,' expresses goodwill toward you.]
The 'Master of Playing Both Sides' was the epithet of King Gwanghae, the Joseon monarch famed as a master of neutral diplomacy.
No wonder Jeon Ildo's trait was 'King of Neutrality.'
"I'd like to hear more about what you said earlier. What do you mean by 'only some participants'?"
"Ah, so you didn't know either."
As expected, the information-savvy kings seemed to know something.
Of course, if we're talking about knowledge, I probably knew the most—but it was still worth listening. There was always the chance that things had diverged from Ways of Survival.
"According to information released by the lower-grade dokkaebi this morning, this scenario will recruit volunteers separately."
"Volunteers?"
"Yes. Not everyone needs to participate. And there's no penalty for not joining."
He smiled bitterly.
"Considering the scenarios we've faced so far, it's an unbelievable condition."
Just as I remembered.
I pointed at the screen and asked,
"So the participants will be sent there?"
"That's what I've heard."
People who overheard Jeon Ildo's words let out sighs of relief from all around us.
"What, so we don't all have to go?"
"Holy shit, thank god. I almost pissed myself when I saw those monsters... why are they so damn big?"
At this point, the incarnations split into three broad groups.
The first group—those who cautiously read the room, then quietly backed out.
Most of them were unaffiliated individuals. They were probably thinking they'd survived now, that they could safely coast along.
But they were wrong.
Every scenario in the Star Stream reaches a point where the difficulty skyrockets exponentially.
Most likely, the price they'd pay for skipping this scenario would be a horrifying future.
"...This could be fun."
Then came the second group.
These were people who had already adapted, to some extent, to the brutal environment of the scenarios.
Those who hardened their resolve while staring at the screen. Those who checked their equipment in advance.
They would probably survive—for the time being.
And finally, the third group...
"King Jeon Ildo! Where are you?!"
Someone was calling out to him from beyond the crowd.
Jeon Ildo glanced at his watch and let out a groan.
"Time's flown by already."
"You should go. I'll be fine."
"No, I can't go alone. That would defeat the purpose."
"...What do you mean?"
"Kim Dokja, the truth is, the reason I came here was to bring you with me."
"Me?"
Jeon Ildo nodded.
"A world without a king."
After saying that, he briefly scanned the surroundings.
It lasted only a moment, but I could feel countless gazes turn toward us.
As if he noticed them, Jeon Ildo continued with an inscrutable smile.
"The kings left behind in that unfortunate world are desperately waiting for your arrival."
The third group.
Those who use others to survive.
I followed Jeon Ildo to the gathering place of the kings.
They were assembled on the central platform of Yongsan Station. A massive tent—who knew where they'd gotten it—covered the meeting area.
Dozens of guards stood watch around the tent. None of them looked weak.
They were probably elite troops raised by the kings.
While we were fighting Shin Yoosung, they were likely hunting monsters rampaging through other areas.
"Sorry, but from this point on, only 'kings' are allowed to enter."
Stopped by the guard, I turned back to my group.
Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung nodded, already understanding the situation.
I handed the Yoo Sangah I'd been carrying to Lee Hyunsung for a moment.
"Dokja-ssi. If anything happens, scream immediately. Got it?"
Hearing Jung Heewon say that was genuinely reassuring.
I gave a light smile and pushed open the tent flap.
[Soundproofing skill is active in this area.]
Well damn—even soundproofing?
Looks like they put together a fairly convincing setup...
Inside was a spacious area with a large circular table.
Some jerky and biscuits were laid out on top—who knew where they'd gotten those.
The chairs were all different.
Plastic chairs.Solid wooden chairs.One person had even dragged in an entire sofa.
But no matter what they sat on, where they sat was undoubtedly a throne.
The surviving kings were there.
"So I told you our group would have the advantage if we went. Korea's starting late. You think we can deal with the guys who've already established themselves? But if our group goes, it's different. If I go—!"
The booming voice of a middle-aged man abruptly faded as I entered.
Every king was looking at me.
"The final king has arrived."
Min Jiwon, the King of Beauty, spoke.
I gave her a light greeting and scanned the kings present.
Yoo Joonghyuk...
He wasn't here. Well—no surprise there.
Including myself, there were six kings in total.
Excluding me, five were present.
King of Beauty, Min Jiwon.King Maitreya, Cha Sangkyung.King of Neutrality, Jeon Ildo.The King of Wanderers.
And the remaining one was...
This was strange.
I didn't recognize him at all.
"And who might you be?"
"I'm Kim Dokja."
"Ah, so you're the one... ahem, hmm. I am Yoo Hyunho, the President of Yeouido."
...President of Yeouido?
The president should already be dead—what nonsense was this?
Min Jiwon added in a displeased tone,
"...Mr. Yoo Hyunho isn't a king, but since he leads a large faction, he was allowed to attend this meeting."
"King, my ass! Do you all seriously think this is the Joseon Dynasty or something? We're living in an era of liberal democracy. Get a grip, will you?"
I immediately activated the summarized version of [Character List].
Name: Yoo HyunhoExclusive Trait: Corrupt Politician (Rare)Sponsoring Constellation: Master of State Affairs Manipulation
Exclusive Skills:[Bribery Lv.5], [Army Command Lv.4], [Corrupt Authority Lv.6], [Mass Manipulation Lv.7]...
...Now that I saw it, I felt like I almost remembered him.
A politician who survived by clearing the First Scenario at the National Assembly.
There definitely had been someone like that in a few regressions.
