Chapter Text
If the person you trust the most is gone, what else are you supposed to believe in?
The question lingered in Heewon’s mind as she watched Dokja and Sooyoung argue over some hidden scenario they accepted. Apparently, the scenario proceeds like a chess game, and even though Heewon admittedly doesn’t understand all rules of the board game, she’s pretty sure it involves capturing pieces and eliminating the king.
Which leads them to their current predicament.
“Are you dumb? You can’t be the king this time!”
“Read the rules. It will be easier for us to move if I’m king. I literally have a skill for that, who else could it be?”
Sooyoung bit her lip and looked at Dokja with contempt. Heewon is pretty sure the rest of the party sides with Sooyoung, including her.
Unfortunately, it is now too late to back down from the scenario.
<<<
< HIDDEN SCENARIO - CHECKMATE >
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: A
Clear Conditions:
- Infiltrate the enemy’s base and eliminate their king [or] eliminate all other main pieces.
- The king can not leave the base camp set by the party (other information about the piece will be given to the player).
- The queen must be seen by the king at all times (other information about the piece will be given to the player).
- The bishops must not part with the king or the queen for more than 30 minutes (other information about the piece will be given to the player).
- The rooks’ attack stats will be decreased by 75% (other information about the piece will be given to the player).
- The knights' defense stats will be decreased by 75% (other information about the piece will be given to the player).
- A pawn must be the first piece to enter the enemy’s base camp.
Time Limit: 24 hours
Reward: Winning teams’ individual stats will increase by 40%. ??? ???
Failure: Losing team will permanently lose 30% of their individual stats.
*Once a piece is eliminated, they will be banished out of the [Chess Board] and can no longer participate in the game.
>>>
<<< Nebula Kim Dokja’s Company is now picking their king. >>>
Conditions number 2 and 3 leaves them no choice but to consider Dokja’s claim.
If they approach this strategically, then Heewon would agree without a doubt that Dokja should be king, since he has a skill that would allow him to ‘see’ the queen at all times without leaving the base.
She scanned the room while Dokja continued to prove his point to Sooyoung.
Beside her, Hyunsung was looking down and clenching his fists, looking at anywhere but Dokja. The kids sat on the ground, Yoosung and Gilyoung clutching each other’s shirts as Jihye stood almost protectively near them both. The three of them watched the duo argue, occasionally flinching whenever Sooyoung raised her voice.
They were somehow used to the girl’s loud voice, but not when it’s directed at him.
Because when it is, it holds more emotions than the usual anger and frustration.
Even Sangah, who would usually take Dokja’s side and apprehend Sooyoung, steered clear of the fight.
She’s pretty sure they are all holding the same thought.
But we just got him back. Why do we have to risk him again?
Three years without the man flew by too slow, and too fast. They were progressing with the scenarios, yes. But Heewon felt like they were just running in circles. And now, now that he’s back within their reach again, he’s determined to put himself at risk for a stupid scenario again.
Heewon frowned when she noticed one more thing. She was certain that everyone in the company shared the same sentiment of wanting to keep Dokja as far away from the scenarios as possible. She was certain that she’s seen everyone’s version of running autopilot during those three years without their leader. Even the so-called sunfish bastard.
But look what that ‘sunfish bastard’ is doing now.
Joonghyuk, who probably had the best chance at convincing Dokja, stood silent.
She’s frustrated. Undeniably mad at the man who she often saw staring at the sky, clutching a pocket watch, searching for a blinking star, standing silent now that the very same star is here and is on the verge of disappearing again.
If she could… if only she held as much influence over Dokja… no, even a half of the influence Joonghyuk has on the reader… then maybe she could have done something. Both before and now, she could have done something.
She’s frustrated. She feels silly. Even as she feels her stats and the archangel’s stigma flow through her body, Jung Heewon felt powerless.
She, who wanted to do something, couldn't. And he, who could do something, didn't want to.
Casting one last stern look at the unmoving man wearing a black coat, Heewon turned her back at the still arguing duo and walked away with a clenched fist.
Before she left, she heard Dokja shout.
“It’s not like I’ll be eliminated for good anyway! It’s just a scenario Han Sooyoung!”
