Chapter Text
The group followed Lee Jihye and entered Chungmuro. Yoo Sangah saw the shattered screen door of the platform and said, "…it's quite a chaotic atmosphere."
As they climbed up from the tracks of railway line 3, they saw some people sitting down.
[You have entered Chungmuro.]
[The third scenario is currently in progress.]
[#GIR-8761 channel is active.]
[#BIR-3642 channel is active.]
As soon as he entered Chungmuro station, Klein frowned and rubbed his eyes with his hand, as if to relieve some pressure in his skull.
As soon as he had stepped foot into the station, he had gotten a slight headache. He took it as an omen that there might be something annoying that's going to happen here.
Some middle-aged people saw the group and waved their hands. "Oh, little samurai. You brought new people?"
' Little Samurai?' Audrey looked at Lee Jihye and smiled. ' what a cute nickname!'
Ignorant of this thought, Lee Jihye answered the men. " yes. " she frowned at them, " are you drunk again?"
"Hahaha! What is there to do other than drink when the world has become like this?"
The middle-aged people seemed relaxed, unlike those who were experiencing a disaster. But judging by how they are wearing a military uniform, it was understandable.
"But did your friends come through the tunnel? How great… Won't they have a lot of coins?"
Then one of the middle-aged men turned to Yoo Sangah. "Young lady over there, what is your name? Would you like to rent a room for cheap?"
"…Room?"
"Haha, you don't know the system here yet? This place―"
Lee Jihye cut off the middle-aged man's words. "Ahjussi. Don't try to trick the newcomers."
"Uhuh, they must know anyway. This is what everyone is doing to live…"
"If you don't want to be injured, then get lost."
The middle-aged man paled at Lee Jihye's words. "This… young child has already learned bad things."
"Hey, Kang-ssi. Stop it."
The middle-aged people turned away. They disappeared into transit line 4, and Lee Jihye put away her sword. She glanced back at the group, "I brought you here, so take care of yourself from now on. I'm not your babysitter,"
' I don't think we expect you to babysit us anyways.' Klein mentally retorted.
With that, the group looked around the station. There were strange green, glowing platforms that resembled an Aurora on the ground. Most of them seemed occupied by people.
"S-Shit! I'll kill you if you come close…" A man was in the middle of the platform for subway line 3, waving a knife around and threatening people.
Yoo sangah asked, "…Why is he doing that?"
"I don't know." Kim Dokja replied. He had an idea on what was going on. But he didn't need to scare her.
He glanced at them and asked Lee Jihye, "Is Yoo Joonghyuk here?"
Lee Jihye, who was about to leave, turned her head at 'Yoo Joonghyuk'. There was vigilance in her eyes. "…Who are you?"
"I am a companion of Yoo Joonghyuk who came back alive."
"…Companion? How is that possible?" Lee Jihye stared at him with suspicion.
He shrugged shamelessly. "That guy will understand if you tell him. Where is Yoo Joonghyuk now?"
"…Master isn't here right now."
"Really? This is difficult. I have something I need to say."
' Master? Seriously?' Klein couldn't help but to sigh. He never thought he'd ever hear anyone call that man 'master'. He then looked at Kim Dokja knowingly. ' This man probably wants Lee Jihye under his thumb as well.'
He didn't know if he should help or not. To him Lee Jihye seems like a lost cause. Unless he can prove he's 'friendly' with Yoo Joonghyuk. ' guess we will wait and see. '
Lee Jihye called out to a boy squatting in the corner, "Hey, you over there!"
"Eh? Yes, yes!"
"Watch over these people right here! I'm going to go find Master."
The boy looked at them with a puzzled gaze. He seemed to stare at Klein a bit longer than normal. This slight gesture didn't go unnoticed by the spectator.
' Does this person know klein? That can't be right. Does he find him attractive and wants to look at his face longer?' she couldn't put her finger on it.
The boy then looked at Audrey and stared directly at her with a knowing look, making her flinch. ' What's this? It's almost like he knows I noticed something. I'm going to need to consult with Klein about this.'
Unlike Audrey, Klein didn't notice a thing. 1st: he wasn't at all interested in the plain looking kid, 2: he was too busy looking around. Figuring out every route, person, platform, etc. It was always best to be prepared.
"…Who are they?" The boy asked.
"I don't know. Master's friends?"
At Lee Jihye's words, the eyes of the people on the platform became bigger. They looked at them with amazement and awe.
"…Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi's friends?!" The boy ran up to them and exclaimed. It was a boy who looked roughly around Lee Jihye's age. "Are you really Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi's friends?"
"He is a good friend."
Klein wanted to laugh at Kim Dokja's audacity. ' If Yoo Joonghyuk heard you, you'd be dead in 3 seconds. No, make that 1 second. '
While taking care of the unconscious Jung Heewon, the group heard about Chungmuro from the boy. Along with Lee Jihye, this boy was one of Yoo Joonghyuk's followers.
"…Thus, we followed Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi. Are you listening to me?"
"Yes, Three days ago, Yoo Joonghyuk appeared and saved some of you, including Lee Jihye, from the monsters. Isn't that the story?" Kim Dokja summarized the cliche story.
The boy frowned at his story being summarized so simply. "Uh, the story isn't that simple…"
' Truly someone spellbound by that psychopath.. ' Kim Dokja blinked. He knew the truth. If the boy wasn't with Lee Jihye, Yoo Joonghyuk would have just left him there to die.
"Now can I ask you a few things I am curious about?" Lee Hyunsung started asking politely.
"Yes. Just ask."
"How is the food supply here?"
"That… It is a bit embarrassing to say… Some people, including me, are dependent on Jihye. Jihye hunts and asks Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi to cook…"
It was unknown when he made a checklist but Lee Hyunsung took out his notes and started to write things down. This set Leonard off. ' Who on earth would take notes for this stuff?'
He then caught onto something and exclaimed, " hold on. That psychopath can cook??!"
The boy gasped and retorted, " don't call Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi a psychopath! He's our savior!"
' You don't know what I know, kid.' Leonard wanted to retort but decided he didn't want to fight with a kid about Yoo Joonghyuk's true nature.
He sighed in annoyance and rubbed his face. This headache wasn't helping Leonard. " Anyways, he cooks?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, " he's really good! Best cook I've ever met."
' can't be any better than Klein's cooking.. ' he reminisced back to when they were nighthawks, there was a day where Leonard was caught in the rain after doing his patrol.
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Leonard was walking through the streets, doing his usual patrol. He felt something wet hit his head. Confused, he looked up and a droplet of rain landed on his face. He frowned. ' No one mentioned that it was going to rain today.'
He was way too far from the nighthawks building, as well as his own home. Should he just ride out the rain in a nearby store? He thought for a moment before he recognized the street he was on.
Klein's apartment was only a couple blocks from where he was. Maybe he could go and drop by? Making up his decision, he briskly walked down the streets towards Klein's apartment.
—
Leonard stood in front of Klein's door, his shoulders, head and back were wet from the rain. Maybe he should have ran here instead of walked.. Too late to regret it now.
He knocked on the door thrice and waited. He heard a click and the door opened. looking down Leonard saw a slightly pale young lady with brown hair and brown eyes.
