Episode 3 – Contract (3)
Looking at the situation, I got a sense of what happened.
“What is it? Is something wrong?"
[This isn't possible. How can there be a firewall preventing the system interference…?]
It seemed Fourth Wall blocked not just the skills of an incarnation but the dokkaebi's interference as well. If this was true, it meant nobody in Ways of Destruction could see my attributes window, including myself.
How interesting. It was the perfect condition to become a scammer.
"Forget about it."
[P-Please wait! I can do it. U-Uh. What if I do this?]
"You can't do it."
[Kuaaack!]
Bihyung screamed like he had received an electric shock. The white fluffy hair on his skin was burnt black.
[T-This! This!]
"It's okay. If you can't do it then stop. I will ask for another favour."
[This can't be! I am Dokkaebi Bihyung. If I can't solve this situation, the honor of the dokkaebi―]
I looked at the clock. It had been an hour since the ichthyosaur ate. There was no time to delay like this.
“The dokkaebi bag."
Bihyung stopped his useless action of digging at the air.
[What?]
“Open the dokkaebi bag."
[…How do you know about that?]
"Are you going to open it?"
[Only an incarnation with a sponsor can use the dokkaebi bag…]
“It is true that all incarnations that use the dokkaebi bag have a sponsor. But there is no rule that an incarnation without a sponsor can't use the dokkaebi bag."
[…Wait a minute.]
Bihyung pulled out a manual and confirmed it.
[At this point, I don't know if I am a dokkaebi or you are. Are you actually a dokkaebi?]
The smiling Bihyung raised both hands.
[…Okay, there is no problem if you use it. However, the dokkaebi bag can only be used when the channel is open for streaming purposes. Is that okay?]
"It's fine."
[#BI-7623 channel is open.]
[The constellations have entered.]
Then an electric current appeared in the air. A transparent screen emerged in front of me.
[Welcome to the coin shop, the 'Dokkaebi Bag.']
The Dokkaebi Bag.
It was the moment when this damn world's 'cash store' was opened.
* * *
There were two ways to use coins in Ways of Survival.
One of them was to raise the level of the stats such as stamina and strength. The other was to use it as a common form of currency that could be used in various stores, including the dokkaebi bag.
[Buy it now! A starter pack for your incarnation for 2,500 coins!]
[A today only special! A 300% growth package, grow faster than others!]
[Did you accidentally pick an incarnation with a bad attribute? Don't worry! The 'Random Attribute Box' that can randomly change the attribute has been released!]
There were numerous coin items, including various packages. All of the advertisements in the Dokkaebi Bag were aimed at the constellations raising incarnations. It was natural. The original customers of the Dokkaebi Bag were constellations.
I got rid of the pop-up advertising windows one by one.
It was nothing compared to the 'disasters' that emerged after the fifth main scenario, but a sea commander ichthyosaur was no different from a disaster for the early stage incarnations.
I needed some items sold in the Dokkaebi Bag to defeat the ichthyosaur. Let’s see…
I looked at the catalog before glancing over at Bihyung.
“Hey, are these the only items I can buy right now? Is there a search function?"
[At that…shit. Wait. Constellations. Please. Please calm down.]
From the moment the channel opened, Bihyung was repeating complains with a comic-like sweat.
[It was just a server error that shut the broadcast off for a while! I didn't turn it off on purpose.]
There was a total of 20 stars above Bihyung's head. Since not too many of them had left the channel, it seems that quite a few constellations wanted to see what happened to me. Of course, not all the constellations were friendly.
[A few constellations are questioning the fairness of the broadcast!]
[A few constellations are suspicious of the privileges you have received!]
It wasn't unexpected. While the broadcast was off, a hidden scenario started and the Dokkaebi Bag was opened. It was no wonder that the constellations were surprised.
[No, preferences? Look at this, Constellations. I am a dokkaebi. Don't you know that I will be extinguished if I do that? Don't you know that the storyteller vow is never light?]
