snowfieldstories

[snowfieldstories]

In Life and Death [Chapter 3]

Kim Dokja x Reader/Original female character

In Life and Death Masterlist

Warnings: strong violence and trauma, language

A/N: This beginning part was tough to nail down. I'll probably go back and revise because I'm not totally satisfied with it.

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel of a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right epilogue to her beloved character, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

(Hahaha sorry about the gif but I have to laugh about it or I'll cry)

Episode III. Chapter 3 — A Ruined World: Round Two

Yoo Joonghyuk traveled at an awfully fast pace. We encountered a few frenzied ground rats, which we dealt with at once, and even more ground rat corpses further along.

My sword of light cast a dim glow in the tunnel. Joonghyuk, it seemed, felt no urgency to speak with me and forged ahead, leaving me with a delightful (read the sarcasm) view of his back.

The tracks continued on but our supposed conversation did not.

With this extra time to myself, I considered revealing that I was a fellow regressor. The possible benefits were surely worth it; we could collaborate over future plans more easily and prevent possible disaster. I led Dokja to believe that I wouldn't—but I wanted to let Joonghyuk know that he wasn't alone in this never-ending series of regressions. That somebody, anybody, had a small understanding of what he endured.

I remembered him. I knew this Yoo Joonghyuk, even if he didn't fully know himself.

We walked for a time with nothing to fill the silence except for the occasional scurrying of distant ground rats.

I swung the blade of light a few times and eyed Joonghyuk's back. I thought I could take him on if it came down to it. Sure, he would overpower me in the end, but I was much quicker and more agile than him with my 'Fleet Foot' skill. I could get away if he attacked. Maybe.

Sorry, Dokja. "I'm a regressor too."

After growing used to the rhythmic footsteps ahead of me, the sudden falter caused me to jerk back.

"I know."

What? My tense muscles loosened in shock. I had been expecting a sword through the chest, an anger, questions, or really anything but that.

"I used 'Sage's Eye' on you already."

Still... "But there's a censor on my stats."

I opened my attributes window for the first time since arriving in this turn. My stomach dropped.

"Shit, are you SERIOUS?!"

In fact, all of my information was on clear display, with the exception of one part marked by a series of "???". I cursed myself for stupidly not checking it sooner.

Then I shivered. Joonghyuk could have easily slaughtered me while I was unconscious after discovering a fellow regressor. No—he could have killed me immediately after seeing me on the bridge. He should have. This is Yoo Joonghyuk of the third round; a suspiciously powerful anomaly like me was grounds for instant elimination. The "2nd turn" label must have been my saving grace. Or maybe...maybe he sensed the past...?

"Just the one. What is it?" he asked.

"I have no idea." I felt a tick of annoyance as Joonghyuk's 'Lie Detection' activated and rang true.

There was a second stigma besides 'Regression' but I honestly couldn't recall what it might be.

We stopped for a water break at Yaksu station. Joonghyuk cleared the area of ground rats and a few people that tried to ambush us near the toilets. I used that time to thoroughly inspect my attributes window.

[ < Personal Information > ]

Name: Choi Yeona Age: 27 Constellation Support: Mother of Divine Desire Personal Attributes: Avid Reader (Common), Maladaptive Daydreamer (Rare), The Architect (Legendary), Regressor <2nd Round> (Legendary) Exclusive skills: [Sacred Light Lv. 5], [Rationality Lv. 9], [Fleet Foot Lv. 6], [Lie Detection Lv. 2], [Memory Enhancement Lv. 4], [Buff Lv. 4], [Bank of Lady Fortune Lv. 2], [Wire Transfer Lv. 1]... Stigma: [??? Lv. ???], [Pinpoint Regression Lv. 1] Overall Stats: [Stamina Lv. 15], [Strength Lv. 20], [Agility Lv. 22], [Mana Lv. 16]

Damn. It's no wonder I couldn't hold the bridge of light after the first scenario. I immediately boosted my stamina and mana levels with some coins, a bit embarrassed at how much lower they were to the others. Level 18 each should be good enough for now. But my other abilities were decently powerful.

Though I was disappointed to see that a lot of the skills I'd collected last round were weaker or missing, things had also been added. The 'Wire Transfer' skill, for one, and a couple new personal attributes. I skimmed past the first two—Maladaptive Daydreamer made me cringe as I recalled my escapist tendencies in my first, pre-transmigration life—and settled on the third. The Architect. I expected to have earned an author attribute after drafting my story of the last turn, but this was more curious. What sort of application did this attribute have?

I eyed the stigma section next. 'Pinpoint Regression' was at level one, as expected for my first turn, but just what was the stigma before it?

I thought of my last turn. There was a memory, a wiggling sensation, that I could almost grasp. A voice.

「 A re you dy ing for re al ?! 」

I screamed and clutched my head. There was an excruciating pain, like two hot pokers had been jammed through my eyeballs into the flesh of my brain. Once the feeling dulled and my vision returned, I scrambled for the aspirin and gulped down a few capsules. My attributes window still glowed in front of me.

[Memory Enhancement Lv. 3]

I frowned at the change, but before I could question it further, Joonghyuk stood. "Let's move."

...Did that asshole really just sit there while I was in such obvious pain? I glared at his retreating back. Yes, yes he did.

We moved in tandem, clearing the way with unspoken precision. Joonghyuk hadn't yet commented on 'Pinpoint Regression.'

"You're...weirdly casual about this."

Joonghyuk glanced at me. "Should I not be?"

"I thought you killed other regressors."

"I do."

It went uncomfortably silent. Well, I guess only uncomfortable for me, because then Joonghyuk huffed.

"Regressors usually know too much. But it's only your second turn."

I was rather miffed. Was he calling me ignorant? "Who says I don't have my own plans?"

There was no response to that. I was ready to pepper him with my own questions, but he turned sharply to stop me in my tracks. My grip tightened around my blade.

"How were we acquainted in your last turn?"

"Um." I searched for a good half-truth. "We were companions, of a sort."

[A few constellations are frustrated at the filter on this conversation.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' observes you cautiously.]

I was not a fan of two Yoo Joonghyuks steeling their gaze into me.

"I've never seen you before."

It was a weighty accusation. How could I possibly explain away my lack of existence in previous rounds?

"You saw how my stigma is 'pinpoint'? I can jump into other regression worlds, so you couldn't have seen me in any but my first." Joonghyuk's brows furrowed. "Our regression world-lines must not have overlapped for you until now."

I hoped playing off the unheard specialty of my stigma would get him off my back. Whether he accepted my explanation or not, it silenced any further discussion on the matter.

We soon reached the edge of the tunnel just before the entrance to Chungmuro.

[ Sub-scenario — Phantom Prison has begun! ]

The last thing I saw was a silvery fog sweeping into the tunnel before a haze overtook me. I could no longer see Joonghyuk ahead of me. Colors and shapes slipped just out of my grasp, and I was unsteady on my feet.

There was a loud grunt, then, thump! "Joonghyuk!"

I pitched forwards, trying to reach him, but I tripped and rolled until I heavy foot stopped me. The heel dug sharply into my ribcage.

「You're no hero.」

A woman leaned down, her long hair moving to reveal a deep, gnarled scar knotting from her forehead down through her right eye. Her mouth grinned, the torn and gaping flesh in the corners revealing too many teeth.

I tried conjuring a blade, arrows, anything, but sacred light was silent. "Please," I whimpered.

The voice that followed was something hateful.

「'Angel,' they call you. It is not one of salvation, but of death.」

「Death follows you.」

The weight on my chest grew heavier as the broken body of a young boy replaced the foot.

"Ha-joon," I cried, my bloodied hands shaking as I clutched his cold skin. "Ha-joon, please forgive me."

「It should have been you.」

His unseeing gaze seemed to agree with her.

I shifted, cradling the boy my arms and rocking back and forth. Tears slipped down my face and I looked down, only to find that the body was no longer Ha-joon, but a head-blown man in a suit. His blue tie was dark with blood.

"Dokja." The name was hoarse as it escaped my lips. Dokja, Dokja, Dokja.

He felt so real beneath my fingers. I was lightheaded and nauseous all at once, and I knew these were all memories long past but this past was paralyzing.

Rough hands wrenched me back by the shoulders.

「You think you're better than us?!」

The passengers of train carriage 3607 surrounded me, suffocating me with hands and words.

「In the corner, crushing your little bugs. How dare you!」

「Arrogant bitch!」

「She wants us to die!」

「Thought you were sneaky, did you?」

Centered in the mob, a gaunt, lanky man pointed his finger at me with a cruel twist to his features. 'Nosey Parker' himself. He was the one to pick me out with that dreadful skill of his.

[The skill 'Sacred Light Lv. 5' has been activated.]

He was also the first one I ripped into with my blade. I then swung blindly at everyone, though whether in rage or desperation, I wasn't sure. There was little resistance despite their bluster.

An angel of death.

Their bodies lay in pools of flesh and blood. My hands trembled, the golden knife casting a sickly glow on my skin. I cancelled the skill.

It was a moment too soon.

I grasped at the force that now choked me. The pressure grew stronger and I wheezed.

「Hands up!」

I squinted at the light blinding my eyes and cast them aside, my eyes landing on the familiar orange, mid-century sofa and walnut floorboards. The click of a gun snapped my attention back forwards.

「Let her go. No one has to get hurt.」

I gasped at the cold metal pressing hard into my throat above the hand. And a muttering in my ear.

「She's mine. Mine. You can't take her, you don't deserve her! She's perfect—you'll ruin her! She's MINE.」

The blade gouged into my skin, the hand cutting off the air from my lungs. I tugged in vain at the unyielding arm at my throat, and another force pinned my squirming body down. My vision began to blacken and a shot rang out.

「Yeona—!」

"...Yeona."

I was lying on my back in the tunnel. The pressure at my throat lessened, and I could breathe. In and out, in and out. A tear slowly tracked down my temple and into my hairline. The smell of damp earth was grounding.

At my now-stationary body, the person above me eased off my torso and limbs. Yoo Joonghyuk sat back on his heels, eyeing me warily. I surged up and loomed over him.

"Why the fuck would you think it's a good idea to grab me by the neck?" I spat in his face.

"You needed to snap out of it."

"Maybe you have a choking fetish." He shot me a withering glare. I gripped his shoulder with maximum strength, looking him square in the eye. "Don't ever touch my fucking neck again. If you do I'll kill you."

Even though I certainly wouldn't, my tone was dead-serious. Joonghyuk's attention was sharp on me until I released him and backed away. I set about dusting off my clothes and checking my gear.

"Phantom Prison."

I grunted.

"It forces you to relive your most painful memories and traps you there to unleash madness." I didn't have the heart nor energy to tell him I already knew. "Did you not encounter it your previous round?"

"You're awfully chatty."

In fact, I had gone through this sub-scenario before. But back then, there were only two memories worth torturing me with: Dokja's death, and my own. And seeing as my memories post-transmigration were choppy at best, I hadn't experienced much difficulty escaping the prison. It was Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung who needed saving instead.

A blue message distracted me.

[The constellation 'God's Lone Soul Courier' has noticed you.]

I had seen this modifier once before, midway through my last round. It was the same message as that time. Though I strongly suspected their true identity, I wasn't sure if it was smart to acknowledge him.

I decided to let it be.

Joonghyuk had moved to the tunnel's exit and—surprisingly—waited as I finished collecting myself. We passed through.

Chungmuro station was empty. At least, there was no one to greet us in the immediate area of the platform. There was a harsh noise above us.

We hurried up the stairs to find a horde of people surrounding a high school girl. Several men held her arms back while others attempted to grab onto her kicking legs. "I'll kill you! Ugly, nasty ahjussis!"

Whether these men were of Gong Pildu's Landlord Alliance or not didn't matter—Lee Jihye was in trouble.

[Incarnation 'Choi Yeona' has activated 'Fleet Foot Lv. 6.']

[The exclusive skill 'Sacred Light' had been activated!]

I whipped a thick cord of light and caught one man's arm, yanking back so that he sprawled on the ground. The others cried out. "There!"

Joonghyuk swiped once with his sword and cut down three men. I sidestepped one that lunged at me, stabbing him in the back with sacred light.

The men were enraged. "That girl attacked us first!"

Jihye regained use of her arm and sucker punched her nearest assailant in the face. It left a satisfying crack.

She turned to grab her sword from the one holding it, and another jumped at her back. I flicked my wrist and twisted the whip-turned lasso around his body, binding him. Jihye wrestled with her sword. Joonghyuk, having eliminated the surrounding threats, slashed the man struggling with her.

Jihye turned around just as I was stabbing a knife through the soft underside of the final man's chin.

Her eyes were wide. "You two..."

"Hey." I pushed the stray hairs out of my face, grimacing at the blood. "I'm Choi Yeona. What's your—"

Jihye spun back around to gape at Joonghyuk. "Teach me!"

He cleaned his sword with an apparent disinterest. "Why?"

"Please! I will do anything and everything you say," she said, offering out her own sword with a slight bow. "I want to learn sword fighting from you and become stronger."

Crafty emo bastard. Teenagers always want more what they are seemingly denied, that which is just out of reach or deemed "inaccessible." It also helped that he possessed an unfairly symmetrical face.

Joonghyuk finally looked up, appraising, and nodded once. Jihye gushed out her gratitude with stars in her eyes. "I'm Lee Jihye, by the way."

"Yoo Joonghyuk."

"Master," she said in a way that was both breathless and earnest.

[A few constellations look upon this new Master-Student relationship with great interest!]

"I'm here too," I muttered.

I was ignored by all.

There weren't many constellations I was close with in the last round. I sometimes exchanged messages with Mother, but she was not someone I could contact for the time being. I hardly knew any others in this regression. (Even Uriel had abandoned me, probably keenly looking after Jung Heewon as she bloomed into a fierce sword of judgement right about now.)

Joonghyuk gave quiet instructions to Jihye to which she nodded fervently. After all was said, she skipped away to do who knows what tasks for the strict and fussy regressor.

I pulled a granola bar from my backpack in the meantime, missing having someone companionable to talk with.

Dokja, Sangah, everyone...please arrive quickly.

As if he had read my thoughts with an omniscient skill, Joonghyuk sheathed his sword and approached me. "Kim Dokja. Is he really a prophet?"

I gave him a careful glance, swallowing the last bite. "Yes, but not in the traditional sense."

Joonghyuk hummed. He surprisingly wasn't using lie detection, or at least, I wasn't receiving notifications about it. But one could never be too careful.

"Once this next scenario is over, I will go with Dokja to capture the flags; I want to send him on the 'King's Road' as quick as possible."

"No. He will follow me."

I felt a spark of indignation. "You don't have a claim over him. He has his own goals, and I will be by his side, helping him."

"The prophet is more useful at my side."

"Like hell," I said angrily. "He may very well be your companion now, but he is my Dokja first!"

He stared at me hard and then groaned, disbelieving. "You fool. Love has no place in this world."

My face heated. "I never said—"

"You didn't have to."

"Listen—"

"Shut up and you listen. You may love freely in this turn and in the next, and so on, but you will learn very quickly what it means to hold on to that love. To lose it over and over again. To never see its conclusion. Love is not meant for us; a regressor's life is meant to be lived alone."

"He is not Lee Seolhwa."

I regretted my words immediately at the sad, embittered look on Joonghyuk's face. But I stood my ground.

"Dokja is not her. And anyways, this is my final turn, so I don't have to worry about such things."

Joonghyuk didn't respond. His anger had waned some, but now he held a sort of resignation, a pity, towards me. In his eyes, I was a mere child on my second turn at life—what was one try to a thousand failed attempts? Even though Joonghyuk only possessed memories up to his third turn, the instincts honed from 1,863 regressions had shaped this man's mindset. If only he knew that this would truly be his last.

"You should allow yourself to love this time, too, Joonghyuk."

He looked at me for a long while, then he blinked and scanned my face, taking in my closeness. In a toneless voice, he said, "Thanks, but I'm not interested."

I jerked back. This conceited egomaniac! "No—! Obviously, I meant Lee Seolhwa! Where did you get such a big head?"

Only because I had known 1863rd Yoo Joonghyuk for years was I able to spot the barest hint of amusement in the corners of his neutral expression. It was good to know that a sense of humor still existed somewhere in that scrambled brain of his.

Even if it was at my expense.

I grumbled curses at Joonghyuk and turned away. There was nothing pressing to do at the moment, so I left him in search of the largest green zone in Chungmuro station.

It was time to recruit—or dominate—Gong Pildu and his Landlord Alliance.

Ground rats were easy enough to hunt and gather, but no one cared to mention the smell and the way their coarse, thick hairs clung to your clothing and left a rank, oily film all over.

I deposited the last few carcasses next to my earlier haul. In the three days I had been here, we burned through the meat supply terribly quick. I knew wiping my hands on my pants would do nothing to reduce the gross feeling and stench, so I headed up to the toilets. There was a buzz of commotion.

A crowd had gathered around Gong Pildu's great plot of land. I spotted Sangah's light brown hair from behind, and rushed to push my way through the bystanders.

"No, you and that kid are 1,000 coins."

I burst forwards in time to see Dokja's face grow tight with anger.

[You have invaded private property!]

The turrets all aimed at my body now.

"Gong Pildu, that is too much." I glared at the potbellied man who straightened up when he saw me. "A 100 coins each. And I'll be the one paying it for them."

His turrets moved away at once. "Yeona, you know these boys?"

Dokja and Gilyoung jolted out of their excitement at the obvious familiarity with which Pildu spoke to me. I crossed my arms at Pildu and he drummed his fingers on his stomach nervously. "They invaded my property," he tried again.

"I've said I'll pay the fee," I said calmly. "Let them pass to the toilets. Now, please."

A conflicted expression crossed Pildu's face. Then he sighed and deactivated the turrets, waving a hand at the two beside me. "Fine then. You got off easy this time...lucky free riders."

Dokja looked very much like he wanted to snap back a retort, but I gave him a light shove towards the bathroom door. I gestured for our other companions to follow, and Sangah shot me a grateful smile as she passed by. I reached out my index finger to Gong Pildu.

He shook his head. "Nah, I don't want you paying me, girl. Family doesn't pay."

Yes...apparently my luck extended far beyond Kim Dokja and even my expectations. And I didn't have to use my luck bank either. By some ridiculous coincidence, Gong Pildu's daughter was named "Yeona" as well. I had discovered this in the last round, but it never served me any advantage back then. Now, with his family's death still fresh on his mind, Pildu immediately brought me into the fold when I had introduced myself. He was a bit dejected when I refused to join his Landlord Alliance, but the fact remained that I was given a free plot of land in the soft spot of his heart.

"Yeona!"

Pildu protested as I touched his hand to transfer 300 coins. I smiled at him. "An extra hundred for my own intrusion."

I went to the toilets and nearly ran into Dokja, who had been lingering by the doorway.

His eyes were sharp on me. "Did I hear that right? Family?"

"Uh." I scratched at the side of my face. "Well, you see, his daughter's name was 'Yeona,' too."

"But you're..."

"I know, I'm way older than his daughter probably was. But I guess getting to call someone by her name is enough." I pondered for a moment. "It must be awfully lonely to grieve alone."

We rounded the corner to the sinks, and there was a cough behind us. I turned, surprised to see Lee Jihye leaning against the wall. I hadn't noticed her standing with my group before. She sidled up to us with her sword perched on one shoulder.

"Jihye, why didn't you tell me they had arrived?"

The girl cast a sly grin at Dokja, and then at me. "His face when I said you were gone was too funny. I thought he would hit me. Or cry."

I narrowed my eyes at Jihye until she huffed and kicked at the ground. "Okay sorry. I'll tell your side piece the truth next time."

"He is not—!"

"Master will be very unhappy when he finds out you're two-timing him," she inspected her fingernails.

"LEE JIHYE."

The moment sacred light furiously twisted around my arms and into a blunt weapon of gold knuckles, Jihye became docile; one step towards her and she quickly skipped out of the bathroom.

"Like I would ever want to date that emo bastard," I muttered as I deactivated sacred light.

I spun around to find Dokja looking like the floor had dropped out from under him. There was a hard lump in my throat as I swallowed, a nervous laughter escaping. "Ignore her. She tends to talk out of her ass...I'm sure you already knew that, though."

"Yes," said Dokja stiffly. Something was on his mind but after a few moments, he must have decided not to share it because he set about washing the grime off his hands. In the time I had washed my own, Dokja still hadn't finished nor looked my way once.

The sound of running water filled the silence until Sangah emerged from a stall. She gave me a pursed-lip smile and rinsed hands next to Dokja, who was still washing his hands.

Sangah wiped the excess water on her suit pants and drew near me, placing a hand on my shoulder. She glanced back at Dokja and chuckled when I eyed her curiously.

"Later," she murmured. Then she was gone.

I sat up on the counter and waited. Dokja finally finished washing up (or feeling the sensation of water running over his skin for ten minutes?!) and he leaned back against the sink. Heewon emerged, glanced at us, and hurried out after Sangah. I kicked my feet, searching for something to say that might lessen the tension.

"Thank you for helping us back there," Dokja said at last.

"Of course. Gong Pildu was surprisingly easy to win over, as you saw. Lee Jihye on the other hand…" My face twisted into a scowl. "She’s loyal and overly-obsessed with her 'Master.' The only reason she even tolerates me is because I arrived with him."

"...Right." Dokja's sour mood returned in full force.

I fidgeted with the smooth, cold tile under my palms.

Before I could try again, Dokja asked, "What did you do the past few days?"