She peered up at Leonard and seemed shocked at the sight. Leonard awkwardly shuffled his feet and smiled. " Excuse me, is Klein Moretti here?"
She blinked at him before asking, "why do you want to know?"
He gasped, realizing he hadn't introduced himself properly. " Sorry, my name is Leonard Mitchell. I'm one of Klein's coworkers."
She hummed in acknowledgement. She turned her head slightly, still seeming suspicious about this extremely handsome man at her doorstep. " Klein, someone is here to see you!" she shouted.
After a couple seconds, Klein rounded the corner and looked up. " Leonard? What are you doing here?" he asked, clearly surprised by the sudden visit.
"Sorry to intrude on you and your family, but I sorta got caught in the rain and forgot an umbrella. Mind if I stay here for a bit?" he pleaded.
Klein looked at his wet hair and shoulders and shrugged. " Come in, we were just about to have dinner anyway. ''
Surprised, Leonard looked down at his watch and said, "oh, it's dinner time? Sorry then I shouldn't have intruded on your family dinner."
" Come in anyways. I'd feel bad if I made you leave looking like a stray dog."
'Why a stray dog of all things?' Leonard quickly gave up.
"... Thank you, I guess?."
Melissa sidestepped to let Leonard through. When Leonard came in, she closed the door behind him and walked to Klein.
She whispered something in his ear but thanks to being a Beyonder, Leonard could hear it anyways.
" You never told me your coworker was so handsome. Is that even possible? He should be a model instead."
Leonard wanted to laugh. It wasn't the first time he heard that. He never really liked the idea of being a model. Even though he knew models make a lot more money than an official Beyonder does, he liked his peaceful life. Plus if he was to, Pallaz would reprimand him.
Saying stuff like ' you're gathering too much attention you brat! Do you want to die?.' and threaten to either fully parasitize Leonard or leave.
He slipped off his shoes and walked in. He looked around the cozy place.
" You can use one of our towels to dry your hair." Klein stated and pointed to the bathroom. Leonard nodded. Before he could walk to the bathroom Melissa chimed in. " Would you like a change of clothes too? I think we have some… spares laying around.. "
He noticed the discomfort in her when she said 'spares'. Almost as if she disliked the idea that they had 'spare' clothing.
Leonard wouldn't turn down the offer so he agreed and walked to the bathroom.
Melissa came back with a pair of clothes and placed them down in the bathroom and left. Leonard then briskly took a shower and changed into the clothing.
They weren't anything fancy. Easily something bought with a couple pence. A beige blouse and brown trousers, not his style but what was he to complain about?
He left the bathroom and was immediately hit with a scent that made his mouth water. He walked into the living room and glanced at the kitchen.
He saw Klein using a spatula to stir something in a pan. Striding over, he looked over Klein's shoulder and asked. " What are you making?"
Without turning around, Klein replied. " beef and vegetable stir fry." Leonard raised his brow. " sounds expensive."
Klein moved his hand and shooed Leonard away. " go sit down. You're distracting me. "
" right, right. got it. " Leonard looked smug as he walked into the living room and sat down on their couch, well not entirely. He had his knees on the cushion and his arms were on the back of the couch.
He had the chin on his forearms and watched as Benson came into the room. Seemingly confused at Leonard's presence before getting an explanation from Melissa. In the end the brother and sister started setting up the table.
Leonard frowned, he felt bad that they were setting up on their own. After all, he was intruding on their property. He should at least help, if he didn't he'd feel like a freeloader.
" um.. Can I help with anything?" he asked.
Melissa quickly shook her head. " we're almost done anyway. "
Leonard pouted and turned to stare at the wall. When Klein had finished cooking, he announced it. The siblings all got themselves a plate. But Leonard didn't move from his spot on the couch.
Klein looked at him confused. " Are you not going to join us?"
Leonard flinched and looked at him. ' Am I allowed to?' he wanted to say but it didn't come out.
" You haven't eaten all day brat. Go eat." Pallaz sternly remarked.
He pursed his lip before getting up and walked to Klein who already had a plate ready for him. He grabbed it and murmured a "thank you" before sitting down at the dinner table.
The people at the dinner table briefly prayed to their goddess before eating. Leonard was hesitant, he felt very awkward now that he was at the table with the Moretti siblings.
Having noticed Leonard's hesitation Benson smiled and said, " you don't have to be so anxious. We don't bite."
' How funny… ' Leonard's brow twitched.
Having actually understood Leonard's dilemma, Klein said, " don't worry about it. You're the first guest we've had in years. Plus it's always nice too have friends over. ."
' friends.. ' Leonard felt happy to know that Klein saw him as his friend.
"yes, besides-" Melissa interjected, turning her attention from Klein to Leonard. " Someone needs to experience how amazing of a cook Klein is." Her tone didn't seem enthusiastic but her eyes show her eagerness.
"oh?" Leonard glanced at Klein with surprise.
"it's really not that amazing... "
"Quiet, you. "
Leonard chuckled at the siblings' banter. He grabbed his fork and hesitantly picked up a few pieces and ate it.
To say the least, his taste buds were sent to heaven at that moment…
"holy shit.. " Leonard spoke, awestruck.
After seeing Leonard's reaction, Melissa, Benson, and Klein all consecutively laughed. Leonard's face burned hot for a moment.
"sh-shut up!" he exclaimed.
The rest of the meal time was spent eating and having idle chatter. Leonard learned Melissa was quite the engineer. She even fixed his watch which had malfunctioned thanks to the rain.
The atmosphere was quite domestic and it made Leonard feel more at ease.
Melissa got up and grabbed the plates. At that moment, Leonard also sprung up from his seat. " Let me help you. "
"ok. "
The duo then did their jobs when doing dishes. Melissa cleaned and Leonard dried them off.
Leonard glanced back at Benson and Klein who were already chatting on the couch. Curious, he asked Melissa. " Has Klein always been good at cooking?"
She shook her head. " He only started cooking about a month ago. Apparently he's been taking lessons from an acquaintances chef. "
' only a month ago? This man's either been lying or he's just a genius.' He almost laughed at the idea of Klein being a genius.
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"Then how is your drinking water?"
"We give food or coins to the 'Landlord Alliance' upstairs in exchange."
"…Landlord Alliance?"
Being brought back from his memory's Leonard glanced at Kim Dokja who started sitting up straight, clearly interested.
The boy hesitantly opened his mouth, "They are the landlords in charge of the Chungmuro area. They occupy the upper floors, and we call them the Landlord Alliance."
The beyonders briefly remembered Kim Dokja mentioned them during his summary of the current Scenario.
"What type of people are they?"
"Well, what should I say… They are just landlords."
' so they are annoying. Got it.' Klein bemused.
At this moment, the quiet Lee Gilyoung opened his mouth, "Excuse me, hyung."
"Yes?"
"I want to go to the toilet."
"Is it urgent?"
"Yes."
The timing was a bit unexpected. Lee Gilyoung wasn't normally a kid who said these things. That was until Kim Dokja noticed a blushing Yoo Sangah.
"…Excuse me, can I also go with you?"
