Chapter Text
"...Shit, Kim Dokja is crazy, no, it's probably already beyond that."
Han Sooyoung muttered to herself and shook her head.
"Actually, it's probably the world that is crazy. Crazy because of that Kim Dokja."
"Dokja-ssi, how strong are you right now?"
Lee Hyunsung approached Kim Dokja after regaining his spirit. Then, he looked down at his bitten shoulder. It wasn't a mortal wound of any kind, not even grotesque, however, the implication was still there. Kim Dokja answered Lee Hyunsung's worry.
"There are some dangerous guys left but it's uncommon. This guy's ranking was definitely high."
As if waiting for the right dialogue, the translucent blue notification window popped up in the air.
[50,000 coins have been acquired as the main scenario reward!]
[The main scenario content has been updated!]
[You have won a place in Dark Castle.]
[You have hunted the 10th place demon on the Dark Castle Rankings, Tentacio.]
[Ranking will be in proportion to the hunting contribution.]
Followed right after came the ranking of each participant.
For most people, the ranking was one of the most important parts of this main scenario. Even Yoo Jonghyuk considered the ranking, like how he let Kim Dokja fight and didn't intervene. Therefore, his ranking only slightly rose after the demon was defeated. Just enough to be incredibly close yet too far from Kim Dokja's ranking.
Earlier, he screwed over the ranking system for who was strongest, yet now, in the blink of an eye, he was already behind Kim Dokja. This is exactly why he might or might not regret his decision. Not to mention Kim Dokja's screw-up.
'He said that it was unexpected that the demon left a curse because of a name.'
'However, it seems he is not at all bothered by it?'
'No, he was always good at hiding his feelings.'
'Knowing Kim Dokja, he will definitely try to plan his way out of being killed.'
Yoo Jonghyuk stood there quietly, his eyebrows twitching slightly.
'Kim Dokja...'
'Is such a fool sometimes... and it's just that fool that I'd give my weapon to. Even if it means being backstabbed in the end.'
Unknowing about Yoo Jonghyuk's thoughts, Kim Dokja was grinning at the rest of his teammates and was discussing each other's rankings. Some were embarrassed, actually, most of them were, yet they still had a great time. Judging only from their expression, one could tell that the mood had considerably risen than from before. And this was solely due to Kim Dokja.
Even when everyone was overwhelmed due to the hidden powers of the demons from the Dark Castle, Kim Dokja could still make a smile and make them lighten up.
Yoo Jonghyuk, as someone who always has his eyes on Kim Dokja, noticed this a long ago. Of course, it wasn't just their companions who made it through many tough times thanks to Kim Dokja, Kim Dokja was also someone who found drive thanks to his companions. Everyone supported each other.
Just like how Kim Dokja wants to save everyone, Yoo Jonghyuk has been fighting for the same thing for as long as he can remember. It was for just that reason, and that reason alone, that Yoo Jonghyuk decided against his stay with them.
'...If I follow you now, I will only bring dangers.'
'I trust in your ability to protect them because I know you will give away even your life.'
'This is also the reason I don't trust you to protect yourself.'
'Just like how you would give your life for our companions, I trust our companions to do the same for you.'
'Therefore...'
-Kim Dokja, I trust you.
-Yoo Jonghyuk, what are you planning to do?!
Kim Dokja, while sending a reply through Midday Tryst, already made a move. He turned around and quickly tried to grab on to Yoo Jonghyuk, however, just as he barely got a hold of Yoo Jonghyuk's black coat, it slid through his fingers.
Yoo Jonghyuk took a step back to dodge his attempt, his black coat sweeping through the air, and then he activated Red Phoenix Shunpo before anyone else had time to react.
"Yoo Jonghyuk, you bastard!"
It was before Kim Dokja even had time to call out to him. It seems that his tongue wasn't fast enough this time.
Kim Dokja swore to himself. Why did that fool leave?
'Even if Yoo Jonghyuk suffered from regression depression, he wouldn't just leave.'
'It also didn't seem like he was too salty from having his identity stolen.'
'Then, it could only be because of death scream.'
'That Yoo Jonghyuk, he has too much of a soft heart sometimes.'
Kim Dokja held himself back from grinning. Earning affection and care from Yoo Jonghyuk and not getting buried six feet under was something he would have never expected to happen if it was himself from the beginning of the scenarios.
...
-Baa, baa
The sheep excitedly rubbed against the white feathers belonging to a wing. At the same time, the seemingly young-looking angel patted the head of another white sheep.
"There you go, there, there," said the angel.
