< Episode 15. The World Without a King (5) >
The startled people all turned toward Han Sooyoung at once.
Squatting as she looked at them, Han Sooyoung spat to the side.
"Are you idiots or what? Get a grip. If you want to live, start using your heads properly. You don't know when you'll run into real bastards again—why would you thin out the people who could become your allies?"
"B-But…"
"In a world like this, the only ones who can form a fair alliance are the weak. Even if you band together, it's barely enough—and you're fighting over a few trash items?"
The people snapped out of it, belatedly flushing with embarrassment.
The mid-grade dokkaebi probably didn't know.
That among the people it scattered around, there was a web-novel writer.
"You've already grabbed the basic weapons and necessities, right? Haven't you ever read survival stories? Don't you know that selfish idiots like this are the first ones to die? Honestly—do you really think picking up a few extra items will make you stronger than him?"
The survivors' faces darkened rapidly as they looked at me. The killing intent in a few of their eyes slowly faded.
"If you're not confident you can become strong enough that no one can touch you, then start by making trustworthy allies. Isn't that common sense?"
For a plagiarist author to say something like that—she was surprisingly competent.
And her words worked. The people began exchanging awkward glances with one another. If someone spoke up now, they could reunite as a group. With just a few sentences, their chances of survival had risen dramatically.
I stared at Han Sooyoung for a moment, then spoke.
"But you—what you just said…"
"Got it? All of you, get your act together!"
Leaving those words behind, Han Sooyoung immediately turned and ran.
With her stamina already drained, she didn't get far.
"Huff—huff! Why are you chasing me?!"
"How do you even plagiarize the way you talk?"
"'If you're not confident you can become strong enough that no one can touch you, then make trustworthy allies.'"
That was a line Yoo Joonghyuk had said to a survivor seeking advice in Ways of Survival.
Han Sooyoung shrieked.
"That's not plagiarism! That line's in my novel!"
"Then why are you running?"
"…Just because! Then why are you chasing me?!"
She still refused to admit she'd plagiarized it.
I grabbed her by the back of the neck.
"If I saved you, you owe me."
"W-What kind of payment are you talking about?!"
Seeing her tense up completely, I snorted.
"If you've got a spare battery, hand it over. You carry text files everywhere—you should have plenty."
Han Sooyoung's face crumpled miserably.
I hadn't planned on taking Han Sooyoung with me from the start.
Honestly, considering what she'd done so far, she was no better than a villain herself.
But her 'Avatar' ability was extremely useful, and there were several things I needed to find out right away.
More importantly, she would be useful for clearing the sub-scenario currently in progress…
"I don't have a spare battery. I lost everything back in Gwanghwamun."
"Then hand over your plagiarized novel."
"No way. If you want to read it, buy it."
"All the platforms are gone. How am I supposed to buy it?"
I simply snatched her smartphone.
Startled, Han Sooyoung lunged forward, clinging to my shoulder.
"Hey! Give that back!"
The text file was right on her home screen. Sloppy.
[SSSSS-Rank Infinite Regressor]
Let's see…
As I tapped the app file, I felt a bit tense.
I was worried it might be like my text file—something invisible to others.
Fortunately, it wasn't.
She must have been reading it recently, because it opened halfway through.
"'…Yoo Junhyun quietly opened his status window. He wanted to check the newly acquired "Sage's Eye."
Name: Yoo Junhyun Age: 27 Contracted Star: ???
Exclusive Traits: Regressor <3rd Turn> (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: [Sage's Eye Lv.1], [Close-Quarters Combat Lv.1], [Weapon Mastery Lv.1], [Mental Barrier Lv.1], [Lie Detection Lv.4]… (omitted)…
Stigma: [Return Upon Death Lv.3]
Overall Stats: [Stamina Lv.24], [Strength Lv.24], [Agility Lv.25], [Magic Power Lv.23]
After checking his status window, Yoo Junhyun let out a quiet laugh.
"Heh heh, I finally got Sage's Eye. This regression is starting off lucky."'"
I stopped reading and stared at Han Sooyoung in disbelief.
"Do you seriously have no shame?"
"…What?"
"This character info is straight-up copied from Ways of Survival. You're a writer—couldn't you at least change the structure?"
Han Sooyoung hesitated for a moment, then muttered quietly.
"In Ways of Survival it's 'sponsoring constellation,' and mine is 'contracted star,' okay? Totally different. And my novel doesn't even have an overall evaluation!"
"…Fine, let's say that's true. But the protagonist's name is too much. And what's with the typo calling him 'Joonghyun' in the middle? You didn't just copy-paste this, did you? The author of Ways of Survival would cry if they saw this."
Han Sooyoung's face turned bright red as she shouted.
"That's just an homage—no, anyway, what do you want?! What are you curious about?!"
"How many chapters of the original did you read?"
"Ninety-ni—hey! Are you going to give that back or not?!"