I ticked them off on my fingers. "Saved Lee Jihye from some murderers, trained up my stats and skills because they're downright abysmal right now, searched for the hidden theater dungeon—" I rerouted when Dokja startled at that "—but I didn't go in yet! I wanted to go there with you so I waited. Oh, and I've been mostly hunting ground rats for food."

A small smile now graced Dokja's face, and I felt at ease. "What happened with you while I was gone?"

He told me of the challenges at Geumho station and Cheon Inho's group, and of the struggle with the Dark Keeper in the tunnel cave. I listened intently, and though I knew the details already, I didn't have to pretend to care because it was not me reading these events, but listening to Kim Dokja recounting them. Telling his own story.

And he was truly a wonderful storyteller.

His hands flew in grand gestures as he told me of the battle in the cave, his eyes gleamed as he spoke of Han Myungoh's curse and the breaking of Samyeongdang's statue. His voice drew me in and I couldn't help but fall into his story, hanging on his every word. When he finished, it must have shown how starstruck I was, because he considered me, puzzled, but amused.

I cleared my throat. "You've had a great adventure already, it seems."

"I have."

I nodded to the sword at his side. "I'm glad you were able to get Unbroken Faith this time."

An odd expression crossed Dokja's face, but before he could voice a single thought, another person spoke.

"Why are you in the women's bathroom?"

Yoo Joonghyuk emerged, Jihye hovering behind him.

I wrinkled my nose. "Why are you?"

Joonghyuk gave me a bland look, as if I were stupid for even asking.

A heat of resentment burnt through me. "We're in the middle of a torrid and passionate lovemaking affair, so why don't you just see yourself out?"

Jihye cackled. Perhaps I had gained some favor with her over my words, but it was at the expense of my own neck—a neck Joonghyuk seemed very keen to slice in half at the moment despite my previous warning not to touch it. I didn't dare turn my head to view Dokja's reaction.

Joonghyuk decided to ignore me for the time being, and addressed Dokja again. "It looks like you've kept your companions."

"Looks like I have." Dokja straightened and stepped forwards to match Joonghyuk's gaze. "I see you've left Gong Pildu alone. Why is that?"

"Aren't you a prophet?" scoffed Joonghyuk.

"Prophets don't know everything." At Joonghyuk's crossing arms, Dokja amended, "You need him alive for a future scenario. But only Gong Pildu—so why the others?"

"You wouldn't understand."

The silence that followed was tense. Jihye squeezed the handle of her sword uncomfortably.

"She also left them alive. Why don't you ask her?" I went rigid as Joonghyuk cast his piercing gaze back onto me.

Dokja's expression was hard. "It isn't her problem to deal with."

It's the protagonist's job to deal with villains, is what he meant.

"Interesting."

I didn't like the way Joonghyuk was analyzing us. I remembered our talk from the other day and winced. He saw my love as a weakness, never mind if it was reciprocated or not, and I was afraid this would only hurt his willingness to be Dokja's companion. As much of a priority as my "Save Kim Dokja!" goal was, I didn't want to disrupt the bond that was barely beginning to form between these two.

"Does that apply to everyone, or just Yeona?"

Everyone—including me—startled at my given name falling from Yoo Joonghyuk's lips without any formalities attached. Dokja's jaw clenched hard. "Can I punch you just this once?"

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has activated 'Tiger God Aura Lv. 5.']

Amusement ticked up in the corner of Joonghyuk's mouth. "If you have the confidence to."

Then he sauntered out of the room, black cape swishing behind him and Lee Jihye not long after. Dokja's fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly.

...I might have to have to work extra hard to ensure things went smoothly between those two blockheads.

I tugged along a still-infuriated Dokja, and we left the toilets to rejoin the rest of our group farther down the station. Dokja mumbled under his breath and shuffled away.

"Yeona-noona!"

Gilyoung launched himself at my torso and hugged me. I ruffled his hair with a smile. "I missed you, Gilyoung."

He squeezed me tightly. "Please don't leave anymore."

It wasn't something I could promise the young boy, so I cast my eyes around, only to find Namwoon awkwardly shuffling back and forth on each foot. I called his name and he jolted up. I held out my other arm. "Get in here, too, you crazy demon."

With a happy cry, he attached himself to my other side. "Angel-noona, don't leave me with these losers ever again."

"Hey!"

Gilyoung pinched Namwoon's arm, and the latter returned the favor. They devolved into a fierce pinching battle, so I untangled from them. "Stop it. I'd like you two to get along, if you can."

Gilyoung stuck out his tongue at Namwoon, who scowled.

I sighed. Perhaps it was too much to ask.

After untangling myself from them, I went over to the others. Hyunsung and Sangah greeted me warmly, expressing their happiness over our reunion and my safety.

When I got to Jung Heewon, I stuck out a tentative hand and she took it. "Nice to meet you. I'm Choi Yeona—oh!"

Heewon swept me up in a tight hug, wrapping me in her old general's robe like seaweed around a roll of gimbap. "I know. They talk about you a lot."

"Hopefully all good things," I said, a little flustered.

She pulled back and smiled. "Actually, I want to thank you properly." At my confusion she continued. "One of those guys returned with...an interesting removal procedure."

My face cleared. "Removal? Did it fall off then? That wasn't my intention."

"Mm I guess. Anyways, I owe you for that. And for leaving them to me."

"They weren't mine to kill," I said in a hard voice. "You owe me nothing; I'm just relieved you're alright in the end."

Heewon nodded. We exchanged a few more words, and then I approached Dokja sitting on a concrete bench. He was deeply focused on something.

"There's only an hour and a half left."

He was broken from his stupor and looked up at me. I sat beside him.

Dokja fidgeted with the smartphone in his hand. "I'm not sure what is best to do about Gong Pildu."

"We can beat them if we join forces!" said Heewon from nearby, and she tried activating 'Hour of Judgement,' but the constellations of the absolute good system remained quiet over her request.

"It's no use," I said. "The Landlord Alliance is not considered evil."

"But aren't they?" There was a confused, almost lost, expression on Heewon's face.

"From our perspective," Dokja stood. "But constellations adhere to a different standard of morality. Evil must be agreed upon."

Heewon was clearly enraged to discover this truth.

"But there might be a way."

All of us paused to look at Dokja. He smiled. There was a smug, confident lift to it that was so attractive, I had to press my thighs into my seat to stem the inviting heat curling inside of me.

"There's a way we can defeat them, but let's leave that for later. Right now, we must survive the night. We should split up to find a green zone room that will fit all of us—Heewon and Gilyoung together, and Hyunsung, Sangah, and Namwoon. Yeona and I will search this area. Meet here twenty minutes before the scenario starts."

Namwoon looked back at me, as if to complain. I narrowed my eyes and he huffed; they all nodded in determination and scattered. Dokja sat back down next to me and began scrolling through his phone. Of course we both knew that searching was hopeless.

It was then that Bihyung must have privately reprimanded him for looking at a "blank" screen, because he turned to me, leaning in close. "Yeona. Can you read anything on my phone?"

I was already staring at it in shock. "...I can."

I could read Ways of Survival. Was it my status as a transmigrator? I wasn't a "character," but in that case, Sangah or Gilyoung should be able to read his phone as well. It unsettled me. There was something odd, something more to this, but I was missing the proper pieces to figure it out.

"I—we should talk about this later," I said quietly, flicking my eyes up to the ceiling. Dokja agreed.

"You two seem really laid back."

Jihye walked towards us with a grin, sword unsheathed and on the usual perch on her shoulder. "Hey, ahjussi. I liked the way you stood up to Master...so I don't want you to die. Both of you."

Dokja grinned back as we stood to greet her. "We won't."

Joonghyuk appeared then with a frown. "You plan to fight the monsters? You'll die, and so will your companions."

"We'll see about that." Dokja challenged him with a cocky raise of an eyebrow. Joonghyuk's eye twitched.

Before the pair left, I took Jihye aside to enlist her help. Joonghyuk observed us curiously, but didn't reject my request on behalf of his student. Jihye agreed and they disappeared.

Lee Jihye would ensure her, Namwoon, and Gilyoung had spots secured upstairs. It made me a bit nervous to trust her with them, particularly Gilyoung, but it was safer up there than down here next to the spawning location (and I not-so-subtly implied that I would gut her like a fish if she let anything happen to them). Though she didn't seem to be overly fond of me still, I sensed that she respected me enough for this task. I wasn't sure how much of that was related to Joonghyuk or her own judgement.

The others returned just then, arguing over which demand they were given was more ridiculously priced for a green zone that night.

Dokja gathered them round and began to explain his plan.

The red barrier ahead of us cast a sinister glow. Sangah, Heewon and Hyunsung were grouped in front of Dokja and I.

[The third main scenario is activated.]

"Go now!"

Snarling monsters emerged from the red. The group sprinted forwards and dashed to the left. They each made it to the green panel on the wall.

[Green Zone 3/3]

Dokja and I ran, monster claws and teeth nipping at our heels, and my skin stung as it was caught and shredded. A horde of beasts charged at us from the front, and we leapt over them.

We were nearly to the other hidden green zone panel when Dokja stopped. Yoo Joonghyuk was right where I knew he would be, leaning against the glowing green wall. I tugged an angry Dokja forwards anyways. My brows furrowed as I neared the barrier. "Joonghyuk, get o—"

"You bastard!"

Dokja was furious now, fending off monsters as his glare bored into the regressor that had just grabbed and yanked me into the green zone behind him.

"Joonghyuk," I said.

He must have sensed something peculiar in my tone because he craned his head back to look at me. I gave him a sickly sweet smile before shoving him forth with a huge buff of strength. He flew into the swarm of monsters. "You're so predictable!"

I stepped out of the green zone just far enough to grab Dokja's arm and shirt collar and pull him towards me. Joonghyuk leapt up, but it was too late.

[Green Zone 2/2]

[A number of constellations are in shock over your actions!]

The tidal waves of fury emanating from Joonghyuk were quickly curbed as he was distracted by the monsters piling on top of him. He set to work at once, slashing off limbs and piercing ribcages in a mess of blood and matted fur and flesh. Individual constellation messages filled the corner of my vision, but I ignored them. It wasn't a good situation. It wasn't funny, either. It wasn't—

But a gleeful little giggle escaped me anyways.

I tilted my head to look at Dokja, who was staring at me in amazement. I beamed at him. His arms were firm around my back.

"Yeona, you really..."

I shrugged. "You were thinking it too; he's more than capable of surviving the night alone. And I think we deserve the break."

My hands tightened on Dokja's collar as I peeked over his shoulder. Joonghyuk was fighting a fresh wave of beasts a ways down the tunnel now, his back to us barely visible through the horde. He would have to fight until dawn or kill another person to occupy their zone. But this was the regressor and protagonist, Yoo Joonghyuk. I wasn't worried for him one bit.

Plus, now Dokja could save those specter's stones for a more dire situation in the future. They would come in handy.

My bent elbows grew uncomfortable at that angle, so I slid my arms behind Dokja's neck and chanced a glance at his face.

He was still staring. I looked back at him, blinking slowly.

I felt his hands press into my body a little harder. There wasn't a ton of distance between us, but we weren't all that close together either. I didn't dare move, nor speak, for fear of shattering the unnamed moment that had formed amidst the turmoil surrounding us.

Dokja moved one arm to brace the wall behind me and lean forwards, resting his head against it. His body trapped me in a bubble of heat from our earlier exertion outrunning the monsters. Each heavy breath he took made his chest brush against mine.

"Thank you," he murmured.

I nodded my head, a little disappointed, then let my weight slump against the wall, too.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' grumbles with displeasure.]

It was going to be a long night. I didn't fancy staying awake the whole time—sleep deprivation was not a problem we could afford with the never-ending scenario dangers—but there really was no other option.

So I cast my mind to the future, sifting through possibilities and backup plans for my backup plans. If my mind had to be alert all night, then I should at least make use of it.

And if both Dokja and I chose to continue holding on to one another for the remaining eight hours, then that was nobody's business but ours. (But a few constellations were rather interested in that little development anyways.)

Our occupied green zone was terribly small, so we had to do it, right?

...Right?

Next part ->

A/N: RIGHT!

[The author 'snowfieldstories' hopes this fluff will make up for the trauma-angst earlier.]

[snowfieldstories]

Yoo Joonghyuk headcanons are now up! [His scent & love language]

Enjoy ◡̈‪‪

His scent & love language headcanons 18+ [gender neutral]

Spoilers for Dokja’s backstory and novel stuff

His scent --

Kim Dokja: lightning strikes and an unnamed freshness

This man is hopped up on probability aftermaths and the [‘Electrification’] skill; he smells of an electric current with a hint of char. As a constellation, there is an otherworldly-sense about him. One way this manifests is his scent. No one remains fresh in an apocalypse, but somehow Kim Dokja emits a scent of brightness and clean. He definitely takes pride in smelling nice to impress other constellations and his companions.

Yoo Joonghyuk: manly sweat/musk and exotic spices

HA, you thought this would be good because of his pretty face? Oh please, this man hardly takes a shower. Who has time to bathe when you're constantly fighting for the end of all scenarios? His natural scent swings wildly between an unpleasant, stale odor and an intoxicating musk. On the days that smell leans unfavorably, it is his ['Cooking Lv. 10'] skill that tries to save him. He can pull fragrant spices out of thin air to supplement his dishes; the mouthwatering aroma of his cooking clings to his clothes long after the food has been devoured. Uh...best hope for some rain tomorrow. And every day after that.

.

His love language --

Kim Dokja

He loves to receive physical touch and words of affirmation from his partner. Dokja has a complicated relationship with the meaning of a loving touch; he's only known of its harshness or its absence. When he trusts his partner, he craves little intimacies—a supporting hand on his arm, soft kisses along his jawline, or falling asleep nestled firmly at his side. No touch is too much for Kim Dokja, and if he's not receiving enough from his partner then he has no problem going to seek it out from them himself.

As a child, there was no one who lifted him up in affirmation so he is especially susceptible to praise. A few words of encouragement or a compliment on his looks will send a flush of pink across his cheeks. His partner should take caution, however, because sometimes this desire for praise can turn needy when accompanied by more...carnal activities. This man is not above begging for it.

Dokja relishes in giving gifts and physical intimacies. Some may know him as Mr. Moneybags. Richie Rich. A third-generation chaebol. Sugar daddy…with and without the sugar. [Uh, wait, who said that last one? *coughs*] Whatever his partner wants, it was packaged and delivered yesterday morning. Seeing his partner light up at receiving something they’d only had a mere, passing thought of makes Dokja giddy. It is truly a testament of “to be loved is to be known.”

The more Dokja knows his partner, the more comfortable he becomes with physical touch, too. He begins small with light bumps against the shoulder or sweeping back the hair from his partner’s eyes as they focus. As trust builds, he grows more bold in public—a kiss on the inside of their wrist and touches that border on possessive. In private, he is just as greedy to get his hands on his partner because he wants to make them feel good. Sure, he likes to receive, but this man is first and foremost a giver.

Yoo Joonghyuk

In the dictionary, right next to "service" is a photo of Yoo Joonghyuk. This should come as no surprise. He is devoted to giving acts of service and quality time to his partner. This man is pleased to help with tasks as simple as opening a tough plastic bottle cap, to cooking their favorite foods. But he will also spend 100 years ascending levels of transcendence in order to protect them better. He will dive into the depths of hell, travel the far reaches of the universe, for the chance to give them a happy life. And he will shove their hands away and spread their legs apart to give, because even in bed he wants to service his partner's needs before his own...

Ahem, going back to more serious things. Joonghyuk takes his quality time very seriously. Sure, he has a lot of time to spare in a never-ending series of regressions, but he still doesn't want to waste a second when it matters to him. And his partner is someone who matters. Expect many companionable silences where he can derive the greatest joy from the comfort of his partner's presence. Being able to coexist in the same space is a luxury he covets.

As he loves to give, so does he love to receive quality time with his beloved, especially when they initiate it. His time with his partner is limited. No, more than that—it's doomed to end and repeat from ground zero. Every so often, he grows depressed from having to constantly build up the relationship from introductions. But by the next regression, he's more determined than ever to reclaim his partner in his life. Each moment spent, no matter how trivial or domestic, is stored as a precious jewel in his mind. Joonghyuk never wants to forget.

Honestly, there are more ways to give love to Yoo Joonghyuk. But it is up to his partner to figure that out. Joonghyuk has the mysteriousness and fickleness of a black cat—luckily, his partner forever remains a fierce cat-lover, despite any other changes that befall each regression round.

____

A/N; This was inspired by my characterization of Dokja in my fic, In Life and Death.

[snowfieldstories]

In Life and Death [Chapter 2]

Kim Dokja x Reader/Original female character

In Life and Death Masterlist

Warnings: strong violence, language, mentions of suspected sexual assault

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel of a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right ending to the one and only, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

Episode III. Chapter 2 — A Ruined World: Round Two

I woke to a splitting headache, certain that Yoo Joonghyuk had caused permanent damage to the tender bits of my brain.

"She's awake!" said Sangah as I stirred. A hand gently brushed the hair from my face. "Here, Choi Yeona, drink this."

She held a bottle to my lips so I could sip at the cool water. I coughed and sat up properly on the bench. "Dokja?"

Sangah shook her head. "Still missing. But that guy said he should return any day now."

I didn't need to ask who that guy was.

A ping! alerted me to a long series of unread constellation messages that had built up since I fell unconscious, but I closed the window. Constellations were not my concern right now.

I looked around the groups of people in the station, those that huddled in despair and those that lounged unafraid with various weapons at their sides, but I couldn't spot an uptight asshole wearing all-black.

"He left after dumping you here," Sangah said as she noticed my searching. "You've been out since yesterday."

I caught a tremble in her voice and turned to regard her properly. Sangah wasn't looking at me, but at her fingers, covered in gashes and crusted with dirt and blood. I took those hands in one of my own.

"Yoo Sangah," I said.

Sangah was someone I really admired from Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint. Someone I wanted to be like and to have as a friend, a sister. It was the reason my first application of 'Sacred Light' was designed after Sangah's skill. But it also made it hard to approach her: a companion out of my league. Yoo Sangah intimidated me.

Looking at her now, an untouchable person now filled with self-doubt and fear—suddenly Sangah felt tangible. The desire to be close with her surged through me. "Thank you for your help. Thank you for taking care of me."

"I really didn't do much." Her voice was small.

"I'm alive and well, aren't I?"

She gave me a weak smile. "That's debatable."

"Trust me, I've been worse. This is nothing."

Concern crossed her expression. Then we both turned at the sound of footsteps pounding closer.

A small figure pressed into my side, clasping my free hand in theirs. "Noona, you're finally alright."

I chuckled at Lee Gilyoung's attachment, but the laughter died in my throat as I realized the boy was not hugging me out of joy, but gloom.

Gilyoung was teary as his grip grew tighter. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I couldn't protect you from that guy."

I twisted my arm to draw him closer to me. "Silly. I said I would protect you."

Gilyoung shook his head and buried his face into my armpit. Uh, okay, it probably stinks in there.

While comforting Gilyoung, I looked around for the others from our party. Han Myungoh was, predictably, sitting with members of Cheon Inho's group. He was quiet and seemed uncomfortable. Lee Hyunsung smiled in relief when we locked eyes, but he remained at his watchful post by the pillar. Which only left...

"Where's Kim Namwoon?"

Sangah's pretty mouth puckered. "Ah, he's off with—"

"Good. You're up."

Yoo Joonghyuk strode inside. An elated Kim Namwoon trailed behind, and he smiled and waved a big knife when he saw me. I lightly shook Gilyoung as Joonghyuk stopped right in front of us, hand on his sword.

His sword? He must have already collected the spoils in the cave Dokja would get Unbroken Faith from.

Hyunsung came to stand nearby, as did Sangah, as if ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

I scowled and rubbed the back of my head. "That hurt like a bitch, you know."

Joonghyuk ignored my words and tugged me up and away from Gilyoung's side. "We're going now."

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused."

The gall of this man. One punch, just one punch.

"I'm not going anywhere with you. In fact, you should stay here with us." The nods of agreement from Sangah and Hyunsung quickly froze at my last words.

"No."

"Then I'm not going."

Joonghyuk and I entered a standoff of glares. His was, unfortunately, much harsher and more practiced than mine.

Underneath his unforgiving gaze now, I was thankful that my information was blocked to protect against his Sage's Eye. Joonghyuk was the type to kill an outlier like me. But it did leave me with a rather odd question.

"Why didn't you just kidnap me while I was unconscious?"

"I'm not kidnapping you." I lifted a brow. Joonghyuk glowered, and then huffed. He jerked his chin forwards. "That brat."

I turned to follow his eyes to...not Gilyoung, but a still-smiling Kim Namwoon sitting crisscrossed on the grimy floor. He bowed his head quickly. It echoed the train; the politeness of the act was rather spooky.

"You should get to decide what you do next, angel-noona," Namwoon said.

My heart swelled in my chest at the familiar name. "Angel?"

"You're a ruthless angel," he said in a dreamy voice, as if recalling a happy memory. "You bring death but also hope. It feels kind. And you are too beautiful for this world. Oh, and your golden light! It glows, and it's powerful, and so cool..." He babbled on about 'Sacred Light' and the way I'd roughed him up on the train and how he hoped I'd do it again.

There really was too much to unpack from Namwoon's declaration. I settled on a murmured word of thanks and regarded Joonghyuk curiously.

I think I understood. Joonghyuk strongly desired Namwoon as an ally, and probably wanted Lee Hyunsung too but it looked like the soldier was remaining loyal to the ones that had saved him. Joonghyuk must be all the more willing to appease Namwoon in order to keep him around.