"Will you help me?"
[…There is a product search button in the lower right corner.
"Thank you."
I ignored Bihyung and pressed the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the package window.
[The product search function is activated.]
[The produce search is limited to 5 times a day. Any additional searches will cost 100 coins per search.]
In any case, humans and dokkaebi were the same. The total number of free searches given was five. Two searches were enough to buy the materials I needed so I had three searches left.
[The constellation Secretive Plotter is wondering about your plan.]
Yes, be curious. If you are curious, keep watching.
[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' is looking angrily at your actions.]
Don't watch if you are going to get all twisted up.
I opened my mouth to use the search function.
“Search for the 'Ancient Dragon' item."
[There are three search results.]
A small pop-up window soon emerged.
* Ancient Dragon's Heart – Stock 😕
* Ancient Dragon's Bone – Stock: 1
* Ancient Dragon's Horn – Stock: 1
I chose the Ancient Dragon's Heart.
[Item Information]
Name: Ancient Dragon's Heart
Rating: SS
Description: A heart containing the magic power of the ancient dragon 'Ignitus.' It possesses near-infinite magic power and the attribute 'Hellfire' will be acquired if a heart transplant is successful.
Price: 1,500,000 C
Stock: Just sold out.
As expected, it was out of stock. From beyond the catalog, Bihyung, who was dealing with the constellations, looked at me with his jaw dropped.
[Crazy. How do you know the information about the ancient dragon?]
“I just called out a nice name."
[…It seems like a lie.]
I shrugged.
In the original Ways of Survival, the owner of the Ancient Dragon's Heart was already determined. If I remember correctly, the owner of the heart was currently in Italy.
A person with good luck. They got such a diamond sponsor. I called out several more product names.
[The related product search is completed.]
* Great Demon's Eyes – Stock: 0
* White Pure Star Energy – Stock: 1
The Great Demon's Eyes was sold out… the hands of the constellations were really quick. Well, I couldn't buy it since the selling price was 1 million coins.
At any rate, it was good to have a sponsor. Now the incarnation with the Great Demon's Eyes would grow and destroy the beginner scenarios.
[What are you really? What type of cheat are you using? How do you know about items that can only be found in the search?]
“I just said plausible names."
Among the three items that I searched for, only the White Pure Star Energy was in stock. Furthermore, the price was 10,000 coins so I couldn't buy it now. I put it in the shopping cart for now.
[What, are you buying it?]
“Not right now. I am just window shopping."
[Sheesh, what a waste of time.]
“I am going to buy something else so bring up the items I call out from now on."
I called out several item names. After a moment, a list of items emerged in front of me.
* Mucus of the Hammer Sea Horse – Stock: 124
* Stone Hog's Pointed Thorn – Stock: 17
I compared it to the list in my memories. The food of the ichthyosaur, the hammer sea horse and the stone hog, the nemesis of sea species… There was no doubt. This combination was the best when it came to attacking an ichthyosaur.
“Four mucus, four thorns. It is 800 coins?"
[Yes but…where are you going to use these miscellaneous items?]
“You don't need to know."
[…I don't want to be nosy but why don't you buy something else? For example, this Woryeong Sword Technique. It is originally 8,000 coins but I will now sell it for 4,000 coins. Wouldn't buying this be more helpful to clear the scenario?]
“Thank you but I will just buy this."
Bihyung wasn't satisfied but received the payment.
[800 coins have been consumed.]
In the darkness, a sparkling powder gathered and four elongated thorns and four pockets of black mucus appeared.
[I can't give a refund if you regret it now. Do you understand?]
“I know."
I briefly nodded and started working. I took off my top, tied it around my waist and stuck the thorns in the gap, while the pockets were hung from my waist.
The stone hog's thorn was stumpy but became sharp at the end. It was approximately one metre in length. It was a reasonable size to pierce something.
[Hrmm…then I'll be going. I can't stay with you. There is something fun going on in another place.]
“Do it."