Bullshit. The scenarios took you away from us several times, Kim Dokja.
Right there and then, she wondered if the scenarios held more influence over Dokja than Joonghyuk does.
In the end, Dokja got his way.
He always did. One way or another.
And Heewon made a resolution to herself. That she won’t let the scenario take him away from them this time, no matter how small the consequence is.
Maybe it was to settle a score within herself that has long since died out. Maybe it was to convince herself that she can do what she swore to do during that time at Gumho station.
But seeing the faces of everyone in their company, Heewon is at least sure that she won’t do it alone.
Dokja cleared his throat, feeling overwhelmed with all their gazes focused on him. Especially Han Sooyoung, who was still glowering at him from where she sat.
Luckily, with an encouraging smile from Sangah and a little help from the fourth wall, he managed to speak without his voice breaking.
Like a war general assigning positions, Kim Dokja delegated roles to each and every one of his party members, explaining their plan of action along the way. Although this is just a hidden scenario, the 40% stat boost reward will help them lots in the next main scenario.
<<<
< You are a [King] >
Role: As the [King], you must assign roles to the rest of your party.You must avoid being captured by the other team [or] protect your party members to win.
*The [King] is to assign one queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, and a maximum of eight pawns.
*The [King] can not leave the base camp assigned by the party.
*The [King] is given temporary stigma [Commander of the Board].
>>>
Although Dokja is unfamiliar with the owner of the stigma [Commander of the Board], he does know that it allows the user to communicate with their party from afar and have power over other people’s actions, like an advanced form of [Incite]. Only, it requires that the user hold a certain amount of authority and influence over the people prior to usage of the stigma. It also allows him to have some insight about what is happening to his party members across the ‘board’.
A familiar blue panel floated in front of him, showing the names of his party members as well as the available roles. One queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, and a maximum of eight pawns. Which meant they could assign less than eight to maximize the rewards song themselves.
Running the strategies once again in his head, he voiced out the roles he wished to assign. And without complaint from his party, he clicked confirm.
“This better be worth it.”
“You have little faith in me Sooyoung,” he smirked.
She gave him one last look before exiting the area, the rest of the party soon followed to do their own thing while they’re waiting for the first phase of their plan to commence. Shin Yoosung prepared to enter the enemy’s base with her beasts, as well as with Lee Gilyoung and Lee Jihye’s assistance.
Dokja hummed a little as he nodded to the kids, giving them an encouraging smile. He’s not worried at all, since their only task is to infiltrate in order to fulfill one of the conditions as a pawn.
In one of his regressions, Joonghyuk and the others found this scenario, but never participated. There were only brief mentions of the two participating teams in the novel, but he’ll have to make do with that. He doesn’t know which one they’ll be facing after all.
“Kim Dokja,” a deep voice called from beside him.
Glancing up, he faced Joonghyuk who was staring at him with an unreadable look on his face.
“What, complaining why you’re a knight and not a king? Well, Yoo Joonghyuk–”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I could care less if you assign me as just a pawn,” but the look he gave Dokja suggests that he might pick him up by the neck again if Dokja tries to do just that.
That aside, Dokja made an expression of surprise. If not that, then what else would Joonghyuk talk to him about?
“Then why?”
“Why do you insist on putting yourself in harm’s way every time?”
Always so straightforward huh?
Of course, everything Kim Dokja does is after careful consideration. Even though it might not seem that way to his party members.
Assigning himself as king was because he can activate Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and the queen would have more flexibility. Assigning Sangah as queen since she’s their most versatile fighter. Lee Seolhwa and Sooyoung as bishops because Seolhwa can be a great support to Sangah in the field and Sooyoung’s avatars would help him in command. Yoo Joonghyuk and Heewon as knights because they have the highest attack abilities anyway. Lee Hyunsung as a rook for his defense abilities, Gilyoung as a rook for his ability to secure high vantage points with his tamed insects. And Yoosung and Jihye as pawns since Yoosung’s beast and Jihye’s attack would make for great initiators.
Every piece was placed for a reason. Every move was made with a thousand thoughts behind them.
So this time, of course, he has a reason for this question too.