' ahh. So it's like that.' Klein was amused at Gilyoung's quick thinking. He had noticed before anyone else did.
The boy overheard the conversation and said, "You need to go up to the second underground floor for the toilet, but it won't be easy to enter."
"…Has something happened?"
"Yes. I think it is better to see directly… I'm going up to, would you like to go with me?'
"Let's go." Kim Dokja said.
With Kim Dokja (who was carrying Jung Heewon on his back) in the lead, the group went up to the third underground level.
"Oh, I heard that there were new faces. Have you come to see the rooms?" A middle-aged man standing near the escalator for line 4 whistled.
The boy shook his head and replied, "Ah, I'm sorry. We are going upstairs…"
"Eh, too bad. Be careful." The middle-aged man waved his hands without hesitation.
Yoo Sangah watched the middle-aged man moving away and asked, "That… By the way… what exactly is the 'room'? I don't think it is the same as the room that I know."
"It is easy." The boy pointed to a square tile that was also present on the platform of line 3. They were green tiles that were 1 pyeong in size. Hovering above the squares were written text.
[Green Zone 0/1]
"The scenario name is 'green zone,' and these tiles are called rooms."
Klein watched as the two men fought for the room.
" These 'room's' probably act as a safe zone. The text says '0/1' stating that there's a capacity. There must be rooms with higher capacity as well. Judging by how dangerous the past scenarios have been. One can assume that enemies will appear." Klein then glanced at the boy. " I'm assuming these enemies come in waves?"
The boy nodded, which let Klein continue. " If that's the case then there must be more of these rooms littered across the station. But there's one obstacle that commandeers most of the rooms. It's quite obvious who."
With Klein/Gehrman's analysis, the group quickly came to a realization. ' The Landlord Alliance was monopolizing the rooms. '
Lee Hyunsung couldn't help but comment. " This is the most I've seen you talk. "
"...."
The boy looked at Klein with amusement. " Interesting, you figured that out without even seeing the landlord alliance. "
"It's obvious enough."
' not really.' countless people in the group mentally commented.
The group climbed to the higher floors, where more people fought over rooms. small rooms labeled (0/1) and large rooms labeled (0/7). Kim Dokja looked around carefully and asked, "The third underground floor to the first underground floor is all the area of the Landlord Association?"
"…Yes. They are small forces, but the Landlord Association has obtained most of it."
All the infrastructure of Chungmuro was located on the second and first underground floors, yet a single alliance occupied all of it. Just as Klein had said, they were monopolizing them.
"Yoo Joonghyuk didn't take any action? Didn't he save you?"
"That…" The boy's face became noticeably darker at Kim Dokja's question. The boy looked sullen for a while before barely being able to speak. "He told us to stand on our own…"
' That's to be expected. Yoo Joonghyuk would say something like that. Perhaps Yoo Joonghyuk never told them to follow him. Fascinated by the overwhelming force he displayed, they went on to have hopeful dreams. How pitiful.' Kim Dokja sighed.
Not long after, they reached the second underground floor. There was tension on the boy's face. "We have to be careful from here onward."
There were alot more zones here than there were on the previous levels. Instead of fights, people seemed to be guarding their green zones.
The group passed by the people and headed toward the bathrooms.
"Uh… Why stop here?"
Their pace came to a stop as they approached the last passage to the bathroom. Like a bottleneck, dozens of people were gathered in the passage.
"Let's go forward," Kim Dokja said while pushing people out of the way.
In an easier fashion, Klein pulled out his revolver and held it in his hand. Turning the cylinder with each click, someone's attention was drawn. Once they saw the gun they'd get out of his way in fear.
Audrey and Leonard followed behind him with quick paces, not wanting to get in the middle of the crowd.
"Pildu-ssi! Please accept it! I won't do it again! Please, please! Please let me stay one more day. I'll go into debt to get the coins!" The leader at the head of the line was facing the agitated people.
"Now now, back off. Back off." On the opposite side, people who seemed to be from the Landlord Association were gathered there.
Kim dokja scanned across all the landlords and furrowed his brow in confusion. He shook his head when someone grabbed his leg. He looked down at Lee Gilyoung. Sensing danger, he was about to hold onto his shoulder when someone pushed Lee Gilyoung.
"Ah." Lee Gilyoung lost his balance and fell down.
[The character 'Lee Gilyoung' has invaded private property!]
Suddenly, the atmosphere became cold, and some of the 'Landlord Association' members in the front looked at Lee Gilyoung.
"What is with this child?"
At almost the same time, the crowd of people screamed and withdrew.
"Crazy!"
"B-Back! Quickly!"
' This isn't good. ' Klein frowned.
As if they were never there, the crowd of people rushed back like a tide. The people disappeared, and red lines shone where they used to be standing. One man looked between the boundary and Lee Gilyoung in turn. "Hrmm. You seem lost. Do you know where this is?"
"The way to the bathroom?"
"The bathroom? Haha, at one time. By the way, kid… Where are your parents?"
"…Huh?"
"Didn't you learn that you shouldn't intrude on other people's property?"
' Other people's property…'
The man stroked Lee Gilyoung's head with an unknown look.
"Since you don't know, I will teach you from now on."
[The character 'Gong Pildu' has activated 'Armed Zone Lv. 3!]
There was a whirring sound, and mini turrets resembling gatling guns rose from the ground.
[The character 'Gong Pildu' demands 500 coins for invading his private land.]
[If you don't follow the recommendations, all nearby turrets will fire immediately.]
The man said, "Give me money."
The loaded turrets were all aiming at the same point. The confused Lee Gilyoung stood up and moved to Kim Dokja's side. The man saw him and laughed. "Ah, so you are his guardian. Then shouldn't the guardian pay 500 coins instead?"
Kim Dokja smiled at the hand that the man brazenly stretched out. He looked back at Klein and noticed the very subtle change in his expression.
' Yoo Junghyuk, you shouldn't have let them go. They might end up dead now. '
Chapter Text
Kim Dokja learned that Gong Pildu was in the area. One of the 10 evils in Ways of Survival. No one would know about him unless they read the whole book, like himself.
[Green Zone 56/70]
Indeed, the size of his room was different. It couldn't be measured easily. This whole green zone was Gong Pildu's area.
'Let's do the standard procedure' .
He hid Lee Gilyoung behind him and opened his mouth, "Why should we pay you coins? Chungmuro Station is a public place."
"Haha, it was until eight days ago. But not anymore."
'For ordinary humans, 500 coins wasn't a small sum. Making people pay 500 coins just for stepping on his land… What a crook.'
"Okay, I'll give it, but I'll give it to the person directly."
"What?"
"You aren't Gong Pildu."
Gong Pildu might be a villain, but right now, the person in front of him is just Extra '1' of the Landlord Alliance.
'Where are you, Gong Pildu? ' He quickly looked around, trying to find Gong Pildu.
"Haha, you are a funny guy. Hey, you're playing with me now…"
"Gong Pildu-ssi. Where are you? Take the fine."
He ignored them and kept walking.
[The character 'Kim Dokja' has invaded private property!]
The turrets aimed straight at him but he didn't stop, no he couldn't. He had to show his combat prowess. To show Gong Pildu not to underestimate him.