"There it is, there it is," the angel said, laughing.
-Baa, baaa
For the angel tending to the sheep was something mundane as feathers. Yet, today the sheep were more needy than usual.
The white sheep continued ruffling up her wings and gnawed slightly on both her dress and ears. It had started to become uncomfortable.
-Baaa
In just a few seconds a dozen sheep had already begun circling the young-looking angel. Making her feel very suffocated. Almost desperately she called out the black-clothed angel walking far away.
Seeing her desperately trying to struggle out of the sheep's way without hurting any of them, Uriel laughed lightly before helping the younger angel. Then, remembering her original intentions for going out, she hurriedly asked the angel.
"Would you like to support our lord and savior Kim Dokja? He has blessed our lives with good. Just have this little act of kindness, for our lord and savior, Kim Dokja."
"We're planning on adding a new building to Eden and we need some more support, could you please help out?"
"I -uh"
The woman had a blank look on his face, and then a thought occurred to her.
"Eh... although I'm not the usual one to help out since you're sincere about it, I'll make an exception for you."
...
Getting another angel's approval, Uriel walked away happily. Since she already had thoughts about making a museum for the best ship out there, of course, she would go all out. She even planned to meet with Metatron to sort things out.
As one of the archangels, she had more power when it comes to decisions in Eden. And with the backing of the majority of angels, even the other archangels wouldn't be able to go against the decision.
In the first place, adding another building wasn't a major problem. The problem stems from the dislike of other archangels. Having their eardrums burst wasn't a pleasant experience, to say the least. Not only that, she never paid the medical bill. If not for their status as archangels, they would definitely be pettier about it.
Although, there were quite a few ordinary angels caught up in all of this, which would definitely oppose Uriel's idea. Or that was what the archangels thought. In reality, most of them had already been appeased by Uriel and gladly accepted. Some of it might be because of Kim Dokja's favorability with most angels. And now, he had even inherited a story from Eden. There was no longer a good reason for refusal.
With all of this, and Uriel's hard work. She now only had to once again confront Metatron about it.
"Sign this document."
"...?"
"It's for our lord and savior."
Metatron squinted his eyes at the document. "Lord and savior" were indeed mentioned, however, he could not help but be suspicious of her intentions.
"Uriel, is it correct to assume that you want to build a museum for our lord and savior here in Eden?"
Uriel nods vigorously, afraid that if she says one more word she will get exposed.
"Lord and savior, what a round-about way of saying it. Uriel, you're our precious archangel, don't forget to take care of yourself and not overdo it, okay?"
Once again, Uriel nods quickly. Then, swiftly get back the documents that were just signed and leave the vicinity.
Hearing the door close, Metatron sighed and closed his eyes tiredly.
"Lord and Savior are that what they're calling incarnation Kim Dokja these days, or is it constellation Kim Dokja now."
"At least, it seems Eden really has been corrupted by now."
Metatron sighed to himself again, even though he seems to have been beyond intrigued by Kim Dokja. Even allowing Uriel to raise a new building in their honor. What has Eden truly come down to?
...
Having successfully cleared one of the most difficult obstacles yet, Uriel decided to reward herself.
Her hand slid across the multiple stories created by her dearest Kim Dokja and his companion. Almost blindly, she chooses a projection to once again view. For her, the translucent blue projections were her most treasured possession. And she could not help but warmly smile whenever she watched it on repeat.
As the projection turned on, she immediately recognized that it was the memory from Peaceland. It was where she had helped Han Sooyoung set up one of the memorable experiences. The projection of Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk moved, both standing incredibly close to each other. Their clothes make a perfect match together. And then the way Kim Dokja held the back of Yoo Jonghyuk's neck as they passionately kissed under the night sky. So close, so intimate, it was beyond what she could originally manage.
"###### Kim Dokja ## Yoo Jonghyuk #### the love is true-!"
Once again, her screams echoed through the Star Stream, into the void, and even beyond to the N'Gai's Forest.
...
Paradise.
The purest of evil.
A world created yet it could never be accomplished, one world that could never be reached.
Paradise is something that only creates dispairs for those who believe in it.
Paradise, a word so sweet yet so poisonous.
Paradise is what the demonic creatures have said to create amid a castle built on flesh and blood.
And It was just the paradise that once gave him hope to believe in what paradise promises.
The very same paradise he once crushed underneath his boots in another regression, was once again standing tall in a place where the very thing he fights for is meaningless. A place that bewitched his teammates that doesn't know the truth and then eats them up alive when they least expect it.
It was this very paradise, that he swore to destroy.