(English is not my native language)
This is not a reincarnation story. Not a tale of some great return. It's the story of… what I was
…
"Tired..." I have this thought since morning.. a.. nah I have it for years "I swear, the world Do not like me" I clutch my head in pain and frown as I pass by a glass storefront. I catch my reflection: short, dark hair that's grown dull. Silver eyes heavy with exhaustion. Dark circles so obvious against my pale skin
With a deep sigh, I tear my gaze away from this dilapidated form left behind by exhaustion that the mirror shows me. I keep walking, ignoring the way people lookd, sidestepping me as if I were the plague. Nothing new
The cause of my exhaustion? Who cares. Just long-lasting bad luck that won't end
Later, hours on…
"And here I thought things couldn't get worse. Suspended from the job just to make room for the boss's new bitch?" I mutter with a dry smile and empty eyes, slumping into a subway seat. I could swear the word "PATHETIC" is floating over my head in bold letters right now
A tap on my arm makes me turn. A small hand holding out a lollipop. I lower my gaze. A child, clutching a closed box with insects inside, stares at me with a calmness unusual for children his age
He places it in my hand and looks away. I stare at the lollipop, thinking:
"Ah… with my luck, it's probably rotten. Or poisoned"
"Hey you're not the center of the universe, who care??"
"Actually, wouldn't it be a blessing if it was poisoned?"
"Damn it—now that I want it to be poisoned, it won't be. But hang on, since I thought about it, does that mean fate will flip it again just to prove I can't even succeed with my own thoughts?"
"But wait since I already thought about that does th- Ouch!" My inner self slaps me hard. I let "oh", shrug, and stick the lollipop into my mouth in boredly
"Mmm… this stuff is kind of calming"
…
At that moment, without realizing it, I drifted into a deep sleep. Later, a strange jolt in the subway annoyed my sleep
When I opened my eyes, I was met with an unexpected scene: pale faces. An air thick with panic. Twisted bodies drenched in blood scattered everywhere. And strangest of all… an unfamiliar creature hovering with an unsettling grin
"…Ah… just some kind of furry dwarf or something. Whatever" I mumble tiredly before yawning and trying to fall back asleep
Yeah, I didn't know what was happening, and I didn't care. But that thing was cursing, yelling, shrieking loud enough to split my eardrum. I was already sure I have a chronic headache, but now it felt like even my guts have a gutsache
I tried ignoring it, but the noise only grew. Slowly, I open my eyes wider, rise wearily, grab the thing by one of its… horns? Or whatever those little growths on its head were, and hurl it through a nearby shattered window. My insides thank me while I give them a thumbs up and head back toward my seat, ignoring the passengers' stares.. Again
Something grips my shoulder from behind suddenly. I turn, finding the creature glaring at me with dark.. daaaark eyes, smiling devilishly, veins bulging with rage
"You human—" it growls, only to be cut off as I suddenly grab it again and toss it out the same way
It reappears instantly "Stop it, you bastard!!!" it roars in my face with searing fury, landing a punch that nearly made my teeth file for resignation. I spit some blood to the side and return the favor with a punch of my own that nearly forced his dignity to file for resignation
The passengers gasp. Some faint. The creature gasps too, clutching his cheek where my fist landed, staring at me with wide eyes in an existential crisis. I kiss my knuckles, then deliver the finishing blow, ignoring the []KO[]! sound effect in the background as it flies out the broken window a third time
"Pasta la vista bitch!"
…
I was sick of staying on the subway, so I climbed out through the same shattered window I'd been tossing that suspicious creature through. I walked down the dark tunnel, the air filled with strange smells. Didn't care much. Not until I finally stepped outside
My eyes widened at the scene of overwhelming destruction. Gigantic, terrifying monsters emerging from the sea. Things soaring through the sky that definitely weren't birds. Buildings and streets reduced to rubble
"Wow" I whistled "Whoever did this definitely has an eye for art" I laughed lightly, clapping
ㄴThe constellation ×××× finds you interestingㄱ
"Huh?" I blink with a dry smile, stopping. "Sorry. what?" I say with that same smile, ignoring the classic line of blood trailing from my mouth because of my poor heart that collapsed in shock
ㄴThe constellation ××× ×× acknowledges admiration of youㄱ
ㄴThe constellation ××××× winks at your complimentㄱ
I take a step back, swallowing hard. Countless 3D windows surround me, all showing similar phrases. All of them written in the third person from...