"That's how far you'll get. I will shoot if you come closer." Finally, Gong Pildu moved. There was a bench covered with various supplies. A middle-aged man who was sitting on top of it and reading a magazine was staring at Kim Dokja.
This was Gong Pildu, the representative of the Landlord Alliance.
"This is a face I've never seen before but you are great."
"Isn't it unfair that I need to pay to see you?"
[The character 'Gong Pildu' is interested in you.]
It seems like Kim Dokja was a magnet for bad guys.
"You are fairly good at talking. But it isn't good to be too cocky."
Tadak. He heard magic bullets being loaded in the turrets. 'Damn bastard' .
Gong Pildu smiled like an ordinary neighborhood ahjussi, but Kim Dokja knew he was anything but ordinary.
"By the way, what did you come here for? I don't think your goal is paying the fine."
Kim Dokja pondered for a moment. 'Should I negotiate here or overpower Gong Pildu? Wouldn't be hard to do so, even more so if Klein joins. Which I'm sure he would.'
Kim Dokja then looked at the turrets. ' speaking of.. Would klein be able to protect me from those?' He began to get nervous. Would he have to get badly injured?
"I'm warning you that you shouldn't think of anything." Gong Pildu smiled at him. His troops surrounded Lee Hyunsung. He really moved quickly.
He laughed and raised both hands. "Please calm down. Isn't it obvious for a tenant to come to the landlord?"
"Is it for a room?"
"Yes. Please let my companions and I sit in your green zone. "
After all, it was needed in order to get to the next scenario. However, Gong Pildu's answer was as expected. "No. The alliance doesn't accept outsiders. I'll think about it if every person pays 500 coins a day."
' 500 coins a day??!' Klein, who was observing the interaction with an on guard stance, almost lost his footing. He'd rather overthrow the alliance than pay that much.
"It is a bit tough, so I will give you information instead."
"What information?"
"Information about Yoo Joonghyuk."
'Yoo Joonghyuk'. The complexions of the landlords changed with that one name.
"Yoo Joonghyuk? Yoo Joonghyuk caused such an uproar not long ago…"
"You bastard! What is your relationship with that guy?"
"Pildu-ssi! Isn't this bastard suspicious?"
Gong Pildu stared at Kim Dokja with suspicion. "What is your relationship with Yoo Joonghyuk?"
"We are companions separated by life and death."
Audrey covered her mouth to hide her amused smile. ' companions separated by life and death. Kim Dokja you sound like you're going to marry Yoo Joonghyuk.'
"…I don't think it is like that?"
"Anyway, we're friendly."
"How can I believe that?"
"Don't believe me. Don't you have nothing to lose?"
It was at the moment Klein tapped Leonard on the shoulder and whispered to him. Leonard nodded in understanding. Klein then glanced down at Audrey and whispered to her as well. She nodded, " got it."
Klein then turned around and walked off to go to Kim Dokja.
Meanwhile Leonard looked around briefly and then crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
Audrey readied her hypnosis abilities to do a quick mass hypnosis.
Kim Dokja turned around without hesitation. After all, if you hesitate, you're bound to regret it more.
"Wait a minute. You have to pay the fine for intruding. Where are you trying to flee to?"
Kim Dokja flinched, regretting his decision. He turned around with an awkward smile, "How much? 100 coins?"
"No, you and that kid are 1,000 coins."
' Did this bastard think that 1,000 coins were 1,000 won…? ' He thought with irritation.
"That is too much."
At that moment..
[The fourth wall is trembling]
' what?' Confused, he looked back.
[ The Anomaly 'Klein Moretti' has Invaded Private Property]
Gong Pildu smirked. "What, one of your friends? Here to protect your friend?" he shook his head. He looked Klein up and down before he smirked. He believed this man must have a lot of money on him based on his appearance.
"won't you pay in their stead? 1, 500."
Klein/Gehrman just stood there. He looked at the turrets. Without hesitation he shot at one but instead of the bang of a pistol, it was louder. Sounded more like a cannon.
It didn't matter though, because what brought absolute shock to everyone. Was that singular bullet had decimated the turret.
Gong Pildu was stunned before he frowned and roared, " DIE!!"
All turrets aimed at Klein, as if they knew he was more dangerous than Kim Dokja. Kim Dokja backed away quickly and ran to his friends.
Klein moved his body just enough so that every bullet that the turrets shot would miss him, if some got close he'd turn into fire and disappear. He shot at the turrets and quickly disposed of them with loud bangs.
In a quick action, Klein appeared in front of Gong Pildu and pointed his gun directly at his skull. The smoke burning up the skin.
Gong Pildu nervously sweats. " W-who the hell are you?!"
Klein used his free hand to tip his hat a little. " Gehrman Sparrow, Bounty hunter. "
' though it was mostly pirates. ' He didn't add. He then used a uniquely designed gloved hand to grip Gong Pildu's neck and lift him up. " your stigma seems useful. Mind if I take it?"
A terrible pain erupted from his body and he began screaming.
Kim dokja.. Was confused.
In front of him he saw Klein standing right in front of a Gong Pildu on his knees. Screaming like he was in immense pain.
But Klein wasn't doing anything. He didn't even have his gun out. The turrets were trained directly on him, but he didn't flinch, neither did they activate.
Not only that, but the landlord alliance members had fallen over and were in a deep sleep. ' What the hell is going on?!'
The crowd didn't even seem to notice what was going on. Lee Hyunsung, Lee Gilyoung, and Yoo Sangah were in a trance-like state as well.
He's never seen this happen.
He looked at the two beyonders who weren't that far away. One had his eyes closed and the other was keeping an eye on him, as if she was expecting him to fall over any time now.
' This has to be their doing. '
He briskly walked over and asked Audrey, " what is happening? What did you guys do?"
Audrey looked at him with a smile, " we didn't do much. It was mostly Leonard. I only temporarily hypnotized the crowd so they wouldn't see Klein's name and used telepathy to keep them in a trance like state. So they wouldn't see the oddity of the situation.
Leonard had put the landlords to sleep and put Gong Pildu in a dream. What he's seeing right now isn't real, but it feels real." She then looked at Kim Dokja with amusement.
" How is it? Seeing Leonard's power for the first time like?"
Kim Dokja couldn't even describe it. But he now had the gist of what their general abilities were.
Audrey is a hypnotist, she uses other people's emotions to her advantage and is far more observant than others.
Leonard seems to have abilities related to darkness and dreams. Night vision, deep slumbers, drawing people into dreams. That's at least the most he could get.
Klein is still an enigma. He felt like his whole ordeal was being a magician or an actor.
He then glanced at Klein. Curious, he asked. " then.. What is Klein's role?"
Audrey pondered for a moment but then smiled. " intimidation factor. If you wake up after being tortured in your dream by a specific someone. If that person is the first you see when you wake up, your mind will process the dream as real."
' I see.. I'm glad they are on my side.' Kim Dokja trembled.
" what the fuck is this?!"
The abrupt yell caused Audrey and Kim Dokja to jump in surprise. It also seemed to have awoken Leonard who opened his eyes and looked up.
His brows furrowed and he grumbled.
