Archive of Our Own

“Do you have any last words, Kim Dokja” Yoo Joonghyuk said. His eyes glared at the villainous man, Kim Dokja, as he pointed his sword towards the man.

It’s late at night, the winds are howling as if they anticipate the death of the wicked man. Kim Dokja, a thin, petite man despite having scratches and wounds still looked beautiful even as he edged toward the end of the cliff. If given another chance, Yoo Joonghyuk would’ve fallen in love with the man. But alas his existence is too much of a burden to the kingdom.

Kim Dokja stared at the taller man with no expression in his eyes. Then as the moonlight hits Kim Dokja’s figure. He smiled at the man,

“Let’s not meet again, Yoo Joonghyuk.” He said and moved backward, he let himself fall back keeping his gaze on the surprised man on the top of the cliff.

And just like that the villain, Kim Dokja is no more.

Is what he would’ve said if he is really dead!

Kim Dokja inhaled sharply as he felt his back aching from the fall. You’d be wondering how an ordinary salaryman from the year 2x2x came into an old unknown town from somewhere far away and became the most horrifying villain in the entire world? He could only blame himself for choking on a bun.

Let’s backtrack to a year ago before all of this happened.

When Kim Dokja woke up after dying in the real world, he began to suspect that he probably transmigrated into one of the trashy novels he read long before. He could not remember much but the only reason why he read it is because the main character is named Yoo Joonghyuk the same character from his favorite novel, TWSA.

As any normal being, his only friend was an author (probably) and his only interest was reading books, of course, he read it like an idiot.

The villain has the same name as him, Kim Dokja but unlike the Kim Dokja from South Korea.

This Kim Dokja is so cruel and horrifying and overall should not be alive after all the atrocious things he had been doing. Corruption, killing spree even forcing men to kill their own kind.

It was too graphic. So as the new owner of the villain’s body. Kim Dokja decided to slowly clear his name. He gave compensation to those whom the original owner had hurt. And though it wasn’t much it’s the least he could do. He placed those vicious people in prison and slowly by slowly he tried to do more good than bad. But the King felt that this Kim Dokja was too calculating and needed a reason to dispose of him and called upon the mighty Hero, Yoo Joonghyuk aka the main protagonist in this trashy novel.

Kim Dokja could not escape his death so he decided to plan a way to kill the current Kim Dokja and escape the eyes of the hero.

He had asked Han Sooyoung, the only friend Kim Dokja has, to help him plan his death and have a normal life outside of Kim Dokja the villain.

And now here he is, death-free. Kim Dokja and Han Sooyoung had prepared a place for Kim Dokja to stay and live freely without the restraints of being the villain.

And in this storyline, Kim Dokja wasn’t needed so he was overall happy and contented.

He now stayed in a small town where no one knew Kim Dokja. He lives in a tiny but spacious hut just outside the border of the town and owns a library. Money wasn’t a problem for him as he was able to secure a large chunk of money and transfer it to his new home.

The first thing he did was actually gain the trust of the small town. As he was not the villain anymore, he enjoyed talking to the people around him. He had helped small children read and write and sometimes read stories to pass the time.

Sometimes Han Sooyoung would visit him and ask about his opinion on the book she writes.

For Kim Dokja, he was content with his life now and he doesn’t want to change anything at all. But of course, such peaceful bliss could not exist forever.

The first time something weird has happened was when he stumbled upon almost dying children, a boy, and a girl, on the way back home.

They were covered with big wounds and blood and were whimpering.

Kim Dokja didn’t hesitate and carried both children to his house. He cleaned their wounds ( it’s such a big wound that no children their age should have. It was frightening to look at). Kim Dokja nursed them back to health.

When Han Sooyoung visited him. She looked at Kim Dokja like he was an idiot.

“Why would you bring them here?!”

“They were injured!”

“What if they were spies then stupid squid?!”

“They’re kids, Han Sooyoung”

“You will never know! Kids like them are sometimes raised to be an assassin you know. Like the twin blades Yoosung and Gilyoung that the King hired. Anyway, If they kill you it’s not my problem anymore.”

“Psssh it’s fine. They’re kids. They won’t hurt me.”

Han Sooyoung could only roll her eyes and change the topic and they watched the kids recuperate and sleep well.

When the kids finally woke up. They were glaring at Kim Dokja as if he were an object to be killed and not a human being. They would not answer him when he asked and would not eat anything he gave them.

“I’m not trying to hurt you! I promise, Look how about we start by saying our names? I’m Dokja the owner of this house. And you are?”

They did not answer, he could only sigh and placed the porridge on the nightstand beside the bed.

“I won’t force you guys. I’ll leave the porridge here. You can eat it or you eat the fruits on the table, okay? I don’t trust you with fire so please don’t use the kitchen. I’ll be going back to work, those kids are waiting for me.”

Kim Dokja added as he grabbed his messenger bag and walked outside. He could only hope those kids won’t burn his house down.

When Kim Dokja arrived at the library, it was surrounded by people and children.

“Ah! It’s Teacher Dokja!” A tiny girl squealed and ran towards Kim Dokja. She hugged his legs and rubbed her face onto his leg. Kim Dokja chuckled and carried the little girl in his arms. He walked towards the mother of the child and handed her to her mother.

“I’m sorry for taking a long day off. I had problems at my house that need my immediate attention.” He apologized to the people who gathered at his library.

“No need to apologize! We were just worried that there might be something wrong. We’re glad you’re safe, Mr. Dokja!“ The mother of the sweet child said. Worry was still etched on her face.

“Yeah! We were very worried! You haven’t been going to the library for a while.” A decent-looking young man taller than Kim Dokja who had his arms crossed said,

“I’m sorry, Mr. Shane! If there’s something that I need help. I’ll be sure to ask for your help.”

Kim Dokja said as he smiled at the young man.

The young man, named Shane blushed furiously. He coughed and avoided Kim Dokja’s face. He mumbled something and ran away.

Kim Dokja tilted his head and stared in the direction where Shane ran away.

The other people around them laughed and urged Kim Dokja to open his library to let him rest inside.

Kim Dokja did not notice two pairs of eyes watching his every move like a hawk.

For the whole day, Kim Dokja did his usual routine. He cleaned his place, taught some of the kids to read and write, and occasionally helped the locals find the books that they needed.

By the time he finished his duties, he called the kids to sit down for their daily storytelling. As he was about to start reading, he saw two familiar pairs of kids behind the window.

Kim Dokja was shocked when he saw the pair.

He quickly ran towards them and looked over them carefully, he checked their bodies and their well-being before he scolded them a bit.

“You know it’s dangerous! You guys just got better! Did you guys eat the porridge I made for you?”

“…”

“…”

Kim Dokja sighed and let them inside the library.

He placed both kids beside him and settled them down as he began his storytelling.

By the end of it, all the kids were talking animatedly about how the story was. And a while after, their families began to pick them up.

By the time everyone left, there was only him and two kids that he rescued.

“How are you guys?”

“We’re sorry for coming here, hyung.”

Kim Dokja not expecting any response was whipping his head towards the kids.

“We’re fine, ajusshi.” The little girl with golden hair just around her shoulder answered.

Kim Dokja smiled brightly and began to ask them regarding of what they were feeling. By the end of the day, the kids were clinging to Kim Dokja.

Kim Dokja later found out that these kids were the twin blades Shin Yoosoung and Lee Gilyoung of the Kingdom. They were later confirmed to be dead by the empire and had no place nor someone to return. Needless to say, Kim Dokja decided to let them stay with him until they wanted to.

But given their attachment to Kim Dokja it’s unlikely that they would leave the poor man alone.

The second weird thing that happened was when Han Sooyoung dropped a kid named Han Donghoon.

Now, Kim Dokja isn’t an idiot when it comes to basic information about the storyline. So he immediately knew that this Han Donghoon was supposedly the next line to the throne.

A young man who is bound to overthrow the King. Although he was mentioned briefly he had expected him to be just like Yoo Joonghyuk. Strong, dependable, and over all confident. But he never expected this Han Donghoon to be timid, shy, and easily frightened.

Kim Dokja was worried of course, how could a young kid barely 17 hold the world in his hand? So he asked Han Sooyoung after he patiently told the kids to sleep on his bed.

“Why is he here? Shouldn’t he be claiming the throne?”

Kim Dokja asked carefully picking his words to avoid confrontation.

“He is my 3rd-degree cousin and yeah, he should be but the politics inside is too much for him. He was beaten black and blue for just being the next heir. He’s just a kid you know.”

Han Sooyoung sighed, eating another piece of lemon drop.

“Is this why he is so closed off?” Kim Dokja can’t help but ask. He clenches his fist in fear of what she is about to reply.

“They trapped him inside a dark and tiny space and forced him to eat scraps that even the kingdom’s maid would not eat.”

Kim Dokja’s eyes widen, and his face turns ashen. And for a quick second, he could see himself under the same circumstances.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep him safe here. No kid should have to experience something like that. That’s just horrible.”