"I won't leave Dokja behind," I said at last.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind joining Joonghyuk, even if he was an asshole at the moment and didn't remember me, but on this matter I would not compromise. Already, the strain of not knowing Dokja's precise whereabouts or wellbeing was beginning to wear at me.

"Your puppet will be fine."

I balled my fists. "He is not a puppet! He's my friend, not that you would know anything about those."

Joonghyuk eyed me, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword. Then he sighed through his nose. "We need to talk. But not here."

It was so simple and honest, that I felt my defenses weaken at once. I glanced at Sangah and Hyunsung, both with equally apprehensive looks on their faces. They weren't going to like this. "Alright I'll go, but only after Dokja returns."

Joonghyuk rolled his eyes. "Fine."

"And I go as far as Chungmuro with you. Then I rejoin my group."

"...Fine."

This Joonghyuk was strangely—well, compliant, for lack of a better word. He certainly wasn't this agreeable with Dokja in the novel. I was a bit uneasy with the idea that my presence might have changed something as drastic as Joonghyuk's initial personality in this round.

"I'll join you!" Namwoon said brightly from behind.

I was about to agree, when Joonghyuk shook his head. "You'll stay here, Kim Namwoon."

"What? Why?" My questions went unanswered as Joonghyuk moved to a pillar and sat back against it, immediately polishing his sword. Alright, maybe not entirely agreeable.

Unable—and unwilling—to solve the mystery that was Yoo Joonghyuk's mind, I went to my group to assure them of the new plan. They didn't like it, but they trusted in me (excepting Gilyoung, who immediately began to mope that I was choosing to "run away with that sooty bastard!").

It was more than I could ask after only a few days together.

I was glad Joonghyuk stuck around for a bit. His ominous presence warded off Cheon Inho and his cronies from harassing us, and the only interaction was the occasional exchange of nods.

Gilyoung, Sangah, and I chatted for a bit about life before the fall, hobbies, and pastimes. I knew of Sangah's interest in languages, of course, but I learned that she had first attempted to study Arabic, because of an interest in Islamic architecture, before switching to Spanish. Gilyoung enjoyed collecting all insects, but in fact preferred butterflies the most. After his parents' death there were only grasshoppers and cockroaches to be found.

At the mention of butterflies, I rifled through my bag. I handed Gilyoung a small pocketknife from my collection. His hands eagerly grabbed at the gift. "It's a butterfly knife. Practice hard while I'm away so when we meet again, you can show me your skills," I said to him.

Gilyoung nodded happily with a cry of thanks, then scampered off. Namwoon wandered over and perked up. "Can I have one?"

"Nope."

Namwoon pouted. Really, he already had a solid weapon better than any of the knives I'd brought. He began to moan about ageism and the difficulty of earning the favor of angels.

I eventually dozed off, fading in and out of a fitful rest. I was sleeping an awful lot. A side effect of being knocked unconscious? Or something more concerning? I hoped it was only a buildup of stress after trying to have a successful start to the apocalypse in this round.

I was roused an indefinite amount of time later by the presence of someone near me.

Kim Namwoon sat, staring, with a pleasurable grin on his face. "Were you watching me sleep?"

"Yes." The reply came back fast and eager.

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' appreciates the camaraderie between you two.]

[200 coins have been sponsored!]

...What camaraderie, exactly?

Well, it certainly explained the state of mind of Kim Namwoon's sponsor. And perhaps the boy himself, too.

My head throbbed again so I asked Namwoon to grab the aspirin from my bag. I heard his cry of delight at the stack of knives resting on top before he found the bottle. He stretched out with both hands, offering the aspirin to me dramatically.

"You'll take this medicine...and eat it!!"

I shook out two tablets. "It's not a potato chip."

"YOU KNOW DEATH NO—?!" Namwoon's voice squeaked like a prepubescent boy. He clapped a hand over his mouth in horror, then shot up and sprinted out of sight. That crazy otaku kid, I chuckled and looked around.

My stomach knotted as I noticed Dokja was still missing. Did something go wrong? Sure, I knew it was written that he survived the ichthyosaur, but this time he could have hit his head when he fell, he could have failed to recruit Bihyung and angered him, he could have been overwhelmed by digestive juices, he could have—

There was a commotion from over by Cheon Inho's group. Joonghyuk appeared to be napping, so I gathered myself to go check it out.

A woman from the marginalized group screeched as she fell to her knees, begging. "Please! Please tell me where she is! I just want to see my daughter."

The burly man in front of her looked down at her in disgust. "Who knows. Things happen on scavenging trips."

My blood froze in my veins. Scavenging trips! I whipped my head, searching, but it was in vain. Jung Heewon was nowhere to be seen. Cheon Inho came forwards, stretching down with a hand to the poor mother to do who knows what, but I pulled my knife and jumped him.

"The group out scavenging now. Is there a beautiful woman with them?" I pressed the edge of the blade harder against his Adam's apple when he didn't respond.

"Bitch!"

[The exclusive skill, 'Sacred Light' has been activated.]

Before the burly man could hit me, I used my other hand to form a giant fist of light. He choked as I slammed him into the ground by the throat, his head cracking the tile. "Is she with them?"

"Ye—yeah," gasped Cheon Inho.

"Where. Are. They."

He wheezed as the pressure grew. Blood trickled down the curve of his neck. "Convenience stores! Food, they went for food—don't know where!"

I released him and lunged for my backpack, snatching up a few more knives. Joonghyuk was now alert and watched me closely. I ignored him, and the others that called out to me, as I raced towards the exit, buying a few Ellain Monkey's Lungs from the Dokkaebi Bag on my way.

Once I was out of Geumho station, I peeled for the nearest convenience store. Empty. I breathed through the lungs harshly as I ran down the street. I needed more luck on my side.

[The exclusive skill 'Bank of Lady Fortune' has been activated.]

[You have 2/500 luck. Withdraw amount?]

I quickly used the two measly lucks on my search for Heewon. After the third convenience store, I finally came across one where a man lay crumpled in the doorway. The toxic air had infected him, spreading in purple webs across his skin, but he was still alive. I formed a sword of light and rushed inside.

The place was quiet. A shuffling alerted me to the register, and I rounded the corner. "Heewon!"

"Yeona?"

Kim Dokja looked at me in surprise as he propped up a battered Heewon. A long thorn was in his other hand. I grabbed a spare monkey lung and replaced Heewon's cracked gas mask with it in her mouth. I then replaced my own, as it was beginning to blacken, and Dokja and I each helped carry her out of the store, along with the bags of food Dokja had gathered.

We left the still-breathing man in the doorway. I used a thin blade of light to pierce his temple when everyone else's backs were turned.

[Constellations of the absolute good system are conflicted over your actions.]

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' approves of your justice.]

I led us to exit 4 and we forced our way under the closing gate, despite the resistance from Cheon Inho's men on the other side.

"R—run away!"

We carefully set down Heewon and the bags. I tried righting her skewed jacket with trembling hands and used my own suit jacket to cover her torn skirt. She was barely conscious. A shout was heard as the men returned with metal pipes. Dokja and I exchanged a look, and he glanced at Heewon, taking in her state, before standing.

The men reacted at once to Dokja. "It's him! That's the guy!"

"Who?"

"You know, t—the one that stopped us...hehe, such a good time, too."

"Ah. You should let Cheolsoo-hyung go first anyways."

Angered constellations sent a burst of messages, but I only read the last one.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is furious.]

"...Dokja." My voice was a bitter cold. He understood immediately, and the constellations were in agreement and issued a bounty scenario. Dokja got to work at once, attacking the men and brandishing his thorn as if it were a great sword. A weight settled on my shoulder.

Heewon's eyes were closed. I reached out to give her a comforting hand, but stopped myself, unsure if anyone's unnecessary touch was a good idea at the moment. Instead, I brushed away a lock of hair that had caught on her mouth. My gaze latched on to the ugly bruise there.

"I'm sorry," I said. The tears finally spilled over. "Heewon, I'm so, so sorry."

I should have been watching. I should have stopped it, should have found her and taken her into our group immediately. I knew I could force-activate my continuous skill, 'Rationality,' right now to clear my mind of this overwhelming guilt, but I didn't. I deserved to feel every single bit.

When Heewon grew heavy with sleep, I eased her off my shoulder and back up against the metal gate.

"You know her?"

Dokja crouched in front of us now. The men lay in varying states of collapse behind him. My throat felt thick. "Yeah."

"I don't think anything too grave happened," he said. "I helped chase off the last of them, but they were still struggling when I got there. She had beaten a couple of them."

The pressure on my chest lifted slightly.

I had the sudden, horrible urge to laugh. I was so...vain. My knowledge and abilities didn't make me the greatest actor of change. I was not the sole savior of these people and this world—they were infinitely capable of saving each other and themselves. My mix of emotions was consuming.

"Dokja." He welcomed me in his arms as I folded into him, sobbing. It felt so good to hold him again. He was warm, solid, and here. Oh God, he's finally here. I sobbed harder.

"Is something wrong?"

"You died," I said, hiccupping. "The first scenario—last round—you died. Dokja, you can't die this time."

Dokja was silent as he rubbed my back. His hand hesitated, then moved up to stroke my hair. I breathed in his scent, and though he smelled of freshwater and something fishy, I found it nice. It was calming. It was real. He shifted his knees on the hard tile, so I wiped at my face before pulling back.

He kept his hands on me, prompting me to meet his searching gaze. "Yeona, I'm alright. I won't die."

I nodded slowly. No, he wouldn't, not in any final sense. I wasn't the ultimate savior for everyone...but for Kim Dokja I was. I would become as arrogant and prideful and whatever else it took to reach his proper end.

I reached up with a finger to trace the thin cut just below his right eye. It had already begun to heal. I dropped my hand and gave him a small smile. "I'm glad to see you."

He returned the smile and squeezed me once before letting go. "I'm glad to see you, too."

Dokja offered to carry Heewon, and I collected the food bags. I paused by the group of men. The one that claimed to have had a "good time" was beginning to stir. I stopped Dokja, and asked, "Is he the main one that...?"

"Yes."

There was nothing complicated in my thoughts as I told Dokja to go on ahead, that I would catch up in a moment. He acknowledged my wish and headed down.

He knew. And his understanding came with an equal callousness.

[Activating the passive skill 'Rationality Lv. 9'.]

It was as if every tumultuous emotion, every overwhelming bubble of feeling, was being shrunk and stuffed away in random shelves until my mind became a blissfully cool state.

I set down the bags, far enough away so that no blood would get on them and approached the man with a knife. I used 'Sacred Light' to clamp his mouth shut and his limbs to the floor. His eyes bugged.

"You chose to prey on the weak. Don't be shocked when the same happens to you," I said. A barrier of light shielded my hands—I didn't want a speck of his filth touching me—and I angled the tip of the knife down between his legs. His panicked shrieks were muffled as he squirmed in the restraints.

I didn't bother unclothing him and sunk the knife into his pants.

If the sound could have formed in the air, he would have released a bloodcurdling scream. A few cuts in and his eyes rolled into the back of his head as blood ran between the tiles in rivulets.

It was quick work. I wasn't trying to lop off everything, but I ensured that nothing would be working properly ever again. I inspected my blood-free shoes and clothing, gathered the food, and left.

There was a flurry of messages but, like before, only one modifier caught my eye.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' favors you.]

[You have been sponsored 800 coins.]

Uriel. I smiled up at the ceiling. She was much more vindictive in this round than I'd expected.

And I like it.

I returned to find Gilyoung, Sangah, and Hyunsung surrounding Dokja in excited greeting. Heewon had been placed on the same bench I knocked out on previously, and I set the food bags by her. Gilyoung saw me and waved.

"Dokja-hyung."

Gilyoung grabbed Dokja's free hand and looked at me, stern, then up at Dokja with an innocent smile. "Noona is leaving us for the sooty bastard!"

"What?" Dokja turned to me, alarmed.

"Gilyoung—I'm not really leaving—it's just for a little while..." I fidgeted with the belt loop of my suit pants. I really need to change out of this, I thought, distracting myself from the sudden tense air. I hadn't planned on telling Dokja of my next steps so soon.

With impeccable timing as ever, Joonghyuk chose that moment to stand up from his hidden spot under the pillar. He looked at me with a pinched expression.

"I see," said Dokja.

Joonghyuk locked eyes with Dokja before they slid back to me. Then he spun and hopped down onto the train tracks, crossing his arms as he did so. Make it quick, I knew he was saying.

I watched Dokja as he examined Joonghyuk for a few minutes. At first, his eyes widened in anger. Then his face scrunched up, bewildered. And more than a little irritated. I wondered what thoughts he had read in Joonghyuk's mind to make him react that way.

Dokja pulled me aside in private, angled so that his body blocked Joonghyuk from view.

"Did he find out you're a regressor?" he whispered harshly.

I shook my head. "My stigmas are censored. And I know that I shouldn't tell him."

"Right. Yoo Joonghyuk does not take kindly to other regressors."

"Still, I should go. I can get Lee Jihye for us and wait for you at Chungmuro station. Maybe get Gong Pildu, too." Dokja seemed conflicted. "I'll be okay. Plus, I can try to soften up the sunfish a bit so he makes for an easier companion."

Dokja grimaced at that, but he slowly released my arm with a nod. "Be careful."

"You too. Cheon Inho's group won't remain quiet for long once Joonghyuk is gone." Something funny shadowed Dokja's face, but I couldn't decipher it.

I bid him and the rest of our group farewell and joined a bored Joonghyuk on the tracks. He said nothing and began walking off into the tunnel.

I smiled at Dokja once more. I wasn't ready to leave him again, but Geumho station was not the unknown belly of a beast. This beast was Cheon Inho and his group, and Dokja has his own companions to aid him this time. He would be alright.

We would meet again, and very soon.

The darkness quickly swallowed me as I followed Yoo Joonghyuk.

Next part ->

A/N: Curious about Joonghyuk's thoughts this chapter? Luckily the author has a little omniscience skill herself:

「I said I would take her with me, but I should kill her.」

「This dark tunnel will suffice.」

「My strength is greater than hers.」

「But...why does the idea of her death hurt?」

「She's dangerous. I should kill her.」

「I don't want to.」

「Annoying.」

「This feeling...」

「Why do I feel this way when I look at her?」

...Oops. Seems like Dokja might have misunderstood a few things.

On another note—Yeona, dear. You are a cold, cold, woman but also somehow one of the most emotional wrecks of them all? A walking contradiction.

[snowfieldstories]

UPDATE

I added some semi-significant things to this chapter! More for the world building, since I realized I forgot to include the constellation messages I had originally planned.

In Life and Death (Chapter 1)

Kim Dokja x Reader/Original female character

In Life and Death Masterlist

Warnings: canon-typical violence, language, endearing fluff

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel of a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right ending to the one and only, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

Wait! This says "Chapter 1" but there are three chapters before it that contain important story.

<- Go back and read [Beginnings]?

Episode III. Chapter 1 — A Ruined World: Round Two

"Choi Yeona?"

I gasped awake. Yoo Sangah flinched back, startled. "Ah..."

"Sorry. I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well last night."

I was back in the subway car. There was a nauseous, woozy feeling in my body as though I were carsick. I thumped at my chest. Was this what Joonghyuk felt each time he regressed? It was terribly unpleasant.

Sangah glanced at me, but didn't comment further. I checked my smartphone and was comforted by the presence of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint and my own written stories. I called out to Mother, but my sponsor was silent. Well, it's not like the scenarios had begun yet. My chest ached again. I tried to recall the moments just before my death—getting stabbed by Uriel, Dokja's panic, Sooyoung looking at me in sorrow, but everything beyond that was hazy.

We arrived at our station. Han Myungoh ambushed us in the street, first accusing, and then humiliated. Sangah and I entered Minosoft, bid a farewell where I let a casual use of her name slip (she scrunched her face at that), and went our separate ways.

I moved easily now. Regression was much better than transmigration—I retained memories of my previous turn, and I later learned, after tripping into a metal filing cabinet in the copy room and leaving a sizable dent, I'd retained a certain degree of my abilities.

It was in that copy room that I first encountered Kim Dokja of the 1864th round. I was walking, glancing to the side, when a mop of black hair bent over a smartphone distracted me. Which led to the dent.

"Are you alright?" Dokja asked, after bothering to look up from his phone and seeing that it was me.

"Oh, yeah. I'm good."

My shuffling seemed to only draw attention to the inhuman stunt I had just pulled behind me. Dokja's eyebrows drew together.

"What are you reading?" I asked hurriedly.

He only looked more suspicious. "...Ways of Survival."

Shit. I was going off the assumption that the memories from the missing month before I appeared here were exactly like my previous turn. But, unlike then, this Kim Dokja was of course a reader of TWSA. The fact that he had told me so easily meant the past month-me should have known of his obsession with the story. As if it were surely the only thing I would expect him to read. I waved my hands. "I just thought, you know, maybe you were reading something new this time. Like there's that other popular web novel, um, SSSSSS-grade Infinite Regressor..."

The expression on Dokja's face made me want to crawl inside my own stomach, curl up, and die. Why the fuck did that title have to pop out my mouth? Well, it's not like I knew any other web novels in this world! While I was lamenting my word vomit, Dokja stood.

"Yoo Sangah said you were acting strange on the train earlier, too."

My blood chilled. I was not off to a great start in this turn. I opened my mouth, and then paused, measuring my words carefully this time.

Should I just tell him?

I checked the clock over the door. 10:17. A little less than seven hours until the world was ruined. I weighed the possible repercussions of informing Dokja that his favorite novel was set to become reality later today. In the end, I hedged the truth.

"I'm nervous about an apocalypse. I mean, any day now the world could end. Nuclear bombs. Aliens. Natural disaster. Today seems especially world-ending and I don't want to die when it does."

Dokja didn't give any indication that he'd heard me.

"Anyways, it's been stuck on my mind. And I'm unprepared. So unprepared. In fact—" an idea dawned "—I was going to visit the shopping center next door during lunch. For, uh, supplies. And lunch. And I'd really like it if you joined me?" My teeth gnawed on my bottom lip as I waited for his reaction.

"...You want to get lunch with me?"

Did he not hear a word I said besides "lunch"?

"And shop. But yeah, I want to have lunch together."

There was something conflicted—a hopeful doubt?—crossing his mind before his face finally cleared. "Oh. Is this your way of trying to make me feel better?"

"Huh?"

"You must have heard." Dokja nodded his head. "Minosoft isn't renewing my contract. I was disappointed, of course, but think I'll be alright. I guess I do like convenience store gimbap enough..."

My heart cried out at the mournful slant to his mouth. Without thinking, I rushed forwards to wrap him in a hug. Dokja froze in my arms.

I squeezed him tighter. "Minosoft is brainless for letting you go."

Dokja gave a little pant, so I released my hold. His face was a deep red as he avoided my gaze. "Thank you for saying so, Choi Yeona."

"Yeona."

"What?" His eyes flew up to mine.

"Yeona. Just call me Yeona."

Perhaps we weren't yet close enough for that. I didn't care. My time with the future Dokja that visited the 1863rd round had made me greedy. I knew it wasn't wise to speedrun my relationship with him, but I couldn't help the urge to hear him call me by my given name once again. A signal that such closeness could exist.

Dokja smiled. It was shy and sweet. "Alright. Thank you, Yeona."

"You're welcome...Dokja?" His nod of confirmation filled me with euphoria. "Dokja!"

I was a bit embarrassed by my cheer of his name, but Dokja seemed pleased. He had to go finish a work task, so we arranged a time to meet for lunch, said our goodbyes, and parted ways. I practically skipped back to my desk.

Once there, I took a deep breath.

I'd narrowly escaped the trickiness of the situation. Already, I was acting too careless compared to the start of my previous turn. Probably a result of being armed with years of knowledge and experience of the last round. And something about Kim Dokja made me lose my head.

Dokja would realize that I had knowledge of these events the moment Bihyung showed up. That was good. I wanted to gain his trust in my experiences, so we could proceed more smoothly at the start.

I pulled out a notepad and pen, humming as I began to write a list of things I needed to buy in preparation for the apocalypse.

Dokja was waiting for me just outside the glass doors to the building. I tapped his shoulder, and he jumped. "You're here?"

I laughed and grabbed his hand. "Of course I'm here. Let's go."

When he hesitated to follow, my hand slackened. Already, I'd gotten ahead of myself. I wasn't very good at holding back with him. But this 1864th Kim Dokja had been deprived of love and care his entire life—surely a little affection couldn't hurt? Still, I should take things slowly.

Before I could let his hand slip out, his own tightened around mine. There was a blush on his cheeks as he looked away. It was ridiculously... "Cute."

Dokja's head whipped toward me. Oops. This time I did release his hand, swinging it up to hold the strap of my backpack.

"So," I said, digging into my pocket and ignoring the stare pinned to my head. "Do you mind if we shop first? I have a few things to pick up before the end of the worl—ork day. It shouldn't take long."

"It's fine."

I scanned the list I had made earlier. Small critters for the first scenario, but that would have to wait. After all, I didn't want Dokja to think I was insane (there would be time for that later). Survival gear—knives, medical supplies, matches, nonperishable food, flashlights, etcetera—and spare clothing could be found mostly all together.

"Will they have all of this there?" I flinched at Dokja's words spoken just over my shoulder, so close I could feel his breath, and then nodded.

"Yeah. This shopping center doesn't have many typical fashion stores. It's more of a local bazaar."