"Constellations?" I mutter confusedly . I feel a small tap on my shoulder, my eyes emptier than ever "Ah. You're back. yay" I say flatly. I didn't even need to look to know it was that annoying flying dwarf
I tilted my head to dodge it's punch, grabbed it by it's clothes, and lifted it up to my face. It's glares at me with arms crossed, then flips me something like a middle finger. I shrug and return it
"Hey. Do you have anything to do with those… Constellations? These weird messages and windows keep popping up around me" I sigh. I don't even know why I'm talking to this thing. I hold it properly. pat its head. it arches a brow at me
"Hah!?" it gasps, shocked "They actually contacted you? This fast? YOU of all people, you wretch??"
"Mhm" I nod "Y'know, you actually look kinda cute if I stare at you for a bit. Fluffy too" I pinch its cheek. it slaps my hand away
"Damn you filthy human! I am a Dokkaebi! A being beyond your vile comprehension! I could erase you in an instant!!!"
"Eeh? Nobody's stopping you, are they? Do you see me resisting?"
"Hmph! That's exactly why I won't. There's no fun in killing you if you're not afraid" it scowls, then disappears, reappearing floating at my side. Despite it's irritation (and let's not mention the weirdly friendly moments we shared on the subway) its began to explain things
It took it over an hour, rambling nonstop about the greatness of these so-called Constellations, how they were behind what happened to the world and more blah blah blah
"Ah so basically, they destroyed the world to create a stage where humans act like clowns for their entertainment while giving them support in return?"
"Yes" Dokkaebi replies immediately with a smug smile
"Brilliant" I shrug "Another question" I add, glancing around as I walk "Why do those… creatures… ah.. monsters? Why do they run away when they see me?" I blink "I just saw five tearing apart some corpses, but the moment they noticed me, they bolted.... This is racism!!"
Dokkaebi stares at me quietly. A long silence. Then, with a strange look of pity, it puts it's hand on my shoulder and shakes it's head slowly like I'm some terminal case
I push it off with a "tsk" and swat at the 3D windows flooding back around me. Until—
ㄴThe constellation ××× like you. Granted 2000 gold coins by Constellation ×××ㄱ
ㄴThe constellation ××××× enjoys your strangeness. Granted a gift by Constellation ×××××ㄱ
More and more messages appeared. its strange but.. for the first time… I actually felt like someone saw something in me
My eyes glimmer faintly as a sword appears magically in my hands. I grip it tightly. My first time holding anything like this, but who cares? It's a gift! I start walking forward. Where to? No idea. Just wherever my feet lead me. I don't feel bound to anything anymore
I stop suddenly and turn "Why are you still there?" I ask the Dokkaebi from a distance, blinking "Not coming?" I reach my hand out
Dokkaebi freezes for a moment. Opens its mouth, but nothing comes out. it clears it's throat, crosses it's arms, scowls "Hmph! Why do you think I'd want to tag along with the likes of you, you wretch?"
I tilt my head, smile faintly, shrug. Despite it's deepening frown, I notice a faint blush coloring its cheeks. it vanishes for a second, then reappears, slamming into me at full speed
I open my arms to catch it, only for it's horns to dig painfully into my flesh. My eye twitches. I smack it hard on the head, pry it off, and plop it onto my head
It.. no.. he.. smirks down at me "I hate you" he says, clinging to my hair
I stifle a laugh and keep walking "Me too. What's your name anyway?"
"None of your business, pathetic human. And yours?"
"None of yours either then"