The one who yelled was Lee Jihye, directly behind her stood none other than Yoo Joonghyuk.
He gazed at Kim Dokja with fierce eyes.
[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is greatly disturbed.]
[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 2 has been activated!]
There was a brief moment of dizziness, and Kim Dokja started to hear his thoughts.
「 How… Already? 」
He waved to him and said casually, "Hi Joonghyuk."
「······.」
"Have you been well? Your face looks good?"
「······.」
Lee Jihye looked at them in astonishment. She couldn't believe her eyes.
While they were interacting on their own, Klein was busy gripping onto Gong Pildu's collar.
Gong Pildu was shaken, he didn't know what to think of the situation but his eyes were trained on the cold gaze that hid madness.
Klein took this chance to try and extort him. " your lucky Yoo Joonghyuk arrived. I would have killed you otherwise. "
He tilted his head down more to cast a shadow over his fierce gaze. " but I'm going to need a fee. "
"f-fee?"
"a fee for the cost of keeping you alive. "
Surviving was one thing many people would do anything for. He knew Gong Pildu was one who's survivability outweighed his greed.
"how much.. "
"2500 coins. "
Gong Pildu's expression contorted in anger and disbelief. " that's too damn much!" Klein shrugged his shoulders and then gripped Gong Pildu's neck, adding pressure.
"1500 for the cost of wasting our time, and 1000 for keeping you alive. Seems fair to me. "
'that's not fair at all!'
As if reading his mind, Klein's grip grew stronger. Causing Gong Pildu to gasp, cough and gag. After a bit of hesitation, he began seeing spots. He reluctantly gave the coins to Klein.
Klein gave his neck one last squeeze before letting him drop. Turning into a coughing mess as his lungs refused to accept the onslaught of oxygen.
The landlord Alliance members who were previously asleep were currently waking up and some ran up to Gong Pildu, confused.
Klein walked off, satisfied with having more coins. He noticed Yoo Joonghyuk and furrowed his brow.
' guess the psycho is here after all. '
Previously he just used Yoo Joonghyuk as an excuse. He only had an inkling that he would show up. After all main characters always show up at the right time.
The two glared at each other before being interrupted by a gasp from Kim Dokja. "Ah, right. It would be better if you let me use the bathroom!"
The two glared at Kim Dokja who was giving a smile too wide for it to be genuine.
".... "
After a while, the group safely used the bathroom and proceeded to meet up at Platform 3.
While Kim Dokja seemed to be conversing with Yoo Joonghyuk. Well, probably more like an interrogation of sorts.
The beyonders gathered together. Leonard seemed slightly agitated which the Bizarro sorcerer and Dreamwalker both noticed.
" everything alright Leonard?" Audrey asked with emense concern.
Leonard massaged his head. " Sorry, it's just this headache is becoming annoyingly painful. It doesn't help that the psycho is here. "
'headache?' Klein looked at Leonard and asked, " you have a headache too?" This surprised Leonard.
" Wait you too?"
" Do we all have a headache?" hearing the sweet voice of their youngest, they glanced down at Audrey. As if she had read their thoughts, she nodded and explained. " I got it around the time we entered the station. "
After hearing that, Klein felt a premonition, so he pulled out his coin. ' Are these headaches dangerous?' He flipped the coin and caught it. He looked at the results. His frown deepened, Dangerous.
He looked at Kim Dokja and said, " we're going to explore the station more. "
Kim dokja looked back at them confused, " hunh? Oh uh okay. Come back quickly though. We only have an hour before the third scenario starts. "
Klein waved his hand dismissively before dragging Leonard away from the group with Audrey following behind them.
They reached a secluded place, Klein crouched down and pulled out his spirit pendulum.
Understanding what he was doing, Audrey and Leonard stayed quiet so as to not break his concentration.
"How dangerous are these headaches?" He repeated that question several times in his head. The pendulum began to spin counterclockwise.
Curious, Audrey leaned towards Leonard and asked, " what does counterclockwise mean?"
With a frown he answered. " It means it's dangerous. The faster the pendulum rotates the more dangerous it is. "
Audrey nodded before looking at the Pendulum. " then… what does that mean?"
Unlike the usual times Klein had always used the pendulum. It always gave good results unless it was intervened. But never in his life did he see this method react this way.
Though the pendulum was going counterclockwise, its momentum varied. One moment it was slow, the next it was spinning like there was no tomorrow. A few times it seemed like it was going clockwise.
It looked like the pendulum was confused, which made Klein even more confused.
He stayed crouching for a little while contemplating the meaning.
' The headaches were both dangerous, yet not for a minor extent.. It seemed bad at times but yet extremely dangerous at other times. Almost like it's trying to calculate multiple outcomes or multiple routes. '
Wanting to test something out, he straightened the pendulum. " Do good things come from these headaches?" after repeating it several times. The pendulum spun clockwise rapidly.
Whatever these headaches were. It seemed like it's a high risk, high reward ordeal…
Chapter Text
The beyonders stayed quiet for a long time, as they tried to understand their current situation. Klein stood up and began to explain his theory.
" I don't believe these headaches are necessarily dangerous. Judging by the pendulum's confusion, it could be that the reason behind these headaches might have a different variety of dangers. Yet also have grand rewards. "
"so.. Now what? Do we just wait until our heads explode?" Leonard made the snide remark.
Worried, Audrey quickly asked. " Should we ask Kim Dokja? He might know. "
Leonard and Klein silently agreed. This was Kim Dokja's World. He knew everything that needed to be known. Maybe that book he read had something similar happen.
Klein looked back at the two. " Let's head back to the group. "
' Hopefully we can tear Kim Dokja away from Yoo Joonghyuk. I'm starting to feel bad for him. ' Klein Lampooned.
The beyonder's arrived right on time, as they heard Kim Dokja sort everyone into their own groups.
"-while Heewon-ssi should take Gilyoung."
"Dokja-ssi?"
"I'm fine on my ow-" before he could even finish his sentence, Leonard wrapped an arm around his neck with a wide grin.
" We will go with Dokja-ssi~" He drew out the last syllable. Making his tone mischievous. Kim Dokja just looked at Leonard with the most suspicious glare Leonard had ever seen.
The group seemed to sigh in relief. Even though they trusted Kim Dokja, they felt better knowing that Leonard, Klein/Gehrman, and Audrey were going with him.
Lee Gilyoung quickly asked, "Hyung, that…what if we can't find one?"
"If we can't find a room, then 20 minutes before the scenario starts, we will gather here again."
"I understand. Then I'm going."
The team scattered in an orderly fashion. Jung Heewon and Lee Gilyoung went to B2 while Yoo Sangah and Lee Hyunsung went to B3.
All while Kim Dokja watched his team leave.
Leonard looked around and asked, " Where's Yoo Joonghyuk?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Kim dokja looked back and replied. " left a while ago. "
"I see. "
He then pulled out his smartphone and opened Ways of Survival.
At that moment, he heard Klein ask, " there's no more rooms in the station is there?"
「 There were no rooms left in Chungmuro. 」
Kim Dokja mentally sighed. not revealing his expression. He felt like Klein already knew the answer before he even asked.