We reached a metal archway with the sign "Gingil Market" painted in faded letters, and behind it was a narrow street lined with shops, their products spilling out past the unmarked sidewalk. There was a buzz of people milling about. Dokja and I squeezed past smiling ahjummas and stooped ahjussis shopping, while others shouted for us to check out their wares. I stopped in front of an outdoor gear shop. It was the same one I visited in the previous turn.

Dokja refused to let me carry the basket, and I was quickly grateful as it grew heavy with items. He never once complained. Though, his eyes did become wide as saucers when I grabbed a handful of various hunting knives.

"I didn't realize you were such a serious doomsday prepper," said Dokja.

I shrugged. "I'm a cautious girl."

On the way to checkout, a wall of technology made me pause. I snatched up an item, excitement filling my body. "A solar-powered charging bank!"

It was the perfect item. Now, Dokja and I wouldn't have to worry about constantly finding an electric power source to keep our smartphones alive—phones vital to our own survival.

"It attaches with a carabiner. Look, there's also a level and a compass for finding your way in tricky spots. It even has a flashlight built into it! And it's sturdy!" Realizing I was geeking out over the specs, I lowered it, feeling awkward. But Dokja's gaze on me was fond.

"If Ways of Survival were real, you would be a worthy protagonist."

I was stupefied. Me, Choi Yeona, the protagonist? And Kim Dokja thought so? I wanted to ask, to know why he saw me as protagonist-potential, but I swallowed down the questions. "Thank you, Dokja."

I tossed two power banks into the basket and his eyebrows raised. "Will you really need more than one?"

"Sure," I said, evasive. He would need his own, after all.

Dokja only smiled and walked with me to the register. I paid, then he helped me pack away the newspaper-wrapped knives, chargers, and other supplies into my backpack.

We browsed the street some more, but I didn't buy much besides a few food items.

At one point, Dokja wandered off with a vague statement about needing soap, and I took the opportunity to head into the bait and tackle.

Now, why the hell there was a fishing store in a shopping center in the middle of Seoul, I had no clue. Maybe it was due to the recent explosive popularity of tuna-related music? Anyways, I was glad to see it. Digging around for bugs in the grass wasn't exactly appealing.

I paid the pimply checkout boy (shouldn't he be in school?) for eight small plastic bags of insects and worms and placed them carefully in my pack. There was an extra for if something went wrong, and Gilyoung would also have his crickets.

Dokja and I reconvened by the tteokbokki stand in the open food hall. After ordering and picking up our food—traditional spicy rice cakes for him, creamy rabokki for me—we sat at a quiet, shaded table by the plants. I twisted the ramen around my chopsticks. "Did you get your soap?"

"Mhm." Dokja finished his bite. He wiped at his mouth, setting down the napkin and leaning to reach into a shopping bag. "And I got you this."

He slid a small box towards me. It was pretty, decorated with an oriental, burgundy pattern over a gold background. I read the box: Chinese ginseng oolong. Honey infused, twelve sachets. When I looked back up at Dokja, he was nervous.

"It—it's a farewell gift." Dokja swallowed. "The tea is supposed to be healing—the ginseng and honey, I think—and if that apocalypse comes and you get hurt or sick, you'll have this."

The moment strongly reminded me of my first ever encounter with Dokja. A moment that this Dokja had never known. I was beyond touched and clutched the box of tea to my chest. Inside, I squealed at his thoughtfulness, his endearing kindness. "A farewell gift...aren't I supposed to get you one of those?"

He shook his head. "I'm grateful for you." Dokja smiled softly. "You're the only friend I have at Minosoft, and my time there would have been much worse without you."

I must have stared at him for too long because his blush returned.

"I love it, Dokja. Thank you." I admired the tea once more before stashing it in my backpack.

We polished off the food. Dokja returned from the trash bins and glanced near my feet, worried. "I can get that for you. It looks heavy."

I lifted the backpack. It was surprisingly lightweight; I had chosen my items well. Or perhaps that was my own unnatural, regressor strength. I waved off Dokja's offered hand and tilted my head at him, saying, "For the record, you're the best part of Minosoft for me too."

"Not Yoo Sangah? Aren't you two close?"

"Oh." I didn't really know how friendly she and I were in this world-turn. "Sangah is a wonderful friend, but you're my favorite."

Dokja became flustered again. He was awfully easy to tease right now, and I was going to savor it while I could.

We headed back, having filled out our lunch break time and then some, and before we separated, I asked Dokja to meet me by the entrance after work. He agreed.

Then I sat at my desk. I read Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint; I lost at Tetris a few times (or twenty...six) on my computer; I downloaded some music and books to my phone; I twiddled my thumbs. I read some more. And then the clock struck 18:30.

Sangah greeted me in the elevator.

"Will you take the train home today?" I asked, rather nervous.

"Of course," she said and looked at me curiously.

"Do you mind if Dokja joins us?"

"...Kim Dokja? Sure, I don't see why not."

I smiled in thanks. Dokja was already waiting by the front doors and joined at my other side. The three of us fell into a light chatter as we walked.

Soon, we were through the ticket gate and waiting in front of the subway doors. With my excess time earlier, I had made sure to learn exactly where we needed to stand to enter the 3807 train car to Bulgwang.

We found three seats across from the young boy with the crickets. Lee Gilyoung. He seemed troubled, and I watched as he tugged on the sleeve of his aunt and she ignored him. Ugh.

The train moved. 18:49. Dokja was preoccupied with his phone, no doubt receiving the messages from tls123.

Sangah wrinkled her forehead at the bulging survival backpack in my lap. I patted it and said, "I'm going on a hike this weekend."

Dokja shot me a look but didn't say anything. That's right, it would be our private little secret for now.

I checked the time. 18:58. A secret for just two more minutes.

I leaned over to Dokja's ear, my leg pressing against his. He inhaled sharply. "You know the Delusion Demon, Kim Namwoon?"

"...From Ways of Survival?"

"Yeah. Don't kill him. I want that brat to live."

Dokja looked at me, alert but baffled. The next moment, the train lurched to a halt.

"E—everyone, run away—!"

Bihyung popped into the air and everyone clambered to their feet. Dokja's eyes were wide as his head whipped towards me again. People angrily protested, and Bihyung blew up a few of their heads, the blood splattering everywhere. Our scenario messages appeared. I slipped a knife into my hand as the crowd became more agitated. Sangah was shaking beside me, so I brushed her hair with a whispered comfort before positioning myself between her and the crowd. They targeted the grandmother now.

There was a tight grip around my shoulder. "You knew."

Dokja was looking at me intensely. I eased off his hand, shaking my head. "Later. After we clear this scenario."

Thankfully, the levelheadedness was already kicking in because Dokja said nothing more and returned his attention to the chaos of the carriage.

With him keeping an eye on things, I took the time to dig out the insect and worm bags. I gave one to Dokja first, as well as a spare knife. "Crush it. It will count."

He did so without hesitation. I was gratified that he would earn the 'First Kill' achievement bonus; Dokja would need to amass money quickly for his plans.

I killed those in my own bag, and then instructed Sangah to do the same, waiting beside her until she crushed it with a wail of despair. My critical eyes searched the carriage. I went over and pulled aside a startled Gilyoung, just as a flailing woman was about to crash into him. I steadied the grasshopper box in his hands and put my own insect bag on top. I crouched. "What's your name?"

"...Gilyoung...Lee Gilyoung." His voice was shaky and timid, but he looked at me steadily. I placed a hand on his head.

"Okay, Gilyoung. You have a choice. Crush this bag I gave you to survive. Or kill nothing and you will die. If you choose to live, I swear I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

A woman's shriek caused me to glance over. It was his aunt, beating down at the old grandmother with her purse. There was a feral air to her movements. I turned back to Gilyoung, noting the purple and green splotches on his wrists. My lip curled in disgust. "You also have those crickets. You could give one to that lady you were with and help her survive too. But," I said sharply. "I will never judge you if you don't. Not everyone deserves to survive in this ruined world."

Gilyoung seemed to be taking in my words intently. I was relieved that he didn't appear to be afraid of me, rather, he seemed to gaze up with a sort of reverence.

I patted his head once more before standing. "I'll leave it to you."

[The constellation 'Queen of the Darkest Spring' respects your maternal instinct!]

Interesting. I had been ignoring the constellations for the time being, but that one was rather curious.

[You have 10 minutes remaining!]

Bihyung had returned and surveyed the chaos eagerly. It must have satisfied him, because he left soon after.

I was glad to see Dokja protecting Sangah. The crowd was dangerously rough now, and one boy in particular oozed aggression. I was about to give Dokja another bag for Lee Hyunsung, when I noticed there were four left. Four? I counted: one to Dokja, one to me. Sangah. Gilyoung. Two for Namwoon and Hyunsung. And the extra, just in case. So who...?

Flailing arms clad in a pinstripe suit caught my eye. Ah, that's right. Han Myungoh.

I debated giving him a bag. He was part of what made Dokja's life at Minosoft so bleak and was a rather annoying pest to women. But he would have growth. And he was a rather useful and welcome ally in the future. Plus, after he gave birth to that girl in the novel, I quite liked him. I handed two bags to Dokja.

"One for Lee Hyunsung and one for Han Myungoh. Will you make sure they get them?"

"Han Myungoh?" Dokja said, furrowing his brows.

"I know," I sighed. "Don't worry, he'll get better."

He accepted the bags hesitantly and headed off to find them. I went over to the mob. An elbow flew back my way and just barely missed my head.

[You have gained +2 luck! Account balance: 2/500]

Oh, I'd completely forgotten about all that. It was good to know my sponsor and skills were still in place. But five hundred, really? Considering how high of a balance I'd reached in the last turn, I thought my starting limit would be greater.

A problem to examine later.

There was a schoolboy uniform in front of me. My hand closed around the collar. I ripped Kim Namwoon away from the pack with such force that he launched into the metal door behind us with a clang! A few other passengers startled up in fear, but quickly returned to their beatings of easier prey. Namwoon was already getting to his feet.

"How the fuck—?!"

"Language." I kicked him back down, my foot trapping him to the floor. One hand pointed a knife at him. "Kim Namwoon. You're mine now. I'll let you live, but you can't hurt anyone else on this train, got it? You'll have your chance to fight later. Nod if you understand."

Namwoon gaped up at me, so I pressed my heel harder into his chest. He nodded rapidly.

I dropped the bag onto his face and released him. He crushed it at once, sitting up eagerly as though waiting for the next command. I pointed to the train seat in the corner. "Go sit, and don't move until I fucking tell you."

"Okay!"

...Just like that? I figured strong-arming him would be the best choice, but this kid was way more delusional in this turn than the last. I side-eyed him until he settled, one knee crossed over the other. The illusion of politeness and etiquette.

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' likes your handling of his incarnation-interest!]

I shook my head. A crazy sponsor for a crazy demon child.

I turned to find a dumbfounded Dokja and scandalized Hyunsung staring at me. My head bowed, feeling awkward at their witness. "Um, hi. I'm Choi Yeona."

Hyunsung gulped. "Lee Hyunsung."

There was one minute left of the scenario.

I pocketed the knife and pushed the final bag of insects into Dokja's hands. "An extra. It's yours."

Dokja tried to give it back. "You deserve it more than I do—"

"No. I want you to have the coins."

Then I cupped either side of his hands and forced them shut. The plastic popped, and bug guts and fluid leaked out.

[The given time has run out.]

[Paid settlement will begin.]

People's heads exploded around us in a bursting succession, as if celebrating our accomplishment of survival. I was unaffected at the sight. Dokja was equally calm at my side.

A body attached itself to my legs. The shaggy head of Gilyoung looked up at me with a smile. I scanned the carriage until I saw the broken and bloodied body of that woman, and I turned back to Gilyoung, ruffling his hair with a warm smile of my own.

The train moved once more. After we all viewed the sight of a ruined Seoul for a bit, I asked Gilyoung to give us a moment and ushered Dokja over to the corner, to which I immediately ordered Namwoon to leave. He did so without a word.

"So..."

I was nervous. Dokja was quiet as he sat back and regarded me. He probably had a million questions.

"You move like a regressor."

Wow, right on the money with that one. I was impressed, and gestured for him to continue.

"If I'm being honest," he said with a grimace. "You're not someone I should trust."

It was hard not to let the disappointment show on my face. I had hoped my knowledge and preparation for our survival might leave enough for a trusting foundation with Dokja, but I could see why he felt that way. Regressors were known to have their own, singular agenda. Dokja also knew that a regressor would eliminate anything that didn't fit that agenda (damn you, Yoo Joonghyuk!). I would be suspicious of me, too. "I understa—"

"But that doesn't mean that I don't."

Oh?

"I want to trust you. I meant it when I said you're my friend. And it seems like you know a lot, maybe even more than me. So, Yeona, let's complete the scenarios together. Let's seek the end."

I nodded my head vigorously, fighting the sudden tears in my eyes. When it wasn't enough, I leapt forwards to wrap him in a hug that he returned more easily this time. I will save you, Kim Dokja.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' squeals at this pure display of affection.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is curious.]

I pulled back and wiped at my smiling cheeks. "I am a regressor, of sorts. It's my second turn. The last one was...nothing like this. I want to make this the final end, too."

"Your second turn? How was the last so different already? And what do you mean 'sort of'...?"

Dokja's excited questions now bubbled to the surface, but the stopping train halted our conversation. We returned to the others with the promise of a lengthy talk later.

Namwoon leered intimidatingly over Gilyoung. I smacked him hard upside the head, and he howled in pain. Perhaps it was harder than necessary. I took Gilyoung's hand in mine, glaring at the Delusion Demon. "Mind your place."

Hyunsung leaned in close to Dokja. "Your girlfriend is a bit scary."

Sangah and Han Myungoh's heads shot up, curiously tilted their way; Hyunsung clearly didn't know the meaning of a whisper. I jerked my head towards him, speaking.

"Oh, no, I'm not his—"

"We're not—I'm not her, uh—" Dokja stumbled cutely over his words.

"—girlfriend."

"—boyfriend."

The three of us stood awkwardly. No, more than that. Everyone had paused at the stiff atmosphere.

[Incredible.]

Bihyung floated in above us.

[So many constellations connected to the channel...haha. Thank you everyone! Now look at these survivors, there are...well now, there are seven of them. It's quite high? And it looks like you've used some unconventional methods.]

Bihyung scrutinized us one by one. He lingered on Dokja's fearless calm, and then me with the pack strapped to my back.

[Hmm. Anyways, let's move on to the sponsor selection. Take a good, long look, little bugs, because this sponsor will decide your fate in this world. Choose wisely!]

Mine glitched as it did before in the previous turn. I saw Dokja study his options before exiting the screen. Then we waited.

[Sponsor Selection has ended.]

[Many constellations are disappointed at your unavailability!]

[Huh? You two...]

Now Bihyung openly eyed us with suspicion. But, at a few urging messages of the constellations, he continued with the program.

[Very well. Congratulations on the outcome of your selection. I must go to prepare the next scenario. Rest here for ten minutes!]

We were left with a silence and the stench of blood. Then everyone began to hesitantly introduce themselves. Dokja finished it off by convincing everyone to leave immediately. The door was wedged open, and soon we all inhaled the fresh, slightly damp air. We made a break for the bridge. A sea monster bowled into the concrete with a powerful screech, knocking us back before we could reach the safety zone.

[The exclusive skill, 'Sacred Light' has been activated!]

I reinforced the bridge gap with a few solid beams of light and yelled for the others to cross over. Sangah and Gilyoung went first, then Namwoon, Han Myungoh, and then Hyunsung, until it was just Dokja and I left. My skill was incredibly weak compared to before. Already, my fingertips burned and smoked from overstrain. I didn't think I could hold the beams and cross myself, so I told Dokja to go.

"I'm not leaving you."

"I can find another way by myself—"

[Oho, what's this? It's no fun if the game is too easy.]

Shit. The zombies.

Dokja used the knife to swipe at the incoming bodies. There were too many. I released my makeshift bridge and swept a broadsword of light at the zombies. Just as an overwhelming surge came towards us, they were swept away by a pair of fists.

Yoo Joonghyuk stepped over the destroyed bodies.

He gave my sword of light a fearsome glare, and then lunged for Dokja, capturing him by the neck. "You all, how the hell are you alive?"

Joonghyuk was impatient as he punched Dokja in the stomach. I flinched, but forced myself to remain unmoving. Joonghyuk frowned. "You've already mastered the use of coins?"

Dokja coughed. "Yoo Joonghyuk."

"How do you know my name?" demanded Joonghyuk.

He reared back to punch Dokja again, but I stepped forwards this time. "I'm Choi Yeona and he's Kim Dokja. He's a prophet."

I looked at Dokja meaningfully, taking advantage of Joonghyuk's attention on him to tap my forehead and mouth the word "omniscient." I was never more grateful for Dokja's intelligence as he quickly grasped my intention. He used his read on Joonghyuk's thoughts to begin talking him down with an explanation, and Joonghyuk's hold switched from Dokja's neck to shirt collar as he listened.

"...So, make me your companion and I'll help you fill in the parts you are missing."

Joonghyuk looked at Dokja for a long while. "I will make you my companion. But one last thing."

Dokja's eyes slid to mine. I nodded.

"If you really are a prophet, you should know." Joonghyuk held Dokja out over the water. A great sea monster snapped up from below. "Will I let go of this hand or not?"

Dokja closed his eyes. Then he looked at me, smiled, and said, "Release your hand already, you son of a bitch."

"I believe you are a prophet."

Joonghyuk let go. Dokja accepted the fall and was swallowed whole by the monster.

I finally released the arrows I'd been holding at Joonghyuk's vital points, prepared to strike in the event he decided to murder Dokja himself. Sweat trickled down my face and my head grew woozy.

[Due to excessive strain, you are severely fatigued.]

Joonghyuk approached me.

"A prophet alone is suspicious." His dark eyes flashed. "But a puppet prophet controlled by a greater power is even more so."

Before I could move, Joonghyuk snapped a hand behind my neck, knocking me unconscious.

Next part ->

A/N: Office worker Kim Dokja is such a cutie ugh ♡

[snowfieldstories]

Omniscient Reader's Gunpoint ig

pew pew....anna croft mc.....pew pew sniper jihye.....

HBD (belated) Kim Dokja darling. I'm sorry they did that to your story

[snowfieldstories]

Valentine's Day Special

Kim Dokja x Reader/OC [from In Life and Death]

Kim Dokja's Love (featuring: protective Lee Jihye, a Chinese garter belt dress, and...Yoo Joonghyuk)

"What about ahjumma?" said Yoosung.

"Oh, of course!" Jihye cried out, having forgotten. She crept towards me, holding out the affection meter in earnest. "Let's check."

"Let's not!" I dodged the device, but then was tugged into the air. A glitching shimmer swirled around me. No...!

A silky black fabric draped over my skin. I felt a tight compression around my thighs and calves, and my hair fell in a curtain of styled curls down my back. I could feel so much air on my bare skin. Too much. "Persephone!" I shouted.

I was set back on my feet, unsteady in the heels on the grass. Persephone's Chinese garter dress. My companions around me gaped at the sight. Yoosung beamed while Hyunsung blushed furiously and forced his eyes to the ground. Even Joonghyuk's eyebrows shot up. An object was pressed into my chest, and I looked down.

Jihye pulled the affection meter back to her with a frown. "Is it stuck?"

There was a violent rattling, then—BOOM!

Jihye screamed and I keeled backwards at the explosion.

"What did you do, Jihye?" I said and coughed at the lingering smoke. Jihye was dumbstruck as pieces of the affection meter crumbled in her hands.

"His love for angel-unnie was so great, it broke an SS-grade relic," said Jihye in awe, wiping crocodile tears from her eyes.

Heewon looked me up and down. "Love is one word for it," she muttered darkly.

Namwoon scowled as he caught on to her words.

Jihye gasped and nodded. She smashed a still-smoking fist into her palm. "You're right! Ahjussi wasn't measuring love with his heart, he was measuring it with his—"

Sangah and Hyunsung each clapped their hands over Yoosung and Gilyoung's ears.

I groaned and buried my face in my hands, mumbling. "Dokja, I really hoped you stopped watching with omniscience already..."

In my heart, I felt the keen tug of humiliation from our shared connection.

That was rather unfortunate.

Jihye stared at me with a complicated look of concentration. She then sighed. "Unnie, I'm sorry. I guess we'll have to kill you now."

The tugging at my heart became frantic. I remained unbothered. Luckily for me, the Ways of Survival was, and would always be, Kim Dokja's greatest love. "We didn't test Yoo Joonghyuk," I pointed out.

"AH! You're right!" Jihye groaned and put her hands in her hair. "But Master, seriously?"

Joonghyuk finally acknowledged us with a look of disgust. "You're all imbeciles."

"Are you saying that because you know something?" Jihye was accusing. Joonghyuk stared at her blankly and she choked. "Are you two...? Is ahjussi cheating on angel-unnie with YOU?! How dare you!"

Heewon and I each grabbed an arm and dug our heels into the grass to keep Jihye from launching at Joonghyuk in a fit of righteous anger on my behalf. "Let me go! I'll kill him—let me kill him for you, unnie!" she bellowed.

In that moment, we'd forgotten about one very delusional demon. Joonghyuk included.

His head snapped to the side as Namwoon's fist collided with his cheek. Jihye took advantage of our shock to shake us off, running to join in.

"You home-wrecking dog!" roared Namwoon.

Joonghyuk recovered at once, and a terrible darkness shadowed his face. It was a glare from the depths of malice. There was a blinding flash and Jihye and Namwoon were blasted away, stunned and flat on their backs in the grass.