Normally, Yeouido gets wiped out during the monster outbreaks and everyone there dies—that's the standard route. Looks like this time, he got lucky.
[Constellation, 'God of Naval Warfare,' is enraged at the corrupt official of Joseon.]
[Constellation, 'Bald Righteous Militia Leader,' dislikes the incarnation 'Yoo Hyunho.']
So that's what this was about—probably his sponsoring constellation.
Among Joseon officials, who was famous for manipulating state affairs again...?
If Yoo Sangah were here, I could've just asked. Too bad.
"And Ms. Lee Sookyung here as well... is attending for similar reasons. I'm not sure if you've heard of her, but she's known as the 'King of Wanderers.'"
The King of Wanderers looked at me. She was still wearing her mask.
I stared at it for a moment, then turned back to the group.
"That's enough introductions. I'd like to know why you called me here."
At my words, Jeon Ildo—seated at the center of the table—spoke up.
"At this meeting, we plan to select the representatives who will participate in the Sixth Scenario."
As expected.
Yoo Hyunho picked up where Jeon Ildo left off.
"The people gathered here are the leaders of the largest factions in the Seoul Dome. Kim Dokja-ssi, your group is relatively small, but due to your contributions to the scenarios, you were specially invited here—so you should consider it an honor."
"Ah... is that so?"
Specially invited? An honor?
What a ridiculous mixed stew of nonsense.
While I was risking my life clearing scenarios, this guy was hiding somewhere, waiting for an opening...
And now he had the nerve to talk down to me?
Yoo Hyunho continued, addressing the room.
"I'll say it again—we've reached the time to move beyond barbarism. We temporarily regressed to a primitive age, repeating a 'war of all against all,' but our essence is that of law-abiding citizens who act under the principles of the social contract! Therefore, wouldn't it be best to select the next scenario's participants through democratic procedures?"
It was pure, low-quality bullshit—but since it was sprinkled with fancy words, it sounded like high-quality bullshit.
Min Jiwon replied,
"And what kind of democratic procedure are you suggesting?"
"As I said earlier, it would be fair to allocate participation slots based on faction size."
Jeon Ildo immediately objected.
"If we're talking purely in numbers, the Yeouido faction is the largest. That proposal lacks fairness."
"Jeon Ildo-ssi, that's disappointing to hear. In the end, aren't we all one Korean people? Whether a specific faction sends more people isn't really important. Once we enter the scenario, we'll be facing foreign groups anyway. At that point, distinctions like 'your group' and 'my group' won't matter. With enemies right in front of us, are we really going to fight among ourselves?"
It was classic political deflection—but Jeon Ildo wasn't easily swayed.
"If it truly doesn't matter who gets selected, then there's no reason your group needs to send more people either."
"Ahem—well, that's why, through democratic procedures, the larger factions—"
I cut in, irritation bubbling over.
"Is this really why you gathered here? To argue about something like this? I don't even understand why you need to pick and choose people in the first place. Just send everyone who wants to go."
"That was the original plan," Min Jiwon said, "but the situation has changed."
"Changed?"
She nodded.
"This scenario has a limited quota."
...Limited?
"The kings should've received a separate message from the dokkaebi. You haven't gotten it yet?"
As if on cue, a message appeared.
[The initial allocation for the Seoul Dome is 10 participants.]
[Additional allocation will be determined based on the scenario progress of the deployed incarnations.]
Ah.So that's why they were fighting.
Unlike ordinary incarnations who feared the scenario, the kings understood the importance of early entry.
If they could insert their own faction into the initial allocation, they believed control over future scenarios would fall into their hands.
In the end, this meeting was nothing more than a game of musical chairs among kings.
"My group should go. I've heard there are many Japanese participants in that scenario area. As a descendant of Silla, I believe it's only right that I take the lead."
"No, I should go. Baekje historically had extensive exchanges with Japan."
"That was Baekje—and your sponsoring constellation is from Later Baekje."
"What are you all talking about? Obviously, I should go. Trusting those outdated sponsoring constellations..."
"Everyone, please. Calm down for a moment—"
Jeon Ildo tried to intervene belatedly, but there was no sign of the chaos settling.
Letting out a sigh, I turned my head—and met the gaze of the King of Wanderers.
She hadn't said a single word the entire time. She was just watching me.
Behind the half-mask, I could see the faint curve of her smiling lips.
So this was her way of telling me to handle it.
The kings, growing more heated by the second, now radiated an atmosphere so vicious it felt like bloodshed could break out at any moment.
"There's no point in us fighting among ourselves here."
At my words, all the kings turned toward me at once.
Yoo Hyunho glared at me as if asking what nonsense I was spouting.
As I felt a faint tremor ripple through the ground, I picked up one of the biscuits on the table.
So you're finally here.
I was wondering why you were so late.
"After all, the final 'king' hasn't arrived yet."
The moment I bit into the biscuit, one side of the tent exploded—and the self-proclaimed President of Yeouido was sent flying with a scream.
"Kyaaaargh!"
A man appeared, crushing Yoo Hyunho's back beneath his foot.
Behind him, through the torn tent, dozens of guards lay sprawled on the ground, blood spraying everywhere.
Just like a regressor should be.
No matter how many regressions he goes through, that temperament of his never changes.
His ominous gaze swept across the room before locking onto me.
"Th-the Tyrant King...!"
Several kings turned pale, letting out strangled groans.
Then the Tyrant King, Yoo Joonghyuk, spoke.
"I'll announce the participants for the next scenario."
< Episode 23. The Abandoned World (2) >End