So it really was this woman—the one who'd read up to Chapter 99?
If the author of Ways of Survival found out that the person who'd read his novel the second-most was a writer who plagiarized it for her own work, what would he say?
Considering he was the kind of guy who'd been happy just to see his view count rise even amid plagiarism controversies, he might've said something like, "Thank you sincerely for reading up to Chapter 99. You're truly a genuine reader."
I asked in a sigh-laced voice.
"At Chapter 99, you should know the location of the 'meteor' that appears in the fifth scenario, right? Does that show up in your novel too?"
"There's no 'meteor' in my novel!"
That was unexpected. I'd assumed she'd copied that too.
"But there is a 'Sealing Stone'!"
So she did copy it.
"Then we're going to get that 'Sealing Stone' now. Get ready."
"You said we're getting a 'meteor'?"
"Let's unify the terminology. Anyway, you've obtained one before, so you know, right?"
"I have, but…"
The meteor containing the 'Fire Dragon Species' I'd killed had been discovered by Han Sooyoung. I'd nearly died because of her back then. Come to think of it, I'd put the Fire Dragon's remains up on the Exchange—had they sold yet?
Leaving Han Sooyoung, who was wearing a serious expression, I called out to Bihyung.
'Bihyung.'
There was no reply.
Since the existing scenario had been cleared in an unforeseen way, the dokkaebis of the Seoul Dome were probably all in an emergency strategy meeting.
Though "meeting" probably meant gathering together to say things like, "This round's already ruined, so let's just sell a bunch of coin items," or something along those lines…
Then, in the next moment, both the [Exchange] window and the [Dokkaebi Bag] window opened at the same time.
So he doesn't have time to reply to messages, but he still does his job?
[A significant number of constellations express dissatisfaction with the sudden advertisements.]
And of course, he hadn't forgotten to run ads either.
I opened the [Exchange] first to check my sales history.
[Item 'Fire Dragon Species Scale' sold for 8,000 coins.]
[Item 'Fire Dragon Species Bone' sold for 5,000 coins.]
Unexpectedly, someone had bought those expensive items.
Even worse—an item I hadn't even put up for sale had been sold.
[Item 'Fire Dragon Species Bone' sold for 22,222 coins.]
…Even the bone I'd stored there because I had nowhere else to put it sold.
Someone must've been desperate for Fire Dragon bones.
If I'd known, I would've listed everything for 99,999 coins.
At this point in time, the only incarnations with this kind of wealth would be Anna Croft with nebula backing, India's Ranveer Khan, or China's Feihu (Flying Tiger)…
Whoever it was—thanks.
After opening the [Dokkaebi Bag] and buying a few necessary items, Han Sooyoung spoke up at just the right moment.
"But why do you want to go with me? You could go alone."
"You said it yourself earlier. In survival stories, the most important thing is finding trustworthy allies."
Han Sooyoung looked at me skeptically.
"Hm…"
I pulled out the item I'd just bought and held it out to her.
"Here. Swear on it."
[Using item 'Temporary Oath Contract'.]
Kim Dokja (Party A) forms a contract with Han Sooyoung (Party B) until the currently ongoing sub-scenario ends.
Kim Dokja (Party A) and Han Sooyoung (Party B) shall not harm one another until the sub-scenario ends.
During the contract period, Kim Dokja (Party A) and Han Sooyoung (Party B) shall sleep in shifts to prepare for the 'Sleep Penalty.'
…
During the contract period, the party's action guidelines shall prioritize Kim Dokja (Party A)'s judgment.
During the contract period, Han Sooyoung (Party B) shall fully cooperate with Kim Dokja (Party A) for scenario completion, and shall follow his commands as long as her life is not endangered.
During the contract period, Kim Dokja (Party A) guarantees Han Sooyoung (Party B)'s right to life.
This contract expires the moment the sub-scenario ends. Violation will result in bodily annihilation.
A Temporary Oath Contract.
It wasn't on the level of a 'Backer Contract,' but for short-term agreements, there was no better item.
Han Sooyoung stared at me as if I were ridiculous.
"You think I'd agree to something like this?"
"Then don't."
"…But why am I Party B? I've never been Party B in my life."
"Perfect. First times are important."
Han Sooyoung ground her teeth. She talked big, but I knew she'd accept.
With her mana depleted and exhaustion setting in, she had no real choice. Wandering alone through Seocho District, crawling with Wanderers, was practically suicide—and for now, she needed someone to protect her.
"…Fine. I'll sign. But I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"We share information. How about that? I've got a lot I want to ask you too. You'd better be honest—I've got [Lie Detection]."
She'd already obtained something I hadn't?
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' activates 'Lie Detection Lv.1'!]
…It's real.
Han Sooyoung immediately pressed the attack.
"So what the hell is your trait?"
"I don't know."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' has confirmed that your statement is true.]
Han Sooyoung made a stupid expression, then smacked the side of her own temple with her palm.