I exhaled deeply, rubbing my temples. "You guys are really..."

My connected heart ached with a mournful apology.

I sighed again. "It's not your fault, Dokja."

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day all! I hope you enjoyed this fun little scene. It might end up in the main ILAD fic, I haven't decided yet

[snowfieldstories]

In Life and Death [Chapter 1]

Kim Dokja x Reader/Original female character

In Life and Death Masterlist

Warnings: canon-typical violence, language, endearing fluff

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel of a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right ending to the one and only, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

Wait! This says "Chapter 1" but there are three chapters before it that contain important story.

<- Go back and read [Beginnings]?

Episode III. Chapter 1 — A Ruined World: Round Two

"Choi Yeona?"

I gasped awake. Yoo Sangah flinched back, startled. "Ah..."

"Sorry. I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well last night."

I was back in the subway car. There was a nauseous, woozy feeling in my body as though I were carsick. I thumped at my chest. Was this what Joonghyuk felt each time he regressed? It was terribly unpleasant.

Sangah glanced at me, but didn't comment further. I checked my smartphone and was comforted by the presence of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint and my own written stories. I called out to Mother, but my sponsor was silent. Well, it's not like the scenarios had begun yet. My chest ached again. I tried to recall the moments just before my death—getting stabbed by Uriel, Dokja's panic, Sooyoung looking at me in sorrow, but everything beyond that was hazy.

We arrived at our station. Han Myungoh ambushed us in the street, first accusing, and then humiliated. Sangah and I entered Minosoft, bid a farewell where I let a casual use of her name slip (she scrunched her face at that), and went our separate ways.

I moved easily now. Regression was much better than transmigration—I retained memories of my previous turn, and I later learned, after tripping into a metal filing cabinet in the copy room and leaving a sizable dent, I'd retained a certain degree of my abilities.

It was in that copy room that I first encountered Kim Dokja of the 1864th round. I was walking, glancing to the side, when a mop of black hair bent over a smartphone distracted me. Which led to the dent.

"Are you alright?" Dokja asked, after bothering to look up from his phone and seeing that it was me.

"Oh, yeah. I'm good."

My shuffling seemed to only draw attention to the inhuman stunt I had just pulled behind me. Dokja's eyebrows drew together.

"What are you reading?" I asked hurriedly.

He only looked more suspicious. "...Ways of Survival."

Shit. I was going off the assumption that the memories from the missing month before I appeared here were exactly like my previous turn. But, unlike then, this Kim Dokja was of course a reader of TWSA. The fact that he had told me so easily meant the past month-me should have known of his obsession with the story. As if it were surely the only thing I would expect him to read. I waved my hands. "I just thought, you know, maybe you were reading something new this time. Like there's that other popular web novel, um, SSSSSS-grade Infinite Regressor..."

The expression on Dokja's face made me want to crawl inside my own stomach, curl up, and die. Why the fuck did that title have to pop out my mouth? Well, it's not like I knew any other web novels in this world! While I was lamenting my word vomit, Dokja stood.

"Yoo Sangah said you were acting strange on the train earlier, too."

My blood chilled. I was not off to a great start in this turn. I opened my mouth, and then paused, measuring my words carefully this time.

Should I just tell him?

I checked the clock over the door. 10:17. A little less than seven hours until the world was ruined. I weighed the possible repercussions of informing Dokja that his favorite novel was set to become reality later today. In the end, I hedged the truth.

"I'm nervous about an apocalypse. I mean, any day now the world could end. Nuclear bombs. Aliens. Natural disaster. Today seems especially world-ending and I don't want to die when it does."

Dokja didn't give any indication that he'd heard me.

"Anyways, it's been stuck on my mind. And I'm unprepared. So unprepared. In fact—" an idea dawned "—I was going to visit the shopping center next door during lunch. For, uh, supplies. And lunch. And I'd really like it if you joined me?" My teeth gnawed on my bottom lip as I waited for his reaction.

"...You want to get lunch with me?"

Did he not hear a word I said besides "lunch"?

"And shop. But yeah, I want to have lunch together."

There was something conflicted—a hopeful doubt?—crossing his mind before his face finally cleared. "Oh. Is this your way of trying to make me feel better?"

"Huh?"

"You must have heard." Dokja nodded his head. "Minosoft isn't renewing my contract. I was disappointed, of course, but think I'll be alright. I guess I do like convenience store gimbap enough..."

My heart cried out at the mournful slant to his mouth. Without thinking, I rushed forwards to wrap him in a hug. Dokja froze in my arms.

I squeezed him tighter. "Minosoft is brainless for letting you go."

Dokja gave a little pant, so I released my hold. His face was a deep red as he avoided my gaze. "Thank you for saying so, Choi Yeona."

"Yeona."

"What?" His eyes flew up to mine.

"Yeona. Just call me Yeona."

Perhaps we weren't yet close enough for that. I didn't care. My time with the future Dokja that visited the 1863rd round had made me greedy. I knew it wasn't wise to speedrun my relationship with him, but I couldn't help the urge to hear him call me by my given name once again. A signal that such closeness could exist.

Dokja smiled. It was shy and sweet. "Alright. Thank you, Yeona."

"You're welcome...Dokja?" His nod of confirmation filled me with euphoria. "Dokja!"

I was a bit embarrassed by my cheer of his name, but Dokja seemed pleased. He had to go finish a work task, so we arranged a time to meet for lunch, said our goodbyes, and parted ways. I practically skipped back to my desk.

Once there, I took a deep breath.

I'd narrowly escaped the trickiness of the situation. Already, I was acting too careless compared to the start of my previous turn. Probably a result of being armed with years of knowledge and experience of the last round. And something about Kim Dokja made me lose my head.

Dokja would realize that I had knowledge of these events the moment Bihyung showed up. That was good. I wanted to gain his trust in my experiences, so we could proceed more smoothly at the start.

I pulled out a notepad and pen, humming as I began to write a list of things I needed to buy in preparation for the apocalypse.

Dokja was waiting for me just outside the glass doors to the building. I tapped his shoulder, and he jumped. "You're here?"

I laughed and grabbed his hand. "Of course I'm here. Let's go."

When he hesitated to follow, my hand slackened. Already, I'd gotten ahead of myself. I wasn't very good at holding back with him. But this 1864th Kim Dokja had been deprived of love and care his entire life—surely a little affection couldn't hurt? Still, I should take things slowly.

Before I could let his hand slip out, his own tightened around mine. There was a blush on his cheeks as he looked away. It was ridiculously... "Cute."

Dokja's head whipped toward me. Oops. This time I did release his hand, swinging it up to hold the strap of my backpack.

"So," I said, digging into my pocket and ignoring the stare pinned to my head. "Do you mind if we shop first? I have a few things to pick up before the end of the worl—ork day. It shouldn't take long."

"It's fine."

I scanned the list I had made earlier. Small critters for the first scenario, but that would have to wait. After all, I didn't want Dokja to think I was insane (there would be time for that later). Survival gear—knives, medical supplies, matches, nonperishable food, flashlights, etcetera—and spare clothing could be found mostly all together.

"Will they have all of this there?" I flinched at Dokja's words spoken just over my shoulder, so close I could feel his breath, and then nodded.

"Yeah. This shopping center doesn't have many typical fashion stores. It's more of a local bazaar."

We reached a metal archway with the sign "Gingil Market" painted in faded letters, and behind it was a narrow street lined with shops, their products spilling out past the unmarked sidewalk. There was a buzz of people milling about. Dokja and I squeezed past smiling ahjummas and stooped ahjussis shopping, while others shouted for us to check out their wares. I stopped in front of an outdoor gear shop. It was the same one I visited in the previous turn.

Dokja refused to let me carry the basket, and I was quickly grateful as it grew heavy with items. He never once complained. Though, his eyes did become wide as saucers when I grabbed a handful of various hunting knives.

"I didn't realize you were such a serious doomsday prepper," said Dokja.

I shrugged. "I'm a cautious girl."

On the way to checkout, a wall of technology made me pause. I snatched up an item, excitement filling my body. "A solar-powered charging bank!"

It was the perfect item. Now, Dokja and I wouldn't have to worry about constantly finding an electric power source to keep our smartphones alive—phones vital to our own survival.

"It attaches with a carabiner. Look, there's also a level and a compass for finding your way in tricky spots. It even has a flashlight built into it! And it's sturdy!" Realizing I was geeking out over the specs, I lowered it, feeling awkward. But Dokja's gaze on me was fond.

"If Ways of Survival were real, you would be a worthy protagonist."

I was stupefied. Me, Choi Yeona, the protagonist? And Kim Dokja thought so? I wanted to ask, to know why he saw me as protagonist-potential, but I swallowed down the questions. "Thank you, Dokja."

I tossed two power banks into the basket and his eyebrows raised. "Will you really need more than one?"

"Sure," I said, evasive. He would need his own, after all.

Dokja only smiled and walked with me to the register. I paid, then he helped me pack away the newspaper-wrapped knives, chargers, and other supplies into my backpack.

We browsed the street some more, but I didn't buy much besides a few food items.

At one point, Dokja wandered off with a vague statement about needing soap, and I took the opportunity to head into the bait and tackle.

Now, why the hell there was a fishing store in a shopping center in the middle of Seoul, I had no clue. Maybe it was due to the recent explosive popularity of tuna-related music? Anyways, I was glad to see it. Digging around for bugs in the grass wasn't exactly appealing.

I paid the pimply checkout boy (shouldn't he be in school?) for eight small plastic bags of insects and worms and placed them carefully in my pack. There was an extra for if something went wrong, and Gilyoung would also have his crickets.

Dokja and I reconvened by the tteokbokki stand in the open food hall. After ordering and picking up our food—traditional spicy rice cakes for him, creamy rabokki for me—we sat at a quiet, shaded table by the plants. I twisted the ramen around my chopsticks. "Did you get your soap?"

"Mhm." Dokja finished his bite. He wiped at his mouth, setting down the napkin and leaning to reach into a shopping bag. "And I got you this."

He slid a small box towards me. It was pretty, decorated with an oriental, burgundy pattern over a gold background. I read the box: Chinese ginseng oolong. Honey infused, twelve sachets. When I looked back up at Dokja, he was nervous.

"It—it's a farewell gift." Dokja swallowed. "The tea is supposed to be healing—the ginseng and honey, I think—and if that apocalypse comes and you get hurt or sick, you'll have this."

The moment strongly reminded me of my first ever encounter with Dokja. A moment that this Dokja had never known. I was beyond touched and clutched the box of tea to my chest. Inside, I squealed at his thoughtfulness, his endearing kindness. "A farewell gift...aren't I supposed to get you one of those?"

He shook his head. "I'm grateful for you." Dokja smiled softly. "You're the only friend I have at Minosoft, and my time there would have been much worse without you."

I must have stared at him for too long because his blush returned.

"I love it, Dokja. Thank you." I admired the tea once more before stashing it in my backpack.

We polished off the food. Dokja returned from the trash bins and glanced near my feet, worried. "I can get that for you. It looks heavy."

I lifted the backpack. It was surprisingly lightweight; I had chosen my items well. Or perhaps that was my own unnatural, regressor strength. I waved off Dokja's offered hand and tilted my head at him, saying, "For the record, you're the best part of Minosoft for me too."

"Not Yoo Sangah? Aren't you two close?"

"Oh." I didn't really know how friendly she and I were in this world-turn. "Sangah is a wonderful friend, but you're my favorite."

Dokja became flustered again. He was awfully easy to tease right now, and I was going to savor it while I could.

We headed back, having filled out our lunch break time and then some, and before we separated, I asked Dokja to meet me by the entrance after work. He agreed.

Then I sat at my desk. I read Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint; I lost at Tetris a few times (or twenty...six) on my computer; I downloaded some music and books to my phone; I twiddled my thumbs. I read some more. And then the clock struck 18:30.

Sangah greeted me in the elevator.

"Will you take the train home today?" I asked, rather nervous.

"Of course," she said and looked at me curiously.

"Do you mind if Dokja joins us?"

"...Kim Dokja? Sure, I don't see why not."

I smiled in thanks. Dokja was already waiting by the front doors and joined at my other side. The three of us fell into a light chatter as we walked.

Soon, we were through the ticket gate and waiting in front of the subway doors. With my excess time earlier, I had made sure to learn exactly where we needed to stand to enter the 3807 train car to Bulgwang.

We found three seats across from the young boy with the crickets. Lee Gilyoung. He seemed troubled, and I watched as he tugged on the sleeve of his aunt and she ignored him. Ugh.

The train moved. 18:49. Dokja was preoccupied with his phone, no doubt receiving the messages from tls123.

Sangah wrinkled her forehead at the bulging survival backpack in my lap. I patted it and said, "I'm going on a hike this weekend."

Dokja shot me a look but didn't say anything. That's right, it would be our private little secret for now.

I checked the time. 18:58. A secret for just two more minutes.

I leaned over to Dokja's ear, my leg pressing against his. He inhaled sharply. "You know the Delusion Demon, Kim Namwoon?"

"...From Ways of Survival?"

"Yeah. Don't kill him. I want that brat to live."

Dokja looked at me, alert but baffled. The next moment, the train lurched to a halt.

"E—everyone, run away—!"

Bihyung popped into the air and everyone clambered to their feet. Dokja's eyes were wide as his head whipped towards me again. People angrily protested, and Bihyung blew up a few of their heads, the blood splattering everywhere. Our scenario messages appeared. I slipped a knife into my hand as the crowd became more agitated. Sangah was shaking beside me, so I brushed her hair with a whispered comfort before positioning myself between her and the crowd. They targeted the grandmother now.

There was a tight grip around my shoulder. "You knew."

Dokja was looking at me intensely. I eased off his hand, shaking my head. "Later. After we clear this scenario."

Thankfully, the levelheadedness was already kicking in because Dokja said nothing more and returned his attention to the chaos of the carriage.

With him keeping an eye on things, I took the time to dig out the insect and worm bags. I gave one to Dokja first, as well as a spare knife. "Crush it. It will count."

He did so without hesitation. I was gratified that he would earn the 'First Kill' achievement bonus; Dokja would need to amass money quickly for his plans.

I killed those in my own bag, and then instructed Sangah to do the same, waiting beside her until she crushed it with a wail of despair. My critical eyes searched the carriage. I went over and pulled aside a startled Gilyoung, just as a flailing woman was about to crash into him. I steadied the grasshopper box in his hands and put my own insect bag on top. I crouched. "What's your name?"

"...Gilyoung...Lee Gilyoung." His voice was shaky and timid, but he looked at me steadily. I placed a hand on his head.

"Okay, Gilyoung. You have a choice. Crush this bag I gave you to survive. Or kill nothing and you will die. If you choose to live, I swear I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

A woman's shriek caused me to glance over. It was his aunt, beating down at the old grandmother with her purse. There was a feral air to her movements. I turned back to Gilyoung, noting the purple and green splotches on his wrists. My lip curled in disgust. "You also have those crickets. You could give one to that lady you were with and help her survive too. But," I said sharply. "I will never judge you if you don't. Not everyone deserves to survive in this ruined world."

Gilyoung seemed to be taking in my words intently. I was relieved that he didn't appear to be afraid of me, rather, he seemed to gaze up with a sort of reverence.

I patted his head once more before standing. "I'll leave it to you."

[The constellation 'Queen of the Darkest Spring' respects your maternal instinct!]

Interesting. I had been ignoring the constellations for the time being, but that one was rather curious.

[You have 10 minutes remaining!]

Bihyung had returned and surveyed the chaos eagerly. It must have satisfied him, because he left soon after.

I was glad to see Dokja protecting Sangah. The crowd was dangerously rough now, and one boy in particular oozed aggression. I was about to give Dokja another bag for Lee Hyunsung, when I noticed there were four left. Four? I counted: one to Dokja, one to me. Sangah. Gilyoung. Two for Namwoon and Hyunsung. And the extra, just in case. So who...?

Flailing arms clad in a pinstripe suit caught my eye. Ah, that's right. Han Myungoh.

I debated giving him a bag. He was part of what made Dokja's life at Minosoft so bleak and was a rather annoying pest to women. But he would have growth. And he was a rather useful and welcome ally in the future. Plus, after he gave birth to that girl in the novel, I quite liked him. I handed two bags to Dokja.

"One for Lee Hyunsung and one for Han Myungoh. Will you make sure they get them?"

"Han Myungoh?" Dokja said, furrowing his brows.

"I know," I sighed. "Don't worry, he'll get better."

He accepted the bags hesitantly and headed off to find them. I went over to the mob. An elbow flew back my way and just barely missed my head.

[You have gained +2 luck! Account balance: 2/500]

Oh, I'd completely forgotten about all that. It was good to know my sponsor and skills were still in place. But five hundred, really? Considering how high of a balance I'd reached in the last turn, I thought my starting limit would be greater.

A problem to examine later.

There was a schoolboy uniform in front of me. My hand closed around the collar. I ripped Kim Namwoon away from the pack with such force that he launched into the metal door behind us with a clang! A few other passengers startled up in fear, but quickly returned to their beatings of easier prey. Namwoon was already getting to his feet.

"How the fuck—?!"

"Language." I kicked him back down, my foot trapping him to the floor. One hand pointed a knife at him. "Kim Namwoon. You're mine now. I'll let you live, but you can't hurt anyone else on this train, got it? You'll have your chance to fight later. Nod if you understand."

Namwoon gaped up at me, so I pressed my heel harder into his chest. He nodded rapidly.

I dropped the bag onto his face and released him. He crushed it at once, sitting up eagerly as though waiting for the next command. I pointed to the train seat in the corner. "Go sit, and don't move until I fucking tell you."

"Okay!"

...Just like that? I figured strong-arming him would be the best choice, but this kid was way more delusional in this turn than the last. I side-eyed him until he settled, one knee crossed over the other. The illusion of politeness and etiquette.

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' likes your handling of his incarnation-interest!]

I shook my head. A crazy sponsor for a crazy demon child.

I turned to find a dumbfounded Dokja and scandalized Hyunsung staring at me. My head bowed, feeling awkward at their witness. "Um, hi. I'm Choi Yeona."

Hyunsung gulped. "Lee Hyunsung."

There was one minute left of the scenario.

I pocketed the knife and pushed the final bag of insects into Dokja's hands. "An extra. It's yours."

Dokja tried to give it back. "You deserve it more than I do—"

"No. I want you to have the coins."

Then I cupped either side of his hands and forced them shut. The plastic popped, and bug guts and fluid leaked out.

[The given time has run out.]

[Paid settlement will begin.]

People's heads exploded around us in a bursting succession, as if celebrating our accomplishment of survival. I was unaffected at the sight. Dokja was equally calm at my side.

A body attached itself to my legs. The shaggy head of Gilyoung looked up at me with a smile. I scanned the carriage until I saw the broken and bloodied body of that woman, and I turned back to Gilyoung, ruffling his hair with a warm smile of my own.

The train moved once more. After we all viewed the sight of a ruined Seoul for a bit, I asked Gilyoung to give us a moment and ushered Dokja over to the corner, to which I immediately ordered Namwoon to leave. He did so without a word.

"So..."

I was nervous. Dokja was quiet as he sat back and regarded me. He probably had a million questions.

"You move like a regressor."

Wow, right on the money with that one. I was impressed, and gestured for him to continue.

"If I'm being honest," he said with a grimace. "You're not someone I should trust."

It was hard not to let the disappointment show on my face. I had hoped my knowledge and preparation for our survival might leave enough for a trusting foundation with Dokja, but I could see why he felt that way. Regressors were known to have their own, singular agenda. Dokja also knew that a regressor would eliminate anything that didn't fit that agenda (damn you, Yoo Joonghyuk!). I would be suspicious of me, too. "I understa—"

"But that doesn't mean that I don't."

Oh?

"I want to trust you. I meant it when I said you're my friend. And it seems like you know a lot, maybe even more than me. So, Yeona, let's complete the scenarios together. Let's seek the end."

I nodded my head vigorously, fighting the sudden tears in my eyes. When it wasn't enough, I leapt forwards to wrap him in a hug that he returned more easily this time. I will save you, Kim Dokja.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' squeals at this pure display of affection.]

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is curious.]

I pulled back and wiped at my smiling cheeks. "I am a regressor, of sorts. It's my second turn. The last one was...nothing like this. I want to make this the final end, too."

"Your second turn? How was the last so different already? And what do you mean 'sort of'...?"

Dokja's excited questions now bubbled to the surface, but the stopping train halted our conversation. We returned to the others with the promise of a lengthy talk later.

Namwoon leered intimidatingly over Gilyoung. I smacked him hard upside the head, and he howled in pain. Perhaps it was harder than necessary. I took Gilyoung's hand in mine, glaring at the Delusion Demon. "Mind your place."

Hyunsung leaned in close to Dokja. "Your girlfriend is a bit scary."

Sangah and Han Myungoh's heads shot up, curiously tilted their way; Hyunsung clearly didn't know the meaning of a whisper. I jerked my head towards him, speaking.

"Oh, no, I'm not his—"

"We're not—I'm not her, uh—" Dokja stumbled cutely over his words.

"—girlfriend."

"—boyfriend."

The three of us stood awkwardly. No, more than that. Everyone had paused at the stiff atmosphere.

[Incredible.]

Bihyung floated in above us.

[So many constellations connected to the channel...haha. Thank you everyone! Now look at these survivors, there are...well now, there are seven of them. It's quite high? And it looks like you've used some unconventional methods.]

Bihyung scrutinized us one by one. He lingered on Dokja's fearless calm, and then me with the pack strapped to my back.