He vowed. Han Sooyoung patted Kim Dokja’s back and promised him that no one from the kingdom would know about their whereabouts.

So the next few days, Kim Dokja tried to talk to Han Donghoon. But alas, he would try not to be in the same bubble as Kim Dokja.

Surprisingly, he interacts with Shin Yoosoung and Lee Gilyoung although it was a little bit it was more than enough.

It was late at night when Kim Dokja woke up from a scream in the children’s room.

He quickly ran towards their room, when he opened the door, he saw Han Doonghon trashing and crying in his sleep. Yoosoung and Gilyoung tried to wake him up but it was futile. Kim Dokja to shake the young man but even that didn’t work.

So he opted to sing a lullaby to calm the boy down. Just like his mother did when he was young and naive and felt like everything around him was full of rainbows and bursts of sunshine.

Kim Dokja hummed a low tune of the lullaby that was left forgotten.

Han Donghoon slowly stopped crying and was unconsciously clutching onto Kim Dokja. He smiled lightly and let the children come closer, he huddled and wrapped his arms around the three children and lulled them to sleep.

When Han Donghoon opened his tired eyes, he saw three bodies huddling around him. He couldn’t help but sniffle a silent cry and then he let himself be wrapped in their hugs and fell asleep once again.

Since then Han Donghoon would try to talk to Kim Dokja and the children. When he first talked to them Kim Dokja almost cried and made a grand lunch afterwards.

Needless to say, Han Donghoon was embarrassed but very happy to have a second chance of becoming a child again.

Three days later, the Kingdom announced the death of the heir, Han Donghoon. The people mourn for the future king but within the walls of Kim Dokja’s house, the supposed dead heir is laughing over what Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosoung fighting about.

In the little secret meeting between Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, and Han Donghoon,

Kim Dokja will never know that whenever someone tries to get near him with the intention of pursuing him. Han Donghoon, Lee Gilyoung, and Shin Yoosung was there to have a little talk with them.

wink wink.

Kim Dokja stumbled upon Jung Heewon passed out near his library and was surrounded by men who were about to touch her. He quickly shouted to alert the people around. When the hooligans noticed a lot of people surrounding they quickly ran away.

Kim Dokja tried to assess the woman who passed out. He let her rest inside the library as he went about his day. When Jung Heewon woke up, she was grateful for Kim Dokja although she looked at him with a tiny bit of familiarity but regardless she stayed to help Kim Dokja.

As for Kim Dokja, this was the 3rd weird thing that happened to him.

She was a mystery to Kim Dokja and his (adopted) children as she never really talked about anything at all.

She would always help around the library but she would sneak out at night.

When Kim Dokja saw her sneak out, he followed her as he was scared something might happen to Jung Heewon.

20 minutes in, Kim Dokja lost sight of Jung Heewon. It was already too dark and he didn’t bring any torch light so he tried to call out to Jung Heewon.

Instead, he was pushed down by none other than the same woman whom he was searching for.

Her eyes glinted dangerously and held a sword at his neck.

“I know who you are, Kim Dokja.” She said in such a low voice.

Does she know he was the villain who was supposed to be dead? No—

“W-what do you mean?” he asked a bit shaken up by the force Jung Heewon was exerting.

“Don’t lie to me. You’re supposed to be dead! And as Uriel’s beloved disciple, I have the ability to kill you in the name of all good!” She swore digging the sword dipper to his neck.

Kim Dokja let out a hissed. His eyes getting blurry and his breathing became labored.

“L-let’s talk this out p-please”

“...” Jung Heewon frowned, she looked at Kim Dokja harder.

“Heewon-ssi pl-please” he begged,

Jung Heewon tsked and dropped the sword.

Kim Dokja coughed violently as he touched his neck.

He could’ve died he thought, his hands shaking in fear.

Jung Heewon crossed her arms and let Kim Dokja level out his breath. She urged Kim Dokja to speak.

“You’re right. I was supposed to be dead.” He started.

“I am not the same person as before! I promise. I had done nothing but good since I’ve been reborn.”

“And why should I trust the most crazy villain like you?”

“Look into my eyes then. If you’re really Archangels Uriel’s disciple you know how to read my eyes.” He said.

“And you’ve done it before, right Heewon-ssi?” Kim Dokja added, tilting his head as he kept his gaze on Jung Heewon.

Jung Heewon clenches her fist and says,

“I just can’t fathom how you changed for the better! I have seen you do bad but your eyes do not lie! It’s like you’re a different person.”

Kim Dokja flinched. He is technically a different person, he thought.

“Just how? All my life I had been taught that no evil person changed fully. I’ve seen how you’ve ruined people’s lives! And yet months later you’re suddenly a different person with a clear conscience? How is that possible?!” Jung Heewon screeched.

Kim Dokja wondered just what she had faced before she met him in this lifetime.

“I had lost everything to evil. I cannot let them roam in this world again! Not after what they did to my precious people.” She finally let out a sob. Kim Dokja hugged her and rubbed her back to provide comfort.

All Kim Dokja could do was murmur apologies for how the world badly treated such a strong woman and give her the comfort she needed all these years.

“I am sorry for what you went through, Heewon-ssi I really am but that does not mean you have to classify everyone you meet as evil. I myself don’t believe in pure evil and pure good. I am not a good person, Heewon-ssi. But I am not a bad person either. In a sense, I am not the greater evil. I know I did horrible acts but I have repented and killed the (past) me. I am a new person and I vowed to continue repenting and still live a good life. Do you know what I mean?”

Jung Heewon was silent but Kim Dokja still comforted her nonetheless.

“I will not justify my past self from doing it. But that person already died and I am a new person! I’m just Kim Dokja, a one-man who owns a library and takes care of three children. I am Kim Dokja and my dear friends are Han Sooyoung and Jung Heewon. I’m just Kim Dokja.”

That night Jung Heewon and Kim Dokja talked about almost anything.

He learned that Jung Heewon used to be a bar/pub owner, she had a younger brother and a kind father.

They were unfortunately killed by a group of hooligans who tried to rob them. When Jung Heewon came home all that was left was the corpse of her last remaining family. Jung Heewon tried to ask for justice but the council could not do anything and they disregarded Jung Heewon for being poor. It was the oracle of Archangel Uriel’s priestess who took her in because Uriel had mentioned her in the priestess’ dream once and was gifted the eyes of justice. She then became the Destroyer of Evil.

Kim Dokja was shocked when he learned about this because Jung Heewon’s character was supposed to die when the King tried to eliminate The Oracle of Archangel Uriel.

Jung Heewon apologized to Kim Dokja and vowed to protect Kim Dokja from all evil.

Jung Heewon promised to become Kim Dokja’s sword and will try to fight as Kim Dokja is nothing but a weak man and kind man. And if he plans to survive the world, he needs someone to depend on.

In Jung Heewon’s dream, Uriel came to visit her. Uriel reminded her that her choice is her own, she will fight for what she deems right and what she deems wrong.

Uriel had also mentioned that this Kim Dokja is not the same Kim Dokja from before and that Uriel is happy that Jung Heewon finally had the ability to choose on her own and has become a person away from her hero title and is just Jung Heewon, Kim Dokja’s sister.

And like that, Kim Dokja’s life begins to take another turn.

Yoo Joonghyuk has not been sleeping well.

The King’s movement is too suspicious. Not only that but the important figures that are keeping the kingdom stable have slowly disappeared and others died.

Shin Yooung, Lee Gilyoung the precious blade of the kingdom, dead.

The heir, Han Donghoon was next, even though his body wasn’t found the king was too eager to announce him dead.

Then the Destroyer of Evil, Jung Heewon, and the High Priestess Yoo Sangah disappeared too.

Everything doesn’t make sense at all.

When he mentioned this to the king, he only waved his hand and told him it was nothing.

How could it be nothing when these people are the one who keeps the kingdom safe?

Yoo Joonghyuk could of course clean up what needs to be cleaned up and as a Hero, it’s not hard doing it.

But it urks him how being a Hero becomes a burden to him now.

And to top it all up, Kim Dokja has been occupying his head for a while.

When he finally fell down, Yoo Joonghyuk stopped himself from saving the wicked man.

Just what kind of medicine did he eat that he thought he should save Kim Dokja?

Kim Dokja, the last son of Kim Duchy. Reported to have changed his personality and attitude within the last year before his death. It was peculiar and weird for him to suddenly change.

He was then accused by the King and was killed by Yoo Joonghyuk. His body could not be recovered as he was eaten by a wild wolf the only remnants left were an article of old clothing and blood.

Kim Dokja why do you keep appearing in my head?

Yoo Sangah was the fourth person, Kim Dokja somehow added to the people he just took in. At this point, he was just tired of Han Sooyoung’s constant teasing about him adopting family members in his house.

He knew who Yoo Sangah was.

The relative of the main protagonist, Yoo Joonghyuk, and the priestess who should be dancing at the hands of the king.