[Huhu, then hang in there. I hope the story will bless you.]
Bihyung disappeared in a flash of light and the surroundings became dark again. I could use the light on my smartphone but I wanted to save the battery as much as possible.
In the darkness, the stone hog thorn was emitting a bluish light. It was a feeble light but for the moment, it would be sufficient.
I pulled out a thorn and swung it. Maybe it was because I didn't have a skill such as Weapons Training or Incarnation of All Soldiers. I couldn't get used to holding the thorn.
[A few constellations are bored.]
The impatient constellations left the channel. I couldn't see it but Bihyung was probably fretting right now.
Then an hour passed.
Right, left, up and down.
I didn't like it but I no longer had a problem handling the thorn. The surface finish was rough and didn't seem like it would slip easily from the hand.
It was time to begin. I used the proper force and stabbed at the ichthyosaur wall above me.
Tiing!
It was like poking a rubber elastic wall as the thorn bounced off. My current strength wasn't high enough to tear at the stomach of the ichthyosaur. It would probably be the same if I used a skill.
Ku ku ku ku!
At that moment, the small holes at the top of the stomach wall opened simultaneously. Then an absolutely disgusting liquid poured out.
"Kuweek!"
One of the demonic people floating on something in the stomach started shrieking.
Chuchuchu. The skin of the demonic person started burning. The digestion of the ichthyosaur had begun. The ichthyosaur's digestive juices quickly mixed in the river water and started to melt away at the concrete and other floating products.
Chu chu chu chu!
There was no time. It was going as planned.
I jumped from the floating object and gripped a bump on the wall of the stomach. Then I started climbing up the wall like I was rock climbing.
Gurgle gurgle gurgle.
The outlet of the digestive juices was right above. I put the thorn in my mouth and grabbed a pocket of mucus.
The mucus of the hammer sea horse. I poured the mysterious dark blue liquid onto my hand and applied the mucus carefully from the tip to the end of the thorn.
It was with precision and care, as if applying shaving cream to an area to be shaved. If the shaving cream protected the skin from the razor, the mucus protected the thorn from the digestive juices.
Go. I swung the thorn towards where the digestive juices were coming from. The angle was correct and I used my maximum strength.
Kwaang!
The digestive juices flowed down the thorn and dissolved the skin on my forearm. I experienced a terrible pain but didn't stop. If I made a mistake here then everything was over.
[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' has relieved some of the pain.]
Gurgle, gurgle. Chururuk…
Before long, the thorn jammed up the emission point.
"Just one."
After a deep sigh, I pulled out another thorn from my waist. I applied the mucus of the hammer sea horse, found another opening and blocked it.
[A few constellations admire your calmness.]
[The constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]
I used this method to block three opening points. There were some left, but the small openings didn't release large amounts of digestive fluids.
There was one thorn left in the top tightly tied around me. All that was left was one thorn and two pockets of mucus.
I used the remaining mucus on my skin and clothes, then poured what was remaining down my throat.
"Kup."
The fishy taste on my tongue was sickening but it was better than dying. The bitterness was nothing compared to the disaster that would occur from now on.
It was around five minutes afterwards that the entire stomach started trembling.
…It had started.
Kieeeeeeek-!
The ichthyosaur let out a painful scream. The blood vessels on the wall of the stomach were squirming. The thorns were visibly expanding into the blood vessels.
The thorns in the openings had started their aggressive growth activity. The stone hog's thorn grew in response to the body fluids of seawater species.
Gududuk, gududuk.
The thorn that became immune to the digestive juices due to the applied mucus absorbed the surrounding fluids and started to take root in the body of the ichthyosaur.
The stone hog's thorns wouldn't stop expanding until the ichthyosaur was completely dead.
Keeeeeeh!
As I watched the liquid swirling under my feet, I grabbed the thorn tightly. I did everything I could. From now on, it was a mental fight.
Either I died or this guy would die. Only one of us would survive.