[Hmm. Anyways, let's move on to the sponsor selection. Take a good, long look, little bugs, because this sponsor will decide your fate in this world. Choose wisely!]

Mine glitched as it did before in the previous turn. I saw Dokja study his options before exiting the screen. Then we waited.

[Sponsor Selection has ended.]

[Many constellations are disappointed at your unavailability!]

[Huh? You two...]

Now Bihyung openly eyed us with suspicion. But, at a few urging messages of the constellations, he continued with the program.

[Very well. Congratulations on the outcome of your selection. I must go to prepare the next scenario. Rest here for ten minutes!]

We were left with a silence and the stench of blood. Then everyone began to hesitantly introduce themselves. Dokja finished it off by convincing everyone to leave immediately. The door was wedged open, and soon we all inhaled the fresh, slightly damp air. We made a break for the bridge. A sea monster bowled into the concrete with a powerful screech, knocking us back before we could reach the safety zone.

[The exclusive skill, 'Sacred Light' has been activated!]

I reinforced the bridge gap with a few solid beams of light and yelled for the others to cross over. Sangah and Gilyoung went first, then Namwoon, Han Myungoh, and then Hyunsung, until it was just Dokja and I left. My skill was incredibly weak compared to before. Already, my fingertips burned and smoked from overstrain. I didn't think I could hold the beams and cross myself, so I told Dokja to go.

"I'm not leaving you."

"I can find another way by myself—"

[Oho, what's this? It's no fun if the game is too easy.]

Shit. The zombies.

Dokja used the knife to swipe at the incoming bodies. There were too many. I released my makeshift bridge and swept a broadsword of light at the zombies. Just as an overwhelming surge came towards us, they were swept away by a pair of fists.

Yoo Joonghyuk stepped over the destroyed bodies.

He gave my sword of light a fearsome glare, and then lunged for Dokja, capturing him by the neck. "You all, how the hell are you alive?"

Joonghyuk was impatient as he punched Dokja in the stomach. I flinched, but forced myself to remain unmoving. Joonghyuk frowned. "You've already mastered the use of coins?"

Dokja coughed. "Yoo Joonghyuk."

"How do you know my name?" demanded Joonghyuk.

He reared back to punch Dokja again, but I stepped forwards this time. "I'm Choi Yeona and he's Kim Dokja. He's a prophet."

I looked at Dokja meaningfully, taking advantage of Joonghyuk's attention on him to tap my forehead and mouth the word "omniscient." I was never more grateful for Dokja's intelligence as he quickly grasped my intention. He used his read on Joonghyuk's thoughts to begin talking him down with an explanation, and Joonghyuk's hold switched from Dokja's neck to shirt collar as he listened.

"...So, make me your companion and I'll help you fill in the parts you are missing."

Joonghyuk looked at Dokja for a long while. "I will make you my companion. But one last thing."

Dokja's eyes slid to mine. I nodded.

"If you really are a prophet, you should know." Joonghyuk held Dokja out over the water. A great sea monster snapped up from below. "Will I let go of this hand or not?"

Dokja closed his eyes. Then he looked at me, smiled, and said, "Release your hand already, you son of a bitch."

"I believe you are a prophet."

Joonghyuk let go. Dokja accepted the fall and was swallowed whole by the monster.

I finally released the arrows I'd been holding at Joonghyuk's vital points, prepared to strike in the event he decided to murder Dokja himself. Sweat trickled down my face and my head grew woozy.

[Due to excessive strain, you are severely fatigued.]

Joonghyuk approached me.

"A prophet alone is suspicious." His dark eyes flashed. "But a puppet prophet controlled by a greater power is even more so."

Before I could move, Joonghyuk snapped a hand behind my neck, knocking me unconscious.

Next part ->

A/N: Office worker Kim Dokja is such a cutie ugh ♡

[snowfieldstories]

request guidelines.

status ⋆⋆⋆ closed

⟢ please send in your request with the button on my homepage! anon available.

⟢ you can request short strolls (one shots), drabbles, or headcanons.

⟢ if you can, please be specific so that I can better fulfill your ask, for example: pairing, any tropes, settings or AUs, character circumstances, and other details. I'm open to many things, but if I feel I can't do something justice (or it's taboo/illegal...) then I'll probably have to pass, sorry.

⟢ this is a mature blog so a little spice is optional, but I don't write full explicit scenes.

⟢ please be kind and patient! my life gets very busy and I can't always write. I can only take so many requests and my own personal projects take priority over other ideas. thank you ◡̈‪‪

current selection: (all character x reader pairings unless otherwise specified.)

[omniscient reader's viewpoint] -> kim dokja; yoo joonghyuk

[hunter x hunter] -> kurapika; chrollo lucilfer; illumi zoldyck

..

[snowfieldstories]

In Life and Death [Chapter 0]

Kim Dokja x Reader/Original female character

In Life and Death Masterlist

A/N: Please enjoy this honeymoon stage with the Dokja of [Beginnings], because you might never see it again 🥲

Warnings: sexual content, canon-typical violence, language

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel within a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right ending to the one and only, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

Episode II. Chapter 0 — Interlude

There’s something about waking up next to the person you love. Particularly, when it takes an extra hour or two to untangle yourselves from the bed. And each other.

It took me reminding Dokja that we would soon miss the stronghold’s hot breakfast if we didn’t go down. Our incarnation cooks were excellent, and I never liked missing a meal of theirs when I could. He released me reluctantly. I stood to grab a towel.

“I hate bathing in the morning,” I said without a trace of remorse over our late start. “What’s the point? We sweat and bleed every day, why waste the water?”

Dokja seemed amused. “Then don’t.”

I gave him a pointed look. His eyes drifted down to the sticky area below my navel, and the top of his cheeks were dusted a glorious pink. “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I replied.

When I moved to the adjoining bathroom, he hopped up and trailed behind. “I’ll join you?”

“It’s probably better if we…” I caught sight of his gaze—imploring, and slightly pouty. Damn you, Kim Dokja. “…Fine. But nothing funny, okay? I want to eat.”

There were indeed a few things funny. Maybe more than a few.

We still made it just before the hot breakfast was packed away and scarfed down grilled sausages and rice topped with a fried egg. There was even kimchi. My companions were nowhere to be seen.

“You live so well in this turn,” said Dokja through a mouthful.

I hummed in agreement. The next regression would be much harsher, at least until the industrial complex was brought to Seoul. Thinking of the next turn, the question that had been simmering since yesterday finally broke to the surface. "Dokja, why didn't I join you in coming here?"

The spoon halted in front of his mouth. "You couldn't."

I waited for him to say more, but he kept eating. "I don't understand. I could've followed you into the Outer God."

"You could have."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak in code." At those words, Dokja choked on his food. His hand fumbled with his sleeve as he wiped at his mouth.

"There's nothing more to say; I came here, and you didn't. And you're here already, right?'" He refused to look my way. I was confused, but more than that, I was worried. Does something happen me? Does something happen to us? I had crafted a sizable plan for the next regression, and it felt like my control over it was slipping from my grasp before I had even begun.

Dokja's dismissal hurt but I had to remind myself that I didn't yet know this man, as much as I claimed to. Rather, it felt like he knew more about me than I did. Which made sense in an irritating sort of way.

A decision snapped into my mind—rash, and emotionally charged.

"This 'me' is going to stay here until the end." I was referring to my planned regression, of course. Dokja only nodded. Grabbing my empty dishes, I stood and left the table without looking back.

My feet wandered, aimless, until I remembered Joonghyuk. I made to go check the storage room, but Jihye was already outside of it. “I looked. Your monster is gone.”

I figured he would be, especially after reading my note, but I had wanted to see for myself. And keep away from a certain Demon King. There were quick footsteps behind us, so I turned.

"I just spoke to Han Sooyoung. I have three days here to decide."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Dokja's face had gone carefully neutral.

"Decide what?" asked Jihye. Neither Dokja nor I responded.

He had to decide about killing Yoo Joonghyuk and also figure out what end Sooyoung was seeking through this death. I knew, and I suspected that Dokja was aware I knew, but I wouldn't be feeding him the answer. Letting him arrive at his own conclusion was more essential to the outcome of this story. Plus, I was feeling rather petty. Dokja wasn't the only one who could withhold information.

"Good luck," I told him. With a nod to them both, I went in search of Lee Seolhwa. There were a few things I needed to see to before the Apocalypse Dragon event that would happen in a few days' time.

I didn't encounter the rest of my group until late that afternoon. It was a gorgeous day, pleasant and sunny. Everyone was outside, chatting before leaving on their hunts to gather food and special drops from monsters. Those surrounding Dokja shouted and laughed at something he said. I grabbed my shoes and equipment and sat on the bottom step next to Heewon.

I sighed at the state of my gear. The leg straps were all twisted in my bootlaces. They were like old earbud cords...how did such a thing even happen? After several clumsy attempts, my fingers pinched at the clumps in frustration. There was a crunch of gravel before a pair of black dress shoes appeared before me.

”Always the same.”

Dokja got down on his knees—white coat brushing the dirt—and took the tangle of knots from my hands. I watched as his practiced fingers worked at them until they unraveled, falling apart like water.

Still without looking at me, he laced up the boots until they were firm at my ankles. He picked up the gear straps. One hand slid under my thigh as the other positioned the strap around me. When he started to do the next, he raised his head.

I was pinned as Dokja watched me. I felt that if I moved too much, he would retract the warm fingers that were adjusting the other straps around my legs. Soon he was finished.

"How is that?" He asked quietly.

"It's perfect. Thanks."

I was quite glad that my voice sounded steady. Dokja nodded and, with a faint smile, returned to the others (who, by the way, whipped their heads away rather quickly once the little show was over).

Heewon let out a heavy exhale. "Goddamn, Yeona."

I flushed.

"But it’s kind of odd…"

"What is?" I asked.

She hesitated. "How intense he is. About you. I know you know him and all, but no one here actually knows him but you—not that that makes sense either—and he looks at you like—" She struggled to articulate the thought.

"Like I hung the stars?" I guessed, a bit jokingly. Heewon remained serious.

"More like he rehung the stars after tearing them down, just because you grew tired of them. Like…he would die for you."

A small rat scuttled past. He would die for you, too. And he will, many times over. "Is that such a bad thing?"

"Maybe. Maybe not," she replied cautiously. We both fell into silence. 

Dokja was speaking animatedly with Yoosung. I could tell how content he was to speak with his incarnation, even if she wasn't his in this world-turn.

Perhaps I was too hasty to forgive, to understand, but I couldn't find it in me to harbor any resentment towards the man I finally got to be with. I raised a hand to my temple in a wince. Heewon would flay me alive with her sword of judgement at once if she knew. Spineless, she would call me. Weak for love.

She might be right.

Was it delusional to love someone you’ve only read about? Even when that man was very real now?

Did that even matter?

Later, after everyone had returned from their hunts, the last of the five swords to release the Apocalypse Dragon had been discovered. It wouldn't be long now before Dokja would go back to his timeline. My feelings on it remained complicated.

That night Joonghyuk returned. I brought him to Dokja, so that he could learn about his next turn from the Fourth Wall as it was in the novel.

"Remember to pretend," I whispered to Joonghyuk before heading off to my room. "You must fake your depression now."

The unseeing, foolish gaze of his told me he understood. The sight made me sad.

Soon he would meet his death.

It was hunting hour again. Dokja spoke with Lee Hyunsung while Joonghyuk hovered behind them; the revelations yesterday had gone smoothly.

Often, I paired with Kim Namwoon or Jung Heewon on a hunt but someone else appointed themselves in their place today. I overheard Lee Hyunsung offering to hunt together with Dokja, who apologized and informed him that he would be with me. Hyunsung lit up, stammering out an "of course!"

Meanwhile, someone else was taking this sort of rejection rather poorly.

Namwoon trailed behind me, the large knife in hand swinging at his side. “Please, please, please can I go with you?!”

“No. Not this time,” I said.

“Angel-noona…” said Namwoon. He pouted, only this pouting did nothing to sway me.

“Kim Namwoon, you can’t come.” I flicked his forehead. “Go join Hyunsung today. Or Jihye. I’ll be fine and besides—I’m not going alone.”

It was this sudden reminder that caused Namwoon to turn a furious gaze to Dokja, now standing beside me. The latter wrapped an arm around my shoulders in response; that smile of his looked awfully pleased. Namwoon straightened and stared him down. I huffed. They really were alike in too many ways.

We left a moping Namwoon in the dining hall. “I can’t believe you’re being this petty to a child,” I muttered.

Dokja squeezed my shoulder before dropping his arm, and said, “I’m not convinced he was much of a child to begin with.”

Well, I couldn't argue with that.

There was a deafening noise from outside. I cursed and sprinted down to the front entrance. Yoosung’s dragon battled it out with hell flames that burned through a dust cloud.

Uriel. She was here because of the destruction of Eden.

Yoo Joonghyuk caught up to us at that moment and stared blankly. Dokja, believing him to be under regression depression, commanded him, "Stop Uriel."

Joonghyuk glanced at me before he moved.

The collision with Uriel sent out a shockwave of light and power to the sky.

Joonghyuk swung his sword, despite blood being slashed from his skin. Dokja took his own Unbroken Faith and charged towards them; status exploded he and the two flowered archangels joined the fight.

A clanging of footsteps sounded from the stronghold.

[The item 'Battlefield Horn' is activated!]

I turned in dismay. No, not because of Han Sooyoung's presence. Rather, the incarnation army of two hundred behind her. Hyunsung and Heewon even looked surprised. She prepared this without our companions’ knowledge as well? The other stronghold members were outfitted in full gear and weapons in preparation for battle. But Sooyoung was not here to deal with the wrath of Eden's downfall—with these troops she would bind the world to the Apocalypse Dragon's seal.

"So soon?"

It seemed Sooyoung wanted to take advantage of the current chaos to breed more. I wasn't sure what prompted this change, this acceleration of the timeline, but there was no room to question it now. Just what are you thinking, Han Sooyoung?

Joonghyuk and Dokja still clashed among angels. Perhaps...

"It was the only way to force him into the scenario," said Sooyoung. She held five swords, and it was Arondight that shocked me. The one that Dokja collected upon arriving in this world-turn. Sooyoung shook the sword. "He gave it to me this morning."

She called out the names of the swords and rushed to meet the group in fierce battle. I then joined them myself.

It all happened so quickly.

Dokja held off Sooyoung with 'Electrification' while Joonghyuk stole the swords and leapt for the Dragon's seal. I tried to keep Uriel at bay. A mix of my companions were swinging wildly, torn between stopping Joonghyuk from releasing the Dragon and helping me with the fearsome archangels.

The sky flickered like a light bulb and there was a great, terrible roar.

[Someone has released the 'Seal of the Apocalypse Dragon.']

Everyone, from incarnations to constellations, began to flee. I was still in the thick of battle. A few of my group distracted Uriel long enough for me to check in on Dokja.

We exchanged a glance. I knew what he wanted. I knew what was needed. We swapped places, me taking over with Sooyoung so that he could help Joonghyuk.

Sooyoung was shaken. "He promised. He said he wouldn't release the apocalypse!"

There were vibrations in the air. The Apocalypse Dragon bit down nebulae from the sky in the distance. Joonghyuk began to shake and clutched his head as Dokja spoke to him. Two Joonghyuks had begun to appear.

"I really thought..." Sooyoung was a bit dazed as she took it all in.

"Sooyoung, you should have listened to me better."

I couldn't say anything further as a wall of flames licked my side, forcing my attention back on Uriel. My companions had collapsed behind her.

Unlike her fellow constellations at the sight of the Apocalypse Dragon, Uriel was unshaken. Instead, she had succumbed to a fit of blinding and righteous rage. A rage which now targeted me.

"Jophiel, the seal!" I heard a shout.

[Confinement of Good and Evil.]

But it was a moment too late. Eyes that reflected the depths of hell looked into me before plunging forth a blade of flames. And then it extinguished.

"Yeona!"

Dokja ran past Uriel's crumpled form. He panted hard but was otherwise fairly composed considering the gaping wound in my chest. His eyes darted across my body, assessing.

Before he could speak, someone else rushed over. Sooyoung was pale as she looked down at the injury. "You..." she swallowed.

Dokja looked between us with furrowed eyes, unable to understand what exactly was happening. "It's early, but she can just regress to my turn now."

Sooyoung didn't reply. She knew what the issue was, but she was waiting to see if I wanted to reveal it myself.

"I can't—I didn't figure out—" A coughing prevented me from continuing. Blood trickled down my jaw.

"What?" Dokja's confusion quickly turned into horror as he recognized the gravity of my situation.

In fact, I could regress, but I hadn't yet found a way to reach Yoo Joonghyuk's 1864th turn. During my time here, I'd saved up enough luck and coins to purchase 'Regression' from my sponsor. But that wouldn't help me reach my desired path. My plan was to use the Ark after the Final Scenario or, if that was unavailable to me, I would make an Outer God Covenant to send me to the correct world-turn with my own regression skill. Not that it mattered now.

My thoughts were becoming harder to string together.

"A... you d...ing f... ...al?!"

Dokja was speaking as his hands scrambled over my body, as though a solution would be found hiding in my pockets. I could no longer feel his touch, nor hear properly. The only sensation was a burning ice in the center of my chest. Numbness had begun to spread.

Blue messages opened before my eyes.

[The constellation 'Mother of Divine Desire' looks at you.]

Mother. Would she help me once more?

[All conditions have been fulfilled. Removing censorship ...]

[ ... ]

[A stigma has been revealed!]

[You possess the stigma, 'Dying Wish.' Use now?]

Dying wish. I would have laughed if I could. So, this was how I had transmigrated here; I must have been dying properly in my past life too. I wanted to learn about the conditions and details, but I was out of time.

[Use now? Ten seconds remaining.]

"Yes." I had just enough strength to get the word out.

I will regress. I wish to reach Yoo Joonghyuk's 1864th world-turn. I chanted these thoughts in my head over and over so that Mother, and any gods, constellations, or otherwise, would hear my final, dying wish.

A voice, great and terrible, filled my head with clanging bells and vibrations that seemed to permeate the fabric of reality.

[As you wish, my de—]

The last thing I saw was Dokja's frantic expression as his mouth screamed something. Ah, it seemed he might have misunderstood. Hopefully Han Sooyoung would remind him that I wasn't truly dying.

I felt a firm grip on my soul. It yanked, and my vision and mind went blank.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a snowfield.

My body was naked, but I didn’t feel cold. I tried looking out in any direction but the horizon was a haze of nonexistence and words.

I began to walk. My feet left no trace of footprints.

Eventually a shape formed in front of me. It was a young boy coloring. No, writing. A diagram. Words began to wrap around my frame, and when I drew near, he startled.

Wow, he said looking up at my face.

Why are you here? I asked. Why have I come?

The boy went back to writing. I reached out to him, but my hand couldn’t get close enough. I stopped in surprise when I saw him draw two hearts on the page. A "DJ" in one. And a "YN" in the other.

I didn’t think I could ever deserve a story like you, he said.

The words tightened around me, wrapping me in their essence. Snow began to chill my skin.

It’s time to go now. Bye, Yeona.

Wait! I called out. Then my body and soul were wiped away in a white blur.

.

..

...

.....

.......

Falling.

Falli.

Fal.

Fa.

F.

.

Next part ->

A/N: I fear this was a bit rushed so I'm going to go back and edit this chapter when I have time. Also I need to fix the chapter numbering

[snowfieldstories]

Ten Minutes (If I Were Only Her)

Kim Dokja x Yoo Joonghyuk; Kim Dokja x Punisher!Yoo Joonghyuk

Summary:

Yoo Joonghyuk arrives in the 73rd Demon Realm chasing his own name in order to find another: Kim Dokja. And he finds him—cut off from everyone and lonely. Joonghyuk doesn't want him to feel alone anymore. But sometimes it is another's loneliness that consumes us.

This is straight angst. No happy ending. The idea came to me and I could nawt get it out of my head because I looove writing heart-wrenching love. Frankly, I don't ship them (that's cool if you do, though!) but this situation was too perfect not to indulge

Warnings: sexual content (18+), slight canon divergence. Hopeless angst. Wee bit of fluff

Spoilers up to the 73rd Demon Realm arc

"Huh, Fake Revolutionary, your boyfriend is here!"

Joonghyuk waited patiently at the table as Jang Hayoung called out. Footsteps sounded and a white coat appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

Kim Dokja looked stunned to see Joonghyuk. Jang Hayoung was pleased and prattled on about romance at the industrial complex and reuniting lovers.

"Stop," said Dokja. "We are not lovers. Joonghyuk, what on earth did you say?"

Hayoung jumped up. "He stormed in and went, 'Bring me Kim Dokja,' and started telling me about your beautiful skin and sparkling eyes and how he missed you and couldn't bear to part any longer—"

Joonghyuk blinked. "I said nothing of the sort."

"We are not lovers," repeated Dokja.

"Well, you could be—"

"And you could be an adult with your adult brain, instead of the bratty child you resemble," Dokja said and smirked. "Besides, I like women."

Joonghyuk's expression flattened into something neutral. He didn't like the way Jang Hayoung turned and studied him.

"Alright," said Hayoung.

A few others filtered in and out of the room while they all sat in silence: Aileen, at one point, though she disappeared after rearranging the chairs and Mark, who shuffled right back out upon entering. Jang Hayoung grew bored and left. It was only them.

Dokja spoke first. "I thought you died."

"I didn't."

"I can see that," said Dokja, bemused. "How?"

Joonghyuk hesitated. "A constellation helped me. You don't need to know the details."