Having apparently received his answer. Klein asked, " we'd like your opinion on something. "
Kim Dokja closed his phone and looked up at them, curiosity in his gaze. The beyonder briefly informed Kim Dokja on their situation.
Kim Dokja stayed silent with scrunched up brows. Seemingly trying to recall anything.
He exhaled and shook his head. " I may have an idea. But it's uncertain."
The beyonders put their full attention on him.
"it could be a Sub Scenario. It happens when a certain requirement is met. Like a location. As you already know, scenarios have grades and rewards. The higher the grade, naturally the greater the rewards are.
Problem is, I've never heard of a sub-scenario being induced by a terrible headache. Seriously, how did you even activate such a scenario?"
Leonard was the one to sigh exasperatedly, " no idea. "
Klein then took his chance to ask Kim Dokja. "Any idea what might happen when it gets worse?"
"well.. You might enter the sub-scenario-"
He looked at Klein and gave him a wide grin. " or your head will explode. "
Klein felt like he wanted to smack that smug look off his face. Instead, he smirked and responded.
" then you better start thinking about ways to pass the scenario without us. "
"I already got that handled, I thought about that outcome since day 1. "
"Then you better do a good job while we're away. No dying on us you hear?"
"don't plan on it. " (spoilers: you plan on it)
Leonard seemed confused, while Audrey smiled at their banter.
[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is wondering what you are doing.]
Kim dokja and the other beyonders (except Klein of course) flinched. They seemed to have forgotten that the Constellations were watching.
[What are you guys doing now?]
And a dokkaebi…
He was glad that thanks to the beyonders in front of him. He already knew no one but him could see the texts on his smartphone.
While the fight around them raged on, they heard a loud noise.
"Kuaack!"
They glanced over at the winner of the Platform Line 3.
[Green Zone 1/1]
"…Don't come any closer."
Spinning a knife in his hand, the boy looked at them. He gave them a grin which seemed familiar to Klein. Where had he seen that grin before?
'…..'
"Don't worry, I won't take your room." Kim Dokja spoke reassuringly.
"Really? You are quite relaxed ahjussi. Do you want to die?"
He didn't need to look back to recognize that voice.
"It looks like you are quite free."
"Nobody touches my room. I will send everyone who touches it to hell."
Lee Jihye twirled a deep blue blade round and round.
' she's got quite the personality..' Klein mentally commented.
Kim dokja however was contemplating something. He knew the beyonders were strong. But since he couldn't see their stats he has no idea just how strong they are.
So when he saw Lee Jihye he immediately thought, ' would she be able to fight against one of them?' it didn't take him long to figure out who'd win. With how the abilities of the beyonders worked, he felt like Lee Jihye wouldn't stand a chance.
She might be able to go against Leonard, but that's because Kim Dokja hasn't truly seen him in action. He's only seen him make people go to sleep.
Lee Jihye glanced between all of them. She then looked back at Kim Dokja carefully.
"I don't want ahjussi to die. You were quite impressive against Master earlier."
"Don't worry, I won't die. I won't die even if I don't find a room."
It was true. He had a plan. Well multiple and if possible. The best plan is if Klein, Leonard, and Audrey don't disappear on him.
Lee Jihye's eyes narrowed.
"Ahjussi, do you know what you are saying right now?"
"Yes."
"Ahjussi, are you strong? As strong as Master?" She then narrowed her eyes to the 3 beyonders. "Are they as strong as Master?"
Before Kim dokja could respond, Yoo Joonghyuk appeared behind Lee Jihye.
"Stop and go back to your room."
"Ah…yes. Master."
Lee Jihye obediently left and Yoo Joonghyuk turned towards them.
"Are you going to fight the monsters?"
Kim Dokja shrugged.
"You will die. Your four companions as well."
"That remains to be seen."
' I love how he didn't even mention Klein, Leonard and Audrey in that list of companions… wait- sage's eye!' Kim Dokja was surprised. How could he have forgotten about that skill?
' Since Yoo Joonghyuk didn't mention Leonard and Audrey. Does that mean he acknowledges them to be as strong as well?' Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes at the beyonders.
Audrey noticed and smiled at him. Which sent a shiver down his spine.
There was an unknown emotion in Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes as he glared at Kim Dokja. He then looked between Klein and the others. It seemed as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately gave up and left.
The 4 waited until they saw the announcement.
[There are 20 minutes before the third scenario is activated.]
Their headaches seemed to be getting worse, as Leonard and Audrey were clutching or rubbing their heads. To try and relieve the pressure.
Klein seemed fine but slightly agitated. If the other two were in that state, Klein was as well, he just didn't show it.
Seeing them like this makes Kim Dokja worried, but it's not like he can do anything to help them. At Least nothing he can think of.
There was the sound of people coming down the stairs. Lee Hyunsung, Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Sangah… looking at their dark expressions, the result was as they had expected. Yoo Sangah opened her mouth with a gloomy expression.
"Rooms…there were none."
"It's okay. Rather, where is Heewon-ssi?"
"She is trying to negotiate upstairs."
At these words, Jung Heewon jumped down with a terrible scream.
"One night is 2,000 coins? Are they joking right now? I am really going to hit them."
The agitated Jung Heewon snorted and said. "Dokja-ssi. Do you know what is happening upstairs? No―"
"They suddenly raised the taxes, right?"
"Eh…you already know?"
He could guess, It was a predictable outcome.
"Did you guys find anything?"
"No, we didn't."
"Ah…"
Yoo Sangah looked at Audrey and Leonard with concern. " Are you two okay?"
Leonard just groaned and stood behind Klein with his head down, probably trying to block out any irritating light.
Audrey smiled at Yoo Sangah and said, " don't worry. Just a terrible headache. Don't mind us. "
"Are you sure? I can try and find some Tylenol."
"It's too late for that. We will be fine. "
"ok." Feeling dejected, she turned to Kim Dokja.
Audrey quickly noticed what Leonard was doing. As if wanting to join in on the fun. She walked over to Klein and brought his arm to her eyes and smiled.
" Gehrman is the best. "
Klein just grunted. Using his free hand to tilt his hat down to cover his own eyes. Not only did his eyes burn, but felt like they were pulsating. His head felt like a sledgehammer was shattering his skull.
The beyonders silently listened to Kim Dokja explain his plan. Which could be summarized with ' plan one is to kill people and take their spot, and the second plan was to listen to Kim Dokja unconditionally. '
Everyone seemed hesitant. Noticing the silence from the beyonders. Lee Hyunsung was about to ask them what they thought they should do. Before he gasped and backed away.
In that instant, the beyonders' heads felt like a drill was drilling into their brains. It was so painful, even Klein broke his facade a little and groaned as he brought his hand to his head.
They had all closed their eyes side by side, as the lights of the station were too bright for their now extremely sensitive eyes. They started seeing spots and static in their own vision. Their heads felt light while they bodies felt heavy.
In that moment they all fainted.
What the beyonders couldn't see that the others saw. Was a large oval portal that reflected no light, just pure black had appeared behind the beyonders.
Before they could react, Kim Dokja had told them to stop. Thus they did and simply watched as 3 pairs of hands reached through the portal and covered their eyes.