Yoo Sangah is a special character in the novel. As far as he remembers, Yoo Sangah has the power to change prophetic words.

It is the sole reason why the king wanted Yoo Sangah dead or alive

Kim Dokja found Yoo Sangah starving and was about to die in dehydration when Jung Heewon and him were looking for snacks to bring home to the kids. At first, he was confused and partially embarrassed when he saw A pretty woman. He quickly asked Jung Heewon to ask for help but was stopped midway by Jung Heewon.

“We can’t let anyone know about her.” Jung Heewon said solemnly.

“W-what why?”

“She’s Yoo Sangah.”

“Shit! We have to hide her quickly!”

And so that’s how Kim Dokja met the mysterious priestess who holds the destiny of the world. Kim Dokja was supposed to carry her but with his bony structure and his almost weightless weight, it was impossible for him to even carry a fairly light maiden.

Jung Heewon merely laughed at him and the princess carried the priestess.

When they arrived, the kids were taunting Han Sooyoung. Even Han Donghoon was making fun of the smaller woman. When they spotted them, they quickly ran towards Kim Dokja.

“Hyung!” Lee Gilyoung exclaimed. Hugging his legs as his eyes twinkle in joy.

“Ajusshi!” Shin Yoosung followed, nudging Lee Gilyoung, and hugged Kim Dokja’s waist.

“D-dokja hyung.” Han Donghoon greeted albeit shyly.

“Who the fu—“ “LANGUAGE HAN SOOYOUNG”

“is that woman in Jung Heewon’s arms!”

Kim Dokja looked at Jung Heewon then looked at Han Sooyung while patting Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung’s head.

“Let’s talk inside.”

Kim Dokja told Jung Heewon to put the priestess in one of the empty beds and asked the kids to water the tiny garden they made. Kim Dokja walked inside the house, followed by Han Sooyoung.

“So?”

“It’s Yoo Sangah.”

“YOO SANGAH? THE PRIESTESS?”

“Shush! And yes it’s her.” Han Sooyoun stared at the door where Jung Heewon took care of the priestess.

“But how?”

“I don’t really know. We stumbled across her when we were about to return home. We couldn’t leave her, she might get hurt. And besides, there must be a reason why she ran away from the kingdom.”

Han Sooyoung sighed, biting her nail as her head tried to calculate why this had happened.

“We’ll ask her once she wakes up then.”

Kim Dokja nodded. As he was about to call the kids, he saw three heads hiding behind the door. Kim Dokja couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alright kids, Come here now.”

They all froze and slowly showed themselves. Han Donghoon was on the brink of crying, Shin Yoosung was avoiding Kim Dokja’s eyes and Lee Gilyoung was holding Han Donghoon’s hands to give comfort.

Kim Dokja sighed, and they stopped their breaths for a second.

“Come now, I’m not mad! I was planning to tell you kids later but this is fine.”

They mumbled an apology. Han Sooyoung couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why don’t you help me make dinner?” Kim Dokja asked.

They all nodded and went to the kitchen with Kim Dokja.

Han Sooyoung looked at the scene and smiled softly. She brought her hands in her eyes,

“I’m sorry for bringing you here without warning, Dokja-yah. We need you here the most.” She mumbled.

It was already midnight when Yoo Sangah woke up. She was still dizzy and overall feeling a bit of fatigue from constantly running away. She could not remember much of what happened after.

It was too dark and it took her a while for her eyes to adjust, when she did she looked around and noticed a lump breathing on the chair. She could not pinpoint but she felt like she knew the person. Short-haired woman, smelling like fresh acidity of lemons and a hint of fresh parchment and pens.

“Han Sooyoung?” She called out softly fearing that she might mistake the person sleeping.

“Hu-h whagt?”

Han Sooyoung woke up, she rubbed her eyes and blinked trying to regain her consciousness.

“Han Sooyoung?” Yoo Sangah called again.

“Yoo Sangah?” Han Sooyoung yawned.

“Yoo Sangah! You’re awake! Hold on let me get the squid stay still!” Han Sooyoung frantically stood up and ran out of the room. Yoo Sangah giggles, Han Sooyoung never changed.

Kim Dokja was pushed out of his bed and he was shaken by Han Sooyoung telling him that the priestess woke up. Kim Dokja stumbled to the room where Yoo Sangah was.

When Kim Dokja arrived, he saw Yoo Sangah staring at him intensely. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion, it was as if she was reading his entire soul. His eyes widened when she mouthed words only he knew.

“I know you’re not the Kim Dokja of this world.”

That was what she said.

Kim Dokja’s heart was shaking in fear? Relief? In recognition that someone knew he wasn’t from here? Kim Dokja doesn’t know. But all he knew there might be a chance that he could return back to his own world! But—

Yoo Sangah shook her head and mumbled “I’m sorry.”

Kim Dokja already knew what she had meant. He shook his head and decided to examine Yoo Sangah’s condition. Han Sooyoung was there when it all happened but she kept her mouth shut.

Knowing that Yoo Sangah was fine, Kim Dokja reminded her that she needed to rest well and that he would talk to her when she was better before Kim Dokja went back to his room.

Han Sooyoung stayed inside the room. And though Yoo Sangah has the power, she could not risk another probability like what Han Sooyoung had done.

“He is a necessity here, Sooyoung.” Yoo Sangah whispered as she stared at her hands.

“Even if he wasn’t I would still bring him here.”

Yoo Sangah chuckles, “I know. If Dokja-ssi isn’t here, this world is meaningless.”

“Indeed.”

Han Sooyoung lets Yoo Sangah rest before she too returns to her room.

In this endless world, A life without Kim Dokja is truly terrifying.

A world without Kim Dokja deserves to perish.

And just like that, Yoo Sangah became a part of Kim Dokja's misfit family. She had been a proper caretaker than Kim Dokja, Han Sooyoung, and Jung Heewon combined. She had also helped Kim Dokja with his little library and taught kids to read and write. When people ask who she is, Kim Dokja would always say variations of “Han Sooyoung’s future lover” It’s fun to tease both of them especially if Kim Dokja sees tiny blushes on their cheeks!

Kim Dokja wished it would stay like this forever.

3 weeks after Yoo Sangah decided to join their little domestic life. The kids, Lee Gilyoung, Shin Yoosung, and Han Donghoon were sick.

At first, it was a mild fever but no matter how many pills they took, it was no use.

Then almost every child in their little island was infected. The local doctor could only shake his head. He doesn’t know the cause or how to stop the disease.

It was already at a point where Kim Dokja was willing to go outside their bubble just to have these kids healthy.

“I can look into the neighboring country if they have any medicine for this mysterious sickness?” Jung Heewon suggested.

“You can’t! There are still people after you, Heewon noona.”

“I’m sorry I can’t help you with these.” Yoo Sangah apologized.

“You’ve done enough, Sangah. I’ll check my spell book if there are any countermeasures. This is really concerning” Han Sooyoung said and walked back to her room looking for any possible alternatives that didn't hurt the kids.

Kim Dokja bit his lips, I’ll try to read some books again. Maybe I can find something there!” He exclaimed and made his way back to the library.

Lee Hyunsung, Lee Seolhwa, and Kim Namwoon were supposed to return back to Yoo Joonghyuk.

To report their findings about the King’s suspicious activity but before they could enter the territory they were attacked.

Lee Seolhwa was entirely sure that these bandits were arranged by the King. It was obvious, the king didn’t want them alive.

Because they had found a lot of activities that would ruin and dethrone the king.

“We should be safe here.” Lee Hyunsung finally said after constantly running away. The bandits, although inexperienced knew their attack. They can predict almost anything.

And it’s getting harder and harder to fight back especially now when Kim Namwoon is experiencing a heavy fever.

“We should look for a place to rest, Hyunsung-ssi. Namwoon-ssi looks like he’s about to pass out.”

“I can still fight!” Kim Namwoon exclaimed, his voice failed to deliver such intensity, and could only wince in pain.

Then a shuffle from the bush was heard. Everyone was on guard. Then a head popped out from the bush looking as confused as them.

Their eyes widen, isn’t this—

“KIM DOKJA?!” Kim Namwoon shouted then passed out.

“Hieep?!”

“…”

“Is he okay?” Kim Dokja can’t help but ask.

He saw Kim Namwoon breathing too heavily for his liking. His face was flush and he could barely see red spots around the exposed Skin. It was concerning.

“I’m sorry about him” Lee Seolhwa apologized, her face furrowed in concern.

“It’s fine! More importantly, do you guys need a place to stay for a while? You can use my house.”

And whatever reason Lee Seolhwa, Lee Hyunsung, and Kim Namwoon ( passed out) Were suddenly at Kim Dokja's ( former villain(?))’s house.

It was surreal even to Lee Hyungsung. What more is that he stumbled upon Jung Heewon, Prophet Uriel’s missing disciple, and Yoo Sangah, the Priestess. He had also heard about Han Donghoon, the “dead” heir, and the two assassins Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung. Lee Hyungsung felt dizzy all of a sudden.