Episode 3 – Contract (4)
I didn't know how much time passed. My breathing was often interrupted and all my muscles were so stiff that I could barely move them.
[A few constellations admire your will to survive!]
[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]
But I persisted. I persisted because I believed I could hold on. The light emitted from the thorn in the darkness confirmed that I was alive. After confirming the falling temperature of the stomach wall, I was convinced that he was dying.
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' admires your spirit.]
[The constellation has sponsored you 100 coins.]
When I was hungry, I placed my tongue to the end of the thorn.
The condensed fluid that flowed out contained the life force absorbed from the ichthyosaur. The reason I drank the mucus in advance was to absorb this concentrate.
[Your stamina has slightly increased due to absorbing the power of the ichthyosaur.]
There wasn't an immediate effect of my stats level increasing, but by the time I escaped from the ichthyosaur, I would gain at least two levels in stamina.
It wouldn't work at a higher level, but this was one of the few tricks I could use to raise my stamina without using coins.
…Indeed, this wasn't a dream.
This was all I could do. I was just an ordinary reader. I wasn't a protagonist. It felt like I would wake up screaming in bed at any moment, but no such miracle happened no matter how much I blinked.
…Mother would be fine. She was okay. This wasn't anybody else, it was 'Mother.'
I fell asleep whenever the liquid on the floor drained away and woke up every time the cold river water entered my mouth.
Finally, the ichthyosaur's digestion stopped. The warmth of the viscera suddenly cooled down and the elastic stomach lining gradually solidified. Thus, I could be sure.
He died.
[…You are really great.]
A bright light in the darkness. Bihyung's dim figure was floating in the air.
[Using the stone hog's thorn like this. I never even thought about it. Constellations, isn't it the same for you?]
Bihyung looked at the stone hog's thorn emitting a faint light.
[The stone hog is a guy who mainly lives on the coast and feeds on small sea species. They insert the thorn into the skin of the prey but I didn't think it would be used to plug up the openings for the digestive juices…]
Bihyung's shining eyes weren't looking at me. The words weren't an explanation for me either.
[A few constellations are smiling as if they already know.]
[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]
[A few constellations belatedly understand your judgment.]
[The constellations complain that you should tell them by talking to yourself from now on.]
I ignored the messages from the constellations and drank the last of the condensed fluid.
[Your stamina has slightly increased due to absorbing the power of the ichthyosaur.]
[Your stamina level has risen!]
[Stamina Lv. 11 -> Stamina Lv. 12]
I accomplished my intended purpose. Bihyung came down to me and looked at my burnt arm.
[Furthermore, the mucus…I didn't know the mucus of the hammer sea horse was so potent.]
Originally, my skin should've melted from the ichthyosaur's digestive juices. I opened my mouth to stop Bihyung's nonsense.
“The mucus of the hammer sea horse is immune to digestive fluids. They evolved in this way after often being eaten by the ichthyosaurs."
[A few constellations admire your knowledge.]
Then Bihyung looked at me with a betrayed expression.
[Excuse me, I should be the one explaining…]
"I did it because you don't know. Now is the explanation over?"
[…Yes.]
“Then give me the reward."
[Cheeky bastard.]
Bihyung grumbled while at the same time, a reward message appeared in front of my eyes.
[The hidden scenario has ended.]
[You have obtained 9,000 coins in compensation.]
[You are the first to have successfully hunted a grade 7 species.]
[You have earned 1,000 coins as an achievement reward.
9,000 coins plus an additional 1,000 coins. It was a very huge income.
[Coins Possessed: 14,800 C]
If I added the 500 donated coins from filming my survival, the total income was 10,500 coins. It was over my target.
[Haha, Constellations. Did you see it well? Let's quickly watch an advertisement before going straight to the next scenario!]
I could hear the faint sounds of an ad somewhere.
New scenario opening featured package, 8,800 coins…
Once the eyes of the constellations disappeared, Bihyung started speaking to me in a friendly manner.
