The Star Stream did not like surprises.
Kim Dokja knew that better than anyone.
The entire system existed to keep stories predictable—structured conflicts, rising tension, climactic battles, emotional payoffs. Every incarnation struggled, suffered, and entertained the watching constellations.
But right now…
That structure had just been broken.
Dokja stood on the rooftop, staring at the fading remains of Persephone's vines below.
The Steelfang Hound was gone.
Not defeated through struggle.
Not through strategy.
Simply… removed.
And the system clearly didn't know how to process it.
A flurry of delayed messages suddenly exploded in front of his eyes.
[Several constellations are expressing confusion.]
[A constellation is questioning the integrity of the scenario.]
[Some constellations suspect external interference.]
Dokja sighed.
"Yep. There it is."
Beside him, Persephone leaned casually against the railing as if nothing unusual had happened.
She watched the flickering messages reflected faintly in Dokja's glasses.
"Your watchers seem upset."
"They paid to watch a fight."
"And they didn't get one."
"Exactly."
Persephone looked faintly amused.
"That seems like their problem."
Dokja rubbed his temple.
Unfortunately, it might also become his problem.
If the Star Stream decided something had interfered with their scenario structure, they might apply penalties… or worse.
He had seen the system erase things before.
Entire characters removed from existence because they broke the narrative too badly.
Which meant one important question lingered in his mind.
Why hasn't it reacted to Persephone yet?
He glanced at her.
She was staring out across the ruined city with quiet fascination.
Almost like a traveler exploring an unfamiliar land.
Not like someone who had just casually destroyed a scenario monster.
Dokja crossed his arms.
"You know the system might try to get rid of you."
Persephone tilted her head slightly.
"Can it?"
Dokja paused.
"…Good question."
The Star Stream controlled almost everything in this world.
Incarnations.
Constellations.
Scenarios.
Probability itself.
But Persephone had appeared without its permission.
And she had acted without its approval.
Yet the system hadn't punished her.
Hadn't even acknowledged her directly.
That meant one of two things.
Either it couldn't detect her properly…
Or it couldn't control her.
Both options were equally terrifying.
Persephone turned toward him again.
"You're thinking too hard."
"That's my specialty."
She smiled faintly.
"You worry about the rules of this world."
"Well, someone has to."
Persephone walked slowly through the garden again, the flowers parting gently around her feet.
"But rules are fragile things," she said softly.
"They only matter while people believe in them."
Dokja watched her carefully.
"You're talking like someone who's broken a lot of rules."
She glanced over her shoulder.
"Only the boring ones."
Dokja chuckled quietly.
"Yoo Joonghyuk is definitely going to try to kill you."
Persephone blinked again.
"You mentioned that name before."
"Ah."
Dokja leaned against the railing again.
"The protagonist of this world."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"Protagonist."
"Yes."
"In other words…"
She stepped closer again.
"The main character."
Dokja nodded.
"That's one way to describe him."
Persephone seemed intrigued now.
"A story with a protagonist… and yet the constellations are more interested in you."
Dokja grimaced slightly.
"That's a long story."
"I have time."
"Trust me," Dokja replied dryly. "You don't want to unpack that mess tonight."
For a moment, Persephone studied him silently.
Then—
Another system message appeared.
But this one was different.
[Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is observing the foreign entity.]
Dokja froze.
"…Ah."
Persephone glanced at him.
"That sounds important."
"It is."
Dokja stared at the message.
"Very important."
Uriel.
One of the most powerful and enthusiastic constellations in the Star Stream.
And one of the most dramatic.
If she had noticed Persephone…
Things were about to get interesting.
Right on cue—
Another message appeared.
[Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' demands clarification regarding the unknown being.]
Persephone watched the glowing window with interest.
"Is that one speaking to you?"
"Yes."
"Are they angry?"
Dokja scratched his cheek.
"Hard to say with Uriel. She might also be excited."
A pause.
Then a third message appeared.
[Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is asking if the foreign entity is a new character.]
Dokja sighed.
"…She thinks you're part of the story."
Persephone's lips curved slightly.
"Am I not?"
"That depends on how destructive you plan to be."
She stepped beside him again.
The wind stirred her dark hair slightly as she looked up at the sky.
Far above, the faint presence of constellations shimmered like distant stars.
Observers waiting for answers.
Persephone raised a hand slowly.
Not to attack.
Not to summon vines.
Just a simple wave.
A greeting.
Dokja's eyes widened slightly.
"…You're waving at them?"
"Yes."
"You know they can see that."
"I assumed so."
The system windows flickered violently.
Then—
[Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is extremely confused.]
Dokja laughed.
He couldn't help it.
Persephone lowered her hand, looking pleased with herself.
"They seem very easy to disturb."
"You have no idea."
Dokja looked back out over the ruined city.
For the first time since the scenarios began…
Something genuinely unpredictable had entered the story.
Not a regressor.
Not an outer god.
Not a new constellation.
Something else entirely.
And the Star Stream didn't know what to do about it.
Beside him, Persephone spoke again.
"Tell me something, Kim Dokja."
"Hmm?"
"If your story truly has a protagonist…"
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"When do I meet him?"
Dokja smirked faintly.
"Oh, that'll happen sooner or later."
He adjusted his glasses.
"And when it does…"
He glanced at her.
"…the story is going to explode."
Persephone smiled slowly.
"Good."
The flowers around them bloomed once more.
Because somewhere in the ruined city—
The true protagonist of this world was already moving.
And when Yoo Joonghyuk finally arrived…
Even the constellations wouldn't be able to predict what would happen next. 🌑⚔️🌸📖