“I’m sorry for the mess. The kids are very sick right now and we are trying to race against time.” Kim Dokja said, sighing.

“You can place Kim Namwoon next to the kids’ room. I’m pretty sure you have unanswered questions” He added and glanced at Lee Seolhwa and Lee Hyunsung.

It was awkward, to say the least, Lee Hyunsung and Lee Seolhwa were staring at Kim Dokja intently.

Kim Dokja can’t help but squeeze his eyes in nervousness. He is literally in the eyes of his favorite characters in passing!

Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Joonghyuk’s subordinate and his shield does not bow down to anyone but his principles. He is kind, hardworking, and overall a big softie. Kim Dokja liked him because despite his overall strength he never failed to show his loyalty.

Kim Dokja never understood how such a person would even still be with Yoo Joonghyuk, that man is constipated but maybe he treats his friends better who knows?

Kim Dokja frowned Lee Hyunsung-ssi was supposed to die alongside Kim Namwoon after the King tried to ambush them on the way back. Luckily he arrived on time. Still, this is concerning.

Wait!

Is he changing the course of the story?!

Wait…

He already did the moment he faked his death.

Kim Dokja sighed heavily, he shook his head and glanced at Lee Seolhwa who was drinking a cup of tea Yoo Sangah had brewed for them.

Lee Seolhwa, the female lead. Kim Dokja could not forget about her. Of course not, she was as pretty as a rose but her thorns could literally poison you. She’s pretty, strong-willed, and can literally contain Yoo Joonghyuk! Of all the women in this trashy novel, Lee Seolhwa was his favorite. She was as pretty as the book had described her.

Kim Dokja nodded, as it should be he thought.

He quite likes Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Seolhwa as a couple.

They are a match made in heaven!

He tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrow. Why is she here?

As far as the story goes, Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Seolhwa are developing their feelings as of the novel. When they heard about the ambush, they quickly tried to help Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon but they were too late.

That was what was supposed to happen. Did he remember it wrong? Hmm.

Lee Hyunsung fidgeted on his chair, he noticed the continuous change of expression on Kim Dokja’s face. It’s entertaining and cute he couldn't help but coo silently.

Lee Seolhwa was no better, she had been staring at Kim Dokja discreetly. She thinks Kim Dokja is cute right now.

Lee Seolhw coughs.

“Ah! I apologize, I was thinking about some things.” Kim Dokja apologized.

“It’s quite alright, Dokja-ssi.”

“That… I know you have questions. Feel free to ask them and I will try my best to answer them”

Lee Seolhwa nodded, she glanced at Lee Hyunsung then at Kim Dokja, and asked,

“How are you alive?”

It’s a question they had been itching since they saw him a while back. Kim Dokja the “villain” was supposed to be dead. Yoo Joonghyuk “killed” him. That's how the story goes. So why?

Kim Dokja scratched his cheeks,

“Can you promise me not to tell Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi?”

Both Lee Seolhwa and Lee Hyunsung looked at each other and nodded.

“Of course, Dokja-ssi!” Hyunsung exclaimed.

Kim Dokja sighed in relief.

“I trust you more than I trust Han Sooyoung” “HEY?!”

“Why am I alive? Well, I knew I would be killed by Yoo Joonghyuk long before he tried to kill me. So I had a plan to fake my death and live a newer life. I had done too many terrible things that I know I should be killed for. But that Kim Dokja and this Kim Dokja are different, I plan to live my life away from that. So here I am.” Kim Dokja added.

“But you didn’t do that Dokja-ssi” Lee Seolhwa said, her eyes feigning innocence.

“What?”

Lee Hyunsung nodded.

“I’m sorry. I– uhh I don’t follow?”

“You’re innocent Kim Dokja-ssi” Lee Seolhwa said and sipped the remaining tea on her mug.

"I’m sorry, what do you mean?"

Lee Hyunsung took out a scroll and handed it to Kim Dokja. He hesitantly took it with caution and began to open the paper.

As Kim Dokja read all through the paper, his eyes could not help but widen, his mouth hanging open at the sheer amount of fear and surprise he had read all throughout the paper.

Lee Seolhwa stared at Kim Dokja as he gasped.

"This is just a partial accounting of what the King really had done in the last 10 years. We had initially planned to give this to Yoo Joonghyuk, but it looks like the king knew about our plans ahead of time and decided to have us killed."

Kim Dokja closed his eyes as he ran his finger through his hair.

All this time, this Kim Dokja was just a scapegoat for the king, and he died for the sins he did not commit. This character is too pitiful.

His only goal was to live freely. He did not even expect to adopt these unruly children that he came to love, nor did he let these people live in his house.

What a mess.

"What are you going to do, Dokja-ssi?"

"What?"

"I mean, it’s your name that was tarnished so badly that everyone cursed you. So, what are you going to do?"

"Nothing."

"What?" Lee Hyunsung could not help but gasp in surprise.

"I mean, what am I supposed to do? I am already a dead man, Seolhwa-ssi. And even if I do clean my name, what is that even going to do? I like my life here, and I am content with it."

Lee Seolhwa pursed her lips before she could even answer Kim Dokja. There was a horrid scream from the kid’s room.

Kim Dokja quickly stood up and sprinted toward where Han Donghoon and Lee Gilyoung were resting.

When he opened the door, he saw Kim Namwoon, who was breathing rigidly, trying to calm the screaming Han Donghoon.

He had been wiping Han Donghoon’s sweat as well as patting him to wake him up, but it was still no use.

"What happened here?"

"I don’t know; he was already crying and screaming in pain when I arrived. Please help him. I don’t know what to do." said the panicked Kim Namwoon,

Kim Dokja patted Kim Namwoon’s back and nodded.

Namwoon sighed in relief and passed out beside Han Danghoon.

Kim Dokja quickly calms Han Donghoon. It took a while before he, too, passed out after screaming.

Kim Dokja frowned and checked each and every child's condition.

Kim Namwoon had a heavy fever, as did Lee Gilyoung and Han Donghoon.

"Sangah-ssi. How is Yoosung?"

Sangha shook her head,

"She had a heavy fever and was breathing barely."

"This is worrisome."

By this point, Lee Seolhwa had gone and checked their condition.

"This seems to be an early case of Fenning’s disease."

All adults had their eyes on Lee Seolhwa.

"Fenning’s disease? What’s that?" Jung Heewon asked, visibly confused.

"It usually affects children and teens mostly; rarely do adults get the disease. We have no idea where it came from, but its symptoms include a high fever, a runny nose, coughs, and heavy breathing. If not treated immediately, it would cause delusion and bleed through their eyes and nose." Lee Seolhwa explained briefly.

"Luckily, I had made an antidote for this disease. So please give them to the children," she added, and she handed Yoo Sangah a pouch.

Kim Dokja sighed in relief.

"Thank Goodness."

Kim Dokja finally relaxed after confirming that the kids were doing well.

"Thank you so much for your help, Seolhwa-ssi. You are a great help!" He said this as Yoo Sangah placed a new set of hot tea in front of everyone in the living room.

"I only did what anyone would do."

"Still, it was really kind of you, Seolhwa!" Jung Heewon exclaimed.

Seolhwa chuckles, sipping on her beverages.

"If you need anything at all, don't be shy and tell Kim Dokja." Han Sooyoung snickered.

Kim Dokja only rolled his eyes.

"Then I hope you don’t mind, could we stay here until we find it deemed necessary to return back to the kingdom? Of course we will also do our fair share of helping around here!"

"I would help in any way I can!" Lee Hyungsung scratched his neck in embarrassment.

"Of course! But I do hope you won’t mention us being here at all."

"You can have our word."

"Thank you," Kim Dokja sincerely said.

Lee Seolhwa smiled, and after a short chitchat, everyone went to bed, occasionally looking out for the kids.

Since then, thanks to Lee Seolhwa, who helped the tiny village with her extensive medical knowledge, Lee Hyunsung, who helped Jung Heewon and Kim Dokja expand their not-so-small house, and Kim Namwoon, with the help of Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung, who forced themselves to teach Han Donghoon basic swordsmanship, all is well and Kim Dokja’s misfit family has adjusted.

Yoo Joonghyuk quickly slashed the remaining imperial guards of the king while holding Yoo Mia in his arms. His breathing is labored, and he has yet to leave the mainland.

He cussed silently, as he saw more guards 10 meters away.

He quickly dove under an unsuspecting cave and let the guards walk past them.

When he saw that they were far away from them, he inhaled softly and checked on his sister.

"Mia?"

"Brother," she whispered, her body still shaking in fear. Yoo Joonghyuk bit his lips.

"Hang on a little. We’re almost safe."

Yoo Mia nodded and tightened her hold on her brother.

Yoo Joonghyuk closed his eyes and recalled the few hours just before this had happened.