[Sigh…it was a great survival. The response from the constellations was amazing.]
"How much time passed?"
[Four days. I was in suspense the whole time I was watching. Were you unaware of the time?]
"My smartphone died."
It took more time than I thought. The original goal was two days… Well, Yoo Jonghyuk took four days in the fourth round to catch this so the speed wasn't slow.
Anyway, I did it.
A pleasant feeling of fulfilment covered my whole body and made me confident. I was an ordinary person with ordinary skills. But even so, this didn't mean I could only do ordinary things.
"…How funny."
It was strange. A novel that hadn't been helpful for 28 years was now making me extraordinary.
[Oh, you are already talking to yourself?]
"…"
[Isn't it good? For an incarnation, talking to yourself is essential. Of course, there are constellations who dislike it but usually…]
"Shut up and open the Dokkaebi Bag."
[Why? Are you going to buy something?]
“I'm not buying but selling."
[Damn, I'll have to cut the ad short. Constellations, hold on a second. I'll adjust the volume.]
As Bihyung opened the Dokkaebi Bag, I looked at the thorns embedded in the wall.
The upper barrier was hardened and deep cracks formed around the thorns. I could now smash through the upper barrier with my strength.
I broke the wall little by little with the one remaining thorn. Shortly afterwards, I encountered the core of the ichthyosaur that was glowing blue.
[Ichthyosaur's Core]
It was an ether core found in monster species grade 7 or higher. I could raise my magic power level without coins if I ingested them. It was good quality because it was a sea commander grade ichthyosaur.
I carefully cut at the flesh around the core while Bihyung looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.
"I'll sell this."
[You really…]
“Of course, I don't mean to sell it to you. I'll put it on the dokkaebi auction."
Bihyung accepted it like he was tired of asking me anything.
[Sigh…do what you want. How much are you going to charge?]
"I won't sell it for coins. I'll sell it by barter."
[Damn, you know all sorts of things.]
Bihyung grumbled while uploaded the item to the dokkaebi auction. His desires were simple. This guy might listen better than I thought.
"Someone will show up to buy it. And the item exchanged must be 'Broken Faith.'"
[Broken Faith? There is a person with it…in any case, it is registered.]
"Yes. And I will buy…"
I saw White Pure Star Energy in the shopping cart. Indeed, nobody bought it yet. Most constellations weren't well aware of the value of coin items. The expensive items in the Dokkaebi Bag weren't unconditionally good.
[Wait a minute, can I talk to you for a moment?]
At Bihyung's words, the advertising volume increased again.
[The constellations are complaining about the long advertisement.]
Once I saw that one more advertisement had appeared, I had a hunch about what Bihyung wanted to say.
“Is it the contract?"
Advertising was the only way to hide the eyes and ears of the constellations without turning off the broadcast. From now on, it wasn't a story for the constellations.
[Yes. I wasn't certain but I became convinced after this scenario. Well…let's try it once. I can help you a little bit.]
“Won't this violate the streamer's pledge?"
[Ah, of course, I can't really help you. I'm just saying that. Will you sign the contract?]
"What are the conditions?"
[Take a look.]
The dokkaebi pulled out an extravagant contract that had been prepared.
I read the contract that emerged as a transparent window in the air.
—–
[Stream Contract Agreement]
Incarnation Kim Dojka (Gap) will sign an exclusive contract with Bihyung (Eul) until all scenarios are completed or until his death.(TL: Gap and Eul are based on the 10 celestial/heavenly stems (Link). In Korea, they are consistently used to denote the smaller and larger contractor in a legal contract.)
—–
"… I am the gap?"
[Haha, don't humans like this? It doesn't mean anything. Keep reading.]
—–
Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) will never choose a sponsor until all scenarios have ended or his death.—–
This was also as expected.