"None of them would help for nothing. What did you give?"

"Nothing. I just received a slight penalty." Dokja was clearly dissatisfied so Joonghyuk ground out, "Until the scenario is over, I will disappear for ten minutes a day."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that. In any case, the issue has been resolved so there's no need to worry."

It took a moment, but Dokja finally relaxed with a rueful smile. "It seems I wasn't needed. I'm glad to see you well. Ah, the others…"

Joonghyuk sensed dejection from Dokja, a dejection that which only a man separated from his colleagues through a powerless situation might feel. Joonghyuk felt compelled to ease his mind. He started talking before he could process the feeling.

"Lee Hyunsung is in the army. Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye are training new incarnations..."

On and on he went, sharing the stories of their lives and taking his time with some, while breezing past others. Dokja was listening intently. These were people Dokja knew, in a place where he didn't exist, and so Joonghyuk would fill his absent heart with these stories.

At last, he finished. He was surprised to have spoken for so long.

Dokja looked down at his clasped hands. "Everybody is busy living."

He held a loneliness still, one that Joonghyuk couldn't erase. Except—"In addition, everyone is telling your story." He almost smiled at Dokja's astonishment. "They tell it a lot. Your story."

A warmth gripped him as Dokja buried his face in his hands with a wet smile. Joonghyuk wanted to hold those hands and share his warmth.

Instead, he said, "Let's go back to Earth, Kim Dokja."

Few people were out in the streets that evening, and perhaps that’s why the greedy decided to take advantage.

A group of men cornered a young man into an alley. "Give us the story fragment," said the one with gnarled, yellow teeth.

The young man was pale, but still shook his head in defiance. Yellow-Teeth shouted and reared back in a punch.

“Stop.”

Joonghyuk dropped on his head and sunk his sword into the man's back. His associate lunged forwards. "Wh—!" The sword sliced the words from his throat. Three more strikes and the group laid in a bloody mass at his feet. The young man trembled.

"Thank you, miss," he said in a small voice. "Um, could I have your name?"

Joonghyuk sighed. It had only been two minutes, and he was already weary of being a woman. The young man was straightening his clothes and smoothing down his hair. His eyes leered. Disgusting.

"Go away," he said coldly. It sounded less intimidating with the high, feminine lilt.

"Aw, come on, don't be like that—" Joonghyuk aimed the sword at the guy’s throat, and the little rat squeaked and sprinted off. He looked down at his filthy sword and wiped it with his cape.

"Beautiful and capable."

Joonghyuk went rigid. He forced his fingers to keep cleaning the blood from his sword so he wouldn't look at the man behind him. This wasn't meant to happen.

"You're the Punisher?" asked Dokja. Joonghyuk glared at the ground, aware of what Dokja wanted and acutely aware that he was seeing the body of a woman. Joonghyuk’s body.

"I’ve never heard of you before,” Dokja continued like Joonghyuk had responded.

“I suppose you know everyone?”

Dokja took his words as an invitation to step closer. “I’d like to.”

A sensation in Joonghyuk's stomach twisted pleasantly at Dokja's tone. He looked, and immediately wished he hadn't. Dokja was haloed by the Demon Realm's setting sun. It gave him an ethereal glow.

“I want to be colleagues.”

Joonghyuk almost turned away when he caught the disheartened slant to Dokja's mouth.

"Perhaps we'll meet again," said Joonghyuk. He had worked hard to replace that loneliness earlier and he would be damned if he became the cause of it anytime soon.

He caught Dokja reading something in the air, probably constellation messages, and he disappeared by the time the other man looked back up. Joonghyuk clasped a hand to his chest.

There was an odd pulsing in his heart.

Joonghyuk lazily sipped on his herbal tea as he listened to Dokja telling Jang Hayoung about his experience with the Punisher.

"Yes, it was hard to find her. Isn't she beautiful?" said Hayoung. Dokja hummed.

"Were you fascinated by her?" Joonghyuk had not meant to speak. The question had escaped him before he could reel it in.

Dokja cocked his head to the side, looking at him curiously. Joonghyuk found it difficult to breathe. Finally, Dokja smiled, and said, "Her beauty can surely rival yours, Joonghyuk."

Joonghyuk's body went hot and cold all at once. Did he know? Dokja still had that funny smile on his face.

"But I think she hates me." Dokja laughed as if the idea were pleasant. "Maybe I'll have better luck next time."

Dokja turned away and Joonghyuk felt the ability to move return to his limbs. He, too, was now looking forward to the next time. Only as a mere curiosity, of course.

"I was wondering."

Joonghyuk unstuck his sword from the body below him, frowning when blood sprayed out of the wound.

"How did you get such an ability?" Dokja said while leaning against the wall. "It's rather unusual."

Joonghyuk didn't reply but looked at the other man with narrowed eyes.

"In fact, you must be a transcendent."

The surprise that blanketed Joonghyuk's expression must have been obvious, because Dokja laughed. "How do you know of such things?" demanded Joonghyuk.

"Well, I only know one transcendent," said Dokja with a fixed grin.

Oh, he knew. He certainly knew.

Joonghyuk was at a loss for words. Perhaps he should apologize. For deceiving Dokja, for keeping him in the dark, for looking so—no, why should he? This pesky transformation was his business. His conflicted thoughts fell away as Dokja suddenly appeared over him.

"It must be a requirement for all transcendents to be beautiful."

Joonghyuk was stupefied. Dokja was close, nearly close enough to touch. Joonghyuk didn't realize just how much taller Dokja was than him in this female body.

He tilted forwards slightly, and a heady scent of electricity and Dokja filled his senses. His mind scrambled.

Was...was Kim Dokja coming on to him? The shock rooted Joonghyuk in place so much so that he failed to notice Dokja had vanished. The want that coiled in his stomach remained long after.

It was sundown again and Joonghyuk had hardly transformed when Kim Dokja found him. Joonghyuk hadn't seen him since yesterday's meeting, too anxious to visit the revolutionary headquarters.

Instead of speaking first, Dokja's eyes widened at the sight of Joonghyuk and he turned his head quickly. Joonghyuk looked down at himself. His cape lay on the ground, exposing his usual outfit and now-female body, but did it really matter since Dokja knew who he was anyway?

"Ah, you haven't found any bad guys yet?" said Dokja, slowly looking back at Joonghyuk with a light blush.

"The streets are quiet today."

Dokja smiled. "Your incredible ability is well-known."

They fell into silence. Joonghyuk didn't remember when they'd moved so close to one another.

A hand reached out and stroked a lock of Joonghyuk's black hair. He felt skin brush against his cheek. Joonghyuk was frozen, transfixed by the man before him.

Dokja exhaled, and the warm scent restarted his brain. A new energy tightened the air.

Joonghyuk pushed him deeper into the alley. Dokja stared at him, silent but waiting. "Are you just going to stand there?"

He wasn't actually sure who moved first.

Heat. A delicious, wet heat. All he could feel were Dokja's lips as they slid against his own, messy and eager. Joonghyuk tugged him closer by the belt and, when Dokja opened his mouth in surprise, he slipped his tongue inside.

Joonghyuk pushed Dokja into the side of the building and pulled away at the top few buttons so he could run his hands along his bare chest. His nails scraped a sensitive area, and Dokja dug his fingers into Joonghyuk's waist and groaned. It was an intoxicating sound.

"I see," mumbled Dokja, and broke away from kissing long enough to pry open Joonghyuk's shirt until the night air nipped at his chest. Then he was flipped over, back to the wall.

Dokja's hands were hot on his skin, but he was touching in places that didn't truly feel like anything, and there was a nagging thought in the back of Joonghyuk’s mind that something was not quite right.

"You are breathtaking," said Dokja between heated breaths. "You're strong. Powerful. And just." Joonghyuk was still too drunk on the taste of his lips for the words to register. “It’s like you’re a myth.”

Dokja pressed sloppy kisses down his neck, teeth grazing his collarbone. Joonghyuk gripped his hair as he moved lower. A sharp tug brought out a moan from Dokja that Joonghyuk felt everywhere, so he slid his fingers further along his scalp and tugged again. In return, Dokja bit the skin of his breast and sucked.

It was this act that cleared Joonghyuk's mind.

Because Dokja was kneading, pressing and twisting, and doing all the right things there and Joonghyuk felt nothing. It did nothing for him. But Dokja was affected, as evidenced by the flush that spread down his chest, the way he pressed his body closer. Dokja...had no idea that he was this woman.

Any resistance that was crumbling now solidified as Joonghyuk was fully brought back to reality.

It was a fact that Kim Dokja didn't like men. A hard truth, one that was impossible to ignore, which dictated the rules of what Joonghyuk could have, and what would forever remain out of reach.

Joonghyuk wrenched away from Dokja. There was a sick feeling in his throat as he realized what they'd done.

Dokja looked at him with a dazed expression: his hair was mussed in an alluring, roguish sort of way, his shirt, half-unbuttoned, and his panting lips were swollen and glistening. It was wicked, how inviting he looked. It was torturous to see this and know with conviction that it would never happen again. Joonghyuk had never dared to imagine such a scene, and now the image of Dokja, wanton and needy from his touch, would haunt his every waking thought and seize his dreams until the day his death was permanent.

"I’m sorry," said Dokja. He looked so unsure of himself that Joonghyuk felt something inside him tremble, and he made to turn away. Dokja grabbed his arm. "Wait, please."

Joonghyuk twisted himself out of reach and began walking fast. "I must go."

Dokja tripped over a cobblestone as he clumsily buttoned up his shirt. "Wait! I wanted to ask if you'd—Can I see you again?"

"No." Joonghyuk's voice, though still feminine, sounded strangled even to his own ears. "Never again."

His limbs were tingling, and he felt parts of him deflating and becoming firmer and stretched. The ten minutes were over. He had to go before he was exposed in more ways than one.

Dokja shouted something after him as he bolted.

Joonghyuk managed to gain enough speed that, when he was sure there was plenty of distance between them, he could crumple in the darkened corner of an alleyway. His eyes and muscles burned, and there was a wretched pain in his heart. His hands tangled in his now-short hair as he curled in on himself.

And Joonghyuk wept.

Later he met with the revolutionary group as planned, Jang Hayoung and Aileen and the others. He couldn't look Kim Dokja in the eye. This only provoked the man into spewing barbs and friendly jabs, trying to get a reaction out of a numb Joonghyuk.

Once, Dokja's hand pressed into his shoulder and Joonghyuk hissed. Dokja kept his distance after that.

The group settled on a decision and Joonghyuk was the first to leave, suffocated in that room. But even in the open air he was choking on his own ruin. He was ruined.

Despite Joonghyuk's behavior, Dokja had smiled sincerely at him as he left. He should be grateful—they had a companionship. But it would never be in the way that he desired.

He looked down at his blunt, calloused hands, remembering their slender length just hours before. If he were only her, would he be wanted at last?

Joonghyuk sat on the rooftop, watching the twinkling, urban expanse of an alien planet. He had never felt more alone.

.

..

…

[The constellation who likes to change genders looks at 'Yoo Joonghyuk' in sorrow.]

A/N: This makes me inexplicably sad. Unrequited love, man. It hurts. It hurts so bad

I tried to keep it somewhat close to the original scenes, but from the POV of a painfully in love Joonghyuk. Maybe a bit OOC for them both

[snowfieldstories]

His scent & love language headcanons 18+ [gender neutral]

Spoilers for Dokja’s backstory and novel stuff

His scent --

Kim Dokja: lightning strikes and an unnamed freshness

This man is hopped up on probability aftermaths and the [‘Electrification’] skill; he smells of an electric current with a hint of char. As a constellation, there is an otherworldly-sense about him. One way this manifests is his scent. No one remains fresh in an apocalypse, but somehow Kim Dokja emits a scent of brightness and clean. He definitely takes pride in smelling nice to impress other constellations and his companions.

Yoo Joonghyuk: manly sweat/musk and exotic spices

HA, you thought this would be good because of his pretty face? Oh please, this man hardly takes a shower. Who has time to bathe when you're constantly fighting to end all the scenarios? His natural scent swings wildly between an unpleasant, stale odor and an intoxicating musk. On the days that smell leans unfavorably, it is his ['Cooking Lv. 10'] skill that tries to save him. He can pull fragrant spices out of thin air to supplement his dishes; the mouthwatering aroma of his cooking clings to his clothes long after the food has been devoured. Uh...best hope for some rain tomorrow. And every day after that.

.

His love language --

Kim Dokja

He loves to receive physical touch and words of affirmation from his partner. Dokja has a complicated relationship with the meaning of a loving touch; he's only known of its harshness or its absence. When he trusts his partner, he craves little intimacies—a supporting hand on his arm, soft kisses along his jawline, or falling asleep nestled firmly at his side. No touch is too much for Kim Dokja, and if he's not receiving enough from his partner then he has no problem going to seek it out from them himself.

As a child, there was no one who lifted him up in affirmation so he is especially susceptible to praise. A few words of encouragement or a compliment on his looks will send a flush of pink across his cheeks. His partner should take caution, however, because sometimes this desire for praise can turn needy when accompanied by more...carnal activities. This man is not above begging for it.

Dokja relishes in giving gifts and physical intimacies. Some may know him as Mr. Moneybags. Richie Rich. A third-generation chaebol. Sugar daddy…with and without the sugar. [Uh, wait, who said that last one? *coughs*] Whatever his partner wants, it was packaged and delivered yesterday morning. Seeing his partner light up at receiving something they’d only had a mere, passing thought of makes Dokja giddy. It is truly a testament of “to be loved is to be known.”

The more Dokja knows his partner, the more comfortable he becomes with physical touch, too. He begins small with light bumps against the shoulder or sweeping back the hair from his partner’s eyes as they focus. As trust builds, he grows more bold in public—a kiss on the inside of their wrist and touches that border on possessive. In private, he is just as greedy to get his hands on his partner because he wants to make them feel good. Sure, he likes to receive, but this man is first and foremost a giver.

Yoo Joonghyuk

In the dictionary, right next to "service" is a photo of Yoo Joonghyuk. This should come as no surprise. He is devoted to giving acts of service and quality time to his partner. This man is pleased to help with tasks as simple as opening a tough plastic bottle cap, to cooking their favorite foods. But he will also spend 100 years ascending levels of transcendence in order to protect them better. He will dive into the depths of hell, travel the far reaches of the universe, for the chance to give them a happy life. And he will shove their hands away and spread their legs apart to give, because even in bed he wants to service his partner's needs before his own...

Ahem, going back to more serious things. Joonghyuk takes his quality time very seriously. Sure, one might say he has time to spare from a never-ending series of regressions, but he still doesn't want to waste a second when it matters to him. And his partner is someone who matters. Expect many companionable silences where he can derive the greatest joy from the comfort of his partner's presence. Being able to coexist in the same space is a luxury he covets.

As he loves to give, so does he love to receive quality time with his beloved, especially when they initiate it. His time with his partner is limited. No, more than that—it's doomed to end and repeat from ground zero. Every so often, he grows depressed from having to constantly build up the relationship from introductions. But by the next regression, he's more determined than ever to reclaim his partner in his life. Each moment spent, no matter how trivial or domestic, is stored as a precious jewel in his mind. Joonghyuk never wants to forget.

Honestly, there are more ways to give love to Yoo Joonghyuk. But it is up to his partner to figure that out. Joonghyuk has the mysteriousness and volatility of a black cat—luckily, his partner forever remains a fierce cat-lover, despite any other changes that befall each regression round.

____

A/N; This was inspired by my characterization of Dokja in my fic, In Life and Death.

[snowfieldstories]

kdj—my sacrificial, hypocrite king

kim dokja is the type of character to make those insufferable posts like "orpheus just simply should not have looked back" "hamlet simply should not have waited around" "icarus simply should not have flown too high" and then he goes and perpetuates his own miserable tragedies

[snowfieldstories]

In Life and Death [Chapter -1]

Kim Dokja x Reader (original female character)

In Life and Death Masterlist

A/N: Welcome back! I've tweaked the original details of the 95th main scenario to fit my romance needs. Apologies if that bothers you.

UPDATE!! This chapter was too long so I cut the first scene and added it to the previous chapter. I recommend going back and reading it because it has important information!

Warnings: canon-typical violence, some language. and smut, kind of. heavily, heavily implied smut

Summary:

In which a reader finds herself tossed into the pages of her favorite web novel after her untimely death. A novel within a novel within reality. It's a reader's dream, right? Well, this reader vows to bring the right ending to the one and only, Kim Dokja. She will give him the happiest of endings. Or she will die trying.

⚠️MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ORV WEB NOVEL AND MANHWA!!!!⚠️

Episode I. Chapter -1: Beginnings

In fact, I did lie when I said I wouldn't interfere.

It wasn't registered as a lie, since I hadn't remembered it myself. There was someone I wanted to save. Someone I could save, for the first time.

"Choi Yeona! Where are you, you omniscient pig?"

Jung Heewon sped around the corner so quickly that I had nowhere to hide. I put up my hands in weak defense.

"Heewon." I smiled.

"Don't 'Heewon' me," she growled. "I know it was you."

"I'm not sure what you mean." Heewon advanced on me, so I changed tactics. "Okay maybe it was me. But! But I got you something better."

"Better than my cookies?" She looked ready to throttle me. A bit deserved, I suppose.

I picked up the plastic sack that had fallen when she arrived and placed two items in her hands. A large pack of chocolate cookies and a slightly battered can.

"A bigger size to replace what I may or may not have eaten." She shot me a dirty look. "And canned strawberry cake."

Heewon inspected the can. "I didn't know there was such a thing as canned cake."

"It's all yours. Swear on my life."

"How did you find these, anyway?" she asked.

"I was wandering the streets, feeling the crushing guilt of eating the last of my dearest friend's sweets—" Heewon snorted at that "—so I clasped my hands together and prayed, begged, pleaded to find anything that would make things right. Then I opened my eyes and found a convenience store with an unbroken cargo box."

There was a silence before the roar of laughter. Heewon broke into the fresh pack of cookies and offered me one.

"Sometimes, I can't tell if you're all-knowing or the luckiest woman alive," she said.

"You should hide your things better. The back of a closet, really? Cliché," I clacked my tongue, evading her previous statement.

"...Yeah, I hate that you know everything."

I squished her cheeks briefly. "I love you very much, too."

"Hmph."

She let the whole thing slide more easily than I had expected. And Jung Heewon could hold a serious grudge (unfortunately, I knew from personal experience). But Heewon, like Sooyoung, Hyunsung, and the others, must have sensed my agitation of late. The other day, Namwoon dragged in what resembled a mutated deer, like a puppy eager to show its master the bird it caught. "See, angel noona, look at this, we can eat venison tonight! Maybe you can get the monster to grill it."

I knew the group members were used to my calm ("Freaky omniscience, go!" as Jihye would stage whisper before a fight) so my turbulent energy must be putting them well on edge.

The 95th main scenario was upon us. I was growing more antsy by the day as a certain event approached.

"Did Sooyoung leave already?" I asked lightly.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I think she took off last night." Heewon fidgeted with a knife on the edge of the can. "Jihye said that monster-guy is nearby, though, so you better hang around. No one else can get through to him if he attacks us."

I nodded. It was near time, anyways.

“Tomorrow I’ll scout the south side. Can you take the west?" I asked. Recently, Joonghyuk's activity had veered south, and I preferred to station myself in between him and the base. For their sake and his own.

Heewon agreed and after settling on a few more details of the rotation, I left her to tackle the cake can.

The next afternoon, I was dodging a stampede of elephant-like monsters among the Seoul buildings.

[The exclusive skill, 'Sacred Light' has been activated!]

I swung a rope of light and caught the ankle of another incarnation, sweeping him out of the way before he was crushed underfoot. "Thanks," he gasped, but I was already moving on to the next.

My golden lasso was inspired by Sangah's Olympic strings of the next turn. I was a bit ashamed of copying her (the anticipation of shame, rather, for when I met her again). But my 'Sacred Light' was good for more than just rope. I could wield a number of different weapons with it, and tricky past scenarios had led me to discovering more practical uses.

An elephant crashed into the side of a tower, sending a shower of concrete chunks my way. I tossed up a light barrier and ran. A shadow grew on me, and I had a fraction of a second to dive to the side before my shield—and body—shattered.

I sat up slowly, wheezing, as the dust cleared. In my place was a massive slab of concrete. Surviving that...could it count as luck?

"Mother, what's my luck meter?" I rasped.

[The constellation 'Mother of Divine Desire' opens your checking account.]

[Incarnation 'Choi Yeona's' balance: 1476/2500 luck]

[Recent activity: Concrete slab ... +80 luck. Expand to continue account history?]

I closed out the windows with a weary nod. Now that I had grasped the concept of my exclusive skill, 'Bank of Lady Fortune,' my sponsor never bothered to send update notices unless asked.

I brushed my clothes and continued on my route. The last of the elephants had moved on and the screams of incarnations began to weaken. I sent a message through the comms link for Lee Seolhwa's medical response team to make a sweep of this quadrant.

The streets were quiet. Unnervingly so. There were traces of a fight but I had yet to see any bodies, only scorch marks on buildings and slashes of power and sword. Up ahead was a clearing.

"Son of a bitch! You have to let me talk to you!"

I hurried to find a battlefield; bloodied constellation bodies littered the ground. The cry came from the two lone figures who stood above them all.

Yoo Joonghyuk held a neck with two fingers while his other fist sucker punched the gut of a man in white.

My heart tripped on itself, and I whispered, "Kim Dokja."