He had seen the letter from the three missing comrades he had, Lee Hyunsung, Lee Seolhwa, and Kim Namwoon, that they were well and were currently in hiding. His suspicions are correct: the king is too greedy and has been trapped in this greed for so long.

As such, they could not return because they had been pronounced dead.

When Yoo Joonghyuk saw this, he was willing to just kill the King right then and there, but when he was about to stand up, the window in his office was shattered, and at least 20 imperial guards surrounded him and were trying to kill him. Luckily, he was in his home villa; he was able to subdue some of the men, but then they tried to head to his sister, and he was caught off guard.

He quickly ran towards where Mia was and made a mad dash away from them, which led them to the present.

They had been on the run for hours now, and it looked like they didn't plan to leave them alone. It would have been fine if it was just him alone, but now that the King has also tried to assassinate his sister, this is getting personal.

Yoo Joonghyuk clenched his fist and began to walk to no particular road, making sure his prints could not be followed.

Yoo Joonghyuk had been walking for almost four days; they took a lot of breaks as Yoo Mia is not used to living outside. Still, she was obedient enough that it did not warrant such annoyance to Yoo Joonghyuk. But he still worries because he has endangered his sister’s life.

By day five, they had stumbled upon a very rural village that, by the looks of it, wasn't much aware of life outside the village. Everyone was happy and peaceful; Yoo Joonghyik had to blink.

When they walked around, the people around them were looking at them; they were whispering and such. Yoo Joonghyuk glared at them and had to cover her sister’s face. When suddenly someone grabbed his arms, forcing him to look at the man who grabbed him.

"Hey, Yoo Joonghyuk. You’re gaining too much attention. Follow me."

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes widen,

"Kim Dokja?!"

Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn’t have followed Kim Dokja, but he was getting tired, Mia needed a proper rest, and the whispers around the village are concerning and if Kim Dokja does something suspicious, he could most certainly end the man.

"How are you alive?"

"Ah? Huh? Oh! Well, I planned my death, no biggie."

Planned? No wonder he could not find his body anywhere. Lucky squid.

"Dokja Hyung is back!" someone greeted them as they arrived at the place.

Kim Dokja laughed freely and rubbed the child’s head.

Yoo Joonghyuk had to blink because, for a short moment, when Kim Dokja smiled like that, he looked so pretty.

"Gilyoung-ah can you ask your noonas and hyung to come out? Tell them it's important."

"Gilyoung..?" he mumbled. Wasn’t that kid part of some assassin duo?

The kid nodded, he took a peek at Yoo Joonghyuk and glared then he ran inside the house.

Minutes later some people emerged from the house. He noticed familiar faces. Lee Seolhwa and Lee Hyunsung were among them. Yoo Sangah and Jung Heewon were there too.

From the window, peaking were Shin Yoosung, Lee Gilyoung, Han Donghoon, and Kim Namwoon.

Yoo Joonghyuk felt at a loss. People who he thought were dead are showing up at the squid's house. It sounded like a silly dream, but he knew it was not a dream.

"Commander!" Lee Hyunsung saluted, he looked like he was about to cry.

"I’m glad that you’re well." Lee Seolhwa nodded. She waved at Mia, who waved back.

"You can leave your sister with the kids, Han Donghoon and Kim Namwoon can babysit them." Kim Dokja suggested.

"I know you have many questions to ask," he added, rubbing his cheeks and laughing sheepishly.

Yoo Joonghyuk glared, then gave a curt nod.

"Lead the way."

By the time the adults sat down and had the kids on their own.

Kim Dokja quickly told everything that has transpired since he ‘died.’

The more Kim Dokja talks, the more Yoo Joonghyuk is confused about the mere existence of one Kim Dokja.

In just a few months, and he is recognizable, happier, and more attention-grabby.

It’s… unfamiliar but welcomed.

"So that’s basically the summary of everything." Kim Dokja said as he finished how Lee Seolhwa, Lee Hyunsung, and Kim Namwoon stayed in his house.

Yoo Joonghyuk kept silent, the more silent the room was, the more Kim Dokja is scared.

"How can I know you’ve changed? You certainly did more damage to the nation before so why now?"

"I–"

"I can vouch for his innocence, Commander Yoo." Lee Seolhwa said, stepping forward and nodding at Yoo Joonghyuk.

"I can attest that Kim Dokja is innocent and was only used as a scrape goat by the current King."

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. His eyes never left Kim Dokja.

"Why did you not say anything at all, Kim Dokja?"

How was Kim Dokja supposed to say anything at all?

He himself has no idea what this "villainous" side character is up to at all

So he kept quiet. This invoked something in Yoo Joonghyuk because he was gripping his hands tightly

Everything went silent again

"We have to take down the King all at once." Yoo Joonghyuk, once again.

Sensing that this conversation does not require him, a young innocent man, Kim Dokja decided to leave the room.

"Where do you think you are going Kim Dokja?"

An ominous voice rumbled all through the silent room.

Kim Dokja froze, he stiffly looked at Yoo Joonghyuk who was glaring daggers at him.

Kim Dokja rubbed his head in an attempt to keep the atmosphere light-hearted.

"I am not needed here, I think! I’m a civilian after all–"

“This heavily concerns you, Dokja!" Jung Heewon stated and began rubbing her forehead.

"No, it’s not..?"

"Just sit down, Dokja-ssi" Lee Seolhwa said and Kim Dokja yielded.

He sat down quietly and let them take the conversations among themselves.

He zoned out practically almost half of the conversation. By the time someone mentioned his name back he was already leaning onto the chair.

"Once we settle the King down, Dokja-ssi can have his life back."

He jolted, looking at everyone.

"Huh?"

"And now you’re listening?" Yoo Joonghuk said he could see him angrily huffing away.

Kim Dokja rolled his eyes.

"You should be able to have your normal life back, Dokja-ssi." Lee Seolhwa said, smiling gently at him.

"I don’t want to," he said, albeit softly.

"What? Sorry, I can’t hear you." Jung Heewon leaned closer to hear Kim Dokja clearer

"I don’t want to. I’m sorry"

Everyone went silent, staring at Kim Dokja with wide eyes

"Why? You are basically a victim."

He rubbed his hands, looking at anywhere except the people around him

"I like it here. I like being Kim Dokja, the bookkeeper and helper of the village. Just a simple human not a noble or a villain. Just Kim Dokja. And I told you time and time again, the Kim Dokja from before already died, shouldn’t you give him peace? He has no one at his side, he’s already dead even before he died. I am not the same one and I certainly want to keep my peace here."

Everyone flinched, they did not utter a single noise as they stared at Kim Dokja silently.

"I can help you win your war, you can even return to your post back to your kingdom, and live the way you wanted. But I won’t be coming back there again. I don’t want to feel lonely." he added, nodding along the way.

Kim Dokja had stupidly thought they could all live together, building a big house with a room for everyone. The kids might go to school one day, and maybe even get to have friends on this tiny land. He could have tea time with everyone once in a lifetime.

He was an idiot for thinking it would be the same. He had forgotten that all of them had lives before they came into his life, and it really pains him to watch them leave but Kim Dokja was never supposed to be part of their lives.

He is nothing but a reader, once a reader always a reader. He does not have any say in this pitiful destiny.

Kim Dokja took a deep breath. And smiled, though it did not reach his eyes.

"It’s only natural to help you guys bring your normal life back."

"Dokja-ya…"

"It’s okay, Heewon-noona! It’s the least I could do."

Kim Dokja slowly stood up and patted some invisible dirt on his shirt.

"I’ll be checking on the kids first. Please do continue your talk." He said then quickly left the room.

He had no reason to be a part of something that wasn’t his role. He is nothing but a reader and nothing more and Kim Dokja has to remember that this is just a novel and not something he is a part of.

Yoo Joonghyuk has been observing Kim Dokja lately, he had talked to his squad just after he settled in Kim Dokja’s house about their observations on Kim Dokja and it felt a bit weird hearing them.

‘He is kind to me! He once forced me to rest after having a rough day and talked me down. Dokja-ssi is so kind almost like an angel too! I wish to become a shield for him.’, according to Lee Hyunsung.

‘Dokja hyung is so cool! He lets me build something and it's been fun, though he looked like he wants to punch me according to the kids but I disagree! I must be Hyung’s favorite after all BWAHAHA.’ Kim Namwoon said, a headache.

‘ He is different from the reports submitted. He is kind of a bit clumsy and airhead but he observes everyone. He took notice of everyone’s likes and dislikes and knew a thing or two about someone even though they had not mentioned it to someone else.

He also has the tendency to say something as if he wasn’t part of the world. He likes to read from what I know, he knows more about flowers and ancient books and has the world’s news up to date. You want to keep him safe all the time too, a first but welcome.

A weird fellow but if something happens to him I will murder everyone.’ A long narrative from Lee Seolhwa.

Still, it feels weird to see him being kind to everyone, he also became close to Mia just a few days after they arrived.