—–
Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) should only be active on the channel of Dokkaebi Bihyung (Eul). Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) and Dokkaebi Bihyung (Eul) will distribute the revenue from stream contracts and this ratio will be determined through mutual consultation. ·····. Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) and Dokkaebi Bihyung (Eul) will be subject to destruction in accordance to the laws of Star Stream if they break this contract.—–
I read the contract carefully to the last item. I thought he might play an unknown joke but I didn't see that part.
Except for one thing.
“There is the most important part."
[What do you mean? You can just say that you agree. The stream contract is a soul pledge―]
“I'm talking about the pay ratio."
[Ahh. Haha. Right.]
As if this bastard didn't know.
This was the most important part.
"How about 5:5? Instead, I'll get rid of my channel fee. Ah, do you know how to calculate it? I will accurately divide your future donations in this ratio. For example, if you get 100 coins, you will receive 50 coins and I will receive 50 coins.]
All stream contracts were like this. The constellations had incarnations appear on the dokkaebi's channel and the contributions received from other constellations would be divided by a percentage. This was normal.
“Are you taking me for a pushover? I won't accept."
[What? B-But this is the industry's default settlement ratio…]
“I'm an incarnation without a sponsor. When donating to an incarnation without a sponsor, the constellations must pay a huge fee to the dokkaebi. Haven't you already enjoyed a lot thanks to me?"
Bihyung's jaw slowly dropped open. But there was no point making that expression.
"10:0. You will only get the commission. I won't pay you a single penny."
[What?! That is ridiculous…h-how about 7:3?]
The ratio changed greatly. But I wasn't going to concede.
"10:0."
[What is this fucking bullshit? It is a ridiculous rate―]
“Then don't accept. I will just go to another channel. 'Gildal' is doing well these days. I should ask him."
[…8:2. I can't concede anymore.]
"10:0."
Bihyung's expression changed to a threatening one. He looked at my head like it would explode at any minute. But I knew. He would never give up the contract. My existence was his last chance.
"The advertisement is coming to an end. Don't you see the constellations complaining?"
In the end, Bihyung gave up.
[Shit, I understand. Then will you sign the contract?]
He surrendered easier than I thought. In fact, I was going to give up at 9:1.
…Maybe he earned more money than I expected. It was a bit disgusting.
"Yes. And one more thing."
[What? What now?]
“You have to give a separate down payment. Give me 5,000 coins."
Bihyung's expression tightened.
[Y-You really…]
I laughed. Why was a 'gap' a 'gap and why did humans dwell on it…I would let that damn dokkaebi know.
[The stream contract is concluded.]
[You have received 5,000 coins as a down payment.]
The advertisement finished and the constellations came back. I patted the dokkaebi on the shoulder and said.
“Let's get out of here."
Now was the real start.
Episode 4 – Line of Hypocrisy (1)
A meteor shower was pouring down in the starry sky. It was a sight that anyone would admire, but not Yoo Jonghyuk.
「 It is starting. 」
The meteor shower was the precursor to the third main scenario starting. Now Seoul would be destroyed one by one according to the scenario.
Yoo Jonghyuk looked up at the sky before bowing his head and looking at the Han River.
The landscape around Dongho Bridge was quite desolate since the large group of ichthyosaurs had recently moved downstream.
「 It was too much. 」
It had already been three days since Kim Dokja entered Han River. It might've been too much to demand that he catch the ichthyosaur at the first level.
「Indeed, it would be hard for me to catch an ichthyosaur in three days. 」
But it would be impossible to take him if he couldn't do this much. If he couldn't even do this much, it would only hinder Yoo Jonghyuk.
「 A prophet isn't a big deal. 」
Yoo Jonghyuk closed his eyes with disappointment. He would go on his own again. Without any companions.
It wasn't a big deal. He had been alone all this time.
「 This time I will definitely change it. 」
Yoo Jonghyuk turned around.
But maybe he had turned away too soon.
* * *
"Wait…!"
[W-What?]
I blinked several times but could only see a grey-white ceiling. I was still inside the ichthyosaur. I turned my head and saw the surprised Bihyung.
"…I had a dream."