There was a flurry of black and white as the two opponents clashed. For a moment, they paused long enough that I could see clearly the long, white coat-covered back facing me. Their swords raised to strike.

I shouted as loud as I could, "Joonghyuk! He is not your enemy."

He hesitated.

His reactions were irregular of late, now more than ever as his mind sunk deeper into a regression depression. It was fortunate he paused, because Dokja turned at the sound of my voice. And froze.

But now was not the time. I pointed at the advancing man. "Joonghyuk!"

They continued to fight but Dokja began speaking; Joonghyuk's movements were becoming sluggish. It must have been their conversation from the book. Dokja would soon learn who his target was for Secretive Plotter's sub-scenario. I didn't move closer, in part because I was in awe of the strength of their abilities, and partly because I knew this wasn't my fight.

There was something I was forgetting about this moment, but I'd have to reread it later. The battle had stalled. Dokja reached for Joonghyuk's shoulder and spoke to him with a serious expression. I was too far away to hear.

At last, Joonghyuk's sword clattered on the ground and Dokja turned to me.

I was afraid, so afraid, to read into his expression. I feared I would find confusion at my presence, irritation that I'd endangered his fight. Or, worse, indifference. I took in a sharp breath and waved. "Hi."

Admittedly, there were times when I was an idiot. Hi? Hi??

While I cringed at myself, I failed to notice the blur of white that sped forth until it was practically on top of me. Two arms wrapped around my frame and a head settled in the crook of my neck. A hot breath fanned my skin, and lips that brushed—"Yeona."

Kim Dokja smelled of the crack of lightning and something fresh. Who the hell smells fresh in the middle of an apocalypse? I thought. I drew back a fraction, just enough to see his face. Relief. Wonder. Happiness. Dokja was happy to see me.

"So casual? We must be close," I teased. My heart thumped fiercely at the proximity. He could probably feel it.

"Incredibly."

I could hardly tear my gaze away. "Kim Dokja."

It was almost unbelievable that he was in my arms right now. After so, so long, he was here, warm and real. Alive. And he knew me—no, more than that, he seemed to care for me.

"Then, I must be alive in your world-turn?" I spoke.

Dokja's smile is ever so soft. "Very much so."

"I'm glad to know for certain that I regress properly," I said. "It makes the wait more than worth it."

His hands cupped my cheeks. "You really waited? After all this time?"

My heart was about to spit up something incredibly nerdy and sappy, along the lines of "always" or "for you," but my brain was quicker. "Someone had to take care of this mess for when you arrived."

Dokja's head tilted forwards as he laughed. It sounded crazy to say that his eyes sparkled but, oh, did they. Stars upon stars filled his gaze, like the universe had decided to make a nest there. It wasn't entirely human; but for a constellation, it was only right to hold this beauty.

I carded my fingers through his wind-ragged hair. On accident, my nails scratched light against his scalp and Dokja's starry eyes came into sharp focus.

"Forgive me," Dokja murmured.

And then his lips were on mine.

Hands caressed my jaw and the back of my neck as he kissed me deeply. I tugged on the locks of hair between my fingers, and the sound that left his body had my mouth opening in a gasp. I felt the first touch of something hot and wet, when he broke away suddenly.

Oh my.

I had a mind to ask what the ever-loving fuck (when I could find my mind, of course. It ran off the moment I was kissed stupid) but Dokja spun around. His stance blocked me. "Yoo Joonghyuk."

Ah, right. They weren't alone.

"He's a big boy. I'm sure he can handle seeing a bit of kissing," I said, sullen.

Dokja ignored me and went to the broken regressor. I followed. "Yoo Joonghyuk." No response. "It's like in Ways of Survival," I heard him say to himself.

"Um." I was sorry to burst his bubble. "Not exactly. The 1863rd turn as you know it was altered. And not because of me."

Footsteps hurried towards us. Heewon, a sword in each hand aimed at Dokja and Joonghyuk respectively, looked to me in question.

"Okay...that one was because of me."

"Yeona, who is this?" said Heewon. She eyed Dokja's coat suspiciously.

"He's a friend." My lips still burned. "From a different world regression. We need to speak to Sooyoung when she returns."

"Han Sooyoung?" said Dokja with an understanding dawning. The pieces in his mind were fitting together, and he had the good sense not to voice them aloud.

Heewon paused before lowering the sword pointed at Dokja. Her eyes darted between us. At his protective hand held out in front of me. "I see."

I did not like the grin that took over her face. Her thoughts practically screamed at me. I was only grateful to have another person with the sense not to share those thoughts aloud.

Joonghyuk slumped over as though he might fall at any second.

"Heewon," I snapped and ran to help steady him with a supporting arm. "He won't hurt anyone right now."

She slowly sheathed the other sword. There was a thunderous sound in the distance; they needed to leave before the elephants returned. I urged Joonghyuk forwards with a glance at them. "Let's head back. You two clear a path and we'll follow."

Dokja moved and winced. I called him over, finally noticing the stab wound on his side.

[The exclusive skill, 'Sacred Light' has been activated!]

My glowing hand hovered over the wound. "It isn't healed but the pain should lessen."

It also sped up the recovery time. He would still need the infirmary for stitches. I used the skill on Joonghyuk as well and caught Dokja lingering even as I focused on "healing." He had shuffled back to Heewon by the time I finished up. I offered the hand to her.

"I'm good." She shook her head.

It didn't take more than an hour to return. Every so often, Joonghyuk would stumble from a lack of awareness and Dokja would look back, sword tight in his grip. I used a few golden arrows of light to pick off the beasts that slipped past.

When the stronghold was within sight, I peeked at Dokja's reaction. He seemed spellbound, like a kid discovering that candy stores were real for the first time.

We headed in. I led Joonghyuk up the main staircase while Dokja paused by the infirmary. Lee Seolhwa emerged with a stretcher, and they exchanged words, but I continued up. There was a well-hidden storeroom off to the side, unexpectedly cosy with a couch, table and chairs, and several odd lamps perched precariously on crates of broken star relics. I set Joonghyuk down on the couch. Only my close companions of the original novel knew of this place. No one would bother us here.

The door opened and Dokja entered. Heewon poked in her head from behind, waggled her eyebrows at me, then she slammed it shut. Annoying. 

I used 'Sacred Light' to trace a golden ring on the crown of Joonghyuk's head. It was how I signaled to my companions that his presence meant no harm. After, I kept my hand there, smoothing down the dark curls that had knotted during the fight.

"Joonghyuk, stay here, alright? Don't hurt anyone. And rest."

The hand that caressed Joonghyuk's head was snatched off and I turned to find Dokja much closer than before. There was a wild edge to his expression. He leaned in, nose brushing mine, and our breaths mixed.

"Yeona, I want—" He sounded almost desperate. Before rationality left me again, I shoved him away.

"Kim Dokja." Dokja, wide-eyed and uncertain, was at a loss for words. My laugh sounded breathless to my own ears. "You really are the devil, Demon King of Salvation."

With one last check on Joonghyuk, I took Dokja's hand, fingers intertwined, and led him out the hall and up staircases. Briefly, we passed a startled Kim Namwoon. "Angel-noona?" he called out to our retreating backs. We rounded the last corner where my room was in sight.

Dokja stopped in his tracks. "Shit."

I watched, concerned, as Dokja plucked a red cosmo and white lily from his coat pocket and set them carefully on a high windowsill. My body went hot and cold all at once. "Um, is that...?"

[The constellation 'Lily Blooming in Aquarius' is looking at you.] [The constellation 'Commander of the Red Cosmos' is looking at you.]

"Yes," he said with a grimace.

[What the ■ck. You could have remembered we were here a lot sooner, Demon King of Salvation. Or perhaps Demon King of Salacity is more appropriate.]

The Archangel Gabriel's true voice was scalding.

[I guess we should be ever so grateful not to bear witness any further. Truly an appalling display. Young ■ing constellations and incarnations these days, really.]

The Archangel Jophiel was blessedly quiet.

[I shouldn't be surprised, child of Divine Desire. You, too, live up to your sinful name—!]

Dokja whisked me down the hall before any more of Gabriel's rambling could continue. "Sorry about that."

My cheeks burned. "It's fine. I wasn't expecting to get scolded by an archangel today."

"I forgot they were in there."

I ushered him inside my room, thankful to have not left any piles of clothes or weapons on the floor. When the door closed, I found that Dokja had hardly taken more than a few steps into the room. Neither of us spoke for a moment. We merely looked at each other.

"If you think about it, they could have spoken up sooner. Maybe," I said, slowly approaching him, "they wanted to see something. Maybe they were hoping to."

I was a hand's breadth away from Dokja. His thumb brushed the scar across my forehead.

I leaned forwards and pressed a kiss to the collarbone exposed from his shirt. He stilled. I took my time, trailing kisses up his neck.

"Is this really okay?" he said. There was that uncertainty again. Even as his hands slipped under my top to grip my waist. Even as he shuddered and sighed at my lips on his pulse. How could a man be so needy, yet cautious, all at once?

"Dokja." I used the collar of his shirt to bring his face to mine directly. "Please, just shut your mouth."

Then I did it for him with my own.

Unlike the last one, these kisses started out sweet and slow. We kissed as long-separated lovers do. Which, perhaps in a fantastical, twisted way, we are.

"The channel," he said in between kisses that grew longer, harder. "Should we ask them...shut it off?"

I pulled back to take in a few gulps of air. "You and I are both leaving this world soon. Let them watch."

It was like shattering a dam. Dokja descended in what could only be described as hunger. Every rough touch, a clash of tongues, skin bitten and bruised, every whimper from the man below me, told this story.

Somehow we ended up on the bed, and the clothes on the floor, and I couldn't really say beyond that because each of my senses were filled with Kim Dokja.

At last, he pressed in as close as two can be and, in that moment, I foolishly begged anyone listening to my thoughts that my greatest desire would come true.

I was amazed at how natural things felt with Kim Dokja, because I hadn't ever actually spent real time with him. Much of my time in this 1863rd turn was spent poring over Omniscient Reader so that I had a secure knowledge of the future and its inhabitants. Rereading it so often helped me feel closer to Dokja; I read the novel like it was a memoir, and it I didn't think it was delusional to call it that because the book's narrative had become truth. Dokja mostly treated Ways of Survival as fiction, but for me it was fact. I could no longer think of these people as characters after years spent in this world.

Dokja's fingers twisted lazily in my hair. There was a pleasant ache in my body. No, certainly not characters.

"You know, your eyes truly sparkle. Probably because you're a constellation now," I said, tracing the shape of astronomic constellations I could remember on the damp skin of Dokja's chest.

I felt the rumble as he laughed. "So you've said."

"I really am the same person in the next round, aren't I?" It was meant to be in jest, but he tensed beneath me.

Dokja was quiet. "Seeing you here, as you are before you reach the next turn, is—" He swallowed, and a finger stroked my cheek. "I cause you so much pain, Yeona."

"We probably cause each other quite a bit of pain," I said simply while tilting to face him better.

Dokja shook his head, lost in thought. "I'm much too selfish."

I pulled him in for a deep, long kiss. "Don't forget sacrificial," I said with a gentle smile.

There were several loud knocks on the door. It was a welcome intrusion, because Dokja's expression was making me uneasy.

"Yes?"

"Unnie! Don't worry I'm not gonna—oh, God—I'm not gonna come in. Because that would be horribly awkward. And disturbing. But Sooyoung is back, and you know how she is, she'll probably get impatient and come to you—"

"Got it," I said loudly. I didn't question how she knew; Heewon had been a little too excited earlier. I thought we might have more time, given Dokja had arrived at the stronghold sooner than was written. But not everything could happen perfectly from the novel.

I slipped from the sheets and picked up a bundle of clothes. At the sight of Dokja's smirk, I hurled the clothes at his face. "Get dressed."

He held up pants and his coat. "You want me to go out in only these? Well, I don't mind being shirtless," he said.

"Don't be a princess." I picked up his black button down and slipped my arms through it. "If you do, I could always leave in just this."

Dokja sat up, rigid, and tugged me in by the waist. "No."

"It's only fair." I patted his cheek as he sulked like a child.

The "child" in question wrapped his arms around me and stuck his face in my stomach. There was a muffled, "you win."

Pleased, I lifted his face up and pecked his lips.

In no time, we were (appropriately) dressed and stepping out. I was surprised to find Jihye still waiting.

”This ahjussi…?”

Jihye gave Dokja the sort of once-over only a haughty teenager could give. Result: unimpressed. She glanced at me and balked. I tried smoothing down my hair more. There was no mirror in my room.

"You know, unnie, I really thought it would be you and your tamed monster. But I'm happy for you." Then she flounced away.

Dokja's grip was tight in my hand. I turned to him, horrified. "No. No."

His frown only deepened. "You are rather gentle with him. And I know I don't exist here, so it makes sense...I mean, there's no reason you wouldn't...I shouldn't have assumed."

"We have never," I said with vehemence, "ever, been like that. I care for him, of course, but in this turn he's lost everyone. There's no one else left to care for him but me. That doesn't mean it's romantic."

You fool, I wouldn't have just slept with you if that were the case. I pulled him into an embrace and felt his head drop down on mine.

His sigh tickled my hair; his words, warm on my ear, said, "Good. Whether it's this life or the next, I have no intention of sharing you with that bastard."

I scoffed. "Your closest companion, you mean."

"Whatever," he muttered. We headed for Sooyoung's office.

'I know I don't exist here.' I wasn't sure if I should tell him that he once did.

Honestly, I couldn't even understand how it was possible. Kim Dokja wasn't supposed to exist in any other worldline—I don't see how my transmigration could have affected that. My suspicion was rooted in the memories I recovered of my month at Minosoft. We interacted often. But never once did Dokja utter the words "Ways of Survival" or "web novels." I never even caught him reading on his phone. I suspected he wasn't really Kim Dokja, or, at least, the Kim Dokja as he is known in Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.

I still loved him regardless. (I've since come to realize that I would love Kim Dokja in any world and universe, in any existence.)

I knocked on the office door and heard a shout to enter. The door shut behind us and Sooyoung looked up. Her mouth dropped open. "Holy shit."

My brows furrowed, but I gestured beside me. "This is Kim Dokja."

"So, this is who you've been waiting for." Sooyoung circled him. She stopped with a flat expression. "I don't see it."

I held back a groan. "I don't remember asking for you or Jihye's opinion on the matter."

"Jihye has taste," said Sooyoung while picking at her fingernails.

"If you're finished discussing my looks," said Dokja. "We have more urgent matters."

Sooyoung studied the white coat and Unbroken Faith sword that mirrored her own. She picked up her sword and approached Dokja again. "Yes, it seems we do."

He was wary and I felt the first crackles of status leak from him. I placed a hand on his arm. "Don't bother. This is a Non-aggression Zone."

"Exactly. Choi Yeona, you may go," said Sooyoung. Dokja frowned and opened his mouth.

"No, she's right," I said, squeezing his arm. "There's somewhere I need to be. By the way, Sooyoung, remember what we discussed."

Sooyoung pressed her lips together in a thin line. "Fine. Now go on."

I made for the exit when I heard a jingle.

"Wait, Yeona." Sooyoung tossed me a set of keys. "Go to my room and get yourself a turtleneck. Please."

It took a moment for her words to register. I slapped a palm against my neck in alarm. By the look on Sooyoung's face, it wasn't near enough to cover whatever marks were left there.

Dokja carefully avoided my nasty glare. Then the corner of his mouth twitched.

"You—!" This man reeked of satisfaction. I hurled mental curses and threats his way as I stalked out of the room.

In no time, I was changing into a white turtleneck from Sooyoung's closet. I didn't own any, but hers was soft and fit me like a warm hug. I liked it. In fact, I had never seen her wear it before. I wondered if I could keep it.

She kept a mirror at her desk, and when I had caught my reflection, I groaned. Mottled red and purple marks painted either side of my neck and tender, raised bites littered my collarbones. Even now with the high neck to cover them, one little red patch peeked out.

'Sacred Light' should fade them quickly. No chance was I letting anyone from medical see them, even Lee Seolhwa.

I took the elevator back down to the main floor and sought out the hidden storeroom. Joonghyuk still sat in silence. But rather than looking as if he were drowning in his own mind, Joonghyuk had an alert, yet resigned, expression. The halo's glow was the only light, as the sun had nearly faded. I flipped on a few lamps.

"I'll bring you some food. You're probably starved, right? Ah, or you could join us in the dining hall..."

"No."

I nodded, having expected it. "I can find you a spare room so you can sleep here tonight."

"This one is fine."

Joonghyuk finally met my gaze. I knew, without a word from him, that he was grateful. I smiled. "I'll be back."

I gathered the food, water, a few extra chocolates, and some large blankets in a bag. I also slipped in a small note. After dropping them off, I let him be. I was hungry myself and he was not in the headspace for company, anyways.

Dokja would soon join us for dinner; Sooyoung only ever ate in her office. I raised my hand in greeting when I spotted my companions at our usual table.

My mind lingered on the image of the lone regressor eating in a lamplit storage room.

That night, Dokja climbed into bed next to me. I toyed with the side buttons on my phone. "I've been writing."

"To gain the 'Avatar' skill?"

"Oh," I said with a frown. "No, but that's a good idea. I've been writing my story of surviving in this world. I want to write our story of the next turn, too."

Dokja looked serene as he tucked a lock of my hair behind one ear. "I'd like to read them both."

"I'm not really a skilled writer." I tried not to let my embarrassment show. "And the story of this turn is more of a journal, of sorts, anyhow. The next turn is the real story."

His eyebrows shot up. "Is it now?"

"It's of us. Everyone loves a great love story."

He pressed his lips to my temple. "That story is going right up there next to Ways of Survival."

I gave him a playful shove. "Liar."

Dojka merely smiled and lifted my hand to kiss my fingertips. "When will you regress?"

I hesitated. I had a way, but I wasn't sure if it was the best option. More than that, I was conflicted about leaving everyone behind. I loved my companions in the 1863rd dearly; we had fought and bled and lived side by side through so much now. I wasn't ready to leave them yet.

Plus, there was that one teensy little problem I had.

"I'm not sure," I said at last. He nodded like it was expected. And, well, for him—it probably was.

I set my phone aside and nestled against Dokja. He clicked off the lamp and tugged me closer. I thought of tomorrow and the trials we would have to face in the coming days. My body twisted until I faced him.

The moonlight cast shadows across his face. I kissed him, and said, "I wish you could stay." Of course, Kim Dokja, you could never remain here. I knew this.

In response, he pulled me back in. He kissed me like he had done it a thousand times before. "Know that I love you, Yeona," he murmured against my lips.

Though I was sure of my feelings, as sure as the sky housed the stars and the moon rose at dusk, I didn't say it back. I didn't need to. For now, our love was dissonant, an illogical overlapping of time and worldlines. 

I settled back in my spot. His last words echoed throughout my mind. In a sudden sickness, I had the terrible sense that something was different between us in the next turn. I pressed my forehead against his chest to will the feeling away.

But my dreams were restless.

Next part ->

A/N: What do you get when you have a pining and love-starved Choi Yeona + a selfish and guilty-in-love Kim Dokja? The escapades of Chapter -1!

This was getting way too long so the rest will be grouped in with Chapter 0 [Interlude].

[snowfieldstories]

Joonghyuk should have those black stud piercings. One in each ear. It would look so ridiculously hot on such a gorgeous, gorgeous man.

I have nothing further to say 🫲😔🫱

[snowfieldstories]

Yoo Joonghyuk x Reader moments (mature 18+)

⊹ him needing only one hand on the back of your head to hold you in place while he devours your lips

⊹ him, despite having no love for constellations, leaving a trail of them on your neck so he can gaze at you like you're his night sky

⊹ him grabbing your hand to guide it exactly where he wants it

⊹ him tearing off his pants to inhale the wet spot you left on his thigh

⊹ him groaning into your legs at your very scent

⊹ him gently kissing your fingertips after cleaning them off with his mouth

⊹ him gripping your hips until they almost bruise

⊹ "again." "again." "again."

⊹ him biting into your skin to control himself when you accidentally brush against him during a public make out

⊹ him then losing control when your touch is less accidental

⊹ him feeling satisfaction as you whimper and writhe underneath his touch

⊹ him wasting his daily allotted 'Recovery' skill to go another round

____

yeah I needed to get those off my chest. most of them were taken straight from things my ex would do lol

sorry I will not be elaborating on these little scenarios at the moment, but anyone else is welcome to take them and write their own! if you do please tag me, I'd love to read them ♡

some might end up in a Joonghyuk x OC story I have planned

[snowfieldstories]

take a walk in the snowfield.

read my polished writing here on ao3 || send a request

looping back to different memories -- stuck in limerence play music ▶︎・၊၊||၊|။|||| ⩇⩇:⩇⩇

How would you like to enjoy the snow?

★ = long walks (+4k fic, multi chapter works)

⟡ = short strolls (under 4k one shots)

࣪ ❄︎.⋆ = snow flurries (drabbles, < 1k mini fic)

☁︎ = daydreams (headcanons, imagines)

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint:

★ In Life and Death Masterlist [Kim Dokja x Reader/OC]

★ His Eternal Star Masterlist [Yoo Joonghyuk x Constellation!OC]

⟡ Ten Minutes [Kim Dokja x Yoo Joonghyuk]

࣪ ❄︎.⋆ Valentine's Day Special [Kim Dokja x Reader/OC]

☁︎ Yoo Joonghyuk x Reader moments (18+)

☁︎ His scent and love language: Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk (18+) [gender neutral]

Pending

...

݁˖:𖥔･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.ೃ࿔. ݁ ˖