"…Is this thing broken?"
"No, it's working fine. Ask the next one—quick. I'll only answer three questions total. You've already used one."
"How does it make sense not to know your own trait?"
"I really don't know. Go on. Next question."
Han Sooyoung narrowed her eyes and reluctantly continued.
"Why did you give up the 'Throne'?"
Just as expected—that question was coming.
"You ruined my whole plan because of you. If it weren't for you… do you know how hard I worked, dragging those idiot 'Apostles' around, trying to stop the apocalypse? If I'd taken the throne, I'd already be preparing for the next scenario by now—"
"If you'd sat on that throne, Seoul would've been destroyed."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' has confirmed that your statement is true.]
Han Sooyoung frowned deeply.
"Why does this keep malfunctioning?"
"It's not broken. And it wouldn't have mattered who sat on that throne. If anyone had taken it, we'd all be dead."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' has confirmed that your statement is true.]
Her eyes widened.
"…How do you know that? Which regression turn are you on? How do you know things even I don't?"
"I'm not a regressor."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' has confirmed that your statement is true.]
Han Sooyoung looked utterly shaken. She worked her lips for a long time, then forced out another question.
"You… how far did you read Ways of Survival?"
"That's three questions."
"That's the most important one!"
Her jaw trembled.
"No way… that can't be right. You—there's no way someone that insane exists. Yeah. There's no way…"
Dudududud!
That was when something like the sound of galloping hooves echoed from afar.
I quickly pulled the muttering Han Sooyoung with me and retreated behind the nearest building.
Something was approaching.
Judging by its shape, it was definitely humanoid—but…
I activated [Character List] toward the crowd charging forward in a cloud of dust.
[Information on this individual cannot be accessed through 'Character List'.]
[This individual is not registered in 'Character List'.]
Looking closer, every one of them was covered head to toe in coarse fur.
They had human faces, but bodies closer to bipedal wolves—each one at least twice the size of a normal human.
Then I noticed it.
The largest of the monsters at the front was gripping a man by the collar with one hand.
"Grrr…! Where are they?"
"T-this area! Those guys wiped out the entire 'coin farm'—"
Thud.
With a dull sound, the man's head was torn from his body. He was one of the Wanderers we'd seen earlier near MinoSoft. The monsters pounced, tearing into the limp corpse in a frenzy.
I had a pretty good idea what these things were.
Han Sooyoung seemed to realize it too.
"…Non-human species?"
Wanderers have their own ways of surviving.
Some remain human and build things like coin farms. Others abandon humanity altogether and walk the path of a new species in order to live.
Kraaang—!
Non-human species have growth caps, but because they give up being human, they can grow faster than anyone else in the early to mid stages.
The 'Demon Humans' that had appeared through dokkaebi trickery were also a type of non-human species.
Those creatures were probably the 'Werewolf' branch.
"…They've obtained the power of a meteor."
With the fifth scenario barely ahead, the only way for a human to evolve into a werewolf at this point was by using a meteor's power. That Wanderer group had already secured one of the meteors that fell in Seocho District.
Han Sooyoung let out a small gasp.
"I know that guy. He's a drop-out."
"…How can you tell?"
"I can tell. It's a privilege of the final drop-out."
"A privilege?"
"People who quit reading—I can see all their location data and traits."
She sounded faintly smug.
Come to think of it, I remembered Jeong Minseop saying something like that.
Not long after the scenarios began, the 'First Apostle' had come to find them. If Han Sooyoung had a skill to locate drop-outs, that miracle made sense. She could've simply used her 'Avatar' to track them down.
Han Sooyoung continued.
"That's why I suspected you. There was definitely a drop-out… but one who didn't get caught by my skill."
She glanced at me, then turned her gaze back to the non-human species.
"There were a few guys who rejected my offer back then. That Wanderer was one of them. Most of them died early, so I didn't think much of it—but he somehow managed to grow that big…"
"What's his deal?"
"His name's Song Minwoo."
Song Minwoo?
That wasn't a character name.
But it sounded familiar.
[Grade 6 Non-Human Species, 'Werewolf Song Minwoo' is searching the surrounding area.]
The way he looked around from afar—
Ah.
Memories surfaced. A dream I'd had a few hours ago. High school days. Being beaten by bullies.
So much time had passed, but seeing his face, I was sure.
No matter how many years went by, I couldn't forget the name written on his name tag.
Song Minwoo.
No doubt about it.
But that guy was a drop-out?
That punk wouldn't have read a novel.
"Which chapter did he quit at?"
"He's… a strange one. He's different from normal drop-outs."
"How so?"
After a moment's thought, Han Sooyoung said,
"To my eyes, he shows up as… 'a drop-out who read only up to Chapter 173.'"
At that moment, Song Minwoo's nose twitched, and his head snapped in our direction.
His yellowed eyes said it clearly.
Found you.
He slammed his four legs into the ground—and started charging straight toward us.