[Ohu, are you trying to raise curiosity? It isn't bad?]
I didn't mean to do such a thing but I didn't mind the misunderstanding.
[A few constellations want you to move to a new place quickly.]
I used 500 coins to buy the Ellain Forest's Vital Force to help me sleep. I thought it was too dangerous to move while exhausted.
The Ellain Forest's Vital Force quickly recovered fatigue and wounds in exchange for two hours of sleep. In other words, it was an expensive item.
“…I really want to go out."
I talked to myself while stretching my body. The dream I just had was still clear. Maybe it wasn't a dream.
Kwajijijik!
I heard the sound of an electric current scattering and Bihyung disappeared without a word. Maybe he went to do his job.
I sighed with relief.
The stream contract with the dokkaebi. It was a gamble that I never would've attempted if I hadn't known about Bihyung from Ways of Survival. But I did it with surprising calm. I never succeeded in any contracts in 'real life.'
[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is in use.]
…This was real. I inserted strength to my right hand holding the thorn. I really thought this world was reality.
[A few constellations want you to act.]
Well, there was no time to worry about it. I swung the thorn as hard as I could at the stomach wall that lost its elasticity. At the same time, there was the sound of something collapsed and water pouring out. I plunged into Han River.
“Puah!"
Fortunately, I didn't see any other ichthyosaurs. Small seawater species approached with curiosity but no hostility was felt. Not all creatures would attack humans.
Dongho Bridge was over there.
I used a piece of the ichthyosaur corpse as a floatation device and made my way towards dry land.
My skin was cold from the cold water but I couldn't worry about it. After 30 minutes of swimming, my hand reached land.
[A few constellations are nervous looking at you.]
Normally, danger would immediately come after this message popped up.
[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' is making an insidious smile.]
It was a pity for the constellations but something bad wouldn't happen to me. It was because I already knew the dangers.
[You have entered the region of the second main scenario.]
[The land in the scenario area is deeply polluted.]
[Be careful about your breathing and move underground as quickly as possible.]
The message said this but in fact, I shouldn't be on the ground from the moment this scenario started.
Why? Look at my skin now.
[You have been exposed to poisonous fog.]
The skin touched by the violet fog turned black.
Kyahh!
Once I followed the source of the fog with my eyes, I saw a monster making terrible cries.
It was a massive monster over 30 metres big. This fog was the fart of the grade 7 monster, 'great poisonous rhinoceros.' The rhino snorted and confronted a monster in the fog, which seemed to be an insect king species based on the shadow.
Kuaaaah…
The struggle in this new world wasn't just for humans. The monsters were also fighting for their homes.
I moved while holding my breath as much as possible.
They were grade 7 monsters like the ichthyosaur but I couldn't do with them right now. In the first place, I could kill the sea commander because I was prepared.
[You have used the Ellain Monkey's Lungs.]
The monkey's lungs was an item I bought in advance that could be used as a substitute for an air purifier for 20 minutes.
[A few constellations admire your readiness!]
The aboveground station, Oksu Station had already bee destroyed. The nearest underground station from here was 'Gumho Station.' Maybe the others had moved there.
I moved quickly while avoided the small species that were eating the corpses. I only had 20 minutes, so I needed to move as quickly as possible while securing supplies.
The first thing I needed was clothes. My outerwear was melted by the ichthyosaur's fluids so it was necessary. Of course, there were many of them all around but… I felt uncomfortable.
…It couldn't be helped. I searched some bodies and grabbed clothes that roughly fit. Then I headed to a nearby convenience store.
I grabbed a few plastic bags and swept in food randomly. Food would be a valuable trading item after going underground.
I filled three or four bags like this. It seemed that the colour of the monkey's lungs was becoming increasingly darker. There wasn't much time left.
Then I heard someone's voice.
"Help…help me."
There was someone still alive? A young woman was lying down in a corner. The poisoning was progressing on the surface of the skin, but the toxic condition wasn't severe due to the mask she was wearing. Her jacket was half removed and a bit of her skirt was torn.