The kids love him and everyone has this feeling of keeping him safe.

He frowned harder, just who was this person?

Today he was tasked to follow Kim Dokja to the village where he works.

He saw how the villagers quickly swarmed towards him, greeting him enthusiastically and even giving him fruits and snacks.

"Oh dear you have a new friend with you today, Teacher Dokja!" An old woman said, eyeing Yoo Joonghyuk, she gently held Kim Dokja’s hands and scolded him.

"You know people these days, they might exploit pretty people like you, so you have to be careful, Teacher!"

Kim Dokja laughs, assuring the lady that Yoo Joonghyuk is in fact a friend and that he is here to stay for a while.

"What took you so long, Dokja!"

"Ah! Mr. Shane! I haven’t seen you in so long. How are you?"

The young man blushed hard and coughed.

"Just peachy."

"He missed you a lot, teacher Dokja!" someone shouted earning giggles from everyone on the scene.

The young man, Shane, blushed furiously and tried to stammer an objection, weakly.

Yoo Joonghyuk felt a bit pissed, and he glared at the man.

"I missed you too, Mr. Shane." Kim Dokja said, laughing at the red-faced man.

"Where should we be going, Kim Dokja." Yoo Joonghyuk interrupted everyone’s conversation,

Kim Dokja after noticing that he had Yoo Joonghyuk beside him, quickly apologized to everyone.

"Who are you?" Shane knitted his brows, eyeing Yoo Joonghyuk.

"Ah! This is–"

"Yoo Joonghyuk, a special friend of Kim Dokja," he interrupted Kim Dokja, he held his stare down to the young man.

"Shane, a long-time friend and someone close to Kim Dokja," Shane responded,

Yoo Joonghyuk gritted his lips secretly, he couldn’t help but feel a bit mad.

Both of them glared at each other. Kim Dokja decided to stand between them, he smiled apologetically at Shane.

"I have to go, I’ll see you very soon, Shane."

Shane huffed and nodded.

"You better be."

Kim Dokja smiled and then dragged Yoo Joonghyuk away.

“What was that, Yoo Joonghyuk?!” Kim Dokja hissed once they arrived at the library.

“Nothing,” he said, crossing his arms as his face only showed no emotions.

Kim Dokja rolled his eyes and went to recheck all the books at hand.

Yoo Joonghyuk decided to look around the place, although it looked old, the books were in pristine shape the only downside was that some books were outdated.

Kim Dokja noticing this only shrugged,

“I could not find any up-to-date books considering that even this part of the world has been forgotten. Small trades and the like are hard to come by. I could go to the next village and get books but the village has fewer funds and I would rather they took it to help with their crops.” Kim Dokja said causally, placing the new storybooks that he would read for the kids later.

Yoo Joonghyuk could only stare at the old pristine book in his hands and gently placed it back. He began thinking about the what-ifs.

This place is peaceful, away from the heavy politics, away from the burden of the future war. It’s a perfect place to be at. Kim Dokja found his peace here, and maybe he might find him here.

A moment later, children from the village began to run toward Kim Dokja, giggling and talking all together it’s endearing trying to make Kim Dokja look at them. Kim Dokja smiled as he tried to talk to all of the children one by one, it was peaceful but Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t know if he would get used to it.

By the time everyone settled down,

Yoo Joonghyuk found his place at the window pane, enough to quickly run outside to protect the children and close enough to stare at Kim Dokja.

As Kim Dokja began to tell the children stories, he once again observed Kim Dokja.

The Kim Dokja of today is different from the Kim Dokja of the past. They had different air, while the past gives off a ‘gloomy, always calculating and the need to finish something and looks about like he has too little life in his eyes’

This Kim Dokja, as much as Yoo Joonghyuk hates to say it, this Kim Dokja is kind, heartwarming, and possibly a fool. He has the eyes of a kind fae, a comfortable feeling when you are near him, and his ability to always look for something kind and beautiful to everyone.

He is more alive.

And let us not forget his ability to actually have these famous figures around him. It’s peculiar. Something worth noting for.

There is also no denying that his face is Yoo Joonghyuk’s taste, eyes that hold the universe, obsidian hair that shines and is soft to touch, a body frame that looks comfortable to hug, and a kind smile that makes Yoo Joonghyuk swoon—

Yoo Joonghyuk slapped himself, earning a worried glance from Kim Dokja and curious eyes from the children. He let out a cough,

“Continue.”

Yoo Joonghyuk decided that Kim Dokja did something to him because there was no way his head was filled with Kim Dokja. He has a war to lead to.

Yoo Joonghyuk leaned closer to the panel and closed his eyes, he let Kim Dokja’s soft melodic voice move along with the wind.

By the time all the kids returned back home, it was already sunset. Yoo Joonghyuk was behind Kim Dokja while he closed the library.

“That must have been busy.” Kim Dokja said, rubbing his head as he laughed awkwardly.

“It was fine.” Yoo Joonghyuk replied, as he was about to go back to the same road where they walked from the library Kim Dokja stopped him.

“Can we visit some stalls first? Today’s a special day for the village and they had set up some stalls at the center.”

Yoo Joonghyuk shrugged and nodded curtly.

“Thank you, Joonghyuk-ah!” he said, smiling widely.

When they had arrived at the center, there were various stalls and a lot of people. There were colorful bandannas hanging from each stall. Though small, it was filled with smiles and touches of laughter that you wouldn’t mind smiling back at. Yoo Joonghyuk had never been to some festivals like this. This was indeed an eye-opener for him.

The first stall happens to sell candied fruits. Kim Dokja greeted the owner.

“If isn’t the precious teacher of the village.”

“Good evening! I’d like to buy two of those candied berries you have!”

“Of course, of course! Let me pack some for you.”

“Thank you!”

As the owner gave Kim Dokja the packed candied, the owner raised his eyebrows.

“And who is this young lad? I have not seen him in this village, ah?”

“Oh! This is Yoo Joonghyuk–”

“This must be your lover! Aiya, Teacher Dokja already has someone all the young adults will be sad for sure.” The owner shook his head teasingly.

Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk blushed profusely, Kim Dokja shook his head, while Yoo Joonghyuk coughed.

“It’s nothing like that! He’s just an acquaintance!”

“Don’t be afraid, young lad! Everyone has an open mind.” he laughs boisterously then he looks at Yoo Joonghyuk.

“Now, you please take care of your Young Dokja. He is the one who made the village a bit better! If anything happens to him just so you know the village will chase you, you hear me, young man?”

Yoo Joonghyuk with his reddened ears can only nod, he has no idea what to do.

Kim Dokja bid the owner real quick and dragged Yoo Joonghyuk.

“I’m so sorry about that. I’ll make sure to talk to him about whatever he sprouted.” Kim DOkja tried to explain, his cheeks still red from the tease.

“It’s fine, “

Kim Dokja sighed loudly. Then he handed one of the candied berries to Yoo Joonghyuk.

“It’s yours. Try it! All though he has a loud mouth, his candied berries are to die for!”

Yoo Joonghyuk cautiously took a bite of the berries. He jolted in surprise.

“It’s sweet” he mumbled,

Kim Dokja chuckled and smiled.

“It’s good right?”

“Yeah.” he said, as he took another bite of the berries.

Kim Dokja looked fondly at him and then took a bite of his own berries.

Along with the cool air, with the pinkish-orange hue of the sunset,

Kim Dokja glowed so pretty that no one could take their eyes off him.

It was as if he wasn’t meant for this world. This scared Yoo Joonghyuk.

Then it dawned on him.

He sighed, his hands slightly shaking, his eyes never leaving the figure.

He can’t believe he likes this slimy bastard.

It was finally the day they planned to attack the kingdom.

They had finally planned to take down the king once and for all. Everyone was hyped, their blood boiling in anticipation.

Even the silent ones were cheering.

And Kim Dokja,

Kim Dokja stood there, palms sweating, his heart beating erratically.

To be clearly honest, this was never part of his grand scheme of living a normal life. He sighed as he reminisced about the first few days he arrived here.

His only goal was to curate a plan that somehow helped with the real body's reputation and die so he could live peacefully while trying to find a way to return to his body.

But his chances of returning home were nonexistent, and who would have expected that he would be able to somehow pick up all the prominent characters in this godforsaken novel!

He somehow got involved, and he had a lot of fun being with them too.

And Kim Dokja thought for a second, He does not mind living here at all.

"Let’s just get this over with and live a long life with them, he mumbles.

"The plan is simple," Yoo Joonghyuk stated. Eyeing everyone at the table, his eyes stopped at Kim Dokja for a second, and he looked at everyone as well.

Kim Dokja, who saw this, could only tilt his head.

"Kill the king; Eliminate those who sided with the foe," he added.

The atmosphere is so grim, and as much as Kim Dokja wants to, he cannot crack a joke in these hard times.

"We will leave an hour later; prepare everything."

And like that, everyone was dismissed.