Clutching his phone in his pocket, he gave Yoo Joonghyuk a lopsided smile before choosing to answer him in the most annoying way he knows.
Through another question.
“Do you think I like dying, Yoo Joonghyuk?”
Shocked, with a hint of frustration on his face, Joonghyuk kept a stern glare on Dokja. Well, maybe that was Dokja’s fault. Maybe it’s not wise to ask a regressor these kinds of questions.
But this is Yoo Joonghyuk's third regression.
Which means Dokja probably died more than Joonghyuk did.
“Seems like it.”
But that doesn’t mean he’s any less familiar with death than Dokja is.
Dokja kept quiet for a while as he watched Yoosung, Jihye, and Gilyoung approach the border of the enemy base. The scenario area is not that large after all. Once he’s sure that the three secured their positions, he turned to address Yoo Joonghyuk again.
“How does dying feel like, Joonghyuk-ah?”
Jonghyuk racked his brain for an answer. And then,
“Nothing.”
Dokja smirked and quickly glanced at him, “Right?”
He swayed a little as he turned back to keep watch over the three, ignoring Joonghyuk as he cast his gaze on him, and kept talking. But unlike him, the taller man kept his keen gaze on Dokja.
“I mean, aside from the physical pain, I know I’ll live again, so I don’t think about it that much.”
Dokja watched his words. He knew he and Joonghyuk had different experiences with death. When Dokja dies, the rest of the world would continue without him. When Joonghyuk dies, everything restarts except for him.
But Dokja also knows that at this , Joonghyuk would understand him, even a little.
“Same for me,” Joonghyuk replied. But in a tight voice, he quickly added, “but you didn’t answer my question.”
“I was about to. Why are you so impatient?”
“Just answer, fool.”
Dokja smiled again. This time, he urged Yoo Joonghyuk to look at their party.
“When I first died, the burn hurt really bad. The other time, I was numb. Being stabbed through the heart wasn’t a good experience too,” Dokja ignores how Joonghyuk clenched his fists, “but none of them really hurt enough to mull over.”
They watch as the party crowd over their bishops, Lee Seolhwa and Han Sooyoung, to also keep track of what the kids are doing.
“You know what stays, right? I’m sure you do,” he directed to Joonghyuk.
“...Yeah. I do.”
Between the two of them, Dokja’s answer was left unspoken, yet clearly heard.
I know I’ll live again. I’m sure.
He watches, ignoring the glances Sooyoung kept sending his way, or how Hyunsung fidgets from where he stands.
But them…
He ignores how Sangah had a troubled expression on her face, or how Heewon gripped her sword too tight.
They have no way of knowing if I’ll open my eyes again.
“I don't want to die, Joonghyuk-ah. Not in front of them, not in front of you.”
Joonghyuk already knew the next words that would come out of Dokja’s mouth, but he couldn’t help but clench his fists when the man said them out loud.
“But sometimes I must.”
Casting one last glance at Joonghyuk, he walked over to the party as a message appeared in front of him.
<<< [Pawn] Shin Yoosung has entered the enemy’s base. >>>
<<< The opposing party has been alerted of intruders. >>>
Dokja gave the command.
Yoo Sangah, Yoo Joonghyuk, Lee Seolhwa, and Jung Heewon followed into the enemy’s area after the kids. Lee Hyunsung and Han Sooyoung remained in the base with Dokja, with some of Yoosung’s beasts and Gilyoung’s insects placed near their border so they could take care of intruders immediately.
He watched as the group, led by Lee Seolhwa, began scouting the area.
“Remind me of the bishop’s abilities again, Sooyoung?”
“Did you already forget?”
He gave her a tight-lipped smile which she answered with a sneer before pulling up a window.
<<<
< You are a [Bishop] >
Role: As the [Bishop], you must relay information from the field to the king and queen. You must protect the [King] or the rest of the party members to win.
*The [Bishop] must not part with the [King] or [Queen] for more than 30 minutes.
*The [Bishop] is given temporary skill [Field Scan].