"Are you okay? Can you stand?"
"Uhhhh…"
Was there such an extra in Ways of Survival? I wanted to take a closer look but I didn't have enough time. I picked up the woman and ran to Gumho Station.
I turned and a side street appeared. Now the distance to Gumho Station was 100 metres in a straight line. I breathed in and started to run with all my strength. I could see the Exit 3 sign in the distance.
….Closed. Then on the other side?
There was a fire shutter down at every exit due to the disaster situation. I could break the shutter with his thorn but if I did it wrong, the people inside might be damaged.
"E-Exit 4…"
Unexpectedly, the woman I was carrying was helpful. I ran towards Exit 4. Then I found a fire shutter that was rolling down. I placed the thorn in the gap of the shutter that was trying to close. Somebody yelled out.
"Shit, what is this?"
"Open the door."
"N-No! You can't come in! Go away!"
"There is a wounded person."
“We are already in a full state! We don't need any more people!"
It was full of people? Strange. Was there such a development?
“I don't care about that."
I used the thorn as a lever and lifted the shutter as hard as possible. Since I used the coins to increase my strength to level 10, I now had the strength of half a dozen adult males.
“Uwaaaaack!"
There was a loud sound and the people on the other side of the shutter became nervous.
"R-Run away!"
The scared men escaped into the darkness of the underground passage. I entered the station safely, lowered the shutter and put the girl down on the floor.
[You have entered the safety zone.]
The poisonous fog didn't come down to the underground area. There was no possible scientific explanation. It was just because of the 'scenario.'
“Put this in your mouth."
I took off the woman's mask and handed over the monkey's lungs. It wouldn't completely cure her but it would have a neutralizing effect.
"Umm…"
A faint groan emerged from the mouth of the woman. The woman who was abandoned.
I suddenly wondered about her information. This woman, it was likely that she had died in the original development.
A voice was heard as I was about to use Character List.
“There he is!"
Light from a flashlight approached in the darkness. My eyes narrowed as I saw men holding metal pipes.
[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' frowns at the appearance of the uninvited people.]
A big man in the middle opened his mouth. His body was well balanced so he must be a strong person.
"Who are you?"
At this moment, I was strangely struck dumb. What should I say when this happened? I thought for a moment before speaking like Yoo Jonghyuk.
"Kim Dokja."
"…Kim Dokja? That is your name?"
"Yes."
“Who asked that? What is this bastard?"
It was a more difficult question.
“U-Uh! That woman…"
One of the men found the woman beside me and shone the flashlight on her.'
“What, isn't that woman from the alienated group? Didn't you come back with her?"
"T-That is…"
The man's flashlight moved in a harassing manner near the woman's waist.
“…Ha, so it was like that. Cute guys. Why did you do that without Hyung-nim's permission?"
“Hehe. I'm sorry."
“No, of course Cheolsoo hyung-nim should be first…hehe, I was going to do that."
Cheolsoo? Cheolsoo. Was there a character by that name? I couldn't remember. He must be nothing, as opposed to how he looked.
“Hey, hand that woman over to us…huh? What is that?"
The flashlight shone on the convenience store bags on the floor. It was okay to escape the crisis but the flow was turning out bad.
“Leave that as well. Then you can live."
To be exact, it wasn't good for these guys, not me.
[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is annoyed at these people.]
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is angry with the injustice occurring.]
[A bounty scenario has occurred at the request of the constellations!]
[Bounty Scenario – Remove the Interference]
Category: Sub
Difficulty: F
Clear Conditions: The constellations feel great anger at the disruptors who are obstructing your rapid movements. Neutralize them within the time limit.
Time Limit: 5 minutes.
Compensation: ???
Failure: ???
I thought it would be like this. Poor bastards. I got up while holding the thorn.
There weren't any minors in the constellations right?
I hoped so. It was because it was now the adult broadcasting time.