Han Sooyoung was talking to Yoo Sangah while she scanned for any protective spell that might be needed. Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung are currently sharpening their blades silently. Jung Heewon, Lee Hyunsung, and Lee Jihye are cleaning their blades and shields.

Kim Namwoon is currently teaching Han Donghoon how to stab someone with a dagger that is probably coated with poison. He could hear Kim Namwoon’s boisterous laugh and a quick promise about how he would keep Han Donghoon safe.

Well, he better keep him safe.

That’s the future king right there. Lee Seolhwa is currently checking her supplies with the help of Yoo Mia.

Kim Dokja smiled sadly. He wanted the kids to stay behind and have the adults do this job, but they were adamant about helping out.

Luckily, Yoo Joonghyuk placed Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung, along with Yoo Mia, at Lee Jihye’s dear friend, Na Bori, disguised as a secret hideout where they are supposed to keep guard. But it’s really just a place away from the kingdom.

This way, the kids are much safer than if they were actually going to war with them.

Yoo Joonghyuk had already stationed all his shadow knights near the Kingdom, so it could end swiftly.

As expected of Yoo Joonghyuk, he is really so reliable and so handsome!

"Kim Dokja"

"Ah?"

"Come with me."

Now what? His tall, annoying man really does give Kim Dokja a continuous heart attack.

They walked a bit farther to the place they were staying at, the trees and bushes are taller and wilder.

Then Yoo Joonghyuk halted and turned around to face Kim Dokja.

His face has no emotion whatsoever.

His ears were red, but Kim Dokja failed to notice them.

"What is it, Joonghyuk-ah?"

Yoo Joonghyuk cleared his throat, his eyes darting everywhere except for the man in front of him.

"Are you perhaps sick? Oh no."

Kim Dokja quickly leaned forward and placed the palm of his head on Yoo Joonghyuk’s forehead, checking if his temperature was okay.

He frowned,

"You seemed to be fine.."

As he raised his head up, Kim Dokja quickly noticed how they seemed to be a few inches apart.

He blushed furiously. Kim Dokja stammered an apology and tried to move away, only to be pulled closer by the taller man.

"What are you doing?!" he shrieked and tried to struggle.

Yoo Joonghyuk pulled him into an embrace, he gently squeezed him tighter, inhaling the sweet flora that seemed to stick to Kim Dokja.

Kim Dokja stopped struggling and let the man hold him for a little longer.

Kim Dokja, an outlander 2x years old modern man from South Korea, has never been this confused since his favorite trashy novel ended.

His heartbeat quickened,

His heart is seriously gonna melt!

He wondered if Yoo Joonghyuk could hear his heartbeat.

Just what is Yoo Joonghyuk doing?!

Maybe it was his deep fascination with people who have a protagonist vibe that stems from how he always admires certain characters who became so good at fighting for what they deemed right. But Kim Dokja may have a thing for Yoo Joonghyuk.

Kim Dokja thinks it's because Yoo Joonghyuk fits his criteria (even though he was literally killed by him), but he told him clearly that it’s just a tiny crush.

There is no absolute way Yoo Joonghyuk, the man that he is, would fall completely for him.

Lee Seolhwa is so much better than him.

He nodded to himself,

He can deal with his feelings after they defeat the king.

Yeah.

"Stop thinking with your pretty brain." He can hear Yoo Joonghyuk murmur, the deep vibration of his voice sends a shiver down his spine.

"Huh?"

"For a smart villain, you do think useless things, Kim Dokja." Yoo Joonghyuk chuckled, and he then placed his chin on his shoulder.

Kim Dokja stood rigidly, his palms sweating.

"When this is over, Would you give me a chance to woo you?"

"What?!"

If Kim Dokja was drinking, he’d be choking right now.

"I said,"

Yoo Joonghyuk placed his forehead on Kim Dokja’s. His eyes never left the starry eyes he unexpectedly came to like.

"When this is over, would you give me a chance to woo you?"

Yoo Joonghyuk studied the dumbstruck face of his favorite person.

"Wo-huh??"

"It means I like you, Kim Dokja."

"But why?!" Kim Dokja’s face turned beet red, his head trying to churn the information so simple yet so complex, that he had to buffer awhile.

"Maybe it’s the way you smile, the way you talk out of a situation." He scans Kim Dokja’s face, a small, wide smile present on Yoo Joonghyuk’s.

"Your kindness, maybe that I could not see only until you were gone."

Yoo Joonghyuk gently took his trembling hands and kissed the back of his palms.

"Maybe it’s because it’s you. But I came to like you." Kim Dokja watched as Yoo Joonghyuk smiled, holding his hands. His kiss lingers more on his hand. Burning ever so slightly.

Kim Dokja wants to faint right there and then.

"Give me a chance?"

Fuckfuckfuckfuc–

"Kim Dokja, where are you, you rat bastard!!" Han Sooyoung screamed, trying to locate the missing man.

He jerked, his eyes wide open. He stepped backward.

"Uhm- uhh.. G-gotta go–" and then he ran to where Han Sooyoung was.

When Han Sooyoung found him, she raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you red? Yah sick or something?"

Kim Dokja used both hands to stop his cheeks from turning more red.

“No, no I’m uhh I’m fine. What do you need me for?"

Han Sooyoung merely shrugged and dragged Kim Dokja inside the house.

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at Kim Dokja’s silhouette with a smug face.

Kim Dokja did not answer, it simply means it’s okay to woo him.

Great.

Lee Seolhwa, who somehow appeared on his side, nudges him.

"You do know that you’re going to go through all his misfit family before you can date him, you know, she said, crossing her arms and looking around.

"No matter,"

She rolled her eyes.

You’re going to go through me before you can even date him."

"Easy."

Yoo Joonghyuk smirked.

Kim Dokja, along with other figures sans the kids, has already invaded the kingdom at a much faster pace. Han Sooyoung, along with Yoo Sangah, was able to infiltrate the kingdom easily.

Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon were at the front lines, along with Lee Jihye. Kim Namwoon, Han Donghoon, and Lee Selohwa were at the rear. He managed to follow Yoo Joonghyuk, charging toward the throne room.

It was going as planned.

A bit too well.

Kim Dokja felt sick to his stomach as if something was bound to happen.

“Stay close to me," Yoo Joonghyuk said. His face was so serious that Kim Dokja stopped himself from cracking a joke.

This is too serious now.

Jung Heewon told him to stay with the kids, but Kim Dokja thinks he can’t just stay still while they fight. His gut told him something was about to happen, and he didn’t want them to die.

Yoo Joonghyuk stood in front of the most fancy door out of all they had seen.

The guards from the castles were either fighting or running away. The place that was so loved and was seen as a greater being is now burning.

Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, then looked at Kim Dokja.

“Kim Dokja.”

“Yes?”

“When this is over..."

“What is it? "Kim Dokja tiled his head; his eyes were fully on Yoo Joonghyuk.

“When this is over, I will court you so best prepared."

Kim Dokja turned cherry red, his ears ringing.

“What?!?!”

Before he could ask the smirking Yoo Joonghyuk, all of his friends finally arrived.

They have a few scratches here and there, but overall, they were fine.

Kim Dokja sighed in relief.

As for the sudden courtship from Yoo Joonghyuk, he pretends not to hear those.

“Is everyone ready? "Kim Dokja asked.

Everyone nodded; their eyes were filled with fire and a desire to live a better life.

“Let’s go.”

Yoo Joonghyuk then kicked the door with no resistance at all. His eyes then scanned around the room, inside the throne room, where a few of the nobles, along with the King and some strong knights, were there to protect the King.

“Yoo Joonghyuk! I should have killed you before, you bastard! "The King shouted as he saw Yoo Joonghyuk.

It was far too fast-paced.

One moment there were screaming, and suddenly there were swords pulling out. Yoo Joonghyuk was having a fierce battle with the crazed King. Blood was seriously flying out.

In the corner of his eyes, hidden shadow guards on the King’s faction emerged, and all his friends are trying to subdue them at best, but even the greatest swordsman had a hard time with the amount of enemies surrounding them.

As for Kim Dokja, he had his role. He was not very great at doing magic spells or even swordsmanship.

But he was known for being the slimiest rat beyond human grasp. While everyone was fighting, Kim Dokja tried to collect bits of evidence that would dethrone and ruin the King’s generation. This is so the citizens will know what this bastard has done for the longest time.

Kim Dokja doesn’t want his newly formed misfit of a family to suffer baseless acts that were never theirs to begin with. He knew it wasn’t important right now, but once everything settled after the war, all people would doubt, and by collecting important evidence, this doubt would cease at least.

This was the least he could do.

While Kim Dokja was sneakingly trying to find evidence before some hidden men hired by the king ruined them, Yoo Joonghyuk was slowly getting momentum and was getting in the lead.

"I should have killed you from the start. I know you were torn on my side, you bastard! "The King spat.

Their swords continued to collide, and Yoo Joonghyuk had to applaud.