One had reddish-brown skin and had long black sleeves with gold trims scaling the sleeves, sharp black nails that resembled claws.
One had pale skin and wore red sleeves with steel gauntlets.
And the last one, who covered Klein's eyes. We're slender and fair hands with red nails and feathers surrounded its wrists and forearm. A sizzling sound came from their contact.
In that instant.. The beyonders were pulled through the portal, and disappeared.
".... "
Yoo Sangah looked at Kim Dokja with desperation. " D-Dokja-ssi, what do we-"
"we do nothing.. They should be fine." he said reassuringly. Genuinely he couldn't tell. He had never heard of this happening, ever. Not even in Ways of Survival.
But just as he had told the beyonders. It was either their heads would explode or they'd be brought into a sub-scenario.
Judging by how there's no brain matter anywhere. The outcome seems obvious. The best he can do now is continue on and wish them good luck.
"Follow me. "
P. O. V: HOT Trio
Weightless..
Everything felt weightless to Klein. Like gravity was sealed away into the far corners of the universe. Where there was previously an obnoxiously painful migraine, was just white noise. Not even his thoughts protruded from this silence..
Bringing himself together, he opened his eyes slowly and sat up.
His body felt so light he didn't even realize he was on a solid surface.
"whoa." He glanced over and looked at Audrey. She looked forward in awe. Curious as he was, he did the same and was stunned into silence at the breathtaking environment.
The sky above resembled the cosmos, a spectacular sight resembling a watercolor painting. One could see countless stars littered across the horizon. There were 5 moons, 3 loomed terrifyingly close to their location. But far enough to not cause any alarm, 2 other moons were farther away and faintly seen.
Like the sky, the ground reflected it like a mirror as mist danced along the surface, separating the sky and ground.
Between these two divided masses. We're 2 intricate pillars. Between the pillars were 5 arch's.
As if blessed with unknown knowledge. A wave of information passed through their memories. Nothing that would cause them harm, but the locations name.
".)
Chapter Text
Awestruck. The now awakened beyonder stared at the amazing scenery.
"wow.. Just.. Wow. " Audrey sighed. She looked down at the ground and noticed ripples on the ground. Curious, she poked her own reflection.
Watching it ripple like waves of water. She smiled brightly, like an excited puppy she poked the ground more. " This is amazing!" she exclaimed.
Leonard was the first to stand up and nodded his head. He noticed the ripples and tapped his foot on the ground in amusement. " It's like we're walking on water. "
He looked up slightly and just stared at himself. ' Man, I'm handsome. ' after briefly stroking his own ego. He glanced at klein.
He gasped when he saw his face. " fuck. Klein are you okay?!"
Leonard ran up to Klein and crouched down in front of him to take a better look. His hands hovering in front of him, scared of touching his face. Curious, Audrey came around to look and covered her mouth. Eyes widened in shock.
' of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?'
Confused, klein hesitantly looked down at his reflection. On his face in the shape of hand prints; were reddened, disfigured and melted, blackened and charred skin. A piece of his skull poked thought the grotesque appearance.
He pokes it, recoiling in pain he realized one thing. These burns went through his skin to his bone. He noticed real quick he had gotten fourth- degree burns. But from what? Why was he the only one burned?
Klein dug into his jacket pocket and pulled out a paper figurine. He looked at Leonard and calmly said, " I'm fine. I didn't even feel it."
He really didn't. He didn't even know it was there to begin with.
Still concerned, Leonard watched carefully as Klein used his bizaro sorcerer abilities to transfer the burn onto the paper figurine.
In doing so, his face returned to normal. But the paper figurine disintegrated into nothing but ashes that blew away into the dimension.
Seeing that Klein was okay now he sighed in relief and stood back up before asking, "What now?"
Still perplexed, Klein could only respond with. " I don't know. "
He genuinely didn't know. If this was a sub-scenario. What did they need to do? There were no screens to indicate what to do.
As if reading his thoughts, a giant holographic screen appeared in front of them.
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
The Gateway
"A dimension created by a Primordial deity as a memorial to his creation: Seari, as well as the shattered spirits of Seari.
Not only as a memorial. The gateway acts as a guide to those lost through countless dimensions, Time, and realities. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
' A guide to those lost through dimensions, time, and realities.. Is it talking about us?' Klein pondered on the meaning. They were indeed in a place vastly different from their own.
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
" You three are in a world to which shouldn't exist too you. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
'.... Did it just.. Respond to my thoughts?'
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"Of course."
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
"!!!" Klein flinched. " The screen has a consciousness. " Audrey and Leonard looked at him with surprise.
"Wait seriously?!" Leonard exclaimed. He looked at the giant screen and asked. " Who are you?"
They waited for a response, but it didn't come. Leonard frowned, upset at being ignored. Instead Audrey looked towards the 5 arches in the distance and asked. " What are the arches for?"
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"Gateways.
To get back to your own reality, one must complete a set amount of trials.
When each trial ends, a piece of the final Gateway will form in this dimension. Each trial has a shattered piece of the key one must collect."
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
"trials.." Audrey murmured, she looked up at the screen with determination.
"You stated that there's a final gateway. Will it form when all trials are completed? And it's our way home?"
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"precisely."
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
Audrey put her hands on her hips then looked back at the men. " Shall we go investigate the gates?"
"not like we can do anything else." Leonard said nonchalantly.
Klein could only sigh. He couldn't disagree. There didn't seem a way out aside from the gates.
As the trio walked towards the gates, Klein briefly looked at the giant screen. Which seems to be hovering around them. " what happens when we complete a trial?"
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"one will be rewarded and get transported back to the reality you currently reside in.
Also know as 'aDdAfAgFgDaAgFxAfAxG vXxAdGfXxAvXgD'
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
….
"what was that again?" Leonard asked with scrunched up brows. Perplexed at what it just said. ' it didn't even say words. It just said gibberish!'
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"aDdAfAgFgDaAgFxAfAxG vXxAdGfXxAvXgD?"
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
The consciousness seemed confused, and so were the beyonders who didn't understand what it was trying to say.
Klein stared at the screen with a frown. 'Is it possible that it's censored?' disappointed, Klein decided to put his attention on the gates.
The gates were made of marble and nailed to them were plaques with the title of the trial written on it. Curious, Klein walked up to one of the gates and put his hand on it.
He looked up and examined the giant gate. It was the second to the left, slightly smaller than the gate in the center. This gate however, unlike the others, had a reflective glow to it. He glanced down at the plaque.
' Trial of Reflection.' Absentmindedly, Klein didn't notice the other two had walked up to the gates as well.
To his left, Audrey peeked at the plaque which had a slight crack on it and said aloud, " Trial of stars?" when she had gotten closer she could hear the faint sound of creaking and grinding.
On the other side to their right Leonard was staring at a shattered plaque with furrowed brows. It was the only plaque that seemed completely shattered. The title on it was almost indecipherable, but Leonard was able to read it.
" trial… of corruption.. "
' That doesn't sound good at all.. ' he looked at Klein. He felt like this over thinker might figure something out about the gates. He wasn't wrong either, as Klein's mind started going into overdrive.