>>>
As expected, Sooyoung’s avatars would prove to be useful as a bishop since it would allow them to cover more ground. [Field Scan] means exactly what the name suggests. It scans the area around the user for traps, incarnations, beasts, and other threats. From then, they can send the information to Kim Dokja through [Commander of the Board], and Dokja would relay the information to the rest of the team if needed.
The original plan was for Sooyoung to go into the enemy area and for Seolhwa to stay here with Dokja. But Sooyoung insisted that she could send her avatars with them instead, and that she would stay here with Dokja and Hyunsung.
Which reminded him…
“Why did you insist on staying? It would be more practical for you to be in the field, you know,” he asked Sooyoung who sat on a chair beside him, sucking on what he guessed was a lemon-flavored lollipop. His nose scrunches at the thought.
Not that it would greatly hinder the strategy they made, but still.
What could her reason be? That she figured Seolhwa would be more efficient to partner with Sangah? Or maybe that she wants to be involved while Dokja calls the moves in the base?
“I don’t feel like fighting.”
…I guess that counts too.
At the back of his mind, he heard Seolhwa and the rest of the members report on the positioning of the enemy team. He noted the hefty number of pawns that they have, as well as the absence of the enemy king or queen. He figured they wouldn’t find the main pieces so close to the border anyway, so he let it be and told them to give him a rough estimate of the numbers.
While they worked on that, his mind drifted to Han Sooyoung again. Her reason made him compare the plagiarist to the 1863rd Han Sooyoung he met. He couldn’t help but think that 1863-Han Sooyoung would probably prefer to take the lead in this scenario instead of being a bishop.
His thoughts also drifted to his earlier conversation with Yoo Joonghyuk. Again, he glances at Sooyoung, who raises her eyebrow at his stare.
“What do you want?”
“It’s a deception,” he said to 1863rd Han Sooyoung.
“Some call it salvation,” she replied.
“I want to ask a question.”
As if disgusted by his words, Sooyoung curled her lips.
“What the hell are you being so formal for?”
Right. Why am I being so formal?
He threw a glance at Hyunsung, who was standing a few feet out of earshot from them.
“Sooyoung, when does salvation become betrayal?”
There. He said it. Brief and direct.
He kept his gaze at Hyunsung, even as he heard Sooyoung’s lollipop hit the ground.
“What are you planning now, you squid?”
“Just curious,” he shrugged.
Sooyoung did not answer his question, but her eyes bore holes to the back of his head. Ignoring her, again, he smiled as Hyunsung noticed his gaze. Hyunsung smiled back and returned to watching.
Chuckling at his eagerness to perform his role, he asked the rest of the party about the status of their scouting.
Not more than 10 people around, they said. Some main roles included too, as Seolhwa said.
But they encountered a problem. Joonghyuk, who was apparently scouting an area opposite of Seolhwa, walked past a pawn with an invisible skill. The pawn stabbed his back. Jihye, who was a few steps behind Joonghyuk, eliminated the pawn, but their knight is now immobile, but not eliminated.
En passant, he thought. A chess move where a pawn eliminates another piece by moving a step diagonally to the square behind them. He didn’t know those special rules apply in this game too. Maybe since not all conditions are satisfied, Joonghyuk was not eliminated completely.
That would change some things. Explains some things too.
Luckily, even though the knight's defense stats were lowered, Joonghyuk still had enough to not be eliminated with a single stab. Unfortunately, because the opponent used a chess move, the damage was increased compared to a normal stab. Jihye reported that Joonghyuk was forced to stop moving every 7 minutes.
After their report, he can hear the party ask him what to do.
Simple. One of Sooyoung’s avatars can escort Joonghyuk back. The rest of the party hold their positions while waiting for Hyunsung to substitute for manpower. Since the enemy appeared to be more on defense than offense, the three of them can probably manage the base.
Once the switch has been made, he looks at the time remaining.
“What now Dokja-ssi?” Sangha asks.
The enemy knew that his party was already there, yet they made no move to search and eliminate intruders. This led him to think that there might be a trap somewhere, if they continued pursuing. At the back of his mind, he noted that they still haven’t found their queen. He warned them of his conclusion, and that the enemy seemed so confident with their tactic.
And, well, with the enemy being so still, what else are they supposed to do?
“Move forward,” he commanded.