Despite being old, the king really knew how to handle a fight.

He had initially thought the king was just a lazy monarch who ordered his men to defend him.

“You’re going to pay for your sins anyway."

“Heh.”

Yoo Joonghyuk kicked him in the stomach, and the older man staggered before launching another attack.

Yoo Joonghyuk smirked when he saw the king’s eyes panic as he looked for an exit. His old body was beginning to shake under pressure.

“You won’t get away," Yoo Joonghyuk said, all his frustrations and the power of being useless urging him to apply force as he tries to subdue the bastard of a king.

He had failed to notice the king’s eyes landing on Kim Dokja for a split second.

“You will never get what you want, Yoo Joonghyuk! ”

The greedy king kicked the hilt of the unsuspecting Yoo Joonghyuk and ran towards Kim Dokja.

“You will have to die in his stead, Kim Dokja. Blame it all on Yoo Joonghyuk for failing to protect you."

Kim Dokja had finally finished collecting all the evidence as well as placing defect bombs around the unsuspecting enemies that tried to be sneaky.

As he was about to help, Yoo Joonghyuk The king swiftly ran toward him. He could not hear Yoo Joonghyuk’s scream.

He jolted, his eyes widening, and his hand shakingly touched the sword pierced in his body.

The King laughed… Kim Dokja thinks the annoying bastard was laughing before someone grabbed his hair and killed him all the same.

But he could not care.

He heard screams, though.

He watched as everyone rushed towards him, even in his blurry state of eyes. He watched them try to help him.

It’s getting cold now, he mused.

Blood started to gush out of his mouth; he could feel a disgusting stench of the metallic blood now.

Ew.

Everything hurts too.

He coughs.

He could feel Yoo Joonghyuk gently cradling him while he felt the vibration of his shoulder shouting, probably at someone to fix him.

Lee Seolhwa was crying, and Kim Dokja just wished he could wipe her tears; it would ruin his beauty to cry like that.

“Kim Dokja, don’t you dare close your eyes; you hear me! ”

Kim Dokja tried to smile, but it came out weird.

“J-Joonghyuk-ah..”

He winced as he tried to move his head a bit.

“It hu-hurts so b-ad”

“Don’t worry, baby. It won’t hurt anymore. I promise. I promise. Just stay with me, okay? ”

Kim Dokja felt hot tears hitting his face.

He sighed.

“Joonghyuk-ah..I-I’m s-sorry. Ngh.. Don’t cry, okay..?”

Kim Dokja slowly closed his eyes, his stuttered breathing stopping.

He had died.

Kim Dokja jolted awake.

He took a deep breath as he assessed everything around him.

Before his brain could even comprehend, someone screamed for a doctor.

Then he found himself surrounded by medical professionals.

It was only then that he realized he was back in his real world.

It has been roughly a month and a half since Kim Dokja returned to his world.

The doctors were quick to provide him with medical assistance when he was rushed over to the hospital by his landlord, who happened to be there. ( probably asking him to raise the rent or something).

What seemed to be forever was merely 5 days in his world.

If felt like what had happened prior to him returning to his world was farce and fake and everything was just made up.

Kim Dokja tried to tell himself that everything that had happened was just a weird dream. He tried not to think about his tiny homey house, his nice job at the library, the kids, his new crazy friends he had somehow collected, his new-found misfit family, and Yoo Joonghyuk.

Ah, Yoo Joonghyuk.

The man must be pretty devastated. He had died in his arms after all; he must really hate him now.

Kim Dokja felt lost. So, so lost. This world doesn't feel like home anymore. He misses his home.

He misses his tiny, homey house, his nice job at the library, the kids, his new crazy friends he had somehow collected, his new-found misfit family, and Yoo Joonghyuk.

He could only stare at the gloomy sky and sigh.

He had forgotten his life before everything. He tried to live like he used to live before magic and heroes. It is hard to live normally, but he tries because he has no chance of going back to a life where he is genuinely happy.

He did what he could, though; he quit Minosoft. (It felt so right.) He stumbled upon a librarian who was in need of an assistant. The owners were kind and hired him right away. They had also given him a new place to stay, as they deemed his old apartment a dogpile.

He felt embarrassed, of course, but he was thankful for them because it was so hard trying to be normal after not being normal for so long. They have been nothing but kind.

Most especially the wife, Persephone, tried to make him feel at home and would always tell him about a world that was so much different from this one. Kim Dokja would always listen to her whenever he could. It felt like he could still feel the connection to the world he called home.

Sometimes he felt like they weren’t even part of this world like him because they knew a bit too much of that world, but he shrugged because there was no way they were not from this world.

“Dokja-yah! "called out Persephone.

“Yes? "He answered. He laid down the new inventories and waddled his way towards the older woman.

Persephone chuckled. She patted his face and smiled.

“There’s a package that I somehow left at the train station. Luckily, they were able to locate it and told me to get it that day," she started, her eyes twinkling.

He nodded,

“You want me to get it? ”

“Yes, it is very important to me after all," she said, smiling.

Her smile felt like it hid something, but Kim Dokja could not pinpoint it. Still, he accepted it.

He nodded goodbye to Hades, the other owner, who nodded back.

“Dokja,”

“Yes, sir? ”

“I hope you will be happy this time.”

“Huh?”

Kim Dokja was taken aback by the sudden words Hades said.

Was there something he missed?

He nodded and waved goodbye once more.

The weather today is nice and cloudy. He could see the orange and yellow clouds slowly moving along with their pinkish hues.

Kim Dokja smiled.

‘What a lovely day! ’ he thought, he adjusted his messenger bag and went along his way.

According to his boss, the package is on the 5th stop. He took the train.

As he waited, he noticed a kid with his grasshopper. On his left was a pretty lady who'd probably finished with her work. Then he noticed a larger man from the farside to his right.

Kim Dokja doesn’t know why he noticed these things, but he didn’t mind.

Then suddenly, the train stopped abruptly. The lights suddenly turned off. The people inside the train began to panic. He, too, began to panic.

Just as he thought it was a great day, it turned a lot worse!

The larger man, who looked like he came from a police academy, tried to calm everyone. And then suddenly, there was a bright light emerging in front of him.

Then a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him in. He screamed, and suddenly everything went dark.

Kim Dokja felt a warm chest in front of his face and noticed someone embracing him tightly.

The person who embraced him (clearly a man) was shaking so hard.

“Uhm, excuse me, but could you let go for a second?" he tried to reason out, as much as Kim Dokja felt at home in his arms. It is still really awkward.

He felt a soft gasp and then hugged him tighter.

“I won’t let you go ever again," the man said. His voice felt too familiar.

Kim Dokja pulled away and stared at the man, finally.

“Yoo J-Joonghyuk? ”

The man in front of him still looked the same, yet it didn’t anymore.

“B-but how, what? Why..? ”

A lot of things ran toward his head.

“This must be a dream; go away, go away, go away, go aw—," he mumbled. He crouched down and held his head tightly.

“I’m real, Dokja-yah. I’m real.” Yoo Joonghyuk gently prodded the clutching hands.

out of character for him.

It felt unreal.

Kim Dokja let his hands be held by Yoo Joonghyuk.

“Look at me. "Yoo Joonghyuk gently asked; it was so different from what he thought Yoo Joonghyuk would say.

He slowly moved his eyes toward the man in front of him.

He gasped.

Yoo Joonghyuk let out an uncharacteristic smile.

“Welcome home, Kim Dokja.”

Kim Dokja leaped into his awaiting arms and cried.

“I’m home, Joonghyuk-ah! ”

I’m home.

It turns out Kim Dokja was gone for almost 2 years. They won; of course, the greedy king got what he deserved. Han Doonghon could not rule yet, so he handed the throne to Han Sooyoung. Han Sooyoung, along with Yoo Sangah, helped rebuild the kingdom.

Jung Heewon and Lee Hyungsung continued to rebuild their tiny home, and everyone would stay there.

The kids all went to school, and Lee Seolhwa built a clinic in the tiny village where they met. Lee Jihye and Na Bori help her sometimes.

Han Donghoon and Kim Namwoon were very close, too. Kim Namwoon would always help Han Donghoon. Even though the kid rarely talks, he would give the white-haired boy a small smile.

And Yoo Joonghyuk, well, the man tried to court him. But the man was so rigid and awkward that Han Sooyoung laughed at him. But he tries his best. He would try to give Kim Dokja trinkets and new books whenever he left for the day.

At night, the man tried to watch over him all night. But he told Yoo Joonghyuk to sleep beside him, as he needed all the energy he could get for the day.

There were times when the man was so scared Kim Dokja would leave again that he would sometimes look at his chest where the blade stabbed him. But Kim Dokja would try to coax him.

It’s a start.

Kim Dokja was happy he was finally home.

As much as he was happy, everyone was so clingy, afraid that he would leave them again.

But he doubts it now. He doesn’t want to leave his new home. He loves it here.