' even though each gate resembles each other apart from size, there are special effects related to each gate. Not only that each plaque has a different range of damage, could that represent their difficulty?' Though he wasn't as observant as Audrey was, he could still examine each gate thoroughly. Thus he did, walking up to each gate he had figured out their titles and the effects.
When he got all the information he needed, he gathered the small group and told them what he had figured out and what he theorized.
" 'Trial of Stars', gives off a sort of creaking and grinding sound like gears turning. The plaque is also slightly cracked, so we can assume that it's slightly dangerous.
'Trial of Reflection', has a semi reflective surface. Its plaque, though scratched, has no cracks. Easier to assume this is the safest gate.
' Trial of Corruption', gives off an ominous sound, to be more specific. It sounds like there are just too many things going on which makes it difficult to make out anything relevant. Its plaque is also damaged beyond repair.. "
Klein frowned, all 3 of them agreed on one thing. ' This gate is the most dangerous.' Feeling a shiver crawl up his spine, Leonard quickly concluded.
" Let's save the Trial of Corruption for last.." everyone agreed, Klein then continued to finish summarizing the last two gates.
" ' Trial of Isolation', extremely cold to the touch and its plaque is the second most damaged.
Finally ' Trial of Duality', cries and laughter can be heard from the gate, the plaque is the most unique one. As the cracks are all on one side of the plaque while the other side is only scratched… "
"okay.. So we know the difficulty.. But that doesn't help us figure out what we're getting into. " Leonard commented.
Klein agreed, they knew the difficulty, but they had no clue what to expect on the other side. With hopeful thinking he looked at the floating screen.
" can you tell us anything about what to expect from the gates? "
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
" I unfortunately cannot tell you what to expect from inside the trials. As the trials never stay the same. But in a sense, you were correct about the difficulty, but yet wrong. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
' I was correct, yet wrong? How does that make sense?' Klein began to rethink his theory.
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"You were correct about everything but the Trial of Corruption.
The Trial of Corruption. If I were to put it into the context of the Star Stream. Would be a '???' or 'unknown' rank. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
Having caught on to what the screen was saying. He said, " So it's not that that trial is the hardest, it's rank varies based on our course of actions within the trial?"
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
" precisely.
Now choose quickly, time doesn't wait for anyone. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
Right, they have to get back quickly to help Kim Dokja. " I say we go into the Trial of Reflection. It's the lowest ranked so it would be easier. " Klein announced.
The screen shook for a moment which didn't pass by Audrey. As if understanding something, Audrey got an idea and asked.
"Mr. Screen, do you have a gate you recommend?"
'Mr. Screen ?' Leonard smiled at the odd nickname for the screen. The screen seemed to ponder for a moment, as it didn't change for a while. After a moment, it finally said.
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"Trial of Stars"
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
"trial of stars. Why trial of stars?" Leonard asked. He didn't understand why 'Mr. Screen' was recommending that trial. Even Klein was confused.
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
".. Mhn.. Uhhh.. Hhhgggg!!"
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
"... Is he really trying to voice his frustration with text?" Leonard looked at the screen with an incredulous look.' wait.. Why is it frustrated?'
As if reading his thoughts, Audrey asked. " Can you not tell us?"
╭────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╮
"precisely. "
╰────── · · ୨୧ · · ──────╯
Feeling pitiful of the being behind the screen, Audrey gently tapped the screen in a consoling manner. She then had a thought. ' Though mr. Screen can't seem to tell us anything about the trials. If this place is to guide people back to their own universes. Mr. Screen must have the best of intentions for us.'
She slightly turned her head towards the two men. With determination she said, "I think we should go to the Trial of Stars. If this place is to help us get home. Then what Mr. Screen says it must be the most efficient way."
What Audrey said seemed reasonable. Though they can't exactly trust the being behind the screen. If they wanted them dead it would have been easy.
Klein, though slightly disappointed: nodded his head. He really wanted to enter the Trial of Reflection for some reason. It could just be his intuition, but he felt like they would gain a lot more there. Like answers.
' How did they get to this world? Why are they here? What brought them here? Were they brought here for a purpose? Why?' questions he couldn't get an answer to no matter where he went.
He could try asking the star stream. But would that be the right decision? He highly doubted they would help him. In fact they would probably do the opposite.
Kim dokja didn't seem to know anything either.
The being behind the screen can't give them information either. All that's left were the gates.
"Alright, let's go through the Gate." Klein said with a slightly commanding voice.
In front of the gate, Klein was the first to touch the fluctuating mass of the portal. His hand went through and nothing happened. He looked over his shoulder and watched as Leonard and Audrey looked at him with nervous and worried eyes.
He nodded and took the first step in, the others followed behind him.
When they entered the trial gateway, they were immediately greeted by a dark galaxy littered with distant stars and nearby planets they could clearly make out.
What they stood on was bronze metal. From their view it didn't look like much. Klein felt familiar in this place. ' It resembles the Spirit world. ' he mused.
Abruptly, a screen all too familiar appeared before them.
[Sub-Scenario – Trial]
Category: Sub
Difficulty: E
Clear Conditions: fix the Archos Guardian and gather the Star.
Time Limit: 2 hours.
Compensation: 400 coins, Shattered Key piece, Gifts
Failure: Death
"Fix the Archos Guardian? What's that?" Audrey asked with curiosity. Though no one can give her an answer.
" Gather the star? How are we supposed to do that?!" Leonard exclaimed.
While the others were surprised and confused, Klein focused his attention more on the time limit and the rewards.
' 2 hours to do this trial or we die. Fantastic. The Shattered key must be the part of the key for the final gateway. Gifts are… abstract. ' they unfortunately don't have the time to stand around. Time was ticking.
" We should look around and see what we can find. "
The duo nodded, and at that moment, Klein briefly jumped off the ground and started floating upwards. Audrey and Leonard looked up at him in amazement.
" That looks so cool!" Audrey exclaimed.
Bringing his fingers to his chin, he pondered. " This atmosphere resembles the spirit world at home. "
"Wait, so we're in the spirit world?!" Leonard's eyes flew open. He didn't expect to get a chance to experience the spirit world.
Klein shook his head though. " we're definitely not in the spirit world. " 'genuinely, I think we're just in space..' he lampooned.
He frowned for a moment. If they were in space, how are they breathing just fine?
He glanced up and noticed a shimmery veil cast above them. " Look around on the ground, I'm going to go look from above." Like a natural, he glided across the wide expanse.
After about 20 seconds of flying, he reached the veil. Being cautious, he took off his hat and let it float past the barrier. When nothing happened to it, Klein reached out and grabbed it. Once again, nothing happened. Klein held his breath and flew outside the barrier.
As he had expected, the barrier was what kept the oxygen in. Luckily since Klein was a demi-god, he could stop breathing for about a day. Which made his traversing more possible here.
He looked back down and noticed what they were on.
It was a giant pocket watch which was closed shut with a blue orb at the center of it. It's chain was missing, and it didn't seem to be working. ' Was the Archos this pocket watch?' He noticed a few missing pieces like the clock hands. ' Where were the hands?' He left that detail later for when he met back up with Audrey and Leonard.
In the meantime, Klein took this chance to fly to a nearby planet.